Telemarketer's Question Answered Promptly

Got a call from a telemarketer yesterday - a public holiday. After going back and forth with "Hello?" a couple of times she asked me, "Can I speak to the owner of this phone number?"
This struck me as a very strange request and rather impersonal so I responded with, "No" and hung up.
If you don't even know who you're calling just make sure it's not me. Sounded dodgy like they were going to ask to change my phone service provider or similar.

Coincidence?

Was shopping with the missus this afternoon in an Asian shop and noticed a blend of tea called "Traditional Gunpowder". I jokingly said that you wouldn't want to try to take that through immigration to New York. It reminded me of a recent article whereby a toy grenade caused suspicion at 2 World Financial Center in NYC and led to the building being evacuated. The cashier rang up our purchases and how much should the bill come to? Give yourself a pat on the back if you thought $9.11.

Coincidence? Bit weird? Yes.

Lack of Respect or Lack of Self Respect?

Disappointing meeting in a car park with a stranger today. The missus and I were walking back to our car when a reasonably well dressed women went out of her way to approach us.
"Would you have three dollars that you could give me?" she asked.
"No, sorry." I said.
As she walked off she said, quite loudly, "That was f$%#ing rude."
So the missus and I yelled back with, "Yes, you were. Why do you just expect us to give you money? Do you know us?"
Her retort was, "Go back home." Obviously directed at my wife.

Unfortunately all I could think of in return was, "Go back to jail" when I really should have said that I obviously pay her Centrelink benefits so why should I be expected to give her money as well. It wasn't as if she looked homeless but she certainly sounded like a smoker/drinker.

Was it a lack of respect or lack of self respect? The nerve of some people. She fully expected us to give her the money and was shocked when we refused.

Book Review - the darwin Awards IV Intelligent Design by Wendy Northcutt

Picked this book up at the same time as volume III (see previous post). Three bucks also. Not worth full price which I'm assuming would be $16~$18. Worth a few days reading on the bus but, once again, too many near misses / honourable mentions instead of actual Darwin Awards. Bit of light-hearted reading.

the darwin Awards IV Intelligent Design by Wendy Northcutt

Book Review - the darwin Awards III Survival of the Fittest by Wendy Northcutt

Thought this book would be good as I love the emails regarding the Darwin Awards that come through from friends. The book isn't as high in quality as tidbits that come in emails as it seems that there are more honourable mentions than actual awards. So, I was a little disappointed. Interesting read for a few days though and some explanations were included into the verification conducted by the author, aka Darwin, before inclusion was granted. Alright for $3 from the Save The Children Fund Giant Book Fair.

the darwin Awards III Survival of the Fittest by Wendy Northcutt

Cottesloe Beach - Sculptures by the Sea

What ya gonna do when the mercury hits 41.1C? Head to the beach, that's what. I think that half of Perth had that idea today. Luckily we managed to get a parking spot close by but it was certainly more good luck than good management. Otherwise we would have been stuck in traffic for the next quarter of an hour. They really do need to put a freeway running past the beach to deal with the number of vehicles.

The Boy had a go on his boogie board and had a great time. There was an exhibition on, Sculptures by the Sea, and there were some interesting pieces on display. Man, the beach and surroundings were busy. The queue at the fish and chip shop was horrendous. Glad we'd already had our tea.

Jupiter and Venus were out - almost together in the sky actually. I even spotted what I initially thought was a flare until I realised that it was moving far too quickly for a flare. It was a meteor in actual fact. Took a few photos of what was going on and we had some drinks too. Lovely way to spend an evening.

King of the Waves?

Photos

Are You A Hat Woman?

I've heard of cat ladies. I even know a few of them. But who would have thought that there were enough hat women aged 30 to 34 to partake in a survey? Not me. I would consider the horse racing season the only time that they'd come out of the woodwork. Maybe I don't know much about them because they're too busy. At least that was the finding of the survey.

Did you take part in the hat women survey?

Article - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12134922.cms

Incorrect or Sensationalist Headline?

Bit of confusion for one journalist it would seem. I can understand the confusion as airlines treat you as an adult when you turn 12 and so does the cinema. Teenage years are certainly 13-19 inclusive but girls become women, generally, about the the age of 13-14 years. These women become adults at the age of 18. So when one reads a headline regarding the kidnapping of a teenage girl you'd expect her to be between, say, 13 to 16 years of age. Nineteen is not a girl anymore.

Teenager - yes. Girl - no. Woman - yes.

Have we done away with editors to save a few dollars or are they just not doing their jobs anymore? Or was the journalist looking to sensationalise the story to generate interest?