Hobbies & Activities

What do you enjoy in your leisure time? Whether it’s books, DVDs, crosswords, card and board games, food and wine, clubs, literature, gardening or genealogy, it’s all here. Plus, of course, our ever popular Sudoku page!

---

The King

The King, Elvis Presley, would have been 73 on January 8. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935, Elvis was the voice for a generation of men and women born and raised in the 50s. His story ended tragically early, on August 16, 1977 when he died of a heart attack presumed to be caused by his addiction to prescription drugs. But it is not the ailing, overweight man in diamond studded suits most of us remember, rather the young, fresh-faced boy with the million dollar voice, swiveling hips, crooked smile and old world manners. Visit these sites for videos of Elvis in action.

Official Elvis site

Comprehensive biography

Youtube hot hits

---

Not short sighted

On Sunday 4 January 2009, Blindness organisations throughout the world celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frenchman Louis Braille, who has made it possible for sight-impaired people to be part of the written world.

Braille, who lost his own sight at the age of four, began to develop a system of raised dots, which would form letters and numbers, making it possible to read by the touch of fingertips.

This simple yet monumentous development has improved life for many of the world’s visually impaired, allowing them to enjoy the fairytales of early childhood, the acclaimed literary masterpieces and letters composed by loved ones.

---

Friends remembered

As one year ends and a new one is imminent, thoughts turn to friends and family from whom we are separated.  Traditionally sung at New Year, Auld Land Syne reflects perfectly on the meaning of New Year celebrations.

Written by Scots poet Robert Burns in 1741, it wasn’t published until 1796, after his death.  “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply, “the good old days.” So to get your celebrations underway, we’re publishing the words for you.  And for the record, the traditional crossing of hands should not be done until the fourth verse!

Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou’d the gowans fine;
we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin’ auld lang syne

We two hae paidled i’ the burn,
Frae mornin’ sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne

And here’s a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine;
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne

---

Scaredy cats

Most of us have a phobia, whether it’s fear of flying spiders or snakes.  But what if your phobia is a little more out of the ordinary. 

Phobias are unreasonable fears that can evoke a sense of panic on the sufferer, below are the ten most bizarre things to get people quaking in their boots.

Arachibutyrophobia - Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
Epistemophobia - Fear of knowledge
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - Fear of long words
Linonophobia - Fear of string
Peladophobia - Fear of bald people
Pentheraphobia - Fear of mother-in-law
Pneumatiphobia - Fear of spirits
Rhytiphobia - Fear of getting wrinkles
Thaasophobia - Fear of sitting
Zemmiphobia - Fear of the great mole rat

---

Four strategies for persuasive writing

Our downloadable PDF this week is courtesy of Tim North who shares his tips on persuasive writing.

---

Christmas saving tips

Tip 1. My tip for Christmas savings is to go to all the after Christmas sales.  I buy all my wrapping paper, cards, gift tags & even presents for the following year at half price. Christmas presents are also half price!

Tip 2. One year when my Granddaughter, now nearly 16, was much younger, I decided I wanted to make her a ‘hand made gift” I decided on an “Octopus’ Garden. I had great fun, using a small plastic fish tank and shells, transfers of fish around the sides, a mermaid, dolphin, anything found in the sea, and some shiny stones at the bottom. I had great fun putting it together, and it was unique. She loved it and put it up on the top shelf when none of her visitors could wreck it.  She still has it.  Oh and it had an Octopus in too.

Tip 3. Shop at one of the many online discount sites to avoid the crowds, save on fuel and above all else saving yourself from exorbitant store costs. They deliver to your door and you can even pay by BPay or bank transfers if you don’t have a credit card or do not wish to use it online.

Tip 4. In the first week after Christmas I purchase all my Christmas cards and wrapping paper for the following year. We are talking about a large saving here depending on how much you want to spend.
Also I am telephoning many people to give seasons greetings instead of sending a card. This also amounts to big savings, card plus post.
I encourage my grandchildren to make decorations for the Christmas tree which they always help to decorate. Much more exciting and colourful.

Tip 5. We save money by putting everyones name in a container. Then pick one each to buy for. We take it in turns of having Christmas dinner to save on costs.

Tip 6. A number of years ago when my husband and I became Grey Nomads.  We learnt the hard way about Xmas costs. The first year we were away and bought pressys and posted them.  The postage cost more than the gifts in some cases.

So the next year, We become Voucher Grandys.
The reaction was great.  One daughter in law said it helped ,in allowing them to choose the things they would love to have.  One even took the baby to Big W, sat him in the toy aisle, and when he decided to play with a toy that he DEFINITELY would not give back, He picked his own Pressy.
So these days the pressy buying is VERY easy.

---

Twin Towers fight back

Few of us will forget where we were the day New York’s World Trade Centre was attacked.  In the ultimate triumph of recycling, see how the Twin Towers will fight back.

USS New York is the fifth in a new class of warships but the first of its kind in a very special way.  Crafted from 24 tonnes of steel recovered from the demolished World Trade Centre, it will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 Marines to hotspots around the world.

The memories of the day in September 2001 when the World Trade Centre was attacked are still with us, and the motto of the ship, ‘Never Forget’, is apt.

For more information on the warship, visit USS New York.

---

Shop faster and save

Not only have the Aldi supermarkets come up with a way of helping you spend less time at the supermarket, but there online shopping list will make sure you only buy what you need and can afford.

We’ve all done it, gone to the supermarket for a few essentials and came out with a trolley full of items your neither need nor really want.  Now you can prepare your list before you go and know exactly how much you’re likely to spend when you get there.

To find out where your nearest Aldi is, or create your shopping list, visit Aldi.

---

Tightwad tips

We may have become a nation of wasters, throwing away things that are still useful, but our AboutSeniors subscribers have come up with some great ideas for making your money go further and doing your bit to help save the environment as well!

We loved your ideas and tips and over the next few weeks, we’ll get them posted on the website.  Maybe you have your own suggestion that you wish to add, send it to us at

Here are some we’ve already received.

We have a mantra, nothing’s cheap if you don’t need it. This prevents impulse buying, and buying things that may be good for something one day! We grow lots of fruit and vegetables and freeze or sway the surplus. We rarely buy anything for full price. Always check wholesalers, factory outlets and online discount store before buying. Avoid unnecessary purchases is our biggest saving.
Cheryl H, VIC

Bake your own bread and cakes – also a great past-time!
Annette H, QLD

Giving up smoking helps a lot, but put away the money away you would have spent each week, it soon adds up!
Elise T, QLD

Cinema tickets are cheaper on Tuesdays
Christine B, NSW

Ride the bike rather than take the car to the shops! It might not be possible for everyone, but it saves a lot and has fitness and environmental benefits also!
Craig M, QLD

Dry or preserve your excess garden produce and use it when prices are high.
Fran M

Turn down the hot water temperature, it’s the biggest user of electricity.
Nigel W, NSW

Only buy fresh food when you have used the stuff in fridge, even if boring!
Carol O, NSW

Use lights in rooms only being used currently & switch off standby electrical connections
Gen D

I swap clothes with my sisters and friends. Any item we have not worn in a season is up for grabs. I have hardly bought a new item of clothing in years, yet people constantly comment on my style of dressing.
Jan M, VIC