Wassup with Line Trimmers?

I recently splashed out and purchased a brand new 30cc Ryobi Line trimmer.

Pictured above is my new bad boy Weed whacker...a.k.a string trimmer, Weedeater, Weed Whip, weedy, whipper snipper, garden strimmer or Trimmer.

After sweating over the assembly instructions (I always think i'm going to break it as I put it together) and with the able assistance of my darling wife...hey presto! My Weedy was ready for some work.

Brrr...Brrr...(less choke)...Brrr...Brrr...(more choke)...Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! Away I went.

Mate It's grunty! I played for a while, made a mess, swept up a mess and went on to sand the filler on the toilet walls (yes i'm still slaving in the D.I.Y TOILet) what have I done to myself.

Oh well, I'm having fun really. And saving heaps of money!!! I love this new ad, check it out.





Classic....WASSUP?!

Wassup with Harakeke?

Flax, in my opinion, is one of those plants that has its good and bad points, but did you know...



Its real name is Harakeke, a name given to this plant by Maori.



The first European traders called it "flax" because its fibres were similar to that of true flax found in other parts of the world. Though we still call it flax today, harakeke is really a lily.



It is unique to New Zealand and is one of our oldest plant species.



Enough background info...



The good point about this plant is when it's small and cute...



The bad point about this plant is when it's big and overgrown.



So today in amongst sanding, sealing and simplifying the toilet and mowing the lawns, I ripped out the ugly Harakeke at the front of my house and put Ella and Josiah's own little planter boxes in their stead!



Jackie assures me they will now die because they have been moved into a high sun environment from a low sun environment at the back of the house...so I have taken a photo to show how good they look before the inevitable happens...hehe he.

Well done Ella and Joe...sorry if Daddy kills your plants. If I do I promise to the entire Blogland that I will replace your plants with a more sun loving variety.

Wassup wit Ginger Bread men?

'The Gingerbread Man' is one of my kids favourite stories...they're just so cute...and not to mention tasty. Just ask the fox.

Full of Christmas tradition and expensive spices we have the humble Gingerbread Man.

Whilst I was running off a few litres of water on the squash court (just ask Mandrake - some of us sweat whilst others simply glow)...

...anyway...whilst mopping up my sweat, i mean the opposition...i mean...

...my wife was baking up a storm.

Hand made Pecan pies, french chocolate tarts and of course the odd Gingerbread Man thrown in and lovingly presented to be delivered by two excited kids...if they eat all their dinner...heh heh.

Well done Jacksta B...deeeeeeelicious!

Wassup with D.I.Y ?

Well Mandrake, you'd be proud of me. I've been inspired and finally decided to try a bit of D.I.Y in one of the most important rooms in the house...the toilet haha.


I guess if i stuff it up it's only the toilet, I mean how long does one really spend in that room?



So here's a few photos to wet your appetite for the masterpiece to come...

Wassup with Okara Park?

As long as I've lived in Whangarei, New Zealand I've been to Okara Park for various events...predominatly Northand Rugby games (BLUE!) and the annual Fireworks display. (And in 1976 - Top Town!!!)

Well 2008 was almost the year that good old Okara Park lost them both!

Most will know about Northland and Tasman almost getting the left boot of fellowship from the Rugby powers that be, but fewer will know that this years Fireworks display was in fact the last one to be held at Okara Park...Booooooo!

Living in close proximity (Morningside) if we didn't want to pay the $10 per adult fee then we could watch it for free at home. And we could walk across the railway and avoid parking and traffic hassles.

Nevertheless progress is the winner on the day with a massive upgrade going to happen of the stadium etc so we can watch Northland (if they're still in the competition by the time it's completed) whip any upstarts that would challenge the boys in Cambridge Blue (BLOOOOO!)

So here's a photo tribute to the last fireworks display at Okara Park, Nov 1st 2008.

My Gorgeous Family

Happy Bat boy!

Not so Happy Bat boy

Yay! Finally

Not quite Okara but you get the picture!

Wassup with Moe?

Much like the clean shaven bloke in the above picture I am clean shaven (apart from the 3 day growth which gets shaved every 3 days). I have never purposefully grown facial hair of any description other than a slightly log sideburn once...and BTW i'm 37!

So I had a shave on 31st of October...was it supposed to be the 1st of Nov...oops, blown it already!

Hopefully i'll put the proof up soon(on my cellphone at the mo) - pun intended.

I cracked up at Burtons schick 3D thingy so I had to make one as well...yeah...go the biker!

Will keep ya posted!

Freaky how it moves with the mouse eh? Wassup?!

Wassup with webcams?

My brother-in-law, Davo, recently purchased a laptop and he got given a free webcam (which thanks to him we now own) Thanks Dave!

This webcam is a crack up...check out these delightful pictures of my family.

This one cracks me up! I look like the scream painting, or one of the aliens off Sesame St....'Radio, radio'...

...and Jackie looks like Worf the Clingon off Star Trek - the next generation.

'WASSUP?!'

Wassup with playgrounds?

I like playgrounds. My kids absolutely love them. We have a trampoline and a swing set at home and live over the road from a park so I think we have it pretty much covered.

But they can be slightly dangerous...It's just as well kids are so resilient! And adults (kidults) so funny!

Does anyone else have the tendency to laugh 1st when someone falls over and then ask if they are alright? I guess that's why AFV is so popular.

Anyway here's a short clip of some playground experiences...



Love the diving one at the end...heh heh heh (oh...dude are you alright?)

Wassup with Best Mate?

My wife and I used to have Vodafones' Best Mate and could video call each other for free etc which was really good when I worked shift work but became somewhat redundant now that i'm home evenings.

But rather than waffle on about cell phone technology I want to talk about another best mate...Symon Burton Drake (check out his blog here)

A.K.A...Mandrake, Symon D, Syms, Symon DeeeeRake

I've known Syms for a little over 10 years now and during that time we've done heaps of funny and crazy stuff together which if our wives knew all the details we would definitely NOT be allowed to go fishing ever again...heh heh heh.

N.A.D.M - never a dull moment is a catch phrase which seems to sum up our friendship. Whether it's me falling over repeatedly (fishing, walking, snowboarding, you name it) or me breaking stuff (whilst fishing, walking, snowboarding, you name it) we always have 'Good Times' (prime example)

In amongst all the adventurous fun my best mate Syms has been a ROCK. I'm pretty sure I don't tax him too much with my worries or problems but when I have done he's always been straight up, full of Godly wisdom, real, honest, humble and most of all full of the Grace of God.

The grace that Syms has extended to me over the years and still does is nothing short of phenomenal. Thoroughly undeserved on my behalf (I guess that's why they call it grace)

These stories will not make it onto my blog site but I will always remember them...times where I could have either slipped away from God or run to Him, given into temptation completely or surrendered to God, brought a pyrex frying pan to the rocks or...

Syms you are a legend and my best mate.

I'm so looking forward to all the crazy times we have ahead as kidults. God bless you more and more... SHADADA! (interpretation: Wassup?!)

Wassup with horse covers?

I was pondering the other day as I sometimes do, and I suddenly thought...Wassup with horse covers?


I mean really, talk about the classic ashtray on a motorbike scenario.


I think people are compensating for all the knowingly evil stuff thats going on in our world (starving people, abortion, and all that social justice stuff) - forgive my brief highlight on these very important topics) by namby pambying anything they can get their hands on, without actually doing anything 'good' in the world.


Or they are just sick!



I mean "COME ON!"

But back to my horsey ruminations...

1. Horses live in places such as the unforgiving cold steppes of Mongolia...and I don't see a jacket!
2. Horses move 18-20 hours per day
3. They have a very well designed thermoregulation system (see below)

• Raising hairs when cold, creates an insulating layer.
• Parting the hairs when hot, allows optimum cooling.
• Skin thickness creates an insulating layer.
• Growing a good winter coat, keeps horses warm in cooler months.
• Arteries in the skin constrict in cold weather to prevent heat loss by reducing the amount of warm blood brought to the cooler body surface. Arteries dilate in warm weather to allow blood from overheated interior to access the body surface for cooling.
• Sweat glands, cool the horse through evaporation.
  

Horses don't need namby pamby covers!!! They need grass and a place to run around.

Dogs don't need jackets and hats, they need food and someone to play with.

Humans don't need more state controlled legislation over their lives, we need a knowledge and trust in the God who made us...

Check out Matthew 6:31-33 in ya B.I.B.L.E

Wassup?!

Wassup with Chuck Taylors?

Now I know this post isn't going to prove popular and the Lord knows i'm far from the Fashion Guru (see below)

http://wassupwithlesmondj.blogspot.com/2008/08/wassup-with-that-jersey.html

But... I cannot remain silent any longer.

I do not like Chuck Taylor Converse shoes!

Now that does not mean i'm not happy for those amongst you that enjoy this type of flat souled footwear. In fact I have given this shoe some serious thought....

Pro's

• I like the fact that they have lasted a long time throughout the fashion changes of the world.
• A pair of shoes that you love for less than $10 (clearance sale at the warehouse) no-one can argue with that.
• My wife even has a pair of these...these...shoes, although she paid considerably more than $10 (wasn't sure if this was a pro or a con but I love my wife so...PRO!)

Con's (no pun intended)

• They are just plain uncomfortable (speaking solely for my feet - pun intended). Lack of cushioning makes my poor soles ache...sorry Chuck you just don't measure up!
• Too many laces...need I say more.
• Blegghh!

This has been one man's opinion...wassup?!

Wassup with Arthur?

I've been enjoying some holidays of late and consequently have devoured almost 5 books...all the same series I might add. The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead. It has been very enjoyable indeed. I am just beginning the last (and 5th) book; Grail.

You may think...ew... it's all magic and spooky stuff but that would be where you are mistaken my friends. Godly character is paramount in this book and runs as a constant theme throughout the series.

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the time (5th - 6th century), settings (England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland), and the culture that surrounds these early British characters - barbarian and Lord's alike.

Imagine if you would...

Returning from a great victory battling the Barbarian hordes to a 3 day feast to honour the self-sacrificing feats performed on the field of honour. Whole beasts spit roasted and vats of cold dark frothy beer, rich mead and breads fresh from the ovens. Sitting at the board in the High King's Hall feasting on whole joints of meat and drinking from horns whilst listening to the Bards expertly playing their stringed instruments. They would spin lyrics in praise to the Most High God and His Son Jesu (Jesus) while re-telling stories of heroic battle feats and singing laments for the fallen faithful...ahh take me back.

King Arthur is a main character through several of the books and i'm sure most have heard at least something of him. Pulling a sword from a stone perhaps?

He has his failings as do we all, but it is His Godly character, honesty, steadfastness, courage and faith that i've really enjoyed seeing develop through this series.

Here's a quote or two for you...(from the Bible not Stephen Lawhead)

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. (James 1: 2-4)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (Romans 5: 3,4)

Now we get to the real point of this blog...CHARACTER.

I want to be a man of good and Godly character. Why? Because your character affects everything you do and I might add things you don't do also.

• Are you honest all the time? My wife is and I love her for it, even though sometimes the truth hurts.


• Do you gossip or pull others down with the words you speak?


• Do you continually seek your own pleasure or do you freely sow yourself into the lives of others?


• Do you only love those that love you?


• Will you stand up for right even at great cost?

The testing of our character comes in many ways, shapes and forms; but be assured it comes! How will you handle the next test?

I don't believe that you can suddenly say...'right - from now on i'm a man or woman of the highest character.' Check out Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous quote...

'Sow thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."

But the good news is that if we begin to chop off bad thoughts (which come like it or not) we can prevent a bad action - habit - character - destiny.

If we take a leaf from King Arthur's book and bow the knee to the Most High God and His Son Jesu, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us then we might just reap an eternal destiny that far outweighs any trial or trouble we may experience in our earthly lifetimes.


So Be It!

Charge!

Wassup with that Jersey?

I have always liked Jerseys...Jumpers...Pullovers...whatever you want to call them.

From the time my Mum made them for me as a young fella; hand knitted or from that weird looking knitting machine with the cool weights and stuff.

Nothing has felt more comfortable than Jeans, a t'shirt and a good ol' Jersey.

I happen to have an alltime top 3 Jersey list for your viewing pleasure...alas I only have one still in circulation.

Number 3:

My First Black Fishermans Rib Jersey that any self respecting late 80's AC/DC listening teenager had stuck to their body for months at a time. Holes developed (as did a smell) but this only enhanced the value of such a peice of classic Metaller apparel. (see My Music - for a more indepth insight into this era).

Number 2:

An absolute multi coloured mess of a Jersey that wasn't so much to look at but represented triumph (albeit on a small and slightly illegal scale). I'm quite glad I don't have a picture of it to tell you the truth. I was 16 and in Surfers Paradise with my family. My Mum managed to convince the security guard at Jupiters Casino that I was 18 and therefore allowed entry to partake in the delightful pleasures that the aforementioned establishment provided. Long story short - I won $75 playing BlackJack on the pokies and purchased the multi-coloured Jersey with my winnings; why? I'll never quite know, but it goes down in history as my number two favourite Jersey because of all the memories and the madness that surrounds its purchase.

Number 1:

I have had this particular jersey for approximately 15 years or more (at least as many years as Syms has known me anyway). Bought in Kerikeri N.Z it soon became my favourite article of clothing.

The brand Hang Ten, the feeling...bliss. It wasn't heavy duty wool to start with and now after long years of use has the feeling of one wearing Mithrell (LOTR). Holes developed but that did not dissuade its constant use (I was used to such hardships). It so turned out that a lovely elderly lady gifted in the age old art of darning peeled my beloved Jersey from me returning it a week later holeless and redeemed. The below photo (taken today) shows that, yes once again holes are developing...cool.

Much to my wifes chagrin (and repeated attempts to destroy it), I still wear my ol' favourite Jersey with pride and a feeling of satisfaction.

My Mum still knits Jerseys, not for me, but for my son. Much to my wifes horror and something that gives me no end of happiness is the fact that for the last 2 1/2 days my son has nor removed HIS FAVOURITE JERSEY! Yes he has slept in it two nights in a row and has worn it constantly throughout the day...good on ya son!

Now that was worth waiting for eh? Wassup?!

You can't beat a classic

Check out this absolute CLASSIC that ran 87 (60 minute) episodes from 1978 - 1982.




When I was growing up in the 70's and 80's I absolutely loved T.V. My dad thought it an absolute waste of time but I would literally zone out, mesmerised by my favourite shows. So much so that I would totally tune out any other noise and subsequentley got in trouble for ignoring my parents...oops.

My parents were extremely hard workers and as such my older sister and I would be baby sat regularly while they worked. One particular baby sitter was the meanest grumpiest spoil sport (in the mind of a 7 year old boy) you'd ever clapped eyes on.

She would watch Coronation Street (why anybody would I do not know) and I would come in at the end to get ready to watch The Incredible Hulk which was straight after. So i'd see Hilda Ogden and Ena Sharples nattering away to Ken Barlow whilst a little boy waited.

"Go and wash your feet" the baby sitter would say...

WHAT?! But the Incredible Hulk is on now!!!!!

And so went the arguement with myself always losing. And as I would walk away toward the bathroom, head down, sad and lonely I would hear the theme song from Coronation Street (involuntary shiver) but i'd really liken myself to Bill Bixby who played David Banner walking down the road to the end credits of The Incredible hulk (The Lonely man)




Except instead of putting on my shirt and hitching down the road I was walking to the bathroom to wash my feet...you get it.

This show had heart and captivated the audience. C.G.I (computer generated imagery) was never involved and in fact in one particular scene the green paint used to colour the Hulk rubbed off onto the bear he was fighting...great stuff!

I went to see Marvels latest Hulk rendition (2008) and was pleasantly surprised. It totally kicked the 2003 effort with Eric Bana.

I was going to leave you with the trailor from the latest 2008 movie but sadly it's all about the old school Hulk here my friend.

2003 Hulk

VS.

2008 Hulk

VS.

1980' s Hulk

Lou Ferrigno hands down! Except for the Jason Gunn haircut...Nasty!

Wassup? It's Lesmondj in da kitchen!

Now I know you may find this hard to believe, but in all my 36 years I have never baked a batch of scones.

So after a cold and windy play in the park over the road, me and the kids cracked open the Edmonds cook book and began...

After studying the recipe that made 12 scones I decided to make 4 (a third of the recipe) just in case they resembled small windowless buildings and had to be quietly disposed of...heh heh.

My wife came along side to helpfully advise but I shooed her away stating that if they sucked I was to take full blame.

The kids helped me sift the flour and eat the left over cheese (I always grate too much).

Well without further ado...

We served them with some homemade soup (my wife's yummy creation) and then ate them all up! They were suprisingly light and delicious. Next time i will definitely make the full batch and I might even experiment with a bit of savoury tomato pesto or something...

Wassup?!

A must see!

I've just watched the most brilliant movie. Not my typical movie choice but one my lovely wife chose and it rocked.

It is called...

August Rush is a 2007 drama film starring Freddie Highmore (Charlie Bucket from the latest Willie Wonka movie), Keri Russell, Johnathan Rhys Meyers and Robin Williams to name a few.

I was going to embed a trailer from the movie but I feel it gives to much away. So I will say no more, nada, nyet, nope, uh-uh, no way, no how (period).

Mandrake, if you haven't seen it, I recommend it for your next date night!

Wassup with kite surfing?

I been into most forms of surfing type sports...like...

• Surfing obviously
• Skateboarding
• Snow skiing
• Snow boarding
• Wind surfing (a small endeavour)
• Wake boarding (most recent)

But one I have never got into or even tried for that matter is Kite surfing. I've seen it and thought that it looks like fun but I've always been a little dubious about it's safety.

One day down at Orewa, N.Z (on the way to Auckland) we stopped and watched these crazy fellas kite surfing in really windy conditions. One bloke couldn't even get his kite to come down after finishing his ride and ended up getting dragged along the beach much to our amusement.

However that was nothing compared to this crazy chap...

I like getting 'air' but it's these kid of shananagans that will never get this fella combining surfing and kites (both very fun activities in their own right by the way).

A Coffin on Wheels

Leaning against my 1st car in my Black Supertaper Levi's, High Top Pony sneakers and sporting an emerging mullet, I felt like the Man.

For those in the know my first car was a 1975 Mazda RX2 Rotary. It had been pimped out old school styles and had an RX7 5-speed gear box. It pretty much had straight pipes and was as loud as you can get a car!

There are so many stories I could tell about this car...

...like travelling so fast the speedometer needle had gone past the 220km/hr mark and was jiggling about pointing straight down.

...my car being so loud the neighbours decided to trash it in their annoyance, slashing my seats and smearing pizza on the windows.

...cruising with the stereo blasting (the only way you could hear it the car was so loud) from Hamilton to Whangarei and back and absolutley being the fastest thing on the road. Needless to say this had numerous close calls.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't always a hoon, just when I was behind the wheel.

I do want to focus on one story in particular regarding my beloved car. I will preface this story with my Mum's response when I showed her what I'd bought.

"Hey Mum, what do ya reckon about my new car?"

"It's a coffin on wheels son." (Mum's response)

That response didn't deter me from enjoying all that my new baby had to offer. But unfortunately it did prove to be somewhat prophetic.

I was 20 and was living in Hamilton (Waikato) New Zealand and was studying (yeah right) for what turned out to be a BSC majoring in Earth Sciences...useful I know!

I was enjoying life and partaking in all that the Waikato had to offer and had even worked on my mullet somewhat.

Yes that is my real hair!

So one particular evening I had been sucking on a Keg of Waikato's finest since lunch and decided that it was time to go and get takeaways for our evening meal.

"Jump in boys, let me show you what this baby's got!"

Alcohol + High powered vehicle + showing off attitude + wet road... equals...

This is not the real photo, but you get the idea. Bricks on the opposite side of the house had flown up to 30 m, I'd shifted the house off its foundations, totalled a NICE car, scared the elderly occupants of the house and landed myself in a whole heap of trouble.

No one was seriously hurt (thank you God)

A special thanks to my sister who helped me through the tough times that followed...big sisters are awesome.

Shame, loss, court, fines (big fines) and huge regret that i'd let people down and that my once pristine RX2 had almost become my coffin on wheels.

I love you Mum.

My Music

Being born in the early 70's in this fine town of Whangarei, I grew up listening to some absolutely classic music.

All those Time Life info/commercials advertising those 70's and 80's music CD's that you groan when you hear them...I love 'em. Check this out...

Classic Bonnie Tyler! ahhh, it brings it back. Innocent times full of laughter and joy. Enter...bad company. It is said that bad company corrupts good morals, and this was very true in my case around the age of 16 yrs.

SEX, DRUGS, and HEAVY METAL (rock'n'roll sounded to cheesy)

So here I went down a very slippery path (although I didn't know it at the time).

Late 80's came the advent of Hair Metal. It deserves a mention just because...

...need I say more?


Perhaps the closest I got was Iron Maiden and AC/DC in the late 80's, although they would not strictly be called Hair Metal. Still as you can see the Maiden had a good bit of hair goin' on.




Then I tended toward Hair Metal's rival of the day...Grunge. Nirvana, Alice in Chains etc. Then slipping further down toward The PIT I began listening to Pantera and Sepultura...not so much innocence now.

One never knows how far they have fallen until they remember a time when they weren't so far gone. Nevertheless, as I have found out many times, there is always further to fall...now there's a comforting thought.

The Invitation

Who would have believed an invitation to attend a church service would have been the catalyst to bring about so much change in a person's life.

The moment I said 'Yes' to God, surrendering my life (as sad as it was) to Him...

• Addictions instantly gone!
• Forgiveness washes me clean
• Joy enters
• Relationships restored and strengthened

...to much to tell. Needless to say I have a thankfulness and gratitude to God and to all those who had a hand in me saying 'Yes' to Him.

It was funny how My Music suddenly changed. Gone was the angry / depressing / hopeless music (a few hundred dollars smashed! Don't give it away or sell it to some other poor person), and in came powerful local homegrown Worship sounds.

Symon, Nina, Kate, Brendan V, Jason V...all those songs you wrote were and are soothing balm to my soul. Keep going is all I can say.

I've got a new song in my heart...a song of praise to my God. It is my hope that many people will see and hear it and put their trust in the one true God.

Note the hair...haha...Thankyou Jesus!!!

Playing outside

I lived next to a main road (Otaika) when I was a kid growing up in Whangarei. The same house for the 1st 17 years of my life.

Now married with children of my own, we live next to a fairly busy road.

It's amazing how carefree we were as kids, and our parents must have been as well, to let us roam free. We didn't get into much trouble...

Well, not unless you count...

1. My sister pushing her pushchair up the centre line of the aformentioned main road at 4 years of age.


2. My mate and I hurling copious amounts of mandarins at cars travelling along the main road, then running and hiding when cars stopped.


3. Walking up to the bush (500m away) and making 'mantraps' (grass tied together over the bush track).


4. Lining the width of the road with rocks so cars either had to stop or run them over...heh heh heh.
   

See, just good wholesome fun.

As much as I liked TV when I was a kid, those times in front of the 'idiot box' (as my Dad would call it) are not my most treasured or powerful memories. Playing outside with my neighbours, running, jumping, skidding bikes and getting into trouble. Those were the good times! Not the TV.

So even though we have a small, steep section next to a busy road my kids are allowed to play outside. And they don't care because their imaginations are so big that the size of the section doesn't matter at all.

Getting dirty on the muddy winter lawn - that's what i'm talking about.

Happy kids enjoying themselves, learning, playing, exercising...nothing better. Well maybe a deep bubble bath full of toys at the end of a cold afternoons playing is a bit better. The kids seem to like it too.

Photos taken in summer...come back summer!

Whadaya do for a crust?

Jobs...there are so many! We live in such a specialised society. You name it, someone specialises in it...crazy!

Back in the day when life was far more simplified people just did basic jobs you know? And their names reflected it.

Hey Mr Baker.
Hi Mrs Taylor.

Wassup Mr Shoemaker.

You know what I mean. Actually there is a name(s) for this occurence funnily enough...(man we live in whacked out times)

Nominative determinism, aptonyms, jobonyms, perfect fit last names etc.

Here is a list of my top 5 favourite aptonyms. (these are real people by the way)

1. Dr. Richard (Dick) Chopp - a urologist specialising in vasectomies.


2. Anna Smashnova - the Israeli tennis player
   


3. Jonah Fisher - a BBC reporter assigned to the Greenpeace ship tracking the Japanese whaling fleet in January 2008.


4. J.W Splatt and D.Weedon - urologists who published several papers on incontinence together.


5. Cardinal Sin - former Archbishop of Manila

But seriously now...as a health professional I deal directly with the public, and sometimes they are in quite a vulnerable state.

So being the cheerful guy that I am, I attempt to strike up a conversation. This brings me to my next random point.

Phatic communion.

They are a couple of words I learned at school. Basically it means: a conversation opener using language to establish a mood of sociability rather than to communicate information or ideas.

My favourite example of phatic communion when on the job is:

So, what do you do for a crust?

This usually elicits all kinds of responses from which a nice relaxed conversation happens. Desired effect achieved.I'm not sure where the saying came from but it may have a biblical origin. Check this out...

If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 2 Th 3:10b (NKJV)

Kinda puts a new spin on the saying, 'Whadaya do for a crust?'

As for me you say...Well, my wife would say I don't do much. My mate would say I yawn a lot. But I like to keep busy in my job. Sometimes I do this by taking funny pictures of myself while at work.




Soooo, whadaya do for a crust ? (leave a comment)