I WANNABEE..... A Radio Host

Oooh! that expression - Wannabee - ouch! it hurts.  It hurts when used in the wrong context; it gives the impression that one wants to be, but hasn't a hope in hades to be.

Okay! for wannabee, I'm going to use the word potential.   I will not be boring you with how I got started - mine was a different era. Nonetheless, I'll share the secret in brief.

A Sydney - Australia - radio station had invited our 'school' to see and be part of it's annual Christmas celebration.    A trip to Sydney - wow! I loved in country NSW and a visit to the 'big city' was excitement plus.  A visit to a radio station, more so.

Australia was not blessed with television until 1956 - this episode took place in 1953 and radio ruled supreme. Most, if not all households had radio, and like TV today, one picked the most popular shows, maybe quiz shows,  music, drama, whatever and each genre had its own personalities.  Even the singing commercials were popular.

Back to the trip.   I have read many stories of how people became involved with their life's vocation through epiphany.

Mine was such.  As soon as I went inside the studio doors - that still, small voice said to me:  "This is what you're meant to do."

Easy said - harder done.   

Everyone from the school principal down to my peers told me: 'No way. '  

Try as I might, no one was interested - too many potentials - too few jobs.  

The people involved in my welfare did not deem it suitable employment and very wisely told me so.

What I did not know, was - they did not know either.  It was easier to steer a young student towards those tried and true options: University, Apprenticeships, Traineeships - or just plain labor.  The arts,per-se were a no-no.

That was in the 'bad old days.'  Today, it's a darn sight easier and now, with the advent of the internet this field is open to anyone who has the basic talent and really, really wants it.

Do you want it?   

A radio colleague - Wendy Wright - has been there and done that.  Whatsmore, she's gone ahead and produced a nice little e-book that'll steer you in the right (or Wright) direction.

Whether you're interested in working with a station or on the net - it's all in this little e-book. 

The price tag will astound you.   Any way, check out.

http://30410hm4seqw0yoqu8foibwm1p.hop.clickbank.net

Look forward to hearing you on air or the net.

CHILD POOL SAFETY TIPS

MAKING YOUR SUMMER HEARTACHE-FREE

 

Just take a few minutes to digest this article –on Child Pool Safety; your child’s life could depend on it.

In Australia, we have just come out of summer, and regrettably, drowning has become a major, major issue.

When summer swings round to your part of the world it means a dip in the pool and also it is a kid’s right of passage to plunge into the home pool.

Yes, it’s fun – but for some there is going to be heartache with the loss, by drowning, of a loved one, especially a child – that, perhaps is the most hard- hitting

Australia, a nation which enjoys a high portion of home swimming pools also has a high record in toddler and child drowning. Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State holds highest toddler drowning record in the nation.

This is not good and legislation is at hand to tighten up the already nation-wide tough pool safety regulations.

It can be prevented.  Prevented by strict adherence to good Child Pool Safety tips.

 Child Pool Safety Tips are everywhere, but with the warmth, the fun and that cool, inviting water, it becomes so easy to ignore them.

Owning a home pool brings responsibility and in a lot of cases, changes to house and the backyard.   

Let’s have a look at some Child Pool Safety tips and make your summer hassle and tragedy-free.  

 Child Pool Safety Tip No 1:

Teach your child to swim and learn about water safety – there are swimming classes and talks about safety available from the municipal swimming pool operators. They’re trained in child pool safety.

2. Child pool Safety - In Sight:

 Ensure that the pool can be seen from a designated family are, ideally it should have a doorway leading to the yard for quick access.  If you are building the house, this needs to be addressed.  For those with an already established house and pool, then you’ll need a Home Safety Camera.  These are many and varied and your swimming pool supplier can help you decide on the best one.  Just as a navigation aid is a valuable tool to motorists, a pool safety camera is integral for child pool safety.  The camera should be placed in the room where there is access to the yard.

3. Please Fence Me In:

 In some countries – like Australia – fencing a pool is mandatory.  Where it is not required by law, then common sense should prevail and pool owners should endeavour to erect one. Ideally it should be about four feet (approx 122cms) and lockable.  There are plenty of attractive styles to choose from – your home hardware store can help here. Oh!  Most reputable insurance companies demand that you have a fence.   Ideally, an alarm should be fitted so that if someone opens the gate, you’ll know.

 The responsibility for child pool safety is yours.

4. Child Pool Safety and Signs:

You have the pool.  It is a magnet for your friends and neighbours and their children.  You will need to let the pool users know that as well as being a fun part of the yard, it is also a drowning hazard.  Preferably it is best to have them posted every 15-20 feet and please have one erected at the gate to your pool

Again, check with your pool supplier or home hardware store for appropriate safety rules, and what to do In An Emergency, signage.

 

5. Child Pool Safety and Depth

As with municipal swimming pools there is a deep and shallow end.  The same should apply to your home pool.  It should be shallow enough for the smaller child to be able to stand up with his or head well above the water; as an added child pool safety tip, ensure you should emphasize and have a sign telling swimmers not to dive into the shallow end.

6.  Child Pool Safety: Chemicals:

You want to keep your pool sparkling clean and germ-free so of course, you’re going to need chemicals to keep it so.  Chemicals – a good aide – can also be nasty little things causing burns, blindness and even death. To ensure this does not happen, be very careful even to the point of fussiness of child pool safety and safety from harmful chemicals, so:

a. Maintain the correct balance, and

b.  Keep The Chemicals LOCKED Away

6.  Child Pool Safety and Floaters:

Keep these on hand and ready to throw into the pool at all times, a struggling swimmer will need one to grab on to.

7. DIAL EMERGENCIES:

 If you can, install a phone close at hand, ready to dial the emergency number for example 911.  Please don’t use a cell/mobile phone unless it is emergency number capable.  Most of them are today.

8.  Child pool Safety and Filters:

A must, and please, have a filter fitted that is capable of pulling water from the top – use of a leaf finder is helpful -  and not from the bottom – this is a trap for the kids and can suck a small child down to drown.

 Child pool safety has to be foremost in all pool owners’ minds at all times.

 

9. LET THERE BE LIGHT:

Night swimming is fun and dangerous.  Ensure the pool is well lit, especially for night swimming – no dark places, please.  If you can’t see you can’t save. Children are prone to sneak out of the house for a duck in the pool – s, so tempting.  Child pool safety for the kiddies going on a moonlight swim is paramount at this time.   Remember child pool safety, so, Let there be light.

10. Glass and Other Sharp Nasties:

Child pool safety- well any safety means no hazards in or around the pool – especially breakable glass.  Make sure any receptacles are either plastic or other non-hazardous material.

11. Horseplay – No! That’s not good Child Pool Safety:

By horseplay I mean rough stuff, such as wrestling poolside, pushing or throwing someone in (It was fun at the time, but my brothers and I almost drowned – many times, because of this) Child pool safety was not practiced by us then.

12.  Old Sol Can Be Cruel

Poolside Fun on Sunday – you’re sore as heck on Monday.  So be aware and keep discomfort and possible melanomas at bay with a good sunscreen – SPF 30 or higher.  A big must if you are planning to spend more than fifteen minutes in the pool. Another child pool safety tip – and adult too – to preserve health.

13.  Child Pool Safety and The Lifeguard.

Use the pool only when a trained person is available – preferably someone responsible over 16 years. Ensure the person designate and other pool users know who’s in charge.  Please make sure that person is well versed in child pool safety.

 

You know, it’s perfectly normal to be uneasy about your child’s safety not only in the pool, but other places.  Sure, there’ll be accidents and sickness

If that’s all – well, that’s fortunate.  At the risk of portending doom and gloom, there are going to be little ones who drown, due to lack of child pool safety.  You don’t want to be one of those statistics.  Go, seek help from all agencies.  Make sure child pool safety is top of the list – and have a good swimming summer.

CPR! CPR! CPR! – Learn it.

 

FINE DINING - YES WITH THE KIDS TOO

                                                    TEN TIPS TO MAKE THE NIGHT
                                                              A GREAT EXPERIENCE

No! Don't blanch - you can enjoy the luxury of fine dining - fine dining with kids and still enjoy your night out with great wine and food.
Fine dining with kids can be an enjoyable and a not so embarrassing experience. A little pre-planning goes a long way.

So, let's take a look of how you, dad and mom, can make fine dining with kids pleasurable and no one leaves with red faces:

1. Of course, for fine dining at a classy restaurant, you'll need to make a reservation and the time in between, let's say, a week is a great time to give 'fine dining 101'a workout at home. Practise! Practise! Practise! Restaurant etiquette - you know, no elbows on the table, no slurping, shouting, tossing bread rolls or other embarrassing episodes. Teach the kids to say please and thank you and to treat the waiting staff as friends and advisers who are there to make that fine dining a great experience. For the older kids, practise the correct way to use cutlery: fish knives for fish, steak knives for steak; water glasses for water and so on. Another great lesson and this will serve well in later years is how to order food. When making that reservation, ask for a corner table for privacy where you and the family can have last-minute practise.

2. When you arrive at the restaurant and have parked. Talk to the kids how to best behave. Remember what we said about shouting and unruly behaviour - not on.
Other people are using that restaurant for their fine dining and some do not like seeing families dining with kids. Do not give them an excuse to complain.
Consideration for others cannot be stressed enough in your fine dining with kids a great adventure.


3. Nature is going to call and the rest room is going to be a stopping point - perhaps frequently. Yes, it's a real hassle and it does distract other diners. It has been said time and time again: "Make sure you go before we go out." Let your fine dining and dining with kids be hassle-free. Bear in mind, though, nature does not or cannot wait. When dining with kids - the old Scout motto, Be Prepared is paramount.

4. Fine dining at a restaurant is normally a dinner - evening experience, sometimes between seven and nine pm, beyond a kid's bedtime or mealtime. If the restaurant is popular your fine dining with kids may involve longer wait time than normal. Some folks get embarrassed about bringing in little snacks such as carrot sticks or other little nibblies. Don't be. The little ones are going to get a tad restless and invariably cranky, so a little pre-dinner snack is quite in order. Remember you are dining with kids and their needs are different. Ask your waiting team member to offer bread sticks or other nibbles if you did not bring your own.

5. You don't have to rely on snacks - activities such as colouring books or word puzzles can keep the children's minds active. However, a little judicious planning, such as asking the kids what they would like to eat as starters and/or a main meal, before you arrive at the restaurant, saves more red faces and hassles. Above all, you know what your kids can eat and it is advised not to let them experiment with unknown or overly spicy foods. Après fine dining with kids - that is midnight trips to the family bathroom takes the gloss off the fine dining, especially dining with kids, experience.

6. Kids are curious and the trip to the fine dining restaurant is going to result in them experimenting with things new to them. Maybe candles, sugar packets, unusual looking cutlery - such as a bread or fish knife. Keep them out of harm's way and for the very young child, a bib, feeding bottles or his or her favourite 'sippy' cup - and please, use the high chair safely. Dining with kids no matter how very young, can and should be an enjoyable fine dining experience.


7. When the meal arrives ensure the kids get served first. In the case of the little ones, you can cut the portions up for better eating. Ask your wait staff member to have the beverages with the meal - kids love to drink with their meal. When they've finished ensure the server clears the empties out of the way. In dining with kids, a little leeway is needed.

8. If the kids are getting restless and have an attack of the "let's go, dad/mom." Do not sit there for too long a period. You've eaten and enjoyed the fine dining and dining with kids. So! If needs be, skip your dessert, I'm sure there's something at home or along the way that would compensate. If this is the first time you have been dining with kids - fine dining style, it's going to be easier next time.


9. Be Patient. That's the name of the game when dining with kids. Don't let the little incidents faze you - kids pick up the vibes in an instant. Fine dining with kids means never have to say you're sorry. An occasional 'whoops' is quite okay.

10. Fine dining. An elegant restaurant. What a way to spend an evening. Fine dining with kids can be made all the more pleasurable. All it takes is a little planning and lots of patience.