Thread: Trans-Tasman Titillation - vol: 27 Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It is just gone midnight so early morning 01.01.2012 in the Chatham Islands so Happy New Year to all the Down Under shippies! Here’s your shiny new thread for 2012.

Treat this thread gently, it's only a baby.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Happy New Year, y'all
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
And from me too.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Just watched the fireworks from my balcony. Quite a decent view. Had I gone upstairs to roof garden I may have seen the whole bridge as well. Not sure how many were up there.

And a much quicker journey to bed than trying bus or train.

Again, a happy new year to all on board.
 

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Posted by Duo Seraphim (# 256) on :
 
Happy New Year Everyone! I watched the fireworks on the telly, but I did have a flute of champagne to enliven the experience.
 

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Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
2012 salutations to all our Ship friends. May the year ahead be good to you!

FD and I spent the first few minutes of his new employment meeting members of the congregation and watching far distant fireworks on the bay and in the city. It will be an exciting year for us I think!
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
Fantastic to hear from you Clarence, and to hear of FD. I miss him.
Happy new year, Aussies and Kiwis. And everyone.
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Happy New Year!

Lovely boozy party at the home of the local police- we all knew how not to drink and drive, lol. It was fun.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Greetings to all, from one of the less waterlogged parts of NZ – no, we're not currently resident at Matarangi, where the nearest music festival struggled on surrounded by knee-deep mud.

As someone on TV said, may we greet each new day like one unwrapping a New Year's present.

GG
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
A happy and safe new year to all. Went to bed early-ish as I have to preach today. Did have some nice sparkling wine though.

Clarence, my prayer for you and FD is that the new ministry will be all it could be.

I just bought a 1997 Saab 900 S. It is lovely.

for Christchurch and areas of Melbourne whose Christmas presents were either shaky or extremely wet.

for an end to the various conflicts around the world.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
All was very quiet around here this morning, even Parramatta Road was quiet. Woke up, looked at clock and found I had three minutes to be showered, dressed and out the door.

Actually I was behind from the moment of opening eyes. Lift here broke down on 22/12 and it takes much longer to walk down from three floors up, than it does to come in lift.

O--s have a notice on lift doors that it will be fixed as soon as possible. There were four non-public holidays last week.

I could have gone up to roof garden for fireworks, there's a good full view of bridge. However I looked from my balcony and was surprised ho much I could see. Perhaps not the full detail but could see displays from five or six of the launching sites and much of the finale.
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Happy new year. To new beginnings.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:


I just bought a 1997 Saab 900 S. It is lovely.

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I'm suitably Jealous! I'd even forgive it for having an automatic gearbox where you live.
 

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Posted by Gay Organ Grinder (# 11833) on :
 
Bugga, what a wy to start the year. Noticed a pain in my foot last when walking back to the car after the fireworks. Just thought we had been sitting too long. Woke up this morning and it was agony putting my foot to the ground. Finally went to the Medical Centre to learn that I have damaged a tendon(s), will know more after xray on Tuesday. Meanwhile stay off feet.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Ow, sorry to hear that GOG. Take it easy!

I was in bed and fast asleep by 10.30pm last night. Missed the lot - retrospectives, news, fireworks, parties...but it was lovely sitting tucked up in bed with my five year old grandson reading him funny bedtime stories, while TP watched a war epic with his big brother.

New Years Day began with the fabulously quaint Diocesan Rite service up at the cathedral. It was like being sucked into a time tunnel! I loved it.

Happy 2012 everyone!
 

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Posted by claudine (# 12441) on :
 
It's too hot!

I mostly slept through last night's celebrations - briefly woken by fireworks and cheers, but not enough to be really disturbed. 2011 felt like one of the worst years of my life (I was mostly screening the drama on Facebook rather than on the ship) so here's to a good 2012.
 

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Posted by bib (# 13074) on :
 
Watched the spectacular Sydney fireworks on tv, but now I'm feeling very disturbed at the cost - it seems an obscene amount of money to send up in smoke.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I'm always torn on the cost of such community events BIB, all bread and circuses to keep us from getting too upset about our frightful lack of adequate infrastructure, public education and health.

I had plans for NYE but all thwarted when I heard Dad was feeling really dizzy and couldn't walk properly on 30th. Thank God for the A&E at the San in Wahroonga-private so no 10 hour waits. After 2 nights in hospital the neurologist ascertained he hadn't had a stroke. He was discharged today, halleluhah, but after staying with him in emergency til midnight on the night of the 30th and going back the next day, I had a glass of wine at my sister's and went home to bed at 10.30. The boom of the fireworks woke me up at midnight but I rolled over and went back to sleep, dreaming I was on a ship being attacked by canons. Pretty crappy NYE but a great NY to learn that what I thought was the start of a slow decline into multiple strokes (this happened to my Grandmother) was only an inner ear problem, likely caused by him doing too much over the Christmas holiday! Yay.

Happy NY everyone. Now organising for trip to Fiji in a few days.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Yay indeed.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Great news for you and your dad, Evangeline. Glad it's not a stroke but your Dad has my sympathies as a longtime sufferer of many ear infections.
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
My Nan, Gladys (I suppose that would make her Gladys Knight around here ) died today in hospital. We are told she likely experienced no pain. As she lived with my Mum after my Dad died when I was a little tacker, I grew up with her. I will miss her very much. Father God has her now. She was 95.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
More big aftershocks in Chch. Are you home yet Huia?



GG
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
DK: May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

That's tough on you and the family, to begin the year with a funeral.{(hugs)}

Given the situation in Christchurch, I was somewhat gobsmacked to turn the tv on yesterday just in time to catch the movie Earthquake, with Charlton Heston in it. The primitive special effects in the old flop were laughable compared to what we've been witnessing next door to Oz. It did make me wonder what on earth the programmers were thinking, but certainly stirred my thoughts towards Chch.

again.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
As GG said ... so it goes on
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
As said elsewhere, DK ... s for you and all the Pips ( )
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Prayers for you all, DK. I was very close to one of my grandmothers and still occasionally dream about her. It's hard to see what is an integral part of life move on.

Prayers still continuing for Huia and her city.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
DK and family.

mr curly
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Prayers for DK, his family and Gladys K from all of us.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Very sorry to hear about your Nan DK.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Meanwhile a bloody great Great Dane (something tautologous there ) has wonderd into our poperty for the thrid time in six months, and is making himself at home (actually he's locked in our laundry).

I'd keep (and neuter) him, except we have two dogs, and may have about ten by the end of the week.

[ 01. January 2012, 22:38: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:


I just bought a 1997 Saab 900 S. It is lovely.

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I'm suitably Jealous! I'd even forgive it for having an automatic gearbox where you live.

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What an assumption! It has a manual gearbox!
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
for DK
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:
What an assumption! It has a manual gearbox!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dark Knight:
My Nan, Gladys (I suppose that would make her Gladys Knight around here ) died today in hospital. We are told she likely experienced no pain. As she lived with my Mum after my Dad died when I was a little tacker, I grew up with her. I will miss her very much. Father God has her now. She was 95.

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Sorry for your loss DK.

She sounded like a grand lady from what you posted on FB
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Here's one which would horrify Eccles denizens.

I passed a shop today in Leichhardt, also known as Little Italy. It sells very fancy frilly clothing for small children.

There was a list of occasions covered printed professionally on the glass door. One was "Holly Communion."
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
DK, sorry to hear about your Nan-

Hi everyone - just home. We all got off thr bus and a nasty wee quake hit," Welcome to Christchuch everyone" I said.

I was lucky in missing the 5.7 this morning but came home to find the knife block in the sink. That seems to be the only thing affected because I put the TV on the floor before I left and a lot of stuff is still packed. There are advantages in being a procrastinator!

Wellington was a nightmare, but I have the best brothers in the world, which made it easier.

I would say "Happy New Year" but it feels a bit hollow to me at the moment.

Loth, that brought a laugh - I love the idea of "holly Communion".

Huia
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I have a question: when do aftershocks stop being aftershocks and become earthquakes in their own right?
 

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Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
DK and family
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Pete I really don't know the technical answer to that and tend to use the words interchangeably .

Initially I had thought that location was the key. For example the first (Sept 4 2010) was centred on a previously unknown fault to the west of the city, as were the initial shocks after it, but the there was another event in Nov that year (about mag 5) centred at the Port (to the west) which some seismologists said was on another faultline, so was a seperate earthquake, (and was accepted as such for insurance purposes, but only after being argued in the High Court).

Certainly a magnitude 6 quake will have aftershocks (and apparently a pattern is emerging of the approxmate number and severity), but it is possible to have aftershocks that are of a larger magnitide than the initial quake. (which seems a bit weird to me).

What some seisemologists are saying is that what has happened and is happening in Canterbury is markedly different to other such events, or series of events around the world.

The silly buggers are really excited about this

That's unfair of me, as it does help to have an understanding of what is happening, but like many Cantabrians I just want it all to be over.

Huia
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 

quote:

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like many Cantabrians I just want it all to be over

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I don't blame you, the quakes and aftershocks are so unrelenting. It must be hard to "heal" when you can't just move on and begin reconstruction.

Weather is beautiful in Sydney today, wish I was at the SCG...Hilfenhaus is on a hat trick as I type.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Such a lovely change in the weather, Evangeline. I could live without channel 9 but I'd like to watch the cricket. Son is coming over this week to see if he can fix it. Otherwise, I'll have to dig out paperwork for it.

What's January without the cricket? Especially at SCG.

Edited to add: India all out 191.

[ 03. January 2012, 03:56: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
We'll be watching it in the flesh tomorrow, might update as the day progresses.

Loved Tin Tin this afternoon

mr curly
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Newest grandson is sprouting a Tin Tin hair lick. It's very cute.
New iphone purchased yesterday. BL is now trying to get her head around the technology innit.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
BAsking in teh glory of Clarke and Ponting. A great day to go to the cricket!

Another highlight was Bob and Blanche in the crowd near Swarmi Army. Priceless.

Indian cricketers not applauding centuries and double centuries - made them look very bad.

mr curly
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and to me NOT applauding seems to go against the spirit of the game - I am pretty appalled by that.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
...and to me NOT applauding seems to go against the spirit of the game - I am pretty appalled by that.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
...and to me NOT applauding seems to go against the spirit of the game - I am pretty appalled by that.

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I was thinking earlier that you chose a great day for SCG, Mr Curly.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
[QUOTE]Still sulking perhaps after being kept waiting 15 minutes by Julia?

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Who do they think they are? Alan Jones? Their bus was early, after all.

mr curly
 

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Posted by DangerousDeacon (# 10582) on :
 
Had a quiet New Year - absolutely exhausted after spending the week since Christmas Eve with mum in ICU in Sydney - but she has turned the corner and is much better now.

My parish have been very diligent in prayer and supportive in all sorts of ways, and very patient in not expecting too much of their parish priest whilst all this has been going on!

So the New Year starts with prayers answered, and the promise of a steady flow of friends from Melanesia during the year. Happy New Year!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Good news about your mother, DD.


 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Almost as much fun watching them bat on on the telly.

Sorry, Loth.

mr curly
TOP again
 

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Posted by bib (# 13074) on :
 
My wonderful GP who has seen me through some dark times, told me yesterday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma. There is little, apparently, that can be done for him apart from prayer. Please can you all remember Rob, my very talented Christian doctor, in your prayers.
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 
I picked up the keys to my new house today. MY new house.

Tomorrow I sign the mortgage papers and officially become a slave of the CBA.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Rob.

Bi
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
No shakey bits over mag 5 in the last 24hrs means the temporary libraries are probably open

Anything over 5 and public buildings close for engineers inspection - which is safer, but a damn nuisance. Also books fall off shelves and can't be reshelved until the all-clear is given.

Today seismologists are reporting to the Council on the latest swarm of aftershocks - I think it's about 300 since December 23rd, most of which I missed by being in Wellington.

So fingers crossed for the next 4 hours. I've managed to be at home or outside for all of the really big ones - I hope my record holds.

Huia
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

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Today seismologists are reporting to the Council on the latest swarm of aftershocks - I think it's about 300 since December 23rd, most of which I missed by being in Wellington.

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Reporting session was interrupted by a 5+ shock. Ironic.
Huia, thinking of you always. And of my cousin Graham, aged 85, who's feeling the strain too.



GG
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by bib:
My wonderful GP who has seen me through some dark times, told me yesterday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma. There is little, apparently, that can be done for him apart from prayer. Please can you all remember Rob, my very talented Christian doctor, in your prayers.

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Prayers for Rob.

And also still for Huia and Christchurch.
 

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Posted by DangerousDeacon (# 10582) on :
 
for Dr Rob

It says something for his relationship with Bib that they can talk openly about this - so prayers for Bib as well.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
According to a GMS scientist the faults in Christchurch will take decades, rather than years to settle, but will slowly become less noticeable. The article I'm basing this on is on Stuff entitled "Mag 4.7 Quake Strikes Christchurch".

I must admit to a feeling of wanting to do serious damage to the messenger when I read that. I wasn't expecting it to take quite that long. He said that aftershocks from an earthquake in 1968 (Inungahua) are still being recorded but not felt. I remember scrambling under the kitchen table for that one.

I'm picking that more people may leave Christchurch as a result of this news, but Georgie-Porgy and I are here for the duration - unless the scientist is wrong about the likelihood of a tsunami.

Huia
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Huia:
He said that aftershocks from an earthquake in 1968 (Inungahua) are still being recorded but not felt. I remember scrambling under the kitchen table for that one

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I woke up seconds after it, confused and in a kind of cold sweat. It was then that my healthyn fear of earthquakes was born. Our chimney was badly damaged but got away with being braced.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Odd things seen on way to church #2. Last week's was "holly communion" on children's clothing shop.

Today a van went past the bus with a slogan saying, "We clean, restore and impregnate stone." Nothing more. Some probably unnecessary images and words went through my mind when I read that.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
for Dr Rob and BIB and for all in Christchurch.

Well done Nunc, you can feel a bit enslaved to the bank when you get a mortgage, but some pain now really pays off later when you own your own place. When you own your place you don't have to stress about landlords and once the mortgage is paid off it gives you a real sense of financial security to own the place where you live.
 

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Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
For all in Christchurch

We had our first Sunday at Terrors Creek today. FD will be just fine - he preached a cracker of a sermon today. I, however, am certain I'll have some serious trouble from some quarters after being grimly told 'you will' about how things are done for tea and biscuits and having one of the previous team come up and start fiddling with sound equipment right by me in the expectation that I should have been doing something about it.

Fortunately, others have been going out of their way to make us feel welcome, so I didn't run out screaming.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Good luck with that, Clarence!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Clarence, next week take a cattle prod with you, it'll save a lot of trouble later.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
There used to be a wonderful piece about morning tea and the rosters pertaining to it over on Fr Bosco Peter's blog. I've had a good poke around there but can't find it. I'm sure Clarence would find it useful. Anyone know the one I mean? And where to find it now?

[ 08. January 2012, 03:40: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Clarence:
For all in Christchurch

We had our first Sunday at Terrors Creek today. FD will be just fine - he preached a cracker of a sermon today. I, however, am certain I'll have some serious trouble from some quarters after being grimly told 'you will' about how things are done for tea and biscuits and having one of the previous team come up and start fiddling with sound equipment right by me in the expectation that I should have been doing something about it.

Fortunately, others have been going out of their way to make us feel welcome, so I didn't run out screaming.

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I'm glad it went well. Is it the place I remember?

Re the perception that the minister's wife ought to be doing stuff, stuff that! I hope you don't need to "make a point™" at some stage.
 

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Posted by claudine (# 12441) on :
 
Melbourne people, Cranmer's Baggage is in town this week. Anyone interested in a shipmeet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
I could do Tuesday!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
If the meet happens, please pass my regards on to her.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Please give CB my best wishes.

The cross fell off our church. I guess we are lucky not much more happened, except a couple of cracks in the ceiling and some broken glass in the tower.

I notice that the Catholic church hall over the road now has wooden triangles bracing it's walls. The church itself looks OK, it's a fairly modern design so it should be OK given there isn't any liquefaction in the area.

Huia
 

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Posted by claudine (# 12441) on :
 
Huia

Melbourne CB-meet details: Southgate at 5pm on Tuesday. JtC and I will be there - anyone else?
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 
In afew hours I'll be moving house .

This is not a pleasant prospect really - moving is stressful.

And made just a little bit worse by the fact it reached 41C here today, and is forecast to reach in the high 30s again tomorrow... And it is still so hot that sleep is almost impossible...

[ 09. January 2012, 14:21: Message edited by: Nunc Dimittis ]
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:
In afew hours I'll be moving house .

This is not a pleasant prospect really - moving is stressful.

And made just a little bit worse by the fact it reached 41C here today, and is forecast to reach in the high 30s again tomorrow... And it is still so hot that sleep is almost impossible...

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quote:

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Originally posted by claudine:
Melbourne people, Cranmer's Baggage is in town this week. Anyone interested in a shipmeet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:

quote:

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Originally posted by claudine:
Melbourne people, Cranmer's Baggage is in town this week. Anyone interested in a shipmeet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?

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And I am in the Boston of Australia from the 16th to the 24th of Jan. Let me know if any of you Mexicans want to get together.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:
In afew hours I'll be moving house .

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:

quote:

---

Originally posted by claudine:
Melbourne people, Cranmer's Baggage is in town this week. Anyone interested in a shipmeet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?

---

And I am in the Boston of Australia from the 16th to the 24th of Jan. Let me know if any of you Mexicans want to get together.

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DK, I can do Mondays, Tuesdays and weekends. I'd love to meet you.

---

Be afraid.

Be very afraid.


 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Cheek,

Umm...
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Did you go to the anniversary service?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:

quote:

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Originally posted by claudine:
Melbourne people, Cranmer's Baggage is in town this week. Anyone interested in a shipmeet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?

---

And I am in the Boston of Australia from the 16th to the 24th of Jan. Let me know if any of you Mexicans want to get together.

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DK, I can do Mondays, Tuesdays and weekends. I'd love to meet you.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:
Cheek,

Umm...

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Just teasing. DK is very good value.
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:

quote:

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Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:
In afew hours I'll be moving house .

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I hope it went well. It's still hot, but not quite as hot as Monday.
Did you go to the anniversary service?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
.... but the cricket is back tomorrow.

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Indeed!

There goes anything productive happening for the next five days.
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:

quote:

---

Originally posted by claudine:
Melbourne people, Cranmer's Baggage is in town this week. Anyone interested in a shipmeet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?

---

And I am in the Boston of Australia from the 16th to the 24th of Jan. Let me know if any of you Mexicans want to get together.

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DK, I can do Mondays, Tuesdays and weekends. I'd love to meet you.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
.... but the cricket is back tomorrow.

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Indeed!

There goes anything productive happening for the next five days.

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Or maybe only three and a half days!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Has anyone heard anything of Athrawes lately?

Perhaps she's too busy with holidays to be here. Hope so anyway.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Our numbers have dwindled over time DK. We might be able to convince Mavis to come, CB is now in the apple isle, Rowen is in Vic but only just! There were others but I'm not sure where they all are now.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Just back from VIC. We were staying 60kms away from Mt Beauty, where snow was apparently forecast. Don't know if it happened, but I am OVER the southern summer. It is absolutely no different from the rest of the year. I sincerely hope February gives us a glimmer of warmth.
BRRRR L.
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
And what is this "summer" of which you speak?
As a Victorian, I just shiver away.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Yesterday as I got into my car, the umbrella became caught in the door with a gust of wind--and I got a lap full of hail!
 

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Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Ouch, James! I feel for you.

Thanks, Lothlorien, I've been around, but lurking. Last year was *not* a good one - I've never been so sick, or so stressed. Anyway, even posting has been an effort, so I've been mostly reading, and praying when appropriate, especially for Christchurch, but also for you and others.

I'm starting to feel more myself again, thankfully
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I'm sorry to hear that and hope things will improve for you in all ways that need it. Thanks for the prayers, went through a sticky patch myself for a while there.

[ 12. January 2012, 07:42: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Thanks for the prayers Athrawes.

I'm hoping 2012 is better for all of us.

Thrnado warning in place for parts of NZ, thankfully not Christchurch, we had a rumbly aftershocj instead - total now over 9,000!


Huia

[ 12. January 2012, 08:17: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Damn limied edit time. Preview post should be my friend.

Tornado and aftershock,

Huia
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Athrawes:
I'm starting to feel more myself again, thankfully

---

Just in time for school!
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
We've just been blessed with a visit from Athrawes for FD's first Sunday at Terrors Creek and the great blessing of Arleigh and Abbeyview at the commissioning. We feel very humbled by the love of so many wonderful friends.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Athrawes – I hope 2012 gets better and better for you, with blessings coming your way.



GG
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Clarence - I was there in spirit.

Some positives amid the rubble -

Tui's beer uses humour in its advertising billboards (mainly with reference to sport or local happenings), I saw one today beside a newly vacant lot where a pub had been that said, "Earthquake - we were just redecorating, Yeah, right.

There are some amazing gap-filler projects like the flower gardens planted by school children and the old vertical chiller filled with books that has an easy chair next to it where people do actually come and swap books. Also there are poems, notes and flowers woven into some of the wire fences around the cordon.

On the streets people seem to talk more and help others find their was around, yet a psychologist has linked the recent rise in murders here to the earthquakes and quite a few drivers have coomented on the increased incidents of road rage.

Huia

[ 13. January 2012, 06:21: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Athrawes, nice to see you back, hope 2012 is a better year for you.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Thank you all. I'm taking some long-service leave this term. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal just in time for NAPLAN

Here's hoping 2012 is a better year for all of us!
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Thank you Huia! We think of you often and especially at Christmas owing to a beautiful piece of card art which we still display each year!

It's amazing what trauma does to people - the stories of the Brisbane floods have been revived this week at the anniversary of the destruction brought about by the river last year. So much courage and so much bitterness too.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Enjoy your extra time off, Athrawes.

I'm babysitting grandchildren again tomorrow. I hope these sudden deluges clear up so they can be outside. Add one yappy puppy to Miss Seven who has developed into a screamer at the moment, add in one set of hearing aids and a thirteen year old boy feeling his independence and the result is one brain fried grandmother. Hope their babysitting arrangements hold for the rest of the week. I was there yesterday too.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I arrived home last night from babysitting grandchildren about 9:00 pm, very ready for bed. Torrential rain most of the morning but about 3:00 pm it was fine enough to let them take the puppy for a walk.

Very quiet here. All watching the tennis? No cricket after yet another early finish. This thread was almost at the bottom of the page.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
This thread was almost at the bottom of the page.

---

So glad you rescued us from oblivion!
Meanwhile, this morning I was hit by a car as I was about to get into mine. The woman pulled up afterwards and complained incessantly about her broken wing mirror, never once stopping to ask if I were OK! The fact that Advocat was with me prevented me from being a bit less than polite.

As it turns out, I have a couple of broken ribs and feel a bit sorry for myself. At least it means I was able to postpone my parish council meeting for a week!
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Rexory, that's awful. I hope your recovery is swift and straight forward. Perhaps you'll actually get to do what most of Australia does at this time of the year and put your feet up until after Australia Day.

Meanwhile B4 has landed safely after 5 months in Europe. The little grasshopper has learned much it seems, and home is now not such a bad place to be. I wonder how long until the shine wears off...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Rexory, Banner Lady is right. That's terrible and compounded by her rudeness.

Please go easily and get some rest. There'll be some shock as well as bruising and bad ribs.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Prayers for a swift recovery, Rexory. You will have to take things easy - broken ribs may sound a slight injury, but they are slow healers and more than very uncomfortable as they do.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
for Rexory. I do hope you are able to get some rest and recuperate well.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Two days ago I happened to read on facebook a message from one of my nephews to his parents, letting them know he had escaped and was safe.

I wondered what this was all about, as he is travelling abroad - in fact he spent Christmas in the UK with B4. B4 confirmed yesterday that it was because he was on board the Concordia when it capsized. Obviously, he is going to have quite a tale to tell his grandchildren one day!

The news reports about this disaster just get worse and worse. I wonder how long before we really know the extent of the mismanagement involved, and the full cost of the dereliction of duty from those in charge of the floating city. I'm very glad my nephew and his mate are safe. But I really feel for those families who will not be getting good news.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
From media reports the Concordia sinking sounds like ineptitude that really is criminal. If you can believe the recording released by the Coast Guard, after delaying the order to abandon ship 'til it was much too late the Capt. just ran away from the sinking ship, leaving the passengers to it. Glad your nephew was safe BL.

My heart really goes out to those people asking strangers to take their infant children into lifeboats or to safety etc-imagine having to do that. I just pray that they all came out ok, but quite a number of people missing

Rexory, hope you recover soon-but sounds like you might have had a lucky escape-being hit by a car is a nasty thing to have happen.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Rexory, I do hope things are OK with you today. I imagine some stiffness and reaction to the whole thing. And what GeeD says about broken ribs. Very uncomfortable, little able to relieve the discomfort and a while to heal. I broke a couple some years ago with a mad coughing fit, so have experience.

Have had two days this week of minding grandchildren and one the week before. Another on Friday and then the cycle starts again with the other mob here from Sunday till Wednesday evening.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Rexory, I do hope things are OK with you today. I imagine some stiffness and reaction to the whole thing. And what GeeD says about broken ribs. Very uncomfortable, little able to relieve the discomfort and a while to heal. I broke a couple some years ago with a mad coughing fit, so have experience.

Have had two days this week of minding grandchildren and one the week before. Another on Friday and then the cycle starts again with the other mob here from Sunday till Wednesday evening.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
Hey Rexory,
Hope you're OK. I hope also you hear from the rib cracker herself and that her abuse wasn't a ploy to unbalance you so she could avoid accountability.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Rexory, I hope you are still taking things quietly. You mentioned possible workers comp. Did you report the matter to the police, even if the woman didn't?

---

Yes, reported to police same day.
Have decided today that I'll take Sunday off, too. Really not up to performing well in the mornings right now. Seem sorer today than yesterday. My doctor assures me it'll improve.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Hi Rexory, I cracked a couple of ribs years ago and it is important to take things easy. I didn't find absolute rest essential but I had to move slowly. Finding comfortable postures took some effort, as did moving from one to another. If you can avoid lifting anything heavier than a pen, that will help.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and don't laugh and pray you don't get a cough!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
...and don't laugh and pray you don't get a cough!

---

And you may find that there's less pain if you stop breathing also, as that's another action that moves the ribs.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Lovely day. I went sailing on the tall ship Enterprize (yes, it is spelled with a Z) for mum's birthday. We then went and had lunch in the custom House Hotel which was good too. Mum really enjoyed it but said "It could have been more windy".
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Rexory, hope you got someone to look after things today and that you continue to mend.

JtC - I'm jealous! I blame watching The Onedin Line as a kid, but I love tall ships!

One day, one day, I'll manage a trip to Sydney that includes the Australian Maritime Museum and a sail on the James Craig .
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Thanks, Clarence, my "honorary associate priest" did the job while I slept in and allowed the body somemore time to recover.

From another forum, it seems as though you and FD are enjoying the new "vineyard". Excellent!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Damn it's cold. There is new snow on the Alps. Snow! at the height of summer. I've searched out my possum amd merino hat and a lovely, soft neckwarmer knitted with sock wool. (thanks Loth - didn't ever think I'd be wearing it in January!

Just been re-reading a newspaper article I'm sending to my brother in Florida about the quakes - 500 Days, 9500quakes (and counting) the headline reads. They are mainly centred on this side of town now, with some heading out to sea. I'd like to know how far out and how big they would need to be to generate a tsunami as my suburb is no more than a metre or two above sea level. Scientific wisdom seem to be that an earthquake off south America is far more likely to cause a big tsunami than a home grown one.

Beginning to think that Outer Mongolia might be an attractive place to move to

Huia
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 

quote:

---

Beginning to think that Outer Mongolia might be an attractive place to move to

---

Nah, you have to learn a cursive script that is written vertically... or is that Inner Mongolia?
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I thoroughly recommend Darwin. No earthquakes, cursive scripts, or snow (though for the next two days we are plunging to sub 30°C maxima ...) sheer bliss
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
...and don't laugh and pray you don't get a cough!

---

And you may find that there's less pain if you stop breathing also, as that's another action that moves the ribs.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
I thoroughly recommend Darwin. No earthquakes, cursive scripts, or snow (though for the next two days we are plunging to sub 30°C maxima ...) sheer bliss

---

Then Darwin looks good! We're expecting 38+ for the rest of this week
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Think of the plus side rex. We'll be better adjusted in the afterlife.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Have had Miss M, 11 yo granddaughter here since Sunday. Am all museumed-out. Maritime, Powerhouse, Natural. After six hours yesterday at POwerhouse which is a favourite where she checks out everything new and pays several visits to old favourites, she begged me to take her home as "her feet were killing her." No mention of mine which had felt that way for three hours at least.

Will see Tintin tomorrow, then evening party for #2 son who has significant birthday. No problems with her, but it will be good to be quiet on Thursday.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Lotho, your dedication is amazing. Especially the upcoming. Tintin? Yuck, I loathed the pretentious pratt as a kid and nothing has changed.
We have care of four grandkids upcoming end of February when our daughter gets remarried.
It may be hell.....
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
I thoroughly recommend Darwin. No earthquakes, cursive scripts, or snow (though for the next two days we are plunging to sub 30°C maxima ...) sheer bliss

---

No good for me Zappa - I couldn't ride my bike. I'd probably retreat under a lukewarm shower or, like the Captain of the Golgafrinchin Ark in the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, spend all my time in the bath.

Lothlorien, I wish I had had a grandma like you.

Ozowen - I'd be worried if I were you - you're outnumbered.

As for TinTin, my middle brother, a long term fan, saw the shorts abd is horrified, rather like my reaction to the film version of Mary Poppins about 50 years ago.

Bliss - the new central library is reasonably accessible by bike, although I did bike a along the footpath of a one way street (going the other way) in order to get there. It has a small section of books about Maori which, along with the internet, will allow me sufficient information for the Mauri Ora * course I am doing. This is good because I passed the first part with flying colours, but the next requires wider reading.

* Mauri Ora is difficult to translate, but roughly - Life force. The mauri is the essence of a person. As I understand it.

Huia

[ 24. January 2012, 19:10: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
I saw the Tin Tin movie last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not a devotee of Tin Tin, but I thought the movie did capture the feel of the comic character as I remember it. And I loved the action sequence of the two sailing ships locked together in a fire fight at sea. Plenty for the grandsons to enjoy, and a good introduction to the Tin Tin franchise. (Because of course, that's what it's about).

I came away thinking that they had made Tin Tin a little bit like a younger version of Hercule Poirot, just English rather than Belgian.
Plenty of cartoonish swash and buckle. I liked it. But then, I have a simple mind.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Quoth Huiia

quote:

---

rather like my reaction to the film version of Mary Poppins about 50 years ago.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
We have care of four grandkids upcoming end of February when our daughter gets remarried.
It may be hell.....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
Maybe we should move to Darwin. Has to be drier than Brisbane. We've had 2 days of torrential rain - so much that a cynical public servant at a meeting said yesterday that the premier might get her flood after all to help her win this year's state election.

Unfortunately it looks like lots of serious flooding including Terrors Creek. FD may be stuck here unable to get to the church if this continues. It would be better to be living in the congregation's community right now rather than still here in the burbs. They'll all be nervous as last year's flood is still recent memory.

---

Sometimes memories are awful.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
It's raining a lot in Sydney today and I suspect tomorrow as well. So much for Aussie Day activities on the harbour etc I think they'll be a bit wet.
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Apparently she and her friends have decided tonight's
theme is Oz Goth. So she has on black lace shorts, red white and blue fishnet stockings, black connies, a red singlet with a black waistcoat over the top and red white and blue ribbons in her red and blue streaked hair.

Damn, I'm feeling old!

---

..do I detect envy BL?

My Australia Day moment has also come early. Buying some wine this evening, the girl behind the counter said cheerily 'and because you've spent more than $30, you get a free Aussie flag for tomorrow'. Thanking her, I wondered aloud if that's ok when all I bought is from New Zealand - but she assured me it didn't matter for I would be considered patriotic as long as I was drinking!
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Celebrating Australia Day

Thanks are not necessary.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Apparently she and her friends have decided tonight's
theme is Oz Goth. So she has on black lace shorts, red white and blue fishnet stockings, black connies, a red singlet with a black waistcoat over the top and red white and blue ribbons in her red and blue streaked hair.

Damn, I'm feeling old!

---

..do I detect envy BL?

---

Definitely. Especially as I failed to mention the knee high spider socks, pirate arm bands, red and blue eye-liner, the rhinestone Southern Cross glued on her cheek and the two Gothic crosses around her neck.

Just one of the crowd, really. And she thinks I'm weird for wearing an alb every Sunday!

 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Apparently she and her friends have decided tonight's
theme is Oz Goth. So she has on black lace shorts, red white and blue fishnet stockings, black connies, a red singlet with a black waistcoat over the top and red white and blue ribbons in her red and blue streaked hair.

---

Dare I ask what connies are?
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Evangeline: FYI connies
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Hey PeteC, perlease! Fosters is basically diluted cat piss. Not to be drunk when beer is required.
 

---

Posted by bib (# 13074) on :
 
Happy Australia Day shipmates.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Happy Australia Day there from folks just embarked on Republic Day here.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Happy Republic Day, Wodders! The doglet got to go to the Australia Day breakfast given by my neighbours. She obviously thought the whole thing was put on for her benefit, and had a lovely time telling everyone how badly I treat her, making up to anyone who might give her some toast or a bit of sausage, and marking her new territory. Anyone want a small dog? Blanket and lambie included.

[ 26. January 2012, 01:53: Message edited by: Athrawes ]
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
Hey PeteC, perlease! Fosters is basically diluted cat piss. Not to be drunk when beer is required.

---

Yeah, I know.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
2012 salutations to all our Ship friends. May the year ahead be good to you!

FD and I spent the first few minutes of his new employment meeting members of the congregation and watching far distant fireworks on the bay and in the city. It will be an exciting year for us I think!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
Hey PeteC, perlease! Fosters is basically diluted cat piss. Not to be drunk when beer is required.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
Quoth Huiia

quote:

---

rather like my reaction to the film version of Mary Poppins about 50 years ago.

---

Just how old are you?

---

Ozowen, you make me sound like Methuselah's Grandma. I was tempted to reply with the answer I always received as a child when I asked that question - "as old as my tongue and a bit younger than my teeth" - which always annoyed the hell out of me. I'm 59 in May. Age is a funny thing - I don't feel that old. One of the large government departments has its call centre staff ask your age next birthday as a security question, and I always get it wrong and say 49. When they question me further I always say that if I was fraudulent then I'd ensure I got it right - which bamboozles them.

Athrawes - the course is NCEA (National Certificate in Educational Achievement - I think) level 2, which is year 12 level. I think there is some kind of National Certificate at the end of it, but I'm doing it out of interest as I felt woefully ignorant about things Maori. I reluctantly decided learning the language would be a bit difficult, given my hearing loss, but learning more of Tikanga Maori (the Maori way of doing things) should be achievable.

I'm really enjoying it and have found I am building on things I already knew and the Maori-English dictionary they sent me is my new best friend (sorry Google).

We have been told heavy rain is expected overnight. I hope it happens as I'm about to plant my next crop of mizuma tomorrow as it is one of the 3 days a week I can water the garden. Some extra moisture from on high would be very welcome.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Huia, I'll gladly send you some rain. Deluges through the day here and rain has been forecast for about the next ten days to add to what seems like the last two months.

Somehow I seem to have lost my good umbrella which was new last year. Miss M and I used two old ones when we went to movies yesterday. I've since thrown them out before I poke someone's eye with spikes. WIll need to buy another one as I've looked everywhere for my good one.

[ 26. January 2012, 08:51: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Huia- you're heaps young. For some reason I had you as a lot younger, but there ya go. Us folks in our 50's are definitely young though.
(except in the morning, after exercise and when looking for keys!)
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
B4 has just returned from an Australia Day party at a friends which ended when the ambulance arrived to take one young man to Emergency. Apparently, rather tanked, he decided to walk off the roof of a two story building. B4 saw him fall. He landed on his feet before falling and smashing his face in. There is the possibility of spinal and brain injury. She and her friends are very traumatized. Boys, booze and bravado are not a good combination.

for Ross. May he recover enough to never do this again.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
BL--

Ozo, I think I remember my fifties. It was only last year--I think!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That's awful, BL.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Nice to enjoy non-dangerous activities yesterday, taking the Curly Family to the Picasso exhibition, and then to a rather funky interactive installation at The Museum of Contemporary Art. Recommended.

One cricket off today, one doubtful. Very damp here, although only damp, not flooding.

BTW, I've published my second book. Not the literary masterpiece of the first (cough) but fun just the same. See all about it on my blog - link below.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Seventies are the new fifties, so I'm with you young folk – until November.

But because of our un-fiftyish aspects (everything works but not as well as it used to) we engaged a student with landscape gardening experience to come and remove 7.5 cubic metres of growth that had got out of hand on the property – 16 hours' work. Wow! We can walk along the back path and up to the street! We can see the fence!* The trees are no longer hanging over the house! There's room for a barbecue where there was several years' accumulation of branches and stuff waiting for a bin (not our barbecue, but there's the street event tomorrow)! And when the student and the neighbour (on whose car pad the bin was parked) had jumped on the contents of the bin there was room for the neighbour's stuff – and then after some more jumping, another neighbour was able to get rid of his cut stuff.

* Only I was then rash enough to start painting the fence, which was foolish because my right shoulder, which has left its fifties well behind and had been seriously damaged picking up smallest grandson, insisted that this was Not a Good Idea.

Belated good wishes to all Aussies for Australia Day. We have Waitangi Day on 6 Feb which this year gives us a long weekend – cheers for the workers.

GG
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Congratulations on finding your garden, GG - I love the image of jumping on the bin

Does anyone know if there is a place to forward dodgy e-mails? I've received 2 in the last few days - one obviously phishing, and the other assuming I was a business which had received a serious complaint; to see details, I had to click on a link I'd like to forward them onto someone who could deal with them, if at all possible, as I despise Internet fraud.

In news from the madhouse, I was woken at 0:dark hundred by Claudius Agrippa telling me someone was trying to murder him. It was a really tiny peachface, which has obviously escaped from his home, and come to mine. I swear they get given my address along with their feather ration. Anyway, a good part of an hour later, small bird is now living in my loungeroom, while I work out how to find his owners.
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Athrawes, the ACMA now has an email address to which you can forward spam, detailed on their page about spam. It's a lot easier than the previous online form that aimed to capture all the internet headers, etc. I'm a regular user.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Thanks Vulpior. I've forwarded the e-mails.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

BTW, I've published my second book. Not the literary masterpiece of the first (cough) but fun just the same. See all about it on my blog - link below.

mr curly

---

Bought it - 99c is such a lot of money
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

BTW, I've published my second book. Not the literary masterpiece of the first (cough) but fun just the same. See all about it on my blog - link below.

mr curly

---

Bought it - 99c is such a lot of money

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Athrawes:
In news from the madhouse, I was woken at 0:dark hundred by Claudius Agrippa telling me someone was trying to murder him. It was a really tiny peachface, which has obviously escaped from his home, and come to mine. I swear they get given my address along with their feather ration. Anyway, a good part of an hour later, small bird is now living in my loungeroom, while I work out how to find his owners.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

BTW, I've published my second book. Not the literary masterpiece of the first (cough) but fun just the same. See all about it on my blog - link below.

mr curly

---

Bought it - 99c is such a lot of money

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

BTW, I've published my second book. Not the literary masterpiece of the first (cough) but fun just the same. See all about it on my blog - link below.

mr curly

---

Bought it - 99c is such a lot of money

---

I think you're the first! Hope you get a laugh out of it.

mr curly

---

If Rexory's ribs are still healing, I hope the laugh will be an inward one.

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
There you go Mr Curly, you can eat this week, I just bought both, having charged Kindle.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Good job, Loth and Rexory. Reviews on amazon greatly appreaciated - if you like it! (Rex is already leading the way on this)

2 out of three back to school tomorrow - Middle starting high school. Biggest gets and extra day off.

This week, I'm going exercise, write lots, and stop eating Christmas treats.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
I have also been shopping on Amazon. That probably gives the Curly family bread or milk this week.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Just to say thank you to those who sent a prayer up for Ross. He has been discharged from hospital with just an ankle broken badly and contusions to the face. Miraculously he recovered his memory swiftly, did not have a broken nose as first thought, nor any other seriously debilitating permanent injuries. Let's hope he has been delivered of the desire to airwalk when drunk as well.

B4 is greatly relieved the outcome was much better than first thought possible. She acknowledges "Someone was sure looking after him." Praise God.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Such a relief, BL. Ross

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I sometimes think there must be a patron saint of drunks. Good news Banner Lady.

Demolition of houses written off by the quakes and sold to the government has started. There are around 6 thousand houses affected. I am beginning to understand the term 'survivor guilt' as I catch up with people when I'm out shopping. It's bad enough when people who are fully insured have lost their houses, (because the fine print on the policy often doesn't mean what they thought it meant) but when the land is no longer fit for building on, and any 'safe' land is way more expensive then ... I just don't know what to say. And as for those who were not insured - there but for my insurance company go I (some had just missed a payment due to the disruption of the quakes - I missed one myself, but caught it a day later and bussed across town to pay it manually because I was scared it might happen to me, but was told my company gives a couple of weeks grace.

Athrawes, the aftershocks are lessening in both intensity and size, but we went through a quieter time between September and February, then February and June then June and December, so who knows? One the other hand the fault that started it all is now showing further signs of stress.

Which all goes to remind me I must organise my emergency kit again.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
*Ahem*, Huia:

quote:

---

Sorry, that member's private message mailbox is full. Please try sending your private message another time, or perhaps to someone else. You could try posting a message for the intended recipient on the "Your PM box is full" thread in All Saints, but he/she probably won't be reading that thread. Very few people ever do.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
I'm about to plant my next crop of mizuma tomorrow

---

Is it legal? Can you smoke it?
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I hope it can't be smoked otherwise all the dopeheads around wou;d be in my garden - I stopped growing poppies because of this.

PM box cleared - and to think I was muttering about another shipmate for the same reason

Huia
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I've just had a conversation with Rowen. She's unexpectedly in Sydney tomorrow after a mix up in changing work cars. She's wondering if anyone would like to have lunch? That's tomorrow, Thursday, February 1.

I'm available. Anyone else? Haven't thought of a place yet. She'll be "worshipping at shrine of David Jones," but happy to go elsewhere. (Her words!)

[ 31. January 2012, 02:15: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Possibly Wagamama or Arthouse Hotel which is practically next door. Rowen doesn't mind whatever is decided.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mea culpa. Could some host please correct my spelling of Rowen's name in the second post above? It's Rowen. Many thanks.

Edit had passed.
 

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Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Give her my greetings when you see her, Lothlorien.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Sorry, can't make lunch tomorrow.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Mea culpa. Could some host please correct my spelling of Rowen's name in the second post above? It's Rowen. Many thanks.

Edit had passed.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Mea culpa. Could some host please correct my spelling of Rowen's name in the second post above? It's Rowen. Many thanks.

Edit had passed.

---

Done.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I've just had a conversation with Rowen. She's unexpectedly in Sydney tomorrow after a mix up in changing work cars. She's wondering if anyone would like to have lunch? That's tomorrow, Thursday, February 1.

I'm available. Anyone else? Haven't thought of a place yet. She'll be "worshipping at shrine of David Jones," but happy to go elsewhere. (Her words!)

---

Umm, I make tomorrow Wednesday the 1st of February, either that or I have missed a day at work!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks, James. More . Are you planning on being here? Quick plane trip up and back. It is tomorrow, Wednesday 1/2/12.

You could spend time browsing in Kinokuniya books.

[ 31. January 2012, 04:08: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:


PM box cleared - and to think I was muttering about another shipmate for the same reason

---

I've never had enough PMs (sort of have to be careful how one writes that) to need asking

First reaol monsoon day since we've been here today. According to my rain gauage just on 250mm has fallen since 3.00 am. It's kinda stopped now.

I've been on the phone to wankydilla friends, too, who are disappearing under water but are, I'm assured, all safe and well.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Return of the Happy Dance.

Today, I received the first completely independent review of my first book. Don't get me wrong, friends writing good reviews is very valuable, but when someone in the UK who writes a lot of reviews is willing to say this about your work, it's a big boost!

Pumped out 3000 words on a new project today to celebrate. Hoping to wind up first draft of this long short story (12000 words) this week.

mr curly
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Woohoo! Mr C!

Nice to have a resident genius on the thread...

TP on the other hand, has declared he will never own a kindle because he simply loves the tactile experience of old books. He is as happy as a pig in mud today because a small four volume set of Alexander Pope's poetry (published 1835) arrived in the post today. Cost all of 40 bucks from The Old Clothier's Arms in Gloucester. It is the closest I have ever seen him to positively gloating.

Am expecting to be regaled with ancient verse when I climb into bed tonight!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mr Curly, I've been pondering a review too. Finished the book last night in bed. My cover has a small light in it. That review is almost word for word what I was planning.

Banner Lady,

One day we will have to work out a visit for you and TP to our other friend whom you met a couple of years ago. The guy TP wanted to know more about. He has some very old books which I think he buys online. I was looking at them on Boxing Day. And some pottery pieces thousands of years old. And a few just about 1000 years. He lives in lower Blue Mountains.

I understand about the Kindle. I love the tactile aspect of books too, but the Kindle is useful for different things. Besides, I can always sniff the leather cover.

[ 31. January 2012, 06:38: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
I see a business opportunity. A kindle cover that smells of old books. Or "smell of old books in a can".

Ooh, quick, Nigella is on. What am I doing here?

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Mr Curly Now I'll have to put my saving for a kindle into top gear. My tech advisor - 18 yr old nephew good at spending other people's money, reckons I should get the 3G one because my computer is on what he calls "dinosaur dial-up".

Huia
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sir Kevin:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
2012 salutations to all our Ship friends. May the year ahead be good to you!

FD and I spent the first few minutes of his new employment meeting members of the congregation and watching far distant fireworks on the bay and in the city. It will be an exciting year for us I think!

---

Good to hear it - hope to get out to your neck of the woods someday. I plan to be still surfing when I am in my seventies!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Mr Curly Now I'll have to put my saving for a kindle into top gear. My tech advisor - 18 yr old nephew good at spending other people's money, reckons I should get the 3G one because my computer is on what he calls "dinosaur dial-up".

Huia

---

Definitely , Huia. Then you go to Amazon, use one click purchase and there's your book , almost instantaneously.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Friend and I have just had a lovely lunch with Rowen. Lots of conversation over chaplaincy things, things Sydney, moving, disaster chaplaincy and more.

Time was due to a bit of a bureaucratic muddle but good all the same.

Banner Lady, friend sends greetings to you and TP.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Return of the Happy Dance.

Today, I received the first completely independent review of my first book. Don't get me wrong, friends writing good reviews is very valuable, but when someone in the UK who writes a lot of reviews is willing to say this about your work, it's a big boost!

Pumped out 3000 words on a new project today to celebrate. Hoping to wind up first draft of this long short story (12000 words) this week.

mr curly

---

Ah, would that it were available on a platform other than or in conjunction with Kindle. I have a good Ereader but it doesn't work with Kindle.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
I'm making a dinner tonight that was inspired by the lovely Nigella. I am making a Paella with Chorizo, not quite the same as hers but then, that's what cooking shows and recipes are for--inspiration!
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
PM sent JtC.

Exhausted - wrote 3500 words today! Probably a lighter load tomorrow to finish with story, then editing begins.

For those who remember her, I'm seeing blackaxe on Friday. Her oldest started school this week, believe it or not!

Nearly as frightening as Middle at high school.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

For those who remember her, I'm seeing blackaxe on Friday. Her oldest started school this week, believe it or not!

---

I remember a squirming baby, perhaps 8 months old at big pizza place at Chatswood.

On way home from lunch with Rowen, bus stopped near Norton St in Leichhardt. I looked over to see "Marco Polo cafe. Pizza and Thai food."

Fusion food perhaps?
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I suppose you could get away with Italian and Chinese, with it being named after Marco Polo, but Thai

(being a complete wuss most Thai food id too hot for me).

Huia
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Mum's town is about to go under again, for the third time in three years. Her good friends had a river through their house twice last year, and are just about beside themselves waiting for it to happen again. Please pray for D and T, who are really at the end of their tether. It's so wet, they can't even get sand for sandbags.

[ 02. February 2012, 08:18: Message edited by: Athrawes ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
I just don't know what to say.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Oh, dear
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
prayers too
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes indeed -
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Athrawes for all involved.

Dad has gone into emergency respite care. The care he's been getting is substandard to say the least

I'm off to Waimate, one of the few places in NZ with introduced wallabies as well as some Maori rock drawings. Although I'm looking forward to it a part of me really wants to stay home.

Then I get back I'll book a trip up north.

Huia.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
I hope your dad is alright, Huia. It is horrible to know someone who needs care isn't getting it.

Just spoken to Mum. She's been around helping people move stuff up to higher ground. The town further up the river (between Mum's place and Wankydilla, Zappa) got another 5 or so inches yesterday, which has to come down (possibly with the town, which is floating). They're completely cut off now, so there's nothing anyone can do but wait.

Mum is fine - she's on the only bit of really high ground in town, but she said it is just horrible to see the look on people's faces, as they know it's coming and can't do anything about it. At least last time they could build levee banks and block storm water drains. This time they can't even do that. Hopefully it will go up and come down pretty quickly.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Sorry for the above - I'm dumping because I'm worried. Won't happen again.
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
for D & t, nevertheless.

Anyone heard from Ozowen? Bad floods where he lives as well.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
He posted on Facebook this morning, so he was ok then.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Saw about flooding in Wankydilla last week and can't imagine there's been much improvement.

Athrawes, I'm sure we understand your worry. I can't imagine three times in three years. No floods, localised stuff in the usual areas down here but more rain than we need in Sydney. More forecast too.

DIL was looking for rice plants. Reckons she has a paddy in the backyard.

for your family too, Huia. Very hard dealing with this sort of thing from a distance. Hope your Dad gets the care needed. Despite the fact that ex-MIL and I did not get on at all, I at least have satisfaction of knowing I spoke up for her in various matters that her son was prepared to overlook. Including being slapped on face by one of the nursing staff. entirely understandable by me and often thought of, but certainly totally unacceptable. He didn't want to rock the boat. I jumped up and down in it. Staff member lost job, but she knew the rules.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Athrawes:
Sorry for the above - I'm dumping because I'm worried. Won't happen again.

---

Dump away, Athrawes! That's what we're here for. (( ))
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Exackery.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Athrawes, if you can't turn to us when you need prayer then I believe it is a truly bad world--and I don't believe that.

Athrawes

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Athrawes

Huia

and


for all those in the path of the flooding.

GG
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
's wet here!
So much rainfall that everything just filled up. Creeks, rivers and all just went busters for a day. But it all went away today... OK, it didn't go away, the river is full and outside its banks, but most of the creeks are normal again.
We are now waiting for what happens from the release at the dam upstream. That will hit us in a few days.
Could be wet again.
 

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Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Huia
All those affected by flood

It seems Roma is wetter this year than last. One of my colleagues is out there for work and is stuck in an evacuation centre. Her boss has been trying to find her accommodation elsewhere - but all the hotels and motels are evacuating too.
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
for soggy friends and family.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Ditto from us. Although on our way back from the beach last week, we came via Canberra where I did a bit of work. The rains over the last year have brought the country back to life - deep green pasture most of the way, and very unusual for late summer. Let us pray that after the floods on the Darling Downs and along the coast of Qld and NSW, there are good harvests, and fodder for cattle over the next years.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Ditto from us. Although on our way back from the beach last week, we came via Canberra where I did a bit of work. The rains over the last year have brought the country back to life - deep green pasture most of the way, and very unusual for late summer. Let us pray that after the floods on the Darling Downs and along the coast of Qld and NSW, there are good harvests, and fodder for cattle over the next years.

---

And no fires!
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Right now here in the Never Never you couldn't light a fire with a flamethrower and to barrels of rocket fuel.
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
but you could have amazing shots.
hope you dry mate.
 

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Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Where's your ingenuity, OzOwen? Rocket fuel floats - I'm sure if you thought about it the right way, you could set fire to the river at least.

[ 04. February 2012, 03:05: Message edited by: Athrawes ]
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Oh yeah! Cool
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Athrawes, how's your mum and her town getting on. We're getting coverage down here on ABC news but reporters seem to be basically stuck in one position.

Wankydilla was on the news here tonight with water over 7 metres deep and almost at the very top of barriers.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
According to former students in Wankydilla, the river has breached the levee. I don't know how much water has come into the town, though.

The water is rising slowly in Mum's town - it's over the bridge and entering the streets nearest the river. When I last spoke to Mum, she was making cakes and sandwiches for the SES, and sounded much happier about the situation. At least it stopped raining long enough for trucks to be able to bring in sand without bogging, so they've been able to make sandbags and rebuild levees. The main body of water won't hit them until early next week - this is just the water from the Maranoa River. The Warrigo water is still coming.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Prayers for flooded and flood-prone areas.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I gather there was akind of leak-back at one of the bridges in Wankydilla, but so far all else is just okay - all able bodied persons have been called in to fill sand bags. I've spoken to a few former parishioners and yup, it's pretty tense, but they're a phlegmatic lot.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
I'm back in panic mode - Mum's town is being evacuated, as the water is rising much faster than anyone expected. I haven't been able to get on to her this morning, so don't know what's happening. As far as I know, it's still a voluntary evacuation, but I can't see Mum leaving her animals to drown.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
speaking to Mum now. As I thought, she's not going anywhere without her animals. She still thinks she's high enough that the water won't come into the house - it's on stumps. She's just said that when the Mayor leaves town, she will. I was roundly told off when I suggested coming out to help her. She's making sandwiches and organising where she can fit 3 other families in her house...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Sounds like pioneer stock there, Athrawes. Will continue to pray.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
They've told mum she has to go, and she's very upset. I'm in the process of making arrangements to get the animals out and safe. Please pray! She's like she was when Dad died. I've been on to her good friends, and they've told me they'll travel in convoy with her, and take the extra dog, but she's just so upset that she can't process.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Prayers for all affected by the floods. (Especially aged mothers of shipmates)
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Athrawes:
They've told mum she has to go, and she's very upset. I'm in the process of making arrangements to get the animals out and safe. Please pray! She's like she was when Dad died. I've been on to her good friends, and they've told me they'll travel in convoy with her, and take the extra dog, but she's just so upset that she can't process.

---

 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Still praying, Athrawes. Saw some of the enforced evacuation from there on ABC news.
 

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Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
She should be here in about 10 minutes. D and T helped her get organised, and escorted her through the floodwater. As far as I know, all animals and birds are with her. Thank you for all your prayers!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Athrawes:
She should be here in about 10 minutes. D and T helped her get organised, and escorted her through the floodwater. As far as I know, all animals and birds are with her. Thank you for all your prayers!

---

Good news as far as it can be. More prayer needed with large menagerie at your place and the wind down from the last few days for your mum.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Mum's here, but all but one bird, and the two cats had to be left behind. She has left plenty of food for them, but that is all that she could do. She has the two dogs, and Dad's bird here. We're hoping the others are ok until the water is down and we can get back to them.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Feeling pretty disoriented here after a different kind of disaster out of the blue.

Took the Grandad in to A & E yesterday after breakfast. Sat with him all day while he bled from below and they assured us it could be diverticuae and often comes right without intervention. At 10 pm the surgeon phoned to say his blood pressure was getting dangerously low and the bleeding showed no sign of stopping so they were operating; at 2.30 am he called to say they'd had to remove the large bowel.

And no previous trouble at all.

Son is on his way home from a tramping trip (Waitangi Day today: long weekend) to come to the hospital with me – I really need him, feeling shaky and disoriented.

Only the previous evening the Grandad had taken delivery of a 'new' MacBook Pro and had his files transferred by the previous owner – he would have spent yesterday getting to know it.

We could do with lots of prayers!

GG
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
GG

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
((GG and Grandad))
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Special prayers for GG and the Grandad, and Athrawes and her Mum.

[ 05. February 2012, 21:03: Message edited by: Gee D ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Further prayers for GG and the Grandad, and for Athrawes and her Mum.

Kia ora*, kiwis, on this our day

Roughly "may the force be with you"
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
GG and the Grandad

I so rarely come on the Ship these days, and I'm glad I did this morning, even if it was only to hear the bad news.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Kia ora*, kiwis, on this our day

---

The week before last, Rosie and I were privileged to be invited to the powhiri (welcome) for the toi moko (Maori tattoed heads) that were returning from France. We were part of the returning party, and walking up the outside stairs of Te Papa at 7.30am, it was truly awe-inspiring to hear the haka from around 80 members of Tainui and Te Ati Awa. This wasn't a staged performance, it was a raw mass of sound and emotion.

It didn't occur to me until yesterday that not one single person was wearing any sort of traditional costume, not even a cloak (unless you consider suits and ties the traditional costume of Wellingtonians).

The powhiri some amusing and dramatic moments - particularly when one of the Tainui speakers took the opportunity to have a go at Te Papa, followed by the speaker from Te Papa having a go right back. My reo (Maori language) wasn't quite strong enough to follow it all, but fortunately we were sitting near the French ambassador's wife, who had a translator.

I felt proud to be a New Zealander that morning.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
So much sadness.

For all who need them--and isn't that all of us?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Lots of holding in the Light going on over here.


 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
A little light relief for a moment.

Just had a visit from a fellow trying to persuade me to switch gas and electricity suppliers with a bigger discount. Asked if I had any Centrelink benefits as there was a discount for that too which I already get.

Whipped out iPhone, called up Evernote and had all details at the ready. Have paper copies filed but Evernote is so handy.

Bus driver once laughed when I asked for a concession while holding iPhone. He'd never seen that before. He wasn't being rude, just surprised. Apparently all on any benefits are old, doddering and incompetent as far as technology goes.

Still praying for flood victims, especially your Mum, Athrawes, and also spent some time praying for Galloping Granny and Grandad. What a nasty shock ! No wonder you feel disoriented. Prayers for his recovery too.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Missed edit time. Just found this forecast that levels may not be as high as expected.

[ 06. February 2012, 03:38: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
GG and the Grandad

Athrawes Mum and all the animals

Dad's respite care looks like it could become permanent care after lots of drama

Arabella, if there was an envious emoticon I'd put it here.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Good news, Huia. Been there done that with ex-MIL who refused to sign papers despite being obviously incapable of caring for herself. Dislocating hip three times in three days finally convinced her. Do something for yourself now.
 

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Posted by Duo Seraphim (# 256) on :
 
Good to see you Arabella! There was always something rather nasty and degrading about what amounted to human stamp collecting in the name of science (and yes, I am aware of the anthropological studies arguments). Great to see the involuntary wanderers welcomed home!

For all those displaced by floods
Get well soon Grandad!
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
A little light relief for a moment.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Duo Seraphim:
There was always something rather nasty and degrading about what amounted to human stamp collecting in the name of science (and yes, I am aware of the anthropological studies arguments). Great to see the involuntary wanderers welcomed home!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Do you remember the episode of Yes Minister where they had a brand new hospital, fully equipped and staffed but no patients as they would make things messy.

---

The sad thing about that episode is that it is a true story. When I lived in London it was reported that a certain hospital was the most efficient in London--it had no medical staff or patients, only administrators!
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
GG and the Grandad
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
GG. you definitely don't look old or and your technological skills are far better than mine. I dithered about what I was doing at a bank in Nelson and the teller just said, "oh, you're from Christchurch" - which summed up the reason very well.

Hats off to the French Ambassador ( and his advisors). In such situations I wish I knew Maori as the humour in korero (speeches) is often very apt.

There was a high status woman from a tribe where such members were allowed to speak on the marae. She spoke, and when the hosts tried to shout her down (as it was against their protocol ) she turned her back and lifted her skirt at them - a grave insult - and they withdrew, offended.

When she died people from the tribe that had been offended came to her tangi (funeral) and in the speech addressing the coffin said words to the effect of - You were a dreadful woman, you spoke on our marae which insulted us and we're glad you're dead. - Initially the woman's family were set for a punchup over this, but the elders said that this was one of the greatest compliments she could have been paid. as it acknowledged her power in the situation.

Athrawes, anything new on your mother and the floods?

Huia
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
sorry, all, I've been a bit sidetracked. Mum's here. She had to leave animals at home, but has made arrangements that as soon as the water is low enough, friends nearby are going to go in and check on them.

I took her down to Centrelink today to sort out stuff, and she just broke down - I think it just all became too much. She's ok again now that all the government stuff and registration is sorted out.

The doglet is not a happy doglet. There are *large, huge, ginormous, hairy DOGS* in her yard! The fact that one of them qualifies for a wheelie-walker and she knows the other one makes no difference. A small nose is out of joint, and she's trying to make us all feel guilty. Yellow Bird is very happy: this is a good motel, which serves steamed broccoli. He will come again. Mum is raiding my bookshelves. Things could be a lot worse.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 

quote:

---

She spoke, and when the hosts tried to shout her down (as it was against their protocol ) she turned her back and lifted her skirt at them - a grave insult - and they withdrew, offended.

---

That's my kinda lady-good on her.

Just sitting in Cairns airport atm, having spent the last week clearing up my Aunt's retirement unit and trying to get her affairs sorted out in a nursing home, I don't know how people cope who don't have relatives to intercede for them, aged care is a morass of rules and payments etc etc.

:votive for Galloping Grandad and for all those affected by the floods, especially Athrawe's mum.:
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Yes, I spent some of today sorting out stuff for an aged parent, too.

And collecting a new car. Our first Holden, which has promptly been christened Bruce. B4 gets her new car on Thursday.

The technology in the new one had me completely foxed - until I picked B4 up from work. She didn't need to refer to the manual. "Oh, this works like THIS," she said, regarding the side window automated adjustor, "and you connect your iphone like THIS", she said, giving all the voice commands needed for hands free. "Anything else you want to know?"

"How did you know that?" I asked. She shrugged. "It's a no-brainer for Gen Y's and Millenials, she commented. The technology pretty much follows how we would automatically think it should be done."

God Bless Gen Y.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Ah yes, and she has worked out how to exploit the Golden Arches.
Apparently there is a deal on where if you order a burger at a certain time of the day, you get it for one dollar. Being a vegetarian, she orders the burger but minus the beef pattie. The ordering system subtracts 90 cents from the price, because that is the value of the pattie. Voila, lunch for ten cents!

Gosh, she is her father's daughter....
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Actually, if she got them to take away the bun as well, she'd get lettuce, pickles, tomato and some free money.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Do you remember the episode of Yes Minister where they had a brand new hospital, fully equipped and staffed but no patients as they would make things messy.

---

The sad thing about that episode is that it is a true story. When I lived in London it was reported that a certain hospital was the most efficient in London--it had no medical staff or patients, only administrators!

---

I'm just watching Adam Hills in Gordon Street. They had the writer of yes minister who said that after they had made that episode they discovered that there were actually SIX such hospitals!
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Thankyou, I only missed a few minutes.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I get heavier and bulky grocery items delivered from Colesworths because none of those shops in local area do home delivery from a personal shop anymore.

I fancied rockmelon and was planning on a bit more fruit to tide me over till fruit and veg box delivery next Tuesday.

Had ordered one rockmelon with idea of cutting it when it arrived and storing in fridge. Cost $3.98. Then I saw that half rockmelon was 0.93 cents each. Ordered two and now have two big halves on bench waiting for me to deal with.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
The worst effects of the flooding so far in my life are:
1) The Mozzies
2) The fast growing grass
3) The mozzies that live in black swarms in the long grass
4) The crook back I got mowing the damned lawn to exile the wretched mozzies
5) the bloody mozzies.
6) Did I mention the mozzies?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
The worst effects of the flooding so far in my life are:
1) The Mozzies
2) The fast growing grass
3) The mozzies that live in black swarms in the long grass
4) The crook back I got mowing the damned lawn to exile the wretched mozzies
5) the bloody mozzies.
6) Did I mention the mozzies?

---

When we had 40 acres at Wollombi near Cessnock we used to say we had the biggest mozzies known. Huge with legs well over a centimetre long. How they existed when we were not there was another question.

We really hoped that someday those battery operated swatters like small tennis racquets would become legal here. They still aren't.

Lavender oil works and smell better than most repellents but you may not want to smell like a field of lavender.

My sympathies.

[ 09. February 2012, 19:59: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Eating vegemite is supposed to discourage biting insects. it's something to do with one of the vitamin B group.

Sorry I'm not sufficiently scientific to be more specific.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
For some people, eating garlic or taking garlic pills makes them less attractive to blood-sucking insects.

When I lived in New Hampshire, the mosquitoes and blackflies chewed me to pieces until I started taking garlic pills. After that, I was bitten much less frequently.

ymmv

Moo
 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
Garlic smells nicer than vegemite. And marmite has a bigger kick.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The obvious answer is to make a paste of Marmite™ and crushed garlic and spread it on your toast. It sounds fab!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I think one of my two favourite buildings is being demolished It had had bracing around it, so I though it might be saved, but it seems not. My second favorite has the same kind of bracing, so I'm not holding my breath...

Some more houses were red-zoned today too, which means they will be demolished and the land not rebuilt on.

Also, due to the oxidation ponds being shallower (quakes thrust the bottom higher) hundreds of birds are dying of an avian botulism .

Damn - grief just goes on and on.

On the plus side, the audiologist turned up my favourite hearing aids today - so I'll be back wearing the purple rather than the boring grey ones. And Dad seems happy in Care

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
The obvious answer is to make a paste of Marmite™ and crushed garlic and spread it on your toast. It sounds fab!

---

No, you spread it on your skin.

GG
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I have heard it said that the best way to eat a mango is to smear it on your partner and then lick it off - perhaps doing that with Marmite™ and garlic paste would be fun, too!
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
WW you are one sick puppy.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thank you, I like that about myself, too.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Changing the topic after the last few posts...

Would anyone else like my cold? Given away free. After a fairly disturbed night, I have woken feeling disgusting. Onset of a heavy cold, with the lot.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
No thank you Lothlorien.

On another note, this afternoon we have our farewell concert before heading off to Wales on tour!
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Exciting stuff JtC! Hope you will have a chance to meet up with some of our mutual friends while you are away.

I'm in the midst of packing up ready for the move to The House in the Paddock and have missed a lot that's been going on Huia, GG, Lothlorien
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Look out, Brizzy! Jugs is on his way!
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Unless he's still snacking in the lounge and missed last call!
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
Look out, Brizzy! Jugs is on his way!

---

Standing by...
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Not a great day today. Feral children, "issues", strange week ahead.

Would love to be travelling somewhere. For fun. But maybe not BrisVagas.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
Exciting stuff JtC! Hope you will have a chance to meet up with some of our mutual friends while you are away.

I'm in the midst of packing up ready for the move to The House in the Paddock and have missed a lot that's been going on Huia, GG, Lothlorien

---

Oh I will. I'm staying on in London for a few days afterward and will be seeing several people.
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Hello All,

Just checking in to say hi, hope all the ANZACs are doing ok

D
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Hello. I remember you.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mr Curly, hope the week improves for you.

I feel better today than yesterday but my head is so stuffed I can hardly breather.
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Ah Mr Zappa,

I was thinking of you on Sunday morning as I was sitting on the back step admiring my garden eating bacon and eggs and listening to Bob Dylan...I was thinking to myself...If you are going to wag church this is the way to do it...I bet Zappa would approve!



 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Hey, Dee! Good to see you back, even momentarily!

My first experience of a 2 hour Requiem Eucharist at the big house today.

Got home and TP asked how it went and what did I have to do? "Well," I said, "Your wife stopped traffic in town today."

Literally. Because the thurifer, crucifer and acolytes walked (robed) in front of the hearse for a city block after the committal.

It was a VERY comprehensive send-off!
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dee.:
Ah Mr Zappa,

I was thinking of you on Sunday morning as I was sitting on the back step admiring my garden eating bacon and eggs and listening to Bob Dylan...I was thinking to myself...If you are going to wag church this is the way to do it...I bet Zappa would approve!

---

Wow! A garden that eats bacon and eggs! Whatever next?
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Hi Dee - was thinking about you this morning. My Fujitsu heat pump was finally installed last week Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy fully approves. (Yeah - I know it's February, but it was damn cold at 2am when I woke up.)

Huia
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Hey Huia,

so glad your heat pump is living up to expectation. They work as air conditioning in hot weather as well.

Dont you guys regularly feed your gardens bacon and eggs? Perhaps its just an Auckland thing??
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Dee! Lovely to see you hereabouts.

Have just moved to The Parsonage in The Paddock. The house is a forest of boxes so we are outside admiring the view, drinking some NZ bubbly and swatting the mozzies and ignoring the unpacking.

Not a bad finish to the day.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dee.:
Hey Huia,

so glad your heat pump is living up to expectation. They work as air conditioning in hot weather as well.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dee.:
Hey Huia,

so glad your heat pump is living up to expectation. They work as air conditioning in hot weather as well.

---

What hot weather? Summer has been almost unnoticeable here this season. A couple of good days in Nov/Dec, but February, the month you can usually rely on has had cool, overcast and drizzly days. What with that and the shaky days Cantabrians are decidedly disgruntled.

It's also a bit disconcerting that they inspect buildings more closely and close them down as unsafe - make us wonder how many unsafe public buildings we have been using thinking they were safe. The cordon round the town centre which was to be lifted at the beginning of April has had it's date for lifting pushed back by a couple of weeks because of this.

Fortunately I'm going to Wellington again next week, so I should be OK --- Yeah, Right!

Huia

---

We have to get a heat pump – first task when the Grandad gets out of hospital – this Friday with luck. Apparently there's someone at the Council who comes and advises you for free, which will be helpful.

Summer? Well, the Equinox isn't that far off, but we've had two days this week when one or more loads of washing could be dried. And every night when I step outside before going to bed, there's a total absence of wind – not a sound from the motionless trees. I've actually heard more cicadas in the last month than in December.

Parking in the underground car park at the big new hospital, with seven more storeys above me, it's reassuring to be in a forest of huge pillars with shake-proof cushions. Good luck with the rebuilding in Christchurch: those cushions must cost but they are the way to go.

Huia, I hope your city when it's rebuilt will be beautiful again.

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Prayers continuing for you both, GG.

[ 14. February 2012, 22:18: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
GG I hope the Grandad continues to recover. I think the people who advise on heat pumps also check on curtains, insulation etc as well, as it's not very efficient to heat the space if all the heat is escaping.

I don't envy you going to the underground carpark, even with the safety cushions. I haven't been underground anywhere since the quakes started, but I guess I will have to at some time. I think one of the worst effects is the hypervigilence many of us are experiencing, but I am determined it's not going to limit the places I go. (Oh damn - I just realised Dad has an appointment at Wellington Hospital while I'm up there, so I may have to face that challenge sooner than I thought )

It will take a number of years, but I hope the new Christchurch will be worth the wait. (Can we build a new library first please? )

Huia - bookworm
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Huia, there is an outdoor carpark as well as the basement one, though one has to step inside the main carpark door to pay. But I guess even going into a huge building is the challenge – try to trust that really amazing construction underneath.

I understand how traumatic enclosed building spaces are for Cantabrians, having heard someone being interviewed on the Concert programme expressing his extreme discomfort at having to come in to the studio. And I think he talked about the orchestra's difficulty in coming into a hall to play. This was some months ago.

GG
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dee.:
Ah Mr Zappa,

I was thinking of you on Sunday morning as I was sitting on the back step admiring my garden eating bacon and eggs and listening to Bob Dylan...I was thinking to myself...If you are going to wag church this is the way to do it...I bet Zappa would approve!

---

Hmmm ... say/attend Mass, then listen to His Bobness. Whatever do they teach young people these days?

A storm is rolling in - only a small one but our first for nearly a fortnight.

[ 15. February 2012, 09:45: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
GG -it does get easier, well it has for me. I even visit a friend on a regular basis whose house has a chimney - but I don't know if I could actually live there.

Just an advance notice for any passing Kiwis - TV3 is screening "When A City Falls" - a documentary of the 22/2 quake at 7.30pm on the anniversary. The DvD will be on sale the next day. I'll be in Wellington then, but I hope I can persuade family to watch it.

For any passing Londoners - it's being screened somewhere in London on the same day (will head over to their thread).

Huia
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Well,

I must say it is a beautiful day up here today, it sounds like you Cantabrians have had summer this year...on a Wednesday in December.

I spent a lovely week in January in Waipu in Northland at the beach, sun, sand and my two beautiful nieces to make sandcastles with.

As far a summer goes I am happy with the week I got at the beach, I hope you guys manage to squeeze a sunny week in before Autumn sets in!
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
So I was on cooking duty tonight, and decided to make pizza; using up various bits and pieces in the fridge. As there are three cooks in the house, there are often half-used jars of pasta sauce in there.

I had a glass of wine, and then another, and then a third (just to help make kitchen duty bearable doncha know). I whipped up some beautiful looking home made pizzas....and then TP emerged from the TV room saying his pizza tasted 'funny'.

Last month a friend of ours (who is heavily medicated most of the time), gave us some very strange unpipped home made plum jam - in an old pasta sauce jar - which had gravitated to the back of the fridge.

Can I just say that pizza made with a plum jam base is bl**dy awful.

BL. Ok with banners. Definitely not ok in the kitchen.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
BL, Many years ago I cooked rice adding salt from a brown a paper bag marked CS. Remember when so-called healthfood stores sold all sorts of thing in bulk.

I don't like sweet rice now and really hated it then. So added some more CS. Eventually discovered it was not common salt but caster sugar.

someone recused it an made some sweet rice dish out of it. Don't think I'd like to try rescuing your pizza.
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Sounds like Terminal Pizza to me,

Although...if you used plum sauce on the base, added chicken, mushrooms, cream cheese and then covered it in grated cheese that would work...

Just sayin..
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
This Thai pizza is what I had in mind.

I once put salt instead of sugar in a waffle mix, from an unlabelled jar. Oops.

Trying to finish a short story for a competition today. The good idea that inspired it is not helping me finish it!

mr curly
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
BL
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
"Autumn" .... "winter" ... these are words I faintly recall ...
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Flatting as a student, with pretty good cooks in the house, I arrived home from a lecture and devoured meat and veg, then poured custard on stewed fruit – only it was cheese sauce for the cauliflower.

Or was it the other way round? This was, after all, sixty years ago. At least three of the six girls are gone to their rest...

Eheu fugaces...

(Sorry) Alas, the fleeting years slip by.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
A local (non-chain) pizza shop makes sweet pizzas, using chocolate bases - white or dark - and a range of fruit toppings. If Dlet is having a group over for a bbq, we sometimes order these as a takeaway for pudding.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Loving "The Straits", by the way
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
A local (non-chain) pizza shop makes sweet pizzas, using chocolate bases - white or dark - and a range of fruit toppings. If Dlet is having a group over for a bbq, we sometimes order these as a takeaway for pudding.

---

Local here does this too, but it's specific, not a use up the bits in the fridge type thing.
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
And I thought potato pizza was weird ( but good, with lots of cheese and herbs).

FD did his first wedding today at the Church on the Mountain. He did really well, apart from getting the bride and grooms rings mixed up.

Back at the Parsonage in the Paddock, am still surrounded by boxes. But these are easily ignored with a glass of red in hand.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
GG
I loved that anecdote and memorial. Thank you.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
@ youtube. Uploaded half a dozen videos and not one of them took. OK, two did, but the remaining 4 didn't. 2 1/2 hours of uploads wasted.
Grrrrrrrr
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
A local (non-chain) pizza shop makes sweet pizzas, using chocolate bases - white or dark - and a range of fruit toppings. If Dlet is having a group over for a bbq, we sometimes order these as a takeaway for pudding.

---

Local here does this too, but it's specific, not a use up the bits in the fridge type thing.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
A local (non-chain) pizza shop makes sweet pizzas, using chocolate bases - white or dark - and a range of fruit toppings. If Dlet is having a group over for a bbq, we sometimes order these as a takeaway for pudding.

---

Local here does this too, but it's specific, not a use up the bits in the fridge type thing.

---

Yes, these are a standard menu item. They are popular, and easy on us. The BG Hotel has a couple of calzone pizzas - one with a Mars Bar and the other Rocky Road. They say one's enough for 2. For us, none is quite sufficient.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Loving "The Straits", by the way

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
Two weeks after the trip to A & E I have the Grandad home, very happy because in spite of having half his gut gone and learning a new routine for daily life, he's alive.


(How do people who've never eaten anything but takeaways get on?)

---

I often hate to think! Perhpas they don't last long enough to find out! I'm really glad that things are returning to normal. Continued for new routines and diets.

Also for you, Lothlorien - that foot sounds painful!
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:


Rexory, how are the ribs?

---

Pretty much OK now, thanks. Did get a "letter of Demand" from the lady's insurers a couple of days ago. Repairs to her vehicle. I replied, denying any liability and counter-claiming $1,100, the cost of my car's repairs. Interesting to see where it goes from here!
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Rexory, you also have broken ribs and a GP to report that. I think if that is thrown at them they will become silent indeed. Especially since she buggered off.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Actually, it just occurred to slow old me that thanking them for providing her details as she injured you and left the scene of an accident where there was injury and damage should cause all sorts of chaos.

 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Loving "The Straits", by the way

---

Me too!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Loving "The Straits", by the way

---

Me too!

---

I'm so glad someone is. I was beginning to think I was some sort of deviant.

---

Well we haven't entirely ruled that out

Fine weather for 2 days runnimg and only baby aftershocks. Life's not too bad. Wednesday is the anniversary of the quake that killed so many people, so there is a lot about it on the various media. I tend to switch off. I notice that some people are getting worse with time, as can happen with PTSD, and some are still living with uncertainty regarding their houses. Part of the problem is that with more detailed engineering reports, and ongoing aftershocks, no one can give a final answer and different areas are being cordoned off.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Met a lovely English couple yesterday who have been in the cathedral parish for just five weeks. They described themselves as 'refugees from Christchurch' and had come to Oz as all their family live in Sydney. They were celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary - a marriage which encompassed them living in and restoring an 11th century castle at one stage - so I guess they have survived quite a lot. As bits fall off the cathedral regularly, they already feel quite at home!

It did make me think of you Huia, and those who still live on shaky ground.

[ 19. February 2012, 21:15: Message edited by: Banner Lady ]
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
poor old Cantabrians!

A number of colleagues based in Christchurch have been making moving on noises, One of my workmates has resigned and is moving his young family up to Nelson. Its been pretty hard on his kids who are preschoolers.

Because I represent staff from a number of national companies I hear a lot about people making a run for it or waiting to find out what is happening with their property so that they can then make a run for it.

Must be hard on those who decide to stay.

How are you doing Huia?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
My lucky day today! First an email from a senior associate of a major Scottish bank. I presume he had good news for me if I would just send my bank details to him. I didn't open it.

Secondly, a phishing attempt purporting to come from Amazon. It even gave an order number that I could see in header. I was suspicious, I did have a cancellation before Christmas, so checked my own records. Nothing like their order number style, so without opening it too, I have sent relevant details to AMazon. Yep, phishing.
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Letter of demand. <sigh>
After I had a person turn right in front of me suddenly yesterday, my beautiful old road bike has met its demise.

35 km/hr versus front fender = me lying on bonnet with a half of my bike lying on each side of me. Hopefully he does have insurance and comes to the party. He seemed a nice kid anyway.

Yes I am fine. Few bruises and scratches only. But I am banned from riding to work. <sigh>.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Patdys, that's bad. Glad it's not worse.

One very minor happy to come out of the Christchurch earthquake personally is the answer to a mystery. Years ago when I was a broadcasting cadet I worked with a guy called Rob Cope-Williams. I often wondered what happened to him.

[ 21. February 2012, 03:57: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Take it easy Patdys. Bikes can be replaced but you can't.

DIL stopped my son from riding to work when he was sideswiped by a 5 ton truck some years ago. He was training for a triathlon.

Now has a different job with work car.
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Yes Mum
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patdys:
Yes Mum

---

When they were all at home, the last thing I would say was "Drive safely," as they went out the door. One came back inside when I thought he'd gone. "You forgot to tell me to drive safely," he said.
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
The reception staff told me to ride safe not 10 minutes before I was hit.
I replied, I always do.

On the up side, he was a good kid, has reported it to the police, acknowledged his culpability and received a caution. So there should be less pain with his insurance.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patdys:
me lying on bonnet with a half of my bike lying on each side of me.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patdys:
me lying on bonnet with a half of my bike lying on each side of me.

---

Better than half of you lying each of the bike! Hope you recover well.

---

each side of the bike
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Eeew.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yup, that looks terminal Patdys.
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Patdys, that's painful! I hope the bruises heal quickly, and that the bike is able to be recovered or replaced.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patdys:

On the up side, he was a good kid, has reported it to the police, acknowledged his culpability and received a caution. So there should be less pain with his insurance.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patdys:

On the up side, he was a good kid, has reported it to the police, acknowledged his culpability and received a caution. So there should be less pain with his insurance.

---

Flog him. Bash him. Execute him. Culpability admission is unaustralian.

---

'Tis not
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
The woman who hit me a few weeks ago certainly didn't go near saying "Sorry"!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Perhaps she'll say it in court
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Perhaps she'll say it in court

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
First anniversary of the most destructive quake today.

People are putting flowers in road cones.

I'm going to Wellington.

Huia

---

Remembering you and your fellow residents today.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Thinking of you Huia and those who lost loved ones in the Quake.


 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Be at Peace New Zealander's.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Particularly praying for some closure and ability to move on, as far away as that seems atm.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Hi folks.

Started a thread on good old Ruddeeeee in purg if anyone wants to join in.
 

---

Posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd) (# 12163) on :
 
I'd love to magic Kevin away. Far, far away.
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
I totally don't have a horse in this race but being a political junkie I am watching with great interest! Of to purg to see whats going on.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
When #1 son fell down concrete stairs at work 14 months ago, he not only needed two ankle reconstructions but has also damaged discs in back. This was only apparent after he had more movement when ankles recovered.

Herniated disc shows on all MRIs he's had and neurologists agree surgery is only fix. Insurance company has agreed on this but is dragging the chain on arrangements. Pain has been steadily increasing and he's back on two types of morphine which he loathes. Doctor was so concerned yesterday that he was admitted to Prince Alfred for more investigation. This seems to have hurried insurance along a bit and surgery is likely in the next few days.

Prayers appreciated for P and for the surgery that it will be successful.

(crossposted on prayer thread)
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Rexory for insurance proceedings

And Loth – Hope the foot is comfortable.

More nice nurses, the visiting kind now. The Grandad worries because he sleeps most of the day. Nurses reassure him.

As for me… the hospital provides help with housework to wit, cleaning. Fortnightly for six weeks – well, that's one of the nicest things that's happened to me. She went through the house (the rooms that are used, that is) in an hour and a half, and did what would take us a couple of days in half-hour bursts. Of course, with all cork tile floors, that means vacuuming and then mopping.

I had to introduce the cleaning lady to the Enjo microfibre system, having been converted by my daughter when she visited from Perth. She was one of many demonstrating Enjo products when she was there and hoped to do the same in BC but was too busy having #3.

If Enjo is big in WA, is it equally known Over East?

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks GG, the foot is vastly improved. It did develop an infection through the week with something stuck in it, but is now recovering. Just as well I had fruit and vegetables already ordered and had enough other things to cope.

In NSW, there is Enjo, but supermarkets sell similar stuff too.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Thanks GG, the foot is vastly improved. It did develop an infection through the week with something stuck in it, but is now recovering. Just as well I had fruit and vegetables already ordered and had enough other things to cope.

In NSW, there is Enjo, but supermarkets sell similar stuff too.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Definitely cheaper. My brother has heaps of the stuff, I have some which works.

I think it's been in WA for years and years. I remember a friend talking about it ages ago.

How's the Grandad? Being sensible about recovery, I hope?

---

Sleeping a lot. Visiting nurse says that's okay. Not much appetite – never mind; I give him small portions. Hates being made to drink (water, coffee, Powerade for electrolites) like any man in this sort of scenario. Comes for a short walk in the garden. Very appreciative.

We'll get there – but thank goodness for visiting nurses also reachable by phone.

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I imagine it's also hard dealing with the suddenness of the situation too. Particularly as you said there were no symptoms. So psychological stress as well as physical.



 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Banner Lady, I came in the last few seconds of this today down your way. Tried to see you, but item was at an end.

First female Australian indigenous archdeacon appointed at Goulburn.

Can't find video replay but here's an article.

[ 25. February 2012, 07:49: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Yes, I was there, being Bishop's chaplain. ABC news interviewed the bishop and the new archdeacon before the service, and the cameras were much in evidence during the processing in.Two of my classmates from last year were deaconed, and one of my cathedral colleagues collated. I had the flags out on the grounds, and the maroon and gold flame banners up inside. It was a good day - but the preparations before hand and clean up after are huge. Now pooped!!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I thought you would have been there but saw just the last few seconds so missed it.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
[proud parent rant]

The end of the cricket season is nigh, with only finals to go.

Biggest has achieved most wickets in his competition (17 at an avergage of 5.06, + team bowling award) as well as 9th with runs, (total 240 at 40.00)

Middle has achieved 4th in his pool on runs (250 at 35.7, team batting award) plus 6 wickets at 21.8


[/proud parent rant]

Middle at Year 7 camp for three days, Biggest getting his troublesome left ankle (not good for a fast bowler) x-rayed.

Little Miss whinging 24-7.

Extra rehearsal tonight for the play, then a few days crunching numbers on a survey I helped design and run (the first major survey of self-published authors in the epublishing age).

Thus an update from Frantic Curly Land.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Well that's over
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I imagine it's also hard dealing with the suddenness of the situation too. Particularly as you said there were no symptoms. So psychological stress as well as physical.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd):
I'd love to magic Kevin away. Far, far away.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Damp.

Oo, three weeks out from opening night, Sydney-sider, so who's going to venture north for the Passion this year?

mr curly

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Banner Lady, I came in the last few seconds of this today down your way. Tried to see you, but item was at an end.

First female Australian indigenous archdeacon appointed at Goulburn.

Can't find video replay but here's an article.

---

Here's the newscast of last Saturday Loth, I get my .08 seconds of fame by being behind the altar with the man with the white hair and beard in one shot. (He's telling me what to do with the bishop's hat and stick). But I'm glad the altar frontal came up looking so good on camera.

And yes, it's wet here. Very. I expect the cathedral will be a swimming pool on the inside, because the heritage roof leaks like...well...like an old roof!
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Thanks for the link BL, The Venerable Karen Kime seems like a great ambassador for God and the church. for her ministry.

Nice to see Anglicans somewhere recognising women's talents and gifts too.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I am back. I managed to leave my cordless phone unplugged while I was away and wash my cell phone in the laundry so i am not doing very well. Buying a new cell means I can't get the kindle yet however the new cell is more user friendly, apart from originally being set up with predictive text, which I have never got the hang of, has anyone else?

Dad, however is blooming. Lots of lovely nurses and caregivers. He is still a bit grumpy, but that's just him.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks for the link, BL. I did find it yesterday. When I first posted was only minutes after the news and I think they must have put it up later.

Huia, if you wash your new phone, put it in a bowl of uncooked rice and leave it several days. I've seen several rescue phones like this and grandson's iPod which took a dive to bottom of swimming pool for quite a while was also resurrected.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Huia, I have the Kindle app on my iphone (which is how I have read Mr Curly's books!). Not sure what other phones the app is available for, though.
 

---

Posted by Gay Organ Grinder (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Thanks for the link, BL. I did find it yesterday. When I first posted was only minutes after the news and I think they must have put it up later.

Huia, if you wash your new phone, put it in a bowl of uncooked rice and leave it several days. I've seen several rescue phones like this and grandson's iPod which took a dive to bottom of swimming pool for quite a while was also resurrected.

---

quote:

---

I put mine through the washing machine (as you do)

---

Been receiving dirty phonecalls perhaps?

Sorry, but am quite frazzled. I can understand comfort eating. If I had chocolate in the house I would be eating it.

Day wrecked by disgusting delivery service from Colesworths.

Emails this morning to say they had no rice or grapes or the butter I use. Early delivery set up as I had things to do.. Several phonecalls and emails later, delivery arrives 3 hours late. By the time it arrived, my arrangements had been changed twice and then abandoned. All operators very polite but no use at all.

One told me it was the rain. I suggested that this was not exactly the first wet day Sydney has had. We've had rain for weeks and weeks. Their logistics people need to learn to compensate for Sydney's slowdown or standstill in wet weather by scheduling fewer deliveries in the one timeslot. One said they had refunded my delivery fee in compensation for a wrecked day. She was surprised when I said, "Big deal. All $5."

I started to put it away and realised it was only partly there. Over twenty items were missing. This time I rang them and worked my way up the line to a manager. She was about as frazzled as I was but very polite. Bigger discount on the next order (if any) and missing items will be delivered tomorrow morning.

Have had this confirmed and it's not in the truck so someone else has $120 of freebies including my chocolate. I'd go down to the service station but they sell only rubbish like cadburys or Nestle which I wouldn't buy. Not good stuff.

All up four emails, seven phonecalls, little satisfaction.

[ 02. March 2012, 02:36: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Bad luck, Loth! Grrr. A bit of rain and traffic does not cause 3 hour delays.

Girl guide camp called off this weekend, so Mrs C and Little Miss won't be floating around on air mattresses under canvass this weekend. All cricket called off tomorrow - boys will be grumpy.

BUT arrangements have simplified. Family pizza and movie night brewing for tomorrow night.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Have now buried the phone in a bowl of rice in the hot water cupboard - fingers crossed as the new phone is both wider and thicker which makes it a challenge fot my short fingers. The sim card still worked and is in my new phone. I always keep the same phone number as I've memorized it and am not sure I could remember another one. (probably I've left it a bit late with the rice, but nothing venture...).

Announcement from Bishop of Christchurch, Victoria Matthews today. The Cathedral walls will be demolished to the height of 2 or 3 metres. (but I think it's the right decision). It has not been decided whether a new Cathedral will be built on the same site as futher engineering reports will be needed on the land. {I know that when the Visitors' Centre was added to the Cathedral about 10 to 15 years ago there was talk of the streams that run under the Square which may add to the instability of the land].

I knew the announcement was coming, and the contents weren't really a surprise but I am sad it has come to this. I said my goodbye to the building last year, but it's a bit like hearing someone has died when you had a strong suspicion, but not quite a certainty that they were terminally ill.

A storm is coming through over the weekend, not nearly as bad as some of you have had, but I went to the library today so I'm spending the weekend reading.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Huia, is there any idea that they might do something like Coventry did after the war?

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I think it's rained here all day and it's pouring yet again here. DIL has been out at night on SES work and will probably be in the Hawkesbury River district all weekend. She's been a volunteer for six years now, has pretty well all the certificates there are and does a lot of training of new recruits. Warragamba Dam is full and it's spillway is now open for the first time in 14 years.

It's hard to think that it was about 28% full only a few years ago.

Apparently not only the severity of this system is unusual, but also it seems to be exceptionally slow moving. Many places will get yet another 200-300 mm rain in the next few days.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Whereas we're getting very little.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Oh - I expressed my sorrow for Christchurch's cathedral on Facebook. Another huge sadness amongst many.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Loth is SES an emergency service? While I was up north I missed any news, so I didn't realize that the weather had been so bad over there.

The 3am forecast has just reported 21 severe weather warnings, (rain and severe gales) with power supply out in Auckland. I have located my torch and transistor just in case, but there is no weather warning for Canterbury.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Loth is SES an emergency service? While I was up north I missed any news, so I didn't realize that the weather had been so bad over there.

The 3am forecast has just reported 21 severe weather warnings, (rain and severe gales) with power supply out in Auckland. I have located my torch and transistor just in case, but there is no weather warning for Canterbury.

Huia

---

State Emergency Service
Out in all kinds of emergencies.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
There's a major weather warning for the central and south North Island – gales, heavy rain, lots of events and services cancelled including Cook Strait ferries. Quite separate from what's happening over the Ditch, and expected to be gone by tomorrow.

I'm taking some (late) breakfast back to bed, but I did wrap up earlier to feed the neiighbour's cat.

for those who are having a much worse time than we are in our small corner.

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
DIL spent 14 hours at Wilberforce, downstream from Warragamba Dam on the Hawkesbury River. Chaos with evacuations apparently.

She's home for a few hours sleep and will be back there 5:00 pm today. It's a pretty little old town, one of several founded by Governor Macquarie on the river in early 18th century.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
One amusing side of this relentless rain is the sheep in the paddock opposite my window. They are lying or standing under a group of trees chewing their cud. Every now and then one of them will dash out into the rain, gobble up some grass then dash back into the shelter.

for all affected by the weather.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
My father would make me hang my head in shame! Wrong century. Early 1800s.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
No weather here.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Ozchild No1 got remarried last friday. OzHeather & I have been babysitting the OzHorde while they honey mooned the Gold Coast
Very tired now.
 

---

Posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd) (# 12163) on :
 
I hope the second marriage works out well, Ozo. Ours did. They definitely can.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Amen
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Spectacular morning in Sydney, finally some sunshine and blue skies after all the rain. Shame I have indoors chores to do
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Bloody lawns. I spent three hours mowing the lawns at my church at Batchelor yesterday. Today I'm spending the same number of hours mowing ours at home - normally my Saturday chore.

Bloody lawns.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Bloody lawns. I spent three hours mowing the lawns at my church at Batchelor yesterday. Today I'm spending the same number of hours mowing ours at home - normally my Saturday chore.

Bloody lawns.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Bloody lawns. I spent three hours mowing the lawns at my church at Batchelor yesterday. Today I'm spending the same number of hours mowing ours at home - normally my Saturday chore.

Bloody lawns.

---

Since when was lawn-mowing in the Rector's duty statement?

---

When the irregular lush growth spots show where the bodies are buried...
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Just emerging from my first intensive at All Books. Not half as bad as I expected. Life in the parish is much more demanding!

Changes have been made to the ministry program. They work.

I do believe in miracles, I do, I do...
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
I will note Zappa that I have long since changed jobs, nonetheless, I often, when a Drug & Alcohol counsellor worked hard to keep people away from the grass- so it cannot be helpful having the local rector busy growing it!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Muahaha ... mind you when I suggested that to my parish council at St Myopia on the Swamp they took me seriously. We had just been notified that we owned some land in the feral goat blocks on the edge of the Divide (downhill from you, OzO) ... I said it could be good for a cash crop ...
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
FD is enjoying the delights of taking 3 sessions to mow the paddock. He is also now becoming an expert on whipper snippers: we need one to deal with all the stuff around the fence lines.

On a different note, I was trying to explain the ABC Miss Fisher series to him. His reply: "oh, sort of an ABC version of Underbelly, then?"
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Greetings everybody!

Just transitioning myself across from the newbie thread to say hello, and coming in on the end of the threads about mobile phones and lawnmowing.

Have just been issued a new mobile by work today. I'd only just received a new phone late last year because the phone before that died of old age, so now the company has done a deal with the service provider, who are giving us all upgraded phones. There's no more functionality than my old phone, and it has a combination of buttons and a touch screen, so it's harder to use. Net gain = nil, plus I have to go through it and set everything up again . Might try Huia's trick with the washing machine...

Zappa - bloody lawns indeed! We had new turf put down last October. On the instruction of the landscaping person, I went to Bunnies and bought a sprinkler, which I used twice before the big wet hit Sydney (at least Cryptogirl and Cryptodog enjoyed running around under it). Since the rain and the heat, it has turned into a jungle that grows faster than I can mow.

Have only seen episode 1 of Miss Fisher so far (further episodes banking up on the recorder). Apart from a few dodgy accents, it's pretty good stuff. Haven't done so well with "Woodley"... lots of talent in that show, but so hard to watch...

Thanks folks for the messages of welcome on the newbie thread, and to Lothlorien for your PM.

Cheers.
Cryptic
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
FD is enjoying the delights of taking 3 sessions to mow the paddock. He is also now becoming an expert on whipper snippers: we need one to deal with all the stuff around the fence lines.

On a different note, I was trying to explain the ABC Miss Fisher series to him. His reply: "oh, sort of an ABC version of Underbelly, then?"

---

Tell him to get a life! I'm thoroughly enjoying the series, I've read most of the books and, given that it is a one hour show, they have stayed remarkably close to the original!

Welcome Cryptic.

7 sleeps to go!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
As JtC so eloquently put it - welcome, Cryptic
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Oh, I forgot the comma!
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Hello, Cryptic, welcome to the ship.

Well, yet another injured bird has found its way to my house. This one is a scaly breasted lorikeet, which appears to have been attacked by a cat. It has a wound on it's wing (fortunately no longer bleeding) and the wing itself is either wrenched or broken... Think it's going to take a while before this little guy can be released.

Athrawes - coming up for air after 2 weeks of the new C2C curriculum
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Hey there Cryptic, welcome aboard.
I admit to having a pathetic wish to see what would happen if you were called to Hell- but for the less than admirable reason that I could make puns about people having cross words with Cryptic!

But otherwise- I wish you well here in this fine company.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Hi Cryptic.

Just want to say that I want to resign from motherhood. *sigh*
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
BL
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Will this rain never end?

Country towns are being flooded as the vast amounts of water move downstream.

Here in Sydney I need the lights on to wash up at 9:00 am. We've had 100 mm rain overnight, lots of places are up around 150 mm. Road closure, landslides on some roads, railway stations flooded.

The intersection I overlook is about half a metre deep with rain coming down Great North Road and also slope from Burwood. Parramatta Road is closed i both directions at Leichhardt.

We have fog and it's pouring.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Hi Cryptic.

Just want to say that I want to resign from motherhood. *sigh*

---

Oh dear, BL. Probably different causes but I'll join you.
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Thank you shipmates for the welcomes!

Ozowen - I'll try to avoid cross words or even crossing swords - that wasn't punny at all! otherwise straight to Hell for me!

Banner Lady - I think that the wish to resign from motherhood applies equally to fathers as well

Lothlorien I think we're nearly neighbours and we were watching the same rain this morning, so much of it. Wet, wet, wet...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I meant to add earlier, Cryptic, that you're very welcome at the Sydney lunch meet for Mr and Mrs tree Bee if you can manage it. Details on Sydney Meet thread in All Saints.

Stormwater canal picture
here. It had been even higher earlier. Fairly sure I have marked this as public and not in the family Flickr group.

[ 08. March 2012, 00:04: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cryptic:
Wet, wet, wet...

---

quote:

---

I am watching the last, the very last, cricket for the year.

---

Not so, Mr Curly.

Miss 11, granddaughter, rang me on Friday afternoon. She was very excited. She has been selected in school cricket team. I did wonder about why they are announcing a cricket team this time of year, but didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm. Perhaps they will practise during winter and then play later on. She's in year 6 and looking forward to playing other schools.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Why, move up here ... the season starts in about three weeks.

Holey moley it's raining.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Far out - and thubndering ... I'm outa here (that was close)
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Oh well - that was a one clap wonder. This wet season has been something of a fizzer, as Mertide said ...
 

---

Posted by mertide (# 4500) on :
 
I gave you a wave, Zappa. Your place is very peaceful. And very nicely mowed!
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
pretty green here, and much water just hanging about.... but now, lovely autumn waether...

The floods weren't as bad here, as we expected. Thankfully.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Beautiful day here today, the birds are tweeting, the sheep are baaing and the farmer next door has a mulcher going!

Still, only two more sleeps!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
James, I hope you have a really great time away. Enjoy any Shipmeets you can get to as well.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Thanks. So far I have two possibles and a number I have to follow up. I am also planning to go to All Souls Langham Place which is my spiritual home. I have been asked to sing with the choir there but, alas, I have to be at the airport too early to allow that. Curse the terrorist activities that have curtailed our freedom of movement!--Oh, and other things too
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mertide:
I gave you a wave, Zappa. Your place is very peaceful. And very nicely mowed!

---

 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
ONE...

[ 12. March 2012, 21:47: Message edited by: James the Confident ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Have fun James.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
kia ora, James (go well)

Cyclone watching here. It's like watching grass grow, so I'm multi-tasking mowing the lawns so I can do that too.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Does lawn mowing come in job specs?
 

---

Posted by mertide (# 4500) on :
 
Torch check. Water check. Chocolate check. I'm ready!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Does lawn mowing come in job specs?

---

It's called PR

Bugga - I forgot the chocolate
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Does lawn mowing come in job specs?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:


Bugga - I forgot the chocolate

---

I'd send you some, but it's Lent!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

---

Posted by jugular (# 4174) on :
 
I don't have a lawn. I have half an acre of wasteland/scrub.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Was it FD out and about with brushcutter? Perhaps he could give you some tips, Jugular. My tip is to use heavy duty one, not a little thing with nylon cord. I used to use a cutter with blades in the scrubby bush.

Son's back operation has finally been scheduled for Friday. Keyhole surgery to shift and sand (!!) disc and free nerve. He's still in a lot of pain, two morphine medications and two others including valium, all on maximum doses. He's been told there could be phantom residual pain till brain adjusts. A bit like pain an amputee feels.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Was it FD out and about with brushcutter? Perhaps he could give you some tips, Jugular. My tip is to use heavy duty one, not a little thing with nylon cord. I used to use a cutter with blades in the scrubby bush.

Son's back operation has finally been scheduled for Friday. Keyhole surgery to shift and sand (!!) disc and free nerve. He's still in a lot of pain, two morphine medications and two others including valium, all on maximum doses. He's been told there could be phantom residual pain till brain adjusts. A bit like pain an amputee feels.

---

It's amazing what can be done these days.
May it go well.


GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you, GG.

He's just sick of the whole thing as it has gone on so long. December 2010 fall down concrete fire stairs. One ankle busted.
Surgeon for that has accident so doesn't operate till March 2011. Second ankle disintegrates because first ankle collapsed because not fixed, and he fell again.

Two reconstructions later, he begins to be more mobile, not back to running, but mobile.

Disc damage from first fall shows up and steadily worsens. Steroids, injections and massive amounts of morphine and other stuff.

Personally I think there's some depression there too but that should go when back is fixed. He's absolutely over it all. And the pain is on top of all that. Constant.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
May progress be made for all those feeling proppy atm. Including our eldest grandson who managed to impale himself through the leg while climbing over a fence on the weekend. Current soccer playing activities are all on hold, much to his deep dismay.

We carted him off to an all night clinic on Sunday night, and he needed both a tetanus and anti-biotic injections. As he doesn't like needles, he began to panic.

TP (sternly): "Well, you choose, B1.1. Would you rather have the needles, or have your leg amputated?"

B1 (tearfully): "The needles!"

TP: (ignoring the disapproving glare from the doctor): "Good choice, B1.1."



[ 14. March 2012, 05:41: Message edited by: Banner Lady ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That sounds nasty, BL. Hope he recovers quickly.

Need to watch boys climbing. #1 son climbed wire gate at our place when he was 5. Piece of wire poking out ripped L-shaped cut in one testicle which needed seven stitches. Some of them became infected, so he was very wary around doctors for a long time.

[ 14. March 2012, 06:13: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
B1.1

Loth I wouldn't be surprised if he is depressed, constant pain messes with a person's head.

The residual pain stuff is weird. I get 'anniversary pain' radiating down my right leg from an old back injury. My leg is Ok for the rest of the year, but the pain comes back a few days before the anniversary of being attacked. This year it kicked in on a Thursday so I went to physio on the Friday and it's gone! I'm never sure if it's a placebo type thing, but I'm not going to investigate in case it comes back.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
JtC might be flying over my roof soon ... hope he waves
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Could you see him through all that rain, Zappa? I hear it's a *little* wet where you are right now...
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
We flew roughly between Uluru and Aice Springs. I didn't wavebut I did think of you. The fight was rather bumpy aswe crossed the W.A. coast. Captain told us it was because there were two cyclone just about toching right where we were flying. I wassitting in with a group of 15-16 year old Malasian teens who all screamed!

for those suffering for various injuries and for those caring for the (and worrying too).

A bleary eye JtC reorting from Chester
That ought to be Alice.

A bleary eyed JtC trying to type on a netbook with tiny keys.

[ 15. March 2012, 17:07: Message edited by: James the Confident ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Could you see him through all that rain, Zappa? I hear it's a *little* wet where you are right now...

---

Yeah, it was ... drying out here today. So far. Port Hedland are about to cop a biggie though
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Just heard from DIL. Son is in considerable pain from operation. Injury was much more severe than MRIs showed and the operation was longer and more extensive than we had thought it would be.
 

---

Posted by Gay Organ Grinder (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Just heard from DIL. Son is in considerable pain from operation. Injury was much more severe than MRIs showed and the operation was longer and more extensive than we had thought it would be.

---

 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Was it FD out and about with brushcutter? Perhaps he could give you some tips, Jugular. My tip is to use heavy duty one, not a little thing with nylon cord. I used to use a cutter with blades in the scrubby bush.

Son's back operation has finally been scheduled for Friday. Keyhole surgery to shift and sand (!!) disc and free nerve. He's still in a lot of pain, two morphine medications and two others including valium, all on maximum doses. He's been told there could be phantom residual pain till brain adjusts. A bit like pain an amputee feels.

---

Hope recovery goes better than advised, Loth.

FD has been researching brush cutters and looks like buying a Stihl before the grass around the house turns into a rainforest.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
For Lotho and DIL

 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Just heard from DIL. Son is in considerable pain from operation. Injury was much more severe than MRIs showed and the operation was longer and more extensive than we had thought it would be.

---

Back pain and back operations are major stuff

Hear the cry of the newsletter (more of a quarterly magazine) editor, who has to badger people for contributions and remind them three times – 'Could you write me a few lines about the church picnic?' etc. 'Could you send me hi-def versions of those lovely photos?' February is the hardest: all the exciting things that go on during Advent and Christmas that people are too busy to write up during Christmas preparations and summer holidays, but they've forgotten by the end of January. Try asking a couple of Oldies to remember in January where they went on the Mystery Bus Trip at the end of November.... (I can sympathise; I'm an Oldie too)
The ones who promise a paragraph and send two interestingpages, or gifted writers who send just over a page and you can't edit it without spoiling the 'voice'.
I edit it; I don't write it – except for B****'s obituary, which wrote itself, though I'd borrowed the eulogy that R**** had written.
Ah well, stuff is coming in for the May edition...

GG
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Lothlorien, for your son and DIL
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Apparently son is just out of bed and has had a walk. Pain level is significantly improved on last night when he really thought operation had achieved nothing. Always a chance of that. The agony in the leg from pinched and damaged nerve seems to have gone, so that's good news.

Thanks for prayers and comments.

[ 17. March 2012, 02:32: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Just pulled up some fence. Not a lot, but bugger me if it wasn't a hard job. Then had to mow the area so I can erect the new fence tomorrow.
Toughest bit of mowing ever!
I am officially shagged out and in serious need of 12 hours sleep.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

FD has been researching brush cutters and looks like buying a Stihl before the grass around the house turns into a rainforest.

---

I used a big Kawasaki cutter with a full harness and three blades with different functions. It worked well. As we weren't at out place every weekend it was sometimes hard to start. Then I discovered that wasps used to make a nest in the tiny diameter of the exhaust pipe. I learnt to check that first before starting and off it would go.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Lawns mowed here, too, and sermon written. It's an exhillirating life, it is. Oh and dishes done and children fed. Kuruman's away ... and no time for the cat to play

[ 17. March 2012, 08:06: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:

I am officially shagged ...

---

Quit boasting
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Hey, Sydneysiders, The Turramurra Passion is only 5 sleeps away. We're looking a bit light on for audience on opening night, Friday 23rd.

You're sure of the personal attention of the Director if you can make it.

Quiet day here otherwise. Biggest and Middle have just left for band camp. Let the silence fall.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Will come one night or another. Will consult with friend re opening night and also consult the auguries re weather. Really hope weather is good for you. What time does it end?

Son seems to have little pain in leg which is what original purpose of operation was. However, there'll be a long time of recovery as this has been almost paralysing him for nine months. Was beginning to affect his bladder and other similar functions a week ago. Much bigger operation than anticipated and a large lump of bone was removed to free nerve. However, he is walking, slowly but walking and pain free in leg. Lots of post-op pain.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Hey Zappa, even more reason to feel good about where you are -- news item this morning reports a month of heavy rain is forecast for sides of the north. You're well out of it.

I planted my winter crop of silver beet yesterday, along with some mizuma. I also took lots of cuttings from favourite mini roses growing in difficult places. I hope I haven't left it too late.

I also bought some daffodil bulbs, meaning to plant them along the front fenceline but have discovered its boggy because of a slow leak from next door's water toby. A call to the Council is indicated, especially as we are meant to be conserving water. (It's outside her section so is a council problem and is left over earthquake damage).
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Will come one night or another. Will consult with friend re opening night and also consult the auguries re weather. Really hope weather is good for you. What time does it end?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Hey Zappa, even more reason to feel good about where you are -- news item this morning reports a month of heavy rain is forecast for sides of the north. You're well out of it.

---

Reports getting through to me today are pretty soggy ....
 

---

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
Soggy is the word in Palm Cove.
Our trip to the Barrier Reef has been moved to Friday. Let's hope we make it.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
There's no guarantee of sun in Sydney either. Months of rain here.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Sorry, won't be making it to the Turramurra Passion this year - we have enough drama going on of our own....*sigh*.

Chez Banner is currently playing the role of Switzerland in the midst of multiple war-fronts. One day I'll write a book...'though I'm quite sure no-one would believe it.

Lord, have mercy.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Oh dear, BL.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Son came home from hospital late today. Rather haggard and tired, but moving and moving more freely than yesterday. Thanks all for your prayers and I know they are grateful too.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
BL

Good news Loth, for a quick and full recovery.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
for both the above

I'm in the ironic position of having to start job hunting ... there is no way this tiny parish can support a full time priest (less so because the major benefactor has hated me since before I came and has now taken his money and run) - and there's no way I'm leaving Darwin inside six years. Consider it a conundrum. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

So I might be stacking shelves at Woolies, soon. Though I suspect jobs are hard to come by.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

I'm in the ironic position of having to start job hunting ... there is no way this tiny parish can support a full time priest (less so because the major benefactor has hated me since before I came and has now taken his money and run) - and there's no way I'm leaving Darwin inside six years. Consider it a conundrum. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

So I might be stacking shelves at Woolies, soon. Though I suspect jobs are hard to come by.

---

There's jobs in this diocese. Perhaps you could FIFO. Not! Seems to me that there's something wrong in your having been brought there and let down so very quickly.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
How horrible Zappa. I'm inclined to agree with Rexory's assessment. It sounds right.

Jobs? Does the fire truck need a driver?


 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
for both the above

I'm in the ironic position of having to start job hunting ... there is no way this tiny parish can support a full time priest (less so because the major benefactor has hated me since before I came and has now taken his money and run) - and there's no way I'm leaving Darwin inside six years. Consider it a conundrum. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

So I might be stacking shelves at Woolies, soon. Though I suspect jobs are hard to come by.

---

Strange are the ways of the Anglican church – what a way to treat the Reverend Doctor. How long do you have to sort it out?

Hope it's a case of one door shuts, another (better one) opens.



GG
 

---

Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
for both the above

I'm in the ironic position of having to start job hunting ... there is no way this tiny parish can support a full time priest (less so because the major benefactor has hated me since before I came and has now taken his money and run) - and there's no way I'm leaving Darwin inside six years. Consider it a conundrum. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

So I might be stacking shelves at Woolies, soon. Though I suspect jobs are hard to come by.

---

Haven't you just been made Archdemon? Surely the bishop should be working with you in order to make sure his newest Archdeacon is settled appropriately?
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Hello everyone!

Prayers for all those that are sick and recovering at the moment, and for those around them.

Have had the germ fairy at our house too, Cryptogirl has a rotten virus, cough and fever, has missed school since last Friday and doesn't look like she will make it back this week. She even missed her school grandfriends day yesterday, which was a bugger because she was picked to read her speech about her Gran.

Ignored my lawn last weekend (which has gone mad again in a week) because the green wheelie bin was already chockers from the previous weekend, but mostly because I'm lazy and sick of mowing it. Instead, I came home from church and went for a bike ride , which turned out to be a good idea as it rained by the afternoon. Have now been out riding twice this week! BTW, my brushcutter is an Echo...

Zappa - that's a terrible situation that you're in, hope that something appears soon.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:

I am officially shagged ...

---

Ozowen - can you be unofficially shagged???

Cheers,
Cryptic
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Thanks for prayers. There have been 8 sleeping over at Chez Banner for the last 5 days. Four have now departed - although they may be back, depending on what they find at the other end of today's journey. I am very. very. tired. I truly hate not being able to relax in my own house because of *issues* and *baggage* others bring in. Very unChristian of me I suppose, but that's the truth.

Don't mind being Switzerland for a day or two, but am hoping they might find another country to emigrate to soon!
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
BL It is a shame people can't leave their baggage behind whe they visit. I do hope you get you sanctuary back again soon.

Zappa Having worked in the church and in the workforce at the same time I have found it inevitable that they interfere with each other.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:
Haven't you just been made Archdemon? Surely the bishop should be working with you in order to make sure his newest Archdeacon is settled appropriately?

---

I had understood the bishop to have been a friend, too!
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
BL, could you leave home. I'm told it often works
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Sorry for three posts in a row, but... Mrs R is in Melbourne for a few days. Won't be online or up for a meet, as she is there with her sister and brother-in-law. S-i-l has advanced MND, so Mrs R is on the trip as carer. I'm hoping she manages a little fun anyway.
And I will have all day Monday to get the house straightened up!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
The diocese can barely afford to pay the bishop , registrar and 1/2 time ministry development officer (kuruman), let alone its archdemons. Two other diocesan staff are CMS funded, and that's another story, pardigmatic of major issues in this diocese (see below on BCA).

The problem is really that this is a faith community of 30-40 people, and probably should never have thought it could support a full time priest - in last decade or so it never has, except with BCA funding. BCA won't fund my ministry because I am shall we say of the wrong flavour. The private donor has pulled his funding because he hates me - and that's nearly $50,000 a year gone from two sources.

On the other hand I have no intention of leaving. Kuruman has a great job (albeit part time). I'm committed to this parish for a minimum of three years and have no desire to uproot the boys from school again until Kuruzapplet # 2 leaves high school - they're now in a great school and loving it. I really want to support this superb bishop, and to wield some weight when the time comes to appoint a succesor for him (I'm on the electoral board), trying to wind back the militant Sydney putsch that is a massive part of the landscape here. And I lurve the Top End.

So I'll find part or full time work elsewhere around here, either in the church or secular, and keep doing all I can to rebuild a faith community that basically has minimal viability. I would love a job at the Uni but I fear that won't happen - they are not big on either English lit or New Testament theology, my majors (nor comparative religion, my academic 'minor', nor communication and media, my other field). Or humanities at all, really. I'm enrolled there as an undergrad in Aboriginal Studies, but it will take six years or more to finish that degree. I will look at chaplaincy at the boys' (Anglican/Uniting) school, but they're not that keen on paying.

In the end it's a paradigm for much future ministry - and indeed much present ministry - anyway. Stipended positions will be increasingly rare.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
My thoughts and prayers... Would type more but 2 fingers on my left hand are taped together... An accident whilst I packed today... Moving in a few weeks...
I am left handed, and my hand hurts.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
BL, could you leave home. I'm told it often works

---

rexory: the first person to offer me creative space, and I'm gone!

BL. Easy AND cheap....
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Zappa

But does the uni need research support staff. After all you have a doctorate so you "know" how to do research? There are an awful lot of generic research skills, anything from how to write in good English, reference properly or search for information*. For turning in papers that are readable English lit may even be an advantage.

Jengie

*To give you some idea, today faced with a master student saying there were no references for three test, in less than two hours two of us turned up the three major references! That was working on a topic totally outside either of ours expertise (i.e. we first had to learn the lingo before we could find the papers, any one know what a chronoscope is?), if one of us knows the area it is normally under fifteen minutes per paper.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Zappa, it is my understanding that All Books here in Canberra is now doing intensives in Darwin through Charles Sturt University. They too are operating on the smell of an oily rag, but surely having someone on the ground there would relieve staff travel costs. Perhaps worth asking about, anyway.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Bad news Rowen . Is anything broken, or is it tissue damage - just as hard to deal with, and longer to heal.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Just tissue, thankfully.
thanks for your concern
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
for all facing vocational turmoil-including being a Mum as a vocation!

quote:

---

... Moving in a few weeks...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rowen:
Just tissue, thankfully.
thanks for your concern

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
Zappa

But does the uni need research support staff. After all you have a doctorate so you "know" how to do research? There are an awful lot of generic research skills, anything from how to write in good English, reference properly or search for information*. For turning in papers that are readable English lit may even be an advantage.

Jengie

*To give you some idea, today faced with a master student saying there were no references for three test, in less than two hours two of us turned up the three major references! That was working on a topic totally outside either of ours expertise (i.e. we first had to learn the lingo before we could find the papers, any one know what a chronoscope is?), if one of us knows the area it is normally under fifteen minutes per paper.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:

By the way, I hear there's a similar ministry to yours in the Snowy - Jindabyne or Adaminaby, I forget which. Do you know of it?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

Still, I'm not homeless in Darwin!

mr curly

---

Or unemployed in Greenland Hope there's some action on the book front for you and that the Passion Play goes well.

Ouch, Rowan! Fingers hurt! Hope that they ease off soon, and don't hinder the packing too much.

OzO - I offered Zappa a couple of attack parrots, but he declined. There is just no helping some people
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
A great day yesterday. We were guests of the current Lord Melbourne in Melbourne Hall.

At the concert last night I saw a friend I had not seen for 13 years. This was a Really Good Thing.™

Today is a rest day, washing etc. Some of us are going to Stratford-upon-Avon but I could do with a rest.

Tomorrow we relocate to Manchester to prepare for the massed choir event on Saturday.

Zappa
Rowen
BL
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
A beloved friend came over this afternoon, and packed under my direction.... Thankful for that.
Fingers improving a bit.
Thankful for that too.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Glad things are improving, Rowen. Hopefully your hand will be better in time to wave Good Bye!
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rowen:
A beloved friend came over this afternoon, and packed under my direction....

---

Fantastic, but wil you be able to find your stuff later???

 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
No..... But she says she will come and help unpack..... Lol.... Will that make the situation worse?
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
If your friend helps unpack then all is forgiven!

A friend of ours offered to help Cryptogirl pack up her room when we moved last year. They finished in record time, but the boxes were stuffed so full they were all out of shape and wouldn't stack. Many things were broken... We should have been grateful for the help, but grrr

[ 22. March 2012, 13:29: Message edited by: Cryptic ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Sounds pretty much like the job the removalists did getting us here in July ... some things are still not repaired yet (and some can't be). I and we have moved many times but this was the worst.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:
A great day yesterday. We were guests of the current Lord Melbourne in Melbourne Hall.

---

I've never understood this "Lord" business ... either for bishops or mayors.

[ 22. March 2012, 21:08: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:
A great day yesterday. We were guests of the current Lord Melbourne in Melbourne Hall.

---

I've never understood this "Lord" business ... either for bishops or mayors.

---

"The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate."
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I just knew there was good reason to not like that song. Lots more too, sentimental twaddle with poor theology.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
I don't understand the Lord stuff either but his hospitality was good though.
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Sounds pretty much like the job the removalists did getting us here in July ... some things are still not repaired yet (and some can't be). I and we have moved many times but this was the worst.

---

quote:

---

I don't understand the Lord stuff either but his hospitality was good though. [Big Grin]

---

James it sounds like a great trip. If you're going to be in receipt of some hospitality, it might as well be lordly hospitality!

Still at home with virus...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:
A great day yesterday. We were guests of the current Lord Melbourne in Melbourne Hall.

---

I've never understood this "Lord" business ... either for bishops or mayors.

---

"The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate."

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Incidentally, while Britain finds a new AB of C, I'm thinking of starting another predicting the ocker purple again ... only two (numerically) tiny dioceses are vacant, but they may begin an interesting shuffle of the deck. Willochra may get someone - I can think of two likely candidates, but who on earth, hell or anywhere else would want The Murray? I suspect it will be subsumed into Adelaide again.

---

Zappa for The Murray! You could commute! At least it's a job!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Indeed, the previous + The Murray was a commuter, so the diocese should be used to that. An unstated duty for + Willochra used be regularly to do confirmations at CCSL, but I'm not sure if that continues. Perhaps there are not many candidates these days.

As to the lawns - could you train a small croc to chew the grass?
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Now that's a thought, GeeD ... I'll see if I can catch one ... I'm told this is the way to lure them.

Any thought of a purple shirt fills me with terror. Thankfully there are no such thoughts. After all, I can wear gaiters now (or soon) All the fun and none of the scrutiny.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Just caught a snippet of news about an earthquake in
Australia???!! or did I mishear (hearing aides off).
Off to search the net.

Huia

[ 24. March 2012, 08:10: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
yeah, 6.1 - south of Alice, and no damage
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Not true, I understand that a couple of roos were pretty pissed off by the mess!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
yeah, 6.1 - south of Alice, and no damage

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
the fact that the temperature reached 28c didn't dent their enthusiasm.

---

a cool day then?
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
yeah, 6.1 - south of Alice, and no damage

---

It was so shallow too. Good to hear about the lack of damage, but it would have been enough to give people a fright.

...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
apart from a large crack in the earth that seems to have swallowed up most of the Labor voters in Queensland.

---

quote:

---

Rugby returned to Christchuch today - personally I'm not a fan, but this is a huge milestone for some people and I'm glad for them. Of course the fact that the temperature reached 28c didn't dent their enthusiasm.

---

quote:

---

76/6 is quite a big majority for the conservatives in Qld.

---

quote:

---

I'm thinking Labor will be in the wilderness for about thirty years unless the Slimy Mayor Used Car Salesman really stuffs things up.

---

Now now, be nice or people will accuse you of being a sore loser
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
...apart from a large crack in the earth that seems to have swallowed up most of the Labor voters in Queensland.

---

The early service at St Alfred's this morning started with ten people sitting on the right-hand side of the aisle and none on the left. I commented that we were a microcosm of the Queensland election Four more people arrived, two to the right and two to the left - appropriate proportions!

[ 25. March 2012, 08:39: Message edited by: rexory ]
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Greetings from the land of boredom. Day 5 of this miserable virus, in bed all day. Ergh... Missed most of the weekend, including church and the parish AVM yesterday.

At least Cryptogirl made it back to school today.

Enjoy lunch tomrrow folks!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
be nice or people will accuse you of being a sore loser

---

quote:

---

Day 5 of this miserable virus, in bed all day. Ergh... Missed most of the weekend, including church and the parish AVM yesterday.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
I wonder if there's a parish going in Vladivostok, Yakutsk or St Petersburg? Though they may be climactically a little less congenial for me.

---

quote:

---

only two (numerically) tiny dioceses are vacant, but they may begin an interesting shuffle of the deck.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Barnabas Aus:

quote:

---

only two (numerically) tiny dioceses are vacant, but they may begin an interesting shuffle of the deck.

---

While Willochra was filled in recent days, +Brian Newcastle has announced his retirement on December 15 next. That will surely trigger some interesting moves.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Barnabas Aus:
Willochra was filled in recent days,

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Aha! Thanks for the heads-up. I've never met John, but I've heard people speak well of him.

---

Meh
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Much as I love you Anglicans... Maybe you need a separate thread for all this?
It's just that some of us aren't Anglicans and don't know what you are on about and wel, er, and so on.

[ 27. March 2012, 12:01: Message edited by: Rowen ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
But you're part way there now

(Oh, and Jug, I was being diplomatic, since last time I said what I really thought of a bishop I was cautioned severely by shippies).
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Of course the kiwi purple has had a rattle along over the weekend, too ...

---

??? Sometimes I think I'm living on a desert island.

Loth, it was really good to hear your son is recovering. Pain is so debilitating and taking the meds needed to deal with it always seems like the lesser of two evils.

The mizuma seeds I planted are sprouting! Being a totally non-scientific type it always seems like a tiny miracle when seeds sprout or the mix I've carefully ladled into wee patty pans comes out as mini muffins - today's variety being fig and honey. I've been meaning to make them for ages, but everytime I've bought the figs I've eaten them before they made it into the mixture

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks Huia.

I've been keeping in touch mainly with SMS and email. The occasional phone call. He's been depressed and was sleeping whenever the pain allowed.

Last night he rang me and the difference in his voice said volumes. I hadn't heard him as animated and satisfied for 15 months. I had tears in my eyes and had trouble speaking to him.

[ 28. March 2012, 08:05: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
That's wonderful Loth.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Great news, Loth

Anyone planning to come to the play had better plan not to come on Wednesday - it'll sell out tomorrow, me thinks. Plenty of tickets left for Sat 31st and Tuesday 3rd.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Sorry, on the 31st I will be otherwise occupied...

V.glad it's going well, Mr.C.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
otherwise occupied...

---

quote:

---

The article seems to be saying "one in the eye for Sydney"!

---

Well, that's a bit of a foregone conclusion to anyone who has any knowledge of the situation.

Fr G from St Docs and his wife were in Perth for the first momentous occasion. He talks about it from time to time. I told him I wept as I watched. His reply was that he did too as he was there.

I thought the article was quite reasonably written , no real rabble rousing and it said what we all know is true about another diocese. It also gave me another viewpoint on +S from what I had seen operating at St. P's on North Shore when I'd been there several times when he was rector there..
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Yep, tells it how it is. We are not sure what to expect in the way of media attention - just hoping they don't turn up 5 minutes before and want to set up their cameras in front of the high altar.

Yes. Such things happen, so I've been told. And then they cannot fathom why they get turned away at the door!
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Hello all,

Back at work today, more in body than in spirit. Mrs Cryptic has inherited the germs and now she's off work. Our family is pathetic...

Lothlorien - glad to hear that your son is on the mend. That must be a great relief for you.

BL - thanks for the link about Sunday. Looks like it will be a wonderful service. We enjoyed a visit to St Saviours a few years ago on our way to Canberra (sadly on a weekday rather than a Sunday). My grandmother grew up in Goulburn and was confirmed there in 1900. There were some lovely welcomers there on the day and who gave Cryptogirl a small knitted bear that still has pride of place in the teddy cupboard and is known as "Goulburn Bear".

Rexory - don't know whether Sydney really considers this "one in the eye". I think that the majority of Sydney anglicans would have no idea that this was happening, but it will probably strengthen the diocesan resolve to keep pushing their influence outside Sydney. I'm 100% in agreement with you - it will be a great day for the church when gender is no longer an issue, don't think I'll live to see it in my time though.

Glad to hear that the lunch on Tuesday was a success!
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Cryptic, those bears are still being handmade, and are given out mostly at baptisms (usually to keep Infant #1 occupied while Infant #2/#3 etc are being "done"). It amazes me that no two bears are ever the same, so I'm glad your Goulburn Bear found a good home.

B4 is 'mostly' back at work after the virus thing. Sorry to hear Mrs.Cryptic now has it - so far TP & I have managed to avoid it - although TP took a nasty tumble on his walk today and came home with bleeding hip, knee, elbow and finger. Apparently a blade of grass attacked him. (Stepped on a grass runner with one foot and tripped over it with the other.) Given that a gumnut attacked me and caused me pain for three months not so long ago, I did NOT laugh.

Damn it's dangerous out there in the urban jungle!

[ 29. March 2012, 02:45: Message edited by: Banner Lady ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cryptic:
I think that the majority of Sydney anglicans would have no idea that this was happening, but it will probably strengthen the diocesan resolve to keep pushing their influence outside Sydney.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
although TP took a nasty tumble on his walk today

---

BL, one of the defining things about getting older (I turned 60 last Saturday) is that one no longer "falls over"; one "has a fall".
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...or, in my case, has a fall and ends up in plaster for 8 weeks!

But then I don't think I'm any more clumsy now than I have been all my life.
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Interestingly we received in our head Office the other day a prayer diary from Deaconess House in Sydney, praying for the people of the Northern Territory. Not one non-Sydney person is named, only the CMS exports. Not even the bishop - who was formerly a rector in the Diocese of Sydney - gets prayed for.

---

Ahhh... Sydney diocese they never fail to make you feel ashamed of them...

quote:

---

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Banner Lady:
although TP took a nasty tumble on his walk today
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---

quote:

---

(I turned 60 last Saturday)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
although TP took a nasty tumble on his walk today

---

BL, one of the defining things about getting older (I turned 60 last Saturday) is that one no longer "falls over"; one "has a fall".

---

My recommendation, Rexory, is to see
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I'm just back from seeing it with friend and we had a good laugh.

If cinemas your way are like the multiplex style over here, you will see what is ahead of you after 60. There's the view put forward with skill in the film and there's what we saw as we entered the small theatre. People being carefully helped down the stairs to their seats and a parking area for walking frames. Local nursing home day out.

Most of the jokes seemed to go over the heads of those behind us, judging by the silence. Or perhaps they felt they could not be seen by friends laughing at some of the jokes. We laughed and laughed. I advise you to take the viewpoint, if not the actions, as shown in the film. You'll also get a good laugh which is therapeutic.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Loth I came home today intending to go to a 6.30 showing of that film in the next suburb, but it was 5.45, so I missed out. I am now more determined than ever to make it tomorrow. I could have gone at 8pm tonight instead, but I am a bit nervous of being in that suburb alone after dark as ihey have had several rock falls that cut off access.

I was told today that the people managing eathquake recovery here say they are halfway through demolishing the parts of the CBD that need to go. I don't really know how they can say that because buildings once thought to be safe are being declared unsafe every week .

Outer Mongolia is beginning to look attractive again, despite their funny writing.

Huia
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Just got back from some training in a town with the oddest name.
Can you guess then real name of this NSW town?
It's in a region where the prey should beware!
This town is where the unconnected sewerage raps!

If this is too dumb for words- its' cos my brain stopped working during the drive home.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

This town is where the unconnected sewerage raps!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
although TP took a nasty tumble on his walk today

---

BL, one of the defining things about getting older (I turned 60 last Saturday) is that one no longer "falls over"; one "has a fall".

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Of course the kiwi purple has had a rattle along over the weekend, too ...

---

??? Sometimes I think I'm living on a desert island.

---

I think it was last weekend the Diocese of Wellington was meeting to elect a new bishop. Rumours are that a radical choice has been made. No announcements as yet, and A/NZ takes a while - by memory it was about a fortnight before Ross Bay was announced in Auckland.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Boggabri?
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Bummer ... Loth has tried that. Oh well. Dunnedoo?
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Yes, TP is okay, though sore - he was carrying a 15 kilo pack at the time, because he was on his way home from the grocery store. That's why he fell more heavily than usual. He takes being my house husband very seriously, and now has a list of daily chores to work through!

Meanwhile I am off to Goulburn for 3 days. The car is packed to the gunwales and my checklist looks like this:

9 palm branches, 7 pots of whte chrysanthemums, 2 bunches of lilies, emerald lace greeenery, secateurs, floristry wire, gloves and plastic. Check.

8 new palls, 4 new credence cloths, 3 new mitres, alb and o'night bag. Check.

Rolls of red/gold/blue blue material, blue banners, tassels, altar throws, blue/silver/whilte standing pennants and blue and white standards (for celebrating the Annunciation). Check.

Poles and fittings, fishing line, string, sewing kit, zip ties, hammer and energy drinks. Check.

And I bet I'll have forgotten SOMETHING!! But I will try to take photos....in my 'spare' moments....
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Dunnedoo is good but not it. The rapping or knocking needs addressing yet.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
well there is Rappville, but noone ever went there for anything ...
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
and A/NZ takes a while - by memory it was about a fortnight before Ross Bay was announced in Auckland.

---

quote:

---

The five week election and appointment process has begun…

Chaired by the Archbishop's Commissary, the Electoral College for the Diocese of Wellington met last weekend and began the five week process of choosing the new bishop for the Diocese.

Following the Electoral College, the Archbishop's Commissary forwarded the name of the person nominated to the Archbishop, who in turn consults with all the other Bishops in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Once the Bishop's sanction has been received, the nomination is then forwarded on to a ballot amongst all members of General Synod. The balloting process takes about four weeks. The General Secretary of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia conducts this ballot. The results of the ballot are sent to the Archbishop, who then writes to the successful candidate with an offer to become the next Bishop of Wellington. The process is expected to be completed by the beginning of May.

---

quite a while ...
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
... 3 new mitres ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Vulpior:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
... 3 new mitres ...

---

Surely only two new bishops?

---

It's for the Bonus Bishop. Consecrate two bishops than get the third one free!
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
The third was simply a misunderstood order for a mitre saw, a mistake which could lead to extreme disappointment.
 

---

Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
Cessnock
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ozowen:
Cessnock

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
The third was simply a misunderstood order for a mitre saw, a mistake which could lead to extreme disappointment.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
I've posted on Facebook my Hone Kaa story (he changed my life) but I have another.

---

Hey Zappa, I'm not connected to Facebook (privacy issues). Any chance of doing a cut'n'paste in a PM, please?

I am in tears - joy and sadness - just received my Cathedral Extra and discovered that the tukutuku panels have been rescued from the Cathedral. This was actually announced at the beginning of March, but I was away for a while then. Now I just want to hear the Menorah is Ok, though that was in the drop zone of the West wall, so the news may not be good. However it was designed by a member of one family, and made by his brother so it is not irreplaceable in the way the woven tukutuku panel is (many people wove stitches under the guidance of a wonderful woman who has since died .

Huia

[ 31. March 2012, 00:29: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
By the way, the way things are going here I should put in for the Dean's job!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Zappa, I wouldn't wish that job on my worst enemy. One of the Cathedral staff has written that "The relationship of the people of Christchurch to their Cathedral is part talisman, part fetish and part like a much loved, gently neglected older relative," which is one of the most accurate descriptions I've seen.

BannerLady - an update on the Cardboard Cathedral. An announcement is expected in the next few weeks. It sounds as if it's all go. subject to a suitable site being found, which is proving difficult.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Nice shot of my banners flying on the ABC news tonight.

I have taken photos from where I was sitting in the sanctuary and sent them to the cathedral FB site.

Gosh I'm tired!

 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Photos...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Nice shot of my banners flying on the ABC news tonight.

I have taken photos from where I was sitting in the sanctuary and sent them to the cathedral FB site.

Gosh I'm tired!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Nice shot of my banners flying on the ABC news tonight.

I have taken photos from where I was sitting in the sanctuary and sent them to the cathedral FB site.

Gosh I'm tired!

---

Saw them. A momentous occasion.

---

Make sure you get the extra hour's sleep tonight when clocks go back, BL
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Duck, duck, duck, duckity duck duck duck.

Hm.

So I had a Parish Council meeting this morning in which I basically put forward a proposal to vote me out of a job. In reality it was well received, understood, I was affirmed despite being a blithering nincompoop (which I've know for years blah blah blah - personally I'd plead left field and whatever, but a few clearly consider me grossly incompetent, not least a bishop or two but don't go there and don't mention purple balloons ... it reciprocates) ...

So it all went well until the Key Player™, whose sheer disdain for me has been increasingly apparent as the months have gone on (she was one of two, friends, but the other one has left taking his enormously generous but controlling cheque book with him) launched into a 'what the hell did you come here for and basically you're useless and everything you've done here has failed abysmally' diatribe.

Duck, duck, duck, duckity duck duck duck.

Somehow by the grace of God and becuase I knew that all others around the table saw things differently I was able to hang in there, smile sweetly, and express my thanks for her perspective et cetera. No that's alright, I really don't have feelings, I'm a robot. A useless one. No worries.

But you know, sometimes I get a little tired of being told I'm an abject failure - especially when most meaningful indicators say 'actually by the grace of God you've blundered along okay'.

Duck, duck, duck, duckity duck duck duck.

See. I haven't even sworn.

[ 01. April 2012, 04:24: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
My sympathies, Zappa... I could empathize... Let us just say there are reasons upon reasons why I am moving to a Frontier Services patrol in May, and the FS patrol-Anglican/UCA parish is ceasing ... The parish may continue but not with FS
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That sucks, Zappa to use a word which rhymes. All too easy to be nasty with someone else's life and family when really, all most of us do is to blunder along OK by God's race.

Prayers for you and Kuru and for the situation.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Oh, dear, Zappa! I so empathise , too. On the other hand, I broke the "hallelujah" rule this morning on learning that a perpetually toxic parishioner has decided to attend elsewhere. The fact is that I had so had enough of her vitriolic, bullying, controlling nature that I told her yesterday not to come back to St Alfred's again. I was at the end of my tether, I'll admit; but I was just one of her many whipping-boys, and we one of a series of parishes into which she has poured poison over many years. I can only wish her "new" rector and parishioners good luck!
BTW, I have come out of this smelling of roses with my own folk over my standing up to her. It's costly, but not all bad
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Zappa , call another meeting for Low Sunday and take along that small croc you were training to chew the grass - on a leash, of course, but it will keep discussion focussed. They might even think that if you can train a croc, you're up to being their rector.
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Rowen, frontier service is amazing. Last Easter/Anzac holiday we were camping in the midnorth. We went to the local pub for the Anzac service, had a beer and witnessed one of those beautiful god is good type moments. The Padre was that good and honest and it was a privilege to participate in. I wish you all the very best for a breathtakingly vital ministry.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Thank you. I really enjoy working with FS... The work is utterly fascinating, and the organization is great. I look forward to the new FS role and grieve the loss of the old.
I am pleased to be returning to my fold, as in a UCA only role
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Zappa

Rowen
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Someone somewhere, maybe a sermon I heard at an Induction? said they thought one of the first questions to be asked of church people on the day of the Great Waking Up (thanks Zappa) will be. "How did you treat my Priests and Ministers?"

It is bad enough when it comes from those outside the tent pissing in - but when it comes from those inside I wonder what hope there is for the Church. I'm not saying ordination confers Infallibility, but it should be possible to disagree without the virulence often shown by feral parishioners.

Zappa, Kuru and the Kuruzapplets

Rowen Best wishes for yor new venture.

Huia
 

---

Posted by jugular (# 4174) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
I can only wish her "new" rector and parishioners good luck!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jugular:

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
I can only wish her "new" rector and parishioners good luck!

---

In the name of all that is holy, if she shows up at my place, I will hunt you down.

---

I didn't think to suggest she try you. Maybe I should writre her an anonymous letter!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Go you good thing Rexory! And yeah, Gee D, I think I'll train the croc. The funny thing is that after posting that I got some good, real good, words of encouragement from various sources in the faith community, lots of affirmation, which to be honest I really needed at that moment. Not least from a person who thanked me for 'getting rid of' someone they condidered creepy and bullying - not unlike rexory's situation in many ways.

It's a silly job ... having to shift the perceptions and expectations of the same people who a) usually want to stay within those safe perceptions and expectations and b) who pay you.

At any rate I have permission now to go part time - and as one warden commented I could have lied and claimed I was flat out working a 60 hour week, rather than admit they are utterly wasting money paying me for a job that takes about 12-15 hours a week.

So now to find a day job ... after somehow getting through Holy Week, lectures, medical procedures and insomnia ...

Thanks for the prayers: I think I'll need them.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Ah yes, insomnia - God bless the ship: what would we do without her!

Yesterday was the first time I have processed into church in front of a donkey. (Donkey is an old and venerable animal called Jenny who even has her own red and black liturgical vestment to wear).

This vestment hangs in the cathedral cupboard and is hung out once a year ready for Jenny to wear. It has a tag on it that says "For the Donkey".

I cannot begin to tell you how many clergy and ass jokes I heard yesterday...

All good fun!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
We had a real donkey each year at St Triangles but none here, alas (though we had a pony for Christmas). I really must get on training that croc.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Oh, and RIP Lionel Bowen ... I liked him.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Lionel Bowen was a good man. Not a Good Man, something from which he would have shrunk. Very humble, even as Dep Prime Minister, a devout Christian, an MP who kept in very close touch with his constituents. Also competent at administering his departments. A total contrast to the present Member for that electorate.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
The Passion is now sold out for tonight and Wednesday night! If you're coming along, dear Sydney siders, better book for Tuesday.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Sounds like everybody has had a big weekend!

BL - missed seeing your banners on the news, but enjoyed looking at the photos on your flickr page.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
This vestment hangs in the cathedral cupboard and is hung out once a year ready for Jenny to wear. It has a tag on it that says "For the Donkey".

---

Zappa - prayers for you and your family A terrible situation to be in. There's nothing like a Toxic Parish Mafia to bring you down. In my early 20's I left the parish in which I grew up because of just such a group. In hindsight I did the right thing, but at the time it was awful and I feel for anybody in that position. Nobody ever comes out of it unscathed, including those that see themselves as the "winners". Rexory - well done. Despite my previous comment that nobody comes out unscathed, having the Toxic Agent in your midst is still enough to destroy your whole parish.

quote:

---

"How did you treat my Priests and Ministers?"

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
If that's what an autumnal virus does, what will winter be like?

---

The horrible irony is that I have a long-standing appointment with my GP to have a flu shot the week after next. Hopefully this icky little adventure is at least giving my immune system a boost!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I've been thinking about flu shot too. Think my last one was last April, not long after I moved here.

I used to be a bit careless with such things and invariably had flu in August or September. That led to pneumonia which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Since then I've had it every year.

Free for me now since I became a Centrelink client.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
My last was in 1977
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cryptic:
There's nothing like a Toxic Parish Mafia to bring you down.

---

To be fair it's nothing like as toxic as my last parish, and the indiviudal involved this time is one of the hardest working faith-people around. It's mainly that she is a fairly extreme ISTJ and I am an utterly extreme INFP. Therefore I am to her viewpoint, and that of the really dysfuntional dude who left with his 25k of toys, uttterly irresponsible. Utterly.

Unfortunately she turned up to this morning's eucharist at which, in an early morning mind-fog, I had set up without wine, water or a purificator. Of the five present three were of the STJ type (She, plus a retired bishop, and mrs retired bishop, not an N or an F or a P between them). I did remember to take the palms out. That's why I forgot to finish the setting up.

Sigh. I sometimes wish it was legal, moral and sensible and not punitive of others to slash one's wrists. So messy though.

In fact that's why I abhor all that messy Church palaver (and fresh expressions). I am a walking messy church.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
My last was in 1977

---

I have had a flu shot regularly since about that time, and definitely every year since 1981.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
#2 son and family attend a smallish community church in sydney's west. More Pentecostal than any other adjective, but pastor has his head screwed on fairly straight and doesn't hold with much of the rubbish around now.

Lots of differences in customs to me but we cope reasonably. I'm sure sons discuss my "odd" beliefs but that's fine.

Grandson attends local independent Christian, parent-controlled school. Not to anyone's liking but he's now in Year 8 and the local High schools are just the pits, if not lower.

Son has just rung to say my eldest grandson will be baptised on Good Friday at pastor's house. I think quite a few must be away as service is at 9:30 and then baptism will be 10:30. They do have a usual venue, but not Good Friday. Then lunch at son's.

The ex-Mr L has been asked. My guess is that if his church has a service then, he will be at his church. Church has always come well before family. There's no way I'll miss this, so if he turns up, I'll have to play it by ear.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
I think it's DK's d-day in court today.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
I think it's DK's d-day in court today.

mr curly

---

Possibly just the first day too.

 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I was out planting daffodil bulbs this afternoon when the words "flu injection" popped into my head. I must make an appointment for next week. I haven't had the flu for years thanks to injections,keeping clear of sneezers, washing my hands frequently and pure good luck.

As our hospitals are not yet able to work to capacity, the Health Board have increased the criteria for free injections.

Tomorrow I am off to see an Easter musical performed by the children of the Catholic school where I volunteer. As their Parish Hall hasn't been properly assessed the performance will take place in the Anglican Church Hall. I hope it goes well, both staff and students have put a lot of energy into it.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
I think it's DK's d-day in court today.

mr curly

---

Possibly just the first day too.

---

Yup, some Top End s, too
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
Spot on. Day one. Awful day in court as I was the only one cross examined. All day long.

Sadly, it may come to nothing. The experts have conferenced and agreed that even though I have had no contact with my children for nearly four years, it is probably too risky for them to see me because of some unspecified 'trauma.' At least until the eldest is 10 years old in three years time. Chances are that the judge will side with them.

I think I went okay in court. We have quite a feisty judge, and he personally questioned me for five minutes at a stretch, twice. Absolutely exhausted. But I will be able to tell my girls one day 'I never, ever gave up.'
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
To be clear, I haven't traumatised my kids in any way. Their Mum has. But little chance the court will get to see that.

I will appreciate your continued prayers.
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Oh mate,
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Prayers here too
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 

 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
DK, heartfelt from me too.
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
Duck, duck, duck, duckity duck duck duck.

Hm.

So I had a Parish Council meeting this morning in which I basically put forward a proposal to vote me out of a job. ...

launched into a 'what the hell did you come here for and basically you're useless and everything you've done here has failed abysmally' diatribe.

D...

No that's alright, I really don't have feelings, I'm a robot. A useless one. No worries.


Duck, duck, duck, duckity duck duck duck.

See. I haven't even sworn.

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quote:

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"I understand that you're busy, but that's no excuse not to phone. You wouldn't have cared if I had been dead. At least there are people in the church like [another parishioner, one who is really controlling and who usurps my authority at every opportunity] who rang me TWICE this week to see how I was."

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dark Knight:
To be clear, I haven't traumatised my kids in any way. Their Mum has. But little chance the court will get to see that.

I will appreciate your continued prayers.

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It's always the bloke who misses out, because as everyone knows it's always and ever only the bloke who is to blame.

Seriously: for you.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
DK
 

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Posted by ozowen (# 8935) on :
 
DK. This is so unnecessary.

Zappa, I admire your capacity to refrain from invective- but really "fuck em!"
A few years ago my old service obtained a new manager. The Board didn't do its job and she drove out many staff. I was the first. She continued to pursue me for almost a year later until not only did she start to look silly, it also began to appear that she was just a nasty arsed, lying piece of weasel shit.
Her efforts brought the entire old agency to its knees. Her reputation self destructed as it turned out that she was aspiring to only a mediocre level of competence and missed even that.
What goes around comes around mate. But that doesn't make it any easier for you in the situation you're in just now. I recognise the gnawing guts and the bleakness of outlook- especially when turned inward.
Folks like her should be equipped with a concrete plug that perfectly fits their mouths.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
We have an ex-in-law hard at work poisoning the mind of a child against one of our children and us. I keep telling B3 that eventually the child, who is a very smart four year old, will work out exactly the measure of all the adults in her life. It just takes time. Glad you are not giving up, DK.

Meanwhile: in more purple news...
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
, Nunc, cos yes it hurts
, DK, becuase justice sometimes seems so far away (as you know mine never got to the courts, but I was badly shafted several times. It ain't nice).
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Dark Knight:
I will be able to tell my girls one day 'I never, ever gave up.'

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quote:

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A large amount of diesel, pig fat and pig product was split on the road and absorbent material was being used to reduce the slippery nature of the road surface, a Transport Management Centre spokesman said.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:
Remind me again why we do this job?

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Good question! But I'm going to our Chrism Mass today, and I will, with many others, renew the vows of ordination. "Faithful is he who calls you".
 

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Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Prayers for Nunc, Zappa and all the clergy types. You shouldn't have to go through what you do. I have a friend, who in describing the people that inhabit volunteer organisations used to say that "there are those who are willing to work, and those that are willing to let them". In a parish setting, this could be modified to "there are those willing to do ministry and those who are willing to receive it" (and probably the third group that will bitch about everything).

DK - I'm new around here and so don't know the background to your situation, but it sounds truly awful and you have my prayers.

Odd couple of days. Went to have parent-teacher interview yesterday with Cryptogirl's teacher, She told us about a charming motivated responsible girl that tries her best all the time. I think that they pulled out the file for the wrong kid... Off to the doctor after that, my virus is at the "secondary infection" stage so more days of feeling like crap, however have antibiotics to help, and hopefully these will work so that I don't spend Easter waiting in a medical centre.

Cryptodog had his hair cut yesterday, so he looks all handsome and doggie again, instead of looking like an old mop that the handle has fallen off, unlike me, that hasn't had time lately to het my hair cut and so I look like a vagrant.

The downside of all my mowing lately is that I have nearly ruptured myself on several occasions trying to drag the green recycling bin up the driveway for pickup. Bin went out last night as usual, so chockers I could hardly move it. This morning, MY BIN BROKE THE TRUCK!!! The hydraulic arm on the garbage truck spat its dummy trying to pick up my bin, so there was the garbage truck broken down across our driveway, bin stuck in the arm, and a deluge of hydraulic oil all over the road. Poor mr garbage man soaked it up as best he could with the little sawdust he had on board, but I think that I'll have a lovely clean-up job to go home to. We managed to get the cars out of the drive and past the truck, and headed off to work/school with dead truck across the driveway.

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:

Glad I wasn't driving on M7 this morning. Two trucks collided and sent pig carcasses all over road.

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I'm glad that I wasn't on the M7 this morning, instead I was on the bloody M4 - I think that somewhere this morning an asylum for homicidal maniacs discharged all it inmates and gave them a vehicle as a leaving present.
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Morning tea with a parishioner. Now, just packing. And packing. And packing.
Last bag to the op shop. Only one more trip to the tip...
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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I'm glad that I wasn't on the M7 this morning, instead I was on the bloody M4 - I think that somewhere this morning an asylum for homicidal maniacs discharged all it inmates and gave them a vehicle as a leaving present.

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Traffic has gone mad today. I have just caught bus from Town Hall home down Parramatta Road. No roadworks, no nothing. 25 minute trip has take well over an hour. Most of that from Liverpool road turn off down to my place not all that many bus stops down. JUst past Western Distributor entry. Traffic conditions say "heavy traffic." The main road took 6 sets of traffic lights to get through each set.

I don't think it's pre-Easter traffic but can't see what it is.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I saw a car here today, too
 

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Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
I saw a car here today, too

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I'll gladly send you some more cars from down here, Zappa.

Cryptic, is your green recycle bin one of the truly enormous circular bins? My brother has one of those. Or an enormous square one. We had one when we lived at Killara. When full, it was just about impossible to get up our short but steep drive.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

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Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
It's a standard suburban green square wheelie bin, about 240 litres I think they are. I have an old metal rake and this is brilliant for stamping the cut grass down into the bin, so I can get lots in. Driveway is only moderately steep, but it has been gravelled (not by us) so dragging anything heavy over the gravel is nearly impossible.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Is Sydney traffic wise like Sheffield. Here, if there is no trouble anywhere in the system at rush hour traffic flows, but a breakdown the other side of town can cause jams up the dual carriage way on this side?

Jengie
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Jengie, you forgot to mention rain. A slight shower anywhere around and the whole place grinds to a halt.
 

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Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :
 
Luckily traffic wasn't too bad this morning, beacuase my car had one of its French moments and decided that 5 cylinders was more than enough. Was able to nurse it over to mechanic at Chatswood without too much drama. Merde...

Thankfully the council did a pretty good job of cleaning up the Exxon Valdez re-enactment in our driveway yesterday, so one less thing to worry about.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Well, talking of cars.... Zappa, perhaps you could train your croc to do THIS ...especially when the JW's call by...

[ 04. April 2012, 02:42: Message edited by: Banner Lady ]
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Gosh - and it was only a baby.
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Coming home from a 2 hr meeting today, requiring 5 hrs of driving, out here in the remote, I drive up to a mountainous
Farm and picked up 8 chickens... So adorable.... 4 for a friend and 4 for me. Friend has them all for the next few weeks, whilst I go on holidays and then move, so I had dinner there tonight, and we got them settled safely, teaching the kids how to be very careful with the "chookons" as they called them.

They were very noisy in the car, and just so cute.
It was fun Easter thing to do.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Jengie, you forgot to mention rain. A slight shower anywhere around and the whole place grinds to a halt.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Snow? What be that, I wonder?

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• Kuruman has indicated I'd be on my own, and
• There are some impracticalities for aging health issues - like the nearest doctor being 800 kms away

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
[*]Kuruman has indicated I'd be on my own,

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Hope it went better than the traffic outside is going right now. Part of the four day weekend stampede to get out of the city is going nowhere fast.

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We took over two hours to go from RPAH at Camperdown to the start of the F3 tonight. Took only two to come right from Newcastle to RPAH before sparrows this morning. Traffic was at a very slow from Chatswood to Wahroonga
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I'm no longer on that road but on the main road west. Both alike, particularly at the start of a long weekend.
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Holy and blessed Triduum to all. And a good sleep Sunday afternoon
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
At least it wasn't Zappa's baby croc! Harmless apparently but it twisted around pilot's legs.

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quote:

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Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
[*]Kuruman has indicated I'd be on my own,

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My better half feels the same about Kalgoorlie!
I wish they wouldn't make such threats!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Athrawes:
After which they are angry and dangerous!

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I would be, too
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Always an education this thread.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
we aim to please
 

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Posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd) (# 12163) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
we aim to please

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Have you told your congregation this?
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
No, but he has turned them over and made them very very angry...
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
No wonder they're giving him shit.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
It's not the shit that's scary ...
 

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Posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd) (# 12163) on :
 
You're not being quite clear, Zappa.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Ah, clarity. So overrated. I prefer claret.
 

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Posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd) (# 12163) on :
 
Well, that about cups that one.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
In Melbourne. It will be a long week on this sofa bed, but fun will be had

mr curly
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Lovely day in Sydney and nice, cool night.

Grandson's baptism was just fine, although I'm very glad to attend a church with a totally different style. His grandfather did arrive, dressed as if going to a wedding. By far the most formally dressed person there, despite the dreadful tie bought from the local branch of our friendly, ubiquitous christian book shop. Enormously wide with two hands holding a globe. He spoke to some of the family, gave A. a bit of a lecture and had a spirited conversation with two men from the church, waving his finger in their faces. Then he disappeared.

Lunch with family and friends at son's place afterwards which was very pleasant and relaxed. However, I could hear my grandmother turning in her grave at the very meaty BBQ!
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
He is almost risen.

Sorry, riding to victor tomorrow. Unlikely to be on in the morning.

And nice Loth, I reckon you'll probably be forgiven for the meat. Just not by the animals concerned.

[ 07. April 2012, 00:43: Message edited by: Patdys ]
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :