Last Sunday was the perfect day for an outing. It was 90 degrees or so, the sun shine brightly, (obviously or it wouldn't have been 90 degrees). We decided on a short trip of around 30 minutes to visit Nath. When we drove up to the freeway we realized everybody else had the same idea. Where I live the locals either stay indoors or go travelling away from Mandurah to avoid the holiday crush. So bravely, we joined the holiday makers and drove slowly along the freeway. When we reached a set of lights ten minutes from home we had to wait, as you generally do at traffic lights. We sat patiently, waiting, waiting, waiting. After being at the lights for 40 minutes and being the clever detectives we are we realized there was a problem ahead. Then we had a bright idea, let's go along the coast road and come out further down the free way.
So at the nearest corner we turned and 50 other cars followed us. I felt a bit like Forrest Gump must have done when he was running and half the world followed him, thinking he knew something important.
Off we travelled in convoy, in and out of streets and laneways, once we even went on a dirt track, much to the disgust of my new car. Finally, we reached our destination, and surprise, surprise, the entrance to the main road was closed. Apparently there were road works happening and this was the reason for the hold up. Can you believe it? On a Sunday when every one is out on the one road to anywhere. I thought about going on the road less travelled but got lost once so I remained where I was. Eventually I turned around and headed back where we had come from. Cars were still following me and I felt as if I had made new friends that afternoon. Perhaps we should have stopped and had a picnic lunch with them all. That would really have been blogworthy.
After spending over an hour driving around we decided to stop at our favourite spot at the Marina for lunch and enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach. I'm not quite sure what happened to all my followers but only a few of them turned into the Marina with us.
Later that day we had a surprise visit from Nath. He had decided as we couldn't come to him he would pay us a visit, which was lovely. However, he came on his motor bike and as a mother I had to worry until I knew he had made it home safely. He messaged me the instant he turned into his street, before he went inside his house as per my instructions. Funny isn't it? our kids are always our kids even when they are 27 years old. I love that line from a movie which says, 'a mother holds her child's hand for a short time, but holds their hearts forever.' It was something like that anyway.
Well its summer downunder so I'm happy and can put up with all these small worries.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
People watching
I love summer evenings, when, after enjoying a meal we can stroll along the boardwalk, walking away the calories and savouring the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood. In some parts, life has spilled on to the pavements, music coming from cafes and restaurants, people sit outside drinking coffee, whiling away the hours, watching passers by. There are different types of passers by to be observed. Some who work the streets all night. (That is, garbage collectors and the like). Cars zoom by with the stereo volume turned up high, bearing number plates like, 'free spirit', 'fast cars rock' 'one night stand'.
Because Australians tend to live by the Coast or rivers, there is always the sound of the surf or a river view. Even the sound of the mobile phone is becoming the norm. People aren't usually phoning share holders and such, its generally friendly chit chat. For example, hello, I'm out to dinner just checking the kids are ok, or did we turn the gas off before we left? Ah! the wonders of modern technology, how did we survive without it?Someday I will write a book based only on these public mobile phone calls.
Sometimes there are family arguments which are hard to ignore as they waft across on the breeze from the river. I like too imagine that one day I will hear a conversation that is really worth eavesdropping for. For example, where are you now? were you seen? what did you do with the evidence? This is when I watch and try to remember faces, just in case I have to give testify in Court someday. Who know when my moment will arrive and I get to identify the chief suspect?
Usually, I just get to go home and sleep off the meal I have partake and the extra exercise Just being a part of the cosmopolitan crowd on a warm summer evening has been enough for me.
Because Australians tend to live by the Coast or rivers, there is always the sound of the surf or a river view. Even the sound of the mobile phone is becoming the norm. People aren't usually phoning share holders and such, its generally friendly chit chat. For example, hello, I'm out to dinner just checking the kids are ok, or did we turn the gas off before we left? Ah! the wonders of modern technology, how did we survive without it?Someday I will write a book based only on these public mobile phone calls.
Sometimes there are family arguments which are hard to ignore as they waft across on the breeze from the river. I like too imagine that one day I will hear a conversation that is really worth eavesdropping for. For example, where are you now? were you seen? what did you do with the evidence? This is when I watch and try to remember faces, just in case I have to give testify in Court someday. Who know when my moment will arrive and I get to identify the chief suspect?
Usually, I just get to go home and sleep off the meal I have partake and the extra exercise Just being a part of the cosmopolitan crowd on a warm summer evening has been enough for me.
Wish to make it happen
The new order of the day appears to be cosmic wishing. Apparently the way it works is thus.
One decides on what it is you want out of life and then ask the Universe to provide it for you.
It seems fairly straighforward, with not much effort or even the overuse of brain cells. Once you have determined what it is you wish for, you visualise it and it happens. At the moment it works for your own secret dreams, for example, a promotion or a nice new car.
Hopefully, when it is fine tuned, we can work on World Peace or eradicating poverty. Still, lets face it, most of the Miss World's hoped for world peace and weren't able to achieve it, so it may take a while longer.
It appears that celebritiies have been attracted by this cosmic ordering, so it has to be okay, right? I wonder what I'm doing wrong for it not to be working. I had thought to write it down but Im not sure who to address it to. "Dear Cosmic Ordering, or Miss Universe,' just doesnt seem to work.
I shall keep trying and just as soon as my wishes are granted I will be sure to let you all know.
One decides on what it is you want out of life and then ask the Universe to provide it for you.
It seems fairly straighforward, with not much effort or even the overuse of brain cells. Once you have determined what it is you wish for, you visualise it and it happens. At the moment it works for your own secret dreams, for example, a promotion or a nice new car.
Hopefully, when it is fine tuned, we can work on World Peace or eradicating poverty. Still, lets face it, most of the Miss World's hoped for world peace and weren't able to achieve it, so it may take a while longer.
It appears that celebritiies have been attracted by this cosmic ordering, so it has to be okay, right? I wonder what I'm doing wrong for it not to be working. I had thought to write it down but Im not sure who to address it to. "Dear Cosmic Ordering, or Miss Universe,' just doesnt seem to work.
I shall keep trying and just as soon as my wishes are granted I will be sure to let you all know.
Sleep my lovely, sleep
It appears that sleep walking has become so prevalent in the UK that staff in hotels are being trained in how to deal with the problem.
It follows an increase in the number of guests found wandering around in the night with no clothes on. A study by Travelodge found there had been more than 400 cases in the past year, almost all involving men.
Sleep experts blame stress, alcohol abuse and lack of sleep for the disorder.
The research, conducted in 310 Travelodge hotels, found sleepwalkers wandered all over the building.
A number had walked into the reception area asking for a newspaper or saying they wanted to check out.
Travelodge said it was sending notes to its staff on how to deal with the problem.
The advice includes keeping a supply of towels in reception to help preserve a guest's dignity.
Given the fact that the hotel door generally slams shut when you leave it, there is no way back inside without the key which I expect a sleep walker wouldn't have taken with him. So the best solution is probably to go to Reception and get help.
I wonder, do sleep walkers really walk with their hands outstretched in front of them? If not, how do you know they are sleep walkers?
It follows an increase in the number of guests found wandering around in the night with no clothes on. A study by Travelodge found there had been more than 400 cases in the past year, almost all involving men.
Sleep experts blame stress, alcohol abuse and lack of sleep for the disorder.
The research, conducted in 310 Travelodge hotels, found sleepwalkers wandered all over the building.
A number had walked into the reception area asking for a newspaper or saying they wanted to check out.
Travelodge said it was sending notes to its staff on how to deal with the problem.
The advice includes keeping a supply of towels in reception to help preserve a guest's dignity.
Given the fact that the hotel door generally slams shut when you leave it, there is no way back inside without the key which I expect a sleep walker wouldn't have taken with him. So the best solution is probably to go to Reception and get help.
I wonder, do sleep walkers really walk with their hands outstretched in front of them? If not, how do you know they are sleep walkers?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Grim Predictions of Doom
It appears that when there is a new invention there are also prophets of doom who want to demonise anything new, as if they have an innate fear that it will be the ruin of civilized society. For example when Movies first began there was extremely strict censorship. If a man kissed a woman and they were near a bed, he had to keep one foot on the floor at all times so there was 'no funny business'.
The advent of Television was of a great concern, 'it will surely give people square eyes', they said. I see no squared eyed people yet.
Along came rock and roll. Elvis Presley was believed to have the power to corrupt a whole generation of young people as he gyrated on the stage. Even the Beatles were said to be harming the ears of the young, because they 'screamed loudly'. So did the fans I might add.
Even the advent of the motor car was of some concern. Apparently they were considered to be so dangerous that a man would run in front of the car waving a flag warning passers by.
As for the railway trains. There was a fear that the human body wouldn't be able to cope with moving at more that 30 miles per hour. Another railway warning stated that if the train travelled too fast the air would leave the carriages and people would suffocate.
Then there is the mini dress that Jean Shrimpton was dressed in when she appeared at the Races in Sydney. Apparently some fathers clapped their hands over their son's eyes so they would not become instantly corrupted. There is something there about responsibility for our own actions which I shall not go in to at the moment.
Computers once took up two or three rooms now they sit on the palms of our hands. Remember the Y2K bug in 2000, when it was thought the world as we know it might end?
Then came the Mobile Phone. I heard one man say that he often talked to himself and now felt quite 'normal' when he passed a mobile phone user as they looked to be doing the same thing.
Is society going down the drain through the use of the clothes dryer? No longer do we see neighbours hanging out their clothes on the Hills Hoist and stopping by for a chat.
The Ipod is now part of every day life, its easy to use and just slips in your pocket. The fear now is that Ipod users are becoming like Zombies, so intent on what they are listening to on their Ipods they are unaware of what is happening around them. Mabye all those old horror zombie movies are becoming true.
I love being in the 21st century and want to enjoy it for as long as I possibly can.
Glenniah
The advent of Television was of a great concern, 'it will surely give people square eyes', they said. I see no squared eyed people yet.
Along came rock and roll. Elvis Presley was believed to have the power to corrupt a whole generation of young people as he gyrated on the stage. Even the Beatles were said to be harming the ears of the young, because they 'screamed loudly'. So did the fans I might add.
Even the advent of the motor car was of some concern. Apparently they were considered to be so dangerous that a man would run in front of the car waving a flag warning passers by.
As for the railway trains. There was a fear that the human body wouldn't be able to cope with moving at more that 30 miles per hour. Another railway warning stated that if the train travelled too fast the air would leave the carriages and people would suffocate.
Then there is the mini dress that Jean Shrimpton was dressed in when she appeared at the Races in Sydney. Apparently some fathers clapped their hands over their son's eyes so they would not become instantly corrupted. There is something there about responsibility for our own actions which I shall not go in to at the moment.
Computers once took up two or three rooms now they sit on the palms of our hands. Remember the Y2K bug in 2000, when it was thought the world as we know it might end?
Then came the Mobile Phone. I heard one man say that he often talked to himself and now felt quite 'normal' when he passed a mobile phone user as they looked to be doing the same thing.
Is society going down the drain through the use of the clothes dryer? No longer do we see neighbours hanging out their clothes on the Hills Hoist and stopping by for a chat.
The Ipod is now part of every day life, its easy to use and just slips in your pocket. The fear now is that Ipod users are becoming like Zombies, so intent on what they are listening to on their Ipods they are unaware of what is happening around them. Mabye all those old horror zombie movies are becoming true.
I love being in the 21st century and want to enjoy it for as long as I possibly can.
Glenniah
Sunday, September 30, 2007
That which does not kill you, will make you stronger
My son has a propensity toward surprises. A good surprise would be the one where he hired a limousine and took us out to a revolving restuarant in Perth for Jamie's birthday. Today was a surprise of different proportions. A few months back he 'shocked' his mother when he announced he had bought himself a motor bike. 'not too big Mum, only 250cc.' (I think that's what he said, my brain was rather muddled at the time). Anyhow I came to terms with this fact and said just don't tell me when you are out riding it.
Today we went over to his house for a visit. He asked me to try on the helmet and the jacket and gloves I would wear if I were ever to venture on to his bike. 'you look great Mum, how about a ride now you are all dressed up and ready.' He looked so excited I just couldn't make an excuse not to, although a couple of reasons did spring to mind.
I have to say both he and I were very impressed by the way I was able to hop straight on to the bike and seat myself.
Sami and Jamie waved us goodbye and off we sped. Actually the ride was great, we rode along the beach front and I was even able to open my eyes and enjoy the view. There is something about riding free with the wind in your hair, or is it the people you pass by and you imagine how they must envy you. Anyhow it was a fun trip. When we arrived back home Jamie thought he should have a turn also. 'Che Guevara rode a motor bike' he declared. I wasn't sure what that had to do with anything but off they went and he too enjoyed his ride with Nath.
Afterwards Jamie and I discussed the trips we would like to take when I retire from work. We chose buses, trains and a car, strangely enough motor bikes didnt enter our thoughts.
Still I will ride again with Nath, I think he was proud of us and I'm certainly proud of me.
Glen
Today we went over to his house for a visit. He asked me to try on the helmet and the jacket and gloves I would wear if I were ever to venture on to his bike. 'you look great Mum, how about a ride now you are all dressed up and ready.' He looked so excited I just couldn't make an excuse not to, although a couple of reasons did spring to mind.
I have to say both he and I were very impressed by the way I was able to hop straight on to the bike and seat myself.
Sami and Jamie waved us goodbye and off we sped. Actually the ride was great, we rode along the beach front and I was even able to open my eyes and enjoy the view. There is something about riding free with the wind in your hair, or is it the people you pass by and you imagine how they must envy you. Anyhow it was a fun trip. When we arrived back home Jamie thought he should have a turn also. 'Che Guevara rode a motor bike' he declared. I wasn't sure what that had to do with anything but off they went and he too enjoyed his ride with Nath.
Afterwards Jamie and I discussed the trips we would like to take when I retire from work. We chose buses, trains and a car, strangely enough motor bikes didnt enter our thoughts.
Still I will ride again with Nath, I think he was proud of us and I'm certainly proud of me.
Glen
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Neighbourhood Hero
Today was a lovely warm Spring day and Jamie and I went to visit Nath and Sami. We sat out on their front porch, soaking up the sun and chatting. Have you ever observed an incident occurring and not taken in the full consequences? For the past half an hour or so there was a lady on the corner house who kept walking up to the huge iron gate at the side of her house and walking away again. We didn't notice where she went as were weren't really paying her a lot of attention. Suddenly we realized she was at her front door and whenever she left and walked back to the fence a small child began wailing plaintively from inside the house. On further observation we realized she was walking to the front door and trying to open it, then walking back to her gate and attempting the same thing. This was connected to the distraught crying of the child.
'I think she is locked out of the house' one of us decided. We watched her make two more attempts and then all agreed, this was the case. We held a small discussion about what we should do in this instance, then Jamie said he would walk over and break the ice as it were, find out what was happening and go from there.
He walked across the road and was greeted excitedly by the neighbour who explained her plight. She had gone through the front door and her 18 month old granddaughter had inadvertently locked it behind her.
Jamie and the neighbour walked to the iron fence and realized that neither of them could climb over it as it was over 6 feet high. Plus there was an alsatian barking madly in the yard, so certainly strangers wouldn't be welcome, in fact they may have even be eaten. Then Nath decided he was the youngest male and the fittest so off he raced to the rescue. Sami and I watched another discussion between the three, then Nath returned home and went out to his shed. Armed with a screwdriver and other tools he headed back to the neighbour. In no time at all he had unscrewed the huge gate so the neighbour had access to the back door. She was delighted and raced into the house, coming out the front door with the child in her arms and waving to the two heroes.
All in all another eventful Sunday.
'I think she is locked out of the house' one of us decided. We watched her make two more attempts and then all agreed, this was the case. We held a small discussion about what we should do in this instance, then Jamie said he would walk over and break the ice as it were, find out what was happening and go from there.
He walked across the road and was greeted excitedly by the neighbour who explained her plight. She had gone through the front door and her 18 month old granddaughter had inadvertently locked it behind her.
Jamie and the neighbour walked to the iron fence and realized that neither of them could climb over it as it was over 6 feet high. Plus there was an alsatian barking madly in the yard, so certainly strangers wouldn't be welcome, in fact they may have even be eaten. Then Nath decided he was the youngest male and the fittest so off he raced to the rescue. Sami and I watched another discussion between the three, then Nath returned home and went out to his shed. Armed with a screwdriver and other tools he headed back to the neighbour. In no time at all he had unscrewed the huge gate so the neighbour had access to the back door. She was delighted and raced into the house, coming out the front door with the child in her arms and waving to the two heroes.
All in all another eventful Sunday.
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