Digress-Straggle-Divagate

Standing on the outside lookin in!

2009-07-01T15:57:00.004+10:00

Well that’s about how I feel right now I must say.

I’ve been working hard at my job [which I love to bits!] normally 6 days a week.. Ok Ok so I exaggerate it's actually 5.5 days work & half a day of netball! Then coming home to be a mum and all the duties that go hand in hand with that - By the time I have gotten thru the majority of what I need to for the day, I fall, exhausted, into bed - get up in the morning & do it all again! And the beat goes on!

Never [ever] would I change the fact that I'm a mum, my children are my world and I love them beyond words, but it sure would be easier if I had more time at home. In saying that, I hugely enjoy my job too – I have a great boss - just the best ever, & we have the most delightful clients [Hmm...well ok..MOST of them..lol] Let's face it, if I don't work, we cant live like we do. Not rich, but with a safe roof over our heads I think we are doing just fine.

So with all my time taken up with truly important things – push came to shove and my allocated pc time lost out. My blog is sadly neglected – my myspace – well I logged in for the first time in over 6 months yesterday – sorry to those of you I have not returned messages to! Surely twice a year is enough to keep myspace up to date? No? Oh well.. too bad how sad.

The only reason I am able to post a small blog today, is that I’m home from work - sick. Some nasty bug going around – no, not swine flu.. just some nasty combination headache/stomach ache thingy that is lasting a lot longer than I expected. I had not had a sick day in umm must be 16 months.. but now this is day 3! I feel so bad for my boss, as it is only the two of us there... I feel like I have left him in the lurch. Then again, if I went to work & made him sick too.......argh best I stay at home. I just phoned him, he is very understanding. He told me that everything was running just fine - ha! He is such an awful liar! Assuming I get some sleep tonight, I will do my very best to be at work in the morning.

So, I’ve been in bed for the vast majority of the last 3 days, now here I sit at the pc, no makeup, my hair looks like I've been dragged thru a hedge backwards...I’m in my zebra print pj’s with a fluffy red blanket over my lap ... sexeh look eh? Lol My neighbour just came over to kindly bring milk & bread to the sick house – he started to enter thru the front door, took one look at me and froze on the spot! Who can blame him – I must look a hideous frightening sight. Best no one comes close to me right now anyway. Not without a mask and a plentiful amount of Glenn 20! I do have the most wonderful neighbours :) Thanks Guys.

Speaking of good people - friends, please excuse my rude absence from emails, blogs and the like – I am not deliberately ignoring anyone. I have just had an awful lot on my hands in the last 8 months. My true friends will understand this without further explanation – those that don’t , well.. once again, too bad how sad. I can’t change how people think and I’m past trying to please those in my life that don’t support & understand me - hence they truly don't count. Harsh? Maybe, but a necessary comment.

So, the standing on the outside looking in, aside from being lyrics from one of my fav bands is actually a reference to how life feels at the moment. My children are growing up so damn fast and teenagers these days face many different things to what I did... at least at the same age that I faced them. Being a parent these days is a scary place to be. Enough said.

Right now they are in the kitchen doing the dishes – Evanescence [October] playing loudly – but not as loudly as the laughter & fun digs they are having at each other. They make me laugh, they also make me very proud. They are good people. Both teenagers now [14 & 16], they have their own individual style. They have a wicked sense of humour [no idea where they got that from!] and they both do well at school. Enough about them for now, as they don’t like me saying too much about them – and they are constantly looking over my shoulder to see what I am saying – cheeky gits!

Now they have read that.. and they are crapping on like well, something akin to a comedy sitcom crossed with The Mighty Boosh. As I said, they are quite individual.. oh dear, now they are doing the ‘ni’ knights sketch from Monty Python..what have I created?? Laughter hurts my tummy right now... they know that yet they are crapping on even more. Lol – gotta love em.

My eternal love to those I care for, and you know who you are :)

Be well, talk soon

Joy

Not Totally Lost In Action

2008-05-13T20:19:00.002+10:00

Sorry, very remiss of me to neglect my blog - and eveyone elses!

Yes I'm working, I love the job but I'm exhausted when I get home.

I have been working many more hours than first expected, but thats ok with me :)

I hope to make time to entertain you (and me) soon.

Take care all !

Just love this pic

2008-03-20T12:31:00.004+11:00

It's the simple things that amuse me the most.....

The News (for want of a better description)

2008-02-28T15:36:00.012+11:00

I was leaving a comment on a friends blog, then I realised that maybe, just maybe, it was a little long winded for a comment. ok.. so it was unquestionably too long for a comment - so, here it is as a post.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“News”

I think they need to redefine the term

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Both Local & International 'news' is so heavily influenced by very powerful people.

So much so that it sickens me.

What happened in the lives of these powerful individuals to make them act with such narcissism? They still eat, sleep & shit like the rest of us dont't they so what makes them so damn special?

Ahh yes, but of course!

Money.

Money is power. Power is hungry.

I'm sorry, correct me if I am wrong, but what gives ANYONE the right to direct or pervert what information is released to the general public? Should we not know about it if it pertains to or effects our lives, our health - our planet!

Yes, OUR planet.

Remember a few older posts of mine?

Check here and here if you haven’t seen them. Even if you have seen them.. who cares, read again (if you can handle it!)

Having previously dealt with the media myself, I am more than aware of the content of media alerts that are sent out, and then what actually gets into print or televised.

There is a VAST difference between them I assure you – and that was only small time news if you compare it to the big picture.

I understand that the opinions of the editors (or directors) will always come into play, but the truth is, they are held by the goolies in an incredibly tight grasp by the powers that be.

If any of the large broadcasters were to use independent news sources, we, the plebs as they view us, might actually discover some of what is really going on in our world.

They simply will not allow that to happen.

The prevarication will continue despite our objections.

I believe internet access has enabled many of us to nibble at the edge of truth. It has provided us with a medium to poke & prod the drivel labeled as ‘news’ that is force fed to us. It has allowed us to communicate with other like minded beings who are sick of the inconstant lies, the conspiracies & the blatant cover ups that occur way too frequently. In reality, even those that dig around for the truth would only know a quarter of it – quite possibly not even that percentage.

At the same time, don't be fooled into thinking that we are not being monitored whilst doing this.

Without meaning to sound paranoid….You simply cannot be too paranoid.

Hang on, reality check. Think about this a minute. Imagine the consequences of being told the truth about everything.

Could we really handle it?

Could we?

Maybe just a little truth?

I think we are intelligent enough, mature enough and ready to try something new like the TRUTH don’t you?

Hey, here’s an idea…. Let’s try it !

C’mon, throw us a bone eh?

No, not YET...

Pumpkin Soup... and dicks

2008-02-27T13:25:00.016+11:00

As we had a milder day here today (Yippeee !) I thought soup would be nice for dinner.

When I went to Wulkuraka I was fortunate enough to be given some fresh picked butternut pumpkins.

YUM ! Thanks BIL

So, pumpkin soup for dinner it is! (the dick part will become apparent as we go along.. trust me)

I often get asked for the recipe I use for my soup.. it’s nothing special.. the ingredients change depending on what I have at hand without going shopping... and it’s incredibly easy and everyone enjoys it (yes, even the children!)

For those of you who already know how to make pumpkin soup - my apologies & skip this post.

At least next time someone asks me for the recipe, I can just give them this link.

The pumpkin itself is the only ingredient that is always necessary. Everything else is really only an extra - and depends on how much nutrition you are trying to hide in the soup! Trust me, you can hide plenty of things that are good for you in soups, but they are not always what people would eat if they knew of its existence in the meal! I can not and will not divulge what I often hide in my soups as I may well get sprung. My hidden ingredients are not for public knowledge!

In saying that, I do NOT make pumpkin ice-cream.... Mel, you will never live that one down!

Alrighty, I started with 1 litre of liquid chicken stock (premade & store bought, I wasn’t THAT good today) Two big pumpkins, three medium potatoes, four small onions, 5 garlic cloves ….. and a partridge in a pear tree.... ok.. so now I'm just being plain silly.

Everything is rough cut, no need to be precise as it all gets blended later on.

Now this is real Aussie grown garlic. Not like that horrible imported stuff we get here. Look at the size of the clove! It costs around $30 per kilo but hey.. It’s damn good!

Now for the dick part. You may notice in that photo not only the size of the garlic cloves, but also a bloodied tissue and a bandaid on my finger... yes, the dreaded dick knife struck again. You would think by now I could manage not to cut myself - alas. At least this time it was a humble cut. (My foot STILL hurts & two toes are still numb btw)

If the pumpkin is rather young, and is pale on the inside (as I discovered these ones were after cutting them open) do not put much potato in. It will make the soup end up rather bland. So the rule is, cut the pumpkin BEFORE peeling the spuds!

Fry the onions in a nice oil. I use avocado oil cause it’s good for ya - rather expensive, but its great stuff. When onions are close to being transparent, add in garlic. Only slightly brown the onions & garlic. I love caramelised onions, but they don’t look all that great in pumpkin soup. They look remarkably like insects have fallen into the pot - aesthetics do count, especially when it comes to insects floating in your food.

While those are cooking, heat the chicken stock in a large pot and rough cut the pumpkin. Don't be too fussed, as long as they are all kinda the same size for equal cooking.

There is that *&%^# ! knife again...

Put the chopped pumpkin into the pot; make sure that the fluid level covers the pumpkin by 2cms or so. If there is not enough stockto do that, just add water.. no biggie. Don’t put too much water in at first, you can always add it later but you can't take it out! *note* runny pumpkin soup ain’t that nice!

Add some Vegeta, or something similar. Vegeta is a dry vegetable stock that I use for many dishes. It is a good price & available in most supermarkets.

Cook the pumpkin & spuds till they are tender. Add in fried onions & garlic; cook on low for another 10 minutes or so, the stove temperature doesn’t really matter, just don’t totally boil the snot out of them.

You can transfer the chunky soup into a blender, but I much prefer using a stick/stab mixer. It is much easier that way & less dishes ….is a good thing.

Blend until smooth (or as smooth as it gets) then add in some ground nutmeg. Fresh grated is best, but the stuff you buy in the supermarket is ok too.

Use about this much nutmeg

Now we need cracked pepper. I'm not a pepper lover myself so I put in about this much.

At this stage I add some Kecap Manis . It is also called Ketchap Manis. It is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce – make sure to use sweet soy, not the ordinary one or the soup will be waaaaaaay too salty.

I sometimes add a little curry powder or cumin if it’s needed for extra taste, but you can decide on that with the final tasting. I didn’t add that today. The pumpkins were young, but still had a nice flavor.

Last but not least, comes the cream. There are no measurement guides for this, is definitely a personal taste. I normally add about 400ml to the pot and then add a dollop in the middle of the bowl when serving. (just makes it look a little speech!)

Here is the final product.

Tonight I served it with a sprig of parsley and sourdough crusty breadstick.

That is nutmeg scattered over the top...not insects btw :D

The kids absolutely loved it – as did my neighbour !

We are lucky enough to have what I consider to be the world’s best neighbours! They are both in their late 70’s. Toni loves my soups & Bruno loves anything sweet. He doesn’t eat fruit or vegetables because in his words “they are for old people!”

I hope I am still as 'young' as him when I am 78

The embarrassment of Spoonerisms

2008-02-26T14:06:00.003+11:00

----------------------------------------------

Spoonerism

Noun: spoonerism (spoonurizum)

Transposition of initial consonants in a pair of words

----------------------------------------------

This is something I have suffered from since childhood.

It can create many new words - some of which I now deliberately keep in my day to day vocabulary.

Spoonerisms come with out warning. I often chuckle at what I meant to say compared to what actually came out... & sometimes I dont even notice that it happens until it is pointed out to me by whom ever I am speaking to. Sometimes others are too horrified to point them out to me. It can be funny & entertaining - It can also be outrageously embarrassing in the wrong company!

There are many I have said - too many to list all, but these ones come to mind

wrinking dater (sounds like wrinking daughter) (drinking water)
bar coot (car boot)
dompact cisc (compact disc)
pmoke sacket (smoke packet)
tomputer cower (computer tower)
veletision (television)
pouse mad (mouse pad)

Some of my all time repeats are Vulti Mitimin (Multi Vitamin), Ferigerator (refrigerator) or Toob Boob (Boob Tube - & yes, that shows how long ago I started saying that one!)

Now to the big one - still, to date, this is the most embarrassing one & gawd I hope it stays that way!

I was 13 years old. Remember how impressionable you were at age 13? I had many friends that were a few years older than me. One such girl was Kerry. Kerry had a car ! That was impressive when you were 13.

Ok, so I am standing outside the church hall where I practiced my callisthenics. It is also called Physical Culture in Australia. Click here to see what it is if you are unsure. Damn I was good at Physie. Even represented my home town on a few occasions. Anyway, back to the story.

I was outside the hall with three other girls. I was introducing two friends, the same age as me, to Kerry. Oddly enough, I can clearly recall so much. Where the sun was in the sky, where we were standing, where Kerry's car was parked... so many details.

So off I went with the intro, this is Cheryl Kranz, this is Jayne Fedorif and this is Kerry Hunt... all sounds good doesnt it?

EXCEPT.. I didnt say Kerry Hunt.. spoonerisms kicked in at the most unfortunate time and I said " Herry Kunt" .. Herry, said with my accent, sounds like Hairy........

I was mortified.

For all the details of my surroundings that I can recall immediatly prior to the introductions, I can not remember at all what happened after I completed that sentence. I am at a total loss to retrieve that memory. As much as I have tried, I have no idea of what was said (if anything) afterwards - nothing at all.

Nothing, except that there was a small crack in the concrete on the ground between my shoes and the sensation of my face going red as a beetroot.

The innocence of what I said haunted me for a long time. In truth, yes I swore, all kids swear, but I NEVER used that word... never - infact I still dont .. maybe that is why?

One thing though, I do NOT recall seeing Kerry very often after that spoonerism episode! Wonder why? Still, she didnt beat my head to a pulp so thats a plus!

damn it, think bubble wont attach to head... think that says anything?

Ok thats my personal admission for the day.

Terribly sad news

2008-02-22T15:23:00.004+11:00

Mel is my dear friend, I have known her for 10 years and I love her dearly.

Yesterday I read Mel's blog.

I often check in to see how she is going, it's one of our vehicles of communication.

I know her so well that in my head, I can often hear her voice reciting what I read when I view her blog.

I frequently howl with laughter at the chronicles of her life.

Yesterday was different.

I quote from her latest post.

"I am a little bit behind and confused at the moment. So many different hurts around me.. "

"I learnt a friend had lost her son in a tragic... well accident is the wrong word. An accident is an unforseen event. It isnt an accident that if you drive under the influence of prescription drugs you can cause something horrible."

"I just feel rather lost..."

I felt .... for want of a better term, a terrible sadness came over me.

I know by Mel writing this, something really awful had happened. Mel cares deeply for her friends and always shares their pain - sometimes to her own detriment. (before she says it - yes I do that myself too. Birds of a feather eh?)

I left a message for Mel saying -

"Just remember, one step at a time Mel, try to combat everything at once and you will continue to feel lost. Baby steps through you whole life, has hurt no one :) Hugs"

Obviously, someone Mel knew had lost their child.

As a mother myself, my heart instantly went out to this lady. I had no idea of whom it was nor whom the child was.

I have dealt with the loss of loved ones in my life, parents, friends, acquaintances - but I just knew it was far too painful to imagine myself in the shoes of someone who lost a child.

I can sympathise, but not empathise.

Empathy would mean having to imagine myself going through the emotions this mother was experiencing. That is.... unconscionable - I simply can not ideate that scenario. My mind stops me before I can get there. Self protection, no doubt.

Last night, Mel phoned me.

I DO know this lady.
I DID know this child.

Phuck.......

I sit here now with fingers on my worn keyboard.. but I simply do not know what to type next.

I still feel all the things I did before I knew that it was Beckles who had lost her son but now... now it is different.

Faces.....Memories ........ laughter shared with Beckles over many years, replace the anonymity I saw in the newspapers. The story about the death of two teenage boys who died for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. No other reason.

My heat breaks for you Becca. May your precious memories of Nathan be with you always.

Rest in peace gorgeous child.

That is all I can say.

I'm sure this needs no explaining !

2008-02-21T17:43:00.005+11:00

For anyone who takes offence to that... well I say stiff shit.

I am not religious but I have the utmost respect for those who are.

In saying that, if you cant laugh at yourself.. thats sad.

awww so cute !

2008-02-21T17:28:00.002+11:00

I saw this today and just HAD to share it.

I'm sure this is one home video that the child wont be embarrassed about when he (?) gets older.

Laughter is good for you... indulge yourself :)

Good ol' Ronnie

2008-02-19T10:42:00.006+11:00

Got this from some Pizzaland nut in an email..
I hope he wasnt planning on posting this in his blog - Oh well.. too bad how sad ! hee hee Mwah!

Nut boy doesnt know who Ronnie Barker is so I have supplied this link so he and anyone else that doesnt know him can find out more about him!

To all of you who already know him, you know that Ronnie Barker was one hell of a funny man. A very modest man who penned much more than we were aware of at the time. He kept many alias but one in particular, Gerald Wiley. The comedy writing fraternity were apparently in a frenzy trying to work out who the writer really was - as his work was so good but no one had ever met the man in person.

I was raised on 'Ronnie' humor. (Thanks mum!)

Ronnie died in 2005 but his wit will live on for quite some time on the screen and in the minds of many.

This was the email - I hope you enjoy this as much as I did !

This text is attributed to Ronnie Barker. If you know who he is (I don't, and frankly can't be assed to google him atm lol), you can imagine how much funnier he would have recited it. Though not technically spoonerisms, it made me chucking fortle!

"This is the story of Rindercella and her sugly isters.
Rindercella and her sugly isters lived in a marge lansion.
Rindercella worked very hard frubbing sloors, emptying poss pits, and shivelling shot.
At the end of the day, she was knucking fackered.
The sugly isters were right bugly uggers.
One was called Mary Hinge, and the other was called Betty Swallocks; they were really forrible huckers; they had fetty sweet and fetty swannies.
The sugly isters had tickets to go to the ball, but the cotton runts would not let Rindercella go.
Suddenly there was a bucking fang, and her gairy fodmother appeared. Her name was Shairy Hithole and she was a light rucking fesbian. She turned a pumpkin and six mite wice into a hucking cuge farriage with six dandy ronkeys who had buge hollocks and dig bicks.
The gairy fodmother told Rindercella to be back by dimnlight otherwise, there would be a cucking falamity.
At the ball, Rindercella was dancing with the prandsome hince when suddenly the clock struck twelve.
"Mist all chucking frighty!!!" said Rindercella, and she ran out tripping barse over ollocks, so dropping her slass glipper.
The very next day the prandsome hince knocked on Rindercella's door and the sugly isters let him in. Suddenly, Betty Swallocks lifted her leg and let off a fig bart. "Who's fust jarted??" asked the prandsome hince.
"Blame that fugly ucker over there!!" said Mary Hinge.
When the stinking brown cloud had lifted, he tried the slass glipper on both the sugly isters without success and their feet stucking funk.
Betty Swallocks was ducking fisgusted and gave the prandsome hince a knack in the kickers. This was not difficult as he had bucking fuge halls and a hig bard on.
He tried the slass glipper on Rindercella and it fitted pucking ferfectly.
Rindercella and the prandsome hince were married.
The pransome hince lived his life in lucking fuxury, and Rindercella lived hers with a follen swanny. "

I dare anyone to not laugh when reading that !

Remind me to post about my trouble with spoonerisms - and may Miss Hunt forgive me !

Orroo for now :)

SNAP dragon...

2008-02-18T20:01:00.003+11:00

These were my results

You Are a Snapdragon
"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."You Are a Snapdragon

Snapdragon...

Snap.. .. yes I snap at people...

Dragon? well, I've been called worse !

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

Wulkuraka

2008-02-18T14:10:00.034+11:00

Took a road trip up north (& inland) yesterday.

We did rather well, found our way there with out getting lost which is always a bonus :D

Went to historical place called Wulkuraka which is just west of Ipswich in South East Queensland. My brother in law (who I will refer to as BIL) lives there on a HUGE property (approx 140 acres I think). We only explored a small section of it yesterday as SOMEONE (namely me) did not wear suitable foot attire. Der !

Wulkuraka was quite a major crossroad in the golden olden days of Australia. I tried to find some interesting facts on the net about it - found this but most of what I found only refers to the region once the train came into play. Prior to that, it was a coach stop - yes, coach as in horse & buggy type thing ! The original coach stop hut is still standing and is located on the property I visited.

Here it is.

Aint it quaint?

It is amazing to me that the historical society of the region has not taken possession of it - or moved it to somewhere with other museum type thingies (thingies - thats a technical term btw).

In saying that, I would imagine that much of the original wood work would not take too kindly to being moved.

The original floor boards are still there too.. that surprised me. The weather can be quite harsh there. They have been in drought until recently. Typical Australia, drought then flood.. drought then flood.. and.. repeat after step one...

As you can see by the photo, it has been used for storage on the property for many many years - understandable, but such a shame the old place wasn't maintained.

BIL cooked us a Hungi (or Hangi as some seem to call it) This is a traditional Māori cooking technique now only used for special occasions. Banana tree leaves are used to stop the hot rocks from burning the food. Banana leaves get very burnt..lol

A shoulder of pork and lots of fresh vegetables.. yum ! We had the best home grown butternut pumpkin. Brought lots of fresh picked ones home too ! Pumpkin soup this week guys! I wont do a Mel - I wont make pumpkin icecream ! hahahah (yes, she really did that once - that poor grandchild will be scarred for life I tell ya!)

There are a few Kangaroos that frequent the front paddock. BIL sees them most every day, both morning & evening. They are getting used to him now and come in fairly close to him. They did not come out to play when I was there but here is a photo that BIL took a while ago.

Seems like a nice family - but don't be fooled into thinking that you could walk up and pat them.. they are wild animals and can be quite agressive. That great big male (over 6ft tall btw) wouldn't think twice about defending his family... and in the process... possibly disembowling you!

All we saw of them yesterday was roo foot prints by the dam

The owner of the neighbouring property obviously has quite the soft spot for the local roos because he has built them a shelter ! Check this out ! See the humpty style lump of greenery? Its hollow on the inside ....

Nice cosy home for roos in the rough weather eh?

As we walked down to the big dam we came across much of the local ant population.

I have the bites to damn well prove it !

This is a big ant nest - with big ants. Not nice little ones..big buggers. Im not totally sure what kind of ants they are.. but let me tell you .. the bastids jump ! Which in turn makes you jump, and when you jump near an ants nest..what happens? Yeeeees.. more ants come to see what the commotion is all about.. more ants - more jumping - more bites....I got out of there VERY fast let me tell you.

Now, for the Pièce de résistance ! Check this baby out !

This is a female Golden Orb Spider. The info on that link says that the body (just the body) can grow to 23mm - I'm telling you this was bigger than that. Much bigger. With legs spread, it would have to be close to my hand span. Anyone hate spiders? lol I can feel you squirming in your chair now!

In this next shot, you can also see the male. Look at the end of her back legs.. see the little fellow? Don't forget, you can click on the photos to enlarge them.

He is much smaller that the female as you can see - I guess she wears the pants in that family eh? The web of a Golden Orb has a yellow tinge - hence Golden Orb name. The web is so damn thick.. it is extrodinary... incredibly thick. I think the web worries me more than the spider to be honest - they are awful when you walk into them.. *note* I said walk INTO them, not through them - as they are very strong. I recall almost 'bouncing' out of one when I was a child. I was running through the scrub and ran in between two trees. I don't think it was a golden orb spider as it was in South Australia, but I will NEVER forget that incident. *shivers*

Those spiders can and, if really annoyed,will bite. Will not kill you, but dear oh dear, what a mess they can make of your skin ! Check this out.

Necrotising arachnidism: Progressive ulceration and loss of skin around the site of a biting by a number of araneomorph spider species. Its cause is uncertain and for this reason no fully effective treatments are available at the present time.
NO treatments at the present time... whoa ! Didnt know THAT when I was upclose taking photos !

I can't actually work out if that is someones hairy leg.. or ... or what appendage that is!

Ok, lets end this on a nicer note. This section is especially for Mel.

The ducks. Oh they are so cute but typical for real wild ducks, we could not get close to them. This photo was taken from across the dam (gotta love the zoom on my camera!- as that was as close as we could get to them.

They waddled off and sat in the shade in the next paddock while we examined the area.

They really made me laugh because as they waddled off, they voiced their disaproval of our arrival by making a mumbling grumbling quacky sound.

Mother duck said.....

"Quack Quack Quack Quack

Sod off of my territory and dont come back !"

Ha ! I swear she said worse than that!

Yibbider Yibbider, thats all folks!

Take care & I'll be back soon

Happy Australia Day 2008!

2008-01-27T00:45:00.000+11:00

Hmm, meant to put this in the last post, but hey - if I do two posts, it makes it look like I have done more work?

Not convinced?

Oh well, bite me.

Anyway, I was sent this photo a while ago by a good friend.

Considering all the rain (see, flooding) that we have had locally, I thought this photograph was appropriate. So good to know that, at least in some parts of Australia, the drought has been broken.

Ok, bedtime now :)

Oh, and its raining !

The catch up

2008-01-26T21:46:00.000+11:00

Ok Ok OK !

Yes I know I have been remiss when it comes to my blog.

After much public pressure (ok, so only 5 people have complained) I thought it best to put cyber pen to cyber paper and bring this blog up to date.

Now, what to talk about? Hmm?

*pregnant pause with musical interval as I consider my options here*

Well I have been job hunting. Gee, that’s fun.

I have never, ever, in my life had any problems in finding a job – until now.

At first, I guess I was being a bit choosey. My bad.

My bad, yes but – holy shit let me give you an example a job that I turned down in December.

Let’s see, would I like a position of office manager that supervises 7 other staff members? A position that also entails being personally responsible for all of the company’s monies – accounts in & out, payroll, taxation, superannuation etc?

Sure I can do that.

The workplace was quite close to home, just over the border. Excellent eh? Crossing the state border each day can be a pain in the rear during daylight savings time (6 months of the year) as there is a one hour time difference.. but hey, I can handle that.

If I was to accept this position, the company wanted a firm 12 month employment commitment. I asked why. They said that they had, in the past, had difficulties keeping someone in the position. That rang alarm bells to me, so I asked more questions.

Eventually we get around to discussing wages. What were they offering me per hour?

$14.56 per hour – Gross.

I don’t even want to THINK what that is AFTER tax!

To put that into perspective, I could get a job working on a check out or stacking shelves in a supermarket, with a smidgeon of the responsibility of this job and get paid $17.00 per hour. That’s $2.44 more per hour - nearly $100 more per week to stack shelves than to run company finances!

Accepting personal responsibility for an entire company’s finances can be quite a duty – but I for one, expect to be paid accordingly for that responsibility and not to be paid less than a check out chick (with all due respect to check out chicks !)

I told this ‘gentleman’ at the interview that I wasn’t surprised that he had trouble keeping someone else in the job. That was an insulting hourly rate for the position he was offering.
But.. would it?

I left quite soon after that.......

*sigh*

Other jobs I have gone for I have been told that I am over qualified.

OVER QUALIFIED??

What the hell is that? Oh sod off ! I would much prefer to have an employee with experience and qualifications.

So, I keep applying for jobs. Filling out applications, changing my resume to suit the position.. forms, forms, forms and as for Selection criteria.. what the hell is that shit about?

Would I like some cheese to go with that whine? Yes please.

Well I think that will do for today, not very informative but hey, it’s all ya getting for now.

Hopefully soon, I can report that I am gainfully employed again.

Ooroo for now

I'm still alive !

2008-01-22T13:27:00.000+11:00

That I am :)

I will get back to you with more details soon... ish !

Australians all let us rejoice, for we are Howard free!

2007-11-27T23:16:00.000+11:00

New lyrics for the national anthem maybe?

There are many posts I need to do to fill in the gaps of the last month but this advert I saw in the local paper I just HAD to share with you. This is a REAL advert - bloody cheeky eh?

Still, I laughed

Mwahahahahah - Ok.. I laughed A LOT.

Nothing personal Johnny, but this is what happens when you sneak important Industrial Relations laws through... No previous mention of them at the last election. This is what happens when you fail to ratify Kyoto (here is how they explained it)

As the current Liberal/Coalition domintated Senate will be hostile to Labor till at least July 2008 when the newly elected Senate comes into play - our new Government will have trouble going ahead with their promised plans for a while - just until we can get the shoe horn under their blue ribbon arses - then we can move forward. This may help you understand a bit more

John... you made the mistake of viewing us everyday Aussies as inferior plebs.. but you forgot that it is us plebs that vote the Australian Government in.

With what can only be viewed as superior arrogance, you lost contact with the real Australians.

Lesson learned?

Rant over :)

Oh, ps. Yipppeeee ! We did it !

Time to resurrect this blog!

2007-11-04T19:25:00.000+11:00

Hmm, where do I start? 21st August was such a long time ago. This is gonna be a long post.

So much has happened since August. Not much of it was very nice - hence no blogging took place.

We had a serious illness in the family - much time was spent visiting hospitals & nursing homes.

I loved this man as if he was my own father. He passed away in September. He is now in peace. No more pain, no more suffering. For that we are grateful. that is all I will say about that chapter. Let's move on.

A few days after the funeral, our household started a huge face lift. Cupboards were completely emptied and only frequently used items were replaced. Some things were packed away but most were donated to a local charity. Aside from the fact that this really needed to happen, I'm not really sure why we started on this epic journey. Once we had started..... we simply couldn't stop ! Enter into the picture Vacuum storage bags ! What a wonderful way to store things. All winter bedding & clothing has been packed away and with all the clearing out of unused items we discovered that our house is really quite a good size !

I started to get grumpy at our vacuum cleaner. It seems that over the years I have paid what I thought was a decent amount of money to find that the vacuum sucked...... or didnt suck, as the case may be. After vacuuming the lounge floor one day I was really annoyed to discover that dust still rose from the carpet when I banged it with my hand - even immediately after cleaning it. That afternoon, I googled & researched vacuum cleaners. Let me share with you that vacuum cleaner forums are simply the most brain numbing boring read ever.

The next day, I purchased a Wertheim 5035 vacuum cleaner. It wasn't cheap but it does a fantastic job. It had been less than 24 hours since I had cleaned the carpets with the old vac - the Wertheim filled the bag when I did just the top floor of our house ! We were well chuffed with the purchase, albeit a very expensive one. We did however get a free steam cleaner machine with the vac so that made the price much more acceptable.

Our joy was short lived as the washing machine died just a few days later. It must have gotten its nose out of joint at our vacuum celebrations.

Back on to google and washing machine forums I go. Boy, they were exciting. Such riveting stuff! Keeping in mind that I was trying to be a good greenie, we looked at water & power usage. Trying to do the correct thing for the environment and at the same time get a decent machine & warranty is bloody expensive. Settled on an Asko. Haggled the price between shops and got a good deal :) This is what we got. It has had quite a work out since purchased (thanks to the spring clean on steriods) and has proved to be a very good investment. How awful that both appliances we bought were not made in Australia. Both are from Europe.

Next to shit itself was the upstairs fridge. I have learnt that you should NEVER replace a household appliance unless you have enough money to replace the whole friggin lot. Luckily, we had a better fridge downstairs.

On the 27th Sept both fridges were emptied and positions swapped. I didn't do the moving of the horrible bulk up and down the stairs, the guys did. (thanks !) All kitchen counters & the table were covered in the contents of both fridges. I had been out, and when I came home the kitchen was very dark. The phone rang, it was a good friend from Florida USA. I chatted for a few minutes but felt that I needed to open the kitchen curtains. It was too dark to see all the stuff on the counter. With phone in one hand (to my ear) I leaned across the kitchen sink to open the curtains with my other hand. As I moved backwards, I felt a heavy thud on my left foot. I had no idea what I had knocked off the counter. It hurt, but I guess it felt kinda like a small can of food hitting me. Heavy thud but not lasting pain.

I was happily chatting away but imagine my surprise when I looked down to see this sticking straight upwards out of my foot. It had to be the big heavy chef knife didn't it? It couldn't be anything but the heaviest sharpest knife in the bloody house.

I think I managed to uttered something like "umm...there is a knife in my foot - I think I have to go" and I hung up (sorry about that sudden end to the phone call btw!)

So, as I had refreshed my senior first aid course last year, what was the first thing I did?

PULLED THE BLOODY KNIFE OUT.

What a dick. (actually that is the brand name of the knife - coincidence no?)

I know that was the wrong thing to do. Listen up kiddies, do NOT pull a knife out if you are unfortunate enough to get stabbed. Its the normal reaction I know - BUT - I did know better. I even had all the correct first aid items on hand to make the doughnut bandage etc etc.

I now know that rudimentary reactions override learnt skills.

Of course as soon as I pulled the knife out there was blood everywhere. I calmly called out to Zed and said "um, I think I might need a hand here". He had no idea what I had done and my tone of voice gave him no indication at all.

Off to the hospital with me. Once again, our local hospital (that every one complains about) did a fantastic job at getting me attended to fast & effectively. After xrays etc, the doctor told me what a lucky girl I was. I had missed the artery by a smidgeon. The knife had gone right through my foot all but the thick skin on the base. He reiterated a few times that I should NOT have removed the knife. I know... I know... I KNOW !

This is the foot now, 3 lots of antibiotics, 5 weeks later and Im finally off crutches. It doesn't look like much but it sure does hurt sometimes. Who would have thought that something so simple could have caused so much damage? I still have about 40% feeling in two toes and the nerves go spastic frequently.

I dare not complain because I know that if that knife had of gone a few mm's either way, I would have been much worse off. Don't whinge, be grateful woman!

So, now I am off crutches and just in time to start helping out for the Federal Election. It is to be held on November 24th. As Lish may read this, I will omit any political talk :) I know she dislikes it !

Now, to end the month on a wonderfully high note, we got visitors. Mel, Christian & children arrived on Monday evening. It was so lovely to see them all. We stayed up way later than we should have as we knew that we would be attending a theme park the next day. I roared with laughter at Mel's work stories. No one can tell a story quite like Mel can. No one I know can relate to 2 year olds like Mel can. Mel & two year olds........ a recipe for hillarious adventures I must say!

I am so happy for Mel in her new job. I just knew that she had found her niche when she told me about the position she was offered when I was in Gladstone on holidays. I know she had her doubts about it, but I just knew she would love it. Now, when she tells me stories about the wonderful children, her eyes gleam and you can see the love she has for those kiddies. Its not my place to be, but I'm well proud of you Mel - and you should be too.

The next day, we went off to Wet'n'Wild for a fun filled day. We had such a great time. We didn't leave until the park closed. We all had the appearance of drowned rats but that was ok as everyone else there looked the same. This photo was as the troup had just come off the Mammoth River Ride

This beach towel made me laugh. It looked much funnier when it was wrapped around him. I did a double take as it looked as if the man was wearing an itsy bitsy yellow thong .I don't know the person but I did ask permission to take the photo. I may or may not have mentioned that it would end up on my blog. My bad? Still, he was such a good sport about it and had no problems posing for the pic !
It was a devine tempreture all day. Not too hot & not too cold. We drove home from the park to discover that Zed had cooked dinner for us all (what a champion!) We all showered and as we were knackered from the day's outing (and the staying up late the night before) we had an early night. Mel & crew needed to be at the airport the next morning at some ungodly hour. This was made worse by the fact that day light savings had started here the weekend before. It always takes us a few weeks to settle into the change. It is made harder by the fact that only a few houses away from us, is the border. There is one hour difference between the two states. Mel & I managed to confuse our tired brains by trying to work out the correct time to get up out of bed the next day. The airport is right on the other side of the border. All things considered - including a taxi that did not turn up - we got to the airport in time. You can see some of Mel & family's adventures in Sydney by checking her blog here. I advise you visit her blog frequently as it is always entertaining. Mel, unlike me, attends to her blog often.

I will try to blog more often although I imagine a lot of it might be political (that is your warning Lish!) I still can't sit at the pc for too much time at once because of this damn foot insisting that it needs to be up higher. That will pass in time.

It was so lovely to see that I had so many comments left on my last post. Thanks to all of you :)

Winky, if you read this, allow me to leave comments on your blog please ! I loved seeing your fishing adventure - what exactly were you doing to that fish?

Take care all :)

Unimpressed

2007-08-21T18:55:00.000+10:00

Annoyed?
Dissapointed?
Used?

Ive left this blog for 4 days before I posted. I had nothing remotely nice to say.

I worked at that job for 21 days.. equates to the one month trial I agreed to give them.

I drove 200kms per week for this job....

Worked my ass off - many more hours than I should have. Hours that were worked in 'lieu' but will now never be reclaimed by me.

Set their office up nicely

Ever heard of nepotism?

Yep, boss man had me set up the office - working for $19 ph (much lower wage than I should get for that work load), then released me from employment and, now that the job was all set up - brought his daughter in .... We were due to renegotiate for a decent rate of pay on Monday morning. Friday afternoon I lost my job.

In his words " You did nothing wrong - there was no problem - we just want to trial someone else". Then when I put him under pressure.. questioning why, if you were happy with me, would you wish to bother trialling someone else... admitted that his daughter was comin to work for him.

There are names for people like this...

karma... I believe, will get its own

Dirty tricks... let's explain why you need to enroll to vote NOW.

2007-07-31T21:44:00.000+10:00

The Howard Government's changes to the Electoral Act mean that many Australians, without their knowledge, will not be able to vote at the upcoming Federal Election. Make sure that your family and friends are enrolled to vote - and enrolled correctly.

If you are NOT enrolled to vote BEFORE the election is called (before they announce the date of the election), then you will not be able to vote at this election. Very kindly of them, you can still enroll after that time.. but not actually vote at this Federal election.. how sneaky is that eh?

Did anyone see THAT point explained in all those lovely expensive TV adverts the current government are paying for ( i.e YOU are paying for ) NO ! Not a word said about it. They nicely omitted that important part didnt they?

ENROLL NOW - they could call the election any day.....make your vote count - pass the word on please.

Just doing my small bit...
Click here to download an enrollment form if you need one

They take away our rights at work whilst, at the same time, apply a very generous pay rise to themselves, and now conveniently omit an important message on voting enrollment????....

Let's get these bastards out of government before we totally loose our rights beyond remedy.......the Australian way of life that we are lucky enough to have become accustomed to

I'm still kickin !

2007-07-31T20:51:00.000+10:00

Started a new job Friday 20th July... long hours and even a longer drive home in the afternoons. Gotta love Gold Coast bottle necks.. NOT .. argh !

I have not given up on this blog, but between the new job and family illness, time has just not stretched enough to allow blogging.

I have no wit, no funny url's.. and story telling about the new job would be boring as hell.

I started as receptionist and PA for a couple that run 4 companies. As of today, I am now book keeper / accounts / PA .. and I have to find a replacement for the job I am vacating. Of course, I will be doing said job till I DO FIND the replacement.. lol .. oh well.. I do so hate being bored?

Hopefully things will balance out soon and I will bring some funnies to the blog :D

Want to fly with Qantas?

2007-07-14T23:54:00.000+10:00

Never let it be said that Qantas ground crews lack a sense of humour.

After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet", which tells mechanics about any problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems; document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. According to a recent email I received, here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

Although this is my kind of sarcasm, I swear, I have never worked in maintenance for Qantas.... truely...

P: Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tyre.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

Maybe this is part of the training package the maintanance guys get?

.

Dustin 'Rainman' Hoffman swears Qantas are the best

By the way - Qantas is the only major airline that has never, ever, had a major accident. Maybe sarcasm is their secret?

.

Well Done Pink !

2007-07-10T17:58:00.001+10:00

Dear Mr President Lyrics
.
I will let this speak for itself....... watch the video.. you can see lyrics on the scrolling picture below
.

Dear Mr president Lyrics

Modern music still HAS a conscience
.

What a Gem this is!

2007-07-01T17:44:00.000+10:00

I think this is precious

The 'Lead singer' is 90 years old.. I take my hat off to him!

Make sure you watch it till the end ...

Mel.. I know you will like it !

John would be proud - artists make a stand for human rights

2007-06-23T15:46:00.000+10:00

“When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.” .....JOHN LENNON

Even as a young child, I had incredible respect for John Lennon and his beliefs.

Those of you that know me personally know just how much many of his principles have shaped the way I think.

“My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.”...JOHN LENNON

One of the darkest days I can recall was when I found out John had been murdered. Aside from the obvious and sad loss of a husband (to Yoko), a father (to John's children), a musical virtuoso (to us fans) I saw it as a huge loss to the promotion of human rights and peace protests of our era. The movements that John was so dedicated to.

John Lennon connected with people.

People related to John.

He was a very rare person, an influential activist.

Without John, how many others had the ability via music, or any other avenue, to get the message out so distinctly to earth's inhabitants. Who had the guts to stand up in the face of those in power and give them what for?

Bob Geldof stood up and shouldered some of the responsibility.

"It's really very simple, Governor. When people are hungry they die. So spare me your politics and tell me what you need and how you're going to get it to these people"...... BOB GELDOF

He was the face of, and the driving force behind, Band Aid & Band Aid 20 - and now, amongst other things, does a fantastic job fighting to Make Poverty History.

'There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear'.....BAND AID

Bob is extremely vocal and very well informed. I respect him greatly on this issue - but not on all of his beliefs.

"The total amount of aid going into Africa on annual basis by 2010 will be $50 billion. That's between the seven richest countries on the planet who count their annual budgets in trillions of dollars. It's like me saying to my little kid: 'Here is $3 pocket money and I'm going to take 2¢ out of that and give it to Africa'." .......BOB GELDOF

I could waffle on for hours about John Lennon & Bob Geldof.. but..ahem..I've gone off on a tangent again havn't I? I'm good at that.. now, back to what I was going to blog about!

Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur

"Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur," the new global "Make Some Noise" project from Amnesty International, seeks to mobilize millions around the urgent catastrophe in Darfur, Sudan. It combines the power of John Lennon's music recorded by some of the world's best-known artists, together with cutting-edge forms of instant activism enabled by Internet and mobile technologies.

This album, I will be purchasing this week.
I (we) are so very fortunate to live in the style we do.

Where you sit, right now, reading this, take a look at your life...stop for just a minute, look at what you have

now.....compare it to someone in Sudan.

PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE,

PERSPECTIVE!

This work is a great gesture from musical artists of today. I'm sure John would be very impressed and honoured to have his music played by a new generation and more importantly, still sending out his message.

Proceeds derived from the entire campaign will go directly to support Amnesty International’s urgent work in Darfur, Sedan and other human rights crises worldwide.

double click on the arrow in the middle of the box to watch this short video

Yoko Ono granted the rights to John Lennon’s entire solo songbook to Amnesty International (the world’s largest grassroots human rights organisation) to use as the centerpiece of this project and to inspire and invigorate a new generation of human rights activists.

As a solo artist, John Lennon's unique talent and passionate campaign for world peace made him one of the most influential activists the world has ever known.

"Peace is no violence, no frustration, no fear," claimed Lennon - and with this lyrical mantra, he strived to promote the issues he believed in, inspiring change through music which both provoked and united communities.

In a world plagued by war, poverty, and fear, John's message is just as relevant today as it was when first written.

Lennon's use of music, modern communication techniques, and celebrity status created unprecedented support for the peace and civil rights movements. He was a man who not only spoke truth to power, but understood that music was itself power - a unique way to touch people's hearts and minds, and inspire them to stand up for human rights.

Amnesty International is profoundly grateful to Yoko Ono for her extraordinary gift of Lennon's solo catalogue for use in this project. With the gift, she had in mind to help Amnesty International create the next generation of activists.

May this new generation join us in making a positive impact on our world.

From speaking to my friends recently, I know a few really appreciated some of the quotes I used in an earlier post on my blog. Here is a small selection of some of my favorites.

"Poverty is the worst form of violence"..... Mohandas Gandhi

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it".....ALBERT EINSTEIN

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world".....ROBIN WILLIAMS

"If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it".....JESSE JACKSON

"I really feel this is such a serious time for us all that being silent is not an option".....GEORGE MICHAEL

"Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent".....NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say".....MARTIN LUTHER

"The things which are most important don't always scream the loudest".....BOB HAWKE

"Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind - even if your voice shakes".....MAGGIE KUHN

Let us collectively raise our voices in the on going struggle for peace & human rights.
.

Springbrook National Park part 1 The Purlingbrook Falls

2007-06-22T09:12:00.000+10:00

This is Purlingbrook Falls, located in Springwood National Park, South East Queensland. Infact, it's right on the New South Wales border. It is about a 45 - 60 minute drive at a guess. One can never be exactly sure because you are always so distracted by the scenic tour on the drive there... and ....because I have such a crap memory.

You can go here four times a year (very easily, I might add) and each time you go, the falls will look different. The amount of recent rainfall makes a huge difference in the view and the temperture. I have been to this place when it was 34c with 85% humidity at home.. but it is always cool in this valley. The walk to get to the bottom of the falls, however, may not always be as cool. (i.e. carry lots of drinking water!)

The walk does take a few hours, but as most of it is in shade its a delight to go. Not for the totally unfit unless you have 4-5 (or so) hours to spare.. must add that.

Most of the photographs I have posted today, were taken in October 2005. It was about 30c but I'm guessing not much more than 23c by the time we got to the bottom. We comfortably did this walk, 3 Adults & 5 children, in umm not sure.. around 3 hours? You can spend far more time than that - so much to see.. stop and take in nature.. it's wonderful.

Mind you, we stopped so I could photograph every thing that moved and many many things that didnt. Much fun was had - apologies to those we may have disturbed with our frequent laughter which often broke the delicious calm of the valley.

Then again, if laughter annoys you, stiff shit... it's a great sound. If you don't like laughter.. you know what you can do :D

OOhh...must NOT forget to mention our fake tropical bird calls.

"Ga gaah Ga gaah" and "Ahh ahh eeh eeh toockie toockie" (a la George of the Jungle) were crowd favorites for our walking party - and honestly, I can not say it was only the children doing it.. but they did participate at some stage ....hee hee

OK lets start with some real info rather than my dribble.

There is no right and wrong way to walk this trail..(legs do help & walking on your hands would just be bloody stupid). Just start at either end and make sure you exit the other. For some reason, we have always started on the same side. Creature of habit I am..

Don't forget, you can click on the images to enlarge them

The path kinda runs in a large wobbly circle. It heads down hill.. zig zagging all the way so it is never too steep. The path is well looked after and very safe .. just stay on the path ! I have many photographs of the walking trail, but they mainly have people in them, and as I have not asked their permission to show their faces.. I will not post. Sounds like a good excuse to go for another Springbrook National Park walk with the camera? Remind me of that will ya? Just not when its gonna be 5c tonight.. brrr

This is the water pooling at the top of the falls. Nothing incredibly spectacular about this area really I guess. It could be any smallish waterway. The fun starts just a few metres away !
In this photo, off in the distance you can see the Gold Coast .. err. coast? hmm.. water?.. ocean.. yes.. thats the word, ocean. . The altitude is 900 metres (2953 feet for you imperial buggers),
Purlingbrook Falls itself has a drop of 100 metres (approx 328 feet )

This walk way is roughly the half way point. Yes, you do walk BEHIND the waterfall. In high summer this would be magnificent as I'm thinking you would be damn hot by then.

As I said, different times of the year = diff volume of water.

OOh.. edit ! I just found this photo online.. thief ! It must have been right after a good rain.. check out the volume of water going over! Bags me not walking under that waterfall in this weather ! Summer.. maybe.

My camera did get slightly wet when I took this photo. I was standing infront of the cliff wall, but behind the waterfall. I love this place.

Still behind the waterfall, but looking across the other side.

Then looking upwards. Vertigo, is not my friend. Vertigo is a right bitch.I held the camera with one hand and gripped the handrail extremely firmly with the other. Even if you don't like this photo, or can't work it out.. I don't care.. You MUST LOVE this picture cause it made me feel sick to take it. Did I mention that I intensely dislike Vertigo?

This photograph ... I stole from a website. A thief.. but at least I confess.

The volcanic rock at the bottom of the falls.. it's actually very soothing.. the constant rushing water sound hitting the rocks.

Just past the waterfall itself, this tree fern used to live. It is no longer there.

Why it is not there anymore, I'm not sure. I know I didn't take it home.. although I'd love to !

Ok.. thats it for the water shots. I've got some other photos to sort.. and I'll post them soon. Also looking into the indigenous history of the area. It is very interesting.

Damn it's cold tonight!.. remind me of this when I am whinging in summer please?

A glorious drive just minutes from home

2007-06-21T23:02:00.000+10:00

Went for a drive to fix a friends computer today.

What a terrible chore it is to HAVE to drive out this way !

Even after (more than) 3 years, I am still overcome by the beauty of the area I live in.

Maybe the reason I love the green hinterlands is because I grew up living in South Australia (the driest state, of the driest inhabited continent)

Here, when you drive south, the roads are surrounded with sugar cane fields.

Today, as I left the 'burbs in my rear vision mirror, one of the first critters to pop out and say hello, was a bush turkey. This photo was actually taken a while ago, but this is what he looked like.

15 minutes down the road, you could be forgiven in thinking that you are almost in the middle of nowhere.

In some places (where I couldn't stop the car to take a photo..grrr!) the tree tops almost touch above you. Very enticing in our hot summer let me tell you!

Today, however, it was very cool for us... bah.. its winter.. what can I expect?

Of course, with all these wonderful trees here, the bird life is incredible. The most colourful noisy bastards live here - but I still love em.

I will do a post on our local birds soon, I have been asked about them by many people.. probably cause I always whinge about their noise?

What appears to be a large rock in the background is the World Heritage Listed Mount Warning. It was named Mt Warning by Captain Cook in May, 1770.

It was ORIGINALLY named Wollumbin by the local Indigenous Bundjalung people. Many (including me) think that this should be its correct title and in recent times, it has been widely adopted.

It is actually an extinct volcano, who's naughty wrath ceased over 20 million years ago.
For quite a good read on this, click here

This helps to explain why we have such lush, generous soil in our region.

Very close to where I took these photographs is a lovely National Park. I have photos that I have taken there, and will make a post of that very soon :) just gotta resize the pics for those that are still on dial up
(*shudder * I still recall the 56k days)

I was gonna dribble on a bit more about our region, and Wollumbin certainly deserves it, but damn it, im freezing my arse off here.

Off to the warm bed with me !

Ha Ha .. Gotta love Keating

2007-06-20T22:03:00.000+10:00

They just don't make them with a colourful tongue like Keating anymore.....

I've waited quite a while to find recorded footage of this !

desiccated coconut.... pmsl

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OOps nearly forgot

2007-06-18T02:02:00.000+10:00

We WON netball on Saturday..

Final Score 43 - 7

Well done girls !

Sunday lunch - in Paradise

2007-06-18T00:27:00.000+10:00

Today, we went to a friends place for lunch.

As always, we were spoilt rotten with wonderful food, excellent company & magnificent views.

The garden.. is many acres.. not sure exactly how many.. 10 I think?

This garden puts most botanical gardens to shame. Many species of plants from all over the globe inhabit this property - even some that are NOT supposed to grow in this part of the world.

Many years of love and much hard work has gone into it, and it shows. I would dearly love to buy this house & land should it ever come on the market. Although, I do not see that happening - who could ever leave it?

From the balcony (which we always have lunch on) we feasted not only on the yummy souffle & homegrown salad for lunch but also on the wonderful view which spreads right out to the coast. It's only about a 20 minute drive to the water, so even though you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere...it's not far back to the bump & grind of the 'burbs.

As always, don't forget you can click on the photographs to enlarge them

View from the balcony.

One of the paths I love!

Hard to show in photographs,

but the diversity of plant life is incredible.

I stuck a little stick man on this photo

to show you just how tall some of these trees are..

still doesn't really show it.. shame.

The colours are amazing

and the trees shade you from the vicious sun.

Imagine laying back in a swiming pool to this view?

This is a type of magnolia but I'm unsure which one.

The flowers are like orchids.

The petals are wax like,

the flowers last for a long time on the tree.

Be nice in a floral arrangement too I think..

what ya think Hope? lol

The orange flowers here are called Bird of Paradise (Strelizia reginae). I know that one of our friends, from Canada, pays a huge amount of money for just a single Bird of Paradise flower. Here, they grow like weeds! .. sorry Rox!

The big grassy tree next to it is called a 'Blackboy' (Xanthorrhoea australis) but I think the new politically correct name is Grass Tree. It was called a Blackboy due to its dark coloured trunk. The dark colour was either the result of natural aging or by the scorching from wildfires (which helps them germinate). As this Grass Tree (Blackboy) was in a healthy wet garden, you can not see its trunk.

Another theory on the history of the name Blackboy is that this strange looking tree was named by the early settlers of Australia. They named it such because to them it resembled, from a distance, an Aborigine with a spear. Not quite sure how they could make that mistake.. they look very different to me .. so I go with the first explanation.

'Blackboy' OR 'Grass Tree'(Xanthorrhoea australis)

Bananas are cut from the tree in the garden

then hung on the balcony to ripen

this is done so the Fruit Bats (Flying Foxes)

don't feast on them before we do!

Mel, this is their Kaffir Lime tree..

and I'm holding the fruit for you to see also

Some of the home grown produce.

Oranges, Bananas, Avocado, Tomato, Capsicum, Mandarins,

Lemons and a very odd looking yellow critter..

This is the critter.

It is a Buddha's Hand or

(Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus)

Now that's one weird fruit!

This was one of the first crops

The next ones will be bigger!

We came home with a bag full of home grown goodies. We are spoilt !

So that concludes our wonderful afternoon.

I will endeavor to take a decent camera with me next time as all these photographs were, once again, taken with my camera phone.

Evening walk at the beach again... gotta love it

2007-06-18T00:07:00.000+10:00

Well the headcold is finally releasing it's grip on me, so I thought it best I went back to my evening walks - I've been quite the lazy bum this last fortnight.
These photgraphs were Saturday night, got there a bit later than planned but still enough daylight to enjoy.
Sun was just going down over the horizon as you can see.

I just love the colours we get along the whole horizon as the sun sets. These photos were taken with my phone - will take the decent camera down one day.......

The sun always gives one final blast of brightness before it goes away for the night.

Sun is reflecting on the Q1 - shame the photo did not do it justice.. it was really pretty STILL I'd never live there (I've said that before I believe!)

Couldn't help but think of Mel when I saw the fishing rod on the beach.

This pic was taken 25 - 30 minutes after the first... as you can see, we have very long sunsets!

And.. two die hard fisherman.. sitting on the beach with their rods in the water .. and hot coffee in their hands ! Was rather chilly by this time.

Nude.. gets attention

2007-06-15T16:54:00.000+10:00

NAKED PROTESTING

Although an odd subject, I thought it worthy of a post

Protesting, is a good way of letting people know how you feel.

Naked protesting, is a good way of letting people know how you feel, and showing them what it is that you would like them to feel?..... No? I got that wrong? Damn, count me out then!

No.. I know that's not their intention - but it could be a nice bonus?

To be honest, I don't really get it but I guess protesting naked definitely gets you more media attention, therefor gets your message out to more people.

Here are some examples from all around the world.

Bikes, seem to go hand in hand (or should that be seat in arse?)

with naked protesting.

one word .....OUCH

All the colours of the rainbow!

No Bush? I dunno 'bout that...

you can see quite a few there !

And in the snow? brrr chilly bush

Hmm yes, we get the point.

I've heard of up shit creek without a paddle

but up a street sign without clothing?

I live on a steep hill.

lucky they didn't try that in my back garden

Is that not the biggest cross section of arses

that you have ever seen..?

Effective

but I'm sure mum would have prefered he folded his clothes

Nude rollercoasting?

Gawd, don't invite me to that party !

Hmm, which reminds me

Federal election is a comin!

Interesting greeting

This was a group of locals advertising the name of their township & welcoming the cyclists

Paw print inserted here to protect the .......danglies

Nicely done

Protesting against pension cuts in the UK

- hopefully it was summer!

Byron Bay, Australia

Not sure what it was about tho..

Very artistic!

They actually were supposed to have a love heart around the outside

but they were short a few naked bodies..

BP burning the planet..

bike seat burning the....

Breasts & Bombs

Eh what? Do they do the same thing?

Even peacefully,

Sand simply gets....in the worst places!

Got the love heart this time !

unfortunately

this photograph was not taken at my local beach

How to be naked.....

yet fully clothed

I guess one dipped out on the fully naked part

Nudity in protests, is by far, not a new thing

She's got a point

5 bodies = an effective protest

It's certainly more fun with more!

Bloody sand again

nice socks

I think that guy on the steps is a bit shocked?

......Protesting nude ......

to promote nude protesting I think?

I think these photographs exhibit numerous things - including that there are ways to promote your beliefs and that doing it nude ultimately gets you good media coverage.

However, in saying that, I don't see our next 'Your Rights At Work' rally marching nude down the streets of Coolangatta - or I will be working in the background & not marching in the front line !

Worth fighting AND VOTING for

this coming federal election

let your vote be your voice

if you so desire (& at your own risk)

do it naked !

Workchoices... much closer to the truth!

2007-06-14T00:16:00.000+10:00

WorkChoices

From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia.

“This is a f*cking great law I love it. I can sack any bastard that is not pulling thier weight and kiwis and poms”
~ Oscar Wilde on WorkChoices

WORKCHOICES is Australia's Prime Minster (John Howard's) plan to motivate workers.

Australian workers are known for taking weekends and leaves, joining unions and strikes, and a multitude of other totally unacceptable behaviours, which put tremendous pressure on the rich and corporate giants.

WorkChoices offer a series of choices to employees so that they will work as hard as their employers expect.

Contents

1 The Choices
2 Protected by Law
3 The Campaign
4 External Links

The Choices

As mentioned, WorkChoices introduce a series of choices to employees as means of motivation. These include:

1. the choice between work and family,
2. the choice between work and weekend barbies,
3. the choice of working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week,
4. the choice of having a shrinking minimum wage,
5. the choice of finding a new job after joining a strike,
6. the choice of being forced to sign an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA),

and the extremely unappealing choice of voting Kim Beazley* to get the new legislations repealed.

*Fortunately, Australians no longer must face this unappealing choice, as Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd (b. 7331 BB) recently, during a party leadership challenge, accidentally devoured Beazley. There have also been rumours that his pet dog, Nibbles, had also been eaten, but these are as of yet unsubstantiated.

The new Australian Workplace Agreements, put forth by our current Prime Minister John Howard, give hard workers the opportunity to earn the money they deserve. Contracts are now able to be signed, and allow employers the opportunity to give more time to willing employees without paying overtime.

Under WorkChoices, the sovereignty of employers is completely and thoroughly protected. New powers granted include:

1. the power to force a new employee to sign a bulk AWA,
2. the power to force a new employee to give up all basic human rights,
3. the power to slience unions, and, ultimately,
4. the power to dismiss an employee at any given time.

The Campaign

It is crucial that all Australians are informed of their doomsday. Millions of WorkChoices brouchers with glossy cover have been printed and distributed nationwide to the benefit of printery owners. Hotlines have also been set up in order to educate employers in sacking employees with Workchoices, and, more importantly, to demostrate the strength of WorkChoices by sacking excessive hotline operators.

An over-600-page copy of the bill is available on the WorkChoices website for those who have too much time during their lunchbreaks - if they are ever going to have one again.

Recently the name 'workchoices' was banned, and the government now use the phrase 'oops, we fucked up there'.

They also have a 'fairness test', which means that workers may get a day off, but only if they are actually dead.

External Links
New IR laws increase choices except about wages, leave, hours, unfair dismissal and striking

source

I could say so much more but

I don't think I need add anything to that to make my point?

A Tshirt I want !

2007-06-13T23:47:00.001+10:00

.
This, I have said for years, and I just found it on a web site

Damn.. so I'm not as original as I thought

Still, I want one !

Ahh... life can be tough !

2007-06-13T20:21:00.001+10:00

Recently, our netball girls have been a pain at training.

Not paying attention, gazing off into space, chatting when they should be listening, dragging their feet when they should be running... typical stuff for their age group but very frustrating for us, the coaches.

We thought it was a good idea to change the routine.

So, for a change today, we trained the girls on the beach.

What a great idea! There was very little to no reference to netball, just fitness training and lots of games.

Shame that the sun was going down but much fun was had !

I have many good photos of the afternoon, but I needed to be careful & choose a photograph that didn't show faces ! - to protect the innocent??

If you click on the photo to enlarge it, in the background, you can see Surfers Paradise skyline... and on the water there was one surfer..even though the surf was ..err not up?

Water was warm !

Ive still got sand under my toenails !

Look UP, not down - Let's put this in perspective

2007-06-13T12:17:00.000+10:00

This encapsulates much of what I think.

Now,

how to combat it?

This is a bit of a worry

2007-06-12T12:29:00.000+10:00

I'm not much of a conspiracist..

but some things make me wonder.

Well .........ok, many things make me wonder.

Some days it's trouble enough remembering my own name.. but I'm digressing again..

I think some conspiracy theories are utterly ridiculous - others have far too much verity to be ignored.

I'm sure that we do not get the full truth about many things from our world leaders.

Things that could be effecting our lives, our health ....our earth.

I fully appreciate the fact that governments will always need to retain some information to be disclosed only to the chosen few. That will always happen for what ever reason - and possibly should be that way.

Some things, many of us feel, need to be explained.

Why are some of us trying hard to do the right thing for our planet, and those that we choose to represent us, are holding important information back?

Is it simply that they are not willing to disclose the fact that they are playing with things that are not fully understood yet? They are experimental things ... the future implications of which are unknown (possibly bloody dangerous).

Maybe they think we don't have the intelligence to grasp the concept?

Am I wrong?

Well, I think we are grown up enough to be told the truth. At least in some fashion.

The inhabiters of our world need to know

The dangers of us knowing.

Anericans (and many others) ask yourself.. where do your taxes go?

This report is old, but still prudent -

"On Sept. 10, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld declared war. Not on foreign terrorists, "the adversary's closer to home. It's the Pentagon bureaucracy," he said. He said money wasted by the military poses a serious threat. "In fact, it could be said it's a matter of life and death," he said. Rumsfeld promised change but the next day – Sept. 11-- the world changed and in the rush to fund the war on terrorism, the war on waste seems to have been forgotten.

"According to some estimates we cannot track $2.3 trillion in transactions," Rumsfeld admitted. $2.3 trillion — that's $8,000 for every man, woman and child in America."

source:

Shocked?

I am no way inferring that this problem is purely isolated in the USA .. but .. $8,000 for every man, woman & child?

HOLY SHIT

My gawd guys,your own goverment representatives question this missing money. Why has this not been looked into again? Where's the report?

I think you have the right to know where that money has gone - and all other monies that go 'astray'.

I often feel this outrage. Am I alone in my thoughts?

What if I'm not wrong? Think about that.

----------
I think I've raved enough.

But think about it....

End of whinge for today

Class, you are dismissed !..

hahahahahahh.. sorry, but I had to get all that out !

I'm alright now :D

................0_o

......... *left eye twitchs*

It's STILL Wintersun....

2007-06-11T00:33:00.000+10:00

.
Had to add this...

As we frolicked past the many cars & bands that were playing.. UUmmm ahh ok ... SO by this stage of the day.. I was frolicking but the kids were 50'ed out (aka.. I dragged the kids) we came past this band

I thought they were very good and they had many dancers jiving around so how bad could they be?

I'll let the photo of my son (A) show his feelings as we passed the mixing stand for the band.

Yes, he wanted to pull the plug on them.. he was trying hard to hold his own hand back from attacking the sound mixer. (he knew it was wrong..but mum ! its crap!)

I think someone spray painted on this band's roadie truck... it was NOT my son !
.

.
Although, he did think it funny enough to photograph it!

It's Wintersun time again ! part 2 The Cars

2007-06-10T16:39:00.000+10:00

THE FAMOUS WINTERSUN CAR PARADE

.
.
I'm not a huge fan of cars, no matter the vintage. I do, however, respect the incredible amount of time, love & money these people allocate to their hobbies - or obsession in some cases.
.
Saturday night the streets of Coolangatta were lined with folk, old an young alike. The crowds consisted of locals who do this every year...Tourists that stumbled upon the festival and Visitors both interstate and international who's sole purpose was to attend or take part in Wintersun this year.
.
Don't forget, you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them :)

I couldn't even hazard a guess at how many spectators were there.

Of course, there was the show offs..

A terrible waste of fuel but it was quite spectacular

.
In no particular order, here are some of the cars in the parade.

Now this was funny

Somehow a garbage truck got caught up in the parade whilst doing their work.

As they had to collect the rubbish bins (One would assume so the festival garbage didn't overflow?) they were holding up the line of cars waiting to pass the hoards of onlookers.

The garbos copt a bit of flack from the impatient shits who couldnt wait to see another of the 1500 cars or so flowing by.

Once all the bins had been collected the garbage truck had about 30 metres of clear road ahead of it. The driver span the wheels of that large beast - dropping a burn out.. in a garbage truck?

The crowd instantly forgave them for temporarily halting the parade and gave them whistles, cheers, huge applause & laughter.

Then the parade resumed

The obligatory Elvis mobile

The bonnet & the boot

This is Violet Crumble

The bonnet & boot

.

The inside

same fluff on roof lining & floor

do NOT go to sleep drunk in this car

be hard to tell which way is up!

Note for non aussies. Violet Crumble is a chocolate bar. Honeycomb with chocolate covering.

This one was a hit with the young kids

.

Just to prove

Rednecks are everywhere!

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Croc Bikes

I thought these were gross..

yet interesting all the same

.
One would assume..

this is a work in progress?

nicely placed in a mud puddle..lol

As Wintersun is a rock'n'roll festival

Elvis is featured in many places

.
This sign says

1935 Ford Humpback Sedan

"99% home built, 50% driven, 10% Thrashed!"

Look what Daddy made me for Wintersun

Buy this one, its only

$35,000

Now, I know that is a lot of car pics for someone who isn't into cars but it is only a small selection of the photographs I took.

Still curious about what these guys are selling.

hmm.. I am in the market for a new job??

Would it be advisable to reword my resumé?

Would I need references?

Mwahahaha

It's Wintersun time again ! part 1

2007-06-09T22:36:00.000+10:00

WINTERSUN FESTIVAL

Wintersun is Australia's leading annual Retro Nostalgia Festival. Held in Coolangatta over 10 days, it is a fun filled (and alcohol in many cases) festival showcasing over 1500 Hot Rods, Custom and Classic Cars, as well as Rock 'n' Roll music, dancing, movies & street parades.
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Parking is a right royal pain in the bum if you don't get there early enough. Cars were parked everywhere including places they shouldn't aught! The streets were crammed with drivers trying to find somewhere to park. I, of course, totally arsed it and found a very close park. Second time today. I do seem to have an uncanny ability to find good parks very quickly. My son said that he hopes he has inherited that 'arsey' gene from me.

,

To me, Wintersun is a time where suddenly many male residents of my area sprout tacky sideburns, grease their hair back and.. if they are lucky.. dust off their Creeper shoes for another year of street dancing!

In some cases, they dust off their Betty Boo bags also...
.

. Some visitors showing off their lovely sunglasses. Very pretty but I'm sure the Cancer Council didn't endorse these ones!
Creeper shoes look like (and I've been told on good authority) to be the most comfortable shoes .. They have a double sole which hides a coffin shaped compartment for money notes, house keys, condoms .. or.. umm.. ahhh....other smallish things!
.
Check these out !

Yes, that is Elvis on one of those shoes.. he gets everywhere ya know.

In the photo below, you can see what the shoe looks like after the fake inner sole is taken out.. the little coffin shaped container comes out when you pull a string.. then you hide your 'goodies' in there for safe keeping ! Out of sight, out of mind and not sticking into the bottom of you foot !

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The hair & sideburns?

Truth is I love all of this.. but my (and my childrens - much to their amusement and somtimes horror) main aim each year is to capture as many tacky fake Elvis' as I can with my camera. I missed the day parade this year as we were viewing Shrek the third in the local cinema instead.. so as a consequence, we missed most of the Elvis' and all of the Marilyns. Still we had an absolute ball.

Now.. where was I?
.
Oh yes, the hair & sideburns! GAWD!!
.

This chap was more than happy to stop the car and strike a pose for me. I must say, he was an awfully good Elvis - even had the voice down pat! .

The driver of the car was dressed as Elwood from the Blues Brothers. He did that wonderfully also. Think I'd enjoy a party with some of these fun people ! What do you say Lish & Mel... next dress up is gonna be a 50's ??>

. .
This man had a fantastic sense of humour. Does it show? (lol)

He was part of a group that walked up and down all the streets of the fesitval - constantly singing. As a group, they are shown in the next photograph. Good listening too.. most impressive. Rather negative of me I know, but I have to admit, I did not expect them to sound that good!

.

,
Now, tell me, what DO you think these people were selling?

And WHY didn't they have a constant stream of customers?

.

Hmmm... on that note..I think I'll make this the end of Wintersun post, part one
.

Spank the Pussy!

2007-06-09T21:53:00.000+10:00

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Now, tell me there ain't sommat weird about this kitty??
.
.

.
I think I've known people somewhat like this......??

Gorgeous Sunset as storm comes in to town

2007-06-08T20:19:00.000+10:00

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This is the sunset view from my balcony just before the storm came in on Tuesday evening.

Remember you can click on the photo to enlarge it !
.

.
The colours are incredible
.

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The camera just didn't do it justice
.
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It only got better
.
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And.. better
.
.
'till the phone rings..

I go inside to answer it.. typcial.. telemarketer!

Not interested thank you !

I came back to the balcony.. the show was over and the rain had begun.

We had a really good rain for two days. The garden, the ducks and I loved it !

Damn funny - who hasn't done something similar to this in the lounge room?

2007-06-07T22:14:00.001+10:00

Damn if this isn't one of the funniest things I have watched in a very long time.

Don't try tell me that you havn't taken the piss out of some genre of music without doing something similar to this - or is that just me?
.
OK............................... so if you havn't done this, then imagine me doing it.. then surely it's gotta be funny?
.
Do ya self a favor.. watch it till the end.. cause it grows on ya....we are rolling.. and crying with laughter here.. the kids are in bed and they must be wondering what the hell we are laughing at so loudly
.

.
ps.. I'm still listening to it.. still funny.
.
pps.. Is it funny - or am I just weird?
.
OK EDIT ... its now the next day.
.
Yes, my daughter DID hear us laughing at that..
and yes she DID wonder what was so funny. So.. I just showed her.. at the first huge mumble chorus line this guy does, M (daughter) said
"OH MUM, that sounds like you imitating some singers !"
.
Thats it, its Confirmation... im deffo weird
- but I don't say that as if it's a bad thing!
.

1 Planet, 1 Future - too many short sighted governments

2007-06-07T20:11:00.000+10:00

.
.

Johnnyboy darling,
Peter might look like a madman in this photo's lighting, but let me assure you -
We could do far, far worse than having Peter Garrett help control our planet's future .. couldn't we Arthur... or...was that Martha this week?
.

.......... so please, tell us YOUR plan ??

I WILL try not to comment TOO much, BUT I will paste part of a newspaper article & some strategically pasted Suitable bumperstickers......

"LABOR will put a rock star in charge of determining Australia's economic future. That was the simple political message from the Prime Minister's speech on climate change "
.
"That doomsayer assumption is based on a scenario helpfully contained in the report of the Prime Minister's joint taskforce on emissions trading brought down on Friday. Significantly, neither Mr Howard nor the taskforce report was willing to set a long-term emissions target for Australia. And yesterday the Prime Minister made it clear he will not set his until after the election."

.

Not willing to tell the Australian people what they are going to be voting for, IF they vote for you this coming Federal election?

Anyone suprised he announces nothing of his plan, yet attacks other plans with such effort?

Oh Johnny ! Sounding desperate?
I think he doth protest too much?
Gee, anyone would think Johnny is worried about his job...

Suffer in your jocks johnny
.

"The (Liberal Party) taskforce report ducked the controversial target figure, even though it recommended the Government set up a carbon emissions trading scheme to help put a market price on the cost of greenhouse gas pollution caused by fossil fuels. The report accepted that a long-term target was crucial for the scheme but it did not suggest the figure - leaving Mr Howard a big political opening to attack Labor's target before the election."
.

.
"Most developed countries, besides the US, accept a 60 per cent reduction target as reasonable. So does the CSIRO."
.

"The targets are not based just on economic assumptions but scientific assumptions. Unless the developed world heads for these targets and develops the technologies to get there, the damage caused by climate change to the environment and the world economy will be far greater than the short-term economic pain of emissions cuts."

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"Most importantly, setting a long-term target takes political courage because sooner rather than later you have to explain how you reach those targets"
.

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"It's time to take the politics out of targets," the head of the Australian Conservation foundation, Don Henry, said yesterday.
.
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"Mr Howard yesterday signalled an emissions target, at least until the election, will not be a policy instrument but a political weapon."
.

. ..........By the way And so do my friends....

Peter Garrett's comment on this was.....

"The very clear message that comes from the Prime Minister today is that he is only seeing climate change through the eyes of his electoral prospects."

I couldn't have put it better myself Peter.

Just out of interest......the theory (see FACT) of Global Warming is nothing new... this first clipping was published in 1932 .. and not enough has been accomplished yet

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And this one in 1953 ....
.

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And I imagine a whole heap of studies / reports inbetween.. and a plethora afterwards -

Yet still these stuffed shirts sit on their hands.....

PLEASE REMEMBER

They Loved it !

2007-06-06T21:12:00.000+10:00

.
After I reassured the children I was not going to make a 'Dump Cake' - I made the Rhubarb, Apple & Custard Pie - well two actually.

Was ready just in time for after school, it was cold (19c) and they wanted hot food....so much for having it after dinner !

.
That was cinnamon sugar on the top.. no I did not burn it !!

Might try the dump cake receipe soon?

Anyone fancy a DUMP CAKE?

2007-06-05T20:46:00.000+10:00

ha ha ha ha

searching for a receipe for Rhubarb Apple pie crumble.. and this came up in a search

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,176,146177-245205,00.html

Kids were horrified and let loose yelps of.....

"Mum, please dont bake tomorrow!"

It is a real receipe, but surely to gawd, they could have thought up a better name??

Thank gawd they were wrong eh?

2007-06-05T18:15:00.000+10:00

click on the picture to enlarge it.

Home computer's will look like this in 2004?

I want a big steering wheel on my pc too!!

Call me a geek now Jarek?

End of voting..

2007-06-04T19:26:00.000+10:00

After much (ok, well a little) debate.. these are the results of my last poll.

Am I indeed evil?

Was I wrong to laugh at Miss Universe USA falling flat on her arse?
.
Yes, you are a total bitch (11%)
.
You were wrong (0%)
.
Wasn't kind but I giggled too (22%)
.
I don't care either way (0%)
.
It was amusing (22%)
.
I thought it hilarious (33%)
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She didn't fall hard enough (11%)
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Who's arse are we discussing? (0%)
.

Biatch... but a funny one?

.
let's close that chapter now?

Oh dear, act your age!

2007-06-04T17:18:00.000+10:00

Ok, I know in some cases I have not been as popular lately for laughing at other peoples misfortune in public.. but this one takes the cake - and in this case, I make no apologies at all !

Here I am, sitting in the car at the local shopping centre (cause I cant stop coughing and feel to sick to walk thru the mall) when a man aged approx 35 - 40 comes walking by.

I think he'd forgotten his correct age, as he was wearing bling baby and wearing baggy pants with the pants lower than his underpants - like these in the pic

And had hair shaved into a short mohawk like this

Unfortunately, he was not wearing a belt as these guys are.

So, towards my parked car he came, opened his packet of ciggies, shoved one in his mouth - my, oh my, he looked soooo cool *cough* With his other hand he brought up his ciggy lighter and proceeded to light the smoke.

Unfortunately for him, with both arms in the upright position to his face, his pants could no longer hold on to his lower hips. Down came the daks.. and fell right down to his ankles.

Picture it.. in the middle of a very busy car park...

Now, I could be wrong in thinking this but....if you are going to put yourself in the position of showing off your underwear... would it not be advisable to wear at least half decent jocks?

He wore navy blue jocks with the baggiest stretched arse hanging down I've ever seen.

I did manage to catch my laughter at first...I did awfull well I thought. But as he hitched those pants up.. the arse of the jocks hung out the back..well ... that was the end of me. Lucky I was sitting down in the car.. else I probably would have fallen over laughing.

I laughed so hard, I had a coughing fit ( damn cold )

A guy was getting into the car next to me, he heard my raucous racket... he stopped .. leaned down to my car window, and asked me if I was ok.

Somehow through the laughter, coughing and spluttering, I answered him and asked if he had seen the guy with the mohawk. He could still see him.. I asked if his pants were still around his ankles.. then explained what I meant. Now there were two of us laughing hysterically.

Mum always tells you to wear clean underwear... now I have an addition to that age old advice ..

Wear clean NICE underwear

Headcolds suck.. badly

2007-06-02T17:23:00.000+10:00

My head feels like crap. My brain is coated in 2 ft layers of cotton wool. So as a result, I do not feel like typing jack shit... Today is a good day to share a few of my favorite quotations with you instead?

Like you have a choice.. mwahahaha.

Over the years, I have discovered that some of what I consider to be the most honest /wise /nicest /funniest /incredibly stupid.. weirdest quotes to come from the most obscure sources - as you will see. You alone can determine which category they fall into.

There is no particular theme other than what appealed to me at the time I found/ heard them.. they are random but I guess they say something about me?

I have these, and a plethora more, stored on a word document - yeah I know, I'm weird.

Some definitely make me laugh, some are soooooo true, some make me think ... others horrify me.

Grab a cuppa and have a read.

It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it.
George W Bush

There's nothing funnier than the human animal.
Walt Disney

You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That's a part of it.
Denzel Washington

Every time you open a Pandora's Box it's difficult to put the lid back on.
Sean Connery

Gay icons usually have some tragedy in their lives, but I've only had tragic haircuts and outfits.
Kylie Minogue

I mean, I don't think I'm alone when I look at the homeless person or the bum or the psychotic or the drunk or the drug addict or the criminal and see their baby pictures in my mind's eye. You don't think they were cute like every other baby?
Dustin Hoffman

Any time you've got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up.
Michael Moore

If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.
Martin Luther

If there are no dogs in heaven, then I'm not going either.
Melly

I've come to understand that there's always something positive, even in a negative situation.
Leif Garrett

Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.
Napoleon Bonaparte

I really feel this is such a serious time for us all that being silent is not an option.
George Michael

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.
Jesse Jackson

There's less violence in the world when people are using Hula-Hoops
Mikey Way

Alcohol gives you infinite patience for stupidity.
Sammy Davis, Jr.

Iraq has lost 5 percent of its population, a number that in the U.S. would equal 14 million people.
Mick Jagger

Mel, you're so hardcore!
Simone

Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
Ronald Reagan

Jason Akamanis, is that kejab manis' cousin?
Micaela

Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.
Salvador Dali

Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come.
Matt Groening

To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States.
George W Bush

How do you rewind this DVD?
You know who you are _ I won't out you on this one !

My theory is that all of Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.
Mike Myers

Reality is just a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs.
Robin Williams

It's really very simple, Governor. When people are hungry they die. So spare me your politics and tell me what you need and how you're going to get it to these people.
Bob Geldof

Now, it's true I married my wife for her looks... but not the ones she's been givin' me lately.
Jeff Foxworthy

That's awesome!
Dotti

If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.
Adolf Hitler

The thing I object to more than anything else is that we've got Australian foreign policy being determined by senior officials in Washington.
Peter Garrett

I think love has something to do with allowing a person you claim to love to enter a larger arena than the one you create for them.
Sting

You still with me? Have I lost you yet?
That's me seeing if your still reading, ya wallies.

The ultimate indignity is to be given a bedpan by a stranger who calls you by your first name.
Maggie Kuhn

An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.
Mohandas Gandhi

It often takes more courage to change one's opinion than to keep it.
Willy Brandt

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
Winston Churchill

If you're gonna buy me a present, don't spend more than twenty five bucks.. you'll get a blowjob anyway.
Gerard Way

Wit is educated insolence.
Aristotle

When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.
Albert Einstein

I burn everything and call it Cajun
Frank Iero

The people of the world genuinely want peace. Some day the leaders of the world are going to have to give in and give, it to them.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

If you made it through the whole lot, I applaud you.

That was only a selection, a very minor selection of what I have.

** did I hear the crowd scream for more??

Tropical Storms.. love em

2007-05-30T15:10:00.001+10:00

Ever since I was a small child, (yeah, yeah, a long time ago now, I know) I have loved the sight, the sound, the smell and excitement of storms. The purchase of a digital camera has only fueled my love of storms as now I can capture the moment to see for all time.

Nature, even at its worst, can provide incredible beauty.

These first two photographs were taken in Brisbane. I had driven from the Gold Coast up to Brisbane, trying hard to beat this storm front. Yes, I love watching them, but I sure prefer NOT to be caught on the freeway IN them !

I have just found out that these pics are not enlarging when clicked on.. I will fix that in the morning - err I didn't say WHICH morning..lol

I just love the colours that shone through here

These next two photographs were taken some time ago by a friend of mine during a storm that effected Central Queensland. I was in Gladstone at the time (2003). These were taken at a farm near the township of Mt Larcom. Mt Larcom also has the BEST meat pies ever.. many people will attest to this. This is after all.. cattle country.

Wicked shot

If you lighten your monitor now, you can see the cattle in the foreground of this shot. They didn't seem to be perturbed by the storm at all. Now put your monitor back to normal exposure..lol

This is the same storm over Gladstone, but the photographer is unknown to me.

Gold Coast Storms.

The Q1 being hit by lightning.

The Q1 is located in Surfers Paradise, not far up the road from me. It is the tallest residential tower in the world and Nuh Uh, I wouldn't live there for quids! The views are supposed to be magnificent from the observation deck. I have been told that the BEST viewing time is a night of a full moon with no cloud cover. If you look here you can see the views from the top floor penthouse.The Q1 elevator takes you from ground floor to level 77 in 42.7 seconds.. There is a restaurant somewhere in the top floors, but don't count on keeping your lunch in your stomach if you take the elevator down afterwards!

.
.
.
Now, back to my stomping ground and its storms.

We had a huge rain storm on 30 June 2005. I have spoken to many people about this and they would like to see the photographs I took.

It was a well-defined low-pressure system that did not form on the surface (i.e. totally unexpected).So they tell us, these systems can rival the flooding impact of a tropical cyclone. They can occur at any time of the year although they are more common in autumn and in early winter. Keep in mind that our rainy season is summer so this was really strange.

This is my neighbour, totally unknown to us he had been battling the water since 3am... silly bugger didn't tell us did he! We were not aware of the problem till around 6am. Seems the water was flowing down our hill and right into his house. As he redirected the water away from his house, it made for quite a nice river with white water. A few times I did have to usher away the local children who thought it was a great idea to bring their boogie boards and surf down our hill. Call me a spoil sport, but I didn't fancy trying to drive through flooded roads to take them to hospital. From the top of the hill
.
Ending like this at the bottom.

We were rather sodden and yes, some came inside the house.
How pretty is it though?

Look at all those little rivers

Unfortuantely, this is where those little rivers end up.

The back of that vehicle did fill up with water - we wanted to warn whomever it belonged to, but no one knew who owned it.

The emergency crew helped someone....

and in the process, got stuck themselves.

This was the Coolangatta Airport.. oopsie?

This was the local golf course and partially my friends back garden.

This was a very different storm front. It also came out of nowhere. The sky went very very dark.. Almost completely dark at 4pm. Then the heavens opened. After the downpour the most unusual light happened. The photographs do not really do it justice.

It had been a bright sunny cloudless day till this rolled in. See how dark it is behind the initial cloud?

Keep in mind these photographs were taken within a few minutes of each other.

I have not seen anything like the colour of this sky before. It was surreal

I have more photographs ('oh no' I hear you scream) but I think I have posted (more than) enough for now.

I have a few short videos of some electrical storms also. Maybe I will bully Mel into teaching me how to add the videos here as I have no idea how to do so.

That'a girl Kim

2007-05-29T16:11:00.000+10:00

What a great attitude, Denise & Brad - you must be immensely proud

"I think that no matter what happens, I've won," she said. "I've gotten to spend four weeks in Mexico City and I'm just stoked. I have had such a ball and I'm so happy. I haven't seen any hair pulling or anything like that," she laughed"

I simply can't wait to hear all the stories you must have to tell.

Relax, kick back and enjoy your time with Amelia. You have more than earnt some fun!

Proud as punch of our gal

2007-05-29T12:32:00.000+10:00

The Awards have started .. now finished..

Congratulations to Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori (Japan)

Here are the The top 15

And, The top 10

The top 5 consists of Venezuela, Korea, Brazil, Japan and yes, you guessed it USA

Miss Photogenic (Philippino woman are so gorgeous)

Miss Congeniality (means she's one of the nicer people? what does that mean?)

Kimberley came second in this but aside from being the peoples vote...I'm not exactly sure what this is!

Oh Dear.. bwhahahah

"Miss USA Rachel Smith, who slipped and fell to the floor during the evening gown competition, was the contest’s fourth runner-up."

I KNOW that shouldn't be funny... Should it? *sniggers behind hand* She is probably a lovely girl and I shouldn't find ANY humour in that .........but........ *snorts with laughter*

My number one can now come home to family and friends who are incredibly proud of her. I'm sure she will get an amazing reception at Gladdy airport - wish I could be there!

Not forgetting the wanker of the week award.... --------->

Maybe frumpy pissants (with huge mouths and even larger egos) like this one should be as proud of her as we are - Look in the mirror before you throw gawd awful comments around next time jerk?

Credit due the SMH has a nice report on Kimberley albeit quoted mainly from the Gladstone Observer.

"Gladstone will benefit from having such a great ambassador for our city, for a local girl to rise to such dizzying heights is just fantastic.
When she came home from the Miss Universe Australia competition we all greeted her at the airport, and we'll probably do it again. At the end of the day we are proud of her no matter what the outcome."

Amen to that :)
.
.

Maybe being a male of shorter stance isnt so bad at a Miss Universe gathering?

<---------

Check out this guy's eyes..

Denise & Brad would slap that smile right off his face for ogling her chest like that !

Well done Kimberley,
.
Miss Universe Australia

You have done yourself and Australia proud sweetheart.

You can hear them shaking in their boots from here

2007-05-29T11:57:00.000+10:00

Latest I've seen.. although I'm sure judging has started -

"JENNIFER Hawkins is still Donald Trump's favourite Miss Universe, Australia's 2007 hopeful Kimberley Busteed has revealed. In an interview before the pageant finale in Mexico today, Busteed said Mr Trump, co-owner of the contest, had told her Hawkins, who won in 2004, was still his favourite. "He couldn't stop raving on about Jennifer and how Jennifer has been his favourite winner that he's ever had," Busteed said. "That was pretty cool, that Donald Trump came up to me saying that Miss Australia was the best Miss Universe."

.. full story

One thing, Please Kimberley...

tell me you didnt actually call him Donny?

Ha ha ha - gotta love that Aussie spirit

Computer Technology - The Aussie Way

2007-05-28T23:20:00.000+10:00

This is for Jarek... you can never call me a Geek again !

LOG OFF : Not adding any more wood to the barbie.

MONITOR: Keeping an eye on the barbie.

DOWNLOAD: Getting the firewood off the ute.

HARD DRIVE: Making the trip back home without any cold drinks.

KEYBOARD: Where you hang the ute keys.

WINDOW: What you shut when the weather's cold.

SCREEN: What you shut in the mozzie season.

BYTE: What mozzies do.

MEGABYTE: What Townsville mozzies do.

CHIP: A fried potato snack.

MICROCHIP: Small crunchy bit that's left in the bag after you've eaten the chips.

MODEM: What you did to the lawns on Sat arvo.

LAPTOP: Where the cat sleeps.

SOFTWARE: Plastic knives & forks you get at Red Rooster.

HARDWARE: Stainless steel knives & forks - from K-Mart.

MOUSE : The small rodent that eats the grain in the shed.

MAINFRAME: What holds the shed up.

WEB: What spiders make.

WEBSITE: Usually in the shed or under the verandah.

SEARCH ENGINE: What you do when the ute won't go.

CURSOR: What you say when the ute won't go.

YAHOO: What you say when the ute does go.

UPGRADE: A steep hill.

SERVER: The person at the cafe who brings out the lunch.

MAIL SERVER: The bloke at the cafe who brings out the lunch.

USER: The neighbour who keeps borrowing things.

NETWORK: What you do when you need to repair the fishing net.

INTERNET: Where you want the fish to go.

NETSCAPE: What the fish do when they discover the hole in the net.

ONLINE: Where you hang the washing.

OFFLINE: Where the washing ends up when the pegs aren't strong enough.

PC : To be Politically Correct - Us Aussies are SO good at that *cough*

OS: Overseas

TOOLBAR: Where you purchase power tools.

DRIVER: The operator of a motor vehicle

ROUTER: A person who navigates for the driver

WEBMASTER: An artistic spider

My Only Disclaimer - Yeah ok, so I copied & pasted most of the above .. twas an email from my sister :D

oops.. here is a legend for those who are not fully Aussified :)

Barbie - Aussie BBQ - not to be confused with Ken's plastic girlfriend. Cook outdoors on a barbecue plate or grill

i.e. ""throw another shrimp on the barbie" btw.. we dont call them shrimp here.. they are Prawns far too large to be called shrimp.. yums

Ute - utility vehicle, normally a cab front with flat tray back. Australian origin. The tray area is often used for parties /better views at sporting venues /sleeping / and or ...err activities..lol

Mozzie - Australian for mosquito.

i.e "these flaming mozzies are sucking me blood dry bazza"

Jarek - A polish guy living in Italy - such a cheeky bugger... I often wonder how does his wife put up with him?

Aussified - A state of interpreting Australians, to be Aussified you must :-

Like beer or any other effective alcohol - but not Fosters! We all wanna get pissed, but we do have some principles left.
Consistently beats the English at almost all sports - then rub it in no end
Greet everyone with 'G'day' and farewell them with 'Orroo'
Be used to sunny hot weather, and dislike cold weather
Love skinny dipping
Think the Kiwi's shag sheep
Understand that Australia does NOT claim Russel Crowe as an aussie
Think beer is the aussie equivalent of a health drink
Be prepared to do THIS in a public arena
Think the 'Tasweigens' (Tasmanians) are in-bred - look for the scar from the second head removal
Think that there is no better time to be had than drinking/fishing and playing up
Have a problem with New Zealand being better at rugby - sheep shaggers the lot of em!
Be able to talk the ear off a grasshopper
Dislike John Howard - and never purchase a track suit like this
Use beer in place of water
Be able to utter 'Crikey' in a Steve Irwin fashion
Be able to understand the following dinky di phrases -
'He was a fast as a dunny door in a cyclone'
'Don't come the raw prawn with me mate'
'He's got a few Kangaroos loose in the top paddock'
'Any tic of the clock'
'She'll be apples'
'He went arse over
'That's the bee's knees'
'2 Cackleberries for me please'
'She looked like a dog's breaky mate'
'a bit more choke and you would have started'
'I was flat out like a lizard drinking'

.
Aussie's are... argh..who cares, I'm a happy little vegemite so pass me a pie floater.

Especially for Mel

2007-05-28T13:12:00.000+10:00

No comment needed....

Ahh..... poo bum hiss

2007-05-28T13:06:00.000+10:00

"Miss Universe judges selected 15 finalists on Friday, which will not be announced until the Donald Trump-owned extravaganza tomorrow, to be screened on Channel 7 at 10.30pm on Tuesday."

Damn, so we will know the results prior to the Australian telecast........

Anyone know of a net telecast live?

Have fun Kimberley !!

Ummm ..

2007-05-28T00:45:00.000+10:00

Well... it's not the first time I've been accused of such but...............

What political ideology do you have? Your Result: Communist You believe in the elimination of all social classes by a revolution of the working class. You believe in the abolition of private property and the eventual disentegration of the State into a utopian classless society.
Democratic Socialist
Fascist
Anarchist
Libertarian
Authoritarian Capitalist
What political ideology do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

And then.. I change one answer.. and I get this???

What political ideology do you have? Your Result: Fascist You believe vital industries should be regulated, not by government bureaucrats, but by national syndicates (like medieval guilds), which are composed of representatives from every aspect of the industry. You believe that business, as well as everything else, should work towards the betterment of the nation. You may see the State in a spiritual role. You tend to be authoritarian and extremely anti-communist.
Communist
Democratic Socialist
Authoritarian Capitalist
Libertarian
Anarchist
What political ideology do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

FFS.. MAKE UP YOUR MIND..

Thats it.. no more quizzes for me ... I might start to believe them?

Errrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

2007-05-28T00:01:00.000+10:00

One question, who comes up with this stuff??

Oh well...these are my results

Which God or Goddess are you like? Your Result: Goddess Bast You are the Goddess Bast. You are quiet and calm, but when need be, you are firm and fierce. You are full of love, and you always care. People often come to you for advise or guidance, and you willingly give it. Congatulations!! You are Goddess!!
You are your own God or Goddess
Budha
Goddess Sekhemet
The Christian God
Satan
Jesus
God Zeus
Which God or Goddess are you like? Make Your Own Quiz

Something I just found...

2007-05-27T22:07:00.000+10:00

I was just looking through old photographs.. Had to dust these ones off and share them.

This was one funny night for sure

Only question is... does Mel remember who was she on the phone to? I remember getting pushed out the car !

And.. does anyone recall why Christian was 'disarming' this innocent green bag? ... not to mention that gorgeous wig! Hmm.. just noticed.. he was sitting on my car too !

Would ya check out the DRUNK PUNK .... I do recall having a very sore nose (amongst other things) the next day !

Ahhh dress-ups we should have more of them.

We NEED another party like that

What a pretty place I live in

2007-05-27T18:46:00.000+10:00

Aint it gorgeous?

My daughter (M) (12) and I have just been for a walk along Kirra Beach to Greenmount.

It is a lovely safe path to walk in the evenings and takes you past all the local cafés with the live music playing. Daughter (M) pretends to be horrified when I sing or dance if a song I know is playing - but I know better - she would much prefer a nutty mother to a boring one. (like she has any choice?) I do keep reminding her that the vast majority of people we walk past are, in fact, tourists and we are not likely to ever see them again in our life time. It's a small reassurance.. but it's the best I can offer.

The skyline in the distance ( and it can stay that way) is Surfers Paradise

Nice from afar and nice to visit... just don't ask me to live there.

I think this spot is just divine.

Lots of shade and soft grass to sit on whilst you ponder life's quandaries.

I did not take my camera with me this evening.. so these photographs are ones I have taken before in the same area. None of them are in the evening.. I will make an effort to carry the camera on my next walk. - Yeah.. like I need to carry any MORE weight?

This is deffo my fav spot to sit and cool down. The water is never cold, but it's certainly cooler than the sun ! The rock pools... err.. rock?

AND ....

If somehow you get bored of the natural

beauty ..there are always other things to ogle ..... maybe I should carry said camera more often?

Stay tuned :D

Aussie Tall Poppy Syndrome strikes again

2007-05-26T10:06:00.000+10:00

What a bunch of sad bastards some Aussies are.

Why is it that when one of our 'own' makes it to the international public stage.. we seemingly have to rip into them for the most menial reason? Can we not be happy for them?

Do I sound angry? You bet your sweet 'frumpy snail trailed' ass I do!

Take a look at these photographs

This is Kimberley Busteed (18 years old)

Does she look lovely?

Does she look 'Frumpy' ?

Lets see what the Australian Media have reported..

"In Miss Universe news, Aussie contender Kimberley Busteed has once again dodged wearing a bikini during the preliminary swimsuit judgings.
While nearly all the other girls went as skimpy as possible, Busteed chose to cover up her midriff for the second day in a row. What is she trying to hide? A big old butterfly tattoo? A freaky snail trail? "

Oh PLEASE ! .. twats

AND

"Australians are buff and sexy and wear swimsuits, but not like this one -- it looks like she picked it up at the airport terminal,"

Yes, but she is dressed as a lifesaver - ya know lifesaver?... the people who save sorry asses like YOU when you are in trouble in the water? I'm yet to see a lifesaver in bikinis..

AND

"Kimberley's selected lifesaver look in the year that marks the centenary of surf lifesaving Down Under combines a red one-piece swimsuit, a red and yellow cap and a lifesaver's flag in what critics have called "ugly" and "silly". "

"Critics said Busteed's choice was an outdated cultural cliche"

AND last but not least...

"KIMBERLEY Busteed will stick to bathers and lifesaver's cap for the Miss Universe final, despite being branded frumpy."

For the record.. this and is who made public unkind comments and called Kimberley 'frumpy' I rest my case....

The Australian Media does it again eh?

Congratulations dickheads. Is it any wonder so many women have serious issues with their appearance?

On the other side of the coin.. there is this - thankfully not ALL the Australian Media have their heads secured firmly up their ass.

As for the public.. there are things like this .. I think I like Patrick :)

Some facts about Kimberley:

She ran in the Sydney Olympic Torch Relay in 2000

Through her achievements as a top-class swimmer, she featured in the This Is Your Life book of former world champion breaststroker Samantha Riley.

She sponsors a foster child in Africa

She raised $126,000 – as well as two cars – for the Leukaemia Foundation in the Swim For A Cure event. Those two cars were won by the Busteeds, then donated to the Leukaemia Foundation to be used for transport by country Leukaemia sufferers receiving treatment in Brisbane.

She has only been modelling for one year

She won two lifesaving competitions through her school when she was in year 10 and was asked to join the lifesavers.

Yes, ok, so I personally know Kimberley. But would this anger me if I didnt know her? Absofrigginglutely

Kimberley Busteed is a star in my mind.. and trust me, it has NOTHING what so ever to do with the Miss Universe Pageant. It has more to do with the fact that in her short 18 years, Kimberley has faced far more sadness than I care to share with you. Inspite of this, she is an intelligent, caring, very well balanced girl.

Girl? well I guess woman now.. I didn't get to see her before her trip to Mexico - unfortunately I missed her by a few short days. If I had of seen her .. my advice? (as if she needs it..lol) Would have been -

do NOT listen to the media - you know who and what you are - they are nothing but poppy chopping tossers who probably have an arse the size of Sydney's Ferries. Jealousy is such an ugly thing to display.... as would be an arse that size eh? No wonder they are nasty?

Have fun ! This is a wonderful adventure - meet people from all walks of life. It can only enrich your mind.

Breathe it all in, how many opportunies does one get to travel in this style? Just dont breathe too deeply honey, we love you as you are.

Sleep... as much as you can - I know what your time table has been like!

We are all very proud of how you hold yourself - don't change for anyone.

Kimberley is currently running second on an Preliminary voting internet voting site , not judged by the actual judges.. but by the public.

The winner will be decided on Monday (Australian time).

Head up, chest out and you go girl!

Just a thought for summer - in winter

2007-05-25T22:17:00.001+10:00

Perish/Cherish the thought ??

'tch,tchk,tchk,tch'

2007-05-25T21:06:00.000+10:00

................is apparently how you spell the sound that the South East Asian Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) makes.

I have been convinced by my overseas friends that our wild life here in Australia deserves a few posts. Apologies to those that live in the same region as myself (just skip these posts)

According to the government these Geckos are a Class 1 declared pest.... but ain't they cute?

These weird but lovable critters do make a weird clicking sound which I actually enjoy.

They have no eyelids, and can lick their eyeballs with their tongues... we simply MUST have appreciation for that ! I can reach my nose with my tongue.. but not my eyeballs......

These guys often hang around in groups where ever they might find a feed. Mosquitos were this Gecko's catch of the day... who can argue with that? Less mozzies.. its gotta be good yes? (she says, not knowing what damage these little guys may actually be causing)

Last year we had a three legged version that decided to make our stairway a home. He was awfully cute.. but I do have concerns that my cat MAY have been responsible for that missing leg..... just maybe?

I will find the photo of a lovely (sic) Huntsman spider to share... they always make for a good story !

Superfluity fauna & flora x 2

2007-05-25T15:07:00.000+10:00

Once again, I have to ask myself - How did I not know the beauty of Awoonga Dam when I lived in Gladstone?

Why is it that no one told me?

Sure, I went there once.... but only to stand on an old boat ramp and ponder how this meagre amount of water was supposed to sustain Gladstone's water supply for months (never mind years) to come.

This was prior to Cyclone Beni.

Beni provided no less than 563mm of badly needed rain within three days.

Cyclone Beni was a saviour to many a cowcockie (farmer), to all native animals and a massive plus to those who enjoyed anything outdoors.

<---------- Beni was quite intense

To put this into perspective, January 2003 provided a massive 0.4 millimetres of 'rain' in Gladstone. Then in February comes cyclone Beni with 563 millimetres.. i.e. floods. My back garden was a flow (can't find the photos to back that up right now), all the schools closed, all sports were cancelled and after the emergencies were over, Awoonga Dam blossomed (but I missed it damn it!) I was still in Gladstone for another six months before moving down the coast - MONTHS that I could have been admiring all of the following - and I think I did deviate from my intended theme again yes?

Back to the inhabitants of Awoonga

Once again, forgive me if you have already seen some of these photographs on Mel's blog but shit happens when you share a camera... so get over it :D

First cab off the rank is the Pretty Faced Wallaby. No, its not a Kangaroo.. its a Wallaby - much cuter than a big Red Roo and much less likely to disembowel those he takes a disliking to!

Talk about taking a disliking to.. this big ass moo didn't take too kindly to the magnificent Jabiru (Xenorhynchus asiaticus - yes I'm impressed by that name) and voiced his disapproval at the very nerve of intruding on his 'patch'

From this photo, one can safely assume that the Jabiru does not like his wings getting wet? It is Australia's only native stalk and this is the first time I have ever seen one.

The other feathered dwellers of Awoonga have no problem at all getting wet - they don't like the sound of the boat motor tho...

This friendly little fellow is the 'huge hoofed coloured ring denizen' ... also known as my son .. and yes.. he is gonna slap me for typing that !

The Kookaburra - I guess you are all familiar with this one but -this is the first time I have managed to photograph one with its trap open.. without food in it !

The local pelican - very graceful and wonderful to chase with the boat... makes for great fun.. albeit very naughty !

Mel wants me to photograph my local pelicans as she assures me they don better colour eyeshadow... I will take some shots soon to verify that.

This weird red weed on the water brings to mind 'war of the worlds' It looks very solid but be assured Dotti (Mel's dog) found out the hard way that it might LOOK like you can run on it.. but infact... err.. not. Which is ok if you like water.. Rocky knows differently.

Beautiful Water Lilies

Beautiful colour - it must be the run of the mill local water lily as I can not find a reference for it anywhere

This one (below) is the Water Snowflake (Nymphoides Indica) and especially pretty close up. Unfortunately, very hard to get close up (in focus) photo when you are in a floating object yourself - and of course, they didn't grow close to the edge of the dam did they?

Now, water lilies are lovely, I would love to have them dress my dining table with their divine colours and artistic elegance always - BUT.. they live in water.. and well.. should stay there?

We took two lilies home, they were gorgeous. They close when the sun goes down and reopen in the morning much to our delight. They lasted for days - we loved it.

However.... on our second journey to Awoonga ( I've actually forgotten how many times we went there? 5.. ? I think??) one lovely lady (H) who was with us decided that she wanted to make a large posy of water lilies to take home. So off we go in the boat, Christian, as always such a wonderful host, was more than happy to spend incredible amounts of time out on the water driving the boat for us.

Thank you Christian

On the walk down to the water's edge, our lovely lady (H) sipped on a cup of wine. I had poured her wine into a plastic cup as I didn't think it was a good idea to take a crystal wine glass out on the boat? Thank gawd my head works some times. As it gets quite windy on the boat, (H) held her hat onto her head with the same hand that held the wine cup. I was sitting down wind.... she looked down at her foot..... I did end up wearing 80% of that wine. Shame she didn't warn us of the impending wine as I would have happily attempted to catch the majority of it with my mouth (I was the driving the car home... so not drinking!) I'm sure Christian who was at the rear of the boat claimed some wine. We all roared with laughter as it was extremely funny.. who cares about some spilt wine.. well..she did.. as she didn't get to drink it! I will not go into full details of how our lady H got all the lilies in the following photograph.. but suffice to say that if I hadn't of grabbed her ankles a few times.. she would have been over the edge of the boat, nose first into the lily pads. What a memory.. H found it every bit as funny as the rest of us as Christian & I retold the story to those on shore later.Everyone needs to laugh like that... and we did plenty of that on this holiday.

None of this would have happened if it wasn't for my friendship with Mel. Everyone needs a Mel in their life.

Thank you Mel - I love you.

'H's beautiful posy

unfortunately all lilies had closed up for the night by the time we got back to shore..

There are many stories missing from this entry,

More will come to mind as my head clears from this rotten virus that has taken over.

Stay tuned for some more nostalgia!

Answer this for me please?

2007-05-25T14:55:00.000+10:00

Tell me how.. how can one be OVER QUALIFIED for a job?

Just because I CHOOSE not to stay in the same vocation as the last three years ( i.e. choose never to put myself in a position where I have to deal with the media again..lol - keep reading my blog and you will know why I shouldn't be linked / have access to with ANY media outlet.. foot & mouth ain't only for bovine baby) HOW can that make me over qualified to deal in customer services?

Sure..so customer service isnt what I dreamt of doing for the rest of my life BUT it will pay the bills till I work out which avenue I wish to pursue - and whats more... Im good at it.

Some people obviously have shit for brains *sigh* Now... wildlife at Awoonga.. that's what I'm supposed to be doing right?

My inside info?

2007-05-25T14:50:00.000+10:00

Hmm... did it just to see what it would say..........not quite sure how they can ascertain whom and what I am from a few questions.. but they did get the downright weird part correct !

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are.
You get along well with: The Ring Finger
Stay away from: The Thumb

What Finger Are You?