Sorry about the lack of posts since last week... things have been pretty hectic at my end and I just havent had the time.
When school goes back and I perhaps get myself a job (that'd be nice) normal service will resume.
In the meantime, enjoy the Dilbert.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
Holidays
Its school holidays and I am basically going on holidays with the kids. I have decided that I have a few job applications in, but I am not going to actively "hit the pavement" so to speak until the kids go back...
So, I am now twiddling my thumbs so to speak...
We won't be going away - trips to Malaysia and Fiji for the girls is plenty - and I think some time at home will do everybody the world of good. The weekend was hectic with the half year dance concerts (3 shows and lots of rehearsals over the weekend) and Kate had to perform with a broken wrist.
Speaking of her wrist, she's at the doctors currently getting a new x-ray and being assessed by the GP. Last message from Niki was that she may not have a break after all, but she is in alot of pain. Perhaps a sprain? Who knows...
So, I am now twiddling my thumbs so to speak...
We won't be going away - trips to Malaysia and Fiji for the girls is plenty - and I think some time at home will do everybody the world of good. The weekend was hectic with the half year dance concerts (3 shows and lots of rehearsals over the weekend) and Kate had to perform with a broken wrist.
Speaking of her wrist, she's at the doctors currently getting a new x-ray and being assessed by the GP. Last message from Niki was that she may not have a break after all, but she is in alot of pain. Perhaps a sprain? Who knows...
Friday, July 04, 2008
Downer Retires - Thank Christ
This article is a nice summation of my opinion of Alexander Downer who announced his retirement yesterday.
A pompous, arrogant, toffee nosed twat who was seemingly incompetent and yet held one of the most important portfolios in the Howard ministry during perhaps the most tumultuous period of Foreign Policy for our country.
I cannot say anything positive about the guy and I hope he fades from the country's collective memory soon...
A pompous, arrogant, toffee nosed twat who was seemingly incompetent and yet held one of the most important portfolios in the Howard ministry during perhaps the most tumultuous period of Foreign Policy for our country.
I cannot say anything positive about the guy and I hope he fades from the country's collective memory soon...
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Kate Breaks Her Wrist...
Days before school holidays, dancing half year concerts, acrobat debut and netball clinic, Kate fell over during the State of Origin last night and landed and broke her wrist...
I was at the football (don't ask re result) and Niki called me just as the opening set of 6 tackles was being played out to say she was taking Kate to the hospital... that was about 8:30pm.
We got home at nearly 3am!
Thank you for the ER response times Morris!!
I was at the football (don't ask re result) and Niki called me just as the opening set of 6 tackles was being played out to say she was taking Kate to the hospital... that was about 8:30pm.
We got home at nearly 3am!
Thank you for the ER response times Morris!!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Where Are Our Civil Liberties?
Interesting new laws were passed by the NSW State Government in past couple of days... apparently it is now an offence to "annoy a pilgrim" here in Sydney for World Youth Day (week).
Offenders will be charged and financially penalised.
Anyone protesting the Papal visit must have their material "pre-approved" so as not to cause offence. And the distribution of non-christian material, condoms, gay rights or any other material likely to cause "offence or annoyance" can bring charges against the individual.
Can I ask why this was necessary and how is this constitutionally allowable? Are we not a free democratic society and have the right to our views? Why do the fucking happy clapping god botherers (annoyance intended) get to have their sensitivities protected by unconstitutional legislation?
Will enacting these laws cause more protests and have the intentions of the government to keep the World Youth Day events free of protest been well and truly kyboshed? (is that a Jewish phrase? Is that offensive??)
It's about time Governments stop catering to the vocal minority and started realising that 90% of the populace on any given issue just don't care and that as long as there is no violence (and we already have a capable police force to stop that) there is really not any point in trying to dictate the populations thought processes.
People will think what they think and will act on those thoughts as they see fit. As long as they don't hurt anybody else in enacting those acts, then by our societies standards they are entitled to those thoughts / beliefs / actions.
How about Morris Iemma worry about what he was elected for which is ensuring we have a decent health and education system.
Offenders will be charged and financially penalised.
Anyone protesting the Papal visit must have their material "pre-approved" so as not to cause offence. And the distribution of non-christian material, condoms, gay rights or any other material likely to cause "offence or annoyance" can bring charges against the individual.
Can I ask why this was necessary and how is this constitutionally allowable? Are we not a free democratic society and have the right to our views? Why do the fucking happy clapping god botherers (annoyance intended) get to have their sensitivities protected by unconstitutional legislation?
Will enacting these laws cause more protests and have the intentions of the government to keep the World Youth Day events free of protest been well and truly kyboshed? (is that a Jewish phrase? Is that offensive??)
It's about time Governments stop catering to the vocal minority and started realising that 90% of the populace on any given issue just don't care and that as long as there is no violence (and we already have a capable police force to stop that) there is really not any point in trying to dictate the populations thought processes.
People will think what they think and will act on those thoughts as they see fit. As long as they don't hurt anybody else in enacting those acts, then by our societies standards they are entitled to those thoughts / beliefs / actions.
How about Morris Iemma worry about what he was elected for which is ensuring we have a decent health and education system.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Castaway Island Holiday!
Well, it was a great week. We came, we lazed, we lounged and we ate and drank. None of us wore shoes whilst we were there and "evening wear" was shorts and t-shirts and swimmers.
The weather was great, sunny in the mornings, very hot by midday and then cooling down through the afternoon so that come by dinner time, it was very comfortable to eat outside.
Castaway Island was brilliant in the sense that there were only 60 odd bures but about 130 staff on the island at any one time. There are 160 employees in all, but they have a 12 days on, 3 days off rotation. This meant that there were no hassles, always someone within "bula!" distance to talk to and the whole vibe of the place was peaceful.
Speaking of the staff, they were excellent - always relaxed, happy to chat, enthused that you were having a good time and all in all, I think the most hospitable people we have met.
Food was excellent... we took on the meal plan which meant we only had to pay extra for alcohol and drinks for the kids outside of fruit juice. The breakfasts, lunches and the dinners were therefore simply walk in, find a table, order or go to the buffet and then sign off that you were there and your drinks and go... it was very well organised, and the food itself was fantastically presented and tasted great - particularly the seafood.
For the girls, they had a great time and because it was a family orientated resort, the girls developed good friendships with the other resort kids and for a change the bulk of the kids were 6-12yr old girls rather than the usual 13-14yr old boys reeking havoc that we have struck of late. On top of that, the island staff ran a Kids Club which meant that there were plenty of scheduled activities during the days and at night all the kids were kept busy whilst adults could have dinner to themselves between 6:30 and 9:00pm.
So while we dined in the restaurant, the kids went to bonfires, played games, learnt Fijian dances etc.
And plenty of activities for everyone too... we had free use of snorkel gear, kayaks and catamarans. We also got a free tour of the reef via a glass bottom boat - which Brookie loved - on the Thursday Kate and I went Parasailing. Kate went tandem with one of her island friends, so it was great that she did this without me. It was a big deal for her.
The bure's were great. They were airy and air conditioned and right on the water.
I am rambling a bit... can't say enough of the place and we'll definitely be going back.
Our welcome to the island... this was taken as our launch hit the beach. No wharf on Castaway, you literally hit the sand!
Our island bure... from the front.
The view from the bure's verandah. Spectacular!
Yours truly working hard! ;)
Brooke and Kate in the water out the front of our bure...
Sunset off the balcony of the islands restaurant...
Kate and Brooke (who at this stage had their hair braided) at the Kids Klub with one of the staff Alesi.
The girls got to perform at the "Lovo Night" which was the night of Fijian dancing and food... The staff put on a cocktail party complete with Kava for the adults and then the kids who had rehearsed all day were part of the show of traditional dancing and singing.
Here we are on that same day watching Kime prepare the "lovo" which is an underground earthen pit of hot rocks and banana leaves where the food is cooked all day. There was enough food here to feed the entire island!
Kate coming into land during her parasail... she is the front set of legs!
Me being kitted up to go parasailing. The very technical instructions were "sit down and dont pull the ropes until you come into land".
This shot is special because it was taken on the launch back to the cruise ship to take us home. Aseri here was the leader of the Kids Klub and she was on board to take the tickets and first Brooke and then Kate started to cry because they were going home. Soon Aseri was crying as well and you know the kids have had a good time when they burst into emotion as you pull away....
The weather was great, sunny in the mornings, very hot by midday and then cooling down through the afternoon so that come by dinner time, it was very comfortable to eat outside.
Castaway Island was brilliant in the sense that there were only 60 odd bures but about 130 staff on the island at any one time. There are 160 employees in all, but they have a 12 days on, 3 days off rotation. This meant that there were no hassles, always someone within "bula!" distance to talk to and the whole vibe of the place was peaceful.
Speaking of the staff, they were excellent - always relaxed, happy to chat, enthused that you were having a good time and all in all, I think the most hospitable people we have met.
Food was excellent... we took on the meal plan which meant we only had to pay extra for alcohol and drinks for the kids outside of fruit juice. The breakfasts, lunches and the dinners were therefore simply walk in, find a table, order or go to the buffet and then sign off that you were there and your drinks and go... it was very well organised, and the food itself was fantastically presented and tasted great - particularly the seafood.
For the girls, they had a great time and because it was a family orientated resort, the girls developed good friendships with the other resort kids and for a change the bulk of the kids were 6-12yr old girls rather than the usual 13-14yr old boys reeking havoc that we have struck of late. On top of that, the island staff ran a Kids Club which meant that there were plenty of scheduled activities during the days and at night all the kids were kept busy whilst adults could have dinner to themselves between 6:30 and 9:00pm.
So while we dined in the restaurant, the kids went to bonfires, played games, learnt Fijian dances etc.
And plenty of activities for everyone too... we had free use of snorkel gear, kayaks and catamarans. We also got a free tour of the reef via a glass bottom boat - which Brookie loved - on the Thursday Kate and I went Parasailing. Kate went tandem with one of her island friends, so it was great that she did this without me. It was a big deal for her.
The bure's were great. They were airy and air conditioned and right on the water.
I am rambling a bit... can't say enough of the place and we'll definitely be going back.
Our welcome to the island... this was taken as our launch hit the beach. No wharf on Castaway, you literally hit the sand!
Our island bure... from the front.
The view from the bure's verandah. Spectacular!
Yours truly working hard! ;)
Brooke and Kate in the water out the front of our bure...
Sunset off the balcony of the islands restaurant...
Kate and Brooke (who at this stage had their hair braided) at the Kids Klub with one of the staff Alesi.
The girls got to perform at the "Lovo Night" which was the night of Fijian dancing and food... The staff put on a cocktail party complete with Kava for the adults and then the kids who had rehearsed all day were part of the show of traditional dancing and singing.
Here we are on that same day watching Kime prepare the "lovo" which is an underground earthen pit of hot rocks and banana leaves where the food is cooked all day. There was enough food here to feed the entire island!
Kate coming into land during her parasail... she is the front set of legs!
Me being kitted up to go parasailing. The very technical instructions were "sit down and dont pull the ropes until you come into land".
This shot is special because it was taken on the launch back to the cruise ship to take us home. Aseri here was the leader of the Kids Klub and she was on board to take the tickets and first Brooke and then Kate started to cry because they were going home. Soon Aseri was crying as well and you know the kids have had a good time when they burst into emotion as you pull away....
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Bula Vinaka!
We're back! After a long trip home, we have made it... a fuller post will probably arrive tomorrow, but currently I am sorting through 225 photos and am in too relaxed a mood to be getting back into anything technical like blogging! lol!
Spent 8 nights away, most of it drinking or sleeping (can I do both at once!?) and have discovered a new found passion for the Tropical Splice cocktail...
Castaway Island is the best resort I have ever been and I highly recommend it!
Pics et al to follow soonish...
Spent 8 nights away, most of it drinking or sleeping (can I do both at once!?) and have discovered a new found passion for the Tropical Splice cocktail...
Castaway Island is the best resort I have ever been and I highly recommend it!
Pics et al to follow soonish...
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