Friday, May 30, 2008

Lost Tribe Found












Here we are in the 21st century and you would think everything there was to be found explored or conquered had been done. Then something like this happens and you have to think to yourself just how big the world we live in actually is

Whatisit

Huge low offshore


There is going to be a LOT of rain this weekend, woo hoo. Just don't flood my downstairs bedroom please.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Zombie walk 08




So it was Zombie walk on the weekend, but I bet you knew that, right? Anyhoo, my son Doc and Ruby-girl joined in the fun, having a great laugh and walking with 1500 other 'zombies' in Brisbane. Ruby went as 'housewife zombie' and Doc went as nerdy zombie, or something like that. Much fun.

My Patty-cakes


I bought my daughter-in-law a mixmaster, and she made these lemon curd cakes as a thankyou. She called them 'Patty's cakes"

lol.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Quick Chicken and Corn soup



Tear flesh off bbq chook sitting forgotten in back of fridge. Make tiger sounds "like a tiger!"

Have glass of wine.

Half fill large saucepan with water, add 2 big chicken stock cubes, diced chook, BIG heaped spoons of both ginger and garlic (don't pussyfoot around, make them big)

Add fresh corn shaved off the cob, shake chilli powder over pot, add Tabasco, look hesitant.

At this point it is important to adapt recipe to suit your own needs, so if married with kids, yell at them mindlessly "Come inside! Go outside! Do your homework! Empty the bins"

If you are single, mutter things about your mother.

If you want to make this soup for the next day, add 1/2 cup pearl barley.

Bring to rapid boil. Keep tasting and adjusting chilli, Tabasco sauce to taste. Add, taste.

Toss in a good shake of soy sauce, and one more for luck.

Add fresh ground black pepper, add spagetti broken up.

Boil/simmer for another 10 mins.

Make wimpering slurping sounds and say "How good is this?" a lot.

Enjoy!

Monday, May 26, 2008

China has come a long way?

Yes China is moving along nicely now but they still have a long way to go.WOKS wrong with them? This reads of a Benny Hill script.

Beijing Olympics guide on Paralympians

DISABLED people can be unsocial, stubborn, controlling, and defensive according to an official
Beijing Olympics guide.

The Olympic manual for volunteers in Beijing is peppered with patronising comments, noting for example that physically disabled people are "often" mentally healthy.

Volunteers at the Olympics and Paralympics are instructed not to call Paralympians or disabled spectators "crippled" or "lame", even if they are "just joking
Volunteers at the Beijing Games are also given some very specific instructions on how to sit, stand, walk and talk properly.

A handshake should last from three to five seconds, the manual states, and the body and arm should form a 60 degree angle.

An "appropriate" personal space on social occasions is from 1.2 to 3.6 metres, but for work colleagues it is 1.2 to 2.1 metres, and 2.1 to 3.6 metres is good for strangers.

When sitting, volunteers are told to avoid hooking the chair with one foot ("low-class and boorish"), stretching out their legs ("rough"), crossing the legs in a "4" shape ("cocky and impolite") and continually changing positions ("underbred").

When standing, the guide warns against shaking any part of the body ("careless"), putting two hands in pockets ("frivolous"), crossing both arms ("defensive"), standing with two arms or one arm akimbo ("offensive") and standing with two legs crossed ("too easygoing").

It says taking steps too large or too small looks "strained", though it does not specify how large the step should be.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Thursday, May 22, 2008

I'm Cold

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Younger days

What was the first album you brought? and can you remember the price?

What was your first concert ?

where was it held?

Another Tuesday luncheon.




Two neices, three kids, two boys, a fresh warm batchof cooked playdough, and some yummy lamb cutlets, with macadamia, parmesean cheese, yellow tomatoes and baby salds with fresh musherooms and celery, with a blue cheese dressing and some spanish onion, yum! Didn't photograph the baked rosemary potatoes, they didn't last that long, lol.

Change sky's colour, proposes Flannery

Scientist Tim Flannery has proposed a radical solution to climate change which may change the colour of the sky.

But he says it may be necessary, as the "last barrier to climate collapse."

Professor Flannery says climate change is happening so quickly that mankind may need to pump sulphur into the atmosphere to survive.

Australia's best-known expert on global warming has updated his climate forecast for the world - and it's much worse than he thought just three years ago.

He has called for a radical suite of emergency measures to be put in place.

The gas sulphur could be inserted into the earth's stratosphere to keep out the sun's rays and slow global warming, a process called global dimming.

"It would change the colour of the sky," Prof Flannery told AAP.

"It's the last resort that we have, it's the last barrier to a climate collapse."

"We need to be ready to start doing it in perhaps five years time if we fail to achieve what we're trying to achieve."

Prof Flannery, the 2007 Australian of the Year, said the sulphur could be dispersed above the earth's surface by adding it to jet fuel.

He conceded there were risks to global dimming via sulphur.

"The consequences of doing that are unknown."

Professor Flannery, who spoke at a business and sustainability conference in Parliament House on Monday, said new science showed the world was much more susceptible to greenhouse gas emissions that had been thought eight years ago.

Regardless of what happened to emissions in the future, there was already far too much greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, he said.

Cutting emissions was not enough. Mankind now had to take greenhouse gases out of the air.

"The current burden of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is in fact more than sufficient to cause catastrophic climate change," Prof Flannery said.

"Everything's going in the wrong direction at the moment, timelines are getting shorter, the amount of pollution in the atmosphere is growing."

"It's extremely urgent."

As well as the global dimming plan, Prof Flannery said carbon should be taken out of the air and converted into charcoal, then ploughed into farmers' fields.

Wealthy people should pay poor farmers in tropical zones to plant forests - possibly through a direct purchase scheme like the eBay website.

And all conventional coal-fired power stations - which did not have "clean coal" technology - should be closed by 2030.

Capturing carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations and storing it underground - called carbon capture and storage (CCS) - was a good idea, Professor Flannery said.

He urged Australia to dramatically fast-track CCS research and give the technology to the Chinese, who are building the equivalent of one new coal-fired power station a week.

Prof Flannery said while the Rudd government was doing more to tackle climate change than its predecessor, it was still "nowhere near enough."

He called on the government to remove the means test on the $8,000 rebate for domestic solar panels introduced in last week's budget.

"It's probably the bureaucrats getting in the way, we all know that sort of policy is not going to work," he said.

*note: I think this is where Flannery has jumped the shark, I just can't take him seriously now.

Monday, May 19, 2008

My (belated) Mother's Day




Beary made me eggs n fish fingers in bed *note the smiley face Dieter, and I spent most of the day in bed, as sick as. Soma strikes his usual cute-as pose, flat on his back, lol.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Black Gold



Well this is one way to get a driveway layed for free

Abbott and Costello

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT.

ABBOTT:Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO:I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO : You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal.? What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO:Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT:One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

A few days later.
ABBOTT:Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on 'START'.............

Johnno "at work"



Some call it work, more like fun to me!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Medecins Sans Frontieres response to cyclone in Myanmar

Events are moving quickly in Myanmar, and although it is only a few days since my last update I hope this further information will be of interest.

The 43 expatriate staff and over 1,200 national staff that were working in Myanmar when the cyclone hit are starting to reach the most devastated areas to assess the situation, and provide much needed supplies and medical assistance. There are now just over 100 Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the delta region, and between 10 and 20 new staff arriving in this area each day.

The teams in the area have now received 150 metric tonnes of rice, 100,000 cans of fish, 250,000 oral rehydration sachets, 20,000 sachets of therapeutic food, and 17,000 plastic sheets, much of which has already been distributed. Médecins Sans Frontières medical staff have so far conducted over 1,700 medical consultations, around half of which have been for people wounded as a result of the cyclone; the rest for diarrhoea, fever and respiratory tract infections.

In Haigyi, in the south western corner of the delta, teams estimate they have distributed supplies to more than 50,000 people and addressed some of the water and sanitation issues in this area.

As you may have heard, gaining entry to Myanmar can be difficult and we are still in the process of arranging visas for additional staff to assist in the disaster affected areas. I would like to assure you however, that even without these extra resources, the team we already have in Myanmar has been responding with around-the-clock activity since the cyclone struck just over a week ago, and will continue to do so.

Over the weekend, Médecins Sans Frontières sent three cargo planes from Europe with a total of 110 metric tonnes of supplies including tents, medical material and drugs, pumps and generators for water and sanitation activities, and ready-to-use therapeutic food. The first plane received clearance to land Monday morning, and the Médecins Sans Frontières team will be on site to ensure delivery.

Since my update last week, many generous Field Partners have offered an additional gift towards our work and we are extremely grateful for this. Although much of the world’s attention is on Myanmar at the moment, all of our other work continues on our 400 programs in 60 countries around the world.

If you are able to make a gift in addition to your regular Field Partner contributions, it will be received warmly by everyone who works with Médecins Sans Frontières and the people whom our work assists.

To make a donation please visit: https://www.msf.org.au/support/donate_appeal.cfm?apc=MISC or call 1300 136 061 today.

Thank you again.

Yours sincerely,

Philippe Couturier
Executive Director
Médecins Sans Frontières Australia

PS. To give you some idea of the impact gifts from our supporters can have: $75 can provide clean drinking water to more than 1000 people for one week; $200 can supply medicine for basic medical treatment for more than 100 people; and $500 can provide a medical kit containing basic drugs, supplies, equipment and dressings.

Winter in Idaho

Our winter has ended I hope. A few pictures of what our friends, family and us went through in our first winter in Idaho

Sunday, May 11, 2008

A round of applause for mums.

This is for every mum who worried because she didn’t eat all the right things during her pregnancy.

For every mum who was told she should breastfeed when she couldn’t.

For every mum who had moments during the first year when she sobbed uncontrollably after five hours sleep in as many days.

For every mum who has rushed a child to hospital to be told her child has a cold. And for every mum who thought the rash would go away by itself.

For every mum who went back to work and sat hunched and desolate, in the toilet as her breasts leaked with milk and her eyes poured with tears.

For every mum who stayed at home and fretted over whether her child noticed that she sometimes wanted to crumble under the stress of providing 24/7 care.

For every mum who has smiled weakly while a stranger informs her that her baby is hungry, tired, cold, hot, sick or in need of a good smack.

For every mum whose partner knows how to do everything better than she does, and to those whose partners are just another child to look after.

For every mum who doesn’t see her partner enough, and for the ones who wish their partners would get out from under their feet, and the ones who don’t have partners. And the ones who don’t have anyone at all.

For every mum who planned to stop at three kids until the next one appeared, and for those who wish they could have one more.

For every mum who lies awake at night worrying about the dangers of the world and wraps her children in cotton wool. And for every mum who wishes she’d done more to prevent her children’s mistakes.

For every mum who wonders if her teenage son will do anything except grunt in front of a computer game.And for every mum who feels her heart disintegrate as she farewells her son to war.

For every mum whose teenage daughter goes out of the house wearing something terrifying. And for every mum whose daughter is bullied because she’s not wearing the right thing.

For every mum whose kids won’t leave home before the age of 30. And for the mums whose kids never call.

For every mum who gives it her all and has lost herself in the process. And for every mum who worries that she doesn’t give enough.

Written by Alexandra Carlton - Body & Soul, Sunday Mail

Friday, May 09, 2008

Mother's Day Luncheon - continued



Mother's Day Luncheon


What a lovely way to share with friends...

Mother's Day Lunch



Johnnos friday WHATISIT

Thursday, May 08, 2008

What did you do yesterday?

6am: Got out of bed

6.30am: Shower shave brushed teeth

7am: Breakfast Coffee and spicy fruit bread toast

8am: Drove into Brisbane ( bumper to bumper traffic)

9am: See Specialist

11am: Went to medicare and medibank private for refund

12pm: Weekly food shopping ( have you seen the cost of meat these days? )

2pm: Home

2.30pm Lunch Lamb Kebab

3pm: On the Net for a bit

4pm: phoned Dad to remind him about today

4.30pm: Mowed the lawn front and back

6pm: Time for the news ( I do and also prefer to watch ABC 7pm news as well )

7pm: Dinner Homemade Spag Bolognaise

7.30pm: Television

8.30pm: Switch on the computer

10.30pm: Bed time an early night

Ewww.......

Even the little bugs are at the nature thing.


Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Cat cleaning my shower



I have trained Soma to clean my shower, now to teach him how to vacumn!

Why men shouldn't own action figures


Sunday, May 04, 2008

Friday, May 02, 2008

Hair cut


Just called into hairdresser for my fringe cut, woot. (and if anyone cares, I hate the new letters Blogger make you put in now, I can't read them)

Pattycam




Still here, just can't get my cam to ftp. Whether the computer dude did something to it (I doubt it) I don't know. Bugger! Miss you all.

You think you know everything?

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

“Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters “mt”. (Are you doubting this?)

Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

There are only four words in the English language which end in “dous”: tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. (You’re not doubting this, are you?)

There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: “abstemious” and “facetious.”(Yes, admit it, you are going to say . a e i o u)

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.(All you typists are going to test this out)

A “jiffy” is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

A snail can sleep for three years.(I know some people that could do this too.)

An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

Babies are born without kneecaps They don’t appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon

If the population of Chinawalked past you, 8 abreast, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction

Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors
Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite!


The average person’s left hand does 56% of the typing.(clearly I am not average)

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.(Good thing he did that)


The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Fallsfroze completely solid.

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies’ room during a dance.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

Now you know everthing you need to know.

There are more chickens than people in the world.

In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated.

Joke

A man was sitting reading his papers when his wife hit him round the
Head with a frying pan.

'What was that for?' the man asked.

The wife replied 'That was for the piece of paper with the name Jenny
on it that I found in your pants pocket'.

The man then said 'When I was at the races last week Jenny was the
name of the horse I bet on'

The wife apologized and went on with the housework.

Three days later the man is watching TV when his wife bashes him on
the head with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him unconscious.

Upon re-gaining consciousness the man asked why she had hit again.

Wife replied. 'Your horse phoned'

Congrats! It's a boy!!


Our baby boy Benji Michael came into the world this morning at 9.24am yesterday (1st May 2008) 3.27kg or 7lb 2oz. He is 51cm, and we are all well. *Blogged on behalf of Johnno, on behalf of his employee Melinda.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Happy Birthday Johhno

Happy (early) Birthday Johnno


The Running of the Bulls happens again on Saturday, when our mate Johnno and his mate Inch (yes, that's a name apparently) celebrate their shared birthdays.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATE!!!!