RIP Jason!

To all the motor racing fans, we have lost another celebrity in the motor racing world.  A young 35 yo Jason Richards had passed away at his home address yesterday.  He was a driver for the V8 supercars that race regularly throughout the country, NZ and Japon between February and November.  Jason lost his 14 month battle from adrenocortical carcinoma. This diagnose is an aggressive cancer originating in the cortex (steroid hormone-producing tissue) of the adrenal gland. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor, with incidence of 1-2 per million population annually. Adrenocortical carcinoma has a bimodal distribution by age, with cases clustering in children under 6, and in adults 30–40 years old.  Adrenocortical carcinoma has often invaded nearby tissues or metastasized to distant organs at the time of diagnosis, and the overall 5-year survival rate is only 20-35%.

Where's RESPECT gone?

I'm really beginning to hate living in this city. I gave up walking because of all the insults about my weight from passers by in cars.  Now everywhere I walk into schools or shops I get unusual looks or smart comments made from people or back stab behind my back.  I don't understand why they do it because there are more highly obese people out there then me.  These obese people I have seen are twice the size of me but why am I the one targeted of being bullied by strangers?  

It's no wonder why I don't trust anyone new no more?  I don't know if I can trust them to be my new friend or not.  A good thing about the internet:  It's more comfortable chatting to someone they don't intend to meet in person.  It takes me about a year before I send a photo of myself to someone I become email buddies with.

 

It doesn't help with the stress level from home causes me to gain more weight. Tonight my 13 yo tells me if I return to work I will need to lose weight. What is wrong with people today?  Where did the respect of others go? Why can't children be seen but not heard anymore? 

Now it makes me wonder if I can get employment because of the way I presented myself.  To any employer they might be narrow minded to say I am not fit to work.  It's bad enough to find employment with limited experience at the age I am now at and going through.  Why can't people just don't judge a book by its cover?

 

I am starting to have second thoughts about studying next year as well.  I don't wish to waste my money on something I won't be able to achieve successfully after all the hard work of studying.

 

Christmas celebrations

It's only 22 days until Christmas!  Do you celebrate Christmas?  What are your traditions?  Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

The best thing I love about Christmas was seeing Santa and getting gifts because I wasn't a spoilt brat on getting alot of stuff other things while growing up.  My parents weren't rich and we had to survive on only one income.  Back in the times when I was a kid interest rates for home loans were very high and my parents had to survive with the standard of living expenses on one low income my father used to come home with weekly.

What happened to respect of today's kids?  Should naughty kids be rewarded at Christmas??  I pretty sure in my times kids didn't get their wish list for Christmas if they were naughty. I grew up believing kids should be seen and not heard!  And be thankful for having a roof over their head, clothes on their backs and freshly cooked food on the table.  Today kids aren't like that...no respect for their elders, no manners used and definiately they are fussy eaters.  Who's fault it is?  The parents.... because they intend to spend money on modern technology and allow them to use computers, ipads, etc for many hours. I understand the parents want what's best for their kids to stay off the streets but what happened to family time these days when kids overtime spend with modern gadgets?

When I was a young kid, I used to celebrate Christmas with my parents and my belated Nanna (who used to travel by train and stayed for two weeks over the festive season) at home.  My mum used to make our Christmas cake and pudding weeks in advance.  By this time of the month we had our ceiling decorations and tree up in the lounge room.  On Christmas Day my parents were up early to start preparing lunch.  After breakfast we opened our presents and had a traditional roast for lunch.  We had turkey and ham served with roasted potatoes and other vegetables. I don't know how I fitted dessert in but we had plum pudding served with warm custard. 

By the time I got married our celebrations changed.  We had our inlaws and our children to celebrate the festive season with.  Up until three years ago we all used to meet at one house and had a big lunch with either chicken, turkey and ham served with either vegetables or salad.  For dessert the traditional plum pudding went out the window because some members didn't like fruit based desserts.

But now as I grow older and had experienced some unpleasant events, my spirit of Christmas is never the same. If it wasn't for my children, I wouldn't even bother celebrating the weekend.  But I would like to celebrate totally different now as I am getting bored with the years I had been celebrating with.  I would love to experience at least one white Christmas in the northern hemisphere or see how my other extended family members celebrate with their families across the country.

So share with me on how you celebrate your festive season?  Are you happy with the way you have done it over the years? Or are you like me, wish to have a change of scenery?

Remembrance Day

Today it is Remembrance Day in Australia. For international readers who don't know it's a memorial day oberved in all Commonwealth countries since WW1 ended in 1918.  This day in Australia has always been held on 11th November to remember our beloved soldiers who died in the line of their duty.

It was quite a shock to read an online news article this morning about an employee who had a written warning to remove his red poppy at work.  Apparently this poppy is an offensive item to other employees at the company.  How can it be so offensive? 

The poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in WWI. Their colour is an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled during the war.

The first chapter of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae gives the text of the poem as follows:

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.


Unfortunately today is the day my grandfather was buried 30 years ago.  He was only the grandfather I met and knew until I was 12 years old.  I only got to see him once a year because he lived too far away.  At the time of his death, it was my first time to learn about death of a human being.

Is it doomsday yet?

Don't know if you have heard or read, there is a report of an near miss of an asteriod to hit Earth. Apparently this big asteriod will past Earth later on tonight.  We won't be able to see it passing through our naked eye as it is too far away to see it up close. For further details, check out this website link: http://au.news.yahoo.com/tech-news/a/-/technology/11506266/big-asteroid-has-close-encounter-with-earth/

Really, would you really want to see this big mean asteriod hit our planet? How would you react if it was announced doomsday would come?  I know over the years I heard many people believe a world's life change supposely take place before Christmas 2012.  Really it could mean anything.  It might have nothing to do with doomsday.   If it was true, what would you do for the next 12 months?

I wouldn't worry too much about these predictions of our famous doomsday. Going by today's news article they said the next time you would see a big asteriod like this one close to Earth is predicted to take place in 2093.  By then most of us (including our children if they were born before 21st century)would be living the eternal life long before then. 

Day for Daniel Day

Did you wear red today as it's Day for Daniel Day?  For our international readers, today is a National Day of Action to promote children's personal safety.  The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was introduced in 2005 when their 13yo son was abducted and murdered in December 2003. Only this year the remains of the child was found.

 

The primary school has participated in a day for Daniel. Most of the students wore some form of red clothing, made a gold coin donation and got involved with activities. Red cheerios were on sale at tuckshop today too.  All the money raised today will go to to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.  For further details, check out this website:  http://www.dayfordaniel.com.au/ 

 

My daughter who attends primary school still, told me a policeman come into her school this week to discuss to all students about their personal safety.  It's frightening when you think about safety of our kids in this generation.  Back to the good old days of the 70s and the 80's we didn't really have an issue like today. Most of us would of been out on the streets or playground playing before and after school. And was told to come home at sunset.  Today our kids can't do that because you don't know what kind of eyes are watching them nearby.  Also we as parents need to think about our kids being on the internet because cyperspace isn't really a safe place for kids anymore neither. 

Halloween

Halloween is an annual holiday observed on October 31, which commonly includes activities such as trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

But the question is why do some of us celebrate Halloween and others don't? It was believe many centuries ago this celebration is the festival of the supernaturals. It seems the Americans keep the tradition going but not all Australians are into Halloween. It isn't we suffer Samhainophobia, it's just we might not be a believer of this culture. But some businesses will have interesting displays (mainly huge and hairy spiders) of Halloween theme this year.  Like any other celebrations that aren't really compulsory, I feel its more a money making promotion for the retail industry.
 


Do you believe in Halloween? If you celebrate the occassion what you do? Besides being a school night we won't be joining in to attend to any public celebrations in any suburbs. I am not a believer in supernationals but if there is children come into our street for trick or treating, I will be polite and give them a sweet treat.  Consider the kind of reputation to where I live with some badly misbehaved children, I don't want my property trashed with raw eggs thrown from our peaceful street.

Felines - cats

Going by my profile photo I am sure you can work out I am an evid fan of felines.  I currently own one little guy who just turned two years old.  With some of his personality traits, he reminds me about one cat I owned during my high school years.

As long as I can remember growing up, there was always a feline in the house. I must of had my belated Nanna's gene because she loved cats too!  She practically had a farm full of all ages at her old home address.  I think my eldest child might have the same gene as she seems to enjoy being around cats.  She told she would love to own a purebreed once she grows up.

All the years I have lived on this planet I have owned six felines.  All have been moggies (that is what the Australians called them.  It means these cats aren't a purebreed from a particular one breeder). Most of them lived until they turned 10 years old.  Majority of the time they were outdoor felines but they were trained to come indoors at sunset.  Only had two females and all the rest were males. The difference of behaviour with these genders is that the males aren't so affection as the female.  The male cat seem to be more the independant one and only comes to you when they need you for food and a quick hug. 

There is one male cat I had the opportunity to know for half of my life. This cat is almost two decades old and just starting to decline in its health now. Of course I am still in contact with the owner of this moggy and it will be a heartbreak when the sad news come to say this old cat went to its rainbow bridge.

How well do you know about felines??  If you don't know much about this independent mammals, here's a website link for you to view some interesting information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat  From the basics, breeds, history and about their health is there for you to enjoy reading.

By the way I love movies and TV advertisements that shows felines too!  My favourite TV advertisment would have to be where you see workers adding cat toys on the telegraph poles in one street and see a couple of cats playing with the new toys.  

The closure of the advertisment: "one day the world will be cat lovers". 

Amen!  (my meaning I agree) Well... I would like to see some countries love cats!  From what I heard I won't be sending my cat there for a meal ticket.

Storm season

I live in the southern hemisphere which currently it's the middle of our spring season. Most of Australia states has four seasons per year but Northern Territory has only two seasons per day, known as wet and dry. Their daytime temperatures in Darwin remain in the 30's all year around.  Really that is the area I should move to as I don't like cold winters.  Humid days don't really bother me as I love to be in water during the day or night or do aqua aerobics (which I should get back into this summer)

But I live in more a sub tropical climate where we can experience severe storms and cyclones over the summery months.  Today we had two storms in one day! The first one hit at around 5am and the second one (which it was more severe down the Gold Coast and North of Brisbane) happened after 4pm here. 

BOM website has reported on where hail was hit in some areas of SE QLD this afternoon. I don't think this will be the last severe storm as our offical summer hasn't even came yet. To those who plan on travelling over summer I would think carefully on where to travel in Australia as storms and cyclones could hit in some states.

This afternoon's storm:
Golf ball size hail reported at Albany Creek at 5:00pm.
4cm hail was reported at Marburg at 4:40pm.
2cm hail was reported at Oxley at 4:30pm.
1-2cm hail was reported at Mt Alford at 3:00pm.
A 79km/hr wind gust was recorded at Warwick at 2:25pm.

How many of you know what to do if a severe/dangerous storm has been issued?  Here I will make note for all of Australians to read incase you need a fresh reminder after winter. Really when you think of it, it's only common sense. For your children's safety, teach them young about the dangers about storms before and after.

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* If you have to travel, don't be an impatient person on the road and speed while it's pouring rain.  Slow down or pull over where you can make a safe stop (away from trees too)
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees or at golf courses.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Beauty and the Geeks

Who been watching the current series of the Beauty and the Geek show?  Normally I don't watch it but since the TV has been on since 6pm to watch the news to see what they said about this afternoon storms.  I seen some areas really coped the hail like it snowed.  As far as I know I don't think the hail hit here.  I was out at the time the storm hit before school finished for the day.  But it did rain heavier enough to make the driving vision harder.  It's raining right now as I type this blog and I think it will continue throughout the night.

Anyway back to the show...I was only watching it because I was waiting for The Amazing Race to start at 9:30pm. In tonight's episode the beauties and the geeks had a science fair at some school.  The geeks had to tutor their beauty in particular areas of science.  Then on the day of the fair the beauties had to perform their topic to a small bunch year 7 kids. I assume it was a private boys school as there was only boys in the group. 

The best laugh was to watch a beauty on how really dumb she really is.  Even the school boys and staff from this school thought it was hilarous.  She had pictures of human body parts and she had to name them and place the colour cardboard drawings on the geek.  How stupid can she be, not knowing what a man's vital reproductive organ was.  She placed the organ cardboard on the geeks' chest. One of the boys commented:  I am going to be sick!!  I laughted and I thought the b***ch was a starfish!! What kind of future will she have in relationships if she that clueless about men?

School Holiday Safety

With the September school holidays rapidly approaching, now is the time to check the safety of your vehicle.

Drivers should allow adequate time to ensure their vehicle is safe. Before embarking on any road trip this holiday, please check that tyres, brakes, steering and suspension, lights and windscreens are in good condition.

Transport inspectors will be checking all vehicles they pull over these school holidays in a state wide operation, SafeDrive, to ensure safety on Queensland’s roads.

Also, don't forget to keep an eye on your local school this holidays. If you see anything suspicious, please don’t attempt to intervene. Call the School Watch number –  13 17 88

Circle of Life

When was it when you first learn about death?  How did you first react when your parents told you a pet or a person had died?  I would of been around late primary school when I first learnt about death.  It was my grandfather who died but I couldn't understand why I wasn't allowed to attend to his funeral. It taken me a couple of days by the time I realised he was gone and never be able to see him again on Earth.

But since then I have lost afew rellies, friends and pets.  It seems to be more happening as I grow up older and older.  Of course it's the circle of life we all have to go through. 

But losing a child would be the hardest to cope with from any parent.  I wouldn't call that fair justice!!  A child suppose to be able to grow up and live life to the max, have friends and a career, not died from such a young age caused from an accident or illness.

Motor Racing

You shouldn't be surprised I enjoy watching motor racing on TV.  My father used to be a motor mechanic and I did grew up throughout my childhood years of hanging around the service station alot.  I have been to a live motor race event when my children were younger.  It's quite an expensive day but at least you can walk around the pitstop and meet some of the drivers. 

Even had the a short experience of driving at the Bathurst track, on our way home from NSW in August 2009. It's open all year around as local residents live in that area. Of course you aren't allowed to do speed racing speeds like these professional drivers can do at race meets. It's very hilly and I don't know how race drivers can speed on this course. It would be very frighting to drive around the curvy bends!!  The next Bathurst meet for V8 drivers will be in October 2011.

Only V8 supercars fans know this weekend their race is held at Wilowbank which is situated on the main highway going towards Warwick in QLD,  Frank and I have been there on very odd occassions to watch the main race on Sundays.  I would of like to go on my birthday weekend as this weekend's car race is held there.  The main race is on this afternoon and what a wet day it would of been for fans.  Glad I am not there today!  I don't think I would of like to have a wet bum and feel cold all day. I saw on the news sports report last night that Craig Lowdnes has won race one and two yesterday.  Could he win the third time lucky??

I first visited Willowbank in the very early 90's to watched some drag racing.  It was quite a noisy event but it was interesting to watch the kind of vehicle models used to drag race down a 400 metre track at high speeds.  They do street car meets too and all the vehicles I have owned and driven have been there for a race. Frank was the one who drove in those kind of races. It's the thrill of the action of speed driving down on a short track. Only experience and confident drivers are able to do this!  You must wear a protected helmet for your head, otherwise you can't enter any of these races.

Who remembered to fill out their census form on Tuesday night?  Did any of you done it online?  I thought about doing it online but because I had some issues with my internet server lately I thought it wasn't best to do there. Instead I filled out the form and it didn't really take that long at all.  Oh well......at least I don't have to worry about it for another five years.  But I do wonder if the guy who dropped the form off will return before this weekend.  He said we was going to return in the first couple of days but he hasn't shown up yet. Maybe he thought I was going to do it online.

 

Did you hear if you don't fill out the census form, you will be fine $140?  Someone at bowling said they heard the fine was $160 per day.  I do wonder if the government uses any excuse to grab more money from us.  To me, this census form business is another reason for our government and tax department to be Big Brother. What happened to our privacy these days?  The only question that should be on the census form is, how many people live in that household and that is that?  Maybe ages but more likely under 18 or over 18.

Where is this world going?

Years ago most of my friends did the right thing and travel when they had the opportunity to.  Now I wish I done it too last century as I had/seen through the media over time about where this world is going.  It sure hasn't been the same peaceful world since the incident on the day of 9/11 took place ten years ago.

What kind of future our future generations are going to live with while this kind of behaviour is still going on?  Will there be any peace restored??
 
Haven't really caught up alot in watching or reading the news in the media lately but I did hear about the incident in London this week.  It's hard to believe a good country like London would go downhill and causing some damage from some immature idiots who think they can rule the city.

I think it is about time all governments throughout the globe step up and make some law changes for the better. The world should go back in time where children and adults had respect for other people, use their manners at all times and feel safe to be outside at all hours. 

Setting boundaries

What kind of society do we live in today?  There is so much modern technology stuff, it's impossible to keep up with. Today's kids love it and I think the parents buy it for them so their child/ren are kept off the streets while their parent/s aren't home.

How much a school official should set boundaries on parents for allowing their child to do things outside school hours? In the recent newsletter I read this week, the school principal feels us parents should set boundaries on our kids when it comes to modern technology usage like facebook and so on.  Does he have the right to tell parents what to do?  NO!!!!!!!! 

Yes!  I know some things shouldn't be allowed by children to view on cyperspace but at least your child is at home safe and sound.  And he/she isn't out on the streets causing trouble in the community.

How would you feel if your child's principal or teacher came up and told you what to do as a parent?  I know I would be offended!! Maybe I should go up and tell the principal on how to do his job then.  I know he wouldn't like it either so why should he do the same for us parents.

Reality TV

If you are a big TV fan, do you following any reality game shows?  I think I watched more of them, then most people would. 

I have been following afew reality shows since this century started.  When I was growing up I used to watched afew game shows in the prime time but now it's more a reality and competitive style shows from Australia and USA I intend to watch.  The recent ones I watched are Survivor, My Kitchen Rules, Dancing with the Stars, The Amazing Race (both the US and Australia versions), Australia's Got Talent, The Block and The X-Factor. 

My favourite shows would have to be My Kitchen Rules, Dancing with the Stars and The Block because as I like to see what competitors create in the kitchen. I enjoy watching and trying to learn ballroom dancing and finally view the renovations creations.

Has anyone been following the recent series of Australia's Got Talent?  The final ended tonight and it seems I was right since the first night of auditions.  I am starting to wonder if this show is rigged too.  Is it really the viewer's vote that counts or does the judges have the right to vote too?  They said since the young boy auditioned, he would be the right person to pick.

Now I am looking forward to watching the X-Factor soon.  Have you heard another reality show is going to start in the near future?  It's called The Voice where it involves singers (like The X-Factor) but the judges don't see the auditions at first.  They only hear their voices at first time of auditioning.

Reality TV shows

Did any of you been watching IN THE WOMB?  It's on Thursday nights after Hot Property on Channel 9.  Because I have been following this current series of the Block, I have seen the advertisements and thought I would watch it for the first time last night to just see what it's really like.  In an hour they showed four different cases dealing with pregnant women. These are known as miracle babies!!

CASE ONE showed where a pregnancy happened outside the women's womb.  It's one in a million for a baby to survive full term in this situation  The mother had to give birth 4 weeks early to avoid complications at full term.  The baby did survive but it had some abnormal complications at the hip which required surgery.

CASE TWO had a pregnant women with six babies.  No...they weren't naturally conceived.  The babies arrived at 28 weeks gestation.  One of the baby was that small it could can wear a male's wedding ring on her wrist.

CASE THREE had a foetal baby with a cancerous tumour on her tail bone.  This cancer was fast moving by the time the mother was half way into the pregnancy.  The medical profession operated on the baby by removing part of the baby out of the womb to remove the huge tumour.  The baby survived!!

CASE FOUR had an unborn baby with one lung not forming so the medical profession added a balloon on a long needle via the mother's womb into the baby's mouth.  Apparently the balloon stopped the liquid on one side to help the lung formed.  It worked!! Once the lung was formed they defated the balloon by using the similar situation again.  After the baby was born they had to monitor the baby for two months.

After watching this episode I am so amazed on how technology in medicine is now so advance.  The medical team can even operate on a baby while the baby's is still in the womb of its mother.

Sportsmenship

What happened to the good old sportsmenship these days?  It bad enough to see fights and such in popular football games but why are bowlers are so jealous because a person intends to take some of their winnings for all their hardwork for one season? 

Over the years I have noticed as newcomers into particular leagues, we intend to be threaten with others by coming home with the prize fund more then they do.  It aren't our fault we are good bowlers. We are there to enjoy the games and try to make new friends.  I have noticed with the more serious bowlers, if the game isn't going the way they want it, they will have a bee in their bonnet about it.  The more they stress out, the worse their game goes under average.  I just look at them and laugh!!  Because they act like a two year old with a tantrum.

My daughter had a good run with her winnings this past season and one of the teenagers (who thinks she is the best) and her mother had a bee in their bonnet about my daughter for her extra winnings. I am proud of my daughter! She deserved to be rewarded for her hardwork for season one.

There is only one female who came up afterwards and congratulate my daughter.  That's what true sportsmenship should be about.  It shouldn't be there if you win or lose, you should be there to support your fellow competitors as well.

Carbon Tax

I assume you have heard what the latest incentive our Australian Government got planned for next year. I understand this tax supposely to affect some business but in reality it will affect most residents in the communities with the increase of our bills with our utility services. How much more is our government going to rip us off?  What are your thoughts on Carbon Tax?  If there is going to be a referendum, would you be for or against the idea?  If you really know me well, you would know my answer.   

Reality Shows

As some people know I am a huge fan of cats.  I always own a domestic shorthair as long as I can remember.  I am even a member to a yahoo group where we share shories about our furry member of the household.  Sometimes members share a link and I have one here about a cat who intend to eat furniture.  This link came from the TV show "BETTER HOMES and GARDENS".  Dr Harry Cooper is the TV vet on the show and he gives great advice on animals of all kinds. Even one of my friends have appear on the show about her domestic pet.  Enjoy viewing this link!!
 http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/tv/watch/-/9657897/furniture-eating-cat 

The Concert

How many concerts have you seen in your lifetime?  If so who have you seen?  Was it worth the value? It aren't very often I go to this kind of venue but when I do I make sure I enjoy it!!

The last concert I remember seeing was Tina Turner back in 1993 in Brisbane.  It was only luck for me then because the friend I went with had a last minute cancellation of the person she supposely went to the concert with.  To me I didn't care, I was so happy to go and see Tina Turner.  She was excellent!!  

This time I have been dreaming of seeing John Farnham in concert.  I heard the annoucement last month and again today.  And I thought it was about time I achieve my dream!  Yes.......I booked the tickets(for Frank and I to go) and it has been confirmed to go in Novemember.  This concert will be playing alot of his 80's hits from his Whispering Jack album that was released 25 years ago.

I do not know if this is the last time John Farnham will perform live but if you want to see him, I would book your tickets now. Check on Showbiz website (http://www.showbiz.com.au/) for concert dates. Make sure you read all terms and conditions before you buy online.

Winter Blues

I hope your family is in much better health then we are at present time.  For the past 24 hours I came down with a chestcold but I am thankful I slept normal last night.

The one thing I hate about winter is copping colds and flus. We still have two months of winter left and I am starting to wonder if we ever get over our winter blues. We all coped our winter viruses early and it seems to keep on travelling to one person to the next.

Today I visited our local pharmacist to purchase some medication for the family.  She suggest for us to rub some Vicks Vapour Rub on our feet just before we go to bed and wear socks.  Apparently this suppose to help us sleep better and our virus should be gone in three days.  Has anyone tried it?  And does it really work?  Well....two of us are going to try it tonight.  I will let you know if it really works like they say.

Driving

Only on Monday I remembered I had to renew my driver's licence.  It is the third time I have renewed since I got my license last century. 

I do wonder with some residents of our state can survive without a license.  I know I would be lost without my card and my car. I relie on mine too much because I drive daily to school, sport, craft and whatever other events would be on.  As for our public transport system I wouldn't say it would be always reliable when I would used it if I had to.

You might of heard how Queensland Driver's License are now going to change their style over to a chip added to your card.  One of my bowling mates had her renewal done this year so I had seen how the new card looks but apparently there could be afew hiccups if you need to get new one like this one.  I was told you aren't allow to smile for the camera.  How horrible the photo of me would be then if I can't smile to the camera??  You wouldn't want to sneeze or cough then at the time of photo taking?

Anyway I didn't have any issues with my renewal this time round because the person who served me just issued a new label at the back instead.  She told me they haven't got the equipment for the new system yet. But paying $76 for just a sticky label for the back is sure a rip off!!