Out of all the ‘extra curricula’ blogging activities I have participated in, being active in these forums has been the most satisfying and rewarding. It is a true community, where I feel right at home. I know I will always get an answer to any questions I may have because of the wide range of experience and knowledge of the members and their friendly, helpful attitude. This has been a pleasant surprise to me after searches for information have taken me to so many forum messages over the years that have no answers or responses that are downright rude and unhelpful.

Because it is not all serious blogging talk there is an avenue to get to know others better. The general chat forums are always buzzing, the Random Thoughts and How Was Your Day threads being particularly lively. Out of the blogging specific forums Blogging in General, Wordpress and Promote Your Blog have attracted the most responses.

A new feature on the Aussie Bloggers site announced today is the “Lazy Bloggers Post Generator” - give it a try when you are short of ideas or need to explain why you have not been posting:-)

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Aussie Bloggers Forums - Good Onya

Congratulations to Jon Pfeffer and his father Steve on the completion of their mammoth bike ride, starting in Brisbane 4th May and finishing today in Broome. The Journey from east to west Coast Australia was over 5,000km so this is no mean achievement! Training and planning the event began back in October 2006. Jon’s stepbrother-in-law, Nick, joined them for the first 1,000km of the journey.

View Larger Map

Steve and Jon have been riding to raise awareness for BeyondBlue and and awareness and funds for Plan Australia, which respectively work to fight depression and child poverty. They have been blogging about their preparation and journey on their Brisbane to Broome Charity Bike Ride site.

Romance was in the outback air when Jon proposed to his girlfriend Emelie, when he met her at Mt Isa airport on 30th May. The sign on the ground says “Will you marry me?”.  Many congratulations Emelie and Jon.

If you want to offer your congratulations you could do so via the Brisbane to Broome Facebook Group. Donations to show your appreciation of the effort and dedication of these intrepid travellers and to support the work of Plan can be made on the Brisbane to Broome Everyday Hero Page.

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Riding, Fundraising, Blogging in Australia

The reason - It is thought that immigration to Australia commenced around 50,000 years ago, its first inhabitants arriving via the Malay Archipelago and from New Guinea via a land bridge. Subsequent to the British arrival, the Gold rush, which started in 1851, brought other Europeans, Chinese and North Americans.

After WWII Australia’s population increased rapidly; hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans emigrated to Australia. Many more English arrived under assisted passage schemes and were colloquially called the”10 pound poms”. My own family was almost one of them. Other major points of origin were Greece, Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia and the Netherlands. After Australia’s discriminatory “White Australia Policy” was abandoned in the early 1970’s many immigrants from Asia and Africa were also able to call Australia home.

I arrived here 27 years ago from Yorkshire, England, on a working holiday and decided to stay. My father’s family were Irish. I love Australia’s for its multiculturalism; its rich diversity of culture, beliefs and experiences; My own neighbors hail from Europe, Africa and Asia. The “I am Australian” song by the Seekers sums up Australia’s rich and very long history for me. I have played it at least 5 times while writing this post.

Loz of Midlife Journey reminded me of this song in his own post about Australia Day - he talks about his own familiy’s history in our country which dates back to the First Fleet’s arrival 26th January, 1788 - an interesting read.

Colin Campbell commented “Australia Day is very like the 4th of July in the US. Great weather, lots of family and friends and just hanging out.” Thanks Colin - That pretty much sums it up.

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Blogging Australia Day

The Aussie Bloggers Forums Blog is being launched today!
I highly recommend you visiting the blog regularly. Judging by what I know of the sort of upcoming content, this promises to be a wonderful resource for bloggers; with a wealth of information and knowledge behind it, largely being drawn from experienced blogging members of the Aussie Bloggers Forum.

Blogging advice and tips, guest authors and interviews are on the upcoming agenda.

I included the official forums launch video in a prior post which had the Men at Work “I Come From a Land Down Under” as background music. This time I am including Men at Work’s video of the same song.

Not that I want to suggest that our Aussie men ‘chunder’ (no more than from other nations who drink anyway - although I will stand to be corrected on this!). I just like the song.

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Aussie Bloggers Forum Blog Launch

Let the Carnival begin …

A favorite quote of mine is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself”, which is why I found Albert Foong’s post The life that has gone on before: The Perils of Compassion, Part 2 fascinating. Albert talks of the importance of gaining experience, understanding and inner peace before we can offer effective help to others.

Keren , whose work as a Mental Health Social Worker and her blog and site Birdwing Therapies is all about helping others. She offers us Sandplay and Symbol Work - A History and Therapeutic Benefits ,explaining how this kind of therapy helps children and adults who have experienced trauma due to childhood physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Karen’s blog is new so I suggest that we show our admiration of her work and the experience and knowledge she is sharing with us by helping her get her blog more well known and widely read.

Achieving understanding and inner peace often requires us to change.

Craig Harper in Why New Years Resolutions are Stupid points out that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome”, which is what regularly makes us fail in our resolutions. (this is another quote that has helped me on my own path to change over the years). Craig, who offers sage advice on how to make sensible resolutions and how to succeed in these goals, has had “twenty five years of watching and working with people in the area of ‘change’ “.

Suzie Cheel in Abundance is a Feeling says that “Getting into the feeling or the vibration is essential to having abundance in all areas of your life”. She also gives us details of a teleclass by Michael Losier on “how you can change your language to deliberately use the Law of Attraction to improve your finances, relationships and health” to be aired at 12 noon (Melbourne/Sydney time) today.

A healthy mind is helped by also having a healthy body:

Lightening offers us a very comprehensive guide to the benefits of Aloe Vera along with tips on growing your own. Aloe Aloe - Every Home Should Have Some That must have taken some time to put together, Lightening, thank you.

I have finally found a wonderful and convincing reason as to why I enjoy sleep-ins. Thank you to Craig Harper for writing Sleeping Ugly., saying, “The only two things we can’t live without for any length of time are water and sleep.” Craig talks about the importance of getting enough sleep, the health dangers in not doing so and offers us a “sleep strategy’ for making sure we do

Samuel Bryson gives us a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in using a bicycle as compared to using our cars in Pedalling Money - Saving Money by Cycling: - I certainly like the idea of saving money at the same time as keeping fit but I find that being lazy is so much easier. However Samuel has also submitted his post on Cycling and Your Wellbeing which makes me think twice.

We are fortunate in having so many blogs, written by experts in their field, helping us to be the best we can. On the other side of the equation there are those who offer us insights into their life experiences and how they live think and feel, which helps us in our understanding of others.

It also helps us, if we are having problems ourselves, to know there are others who understand what we are going through..

Tiffany shares her feelings with us in Broken thoughts of a SAHM? Sunday arvo blues. . My own children are now grown but how vividly I remember experiencing the same feelings as Tiffany when they were young..

Miscellaneous Mum nobly tried to be a blood donor but was advised against it by a caring nurse. She says “Donating blood is harder than you think!” in Where I went to donate blood - but they wouldn’t’t let me . Suffering from BPPV myself, which has some similarity to Menieres Disease although not as severe, I understand your dilemma, Karen.

If you are anything like me, you will need tissues in hand to read the beautiful poignant message Babyamore (Trish) writes for her twin boys: 18 month Letter to S & J. I never fail to smile when I see the photo she has of them in her sidebar.

Blogs that draw our attention to injustices and wrongdoings help inform and educate us, highlighting issues that may not make the front pages of mainstream media but are important nonetheless.

Megan Bayliss , whose work is dedicated to keeping children safe, presents Jay Jays is the Little Loser urges us to boycott Jay Jays because of their “overtly dysfunctional and sexualised slogans of their new teen range …… Let our kids be kids - not pimps, drunks, bitches and whores”

Deborah Robinson tells us of Illegal dumping at Salvation Army Stores, which costs the Salvation army millions to dispose of, money that would otherwise have been spent on helping the nation’s needy.

I always appreciate tips that make to make everyday living easier:

Mad goat lady inspires me to make a purchase in Can you have an addiction to?(things I love #2) Mad Goat Lady

Leigh reminds us of Australian “back to school” dates and gives us details of stores offering sales on the supplies we need to buy to set our children up for going Back to School . If you are a parent whose first child is starting their kindergarten life, check out the link Leigh gives to a booklet provided by the NSW Dept of Education.(hint from me - don’t forget the tissues for yourself on the first day and even the second day…..)

Colin Campbell humorously talks about the rights of seagulls in Sid the Seagull gets Fired in his introduction to a topic of importance to us all - the threat of the nasty UV stuff.

James K. Bashkin reviews On, Off: A Novel by Colleen McCullough. A serial killer terrorizes Connecticut in the turbulent 1960’s. who describes the post as a “Review of an Aussie book by Jim with the Aussie Mum. I’m afraid this book went too far for me. See if you agree.”

On the business front:

Martin Russell suggests that if you are offering something for free in your business, to test it against an offer that requires a small payment. You can read his reasoning behind this at this at The Danger Of Freet Word of Mouth Marketing.

Emma Rhoades gives us some pros and cons on the subject of Publicity- DIY or outsource??

Gavin R. Putland offers us his in depth analysis on what he suggests the Australian Federal Government should be doing to ease capacity constraints, remove barriers to employment, reduce compliance costs (hence inflationary tendencies and interest rates), and make Australian products more competitive in global and domestic markets - Raising Australia’s Market Share

For sports enthusiasts:

Swollen Pickles presents Cricket turns into finger pointing, name calling and the blame game and questions the concept of cricket being a “gentleman’s sport” showing a video of ” tough talking Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh demonstrating how not to walk ……. not to leave the ground and wait for the umpires decision“.

Barry Pittard talks of International Cricket And The Secret Swami (Sathya Sai Baba), discussing “one of the biggest rows in cricket history which is afflicting the present Test series between India and Australia”

Here is a wonderful story about Australian, Chris Minko, and his work with the landmine victims of Cambodia: Theodore Pappas gives us The Celebration of Life Through Sports Award: Christopher Minko and the Landmine Victims of Cambodia Christopher is the director of an international volleyball league specifically for landmine victims with “a vision of sports bringing a people’s tragedy and struggle together in a bond that only a team can understand.”

To lighten the mood:

Mike Macgirvin shows us videos of the awesome Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks at Pyro Technica. Many moons ago I lived in a block of units in Kirribilli, where the uninterrupted rooftop view of the fireworks was spectacular. (For memories sake I still tend to tune into watch Sydney rather than Melbourne fireworks.)

Alex Garcia talks about another of our Australian Cities in Queensland’s exciting River City (Brisbane) and displays a real time video of the Riverside Expressway. If you have to commute having a river view must make the journey a touch more bearable. Alex refers us to another article by Jessica Marsalec which covers the more pleasant aspects of the riverside.

What do a couch potato and a patriotic government employee have in common? Duncan Macleod gives us the answer and includes a video of an entertaining TV ad on Australia Day Patriotic Visitor.”

Jen talks us about a clown show good for kids and adults alike on Clowning around and provides some entertaining photos too (I can see what you mean about the adult aspects Jen!)

Just in case you thought you may have landed on the wrong blog today I will conclude with entries relating to blogging

Meg presents How to Set Up Google Reader, saying, “Ever wonder how you can keep up to date with new entries on blogs? Here is a beginners guide on how you can set up a feed reader in Google.” Dipping into the Blogpond

Kathie Thomas presents Mash doesn’t do it for me with a warning that there is an option in Mash to make your member page modifiable by others and to be careful as “Building profiles online can be hazardous if others are allowed to do it for you.”Thanks for the warning Kathie, I was not aware of this option and am going to check my account.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this wonderful assortment of carnival entries as much as I have. If you are interested in finding out about future editions of the Carnival of Australia please:

Submit your blog article to the next edition of Carnival of Australia using the carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Many thanks to Megan of Imaginif for setting up and running this Carnival of Australia and giving me the opportunity to be today’s host.

Technorati tags: carnival of australia, blog carnival

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Carnival of Australia - January 16th, 2008

My thanks go to the administrators Meg, Snoskred and AndrewBoyd for all the hard work they have put in setting up the forums. These are our forum moderators (including yours truly) who have also been contributing and learning the ropes over the last few weeks: Cellobella, ChristineParfitt, Jaycee, John Lampard, Kelley, LaniGiesen, Lightening, Martin Neumann, miscmum, servantofchaos, squadron, StephenCronin, Sueblimely and trib.

Please drop by, join up and say G’day. We are a friendly bunch from Down Under and would love to see you there.

Here is our official launch video created for us by squadron of SEO Blog An accompanying blog launches on the 21st of January but an introduction is already up there at - Aussie Bloggers. For more information please take a squiz at the About Page

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

New Aussie Bloggers Forum Open

In normal circumstances I would be ranting and raving about the restrictive broadband service in Australia. We are on a, so called, unlimited broadband plan but this means we have a certain download limit and then get speed restricted. The restricted speed was so slow that I could not download email without timing out nor get into web mail.

The current top plan with my ISP allows 30gb of download/upload a month for A$109 (US$102). With 2 adults and 4 ‘grown’ children being regular and active internet users this is just not enough for us . I do not know of any Australian ISP that offers truly unlimited downloads. Until recently uploads were not included in the allowance. Our service is deteriorating rather than improving! I guess I had a rant after all.

Apologies from those whose emails I should have replied to earlier. I will have to have a catch up now and try and wade my way through the spam to the real emails.

Australia alexa

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Australia’s inadequate download limits

There are a good mix of blogs in this list. Unlike some, it is not dominated by professional bloggers or the “A list”. I regularly read some of the blogs listed and would like to congratulate (in no particular order):

Awards alexa

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Top Australian Bloggers

The very talented Meg also helped to set up Australian websites - dLook (an online business directory) and Obits (which lists funeral notices and a directory of funeral industry businesses).

Australia, Social-Networking alexa

Post from: Blogging Sueblimely

Social News Aggregation - Australia