Changing the world - Day 42

This good deed is pretty good indeed. Frenchy's brother and his little friend flew in from France on Wednesday and are staying with us. So I have opened up our home to an extra 2 men...that means I am now sharing the house with 4 boys and 1 male cat...dear God. I am a saint.

The bathroom looks like it's been carpeted. I am up to my boobs in pubes. The bath mat is constantly scrunched into a festering, wet ball beside the shower which makes me want to vomit a little bit.

There are more shavers hanging around than in the Shaver shop, as well as misfired bits of shaving foam on the sink, the mirror, my makeup. Aaaarrrggghhh.

I hope this still counts as a good deed even though I'm whinging about it? On the plus side, it's very nice to see my brother in law. He and his friend are helping me practice French and I'm helping them with their English.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 41

Today I did a good deed that not only failed miserably but could've got me killed! I am not joking. An apocolyptic storm rolled into Woodend at the strike of three o'clock. I was having a read of my book club book 'One Day' and was most content. My husband was in the lounge room sorting his affairs and the baby had just been rocked to sleep when a bolt of lightning lit up the house like an x-ray. Before I could fully reigister the severity of it a thunder clap shook the house to it's very foundations and chased me from my recliner.

I caught a glimpse of my husband crouching in the middle of the lounge room floor as I sprinted towards the baby's room to soothe his no-doubt petrified nerves. (He wasn't fussed at all as it turned out). At least he wasn't until he was in my arms as the next lightning bolt struck and exploded our fuse box. I screamed like a harassed maiden and the baby burst into tears. Frenchy flew hither and thither trying to find candles to light. It looked like the depths of a moonless night outside.

At length I resolved to do my good deed. Much like that fearless heroin in 'Twister', Helen Hunt, I decided to step out my back door and into the eye of the storm with nought but a camera phone set to video. I wanted to capture the raw fury of nature to teach future generations to respect her all-encompassing authority.

After I stopped squealing with each lightning strike I managed to get a rollicking good commentary going. The eerie darkness, the regular bursts of forked electricity, the earth-shaking thunder and the mad tradesmen who continued using power tools outside at my neighbours house were providing an exceptional light and sound spectacular. After a while I realised that I was freezing. The earlier mild temperatures had vanished and an icy wind was whipping around me. I retreated inside and touched the record / pause button only to see the little numbers begin ticking over. I had not been recording at all! Oh the injustice! My soon-to-be Walkley winning video report at the eye of the storm was a mirage. A cruel phantasm.

I returned inside dejected and cold. The sky had begun to break up and the foreboding darkness of earlier was washing away in the growing light. My good deed was non-existent.

What was I to do instead? Fortunately a couple of things presented themselves to me as it turned out. Though the power was out I was still able to access the internet via 3G and saw that Oscar's Law had a new set of e-mails for me to send to parliament. So I did that. I had also received an e-mail from AVAAZ to sign a petition to stop a highway being built through the protected Amazon rainforest in Bolivia. I did that too. A couple of very worthy causes. I have attached both the links and encourage y'all to check them out if you haven't already.

Avaaz - http://www.avaaz.org/en/bolivia_stop_the_crackdown/?cl=1289828810&v=10466

Oscar's Law - http://www.oscarslaw.org/act-now.php

Until tomorrow, if we haven't washed away (as much of our newly-planted veggie patch has :-(

xx

Changing the world - Day 40

Oh my god - day 40. What a milestone! To celebrate, today I did something pretty generous. I cleaned out all the shoes in my closet that I haven't worn this year, boxed them up and took them to the Salvo's.

The less fortunate in Woodend won't know what hit them! There were barely worn Nine West ankle boots in a very cool khaki colour. There were gorgeous strappies from Mollini in yellow and white! (as in 2 sets of shoes, one pair yellow, the other white). There was a pair of Crocs flippies that I've never worn because, despite all the hype, they actually weren't comfortable to me...I hope the next owner has a better experience.

There were a few other pairs as well...including some random sneakers that weren't mine but frenchy kept moving closer and closer to my stuff until they finished in my closet. I think they actually belonged to his Mum when she was here for our wedding! Oh well - she's inadvertently done a good deed now too!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Sent from my iPhone

Changing the world - Day 39

Did a few good deeds today. First, Frenchy, Noam and I drove to Trentham to visit the little local market. And it was little! And cold. Bloody cold. But we still walked around the tiny set-up, I think there was about 8 stalls in all. Most of which were selling second-hand jars and old cups. But we did buy a big bag of Dutch Creamy potatoes from a lovely man. Yay spuds.

Then a couple of gorgeous friends came up for a visit and somehow I managed to create a pretty nice lunch for us from the nothingness that was in my fridge. Excellent.

Also bumped into my delightful old neighbour and gave her a big cuddle as it had been a while since I'd seen her. She's one of those really genuine people and I just know that our catch up, though brief, made her really happy. I must take Noam over to visit (he was asleep at the time) she adores him. Aw.

I think that was about it. Sometimes lots of little deeds make up a nice, big juicy deed and that's how today was.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 38

Today was a pretty lazy day. Managed to get a decent sleep since Noam only woke up once. Bless. Also realised that I actually have two 'day 19' good deeds, which means I am 1 up. I thought about not doing a good deed today and transferring one of my day 19's over to day 38 but no. That's not very good-deedily of me.

So, today I took some afternoon tea up to my friends who are renovating their house. I'm not sure that they ever actually stop to eat once they're in the reno zone so I figured my arrival bearing sweet vanilla slice treasures was a pretty good deed.

They seemed not only grateful for the sustenance but also the interruption. I can understand that. I reckon renovating is a pretty stressful game. And I'm basing that on hours of research watching 'The Renovators' (which I love!) Navy blue team better win. If that little hobbit that sucks her cheeks in all the time to transform her dimples into cheek chasms wins I will spew. Or her little fart-arse partner August. Booo - what a cretin he is. I like Keenan but what happened to his wife? Does anyone know? Did she do a runner or did she meet an unfortunate end? He defo gets sympathy points as a single Dad. His partner - that little blonde thing - makes me want to hurt people though. She is so annoying. I quite like the khaki team now that Natalia's on there. I don't mind orange Peter either except he can be a little dramatic. His partner Sam is a bit nothing though, right? Who else is there? Oh yeah - sky blue. Boo. That crazy boofy guy is a tool. I don't mind the young thing but I feel like he might be a little 'I am'?

Anyhoo - that was a lesson in how to get sidetracked. Point is my good deed was done thanks to the internationally accepted symbol of good deeds - offerings of dessert.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 37

Did a few good deeds today...like sat through the Collingwood v Hawthorn match because friends of ours wanted to watch it and don't have a tv at the moment. That was hard since both teams are repugnant :-)

I also let someone push in front of me at the supermarket. I'm not sure if they knew they were queue jumping or not but I figured 'hey, am I in that much of a rush? No.'

But my main good deed was to take a photo of one of our beautiful tulips that frenchy's dad planted when he was here to put on our blog. I'm pretty sure I've written a post about the blog we set up for frenchy's mum that is all photos of Noam? Well sometimes I like to throw the odd one in for Papy since he loves Noam too but also did a power of work dans notre jardin when he stayed with us for a few months.

Et voila. Good deeds done today.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 36

I just have to say that I am really enjoying this 365 days of good deed blogging. I feel really good about things...So, on to today.

I am not a religious person but I was raised as a Catholic and spent every Sunday at mass with my family until they decided I was old enough to make my own decisions. At which point I happily rolled over in my bed on Sunday mornings and went back to sleep.

But one thing has stayed with me (well a lot of things have - how can they not when you have religious education class for 13 years?!) and that is the story of the rich man and the poor woman who go to offer a donation to the local church (or something like that). The rich man gives heaps of money but it is only a fraction of what he has. The poor woman, on the other hand, has very little to give but she gives everything she has. And the morale of the story is the rich man is morally bankrupt and the old woman is a saint. (I've paraphrased for

convenience :-)

With that in mind, I always feel like I'm never doing enough to help those less fortunate and really I should be living in a mud hut without any creature comforts. But I know that that is pretty unrealistic and since I'm not religious, but instead subscribe to the 'be kind to others' school of life, I content myself that doing something is better than nothing. Even if I could always do more.

So, getting on to today's good deed. For the past 5 years I have sponsored a child in Africa - Clifford is his name. I found Clifford through PLAN International which I think is a fantastic organisation. Anyway. Today they rang me up to ask whether it would be possible for me to contribute just a little bit more each month for a new program they are running called 'Women Champions'. The plight of the girls in Africa is more dire than that of the men and they need extra special help. Many of them just 'go missing' which is definitely code for something heinous. The lovely PLAN spokesman also told me that African women reinvest 90% of any income they make back into their families and communities where-as the men re-invest only 30%. So they're thinking that the ladies need a bit more help which will in turn help everyone. Agreed.

So I said I'd pitch the extra $9.00 a month (not much when you consider all the good it will do) and fingers crossed the girls might get a slightly better deal.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 35

Today my good deed was to sign up for the Girl's Night In. On the off chance you've not heard of it, Girl's Night In is an annual fundraising drive to support the very worthy cause of women's cancer research.

Having had the misfortune of losing someone very close to me to cancer I am a big supporter of the cancer council and like to get involved. In the past, that has predominantly meant donating, but this year I thought I'd get a bit more hands on.

I've decided to host an evening with all my friends (well, those available anyway) with good food (well, tasty food anyway), good wine (well, cask wine anyway) and possibly a few good movies (well, movies with Patrick Swayze anyway).

I'm excited. I hope it's not just me on a bean bag with 3 weeks worth of potato chips on my lap feeling rather demoralised as Johnny Castle grinds up against Baby. I'm counting on you ladies!

Anyone can get involved in Girls Night In - just head to http://www.girlsnightin.com.au/

and set yourself up. Piece of piddle.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 34

It may seem to be a bit of a theme at the moment but today's good deed was another fan letter.

This one was in the musical genre however, and was looooooooong overdue. I am sure a few of you may be thinking 'what a tool. No-one sends fan mail except desperate stalkers.' Well If saying thank you to someone for inspiring me and helping me overcome tough times or celebrate good times is being a big loser / stalker then that is what I am.

Here's how I figure it - I say thank you a lot to my friends and family. For any number of things. A phone call, an invitation, a conversation, a laugh. Why then, shouldn't I say thank you to the people who, while they wouldn't know me from a twig, have been there for me in other ways? I should damn it. And so I have.

Today I wrote a thank you letter to Pearl Jam. After seeing their documentary 'Twenty' with some of my besties, I was transported back to a time when their music, quite seriously, helped me through each day.

Songs like 'Footsteps' I played on repeat as my heart slowly and torturously broke while I was pining for an unrequited love. I remember playing tennis with a girlfriend and with every shot we hit we had to sing another word to 'Daughter'. I have a photo of me and my friend after we had bought our first PJ concert ticket and could not contain ourselves. After a huge fight with my parents I put 'Indifference' on at a volume that I still cannot believe didn't permanently deafen me. And that is just the nip on the tip of the iceberg.

Pearl Jam have been an important part of my life for longer than some of my best mates. My good deed to send them a thank you letter isn't really a good deed. But a long overdue token of my appreciation for their music, their inspiration and their commitment to me and all their fans.

'I will stare the sundown, until my eyes go blind. I won't change direction and I won't change my mind...'

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 33

What a beeee-autiful day it is today! At least, it is in the WoodyEnd. Sunny and breezey and completely uplifting! Here's another photo of my fave tree in our garden...Ah, makes me smile.

Anyhoo - today's good deed was not something I had even thought about until the recipient thanked me for having done her a good turn.

I was e-mailing a lovely friend of mine who is off to Singapore for a holiday (and the Grand Prix) and I decided to throw together an impromptu list of my 'must see's' in Singers. On the list were the following:

Marina Bay Sands shopping - It is one hell of a hotel / casino / shopping centre.

Paragon shopping centre in Orchard Rd (though may not be so good once you've been to Marina Bay!)

Raffles Hotel for a singapore sling (she's pregnant though so maybe not? :-) Still it's cool to visit such an iconic place.

The Singers Zoo and the Night Safari - really well set up. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sentosa Island (good for a visit & that's where universal studios is) also has Underwater World. Again, Universal Studios may not be appropriate for someone who is 'with child' but my wordy Lordy - it has one of the best roller-coasters I've ever been on.

National art gallery and the museum were both fabulous and really unique.

Definitely go to Toast Box in the morning for thick peanut-butter toast and iced milo for brekkie. Though they are open all day so you can have it for lunch too :-) Seriously good toast.

Really liked the hawkers market under the Singapore Flyer and the hawkers market by the river. Hawkers markets in Singers are incredible. Excellent grub and cheap.

And if you feel like checking out something weird (and you can't sleep) head to little India and go to the Mustafa Centre. It's 24 hours and kind of like a big, weird department store. There's an old building and a newer one...so much stuff there (some quite cheap) But it's worth seeing for the craziness of it!

Finally - how can anyone go past a fish foot spa? If you haven't had crap nibbled off your feet by tiny, starving fish then you haven't lived!

So there you go - that was my good deed for the day. Tour guide for pregnant friend :-) And to everyone else - if you haven't been to Singers it is a very interesting place and well worth a visit I think!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 32

Today's good deed was one for the environment. Instead of driving my car down to Melbourne for a lovely lunch with gorgeous friends I opted to take the train.

The decision seemed perfectly simple this morning. Take the VLine, reduce my carbon footprint and not have to worry about having a glass of bubbles or two. I took my (very average) book with me (how can I not find a publisher when apparently Harper Collins will publish any diarrhea that falls out someone else's bum?) and had a little read on the way there (until it made me feel sick).

It was on the return journey that I began to rue my environmental good deed.

First, I left my (very average) book in my friend's handbag at lunch because I was traveling lightly and had nowhere to keep it myself. So I had to find other amusements on the journey home and there were very few. In fact, the only thing that managed to (unfortunately) hold my attention were the soles of the feet of two incredibly weary young women who, by the tell-tale faded stamps on their wrists, were just making their way home from the night before.

The reason their feet were so visually compelling was because they were facing me and the soles were black and crusty and falling off. It was a revolting sight but I couldn't stop staring. (They were asleep so I didn't get busted looking like a foot-fetish perv). If I'd have had a ped-egg in my vicinity I'm not sure I could've stopped myself from giving them a good scrub...except for the fact that it appeared highly likely I might catch some gutter disease from them.

Anyhoo. That was my entertainment for the 50 minute ride home. Minging feet.

But my good deed was done. Yay me, yay trains and yay the environment!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 31

Today's good deed is for a very, very, very special cause. Hands up who likes puppies? (I'm talking about the small, fluffy mini-dogs as opposed to a nice couple of funbags). Everybody loves puppies. But did you know that loads of the puppies that are for sale in pet stores or via the internet come from puppy factories?

These factories are the most inhumane, vile and cruel environments you could ever imagine an animal to be stuck in. They truly are horrific and need to be abolished. That's where Oscar's Law comes in. Oscar is a wee little dog that has spent most of his life inside one of these factories as a stud dog. The conditions he has had to endure are beyond deplorable. Through the determination and courage of certain individuals Oscar has been freed and now it's time to free all the other helpless victims.

Oscar's Law is a movement to abolish puppy factories and there are loads of ways you can help.

Today I logged on to: http://www.oscarslaw.org/ and within minutes I had signed the online petition and sent three e-mails (already written and ready to send on the website) to the most relevant parliamentary members calling for their cooperation in outlawing these heinous puppy factories.

The Oscar's Law website has made it so easy for people to help that my good deed for today basically did itself!

I really urge anyone who reads this to click the above link and join the fight. The dogs and puppies can't save themselves so it's up to us to do something to bring an end to their suffering.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

PS- If you are in Melbourne tomorrow there's an Oscar's Law rally - check the website for all the deets!

  

Changing the world - Day 30

My good deed for today came about rather unexpectedly (as they often do). My Dad came up to visit and since the weather was so delightful I dragged a big rug outside and we took Noam out and mucked about in the sunshine. Perfect.

Dad and I started reminiscing about lots of things...particularly different funerals we'd been to. One of my earliest memories (because my memory is so shite) is of going to my Grandpa's funeral in 1988 (Dad's Dad). I thought my Grandpa had died at a young age but Dad told me today he was actually 80. I had no idea. I also had no idea that Dad had written a eulogy but was too sad to read it so a family friend did it for him. How nice.

We also discussed my Mum's funeral, which was almost 15 years ago now. I remember very little from the days before or after and next to nothing from the actual funeral itself but Dad told me today that a family friend did the eulogy for Mum too. I had no idea.

We discussed a few other funerals (we've definitely had more than our fair share) but rather than being sad and depressing it was actually a really nice conversation and I learnt a few things that I didn't know or had forgotten.

It inspired me to write it all down and herein lies my good deed. I am going to keep a journal of all the little tid-bits that Dad and I discuss so I won't forget them. I want to be able to tell Noam things about his great-grandparents and his grandparents...and I want to be able to recollect them for myself as well.

That's my newest project and my good deed for today.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 29

I am feeling a little better today. Noam is at child care, Frenchy's at work and Dr Phil starts in 20 minutes. Seriously, what's the point of being sick if you can't indulge in a bit of dreadful daytime tv?

Today's good deed is really cool. I love Samantha Wills. She's an amazing jewellery designer and I have a couple of her amazing pieces (which I think are extremely well priced). I also bought my bridesmaids some of her goodies as a thank you gift for being so wonderful.

As if she wasn't fantastic enough, Samantha Wills has now turned a few of her gorgeous designs pink for the McGrath Foundation. All proceeds from the sale of her new pink range will go directly to the foundation to fight breast cancer. How fabulous it that? None of this 'we'll donate 10 cents from every item sold' or other lame offers like that. She's going the while hog. Brilliant.

Personally, I think I'm going to get the cafe del mar bracelet set but it's a hard choice.

Pop over to the Samantha Wills website here

http://www.samanthawills.com.au/shop/MCGRATH-PINK-PIECES

to get your limited edition piece and help the very worthy McGrath Foundation.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 28

I am sick. Full blown, achey-breaky sick. Ugh - I hate it. Thank God Noam decided to go back to sleep this morning from half 8 till 11. I did the exact same thing.

So my good deed for today (and I do expect some challenges as to whether this is actually a good deed) was to hibernate. I did not move from my Dad's house therefore I did not share any of my repugnant germs with the world.

Does that count? I believe it should because many is the person who fronts up to work all snotty and disgusting and sneezes their diseases all around the office under the misguided notion that they are being diligent. I don't think it's diligent at all. I think it's gross and potentially quite harmful to colleagues.

And it's not just work. Shopping centres are full of germ-ridden sods, grotting up the food courts and escalator hand-rails. Completely oblivious to the contamination they are leaving behind.

Well I did not contribute to the sharing of sickness today. I bundled it all up and kept it to myself. Here's hoping it gets bored of me soon and buggers off.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 27

I am getting sick. I blame my son fully, little bugger. But still I managed to get my good deed done.

A girlfriend who lives in the arse end of no-where bought a 'Thonet' (not sure if that's spelt correctly) on Ebay. The seller happened to live near my Dad so bingo bango I popped past and grabbed it for her.

I was attacked by an airedale dog in the process so I think my good deed is worth double!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xxx

Changing the world - Day 26

Let me just say straight up that I have never written a fan letter. Nosiree. I possibly contemplated it when 'Speed' came out and I was obsessed with Keanu Reeves but I'm pretty sure I never sent one. Pretty sure.

But today I decided to tell someone that their work has influenced me considerably so I sent some fan mail to....(drum roll) Andrew Bolt. Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

I just wanted to tell him that I thought his positions on refugees and climate change were bang on and it was high time someone with a bit of intellect infiltrated the Herald Sun offices. Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Seriously though - I did send a fan letter today to Tom Robbins, author of at least one of the greatest books of all time (in my humble opinion) 'Jitterbug Perfume'. Love, love, love that book. You may be wondering why it was not in my top 10 books that I gave away (am still giving away - I have four left if you fancy doing a good deed!) and the answer is it was not on my bookshelf the day I wrote that post. True. I had lent it to my Dad who is currently enjoying it and so I had to omit it since I didn't have a copy to set free.

Anyhoo, in my fan letter (I wrote it on the back of an Australian postcard that showed how Europe fits into Australia with loads of space left over - clever AND educational) I told Mr Robbins that Jitterbug Perfume was one of the greatest stories I'd read and had helped inspire me to follow my writing dreams. I also invited him to become a member of my blog - what a coup that would be! I have a vision of Tom and I becoming quite chummy and having a rollicking good time sharing brilliant book ideas and witty anecdotes.

So keep your eyes glued to my members list. 15 may seem a paltry number but it's all about quality isn't it? And my members (and Tom Robbins) are quality.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 25

My good deed for today was two-fold. First, a friend of mine needed a place to spend the night so I offered up our spare room for her sleeping pleasure. Second, being the incomparable host that I am, I also sat through the ridiculousness of the first Twilight movie because she hadn't seen it.

This could be my best deed to date. Seriously. I mean, I'm a pretty easy audience, particularly where vampires and werewolves and wizards are concerned. Harry Potter is right up there with my fave books, as is a novel called 'The Historian' - a story about Vlad the Impaler and other unsavoury night-skulking characters. But the Twilight movies are just a bit too much to be borne. Mainly because poor old Kristen Stewart has a face on her like a wet fart throughout the entire film and her eyelashes seem to have developed a will of their own and batt continuously and rapidly.

Then there's all the cheesey, lovey-dovey, vomit-in-mouth lines...Are they actually in the book? I haven't read them so I'm hoping (since the majority of my friends love the books) that the writing in them is better than what was adapted for the screen.

Perhaps I'm just a romantical cynic? Perhaps I just hate crap writing? Either way, my darling friend was on the receiving end of two very good deeds today. Lucky, lucky girl.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 24

I'm not sure if this counts but my good deed today is staying up to write this blog...

As you may recall, yesterday I took Noam to visit the doctor and was given the task to go home and google 'stridor'. I discovered it was a rather unpleasant affliction and was, of course, listening to any minute change in his breathing.

Today things were worse. The poor little mite was struggling badly so I called 'nurses on call' on the advice of my very clever sister. Nurses on call are an excellent service (particularly useful after hours) who can help you determine whether there is anything serious wrong with yourself or your bubbas. After running through all the symptoms the lovely nurse said we should take him to an emergency ward to be checked for any offending 'stridors'.

So we popped up to Kyneton hospital where a nice nurse did all sorts of checks and tests before telling us we needed to see the doctor but we'd have to nip back to Woodend for that. No worries, since we live in Woodend.

The doctor met us at the clinic and gave the little man a good going over before saying that we should take a trip to the Children's Hospital for some further investigation. Rightio.

Noam was pretty calm during all this, though occassionally he got over it all and lost his shit for a bit. He slept on the dirve to Melbourne and we fronted up at the kids emergency ward where we first saw the triage nurse and then waited for our turn with the doctor.

The Dr did all the same tests as the nurse in Kyneton but wasn't happy that Noam's heart rate was high. So we had to sit around for a while to see if it decreased. This did not impress Frenchy. He had come to the conclusion that our trip into the Children's Hospital was a massive waste of time and had a face on him like a smashed crab. To be fair, Noam was over it. He was exhausted but upset with all the prodding. I, on the other hand, wanted all possibilities ruled out before we went home.

Frenchy paced up and down with Noam, periodically stopping to shoot me a 'this is friggin' ridiculous' looks. I thought he was going to have a crack at the good folk who spend their lives helping sick kids...Not cool. But he didn't. He hung on. Thank God. Because Noam was given the all clear shortly after and we were sent home with the same advice the 'google' Dr gave us yesterday. Panadol and fluids.

Frenchy returned to normal as soon as we were in the car and we both had a good laugh at the idea of some pretentious Frenchman going off in the kid's hospital.

It's just after midnight now and we began this saga about 6pm. So you see, I think it's a pretty good deed to sit up and write this when my eyes are quite seriously closing as I type. The spelling mistakes I'll find tomorrow!!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 23

My good deed today was thrust upon me rather unexpectedly.

My little son Noam has progressively been getting sicker the past few days so today I took him to the doctors.

The doctor poked and prodded him while Noam screamed his lungs out and did an admirable job of fending him off. The doctor discovered that his throat was all red, as were his ears and he had a temperature. A viral infection he concluded.

Of course, he was unable to offer any relief aside from telling me to continue administering Panadol every 4 hours or so, as needed. Great.

Before I left he must've heard something more concerning in Noam's breathing because he paused and listened intently before saying (more to himself than me) 'no, I'm sure it's just a virus. But google "stridor" when you get home so you know what to look out for.' Um, ok.

Out at reception I was charged $70 for the privilege of hearing nothing that could be done for my miserable son AND I had to do the doctor's work for him.

Good deed for the day - educating myself (via google) about "stridors" because the doctor was too overworked to explain it.

A stridor (FYI) is a breathing abnormality that can be nothing serious or a sign of croup or an inflammation of the airways that can result in death. Excellent. So now I'm hovering constantly over Noam listening intently for any hint of obstructed breathing. Hmmm.

I have a suggestion for the medical profession - no win, no fee. If you can't solve my problem with medication or some helpful advice, I should not have to pay you. Or maybe just half price. Or something?!

Anyhoo, better go and listen to Noam breathe :-)

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Sent from my iPhone

Changing the world - Day 22

Everybody knows it's not what you know but who you know...that's how loads of idiots and wankers get management positions or singing contracts and stuff.

Look at all the 'it' people for instance. Most of them are only famous for having the sheer good luck to be born into a wealthy and prominent family.

Trying to get my book published is proving to be a monumentally difficult task (and I refuse to believe that it's because it's crap) so the only other explanation is - I just can't get it in front of the right people...because I don't know the right people. Woe is me!

Coincidentally - an old friend messaged me today asking two things: 1. Did I remember who he was and 2. Did I still have any contacts in the finance industry. My answer to him was yes and yes.

So I'm sending him the details of my old boss so he can hopefully land the job of his dreams in sunny Melbourne (he's from Ireland).

Et voila! Fingers crossed my good deed puts my friend in the know.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Sent from my iPhone

Changing the world - Day 21

My Dad had never been to IKEA. I offered to take him.

Today we went.

Enough said.

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 20

I'm still working on my fistula translation...tres interesting. And the cafe I offered our veggies to yesterday happily accepted today, so that's good news...

On top of that - today's good deed was buying the latest copy of Macedon Ranges magazine. It's produced by a lovely friend of mine and brand new Mum, Sarah Preston. The second ever issue came out yesterday and it's gorgeous, of course! And full of wonderful articles and photos about the beautiful Macedon area. Divine.

Pick yourself up a copy at selected (excellent) newsagents or contact me or go online at www.macedonrangesmag.com

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Sent from my iPhone

Changing the world - Day 19

A little sumpin' to remind us all that spring has sprung!

Changing the world - Day 19

My lips have begun to tingle...I'm getting a touch of the trout-mouth about me. Because I have been accepted for the volunteer position I applied for with the UN. Move over Ange - there's a new pout in the hood. Cool!

So tonight I have been practicing my French by reading a document and translating it to English. I haven't required Frenchy's help too much which is pleasing. But given the document is about obstetric fistulas it can get a little technical in parts. It's not too long though and I am getting through it reasonably quickly. I have a one week deadline but I estimate I'll be done by Wednesday. Yay!

You know how certain things you've either never heard of before or only recently been made aware of seem to crop up continuously after that first encounter? Well that has happened to me with the word fistula. I really had no clue what it was until I watched 'Embarrassing Bodies' the other day with a friend of mine and we were horrified when a man's anal fistulas were deemed worthy of a close-up camera shot. Oh my God. Not pretty. But at least he had access to medical care.

And now I'm translating a document about how prevalent obstetric fistulas are in certain parts of Africa. I hope my good deed helps raise awareness for this awful and avoidable problem.

So yesterday's good deed has carried over into today - and will continue to carry on for a little while yet. But I'm still doing other things as well...For instance today I emailed a local cafe (The Village Larder) to see if they wanted some of our excess vegetables from our garden. Parsnips and turnips and leeks particularly. But I haven't heard back from them yet. I'll try them again in the morning...

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 18

Today I registered with the United Nations to be a volunteer. I know! How globally aware of me!

I stumbled across their website http://www.unv.org/en.html and discovered that you can volunteer all sorts of ways online - trés convenient. So I offered my services as a translator for some document (on obstetrics apparently - how appropriate) to write it up in English from French...Frenchy said he'd help me so no fear :-)

Of course, being the United Nations, you have to answer all sorts of in depth questions and send in a CV, so no doubt I'll eventually be rejected as a volunteer - how ironic. Nevertheless I have sent my application off and am waiting eagerly for a reply. You'll be the first to know of my success or otherwise.

I feel like Angelina-friggin-Jolie!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 17

Busy, busy day today. Noam's first birthday was a raging success and the little man had a cracking time with all his peeps. All the guests had a big cuddle and he even tasted his first cupcake from Gild & Grace blogger Abbey. What a lucky boy.

My good deed for the day was something I try to do as often as possible and I hope it has some small impact. At Coles buying foodstuffs for the party I found myself in the 'breakfast' ailse looking for peanut butter...what would a 1st birthday party be without spiders? (Chocolate, peabut butter and Mr Changs dried noodles - unbelievable!)

Anyhoo...in the peanut butter ailse and I noticed there were two varieties of the Coles home brand dominating the shelves. On top of which they had the cheek to put a sign beside a competitor brand saying 'pay 68% less with Coles brand' and an arrow pointing customers in the right direction. Really? I would've thought that was pretty low.

So I bought the competitor brand. I know the homebrand stuff is cheaper but I just hate the thought that Coles (and Woolworths) are in such a powerful position that they can just flood the market with all their homebrand crap. I feel sorry for the other guys.

I know it's just a little protest but I still think it qualifies as a good deed. Stickin it to the man!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 16

I have a few incidental good deeds today...the first is cleaning my dad's house. I have an ulterior motive for that though because we are having a little get together for noam's 1st birthday there tomorrow and I don't want the guests to think my dad is a derelict. So I scrubbed the bathroom clean with 4 different types of heavy duty chemicals. I've now lost the power of smell and skin is peeling off my hands. Nevertheless, job done.

The second incidental good deed was renouncing my position as driver after several fruitless laps of the highpoint car park tonight. Eventually I just pulled over, got out and told frenchy to sort it out because I was losing my mind and about to go postal on everyone's arse.

The final incidental good deed was watching 'Black Swan' and now being in a position to recommend it to all and sundry. I know I'm behind the eight ball but Lordy me, it's a good film - If you're into some seriously f*cked up shit! No wonder Nat won an Oscar - bloody marvelous!

So there you have it. Another day, another three good deeds done!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Sent from my iPhone

Changing the world - Day 15

Today I had a bit of a stinker. Working away at trying to get my book published and had a most disheartening conversation with an agent. Ho hum - it's damn near impossible to get your work read by anyone these days. Though, as a wise person once told me, if it's good enough it will find a home. Here's hoping.

So my good deed for the day (for myself - was just just to get out of the house) but for the greater community - I helped out upliftbras.org

What on earth is upliftbras.org I hear you cry? Well, you know that cool, boobalicious shop Bodywise that I took my friend to the other day? They collect second hand bras for women in third world countries who would otherwise go without. I took a stack of bras down there that I don't wear anymore and hopefully someone, somewhere will soon be getting around in my rather comely Elle Macpherson Intimates.

I can't believe I was whinging to a friend yesterday about how hard it is when you're pregnant to find a good bra that's supportive. At least I can wrap my bazooms up in something! Imagine letting them hang loose 24/7 - no thank you umpire.

If you feel so inclined - check out the upliftbras website here: http://www.upliftbras.org/

You don't have to go to my friends at Bodywise in Woodend to donate - but if you'd like to visit them too then here's their deets: http://www.bodywise.com.au/

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx