but let us not erect vast edifices on shifting sands

What else we did on the long weekend.

edania — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:11:55 GMT

We decided to go check out the other mini golf course in Mandurah - the one that isn't part of the Carnival on the foreshore - because Dave can't stand the thought of me being the current winner for too long. Our next scheduled game at Oasis is too far away.

Getting there was hell. Dave turned left when we came off the Kwinana Freeway and found ourselves heading towards Pinjarra.
That was going to be a problem because there was some sort of local fair happening. And before we actually reached the main drag we were detoured due to what looked like a pretty serious car accident up ahead.
So we followed the sign and came out were there were throngs of people not paying attention to where they were walking. Country folk are like that. Just step out in front of cars without looking!
We found somewhere to park while we checked the map book, and realised we should have turned right when we came off the freeway so decided to retrace. Just one problem. The police were now forcing all traffic to turn left at the accident scene, rather than let us return via the detour we'd taken before.
We don't know Pinjarra, and apparently neither did any of the cars in front of us, so for what seemed like hours we were playing follow the leader and finishing up in a dead end every time.
I was beginning to fear we might have to pull over and just wait for the main road to re-open, especially since we were getting low on gas.
Well we eventually got back on a main road that was headed towards Bunbury. We certainly didn't want to go there. Finally reached an intersection with the option to head to Perth. That got us back onto the Kwinana Freeway, and smooth sailing to Mandurah from there.

The mini golf was odd. Only 12 holes, and too many Bevans, Maddies and Addisons around the place. And hole 12 eats your ball, so you can't go round a second time like you can at The Maze.
Also, unlike The Maze, you have to pay extra if you want to play mini golf. But the other attractions were pretty good, compared with The Maze. The actual Maze, for example, was a nice hedge one, with grass to walk on. Not crappy boards with black dirt.

And there was this wonderful miniature village. Dave went crazy with his camera.

Life is back to normal.

edania — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:58:43 GMT

Carl stayed over at Michael's on Saturday night. He sent me a text while I was in church - luckily it hadn't started yet - asking how long we'd be there.
Hmm... good question. You never know with guest speakers. So replied 11.30am. Any longer than that and we'd walk out!
That'll fix him if he's a long-winded pastor wannabe. (Wish I'd done that with Nigel Godfrey!)

Got home and read for a bit, but couldn't hear myself think over the noise of Carl and Dave when they get together.
So watched an Iain Matthews concert recording instead - the one that doesn't play too well in the home theatre. It just froze for a couple of seconds on the portable DVD player.

Left at 3.10pm to take Carl to the airport. Didn't get far before he remembered he's left his mobile phone on the kitchen bench, so we had to go back for it.
It was a drama finding the Departure gate. Time was, Perth Airport used to make sense. You went upstairs, and there were all these clearly numbered gates, pretty much in a straight line. Now they're all over the place. The ticket said Gate no 8, only no-one could find that. The electronic departures info board had his Jetstar flight down as leaving from Gate 7, but also had a Qantas flight leaving same gate at same time.
Then the info thingy flashed that the flight was now boarding - followed by an announcement that it hasn't even landed, so stay put.
So we're waiting - waiting - waiting. And then the info board flashes that the flight is now closed.
WTF? Are they trying to scare people? Well they eventually let everyone on. It was around 1/2 hour late by the time it finally took off.

Dave and I then had to pick up fish and chips for dinner. Seems everyone in Ellenbrook had the same idea, so that took ages.
And on the subject of Ellenbrook, there's a news story on ch 7 tonight slagging us off. No train, no cinema, no sporting complex!
Video below.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/ellenbrooksurrounds/posts/255821124517629

You could say the same about most suburbs, so why single us out?
Anyway, the buses now run to Bassendean train station every 15 minutes or so. You can easily get a train from there. (They didn't used to, but buses ran from Morley to Perth frequently enough.)
Cinemas? Midland and Morley both have them, although what I want to see is seldom showing at either and I usually have to go to the Multi-plex at Innaloo.
Sporting complex? How many suburbs have them? We've got a local football team, and several playing fields.

And don't you love how black and white footage was shown to make this beautiful place seem like crap...
I wonder how many of the complainers were Homeswest? Most private owners who move here do so because they want the peaceful - just out of the moshpit - lifestyle.

Ironing to do.

So we didn't walk after all.

edania — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:48:00 GMT

I got off the computer at 8.50am. Plenty of time to go pee, brush my teeth, slip into a pair of shoes - and yeah, better take a Sudafed.
How that took me 10 minutes is anyone's guess.
So we took the ugly old Perth Rewind Ute instead. Well at least it's a Toyota.
Not really sure Dave is supposed to be using it other than going to work, but Paul appreciates that he is currently without a car of his own. (Well the Ford Festiva is still Dave's, but he's given Arthur unlimited use of it.)

So today is the 82nd Birthday of Jazz singer extraordinaire, Morgana King, and the 51st of used to be cute R&B/soul singer, El DeBarge. Sounds a lot like Michael Jackson did, but at least he uses his own material. (Glad Lucy can't see this, lol!)

So I'm using an El usepic today because Morgana has the default, after all.

Nice of Perth to have a public holiday today in their honour.

Still can't budge this cold. Not coughing my heart out anymore, but nose is still running.

On the subject of sick : ninemsn poll - should the courts be able to order people to have operations? Yes, this is in the wake of a little JW girl having to have a blood transfusion : but the question was not "Should the courts be able to over-ride parents in the case of minors being raised in a cult?" So those who said YES actually voted for the across the board rights of the court to interfere in people's lives and choices.

I feared something like this would happen after the Penny Dingle case.
Well I know I would not want to have Chemo in order to prolong my days; especially since it meant I'd be down on my knees with my head hanging over the toilet bowl for most of those days.
And then there was my friend, Ginny. She had life saving surgery that meant she was good for another 18 months at least, or so the doctors said. She didn't even make it out of the hospital. Died in her husband's arms that night when he came to visit her. (And I bet he still got clobbered with the bill!)

Gotta go.

Bloody amazon.com

edania — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 00:28:04 GMT

Not them per se, but their private sellers.
Did an iTunes purchase yesterday - not exactly the ones I'd planned on. Figured 5 albums during any given visacard billing period was enough, so first on the postponement list was Kenny Loggins - Alive.
Then I suddenly got the urge for Antonio Carlos Jobim's A Certain Mr Jobim, and Spandau Ballet's Parade.
So that has left Iain Matthews and El DeBarge out in the cold for another month.

But it is interesting that iTunes manages to have every CD by any given artist but the one you actually want. So I went onto amazon.com instead and found a 2nd hand copy of El DeBarge's Gemini. Best thing he's ever done, out of the ones I have on vinyl or CD at least, so of course that's the only one not listed on iTunes. So ordered that. So far so good.
Then checked Philip Bailey. Found quite a few as new copies of Continuation - and most cost an arm and a leg. So I picked one in the region of $35. Bastard won't ship to my address though.
Wondering whether it would work if I tried getting it sent to Lookout Ministries instead. A business address might carry more weight than a residential, even if it is in Nollamara.
Shouldn't have any problems getting the Iain Matthews - back when his name was still Ian - ones from amazon (or even perfectpitch, but I'm pissed off with them because their sales site is often fucked, and I don't appreciate being accused of trying to short change them! Good way to lose fans, Iain!) Seriously, I'm only trying to replace my vinyl. I've got all everybody's recent stuff on CD so just need Art to import to my iPod.

Well the Spandau Ballet purchase was interesting. 28 songs? The record only had 8. But it seems this has included all the 12" Disco versions, and a BBC concert as well.

So having added 245 new songs (including stuff from CDs) and restarted the shuffle, it is ignoring them completely. Well apart from Amy Grant's Fat Baby. Boy, does that sound like some people I know!

Watched Fame last night on TV. Well I tried to. It started late, went on forever, and didn't have much of a plot as far as I could see. Well I recorded it, so I'll watch it again during the week.

Also watched Elizabeth - The Golden Years. Well tried to. Bloody phone kept ringing. Attention Arthur. I think the Don't Call Us Register needs renewing.
Asian woman : We are talking today with working people in our community. Do you work?
Me : No. (If I did why am I at home at 1.53pm on a Friday afternoon sitting on my lazy arse and watching telly?)
Asian woman : Does your partner work?
Me : I don't have a partner.
Flustered pause. Erm.... Well.... thank you for your time.
Really, why must everyone assume all women are in a sexual relationship?

And then Carl phoned. Slight misunderstanding on Monday. He and Victoria left us at the boarding gate and went off to buy food. A few minutes later the announcement that we were now boarding came up. By the time they got back we had departed.
Anyway, what he really wanted was to talk to Dave.
Can't do. He's back at work.
So will I tell him to find the band, 6 Feet Under, on You Tube? Their new CD is pretty awesome.
Yeah, I'll tell him.
Carl rings back around dinner time. Yeah, Dave's in the shower. He got the message.
Dave had barely downloaded it when Carl phoned again, so that was them engaged for the rest of the evening.

Off to play mini golf once Art gets back from his secret mens business breakfast.

Sick....

edania — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:56:29 GMT

Got a sore throat and running a fever. Also coughing my heart out and needing to pee every hour or so.
Well in a way that has solved a problem for me. Hughmark wants to deliver my new DVD shelving today. I could go to work and let Arthur take delivery, but I know I'm going to be like a kid with a new toy and want to sort out what's going in it immediately.
And this now raises a question regarding COD. Does it still literally mean CASH on delivery, or will a cheque or credit card do? There was an option for Electronic Funds Transfer, but I hate doing that. All that stuffing around with secret codes via text message.
So I got Arthur to drive me to The Shops (still think that's a stupid name for a Mall) so I could withdraw the appropriate cash, just in case.
Also checked the Guardian Chemist to see what diet products they had. (I was going to pick up some Terry White stuff from Morley on the way to work, but seeing how I'm not going....) Bought snack bars and soup. It's almost cold enough for soup now.

Nearing the end of the current iPod shuffle. And then I can get some more stuff from iTunes, not to mention those 3 new Al Stewart CDs I bought recently. And some jazz, I think.
Surprised it still hasn't played Room Service. Saving the best till last, or something?

Interesting story on the news and the Project last night that over-indulging our kiddies, praising them for actually being able to negotiate from the bed to the kitchen, or whatever, is turning them into bullies. They become so stuffed up with their own self-importance that any lesser being who gets in their space had better watch out.
"And it's taken them how long to figure this out?" says Arthur.
The other side of this coin, or course, is that by over-protecting them they become so useless that they even have to take mama along when going for a job interview.
But kids were tougher in my day. Even 2nd graders were expected to walk half an hour each way (at least) to school and back, and tackle main roads without our mummies. Lollypop ladies weren't around in those days either.
I think we can be forgiven for wondering whether today's GIFTED is the old NORMAL. And the current NORMAL is the old REMEDIAL?

OK, this bothers the hell out of me - as it would, me being a bigot and all by today's liberal standards. There are moves afoot to allow a person to pick their own gender, regardless of what they've got in their pants. And as a consequence they can use the public toilet of their choice.
OK, now what is to stop a man from putting on a dress, calling himself Brenda, and lying in weight in the ladies for an unsuspecting little girl. It's not as if little girls don't regularly get assaulted and murdered in public toilets by sexual predators, but, up until now, they've had to sneak in. If this law is passed they can just stroll in through the door and no-one need dare voice an objection.

Watched The Iron Lady again yesterday. Didn't think the gimmick to let you know she was having a flashback was as noticeable as when in I saw it in the cinema.

Finally got onto 51% with computer solitaire, and the game hasn't let me take a trick since.
Shall get back to it.

Song # 2844 - Under A Rest, by Vernessa Mitchell. Only 152 more to go. (And I've no idea what 151 of them will be!)

As would have mentioned 2 days ago had I not been....

edania — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:55:20 GMT

a) running late for work on Thursday.
b) unable to connect to the Net for much of Friday...

HAPPY BELATED 35th BIRTHDAY Nick Heidfeld.

Work was a disaster. No left-over snacks from the wedding for morning tea, and my Subway chicken schnitzel for lunch got nicked while I was getting a coke from the fridge. Well hopefully the silly cow who got my lunch choked on it because I certainly did not enjoy hers! It was shaved chicken with tomato in the salad, and covered in condiments. Yech! I hate having stuff run out all over my hands while I'm trying to eat.
So I treated myself to a McFlurry after work. That was very nice.

Getting home was a drama. Bloody 955 bus pulled out as I was running for it. I suppose the driver's watch was fast, as it was only 2.23pm according to the bus station clock.

Made a Moroccan Lamb in the crock pot yesterday. Turned out very well, even if I do say so myself. The Brook Bar 'n Bistro has nothing on this old silver cat!
And when I was finally able to get on-line I discovered - as I suspected on Thursday morning, that I missed a middle of the night episode of Sons & Daughters. Don't know how. I faithfully go through the DVR program guide every night to make sure ch7 or 72 don't know something that TV Week doesn't.

Well here we are - song # 1754 - and finally my favourite Mel Torme song.
Still haven't heard Room Service - Iain Matthews.

I'm fighting with a couple of women on Round Table - regarding abortion.
It seems I'm a bully? Hey, I'm not the one who is in favour of ripping an infant apart in it's mother's womb with a suction device. And I'm not for pulling the baby out by the legs until only the head is unborn, and then stabbing him in the neck.
I even showed pictures and still these two don't believe me.
Denial is a very strong sentiment.
Well as the picture someone posted on fb says : TRUTH is the new HATE.

Got back to Sims as I'm getting bored with Bob Hawke - even though he was an improvement on Whitlam.
Mystery: What happened to Alistair Scott's maid? Did she quit after he got married? Well I've staged several marriages this last week or so, and the Corleos, Iains, and Frasers are still getting their messes cleaned. (The Fromages moved, so they had to re-hire.)
And then the water on the Scott's bathroom floor disappeared during the night. I'm sure the maid did not sneak in on a late shift as their kitchen was still a shambles the next day. The game has it in for the Scotts. They've had robberies, breakages, fines, and now the new missus has gone from a §1,000 a day job to a §400. They can't even afford a plasma TV. (Yeah, I know the cheats, but that's no fun.)
I remodelled the Corleo's upper storey while I was at it. Still trying to get Phil and Veronique married off. At least they now fancy one another.

Going out with Dave shortly, so gotta go.

Giving Lookout Ministries a miss today.

edania — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:42:59 GMT

Too tired from yesterday's activities. Having slept through my CD alarm twice already this week, I decided to set my phone for back up.
Needn't have bothered. Dave was firing up the coffee maker at 4.20am. That's enough to wake the dead.
So I got up. Decided to hold off having a shower until afterwards as I didn't want to go out in the cold with wet hair.
The Dawn Service at the Ellenbrook Amphitheatre was excellent. The place was packed out, same as last year.
Does anyone know what Rosemary sprigs have to do with Anzac Day though? There was one in my program so I'm assuming everyone else got one as well.
But perhaps it had fallen out of the Air-force woman's shopping last week, and then worked its way into the Anzac Day stuff in her bag?
Saw a woman waving frantically from her front garden while having a smoke as we were walking back from the car.
Wondered if it was Lucy. I know she lives somewhere opposite the Salvation Army building - and she smokes. But there were heaps of people walking to their cars so why would I assume she was waving at us?
Turns out she was. Lucy posted on Facebook that she'd seen us.

Washed hair, checked emails, then went to Fremantle as Dave wanted to see an aircraft carrier. We ended up having to go to the War Memorial - up on a hill - in order to see it, as it was parked a long way from the dock.
Then went to HJs for brekkie, then went plane spotting. Actually got to see quite a lot of them come to land.
Stayed there for ages, then went to the pub to raise a glass or two of VB for the diggers. (Well the man on the telly said to do so, says Davy.)

Got home and played back the soaps. Then Chronic Fatigue hit in a big way. Don't know how I managed to cook dinner.

Taking today off. Managed to stay awake long enough to watch Come Dine With Me - Greece.
It's one of those where previous winners come together - which might explain why it's been more vicious than usual.
Fotini is such a bitch. And the tubby boy has suddenly exited, and replaced by someone nicer - a cuter, lol!
Well I wanted Efi to win, but her score is too low. But so is Fotini's.

iPod is being weird. Claimed a few minutes ago it was playing a live version of Funk & Fire. Actually it was Woodstock.

Oh well, time for the morning soaps then.

Writer's Block: Letters from Home

edania — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:54:06 GMT

I'd have to write real letters as most of my family members are old and don't understand email.
But those are now too old to write letters, or have Alzheimers. so I guess it's been awhile since I've written to anyone.

THE LORD HE IS RISEN.

edania — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:15:47 GMT

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

So those of you who celebrate Nail Your God To A Stick day, or Zombie Jesus day - just remember who died for your sins. You'll need him one day, and that time will soon be at hand.

Now seriously - where would the world be without my sons?
We were on the train to Mandurah yesterday when the woman across the aisle suddenly asks Dave if he knows anything about unlocking phones. She had accidently locked hers and needed to call the people she was meeting. Dave finally managed to unlock it with a random combination, so the lady went happily on her way.
Then in Mandurah a young mum with a car full of littlies was lost and needed directions. She had a street directory, but needed Arthur to translate it for her. Hopefully she got to where she was going.

The mini golf was downright evil. I seriously don't remember the course being as bad as it was. At least we were able to get on with it. The group in front of us didn't dither around. Eventually we caught up with a group laden with babies and stuff, who waved us through.
Arthur pipped me at the post. I was beating him for awhile. Dave won as usual.

Once again the Slug & Hare was closed until 3pm. Hey, don't they want the tourist Easter trade?
Yeah, I know someone got bashed or killed there once, but that would suggest to me that they'd have upped their security? Nope. They've downed their opening hours instead.

So off we trotted to Hog's Breath. Love that the place has itemised bills : person 1, person 2, person 3. What a pity they totally muddle them up though. On closer examination I think they assigned the wrong steaks to the wrong people, rather than charging me for Dave's 3rd stubbie and charging Dave for Art's Pure Blonde and ice-cream, as first thought.
Decided to walk back. Never would have considered it had I not lost a stone in weight since last year. Nevertheless it was still hard considering the sun was full in the sky and I had a heavy meal inside me.
And why do the boys walk so quickly? Even if they did get back to the train station in time for an earlier train, there's no chance I'd make it, so they'd still have to wait for me.

Annoyances of the day - other than losing the game as usual.
Kid on train kept up the whole trip from Greenwood Station to Perth asking her mother WHY!
Now there are two kinds of inquiring children : those who actually want to be informed and those who just want to hear the sound of their own voices. This little shit was clearly the latter.

Annoyance no 2. Old people who have their walking speed permanently set to SCHLEP, and who straddle the entire crosswalk so you can't get round them.
The light had changed to Don't Walk. That, to me, means get a move on. You don't want to be in the path of on-coming traffic. Bloody hell, they just mooched across, one on each border of the crosswalk, holding hands so you couldn't sqeeze in between them.
Those of us who have been hit by cars during our youth do tend to do our best to avoid a repeat performance.

Song #2163. Trail Of The Survivor, by Iain Matthews. Can't think of anything else of his - worth hearing at least - that hasn't come up already. Well apart from So Many Eyes, perhaps?

Final Sunday with our pastor David. Better get ready.

Don't it piss you off when....

edania — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:23:09 GMT

...you've paid out in excess of $3,000 for a cat run and then you find Iain is outside in the driveway?
Arthur reckons it was because he forgot to clip the mesh onto the hooks on the side gate when he put the bins out. But Iain isn't that skinny, and he managed to get out again during the night. David found him outside the laundry door.
So on investigation I discover two breaches, one behind the bins and the other behind the barbecue. Either the rains have washed away the soil from next door's side of the fence, causing our pavers to collapse, or else their dogs have been digging - still causing our pavers to collapse. David and I both think the later. So it's not as if I can ring Catmax and complain as it is hardly their fault.
David has filled the holes with bricks, so I hope that works. The three gingers were in when I got up this morning, so I'm hoping they came in via the al fresco.
What is of great concern is that if the dog can burrow under the fence into our cat run during the night, where have our cats got to go to escape?

Started re-reading The Citidel yesterday. Well actually I started re-reading it on the bus last Thursday, but got distracted.

Up to song # 1812. Re-run Matinee, by More Than A Song.
Finally heard Gold yesterday, and Room Service this morning. Still hanging out for Joy Mining. Also The Shadow Of Your Smile, by Morgana King.

Bruce from church, who has taken over the newsletter from Joyce, wants us all to submit Parish Profiles. 100 word paragraph about ourselves. Personally I think he should just go interview everyone. That way he'll get what he wants.

David is giving Plasma tonight so it will be something easy for Art and me. (Read: EGGS.)

I think I have found a soulmate on fb. Jody.

Must play back Law & Order UK. Arthur switched on the coffee machine at a crucial point in the plot. Noisy gadget. But that's why I record it - to allow for contingencies such as that, and me dozing off.
Not that I'm doing much sleeping. This non drinking is doing horrible things to me.

So on that subject, got another on-line survey last night.
Still on the subject of alcohol. Wanted to know my impressions of guys I meet in bars, based on what they drink, or offer to buy me.
The lack of screening questions, beyond Do I have a boyfriend or partner? have probably left them with the impression I pick up men, though. What, at my age?
No, I've got my regular drinking buddy, but he is neither a love interest, nor a pickup.

Couldn't get on-line last night - or STAY on, at least. Modem kept dropping out.
Thought it might have had something to do with the land-line problem we had earlier.
Just checked, and it seems it's out again. Over to you, Arthur.

Monday morning and I'm so tired.

edania — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 23:59:22 GMT

Couldn't sleep last night.

Well the Baptism was good. Deanne gave a little speech thanking her father for raising her Christian in spite of her mother being agnostic. She went in dressed in jeans and T-shirt. Pastor David wore boardies and T-shirt. The guy has better shaped legs than I do!
After the immersion Dee decided on a lap of the pool before coming out.

Morning tea was better than expected. Nice savoury stuff like party pies/sausage rolls, quiche squares, dips. Jean Anne was conspicuous by her absence. I knew she was going on a cruise to the south of France, but hadn't realised she'd be gone already.

Simone made it to church again, and to the baptism. She spent most of the time asking all and sundry if they had any succulents she could have for her garden.

Had a long chat with Dee. I didn't realise she had an OCD until she started playing around with the pendant I was wearing. I said [jokingly] what would I do without her to keep me looking tidy? She got very embarrassed, apologised and admitted to having an OCD. Well if it needed straightening so much then I appreciate her for doing it, so no offence taken.
She was also concerned that I was missing an earring, until I told her that my ear piercings were non symmetrical. 3 in the left ear and 2 in the right. (Dave reckons that will drive her mad forever after.)
Dee also reckons she takes 6-7 hour walks daily. It came out after Dave and I mentioned we do 90 minute to 2 hour ones each day.
Well here's the depressing part. She is still fat. So what hope have I got?
The joys of living alone eh? I couldn't spend 6 hours away from home if I wanted to.

So we went home, I changed since I have plans for that outfit that don't include getting it all sweaty, then went for a walk around Woodlakes. Had totally forgotten there was a place called Woodlake Peninsula back of the shops and Community Centre.

Went to the pub afterwards. They had a singer. Asian bloke doing a James Taylor number as we walked in. Wow! Just like the old Sunday Arvos at the Duckstein.

Spent the rest of the day listening to music. Was going to watch The Mentalist, but it was an episode I'd seen umpteen times already, so went on line and found friends, Tom and Jody, still at it.

Trouble with Tom he keeps accusing me of demanding free speech, but refusing others the right to respond.
Huh? When do I ever do that? I'm happy to embrace whoever it was who said : I might not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
He has bought into the : Free speech is OK as long you you don't offend anyone else - propaganda.
But that kind of free speech in no free speech at all, because you can always find someone who will take offence.
He keeps posting links to the blog of a homosexual friend of his who supposedly wanted to be a Christian. By the 3rd paragraph it became blatantly obvious that this guy hasn't a clue about Christianity, especially the salvation bit. He just mentioned some vague shit about having to be good and having faith. Yeah, but faith in who/what?
It's the object of that faith that matters, not faith of itself.
So I have no intention of engaging with someone who is just knocking down strawmen. However I respect his right to post without him losing his job over it - which was what got the argument started in the first place.

Up to song #1564. Close to where the shuffle broke last time. And the battery can't make up its mind whether it needs recharging or not.

Well soaps to watch Room Service to finish reading.

Big decision what to cook for dinner. Freezer now full again.

Graeme's friends on facebook have all been giving me dietary/slimming tips this morning.
Yeah, great. I seldom eat bread, never touch sugar or sweet foods. I usually have half portions anyway, I only drink alchol on the weekends now. And as for getting a dog and walking it, no way! anyway, we've got 4 cats.

Hope it doesn't rain - well not until later.

edania — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:25:20 GMT

We (Ellenbrook Baptist Church) are going a-baptizin' after church.
As I predicted we're off to Jean Anne's for the ceremony. Well it won't matter to Deanne if it rains since she is going to get wet anyway. But the rest of us......
I'm really glad I got it done at a Churches of Christ, where they have those nice, indoors and heated baptismal pools that are only waist high.
It's bring a plate, so David is going to pick up some chicken pieces on the way.

Arthur's lunch at The Brook was nice. He and David had steak and chips. I had Morrocan Lamb. Turned out much better than I expected, and there was sufficient meat that when it was all gone it looked as though I had actually eaten something. (Usually after I pick out the meat there's so much rabbit food left on the plate it looks as if I hadn't touched it.)
I got through the cucumber, but there is only so much of the rocket salad I could munch through before getting totally bored and craving dessert.
Desssert was a banana sundae, containing macadamia (I think) nuts and that stuff that looks like Andie's throat fur.
Well seeing Morrocan made Dave wish he'd done something like that to take to Dee's baptism instead. Well too late to worry about it now.

Up to song # 1430. Theme From Subway Sue, by Pavlov's Dog. I'm not entirely sure this isn't playing repeats. Could have sworn I've heard El DeBarge's After The Dance during the last week or two.
And now it's playing Philip Bailey's Moondance. I'm positive I've heard that recently!

Not going to even mention the football!
Well OK, but with so many of our senior players retired now, are we seriously expecting another flag? Hey, 3 in 5 years is pretty good. Let's not be greedy.

Worked out what I need to know to proceed with "work (barely) in progress". Why do I know in my heart this will never get written?

Better get ready for church.
Wonder if Simone will turn up this week?

Well as everyone on Facebook must know by now......

edania — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:16:36 GMT

...Arthur's birthday was a total fuck up.
The CD I got him turned out to be the wrong disk in the right box. It was a right hassle trying to sort it on-line, but I have now sent it back and the best I can get is a refund. Can't blame amazon or their private vendor as the CD was all done up in shrink wrap. Clearly a factory mistake.

Well if Art could tear himself away from his 1001 church, Kids' Club etc commitments we could go to the store and I'd buy him something else.
Meanwhile, I do remember a Mother's Day when my presents did not arrive until months after the event. But at least when they arrived they were what was ordered!

Hey, Art, get yourself an iPod with something resembling memory, and see if iTunes can help. (Then again my attempts to get Morgana King's With A Taste Of Honey blew up in my face.)

Finished reading the latest Take A Closer Look, and am now halfway through Angel - Love Amonst The Ruins. If I'm going to write one abour Marie Edwards-Croissant and Honie-Jenine Fisicella meeting in prison, it would help if I could pinpoint when the both ended up there.
Somehow I still think this story is never going to happen.

Went for a walk after dinner. Didn't go far. Just up Charlotte's Vista then back on that access road that runs along The Broadway.

Watched Plump Fiction with Dave afterwards, then went to bed. I actually slept. Hopefully my body is slowly getting to the stage where I can sleep without needing an alcoholic drink or 3 to help me.
Did wake up a couple of times and was freezing. Don't know why, since I have one of those new fangled doonas that got me through last winter without ever needing the minky blanket.

Anyone know what this thing on The Project last night was about? Something to do with a computer virus that has been fixed, but the FBI is so worried about it, that all infected computers will be shut down on July 9th.
It all sounded very final. Like that's it. Better find something else to do because the internet is all over as far as you are concerned.
Funny there was nothing on the ch10 news about it.

Going to the Brook for lunch, seeing how Art has a freebie.

Song #1321. Cosmic Girl, by Jamiroquai.

OK, health experts : are bananas good for you or bad?
My friend, Christine, is salivating over a skinny girl on You Tube who lives entirely on fruit. She eats 30 bananas in any given sitting.
(And then probably spends the rest of the day on the toilet?)
But there's a thing on facebook, and on my sponsored OTHER journal, that mentions bananas as something you should never eat if you want a flat stomach.
I prefer watermelon, and that hasn't helped me shed any weight either. AND BANANAS ARE TOO BLOODY EXPENSIVE - ASSUMING YOU CAN EVEN GET THEM.

Oh well, I suppose I should get dressed or something....

Rushed entry before work.

edania — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:03:26 GMT

Usual drama trying to watch middle of the night Sons & Daughters. It started very late as usual, went for about a minute or two, then jumped all the way back to the previous show so I had to forward it out again. Just as well I've learn from experience to factor in at least 2 extra hours. But we should be up to the story line I missed (beginning of last year) in a week or so.

Dave and I were discussing the problem that is Simone last night when we went walking. Seems he and I weren't the only ones she complained to on Sunday about our lack of ushers and signage in the parking lot.
Yes, and she did tend to go on that our slackness would be the cause of people missing out on salvation.
But, as Kev pointed out, if she had bothered coming to church at the time designated on the website and in the local papers she could have just followed the others. In fact, as someone else at Dave's men's group said, if she'd only come 10 minutes late (as opposed to 20) she'd have still been able to follow the others. That's when they all turn up. (Haha. Baptist time jokes!)
Well it is agreed we should not expect members to miss half the service on the off chance someone might decide 9.50am is early enough.
So the signage then?
The sandwich board, out of necessity, has to be at the entrance gate. All the other gates at the school remain locked so, according to Dave, that should give people a clue whereabout, roughly, we meet. And there are removable signs all over the place : ELLENBROOK BAPTIST.
Neither of us think she'll stick around. As Dave says, we'll probably lose her to the Pentecostals in the next draft.
No problem, as far as we are concerned. If you don't like the way a certain group does church why not look for one more to your taste?
Heaps of cyclists on the paths as we were coming home from our evening walk. It was bad enough watching the roads since we were both wearing black. I ended up taking off my jacket so the white band on my dress was more visible - along with my lack of sun tan

Got home in time for Kommissar Rex, which I feared would not be on. The DVR program guide reckoned Wildest Africa was on in that timeslot, which was pretty rude considering that was also listed for SBS One. But DVRs don't know everything. Turned out to be that played to death episode where Moser goes under-cover as a mental patient and nearly gets murdered by a vengeful male nurse who has it in for alkies.

Better get ready for work. Thought I'd have to stop off on the way for a new electric toothbrush, but my old one is working just fine again this morning.

(Iain Matthews has a new album out. Too bad PayPal and I seem to have parted company. I'll just have to wait for amazon.com to get it. And I'm not happy with Perfectpitch for insinuating that the customer - me - was trying to rip them off when the problem was clearly their website. And it seems Plainsong is doing their farewell tour?)

So according to The Biggest Loser.....

edania — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:10:15 GMT

....having long hair is a sign of lacking in self confidence and self loathing.
Psychobabble : don't ya just love it?

Watched the Make-over episode after my walk last night. Incredible. Those women were all around 30 kilo heavier than I am, but they manage to look good.
Must be their height. My friend, Kel, is a big woman, but she's tall (and beautiful), and looks stately in stuff that would just make me look roly-poly.

Then watched Bondi Vet. I must have blinked. How did Dr Chris find the puppy's owner? Then watched the tail end of Father Ted. Can't believe how dull and predictable that show is, compared with The Vicar of Dibley, which is hilarious.
And how off is the theology in Father Ted!

And finally 60 Minute Make-over. I sometimes wonder whether the people who live in beautiful homes ever DO stuff, besides look at the wall and watch telly. You never see any bookcases, CDs, DVDs etc.
Well only two rooms in our place could do with a make-over. The kitchen/dining/family area, and my bedroom. And no way am I parting with my 60 disk CD megachanger!

So what happened to The Fairies? Turned on the TV for Home & Away - The Early Years yesterday, expecting to have to endure a few painful minutes of Wizard Wizzy in his genitalia hugging lycra pants (spew!) and got Sunrise instead. Had to check I was on the right channel.

Well last night's Italian Schnitzel turned out to be chicken. Should have realised by the colour of the bread crumbs. Now if anyone expects to eat they had better go buy food. We're all out.

Finished - finally - that book on the Reformation. It got really boring towards the end. The author seems to be creating (or supporting, at least) the false dichotomy that you can either KNOW God or only know ABOUT him.
Granted there are people who know their theology without actually believing it. (Hi Tom, Simon, Geo!)
But there are also people who rely entirely on feelings, and end up worshiping a god of their own imaginings.

Well at last I can start on that pile of books I picked up at the Lookout 2nd hand booksale last week.

Getting disheartened.

edania — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:50:43 GMT

Going on endless long walks, and not drinking alcohol is having no effect on my weight at all.

Well PODS turned out to be really good. I was the first to arrive, and while I was waiting for Jean Anne Tracey turned up. Then Clarissa, minus the kids. Then Kelli, and finally Sandra, 45 minutes late as usual.
I think I had Sandra believing I was drinking something healthy for a change.
"Is that apricot?"
Nope, just Fanta with ice-cream.

Jean Anne went to see Duran Duran at the Sandelford Winery - or whatever the place is called - the other night.
Wonder why we have overseas recording artists coming here to perform at obscure Swan Valley venues when we can seldom attract anyone to our city concert halls?

Seriously, now that Michele has work commitments and the other girls can't make it regularly, I think we should just make it a fortnightly breakfast. We seldom get round to the Bible study anyway due to half the group being missing.
Plenty of places at the town centre where we can eat : Coffee Club, Muffin Break, The Dome, even the the little kiosk sort of place in front of Woolies. Or if we want to go further afield someone can pick me up. Not such an imposition as getting someone to pick me up to go to someone else's house when I'm not even on their way.

Went for a look around the shops afterwards and found Plump Fiction going for $5 in Big W.
As far as piss-takes go it wasn't bad. It was mostly sending up Pulp Fiction, but did a Reservoir Dogs bit in the middle.
And the guy who voices Homer Simpson was in it. He played Bumpkin. (As a Tim Roth fan, I must object......)
The main female star was Julie Brown. I thought some of her evil expressions looked familiar :
Everybody run,
The Homecoming Queen's got a gun....

Dave and I went for a stroll to The Bridges after dinner. Sort of run out of Bike/Pedestrian Path so had to wade through lose soil for awhile. Took another route home, but I still headed straight for the shower when I got back. Feet were filthy.

Watched part 2 of the Sissi, Empress of Austria, trilogy last night. It was only by chance I noticed it was on. SBS 2.
I'd look to see if part 3 is on next Monday, but someone bought the wrong TV Week, didn't they.....
Blame Woolies. They've usually sold out of the week in progress and have next week's on the shelves by now.

Anyone's idea what I'm doing for dinner tonight. Hope we've got Italian Schnitzel. Otherwise I'm doing chicken kiev, even though we did have chicken last night.
Any of the main breadwinners care to do some meat shopping before the week is out?

Sometimes you wonder if it is worth it.....

edania — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:26:03 GMT

You'd think after all the walking I've done lately, and all the calories I've not had by not drinking alcohol, I'd be showing a little difference by now?
I know walking is not aerobic so isn't any good as a weight-loss exercise, but surely it's better than sitting on my arse all day?

Strolled to the mall yesterday as I needed to withdraw money. Then went to Big W. Bugger all there though. They cater for the very small, then jump to very large sizes. Hey, what about us average tubbies?
There was one dress in size 16 that didn't pre-suppose that all women of that width are necessary 6' tall at least. However it was almost split to the waist Well on me, it was. I've worn cross-over necklines before, but this was ridiculous.
Stopped off at the chemist for eye-drops before coming home. Eyes are getting very dry and itchy lately.

Don't know what's up with JMM these days. Their interpretation of salvation only works if you do away with John 3:16.
And on the subject of theology, the book I'm currently reading agrees with Homer - that Isaac Newton was anti-Trinitarian.

We've worked out what we're doing about Arthur's Birthday lunch. The Brook has sent him a freebie (that's 2 years in a row. David and I both joined their Birthday Club as well, yet we haven't heard from them since.) So we're going there next Saturday.
So morning tea with the bikers is back on for tomorrow.

Oh well, hair to wash.

Seriously, what's up with Neighbours?

edania — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:31 GMT

That stupid little Tash has torched her father's van because he and Emila were having a screw in it at the time Tash's mum drowned. This was around 15 years earlier, I believe.
If the show lets the little bitch get away with it then it has failed in its responsibility as suitable PG viewing and is adding to the problems we already have with teenagers' total lack of discipline.
Michael should have stuck by his guns before when he was going to send her to boarding school. I guess these days a detention centre would be a better idea.

Work is getting really tedious now. I suppose once we've shredded the tapes we'll start on the files. Mary asked me what I intended to do with my Thursdays once it's all over. No idea. Might just stay home and read/watch telly.

Lookout Ministries is having another Book/Garage Sales this weekend so I decided to scavenge. Can't see any point in making a special trip when I'm already in the same building.
Interestingly, having seen that Bob Hawke movie twice on TV in recent months, I was getting an urge to read his biography - written by his bit on the side. Well there it was, and only $2.
Also found a couple of VC Andrews' books I'd never come across before, and The Citidel, which I had to read in Year 10, and can't remember a solitary thing about it.
The whole lot came to $4.75. I gave Lorrie a fiver and told her to keep the change.

Feeling fat and bloated. I've been going for long walks, and avoiding alcohol. I don't eat much anyway. Had a seafood 6" sub for lunch, minus condiments. I just get so pissed off the way everyone acts as if those of us who are overweight are binge eaters of fatty foods and chocolate.

Earth, Wind & Fire is touring Australia soon, but only the lower Eastern States. Hey, Philip Bailey, your greatest fan is in Perth. OK?
Well I'm not going to the hassle of flying to Melbourne, staying in a hotel etc.

According to JMM, representatives of all the major churches are now in favour of gay marriage as long as clergymen are not forced to perform such marriages if it goes against their personnal beliefs. Yeah, that'll work!
Once gay marriage becomes legal the next step will be to FORCE the church to perform it.
It's all part of the agenda.

Going out this weekend for Art's birthday. Whatever day we go someone will be forced to compromise - and it looks like it will be Dave and me.
Can't go Saturday (any Saturday) as Art has his secret men's business breakfast. Sunday isn't good for us as we are having morning tea for the Christian Bikers Association after church.
Oh well, looks like the bikers will have to do without us. Morning tea at EBC is usually crap anyway. Too much sweet stuff.

Might go for a stroll to the Shops At Ellenbrook later. Forgot to get Art his rent money yesterday. Also want to look around the clothing shops without Dave hurrying me up.

CABs for dinner tonight.

A cooler day forecast.

edania — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:40:59 GMT

About time!
Crashed out for 3 hours yesterday morning. Blame it on Chronic Fatigue.
Did some reading after I woke up.
Cooked those crumbed sausages David bought from Cutting edge. I won't say they were bloody awful, but I guess I just don't like anything in the way of a sausage except the thin beef ones from Woollies.
And I only like them in a curry! (I guess it stems back to my childhood where the sausage was a symbol that we girls were not worth shit in our mother's eyes compared with our darling brother, Geo,)

So I ended up forcing down 1/2 of one, and let Arthur finish the other 1 1/2. I really do wonder why I am so fat when I hardly eat, while Arthur, who eats all the time, is so skinny?

David and I went for another walk after dinner and discovered a new section of Charlotte's Vineyard.
Came home, he went to PODS and I watched TV. Have often wondered how a TV channel can be running so late when it's not as if they are showing "live" stuff that tends to go over. I have come to the conclusion it's because they sell too much advertising space.
Vicar of Dibley was 5 minutes late in starting. By the time 60 Minute Make-over was finished the station was around 20 minutes late.

And on that subject, why do people give kiddies double beds all to themselves? Wait till they grow up and have to share that space with another person. At least moving from a single bed it doesn't seem quite as bad.

Wondering what's with the mega-changer. 4 of the last 5 mornings it has awakened me to the same CD.

Art needs the computer!

Writer's Block: Little People, Big Fairytale

edania — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:16:42 GMT

Actually I'm more into midgets than dwarfs. Sue me, but I prefer my men to be proportionately correct at least, even if they are small of stature.

But seriously, I haven't seen the film. I was too young when my parents took my older siblings to see it at the cinema in the 40s. When it finally came out on video I was past caring.

Writer's Block: Do Not Forget

edania — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:22:11 GMT

Keys, iPod, phone, wallet, and a book to read on the bus.

Writer's Block: TMI

edania — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:01:23 GMT

That the Devil was the cause of his marital infidelity.

It was because he was doing such great works for God that Satan needed to stop his ministry.

I still haven't figured out what those great works were.....

Writer's Block: What’s in a Name?

edania — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:47:16 GMT

I used to hate my name because it was well and truly past its "sell by" date. Everyday in the papers, back when I was a teen, Evelyns were falling off the twig, aged 88 or thereabouts. I was also aware that it was something my mother came out with at the last minute because her sister-in-law stole the name she had planned on giving me originally.

So I'd have liked Morgana, after a jazz singer I've admired since I was 16.
I still write as Morgana St James, but the name has lost some of its appeal because of crap TV shows like Merlin that have totally trashed the Arthurian Legends in my opinion.

Writer's Block: Singles Awareness Day

edania — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:36:33 GMT

Indifferent. I'm single so no-one to share it with.
However I have no desire to ruin it for those who do have a special someone in their lives.

Writer's Block: People’s Choice

edania — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:06:06 GMT

Al Stewart. I used to like him during the 70s, but like most non-mainstream artists the stores stopped stocking his albums.
Then a couple of months ago I came across the CD of his Year Of The Cat while on route to watch a Cats AFL game on the big screen at the pub. I bought it and just came to the conclusion that he is a brilliant folk artist, even better than my former music idol, Iain Matthews.