My latest addiction is the online site Facebook. This is a great way of social networking and keeping up with friends. It seems everyone is on Facebook these days, even the Leader of the Opposition, (who by the 24th November may become the new Prime Minister of Australia). He has 90,000 friends on Facebook. As I don't aspire to having the highest post in the land, I'm happy with my 16 or so friends. Facebook is a fun way of catching up with people you may not see very often. If you are pressed for time you can invite people to write on your Wall. This is a space on your profile that allows friends to post mesages for you and your other friends to see. Or you can keep in touch by uploading photos and letting people know what you have been up to.
There is provision to put down all the books you have read and movies you have seen. Or you might prefer to just send a 'poke' to someone, sort of similar to a physical nudge for attention.
For $1 you can send a gift, or choose to send something free, like a tree or a snowman.
There are a plethora of activities on Facebook for you to choose from. Apart from social networking Facebook can also be used to spread the news about a new business venture you have started. One softdrink brand (can't say which) launched a competition online with slideshows, video interviews and wallpapers and attracted a community of over 7000 friends. (The Sunday Times 30/09/2007).
People worry about lack of face to face content, yet conversations online are often much deeper and more meaningful than a conversation started at the 'pub'. Besides, most Facebook users seem to have face to face contact as well as meeting online.
Facebook also has a safety system where users are provided with the means to report any inappropriate comments. You can also choose what details you want to be made public.
Don't be scared of Facebook. Come on and try it. You can even add me as your first friend if you want.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Help! They are Murdering English
Recently I read a comment in an overseas paper, stating that foreign students studying in Britain will be educated in the etiquette of queuing. The Brits do the queuing thing exceedingly well, however the foreign students are not so well versed in this habit. Some cultures even hold a scrum every time a bus turns up, apparently.
As I didn't plan to write about this subject I shall segue to my main topic, the English language as spoken in Australia.
The letter L appears to have been replaced from the the word Australia by the letter Y. Australia has now become Austraya. I think this is unfair to the letter L and also it makes Australia sound even more like Austria. Is this a conspiracy? Are the Austrians now taking over Austraya?
Then there is the (wonderful) State of Western Australia (WA) now often referred to as Dubba u A. Oooh wait, doesn't that sound like Dubai?
I formally declare myself proud of the L, see how it stands up tall and straight. I personally think it is more upstanding than the Y. If this makes me a revolutionary and non conformist, so be it.
One more thing I find particularly annoying is using 'u' in place of the curly little 'e' as in uleven for eleven. There is a place for the Y and the U but not in Australia, WA and eleven.
I'm off to make and sell cheap placards stating 'down with Y, up with L and E.
As I didn't plan to write about this subject I shall segue to my main topic, the English language as spoken in Australia.
The letter L appears to have been replaced from the the word Australia by the letter Y. Australia has now become Austraya. I think this is unfair to the letter L and also it makes Australia sound even more like Austria. Is this a conspiracy? Are the Austrians now taking over Austraya?
Then there is the (wonderful) State of Western Australia (WA) now often referred to as Dubba u A. Oooh wait, doesn't that sound like Dubai?
I formally declare myself proud of the L, see how it stands up tall and straight. I personally think it is more upstanding than the Y. If this makes me a revolutionary and non conformist, so be it.
One more thing I find particularly annoying is using 'u' in place of the curly little 'e' as in uleven for eleven. There is a place for the Y and the U but not in Australia, WA and eleven.
I'm off to make and sell cheap placards stating 'down with Y, up with L and E.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
June is the cruellest month.......heralding winter downunder
I have never been fond of the cold dark times of winter. I would like to imagine winter as a time to rest and pull my energy in just as the bulbs do, a season where new life is beginning deep underground where it wont be seen until the spring. But alas all I feel is gloomy and cold during this dark depressing time. Then I discovered my feeling sad has a clinical name, Seasonally Affective Disorder (SAD). This hasn't changed my feelings toward winter but at least I have a legitimate excuse for the way I am affected. Thanks to the wonderful world of the web I have found many suggestions on how to overcome this disorder. I can go and stare into special lighting fixtures until my head aches and I begin to see stars, somehow this isn't appealing. There are other high intensity discharge sources that buzz loudly, (affecting the ears) and are extremely bright. I'm already suffering emotional pain with SAD, I really don't want to cause myself further physical pain so I'm not going to confer with anyone who is a sales person for a lighting company.
Now that I know my condition is possibly caused by lack of sun and Vitamin D and a coldness that chills me to the bone, I am going to take action my way.
My Plan: Wear bright colours; catch up on those tasks that were screaming at me to complete all through summer; Enjoy the company of good friends over dinner and a nice warm fire;
Throw a Murder Mystery Night, murders are surely more enjoyable in winter! Catch up on reading and writing;
I can head North for winter or alternatively just do lots of sleeping.
Perhaps I could imagine I am Persephone the Greek goddess who was pulled down into the undeground by Pluto the king of darkness. When she was away from the earth, the cold north winds began to blow and snow covered the places where the colourful flowers had bloomed. The earth became dark and cold. Later Pluto allowed Persephone to return to earth and dwell in the realms of light for six months of the year, then the earth began to bloom, trees bore fruit and crops flourished.
If this flight of fancy doesn't help, I will have to observe parts of nature in winter that I haven't noticed. For example the odd shaped leafless branches of trees set against a wintry sunset. Or a watefall fresh and sparkling from the first winter rains. I can do it, I know I can,
If you have any suggestions, please let me know, I will try anything.
Now that I know my condition is possibly caused by lack of sun and Vitamin D and a coldness that chills me to the bone, I am going to take action my way.
My Plan: Wear bright colours; catch up on those tasks that were screaming at me to complete all through summer; Enjoy the company of good friends over dinner and a nice warm fire;
Throw a Murder Mystery Night, murders are surely more enjoyable in winter! Catch up on reading and writing;
I can head North for winter or alternatively just do lots of sleeping.
Perhaps I could imagine I am Persephone the Greek goddess who was pulled down into the undeground by Pluto the king of darkness. When she was away from the earth, the cold north winds began to blow and snow covered the places where the colourful flowers had bloomed. The earth became dark and cold. Later Pluto allowed Persephone to return to earth and dwell in the realms of light for six months of the year, then the earth began to bloom, trees bore fruit and crops flourished.
If this flight of fancy doesn't help, I will have to observe parts of nature in winter that I haven't noticed. For example the odd shaped leafless branches of trees set against a wintry sunset. Or a watefall fresh and sparkling from the first winter rains. I can do it, I know I can,
If you have any suggestions, please let me know, I will try anything.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A summer's day in Mandurah
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.
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.
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?
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