Thursday, February 24, 2011

Linky, linky - no thinky

If you're not a regular reader of Say Uncle, then you probably haven't seen this masterpiece.

Well, it's not actually the article by Unc that's the masterpiece per se, it's the comments.

Read, laugh, enjoy ....

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Standing up for oneself ...

I found this news article today very interesting ...

Police seek would-be robbers

POLICE are looking for a man who tried to rob a bakery in Merriwa this morning, possibly with a handgun

The man entered the Bakers Delight store on Baltimore Parade, Merriwa, through an open door about 2.50am.

He approached three staff members in the bakery and demanded their wallets, car keys and money from the till.

Police say during the attempted robbery he pointed to what is believed to have been a silver handgun at the employees.

The staff members refused to hand over their property and the man escaped on foot empty handed.

Mt Hawthorn

In a separate incident, a man tried to rob a pharmacy on Green Street in Mt Hawthorn just before 7pm yesterday and demanded money.

When the pharmacist refused, the man turned his attention to an elderly female customer standing near the counter.

He attempted to take her purse but she also refused and he fled the scene empty handed.

The offender was wearing sunglasses, a grey-hooded jumper, dark shorts, white sneakers and was about 30 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/police-seek-would-be-robbers/story-e6frg13u-1226009958380

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The thing I found interesting was that there was no statement from the police saying "We do not encourage people to stand up to would-be thieves" or words to that effect.

I'm not sure if this is a change in attitudes - both people standing up to those that threaten them and there being no "it's never worth it" statement issued - or whether it's a one off. I'm hoping it's the start of "people are allowed to defend themselves" trend!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Why are we so stupid?

This question was asked by OldNFO over at his blog.

Here's a few extracts from the post ...

It's not wonder we (gun owners) are always under attack from both the right and the left. Rather than having open minds, people seem to ONLY want to advance their personal agendas, rather than taking a big picture look at what is happening, or actually admitting there may be another point of view.
....
1911 vs. plastic semi-auto vs. revolver- Honestly, who frikkin cares???
...
Open carriers vs. concealed carriers- Same thing...

Shotgunners (skeet/trap) vs. shotgunners (tactical/hunting)- Same thing...

EBRs vs. "hunting" rifles vs. "target" rifles vs. "patrol" rifles- Same thing...

What we NEED to do, if we can't have open minds, is at least be courteous to those who differ with us.
...


Go, read the whole thing. It's definitely worth it.

(As this computer won't let me embed links, you'll have to do it the old fashioned way ... http://oldnfo.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-are-we-so-stupid.html )

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bathurst storage facility packed with guns

From today's news:

Bathurst storage facility packed with guns

DETECTIVES in the state's Central West have uncovered a major stash of firearms and ammunition during raids at Bathurst.

Police executed a search warrant at a storage facility on Corporation Avenue at Bathurst yesterday.

Inside a secure storage shed, officers allegedly found a .22 calibre semi-automatic pistol; Bruno bolt-action .223 calibre long arm with scope; lever-action .22 calibre rifle; black assault-style, pump-action shotgun; black assault-style, semi-automatic shotgun; and a can of capsicum spray.

They also seized thousands of rounds of ammunition and various gun parts – including gun barrels, stocks and trigger mechanisms; SKS magazines; and silencers.

Meanwhile, police located and seized a body armour vest, ammunition, prohibited drugs and drug paraphernalia during a subsequent search of a house at Llanarth, on Bathurst’s northern outskirts.

Local detectives are continuing their inquiries to identify and locate the owner of the weaponry.

Anyone with information that might assist investigators with their inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.


Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bathurst-storage-facility-packed-with-guns/story-e6freuy9-1226006930691


Five guns! ... Five guns apparently is now considered a "major stash of firearms"!

The italics in the article are mine. I put them in where I considered emotive rather than factual language was used.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Update on Hubby

Sorry, I've not written anything lately, life really hasn't been that exciting :(

Anyhow, I thought I would let you all know that hubby starts physiotherapy on Thursday afternoon. He's been going quite well and actually took a couple of steps the other day without using crutches.

I'll let you know how he's feeling after the physio.

Friday, February 11, 2011

An edible cup ....

It started in the kitchen, I had placed a plate out with two cookies on it and a plastic cup, in which I was planning to pour milk ...

Miss 9: "Is that afternoon tea?"

Me: "Yes"

Miss 9: "The cup might taste a bit plasticy! Hey I know how to make an edible cup. I'm make it later on."

Me (with visions of a soggy slice of bread): "Maybe not tonight."

Cut to after afternoon tea

Miss 9: "I'm off to make an edible cup."

Me (reluctantly): "Um, okay ...."

Very short time later, Miss 9 reappears with something behind her back ...

Miss 9: "Here's your edible cup ..."



I'm impressed :)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Win a life makeover

No, I'm not giving you the link* … I'm rambling on the idea … but, yes, it is a real competition being advertised.

What would a life makeover look like?

According to the prize, a life makeover involves:
• $5,000 from Commonwealth Financial Planning
• Return flights to Sydney for you and a friend, with $250 spending money for each of you.
• Two nights' accommodation at The Observatory Hotel, Sydney.
• Four private sessions with the body+soul experts for you and your friend
• 30 minute private spa therapy session
• Three course dinner with matching wine at The Observatory Hotel
• Plus, a free financial advice session with Commonwealth Financial Planning when you return home to your state.

Mmm, sounds like a nice prize. But is it a "life makeover"? I guess the $5k and the session with the financial planner might contribute to made-over life. But the rest, sounds more like "time out" than a real change. Not sure about the four private sessions, I guess they could be a bit like the financial planning thing.

I guess for a real "life makeover" one of those magic wands would be needed as most of our lives are the calumniation of a number of different decisions made over a long period of time. Changing some of these isn't easy, others may not be desirable for a variety of reasons and their effects on others. And, to be honest, not everything is in our control. Sure how we react to things we can control, but the "I want to wake up tomorrow and for everything to be perfect" option isn't often achievable no matter how much time and effort we put into it.

To enter the competition you need to "simply tell us in 25 words or less why do you need a life makeover?".

Don't worry, I'm working on the 25 words or less bit. A weekend in Sydney would be very, very nice – not that my life would currently let me have the time off :( Wonder if there's a time limit on when you can take the prize.

(*link not provided, because I'm feeling greedy!)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Blink, blink, say what?

From today's news:

US shop launches offer to trade in guns for sex toys

A shop in the US state of Alabama has launched a Valentine's Day offer it hopes will trigger a large response in a limp economy: customers can swap their guns for sex toys.

"In today's economy, this is a way of helping people who may feel they can't afford something for Valentine's Day,'' said Sherri Williams, the owner of the "Pleasures" sex toy shop, where assorted erotica during the next week can be obtained in exchange for cast-off firearms.

"This way, they can take something that's just lying around and swap it for something they can take home and make love, not war with," she told AFP.

A video posted on its website said the shop, housed in an old bank building in Huntsville, "is trading guns off the street for fun between the sheets."

As soon as Pleasures opened its doors on Tuesday, a customer came in and exchanged an Iver Johnson revolver for a $40 gift certificate to be spent in the shop, which stocks everything from steamy videos to naughty negligees.

The gun was inspected by licensed gun dealer and gunsmith David Smith, who happens to be Williams' husband.

Guns can be exchanged at Pleasures from Tuesday until February 15, the day after Valentine's Day.

Firearms found to have been stolen or used in a crime will be handed over to the police, while others will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to victims of gun violence, said Williams, who said she is not looking to make money out of the deal.

"I'm in it to help people enjoy Valentine's Day in a tough economy," she said.

"I'm also in it to get guns off the street - to take them out of the hands of people who would potentially do harm with them, and put them in the hands of collectors."

Williams conceded that the guns could be resold at auction, in which case they might end up back on the streets, but said the effort still is worthwhile.

"We might just change one person's mind," she said.

"You never know, maybe there will be someone who says, 'I've got this gun that I could go rob a liquor store with, or maybe I can get me a blow-up doll for Valentine's Day, instead."


Source: http://www.news.com.au/world/us-shop-launches-offer-to-trade-in-guns-for-sex-toys/story-e6frfkz0-1226002946205#ixzz1DQZwGujM


---------------------------------

Um?!?! Well, I guess at least the guns won't be destroyed like in other 'buy-back' programs.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Fire - The Aftermath

Apparently 71 homes were lost to the fire in my area and many more damaged.

No one lost their lives, for which we can be very grateful. The work done by the fire brigade and volunteers was amazing!

The fire is not yet out - but it is contained and controlled. Most people have been let back into where their houses are / were, but not every one - some areas are still too dangerous.

Living near the fire you hear stories of friends / acquaintances / relatives of friends at every turn.

There's the good news stories - 8 out of 9 houses in one street were destroyed, the one left standing belongs to a family with children in my girls' classes; mother and aunt of a work mate still have their respective houses although one hasn't got in to see it yet.

And the sad stories - 17 families at the school (probably only 250 families in the school in total) have lost their homes; there's a notice up at the local shops about a young mum, she's okay, but her and her 5month old bub have lost everything. Friends have provided a place to stay, but she needs clothes, and baby stuff and everything else.

And then there's the impact that you don't initially think of - access to the area has been impacted by a bridge being burnt down, so now the journey to my girls' school is longer and on a road that isn't designed for the amount of traffic it is now taking. So they've reduced the speed from 70kph to 40kph - so now the trip takes even longer. Girl Guides was cancelled on Monday night - the hall is behind the fire station and access is now blocked off so not to interfere with emergency vehicles. These are, of course, minor things but it does bring back to you how intertwined things are.

Most of the people have insurance, so that will help (eventually) with the rebuilding of their homes, but there are so many things that insurance can't replace.

You do what you can, give what you can but you really feel it's not enough.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Wind and fire

I was woken this morning around 1.26am by the sound of a massive gust of wind. There were a couple more over the next couple of hours, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I looked out the door around 9am.

Luckily, there appeared to be no damage to either my place nor those of my neighbours. However, later in the day I saw this (four blocks from my house):



In other news, we heard about a fire north of us (Redhill area) - we decide to take a drive up there to watch the helitankers.

On the way back we were listening to a news report that said a fire had broken out in our suburb.

We were expecting visitors so we headed back to our place and down the main access road into our suburb. Quite close to our place we found the road blocked by four ambulances, two fire engines and a variety of police vehicles. We then turned round and headed home where we rang our visitors and provided alternative access information.

The fire was only about 6kms from our house but it was heading north north east away from us - which was good for us, but not so good for other people. Apparently, at this point, it is believed that 35 houses have been lost :( There are no reports of loss of life, hope it stays that way.

The fire is still burning out of control and the wind is gusting up to 60kph, so my thoughts and prayers are with those people in its path and the firefighters and volunteers fighting it.

A news report on the fire can be found here.

[UPDATE] Apparently this fire was started accidentally by someone doing grinding.[/UPDATE]

I think she takes after sister

Miss 7 is talking to hubby, complaining about the fact that I've asked her to fold the dry tea-towels and put them away.

Miss 7: "I had to fold and put these away yesterday."

Me, walking past: "Well I fed you breakfast yesterday and lunch and dinner. Maybe I should only feed you once?"

Miss 7, after a short pause: "You're not in this conversation."

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Post Op Update #5

Just heard from hubby. Looks like someone made a mistake yesterday and that he is actually clear of infection.

They've stopped the antibiotics and are working on the release papers now.

Thanks for all your support everyone.

[UPDATE] He's HOME!!! [/UPDATE]

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Post Op Update #4

Hubby's release from hospital has been delayed.

Apparently some of the cultures show signs of infection. We don't know the full story yet nor the implications of this.

Thoughts and prayers please we're all a bit shaken up by this news.

Thoughts and prayers for those in the path of Cyclone Yasi

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 15
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 2:57pm EST on Wednesday the 2nd of February 2011

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi at 3:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near...... 17.0 degrees South 148.4 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 30 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 35 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 285 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 5
.Central pressure......... 930 hectoPascals


Northern Queensland is in the path of this giant.



For some idea of how big this thing is, here's a picture of the cyclone area overlaid on a map of the USA.



Thoughts and prayers for the safety of everyone in its path.