Internet meet Daddy Long-Legs...Again

Thanks very much for your varied views on yesterday's post. I appreciate everyone's well considered and interesting comments. It has given me a lot of 'food for thought'.

Today, I wanted to move on and repost a lighthearted post.  It is one that for some strange reason gets lots of views every month from all parts of the World. I'm not really sure why. Maybe people are interested in deadly animals or something.

Some people think we Aussies spend our lives wrestling crocodiles, stepping on deadly spiders and wearing snakes around our necks as some kind of fashion accessory. (Yes Sarah, that would be you!) A myth more than likely created by the popularity of Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan before him.

While we love the outdoors, we don't all wear khaki or carry huge knives just in case we stumble upon a deadly creature.  The Land Down Under is home to many of Earth’s most venomous creatures, such as the inland taipan (whose venom is 50 times more toxic than that of the king cobras) and the box jellyfish where death can occur within three minutes of being stung.

Strangely though, many Australians are unaware that they are sharing their backyard with extremely venomous animals. While the animals in this country may be much more deadly than anywhere else in the world, they are treated with the same amount of thought and respect that others may give to water moccasins or the black widow. Their presence is accepted and there is an unwritten rule that you 'don't mess with the wildlife'.

Like most Australians, I've had my own share of 'wildlife encounters', but only with the world's most deadliest animal.

Which one?

No, I didn't get up close and personal with a BEAR even though they kill up to 10 people across the world each year

Or SHARKS which kill 100 people a year

Or BOX JELLYFISH which kill 120 people a year

Or HIPPOPOTAMI which easily outpace humans on land and kill 150 people a year

Or ELEPHANTS which kill up to 500 people a year

Or BIG CATS which kill around 800 people a year

Or CROCODILES which kill around 850 people a year

Or SCORPIONS which paralyse their prey and cause 2,000 fatalities a year

Or SNAKES which cause up to 125,000 deaths a year.

No, the only animal which has caused me grief and which kills up to 3 million people a year

is the

mosquito.

See, you really don't have anything to fear in visiting Australia. Other than the 17 hour plane flight to get here.

Warning: Please don't frighten the children by clicking on the spider image without warning them - the old boy has a surprised look on his face and very hairy legs!

Dear America

 

The World shares your sorrow and grief about the horrific massacre of innocent children and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

My sister and I were talking about it yesterday and tears were running down her face. As a teacher of 30 years she could only imagine the terror faced by the teachers and the children in those frenzied moments.

However, at the end of it all, no matter who you speak with, the same question keeps getting asked.  

Isn't there anything that you can do about gun control?

I am not trying to be critical of what many consider as the greatest Nation on Earth but I just do not understand your gun culture at all.

Perhaps you can shed some light on it for me.

Why do one in three Americans need to carry a gun? Why is it 15 times more likely that I will be shot dead in America than here in Australia? Why would your average suburban American householders have the need to have automatic Glock and Sig Sauer pistols, which can hold up to 30 rounds in their clips?

Surely, no private citizen needs that kind of firepower. Or do they?

I can understand that these weapons may be a logical choice for soldiers whose goal it is to kill a lot of people in a short time but what purpose are they for your ordinary citizens.

In coming days, America’s powerful National Rifle Association will no doubt cough up its old line that it is “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”.

However, surely it is a no brainer that if you want to reduce gun related deaths you have to reduce the number of guns and the type of guns considered legal....See More

Guns are everywhere it's true. And all countries have had their share of gun massacres. Us included.

However, Australia now has the most restrictive firearms legislation in the world simply because its citizens demanded it following the horrific Port Phillip massacre which occurred here in 1996 where 35 innocent people were killed.

Our laws banned semiautomatic and automatic rifles and shotguns. Australia also instituted a mandatory buy-back program for newly banned weapons (the government bought the guns back and destroyed them).

In light of the Aurora, Colo., massacre in August this year, the Washington Post wrote about the impact of Australian laws to instigate greater discussion about greater gun controls in the USA. The impact of our laws has been debated left, right and centre. All I know is that we have not had any futher 'spree killings' like the Port Phillip massacre since this time.

However, I do not believe it will be as easy for you to introduce tougher gun legislation.

Particularly given the public comments made by some of your politicians over the past few days.

For example, I just heard on the radio that a prominent Republican congressman believes that arming teachers would be a better solution to the violence than gun control.

“I wish to God she (school principal)  had had an m-4 in her office, locked up so when she heard gunfire, she pulls it out….and takes him out and takes his head off before he can kill those precious kids.” The Texan congressman Louis Gohmert said on Fox News. (An m-4 is a similar military style semi automatic weapon to that used by the killer).

That is truly insane. Just insane. Where will it all end?

The reality is many parts of the world are going to be watching you closely over the coming days and months and wondering why there is absolutely no substantial political debate in your country about why it is ok for anyone to bear arms of any description with no substantial checks and balances in place.

To me, a civil war in Syria where 40,000 people needlessly die is not that much different from a 'war' in a civilised country like yours where more than 30,000 citizens are killed by guns each year.

Any controls that are put in place that make it more difficult for evil or mentally ill people to wreak havoc and violence on innocent people has to be a good thing. Surely.

I understand that criminals will do whatever it takes to obtain guns and kill people. No law will stop them. However, if laws stop or decrease the 'spree killings' of innocent people, particularly school children, then that has to be a worthwhile outcome. Doesn't it?

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Maybe I am missing something or just plain naive. I would be very interested to hear the views of my American readers who may be able to shed some light on why they think there are more registered guns in the USA than there are citizens.  Why do so many people think that is normal and ok to have guns in their home like it was just another household appliance?



RIP the beautiful innocent children and teachers of Newtown Connecticut.

12. 12. 12

So that makes it 13 days until Christmas.

Psst....and 18 days until THE CRUISE....thanks for asking..you were about to ask anyway, I am sure....

I am fairly positive I know one person who cannot wait for the next 13 days to fly right on by.

And that person would be our local shopping centre's Santa Claus.

Those guys have got to have one of the toughest jobs around don't you think?

I walked into the centre today and passed the sweet faced Santa Claus walking the other way.

I am sure he was on his way home to get out of that suit and beard and have a nice cold beer.

After all, it's Summer here and he is a bit overdressed for the warm weather.

However, what do they say about the best laid plans of mice and Santas?

As he was just about to go out the exit doors, a small boy ran after him, yelling, "Santa-aaaaaaaaa.....Santa-aaaaaaaaa."

Santa turned around and spoke to the excited boy.

The boy then made a grab for the bell and Santa handed it to him so he could ring it "once".

Mistake.

The child ran off with the bell.

And Santa quickly followed in hot pursuit.

He asked for his bell back and the child refused.

A tug of war ensued.

Santa on one end of the bell and the child on the other.

The child kicked and screamed.

Santa won. He always does.

That child has a lot to learn.....although if he is lucky, he may well find a large shiny bell of his own under the Christmas Tree.

And Santa is probably on the cusp of seriously considering alternative employment options for 2013.

And who would blame him.

                              ______________________________________________
              
While I was in a coffee shop today, I overheard a woman talking about her family's Christmas plans. I listened in (oh ok, I eavesdropped) just because I love to know what other people do on Christmas Day.

Chirstmas is a big deal in my family. We usually go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (and no I don't go to Church regularly but I like to for special days), have a late breakfast on Christmas, open gifts (Christmas music of course) and then meet at a family member's home for Christmas lunch - which doesn't start until about 2 at the earliest. Because it is hot, we usually have lots of sea foods, cold ham, turkey and salads although sometimes we have a hot meal. Then we usually break from eating at some point, to hand out Kris Kringle gifts (one member of the extended family buys one other member a gift), then its dessert time. And lots of music, games, catching up, lazing around.......eating some more. You know the drill......the addition of 5 kilos overnight.

How will you be spending the holidays?



                                      _______________________________________

Also, the winners of the Holiday Music giveaways are: Tashabud from The Big Picture blog and The Secret Agent Woman from Blog Incognito - congratulations ladies and enjoy.

This is a call for all the Christmas music lovers

to come out of the closet and support the cause.

I mean, it can't just be me can it?

Because it seems that one sure fire way of clearing a room is to turn on your favourite Christmas album.

It's worked for me. Plenty of times.

For years the only Christmas music I played was Bing Crosby - and I am talking from my 20s up.

Oh yes, as soon as that Christmas Tree went up I forgot about my favourite rock music and on came Bing.

Ah.... Bing....

Oh Holy Night indeed.

Of course, I was teased unmercifully. And still am.

I am not embarrassed to admit that I would play the album at least twice a day for at least 3 weeks and I never got sick of it. Ever.

Unfortunately, everyone else did not share the same view.

Many plans were hatched by 'the haters' to dispose of Bing in the most undignified of ways.

And I was offered bribes that would have even made Nigerian officials stand up and take notice.

Not me.

I was resolute.

It was Bing and me against the world.

In fact it has only been in the last couple of years that people have managed to convince me to try something new.

Just because it got a bit lonely with just me, Bing and the Christmas Tree.

So, in the spirit of Christmas, I bought something new.

Michael Buble.

Nice, easy listening and kind of like Bing but with a Canadian accent.

However, as I've since discovered, he is as equally polarising, if not more so.

Then, in my quest for Peace & Harmony, two vital ingredients for any holiday season, I went searching for other Christmas Albums.

Oh my, just look at the choice. Every artist has a holiday release.

Even Rod Stewart? I like Rod but no, not sure I can.....go rocking around the Christmas Tree...noooo.

Mmmmm, perhaps it is not the artist that people dislike, but the tunes that people get tired of.

Perhaps you either like Christmas music or you don't. As for me I am looking for something new.

What about you? Are you a Christmas music 'liker' or 'hater'?
_________________________________________________________

And of US and Canadian readers you also get to participate in a Giveaway.

By leaving a comment on this post TWO people have a chance to each win TWO Christmas music releases for the Holiday Season. LUCKY YOU!!

 

The first is my favourite MARGO REY (and my family may be thrilled to know she has released some holiday music too). Love her! Her holiday EP is called This Holiday Night. Her original single of the same name. “This Holiday Night” is already gaining momentum and recognition from the Billboard charts. Margo is currently on a month long tour in the US with Dave Koz and Sheila E now through to December 23.

I have downloaded this already, just beautiful!!!!! And I particularly love her rendition of Silent Night.

 

The next is AAA artist SHAUNA BURNS and her holiday album is called A Winter Gathering.  She brings her Celtic twist to the holiday classics like "Carol of the Bells" and "Silent Night". Really haunting and beautiful.

Entries close on Midnight 10/12/2012 (PT). I mean you have got to have time to play it before Christmas, right?

Thanks to Mile High Productions, Los Angeles (online and social media marketing for the entertainment industry) for the prizes.

The winners were drawn by random.org on 12/12/2012 - Congratulations to Tashabud and Secret Agent Woman for winning the holiday albums.

WINNERS - 12 DAYS of GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to the winners of the 12 Days of Giveaway!

I hope you all enjoy your prizes.

All winners have been contacted by email and have 5 days to respond or new winners will be selected.

Thank you very much to everyone who entered the giveaways. I had a huge response and had so many great answers that I had to use Random.org to assist choose the final winner in a couple of the giveaways. Two giveaways have consolation prizes for that reason.

I am sure I will be holding some more giveaways very soon. (In fact, I am holding another one for USA and Canadian readers tomorrow.)

DAY 1. $50 LEAF Store Voucher - Simmone Penhaligon,VIC

Note: LEAF will give all Lilly's Life readers a 10% discount for any purchases made until December 17. The code to use at checkout is LILLYS10

DAY 2. Pandora Earrings - Maxine Haestier, NSW

DAY 3. ETSY Products
Love Shop  - Brigitte Nieberl, QLD
Love Letter Designs - Tina Subo
Vice & Velvet - Annie Fogarty

DAY 4.  BLURB Book Voucher - Helen, Poetry Matters Blog, USA  

DAY 5.  My Best Friend is a Bag - Jill Geiblinger, QLD

DAY 6. DYMO Letraset      - Margaret Drew, SA
            DYMO LabelMaker - Alex Franks, TAS

DAY 7. Amazon vouchers - Anne-Maree Adams, NSW
                                           Michael Thompson, VIC

DAY 8. Marvel Earrings - Christine H, Christine's Blog, Canada
            Consolation       - Kate B, Shambles Manor blog, Scotland

DAY 9. Simply Clean Products
Felicity Mazurek
Tracy Harris
Taylor Fogarty
Sheila Marie
Alanna James

Vinyl Design - Aleta O'Brien, USA
Vintage Chenille - Claire Lewis, VIC
Forget Me Knot - Alannah Shore, QLD

DAY 10. Groupon Voucher - Chantelle Trantalis, NSW

DAY 11. Silver Forge - Vicky Westra, Westra World Blog
                                     Abby Lee, WA

Note: The Silver Forge has offered all Lilly's Life readers a 10% discount for any purchases made until Christmas. The code to use at checkout is LILLYSLIFE10

              Koko Lane  -  Alwyn Foster, VIC

DAY 12. Beauty Products     - Michael Traficantte, WA
              Consolation prize   - Kirsten Wallace, VIC