Botheration

Sometime this month in 1796 fishermen tripped over coal at Port Stephens.
And that's when the shyte really hit the fan.

June 1st
1837 Town allotments in both Melbourne and Williamstown were offered for sale today.
Yeah, yeah, build me a time machine and I'll promise to get so excited I'll rub your dog with margarine.
Or something.
1927 Govt-owned liquor stores in Ontario began flogging permits to adults after prohibition, pupped in that area in 1921, was kicked to the kerb. Cheers!
1984 The AIDS Support Network was established on this day in NZ, which became known as The New Zealand AIDS Foundation the following year.

My mission, sometime this century, is to get the feral kid on board the V/Line train to Bendigo to take him to eyeball McCubbin.
Click the link, the dude rocks.
My second mission is to convince the art gallery to hold the exhibition long enough for me to drag the kid on board the train and actually make it to Bendigo in one piece, all before he turns 35.
He wants to go, he loves McCubbin, he loves art...but.
Even Sheldon has issues with Goofy...

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

Dead gorgeous dead 'uns and drain covers

1920 Gorgeous Bundaberg pin-up boy of the air Bert Hinkler began his long-distance record by flying from London on this day to Turin, Italy in a mere 9.5 hours.
1926 NZ became a member of the Imperial Cricket Conference that was not run by evil emperor Palpatine (for Star Wars geeks) contrary to popular belief but is, in fact, the International Cricket Council.
1962 C'mon, doesn't everyone want to start singing along to "I wear my sunglasses at night"? Corey Hart writer and singer of the aforementioned earworm was pupped on this day in Montreal.
Go on...you know you wanna watch the video clip HERE.
And maybe sing along for the rest of the day....

In exciting (?) Melbourne Drain Covers Appreciation Society news there are a few bajillion more eagle-eyed kidlet has spied...drain covers that is... which I shall snap with a camera when I next venture that way.

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

Babble

1807 The first peal of church bells was heard by all and sundry in the colony when St Phillips Church in Sydney began belting out a tune.
1894 Fantabulously funny actress Beatrice Lillie aka Lady Peel was dropped off by the stork in Toronto. Read her bio HERE.
1953 A beekeeper and an Sherpa conquered Everest. Read more about them HERE.

We're happy to report that there will be no further displays of Tony's budgie smugglers on this blog...so you won't need the industrial strength cleanser to wash your eyeballs with.

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

Look! She babbles again

1919 Electric trains began tootling madly about Melbourne environs from Sandringham to Essendon.
Probably on a far more reliable timetable than today.

And that's all she wrote.
No, seriously.
I'm up to my armpits with journalling what is triggering the aggro - sunspots? Jupiter in Saturn's 4th house? Stephen Conroy reinventing the interwebs? Tony's budgie smugglers?* - which is happening thick and fast but on a lesser level than before, and keeping a hairy eyeball on the kidlet as much as possible.

*To be fair, anyone seeing Tony's budgie smugglers could go off the deep end so view this link here with care.

Thank you

Thank you all you wonderful, lovely people for your kind and supportive thoughts/words/emails and carrier pigeons.
The pigeons were yummy.
Seriously, we've had a full plate with my father having several extensive medical tests and my son having several disabilities which don't work well with puberty.
Well, we're hoping it's only puberty and not an emerging mental illness.
We've been forced to call emergency services on 3 occasions, so far, to diffuse difficult situations, so I kind of ignored the net for a bit.
Hopefully specialists are now, at long last, listening to our pleas for help and stepping up to the plate to begin the process of offering some assistance in assessments and behaviour management.
And we'll be able to get back to repairing the smashed up house after our bruises and injuries are healed.
Thank you again for your kind thoughts.

May 15 things

Thank you, dear hearts, for your supportive words and advice which I have appreciated a great deal.
Had an ordinary couple of days between Feral Beast going through hoops with puberty and my Dad...going through his second childhood
Hoping we may have a lull for at least one day.
Failing that I'll either be pulling the blankets up over my head or burying myself in the vegie patch for some peace.
Yes, feel free to chuck a bit of compost on top.

1818 Poor old Father Jeremiah O'Flynn got flung into gaol for not having the correct credentials.
Further details on the hapless cleric HERE.
1907 Toronto plumbers began a 4 month strike.
Shyte, hey?
1920 Poet D'Arcy Cresswell was shot by the Mayor of Wanganui, Charles Mackay, after Cresswell threatened to 'out' the Mayor.
Further details of the incident HERE.

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

Grotty, grotty, grotty, foul, skanky, gross, vile...the usual steaming pile of crap

Will probably post again tomorrow now that I've had my pity party.
Thank you to all who left comments, much appreciated.
I haven't shoved my head into the gas oven, just up to my armpits in washing clothes...
Did consider turning this into a blog about nursing the demented but seeing as the federal & state govts have managed to ignore that little sector for several decades now I wouldn't like to shatter their fragile little world with the grotty, manky crude details.
*waves to Brumby, Swan, Hockey, Abbott, Rudd, Turnball et el*
Hmmm election later this year.
I do love the smell of the elderly unwashed person first thing in the morning.
Grossed you out yet?
Go pee in the corner everyone who thinks Boy George is the Vice President of the lawn bowls club and should be voted in as Secretary this year for a change.....
Or as my dear Daddy would sarcastically advise to a child who was bored;
"Shit in your hands and clap"

Parental vent

I don't often mention my father's ill-health but the waltz through the downhill race of dementia is such an adventure.
That was sarcasm if you didn't notice.
We have incontinence aids in bulk, we have enough pads, chairs covers and bed kylies to open our own nursing home.
We also have invested shares in air fresheners with 3 automatic sprays in each room...again enough to open a nursing home.
We have gone through so many mops and laundry powder I could give you the reviews of several brands off the top of my head.
As we live with him we don't have the luxury of having a break.
Although he's needed assistance for almost 10 years he's been getting much worse at a rapid rate since his hospital stay at Xmas; we need to encourage him to eat every meal, drink fluids and to actually take his medications, not to mention the constant reminders for him to get up and walk around the house to retain use of the legs which are rapidly becoming the sort that are painted on, considering he's chauffeured about in a wheelchair when out .
He argues about everything quite aggressively, having belted me not a few times and screaming swear words at anyone who dares tell him to behave himself.
Yes, I was a nurse and yes, I do know what to expect but it doesn't make the incontinence of number one's smell any better throughout the house.
He has become incontinent of number two's, also, so excuse me if I don't feel inclined to wax lyrical about the slowness of the process to rip out the bath to install a shower so he can be washed without having to scrape him up off the floor.

May 12 Flo Nightingale was pupped and stuff happened

It's International Nurses Day in the International Year of The Nurse!
So, if a nurse crosses your path today give her a big smile and say 'thanks'.
Then cross her palm with a bajillion pieces of silver to make her giggle with glee!

1975 Kiwi soapie "Close to Home" began airing on NZ TV.
1975 Aussie band Sherbet were number 1 in the charts for 2 weeks with Summer Loving.  
1975 The Family Law Reform Bill was brought in in Ontario which established that both partners were equal in a marriage.

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

 

May 11 may peruse as one may

1676 Beggars were told they required permission (probably in triplicate) from priests if they were to clutter up the streets of Montreal and Quebec with their begging.

If you won't do it for the sake of the food at least think of the maids....

Full article HERE.

1899 The NSW Army Nursing Service Reserve (NSWANSR) was founded, the first official chickybabe army nurses organisation in the whole of the Fair Isle of Oz.
For more info, including a fab photo of these gals, click HERE.

It comes with the title that one must be potty about trees...so potty, in fact, one must carve ones mistress's initials upon the innocent bark of trees...

Full article HERE.

1945 Charles Upham, most decorated Kiwi soldier, was awarded the VC and bar on this day.
Further details HERE.

 It's the flies.

It's always the flies, never the Daleks who are so scurrilously blamed out of hand for the cow-tipping contests...

 Full article HERE.

All articles were taken from The Queenslander, Saturday 11 May, 1912.

Don't forget tomorrow is International Nurses Day.

History stuffs in the local news

Excitingly there's work afoot to provide an index to the digitalised copies of The Argus.
You may check out the progress thus far HERE.

Australian-Chinese ANZAC soldier 'white-washed' in new film bio, story HERE which is obviously rejected by Tony Abbott as he claims Aussies weren't racist towards race/culture HERE.

And if you missed part 1 of Pemulwuy: A war of two laws on the telly last night you can read the transcript HERE.

Deepwater Oil Spill

Photos of the mother in law, a dead bloke and a loon. Welcome to the weekend!

1876 Truganini, once purported to be the last Tasmanian Aboriginal, died aged 64.
For a detailed bio click HERE.

My mother in law.

1970 Cheryl Moana Marie was on everyone's lips and the top of the hit parade not least of all the singer responsible for putting it there John Rowles.

Some dead bloke.

1987 The Royal Canadian Mint gave birth to the Loonie; the paper dollar was replaced with a coin which had a loon gracing the back of it.

This is not a loonie.

Although that stone-eyed stare could belong to that of a loon.

As far as memory allows these are gargoyles gracing St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, photographed by Feral Beast.

May 7th with a side serving of natural oil

Some housekeeping, boys and girls;
Margaret River, in Westralia, is hosting a rally tomorrow to oppose further oil leases in a unique and beautiful marine area. Further details of the rally HERE.
Who could forget the Montara Oil Spill last year and the current Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in USA?
Put it into perspective by having a gander at the visual graphs HERE.
Then try to sell me on the idea that renewable energy like wind or solar is silly.
That was sarcasm, if you didn't notice.

1945 Exuberant crowds in Halifax, Canada, celebrating the news of Germany's surrender and signing of the armistice got a little too excited and the whole she-bang turned into riots that lasted for 2 days.

 Tree.

1980 Evonne Goolagong-Cawley whooped defeated Chris Evert to win her second ladies singles title at Wimbledon.

Look at that hard working corrugated iron roof.

Sure, it's faded, worn and probably isn't 'pretty' but it's full of character and the sound of the rain on that roof would lull anyone to sleep.

And then there's the chimneys....!

1997 The world's first Intersex Centre was opened in Wellington, NZ, with the Intersex Society of NZ being founded by Mani Bruce Mitchell.

Limbed-thing branching out.

Birdie num nums in the backyard

 Today is a visual feast of Rainbow Lorikeets.


1872 The Adelaide GPO in King William Street was officiously officially opened.

Cos they're purdy.

1966 The Royal Canadian Mint announced it was going to strike! a $20 gold Centennial coin.

And they're cheeky.

1996 The New Zealand Royal honours system was established.

And a damn sight kinder on the eye than what I glimpse in the mirror each morning!

05-05 insert date of choice

1833 James Busby became the official British Resident in New Zealand.
And there went the neighbourhood...

1840 Melbournians (or Batmaniacs or Bearbrassians or Gum Suckers) held a knees up meeting to petition for separation from the Cockroaches in NSW.
And there went the neighbourhood...

1950 Huge waves caused by 80 km winds busted the dikes at Winnipeg causing over $100 million damage, forcing almost half the population to flee.
This piccy HERE shows two nuns sailing merrily out the gates of their convent.
And there went the neighbourhood...

Sorry about the pics today....ran out of pub shots *hangs head in shame*

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

Questions that keep me awake....for a few minutes

When archaeologists uncover a forgotten Roman altar/ritual site and start collecting the broken brooches, swords, jewellery, tools, coins, etc, offered as gifts/sacrifices to the Roman gods...
Is there a Roman God or Goddess floating about somewhere stamping their foot and getting mighty miffed for having their goodies thieved?
----------------------------------------------------
My dog snuggles up for a cuddle, putting her head on mine, trying to lick my ear when I scratch hers, sprawling all over me in happiness....
Does she expect me to return the favour when she's licking my grotty feet?
---------------------------------------------------
If we choose to let NZ takeover Oz as their 3rd island (instead of Oz taking over NZ as our 7th state) is there hope, yet, for them to drag us up to their level or will gravity win out and we'll forever, forlornly, be teased with the possibility of a fush and chup Friday bender at Bondi?

May tres, pubs,ladies and bones with nary a sniffle of Phil's shorts

1893 NSW passed legislation that not only made bank notes the first must-have item when a business was going belly-up but also made them legal tender. Imagine!

This was the first bank customer waiting to have his dosh declared legal tender.

See how happy he is by his smile?

1897 Margaret Cruikshank became the first chickybabe to be registered as a doctor in NZ.

Click HERE to read her bio, a short but very impressive life and career.

Let's bend an elbow to Dr Cruikshank.

NZ was also declared independent of NSW today in 1841 but we still have hope of lifting Oz up by dragging NZ down into becoming our 7th state...

1922 Gals on the gorgeous spot of dirt titled Prince Edward Island got the right to vote when The Election Act in the Statutes of PEI was passed on this day.

Would you believe this was for seating outside St Paul's Cathedral?

Someone was on his knees doing something, other than praying, for the church.

Imagine....!

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

May two rinse and repeat with photographic evidence

1793 Mary Bryant, escaped convict, was granted an unconditional pardon back in Ye Olde Dart after James Boswell, bless his little cotton socks, spoke up on her behalf.

Let's toast her good luck....

From memory (and extra dodgy eyesight) this is the pub formerly known as The Star and Garter Hotel in South Melbourne.

1964 The very last, final ever, no-we-really-mean-it-this-time electric tram rattled along the tracks in NZ.

This is a tram at a tram stop not in NZ but in Melbourne, taken by Feral Beast.

Cos we're in Melbourne and NZ is over the ditch thataway------------->>>>

And there's no electric trams left in NZ to photograph.

1991 The Supreme Court in Ontario tossed out the law that allowed a person, found not guilty by reason of insanity, to be detained in an institution indefinitely.

Which would mean that this suspicious trio would remain at large in Canada.

If they weren't already roaming about the Aussie countryside.

Loitering in botanic gardens and seeking out wild ducks.

Yellow = New Zealand

Orange  = Canada

Green = Australian

Red = UK or other nationality

Italics, bold and coloured blue are links to further info.

Anything outrageous is usually sarcasm and/or humour.

May Day, May Day! Read all about it!

Crikey Moses, mother of God and Joseph the carpenter!
Just had a peek at the chronology for May 1st and almost fell off my chair at the length of it all.
Ok, I will be merciful and edit for you, dear reader, as I know we all have such a short attention...ohhh, shiny!
1821 The first periodical in Oz "Australian Magazine" began to fly off the presses...and probably onto a rusty nail in a thunderbox somewhere.
1831 Inspirational and ballsy Canuck chicky babe Emily Howard Stowe was pupped on this day.
First female public-school principal, first Canadian gal to practice medicine and founding member of the suffrage association, Emily's bio is well-worth the read HERE.
1915 The New Zealand Rifle Brigade was got together as part of the  NZ Expeditionary Force...in other words, WW1 cannon fodder.
1920 The NZ publication The Colonist, which began running off the presses in 1857, spat forth its final issue and was merged into The Nelson Evening Mail.
1921 The Quebec Govt took over control of alca-mahole *hic* as almost the whole of North America was declared 'dry' during prohibition with only Quebec remaining 'wet'.
1997 Tassie was the last state in Oz to decriminalise homosexuality. It's the different time zone the Tassie pollies live in to the rest of reality...

And will our trusty UK correspondents Vintage Kitten, Brian and Scott be indulging in dancing around a May Pole somewhere, bedecked in ribbons and lace?
Or will they partake of the Obby Oss festival in Padstow?
Perhaps the Mersyside Mayday Festival?
Maybe the Tudor May Day Festival?
Or the Burnley Walking festival, blisters thrown in for free?
Perhaps just a lovely afternoon tea in Vintage Kitten's parlour with those scrumptious chocolate eclairs, hmmm?

And don't forget....