Recession: Not in my dictionary!

There is too much political and media driven banter over the word Recession and Consumer Confidence. The recession in Australia is NOT officially here. We should not be thinking and talking about how to get out of recession, more thinking and talking should be done about what we are doing to prevent it and what to do to minimise the effects of negative growth and job loss.

The media play a HUGE role in this and I would essentially blame them for the way people are freaking out and band-wagon jumping. It does not help when people are told ohh its grim, its going to be a bad one, oh yes ... even K.Rudd is also to blame.

However. Consumer confidence is something that we voters have control over. We can either see the glass as half full or empty. We want out of this precarious position, so we need to think differently. Its not going to get worse before it gets better, its just going to get better! Think and do. Ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Recession? What recession?

Mac Bank shares? They're a bargain! Same with BHP and Woolies all our good Aussie Blue Chip shares. Go on, buy some! Buy your new LCD TV or that iPhone. You deserve it and you are helping the country to move into the black. I read somewhere that someone was donating all their cash handout to the victims of the Victorian Bushfires - yes, this money will be spent there.

Go on! Take that $900 and buy yourself something pretty!

Ribbons Galore!

I am all for raising awareness of causes and diseases, funding and volunteering etc but I am all ribboned out. There is a ribbon for raising awareness for everything these days. I give money when I can, why should I wear the ribbon and why are there so many of them?

I recall a funny yet resonable complaint in a Seinfeld episode. Kramer gave money, his time and participated in a walk for the families and friends of AIDS victims but why is he forced to wear the ribbon?

To remember those who passed away during our Feb 2009 Victorian state bush fires, people started to wear YELLOW ribbons. Everyone was wearing them. Spotlight was even giving away free yellow ribbons.

There are RED ribbons for AIDS awareness.
GREY ribbons for Ovarian cancer awareness.
PINK ribbons for Breast cancer awareness.
BLUE and WHITE ribbons to remember those Police personnel who have died on duty.
GREEN for mental health awareness.
A BLUE ribbon was worn last week by our politicians.
There is a PURPLE for bikers against Lupus, child abuse and for the neo-pagens.
YELLOW is also for showing support for our troops.

If an emblem needs to be worn to show your support - think differently but please, no more of those rubber wrist bands.

Its so much more refreshing seeing the more traditional ones for Rememberance day with a Red Poppy and ANZAC day with Rosemary.

There's a new Bank in Town

Yes, and that bank is the "Talent Bank". A by-product (I am assuming) of the economic crunch that we are faced with. A human resource manager and recruiters dream and something to keep them busy in these recruitment freeze days.

Talent Banking is a new kind of recruitment being undertaken by some of the bigger companies that usually experience a higher turnover of their staff. Its a great idea if you are on the other side of finding a job. The premise is that they scout and sieve from the larger pool of the unemployed and find some back ups for when their employees resign.

Having been on the other side of it, I was unawares of it when it first reared its head to me. Phone interview went well and then bah-pow. Now as I am scouting seek.com.au or seeing some other job ads, I am seeing the phrase popping up here and there. I'm also staying clear of these.

High turnover job = Stress OR annoying boss OR repetitive work ... So I think I will bank elsewhere.

Kevin 07

I think I am officially K.Rudd's #1 Fan.

Finally something for all school, developement and a focus on them. Our next generation, the future of our country and of the world is all dependant on the education they get from our schools.

Parents are also given money to help them through the textbooks, uniforms, supplies expense period.

The guy's a thinker, a do'er and someone I am proud of as my PM. I guess we're luckier than thoes in the US. We have Kev and they have to be satisfied with second best.

(photo from http://geoconger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/kevin-rudd.jpg on 03/02/09)

CNY09

No it's not a number plate, I have seen the latest, soooo Sydney acronym.

Note to self, CNY09 = Chinese New Year 2009.

I love Chinese New Year, I love practicing what ever little Mando I know (saying 'Kung Hei Fat Choi', 'Sheshe' are the only 2 phrases I know), I look forward to the idea of Chinese New year, I want to buy all things red and even the envelopes (not that i practice the tradition or put money in it).

After reading the latest acronym, I felt that I had been living under a rock. How could I not know! I brought shame to my family.

Poor Little Guy

I really feel for the little kids who get yelled at by their parents in public. Today while sipping coffee and reading a book, I saw this cute little asian guy getting a yelling from his dad who was waving around one of those textbooks asian parents use to help your kids do better at school. Poor little guy!

He was just sitting outside all alone, I'm sure feeling like a complete loser, not knowing how to square root something or cross multiply something else. I just wanted to go up to him and hug him. Reassure him and tell him, this too shall pass.

I too was one who shed tears over not knowing the answer to a question in one of those books. I hated those books! Hated it ... at the time. I felt bad not knowing the answer, I felt embarressed that I was yelled at, I felt shame that I was disappointing my parents especially when you know they were both dux in school, graduated with x class honours etc.

I wish all kids out there would know the benefit of all those hours spent working out problems, missing tv shows or computer games. It does make a difference and I am a better person for going through it. Basic mathematical problems became easier to work out and comprehension helped me train for the HSC. Trust me kids, suck it up. I know its hard but its so worth it!

DIY Calendars

I really wanted to make my own 2009 calendar this year.
So being organised person that I am, I decided to prepare for it early not wanting the year to suddenly spring up on me.

October came along and I sought out what photos to include, found coulourful VIBGYOR pieces of paper and found a 2009 calendar that I could 'excel' my my own version. I then checked and re-cheked my version to make sure the days and the dates line up with the months of the upcoming year.

It was 1 week past the New Year's Day and I then suddenly realised, the calendar!! I mounted it on the wall and basked in the glory of my home-madedness abilities.

Today, I wanted to write something on my calendar and shock-horror, what do I find? The dates for January are all askew! Shiz. At least Feb's dates all look good .... so far.
I guess all you can do is laugh!