AdelaideNow... Killing sparks dad's mission:
"KEN Turner is on a mission to reach the hearts and minds of every teenager in South Australia.
And, if his message saves just one of them from making the wrong decision, he believes the years of hard work will have been worth it."
Nothing like a man on a mission and it is so sad it means his daughter was stabbed to death and that became the motivating factor to help other young people. Perhaps it can come no other way because a lot of young people put themselves at risk and need to hear from the hearts of people who know the horror of it all to get the message.
Mr. Turner has turned the death of his daughter, Shirree, into a positive path for young people. He is acting as a guide and elder and obviously has the courage of his convictions. It must be so difficult for him to face this loss of his daughter and yet reach out and be prepared to help others in such a positive way. What a gift to our society.
He and his wife have designed a programme to help young people make the right choices. It's about staying alive because there are people out there who take advantage and they are not always found, caught and punished as Mr. and Mrs. Turner have found out. The programme they have developed has been presented to some school children already and they are looking for help and donations to keep it going. The Law Foundation has helped them establish their charitable site Crossroad Connexions. So far the support has come from various legal agencies. They need more sponsorship!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Rain warning for NYE celebrations
AdelaideNow... Rain warning for NYE celebrations: "People heading to Melbourne's centre to usher in the New Year should pack an umbrella, with possible showers and thunderstorms forecast."
A number of our cites have rain and storms forecast for New Year's Eve, including Adelaide. We are all going out tonight , so it should be interesting! Everyone seems quite content around the place and ready for a nice celebration,rain, cold, heat or storms. Given it has been so cold on New Year's Day for a few years (shall I ever forget sitting huddled up next to the fire on Millennium Day??), then the warmer weather is more than welcome here in Australia. Let's just hope people can keep themselves safe.
A number of our cites have rain and storms forecast for New Year's Eve, including Adelaide. We are all going out tonight , so it should be interesting! Everyone seems quite content around the place and ready for a nice celebration,rain, cold, heat or storms. Given it has been so cold on New Year's Day for a few years (shall I ever forget sitting huddled up next to the fire on Millennium Day??), then the warmer weather is more than welcome here in Australia. Let's just hope people can keep themselves safe.
PM 'understands' Palm Island anger
AdelaideNow... PM 'understands' Palm Island anger:
"'I think it would be a good idea if the Queensland Government found another person outside the state to get involved,' Mr Howard was quoted as saying."
Well, the PM can't be wrong all the time and if the Palm Islanders are upset and feel justice has not prevailed then they have to have recourse through our systems. When we are not happy, we just keep putting it through our systems to try and resolve the matter. If Mulrunji Doomadgee died in police custody in November 2004 and that sparked such local outrage and then there has been a dispute at the legal level about whether or not a police officer caused the death, then, quite clearly, the findings are all too indecisive. Bottom line, the local people are not happy and this whole matter needs to be resolved in a way where they are heard and can have their voices listened to . People rarely get upset over nothing. When they are upset there is always a genuine , heartfelt reason. It may be upset which others view as unwarranted, but I have never found that to be so. It always comes down to a fundamental misunderstanding on one side or the other and once that is uncovered and resolved, people can communicate again. So, Mr. Howard has made a right and proper decision...that the case be heard by an independent with fresh ears and fresh eyes.
"'I think it would be a good idea if the Queensland Government found another person outside the state to get involved,' Mr Howard was quoted as saying."
Well, the PM can't be wrong all the time and if the Palm Islanders are upset and feel justice has not prevailed then they have to have recourse through our systems. When we are not happy, we just keep putting it through our systems to try and resolve the matter. If Mulrunji Doomadgee died in police custody in November 2004 and that sparked such local outrage and then there has been a dispute at the legal level about whether or not a police officer caused the death, then, quite clearly, the findings are all too indecisive. Bottom line, the local people are not happy and this whole matter needs to be resolved in a way where they are heard and can have their voices listened to . People rarely get upset over nothing. When they are upset there is always a genuine , heartfelt reason. It may be upset which others view as unwarranted, but I have never found that to be so. It always comes down to a fundamental misunderstanding on one side or the other and once that is uncovered and resolved, people can communicate again. So, Mr. Howard has made a right and proper decision...that the case be heard by an independent with fresh ears and fresh eyes.
Level Three Water restrictions
Tougher water restrictions to start : "South Australians face tougher water restrictions from tomorrow, with the use of sprinklers no longer permitted on domestic gardens on weekdays."
Lest we forget and get ourselves in a muddle, tomorrow is the day our level 3 water restrictions start. In a nutshell, no sprinklers except at the weekend. Even numbered houses are Saturdays 5am-8am/8pm-11pm. Odd numbered properties have the same restrictions but on a Sunday.
Hand held hoses with a trigger nozzle/drip water systems can be used before 8am and after 8pm on any day.
Given how dry it is, we shall just have to be more careful and think about how and when we use our water. Team effort, folks!
Lest we forget and get ourselves in a muddle, tomorrow is the day our level 3 water restrictions start. In a nutshell, no sprinklers except at the weekend. Even numbered houses are Saturdays 5am-8am/8pm-11pm. Odd numbered properties have the same restrictions but on a Sunday.
Hand held hoses with a trigger nozzle/drip water systems can be used before 8am and after 8pm on any day.
Given how dry it is, we shall just have to be more careful and think about how and when we use our water. Team effort, folks!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Yahoo Mail
When I was on my Yahoo email account last night I changed it to the new , beta version and I have to say it's a very smooth interface which is more consistent with the upcoming new year of 2007. I really enjoyed the change over because they had a little talkster/speakster who came and showed you how to do it and then, at the end, he threw a party for you!! It was just so nice, like in the old web days where we were all coming online and it was like a real party atmosphere and the websites were really popping and everything was so festive and fun. We've lost a lot of that play aspect on the Net and the genuine capacity to engage with a site and enjoy yourself at the same time. I actually appreciated the effort Yahoo went to to give me this little talkster guy. I haven't seen a talkster for years since I was on Native Web, which is a brilliant site, incidentally, and they introduced the notion of talksters and there was a Native American Woman talkster you could download and she was really cool and caused quite a sensation, at the time, with my friends and family. She was certainly the talk of the town!!. I wish they'd make more of them. They are fun!!
Peptides
AdelaideNow... Great leap forward in medicine:
"Chemicals secreted from special glands in the skin of frogs appear to work against cancer cells and bacteria. Others have been shown to enhance immune responses or relax muscles.
Dr Tara Pukala has spent four years studying 'biologically active peptides' (protein-like molecules) from two groups of Australian frogs, which use the peptides as a defence mechanism."
There is such a cute photo on this article of Dr. Pukula and one of our green frogs. She has been studying peptides and will be moving her particular research to Cambridge University. Adelaide University will, however keep going with the frog research. Peptides come from frog glands and are able to attack bacteria and foreign cells. When it comes to debilitating and destructive human diseases something like peptides are what we need. Anything, anything to get rid of the scourge of cancer and cancer like diseases.
"Chemicals secreted from special glands in the skin of frogs appear to work against cancer cells and bacteria. Others have been shown to enhance immune responses or relax muscles.
Dr Tara Pukala has spent four years studying 'biologically active peptides' (protein-like molecules) from two groups of Australian frogs, which use the peptides as a defence mechanism."
There is such a cute photo on this article of Dr. Pukula and one of our green frogs. She has been studying peptides and will be moving her particular research to Cambridge University. Adelaide University will, however keep going with the frog research. Peptides come from frog glands and are able to attack bacteria and foreign cells. When it comes to debilitating and destructive human diseases something like peptides are what we need. Anything, anything to get rid of the scourge of cancer and cancer like diseases.
Water may be cut to trickle
AdelaideNow... Water may be cut to trickle:
"The most recent figures, released on December 10, show 190 people in SA have received warning notices for breaching restrictions while four people have been fined."
Well, they are threatening to cut our water to a trickle if we don't get it right. As I said yesterday...let us have a warning first by email, text, in the post,whatever, as with any other utility account. The dreaded red final notice. I cannot believe we have had 4 people fined and 190 warned already. It is so nice and obvious we need to do something about water usage. For most of us in SA, it's the plastic bag model...give us the means, give us the opportunities, give us regular encouragement and it just works because we network well and we are a small state which does care about issues like saving our environment and working together as a team.
"The most recent figures, released on December 10, show 190 people in SA have received warning notices for breaching restrictions while four people have been fined."
Well, they are threatening to cut our water to a trickle if we don't get it right. As I said yesterday...let us have a warning first by email, text, in the post,whatever, as with any other utility account. The dreaded red final notice. I cannot believe we have had 4 people fined and 190 warned already. It is so nice and obvious we need to do something about water usage. For most of us in SA, it's the plastic bag model...give us the means, give us the opportunities, give us regular encouragement and it just works because we network well and we are a small state which does care about issues like saving our environment and working together as a team.
Stealthy Lightning
Lightning sparks blazes, blackouts across SA. :"Stormy weather has caused blackouts and fires across South Australia, with lightning sparking several small fires overnight."
Interesting storm that one because initially the lightning was silent and we had no idea there was actually a storm. The lightning went backwards and forwards from west to east again. Then , eventually the thunder kicked in. That was better because stealthy lightning was a bit odd. It was quite bizarre though. I was kept awake by the thunder and others were kept awake by the winds around 2am which I did not hear at all and had no inkling for a while there had been wind. Normally the gum trees shed a lot of branches, leaves and bark when it's windy and I spend about half and hour cleaning the debris. Took me a while to realise my trellis fence had been broken and I have spent the morning repairing it. If we are getting that kind of wind here, I daresay others have sustained considerable damage and that is not a good start to the New Year. As long as they are safe. The garden is so dry still. There was no indication there had been some soaking rain even though it had rained.
It was pretty hot and humid out there this morning!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Vizu
I have just been to Vizu to make my poll which is on the right under my horoscope gadget from Google if you scroll down. Vizu makes creating polls so easy and if you want to you can get involved in the competitions. You can read and use other polls on the site...some serious and others not so serious. Making my poll took me about 10 minutes by the time I registered and made the poll and customised the colours. I just was having fun!
You can vote by clicking the Change Vote underneath the answers.
El Niño fading
More rain forecast amid signs El Nino fading. :"There are predictions Australia could return to a more normal rainfall pattern next year, with signs that the El Nino effect has peaked."
Well, El Niño, La Niña , whatever , it has been bloomin' dary. We had practically no rain theis winter and the garden look nice and crispy for the start of summer...and then it has been dried out and crisped up some more.
But we all woke up with a surprise downpour this morning. It was bucketing down!! Our reaction was disbelief. Even though we had a storm a week ago, well, this rain came out of the blue and we couldn't believe it!! It hasn't soaked in more than about 3 centimetres. We could so do with some more, especially for the trees. The hills are brown and the trees are staying green but they need the rain badly.
It has been very odd to look up and see that cloudy sky and then feel rain. It's humid even though The Weather Channel is saying it's only 24%. It's been overcast and raining on and off and I cannot believe it!! I won't have to water!!!
HECS
AdelaideNow... HECS has a high degee of fairess: PM:
"The figures show that more than 1000 finished their university studies owing more than $50,000, while 5190 students left uni with debts of more than $40,000."
HECS is disgusting. It's a terrible thing to do to young people to put them out into the world with a large debt...and this from people who benefitted from the free tuition available at the time. I know how much it costs. My daughter has just completed a second degree and I have lent her the money. Why? Because I can and because if she pays up front she saves 25% of the cost. So those who can least afford it are made to pay the extra 25%. I do not understand how students are leaving with debts of 40 or 50 thousand dollars. I should be interested to know how that has occurred. Obviously there needs to be some advice given to students. Not all of them actually understand how this HECS scheme works and that is inspite of being told. We really haven't communicated with some of the students and that needs to be addressed as does managing the debt. What also happens is students are forced to work part time jobs which take up too many hours to pay the HECS debt and when they are supposed to be studying. All that does is create a drag at the universtity level and I do not see how that is helping our standards. Truly, it all needs to be looked at and the rightness or wrongness of it ignored at this stage.
"The figures show that more than 1000 finished their university studies owing more than $50,000, while 5190 students left uni with debts of more than $40,000."
HECS is disgusting. It's a terrible thing to do to young people to put them out into the world with a large debt...and this from people who benefitted from the free tuition available at the time. I know how much it costs. My daughter has just completed a second degree and I have lent her the money. Why? Because I can and because if she pays up front she saves 25% of the cost. So those who can least afford it are made to pay the extra 25%. I do not understand how students are leaving with debts of 40 or 50 thousand dollars. I should be interested to know how that has occurred. Obviously there needs to be some advice given to students. Not all of them actually understand how this HECS scheme works and that is inspite of being told. We really haven't communicated with some of the students and that needs to be addressed as does managing the debt. What also happens is students are forced to work part time jobs which take up too many hours to pay the HECS debt and when they are supposed to be studying. All that does is create a drag at the universtity level and I do not see how that is helping our standards. Truly, it all needs to be looked at and the rightness or wrongness of it ignored at this stage.
Wedding 'scams' to gain a visa
AdelaideNow... Wedding 'scams' to gain a visa:
"Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Department figures detail 24 allegations about South Australians suspected of entering into contrived marriages in order to avoid visa requirements during 2005-06."
I thought this was over. NSW has had 870 suspect marriages reported. This has been going on for years. My sister was approached many moons ago at an Adelaide night club to be a wife for somebody. Years ago. The money was attractive but luckily my father got wind of it (somehow my father always seemed to have ESP) and managed to talk some sense into her. It puts people at risk. I accept and understand that this might be the only way some people can escape the abject circumstances of their country. I also accept we have a world where you can buy just about anything if you have enough cash. I accept we have a world that preys upon the traumatised and the unsuspecting, but, having felt the emotion of this at home as a young girl, I am really pleased to see our Immigaration Department has woken up and it's none too soon !!
"Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Department figures detail 24 allegations about South Australians suspected of entering into contrived marriages in order to avoid visa requirements during 2005-06."
I thought this was over. NSW has had 870 suspect marriages reported. This has been going on for years. My sister was approached many moons ago at an Adelaide night club to be a wife for somebody. Years ago. The money was attractive but luckily my father got wind of it (somehow my father always seemed to have ESP) and managed to talk some sense into her. It puts people at risk. I accept and understand that this might be the only way some people can escape the abject circumstances of their country. I also accept we have a world where you can buy just about anything if you have enough cash. I accept we have a world that preys upon the traumatised and the unsuspecting, but, having felt the emotion of this at home as a young girl, I am really pleased to see our Immigaration Department has woken up and it's none too soon !!
Melbourne water wasters face supply restrictions.
Melbourne water wasters face supply restrictions. :
"'It is a very a harsh measure, I wouldn't like to have my water restricted because it means it's nearly impossible to have a shower, you can have a cup of tea but it's a very restricted flow,' he said."
Details. I want details. I support any move to help us be more consistent and less wasteful with our use of water. I support any move which will stop us squandering...and we do and people have the figures to prove it. Restricting water supply is a harsh measure. If you can just make hot drinks, I am assuming you can flush the toilet? I am also assuming there will be a warning? We need constant encouragement and reminders about saving water. We need to be shown how to do it. Then, if we ignore the help and advice, if we become oblivious to the needs of others , then yes, restrict our water because pain is a great teacher. I should like to think we could sign up to an email account or something...text messaging, so that if we are in danger of crossing the overuse line, we can take action to avoid water restriction. For some people that means they will live in squalor and I do not think that will help. I am also hoping that this will apply to industry too. Householders use water but industry and businesses use more. I am forever turning off taps at work that are left dripping...so let this apply to all of us please.
"'It is a very a harsh measure, I wouldn't like to have my water restricted because it means it's nearly impossible to have a shower, you can have a cup of tea but it's a very restricted flow,' he said."
Details. I want details. I support any move to help us be more consistent and less wasteful with our use of water. I support any move which will stop us squandering...and we do and people have the figures to prove it. Restricting water supply is a harsh measure. If you can just make hot drinks, I am assuming you can flush the toilet? I am also assuming there will be a warning? We need constant encouragement and reminders about saving water. We need to be shown how to do it. Then, if we ignore the help and advice, if we become oblivious to the needs of others , then yes, restrict our water because pain is a great teacher. I should like to think we could sign up to an email account or something...text messaging, so that if we are in danger of crossing the overuse line, we can take action to avoid water restriction. For some people that means they will live in squalor and I do not think that will help. I am also hoping that this will apply to industry too. Householders use water but industry and businesses use more. I am forever turning off taps at work that are left dripping...so let this apply to all of us please.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Ready for a Sea Change?
ASIO on recruitment drive. "The number of ASIO officers from non-English speaking backgrounds has more than doubled since 2004, and the organisation is looking for people with diverse backgrounds to conduct counter-terrorism and counter-espionage work."
Humdrum life getting you down? Bored and brain numbed by the lack of challenges in your life? Ready to pit your wits against the odds? Are you linguistically competent? Multilingual? Flexible? Can you work independently and show initiative? Have we got the job for you!!
A manifesto for wellbeing
A manifesto for wellbeing: "Governments can’t legislate to make us happy, but many things they do affect our wellbeing. Industrial relations laws can damage or improve the quality of our working lives; government policies can protect the environment or see it defiled; our children’s education depends on the quality of schools; tax policies can make the difference between a fair and an unfair society; and the cohesiveness of our communities is affected by city design and transport plans."
I believe the government of Bhutan has legislated for wellbeing. I believe it is high on their agenda. I do believe it is possible for governments and media to influence the wellbeing of the community. I believe we can do better. I believe we can look at the decisions we are making or avoiding and determine whether they will have a long or short term impact on the health, happiness and wellbeing of our nation. I didn't even know we had a Wellbeing Manifesto and you can read it in its entirety on the link above. It's common sense and it's an indicator we are ready to make the changes we need to , to provide a better nation for our young people to grow up in and our old people to grow old in.
I found the Wellbeing Manifesto at the Australia Institute Ltd where there are a lot of discussion papers related to our wellbeing as a nation. Governments can be a part of this - they can take the lead because economic rationale does not make you well. It makes some people feel good for a while.
Recycling Near You
Recycling Near You - Recycling Computers in the The City of Onkaparinga area:
"Every year Australians purchase millions of computers and related components to replace equipment superceded by faster and more powerful technologies. Whilst computers are getting smaller and lighter, they are still a major waste management issue - particularly with older computers and monitors."
Planet Ark is great at mustering resources and this website is brilliant if you want to recycle. You type your area and your council area and then all the avenues for recycling pop up. It represents a really positive approach to recycling by making it so straight forward and so easy. That is clevr action and reperesents hours and hours of mustering and input.
When it comes to computer products, though, it's not Planet Ark which is the problem but the lack of logical paths for recycling. You can recycle some back to the manufacturer. You can recycle working ones into school programmes. If the computer parts are stuffed though and you have things like dead monitors then you have to pay to get them collected or you have to have commercial quantities. The sites listed are not near the south. They are neither handy nor convenient....and North Hobart?? What is that doing there. I have said this before on my blog and I am going to say it again because we are coming up to the New Year...we have become very good at recycling, but we still do not have an easy and convenient way of managing computer waste. It needs to be like our bottle and cardboard places...nearby and handy...or in the recycle bin the council picks up.
"Every year Australians purchase millions of computers and related components to replace equipment superceded by faster and more powerful technologies. Whilst computers are getting smaller and lighter, they are still a major waste management issue - particularly with older computers and monitors."
Planet Ark is great at mustering resources and this website is brilliant if you want to recycle. You type your area and your council area and then all the avenues for recycling pop up. It represents a really positive approach to recycling by making it so straight forward and so easy. That is clevr action and reperesents hours and hours of mustering and input.
When it comes to computer products, though, it's not Planet Ark which is the problem but the lack of logical paths for recycling. You can recycle some back to the manufacturer. You can recycle working ones into school programmes. If the computer parts are stuffed though and you have things like dead monitors then you have to pay to get them collected or you have to have commercial quantities. The sites listed are not near the south. They are neither handy nor convenient....and North Hobart?? What is that doing there. I have said this before on my blog and I am going to say it again because we are coming up to the New Year...we have become very good at recycling, but we still do not have an easy and convenient way of managing computer waste. It needs to be like our bottle and cardboard places...nearby and handy...or in the recycle bin the council picks up.
Water Wisdom
We are thinking about our water use more. We are becoming more knowledgeable, but Australians are still great water splurgers and it's built into our habits and lifestyle here. We now have to break those habits and for that we need help. We need water wisdom, water savvy, water tips pushed right in front of us. This US site has some good leads because you can study Toiletology or calculate your drips or calculate your usage/wastage...so just go for it:
Water Wisdom
This next site is a commercial site, but there is a lot of really down to earth information and then the gadgets to help you save water. John Payne explains how you can save water and how you can better manage water in an informative, logical way:
Enviro-Friendly Products
Finally, to keep you up to date about what we are doing then go off to WWF and enjoy the views and the information on our water management.
Water Wisdom
This next site is a commercial site, but there is a lot of really down to earth information and then the gadgets to help you save water. John Payne explains how you can save water and how you can better manage water in an informative, logical way:
Enviro-Friendly Products
Finally, to keep you up to date about what we are doing then go off to WWF and enjoy the views and the information on our water management.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Scientific gold in amber discovery
Scientific gold in amber discovery on beaches :
"WHEN fisherman Dale Wicks and his partner Beth Norris went on evening walks on the remote coast of far north Queensland, they became intrigued by large chunks of strange-looking rock on the beaches."
Since fossils in the amber may be as old as 15 million years, this couple is going to also scientific research on it before they do anything else. Scientists will make further studies in the area next year to try and find the source since this is the first amber found in Australia. Last couple of years has been the first for all sorts of things in the world. What have we been doing differently to suddenly find these things. Studying the fossils and possibly extracting DNA is an awesome prospect at this stage since we can get some idea of life millions of years ago. What an amazing find. I hope they bring us the news about it.
"WHEN fisherman Dale Wicks and his partner Beth Norris went on evening walks on the remote coast of far north Queensland, they became intrigued by large chunks of strange-looking rock on the beaches."
Since fossils in the amber may be as old as 15 million years, this couple is going to also scientific research on it before they do anything else. Scientists will make further studies in the area next year to try and find the source since this is the first amber found in Australia. Last couple of years has been the first for all sorts of things in the world. What have we been doing differently to suddenly find these things. Studying the fossils and possibly extracting DNA is an awesome prospect at this stage since we can get some idea of life millions of years ago. What an amazing find. I hope they bring us the news about it.
Wired News: Rants: Lies, Damn Lies, Semantics
Wired News: Rants: Lies, Damn Lies, Semantics:
"Here's what a few of you had to say about some of our recent stories."
Wired has brought us another fantastic year of discoveries, ideas, new technology, new looks...so much to think about and find out. It is a great site for discovery learning but it also makes you think. It just gets better and they have not missed their point with this post either. One of the things I love about blogs and the Net is people just get right into it. They let it rip when they have something to say. They express themselves very clearly and incredibly eloquently at times. A blogger on a mission is a force to be reckoned with and a commenter with a point is a powerful writer indeed. The blogosphere continues to prove that the keyboard is mightier than the sword. For the most part it is done in good faith. Occasionally you get a destructive unit or a dopey spammer, but by and large people on the Net have a real capacity to express themselves and an understanding that you may or may not agree with them and that this isn't a problem. This post at Wired says it all because the people are so typically special in their responses and we are so much better for this type of open communication. May we continue to freely express ourselves and stand corrected or supported by our blogging companions. May Wired keep on keeping on.
"Here's what a few of you had to say about some of our recent stories."
Wired has brought us another fantastic year of discoveries, ideas, new technology, new looks...so much to think about and find out. It is a great site for discovery learning but it also makes you think. It just gets better and they have not missed their point with this post either. One of the things I love about blogs and the Net is people just get right into it. They let it rip when they have something to say. They express themselves very clearly and incredibly eloquently at times. A blogger on a mission is a force to be reckoned with and a commenter with a point is a powerful writer indeed. The blogosphere continues to prove that the keyboard is mightier than the sword. For the most part it is done in good faith. Occasionally you get a destructive unit or a dopey spammer, but by and large people on the Net have a real capacity to express themselves and an understanding that you may or may not agree with them and that this isn't a problem. This post at Wired says it all because the people are so typically special in their responses and we are so much better for this type of open communication. May we continue to freely express ourselves and stand corrected or supported by our blogging companions. May Wired keep on keeping on.
White Christmas and dinner in tent
Scotsman.com News - UK - White Christmas and dinner in tent as servicemen close in on South Pole:
"Marine Craig Hunter, 28, from Kilmarnock, tucked into Christmas pudding, chocolate sauce and a bottle of champagne as he paused during an epic 70-day 1,500-mile march to the Pole."
He comes form Kilmarnock and is trekking to the South Pole with his friends. They are getting thinner and colder but still have the spirit of Christmas with them and were able to eat Christmas dinner. They are towing everything on sleds. It's astounding how brave and adventurous some people are and how they want to pioneer. Once he has returned home he will probaly have to go and serve in Afghanistan so Marine Craig Hunter must be Clyde built!! Thnak heavens for satellite phones though because at least these men can keep in touch. Such an amazing story!
"Marine Craig Hunter, 28, from Kilmarnock, tucked into Christmas pudding, chocolate sauce and a bottle of champagne as he paused during an epic 70-day 1,500-mile march to the Pole."
He comes form Kilmarnock and is trekking to the South Pole with his friends. They are getting thinner and colder but still have the spirit of Christmas with them and were able to eat Christmas dinner. They are towing everything on sleds. It's astounding how brave and adventurous some people are and how they want to pioneer. Once he has returned home he will probaly have to go and serve in Afghanistan so Marine Craig Hunter must be Clyde built!! Thnak heavens for satellite phones though because at least these men can keep in touch. Such an amazing story!
The Ashes
Well, the English woke up this morning and remembered they can bowl...really bowl. Flintoff was so happy when he scored Ponting's wicket, and why not? It has been great to see the English get on with it and provide some of the style and energy of which they are capable. The better weather might be helping, afterall this is supposed to be sunny Australia!!! We've had big numbers at the Melbourne match but we've had huge numbers watching this test too. Poeple want a break. We can't shop ALL the time. It's nice to sit with people and watch the cricket and it was just so fantastic to sit there Boxing Day after we had had a lovely Christmas and see Shane Warne get that 700th wicket...and more. Good on the English for bouncing back and coming out to play really well today. It's not surprising the Ashes has been popular. It's been a really good match to watch.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas meme
Better late than never. I have discovered this over at Pavlov's Cat...and since I love a good meme or questionnaire...here I go!!
1)Do you have a tree, and if so what is hanging on it?
Yes, green and synthetic because I cannot stand the smell of pine trees and I am not good at vacuuming the bits. I have everything hanging on the tree. Some beautiful strawberry decorations , some Victorian, home made ones, ones chosen by children, some ghastly yellow things I thought were okay at the time. A star at the top, the compulsory singing choir non gender specific person, a lovely Spanish senorita, a hideous pink thing which my daughter loves , some cool twirly , glittery pink and gold baubles, and this year…some nice eggs which look a bit Russian. Each year I buy new ornaments…and try and get rid of the kitschy ones…but the tree is loaded!…oh and lots of tinsel.
2) What's the most successful bit of Christmas cooking you've done so far?
Definitely the Christmas dinner which was a big success. Roast turkey thigh roll, roast turkey breast roll, roast rosemary lamb and the hit was the roast pumpkin and chickpeas with garlic and lemon pepper. We had bean salad with lots of tomato and capsicum. It was actually not as heavy on the stomach and great for our cold Christmas weather. The lebkuchen without the butter but lots of taste walked off the serving plate.
3) And the least successful?
Hm…I don’t think the sausage rolls were very flash this year....and the white balls with I think nougat in them were disgusting.
4) Which bit of your Christmas shopping are you happiest with?
My sister’s Lo’Jo CD…but I did pretty well this year and am proud of my efforts.
5) Have you opened any of your presents yet? What was it / were they?
Yes, because I found this meme on Boxing Day. I have had DVDs, CDs, lots of lotions and potions, framed photos of flowers, chocolate, strawberry ornaments. Sarah Brightman DVD was pretty special. I got a lovely organiser and special writing tools as well.
6) Do you have any bad Christmas associations that will have to be tackled?
No more. I have been to hell and back for various reasons at various times in my life…but it’s passed and I am so over it. Awful, so awful...but last year we rescued some lady and some little kid walking down the street who were having a rotten time of it and because we knew how that felt we talked her through it, kept her safe and resolved the worst of it for her.
7) What's your favourite carol? Why?
Hark the Herald Angels sing…I got brought up on it and We wish you a Merry Christmas.I am always humming or whistling that one. I love carols because we can all sing along and it doesn’t matter who sings in tune and who doesn’t. They make you bond!!
8) Which part of your Christmas plans is most likely to go awry?
Nothing went awry…but we had a day of electrical glitches and a teapot handle which just plain broke. The stereo went all crackly and disgusting, the computer monitor faded…and a whole heap of scalding tea went down the front of me…ouch!!! Was good for the tea and sympathy vote. No, this Christmas was pretty good.
9) What's your most favourite thing about Christmas?
The people. The company. The laughs….and no one comes between me and the pudding!
10) What's your least favourite thing about it?
When it’s bad…it really is bad and very distressing.
11) What Christmassy thing have you seen or heard in the street or on the teeve or in the blogosphere that has
(a) touched your heart
I watched Shameless last night and even though it wasn’t about Christmas it was pretty shameless but so cuttingly true and I felt very upset for the little girl and thought she was amazing.It gave a real insight into the complexity and humanity of dysfunction and how you just can't legislate to fix it.People have to fix it.
(b) hit a nerve
Oh my, we really do need to be VERY careful with our resources. There were some Christmas decorations which were so bad and so unnecessary and poorly conceived they were traumatising to look at!!! I still don’t know what the misshapen pink plastic faces with the black blobs and hideous expressions were and the giant silver glitter birds with a big white feather poked up their rear end were not a pretty sight.
or (c) made you want to barf?
The number of needless and pointless road deaths.
12) Who do you wish you had contacted to say Happy Christmas but haven't so far?
I should have contacted my cousin Sue but I ran out of time…I have resolved to contact her for the New Year!!
Okay, folks, that's it. Feel free to carry on!
1)Do you have a tree, and if so what is hanging on it?
Yes, green and synthetic because I cannot stand the smell of pine trees and I am not good at vacuuming the bits. I have everything hanging on the tree. Some beautiful strawberry decorations , some Victorian, home made ones, ones chosen by children, some ghastly yellow things I thought were okay at the time. A star at the top, the compulsory singing choir non gender specific person, a lovely Spanish senorita, a hideous pink thing which my daughter loves , some cool twirly , glittery pink and gold baubles, and this year…some nice eggs which look a bit Russian. Each year I buy new ornaments…and try and get rid of the kitschy ones…but the tree is loaded!…oh and lots of tinsel.
2) What's the most successful bit of Christmas cooking you've done so far?
Definitely the Christmas dinner which was a big success. Roast turkey thigh roll, roast turkey breast roll, roast rosemary lamb and the hit was the roast pumpkin and chickpeas with garlic and lemon pepper. We had bean salad with lots of tomato and capsicum. It was actually not as heavy on the stomach and great for our cold Christmas weather. The lebkuchen without the butter but lots of taste walked off the serving plate.
3) And the least successful?
Hm…I don’t think the sausage rolls were very flash this year....and the white balls with I think nougat in them were disgusting.
4) Which bit of your Christmas shopping are you happiest with?
My sister’s Lo’Jo CD…but I did pretty well this year and am proud of my efforts.
5) Have you opened any of your presents yet? What was it / were they?
Yes, because I found this meme on Boxing Day. I have had DVDs, CDs, lots of lotions and potions, framed photos of flowers, chocolate, strawberry ornaments. Sarah Brightman DVD was pretty special. I got a lovely organiser and special writing tools as well.
6) Do you have any bad Christmas associations that will have to be tackled?
No more. I have been to hell and back for various reasons at various times in my life…but it’s passed and I am so over it. Awful, so awful...but last year we rescued some lady and some little kid walking down the street who were having a rotten time of it and because we knew how that felt we talked her through it, kept her safe and resolved the worst of it for her.
7) What's your favourite carol? Why?
Hark the Herald Angels sing…I got brought up on it and We wish you a Merry Christmas.I am always humming or whistling that one. I love carols because we can all sing along and it doesn’t matter who sings in tune and who doesn’t. They make you bond!!
8) Which part of your Christmas plans is most likely to go awry?
Nothing went awry…but we had a day of electrical glitches and a teapot handle which just plain broke. The stereo went all crackly and disgusting, the computer monitor faded…and a whole heap of scalding tea went down the front of me…ouch!!! Was good for the tea and sympathy vote. No, this Christmas was pretty good.
9) What's your most favourite thing about Christmas?
The people. The company. The laughs….and no one comes between me and the pudding!
10) What's your least favourite thing about it?
When it’s bad…it really is bad and very distressing.
11) What Christmassy thing have you seen or heard in the street or on the teeve or in the blogosphere that has
(a) touched your heart
I watched Shameless last night and even though it wasn’t about Christmas it was pretty shameless but so cuttingly true and I felt very upset for the little girl and thought she was amazing.It gave a real insight into the complexity and humanity of dysfunction and how you just can't legislate to fix it.People have to fix it.
(b) hit a nerve
Oh my, we really do need to be VERY careful with our resources. There were some Christmas decorations which were so bad and so unnecessary and poorly conceived they were traumatising to look at!!! I still don’t know what the misshapen pink plastic faces with the black blobs and hideous expressions were and the giant silver glitter birds with a big white feather poked up their rear end were not a pretty sight.
or (c) made you want to barf?
The number of needless and pointless road deaths.
12) Who do you wish you had contacted to say Happy Christmas but haven't so far?
I should have contacted my cousin Sue but I ran out of time…I have resolved to contact her for the New Year!!
Okay, folks, that's it. Feel free to carry on!
Warne takes 700th Test wicket
Warne takes 700th Test wicket :"Warne reached the landmark when he bowled England opener Andrew Strauss for 50 just before tea, which left England at 4-101."
Well, Andrew Strauss was destined to be that 700th wicket and he will be recorded now in history as that. Hopefully Andrew Strauss can make some other cricketing marks as well. As for Shane Warne...he just keeps bringing it on. What a hero. What a legend and what a Warnie!!! And how about that catch from Andrew Symond?!!
Cheesepodder and photolurkers be warned
Cheesepodder and photolurkers be warned: we're on to you - Technology:
"CRACKBERRY: 'The curse of the modern executive: not being able to stop checking your BlackBerry, even at your grandmother's funeral.'"
I can see we are going to have a whole new world of words spawned since our connectivity is making us egocentric, self serving , self interested and as nosey as!! It can be seen in other people (never me) that they can turn into one of these delightful terms. The crackberry would exist here except you can never find a Blackberry and I wish you could...they are the very thing for me!! Our equivalent would have to be a Dilberry...someone who can't stop dialling on their mobile while you are sitting there. Then there are the textnuts and the photohusseys who just strike a pose as soon as the camera comes out. Some girls have it down to a fine art here and can strike a cute pose immediately...the younger boys are catching up fast. It drives me nuts when people have to keep getting on their mobile or you get the dreaded polyphonic tone invading your space. On Christmas Eve the culprit was an 82 year old Grannie who just couldn't stay off her mobile and the ring tone piped over the whole evening. We actually found it funny. She was sitting there as cute as you please in her lovely home knitted cardigan, the disarming smile and the checked wool blanket on her knees...and then the mobile started ringing and ringing and ringing...what a groovy Grannie!! She just laughed at us. "It pays to keep in touch these days."
"CRACKBERRY: 'The curse of the modern executive: not being able to stop checking your BlackBerry, even at your grandmother's funeral.'"
I can see we are going to have a whole new world of words spawned since our connectivity is making us egocentric, self serving , self interested and as nosey as!! It can be seen in other people (never me) that they can turn into one of these delightful terms. The crackberry would exist here except you can never find a Blackberry and I wish you could...they are the very thing for me!! Our equivalent would have to be a Dilberry...someone who can't stop dialling on their mobile while you are sitting there. Then there are the textnuts and the photohusseys who just strike a pose as soon as the camera comes out. Some girls have it down to a fine art here and can strike a cute pose immediately...the younger boys are catching up fast. It drives me nuts when people have to keep getting on their mobile or you get the dreaded polyphonic tone invading your space. On Christmas Eve the culprit was an 82 year old Grannie who just couldn't stay off her mobile and the ring tone piped over the whole evening. We actually found it funny. She was sitting there as cute as you please in her lovely home knitted cardigan, the disarming smile and the checked wool blanket on her knees...and then the mobile started ringing and ringing and ringing...what a groovy Grannie!! She just laughed at us. "It pays to keep in touch these days."
Parasite turns women into 'sex kittens'
Parasite turns women into 'sex kittens' :
"Human infection generally occurs when people eat raw or undercooked meat that has cysts containing the parasite, or accidentally ingest some of the parasite's eggs excreted by an infected cat."
Erk!!! As interesting and bizarre as the findings may be...erk!!! Can't we test for the parasite in meat before we serve or sell it??! What happened to food hygiene? It may well have a different impact on men and women but it's not safe for pregnant women and can be serious for people with weakened immune systems. Another study has also found it increased the capacity to have a car accident. I understand that parasites are easy to pick up just from travelling to different places and sometimes they lay dormant in the human system, but I truly think we need to get some decent capacity to detect these things with scans or whatever and maybe have a medicine we can take to make sure we do not have them.If 8 million Australians are infected then we need to have a treatment programme. If we are doing no better in developed countries then it doesn't really recommend our practices , does it?
"Human infection generally occurs when people eat raw or undercooked meat that has cysts containing the parasite, or accidentally ingest some of the parasite's eggs excreted by an infected cat."
Erk!!! As interesting and bizarre as the findings may be...erk!!! Can't we test for the parasite in meat before we serve or sell it??! What happened to food hygiene? It may well have a different impact on men and women but it's not safe for pregnant women and can be serious for people with weakened immune systems. Another study has also found it increased the capacity to have a car accident. I understand that parasites are easy to pick up just from travelling to different places and sometimes they lay dormant in the human system, but I truly think we need to get some decent capacity to detect these things with scans or whatever and maybe have a medicine we can take to make sure we do not have them.If 8 million Australians are infected then we need to have a treatment programme. If we are doing no better in developed countries then it doesn't really recommend our practices , does it?
NZ farmer puts sheep up for adoption.
NZ farmer puts sheep up for adoption. : "An enterprising New Zealand farmer has put his whole sheep flock up for adoption on the Internet."
This is a lovely little idea which may help this farm stay on top. It's hard on farmers no matter where they live at the moment and it is a nice idea for us to be able to help them with their innovative ideas. I don't know if this property is like ours in Australia where the weather is creating all sorts of problems for the farmers. They are a hardy lot and know how to manage and this NZ farmer and his family have been both ingenious and enterprising. A visit to your sheep in NZ would do you the world of good. NZ is a very relaxing place to say!
Adopt a sheep The site really helps you get to know the property and family, so you'll feel right at home!! Fantastic idea to keep the business going, generate some knowledge about farms for the wider community and to attract tourism. Fantastic idea.
This is a lovely little idea which may help this farm stay on top. It's hard on farmers no matter where they live at the moment and it is a nice idea for us to be able to help them with their innovative ideas. I don't know if this property is like ours in Australia where the weather is creating all sorts of problems for the farmers. They are a hardy lot and know how to manage and this NZ farmer and his family have been both ingenious and enterprising. A visit to your sheep in NZ would do you the world of good. NZ is a very relaxing place to say!
Adopt a sheep The site really helps you get to know the property and family, so you'll feel right at home!! Fantastic idea to keep the business going, generate some knowledge about farms for the wider community and to attract tourism. Fantastic idea.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Bonne fête de Noël
Je vous souhaite tous une bonne fête de Noël. Je suis prête…allons-y !
Christmas is once more on the launch pad and I have done all that can be done. I now look forward to the company of friends and family. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas…
FROM MARGATE TO THE MAASAI
FROM MARGATE TO THE MAASAI:
"1. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Britain, with over 44,000 new patients being identified each year. The incidence of the disease in British women is increasing by more than one per cent each year."
Jeremy Jacobs is going to make a trek in February 2007 in the Masaai Mara for the Breast Cancer Campaign. His blog details the preparation and background information and I tell you, if you've read my blog, you will know how much I believe we need to support anyone who is campaigning and researching for cancer. The Masaai Mara is in Kenya and you can get some good information and pictures here. I wish Jeremy well and look forward to hearing about his trek.
The Masaai people are also in Tanzania, a place close to my heart, because it's where my World Vision sponsored child is...and this year I enjoyed sending him pictures of our native animals in Australia. He makes stories up about them when he sees them.
"1. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Britain, with over 44,000 new patients being identified each year. The incidence of the disease in British women is increasing by more than one per cent each year."
Jeremy Jacobs is going to make a trek in February 2007 in the Masaai Mara for the Breast Cancer Campaign. His blog details the preparation and background information and I tell you, if you've read my blog, you will know how much I believe we need to support anyone who is campaigning and researching for cancer. The Masaai Mara is in Kenya and you can get some good information and pictures here. I wish Jeremy well and look forward to hearing about his trek.
The Masaai people are also in Tanzania, a place close to my heart, because it's where my World Vision sponsored child is...and this year I enjoyed sending him pictures of our native animals in Australia. He makes stories up about them when he sees them.
Memorial planned for WA girl
Memorial planned :
"A memorial service will be held on Wednesday for the 16-year-old girl whose body was found in a wheelie bin at the back of a Perth house."
She is called Stacey Mitchell. She appears to have been unnecessarily murdered by two young girls. This is the present her family has been given for Christmas. She was 16. Yes, she was put in a wheelie bin but there is no need to headline it in the news as that. Imagine if Stacey were your daughter, this were your Christmas present and you were the one trying to manage the circumstances. A bald headline like that shows no consideration and respect. It's a hard thing for everyone to deal with and so difficult for her family and friends. Stacey isn't here to celebrate Christmas and it seems we'll hear why, but truly, have a heart.
"A memorial service will be held on Wednesday for the 16-year-old girl whose body was found in a wheelie bin at the back of a Perth house."
She is called Stacey Mitchell. She appears to have been unnecessarily murdered by two young girls. This is the present her family has been given for Christmas. She was 16. Yes, she was put in a wheelie bin but there is no need to headline it in the news as that. Imagine if Stacey were your daughter, this were your Christmas present and you were the one trying to manage the circumstances. A bald headline like that shows no consideration and respect. It's a hard thing for everyone to deal with and so difficult for her family and friends. Stacey isn't here to celebrate Christmas and it seems we'll hear why, but truly, have a heart.
Christmas cake ban
AdelaideNow... Christmas cake ban:
"'This decision means for the first time in 18 years I won't be able to give the LTO staff – some of whom I often deal with – a cake to share at Christmas. Every year I take some cakes into reception at the Lands Titles Office, say `Merry Christmas' to whoever is behind the desk and leave."
Corporations and businesses are about protocol. About profit and not people. About agenda items, memos, regulations and legality. Human kindness, thought, warmth and consideration are things we need to sustain ourselves and others. Humanity is not part of the corporate agenda. Efficiency and efficacity are. Pretty sad, but I think we are starting to realise just how much it is costing us. I hopw Mr. Woodward can prevail in sharing his customary Christmas spirit even if the corporate agenda pooh poohs it. Eventually the business model will work out that you cannot put a wet blanket on humanity.
"'This decision means for the first time in 18 years I won't be able to give the LTO staff – some of whom I often deal with – a cake to share at Christmas. Every year I take some cakes into reception at the Lands Titles Office, say `Merry Christmas' to whoever is behind the desk and leave."
Corporations and businesses are about protocol. About profit and not people. About agenda items, memos, regulations and legality. Human kindness, thought, warmth and consideration are things we need to sustain ourselves and others. Humanity is not part of the corporate agenda. Efficiency and efficacity are. Pretty sad, but I think we are starting to realise just how much it is costing us. I hopw Mr. Woodward can prevail in sharing his customary Christmas spirit even if the corporate agenda pooh poohs it. Eventually the business model will work out that you cannot put a wet blanket on humanity.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Queen Elizabeth Podcasting
Podcasting News » Queen Elizabeth Debuts Podcast Of Annual Christmas Speech:"The British monarchy dates back over ten centuries, but for the first time ever, this year, the Queen’s Christmas speech will be available as a podcast."
Can't believe Her Majesty is podcasting! Will it be heralded in by trumpeters? Will it have Westminster chimes? It's like turning back the clock when Churchhill's speeches used to be the all important thing on the mantel radio so I'm told. It may be new technology but it is bringing us back to old times. Funny really. It's going to be interesting to see which of the new technologies survives and drives the future and which ones are lost in the transition. It's actually interesting to be living in a time of flux. Well, fancy the Queen's speech being podcast but it might be a nice trip down memory lane for the oldies with their new generation gadgets.
Shoppers start late gift rush
AdelaideNow... Shoppers start late gift rush:
"'We can have extremes of weather and it makes no difference, because people are on a mission,' he said."
Well, they must have been out late last night shopping because Adelaide was so quiet this morning and I had the supermarket all to myself except for one man who came in to buy 6 boxes of matches!! The girls told me it had been full on and they were glad to have a bit of quiet time this morning. Harvey Norman's was a different matter. I was over there about 9.30 and everyone was there getting what they wanted and they clearly knew what it was they were going to buy. The sales assistants were falling in with that so it all worked well. The one thing I have really enjoyed about shopping this year for Christmas is that it has been a real community effort. It's been so friendly and happy wherever I have been. The shop assistants have been cheerful and helpful but happy to talk about their Christmas plans too. As customers we have done the unusual thing of commenting on each other's choices and offering helpful hints. We have talked about our mad weather but we all have back up plans for the nutty weather should it go awry over Christmas. We are just happy to be together and share our personal experiences. For many it has meant they are able to cope better . When they are stressing we are all talking and so the load lightens. Shoppers are not feeling so isolated, alone and under pressure. One thing we do do well in Adelaide when we want to , is getting that friendly family feel going. We are clear about what we want, but we are open to suggestion too. I've given recipes to people as I have stood in line and couldn't believe myself, but they've given me their Christmas tips too. It has been truly great and the shop assistants I have met seem to be valuing the fact they are included too!
"'We can have extremes of weather and it makes no difference, because people are on a mission,' he said."
Well, they must have been out late last night shopping because Adelaide was so quiet this morning and I had the supermarket all to myself except for one man who came in to buy 6 boxes of matches!! The girls told me it had been full on and they were glad to have a bit of quiet time this morning. Harvey Norman's was a different matter. I was over there about 9.30 and everyone was there getting what they wanted and they clearly knew what it was they were going to buy. The sales assistants were falling in with that so it all worked well. The one thing I have really enjoyed about shopping this year for Christmas is that it has been a real community effort. It's been so friendly and happy wherever I have been. The shop assistants have been cheerful and helpful but happy to talk about their Christmas plans too. As customers we have done the unusual thing of commenting on each other's choices and offering helpful hints. We have talked about our mad weather but we all have back up plans for the nutty weather should it go awry over Christmas. We are just happy to be together and share our personal experiences. For many it has meant they are able to cope better . When they are stressing we are all talking and so the load lightens. Shoppers are not feeling so isolated, alone and under pressure. One thing we do do well in Adelaide when we want to , is getting that friendly family feel going. We are clear about what we want, but we are open to suggestion too. I've given recipes to people as I have stood in line and couldn't believe myself, but they've given me their Christmas tips too. It has been truly great and the shop assistants I have met seem to be valuing the fact they are included too!
Space shuttle Discovery lands safely.
Space shuttle Discovery lands safely. :"The shuttle made a fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and a long glide to touchdown at the seaside landing strip shortly after 5:30pm local time, bringing home a seven-member crew that included Germany's Thomas Reiter, who had spent the past six months at the ISS."
Oh, don't worry, I have been keeping tabs on this shuttle and I cannot believe the sheer determination and pioneering spirit of NASA and the crew members. I was having kittens when they were out trying to get that solar panel down. What if they fell off? What if they floated away? What if they dangled hopelessy in space? I was beside myself. I just don't know where they get the courage to do these things and seemingly take it all in their stride. They are a magnificent inspiration to us all and NASA is very on the ball when it comes to innovation and initiative. It must be so enthralling for littlies to see all of this on their screens when they do show us pictures. This is just so awesome and awe inspiring and I am so glad they have come home safely and in time for Christmas. Faaaantastic!!
Wireless Router
I feel like I have been living in the dark ages! I know I am slow to pick up on techno wizardry but I do kick myself when I get there. It's not as if I am averse to technology. On the contrary. I love my gadgets. I just don't like the brand new stuff until I get it and then I am wildly enthusiastic!! Explain that to me. Took me ages to get rid of my brick phone and even though I now love my new mobile, it's not next generation. It's just got pictures on the screen. I didn't realise it had a camera and when I first got it this thing lit up and lo and behold there was a lovely photo of my sheepskin slippers. I tried to get rid of it and then somehow it ended up as wallpaper. Cool phone, heh, with my daggy old slippers on it? True to form I went and got my booklet, then my digital camera and took a photo of some strawberries which are now my phone wallpaper. Bit more me and slightly more dignified. Every Christmas since I have been working, I buy myself a Christmas present. Something for my home and to improve my lifestyle. The ritzy microwave I got last year is brilliant. Has so modernised my world. Well this year I was thinking...and we have two desktops and two laptops and only one on the Net. The swanky laptop I finally got around to getting myself has wireless internet paraphernalia...so I thought a router would be the very thing. Ah...except I knew NOTHING about routers. Well, here it is. I took a punt and I did a bit of routers for dummies on the Net and this is my present and I love it. In time I shall realise what I should have bought but, I tell you, there is no toe tapping and finger thrumming at home as people wait for the ensconced one to get off the Net. This is Net heaven. This humble router has brought me forward a few light years!!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Lights out after SA storms
Lights out after SA storms :"Power was cut to more than 1400 homes during last night's storms and lightning strikes, said ETSA Utilities spokesman Craig Clarke."
I know...every time I thought the storm had passed there was another giant flash of lightning and a boom, crackle rumble over the hills. It was going west to east and backwards and forwards! So the land of the giant cabbages, the humungous cauliflowers and the ginormous geraniums is WET!! Until now we had been used to the dry, drab crunchy brown of Adelaide which had softened in recent years to a kinder, greener look. The hills are alive with green blobs on the écru background...so Adelaide. The blobs are evergreen trees which for reasons best known to themselves only grow singly on the hills' faces. So, phew...it was very Vanuatu here yesterday,which didn't bother me a bit but most people found it uncomfortable. I do hot and humid well..it's this cold and damp I'm not good at!!
Woman, 61, on drug charge
AdelaideNow... Woman, 61, on drug charge:
"A WOMAN, 61, has been charged after police found a hydroponic cannabis crop at her eastern suburbs home yesterday."
Did someone say that money was the root of all evil? They were saying how healthy these plants were so the grannie obviously had a green thumb and to be able to give over a room of her house, well she obviously had lots of space. I couldn't give a room up to plants, no way. The oldies seem to be as keen to partcipate in free market enterprise as the young ones...but he oldies seem to be growing, or am I wrong? It is well organised, that's for sure becuse we have noticed everyne has a role and a part to play. Well, pot on her, that's all I can say.
Pot aside, take a look at the lovely sandstone bungalow she is living in. It's typical of our older style houses and they are beautiful. The sand stone is a lovely ochre colour....some stupid people render them!!
"A WOMAN, 61, has been charged after police found a hydroponic cannabis crop at her eastern suburbs home yesterday."
Did someone say that money was the root of all evil? They were saying how healthy these plants were so the grannie obviously had a green thumb and to be able to give over a room of her house, well she obviously had lots of space. I couldn't give a room up to plants, no way. The oldies seem to be as keen to partcipate in free market enterprise as the young ones...but he oldies seem to be growing, or am I wrong? It is well organised, that's for sure becuse we have noticed everyne has a role and a part to play. Well, pot on her, that's all I can say.
Pot aside, take a look at the lovely sandstone bungalow she is living in. It's typical of our older style houses and they are beautiful. The sand stone is a lovely ochre colour....some stupid people render them!!
Countdown to Christmas
This is probably the most relaxed I have ever been coming up to Christmas. I took the time to plot and plan and make it come together slowly so that I wouldn't have the feelings of pressure and inadequacy I normally do. I have one more shop to go and that's to get the last minute food. I have prepared the paté, potted cheese, shortbread, pudding, cake,lebkuchen, marinated cheese. I'm skipping mince pies this year and have sourced some great sausage rolls so I am not making those either this year. I spent one really hot day going through Christmas recipes and really enjoyed putting the menu together because it's at my place. Food magazines are a big help!!Especially because they suggest wine as well which is not my strong point! Some presents I have made and others I have bought and I wrapped a couple every day and really enjoyed making them look nice. I have just made a point of taking my time and enjoying everything. I used to rush, rush, rush and then feel like it was all too much. I am probably actually doing more but I feel like doing it. It's my attitude. I've alsready had some nice meals and present sharing and I have spent some good time with friends and colleagues. I've written to all the rellies and now I'm up to the emails!! It's this time of the year I realise how spread out and sprawling my network is, but it's a nice thought I am contacting people in different countries. A very nice thought. The cultures and countries we have are so special...so I think I am just about there!!! Phew!!
Teens in court over wheelie bin body.
Teens in court over wheelie bin body. :
"Two Perth teenagers have been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the wilful murder of a person whose body was found in a wheelie bin."
The girls in WA seem to be very disturbed and dangerous and there has to be a reason for it. This is the second murder reported from WA this year where 2 girls have killed another girl. The Collie murder earlier has been kept very quiet, probably to protect the victim's family , but we get reports of this bizarre and awful behaviour and then there is no resolution for us. What is happening to teenage girls over there and why are they so profoundly destructive? I do feel very sorry for the families because they are all caught up in very difficult and very unusual circumstances and then they have to carry on and try to be normal. It must be terrible pressure for them all. I feel so sorry for the young girls who lose their lives so suddenly. Violence is violence is violence. We cannot accept it. Seems to me though there is greater need for expert and professional help because these girls are young and a) should never have died in such an awful way and b)are going to be very difficult to rehabilitate . I can only say what I said when I read the report about the Collie murders - we really need to confront this and deal with it and learn how to keep our young people safe.
"Two Perth teenagers have been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the wilful murder of a person whose body was found in a wheelie bin."
The girls in WA seem to be very disturbed and dangerous and there has to be a reason for it. This is the second murder reported from WA this year where 2 girls have killed another girl. The Collie murder earlier has been kept very quiet, probably to protect the victim's family , but we get reports of this bizarre and awful behaviour and then there is no resolution for us. What is happening to teenage girls over there and why are they so profoundly destructive? I do feel very sorry for the families because they are all caught up in very difficult and very unusual circumstances and then they have to carry on and try to be normal. It must be terrible pressure for them all. I feel so sorry for the young girls who lose their lives so suddenly. Violence is violence is violence. We cannot accept it. Seems to me though there is greater need for expert and professional help because these girls are young and a) should never have died in such an awful way and b)are going to be very difficult to rehabilitate . I can only say what I said when I read the report about the Collie murders - we really need to confront this and deal with it and learn how to keep our young people safe.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Google Gadgets
LOOK RIGHT!!!
I have been to Google Gadgets and look what I found!!! No wonder Google is doing so well. They have a real sense of fun as well as a belief that when you want to know, you just want to know. No wonder we have taken googling into the language.
I have been to Google Gadgets and look what I found!!! No wonder Google is doing so well. They have a real sense of fun as well as a belief that when you want to know, you just want to know. No wonder we have taken googling into the language.
US ban on Hicks visit to be queried
US ban on Hicks visit to be queried :
"Paul Mullen was preparing to return to Cuba for his second assessment of Mr Hicks, who has spent five years without a trial in the US military prison, when he was told late last week the visit would not go ahead."
As a government it is very easy to spurn the little people and just carry on with your agenda. It's actually good to see our government taking a firm approach to this matter. It's Christmas, the time of goodwill and peace to all men...and David Hick's father has been an absolute model citizen. It would be good if someone could stand alongside him this Christmas because Mr. Hicks senior has done everything impeccably and has treated everyone with the greatest respect. If nothing else, this needs to be heeded and the quality of mercy....
"Paul Mullen was preparing to return to Cuba for his second assessment of Mr Hicks, who has spent five years without a trial in the US military prison, when he was told late last week the visit would not go ahead."
As a government it is very easy to spurn the little people and just carry on with your agenda. It's actually good to see our government taking a firm approach to this matter. It's Christmas, the time of goodwill and peace to all men...and David Hick's father has been an absolute model citizen. It would be good if someone could stand alongside him this Christmas because Mr. Hicks senior has done everything impeccably and has treated everyone with the greatest respect. If nothing else, this needs to be heeded and the quality of mercy....
Honorary doctorate for astronaut
Honorary doctorate for astronaut :
"'That I was able to turn that dream into a realistic ambition and which ultimately took me to space, I owe largely to the education that I received.'"
I saw Andy Thomas on the news tonight and it was good to see Adelaide University honour him. It was also good to hear him speak of his achievements and his plans for the future. He is a very humble, self effacing man, but he knows how to dream . He knows how to dream big and he knows how to light up the eyes of the young. He is fully aware of his capacity to influence others as an elder. He has not ceased to dream and that would have been his gift to those students graduating today. He would have inspired them to dream their dreams. For a quiet man he makes big footsteps...and yes, he has more plans and they are very exciting!!
"'That I was able to turn that dream into a realistic ambition and which ultimately took me to space, I owe largely to the education that I received.'"
I saw Andy Thomas on the news tonight and it was good to see Adelaide University honour him. It was also good to hear him speak of his achievements and his plans for the future. He is a very humble, self effacing man, but he knows how to dream . He knows how to dream big and he knows how to light up the eyes of the young. He is fully aware of his capacity to influence others as an elder. He has not ceased to dream and that would have been his gift to those students graduating today. He would have inspired them to dream their dreams. For a quiet man he makes big footsteps...and yes, he has more plans and they are very exciting!!
Expert witness says HIV 'doesn't exist'
Expert witness says HIV 'doesn't exist' :
"'I am a scientist, I look for science - I do not look for consensus,'' she told the court.
'There is no massive epidemic of HIV infections because no one has proven it.''"
This scientist believes there is no link between HIV and AIDS. She says there are no published reports which say HIV exists. In that case there can be no link because it doesn't exist. Eleni Papadopulos-Eleopulos is giving evidence in a court case where a man is convicted of endangering the lives of three women. The SA Court of Criminal Appeal will sort out the legality and justice of all of this, but the belief this woman has that HIV doesn't exist is surprising to me because she is a scientist and probably knows and reads a lot more than I do. So what is right? I thought people could test HIV positive. I thought that meant they might develop full blown AIDS. If Africa does not have an AIDS crisis because HIV does not exist then what are the médecins sans frontières treating and what is killing the Africans and was Freddie Mercury HIV positive or not?? I am so confused. I am wondering why we have been given all this AIDS information if it is, in fact, misinformation. Can we please sort this out? If HIV is not linked to AIDS, what is the HIV which people have been calling HIV? I'd hate to see 20 years of AIDS education go out the window but there is no reason for me to believe a scientist would not be speaking their truth.
Youpi!!!
Youpi!!! Merci à tous et à toutes. Merci pour votre soutien, votre appréciation et pour votre encouragement. Je suis si heureuse ! Quel bonheur ! C'est chouette.
I am so happy. This is such a milestone. I am so appreciative of all of you who have clicked and stayed or clicked and passed through. This is soooooo good!!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Pitbulls' fate to be decided
Pitbulls' fate to be decided :
"Council general manager Brent Armstrong said the dogs' owner had relinquished ownership of the animals and a decision was being made on whether they should be destroyed."
I'll try and pretend these are not pitbull crosses. I lived next door to a pitbull cross once and they are scary because they are silent, dumb and unpredictable. You can't read them like normal dogs. They stare at you, they are so silent in their approach. They do not respond logically. One attacked a friend of mine when she went to see a friend of hers . The pitbull mauled her arm and she had to have a lot of stitches and had no feeling in her arm for nearly a year. It also ripped her skirt, which was thick denim or she might have had more injuries. They latch on and they will not let go.
To come back to the dogs in question. Clearly the owner has no control over them. If they do not respond to her as the mistress, then the two people had no hope in her yard. The man going onto the property was putting himself at risk. The second man was trying his best to help. A trainer and the RSPCA need to be consulted as they will be able to indicate rationally whether the dogs are able to be retrained to a new owner and then be safe. There are two women who walk two pitbulls around here and they seem to be in control, but who knows, those dogs are in a world of their own. I love dogs..but I love them because they respond.
"Council general manager Brent Armstrong said the dogs' owner had relinquished ownership of the animals and a decision was being made on whether they should be destroyed."
I'll try and pretend these are not pitbull crosses. I lived next door to a pitbull cross once and they are scary because they are silent, dumb and unpredictable. You can't read them like normal dogs. They stare at you, they are so silent in their approach. They do not respond logically. One attacked a friend of mine when she went to see a friend of hers . The pitbull mauled her arm and she had to have a lot of stitches and had no feeling in her arm for nearly a year. It also ripped her skirt, which was thick denim or she might have had more injuries. They latch on and they will not let go.
To come back to the dogs in question. Clearly the owner has no control over them. If they do not respond to her as the mistress, then the two people had no hope in her yard. The man going onto the property was putting himself at risk. The second man was trying his best to help. A trainer and the RSPCA need to be consulted as they will be able to indicate rationally whether the dogs are able to be retrained to a new owner and then be safe. There are two women who walk two pitbulls around here and they seem to be in control, but who knows, those dogs are in a world of their own. I love dogs..but I love them because they respond.
Rare procedure removes massive tumour
Rare procedure removes massive tumour :
"The procedure involved removing the front of Mr Boyap's rib-cage, removing the tumour from around the great vessels and his heart, then reconstructing the breast plate after replacing it with a new titanium and Gore-Tex mesh."
We don't often here of the medical work we do for neighbouring nations but it is something we do. We do it willingly, well and with a great deal of inspiration. It's often the caes from our neighbours which posr the challenges to our medical experts which see them lift their wings and fly. We are always touched by these stories too but we do not hear of them often enough. We take a lot of this for granted. That tumour started as a small growth and our doctors could not belive the sixe of it when the man came here for treatment. From pimple to football!!! The sugeons have done a fantastic job and modern technology is awesome. It's good to know the man can now live comfortably and will hopefully make a full recovery.
"The procedure involved removing the front of Mr Boyap's rib-cage, removing the tumour from around the great vessels and his heart, then reconstructing the breast plate after replacing it with a new titanium and Gore-Tex mesh."
We don't often here of the medical work we do for neighbouring nations but it is something we do. We do it willingly, well and with a great deal of inspiration. It's often the caes from our neighbours which posr the challenges to our medical experts which see them lift their wings and fly. We are always touched by these stories too but we do not hear of them often enough. We take a lot of this for granted. That tumour started as a small growth and our doctors could not belive the sixe of it when the man came here for treatment. From pimple to football!!! The sugeons have done a fantastic job and modern technology is awesome. It's good to know the man can now live comfortably and will hopefully make a full recovery.
Dramatic end to Stormy siege
AdelaideNow... Dramatic end to Stormy siege:
"ADELAIDE madam Stormy Summer's last stand at her Waymouth St house ended dramatically this afternoon with the arrival of STAR Group officers and the arrest of her husband."
Stormy Summers has been in Adelaide news on and off for years. She is part of the landscape and one of our high profile characters. With a brothel in Waymouth Street, which she appears not to have been able to keep financially viable, the exit was always going to be dramatic. Her husband came out with a knife. Thing is...this is their place, as they see it. It's their part of Adelaide and to relinquish it would have been upsetting. So upsetting we needed the STAR group of officiers, but that's Stormy and she's a bit of a legend in her own way. She may be losing her impact now, and morally I should be disapproving of her, but I think it would be good to look at her life and her history because as naughty as she is and has been, she has added local colour. I know she has to lose that Waymouth Street property because it's a high profile area and fairly central to normal living in town now. I just feel like we need to pay Stormy a bit of a tribute even though she is a brothel madam. She's a character. From what I saw on the news the police were very pateient and respectful of her and her husband and managed a tricky situation with a lot of calm. It was actually great to see Adelaide news on the news and most of our news tonight was about us and our state, so it was fantastic. It means we are centring ourselves before we look out. Well done!!
"ADELAIDE madam Stormy Summer's last stand at her Waymouth St house ended dramatically this afternoon with the arrival of STAR Group officers and the arrest of her husband."
Stormy Summers has been in Adelaide news on and off for years. She is part of the landscape and one of our high profile characters. With a brothel in Waymouth Street, which she appears not to have been able to keep financially viable, the exit was always going to be dramatic. Her husband came out with a knife. Thing is...this is their place, as they see it. It's their part of Adelaide and to relinquish it would have been upsetting. So upsetting we needed the STAR group of officiers, but that's Stormy and she's a bit of a legend in her own way. She may be losing her impact now, and morally I should be disapproving of her, but I think it would be good to look at her life and her history because as naughty as she is and has been, she has added local colour. I know she has to lose that Waymouth Street property because it's a high profile area and fairly central to normal living in town now. I just feel like we need to pay Stormy a bit of a tribute even though she is a brothel madam. She's a character. From what I saw on the news the police were very pateient and respectful of her and her husband and managed a tricky situation with a lot of calm. It was actually great to see Adelaide news on the news and most of our news tonight was about us and our state, so it was fantastic. It means we are centring ourselves before we look out. Well done!!
Blogticipation!!
I am so excited. My 25 000 clicks is coming up...is pending and imminent and I am so excited!!! To help keep my feet on the ground I have put together 10 blog tips. I am so grateful and so excited and I couldn't think of a better present ( apart from my million dollar cheque!!).Ten tips for blogging
1. The length of the post is irrelevant. It’s the content and it’s a bit hard to judge sometimes what will take off. Readers often like different and quirky, but they also like to get stuck into some meatier subjects.
2. Pictures help. Readers react to pictures and it’s often the ones which stir a memory, capture the imagination or make them laugh which get the reactions.
3. One day you will go to your blog and you will feel sick. You will not want to blog. It’s like aversion therapy. Some people delete their blogs or blogs are left hanging in space. Know this will happen, that it feels awful but that it will pass.
4. Blog holidays are good. After a week’s break you come back just popping!
5. Get a stat counter which lets you see who visits. It is so exciting to know that someone has come in from Thailand or Greece. It really cheers you up to know there are people in far flung corners who come to read your blog.
6. Get an RSS feed going. It does improve the traffic.
7. Join places like Blog Lines, Blog Explosion and Blogshares. It gets your blog known, it makes you feel like a somebody and it helps you to create the connections which you wish to make.
8. Some of the best bloggers I have come to value suddenly just stop blogging. It can be very upsetting and you wonder what has happened. Expect to feel attached and be ready for the separation anxiety.
9. Don’t be frightened to ask for help if you don’t know how to do something or what something means. The blogosphere is full of kind , helpful people who do not make you feel stupid.
10. Link away! Ask to link your blog, let others link to you. That network can be crucial at times.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Cheat to geek guide
Cheat to geek guide :
"Think of this as your cheat sheet to what everyone else talks about and you need to know about."
This complements the British article about British people needing all those electrical essentials like the rest of us. The energy footprint really is the way to go. This article is about what you really need to know about so you are right up there in the geek speak world. Truth is, a real geek takes it all for granted and talks about some really detailed stuff like server side included and phase-change memory. Like many articles provided by The Age techies they are are very kind, very reader friendly and very easy to follow. Their techies explain things so that you feel confident you have a real knowledge of what is being discussed. Past that point you have to really get into the head hurting...but the geeks are bringing us some great inventions ,research and remedies. They have a worthy place too!
"Think of this as your cheat sheet to what everyone else talks about and you need to know about."
This complements the British article about British people needing all those electrical essentials like the rest of us. The energy footprint really is the way to go. This article is about what you really need to know about so you are right up there in the geek speak world. Truth is, a real geek takes it all for granted and talks about some really detailed stuff like server side included and phase-change memory. Like many articles provided by The Age techies they are are very kind, very reader friendly and very easy to follow. Their techies explain things so that you feel confident you have a real knowledge of what is being discussed. Past that point you have to really get into the head hurting...but the geeks are bringing us some great inventions ,research and remedies. They have a worthy place too!
French to cash in on tax-free year
French to cash in on tax-free year:
"For those who are reluctant to believe that the dreaded 'fisc' - the French tax authorities - would comply with such a rare act of government largesse, Mr Breton spelt out his plan in the country's media yesterday, stating clearly: 'I am suggesting that 2008 be fiscally blank.'"
I want ATO largesse. I want 2008 to be fiscally blank tax wise. I want no taxes for a year!! In truth it's because France is changing over to a pay as you go system and they expect that system to be more efficient and can afford a year to get the changeover right...but still, can yu imagine? I hate doing all my tax even though I get an accountant to fill it all in and walk me through it. I still work out what's what and get the lists going....and to have that tax...I'd sponsor another child for a start...get my roof fixed....a one off like that would not only boost morale, it would make you feel positively jubilant and then you'd work away happily!! Governments need to learn about happiness.
"For those who are reluctant to believe that the dreaded 'fisc' - the French tax authorities - would comply with such a rare act of government largesse, Mr Breton spelt out his plan in the country's media yesterday, stating clearly: 'I am suggesting that 2008 be fiscally blank.'"
I want ATO largesse. I want 2008 to be fiscally blank tax wise. I want no taxes for a year!! In truth it's because France is changing over to a pay as you go system and they expect that system to be more efficient and can afford a year to get the changeover right...but still, can yu imagine? I hate doing all my tax even though I get an accountant to fill it all in and walk me through it. I still work out what's what and get the lists going....and to have that tax...I'd sponsor another child for a start...get my roof fixed....a one off like that would not only boost morale, it would make you feel positively jubilant and then you'd work away happily!! Governments need to learn about happiness.
Hooked on 'essential' gadgets
UK hooked on 'essential' gadgets:
"'On televisions, for example, we would like to see labels saying 'if you watch it, it will cost x pence per hour, if you leave it on standby, it will cost y pence'. Then you can present the environmental cost in monetary terms,' he told BBC News."
Essential these days means if you don't have one and everyone else does, you are really made to feel like you are weird or deprived. The power of advertising. You have to have a good mobile and an MP3 player, you have to have Net access and it needs to be broadband. There are so many things which advertising has made us, as a community, believe we have to have. The community supports this thinking because it really doesn't cope with those who have a plain kettle, a landline plugged into a socket, an alarm clock which is not plugged in. We do not understand those without microwaves and TVs. There is no independent thinking any longer. An electric toothbrush is not an essential. I have a battery one. Is it essential? No. Everything has a standby light and it's not possible to run a lot of things easily without the standby or you have to reset the whole box and dice. Or you have to keep plugging things in and no, we no longer have that kind of time. So we burn up electricity because we are time poor, not because we are neglectful. To have gadgets which told us how much they cost to run, to be able to compare that at time of purchase would be fantastic and would help us to be more mindful of resources. We seriously need to be more discriminating about resources and we need help to be like that.Maybe I need to go out the back and chisel this into a lump of stone. I may not be back for quite some time!!
"'On televisions, for example, we would like to see labels saying 'if you watch it, it will cost x pence per hour, if you leave it on standby, it will cost y pence'. Then you can present the environmental cost in monetary terms,' he told BBC News."
Essential these days means if you don't have one and everyone else does, you are really made to feel like you are weird or deprived. The power of advertising. You have to have a good mobile and an MP3 player, you have to have Net access and it needs to be broadband. There are so many things which advertising has made us, as a community, believe we have to have. The community supports this thinking because it really doesn't cope with those who have a plain kettle, a landline plugged into a socket, an alarm clock which is not plugged in. We do not understand those without microwaves and TVs. There is no independent thinking any longer. An electric toothbrush is not an essential. I have a battery one. Is it essential? No. Everything has a standby light and it's not possible to run a lot of things easily without the standby or you have to reset the whole box and dice. Or you have to keep plugging things in and no, we no longer have that kind of time. So we burn up electricity because we are time poor, not because we are neglectful. To have gadgets which told us how much they cost to run, to be able to compare that at time of purchase would be fantastic and would help us to be more mindful of resources. We seriously need to be more discriminating about resources and we need help to be like that.Maybe I need to go out the back and chisel this into a lump of stone. I may not be back for quite some time!!
Counselling for school-crossing death
AdelaideNow... Counselling for school-crossing death:
"A 10-year-old girl has died after being struck by a four-wheel drive while crossing the road outside a NSW Central Coast primary school."
I am about to sound like a smart Alec, but I really do not see the need for four wheel drives in built up areas. The whole front end of a friend's car was demolished when a 4 wheel drive reversed into it. Thousands of dollars worth of damage just like that. A child has no chance. On the way back from the shops today the road was teeming with four wheel drives and I was wondering why they were all in the suburbs and then thought they are just too big. They take up room, resources, other people's vision and life. This family now has a great Christmas present and the man who was driving the four wheel drive will be devastated. I am curious to hear more details, but he was probably just driving and the girl probably appeared from nowhere as they often do at crossings. School uniforms often do not stand out agsist buildings, trees ...whatever is the environment.I have other firends who have a four wheel drive but it is used for towing a boat and scuba diving. They take it interstate and up into the Kimberleys. They really use that car for its touring purposes. Around town they use a station wagon. I am so sorry for everyone concerned, including the police who have to resolve this matter. This must hurt them such a lot.
"A 10-year-old girl has died after being struck by a four-wheel drive while crossing the road outside a NSW Central Coast primary school."
I am about to sound like a smart Alec, but I really do not see the need for four wheel drives in built up areas. The whole front end of a friend's car was demolished when a 4 wheel drive reversed into it. Thousands of dollars worth of damage just like that. A child has no chance. On the way back from the shops today the road was teeming with four wheel drives and I was wondering why they were all in the suburbs and then thought they are just too big. They take up room, resources, other people's vision and life. This family now has a great Christmas present and the man who was driving the four wheel drive will be devastated. I am curious to hear more details, but he was probably just driving and the girl probably appeared from nowhere as they often do at crossings. School uniforms often do not stand out agsist buildings, trees ...whatever is the environment.I have other firends who have a four wheel drive but it is used for towing a boat and scuba diving. They take it interstate and up into the Kimberleys. They really use that car for its touring purposes. Around town they use a station wagon. I am so sorry for everyone concerned, including the police who have to resolve this matter. This must hurt them such a lot.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Australia storms to Ashes victory
Australia storms to Ashes victory : "Shane Warne took the final wicket to bowl the tourists out for 350, and secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series."
Shane Warne is fantastic. but the whole team has been on fire and it's nice to have the Ashes back. England has put in some great match time and I have enjoyed watching them. Some of their players have made an unforgettable impression and deserve a lot of credit. They are a good side. They will do well...it's just that it all came together for us and we are playing in our home country. I think that helps.
We will lose $30m, say retailers
AdelaideNow... We will lose $30m, say retailers:
"RETAILERS stand to lose more than $30 million by closing their doors the day after Christmas.
Retail consultant Stirling Griff said the figure was a 'conservative' estimate of the money that would be 'forgone' when stores across Adelaide remained closed on December 26."
I am not sure about this one. The shops are busy and everyone is very happily shopping. I have completed the first of 3 shops and my wallet is a lot lighter and I am thrilled with what I bought, the atmosphere, the friendly service and the sensible and helpful advice I was given if I asked. Where I shopped could not have been better. I have come home feeling really happy with myself and my purchases. I have even got two new pairs of glasses to come after I ended up with an eye test after I went in with my cracked glasses and my optometrist voucher. I was pushed into nothing. I was given good advice by the optometrist. The sales assistant worked out how I can financially manage all of this to my advantage and I had a ball picking the new frames. Likewise in the credit union where I went into to ask for some advice and then it was all so easily and pleasantly arranged to suit my needs. No pressure. Just clear information which made it easy for me to make sensible decisions. But the presents I got were fantastic and the food and drinks were ...wow!! Loved it. So, to come back to the question - do we shut for two days and lose income? I'd say let people rest. Let them shop now and enjoy themselves. Let them rest and enjoy their firends, family and purchases. Judging by the people I talked to we are pretty well in active mode and after a rest we'll be out there again getting the stuff to go fishing, golfing, down the beach..whatever. We need to enjoy Christmas and value it. Then we'll be ready to shop again and the income is only so much so the disposable income is only so much. It's the touristy places which need to keep open and that might mean parts of town..oh, now I am confusing myself. No, keep the smaller areas open and encourage people to relax. Down time. We won't stop spending!
"RETAILERS stand to lose more than $30 million by closing their doors the day after Christmas.
Retail consultant Stirling Griff said the figure was a 'conservative' estimate of the money that would be 'forgone' when stores across Adelaide remained closed on December 26."
I am not sure about this one. The shops are busy and everyone is very happily shopping. I have completed the first of 3 shops and my wallet is a lot lighter and I am thrilled with what I bought, the atmosphere, the friendly service and the sensible and helpful advice I was given if I asked. Where I shopped could not have been better. I have come home feeling really happy with myself and my purchases. I have even got two new pairs of glasses to come after I ended up with an eye test after I went in with my cracked glasses and my optometrist voucher. I was pushed into nothing. I was given good advice by the optometrist. The sales assistant worked out how I can financially manage all of this to my advantage and I had a ball picking the new frames. Likewise in the credit union where I went into to ask for some advice and then it was all so easily and pleasantly arranged to suit my needs. No pressure. Just clear information which made it easy for me to make sensible decisions. But the presents I got were fantastic and the food and drinks were ...wow!! Loved it. So, to come back to the question - do we shut for two days and lose income? I'd say let people rest. Let them shop now and enjoy themselves. Let them rest and enjoy their firends, family and purchases. Judging by the people I talked to we are pretty well in active mode and after a rest we'll be out there again getting the stuff to go fishing, golfing, down the beach..whatever. We need to enjoy Christmas and value it. Then we'll be ready to shop again and the income is only so much so the disposable income is only so much. It's the touristy places which need to keep open and that might mean parts of town..oh, now I am confusing myself. No, keep the smaller areas open and encourage people to relax. Down time. We won't stop spending!
Village basks in reflected glory
AdelaideNow... Village basks in reflected glory:
"The answer: A towering 8m by 5m mirror installed on the flank of one bluff and computer-driven to follow the sun's path and cast its rays back on Viganella."
This is brilliant!! The villagers have had to live in the dark in winter because the mountains block the sun. Now the Italian village has been saved by some fantastic thinking, problem solving and technology. There is a computer driven mirroe on one of the bluffs which follows the sun's path. That is so clever and so cool!
"The answer: A towering 8m by 5m mirror installed on the flank of one bluff and computer-driven to follow the sun's path and cast its rays back on Viganella."
This is brilliant!! The villagers have had to live in the dark in winter because the mountains block the sun. Now the Italian village has been saved by some fantastic thinking, problem solving and technology. There is a computer driven mirroe on one of the bluffs which follows the sun's path. That is so clever and so cool!
Pilots plan to stop Qantas takeover.
Pilots plan to stop Qantas takeover. :"'It's a matter of real pride and it's also a matter of reputation and also a concern for the travelling public.'"
The pilots and the Prime Minister are a clear indication about where we polarise. The Prime Minister supports economic rationalism so who cares who spends what money as long as they make the decision and they are okay with that. Free enterprise. The pilots are about the pride we have in our national/international airline. Qantas has been our airline and our signature. Qantas owned by overseas interests would not be us. The pilots want us to have our own airline we can be proud of. Qantas has had to battle on a number of fronts and it has survived and revived and reinvented itself with a great deal of setermination and dignity. It's ready to relaunch itself again and it is desirable we would want to be proud of it as our airline, not that we would want Qantas to be any old airline. It really is a pity the Prime Minister cannot see the value in us having an airline which represents the way we do things, the way we treat people and becomes a successful airline we have promoted and encouraged to be the signature Austrlain airline. We won't keep our Qantas unless our nation gets behind it.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Generators save water supply in Noosa
Generators save water supply in Noosa :
"The power outage meant pumps shut down and fears were that the Noosa region would run out of water today.
But Energex spokesman Danny Donald said generators were now being used to power the plant and other critical infrastructure in the region."
This will make all the difference to the people battling the storm damage. Obviously they were ready with the generators but it seems like they actually had an emergency plan in place and that is fantastic. We need to get with the programme and have the team effort going. We are good at that and it's great to see it all fall together. Would have been awful for them not having water. The more we have our back up plans the better. Fantastic news and lets hear more about our best practice!! PPPPPP!!
"The power outage meant pumps shut down and fears were that the Noosa region would run out of water today.
But Energex spokesman Danny Donald said generators were now being used to power the plant and other critical infrastructure in the region."
This will make all the difference to the people battling the storm damage. Obviously they were ready with the generators but it seems like they actually had an emergency plan in place and that is fantastic. We need to get with the programme and have the team effort going. We are good at that and it's great to see it all fall together. Would have been awful for them not having water. The more we have our back up plans the better. Fantastic news and lets hear more about our best practice!! PPPPPP!!
Save the planet
Wartime values to save the planet:
"'It doesn't matter if it's a tiny bit or a big bit. It's a general attitude to life. We are putting in hazards for our grandchildren. Everything we do goes up and stays up for 100 years in terms of carbon dioxide. The more it does the hotter it will get.'"
I think Sir David Attenborough is right. I think we all need to work to reduce global warming. Every single person needs to do their bit. Some can do more than others. We do need to make it a moral drive. We do need to make it a matter of principle. We have become spoiled and wasteful and we have created damage. We need to pull our heads in and make the supreme effort and we need to get on everyone's case. It does need to be an attitude, a state of mind and a way of life. We made the mess, we need to clean it up and we need to ensure everyone does their bit, no excuses.
"'It doesn't matter if it's a tiny bit or a big bit. It's a general attitude to life. We are putting in hazards for our grandchildren. Everything we do goes up and stays up for 100 years in terms of carbon dioxide. The more it does the hotter it will get.'"
I think Sir David Attenborough is right. I think we all need to work to reduce global warming. Every single person needs to do their bit. Some can do more than others. We do need to make it a moral drive. We do need to make it a matter of principle. We have become spoiled and wasteful and we have created damage. We need to pull our heads in and make the supreme effort and we need to get on everyone's case. It does need to be an attitude, a state of mind and a way of life. We made the mess, we need to clean it up and we need to ensure everyone does their bit, no excuses.
Prince's girlfriend declinesChristmas invitation
Prince's girlfriend declines Xmas invite :
"Kate Middleton, 24, has said she will only join the royal family if she and the prince get married."
Well, there's a lady who knows how to position bargain. I'll only spend time with you and your folks if we get married. Is it me or is she anachronistic?? Hm...
"Kate Middleton, 24, has said she will only join the royal family if she and the prince get married."
Well, there's a lady who knows how to position bargain. I'll only spend time with you and your folks if we get married. Is it me or is she anachronistic?? Hm...
World to see 'closed' Adelaide
AdelaideNow... World to see 'closed' Adelaide:
"With thousands of visitors expected to converge on Adelaide for the Rugby Sevens tournament at Easter, the debate about Good Friday trading continues to simmer, with sharply divided views.
Business, tourism and major retailers are pushing for deregulation to allow them to cash in on the influx."
We cannot have international events with village thinking. Can't stage big tournaments with small talk. Good Friday is sacrosanct to the people who care about it. We do need to uphold our traditions and family values in a time when there is chaos and anything goes. Its the traditions and rituals which keep us grounded and stable. Small towns do close everything up for the days they hold sacred. Bigger cities are able to manage the events and the special days. In a way it is a chance to built a bigger and more important Good Friday, as they do elsewhere, because there are more people here. We have won this event and so we are obliged to be hospitable and treat incoming visitors with respect.I think it's a chance to make the religious aspect of Good Friday more public because it would become part of the overall ambiance. It would be an opportunity to bring it out in public because we shut everything in Adelaide and no one gets to hear about Good Friday and what it means. I think it's about using the opportunities to get through to people . I do not believe anyone should be required to work and I think all businesses need to look at the staffing issues and see what they can manage. At work we cater to people who have special religious days. We are notified and we work around it. It's living. It's adapting to circumstance. It should have been notified when Adelaide put in for the bid...or before then. Maybe we wouldn't have wanted the Rugby. Catering to visitors does not make the day less holy. I have lived in places where the holiness of any day is nice and obvious when you are there and it is small places which close everything for their special days. We need to decide...but before would have been better.
"With thousands of visitors expected to converge on Adelaide for the Rugby Sevens tournament at Easter, the debate about Good Friday trading continues to simmer, with sharply divided views.
Business, tourism and major retailers are pushing for deregulation to allow them to cash in on the influx."
We cannot have international events with village thinking. Can't stage big tournaments with small talk. Good Friday is sacrosanct to the people who care about it. We do need to uphold our traditions and family values in a time when there is chaos and anything goes. Its the traditions and rituals which keep us grounded and stable. Small towns do close everything up for the days they hold sacred. Bigger cities are able to manage the events and the special days. In a way it is a chance to built a bigger and more important Good Friday, as they do elsewhere, because there are more people here. We have won this event and so we are obliged to be hospitable and treat incoming visitors with respect.I think it's a chance to make the religious aspect of Good Friday more public because it would become part of the overall ambiance. It would be an opportunity to bring it out in public because we shut everything in Adelaide and no one gets to hear about Good Friday and what it means. I think it's about using the opportunities to get through to people . I do not believe anyone should be required to work and I think all businesses need to look at the staffing issues and see what they can manage. At work we cater to people who have special religious days. We are notified and we work around it. It's living. It's adapting to circumstance. It should have been notified when Adelaide put in for the bid...or before then. Maybe we wouldn't have wanted the Rugby. Catering to visitors does not make the day less holy. I have lived in places where the holiness of any day is nice and obvious when you are there and it is small places which close everything for their special days. We need to decide...but before would have been better.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Australia build big lead in Ashes
Australia build big lead in oppressive heat : "Mike Hussey and Clarke added 151 for the fourth wicket until Hussey fell in the final over before tea."
It's been a great match and Michael Clarke is really coming into his own in this Ashes series. He's grown and matured and worth his weight in gold. It was sad when Hussey got out, but, crikey, he has been incredibly impressive. I don't think anyone should be complaining really. It was just that he had shown such good form and had got the numbers up in the heat. Panesar is doing some good work and the English team are still very capable and working well together. I think they are an impressive side this lot. They need to keep there confidence and sense of how good they actually are.In the meantime...go Gillie!
Howard should face Iraq reality, says Rudd
Howard should face Iraq reality, says Rudd :
"'I think it is time Mr Howard faced the facts, this is not just an argument from the Labor party, it is an argument from the professionals in the defence field,'' Mr Rudd said."
Yes, face the reality that the strategy is: let everyone and anyone die. Every day. Day in. Day out. Just let it go on, just pour in money and troops...and just let lots of people die on a daily basis. Our people. Their people. Everyone's people. Just let it bleed. That's the strategy.
"'I think it is time Mr Howard faced the facts, this is not just an argument from the Labor party, it is an argument from the professionals in the defence field,'' Mr Rudd said."
Yes, face the reality that the strategy is: let everyone and anyone die. Every day. Day in. Day out. Just let it go on, just pour in money and troops...and just let lots of people die on a daily basis. Our people. Their people. Everyone's people. Just let it bleed. That's the strategy.
Water saving devices to be mandatory
Water saving devices to be mandatory :
"From January 1 next year, housing plans will need to meet water saving targets before they are granted building approval, Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser said today."
This is for South East Queensland but I should have thought it would make sense to have water saving and energy saving devicies in all new buildings now. It would look like we are dealing with the real issues if we did that. We also need to be coming up with the ideas for saving water and energy in towns and ciites. Some of the new ideas are already being implemented and are not hard to manage. We just need to move a big step forward so that we don't keep flushing how many swimming pools of water each down the toilet a year in each household? I heard 5!!! That's a lot of water and a lot of waste.
"From January 1 next year, housing plans will need to meet water saving targets before they are granted building approval, Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser said today."
This is for South East Queensland but I should have thought it would make sense to have water saving and energy saving devicies in all new buildings now. It would look like we are dealing with the real issues if we did that. We also need to be coming up with the ideas for saving water and energy in towns and ciites. Some of the new ideas are already being implemented and are not hard to manage. We just need to move a big step forward so that we don't keep flushing how many swimming pools of water each down the toilet a year in each household? I heard 5!!! That's a lot of water and a lot of waste.
Hicks to wait two years for his trial
AdelaideNow... Hicks to wait two years for his trial:
"David Hicks could be held at Guantanamo Bay for another two years before facing trial, his US lawyer said yesterday."
David Hicks has already been tried and found guilty by our government because they have not wanted him to come home and his case to be heard here as other governments have done for their Guantanamo Bay detainees. We obviously are incapable of dealing with it and so the man has been left to go insane and die without his case being heard fairly. Like the Baxter people. They are just driven mad because our government has no effective method of efficiently and humanely dealing with unknown quantities other than to jail and deport our own citizens and award prizes to people who probably ought not receive them. Clearly they have no idea, but if they say David Hicks is guilty and should stay there they are bloody minded enough to prove how right they can be. Death isn't something which bothers them. He doesn't belong to their family.
"David Hicks could be held at Guantanamo Bay for another two years before facing trial, his US lawyer said yesterday."
David Hicks has already been tried and found guilty by our government because they have not wanted him to come home and his case to be heard here as other governments have done for their Guantanamo Bay detainees. We obviously are incapable of dealing with it and so the man has been left to go insane and die without his case being heard fairly. Like the Baxter people. They are just driven mad because our government has no effective method of efficiently and humanely dealing with unknown quantities other than to jail and deport our own citizens and award prizes to people who probably ought not receive them. Clearly they have no idea, but if they say David Hicks is guilty and should stay there they are bloody minded enough to prove how right they can be. Death isn't something which bothers them. He doesn't belong to their family.
The Coolest Present
One of my friends at work has just given me the coolest present ever and half of Adelaide will be out now buying it! It caused such a sensation and I cannot wait to cause the coolest sensation on Christmas day. You put the wild hibiscus in a glass of bubbly and they open up in the drink. Hibiscus have been eaten by aborigines long before we used them as decorative garden plants. They have a slightly acidic taste and are good for the digestion...but this jar of Wild Hibiscus from the Bush Tucker Shop is going to be the ultimate cool sensation this Christmas!!! There's a great picture on the Bush Tucker site.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Webcam wonders
Spot the burglary:
"A Sao Paulo businessman in Cologne watched on the internet as a burglar robbed his house on the other side of the Atlantic. He called Sao Paulo police after getting a mobile phone alert from his security system. The burglar was caught red handed."
This is brilliant use of technology. Like the Dad who caught the peeping Tom at his daughter's window with a webcam, having that kind of video surveillance and then the mobile and internet technology is a great way to look after yourself and your life. This way you are in control and those who feel entitled to what you have are put in their place. The balance is restored. Fantastic news!
"A Sao Paulo businessman in Cologne watched on the internet as a burglar robbed his house on the other side of the Atlantic. He called Sao Paulo police after getting a mobile phone alert from his security system. The burglar was caught red handed."
This is brilliant use of technology. Like the Dad who caught the peeping Tom at his daughter's window with a webcam, having that kind of video surveillance and then the mobile and internet technology is a great way to look after yourself and your life. This way you are in control and those who feel entitled to what you have are put in their place. The balance is restored. Fantastic news!
Drivers say train rage increasing
Drivers say train rage increasing :
"■ A driver was punched in the head at Melbourne Central station.
■ A passenger entered the driver's cab and threw a dirty nappy in his face at Balaclava station.
■ A group of teenagers refused to get off a train that terminated at Hurstbridge and tried to bribe the driver with an offer of $50 to take them back to Eltham."
When I was on the plane to Sydney earlier this year , the couple I sat with said this kind of thing was happening in Sydney too. If people are behaving badly then it's a sign we have lost social control. So again, where are the parents? It's about how people are brought up and increasingly we think we can do as we please and behaving badly is an indicator of no social system. We've lost it. We can practice our f offs, as Billy Connolly would recommend, but I think we need to put people on the trains who will restore some good manners and respect. We won't have either public transport or tourists if this keeps up. Who do they think they are? We had a bus load of screeching 6 year olds the teacher couldn't control last week. There were some other students from another school who were totally socialised. I think we have to refuse to put up will ill bred children. Indulging them lets them carry on that way. So, where are the parents? At the moment we all seem to be discussing why some parents are not looking after their children and they are the minority but they are having a massive impact on the rest of us...and are allowed to. Why?
"■ A driver was punched in the head at Melbourne Central station.
■ A passenger entered the driver's cab and threw a dirty nappy in his face at Balaclava station.
■ A group of teenagers refused to get off a train that terminated at Hurstbridge and tried to bribe the driver with an offer of $50 to take them back to Eltham."
When I was on the plane to Sydney earlier this year , the couple I sat with said this kind of thing was happening in Sydney too. If people are behaving badly then it's a sign we have lost social control. So again, where are the parents? It's about how people are brought up and increasingly we think we can do as we please and behaving badly is an indicator of no social system. We've lost it. We can practice our f offs, as Billy Connolly would recommend, but I think we need to put people on the trains who will restore some good manners and respect. We won't have either public transport or tourists if this keeps up. Who do they think they are? We had a bus load of screeching 6 year olds the teacher couldn't control last week. There were some other students from another school who were totally socialised. I think we have to refuse to put up will ill bred children. Indulging them lets them carry on that way. So, where are the parents? At the moment we all seem to be discussing why some parents are not looking after their children and they are the minority but they are having a massive impact on the rest of us...and are allowed to. Why?
New cancer drug could save thousands
New cancer drug could save thousands :
"'The way it works is it interferes with new blood vessels growing into tumours and it also prevents the tumours from spreading by inhibiting an enzyme they need to spread with,' Prof Parish said."
Professor Parish has been working on this new drug for 20 years and clearly he is a man who will offer something remarkable to humanity. If this drug passes the clinical trials it will create a major breakthough and help those with cancer to live longer. As long as they live then there are hopes for newer and better drugs. We have to get rid of this scourge. If Heparanase slows the growth of cancer then more people will survive with a quality of life for longer and combined with other treatments it may well give them a normal life span. It's what we should aim for and the research needs to be supported.
"'The way it works is it interferes with new blood vessels growing into tumours and it also prevents the tumours from spreading by inhibiting an enzyme they need to spread with,' Prof Parish said."
Professor Parish has been working on this new drug for 20 years and clearly he is a man who will offer something remarkable to humanity. If this drug passes the clinical trials it will create a major breakthough and help those with cancer to live longer. As long as they live then there are hopes for newer and better drugs. We have to get rid of this scourge. If Heparanase slows the growth of cancer then more people will survive with a quality of life for longer and combined with other treatments it may well give them a normal life span. It's what we should aim for and the research needs to be supported.
Drinking effluent a 'mental thing'
Drinking effluent a 'mental thing' :
"Coming to terms drinking what was once effluent was a big mental barrier, but Michael from Preston said it could be overcome."
Yep, you're right. Drinking effluent is mental. Really mental. We are being railroaded into it and what we want is irrelevant. The powers that be rejoice is forcing us to be mental. They actually see that as leadership.
"Coming to terms drinking what was once effluent was a big mental barrier, but Michael from Preston said it could be overcome."
Yep, you're right. Drinking effluent is mental. Really mental. We are being railroaded into it and what we want is irrelevant. The powers that be rejoice is forcing us to be mental. They actually see that as leadership.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Been there, done that
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped ( you are joking!!!)
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights...erm...erm...hmmm...
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight ( how uncivilised!!)
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse of the moon.
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states ( I have been in a lot of states...50 of them? Not sure)
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds ...5 stone ages ago...is that 100lbs..we're metric and I can't remember
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states...how many countries has the US visited???
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
Bit of a long-haul meme but a voyage of discovery. I thank PP , Slightly Mad, for yet another challenge...I double dare her to do it...and anyone else. I have put the things I have done in BOLD. (because I am for doing this meme!)
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped ( you are joking!!!)
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights...erm...erm...hmmm...
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight ( how uncivilised!!)
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse of the moon.
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states ( I have been in a lot of states...50 of them? Not sure)
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds ...5 stone ages ago...is that 100lbs..we're metric and I can't remember
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states...how many countries has the US visited???
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
Bit of a long-haul meme but a voyage of discovery. I thank PP , Slightly Mad, for yet another challenge...I double dare her to do it...and anyone else. I have put the things I have done in BOLD. (because I am for doing this meme!)
Australian scientist was 'poisoned' at South Pole
AdelaideNow... Australian scientist was 'poisoned' at South Pole:
"Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald, who headed the police investigation into Marks's death, yesterday told the inquest it was possible that the highly regarded scientist had been poisoned. 'In my view it is most likely Dr Marks ingested the methanol unknowingly,' he told the coroner."
I do not actually like to comment on police investigations or court procedings for obvious reasons. The law has a job to do and can do it more competently without me. This case is very odd, though, and like an Agatha Christie novel. I hope they get to the bottom of it because the man who died was very talented and capable ...but he was also someone's family. He belongs to other people and it is a good thing if the records can be set straight because we have lost someone clever but his family and firends have lost flesh and blood. It needs to be put right.
"Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald, who headed the police investigation into Marks's death, yesterday told the inquest it was possible that the highly regarded scientist had been poisoned. 'In my view it is most likely Dr Marks ingested the methanol unknowingly,' he told the coroner."
I do not actually like to comment on police investigations or court procedings for obvious reasons. The law has a job to do and can do it more competently without me. This case is very odd, though, and like an Agatha Christie novel. I hope they get to the bottom of it because the man who died was very talented and capable ...but he was also someone's family. He belongs to other people and it is a good thing if the records can be set straight because we have lost someone clever but his family and firends have lost flesh and blood. It needs to be put right.
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