Thursday, December 27, 2007

Boxing Day

Donald rang me and said his daughter Brooke who could not come for Christmas Day (despite a court order saying he gets her for three hours on Christmas Day!) was coming on Boxing Day and as Kath was bringing her kids I finally got the chance to take photos of everyone! Together and in each family group.

I also took some of my three 'little ones.'

Now all I need is for Meg to help me up load them into the computer, photoshop them, print them out and THEN I can scrapbook away till my hearts content.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Christmas

I don't think I have any Great Expectations about Christmas. There has not be one during my entire life that has turned out just how I wanted it too.

I was brought up in Hurstville New South Wales in the 1950's and I don't believe Christmas was big with adults. I never saw a house in the neighbourhood with Christmas decorations in the yard or on the outside of the house.

My parents never had a tree nor did they decorate the house. Mum sat the Chrismas cards on the mantal over the fireplace and that was it.

Auntie Josie had neither decoratioms nor tree (though she was a single woman)but she did spend a whole day in October making the Christmas cake. I remember helping her one year and getting excited about the sixpences she was putting in the cake. I ended up with two that year.

I don't remember Anne's family having Christmas decorations either. But there was one house my parent's visited in King's Cross that did have a Christmas tree! I only had ever seen them in the store up till then.

I did get to see Santa one year I remember sitting on his lap, but I don't think Mum paid for a photo of it as I don't recall seeing one of the occassion.

So where did I get my love of Christmas from? Unknown. But I like to decorate the house have a tree and put the cards on display. Though for the last ten years it has been at Cliff's house which is where we usually spend Christmas.

I guess my best Christmas was 2004 when my daughter gave birth to a healthy little girl Jasmine Cook on Christmas Eve.

My worse was 2006 when I had to stay in the Mildura Base Hospital from the 24th December to the 28th December and all I could have for Christmas day was sucking on ice! But even that was not all bad as I avoided having to spend time with Cliff's sister in law. She is too over the top for my taste. She tries to run Christmas like a military operation and of course it doens't work. Naturally I was her fly in the preparations for last year.

My Christmases always have minor hitches. like this year Kim (my ex step daughter and her children couldn't come beacuse Kim was cooking.) Kathleen and her lot got held up at Nathan's Nan's and arrived at 3 p.m. instead of 2 p.m. While Donald's kids had to be returned at 2.30 p.m. so missed seeing their cousins on Christams day.

Audrey Cliff's mum was down from Mildura and she had wanted an Aussie Christmas with the kids playing outdoor games. But with the deluge we had every day for a week prior to Christmas the lawn could not be cut and it was still damp and the day itself was not all that sunny. Audrey had gone out and spend close to $50 on toys for the kids to play with. So I feel confident in saying she did not get the Christmas she had been looking forward to.

But we all muddled through and a good time was had by all with plenty to eat and drink!!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Euchre Breakup Monday 10th December 2007

John Weatherall and his wife went away for a couple of days just prior to the last night of cards for this year and I still did not have the information for the certificates for the first three placings in this year's competition.

Thankfully I had dropped the message off at the right house and he rang me on Saturday morning when I was in K Mart in Traralgon.

Managered to get them done on Monday for that evening.

Disappointed that John did not acknowelge them publicly as a gift from the Nook and Cranny. Though of course he thanked me privately for the work I did.

Did not score in this year's Christmas raffle, nor the last triva contest for the year, but I did draw out Vic's name as the last triva winner.

The only people to give out cards this year were Kath and Victor.

The Club did not even have a Chis Kringle gift this year.

Despite the fact I went to Karen's and left a message that the breakup was on Monday she did not come. Working I guess.

There were not problems ordering the tea and all those that came before 6.15 p.m. had their meal reasonable quickly.

Harry brought along a new girl friend but they arrived late at about 6. 30 p.m. so we had to wait till they finished before we could start the games.

I did finish overall in front of Cliff this year and on this last night got 102 which is the first time in a month I have got over the ton.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Upset Stomach

Well it looks like those creamy garlic prawns were not as good as I thought. I spend a good three hours between 9 p.m. and midnight on Friday 7th December running in and out of Cliff's toilet. (Enough said.)

Perhaps I wronged those prawns. When I went around to Beryl's on Saturday morning to take her shopping I asked her if she had an upset tummy, but no she said she was fine and she had the entree serving of the prawns.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

TAFE Breakup

I have been telling Cliff for two weeks that I was going to the Trafalgar Pub for a break up lunch with my fellow students from the writing course at TAFE.

So I walked into the shop at 10.45 a.m. to pick up the Christmas present I was getting for Vi and he says : "You look all fancy for working in the shop."
and I said " I'm going to the TAFE break up."
and he said "I thought TAFE finished last week"
and I said "Yes it finished but this is the lunch at Trafalgar Pub that I have been telling you about for two weeks now."
"Oh" he says "yes I remember something about Traf Pub."

So the I told him I was going to pick up Beryl (Which I had told him on Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday) and he says "Well IF you're going to Traralgon can you go pick up my glasses as I left them at home."

"But I've been telling you all week I had to pick up Beryl as her car is off the road. So why didn't you ring me earlier about your glasses, now I'm going to be late."
"I didn't know you were going to pick her up." he says. Cliff accusses me of not listening to him but that is not so. It's he who doesn't listen to me.

Any way picked up Beryl and the glasses and we got there at 11.45 a.m. when people were told 11.30 a.m. but thankfully we weren't the last.

Liz from the Children's writing class was there. She dropped out this last term as her work with running the Hill End cxommunity newspaper has taken up more of her time. She brought along her daughter Zoe. I sat next to Zoe and she was intrigued with my palm pilot and wanted all the details to give her mum. I think I know what she wants for this Christmas.

Leigh came he is still hanmging around Morwell.

Ian also came he has now completed his degree as he only needed one unit to finalise it.

Freya didn't show but she had said that with her morning sickness she might not come. Why spend good money on a meal if within half an hour you are standing over a toilet, vomiting it up?

Elaine didn't show I meant to ring and remind her but Kylie had said she was going to call her. Didn't get a chance to ask her as she came in late and of course she had Liz with her. You'd swear that those two were attached at the hip. Rather like Beryl and myself.

I ordered the Creamy Garlic Prawns and received a dozen and they were yummy. I enjoyed every mouthfull. Zoe kept asking me if I loked the. She had the Chilli Prawns. I can't eat Chilli like I once could. It upsets my stomach now.

We talked about next year and most are coming back to try and finish their course. I told them what Meredith said about a letter comimg out giving us the details of the course next year and to go in to enroll on the 22nd and 23rd January, 2008.

Robin said she liked me and always had. That was nice. They all asked if I was coming back next year and I said it depends on what is on offer. I don't want to do Fridays any more as it has cut into my book service and I have lost half my customers.

Meg rang to ask where I was so she could drop in her house keys. I said I was about to leave Traf Pub so she took the keys to Cliff's shop.

Drove Leigh and Ian back to Morwell too, but left them down town as Ian had to go to Centerlink.

Leigh said he had a talk with Cliff at the Gem Show last Sunday and had Cliff mentioned it to me and of course he had not.

Dropped Beryl off at her place and took the Christmas decorations, that I had picked up at my place on the way through,off at Cliff's house as I intend to decorate the house this week end.

Ross was home and greeted me with "What the f..k is all that?" Needless to say I got my way and am decorating the house. I don't know why he was objecting as he won't be here at Christmas as he is going to his cousin Ben's.

Anyway a pleasent farewell lunch and a good day was had.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Scrapbooking

On Thursday the 29th November I brought to TAFE all my journals to show Catherine and I also brought in my 'planner' for next year. Catherine took a photo of my journals and said that she would put it on the web site, but so far nothing.

Vickie Love from Traralgon saw in my planner that I had written scrapbooking. She asked if I did it and I said it was going to be 'my thing' for next year. So on Friday she brought in two scapbooks she has done and showed me. They were beautiful and I said I'd never be able to do so well and she said "You'd be surprised."

She told me of a 'little shop' called Scrapbook Sinners that she goes to in Traralgon and does her work there, so I went along on Saturday morning and ended up buying nearly $30 worth of 'goods.' You could spend a fortune.

The lady conducts individual lessons for $8 an hour which is really reasonable, but I will not start till next year. I still have a lot of things to do this year first e.g. tidy my house and find my photo albums!!!

Friday, November 30, 2007

Fly Be Free!

This is the catch phase that Catherine uses at the end of each day's class. It had real meaning this week as it was our last week at TAFE. Two weeks shorter than last year.

We said our farewells to Catherine on Thursday, as she will not be back on campus next year. Though she said she will be doing on line courses.

So we have all been asking WHAT IS HAPPENING NEXT YEAR? but so far not even Sandra Nester has been able to give us an answer.

I asked the sectretary to give me a phone call before next Wednesday if things are still up in the air, as the enrollment days are next Tuesday and Wednesday, no point going in if they don't know what is on offer!

I will do any units that interest me that I have not done before, but I would like to do another non fiction project, concentrating on my high school days.

But as I said the staff still don't seem to know what units will be on offer.

Beryl will go with me next Wednesday to enroll if I 'don't get the call.'

Now I will 'work' on Christmas!!!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Meg's Netball Semi Finals

This post is being written at 5.40 p.m. on Friday 30th November, 2007. The last post on Wade Walker was written at 7.15 p.m. on Thursday 29th November, 2009.

Meg mentioned me (when we were at Curves) that she was playing in her semi finals at netball on Tuesday 20th November. So I surprised her and came along to watch. They won easily over the other team by about 14 goals. Her team was very happy, but it was the quarter finals not the semi finals.

So I went this Tuesday 27th November to watch the 'real' semi finals. After the first quarter they were leading by 4 goals. At half time they were in front by 2 goals at three quarter time they were behind by 4 goals and they lost the game by those FOUR goals! They were disppointed.

But it was hard playing the other team and one of the umpires who ruled against them 15 times when they had NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG!!! (That is each time she ruled against them, the other team was given possession of the ball.) So really they played extremely well, to have only lost by the four points!!

She said she will play next year and expects the be the oldest team member as their center who is 38 is retiring this year and she is the next oldest at 30.

Wade Walker

Wade Walker is the young man that is trying to get me a part time job. He works for Work Solutions. he is rather sweet and thinks I'm a vivacious lady.

The first person to every tell me that was Sister Filiclus (don't know if that is the correct spelling)on the day I left Marist Sister's College, Woolwich. I had to look it up in the dictionary at the time. I don't think she meant it as a compliment!

There was a job advertised for a part time worker at a Traralgon Newsagency working in their book department. Wade says he is going to get me that job. We shall see. They want someone who
(1) Has an extensive knowledge of authors (me)
(2) Loves reading (me)
(3) Deals well with the public (me)
(4) Is presentable (this means YOUNG and THIN..NOT ME)
and lastly willing to work Friday nights (me) BUT for juinor rates.

So what they really want is a high school kid who smiles, is thin and looks good REGARDLESS of her knoweledge or reading habits!!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

First Quarter at Curves

My first three months at Curves, boy has that gone fast! I have lost 2 kgs (not a lot) but they keep telling me I'm building muscle and that weighs more than fat. I have lost nearly 10 cm off my hips, but only 4 cm off each thigh and only 1.4 cm off my waist and abdomen. My bust dropped by 7 cm and Cliff said I can't afford to lose any more of them. (He's a bust man!)

I feel pleased that I am averaging four visits a week, the required min is three visits a week. My three goals at this stage are to (1) Be 100 kg by 14th December (I am now 101 kg) (2) Have my 100 visits by 1st February (originally I had it down for 14th Feb) and (3) Be 94 kgs by the 14th february 2008.

I will not put myself down for the advanced program as I count my movements on the machines already and try to improve that figure or at least maintain that level.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Still Stressed

Up to date on everything...so far. I have one assignment for Phillip on Friday and he said it is O.K. if I hand the last one in on the following Friday, he said in the time table that is when it is due!

So with the 'relaxed' time frame I went to cards on Monday night. The top score for the night was 141 and the lowest score 86. I got 96 the same as Cliff. I noticed by the score sheets that Cliff's average has now fallen below mine! that is the first time in the four years we have been playing, that has happened! Told them I should be able to go for the rest of the year.

I had 'nothing' else to do as a car had hit a power pole and I had no power! thus no computer! and the laptop battery was dead. I could not cook tea as the electric ignition was not working and I had no matches and the lighter for the stove was kaput. The crad club provides a 'light' supper. Usually party pies and (normal sized) sausage rolls. I like the sausage rolls.

Seems like when one thing goes wrong, like dominoes falling, other things go wrong too. How come when a good thing happens, the ripple effort doesn't come into play then?

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

November Already

I have been very remiss in doing my blog, only six items for October and nothing for November, yet it is the 15th already.

The only excuse I have is FINAL ASSESSMENTS. Yes most are due in today!! All Catherine Bateson's work is today, including participation tasks. Next week the final two assignment for Phillip Mayer to go in on Friday as I have one for him this week.

I should actually be printing out cover sheets as I write this so I must away!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Morwell Primary School #4692

On Oct 20th 2007 Crinigan Rd Primary School celebrated 50 years as a school. It went from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All three of my children attended Crinigan Road as children. I saw the first notice about the reunion in the Sun Herald about a month before and then in The Latrobe Valley Express on the Monday and Thursday prior to the day.

I spoke to Meg first about going, but she did not seem all that keen. I then spoke to Kathleen and she was very keen. I said that Meg could bring her and the girls down from Yallourn North. We could meet at Donald's (as he lives just around the corner) and then walk from there. I then got her to work on Meg. I spoke to Donald and said as he had the kids it would be a perfect opportunity to show them where he went to school and give them some history.

Well we met at 10 a.m. and went. Strange thing, the people who enjoyed it most were Don, Meg and Kath. They loved finding pictures of themselves and had a great laugh at how they used to look.

They were amazed by the changes they saw:-
The class rooms and hallways have carpet instead of lino ( I believe this to be a backward step as carpet is bad for people with allergies)
The classrooms have blinds and air conditioners
All the classrooms have three computers, this includes the prep classroom
The classrooms not longer have chalk boards but white boards
The library is in the same room but only has half the space it once did as the remainder is taken up with twenty computers
The classroom that was once one of the sixth grade rooms is now a conference room
There is better off street parking
A ramp for wheelchairs has been put in going from the street to the school
There is shade cloth over the assembly area

They did not see anyone else from their years which was a disappointment.

At 1 p.m. there was to be a roll call by year of starting. Photos were to be taken of that year but we could not stay for that. Donald had to leave at 11 a.m. to go to cricket. The girls and I stayed till noon. I will see if I can get a photo.

Unfortunately both Talhia and Kirsten were having an off day. They seemed to bounce of each other and both were sulking. Jasmine was too young to understand. I think Brooke and Maddie liked the tour, but Connor and Samuel acted bored.

I was amazed to see how many people my age were there, but then again when you get to be my age you do reminisce about the past, after all there is more behind us than in front of us. I saw three ladies all still friends who had started at the school at the same time. They said they still lived locally. They had been transferred from Tobruk Street when Crinigan Road opened. They went into third grade. I was in second grade in 1957! There were also a number of older gentlemen and it was lovely to see two of them meet. They shook hands and clapped each other on the back. Hadn't seen each other for nearly 30 years!

So I enjoyed the day too! I did buy the C.D. 'History from 1957-2007.'

Monday, October 22, 2007

Moe Cup

The original plan had been for Meg and I to go to the gym then home. I would shower dress and come up to Yallourn North about 12.30 p.m. to pick up Meg and Simon.

The first tning that disrupted this plan was Sooka. He bacame sick over the week end and Meg took him to the vet. The vet rang early Thursady morning and said he could go home at 5 p.m. Thursday so Meg and Simon needed to take their car to go and pick up the cat.

Then I get a phone call at 9.25 a.m. when Meg was suppose to be picking me up between 9.15 and 9.30 a.m to say she had run out of petrol but would ring me when she was leaving and met me there.

So I went to the warehouse to see about buying the shelving units, I wanted for my study, and was kept waiting by the assistant for over twenty minutes while he checked if they had them. Me rang and said she was at gym and had TEXTED me when she had left home. Unfortunately my texting alert is not as loud as my ringing alert and I did not hear it. So as the assistant was not back I left adn went to the gym.

She had started witout me and it was now 10 a.m. so by the time I got to the shop, picked up Cliff's bets got home showered and dressed and had a bite to eat it was 12.30 p.m.

I couldn't find most of my make up and believe that Kirsten had been playing with it.

I jumped into the car and took of. It was not till I was leaving Morwell that I realised I'd left my hat behind. One of three days in the year I get to wear one and I missed it!

From Morwell to The Moe race course turnoff near McDonald's, Moe I was passed by three cars and a bike, not bad considering I did a steady 110 kms all the way, after all it is a 110 km zone. I passed two cars and a ute.

I had hoped to be there before the start of the second race. But by the time I parked and walked the kilometer to the course I got there just as they started. The horse I wanted to have a bet on placed "Abitofun" I decided I would go and place all the bets and then find a seat in the stands. It was while standing at the betting windows I realised that the newspaper Cliff had given me was no longer in my bag. I had taken it out while eating brunch and picking out my bets. I had put the pen and my glasses back in the bag but couldn't find the paper. (When I got home it was still on the bed!)

So I found the seat in the stands and rang Meg. I asked her to get the paper as it was $5 for a racing book. I had budgeted $12 for the entry and $5 for the racing book as that had been the price in 2004, but the entry fee had risen to $20, $17 with concession, so I had no money for the race book.

They did not arrive till after the third race which turned out to be okay as the horse I had wanted to back in that race didn't place.

I went and had all my bets and rang Cliff to get his AGAIN.

I was pleased to see some things had changed re fashion on the field but disappointed that they had not changed enough.

A good change was that there is now a section for men. Meg said they had it last year too. But like the women's fashion the winner was wearing black. Not a bad colour for a funeral, wedding or church but as I have said over and over NOT a spring carnival colour. Now the young man in the ornage suit had the right idea! and he was a big boy too!

We have just had winter, beak, black and grey days, brown, white days. Spring is about yellows, greens, orange, reds, COLOUR.

There were 14 women in the final and this year unlike the 8 years I have come from 1997 till 2004 there were only 50% of the finalists in drab clothes, instead of the 85-95%. Also there was ONE older lady who was also more than a pencil thin woman. One improvement was that there is a section for hat now as well as fashion on the field, but I think there should be three prizes (AT LEAST) for each section. I also believe there should be fashion on the field for over 50's and a section for under 50's instead of lumpng everyone together. Of the finalists even the older lady would have been mid 40's, and there were many older ladies, walking around, dressed better than the finalists on the dias.

In Race 4 I bet on "Taxicab." "Zunia" won, "Taxicab" came second, "Spectrum Blitz" came third and fourth was "Attadblue.'

In Race 5 I bet on "Jest for Fun." "Fabric of Dreams" won, "Kelthrope" came second, "Dismissal' came third and "Jest for Fun" ran fourth.

In Race 6 I bet on "Flou Shot." "Devil's Nite" won, "Flou Shot' came second, "We Wonder" came third and "Odd Angry Shot" came fourth. Cliff likes the double letters and bet on "Cape Clinton" "Sailor Salute" and "Mighty Milo." He did not see "We Wonder"!!

On the Moe cup I put a dollar each way on "Heavenly Run" and "Irish Noble" and did no good as "Captious" won "Hoaks" came second, "Roanoke" came third and fourth was "Stamen."

Janette Chipperfield came and sat in front of me at about the start of the fifth race so we had a talk and I got her phone number again. She said that she had seen Kath at the Pool Competition Awards Night, and asked her to say hi to me and to give her a ring, of course I had not got the message. She said that she had not got the note I had left in her letter box about three months ago. She said she and Fred had gone to England about that time for a couple of months.

By the time I caught up with Meg said good bye collected my bets drove home it was 5.30 p.m. when I walked in the door. I had lost $5.50 in bets so it wasn't too bad.

On the way home I passed two cars and a ute (Different ones from those on the way!) but was only passed by one car. Again I did a steady 110 but the car that passed me was flying he must have being going close to 150kms.

A full day to be sure.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Curves - Second Month

On the 12th of October, I had my second measurement day. Can't say I'm overly impressed, though admittedly I am not dieting at this stage but am just doing the exercise.

My complete report is as follows-
- Kilograms UP 1.90
- Waist UP 2.59 cm
- Body Fat LOST 0.20%
- Bust LOST 3.90 cm
- Abdomen LOST 0.40 cm
- Hips LOST 1.90 cm
- Arms LOST 7.94 cm
- Thighs LOST 7.90 cm (Just what my poor legs need to loss weight and have to
support a fat body, that hasn't lost weight!)

The idea was to get fit AND TO LOSE WEIGHT.

The ladies that work there all say, 'But muscle weighs more than fat." So that means if I'm building muscle I would weigh more.

Today I weighed my self (16th October) on their scale and low and behold I came in ONE KILO lighter than on Friday the 12th!!

I have two short term goals at the moment:-
1. To reach 94 kgs by 14th February, 2008.
2. To reach my 100 visit to Curves and get my free T-shirt!! also by the 14th
February, 2008.

In the mean time Meg is losing weight she can't afford to. She is now 67kgs!! Soon she will be all skin and bones!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Sleep

According to Stanley Coren, in his book 'Sleep Thieves' "Science has identified two peak periods in our need for sleep - 3 a.m. and 3 p.m." The first causes no problems as it is in the 'dead' center of our sleep cycle, but the second is smack in the middle of our workday. Shouldn't we be napping in mid-afternoon? "At present, only 38% of us do." P. 139-140.

For nearly twenty years I try to have a nanny nap (as Kirsten calls it) every afternoon between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. of course there are days when it just doesn't happen and I feel terrible for the rest of the day, I get short tempered and tend to bite any one's head off that annoys me. However with a sleep I am an easy going patient person.

It doesn't seem to matter if I nap or not, I still don't go to bed to sleep at night till 3.a.m. I seem to have got over the hump of being sleepy. Of course the next day I'm yawning my head off.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

This and That

Still trying to finish up work before going back to TAFE on Thursday 11th October.

Have done another twenty pages in my journal, but am not up to date though I have now finished all papers up to 30th September 2007. Am 1/2 way through reading another book.

I did go to gym every day last week except Sunday, (But as it is not open Sunday that is O.K.) and so far every day this week though I don't think I'll be able to go Friday.

Looked through all the tapes and found an episode of Grey's that Meg had not seen. She was wrapped. Plus TWO FREE tapes, which was great as I'm running out of them and have noticed that it is getting harder to buy tapes. A lot of stores no longer stock them!!

Have completed up to 14th Sept 1666 from Pepy's diary which covered the Great Fire and as the fire is the finish of my children's story, I am not going to do any more.

Behind in other things with only one day to go!!

Not much else going on. Nose to the grind stone and all that.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Odds and Ends

Well it is the end of the holidays and I have done odds and ends.

I handed in the research for Children's writing, but only the first 9 months of 1665 of Samuel Pepys Diary. To write my story I need to finish the 1665 and 1666 reading and print out what I need for the story and put it in the research book when I get it back after the holidays. So far am only up to June, 1666.

Have to print out Maddie on the Murray to send to the Red Cross. Have done it all except the covers and I hope to finish them Monday to take to TAFE on Thursday and have it bound properly.

I did finish Anne's Story and sent it away to the Age competition, but knowing the winning stories from the last three years I doubt I have a chance, they like stories about YOUNG people and gangs and drugs and disfunctional family life.

Wanted to read a book every two days but only got five books read in 14 days.

Sorted out as many newspapers as I could find ( some as old as January 2005) and cut out the articles I wanted and put them in my journal with comments. Am now up to 15th September 2007 so hope to be up to date by Monday!! (50 pages in my journal.)

Did not get any of my non fiction done.

Read Anne's story but have not done the reader's report YET. Also have not done the editing on Kylie's story.

Have not gone through the ten tapes to see what I have got to give to Meg, but hope to do some of it this afternoon.

Did print out a hard copy of my blog.

I hope to have all this work done by next Wednesday.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Cold Cases

What foul weather we have had over the last few days a real touch of winter. It hailed slightly about midday Friday 28th September, 2007. The weather man forecast snow this evening, at this point I reckon he's right.

I was reading in the Sun Herald this week that the police are opening a cold case of a hit and run from nearly 30 years ago. Why do this? because the rumour still persists that a police car was the one that killed the man. So they are trying with modern technology to prove their innocence.

I also read the book "The Lady of the Swamp" by Richard Shears (Sphere Books 1981). It has been nearly 29 years since bones were found (1978) in a grave about five kilometres from the home stead where Margaret Clement lived and vanished from in approximately 1952.

The bones were kept by the police and not buried as the coroner ruled they did not have the technology to identify the bones to his complete satisfaction.

Now if the police are going to dig up a cold case to investigate why not have those bones looked at today. I'm sure there must be someone who can say for sure if they are the bones
1. of a native woman or a Caucasian woman
2. the age of the bones and
3. approximately how long they were in the soil and
4 finally how the person died.

I for one would be more interested in this than the hit and run, though of course the man's family would want to know the truth surroundering his death.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Did the Beatles Get it Right?

Yesterday was reading an article in the Sun Herald Tuesday, 25th September, 2007 by Bernard Salt 'Beatles got it just right.' It was discussing the question 'At what point in life do you stop being young and start being middle aged? and when do you leave middle age and become old?

The article said there comes a point in life when these questions enter your consciousness and refuse to leave. I guess that must have been in the last year or so as I had been thinking about this for that long.

Mr. Salt (love the name...salt of the earth and all that!) conducted an on line survey and it turns out most people think that youth ends on your 38th birthday!!! but more interestinly that middle age is entered on the 45th birthday. My question became what about the missing 7 years like an itch it bothered me, what is this gap called?

So where do the Beatles enter the picture Ah well most people thought that old age is not retirement at 65 but the day you turn 63! thus "Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64?"

So to quote a modern vernacular "is 40 the new 30?"


Mr. Salt believes that a word will tell if you have passed into middle age. The word? "chaperone"

He claims that word "only lives and can only live, amid the chatter of people in their mid-to-late 40's."

I have news for Mr. Salt I am a woman nearing sixty and never used the word or had it used in relationship to me, but the generation in front of me had to have a chaperone! So it really is applicable to people in their 70's not 40's. Mr. Salt should know this, he looks from his picture to be on the wrong side of 45. The same goes for his "I'll pop the kettle on for a cuppa before I toddle off to bed." My mum would say this and if alive today she would be 94! but I have never used that expression in my life.

I use the word chops. What else do you call loin chops but chops? and postie for the postman I worked for Australia Post and even the people twenty-five years younger than I referred to them as such. Those people would now be in their early 30's!!! so perhaps these are not 'old' words. As for 'wireless' no, for me it has always has been the radio.

As for the weather, with the drought it has become a major topic of conversation, will the rain fill the dams enough to loosen the water restrictions etc?

Let us look at these questions logically. The life span is approximately 81 years, which can be divided into three equal parts. Youth to 28th bithday, middlre age till 55th birthday and old age after that. I have explained my 'theory' to my two middle aged children Donald now 33 and Meg now 30 and my 'youth' child Kath now 26 and fast approaching middle age. But they didn't like it one bit. Too young I guess to get it, but give them another twenty years and they will see things differently.

Grow old gracefully.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Mad Men Drivers.

Why is it that when you put some men behind the wheel of a car they think they own the road?

Friday 21st Sept I was driving and turned left from Sherrin St into Crinigan Road, Morwell, to find myself behind a long flat bed truck doing 20 kms up the hill. Anyone local knows that it is a very steep hill and impossible to pass anything as there is no visibility. So I was stuck but not unduly concerned as I was going to a friends' house to drop off something and they live ony about ten houses up from the corner. The truck went slower and slower as the gradient increased. I was near where I needed to turn so put on my indicator and low and behold, the truck (without indicating) pulls over, RIGHT ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY of my friend's house!! Then indicates to me that I can overtake him. I signal as best I can that I want to go into the driveway that he has just blocked. He gets the message and pulls up further along the street, but no sooner was I in the driveway than he revesed back and BLOCKED ME IN.

I get out of the car and go to him and tell him I'm only dropping of something and will be a few minutes. He says he has a delivery and will take less time. Turns out he is delivering to my friend. But there was a problem and of course I am finished before he has even unpcked the furniture on the back of the truck. So I have to ask him to move again, which he did. But this time he is blocking the road and does not signel me that the road is clear I waited a full minute but nothing comes over the crest of the hill. I realise he has the shits with me and is not going to give me the all clear, so I take a chance. Lucklily there were no cars coming.

I then drove down town to see Meg and pick up some money she owed me. I am driving along Princes Drive, Morwell, in the Traralgon direction and of course there is no parking spot outside Curves, the National Bank or McNair Hurle where Meg works. Then a car starts to reverse out. I check my rear view and there is a flat bed little truck behind me but it is at the pawn shop so I stop to let the car out so I can get the parking spot. The lights at the intersection with the Post office changed to red and the truck wizzes up behind me and overtakes across the unbroken line to speed up to the red light where of course it has to stop. However because of it the car backing out had to stop in case the truck swerved in and hit it. But then the car finally came out. I parked and got out and the light was still red the car was now behind the truck and two more cars were pulling up when the light changed. The idiot male driver had gained nothing by his recklessness.

On Saturday 22 Sept I am driving down Kosciuszko St, Traralgon, and trying to turn left on to the Highway. Of cousre BOTH lanes right back past the golf course are full but as I am only going to Beryl's which is about five houses from the corner I check the bike lane and it is clear, so I turn and start driving along it. I signel as I approach Bery's house and from the house before hers comes a flat bed little truck (am I being cursed by flat bed trucks???) and it doesn't stop but comes out into the bike lane and blocks me off!! I point to Beryl's and my indicator and that I am turning and for him to go back into his drive. He finally gets the message and goes back in. THANK YOU.. It was some time before he got out as I had unpacked the car and was going into Beryl's backyard when he went past.

When I was leaving Beryl's, again turning left onto the Highway, there was traffic in both lanes from The BP station all the way back to the Golf course, so I floored the car and took off.

The car behind me (NOT A FLAT BED TRUCK) must have been doing closer to 90 than the 70 it should have been doing because I had got about five houses when it was right behind me, I was doing 65 by then. Only another two houses and I moved out of his way back into the bike lane as I was turning at Washington St and as he passed me he gave me the finger and pushed his horn. And I had moved out of his way as soon as I could! how rude. So I beeped him back, I have horn too, Ar..hole.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

TAFE Cancelled

I was having my afternoon nap on Wednesday when my mobile rang. A young voice on the line says she is Clare form Gippstafe and that Catherine's class for tomorrow is cancelled. I think I answered something like "Oh that's great, wonderful, thanks." Then I went back to sleep.

I woke up about 6 p.m. and thought I had dreamt it was going to be a free day tomorrow. I was just about to call Beryl when the landline rang and it was Beryl saying that when she got the call she told the young girl that she would not be in to Barbara's class as she was not well.

So I arranged with Kylie to come and pick her up at 9.20 a.m. so we could go to Subway for breakfest before picking up "Dead Poet's Society" from Video Ezy. (They would not let Beryl take the video and put it on my free card!!)

Got to Kylie's and she and her friend Liz were not ready. By the time we left it was 10.05 a.m.

We got to Beryl's at 10.40.a.m. and by the time she chatted ect we didn't put the DVD on till 11.05 a.m. and then of course her T.V. buggered up so we had to pack everything up and go aroung to Cliff's.

Kylie and Liz decided to go to The Plaza instead and shop. So I dropped them off. It was just Beryl and I. Of course I stopped the video to pick up points but Beryl got annoyed she just wanted to watch the film straight through.

So I gave it to her overnight but what good it will do her I don't know as with the hold slipping all the time it is really annoying to try to watch on her set.

I said that we would watch it again on Saturday and this time we would watch it straight through. But she has to come to Cliff's early.

Got home at 2.30 p.m. when I expected to get home at 1 p.m. but it was still FOUND TIME. As TAFE doesn't finish till 3.30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Blah! another Dead Cat.

It is one of those weeks. I am feeling BLAH! Started with last Friday. I swear I thought it must have been Friday the 13th. I got home from driving to Brian's, with the book orders, and what should I see but what looked like a cat on my fence. What the? I thought. So I get out of the car and go to the front fence to see. As I approach I see it is a cat. A dead cat, a very dead cat. I am thinking some sick bastard has run it over and hung it on my fence. Then I look closer. It's paws are pushing against the fence. Then it hits me. It has tried to jump the fence and its head has fallen between the palings. It has panicked and tried to pull free instead of lifting its head up. It has strangled itself.

I don't have time to do anything about it. I had woken a half hour early and decided to go on the internet and do some research for my writing and lost track of the time, the next thing I know it it an hour later. Hurry hurry hurry!!!

I go pick up Kylie and show her the dead cat. Then down to I-Gain to meet Beryl. I take the big bags out of my car and put them in Beryl's. My handbag is on Kylie's side so I tell her to grab it. I have left the keys in the car. No problem as I have an automatic door locking system. Kylie decided to be helpful and pushed her button down and slamed her door before I even knew what she intended.

No time to wait. Lucky I had my bag. On the way to TAFE I rang Cliff and asked him to call the RACV to come and open the car. He had to wait half an hour and did not get to the shop till 10 a.m. He opens at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Get back the first mark from Play and find I got the lowest in the seven that handed in their work. 16 out of 20. He said I had confused the play with the screen format. I though we had only been given the PLAY format!! just different versions.

Late getting back to Morwell as Beryl wanted to chat to Phil the student and then Phil the teacher.

She dropped me off at Work Solutions. I was exactly on time only to find that Wade was called away to Leongatha and was running late. Ross rang him and then asked me could I come back in half an hour. I said it was impossible. I'd only given him that time under duress of the phone call he had made on Thursday. But I had missed the appointment on Tuesday, because he had forgot to put it in the computer and I did not get the reminder.

Got to the shop told Cliff what was happening then Beryl arrived to take me to my car. When I got back Meg was waiting so we went off to lunch. They did not have the lunch I wanted so had to order something else.

Back at the shop I showed Cliff all the things Lena had thrown out. Even he was surprised at some of them.

Had to go to Center Link and here my luck changed. Usually I have to wait 15-30 minutes but I was seen within five minutes.

Luck continued when I got home, the dead cat was gone. The owners must have come looking for it. I dreaded ringing the council and getting them to come.

Phone call from Kath. Nathen was not going to bring Kirsten down could I please come up and pick her up. Was annoyed with Kirsten as Meg told me that she had told her that she (Kirsten) was bored when she came to Poppy Cliff's. After all the running around we do!! So I told her this would be the last week end we would have her, seeing as she was so bored with us. Kirsten then got upset. But I would not change my mind.

On Saturday Cliff had to drop her off at Meg's on his way to work so that Meg could drive her to Newbourgh for her soccer presentation at the skating rink. Then Nathen dropped her off again at the shop so we had her while Kath worked Saturday night.

All the kids were in the car and Cliff was surprised at Jasmine remembering him and running up and wanting a cuddle and a kiss.

Then he had to take Kirsten to the Sunday market for the day and she wanted him to buy everything she saw. After last time he put his foot down and said no. He then had to drop her off at Don Jr's so she could see his kids and Nathen and Kath were coming to pick her up from there.

Still could not get hold of "Dead Poet's Society." Turns out Vicky had it last week but she said she returned it but then someone else has taked it and I booked it for Tuesday. But the young man said I would have to be put down for Tuesday for a week so Beryl said she would go get it and I told her to keep her mobile on so I could ring her. But the boy did not ring. So on Wednesday I rang the store and yes it was in so I told them Beryl would come. Then tried ringing her house at 10.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. then realised she was at drawing classes in Morwell so I tried her mobile and the bitch had it turned off. So now I don't know when she will pick it up, will have to try her later this afternoon.

Blah!

Been feeling like crap over Tuesday and Wednesday haven't left the bed no less gone out and forget Curves! Nothing specfic wrong just blah!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Recycling

There is recyling and recyling. This is really a rant about Lena. I went throught ny paper etc recycling bin and removed the following items that she had thrown out-
4 newspapers, that I had not read, including one still in its plastic wrap.
4 magazines Home Beautiful, Woman's day etc this years date that I was keeping
to remove articles.
2 crossword puzzle books I had not completed.
1 paper bag containing a lavender bear that Cliff gave me for my drawers.
1 green cardboard matt for my picture frame still in its wrap with the $4.00
sticker still on it. (It is now bend in three places and I don't know if I can
straighten it!)
1 packet of unopened clips to secure cupboard doors
1 Tarot card Knight of Pentacles (It must have fallen on the floor) I would
have noticed next time I used them and of course the pack is useless without it.
1 playing card the five of hearts (There goes the deck when one card is missing)
1 Cover of my umbrella
1 teaspoon (nothing wrong with it)
1 cardboard folder with "Souvenir Photograph" written in 1/4 inch letters on it,
containing a photo of me and my ex husband at Magic Mountain Qlds
2 sets of notes on the novel "Moll Flanders" both in their plastic pockets.
1 Traralgon RSL booklet ( that I though had not come!) with all the 6 give
away coupons still intact because it was thrown away. Useless now! as it
was last month's.
3 elastic hair ties in good condition.
2 Get well Cards still in plastic wrap.
1 Pre-paid AP post card in its plastic wrap
12 sheets of writing paper that fell out of a writing set
(The envelopes are still in the set on the desk!)
1 unused aerogramme
1 pad of Thank You Notes still in the plastic wrap
2 inserts for my reusable shopping bags
2 cardboard video covers
2 opened packets of scrapbooking stickers (only some used)
2 unopened packets of scrapbooking stickers
1 Silver chain (for a pendent) unopened in its plastic bag.
4 Christmas cards left over from last Christmas UNUSED
4 Tattslotto coupons (uncehecked)
1 A4 writing pad (full and unused)
2 letters from a solicitor re my step mother's estate.
2 letters congratulating me on winning prizes in competitions, (which I
keep and put in a book)
1 current mortagee deposit book (I spent an HOUR looking for it! Finally went
to the bank and ordered another one a total ot two hours of wasted time!!)
3 instruction manuals , digital camera, Binatone phone system and my
unused MP3 player
1 Receipt book (13 out of 100 coupons only used)
1 Little Aths coupon 20 years old that I have saved from my sons days in sports
1 Membership card for UndercoverWear
1 Membership card for Donut King
2 Pokie pay out slips total value 80 cents (You can take them to Melbourne
I have about six, they are the ones I forget to cash in at the time!)
1 note book on words and their meaning that I use while working on for my
Dictionary
1 Womans World magazine dated July 4th 1979 that I borrowed from Cliff
1 card that I made at a work shop at a craft fair recently
1 envelop containing material on writng, a badge with POV on it and a good
luck stone (This was a Christmas present from Catherine, my writing teacher.)
1 letter from Tatts with $9:65 cheque attached (not in envelope)
1 letter from Priceline with $9:87 Dicount Voucher attached (not in envelope)
and finally
1 envelope with coupon inside for $25 dollars worth of seafood (not expired)

Most of these itens I had placed on my dinning room table.

Questions: Is she blind?
Doesn't she bother to LOOK
or is it a matter of on the table or floor (it doesn't matter which) it is into the rubbish?

Monday, September 3, 2007

The Melbourne Writer's Festival

Well what a cock up that was. As they say don't assume. I had done just that. As Barbara was the teacher I thought she would have organised the day. When we got to Flinders St station she didn't know how to get to the Malthouse Theatre. Elaine and I started walking. Barbara said it was an 8 minute walk. Fifty five minutes later we arrived. Ten minutes after the start of the talk we were to go to.

Not only that but Barbara had said she would give out the tickets on the train. She didn't so had to wait for Elaine and I, (as we were the last to arrive) to give us our tickets.

To top it off the talk was in The Tapping Room which was up three flights of stairs and not the nice type of stairs but the ones that send a surge of fear through me.

Then we find that one of the speakers didn't show and I was not that impressed with the two that were there. We saw "The Still Small Voice." I had no idea what the talk was about. The speakers talked about the voice of different characters.

There was an hour and a half break before the next session. Elaine and I decided to have lunch there. We just sat quietly outside in the sun. It was a beautiful day. The others went for another hike. My feet remained swollen from all that walking for three days! Checked out the bookshop and spent a fortune. Caught up with Margaret Guthrie. She is still doing the course, but on line. She said she needed one unit ofIndustry Overview, hence the trip to the Festival, to get her Cert IV.

Was still hungry and had a sandwich. Sat at an oak table inside and Catherine came and joined me.

I told Catherine how she had intimidated me in the first year. That it wasn't till half way through the second year that I had to speak to her about some work that I saw an inner softer side and this year I feel really comfortable with her and she is actually a very nice person. She said "Thank you Gloria."


Enjoyed the next session though it was not what I expected. Called "They Didn't See it Coming" I thought it would be about twist in the tale endings but the authors spoke of plot twists, which was disapponinting.

The last session of the day was "I Love the Smell od White out in the Morning." One of the speakers was Karen Slaughter. I enjoy reading her books. But the session finished at 6.p.m. and Barbara had ordered a taxi for me at 5.55 p.m. so I couldn't get her to sign a book. This session was about editing and it was a pity we couldn't stay for the questions or to meet the writers, though Mimi was getting on my goat about honouring the land, culture etc of the local natives. Once was enough but she kept harping on it. It really was annoying.

Thankfully the taxi was good and we arrived at the station with fifteen minutes to spare. Then we had to hike to the platform. Then it was announced we had to hike half the way back from where we had come from to catch the train at a different platfom! I was really thankful to be going home.

But all the trouble was only part of the problem. I found out that my favourite author (At this time) Alexander McCall Smith was a speaker and I didn't get to see him or have him sign my books.

Next year I will check out the program see who is speaking when. Select the authors I want to see and take my books and go to their sessions even if it means going on my own.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Irresistible

A bloody good Aussie film. I have not enjoyed an Aussie film since "Strange Bedfellows." I usually go for the comedies but "Irresistible" was a drama.

Unfortunately they tried to play cute with it and give it a twist in the tail ending and ruined it. Why?

Because they got it wrong!!

We are lead to believe that Mara is the daughter of Sophia. Mara was raised in a home. There is a letter from the government agency addressed to Mara telling her that her 'real' mother does not want to see her. There is also a birth certificate with Sophia' s name and particulars on it.

Then in the very end of the film we see Mara recalling her days at the home playing with her best friend Kate. Kate looks exactly like Sophia's youngest daughter Elle. We hear Kate say that whatever is hers is Mara's. Thus we are to suppose that Mara is NOT the daughter of Sophia but that Kate was.

Now I was adopted and to apply for your real certifcate requires three forms of identification. If Mara gave Kate's details but used her own name there would be no record of such a person. If she used Kate's name why was the letter adressed to MARA? They would not send her someone else's certificate.

The only thing I can thing of is that she somehow got Kate's birth certificate from Kate's belongings after Kath died. Also that she herself applied to find her mother and was refused and she keeps Kath's certificate with her letter. Stange behaviour why wouldn't she keep her own certificate with the letter? There was also an underlying suggestion that the refusal of Sophia to see Kath was the reason that Kate went to a War Zone and thus was killed. But the refusal letter was addressed to MARA! not Kath! though they were the dates that Kate went overseas.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Curves

Well I have finally done it. Meg put me down for an appointment with Curves, Princes Drive, Morwell and I signed up. $69 initial cost plus $49 a month. I can go in any day, except Sunday. They have low impact machines which is not as hard on me as the ones at The Beach Front. The full work out is 30 minutes. So far I have been Mon 20th at 11.30 a.m. and there were about six other women there and Tuesday night at 5.30 p.m. with Meg there was about a dozen beside us.

As there are about 24 stations it wasn't too crowded. Meg was the second skinnest one there. There was another daughter with her mother but the girl only looked to be 16 or so and she was shorter than Meg. Meg is 72 kg and I am 103.5 kg which is the heaviest I have ever been. It is terribe to think that it is Meg's present weight that is my ideal weight. Personally I would be happy with anything between 75 and 80 kg.

Another resolution taken care of. Roll on a year!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Christmas in July

This was a popular theme a few yeras back but I have not seen it lately. I was think if it is Christmas in July doesn't that make it New Year in August? and if so then I can make a resolution. Last month I was telling Meg about my Blog and she said "Gloria's Day" does that mean I write every day. I said NO. After all the Woman's Day is a weekly magazine and the Woman's Weekly is a monthly magazine, but I saw her point so my resolution has been to try to write a minimum of twice a week.

Of course some days are more interesting than others, but that does not mean I will be filling my Blog with weather reports like the English gentleman who kept a diary for 40 years and put the daily weather report in it. The weather bureau paid quite a bit for the rights to it and are publishing it but still....even though Monday the 20th was a perfect Spring Day (Though it is still Winter) a cloudless blue sky with the sun gently warming the frozen earth and the apple blossom blooming on the trees. A teasing taste of things to come. Not a day I wanted to be stuck pounding away at the key board. Not that I did.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Walhalla Revisited

Firstly I am writing this at 9.20 am on Tuesday, 14th August 2007. NOT the time it will say when it goes up on the post. (In an hour)

I am terrible. In May Cliff's next brother down to him, Grant and Grant's wife, Terry came to visit. They stayed at Cliff's for about a week.

On Saturday 26th May we took them up to Walhalla via Cooper's Creek pub.

It was about 2 p.m. when we arrived at Cooper's Creek and it was a beautiful warm sunny winter's day. There were bikes in a paddock near the pub and their buzzing was like the sound of bees on a summer's day. Very pleasant indeed. We sat outside and had a drink, then read about the history of the pub from the posters inside and the plague outside. I loved the cherry wood on the underside of the verandah.

Grant had brought along his banjo and took it and and played a few tunes while we sat.

We arrived at Thomson River Bridge Station at just after 3 p.m. and were lucky enough to catch the last train up to Walhalla. The next week the trains stop at 2.30 p.m. from Thomson River Station. They usually make the run back empty as most people get on the train at Walhalla and go down to the Thomson Station and back. So we were doing it in reverse.

We waited for the train to do the turn around in the waiting room and there was a lovely open fire. It was getting quite chilly as there is only about two to three hours of direct sunshine into Stringers Gorge at this time of year.

Grant played his banjo again and this time the passengers from the train put money into his case. He made a donation of it to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway fund. It was about $20 so the people were generous.

Ross was with us too and he gave me his camera to take photos while he used the camcorder. Grant and Terry also took photos and used a camcorder.

We wrote in the vistor's book (of course.)

Well this week end Audrey said that Graham had asked if Tom and her had ever been to Walhalla and they had said no. I never know this!

So Cliff took Sunday off and we went to Walhalla. This time Tom drove and we went to Walhalla first. We got the train down to the Thomson station. It was a cold wet day. But the train was full.

Stringer's Creek was flowing rapidly, last time it was a lazy wander. The station lady at Walhalla said all the rains had cleaned Stringer's Creek out, though it was muddy in places due to the rain last night.

On the cliff side there was a lot of water flowing down the face of the rocks and creating wonderfully looking little waterfalls in places. In other parts I was amazed to see water seeping out bewteen cracks in the rocks, the cliff face above being perfectly dry and below the crack all shiny from the water. The sun came out for the twenty minute ride so we were blessed.


At Thomson while we waited for the turnaround we walked up the bank to look at the river. There was debris piled nearly 20 foot high behind the middle pylon of the road bridge. The station master said that was the height of the river a month ago when they were having the floods in Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale area.

He also said that Stringer's Creek enters the Thomson River there and then the Thomson runs into the Macallister and that runs into the Latrobe which feeds into Lakes Entrance.

There was also a huge pile of debris behind the middle pylon on the rail bridge. Not as high as the road pylon, but much wider. I would say there would be about the same amount of wood in both piles.

It started to drizzle after we arrived back at Walhalla so Tom just drove slowly through the town but we didn't stop, he drove up to the bus turnaround and then back down again. I think Audrey was disappointed she wanted to see the bank vault and read the description.

On the way out we saw a fresh fall of rock on the road! It had not been there eighty minutes earlier when we had come in. Tom said he was thankful it hadn't fallen on his car. So was I.

We then took the dirt road to Cooper's Creek. There were a number of trees down. One was right across the road! Thankfully the car went under it with three inches to spare. The other four trees we managered to drive around.

Unfortunately when we got to Cooper's Creek it was to find that the pub had a sign on it that said it is now closed for business. They have gone out of business in the ten weeks since we were last there. But their sign to say they are open is still on the road.

We drove to Erica and stopped at the pub there and had lunch. Audrey mentioned to the lady serving lunches we had intended to have lunch at Cooper's Creek but they were closed and the woman replied that a group of six had come in the night before and said the same thing. Audrey said how would we have liked to have gone out in the night, down that dirt road, only to find the pub closed? I was pissed off and it was the day time! So I know I would have been furious at night time.

At least this time we meet no cows wandering on the road.

Drove through Yallorn North and pointed out where Meg lives and Kath works and lives as well as Nathen' parents.

Ross did not come with us as he says he is coming down with a cold. So am I, my voice is almost non existent. But I still went and had a good day.

Audrey and Tom left for Graham's on Monday morning.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Audrey and Tom Visit

Audrey is Cliff's mother and Tom is her fiance. They live in Mildura. So she is my almost mother in law and a lovely woman. As Kathleen says she is the only grandmother she has.

They arrived yesterday Wednesday the 8th August, in the morning. They will be staying at Cliff's till Sunday, then they are off to Graham's (Tom's son) who lives in Beacinsfield or thereabouts.

Picked up Kath and Kirsten and we went to Cliff's for tea, for their first night here. Tom and Audrey cooked. A nice roast. Unfortunately there was not enough pumpkin as I love it. Audrey went without.

At first Ross was all, there isn't enough room ! What are you all doing here? It's family! If Tom can be considered family after ten years of being with Audrey then suely the same applies to me? It's times like this when I realise that Ross still does not accept me and obviously never will.

Surprisingly Keith was on his best behavour and spoke to myself, Kath and even made the effort to go and have a conversation with Kirsten.

Found out that Kath only eats chicken and no other meat. Cliff asked why hadn't I told him this before and I said I too only just found out, but she enjoyed her vegies. Kirsten didn't eat too much as she was feeling a little queasy in the stomach.

But in the end the meal was quite friendly and tasted great.

Keith had to leave early to go to work and Kirsten had school so I was home just before 8.30 p.m. Not a late night at all. So Ross got his alone time with Nan and Tom.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Time.

I realised early on that the time stamped on these postings is haywire. It then came to me it is USA time. You would think that with all the technology available today someone could work out how the correct time could be put on a post that originates ouside the states.

Time is the thing everyone complains about. Usually because we don't have enough of it. True in the grand scheme of things. Our average life span is 80 years and how quickly that goes.

Just ask any mother. One minute she is giving birth the next minute that baby is celebrating a 21st Birthday. She will tell you she can remember the birth as if it was yesterday and in the macro view it was just yesterday.

Ask a busy person to do something and they will manage to find enough time to do it. Yet we say there isn't enough time.

I looked at my time and it breaks up daily as about two hours reading the paper and doing crosswords. Two hours watching T.V. Two hours playing electronic games. Three hours writing and two hours general reading. Eight hours of sleep. That's only 19 hours a day so I have no idea what has happened to those missing hours. Washing, dressing, toilet, eating, etc I guess.

Oh yes I do very little house work. After all there is just me, a load of clothes once a week. Run the dishwasher once a week and I'm done.

A young person comes in and does the gardening for two hours once a week. I once enjoyed the gardening, but with my back these days, it's one of the pleasures I've lost. Nothing like the warm winter sun on your face.

The birds are chirping at this very moment as if calling me to come outside, instead of being chained to my keyboard. But I must resist. A writer writes! and so I have to go and do some writing. Keep my nose to that grind stone.

No, only at times, mostly I LOVE writing.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

R. I. P. Sylvester

On Friday the 27th July as I was putting my stuff for the weekend into Cliff's bedroom, I heard a snippet of conversation-

Cliff "Did you fed the animals?"
Ross "Yes, but Sylvester didn't come home."

I had to go to my car. Then we all went to the R.S.L. for the raffle etc. I drove down Gilles Ave into Grey Street then turned into the R.S.L. street.

Never thought anything more about Cliff's cat, Sylvester.

On the way to Beryl's via Subway I had to drive down Gilles Ave again and I spot a LARGE, very DEAD, black and white cat in the right hand side gutter.

'Oh, Oh." thinks I, the snippet comes flashing into my mind. 'Will have to tell them this evening, that could be Sylvester, if I heard what I think I heard.'

Then it goes COMPLETELY out of my head.

That evening Ross says "Sylvester dndn't come home AGAIN."

Image of the very DEAD cat comes to mind.

Me "Sylvester won't be coming home again, he's dead." Note the tact!!

"WHAT?" from both Cliff and Ross.

"I noticed a VERY dead cat in the gutter around the corner, this morning, on the way to Beryl's."

"And you're only telling us NOW." says Cliff.

"Where?" from Ross.

Me. "I forgot. I'll drive you there."

So I told Ross to bring a large garbage bag. Then we drove around the corner. He got out and went to see if it was Sylvester and I turned the car around.

Yes it was the cat. Now lying with stiff legs protruding at a 90 degree angle from the body. As Ross was inspecting it, a woman from the house, in front of that part of the gutter, where the dead cat was, starting speaking to Ross though the window.

Ross only bought a plastic supermarket bag and it was FAR too small. I wasn't letting him in my car with the dead cat. It was only five houses away, so he walked home.

Turns out the woman said, 'A HOON was doing at least 80 KM down the road. The cat was fast, just not fast enough. It died instanly.' She said the driver didn't even stop. It happened between 5-6 p.m. on Thursday night.

So on Friday when we drove to the Club we passed Sylvester in the gutter and did not notice.

Cliff said 'Why didn't they bury it.' I said 'Good thing they didn't otherwise we'd never know what happened.'

Sunday morning Ross buried the cat. He came in and said "Well that's the biggest hole I've ever had to dig for a dead animal."

Rest In Peace Sylvester.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Kirsten Cons Poppy Cliff

I mentioned that Kirsten received money for her birthday. Well she came to stay the weekend of July 21st -22nd. While I was in Drouin she was with Poppy Cliff helping at the shop.

It seems the money was burning a hole in her pocket. She had spoken about what she wanted to buy on Friday night and I told her I would take her to K Mart in Traralgon on Sunday to get them.

When I got home, it was to find that she had told Cliff that her mother had said she could go to K Mart and buy the Bratz doll and the Tamagotchi. So HE took her after work on Saturday afternoon.

Now as I'm sure EVERYONE knows Saturday at 9.01 a.m. EST the last Harry Potter book went on sale.

So the first thing they see as they walk into the shop was a big stack of Harry Potter books. Kirsten points them out and tells Poppy Cliff that Nanny would want one. He says "If I buy it, it'll turn out she will have already bought one for herself." Now as I was in a talk all day how was that going to be possible? It turns out he nust have been the only person in the world that didn't know that the book was being released that day. Considering he is in the book selling game and I had mentioned it to him on at least three different occasions it goes to show how much he takes in.

Well Kirsten selected a doll that cost $75 and the Tamagotchi cost $20. When Cliff told me I was stunned. "It had better be made of gold to cost $75!!" I said He said it was reduced to $33. Even so I still think for a doll that has no electronics it is a steep price. Total cost $53, now Kirsten had $40, so Poppy Cliff forked out the difference. Conned!

When I told Kirsten she can't always get what she wanted because of the cost, she said "Mum will pay the difference." Mum is on the Newstart Allowance! So I told Kirsten that was not the case and that she would have to learn to SAVE her own money to buy what she wanted. She got all pouty and wanted to go home to MUM.

I was firm and said No you came for the week end and you're staying the weekend. In the end she stopped carrying on and quietly played with her dolls.

On Sunday we went to Beryl's and watched DVD's. Kirsten ended up having a good day.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Hazel Edwards and Garry Disher

As part of the Baw Baw Shire's Literary Celebrations on Saturday 21st July there were talks given by Hazel Edwards and Garry Disher at the Old Butter Factory, Drouin.

The last time I was in Drouin I was with Beryl Anderson and I was with her again today.

Hazel seemed to have lost weight since I last saw her in 1998, but she said no. She was vivacious. She talked about blogs in the morning and focused on the blog created by her son when he travelled by bike from Ireland across Europe.

Using the blog as a basis they wrote a book together about it. Not a topic I'm interested in but it has sold well because of the number of people interested in biking.

In the afternoon we had another session with Hazel and she spoke about her Antaractic trip. Now this was something I was more interested in as Cliff's step brother Graham Wills was in the Antaractic around 2000.

Cliff says he has a book that mentions everyone who has been in the Antaractic and when they were there and it has Graham's name in it. He will try to find it for me. He's not sure when it was published.

As a result of her trip Hazel wrote:-
"Antarctic Writer on Ice" a non fiction book about the trip.
"Antarctic Dad" a childrens fiction picture book.
An adult fictional book based on the first book.
A book were you insert a child's name.
A sign lanuage DVD.

I bought the first two. The first one for me. The second one to replace the 'lost' book I had bought Kirsten. It is a first edition. One never knows it may be worth money in a hundred years. In a picture towards the end of the book there is a class room scene with a cork board. Hazel's photo is actually on the board.

I also bought another of Hazel's books about writing and a teenage novel "Outback Ferals" about a pandemic in Australia.

Garry Disher spoke about making the characters in your story alive. Ironic perhaps because he himself was looking very tired and washed out. A good talk though.

I was not interested in his teenage books, but did buy his Challis series of four detective books and am reading "The Dragon Man."

Before Hazel and Garry gave their afternoon talk there was a drumming workshop. We had to go to the very bowels of the factory down what seemed like hundreds of stairs and a number of us were having difficulties. When we reached the area the man and woman in charge insisted everyone stand up and take part. Beryl and I had to explain that was not possible after the stair feat so along with the two women with canes were allowed to sit down. Garry Disher just wanted to sit and observe the workshop and the woman said no he had to take part. He left. His action surprised many people. Hazel threw herself into the activity and was laughting and banging away with a vengeance.

I was surprised by the poor response. I could not see any of the fellow FAW members but there were a number of other Writing students from TAFE there and I believe a good time was had by all. The cost for the whole day, including lunch, which consisted of sandwiches, was $35. If you only went in the afternoon it was $25. Not bad really.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Kirsten and Ross's Birthday - Meg and Simon

Kirsten was nine on 19th July. Kath wanted the family to have a party for her because it is the last single digit birthday. That means next year we have to have a party because it is her first double digit birthday! I had one party as a child and that was for my tenth birthday. The next party I had was my 21st.

We went to the Morwell Bowling Club as the top pub was undergoing renovations. Meg and Simon reckon that the Italian Club meals have gone down hill since he left there. I know the meals got worse when he left the Morwell Club.

Yes, Meg and Simon are back together again. I think he is afraid of committment. When things get too serious he breaks up to put distance between them. Meg has finally realised he doesn't mean it. He is just taking a breath for a week or two, then he comes back and says he really loves her and can she forgive him. The first three times he did it she was really hurt but now knows that what I have said is true and just nods and says "Whatever." I'm sure there will be another break up before the end of the year, as there are plans to build a house and last time, when it came time to sign the contract that's when he got cold feet.

Back to the birthday party. As stated before Ross and Kirsten share a birthday. When Ross found out that she had been born on his birthday he said "She's stolen my birthday." Other uncles would have been pleased that a niece shared their birthday but no he is jealous. Shows the level of maturity.

So we always include him in her birthday celebrations so he doesn't feel left out. He was 28. Naturally Cliff and Keith were there. But Nathen would not allow Talhia and Jasmine to come. Kirsten received about six Bratz dolls. Plus clothes for them. Meg and Simon gave her lots of clothes for herself. She is in a growth spurt. I gave her a strap with Kirsten on it that she will use for her Tamagotchi, which she plans to buy at the weekend with her birthday money. I also gave her a Bratz writing book and a Bratz pencil case. She says she will write her stories in the book. I bought her a book to read but put it away safe from her eyes and now can't find it.

Kath promised to bake her a cake. That made me laugh and Kath hit me on the arm. As it turned out she got Meg to buy one from Coles. I didn't say a WORD.

All in all a good night.

Yarragon Book Fair

For the third year in a row Cliff and I had a stall at the Book Fair. It was run over Saturday the 14th and Sunday 15th July. I don't know if it has been the case in past years but this year it was part of the Baw Baw Shire Literary Program.

Instead of just the main hall the back hall was stacked with books too. However, this year there was a lack of up to date paperbacks. I found three over the two days and I was keeping a close watch on the man putting out the books. I grab these for my own reading.

Of course all the dealers including Cliff are hoping to find a treasure among the old hard back books which seemed to dominant the tables.

At the dinner we all attended on Saturday night at the Yarragon pub the other dealers said that the day had been slow for them. One bloke said if it had not been for the preorders he would have already gone home.

Another dealer who only sells on the internet was having a 'fire sale' of the books he had not been able to move in the last year, $10 each or 6 for $50. By noon on Sunday he had made that $8 each or 10 for $50.

We have never broken even at the event but we have gone home with some great buys. This year was our worse yet and we found very little to take with us.

Best to just think of it as our 'dirty weekend holiday.'

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Friday the 13th July 2007

As I said in my last entry I should have questioned Nathen's motives for wanting the girls overnight. When Kath went the day after my birthday, Thursday 12th July, to pick up the girls, he gave back Kirsten but said he was seeking full custody of Talhia and Jasmine.

So Kath and I spent Friday trying to find someone to help her. We went to legal aid but they said they couldn't help as Nathen had already been in and they would be acting for him. They gave us a list of private lawyers and we had to make an appointment for Tuesday 17th. It was the earliest we could get.

By then she was in tears and we ended up going to Anglicare so she could talk to someone.

Meg tried to put a good spin on it and said she would get custody. I don't doubt that, but the question is what is she to do in the meantime as that could take months.

She is still very angry with Nathen. I don't think she had actually made up her mind to leave him but his pre-emptive strike was the last straw.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

My Birthday

I was 58 on the 11th July. It is not a special birthday so there was no need for a family party. I was looking forward to just Cliff and I having tea at the Morweel Club and then buying some raffle tickets and maybe a little play on the machines.

Then on Monday I was having my afternoon nanna nap when I dreamt that I heard my daughter and her three children. When I woke up it was no dream, they were here.

So on the Wednesday Kathleen decided that she wanted to come out with me and bring the kids along.

So when Nathen rang up and asked to have the girls overnight I was overjoyed and didn't think "Hang on a moment, here is a bloke who would rather spend hours on his play station than even fetch one of them a drink of water. What does he want them for the whole night for?"

So Kath sent them up to Yallourn North with him and went out with Meg and I had my night with Cliff.

As our membership renewal had just been paid we were entitled to two half price meals so we ordered the prawns and paid under twenty dollars. We splurged on ten dollars woth of raffle tickets and ended up with a seafood tray and a voucher for twenty dollars worth of seafood. I put in five dollars in the machines and won ten and Cliff put in fifty dollars and won a hundred so it was a GREAT night.

The only let down was that orginally Cliff was going to stay the night but with Kath here he went home.

I received a phone message from Meg and a card from Meg and Kath. Meg bought me "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time." (I had asked for it after reading a "Spot of Bother") and Don Jr rang and gave me "Lean Mean Thirteen" (Which I also asked for.)

All in all a good day.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

The New Seven Wonders of the World

Am a bit behind because I had the harddrive in for a service in the holidays.

So on the 07/07/07, in Portugal 'they' announced the New Seven Wonders of the World, as voted for on line from people all around the world.

Here they are:
1. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, China...It was not built to keep the rabbits out, but rather the invaders from the north. Made from earth and stone, much of it has been vanalised and pulled dowm. Three main sections are maintained for the tourist trade and after being put on the list I would image the government will continue this. It was constructed ciria 220 -200BC and stretched for 6,440 kms from the Yellow River to the Bohai Sea. Contray to popular belief it is not visiable from space as many astronauts have tried to see it and failed. I voted for it.

2. PETRA, Jordan...Other than the fact this temple was in the Indianna Jones film "The Last Crusade" and "The Mummy Returns" it has nothing going fot it. These ruins are believed to have been built about 6th Century BC. It is located in a basin that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqeba. I did not select this. My second choice was The Statue of Liberty, I felt that in the times we are now living, more than any other time even, with our fears eroding our cival liberties, our system of freedom needs to be remembered. What better way to do this than by selecting this reconisable American icon, a gift from the French in 1886. On the table that the statue holds is the date of American Independance 'July IV MDCCLXXVI.'

3. CHRIST THE REDEEMER, Brazil...It was erected on OCT 12, 1931 and is made of reinforced concrete with an outer layer of soapstone. It is not unique. There are similiar stautes in Argentina and Portugal. Other than it is a religious icon and been hailed as a symbol of the country it is not out of the ordinary. Hence not a wonder. I would have put the Eiffel Tower, in France. It trully is a wonder of engineering and is in fact the most widely visited icon that was on the list. I was most surprised to find it was not selected.

4. TAJ MAHAL, India...Situated in Agra it was the tomb the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was started in 1632 and completed in 1648. It was originally white marble inlaid with semi precious stones. The surrounding gardens also contained roses, daffodils and fruit trees but when the British ruled the country they changed the landscapping to resemble the formal gardens of London. A beautiful love story. Yes I voted for this.

5. CHICHEN ITZA, Mexico...A place of ritural sacrifice to the Mayan god. Thousands died on the altar and now it has been selected as a wonder of the world. Not to mention the fact that 'some' people believe that along with The Pyramids and the Stone Statues of Easter Island that this structure was built by some 'alien' power. Definately not on my list. I had pride in my country's selection of The Opera House another feat of engineering. Yes it is the baby of the group but that does not make it any less a wonder. It has become a recognisable Australian icon.

6. COLOSSEUM Italy...Built from blood money as a sports entertainment center where gladiator killed gladiator for the amusement of the rich and where later early christians were thrown to the lions. Just the sort of place the world wants to immortalise. Instead I chose The Acropolis were one of the greastest civilisations of the world had their teaching and learning centers.

7. MACHU PICCHUC, Peru...Needless to say there are those that also believe that this city was built by 'aliens.' Especially as the people did not use the wheel and scientists have not been able to work out how the stones were transported to the site. The struction is so perfect a fit without morter that it is thought to be impossible with the tools that were available at the time. Not to mention that the mountains surrounding the city are in alignment with key astronomical events. The water system is far in advance to any other used at the time. All very X file. I wavered at this point between The Pyramids (after all they are the only surviving Ancient wonder and give credit where credit is due, when the 'aliens' bulit it they knew what they were doing) and Neuschwanstein Castle built as a homage to a great musico Richard Wagner.

Someone said what about a good church, but there are so many of those not even on the list that I think they would have to have a list of their own. "The Seven Greatest Churches Ever Built." We'll see.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Holiday Delight.

Once I handed in my final two assignments at TAFE two weeks ago I breathed a sigh of relief. Although I still have work to do on my non fiction project I decided to have a break and do some reading.

"Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult is actually the first book of hers I have read, though I must admit I have about three, in the house, from the shop.

It unfortunately came out at the same time as the last school shooting in America.

I liked the way she looked at the parent's point of view of the 'child killer.' I agree as I have thought about this a lot over the years. I would love my child no matter what they did but I would not condone what they did. Also it is only human nature to want to 'blame someone.' Again it is the 'poor' parents who are 'dumped' on. Yes there are some parents who neglect their children and do not give them a morale compass, but there are many good parents out there who do all the right things and their child turns out 'bad.'

In "Nineteen Minutes" it is the school bullying and the fact that no one prevented it that lead to the slaughter. What was so sad was that even then the 'surviving bullies' could not admit that they did anything wrong. If we can't learn from our mistakes we are condemmed to repeat them. Well written and I like the different point of views, which I have found is something difficult for a new writer to achieve, with any reasonable chance of distinguishing between the voices.

"Blood Ties" by Sam Hayes. The publisher gave a guarantee that if you wre not happy with this book you could have your money back. I wonder if I would be the first to ask for my money. I felt really gypped. The story led the reader in one direction all through the book and then gave a totally different ending. As if to say "Fooled you!" A tale of a kidnapped child, every parent's worse nightmare.

"A Spot of Bother" by Mark Haddon. An English author this is the first of his I have read. A story about a man's mid life crisis, and the fallout surrounding it. Loved the story, a laugh a minute. With some really poignant moments that struck home. Have heard of his "The Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" and asked Meg to get it for my birthday.

"Until Death" by Sandy Curtis. An Australian author, this is the first of her's that I have read. I love my murder mysteries, but this was more a J.D Robb style, with a greater emphasis on the romantic side and without all the furture gadgets. O.K. but as with all romances you know they will end uo 'happily ever afetr.'

"Cell" by Stephen King. Not the first of his I have read and I did enjoy it. The premise of a world sent mad by a mobile phone signal. I liked the variety in the survivors as well as 'crazy phone people' from the young to the old. Not a world split eg. all the people under 50 (say) who use mobile phones go crazy and all the old people who don't believe in them or have or use them stay sane. Very "Lord of the Flies" but on a grander scale, though we only stay with our small group of 'heroes.'

This week it is back to writing with only a small amount of reading.

Winners are Grinners!

Cliff and I started playing Euchre about April 2003. So we are just going into our fifth year. In that time I have come 3rd twice with scores of 121 and 130. I have come 2nd twice with scores of 115 and 136. (I really thought the 136 would get me first place but Big John scored 148! that was about a month ago!) So imagine my surprise and delight when this week I came FIRST! and with a score of only 126! MY first 1st!! And my friend Karen who was the one who first brought Cliff and I was there to see it! Monday 2nd July 2007! a day to remember!

We play eleven games. No one has ever got the perfect score of 165. Everyone aims at scoring 10 per game to get an average of 100. Most players average over a 100. My average has gone up each year. Starting with 86, 92, 96 and 101. This year my average stands at 105.2. I am like the cat that got that bird. All smug. So Meg brought me down to earth when I told her by saying "What do you get for that?" "$10" I reply. "How much does it cost you per week to go?" Me "$4" "So that covered it ah?"

I think she missed the whole point it's not the money otherwise I would not still be going. It's the fun, the company and of course improving one's own score!

This week because of the no smoking rules inside public venues we started at 7 p.m. instead of 7.30 p.m. So instead of a minute or two to go to the toilet after the third and ninth game we have a five minute break for the smokers. No more "Come on Gloria hurry up we're waiting to start" when I go to the toilet. It was wonderful!

Monday, June 25, 2007

Low-Leyshan Wedding

How slack! I never wrote about the wedding! On Saturday 5th May this year, Kirsty and Marc got married in the Centrenary Rose Gardens in Morwell.

Cliff and I know them on two levels. Firstly Ross went to school with Marc. Secondly George who used to own the fish and chip shop next to The Nook and Cranny ( our legal name)(though must people know us as The Book Nook)has a niece. We met her when she worked in his shop. She is living with a man. He is the father of Kirsty. Kirsty refers to George's neice as her step mother.

The day was dull and overcast. Unfortunatley it began to drizzle towards the end of the service but thankfully not so much that we were wet before we reached the reception at the Traralgon Golf Club.

Cliff was wonderful. I think weddings bring out the romantic in him. He thought the ghost gum outside the club, highlighted by a spot light looked 'beautiful.' For the first time in the eleven years we have been together he danced with me.

I have never enjoyed dancing. On a number of grounds. One, I can never remember the steps of the old time dances. Two, I get puffed out doing the modern dances. Three, I can't even remember the steps to those group dances everyone does in lines (not line dancing). But I think the biggest reason of all is the loss of control. To dance the female has to give up the control to her partner and I can't seem to put enough trust in any male to do that.

But I didn't tread on his toes and it wasn't too bad, in fact I was having a good time till a big oaf stood on the side of my foot. Cliff had to take me off the dance floor and I couldn't go back. It was too sore. It was all I could do to walk out to the car and drive home. Had a huge bruise the next day.

Everyone seem to be having a good time including Kirsty and Marc's two children. All up not a bad night.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

DejaVu

On the 9th of June I rented the DVD DejaVu from My Movies in Morwell.

Cliff and I watched it that night after the R.S.L.

I might just have to rent it again in about 6-9 months. Not that it was confusing but the concept is.

It starts with a ferry on a trip. A ferry employee hears music coming from a car and goes to check it out. We see a bomb in the car. At the same time we see a man on a motor bike on a near by bridge. The camera focus on him. He gets off the bike and comes over and looks at the ferry for a minute maybe two. He then gets back on the bike and drives away. Why did the cameras go to him? Is he important? Then the ferry blows up.

Question if the man on the bridge was the bomber why did he leave? If he wasn't going to watch what was he doing there at all? Not logical!

A policeman comes to investigate. He tries to ring his partner. We then hear a moblie phone ring on one of the dead bodies. Is it the partner? Was he on the ferry?

We learn the partner started his holiday on Monday. It is now 'Fat' Tuesday. Why would the policeman ring his partner in the 'middle' of a case? The partner is on hoilday and not coming to the scene. Again not logical!

Our dectetive is called to view another body burned by the ferry blast. But it turns out it was found ten minutes before the ferry blew up at 10.50 a.m. It is the body of a young beautiful coloured girl.

We see a new man come on the scene. He is with a new section of crime scene investigation. Our main investigator is told within 24 hours that this section can 'bend' time and view the scene 4 days and 6 hours in the past.

The dectective believes the young girl is the answer to the ferry blast. So the section begins viewing her. The 4 days and 6 hours means we are seeing the girl on Saturday morning. We hear her ex ask her to sell the car. The earliest she cou;d have put the ad in the paper is Sunday.

But the biggest problem I had with this movie was the phone call by the bomber. He makes it Sunday night to buy the girl's car. The section is able to trace it and obtain photos of the suspect. Using these photos they scan the camera footage of the ferry terminal and find the suspect did a recon early Monday morning.

They send a message back through time to the dectective's desk on the Sunday night, but he has just had an argument with his partner and leaves. It is the partner who reads the message and goes to the dock. He approaches the suspect in the car. The only person around at that hour in the early morning and asks him to step out of the car. He is shot throught the car door by the suspect.

On Thursday the investigator arrests and interviews the suspect. He states he had to buy a new car because of the bullet holes. The girl would not have died if the policeman had not been there. There it is! The bullet holes occurred Monday morning. He made the call to buy the car on Sunday night.

The next thing. The suspect takes the wounded officer 'home' and shots him and then burns the body. We assumed to put it in the boot of the car with the explosives. It might look like just another victim of the fire. Hence the phone ringing!!!

However he burns the girl alive and when asked why says he couldn't shot her because when they found the bullet they would know she wasn't killed in the blast! So why burn the officer's body?

Then the dectective finds the body of his parnter in a 'shark' tank. A pefect arm floating in the water. Not a burn mark in sight. Strange that the shark ate everything else but the unburned arm. After all it is four days since he was killed. So again I ask why burn the body if he was just going throw it in the shark tank?

Was the ringing phone just a red herring?

The ending was logical. After all you couldn't very well have two of the same person living his life, now could you?

I liked it but as I said the inconsitency was off putting.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Top Pub- Meg's Party.

Well the party happened!

I never thought of getting a 30th Birthday balloon, but I did get a badge that read '30th' on it. We were sitted at table number 30, but despite what the others thought I had not ordered table 30. It was just a 'happy' coincidence. A lady two tables over was having a 70th Birthday with balloons. I said to Meg "If you're feeling old imagine how she feels!"

Simon had broken up with Meg on Sunday. They seem to take turns doing this every couple of months. She does not want to talk about it at the moment so enough said.

Thus he was not there. Sarah, Kim's third daughter, was unable to come as she had to work at the last moment. Of course I had not invited either Melissa or Angela as they are not speaking to each other nor is Melissa speaking to Kim. Ross was too tired from work to come.

Kim, Jess, Don Jr, Kath, Nathen and kids were there as well as Cliff and myself.

We used our shop a dockets and every one seemed pleased with their meals. There was so much left over from everyone else's plates that Don Jr and Nathen couldn't cope with it all. It must be the first time I've seen those two knock back food.

While waiting for our orders I thanked Meg once again for coming and telling me what a good mother I had been to her. I can't get over her admitting that.

I never thought for the two years, when she was 15-17, when she told me that she hated me evry day, that she would do a 180. It shows that she is maturing. I guess it didn't hurt that she met Simon's mother Rita. The comparsion was just so blatant. Now there is a woman who thinks that she is a mother of 'young' children all her life. She wants to control her eight sons' lives like they were little boys rather than men in their 30's and 40's. The sad part is, they allow it.

Anyway, I was felling all warm from Meg's praise when Kim burst into tears. I guess the comparsion between my older daughter praising me and hers, who refuses to speak to her was too great.

So I began to talk about the book I was currently reading.

But truth be told, I was pleased that Kim knew how Meg felt. As a young mother she turned to me one day and said she didn't need to be told how to mother her kids as she was a better mother than me.

I guess we now know which one turned out to be the better mother. (At the present time, as thing change so quickly, especially in a 'living' family.)

Is it too mean to take joy out of the situation, not of my making?

Cliff had picked up the mud cake and brought it over to my house. I had taken it to the kitchen staff and they bought it out after we had our main meal. I was disappointed it had white chocolate on it. Though I had ordered vanilla mud cake I still thought it would have dark chocolate on it. Meg said I had ordered white as it is my favourite. It is , but it was a genuine mistake. She loved the candles that spelt out her name. M-E-G. Told her I got them from What's New?

After the cake it was 9 p.m. and the party began to break up. Kim thanked me for asking her and said it will most likely be the only 30th Birthday party she will be attending this year as Melissa will not invite Kim to celebrate hers.

Meg said Melissa had not even rang Meg to wish her Happy Birthday. At one stage Meg had been great pals with Melissa despite the fact Melissa broke her toys or stole them when she could. Well we all grow up whether we want to or not.

Everyone else went home but Meg and I spent twenty minutes in the pokie room. I put $30 in the machines and walked away with $25. So that wasn't too bad I was prepared to lose the $30.

Meg will met me for lunch at 1 p.m. this Friday.