No I did not get an early Easter egg, instead I was given a paschal chocolate lamb. I had heard of them, but never seen one. It came with an Alleluia, Christ resurrected with banner of triumph holy card. In Australia the easter egg, bunny or bilby are more popular but I understand that in Germany and Poland the chocolate lamb is still around. Indeed, it has only been over the past 200 years that the rabbit became an easter symbol, introduced by some greeting card maker.

Easter greetings to all my readers! May something of new life and resurrection come your way over the next few days!

tfisb and SO in Canberra on January 26th

Climbed onto some scales on Friday, I have lost 2 stone since January. Worry and smoking are to blame. I am eating well and actually enjoying the occasional Guinness or stout. It's been busy the last few days, friends and relatives have stayed overnight and it's wonderful to not be the only body in the house.

I am sleeping for longer periods, and actually do not have to get out of bed for a cigarette at 4.00am any more :)

I slept in thise morning deliberately and did not go to 8.00am Mass, I went tonight at 6.00pm at the church that is just down the road. I was pleasantly surprised and uplifted by the people that I knew there. I have maintained contact at my old parish, about 10 minutes away since moving to Nos 72, but it may do me good to start attending the local church rather than the building which has so many memories of good times.

Change comes to us all, and it's important to make changes...

Here's to change!

It's amazing how much time 7 days is.
Last Sunday I was at a really low ebb, and feeling totally overwhelmed by the turn in my life situation.

Interviews with various professional and government organisations has been a great help.

Several days leave from work for the first time this year has also enabled me to relax and chill out and replenish my adrenaline and bonheur de vivre.

So I continue to be patient and accepting of what life is currently offering me.

I want to thank my friends and relatives both locally and internationally for all the support in emails, phonecalls, prayers and other ways....

I am amazed at the generosity - practical, spiritual, monetary, legally and emotionally - that I have been shown by so many.

I have not walked alone the past months but have been helped by so many with different ways of supporting me that I could never have imagined.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

I have learnt over the past month that perception is now more important in modern society than the truth.

One can act honourably, with dignity, and wear the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune but the law is not interested.

So it's great to be back home, with the familar but altered surroundings. There is much cleaning and gardening to do so I'll only be popping into check comments occasionally.

I do read them all and my emails and appreciate all the support from so many!!!!!!!

Keep on praying my friends, for healing and for a change in perception. thanks G.

Life is always full of unexpected moments.

I have tried in my life to act justly love tenderly and walk humbly, however the ones I love the most often get the worst side of me, tired, grumpy, and lazy. My motor mouth is not always in control and I have said things that I did not mean.

Regrets and shame diminish me but I get back up on my feet and try again each new day.

Life has just dealt me a huge blow. So I know now, that my energies in 2006 are going to be in a few different areas than the past three years.

Gentle readers, if you are a praying person; pray for me that I will be honest with myself and become a better person.

thanks G_72

It's the end of an era.
The Disease Outbreaks board at the Agonist has been archived.
An increasingly useful reference during the SARS experience, and providing snippets of information on Ebola and other diseases around the globe it attracted much attention from medical professionals, scientists and amateur googlists and yahooists.

In late 2004 and early 2005 it was the main clearing house for a deepening understanding of the interaction of the H5N1 virus within domestic and wildbirds. A careful scrutiny of translations of Boxun reports and the use of proMed and traditional media reporting ensured the agonist rode the wave of best practice reporting. Eventually we saw the MSM jump aboard and create an almost hysterical reporting of the inexorable spread of the disease westwards, feeding posters on various other bulletin boards with fear, doubt and uncertainty.

H5N1 remains a problem predominantly for birds. Humans that maintain ultra-close contact with birds, ie sucking snot out of their beaks or playing with chicken heads can succumb to the disease. My 'informed' prognostication is that the chance of a human pandemic remains below 8%.

Adieu, the Disease Outbreaks board!

SCAMMERS, DO NOT SEND MONIES TO ANY OF THESE JOKERS!

Darwin Michelle darwin_michelle2002@yahoo.com

Helen Bryant who writes thus

Hello Dear,

Good day to you, my name is Helen Bryant, I am an artist with my husband James Bryant, we are the owner of Hellen-Bryant Arts Inc. Inc. I reside in London, United Kingdom with my two kids, four cats, one dog and the love of my life my husband James Bryant. It is definitely a full house. I have been into artworks since I was a small child. That gives me about 23 years of experience. I majored in art in high school and took a few college art courses. Most of my work are done in either pencil or airbrush mixed with color pencils. I have recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer. I have been selling my art for the last 3 years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines. I do MARKET my art works & galleries to private companies in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA).

I face difficulties when it comes to PAYMENT, This is because my customers in America are always offering to pay me with U.S POSTAL MONEY ORDERS OR CASHER'S CHEQUE, etc etc YUCK

clarklife@gmail.com - Clark Mathias (October 08, 2005), 196.207.1.214, RIPE network Africa.
williamsugo12@yahoo.com - williamsugo (October 07, 2005), 195.166.242.109, RIPE network Africa.
Solosammi3@yahoo.com - Solomon Gutie (October 07, 2005), 66.178.40.2, newskies satellite provider, presumably Africa.
cleflinkexpress@deliveryman.com - Ademola Kareem (October, 2005), unknown address.
womanshopltd@yahoo.com - Adeola (October 6, 2005), unknown address.
teekgates@hotmail.com - Olamide Gates (October 06, 2005) 66-178-40-2.reverse.newskies.net, Virginia, USA -
g_buba2005@yahoo.com - Genevieve/Wisdom Buba (August 20, 2005) 419 scam, RIPE network Africa
arina_khadel2004@yahoo.fr - Arina Khadel (Augst 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network Africa
chigiokeawelle_esq@lawyer.com - Cigioke Awelle (August 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
vivia_v@yahoo.fr - Vivian (August 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
arina_khadel2004@yahoo.fr - Arina Khadel (August 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
mercy02_inc@mail.austria.com - Mercy Cole (August 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, Lagos Nigeria
simonekabila@yahoo.com - Simone Kabila (August 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.62, RIPE network, Africa
lucasgantsha@excite.com - Lucas Gantsha (August 16, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.179.250.149, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network, Africa)
stephenbamba@yahoo.com - Stephen Bamba (August 16, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.62, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network, Africa)
merabel2010@yahoo.com - Mark Johnson (August 14, 2005) scam, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.145.179, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
e_baldry2k1@yahoo.co.uk - Eric Baldry (August 5, 2005) The same old scam... this time they have actually geared their message towards the arts and antiques. IP ADDRESS: core-dvb-r.skannet.com, Ibadan Nigeria
paul_kay64@yahoo.com - Paul Kay (August 4, 2005) IP ADDRESS: 81.199.7.9 , Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network again)
j4john_doh@yahoo.co.uk - John Doherty (August 04, 2005) seems like another scam IP ADDRESS: 81.18.36.83, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network).
cvoller01@yahoo.com - C Voller (July 2005) overpayment scam.
jude_williams01@oleco.net - Jude Williams (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.67.50, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
matkoroma@yahoo.com - Mat Koroma (July 27, 2005), 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.18, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Ripe Network)
paul_williams_1981@yahoo.com - Paul Williams (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.71.32, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
illar_neanita2@yahoo.com - Villiran Nanita (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.134, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
gibkone@yahoo.com - Gibison Kone (July 25, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.255.59.94, Amsterdam, Nethlands (RIPE network).
brightdordzi@yahoo.com - fifi jones (July 24, 2005) fraudulent credit card, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.93.97, Amsterdam Netherlands (RIPE network).
cvoller01@yahoo.com - Voller (July, 2005) fraudelent money order scam, IP ADDRESS: unkown
ros4gueii@yahoo.com - Rose Guei (July 22, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.113.98, African Country.
john_kokone@walla.com - John Kokone (July 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.78.26, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
vivianleo@oleco.com - Vivian Leo - (July 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.78.26, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
martin_joe1@yahoo.fr - Martin Joe - (July 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.112.242, Afrinic network (African country)
paulwilliams2@walla.com - Paul Williams - (July 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.73.84, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
mm0jim0@yahoo.co.in - Martial Jim - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
james_kukou01@yahoo.fr - James Kukou - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.107.214, AFRINIC network (African country)
mr_umunnajames@yahoo.com - James Umunna - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.152.12, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
ken_biz101@yahoo.com - Larry Ken / Matin William - (July 16, 2005) Fraudulent Art purchase attempt, IP ADDRESS: 82.193.43.56, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
sexyblkleon@hotmail.com - Larry Ken -(July 15, 2005) Fraudulent Art purchase attempt, IP ADDRESS: 82.193.43.56, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
lambert_k01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.75.153, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
alvugo_01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.111, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
lambert_k01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.75.153, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
mcahty5000@yahoo.com (July 13, 2005) Scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.153.198.145 , Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
evangelistmarky2k@yahoo.co.uk (June 14, 2005) 4-1-9 cashier cheque scam, IP ADDRESS: 216.139.164.94 Panamsat Corporation, Elenwood, GA, USA
lizy_k20051@yahoo.it (June 13, 2005) Lizy Kama, 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.8 Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
kalaharion@yahoo.com (June 09, 2005) Hendrix Taiwo, 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: unknown
davidjulious@yahoo.com (June 08, 2005) David Julious, 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.130: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
barr_james70@yahoo.com (MAy 27, 2005) Barrister James Obioma, or Barr James (this guy has been doing this for years...) - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
ceaserwilliams1@yahoo.co.in (May 27, 2005) Ceasar Williams - 4-1-9 Scam IP ADDRESS:80.179.236.210: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
pricepayee@hotmail.com (May 26, 2005) Abraham Collins - 4-1-9 Scam IP ADDRESS: 82.206.242.10: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
johnpaul_535@yahoo.com (May 25, 2005) John Paul - Credit Card Scam IP ADDRESS: 80.88.141.140: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
ben7k22001@yahoo.co.uk (May 24, 2005) Ben Khumasi - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 198.54.202.210: Pretoria, South Africa
ahmedmohamedballa@yahoo.com (May 24, 2005) Mohamed Balla - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 212.199.254.190: unknown location
koffijkope@yahoo.co.uk (May 24, 2005) Koffi Kope - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59 Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
lordalfred101@yahoo.com (May 24, 2005) Lord Alfred - Cheque Scam IP ADDRESS: 192.116.155.248: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
dmarc@conexcol.com (May 23, 2005) Marc Duchene - Online Fraud IP ADDRESS: 213.185.106.194: Nigeria. (google has Marc Duchene fraud attempts at other sites).
barrmarkphilip1@yahoo.com (May 23, 2005) Mark Philip Esq. - Nigerian Scam... IP ADRESS: Amsterdam, Netherlands
melizy_k2005@yahoo.it (May 23, 2005) Lizy Kama - Nigerian Scam... IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.8 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
jacklee_1979@yahoo.com (May 19, 2005) Jackie Lee - Certified Cheque Scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.185.106.3 - Nigeria
linda_smith00@yahoo.com (May 12, 2005) Linda Smith - Check Scam, Unknown IP ADDRESS
milolastore1@yahoo.com (May 4, 2005) Damilola Williems - Cheque Scam, Unknown IP ADDRESS
dube1_roy@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Dube Roy - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
CINDY_van0002@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Cindy Van - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
sandra_janet0002@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Sandra Janet - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
d1baker@yahoo.com (May 1, 2005) desmond baker - Typical Cheque Fraud, IP ADDRESS: 192.116.94.71 - Amsterdam, Netherlands, again.
bensonandbenson@yahoo.com (April 30, 2005) Benson - Typical Fraud, Unknown IP ADDRESS
sandra_janet002@yahoo.com (April 28, 2005) Sandra Janet - Cheque Fraud, Unknown IP ADDRESS
nathaniel_gorski@yahoo.com (April ?, 2005) Nathaniel Gorski - Cheque Fraud. Unknown IP ADDRESS.
womanshop2005@yahoo.com (April 26, 2005) Miss Adeola Afolabi - classic fraud... (can't they get a little more creative???) - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.149, once again Amsterdam, Netherlands.
acton_eric2000@yahoo.com (April 7, 2005) Acton Eric - classic certified cheque or money order scam - Unknown Address
shirley_treva@yahoo.co.uk (April 6, 2005) Shirley Treva - classic overpayment scam - IP ADDRESS: United Kingdom.
ash_garder@yahoo.com, afriukshippers@yahoo.com (April 7, 2005) Ashanti Garder, David William - classic fraud - Unknown Origin.
walex_addy@yahoo.com (April 6, 2005) wale adeniji - classic overpayment scam - Unknown Address.
shirley_treva@yahoo.co.uk (April 6, 2005) Shirley Treva - classic overpayment scam - IP ADDRESS: United Kingdom.
dashley0@juno.com (March 25, 2005) David Ashley - IP ADDRESS: 212.165.157.145 - United Kingdom
mrskokou@ozu.es, Williams Kokou, (March 24, 2005) - classic overpayment scam. - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.99.166 , Africa.
zanna_madiga@yahoo.fr, Zanna Madiga, (March 23, 2005) - classic overpayment scam. - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.116.141 - Lagos, Nigeria
rsuth@sify.com, Ann Smith, (March 23, 2005) - stolen credit card - Lagos, Nigeria
tango4all2003@yahoo.com, Tango Ugoh, (March 22, 2005) - stolen credit card - Lagos, Nigeria
james_key@mail.com, or larry_key@mail.com, (March 16, 2005) cashier cheque scam - 81.199.85.91 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
pastorjamesmaliburev@yahoo.com, (March 15, 2005) another version of overpayment scam - 80.255.59.94 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
moses_kerry@yahoo.com, (March 13, 2005) Moses Kerry - overpayment scam.
dannymills_03@yahoo.com, (March ?, 2005) Danny Mills - classic overpayment scam.
satagello_7@hotmail.com, (March 02, 2005)Caren Stagello - classic overpayment scam.
karbajanet@yahoo.fr, (February 21, 2005) Jeff - IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.246 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
mary_gallery2003@yahoo.co.uk, (February 18, 2005) Mary Johnson - IP ADDRESS: 212.199.251.45 - Israel
kateadam00@yahoo.com, (February 18, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.176 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
benjamic2003@yahoo.com, moore_adams@yahoo.com (February 17, 2005) Dr Benjamin micheal / Mr. michell Aderson - Unknown IP ADDRESS or location
joeltobby@hotmail.com (February 17, 2005) Tobby Joel / Joel Tobby - IP ADDRESS: 65.172.4.250 - Fort Lauderdale, USA - Lagos Nigeria
banzarkunte@yahoo.fr (February 17, 2005) Barrister Kunte Banzar Esq - IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.4 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
kateadam00@yahoo.com (February 17, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.178 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
kateadam0@yahoo.com (February 12, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.169 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
woc343@yahoo.com (February 11, 2005) Mrs. Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.169 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
magaret_bryne@yahoo.com (February 5, 2005)Magaret Bryne - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.52 - Nigeria, Africa
cyrilboile@yahoo.com (February 1, 2005) Cyril Boiley - IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.149 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
glory0022000@yahoo.fr (February 1, 2005) Miss Gloria Guei - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.116.27 - Ivory Coast, Africa
daniel_howard2005@yahoo.com Daniel Howard, (Supposedly, East Liverpool Ohio) Classic overpayment scam.
clany00002@yahoo.com (January 30, 2005) Mrs Clany - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.219 - MDS Solution Ltd customer, Nigeria
katebroom01@hotmail.com (January 20 - 26) Kate Broom - IP ADDRESS: Not Known - claims to be from Nigeria...
smith_1_2005_2006@yahoo.com (January 18, 2005) No Name - IP ADDRESS: 66.98.134.34 - Houston Texas
smith_1_2005_2006@keromail.com (January 18, 2005) No Name - IP ADDRESS: 66.98.134.34 - Houston Texas
willis_jacson@fastermail.com (January 10, 2005), Willis Jacson - IP ADDRESS: 193.220.26.20 - Lagos Nigeria
andersonfine@yahoo.com (January 08, 2005) Anderson Fine - Unknown Origin.
hammyx24c@yahoo.com (January 08, 2005) Keith Pinna - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.46 - Nigeria
john_peller@yahoo.co.uk (January 04, 2005) John Peller - IP ADDRESS: 81.199.85.11 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
simpatrading@yahoo.co.uk (December 15, 2004) Oliver Jiannan
smithdecor@yahoo.ca (December 11, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
jsmith4all@yahoo.ca (December 11, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
jsmith4all@yahoo.ca (December 10, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
dm_douglas9@yahoo.co.uk (December 10, 2004) Michael Douglas, IP ADDRESS: 62.56.189.175 - Togo Telecom, Togo
abel_smith22@yahoo.co.uk (December 6, 2004) Abel Smith, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.241.186 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
steven_gomo@yahoo.co.uk (December 1, 2004) Steven Gomo, IP ADDRESS: 193.220.188.94 - AFRIPA TELECOM COTE D'IVOIRE IS LOCATED IN ABIDJAN
ajibo23@yahoo.com (November 29, 2004) (aka: Ike Solomon, Tom Agustin Karen, supposedly NYC) IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.38 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
abletoven@yahoo.com (November 21, 2004) IP ADDRESS: 213.181.81.66 - Lagos, Nigeria
ozbite_1@yahoo.com (November 21, 2004) IP ADDRESS: 213.181.81.66 - Lagos, Nigeria, Name: Danny Alvarez
bret_lewis@fastermail.com (September 23, 2004)
Taylor Claire - barrjames03@yahoo.com
Frederick Berry - festula_lala@yahoo.com
Kola Smiths - udcbn@hotmail.com
James J Green - afajide@fastermail.com
bob brown - kelvintaylor@post.cz
DONA ELVIS - dona_elvis79@yahoo.com
ALEX PETE - a_pete2004@yahoo.com
jennifer james - jenferjames@yahoo.com
GARY ROBILLARD - judeogommuegba@yahoo.com
elmanam menkasi - edomachinegun@yahoo.com

No, I'm not freezing up due to bird flu.
Yes, I knew the photo was being taken!

Yup! Santa knows who I am!

Australia is re-discovering the Christmas crib aka Nativity scene.
Cardinal Pell and Prime Minister John Howard are excited.
Meanwhile back in the good ol' US of A it's a "have yourself
a gory santa christmas." Knowing that several readers of this
blog are cat crazy, I leave you with the unique wonderful
Warhol Christmas picture displayed above. hattip: The Tablet.

Crowns all round! May this be a time of peace and joy and good will to all. Graham.

All work no play makes you a dull comrade.
You are visiting aynclouters blog.
There is a fork in the road, you can choose the Commissar or the Princess.
Yes, I chose the princess (sorry analyst :D) :

The Traditional Princess
You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.
Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian
You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.

What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)

Year one of Bachelor of Theology is complete w00t!
5HD and 3 DI yeah!
Now I have to start reading Plato's Republic to prepare for next semester's unit on philosophy.

One noticeable thing about our perception about American culture is the annual rite of the Christmas tree. Movies, sitcoms, the simpsons (tm), southpark(tm) and the great American novel all ensure that the ROW know all about the ritual of the great fir, the decorating and the lighting of the same.

In our house, we have a tiny fir in a pot that continually grows larger and larger in its pot. Over the years it has gone from less than a foot high to now three foot high. The pots get bigger also. Sadly the size precludes huge numbers of decorations and christmas lights get hung on the wall behind the tree. Prior to bonsai christmas we had a plastic tree rescued from a white elephant stall. Sadly over the years more and more pieces went missing or broke.

However, some people go and get a real tree which creates problems: Oh Christmas Tree.
Make sure you read the comments to find out the solution to the problem. Women rule!

The Christmas craziness has started. Exhausting days at work and sore feet at the end of the day. Customers are very grateful for the quality products they are buying, and that makes it worthwhile. I decided to go with a small Christmas Card producer from Brisbane, a 'young family man' and did not produce my own card designs this year. It worked 'whew': customers are appreciating the unique designs, rather than the catalog designs, card embossing and verses I have mixed and matched over the past 14 years or so... Another milestone: in-laws celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary currently... Ten months to go for me and mine.... commitment means always starting afresh and choosing to stay, rather than walk away. The world can pull in so many different ways in obsessions, addictions, distractions and escapes. Constancy is an interesting concept, there is always another day, another year where I find myself saying 'I do' to all my life with my partner brings.

Away from all the Christmas hype; as I try to contemplate on what the birth of the Chfrist child really means, I found this reflection worthy of note: Tis a gift to be simple aka God under the bed.

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The UN has handed promotion over to The World Aids Campaign This change in the way that World AIDS Day is organised has caused some confusion among HIV & AIDS organisations. Some have chosen to adopt “Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise” as their theme for World AIDS Day 2005.

Others have, for the first time, picked their own topic for the events they’re holding this year on 1st December. In New Zealand the old slogan “condoms save lives” has resurfaced, the NZ Foundation’s poster for World AIDS Day this year features three “rings” - a popular round sweet with a hole in the middle, a traditional round flotation buoy and a condom - with the word “lifesavers” beneath. The idea of the “lifesavers” theme is to increase visibility and awareness of condoms over the summer months when sexual activity is high. Abstinence and faithfulness to one partner also make great sense to moi.

Don't be confused, the most important thing is that you follow its basic principals by raising awareness and understanding where you live and by remembering the millions living with HIV or suffering because of AIDS.

There's a new section over at the Agonist.

Faith and Spirituality, SP and I are gonna try and dialogue about matters that neither of us really understand.

We both agree that there is an emptiness in the world and we attempt to discuss what can fill it.

more Europe from the young travellers.

Europe, October 2005, as snapped by Son&GF

Pakistan and Kashmir
harsh lands even harsher now
the Tsunami tragedy and disaster almost pales in significance compared to:
death toll rapidly approaching 80,000
over 1600 schools destroyed (approx 140 destroyed in Tsunami)
widespread disease outbreaks accentuated by increasing cold weather
failure of western / first world countries to increase financial and in kind donations of aid.
(no sexed up videos of tidal waves approaching hotels on sandy beaches does not stir the public imagination)

Australia is increasing its aid little by little, whilst Clinton and Bush (snr) get the International Rescue Committee's Freedom Award for Tsunami and Katrina.

Meanwhile The Agonist has been blogrolled at Informed Comment by Juan Cole w00t.