49 Hours To Go

Just 49 hours to go; then I'll sit my first exam in over 12 years! I'm nervous, and a little excited. I feel like I'll get my life back in the afternoon of the 29th October!!! To prepare, I've watched Doctor Strangelove (for the sixth time, at least); Vera Drake (a really well-done '50s Brit drama); and Elizabeth - The Golden Years (a beautiful, if rather misleading film about the later years of the "Virgin Queen's" reign). I've also read about "the Royals in the Movies", and found out something fascinating...movies about the Royals are heavily influenced by the times! Obvious, one would think; but I've never thought of movies about Royalty like that. For example, The Madness of King George and Mrs. Brown were made in the 90s; they reflect royal scandal (or the hint of one), and the 90s were rife with scandal in the House of Windsor.

On Saturday, we went to the wedding of Brad & Joanne; Brad had asked me to come in my Dr.Who costume. One friend asked, "What makes it Dr Who?" So, I showed her my 35th Anniversary Gold-plated pocket watch; my TARDIS tie; and of course, the Tom Baker scarf (how could she miss it?).

A Bad Cold!

Past coupla days, I've had a worsening cold....going through hankies & tissues like nobody's business...my ears have been blocked, I have a croaky voice....if I didn't have to study for my exam, I'd spend all of today in bed....!

A Visitor

The last couple of days have been very pleasant; an old friend has come to visit! I met Jack about 28 years ago. He drove up from my home town of Dunedin. On Monday, he had lunch here, and we watched the pilot of The Sarah Jane Adventures. In the evening, I took him to meet some local friends of mine; we watched the DVD of Mississippi Burning, which is part of my course work. Then yesterday, we went out to the Shearers' Quarters, a nice little cafe in the country. It was good to catch up with Jack!

Pleasant Valley Sunday

Nice day, today...went to a combined service, in the city, this morning....parked outside Toyworld. It began at 10am. I commented to the woman behind us, whose kids have often babysat for us: "I'm not looking forward to getting up early, for 9am services next year...it'll be difficult..." After the service, she said: "It's alright for you Townies..." she stopped herself just in time from saying "You don't have lives," but carried on: "We got up early anyway, being country folk, so it's no problem to us!" We live right on the edge on town; they are 1/2 a mile further out.

This arvo, our Russian/Ukrainan friends came round; it was good to see them. I talked with Sergei, and drank his home brew, while our children played on our trampoline. A lovely afternoon.

Saturday in Timaru

We have a new Minister coming to our Church soon; and so today, I mowed the lawn around the Church Manse. It was the first time I've done this. I commented to Don, the bloke who introduced me to the Manse mower, "It's a good thing I don't have arthritis, so I can crouch down as I mow under the tree!" :) It only took half an hour; and the blustery wind had lessened a bit by the time I started, at 10:05am.

This afternoon, we went to visit a little old lady in town, who's like an honorary Grandma for me. The kids like her, and her little dog! She wasn't quite with it today. I noticed how stale the air was in her house, and decided to comment on it: "You might want to get some fresh air in here," I quipped, shortly before leaving. "Why?" she chirped, "Did you fart?" Honestly! The old people these today..... :-D

Back to School :)

What did I Do Today....I wrote to my Mum; watched an episode of Dr Who with the commentary on; made meself a cut lunch, and went to School to have lunch with my Children! Ben looked really chuffed to see me! It was lovely, sitting there on the grass at their School, nibbling on me peanut-butter-and-cheese sarnies (37 years & still lovin' 'em!). It was the Parents & Grandparents, Join Your Kids for Lunch day at the School. I only noticed 8 or so other parents, but I guess with a lot of families, both parents work. After a few minutes, Margaret joined us, so that was neat!

As Arkwright Said....

"It's been a funny day," as old Arkwright said. (for those who don't know, it's from Open All Hours, a venerable BBC telly programme, about a stuttering Yorkshire shopkeeper). I had a headache off & on today; it's off now. Didn't get any study done! I'll do some tomorrow; definite.

I haven't done any Dalek building for ages....wifey & I will do more on our Dalek project, after my exam (29th Oct).

Meanwhile, the traders are still doing the Wall Street Shuffle (10cc song). Surprisingly, the US Dollar held firm during the last 24 hours; only dropping 0.06c. This, despite the markets all doing their impression of Olympic synchronised diving!!! I googled "Economic Deflation" today; it didn't make good reading!

I'm doing well at selling excess goods; sold 3 more items this week :) Ah well, bedtime....

US Dollar Recovering...

I've been meaning to write about this for a while...the shaky US Dollar gave me a heck of a fright last week, when it fell 3 cents in one day!! As a small-time importer, I was concerned...well, after all, the more their dollar falls, the more it costs me! I ordered more US goods two days later, before it fell much further! I think it was at about NZ 64c.

Well, the goods arrived TODAY....fantastic! There were a LOT of things for other people, who are paying me to get them Dr.Who gear. Also, toys that are gonna be Christmas presents for my kids!

Meanwhile, on the US share markets are starting to bounce back. I cannot believe, that Hank Paulson isn't unemployed yet! I don't usually get political on here, but, man alive - the guy started this whole world-wide financial meltdown, and he's STILL the US Treasury Secretary!
Well, I hope the Bird of Paradise flies up HIS nose.....