It’s Wednesday the 17th October, 2012 and on this day back in 1949
- Work commenced on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, considered one
of the wonders of the modern engineering world.
Just because it is interesting: According to news.com.au –
AUSTRALIANS like things big. We live on the biggest island in the world.
And we lay claim to some of the biggest, the oldest, the longest and the
largest things in the world. They are all tourist icons. Think you know them
all? Some might surprise you.
The world’s biggest rock
Uluru right? Nope. Not even close.
It's actually Mount Augustus in outback Western Australia. Mount Augustus,
or Burringurrah, is twice the size Uluru, rising 715 metres out of the ground
in the Gascoyne region, 850 kilometres north of Perth. And that’s not even all
of it.
Burringurrah is a monocline – a fold in the rock layers pushed up as the
earth buckled about 900 million years ago. Only one-third of Burringurrah is
visable. The rest is below the surface. So it could, perceivably, be even
bigger.
World’s longest straight stretch of railway
Railway buffs will love this one. For 478km from Nurina in Western
Australia to Watson in South Australia the railway line is dead straight. Not a
twist or a turn - just straight as the crow flies. Are we there yet?
Biggest orgasm in the universe
Now you’re listening again. Sadly, humans don’t have this claim. Coral
does.
For three to five nights in November or December when the water hits 28
degrees the Great Barrier Reef gets kinky.
Billions of brightly coloured sperm and eggs float around for days
across 2300km and fertilise each other.
Fish go on a feeding frenzy. And tourists can claim they swim in the
world’s biggest sex event. Classy. Of course we don’t need to mention that the
Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. That one is pretty
obvious.
World’s oldest rainforest
The Amazon’s got nothing on our Daintree.
In fact, it makes the Amazon look like a baby. The Daintree rainforest in
Queensland is estimated to be at least 120 million years old, while the Amazon
is just 20 million years old.
World’s largest sand island
World Heritage listed in 1992, Fraser Island has spectacular beaches,
rainforests and of course dingos. With a surface area of 1630km there’s plenty
of room to camp on the sand. Just don’t feed the dogs.
The joke of the day: Sent in by Nathan Hewett - what's E.T. short for? Cos
he's got little legs!! Bahahaha..
Sent in by Kay Heathwood - EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY Day number 180
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE THING!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE THING!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE THING!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE THING!
1:00 pm OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE THING!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE THING!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE THING!
Day number 181
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE THING!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE THING!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE THING!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE THING!
1:00 pm OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE THING!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE THING!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE THING!
Day number 182
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE THING!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE THING!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE THING!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE !
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE THING!
1:00 pm OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE THING!
1:30 pm - ooooooo. bath. bummer.
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE THING!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE THING!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE THING
EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY
DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling
objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.
The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild
satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture...Tomorrow I
may eat another houseplant.
DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet
while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the
stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors,I once again
induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this On their bed.
DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in attempt
to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into
their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I
was... Not working according to plan.
DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I
was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy
chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a
liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still LODGED between my
teeth.
DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was
placed in solitary throughout the event, however, I could hear the noise and
smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More
importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of
"allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my
advantage.
DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe
snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He
is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant,
and he speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my activities. Due
to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can
wait, it is only a matter of time...
The random question of the day: How do you plan a surprise birthday party
for a psychic?
Leave your answer below this video and if you’re up for it, tell us about
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great views and generally useless information with the goal of helping you get
through the day... Bye for now.
