Merry Christmas!
Well, hello!
Please comment on my main blog when you want to wish me happy holidays.
You can find it here.
Thanks!
26 December 2008
08 December 2008
commenting on blogs
Commenting on blogs is an interesting experience.
I understand people want to protect themselves against automatic comments, but why choose a system that prevents almost all comments?
Some of those fake word systems display unreadable words, which means I have to type new words in about 3 times before I either have my comment submitte3d for approval or I'm kicked out of the system.
Others use combinations that not only need my full attention, but are also written so little I nearly have to press my nose through the screen to see them.
Oh and how about those blogs where they have a pop-up jump in your face when you go over a link with your cursor.
To go to the comment section one needs to click a link... can't, because that pop-up covers it completely.
Another annoying things crossed my path today.
Someone not bothering about the ease to comment.
You have to highlight the whole page to find where to type what... and the window to comment displays the same colour as the letters.
Blind commenting gets a whole new meaning that way.
With all the slow loading pages, my urge to comment is about zero.
And it disappears completely when I'm trying to type and the page is still loading, so the window jumps from under my cursor, hup hup, to other places on my screen.
Well, that is...when I've ever been able to dinf where to comment.
Some sections are to be found above a post, or under it, or in some graphics or even between all sorts of links I doubt anyone ever uses.
Well, I'm sure you've come to some understanding that I feel bugged by my own urge to comment sometimes.
16 November 2008
Super Contest at JoeTech.com for sponsors and bloggers
With such a banner, need I say more?
JoeTech.com is preparing a huge contest with lots of prizes.
Cash, entrecard credits, designs...
At the moment the prizes are totalling up to $3,500!!!
Oh no...it's just updated...
It's now: $4,258!!!
Why not become a sponsor too and add to this huge amount?
You'll enable normal bloggers to have something extra for the special days that are coming soon.
I'm not going to reload the page, otherwise I keep rewriting this post. LOL!
You can find out yourself by clicking the badge and going to his site or going directly to http://www.joetech.com/suggests/nmsc.
Early publishers have a chance to win, so why don't you have a go at it too?
Good luck all! Read more...
08 November 2008
Do you need some encouragement?
When I was a student I agreed completely with the idea that everyone should give a percentage of their income to charity.
I hoped that by the time I had children it would be normal to pay a percentage for housing, a percentage for education, etc, and a percentage for charity.
But people are too greedy.
Are you one of them?
Or are you altruistic when you're pushed a little?
Well, you can help yourself from this day on.
You can shop with AidMaker.
It's a small piece of software you can download from www.eengoedezaak.nl.
That's a site of aGoodCause.com.
You might have heard about this global organisation.
It's a partnership of 700 important NGO's, like Save the Children, the Red Cross, Oxfam, etc etc. They all work towards a better world for nature and all living beings.
With AidMaker you can shop at 5000 online shops and generate funds for these charities.
When you buy something at these shops, you'll pay the normal prize, but the retailer donates part of the money to the cause you have chosen. 75% of the total purchase will be donated.
There's no need to do something yourself.
After installing AidMaker and choosing the cause you want, all the rest is done automatically.
Ofcourse you can change the cause whenever you want to, but there's no need.
The system is just launched in 8 countries: America, Great Britain, Denmark, Italy, Germany, France and The Netherlands.
You can choose your own language at the site, where you can find more information.
I hope you too want to participate this way in generating funds for charities.
06 November 2008
some music
The best possible results of the elections.
Even Palin going back to Alaska.
Life goes on.
Here's some music to enjoy.
Other posts can be found at my main blog.
01 November 2008
Does he know himself?
And this is the man who attacks the other candidate when he says he want to be better informed about certain issues to make a well balanced and well founded statement?
How are we ever going to believe this man in international matters after this?
Well, at least we can say we've been warned extensively.
Have a look
Happy November!
Featured at Laane's Links a blog that is well worth a visit.
I've found it on my daily walks on internet.
31 October 2008
Gina's contests
This november will be special because Gina celebrates not only her 31st birthday at Thanksgiving, she will also have a huge contest at her site with lots of interesting prizes.
It's for US residents only.....
Click the button to go to her site and read more.
29 October 2008
He won
Laane, have you ever thought during one of these drop-out shows: this is the winner?
Oh, yes.
Sometimes on just everyday brains. like when they were looking for a Joseph last weeks and I said that it would be the guy that looked most arabic.
It was just typecasting, because the voices and singing abilities/qualities were much alike.
But when I switched on a BBC talent show, just to see if my favorite soap had begun, I was caught by something that told me to keep watching. Me, the biggest zapper of the world.
So against all questions around me to go to another station I sat back and watched this:
He won!
25 October 2008
07 October 2008
Huh, did I hear it well?
Did I hear it well?
Did he take bribes?
Who wants a president who did so?
watch this.
06 October 2008
main
In case you're looking around:
the main blog is here.
You can find unconscious mutterings and a lot of other memes, articles and ofcourse accounts of daily lfe.
See ya!
16 September 2008
10 Simple Things that Make me Happy
10 Simple Things that Make You Happy
- I'm happy, when my children are happy.
- When I'm relaxed and I see something nice in nature.
- When a friend shares happiness.
- When someone really cares for my children.
- Walking alone at the shore.
- When I'm able to sing a wonderful song or bagpipe one without loosing breath.
- A good movie without violence, but with a catching story.
- When I wake up without looking ahead into a day and a world of stress and troubles.
- When I see people really care for each other.
- Snow!
Want to take part too?
Click the logo.
14 September 2008
11 August 2008
24 July 2008
about dropping links
Isn't it boring that people write comments just to drop their link?
That's why I hardly write on this blog.
Comments with commenrcial links are delited right-away.
When you want to advertise on my blog, ask me, and I give you proper attention in return for a boost in realising a dream.
No matter how nicely worded your dropped link-comment is, as owner of multiple blogs, I know you just paste a bit of prefab text.
Don't you take your own product serious?
30 May 2008
Fashion on the streets
It's the end of may, and we're ready to welcome summer, in this part of the world.
We've been trying to observe which line of fashion people use.
Right now, we feel there is no specific trend that pop's up.
There are still a lot of leggings (ugh!), but with longer shirts on it. (Phew).
Especially young and middle aged people are using elements of the hippy style, which makes the streets look colourful.
A little bit more green is used, but often in combination with flowers. Large flowers.
A little less skirts than last year, but they are wider.
Ready for the petticoat?
For other entries go ::here::.
15 May 2008
Conducting
My dad was a conductor.
I've enjoyed the function for a while,
and now........
Grand Theft Auto 4. They love to play it.
Post is meant for grown-ups.
It's always nice have the oldest visit home.
He hasn't been around much, because he was able to get one of the GTA IV's that were sold when this month started.
GTA IV or GTA 4 stands for Grand Theft Auto 4.
It's a game, made by Rockstar Games, a new version of the already famous Grant Theft Games.
In fact it's the eleventh game in the series, meant for Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3.
At first he thought it was just another version of the same, but when he was playing he realised that the new engine RAGE (Rockstar Advanced Gaming Engine), really makes a difference.
He also likes the fact that the controls are improved a lot.
He doesn't experience as many questions or uncertainties, which adds to the pleasure.
It also enables him to play "a better line", with the added experience of being able to add personal elements.
The fact that there is no recurrence from figures, like in the old versions, where different figures got the same look, makes one feel to be in a far more realistic world.
He also tried the game out with a couple of friends, and they all enjoyed it.
Need I say more?
12 May 2008
11 May 2008
happy Mothersday!!
Happy mothersday
to all those moms who recognise parts of this song:
27 April 2008
friday's feast
april 24 2008
Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird.
That's a difficult question.
I won't say I've seen it all, or that I accept everything, but I don't think things are weird easily.
So I guess it will be some strange sculptured art, or maybe even the reaction of people on art.
We have here some flat pieces of iron, stuck vertically in the ground. In fact they are used untreated plates sheets of iron.
People say they're oh so beautiful!!
That's weird, because when I would stuck them the same way in my garden, or they would be stuck in the ground the same way at a building place none would say that they're "oh so beautiful!"
It's also weird that people enter memes and when I visit them and want to comment I have to log in at sites I don't want to be a member of.
Soup
What color was the last piece of food you ate?
Brown. It was my breakfast: peperkoek.
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?
9.
The only times I don't enjoy it is when I feel depressed and there's a lot of mess lying around when everyone has left.
But I'm never completely alone. My autistic son is at home.
Main Course
Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.
Well, I'm not american. We're an allied country and as such we have relations with america and a view on them.
For international relationships I would vote for Obama.
Clinton wants to force too much rules and regulations on the already weakened relationships. She makes the impression she doesn't want to listen well enough.
Maybe americans value her for the idea they have that she pushes forward and follows what she wants.
But I'm sure Obama does the same.
But dealing with him has to do less with dealing with a bulldozer.
he makes the impression he's able to listen, value matters on their own merits, and make the decision that's best for all partners on the long run.
In other words: I feel Clinton is there for the glory and the ego.
Obama for the cause.
Voting in my own country, The Netherlands, is much different.
We don't vote for people as much as in america, but we vote for party programmes.
We've got many parties, and it's important to get the parties with the best programs in the government.
One can vote for a person in a party.
Whenever that person gets enough votes to surpass others he'll get a better chance of taking a seat in parliament.
Right now I sure wouldn't vote for the tiny party of Wilders.
I sure wouldn't vote for Verdonk. People adore her because she creates the image of their aunt, sweeping the house, eh the country, clean from unwanted people. I think the woman is dangerous in her views, and when ever she gets prime minister we'll leave the country.
For the rest my vote will depend on the issues at hand when it's voting time.
Dessert
Describe your sleeping habits.
I go to bed late, I rise early.
Most of the time one foot sticks out from under the blanket.
Most of the time I try to read a bit before sleeping, then put the radio on and fall asleep while others talk about economic problems.
It's informative and utterly boring, but it works, because it takes my mind of all the troubles.
want to take part too?
Click the logo. Read more...
06 April 2008
unconscious mutterings
- Nutritious :: nurturing
- Graduate :: finished an education level
- Tonight! :: Marvellous song
- Located :: situated
- Weapon :: calls for problems
- Jumper :: hopper
- Collectibles :: giraffes, fountain pens, little houses and my autistic son collects cats
- Dennis :: a friend of my son
- Hostile :: agressive
- Vivid :: Imagination, memory
04 April 2008
02 April 2008
autism awareness month
It's autism awareness month.
There are many stories and facts about autism.
I know many people have questions.
You can ask them here.
There are many stories and facts about autism.
I know many people have questions.
You can ask them here.
28 March 2008
friday's feast
march 28 2008
Appetizer
What does the color dark green make you think of?
The woods/forests... and the end of summer.
Soup
How many cousins do you have?
I don't know.
My family is at one side very, very large.
When my grandmother died we lost contact, because we had no place anymore to host all of them.
Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?
9.
Main Course
Name something that is truly free.
My thoughts.
Dessert
Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.
She Proudly Ranks Innumerable New-York Gardens.
Want to take part too?
Click the logo.
26 March 2008
works for me
Well, now Shannon, the host and creator of "Works for me" describes so well a product that works for her and that's worth sharing, I'll share something too of my own free will.
Some people wonder about the Buzzfuse banner on my site.
Well, it's a great addition to blogging.
When I've written a post I register it at Buzzfuse and put the code under my post.
Membership is free.
Without doing anything Buzzfuse sends a mail to my fans at Buzzfuse to tell them I have posted at my blog. In a daily mail other members of Buzzfuse are informed.
All they have to do is click on a link to visit the blogentry(, or click on the delete-button.)
The widget enables readers to rate the item, to comment, to become a fan, etc.
Last months I've won a premium edition of Buzzfuse, which means I can win money with the hightest rated post.
I know I've won last month, but I don't know how much yet.
fact is that the toprated items win thousands of dollars.
That's why I would love people to rate my posts.
Additional pleasure for me is that I can see how many people have read my post.
Being a Buzzfuse member has enabled me to find blogs I wouldn't have found otherwise.
Because I get a mail with all the topics each day, I sometimes can read about matters that have my interest without spending long times surfing.
Bussfuse is run by a very dynamic team who're constant developing the service.
The widget will get even better soon, but even now it's well worth a try.
In case you want me to invite you, leave your emailaddress, or use the contactform to send your address. (slowloading page).
I'm glad to have been able to share this with you, because it has made blogging more fun and worthwhile.
Tomorrow I'll blog about what smallpipes are for those who have asked.
Want to read more tips
or want to take part in "Works for me"?
Click the logo. Read more...
24 March 2008
unconscious mutterings
- Money :: wealth
- Unhappy :: tears
- Joking :: fun
- Chipmunk :: cartoons
- Date :: nice guy
- Slideshow :: dias
- Chicago :: New York
- Lifetime :: forever
- Skid row :: ?
- Edward :: Edward II - Birmingham Royal Ballet
want to take part too?
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21 March 2008
friday's feast
Appetizer
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?
The country.
I grew up near the woods and I've missed it ever since.
I'm lucky to live near a lake, where I can see the stars at night and enjoy some quiet, but I would love to live near the mountains.
Scotland would be fine.
Untill then I'll enjoy my garden.
Soup
Who is the cutest kid you know?
Haha!! When I choose one the other 5 are all over me. LOL!
But the twingirls feel the closest. Maybe because they don't have autism spectrum disorder.
One of them is very handsome and the other is....cutest.
Oops, I've said it!!
Salad
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.
Have to think about that...
Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?
Smallpipes. LOL! Never seen a commercial on TV though.
Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?
I take vitamins because I have an aminodeficitdisorder (say that fast 5 times. LOL!).
The vitamins keep me alive.
Want to take part too?
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17 March 2008
manic monday
If you could have any music group or musician play at a party, who would you hire?
Howe I feel at the moment?
Janis Joplin.
But as she is already enjoying the grass from the wrong side,
I think I seriously would consider Ramses Shaffy.
He's a famous, dutch, inspiring mucisian, and I've always wishes to meet him.
Name three things to be happy about today.
I don't have the faintest idea.
I hardly slept last night, because I was afraid my ADHD son would oversleep. He went to england early this morning for a schooltrip.
I'm not happy with the people who have to supervise the group, ::see here:: and I tried to go with them myself. I could find a B&B, but couldn't find a lst minute flight from the airport nearby for yesterday or today.
After he left, I went to bed and was nearly asleep when they renovation activities started in the neighbouring house.
So I showered, cup of coffee and internet, and found out that McCallum won't make the smallpipes the way I want them, with no nickel, no imitation invory, so they'll be far too expensive for what the dollar is worth at the moment...
Opening my mail I found out that there was a reply of the schoolleader about his interpretation of the relationship between my autistic son and the auticlass.
As I thought, he was informed there was a place for my son at the auticlass, and he was going to do his final exam at his (then former) school. That's why he reported us as criminals to the council. Our son is not visiting that school.
It's a rather painful subject, as that school doesn't want our son, because it breaks the daily routine of the other autists there.
So I've just mailed the guy to set him straight.
Luckily he also mailed by whom he was informed.
So I mailed that woman, so she can put things straight. She misunderstood the information she got, for the somaniest time!!!!!!!
Now I hope the schoolleader tries again to get my son admitted at the auticlass. I told him so.
THAT would make me happy.
So right now I don't expect something happy today.
On top of it I have an aching throat, as have 4 others here...
How do you release frustration?
Seeking the cause and try to set things straight.
I use the mail.
When I can't solve the problem that causes the frustration I get the next item that's on my list of "things to change" and invest my energy there.
Otherwise I can start working: laundry, cleaning.
Want to take part in Manic Monday too?
Click the logo.
16 March 2008
unconscious mutterings
march 16 2008
- Paranormal :: telekinesis
- Alarm :: siren
- Operative :: working
- Changing :: transforming
- Framed :: picture
- Beer :: root beer
- Referral :: specialist
- Unmasked :: bare
- Movie star :: celebrity
- Handbook :: protocol
Want to take part too?
Click the logo.
14 March 2008
friday's feast
Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?
Depending on the mood and what I'm writing.
Calligraphy: 8
normal handwriting: 7
grocery list: 5
Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?
For daily use: showers. I can shower within a couple of minutes, if needed.
But when I need to relax, I love(d) a bath.
It has been ages ago I smelled at bottles to find something nice to pour in the hot water.
Music, a book...
Awwww......
Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?
Haha...It was so bad I can't remember the name.
Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.
Bagpiping.
I feel sad each time I can't go to the band. My autistic son and his dad don't go along, and I just can't leave them together.
I can't use the highland bagpipes in the house, because people can hear it 20 houses further. LOL!
So I'm blogging to make money to buy smallpipes. That's why there are at times some silly posts, I need them to keep the posts in balance.
Now the dollar is as low I have lost over half I had worked for.
When people would rate me higher and more on the buzzfuse widget I might win one of the monthly money prizes and stop moaning about my smallpipes here.
Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?
It really depends on my mood.
I don't like artificial instruments very much though. Never did.
I'd rather like a steel guitar than one of those howling keyboards.
I like harp, and lots of african instruments.
I also like to listen to a good spanish guitarplayer.
And as a former balletdancer I dream away when I hear just one piano with a little echo.
Want to take part too?
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09 March 2008
Take the Chance to Win a Nintendo® Wii™ and bid for Charter High-Speed® Internet for Life
Last year Charter was Cable Operator of the Year 2007!
How I know that?
Because they are the providers of the Worldwide 250 Calling Plan. A plan that enables people to save on national and international calls.
Charter is a dynamic company bubbling with new ideas.
Now they're offering you the chance to preregister and bid at an auction.
Uhuh, don't run away.
There are huge prizes involved!
Preregistering is free. No need to bid or purchase anything.
It's wise to preregister for the auction because only people who live in the areas where charter services can be used can win the prize.
When it's time for the auction you don't want to loose time assessing the serviceability. So you can do it right now. It's free and easy. All you need is your zip-code.
Not only does preregistering means you have easy access to the auction at march 12 and later, but you'll also have the chance to win a Nintendo® Wii™.
Wow!
This includes:
- a Nintendo Wii Console,
- Wii Stand,
- 5 Sports games ( Boxing, Baseball, Tennis, Golf and bowling),
- 1 Remote Controller,
- 1 Nunchuk Controller,
- 1 Sensor Bar,
- 1 Wii AC Adapter,
- 1 Wii AV Cable.
That's all you need to start to play immediately.
Isn't that great?
At March 12 the auction starts for all who live in the Charter serviced areas.
Bidding starts at $10. No reserve.
The hightest bidder will get Charter High-Speed® Internet for Life.
That means the best internet speed which is available in the area, a cable modem and wireless router, and free professional installation.
The auction starts as low as $10!!
They haven't put a reserve on the auction, so when no one else would bid you might end up with a very cheap life time internetconnection.
Charter provides two internet plans:
Charter High-Speed® - Speeds up to 5Mbps
Charter High-Speed® Plus - Speeds up to 10Mbps
Both come with additional services like anti-virus, firewall, and spam-filtering software and parental controls, 10 e-mail addresses per account, extra online storage, personal Web space and a helpdesk which is available 24/7.
Isn't that amazing?
I wish you all the luck of the world.
So go to the site now: click here!
Read more...
08 March 2008
saturday special
~What's Your Favorite?...~
1. Favorite Time Of Day?:
Late evening or early night. When everyone is sleeping and it's finally quiet here.
2. Favorite Day Of The Week?:
No school troubles, apart from an occasional letter.
3. Favorite Month Of The Year?:
It's not december. I always feel I fall short.
I love spring, so that's the end of april, early may.
4. Favorite Type Of Weather?:
I'm Dutch, so I like the wind, I like a drizzle,
but I like snow best.
Want to take part too?
Click the logo. Read more...
the big GR again
G-rank is like a candle light.
The site hops from 0 to 3 and from 3 to 0 without even a change of content.
It's like an infant is playing with the buttons at a machine it doesn't know how to handle.
To me it means I write a post at rank 3, with full flair and enthousiasm, and when it's time to have it rewarded, I won't get nothing, just because the big G has hit the button again.
It's annoying, because the people who ask me to write have their gain of exposure, and I have invested time and effort with no return at all.
I think the system stinks.
saturday 6
1. What was the first board game you remember playing?
It was a dice game. I don't know how it's called in english.
2. When you last played a crossword puzzle, did you look up any of the answers before you finished?
I never ever look up the answers before I'm finished.
The last one I did a few days ago, while waiting for a meeting.
3. Did you ever own a Rubik’s Cube? If so, were you ever able to solve it on your own?
Yes.
I've solved it a couple of times.
I think I was lucky.
Then one of the kids scratched the coloured stickers from the cube...
4. Take the quiz: What Kind of Puzzle Are You?
You Are a Jigsaw Puzzle |
 You are a complex person, although at first glance you seem quite simple. Your personality is comprised of many interesting and distinct pieces. You are captivating and often visually interesting. You can be seen from many angles. |
5. You decide to buy yourself a jigsaw puzzle: what kind of image are you most likely to buy: a landscape, an image of an animal, a sports hero, or a shot from a popular movie?
I often do a puzzle at jigzone.com
I'm OK with all images, but I like one with a nature theme best.
6. Have you ever tried Sudoku? How easy did you find it (or would you think you would find it) to be?
I have tried, but I don't like it as much as crossword puzzles.
Want to take part too?
Click the logo. Read more...
Vulcano Santiaguito 2006
I was asked for the Volcano Explosion of Volcán Santiaguito - 2006
Here it is:
online casino at 32 Vegas.com
It's international women's day, so why not do what you want to do.
Why not try to play at an online casino?
Don't go to the first casino you see online, but go to the best.
Playing should be a complete pleasant experience and at the vegas casino you will have the time of your life.
It's pleasant to go there, the entrance is wellcoming and in very nice colours.
That helps to feel at ease.
Grab a drink, sit down, and read "getting started".
There you'll find a step to step introduction, so you won't feel a stranger.
Dowload the software the way it's illustrated and you're ready to go.
You'll get a 320% welcoming bonus and you have the chance to win one of the 13 jackpots.
When you feel insecure or you want to know something, just call the support service. The numbers are on the right of the side. Customer support is available 24/7.
Before you start, don't forget to have a look at the "promotions". There are great offers, so don't forget it.
The casino games are available in english, but also in Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Italian.
At 32Vegas all players are treated like a VIP, something you can expect at games which are operated and owned by Crown Solution Gaming Ltd.
Enjoy your time playing.
Be responsible.
07 March 2008
friday's feast
Appetizer
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?
I would like to be Obama.
There are certain subjects I would want to explore, because people are waiting for understanding. I'm sure I would be able to make them feel hope again. And I certainly would get their votes.
I also would adress international issues far more.
It's important that people in all countries achieve mutual trust.
I'm not going to tell which subjects, because I don't want to feed the opposition.
I also would like to be Oprah Winfrey.
I can talk as good as she can. No problem there.
The change I want to make is that I want those huge presents given to people who always care for others but never have the chance to visit the program.
I also want a monthly episode in which online friends meet each other in real life.
Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?
O.
Most of the time the phone is used for passtime. And my schedule is bussy enough.
Or it's used for bad news.
When people don't want to bother to write an email, it's not worth the call.
I have a cellphone, so if needed people can reach me. We don't have a normal phone.
Salad
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).
I have donated to many organisations.
In the past a friend who was midwife went to a hospital in Swaziland and she wanted to have a manually operated vaccuumpump.
We gave her all the money we saved and called the supplier to ask him to hand her the pump for that ammount. He valued the idea so much that he did, and he even gave her some more equipment.
Main Course
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?
Fish... smoked salmon.
Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?
We had it all. Yep. All 8.
I myself got the flu a month before the flushot and I've been very ill this time.
It took me quite a long while to get over it.
For the first time in years I didn't get ill after the flushot. So having the flu so badly helped... I tell myself.
Want to take part too?
Click the logo.
Want to have more visitors?
Leave a message so I can invite you for buzzfuse.
05 March 2008
works for me
Today "Works for me" goes the other way around.
So you won't get good advice, you'll get a question.
How do you keep all those girly hairthingies clean?
My twingirls have so many clasps and bows and such.
What do you do with them to clean them and to store them?
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A post that might interest you:
a day in the life of a stay at home mom Read more...
animal rescue
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily
to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.
It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purple box "fund food for animals" free.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/
04 March 2008
10 on tuesday
10 Favorite Drinks
- coffee, just for the sake of it.
- Beerenburger. It's a herbal drink from the north of my country, and I loovvvveee it!
- Port. The older the better. I sip it and enjoy it in peace.
- Whiskey. Especially when it has a round smokey and woody taste. I want to taste the higlands in it, on a golden fall day.
- Cold light cola. It helps when I'm nauseated or worse. I can also treat rusty nails with it. LOL!
- Cinnamon Tea. It makes me remember my old dear friends. And Max, who always made it with a real stick of cinnamom.
- Ethiopean coffee made in the old fashion coffee ceremony. I love the taste, and I love the care, and it makes me long for Africa.
- Banana milkshake. Please more banana than milkshake.
- Oops I forgot my mineral water. I always drink tapwater or mineral water. All the above drinks, except for number 1 are jist drinks I use at special occassions.
- A bucket of icewater. Not to drink but o pour over the person who ordered the house next door to be renovated. I'm getting nuts from the noise, and the trembling and soon the dust too.
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ADHD drugs pose no risk for substance abuse
In the past it was stated that children who used medication to diminish the symptoms of ADHD were at a larger risk of developing substance abuse than those who didn't use these drugs.
In the march issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry an article is published about new findings.
The ADHD pose no extra risk.
You can read about it ::here:: .
reconstruction of Bach's face
The way faces can be reconstructed on bare skulls is intriguing.
Today I've seen online the reconstruction of the face of the famous Bach.
Caroline Wilkinson used a coppe rreplica of his skull in her lab at the University of Dundee in Scotland, and with computertechniques gave a new face to Johann Sebastian Bach.
You can see it ::here::.
03 March 2008
Bingo time!
It's so very interesting to hear how other people enjoy internet.
Today I ran into one of the elderly ladies of our neighbourhood. While waiting in line at the supermarket she complained about the fact that there are no bingo-evening anymore in the library nmear her house.
She used to go there with some of her friends.
One day her grandchild told her that she enjoyed her time online with partybingo, and she taught her grandmom the ins and outs of online bingo.
Not only the two of them have fun playing bingo, grandmom invited her friends to the bingo games too, and got a couple of nice bonusses.
She told me about the march special: partypoints will be translated into money for the Red Cross. Players won't use their points. But the points which are made will be the basis of the donation PartyGaming will make.
All the more reason to join them.
PartyBingo.com is for players of all ages, and the bright interface make participating a real celebration.
You can play: 90-ball bingo, 75-ball bingo, Instant Bingo, Old MacDonald, Fruity Looty and other games.
Before you start playing you need to make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Flash Media Player installed. No problem, as the downloadlink is right at the sign in page you.
As a special treat any beginners deposit amount above $25 will be matched up to $200.
That way you'll have a good start.
All I can do now is wish you good luck and a very nice time playing.
the storm and the airplane
Last saturday a storm (Emma) hit Europe.
In Germany at Hamburg airport a plane tried to land.
A spotter got it on camera.
02 March 2008
unconscious mutterings
- Chemical :: pollution
- Poker :: masking facial expressions
- Federal :: legal
- Mattress :: sleep
- Who am I? :: tell me
- Investigation :: research
- In good hands :: my autistic son is in good hands now
- 8:30 :: schools of the kids start
- Creditors :: I don't like them, so I don't have them
- Resource :: we need recources
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marketing on the streets
Now the storm is gone and the sun is shining people take on their normal spring sunday acitvities.
In moderation, as it isn't officially spring yet, and the temperatures are not yet good enough for a T-shirt and jeans without a coat, but there's a start.
There's a complete new feature on the streets here.
One of the youngsters, or should I say adolescents, is able to print on jackets and T-shirts, bags and caps, and they all wear the name and url of their blog.
It's a very effective way of marketing their own blog.
And as they also have the urls of the others in the side-column the exposure of their
urls is like a real marketing campaign.
Don't tell me they don't know what they're doing.
They want new skateboard facilities and they hope to attract many visitors to their blogs who are also willing to sign their online list of request to the council.
I love this form of creativity and told then they should carefully monitor the visitors to their blogs and confront the local shops with their success. Good sponsoring is always wanted for youth activities!
01 March 2008
Marketing your blog
Finally my rank is up again.
It's google's award for a rather boring blog, that's for sure.
In the meantime I've devoted my attention to another blog to learn how to increase blog worth and to see if it's reflected in heavy traffic.
I got some free heavy traffic to my blog because I wrote about the news.
Persoanlly I don't think blogs should rewrite the news. There should be a good critical review added or there should be a humane aspect that needs attention. Like humanitarian need after an earthquake.
Or the readers should be guided to good insight in national and international items, and I did just like that.
Some people have boring blogs that rely completely on blogger traffic tools.
They're just a list of products with well known names of products and businesses, which just fit in the present high ranked seo keywords.
I've never understood why heavy traffic is targetted to top seo keywords when there's no real content, reflecting the ffort on the writers part.
Well, I guess it's to put heavy traffic on search engines.
Have a try yourself.
Find ways to increase the keyword search and you'll end up with many visitors who have a look and never come back.
I personally want a reliable group of regular visitors who are able to spread the word when some good content is written.
29 February 2008
friday's feast
february 29 2008
Appetizer
Who was the last person you hugged?
One of my girls.
A grown up?
No juicy stories here. The neighbouring woman when she moved out and said goodbye last week.
Soup
Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.
A beauty trick? From me?
Don't use so much Kohl around/in the eyes. Some people use so much that it looks like they're in need of hospitalisation and/or TBC treatment.
When you feel bad, it shows in your face.
So try to keep those smile muscles moving.
Salad
What does the color yellow make you think of?
The sun.
Yellow isn't really my colour. It makes me look pale.
Main Course
If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?
I've worked a while as a photographer for a magazine.
So I've thought about this.
The subject would be people moving through life.
Another subject: nature's miracles. (OK, who's going to send me on a mission to Mt. St. Helens so I can proof that I can do it.)
Dessert
What was the longest book you ever read?
The longest book..... hmm....
I once read a trilogy and it was a very thick book.
But it didn't feel like it.
The thickest and longest book was though, I think, my psychiatry book at university.
I felt very lucky to have a photographic memory, when I was doing exams.
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To T.C. TAN
I got a comment last day.
Because the site to which it referred displayed an emailaddress that doesn't excist, I reply here.
L.S.
You've made a comment on my blog which was rather belearning and in
fact also wrong.
ADD is not the old fashioned terminology for ADHD. Certainly not here
in Europe.
It is used for the ADHD group where hyperactivity isn't present, as
called in DSM IV: ADHD inattentive type.
We try to use ADHD inattentive type as little as possible, because it
suggests the person doesn't pay attention, and that is certainly not
the case.
Research and practice shows ADD comes with different symptoms and we
hope the DSM V will pay more attenion to the distinction, as
professionals already do.
When you comment like this you suggest you're a professional.
You'd certainly know in that case that between now and 1994 the
development in the area has lead to revisions of the DSM IV, and also to
lots of research and reasearch outcomes.
My sons are certainly not misdiagnosed.
(How dare you say so!!! Especially when you're not making clear
whether you are allowed to make such a statement. It's professionally
unethical.)
ADD is a rather difficult diagnosis to make, because there are
overlaps with many other diagnoses, which need to be ruled out.
I don't really feel the need to present the professional
qualifications from the Professor of psychiatry, and some psychologists who have
made the diagnoses as a team.
ADD and ADHD are not sudden diagnoses, they are the result of many
years of dealing with behavioral, intrapsychological and social
complications.
I'm a well educated psychologist myself, and I gather you're not a
professional in the field, because we have rules of conduct and
professional ethics we hold very high.
As far as I can see, your site is a marketing site.
Am I right?
I hope you'll refrain from comments like these on blogs in the
future.
They're an additional burden to people who have to struggle their way
through life.
Greetings
Laane
26 February 2008
hurdy gurdy
I've been asked what a hurdy gurdy is.
It's a stringinstrument.
Here you can see one in use:
25 February 2008
manic monday
How did you celebrate your last birthday?
Quite boring actually.
The girls gave me a present in the morning, and a friend visited in the afternoon.
That was it.
What's the last thing you bought yourself, just for fun?
A little booklet of Marjolein Bastin in the sales. You can find it here.
It's perfect for writing down birthdays.
I love her drawings and I would love to have something more from here. like the bedcover.
Can't have it all, can we?
What would the child you once were think of the adult you have become?
I think she would be amazed by the way I stand up for my children and wsh someone would stand up for her too.
It's strange to say, but she would want to have me as a mom.
I was a very shy child, not very appreciated by my mother.
When I was 4 she had me go out to buy the groceries.
I still can't understand why so young.
I had to clean a lot in the house too. I still hate doing it.
And she used to hit me a lot, and belittle me day by day.
I have learned myself not to let the past influence me in a negative way.
The times with my grandmother were far more important for the person I have become.
I also decided when I was young that I wouldn't fit in the theories of some socalled scientists that children of abusive mothers will become abusive too, or will become bad mothers.
I promised myself not to become a victim of the past.
Looking back I see I have missed one important aspect of it all.
I married the first guy that was nice to me. I mistook attention for real love, and I mistook being in love for real love.
It took so long to realise that!
So I guess I'm one of the least hugged people in the world, when it comes to parents and partner.
But I'm glad I have some nice children.
Especially with the girls I have a very good relationship, and I've been able to teach them what my mother didn't tell me.
So my little me can feel at rest. I struggled myself out of the past in a rather good way.
21 February 2008
6.2 earthquake in Norway
The Svalbard Region, Norway had been hit by an earthquake of 6.2 on the scale of Richter.
It's the strongest earthquake in Norway in modern history.
The epicentre was located about 140 km south east of Longyearbyen, 10 km deep in the sea.
Yet it was strongly felt at Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen).
Luckily the area is sparsely populated.
18 February 2008
manic monday
What do you order when you eat Chinese food?
It's never something expensive, as we have 7 or 8 mouths to feed, at least.
We'll get get-away. And most of the time it's nassi, bami, eggrol, springroll, sometimes Fried Chicken in Ginger Sauce.
How much have you controlled the course your life has taken?
Haha...
I don't think I'm in control. Life is.
I controlled the amount of children... well, Not completely. When I wished for one, as a last, I got two. LOL!
But I didn't control how the children would be.
Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?
My own.
We have a simple system.
A multiparty system.
Each party writes a partyplan, inclcuding desicions they want to make on areas like education, healthcare, economics, etc etc.
So it's a matter of deciding what's important to me, where I find the most I want, and where I find the most powers to realise the plans.
So I vote for that party, and only when there's a favorite in that party I vote for that person.
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17 February 2008
unconscious mutterings
- Passport :: passing the border
- Small world :: people know each other
- Radio :: music
- Marine :: water
- Wall :: Pink Floyd
- Wanna be :: astronaut
- Pigtails :: the girls
- Hyphen :: I use it abundantly
- 9.99 :: Yea, do they really think we don't realise it should be 10?
- Unrated :: unrated movie
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15 February 2008
friday's feast
Appetizer
Name one thing that is unique about you.
Well... hmmm.... I bet those one things are shared around the world with others.
I'm unique because of my children.
The way I deal with people who should try better for them is rather unique.
I'm kind, but very straightforward, and I always put the kid first.
Soup
Fill in the blank: My favorite _________ is __________ but I like _________ too.
My favorite instrument is the bagpipes, but I like other instruments too.
Salad
What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?
Light wood
Main Course
Who do you talk to most often on the phone?
I have a cellphone and I use it only to be reached and to call when I need to make an appointment.
So the time of long talks is over. I don't have the time during the day and evening.
Dessert
What level of responsibility do you have in your job?
As a mom of 4 handicapped kids, I don't have a job, but all the responsibility in the world.
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11 February 2008
manic monday
What is the most romantic movie that you've ever seen?
Well, those who know me, know the answer: Out of Africa.
The relationshop between her and Denys, makes me remember...
If you could be the lover of any person alive other than your current lover, who would you pick?
Well, maybe the friend from university I tried to contact.
This time I certainly would choose someone who makes me feel loved, instead of being in love.
What scents remind you of a loved one?
Tabac aftershave of my dad, but I guess you don't mean that.
But I had a friend who smoked kretek sigarettes. So that's the scent which is most meaningful to me.
Kretek cigarettes were the results of the lungproblems of Haji Jamahri who lived in Kudus central Java.
he used cloves to relieved his chestpains by using clove oil, but he wanted more relief and put dried cloves in a cigarette. It helped so much that the rokok cengkeh – clove cigarettes soon were smoked by many more.
Because the kretek cigarettes contain more tar and nicotine than other cigarettes they have been subject of investigation.
It's interesting that the health effects are no worse than other cigarettes.
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10 February 2008
unconscious mutterings
- Score :: result
- Luxurious :: hotel
- Party :: surprise! surprise!
- Limited edition :: disappeared by the time I have the money.
- Security :: Safety
- Betty :: Black Betty (Ram Yam)
- Under construction :: come back later
- Pest :: disease
- director :: orchestra
- Express :: The Orient Express
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09 February 2008
saturday special
~Just Name One~
- Thing You're Afraid To Do?:
Being in a box with scorpions, snakes, and tarantulas - Thing Scientists Need To Invent?:
How to generate energy from the movement of people. (I have a great idea) - Thing That Would Make You Very Happy?:
A thing... not a person?
I would be very happy to meet my online friends. For instance in the Oprah Winfrey Show. - Thing About Valentine's Day That's Special To You?:
That the girls receive special valentine gifts. That's so nice to see.
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06 February 2008
works for me
Today works for me is about favorite shopping sites.
I don't shop much online, but I have to for my instruments.
At the moment I'm trying to earn money for smallpipes.
I can't blow the highland bagpipes all the year because of my asthma, but I need to practice and hopefully in the near future: perform.
I'm longing for the AD combo smallpipes with bellows from John Walsh.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to buy them, but who doesn't dream doesn't play.
Other shops that display items I love:
ScotClans
ElfSong Whistles
crosstitch patterns at cosmic handmade
Peter Stone
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05 February 2008
10 on tuesday
10 Things You Can Do Instead of Watching TV
Well, I don't watch much TV, so this isn't a difficult one.
- spend time with my children when they're at home
- write an article to earn a bit of money
- mail some friends
- deal with problems from one of the schools
- blog
- practice bagpipes
- clean the house
- go for a diabetes check-up (they act like a diabetes check up itself is a cure..it's not!)
- watch a dvd
- work in the garden
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04 February 2008
manic monday,
Is there anything too serious to joke about? If so, what falls into that category for you?
I for myself don't like jokes about people who can't defend themselves.
Especially not when they're handicapped.
I think many people are a joke themselves when they think they need to ridicule others.
We do joke here at home, however, a lot about all our own handicappes.
With 5 people on the autism spectrum too many things happen to stay serious.
But these are jokes that keept within the walls of the home.
Would you rather be a tortured genius or a happy simple-minded person? Why?
Well, life is so difficult that I tend to want to be happy.
But happiness.... it's just moments for most of us, humans.
So do these moments outweight being simple-minded?
When simple-minded means stupid.... I'll just stay a genius.
A dear friend or family member has a terminal illness and is in agony. He/she wants you to help him/her die. What would you do?
First let me say that euthanasia is a word that is used for far more situations in the american language that it's used in The Netherlands.
I'm a bit sick of people accusing us, Dutch, of killing people when they can't defend themselves.
We don't.
The free dictionary of Farlex defines euthanasia as: The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.
Well, that's not what we mean by Euthanasia.
Nor is the term mercykilling reflecting what we mean by euthanasia.
Euthanasia is in all cases done by a doctor, and is subject to a lot of legal rules.
The law states that the doctor
- is convinced the patiënt has made his decision after considerable and careful weighing of options
- that he's asking out of his own free choice
- that the patiënt is suffering without any prognosis he'll feel better and he can't bear the suffering any longer
- has completely informed the patiënt about his illness, his prognosis and other aspects of the situation
- there is no other option in the eyes of both patiënt and doctor.
- at least one other independent doctor is consulted and this doctor has carefully checked the conditions mentioned before. He has to submit a written report.
- the assistance in the dying process or suicide has been medically correct.
The law also states that
when a patiënt of 16 years or older is no longer able to voice his wishes, but has submitted a written request, under the conditions written before, a doctor can act according to the conditions given before.
The law also states that when a patiënt isn't of age, and between 16 and 18 years old, who fits the criteria above, the doctor can honor his request after the parents and/or caretakers are involved in the decision.
The law also states that when a patiënt isn't of age, and between 12 and 16 years old, who fits the criteria above the doctor can honor his request after the parents and/or caretakers can agree with the decision.
After the patiënt has died the doctor should fill in a report and inform the coronor.
All cases should be reported by a special board, so the case can be reviewed in detail.
When the board needs additional information they can request this to be given.
They can also request to be informed about the case by others.
The board is responsible to The Law.
The board is also subject to investigation by The Law, the inspection of health, and a national board of inspection. (I can't translate all those functions in detail, but you'll get the idea.)
Each year the board has to submit a written report to the government about:
- the amount of cases
- what kind
- the conclusions and how they reached the conclusions.
The boards are very critical in their reviews. They won't accept any mistake. That also means that the consulted doctor should follow every detail of the law.
Otherwise the case will be reported to the police.
That's part of the law. There is far more, like the expected amount of time left before death.
But enough here.
So you see, there is no place for a familymember or a friend to take action.
I have been in the situation of a family member and later of a friend that were suffering.
It was awful to see.
But unlike the ways people act in soap operas, there is no chance to pull the plug.
All I could do was to express my concerns to the doctors in question and ask them to give all the medical care possible.
I tried to reach out to my dad and friend on a psychological level.
I tried to divert their attention with love and care.
My friend asked me to bring him an a hypnotic state after he said goodbye to his family and friends.
It helped a bit, and he was able to engage in some conversation before he died.
When my baby was dying in hospital I was so terribly afraid the doctors would come to ask me what to do.
I was ready to make them stop causing her pain, as it was clear she would die.
Maybe I would have pulled the plug to prevent further agony.
I would even have taken imprissonment well, with the knowledge that she wasn't suffering anymore.
But I would never ever had another child.
I can deal with nature letting children die, (2 of my babies died), but I would have never ever been at peace with myself.
Because I'm "high risk" I've spoken about this subject a long long time ago with family, friends and my family doctor. I've also a written form in my files.
I don't want any lifesupport when that means I can't communicate, can't discuss matters with others. And I don't want to be put to sleep and die from dehydration and/or malnourishment.
I hope I'll be able to deal with my suffering that there's no need other people are involved than my own doctor and the legal consultant.
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sunday seven
Sunday Seven
Name seven things on your mind today.
- Did Johan van der Sloot commit a crime?
- Why on earth are people accepting everything Peter de Vries is doing?
- Which paperwork needs to be done to get the file for the auti-class finished?
- How do I survive this week of vacation of the kids?
- I need to win the name-giving contest of the lake I walk past every evening
- Wish I had more time for my music
- How do I get all my appointments arranged this month?
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Go to Patrick's place.
03 February 2008
the world: islands for the rich
The World.
It's a project in Dubau where little islands for the image of the world.
The Dutch firm: van Oord has created all these islands in the sea.
Wish I could go there to have a look.
unconscious mutterings
- What women want :: love
- Epidemic :: egoism
- Taxes :: growth
- Hello :: bye bye
- Confidential :: don't tell anyone
- Lights :: bulbs
- Summation :: stand still
- Hard feelings :: grow over it
- Electric :: sissling
- Fresh start :: each day
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01 February 2008
friday's feast
Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?
In fact I don't have a favorite kind, because the one that is shouldn't be used by me. I'm a diabetic.
I love caramelised popped rice. Or isn't that cereal?
Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?
The last time?
Can't remember.
I think it was the rocking chair.
I wanted it for ages, but with 6 kids there's never mommymoney.
Then I was looking at a site and someone offered that rockingchair.
Turned out it was not too far from here, so the kids went and got it.
It's in the livingroom.
Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?
I always skip commercials to do little chores. So I don't know.
Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).
In the jasmine giraffe
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.
I haven't been to the carnival since ages.
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28 January 2008
manic monday
If you could have a servant come to your house every day for one hour, what would you have them do?
A servant??
I probably just would give a coffee and have a talk.
A servant!!
On the other hand... it depends what kind of servant and what time.
In the morning I would give a psychological assistant the task to get my autistic son to school. I'm sure my bloodpressure would drop soooo much, they would fear for my life. LOL!
In the afternoon I would give him the task to get my children clean their rooms.
Supervision, some help here and there.
Has your life ever been changed by an apparently random occurrence?
Yea... isn't eveything what goes on in life ad random?
I have to believe that, otherwise there's a cause for everything that happens in my life.
Either me... I'm not THAT bad!!!
or a God... why choose me for all this? Spread it out over more people, please!!!
or a force... get lost! I've had enough!!!
You're having dinner with several friends and acquaintances. They all criticize a close friend of yours (not knowing he/she is a friend). The criticism is unjustified. What would you do?
Let them talk, ventilate, throw with mud, enforce each other.
I would keep my mouth shut and try to control my bloodpressure and try to prevent my face from radiating my anger.
Then, when they're finished, I would summarise and ask if that's right.
Then I would very calm state that I'm amazed they would even consider I'm that bad a person to have such a friend.
I would tell them calmly they're completely wrong and ask them to appologise.
I've been in such a circumstance.... argghhhHHHHHHH!!!!!
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26 January 2008
saturday special
january 26 2007
~Creative Adventure X~
1. While on vacation in Europe I decided to visit an old landmark Inn at the top of the cliffs. The Inn was the place to stay for the rich and famous during the turn of the 20th century. As I rode along the winding road up to the top I noticed __________?:
a bagpiper. His kilt was moving in the strong wind.
He was wearing the tartan of my ancestors, and he played one of my favorite tunes.
I was caught completely in the moment.
The lamenting sounds echoed from the stone of the cliffs and faded away over the sea.
He made me think of the history that was shared so many generations. One of our ancestors walked in front of the army and led them into battle, the sound of his bagpipes signalling important messages.
Then the sun casted it's rays from behind a cloud, and i had to cover my eyes for the light.
2. Gathering my senses I continued to the Inn grounds and drove the long unkept driveway to the now abandoned building. Stepping out of my car I walked to the door and found __________?:
the remains of an old bagpipe-reed.
It was worn out, and the top of the redd was chipped. The result of rain and bad weather.
3. Entering the enormous lobby I walked to the desk and opened an old falling apart guest register and as I was reading the list of guests who were part of the past of this once famous Inn I thought I heard __________?:
bagpipe music again.
But when I went outside there was nothing, but the wind and the sun, and the white foam on the tall waves beating against the cliffs.
So I went inside again and tried to read some names in the register.
My grandmother took pride when I was young, to teach me old handwritings and reading faded entries in old diaries and grocery shop books.
Now I could see which names where entered with swirls and bows.
One of them was the name of my ancestor. The H was entered with high pressure as if he was making a statement. And behind his name it said: bagpiper.
Right after the sunlight faded away, and the grey clouds started to float inland, signalling rain.
4. Leaving this lonely ghostly place with a smile on my face I thought to myself __________?:
that I can't deny the strong bond which excists between me and Scotland.
It was a pity that I didn't take my highland bagpipes with me to the old inn, otherwise I could have played along with the lamenting song from the old times.
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25 January 2008
friday's feast
Appetizer
How many times per day do you usually laugh?
Haha! I'm not going to count and loose my spontaneity!
Soup
What do your sunglasses look like?
Brown glasses, blue rim.
Salad
You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?
To the hightest peak.
There's a station in Switzerland that's very high. It's to the Jungfraujoch.
And I would also try to get as far away as possible.
Main Course
Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.
Nature. There are many woods near my town. And ofcourse I hardly go there. But I've grown up there and it feels good to know they are still here.
In the summer we have a tremendously large international event, with a lot of open air music from all around the earth.
Dessert
If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?
Marvellous question!!
It has been grey so long, that I long for fresh spring aqua.
But I can deal with a light-purple one. I like wine-red, but I;'m afairad the quality of light down here would not be good enough.
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24 January 2008
works for me
We have a flashlight standing near the back door.
After some jerk stole a bycicle out of the garden I wanted one to be able to react appropriately when I hear someone during the evening or night.
I think light is a good prevention and apart from that, it helps me to see what is happening.
Last time the sound came from a hedgehog who enjoyed himself for quite a long time with a pot the children had put ready on the ground for the next day.
It was fun to see.
So, a flashlight beside the door works for me.
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22 January 2008
Bullying at school
Bullying is a world wide problem.
Not only at schools and in the playground, but also on workplaces and everywhere else.
The line between innocent teasing and bullying is small and very personal.
With 6 children I've had plenty of time to think about it.
In how far do I want to strengthen my children so they can take it, and where do I put the limit before stepping in.
In the years I have developed a no tolerance policy.
I'm able to enforce it at home reasonably well, and children who visit know I suddenly need my children to clean their room when they start teasing or calling names. Out they go. And no need to come back here within a week.
I've even had one boy keep away for a complete month.
That was ages ago.
He's now an almost grown man, and he still remembers. Last month he said he respected me for it.
WOW!!
Drawing the lines at school has become more and more a problem.
In the past it was easy to mobilize a teacher. The feeling to want to prevent the problem to grow was enough to have a talk with pupil and parents. And the problem was stopped.
But now bullying has grown to a huge problem and the way society works hasn't made it any easier.
The government expects women to work, grandparents to work, so there is none to talk to after school, unless there's an official complaint made.
And even then the fact that the parents needs to take time free from work arouses so many emotions that the message of responsibility isn't heard anymore.
I've seen schools here change from safe and happy environments into places where children have to guard their belongings, their feelings of security and their self esteem.
And the teachers? Many feel they have lost control and regard bullying as too much to handle.
Add to that a feeling of shame and the school becomes a fortress that guards itself against peeking looks inside, and against messages from inside that seep through the cracks to the outside. No spreading of the word!
I've hated the time we had to go with the policy of school to keep problems away from the public eye.
Bullying doesn't go away by ignoring it.
So I said three times I would keep it quiet and leave matters to the school.
Now we've gone to the police.
I don't want my children to grow up with the feeling that they have to fight to stay safe and alive.
21 January 2008
manic monday
If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?
I don't have to be named after one of the 50 states of the USA, so you won't get an answer on this one from me.
Where do you go for advice?
I have nowhere to go, so when I really need advice I have to find something online.
The most advice I ask online is about issues at school.
There's a special emailservice from the government and I use that.
I try to get people there motivated to ask my questions higher up, because when i don't know the answers, someone else experiences the same. That means things need to change as soon as possible.
So I try to make people who work there bring these matters under the attention of the minister.
What is the sickest you've ever been?
After my birth I was found all grey and blue, not breathing in the hospitalcraddle.
I've had meningitis when I was 4.
The most conscious near death experiences I've had when I had a terrible uterusinfection.
Before leaving the hospital I brought this to the attention of the obstetrician/gynaecologist but he said I was suffering from post partum contractions.
I phone my family doc when leaving the hospital, to come over as soon as possible.
I didn't have a fever, but I knew things were wrong.
I also left a note for a friend who is a midwife and was expected in hospital soon after I left.
When I came home I felt rather OK, but an hour later I was barely conscious.
My friend the midwife arrived, saw me, and immediately phoned a doc and ordered on his name antibiotics.
10 minutes later She sat beside me and I could only hear her talk from afar. She said not to worry, all would be OK.
She and the doc just violated about all the rules about home treatment and pushed the antibiotics in.
I survived.
But my friend told me later she didn't think I would make it. I was so ill it was not responsible anymore to wait for an ambulance.
Another time was when I lost a baby halfway pregnancy.
Luckily I was in hospital.
Another friend was visiting just after I gave birth to the baby, which couldn't live.
The gynaecologist was in the room.
We all knew each other well.
Right at the moment my friend told him I was starting to look white very fast, I felt there was a terrible bleed. I could feel life flowing away.
He looked and ran to the phone. I heard the panick in his voice, which really alarmed be and the others, because he was always as quiet as could be.
I was rushed to the operating rooms. Had to wait there, and while the nurses kept talking to me, slapping me to keep me conscious, I felt life just flowing out of me and got unconscious.
When I woke up I was surpised to be alive. (And oh boy, was I cold!)
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