Better the devil we know?

It's been a busy month - I've been in Canberra over the election weekend studying at the uni down there- yes- a grad certificate in education- am I mad? most possibly - however I have entered the great university wiki site - ie the current students intranet - the place to locate assignments, upload lecture notes, pay fees, log-on to detail other course participants. It certainly cuts down on the paper trail and Australia Post employees by the not having to wait at the letterbox for course notes. However the downside is that a problem with internet connection and or uni intranet server issues and that assignment is being penalised at a certain percentage per day. The pressure is on!

Now about Canberra the nation's great capital- love Friday night shopping- what a great way to finish the week - imagine trawling the city then going up for a well deserved drink and your asian fusion nestled above the shop- ie up a flight of questionable stairs with the exterior of the shop awning decorated with lanterns. The thirty pages of menu (representing your most commonly named asian nations) only to decide springs rolls, fish cakes, beef, chicken and rice and wash down with the most expensive glass of reisling? Who could resist? and all within easy walking distance from your bodgy hotel- which really looked better in the internet photos then in real life.
Imagine a hotel on Parramatta Rd with single glazing windows -(well we don't have to imagine it's called Formula One) and a kitchen but no mini-bar? Why have the kitchen at all if there's no stock for that late night needed 'coke' to wash down that asian thirst brought on by walking to the city in sub-zero temperatures and rewarded with a burst of msg? BTW the sub zero temp exposure was greatly reduced on the way back due to the frequency of cabs available in the city region. Sydney just can't compete when it comes to taxi's in Canberra! What a bonus!!

Now when is the Australian Electoral Commission going to invest in the use of the great Wiki so that we don't have to line up endlessly every three years to vote? Surely that is an important policy agenda!

You say it's your birthday?

Happy Birthday to Me!! Yes, it was mine..last week! A great excuse to exercise some 'retail therapy' and indulge in lunches with friends and family over the course of a week.(love it, love it!!)
Not only am I a huge fan of the birthday celebration (and making it last as long as it can) it seems I've brainwashed my son who also has started to follow my legacy.

It began like this- 'Mum can we have balloons?
'Of course' I replied, 'we always have balloons for birthday celebrations.'
'Can we put up the 'Happy birthday' banner?'
'Yes, of course.'
'Mum......can we make cakes?'
'Yes we can do that after school tomorrow when you come home.'
'Oh and by the way Mum, I've invited my friends to your party!!
............Pause from me........'uhm you've what?'
'Well since our family is in Greece I've invited my friends from school to your party', and then he listed their names.

Oh yes- my son (he's 6) did the facebook equivalent of social networking for 6 year olds and told all the boys in his kindy class to come over after school for mum's 'Happy Birthday'

Needless to say at the school gate at afternoon pick-up I was surrounded by 6 year olds wishing me happy birthday and informing me (and their respective parents' that they were coming over for my birthday?

It was chaos! Parents in a panic over missed invitations and lack of presents, kids in a panic thinking they were about to miss out on the 'party of the week!' and we know no-one wants to be a social pariah- especially when you're 6!! It was like the snow ball effect of twitter out of control!!

After reassuring parents that there was indeed no party....and placating kindy boys the same - yes they were unconvinced- I came up with a solution - A play date party the following week for 'Mums Birthday'.....and yes a great success (at my house..the park was washed out due to inclement weather?)..complete with balloons, cake and birthday banners!!
Peace reigns once again in Kindy Waratah!! but take it from me, be careful what you wish for!!