Welcome to Midweek Mayhem,
The place where we get to talk about anything and everything, – now with non-denominational seasonal festivities!
Christmas. A time when we all come together to celebrate the birth of Christ, and all the good things he brought to the world through his teachings and selfless example.
It’s also a time of reflection. A time for family to come together and celebrate all that’s good in the world, and to thank the heavenly father for all our blessings.
Celebrating our joyous existence, worshipping the almighty.
Whatever.
It’s also a time for buying crap. Spending money on things you don’t like to give to people who don’t need it for the sake of keeping some teenage kid employed at some crap job earning diddly-f**kin-squat working 18 hour shifts at some shop selling shite.
Spare a thought for Gerry Harvey though, the multi-millionaire who is acutely conscious of the good work that charities do for struggling families at this time of year.
He has just announced a campaign that will see $80 from every $100 spent at a Harvey Norman store this Christmas donated to the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal. Now that’s the spirit of Christmas!
Or that might not be true at all. Actually he’s very worried about the prospect of some of his stores not making any money over Christmas. I. Am. Really. Sorry.
In further demonstrations of good will, apparently, not to be outdone, Julie Bishop’s offered to dress up as Santa and hand out gifts to underprivileged children at homeless shelters.
Here she is practising “what would you like for Christmas little boy?”
So with Christmas three weeks away, how’s your Christmas shopping going? Any recommendations for that funny uncle that’s always difficult to buy for? Or for the 12 year old going on 27 year old niece?
Over to you blogocrats….Oh, and ho-ho-bloody-ho!!
Santareb.
Filed under: Midweek Mayhem | Tagged: Christmas, Jesus Christ!, julie bishop
Heard my worst ever bon bon joke last night at our work X-mas party:
Q. What’s red and has lots of big teeth:
A. Santa Jaws
Needless to say, the rest of the night was almost as painful. I had to drive as well so I couldn’t even deaden the pain with alcohol
reb reb reb…. what’s wrong? I detect a slight bit of annoyance in your thread this morning. Just a little bit.
You need to listen to “Song Sung Blue” to cheer you up.
Julie Bishop would be better suited dressing up as Scrooge. I just read the status of thr Private Schools bill and that Feilding has voted with the opposition (again, I suppose it doesn’t need to be said) to tie the $28b to their amendments. I don’t fully know the cemantics of the bill, but if the Independant Schools and the National Catholic Schools support Labor, why are the Liberals and the wannabe Liberals (Nats) opposing the bill. Lets get this in perspective, Labour has introduced a bill to tie the funding of $28b, into a National Curriculum for the private schools, the parents and the heads of the private schools want this to happen……and the Libs including Fielding don’t want it to happen. It’s clear that their only agenda is to obstruct money bills and any other bills they can. Thjis time their obstruction will effect many school children at the private schools. They are big brave bullies aren’t they. Do they understand what representing their electorate means, or is that only a catch cry at each election.
Joni,
Maybe I should stop writing for a while. It ocurred to me last night, that my recent contributions have been somewhat lacking in candour and empathy.
I’m tired and exhausted. And tired and exhausted from being tired and exhausted. My blood pressure is through the roof! Now taking two types of medication (as of seeing the doc this morning) to dry and bring it down.
He says “try not to get too stressed out” WTF?
He says ” maybe you should quit your job if it’s too stressful”
What planet is this guy on? I HAVE A STANDARD OF LIVING TO MAINTAIN!”
I can’t get by on cask wine and processed foods.
Besides. I like to make myself useful.
“Take up something relaxing, like fishing” he says.
“Fishing?” As is I have the time so sit about waiting for some f**kin’ illfortunate fish to show up and impale itself on my “rod”.
And then the girl at Medicare says “have a nice Christmas..”
WTF? It’s f**kin weeks away!! Have a nice Christmas she says.
I nearly replied “OH JUST DIE!”
I guess I still have some unwinding to do…
Apparently the “red pen” is causing psychological trauma in the classroom, according to the opposition:
TEACHERS have been told to stop marking schoolchildren’s work with red pen because it is an “aggressive” colour.
Queensland’s Deputy Opposition Leader Mark McArdle told parliament today that teachers were being advised to reconsider their pen choice because it may offend children.
Mr McArdle tabled a Queensland Health document proposing “strategies for addressing mental health wellbeing in any classroom”.
It says: “Don’t mark in a red pen (which can be seen as aggressive) – use a different colour.”
I can see the Deputy Opposition Leader’s point.
Perhaps teachers could just write “your life is a waste, and you’ll never amount to anything ever!” in black ink instead?
I know how you feel, Reb. After a while, it just gets to a person and, halfway through a post, a meltdown occurs …
http://smellytongues.blogspot.com/2008/12/plague-of-jessicas.html
Thanks Ross.
It was travelling quite well there for the first few paragraphs.
And then it just fell to pieces.
reb
Hugs…. maybe we need a caption competition on the Bishop photo to lighten the mood.
Here’s a start: “the previous PM let me scratch his back like this and then he would purr”
I can’t see any private schools being that badly off that this is going to make one whit of difference.
Why should they get public money when they don’t even pay tax (the religious ones anyway, not sure about the others)?
If a parent chooses to send their child to an overpriced private school, that is their choice. It annoys me that (once again) private welfare is taking much needed resources out of the public system.
But then that’s the whole point isn’t it? The creeping privatisation of our education system.
joni,
I was actually trying to crop Julie’s nose, so that we could have a “Pick the Nose” competition!
But unfortunately the pic isn’t good enough resolution…
Reb, I think a couple of weeks diving in the tropics would do you a treat (may as well while there’s still a GBR to look at).
Tracie,
That sounds perfect. I’ll be in Malaysia and Vietnam at the end of Jan. Something to look forward to..
“Aye, Aye me harties take a good look at this claw, cause i’ll rip your heart out if I get hold of ye”
Stuck for a Christmas present?
I’ve found that a wollemi pine makes an interesting and unique “living gift”.
or “ginseng” for that matter. It has a number of beneficial health properties, and makes a useful gift for an ex-partner.
The inference being you’re a “dead root”.
White Bishop to Queen one.
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”
“OH GET FU*KED!!”
“Come on, own up, who gave Julie a pearl necklace?”
Ian Thorpe?
But I thought…. oh, never mind.
David re your comment:
“the Independent Schools and the National Catholic Schools support Labor”
Indeed they do. They support a national curriculum for a number of reasons. First, the cost of curriculum development is significant and is carried by the state, Second. a national curriculum ensures a degree of fairness and consistency when it comes to comparing a student’s achievement, necessary when allocating scares university places. Third, they get to have representation on national curriculum Boards and advisory panels and the like.
Ironically, the Liberals and Family First are really standing up for Exclusive Brethren schools and Islamic schools who might want to teach their own ‘history’. One wonders whether they know what they are doing.
Again they are on a loser. But the average person doesn’t really understand that the curriculum provided in the most exclusive independent school is the same one provided in the state school down the road. That’s why at the end of the day the students receive an OP score (or its equivalent across Australia) no matter what school they attend.
Just a brief mention then back to happier times. Keanu the shitzhu passed away in the early hours of this morning. 14 years a companion and the bane of my life being the world’s best escapeologist.
joni,
Ian Thorpe has been photogrpahed wearing a pearl necklace.
I don’t think it’s the first time….
“Julie Bishop recalls with gusto precisely how Brendan Nelson lost both the Liberal Party leadership and his testicles at exactly the same time”
ross @24
roflmao!!!! Priceless!!!!!
Min,
very sorry to hear about Keanu. I know he would have enjoyed a good life full of love and companionship…
min
very sorry to hear that news. lot of love and even squishier hugs.
Reb..so sorry to hear this. When you can, get yourself to your local chemist/natural therapy supplier and get Bach’s Rescue Remedy Spray. If you can’t find it let me know and I’ll post some to you.
On the other hand saying get f****d to the next person who says (eyes glazed) Have a nice day, can be very theraputic.
I personally have cancelled Christmas. No holidays for us, nobody wants to eat a roast in the middle of the day and for the last 2 years I’ve thrown the home made Christmas pud into the bin as nobody ate it.
But on the other hand, I do feel better once I’ve put up the sparkly Christmas lights.
Ok..sucked in by a caption comp.
I’ve just found this gi-normous boogey and I’m a’flink’in it your way. Old Joe: Help, help make Julie let me goooo.
thanks Min.
I’m being a little melodramatic to be honest.
I know that’s a bit out of character for me.
I’ve seen rescue remedy in the shops, is it good for lowering blood pressure?
Min
So sorry to hear about Keanu, a big hug for you.
MIn
Send me the Christmas Pub, I love it and usually eat 3/4 of the one made at home. Im a real pig when it comes to Christmas Pub. Yum Yum
reb @ 5
Queensland’s Deputy Opposition Leader Mark McArdle told parliament today that teachers were being advised to reconsider their pen choice because it may offend children…
WTF – I seem to keep saying, ‘what is wrong with people these days!’ now the little darlings will have night terrors ‘cos the teacher pointed out in bright, hideous red pen, their errors! Red highlights, there for all to see, oh the shame and embarrassment of it all, Mum and Dad will never be able to cope with it!
You gotta be worried about the kids (and the parents of them) that are being raised today, if red pen is going to parliament.
Don’t think that kind of anti-competitive ethos will go well in the Joel Klein classes – I guess it makes it easier to cheat though!
Chin up reb, just take some time to sit and do nothing but relax (do you know meditation?) it won’t kill you
, but if you don’t relax soon and get your B/P down, your head is going to explode!
Thank you Reb and joni. Hugs very much appreciated. Have now planted a lemon tree and have candles. The A family are just a bunch of sooks. Kelpie is very down so will have to pay her extra special attention.
Very sorry to hear about your companion, Min.
Thanks Kittylitter. yes I know meditation. I used to practice it, but now I find the meditative state just comes naturally after two bottles of red wine.
I’ve just checked out the preview for THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. It looks very cool:
http://au.video.yahoo.com/watch/4012553/10856239
Reb. I think that it would be a good idea to consult a naturopath, but anything that calms one should be good for blood pressure. One of the best things is St Johns Wort (available in the natural med section of most pharmacies), but you can’t take this if you are on any other anti-depressive medication. SJW is a god-send in emergencies.
Thanks Min. I used to take SJW, but can’t anymore cos I’m on the hard stuff.
I’ve seen rescue remedy in the shops, is it good for lowering blood pressure?
No, unless the ‘placebo effect’ works for you.
I can’t see how homeopathy works (it’s my atheist brain, it fails the rational and logical thinking process IMO). Homeopathy works by taking the plant or whatever active ingredient and diluting it hundreds of thousands of times until you have nothing left of it, then apparently that nothingness can cure you!
The blood pressure cure: 8 weeks to lower blood pressure without prescription drugs, by Robert E. Kowalski, published by John Wiley & Sons, 2007, US$24.95.
High blood pressure? Read on …
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=6197&page=0
Kowalski preaches way beyond simple lifestyle changes such as weight loss and cigarette cessation. While acknowledging that these are useful steps, they do not bring blood pressure levels to normal. His wish list for the reader is as follows:
1-When next at your GP, get your BP tested, with a cuff inflator on your upper arm. Don’t measure BP on the wrist.
2-Buy a home BP monitoring device. He recommends the German brand OMRON. They’re as accurate as testing in a doctor’s office and will give you a better reading as it will not be subject to “white coat syndrome”, the feeling that overcomes many when in the presence of medicos.
3-Eat better: more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood, poultry, lean meats, nuts, no-fat and low-fat dairy foods, and good oils (e.g. olive and canola).
4-Swap sodium chloride for potassium chloride. Ensure you get enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium to keep your BP in balance.
5-Exercise 30 minutes a day, most days. More, if you can manage it.
6-De-stress three or four times a day, close your eyes breathe deeply. If you have any sleeping disorder, get it checked.
7-Attain and maintain a healthy weight. While Kowalski recites the Body Mass index mantra (being the body weight in kilograms divided by the height squared), thankfully he prefers the more realistic waist guide measurement. He says that women with waist circumference of 35 inches or more and men with 40 inches or more will lower BP by 2 point for every kilogram lost. Subtle message: lose that excess baggage you’re carrying.
8-Quit smoking. A no-brainer.
9-Drink hot cocoa. Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa half an hour before bedtime. Cocoa is rich in polyphenols (a plant substance that has been clinically proven to lower BP). Or eat (in very small quantities) very dark chocolate. Eliminate cola drinks. You can keep drinking coffee. And keep an eagle eye out for the words “hydrogenated” on the packages of foods you buy at the supermarket. This is code for trans-fatty acids which not only raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) but also lower the good cholesterol (HDL). They are added to foods to lengthen their shelf life and improve taste.
10-Take proven supplements including grape seed extract, tomato extract, pycnogenol (a derivative of the French maritime pine tree). These dietary supplements have been clinically proven at major medical research centres to dramatically lower blood pressure, often as much as prescription drugs – but without the side effects. With somewhat less enthusiasm, he recommends ingesting the amino acid, L-arginine.
Shane | December 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm
MIn
Send me the Christmas Pub..
Sadly Shane you will have to find your own Christmas Pub…
LOL im such a bad typist Min and it always seems to create a new word.
Thanks Kittylitter. I reckon I’ll give that grapeseed extract a go. I’ve been taking flakseed oilt, but the bottle’s about to finish.
I gave up smoking yonks ago, but could do with some excercise..
Thank you for the link Reb. I didn’t realize that Keanu Reeves had taken the Michael Rennie role. This certainly could work well.
…but now I find the meditative state just comes naturally after two bottles of red wine.
That could be the problem right there;)
One Drink Of Red Wine Or Alcohol Is Relaxing To Circulation, But Two Drinks Are Stressful:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212174615.htm
One drink of either red wine or alcohol:
Has no effect on heart rate, blood pressure or sympathetic nerve activity, which activates the “fight or flight” reaction and generally modulates heart rate and sets the diameter of blood vessels in order to redistribute blood;
Dilates the brachial artery.
Two drinks of either alcohol or red wine:
Increase sympathetic nerve activity, heart rate, and the amount of blood the heart pumps out, and also blunt the ability of the brachial artery to expand further in response to blood flow.
Increases in heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity are recognized markers for hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure and sudden death.
“Our findings point to a slight beneficial effect of one drink – be it alcohol or red wine – on the heart and blood vessels, whereas two or more drinks would seem to turn on systems that stress the circulation. If these actions are repeated frequently because of high alcohol consumption these effects may expose individuals to a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke or chronic high blood pressure,” noted Dr. Floras, adding that the American Heart Association (AHA) does not recommend that anyone start drinking alcohol to prevent heart disease. Reducing risk can be done using other methods such as exercise and following a healthy diet.
Shane..I think that it was subliminal. You really really meant pub rather than pud didn’t you…
actually I would rather a pud than a pub. Then again somewhere in the world it is beer oclock.
Thank you Ross for your kind words. I know..just a dog, but 14 years is a long time.
A certain jockey was riding the heavily-backedfavourite in the main race at Sandown last Christmas eve, and was easily leading the field. His horse rounded the home turn, when suddenly the jockey was hit on the head by a turkey and a tin of mixed nuts.
He managed to keep control of his mount and pushed up into the lead again, only to be struck by a box of Christmas crackers and a dozen mince pies half-way down the long straight.
With great skill he managed to get the horse to the front of the field once more when, close to the winning post, he was struck on the head by a bottle of shiraz and a Christmas pudding.
His mount finished second.
He immediately approached the chief steward and lodged a protest, on the grounds that he had been severely hampered.
reb | December 3, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Ian Thorpe?
Any insider information re gay? My guess is yes. But that’s being impolite and is his own business, not that I’m a stickybeak.
ROFL ToSY
My guess is also yes Min.
But he’s denied it emphatically. So may be he’s not. Just like Tom Cruise isn’t either…
Thank you Tony..dutifully forwarded to all rellies.
This is more for a thread on the Economy but being a Chartered Bean Counter I’ve got to say I am genuinely fed up with the slippage in ethical and professional standards being displayed by members of my profession over the last few years which is becoming very evident during the recent downturn.
I’m referring specifically to ABC Learning where it is alleged the accounts for the last 3 years at least have had to be redone because they do not in the old language denote a True and Fair View of the state of the Company’s finances. Plus this Company being public was audited.
Then we have the small matter of Alco, “Oh sorry did we forget to mention in our accounts that $1.3 Billion of our debt needs to be refinanced quick smart. Yet again also audited by some fat fee collectors of my profession.
And now we have the small matter of Oz Minerals which has ben put into a medically induced coma (read trading in shares suspended) again due to outright misleading accounts being released. And yet again they are audited.
How fuxxxxg difficult is it for these auditors to work out whether something needs to be disclosed as a current liability (needs immediate refinancing) as opposed to a non current (needs refinancing sometime in the future 1 year plus) Its not hard at all. You just sit down and read the frigging loan agreement.
Now cast your minds back to earlier this decade and we have the HIH debacle for which Adler, Williams, Fodera and Cooper went to jail over but not one of the auditors Arthur Andersen (which by the way was staffed by genuine arseholes within the profession) not a single one of them went to jail.
I’m really getting fed up with the Top End of Town collecting fat fees and not doing a Fuxxxxg thing to earn them.
It’s time the profession started suspending the public practice certificates of these morons and for the Government to get tough as well
Rant Over !
No Cruise is far too mean to be gay, although if you say so, using the religo thing to cover up. His career would be gone of course just the same as Rock Hudson’s would have gone. Am thinking of that gorgeous actor..umm (thinking)…Rupert Everett. His career has been severely hampered by his choice to come out. He is such an interesting person.
I’ve just been reading up on more information about hypertension.
It says “a healthy diet is important. A mediterranean is likely to help.”
Trouble is, there’s never a mediterranean around when you need one!
ta-boom-tish!
IATW
That reminds me of the joke going around a few years ago.
Little Johnny was asked what his father did. To which Johnny replied “He is a dancer in a gay burlesque show in Vegas”.The teacher then quielty took Johnny aside and asked if that was true. To which Johnny replied “Oh no, he is an auditor for Arther Anderson’s but I am too ashamed to admit it in public”.
Min
I’m really sorry to hear about you lil’ companion. But I take issue with you over who is the better Houdini. One of our Maltese escaped from our back yard 26 times after we got her. At first it was the usual spots (i.e. digging holes under fences or through loose palings) but after Walrus had plugged everywhere she continued to pop her head up down at the local fruit and veg, the butcher and the cake shop.
Finally one of our next door neighbours had a day off and looked in amazement as our little darling popped her head over our back fence walked along the capping, jumped down onto the neighbours Otto bin and off to freedom.
Turns out she had been levering herself between some lattice work and the boundary fence to climb to freedom.
So we got her a Maltese companion and she finally settled down.
My only advice is take a trip down to the local shelter when you can and save another little creature from the horrid needle as we always do.
Hi reb..re choose mediterranean. Down boy..it’s doesn’t mean the Greco-Italiano pool boy. It means pasta, choose low chol cheese and lots of veg.
Greco-Italian pool boy…. joni drifts off into a happy happy day dream…..
“It means pasta, choose low chol cheese and lots of veg”
I’m actually pretty good on that front.
Is it just me, or is life all about progressively having to give up all the things we enjoy eating and drinking until we end up in a wheelchair slurping mung bean soup through a straw?
Proof that there is no god!
This morning the doctor said limit cheese and ice cream to just once a week…
ONCE A WEEK????!!!!!!
I Am The Walrus | December 3, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Amazing: how does a Maltese manage to get up to the capping. Only a Maltese knows…
Story: Keanu had somehow mysteriously been able to escape at least 30 times. The humans sat around saying, It must be you’re fault. Only Keanu knows. All fences true and correct/no holes, no escape hatches discernable.
One memorable occasion was last Christmas when he was brought back wearing a red bandana and smelling of talcum powder. I am certain that where ever he went that he was enjoying himself.
Yes shall do that. Our kelpie Nimue was an abused child/shelter pup, she is a little skittish (just around unfamiliar male humans) but never snappy nor in the least aggressive, so will need a gentle companion for her.
“last Christmas when he was brought back wearing a red bandana and smelling of talcum powder.”
This is what joni gets up to when he’s overseas too…
Condolences Min, we lost our boxer, Trek in 1988 – we still talk about him as if he were here…
…as for you sreb, me boy, get some shiraz into you and put taht bloody Christmas tree up!
TB,
Well, if you insist…
Tonight’s dinner; pasta bolognese with low fat premium beef, capers, sundried tomatoes, with no cheese, served by a mediterranean, if I can find one…
And 2 or 3 more or less standard glasses of red wine.
Followed by no ice-cream and no cheese n crackers…
Don’t worry reb, while you’re in the wheelchair slurping mung bean soup, I’ll call in the Greco-Italiano pool boy to help you out. I promise.
Min, that would just enough to finish me off.
But then I’ve always said – you may as well go out with a bang!
Thank you TB..yes get t’at bloody Christmas tree up. Should do the trick. Yes boss, excellent advice.
Reb re blood pressure.
I was on probably the highest dose of bp tablets. A few weeks ago I thought I’d give the grog (and I drink lots) a break for three weeks to prepare myself for my little holiday on Lord Howe. (Also stopped smoking). Within a week my bp was so far down (while still taking the tabs) that I decided to take half the dose. Still too low, in the end I didn’t need the bp tabs at all. Then I went away, had a good time! A few too many smokes and lots of booze. Bp up.
But taking a tab ain’t all that bad, says the indulgent self.
Reb nothing wrong with low chol cheese and there are some nice ones around these days and serve with water crackers. Or water crackers with say tzatziki or low fat beetroot dip (yummo).
Reb: you can have a little grated low chol cheese on the spag..ain’t going to break the bank.
Must choof as hubby is due home any tick’o'the clock.
I forgot to mention that I live in a stressful (I think) non event marriage, and with some degree of financial concerns. But the bp still kept coming down.
One thing I did notice in the short period of “abstinence”was the insomnia, god I read three or four novels, normally one a month pre bed time reading.
68. Min
hehe, I don’t put one up, got a fig tree (Benjaminus – The Minister once told me – never to be released from his pot!) – on the corner of the pergola – I just decorate that and we put all the pressies under it for Christmas Dinner – our youngest (six now) as always referred to it as The Present Tree…
… me? I just call it, Ben…
…c’mon, sreb , get that shiny star on the top and the lights on!
I’m still off in dreamland with a pool boy, a bandana and some talcum power. ahhhhhhh
…pool boy, a banana and some talcum powder!!!!!!!
TB, Not sure what we’re doing for a Chrissy tree this year..previously it was a figgus species, but she curled her little toes up during the moving process. Hubby J has a ‘thing’ about anything artifical.
Yes, thank you TB am going to drag the wreaths, the sparkly lights etc etc out this weekend. Point taken, it’s not Christmas unless you make an effort to make it happen.
TB. It’s a bandana not a banana. Not that this makes much difference.
Actually I find Julie Bishop rather Hot……………………..in that Maggie Thatcher kinda way.
Joni covers his eyes with bandana and rocks gently after reading IATW admission.
Thanks Min – I thought you understood my sense of humour by now?
As for IATW – that is just sick, mate, sick, sick, sick, sick – sick…
…first The Howard Years rewriting history now this nonsense – JWH fifth most popular Aussie – GMAFB!
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24745540-29277,00.html
From another thread earlier in the week…………….
7. joni | December 2, 2008 at 11:46 am
RS,
“sexual promiscuity”? Not if the rumours from within the public service are true.
Mmmmmmmmmm……………….!
I notice joni that you were very prudent is not giving too much away.
Heheheheheheheheheheh…………….!
Pity others dont practice such prudence more often !
Joe Hockey has threatened to walk through central Sydney naked if there is a 2nd airport approved. This is so tempting..almost worth building the 2nd airport just to see the sight.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24745189-26103,00.html
Come on guys……………..!
Ita Buttrose used to really give me the “you know”.
Just loved that lisp !
I Am The Walrus | December 3, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I’m more than happy to practice Prudence. Where does she live? Does she go? Does she like photography? Snap, snap, know wot I mean?
Ah, dear Prudence. Sweet Prudence.
“I’m tired and exhausted. And tired and exhausted from being tired and exhausted. My blood pressure is through the roof! Now taking two types of medication (as of seeing the doc this morning) to dry and bring it down.”
reb, I had the same problem & on the day Obama was elected I thought i’d be celebrating big time…but by the arvo I had the worst migraine & my vision went blurred. Doc reckons my blood pressure had gone thru the roof & I can’t take pills due to allergic & other weird responses. So I went off all energy drinks & generally reduced my commenting (even took a coupla weeks off & kept to just a few posts until this weekend’s music top 5 list).
Been walking much more, and cut out ice cream, vege pizzas & dinners from takeaway places (my diet got pretty crappy for a vego during that US election year…glad it’s over).
For awhile whilst detoxing from the energy drinks & cutting out all grog except beer I felt pretty anxious & irritable. I’ve noted same in SOME of your posts. Blood pressure probs, lack of sleep, the heat, crappy diet can all creep up on ya.
The last week I’ve begun to feel more active & less anxious & agro…and have been enjoying heaps of green veges & chillies from the garden & plenty of lentils & beans in my food. And much more herbal tea rather than caffeine products (tho I still have a tea & iced coffee once a day or so).
I’m still going for blood tests & such tomorrow just to see if I might have a sugar level &/or other problem…they won’t give me new glasses until they work out what the root cause is. Interestingly, my reading glasses are more effective again since I came off the energy drinks, spirits & wine.
I enjoy your posts so I’d hate to see you reach a point of illness that forces you to give it up. Anyway, hope above info helps a bit.
cheers
N’
83. Ross Sharp | December 3, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Ross,
I think she lives near Goulburn NSW
Is that right joni ?????????
Heheheheheheheheh……!
IATW
yep! that’s the story.
nasking,
thanks for your reassuring words.
The doc gave me a blood pressure machine to take home and monitor my blood pressure daily over a two week period.
Funnily enough, my blood pressure is practically normal – 80 during the weekends, and then gradually increases from Monday until hitting about 120 by Thursday/Friday.
I think I just need a good rest.
Also, in my line of business – finance/marketing, I’ve been witnessing people getting made redundant at work in recent weeks, which is very unsettling.
I’ll keep posting here, but maybe I ought to take a page out of your book, and have a rest now and then..
Thanks, I really do appreciate your comment and concern…
oh, and good luck too nasking, with your tests and journey to good health..
Migraine: take one (just one) panadol. Don’t be strong, just take a panadol at the first inst as this can stave off having to take stronger medication.
Energy drinks..cease and desist, they’re choka full of sodium and artificial flavorings and colorings.
Energy drink: Filtered water chilled with freshly squeezed lime juice.
MSNBC news anchor addresses a conundrum:
Sole surviving Mumbai terrorist provides surprising – and totally unexpected – answer:
Just logged on after a day from hell and read about Min’s friend. Sorry to hear that Min. Hugs and kisses from me.
Anyway, the day from hell. (The day that the earth stood still). Had acupuncture today – for the first time – and there I was full of needles and my damn mobile rang. With extreme care an daring I took the call. It was a call to tell me that my Dad won’t last a week.
So I’ll be away from Blogocrats as from Friday morning for an unknown period. Will push off for Horsham to see him for a couple of days, if it’s not too late. If it is too late, well I’ll be pushing off for Horsham anyway.
There is a good ending though. He will be buried in Lobethal (SA) where Mum has been waiting for him for 31 years. Together again.
Another digger prepares to leave us.
Miglo
All the best my friend. You know we will all be thinking of you.
Sorry to hear that Miglo. Anything that I say will seem pretty useless (to me at least) so I’ll just support joni’s comments.
Drooooooooooooooooooooooooool……………………….
Oh she’s on Nightline tonight in her black jacket…………
Who’s the cad that gave my Julie a pearl necklace already tonight
Plus ear rings !
Oh………………! Julie Bishop…………………………Oh …………….Julie……………………..Julie……………………………Julie………..!
I wish I could stare deeply into your eyes…………………..but I’m not sure if our eyes would ever meet………………………Oh Julie !
Await my love I am off to bed and I dream of giving you my own pearl necklace………………….!
“oh, and good luck too nasking, with your tests and journey to good health..”
thnx reb…I was 180 over 100 re: blood pressure so i hope it’s coming down. Tonite didn’t help…right after I told you I was feeling less anxious we got hit by the loudest lightning crack & the electricity went off for 3 hours…found out we’ve lost all the shows & movies we’d stored on Foxtel IQ2 for the hols cause the surge hit the box…real bummer. Fortunately we’d taken out the connection to the computer…two years ago a surge destroyed the modem. Ce’st la vite! No peace for the wicked eh…:)
Thnx for the good wishes. Hope your health improves rapidly. I can imagine being in the finance area at present can be quite stressful.
N’
Sorry to hear about Keanu Min…it’s always tough when one loses a companion.
Condolences Miglo, I hope you make it to Horsham with time to spare. Have a safe trip mate.
Min, sorry to hear about the little fella; I don’t think it’s sooky to miss him. Those crazy varmints brighten our lives in a different way to the people around us. Loyalty & companionship doesn’t come any more absolute than that supplied by our precious pets.
Speaking of escape artists, yesterday Midnight Baalbek managed to unleash himself from the rear screen door. I don’t know how long he’d been outside but when I noticed the door open he was only about 10 metres away & looking very startled. I only said his name & he shot back inside like a bullet, thinking he was in diabolical trouble I imagine judging by his panic. The temporary freedom must have gotten his blood pumping for his next act was to rumble with Rasmussen in an orgy of claws & teeth.
Reb, take it easy dude, it’s just another farcical holiday for the traditionalists. You had me going there for a minute until I clicked below the fold; a pretty good impression of doe-eyed holy reverence to begin with, LOL.
I’m with you 100%…Xmas f@ckin’ sux to the max!
Here’s a song specially for Julie Bishop and her
legions of fansfan, I Am The Walrus …Miglo,
I’m very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Your blog family will be here for you when you get back.
Regarding accupuncture, you were very brave to even flinch during that procedure.
I had it a while ago. The thing, I discovered, with accupunture, is that it has a cumulative effect. That is, the more often you have it done – the greater the effect. After about six sessions it starts to feel really amazing.
It’s a bit weird really.
Anyway, hope you keep well during the days ahead. When all else fails, have a glass of wine and a cigar, or a brandy even.
“Xmas f@ckin’ sux to the max!”
IMO it only sucks if you buy into the commercialisation of this holiday – the overspending on unnecessary and unneeded gifts and the equally unnecessary overindulgence in food and alcohol.
For me it is a time for family and friends to get together. Especially the family as it is one of the few times each year that we are all able to get together.
The adults in our family do not exchange gifts, and even the kids only get pressies from their own parents and Nan. I do at times give them gifts but only things that I have made myself. We have home made christmas crackers that mostly include things I have made myself. Even a lot of the christmas tree decorations I have made over the years and the tree trimming by tradition takes place christmas eve and is done by the youngest grandkids and great grandkids.
It is quite amazing how much less stressful christmas has become for everyone since we limited the christmas present buying.
Pollytickedoff
the equally unnecessary overindulgence in food and alcohol.
Overindulgence is always unnecessay. I try and stick to just indulging
I gotta say, I quite like the gift giving bit, it’s just the process of buying that sucks. And yeah – I hate the commercialisation bit as well. I enjoy the being around family bit though (except for the cousin’s annoying kids who fortunately won’t be with us this year)
Dear Miglo. So sorry to hear that the passing of your father is imminent. Hopefully you will get to spend some time with him prior. One thing that the wonderful Shirley from Caritas Christie in Melbourne told me prior to my dad’s passing was to just keep talking..mostly about old times, the good old ‘remember whens’.
Thankyou to those who offered kind words, kind thoughts, and friendship. They touched me more than you will know.
I have never been close to Dad. I never understood him, until last year when I read a book about Kokoda. I cried after reading the book as I never knew what Dad had been through. It was his secret, and I’m in no doubt that the jungles of war made him the man he is.
In some way, the war was never over.
Miglo,
I am quite close to my dad, but don’t really understand him either.
And I don’t think he understands me too.
He grew up as a labourer – working on the shipyards in Glasgow, Scotland. A very rough, working class way of life.
I think it’s a generational thing.
People that have had a tough life, which I imagine is the case with your father, often find it difficult to express themselves. This is especially so in the past when men were meant to the strong silent types and not show any emotion.
Anyway, chin up Miglo..
What a pathetic excuse!
“got distracted by a very small win” and stayed for almost two hours, a court has heard.”
Eeeeer, but what were you doing there in the fisrt place when your kids were left alone in a car? Sorry, not acceptable leaving your kids alone in a car EVER.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24747640-5001021,00.html
Sounds/looks like brissy is in for another storm tonight…reinds me of the sixties…
TB
We are copping it here on the sunshine coast now with another one on its way.
Strong wind and eerie pink grey sky here in far north coast NSW.
Yep! Big ‘un heading for Redcliffe will go right over the top of us
If you haven’t already got it in you favourites, here’s the Mt Stapylton Radar
http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml
“Storm in a C-cup – 130,000 boobs lost at sea”
LOL
http://www.watoday.com.au/national/storm-in-a-ccup–130000-boobs-lost-at-sea-20081202-6pa5.html
The Minister has called for an early drink!
So–ooo! “clink”…
…I am allowed “…one or two for medicinal purposes…” TB’s periodontist…so there!
Shane, looks like its getting worse up there?
In the office in Singapore after flying in on SIA this morning… lovely flight.
Tonight I am flying to Sydney on the A380…. woohoo!!!!
We expect a full report on the A380, joni (especially for Tom of M he is a shareholder y’know?)
TB:
“Sounds/looks like brissy is in for another storm tonight…reinds me of the sixties…”
I’m surprised that you’d remember “anything” about the sixties!
Reb, sorry about the BP. Think calm blue ocean……
MIn, I’m so sorry poor Keanu has died. I hope you’ve got heaps of photos of the little chap.
Miglo, sad news about your dad. I hope you made it to Horsham in time.
A little late..but reb I am surprised that you remember anything about the sixties except for PlaySkool and Bananas in Pyjamas.
And thank you Jane. Yes lots of photos and lots of wonderful memories re the great escapeologist.