I have been tagged :)

I have been tagged! Oh my.. .I havent been tagged before.. its all very exciting and new. Now, I really feel a part of the blogger world.. special thanks to Fightin' Mad Mary for my tag.

And this is the quiz that goes along with the award:

A. attached or single? Single. Good possibilites ahead tho.
B. best friend? My mom and heaps of fantastic friends close to my heart.
C. cake or pie? Angel Food Cake
D. day of choice? Saturday

E. essential item? Hair Products
F. favorite color? Blue

G. gummy bears or worms? Not really into sweets

H. hometown? Waukesha Wisc

I. favorite indulgence? Oh.. I don't know if thats appropriate here!

J. January or July? July of course, its my bday.
K. kids? Not yet, but I do have a gorgeous cat. Not sure on the kids bit yet.
L. life isn't complete without? Me
M. marriage date? N/A
N. number of brothers & sisters? I have a half sister

O. oranges or apples? apples
P. phobias? spiders & snakes
Q. quotes? Do you not own a full length mirror?
R. reasons to smile? too many: the sun, another smile, someones laugh, a warm fuzzy in your heart, doing a good deed for others, the smile of an older person, being with friends & family

S. season of choice? In Australia: Spring. In Minnesota: Autumn

T. tag seven peeps! (see below)
U. unknown fact about me? I just got another tattoo
V. vegetable? Corn, of course
W. worst habits? I can spend a fortune in the Hair Products section of any store
X. x-ray or ultrasound? i have had both

Y. your favorite food? depends on the mood: Indian, Mexican, Chinese..
Z. zodiac sign? Cancer

And now I'm to tag seven people with this award and quiz.. but I dont know any of my bloggers in real life.. and many of them dont blog on personal stuff... so, if you want to be tagged, go on and tag yourself.

Goodbye to my favorite visitors for another year

I can't believe its already time for some of the greatest people I know to head back south and leave the "warmth" of our winter. Each year, these two wonderful people come up to this "neck of the woods" to escape the cold of the south. Oh okay, maybe more importantly that they come up to spend some time with their daughter & her partner, and the infamous Miss Noody!

In the past years I have been able to spend more time with these two wonderful people. They are so in love with each other, they potter about with each other, they enjoy each others company, and they look at each other with adoration.

Each was a teacher during their working life while raising a family. Dedication, hard-work, respect, knowledge, and loyalty were things that I believe their children have learned from them. On a side note, they can tell some of the best liners with more witt than you can imagine! As you can tell, I adore these two people, and admire them even more.

I regret that I haven't been able to spend as much time with them as I would have liked on this recent trip. It seemed that sickness or everyone being so busy (they are a popular couple to hang out with) and then the weeks just flew by! Oh well, that and the fact that their daughter wouldn't let them out for more than 1 hour a day out of their rooms.. and they water & electricity restrictions.. haha... JUST JOKING.

I remember many good chats with the two of them. My eyes would be wide and bright, ready for the stories and insight they would share. I love Miss G's laugh...its so full of life you just have to laugh with her. Ah, and Mr G's gestures just make you smile. I am so pleased for the time they give me and the times we have shared. From the facts and stories they have shared and educated me, and from their love and warmth of the heart, they have a special place in my soul.

And for Mrs Green.. i love that story and will never forget the angel that cleaned the dirty little secrets for her. Oh, and the slap on the head which lead a grown man to wear a HUGE hat on his head since primary school!

Thanks for another great year of chats Mr & Mrs G... cant wait to see you next year.

Highlights of a Musical Fright

Yesterday saw an adventure to the local beach which was the location of "music in the park". I would give it a go another time, but damn was it funny.. def worth the free admission to laugh my ass off as much as I did.

I wore shorts, a tank top, my comfy thongs (translation: sandals, not undies for my state-side friends) and was HIGHLY out of place. See, I had no feathers in my hair, no facial hair to my belly button, my clothes are from the last 2 decades, I showered, I shave my armpits AND legs (everyday i might add)... the list goes on!

Now, before I get any cold comments, it was cool people hanging out and having a good time. I love to see individuality in a person, and I love that people feel comfy in their own skin. But sometimes you just gotta laugh.Especially when I mentioned to Tilda that our adventure of music in the park was NOTHING like Mad Mary's day of music in the park which included sophisticated looking people who had a mirror while getting dressed... check it out here: http://whereisgoodservice.blogspot.com/

I couldn't snap the camera quick enough for all the action at my event! See SOME of the highlights below...

The kids that made me smile

This little girl was the most adorable thing of the day. She so wanted to get up in the tree and play with the other kids...but she couldn't reach, due to a disability. She walked right up there though and said "hello" to the other kids and watched them play in the tree. Her eyes were filled with wonderment and full of love. My eyes, while watching her, filled with tears. This little girl was so thrilled about life, and didnt see or at least, for the day, didn't let lifes challenges get in her way of a good time for the day. She had the most amazing smile, it just lit your heart up. This little one couldn't quite get the hang of using his feet on the board.. but he did do a good effort this way... gotta give him credit for finding a way to make it work.. he even showed us a few reverse techniques!

What the? Visuals for a good giggle

Funky Mo Man was interesting.. I actually ended up stalking him to try to get a good photo.. its really hard to tell but maybe if you click the photo you can see that this little hairy creature was about 1 inch in diameter at his chin. Funny thing is it just kept blending in with his top or he moved his head an odd way so I couldn't quite grasp the "uniqueness" of the hairy creature as well as I would have liked. He had a really nice look to him, as in soul wise, but the hairy creature must be captured and dealt with!
I was also trying to get a good snap of this person who was in such an odd outfit in my opinion but she blended in quite well against the lush grass and bushes. At first I thought she was a fairy, and part of the entertainment.. and then I looked at my photos and no... she wasnt "dressed up" at all... I did however, discover that she and Funky Mo Man were a "couple". If you can pick it, shes sitting down in front of him with some sort of wild hat on.

Honestly, I didnt think this outfit was the worst of the day.. but it was still a bit of "What the?" and look twice sort of thing.. she was having a great time at the event. In fact, her walk was almost a skip!Someone always has to have a shoe issue...these woman chatted for an extensive length of time about the shoe.. the odd bit? Well, they both had shoes on so I am a bit concerned as to why you would pick up a stray shoe, or why you would analyze the stray shoe, or much less TOUCH someone else's shoe...? YUCK!
Oddly enough, this was lunch.. guess which was Tilda's and which was mine? Hint? Im not a sweet's sort of person...ah... getting older has so many benefits!

The Sales Girl: Visual Fright Continues!

At first I was just snapping photos of this woman as her outfit was rather confusing to me..the petticoat, the floral print, the dots, it all just baffled my eyes.. actually, it made them ache and I am sure that my eyes were ready to bleed after the sight of it all... (click to zoom in) I did think it was a nice touch to add the hat for an accessory...(always be a bit positive, right?)
Ah.. my eyes.. my eyes... sorry, it was just TOO tempting to not get the shot!

In the end, I discovered this woman was the sales lady for the band, which were considered to be the "highlight" or draw card to the event. She was selling CD's, T-shirts, and 'autographed' posters. The man to her left (with the scab hair and red hat) was her partner, oh and the lead singer of the band...
Sing it with me now.."Im just a singer in a rock n' roll band"...couldn't resist. sorry!

Your kidding right?

I am really good about making sure my batteries in my cameras are charged. Except for last night...i went to take a few good shots, and the damn camera wouldnt budge...not a movement... i just about died. I did get some cheesy shots on the court with my horrible camera phone.. but as for the celebs.. well, we just wont venture that path. I cant bear to deliver the news...

Tennis was good fun tho.. for the two of us not being on a court in almost a decade, we didnt do too bad!

Downside? My little Monroe is at the vets at the moment, I am hoping she picks up a bit and I get to take her home tonight after work... poor thing is really sick... I mean really really sick...

I got about 2 hours of sleep last night because I was so worried about her that I couldnt sleep... just kept checking on her. Hopefully, shes doing much better now that shes got some anti-vomitting meds into her, as well as some antibiotics... if this doesnt work, they will have to do a drip and keep her there... and I dont do well with her not with me at home. Lets hope for a quick recovery so I can take her home after work!

Hob-nobbing with the filthy rich tonight

Ah.. how it pays to have friends who work in really cool places filled with celebrities and big spenders. Tonight sees us playing tennis at one of the posh resorts near my house (fit enough for Queen and her staff in the previous years) and guess who happens to be staying at the resort as well? Well, lets just say this... in charge of the country.... along with other "prominent" officials...

So.. whats a girl to do when at one location with a CHANCE of meeting these particular people? She brings along the camera and of course makes sure she has some business cards on her so that way when I am pleading out to them and begging for residency.. they might remember me. Sad bit is this: I am not actually sure I would recognize the people who I would need to meet... how do you distinguish one old man with grey hair who dresses badly from another? Remember, I will be at a resort.. so add the tacky resort wear to it... goodness me...

The camera is a must... Im just hoping for some goods and curious things to see!

Renovated Farmhouses...$1 a week

There is this little town in Tasmania, approx 45 minutes from Hobart (capital) which is a bit of a quieter and more mild sort of life. They are in desperate need to grow the community they live. Yesterday they put in an offer on national tv for renovated farmhouses to be rented at $1.00 a week. We are in a huge rental crisis at the moment, so you can imagine, every Tom, Dick, and Harry enquired.





There was a condition: you had to have children, of which would attend the local school. Ah, again, I seem to be discriminated against for not having children!~)





2007 statistics show the student population of the 107 year old school was 23 students... yep, I would say they are looking for some kids...for some population growth for the school. Here is the schools population, including the teachers (i think)...

Needless to say, they have pulled the offer, they have been inundated with requests from here and there and everywhere.. they have no more vacant farmhouses, but are willing to accept you into the darling farm community if you have a business opportunity or would like to contribute to the growth of Levendale.

Ah, its cute when a town bands together.

Would you really pay for it?

I would like to state first off, that I have never had a male escort. I dont know anyone that is a male escort. I dont quite understand the theory behind it.. men seem to give it away for nothing ... so to pay for it seems strange.

Then I stumbled upon these tidbits.

- I found a gay male escort in my area who has a 2 hr booking minimum, at $300 per hour. Oh my... and daily rates START at $1000 per day. Mind you... overnight rates are starting at $2000 per night. This seems like an odd pay structure to me... overnight costs more than the daily rate.. is his drool on the pillow really that good? Does he have a job during the day, where at least $1000 would cover the costs, and he figures his freetime in the evenings is more valuable? Good thing Im not in the need of a gay male escort... his WEBSITE says his 19, but looks like a horrible anorexic EMO teenager with no male structure or sculpted chest, or anything that this hetero female finds desireable in a man... so whew... saved me some money there! Ha

Upon more research, I find these tidbits out:

-I can become an escort, apparently in my area there is a high demand for escorts, with the opportunity to make a great income. I click the little box to see what is located in the neon green box... but i need to register first.. but its free.. ah.. good thing.. cuz if i had to be an escort, i prob wouldn't have shit for money and would really appreciate the whole "free registration" thing. However, after dabbling my eyes thru the terms & conditions, there is a membership fee, but the contractual agreement is for a period of 1 fixed month terms only, unless you give a 28 day notice... funny little thing there. Plus, they can sell my information. And there was extensive, in fact numerous mention of not being able to produce chain letters and distribute them amongst other members. Chain letters? Honestly, not something I would think would require repetitive mention on an escort site terms & conditions.. but hey.. this is all research and new to me.

-One lady shows her rates as this: 1/2 hour is $180 with 1 hour being charged at $250. Her overnight rate consisting of 12 hours is $2000 but stipulates that this includes 6 hours of sleep. Smart lady... shes getting close to $167 bucks an hour to sleep...

- There seem to be 2 types of escorts.. those that "order dessert" and those that "are dessert. I cant imagine that so far, any of the sites i have researched would really charge that much for dinner conversation. Would they?

The article in The Sun said that some of the women "ordered dessert" and others just wanted a companion for dinner or to attend some sort of function. Do you not have a male friend? I mean at those prices per hour... surely one of my male friends can toss on a suit and look respectable for a few hours.

Escorts... I guess everyone has a need for something.

Honest Betty

Some nights its just fun to be silly with your friends. I had one of those nights this week. As my friend was going thru the cupboards and looking to bake, to help her feel all domesticated and stuff.. she decided to bake some cookies... betty crocker style. She made one silly little comment about how she didnt think they really had OVER 200 chocolate chips like it says on the box.

Ha! My friend works for General Mills, and she can't tell you enough how great the company is to work for. To be honest, it sounds like a really company to work for, and loads of fun and free stuff. Sad thing, shes going to retire soon... perfect opportunity.. let's count the chips.. if there arent OVER 200 chips in the box... we can call my friend, lets call her : MacAttack and put in a complaint before she retires and we can get a free box. Yes, I am cheap and always looking for a bargain or freebie.

So.... we count the chips.

Any guesses on how many chips in the box? We had placed our numbers, and we were way off. 396 chocolate chips in that box. Pretty damn impressive. There goes my enterprise bargaining and misleading consumers tangent I was prepared to give....

Betty Crocker.. you gotta just love her. She seems to hold up her end of the bargain.

And for a side note, the cookies were really YUMMY!

So long jaunte

One of my neighbors has a dog. This morning I woke up and heard jaunte, the dog, barking differently than normal. Monroe was on high alert as well as she knew something was not right. Monroe loves to sit in the window that faces jaunte's backyard and watch jaunte's daily routine. This morning saw us both in a bit of a panic. I called out to my neighbor who told me all would be okay and I let her know that I had today off if she needed anything.

Jaunte was obviously not doing well. He wasn't moving, barking every 30 seconds, and panting loudly. This behaviour was not normal for jaunte. I left the back courtyard door open in case my neighbor called out for help.

Time went by, and I could still hear her dog in pain. I went over to her house to see if, again, there was anything I could help with. She had been on the phone with the vet all morning, and was going to bring him in. Jaunte is the size of a St. Bernard... approx anyway. He had moved a little bit in the yard, but not much. The vet said it sounded like an epileptic seizure but wasn't sure until observation.

Between the two of us, we had jaunte in the house, where he collapsed with exhaustion on the floor. He didnt have good use of three legs, and you could tell the poor thing was not well. My neighbor ran around a bit in shock and I sat with jaunte, trying to calm him a bit. With a bit of grunting and what could have gotten us into the Olympics, jaunte was in the back seat of her car. Collapsed again. I didnt want to face the fact, but I had thought Jaunte was at the end of his time. But, I said nothing, as I knew the neighbor had to be about herself to get to the vet.

I have seen the neighbor this afternoon. She was really sweet. She kept thanking me for helping this morning... it was nice to hear, but I was more concerned about her and her pet. In sadness, Jaunte has been put to sleep, due to a sudden aneurysm in the brain. My neighbor says shes doing alright, but i will def keep an eye on her and make sure I am there if there is anything I can do.

Say a prayer for my neighbor and jaunte, may he bark in heaven and run wild.

Birthday Dinner

Last night we had a small group of us go out for my bday dinner. The events took us to the best Indian food on the coast, which luckily happens to be about 5 minutes from my house. Firestick J came along and it was her first time eating Indian.. i think shes hooked! There was chatter that the Onion Bhaji will become a regular take-away item from the restaurant. Love it.

It was wonderful to be blessed with family & friends who we have adopted into our family. There were drinks and cheers, laughter and no tears (sorry, but it rhymed so i had to), great conversations, and fantastic presents. I specifically said no presents, but everyone paid no attention and got me really cool presents. Thanks heaps!

As a tradition, my mom made me a cake. Last year she created a Tinkerbell cake (due to my nickname, Tinker) and we all agreed that it sort of looked like Tinkerbell on acid.. but it was fantastic.. personally I think Tinkerbell looked like a little slut with the hand on the hips, but she did a fantastic job regardless. Here is last years cake:

This year, she surprised me with a Marilyn Monroe (Andy Warhol style) and can I tell ya... IMPRESSIVE. Have a look...

I think mom might have found her calling. Cake decorator extraordinaire.

I will come back and post a few more things... but for now.. I'm off to my acupuncture appointment. Oh, and by the way, so far I am loving having a week off from work. I'm enjoying it so much that I am not even the slightest concerned how its going over there... I think I am truly in my holiday mood.

Special thanks to Fighting Mad Mary who gave me a blogger birthday mention... didn't expect that, but loved it to bits.. check it out http://whereisgoodservice.blogspot.com/ plus she has a really cool blog in general. Oh, and Day-Z the dog is adorable.

Thank you to everyone who sent birthday greetings. I wish you could of all been here to help celebrate, but you were with us in spirit.

Weekend Events

A bit late.. but better late than never.

This weekend saw us taking a road trip north to attend the Regatta Races which a friend was participating in. They took first in one of the races, which is great for a first year team. They made it into the finals... even better. One boat came in 2nd and the other came in 3rd for the finals... great to see and kudos to Firestick J and the team!

My Birthday

Today is my birthday! I have enjoyed a wonderful breakfast near the beach, and was hoping for a gorgeous sunrise, but the clouds were a bit too thick this morning.. oh well, it was wonderful anyway.

Keep tuned for photos of tonights events.

They say the sun is in the exact same spot on your birthday as it was when you were born. Pretty cool huh.

Wish you were all here to help celebrate, but your in my heart, and we will toast a drink to you tonight!

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its got to make you giggle ... a little

its funny when you know that you have intimidated someone so much that by the look on their face when they see you.. well, you cant help but giggle... a little.

16 July 1981...the day a man passed his story

We all have a story to tell.. and maybe Im getting a bit reminiscinate in my age since my bday is coming up in a few days...but for now.. on this day in 1981, a great musician was taken from us. If you like you can YouTube it to see the video.. or if your really curious... find out how he died... afterall, he was on his way to play at his concert... never made it. Here's a drink to you my friend, a man whom sang me to sleep many many nights as a baby.


Story of a Life
by Harry Chapin

I can see myself it's a golden sunrise
Young boy open up your eyes
It's supposed to be your day.

Now off you go horizon bound
And you won't stop until you've found
Your own kind of way.And the wind will whip your tousled hair,
The sun, the rain, the sweet despair,
Great tales of love and strife.
And somewhere on your path to glory
You will write your story of a life.

And all the towns that you walk through
And all the people that you talk to
Sing you their songs.

And there are times you change your stride,
There are times you can't decide
Still you go on.

And then the young girls dance their gypsy tunes
And share the secrets of the moon
So soon you find a wife.
And though she sees your dreams go poorly
Still she joins your story of a life.

So you settle down and the children come
And you find a place that you come from.
Your wandering is done.

And all your dreams of open spaces
You find in your children's faces
One by one.
And all the trips you know you missed
And all the lips you never kissed
Cut through you like a knife.
And now you see stretched out before thee
Just another story of a life.

So what do you do now?
When she looks at you now?
You know those same old jokes all the jesters tell
You tell them to her now.

And all the same old songs all the minstrels sang
You sing 'em to her now.
But it don't matter anyhow'
Cause she knows by now.

So every chance you take don't mean a thing.
What variations can you bring
To this shopworn melody.
And every year goes by like a tollin' bell.
It's battered merchandise you sell.
Not well, she can see.
And though she's heard it all a thousand times
Couched in your attempted rhymes
She'll march to your drum and fife.
But the question echoes up before me
Where's the magic story of a life?

Now sometimes words can serve me well
Sometimes words can go to hell
For all that they do.
And for every dream that took me high
There's been a dream that's passed me by.
I know it's so true
And I can see it clear out to the end
And I'll whisper to her now again
Because she shared my life.
For more than all the ghosts of glory
She makes up the story,
She's the only story
Of my life.

Marvin K Mooney

Tomorrow I am off to the Dr. Seuss exhibition held at a local gallery. I was told about the exhibition by a wonderful friend...she and I enjoy many long winded chats about art, society, and so forth. I had not heard of the Dr. Seuss collection before she stumbled upon it and enlightened me that it was in town for the next few weeks.

I remember Dr. Seuss books and the impact they had on me as a child. I loved his way of telling a story, and the wackiness of which he would tell a tale to his reader. When I was just a little girl, and had to have stories read to me... one of my favorites was "Marvin K Mooney will you please go now!" It seemed that no matter which Dr. Seuss book you were being read, the story teller would always have hand gestures and fluctuations in the voice when telling the tale.. how could you not get excited and tell those stories with pizazz?

When I graduated, my aunt L gave me the "Oh, the places you'll go" book. It was wonderful, and I cherish it to this day. I think it was one of the neatest gifts I received, such accomplishment achieved, and yet, it brought me back to my childhood of when I read the book and thinking of all the possibilities ahead of me.. and then years later, upon graduation, I had those possibilities ahead of me again... thank you aunt L for that beautiful gift.

Anyway, I am off to the exhibition tomorrow. I cant wait to see whats in store... if you would like a sneak peak.. check out the website...

http://www.drseussart.com/

I will let you know how it goes and what wacky wonderful things I stumble upon... I'm having breakfast near the gallery tomorrow.. I wonder if the local restaurants are offering "Green eggs and ham" for the daily special?

Albert Baladi, Managing Director
Yum! Restaurants International South Pacific
20 Rodborough Road
Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086
Australia


10 July 2008


Dear Mr Baladi,
I’ve been in Australia filming Big Brother, in which my housemates and I are confined and sealed off from the outside world, much like the chickens who are crammed inside barns for KFC. Fortunately, I won’t be stomped to death, have my legs broken or be scalded to death in a tank of hot water – yet, as PETA’s undercover videos have revealed, the chickens raised for KFC’s restaurants in Australia often suffer these abuses.

Following negotiations with PETA, KFC Canada has agreed to make landmark animal welfare reforms, including phasing in the purchase of 100 per cent of its chicken from suppliers that use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK), which is the least cruel method of slaughter. KFC Canada has also agreed to implement stricter audits of suppliers, and it will offer a vegan faux-chicken menu item at most of its restaurants. Please use your position as head of KFC in Australia to stop the worst abuses that these birds suffer by asking David Novak, CEO of Yum! Brands, to make the improvements already agreed to by KFC Canada.

Thank you for your time.

Pamela Anderson

This was the letter presented to KFC on the Gold Coast from Pamela Anderson. I have copied it from the PETA website. I am so pleased that she has made an impact on her time in Australia. When i had found out that she was doing the Big Brother show, my heart was shattered in disbelief of what the woman is capable of accomplishing. With her celebrity stature and knowledge of PETA and for what she stands for, I was hoping she would do more than just be a face in the house. Thank goodness.... she has stood up for her beliefs and is trying to educate not ONLY KFC on their cruel and inhuman practices, but also people in Australia who might not be aware of the impact that the fast food industry is doing. She is speaking for those who can not speak for themselves. I am glad that she has stood up and taken a stand and made sure she is being heard for what she believes.

Oh- and for all those readers who are not in Australia... a major sponsor of Big Brother Tv series is .......KFC.... which Pamela responded by stating that it didnt matter, KFC was still doing the wrong thing and Big Brother paid her a large sum of money to do the show.

Maybe I secretly love the extra slap in the face to Big Brother and KFC... here they have paid the blonde bombshell sh**loads of money, and shes turned around and slapped them with a letter and publicity of KFC's treatment of chickens and hopes for animal welfare reform much like she succeeded in Canada's reform.

Oh, and regarding the comments on yesterdays post... love it! Good discussion and great involvement! Kudos to you!