Walk to School Day 2011 - success or farce?

In case it is not 100% clear, the blue 4WD is parked next to parked cars illegally, with the champagne car deciding to do the same.

This is on a Friday afternoon school run at a local primary school.

TODAY is national Walk to School Day and, as the name suggests, the idea is for parents to get their primary school aged children outside to get some fresh air, get some exercise and walk to school. Did your kids walk to school today? Or for those childless folk like me, did you encounter a flood of walkers this morning in your travels?

The Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA) started Walk to School Day twelve years ago to help promotes the message "active kids are healthy kids" and asks parents to walk all or part of the way to school with their children to start healthy habits from a young age. Some of the functions the PCA is concerned with are the continual improvement of pedestrian safety, amenity and access, and the promotion of walking as a legitimate transport mode and an important, healthy, social activity.

In the later years of primary school I rode my bike to school and in high school I walked so the idea that there needs to be an advertised “walk to school” day seems sad to me – but also a sign of the times (we are all so time poor and reliant on our cars now). Then again my family didn’t own a car so really there was no alternative for me.  

There are of course many different circumstances preventing children from walking or riding to school regularly. However Deakin University found that less than half of all primary school children who live within 15 minutes of their school actually walk to school. They also found that 75% of those kids who are driven to school WANT to walk to school. Hmmm...

Walk to school day makes me ponder two things. One – the dire parking situation at schools. Two – why are teenagers exempt from this day?

Parking at schools

I have done the school run (drop off and pick up) a few times recently with my sister for my two nieces. While the mornings are busy, the afternoons are absolutely ridiculous. “Wow” and a head shake in disbelief, is really the only way to describe the influx of cars, parking or stopping illegally, causing a litany of various traffic hazards. No doubt some of these parents who drive their kids to school and pick them up would claim to do so for the child’s safety – then park 3 cars deep over a two laned road.

Recently an article in the Sunshine Coast Daily argued that schools need more parking as the current situation is dangerous.

The parking problems listed are no doubt apparent at most schools (especially primary schools) around Australia:

-      limited parking spaces for parents dropping off or picking up their kids

-      drivers stopping in no-parking areas

-      drivers staying too long in the drop-off zone

Naturally, debate raged amongst readers, although most comments seemed to be in favour of parents not driving their children (a feat easier said than done perhaps). However one reader argued that it is not safe to let your kids walk or ride to school because of the “amount of paedophiles” around, and quoted the Daniel Morcombe case as an example. The reader also quoted “crazy drivers” as a risk to their child’s safety (ironic perhaps, my opinion is above). One thing is for certain here – a life lived in fear is not a life lived. Statistically a child is more likely to be in a car accident, with a family member driving then have an encounter with stranger danger.

Teenagers?

As mentioned above, Walk to School ay is directed at children to encourage a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits at a young age. Still, shouldn’t it be open to all school age children including teenagers? Is it ever to late to foster healthy habits? Or are teenagers left out under the assumption that they are more likely to walk to school?

On my morning walk I have been privy to some interesting behaviour. I witness cars banked up at the bus stop for both pick up and drop off. Now I don’t know how far these cars are travelling to and from said bus stop – they may in fact be too far away for the child to walk.  However I have even witnessed one parent drive their two children up their street (which is a steep incline), drop the kids at the top, then do a U-turn and head back home. While I acknowledge the street is steep, and would be a pain to walk up every day, what lesson is this teaching these children? The street would not be 100 metres in total, so even though it is steep, it is not a mammoth walk.

What are your thoughts on Walk to School Day?



Getting from A to B risk free

THERE are few things more sobering than seeing blood being hosed off the road. Or white sheets covering an unspeakable but undeniably recognizable entity. Or the sight of someone being consoled by emergency services, near a metal wreck that could not possibly have been a car..could it? It is one thing to see these images on TV shows, advertising, newspapers or the Internet. It is another thing to see them first hand. 

My partner and I were first on the scene to a single vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway, Christmas Eve a few years ago. We were travelling southbound, just before Brisbane, and a car drove up an embankment and flipped over onto its roof a few hundred metres in front of us. 

While my partner was on the phone to 000, desperately  trying to fit his arm in the wrecked window to turn off the engine, fuel was spilling out of the car and the passengers were screaming. I was trying to put my recently acquired first aid training to use by asking questions to keep the passengers calm and conscious. The smell of alcohol was overpowering. The car was so crumpled that, laying on the road, looking through the window, I could not make out where the bodies started and where the ended. Or how many people were in the car. So when a female starting screaming about her “babies” I thought there were children in the car. It took every ounce of self control not to just walk away and cry. 

It felt like time had stopped and the police were never going to arrive. Other cars stopped both to try help, and to gawk. One man was ripping the front of the car and turning the engine off manually somehow while debate started to rage about trying to get the passengers out of the car. Then emergency services started to arrive. Police took our statements and said we could leave. The passengers were still in the car when we drove away – firemen were using the Jaws of Life. Disturbing. Heartbreaking. Sobering. We never heard anything about it on the news so I pray it wasn’t a fatality. But who knows? Only their family.

Easter Sunday, on the Bruce Highway heading from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast traffic was at a standstill. I rang Queensland Government Transport and Traffic Hotline (131940) to find out what was happening. It was a multi-vehicle crash over 1km ahead. Thirty-five minutes later, being diverted off the now closed highway,  I saw the eight crumbled up vehicles sitting across all three lanes, facing every direction, smashed together like a puzzle. The Queensland Police Service reported there were no fatalities but after seeing the mess I don’t know how that is possible. 

What disturbed me the most was not the sight of the wreckage. Or the six ambulances called to the sight. Or the four police cars, or the two fire trucks. It was the cars speeding past me when we were back on the highway. I became paranoid that I was driving well under the speed limit as car after car zipped past me. I wasn’t. Everyone else was speeding, making up for lost time I suppose? It was a 100km zone and cars would have easily been pushing 120km. These weren’t single occupant cars either. Or P platers. These were predominantly cars full of families. I was, and still am gob-smacked. Flabbergasted. Bewildered. Disturbed. Frustrated. 

The problem with drivers today is arrogance and ignorance. Simple. Everyone knows that speed kills, drink driving makes you a bloody idiot, red lights mean stop and seat belts save lives. Yet every day we are surrounded by people who flaunt a blatant disregard for the rules. Why?

The Transport Accident Commission Victoria (TAC) surveyed Victorian drivers in January this year about their perceived socially acceptable driving behaviours. Speeding was deemed the most “socially acceptable” of all illegal driving behaviours. Of those surveyed up to sixty percent believe driving ten percent over the speed limit is acceptable.  Many drivers across the country (and even the world) would no doubt agree. To put this in perspective, consider the following:

To drive from my house to my parent’s house is 81km, and involves driving on roads with speed limits ranging from 50km suburban streets right up to 110km zones on the Bruce Highway. If I drive ten percent over the speed limit the entire journey, I will get to my destination six minutes earlier. SIX MINUTES!!! 

Government departments can introduce as many different rules, regulations, advertising campaigns, fines, incentives or educational initiatives as they want but realistically, the problem comes down to the individual. How do you change the mentality of the driver who is willing to disobey the law, despite knowing all the risks associated? 

Next time you considering ignoring the rules or regulations of driving consider this:

Can you afford the fine?

Can you afford to lose your license?

Can you afford to repair your car?

Can you afford to lose your car?

Can you afford to destroy your life as you know it?

Can you afford to cause grief to all who love you?

Can you afford the guilt of knowing you destroyed someone else’s life?

Are you an arrogant and/or ignorant driver?

Pre-mix spirits drinkers rejoice

Media coverage of the AERF report on Channel 7's The Morning Show

WAR has again been waged, but the question this time is who will really benefit?

Woolworths and Coles are slashing alcohol prices on pre-mix spirits, such as Bundaberg Rum and cola and Jim Beam and cola cans. The major supermarkets have been at war with their prices for bread, milk, eggs, chicken and even laundry detergent, using slogans along the lines of "because everyone needs milk./bread/eggs/etc." Does everyone need alcohol? What next - cigarette prices slashed?

According to media reports, the alcohol price war started a week ago, right around the time a report, commissioned by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF) found that more than four million Australian's drink to get drunk. About half of those surveyed said they get drunk at least once a week. Thanks to the supermarket giants, these people will now have more money to fund their efforts providing their indulgence is pre-mixed spirits.

Why would the supermarkets choose alcohol as their next price war?

AERF chief executive Michael Thorn said that over the past decade Australia's problem with alcohol had got worse.

"There's been an increase in violence, an increase in hospitalisations. There's an ongoing indigenous despair and rising community costs conservatively put at $36 billion a year," he said in Canberra, April 14.

Lowering prices on alcohol cannot possibly help the situation. Thorn said aggressive marketing of alcohol by both producers and retailers tells a sorry tale for Australians. He called for a minimum price on alcohol because there is clear evidence that price influences consumption.

Won’t anyone think of the children? The alcohol war is also likely to raise concerns regarding the fact that pre-mixed “alcopop” drinks are a source of major concern in relation to young and under age binge drinking by health campaigners.

It is easy to point the finger at who is responsible for alcohol issues in society Government? Retailers? Individuals? The real issue is that Woolworths' and Coles' actions cannot possibly help. One thing is for sure, discounting pre-mixes just in time for the Easter/Anzac Day long weekend is sure to boost profits - not that they needed the help considering the extra grocery expenditure that will take place also.

For the record, Woolworths own and operate Woolworths Liquor, BWS, Dan Murphy's and Langton bottle shops. Coles own and operate 1st Choice, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars bottle shops.  

Is discounting pre-mixed spirits a good thing or a bad thing?

Not tonight honey, I'm spending time with the dog.

Cav had is own Collingwood Guernsey for the AFL Grand Finals 2010

LONG suspected, now confirmed: Australian women prioritise their dogs over their partners. The PawClub.com.au surveyed over 80,000 dog owners and found 77 per cent of women surveyed spent more time with their dog than their partner. Four out of five female respondents admitted they devote more money to their dog than their partner also. You can view the results here.

The survey also revealed dogs are firmly ingrained in our psyche as another member of the family, with 52% of dog owners surveyed confirming they sign their dogs name on birthday and Christmas cards.

There would be seldom dog owners surprised by this survey.

So why do we love our dogs so much?

Studies show dogs make us both physically and mentally healthier, and therefore happier. They lift our spirits and help us relax. They motivate us to actually get some exercise because, rain, hail or shine, they are always keen for a walk. Dogs keep us company and make us feel safer when we are alone. They also put our minds at ease by safeguarding the house when we are out.

For children, studies have shown that growing up with pets (particularly dogs) during infancy helps to strengthen the immune system and reduces the risk of allergies linked to asthma. Teenagers who grow up with pets are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and report less loneliness, restlessness and boredom.

What's not to love?

There is another side to the story, and it won’t leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. Dog behaviourists argue that by treating your dog as equal, you are creating a myriad of behavioural problems. Your dog is less likely to be obedient when it thinks you are equal, and is more likely to display aggressive, jealous behaviours towards your partner if your actions place the dog on a higher pedestal. Canine experts also argue that assuming dog’s actions carry human emotions is one of the biggest areas to overcome. For example, when a dog is constantly leaning on you, putting his paw on you, using his nose to make you pat them, and always feeling the need to be touching you in some way, behaviourists argue this is not your dog loving you; it is your dog displaying dominant behaviours.  In the dog world, space is respect. A dog that is constantly nudging you and leaning on you, is disrespecting you, and being the alpha dog.

They argue the most important thing to remember is although we have domesticated dogs, we cannot rid them of their animal instinct.

Whether you agree with the behaviourists or the majority of Australian women, or prefer cats instead, one thing is for sure: life is better with a pet.

The experts may say  Cav is trying to be the alpha dog, but I prefer to think he wanted me to take him on holidays too.

Do you spend more time with your dog/s than your partner?

Vigilance the best prevention for "rock spiders"

THERE is a name that, when mentioned, conjures tremendous, intensive debate and hateful, vicious emotions in the hearts and minds of most Australians. 

Dennis Ferguson. 

Ferguson, arguably the most infamous paedophile in Australia, is being talked about again after the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and various media outlets yesterday tried to dispel rumours that he is residing on the Sunshine Coast. 

Although some minds may have been set at ease, the notifications caused mass debate and commentary, especially online. 

The QPS posted a "#Mythbuster" status around 1.30pm and within a few hours had received over 400 comments, and counting. The QPS was forced to sensor multiple comments due to their offensive or threatening nature. The Sunshine Coast Daily website and Sunshine Coast Facebook page may have to do the same (if they have not already). 

Dennis Ferguson is a vile creature, no doubt about it, but there is a bigger picture here. 

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2009-2010 there were over 48,000 reported cases of child abuse in Australia, with over 12% being sexual abuse cases.  However these statistics do not highlight the full extent of the issue, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, this data excludes abuse perpetrated by a non-family member or person known to the family (these are dealt strictly with police not child protection services). 

Secondly, these statistics only represent cases reported to child protection services (again, not police). 

Due to the confidential and personal nature of the crime,  Australian statistics for child sexual abuse are non-existent or unverified.  All sexual abuse statistics, regardless of age, are grouped together in State and Territory Police reporting.

Statistics from the United States are generally thought to be accurate for Australian society also. The alarming statistics are as follows: 

30% sexual abuse offenders are relatives of the child

60% are acquaintances (friends of the family, babysitters, neighbours, etc)

10% are strangers

Sure no one wants Dennis Ferguson or any other known sex offender to be living near them *cue the debate over accessible sex offender lists (like in the US) or “send them back to jail” arguments*.The sad, scary fact of reality is, however, the face of paedophilia is likely to be far more familiar to you and your children than Dennis Ferguson’s beady eyed, creepy mug. Don’t let the Daniel Morcombe tragedy make you forget that “stranger danger” is not the only danger lurking in the world.

Voice silenced with every cancerous puff

TOBACCO giant Philip Morris Limited, Australia has started a campaign on behalf of smokers nationwide to allow their thoughts and opinions to be aired. The “I Deserve to be Heard” campaign (IDTBH) involves information cards being put in all Philip Morris tobacco products, recommending smokers go online and have their say about issues affecting smokers. The issues in question are proposed “excessive” bans on smoking outdoors, heavy taxes on cigarettes and retailers unable to display cigarettes.

Firstly, let me make clear that I am a dirty, filthy, money wasting, cancer enticing smoker.  Yet in debates about smoking I normally take the side of a non-smoker. I find the biggest problem with smoking is that it is legal. Why?

 Smoking reaps no health benefits, no societal benefits, so why has tobacco not been banned?

Despite being a smoker, my view on the IDTBH campaign and “poor me” attitude of many smokers is simple:

No, you DON’T deserve to be heard.

Being a smoker and whinging about the public scrutiny is like getting a Mohawk and complaining about people staring at you. What did you think was going to happen? As a smoker you choose to single yourself out. Own it.

For those of you who haven’t checked it out, you can find the IDTBH website here. Below is my opinion of their arguments.

Excessive Smoking Bans Outdoors

There is nothing worse than being at the beach, or a park, or walking through your shopping centre entrance and getting caught up in a plume of smoke. Being outside does not make the smoke and associated stench disappear; it is just lessened.

We all know cigarettes are highly addictive, but if you cannot get through a mere few hours without lighting up, you may have a larger problem than just willpower.

Why should a non-smoker, young or old, be subjected to this? Their choice of clean, fresh air is taken away by the choice of a smoker to pollute the airways. The other side of this debate normally sees someone arguing that our airways are polluted anyway, or that minor passive smoking as you walk through a shopping centre entrance cannot be that bad. Valid points, but the real issue is choice.  

So why is a non-smoker’s choice more important than a smoker’s? Because the non-smoker does not afflict anything negative on the health, well-being and comfort of the smoker (unless they are a jerk, but this is off topic).

For the record, I do smoke on beaches, in parks and outside of shopping centres, but only in designated smoking zones or where it is legal to do so.

Heavy Taxes on Tobacco Products

The only thing legalised tobacco has going for it is the massive amount of tax revenue it brings in. About two-thirds of the retail price of a packet of smokes is government tax, but only one percent of this is spent of preventative health measures, such as anti-smoking campaigns.  So clearly the government do not want us to quit.

Smokers arguably cost our health departments a lot of money.  The tax revenue versus health cost debate is made all the more confusing by the fact that government don’t ban smoking. Again, if the health costs outweigh the tax revenue, why is tobacco still legal?

Governments seem to constantly create laws and regulations for the betterment of humanity and/or to save lives. Helmets for bicycles, seat belts in cars, and fences around swimming pools...the list goes on. None of these things have EVER killed or disabled more humans than tobacco allegedly has. Are these lives more precious than those of a smoker? Children’s lives may be, but adults?

Hidden Displays and Packaging Changes

The IDTBH campaign argues that hidden tobacco displays and packaging changes will negatively impact smokers in regards to wastage of time. They argue because retailers will take longer to find your desired brand, you will be forced to waste more time in queues.

Is smoking a cigarette not a waste of time? An example to ponder: when I clean my house (top to bottom, full, spring clean), it takes me an entire day. I encourage myself to clean by setting myself tasks with rewards for completion. By rewards I mean cigarette breaks.  Whenever I have (unsuccessfully) quit smoking, I could clean my entire house in a mere few hours. The moral of this story: smokers waste time daily, what’s a little extra queuing going to change?

So smokers, speak up if you want. I dare say you’ll run out of breath before you make your point.

Pinch, punch and prank

UNTIL midday today I am not going to believe anything I read, hear or see. I'm gullible at the best of times so I figure it's better to be safe than sorry on April Fool's Day.

Unless you live under a rock you would know April Fool's Day is a widely recognised and celebrated day of practical jokes and general foolishness. The earliest recorded association between April 1 and foolishness was in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, published in 1392.

Australia is amongst the countries who only celebrate April Fool's Day until midday rather than the entire day. The idea is if you fall for a practical joke or are subject to foolishness before midday, you are the April Fool. However, in Australia, if you play a joke after 12pm then you are the fool, regardless of whether the unsuspecting prey fell for your joke or not.

A quick Google search highlights the wonder that is April Fool's Day and how the biggest, most memorable pranks have come from some of the biggest corporations in the world.

Who could forget Burger King's "Left Handed Whopper" stunt in 1998 (which resulted in people ordering both left and right hand varieties of the burger for some time after the prank was revealed)?

Remember Dick Smith's iceberg stunt in 1983? For those unaware Dick Smith claimed he had towed an iceberg back from Antarctica into Sydney Harbour.

Dick Smith and his "iceberg" 1983

Arguably the crème de la crème of April Fool's pranks are from the BBC, most notably the Swiss Spaghetti Crop stunt of 1957 and the Flying Penguins prank from 2008. An update for the confused and gullible - spaghetti does not grow on trees and no penguins can fly (but the BBC videos are pretty convincing). 

So today it's not just pinching and punching you need to be wary of until midday. Someone could be trying to make an April Fool out of you.

1957 Spaghetti crop prank: BBC

2008 Flying Penguins prank: BBC

Do you REALLY know the road rules?

SIX weeks ago I pitched a story to a local, community website about Queensland road rules and the apparent lack of understanding around them. I figured that with all the crazy, ignorant and arrogant drivers I see making stupid, careless mistakes there must be a story in it.

No matter who I have ever spoken to, drivers young and old, male and female, on L's, P's or Opens, all get pretty worked up and have multiple stories to tell about bad, inconsiderate and law breaking drivers.

Well The Courier Mail has just published a story on the matter after the Queensland Police Service launched a quiz to test drivers' knowledge of the road rules. For those of you playing at home I recommend you take the test – it’s only 10 questions and may be an eye-opener. You can take the test online here.

I found the comments under the story as important and interesting as the story itself. The main thing I took away from the story was that I have been indicating wrong on roundabout. Before you start throwing verbal darts at me, let me explain.

I took my driving test and obtained my license January 2010, with a perfect score. I was definitely NOT marked down for incorrect indicators. In my test I went through three roundabouts, two of which involved exiting via the second exit. I was under the impression that the rule was as follows: 
As you enter a roundabout, unless you are taking the first immediate left exit you must indicate right first. Then, just before reaching your exit, indicate left to let other drivers know you are leaving the roundabout.

I was taught this by my driving instructor and by family and friends who had lost points in their examination in previous years for NOT doing this. Furthermore, the assessor watched me do this on two of the three roundabouts and did not mark me down. This confirmed to me that it was definitely the correct roundabout procedure.

WRONG! I have been indicating incorrectly for over a year thanks to an ill-informed driving instructor, an ill-informed driving assessor and ill-informed advice of friends and family. Imagine all the drivers who thought I was a jerk!

I guess I can take solace in the fact that I’ve never wondered if it’s okay to drive barefoot (it is in Australia, but not in New Zealand). I might just do a quick re-visit of the road rules in general to be safe though.

So are you as good of a driver as you think? Take the test and load your results/comments here!

P.S. I scored 9/10

Don't diss Double Down

OKAY so it might not be the poster item for healthy living but all the hype around KFC's Double Down "burger" is a bit excessive. Yes, it's high in kilojoules. Yes it's high in fat. Yes it's nutritional worth is low to non-existent. But it's fast food - why is anyone surprised? Order a burger or sub from any other take-away chain and you risk consuming the same (or more) amount of fat and kilojoules.  

Despite all the publicity, many will be un-deterred to try the Double Down. Chicken, bacon, cheese and barbeque sauce lovers will see this as mouth-watering temptation. Those who criticise the "burger" will no doubt still wonder if it is as delicious as it is being advertised to be.

Worst case scenario all the publicity has ensured a much higher public awareness of the Double Down. KFC need not waste any money on advertising their product; the national media has already covered that.

Food for thought (excuse the pun): have you eaten a Wicked Wings Snack Box at KFC? Marketed towards teenagers as a quick and easy snack, not meal, it will cost you 2242 kilojoules (kj) and 30.4g of fat.

Eaten a McDonalds Grand Angus? Marketed as a fancy take-away alternative, this burger, with the expected burger inclusions of lettuce, tomato and onion, will add 2630kj and 33.2g fat to your daily dietary intake. The Mighty Angus is worse with 2870kj and 35.7g fat.

Fancy a Wagyu Beef and Tomato Relish sub from Subway? It’s not going to help you or your waistline. If you're a mayonnaise fan too and add 30mL to the Wagyu Beef sub (because who doesn't add mayo to their sub??) you're facing 2298kj and 28.6 g fat.

Examples could be given for Hungry Jack's/Burger King, local take-away Works Burgers and other fast food but you get the point.

The Original fillet Double Down bun-less burger is packed with 1939kj and 22.3g fat. However the Zinger version of the Double Down is 2515kj and 35.7g fat. Yes, fatalicious. Order an Ultimate Burger Meal instead and your meal will cost you up to 5083kj and 61.9g fat before you even take a sip of your drink. Makes you wonder if the Double Down (sans any sides) may be the better option in this case.

When you order fatty take-out you expect a kilojoule and fat laden meal. The real issue with nutritionally void food like those mentioned is that they offer no benefit to the eater besides the fullness felt after consumption. This fullness is often fleeting once all the sugar and fat wears off, leaving consumers to look for further fulfilment elsewhere. But like speeding and risking the consequences of a fine or worse, we run the consequences of weight gain, lack of fullness and sometimes feeling/being ill when we eat fatty fast foods like the Double Down.

So knowing all this, my friends and I are headed to KFC for lunch and yes, Double Down is on our menu. You can find us at the gym tonight working off our lunch - estimated work-out time is three hours.

Boo hoo shopaholics

THERE are mixed emotions regarding major shopping centres closing over Easter on the Sunshine Coast this year. The four major shopping centres* will be closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day (Easter Monday).

There are a multitude of brilliant arguments supporting both sides of the debate. What if people want to work (what about those who don't)? Employees are paid double time to work public holidays so why wouldn't they want to work (not all staff get double time for public holidays and what about those who value time with family more than money to work)? Retailers still have bills to pay so let them open if they want to (well let them close if they want to also).

Who can't survive a mere three days without the shops being opened? Shopaholics (the same people who will cause an influx of "panic" style shopping at each shopping centre Easter Saturday). While the shopaholics whinge and moan, many locals and tourists alike just don't understand what all the fuss is about. After all, tourists don't come to the Sunshine Coast for shopping.

Comments on the Sunshine Coast Daily website and the Sunshine Coast Facebook page have highlighted the mixed opinions that abound. Perhaps the most unfounded was the question, "What will tourists do if it rains over the public holidays?" Really?

Are people that short-sighted and narrow-minded that in the rain their only forseeable leisure option is shopping (or movies)? Sunshine Coast Tourism's 50 Must Do's on the Sunshine Coast is a great place to start for the un-imaginative. Shopping up a storm still makes the list, and many of the activities wouldn't be ideal in the rain, but there are definitely things there that are worth a try for something different, rain, hail or shine. The list also highlights that (provided Mother Nature is kind) tourists come to the coast for all the natural beauty on offer (parks, beaches, rainforest).

Another argument is if the major shopping centres were open, the sales would help boost the local economy. True, but shopping at the big four* is not the only way to boost the economy. There are many retailers worth a browse/spend along, for example, King Street Buderim, Currie Street Nambour, and The Esplanade Coolum (just to name a few). And who doesn't enjoy a stroll through the streets and shops at Montville and Maleny? Or more obviously, what about all the amazing restaurants and cafes spread across the coast? Rain is a perfect excuse to sit back and gorge on delectable tasties.

Maybe we should just take a moment to remember what these holidays are for. Whether you are religious or not and whether you buy into the commercialisation of the Easter, holidays are for family. If you can't spend one (or three days) with your family without the distraction of shopping, maybe you need to explore why?

As for Anzac Day, we wouldn't be having this debate about whether to open the stores or not if it weren't for all the men who bravely fought for our freedoms. Shopping shouldn't even be on your agenda on Anzac Day. Your day should be Digger's Breakfast** then Dawn Service  then Gunfire Breakfast*** then few games of Two-Up. It would be un-Australian to do anything else.

*Sunshine Plaza, Noosa Civic, Stockland Caloundra and Kawana Shoppingworld

** Rum and milk

***Rum and black coffee

Do you think shopping centres should open all Easter and Anzac Day?

Fines, friends and fraud

LARA Bingle has landed herself in strife, admitting to taking demerit points for her friends in a radio interview. She later recanted via Twitter saying the comment was said "in sarcasm" but the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) are investigating regardless. Worst case scenario could see Bingle face court for fraud charges and receive up to two months jail for each offence.

The RTA's investigation was reportedly started after a member of public called in and told of Bingle's confession in the interview. Yes, Lara Bingle was dobbed on. This begs the question:

 

Would the busy-body who dobbed on Bingle have made a call to the RTA if a non-celebrity/everyday Aussie happened to confess to taking their friends demerit points?

Furthermore, who doesn't know someone who has taken points for their friends or family?

Talk-back radio today will no doubt be filled with debate over whether it is right/wrong to take your friends points or if you have ever taken the blame for something you didn't do and so on. Safe bet would be no one who calls in will face the repercussions of their actions though.

Maybe the lesson here is a reminder to think before you speak, especially if you've been naughty.



What do you think? Did Lara do the wrong thing?
.

Who does size matter to?

MAKING news today is an unverified report of world penis size. Seriously.

It's debatable whether the bigger issue is the publishing of an unverified study or the fact that world penis size could possibly bear any importance to anyone.

The study breaks down their "findings" into two bar graphs: penis size per country and penis size per race.

Surprise, surprise, the findings highlight the age-old racial stereotypes that "black" is biggest and our "East Asian" cousins are the least endowed.

The study uses two methods of measurement - measured penises and self-reported penis sizes. No surprises the self-reported measurements came in at least an inch longer than the measured results for all the study respondents.

Surely you don't have to be too smart to work out what a fraud this study is. Along the top of the page states:

"This website provide (sic) statistical information offered by trusted research centers and reports worldwide."

Who are the trusted research centres? My assumption is the “trusted reports” are the list of academic references to books and articles on the site (much like is required at university when doing an essay). 

The website has no other studies and does not explain how the study was completed. Nor does it outline the purpose/scope of the study or what findings they expected to find. It does, however, outline  there were 800 subjects (not exactly a statistically significant amount for a global study) and the study was completed in New York City.


There are numerous countries missing from this "global" study (shall I assume these men merely have a stub?) which casts further doubt on the validity of the subjects actually measured.

Of what significance is this study to society?  In all likelihood the study is probably a poorly attempted school or university assignment. Whatever it is, my thoughts are it must be a slow news day for “staff writers” at news.com.au?

Do men really care how their length stacks up against the rest of the world?

Why would women care at all?

RIP Knut

KNUT, arguably the most popular polar bear to ever grace this earth, died suddenly on 19 March 2011, alone and without warning. A necropsy (animal autopsy) has revealed the Knut suffered distinct brain changes that may have led to his drowning death, however the full results are due Friday.

To die so young (aged four) when polar bears normally live well into their thirties has ensured Knut's life story ends just as tragic as it started. There will no doubt be numerous documentaries released to showcase the celebrity bear's life.
Today at Word Chic we remember some of the headlining Knut stories that were reported around the globe.

The spotlight was first shone of Knut when his mother rejected him after birth to ex-circus bear Tosca, in December 2006. Zoo keepers decided (against the advice of animal activists and other zoo keepers) to bottle feed him and within months he was a celebrity capturing the hearts of animal lover’s world-wide.

In March 2008 it seemed all the fame had gone to Knut's furry head - he was labelled a “publicly addicted psycho” when black ice prevented visitors at Berlin zoo, allegedly leaving Knut angry and upset due to lack of attention. This wasn't the only Knut event to gain global media attention in 2008.

The zookeeper who hand reared Knut was found dead in September and a lonely fan jumped into Knut's cage in December, and was prosecuted for trespassing over the matter.

 2009 turned out to be another tumultuous year for Knut also. He was involved in a bitter custody dispute between Berlin Zoo and Neumünster Zoo and when introduced to a new female polar bear Gianna (also known as Giovanna) in September she slapped him.

Having personally viewed Knut myself he was like any other polar bear in captivity (albeit dirtier than I expected). Yet with all the media attention over the years it felt like he was more than just a bear. Maybe even an honorary human?  Some may disagree, even I do on some level, but the truth of the matter is everyone loves an underdog, especially a cute fluffy one that’s paraded across global media.  

Rest in peace Knut, you will forever live on in our hearts and minds, and probably a Disney movie or two.

Hello! Bonjour! Hola! Ciao!

YOU would think the easiest thing to write would be the introduction to my blog. Yes? No. Well here goes:


Welcome! The plan for this blog is to put pen to paper (or more accurately to tap keys and watch letters appear on screen) about life in general - news, events, trends and opinions.

Why, you ask? Well the story goes a little like this:

In 2008 I completed a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in both Communications and Creative Writing. I then set off to travel around the world and get some priceless life experience under my belt. Upon returning to Australia I stepped back into a retail sales role, needing to gather funds quickly to get my life back on track. Before I knew it years had passed, I am still in sales, but my desire to do something in the writing arena has become insatiable.

I always loved to read and write as a child – this passion has never wavered. I’ve kept a daily journal since I was 13. I love to waste money I don’t have on magazines but rather than drool over the fashion and beauty sections I always skip straight to the features. Reading novels is a favourite pastime but has fallen by the wayside of late.  My thirst for knowledge lately has led me to predominantly online media. It is for this reason I have decided to contribute to the online arena, using this blog to utilise and expand my writing and research skills.

Being based in Queensland on the beautiful Sunshine Coast means I will probably end up writing a lot of stories that impact or affect m region but I hope this will still carry relevance to those outside of South East Queensland.

Thanks in advance for reading my blog (and saving it as a Favourite, and liking and sharing it on Facebook and other social media, and telling your friends about it *wink*wink*wink*).