Wednesday, July 25, 2007

How much is a pint worth?

I feel so virtuous today - because I did my quarterly pilgrimage to the Red Cross and gave them 500ml of the finest O -negative I could produce.

I feel especially good about it, as they didn't have to repin me - several times - as has happened the last couple of times. You know how you are told to drink lots of water? Well, it helps with more than wee, apparently - but TMI. This time I had it pumped out in 11 minutes, which is great.

I have been a semi-regular blood donor for the last 20 years - but of course, I don't think I am getting a badge any time soon - due to the very slack nature of my administration and the fact that I have lived at nearly 20 addresses during that time and could never remember which card they were working I have been very rarely stamped as a regular - but I do have a handy collection of "Donor Cards"...

I had to laugh - the first thing you are asked at your "interview" is to state your full name and date of birth. I wonder, who would defraud the Blood Bank by giving a false name? I would think that terrorists have many much better options in their question for destabilising civilisation than to individually donate under false names - but it is a sign of the times, I suppose.

I also weighed myself, and their scales were 3kg kinder than my sister's! (Well, there is a good reason for a terrorist, I suppose - an overweight one may need some esteem issues addressed!)

When I went to give the blood itself, again with the full name and date of birth - in case you switch with your terrorist buddy, I suppose - although I would think if you were nasty enough to consider terrorism as a career path, a little thing like learning someone's name and date of birth would be a piece of cake.

Speaking of pieces of cake, if you were stopped at the jump because in Australia, they don't PAY you for your blood (but are required to find that spirit of generosity within yourself), if you give blood at my local, some nice person has been busy baking and there are PLATTERS of food freely available for donors to rebuild their strength afterwards. They will also make you a nice cup of tea or coffee to go with your plunder!




On other Paradise news:

I have a friend visiting from Sydney who is blaming me for the fact that I advised on bringing clothes for Winter. This advice was given last weekend, when it was, in fact, Winter - but we are back to sunshine and light breezes, so I am reflected badly in my judgement. Oh well - she got a pair of leather sandals from the hippy shop for $5 so is not so upset now. We have been having a lot of catch up on the balcony quality time.

'Salina can now play 4 tunes on the recorder. She can even play two recorders at once. She chooses to play recorders at all times she is allowed. Sometimes even when she is not. I am proud of her ability, and I am also blessing the silence when they are not playing any of those 4 tunes.

V is enjoying a bit of a long weekend due to working for a subbie whose next contract starts tomorrow - and there is apparently a swell at the moment, which is great as the man needs his salt water immersion from time to time. The rest of the V update is mushy and this is a family blog.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good for you donating blood...I wish I could but I can't due to the medications that I take. Hubby can't either because he was in the UK during the mad cow disease time (now he says he is just married to one).

Ahhh the recorder..I remember its beautiful racket..ooops sorry I mean music clearly.

'Salina have your tried playing one with your nose? LOL

Tracey said...

Good for you! I finally got back to donating a year or so ago. I do get a bit frustrated because they don't seem to have the wherewithall to find my previous records when I donated back when I was in my 20s (I worked above the BloodBank in Sydney, so it was easy!).. and then in a different location after I was married (and thus with my married name.)

I must ring them up and see if they'll have me back again. It is a bit disconcerting to be rejected - last year I'd just found out I had a cervical polyp and they didn't want me... Now I'm not sure whether they'll want me after I've just had a general anaesthetic last week...)

Brissiemum2 said...

Good on you for donating blood. Unfortunately, I don't think I can! :( And hey....I'm still in winter clothes here. In fact have been wearing the pjs and dressing gown to bed cause it's so cold.

And pmsl @ the recorder. Yes, it is wonderful that she can play but I know exactly what you mean about enjoying the silence afterwards! Thank goodness she isn't like my son who has taken up drums!!!

Gabriel's Lucky catch said...

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI OR TO THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE (AFP)
***Here is a TIP that could be of some help for the Australian Federal Police.
Please read on…..
Gabriel Christou says please see

UPDATED ON 24\ 7\2007 www.gabrielchristou.blogspot.com

AS PER 1st REQUEST:
Gabriel Christou Says: In the past 4 months I have made frequent telephone calls to the Australian Embassy on 66 2 344 6300. The person that I always seemed to talk to is Vic Stoykovski. He assures me that he is from the Australian Federal Police and I should go and meet him over a cup of coffee.

AS PER 2nd REQUEST:
Gabriel Christou Says: In the past 4 months I have made frequent telephone calls to the Australian National Security on 61 2 62709401. The persons that I always seemed to talk to are Paul Prescott and Rodney (surname unknown), they also issued me with a reference number 126823022. They assured me that they have pass on the information and that someone will contact me.

Today Monday the 9th of July 2007 at 9:19 am called Australian National Security on 61 2 62709401 and an answering machine was on and recorded message said: We are sorry can cannot take your call at the moment, please call back in 20 minutes.

AS PER 3rd REQUEST:
Gabriel Christou Says: 6 weeks ago, I have made a telephone call to Mrs. Jaye Walton’s (who is the Honorary Consul – General for Thailand South Australia and Northern Territory) home in Adelaide on 61 2 62709401. The persons that I spoke to said that he was the butler and that Mrs. Walton was currently in Bangkok and the best way to contact her was to call this number 66 2 253 0123 room number 475.
So, I’ve called and spoke to Jay but during our ten minute conversation mostly regarding the terrorists that I know of them and where and who they are, she promised she will contact Mr. Bill Paterson who is the Australian Ambassador to Thailand and revert back to me within a week.
Well, I am still waiting for her call but nevertheless I should also say that I am aware now that I was not talking to Mrs Walton at the time, even though her voice sounded the same, she failed to remember her best friend’s name.

***Here is a TIP that could be of some help for the Australian Federal Police.

At the time when I met Sunny (MOHAMMED ALI HAMADEI) he gave me a business card that had
www.espressoessential.com/ and are based on the Gold Coast.

In saying this, please keep in mind that these terrorists are very much involved in food and drink chains.


I KNOW WHERE THESE TERRORISTS ARE

I know where these terrorists are: The photos tell the story.

Gabriel Christou says please see

www.gabrielchristou.blogspot.com

I am the founder of Pizza Haven Australian and International, I have been fortunate to discover these criminal terrorists and I wish we could do something URGENTLY.
PLEASE FORWARD IT TO THE FBI AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE:

I have information on the following Terrorists including and more

OSAMA BIN LADEN or BIN LADEN
AYMAN AL ZAWAHRI
MOHAMMED ALI HAMADEI
ABDULLAH MOHAMMAD SHALLAH
IMAD FAYEZ MUGNIYAH
Just going through some material I have notice Noordin please below.
NOORDIN MOHAMMAD TOP

My description of Noordin is (Nick name is Top) height is 150 -155 tall, stocky build person with a fuller face. His hair is waving and uncared.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMMENT TO READ AND YOU WILL KNOW

www.gabrielchristou.blogspot.com
community.myfoxorlando.com/blogs/GabrielChristou

I am very familiar with these inhumane people as I was given an opportunity by the man himself to work his network under no knowledge of who they are and when I discovered their identities, I resigned and since then I have been trying to make contact. See below the story and attached photos of some terrorist that I have in my possession.

Bin Laden is really a shy person but a good con man as it seems well educated and knowledgeable to induce others in return.

Osama Bin Laden’s ego and orchestrated behavior, seems to lack experience and wisdom.

His strengths are nothing more than a perception of many that he is rich and entrepreneurial. Perhaps, his disguise is his main strength, as he has avoided getting capture.

Thank you

Gabriel Christou nitalia_ms@hotmail.com tel 66 56 203 178 hm cell 66 848190411

Jen at Semantically driven said...

I too am classified as a potential mad cow due to time lived in the UK so my blood is not wanted. We're having unseasonally nice weather here too but I think there's a cool change coming today.