Welcome to our new home!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 *

*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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.