Driving Differently

After our quick trip to the States and returning back in Oz, I noticed a difference in the way we drive.  (no silly, i've known for a while that Aussies drive on the left side of the road... shesh. ;-)  )

When I drive in the US, I use the "emergency brake" when I park on hills, just to make sure the car doesn't roll anywhere after I've parked it.  (who knows, it could go for a joy ride w/out me and what fun would that be??)

However, whenever we stop to park anywhere here, we use that same break.  No matter where I park... on a hill, in a parking garage, or in a driveway (sometimes those are really inclined!).  Perhaps that's why it's called the "hand brake" here.  It's used more often than just for 'emergencies'.

I don't know why I'll pull the break here as soon as I park, but I've never done it in the states.  Kinda odd.

(oh, and to give full credit, it was first the wonderful hubby who noticed this unusual phenomena. pretty perceptive.)

Tuesday's Tangent - animals

I was talking with a friend recently, and we discovered some similarities between people and animals.  Actually, it was specific people with specific animals.  I know, not your normal conversation, but sometimes these things just happen... it was a "you had to be there" moment, I guess.

So, in the spirit of fun I'll share mine with you.  (that's what you were hoping, wasn't it?)  If I were an animal, I'd likely be a lizard.   You see, I have issues with maintaining my own body temperature (and it's better than a snake, they're scary).

Any brave readers out there willing to ponder this silly though and share what animal you might resemble? or have traits of?  hmm...

;-)

Tuesday's Tangent - ideas

I have such great ideas.  Really, I do... well, once in a while I do.  But sadly, these often flash into my head without warning and float off again before I can get them written down somewhere.  :-/  I'm sure that sounds a bit like a 'fish-that-got-away' story to you, but it does happen. 

I wonder if sometimes my actions are like that.  I guess they would be more like intentions.  I have a thought, a wanting to do something.  I agree with myself that it's a good plan, and yet, sometimes my follow-through just isn't there.  I think that's something I need to work on...  on doing the little things that just might make a big (or even little) difference for someone else.  I'm gunna chew on that one for a while... and hopefully move on it too.  (not sure you wanted to join in my journey with that much detail... but you got it!)

Another idea that's floated around in my head recently is the beauty of mistakes.  I witnessed part of something that encouraged me and was a blessing.  However, for the ones who were in charge of the event, they were disappointed by the hiccups that occurred... which was part of the beauty and blessing for me.  God's neat that way, he can use our 'oops-es' to bless others.  Good stuff.

Happy tangent day!
Hope you find a few to brighten your day.

Tuesday's Tangent - Aussie TV

Australia has great free-to-air tv.  (aka- non-cable).  A lot of shows that are on cable in the US we can see here on free-to-air.  (sadly, it's not always the best of American tv, but that's a different thought)

What really entertains me is the scheduling.  You know, you look in the tv guide... the free one in the paper or even the one on the tellie itself (yay for technology)... and see what show is on at which time.  This helps in the all important chore of figuring out when dinner really needs to be finished by (heehee, not really, I'm just havin' fun).

Here's the fun part... tv shows here don't always start on time!  It might say that the show starts at 7:30... but it could actually start 20 minutes later, or 14.  crazy!  And, I've seen shows finish 15 minutes early.  I don't understand why it happens, or how it all works out in the end.  But, it's true! 

A bit of Aussie info ya just didn't know before, did ya?
and truly, a tangent from anything relevant... but still a bit fun.
;-)

Tuesday's Tangent - bagpipes

I love bagpipes!
I always have.  The first time I remember hearing them (on a street corner in Windsor, Ont in high school), I was enthralled.  I stopped to listen.  The friends I was with were not as impressed.

I was recently chatting with a friend and realized that I'm a bit like bagpipes.  :-)
I like it.
(and I'll let you, my two readers, make any appropriate comparisons you like.)

enjoying some bagpipes in Jackson, 2008.  :-)

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Tuesday's Tangent - bats

I've never been a big fan of bats, the flying kind, that is.  (I'm not greatly fond of the other type of bats as they require hand-eye coordination of which i have very little... but that's another post).  I've always thought the flying bats were kind of creepy.  And anything that moves quickly can make me squirmish. 

But, last week, when we went to Sydney to apply for new passports for D and B, I saw heaps of bats flying from the Botanical Gardens over the Opera House and into the harbour.  VERY COOL! 

Bats are stunning to watch.  They're incredibly graceful and quite unique.  When they fly in front of lights, their wings are translucent.  Crazy!  I could have stood and watched them fly overhead for hours.  Who knew!

Silly me, I should have been appreciating them for what they were created to be, not comparing them to other things and judging them for what they were not.   hmm... 
;-)

The Harbour Bridge at dusk.

If you look closely, you should be able to see tiny black

dots in the upper left corner... those are bats! :-)

.

Tuesday's Tangent - ice

Ice machines and ice buckets are not as easily found in Aussie hotels. 

Just thought y'all might want to know that.

;-)

Tuesday's Tangent - Fall

Actually, it's not fall here, the season's called Autumn.

It's beginning to change seasons.  The evenings are cooler.  It's nice to snuggle up to keep warm since the air is getting cool once the sun goes done.  The days aren't so hot... really, I've worn a sweatshirt on several days recently, so it must be getting cold.  ;-)  (heehee... if you know me, you know that's not quite true..)

But it's all feeling a bit odd.... 'cuz my brain is thinking that if the temps are going down and Fall's comin', then there are certain things that go along with that. Like my mum's birthday, but that's not till October.  And I'm craving some fresh apple cider... but I'm not sure I'll find any around here.   And the leaves should change colors any day now... but the trees aren't the same...  (and really, it's probably not that cool yet)

But this isn't fall... it's Autumn... and it's only April. 
and it's all just a bit odd... for today.

(fall in TN)

Welcome Autumn!
;-)

Tuesday's Tangent - poetry

One of my friends commented about poetry on her fb status.  I'm pretty sure she was dealing w/ serious poetry... but I'd much prefer some fun stuff...  like...

This from "Runny Babbit" a Billy Sook by Shel Silverstein

'Kugs and Hisses'
Runny said, "I'm lonesome,
I feel so glad and soomy.
I need some kugs and hisses --
Now, who's gunna give 'em to me?"

"I will," said Polly Dorkupine,
"'Cause you're cute as a rug in a bug."
Said Runny, "Well, I'll kake the tiss,
But never hind the mug."

Oh, the fun of children's poetry... or should I say, pildren's choetry.  ;-)

Shel's always good for a smile!

Do you have a favourite children's poem? or poem from your childhood? 
Wanna share?

Tuesday's Tangent - Legos

.
..
...
I think legos are a lot like life...

... sometimes it's about putting things together, building something great or small, and sometimes it's about picking up the pieces.

I like legos.
except when I step on one accidentally left out. ;-)

blessings.

Tuesday's Tangent - trees

When we first arrived in Australia, I was amazed at how different the trees look.  To me, they look a little odd, not at all like the rectangular brown truck w/ the circular greet top that I saw and know from my 30-odd years of living. 

Actually, I've always thought that Dr. Seuss must have visited Australia because the trees here remind me of the trees in many of his books.... (look here) ...trees that have tall, thin trunks with puffs of leaves at the ends of scattered branches.


But, as I walk around these days, the trees just look normal...  like that's just how trees are suppose to look...  When did my maples and oaks get replaced by eucalyptus and gum trees?

 

looks about right, eh?

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~~

 

Tuesday's Tangent - bandaids

I like band-aids.  They come in so many shapes and sizes.  You can also find fun, colorful, and even character band-aids. 

When I was younger, I liked putting on band-aids just for fun.  The most memorable occasion when was I was about 16.  Just put a cute Care Bear band-aid on my hand and caused some fun conversations. 

That Care Bear band-aid came from my sister's stash.  She also loved putting them on, as did both of my children.  Sometimes they'd have a plethora of band-aids covering their body for big, little, and non-existent boo-boos. 

Although they're created for a particular purpose, covering wounds, band-aids are useful in other ways too.  A sweetly given band-aid can ease any childhood injury, it doesn't have to be open or have blood.  It eases pain just in the offering.  Sharing a 'fun' band-aid can bring smiles and joy, making someone feel special as well.  Wearing silly band-aids can start a conversation. 

I like band-aids. 
For something quite small, it can do so much.

Tuesday's Tangent...

I've just discoverd that my camera is still on Central Standard Time in the US...  kinda odd looking at my Christmas pics and seeing the wrong date...  weird.

Tuesday's Tangent...

I remember an assignment from my early school days....  to describe something so an alien visiting from another planet would understand what you're talking about.   I think that I even used this concept when working w/ one class to describe 'popcorn'...  Pretend you're writing for someone who's never seen, heard, smelled, touched it before...  someone not from our planet...

Sometimes that's what I'd like to say to people I come in contact with...  pretend I'm from another planet and don't have any knowledge of what you're taking about... start at the very beginning...  'cuz really, I'm not from around here.

Tuesday's Tangent...

If you know me well, or perhaps even at all, you will have noticed that I often talk in tangents. I move from one topic to another without a clear, understandable connection, well, at least not to the casual observer.

So here's a new weekly addition (i hope) to my blog... Tuesday's tangent... allowing you, my dear (but few) readers, to go on a random tangent w/ me. (it is quite an honour, i know).

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I have realized i have 'comfort clothes'. Clothes that I like to wear when I'm feeling a little unsettled or unsure. Some people do 'comfort food'... surely, 'comfort clothes' makes sense too.

well, it does to me! ;-)

........

oh, look! a chicken.