Last Monday 13th April 2105 saw Surfers Paradise’s Metermaids turn 50. They were introduced to combat a bad image brought to the tourist strip of Surfers Paradise after the introduction of parking meters in December 1964. The original metermaids wearing a gold lame bikini and tiara walked the strip placing coins in nearly expired parking meters to encourage people to return to the area and bring goodwill.

These bikini clad beauties quickly became an Australian icon—promoting tourism in Surfers Paradise nationally and internationally. Over the decades the metermaids role has changed as well as their uniform. Today they still walk the strip taking photos with tourist and promoting the area in other ways although today their uniform is a gold lycra bikini completed by another Aussie icon—the Akubra hat.

 Happy Birthday Metermaids—may you live to be a 100.

Create a new word and explain its meaning and etymology.

Words play a major role in our life and at times, we create them to suit ourselves.Initially I thought this prompt would be easy as it appears that I am often making up words as regularly I hear some one repeat the word I have just stated and ask “what is that?” Until that moment I hadn’t even released I had made the word up. Now as I go to share these words with you—they have escaped me.

When I asked my husband he agreed there were plenty but none were good enough to become common words in our world. One word we have substituted for the real one and I cannot remember its origins is Kangarwalla fox. I think it may have come from the kids when they were young and we were living in the country to describe both Kangaroos and Wallabys as they could tell the difference.

Its an interesting point and I will begin to take more notice of the things I say and maybe develop a dictionary for myself.

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http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-connect

You’ve come into possession of one vial of truth serum. Who would you give it to (with the person’s consent, of course) — and what questions would you ask?

In my younger years, I received a Queen’s Award through the Girls’ Brigade. My very beautiful certificate is said to be personally signed by the Queen. As part of achieving my award, I learnt a lot about the royal family and since then they have faced many changes. Queen Elizabeth 2 throughout her reign has lead the monarchy and the Commonwealth well and is highly respect and much loved the world over. It is for these reasons, I would like to give the truth serum to her to develop an understanding of how she has coped so well, in this role for so long.

My questions are:

1. Did you personally sign my Queens’ award?

2. How much time did you spend with your children when they where growing up?

3. What is your favourite memory?

4. What is the biggest political issue you have dealt with during your reign?

5. What are your hopes for the future of the monarchy?

6. Who will be our next king—Charles or William?

7. Do you have any fears for your great grandchildren?

8. What is your favourtie food?

9. What is your biggest regret?

10. Are you always as nice to everyone you come in contract with daily including your staff as you appear to be?

Thanks for playing your majesty. Your secrets are safe with me.

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