Been a while since I posted up here - been working a lot more than normal to supplement family income and kids have been off school for last two weeks for the end of term break.
Spent most of today at son's soccer club presentation day. Now the season's finished it's nice to catch up with the team parents again, and good for the lads to catch up - plus of course it gets him away from the Playstation which is the bane of my life!!
The team's coach was away on hols at the end of the season so we had a standin and boy, what a difference! This guy was encouraging of the kids, focussed on what they were doing right, made good tactical decisions during matches, and several of the lads noticeably bloomed under his coaching! Real shame we can't persuade him to take over the position next year. The usual coach was almost the exact opposite, always focussing on what they'd done wrong in a game, constantly demoralising them, and frequently making some baffling decisions during matches which often seemed to mean the difference between winning or drawing a match and losing, such as taking off the strongest defender at a vital point, taking off two or three players at a time and replacing them with others with different playing styles, thus losing vital time while the team readjusted. I even started staying to watch training sessions after my son complained that the coach was swearing a lot and using languge that I really don't think is necessary to a team of 11 and 12 year olds.
Anyway, he's coached the team for three years now, and several of the lads are having second thoughts about coming back next season if he's going to be the coach again.
How do we tell him it's time for a rest?
At the presentation today, while we were waiting to go in for our turn, he asked all the lads who was coming back next year: one said - I'm doing AFL instead, another said he was a 'maybe' and my lad said "I'm a maybe too". This guy turned to my son and said "Don't be daft, you'll be back, no other team would want you!"
Now maybe this is his idea of a joke, maybe not, but I really think it was totally out of order. What a thing to say to a kid, in front of all his mates! It's really tempting to leave and find another club solely because of that comment, if it weren't for the fact that most of his mates all play here, and it's a great group of lads really, just let down by this total tosser of a coach.
OH said I should have said something but I'm never good of thinking of the right words at the time - later, sure, all comes to me, but never on the spot!
Need to think of a way to tell this guy he's totally out of order, without having to 'cut off our nose to spite our face'. Anyone any ideas??
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Anything that can go wrong...
Had one of those days last week where everything I did - or tried to do - turned out wrong! Been working much more than my normal two days a week to top up the household income while OH is contracting, and on Friday was looking forward to going to a Business Class Corporate lunch in the City. First thing that went wrong that morning was as I got out of the car, I laddered my tights - huge gaping hole that made the damn things very uncomfortable to wear (temps hit nearly 30 that day and couldn't wear my usual 70 denier opaques, had to put on something a bit thinner, couldn't go without as my winter skin is horrid and pale and couldn't inflict those on the world just yet!)
Ok, so leave the office to get to the lunch, stopping at KMart en route for a new pair of tights. End up queuing behind a couple who only had one pair of kids shoes to pay for - should have been in and out of there in minutes, but they wanted to quibble over the price, manager has to be called.... I ended up changing queues but eight minutes of valuable time has been wasted! Pulling back out onto Port Road, I needed to turn right, sat for another five minutes behind white van man who obviously wanted there to be not another car in sight before he pulled out! Finally I gave up, turned left and threw a quick U-ey onto Port Road...... only to find road blocked by jack-knifed lorry! Arrrggghhh... now have just 20 minutes to get into City! What should have been a quick diversion was slllloooowwww as ended up stuck behind some tourist driver who obviously doesn't know the back roads (more arrggghh), finally end up on Port Road, heading for the City. Making fairly good time when I get a call from the colleague I'm meeting there saying the car park opposite hotel is full, suggesting turning in at the Casino and parking in that one instead. Did this. Parked. Now dead on the time I should be there. No worries, just need to cross the road.
Come out of wrong door of carpark, end up by the river, can't find my way out to North Terrace. End up (in heels, still with hole in tights as not had chance to put new ones on) walking what seems like miles, ending up on bridge OVER North Terrace (with no bloody parachute when I need one!) Ten minutes to find my way back to the bit of North Terrace I need, giving up on finding hotel, finally ask passer by - he points to the building we're almost outside of, looking at me like I'm total idiot!
Hot, sweaty, late - rush in, grab seat, slowly manage to relax over nice meal and speeches (some better than others!) - do the 'networking' thing and recognise a neighbour and friend there. Find out he came in by bus and offer him a lift home. All good.
Walk across road to car park with said neighbour/friend.... spend next fifteen minutes searching for my car! Getting really embarrassed now - he's too nice to say anything, but keeps sending surreptitious texts (can imagine what they say "stranded in underground car park with complete ditz, home in 20 minutes"..... "still looking for car, make that 30 minutes"..... "still looking for her car, maybe 40 minutes"....) Why are so many cars in Adelaide silver? Why don't I have one of those keyrings that makes the car beep at you from a distance? Why do all floors on a car park look the same?
Finally realise we're in the wrong car park!!!!! Manage to find way out of there, and into another one, and thank god, there's the car. Thank you God! Poor guy must now think - with good cause I admit - that I am total and utter dizzy hopeless bint! Instead of a 20 minute bus ride home, it's taken him nearly 30 minutes just to get into the car! He's the parent of one of daughter's best friends - never again can I call her a dizzy blonde - or if I do, he's going to straight away know where she gets it from! I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole! Must have hurt his ears with my embarrassed chatter all the way home! Why can't I just shut up?
What a total bloody disaster!!!! Shouldn't have ever got out of bed!!
Ok, so leave the office to get to the lunch, stopping at KMart en route for a new pair of tights. End up queuing behind a couple who only had one pair of kids shoes to pay for - should have been in and out of there in minutes, but they wanted to quibble over the price, manager has to be called.... I ended up changing queues but eight minutes of valuable time has been wasted! Pulling back out onto Port Road, I needed to turn right, sat for another five minutes behind white van man who obviously wanted there to be not another car in sight before he pulled out! Finally I gave up, turned left and threw a quick U-ey onto Port Road...... only to find road blocked by jack-knifed lorry! Arrrggghhh... now have just 20 minutes to get into City! What should have been a quick diversion was slllloooowwww as ended up stuck behind some tourist driver who obviously doesn't know the back roads (more arrggghh), finally end up on Port Road, heading for the City. Making fairly good time when I get a call from the colleague I'm meeting there saying the car park opposite hotel is full, suggesting turning in at the Casino and parking in that one instead. Did this. Parked. Now dead on the time I should be there. No worries, just need to cross the road.
Come out of wrong door of carpark, end up by the river, can't find my way out to North Terrace. End up (in heels, still with hole in tights as not had chance to put new ones on) walking what seems like miles, ending up on bridge OVER North Terrace (with no bloody parachute when I need one!) Ten minutes to find my way back to the bit of North Terrace I need, giving up on finding hotel, finally ask passer by - he points to the building we're almost outside of, looking at me like I'm total idiot!
Hot, sweaty, late - rush in, grab seat, slowly manage to relax over nice meal and speeches (some better than others!) - do the 'networking' thing and recognise a neighbour and friend there. Find out he came in by bus and offer him a lift home. All good.
Walk across road to car park with said neighbour/friend.... spend next fifteen minutes searching for my car! Getting really embarrassed now - he's too nice to say anything, but keeps sending surreptitious texts (can imagine what they say "stranded in underground car park with complete ditz, home in 20 minutes"..... "still looking for car, make that 30 minutes"..... "still looking for her car, maybe 40 minutes"....) Why are so many cars in Adelaide silver? Why don't I have one of those keyrings that makes the car beep at you from a distance? Why do all floors on a car park look the same?
Finally realise we're in the wrong car park!!!!! Manage to find way out of there, and into another one, and thank god, there's the car. Thank you God! Poor guy must now think - with good cause I admit - that I am total and utter dizzy hopeless bint! Instead of a 20 minute bus ride home, it's taken him nearly 30 minutes just to get into the car! He's the parent of one of daughter's best friends - never again can I call her a dizzy blonde - or if I do, he's going to straight away know where she gets it from! I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole! Must have hurt his ears with my embarrassed chatter all the way home! Why can't I just shut up?
What a total bloody disaster!!!! Shouldn't have ever got out of bed!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Winter Weather
Well, in the midst of our South Australian winter, the forecast for today is someehing like 27 degrees! And tomorrow, it's back to 16 degrees.....,
It's amazing how a bit of sunshine affects people's moods, just waking up to a blue sky makes it easier somehow to get out of bed, and DD went happily off to her last school soccer match of the season this morning at 8:30, while we have DS's match later on today at 12. Once we've got those activities out of the way, it's tempting to head for the beach for a walk with the dog to make the most of the weather.
One of the great things for me about living here is the knowledge that we will definitely get a summer every year - perhaps it's a uniquely British thing to obsess so much about weather, but I have to say it still gives me a small boost to read in the International papers about the English summer being a washout again...sorry, if you happen to be reading this in the UK, but I can't help a small gloat!
Adelaide - unlike (so I'm told) places like Queensland - does actually have a distinct Winter season, although of course 15 degrees here feels cold now, and we very rarely have frost (although it does happen occasionally, specially in the hills), but in my opinion, that just makes it so much better when Spring does arrive. And of course, the sun and the heat themselves can be negatives: many's the time at the start of the soccer season here when kids' practices have been cancelled because it's too hot. As someone whose fingers go blue at the slightest hint of coldness though, all I can see about the summer here is "Bring it on!"
Off now to soak up some heat....
It's amazing how a bit of sunshine affects people's moods, just waking up to a blue sky makes it easier somehow to get out of bed, and DD went happily off to her last school soccer match of the season this morning at 8:30, while we have DS's match later on today at 12. Once we've got those activities out of the way, it's tempting to head for the beach for a walk with the dog to make the most of the weather.
One of the great things for me about living here is the knowledge that we will definitely get a summer every year - perhaps it's a uniquely British thing to obsess so much about weather, but I have to say it still gives me a small boost to read in the International papers about the English summer being a washout again...sorry, if you happen to be reading this in the UK, but I can't help a small gloat!
Adelaide - unlike (so I'm told) places like Queensland - does actually have a distinct Winter season, although of course 15 degrees here feels cold now, and we very rarely have frost (although it does happen occasionally, specially in the hills), but in my opinion, that just makes it so much better when Spring does arrive. And of course, the sun and the heat themselves can be negatives: many's the time at the start of the soccer season here when kids' practices have been cancelled because it's too hot. As someone whose fingers go blue at the slightest hint of coldness though, all I can see about the summer here is "Bring it on!"
Off now to soak up some heat....
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Am I a bad parent?
While OH was away recently on his family visit to the UK, I got chatting to the parent of one of DS's friends, and she mentioned that a series called TrueBlood had been made based on the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris.
Well, I've read the books: they're fairly light reading as far as vampire stuff goes, good characters, nothing too highbrow, and certainly not anything I'd hesitate to let my 14 year old daughter read. So I trot along to the video hire shop, ask if they have the series on DVD, get handed Series 1,
Disk 1, and head home for some escapism viewing.
What I didn't do (and should have, I guess!) is check the rating. After sitting down with 12 year old son and 14 year old daughter to watch the first disk, I could quite easily see how this series was given an R18+ rating!! Not being greatly into censorship, and believing that actually violence is more damaging than nudity and sex scenes, I didn't leap up and turn off the TV; in fact the three of us had a good laugh about some of the graphic "vamp sex" scenes, and I discovered that my 12 year old son probably already knows an awful lot more than I'd have guessed!!
Anyway, once we'd watched the first three episodes on Disk 1, it seemed silly not to watch the rest, so we've now watched all of the first series! Does that make me a really bad mother? I'm actually really adamant that DS can't play Grand Theft Auto on his Playstation, and that's because having seen a bit of it, I felt the whole tone was crass and abusive of women, whereas apart from the sex scenes, Trueblood actually has a fairly high moral level, with strong female and male role models. On the violence front, there's a fair bit of blood spattering around at times, but I think the whole vampire angle makes it less realistic, and certainly it's not glorified in any way (like it seems to be on GTA from what I've seen).
DS's school have just sent home a note saying they're doing some sex education in the coming weeks for Years 6 and 7 - (although I've been told adamantly I have to refer to it as Growth and Development, not sex ed!) - I kind of think it's a bit late! Show 'em all Trueblood, and discuss!!
Well, I've read the books: they're fairly light reading as far as vampire stuff goes, good characters, nothing too highbrow, and certainly not anything I'd hesitate to let my 14 year old daughter read. So I trot along to the video hire shop, ask if they have the series on DVD, get handed Series 1,
Disk 1, and head home for some escapism viewing.What I didn't do (and should have, I guess!) is check the rating. After sitting down with 12 year old son and 14 year old daughter to watch the first disk, I could quite easily see how this series was given an R18+ rating!! Not being greatly into censorship, and believing that actually violence is more damaging than nudity and sex scenes, I didn't leap up and turn off the TV; in fact the three of us had a good laugh about some of the graphic "vamp sex" scenes, and I discovered that my 12 year old son probably already knows an awful lot more than I'd have guessed!!
Anyway, once we'd watched the first three episodes on Disk 1, it seemed silly not to watch the rest, so we've now watched all of the first series! Does that make me a really bad mother? I'm actually really adamant that DS can't play Grand Theft Auto on his Playstation, and that's because having seen a bit of it, I felt the whole tone was crass and abusive of women, whereas apart from the sex scenes, Trueblood actually has a fairly high moral level, with strong female and male role models. On the violence front, there's a fair bit of blood spattering around at times, but I think the whole vampire angle makes it less realistic, and certainly it's not glorified in any way (like it seems to be on GTA from what I've seen).
DS's school have just sent home a note saying they're doing some sex education in the coming weeks for Years 6 and 7 - (although I've been told adamantly I have to refer to it as Growth and Development, not sex ed!) - I kind of think it's a bit late! Show 'em all Trueblood, and discuss!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Beware the Magpies!
Noticed a few magpies collecting grass for nests today, so it won't be long before they turn into Birds to Beware!
When they're nesting, these huge black and white birds, with wicked-looking beaks, turn into ferocious agressive missiles, dive-bombing unsuspecting walkers, cyclists - they even attack the dog! Many's the time when I've been very glad to be carrying the ball-thrower in my hand, as something to wave at them when they swoop threateningly towards me.
You have been warned.....!!!!
When they're nesting, these huge black and white birds, with wicked-looking beaks, turn into ferocious agressive missiles, dive-bombing unsuspecting walkers, cyclists - they even attack the dog! Many's the time when I've been very glad to be carrying the ball-thrower in my hand, as something to wave at them when they swoop threateningly towards me.
You have been warned.....!!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Barossa Wine Tasting Tour
With the famous Barossa Wine Region right on our doorstep, it's one of the first places we take visitors. However, that means that despite several visits, I've always had the driving responsibility, and never been able to fully taste and test in the past. Decided to reward myself for 'keeping the fort' while OH was away with family in the UK, by organising a small tour of the wineries - with driver and minibus - for some of us expat girls, so yesterday, on a glorious sunny day after a week or grey and rainy ones, 13 of us and a dog set off to eat and drink our way around a few selected wineries.
The minibus company (Des's Minibus) was a great choice - not only for their prices, but also because Valerie in the office there was such a great help with sorting out the itinerary, suggesting venues, and making all the calls to book us in. We had a vague idea of where we wanted to go, but she pulled it all together for us. Our driver on the day, Sue, was also great - very experienced and knowledgable - and fitted in with the group just fine.
We started with coffee and cakes at Lyndoch Bakery, and then visited Rockford Wines, (love their 'Alicante' rosé) Turkey Flat Wines (great artwork on the walls, and another ex-pom - from Reading - to serve us!) and Langmeil Wines (fantastic sparkling shiraz!) before a lunch stop at the Tanunda Hotel, and then more winetasting at Seppeltsfield (woonderful range of fortified wines), then food tasting at Maggie Beer's. The day just flew: great company, some interesting wines, fantastic weather and scenery - just great fun! And we didn't even get banned from anywhere!! Brontë, Guide Dog in Training, was a hit everywhere and the quietest of all the girls!
Hopefully nobody had a headache at the end of the day - although for the first time in ages, when OH offered me a glass of wine with dinner, my response wasn't quite as enthusiastic as normal (but I still had one....)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Aussie Abbreviations
One of the things that makes me smile here in Oz is the lovely way the locals abbreviate words and names. Ambulance crews are "ambos", firemen are "firies", swimming costumes are "cozzies" and of course, the ubiquitous barbecue is a "barbie".
The names things is great fun too - DD and I were reading in the International Express the other day about an (australian) motorcyclist who had performed a stunt jumping over the half open Tower Bridge - his name was quoted as Robbie something (sorry if he did it for fame and so people would remember his name - I can't!). DD pointed out that surely if he was an Aussie "Rob" he wouldn't be known as "Robbie" but as "Robbo"! Anyone called Jon here ends up being called "Jonno", Steve become "Stevo", James becomes "Jammo" and so on! Actually, thinking about it, this seems to be a purely male thing! Can't think of any female names that get shortened/lengthened in the same way, although I have to admit that Bonny the Devil Dog does often get called Bonno.... but then she also answers to Bonzo, Bons, and several unmentionable names as well!
The names things is great fun too - DD and I were reading in the International Express the other day about an (australian) motorcyclist who had performed a stunt jumping over the half open Tower Bridge - his name was quoted as Robbie something (sorry if he did it for fame and so people would remember his name - I can't!). DD pointed out that surely if he was an Aussie "Rob" he wouldn't be known as "Robbie" but as "Robbo"! Anyone called Jon here ends up being called "Jonno", Steve become "Stevo", James becomes "Jammo" and so on! Actually, thinking about it, this seems to be a purely male thing! Can't think of any female names that get shortened/lengthened in the same way, although I have to admit that Bonny the Devil Dog does often get called Bonno.... but then she also answers to Bonzo, Bons, and several unmentionable names as well!
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