My Pies Rant !

Real estate rant.

2009-11-15T22:02:00.002+11:00

HOW is it possible that a house which is quoted at $570,000 - $620,000 ends up selling for over $777,500? Here, have a look for yourselves : http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=106082737&f=0&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=63797197&s=vic&snf=rbs&tm=1258283051

If the link is gone by the time you read this then take my word for it. Don't get me wrong, the house was nice and renovated and presented well, but it was only 3 bedrooms and a very tiny backyard. While speaking to the agents all week, he never indicated that interest in the place was anywhere above mid $600's. That is all the house was worth. Added to this were issues regarding the front fence which had not passed inspection and also a special overlay due to the house being in an area prone to flooding. This didn't stop some family from shelling out $777,500 for it. This is just crazy!

So was the agent lying all this time, did he truly not know how hot the market would be on the day? Are people that lazy that they will pay massive top dollar so they don't have to renovate an older house. There are houses nearby which would sell for under $600k and for another $100k would end up just as nice as this one. Just seems ludicrous to me.

Maybe they were victims of the GFC and have to downsize from a Brighton palace to a Moorabbin home, just had a lot more money than us normal folks.

Anyway, rant over, back to the TV.

Been a while.

2008-11-27T20:33:00.001+11:00

Hi Blog, it's been a while.

Thought I'd check in to see who's been here to visit me, I'm guessing no one, doesn't matter, it's not that important. Anyone who begs to differ can leave a comment. I might get round to reading it one day.

In fact, I'm sure I will as gmail will tell me so.

Good luck to you and your families.

Here's a picture of our new car. I love it.

Ciao for now.

How do you use Twitter?

2008-08-06T16:14:00.001+10:00

How Do You Use Twitter? from biz stone on Vimeo.

Carlton FC Player Analysis - From a Blues Supporter

2008-04-02T12:00:00.001+11:00

ANDREW WALKER – Still in therapy from playing 22 positions in 22 weeks under Denis Pagan.

JORDAN RUSSELL – Half of our fans think it's disrespectful to the great John Nicholls to allow Jordan Russell to meander around in the number 2 jumper. The other half think it's disrespectful to Dominic Fotia

MARC MURPHY – Highly talented youngster who is widely regarded as the worst decision maker in the game after turning down the chance to go to Brisbane under the father/son rule

BRYCE GIBBS – Has been nicknamed Schapelle because he's counting the days until he's allowed to go home

CHRIS JUDD – Judd is severely hampered by a long term groin injury. He has lost explosive pace, can't kick over 40 metres, is unable to turn freely and can only play 60% of game time. Clearly the best player on the list

KADE SIMPSON – Kade's like the average looking bird at a party that you chat up so you know you've got a guaranteed root in case you can't land something decent. Made captain till something better came along and then dropped like a Cain Ackland chest mark .

MATTHEW KREUZER – Was named as the player to lead the club out of the wilderness by our President Tricky Dicky, who the called him Matt Kruger in the same sentence. Don't know about the kid, but for god sake keep Pratt away from the players .

JASON SADDINGTON – Sydney capped off their unforgettable Premiership win in 2005 by off-loading Jason Saddington on the Blues.

RICHARD HADLEY – Plays footy not unlike Richard Hadlee from NZ would play the game. Should only be picked if the Blues win the toss and bowl first .

CAIN ACKLAND – The story goes that when Greg Swann was woken by a call in the middle of the night and told that one of his players had been videotaped urinating on a nightclub window, he knelt by the side of his bed and prayed it was Cain Ackland .

LUKE BLACKWELL – Selected by Carlton under the father/ordinary son rule. He's a smaller, weaker, less talented version of his father Wayne .

BRAD FISHER – Unshaven half forward flanker who could comfortably pass for one of the homeless. Broke his thumb in the pre-season after getting punched in the nose outside a soup kitchen .

SHAUN GRIGG – Loves to run with the footy. I suggest we buy him a Sherrin, drop him off on the Western Highway and hope he runs back home to Ballarat .

SETANTA O'hAILPIN – In four years the Irishman has failed to grasp even the most basic concepts of AFL football. During Round One this year he was asked to pay more attention to loose men, so after the game he went cruising for action down Commercial Road in Prahran.

AISAKE O'hAILPIN – Has learnt everything he knows about footy from his older brother. In other words he thinks the MCG can fly because it has two wings .

PAUL BOWER – Looks like 'Curly' Austin from the 1970's, plays like 'Curly' Howard from The Three Stooges .

EDDIE BETTS – If that's the case he should have $100 on Carlton to win the spoon .

ADAM HARTLETT – The Blues new enforcer took out Cam Howat behind the play in Round One. He's currently suspended, but will be back to take out Ricky Petterd against the Dees in Round Four .

NICK STEVENS – Typical drover's dog who missed all of 2007 with a neck injury after spending all of 2006 looking over his shoulder for oncoming contact .

BRENDON FEVOLA – The Fevola File is now into it's 7th bound edition. Fev had a tumultuous pre-season but told the match committee he has learnt from his mistakes. He has promised to fire up against Collingwood by taking out Dick, then follow it up against the Eagles by pissing on Glass .

CAMERON CLOKE – Getting a ruckman that Collingwood rejects is like going to Calcutta to replace your chauffeur .

HEATH SCOTLAND – Heath is a favourite in footy Dreamteams. Unfortunately for Carlton they don't play their matches on some pimply nerd's laptop .

JARRAD WAITE – Waite could do with a little more weight and he doesn't have to look far. It's hanging over the top of Nick Stevens' shorts .

JORDAN BANNISTER – In 1954 Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile. In 2008 Jordan Bannister is hoping to break the four-possession game.

BRET THORNTON – Tireless defender whose weekly misery is compounded by knowing that for 2 glorious days in October 2006, he was a Hawk .

RYAN HOULIHAN – The last of the four Houlihan sisters to play League football. Post-retirement he's destined to live in the same trailer park as the Whitnall brothers.

SIMON WIGGINS – For the third year running the Blues forgot to delist Wiggins because he's so forgettable. Has played 89 games for the club and at the current rate will play his 100th in 2012 .

DARREN PFEIFFER – Youngster who will have to come to terms with the fact that Fev will never be able to spell his surname because it starts with a silent Pee .

ANDREW CARAZZO – Ball magnet with a kicking impediment. He only told the club this year that Carazzo is Italian for turnover.

2008-04-01T21:16:00.000+11:00

Headline - Footy fan's sick leave gamble fails to pay off

2008-03-19T12:12:00.002+11:00

I never thought to try this on, I guess it could be used for Mondayitis if your team loses on the weekend.
Better luck next time dude.

========================================

Footy fan's sick leave gamble fails to pay off

March 19, 2008

To view the entire article, click on: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/03/18/1205602391428.html

Always looking for new games.

2008-03-13T16:49:00.001+11:00

I found this little game. It's called the Passive Multiplayer On-line Game.

What is it?

It's a game you play without knowing that you are playing a game. It's hard to explain, there are a couple of good guides (not on the game's own website) which do a decent job of describing how it works. The rest is up to you to figure out.
Basically, you load a Firefox add-on which tracks your Internet surfing (don't bother with this if you are freaked out by this notion) and you rack up points depending on which sites you visit.
You can follow missions which basically send you on a voyage of discovery of web sites. When you complete missions you get more points and this helps you jump up a level (if you complete enough missions).

Give it a go @ PMOG

Rear Window.

2008-03-05T15:23:00.001+11:00

While sitting in a meeting today, we happened to look out the window towards an adjacent building. That building is a block of serviced apartments and occasionally we've seen the odd occupant performing unnatural acts like vacuuming the carpets in the buff, holding a dance party, etc. Today we witnessed a couple who obviously don't check to see if the blinds are up or down. Firstly a dude, a quite hirsute dude, a quite hirsute naked dude, walks into the viewable room, slips on his jocks and socks and then walks around the room doing whatever. eventually he appears again, fully dressed and doing stuff behind the closed blinds.
15 minutes into the meeting, we are bored and being a teleconference we muted ourselves so we could talk about how boring the meeting was and then we were confronted by the following scene :

The hairy dudes wife appears from the bathroom, hair covered by a towel, but nothing else. It was a little like the Little Britain ladies scene (I forget their names). I still couldn't believe that they thought they had privacy in that room. It's about 10-25 metres away from our building which is all windows, surely they knew they could be seen. It was the middle of the morning for God's sake!

Anyway, it provided us with a light hearted moment during an otherwise dull and dreary meeting.

We have a meeting booked in the same room for the next few weeks, more reports from the Rear Window as they come to hand.

Rambo Data

2008-03-04T17:09:00.002+11:00

Some people never learn!

2008-03-03T16:18:00.001+11:00

Why is it that some people never learn? Why would a professional cricketer incite the crowd with gestures like this when he professed his total innocence 2 months ago. If the ICC was truly independent of mother India, he'd be charged and retrospectively banned for the original offence. Considering Matthew Hayden copped a dressing down for calling him a weed, the weed strikes back with this and also some saliva for the front row crowd. It's time he was put back in his box, ICC "Do Something".

Monkey Harbhajan

NEW BLOG

2008-02-10T14:06:00.000+11:00

Check out my new blog.

Clokeeeey - Dog Walker.

Also, blogs of note. I enjoy Mark Cubans blog, sports, technology and a little bit of US Politics. If you don't know who he is, look him up. He's quite knowledgeable for a young buck (or should that be maverick).

The Blog Maverick.

What am I doing now?

2007-03-07T23:41:00.000+11:00

Recently discovered a new bit of technology. Not really a gadget, but more of a geek thing to do but might one day catch on in a big way.

It's called twitter.

What is twitter? It's pretty much a blog but really only for sms type messages. In fact, you can update it via sms messaging if you like and it seems that some of the people on it are doing that. Mostly you update it via the web.

What is it's purpose?
Essentially it's a way of letting people know what you are doing right now. It can also be a form of instant messaging where you can track friends and send each other comments/thoughts.

Who gives a fig what you are doing now?
Well, probably no one, but then again, who gives a stuff about what you write in a blog? Some people do, a lot, some people don't but they read it anyway.

SO if you are interested, look over there -> on the right hand side bar you'll see my latest comments about what I'm doing, or thinking. It really is a mini blog if you like.

By the way, the guy that invented Blogger is also responsible for twitter, look out, Google might just buy that too.

Venice, please.

2007-02-05T15:13:00.000+11:00

My next phone.

2007-01-10T14:30:00.000+11:00

This will be my next phone.

The new iPhone. iPod, Phone and Internet communications device in one.

Brilliant design.

Apple sure know how to make a sexy device.

England team slammed by British media.

2006-12-06T13:36:00.000+11:00

Link to England team slammed by British media - News - Ashes Tour 06-07 - theage.com.au

Should I be overjoyed?

Should we just wait until after the next test?

Could the Poms resurrect Ian Botham, Mike Brierly and Phil Tufnell to dig them out of this hole.

Too late me thinks. The Wombles are gone.

As for the British media, the love to eat their young don't they?

Icebergs head closer to New Zealand

2006-11-16T16:44:00.000+11:00

Ships near southern New Zealand have been warned of icebergs after several - some bigger than houses - were reported within 76 kilometres of the coast.

One iceberg, reported by a fishing boat to be 200 metres long and 50m high, was headed toward the South Island's east coast, Maritime New Zealand senior adviser Steve Corbett said.

Others, said to be about the size of houses, were drifting nearby. They were among about 100 spotted south of New Zealand on November 3, being pushed north by winds and ocean currents.

A maritime navigation warning was issued at the time.

Scientists had said earlier that it was not unusual to see icebergs so far from the Antarctic coastal region, where they had broken off the ice shelf - but that they were expected to melt as they drifted toward New Zealand.

Oceanographer Mike Williams said winds from a series of southern storms had probably driven some of the icebergs close to the South Island.

"They're surviving a bit longer than I initially expected and some of them have taken a different route than I initially expected.

"It's highlighted that trying to forecast what icebergs do is actually very, very hard."

It was likely the iceberg seen moving toward the east coast would soon be visible from land, and given its size "it should survive for a while", Mr Williams said.

Marine radio operator John McLellan said ships in the area should have been given accurate information about the icebergs much earlier.

Link to Icebergs head closer - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz

I think this is an attempt by our trans Tasman neighbours to expand their empire. I'm not sure that it's going to work but as usual, global warming is being blamed, but this is not an uncommon thing. This has happened many times over the decades.

Cricinfo - Trescothick's dressing-room breakdown

2006-11-15T15:16:00.000+11:00

Marcus Trescothick suffered a breakdown during day two of the match against New South Wales and had to be cared for by the team doctor for two hours before asking for a release from the Ashes tour. Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, had already considered sending Trescothick home when the incident occurred on Monday.

"We decided well maybe the best way to deal with it was bring his wife [Hayley] out," Fletcher told AAP. "And then I was a little bit uncomfortable about that, because was that going to help the problem?"

Fletcher was planning to talk to Trescothick, who scored 8 before being bowled by Brett Lee, after the game about whether he should end the tour before the first Test. "I was pretty uncomfortable about it [sending him home]," Fletcher said. "It was taken out of my hands when Marcus came off the field in the afternoon [on Monday] and there was a reoccurrence of the problem he had in India."

Trescothick flew back to England in the lead-up to the first Test against India in February and he also missed the Champions Trophy in the same country last month before declaring his fitness for the Ashes. "He was feeling pretty upset," Fletcher said of the SCG episode. "He wanted to go back." Trescothick boarded a plane for England on Tuesday and a replacement will come from the team of "shadow" players that is due in Perth this week.

"It was unpleasant in the change room with him," Fletcher said. "The doctor just had to sit and console him for about two hours or so. After a while the doctor spoke to him and said to him it's best if he does go home. I only told the chaps last night after the game."

Fletcher hoped the illness would not force the end of Trescothick's 76-Test career. "I can't say at this stage," he said. "It would be foolish of me to turn around and say anyone's Test career is over."

Link to Cricinfo - Trescothick's dressing-room breakdown

Not sure what to make of this. I haven't invested the time to find out why he broke down. Initially, I read that it was a stress injury, but it seems it was more about stress. Wasn't he the winning Ashes captain? What the heck is going on with him.

Anyway, there is only a little over a week to the first ashes test. With all the publicity and ticket scams and hype, I hope the Aussies give the Poms a cricketing lesson. Whether we are over the hill or not, we'll still give the brash, talentless barmy army and good ol' thrashing.

2006-10-28T16:57:00.000+10:00

Chad Vader - Day Shift Manager (episode 1)

The real Darth.

2006-10-05T17:00:00.001+10:00

Understanding Men Part 1.

Male Restroom Etiquette.

2006-10-05T17:00:00.000+10:00

Understanding Men - Male Restroom Etiquette

A friend once taught me about the Male Restroom Etiquette, but that was just word of mouth. Now, here it is in all it's Sims 2 glory, the Male Restroom Etiquette movie.

It explain a lot!

Understanding Men - Part 1

2006-10-03T10:15:00.000+10:00

Male Restroom Etiquette.

YouTube has failed to publish this for me today, so I've had to go a little old school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzO1mCAVyMw

Great use of Sims2 technology.

The 3 things meme

2006-09-20T23:31:00.000+10:00

As requested by MelbourneGirl, here is my attempt at the 3 things meme.

1. Three things that scare me

- one of my children dying before I do.

- not being able to provide for my family.

- collingwood not winning another flag in my lifetime.

2. Three people that make me laugh

- Ricky Gervais.

- The guys at work.

- Tony (formerly from work).

3. Three things I hate the most

- the kids that used to call me “spag” when I was in high school. Yes I hold some grudges.

- people that are negative all the time.

- people on the train in the morning who just don’t know how to purchase deodorant.

4. Three things I don't understand

- women. I try, honestly, I do try to.

- how people can cook without using a recipe.

- the internal combustion engine.

5. Three things I'm doing right now*

- Blogging.

- watching ESPN – Minnesota v Boston baseball game.

- hoping I get a call from the bedroom to “stop what I’m doing and come in here and ravish me”.

6. Three things I want to do before I die

- sit in the collingwood coaches box

- see my parent’s homeland again.

- be a grandfather

7. Three things I can do

- tell you who kicked 5 goals in the 1990 grand final.

- be ready for sex at a moments notice.

- fix computers.

8. Three ways to describe my personality

- introverted

- uncomplicated

- romantic (is that a personality?)

9. Three things I can't do

- SEW

- explain how an internal combustion engine works.

- figure out how my works internal processes actually work.

10. Three things I think you should listen to

- Wolfmother!!!!

- I haven’t listened to much music lately.

- Pulp Fiction sound track.

11. Three things you should never listen to

- Abba

- doof doof music.

- gregorian chants.

12. Three things I'd like to learn

- web page coding and design.

- to be a race car driver.

- time management.

13. Three favourite foods

- lasagne

- pizza

- seafood – especially crustacean.

14. Three beverages I drink regularly

- water

- coffee/tea

- wine

15. Three shows I watched as a kid

- hey hey it’s Saturday/cartoon corner.

- get smart.

- the munsters

- The thunderbirds.

(I watched everything on television when I was a kid)

16. Three people I'm tagging

go ahead, tag yourself.

100th post.

2006-09-05T22:18:00.000+10:00

This is a milestone post. So how does one celebrate?
How about just listing 100 things I like?
I wonder if I can do it.
This post will continually be updated, not going to try to do it all in one go, also, it will not be in any particular order or degrees of like/love of the person/thing/object. If a photo is required, it will be added.

1. My Family. The people that I share my life with are the most important people to me. I like them a lot. (This is the obvious number 1, despite my earlier rule about no order).

2. My new laptop. Waited three weeks for it to be delivered, but now that it's here, I'm loving it.

3. Collingwood football Club. Was there any question about this?

4. My Ford XR6 Turbo. The beast is in it's 4th year with me and I've enjoyed having it in my garage. It's also a bright blue, which was a lairy change from the dark colours of my previous vehicles.

5. Australian Rules Football. There is no more exciting game in the world than Aussie Rules. Now with the finals about to start, the excitement levels are rising.

6. The TV Show - Lost, Season 1. We've just gone through the full first season on DVD and boy did we enjoy it. It would have been very annoying to watch on regular TV with ad breaks and having to wait a week for the next episode. Roll on season 2 (on DVD).

7. The TV Show - Arrested Development. What a little gem. Subtle comedy but biting. I love the characters, especially GOB. The hopeless magician is just outstanding. How this show can be canned is beyond me.

8. The TV Show - Curb your enthusiasm. Another show, with 5 seasons, which seemed to slip me by, but with the convenience of DVDs and the local blockbuster, we sailed through the 50 shows and while some episode were better than others, overall, it's one of the best comedies on television.

9. The Movie - Pulp Fiction. Tarantino classic. I've watched it many, many times. One of the best movies I've ever seen. Seeing John Travolta in what was really a comeback film was fantastic to see. As far as I'm concerned, there was nothing that went right for him between Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction. Possibly Grease but it wasn't a favourite of mine.

10. The Ashes test matches. I love watching cricket and the pinnacle of cricket is Australia V England. After the last series that the Aussies lost, which I rate as one of the best series ever, we have an exciting series coming up on home soil.

2006-09-04T23:59:00.000+10:00

A Million Ways at a Wedding

Could one possibly plan a secret dance routine like this without arousing suspicion?

You tube has about 20 versions, I like this one and the one shot inside a Wal-Mart at 2am. I'm going to check out some more of these.
Ciao.

Kryal Mechanics.

2006-09-04T22:45:00.000+10:00

Here's a family snap from our trip to Kryal Castle. It's good to see the local Knights are willing to help the fans get their car going. I imagine their tools might be a tad crude.

I'm just avoiding writing something about the croc hunter. When news came through that Steve Irwin had died, our internet connection at work went into meltdown. We couldn't verify the news, people were calling home to see if they knew. It was quite extraordinary.

This one's for Shez.

2006-08-29T22:37:00.000+10:00

One of my mates at work has provided us with many laughs, usually at his
expense.

He complained to me the other day that he was trolling through my blog
posts and noticed that I hadn't written anything about him. I think he was
peeved that I didn't tell any of his life stories here in blog world. To
tell you the truth, there were many, many instances that could have made
great reading. In our usual way, I could have stretched the truth as well
to make the stories more interesting, although some may think they are far
fetched enough as it is.

So here goes, This story is about the time he found a love note under the windscreen wiper of his car at a city car park......

OK, I'm not going to keep going with this, how about you fill in the
blanks. Who was the note from? What happens next?

Nearest correct entry will win a prize*.

*prizes may not be honoured.

** Written with Shez's approval and consent.

The Didak Bump!

2006-08-29T22:16:00.000+10:00

I can't believe the noise that surrounds this issue. Every commentator on TV and radio had Alan Didak sitting out the season for the bump he laid on former team mate Heath Scotland. It seems the only people that were on his side were his team mates and his coach. In the after match interview, Mick took a journo to task about labeling the incident as a hit rather than a bump. Mick refused to answer his question until he acknowledged that it was a legitimate bump and not a hit. A hit implies it was a premeditated punch. The distinction is crucial as this is where the case may have been thrown out if it had of gone to the tribunal.

Watching the incident, the match review panel decided that the contact WAS accidental. What happened was that as Didak ran in with the intent to bump, Scotland looked up and saw him coming, and in trying to avoid contact, he ducked ever so slightly. As Scotland is a small bloke, he only had to duck by a few inches and he put his head into danger. Had he stayed upright, there would have been contact but it would have been shoulder to shoulder. Therefore the panel decided it was accidental.

I love the way some of the experts are bleating about it, and they will continue all during the week. I especially liked seeing Robert Walls crying while "on the couch". He is a confirmed Collingwood hater, therefore I take great pleasure in his testy response to the news that the charge was thrown out. Where was he when Blake Caracella was left almost paralyzed after being accidentally bumped in the head? I don't recall the same public outcry. The difference was that the Collingwood player was on the receiving end, and while he may have said something about the players need to be protected, he wasn't calling for the Brisbane Lions players blood, which is interesting. Probably because he coached them all those years ago. Anything he says about Collingwood is pretty much always negative. (Except for when the pies were on top of the ladder earlier this year, he actually gave them praise, I wondered who that guy on the couch was!).

I'm waiting to see what Tim Lane has to say about it. Just wait, he'll be all guns blazing and blaming Eddie for getting him off. Then Caroline Wilson will chime in with her pennies worth and usual rants about the influence of media moguls on the game. There was an article in today's Herald Sun by ex-umpire Derek Humphrey-Smith, who does his best to uphold the law from an umpires perspective, but he's just typical of the umpiring fraternity. As Sam Newman continually repeats, they believe they are a more important part of the game than the players. Get this through your thick skull, No Players - No Game!!!

DH-S reminds me of an old friend of mine who joined the umpiring ranks many years ago, he loved footy but couldn't make it through to any senior teams once he turned 17, so he took the option to umpire. Being a rover, he had the perfect height for an umpire, and he also had plenty of that "short man syndrome". He used to really throw his weight around during games, and this was during the days when umpires were allowed to jump into fights and physically separate players. He always believed that he was a major part of the game and used to umpire that way. That was nearly 20 years ago, and things are worse now.

Have a look at this photo. Why wasn't Whitnall cited for this hit. Have a look at it, it's not doctored. Surely this is an elbow to Didaks chin ? In the past, evidence like this was used to book players and suspend them. Luckily, these days we have many more cameras at the ground, and the actual footage of this incident shows that Didak avoids the elbow as Whitnall slipped as he was trying to push Didak away. Whitnall got what he deserved, a free kick against him and an easy goal to Collingwood. This was followed by the punch by Bannister to Brodie Hollands chin and another free and goal to the Pies.

Anyway, I Don't expect any comments on this one. I just like to point out the footy injustices.

This is a Live Writer post.

2006-08-23T16:00:00.000+10:00

As mentioned in my previous post, a couple of new tools have come across my desk. The Google tool called Writely and the Microsoft competitor called Live Writer. Both are beta software so I've suffered a couple of teething problems, especially with Live Writer, but I think that once these products are productionized, they both will have big impact on how we blog.

Headlines from the herald sun. Pretty much "odd spot" material.

TERRORIST chief Osama bin Laden was obsessed with singer Whitney Houston and wanted to marry her, a new book claims.

NURSES and firemen dominate the sexual fantasies of men and women in Britain

LIFE imitating art is all very well - unless, that is, it's a movie about deadly snakes on the rampage.

A SWEDISH broadcaster has faced sustained ridicule for mistakenly showing a porn movie on a background monitor during a news broadcast.

A FLOCK of hungry sheep gobbled up $16,400 in banknotes, which were the public funds of a northern Chinese village, state media reported yesterday.

So, Who knew that Microsoft had it's own Earth map program. You learn something new every day. Today I've learnt 3.

Todays sporting headlines:

2006-08-23T10:07:00.000+10:00

SPRINTER Justin Gatlin agreed to an eight-year ban from athletics today for testing positive to drugs. He also forfeits the world 100m record he shares.

LIVERPOOL progressed to the group stage of the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Maccabi Haifa in Kiev today.

DARRELL Hair, the umpire who rocked the cricket world, last night defiantly stood by his actions and said he would fight any move to shunt him into retirement.

IN A coup for Victoria, the MCG will today be confirmed as the venue for next year's Bledisloe Cup rugby union Test match between Australia and New Zealand

BILLY Slater says he hasn't felt part of Melbourne Storm's record-breaking season and he is desperate to leave his indelible mark before it's too late.

TRIPLE Olympic champion Marion Jones said yesterday she was shocked her drugs test from a urine sample taken in June was positive.

THE new-look Boomers have fallen just short of a huge upset at the world championships, losing 72-69 to medal favourite and European champion Greece.

Hi, I'm just testing a new application called Writely. It's a free Google word processor and I believe it will allow me to post directly to my blog. Not sure what it's going to look like, but I'll give it a go. Typing directly into blogger is a pain and opening Word all the time is also a pain, it just doesn't work all that well. Anyone interested in checking out writely should go to www.writely.com, funnily enough, Microsoft has launched Live Writer which I've download but not yet installed. It's supposed to be a purpose built blogger tool and might be better but as I'm using blogger, I think Writely will do a better job.

I wonder if I can import you tube into this....

Stop Making Sense - concert movie.

2006-08-20T23:33:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads - Stop making sense - Psycho Killler Live

Inadvertently found that most of the Talking Heads movie "Stop Making Sense" is up on You Tube. Hopefully it won't be taken down, I love this movie, one of my favourite music-movies of all time. Up there with U2's Rattle and Hum. I used to have a tape recording of this album in my car when I drove to and from work, never got sick of it. Listening back to it now reminds me of those days with great fondness. I could keep going but I want to find more music.

Thought I'd post these songs here all together, coz it's easier than looking them all up again on you tube.

2006-08-20T00:20:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense - Once in a lifetime Live

You may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife.....

2006-08-19T23:53:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense - This Must Be The Place

This is a little tame compared witht the high energy of the rest of the movie, but again it's a favourite. The type of mellow, end of an evening wind down song.

2006-08-19T23:51:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense - Genius of Love Live

The Tom Tom club gets a run here. Another great song, and the reason I found these videos. Fluffy posted the Tom Tom club video and through a series of comments led me to the movie clips.

2006-08-19T23:24:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense - Life During Wartime Live

I like to call this the jogging song.
Watch out for Davids rubber man effort - fantastic.

2006-08-19T23:20:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads -Stop Making Sense - Girlfriend is Better Live

One of my favourite songs ever. Love the clip, the big suit and the lighting, it's just super.

2006-08-19T21:45:00.000+10:00

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense - What a Day That Was Live

Boom boom boom...and that's the way we live.

Future dilemmas

2006-08-18T22:16:00.000+10:00

I was watching an American sitcom tonight and the difficult topic of drug use came up. The eldest boy of the family was sprung with a bag of pot. The boy does the usual, "It's only pot"thing and the usual "I'm invincible" thing. All very predictable and also probably very true. The parents then sat the boy down and talked about the "drug issue" and how one parent never smoked it but the other did. In this case it was the mother who'd had the a pot experience and let her son know that while it may only be pot, she had been given some but it had been laced with something and she ended up in the emergency ward. Moral of the story, blah blah blah...

Good way to deal with it I thought, relate it back to your own experience and hopefully your child will take your advice and not proceed or continue down that path. In my experience, it's always a situation where someone introduces drugs to you and then it's up to you whether you try it or not. All we can do as parents is inform our kids and hopefully they will respect their bodies and give it a miss. It's always a peer group pressure thing. Should I be cool and try it? or should I be cool and not.

In my case, I will have my own story to tell my kids, one that ends in tragedy and it the reason why their mother is no longer alive. It's a story of addiction and I hope it shows them how it can all go terribly wrong. I just hope they don't succumb to "bad friends". I guess I won't know until the teen years come.

The funny thing is that the comedian in the sitcom was Tim Allen, notorious for being caught in possession and for rehab etc...

Podcasts.

2006-07-31T00:05:00.000+10:00

Well, I just spent the last hours typing stuff about podcasts and how much I've adopted the technology and I lost it all.
FAAAAARK!!!!!!

Forget it now, it's midnight and I want to get to bed.

Michael Shumacher has won the Germany Grand Prix which puts him 11 points behind Alonso in the race for the championship. It's game on!

OK, my message is, get into podcasts, you don't need an iPod, any old MP3 player will do. If you need help, just ask and I'll try and re-write what I had before (and lost).

Good Night.

2006-07-23T23:03:00.000+10:00

A series of Tubes.

This is a bit of a parody on a speech made by a US senator. I guess most technologists are familiar with it.
Jon Stewart is very funny.

2006-07-08T12:04:00.000+10:00

two chinese boys:dadada (sa-ka-ta)

The dorm boys give us some world cup action. This time computer guy in background helps out.

This also reminds me of the muppets....

2006-07-08T11:51:00.000+10:00

后舍唱戏

God knows what these guys are singing but I love the costumes and the computer guy in the background is not there (usually is there).

More than a year of Pie-Ranting.

2006-07-02T20:46:00.000+10:00

Well, this blog has passed a milestone of sorts. 1 year ago it started and having created two identities, merged them into one and various other secrets exposed, I've managed to keep my interest up for more than a year. Who'd a thunk it.

Now, if only the Pies could play like they did last week against Sydney and not like they did today, grrrrrr!!!

I stayed up to watch England v Portugal this morning, finished at 3:45am after the penalty shoot out. England were a bit unlucky, I think they deserved to win but having played one man down from the 60 minute mark doesn't help.
So it's now a fully European World Cup, as my learned colleague Mr Mondale has already pointed out. History just keeps on repeating, doesn't it? European team win in Europe. South Americans win in South America and Brazil wins everywhere else.

Good night and good luck.

Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to be a Ninja?

2006-06-25T23:26:00.000+10:00

Ask A Ninja: Ninja Training

Go Socceroos.

2006-06-13T15:40:00.000+10:00

It's 3:30 pm in the afternoon and I'm stuffed. I need more caffeine!!

After nodding off at the 72 minute mark of the game last night, I was awake again in time to see the 3 goals go past the Japanese keeper. They were great goals and well deserved after pretty much owning the ball for most of the game. Great result and puts Australia in the drivers seat for a second round spot. Also awoke early enough this morning to see my other team, Italy, put 2 past the Ghanese keeper. Viva Italia.

It was sad to see the USA lose though. I guess they had their minds eslewhere, like the NBA finals or Baseball or Stanley Cup. I guess that's where they will be focusing now.

Finally, I want to mention the little wave Josh Fraser gave Jeff White after Josh kicked a goal early in the match. Josh, don't be a smarty pants (I'm at work, I wanted to say something else). The gesture reminded me of a little hand puppet, I fI find a picture I'll post it, but it did remind me of a little Kermit.

Off to see my sons teacher soon, parent teacher evening.

While away time until the footy starts.

2006-05-26T17:49:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post to say Hi and to fill in a bit of time until I leave for the footy.

HI.

To business. Remember this post? Well it turns out, as of a couple of weeks ago, my friend has split with the troublesome girl. I believe he finally saw the light and is single again. Onya dude.

To other business. I procured 2 dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts during the week. All I can say is "Magnificent". I had been talking them up for about 6 months, ever since one of my colleagues brought some to work, I've been hanging out for a Sydney visitor so I could beg them to Import some.

So on Wednesday, these finally landed on my desk:

Contents:

And a sampler box:

After our team meeting, this was all that was left:

And within 10 minutes, they were gone too!

The Sampler pack went home and by now will have been completely devoured.

MAGNIFICENT !!!!

Even MG says so. Luckily for us, we won't have the Melbourne store nearby. But that may change in the next couple of years as they expand.

OK, filled in enough time now. Off to the "G" to see the real football.

Go Pies.

Tim Lane - You are a tool.

2006-05-01T21:19:00.000+10:00

I read this article with great, well, how can I put it, boredom probably best sums it up. You don't need to go read it, I'll sum it up for you in one word - Jealous. Tim Lane is jealous. In this well thought out article, he states that it is unfair to all the other teams in the competition that Collingwood and Essendon are the only teams allowed to play on Anzac day. What utter crap.

The reason it is Collingwood v Essendon is that 1) They originated the concept, 2) They pull in the crowds & 3) There is no third reason, the other two are enough.

The facts are, that over the 12 years of Collingwood v Essendon Anzac day matches, the average crowd size is just on 80,000. Count them 80,000. That's the average. No other match up comes close to that, those that do will invariably include Collingwood as one of the teams. Tim points this out, that in the 4 highest drawing games during the regular season, Collingwood participated in all of them. I'm pretty sure that of the 7 games he talks about where over 90,000+ turn up, Collingwood was there. As he suggests, lets put St Kilda v Bulldogs on this big stage, how many would turn up? 30,000 - 40,000 maybe. Is it worth having the biggest non-final game of the year ruined by seeing empty grandstands? No I say. Fill them up. The two biggest draw cards play on that day and that's the way it's going to stay.

I heard another brainiac suggest that the previous years grand finalists should have a rematch on Anzac Day. Hmmm... West Coast v Sydney in Melbourne, when no one is getting freebies or corporate packages etc which swell the numbers on Grand Final day. Port Adelaide v Brisbane, how to empty out a stadium in one idiotic step. I don't think so.

They tried to play a game interstate on Anzac Day 2003, Sydney V Melbourne. Surprise. Surprise. Only 24,000 people turned up. Luckily that was at the SCG, so it only looked half full, not 3/4 empty at the Olympic Stadium.

I don't have a problem with games being played interstate at night on Anzac Day, but really, leave it alone. We built it up, all the other clubs get a monetary cut of the equalisation fund so what you'd actually end up doing is robbing the other clubs.

Also, the term blockbuster is used to cover all aspects of the game. Crowd size, quality of game and build up. This usually means putting 100 years of existence into the build up which many clubs can't match.

PS: Tim is a Carlton supporter and an obvious Eddie hater. Get off his back.

Don't Curb your Enthusiasm.

2006-03-27T21:10:00.000+11:00

If this is not the best show not on free to air TV then I don't know squat. Over the past 4 weeks we've watched episode after episode of some of the more brilliant comedy you will ever see. Curb Your Enthusiasm is better than Seinfeld, better than Hey Dad and certainly better than Bullpit. I'd put it on the same level as Fawtly Towers. Pretty much every episode was Gold, pure Gold. We'd watch four episodes a night and look at each other and say "One more? - yeah, why not". You find yourself saying "Larry, just keep walking, don't turn around, get out of the shop, just go, it'll end in tears".
If you haven't seen this masterpiece, get down to Blockbuster/Video Ezy/Network Video et al and do yourself a favour. You have to watch them in order, series one to four and once you see the pants tent episode (first show in series one) you'll be hooked.
We are patiently awaiting series five to hit our screens, hopefully on Foxtel sometime soon, please!!!

You gotta be kidding 1.

2006-03-20T21:29:00.000+11:00

From the "You gotta be kidding" file, the following is what I can only describe as ridiculous.

This company has created a pair of running shoes that play MP3's. See the speakers on the outside of the shoe? What the? They come with wireless headphones so you don't keep tripping over the damn cord, but really. For more info, looky here.

I wonder if you can get them with a drag-along subwoofer?

PS: that's the headphones on the left shoe.

PPS: For a totally biased but totally honest appraisal of how the pies are going to fair this year, read this.

Mars up close.

2006-03-14T21:25:00.001+11:00

It had to happen. Not content with Googling the Earth, they have now Googled Mars.

I wonder if you can locate the nearest 7-11 or an ATM or a McDonalds?

You can see where the water streams used to be. You can also see where spacecrafts have landed, and probably see that Heineken bar from that commercial*.

*Video content will load, be warned. Broadband only.

Live from my desk at work.

2006-03-07T13:31:00.000+11:00

I've decided to write today's post from work. It seems by the time I get home I'm just to stuffed to switch on the PC and think and type and read other blogs etc. I spend 8 hours in front of this thing at work and it gets real tiring by the end of it all. The last thing I feel like doing is another couple of hours at home which wouldn't start until the kids are in bed, so that's at around 8:30.

So, the ASX game has started and after one and a half weeks of wheeling and dealing, I've pocketed $51,560.84 (minus the original $50,000), which leaves a growth of about 3.1% which if annualised would be about 150%. Can you figure out why stock brokers are rolling in cash???
Anyway, I 've lead out of the blocks fast amongst my colleagues here at work and look forward to my free coffee from PEC.

I was also hoping to write a glowing account of my beloved Magpies, but alas they were beaten by a team wearing white with a purple anchor. What gives? When ever I see a team playing in basically all white, I think of nappies. Don't ask me why, it's just an image of a baby in a nappy wearing a white singlet.

See what I mean. Just draw an anchor on this little one and hey presto, he's a docker.

Hopefully the cats will have more luck against them and that Melbourne can spank Adelaide too. I couldn't stand it if both finalists were interstaters.

Footy Starts this week!!!!!

2006-02-23T22:00:00.000+11:00

Can you believe it. It's Feb 24th and the footy is back.

All I know is that the Pies are playing the Saints on Sunday in a evening/twilight game. We can't go coz we have birthday commitments at that time so I'll be tuning in somewhere, hopefully the bowling alley we are going to will have it on a big screen.

Footy is back, I can smell the dencorub already.
No, Wait, that's the smell of the dencorub on my calf after I pulled a muscle attempting to run after a tennis ball. Do'h.

My prediction for this year. Fremantle to sack the coach and promote Mark Harvey. Why the hell would he move all the way over to W.A. if they hadn't guarenteed him the top job.

More predictions to follow...

The Share Game...

2006-02-23T21:40:00.000+11:00

Today is the first day of the ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) sharemarket game.
What is that? I hear you cry out.
Well it's a game where you get to pretend you are a share trader, you are given a fictitious $50,000 starting money and you try to convert that into squillions by buying and selling shares on the sharemarket. At work we have a troupe of about 8 of us all trying to be the next Warren Buffet, but in actual fact, we generally come out looking like Alan Bond. You can only buy and sell from a list of 100 companies, mainly blue chip stocks so it requires a little research if you want to win the competition, but we just want to beat each other.
At the end of day one, I've converted my $50,000 stake into $50,001.28. Not a bad effort as that includes brokerage fees of $60, so technically I'm 61.28 up.
If anyone has some good advice, or hears about an takeover rumour. Please share it with the group.
I intend to keep a running summary here as well. The game lasts about 3 months.
Ciao.

Open letter to a mate.

2006-02-21T21:09:00.000+11:00

Mate,
I normally wouldn't interfere in a mates personal life, but I feel like I just have to say something. If a friend hooks up with someone that is wrong for him then I'm unlikely to say anything. He'll find out sooner or later that she's just not right for him, but in your case mate, you told me things weren't smooth and that the past few months had been rocky, so when you told me that you were having a heart to heart with her on Friday, I'd assumed you were going to separate. I wasn't really supportive of you breaking up as it seemed as though you had a good thing going and that it was your usual "she wants to marry, but I don't so I'll dump her" phase. I didn't expect to see her at the BBQ on Sunday, but there she was. Obviously the heart to heart worked out and you were going to continue on.
Well, after spending the afternoon with you both, I've come to the conclusion that you stuffed up. Mate, you can do better. I didn't like her attitude towards you or your daughter, she was negative and gave you a hard time when you should have been enjoying the occasion. There was no excuse for being so rude, especially on front of people she hardly knew. As I said, I normally don't get involved, but you've had more than a year together and while you've said in the recent past that things aren't as they were, Mate, it's time to make the break. I know you are going overseas, enjoy your time away (might be a little cramped with your daughter in tow) but I know you'll have a ball, don't think about what you've left behind. Look to the future, it'll be great.
Mate, if you are reading this, act now, you know you need to.

All the best,

Clokeeeey.

Poochie....

2006-02-05T21:37:00.000+11:00

I found a list of the worlds most famous dogs (in pop culture). Have a look for yourselves. What I found amazing was that there were 2 Simpson's dogs listed, Santa's little helper and the ill fated character Poochie. What's ridiculous is that Poochie comes in 22 places ahead of SLH in the rankings. What craps is this?

Most of the other dogs are recognizable, but there are some unknown to me. I can't argue with number 1, 2, 3 or 4 but is Goofy really a dog? Surely that is cause for great debate. Also, how does Underdog rate ahead of Hong Kong Phooey? Oh, and the inclusion of Junkyard dog, rates up there with the inclusion of Makybe Diva in the Ralph top 200 poll recently published.

Have a good week.

What's the weather?

2006-01-31T22:13:00.000+11:00

So, How's the weather in Sydney?

Can't you read?

No, I'm blind! I'm wearing sunnies at night....See Ya.

* Note: The images are live so they may change through out the day/night.

[So, what should happen next?]

555-what

2006-01-29T20:25:00.000+11:00

Did you ever notice that all phone numbers in movies, tv shows and radio shows that emanate from the great U.S. of A. Begin with 555 ? Here's a sample question from a puzzled viewer and an answer as to the origins of the standard prefix.

Dear Cecil:Why do all phone numbers in TV shows, movies, etc., have the prefix 555? Is it an FCC regulation? --Mary Jane, formerly of Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Mary Jane:Believe it or not, there are a few pinheads out there with nothing better to do than sit down and call every number they see on a television show or in a movie. "Hello, iscokesk there?" they say, chuckling at the sublimity of their wit. Generally,cokesk is not there, which causes a great deal of inconvenience for the poor sap who is. In one case several years ago a Peanuts strip carried a number that turned out to belong to a family in Moline, Illinois. Over 50 calls, ranging from plaintive requests to speak to Snoopy to less plaintive requests of a considerably darker nature, were logged in one evening.
Up until a few years ago, the phone company maintained a service that provided fictional (i.e., unused) numbers to producers and writers. But it soon developed, in this wide, wonderful country of ours, that there wasn't a single number that wasn't in use somewhere. The "555" gambit was created in 1973--no matter where you are, dialing the 555 number plugs you into directory assistance, where a legion of professionally trained operators awaits to answer the particular crankiness of your call. 555 isn't an FCC regulation, but simply a convenient creation of Ma Bell.

-CECIL ADAMS

Now, I'm not to sure about Cecil's credentials but I'm sure he's spot on here. I noticed on a drive to the local pool the other day that a fish and chip shop had a phone number that begin with a 9555 and I commented that I'm sure they were happy when the 9 was added to the front of their number, would have stopped some crank calls. The 9 is a recent addition in Australia so I'm sure each state has similar.

I found this other website which lists many of the "555" numbers used in movies and tv shows. As someone mentions in the comments, these people have way too much time on their hands.

It will take me a while to verify this list as correct, so let's just assume it is.

Those wacky speed cubers...

2006-01-26T23:00:00.000+11:00

Back in the day, when I was in my teens, there was this phenomena called Rubik's Cube. A 3 by 3 by 3 cube of six colours and a twisty mechanism etc, you know the one. Here's a sample in case you forgot.

Well, I used to be able to complete it in an amount of time which I thought to be pretty good. Around about 1 and a half minutes or so. Now I found out that there are world championships and that the world record was set by Leyan Lo with a staggering time of 11.13 seconds!!!

This guy is a freak, but his great time wasn't good enough to win him the world championship. They have to complete the puzzle 3 times and then they take the average. He was .2 seconds slower than the champion (Shotaro Makisumi) at 14.9 seconds.

For more info on this exiting sport, head over to Speed Cubing site and be amazed.

What I learnt from watching Victoria Secrets.

2006-01-18T22:38:00.000+11:00

Not much, just a lot of tits and arse and the odd Brazilian*.

Best model award goes to Tyra Banks. It's her last walk up the runway (huh?) for VS as she embarks on her Oprah style, I'm gonna change the world, TV show. Good luck on your new venture.

I thought he was dead award goes to Ricky Martin. He appeared, sang a song about dropping a bomb (appropriate for him) and there scuttled of. Ole Ricky.

Lucky bastard award goes to Ricky Martin. During his performance, he received a groin rub from that girl from the Black Eyed Peas, well at least it looked like her.

So now I need to get my hands on a catalogue and see what I should buy for my honey, with valentines day coming along soon and all.

On other matters, spent the weekend painting my sons bedroom, it's a nice bright green, selected by him and as he's been sunning himself down at the beach house he'll come home to a green surprise.

* If you hadn't guessed, Ricky was the odd Brazilian.

Choices.

2006-01-18T21:52:00.000+11:00

Do I blog or do I sit in front of chanel 10 and watch the Victoria Secrets underwear parade?

Hmmmm....

Bye.

Welcome to our new home!

2006-01-11T21:21:00.000+11:00

Here we are, 3 weeks after we moved into our new place and part one of my guided tour of "Our Home".

We start in the garage. Lots of stuff stored in here. Many a box still unopened, many a donation bag or box ready to be transported to a needy charity. One day we might actually get to see the floor.

The left side.

The right side.

The middle, where we park our unicycles.

The entrance and the first hallway.
My office is through that door on the right and the games room to the left.

Here is the games room. Note the picture on the wall.
Also note the empty, flattened boxes are here also, the won't fit in the garage just yet but I'll soon have space when the donations are gone and a couple of fridges are taken too.

Here is my office. With a nice big reading lamp hanging on the wall, this room is where all my fortunes are made. That computer of mine is getting on a bit but it's still pumping out good stuff. That little grey box on the desk, is the new ADSL modem, the cause of all my grief over the past few weeks as I had technician after technician look into why ADSL was failing. Just when I was about to give up, I tried a new modem and it worked. Yipee!!! High speed net access again and my girlfriend has now joined the party as well.

The other side of my not so tidy office (the dark side).

Here's the kitchen.

and finally, the guest room.

stay tuned for more pics.

Umm.... I'm still here.

2006-01-04T23:19:00.000+11:00

Hi, been a while.

After flogging that Galaga I decided to take a short break, well with moving house and all that, blogging was not a high priority. Especially when I can't get my ADSL connection going, dial up is so infuriatingly slow. If only I could find someone to fix this damn thing, every person that's turned up to look at it just shrugs his shoulders and says "that's the best I can do" or "That's all I'm allowed to do, I can't touch the phone lines in the house, I'm just a Telstra linesman". It's hard to get good help!

Anyway, I might get back into this a bit more soon so for now I'm off to check on a few blogs and that'll do it for tonight.

Gianluca, I'll get back to your question soon, look out for it. Ciao.

Item for sale, all offers accepted.

2005-12-13T22:26:00.000+11:00

In the tradition of Bevis' "Items for sale" I have the 80's classic Galaga (say it fast though).
One of a pair of Galagas.
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Time to Sway.

2005-12-09T23:27:00.000+11:00

OK, this will be the final song. In case you were wondering what this has all been about, tomorrow, it will be 2 years since I first set eyes on my darling heart. After a short e-mail interlude, we decided to meet and the rest has just been magical. I Love you honey.

This song is one of my honey's favourites. We keep forgetting the title but now it's on paper so we can't forget it.

Take it away, Mr Dean Martin... With backing tune (open in new window)

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me nowYou know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

2005-12-08T22:15:00.000+11:00

Now it's time for a little language of love, Italian that is.

Rose rosse per te
ho comprato stasera
e il tuo cuore lo sa
cosa voglio da te

D'amore non si muore
e non mi so spiegare
perche' muoio per te
da quando ti ho lasciato
sarà perché ho sbagliato
ma io vivo di te
e ormai non c'e' piu' strada
che non mi porti indietro
amore sai perché
nel cuore del mio cuore
non ho altro che te

Forse in amore le rose
non si usano più
ma questi fiori sapranno
parlarti di me

Rose rosse per te
ho comprato stasera
e il tuo cuore lo sa
cosa voglio da te

D'amore non si muore
ma chi si sente solo
non sa vivere piu'
con l'ultima speranza
stasera ho comprato
rose rosse per te
la strada dei ricordi
e' sempre la piu' lunga
amore sai perche'
nel cuore del mio cuore
non ho altro che te

Forse in amore le rose
non si usano piu'
ma questi fiori sapranno
parlarti di me

Rose rosse per te
ho comprato stasera
e il tuo cuore lo sa
cosa voglio da te

---------------------------
Ti amo mio amore,
Questi fiori sono un simbolo del mio amore per te.

Song #4 with Video

2005-12-07T21:17:00.000+11:00

Going back to the sixties for this one complete with video for all to watch*.


 Well do you love me (I can really move)
 Well do you love me (I'm in the groove)
 Ah do you love me (do you love me)
 Now that I can dance

 Watch me now, oh
 (work it all) I said-a work it all baby
 (work it all) ah, you're drivin' me crazy
 (work it all) a-with a little bit of soul now

 Mmm, now I can do the blues (do the blues)
 And I can do the twist (do the twist)
 I said now tell me baby (tell me baby)
 Mmm, now do you like it like this (like it like this)
 Whoa, tell me, tell me, tell me

 Ah, do you love me (I can really move)
 Well do you love me (I'm in the groove)
 Well do you love me (do you love me)
 Now that I can dance

 Watch me now, oh
 (work it all) I said-a work it all baby
 (work it all) mmm, you're drivin' me crazy
 (work it all) a-with a little bit of soul now

 Now I can do the blues (do the blues)
 Mmm, I can do the twist (do the twist)
 I said now tell me baby (tell me baby)
 Ah, do you like it like this (like it like this)
 Whoa, tell me, tell me, tell me

 Ah, well do you love me (I can really move)
 Well do you love me (I'm in the groove)
 Well do you love me (do you love me)
 Now that I can dance

 Ah, do you love me (I can really move)
 Well do you love me (I'm in the groove)
 Well do you love me (do you love me)
 I said that now that I can dance

 Ah now do you love me (I can really move)
 Well do you love me (I'm in the groove)
 Well do you love me (do you love me)
 Now that I can dance


* may not actually be Clokeeeey!

Song #3.

2005-12-06T22:35:00.000+11:00

I guess this song is a little more blunt, but I love it and gets me moving and grooving in a bumping and grinding kinda style.

Take it away, Hot Chocolate. (I suggest you open this link in another window or tab).

I believe in miracles
Where you from
You sexy thing
I believe in miracles
Since you came along
You sexy thing
Miracles right before my eyes
You sexy thing got me hypnotised
Don't stop what ya' doing
What ya' doing to me
My angel from above lying next to me
How did ya' know that I'd be the one
Been a long time coming only just begun
Doing all the things that makes my heart sing
Keep doing what you're doing you sexy thing
How did ya' know I needed you so badly
How did ya' know I gave my heart gladly
Yesterday I was one of a lonely people
Now you're lying next to me
Making love to me
I believe in miracles
Where you from
You sexy thing
You sexy thing
I believe in miracles
Since you came along
You sexy thing
Only yesterday I was on my own
Just another day later my mind was blown
You sexy thing come into my life
Forever and a day it feels so right
How did ya' know that I'd be the one
Been a long time coming only just begun
Doing all the things that makes my heart sing
Keep doing what you're doing you sexy thing
How did ya' know I needed you so badly
How did ya' know I gave my heart gladly
Yesterday I was one of a lonely people
Now you're lying next to me
Making love to meI believe in miracles
Where you from
You sexy thing
You sexy thing
I believe in miracles
Since you came along
You sexy thing
Kiss me baby
You sexy thing
You sexy thing
Touch me baby
You sexy thing
You sexy thing
.....................................

2005 in review.

2005-12-06T22:11:00.000+11:00

MEME – 2005 in review.

I was tagged twice, so I’m gonna try and list 2 for each. Thanks Bevis and Chickybabe.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?

I started this Blog. Introduced by my girlfriend, I thought I wouldn’t keep it going, well this and the other blog too. I guess I also killed off a blog too.

2. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No one real close, but a couple of colleagues at work had babies. Also, a friend of my girlfriend gave birth recently. Oh and there was Bec too.

3. Did anyone close to you die?

My mum’s Aunty passed away aged 92.

4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?

Well, we went to Canberra for a week. It was great. And a great little weekend away to Erskine Falls. Loved it, very special weekend. Best memory was the kids singing impromptu songs in Canberra and the karate competition.

5. Best thing you bought?

Um, Vera Wang for my honey. 19 inch flat panel monitor.

6. Where did most of your money go?

Rent and moving house next week.

7. What do you wish you had done more of?

Run my fingers down my girlfriends back. Played some golf.

8. What do you wish you had done less of?

Work x 2.

9. What kept you sane?

My kids, My honey and her daughter.

10. What drove you mad?

My own incompetence sometimes.
Watching the Pies most of the year, except for the West Coast game.

11. What made you celebrate?

Taking my girlfriend to a Ball and to her first, full on, big Italian wedding. Both were big nights.

12. What made you sad?

Graham Kennedy passing away.

13. How was your birthday this year?

Super. Ferrari themed and a cold night to boot. Hired a dual control Daytona arcade racing machine, fantastic.

14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?

I’m guessing most people will say IR and full sale of Telstra, but for me, these are non issues for me. I already work in a contract environment, so from a personal point of view, I’m not scared about them but I can appreciate that those that are not and have other forms of protection have aright to be upset. On the Telstra front, it’s very unlikely to happen. They need a share price of over $5.00 and while it’s still down under $4.00 there is no way they’d flood the market with more shares. It just means it would drive down the price and defeat the purpose. By which time there’ll be a election, the government will change (unless there is another shooting of the feet by the opposition) and then the sale will be canned. For someone that doesn’t like politics, I can sure say something.

15. Were you in love in 2005?

Absolutely.

16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?

I’ll be living in a new suburb in 2006 with my girlfriend, so what I would like, I will be getting. (Does that make sense?)

17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?

7th of March, the day after my birthday. I was involved in a car accident and had a pretty woeful rest of the month.
28th of October, when we got the keys to our house.

18. What song will remind you of 2005?

Foo Fighters – Best of you.
Gorillaz – Feel good inc & DARE.

19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?

Yes. Did I mention that I was moving in with my sweetie?

20. Biggest achievement this year?

We found a house to live in with each other. It’s a little bit Brady.
Going to see a counsellor and opening up.

21. Biggest disappointment this year?

The car crash. The length of time it took to repair it.

22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?

More interesting work. I’ve been a little disenchanted with the place but until the lottery ends up in my lap, I have to wait until I find something more interesting.

23. Best new person you met this year?

My girlfriend’s brother I met for the first time. He’s a good guy and a technical one at that. We have a bit in common.
I expect most will list bloggers here too, I’ll be no different. You can see their names over there ---->

(If I get to meet any of them, then I can list them again as non virtuals)

24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?

Don’t go into the share market unless you know what you are doing.
You are never too old to seek help. No matter what, you don’t know everything.

Song number 2 *

2005-12-05T23:05:00.000+11:00

*Sorry, this isn't Blur, take it away Luther Vandross.

Always and forever
Each moment with you
Is just like a dream to me
That somehow came true, yeah
And I know tomorrow
Will still be the same
Cuz we got a life of love
That won't ever change and

Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together
Ooh baby, I'll always love you forever

Ever, ever, ever
There'll always be sunshine
When I look at you
It's something I can't explain
Just the things that you do
If you get lonely
Call me and take
A second to give to me
That magic you make and

Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together
Ooh baby, I'll always love you forever

A song a day.

2005-12-04T21:44:00.000+11:00

Pardon me while I take time to sing some love songs this week.

LOVE ME TENDER
Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go.
You have made my life complete and I love you so.
Love me tender, love me true, all my dreams fulfill.
For, my darlin', I love you and I always will.

Love me tender, love me long, take me to your heart.
For it's there that I belong and we'll never part.
Love me tender, love me true, all my dreams fulfill.
For, my darlin', I love you and I always will.

Love me tender, love me dear, tell me you are mine.
I'll be yours through all the years till the end of time.
Love me tender, love me true, all my dreams fulfill.
For, my darlin', I love you and I always will.

Clokeeeey has left the building. A-huh.

Tis the season to have birthdays.

2005-11-30T21:54:00.000+11:00

December is a month to celebrate many a birthday. Especially in my surrounds.
Here's the list.
First it's my daughters 10th birthday, double digits, it's a big one in the school yard.

My girlfriends birthday is next. I love you honey, here's to a grand weekend.

It's my mums birthday on the same day (I won't nominate her age).
My mums cousins birthday also on the same day.
next is my mums cousins grand-daughter.
My girlfriends mums birthday.
My sister in law.
My good friends youngest son.
My sons best friend.
and finally my newphew has his birthday in between christmas and new year.

Christ, there's another one in December, oh yeah, his.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE !!!!

I hope this doesn't happen while I'm away.

2005-11-23T22:59:00.000+11:00

So I'll be on "holidays" soon, well if you can call moving house a holiday then that's what I'll be on. While I'm away from the office, I'd hat to come back to find this sort of welcoming at my desk.

or this,

or this,

Or this,

or this,

or this,

So guys, don't even think about it. I know where you work.

Croquets

2005-11-21T22:21:00.000+11:00

Gialuca DiMilano asked me this: “Mr Clockeeeey, you are expert in the sports, no. And you are an austrian, no? May be can you explain me. What is croquet? I'm know is a very popular game in your country. is true that the austria was lose to the england and the england was win an ash tray and the england peoples was go craze like they was win the war again? is a true?”

Well here is the definition I like:
You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.
Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.
When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out.
Sometimes you get men still in and not out. When a man goes out to goin, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
There are two men called umpires who stay all out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out.
When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including thosewho are not out, that is the end of the game!

Easy huh?

But, for a more technical description of the game of cricket, follow this link -> Croquet Definition

As for the Ash Tray, we actually grew a little tired of it and it needed a clean out anyway. You know, when the barman comes along and finally takes it away to throw the butts out, that’s England, they are the barman. They’ve taken it away to clean it and we’ll get it back on their next visit (Jan 2007) and they’ll even bring it with them. Aren’t they good? The English have been starved of success you see, The 1966 World Cup is the last real trophy of any significance they had to celebrate. The Rugby cup is really a tournament between 4 countries, the rest are window dressing. The Olympics and the Commonwealth games have provided no enjoyment for the English and neither has Wimbledon or tennis in general. How much longer can Tim Henman lose?
It is true thought, between the end of WW2 and the World Cup 1966, nothing much happened for the English. (Did Spain try to invade? maybe not)
So it was inevitable that when the won the Ash Tray, they didn’t remember how to celebrate. They stood at Nelsons Column and waved a flag. Woo Hoo.

I hope that helps answer your question. Any other Austrian questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

PS: Did anyone notice that Marcia Hines did not clap or cheer when Kate won Aussie Idol? Is she a bad sport?

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole.

2005-11-17T22:17:00.000+11:00

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole....
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole...
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole....
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole...
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Tickets have been booked.
Australia is on it's way to Germany.
Guus think we can go all the way. I think he's spent a little too much time in Amsterdam, but you never know.

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole....
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole...
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole....
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole...
Olaaayyy
Olaaayyy

Socceroos or Uruguay?

2005-11-15T21:29:00.000+11:00

In this part of the world, all the sporting focus will be on Telstra Stadium on Wednesday night. Uruguay are defending a 1-nil lead and hoping to make the final 32 of the 2006 World Cup. After so many disappointments, the Socceroos have another chance to make heroes of themselves. All they have to do is score 2 goals more than Uruguay. The question for the coach is will you attack or will you play the same as in Uruguay and hope to fluke a goal. Then it will be up to Uruguay to attack, which could open up the game. Good luck boys.

The current set of test matches have captured the imagination, not! The Aussies and the Windies tests are going to be boring affairs, as evidenced by the first test and the two tour games the Windies have played. They have been well below par, possibly on the same level as Bangladesh. All we want is a contest.

Sad news on the sports entertainment front with the death of the wrestling superstar Eddie Guerrero. The circumstances around his death are not clear, he had a major battle with drugs and alcohol a few years ago and there is speculation that drugs may have played a part here, but that is pure speculation. After taking all those "beatings" and bleeding foreheads and entering the stage in his low riders, Eddie has gone before his time. Although, there is always this nagging thing at the back of my neck which says maybe he will be resurrected at Wrestlemania 25. Somehow, I don't think so.

Time to go and prepare the Aussie flag for driving up and down Lygon St when we win tomorrow night.

See ya, sports fans.

Songs I used to hate.

2005-11-13T21:23:00.000+11:00

Years ago I used to like all sorts of music, ELO, Beatles, Rolling stones, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, ACDC, bands like that. Who did I hate? Pretty much everyone my sister liked. Abba topped the list and then closely followed by Duran Duran, then there was all the electronic based music of the 80's, the new romantics movement, Moving Pictures, as I said, anything my sister liked. Now that I'm older, it's ironic, I know all the words to all the Duran Duran songs, Abba songs, ABC songs, Spandau Ballet songs the list goes on. There was one song though that I did enjoy when Duran Duran released it, Girls on Film. Probably not the song, more the film clip and especially when at the time, channel 10 used to play video clips late at night and could show them uncut. My sister had a massive crush on Alex Smith from Moving Pictures (we used to call him big nose), in fact she called the pub they were playing at one night, I think it was the Corner hotel in Richmond and to her amazement, he took her call. She was so shocked, all she could say to him was "Hi, I'm one of your biggest fans" (I'm sure he'd never heard that before). I just remembered the Adam Ant phase as well, again, I know all the words and melodies of his "hits" too. There is also all that 70's Disco music, Bee Gees, Motown and all the rest. It is all latent memory stuff, it's been lying dormant waiting for a release. Does this mean it will be used against me when I'm older? If only I could sing.

Twenty things about Clokeeeey.

2005-11-08T23:17:00.000+11:00

I learnt to swim at age 32.
I was born at 11:59 on the 5th but mum and dad decided to put 12:01 on the birth documentation so that I could have the whole of the 6th as my birthday.
I enjoy watching the NFL, even though I don’t fully understand the game and the tactics.
My uncle took me to my first VFL game, Collingwood v Fitzroy semi final in 1979.
Don’t tell anyone but up until I was 6 years old, I supported Carlton. I was coaxed across to Collingwood by my Uncle. My dad barracked for North Melbourne and my Grandfather was a Fitzroy man.
My dad used to work 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week (at his own business) so that we could have what he didn’t as a child. He was strict but fair.
My uncle was a big influence on my life as a youngster; we used to see him more than dad as uncle used to take Sundays off (same business with dad). Unfortunately, he died aged 33 in 1980, he is still missed.
My brother in law was renting a house from me (I was executor for my grandfather’s estate) and we had a handshake agreement on the rent. He didn’t pay for a while, a long while actually and the issue was resolved only when I handed the matter over to an estate agent. Then he never missed a beat (bastard).
I have a very trusting nature, see 9 above.
When I was 10, my mum whacked me with a wooden spoon (as was the custom of the day) and it broke as it struck my pointy elbow. I laughed after that.
I was born and raised a catholic but after years in the catholic education system, I made up my own mind and rejected it all. I consider myself an Atheist.
My kids are baptized. It will be up to them to continue to believe or not as they grow older.
Monty Python ruled my life in my teens. I didn’t need grog, drugs or tobacco, just give me the Ministry of silly walks.
I used to have a wog boy mo until I was 18. Dad never taught me to shave (he was never home).
I’m shocking at telling jokes but I can be spontaneously funny.
I’ve only ever had 3 speeding fines ever, in 22 years of driving. Until today when I received 2 for the same day, same street, one hour apart. FUCK*
I love the smell of Vera Wang on women. Takes me to a special place, my honey knows where.
I visited the Bronx in New York and survived. We went to a night market where they had everything from voodoo to kites. One of the guys I was with was adamant that he wanted a photo of the voodoo lady and he nearly ate his camera when the bodyguard said NO! F*CK OFF!!!
My favourite flower/plant is the “Bird Of Paradise” (Strelitzia reginae)
Finally, I was overseas when Collingwood won the flag in 1990. Just my luck! I was in Venice and I called home six times to get scores and get a feel for the game. The hotel phone bill was about $150, worth it!

* 21. I don’t normally swear, only when I’m really pissed off at myself.

Angels on a stage.

2005-11-06T23:54:00.000+11:00

Tonight my daughter, performing as part of the National Youth Choir sang her little lungs out. There was much animation in the performance and all the angels sang with much gusto. As a parent, there is nothing more exhilarating than watching your child on a stage, especially one as important as the Hamer Hall at the Arts Centre, but it could have been at the local shopping centre singing carols, or at the high school performing in the school play. I’m sure all parents feel the same way. The last concert with the Vienna Boys brought a lump to my throat. There she was, sharing the stage with one of the world’s most famous choirs. It was awesome and brought a slight moistness to the eye.

My son has his life all mapped out. At the tender age of 7, he’s asking all the questions, getting advice and generally setting up his life in order to become an AFL footballer. He wants to follow in his father’s foot steps and play for, who else but the Pies. My mother asked him if he would like to help her make some meatballs the other night, which he did, then she asked him if he’d like to learn to cook, to which he replied that yes he would, but only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday as on the other nights he’ll be training or playing football. Mum said he was deadly serious. A year ago he wouldn’t even come to the footy, this year, something twigged and he wanted to come to every game, he cheered loudly and started to recognize players. It’s another little twang of pride when your kids voluntarily enjoy something that you do. Both are keen supporters and maybe, one day, my girl will be out on the ground singing the national anthem and my boy and I will be in the crowd roaring as the last words ring out.

* Bevis, your 20 things are coming, can’t promise when but it will be soon.

The Melbourne Cup post....

2005-11-03T12:01:00.000+11:00

The first Tuesday of November has come and gone. What a lot of build up for the "Race that stops a nation", well most of the nation I guess, coz I missed it. In past years I would have planted myself in front of the tube and made sure I saw all the build up, the race and the post race gumph. This year was different, I found myself at a house with no TV. I was out in the garden, pottering around, putting up a fence and spraying weeds. By the time I looked at my watch, it was 3:20pm. Hmmm, I guess the race is over. I wonder who won? Care factor, very little. I used my mobile to get the results, "look at that, Makybe Diva won, good on her". That was it, no more thoughts about the cup. Really and truly, no horse was going to beat her, all the challengers were back in the UK or Dubai but they weren't here. Therefore, if she stood up, she would win and did so. Well Done to all concerned.
I just find horse racing in general to be a slightly less random form of Tattslotto, it only exists for the gamblers. Nothing else, that's the only reason they have it. If the gambling wasn't tied to the sport, would there still be horse racing. You'd like to think so, would it still have the huge prize money? Probably not.
The AFL has signed some sort of deal with Betfair and TAB Sportsbet to "control" gambling on AFL matches. Not sure how you can control betting other than to not allow betting. They say that players are not allowed to bet on matches as the players code prevents them from doing so. Yeah Right!
OK, so my fine slimy blog frog pal Bevis tagged me for "20 things about me". I'll start working on that, I don't think I know 20 things about me but I'll give it a go.

PS: Connan O'Brien did his own look-a-like session on his show tonight. As usual, people had to look like him. Here is a Stamp from Finland compared to Connan. Which is which?

International rules is like Ice Hockey.

2005-10-28T22:11:00.000+10:00

I went to the Fights and a game of International Rules Football broke out.

I can't believe the level of violence in this game tonight, mainly the Australians are thumping the Irish but they have started to catch up (in the fights anyway).

Enjoy your weekend, especially if you are have a long one (Melbourne cup is a great time of year).

Walk-off Homer.

2005-10-24T23:18:00.000+10:00

I learnt a new sporting term today. Walk-off Homer. Now this is not a major Simpsons character throwing a tantrum and storming off to his trailer. It's a term that is used in Baseball where a batter in the last innings of a game (bottom of the ninth or beyond) who hits a home run to win the game. These feats are fairly rare, it's hard enough to hit a home run in the normal course of the game, but to do it in the last inning to win the game is real hero stuff. This happened today in the second game of the World Series. After a Grand Slam homer in the 7th by Konerko (also a very rare feat), Scott Podsednik of the Chicago White Sox hit a home run to break the tie and win 7 to 6. The White Sox lead the series against the Astros 2-0 as they travel to Houston.
So if you haven't worked out what Walk-off homer means, it just means we can all go home now, the game is won. In AFL terms, this is the equivalent of the engine starter at country football games, where the cars are parked all round the oval and they all start leaving at a point in the game where it is obvious a team has the game won.
As an aside, I've noticed that the Astros all have beards, this is obviously a team superstition thing.

The Mystery has been solve-ed.

2005-10-16T19:46:00.000+10:00

OK, we can all sleep easy now. I have finally figured out the name of the guy I was seeing in my premonition. The guys name is P. O'Brien, not Brian xxx. Now if only I can figure out why he's trying to contact me.....

Ok, get back on with your lives.

Separated at birth.

2005-10-11T23:13:00.000+10:00

Sugar Ray Leonard

Tiger Woods.

There was probably some 20 years between their births but there is an uncanny likeness, no?

Any other good 'uns?

Am I having a premonition?

2005-10-06T22:03:00.000+10:00

Am I having a premonition?

I have an image inside my head. It’s an image of a guy I either went to university with or I worked with somewhere over the last 18 years. Who is he? Why has his image appeared to me know? Is something going to happen to him?
I’m sort of worried that this is a sign that something will or has happened to this guy. I figure that he wouldn’t pop up if he wasn’t trying to tell me something. I’m not usually a medium but this is getting a little weird now.
What’s he look like? Well he’s tall, straight brown hair, glasses, a little chubby and it’s freaking me out.
The name Brian seems to be prominent by I still can’t place him.

Who are you?

Tagged, post 23, line 5

2005-10-01T22:22:00.000+10:00

Tagged, post 23, line 5.

I’ve been away on a short break, the kids have been with my parents for a few days down the peninsula and I’ve enjoyed the company of my girlfriend and her daughter for about half a week. I’ve come back inspired & excited and my kids are back and they are rejuvenated and ready for the start of school on Monday (well that part may be debatable).

Sports talk:
I think there is another Grand Final on this week, the NRL or something? Not a great fan of the game, but I do like it when it’s close and hard. I liked watching the 2003 GF when Penrith won. The tackle by the number 13 on the wing with 10 minutes to go, memorable stuff. Anyway, hope the Tigers win. Only reason being that they used to be Magpies didn’t they, before the merge?

Ok, On to the real business of this post. I was tagged by ChickyBabe in this meme that’s doing the rounds. I guess if you have hundreds of posts it would be a nostalgic trip down bloggery lane to find your 23rd post. For me, it was a matter of turn back a page and going, oh yeah, I wrote that a couple of weeks ago. So here is that memorable 5th line of my 23rd post. Enjoy. It’s from I'm calling you out. I'm pretty sure this post also had the most comments ever (for my site).

‘I'm on about this "parent" I saw this morning who was working on silently and deliberately bringing about the early demise of her children.’

Pretty harsh words when taken out in isolation?

So now I should tag some others, you can chose to comply or not, I don’t care but at least have a look at your 23rd post. So, Tag goes to Melbourne Girl, Bowlsey, Weasel, Elaine and Rouguemaze.

The Rules:
1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

Ummmm.... So I was wrong.

2005-09-25T21:24:00.000+10:00

Now that I'm back, I've looked at my finals predictions and could I have possibly got it more wrong? Saints, Crows grand final? What was I thinking, this is exactly why I don't gamble.
We were driving back from Canberra on Friday and spotted quite a few Swans supporters making the trip the Hume. I thought they were on a hiding to nothing, I again thought they would provide West Coast with little more than opposition for a couple of quarters and then fall by the wayside. Again, wrong. I watched the game last night after getting home at 6pm and it was a great, absorbing battle of the defenses. Not the free flowing goal fest that sends crowds into raptures as the goal umps flags are waved. This grand final reminded me of the 2002 grand final, which I have an emotional link to as the Pies almost pinched the flag from a stronger opponent.
So should the Eagles feel ripped off? Barry Hall should not have been playing, how he could get off the striking charge is beyond me. Two players were suspended for very similar charges earlier this year (Gehrig and Didak) and he he was able to plead it down to a lesser charge which allowed him to play. He was the difference as he was able to kick a couple of goals out of eight, you can say he was the reason the Swans now have the flag.

The Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix is run tonight and if Fernando Alonso comes 1st, 2nd or 3rd he will become the new F1 World Champion. After many years of domination by Michael Shumacher, the baton will be passed over to a new young gun. He started driving for the Minardi outfit so there is a small piece of Australia in the new World Champion elect. A new champion os what the sport needed, but the rules changes have conspired to enforce this change. What it has shown is the Ferrari must have spent a ton of money on every race, preparing new cars and getting the best of equipment to every race. Now they have to make an engine last 2 races, the tyres can't be changed and qualifying is a complete shambles, does anyone actually understand it?

School holidays.

2005-09-15T23:40:00.000+10:00

Well it's time my little ones look forward to every couple of months, The school holidays! This September we're of up north to follow the sun, and stop halfway up. The nations capital will be our home for the next week so there may be no time for posting as I'm not packing a laptop and don't plan to spend time in net cafes other than to sip strong lattes.
Enjoy the footy this weekend, I think the Saints and Crows will win and play off in a repeat of the 1997 Grand Final.
Have a good week.

When the English win the ashes...

2005-09-12T22:11:00.000+10:00

I'm gonna sick pussy onto them.

It's official, the Ashes are lost.

2005-09-11T22:32:00.000+10:00

Or to be more correct, the Poms have won them back. As soon as the two last batting bunnies go out, the poms will go in, say "by gum it's dark out 'ere" and walk off. Game over.

Final test starts.

2005-09-08T22:59:00.000+10:00

The Oval is alive with the sound of leather on willow. In the first hour, it was all willow, soon after drinks it was all Warney. He's a magician and he's just about ready to rip the Poms a new one. I might be getting a little ahead of myself, but who give a toss.
3 for 115 at lunch after being none for 70. It was a great little fight back. The funny thing is listening to the commentary, especially from old Geoffrey Boycott. That Yorkshire accent is a beauty and he talks absolute crap from start to finish, but we sort of love 'im.
I've just noticed something on the cricket telecast, that new grandstand at one end of the ground has 2 empty levels, this can't be right can it? I thought this was sold out. C'mon you pommy's what's going on?

AFL this weekend sees the semi final round. My sons second team, the Cats, are playing in Steak 'n Kidney Friday night and I'm expecting a close game. Sydney was hard done by last week, most commentators called it robbery. I didn't see the end of the game as I expected Sydney to win.
The other game in crow town between two teams no one really gives a toss about, except for the ~~ferals~~ Adelatians that support those two teams. Whoever wins it will make the trip across to Perth the following week and get belted. Good luck boys.

The US open has started, well it's almost over. The c'mon kiddy is through to the quarter finals and hopefully will win tomorrow and get to play Roger again.

woo hoo - You beauty Warney, 4 for.

Anyway, the tennis doesn't excite me much unless the Aussie Open or Wimbeldon are on. The French open is soooo boring and the US open is on at the wrong time of the day for downunder viewing, therefore it not very exciting, but to each there own.

Have I mentioned that I like watching those World Poker tournaments on SBS, it's fascinating watching. I hate to gamble my self and would never spend more that $100 in my life time on any form of gambling (I think I'm up to about $70 now), but I just enjoy watching others bet and raise and fold and going all in. I wonder how many others are addicted to watching this stuff?
But, what I have noticed is the proliferation of poker kits being sold in games stores. Is this a worrying trend? I had heard that places like Toys 'r Us were selling these kits but through outrage they stopped selling them (I believe).

Ok, that's about it for now, next time I write, I'll hopefully report that the Ashes have been saved.

Good night Kiddies. Go Hewitt.

Benny makes the big time.

2005-08-31T18:58:00.000+10:00

Well it was on the cards, the big man from Geelong, Ben Graham, who gave up a season or two to try his luck punting in the NFL has won a job with the New York Jets. Fantastic effort that. It was questionable whether he would have even played for the cats this year, I'm sure they missed him, but fact is that he probably would have been a bench player at best and why not try your luck. As a punter, he can probably go on for at least another 5 years, maybe even 10. Another Aussie, Darren Bennett has been there for 11 years, he was named All Pro in his first season and many times after that as well.
Benny will match Bennett for length in his kicking game and from the reports, he spins the ball in flight so as to make it difficult to catch, good thing in the NFL, not good if you want to pin point Gary Ablett Jnr on the wing. So overall, Geelong fans while initially upset should be happy that his time away from our game has not been wasted.
Hurrah, Benny.

Out of context.

2005-08-29T22:24:00.000+10:00

I was walking through town today, on my lunch break, when I came across two women talking about something. As they approached, I heard one say to the other "He's got the best nuts!"
Now, I didn't see any other he's around. My mind started wondering, what the hell could they be talking about, mine where securely hidden. No freeballing here.
Hmmmm...

The Fourth test and Dallas Cowboys.

2005-08-23T22:48:00.000+10:00

Well we’ve got past the halfway mark of the 2005 Ashes series and the series is still alive, very rare compared to the past 10 series. The two remaining matches are live and the Aussies could still lose the Ashes. Prediction? I think Shaun Tait will come in for Gillespe who is badly out of form. The pitch at Trent Bridge is supposedly going to be a paceman’s paradise and will not suit two spinners. The groundsman has been making all sorts of noises that it won’t suit the spinners so even they are trying their best to screw with the Aussies minds. The batting lineup won’t change, I think Hodge deserves a go but he’s not from New South Wales! Katich will stay in.

I think the Aussies will prevail here and retain the Ashes, but it will be close. It has been absorbing cricket so far, about time too.

The leaves in the northern hemisphere are ready to change colour, so it must be time for the NFL to kick off with some practice matches. Tonight I’m watching the Cowboys vs Seahawks on Monday Night Football. I love this sport, it’s Chess on Turf. I could never understand the game, but I remember seeing it on late night TV with Don Lane. He explained a few of the intricacies and pretty soon it all made sense. The man that really cleared it up is John Madden, he is the best commentator on TV and he’s got his own strange habits. I understand that he drives a Winabago from game to game. So if the game is in Seattle this week and next week in Green Bay, he drives there. Also, he puts his “player of the game” on the side of his camper van with some sort of sticker/magnet arrangement. I think he’s afraid of flying so he keeps his wheels on the ground. [Must be costing a packet with fuel prices these days]

In AFL news, I’m over the season coz the Pies are so shocking lately, but that never stops me from speculating and barracking for any of the other Victorian teams. The Cats won this week (I tipped this!) with a very aggressive game and shut down the West Coast midfield. All the teams that have beaten the Coasters have been able to strangle the likes of Judd, Fletcher, Kerr etc. Good on the Cats, Honey will be happy. The only interest for me now is whether the pies can drop to last and get the number 1 draft pick. Is it that important, well, I’d say yes. While the rules are the way they are, it’s best to use them. You never know, there might be another Reiwoldt and Kositcke in the draft. That’s who we need.

Anyway, gotta go read some stuff.

Game Over.

I hate it when...

2005-08-23T22:11:00.000+10:00

I hate it when you type a whole bunch of stuff and then Blogger loses it for you. I learnt early to type up a word document than cut and paste it into blogger. Job Done, but I forgot, started typing and lost it all. FARK!!

What do you think you are doing?

2005-08-20T22:45:00.000+10:00

This is the way I imagine a conversation would go between the Smoking Mum In Tarago and I.

C: Hello.

SMIT: Hello. *cough*

C: I just noticed that you smoke in your car while driving to school with the kids in here with you.

SMIT: Well it's a habit I just can't shake. *hack cough*

C: I'm just concerned for the health of your kids, don't you think about the effects of 2nd hand smoke on them? It's not as if they can hide from the smoke inside the car.

SMIT: Umm... no, not really, do you think it may be harmful? *cough hack spit*

C: Yes, it's been proven many times that you are actually harming them, they could develop all sorts of problems and addictions just from inhaling your 2nd hand smoke. Here's some useful information.

SMIT: Gee, I never thought of it that way, maybe I've been too selfish. Thanks for helping me see the light. I better get myself onto those patches, eh? *cough cough*

C: that would be a wise decision. Now on your way SMIT, enjoy the rest of yours and their lives.

*Clokeeeey awakes from slumber and has real conversation with SMIT*

C: Hello

SMIT: What the F@*K do you want? *cough*

C: I just noticed that you smoke in your car while driving to school with the kids in here with you.

SMIT: What's it to do wiff you F@&Kface?. *hack cough*

C: I'm just concerned for the health of your kids, don't you think about the effects of 2nd hand smoke on them? It's not as if they can hide from the smoke inside the car.

SMIT: MY kids are alright, I don't need you do good F*#kers telling me how to raise my kids, why don't you just piss off *cough hack spit*

C: I don't think it's wise of you to talk like that in front of your kids.

Kid1: Mum said piss off, so piss off! *cough cough*

C: Umm, ok, if that's the way you want it. Here's my colt 45, I may as well short circuit the process. Bam, Bam.

*Clokeeeey wakes up again from the second nightmare*

Open letter to SMIT,
Stop doing it. Think of the children, surely you can wait 5 minutes while you drive to and from home. Kill yourself, but leave the kids alone. They are probably addicted already. Hopefully your not the type that belts them when they pick up the habit at age 13 too.
See you in the car park.

Clokeeeey.

note: no SMIT was actually shot, this is just a wishlist, guess which version is the wish?

Friday Night Lights.

2005-08-14T22:59:00.000+10:00

I've just watched this movie called Friday Night Lights. I loved it.

If follows the fortunes of an American High school football team, highlighting the pressures these 17 year olds are under not only from the team and the school, but the whole town. I didn't realize the amount of pressure they are placed under for a high school sport. With their dreams and aspirations hanging on every play, these kids lives are made or broken on Friday nights.

While this is a sports oriented movie, the sport is secondary. The kids are the story and their families and everyone around them. Highly recommended. You might even feel a moistness in your eyes at some point.

The next dvd I want to get is Hotel Rwanda. I know that will be hard to watch, but I just have to.

PS: No mention about my football team this week, the Pies lost to the Blues in another disappointing game. Luckily I wasn't at the game and no where near a TV to watch it. I can't see us winning another game this year, so last place is looking good for us. Where has the season gone?

I'm calling you out.

2005-08-12T23:10:00.000+10:00

Child abuse comes in many forms. There is the physical abuse, there is also mental abuse and then there is a hard to categorize type of abuse. It's sort of passive and probably a long term effect on children, a silent killer type of abuse.

[What are you on about, Clokeeeey?]

I'm on about this "parent" I saw this morning who was working on silently and deliberately bringing about the early demise of her children. She had a middle primary school aged child in the front passenger seat, plus 2 others in baby seats in the second row of the Tarago.

[Sounds pretty normal to me. What gives?]

Well, what disturbed my was what she was holding in her hand while driving. No, it wasn't a mobile phone, no it wasn't the herald sun. Yes it was a cigarette, a lit cigarette and she was puffing away, using the in car ashtray and just blowing away to her hearts content. Windows only marginally opened, but that really doesn't matter. No matter how wide open they are, the smoke still hangs around the driver.

What possesses a parent to smoke in a car with children on board. Do they just not care? I saw this again this afternoon, this time the windows were closed. Did she think the smoke would only go into her lungs and the kids will be safe as the bubble of stupidity that surrounds the driver will keep the air clean around the kids.

For fucks sake!

Last weeks paper had an article where the state government is considering legislation to fine people that smoke in cars where children are present. The question is, do we need legislation like this? Surely a parent that loves their kid(s) will not smoke in the car. Or maybe smokers just don't care about anyone else, maybe a fine is too lenient?

Well I'm sick of this type of abuse, so I'm calling the Tarago driver out. I have your rego and I'm not afraid to use.

EOD-808.

You should be ashamed of yourself, I loathe you. Give your kids a chance, they can't defend themselves. If you had driven close to where I parked my car, you would have heard a few well chosen, polite words. No point being abusive, I don't want to compound your kids problems with more abuse.

If anyone thinks this is a once off thing, don't, this is the 3rd time I've witnessed it and she never stops the car long enough for me to do anything about it. At least this time I got her rego.

Anyway, more sport later when the cricket finishes.

Look after your kids, you don't get many chances.

That second test.

2005-08-09T23:26:00.000+10:00

Well, I have to eat some humble pie. Australia lost the second test. Let's put it into perspective, Ponting wins the toss and bowls (dickhead). Our top order scored bugger all runs and then will still manage to get within 2 runs.

I was glued to that last hour of the match, I had pretty much given up as we still needed 100 runs with only 2 wickets left. Well I missed the Warne wicket as I channel surfed, but as the run chase got close and the electronic scoreboard at the ground kept showing an ever decreasing number to win, I could not move.

It reminded me of the famous test match in 82-83 at the MCG, I was sitting in a banana lounge on the balcony of our holiday house for that summer, portable TV at my feet and I remember it was about lunch time. Mum was yelling at me to come down and eat lunch (hot dogs as I recall) and I just ignored her calls, there was no way I was moving from that spot The run chase was almost over, we were going to win, if I moved it would be bad luck, something would happen. I didn't uncross my legs, my arm stayed behind my head and that seemed to help Thommo and Border. But then, the fatal blow, my younger brother came out on the balcony and disturbed the picture, I yelled at him and moved, then had to chase him out of the room. 2 minutes later, Thommo snicks the ball to some pommy plod at second slip who dropped the catch, but actually bumped it up to allow Botham the opportunity to jump across and catch the ball before it hit the ground. I wanted to clock my brother for causing this catastrophe. I was gutted.

This time round, there was no interference from a younger sibling, the kids stayed in bed, this time I can say, it wasn't my fault. One of the guys at work did say he moved just before that last wicket fell, I blame him!

Congratulations to the Poms, they did play better for 3 days.

Also, congratulations to Shane Warne, 1 wicket away from 600.

Apologies to chickybabe and m!key for returning to sports. It's what I do, but I might return to tech talk another time.

Top Ten Turn Ons and Offs.

2005-08-05T00:34:00.000+10:00

Top 10 Turn Ons.

1. A set of baps that just won't quit. Preferably fake and hard.
2. High heeled CFM boots.
3. Eyes that say CFM.
4. Long hair. Preferably brunette, If it's too short I won't be able to use it as reins.
5. Some hair downstairs but not a wolf spider.
6. I a little bit of a howler in bed.
7. Talks about footy in bed, Magpie talk only.
8. Has a Subaru WRX STi.
9. Can pole dance.
10. Brings a slab to a party.

Top 10 Turn Offs.

1. Hairy armpits.
2. Hairy top lip.
3. Hairy knuckles.
4. Muffin top dress sense.
5. Carlton supporters.
6. Farts.
7. Wears a thong and really shouldn't.
8. Lies about her age.
9. Likes Tom Cruise.
10. Uses an electric toothbrush as a vibrator, eeewwww.

OK, I'm looking around to see who I'm gonna tag. I reckon one of my pommy mates should have a go, so tag you Weasel (the cricket will still be there). I'd tag Bowlesy but his enjoying a break so leave him out of it.
Looking, looking, looking - I might just tag this one- Darcy.

Have fun with it.

Stumble on.

2005-08-01T19:37:00.000+10:00

Thanks to my buddy M!key, I've taken to Firefox with a passion (sort of). One of the cool extensions I've found is called Stumble on. As the name suggests, you configure it to suit your tastes, such as humour, christianity, political and countless other themes and Stumble on will stumble around the net and find you web site that meets your criteria. You can then rate the site, bookmark it etc. Very random way to look around, I love it.

Bow and Arrow is one example of the sort of random things I've stumbled upon. Shoot an arrow straight up in the air and see what happens when it lands on you.

Also loaded the Wikipedia search extension which is quite handy.

In other news, I'm watching Mythbusters now and fair dinkum, I can't believe what they are doing tonight. They have another remote control car situation and it has been running out of control. The first time Adam was in the car, the second time it was heading for the bay. The point of the stunt? Whatever it is, they haven't made it work, yet.

Ferrari fights back.

2005-08-01T00:07:00.000+10:00

I noticed that in the Hungarian grand prix, the Ferrari has finally put itself on pole position and seems to be going well in the early running of the race.

The Aussie cricketers are playing some sort of shire in blighty. On the frst day they managed to bowl 1 over. Typical English weather settled in and wrecked the day. Hopefully they'll get to play the other 2 days which is all they would need to wrap up a county match.

The Australian new soccer league the A-League pre season cup started this week. This is the new revamped Australian competition which has reduced the number of teams, has removed the dependancy on ethnic groups to support the teams and hopefully will appeal to the Australian masses that have for some reason or another, not embraced the round ball code. When I was a kid, the game was referred to as "wog ball", I'm not sure that it is called that now but it would explain why so many football fans didn't flock to soccer. I actually think it's more to do with the lack of scoring in comparison to other options in Australia.

The swimming world campionships are about to close in Montreal Canada, with the Americans and Australians fighting for bragging rights. We will always claim that given the size of our country (population wise) we should be lucky to win any event at all, but we have won about 10 gold medals to the Americans 15 or so.

Ok, that's it for now.
Game Over.