In the Life of Tiffany Watson

Yoga

2011-01-22T15:15:00.000+10:00

If you are anything like I was you probably think that it’s some pansy way to make rich fat people feel better that they are doing something. Since I started yoga after my husband had been doing yoga for a year at least previously. Blake (my husband) became more flexible than me and that’s what made me start doing yoga.

When my friend Alice arrived back from Japan we started to do yoga. We both didn’t like yoga. When you first start it hurts and it pushes boundaries, we couldn’t do it for more than 10min. I also found that the first 2 weeks were the hardest, my back hurt more than before I started.

I had been in a car accident a few weeks before and I had been going to see a Bowen therapist. The Bowen therapy worked wonders with dawn therapy. My back was feeling great, it took quite awhile to work, however it did.

Yoga kept my back in place in between appointments. Now that I am doing yoga 3 times a week I barely need to go into have Bowen therapy. Yoga helps your whole body and mind. I didn’t believe it at first but it does.

I am going to explain to you how yoga works the way it was explained to me. In your spine between each vertebrae there is fluid that separates the bone. The older you become the more that fluid is compressed and your bones will start to touch, this will cause many back problems. Within all of this there are little pumps that pump the fluid to where it is needed. This will help your back stay healthy.

It also helps keep your other joints working well. To be honest I have no idea how it helps so much but it does. Yoga seems to centre you.

FAT People

2011-01-22T12:33:00.001+10:00

I do not have any experience in this area other than being a normal every day person. I believe I am over weight. I am 175cm and weigh in at 70kgs. People say that I am not outside my BMI but you know what it’s the fat content that matters. Even if I’m 70kgs and don’t have much fat that would be fine, I do have a fair amount of fat content though.

I am now working on losing some of my waist line, which I have been doing for the last few months. I am feeling better for it and I am sure my body is as well. I have been working out with a friend of mine Alice. We have been doing Yoga, Cycling and Weights.

If you are FAT then this may be hard to read. If this is the case and you can’t hear the truth then you should keep reading because you probably need to hear this and I am not going to apologise. Lets face it if you change your lifestyle you are unlikely to die so young.

If you’re fat stop trying to look for reasons to not do what you really need to do, get up and start walking. So many people keep trying to find medical reasons why they are FAT. Do you know what the medical reason most of the time is? Because you eat too much and don’t do enough exercise.

Now I know most people have no idea how to actually do exercise. For me who has been involved in exercise for nearly my entire life, it’s hard to believe that some people have no idea. So this is how you start:

Make sure you clean out your cupboards and fridges of everything that’s not going to help you lose weight. This is things with high sugar content and carbohydrates. (Pasta, bread, potato’s etc). Also reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.

Set out a routine that you can stick to and make sure you do. There is only one person who can make that decision, and that’s you. No one else is going for force you. Remember this isn’t going to be easy. You are changing your whole lifestyle. This is a good thing. At the moment your hormones are going to be out of balance and your fatty body and brain monster is going to make you hurt a lot. Be like any other athlete, push through the pain barrier.

So what I find is best is working out 4 times per week at least. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If I feel like doing more then I do, however this is what I make sure I stick to no matter what. Most people are best to start at 3 times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Try and have someone you can workout with. This will help with the motivation. It does need to be someone who is fitter than you so you are pushed instead of saying screw it we will sit and watch TV and have a big drink of sugar while eating chocolate and a packet of chips.

It is also best to workout in the morning. There are many people who debate on when is the best time to workout. My reasoning is very simple. If you workout in the morning then you have no interruptions/excuses. I have found over the years that when I work out at night things happen to stop you from doing the workout. You might be invited out somewhere, family dinners etc. Your body also had to fight harder to repair during the day because you are moving and not sleeping. This means you burn more fat. You will also feel better for the whole day.

OK so you now have a sugar free house. You need to buy things that are fresh. Only eat fresh things. People who are FAT are full of excuses. So get over that. I don’t care if you don’t like fruit or vegetables, get over it and eat it anyway. You can learn to like it. I heard someone once say to me I don’t like water. You know why she didn’t like water? It was because her body craved sugar. Again get over it.

Now that you have set the mornings you want to work out start with a warm up. This is important to do. If you don’t warm your muscles up then you may do damage. Warm up by doing walking, running, cycling or yoga. You can mix it up so each day that way you don’t get bored and if you have a dog this is a great time to take it for a walk. I also know most people who are FAT don’t walk their dogs enough.

Once you have warmed up then it’s time to start doing some weights. This can be done be using items around the house bottle of water, books, tools etc. If you actually have a look around the house there are many items that you can use. Then start buying some weights slowly building your collection. For the actually exercises that you can do have a look on the net.

Go and have breakfast, get ready for work, if you don’t have a job get out of the house and walk, find a job. You also need to take responsibility for your kids. If you don’t make these changes and they are fat you are killing your children.

Next Blog will be able diet.

Cash Flow

2011-01-21T12:25:00.003+10:00

After seeing some spectacular failures I would like to impart a few tips on cash flow management.

Employing the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle is my preferred method of cash flow management and I am not just talking about large multinational businesses, I am talking about small Mum and Dad businesses and even personal finances.

First port of call is to have a look at the number of bank accounts that you are running. The more bank accounts you have the harder it will be to track where your hard earned cash is going. Most successful small businesses have two accounts; one for receiving cash and paying bills and the other is a high interest parking account to allocate money required for large and irregular expenses like super, tax, unexpected equipment repairs and rego etc.

Don’t make personal expenditure from your business account. Pay a wage to your personal account and make your personal expenditure from there. This will help to clarify your business transactions and make it a lot easier when you are reconciling your accounts.

Avoid direct debits wherever possible, direct debits are convenient and lull you into a false sense of security. The number of times I have seen individuals and businesses incur bank fees as high as $37 due to direct debits coming out where there has been insufficient funds in the account to cover the direct debit. Life happens, debtors may not pay you on time, banks make mistakes; any number of events can occur that can cause the account to be deficient. The other problem I have seen occur is where people have continued to incur direct debits long after the service has changed or ceased. In one case a bloke continued to pay insurance on a car he had long since sold. In another an internet company was double dipping by continuing to charge for an old plan and the new plan.

Take back control, Jeffrey J. Fox in his book “How to get to the top” says ‘sign all the cheques’. Cheques are out of date but the concept is still very relevant. There are awesome little programs out there like invoice manager from cash flow manager where you can easily plug your bill information into and track your debtors and creditors from this one handy little program. Other people use a diary and a manila folder to organise their up coming bills.

When you get a bill, take the opportunity to have a look at it, ask yourself who these people are and what are they are doing for you and your business. Make sure you are getting the best deal or service. Review your phone, internet and insurance plans at regular intervals.

Finally organise a budget. Most people hate budgeting but it will give you a good idea of where your hard earned cash is going. It also gives you a good idea of what you will need to turnover in order to meet your expenses. There are some awesome budgeting tools around; the understanding money website has a good little budgeting planner both in printable PDF and a downloadable Excel version, follow the link on our website http://www.dasolutions.com.au/links.html.

By Blake Ridler

BOOK REVIEW: Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs

2011-01-19T14:26:00.000+10:00

Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs is a good book lacking detail. I know that this sounds silly but if the book had some more detail it would be a great book.

In many way this book is actually written very well, it is based in countries other than Australia or America, this in its self a wonderful change.

I would recommend this book for someone wanting a quick read but it's not at the same level as "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". I did enjoy reading this book.

I do have another couple of Kathy Reichs books here that I will read and I will do reviews on.

Flood Clean up 2011 by Blake Ridler

2011-01-18T09:51:00.001+10:00

Tiff, Alice and I met up with Jazz from the Super Butcher at Yatla at around 7:30am. We had used the mighty Ute to bring down the BBQ, Oz Trail, Chairs and cooking equipment. There was a good turnout ready to board the Logan Coach to head into Goodna and help out wherever they could. Some of these guys had been down helping out the day before, the bus driver for one had driven the bus the day before helped out while he was there and then had to work late into the night.

We followed the bus into Brisbane Tce in Goodna and were met by a scene of total destruction. Houses stood with their doors open contents spewed out into giant piles on the footpath. The smell was a mixture of river mud, decaying garbage and plant material.

From the time that we arrived the sense of camaraderie was awesome there were thousands of people all working together to help clean up. Just in the street we were in there were dosens of organisations including Rural fire brigades, Parks and Wild Life, The Australian Army, Surf Lifesaving and even one or two SES all working alongside Mum, Dad and Family civilians.

We set up the Oz trail and BBQ in the park backing onto the river. While I started cooking up the super butcher snags Tiff and Alice headed off to let the Volunteers and homeowners know that the food was on the way. As well as sausages there were bottles of water, packets of Oreos, Kingstons, and baked goods that people kept bringing down during the day. The council brought around a couple of large water coolers filled with ice and water. One of the residents brought across mugs so that people could serve themselves coffee. We used the side burner on the BBQ to heat the kettle (as there was no electricity in that part of the city) between doing loads of onions donated by Panorama Patios ( Tiff’s Mum and Dad).

From the time the first sausage was ready we were inundated with people needing a recharge of the batteries to keep them going. We must have served up at least 300 sausages by the time the rush had started to abate, the sausages were being consumed as fast as they were leaving the hot plate. Tiff and Alice pointed people to the hand washing station while they were serving sausages, coffee, cooking onions and making sure everyone was having plenty of water and staying hydrated. When they would get a minute Tiff and Alice would run sausages and water out to the people controlling the traffic and the truck drivers while they were stopped to be loaded. Everybody who came for a recharge during the day kept making the comment, this is the best sausage I have ever eaten, the best cup of coffee I have ever drunk, the best seat I have ever sat in. It is amazing how exhaustion can make you appreciate the most basic of things.

Most of our party found there way down into Evans Street which Runs off Lower Stuart Street and had suffered flooding up to just under the eaves on the single story houses. The larger machinery was unable to get down into these streets due to the low hanging power lines. Two guys with tip trucks were donating their time, fuel and trucks to take loads out to the tipping point. I took my leave of absence from the BBQ after the rush had subsided and headed down to join the others for some heavy lifting. When I arrived I found that the Maori family that were a part of our group were in their element organising their troops (of which there would have been around 150 – 200 volunteers and homeowners) to help load the tipper trucks. John and his family were helping people to load the heavy items like fridges, stoves, washing machines, bookcases, beds and air conditioners onto the trucks, this was then followed by the various debris that used to be peoples prize possessions. Everyone was putting in a massive effort and the homeowners were not holding back with expressing their gratitude to the masses of people that were helping them to get their places whipped back into some kind of shape.

I would not give a complete rendition without mentioning the people some driving and some on foot who were helping to keep this massive army of people refreshed and energized. In one instance there was a home ice cream van driving along the street handing out ice cream to any that needed them. There was one bloke who had a BBQ on the back of his Ute and he had surrounded himself with water they were driving to the various streets and providing food and refreshments directly to the volunteers and homeowners. Still others were walking around handing out baked goods that they or a family member had made up. There were blokes in Utes loaded with massive eskys containing everything from water and soft drinks to Beer. In fact the John (the Maori bloke) joked that it was one of the best beers he had ever had.

I could go on for days about the things that were happening, I will say that it was fantastic to see the Ausie spirit alive, health and helping others in their time of greatest need. It was a humbling experience to have been a part of there is plenty still to do out there and if you get the opportunity go and experience it for yourself.

Tasmania Survived our Stay

2011-01-17T15:50:00.000+10:00

My first trip to Tasmania, Australia was for an unfortunate reason. Blake’s Gran had passed away a few days before hand. Never the less we wanted to make sure that we still had an enjoyable time. Hey remember Weddings and Funerals is when you actually catch up with family.

We arrived at 9:30pm Saturday 8^th January being Tasmania (Tassy) and needing to be in Coles Bay we hired a car. The car was hired from Budget (car rentals). The girl at the counter was really nice. Something that is interesting though she just assumed that because we were driving at night that we would be calling the following morning to report damage to the car. After driving at night in Tassy I know realise why.

As we drove out of Launceston I realised why the girl behind the counter thought that would be the case. There was a huge quantity of wild life. The possums themselves were big and fat compared to ours in Queensland. They also seemed to think that the road belonged to them. We passed many that had the ill fate of realising that the road really isn’t just for them.

We were also lucky enough to see a couple of baby Tasmanian Devils. They are so funning when they run. If you can imagine a rocking horse, then you might get some sort of idea what I am talking about.

There were many wallabies to be seen. The thing with Wallabies you always know that if there is one you are bound to go around the corner and there will be at least about 2 or more. Then we also saw these animals called potoros and they are sort of like a wallaby however a little smaller and for all the bouncing they do, they really don’t get very far. If they were on the mainland then they wouldn’t be around for long because predators would just sit and wait because they would be so easy to catch.

After seeing all this wonderful wildlife and being lucky enough not to hit any of it even though they were pretty much jumping out in front of the car we arrived in Coles Bay. My parents were actually staying in Coles Bay for a couple of night during their holiday down to Tasmania. We found number 10 cabin at the Iluka Holiday park. We had a drink with Mum and Dad then headed to bed as it would have been around midnight by that time.

Blake woke me early I would say it was around 5:30am so we could wonder down to Muirs beach and do some yoga. I have to say that it is one of the nicest places I have been to chill and relax. After Yoga we then heading down to the jetty. I was too late to see the old jetty as they had just put in a new one.

We hadn’t seen any of the family yet as it was still early. While walking back to my Mum and Dads cabin we ran into Blake’s Dad going for a walk. I left them to it and headed to the cabin for a much needed coffee and start breaky.

When Blake arrived back to the cabin we had bacon and eggs etc. It really was a good breakfast. After this we showered and packed everything up as we would be moving from the cabin and into a caravan that was onsite.

I finally had the opportunity to meet Blake’s Grandad. He is a lovely man. He has done a great job in his garden and he should be very proud of it. Gran had planted some lovely flowers around the garden. We all started picking the different berries and beans etc that were around the garden, home grown always tastes better.

We had lunch at Grandads place consisting of left over’s, which I always love. Then after spending some more family time then Barry ( father-in-law) David (Blake’s uncle), Blake and I went to the pub for some dinner. The meals at the Iluka Pub were large and very well presented as well as tasted great. Blake and I had to share a meal because they were so big.

The big day arrived when we had to travel back to Launceston to pay our last respects and good-byes to Gran. We arrived a little early and met a whole heap of people before hand. It was a good turn out. We were able to hear some stories and see some lovely photo’s of Gran. She was a stunning woman. After this we headed to Blake’s Uncle Kevin and Aunty Jenny’s place for the wake. It was great to hear some more stories and meet even more people.

We were supposed to get going before the dark came but as usual we were having a great time catching up that dark came and once again we were to drive back to Coles Bay. We did stop in a place called Perth had another great meal there. We then continued and it was a long drive back with fog that was quite thick and many turns in the road. Someone who rides a motorbike would love this road during the day. We ended up back at the caravan with an unharmed car again.

Our last day in Coles Bay was great; we headed to the walking tracks. First of all we headed up a short distance to the breath taking view of Wine Glass Bay. It was a great lookout where if you turn around a little and looked at some of the rocks the fog was partly over and looking very cold. It was actually not a bad day temperature wise. We then left Barry, Janet (mother-in-law) and Josie (sister-in-law) there and we headed down to Wine Glass Bay and then around the swamp through to Hazards Beach. We stopped at Hazards Beach for lunch that we had packed. After lunch we changed and went for a swim. At a chilly 16 degrees some would say we are crazy and those that do I would have to agree. I generally wouldn’t enter the water unless it’s more than 24 degrees.

After we went for our swim and put some clothing back on we continued on our journey. We walked a fir distance along the beach then along the coast line back to the car park. The walk in total would have been around 12 klms and we completed this in 3 and ½ hours. It was a great walk that we both enjoyed.

When we were back at the cabin we had a couple of well deserved beers and showers. We all met down at the pub again for Pam’s (Blake’s Aunty) birthday dinner. Again we had an enjoyable meal. We then went off to the house for birthday cake and to say our good bye’s in case we didn’t get to see each other in the morning before we headed out.

We woke the next morning hoping to do Mt Amos however the fog was too thick and the rain was drizzling so we didn’t make it to Mt Amos or the light house. I think that we should have something else to have to go back and see.

Thank you people of Tasmania, you truly are great people.

BOOK REVIEW: "Cross Country" By James Patterson

2011-01-14T09:15:00.000+10:00

So if you haven't noticed already I have been getting right into the James Patterson books. My favorite ones though are the ones that have the character Alex Crox. I wrote a blog yesterday about the book called "Roses are Red" now this is a great book, so comparing "Cross Country" to "Roses are Red" is unfair.

I will say that before I read "Roses are Red" I would have said that this is one of his best. So being that I have to say that I did enjoy reading this book.

Alex Cross heads over to Africa in this book. The scary thing is how close to the truth this book is in many areas. It is upsetting to read about things going on in Africa and the fact is this book hasn't exaggerated. I happy recommend this book as one that you should read.

Anyone who is a crime fiction fan, you will love it.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Beach House" By James Patterson and Peter De Jonge

2011-01-14T08:35:00.000+10:00

“The Beach House” by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge is not a bad read. This is definitely not one of James Patterson’s better books. I would say you can go through life without reading this one.

It is about your typical rich, poor, sex and murder type theme. To me it doesn’t seem to have anything new. However I did find it a very quick and easy read. I knocked it over in a couple of hours. So if your wanting a book for a long flight and want it finished before you get to your destination then this is the one for you.

So all in all I would be boasting and recommending this one.

BOOK REVIEW: "Roses are Red" By James Patterson

2011-01-13T12:43:00.002+10:00

Well I am going to have to say this is the best James Patterson book I have read so far. Yes I have read a few. This book is apart of his Alex Cross books. If you have read others who have the character Alex Cross but not this one, this is a must. If you haven't read any I would suggest you read some of the others first. This is just so you grasp a feel of the character.

This book kept me wondering all the way till the end. It has been extremely well written. If you are a fan of crime fiction then this is the book for you.

It is the type of books that very hard to put down and my husband ended up giving up even trying to talk with me. It didn't take long to read and it is an easy read with suspense beyond what I thought James Patterson was capable of.

Qld Floods and how you can HELP

2011-01-13T12:30:00.000+10:00

Yes I am living in Queensland, Australia. We have the most devastating situation here at the moment. Many people are homeless now and many are missing and many lives have been lost. I am among many trying to help people and find out ways to continue helping. Unfortunately there is little many of us can do until the water levels have decreased.

A couple of simple things that people can do though is one stay safe, don't go into the water. It's not worth it.

To donate money you can do this by going to the website http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html this is a government website with all the information there.

You can donate to the Salvos http://salvos.org.au/

there are many more organisation that will be donating. I also have to say that if you are traveling with Virgin Blue they are matching $1 for $1 on all donations. Please give as much as you can as they have already raised more than $250,000

On my flight back from TAS I was with Virgin Blue and I am very please I was.

The shelters are needing thongs for everyone, especially the adults as many turned up with nothing other than the clothes on their back. I believe from reports today that people have been very good and they have enough bedding and clothing for the moment. I am sure that the need for shovels, brooms etc will be needed next. Hopefully places like Bunnings and Mitre 10 are up for donating towards this part.
If I can help anyone please contact me. We will try and do as much as we can.

Conondale Rally 21st – 23rd January 2011

2010-12-09T10:05:00.000+10:00

CONONDALE RALLY 2011

$1000 GATE PRIZE

Oh My God, this event is a weekend not to be missed. I am not a Conondale Virgin any longer. My first was at the start of this year. Word don’t really some up this weekend, however I will try.

So I arrived on the Saturday when things were already in full swing. There were games for the kids and the adults. It really is a family friendly weekend. We set up our tents and then hit the bar. The drinks weren’t over priced like the night clubs, the company is better too. Then the raffles are huge, I think there was over 40 prices that people could win, so as you can imgine many people won things. The games have awards as well.

Then when the real fun starts. After a great day and great food made by one of the local school P & F the band starts. They play some of their own music and also cover others. The boys are very talented. There is a great area to dance and the bar is open till late, great mixture.

For more information please feel free to go to the Z Owners Website http://www.zownersqueensland.com/

The event is held at Green Park Conondale.

Which is on the Maleny / Kenilworth Rd about 5Klm before the Conondale township.

OK so there are a couple of rules. No cars are permitted in the grounds. However you are able to have the cars just outside. Please don’t bring Dogs. Also Don’t bring Glass. these last two are very important as it is to protect you and your loved ones.

Book Review "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson

2010-11-24T09:54:00.002+10:00

BOOK REVIEW

The last book of three from the millennium series. "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson is a great book. If your not aware I have read and written up reviews for all three of these books. I have found all three books to be a great read. If you enjoy books that make you think then these are for you.

http://tiffany83watson.blogspot.com/2010/11/book-review-girl-who-played-with-fire_16.html

http://tiffany83watson.blogspot.com/2010/11/finished-so-its-review-time-girl-with.html

Stieg Larsson has built a story that is easy to read if you have the consernatration to keep up with all of the characters. There are many characters in all the books however the second book "The Girl Who Played With Fire" beings in many more than the first book "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo".

"The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" doesn't bring too many more character into the story line. It does continue on straight from the second book. I would not advise just reading this one as you will not have an understanding of what is happening. The only part of the book that I could guess was the very ending and even then it was only part of the ending.

Once you have started this book it is a hard one to put down from the start and become harder the further into the book I read. I found that from half way through I couldn't put it down, much to my husbands annoyance. After reading this book I have realised that my knowledge about many of the European countries is lacking and I should start reading more history and information about the way the countries run. There whole political system and court system seems to be different to ours here in Australia. It would be a subject I would find interesting.

You will find yourself wishing the best for Salander (main character) After everything that she had been through, throughout her whole life you just want to know that things will change. I thought that the ending may have been better if it was a little more detailed about what their lives consisted of after the main story had been completed.

This is a must read for any fiction reader.

Unions' war cry on equal pay row

2010-11-23T09:52:00.000+10:00

THE union movement has come out swinging against the federal government's backdown on equal pay, with claims Julia Gillard was well aware of the costs of the increase when she agreed to it, and threats of a national strike.

The Prime Minister knew a year ago that government support for a historic equal pay case would cost $4 billion in increased wages if the women won, the female union boss who negotiated the original deal says.

Unions are furious Treasury appears to have rolled funding support for the test case that is before Fair Work Australia.

Community sector anger at the government backflip will also spill into a parliamentary caucus meeting today. Labor MPs, including the NSW senator Doug Cameron, are expected to raise the issue after being flooded with phone calls.

The government costed a wage rise for low-paid female community sector workers - in line with comparable male wages - at $4 billion when Ms Gillard supported the case in October last year, said the Australian Services Union NSW secretary, Sally McManus.

About half the funding would come from the Commonwealth, but this would be phased in over five years. ''They signed the heads of agreement in full knowledge of what it would cost,'' Ms McManus said.

A government submission to Fair Work last week cautioned that any pay rise needed to be balanced with the impact on the budget, and would lead to other job and service cuts.

The community sector, which depends on government funding and cannot pay increased wages alone, is shocked Labor did not deliver the full support promised to the case.

''They have to back down,'' Ms McManus said. ''It goes to that deeper thing - what does the Labor Party stand for? If it doesn't stand for equal pay, what on earth does it stand for?''

A union delegation will meet cabinet ministers Wayne Swan, Penny Wong and Jenny Macklin tomorrow. Depending on the outcome, the ASU has threatened to call a national strike on December 15. Another three large unions have indicated their support.

Thirty-one Labor MPs, who each signed a pledge during the election to support full funding for the equal pay case - so homelessness, disability, youth refuge and family counselling services, among others, do not have to cut services - are being targeted by the union to hold good on their promise.

MPs to have signed the pledge include David Bradbury, Tony Burke, Tanya Plibersek, Anthony Albanese, Greg Combet, Deborah O'Neill, Stephen Jones and Robert McClelland.

''If they don't fix it by the middle of this week, we are basically going to have the biggest mobilisation you have seen for a long time,'' Ms McManus said.

She said community service workers dealt with the most vulnerable in society and were people who ''rarely strike'' but the anger was serious, and she expected clients would join them in protests to rival the gender pay protests of the 1960s and '70s.

Family Relationship Services Australia, representing 10,000 social workers, psychologists, counsellors and therapists, said the government's submission was a shock and the first indication Labor was prepared to cut services if women won a pay rise.

Its executive director, Samantha Page, said she supported the union's call for a strike. ''During the election the government put out statements saying they supported wage equality and this case. We had a clear expectation that a review of funding meant funding to keep services going.''

The Workplace Minister, Chris Evans, said Labor was committed to gender pay equity, and the case was only possible because Labor had changed the law.

He said the government submission showed it was ''committed to work through the funding implications of any increase in wages awarded in partnership with the affected unions, employers … and the states''.

But Ms McManus said that as a result of the government's action ''we will get a worse outcome''.

''It is really clear. They say on the one hand, Fair Work Australia should consider the work is under-valued … but basically discount any wage increase considering the impact on the national economy,'' she said.

Feminist academic Eva Cox said the government had undermined the case, and it was a serious breach of its commitment to gender equity.

Kirsty Needham SOCIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT

November 23, 2010http://www.smh.com.au/national/unions-war-cry-on-equal-pay-row-20101122-1848b.html

Tiffany Watson's Thought

I really don't have much to say about the equal pay for women. I don't actually have an opinion about it. However what I will say is "DER" people are really silly aren't they. I bet the people who are jumping up and down about this voted for Labour. Haven't you people learnt labour have spent all the money. There isn't $4b to be had. We are now in deficit, Why do you think I voted for Liberal, it was because they actually understand how much debt costs and they were reducing our tax which in turn makes it better for everyone else in Australia. Interest rates were down. Look what happened as soon as labour was in power, let's throw money here and a lot of there and look lets buy some votes for $900 a pop. Great now my tax is going to be higher for years. Oh and lets not forget the changes to super which has discouraging people in invest for their retirement.

Man shot dead by police in pub robbery: officers armed only with guns

2010-11-23T09:36:00.000+10:00

Police officers who shot a man dead during an alleged armed robbery in Sydney's south west last night were not armed with Tasers or batons.

Radio station 2UE reported that police who went to the High Flyer Hotel in Condell Park about 8.40pm were carrying firearms but no other, less lethal, weapons, such as Taser stun guns, capsicum spray or batons.

The officers were in the area investigating a number of armed robberies in Condell Park and Bankstown when they were told something was happening at the hotel, which is near Bankstown Airport.

"They then attended the hotel and at the time a number of offenders were in the process of committing a robbery," Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Geoff Beresford said.

Inside the hotel officers were confronted by men with machetes, who were believed to be threatening the bar staff.

Officers fired five shots at the men, fatally wounding one and injuring another, 2UE reported.

A third man is believed to have escaped in a car, reportedly a black Toyota Yaris.

A witness said the police were in plain clothes.

"All of a sudden there was yelling and screaming going on, and all the women that were sitting at the table ... [were] all upset and said, 'The place is being robbed, the place is being robbed'.

"The next minute the doors burst open and I saw the policeman come in with his gun drawn and he was calling out 'Everybody down', screaming out ... [we heard] three or four gunshots and everything just went quiet. It was all over."

A second witness, who was visibly shaken, said there were "quite a few people" in the pub and they "scattered" when the men came into the hotel.

He said the men's faces were covered with balaclavas and they had machetes.

Police established a crime scene and were speaking with a number of witnesses. After the shooting many of the pub's patrons milled around the car park.

Ambulance officers said they had treated nine people at the scene and took three to Liverpool Hospital. One was the shot man, one was suffering trauma, and the third was taken for an undisclosed reason.

- with Ellie Harvey

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/man-shot-dead-by-police-in-pub-robbery-officers-armed-only-with-guns-20101123-184gx.html

Tiffany Watson’s Thought

It is in my belief that when someone breaks into a place or walks into somewhere and try’s to hold it up then that person has put their own life at risk. The only thing that I hope is that the innocent people who were in the pub are all ok. As far as the people who were shot whilst carrying out this robbery tough. You don’t deserve to have any sympathy.

People need to realise the consequences of what they are doing and if that is death then these scum bags will think twice before they do something like this, one can hope. I don’t care if they were armed or not. Go and get a job like everyone else.

Most people work hard for their money and what they own, so grow some ethics and morals. People need to earn the right to be a part of our society. It’s one less person that we as tax payers have to pay for when he goes to prison.

And as my husband says the police officer who shot dead the robber should have a medal and the one that was shot and not killed to that police officer one slap to the back of the head, you didn't get him right.

Hijab woman jailed for six months for false complaint about police

2010-11-19T17:22:00.000+10:00

A Muslim woman sentenced to six months' jail for falsely accusing a police officer of removing her veil has lodged an appeal and been released on bail.

Carnita Matthews, 46, of Woodbine in Sydney's south, was found guilty today of knowingly making a false complaint relating to events in June.

The mother of seven was stopped in June by a police officer at Woodbine for a random breath test.

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She later filed a police complaint alleging the officer who pulled her over had tried to pull off her hijab, which concealed her entire face except for her eyes.

But in Campbelltown Local Court today, magistrate Robert Rabbidge said the evidence was "overwhelming" that Matthews had submitted a false declaration to police.

"There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind beyond a reasonable doubt that she knew that the complaint she was making was false," he said.

Lawyers for Matthews quickly lodged an appeal to the District Court against the conviction and sentence.

Matthews was released on bail pending the appeal hearing.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hijab-woman-jailed-for-six-months-for-false-complaint-about-police-20101119-180ez.html

Tiffany Watson's Thought

Is this Australia?? I thought that it was. I believe here in Australia we have rules. Those rules mean that if you are asked to do a breath test, which keeps our roads safer then you do it. Also having a hijab on would mean that the person wearing it would have to pull it up a little as you would not be able to do the test if you didn't.

This country has gone crazy. Harden up Australia. Dress for the conditions, speak English and if you don't like it get out of Australia, we are not keeping you here.

Australia should look more closely to what France has done.

What is too dependent?

2010-11-18T20:35:00.000+10:00

My husband and I have been having this discussion about people who are dependent on something. What’s he’s referring to though is drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. His option as I see it is that if you are dependent on something then you should stop having it, so your now not dependent.

From my understanding dependency comes in many forms. If you want to go to extremes people that have strong drugs such as heroin would make life for themselves and the people around them a living nightmare. Then you have people who smoke and they are equally as dependant as someone who is addicted of illegal drugs. It’s just that it is legal for an 18+ to buy and smoke. Take the smokes away from smokers and see what happens, they aren’t very nice for a while. But are they harming anyone else but themselves by smoking, bearing in mind that they would be smoking outside and away from others. This I don’t have a large problem with however maybe they should be forced to pay for their medical requirements, as it is known that smokers have more problems later in life than someone who doesn’t smoke. Then again the government could just make it illegal, but they won’t because of the amount of money that they are making from them.

Then you have the people who drink alcohol. Some can’t stand not having a drink in their hands all day, from when they wake to when they sleep. These people normally have issues holding a job and family together. This is when it is going to affect others. Then you have the people who are still dependant on alcohol, however they wait till after working hours and then they have a drink or four (some cases many more). What defines the difference between dependence? What is considered to be too dependent?

The other question that comes to mind if we are going to talk about dependence and what is too dependent is, what about relationships? Is it bad if someone or both in a relationship is dependent on each other and to what extent is too much? For example, a woman has been married to a man for let’s say four years they have had one child together and considering having another. The woman hasn’t been back to work since having their first child. She would be dependent on the man, for many things, from bringing home the income for the family to doing lawn mowing if that’s his contribution to the household chores. Is this too dependent?

What about the people who really shouldn’t be going to buy fast food. Many of them say the typical things that most people who are addicted to something say, “I don’t eat much and when I do eat I eat healthy foods” however like most who are addicted they don’t even notice the amount of bad food that is being consumed. The next thing you normally see people like this do is go and order a diet coke (because that so much better. Not) and a big plate of food consisting of chips, sour cream, cheese and maybe some chicken with salad on the side. The salad is normally still there when they leave. Also, just because a person doesn’t look fat doesn’t mean that they aren’t fat. There are people who fit into size 10 (AUS) and still have more than 30% body fat. So again what is too dependent?

When I think of someone who is dependant, I think of someone that can’t go without whatever it is that they are dependent on for any length of time. Who could honestly say that once they have had a child and a husband that brings the income in each week could go without that and still have the same lifestyle as when he was around. This is not saying that there is anything wrong with single parents. The fact that the woman would have to go back to work the lifestyle has already changed at that point; there is less time for the child, less time for herself and so on. To be dependent on a partner, is it too much?

Is it really that bad if someone who is dependent on alcohol comes home after working all day and had a couple of drinks, who still gets up the next morning to go to work all over again. Australian’s are known for the drinking culture. Most don’t go overboard however there will always be the outliers. What’s the difference between Australian’s and some of the countries in say Europe where from a very young age they have alcohol with dinner?

What is too dependent?

Book Review “The Girl Who Played With Fire” by Stieg Larsson

2010-11-16T14:05:00.000+10:00

BOOK REVIEW

The book “The Girl Who Played With Fire” by Stieg Larsson is an interesting book. Stieg Larsson finished the first book “The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo” if you aren’t a big reader then you can stop at that book. The second book is slightly different to the first.

This book is very difficult to review without letting parts of the story go so bare with me. I am a great believer that you should never tell someone what the book is actually about, this is why I don’t tend to read anything about the book before I read it.

In this book “The Girl Who Played With Fire” it becomes rather detailed. I thought that the first book had many characters, it had nothing on this one. Not only are there alot of characters you have to remember where each of these characters have come from. Are they part of the motorbike gang, police, Sapo and the list goes on. I didn’t find it too difficult however I have been told by a couple of other people they didn’t find it easy either to keep up with all the characters.

I do enjoy crime fiction, however I tend to get bored of it quickly. This book as with the first is written quite differently and in turn makes an interesting read. I did however find that it was a little drawn out in places. This opinion may change as I am sure it is setting up for everything in the third and final book that I am only just starting. It also may be that I just didn’t have enough time to sit and read from cover to cover.

Just when you think you know what’s going to happen it changes direction sometimes in a large way and then others in a subtle way. It is by far a book that I would recommend people read. Due to the regular changes in the story it keeps the mind thinking and going, you wonder whats going to happen next, who is going to be who and how is this person going to fit into the story.

As far as the language is concerned in this book, it is an easy read. You won’t have to be going to the dictionary every couple of minutes. I found this book to be enjoyable and one that I would sit down and read from cover to cover if I could snuggled in bed zoning out.

Zina's Trip to Queensland

2010-11-16T13:39:00.000+10:00

Qld Fun

Friday the 12th November 2010 was consistant of me acting like a little kids on Christmas Eve, I couldn't wait for Zina to fly up and be here for the weekend. The last time this trip was planned it went to shit. So I was holding my breath all day and was very very pleased that Zina made it to the plane on time.

We had been messgaing each other all day with the pure excitement that comes from being able to catch up with a good friend who you haven't seen in way too long. So once the flight took off late which is normal for Jetstar, Zina arrived in Queensland at the Brisbane Airport at a ffew minutes before 11:00pm.

By the time we arrived home Zina had had her first and only beer for the night. I had to have one too. Then we just chatted and drank Vodka's with orange juice till 4:00am Saturday morning. Knowing that we had to be up and about in the morning by 6:00 - 6:30am I thought at that point it best we head to bed. Mind you we could have stayed there till well after the sun came up.

Then Blake being the wonderful man he is got up at some silly weee hours of the morning and made crepes (pancakes), eggs, bacon and fruit for breakfast. We all enjoyed way too much breakfast and then the day started. Blake took Paige and Byron with him to Chinese lesson at the budhist temple at Underwood Qld.
We followed in that direction after I had my cup of coffee. So surviving on 2 hours sleep we headed out with Myself, Zina, Song and the two dogs for a bush walk right near the temple. Once we arrived we collected Byron and headed off.

I would say the walk we went on would have had to have been at least a couple of klm’s. We were all hot and sweaty by the time we were back at the temple to collect the car and head home to drop the dogs off. After we did that we headed up to Sunnybank Qld and had some Vietnamese lunch. This was a great meal after the morning and after still feeling very tired.

Once we had finished the lunch it was time to head back home and pack to catch the train to Southbank Brisbane Qld, gathering all of our swimming gear and making sure the kids are ready with everything. We all had a quick 10 minutes or so sleep in which to re-charge the body battery.

Then we were off to the train station. Once we arrived at Southbank we wondered for a little bit then hit the pools that were rather busy compared to what we are normally used to. We started to throw those water bomb balls around until we ended up in trouble. Quite rediculas however we had plenty of time with them thank goodness.

After we were all done with the water activities we decided it was best to eat again. Anyone that knows us or at least has spent time with us knows that we love our food. So we headed off to a place called Amici’s.

This is a regular hang out for us. We normally order a whole heap of food then everyone picks at it, by the end we all waddled out of there. I was actually surprised by the price, being it was good food we all had a drink and it only came to $15 each. Couldn’t ask for much more than that.

After we had finished our yummy dinner consisting of pizza, breads, chips etc we headed off to the Goodwill Bridge, also known as the foot bridge. This is a great little walk which takes you from Southbank to Brisbane City side across the Brisbane river. As you can see in the photo’s below it shows a great view of the city. Once we arrived on the other side we started to head back again. This bridge was officially opened in October 2001 and is 450m in total length.

Then after all of this we were all still feeling pretty good, a little tired yes but pretty good. We caught the train back home again. Once we arrived Alice, Zina and myself headed off to 7/11 for Slurpees then headed home to add a little vodka. Sooooo sweet but very yummy. Once we were home the kids were already in bed thanks to Blake and Song. Then us girls settled in for some more vodka’s however not too many and a chit chat. This was disrupted by the rain caused by Alice.

We headed in for bed time. Again waking up at 5:30am nice and early and a little harder to have everyone bounce out of bed at that hour on a Sunday morning. But we were off to the Gold Coast by 6am. Once we arrived at Southport Beach we set up to have Wonton’s for breakfast. (a chinese winter breakfast)

So after Paige had finished her nippers we headed down to Mermaid Beach. Had a little swim and Blake had a surf. Once we had started to burn we headed off to grab some Vietnamese Pork Rolls and chill and eat lunch in the park. Once we had finished out yummy lunch we headed up Mount Tamborine to Bamboo Down Under. Now even though I would never buy from here again as it is just silly how expensive they are it has a great species garden.

After Bamboo Down Under we headed further up the mountain to a pub called Eagle Heights Hotel. This pub is a really nice pub over looking the Gold Coast. When we arrived we had more than enough space even though it was a little busy. The staff were nice and the music was great. It wasn’t too loud, you could actually still have a conversation and hear one another.

After a drink at Eagle Heights Hotel we headed home and veged out for the last couple of hours of Zina’s stay then off to the airport with an almost teary goodbye.

Remembrance Day

2010-11-11T10:04:00.000+10:00

I know that this day first started in 1918 as the official date of the end of world war one. Since then I am sure that many people feel that it's a day to remember all wars and all the people who supported our country during that time. We also need to remember the people who are still defending our way of life.

I personally remember my Grandfather. He has an exceptional man. I am not the only one that would remember their Grandfather's or Fathers and how many people stop to remember the ones they fought with, along side in those horrible moments.

I could make this into a political bashing but I won't today. But I may tomorrow.

Please remember the ones that were lost and the ones still protecting our way of life.

I thank you.

What will they think of NEXT

2010-11-08T15:53:00.000+10:00

‘WITCH’ TAKES BROOM TO NANNA STATE TAUNTS

Josephine Tovey URBAN AFFAIRS

November 8, 2010

THE City of Sydney council is preparing to hit back against a secretive campaign by venue owners in Sydney against plans to clamp down on violent pubs and clubs, which depicts the lord mayor, Clover Moore, as a witch who is trying to ”close Sydney”.

The council has received thousands of letters of complaint via a website, www.nannastate.com.au, protesting against proposed changes to the city’s late night trading rules. It comes after the Today FM radio show host Kyle Sandilands, who also owns a stake in several Sydney bars, said last month that he wanted to ”get rid of” Cr Moore.

”I’ll get rid of that woman, you watch. Eighty-year-old woman trying to run the town. Go to the retirement village, you old clown,” Sandilands said on his program.

The website depicts Cr Moore as a fairy tale-style witch, complete with green skin and a pointed hat, and shows Sydney icons such as Centrepoint Tower being swallowed by vines.

It tells visitors: ”If you don’t take a stand now, one by one, the City of Sydney is going to turn off the lights on Sydney’s late night scene and its night-time economy.”

The Herald understands it is being run by a group of venue promoters and owners although no one will put their name to it.

The web address is being distributed via social networking sites such as Facebook and through the street and music press, and has already generated more than 2000 emails to the council.

The amendment to the Late Night Trading Premises Development Control Plan 2007 being considered by the council includes the power to make some venues subject to ”reviewable conditions”, meaning council could restrict their capacity and trading hours if a review found the venue was being poorly managed.

In response to the campaign and widespread opposition to the changes among licensees and publicans, the council is sending letters to industry members and distributing posters.

”The [development control plan] is about rewarding well-managed establishments whilst in the worst instances, withdrawing extended trading privileges from those who do not deserve to have them,” the letter reads. ”A small minority of poorly run premises contribute to alcohol-related violence and give the industry a bad name.”

The anti-council campaign is similar to another secretive campaign waged by the industry early last year called ”2am Sydney Closed” against the development control plan, which was being drafted at the time.

The ”nanna state” website is registered to an individual named George Mihailovski, who did not respond to requests for comment. The Australian Hotels Association said it was not involved in the campaign.

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/witch-takes-broom-to-nanna-state-taunts-20101107-17j1b.html

Tiffany Watson’s Thought

We live in a time these days where you can’t make your own decision, we seem to have so much control being put onto us for a democratic society. I have heard the stories of my Grandfathers (who was a well respected man) day and my fathers day. Most of the things they got up I am sure they would have been thrown in jail these days for. You know what though, they came out of it and no one was hurt. People need to take responsiblity for themselves, it they don’t want to be in a pub thats a little rough then leave go somewhere else. We all know where the local rough pubs are. Do I go to them, NO. You know why, because I don’t want to be apart of that crowd.

If you let Sydney start changing the rules and making it even harder for people to stay open they won’t stop. It will then spread to the rest of Australia. We are a country that has pubs everywhere, every true Aussie loves to have a schooner at the pub at least every now and again. I don’t want to be told that I can’t go and have a beer at 3am if I so choose to. Most sensible people actually have lifts (home) organised in some way shape or form.

I would love to hear other people’s thought and comments.

Jobs Jobs Jobs

2010-11-08T15:25:00.000+10:00

JOB ADS INCREASE WITH WAGES TO FOLLOW

8/11/2010 7:59:01 AM

The number of full-time job advertisements rose in October and wage growth is set to follow, a survey shows.

The Advantage job index posted its third consecutive month of growth in October, with total job advertisements increasing 2.02 per cent.

Full-time job ads rose 0.8 per cent in October and were 39 per cent up on the same month a year ago.

In the 12 months to October, Western Australia continued to benefit from the mining boom, with a 49.50 per cent increase in job advertisements.

It was followed by Victoria, up 34.93 per cent, and NSW, up 31.79 per cent.

Advantage said the jobs increase showed business confidence was improving and wage pressures were emerging.

“As interest rates and the cost of living rises, employees expect higher wages leading to salary-based inflationary pressures,” Advantage director of global market intelligence Bob Oliver said in a statement.

“In an already tight labour market, employers will be forced to offer greater incentives to attract and retain the best employees.”

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the cash rate on Tuesday in a pre-emptive strike on expected inflationary increases.

The 25 basis point rise to 4.75 per cent was the first time since May that the central bank has raised the cash rate.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has been the only major bank so far to lift rates in response.

However, the CBA raised its variable mortgage interest rate by 45 basis points – almost double the RBA’s official increase – sparking community and government outrage.

Mr Oliver said the rate increases may lead to employees seeking bigger pay packets before Christmas.

The Advantage index showed the sector with the biggest gains in job ads was accounting, up 6.28 per cent in October.

This was followed by engineering, up 5.35 per cent, and advertising and media, up 3.71 per cent.

Human resources, with a fall of 2.87 per cent, and the legal sector, down 2.78 per cent, were the worst performing sectors.

On a state by state basis in October, the Australian Capital Territory was the best performer, with an increase of 8.36 per cent, boosted by a surge in information technology jobs since the federal election.

Tiffany Watson’s Thought

This is at least a great start to our economy stabling. I do hope that it continues. The only thing that I would like to say is employers should be give new graduates more of a chance, how can they gain experience if no one offers them a chance. Many of these graduates are actually really keen to start their careers. They aren’t all young and dumb.

Pink says parents should beat their children

2010-11-04T14:07:00.000+10:00

by Georgina Robinson

American pop star Pink has declared that parents should be able to "beat the crap" out of their children.

The 31-year-old told celebrity news site Access Hollywood that political correctness had gone too far and her own father's beatings saved her life.

"I think parents need to beat the crap out of their kids," Pink, whose real name is Alicia Moore, said.

"I think the whole spanking thing and how it's all gotten PC is just for the birds."

When asked whether her father, a Vietnam veteran, "spanked" her, Pink replied: "Oh he put me through a wall, it's the only reason I'm still here, it's the only reason I'm still alive."

The singer's parents divorced when she was seven-years-old.

By nine, Pink says she was smoking, and in her early teens she was regularly taking the drugs LSD and ecstasy.

Pink says she was thrown out of home at 15.

"I deserved it, I would have kicked me out when I was eight," she said.

"I was not comfortable with authority or rules, I was bad."

The Grammy winner, whose debut album sold five million copies worldwide and included an Australian number one hit, has been critical of younger pop stars.

Her 2006 hit single Stupid Girls parodied the likes of Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, who gained notoriety through high-profile partying and constant run-ins with the law.

"It went from being really funny to really sad," Pink said.

"It went from just partying and maybe hitting a person or two in a car to having a real problem and I don't think that's funny because I've lost a lot of friends."

Pink said she did all the "crashing and burning" early.

"I got that out of the way, and thank God because I didn't have to do what poor Lindsay Lohan is doing or any of the others, where everyone was watching me screw up," she said.

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/pink-says-parents-should-beat-their-children-20101104-17efc.html

Tiffany Watson's Thought
Paige and Byron are our two children and they are generally good kids, you know why we smack them, take things away and smack them again. If they argue and I don't know who is at fault they both get smacks. I completely agree with Pink. Yes I know there are people out there that are the small minority and they make trouble for everyone else. If I have a child in a supermarket being a right royal pain, I should be able to smack without feeling worried about people accusing me of being a bad mother. Ask anyone who knows my children and they will tell you that they are out there, active, polite children.

I would prefer to smack my children and go to jail, than not smack them and they go to jail later.

Surfing chief unsure if Irons took drugs

2010-11-04T11:05:00.000+10:00

The head of world surfing Brodie Carr was aware that Andy Irons had “inner demons” but says he knew nothing about drug taking.

The three-time surfing world champion passed away on Tuesday in Dallas and police are investigating whether he died of a methadone overdose.

Irons was honoured on Wednesday morning at Middles Beach in the Puerto Rican area of Aguadilla, where the Rip Curl Pro Search event is currently being held.

The world’s best surfers and hundreds of friends and support staff paddled out into the ocean, joined hands in a large circle and left flowers as tribute to someone who was described as a “tribesman” and “brother” to those on tour.

The 32-year-old, regarded as one of the greatest surfers in history, had admitted previously that he had fought inner demons and that if it wasn’t for surfing he might self-destruct.

Irons took a career break for the 2009 tour to sort through his personal issues, which rumour has suggested were related to drugs.

Carr, chief executive of the Association of Surfing Professionals, acknowledged he’d heard the speculation surrounding Irons’ past personal battles, but said he wasn’t sure if they involved drug use.

According to Carr, Irons had reached a “good place” after his time off, and had returned to the tour in 2010 as winner of the August Billabong Pro in Tahiti and was excited for the imminent birth of his first child.

“I read the reports from Hawaii and I think we might be jumping into unknown areas. Let’s wait and see what the autopsy says and out of respect to Andy I don’t really care how we passed, it’s tragic for us,” Carr said.

“He came out and said he had a lot of inner demons and he battled some things.

“I don’t know if Andy took drugs, but he was in a good place.

“He came out and he won Tahiti and he was in a good place and it was good to see him back on tour and back with his friends and with his family and I don’t want to jump into hypotheticals.”

Officials in Dallas said the cause of Irons’ sudden passing was not immediately known but Hawaii’s Star Advertiser reported that his death was being investigated as a possible overdose of methadone, citing information provided by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Star Advertiser reported that methadone was found inside a container of prescription drugs called zolpidem, commonly used for insomnia, while methadone is a powerful controlled substance used for pain. The container, as well as numerous other medications, was found on a night stand, the medical examiner said.

Employees at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, reportedly found the Hawaiian’s body and called airport police on Tuesday.

Irons had checked into the hotel after withdrawing from the Rip Curl Pro days earlier due to severe illness.

Tiffany Watson’s Thought

OK so this type of thing really annoys me. This is someone who worked hard at his sport. So what if he took time off. Could the reason be just something so simple as he needed a break. What proof does anyone have that it was drugs. The other question is what drugs if there was any.

When I was swimming and yes I swam on average 12klms per day plus other excerise so I know what it takes to be good at a sport, I had to take time out for a three month period because of my health. By the way no it had nothing to do with drugs. I am looking forward to the day if it ever happens when the media stops making this crap up and starts to actually do real journalism.

SOME LIGHT HUMOUR

2010-11-04T10:54:00.000+10:00

CAT ATTACK HALTS NZ PASSENGER TRAIN

A Wellington-bound train was delayed after a cat snuck onboard and scratched the driver so badly a replacement had to be brought in.

The grey short-haired male cat was discovered in a closed carriage of the Masterton to Wellington service last week, The Wairarapa Times Age reported.

KiwiRail marketing and communications manager Nigel Parry said the train manager tried to catch the cat, but he was scratched so severely he required medical attention and a replacement driver was brought in.

“It’s very unusual indeed, in fact when I spoke to the train manager after his hand had been bandaged up, he said he had been working in trains for four decades and it was first time he has been attacked by a cat,” he said.

The cat was thought to have boarded the train in the Wairarapa, and was found in Wellington.

“We have no intention to charge a fare and we are obviously appealing for the owner to contact the Wellington SPCA for its return. We can also assure we won’t be charging the owner a fare.”

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8118335/cat-attack-halts-nz-passenger-train

Tiffany Watson’s Thoughts

Well I hope that the gentleman who was hurt is ok. I also hope that the cat, which would have been scared finds it’s way home.

Dynamic Accounting Solutions

http://www.dasolutions.com.au/

Government, opposition put pressure on 'greedy' banks

2010-11-04T10:39:00.002+10:00

BANKS, RBA, GOVERNMENT

Australia’s banks might be starting to feel the pressure as both the government and opposition look at ways to rein in the power of the so-called big four.

This morning opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says he will introduce legislation in federal parliament to reform the Australian banking system.

Mr Hockey has told Fairfax Radio the coalition later on Thursday will announce moves to introduce legislation to give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) the power to investigate price collusion among the big banks.

It comes after the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) raised standard variable mortgage rates on Tuesday by 45 basis points, almost double the Reserve Bank’s 25 basis point increase in the cash rate.

Westpac, NAB and ANZ have yet to announce their intentions but previously have flagged increases above official rate movements.

“We are going to get on with the job that the government doesn’t want to do,” Mr Hockey said.

“Australians are now at the point where the opposition is doing the job that they would have expected of their government.”

The Coalition had already flagged it wanted the ACCC to be able to tackle price signalling, Mr Hockey said.

“The legislation has to be right,” he said.

“But given that the government has huffed and puffed about this issue and done nothing, we will get on with the job of doing something for the Australian people.

“We would rather do it co-operatively with the government but quite frankly they are more interested in playing politics than they are in delivering a more competitive banking system.”

Yesterday the federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says a reform package aimed at improving competition in the banking sector will put pressure on the major banks to better behave.

The government is looking at banning exit fees, which can sometimes cost more than $1000.

“There’s a culture of arrogance among the banks,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

Mr Swan says the government has been working on a reform package with regulators.

“It will put pressure on the major banks to behave in a better way,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

Consumer group Choice is also calling for bank customers to be able to switch lenders without paperwork hassles, while still keeping their account numbers.

http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8118302

Tiffany Watson’s thoughts

The RBA, Government and the banks are all the same as far as I am concerned. When was the last time one of the RBA members stepped off there high paying position (which I don’t mind them having) and actually opened up their eyes to see what the majority of Australian’s are actually doing, earning and the way they are struggling.

Due to the fact that we deal with many Australian’s in business, we know they suffer from this continual interest rate rises. Just when they think about employing someone or when they are just about to start getting ahead the interest rate goes up. I wouldn’t mind so much if it was actually founded on the majority of people in Australia.

The government doesn’t do anything and this is a topic that comes to light every time something like this happens. I am sick and tired of hearing all the “we will do something”. Now come on how many time have we heard politicians actually say that yet nothing comes of it. As for the banks, well they are owned by the general public so good luck with stopping them. The share holders want their money and I can’t blame them. If you invest you want a return. This does not mean that I agree with the money hungry banks.

Everyone has to remember that all of this interest rate rising etc all comes back to the simple thing called control. Most of these people are economists that are making these decisions, however they are forgetting the basic rule in economics. The market always finds it’s own equilibrium. SO LET IT FIND IT’S OWN EQUILIBRIUM.

Welcome to the Labour government. High interest rates, spending too much money that’s not there.