Monday, February 28, 2005
Total cop out!
Three strikes and you're out they say, so I hope I don't lose all my readers with this third cop-out in a week to writing a proper blog post. I ran out of time reading other people's blogs tonight so I'll just post you my results from the: Which movie genre are you quiz = seems I'm Romantic Fiction - what are you?
Saturday, February 26, 2005
First the meme, now the Anime
You have a twisted soul. You change your
directions and mind easily. Your beauty is you
over powering feature. But many enemies are
surprised by your beauty and your great power
to control wind
Gem Stone: Amethist, Eye
Color:Grey Blue,Hair Color:Grey that
goes to your shoulder Blades
Quote:And if the cloud bursts, thunder
in your earYou shout and no one seems to hear.And if the band you're in starts playing different
tunesI'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
Find your hidden power!
Friday, February 25, 2005
It's a dog's life!
In this true story the names of the dogs have been changed to protect their identity. I hope my friend doesn't mind me recounting it, but it gave me such a good laugh, I had to share it.
My friend rang me today from a distant city. She was feeling down, away from family and friends and she'd been laid low by a virus for a week.
We chatted for a short time and I felt she needed some direction, something to bring her out of herself, so I suggested: "seeing it's a nice day, why don't you take the dogs for a walk down to the river, sit under a tree for a while and get some fresh air. Maybe that would make you feel better. " Seemed an innocuous enough suggestion. A short stroll in the sunshine followed by a sit under a tree.
Later today I received an email from her that went something like this:
Hi
I thought I would let you know how my walk went. As suggested, went for the walk, took a magazine, bottle of water, towel to sit on and dogs down to the river. It it was lovely. I sat in the shade and the dogs ran about and I threw rocks and branches in the water for them to fetch. You throw rocks so they see the splash, they go in after it, grab a stick that's already in the water and bring it back, or you follow the rock with a stick to make them swim a bit further.
That was all nice and peaceful for an hour, then the dogs were getting a bit bored so I decided to head back home. On the way back we stopped at another dog swimming spot. I threw a rock in for Snapper who swims out and grabs a tree branch that's sticking out of the water. It is massive, and stuck in the mud to the bottom, so he has no chance of dragging it in. But of course he tries, and swims around in circles with this thing. I tire of this and tell him to drop it we're going, but he just keeps on. So I walk off thinking he will definitely come now; but no.
So I go back, and his head is nearly below the water now but he just won't come. Flipper gets a bit worried and runs down to the bank. He's running back and forth and I realize I'm going to have to jump in to save Snapper!
With a quick thought to take everything out of my pockets and decide whether I should get my gear off first (cursing that I didn't wear my matching underwear that could pass for swimmers), I jump in and find his teeth have stuck into the soft wood and he can't disconnect himself from the log. I pull him free and we swim to shore.
I felt really bad. That must have been why he was swimming in circles with the bloody thing - because I was yelling at him to get out, and he couldn't! Anyway I was glad I'd brought the towel so I could dry off a bit and not look so much like a drowned rat on the walk home - up the hill!
........................................................................................................................................................
Well, I guess it will have been kill or cure! Either my friend will have benefitted from the excursion in the sun or will now have pneumonia from getting soaked and stressed! Either way, it was a very funny story and added quite some enjoyment to my day.
My friend rang me today from a distant city. She was feeling down, away from family and friends and she'd been laid low by a virus for a week.
We chatted for a short time and I felt she needed some direction, something to bring her out of herself, so I suggested: "seeing it's a nice day, why don't you take the dogs for a walk down to the river, sit under a tree for a while and get some fresh air. Maybe that would make you feel better. " Seemed an innocuous enough suggestion. A short stroll in the sunshine followed by a sit under a tree.
Later today I received an email from her that went something like this:
Hi
I thought I would let you know how my walk went. As suggested, went for the walk, took a magazine, bottle of water, towel to sit on and dogs down to the river. It it was lovely. I sat in the shade and the dogs ran about and I threw rocks and branches in the water for them to fetch. You throw rocks so they see the splash, they go in after it, grab a stick that's already in the water and bring it back, or you follow the rock with a stick to make them swim a bit further.
That was all nice and peaceful for an hour, then the dogs were getting a bit bored so I decided to head back home. On the way back we stopped at another dog swimming spot. I threw a rock in for Snapper who swims out and grabs a tree branch that's sticking out of the water. It is massive, and stuck in the mud to the bottom, so he has no chance of dragging it in. But of course he tries, and swims around in circles with this thing. I tire of this and tell him to drop it we're going, but he just keeps on. So I walk off thinking he will definitely come now; but no.
So I go back, and his head is nearly below the water now but he just won't come. Flipper gets a bit worried and runs down to the bank. He's running back and forth and I realize I'm going to have to jump in to save Snapper!
With a quick thought to take everything out of my pockets and decide whether I should get my gear off first (cursing that I didn't wear my matching underwear that could pass for swimmers), I jump in and find his teeth have stuck into the soft wood and he can't disconnect himself from the log. I pull him free and we swim to shore.
I felt really bad. That must have been why he was swimming in circles with the bloody thing - because I was yelling at him to get out, and he couldn't! Anyway I was glad I'd brought the towel so I could dry off a bit and not look so much like a drowned rat on the walk home - up the hill!
........................................................................................................................................................
Well, I guess it will have been kill or cure! Either my friend will have benefitted from the excursion in the sun or will now have pneumonia from getting soaked and stressed! Either way, it was a very funny story and added quite some enjoyment to my day.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Please leave a message!
No, not on the blog (although that would be nice too), I going to have a whinge here about people who ring you and don't leave a message. I mean that's why we have answering machines and message services right?
Tonight I had two calls on my home phone- which tends to ring just 5 times before it goes to answerphone . Consequently, depending on where I am in the house at the time, I don't always make it before the anwering machine picks up. If someone leaves a message, I usually get there in time to pick up. Tonight I got into the room in time to hear one word - it sounded like mum, the voice sounded deep, I thought it was one of my sons. I picked up the phone and the caller had hung up, the message machine hadn't kicked in to record the word, so there I was with an answered call, so I couldn't get the message from the unanswered calls facility, but unrecorded on the answering machine.
The voice sounded unhappy I thought, so I tried ringing my son.
No answer from his mobile - yes I did leave a message! Then I thought maybe the word wasn't 'mum', maybe it was 'bum' or even 'hello' - it really wasn't very clear. So then I texted the friend I thought it might have been - didn't want to ring her because I was still hoping if it was my son and he needed to talk to me he might ring back. Didn't get a text message back from either of them and didn't get any more phone calls either.
I'm not usually so neurotic about missed calls just had a bad feeling about this one - but hey, how hard is it to say who you are so I can ring back - a short call such as that wouldn't cost much at all and it would save me worry - or just say who you are and hold the line for a minute to give me time to get there -ok?
........................................................................
Had 4 hours to fill in today while my car was serviced and no other alternative really than to hit the shops. But I was good, I bought nothing I didn't almost need. One thing I do not need is clothes but I did pick up a great little cool summer shift dress for $5 in a throw-out bin. Now that' s the kind of bargain no woman could pass up. Spent an hour chatting to some guy I met in Woolies - he was really interesting - then came home and watched Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in "Something's Gotta Give" which gave me some great laughs but I'm not sure anyone under 50 would relate to it - if you are in the right age group, particularly if you're female, I recommend it highly.
Tonight I had two calls on my home phone- which tends to ring just 5 times before it goes to answerphone . Consequently, depending on where I am in the house at the time, I don't always make it before the anwering machine picks up. If someone leaves a message, I usually get there in time to pick up. Tonight I got into the room in time to hear one word - it sounded like mum, the voice sounded deep, I thought it was one of my sons. I picked up the phone and the caller had hung up, the message machine hadn't kicked in to record the word, so there I was with an answered call, so I couldn't get the message from the unanswered calls facility, but unrecorded on the answering machine.
The voice sounded unhappy I thought, so I tried ringing my son.
No answer from his mobile - yes I did leave a message! Then I thought maybe the word wasn't 'mum', maybe it was 'bum' or even 'hello' - it really wasn't very clear. So then I texted the friend I thought it might have been - didn't want to ring her because I was still hoping if it was my son and he needed to talk to me he might ring back. Didn't get a text message back from either of them and didn't get any more phone calls either.
I'm not usually so neurotic about missed calls just had a bad feeling about this one - but hey, how hard is it to say who you are so I can ring back - a short call such as that wouldn't cost much at all and it would save me worry - or just say who you are and hold the line for a minute to give me time to get there -ok?
........................................................................
Had 4 hours to fill in today while my car was serviced and no other alternative really than to hit the shops. But I was good, I bought nothing I didn't almost need. One thing I do not need is clothes but I did pick up a great little cool summer shift dress for $5 in a throw-out bin. Now that' s the kind of bargain no woman could pass up. Spent an hour chatting to some guy I met in Woolies - he was really interesting - then came home and watched Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in "Something's Gotta Give" which gave me some great laughs but I'm not sure anyone under 50 would relate to it - if you are in the right age group, particularly if you're female, I recommend it highly.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Tech's meme
What is a meme anyway? Tonight I've paddled a dragon boat for an hour, talked to a friend, answered a couple of emails, forwarded a couple of jokes, had leftovers for dinner, drunk 3 glasses of white wine, assisted some neighbours with a loan and wondered where the hell my photos have disappeared to off my blog - I thought flickR was working but they've disappeared- and written a song of love and loss. Now, for lack of anything better to write about, I'm answering Tech's challenge with my version of the meme. Here goes.
50 Favorite Things
1. My favorite color: Yellow, red and purple
2. My favorite TV show: As Time Goes By and ER
3.My favorite movie: Pretty Woman and The Hours
4. My favorite drink: Wine,Tea and fresh brewed coffee
5. My favorite cookie: Macadamia shortbread.
6. My favorite candy bar: Snickers (me too!)
7. My favorite potato chip: Sour cream and chives Flavored Pringles.
8. My favorite hamburger: Hungry Jack's with smokey bacon and cheese
9. My favorite vehicle: That Chrysler that looks like a gangster car
10. My favorite author: I reckon Steven King is one of the most under-rated writers ever but I don't really have a favourite.
11. My favorite song: Folk music, classical and pop between 60s and 80s.
12. My favorite singing group: From the past Simon and Garfunkle (does that count as a group?)The Pointer Sisters and today The Waifs
13. My favorite food: Seafood (specially prawns), lots of vegetables and I can't live without a good steak occasionally
14. My favorite pet: My old dog Daisy followed by my old cat Kimba but generally I prefer cats
15. My favorite musical: Oh yeah, Man of La Mancha would be up there for me too. I kind of identify with 'destiny calls and I go' but I also loved Les Miserables and am old enough to remember how innovative Hair was in its day and Jesus Christ Superstar as well, not forgetting Fiddler on the Roof (I'm a musical fan from way back).
16. My favorite male movie star: That guy from Silence of the Lambs and Remains of the day is my absolute favourite and I can't think of his name at the moment to save my life. Robert Redford gets my heart throb vote.
17. My favorite female movie star: Meryl Streep (agreed) but I'd have to go for Dame Judy Dench with Julia Roberts a close second.
18. My favorite male TV star: The guy from As Time Goes By whose name also escapes me.
19. My favorite female TV star: Dame Judy Dench again
20. My favorite clothes: Anything soft and drapey and preferably silk.
21. My favorite computer: Anything that works
My favorite internet service: I like the no frills kind. I hate AOL because it's so pictorial and icon-driven
23. My favorite kiss: One that makes you feel you are loved
24. My favorite web site: Whichever answers my current question
My favorite religion: Christianity is the only one I know much about but Buddhism from what I know of it has a lot that appeals.
My favorite religious flavor: My father was Roman Catholic, my mother Presbyterian, I was brought up Presbyterian, dabbled in the Methodists, Church of England and Salvation Army before giving it all up in favour of my own personal communion with my God.
27. My favorite hobby: Writing and reading (yep - me too!) but add drawing and yoga.
28. My favorite wild land animal: How could one choose between a dingo and a giraffe, a tortoise and an elephant, a quoll and a big cat, they are all magnificent but if I had to choose one it would be my star sign, the lion, king of the jungle.
29. My favorite wild sea animal: Dolphins
30. My favorite political party: Anything slightly left of centre and green.
31. My favorite Congressman: Don't like any of them. I mistrust anyone who wants to hold a political office ( hear hear!).
32. My favorite president: I kinda liked Bill Clinton and of course JFK - maybe I have a fatal attraction for flawed characters. I dreamed last night of Bob Hawke, Australia's most larrikan Prime Minister and I think he was my favourite as well.
33. My favorite national park: Karijini in the north of Western Australia - fabulous deep sandstone gorges cut into desert.
34. My favorite national monument: Well icons rather than monuments, they'd be Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Monuments don't grab me all that much.
35. My favorite vacation spot: Tech says:"The beach. I haven't seen the ocean, but I want to." Oh Tech, that is so sad, the beach is the absolute best. I always go to the beach if I can. Make it a priority.
36. My favorite exercise: I'm not an exercise fan either. Dragon boating is the first aerobic exercise apart from walking I've taken since the 70s and it's enjoyable. But I do love yoga.
37. My favorite sleeping position: On my side or face down.
38. My favorite time of day: 6 o'clock drinks hour
39. My favorite sexual position: Hey, my friends and family might read this!
40. My favorite pickup line: I can think of a few but I've never used them!
41. My favorite charity: Whichever one comes around collecting.
42. My favorite blogger: Good answer Tech, I too have my favourites listed.
43. My favorite newspaper: I glance through the Northern Territory News each day but mainly because of work. Subscribe to Google News Alerts for anything I really want to know about in greater depth.
44. My favorite cartoon: Ginger Meggs - Australia's most famous cartoon hero and The Phantom.
45. My favorite superhero: Superman.
46. My favorite person: There's no way to answer this and remain on good terms with all my family. Let's just say my family.
47. My favorite plant: Anything with white flowers and perfume eg frangipani, gardenias, mock orange.
48. My favorite Star Fleet Captain: Kirk, of course (Is there another?)
49. My favorite blond(e): I generally prefer brunettes (female) but Robert Redford answers the bill.
50. My favorite saying: Heard a good one the other day "going through it with tooth and comb" which seems to be a combination of "fine tooth comb" and "tooth and claw"!
What did I learn about myself from this? Just that I can never choose just one thing.
50 Favorite Things
1. My favorite color: Yellow, red and purple
2. My favorite TV show: As Time Goes By and ER
3.My favorite movie: Pretty Woman and The Hours
4. My favorite drink: Wine,Tea and fresh brewed coffee
5. My favorite cookie: Macadamia shortbread.
6. My favorite candy bar: Snickers (me too!)
7. My favorite potato chip: Sour cream and chives Flavored Pringles.
8. My favorite hamburger: Hungry Jack's with smokey bacon and cheese
9. My favorite vehicle: That Chrysler that looks like a gangster car
10. My favorite author: I reckon Steven King is one of the most under-rated writers ever but I don't really have a favourite.
11. My favorite song: Folk music, classical and pop between 60s and 80s.
12. My favorite singing group: From the past Simon and Garfunkle (does that count as a group?)The Pointer Sisters and today The Waifs
13. My favorite food: Seafood (specially prawns), lots of vegetables and I can't live without a good steak occasionally
14. My favorite pet: My old dog Daisy followed by my old cat Kimba but generally I prefer cats
15. My favorite musical: Oh yeah, Man of La Mancha would be up there for me too. I kind of identify with 'destiny calls and I go' but I also loved Les Miserables and am old enough to remember how innovative Hair was in its day and Jesus Christ Superstar as well, not forgetting Fiddler on the Roof (I'm a musical fan from way back).
16. My favorite male movie star: That guy from Silence of the Lambs and Remains of the day is my absolute favourite and I can't think of his name at the moment to save my life. Robert Redford gets my heart throb vote.
17. My favorite female movie star: Meryl Streep (agreed) but I'd have to go for Dame Judy Dench with Julia Roberts a close second.
18. My favorite male TV star: The guy from As Time Goes By whose name also escapes me.
19. My favorite female TV star: Dame Judy Dench again
20. My favorite clothes: Anything soft and drapey and preferably silk.
21. My favorite computer: Anything that works
My favorite internet service: I like the no frills kind. I hate AOL because it's so pictorial and icon-driven
23. My favorite kiss: One that makes you feel you are loved
24. My favorite web site: Whichever answers my current question
My favorite religion: Christianity is the only one I know much about but Buddhism from what I know of it has a lot that appeals.
My favorite religious flavor: My father was Roman Catholic, my mother Presbyterian, I was brought up Presbyterian, dabbled in the Methodists, Church of England and Salvation Army before giving it all up in favour of my own personal communion with my God.
27. My favorite hobby: Writing and reading (yep - me too!) but add drawing and yoga.
28. My favorite wild land animal: How could one choose between a dingo and a giraffe, a tortoise and an elephant, a quoll and a big cat, they are all magnificent but if I had to choose one it would be my star sign, the lion, king of the jungle.
29. My favorite wild sea animal: Dolphins
30. My favorite political party: Anything slightly left of centre and green.
31. My favorite Congressman: Don't like any of them. I mistrust anyone who wants to hold a political office ( hear hear!).
32. My favorite president: I kinda liked Bill Clinton and of course JFK - maybe I have a fatal attraction for flawed characters. I dreamed last night of Bob Hawke, Australia's most larrikan Prime Minister and I think he was my favourite as well.
33. My favorite national park: Karijini in the north of Western Australia - fabulous deep sandstone gorges cut into desert.
34. My favorite national monument: Well icons rather than monuments, they'd be Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Monuments don't grab me all that much.
35. My favorite vacation spot: Tech says:"The beach. I haven't seen the ocean, but I want to." Oh Tech, that is so sad, the beach is the absolute best. I always go to the beach if I can. Make it a priority.
36. My favorite exercise: I'm not an exercise fan either. Dragon boating is the first aerobic exercise apart from walking I've taken since the 70s and it's enjoyable. But I do love yoga.
37. My favorite sleeping position: On my side or face down.
38. My favorite time of day: 6 o'clock drinks hour
39. My favorite sexual position: Hey, my friends and family might read this!
40. My favorite pickup line: I can think of a few but I've never used them!
41. My favorite charity: Whichever one comes around collecting.
42. My favorite blogger: Good answer Tech, I too have my favourites listed.
43. My favorite newspaper: I glance through the Northern Territory News each day but mainly because of work. Subscribe to Google News Alerts for anything I really want to know about in greater depth.
44. My favorite cartoon: Ginger Meggs - Australia's most famous cartoon hero and The Phantom.
45. My favorite superhero: Superman.
46. My favorite person: There's no way to answer this and remain on good terms with all my family. Let's just say my family.
47. My favorite plant: Anything with white flowers and perfume eg frangipani, gardenias, mock orange.
48. My favorite Star Fleet Captain: Kirk, of course (Is there another?)
49. My favorite blond(e): I generally prefer brunettes (female) but Robert Redford answers the bill.
50. My favorite saying: Heard a good one the other day "going through it with tooth and comb" which seems to be a combination of "fine tooth comb" and "tooth and claw"!
What did I learn about myself from this? Just that I can never choose just one thing.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Love songs
Even though I'm a blogger, I'm not really a keen internet user, it's all just a bit too big, a bit too much information, and I often find myself lost. However, looking for the words to Daisy a Day (below) started me thinking about other love songs I've loved and I went looking for them as well. You know how it is when you can remember a line or two or a snatch of music and wish you could find all the words? So here's a list of songs of my life - maybe some of them are songs of your life too. I found the lyrics to all of them and a couple had the music as well.
"I'm so Excited" and "Slow Hand" -both sung by The Pointer Sisters
"Could I have this Dance" - Hear the music here and the lyrics are on COWPIE Song - sung by Anne Murray
"I know him so well" -from the musical Chess- sung here
"Tonight I celebrate my love for you" - Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson
"The first time ever I saw your face" and "Killing me softly" - two more from Roberta
I might add to this list from time to time now I've got started - already I'm thinking - "Love lifts us up where we belong", "The Rose", and the one that makes my more sophisticated friends groan "Wind beneath my Wings".
DVD REVIEW: Looking for a gentle, girlie movie? Girl with a Pearl Earring fits the bill. A slow sensuous and understated emotional journey - filmed in painterly colours and scene construction as befits its subject - the painter Vermeer
Goodnight. May love's shadow whisper a kiss on your cheek tonight and your favourite love song become the soundtrack to your dreams.
"I'm so Excited" and "Slow Hand" -both sung by The Pointer Sisters
"Could I have this Dance" - Hear the music here and the lyrics are on COWPIE Song - sung by Anne Murray
"I know him so well" -from the musical Chess- sung here
"Tonight I celebrate my love for you" - Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson
"The first time ever I saw your face" and "Killing me softly" - two more from Roberta
I might add to this list from time to time now I've got started - already I'm thinking - "Love lifts us up where we belong", "The Rose", and the one that makes my more sophisticated friends groan "Wind beneath my Wings".
DVD REVIEW: Looking for a gentle, girlie movie? Girl with a Pearl Earring fits the bill. A slow sensuous and understated emotional journey - filmed in painterly colours and scene construction as befits its subject - the painter Vermeer
Goodnight. May love's shadow whisper a kiss on your cheek tonight and your favourite love song become the soundtrack to your dreams.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Daisy a Day
For my faithful readers and commenters, Daisy and Tech, here's where you'll not only find all the words to "Daisy a Day" but can even hear it - aint the internet just wonderful. I'd forgotten some of the words and I have to say they might be corny, but they sure are romantic - they'd go perfectly with "The Notebook".
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Notes
Great movie girls!
It's the most romantic, loveliest, saddest movie I've ever seen. Have you seen The Notebook? Daisy -this is specially for you, if you haven't seen it, just rush right on out and hire the DVD, but have the tissues handy - I was sobbing!
Get fitter
As part of my get-fitter campaign, I'm thinking of buying a pedometer. A guy at work has one and I was having a look at it yesterday. I read somewhere that we should walk 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy. That's quite a lot of steps but I think it would be beneficial to know how many you have walked in a day to inspire greater effort.
Money to burn
I paid $40 today for a repairman to come and fix my dishwasher. As well as staying in all morning waiting for him, I felt a complete idiot and it was a total waste of money. He turned on the powerpoint, pressed all the buttons and everything was working perfectly. Reckons he's never heard any other customer complain of the same problem. Three days ago, a loud electronic alarm was going off in my kitchen and driving me crazy. It took me quite a while to work out where it was coming from which I did by a process of elimination. The dishwasher was my last option because I wasn't even using it at the time; it was just switched on at the powerpoint. After quieting the alarm, I switched it on again (alarm again) off again then on again. No alarm this time but when I tried to re-program it, it started to fill, then stopped completely and I was getting no reaction at all from the buttons. So I turned it off again at the powerpoint and waited three days for the repairman. His only possible explanation was that a cockroach or gecko might have got into the panel where the control board lives and short-circuited something and now that it had 'dried out' everything was working again.! At least he only charged me half the agreed callout fee - but I could tell he thought I was a froot loop!
I'm Yellow
Not as in a coward - though it's true I'm not overly brave- but in the Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument. We got a free personality profile as part of a course I did this week. Seems I'm right brain dominant which will not come as any surprise to those who know me, even going back as far as my high school maths master who begged me to take art instead of maths in my senior years! I spent two days being singled out for my remarkably 'high yellow' score and being made fun of for my total lack of a blue score. Yellow denotes conceptualising, synthesising, imagination, holistic and artistic way of thinking while blue denotes problem-solving, mathematical, technical, analytic and logical thinking. My other high score was in the red zone - emotional, interpersonal, spiritual, talker zone. I scraped a pass in the green zone - planning, controlled, conservative, administrative and organisational - about to the standard of making shopping lists and putting the groceries away as soon as I bring them home -but if you'd seen the characters that scored well in this zone you'd be amazed. They basically think in to do lists! Anyway it was all a bit of fun and a change from the normal work routine for a couple of days.
Frogger My pet green tree frog has returned to visit me each night and he is so bold now he just jumps right up and sits next to my chair.
Daisies
Finally, I was thinking about my blogger friend who goes by the name of Daisy and that made me think, what is it with me and Daisies? One of my favourite books ever was 'Princess Daisy', I had a dog called Daisy, we carried posies of them at my best friend's wedding and I wonder how many others of you remember and loved this song whose chorus went:
I'll bring you a daisy a day dear,
I'll bring you a daisy a day,
I'll love you until,
the rivers run still,
and the four winds we know blow away.
It's the most romantic, loveliest, saddest movie I've ever seen. Have you seen The Notebook? Daisy -this is specially for you, if you haven't seen it, just rush right on out and hire the DVD, but have the tissues handy - I was sobbing!
Get fitter
As part of my get-fitter campaign, I'm thinking of buying a pedometer. A guy at work has one and I was having a look at it yesterday. I read somewhere that we should walk 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy. That's quite a lot of steps but I think it would be beneficial to know how many you have walked in a day to inspire greater effort.
Money to burn
I paid $40 today for a repairman to come and fix my dishwasher. As well as staying in all morning waiting for him, I felt a complete idiot and it was a total waste of money. He turned on the powerpoint, pressed all the buttons and everything was working perfectly. Reckons he's never heard any other customer complain of the same problem. Three days ago, a loud electronic alarm was going off in my kitchen and driving me crazy. It took me quite a while to work out where it was coming from which I did by a process of elimination. The dishwasher was my last option because I wasn't even using it at the time; it was just switched on at the powerpoint. After quieting the alarm, I switched it on again (alarm again) off again then on again. No alarm this time but when I tried to re-program it, it started to fill, then stopped completely and I was getting no reaction at all from the buttons. So I turned it off again at the powerpoint and waited three days for the repairman. His only possible explanation was that a cockroach or gecko might have got into the panel where the control board lives and short-circuited something and now that it had 'dried out' everything was working again.! At least he only charged me half the agreed callout fee - but I could tell he thought I was a froot loop!
I'm Yellow
Not as in a coward - though it's true I'm not overly brave- but in the Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument. We got a free personality profile as part of a course I did this week. Seems I'm right brain dominant which will not come as any surprise to those who know me, even going back as far as my high school maths master who begged me to take art instead of maths in my senior years! I spent two days being singled out for my remarkably 'high yellow' score and being made fun of for my total lack of a blue score. Yellow denotes conceptualising, synthesising, imagination, holistic and artistic way of thinking while blue denotes problem-solving, mathematical, technical, analytic and logical thinking. My other high score was in the red zone - emotional, interpersonal, spiritual, talker zone. I scraped a pass in the green zone - planning, controlled, conservative, administrative and organisational - about to the standard of making shopping lists and putting the groceries away as soon as I bring them home -but if you'd seen the characters that scored well in this zone you'd be amazed. They basically think in to do lists! Anyway it was all a bit of fun and a change from the normal work routine for a couple of days.
Frogger My pet green tree frog has returned to visit me each night and he is so bold now he just jumps right up and sits next to my chair.
Daisies
Finally, I was thinking about my blogger friend who goes by the name of Daisy and that made me think, what is it with me and Daisies? One of my favourite books ever was 'Princess Daisy', I had a dog called Daisy, we carried posies of them at my best friend's wedding and I wonder how many others of you remember and loved this song whose chorus went:
I'll bring you a daisy a day dear,
I'll bring you a daisy a day,
I'll love you until,
the rivers run still,
and the four winds we know blow away.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Lurve!
Why is it that love in all its guises seems to be so much more important to females than to males? OK, that is a generalisation and there are exceptions to every rule and it's really naughty of me to make such a generalisation based along gender lines and all that other PC claptrap but hey, it's true! This was brought home to me on last night's evening stroll when I heard the following snatches of conversation:
1. Group of 5 x 20 somethings - all female - "Yes - he's SINGLE!" - This one was still holding forth to the group half an hour later when I passed them going the other way; and guess what? The topic was still the same!
2. 2x 30 something women - "So what did he say?"
3. "Does she know?" (what he's doing?)
4. "She believes what he tells her and she won't listen to anyone."
5. " We had a great time - he seems to like me - I think he's genuine."
How do I know they were all talking about their own or someone else's love object? Well; body language, expression, the avidity with which their listeners were hanging onto every word? All of the above, but if you like, just call it woman's intuition. They were all totally consumed by and caught up in the subject of L U R V E.
Women do this, often to the detriment of other more important aspects of our lives.
Witness: Who buys and reads all the romance novels? "Who watches the period costume dramas on TV such as Wuthering Heights or the 6 wives of Henry VIII. Who buys all those magazines with Princess Diana on the cover (even 10 years after her death). Who still cares whether JFK really loved Jacqui or was on with Marilyn Monroe or how Hillary feels about Bill's betrayal with Monica? Equal numbers of men and women you say? Get outta here!!!
Do guys do the same thing - generally? No, they don't. If you hear a couple or a group of men talking, you can bet your Nellie they are not talking about what 'she' thinks or feels or does. No, what they are talking about is work or sport - sometimes travel, sometimes telling off colour jokes with some sexual innuendo, but never, never, LURVE.
They save that talk for us ladies. No matter how much he LURVES you, he's only going to say it to you; he's only going to think about it when he's with you and if it's ever a contest between spending the day at the cricket with his mates, or putting in those extra yards for the boss or talking to you, then don't hold your breath. He doesn't even know there's a contest!
1. Group of 5 x 20 somethings - all female - "Yes - he's SINGLE!" - This one was still holding forth to the group half an hour later when I passed them going the other way; and guess what? The topic was still the same!
2. 2x 30 something women - "So what did he say?"
3. "Does she know?" (what he's doing?)
4. "She believes what he tells her and she won't listen to anyone."
5. " We had a great time - he seems to like me - I think he's genuine."
How do I know they were all talking about their own or someone else's love object? Well; body language, expression, the avidity with which their listeners were hanging onto every word? All of the above, but if you like, just call it woman's intuition. They were all totally consumed by and caught up in the subject of L U R V E.
Women do this, often to the detriment of other more important aspects of our lives.
Witness: Who buys and reads all the romance novels? "Who watches the period costume dramas on TV such as Wuthering Heights or the 6 wives of Henry VIII. Who buys all those magazines with Princess Diana on the cover (even 10 years after her death). Who still cares whether JFK really loved Jacqui or was on with Marilyn Monroe or how Hillary feels about Bill's betrayal with Monica? Equal numbers of men and women you say? Get outta here!!!
Do guys do the same thing - generally? No, they don't. If you hear a couple or a group of men talking, you can bet your Nellie they are not talking about what 'she' thinks or feels or does. No, what they are talking about is work or sport - sometimes travel, sometimes telling off colour jokes with some sexual innuendo, but never, never, LURVE.
They save that talk for us ladies. No matter how much he LURVES you, he's only going to say it to you; he's only going to think about it when he's with you and if it's ever a contest between spending the day at the cricket with his mates, or putting in those extra yards for the boss or talking to you, then don't hold your breath. He doesn't even know there's a contest!
Monday, February 14, 2005
Cloud picture
I couldn't believe my eyes but the camera does not lie. Can you see the scotty dog in this cloud? I thought it was remarkable.
Valentines Day 05
2 bunches of flowers arrived on my doorstep,
from whom they came I cannot say,
but into my day they put some pep,
so thanks to the giver anyway!
from whom they came I cannot say,
but into my day they put some pep,
so thanks to the giver anyway!
valentines day
I was feeling a bit down. After all, it's Valentines Day, the day for lovers, and it's almost as bad as Christmas for bringing up regrets when you're without that special someone to share your life with. Dreamy love songs play endlessly on the radio. You feel you are the only person in the world that no-one could really love - you know how it goes.
A couple of good friends had sent me e-messages, virtual bouquets, that sort of thing, and that was nice, at least I knew someone was thinking of me and considered me a friend.
So, I'm off to night-class - drawing with coloured pencils this term - but I've forgotten my drawing implements, so have to duck home on the way. There on my doorstep was a most unexpected sight. Not one, but two bunches of flowers! There were no cards, no florist markings, absolutely nothing to say who they'd come from, nor for that matter, who they were meant for.
One was a lovely bunch of assorted flowers. The other was a magnificent bouquet of 11 deep red roses interspersed with babies breath. Bemused, I brought them in out of the heat and gave them a drink, then off to night class.
I was delighted. I've never gone much for gold and jewels (just as well because no-one's ever offered them) but I absolutely adore fresh flowers and perfume. But I keep thinking. I know they weren't for me. Is some other woman desperately unhappy tonight because she didn't get the expected Valentine's greetings from not one but two admirers? Is there a divorce brewing somewhere in my block because he says he sent them and she knows for sure he's lying?
...or do I have an admirer crazy enough to give me two bunches of flowers and not tell me who he is...or are there two of them? Is there some crazy person out there who bought up a bulk lot and deposited them randomly on doorsteps across Darwin?
Show yourself sir or madam. Whoever you are, I'd like to thank you for a very pleasant very surprising surprise.
And to that other woman in my building - I'm really sorry and I hope you get over it, because they really do care -honest they do!
A couple of good friends had sent me e-messages, virtual bouquets, that sort of thing, and that was nice, at least I knew someone was thinking of me and considered me a friend.
So, I'm off to night-class - drawing with coloured pencils this term - but I've forgotten my drawing implements, so have to duck home on the way. There on my doorstep was a most unexpected sight. Not one, but two bunches of flowers! There were no cards, no florist markings, absolutely nothing to say who they'd come from, nor for that matter, who they were meant for.
One was a lovely bunch of assorted flowers. The other was a magnificent bouquet of 11 deep red roses interspersed with babies breath. Bemused, I brought them in out of the heat and gave them a drink, then off to night class.
I was delighted. I've never gone much for gold and jewels (just as well because no-one's ever offered them) but I absolutely adore fresh flowers and perfume. But I keep thinking. I know they weren't for me. Is some other woman desperately unhappy tonight because she didn't get the expected Valentine's greetings from not one but two admirers? Is there a divorce brewing somewhere in my block because he says he sent them and she knows for sure he's lying?
...or do I have an admirer crazy enough to give me two bunches of flowers and not tell me who he is...or are there two of them? Is there some crazy person out there who bought up a bulk lot and deposited them randomly on doorsteps across Darwin?
Show yourself sir or madam. Whoever you are, I'd like to thank you for a very pleasant very surprising surprise.
And to that other woman in my building - I'm really sorry and I hope you get over it, because they really do care -honest they do!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Super-mum
Last week as I stood in the supermarket checkout queue a strained quiet descended on the people ahead of me. Lowering the magazine I'd been browsing for free to while away the time, I looked ahead and saw a terrible sight. A young woman was crouched on the floor with her arms around a large 10 year old boy. He was having a grand mal seizure. She squatted there, so calm, so strong, cradling her son in her arms for endless minutes until his uncoordinated thrashing stilled, then she struggled him into a standing position and half-dragged, half-carried him to a nearby seat. Another woman who was standing nearby collected a trolley filled with groceries and a 7 year old girl and followed them. A couple of people spoke to the young woman and she answered briefly, her attention on the boy. It seemed to me she was feeling foolish, like you do if you fall in the street, and embarrassed by the attention.
By the time I left the store, the young mum was standing behind the boy, half-supporting him while he held onto the trolley. She was calling to an older boy who hurried to catch up. Here she was with a heavy somewhat 'out of it' boy staggering to stay upright, a little girl sitting atop a trolley-load of groceries and another child as well.
I caught up with her and asked if she needed a hand to wheel the trolley - and while I was at it, told her how much I admired her calm control - how brave she had appeared to me. She thanked me and said: "I should be used to it, he has multiple attacks, every day - though not usually in the supermarket- but you never really do ... get used to it."
No, I'm darn sure you don't - especially if you are coping with it every day and especially in that most public environment where you are also weighed down by responsibility for two other children and a trolley-load of groceries!
My award for mother of the week goes to this brave young woman.
Sometimes just being a mum with 'normal' kids seems hard - especially if they have a temporary illness or you have other work or social commitments you need to juggle. It's a tiring and often thankless job just to keep the house in order, keep them clean, get the food on the table and to try to talk to them, listen to them, check up on homework and all those everyday things that we all take for granted.
But for these mothers there are tangible rewards to offset the difficult times- things that earn them respect and praise for their efforts, that enhance their own esteem and make them proud. What mother would shy away from boasting of her child's academic or sporting achievements?
For mothers whose kids have a disability; that's a whole different ballgame. For them every day is a real struggle and they often feel there's nothing for them to boast about. It's a hard and lonely journey.
I reckon every one of them deserves a medal for persistence; for whatever calm good humour they can manage; for learning to make do and change their lives to accommodate the needs of their child. They are the unsung superheroes of the motherhood world.
By the time I left the store, the young mum was standing behind the boy, half-supporting him while he held onto the trolley. She was calling to an older boy who hurried to catch up. Here she was with a heavy somewhat 'out of it' boy staggering to stay upright, a little girl sitting atop a trolley-load of groceries and another child as well.
I caught up with her and asked if she needed a hand to wheel the trolley - and while I was at it, told her how much I admired her calm control - how brave she had appeared to me. She thanked me and said: "I should be used to it, he has multiple attacks, every day - though not usually in the supermarket- but you never really do ... get used to it."
No, I'm darn sure you don't - especially if you are coping with it every day and especially in that most public environment where you are also weighed down by responsibility for two other children and a trolley-load of groceries!
My award for mother of the week goes to this brave young woman.
Sometimes just being a mum with 'normal' kids seems hard - especially if they have a temporary illness or you have other work or social commitments you need to juggle. It's a tiring and often thankless job just to keep the house in order, keep them clean, get the food on the table and to try to talk to them, listen to them, check up on homework and all those everyday things that we all take for granted.
But for these mothers there are tangible rewards to offset the difficult times- things that earn them respect and praise for their efforts, that enhance their own esteem and make them proud. What mother would shy away from boasting of her child's academic or sporting achievements?
For mothers whose kids have a disability; that's a whole different ballgame. For them every day is a real struggle and they often feel there's nothing for them to boast about. It's a hard and lonely journey.
I reckon every one of them deserves a medal for persistence; for whatever calm good humour they can manage; for learning to make do and change their lives to accommodate the needs of their child. They are the unsung superheroes of the motherhood world.
Monday, February 07, 2005
super-size me!
Ohmigod! I watched this doco at last. All my friends have seen it and I wanted to but missed it at the movies. Saturday, with a nice cool, wet weekend looming and a pile of ironing to do, I got the DVD out of the video shop. The descriptions didn't do anything to spoil the impact of the real thing.
I was impressed with the cool scientific attitude - getting all the baseline tests done prior to starting the experiment- and with the dedication of the film-maker continuing to put himself through all that when he could clearly see what this diet was doing to his health and well-being.
What a marvellous tool to help people struggling with weight-loss. I reckon it should be compulsory viewing in all senior primary schools. And how evil are those big chain fast food purveyors. I never really thought before about how seriously they target children with their excessive advertising, nor about the long term effects of engendering that feel-good mindset in children so that they are drawn as adults to eat the same garbage.
I've never thought Maccas was all that bad, but then I guess I've never thought of people eating it every week or several times a week. And the amount of sugar in soft drinks! ...and the people who are fooled that they are eating 'healthy' when they order the salads (with as many calories in them as big macs) or the 'healthy' yoghurt option with as much fat as the fudge sunday! I must be terribly naive.
If you ever think about your weight and would like to lose a little or a lot or if you have young children (who of course love Maccas because they all do), then do yourself and them a favour and have a look at this documentary. I promise you won't be bored and it might give you a whole new inspiration to do something good for your body by keeping it away from processed, fried foods and sugar-filled drinks.
Last night I had salad and a boiled egg for dinner.
I was impressed with the cool scientific attitude - getting all the baseline tests done prior to starting the experiment- and with the dedication of the film-maker continuing to put himself through all that when he could clearly see what this diet was doing to his health and well-being.
What a marvellous tool to help people struggling with weight-loss. I reckon it should be compulsory viewing in all senior primary schools. And how evil are those big chain fast food purveyors. I never really thought before about how seriously they target children with their excessive advertising, nor about the long term effects of engendering that feel-good mindset in children so that they are drawn as adults to eat the same garbage.
I've never thought Maccas was all that bad, but then I guess I've never thought of people eating it every week or several times a week. And the amount of sugar in soft drinks! ...and the people who are fooled that they are eating 'healthy' when they order the salads (with as many calories in them as big macs) or the 'healthy' yoghurt option with as much fat as the fudge sunday! I must be terribly naive.
If you ever think about your weight and would like to lose a little or a lot or if you have young children (who of course love Maccas because they all do), then do yourself and them a favour and have a look at this documentary. I promise you won't be bored and it might give you a whole new inspiration to do something good for your body by keeping it away from processed, fried foods and sugar-filled drinks.
Last night I had salad and a boiled egg for dinner.
Boys games
There were only four of us for Christmas lunch this year in mum's little retirement unit in the Blue Mountains, but the boys didn't let the lack of numbers get in the way of their festivities. Here they are putting on puppet show, using the back of a lounge chair for a stage. It didn't last long before one made a comment that struck the other as so hilarious that he fell over, rolling with laughter, on the floor.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Sunrise
This is the sunrise view from the bedroom of my holiday haven at Austinmer (another beautiful south coast NSW beach). I took a whole series of these but I think this is the most spectacular.
Beach holiday
The surf was warm and this is about as crowded as it got.
Flickr brings you the holiday photos
Thanks to Daisy and her friend, I have now joined up to Flickr (after several more unsuccessful attempts to reactivate my HELLO account. It's all been a little confusing and Flickr seems exceedingly slow to upload the photos. But here goes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this view of Narrawallee beach on the south coast of NSW, Australia, where I spent one week of my holidays will now appear on the blog. More to come if this is successful.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
wet season colours
…”43 millimetres of rain fell in the three hours to 3pm today at Darwin airport”, the TV weatherman reports.
It’s just another cool and beautiful wet season day in the tropics. They say the temperature reached 30 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 90 per cent. I guess that humidity was the rain that bucketed down all night and all day.
Some days the quality of the light is similar to what you’d see if you opened your eyes underwater and looked towards a distant surface; a greenish, diffused, soft, pearlescent glow that lights everything equally –though not well.
Wet season colours are subtle and monotonous. The many shades of grey of the skies, from mist to purple; the muddy ochre grey of the sea where storm-tossed waves wear caps of dark gold foam and the horizon glows pale blue-green like mother’s milk.
Grass, trees, lush fleshy tropical vines and shrubs glow in all the hues and shades of green from viridian to leaf – fluorescent against the unrelieved grey.
The early wet storms have eased now, where the darkness of night is rent over and over by jagged lightning bolts, white and blue and pink, and sheet lightning of purest silver lights the whole sky like daylight – the time when buildings shake from the ferocity of the thunder. Now that force and passion have dissipated like an old love affair into a gentle, persistent, pastel downpour.
It’s just another cool and beautiful wet season day in the tropics. They say the temperature reached 30 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 90 per cent. I guess that humidity was the rain that bucketed down all night and all day.
Some days the quality of the light is similar to what you’d see if you opened your eyes underwater and looked towards a distant surface; a greenish, diffused, soft, pearlescent glow that lights everything equally –though not well.
Wet season colours are subtle and monotonous. The many shades of grey of the skies, from mist to purple; the muddy ochre grey of the sea where storm-tossed waves wear caps of dark gold foam and the horizon glows pale blue-green like mother’s milk.
Grass, trees, lush fleshy tropical vines and shrubs glow in all the hues and shades of green from viridian to leaf – fluorescent against the unrelieved grey.
The early wet storms have eased now, where the darkness of night is rent over and over by jagged lightning bolts, white and blue and pink, and sheet lightning of purest silver lights the whole sky like daylight – the time when buildings shake from the ferocity of the thunder. Now that force and passion have dissipated like an old love affair into a gentle, persistent, pastel downpour.
Wet season markets
In a sky like a banner of pearl grey silk the clouds roil and writhe towards us - ice-cream heads, mountains of charcoal and navy blue. There is only a breath of time between the silken watery sunlight and the sudden downpour. Sheets of water rush and slide over the rounded contours of the tin roof to fall in thick, clear curtains to the ground.
I’m sitting under the veranda -cosy in the warm dampness- watching with amusement as the stall-holders scurry to protect their wares laid out under tarpaulins and dark green market umbrellas, inadequate protection in this sudden flood from above.
Disoriented shoppers splash across the street, paper bags holding greasy satays and trays of Asian delicacies turning to pulp in their clutching hands as they run, blinded, for shelter.
Cars, hurrying now to collect their passengers, send up plumes of water as they glide forward through the instant lakes creeping across the shiny asphalt surface of the road.
A small boy -maybe 3 years old- wearing a brilliant red shirt, runs down the centre of the road alone, heading inexorably towards an oncoming 4-wheel drive truck. His mother, carrying a younger sibling in a sling on her chest, screams to no-one; anyone: “get him off the road!”
I’m sitting under the veranda -cosy in the warm dampness- watching with amusement as the stall-holders scurry to protect their wares laid out under tarpaulins and dark green market umbrellas, inadequate protection in this sudden flood from above.
Disoriented shoppers splash across the street, paper bags holding greasy satays and trays of Asian delicacies turning to pulp in their clutching hands as they run, blinded, for shelter.
Cars, hurrying now to collect their passengers, send up plumes of water as they glide forward through the instant lakes creeping across the shiny asphalt surface of the road.
A small boy -maybe 3 years old- wearing a brilliant red shirt, runs down the centre of the road alone, heading inexorably towards an oncoming 4-wheel drive truck. His mother, carrying a younger sibling in a sling on her chest, screams to no-one; anyone: “get him off the road!”
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Computer-generated suicide
We're not talking here about Dr Death and the web instructions on how to commit suicide that he keeps promoting, nope, just another rant about computers, programs and the frustrations they bring to our lives. The frustration level experienced when something goes awry and the instant gratification of internet communication is snatched from us is felt in direct proportion to our pleasure in it and dependence on it.
I'm sitting at my desk in my computer-controlled office. Everything is in there. My calendar, my files, the story I need to put out today, the address and phone number of every contact and...I press the right buttons, but nothing happens. At least what happens is not what I expect to happen, not what I absolutely require to enable me to do my job, make some runs on the board, fulfill promises made, justify my bloody existence and the fact that I'm being paid to sit at this terminal.
Terminal is a good word for it. If it doesn't work, my day's terminated, my useless life might as well be terminated.
Eight hours of struggle, writing every piece of correspondence three and four times before a successful 'send'. The microsoft exchange server has blah blah... but what it means is you are not going to be connected to the world today... we have the power!!!!
... and so I go dragon-boat racing and take out my 8 hours of frustration on a paddle and a stretch of smooth water. Then I come home and go to my email. Here is what's waiting for me:
Thank you for contacting Picasa customer support.
For your convenience, I have verified your Hello account for you:
Username: nightrider2
Email: (verified)
You should have no further problems accessing your account.
Thank you for your interest in Picasa.
Sincerely,
Gunnar
The Picasa Team
With hopeful heart I access HELLO and guess what....it's still the same as it was yesterday and the day before and the day before that and it's not going to let me in no way.
Thanks Gunnar, thanks business customer HELPDESK, thanks Exchange server HELPDESK...
If I could only get onto the internet now, I'd most likely be looking for those suicide directions!
Weekend is coming and I'm going to take your good advice and get onto one of those other free picture hosting sites and stop whinging about computers. Or maybe I'll just throw both of them out the door and walk off talking to myself and singing and tearing my hair out until somebody takes pity on me and locks me in a computer-controlled cell, with padding on the walls and three meals a day pushed under the door....la, la, la, la, hmmm, hmmm, da de dum de dah.....
I'm sitting at my desk in my computer-controlled office. Everything is in there. My calendar, my files, the story I need to put out today, the address and phone number of every contact and...I press the right buttons, but nothing happens. At least what happens is not what I expect to happen, not what I absolutely require to enable me to do my job, make some runs on the board, fulfill promises made, justify my bloody existence and the fact that I'm being paid to sit at this terminal.
Terminal is a good word for it. If it doesn't work, my day's terminated, my useless life might as well be terminated.
Eight hours of struggle, writing every piece of correspondence three and four times before a successful 'send'. The microsoft exchange server has blah blah... but what it means is you are not going to be connected to the world today... we have the power!!!!
... and so I go dragon-boat racing and take out my 8 hours of frustration on a paddle and a stretch of smooth water. Then I come home and go to my email. Here is what's waiting for me:
Thank you for contacting Picasa customer support.
For your convenience, I have verified your Hello account for you:
Username: nightrider2
Email: (verified)
You should have no further problems accessing your account.
Thank you for your interest in Picasa.
Sincerely,
Gunnar
The Picasa Team
With hopeful heart I access HELLO and guess what....it's still the same as it was yesterday and the day before and the day before that and it's not going to let me in no way.
Thanks Gunnar, thanks business customer HELPDESK, thanks Exchange server HELPDESK...
If I could only get onto the internet now, I'd most likely be looking for those suicide directions!
Weekend is coming and I'm going to take your good advice and get onto one of those other free picture hosting sites and stop whinging about computers. Or maybe I'll just throw both of them out the door and walk off talking to myself and singing and tearing my hair out until somebody takes pity on me and locks me in a computer-controlled cell, with padding on the walls and three meals a day pushed under the door....la, la, la, la, hmmm, hmmm, da de dum de dah.....
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Hello, hello!
HELLO is still not letting me log in and I did want to share some holiday snaps with you. I've wasted so much time tonight uninstalling, installing, trying to open a new account, sending yet another help request... if this continues I may be forced to find another free photo host - any suggestions out there?
So...
My plants lived on nothing but rainwater for 4 weeks - continued neglect for the past two has murdered basil..............................................
Why does the brilliant focus and awe of unfamiliar things fade so quickly once they become commonplace?...............................................
Do a gecko's eyes grow on stalks and swivel around or was something sinister attacking my gecko?...........................................................
Reading:
The whole business with Kiffo and the Pitbull by Barry Jonsberg- hilarious 'laugh out loud' read, probably targeted at senior high school students and surprisingly, the debut novel of a Darwin school teacher. The central character and narrator is the most wickedly intelligent, humorous and sophisticated yet sensitive high school girl you'll ever meet. It's a good yarn and very well-written.
Windchill Summer by Norris Church Mailer (Mrs Norman Mailer to you). A big, meaty novel that holds your attention right through. The Observer said: This is an impressive, ambitious debut in which Church Mailer successfully marries a thriller to a coming-of-age novel. Confidently plotted, the novel's initial easy pace builds to a strong climax when the Vietnam war is brought brutally back home." I agree. Well worth a read.
So...
My plants lived on nothing but rainwater for 4 weeks - continued neglect for the past two has murdered basil..............................................
Why does the brilliant focus and awe of unfamiliar things fade so quickly once they become commonplace?...............................................
Do a gecko's eyes grow on stalks and swivel around or was something sinister attacking my gecko?...........................................................
Reading:
The whole business with Kiffo and the Pitbull by Barry Jonsberg- hilarious 'laugh out loud' read, probably targeted at senior high school students and surprisingly, the debut novel of a Darwin school teacher. The central character and narrator is the most wickedly intelligent, humorous and sophisticated yet sensitive high school girl you'll ever meet. It's a good yarn and very well-written.
Windchill Summer by Norris Church Mailer (Mrs Norman Mailer to you). A big, meaty novel that holds your attention right through. The Observer said: This is an impressive, ambitious debut in which Church Mailer successfully marries a thriller to a coming-of-age novel. Confidently plotted, the novel's initial easy pace builds to a strong climax when the Vietnam war is brought brutally back home." I agree. Well worth a read.
