Massive Nature

I've now experienced tropical cyclones, flash flooding, hailstorms and have now been in the epicentre of a spectacular electrical storm.

Whilst out visiting the in-laws at the somewhat greener farm, two massive black blobs made their way over Cunningham's Gap. Flashes and rumblings were only in the distance but then all of a sudden we were completely under it.

The 14 or so cows (including 3 very cute newborn calves) ran for cover, whilst we ran to the side verandah, sheltered only by corrugated iron roofing.

First strike was on a fence post about 25 metres away, splitting it in half. 10 seconds later a dead tree next to the fence was struck, giving a massive *BOOM* on impact, causing the tree to split and branches falling everywhere. Everything was pulsating and crackling and we were bracing ourselves for the house to be struck. Fortunately it missed but that was close enough.

5 minutes later the sun came out again and we ventured into the paddock to check out the damage. The dead tree had a crisp cut through the side where the lightning bolt had hit, and bits of wood and branches were lying everywhere and vertically embedded into the grass. The fence post was still standing, this time in two pieces rather than one, but the barb wiring fortunately had not been cut.

Now one other thing I've yet to witness is a cow giving birth, which I missed by a month. Oh well.

Id agamus meliores ut fiamus

At the present time I'm pondering all the various icons and objects that embraces the Latin and Spanish culture.

Here's the list so far:

Flamenco dresses
maraccas (recall that we had these in the shape of green frogs in childhood days)
ponchos
Siesta (YAY!!! Must become legislation)
Matadors
Rampaging Bulls
Inigo Montoya (prepare to die!)
red
yellow
orange
Speedy Gonzales (aribaaa!)
Spanish Inquisition

The big question is...how do I pick from this list and actually come up with a costume within 48 hours, without having to go to a fancy-dress shop or sew?

Rock-Step-Kick

Nothing much to report on, apart from me developing a sudden urge of stuffing myself with cheese. I was never a fan of cheese until the last 504 hours started.

Also, my car has been booted out of the garage to make way for the makeshift "work-shed" which was not included as a part of the townhouse facilities. Hmm..
I'm not complaining though about having someone in the house to fix the leaks and tend to the maintenance when required :)

On another topic, I did go swing dancing last Wednesday night with previously referred to German and husband. (mine, not the German). It was fun, and will likely go again this week.
Til next time.....Rock-step-kick..kick....rock-step-kick...kick....

[EDIT- 16/11/05] Looks like I can't make it to swing tonight due to husband being given 6 hours notice that he is due to fly to Melbourne for a training day. Wonder if that's part of the new IR legislation.

Ha! I kill me! ALF

I couldn't believe that so many of my friends (well, ahem, probably more like 2 male friends in particular) have a fetish (?) for all things 80s. Another quite bizarre thing is that both these friends have claimed or are claiming to be Asian. (one's Russian, the other German :)One of them has been giving me subliminal hints about going to swing dancing classes at Southbank on Wednesday nights.

I was planning on visiting the Brisbane Jive Club which meets at the local bowls club just up the road, but then doing jive at an old bowls club which has deteriorating membership (so I'm told) seems a bit out of place. (Anyone seen the movie Crackerjack?) At least Southbank has a bit more "oomph" in it's surroundings.

We also taught a bunch of Caucasians the brilliant game of Mahjong on Friday night. Although they failed to miss the point that when you shuffle the tiles it is meant to be LOUD!!!! YOu also are meant to SLAM down the tiles in frustration when you lose or have thrown out a tile you should have kept earlier and say "Aiya!"

Apparently mahjong tiles have another use: poker chips, as witnessed by 11:30pm that same night, being played by said German, an engineer, high school manual arts teacher and full-time bible college student.