Friday, May 30, 2008

Writing

Was disapponted again as we still only dwelt with house
keeping matters.

Violeta did say that she wanted us to have a glimmer of an
idea for a short story next week. We are also to bring
TWO magazines along and give a profile on the readers based
on the adverts in them. She wants us to work out the
audience we are writing too. She said that most writers get
published in magazines that they read as they know what
those readers want. I wonder if at the end of the course
she suggests we send away our story to our chosen magazine.
Last week she said that usually 80% of her writing classes
get published. Not bad odds. She said that she wants us
to write something with a view of reading it out to the
class. Still have not written anything in class!

Kylie had rung Beryl re coming to the group and Beryl
promised to pick her up and then passed it along to me but
as I was not consulted, why should I do it? If Kylie
wanted a lift from me surely she could ring me?

Both Beryl and I received messages and phone calls during
the morning from her. So I guess she was waiting to be
picked up. She rang me later this afternoon and we
organised that I would pick her up next week.

A reasonably quite time this week.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Grandkids at Soccer

I received a survey from Val Morgan to do two pictures this
week end. I did one on Friday and as I thought it a waste
of petrol just to drive over for a survey of the ads on Satur
day I asked Beryl if she wanted to go and see "What Happens
in Vegas" with me. She said she'd check her money and let me
know. The cost was $11:50 for concession and Beryl said she
had $11 only, but I thought as she had paid for the coffee for
me last week, I would make up the difference.

But at lunch on Friday Don Jr came over from the shop, as he
had come home early to pick up his kids and told me that
Samual and Connor were playing soccer against Talhia's team
at Newborough.

I had been thinking after doing Don Jr's scrapbooking for his
soccer that it would be nice to have a first season of soccer
for the boys. Like father like son, sort of thing.

So I agreed to go and watch the game from 9.30 a.m. till
10.30 a.m.

I thought well if I'm going to be over in Newborough and
driving back through Morwell to go back to Traralgon I could
do the theatre ads without paying to watch the film. Meaning
I would have the extra money to pay for the damage done to my
mirror by
the garbage bin on Tuesday.

Before going to the RSL on Friday night I reminded myself
when Cliff and I got back to his house that I would have to
ring Beryl and let her know the change of plans.

Unfortunately the next time I thought of it was just before
going to bed at midnight. So I thought I'll ring her in the
morning but then remembered she said she was going to the
Farmers Market so I thought 'I'll ring her at 11 .a.m. when
I get home from soccer as I told her I'd be there at 11 .a.m.'

Well things started out well. I planned the route for the
garage sales but I told Cliff we had to finish no later than
8.25 a.m. as I had to go to gym before heading off to see
the game.

But we didn't finish till 8. 35 a.m. but I thought no problem
I'll just do one circuit at gym and be up to date. I arrived
at the gym at 8.45 a.m. and did the one circuit and was
leaving at 9.05 a.m. when Meg rang to ask could I drive her
over to the game.

I had thought it would take the 25 minutes to drive to the
game via my house to pick up the book for Kath and deliver
it after the game.

I drove straight to Meg's and got there at 9.20 a.m. We got
to the end of her street and she realized that she had
forgotten her sunnies so we went back. Stopped at my place
and then drove to the game getting there at 9.55 a.m. So I
will have to remember it is more like a 40 minute drive than
a 30 minute drive from Traralgon to Newborough.

But I took lots of photos of the kids playing and am hoping
that some of them turn out OK. Can't print them at the moment
as the printer is staging a coup.

Told Kath and Nathan, Cliff and I had bought a cot for them
for $30 and Darren, Cliff's friend had a matress he wanted
$50 for if they were interested.

The game had just finished and I was saying goodbye when my
mobile rang. It was Beryl wondering when I was coming. I
told her the plans for the day had changed as I was at
Newborough at the kids soccer. She got most upset and when
I said that I would come and see her on Sunday she said that
she might be busy and hung up on me.

I tried ringing her twice on Sunday, once at 11 a.m. and once
at 11.30 a.m. on her home phone but it went to mail, I also
tried her mobile at 11.15 a.m. but it was turned off, and she
has not rung me back and it is now 4 p.m. on Tuesday so she
is having a good sulk.

I went to Kath's at Yallourn Nth and did the delivery and was
home by 11.10 a.m. I brought the printer in to print out
another letter for the cinema and realized I had forgotten the
laptop! Luckily they let me in without it, as I explained I had
the one letter and had come yesterday as the company wanted
research on two of the movie ads this week end.

So it was a hectic day, but the lazy Sunday made up for it and
because I did not go to Beryl's I got all my paper journalling
up to date.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Short Story Writing

Today, Friday 23rd May was the beginning of the new short
story course at TAFE. Beryl and I drove over together in
my car.

There were a few 'old' faces there but half the class were
new people. Nice to see. We did not do any work as the
three hours were taken up with house keeping matters. So
Kylie who could not come missed nothing.

Hopefully we will start writing next week. I was disappointed
to learn that we will be writing ONE short story but
concentrating on it in depth. I had had hoped for at least
3-4 in the six month period.

But we will have to see if that changes depending on our
skills and abilities.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Centerlink (Again!)

Last week a young man rang and asked me would I like to
attend a conference about the Morwell office of Centerlink
and voice any 'concerns' I had about the service.

The forum was held at the Traralgon Convention Center.
They supplied lovely cakes for morning tea and lunch of a
hot meal which was also nice. There was coffee, tea and
orange drinks available for breakfest, morning tea and lunch.

Water was on all the tables with breath mints.

There were 12 'customers' of Centerlink and 10 staff members.

But when it came to 'voting' using our electronic keypads
the results were invalid as the man conducting the survey
asked the staff to put in their responses.

Naturally they voted in the 6+ range for themselves but I
would say the 0's, 1's, 2's, 3's and 4's came from the
'customers.'

The main point of contention was the long waiting queues
when we have to hand in our fortnightly forms as well as
the lack of 'comfortable' seating as many people putting
in forms have disabilities and it is especially hard for
them to have to stand up for half an hour to an hour.

We will just have to see what happens as a result of this
meeting.

I had to rush off straight after lunch to see Wade. As I
pulled up at Work Solutions, I heard this great loud BANG.
A garbage bin that had been leaning too far into the street
took out my passenger side mirror and nearly tore the unit
off the car.

The man (Damian) running the survey said that each 'customer'
was going to receive a $50 cheque in the mail for doing the
forum. I reckon that it will cost me a lot more than that to
get my car fixed. As they say no good deed goes unpunished.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Dick's Birthday and other news.

Stopped in at Dick's and Helga's on the way to cards and it
turned out it was Dick's birthday. I was surprised when
Helga said that he was 84 years old that day. I thought he
was about 70 - 75! He looks really good for his age! Helga
said that she is 78 years old this year. That is only two
years younger than my birth mother would be if she is alive!

Did well at cards again with 110 though I only got one 15
game. But I was third again, equal with two other players.

On Tuesday I was not late for my appointment with Wade but
he was annoyed that I had not applied for the telephone
postition and said that I have to apply even if my phone
voice is not good. What a waste of time and effort.

Decided to do a scrapbooking page on Cliff and I, as a couple
but featuring stamps as we are both collectors. Was delighted
to find an old photo of my self when I went to the ball with
Robert Zeltzer. Of course I had cut him out years ago but I
did look good. In fact I can see a resemblance to Meg.

Also found the old flag that belonged to Dad's unit. It is
rather moth eaten but I can still read it. I wonder if I can
use it to get information through the R.S.L on his unit and
war service? Worth a try. It might also clear up the question
of when the photo of my parents was taken as Dad is definitely
wearing some sort of uniform.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Twenty Million

Powerball was 20 million bucks, so of course I bought a
ticket, in fact I bought TWO, but like everyone else I was
disappointed not to win, not even a minor prize. Maybe
with luck I'll be the winner of the 30 million!!!

I could do with that money. Not just to pay my bills but
to buy houses for the family.

The developers have finally got that housing project in
McMillan St going. I don't know why they bought George's
old house as they have demolished it but there is no road
there or on the plan and there does not seem to be any plan
to use it as a road as all traffic comes in and out of the
same roundabout in the street.

It has 50 blocks and they are all house and land blocks.
Starting at about $220, 000 and going to $295,000. There
are 11 styles of houses but not a two storey among them so
it is possible that they won't permit a two storey house.

The brochure shows that there will be street plants and red
brick paved driveways as well as the old fashioned green
street lighting. I had hoped that it would be under ground
power lines but I don't know about that as it was not
mentioned.

But then it is a dream. Standing talking to the lady about
the estate I saw Dick and Helga's son but he did not seem to
notice me but then I saw Dick and he saw me and stopped and
spoke. We talked about the new estate which is virtually
right behind his house. He said that he had paid off his
mortage years ago and he doubts if he could get money from
the bank as his stage in life. I know what he means!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Euchre (Again)

Though I was still upset over Ted eating in front of me
two weeks ago, I went to cards on Monday 12th May.

Luckily I did not partner Ted, otherwise I would have left.
Also there was a table of only two and if it had of been
three I would have gone home then as well.

Cliff was still having pain from the lesion that the Doctor
removed from his nose on Thursday, 8th May, so he did not go.

I had a good night with a final score of 115. The same as
Ted. We ended up being equal fourth.

In the last game I was at the two table with June and as
Harry had annoyed me by NOT calling and I had to get two
thirds of the points we got, I enabled June to surge past
him and win the night by one point, with 127.

Two other people came equal third on 120.

I was also in luck as I won the trivia for the night and the
$10 covered the cost of the night as I only bought one
Lemon Ruski.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Driveway Fun

Well I left Cliff's just after 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon
and went to the Doctor's and paid his bill. Then I dropped
off the two DVD's at Video Ezy. As I was doubled park I
did not take the keys out of the car but remembering that
the key system is playing up I left the door opened as I
ran up and put the DVD's in the overnight box.

On to the Shell Service Station near Breed St, on the
Princes' H'way. It was 4.40 p.m. by this time and I quickly
threw the boot and petrol levers and jumped out of the car
and slammed the door and ran around to the boot and took out
the petrol container and emptied it into the car and then
filled it. I filled the car and topped off the container.
Put the hose up and the container in the boot, slammed the
boot and went to get my purse to pay, only to find the auto
key locking service HAD LOCKED ME OUT!!!

So there I was in the driveway of the service station with
no means to move my car! I had to wait in the LONG line
of paying customers to explain to the young bloke behind
the counter, who just SMILED and gave me the phone and phone
book. I rang the RACV and they said it could be an HOUR
before they got anyone there.

When I went out to the diveway there were about SIX male
drivers and they were ALL smirking at me. So I explained
that NO I HAD NOT locked my keys in the car, the automatic
service has a fault and locked me out.

I washed the windows of my car and directed traffic away
from that pump. But after 15 minutes I went in and took a
puzzle magazine, the young man lent me a pen and I started
doing the puzzles leaning against the back of my car.

At 5.10 p.m. the RACV man turned up and it took him less
than a minute to get my car door open. (All the times it
has been opened is showing!).

Well with the cost of the magazine and the dicount on the
petrol, it worked out 20 cents cheaper for the petrol. Boy
did I get out of there as quick as I could.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Cards.

I didn't go to cards on Monday night as I still had the
shits up from the week before. I couldn't eat anything
because of the diverticulitis so it was terrible sitting
there at supper with everyone eating and my stomach
knotting up (which was VERY painful) ans I was SO hungrey
as I had not had anything since Friday night.

So of course there was food left over and the waiter
brought the plate around for a second helping and I said
"Please nobody have anything at this table because I swear
I'll kill you if you do." Cliff and other bloke said no
but Ted took a pie well my stomach started knotting at
the smell and I got up and said "That's it I'm not playing
anymore and left the table."

Ted's response was "It was OK for you to pig out last week
and it's not OK for me to pig out this week." But that
wasn't the point. I didn't pig out in front of someone
in pain and hungry! Typically of a man to twist everything
to his way.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Bugs and Other Pests

Well I finally got my Norton downloaded, but now it won't
install till I have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed.
What gets me is I had Norton 360 last year and the same
version of Windows, so why do I have to upgrade Windows now?
Is that why is has not worked in the last year because I
did not have the 'right version of Windows'???

Got in contact with HP and for over an hour (Cost me $30!)
spoke to a lovely lady called Sandra who walked me through
getting the discs downloaded for my printer and scanner.
It took abot ten minutes to download the printer and
according to the first read out on the scanner it was going
to take 3 and 1/2 hours to downlaod the scanner disc. It
is 65% done as I write this. I started downloading at
1.30 p.m. and it is now 3.15 p.m. so that is nearly 2 hours.

Beryl came as promised and we did her Slippery When Wet
Competition. After she left I did mine and now I have to
post both entreies away. Hopefully later this evening.

Email Rubbish

Well finally got My computer on the net again and opened my
e mail. I had 95 waiting to be read, but after deleting the
ones that would sell me a larger penis, ( A NEAT JOB
CONSIDERING I'M FEMALE)cheap 'drugs' and Rolex watches plus
two that said my bank accounts were being 'attacked'
(another neat trick as I don't bank with either of those
banks!) I was left with 44 emails.

I opened the one about my Norton up date. This was 7 hours
ago and it said it would automatically up date my Norton 360
and it still either hasn't done it or is still doing it I
think that is a long ...long time for this to take place.

Still haven't got to the HP site to upload the discs to
reinstall my scanner and printer.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Worms and other Attacks

As I have gotten older the red rosy tinted glasses of innocence
have become somewhat askewed. In other words I have become a
cynic. I no longer believe in coincidences. At the beginning
of last month I received a survey from Your Voice on computers
and how much I'd be willing to spent to rid my computer of a
virsus or other damaging attacks.

Witin 24 hours I was having trouble with my computer and within
a week it was so corrupted I had to take it to a dealer and have
the hard drive wiped.

But in that intervening week I received a message saying that
my computer was being attacked and I needed spyware protection
and as my Norton 360 seemed to be doing nothing! I bought the
package ($60) but of course it did nothing as well.

Now if that survey had a hidden virsus on it and it was sent
out to 1,000 respondenets that means a tidy amount of $60,000
to the company of that spyware package.

I was lucky that 95% of my files were backed up and all I lost
were my games.

But another annoying thing is reinstalling all my other hard
ware items e.g. scanner and printer as I can't find the CD's
that originally came with them. Luckily I was able to locate
my internet CD after a week's search. I have also found my
digital camera CD and palm CD. But I also asked the man to
install a fast USB port and now the computer is asking me to
install the CD related to that but the service man did not
give me a CD when I picked up the computer! So I'll have to
go back and ask about that. It never rains but it pours.
(He say it was with the CD's of my backed up files but I don't
know what I did with those. They are here some place!!!)

The above reasons are the excuses why I have not done my blog
in nearly three weeks. The computer was in the shop for TEN
days! But now I should be able to do it again, provided that
nothing else happens.

I cetainly am not a happy camper.

Of course in the wipe clean I also lost the spyware package
and the Norton 360, which as I said did SFA.