Jeannine Baird

sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA


Joined March 15th 2007

Number of Posts:
122

Number of Comments:
47

Karma:
9



Tags & Posts

Bookmark Tags



Popular Tags

Blogs

Jeannine Baird's Blogs

7015 Vote(s)
58 Comment(s)
121 Post(s)

I mentor these bloggers

Learn more about the Orble Mentoring Program.


I do not mentor any bloggers.

Friends

I have no friends :(

Recent Posts

I'm excited! Rugby's back! And hoorah, the latest wonderboy is not an expensive league sellout, but a boy of 18. What an explosive beginning to his international career? After witnessing last week's try at the SFS, O'Connor has given me hope in the Wallabies backs that I haven't felt since Matt Burke's retirement.
Your text goes here
Whilst he's yet to prove himself fully (these tries were pretty much set up for him), the boy has a lot of promise. Time and tests will tell. We're yet to see him take a big hit (please, don't let him be one of these Campese-esque "I'll pass the ball if it ever looks like I'm about to be tackled" types), but we hope he is kept safe from injury, and can be tried out against the Boks and Kiwis.
But the great news is he's not the only talent in the Aussie shed.
Really Long Link
I feel it's going to be a good year for Australia in international rugby.
13
Vote
   


The Real Slumdog Millionaires

June 13th 2009 15:47
Bollywood has been gaining greater industry cred over the last year or so, thanks to Danny Boyle, films like "Bride and Prejudice", and Bollywood dance classes. It even gets a mention in Disney's HSM3 as the ultimate final destination on a starlet's journey to self-promotion, and Disney even made a crossover movie with "The Cheetah Girls" film (I know this as I have a tweenager, who, I'm proud to say, knew who Aishwarya Rai was before she knew of Miley Cyrus). Disney is brilliant at cross-promotion, so it is only logical that they have jumped on the Bollywood bandwagon, whose films regularly feature product placements as part of the action (the film "Baghban" springs to mind, with its blantant advertising of a certain brand of tea intertwined in a legitimate part of the script). Disney's self-referential script writing pales into insignificance to such amazing scenes as the after-party scene in "Om Shanti Om", where almost everyone who has ever been a star in a Bollywood film, and was still walking and presentable, got a dance on role.
Indian businesses are acceptionally clever at making the most of every opportunity. Like the kids in "Slumdog Millionaire" on the train and at the Taj, they create opportunities. Whether it's boosting your chai brand's profile by having Amitabh consume it on rising and on returning home to his beautiful, dutiful wife; or by creating a clever way to learn the tricks of the trade of the world's finest cricketers, whilst undermining their abilities to succeed as a national team through player fatigue, by paying them more than they earn on their national contracts; they are astute business people, and will, as a nation, give the Yanks a run for their money.
The challenge for India's elite is to create equity and opportunity in their society. Whilst Bollywood stars are drenched in diamonds, watches, and designer suits, salwars and saris, villages burn and kids die. Can India become better than the US in this field? Surely Bollywood needs some philanthropists and politcal activists, like Hollywood has seen.
I look forward to seeing this occur. We cannot wait for "destiny" to intervene in improving educational, health and social conditions for the "slumdogs". Someone local has to take a stand and do some good, with the blessings they have received.
In the meantime, though, I cannot begrudge them their award ceremonies, and will watch in awe as some of the most elegant and beautiful people existing today celebrate their achievements. "Slumdogs" sure beat the "white trash" celebrities in classiness and decorum.

Your text goes here
14
Vote
   


A League of Gentlemen?

May 8th 2009 14:42
MATURE CONTENT
   


A League of Gentlemen?

May 8th 2009 14:40
MATURE CONTENT
   


I have long thought it a little tasteless, to be extremely euphemistic, to give your child "Dora" underwear. A look at the SMH website has proven my instincts are sharp.
Really Long Link
For those who don't know who "Hoppa" is, he was an NRL player infamous for placing his fingers into other players' shorts, as a tactic. Not the sort of rolemodel I want for my kids.
19
Vote
   


Back to Blogging

May 5th 2009 13:59
Sorry for my silence over the last few months. I'm not dead...just extremely preoccupied by life's toils and snares.
As usual, the news gives ample rant fodder. Stay posted.
17
Vote
   


Q: How Do You Make Holy Water?

January 16th 2009 11:22
A: You boil the Hell out of it!
Boom, tish!
So goes the joke popular with Anglican ministers of a certain age (that age being retirement). Terribly non-PC to say this at a Baptism when the infant's extended family are Roman Catholic. I recall cringing at such an occasion once


[ Click here to read more ]
32
Vote
   


The Cat Empire's Domain is Sydney

January 11th 2009 01:53
When I was bored on NYE in Brighton, I searched to see if a dream of mine would come true. I have longed to see this band play at St Kilda Beach. Alas, an internet search proved in vain. The Cats were not out to play on the Espy, and it seemed the keyboard player and Harry, the lead singer and lead trumpet, had become Jackson Jackson. Alas, no gigs for either outfits.
However on the long drive up the Hume on Thursday, I was blown away to discover the Cats would be at the Sydney Festival!!! So tonight, like many others, my daughter and I hopped a train to Martin Place for opening night. No point going with the husband. He once slept through a John Butler concert. Our daughter, however, likes the Cats and knows their songs.
Summer in Sydney is a strange place. The rush and lack of eye contact is replaced by languid days, beachwear in any context, and public alcohol consumption. We can add travelling games of Twister to the list. It would have seemed a bit like some trendy art installation, were it not for the cans of UDL, brown bottles of liquid amber, and blonde hair, eyeliner and short shorts. On City Rail, on a trip from Sutherland, it was more like how a Cronulla riot might get warmed up


[ Click here to read more ]
42
Vote
   


Wish You Were Here This NYE?

December 31st 2008 07:39

I kinda do, too.
In Brighton, Vic, where nothing is happening...
33
Vote
   


Aussies Go Bolli for Sydney Test!

December 30th 2008 08:08
Doug Bollinger has been selected as part of the squad for the New Years' Test. A very happy wokmate of my husband's and my fellow Manly fan; a close friend of Doug's, called at around 2:30pm with a trivial work question, so he could spread the good news, that E.D.Bollinger had received a call from Cricket Australia, suggesting he research the Proteas' batting styles. We were around Mt Beauty in Victoria, stopping by the roadside till our daughter's nausea subsided, when the call came through.
So well done, Doug. Sorry we can't be there, as we're being very un-Australian. We are missing the Sydney Test, for the first time in our 12 years of marriage, to give our daughter the chance to be at the Australian Ballet School Summer School. Despite my pleading, husband also decided it was of more value to cruise around the bends of the high country till the kid actually did vomit, rather than fast-traking our trip to Melbourne to catch the fifth day of the test at the MCG. Our kid wasn't the only one who was spewing today! I've never been into the 'G.
So rather than seeing the Cricket, we made do with listening to the ABC coverage on radio; intermittent due to overhead powerlines. We did have a couple of amusing days, listening to the ruminations of Kerry O'Keefe et.al., on topics such as "Why do Rangas not make it in Test Cricket", and would it be the newly hirsuit Bollinger; surely looking for an Advanced Hair sponsorship deal if O'Keefe is correct and he has "rugged up", or someone else, to replace Binga Lee


[ Click here to read more ]
27
Vote
   


 

Recent Comments

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on Back to Blogging

May 6th 2009 21:37
Would you prefer I publish your batting average?! That's probably a smaller number!
How's that for a sledge, babe?!
(For those reading this Husband received "The Art of Sledging" for his, here it comes again...38th Birthday!!!!!)

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on Back to Blogging

May 6th 2009 21:37
Would you prefer I publish your batting average?! That's probably a smaller number!
How's that for a sledge, babe?!
(For those reading this Husband received "The Art of Sledging" for his, here it comes again...38th Birthday!!!!!)

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on My First Car Was . . . ?

January 29th 2009 03:19
Oh, Janet... I know the VW Semi-automatic! I test-drove one when I was looking for the first car, and thought it was pretty cool (Metallic Royal Blue, roll-top convertible), till I attempted to use the handbrake. There was no cable attached. An even crappier Blue Poo than the '81 Corolla...
I had a boyfriend with a Morris 1100. The ones driving Celicas, or Datsun 260zx's, or any other appendage type cars, and hanging out in Maccas carparks, were slime-bags, and he was not. The Morrie was quirky, grungy and cool, like his roll-your-owns. There was a late night show on Channel 9 with Clive (?) someone... grumpy old man on ABC Classic FM, with a fellow who would review classic cars each week on a Friday night. Sometime during this era he reviewed the Minor, and the love affair began. The other relationship died, like a seized motor. And the Blue Poo's non-renewable rego due to rust damage expired when I was on my honeymoon. The next car was an '80 Gemini automatic, which I loathed. Soon after we bought an ex-demo Mazda 121 "Bubble", which I called Morrie, which my husband now drives to work as it is more eco-friendly than the "family" Subie Forester I scoot around in to school and work. Hubby's a Camry sort of guy. Safe, sensible, economical and totally reliable, with no pretensions. I've tried to convince him to buy Morries, or a pop-top Kombi Campervan, but his commonsense prevails over the romance of owning a cool, classic car.

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on My First Car Was . . . ?

January 29th 2009 03:18
Oh, Janet... I know the VW Semi-automatic! I test-drove one when I was looking for the first car, and thought it was pretty cool (Metallic Royal Blue, roll-top convertible), till I attempted to use the handbrake. There was no cable attached. An even crappier Blue Poo than the '81 Corolla...
I had a boyfriend with a Morris 1100. The ones driving Celicas, or Datsun 260zx's, or any other appendage type cars, and hanging out in Maccas carparks, were slime-bags, and he was not. The Morrie was quirky, grungy and cool, like his roll-your-owns. There was a late night show on Channel 9 with Clive Robertson, with a fellow who would review classic cars each Friday night. Sometime during this era he reviewed the Minor, and the love affair began. The other relationship died, like a seized motor. And the Blue Poo's non-renewable rego due to rust damage expired when I was on my honeymoon. The next car was an '80 Gemini automatic, which I loathed. Soon after we bought an ex-demo Mazda 121 "Bubble", which I called Morrie, which my husband now drives to work as it is more eco-friendly than the "family" Subie Forester I scoot around in to school, work and Ballet. Hubby's a Camry sort of guy. Safe, sensible, economical and totally reliable, with no pretensions. I've tried to convince him to buy Morries, or a pop-top Kombi Campervan, but his commonsense prevails over the romance of owning a cool, classic car.

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on My First Car Was . . . ?

January 28th 2009 10:11
...an '81 Corolla, which despite my friends dubbing it the Blue Poo, I loved. I still get a little misty when I see one...a throwback to the fact the heater didn't work, perhaps? I kept a beanie in the glovebox and developed a knowledge of "both kinds" of music, as it only had an AM radio, and a broken tapre deck. Yet I love it. It was freedom.
I had loved Celicas till I was in Year 11, but then I fell in love with Morris Minors.
Your text goes here
We had one as our wedding car. One day, I hope to own one, but I hope I never get overtaken by it's own wheels! Still, it's stories like that that add to the charm and nostalgia of a first car. The Blue Poo frequently ran out of petrol, because I was frequently broke. Eventually I invested in a jerry can and syphon, and NRMA membership, as a pre-emptive strike. It was once stolen, but I didn't realise for half a day, because the thieves had dumped another blue '81 Corolla up the road from where I had parked, before taking mine. Big, tough guys... going around on a powder-blue, 1.3L-engined Toyota Corolla stealing spree.

Well, it could give new meaning to the term "Ghost Writer"...
I wonder whether Douglas discovered the meaning of life was greater or less than 42.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Neen

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on The Boy's Long Hair

September 24th 2008 11:56
Ha! That's a good one! I'll use that in my Scripture classes.

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on Left Handed People Are Evil!

September 19th 2008 21:38
You could. But that would be cruel and exploitative.
Neen

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on Left Handed People Are Evil!

September 18th 2008 13:32
I may be wrong, Janet, but aren't things that are round with one handle, like a tea cup, saucepan, or bodum, able to be used interchangeably?! You haven't been given any left-handed screwdrivers, have you?
I think Daddy's taking the Mick!

Comment by Jeannine Baird
on Left Handed People Are Evil!

September 17th 2008 11:49
Oh... I thought it was a political statement... like a Kevin 07 sticker.
I like it! I'd put one on my car.