Thursday, January 04, 2007

New year, new profile photo

Although I might have had one of the more eye-catching profile photos in Blogger, I've decided that it's time for a change. So I took myself off to Edit-Profile-Land but (re)discovered that you need to have your photo already on the web somewhere. That old horror photo I've been using had been uploaded to a post soon after my 60th birthday (here's the link for those of you who just can't get enough of the old photo or just want to have a laugh) so I used that URL for my profile. So why not do the same thing this time?

Why not indeed, meaning I could kill two birds with one stone, change my profile photo AND get a post out of it too. So here it is:

Meanwhile, as I wait for Blogger to upload the photo, I will mention that, no, I haven't "upgraded" to the new Blogger. From what I've read on a number of your blogs, there is a fair amount of frustration associated with the swapover. And that seems to include uploading photos. So am I right in just ignoring the whole new Blogger thing, especially given that I'm not blogging too often these days? The comments box is now open for voting!

So, five minutes later, there's the photo. It was taken in September just before we left for the U.S. I'm in our front garden, with my mug of tea and a tin of bikkies (short for biscuits, which is what Aussies call cookies). The wisteria is happily flowering in the background. We are now in stage 3 water restrictions and can water only 8 hours per week, either by drippers or by hand - no sprinklers - at given times. The wisteria, like much else, is under threat. Pray for rain!

21 comments:

Peter said...

Hi Val, well you did say you wanted comments about new blogger, I've been an advocate for it since Beta first popped up nearly 12 months ago.
Sure there have been problems over this time but Google have always been committed to fixing them and have done a great job in providing an excellent free service.
As I understand it you will have no option about joining new blogger soon as the old system will be terminated (no, not by Arnie)
my preference would be (and has been) to join the new team as soon as possible.
First vote..... FOR

Pear tree cottage! said...

Val the photos is just what I imagine you to be at peace with nature all around you lol lol.

I have joined the new system and other then still trying to find my way in and out of blogger I enjoy the whole deal! lol lol lol

now about a mug of tea and a bikkies! that sounds a real good idear mate! lol lol

Lee-ann

John Cowart said...

Great new photo, Val!

The serenity of your retirement and those recent job accolades shows up well in your pose and expression.

Besides, you hardly look insane at all in this one.

I haven't learned how to make Old Blogger work in the two years I've been on it so I will not go to the new one till they drag me kicking and screaming to learn a new system all over again!

Susie said...

Hi Val,
Wonderful photo! I'm so glad to see you post again.
Blogger would not let me change when I wanted to, but once they gave me the OK, the whole process took only 5 minutes.
I find it easier to post and to load pictures, plus you can change colors, fonts, etc with ease.
I think you'll love it, and as Peter said, soon it won't be a choice, so once you get your google account, just go for it!!

Kerri said...

I love your new picture Val. It depicts perfectly your happy state of mind (exulting!) since retiring. You look at peace with the world, and what a pretty spot with the wisteria blooming so beautifully.
I'd love to join you for tea and bikkies :)
I'm thinking I'll be making the switch to the new blogger very soon. They do seem to be ironing out the problems.
I'm praying for rain for the land of Oz!

Anonymous said...

Is this a new leaf Val? The NEW you seems somewhat more sedate than the OLD you. Or are you just contemplating this year's football season?

Great update BTW.

Val said...

Peter, I just went to your blog but couldn't leave a comment and is the new version causing the lines in your posts to truncate?? Not a good advert for the new version!

Besides, you hardly look insane at all in this one. John, you always come up with the greatest lines!

Lee-ann and I will definitely get together for tea this year. Kerri has a bit further to travel, but maybe we can manage a visit one year.

Sue, your comments about the new blog version are encouraging, but the jury is still out.

Stu, any photo would have to be more sedate than the old one!

Carole Burant said...

Hi Val:-) Love your new profile photo!! I got all brave the other day and tried to switch to the new blogger but it won't let me!! Says not ready to be moved yet or some other such thing...geez! I just wish I could stay with what I have...I'm just so scared of not being able to get into my blog account as I've heard some people complain about!! Aaarrggghhh!!!

Alice said...

I have tried many times to change to the new Beta Blog but the message always comes that they can't transfer me at present (or some such). I haven't tried for a few weeks, although I did set up a new Beta Blogger just for practice.

I like the new photo, although I'd like to see more of you than the wisteria (much as I like wisteria).

Happy New Year, too.

Val said...

A woman after my own heart! The wisteria is gorgeous, and Ive had a good look at the wonderful bamboo fence (cant quite scrutinise the knots tho!) A mug (not a cup) of tea and bikkies under the wisteria - what more could one ask for? That the move to Blogger Beta goes smoothly for us all, thats what!

Tanya said...

Much as I loved the old photo, I love this one more. I think if it had a title it would be something like "gorgeous, recently retired woman with the world at her feet (and tea and bikkies in her hand)."

I just can't wait for that to be me!!

Val said...

Jude, I was meaning to explain about the red "shoes". They're actually slippers which are very important to retired people). You can't have a "slipper day" without good slippers.

Val, I'll try to remember to take a close up photo of the knots Mel used for the fence and will send it to you.

Pea, Tanya and Alice,
the new profile photo looks fine in the post, but is too tiny elsewhere. So I may be changing it again.

WendyAs said...

Ohhhh and I thought our restictions were tough. You better start doing a rain dance.

Robert said...

I have only know Australia to have droughts! As a kid, I remember hearing of the severe drought of the 1960s. I suppose Australia was never meant to support the number of people it does now. Also, I always thought it was wasteful that Australia was considered a continenet, yet only had 1 country on it.

Jo said...

Gday mate, hope you had a good new years all the best for 2007

Anonymous said...

Hi there Val,

Sharon here... Cloth, paper, scissors is an American publication dealing with mixed media - hence the name... I have bought a couple of copies over the last few months as it has some interesing bits which stand outside the usual... As I am have always had an interest in printing this sort of caters to that as well in a vague sort of way - like I could use that idea and alter it slightly and do that... The doll over on my blog came from that magazine in a slightly different format (run your cursor over the page and it has a link to both the original artist and magazine... My advice would be go have a look at a copy and you will know if it for you... Iknow the art supply shop in Lexton road has them as does the newagents in Eastland and I think Doncaster...

Merle said...

Hi Val ~~ I am pleased to see your new photo. You don't look like a crazy Carlton supporter at all in this one. I was too polite to say so before.
Don't worry about your son, kids do more travelling these days, and usually they
survive it as do their mothers.
Take care Val, Love from another crazy Carlton supporter, Merle.

sonia a. mascaro said...

I love the photo, Val! You are beautiful and the bench surround by green plants is just cozy and lovely!

Merle said...

Hi Val ~~ I am pleased to see your new photo. You don't look like a crazy Carlton supporter at all in this one. I was too polite to say so before.
Don't worry about your son, kids do more travelling these days, and usually they
survive it as do their mothers.
Take care Val, Love from another crazy Carlton supporter, Merle.

Merle said...

Hi Val ~~ I am pleased to see your new photo. You don't look like a crazy Carlton supporter at all in this one. I was too polite to say so before.
Don't worry about your son, kids do more travelling these days, and usually they
survive it as do their mothers.
Take care Val, Love from another crazy Carlton supporter, Merle.

DellaB said...

I love your new photo too Val... a picture of true serenity... they say I am ready to switch to new blogger, but I've mucked around so much with my template, I remain 'nervous'.

And yes, to answer an earlier question, that IS a 'stitched' photo on my blog, I love the ability to do that - how are yours going? Yell if you'd like to talk more about it..

:-)
Della