No Water Today

Here's how my morning went today....

• Sarah wakes up and plans to have a shower.
• Sarah turns on a tap but no water comes out.
• Sarah tries other taps but no water comes out.
• Sarah wonders if some idiot has turned the water off?
• Sarah calls the Water Corporation to find out what's going on.
• It turns out there is a busted pipe on Sarah's street. Water will be turned off for the next three hours.
• Sarah thanks Water Corporation man for this information, is a bit annoyed and ponders what to do next.
• Sarah considers not having a shower and going to work stinky (even though she never stinks anyway). Or just having a shower in a can (ie. spraying deoderant liberally). That idea is not feasible and Sarah must still clean her teeth and wash her face so as not to be a total bogan.
• Sarah considers showering at a friend's place in the next suburb. This idea is more feasible but unwise as Sarah will no doubt start talking to friend (as women tend to do) and be late for work.
• Sarah ends up packing her clothes, towel, jewellery and makeup in her bag and has a shower at her gym. This is a wise choice since she pays to use their facilities and therefore is entitled to some of their water.

Problem solved!

• Sarah thinks about how dependent she has become on a steady water supply to her home and how life almost stops without it. Sarah thinks about slums in the world that do not have regular, clean water supplies and how people are suffering from disease. Sarah realises today's happenings are only a minor inconvenience and thanks God for clean water.

Did you know that through TEAR Australia, you can buy a clean water supply for people in need?

Something to think about......

(Sarah is not sure why she is writing in third person but she is a writer after all and likes experimenting with different writing styles) :)

Friday Funny

This is one for the girls ;)

SUMMER CLASSES FOR MEN

Class 1 How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3 Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5 After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6 Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7 Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum .
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8 Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9 Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10 Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11 Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing .
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined.

Class 12 How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14 The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Falling Off Their Perch

I never thought I'd admit this but......

I'm starting to be ashamed of the Eagles.

A long line of unsavoury incidents is really our tarnishing our on-field success. 4-0 is an excellent place to be in the season so far but it's dampened when certain individuals are dirtying their own reputations and that of the club.

I've read plenty of blog posts and news articles on this (particularly concerning the Selwood-Headland incident) . I found this post very constructive as some of the comments on it discuss the fact that there is a much bigger problem than just a few badly behaved Eagles. The problem is Australian football culture as a whole. Sledging occurs at amateur levels so when players reach the AFL it is not new to them.

When I was in student housing, I lived with a couple of guys that played amateur footy - they were the boozy, swearing types who lived like pigs, were disprespectful to their flatmates and made comments about women similar to the one that Selwood was accused of. I don't know where they learnt this kind of behaviour or if it is just limited to footy culture or blokes.

There is far bigger problem than Aussie football culture. The problem is sin. It is not about players just curbing their behaviour on the outside, it's about needing a heart change from the inside out. That's something we all need.

What I liked about Gareth's post is that he talked about AFL footballers as celebrities and how we as fans build them up to be gods in the public eye. Then we get disappointed when they fail us because after all they are sinful human beings just like us. That doesn't excuse their behaviour but aren't we fools for believing they are perfect (or thereabouts).

I'm shocked as I hear about the Eagles' bad behaviour because I naively want to be believe that they are good blokes. And a lot of them probably are. But I expected them to never stuff up (or at least not that majorly). I just wanted to think the best of my team.

A lot of the other posts I read weren't nearly so thoughtful or constructive. Many of them were Dorkers fans, bitter from their Derby loss, crying out loudly for justice and gleefully wanting another chance to point the finger.

I just want to finish off with a few points:

• Whether Selwood is guilty or not of saying what Headland thought he said, we will never know. We weren't there to hear it. Headland has a reputation as a hothead so who knows? Judging by his reaction he obviously thought it was something very bad but again, we'll never know.
• I was disappointed they both got off. Sledging and violence shouldn't be encouraged. I heard on the radio that the partner of a Perth radio announcer used to work for Port Adelaide. He said that sledging was encouraged by some coaches because it gave players the mental edge over their opponents. That is very sad.
• To the Dorkers fans and others who crucified Selwood before he even fronted the tribunal - was your outrage really based on your concern for Headland's daughter or were you using the incident as another reason to point the accusing finger at the Eagles? Would you have reacted as strongly if Selwood were a Carlton player for example? Or if the incident occurred between two Victorian clubs?
• The role of the media is an interesting one here. We hate the media as a rule and regard them as a brood of vipers intent on twisting the truth. Yet so many people blindly believed what the media printed about this incident. It's kind of Catch 22 here. We need the media to inform us of what's happening in the world yet how much of it's the truth? How do we be discerning without being overly sceptical?
• A lot of Dorkers fans accused Eagles fans and coaching staff of overlooking poor player behaviour in favour of ruthlessly seeking success. I'm an Eagles fan yet I don't condone such behaviour. I can't speak for everyone.
• The AFL wants to take charge of player discipline instead of individual clubs. I think this is good but I hope the so-called 'wise men of the east' are just as firm on the Vics as they want to be on us.
• One minute the Eagles get accused of being too professional like it's a bad thing. Then they're accused of being unprofessional. Make up your mind.
• It's unfair to paint all of the Eagles with the same brush.
• Whether players like being role models or not - that's part of the job.

So to all those people whinging and whining - here's a challenge for us all. Why don't you make a positive difference among our culture? Why don't you pray? Dare I say it, why don't you pray that God will be at work in our footy culture as he is the only one who can truly bring change in people's lives after all.

• Pray for James and other like him who are seeking to be a positive influence in their local footy clubs.
• Pray for AFL players who are Christians.
• Pray for club chaplains who meet with the players.

Who knows what might happen....

Housemate Wanted

I'm getting a bit desperate and need to find someone ASAP. This is one of those situations where I really need to trust that God will provide. And in the past, God has proved completely worthy of my trust.

I either need to find one person to move into my place or Ebony and I need to move and share with some other people. I have the lease for my current place until the 31st July so the latter would mean breaking the lease.

I can't afford to pay all the rent until then, especially since I work part-time. I've thought about living alone but it's just as expensive, finding somewhere decent that will let you have pets is hard and I'd get horribly lonely.

So if you're interested or know someone who might be, these are the qualities I'm looking for in a housemate:

• Clean and tidy (ie. doing the dishes once a week is NOT enough. I'm an avid supporter of the 24 hour rule concerning dishes)
• Reliable (able to afford the rent and bills and pays on time)
• Preferably Christian but not necessarily. I just don't want to live with someone who's going to bring random people home from nightclubs or have big boozy parties all the time.
• Easygoing. I know we can all be moody at times but I don't want someone who's nearly always in a filthy mood and that I have to walk on eggshells around.
• Considerate. Someone who respects others' needs.
• A friend. I'd like to live with someone who'd become a friend (if not already) and not just someone who's there to help pay the rent.
• Someone who doesn't mind cats. There's no way I'm getting rid of Ebony.

You might think I'm being picky but I have my reasons. I lived in student housing for three years (which I hated) and have lived with my fair share of dodgy people. I've also had friends who've lived with 'difficult' people (even Christians). That's why living with Emma for the past three and a bit years has been so good!

If I stay in my current house, then I really only have room for one more person. There are three bedrooms but the master bedroom is the study/junk room. Also the person would need to be female. I don't feel comfortable living with just one guy. Duncan and I have talked about this and I agreed that I wouldn't feel comfortable with him living with a single chick either.

The other option of course is to move into shared accommodation elsewhere. If so, then I wouldn't live in a household of any more than three people (including myself). In student housing, there were six people per flat and that was far too many, especially when we were all trying to cook at once! Plus when people had friends over it was even more crowded. If I were to move elsewhere, then I don't mind if I live with guys or girls, as long as they are clean.

I'm looking to move or have someone move into my place in early June. Emma gets married on the 12th May so this would give her time to get back from her honeymoon and move the rest of her stuff.

If you're interested in living with an almost 24-year-old Christian girl and a black cat, then I live in a 3 bedroom unit south of the river (about 10-15 minutes from Curtin Uni). Rent is a $100 per week. The house is fully furnished.

If you have a room available in early June, I need somewhere with no more than two other people, not on a busy road (I don't want Ebony getting squashed!), rent no more than $100/ week (preferably, although I can go over) and preferably south of the river although that's not necessary, I just don't want to be too far from work and church.

If you're interested or know someone who might be, please email seddyed at hotmail dot com.

Cheers :)

Photo Friday - 'The Country'

I've decided to take up the Photo Friday challenge. Yes, I know today's Saturday but the new challenge is only posted every Friday and you have the rest of the week to do it.

This week's theme is 'The Country' so I thought I'd post this photo taken on my first trip to Buntine last month. Yep, Jill and I travelled 3.5 hours north of Perth to visit my man, see where he lives, meet his friends and do some shooting (I didn't end up shooting anything by the way - except for target practice with a Coke can, which we all missed).

Buntine is real country as you can see from this photo I took from out the front of Duncan's place. No houses as far as the eye can see. It looks a bit dry now but in the winter it should be lush and green.

Sometimes it felt like we were the only people on earth :)

New Housemate

As some of you may know, my housemate Emma is getting married. Soon. In just over three weeks in fact.

So I need to find a new housemate and while I haven't managed to find a human one yet, I now have one of another variety.

I wasn't planning on getting a cat - it just happened. About a month ago, I found some kittens abandoned at the uni campus where I work. They looked like they were starting to go a bit feral, so I jumped onto the Cat Haven website to find their phone number. Anyway, the kittens disappeared so I couldn't catch them but I found pictures of many beautiful cats and I was hooked!!

Since I'm renting, I had to ask the owner permission to have a cat. While I waited for a reply, Duncan said he would be happy to have a cat up at his farm in Buntine. The reply was YES!!

A few weeks ago, Duncan and I went with our friend, Sarah to the Cat Haven in Shenton Park and I met and fell in love with Ebony (pictured above). A couple of days later I went back and bought her and put her in the Cat Haven boarding kennels while Duncan and I were in Dunsborough. Then she came with home with me nine days ago.

Ebony is one year old (approx.) and her name is from the family she previously belonged to. She had been in the Cat Haven for longer than most of the cats there and while they took very good care of her, she knows she's got a good home now. She's been sterilised, deflead, dewormed, vaccinated and microchipped. Her coat is the softest I've ever felt. I wanted an adult cat from a pound because everyone just seems to want kittens and the poor adults (who are usually more sensible and house-trained) have to wait longer for new homes.

In describing her personality, I have to say well.....she's a typical cat! All over you one minute (especially if I'm chopping up meat) and a bit stand offish the next. She quickly made herself at home, sitting on all the comfortable chairs, expecting to sleep in my bed (she doesn't) and looks at Emma and I with such superiority, I bet she's thinking, 'aha I have TWO staff'.

She really is such a dear little cat and very easygoing despite a few bursts of silliness here and there (you know those moments where cats get that mad look in their eyes and go racing around everywhere, chasing their own tails?). I love her purrs and little chirps (half meow, half purr) and stroking her is very therapeutic, especially since I've been so stressed over the past few months.

I wrote this song in her honour (see if you can guess which song it's based on)

Oh, black kitty (bam-ba-lam)

Oh, black kitty (bam-ba-lam)

Black kitty had no child (bam-ba-lam)

Cos she was sterilised (bam-ba-lam)

She's very pretty (bam-ba-lam)

And a little bit silly (bam-ba-lam)

Oh, black kitty (bam-ba-lam)

Oh, black kitty (bam-ba-lam)

Here's some more photos of my beautiful and elegant black panther.

This Says It All.....

Here's why I'm smiling at the moment

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200704/s1897414.htm

Revenge is sweet! :)

Friday Funny

This week's Friday Funny is especially appropriate with the Western Derby just one sleep away. The mighty mighty West Coast Eagles are 2-0 with the Dorkers 0-2. And the drought will continue tomorrow, Dorkers - hahaha ;)

This joke is a bit out of date now that Peter Everitt and Paul Medhurst are no longer at Hawthorn and Fremantle respectively but I reckon it's a hoot all the same.

Hopefully I'll be smiling this much tomorrow night!

FREMANTLE IQ TEST

Super coach Chris Connolly goes to a reunion at Hawthorn and starts chatting with Alistair Clarkson. Alistair says to Chris, "Well Chris, I don't know what you think of your players at Fremantle, but mine here are all bright and brilliant."
"How do you know?" asks Chris.
"Oh well, its simple", says Alistair. "We now put them through a special intelligence test before they can play here. Just pick any of my players and we will see how well he does."
Chris thinks for a while and comes to the conclusion that Spider's not the sharpest tool in the Hawk's shed.
"I'll nominate Spider Everitt", says Chris.

Alistair calls him over and asks him, "Tell me Spider, who is the child of your father and of your mother who is not your brother and is not your sister?"
"Ah, that's simple Alistair," says Spider. "Its me."
"Well done Spider" says Alistair.

Chris is super impressed. Chris returns to Freo and wonders about the intelligence of the team. He calls in Paul Medhurst and asks, " Paul tell me, who is the child of your father and of your mother who is not your brother and is not your sister?"
Paul thinks and thinks and doesn't know the answer. "Can I think about it a bit more Chris, and I'll give you an answer tomorrow?"
"Of course," says Chris. "You've got 24 hours. But it is super important that you come up with the answer."
Paul goes away, thinks as hard as he can, and then he calls in his teammates.

Bell thought it might be his grandpa, but wasn't sure. Pav was certain that it couldn't be any one. Farmer thought it would be an uncle in Meekatharra who had been adopted as a child. Headland thought he said something about his mother & had a swing. Sandilands reckoned the answer was 32. McManus went into the foetal position. The rest of the team wouldn't even hazard a guess.

20 hours later, Paul is very worried that he still has no answer with only 4 hours to go. Eventually Paul says, "I know, I'll ring Chris Judd. He's smart, he will know the answer." He calls Juddy.
"Juddy" he says, "Tell me who is the child of your father and of your mother who is not your brother and is not your sister?"
"Very simple," says Judd, "It's me!"
"Of course!" says Paul, and rings Chris.

"Chris" says Paul, "I've got the answer - it's Chris Judd."

"No you idiot" says Chris. "It's Spider Everitt."

Carn the Eagles!

Pics from our Albany Trip

I said I'd be back on board on Monday with lots of interesting posts and photos.

I wasn't.

I can explain....really. For the last few days I've been trying to get the pics uploaded and Blogger has been insanely slow and I've lost both my posts. The pics kept going all higglety pigglety which was really frustrating! Grrrr.

Third time lucky eh! These are photos from when Duncan and I went to Albany a month ago (March 9th-11th) for a family dinner for my bro's 21st. So yes, Duncan got to meet my crazy family including my folks, two family friends who were down from Perth and my slightly eccentric Nan.

Me and my man!

Awww. Me and my little (big) bro, Tim.

Mum and Cheryl

Dad and Neil

Cheryl, Nan and Mum

Dad being a weirdo

Singing happy birthday. Poor Timmy looks embarrassed.

View of Middleton Beach from the boardwalk

Duncan at the boardwalk lookout

Mmm ice coffee

Mmm chocolate milkshake

Dunc's cousin Matt and his wife Lynette who live in Albany.

Me relaxing at Frenchman Bay - my favourite spot in Albany.

The funniest moment of the weekend occurred at the dinner on Friday night. Tim gets embarrassed being seen with his family in public (he had a big boozy 21st with his mates a week later) and Mum was teasing him saying that she had organised a cake and a stripper. My Nan overheard and said very indignantly, "I'm not stripping!" :P

Off to Dunsborough

Duncan and I are off to Dunsborough this arvo for the Easter weekend. Should be fun!! I'm meeting Duncan's parents and extended family, catching up with friends who either live or are holidaying down south, visiting the beach and the chocolate factory (of course :P).

My posts have been rather scant in content lately so I'll be back on board on Monday with long and meaningful posts and lots of photos (cos we all like looking at pics of people we don't know hehe).

While I'm looking forward to having a holiday, pray that I (and everyone) can focus on the fact that Easter means much more than just a holiday.

Reaching the Ton

This is my 100th post! Big congrats to me ;)

I started blogging on Monday 19th June 2006. It has taken me 9 months and 24 days to reach three figures.

Here's to the next 100 posts at the Sedshed!