World Blood Donor Day is 14 June

World Blood Donor Day is set by the World Health Organisation, the United Nations health agency.
The United Nations theme this year is: Safe Blood for Safe Motherhood.
Every year approximately 17% of pregnant women in Australia require a blood product to ensure they have a healthy pregnancy. This product is only available thanks to the support of voluntary unpaid blood donors.

What happens to blood
Most people think blood donations are used to help people who suffer traumatic incidents, such as accidents or burns, or in surgery. But, in fact, the vast majority of blood donations go to people with major medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stomach and bowel disease, liver and kidney disease, people with haemophilia and to newborn babies and pregnant women. The blood drop diagram below provides more detail.


Did you know that 430,000 people in Australia receive a blood product each year and it is estimated that 50% of Australians will require a blood product during their lifetime?

Unfortunately I will not be making a donation on World Blood Donor Day, because I made a donation on Wednesday 30 May 2007 and have to wait 12 weeks before I can donate again. Wednesday was my third donation since November last year. I made a New Years resolution this year that I would donate blood at least 3 times in 2007. I have made 2 donations this year and I am aiming for 4.

If this blog inspires just one person to donate blood then I have achieved my goal, however that one person with one donation will have saved a life.

If you feel inspired please phone 13 14 95 for an appointment at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service or visit their website to learn more and make that appointment.

Friday Night Football

Friday night was the last night game that the Freo Dockers will play at Subiaco Oval this year, so I took my camera to capture a moment to share with you. It was always going to be a quiet night as I was working overtime on Saturday from 7am to 3pm, and was on my second 6 day week and extremely tired, so there are no tales of drunken escapades at the footy.

Freo played St Kilda, an extremely injury riddled team in the AFL at the moment. I had tipped Freo to win, but as usual lacked any confidence in Freo winning. The only predictable thing about the Dockers is that are unpredictable!

I took my raincoat as the weathermen had predicted rain in the evening, and I also packed my gloves for when the temperature dropped. In typical fashion of me taking my raincoat - it failed to rain, and to add further insult the temperature never really dropped and I didn't use my gloves. It was almost too warm for my jacket, but I kept in on as I already had enough baggage with the raincoat and gloves in my lap, and the camera, oh and the radio etc etc.

Getting back to the footy, the game was fairly lack lustre. The Dockers didn't look convincing and the Saints were appalling and couldn't kick straight to save a life, especially Gehrig who I dislike with a passion and verbalised this quite frequently to Angie with comments about the way he walks like he has a carrot up his arse and how damn ugly he is. I would just like to add that ugly men should not play AFL football - it is not good for TV.

And the outcome of the game was a Freo win, 101 to 55. At least I have started the round with my first tip being right.

I want to put forward a theory I have on AFL games. That being the first to 100 point wins. Angie and I joke about this often and did on Friday night, but I think this theory is correct and would love to hear from others about this, especially of examples that buck this trend.

PS: Take note of the score in the photo - first to 100 wins!

Waiting ........

I applied for a promotion in mid December 2006. I actually cheated and paid a business to write my job application and prepare a resume for the cost of $220. This round of jobs was supposed to be finalised in February 2007, but some one stuffed up (as usual, and this time the ATO is blaming the recruitment agency - Manpower) in that a lot of job applications were lost during the electronic application.

I heard nothing for ages and the ATO kept posting updates saying this and that was happening, but no one heard a brass razoo about anything. Then one day I was actually talking to a colleague about the process when my mobile rang and low and behold it was a Manpower (not the strippers!!) saying I had been shortlisted for an interview. Great!! This interview was booked and to my horror it was a phone interview. I suddenly became very stressed as every interview I have been to has been in person and usually a panel.

I studied my job application and finally the day arrived. How did I go - SHOCKING! I managed to stuff up an example in true form by missing the end of the question in which the interviewer stated Give an an example of when you have used your understanding of taxation principles and practices to help a client and gave an example of a client that I referred to GST Field for a visit as he was non compliant with me. Field ended up penalising him heaps and he owed hundreds of thousands of dollars and they nailed 2 of his mates and he has done a runner. At the moment the ATO is looking at prosecuting the client, so how did this HELP the client?

I realised my error half way through my example and rather ask the interviewer the question again and start with a new example (that I was not prepared for) I kept going. Arrrgh ....... the pressure.

Anyways I am the only one in my office who has had an interview for the job, and everyone I talk to says that is encouraging. Our intranet site advised late last week that the candidates would be contacted and advised of the outcome the week commencing 21 May 2007.

Today is 23 May 2007- no word yet. I am trying to be patient, and really when you look at the fact these positions should have been announced in Feb, I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.

One thing I have learnt ...................... this may have been the best $220 I have spent in a while. As they say you have to spend money to make money, or was that just have money to make money?

Mothers Day 2007

For Mothers Day this year Bianca and I decided to take Mum out for breakfast, after the first idea of going to the zoo did not seem to appeal to Mum at all.

I managed to get a booking at La Tropicana Cafe at Cottesloe, however the time was for 8.00am as they were almost fully booked. Mum thought this might be too early for the kids, but we discovered it was a blessing instead. We all arrived in separate vehicles within 5 mins of each other and were able to easily get a parking space right near the cafe. Mum was most surprised that Atilla was joining us too. I gave Mum some flowers that I had picked up on the way and Bianca gave her a gift bag full of yummy soaps.

Kisses aside we ordered a big breakfast each, me no egg as usual, and Melissa ordered scrambled eggs on toast and Meagan a toasted bacon sandwich with tomato sauce. When the plates came out they were huge. We battled to eat it all including Atilla.

We then went for a quick walk along the path above the beach and watched the surfers. Despite threatening to rain the whole time it never did, but it was quite chilly with the breeze. If you ask me I think the surfers are mad and Atilla said that peeing in your wetsuit doesn't keep you warm long.

I think Mum had a lovely time as she had never been out for breakfast before. We have decided that we should do this more often as a family, so I look forward to that. I also look forward to it being slightly cheaper as all of the meals had been bumped up in price for Mothers Day.

Despite it being a fantastic morning and enjoying myself immensely with my family, there was a small part of my mind wondering whether I would ever get to celebrate Mothers Day myself. I really do hope so, but sometimes days like this really remind me of the ticking clock and my inability to find that Mr Right.

Nite Out with Karen in Perth

Just a few photos from when Karen visited Perth at Easter this year. We headed out for a bit of a girls night out. The guy with Pam is her brother in-law and the other guys are his friends. I know I was freaking blind by the end of the night!!!

3 Dates in 21 Hours

The speed dating saga continues. I apologise for the delay, but I have been a busy girl as you may be able to tell from the title. Not a bad stat eh?
I finally rang back 3 out of the 5 guys as I didn't want to book myself up too much and quite frankly the idea of 5 dates in a week was overwhelming. Rick and Pete phoned again and I rang Graham. So heres how it went.............
Friday 4 May 2007 6.30pm
Met Graham at the Balmoral Hotel for dinner and drinks. Being a smart girl I drove in case it was a disaster. It all went well and instead of heading home at about 8.30pm to watch my beloved Blues on Friday night footy, I stayed out to about 10.30pm. Graham is funny and the conversation flowed. He is a lunatic Freo supporter, divorced, 2 kids and drives a 4WD. We agreed to catch up again.
Saturday 5 May 2007 11.00am
Met Pete at the Mends St Cafe for a coffee. The conversation flowed easily and we actually had 2 coffees. Pete works in the mining industry, was previously a fireman (I love firemen!!!!) and in the SAS. He is well travelled, educated and intelligent and I found the conversation very mentally stimulating if not some times intimidating as I have never dated an intelligent man. We also agreed to catch up again.
Saturday 5 May 2007 3.00pm
Met Rick at a cafe in Vic Park for a coffee. I got there first and when he arrived he wasn't who I thought he was, but that didn't matter. The conversation did not flow and after half an hour I was over it. I tried so hard by asking questions, but got closed answers. He has no real interests apart from his brothers and their families. This was tough going and I bailed after an hour. Despite how bad it was he thought it went well as he wanted to catch up for lunch the next day - I was suddenly really busy. I just just texted him today and told a white lie that I had met someone else and was pursuing that.

Graham made an appearance at the Balmoral on Sunday arvo whilst I was at my usual Sunday arvo bottle of wine with Pam. He still made me laugh, but he is not the brightest person I have met, but he is a real nice guy. Pam was smart and drove as she was doing her washing at the laundry mat, whilst I got blind and suffered a rotten hang over at work on Monday.

I still have to phone Stefano and Glen to catch up, but have felt a bit dated out, plus too many coffees from cafes gives me the jitters real bad. Keep watching as I will call them soon. I am trying to keep an open mind on all of this, but I think all these guys from speed dating are all too old for me. You all know that I am a cradle snatcher and some things just don't change!!!

Speed Dating

On Tuesday 24 April Pam, Angela and I went speed dating. What a different experience!
We arrived at about 7pm at the Vic Hotel in Subiaco. Angela drove as she had to work the following day from 7am, whereas the rest of us had a public holiday - ANZAC Day. Upon arrival we received a list of 13 guys names and a voucher for a drink. Pam, being an experienced speed dater (only joking!) told us to put our bags on the comfy chairs, so that no one would get them. It looked quite romantic with tea light candles at each table.
I downed one wine and got another before we started at 7.30pm. We only got 5 mins with each guy, and boy that can go by really quickly. I started with Stefano (just back from 9 months in Tuscany), followed by Brendan (jumped the queue at the bar) , Vince ( the dancer), Paul (Pommy guy), Frank (the financial advisor), Peter (the ex fireman) and Mark (the welder). Then it was time for a well earned break.
Another wine and started again with Colin (nice guy), Glen (Pom who owns petrol stations), Graham (the East Freo supporter), Steve (Bill Ray Cyrus look alike), Liam (the Irish property developer) and lastly Rick (real family guy who is close to his 2 brothers). I ended up ticking 9 guys - can't be too fussy when you only have 5 mins.
After the selection sheets were handed in we all congregated at the bar downstairs and got some drinks. Some people started heading home for work and dawn service commitments and as the pub shut at 10pm we moved to the Subi Hotel. More drinks - eeek should have eaten before I came or at least made more of the nibbles on offer!!! Some one mentioned the Casino and on we moved.
Pam, Stefano and myself got a lift with Kirsten. Lovely girl and glad that Pam got her mobile number. We were going to the Ruby Room, but the queue was huge so we went to Paddy Hannans. Danced to the band and chatted with the remaining stragglers before getting home at about 1.30am.
I got a phone call on Thursday from Kristen (the speed dating organiser) and I had 5 matches! Couldn't believe it! The only bad thing was that I was off work sick with a gastro type bug and 4 of these guys rang. I only answered one and said I would call back later when I was better. The others I sent an sms explaining I was sick and that I would call next week. Even today I got a call from the 5th guy. Pays not to be picky eh? Looks like I am going to be busy going on 5 dates.
And for those who want to know who I matched with ....... Stefano, Peter, Glen, Graham and Rick!

Stay tuned for further updates!

The Car Service

Yesterday Pam and I had our cars booked in at Kmart Tyre & Auto at Carousel Shopping Centre. We dropped the cars off at about 7.50am and headed to McDonalds for brekkie. Karen was with us as she is visiting Perth from Melbourne and had spent the night at Pam's place.
When I dropped the car off I mentioned the battery probably needed replacing as I had noticed the cars ability to turn over was lagging. This isn't helped that I tend to drive the car on weekends as I catch the bus to work.
I got the call from the garage pretty early and the news was not good. I needed the following done including the major service:
2 new front tyres (the ones on it were so bad the guy said I couldn't leave without replacing them. Apparently down to a metal part????)
Serpentine belt (this drives everything including power steering, air con)
Rear brakes
Battery
3 lights (park and brake lights)

Total cost $850!!!! Holy smoke, I had not prepared for this or even saved that much for it. I had about $600 put away thinking that would be plenty. I felt like crying in the middle of Target, but kept it together. I told the guy to go ahead and do it all and I would work out the money part ....... somehow? Pam came to my rescue and I now owe her.
The shopping continued but I had lost a lot of gusto. Got my leggings and 2 bras as planned. Saved a heap in Myers (the bras cost me $68 instead of $100 - BARGAIN!) and even bought a birthday pressie for mum even tho her birthday is in mid June. Pam did some mean shopping too, including a fantastic Jamie Oliver saucepan.
Pam got the car phone call later and it was not good news either, but better than mine. Hers was $500 and included rear brakes like me.
We stopped for a cuppa and a recharge. Unbelievably Vanessa Mansford sat at the table next to us. I haven't seen her for about 4 years, but Karen and Pam hadn't seen her since high school. That is 19 years ago!!!!!!! We had a lovely chat and catch up about who we were still in touch with and what people were up to.
We shopped more and eventually picked up the cars at 2.00pm. I was told that I needed about another $500 worth of work and Pam was told about $1800 (this includes air con for $1,000), so that was depressing.
We dropped Karen off at her dads place and then Pam and I stopped in at the Vic Park shops to check out some tops in Jeans West. Amusingly we purchased the 2 exact same tops, heading to Coles for bread and Liquorland for a 6 pack of wine each. Finally got home at about 4.00pm and I was knacked and broke.

Birthday Pics

Birthday

Saturday 24 March 2007 was Pam and my 35th birthday, and to celebrate we organised dinner and drinks at the Balmoral Pub in Vic Park.
Unfortunately for me I got sick during the week and it kind of ruined the night. I ate half my meal and drank only 2 wines and 2 cocktails all night. Pam had tried to come to my rescue during the week, with getting lots of drugs like cold & flu tablets, garlic horseradish and vitamin C tablets, lozegers, and Karvol, but alas I was unable to get rid of the dreaded lurgy in time.
Luckily everyone else had a fabulous time!! In fact some struggled the next day to due rather large consumptions of alcohol and partying on in the city, whilst I was crying myself to sleep. Now I am all better and right and ready for a rematch, but it appears that some of the casualties from that night have vowed never again and I don't blame you as you all looked pretty messy.
Thank you all for you presence and presents, especially those who donated to my digital camera purchase!