Facebook Geek

I never thought it would happen....but I'm pretty hooked on Facebook.

I was very sceptical when a friend invited me to join. I thought, "Hmmm, another timewaster. I already have my blog....that's enough."

At first it just seemed too weird. Adding strange applications such as aquariums, gardens, buying drinks for people (yes, I'm serious - people actually pay real money to buy their friends a virtual drink) and doing things to people such as karate chopping them, hugging them and throwing sheep at them.

But Facebook sucks you in...slowly but surely.

The things I like best about it is that it helps you keep in touch with people and find long lost friends. Just yesterday a girl whose name I didn't recognise invited me to be her 'friend' on Facebook. It turned out it was an old friend of mine from primary school whom I hadn't seen pretty much since then. She's now married (that's why I didn't recognise her name) and is living over east, in Newcastle. I recognised her by her photo. It's great for stuff like that. Sharing photos online is good too.

It also has its drawbacks. I read Facebook is costing workplaces millions of dollars in time wasted by their employees. I guess, as a Christian, I want to use my time wisely. Facebook is good but it's a bit sad if I spend all day on there. It's also sad if I only ever talk to my Perth friends via Facebook instead of catching up face to face.

I went out to dinner a little while ago with a friend who is also on Facebook. We agreed that it's such fun finding people on there and seeing what they're up to and that it's sad when they set their profiles to private - then we can't stalk them hehe.

Do you use Facebook? Do you like it? What do you reckon are it's pros and cons? Or are you one of those who couldn't care less? I've tried to get Duncan to join but he refuses.

Potty About Potter

Duncan's birthday was on the 21st July - and he had to share his special day with another guy.

Harry Potter

(Don't worry I'm not about to reveal any plot spoilers for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this post. It's safe to read ahead :) )

It was the first time I'd ever lined up with the fanatics for the 7am bookstore rush. Being the cheapskate that I am, I used to wait until the book was available in paperback and therefore cheaper. But this year I had an Angus and Robertson voucher so I went to the Belmont Forum where I was out in 10 minutes.

Apparently it was a different story at the Carousel - queues of more than 45 minutes.

Duncan doesn't see what the big deal about Harry is and since we had his birthday gathering on his actual birthday, he put a ban on anyone being unsociable and reading Harry Potter instead of joining in the party.

I'm jolly glad I've now finished it cos now no-one can ruin the ending for me. It has taken me a while and I'm not normally a slow reader but I was so BUSY that I didn't have time to sit down and read sizeable chunks in one go. Every week my pastor's wife asked me if I'd finished yet so we could discuss the ending and a few weeks ago I was finally ready to talk about it.

Last week, I was talking to Emma on the phone and she hasn't read the last book yet but she mentioned that some people have already given away part of the plot to her. She's had the endings of the past three books ruined for her by big mouths - poor love.

Why must people do this? I told a friend that she wasn't to tell me ANYTHING that happened (she was further ahead than me at the time) and she said "Oh no, please I just want to tell you one thing."
I roared "SHUT UP."
Silence! Zip it! Shut your trap!

Far out, I wanted a surprise. Why do people want to ruin the surprise for others?

I got to the end without anyone giving away the ending and I don't intend to ruin it for anyone.

It's a shame there are no more books but I'm sure Duncan will be glad Harry won't be stealing my attention ;)

Diary of a Wedding Planning Machine: Reception Venue Dramas

I blogged a few weeks back that all was well in the reception venue department. Well, a few weeks ago, Duncan and I got some bad news.

One of the reasons we chose our venue was that they were not one of those greedy mongrels that make you pay to set the room up the day before.

Then I got a call from my mum saying they had suddenly brought in this new fee, charging us an extra $450 (approx.) to hire the room for half a day the day before to set up. They had not mentioned this fee when I first checked the room out and when we tentatively booked it. It was not mentioned on any of the leaflets we were given. They had just suddenly decided to screw us over for more money.

To say I was angry was an understatement. I hate being ripped off and taken for a ride. I don't care if they'd only decided to charge us an extra $20 - it's not the amount, it's the principle of the thing. I'm not one of those types who'll just lie down and pay the extra money.

Dunc and I drove around madly a few Saturdays ago looking for an alternative venue (which we didn't find).

Luckily I have a very sweet talking mother who rang them up and convinced them to drop the fee. She can charm the birds out of the trees when she wants.

So all is good again, we can keep the 12th April as our wedding date and our reception place has avoided a name and shame on my very public blog haha.

We also ended up going with WA Spit Roast as our caterer. Their prices are good and they have been recommended to us by two other people who have used them for weddings. We chose our menu online - easy!

If you're planning a wedding - beware! A lot of companies will just hear the word 'wedding' and try and rip you off!

Photo Friday - 'Fantasy'

This was taken at my friend Sarah's 30th back in 2004. The theme was 'Myth, Legend and Fairytale'.




















Obviously I'm Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz'. If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me why I wasn't wearing ruby slippers, I'd be a very rich woman ;)

What a Friend We Have in Eade

I liked this article written by Western Bulldogs' coach Rodney Eade last week about the Eagles.

Even though we lost, I thought it was jolly nice coming from a Vic ;)

Juddy Has Left the Nest

This week is sure turning into footy week on my blog.....

I was sad and disappointed to hear about Chris Judd's departure from the Eagles. He has been a great player and captain but it's obviously time for him to move on.

All of those people whingeing and abusing him should seriously get a life. He hasn't let you down. He can't please everybody. That's what happen when people turn someone into a god....they will disappoint you because they're not God.

I get annoyed when players leave clubs who have put a lot of time and effort into them because they're being offered more money elsewhere. That's disloyal. But if Judd's telling the truth about family being the sole reason he wants to go home to Melbourne, then that's not disloyalty. It's not like the Eagles couldn't offer him plenty of money.

Of course, you never really know how much truth is told at press conferences. I'm sure Judd has noble reasons for going. But didn't old Micky Malthouse say he was returning to Melbourne because of his sick mother-in-law or something? Like he was going to admit that Eddie Everywhere flashed the cash and he was goooorrrne.

There are other rumours floating around that he's leaving so Rebecca Twigley can further her career or he's sick of the Eagles' problems. People can speculate all they like. But the truth is we'll never know....

Now Judd is saying that he actually made the decision to return after the 2005 season, he is being slammed for being sneaky for taking the captaincy when he knew all along he was leaving. But he did the right thing. He chose to focus on the Eagles, rather than distract everyone with news he was leaving months before he actually did. Right now, I'm doing the exact same thing. I'm planning to finish my job in March so I'll probably resign in January. The reason is that I'm leaving Perth (I'll blog about that later). So is that disloyal because I haven't told my workmates even though I've made my decision? What's the point of telling them now? It'd only make them think I'm not committed to my job right now. I'll give them enough notice so they can find a replacement. They gave me a chance by giving me my first job after uni but it's not disloyal to leave. I'm grateful to them (like Judd says he is to the Eagles) but it's time to move on.

I don't think it's selfish that the Eagles are wanting to be adequately compensated. They drafted him when a lot of other clubs didn't want to take a chance on him because of his shoulder problems. The Dorkers could have taken him but they chose to stick to their history of ridiculous draft choices and trade their No. 1 pick to Hawthorn for Trent Croad...who is now back at Hawthorn. If greedy Melbourne clubs want him so badly and consider him the league's best player then they can cough up. A couple of high draft picks and a handy player should do it. And no, we don't want Fevola. Like we need any more players with off-field behaviour problems.

It's far more disappointing losing Judd than it was losing the semi-final the other night. But the Eagles have plenty of talented players who can prove that they can win without Judd. If slummy clubs like Carlton or Richmond think that getting Judd will make them premiership contenders they can think again. It's a team game. Judd is very very good but he also had a lot of talented teammates around to make him look even better.

I don't think I can watch a replay of the 2006 Grand Final now. I can't even look at the Eagles poster next to my desk. And I'll feel sick watching him run around playing for the jolly Vics.

Bye Juddy. Thanks for everything. But we're still gonna tackle ya to the ground next season.

* Photo is from http://theaflblog.com

Wirra

If any AFL player deserves a big thumbs up it has to be David Wirrpanda (pronounced Wirrpunda).

Not only has he been a talented player for the Eagles for the past 12 seasons but he sets a great example by the way he conducts himself on and off the field. He doesn't get into fights, he doesn't get suspended, he doesn't hit the headlines for suss off-field behaviour. From what I've seen and heard about him, he just seems like a quiet, humble bloke. Wirra's also a great role model for both indigenous and non-indigenous kids with his charity work through the David Wirrpanda Foundation. He uses his profile to do good in the community.

I reckon more players should take a leaf out of his book and realise there's more to being a champion than just great onfield performances.

* Pic is from the Official West Coast Eagles website