And another little bit from the Digger History site - Murphys Laws of Combat Operaions. I think that this could easily be applied to birds (and goons)

* Incoming fire has right of way.
o If the enemy is in range then so are you.
* Don't look conspicuous - it draws fire.
o If it's stupid and it works, it ain't stupid.
* When in doubt - empty your magazine.
o The easy way is always mined.
* Try to look unimportant- they may be low on ammo.
o Teamwork is essential - it gives them somebody else to shoot at.
* Never draw fire - it irritates everyone around you.
o Anything you do can get you shot, including doing nothing.
* Never share a weapon pit with someone braver than you.
o If your attack is going really well it's an ambush.
* No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.
o Remember, all your equipment including your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
* The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.
o When you have secured the area don't forget to tell the enemy.
* Make it tough enough for the enemy to get in and you won't be able to get out.
o If you're short on anything but the enemy - you're in a combat zone.
* The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions -
o when you're ready and
+ when you're not.
* A sucking chest wound is nature's way of telling you to slow down.


You can find more here

About halfway down is a category called "An Army Doesn't March on its Brains". It's got some actual military instructions there that are a real hoot!! (My favorite involves "Mr Grenade" and the US Marines...)

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"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart

how to learn our lingo

I found some intersting sites for those wanting to understand our language.
I find it interesting when we are talking to the tourist at work who seem to be bemused and out right baffles by our 'turn of phrase" especially when we talk about " having a thong blow-out',
And Madilayn, you and your friend are right about us sounding British/ Canadian, it's interesting when they try and copy us,good on them for havin a go
http://www.amazingaustralia.com.au/language.htm
http://www.aussieslang.com/

Though I have not forgiven Paul Hogan for the "Shrimp on the barbie" saying
and as for our Rudd's "fair shake of the tomato sauce bottle" makes us sound like drongos

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May the bad things get lost on the way to you door!

I stillhave the Aussie slang book I brought back from my hols there. Along with a few other native aussie nick knacks.

I am totally relying on hubby to ensure our bubs knows all about the Aussie side of her dual heritage.

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Like the Phoenix I rise from the fire. Beware all who try to tame me, you may get burned

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Perspective Alters Reality

Yeah - I think of all Aussie slang the one that does get the most people is "Bring a plate" - and all the subtlties that it implies.

Even some Aussies get it wrong - it's meant to be bring a plate for each person attending (so if a couple comes, 2 plates of food). Some people bring one plate for a family!

But then - that applies with any pot luck I've found. And many parents absolutely refuse to believe how much their children will eat! I have one set of very dear friends who have a daughter who will eat anything that's sitting there - we'v ehad pot lucks where she's on her third plate of food by the time everybody else is on their first!

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"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart

I try to have a realistic idea of what my kids will eat, so if I'm bring something to a potluck, I plan their serving and then double or triple it as required (we've been to some with specific directions on how many they want to the dish to serve). For example if I bring something that my kids take three times the normal serving, I us that as my base.

But then, I also know what it's like to go hungry because people don't think about serving size and don't have enough. My in-laws did this over spring break. The fixed meals for six adults (three of us under fifty, and three in their sixties) and five kids the oldest being 17, expecting everyone to eat the same small serving size they'd been eating. After going hungry one night, I volunteered to peel potatoes and my mother-in-law told me I peeled too much. I promised that if there were any left overs, I'd eat them for breakfast. Needless to say, I didn't have any for breakfast.

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Perspective Alters Reality

For us it's different. When something is organised at somebody's house, the host has to take care of everything and supply anything for the guests in order to show that they're welcome ... most people tend to exaggerate things in order to impress though, and that's when I don't like it sometimes, but, alas, it's the trend of most of us! When invited we're used to give gifts to our hosts, such gifts not necessarily having to be included in or be a part of the event at which we're attending.

When we meet friends for a BBQ or a picnic outside our houses, maybe at the beach or at the countryside, we're used to bring our own food ... each family takes care of its own, knowing, more or less, how much their family members eat. We tend to share dips and sweets, though, and even tables and chairs when necessary! But then, there are people amongst us that have other traditions ... as long as everyone is happy and there's no complaint, then it doesn't really matter how things are organised! The most important thing would be that everyone would enjoy the event to the full and would feel at ease and welcome!

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!