Smoke On...Red Bull Rises

Rising from it's close season slumber was the other magnificent sporting spectacle I can't do without:the Red Bull Air Race, and like the Grand Prix in Melbourne, it started on the weekend.

15 of the world's best aviators - including former RAAF Top Gun Instructor and Squadron Leader, Matt Hall, (seen here flying the F/18 Hornet in a display) flew the track in Abu Dhabi to herald the start of the new race season.

If you haven't seen this version of Air Racing, you need to check it out online asap. It is quite stunning, requiring immense skill and fitness, and is visually more spectacular than my other passion, Formula One. The purpose built aircraft race over a twisting tight course above water that cradles large nylon marker pylons. The planes hit these pylons all the time and any that do are penalised 10 seconds in race time, which generally puts them out of contention. Depending on the colour of the pylon the pilot must fly between the pylons level or on one wing at such speed and high g-forces that you have to wonder how can it be possible.

The planes navigate the race course at over 400 kmh with mere millimetres of lee way in the route taken by the pilots. Over the weekend former champion Kirby Chambliss nearly came to an early end when his wing tip was seen to almost touch the surface of the water over which they race. Scary, spectacular, you bet, Breathtaking.

Matt Hall finished down the rank's in eigth place after experiencing teething problems with his new aircraft. Last year's Rookie of the year is also breaking in a new team of engineers so this result is entirely predictable so don't read too much into this early season glitch. Certainly I wish him the very best, I know he can turn the season into another brilliant one and I hope he can score his maiden round win. That said he is up against extreme and gifted aviators so it will be a challenge, but if Matt has proven anything over his lifetime it is that he can meet and conquer any challenge placed before him.

The series heads to Perth for the second round on April 17 and 18. You have just gotta check this out, it is nothing short of stunning.

Despite crowds of a million - yes that's right - attending the event live in Europe, Australian TV only has eyes for plodder Ponting and that game they play in Melbourne. One HD is promising to telecast it so I'll be tuning in and holding my breath, or rather holding my breath when I tune in.

Go Matt. Smoke On.

Think Long and prosper

Biggles

Now that's more like it...

What a relief, the Australian Grand Prix raced through the streets of Melbourne yesterday afternoon proved to be everything I had hoped for and then some.

What a fantastic, magnificent spectacle and what a race. I admit the weather added to the mix but then that is part of the equation anyway so it was a legitimate and welcome part.

Jenson Button won for my team - well done Jenson a brilliant drive and as it transpired, an inspired tyre choice at the early stop. Brilliant.

After the first bore fest in Bahrain I was terrified this would be the way of the season, but yet again this most incredible of sports turned it on and turned everything on its head. If you missed the race, you missed a real highlight of the year.

Lewis Hamilton's drive was exceptional right up until he was so unfortunately hit by Mark Webber. Webber also drove brilliantly during that stint but was caught out by the split second gap/no gap moment and ended his race back in ninth. A very promising weekend for him turned into nightmare, but well done any way Mark.

Fantastic, McLaren back on the top step, more to come...I just hope it can reach the heights of the Melbourne race.

Think Long and Prosper
Dan

Thoughts become things...

I sit here cogitating on my dream. On a vision of my future as I want it to be. Is that something you do? Or is it something you avoid? What is the old cliche - Fail to plan and you plan to fail.

Over the past day or two I have passed the time watching four diverse yet interlinked stories of life, past, present and of a possible future.

I recently began watching a television programme set in the wild west of America in the 1870's South Dakota Black Hill's Gold rush in a town called Deadwood. This town still survives and prospers, it is renowned for being the place that the legendary gunslinger and poker player known as Wild Bill Hickock met his maker, assisted by a bullet to the back of the head while holding the cards that, as a result of his murder, came to be known as the Dead Man's Hand. Aces and Eights.

The programme appears to be very realistic. Gritty, tough and violent it is, and I do not doubt for a second that some or what is portrayed on screen actually occurred. This was a town before the heavy hand of government intervention, without law and devoid of morals.

It is what the wild west and in fact any western society can claim as it's history - violence ruled, survival of the fittest, do as I say or die. After all the term Wild West was not coined because of a cuddly tree hugging love for the rule of law.

Nevertheless, it develops the hopes and dreams of the gold miners, of the town leaders, of the every day inhabitants into something we can all associate with. Humanity, co-existing and striving for a better life. Even in the often evil doing's of the town crime lords (for want of a better term) there is a sense of humanity and of wanting to see the overall success of the whole. As long as they come out on top of course. But from that, what has really changed? Politicians and business leaders are no different today than then, only there are more of them, with more riches to plunder.

As I watch the town struggle and develop throughout the series, I also began to view more modern interpretations of life, closer to what we know today. I laughed my way through and thoroughly enjoyed the british comedy "The Boat thatRocked".

Pirate Radio set against the oppressive, out of date ruling elite. But at least we know whi won that battle.

Set as it is in United Kingdom of 1966, it is disconcerting to think that the moral battle waged throughout the movie was only a matter of 40 odd years ago. The music survives far stronger, resolute and popular than the annonymous grey men that tried to kill it. Yet the pirates had a vision and a cause that drove them, to release the music to the nation against what were very real and seemingly overwhelming odds. They were forced to broadccast from ships anchored in the North Sea, from where they developed a massive popular following. History records, thank the stars, that the dream was realised and we have the music stations of the current era to thank for their efforts. Music, in fact, can thank their efforts too. Imagine a world without the Rolling Stones, U2, Dire Straits, Tom Waits, Inxs, Van Morrison, Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, uuugghh no I can't either.

Don't lose sight of the fact that the current Queen was the Head of State at that time. She moved with the times, and has personally led by magnificent example in a way that we can all be grateful for. If only her children would keep up!

I think of my own efforts to establish a business and the strain and focus it had required to overcome the endless obstacles. I compare it to the obstacles and difficulties presented in the two examples described, and I take heart.

Just the other day I viewed the future of American auto racing - Indycars -I remember as a young boy looking at artists renditions of future race car designs and struggling to see how they had arrived at that point based on the design and technology of the day, but for the life of me they drew this Indycar some 40 years ago.

Only the good Lord know's how they intend getting it around the corners at any sort of speed but I am sure they have thought it all through to release such a goal post moving design. Next step the flying racers of the later Star Wars movies. Actually that is already a step closer to reality with the Rocket Racing League set to fire up later this year. Once again, the egregious actions of our top Bankers and supposed Leaders in Democratic obsfucation - Politicians, has forced delays on this concept due to the Global Financial Crisis effect.

Still plenty to be excited about and to cause reflection on the power of the human mind and effort. Who knows how far we could have gotten already without the aforementioned criminals of the financial markets and those cellar dwellers we foolishly delude ourselves are there to represent us.

Now I should just mention before I sign off that I am philosophical advocate of Lassez Faire Capitalism. I will argue to the death that the system we work under presently is as far removed from that ideal as you can get, it is in fact nothing short of socialism, bordering on Fascism.Albeit a twisted and grossly perverted form of Democracy that embraces more Socialist agenda and reform than that of it's own. Just look at what Barack Obama has done in America - then read the link on socialism. I am happy to debate the issue with you if you feel the need.

I believe the leaders in the GFC - the banks, stock markets etc, did not stand true to their Capitalistic ideals , rather they chased profits for themselves and no one else. How can you explain the criminal activity the indulged in, in any other way. Had they held a consistent philosophy on life, such as Objectivism then this would never have occurred.

Now it's up to us to keep our belts tightened, yet again, and weather the storm that I believe is still to hit us. I hope I am wrong on this score, but the banks are already doing what they were doing to cause this mess and the gutless sychopantic politicians of all colours are allowing it.

Of course, not everyone in the financial sector took the road AIG, Bear Sterns,Bernie Maddoff et al, so they remain in business and continue to prosper.

Right, I'm off the watch another of man's stunning technical acheivments in action, the Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Look at my footnote, it means you can achieve anything with the power of thought, YOUR thoughts, leading to YOUR actions. You don't need Kevin 747 to tell you how it must be.

Think Long and Prosper
Biggles

What does a PI do for a Living...Pt 2

Having re-read my little rant in part 1, I thought maybe I should actually give you an idea of what it is a Private Investigator does for a crust.

There are two aspects to Investigations - Factual and Surveillance. The Factual guys (I am one for instance) tend to specialise in interviewing individuals for Insurance claims that may have been requested for any number of reasons. We visit the site of motor accidents and photograph it from every angle, drawing up a sketch plan of the site to include with our report. We might then interview the witnesses to the crash, locals who may have some information of interest or the Police who attended. The Police are generally unhelpful, but are required to confirm their attendance, the Officer who may have dealt with the accident and a file number.

We will request the medical records, work records, financial records and the like from the claimant; have a look at yur insurance policy - it requires you to supply any and all information relating to your claim, or the claim will be denied.

You may not be aware but the Insurance industry pay out on 80% of claims made, with a significant proprtion of the remaining 20% being either fraudulent or declined for Policy deficiencies. Only the big claims will proceed further through the legal system to a court, the Insurance companies do not need or want to have their names and reputations dragged through the courts so they tend to deny a claim and leave it at that.

So we need to have a good understanding of the law, a confident manner in dealing with people and an ability to spot a possible angle for enquiry in a claimants statement.

These days you also need a reasonable typing ability as CTP statements are taken on the spot, printed and signed by the claimant. Touch typing ability is a must as you need to be able to type and look at the witness as you type.   You will also need to have a fairly extensive resource kit of Laptop, portable printer, mobile phone, audio recorders, digital cameras, covert cameras, mobile modems, inverters and chargers and batteries of all sorts. And that is a short list.

You do not need to have years of Police experience behind you to succeed in this aspect of Investigations, I know more succesful non Police Investigators that the other way around. And the divergent experience and knowledge these people bring to the industry is vital.

 The second aspect of Investigations is the more one more commonly associated with the term Private Investigator - Surveillance.

The idea of the solo male sitting in a car for hours on end still holds true but these days it is less likely to be the result of a wayward husband or straying wife, more likely to be the result of a worker's compensation investigation. We are often tasked with gaining evidence to either support or to counter the claims made by an injured party who is on long term compensation - and there are a lot of them out there.

A surveillance operative will endure long periods of hot, uncomfortable surveillance - very hot if you live up this way. They may have to sit for several hours on a job before the claimant moves and the investigaotr is then required to follow them and continue to gain video footage of the indivual to assist the Insurance company to make a decision on the claim.

Note: we are not there to catch people out, we are there to record and report the activities of a claimant to either support or discredit their claim. Obvioulsy if the claimant knows we are out there then they will put on a bit of a show for us and that is why a covert surveillance works best.

The equipment required to fulfill this role is far less than that required for the Factual operators and it is probably the easier option to take if you are entering the industry. It is pretty difficult to conduct both facets of Investigations, the requirements and demands of the job too often clash so only those in the regions will generally take on both roles. Having said that, if you intend entering the industry in any regional area then you had better include in your plan a multiple income plan. For instance, I am also a licensed Commercial Agent allowing me to conduct repossessions, serve legal documents and the like and I also facilitate the training you see listed on this website. I also complete both aspects of Investigations - Factual and Surveillance, so I know how difficult it is to do that well.

I invite your questions and comments on this blog, if you have any questions about the industry then drop me a line at dan@drmgroup.com.au or on (07) 41230795.

Remember, there is free training availabe at the moment under the PPP scheme to train as a PI and if you are up this way, then I will probably be your trainer. If you would like to know more about that then check some of the archived blog's on this site.

I look forward to hearing from you

Think Long and Prosper

Dan

Security course dates for the coming month

I have set course dates for PPP funded security and they are:

31 Mar - 7 April (Easter Weekend in the middle)

13 16 April inclusive

20 - 23 April inclusive

27 - 30 April inclusive

4 - 7 May inclusive

I have only three placements left available for Investigations students under the PPP funding so you had better be quick.

E-mail me at training@drmgroup.com.au for further information on these and other courses we provide.

First Aid is run on the final day of each of the Security courses listed above if you want to re-certify or re-accredit your CPR.

Think Long and Prosper

Dan
http://www.australianinvestigators.com/
http://www.nsaaqld.com.au/

Can Women become Investigators?

ABSOLUTELY!

Women make excellent Investigators and are welcome in the Industry. There may be a perception that you need to have a Police Background to be a good Investigator, but I am writing this precisely to debunk that assertion.

Policemen and women make no better Investigators than anyone else. In fact in a lot of cases it is a drawback.

You need an enquiring mind, a reasonably accurate memory and many other skills most Police Officers have no idea about. Women tend to bring a more subtle approach to Investigations and in terms of surveillance, no one looks twice at a female sitting alone in a car, but a lone male is suspicious right off the bat.

I know of several women working in the industry and seemingly flourishing, they have set up their own businesses and are out there doing it. So, what's stopping you?

But most of all you need the desire to want to do this and the ability to learn and adopt the lessons learnt.

Send me an e-mail at investigations@drmgroup.com.au and I will address your specific questions on this issue and tell you why being a woman is no draw back in this industry.

Dan

What does a Private Investigator do for a living?

I received an interesting e-mail today from a journalist connected with the local newspaper.

She rather nicely told me she is very interested in what I do, and went on to ask if she could interview me to explain what I do.

Now that's fine, I will contact her and listen to what she has to ask and respond as deem appropriate.

However, this question intrigues many, I imagine that is why she wants to write a story. Unfortunately, it also intrigues those wishing to qualify as Investigator's through my PPP funded courses and that is troublesome. If you want to enter this industry and you don't really know what it is about, then are your really serious? I think not.

If you want me to divulge years worth of expensively self funded knowledge without having first made the most basic of enquiries - Google??? then you should consider another trainer or another career for this is not really for you.

Please, if you are considering a career in this industry then use the investigative side of your brain and INVESTIGATE the business.

That raises another issue, it is a business, like any other we are here to make money so expect to pay for my 30 years of knowledge, but do not come to me on a fully funded course and expect me to give you all the answers and employ you to boot. True, I am a trainer and will help you, but I will not employ someone who has seen Magnum PI once too often and can visualise themselves in a Rosso red Ferrari but cannot explain the blodd,sweat and tears that paid for it.

Do your homework, it isn't hard, the work you will be asked to perform is substantially more difficult, but you need to know what we do before you come to me and invest so much of your time and the patience of your JSA.

If you want to undertake the PI course, you will be required to complete several computer generated reports and take verbal and written statements to a set standard. Ensure you have the ability to do this before you take on the workload of the course.

Ask me your questions at investigations@drmgroup.com.au or call me on 07 41230795 and I will give you a helping hand - free and without obligation. Remember, I guarantee you will pass with my help or your money back -as long as it is your money.

Think Long & Prosper
Dan

Drug & Alcohol Screening Course with SPECIAL OFFER

I am running a Drug & Alcohol Screening course tomorrow, a bit late for me to say I know, however if you need to gain a qualification in this dicipline then give me a call on (07) 41230795 of e-mail me at training@drmgroup.com.au.

This course is, as is the case with all of my other courses, nationally recognised and useful if you want to move into Mine site security or undertake D & A Screening in a private capacity.

As an added bonus, for those enrolling through DRM GROUP to undertake D&A Training before April 30, 2010, I will not only Guarantee your pass - or your money back (conditions apply), but I will give you a $50.00 discount on your next course over the value of $500.00. That's a 10% discount right off the bat.

Dan

Think Long & Prosper

http://www.drmgroup.com.au/
http://www.nsaaqld.com.au/
http://www.australianinvestigators.com/

Sorry, I died of terminal boredom...

What a crashing letdown. The first race of what promises to be a fantastic year of Formula One racing was embarrassingly boring. Mind you I thought it might be, due to the fact that every track designed by Herman Tilke is BORING!!! Why they persist with this bloke is beyond me.

Anyway, for those who may have watched as a result of my earlier post, please give it another go, that race in Bahrain was deathly dull but not a true indication of what a spectacle this sport can be.

I just hope the next Race in Melbourne lifts the game out of sight or it could signal a serious decline in the sport I love the most.

Don't give up yet.

Dan

Think Long & Prosper

Security & Investigation Training Courses Fully Funded

The federal funding for the Security and PI courses is back on line and gives you the opportunity to qualify (Guaranteed by me) for your Security Licence or Investigators Licence.

Contact me on dan@drmgroup.com.au for more information and tell me you saw it on this blog.

Think Long & Prosper

Dan
http://www.drmgroup.com.au/
http://www.australianinvestigators.com/
http://www.nsaaqld.com.au/

Formula One...And so it begins

It's here, I can't believe it, it has finally arrived. I speak of course, of the 2010 Formula One season. Oh Gawd I hear the groans, and the screams of agony from the greenies, but hear me out.

I revel in the achievement of mankind, of the might of man's mind and the pursuit of excellence. Thus, Formula One as the pinnacle of man's technical auto design, engineering and physical ability to operate at speeds in excess of 250 mph with millimetric, metronomic precision in 50 plus degrees heat for over 2 hours and is about as good as it gets. Put any footballer in the cockpit of a Formula One car and he would probably die at the first corner. A cricketers hand eye coordination would probably save him until turn three, Tiger Woods would stall on the grid. Then ask them to repeat, within 5 thousandths of a second, that same lap time for the next two hours and I see full hospital beds and bereaved spouses.

I often tell my First Aid students the fact, scientifically measured, that entering the first corner of the Grand Prix, a driver's heart rate is hovering around explosion - that is 200 bpm. As you sit there reading this yours will be around the 75 - 80 mark. The remarkable thing about a Grand Prix driver is that, as is the case with the likes of Lance Armstrong, they can control their heartbeat and the hugely increased stresses that accompany the increase, far better than you or I.

They can return their heart to relatively speaking, controllable levels and operate in a sphere I suggest only modern jet fighter pilots can relate to. Or the magicians of the Red Bull Air Race. Go Matt!

Every ounce of toil and sweat from thousands of the brightest and best drawing breath will culminate tomorrow afternoon in the first race of the season. And, And that bloody german is back, you know...what's his name, that Schumacher bloke. In a german powered car, in the historical and motor racing's historically signicant national colours of Silver. In the early days of this amazing sport, teams entered in the national colour of their country and Germany was assigned Silver, thus we gained the magnificent history behind the Silver Arrows motor racing dynasty of the 30's, 40's and 50's.

Don't get me wrong Schumacherphiles, I don't like the bloke that will spearhead the rejuvenated German attack on the title, never did, there was something almost sold my soul to satan creepy about the luck Schumi carried in the car with him. He never had to race against the likes of Mansell, Senna (OK but for what 1 season?), Prost, Piquet, Rosberg or Lauda - all of these guys were in the same field together, something Herr Schumacher never had to contend with.

That said, I will cannot argue his brilliance in bringing a Grand Prix car home in third place locked in second gear. Or his 7 championships - something we may never see repeated - at least not for another 8 years or until Lewis Hamilton turns 30, whichever is the sooner. I just believe circumstances gave him a break that others will struggle to emulate.

And I absolutely salivate at the thought of Schumacher up against a crop of drivers almost half his age who have demonstrated during the German's absence that they will be very tough to beat. Having said what I have about Michael, I know that such is his talent he will not only win races this year, but I believe he will figure in the title race. New cars, new reg's that banish refuelling - requiring a whole new car design, race tactics and driving style, the return of the famous Lotus name. Oh Boy, bring it on.

Alonso in a Ferrari, Lewis in a McLaren with current World Champion Jenson Button alongside, don't you dare scoff at or underestimate Mark Webber - he is worthy of lining up alongside these names and will be in there in the mix, and his very quick and race winning team mate Sebastien Vettel is just as likely to win the title as anyone...Yahoo.

Let Battle commence, Forza ferrari, Go faster than that Lewis!

Think Long and Prosper

Biggles

Australian Investigations Website/Forum

For those of you training in or just interested in the field of Private Investigations, you have a fantastic resource at  your fingertips...the Australian Investigators website and forum (http://www.australianinvestigators.com/). Spend a few minutes completing the registration - you won't regret it.

This site has hundreds of resources and endless advice on offer from experienced operators to those just entering the industry, far and away in excess to what I could give you in a formal training sense. You have access to people who collectively have probably seen it all and are happy to share their knowledge with you.

There are training video's available to download, the retiring administrator Blades has spent countless hours growing and maintaining all of this for your benefit, and guess what? Now that baton passes to me.

From this date forward I will be the sole administrator of the site. I decided to take on the role because it is such a valuable resource for you that I did not want to see it die. I will need to bring myself rapidly up to speed and hope to continue the high standards set by Blades.

Of course if the forum is a little too public for your questions you can always e-mail me at dan@drmgroup.com.au where I will attempt to answer your queries.

Check out the site - http://www.australianinvestigators.com/ you will be amazed at the information you can gather from it.

Think Long and Prosper
Dan

Security Trainer at Large...Today Townsville, Tomorrow the World

I have just returned from a rather enjoyable week training a Security course in Townsville, very hot still up there but a very nice town and I can say without fear of contradiction that I enjoyed every moment of the journey and the experience. If you look closely at the cylindrical building (for some strange reason referred to by the locals as the Sugar Shaker) on the far left of the photo you can see me standing on the balcony of my room enjoying the view. It is the Holiday Inn and and I found it to be very friendly, modern (interior at least) and comfortable and the breakfast was excellent. That's the impressive Catle Hill in the background - maybe you can guess from looking at it why I chose the easy option referred to below.

The course was run for a division of Queensland Rail who are installing full time Security in one of their depots. The workers who volunteered for the course all brought a lifetime's experience that required little input from me to enable them grasp the intricacies of the the role facing them. Starting earlier than normal - 7:30 am  - only meant that I finished earlier affording me the opportunity get aout and about for a walk around the central city. And a lovely city it appears to be.

I was almost tempted to walk up Castle Hill but the humidity and overall heat of the late afternoon warned me off. Instead I hiked all the way to the hotel lift and rode to the roof (20th floor) for a spectacular 360 degree view of the city. Up top for thinking boy's and girls!

The week away from the office gave me a nice break and highlighted the benefit of having focused my training and qualifications in an area that I know and can make a living from. I am always mindful of the fantastic benefit's of self employment, although arriving at the office to conduct the expected catch up was a bit of a worry. Still, an hour or so later all is well and although the rest of the day was spent on the phone catching up with prospective students and handling the enquiries directed to me from my staff, it was a welcome price to pay.

I also had the opportunity to write my first column for a local newspaper - B-Known, on a subject close to my heart (so to speak)...First Aid. I was asked to submit some idea's relating to first aid and the current training for the paper which I did and intend to continue doing willingly. Yet another unusual and unexpected avenue down which I have been directed all thanks to my decision to pursue every option that presents itself and to improve myself and the skills I bring to the workplace. I would never have had the opportunity to travel to Townsville without my decision years earlier to gain the TAA Workplace trainer qualification, and to have concentrated so much effort on the Security industry. Mind you, I have also trained courses in Bundaberg and on the Sunshine Coast so if you are in the Morrissey training (http://www.morrisseygroup.com.au/) region there is every chance I will get to meet you at some point.

I am still firing on all 12 cylinders with regard to my new year resolutions, I hope you are as resolute and focused as I am. My Italian language lessons continue apace, and I have added one or two others to the mix due to the success I have experienced this year. A small amount of daily effort pays off and you can change your life with that small step, one after the other.

I still have a couple of places available for Private Investigation's training if you are interested. I can guarantee you will pass the course with my assistance so why not give me a call to discuss the various training options of offer. You can e-mail me at dan@drmgroup.com.au or why not check my website at http://www.drmgroup.com.au/ to gain some information before you call.

I look forward to speaking with you

ThinK Long and Prosper
Dan