Hyundai Confirms UK Pricing for New i30 3-Door Hatchback

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The new generation of the Hyundai i30 3-door hatchback, which made its world premiere in September at the Paris Motor Show will go on sale in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2013 with prices starting from £13,995 OTR.

While keeping the same powertrain options and interior, the 3-door model features a more stylish body with a more sharply-raked roofline along with a host of other changes such as the reshaped front bumper.

UK buyers have a choice of four engines, including two petrols, a 1.4-liter delivering 98hp (100PS) and a 1.6-liter producing 118hp (120PS) and two 1.6-liter CRDi diesel units available with 108hp (110PS) or 126hp (128PS).

The entry-level Classic trim gets you with Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, steering wheel audio and phone controls, LED daytime running lights, body-coloured exterior door handles, USB and AUX connections and air conditioning.

If you move up to the mid-range Active trim, equipment features include 16-inch alloys, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a leather steering wheel and gearknob.

The newly introduced Sport trim comes with a range of additional features such as 17-inch wheels, LED tail lights, privacy glass, alloy pedals, leather and cloth upholstery, dual zone climate control, automatic windscreen wipers and headlights and electrically folding door mirrors.

Finally, the range-topping Sport Nav adds a touchscreen satellite navigation system with Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) plus a rear view parking camera with Parking Guidance System.

Full pricing follows below.

PHOTO GALLERY

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It's Always Something

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I haven't posted for a while. My heads been in a muddle since receiving news last week that a dear friend had passed after an amazingingly courageous nine year battle with cancer.
She left behind two beautiful sons who are mostly grown but she had lots of parenting left to do as well as daughtering, sistering and friending...and lots more stuff, too. 
In other words, 53 is just too young to say goodbye.
So, that's been on my mind and has kept my heart heavy.
In the midst of this, there have been a few life obligations that have also weighed on my tiny, little mind. I have worked to cross them off my list...and, with their completion, breathed a sigh of relief as they were a source of stress.
Lo and behold, this morning -- as is the nature of life -- another stress-inducing obligation popped up on my personal horizon and I found myself saying, "Man, it's always something, isn't it?"
Well, yes, it is. It is always something.
Thank God.

Justin Bieber vs. Prince William's Hair

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After several weeks away from this blog, I want to thank Justin Bieber for making my return to "Susan Says..." so easy. In fact, I am not even here. This post is writing itself, whistling happily as it works while I have toast with hummus in the kitchen with Buzzy.
Oh, Biebs, you pitiful, talentless, over-promoted little pimple on the ass of the entertainment industry. Your inane comments about Price William's thinning hair have renewed my energy, restored my enthusiasm and, best of all, leave me no choice but to rip you to shreds. After months of leaving you alone, I am freed by your own stupidity.
Ironic, no?
The Biebs, it appears, thinks that the increasingly hairless heir to the British throne should enhance his appearance with the use of the available wonder drugs in the war on baldness. “I don’t know why he doesn’t just get those things, those products. You just take Propecia and your hair grows back. Have you not got it over here?” are his exact words, spoken to the British press.

Oh yeah, I got it.

Me, too.

Has no one told this kid that Prince William will eventually replace his missing hair with a crown? I'm not talking about the cardboard one from Burger King that you like to wear, Justin. I'm talking about a real, freakin' crown. Not to mention, men no longer need hair in order to look good. It's all in the attitude .... just ask Bruce Willis, Michael Jordan, Sean Connery or Jason Stratham.

Me, three.

It is not news that men are as strung out over their appearance and body image as women are. Over the years they've struggled with horrifying toupes, worn uncomfortable lifts in their shoes and even corsets under suit jackets. More recently,  they've endured calf implants so they can make a statement ("Look how crazy I am--I had calf implants!!" is typically the statement) at the beach. Lately, however, as armies of unapologetic and freshly waxed and moisturized metrosexuals stride into the spotlight, the quest for male beauty has become public and unabashed. 
For Justin to spout off about Prince William's hair loss is not only gleefully moronic but also extremely rude. Did the interviewer suddenly ask him specifically about his feelings regarding the dominant balding gene that runs through the bloodlines of the royal family like the Amazon courses through the jungles of Brazil?
Who brings such a thing up? I hope his parents are embarrassed. I would be.
I doubt the prince would bring up the fact that the Biebster's testicles have not yet properly descended or that, with his current hairstyle, he strongly resembles Eddie Munster.

And yes, the prince is clearly losing his hair and has been for years. It hasn't affected his good looks or lessened the number of young ladies who would love to share his royal chambers. While his younger brother Hairy Harry seems to have been spared the pain of follicular challenges and will definitely enjoy a glamorous life, he is still only the second fiddle...and always will be.

I got the hair, bitches.

Hopefully the bright future ahead of Prince William will bring him much opportunity to maintain the patina on the monarchy as well as do good around the world...even if Kate does put on her make-up using not a mirror but, instead, the high polish of her husband's head.
Either way, they have it made.
The Biebs, who has not demonstrated a growth spurt in recent months, sings awful songs to little girls who will forget him soon after the next teen phenom surfaces. Prince William has the lovely Kate, a rich grandma and a date with history.
And, when Kate was recently interviewed by the BBC she was asked about her feelings regarding William's approaching baldness. Her response, "Who cares about his hair, silly! He has a huge penis. That's why I married him!"*
"I mean, seriously, have you seen that thing?"

*Okay, okay. So she didn't really say that.

It's National Relaxation Day!

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Today is National Relaxation Day!
I think this should be more than an asterisk on the calendar, don't you?
Why not embrace such a good idea and observe it properly?
First and foremost, National Relaxation Day should be a day off.

Add it to school, bank and post office holidays. Stores, which to my sadness never close anymore to observe anything at all, can sponsor sales if they so choose but mostly let's make it a day where people can sleep late, avoid a commute or have breakfast out with the family.
That's a start.
All news networks, cable and otherwise, should go off the air for 24 hours. Instead of the bad and scary, I suggest images of bunnies and unicorns. Exchange footage of suffering and struggle for lion cubs or a field of sunflowers as their cheerful faces bob in peaceful unison when touched by a passing breeze.
Some channels might air hour upon hour of the ancient "Father Knows Best" or "The Donna Reed Show" because despite the fleeting and superficial anxiety of "Princess" not getting the shoes she wants for the party or an equally bland misunderstanding that causes charming conflict between siblings and spouses, all loose ends are tied up quickly and, after approximately 22 minutes not counting commercials, everyone is beaming again.
All professional sports should be cancelled for the day, most especially any activity by the New York Mets.
In addition to no mail (bills, obnoxious mailers from every imbecile running for anything within 300 miles that make me fret about how many trees were felled in the name of this stupidity, as well as glossy catalogs from whose pages I desire everything but can afford nothing) and no TV news, there should be people stationed every mile on public roads -- both urban and rural  -- handing out freshly made S'mores. And corn dogs.

How can one be stressed when eating a S'more? It's impossible. The same goes for a corn dog--holding the stick, navigating the golden crunch of the fried coating, locating the saltiness of the hot dog within....pure relaxation, spicy brown mustard or not.
I advocate that get-togethers, such as those encouraged on Memorial or Labor Day be discouraged. First, because there is simply too much work involved but also because such days commemorate the stressful: Memorial Day means summer is coming and one may not feel ready for public exposure of the spider veins and cellulite that accompany a warm weather wardrobe while Labor Day heralds summer's demise and the inevitability of falling on the ice in your driveway.
So, no parties...people should just drift home -- tummies full, lips greasy -- and recline. Cool damp washcloths can then be applied to foreheads before  fading off for the most celebrated method of observing National Relaxation Day---a nap.

I wish you all a relaxing day



 "Princess" is in the upper left.

Who's Calling?

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Today while slicing up the last delicious cantalope of the year, the phone rang. Seth, who recently went out for a haircut is expecting an important call so I reflexively pivoted to face the phone, dropping my knife which fell, blade side down -- of course -- on my bare instep, slicing it open.


Still determined to answer the phone, I got close enough to read the caller ID which had a number I didn't recognize so I picked up the receiver.

But first I tripped on Buzzy who was winding around my legs.



Despite the chaos, I chirp a pleasant "Hello?" only to hear the low rumble of what we all recognize as a room full of desperate (I am not without pity) telemarketers. I mange to be polite as I inform my caller, who has asked for Seth, that while he isn't home, I would be pleased to take a message.

"No, thankyou," says she. This is just a courtesy call." She clicked off before I could shriek, now aware that I am standing in my own blood, "Well, I don't find it courteous at all!!!


On that note, here is a post from the ancient days of this blog, written immediately after Election Day, 2010, that is very appropriate in view of phone calls such as these as well as the barrage of political calls, polls and surveys that many of us have ben receiving in preparation for the approaching election...



Recent Scenario: After tidying my home, starting a load of laundry and vigorously petting the cats, I sit--with the lunch I’ve prepared--by the window to soak up some sunlight and relax for a few minutes. Cat Numero Uno curls up across my knees. Numero Dos settles by my side while I balance my veggie burger on the arm of the sofa, placing my iced tea on the window sill. I note, with fleeting concern, that I’ve forgotten to locate the portable phone. Then the phone rings.

Since it could be one of the boys needing advice (Can I wear this shirt with these pants? How much do I tip at a buffet? What is the meaning of life?), I pull myself to my feet, dispersing the cats—one of whom knocks my veggie burger to the floor.

The sound of shattering crockery alarms the other cat who leaps to the ceiling, up-ending the iced tea which then soaks my newspaper.


I stagger to the phone, my lips already forming the pearls of wisdom I will dispense, but, upon lifting the receiver, hear only, “Hi, this is Linda McMahon….” Or, “This is—insert the name of one of a dozen candidates who’ve been bombarding my home recently with obnoxious recorded messages. Or it’s their wife, child, left ass-cheek, pet or transsexual lover who wants, in additional recorded messages, to tell me why their daddy, mommy, wife, husband, etc. is the perfect choice for the job.

Unfortunately, there’s no one at the other end at whom to howl obscenities. So, I shriek them into the unresponsive receiver, impressing none but the cats (who’ve heard it all before) with my dazzling, yet disappointingly unmarketable, natural ability to string naughty words into extremely complex sentences.

Don’t these politicians see that this harassment isn’t an effective way to commandeer votes or rally a constituency? At least, not in my opinion, it isn’t. I’ve long treasured the privilege of voting but was so disgusted with these calls (plus the relentless negative ads on television combined with a scarcity of decent choices) that, this year, I considered getting a pedicure instead of casting a ballot.

Not to mention, I miss the old voting machines. I don’t trust the new ones. How could it not matter whether we insert our ballots face up or down? I think the new machines might actually be shredders. Right, Bridgeport?

I read that Linda McMahon’s campaign made 400,000 phone calls during the weeks preceding the election. I seriously think she made them all to my house. When I heard the staggering amount she spent (45 million American dollars) on her campaign, I had to lie down with a cool rag across my face and a bag of peanut M&Ms by my side.


The election is over but I’m still receiving calls. Now, mostly, from gutter installers, chimney cleaners and dozens of charities and organizations who think nothing of calling on a Sunday morning at 8:30 or a Friday evening after nine. I struggle to keep my head from exploding as I respond politely. After all, these are people trying to earn a living.

If my hormone levels are in flux or I’ve been rudely awakened, I’ve been known to behave less cordially. Afterward, I worry that, with the click of a mouse, a caller seeking revenge and possessing computer skills could skew my credit rating or place me on the no-fly list, so I try to control my ire. It does seem, however, that since I signed up with the “Do Not Call” registry I’ve been receiving more calls instead of fewer. Perhaps, I accidentally added myself to the “Please—I beg you!!—Call Me” list in a moment of delirium.

So, if any telemarketers, candidates, or pollsters are listening, I don’t want to hear why you’re right for the job, change my cable company or donate money. I want my phone time reserved for chatting with family and friends, ordering pizza or directing the confused driver of the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol van to my door. Other than that, consider me unlisted.

If he calls, I'll talk to him.

The post I never thought I'd ever get the chance to post

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I have been meaning to sit down and write you a real post forever - but every day life seems to get the better of me and it's all I can do to read your posts.  Heck, I haven't even had the stamina to comment much lately.  Sorry 'bout that.

I had high hopes that I would get it done today (and I still might, if I can keep my eyes open) since I took a vacation day today.  I also had high hopes that other stuff would get done today - such as cleaning my house properly for the first time in ages.  This was actually a priority.  I wrote it on a To Do list and everything.  It really needed to happen since we are having people over for Hubby's birthday tomorrow.  Yes, he decided that he would throw himself a party since I seem to have lost that celebration, hostess-with-the-mostess gene somewhere along the way.  It didn't happen though.  I was too busy buying shoes.....

No idea why they are sideways.  I took the picture straight up.  It saved straight up.  But yet, when it loaded it came out like this.  And to be honest, I'm too tired to try and fix it. But aren't they pretty?

There is clutter and dust as far as the eye can see.  I can tell that tomorrow morning will find me doing an ad hoc job at getting the house company-ready. *sigh*

The thing is, I can't for the life of me figure out where my time and stamina is going.

As I mentioned in my previous rant post (which I disguised as a post the best I could) Hubby has found a job.  Thank you sweet, baby, Jesus!  Granted, it's just a part time job - but it's a job.

We have high hopes that this will turn into a permanent, full time position; but we don't know when.  He tells me they don't treat him as a part time, temporary worker.  They have given him the keys to all the buildings, a debit card for work expenses, they are in the process of getting him a new computer (because the one he had was so slow) and are moving him out of the storage room and into a cubicle.

They also gave him an iPhone.

This for a man who, up until now, has used only a flip phone.  The man who SWORE he would never need anything more than said flip phone.  He was expected to use it.  To send texts.  To respond to emails, etc.

Although the man is not a complete Luddite it would be safe to say that he was extremely close to being one.

And so it began, me teaching him how to use his phone.  There were tears.  There was cursing.  But before the night was out he had learned to text.  And, at one point, he even proclaimed it "fun."

Armed with the knowledge that he had mastered texting, he went into work the next day.  And all was well.  Or so I thought.

When I came home that night I had to talk him down off the ledge.  Apparently, he had started receiving all the orientation materials via email.  Which meant that while his computer was pinging so was his phone.  And if that wasn't enough to wig him out the contents of the emails were.  "You need to complete the online Understanding Compliance thingamabob.  Click here."  "Here is the link to access the online expense reports."  "Here is the link to submit your timesheet."  "You need to set up your voicemail, click here to learn how."  And on and on it went.

Now to be fair, Hubby has come a long, long way in learning to deal with technology.  He can "do" email (that's how he once put it).  He can even "do" the Google.  He can create documents, but anything more than that and he's lost.  In fact, he has asked me three times if it's possible to create folders in email.  And three times I've shown him how to do it.  And then he asked me again yesterday.  *sigh*  He has only recently mastered (I hope) the art of "cutting and pasting."

But in his last position, I don't think he had a computer until his last few years there.  I always thought my company was behind the times but that company is still living in the dark ages.  They did absolutely nothing online and this one? Well, this one is cutting edge - everything is online or computerized.

So by the time I got home that night he had wigged himself out completely.  Convinced that he would never be able to "get" it.  After I calmed him down and showed him a few things he felt better.  Thank God.

As of today, he's been there for a little over a week and he seems to be getting the hang of the technology end of it.  He has learned how to do his expense reports online.  He has figured out how to set up his voicemail and submit his timesheet.

The Compliance part is still wigging him out though.  Since his computer is so slow, they have printed out the materials for him to review and he can complete it when he gets the new computer.  I know that it's not the big deal that he's making it out to be, especially since I just finished our Compliance thing a few weeks ago.  But he thinks that he needs to read and memorize all of this....

Again, no idea. *sigh*

I keep telling him that the questions are obvious and he doesn't need to memorize all that but he doesn't listen.  He'll figure it out once he logs in and starts the thing.

But other than that it's all good.  He loves them; they seem to love him and we will see what happens from here.

Life is a journey or so we are told.  There will be ups and downs.  And we have been down; so hopefully this means we are finally looking at an up.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this text message exchange between Hubby and I.

Well, at least ONE of the pictures loaded properly!

Apparently, he still has his sense of humor.

And miracle of miracles, somehow I completed this post today.  Between that and the shoes, at least I can say I got something accomplished today!

Banning books?! What's next....using the fertile women as concubines?

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I was reading the local news the other day and read something that got me into such a snit that I HAD to say something to someone about it...lucky you.

Here, in my local school district, there is a group of parents that are petitioning the local school board to ban a book that is on the required reading list for high school students (seniors, if I'm not mistaken).

The fact the district has a policy in place where a parent can "opt out" if they don't want their child to read the particular book is of no consequence to them.  No, they don't want ANYONE to read the book.

Because I am an avid reader, an independent soul, and a, somewhat, rational and sane individual I am, of course, against this.

The book in question?  A Handmaid's Tale.

They are calling it pornography; un-Christian even; (Which is kind of funny considering that "Christianity" - of a warped kind - is a BIG plot point in this story)  and whatever else vile vitriol they can throw at it.  My question is this; have they read it?  And more importantly, did they comprehend what they read?

Or did they just focus on one particular aspect of the book?  Methinks THAT might be the problem.

It was on my son's required reading list in his senior year at a Catholic high school.  Did you catch that?  At a CATHOLIC high school, i.e. an "uber-conservative" institution.  The kind of place where woe for the student caught with their shirt untucked and detention is served for chewing gum.  And yet, they had it on their required reading list.....

Now, I'll be honest - I didn't read it - nor did I investigate it before it was assigned.  After my son read it he offered it to me.  Again, did you catch that?  He offered it to ME (his mother) to read.  Do you think he would have done that if he was thinking about the explicitness of it?  No. If he thought the book was vile and disgusting; or in any way pornographic, he would have told me that it was boring and not worth my time.  He would have told me ANYTHING to keep me from reading it.

He offered it to me because he enjoyed the plot and thought that I would appreciate the story and the discussion that was sure to follow.  So I read it.

Was I a tad surprised with one particular scene?  Yes, a little.  But I wouldn't classify it as pornography, per se.  It was graphic, I'll give you that.  But it helped the reader to realize just how dire the situation was and how very, very wrong the society was in which they lived.  Did I worry that it would warp his mind?  No.

As a mother in this day and age, I realized that the possibility, at that point in time, that he had seen and read far more explicit information via the television and the internet was very real; because as much as we'd like, as mothers, to shield our children from every vile thing; the truth is, we can't.

I was most impressed with our discussion after both of us had read the book.  I was interested to hear his take how such a society could come to be - and his ability to connect the dots and realize that it hinted at Nazi Germany.

Despite the fact that the book had this explicit scene in it, the class seemed to focus on the plot of the book.  Hmmm; imagine that.  A book that sparks discussion!  Thoughts!  Opinions!  A book that helps to develop critical thinking....ye gods!  It MUST be banned immediately!  God knows we don't want our children to develop their critical thinking! (Where, OH where is the sarcastic font when you need it most?)

A book that YOU (no, not you, the reader - I realize you are far to savvy for this kind of nonsense; it's more along the lines of you, the censoring, know-it-all who thinks they know what it best for the world; i.e., it's your way or the highway) think needs to be banned.

Well, guess what?  With all the controversy that you have stirred up over this one book, I can almost guarantee that your child will find a way to read it - just to see what has you all riled up.

I agree, this is not a book for the younger set.  And yes, if for whatever reason you don't want your child to read it, then simply opt out - you are given a choice.  And realize this, you do not have the RIGHT to tell me what MY child, or any other child that does NOT belong to you, can and cannot read.  Period.

And remember this.....by setting out on this slippery slope of banning books, you are conceivably on the path to creating a society that was laid out in this book.  Admittedly, it's a stretch, but it's true.  Read the damn book and see for yourself.


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And after all that, YES, this book is going to be included in "The Books I Love Enough To Tell You About" tab up there at the top of the page.....which, incidently, hasn't been updated in forever.  

Black Friday....the Twilight Zone version

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Remember last year when I was wondering whether or not I wanted to venture out on Black Friday?  And then I did and spent the majority of it in the car?  Remember how I said the older I get the more the noise, the crowds and the parking irritate me?

Well this year, Man-Child informed me that he wanted to "do" Black Friday.  I almost fell over in shock.  Mainly, because he usually stages a revolt if I try to take him near a store for anything that isn't for him.

After laying down a few ground rules - I would NOT be up and out at 2:00 or 3:00 am; nor would I shop on Thanksgiving night (some stores were actually open so that people could shop after their meal!*) and I most definitely would not be out the door by 6:00 am - we made a date; we were going to "do" Black Friday.

I was terrified.

Friday morning dawned bright and early.  And not on purpose; I just couldn't stay asleep any longer.  After leisurely reading the paper and having coffee, I climbed the stairs to wake MC.  I was certain he would growl at me and the whole trip would be off.  He didn't.  He did ask for a few more minutes; which I graciously granted....thinking he'd fall back asleep and then beg off when I came back up to wake him.  He didn't.

We stopped for an ultra-healthy breakfast at McDonald's and then we took off around 9:00 am.

If I had to be out and about in the madness, there was really only one store that I wanted to hit.  Belk's.  They were having an AMAZING sale on boots.  So that's where we started.  Our Belk's is located at a huge shopping center that is crazy even during the best of times.  Normally, from November on I avoid this place like the plague because of the insanity.  And the traffic directors, or whatever they are, that are there directing traffic actually seem to make it worse.  But I figured Belk's is on the fringe of the center, so I was hoping maybe we could sneak in without having to actually venture through the shopping center itself.

I pulled into the lot and found a parking spot practically at the front door immediately.  I was shocked. We ventured into the store and it was relatively quiet; until we hit the shoe department.  Apparently, I was not the only one who had heard about the sale.  But even so, it wasn't overwhelming.  I scooped up the perfect pair of boots for a steal and we were on our way.  There wasn't even a line to speak of.

Apparently, the frenzy in the shoe department wasn't enough to put MC off; he then wanted to venture over to the other side of the shopping center to hit the book store.  Figuring I was being smart, I went back out onto the main road and circled around and snuck in the back way to the book store and noticed that the traffic directors were nowhere to be seen.  This is unheard of!  I, once again, immediately found a spot at the front door.  As I parked, we looked at each other and MC asked, "Did we sleep through Black Friday?"  I had to wonder.  If it hadn't been for the amazing deal on the boots, I would have thought we had slept through it.

Once inside the book store, it was ominously quiet.  We were able to move freely about the store.  We were only almost mowed down once - by a rambunctious toddler who had momentarily escaped from his father's grasp.  We selected our purchases and headed toward the checkout line - only to stop and look at each other in shock.  This store ALWAYS has a line.  ALWAYS.  And at Christmas time, the line is usually all the way to the back of the store.  There was only one person ahead of us. ONE.

From there we drove to Old Navy, where again, a spot at the front was immediately located and procured.  And again, the store was almost empty of people.  This phenomenon was repeated as we went to WalMart and Target.  It was almost eerie.

By the time, we'd hit Old Navy, I had started to ask the cashiers at each store if it had been crazy earlier, all of them informed me that they had just been on duty for an hour or so, and that no - it had been pretty quiet all morning.  I was dumbfounded.

Apparently, according to what the cashiers had heard from their coworkers as they were clocking in, the insanity peaked around 2:00 or 3:00 am and then it leveled off.

So, in essence, our Black Friday adventure was a walk in the park.  We were able to get in and out of the stores with ease.  We were able to promptly secure what we had set out to procure.  And we were home and tucked up on the couch with a movie by 12:00 pm.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.


*Although I am sure my experience was so great because everyone else went shopping on Thanksgiving, I'm not sure I quite like the idea of the stores being open on the holiday.  It's not fair to the employees (in fact, we did see a mini-protest of seven or so people, at WalMart) and also, I'm kind of tired of retailers bumping the Christmas rush earlier and earlier.  At this rate, we will be having Black Friday on the day after Halloween before too long.

In the midst of a cleaning and organizing frenzy, I present to you my newest favorite (old) products

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I have sorta been a domestic goddess lately.  Seriously. (Yeah, I don't know what's gotten into me either!)

As I am typing this, I have been off work since Wednesday - and I have three more days before I go back to work.  Needless to say, I've had to find something to do and so I have turned to housekeeping.  It's funny, usually when I come across an area of the house that needs to be addressed, I make a mental note to get to it on the next weekend (which never seems to actually happen since I totally get sidetracked by something else that needs my attention immediately) - but now that I've got all this spare time, I am able to just dive right in and I have.....and I have the aching back to prove it.

It's actually kind of refreshing.  Back when Man-Child was here, housekeeping was near impossible.  As soon as it was clean or organized, he'd come home and chaos would immediately ensue. (Want to hear something funny?  MC claims HE is the neatest between him and his roommate! Hahahahaha!  Somehow I find that hard to believe, but he swears it's true.) Hubby actually isn't so bad, except for his habit of hiding clutter, so usually when everything is clean and where it needs to be it stays there, more or less.

So far I have organized my bathroom (no mean feat considering that nothing has really been properly organized in there since we moved in four years ago when we just dumped the boxes straight into the cabinets and drawers); my dresser (ditto with the dumping four years ago), have given the bedroom a MAJOR cleaning from top to bottom, have cleaned out the fridge and organized the pantry (this was huge project, since it involved moving all of this; most of which had migrated to my countertops from the dining room table! and making room in the pantry for it all, complete with baskets of his favorites, so he can just remove the basket and put it back without just throwing stuff back in the pantry willy-nilly).

In between the organizing and cleaning frenzy I have also been dealing with laundry.  The never ending laundry.  Throwing Thanksgiving into the mix only added to the laundry; what with Man Child bringing home EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE of clothing he owns to be washed, there was also the linens that needed to be dealt with.

We discovered just a few hours before our Thanksgiving guests were to arrive that some of our favorite tablecloths had old stains that had gone unnoticed last time they were washed and dried.  Lovely.  Needless to say, we used different tablecloths for Thanksgiving dinner.

After the festivities, I turned my attention to the old stains.  Certain that they would NEVER come out. I mean, who knows how long these stains had been there?  Who knew what caused the stains?  And I knew that those stains had been set by the dryer a year ago or so, since that was the last time we'd used those particular linens.

Enter my two new favorite (old) products.


Yup.  Old fashioned hydrogen peroxide and washing soda.
Let me tell you - this stuff kicks butt!  Seriously.  I have never seen a commercial "stain removal" product - including bleach - work as well as this; particularly on old, set in stains.  After soaking all the tablecloths in this mixture (even the multi-colored tablecloth) for a few hours in hot water a couple of times and then washing (along with a dash of each, in addition to the detergent) the cloths are stain-free.  AND the multicolored tablecloth shows no signs of fading or bleaching!  Color me impressed.  My question? How did I NOT know about this back when I was dealing with baby stains, toddler stains, kid stains and football stains?  Because I'm here to tell you, Spray 'n Wash (my mother's favorite go-to laundry aid) did NOT help with the majority of those stains....much less stains of this caliber.
Upon doing further "research" (okay, okay!  Hours spent browsing Pinterest.....), I have discovered many, many uses for these two super products and I can now state unequivocally that these two items will be staples in my house for years to come. 
Now you really must excuse me, I need to go reorganize Hubby's closet, and the mudroom, and something really needs to be done about that hall closet.....OH, and somehow I need to find the time to rearrange the garage....if only to be able to access the Christmas decorations; otherwise we will have to decorate the ficus and have Christmas morning in the dining room.  And nobody wants that.  I know because I already asked.  Something tells me that the heating pad is about to become my new best friend. 


*This is NOT a sponsored post - I just wanted to share my great new discovery!  

It's kind of like an archaeological dig....only a bit more random

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As you know, I've pretty much been possessed by a shadow of my former self lately and have been cleaning and de-cluttering like crazy and in the process have discovered something.

In the past I have claimed that my husband is a hoarder.  And he is, it's true, remember the great pasta post? And, apparently, I never even mentioned his tendency to hoard canned tomatoes or black tee shirts (despite the fact that I have informed him a billion times that black is NOT his color).

Well, during the Great Purge of 2012, I have discovered that I inadvertently hoard craft materials; this is hysterical only because I don't "craft."  Oh sure, I've dabbled in it once or twice when something has caught my eye and I think to myself, "OH!  I could do that!"  And then, apparently, bought the store out of all its materials to make said craft exactly once.

I have also discovered that I hoard ribbons.  Any and all kinds of ribbon.  You need Christmas ribbon?  I've got plenty.  It has also come to my attention that I have loads and loads of blue ribbon.  Baby blue ribbon, to be specific.  Some of which is inscribed, "It's a Boy!"

The only thing I can determine from the ribbon discovery is that I must have hosted and attended a great many baby showers where the sex of the child was a boy.  I am now currently urging any and every woman I know, of child bearing age, to get knocked up with a child of the male gender - if only so I can rid myself of all this damn ribbon that is taking up valuable real estate in my home.

Tights.  I love tights, this is not a secret.  The more fun, the better - I have harlequin, stripes, polka dots, plaid, mutli-color, brights; etc..  So explain to me how I own more than eight pairs of plain, black tights?  Not to mention footless tights.  I NEVER wear footless tights.  But yet, I own several pairs.  Granted they are fun - stripes, leopard print; etc - but they are footless.  Something I NEVER wear.  But because some of them were so fun, I kept them.  So any ideas on how I can wear footless tights - at my age- would be much appreciated.

"Beauty" products.  Yes, I do love beauty products.  But, apparently, my fascination with them ends pretty much immediately after I realize they don't live up to the hype. I'm so ashamed by how much dried up stuff I threw away recently.  New vow to self: only buy what you truly love.

So there you have it.....I AM a hoarder.  But in my defense, at least it's more interesting than pasta, tomato sauce, and tee shirts.

I've got the public transport ticketing blues.

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Yesterday I lost my myki card.  I'd been travelling around all morning, flitting from one appointment to the next and when I boarded the tram at the end of the day I could not find the card.  I got on the tram anyway, thinking that the card was probably buried somewhere in the dark corners of my handbag.  For the duration of the journey I rummaged but disembarked without any sign of the card.

Due to my participation on the myki customer experience panel, I have acquired a small pile of myki cards.  I have participated in various activities where I've had to purchase a card - from a machine, online, from the call centre, from a station...I didn't particularly want to fork out $11 on a new card + the fare just to get home.

I lined up at the ticket window at Flinders Street Station only to discover the only tickets that are now available is myki.  No paper tickets are available any more.  I found myself face to face with the biggest problem with myki - the lack of a short term, one off ticket option.  The man at the ticket window said that a paper metcard can still be purchased from a machine on board a tram as long as I have coins.  I had coins, so decided to board a tram to Southern Cross station.  I could buy a ticket on the way and then catch a train from there.  After 29 December this won't be an option and there is still no sign of a short term ticketing option.

I started to feed my money into the ticket machine.  The money was sluggish going through the slot and I couldn't hear it dropping into the machine.  The display also was not showing the $4 I had fed in.  I pressed the cancel button in the hope my money would come back, but it didn't.  The machine shut down and I was left with no ticket, no coins and no options.

The tram driver said there was nothing he could do and handed me a leaflet with a phone number to call.  He advised me to record the serial number of the tram and the ticket machine.  I left the tram.

The myki discovery centre at Southern Cross Station was open, so I went in and caught the eye of one of the aqua clad "myki mates".  A woman greeted me with a friendly smile, took me straight to the telephone so I could report my myki lost.  Luckily I had registered it, so a block could be placed on the card and the unused balance on the card refunded.  The blocking was done in the blink of an eye and with $20 on the card I was very pleased that I had registered it.  The balance will be put on another card which I will receive in the mail.  To have the balance transferred to one of the cards I already have, I would have to fill in the refund/replacement card form which would then have to be posted in.  I decided not to bother.

I was given a replacement myki at no charge and was able to top it up with $5 to get me home.  Phew.  While the replacement process is still a bit clunky, the customer service aspect was excellent.  I do wonder why so many forms and postage is required for processes attached to a "smart" card.  Why can't I speak to someone on the phone and then be handed a replacement card with the balance from my other card on it while I'm at the discovery centre?  The back office processes could be completed without needing anything further from me and be much more efficient.

While dreaming of greater efficiency and truly customer-centric approaches from government agencies, I came face to face with the Metcard system when I called to report the faulty machine and organise to get my money back.  I can now see why myki has some of the design "features" it has - they have been lifted directly from Metcard.  Here's what happens when a machine has malfunctioned.

I called and provided the serial number of the ticket machine and the tram number.  They would get a technician to check the machine.  Simple.

To get my money back, I had to fill in a form.  I was sitting in front of my computer while I was on the phone, and was directed to a website.  I was to type the words "metcard refund application" into the search box.  The first option from the list was the one I was to select.  I received an error message advising that the website no longer existed.  The customer service officer emailed me a form.  The form can not be lodged electronically.  It can't even be filled out on the computer and then printed.  It must be printed, filled in by hand and then posted in.  My printer driver is not working so I can't print anything at the moment.  Another copy of the form is being mailed to me.

Once I fill out the form and send it in, I will receive a cheque for my refunded amount.  Sound familiar?  This is the process they used to go through for a myki refund. 

I asked whether I could provide the number for a myki card and have the balance topped up onto that card, rather than requiring a bank cheque to be purchased for $10.  No, there is no possible way that can be done.  I'm actually pretty sure it is possible.  The process just isn't set up that way. I think the system was designed to deter people from getting small amounts of money back when a machine malfunctions - another clue that the customer is a long way from the centre of their universe.

The other thing I discovered is that the $9.80 administration fee for gaining a refund does not apply when a machine has malfunctioned, but it will apply to people surrendering their metcards and switching to myki!  I suppose that will cover the cost of the refund to me, but people with metcards, need to get cracking and use them all up before the end of the year.

***********
GIVEAWAY;

To win one of three in-season double passes to see "Bachelorette": leave a comment at the end of this blog post telling us where you met your oldest friend.  Entries close Saturday 10 November 2012.  Winners will be drawn randomly, announced on the blog and contacted individually.

Good luck!

* Passes are valid even with a "no free tickets" listing at participating Australian cinemas.

White Ribbon Day - the bruises don't always show

To contact us Click HERE
Today, 25 November, is White Ribbon Day in Australia.

White Ribbon is a campaign led by men against male violence perpetrated against women.  As I write, the counter on the website shows that almost 64, 000 men have pledged an oath "never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women".  I know that I know some of them.

I am fortunate in my life to be surrounded by good men;  ones who take this oath for granted in the way that they live their lives.

I have felt unsafe in the company of a man once in my life.  It was at work, late one Friday afternoon when there was no one else around.  I had experienced bullying at the hands of this man before and this particular afternoon he entered my office in a red-faced rage, standing over me and shouting in my face.  He didn't lay a hand on me, but I was not confident that he wouldn't.  I found my voice, stepped out of my office into the corridor and told him to "back off" in a tone that said I wasn't in the mood to argue.  I think the tone of my voice triggered something and he stopped long enough for me to tell him I wasn't going to have anything to do with him when he was like this.

He left.  I was a frightened mess.  I called one of the senior men in the organisation and told him what had happened.  He helped me take charge of the next steps.

At the hands of men I've experienced sexual harassment, poorly judged "jokes", emotional cruelty and bullying. These experiences have all been in a workplace context.  I've also experienced bullying and emotional cruelty delivered by women.  When I needed support to address these issues there have been wonderful people, both men and women, who understood that what had occurred was wrong and were prepared to go public and be vocal in their support.

I've had men take on other men to right a wrong on my behalf, when the man who had done the wrong thing wasn't prepared to listen to me.  It was a shame that my message about acceptable behaviour had to be delivered by other men in order to be taken seriously, but I was pleased that the message was delivered.

Violence against women can take many forms.  The scars and bruises aren't always visible.  I don't think violence should ever be tolerated and I try to live my life according to this principle.

I feel personally very lucky, never to have suffered physical violence at the hands of a man and to have many wonderful men in my life whom I know would stay true to the White Ribbon oath if the situation required it - even if they had never heard of White Ribbon and the pledge.

The White Ribbon movement is a powerful and important symbol. Make your pledge today and honour the women in your life.

GIVEAWAY:
TO WIN a double pass to see "2 Days in New York" comment on this post, telling us where you'd like to spend two days and why.  Entries close next Friday, 30 November.  Winners will be announced on the blog.  Don't forget to check back and see if you've won - you'll need to provide your mailing address details.

Passes are valid during the season in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and the ACT.

Good luck!

Travelling musician brings joy to travellers (+giveaway)

To contact us Click HERE
I stepped into a train carriage travelling into the city the other day and saw a group of high school children sitting in a group an intensely talking amongst themselves.  I took a seat nearby.  Soon music started to fill the air.  Usually when this happens, I move.  It's generally someone listening to an ipod with the volume set far too loudly so that the sound bleeds through their earphones; or it's someone listening to music without even the courtesy of using headphones.

This was different though.  It was good music and it was being played live.  There was someone playing the guitar, who was very, very good.  There was an air of quiet appreciation from the people sitting with him as his artistry gave pleasure.  I didn't recognise the music but did recognise a musician with rhythm who communicates through his instrument.  He finished one piece and then started something familiar.  His fans clicked their fingers crisply at regular intervals.  He was playing the theme from the "Pink Panther".  I've never heard it played on the guitar before and he made me wonder why I had never had the pleasure.

We pulled into North Melbourne Station and I turned around to see him and acknowledge him.  He had only one friend left sitting with him and he was playing with intention and joy.  He looked up as I turned around.  Our eyes met and we acknowledged each other - I was acknowledging the gift of his music and he acknowledged the gift of my appreciation.

He finished the piece and I applauded.  Others on the train looked up and smiled, but didn't join me in applause.

This young man was a pleasure to hear.  I may never hear him play again.  I don't know his name, but I'm sure I would recognise his playing if I heard him again.  I really hope I do hear his music again.

On another note, here is the sugar laden afternoon tea that I resisted when working with a client today.  In the fourth week of sugar-free life, I am very pleased to say that I wasn't even tempted!  I was, however, very hungry and will take an alternative snack with me tomorrow.



GIVEAWAY:
TO WIN a double pass to see "2 Days in New York" comment on this post, telling us where you'd like to spend two days and why.  Entries close next Friday, 30 November.  Winners will be announced on the blog.  Don't forget to check back and see if you've won - you'll need to provide your mailing address details.

Passes are valid during the season in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and the ACT.

Good luck!

Well That's Nice to Know

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Looks like my photographs of our travels throughout New York State have become quite popular on the Internet. While searching for information about my travel blogs, I found that scads of people search for, visit, and link to some of my photos. The most popular seem to be our visits to historic military sites and my miscellaneous photos of "old stuff" like old books and personalized jewelry boxes.

I used to play "Photo Hunters" on the other travel blog, a fun Internet scavenger hunt game. We were assigned a word and had to post a related photo and description of the photo. Some of my blog traffic comes directly from the game!

I especially liked showing (and viewing) photos of antiques, heirlooms, old toys, personal keepsakes and very old jewelry, etc. Those things are fascinating to me. I like to imagine what life was like way back when, and these "everyday" types of objects seem to tell the story.

I have almost 6,000 photos on my Flickr account now. :|

I'm Giving Away Free Audio Walking Tours for NYC App

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I recently downloaded and reviewed a new iPhone/Android app called Racontours. It's a really neat app, one of the best travel apps I've seen! The app contains numerous historical walking tours of New York City, loaded with videos, images, and much history.

You can read my review of it here. As part of my enthusiasm, the app developer has given me a coupon code so you can check out the tours, too.

I am giving away some FREE tours for the app this week only. All you have to do is email Oscar at Racontours with the coupon code NEWYORKTRAVELER. Racontours will send you a coupon code for a free tour. Even if you don’t plan on visiting the city, you can still learn a lot. Most tours are very long — it took me several hours to get through a few of them — so they are somewhat like a movie/audio book/video. I especially liked the Central Park, Wall Street, and Old Manhattan tours.

The tours are valued at $10 each, so it's quite a deal. And I'll bet that you learn something new about the history of NYC and our founding fathers!

Survivor - leadership study on a Saturday afternoon.

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I'm hooked on the television show, "Survivor".  It's the 25th series, but I've never watched it before.  Now that I've discovered the show, I'm not sure how I've been oblivious.

This season is set in the Philippines and life is hard.  The setting is beautiful, but the rain is consistent, the food is basic and the challenges are physically tough.

I happened to turn on the television last Saturday afternoon and the first episode of the season was on, followed immediately by the second episode.  I quickly became absorbed.  It was great study for the leadership and team work that I am currently facilitating with some clients.

I watched as people who clearly wanted to be leaders, pretended that they didn't want to take on that role.  They then turned into the worst kind of autocrat, bossing around their fellow tribe members and barking orders with the expectation of no consultation.  It was interesting to watch the reactions of the people being bossed.  They disengaged and started to plot the demise of their resident dictator.  It was clear from their comments that they felt disrespected and undervalued.

Equally interesting was seeing people who carry leadership with them just by the way they are in the group.  They don't assert authority but they win respect by engaging with the people around them, being diligent in their work and contributing positively to the welfare of the group.  They become seen as leaders by the group.  This is what I call informal leadership - there's no formal designation, but a person can still be the leader.

I was recently working with a group of people who are seen by the business as being in leadership positions.  Interestingly, the people themselves did not see themselves as being in leadership positions, or as having any leadership responsibility.  They were leading projects and agendas rather than a specific team of people.  They didn't accept the idea of informal leadership and railed against the idea of being leaders at all.

Ironically, one of them raised "Survivor" as a leadership example.  They talked about the scheming and political aspect where people are often lying to each other because ultimately "Survivor" is a game which requires players to work with their fellow tribe members to build a world, while plotting and scheming to be the last person standing.   They used this idea of selfishness to justify their views that openness and honesty are not requirements of leadership.

I despaired.  The ultimate end of this argument is that they see their workplace as being a brutal, winner takes all environment.  I have no doubt that many places are like this, but I know that's not the current reality at this place.

Anyway, I'm keen to see more of "Survivor" and what happens when the numbers reduce even further.  One tribe has already been decimated with the remaining two players, Malcolm (swoon) and Denise being merged into the other two tribes.  Joining an already established group can be tricky and it's been interesting to see the delicate dance as people check each other out, trying to determine whether they are a friend or a threat and determining allegiance.

I think this is what's so addictive.  We are all doing this kind of thing everyday.  Watching a group of people in a pressured environment is fascinating.  I can't believe I have missed twenty four years of this study!

2 Days in New York - giveaway

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Image courtesy Hopscotch Films

My friends at Hopscotch Films continue their wonderful streak of generosity by sharing the love with readers of divacultura.  They've given me three double passes to share with readers to see "2 Days in New York".  I really enjoyed the 2007 film "2 Days in Paris" .

Check out the trailer here.

Here's some more info from Hopscotch about the film:

"Julie Delpy strikes back - as writer, director and actor - with a 'sequel' to her much-loved success '2 Days in Paris', a film that redifined the words 'romantic' and 'comedy'.  Picking up a few years down the line, neurotic Marion (Delpy) has broken up with boyfriend Jack and now lives with a new love and child in the Big apple,  Marion's new beau is Mingus (Chris Rock), a radio host and journalist, and they live cozily in a New York apartment.  But their life is upended by a two-day visit from Marion's French family: her jolly father, her oversexed sister and her sister's outrageous boyfriend.  The French trio hilariously have no boundaries or filters...and no person is left unscathed.  The different cultural backgrounds make for an explosive mix, and a deliciously witty romp of a film."

TO WIN a double pass comment on this post, telling us where you'd like to spend two days and why.  Entries close next Friday, 30 November.  Winners will be announced on the blog.  Don't forget to check back and see if you've won - you'll need to provide your mailing address details.

Passes are valid during the season in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and the ACT.

Good luck!

Music, food and laughter cancel out train trauma

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For the first time in a while, I woke up hours before the alarm.  The sun was coming in my window and I felt well rested.  I had time to lie in bed and think.  Read.  Consider the day ahead.  I was hours ahead of schedule.  I had an all day vocal group rehearsal today and had to make the salad I was taking for lunch (sugar free, of course) and be ready to catch the train at 9:38am.

I proceeded at a leisurely pace and was ready to enjoy the walk to the train station.  I arrived with about five minutes to spare.  There seemed to be more people there than usual for that time on a Saturday morning, but I figured everyone had woken up to the glorious day in the same way I had.  All of us were running ahead of schedule, except for the trains.

The automated timetable announcement proclaimed at about 9:35 that the 9:18am train would be departing in about six minutes.  The one I was there to catch, the 9:38am - was about 17 minutes away.  Oh well, I'd catch an earlier train and leave later than I anticipated.  Only Metro trains could make that happen.

A few minutes passed and a manual announcement was made, advising that due to something-or-other, all trains had been suspended until further notice.  When you're at an unstaffed station, this is the most frustrating kind of announcement.  No details are given about alternative services and there is no one to ask.

Luckily I hadn't been waiting for that long, so I was still within the window to be able to touch off my myki and not be billed for a trip I wasn't going to take. I made my way back home and started my car.

It's so annoying to be forced onto the road when you're committed to public transport and try not to clog up the streets with one person car trips that could otherwise be taken on public transport.  And on the weekends, the price of travel is capped at $3.30 for the day, so it really is better than taking the car.  At least I have a car and could easily take alternative transport to get to my rehearsal.  In Melbourne's western suburbs, if the trains go down, there aren't a lot of other options.

While I missed my reading time, I did enjoy the airconditioning and radio discussion about the colour of a kitten's fur being a big factor in determining whether it will have a home or have to be destroyed. (Black cats aren't really agents of Satan you know.)

We had a great rehearsal and one of those wonderful shared lunches where people generously provide food and it all works together to be a bountiful and delicious meal, made better by good company and the sharing of music.

One of my fellow singers confided in me that she had misread my recent blog post about my discovery of the television show "Survivor".  When I wrote that I'm "hooked" on the show, she read it as "booked".  She suddenly saw me in a whole new light.  We both thought this was very funny.  I concluded that I'd be able to play a great social game, but would be a waste of time in the physical challenges.  I'd have to make everyone love me enough not to care.

I drove home and spent the rest of the afternoon at the piano.  A great way to spend Saturday.

GIVEAWAY:
TO WIN a double passto see "2 Days in New York" comment on this post, telling us where you'd like to spend two days and why.  Entries close next Friday, 30 November.  Winners will be announced on the blog.  Don't forget to check back and see if you've won - you'll need to provide your mailing address details.

Passes are valid during the season in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and the ACT.

Good luck!

White Ribbon Day - the bruises don't always show

To contact us Click HERE
Today, 25 November, is White Ribbon Day in Australia.

White Ribbon is a campaign led by men against male violence perpetrated against women.  As I write, the counter on the website shows that almost 64, 000 men have pledged an oath "never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women".  I know that I know some of them.

I am fortunate in my life to be surrounded by good men;  ones who take this oath for granted in the way that they live their lives.

I have felt unsafe in the company of a man once in my life.  It was at work, late one Friday afternoon when there was no one else around.  I had experienced bullying at the hands of this man before and this particular afternoon he entered my office in a red-faced rage, standing over me and shouting in my face.  He didn't lay a hand on me, but I was not confident that he wouldn't.  I found my voice, stepped out of my office into the corridor and told him to "back off" in a tone that said I wasn't in the mood to argue.  I think the tone of my voice triggered something and he stopped long enough for me to tell him I wasn't going to have anything to do with him when he was like this.

He left.  I was a frightened mess.  I called one of the senior men in the organisation and told him what had happened.  He helped me take charge of the next steps.

At the hands of men I've experienced sexual harassment, poorly judged "jokes", emotional cruelty and bullying. These experiences have all been in a workplace context.  I've also experienced bullying and emotional cruelty delivered by women.  When I needed support to address these issues there have been wonderful people, both men and women, who understood that what had occurred was wrong and were prepared to go public and be vocal in their support.

I've had men take on other men to right a wrong on my behalf, when the man who had done the wrong thing wasn't prepared to listen to me.  It was a shame that my message about acceptable behaviour had to be delivered by other men in order to be taken seriously, but I was pleased that the message was delivered.

Violence against women can take many forms.  The scars and bruises aren't always visible.  I don't think violence should ever be tolerated and I try to live my life according to this principle.

I feel personally very lucky, never to have suffered physical violence at the hands of a man and to have many wonderful men in my life whom I know would stay true to the White Ribbon oath if the situation required it - even if they had never heard of White Ribbon and the pledge.

The White Ribbon movement is a powerful and important symbol. Make your pledge today and honour the women in your life.

GIVEAWAY:
TO WIN a double pass to see "2 Days in New York" comment on this post, telling us where you'd like to spend two days and why.  Entries close next Friday, 30 November.  Winners will be announced on the blog.  Don't forget to check back and see if you've won - you'll need to provide your mailing address details.

Passes are valid during the season in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and the ACT.

Good luck!