About
Jim
Welcome to the MRWAIN about me page.
Had a great life, no regrets and did some really cool stuff.
I feel sorry for the next generation and the ones following.
Western civilisation is under attack and in decline. I believe "1984" Big Brother is becoming reality.
The foundations of democracy: Freedom of expression, speech and assembly are under attack and that should concern us all.
Below encompasses all my professional experiences, roles, and achievements over time.
My working life was with the Australian Federal Government in a variety of technical disciplines.
I have built 3 layouts not counting the current one under construction.
All three layouts have been demolished due to changing houses.
My area of interest with model railways is computer control; probably understandable because of my employment background.
I have worked in many different disciplines and most are listed below.
Computer Networking, Secure Communications, Cryptography, Electronics, Aircraft Electrician and a few other things I'm not allowed to talk about.
Had the opportunity to travel overseas to numerous Australian Embassies and High Commissions and consider myself very lucky, all expenses paid by the Australian tax payer.
Spent a few years in the Army Reserve, 126 Signal Squadron, 1st Commando Regiment.
Learnt the technique of abseiling, rundowns and fast roping which I really enjoyed. 
As a civilian I spent time onboard Royal Australian Navy ships performing trials of Turana, a guided target missile to be used by the Australian Navy for gunnery practice.
Explosive bolts attach the 10,000 pounds of thrust boost motor that fires for 2.3 seconds and then drops in the ocean.
Blink and you will miss the launch, the missile is out of sight.
In both military and civilian life I had the opportunity to engage in activities that challenged me to the max and it brings out the best in you and loved every minute. During my career I participated in counter terrorism exercises providing technical support for the army and state police forces. Had the privilege of working with members of the Australian Army, Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)
and have absolute respect for the Regiment and the professionalism of its members.
and have absolute respect for the Regiment and the professionalism of its members. Now I'm just cruising along in retirement, mucking around with 3D printers, Arduino's, learning a bit of music, and of course building a computer controlled model railway.
If I was a 5 year old prodigy I would be breezing the music in, but at my age it can be a challenge, but an enjoyable one.
I was in Perth on work related business once and had the opportunity to climb the building below...didn't have to be asked twice.
Opportunity to do a bit of parachuting; excuse the pun but I jumped at that with open arms.
I will parachute from a plane but never off a building or a cliff face (base jumping).
I'm stupid but not totally.
Hello!
Fitness Junkie Me
When I enlisted in the army (1985) I had to get fit and I did.
40 years later, two marathons under my belt and still running on a regular basis.
I have softened a little over time and no longer challenge the outside elements, instead running indoors on a treadmill.
The treadmill is not allowed in the house so it takes pride of place in the garage next to the open window.
I live in Hervey Bay, Queensland and temperatures in summer can reach 36 °C + in the garage so two big fans come in very handy.
When living in Canberra I rode a bike to work 18 klms, ran around the central basin of Lake Burley Griffin at lunch time and biked home.
Canberra has lots of bike paths. It made riding a bike reasonably safe except for one incident where I had no choice but to ride through a round about, got t-boned by a car whose driver claimed he never saw me....my time wasn't up I guess.
Read a book titled "The complete book of running" written by James Fixx; an American and accomplished marathon runner.
He was over weight, drank too much and had a family history on fathers side of heart disease.
He made reference in the book that he did not want to die like his father from a heart attack; so he took up running to get fit.
His first book was a best seller and he wrote another.
In the second book which he never finished he made a comment that not only had he reached his father's age but had exceeded it by 10 years and he honestly believed that running had contributed to that achievement.
A ghost writer finished the second book because Jim Fixx was found dead on the side of a road, cause of death, heart attack.
At least he got 10 years more running. rip