Dear thoughts,
Once, you cut through the synapses
Like electricity cuts through the hands
that hold onto the wires
Like a babies screams
take the mother from her dreams
Dear thoughts,
Have you taken a permanent vacation?
Has my brain become a no-go zone?
Your unmet demands
That this body sleeps
That this body exercises
That this body eats well
Lay idle;
Idle like the dishes in the sink
The clothes on the bedroom floor
The houses renovations
The cars registration
Police fines
Electricity bills
My brain is burdened
By the day-to-day
And I would sleep if I could
But through these foggy clouds of thought
The newborn baby demands
The newborn baby demands
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Talking to Microsoft
The following is a "chat" session I just had with the Microsoft help and support desk:
Allen has joined this session!
Connected with Allen. Your reference number for this chat session is 1636037.
Allen: Welcome to Microsoft Customer Service Chat, Barrie. Please give me a moment while I review your question.
Allen: Please note that this chat service is available to guide you to the appropriate resources for your questions. Often this can include technical support options or a phone number to the appropriate Microsoft team.
Allen: Are you receiving any notifications requesting you to validate your copy of Office 2007 or anything related to your copy of Office 2007 is not genuine, such as: may be a victim of counterfeit software?
Barrie Janson: Yep, it is telling me that I have a non-genuine copy of office installed.
Allen: I presume that you have already performed the Microsoft online validation process, but you are unable to validate your copy of Office 2007. Am I right?
Barrie Janson: It gave me 30 days to sort it out
Barrie Janson: yes, i think the computer had a previous version of office 97 that was dodgey.
Allen: Thank you for providing me with all the information.
Barrie Janson: "This product is already activated"
Allen: Okay.
Allen: As you are experiencing issues in validating your copy of Office, you may contact our Support Professional who have the technical expertise to resolve the issue soon.
Barrie Janson: um, how?
Allen: The Support Professional can be contacted at the following web link: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860&st=1
Allen: Please visit the above link and click on "Start E-mail Request" button to submit a support request.
Allen: Microsoft provides no charge support for the issues related to Office Validation or Office Genuine Advantage.
Allen: They will be in a better position to assist you with the issue.
Barrie Janson: So what have I been doing?
Barrie Janson: All I want to do is validate my copy of office
Allen: It appears to be a technical issue with the validation process for your copy of Office 2007.
Allen: Please work with the above mentioned support team for further assistance.
Allen: After submitting an e-mail support request, a Support Professional will contact you within one business day to begin troubleshooting.
Allen: Is there anything else I may assist you with today, Barrie?
Barrie Janson: why did the above link say that there was a "1 business day" waiting period?
Allen: Yes, the support team will contact you within one business day to begin troubleshooting.
Barrie Janson: Why can't I just call someone... talk to a real person?
Allen: I am sorry, the above mentioned support is available only through e-mail.
Barrie Janson: why is there no human contact?
Barrie Janson: hello?
Allen: Please note that currently there is no phone, or chat support available for Office Genuine Advantage issues. Microsoft provides no-charge support for Office Genuine issue only through e-mail.
Barrie Janson: Why can't I talk to someone?
Barrie Janson: I just want to talk to a person...
Allen: You may work with the above mentioned support team to resolve the issue.
Barrie Janson: Why does Microsoft want to not talk to me?
Barrie Janson: Where is the humanity!
Allen: Please understand that the above mentioned support team is available only through e-mail support.
Barrie Janson: So now I have to wait for MS to email me?
Barrie Janson: That's it?
Allen: Yes, they will contact you further assistance.
Barrie Janson: What kind of customer service model is that?
Allen: I can understand that difficulties caused to you.
Allen: However the support can be obtained only through the above mentioned web link.
Allen: You can be assisted only by the above mentioned support team.
Barrie Janson: That's not customer service, that is customer control.
Allen: I am sorry for such experience of yours with us.
Allen: I hope the issue is resolved soon.
Allen: Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service Chat. Please feel free to contact us again. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Allen has left this session!
The session has ended!
They hung up on me, just as I hit the "caps lock" button and started typing:
WHY CAN'T I JUS
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Allen has joined this session!
Connected with Allen. Your reference number for this chat session is 1636037.
Allen: Welcome to Microsoft Customer Service Chat, Barrie. Please give me a moment while I review your question.
Allen: Please note that this chat service is available to guide you to the appropriate resources for your questions. Often this can include technical support options or a phone number to the appropriate Microsoft team.
Allen: Are you receiving any notifications requesting you to validate your copy of Office 2007 or anything related to your copy of Office 2007 is not genuine, such as: may be a victim of counterfeit software?
Barrie Janson: Yep, it is telling me that I have a non-genuine copy of office installed.
Allen: I presume that you have already performed the Microsoft online validation process, but you are unable to validate your copy of Office 2007. Am I right?
Barrie Janson: It gave me 30 days to sort it out
Barrie Janson: yes, i think the computer had a previous version of office 97 that was dodgey.
Allen: Thank you for providing me with all the information.
Barrie Janson: "This product is already activated"
Allen: Okay.
Allen: As you are experiencing issues in validating your copy of Office, you may contact our Support Professional who have the technical expertise to resolve the issue soon.
Barrie Janson: um, how?
Allen: The Support Professional can be contacted at the following web link: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860&st=1
Allen: Please visit the above link and click on "Start E-mail Request" button to submit a support request.
Allen: Microsoft provides no charge support for the issues related to Office Validation or Office Genuine Advantage.
Allen: They will be in a better position to assist you with the issue.
Barrie Janson: So what have I been doing?
Barrie Janson: All I want to do is validate my copy of office
Allen: It appears to be a technical issue with the validation process for your copy of Office 2007.
Allen: Please work with the above mentioned support team for further assistance.
Allen: After submitting an e-mail support request, a Support Professional will contact you within one business day to begin troubleshooting.
Allen: Is there anything else I may assist you with today, Barrie?
Barrie Janson: why did the above link say that there was a "1 business day" waiting period?
Allen: Yes, the support team will contact you within one business day to begin troubleshooting.
Barrie Janson: Why can't I just call someone... talk to a real person?
Allen: I am sorry, the above mentioned support is available only through e-mail.
Barrie Janson: why is there no human contact?
Barrie Janson: hello?
Allen: Please note that currently there is no phone, or chat support available for Office Genuine Advantage issues. Microsoft provides no-charge support for Office Genuine issue only through e-mail.
Barrie Janson: Why can't I talk to someone?
Barrie Janson: I just want to talk to a person...
Allen: You may work with the above mentioned support team to resolve the issue.
Barrie Janson: Why does Microsoft want to not talk to me?
Barrie Janson: Where is the humanity!
Allen: Please understand that the above mentioned support team is available only through e-mail support.
Barrie Janson: So now I have to wait for MS to email me?
Barrie Janson: That's it?
Allen: Yes, they will contact you further assistance.
Barrie Janson: What kind of customer service model is that?
Allen: I can understand that difficulties caused to you.
Allen: However the support can be obtained only through the above mentioned web link.
Allen: You can be assisted only by the above mentioned support team.
Barrie Janson: That's not customer service, that is customer control.
Allen: I am sorry for such experience of yours with us.
Allen: I hope the issue is resolved soon.
Allen: Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service Chat. Please feel free to contact us again. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Allen has left this session!
The session has ended!
They hung up on me, just as I hit the "caps lock" button and started typing:
WHY CAN'T I JUS
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Poetic Licence with the Mildura Writers Festival
Poetic Licence @ The Art Vault
Poetic Justice Publishing
Our event for the Mildura Writers Festival was a huge success. Everything about the night was awesome. We got a front page article in the local newspaper before the night and our rehearsals went smoothly.
The Art Vault was the perfect venure for the night. In previous years we have held our Poetic Licence nights in bars, cafe's and clubs. These have been good but those of you who are familiar with the Poetic Licence format will understand that an art gallery feels like the rightfull place for these events.
Our musicians were the delightful violinist, Sophie and flutist, Rachael. We also had a young Jazz singer, Mitch, who was an absolute hit.
Enough about the musicians, the night was all about the writers. It was, of course, part of the Mildura Writers Festival. The MC for the night was yours truley. Our writers that came up to the podium were as diverse as they were exciting. The regular crew from PJP are seasoned podium performers now, and that really showed with their professionalism.
We were all great and should give ourselves a pat on the back.
The venue was packed with people of all ages. The gallery was always alive, excited and anticipatory for the next performance. The joy of our group of writers is that you never know what is about to happen next at the podium.
This event has got me fired up for PJP again. It has also reaffirmed my faith that there is talent and skill right here in Milfura. The imported writers are all cute to gawk at with all their self-important pompousness but if you want to get down to business, then the locals have the goods.
Poetic Justice Publishing
Our event for the Mildura Writers Festival was a huge success. Everything about the night was awesome. We got a front page article in the local newspaper before the night and our rehearsals went smoothly.
The Art Vault was the perfect venure for the night. In previous years we have held our Poetic Licence nights in bars, cafe's and clubs. These have been good but those of you who are familiar with the Poetic Licence format will understand that an art gallery feels like the rightfull place for these events.
Our musicians were the delightful violinist, Sophie and flutist, Rachael. We also had a young Jazz singer, Mitch, who was an absolute hit.
Enough about the musicians, the night was all about the writers. It was, of course, part of the Mildura Writers Festival. The MC for the night was yours truley. Our writers that came up to the podium were as diverse as they were exciting. The regular crew from PJP are seasoned podium performers now, and that really showed with their professionalism.
We were all great and should give ourselves a pat on the back.
The venue was packed with people of all ages. The gallery was always alive, excited and anticipatory for the next performance. The joy of our group of writers is that you never know what is about to happen next at the podium.
This event has got me fired up for PJP again. It has also reaffirmed my faith that there is talent and skill right here in Milfura. The imported writers are all cute to gawk at with all their self-important pompousness but if you want to get down to business, then the locals have the goods.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Recipe: Sweet Ravioli Sauce.
This is an autumn meal. The leaves are starting to change colour, there is a crisp chill in the mornings hinting of the frosts to come and the harshness of summer is starting to fade into memory.
Summers vegetable garden has been turned over and the winter vegetable beds are just starting to be productive.
It is herbs and spices time of year. My friends have gone from getting boxes of fresh fruit and vegetable to trays brimming with sprigs of oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, rosemary, chives, chillies and lavender.
Meals have become a combination of freezer food and herbs grown in the garden.
The weather is still fine enough to be outside during the day in the garden and meals still need to quick and easy as you rush around getting ready for winter. The preparation time is less than half an hour.
The gorgeous thing about this meal is that is sweet yet fresh. The colours are green and vibrant and yet the undertones of the ravioli speak of the winter that is to come.
Ingredients:
1tbs olive oil
3 Middle Bacon
1 Tsp crushed Garlic
1 tbs chopped fresh Oregano
Milk (125ml)
½ cup chopped mushrooms
1 small grated zucchini
1 can Creamed Corn (125gm)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Shaved parmesan cheese
Ravioli
Method:
Cook bacon in olive oil
Sear the garlic
Add Oregano
Add milk in small portions
Add creamed corn
Simmer sauce
Boil Ravioli seperately.
Stir through half of the parsley into the sauce.
Just before serving stir through the rest of the parsley.
Dish up ravioli.
Pour on sauce.
Garnish with parmesan shavings and more parsley.
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Summers vegetable garden has been turned over and the winter vegetable beds are just starting to be productive.
It is herbs and spices time of year. My friends have gone from getting boxes of fresh fruit and vegetable to trays brimming with sprigs of oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, rosemary, chives, chillies and lavender.
Meals have become a combination of freezer food and herbs grown in the garden.
The weather is still fine enough to be outside during the day in the garden and meals still need to quick and easy as you rush around getting ready for winter. The preparation time is less than half an hour.
The gorgeous thing about this meal is that is sweet yet fresh. The colours are green and vibrant and yet the undertones of the ravioli speak of the winter that is to come.
Ingredients:
1tbs olive oil
3 Middle Bacon
1 Tsp crushed Garlic
1 tbs chopped fresh Oregano
Milk (125ml)
½ cup chopped mushrooms
1 small grated zucchini
1 can Creamed Corn (125gm)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Shaved parmesan cheese
Ravioli
Method:
Cook bacon in olive oil
Sear the garlic
Add Oregano
Add milk in small portions
Add creamed corn
Simmer sauce
Boil Ravioli seperately.
Stir through half of the parsley into the sauce.
Just before serving stir through the rest of the parsley.
Dish up ravioli.
Pour on sauce.
Garnish with parmesan shavings and more parsley.
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Chrysanthemums
Mothers Day is here.This is proven by the huge range of chrysanthemums, "mums" or "mothers day flowers" that we have flowering in the garden.
We have over a dozen varieties (colours) planted.
Before going to work on Friday I popped out into the garden and quickly but a couple of buckets full to take in.
I snuck into work early and left them on a table.
When I got back people were wearing flowers in their hair!
There was colour everywhere.
When I came back to the office at the end of the day the buckets were empty.
Everyone had taken a bunch to give to their mothers for Sunday.
Happy mothers day!
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A Day In The Garden With Bailey
It's been a tough day in the garden for all concerned.
Bailey has been helping out with lots of chores.
Above, you can see Bailey checking out the growth in the native patch.
If anyone is wondering exactly where babies come from, then I have photographic proof that they do, in deed, come from the cabbage patch.
If we go around the circle anti-clockwise we have cabbage (bok choi), cabbage, baby. Simple.
With only weeks, or even days, from having our first frost. This Lemon Grass is at it's full growth after a year of TLC. As you can see, it is taller than I am and ready for harvest. Does anyone want some Lemon Grass?
Finally, it is the end of the day. This is daddy and son looking at the Passion Fruit Vine as it begins to climb.
Come back to see how Bailey (and the passionfruit) grow.
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Bailey has been helping out with lots of chores.
Above, you can see Bailey checking out the growth in the native patch.
If anyone is wondering exactly where babies come from, then I have photographic proof that they do, in deed, come from the cabbage patch.
If we go around the circle anti-clockwise we have cabbage (bok choi), cabbage, baby. Simple.
With only weeks, or even days, from having our first frost. This Lemon Grass is at it's full growth after a year of TLC. As you can see, it is taller than I am and ready for harvest. Does anyone want some Lemon Grass?
Finally, it is the end of the day. This is daddy and son looking at the Passion Fruit Vine as it begins to climb.
Come back to see how Bailey (and the passionfruit) grow.
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
To Tired To Blog
This whole "having a baby" thing, well, it is tiring.
I have never been this tired in my life. Usually I carry a reserve in my body that means that I can stay awake for 48 hours.
No more.
Bailey has taken my all. He is the center of my universe, my reason for living. From the day he was borning I have been exhausted, and I wouldn't change a thing.
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
I have never been this tired in my life. Usually I carry a reserve in my body that means that I can stay awake for 48 hours.
No more.
Bailey has taken my all. He is the center of my universe, my reason for living. From the day he was borning I have been exhausted, and I wouldn't change a thing.
"TerraTime" is a creation of Barrie Janson.
For more TerraTime news and events then go to:
geocities.com/terratime
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