See below - a dictionary definition of a ramble!

Wine of the week: 

Pepper Tree Wines Tallawanta Semillon 2013

Firstly, yes it is a white wine. However, I have decided that seeing part of this exercise is sharing what I think are good wines, I shouldn't limit my horizons to just one variety - especially as we enter the summer proper and the festive season.

The 2013 Tallawanta Semillon is still young enough to have the acidity that allows you to have it with food such as thai - which we had on Sunday. It also good enough to have it on it's own. Like most Hunter Valley semillons, given time it will develop and become more richer and perfect with that salmon steak you put on the BBQ.

That and you can never go wrong with Pepper Tree Wines either red or white. If you are venturing to the Hunter, stop by the cellar door and have a tasting. You won't get much better. http://www.peppertreewines.com.au/

So, here is the thing. I had drafted a post around my reactions to Phillip Hughes' death and the tragic accident that occurred last month at the Sydney Cricket Ground. There was such an outpouring of sympathy and sadness due to such a random and freak accident that I felt that I needed to share what I was thinking and feeling. And seeing this still is my own little piece of internet real estate, here was the place to post it.

That and as you would have all observed, it has been a while since made an effort to make a post. I thought that if the accident to Phillip Hughes wouldn’t get me out of my internet slumber, nothing will.

Not for the first time and not for the last time, I was wrong.

I drafted what I was going to say and left it. Thinking I would get around to it on Monday night.

Then of course, Monday happened.

Part of my career was working in the business continuity area and after September 11^th, it was a generally accepted view that it wasn’t a case of if an act of terror would happen on domestic soil but when. That said, when it actually does happen it still is a shock.

And yes, there is still debate as to whether it was a political statement or just an act of a mad man. What isn't in debate is that two families have lost a loved one. Other families have been changed forever after living through nearly sixteen hours of torture before their loved ones were returned to safety. 

And a general community is feeling a little less safe, a little less secure and a little fearful that this could happen again and what if it happened to them?

I am not about to debate the causes, the actions, the reactions. In fact, I am not that altogether certain what I wanted to achieve from this post. I guess it is the fact that despite what has happened, we just have to keep moving.

When I say that, it doesn’t mean we forget.

We don’t forget the two lives lost.

We don’t forget those who spent those long hours not knowing what fate would have in store for them next.

And, we don’t forget that the act of one should not tarnish the name of many.

It means we can’t stop living. We can’t stop moving forward.

I heard the Prime Minister and the Premier make statements that we need to take a ‘business as usual’ approach. Part of me says that was just a crock. The other part thinks that it makes perfect sense. All it takes is taking that first step.

For many, that has been back to Martin Place to lay flowers, sign a book or just stop and take in the enormity of it all.

For others, it has been back to Martin Place for another day’s work.

Either way, all it takes is one step. You just have to make a conscious decision to take it. 

However long it takes for you to make it.

For me, it is taking the time to do something that I have been meaning to do for ages but seemingly not having the time to do.

Albeit in an airport lounge.

And watching the cricket in the background.