Post Christmas Paxing

Well this week has gone quickly!

Christmas Eve I headed over to my Parents - plan was to stay the night and be there for most of Christmas Day.  The whole "going to bed at 8.30pm" thing was a bit of a novelty to me but I survived the night.  Christmas Day with the Parents and my eldest brother was very nice - we played some board games (traditional Christmas past time in my family) and I helped Mum with one of her jigsaw puzzles. And a lunch of cold meats (ham & chicken) and salads and then Trifle for dessert - YUM!

Home to my place by 4ish.

Boxing Day (yesterday) I had a ticket to see The Hobbit (part the first) and yes I very much enjoyed it!  Plans are to go back and see it again on the big screen (but on a half-price ticket day I think) - actually hoping by the time I re-see it I will have more hearing capacity (or can find a subtitled screening) - context of words to action is always a good thing :D.

Today (the 27th) my much anticipated Specialist Ear Doctor appointment occurred.   Diagnosed with "chronic fungal infection" in the ear canals - YUCK!.  Doctor has used the world smallest vacuum cleaner to hoover out the junk and has applied some really strong anti-fungal ointment to the left ear and prescribed some less radical drops for the right ear due to it harbouring the hearing aid.  He also told me "bed rest and take it slowly" for the next week or so as I *will* be feeling the side effects as it all heals up.  [and yes... I will be following his advice - five hour nap occurred when I reached home from the appointment today and I am still feeling a bit wobbly and woozy]

So tomorrow until New Years day I will be a slothful Pax.  Which is a good thing as I have letters and cards I need to catch up on with all my Adopted troopers. 

Merry Christmas to all!

From the rather Hot & Humid Sub-tropics of Australia - Christmas wishes that you all have a very Merry time and a wonderful New Year!

Pax

Pax loves Marvin

End of the World? I don't think so!

I am not succumbing to the whole "Oh Noes the World is Ending" drama...

However - have a music clip to lighten your day

Santa claus is drinking beer
Trying not to worry
Hearing things he doesn't want to hear
Cause he's in a hurry to say goodbye
To say goodbye

Santa claus is drinking gin
Trying not to worry
Stops himself from listening in
Cause he's in a hurry to say goodbye
To say goodbye

Chorus
Apocalypso - its a special dance
Apocalypso - tell me why they're trying to wipe the
Smile off santa's face

White sheets and bright lights in the sky
Shining through his window
Santa claus is wondering why
There's nothing on his radio - it must be time
To say goodbye

Repeat chorus

Repeat verse 1
Repeat chorus

Tell me why they're trying to wipe
Trying to wipe the smile of santa's face

Wipe the smile off santa's face and burning off his beard
Blow the roof off santa's house and drying all his tears
Blow that smile off santa's face and burning off his beard
Blow the roof off santa's house and drying all his tears 

Happy Pax

The Christmas goodies parcels have reached my two adoptee's and I am officially a HAPPY PAX

My Army adoptee P writes...

We just got the package here and already decorated our post office with it. The Australian theme is very badass and I think that we have the best decorations on base to be honest. Thank you so much!
 

 and Marine Adoptee D writes...

"Thank you so much! I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how excited I was to receive some mail. I didn’t look in the stocking, waiting till Christmas morning to check it out"
 

Power and Peace and Pax Oh My!

Just a quick update to prove to the Universe that I am still kicking.

This last week has been a busy one and it's only THURSDAY morning here!

Let's recap...

Sunday I flew out of Brisbane City airport at an awfully early time - headed to Canberra (Capital City of Australian and two States away) as one of my dear friends has been admitted to hospital.  Stay was a short one - down Sunday and back Monday p.m.  And possibly the less said about the hotel the better (the bed at least was comfortable - the staff service was dreadful - it's only really redeeming feature that it was within walking distance of Canberra Hospital).  Oh - and please all avoid the "Quality Hotel Woden" and it's attached restaurant/bistro/gaming hall.  - They have no idea about food or service.  Example point - they serve all "cold" (for a relative factor of cold being "luke-warm") in the bottles they are sold in.  When I asked "May I have a Glass please" they were confused and dumbfounded and milled about like cattle-struck-with-footinmouth.  "No" they replied - we don't have glasses".  Apparently they save on washing up bills this way...

Monday night - flew back to Brisbane - and when my friend dropped me home I noticed that something "Looked Odd" in my carport area.  Due to the cleverness of the builders here the carports are not secure to the outside world.  I store a few items in a cupboard there (cupboards that only hold items due for junking or giving away or were potting items for my plants.  All low value stuff). 

Any-theft-tales - someone has had a fun time going through my stuff stored there and taken off with some planting pots and a bag of candles and a few other small items.  I suspect Kids because yeah... all really low value junky type things (although the china plant pot was a nice looking one it's got a crack all the way through it).  So I'm not upset about what was taken - only that someone was rude enough to steal in the first place.  So Monday night I ordered a new lockable metal storage cupboard - to be delivered later this week and I plan to reorganise everything in the carport & (lockable) laundry to make it a useful addition.  Older cupboards are going to be given away (I need to keep the space tidy or the other residents can (rightfully) complain.  So out with the old - in with the new - ya-booh to the would be future thieves of the world).

And we are up to TUESDAY.   Early Tuesday I did a quick clean up / inventory of loss / toss of unrequired items in the carport.  I stopped by 8.30am as it was to be the Hottest day locally for the last 11 years.
At 10am my friend (Miss M) and I headed off to the lovely air conditioned fasthold of IKEA as we both had items we needed to acquire.   Nice half-day out including lunch and then I was dropped home at 1pm-ish.  To discover that the local power authority had CUT OFF MY ELECTRICITY!

Much drama ensued - luckily I had help from a friend to field the telephone calls to the Utility companies and discovered that "Oh Gosh! We're sorry - we were supposed to cut off the power of the same numbered Apartment in the Building *Next Door* to her.  Power guy must have read the wrong number".  So two miserably hot and stress filled hours later (remember - this is the hottest day here for what seems like forever - it peaked at 39.5celsius which is 103fahrenheit) - and suddenly I was back on the grid.  Can we just state that I now loathe, despise and abhor even more the local power groups?

Ahh.. now on to Wednesday...  Delivery of new secure cupboard that... oh dammit... arrived in flat-pack rather than built (I apparently missed the fine-print at the order site).  Okay.. okay... I can build this - I have the technology [on the SECOND hottest day locally yadda yadda yadda].  It is all built but I did almost have heat stroke at one point (who'd have thought how much hotter it gets when you are inside the damm thing with screwdriver and a colourful vocabulary!).

Once it was built I gave up and went for a cooling rest.

So... on to today - THURSDAY.  Good start - have managed to enrol in to a Justice of the Peace class that I have been wanting to take for a while.  It's 3 days next week - after which I sit for the exam and if successful - will be able to witness documents and assist the local community as a volunteer notary. (Plus it will look just FINE on my CV for future job applications)

As for the rest of the week... I am hoping it will not be as eventful.  Tomorrow (Friday) I am off to visit my Mum & Dad and make sure they got through the heat wave okay.  Saturday I will be assisting Miss Cozzles with belt sanding/grinding the rest of the glue off her floor so that tiling can take place later this month. [yes yes... still very hot here so we will be taking lots of rests and guzzling our weight in water]

Sunday I believe I am off to a Sci-fi event in the city.  Sunday night I plan on collapsing and recovering....

Now whoever wished me to have an "Interesting Week" - do you think you got your value from it? :D

Winner! - Poppy Coin Contest

Recently I ran a competition to win a rare coin that was issued to celebrate Remembrance Day here in Australia

There were a couple of heart-felt entries and a winner has been chosen

Old NFONovember 13, 2012 5:02 AM
I'd like to win this as a reminder of my Father, who was in WWI and fought through Belgium, which is where the poppys grew and were immortalized in the poem "In Flanders Fields".

Also, it reminds me of the ties I've made with the RAN, including being honored to participate in the Remembrance ceremony aboard USS Parramata in 2009 at Stirling.

CONGRATULATIONS! - and please contact me with your delivery address for posting

And in other news...

Santa stocking boxes were shipped off to my two adoptee's mid-month... hopefully they will receive them soon

And "in home" news.  I had my first job interview in 15 years today.  It mostly went well despite my having chronic "bad hearing" today (still have an on-going ear infection that the Doctors all agree is "nasty" but have no options on the healing of it other than "take the medication we've given you; apply the drops to your ears - give it time")  Ehhh...

Oh and my trip to Melbourne last week for a training course went well too.  I got to spend one whole day playing "Tourist" (14 hours in a tour bus - eek!).  Couple of photos below

Loch Ard Gorge

The Apostles Rocks (only 8 now!)

Due to lack of numbers the Tour company cancelled the night-time visit to Philip Island Penguin parade which I was a bit sad about. However I stumbled upon the Melbourne Aquarium during my Friday lunch break and spent a happy 40 minutes seeing the exhibits especially their live penguin display.

Add comment

 

Life....

And a heads up - I will be extending the entry deadline for the Poppy Coin Contest for a week (I will be away at a training course from tomorrow and will judge the entries once I return)

Operation Santa Stockings 2012

I have been working on the Troop Treat Christmas parcels that I am about to send off to my two Soldiers' Angels troopers. [one is my "Official" adoptee - a Marine. The other I meet via the letter team and is my "Unofficial-but-I-Like-to-send-him-emails" friend]

Still a work in progress so final photos yet to come (I need to find shipping boxes big enough to take all the goodies yet not too big that it will cost me $ to ship from Australia. That is part of tomorrow's quest).

All the goodies laid out and ready. (sorry for the blurriness!)

 

Stockings stuffed with all manner of fun things :)

I have included a marsupial toy with each - just because I can!

 

And I have just hand made two Aussie Christmas

wreaths (they are a bit "fluffy" but will hopefully make the

Lads smile)

 

 

Rest of the parcels include Christmassy balloons, and garlands, a mini pop-up tree; and decorations Oh My!  Also some mini candy-canes - and if I can remember to obtain tomorrow - a packet of Musk Sticks each (mwhahaha... my equivalent of "Coal" it the boys have been naughty :D)

 

You may have guessed by now that I adore sending Troop Treats - it really makes me feel like I am able to give back to those that need the Love and Care.



Poppy Coin Contest

Closing date for entries now 25th of November


The Australian Mint has issued the first ever Legal Tender coloured coin - to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Last week I acquired a few - and one will be given away as the Prize to the below competition

This is the coin up close -

In order to enter you MUST write a short paragraph on WHY you would like the Poppy Coin (what it means to you etc). And then submit it - along with your name/blogging name - as a comment to this post.


The Rules:-

Must be PG-13! (if you feel that using a rude word is required then bleep it out - let's think of the potential that one day my Mum might read this)

You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (sniffle... but you COULD stick around and read more - just saying)

You can be from anywhere in the world.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom so I can track you down later should you win.

If you find that Blogger won't let you post a message or worse - it disappears into the ether - then email me directly (you can find my email address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by last day of November 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning comment will be judged on or about the 20th of November 25th of November

***just in case the whole idea of writing something is wigging you out, I have included some examples on how you could frame your entry***

"I would love to win the Poppy Coin because it reminds me of the service my *insert name/relative/friend* here"

"Would be a cool thing to have in my memorabilia cabinet - along with my other Remembrance Day badges"

We shall remember them

'Old Friends'
Image created by my friend Ste Beresford. Please cite him as
copyright owner if  you share. ***

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.      

John McCrae

*** A 1280 pixels wide image size of this picture is available - please email me if you would like to use it.  Image created by my friend Ste Beresford. Please cite him ascopyright owner if you share.

Show your pride!

I love buying things from the Military Shop - mostly so that I can either send to my overseas Vetern friends; or to my Adopted Soldiers from Soldiers' Angels.

This month they have a really nice fridge magnet that I must acquire at least one of for myself



you can buy them HERE

I am sure I will find a few other bits & pieces in their online catalogue too.

Oh! and I have acquired an extra Poppy Coin.  Legal Australian two dollar coin with a red poppy on it's reverse.  On the 11th of the 11th I will be putting up a blog competition for it so please stay tuned for that

 

 

 

Updated to add....

Gosh I would love to own one of the below special Poppy medallions.  They have them in Silver (which I can *almost* afford but not really justify) and Gold (which is too $$ unfortunately).  Maybe I will bookmark the page and when I am back in employment I can celebrate by purchasing one.

 

Available from HERE but I don't know for how long...

 

 

Vale Harry Leem

I discovered today that a long time on-line friend has passed on.

God Bless you Harry - and keep saying prayers for us as you look down from Heaven

His blog handle was ExAFCrewDog and his blog at http://oldandornery.blogspot.com.au/

The Lost Diggers of Vigancourt

Negatives found in a French attic provide a snapshot of life behind the front line during WWI

 

 

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-02/remember-me3a-the-lost-diggers-of-vignacourt/4348834

Red poppy coin released to honour lost diggers



I will be looking about for a few of these coins.  Perhaps one can be used for a competition prize...

 

 

By Andree Withey 

Updated Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:37pm AEDT

A special $2 coin bearing a red poppy has been produced to commemorate the wartime sacrifice of Australian service personnel.

 

It is the first coloured coin produced by the Australian Mint and only 500,000 being made. The red poppy coin is being distributed by the RSL for a donation of about $10. There will also be a non-coloured version and both are legal tender.

St Crispin's Day

 

 

1415 ‎- the Battle of Agincourt....

 

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
...

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
(Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3)

Kindness shared

I still believe in Kindness.

And thankfully I have been blessed with friends and family who believe in being kind to me.

Troop Treats for the Aussie Forces

The Following information has come to me via the Facebook page of "Soldier On" and I am sharing here in case any of my readers would like to send them a goodies parcel (possibly too $$ for those of you in the US & UK so if you are looking for an easier way to send Troop Treats perhaps look in to the "Cup of Joe for a Joe" program via Green Beans Coffee

**************

For those who would like to send Care Packages to our troops. Please share this information.

Here’s a simple little thing that we can all do at very little cost or effort that will make a big difference to one of our troops serving overseas. Perhaps you may wish to send a soldier a care package.

The idea behind this is that some troops over in Afghanistan may not have family who are able to send them packages with things they may need or things that make their time over there just that tiny bit easier.

There may also just be a soldier who is finding their time over there difficult and just needs a bit of cheering up. It'll get given to whoever needs it most.
 

To send a care package to an Australian Soldier in Afghanistan, you need to purchase a "BM" size box (weighs 175g itself) from Australia Post, they cost around $2. They'll give you some customs forms which you will also need to fill out. The address you need to send the package to is below. Make sure you seal all the edges of the box with packing tape. If the box after being packed... weighs less than 2kg, Australia Post will send it for Free.
To give an example of what can be sent, a care package could be:

For a bloke 1 x Lynx Shower Gel Travel Size
1 x Pack of Schick Disposable Razors
1 x NON-AEROSOL Shaving Cream
1 x Lynx Roll On Deodorant
1 x Small Baby Powder (Talc)
1 x Chap Stick (SPF 30+)
3 x Bags of Allen's Lollies (NOT CHOCOLATE)
1 x Beef Instant Noodles
1 x Pack of Scotch Finger Biscuits or Anzac Biscuits
2 x Canned Tuna (Pull Ring Style)
1 x Coffee Sachets or Tea Bags

For a Female 1 x Dove soap or shower Gel
1 x Roll on Deodorant
1 x Chap Stick spf30
1 x small baby talc powder
3 x bags of Lollies
1 x Toothbrush and Paste
1 x Breath fresh mints
All those free shampoo and conditioner/face Cream/hand cream samples you accumulate or can get from your chemist and beauty counters
I x Pack of Anzac Biscuits or Ginger Nuts
1 x Coffee Sachets – Latte etc or Tea Bags

For those of you that are animal lovers, you may wish to do the following: sending care packages to our Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) with the following items included:
1 x box dog biscuits
1 x pack of Smackos or Liver treats or similar dried treat
3 x Tins sardines – dogs love them
1x toy – a frisby or tug rope
1 x tennis ball and don't forget a couple of packets of lollies for the handler.

The dogs do a magnificent job under very trying conditions and quite a few have lost their lives serving their country, including Herbie…

Things not to send:

No Alcohol, No Clothing(Except socks), No Aerosols, No Cigarettes, No Pork, No chocolate (melts), No magazines with naked people.

But don't limit it to this let your imagination do the walking. You may wish to also include a self addressed envelope and a letter, or include your email address as well just in case they want to contact you or have something specific they want you to get for them.

Mark your parcel To –
Australian Soldier - Male or Female or –  Australian EDD and Handler (Explosives Detection Dog)
AFPO 60
Middle East operations defence force NSW 2890
Australia

Nissan Navara pulls tank

heh heh heh...  new add on tv over here

http://mumbrella.com.au/nissan-navara-pulls-tank-to-prove-australias-most-powerful-tradie-credentials-118181

And the Winners are....

The Pax Poetry competition has closed and I am declaring Dual winners...

The Poems are -

ExAFCrewDog

They've got Dingos and Roos,
and trucks named Maloo,
and let's not forget the didgeridoo.
They waltz with Matilda,
and girls they call Sheila.
Some live in a hole,
mining opals, not coal.
Home country of a bear,
who has not a care,
'cause he's stoned on a leaf,
he finds everywhere.
It's called the Land Down Under,
and they like walking about,
in the wondrous Outback.
And with all the things I've mentioned,
I'm pausing to wonder,
Why the hell don't I move there?

 

and

 

Kathi McClenney

Troops serving in the sandbox know,
there's a Soldier's Angel to beware..
she lulls them with water balloon launchers.
and then sends MUSK STICKS 'over there'!

Coffee drinking 'Joes'
receive notes left and right
and become her penfriends
to ask her 'what is vegemite'?

Bloggers round the world
vie for prizes worth keeping
But better than the prizes
is reading Marion's Meepings

Troopers,Joes, and bloggers
really know this fact
There's an Angel in Australia
and her name is PAX

 

Thank you Kathi and ExAFcrewdog - one coin will be sent to you each (good thing I had an extra :D)

 

Please email me directly with your mailing addresses [which I will promptly delete once your prize is sent off to you] - paxford AT gmail DOT com

How to understand 'Strine

STRINE

Pax's Poem Competition

I am currently tired, cranky and very tired of Life handing me Lemons (without the sugar there is NO way to make lemonade)

So how about a competition?  Specifically a POEM competition



The Rules:-

Write a POEM for Pax about Pax (or Aussie things) - it can be nice, it can be snarky - don't make it too rude.
Must be PG-13! (if you feel that using a rude word is required then bleep it out - let's think of the potential that one day my Mum might read this)

You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (sniffle... but you COULD stick around and read more - just saying)

You can be from anywhere in the world.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom so I can track you down later should you win.

If you find that Blogger won't let you post a message or worse - it disappears into the ether - then email me directly (you can find my e address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by the 10th of October 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning Poem will be judged on or about the 30th of September by an independent judge (ie. not me since I luvs ya all and have a hard time picking one over the other)

And the prize....  is something Aussie military (natch!)

Front & Back of the coin
Got it from HERE

It is quite heavy... but oh so pretty. [Australian Army Rising Sun insignia on the front - Australian flag & slouch hat on the reverse]

If you are looking for inspiration then check out Coffeypot's earlier creations HERE.  Coffeypot isn't eligible to win since I have already sent off one of these to him for his prior poetic poppings but he can (and hopefully will) make comments on the other entries.


And GO!

Pax signs a petition

I applaud the intent behind this petition to Save the Queensland Government Libraries, however first hand experience with *my* Departments attitude makes me expect no changes.

However if you feel that your signing might make a difference - please do. It won't save my job but could save the book collection I have worked so hard these last 24 years to maintain and grow.

http://www.communityrun.org/petitions/save-queensland-s-government-libraries?time=1347577906

And in the meantime I will wait to receive my subversive tshirt in the mail.  This one is going to be worn A LOT in the next five weeks (my last day at work is the 19th of October). The rather stupid Powers-that-be-in-charge seem to think that there is no need for trained Research Librarians - after all "Google is free"

For the record I am but a lowly Library Technician (those wot-do-all-stuff) but once I finish my University course I'll be elevated to the lofty levels of them-wot-researches-all.

Pax - now looking for job

Just advised that I am now without a job.

Anyone looking for a slightly jaded Library Tech? Will consider relocation

September Paxing

Very quick update since it's late here and I need to sleep before I nod off over the keybozzzzzzz.....

Ah-hem... lets try that again shall we?

Milsupporting is going well - I have met some really lovely troopers this time around and am very much enjoying sending out cards and occasional useful package.  Girl Scout cookies (and a parcel with a toy) went off to a Airforce 1stLt recently.  I suspect (since it was a "once off" parcel request) that I should have sent really useful things but meh... I'm sure everyone else in his group got those.  After all - when you really need something to hug when the hit sits the fan - isn't a fuzzy Platypus toy the first thing YOU think of?

In "not quite Milsupport but gosh I'm having fun" - tshirt sent out to Old NFO; Coin & pin sent off to Coffeypot; oh and virtual hugs sent out to the rest of you (just so you don't feel left out)

In "At Home" news. 

• Mum seems to be responding better to the medication she is currently on. Less pain, more Getup&go. She is currently talking about maybe "One last trip out Bush" with Dad in the coming months. I thank God for every day she is with us and hope she gets her wish to go camping once more [they have a small caravan so there are comfy beds and other civilised amenities to make things easier for her]

• With my work... I will find out this coming Tuesday if I am still employed or not (yes... they plan to announce 14000 forced redundancies on 9/11 - what a charming way to try to divert attention from your Allies day of Remembrance:(. This New State Government has no empathy or shame).  I will let you all know later this week what the situation is... I think, even if I am made unemployed, that I can still manage my current Troop Adoption commitments - which will keep me sane and feeling useful at least.

Okay - must go sleep (I tried that earlier and my brain refused to shut down... warm milk might help. And no Coffeypot - I have no whiskey in the house to "Fortify" the milk with. Pity that!

We shall remember them

New Zealand Army Warriors farewell their fallen comrades

Thanks to America's SgtMaj for this link.

New Zealand's indigenous Warrior culture is embraced by the NZ military.

This clip is a traditional HAKA ceremony farewelling their fallen "brothers" - lost recently to an attack in Afghanistan

Haka --sometimes termed a posture dance could also be described as a chant with actions. There are various forms of haka; some with weapons some without, some have set actions others may be 'free style.' Haka is used by Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand) for a myriad of reasons; to challenge or express defiance or contempt, to demonstrate approval or appreciation, to encourage or to discourage, to acknowledge feats and achievements, to welcome, to farewell, as an expression of pride, happiness or sorrow. 

Caption This Winner

We have a WINNER

As picked by the independent umpire......

Babe, I told you that was some premo shit.

Congratulations to Coffeypot!

Candy mmmmmman

Love the background guys in uniform! :)

Cat on the Mat with a Rat

Breaking news.... my cat has registered her disapproval with tonight's meal choice by getting her own "Fast Food"

Why yes... yes that IS a rat in her jaws of doom...

She can't quite work out why she's been exiled to the veranda.

Pax is feeling challenged

well.... at least I THINK these could be used as challenge coins... perhaps? maybe?

Although I only have a very hazy idea what a CC is - and perhaps these are too big and too heavy.

Anyshinycoin (as my friend Coffeypot would say)

I originally ordered TWO of these - with the thought that I would keep one for my collection and use the second as a future blog prize.

Through an accounting glitch I have ended up with FOUR of them (all duly paid for after I contacted the supplier and advised them they had oversupplied, but I loved them and would keep.. oh and here's my credit card info for the other two...)

Front & Back of the Medallions
Got them from HERE

They are quite heavy... but oh so pretty.  [Australian Army Rising Sun insignia on the front - Australian flag & slouch hat on the reverse]

And seeing that I now have THREE extras... do you think this is the sort of thing that would be of interest to someone that is currently serving "DOWNRANGE" - or would it be one more piece of heavy junk for them to drag about?

One of them WILL be used as a Blog competition in the next few months for my regular readers.  I just need some inspiration on what sort of competition to run.

Hmm....

Limerick comp?  "There once was a Pax from Downunder..."

Haiku perhaps? "Winter Pax rejoices..."

A Nordic Ode? "Bright the day, and kindness surrounds..."

Ehh... or maybe a Military Mentor might make mirthful merriment magically materialise (aka... someone send me a Silly Photo to Caption please!)

Seriously I am open to *most* suggestions

August Milsupporting

Yay! I have just joined up with the Soldiers Angels Letter & Epal writing team - and just sent off my first "Hello! How are you?" email.

Hoping it will make the recipient smile when he receives it :)

And my Adopted troopers are hopefully well and enjoying various treats sent over the last month.  It can be a bit hard finding the "Very Thing" to send when you have no contact back but I will keep sending a mix of the useful and the ridiculous - and hope that the parcels are reaching the Lads. Perhaps one day I will hear from them. Until then, I just take comfort in the fact that none of my letters, postcards or parcels are being returned to me marked "Unknown" and keep praying that they are safe and well and constantly amused/bewildered/amazed at the things I manage to send them.

This months parcel is a "Mystery Box" of goodies from the Soldiers Angel store.  Sounds like a lot of fun (with practical items included too) so I hope the parcels reach them soon.

CAPTION contest

So how about a quick competition?

okay... so this photo is boring.. lets find another one.



Copyright holder unknown (advise if it's YOU)

Okay so this is a far cuter photo found in the infinite depths of the Internet.

So what say you? Can you think of a nice caption for this photo?


CAPTION ME! The Funniest, Wittiest or Awww-ful will win the prize

The Rules:-

Write a CAPTION for this photo

Must be PG-13! (if you feel that using a rude word is required then bleep it out - let's think of the potential that one day my Mum might read this)

You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (sniffle... but you COULD stick around and read more - just saying)

You can be from anywhere in the world.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom so I can track you down later should you win.

If you find that Blogger won't let you post a message or worse - it disappears into the ether - then email me directly (you can find my e address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by last day of August 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning Joke will be judged on or about the 25th of August

And the prize....

And she shopped....

You may recall from my earlier post about the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary that I did a wee bit of souvenir shopping.

Just a couple of things...

The big fluffy koala (so soft so cuddly) is Mine Mine Mine [my inner 2-year-old coveted it and since my inner-babysitter was dealing with Caffeine withdrawal and wanted some peace - a purchase occurred).

The mid-sized Koala is a surprise for my Mum.  She likes cuddly toys just as much as I do but prefers smaller, easier to store sizes.

The Koala & Kangaroo key-toys are destined for my Lads overseas - as are the postcards.

And the pin...  well I got two of those.  One for myself and one to give away to a blog reader.

Here it is enlarged

So how about a quick competition?

okay... so this photo is boring.. lets find another one.

Copyright holder unknown (advise if it's YOU)

Okay so this is a far cuter photo found in the infinite depths of the Internet.

So what say you?  Can you think of a nice caption for this photo?


CAPTION ME! The Funniest, Wittiest or Awww-ful will win the prize

 The Rules:-

Write a CAPTION for this photo

Must be PG-13! (if you feel that using a rude word is required then bleep it out - let's think of the potential that one day my Mum might read this)

You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (sniffle... but you COULD stick around and read more - just saying)

You can be from anywhere in the world.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom so I can track you down later should you win.

If you find that Blogger won't let you post a message or worse - it disappears into the ether - then email me directly (you can find my e address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by last day of August 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning Joke will be judged on or about the 25th of August

Pax's Outback Adventures...

A Review of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tourist attraction

Well yesterday I finally achieved a goal I have had since I was a wee little nipper - that was to return to visit the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary and see if it is as wonderful as my memories created it [I was 4 years old the last time I ventured there]

And I have to say that from the very start it exceeded my memories.  

First stop for me was the Platypus house.  And YES - I may be a sucker for a happily sploshing egg-laying duck-billed beaver-tailed otter-footed mammal  [I had not realised that Platypii have the same "roll on back at waters surface and kick water about" goofiness that Otters do. Such fun to watch!]
Unfortunately the Platypus house is a "no flash" photo area and since I had yet to change my camera settings I obtained no shots of the frolicking aquatic one. Next Time, Gadget, I promise!

But lets get to the actual review...

The Sanctuary is located in one of the outer suburbs of Brisbane, Australia, and has been in operation since 1927.

There are a few ways to reach it -

• by car (parking is free);
• by river boat cruise (expensive @ $65 per adult as it does not include your ticket into the sanctuary. Plus you only have 2.5 hours to see all the animals before the ship departs)
• by bus (being frugal I chose this method - cost was $4.70 each way and it was a nice 40 minute trip in the morning - a bit longer going home due to traffic.  Just a note if you chose this method - the buses back to the city can get rather full of returning tourists so be patient and don't stress if you have to wait for the next one - they seem to run every 30 minutes or so).  And if you get the 430 or 445 bus it stops directly at the Sanctuary front door.

 Once you reach the Sanctuary - it's ticket buying time.  Cost is $33.00 for adults and $22.00 for children.  Discounts are available for students and pensioners and groups.  See here for details

Once paid, you get a cute koala stamp to the back of the hand - this gives you entry in & out for that day.

Now a word about the staff and the general "air" in the place.  This is very much a Low key run place.  It's not one of the glitzy Touristy type places where you are monitored by staff at all points.  You (as an adult) are expected to read the safety notices posted about the place; and not act like an idiot [most of the signs are simply "Caution - these animals may bite" and symbol signs for "do not put your fingers in this cage" etc] The most dangerous animals are the Crocodiles - safely caged away in their exhibit - but any and all animals can react negatively to stupid human behaviour so it's wise to remember to look but don't try to touch unless there are signs saying otherwise (more on that below)

 

 

And as it says in it's name - there are Koalas EVERYWHERE you look in the central area. 

 

 

SO on to the slide show.... 

Let's look firstly at all the other animals they have...

Map of the Sanctuary.



One of the Dingos.  I saw 3 wandering around their double area enclosure
however there may have been more snoozing in the back area (for a winters day it was quite warm)

This is a wild Kookaburra - perched on the fence of the Sanctuary's
Kookaburra cage.  He was happily chatting with those inside

Southern-Hairy Nosed wombat.  Really big and very active for a mostly nocturnal animal

A Goanna (Perentie) - Australia's Largest lizard bred

 

Emu

The Emus and the Kangaroos are in an large paddock. Access is via a double gate system (so they don't get out and bound everywhere). Feeding the Roos is encouraged ($2.00 bags of feed are available at the central cafe. It contains feed pellets - about 3 handfuls or so for maximum Kangaroo slobberage to occur). And the Roos *KNOW* if you have the feed in your pockets! Photo number one followed me around until all the feed was exhausted and then hopped off to beg more from other visitors. Oh - Feeding the Emus is NOT encouraged - their pecks can be quite painful.

And yes... I was a goofy happy Pax at being able to feed and gently pet free roaming Kangaroos. Their fur is sooo soft!

And a quick review here of their Cafe slash souvenir stall slash Internet access area.

 

Food is limited to two main meal choices - fish & chips with salad (the "Salad" is 2 types of lettuce) OR Chicken burger with chips/salad. They have other snacks (chicken nuggets / sandwiches etc) but if you are vegetarian or keen on healthy food you are out of luck. Bringing a picnic lunch seems to be fine with the owners so you can always bring your own.

Oh and NO COKE! (the horror the horror) - this is a Pepsi zone only [I made do with purchased bottled water so was fine].

 

 

The Meals are cooked to order so expect about a 15 to 20 minute wait for your food (they give you a buzzer when you order and when your food is ready the buzzer lights up like a Christmas tree). The Seating inside the cafe is a bit limited - a few long tables surrounded by chairs. You are expected to share the space so don't be offended if a stranger grabs the seat next to you.

 

Wi-fi access is free to those buying food. Ask for the password at the counter.  There are also 3 or 4 computers set up in the back for "paid access" (a dollar or so for 20 minutes access I think)

 

The Souvenirs seem to be all very good quality but the price reflects this. 8 inch Toy Koala was $34.95 / lapel badges $5.00 each / postcards 90 cents each. Remember to buy your Roo Food here before going on further in to the park.

 

 

OH...and it is here that you purchase your tickets for "Pose with a Koala" photos. The price varies - $20 for one photo / $30 for two... Once you have purchased your ticket they are fine with your companions taking extra snap shots at the same time for no cost (so long as you don't use a flash).
The Lines were long and my money mostly spent on other things [I'll post a separate blog on what I ended up buying :D] so I did not get a photo. Next time perhaps.

 

 

Now the Koalas.... Pens - only a few are enclosed (these pens seem to be for the breding aged ones & mothers with babies) but most of the pens are roofed enclosures with a simple wall separating we Humans from the furry ones. Great for photos.



During the day they have interactive presentations on all the different animals. There are no additional charges for these - all are included in the entrance price. They also have a "Wild Lorikeet" feeding session twice a day. I missed the morning one and decided to leave at 3pm rather than stay for the 4pm "Feed the Birdies". Next time I go I'll remember to pace myself a bit more (more sunscreen too!) so I can stay longer.

It's most definitely worth the entrance ticket - where else can you get to feed and pet a Kangaroo / Cuddle a koala and ooh & ahh over other Australian Wildlife with minimal staff control?

The Sanctuary is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Every day of the year (opening times for Christmas Day and ANZAC day are shorter).



Even better than Musk Sticks!

Yum Yum Yum- Vegemite toast is planned for breakfast here (the faster version of breakfast when you just don't have time to cook and savour some bacon)

Since Vegemite is an acquired taste (more so than the sugary pink stuff aka musk sticks aka "Argh! she's trying to poison me!"*) it's best to give all my overseas readers a bit of a primer on how to best eat it.



Disclaimer - I could not track down the legal owner of this photo.
If *you* are that owner please contact me so I can attribute

If you are one of my current Adopted Warriors (via the Soldiers' Angels group) and would like to try this culinary delight please drop me a note and I will cheerfully send you some


*allegedly 9 out of 10 US Forces test subjects had this response

And in news to hand - Baconnaise : the new taste sensation?