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Friday, August 06, 2004
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Bush: "They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
"They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush
Congratulations to Buzzflash!
...and, unlike "Drudge the Fudge", (whose site refreshes itself ever few minutes, adding "hits") Buzz has earned it...honestly.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
On the eve the Democratic Convention, it was Bush 48%. Kerry 46%.
FBI Whistleblower Breaks Ashcroft's Gag Order to Warn America: the 9/11 Report is a Massive Coverup
Open Letter To Thomas Kean – Chairman Of The 9/11 Commission - From FBI Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds
Bush Is Busted by the 9/11 Report
So, before 9/11, incompetence and sloth. And after? Much worse: a war without end on the wrong battlefield.
They Knew...
Despite the whitewash, we now know that the Bush administration was warned before the war that its Iraq claims were weak...
Investigators Concluded Shelby Leaked Message
In an Unprecedented Move, the Wildly Popular 'Outfoxed' Moves from Video to Movie Theaters!
The Success of 'Outfoxed' is Driven by the Public's Hunger for Truth
Activist Movie Makers Feed the Nation's Hunger for the Truth
Kerry-Edwards: October Sized Crowds in July and August: America Loves the Nominees; Believe in America Tour Record Turnout
Superstar-studded 'Vote for Change' Coalition of Musicians Is Rocking the U.S.
After Giving Bush the Benefit of the Doubt in 2001, Springsteen Speaks Out against the Evil Empire
USA Today Turns Phony Poll Results into Excuse for Planting Bush Propaganda-Disguised-as-News
AP 'Analysis': Bush's Decision to Finally Overhaul Intelligence after THREE YEARS of Stalling Called 'Quick Move'
Why NBC Wants the 'War Time President' to Stay in Office - at any Cost
Bush's Republicans prepare for their 'dirty war' on Kerry
President George Bush's senior strategists have vowed to use the month of August to mount derisive and personal attacks on the Democratic candidate John Kerry in what is becoming an increasingly bitter election campaign.
The latest negative ad smear purchased and promoted by Bush Inc. features swift boat veterans who are willing to talk trash about a veteran for money. No one can say squat about Bush's military service because he was AWOL.
The TRUTH About John Kerry's TOURS of Duty
99% of Halliburton's Political Donations Go Straight to the GOP to Buy International Influence
Latest: Bush should have been ordered to active duty a second time after being AWOL again when not finding a unit after going to Harvard
Saudi prince gave Bush $130,000 in gifts
Krugman cites CNN convention bias
200 business leaders endorse Kerry
"The Kerry-Edwards plan for America is exactly what is needed to jumpstart businesses and get America working again," Chernin said in a statement released by the Kerry campaign.
The Kerry/Edwards Plan for America. Read the Overview, Download the Book
Consumer Spending Drops by 0.7 Percent, largest amount in three years
Treasury Dept. says Bush Gov't will hit Debt Ceiling of $7.4 Trillion by Election. They Will Ask Congress for More Money.
Kerry leads electoral college with 318
Amazon refuses book linking Bush, Saudis
Did FBI fabricate convention terror?
Detailed Accounts of Abuse at Guantanamo
Robert Fisk: Can't Bush and Blair See Iraq Is About to Explode?
While the Americans and the British stay, Iraq is on a downward spiral
Allegations against Rep. Tom DeLay reveal seamless loop linking industry, lobbyists and war chests.
Abu Ghraib General Claims Conspiracy
William Greider shows why we're all TV critics now.
Kurd-Arab Violence May Explode In Kirkuk
Iraqi Children Detained By Coalition Forces
The Great Catholic Abortion-Communion Scandal
Bush gives money-strapped church (See pedophile priests/lawsuits) in exchange for denying communion to politicians who believe in a woman's right to choose, continuing the age-old descrimination by the Catholic Church and the Republican Party against women. Pedophiles, meanwhile, can still drink the koolade.
A New Progressive Era?
The Progressive Phone Book
Progressive links
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Quotations to live by
- Anon
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. ... corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed." -- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21,
1864 (letter to Col. William F. Elkins) Ref: "The Lincoln Encyclopedia", Archer
H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)
"Generally, news reporting and punditry are respectful of the rich and
disdainful of the poor."-- Syndicated columnist Norman Solomon (from this article).
"There is a common tendency to ignore the poor or to develop some
rationalisation for the good fortune of the fortunate."-- John Kenneth
"They make a desert and call it peace."--
Tacitus, defining Roman imperialism
"There's enough on this planet for everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed"-- Mahatma Gandhi
"I destroy my enemy by making him my friend"-- Abraham Lincoln
"Except for religious conflicts and the petty wars of feudal lords, wars are primarily fought over resources and trade. President Woodrow Wilson recognized that this was the cause of World War I: 'Is there any man, is there any woman, let me say any child here that does not know that the seed of war in the modern world is industrial and commercial rivalry?'"-- J.W. Smith, Economic Democracy: The Political Struggle for the Twenty-First Century,
"I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism"-- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"I dread our own power and our own ambition; I dread our being too much dreaded....We may say that we shall not abuse this astonishing and hitherto unheard-of-power. But every other nation will think we shall abuse it. It is impossible but that, sooner or later, this state of things must produce a combination against us which may end in our ruin."-- Edmund Burke, describing his fears for the former British Empire
"More! More! is the cry of a mistaken soul."-- William Blake
"Every corner of the public psyche is canvassed by some of the most talented citizens to see if the desire for some merchandisable product can be cultivated."-- John Kenneth Galbraith
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."-- H.L. Mencken
"[W]hat suffers in the atmosphere of immediacy is analysis. What suffers in this search for speed is depth. The media in the wealthy world are becoming increasingly simplistic, superficial, and celebrity-focused."-- Laurie Garrett
"Live life simply so that others may simply live"-- Gandhi
"The first casualty when war comes is Truth"-- U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, 1917
"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."-- George Orwell
"What journalism is really about - it's to monitor power and the centres of power."-- Amira Hass
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it... Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception."-- Mark Twain, The Mysterious Stranger, 1916, Ch.9
"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."-- Albert Einstein
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."-- Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President 1901-1909(From The American Presidency) [quoted from MediaChannel.org media in conflict news page.]
"A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a tragedy. He said, 'I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.' The grandson asked him, 'Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?' The grandfather answered, 'The one I feed.'"-- a native American Indian story
"War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses."-- Thomas Jefferson
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. The world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children... This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."-- Former U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a speech on April 16, 1953
"Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day."-- Theodore Roosevelt, on April 19, 1906
"To tackle the underlying roots of violence and conflict, we need a massive international effort to reduce poverty and injustice, and to promote development, democracy and human rights."-- Clare Short
Obama vs Keyes: The Greyhound and the Chihuahua
O. Gliiiiiiiiiiide. Woof woof!
K. Yap yap yap yap yap!
I had hoped they would drag out this funny little man.
A more glaring contrast in styles can hardly be imagined.
Bring on the Keyester!
Monday, August 02, 2004
Reports That Led to Terror Alert Were Years Old, Officials Say
"Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at several large financial institutions in the New York City and Washington areas was three or four years old, intelligence and law enforcement officials said on Monday. They reported that they had not yet found concrete evidence that a terror plot or preparatory surveillance operations were still under way." (NY Times, August 3, 2004)
So let's see... Trump John Kerry, shock the people in blue states, like New York, New Jersey and Washington DC, ensure triple the protection during the Republican Convention, scare off any potential protestors...while we go on vacation.
But what is this? John Kerry is insisting we come back and take care of the "urgency"?
OK, OK! This was OLD information! Nothing urgent! Sorry a few people got the willies!
37,000 Dead Civilians & other news
According to an Iraqi activist group, more than 37,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the U.S. invasion in March, 2003. The People's Kifah told Al Jazeera that it is "100 percent sure" of the estimate, which it claims is based on extensive research by Iraqi academics who visited remote villages to collect their data.
Al Franken Radio Show to Be on Cable TV
NEW YORK - Satirist-commentator Al Franken will return to his TV roots next month when his radio show begins appearing on cable's Sundance Channel.
ALSO...Watch Al on Dave Letterman...tonight!
Who owns CNN? or MSNBC? ABC?
Think we have a free press?
Heinz Kerry: Four More Years of 'Hell' if Bush Wins
Teresa says what we all know. War is Hell...
Wolfowitz has Arab feminist girlfriend
A Republican laments: Where did my party go?
Is The Media 'Retarded' or Guilty of 'Group Think'?
Don't accept their gift of anger
In the movie, "Merlin", it is discovered that the only way to take away the power from the evil queen Mab is to turn your back on her. Ignore her. Refuse her "gifts".
It may be time to apply the same principles to the hate-mongering bloviators who are constantly angering, or "firing up", their listeners and viewers with rhetoric designed to create divisions and hatred.
I used to listen to these bearers of trojan horses, but invariably, the hatred would seep out, and I would find myself drowning in horseshit. Not a beautiful world. Not a world I care to support.
Remember the words of Barack Obama. We are the united States, and if anyone wants to gift you otherwise...don't accept it. Leave the hate and the bile ringing in their own ears. Let them taste their own bad medicine.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Bush: Worse than a flip-flopper
- BUSH 2000: "I am a uniter"
- 2004: America is more divided than it has ever been.
Is Bush a uniter? If he is (to paraphrase Patch Adams) ... he sucks at it. America is more divided now than it has ever been. Well, back to Adam, anyway. No, Bush is no uniter. Nor is Rush, O'Reilly, Falwell, or Big Media, all of whom profit from dividing people.
During wartime, this union is the most important thing a President should facilitate. By being divided, America is rendered less safe. And those that promote divisive issues -- such as can be witnessed, without fail, exhibit A, on FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, as well as MSNBC, CNBC, and even the major networks -- serve to weaken America. And it may be time to "just say no", and change the channel.
To win true peace, it may be wiser to seek guidance in time-tested books of wisdom, and not expect it to come from overpaid and overblown dropouts like Rush Limbaugh, or overpaid posers like Ted Koppel; to seek peace, itself, in music, art, conversation, literature...because angry people often make bad decisions. And anger is the by-product of division.
We need to calmly vote for a world of unity, a united...United States, and send these forces of division packing. We need to be the peace we would wish upon the world. And all this anger, all these attempts to divide people, are enemies of peace.
George Bush tarred himself the "War President". And war is hell. Why not dub himself the "Hell President"? Americans and the people of the world prefer Heaven to Hell. God to Satan. We are heading in the wrong direction. Downward. Where fires rage, shock AND awe abound. Fear beyond fear. People die cruel, violent and obscene deaths.
This is not Heaven, folks. And it is only going to get worse, if we don't change directions... and George W. Bush has promised to "stay the course".
If God is on any side, she is on the side of Peace.
For God's sake, show with your vote that you disapprove of all the killing and misery and division this Bush Administration has fostered.
And for the sake of the world, show them that we do not approve of our leader, or in this case, misleader, holding a gun to your heads. Americans have more respect for others than that.
We want to interact with the world, not isolate it.
We want to travel, not paint ourselves into a corner.
We want to be able to help others when we can, and receive help when we need it, not threaten others when we can, and receive threats...even if the American People don't deserve it.
We don't deserve it. We deserve better.
Vote for Hope over Fear, Unity over Division.
Vote John-John in November, and help us heal the wounds, divisions, and friendships old and new.
We are all Americans. Not just customers and division monkeys.
And we can be united.
We were united after 9/11. We rallied around the President...
because that is what we do!
In fact the whole world rallied around us.
But what did Bush do with all this unity? All this goodwill?
And experience shows that he would probably do it again.
The world no longer trusts him. And why should they?
They were slapped in the face....made targets and called "Old Europe".
Can we afford to rally around a man who doesn't know how to use goodwill...who will take our support and spit it back at us?
We simply cannot. And let us pray that such a convenient event for political gain does not perch its evil claws on our soil.
There is hope beyond fear.
As the biblical John said: "Perfect Love casteth out all Fear".
Thank you very much.
[From an address given by Anonymoses Hyperlincoln at the Hyperlincoln Institute for Serious Living, on August 1, 2004.]
Why blogging is important
August 1, 2004
"You try scrubbing. You try soaking."
(Anonymoses on greed and dishonesty in the bloated Media.)
I have essentially been blogging online since 1994. It just wasn't called that.
Blogging, or web logging, is, in its essence, a presence on the web, a blank slate (tools and tricks nothwithstanding) whereon a bloke or blokess may transfer the contents of his or her mind -- and, in the best cases, receive feedback for said contents. Feedback serves as a self-correcting tool, as others are allowed to show one the unwisdom of one's ways.
How many times have you heard one-way windbags exhorting their fixed ideas, which themselves could be pricked and deflated by the simplest statement, fact or principle?
Blogs allow you this safeguard against such mental squandering.
But even if one taketh no comment, one does at least have an easy way to write one's thoughts, which itself may cause the writer to better consider his or her thoughts and thought processes.
And unlike most forums and messageboards, blogs self-archive. How many years of writing swallowed by such messageboards, never to be retrieved! I could have compiled volumns!
In fact, I went through the added step of copying and pasting a month's worth of messageboard writing, in May of 2001, and it came to roughly 200 pages. All of which was fussed over, as if it were going to press.
This set me to thinking about alternatives. And blogging showed itself to be the best alternative...at least as regards archiving. Forums and messageboards are still good places for wider exchange, and, depending on the forum, may have a much more transformative effect upon one's thinking.
There are great blogs out there that treat of all manner of subject, but among the more interesting ones, at the moment, are the political blogs. And many have banded together to form coalitions, guilds, networks and so on. One can get a notion of the extremes of one's party by examining raw blogs. And by that, I mean those (most of them) that are not edited and passed through a gatekeeper.


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Toyota RAV4 Battery and Electrical Problems
edmundsdesi Posts: 8
in Toyota
I have had two batteries go dead in my new 2006 RAV4. They have it in the shop now to determine what is draining the battery. Any others with the same problem, or a solution? Also, if it fails a third time, isn't that considered a "lemon"?
Also, if it fails a third time, isn't that considered a "lemon"?
No. It just means that they haven't discovered the root cause. Something could be draining the battery or your alternator may be malfunctioning. It is also possible that you are the 1 person in 100,000 who gets three defective batteries in a row - someone's got to be the one!
Regarding lemon laws, the definitions vary from state to state but generally apply to the vehicle itself and not appurtenances like windshield wipers and batteries. The applicability of lemon laws will depend on the root cause of your problem and the state in which you reside.
tidester, host0
2003 Sequoia has a dead battery. Dealer says defective battery; replaces. More dead batteries. Lights still work, radio stations still set, clock still right. Dead battery; can't be jump started.
Then car starts dying while it's being driven. All kinds of lights on. I, of course, take photos of the 'problems.'
Two Toyota Dealers and California Corporate says nothing is wrong; cars won't start if not run for one/two weeks (depending on whom you speak with). I actually taped the phone call with Toyota Corporate and imformed the 'Customer Service' Manager I spoke with I was doing so. I offered to let the newspaper know so they can alert all the people whose cars are at the airport. Toyota Corporate said go ahead. They directed me to disconnect the fuses under the hood next to the battery if leaving the car not running for more than one week. I asked where this information 'existed' since it wasn't on the owners manual or on the Toyota website. 'No where,' was the Toyota Corporate response.
Formal Toyota case started. Two more dealers later, one will actually was willing to look at the car - almost 18,000 miles on it now and I actually expected it to run. I was a very difficult customer.
What did they find? Electric harness bad, probably from factory, and that's what the problem was all along. Is it fixed now? Not completely. Great dealer; horrible previous dealers, dangerous company (Toyota).
Toyota doesn't participate in the BBB arbitration system so it's lawyer time. In the snowy mountains of November the car isn't safe. It's new car time.
Anyone else experienced this? I bought a Toyota for ski country because all my friends and neighbors there had such great experiences with their Toyota's. But now everyone has been through this nightmare with me and, I hope, will think long and hard before purchasing Toyota's in the future. Machines don't always work but customer service and dangerous behaviors are the result of much larger problems.
Sounds to me like the posting from tidester, July 15, 2005 may be having the same problem with their 2006 RAV4.
starchildb4u Posts: 12my battery just died ..i actually did not drive my car for two weeks and it was juat sitting in the cold weather...i was told that when a car sits for two weeks in the cold below 32 degrees that it will not start but i think my problem is wiring as well...mechanics don thave all the answers...my mechanic insists that i get a new battery but my wires in the trunk are shredding...i can just imagine how much that is going to cost me?? i have a 2002 toyota corolla0
I'm sorry to hear about your very similar experience. Since my electric harness was replaced by the great Toyota dealer in Ontario, Oregon, I have not had any more battery' problems. In fact, the Sequoia just sat for more than two weeks at sub-zero temperatures.......no problems starting at all.
1. How to get someone to 'test' your Corolla given that they say nothing is wrong with a vehicle that won't start after two weeks?
2. How to get Toyota to address their 'belief' that automobiles do not start if left sitting for one (dealer statement) or two (Toyota Corporate) statement weeks.
- It's not true with Toyota's, unless there is something wrong with them
- It's not true with any other brands
- It's not the 1960's anymore; a time when it might have actually been true0
mr2girl Posts: 1My RAV4 was bought in September 2001. I have had 3 batteries, 2 were replacements for "faulty" ones. I have had to call out the RAC (here in the UK) several times to start the car, thereby losing my no-call out discount and have twice had a flat battery at the airport car park after leaving the car for 12 days or so. If the car is left for more than 4 days it will not start. Okay, I have only clocked up 14,000 miles in 5 years but I had an MR2 classic sitting outside for days on end for 10 years with no problems. The car is waiting to be collected from a Toyota garage this afternoon after being on a trickle charge all night as it was only holding a 20 per cent charge. The new manager has told me that the ALARM drains the battery (present battery is 16 months old and was last checked about 3 months ago for the same problem). Now I am only going to alarm the car when it is parked in a public place. At other times I am just going to use the key to lock the doors - all 3 of them - what a drag! Will see if this works. Perhaps others could try this if they still experience problems.0
I wish we could find some attorney who wanted to look in to this. My friend just purchased a fan-cy LEXUX sedan and it won't start after three (3) days. They told her any longer than 3 days needed to be plugged in to an electric outlet. She's attempting to get the Dealer to take the car back, full money refunded.
Something is wrong with Toyota/LEXUS electric system. When it's all going to come out is the question.
We all own many cars at many homes in many countries. This problem is only happening with Toyota/LEXUS. It is a problem and it can be life threatening (in my case). I'm not going to drop it until it's fixed for everyone.
If you know of others with this problem, PLEASE let me know!
Beth :lemon:0
mmphilli548 Posts: 1Hello-
I have a 97 Rav4 and the horn became stuck while it was sitting in my driveway. I disconnected the battery for lack of a better idea. I would like to disconnect the fuse, but I don't know which one it is because I do not have an owner's manual. Does anyone know which fuse is the horn? Thank you.0
After leaving my 2006 RAV4 on the driveway for five days, my RAV had a dead battery. I was able to jump start it and took it to the dealership to have this problem taken care of. After two days, it was determined that snow melted off the hood of the vehicle and moisture travelled through the firewall to an electrical harness and caused a short in the system. I was informed that a "bulletin" was sent out to dealer service departments concerning this problem.0
I am replying to my own message due to the fact that I was given more facts on my problem. It seems that my problem was caused by a faulty "seal" in a windshield I had to have replaced(repair not made at dealership). I was told that the faulty "seal" caused moisture to seep down the firewall of my RAV4 and onto a wiring harness causing the "short". After learning this, I must say my dealership has been very cooperative with me concerning this problem and I just wanted to get this information out to others and to correct my original misinformation.0
lloyd11 Posts: 1My wife has a 2005 Rav4. She went out to go to work to find that the front windshield wipers don't work.
Fine, blown fuse, no problem. I look in the manual, look up the information and look at the fuse block to find the slot (#35) empty. No fuse.
We have recently had a remote starter put in (Circuit City) and the wiring is a mess.
All of that aside, has the fuse block changed since the manual was written? I don't see how the fuse could just not be there.0
cincirav Posts: 1I have a 2006 RAV4 experiencing intermittent starting problems. About once per week for the past 3 months the vehicle won't start. Turn the key, lights come on but then nothing. I sometimes hear 1 click, but wife says she hears nothing. We can try a few times and sometimes on the 3rd or 4th or maybe 10th attempt, it will start. My wife thought she noticed a correlation to the brake pedal pressue, ie. when it was soft the car wouldn't start, but if it felt hard, it would. I've since disproved that theory since a few times I'd press on the brake pedal first and pressure would build up, but the car wouldn't start either.
We brought it to the dealer who can't replicate the issue, so they won't do anything.
A previous car I had experienced a similar problem before I had the starter replaced, which eliminated the problem.
The car is still under warranty and the dealer won't do anything since they can't reproduce it.
Anyone know of this problem or have any suggestions?
I'm thinking it won't get solved til something actually fails and we're stuck somewhere.
After three dealers wouldn't look at the car and said they also couldn't reproduce it a fourth, and wonderful and very professional dealer, Steve's Hometown Toyota, not only looked at it they quickly identified the very scary and life threatening mechanical problems. They were surprised it ever started/ran based on the very bad electric system. No problems since thanks to Steve's.
Needless to say, it was not a fun process, Toyota Corporate didn't/wouldn't help, it cost me thousands of dollars with an 18 month old Sequoia, it was covered under warranty of course and I'd rather walk across America than purchase another Toyota.
Good luck!
My guess (bet, really.) is that the starter circuit is not "completed", closed, due to the shifter "park/neutral" microswitch being out of alignment. Next time it happens step on the brake and move the shifter to the neutral position and try to start the engine. Or move the shifter out of park and then back into park.0
I have the exact same problem. Unforturnately, dealer can't reproduce the problem and therefore not willing to do anything. Yesterday it rained and my car would not start. This morning when the tow truck guy tried it the third time it started. May be it has something to do with the moisture?. Please let me know if you found any solution. I bought the car in Oct 2006. May we we are stuck with a bad batch!!0
Thank you for the suggestion. You must be right. My wife is in the habit of changing to neutral at traffic lights. This may have put the circuit out of alignment.0
bbff Posts: 2I have been having the same problem. In the past 3 weeks on 2 seperate occasions my car has not started....no clicks. The first time I jumped the car and it started. The second time I had it towed to the dealership and they were able to start the car the next day. The were unable to find anything wrong....I am soo frustrated b/c I know it will probably happen again. They said they can't determine the problem when the car isn't having the problem. Not sure what to do?
I have a 2007 RAV 40
Change the gear to neutral and then try to start. Should work.0
apande Posts: 1My 2006 RAV4 would not start at certain times. I have to move the Park gear a little and it instantly starts. I had a feeling that this had something to do with the Park gear or if it has some sort of sensor. This has never happened at the dealership so they have not been able to do anything.0
bg617 Posts: 1Have a 2001 Rav 4 w / about 138,000 miles. Every once in a while (about every 15-20 starts) the car starts fine but I have no electronics. No guages, no wipers, no radio, no lights, nothing except the dome light and the indicator on the dash if I open the door. I also can not get the car out of park. Usually within 15-20 mins it seems to "reset" itself and everything comes back and I can go on my way. I can't seem to find a pattern and, of course, the dealer can find nothing. I even left the car with them for a week and of course the car worked perfectly the whole week they had it. They think I'm crazy and will do nothing. National Toyota is even more useless. I have owned Toyota since 1988 but if I can't fix this it is the last one I will own. Any ideas out there?0
janyboy Posts: 1I have that same problem, It would start but I have to prolong it during first ignition ... if not it would not start at the first click..... but the difference is it would start right away after its initial prolong starting if I restart the car... it will only happen again if the car is park for over 6 hours.. if park only for a shorter period it would start right away....I brought it already to the dealer but they can't find any problem.... and I know its not the battery coz I tested it. Now they wan't me to leave them the SUV(Rav4 06') for a day so that they can encounter the problem first hand(to the fact it only happens on first start),its still under warranty but they wont give me a service vehicle that i can use. I video taped myself during the problem and the're still not convienced....but thank you very much for the info on the shifter sensor. I will give details tomorrow if I start the car and it works... Thanks again to everyone0
badtoyota Posts: 1This worked for a while. Now the starter won't stop unless I disconnect the battery. The motor stops if you turn the key to off. If you turn it back on, the car starts. The starter motor just churns until you remove the positive cable. What now?0
loudawg23 Posts: 1Hi folks,
Here is what is going on with my Rav4 (2006 V6 25K miles):
Right blinker just stays on. Had the flasher relay replaced at one dealership. Everything good. 1 week later, it comes back. Right blinker just stays on. Took it to another dealership and they are just scratching their head thinking it is a short somewhere. I do have a remote starter on the car.
Has anyone heard of an issue like this before?0
mtl2000 Posts: 1I have a 2006 Rav V6. It wouldn't start this morning. I have no electronics on most indicator on the dash, except "Check Engine", "Oil", and the door indicator if I open the door. radio is on. It was raining last night. I am not sure if it short or other problem. I will try the tips here if I am got lucky.0
ninac731 Posts: 1I have a 2008 RAV4 and i have been having starter problems for the past 3 months. i bought the car in april 2008. basically, it takes several tries before it starts (once every two weeks or so)... sometimes it takes up to 30-45 before it finally starts. I took it to the dealer and basically they can't do anything about it since it starts for them without any problems. They wanted to keep my car overnight/ weekend but questioned why i needed a a rental. I still have no answers. This a a major safety issue. i have a 15 month old and the chances of us getting stranded somewhere are too high because of this car. I bought a new car/ Toyota because of i wanted something i could count on. I should have stuck to Honda. I never had problems with them.0
Bought a 2002 RAV4 automatic 2 weeks ago with 75,000 miles on it. Last night I had a friend move it using spare key. Several hours later when I went to start it, it would not start and the green lights behind the Drive, Reverse and Neutral lights on the dash (showing what gear you are in) flash while the key was inserted. Removed the battery cable for 5, then 30 minutes and it did the same thing. Now the keyless entry won't work either. Tried to start in neutral and park with same result. Lights, radio, etc. still work fine. The car just wont turn over (no noise whatsoever).
I felt it may be a problem with an anti-theft system, so I disconnected the battery cable hoping to reset the system. I tried both the spare and original key with no luck.
If anyone has any idea what my problem might be, please help or post an 800 number that I can call Toyota to ask about this.
Do you happen to have another "chipped" key on the same keyring...??0
No, its the only car key on the ring. Only other keys are standard metal house keys.0
vircliff Posts: 1Gt probs w my brand new car n the mileage is only 24k n wr on our vacation, drinving d car and suddenly it stopped n everything inside r not working, found out battery dead instantly n tried to jumpstart for an hour,still not charging,end up taking the battery to autozone n same thing not charging, and of course buying a new battery as we hve to go back to los angeles from Oakland,CA.We hve 15k maintenance prior to our travel n everything r ok. A month after we got d car,we smell something s burnin n the car after drinving for an hour n d said, its normal n after all we got stock ion the street. Took the car to Toyota of Pasadena n d said,battery s ok n of course is ok coz its a brand new one n that i ran into a plastic container that's melted inside thats why is burnin,I said no...something is wrong with it,told me i can leave car for a week but d would nver gve me a loaner car. Stupid.....I bought a brand new car coz i dont wnt to be lft on the street but here end up in a dark. Anybody has d same problem w 2008 rav4 Sports?Am very angry and scarred for our safety.0
30ford Posts: 10I bought and installed a Sirius radio in my RAV4 and immediately noticed a whine that varied with the speed of the motor. I researched and was advise to 1) wire directly to the battery - DIDN'T WORK, 2) install Snap Choke Core from Radio Shack - DIDN'T WORK, and 3) install a PIE power noise filter - DIDN'T WORK. Yesterday, I got out and put the RAV4 nose to nose with my Explorer. I took the leads to the battery loose (from the RAV4) and made a jumper to the electrical system of the Explorer. Every combination of running an not running of the 2 vehicles was tried. NO whining noise. I appear to have an electrical problem in my RAV4. Any ideas???
From what I'e read from other folks listing here, Toyota has many different electrical problems. They sound like Mercedes and their electrical problems. I think our vehicles are getting extremely complex.0
From what you describe, I would guess that the source of the noise is your alternator and or battery with emphasis on "guess." When you run your RAV4 off your Explorer you seem to be getting adequate power so your RAV4 alternator is working without a load.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper0

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here we are, the last day of the year already, oh how time flies! In some ways it feels a lifetime ago, when reading all those 'hospital' diary entries, and yet it seems like just yesterday when I was over in Newcastle.
A big 'shout out' goes to Sian (the welshy one who posts lovely comments in my guestbook - and NO I don't pay her!). Sian and I share a love for all things cheese related, eg, Home&Away and High School Musical. It's clear she has great taste! Anyway, I wish her (and everyone else for that matter) a very happy new year! I hope all your wishes for 2007 come true! I have found a particularly nice, more interesting, blog entry from Jan 1st 06, which I will post on Monday. You see, I make it sound like this of interest to people, which perhaps it is, but don't be fooled, I'm just lazy.
What I find interesting about reading those old posts, besides the content, is the way they are written. I was still in College/Uni at the time, and thus the language and style is a lot less...lazy(?!). Meaning there was a much more active thesaurus working in my head, which since taking the gap year, has gone a bit rusty and dusty.
Anyway, whatever way you all chose to ring in the New Year, I wish you all have fun. New Years is way too overrated in my opinion, but alas, be good and enjoy.
Finally another special mention goes out to my 'Free Willie protester #1' aka, Sarah! What a great friend, and I promise we'll watch Troy and Gabriella sing their hearts out during the week. Which reminds me, Helen, I need to borrow your High School Musical DVD!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Here we are, the last day of the year already, oh how time flies! In some ways it feels a lifetime ago, when reading all those 'hospital' diary entries, and yet it seems like just yesterday when I was over in Newcastle.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Skiing today, whoohoo! I finally (OK 4 weeks isn't *that* long) graduate from 'C' class. Yay.
Since I won't have much time to update this weekend, I thought I would go for a lazy move, and simply post a diary entry I wrote this day last year exactly. It makes me so, so thankful knowing that I am no longer going through all that palaver.
"We've come so far, and we've reached so high, and we've looked each day and night in the eye. And we're still so young and we hope for more" –Take That, Never forget.
Friday December 30th 2005 Week 4
Today I slept in until about midday, and I felt so refreshed after yesterday's poking and prodding! A phlebotomist came to take my blood for levels this morning, but even though I was practically dead to the world, I woke up pretty quickly to be able to tell her that I hadn't had my tobramycin on Thursday, so thus the results would be inaccurate. So I managed to make it through the day avoiding any jabs. I hope my cannula stays in place for tonight's IVs.
The doctors flushed my port (Vincent's word for implantofix) with some yokey to dissolve blood clots. After two hours they flushed it and while the saline went in, it was met with a lot of resistance. So they flushed in some more anti-blood clotting stuff. Unfortunately this was unsuccessful again. Its looking like I'm going to need to have my port replaced which means surgery. This will be done next week some time. In the meantime I have to receive my drugs through cannulas in my sputty veins. That part I do NOT enjoy! As a child I was tormented and tortured by "Freddies", often having to have them replaced twice in one day. I can't get the memory of having people hold me down while I screamed for them to stop hurting me out of my head. I don't know when to say 'no I've had enough' because I need my IVs badly and really can't afford to miss a dose. It's a catch twenty-two really.
Tomorrow I'm going home for New Year's Eve. My sis is going to wezz. My bro is down in Kerry and my other brother is going out somewhere. All of my friends are going out-out, so I'm still working on somewhere to go or something to do!!I'm feeling good tonight, I just wish I could escape from this whole situation.
Posted by It's Her at 11:55 p.m.
Friday, December 29, 2006
The rain is pelting down at the moment, and it's pitch black outside. It would appear we will be washed into 2007, as it looks like these showers are set to continue!
I brought my friend shopping today, to Build-A-Bear. We actually had a fantastic time. And I learned to exercise a little self control, walking right by MacDonalds and resisting going in!...OK, well *almost* not going in. The fries were just too tempting! But I didn't have my usual fat child, begging to become obese meal that conisists of 12 Chicken Nuggets, Large Fries, McFlurry and Diet Coke.
I think I'll have a quiet night in this evening, perhaps watch a dvd. Actually knowing me, it will be past 11 before I can pick one, and then I'll decide it will run on too late, so I'll just go to bed. And I just know you are all so envious of my exciting lifestyle that I lead! *Wink*
Posted by It's Her at 5:41 p.m.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
OK, excuse the way over long post yesterday. That is an insight into what life is like living with me, except not only do I talk that much (and more) but I do it extremely fast too.
Today, I watched High School Musical, yet again. I hope someday to star in a production of that show. While many would see me in the Gabriella role, and encourage me that I have many similarities to her, I think I would do very well as Sharpay. If you don't have a blues clue as to what High School Musical is, I suggest you look here or here. The second 'here' lets you listen to some of the excellent songs that make the musical what it is, considering that the plot smells a bit cheesy!
Aside from High School Musicals, I may have mentioned yesterday about how my eating of chocolate has become a little obsessive. I really have never been a fan of chocolate, finding the whole thing a bit sickening and way too filling. This is perhaps the first time I have ever eaten as much in my life. You may have heard people say 'You can't just give kids in Africa chocolate, it wouldn't agree with them...etc'. Well let me tell you how true that is! OK I'm not a child, or African but I have recently gone from nothing to too much, and my tummy went funny! So don't try it. But anyway, my system has got used to it thankfully, and this morning I started and finished a box of Toblerone! I can almost hear the heckling of 'Greedy' and 'Pig' from the back. The only sad thing about this is, this the first year nobody gave me a selection box! I guess they figured since I never open them, there is little point!
Posted by It's Her at 12:42 a.m.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
- Goodness, today was a lazy day. I felt I deserved one anyway, because it's Christmas so why not?
Balancing the complete and utter lazy lifestyle (under the guise of the 'lady of leisure' title) my mom suggested we go for a walk together with the dog. When I say 'walk' I actually mean **WALK** like a power walk, and when I say together, I actually mean 'five paces behind my mom' (I'm slow), and when I say 'dog', I do actually mean 'dog'.
I got to wear my brand new spanking hat with ear covers which is viewable here, but mine is in bougainvillea (also known as pink). So I set off, nice and prepared, with my hair looking particularly blonde.
It was very misty and foggy out, and it would appear that the mist was in our ears as well. When I was in Vincents, I would have to stay in a 6bedded bay, with all the other patients being elderly, and most of the time, suffering from dementia (and deafness). Consequently the conversations that would take place between these old dears usually went along the lines of:
- "Oh isn't it a glorious day outside?""
- Ohh, it's delicious, very tasty!"
- "The sun is very bright, it must be warm"
- "Yes the toast was nice, but the sausages were funny"
- "Fred should have no problem getting over today"
- "Yes, my tea was cold too"
- If I hadn't been so sick or fed up in that place, I would have laughed. Anyway, a joke is only really funny the first few times; when you spend a total of about 3 months in such a place, not only does the 'joke' appear less funny, more irritating, but you actually get used to having such ridiculous conversations with other people.
- Anyway, this evening on our walk, I was reminded of these times, as with my mother (the one who walked five paces ahead of me in case anyone forgot) with my hat with ear covers. One snippet from my conversation with her went like this:
- "Ugh I think I have heartburn, yuck"
- "Now, I just love what they did with that house!"
- "Eww, I can taste the garlic bread I ate..."
- "They really made great use of the space in the front"
- "Oh shoot, darn puddle"
- "Did you just walk in that puddle...I told you to "watch the puddle"
- "I didn't even hear you say anything"
- It bothered me slightly that she wasn't listening to me and my woes, or rather that she couldn't hear me. And so this sort of 'round in circles' having two different conversations went on for a while. For most of the walk in fact. Much like our walk itself. We walked past a million or so houses (OK slight exaggeration), which all looked pretty similar, but yet all had their unique touch, be it lights in the porch, rows of roses. In the dark though, there was no distinguishable features. I guess that's just one of the things about living in the 'afureas' (suburbs).
- Anyway, aside from these most peculiar conversations which made one question their sanity at times, the walk did me good. I'm going to do some proper exercise tomorrow, either skiing or swimming or something of the sort. Having eaten far too many chocolate, and even taken insulin specifically to match all the chocolate I've been eating, I think I need to make sure I don't become a couch potato. Wait, who am I kidding, I'm already a couch potato. I think I'll put 'couch potato' on my wish list for cures.
Posted by It's Her at 10:38 p.m.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
St. Stephen's Day...
- After cleaning the kitchen last night and emptying the dishwasher (I make it sound like I do that all the time) I retired to bed at about 2.30 or 3am.
- Consquently I woke up at the appalling hour of 1pm this afternoon. 'Titanic' began shortly after I woke up. Why do they always show such a depressing film at Christmas (Ooops, sorry if I ruined the ending there...)? That pretty much sums up the day, films, films, films. Harry Potter has just ended and now, Eastenders has started. Even more doom and gloom! They all sigh when they're talking, and they speak in 3 word sentances. I believe tonight is the night that 'Powwwwwline!' is leaving. Will anyone care? Anyone notice? Nope....
- My friend called around today and we exchanged presents. I do like what I got I do. We then watched some of Free Willy 2, "No Willy, don't go! Willlllllllllly!"*Queue big oversized whale jumping (about 20feet in the air) over a rock the boy is standing on* See comment above about depressing films!!
Posted by It's Her at 7:28 p.m.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Nollaig Shóna!
- Thank you all for your texts that greeted me this morning. Unfortunately, you will be lucky if you receive any from me today, as phone has gone on the glitch again. It must be the excitement of Christmas or something. (Also, Ms Tee, thank you for your lovely guestbook comment!)
- We had our Christmas breakfast this morning, which was delicious as per usual. Last year we had champagne to celebrate me being home. I'm guessing the novelty has worn off by now.
- I was showered with many a many beautiful presents from my family and friends. I think I must hold the record for most consecutive pink presents. Anyone will tell you that I am a pink girl. I am Pink! (Helen will try and battle me for that title, but she will always lose)It was lovely to see my family all opening the ones I bought them, and it would appear everyone was pleased. I can't remember what I bought anyone last year, as someone else did my shopping for me. ( A personal shopper is one of the few perks of being sick). A quick rush and we all got out to midday Mass, celebrated by the Archbishop.
- Christmas dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes, and I can honestly say, I cannot wait!
- I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Christmas, in whatever way you celebrate it. Be it small families, or family reunions, have a great one. I don't know that there is a happier (pinker!) girl in the world then me right now!
(¯`•._.•Keep smiling and enjoy the day•._.•´¯)
......Who knows where we will all be this time next year
Posted by It's Her at 5:34 p.m.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve!
I will be lighting three candles this Christmas eve. One for my friend who passed away a few months ago. One for a very very special person, without whom I wouldn't be here today and the usual one for Jesus.
This time (exactly) last year, I was sitting on the edge of a bed, waiting for the doctor on call to come around and say I could go home. I had my bags packed, box of chocolates for the nurses, and my days' supply of IVs laid out on the bed. I knew that my CRP (infection markers in blood) were still going to way too high, well over a hundred, when normal is 12, but I was determined to be home for Christmas. The doctor who came to see me, was less then enthusiastic about letting me home, but after 4weeks straight in hospital, he agreed I could have a 2day break at home, so long as I kept up the IV drugs, nebulisers and array of tablets. I was tired. I was sick. I was breathless, but my face was gleaming. In that sort of way, when a runner finishes a marathon; their face is worn out, but they are delighted.
This year couldn't be anymore different. Although I woke up, coughing up some not so nice stuff, I knew I'd be OK. I can breathe and I'm not sick. I'm going to stuff myself with Christmas dinner, and drink all the alcohol I can (Maintaining responsible behaviour though). I will wake up refreshed, not feeling like I could sleep another 3 days. I will laugh without collapsing into a fit of coughing. I will sit (not lie and fall asleep) on the couch. I will look hot, but not physically burn up with a temperature. I won't have to time my shower so I can fit in 'rest time' afterwards (where I sit on my bed breathing in my oxygen). I will have a very merry Christmas. I hope you do the same. xxxxxxxxxx
Posted by It's Her at 8:40 p.m.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
- Update on Health- Sinusis still going ok! Feeling a bit like a turkey...stuffed! Ok, that was bad. But I like Bad jokes! So I still sound like I'm dying from a cold, but in reality I am still fine.
- We were the first to arrive at skiing again this morning, clearly making up from our first 20 minute late, dreadful appearnece 3 weeks ago.
- I finally mastered (albeit at the end of the lesson) sliding down black slope. This is something that requires one to just trust the skis and slip. And I'm still working on paralell turns which are tricky! My sister, meanwhile, graduated on to the medium slopes. Yay! Enough ski talk.
- The photographer arrived about 10 minutes after I came home, so to say I was a little flustered and unprepared would be an understatement! Nevertheless, I made him wait and when I was ready he took (cheesy) photos of me (cheesily) sitting infront of the (cheesy) tree with my best (cheesy) smile. Did you know I hate cheese?
- I didn't go out tonight, as in anticipation of the Christmas break, I want to be well and refreshed. As an aside note, I walked from the Point Theatre to the Luas Station in Stephen's Green yesterday, plus I'm going out tomorrow night, and...well...I'm not Superwoman. Appearneces can be decieving I know!
Posted by It's Her at 12:45 p.m.
Friday, December 22, 2006
- Sinuses are continuing to improve greatly. I just have a really annoying voice (hey, what's changed?) now that makes me sound like I am dying of a cold. But, rest assured I am fine!
- I went to Snow Patrol which were amazing!!! They are brilliant live in concert. We were all singing 'Chasing Cars' and it was just incredible. Their supporting bands didn't have very much stage presence and were a little mundane, but it was worth sitting through for the main act. Interestingly, my friend's dad asked my friend 'Oh Snow Patrol, is that a Christmas band?'And on the phone to my Aunt, she said 'Oh that sounds festive!' How can people have never listened to Snow Patrol? It beggars belief!
- Tomorrow I have to have my photo taken as part of an article on Organ Donation. This means I have to juggle skiing (*YES* you heard correctly, skiing, yay!) lunch, dropping off of presents and the photographer in the space of an hour. If the photo turns out with me having a puffy, pink cheeked, hair over the place portrait, you will know the reason.
- Finally, since some of my friends are going away for Christmas (ooh la la), I wish to take this opportunity to wish you (*Yes I'm looking at you...no not the person behind you...stop looking around, I do mean YOU!*) all a very merry Christmas. I hope that you (YES I do mean you again!) have a wonderful time, spent in whatever way you spend it. May we all appreciate all the great things in life, even if at times, it doesn't go to plan. And to end with a quote...
This quote I discovered last Christmas, when my life was a world away from what it is now. I was in Vincents and very ill, running temperatures, the works. I just knew 2006 would be a better year, but when I was feeling miserable, I thought this quote was just perfect:
"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?' unless we are willing to ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way." ---Author Unknown
Posted by It's Her at 2:08 p.m.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
- Sinuses are doing way, way better! Hooray for Vicks fast relief and Zitromax.
- Had a lovely, if not slightly random evening, in the presence of friends in my nearly local local. Once again, I was asked for ID. How typical! "Scuse me ladies, how auld are ye?" and surprise surprise, I'm the same age as I was the last twenty times I met you!! Of course I didn't say that to him, I mean I'd hate to get thrown out before I'd got in...Wait, refused. I didn't want to be refused.
- I finished off my shopping. Dundrum was as packed as ever. Avoid it all costs, that is unless you actually liked being barged into by weirdos holding a trillion bags, and then not apologising. Or, if you like fools who go up to pay for things and before they pay, they take a phone call and stand talking for a few minutes while the rest of us 'hmmm' and 'haww', well then you'd be in the right place.
- Day finished off nicely, with Eileen reversing into a bush. And yes she does have a liscence. Did she pay for it though? One wonders...
Posted by It's Her at 5:43 p.m.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
- The 'niggling' throat thing I mentioned yesterday, has in fact turned into a bout of Sinusitis. As long as I don't lose my voice (again), I am, as the old pair say, 'happy out'. Never having had a sinus infection before, I have never been able to empathise for sufferers, and my sympathy was somewhat limited. Never again. That's all I'm saying on the topic.
- I got the go-ahead from Clinic to take a week's worth of Azithromycin (Zitromax). Not all at once though, for obvious reasons. I am hoping to have a healthy Christmas this year after all.
- Although this is a wee bump in the road, which makes me hold my head at times, I am adamant that I will not complain. There are far worse things in life then a minor sinus infection. If antibiotics are required, then so be it, it's what will make me better and I'm alive aren't I? And to me, that is the most important thing. To be able to spend time with my family and friends; to see the sun shining through the trees; to see the frost glistening on the tips of the grass; to have an odd McFlurry (or ten!), this is what is important to me in life. And I have it, so I'm happy.
- I learned of some sad news today, which makes me appreciate life all the more. I am lucky and I know it.
- The winner of the 'whales' question is....'Anon'. So 'Anon', your prize drink will be waiting for you in the 'Anon' bar, on the 'Anonth' of the 'Nonth', '2000and nonth'. I hope you enjoy it! You deserve it!
Posted by It's Her at 11:17 p.m.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
I fear I may be coming down with something funny as I have a 'niggling' throat today. It could be from exhaustion, but I don't think so. I'm just hoping it doesn't develop into anything too serious- Nothing a dose of Zitromax can't help shift anyway!
- On Saturday, Leona won the x-factor. Personally I was up for Ray, mainly because I like to back the underdog (Hence I support the Irish Football team year after year). In my opinion, Leona was going to be a huge success had she won it or not. Ray had, what I class the 'x-factor'; he was unusual and had a great personality. As I've said for weeks 'He's so cute, I could put in my pocket and take him home'. Unfortunately one of the girls I babysit, took this to mean I fancied him and he was my boyfriend. "Ooooh Rosie's got an unrequited love!" Where does a 10 year old learn words like that?? At her age I was still reading 'Spot'...Only joking, it was The Secret Seven for me. I couldn't stand those 'Famous Five' running off into caves without their parents' permission, meddling in gang bosses crimes. Pesky nosey parkers. The Secret Seven solved much more believable mysteries and crimes, like finding out who stole the guy from the bonfire, looking for missing children etc, etc. Anyhoo, I've rambled. I'll stop.
- As Helen was the only person to give an answer to the 'Whales' question, I guess she will get the drink. If nobody responds by Wednesday, I shall give it to you Helen!
- Earlier Eileen gave me an answer to the question as well, which she claims she thought of. However, since we are Irish, there is no way we would know the answer, so whoever Eileen got the answer from must be British. (Note: Eileen's boyfriend is English). My point? Simple. Eileen is a fraud! One day I will succeed in convincing the world of this!...Then I'll go back to bed I guess...
- I have been invited to go to a skiing competition in January, which, if I'm allowed to attend, I will look forward to! It is a special competition for people who have had a transplant, and they can bring a friend or two. On a related note, today I got skiing trousers. My outfit is complete. Fate? I think so...
Posted by It's Her at 12:51 a.m.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
A whirlwind of a weekend it was, and now its over. I got my first (or should that be, 'opened' my first..) Christmas present yesterday that my little stars that are my babysitting children gave me. I am mucho pleased, and now I smell much nicer too! I also got my hands on the Christmas crackers at Saturday's party, and pulled one (or 13). Good prizes were had, but alas no whoopee cushion. There were quite a number of funny jokes, but one or two that had us stumped. One wonders were these infact 'Blue Peter' crackers - the subtley-educate-the-craker-pullers-whilst-having-fun-so-cracker-pullers-will-be-none-the-wiser...
Example: How do you get two whales in a car? (Anyone who comes close, deserves a prize!)
- Congratulations Eileen and Brendan on correctly answering the 'Cmon Eileen' question.
- For a bonus point, who sang (sung?) it?
Posted by It's Her at 10:44 p.m.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
- A busy weekend ahead, starting off with Ski-ing and then some proper pre Christmas socialising. Hence, won't have a chance to update much. But I'm sure you can all use your imagination as to what I'll get up to! So until later, have a nice weekend y'all! Babs, a friend of mine from Vincents, unfortunately will have to spend a few days in the Chéz Mad House for some proper rest and relaxation. I hear the spa facilities are something else in there Babs! Get well soon though Chickaroo!
- Quick Quiz question: Can anyone name the song I am talking about. Its about a good friend of mine, ( I mention the fool enough!) and was a number one hit in 1982...Come on, everyone...Now enough clues! Piece that together! Guesser wins nothing. I'm tight.
- And because I can't think of much to say I'll leave you with a:
Random Eileen Fact: Studying English for the leaving cert required one to learn a host of poems by a host of poets; Yeats, Heaney, Kavanagh, Dickinson, Wordsworth, the lot. In Eileen's class they would get called upon to recite a poem by heart, as was their homework to learn so. And Eileen's teacher had a habit of picking Eileen. And Eileen, being the lazy so and so, never learned them, but rather would have her book open and simply read the selected poem. That teacher was clearly not paying attention, obviously coming up with any old exercise to pass the time! One day Eileen walked in late, and before she had a chance to open her book, the teacher instructed her to recite that day's poem. Eileen, stumbling and panicking......fainted! No no, I'm joking; she didn't have any option but to admit she hadn't learned it. Shocked and dismayed, the teacher enquired why. And Eileen just does as Eileen does best; she shrugs her shoulders and says 'I dunno....I don't want to do that one, no point...' Eileen then became the hero of the class for her courage. This lasted all of a day, when things returned to normal and she was being pushed into lockers by the next morning. Interesting story that....
Posted by It's Her at 12:00 a.m.
Friday, December 15, 2006
- There is a miracle worker in the Mater! One of the transplant nurses can take blood; more importantly, she can take my blood! Do you know what a skill that is?? The traffic was abysmal getting through town but I made it. She felt sorry for me having to wait ages for the doctor (incidentally the doctor who tried 4 times unsuccessfully on Tue) and said she'd have a go. Since she's nice, I let her try and first go in, whack bam thank you mam, my blood flowed like...flowing blood(?!).
- I finally gave in to doing Christmas shopping and started off in town. In the Stephen's green shopping centre, Rté were filming for the 'Seoige&O'Shea' show. I simply wanted to cross across the pathway, and they stopped me, asking would I answer a few questions. Extremely hesitant, I said yes, thinking it it would just be a few quick questions, but then I discovered they wanted me to lie on a therapist's style couch and do a little skit thingy. Cringing with embarrassment, I explained I couldn't as I was way too shy ( I wouldn't want people thinking I go in search for TV appearances and the like, besides this stuff is way below the standard of what I'm used to!) and ran off! Oh dear...
- Back in Dundrum, I ended up stopping shopping as I was literally weighed down with bags. Some of the things were rather heavy (Can't say much more then that...some readers = present recipients..). There were children carolers singing (what were supposed to be) Christmas carols in the centre. Although the words, and at times, the tune, wasn't very audible, they were very cute and all had Santa hats on them, so they got my spare change. Funnily, at the other end of the scale, there were elderly Carolers in town. I felt very sorry for them because it was shocking weather today, so they too got my spare change. I I picked up a Mac Donalds (Yes this crazy Mac Donalds craving lady is having yet another) and caught a lift home. Mmmm, MacFlurry!
Posted by It's Her at 4:46 p.m.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
One reason why I'm useless in an emergency:
I was standing out on the landing the afternoon, when I heard an almighty crash! Fearing the worst, I went in search of the sound, and ran upstairs (to the attic). Half way up I met my mom who was running down. Puzzled, I asked her had she heard the bang. She looked at me as if with two heads, and said 'Yea, it came from downstairs...'. Oops. So down I went running, and ran into the tree (not literally in-to the tree, but to where the tree was) to inspect any damage, but the tree was stood up innocently. Then to the kitchen, and again, everything looked Hunky Dorey. Living room, hall, conservatory, dog, all check. A few moments passed and I found my mom and sister in the downstairs loo (Not literally in-the loo, but where the loo was) and it was THEN i discovered the picture that had fallen down. (This isn't the picture I mentioned a few blogs ago I might add, we have quite a collection in our downstairs bathroom). See, if this had been a person, I would have been on the wrong floor, searching the rooms frantically for the injured party. How long would it have taken me to locate the right floor, the right room, the right scene?! Too long me thinks. Maybe this was to do with my 'one lesson of First Aid' I took. I was immediately turned off by 'Annie' the armless naked torso to which we were to administer resuscitation. Now, how could someone like me do something like that and not laugh?!...
Posted by It's Her at 10:24 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Random fact about Eileen: Eileen and I once played on the same hockey team when we were about 15. (I know, can you believe she was as good as me at hockey?!). One day we had a match, and I went down to our sports hall, all ready, most of the team were there, but no Eileen. Turns out Eileen was in a computer lesson (oh what a waste that turned out to be!) and wasn't allowed leave. Eileen, ever the dedicated hockey player, attempted to run out of the class when the teacher popped out for a minute and got caught!! She then had to stay in the class, and afterwards had to write a letter of apology! Oh the woes of some people...
...And on to today...I went to Yoga as per usual. It was our last night before Christmas tonight. My bones and muscles are thanking their lucky stars. There were only six in the class, which if you ever did probability in Maths class, you would know that with less people present, there would be less chance of a wee 'parper', but alas, against the statistics, we had one. And this 'one' parped 'twice'. Ewww.
Tomorrow I am off to the Mater nice and early (waking up on time provided of course) for a second attempt at taking bloods.
On a slightly related note, I received wind of some information this evening, that one of the doctors who looked after me in Newcastle has left. He is an amazing doctor and I know I'll miss him when I'm over there in January. My 'Deep Throat' (informer) who told me this, is "distraught"! He actually is a fantastic doctor though and lives over here when he's not over there. I remember when I was half conked out on the bed, worrying what else could go wrong with my new lungs, he came in and told the room that he was my neighbour. I wanted to clatter him around the head with my shoe at this stage. Funny how first impressions are. Anyhoo, amazing is the only word to describe him!
Posted by It's Her at 2:22 p.m.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Today was clinic today where I had my review. An overall summary (full review can be found in the Red Book blog) goes as follows:
No blood taken despite four attempts. I'll go back on Thursday or Friday with the hope of more success. All signs are that everything is continuing to go as planned thank goodness. Bring on Christmas!
I finally made a start with my shopping, but my legs got tired so I picked up a MacDonald's and headed home. The minute I left Dundrum though, it pelted down with rain, resulting in me standing in the doorway of some pub or other. After about 10 minutes of constant waiting, I decided to just cut my losses and run ( all the way up hill I might add). The minute I left though, the rain subsided. Now why didn't I just do that 10 minutes ago?! What is it with weather and me? Eileen kept me up half the night last night in some seedy pub (only joking- you can't beat the Goat Grill!) so I'm a little tired today.
My great news for today is that I got the all clear to go ski-ing after Christmas! I am so excited!! The Baby Jesus was put back in the crib today. Luckily I discovered this error early on so the situation was rectified quickly. I really need to write my Christmas cards soon, as too many have been arriving making me feel very guilty. If any of you receive your cards in January, don't be offended. The most important thing is that they arrive in the end. I wonder do An Póst do a January sales on stamps...
Posted by It's Her at 4:01 p.m.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Head hunted...
6months ago, I would have laughed out loud at the thought of me having or holding down a job. Of course I could easily pretend that the reason for this would be constant sickness and breathlessness, having spells out of hospital lasting no longer then 10days, and the little fact that I was waiting for a transplant. Of course, the real reason for lack of job, would be my complete and utter detest for anything work like as I am lazy.
However, no sooner had I started working last week, was I phoned today and asked did I want a job. It's only part-time, but it is experience nonetheless. I will be working in my pharmacy. Yes that's right, I earn them about half their profits, and now I shall work for them. I had an informal training session today, and got to have a look (OK, a good snoop!) around the back at all the medications, many of which I recognized anyway. In their filing system, they had a section labeled 'High Tec', but inside was rather sparse, with only two sheets with my anti-rejection medications' name on them. It turns out this stuff costs thousands of yoyos and really expensive. Whoops. I should really stop practising my juggling skills with them. And I guess playing marbles with them would be out of the question now too?
I have the mater tomorrow for my review. This basically entails reading a book for three hours, and then getting to see the doctor for about 5 minutes. Hopefully I won't have to go back until February, and I also hope for no rejection, as that would be a bit of a Christmas dud.
I discovered today, that the crib has appeared! But, shock horror, someone put the baby Jesus on display!! I immediately put him behind the crib though as we all know he doesn't appear until the 25th. No sign of the wee Angel yet though.
This will be my very first Christmas in living memory where I won''t begin the day with a 'quick sick'...(head down toilet...you get the picture). I used to have a problem where most mornings I would get sick before I started the day. Christmas day was no exception. I will also take part in the traditional Christmas Breakfast this year for the first time which will be nice (I only started eating breakfast in July). My sister also made this observation about not getting sick saying ''Oh Gawd, I remember every year, we'd have to wait for you before we could go downstairs. It was 'bleeeh, bleeeeeeh, bleeeeeeeh' and we were all like "hurry up!!"' I then encouraged her never to feel like she should hold back ; say what's on her mind, you know?
Posted by It's Her at 10:56 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Decorations Shmeckorations
- The Christmas decorations went up around the house and tree today. Now our hall and porch is lit with lights galore. We aren't one of those houses that has all those yokey mabobby lights all over the outside of the house though (you know those icicle things), so our little light display in the porch is highly adventurous for us!
- Sadly no sign of the crib yet though. I'm guessing it hasn't been found yet, and I'm not one to go looking for these things. I do have more important things to do with my time! I'm sure it will miraculously appear in the hall one of these days, with the baby Jesus hidden behind because as the cribbing rules state, Jesus wasn't born until the 25th, so therefore he should not be present in the crib! And I will endeavour to make sure that everyone follows this rule, so if your Baby Jesus is sleeping sound in his manger and I come a calling, take him out!!
- And on more sad news, our angel has gone missing altogether. (The one that goes on top of the tree)Please note: some people tend to make the mistake of calling her a fairy, but she is actually an angel! We haven't got a blue blazons where she has run off to. Maybe she's getting her fix of Bacardi breezers in before she gets stuck a top of the tree, with a fake paper cutting branch stuck up her dress for 14 days. So until Crimeline can locate this missing Angel we have a pathetic little star hanging off the top. Please keep your eyes out for our Angel. She has a broken (or no?) arm; she is a tad cross eyed and a beautiful cream (once white?) dress. She has Angel-ed our trees for over 20 years, so we will miss her greatly. On a related note, our tree has been up for nearly two days and I think I am the only observant critter to notice her absence.
- I will post pictures of our wonderful tree when I upload them. Its a sturdy looking yoke, and my sister has high hopes that this one won't fall on her. You see she was just "innocently walking past" when this other tree a few years back fell down on her. It must have been hiding out in the corner of our living room, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to pass by and BAM! Trees....tut...
- Helen and Eileen, I apologise profusely if I offended you with my 'geek' comments. I now realise these exams go to form 25% of your degrees and yadda, yadda. So....how many hours of study did you do at midnight last night? And how many before mid-day today? Uh huh. Thought as much! And to think you could have spent those hours with me!!
Posted by It's Her at 5:47 p.m.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Due to certain peoples sleeping in, we ended up leaving for the ski club later then I had hoped. It turns out those extra twenty minutes or so would have proved rather valuable as the kitting room was absolutely jam packed. Not only that, but I had a complete blank on my ski code (where using your height and weight, they work out your size skies or something) so I had to fill out the form again today which caused problems. My weight obviously isn't the average weight for someone of my height, so there is usually a general palaver over what size I am. AND because I am now in the 'C' class, these details are crucial, as you tend to go quite fast, sharp turns etc etc. The one who did my skies was an idiot, and despite the long queue behind me, she found time to tell her supervisor about her holiday and yadda yadda. THEN my sister had a problem with her boots and was getting all tense about it. A quick skip of the queue solved this problem, but nevertheless I didn't get out onto the slopes until 11.20am. Next week 'we' won't be eating 'our' breakfast at 10.30am! Grrrrr....
My new instructor is one tough cookie. She demands a very high standard of us, which is good, but the lack of any praise is a little frustrating. I hope though, that I can improve bundles in this next month with her teaching. We had to start off with some real basic stuff, and to be honest the whole class was a bit basic, but by the instructor's own admittance, she is a nit-picker so the aim is to perfect what we can already do.
The Christmas tree went up this evening, and breaking with tradition, we got a fake one. I wasn't sure if I could have a real one with my shabby immune system (because bugs can grow on trees see??). I was supposed to ring Newcastle to see what the story was about that, but I never got around to it, and felt a bit silly for pestering them with such a trivial question; I mean they could have been trying to organise a transplant or something! Anyway, the tree got bought and put up this evening. It's rather nice (and for the money that was spent, it aught to be too! No €20 trees from Argos for us...Dunno why not) but because it isn't real, you don't get that lovely Christmas tree smell. Well let's just say that a few (or FIVE!) scented pine cones placed strategically in that tree seems to have done the trick! Ooh, and here's a tip, despite reassurances from a certain mother, you CAN actually get paper cuts from those pesky branches. Tut, pesky, fake, branch, leaf, sharp, thingy magiggers! Who invented this Christmas thing anyway?!
Tonight I am staying in, because a)I'm an exhausted little cupcake from the week and b)'some' of my friends are geeky and because they have their mid semesters (?) next week, they refuse to go out! Like they're actually going to do any study tonight or tomorrow morning anyway! Pah....
X-Factor semi final is on tonight. I hope Ben goes home, I can't stand when guys have long hair! What's with that like?? Ewww, thanks but no thanks!
Posted by It's Her at 6:41 p.m.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Ah the 8th of December, a holy day.
I went to bed considerably earlier then usual last night, falling asleep at about 11.30. It is incredible the difference a couple of hours can make to your day though. I woke up to the sounds of the hall door opening and closing and someone coming in. In the darkness and semi conscious state I was, I blinked, thinking that had to be one of my brothers coming in; there was no way it was morning already. But alas, a quick glance at the clock confirmed my fears; it was 6.30am. Remarkably though, after resting my eyes for a few minutes, accepting my fate that I couldn't sleep in, I got up. I wasn't tired or sluggish. My eyes were actually open. I watched the news for a while and then went downstairs for breakfast. So now that I have made this amazing discovery, IE, secret to no tiredness = go to bed earlier (don't forget to carry the 'one') I have decided to be asleep earlier every night in the run up to Christmas (barring nights out obviously, as HELEN will tell you, you can get thrown out of places for falling asleep on the ground/dance floor!)
I had work again today, and got in at about 9.20am. The work today was so much easier. We had to put together the event packs, which, when we had a system going was fine. Two others in the office helped me today, so between chatting about various bits and pieces and packing, the job was done in no time.
I left at lunch as I had a driving lesson this afternoon. Before leaving town, I popped into Bennetton and got the things I needed, popped up to TK-MAX as office rumour had it they were selling ski wear, but I was immediately put off by the crowds that were there and subsequently left empty handed.
Driving went very well today and I successfully managed a reverse! Got a good 2mile stretch with just green lights, so was able to get a lovely spin done. And did anyone notice? NO RAIN! Yay! I think my windscreen wipers felt a little abandoned, but they deserve a day off to be honest.
Tomorrow is Ski-ing which I can't wait for. Thinking of Saturday has kept me going all week, as I just love to ski, and even better, learning how to improve my ski-ingness!
And finally, has anyone noticed the surge in orphan umbrellas about the place? I have seen probably about ten. Some are battered and just dead and all sad looking. Others are perfectly good brollies though! It seems people just dump the poor umbrollies at the station. Poor brollies. Is anyone interested in setting up a relief fund for these brollies then?? EILEEN....
Posted by It's Her at 11:18 p.m.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Work Shmork...
This morning I woke up to howling winds and a window that looked like it was in the middle of a car washer (oooh remember those carwasher days, what fun, if not a tad hair raising). In fact I have just seen the news and there was a Tornado in London! What IS the world coming to?? Thankfully I brought a big golfer's umbrella while going to the Luas, but Sod's law, I think the clouds said to themselves "Oh she's coming and she has an umbrella, abort the rain! ABORT THE RAIN". So the weather behaved itself nicely for a change, while I lugged this umbrella, my laptop and a host of other random things to the station. Needless to say, the wind piped up just as I left the house, trying its best to distract me from my mission. Well they need to try better then that!
Todays work was long to say the least. Putting together the event packs is so tedious, and a job that can't be done quickly. I then worked on powerpoint transferrring information. Bascially all you want to read about in my blog. The building I work in is an old Georgian house, and when the wind blows, the house shakes.
On the way home, I had the mortifying experience of having my umbrella turned inside out at the (packed with people) luas station. I don't think people would hav noticed had I not shreaked 'ooo no! My umbrella, ahhh my umbrella' in a high pitched squeak. I was wearing my super skinny jeans and must have looked a right sight, under this huge brolly. A friendly, obliging security man helped pull down the umbrella much to the amusement of my fellow passegners.
Having had a lot of trouble sleeping last night, I am already in bed and its 9.30pm. Thankfully that pain in my tummy (pesky heartburn and reflux that mysteriously can emmigrate into my lungs at times..) has passed though, and am bright and breezy ready for what tomorrow brings. And as EILEEN knows, I am not one to complain, isn't that right??! HELEN,(aka '...') I shall tell you all about my job when I see you! Oh here's a tip, wherever you are tomorrow, you WILL need an umbrella at 3o'clock! Why? Because I'm having a driving lesson then of course!
Posted by It's Her at 2:06 p.m.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
No longer a lady of leisure...
OK, I think a bit of back-tracking is required here, as although this looks like it was written on Wednesday, it is in fact lunchtime on Thursday. But we'll just sail along and pretend we don't realise this...
Today I started my new job; I am working as an assistant to an Event Manager. Seems rather fancy (or not) but in fact, what I do is pretty much the mundane tasks which are boring and time consuming yet need to actually be done. I don't think any qualifications are required to staple sheets of paper together, but nevertheless it needs to be done. The hours and days are flexible, as if there is no event coming up, I'm not needed. BUT there is an event coming up, so my expertise in....tedious tasks, is crucial!
I only went in for the afternoon today, but have a full day ahead tomorrow. Then this evening, I went to yoga, which I am improving at, but is taxing all the same. Making your body into the shape of a pretzel is easier said then done. But at least there were no 'parpers' in the class this week! Phew! Oh, but there was that woman with that cough. She should really get that sorted out, 'tis highly irritating! Maybe I should give her the number of a transplant unit I once frequented!
Went for a quick shop tonight with my yoga-ing friends and came home. As I was shattered (work isn't really my strongest forte) I retired to bed at the modest hour of midnight.
Posted by It's Her at 1:56 p.m.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Second Post:
I feel, thanks to that anonymous commenter (Babs!), that I am a little ahead of myself with posting and posting days and such. I would however like to thank that poster (Babs) for NOT reading my rules for posting comments (do so in guestbook). I would also like to apologise if that commenter is not Babs, my bad.
Today I realised that I woke up with another hypo (2.8) when I was attempting to chat to Helen. I reluctantly forced myself out my warm hub which was my bed and went downstairs in a manner that any good drunk would be proud of. I staggered to the fridge (for what I have no idea) and then checked my sugar. I then skipped insulin altogether and had a sugary feast, which I disguised under the name of breakfast and went about my day (IE, MacDs, nitternatting and shopping with the woman herself, Eileen. Basically exercising...my voice box!)
I realised from speaking to fellow diabetics that symptoms of not having enough sugar in your blood can differ. For me, my symptoms generally comprise of:
- Staggering in a rather spectacular fashion (when I'm too lazy/tired to care)
- Lack of concentration when talking to others (See I have an excuse!)
- That finger pricking testing thing doesn't hurt at all
- I say things I don't really mean
- I am very giggly and find the most mundane of things hilarious.
- Lack of memory
Now one might think I am describing having had too much drink on them, but I assure you that is not the case. Diabetes is a very serious condition and such be treated as such. Now if you don't mind, I am off to have a can of coke and some chocolate! Maybe one or two sugar lumps wouldn't go astray...
Early Post:This girl really, really can't catch a break. I think even if I had a massive target painted on myself, and had athletic like abilities to catch things, I still would not be able to catch a break. I thought today, as I glanced outside my windows and saw the sun glowing away, that today would be my first driving lesson without windscreen wipers. After my shower, I noticed with dismay, that clouds were beginning to circle (probably figuring out the fastest way to get to my driving school) and then by 4pm, that was it. The heavens opened and my did it pour! I was delighted that today was my last lesson, but, well, I only kind of, sort of went and bought FIVE more! Why I torture myself I do not know.
Speaking of torture, my TV got stuck today on RTÉ2 and Barney was on. (Yes it was stuck, I swear!). This programme emerged just as I was signing out of my childhood, but I did catch the odd [entire series!] episode. The insurance and legal implications of children hanging out in the school after hours unsupervised always baffled me. What if one of them fell? What if that pesky dinosaur crushed one of them? What if they got a paper cut making their crafts or missed a step while dancing and had an accident? Then that school would be sorry. Those parents would be suing before the ambulance would be called. Obviously the producers shared my concerns. The show is now set in a park and park gazebo/tree house thing. They also have a new dinosaur who is orange, and has a voice like your man who sings that 'What a wonderful world song' (Can't remember who that is - Bren??) Anyway, oh how times change.
After driving I went to...wait for it...Dundrum. Now I bet nobody was expecting that one! I went into Champion Sports and got my Ski Jacket! I'm so excited about it, its really nice and I can't wait to put it good use. My shopping experience leaves a little to be desired though. Lets just say if 'one' queues up for 5minutes for changing rooms (and 5minutes is actually a long time!) with two tops in two different sizes, then gets in and realises both tops are the same size and neither fit, 'one' might be annoyed. If 'one' also found a lovely pair of pink shorts and then discovered they were a kid's size aged 9-10, 'one' might feel silly. Then later, while looking at ski jackets and trying for a while to pull one off a hanger unsuccessfully, and then suddenly the hanger flies out and smacks 'one' on the nose, then 'one' might be embarrassed. Of course that 'one' isn't me....no of course not....'cas I'd never do something so stupid. *Sigh*
Orla, your play sounds interesting. Brings back memories of having to study that play for my grade 11 exam. So I wouldn't get thrown out for heckling would I? Just Kidding
Helen, how nice of you to spend the evening with your best friends...your books!! Hmmm, well I hope they know how to shake their 'thang' like I do!
**Reminder to leave comments in the guestbook (right hand side) and not after posts, thanks!**
Posted by It's Her at 10:31 p.m.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Very Early Post:
Sunday, I finally got a great pair of ski gloves from Columbia in 53degrees north. We looked for a fake Christmas tree, because there was a rumour floating about that because of my shabby immune system, a real one isn't a super idea. We always have a real tree, and there is nothing like the smell of a real one, so we've decided to buy those car air fresheners (which incidentally are in the shape of trees) and hang them as decorations. OK I lie, I have decided to do that.
My Dad bought yet another picture to hang up. My Dad is obsessed with pictures and frames for some reason. I wasn't terribly impressed with this one though. When he came into the kitchen he announced that he had just hung it up in the downstairs loo. (Not in the actual loo itself though). My family, being my family, all rushed into see it and then emerged with their opinions. OK, I lie, we didn't all rush in, as I didn't since I had already seen it see? OK, and it was just my mom and my sister. My brothers aren't very observant with things like new paintings been hung up in bathrooms and stuff like that.
Driving lesson later (Monday). I am taking a wild stab in the dark that windscreen wipers will be required. Just a guess, considering this weekend's storm and my mother's warning of 'Watch out for falling trees!' as we left the house to go shopping. Good thing for the warning, because normally I would have just seen a tree about to collapse and kept on walking, perhaps even stopping for a minute or two under said tree and think about life....
Posted by It's Her at 8:59 p.m.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Cricketing it!
- I didn't get in until nearly 2am this morning. When I got in, I flicked on Sky Sports and watched for the very first time, some live Cricket. It was the Ashes second test. England were bowling and Australia were batting. Now I really don't have very much comprehension of the rules of this game, except I'm pretty sure that the aim is to knock those three stumpy things down. (or knock one down anyway...or touch one of them). Sometimes, if the batter hits the ball behind him, and somebody catches it, everyone goes wild cheering, so I'm guessing that is good too. Flintoff was bowling, and before the ad break, he got the second of the two 'openers' out. I think opener means the first batter to 'open' the game. As I was leaving, Harding was for Ponting, like throwing him the ball. I think I got those two names right. 2am, lack of sleep, slight insomnia state (I mean I was watching cricket for goodness sake!), so memory of the event is a bit hazy...
- I will try again, and it must be said, I was rather pleased with myself for my efforts. I don't really understand the need for the white face paint (which I'm guessing is suncream) on their noses and lips. It really takes away from their efforts to make the sport cool. Has nobody ever heard of rubbing the cream in?! I'm surprised that nobody has gone up to these players and sort of said 'Oooh, you got something there' (pointing to their face)...or at least handed them a mirror! And as for those big roundy hats they wear...em...no. Just no.
- I have noticed a slight decline in my witty posts of late. Perhaps I haven't had the time to mull over my life and daily happenings to find something funny to say. Rather, I have just become rather sarcastic and sour looking. I can see me becoming one of those old biddys who keeps cats in 30 years time. You know the ones I'm talking about. They live with cats, and have scraggly hair; they sleep half the morning and don't work or study....Wow it would appear I am freakishly close to becoming one of those Cats Ladies, without the Cats of course. *Gulp* Well I shall make a special effort to become slightly more interesting in the next while.
- I also noticed a while ago, that one of the books I bought yesterday entitled "essentials:Mp3/ipod" was not what I thought it was. I had seen a similar book in Virgin last week, which gave you loads of information on technical aspects of....technical stuff (basically stuff I don't know) and I thought this book was the same thing and was a bargain at €4.00. Turns out this book is about all the different Ipods and Mp3 that are out there, and the history of them, as well as accessories you can buy. Now WHY would anyone like a book like that?!
- Yesterday was my 5month-new-lungs-birthday, and I had a big detailed thing on my transplant written out, but didn't get it finished so I decided I would post it for my 6month-new-lungs-birthday instead. Reminder, to leave comments in the guestbook instead of end of the posts! Thanks!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
- I finished my ski lessons today, and hope to begin my next set ('C' lessons) next weekend. We finally got to go up on to the black slope ("expert ski-ers beyond this point only!") and generally just brushed up on our skills. As far as I know, once you are able to ski on black slope, you can ski mostly any slopes around the world. I can't wait to begin my next set now! I don't think my 'Saturday-very-serious-take-notes-class' shared my enthusiasm for the black slope, and I think my instructor saw this, as she would have the class go off and do stuff but hold me back and give me other exercises to do, (and no these weren't special dumbed down exercises before anyone asks)
- I didn't get back 'til early afternoon and after having lunch, went out shopping. I picked up one or two books and some ski socks. I now officially own a piece of ski clothing! Yay!
- There was a girl up at the club today, and she looked the business with her slick sunglasses, expensive (and pretty) ski jacket and her own boots. (Not entirely dissimilar to Eileen!)Needless to say I was rather impressed and rather envious too! Here was I, in my own non ski jacket, rented boots and poles, woolly jumper, basically the stereotypical pauper of the slopes! Anyway I expected that I would see her zooming down the black slope, so when she passed me to go on to the 'A' slopes (never-in-my-life-skied-before-slope) I had to laugh! Oh dearie!
- My Dad said he would bring me to '53 degrees north' to get some ski gear, but he took the wrong exit off the motorway, gave out, got annoyed and came straight home again. He went on and on and on about how he didn't know where he was, how it was getting late, and yadda, yadda, yadda. Somehow this was all my fault. I felt like telling him 'Yes I did hear you the first eleven times you said that', but couldn't be bothered arguing with someone who had the argumentative mind of a two year old at the time. Some people....
- Brendan and Anonymous, thank you for the answers to my question! I will know where to come when I need some more song information, (and am too lazy to do a Google!)
- Off out tonight for what hopefully will be an enjoyable evening. Today is my five month anniversary of getting my transplant. Every first of the month is always a reminder. I got called on the first of July, but my operation didn't happen 'til the second.
**Please note, from now on, if you wish to leave comments, please use the guestbook! Thanks!**
Friday, December 01, 2006
Cycle and swim
- Tonight, the famous (or infamous depending on your view) 'Late Late Toy Show' is on. Everyone, and I mean everyone, watched this growing up. And I'm sure most of us envied the children that got to show the toys, and as we got older, envied the audience when Gay Byrne said 'And there's one for everyone in the audience!'. Memories of being dressed and ready for bed in order to stay up and watch it are what spring to mind in my case. It was the only 'Late Late Show' children ever watched. When Pat Kenny took over, it somewhat lost its sparkle which is sad. Anyway, no doubt I will flick in and out of it if I'm home. If I'm in some body's house I shall flick in and out there. Alternatively, if that fails, I'll watch the Sunday afternoon repeat, which I might add is NEVER the same thing, no matter what parents used to say.
- Friday is my cycle and swim day. Perhaps I will even manage to fit in a McFlurry and a quick shop there too. Maybe a jaunt to the cinema isn't out of the question.
- Yesterday's question still applies, because despite Shell's best efforts with the help of Google, no answer has been found!
The Lyrics are: "And he takes his brush and he waits, outside those factory gates, painting matchstick men and matchstick cats and dogs"
Eileen, Helen, can't you come up the goods? For someone who knows all about the UK government you'd think you'd know! Any help would be great!
Posted by It's Her at 2:26 p.m.


text:
|Telepresence Robot
It can move around, all controlled by your own iPad, and even adjust its height to make sure you are always at eye level, its owners have said. The gadget could be used to attend meetings, meet friends for lunch, and even visit art galleries around the world.
"You can stay at eye level, whether sitting or standing, by adjusting your height remotely, which makes conversations fluid and real," the firm behind the design, 'Double Robotics' was quoted as saying by the paper.
"Efficient motors and lightweight design give 'Double' the ability to last all day without recharging the battery," it said. The robot is based around a single wheel, which balances the robot as it moves, rather like a Segway.
A retractable kickstand automatically deploys to conserve power when you are not moving around. The gadget has already proved a huge success , the firm said, with the first run already sold out, it said in a blog post.


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Rolling Waves Invitation Set (Deposit)
Rolling Waves Invitation Set (Deposit)
The basic set is priced at $9.25 and includes:
5.5 x 8.5 Rolling Waves invitation on dimpled cream card stock
UNADDRESSED and UNLINED envelopes in coordinating color
Optional Additions:
RSVP card and matching envelope addressed in coordinating font- $1.00 per set
Embellished RSVP card, stamped to coordinate with Invitation (as pictured)- $0.50 per card
Lined invitation envelopes (as pictured)- $1.00 per envelope
Invitation envelopes addressed in coordinating fonts (as pictured)- $1.00 per envelope
A $150.00 deposit is required in order for work to start on your invitations. The balance of your order will need to be paid after proofs are approved. For more information about the ordering process, check out the f.a.q.
These invitations are made completely by hand.
*It is highly recommended that you purchase samples before settling on an invitation. For sample options, please click here.