Hello, Grandma!

Those are precisely the only two words I know in the language of my soon to be exotic host country. The irony being that they are no use since they are of no use for me to say to anybody but myself!

In any case it does invite peals of laughter just cos it is "so cute" when I do say it, so I guess at least some people out there are benefiting!

I really started to practically feel like a grandma from my interior and exterior lately...just cos predominantly mingling with people one, two or several generations younger inside and outside is starting to bring up some glaring "not with the times" deficiencies on my part...especially as pertains to technology! Lately my young friends have erupted in giggles when they observed me in complete ignoramus delight to find out what (left caret) 3, (hyphen hyphen right caret) and * (space) does! They really thought everyone knows these things and then I turn to them and say...do you even remember a world without internet or mobile phones? You know TETRIS? Actually from MY generation(well actually that was when computer screens were black and green and it was a cheap free game called "NYET"). Daria? Yeah, MY generation too! REALLY!?!! They reply incredulously...well then what IS my generation? Those touchscreen technology "rhythm" games I reply...Pokemon? "rofl" "lol" "cya" and the age of nobody being able to spell whole worlds anymore?

So yes! Grandmas do know a thing or two TOO!

In any case I also noticed I derive a lot of comfort talking to older folks- sort of the minimum age where people start to make a bit more sense and I understand most without needing a go-between interpreter seems 40yo and up because I seemed to have been born at least one or two generations too late. So anyway I spoke to one of these older folks for the first time yesterday and he was truly truly surprised that I could talk to him about his interests and older: lawn bowls anyone? ;) since looking 10 years younger than I actually am he had assumed I was 2-3 generations behind him! It was quite fun actually- the shock surprise factor- I love demolishing people's preconceived ideas.

It's pretty easy to do actually when you suffer Generational Displacement and Lost in Confusion.

Anyway Grandma's had her once weekly manageable lie down & afternoon nap and Bob is On so maybe a sweet little old lady is back at least for the weekend, lol!!!

p.s My greatest achievement in joining modern society would definitely be the "Blog"...think I deserve at least a "merit" for being able to rant & verbal diarrhoea to myself all day and all night long through virtual means. It's also the longest I have ever applied myself to something that wasn't compulsory!

What I'm feeling happy about: Decluttering for a good cause!

I like how when tragedy does strike such as in the case of the Victorian Bushfires recently, I like how it inspires the best in people-particularly a generosity of spirit we don't often witness otherwise(especially unusual for the big city!)...

In any case, being a student with miserable income I like to help how I can...so for me it was braving the dark wet and rain and making myself head out to buy as much as I could carry late Friday night....since the supermarket was donating all profits to the Bushfire victims.

Tonight I got off my ass and started to declutter the house- starting to gather whatever spares I have of everything to donate. Geez it's scary how much unnecessary STUFF I have! I've noticed Asians and particularly people who grew up as poor migrants tend to being such huge HOARDERS...it's completely irrational but it's an inherent socialisation that needs to be consciously unlearnt. So I thought turning my house upside down digging for spares of everything was a good start :)

Too much physical baggage (attachment) somehow translates to me as oppressive spiritual burden too...I don't NEED so much STUFF!!! (They say two key behaviours that benefit Scorpios is to find things to let go of and throw out everyday, as well as learning forgiveness).

Apart from that I'm feeling really happy about discovering Bpay View(viewing bills online)...I guess I got so busy I had just been in "survival" mode and living on "habit"....cos you know, change can take a bit of effort for us inflexible types...LOL

So anyway I'm really happy I'll cut down on all the paper wastage that goes into my bills and will save me time and space by not having to open and store the paper...unfortunately I am not willing to do the same transition for music...I still need tangible hard CDs with album art, lyrics and the works!!! :)

Digital Photos are driving me insane!

argh, I have spent almost all day with my head stuck in my picture folder...it is majorly time sucking and I think I'm ready to call it quits!

Does anybody have good tips on how to store/organise/upload/sort everything effectively? Currently I am working within a Windows Vista environment with a very backward version of Photoshopand a pretty slow internet connection and it's REALLY REALLY time wasting.

One thing I especially want to know is: is there some program which can automatically convert big picture files to small ones? I only know if you email them via outlook it will offer to do it for you, apart from that no ideas...

anyway I'm just a little distraught because I lost the file for possibly the most award winning black and white portrait I have ever taken! GRRRRR...what was that again- ATTACHMENT being one of the roots of evil stress!!!! Grrrrr.

But really what do you think is the best? Should I back everything up to hard drive or start burning pictures to CDs- what have you found is most effective?