Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, that life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when one couldn't defend oneself from a burglar in ones own home and the burglar can sue for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. If you still remember Common Sense, pass this on. If not join the majority and do nothing.
posted by Turnoc's Lady @ 10:39 AM,
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"All work and no play...
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
...makes Tess a very grumpy wife!" Just ask John. Working two jobs, one gives 40 hrs/week and the other gives between 19-25 hrs, meant that I worked 7 days and 8 shifts a week. - Husband? Is that the furry body next to me in bed? No, wait, that's the cat! - So I gave up the salon job (it was falsely advertised as a manager's position, but it was only for a stylist). I'm still working one or two shifts a week there but I'm doing hair out of home for friends and family who want it, just ask.
Now I get to concentrate on the job I love so much I spent my first real day off there! In my last blog I mentioned that I'm also an office assistant for a vet. Turns out the position is really as a Veterinary Assistant in an Emergency Animal Hospital! OMG I love it! I get to do every thing the vet doesn't and somethings he does! He's teaching me about why we prescribe certain foods, and why we give certain vaccines. He's taught me how to take patient histories and what to look for in basic check-ups. I help him with emergency surgeries and taking x rays. I clean and sterilize instruments and make surgical packs so the Dr. can do surgeries on the spot without waiting for things to be cleaned first. I check and change IVs and write out prescriptions (under the Dr's supervision). Basically I'm an animal nurse! On the other side, though, I am still the office assistant so I still have to answer the phone, take appointments, and keep the place clean. Oh well, you win some...
John's been coming to pick me up at the clinic at the end of my shifts (he doesn't like the idea of me walking home alone in Surrey) and the Dr. loves him. John's even helped with a surgery himself (he got to hold a paw so the Dr could stitch it up)
I have no idea what I'll be doing with my days off, as I'm not used to having any! Dishes and other house chores I guess - someone has to do them !). At least I'll be able to see my friends again. I've only seen them five times since we moved here a month and a half ago. I haven't seen my cousins at all.
posted by Turnoc's Lady @ 1:22 PM,
,
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
...makes Tess a very grumpy wife!" Just ask John. Working two jobs, one gives 40 hrs/week and the other gives between 19-25 hrs, meant that I worked 7 days and 8 shifts a week. - Husband? Is that the furry body next to me in bed? No, wait, that's the cat! - So I gave up the salon job (it was falsely advertised as a manager's position, but it was only for a stylist). I'm still working one or two shifts a week there but I'm doing hair out of home for friends and family who want it, just ask.
Now I get to concentrate on the job I love so much I spent my first real day off there! In my last blog I mentioned that I'm also an office assistant for a vet. Turns out the position is really as a Veterinary Assistant in an Emergency Animal Hospital! OMG I love it! I get to do every thing the vet doesn't and somethings he does! He's teaching me about why we prescribe certain foods, and why we give certain vaccines. He's taught me how to take patient histories and what to look for in basic check-ups. I help him with emergency surgeries and taking x rays. I clean and sterilize instruments and make surgical packs so the Dr. can do surgeries on the spot without waiting for things to be cleaned first. I check and change IVs and write out prescriptions (under the Dr's supervision). Basically I'm an animal nurse! On the other side, though, I am still the office assistant so I still have to answer the phone, take appointments, and keep the place clean. Oh well, you win some...
John's been coming to pick me up at the clinic at the end of my shifts (he doesn't like the idea of me walking home alone in Surrey) and the Dr. loves him. John's even helped with a surgery himself (he got to hold a paw so the Dr could stitch it up)
I have no idea what I'll be doing with my days off, as I'm not used to having any! Dishes and other house chores I guess - someone has to do them !). At least I'll be able to see my friends again. I've only seen them five times since we moved here a month and a half ago. I haven't seen my cousins at all.
posted by Turnoc's Lady @ 1:22 PM,
,