Thanks, Ron.
Now that the NSW government has mandated (persondated?) the wearing of masks in shops and on public transport in Greater Sydney, here are some mask ideas. I would like to get some and surprise Kate with them . . .
Monday, January 4, 2021
Sunday, January 3, 2021
I read the news today, oh boy . . .
________________
I was going to include this in an earlier post but never got around to it. It is worth still posting.
Oops:
Controversial mining giant Adani has unveiled its new name as Bravus Mining and Resources. According to Bravus Mining & Resources CEO, David Boshoff: “We will continue to stand up and deliver for the good of our community, no matter how courageous it requires us to be, and Bravus, our new name, reflects this intent.” An Adani spokesperson has said the name 'Bravus' had been derived from the words 'bold' and 'brave'.
Latin experts have however pointed out that:
- The Latin for brave is “fortis”.
- “Bravus” was used of someone who is villainous, a crook, a bandit or a cut-throat.
- Its Latin meaning is therefore closely related to 'villainous', 'crooked' and 'deformed'.
Source:
Daily Mail UK
November 5, 2020
________________
What’s in a name?
Whilst on the topic of names . . .
Two racehorses, both trained by Darryl Ward and ridden by jockey Bobby El-Issa, finished fourth and second in their respective races at a meeting at Daegon Racecourse north of Brisbane on Tuesday last.
That of itself is not newsworthy but their names did cause raised eyebrows: Lovin’ Deqoque and Get On Deqoque.
Racing Australia says it is fully aware of the names and everything is above board. According to Racing Australia boss Myles Forman:
“We contact owners when they lodge the names to make sure we know how the horse names are pronounced and what the meaning of the name is, and in this case it‘s De-quo. Look, a combination of letters and words can mean different things to different people. In this case we were confident it should be pronounced De-quo. Therefore there’s nothing here that prompts concern for Racing Australia.”
Source:
News.com
December 31,2021
________________
D**k pics:
Police in Western Australia are on the hunt for a well dressed cyclist who allegedly drew lewd penis images on the pavement by spinning the wheels of his electric bike. “At approximately 4.50pm on Monday, November 30, a man has caused damage to the ground on Murray Street in Perth,” Crimestoppers WA said in a media release. “The man has appeared to spin the wheels of an electric bicycle in order to draw explicit images with the rubber from the tyres. This has resulted in multiple images drawn on to the ground.”WA Police release CCTV images of the man, described as having olive skin, thin to average build and short black hair. “He wore a black business jacket, white business shirt, light blue jeans and grey running shoes,” police said. “If you have any information about the identity of these men or details of this offence please contact Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous if you wish and rewards are available once charges are laid.”The Facebook post by WA Police has attracted more than 1400 comments, with many ridiculing the serious tone. “I hear police are still working on a cold case from Wanneroo High School in the 1980s where someone drew a similar picture on one of the blackboards in the English department,” one person wrote. Another asked, “Could these cases be related? Has the criminal returned?”
The good citizens of Western Australia can sleep soundly knowing that the constabulary is ever vigilant and on the job.
Source:
News.com
December 22, 2020
________________
Dino pics:
Not to be outdone, police in Canberra are seeking to identify and apprehend a villain who has been spraying cute dinosaur graffiti images and messages.
The ACT Police Facebook has the following message to the public:
ACT PolicingCan you help police paint a picture of this prehistoric vandal?Graffiti of cartoon dinosaurs has recently popped up all over Canberra and police are calling on the public to help catch the culprit.They may look cute but each caricature represents a real cost for a member of the community to clean up, and graffiti amounts to property damage, which is a criminal offence. If you have any information that might assist police, please contact Crime Stoppers.
The item is accompanied by pics of the prehistoric vandal’s work
The public is divided on the issue.
The posts by ACT Police and ABC Canberra have attracted hundreds of comments on Facebook, with many defending the graffiti. “Those dinosaurs are around my suburbs and I love them and they genuinely make me smile,” one woman wrote. Another said, “This art is beautiful. Stop wasting your resources on silly things that (are) not harming anybody.”
Some supporters of the dinosaur said they thought it was actually a worm. “I thought it was a loveable worm. KEEP THE WORM!” one woman said. Another wrote, “I call it the love worm and I love it. There was a beautiful work done in a bus stop on Mouat Street with a positive message of ‘love yourself’ and the bureaucrats painted over it. I was crestfallen.”
One man added, “Hi, Melbourne here. What you’re experiencing is called ‘street art’. It’s perfectly harmless and can even become beneficial to the host. We recommend leaving it alone, or better yet, funding it.”
Not everyone was a fan, however.
“People who think this is ‘art’ need to get a clue,” one man wrote. “There’s no talent here whatsoever. Painting on your own canvas = art. Painting on something owned by someone else = graffiti. Let’s see if any of these ‘art fans’ would like this on their house or car. Idiots.”
Source:
News.com
December 18, 2020
Gold Coast Bulletin
December 18, 2020
________________
Change in national anthem:
The Federal Government has decreed that from January 1 2021, there will be a change in the Oz national anthem. From that date the second line of Advance Australia Fair will change from, "For we are young and free" to "For we are one and free". This follows protest by and on behalf of indigenous persons that Australia’s history did not begin in 1788.
Advance Australia Fair was composed by Peter Dodds McCormick and first performed in 1878. It was adopted as the country's national anthem on April 19, 1984, replacing God Save the Queen, which had been in place since the time of British settlement.
Usually it is only the first verse that is sung:
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
The second verse is also okay:
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Source:
ABC News
December 31. 2020
By the way:
- When I was a kid at school and we had to sing it at assembly with God Save the Queen, the first lines were:
Australia's sons, let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
- The second verse, as above, was changed when AAF was adopted as the national anthem in 1984. It was originally:
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make our youthful Commonwealth,
Renowned of all the lands;
For loyal sons beyond the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair!
- They should also have changed the line “Our home is girt by sea.” [Cringe]. Might I offer my suggested replacement line:
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
We all kick arse, do we.
Just remember, if that change is made, who suggested it first.
________________
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Rebus and Brett's Monthly . . .
Rebus (Plural: Rebuses? Rebusii? Rebusem?)
A rebus is a picture representation of a name, work, or phrase. Sort of like a visual cryptic crossword, in some ways. By the way, I hate puzzles, crosswords and brainteasers.
Following are some rebus puzzles to tackle, answers are at the end of this item. By way of example:
The answer to the above rebus is “Head over heels”.
Your turn:
Answers:
Space invaders
Growing economy
Life begins at 40
Missing you (U)
Forgive and forget
Split level
Head for cover
Red in the face
Corporate downsizing
Win with ease
Try to understand
On cloud nine
In between jobs
Fishin(g) for compliments
Third time lucky
Four leaf clover
There is no I in TEAM
An inside job
i <3 u (I can't be bothered working this out, someone explain it to me).
Some repetition in the following:
Answers:
Seven seas
Split level
Forgive and forget
Missing you
Downtown
Lucky break
He’s beside himself
Seethrough blouse
First aid
The West Indies
Six feet underground
Backward glance
Tricycle
Reading between the line
Crossroads
Three degrees below zero
Neon lights
Just between you and me
One in a million
Broken promise
You’re out of touch
Life begins at 40
Jack-in-a-box
Growing economy
Up before eight
Just around the corner
Apple pie
Making up for lost time
Standing ovation
I understand you undertake to undermine my undertaking
Brett's Monthly:
As usual, Brett B has sent his list of the coming month's bizarre holidays and special days. As always, Brett, thank you.
Here is the January list, the daily items can be expanded by clicking on the dates . . .
Daily Bizarre and Unique Calendar Holidays -
January, 2021
Month:
- National Bath Safety Month
- National Blood Donor Month
- National Braille Literacy Month
- National Hobby Month
- Hot Tea Month
- National Oatmeal Month
- National Soup Month
Week
Celebrations:
2nd Week Letter
Writing Week
January
2021 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:
January 1
January 2
Run up the
Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day
January 3
Feast of the
Epiphany - Three Kings - date varies
January 4
January 5
January 6
January 7
January 8
January 9
January 10
January 11
Learn
Your Name in Morse Code Day
Step in a Puddle and
Splash Your Friend's Day
January 12
Feast of Fabulous Wild
Men Day
January 13
National
Take the Stairs Day - second Wednesday of month
January 14
January 15
January 16
January 17
Ditch
New Years Resolutions Day
January 18
Martin Luther King Jr.
Birthday , celebrated on the third Monday
Winnie
the Pooh Day -The Birthday of Winnie's author A.A. Milne
January 19
January 20
January 21
January 22
January 23
Measure
Your Feet Day- we only ask...."Why!?!"
January 24
January 25
Bubble
Wrap Appreciation Day - last Monday of month
January 26
January 27
January 28
January 29
January 30
National
Inane Answering Message Day
National
Seed Swap Day - Last Saturday in January
January 31
\
Friday, January 1, 2021
FUNNY FRIDAY
-----o😊o-----
Today (at least in Oz) it is a new day, new month, new year and new decade. That comment about the decade is the same argument as in 2000 when the debate was whether the new millennium began on January 1, 2000 or January 1, 2001. We all went ga ga celebrating it in 2000 when technically it began in 2001 – one begins counting with 1, not zero, and therefore the new decade begins today as well. Okay, I am a pedant so, rather than taking any more joy out of it, here is some humour to see in the new year. . . and decade.
Stay safe and well for this coming year, readers.
Happy new year or, if one wishes to be pedantic, may your brain release endorphins because the earth just completed another orbit cycle around the sun
Oh. . . some risque content ahead.
-----o😊o-----
SOME HUMOUR:
I'm going to stay up on New Year's Eve this year...
not to see the New Year in, but to ensure this one leaves.
----------oOo--------
A man meets an attractive woman in a bar and tells her, “You know, I’m a lawyer.”
“Honest?” the woman asks.
“No, no. Just the regular kind,” he replied.
----------oOo--------
Turns out my grandfather was an electrician during World War II
In his attic I found a helmet with two lightning bolts on it.
----------oOo--------
I’ve given up social media for the New Year and am trying to make friends outside Facebook while applying the same principles.
Every day, I walk down the street and tell passersby what I’ve eaten, how I feel, what I did the night before, and what I will do tomorrow. Then I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and me gardening. I also listen to their conversations and tell them I love them.
And it works. I already have three people following me… two police officers and a psychiatrist.
----------oOo--------
What's the difference between a genealogist and a gynecologist?
One looks up the family tree and the other looks up the family bush!
----------oOo--------
Despite the pandemic, my family decided to get together for a big dinner this Christmas
The food was bad though, didn't taste like anything.
----------oOo--------
One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift...
The next year, I didn't buy her a gift.
When she asked me why, I replied,
"You still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"
----------oOo--------
Why are murders so difficult to solve in Alabama?
All the DNA matches and there are no dental records
-----o😊o-----
FROM THE VAULT:
A man in Melbourne walked into the produce section of his local supermarket and asked to buy half a head of cabbage. The boy working in that department told him that they only sold whole heads of cabbage. The man was insistent that the boy ask the manager about the matter...
Walking into the back room, the boy said to the manager, "Some old bastard outside wants to buy half a head of cabbage."
As he finished his sentence, he turned around to find that the man had followed and was standing right behind him, so the boy quickly added, "...and this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half."
The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way.
Later, the manager said to the boy, "I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier, we like people who can think on their feet here, where are you from son?"
"New Zealand, sir." the boy replied.
"Why did you leave New Zealand?" the manager asked.
The boy said, "Sir, there's nothing but prostitutes and rugby players there."
"Is that right?" replied the manager. "My wife is from New Zealand!"
"Really?" replied the boy. "Who did she play for?"
-----o😊o-----
LIMERICK OF THE WEEK:
I’m grateful the year’s end is nigh.
Good riddance — no need to say why.
Though the reasons are endless,
A whiner is friendless;
I’ll just bid it an effing goodbye!
- Madeleine Begun Kane
-----o😊o-----
GALLERY:
-----o😊o-----
CORN CORNER:
I don’t know how to write 1, 1000, 51, 6, and 500 in Roman Numerals
I M LIVID
----------oOo--------
My New Year's Resolution was losing 9kg
15 more to go!
----------oOo--------
I got kicked in the testicles at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
I started the year off on the highest note possible.
----------oOo--------
Some friends are having a joint Burns Night and Chinese New Year Party this weekend
They're calling it Chinese Burns Night.
I wasn't going to go but they twisted my arm.
----------oOo--------
My New Year's resolution is not to procrastinate. I'll start tomorrow.
-----o😊o-----
Thursday, December 31, 2020
NEW YEAR'S EVE:
Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850 – 1919) was an American author and poet whose works include the lines "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone." Her poem The Year was published in 1910.
The Year
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That’s not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that’s the burden of the year.
The poem begins with the speaker asking if there is anything in the world that can be new. Even though it is a new year, that does not mean anything has changed. In fact, the speaker makes the case over the next five couplets that nothing changes at all. First, she speaks on the presence of dreams and the way they lead one through life, ideally, to eventual knowledge. She also presents laughter and weeping as opposite, but equally present parts of life. She goes on in the second half of the poem to list out additional parts of life in order to show their connection and simultaneous presence. The poem concludes with Wilcox’s speaker stating that everything she mentioned is a part of the “burden of life.” It exists in every year, throughout time.
In this age of COVID, US social upheaval with international implications and an unknown future, the above put me in mind of another famous comment on uncertain times . . .
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, opening paragraph
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