Archive | July, 2014
hope or fortune ????
30 JulSo far I have resisted the temptation to write nonsense about my work … lets face it 8 or so hours each day is enough without writing about it too… BUT the truth is there are SO MANY things to ‘wonder about’ in that interesting yet at times bizarre, environment.
Today I drove a 4 and a half hour round trip to attend a one hour presentation…..
Yes, that in itself is a little odd, but to discover that the presenters were Professors Hope and Fortune (true) …and they were discussing a rise in HIV and Hepatitis C in the United Kingdom – directly linked to an increase in steroid use …made me wonder if perhaps they should change their names ???
how tall is too tall…??
29 Jul
For quite some time I have had this strange and recurring thought… not founded on anything other than a passing observation (many years ago), but nonetheless one that left a big impression….
You see I think I’m too TALL to be a Grandmother (I must hasten to add that its not likely to happen any time in the immediate future… but I can’t see me getting any shorter between now and then).
I was born tall (measuring a neat 24 inches) and remain vertically endowed at an approximate 5ft10in. Now some years ago took notice of a statuesque,
straight and slender ‘older’ woman who was out shopping with her grandchildren. She struck me for her well groomed appearance, but her height was completely at odds with the grandma role…… I know.. I know… that’s a massive generalisation and unfair stereotype. I just wonder if maybe it was because she appeared so physically ‘distant’ from the 2 little children ???
Anyway there isn’t much I can do about it …other than invest in a favourite armchair that will accommodate me at a child-friendly height to avoid towering over them at all times…..just thought I would share my anxiety 🙂
…psst I’ve got gossip…
28 JulI have to say the strangest and most interesting things pop into your world when you least expect them.
Here I was looking for articles on Marxism and the sociological perspectives of our current Health reform… when I fell into the vortex of the sociology of gossip instead.
Who would have thought that celebrity gossip could ever be considered an academic pursuit? Elaine Lui …. that’s who! So make a cup of your favourite, and click the link above, settle back to be amused and astounded.
The next time someone tells you to stop gossiping …tell them it’s your academic duty. And to think it all began with the ancient Egyptians …with “Who Weekly” etched in stone ….
more ornithological observations
27 JulSome of you may recall my recent mumblings about the odd behaviour of a bunch of unidentified, and somewhat nondescript birds. There they were, huddled together on the electrical cable high above the middle of the river, presenting me with a whole lot of unanswered questions… most of which remain unanswered (and forgotten… along with the birds).
That is… until today.
This morning as I crossed the river, I looked upstream where the sky was clear, the river still…and there was not a bird in sight. BUT when I looked to my left the fog was settled low on the water and the surface was littered with small dark creatures who appeared to be hiding in the thick of the fog.
Now I don’t know about you, but this makes me wonder what goes on in their tiny bird brains. So, you guessed ….I ‘googled it’ .
I discovered more than I care (or need) to know about bird intelligence… and while I now know that many are capable of counting… I still don’t know what this odd fog dwelling behaviour was all about (when clearly I would have chosen the sunny side of the bridge).
BUT…It’s Sunday night and no doubt the busy week ahead will mean that these big bird issues will soon be forgotten… along with the weekend.
phew… it’s not just me …..
26 Juleyebrows are a worry everywhere …see what the fashion pundits are saying
(I always knew I was a trendsetter… I’m 50 Something but not dead yet)
who am I ? ….really?
24 JulTonight’s musing is in a similar vein to last night … but without the ‘risky twist’.
I want to share another story of vehicle incongruity ….. As I said last night I love the colour and richness that cultural and religious diversity brings to our day …and today was no different.
Today, when I was in the carpark of a very multicultural suburb in Sydney’s western suburbs I spied a small car with religious decals on (almost) every window … you’ve probably seen them…stickers depicting rosary beads, crucifix, hands lady praying …even a silhouette of Jesus himself.
You can imagine my surprise, amusement and delight when I walked past the car to spot hot pink car seat covers with “playgirl” plastered across them …
I’m wondering if there is a clash of identity going on here ? or simply a struggle for the playgirl to shake the shackles of her rosary beads??
what the ???
23 JulI love living in a place where it’s perfectly OK to display one’s cultural or religious perspective overtly and safely, as long as they offend no-one. It’s what makes our country interesting and colourful….But I am completely puzzled and amused when the behaviour doesn’t match the message. Let me explain….
This morning I gave way to a large 4WD that was merging in the traffic. As I sat behind it I couldn’t help but read the bumper message …
‘Jesus is coming …are you ready? YOU MUST be born again’
Now I am not a practising Christian, but what the hell… it’s a harmless message and I felt special that it was speaking directly to ME (even if a little fear inspiring). Anyway, smiling to myself I continued driving behind this oversized ‘truck’ and watched as it swerved from one side of the lane to the other…then slowed to a pace well below the speed limit …and then sped up again. An erratic style, to say the very least, (my guess is that there was a telephone involved…but I have no proof).
It made me wonder if he was looking for his chance to be ‘born again’…sooner rather than later …??
After 15 minutes behind this ‘crazy-man’, the road widened and cleared so I had the opportunity to overtake and get out of his way … before one of us met his maker under tragic circumstances.
As I overtook, I was astounded to see the middle aged god-fearing driver look at me and vigorously raise his middle finger by way of a not-so-pleasant ‘morning greeting’ !!!!
mmm…. now that makes my wonder … should I have reported a stolen car?
morning mishaps
22 JulWe’ve all had them … those days that just feel doomed from the outset and you just want to quit before they start. (I’m quick to add that it’s not the way it turned out … but it didn’t feel that way at 8am this morning).
Having rolled over in my warm cocoon just once too often, it was clear I would be pushing it to get to work on time. So after a speedy shower I started to get myself together and a throw my face on…. but in my haste, I misfired and poked my eyeball with my mascara. Next thing …stinging like crazy, black goop is running down my face along with the uncontrollable stream of tears.
Trying to mop up my my mess, I raced out the back to feed the precious pooches, only to discover that the geriatric of the two is nowhere to be found… AND … bloody hell, she needs her morning meds.
It’s freezing cold, and the clock is ticking as I run (with eye still pouring) and search every corner of our two acre property.
Now here’s the thing… She is deaf and partially blind ….and, as some of you know, I have my vocal ‘challenge’ …. I was running around like a voiceless, blind and mad woman, mopping up my face and trying to figure what I would do if I couldn’t find her.
After a very long 20 mins I turned and saw her waddle nonchalantly across the back lawn, clearly wondering what all the fuss was about.
Job done, it was then back to the bathroom to clean myself up and start the day all over.
The moral to the story is …no matter how much you think you deserve that one last roll over …. DON’T DO IT !!!
Wonder Years 