Actualización: navegando por alli me tope con esta pagina de "fake google's logos" logos falsos de google

ejemplos:

My dad reserved a room for one night there with 2 double beds.  We get there and my dad goes in to get the room keys.  The lady at the desk tells him that the only available rooms are ones with one king size bed.  Um, not going to work for 6 people.  So we decided to just take the room for the evening because my parents had to be somewhere in a half hour.  We were going to find a different hotel after.

We were pretty mad about this already, since it was going to be a pain to find a new hotel.  We go up to the room without bothering to unload the car since we were going to switch hotels anyway.  My dad unlocked the room and we walk in only to see that the room has not been cleaned.  The bed was unmade, the bathroom sink covered with various used towels and other junk, empty beer bottles in the garbage, garbage on the floor, and a half eaten danish next to the TV.  I half expected some guy to come out of the bathroom and say 'What the hell are you doing in my room?'

My dad called the front desk to complain and then went down to get keys to another room.  He got the keys and tried them on the door.  They did not work.  He went back down to complain again and the lady told him to try room 231 instead.  We did and luckily it worked.  My parents got ready for the dinner they were going to and my siblings and I went to Bob Evans for dinner.

Once my parents got back, my dad got reservations for a different hotel in Rochester since we were doing stuff there the next day.  He went to the front desk to check out and the lady was on the phone talking to someone who wanted a room for the night.  She said they had no rooms available.  My dad said 'Yeah, except the one we're vacating right now.'

The lady then said,  'Oh, no, you've been in there for five hours, we need to thoroughly clean it.'

My dad wanted to mention how clean our first room was, but he didn't.  This was last weekend and now we look back on it and laugh.  Our vacations are always memorable.

am one of the FIRST TO POST THIS!!!

Only gymbo and minerva have posted this! and

WK

I posted before WI!!!!!!

names
bat-esmirelda or azkadeila
eagle-liberty aka libby
chickadee-dee
dolphin-?
sheep-?
pig-?
chipmunk-nutter butter, chip lol

goo-goo berries are falling!
catch yours while you can!

credit to www.kinzcafe.com for the picture

retired games!

skater cat http://www.webkinz.com/SWF/ARCADE/GAMES/SkaterKat/SkaterKat.swf

dashing dolphins http://www.webkinz.com/SWF/ARCADE/GAMES/dashingdolphin.swf

jazz monsters http://www.webkinz.com/SWF/ARCADE/GAMES/jazz.swf

Lolol I somehow feel that the Chinese just owned the angmohs.

On a sidenote, fail of the day!

If you' re stuck at home on Tisha B'Av, The Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island is providing a phone hookup for Kinnos, learning and lectures and The OU has a live Tisha B'Av webcast.

Torah Tots provides an informative page on Tisha B'Av for kids.

WebYeshiva has a whole group of lectures and source material on Tisha B'Av and the Nine Days.

A Simple Jew provides Sinas Chinam - A Story for Tisha B'Av

Dixie Yid has Rabbi Chaim Morgenstern's Remembering the Churban Beis Hamikdash - Part 1 - -Part 2- -Part 3- and - Part 4-

Here on Temunot, there are two relevant Tisha B'Av links:

Tucking in the Mashiach

Frozen Scream

So - no blog posts for about ten days. It says something about T's present state of mind at work that a week in a tent with the kids seems like a relaxing option - I just hope he's allowed to take the holiday he booked weeks ago. His project is nearing competion, but with deadlines all next week it's not the best time for him to be away (although to be fair, the deadlines have all moved since we booked the holiday, so it's not our fault).

Back to the packing. The tent is in the car, but right now no-one has any clothes packed except wellington boots. And it ain't that kind of campsite... Bye all, see you in ten days.

The Cango Caves can be found about 26 kilometres north of the town of Oudtshoorn, which lies in the heart of the Little Karoo. In the last century the caves have become world renowned not only within South Africa but with international tourists as well, who visit the Cango Caves in droves. Giggling groups of school children visit the caves as part of their curriculum and dare each other to go through the Devil’s Chimney, a rather tight passage in the caves and to be posted down the Devil’s Post box that is only 27 centimetres wide.

For me, simply standing in Van Zyl’s chamber staring at the stalagmites, stalactites and helictites takes my breath away. There is so much to see, whether you choose the standard tour or the adventure tour, you are in for an experience that leaves you feeling humble. You will wander through chambers with whimsical names such as Rainbow Chamber, Bridal Chamber and Fairy Chamber and stand in silent awe as you look upon the translucent formations in the Drum Room.

For those of intrepid spirit the adventure tour starts in the Grand Hall, then through the aptly named Lumbago Alley and King Solomon’s Mines. From there you squeeze through the Devil’s Chimney, go through the Coffin, down to the Devil’s Kitchen and finally holding your breath, you post yourself through the Devil’s Post box amidst shrieks of laughter and often lots of groaning and puffing.

The Cango Caves complex is well run with an Interpretive Centre and Auditorium that explains the how and the why of the splendid formations of the caves to visitors. Continuous movies and exhibitions give a well-prepared overview and you can watch a short movie that gives you glimpses of the wonders of Cango 2 that is not open to the public to preserve the formations and have even more glorious sights than Cango 1. The Cango Caves restaurant offers great food in the true Klein Karoo tradition for tired visitors after their grand experience through the caves.

My birthday items are generally things that can be built or used outside of the home either in the pool or gardens where as my Christmas list usually contains items that deal with the inside of the house or possibly items pertaining to work or reading. 

I simply keep a word document on my computer with the following headings: What do I want? What does it look like? Where can I find it?  Under these columns I give the name if the item... say a snow shovel.  The next column will have a picture taken from the website.  The last column will have the link item on a particular website.  Shopping made easy... point, click, buy!

Banana Beach
This gorgeous beach, among the Phuket undiscovered beaches is in the northern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a pretty two-hundred meter strip of sand, featured with rocks in the middle and encircled with trees. It is good for swimming and there is some exciting snorkeling.

Pansea Beach
Exactly at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is beautiful and calm Pansea Beach, which is one of the Phuket undiscovered beaches. Even though there are two up-market resorts here, the location preserves its refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or Kata Island depending who you believe) which safeguards the shallow bay from waves so it is always pleasant.

Pon Beach
This isolated little beach is in the headland north of Patong. The locals call it Nai Yair Beach. It is unbelievable how few people find this beach taking into account it is situated so close to the hordes at Patong. You will not find anything special here apart from a couple of rural shacks and a few grazing cows. Although It is a sandy beach it is not good for swimming because of the rocky seabed. However some good snorkeling is on offer.

Paradise Beach
In the headland south of Patong, there are two attractive beaches that remain relatively undiscovered. They are not as unexplored as the other beaches you find on this list but still unfamiliar enough for the heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise Beach. Exactly at the tip of the headland, you can access it by road (track) or boat.

Freedom Beach
You can only access this superb Phuket undiscovered beach by boat. It is located in the headland south of Patong all the way around and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still the boat ride will be fruitful with fantastic bathing and snorkeling. There are a couple of restaurants and lots of sun loungers under the trees. The locals give dedicated care to the beach and it is always pristine. Numerous people do make this a day trip from Patong but the beach is never busy and again it is hard to perceive how many people in Patong are unaware this beach is here.

Nui Beach
This beach is best known for how tough it is to reach by land. Situated between Kata and Nai Harn, the only way to access it by land is down a two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to get through in a car. You can just about overcome it on a motorbike but it is better to walk or get in touch with one of the locals to take you down on their ATV for a small fee.

Ao Sane Beach
This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai Harn Beach. You require to go through Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club's car park to set foot on it but they do not disrupt your path. You can find a restaurant there and some budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a few people around but it is never crowded.

Laemka Beach
This little beach is located at the southern end of Phuket between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not signposted and a little strenuous to sight but a beautiful spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort are situated close to it but still the beach remains calm. It is among the few southern beaches where you can have a swim and there are lovely views out to the southern islands.

Ao Yon Beach
Placed deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach which is also among the Phuket undiscovered beaches. This is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. Although it is well advanced with residential property, hotels or restaurants are absent by this beach. It houses the Phuket Yacht Club and there are always lots of boats moored in the bay. It is an attractive stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is generally tranquil and a real getaway.

Penis envy in a literal sense would mean women wish they had one and will always feel at a disadvantage for being without. If boys define themselves as male because they have a penis, then a girl is defined as female because she doesn't. Females are non-males. Missing something important. Lacking.* . In a less literal but no less real sense, penis envy is not wishing one had that extra bit of flesh but rather wishing one had the privilege that seemed to come with it. Women in Freud's time were not so much the weaker sex as the weakened one. With being very much subject to their husbands or fathers, I am sure the advantages bestowed upon the penised people would have been a greater source of envy to the women of Freud's time.

Personally (and I say this is a Psychology student) I think Freud was talking a load of hooey. Freud's assertions said a lot more about Freud than they ever did about people in general. We all know that men are extremely fond of their bits. Men form a lasting relationship with their little friend and. Also, virility, sexual prowess, length and girth all contribute to men's sense of self and their gender identity it is true. I am sure men would find not having a penis a great loss indeed, but that doesn't necessarily mean women want to have one when we've never had one in the first place.

However (yes, however. This is where I get personal) I do feel an element of envy, despite me saying Freud overestimated how generalisable his introspections are) I confess I DO feel a sense of envy.

It's an ingenius piece of design. A urine delivery tube that can be aimed away from the body at almost any angle makes urinating in the open considerably more convenient for the male than for the female. When I was 18 I spent a summer looking after two girls aged 8 and 10. When the 8 year old informed me of an urgent need to pee (we were miles from the nearest loo) I pointed here in the direction of a dense shrub and instructed her to go there. 'Look out for nettles and make sure you face downhill' I advised.
When she reappeared from beind the shrub I could see she was about to burst into tears. It turns out she had (to her own surprise) weed sideways and straight into her new shoes. I looked at her socks and they were indeed dripping. We were several miles from home but she (still crying) squelched back with us for a change of clothes.

Boys never suffer this indignity. As a girl you learn bladder control by necessity. Every boyfriend I've known has been pathetic at being able to hold it in. As a girl you become selective about where you go to pee. We have to make more contact with the grubby petrol station toilets than men ever do with their point and shoot system and also, they can go anywhere anyway. The world is their urinal.

When the Sous Chef and I are out cycling, his pee stops to mine number about 5:1. A combination of bladder control and opportunity. I remember one day in particular when we always seemed to be in wide open countryside with not so much as a dandelion to crouch behind. I've been jabbed by thistles, brushed by nettles and had to crouch behind a patch of trees that had houses in the distance. Not so close for me to be arrested but close enough for anyone with good eyesight to have seen me with my arse very much hanging out.

I have had enough of this indignity. I can stand no longer to be jumping from foot to foot when we stop for his pee stops and I can see no cover anywhere for me to hide behind. We are going to be cycling/wild camping in Scotland for two weeks and so I have invested in this:

I'll let you know how I get on. (no pictures though - the reason behind the purchase was to preserve my dignity)

*I could never get on with this dea of the penis having/not having being a defining feature. Even as a child I knew I was female because I possessed female attributes not because I lacked male. Removing the penis does not make a boy a girl. YOu migh as well say men are just women without ovaries.

This cosmopolitan city started the modern concept of the European shopping experience. In the city centre you'll discover a range of shopping malls with almost endless variety of shops. Throughout the surrounding areas you can also explore boutique village shops.Why not try indoor skiing on real snow or climbing on the superb rock wall or go flying in the Airkix tunnel, which can all be found under one roof! The many lakes in Milton Keynes also provide excellent water sports opportunities and there’s a state-of-the-art football stadium, not to mention the national Hockey and Badminton centres. Milton Keynes is the perfect place for the sports mad.

Young or old the theme parks around the city are sure to excite you. Europe first Eco-Park featuring life-size dinosaurs and a visitor monorail system has recently opened. If you prefer your creatures a little smaller, Woburn Safari Park is Britain’s largest drive-through safari park, allowing you to get “up close and personal” with the animals. Or for something more relaxing why not hire a barge for a day on the Grand Union Canal.

Milton Keynes is rich in cultural experiences with award-winning galleries and theatres, stately homes, medieval abbey ruins and traditional village pubs. Milton Keynes has the fastest-growing "after 6pm" culture outside London, meaning you'll find every type of food, drink and entertainment experience you could desire.
• Milton Keynes Theatre is the most successful theatre outside London's West End.
• Milton Keynes Gallery offers free exhibitions of international contemporary art.
• Milton Keynes City Orchestra is the live classical music resource for Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. Over more than 30 years, it has built a national and international reputation through performances of outstanding quality.
• The Art Trail, which snakes around the city, includes over 200 installations of modern sculpture.
• Woburn Abbey, the ancestral home of the Duke of Bedford, houses private collections of art, furniture and porcelain on public view.
• Museums galore including Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes Museum, and The Cowper & Newton Museum.
• The historical market towns of Stony Stratford, Newport Pagnell, Wolverton and Olney are just a stone's-throw away from the city centre.

Oceania Club is a new resort built in luxurious, contemporary Mediterranean style, inspired by local architectural traditions opened in May 2005. Located on a beautiful amphitheatric hill surrounded by pines, olive groves and Cypress trees, leading to the beautiful sandy beach.

Have all the fun in the world at Oceania Club’s pools. Enjoy drinks, the glorious sun, the lagoon style fresh water pool and make use of the ultra all-inclusive amenities.

There is a separate children’s pool, sunbeds, umbrellas and towels all provided. Furthermore, exclusively for the guests of the Oceania Privilege Club, there is a private fresh-water swimming pool with separate children’s section. All offer breathtaking views over the Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus.

For sports enthusiasts, the Oceania Club has a great range of activities.

Children are looked after and entertained by Oceania staff at any of the three children's mini clubs which cater for children from 4 to 16 years. All activities from pool games to beach volley ball are included in the price.

At the Oceania Club children are also our guests and we have created the ideal carefree playground for them. This means the parents can relax and enjoy themselves too. Importantly, everything your children could possibly want, is included in the price.

Experience the culinary delights at Oceania Club and choose from a fantastic variety of Greek and international favourites. Take your pick: from buffet to à-la-carte dining, all-inclusive: an unforgettable culinary journey.

Opening our doors to the world with more than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, Oceania Club offers a vast choice of dining options - each with a distinct theme, location and decorative style. Many of the restaurants and bars overlook the sea and enjoy magnificent views of the sun setting over the warm Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus.

At Oceania Club we pride ourselves in the quality of entertainment offered. Musical shows, cooking and Greek language lessons, and much more, are all exclusive to Oceania guests and included in the price of your holiday. Cocktails, spectacular shows at the theatre, dancing and more cocktails. All-inclusive entertainment does not get any better.

Entertainment programmes (change every week), sports and children’s activities are extensive but discrete, in order to guarantee tranquility and privacy of our guests.

So if you want the ultimate all inclusive family destination go to the Oceania Club & Spa.

Burj Al Arab does not have rooms; it has 202 suites, each one arranged over two floors. The spacious suites feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows which offer simply breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. Decorated with lavish textures and exuberant colors, each suite features a sumptuous living and dining area, state-of-the-art entertainment system and office facilities. Their sheer opulence in every tiny detail is underpinned with technology that does everything from controlling the 42-inch Plasma screen TV to closing the curtains.

An extensive range of full-size Hermes bathroom amenities, a decadent bath menu with music and oils, and an alternative menu offering a range of 13 pillows to choose from are also provided as standard in all the suites.

After conducting business, shopping, or exploring Dubai, when it's time to wind down, nowhere instills a feeling of luxury, pampering and well-being better than the breathtakingly beautiful Assawan Spa & Health Club. In a setting on the 18th floor that would make a poet sigh, tensions are eased in the spa's crystal clear pools or by indulging in the finest treatments to invigorate and revitalize.

Emulating the luxurious standards set by the hotel, Assawan Spa & Health Club at Burj Al Arab is a haven of serenity and extravagance. The beautiful mosaics used stylishly throughout the spa create an atmosphere of tranquil escapism, enhanced by the breathtaking views over the Jumeirah coastline and Arabian Gulf.

A harmonious balance of well-being and relaxation is the essence of the spa. This underlies the choice of pampering treatments as well as the assortment of fitness options available. Guests can bask in the quiet ambience of the wet areas, consisting of separate ladies' and gents' saunas; steam room; Jacuzzi and a choice of the mixed or ladies-only infinity swimming pool.

For a more active approach, the spa's personal trainers tailor sessions based on individual goals, ability and availability. Yoga, non-impact aerobics and other fitness classes are scheduled. The latest high tech training equipment and a squash court, a mixed gym and dedicated ladies only area are set aside for use by members and guests.

The alluring treatments at the contemporary spa, where meditative music and gentle hands melt away all signs of stress, are specially designed to provide the ultimate in luxurious relaxation. From the decadent massages to the finest facials, the treatments from world-renowned houses such as La Prairie, ESPA and Aromatherapy Associates truly are a delight. All products used in the spa are of the utmost quality and can be purchased in the Spa Boutique.

A signature Assawan treatment, the Tuina Massage is a traditional Chinese-type of massage, based on the use of the Chinese principles, to bring the body back in balance. The therapist uses a series of pressing, tapping, and kneading techniques, with palms, fingertips, and knuckles, that help the body to remove blockages along the meridians of the body and stimulate the flow of qui and blood to promote healing.

The pricey Extreme Indulgence is a luxurious ritual, comprised of a caviar facial and caviar body treatment, designed to have an immediate firming effect and the leave the skin with a youthful, all-over glow.

Totally focused on naturally improving the condition of the skin and enhancing its appearance, all ESPA facials include a ritual of specialized double cleansing techniques, gentle exfoliation, acupressure facial massage, and a deep cleansing and intensive face mask.

This is followed by a deep oriental head massage to clear the mind and bring harmony and tranquility. Totally exclusive and unique to the Assawan Spa, therapists have been chosen by ESPA to offer these specialist rituals such as these.

The good and bad of high oil prices

This week, I came across a wrap-up for my wrap-up. Take a look at One Green Generation's post on the pros and cons coming from high oil prices, and browse the articles that interest you.

I don't know if we've changed our behaviors based on high oil prices, although I'm trying to squeeze more miles per gallon from my car, and Mr. Cheap has been driving his higher-mpg Toyota more than our Subaru this week. Then again, I work at home, so public transit isn't really an issue, and the cost of public transit is more than the gas price of driving Little Cheap to school. How about you all? Are you changing your ways?

Giving & getting green gifts

The holidays are just around the corner ... at least for those who are shopping ahead and planning to give homemade gifts. This week, The Green Parent wrote about how to give green gifts. I've done all of these -- and it's a great reminder that I need to start planning my holiday giving strategy now! I have a few things in mind, but for those things I need to craft, I'd better get cracking.

The cost-benefit analysis of organic food

The Simple Dollar wrote a post titled "Balancing Personal Principles and the Bottom Dollar: The Cost of Healthier Food" that, as I write this, has generated 67 arguments comments. There's a ferocious battle out there over whether organic food is any good. It's a complicated matter, and in the end, I think it's a value judgment -- and most of us have to go with our gut (and sometimes, our wallet!).

In my home, as we have become more committed to holding the earth more sacred, and at the same time a little more prosperous, we have shifted back to a high percentage of organic foods. Local is very important too, but I won't promise to eschew chocolate, never eat a pineapple, give up bananas, or abandon citrus. But we are getting most of our vegetables from our CSA about 60 miles away, some from our backyard; virtually all the meat we are eating comes from our frozen beef that was raised within 100 miles; and I buy organic milk raised in northeastern Colorado, also within 100 or so miles of our home (and perhaps closer).

On the other hand, Mr. Cheap has developed a Pellegrino addiction ... that I hope might wane as the hot weather disappears this fall.

It's all about balance, and I wish you the same.

I enjoyed the breakfast and the view outside the train window, the students in their school uniform lining using their bicycle along the street beside the green paddy field. The houses start lining up one by one, getting crowded, and at last at 07.00 am the train passed Tugu station, the next stopped will be Lempuyangan station, my destination. The train stopped and I pick up my bag under the bench, walking out from the train, checking the train schedule to Surabaya until Toko, Imul’s youngest brother pick me up at Lempuyangan.

We pass along under the short highway, on the intersection and based on our conversation, Toko turned left and drove me out to my old senior highschool Stella Duce 2 Yogyakarta Gayam ^^ When we passed in front of the school, I saw two of the teachers Pak Djarot and Pak Himawan. We stopped by to greet and talk for a while, Pak Djarot was my former class teacher for two years in a row so there is much thing to talk about for a while before he left to start a class. Then Pak Himawan took me to the library passing the hall in front of those junior class, I saw Pak Jendro who taught us music class, choir and violin course, teaching in a class. Then at last I saw Bu Sam, she’s on the wheelchair now but her pretty face was still the same, the smile never fade away from her face after she hugs me and told me about the virus that attacked her mobility nervous system. I might don’t understand every detail that she was trying to explain about her syndrome but it was really good to see her in a very good spirit and have a strong faith even though she already resign as a teacher. She was only asking me to pray and send hi to Imul when I told her that I’m planning to visit Imul in Denpasar. Right now Bu Sam working as one of an administrative staff in the library with Pak Akhir, an old man who always spare me more than just one book for me every weekend from the library.

Those memories put the smile back on my face that morning until I get multiple message on both of my cell phone on a way into Imul’s parents house, its from the office mention urgent urgent and urgent, please call. When I called back, damn I was calling just to be mad at for unfinished repackaging label production while the translation and the design, plus the suppliers list have been prepared on his desk to be edited when I’m leaving *grauuuk*  what a day, good to be away from Jakarta at the right time *wink wink*

Arrived at Seturan, Imul’s family give me a warm welcoming especially Ibu yah, aah… the house hasn’t change much, I still recognized the gate with the holes tempat bikin sate bawang waktu anak-anak de Britto itu pada belajar jadi pawang ujan biar makrabnya ga bubar gara-gara ujan gyahahaha… Then got a phone call from Itong one of  the colleague in Jogja. I took a fresh shower before Itong  pick me up at Seturan, he already  promised to take me lunch at Bang Ucok when I arrived, so that day we have a very fatty lunch over there nyaaammm…...

After lunch Itong have to go back to work and went to Solo, he drove me to the nearest trans-Jogja halte busway in front of Jayakarta hotel at jalan Adi Sutjipto since I’m planning to walking around on the famous Malioboro street with 1A bus route. The halte is kinda small and its hot, I send couple of short messages to Jeng Carra my blogger-date on Jogja that afternoon, protested that I’m gonna be a bacon inside the small hotplate halte in Jogja gyahahaha….

Early afternoon, at last I jump out from the bus and start looking around, Malioboro here I come ^^ I enjoy the walk along the sidewalk filled with souvenirs kiosk, I love sniffin the smell of the goat skin for the bag-key chain-hair clip, the smell of batik which became so dominant lately, its batik season guys. No wonder Jeng Carra bought batik in Bandung, because she got a headache when she sees all the batik gyahahaha… I knew about it later when we met @ JCo *ditimpuk*

I walk slowly trying to spend the time till Jeng Carra’s office hours is end, but I’m walking too fast (kebiasaan ngejer angkot dari esde jeng, susyah, setelannya formula atu je maunya ngebut mulu hohohoho) so after walking around twice and start to get the batik syndrome I stopped by at Mirota Batik, infront of Beringhardjo market just to window shopping. The smell of the aromatics therapy filled the air, the store is just like a museum with bunch of (still) batik clothes, batik sarong, batik pillow, batik mattress, batik mask, miniature of Borobudur temple and the Buddha statue, all kind bags from cloth and rattan, paintings, silver rings-necklace and other accessories, wood ring that mixed with the burned shell, all kinds of dream catcher from bamboo, coconut plate and aluminums, big colored kites that spread on the corner of the store ceiling, aaaah and so much more, you better look it by yourself guys *just visit Indonesia*

Its 4 o’clock already, I walk out from the store and walking back to malioboro mall near the first halte, well I’m too early for the date so I walk back to malioboro side ways directed to Tugu station, still looking around and back to the mall with three batik bags that I bargain cruelly from the seller on my hands. She’s not there yet.

To be continued…

So here we are - day 18,250 and it's my 50th birthday - and already I have balloons! (Delivered at 7:45 - must be a record for the post office, must that!) As we speak the printer is busy printing out my party invites and all the hobbits are out in the garden putting the party tree up... erm... must have a damned good look at my brand of coffee... Today the Pixie-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed-And-Can-Put-Together-My-Workbench is making me a choccy nicey sponge birthday cake: Two Proviso's: 1.) It must have extra added Nim Nim and, 2.) It must look heavy.. Not much to ask for, I suppose... except possibly a bib! In an added Weather Flash updatey kind of way, the sun is actually shining - Gawd knows it cost me a fortune - but they haven't invoiced me yet which may just be a BIG

mistake! So I'm draining the last of the coffee and stressing over putting my woekbench together and feeling oooooold!  (Actually, if truth be told... I'm not - not that I expected to, I suppose - but Saga can bugger off for now, even if they do have some great deals on car insurance etc etc...  So I have finished my gallery of stupid pictures (2 of which are on here - above and right, but I have a few more too, hehe!! (I feel my new printer may just be running a little low on blue and red!! (In fact I've just checked - I'm very low on red, lol!) Just had a card off Mark too - and mumsie's been on the phone - all I'm waiting for is the Queen now - oh, hang on - what do you mean I am only half way there????????????

Finally we must get going as we need to get to the shops and get all the grub, but more importantly all the beer for tonight - oh, and the home brew stuff should turn up today - hopefully, anyway! (That will keep me busy for a bit!!) Normal service will probably be disrupted tomorrow - what with the hangover that I am planning to have - but we'll see!!

Notice that I've gone with The Lost White Kenyan Chick so that if those smashing well balanced (chip on EACH shoulder) chaps find me over here, they might wind their necks in a little. I was going to go with The Lost Light Brown, or perhaps Dark Brown in the Summer months when I get a chance to hit the beach, Kenyan Chick, but sadly Wordpress couldn't cope ....

so I simplified myself to "The Lost Kenyan Chick Strikes Back ...."

I'm thinking of moving to Washington as my mate Primal Sneeze suggests I perhaps should compete with Paris Hilton for a spot at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but I'm not sure that I am such a dab hand with a pink paintbrush.

Believe me though, I'm JUST as H O T as that little Missy ...... * Ssssizzzz *
( if of course I am viewed in extremely bad light, have a hell of a lot more clothes on than young Paris normally does, and you've removed your false teeth and taken your glasses off!)

Actually, to tell you the truth, I am not relocating my little life too far from here at all - although this blog seems worlds apart from where I started it all up over 'on the other side'. I shall be setting myself up in a little office up the road from here and shall be returning to the tourism sector - so if any of you out there fancy an incredibly fantastic, once in a lifetime (or perhaps once a year if you're so inclined and incredibly generous with your money), trip to my part of the world, I am so going to be the chick on the ground to be in touch with.

I shall of course only deal with splendid, sumptuously FAB accommodation but I can tell you that it shall be worth every penny of every minute that you are here, and I shall personally guarantee to keep you away from all nonsense known as politics, politicians, policies, and the like.

You see - could you actually think of anything more splendid? A trip to one of the most beautiful countries on earth all sorted and organised by yours truly!!

Whoah there, hold the phones, I am in dire need of a cup of tea and a little sit down whilst I sort out how this new blog works first ...........

Mmmm, now where was I ................. ??

Our current jaunt has proved no exception. Being a philosopher and, more particularly, a logician, the LSH tends to buy books with scintillating titles like Logic, Logic ang Logic (seriously), and is possibly the only person ever to be wildly excited by a 40% discount on Cambridge University Press textbook editions. Meanwhile, my own papery hoard has been enriched by the aquisition of no less than 11 titles:

- The Midnighters Trilogy (Scott Westerfeld);

- The Last Days (also by Scott Westerfeld);

- The Kingdom Beyond the Waves (Stephen Hunt);

- Perdido Street Station (China Mieville);

- The Book of Dead Philosophers (Simon Critchley);

- Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt ( R. T. Rundle Clark);

- The Alchemyst (Michael Scott);

- City of Saints and Madmen (Jeff VanderMeer); and

- Cairo Jim and Doris in Search of Martenaten (Geoffrey McSkimming). 

Thanks to a saved wedding voucher, we've also gained a rather large quantity of Doctor Who DVDs from the Tom Baker era - and for those who might protest the usage, really: we've got all the household stuff we could possibly need, and in any case, the giver would approve. All in all: a most satisfactory harvest. (And just to dispel the image of the LSH and I as a pair of sedentry layabouts, we've been out to Taronga Zoo, walked around the Blue Mountains and caught up with friends, too. We just love us some books.)

The Blue Mountains, speaking of which, were spectacular in just about every respect - we even got snowed on, which is a novelty in most of Australia and particularly for us. It was even cold enough to justify the purchase of what shall hereafter be referred to as the Coolest Hat Ever (which, given that I actually collect weird hats, is no small boast). Behold!

Nifty, eh?

* Long-Suffering Husband

And there's this HUGE global, ceremonial (state-sponsored) celebration going on, halfway around the world. And it starts at 08:08:08 PM! Hee!

Ok, enough nurd-dom. August is, and always has been, my favorite month. But as I've gotten older, more and more things have added to the fun of the month. Dave and I are celebrating BirthAversary this weekend, with A REAL DATE. We're doing part I of a babysitting swap with our friends & neighbors on Saturday and we're going to a movie (Bottle Shock) and out to eat (Tabard Inn). SO EXCITED. We've only been out on our own - just the two of us - ONCE since the critter was born. WHOO HOO.

And of course we're looking forward to the critter's birthday in less than two weeks! It's so strange to believe that it's already been a year. He's amazing and hilarious and growing & changing all the time. We finally had our ENT appointment yesterday, and the doctor doesn't think he needs tubes at this point - hooray! They did some tests, and he has some negative pressure in his right ear, but his left ear is just fine. We're going back in October for a check up (when cold season arrives) and we'll see what happens then. Fingers crossed.

Finally, here's a picture of our little guy (he inadvertently was playing elephant games):

For more (including a video of our elephant baby), go to my Flickr page!