Can you say........

Albany!

Musings......continued

As I said in my last post I need a change at work.........I mentioned that something was in the wind..........I may be able to explain on Friday! Stay tuned..

On a different note I have discovered a quote which I am using in my signature on my work emails.........because it fits my work environment in so many ways,

"Never attribute to malice that which can be readily explained by stupidity."

Musings...............

'Pancakes' will understand when I say I have been mentally pre-occupied by the thought "what is it with parents?".......I'm guessing she has too!

In other news I'm again feeling stifled at work and after 6 years it's definately time to move......I'm still looking but I may have to compromise and move within first.......and then maybe without! I'm trying a few options to at least change my work environment if not my occupation so stay tuned!!!!

On the world stage I will say I'm glad no one in this country is popular enough to influence the public's opinion when it comes to who to vote for (a.k.a. Miss Winfrey)......that seems tantamount to driving people to the polling booth just to get their vote......oh hang on...that's been done too!!! At least we cut down our 'tall poppy's'

Election.....!

We have just had our federal election here in Australia.........

We had a choice between the incumbent who had already served 11 years and was promising more of the same (tight fiscal management and low unemployment) and the 'new kid on the block' who comes from the opposite side of politics and was espousing almost identical policies but has no track record to judge him on!

The nation somehow managed to choose the latter and voted for change but more of the same.........that's compulsory voting at it's worst and believe me I support it but when the choice is no choice......what can you do!!!

So we either have change of the personalities or we are in for a shock when we find that Prime Minister Rudd has lied to us (shock, horror!!!!)

Oh hell.....he's a politician......of course he lied....they both did!

Painting....the epilogue or is it?

Well after a week I'm thoroughly sick of this painting business......and sore!

I've managed to completely paint a 6.5 x 4.5 metre room with 3 metre high ceilings.......yes it's bloody huge and I'm still finishing off the woodwork and trim. That's the worst part....it's so fiddly and after painting for hours you don't seem to make any headway.

Oh....and I also filled a mini-skip and put together a cupboard and 5 new bookcases (flat packs from the Swedish hell shop!)

I guess I haven't done too badly....there's just 4 times as much left to do!!!

Now I'm back at my day job.........yay :-(

So here's a question; What was the first edifice that immigrants saw as they approached Manhattan (New York) by ship in the early to mid 20th century? Think carefully.....

Painting.....!!!!!

At the end of day one....I haven't got very far

And

Owwwwww!

Back to normal?

I have spent the past 7 weeks doing somebody else's job....he was away on leave. After that time I have reached the firm conclusion that he does very little.....but takes credit for a lot. I'm not surprised as it was as I expected but at least I can now speak with authority....not that anyone listens.

Now I have a little leave of my own.....to paint the house........so not really a rest.


While I'm away no one is doing my job officially....we'll see........

We need to win lotto!

In other news:-

The Nobel prize committee need to look at a lot of other scientists to spread the accolades around more fairly and our Government in Australia really needs to call the election.....just stop pissing about.....not that there is anyone worth voting for on either side!

What's special about the 24th of September!!!

Happy birthday bro......you know who I mean!!!

Have a great day, party like you are only 44..........now you're only one year younger than me....until next year eh!

BTW 'eL' asked me to say she's found the perfect recipe for 'Panera' cheese and broccoli soup......hmmmmmmm yummy.....it's identical

Talk Proper Ye Scurvy Dogs!!!!

Don't forget to talk proper tomorrow Wednesday 19 September.....it be International 'Talk like a pirate day'

So be proper and piratical........or ye will be keel hauled or rogered quite jolly!!!

Aaaarrrrggghhhh ye black hearted coves........find me a piece of eight or maybe a parrot!?!!!????

Do it......it feels good!

Symmetry in life....

It's funny how often we find symmetry in life.......well I do!

Two weeks ago my better half 'eL' went to have an eye check and discovered that her distance vision was a little off and it was time for glasses. This of course turned into a style exercise which wasn't cheap......but they look fabulous darlings!!!!

Last week I had an eye test (because I thought it was time.....) and who would have guessed....my distance vision is also a little off and I need glasses........another style exercise which cost even more (not my fault....she did the choosing of frames!!)

It occurred to me that I'm the last of my siblings to need spectacles.....some comfort I guess. The interesting thing about my vision is that it's above average for distance but it is a little blurry at the extreme range so technically and legally I have really good vision but I still need glasses......apparently my brain is too good at working out what I am seeing and compensates for the blur....an interesting dichotomy!

So now we will both be able to clearly see how little money we have left after buying glasses.......typical........:-)

Looking busy.........

I'm currently doing somebody else's job.....acting up as we call it. It's 'hairplugs' job actually.........that makes me the Officer in Charge.....woohoo!

The thing is..... on Monday I finished all his duties by 10.30am, on Tuesday it was by 9.30am, Wednesday 8.30, Thursday 8.00am and Friday it was 7.25am. It's not like I did nothing for the rest of the working day.....I did my normal job as well and when I had spare time I helped out the 'big' boss with 'corporate' nonsense.

I was feeling pretty smug by Friday...given my disdain for 'hairplug'.....and then I realised that I had been forgetting to do the most important thing!!!

I wasn't running around making out I was overworked and under-appreciated......I'm such a fool!!!!

Meeeaoooow.....give the boy a saucer of milk!!!

What be your nerd type??????

Now this is just freaky strange

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Drama Nerd   You sure do love the spotlight and probably have a very out-going and loud personality. Or not. That's just a stereotype, of course. Participation in the theatre is something to be very proud of. Whether you have a great voice for musicals, or astounding skills for dramas/comedies; keep up the good work. We need more entertainment these days that isn't television and video games (not that these things are bad, necessarily.)
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
Literature Nerd
Musician
Science/Math Nerd
Social Nerd
Artistic Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

I'm not sure about this at all

Work and responsibility...............

Most of us work and take our jobs seriously....we know what is expected of us, we try hard and do our best. Every now and again you meet someone who just hasn't got a clue!!!!

I have one of those as a boss.....'hairplug' to my readers!

I've been back at work for several weeks now and I'm still pretty relaxed....it must have been a good holiday!!!! For the past few days I watched as 'hairplug' has systematically duck-shovelled most of his work and responsibilities to staff under his direction....I can't say 'command' because he has no understanding of the concept. Some of this work has come my way but I seem to have found a way to push back some of it, but the rest is being dumped onto the 'can't say no' people in the office (the good workers....who have pride in their work). I work with 19 year old's who have a better comprehension of our job than this guy.

He is what most of us refer to as 'old school' but even in that area he's a loser in that at least 'old school' detectives (yes he's also an ex-detective) would work hard giving some balance to their arrogance. He has no sense of balance........and he thinks all the young female staff fancy him.......that's just wrong! Oh and for my siblings...he has two sons called Beau and Luke.......hmmmmmmm

This type of personality always seem to slide right through life causing the accidents without suffering the consequences........I wonder why? There's probably at least one PhD in there somewhere............

Back to work...........

After a wonderful and lengthy holiday it was back to work last Monday.......and I survived the first week remarkably well. My good boss missed me and so did 'hairplug'....he didn't have anyone to handball his work to and had to do a hard day's graft for a change!

I have now re-built my PC with all the goodies I bought in the US and whew......it flies!!!!!! However I'm still working out a few software bugs that have resulted from imaging my old hard drive......at least it keeps the brain active:-)

It's funny how we're both tired and unenthusiastic after such a good holiday......I can't think why???

Now back to our trivia battle:- What was the first man made object put into space....and by whom?

You may be surprised at this one!!!

Whew!!!

We're home...........safely!

More soon.

My Pirate name!!!!!

It should be Jolly Roger but it's

My pirate name is:

Dirty Roger Flint

You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

How did they know of my family conection to "mouthful of pancakes"

Blogging from Sea....The Summary!!!

As promised I have finally found a computer to upload some pictures of the cruise leg of the trip.....

So here goes......

Shanghai at night

Us on the Great Wall of China

The 'opening ceremony' stadium for the Beijing Olympic Games 2008

Hand painted ceramics in Arita, Japan

The Peace Park (Ground Zero) in Nagasaki, Japan

Avacha volcano in Petropavlovsk, Russia

Our first of many Bald Eagles

The Hubbard Glacier and ice filled bay!!

And, finally, for now...... the happy Sea Otters

There are obviously way too many to upload....but you get the drift....and it's only half over

Blogging at sea....Part 6

Well we've just left Sitka, Alaska and I need to upload the photo's.........the problem being the very slow and congested internet bandwidth from this ship

So....let's just say it was unbelievable and the photo's will follow in the next episode.......

Blogging at sea.....Part 5

We have moved on to Alaska now and the scenery is getting more spectacular by the hour.....I think I could live here although I admit I haven't experienced a winter.....

We have seen all kinds of wildlife....bald eagles, puffins, whales....(well sort of!) and way too many stuffed and mounted Kodiak bears. Why does man feel the need to hunt and kill animals that are just trying to live life.......I don't care what people say it's not sport and it's completely unnecessary...if you want to prove you're a man try killing a grizzly bear with a penknife......even the odds a bit you gutless creatures.

Enough venting!!

We should be at Hubbard Glacier in the morning so there should be many photo's taken.........which I will upload if the nanna's on board stop choking the satellite feed with emails to their pension fund managers, stock brokers and the 'folks back home'....geez!

We still have moderate to rough seas of 2.5 to 4 metres and the temperature is a balmy 5.7 degrees celcius.........waaaarrrrrmm! We still love this cruising.......it beats flying in all aspects.....forget about time taken:-)

Blogging at sea.....Part 4

Well we're back at sea today after visiting Petropavlovsk on the Kamchatka Peninsular.....that's Russia kiddies!!!

We spent yesterday afternoon in the city after waiting for 4 hours to be cleared from the ship by the 'local authorities'.......even China was quicker than that.....and than we discover what a DISMAL AND SOULLESS HOLE this place is....the only cultural buildings in town were closed for renovation/demolition....you couldn't tell which! This is the base for the Russian Pacific Fishing Fleet and there is supposed to be money flooding into the city but we couldn't see it.....unless it all goes on vodka, beer and cigarettes. Even the nicer cars were all coated with the local commodity.....coal grit.....hmmmm pretty. We went into several local businesses and the staff all ignored us completely....served everyone around us. We walked out with 'eL' saying:- "Remember ...you have to live here!" and headed back to our 6 square meals a day.

It sounds like a typical cultural cringe but we always try to enjoy whatever experiences our travels bring.......but not in this town....we should have liked the fact that they have volcanos and fossils...our two favourite things but you can't see them without visas and special escorts...which the 'local authorities' weren't about to supply. This is the volcano...as seen from the ship in harbour......

Happy birthday to Mouthful of Pancakes for soon.......reply to my emails you lazy girl!!!

Off to Alaska next...to be continued............

Blogging at sea....Part 3

Well now it's getting interesting.......we're travelling north east along the Kurile Islands in the North Pacific Ocean......yes 'mouthful of pancakes' its volcano country!!!! Well it is but we can't see them because we've had two days solid of low pressure......which means cloud, fog and high seas!!!!

At the moment we have 4 metre swells, 0 degrees celcius and some snow!!!!

Lots of cabins are occupied and have the 'do not disturb' signs out........feeling a little green are we???? Well we sure as hell aren't...we've just been to afternoon tea and it's a formal dinner tonight........it looks like the sailing in the Whitsundays a many years ago may have attuned us to the 'motion of the ocean' as our teutonic captain calls it.....from the "beautiful and elegant...Staten...dam!!!"

Blogging at sea....Part 2

Well we've finished with China and South Korea and moved onto Japan. Nagasaki came as a very clean and orderly surprise after CHina. Everything was very organised and efficient. We went to a smaller village called Arita to see how these guys make porcelain....and they're really good at it too!! Osaka was next and an awesome day...we went shopping and did the aquarium which was just huge....it even has a whale shark like the ones off Western Australia....bloody huge!!!

We then moved onto Tokyo.......OMG.........we landed in Ginza and then took the subway to Asakusa to see the Sensoji Temple and markets....yes we shopped!! It is truely an amazing city

Today we're at sea and relaxing.......tomorrow is a smaller city (yeah right!!!...this is Japan!) called Hakodate....time to absorb some more culture.

We love this cruising!!!!!!!!!

Blogging at sea...!!!

I have to be quick because the internet costs on a ship are extreme.......but how cool is this....I'm blogging at sea. In the Yellow Sea to be precise....having just left Xingang the port of Beijing and after visiting Hong Kong (awesome shopping), Xiamen (dirty but great shopping), Shanghai (huge, f**king enormous, great shopping) and now heading for Dalian...does anyone see the pattern here!

Have been on the Great Wall, in a Ming Tomb, in the Bund.....this is amazing. Now I'm writing about it at sea after a fabulous dinner (silver service) and it's only cost an arm and a leg....that's why we work I guess.

Odyssey and The Goose I've emailed and if you want to reply check the sending address....it should be hotmail. Mouthful of pancake you're not forgotten but I have to go because these computers are sought after by angry pensioners wanting to check their stocks and bonds.....I'm being intimidated as we speak.

Trivia to end....what is the statue of liberty called???? Odyssey, you should get this one easily...

Bloggial Pursuit.........

Okay then.....if we're going to play then I've got one for you before we go...

And in keeping with the musical theme......

What animal is terrified, you could even say 'strung out', by string instruments?

I will be very disappointed if you get this wrong, especially you 'mouthful of pancakes'

On the road again........

Like my slightly younger sibling Odyssey I have been suffering from a bit of 'blog block'. Mine is due to several difficult weeks at work and the 'ups and downs' of planning and arranging our imminent holiday. The good news is

Five sleeps to go!!!!!!!

On Monday we take to the sky and head for Hong Kong.....where no doubt we will shop....well 'eL' will and I'll carry the bags. Then it's on to the high seas for some new experiences..... we can't wait.

Hopefully I'll visit from time to time for a display of photo's and the telling of tales

For Odyssey

An update for Odyssey......



aaaaaarrggghhhhh........................................

Dim Sum....!!!!

I don't really know how I have made it to 44 years old without trying the Chinese food banquet 'Dim Sum'....especially as we live in a multicultural country that is part of the Asian region. Today I finally immersed myself in Dim Sum lunch with 'L' or 'eL' as I'm now calling her (I'll explain that another time!) and some friends who had just escaped the cyclone ravaged areas of our state. It's impossible to explain the assault on the senses....it was noisy, chaotic and most of all delicious. We should have tried this years ago and we will be making up for lost time in the near future....fabulous!!!

I also have tried a new look for our upcoming holiday....easy care you might call it! I just hope I don't scare the nieces and nephew. Don't worry guys its just that creepy old Aussie uncle!!!!

BTW 5 weeks tomorrow.....woohoo!

Holiday.....

We're due for a holiday........both of us really need a break. I can tell I need a holiday because today I picked a fight with my boss.....four times and somehow walked away without penalty (not a wise move in law enforcement - senior officers don't like being told they are wrong or stupid! Yes I did both:-o)

We are going on holiday in April thankfully........I just have to get that far without opening my mouth once too often! It's promises to be a really good holiday and we'll get to see family who have moved away........We can't wait! We both need to get away from our jobs and become people again.

New places and different ways to get around....time to expand the mind and life experiences.

Must work on my patience and restraint.....only six weeks and four days to go...but who's counting!!!!

Star gazing......

I have a small telescope which I use from time to time.....looking at the Moon and Venus mostly.

The other night 'L' and I spent a very pleasant couple of hours on a lawn in front of a University of Western Australia building looking at parts of the cosmos through some very expensive telescopes.....we went to University Summer School and did an astronomy class. It was way cool!!!

We saw the Moon so closely that I'm sure I saw the glint of the the remains of the lunar landing module.....and the impact stress fractures radiating from the Tyco crater....amazing stuff! We saw Pleiades (the only stars mentioned in the Bible apparently) and the Orion Nebula.....now that's really cool!

Now I want a really big telescope to see everything I can........mmmmmm more money needed, must win Lotto!!!

Hot............

I know we live in the 'sunburnt' country but last weekend was bloody ridiculous..........three days over 42 degrees C (that's around 110F for any US readers) and that's too bloody hot. You could get sunburn indoors at that temperature.

The only good thing was that most of the Australia Day 'idiots' failed to make a showing during the celebrations....sadly the air-conditioning at work failed and wasn't fixed until yesterday which has been somewhat testing (it was 46 C in the building at 7.00 pm on Australia Day)....lots of people with access to firearms, capsicum spray and stun guns in a very bad mood is a recipe for disaster. It's a good thing it's cooled down today.

Unfortunately it's going to happen again in two days time.....over the weekend again so no gardening or outdoor renovations for this little pirate.........Aaaaaarrgh I may have to watch the cricket me hearties!!!! Bummer.......! Now where can I find a Kiwi to flog......the Poms are no challenge.

Exercise.........

I'm not one who finds any type of exercise enticing or appealing in any way......not a natural athlete by any stretch.

I got a new bike for Christmas.....from my better half (a gentle hint maybe?)

I have been cycling to and from work every day when possible and I try to manage about four times a week....I try anyway! I have found it quite enjoyable and it seems to be having a positive effect on my ample midriff....well I can see and feel a difference. At my age I know I need to take care of myself and that's what this is about.

At least the weather has been pretty good so far....some very hot days ahead unfortunately so we'll see how my enthusiasm and resolve cope. I must concentrate on the good aspects.

New Years Eve.........

Well......I survived and so did all my crew. No injuries and generally less trouble than previous years!

Then the real fun began........

I had been in bed at home for about 15 minutes when I was woken by banging on the front door and horrendous wailing. I couldn't imagine what was happening and I obviously had to deal with whatever it was. I opened the door to find a very drunk and distressed lady who was shouting something about being followed and harassed.......oh great I thought I'm going to have to confront a psychopath or rapist....just my luck! I headed out of the yard and found a neatly dressed young fellow standing in the driveway talking on his mobile phone....to police as it happened! He explained that this lady had run into his parked car several streets away, pushing it onto the footpath and after giving him a few different names she had tried to leave the crash scene before police arrived (remember she's pretty drunk!).

It was at this point I began to realise that he was not an offender but most likely the victim. I tried to talk to the lady who had started to shout at the young guy but she wasn't interested in calming down. When I told her that the police were coming she started to ramble about having a brother who was a policeman and she didn't care. I then realised that she was looking to leave so I identified myself as a police officer and suddenly I went from saviour to "arrogant c**t" to use her words. Fortunately the cavalry arrived and she was taken away and charged.........the young fellow was most grateful and then I got to go back to bed.................

Imagine having such a bad night that after getting drunk you run into a parked car on a well-lit street, give several obviously false names, try to do a runner and then end up knocking on the door of the house of the only policeman in the area in the hopes of getting away from the poor sod you ran into.....you wouldn't by a lottery ticket on the strength of that....would you!

I guess that's some of the justice I've been missing..............