Greetings gentle readers.
I have become somewhat confused tonight, but then again it has been said that I am always confused. My quandry has been caused by my investigating membership options at AuthorsDen.
You see, I click on a link that offers Gold membership, at $39.95, until January next year. I open the page and find the price is $49.95. So I open the page that offers membership at $99.95, and find a bill for $149.95. I decided to check out the support Forum, and then discover that there is a Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold membership. As I am already a life member, which I assume is basic, I am now quite confused as to which is which. Think I'll go back to my Cave and Paint pretty pictures on the wall again, I don't like thinking too much at this time of the morning.
The Ferals
More has come to light concerning my Feral neighbor. Some time ago, his wife bought a little car, a Nissan Skyline, for her personal use. She saved every penny herself. He decided he needed it for his work, so drove it around, towing a trailer with lawnmowers etc in the back, until it coughed and died.
Instead of fixing it or buying another, he bought a Van, a two seater van, which of course meant that he could not take his family anywhere with him. The van eventually died as well, he gave up working for himself, and bought himself a Toyota Celica.
She in the meantime managed to get another car which he said he would fix up for her, in the meantime, she would not be permitted to drive "His" car. He even marks the tyres and write down the mileage to make sure.
Six months later, her car is still sitting in the yard on blocks, the engine on the ground next to it, the registration has expired, (which she paid for, in anticipation of being a driver), and the fights have started all over again.
Now the way I figure it, people do have disagreements but, is it nessecary to wake me up at all hours while one discusses ones differences? Mind you, I would know nothing about what goes on, if it wasn't for the fights. I mean it's so loud, I reckon the people in the next block know everything that goes on in their lives.
Wine
Damn!! I've just consumed the last of my fine South Australian Chardonay. I do so much like to sip while I do this. Which is probably why at times I seem to be rambling on about nothing. Hmmm...
Juanita has discovered a very nice Browns Chardonay. This one is a Queensland wine, aged in oak Not in stainless steel vats, with a few wood shavings thown in for Ambience.
One Vintner tried to fool me with what apeared to be a very nice wine, one sip was enough, he had added enough Ethanol to it, that I reckon I could have got fifty mile to the gallon out of the old bus. Would have been cheaper than petrol too.
I am not a wine snob, there are enough of them around. You know them, the ones that pay a fortune for a very cheap wine, thinking that price is the marker. I was brought, (or should I say dragged) up on wines. High price does not nescessarily mean good. Some of the best wines in the world are the cheaper ones, created by small Boutique wineries, made with hands of love, without thought of the almighty Dollar.
Government largesse
Our Government, that is the Australian Government, has made an announcement in it's Budget that is quite amazing. It seems that it has decided to pay every person with children under 17, a grant of $600 per child, dependant on ones Taxation Level. Not only that, some will get it twice, because they are on two levels, (like me). So it would apear that sometime this month they are going to give me $1800.
Added to the above, all new mothers, giving birth after June 30 2004 will receive an incentive payment of $3000, six weeks after the birth of the child. The Ferals next door are already trying to reproduce, he wants a new car. I heard it on the Fight Vine. She dosen't want to.
From the yelling next door, I think they must be reading this.
I digress. call me a cynic, but when a Leader makes good with Largesse, and it is in an election year, I figure that there must be a way that said leader intends to recoup such generosity after the election. Assuming of course, that he is re-elected.
Lenin once said that Religion is the Opium of the people. Meaning of course, that while the People have their minds on higher things, no-one will notice what the left hand is doing. In our society, Money is the religion. So maybe our Mr Howard, ( also known as the Garden Gnome), is hoping that while everyone is looking at the money they get, no-one will notice the Billions he intends spending on War. That way he can increase Taxes. Sounds somwhat akin to The Ministry of Truth in Orwells 1984.
Our opposition leader on the other hand is promoising to bring the troops home by Christmas, a promise he has since "Ammended" to " Dependant on circumstances in Iraq". And, he is promising to peg back the ever increasing fuel prices, by forcing the Oil Companies to reduce the wholesale price of Petrol. When one considers that we produce 75% of our crude needs, only importing 25%, why should we be stuck to the Opec price demands? Go figure it out, I can't. Anyway we will have to see if the, Best Man wins. Or should I say the best Fibber?
I reckon we should only elect lawyers and used car sales people, to government office. That way we already know what we are getting, and can therefore anticipate their next moves.
Juanita
Juanitas has just got up, she is suffering from an alergic reaction to a new Shampoo. She is itchy all over, bringing up great welts where she has been scratching herself. I have tried calamine Lotion, Oat bath, Haemoriod cream, (don't laugh, it does work with some skin irritations), and now household disinfectant. I have given her a sedative, only half, of Fenurgen. The same stuff one gives a baby when it is teething. It does have an anti hystamine in it. If she is not any better in the morning, I will take her to the Doctor.
Summary
Well, it is now 1.50 am, and I am feeling somewhat drained. I have had my Whinge, the neighbors have either gone to bed or killed each other, (Guess I'll find out in the morning), the cat is asleep, and the washing is done. Can't hang it out. So far I've lost 23 towels 4 sheets and some of MY? underwear, from hanging washing at night. Although, what is so special about my underwear, I just cannot fathom.
Anyway Gentle People, I will bid you farewell. Good Night and Good Morning, where ever you may be. May your Gods watch over you and protect you, in all your endeavours. Remember to tell your children and grandchildren that you love them, and give them a hug.
Thought for the day
In every Adult, there dwells an eight year old, who needs a Hug. What about you?
