A year ago, and through a good friend, I met an elderly couple, Toots and Dochs. Toots is about to turn 80 and Dochs is a couple of years younger. They are a wonderful couple who I really like a lot.
Their friends and family convinced them to buy a computer and learn about the internet, emailing and Skype.
So they bought themselves a Dell computer and decided to use a pre-paid wireless USB for their internet connection.
They bought all of this in October last year. Three months later I saw them at our Bowls Club and they asked me if I could visit them and teach them how to send emails and set up Skype for them.
I agreed to this, thinking that it would take me about an hour to show them the basics.
When I arrived at 3pm on a Friday afternoon in January, I discovered that nobody had yet set up an email account for them, nor had their internet connection device been installed.
In the three months since they had purchased everything, they had misplaced some of the information required to set it all up, so it took some time just to gather that information.
They had prior plans for 4.30 pm that same day, so I arranged to return the following day to finish the job.
I dragged Adoring Husband along the following day, because he is much faster at setting these things up than I.
A few phone calls and a few hours later, we had set up their email accounts and their internet access and downloaded Skype for them. They invited us to stay for dinner as a 'thank you' and we had a lovely evening getting to know each other.
We gave them a very basic lesson on creating and sending an email and departed, giving them our phone number and telling them to contact us to set up another day for us to visit and give some more lessons on emails and Skyping.
FOUR MONTHS LATER I ran into them again and they told me that they were having trouble sending an email and that it kept giving them an error message.
They had lost our phone number. So I promised to visit them the following morning (this morning) and check it out for them.
They had attempted to send this email two months ago!
It took ninety minutes over the phone, for the internet service provider to discover that the USB stick provided for the internet connection was faulty! Luckily, it's still under warrantee and they will get a replacement.
So next week, I will be paying them ANOTHER visit to get this sorted. ***sigh***
It's such a shame that they have encountered so many problems along the way. We tell them how simple it all is and how happy they will be to have easy access to their friends and family through emails and Skype ... but then it takes months of obstacles along the way.
I can understand why the older generation are afraid of this technology.
Toots found great pleasure in the fact that the new connection is being sent via snail mail ... "because it's a good old fashioned service that doesn't let you down!"
If it was painful for you to read this post ... imagine how painful this task has been for me!! Just wanted to share the load and I'd really appreciate some positive energy to be sent in my direction so that next week, it will all be finished without any more challenges to overcome!
Thank you for your time :o)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
More Difficult Than You'd Imagine
Because I have spent the last few hours of my time trying to find a song for Day 15 on this list, my brain is too tired to focus on a new post, so at the suggestion of Vegan Chickie, I am sharing this challenge with you, so that you can share it with your friends and family, or just challenge yourself!
The thirty day song challenge.
Find the YouTube video as well as listing the name of the song and the name of the band.
Day 1 - Your favourite song.
Day 2 - Your least favourite song.
Day 3 - A song that makes you happy.
Day 4 - A song that makes you sad.
Day 5 - A song that reminds you of someone.
Day 6 - A song that reminds you of somewhere.
Day 7 - A song that reminds you of a certain event.
Day 8 - A song that you know all the words to.
Day 9 - A song that you can dance to.
Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep.
Day 11 - A song from your favourite band.
Day 12 - A song from a band that you hate.
Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure.
Day 14 - A song that no-one would expect you to love.
Day 15 - A song that describes you.
Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate.
Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio.
Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio.
Day 19 - A song from your favourite album.
Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you're angry.
Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you're happy.
Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you're sad.
Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding.
Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral.
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh.
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument.
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play.
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty.
Day 29 - A song from your childhood.
Day 30 - Your favourite song at this time last year.
At first glance, this challenge looks fun and interesting, but on closer inspection and under pressure, some of these songs are really quite difficult to think of!
So, I challenge you ... it's more difficult than you'd imagine!
The thirty day song challenge.
Find the YouTube video as well as listing the name of the song and the name of the band.
Day 1 - Your favourite song.
Day 2 - Your least favourite song.
Day 3 - A song that makes you happy.
Day 4 - A song that makes you sad.
Day 5 - A song that reminds you of someone.
Day 6 - A song that reminds you of somewhere.
Day 7 - A song that reminds you of a certain event.
Day 8 - A song that you know all the words to.
Day 9 - A song that you can dance to.
Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep.
Day 11 - A song from your favourite band.
Day 12 - A song from a band that you hate.
Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure.
Day 14 - A song that no-one would expect you to love.
Day 15 - A song that describes you.
Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate.
Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio.
Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio.
Day 19 - A song from your favourite album.
Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you're angry.
Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you're happy.
Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you're sad.
Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding.
Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral.
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh.
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument.
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play.
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty.
Day 29 - A song from your childhood.
Day 30 - Your favourite song at this time last year.
At first glance, this challenge looks fun and interesting, but on closer inspection and under pressure, some of these songs are really quite difficult to think of!
So, I challenge you ... it's more difficult than you'd imagine!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
QUEENSLANDER!!!
Wahoo!! My team won State of Origin last night!! CHAMPIONS! One game down, two to go!
Adoring Husband had spent the day in bed with flu and just to make it worse, he barracks for the opposition!
I fed him up on home-made chicken soup, hot honey and lemon, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive leaf extract and Vitamin C tablets. He is improving quickly :o)
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my commiserations **snigger snigger** and I wish you the best of luck in the next game.
Although he should be familiar with that losing feeling ... after all, we have won five years in a row now **cheesy grin**
My morning at the 'Seat of Knowledge' was quite glorious. I thought the weather was beautiful, but the locals were all wearing gloves, jackets, scarves and beanies. I was wearing a sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts. I am often questioned about my unusual body temperature.
The tide going out created a beautiful sand tree on the shore.
In the early morning light, some fishermen preparing to go out for a day of fishing.
The old 'Moon River' boat, usually moored up river, but out for the day for the first time in three years. Looking in need of some TLC!
But more importantly .. QUEENSLAND WON STATE OF ORIGIN LAST NIGHT!! CHAMPIONS!!
Adoring Husband had spent the day in bed with flu and just to make it worse, he barracks for the opposition!
I fed him up on home-made chicken soup, hot honey and lemon, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive leaf extract and Vitamin C tablets. He is improving quickly :o)
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my commiserations **snigger snigger** and I wish you the best of luck in the next game.
Although he should be familiar with that losing feeling ... after all, we have won five years in a row now **cheesy grin**
My morning at the 'Seat of Knowledge' was quite glorious. I thought the weather was beautiful, but the locals were all wearing gloves, jackets, scarves and beanies. I was wearing a sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts. I am often questioned about my unusual body temperature.
The tide going out created a beautiful sand tree on the shore.
In the early morning light, some fishermen preparing to go out for a day of fishing.
The old 'Moon River' boat, usually moored up river, but out for the day for the first time in three years. Looking in need of some TLC!
But more importantly .. QUEENSLAND WON STATE OF ORIGIN LAST NIGHT!! CHAMPIONS!!
QUEENSLANDER!!!!
(Sorry Darling. I hope your health is back to normal soon.)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
That Time Again
Today does not just mark the first State of Origin football game. It also marks the sixth anniversary of my Mum's passing. She would have been 71 yrs old this year.
She was a HUGE football fan and followed her beloved Brisbane Broncos team with a lot of passion. She was an even bigger fan of State of Origin football and was a 'true blue' Queenslander.
We all lived hundreds of kilometres apart, so if we weren't at the stadium watching the game live, Mum, Squirt (my little sister) and I were in our respective living rooms watching it live on telly and texting vigorously every time our team scored or whenever we were annoyed at the referee decisions.
At the end of the games, we would phone each other and squeal and cheer loudly if we'd won or we'd moan and groan with disgust if we'd lost.
It was at the very end of the first State of Origin game in 2005 that my mother died suddenly of a heart attack in her lounge chair. There was no phone call that night and no response to my last text message.
So, as much as we love State of Origin time, the first game every year is tinged with sadness as we remember our lovely Mum.
This year, for me, is even sadder and I've struggled with my emotions today.
I miss her more than ever because we have little Chicklet. Mum would have loved being a Great Grandmother and would be spoiling Chicklet rotten by now.
I imagine that she would have been here in my living room this year for the first State of Origin game, because Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet have just moved back to Australia and she would have been here quick smart to cuddle our new baby.
So, since it's that time again, I'll be wearing my State of Origin gear tonight and, as usual, waving the flag for Queensland, but wishing we were all together as a big happy family sharing the love for the game and for each other.
She was a HUGE football fan and followed her beloved Brisbane Broncos team with a lot of passion. She was an even bigger fan of State of Origin football and was a 'true blue' Queenslander.
We all lived hundreds of kilometres apart, so if we weren't at the stadium watching the game live, Mum, Squirt (my little sister) and I were in our respective living rooms watching it live on telly and texting vigorously every time our team scored or whenever we were annoyed at the referee decisions.
At the end of the games, we would phone each other and squeal and cheer loudly if we'd won or we'd moan and groan with disgust if we'd lost.
It was at the very end of the first State of Origin game in 2005 that my mother died suddenly of a heart attack in her lounge chair. There was no phone call that night and no response to my last text message.
 |
| Our favourite photo of Mum when she was about 16 yrs old. |
So, as much as we love State of Origin time, the first game every year is tinged with sadness as we remember our lovely Mum.
This year, for me, is even sadder and I've struggled with my emotions today.
I miss her more than ever because we have little Chicklet. Mum would have loved being a Great Grandmother and would be spoiling Chicklet rotten by now.
I imagine that she would have been here in my living room this year for the first State of Origin game, because Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet have just moved back to Australia and she would have been here quick smart to cuddle our new baby.
So, since it's that time again, I'll be wearing my State of Origin gear tonight and, as usual, waving the flag for Queensland, but wishing we were all together as a big happy family sharing the love for the game and for each other.
 |
| Me, flying the flag |
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Plethora of Parties
I had a movie day with the ladies today. Four of us (Beauty, Mrs V, Lady Lynne and I) went to aqua aerobics and then met Kaz afterwards for morning tea, before making our way to the cinema.
We watched 'Water For Elephants', which stars one of my favourite actors, Rob Pattinson, and we really enjoyed it, although we were all very disturbed by the animal cruelty and the evil main character.
There seems to be a run of good movies coming to the cinema, so I might be spending a bit of time there in the next few weeks.
We're looking forward to a couple of parties coming up in our near future.
I thought I would post some photos of parties that we've held or attended over the last two years. The first party that Adoring Husband and I hosted was a 'P' party, four months after we moved here.
We had a pirate, pyjama girl, pregnant school girl, priest, painter, proctologist, pensioner, punk and a princess among others.
We've had dinner parties, a karaoke party, New Years Eve parties etc etc etc.
A sixties/seventies party.
A sports party.
Christmas party
A dinner party.
A sixtieth birthday party.
That's just a few of our parties. Generally speaking, a good time was had by all. We drank, we ate, we danced, we laughed, we sang and we got to know each other.
After such a plethora of parties, I'm starting to believe that less is more, because I just don't have the energy to keep up with the weekly parties anymore.
 |
| (left to right) Lady Lynne, Age, Aussie H, Kaz and Beauty (No Mrs V in this one) |
There seems to be a run of good movies coming to the cinema, so I might be spending a bit of time there in the next few weeks.
We're looking forward to a couple of parties coming up in our near future.
I thought I would post some photos of parties that we've held or attended over the last two years. The first party that Adoring Husband and I hosted was a 'P' party, four months after we moved here.
We had a pirate, pyjama girl, pregnant school girl, priest, painter, proctologist, pensioner, punk and a princess among others.
We've had dinner parties, a karaoke party, New Years Eve parties etc etc etc.
 |
| Aussie H and I at Karaoke |
 |
| A bit of effort for 60s/70s (that's me with the margarita!) |
 |
| Woman of Many Talents and I pretending to be at the race track and bowling. |
 |
| Kaz and her Mum having fun with Santa (who looks suspiciously like Adoring Husband) |
 |
| A dinner party that turned musical as the alcohol flowed. |
 |
| The one with the tiara turned 60. |
After such a plethora of parties, I'm starting to believe that less is more, because I just don't have the energy to keep up with the weekly parties anymore.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lady Musgrave Recommendation
Last year, for my honeymoon, I went to Agnes Water with my girlfriends for four days.
It was kind of a work trip, come honeymoon, come girly weekend. I got to take a couple of tours and I was there to take photos for a tourism website. We did two tours. One of them was to Lady Musgrave Island.
Lady Musgrave is a small, but beautiful island approximately two hours boat ride from the town of 1770, which is about ten minutes from Agnes Water.
There are no buildings or structures on the island. Just a walking track through a mini forest of Pisonia trees, beautiful white sandy beaches and it's surrounded by the bluest, cleanest water I've ever seen.
It is also surrounded by a magnificent reef which is home to numerous varieties of fish, sea turtles and giant clams among other amazing sea creatures.
For a few months of the year, the mini forest is full of thousands of birds in the form of gulls and terns that mate and nest on the island. Apparently the noise of the birds is deafening and you have to wear protective clothing because the bird droppings are like rain showers.
I was there the week after the birds had left, so the island was beautifully silent and surprisingly clean.
Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on the island from November to February each year and the island is closed to campers in February and March to protect the hatchlings.
The tours include guided walks on the island, snorkelling, reef fishing and rides on a glass bottom boat to view the reef. A delicious lunch is also included.
We had a fabulous day and even though I am not a big fan of boat travel that far from land, it was so worth it and I highly recommend the tours to anybody, young or old.
I think I might take Adoring Husband up there. He would love it and the photo opportunities are so worth it!
So, if you're wondering what to do for your next holiday and want something different, try a Lady Musgrave Island tour!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Like a Shag on a Rock.
Apparently, when the Shags start flying along the river out to sea, it means the Winter Whiting are biting.
Last year, Adoring Husband and I took the boat out to check what all the fuss was about with the Winter Whiting. We had heard about people fishing for thirty minutes to each bring their quota of fifty Winter Whiting home.
So we motored out of the mouth of the river and along the coast line for what seemed like forever, until we saw, way off in the distance, a gathering of boats.
We headed towards the gathering and soon came across about thirty boats, ranging from small tinnies to larger craft with about six people on board and all with a line over the side.
The boats were so close to each other, that they were almost touching and the fishing frenzy was amazing! No sooner had they dropped the baited line over the side, than they were bringing it straight back up with a Winter Whiting on the hook!
We anchored our boat about twenty feet away from the group and threw our line over the side.
NOTHING.
So we moved a bit closer and tried again.
NOTHING.
We discovered that the patch of water where the Winter Whiting bite is very small and you must be inside that small patch to catch anything. You need to squeeze your boat in between all the other boats and become a part of the crowd.
I can't remember how many fish we caught that day. Maybe only five. Our boat kept floating outside of the fishing patch. The other boats only stayed for a short time because each person was catching fifty Whiting in a short time and then had to leave.
Every time one boat left, another was there to take it's place. It was quite a spectacle to watch! I had never seen anything like it in my life and I spent days animatedly regaling the story to anyone who would listen.
We won't be going out again this year. We only needed to experience it once. But the race is now on again for everyone else to find that little fishing patch and boats are offloaded at the boat ramp in large numbers and they all head towards the mouth of the river in rapid succession.
I sit at The Seat of Knowledge like a Shag on a rock watching all the action unfold. I'm happy to watch them leave and listen to the fishing tales when they return thirty minutes later.
 |
| Shags flying out to sea. At least twenty flocks like this flew out this morning. |
So we motored out of the mouth of the river and along the coast line for what seemed like forever, until we saw, way off in the distance, a gathering of boats.
We headed towards the gathering and soon came across about thirty boats, ranging from small tinnies to larger craft with about six people on board and all with a line over the side.
The boats were so close to each other, that they were almost touching and the fishing frenzy was amazing! No sooner had they dropped the baited line over the side, than they were bringing it straight back up with a Winter Whiting on the hook!
We anchored our boat about twenty feet away from the group and threw our line over the side.
NOTHING.
So we moved a bit closer and tried again.
NOTHING.
We discovered that the patch of water where the Winter Whiting bite is very small and you must be inside that small patch to catch anything. You need to squeeze your boat in between all the other boats and become a part of the crowd.
I can't remember how many fish we caught that day. Maybe only five. Our boat kept floating outside of the fishing patch. The other boats only stayed for a short time because each person was catching fifty Whiting in a short time and then had to leave.
Every time one boat left, another was there to take it's place. It was quite a spectacle to watch! I had never seen anything like it in my life and I spent days animatedly regaling the story to anyone who would listen.
We won't be going out again this year. We only needed to experience it once. But the race is now on again for everyone else to find that little fishing patch and boats are offloaded at the boat ramp in large numbers and they all head towards the mouth of the river in rapid succession.
I sit at The Seat of Knowledge like a Shag on a rock watching all the action unfold. I'm happy to watch them leave and listen to the fishing tales when they return thirty minutes later.
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