tick… tick… tick…

The Illiterate Infant household has now been on amber alert for about a week. In my head, there was no way I would be writing this today because I’d be too busy staring smitten-like at the newly born Miss/Mr I.I. Alas, no. Instead work has been as busy as ever and home has turned into a mini ER as both my ladies have come down with colds. Interesting times.

Olympic Piss Taking

There’s been a lot in the press about the Australian swim team, especially the way the relay boys “acted up” when they were “bonding” prior to the Olympics. My first response has been “for f@#ks sake!”. They are boys. The fact that all they did was prank call some people and take some sleeping tablets makes their behaviour pretty tame in my books. A friend of a friend of mine did much worse when he was younger, dumber and fitter.

It wasn’t until I read this excellent opinion piece by Ben Quilty that I started to question my initial thoughts. Ben’s argument is pretty simple. These guys have been given an enormous privilege. They are being supported by the Australian Government (ie you and me – australian tax payers) to learn their “trade”. When I went to uni the first time I had to pay HECS and the second time I nearly had to sell a kidney to afford it. The same goes for every teacher, nurse, doctor, lawyer, accountant, tradie etc. We all have to pay the government back in some way for them supporting us to learn the skills to earn a living.

But not out athletes that are supported by the AIS. They get supported to learn their trade (sport) and then in many cases don’t pay tax on the winnings they may get. Sure they train hard, wake up early, watch what they eat etc, etc, etc but in the end its a choice they are making to do the sport. Ben’s perspective is really interesting – in the end he just wants them to have to pay back for what they’ve been given, as he has had to do through his winnings from painting (he’s the guy doing the portraits of soldiers over in Afghanistan). Perhaps by having to payback our investment in them, these olympians would be be a little less inclined to take the piss? Check out his article and let me know what you think.

Best Poo Story of 2013 – so far…

Apart form having one of the more interesting names for a blog Victoria over at declutterbugversuscaptainstingypants has put together one of my favourite finds for the year. Her writing is intelligent, funny, a bit heartfelt and honest. I read her post on Children’s activities vs mum’s activities and could actually hear the same conversation I had had with Mrs II a few weeks ago (there’s even a formula!!). Victoria is a great observer and has a great way of putting into words the craziness we all see as parents everyday (made a little crazier by having twins in her brood). Hence her hard hitting post on pool-pooing that is the lucky recipient of my Best-Poo-Story award for 2013. If you haven’t already, check out the blog or jump over and like the Facebook page here.

Thanks everyone who’s entered the inaugural baby’s weight and height guessing game. There’s still time to read your tea leaves, tarot cards or lucky stars and let me know what you think the dimensions of Mr/Miss 0.9999 will be.

As always, I’m sharing (if not a little late) with the wondrous Grace over at withsomegrace for Flog you Blog Friday.

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