So those of you who are Facebook friends with me will know that I have given up Facebook for the period of Lent. From Wednesday just gone, to Easter Sunday, I won't be poking, writing on walls, 'liking', commenting or posting anything on my or anyone else's Facebook pages.
Why am I doing this? What will it achieve? How am I going to keep in contact with everyone? What if I lose touch with people?
OK, firstly, I admit that Facebook has it's advantages. I have managed to stay in touch with friends who are overseas and interstate. It's been a good way to see peoples photos and .......ok, I'm out!
In all honesty, Facebook, while fun, hasn't enriched my life all that much. I have "reconnected" with people, sure....but in all honesty, I lost contact with many of them for a good reason and the only reason I have clicked on "confirm" in many cases, is purely through guilt! I feel as though if I ignore people, it will adversely affect my karma! Which is not a very good reason to be 'friends' with someone.
It's a time waster! I got home from work last night, logged on, checked a couple of sites that I regularly check, then logged off again. I put my laptop down and the world was my oyster! I could read a book, go for a walk, do some housework or chillax with Andy. I did most of those things (no walk, seeing as I went to the gym in the morn) and it was fantastic!
But the most important reason I have given up Facebook is that it negates the requirement of genuine, warm, personal human contact! Nobody posts letters anymore, people don't catch up for coffee as much (why, when you can chat online?) and I feel we are starting to lose an important element of human relationships though 'social networking' sites. In the last 2 days, I have sent 3 emails to people I haven't seen in ages, arranging face to face catch ups, which will no doubt include real hugs, piping hot coffee, meaningful eye contact and flowing conversation....that's if we remember how to converse in full words! Today, I received a letter in the mail (that is that system that puts bills into that little box on a pole down the end of your driveway, it can be used for personal correspondence as well, who would have thunk it!?) from my friends Mum who was also one of my high school teachers and one of my first Facebook friends. She wrote to commend me on my decision to give up Facebook. Receiving a hand written letter drove home the point that I am going to enjoy the next month and a bit!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sad Goodbye
In January 1998, my families world was tipped upside down, by a clumsy, big footed, 9kg German Shepherd puppy. Born in Milang SA, 'Zanderstein Erika' was the largest of her litter. When she weighed 9kg, the rest of them weighed 4! When she came to live with us, we lifted the airs and graces from her kennel name ans she became known as 'Ellie'. Ellie endeared herself to everyone she met with her gregarious nature and irresistible puppy charm.
At the time, I was working in hospitality, so my shifts were generally evenings or early mornings, meaning I was home during the middle of the day while everyone else was out at work. To this end, El became my little fluffy shadow, following me everywhere. Often when I visited friends, she'd come along for the trip, sitting in the back of the car as if she were being chauffeur driven. She always sat in the middle of the seat, so when I looked in the rear view mirror, all I'd see where 2 big pointy ears and a slightly vacant expression on her face. As we pulled into our destination, she'd often lean across and lick my ear, as if to say 'Thanks for the lift!'
As she grew, she developed a few joint problems, (common with large breeds) so it was my job to take her down to the vet once a month for her injections of 'cartrophen'. She was very antisocial with other dogs. She thought she was human and dogs were below her and would yell aggressively at them..... so we often got sent out of the waiting room in disgrace. In the end, I usually stuck my head in the door and said to the receptionist "Ellie is here for her injection." She'd notify the vet, who would conduct the consult on the veranda of the surgery!
At the end of 98, I left home to come to Adelaide. Ellie was difficult to say goodbye to. I knew I'd be able to speak to my human family regularly on the phone, but I was worried she'd forget me etc. In the early hours of the morning, that I left, my poor Mum came out to find me, (with a belly and brain full of cheap champagne) hugging Ellie and crying. I remember her standing there in her nightie wondering what the hell was wrong with me. Ellie was looking pleadingly at Mum as if to say 'Take her away! She stinks of grog and she won't stop blubbering!'
A good 9 months after I left, I went back to Darwin on holiday. I walked through the gate with Dad, Ellie was sitting at the top of the stairs. She smiled at Dad in that doggie 'can't be bothered getting up to greet you, but nice to see you' kind of way. I called her and slapped my legs. Her whole expression changed! She came barrelling down the stairs and leaped at me. I reckon she hit me at about chest height! Every time I went back after that, I got a similar greeting, either a massive body slam or a long gleeful howl! And after I left, she'd stop eating for a couple of days.
My Dad phoned the other day and said she wasn't going so well. Again, she has stopped eating, but it isn't though grief or anything. She's just getting very old and frail. She has a bad heart, fluid on her lungs and her joints have never been much chop. Her twilight is upon her and very shortly, she'll be heading off to join Kaleb, Suzie, Ebony and the old Ginger Cat (who's name was Pussy, but that is now considered a bit pornographic). Today, I am heading down to Strathalbyn, where she is living with Mum & Dad, to say my final goodbye. It'll be sad, it'll be the end of an era, but I think for her, that long sleep is going to be a welcome relief, given the health issues she's had the last few months.
The last couple of weeks, she's seen all the family. My brother and his family spent a week down there with them, so she had lots of exuberant pats from my 1 & 3 year old nephews, she's had a check up with Andy & Lib, our family friends who have also been her vets and who picked her from the litter for us, all those years ago and then today, Andy and I. After today, she can slip away peacefully into that long blissful sleep and go to wherever it is that dogs go, a massive grassy park in the sky, with ample sticks and balls to chase, Dixie cup ice creams to eat and Schmacko's growing off trees.
See you on the other side gorgeous girl.
At the time, I was working in hospitality, so my shifts were generally evenings or early mornings, meaning I was home during the middle of the day while everyone else was out at work. To this end, El became my little fluffy shadow, following me everywhere. Often when I visited friends, she'd come along for the trip, sitting in the back of the car as if she were being chauffeur driven. She always sat in the middle of the seat, so when I looked in the rear view mirror, all I'd see where 2 big pointy ears and a slightly vacant expression on her face. As we pulled into our destination, she'd often lean across and lick my ear, as if to say 'Thanks for the lift!'
As she grew, she developed a few joint problems, (common with large breeds) so it was my job to take her down to the vet once a month for her injections of 'cartrophen'. She was very antisocial with other dogs. She thought she was human and dogs were below her and would yell aggressively at them..... so we often got sent out of the waiting room in disgrace. In the end, I usually stuck my head in the door and said to the receptionist "Ellie is here for her injection." She'd notify the vet, who would conduct the consult on the veranda of the surgery!
At the end of 98, I left home to come to Adelaide. Ellie was difficult to say goodbye to. I knew I'd be able to speak to my human family regularly on the phone, but I was worried she'd forget me etc. In the early hours of the morning, that I left, my poor Mum came out to find me, (with a belly and brain full of cheap champagne) hugging Ellie and crying. I remember her standing there in her nightie wondering what the hell was wrong with me. Ellie was looking pleadingly at Mum as if to say 'Take her away! She stinks of grog and she won't stop blubbering!'
A good 9 months after I left, I went back to Darwin on holiday. I walked through the gate with Dad, Ellie was sitting at the top of the stairs. She smiled at Dad in that doggie 'can't be bothered getting up to greet you, but nice to see you' kind of way. I called her and slapped my legs. Her whole expression changed! She came barrelling down the stairs and leaped at me. I reckon she hit me at about chest height! Every time I went back after that, I got a similar greeting, either a massive body slam or a long gleeful howl! And after I left, she'd stop eating for a couple of days.
My Dad phoned the other day and said she wasn't going so well. Again, she has stopped eating, but it isn't though grief or anything. She's just getting very old and frail. She has a bad heart, fluid on her lungs and her joints have never been much chop. Her twilight is upon her and very shortly, she'll be heading off to join Kaleb, Suzie, Ebony and the old Ginger Cat (who's name was Pussy, but that is now considered a bit pornographic). Today, I am heading down to Strathalbyn, where she is living with Mum & Dad, to say my final goodbye. It'll be sad, it'll be the end of an era, but I think for her, that long sleep is going to be a welcome relief, given the health issues she's had the last few months.
The last couple of weeks, she's seen all the family. My brother and his family spent a week down there with them, so she had lots of exuberant pats from my 1 & 3 year old nephews, she's had a check up with Andy & Lib, our family friends who have also been her vets and who picked her from the litter for us, all those years ago and then today, Andy and I. After today, she can slip away peacefully into that long blissful sleep and go to wherever it is that dogs go, a massive grassy park in the sky, with ample sticks and balls to chase, Dixie cup ice creams to eat and Schmacko's growing off trees.
See you on the other side gorgeous girl.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
When Fortune Cookies go BAD!
I was settling into my cubicle at work this morning when the girl who sits the other side of the partition to me, we'll call her 'Sally' came in and announced she had a fortune cookie.
"Where did you get the fortune cookie?" asked 'Kate'
"There was a really spunky guy handing them out in the mall!"
"Oh! You should have got his number!"
Sally is a single girl, pretty and very sweet natured. Being handed a fortune cookie by a handsome stranger seemed like an omen! We all joked about 'accepting sweets from strange men' and I asked if he'd told her he had a puppy in his car that she could pat! She answered that he was so spunky, she would have followed him to his car, puppy or no puppy!!
The conversation died down and from the other side of the partition, I heard the snap of the fortune cookie as she opened it to reveal her destiny. The snap was followed by her horrified cry!
"That's terrible!"
"What does it say?" asked Kate, getting out of her chair to see what horror the fortune cookie had revealed. She took it from Sally and her face creased into hysterical laughter!!!
By this stage, I am doing the old "prairie dog" stance to see what is going on. I asked Kate to read it out, she was laughing too hard and simply handed it to me.
"Where did you get the fortune cookie?" asked 'Kate'
"There was a really spunky guy handing them out in the mall!"
"Oh! You should have got his number!"
Sally is a single girl, pretty and very sweet natured. Being handed a fortune cookie by a handsome stranger seemed like an omen! We all joked about 'accepting sweets from strange men' and I asked if he'd told her he had a puppy in his car that she could pat! She answered that he was so spunky, she would have followed him to his car, puppy or no puppy!!
The conversation died down and from the other side of the partition, I heard the snap of the fortune cookie as she opened it to reveal her destiny. The snap was followed by her horrified cry!
"That's terrible!"
"What does it say?" asked Kate, getting out of her chair to see what horror the fortune cookie had revealed. She took it from Sally and her face creased into hysterical laughter!!!
By this stage, I am doing the old "prairie dog" stance to see what is going on. I asked Kate to read it out, she was laughing too hard and simply handed it to me.
"he's just not that into you!"
Just then, the woman with the disagreeable jaw came over and hissed at us to be quiet.
Poor Sally.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Happy Birthday to one of my Dearest Friends
I thought it was high time introduce all of you (who don't yet have the pleasure) to a friend of mine. This is a friend who has been with me through thick and thin, for longer than many of my friends and certainly in closer proximity than most. His name is Oscar. He is a budgie and he has just clocked up 10 years. Yep, 10 human years!
Oscar first entered my life in the very warm summer of 1999. I had just moved to Adelaide and a friends sister called me and invited me round for a BBQ. Being new in town, with not many friends, an outing was quite appealing, so I went along. It was February 14th. I had a lovely lunch, meeting new people etc etc. As we were all sitting round enjoying a cuppa, one of the family members said "We've just hatched a clutch of budgies. Would you be allowed to have one in your flat?" I wasn't 100% sure, but I figured there was no harm in asking. The took me out to the avery and showed me all these cute little birds flitting about. I was pretty taken by them and I had nobody at home to talk to, so I promptly contacted my land agent, who granted permission.
On the 4th of March 1999, he arrived on my doorstep, in a cage. I was brought up with dogs and cats, so a budgie was a bit of a new concept. I watched him for hours, mystified by his funny habits and behaviour. Slowly (yes, it did take some time) we bonded. I started to notice patterns in his noises. He made a really happy sound whenever I walked in the door, he made a really angry sound when he was playing with his toys (swinging mirrors etc). I realised very soon that I was attached to him.
Oscar and I lived happily together for 2 years in a flat in Kensington Park. We then moved to a house in Hampstead Gardens. Our flatmates were another girl my age and her cat. Oscar told me that he wasn't so sure about the cat, but trusted me to keep him safe from her, which I did.
Nine months later, we moved to another place in Hectorville. Our flatmate this time was something much more sinister and dangerous than a cat. It was a pot smoking lout. Oscar told me that this wouldn't do and we had to get out. After another nine months or so, we did. During that time, Oscar developed a series of 'stress lines' in his tail feathers. His tail feathers are a dark turquoise so the pale coloured lines stood out.
We moved to a flat in Kensington, Oscars stress lines grew out and he told me he was happy again. We lived there happily for nigh on 7 years before we decided to have a tree change and move to the hills with Andy. Which brings us to now.
Oscar is quite elderly now, but he is still bringing about lots of happy noises in our house. Recently, he suffered some ill health, to the point where I thought I was about to lose him. It was then that I realised how much something that weighs all of about 30gms, really means to me. I've had times where I have taken him to a friends place to look after while I am away and my house feels empty without him.
I suppose those who have never had a pet, let alone a budgie, wouldn't understand the enormity of the bond that people have with their pets. I didn't set out to fall in love with a little ball of feathers, but I have, and I make no apologies. And if you met him, you'd fall in love too!
Oscar first entered my life in the very warm summer of 1999. I had just moved to Adelaide and a friends sister called me and invited me round for a BBQ. Being new in town, with not many friends, an outing was quite appealing, so I went along. It was February 14th. I had a lovely lunch, meeting new people etc etc. As we were all sitting round enjoying a cuppa, one of the family members said "We've just hatched a clutch of budgies. Would you be allowed to have one in your flat?" I wasn't 100% sure, but I figured there was no harm in asking. The took me out to the avery and showed me all these cute little birds flitting about. I was pretty taken by them and I had nobody at home to talk to, so I promptly contacted my land agent, who granted permission.
On the 4th of March 1999, he arrived on my doorstep, in a cage. I was brought up with dogs and cats, so a budgie was a bit of a new concept. I watched him for hours, mystified by his funny habits and behaviour. Slowly (yes, it did take some time) we bonded. I started to notice patterns in his noises. He made a really happy sound whenever I walked in the door, he made a really angry sound when he was playing with his toys (swinging mirrors etc). I realised very soon that I was attached to him.
Oscar and I lived happily together for 2 years in a flat in Kensington Park. We then moved to a house in Hampstead Gardens. Our flatmates were another girl my age and her cat. Oscar told me that he wasn't so sure about the cat, but trusted me to keep him safe from her, which I did.
Nine months later, we moved to another place in Hectorville. Our flatmate this time was something much more sinister and dangerous than a cat. It was a pot smoking lout. Oscar told me that this wouldn't do and we had to get out. After another nine months or so, we did. During that time, Oscar developed a series of 'stress lines' in his tail feathers. His tail feathers are a dark turquoise so the pale coloured lines stood out.
We moved to a flat in Kensington, Oscars stress lines grew out and he told me he was happy again. We lived there happily for nigh on 7 years before we decided to have a tree change and move to the hills with Andy. Which brings us to now.
Oscar is quite elderly now, but he is still bringing about lots of happy noises in our house. Recently, he suffered some ill health, to the point where I thought I was about to lose him. It was then that I realised how much something that weighs all of about 30gms, really means to me. I've had times where I have taken him to a friends place to look after while I am away and my house feels empty without him.
I suppose those who have never had a pet, let alone a budgie, wouldn't understand the enormity of the bond that people have with their pets. I didn't set out to fall in love with a little ball of feathers, but I have, and I make no apologies. And if you met him, you'd fall in love too!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Life is Beachy
After probably over a year of avoiding it, I went to the beach twice on the weekend! It was great! I am such a convert. I had avoided the beach for a number of reasons. I didn't like hot and where I grew up, beach meant hot, particularly in the middle of the day. That had a lot to do with the fact that box jelly fish kept you out of the water!
The weekend was a different story! I caught a couple of waves and even got myself a gnarly injury from body surfing! My knee is red and swollen from where I landed on it whilst being dumped! Awesome! I think I will be spending a lot more time down there this summer!!!
Aren't ya proud Sam?
The weekend was a different story! I caught a couple of waves and even got myself a gnarly injury from body surfing! My knee is red and swollen from where I landed on it whilst being dumped! Awesome! I think I will be spending a lot more time down there this summer!!!
Aren't ya proud Sam?
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