Emma decided to wake us up very early. That girl really needs to get lazy and learn to sleep in. 
 
We corralled the kids and got them ready to face the day. We left the hotel bound for Brunetti  in Carlton - yum, good place for breakfast. A couple of cannoli and short blacks later we were ready to face the adventure of the day -- Melbourne Aquarium!!!

Back the hotel at the end of the day and I take the kids to the hotel pool to let them splash and annoy the other guests. They succeeded on both fronts.

After the swim, it was time to really exhaust the kids - we went for a walk down Bourke St and ended up at The Pancake Parlour for dinner - lovely. I even got to go to Gaslight Records and introuce Billy to Madness.

9:03:44 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

We had good intentions to leave Canberra early. We really did.

We left town at 9am, heading down the highway destined for the Hume. Some rain greeted us as we made our way out of the ACT and into NSW.

We made a quick stop at 10 miles from Gundagai - gotta say hi to the dog on the tuckerbox. Another stop at the dinki-di Ettamogah Pub for lunch. They really do make the best burgers. Next thing we know its 5pm and we have hit the edge of Melbourne - great, its raining and it's rush hour. Another hour crawling through the traffic and we get to our hotel. Time to rest. Good thing there is broadband access in the room.

6:09:39 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

On Day 1 of our holiday we headed down the hume to Canberra. It was a quick trip.

We went to the Floriade, which is one of our traditional September destinations. From the flower extravaganza, we headed to one of our new favourite locations - Goodberry's Frozen Custard. Personally, this doesn't appeal to me, but all my kids seem to like it. After chilling out for a while, we decided we would go out for dinner - the Mawson Club beckons.

In the morning we head south to Melbourne. Wish me luck

11:19:10 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

I've got 2 weeks of holidays coming up. I'm taking the family on our regular trip - Canberra, Melbourne, Narooma.

We're taking both our cars, which means I'm taking my Audi. This will be fun. Hopefully I can have the top down for some of the trip.

We stocked up on DVDs for the kids so they can be entertained on the road - Star Wars Trilogy, Simpsons Series 1,2,3 & 4, Futurama Series 1,2,3 & 4.

I'm taking my tablet too - I may get a chance to blog while on holidays.

[listening to: From St. Kilda To Kings Cross - Paul Kelly ]
2:45:48 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

The most anticipated DVD set of all-time has finally arrived.

I'm getting my copy tonight

2:32:10 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random • TV

Last week, I wrote about Bricey and the whistle he swallowed

It came out earlier this week - don't ask!

Here's the xray to prove the story.

Before	After

11:57:00 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

I got to spoil my kids this weekend - i took them to TWO movies. How lucky are they!!!

First I took Brice (the one who swallowed the whistle) to see the Thunderbirds movie. He loved it, because he is a 4 year old boy. Brice and I were the only people in the theatre. I have never been the only person in a theatre before. It was like my own personal BIG television room.

Then, on Sunday, I took Brice, Emma & Bill to see Garfield. The theatre was full, and the movie barely lasted 80 minutes. $40 for 80 minutes!  This is such a money spinner. Most times it works out cheaper for me to buy a DVD from AMAZON, get it shipped at the top rate and watch it at home with the gang, What did I think about the movie -- hmmm, Jennifer Love Hewitt wore really short, tight skirts.

[listening to: Hey Mamma - Black Eyed Peas ]
5:46:11 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • My Interests

Gehrig's feat a boon for Port
The three-minute break in play caused by a ground invasion for Fraser Gehrig's 100th goal helped get Port Adelaide back into Friday night's preliminary final. more

Harvey won't be going: coach
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas yesterday said Robert Harvey would play on next year. more

Saints plan to be young at heart
St Kilda's search for improvement will start at another overseas pre-season training camp and be driven largely from within, with coach Grant Thomas expecting the club's youngsters to guide it up the ladder. more

[listening to: Hey Love - Shaggy ]
11:29:52 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Brisbane 12.12 (84) Geelong 10.15 (75)

BRISBANE 3.3 6.4 9.10 12.12 (84)
GEELONG 3.5 5.8 8.12 10.15 (75)
Goals: Brisbane: D Bradshaw 4 M Voss 2 N Lappin J Brown A Lynch T Notting J Akermanis B Caracella. Geelong: K Kingsley 2 C Ling 2 C Gardiner 2 G Ablett 2 P Chapman J Corey.
Best: Brisbane: M Michael L Power N Lappin D Bradshaw C Johnson S Black. Geelong: J Hunt B Graham C Ling D Milburn T Harley D Johnson.
Umpires M James H Kennedy C Rowe.
Official Crowd: 55,768 at the MCG.

10:16:17 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

10:11:01 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

10:05:16 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I have recently become the happy user of a new Tablet PC

Today I migrated my blog to the new system and this will be my first new post.

8:03:05 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

PORT ADELAIDE 4.0 8.3 10.8 14.10 (94) ST KILDA 4.5 7.5 10.9 13.10 (88)
Goals: Port Adelaide: W Tredrea 3 B Lade 2 G Wanganeen 2 D Brogan K Cornes J Carr D Cassisi S Dew R James J Mahoney.
St Kilda: F Gehrig 5 N Riewoldt 3 L Ball 2 N Dal Santo B Voss H Black.
Best: Port Adelaide: R James W Tredrea K Cornes D Brogan B Lade J Mahoney S Burgoyne.
St Kilda: L Hayes R Harvey S Powell F Gehrig N Riewoldt N Dal Santo.
Umpires: B Allen S McLaren S McInerney.
Official Crowd: 46,978 at AAMI Stadium.

Port Adelaide is into its first ever AFL grand final after beating St Kilda by six points in a heart-stopping preliminary final at AAMI Stadium tonight.

A despairing lunge by Power defender Shaun Burgoyne at the feet of Saint Brent Guerra with less than a minute to play saved a certain goal and preserved a 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88) victory for the home side.

Port will meet the winner of tomorrow night's Brisbane-Geelong preliminary final to decide the 2004 premiership, and after an extraordinary record of success in the SANFL competition, the Power will get a chance to win its first flag in the big time.

Carrying the weight of its 'finals choker' tag into the match, Port started slowly but prevailed in a nerve-wracking second half when the lead changed hands several times and the margin was never more than two goals in either sides' favour.

An amazing snap goal from former captain Gavin Wanganeen put Port six points up after 21 minutes of the final quarter, and they hung on with grim determination in a frantic final few minutes.

It appeared the Saints would draw level at the very death when Guerra - a former Port player - raced toward a loose ball in the goalsquare, only for Burgoyne to dive at full length to block the ball in the manner of a soccer goalkeeper.

Port then soaked up the final seconds until the final siren which sent the home crowd into delirium.

The loss ended an extraordinary season for St Kilda which broke a club-record winning streak to start the season, but who tapered away in the run-in to the finals.

Well aware that Port Adelaide very rarely loses a match when it leads at quarter-time, St Kilda knew it had to begin well to unsettle opponents and silence a 50,000-strong crowd.

They did so, dominating play early and delivering full forward Fraser Gehrig the two goals he needed to bring up 100 for the season within just ten minutes of the first quarter.

But the subsequent ground invasion by fans to mark the milestone came at the worst time for St Kilda, as Port - already 14 points down - were able to gather their thoughts for a few minutes and immediately hit back with two quick goals.

The Saints had little reward for their first quarter dominance, holding a slender five-point lead at quarter-time, but importantly they had prevented a Power confidence boost.

Port had been hanging in only by their forward efficiency and ruck dominance, but the game evened up in the second quarter and at half-time the home side was in front by four points and the game was shaping as a September classic.

With the game in the balance, the half-time break provided an opportunity for players of both sides to ponder the grand final berth on offer, and that was perhaps reflected in an error-riddled third quarter.

Scoring opportunities were at a premium, and that suited the visitors more than Port, which was in unfamiliar territory having recorded an average winning margin of 55 points in home games this year.

Lenny Hayes was providing the grunt around the packs for the Saints, while Port star Warren Tredrea carried his side's hopes on his broad shoulders and kicked three goals to three-quarter time.

Port went out to an 11-point lead after 11 minutes of the final quarter when Dean Brogan was paid a dubious free-kick straight in front of goals.

But St Kilda answered immediately and when Luke Ball goaled after 18 minutes scores were level and extra-time beckoned for just the second time in AFL history before Wanganeen and Burgoyne's intervention. [Realfooty]

12:50:05 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Brave St Kilda has gone down by a goal in a classic preliminary final at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. In one of the best games of football imaginable, the Power hung on in a thrilling finish to win 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88) to send a record Port finals crowd of nearly 47,000 delirious with joy at the final siren. Robert Harvey was magnificent with 27 touches in his 300th game, while Fraser Gehrig booted five, including his 100th for the season. [FULL STORY]

12:45:36 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Port Adelaide is through to its first grand final since joining the AFL in 1997 after outlasting St Kilda by six points in classic preliminary final at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. Fraser Gehrig booted his 100th goal in the first term, but the Power steadied thereafter. Gavin Wanganeen, quiet all night, bobbed up late to snap the match-winner from deep on the boundary [more]

12:44:09 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

PORT Adelaide is into its first ever AFL grand final after beating St Kilda by six points in a heart-stopping preliminary final at AAMI Stadium tonight.

12:39:33 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Port Adelaide has advanced to its first grand final with a thrilling six-point win over St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Friday night – 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88).

In a thrilling encounter the scores were level late in the last quarter before Gavin Wanganeen – unseen for most of the match – stepped in to play the hero for the Power with a sensational right-foot snap goal that got the home side over the line.

The lead changed hands several times throughout the game with neither side managing to open up a decisive margin.

Roger James was influential in the Power midfield – finishing with 28 touches and a goal – while the attacking duo of Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt shared 18 marks and eight goals between them for St Kilda.

Gehrig reached his 100-goal milestone with his second goal of the match in the first quarter and was quickly escorted from the ground as fans rushed onto the oval to congratulate him – forcing a three-minute suspension of play.

The match was played at a frenetic pace and players from both sides were out on their feet in the tension-packed dying minutes of the game.

The Saints had the opportunity to force a draw in the last minutes of the match but their forward thrust broke down and Brent Guerra was unable to soccer through the ball as it bounced toward goal.

The game ended with a series of hard-fought stoppages deep in the St Kilda forward pocket but Port was able to bottle up the play to seal the win.

Port Adelaide: 4.0, 8.3, 10.8, 14.10 (94)
St Kilda: 4.5, 7.5, 10.9, 13.10 (88)

Goals: Port Adelaide: Tredrea 3, Lade 2, Wanganeen 2, James, K Cornes, Carr, Cassisi, Dew, Mahoney, Brogan
St Kilda: Gehrig 5, Riewoldt 3, Ball 2, Dal Santo, Voss, Black

Best: Port Adelaide: James, K Cornes, Wilson, Tredrea, P Burgoyne, Wanganeen
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Powell, Harvey, Gehrig, Thompson, Hayes

Injuries: Port Adelaide: None
St Kilda: None

Changes: St Kilda: Hamill (knee) replaced in selected side by Knobel

Reports: None

Umpires: Allen, McLaren, McInerney

Crowd: 46,978 at AAMI Stadium

12:38:31 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

12:35:28 AM    comment []  trackback []     • My Hobbies

My little Brice is a child that likes to live on the edge.

In his short life he has had a broken leg, a broken arm, pneumonia, impetigo, countless cuts & bruises, but yesterday he experienced his personal hilight.

He swallowed a whistle!

Not a big one, but it was long, straight and slippery. It went right in. I haved the X-ray to prove it.

The whistle is still in there. I have been checking all day after he goes to the batchroom. We are informed by the good doctors that it will eventually come out. I dont know if I will take a photo when that happens!

[listening to: Opps I did it again - Britney Spears ]
4:37:27 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

My friend Cameron Reilly has started a new business called The Noumenon Group.

He wants to be the leading Biztalk company in Australia. He said so on his blog.

So, its time to crank up the google juice for Biztalk Australia and here's my bit to help.

When you are looking for a Biztalk specialist in Australia, make sure you talk to The Noumenon Group.

9:06:02 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Friends • My Organization

5:23:23 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda has kept its premiership hopes alive with a 51-point win over Sydney in the AFL semi-final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Saints now move on to a preliminary final against Port Adelaide, while the Swans bow out for season 2004.

St Kilda trailed by five points at the first change but kicked 15 goals to Sydney's six in the final three quarters to win 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56).

Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt starred for St Kilda - Gehrig kicking six goals while Nick Riewoldt notched up 15 kicks, six handballs, 21 touches and 12 marks.

Stephen Milne, recalled for the match after an up and down season, impressed with four goals, while veterans Roberty Harvey (26 touches) and Andrew Thompson (20 touches) made their mark on the game.

Jude Bolton tried hard for the Swans with 22 possessions and a goal, while Barry Hall chipped in with two goals.

The win was a confidence booster for the Saints, who came into the game with just one win from their past 10 encounters with the Swans.

The Saints will take on the Power next Friday night for a place in the grand final.

Opening quarter

Amon Buchanan recorded the first goal of the match when, after managing just minor scores with his first two shots at goal, he finally found the target with a left-foot drop punt from 40 metres out.

The Saints responded in quick fashion through Fraser Gehrig, whose goal pulled the home side back within one point.

The Swans kept up the attack with forward Barry Hall marking in front of defender Max Hudghton in the corner of the goal square.

Hall made no mistake from close range to extend Sydney's lead.

The Saints missed the chance to level the scores late in the quarter when Jason Blake failed to capitalise on his good work to mark in front of Adam Goodes.

Blake missed a relatively easy shot from 40 metres, ensuring the Swans led 2.3 (15) to 1.4 (10) at quarter-time.

However the Saints bounced back to reclaim the lead within two minutes of the restart - Justin Koschitzke booting a goal from 30 metres out.

Misses from Gehrig and Nick Reiwolt could have proved costly when Matthew Nicks found the target for the Swans.

And when Michael O'Loughlin kicked the Swans' fourth the margin had skipped out to 10 points.

But the home side responded with three straight goals - Stephen Milne, Gehrig and Luke Ball amongst the action - to lead at the main break.

Second half

Goals to Justin Peckett, Steven Baker and a second to Milne saw the Saints take control of the match in the third quarter.

The Swans were staved of possession and it took until the 17th minute of the term, and a super individual effort from Jason Ball, for the visitors to post a major score.

However, a snap from Ryan O'Keefe and a goal to Bolton saw the Swans creep back within two goals.

The Saints, to their credit, stepped up again with Milne kicking his third and Nick Dal Santo scoring from 50 metres out.

At three-quarter time St Kilda led 10. 9 (69) to 7.4 (46).

The Saints, and in particular Gehrig, ran riot in the final term.

They piled on six goals, four of those to Gehrig, while restricting the Swans to just one major score to complete a convincing victory.

[listening to: Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey ]
11:06:51 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda will meet Port Adelaide in a preliminary final after defeating Sydney by 51 points at the MCG.  [more]

[listening to: If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas) - Shirley Bassey ]
11:03:58 PM    comment []  trackback []     • My Hobbies

St Kilda 16.11 (107) Sydney 8.8 (56)
ST KILDA reigned supreme in a sodden AFL semi-final tonight, thrashing Sydney by 51 points at the MCG.

Stepping stylishly out into their first game in the wet this season, the Saints soaked up Sydney's pressure as the rain fell early then they surged ahead through six successive goals.

The win before a crowd of 50,671 earned St Kilda a preliminary final against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Friday.

While the rain eased off in the second half, the Saints played the best football in the conditions by moving the ball by foot, handling it little and overwhelming Sydney with fierce defensive pressure.

Coleman medallist Fraser Gehrig was the beneficiary of the slick movement and booted six goals to take his season tally to 98, while Stephen Milne proved an inspired selection with four goals from a forward pocket.

St Kilda captain Lenny Hayes was outstanding with 12 tackles, Aussie Jones vindicated his All-Australian selection across half-back and veterans Robert Harvey – in game No.299 – and Justin Peckett were tireless throughout.

The Swans finished the night both out of puff and out of personnel.

[more]

[listening to: All of them ladies - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
11:01:07 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

ST KILDA reigned supreme in a sodden AFL semi-final tonight, thrashing Sydney by 51 points at the MCG.

[listening to: Take it slow - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
10:52:56 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda has staged an amazing form turnaround to defeat Sydney by 51 points at the MCG on Friday night in the second semi-final.

Nick Riewoldt starred with 21 touches and 11 marks, while Fraser Gehrig (six goals) and Robert Harvey were also outstanding.

The Swans are finished for 2004, while the Saints play Port Adelaide next Friday for a Grand Final berth. [FULL STORY]

[listening to: Full moon - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
10:50:00 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda will meet Port Adelaide in next Friday night's preliminary final after defeating a battered Sydney by 51 points in a gritty semi-final at a wet MCG.

Inspired by veterans Andrew Thompson, Robert Harvey and Justin Peckett - who shared 59 possessions - the Saints responded to the 80-point belting inflicted by Brisbane last week and progress to the next September round full of confidence.

In a triumph for coach Grant Thomas, who lifted his team out of the mental trough, the Saints quelled the defiant Swans - who after looking well beaten reduced the margin to 11 points late in the third term - to triumph 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56).

[more]

[listening to: Pussy Town - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
10:45:33 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I can't wait until tonight.

Few have faith, but we have history on our side.

[listening to: Way Down - Elvis Presley ]
4:16:52 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I really liked Fahrenheit 9/11. It was a terrific movie. I still havent taken Moira to see it, which makes her mad at me.

I got the latest email from Michael Moore today and I felt compelled to post it.

Why I Will Not Seek a Best Documentary Oscar
(I'm giving it up in the hopes more voters can see "Fahrenheit 9/11")

9/6/04
Dear Friends,

I had dinner recently with a well-known pollster who had often worked for Republicans. He told me that when he went to see "Fahrenheit 9/11" he got sodistraught he twice had to go out in the lobby and pace during the movie.

"The Bush White House left open a huge void when it came to explaining the war to the American people," he told me. "And your film has filled that void -- and now there is no way to defeat it. It is the atomic bomb of this campaign."

He told me how he had conducted an informal poll with "Fahrenheit 9/11" audiences in three different cities and the results were all the same. "Essentially, 80% of the people going IN to see your movie are already likely Kerry voters and the movie has galvanized them in a way you rarely see Democrats galvanized.

"But, here's the bad news for Bush: Though 80% going IN to your movie are Kerry voters, 100% of those COMING OUT of your movie are Kerry voters. You can't come out of this movie and say, 'I am absolutely and enthusiastically voting for George W. Bush.'"

His findings are similar to those in other polls conducted around the country. In Pennsylvania, a Keystone poll showed that 4% of Kerry's support has come from people who decided to vote for him AFTER seeing "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- and in an election that will be very close, 4% is a landslide. A Harris poll found that 44% of Republicans who see the film give it a "positive" rating. Another poll, to be released this week, shows a 21-point shift in Bush's approval rating, after just one viewing of the movie, among audiences of undecideds who were shown "Fahrenheit 9/11" in Ohio.

My pollster friend told me that he believes if Kerry wins, "Fahrenheit 9/11" will be one of the top three reasons for his election. Kerry's only problem, he said, is how many people will actually be able to see it before election day. The less that see it, the better for Bush.

But 20 million people have already seen it -- and the Gallup poll said that 56% of the American public has seen or plans to see "Fahrenheit 9/11" either in the theater or on home video. The DVD and home video of our film, thanks to our distributors listening to our pleas to release it before November, will be in the stores on October 5. This is very good news.

But can it also be shown on TV? I brought this possibility up in this week's Rolling Stone interview. Our contract with our DVD distributor says no, it cannot. I have asked them to show it just once, perhaps the night before the election. So far, no deal. But I haven't given up trying.

The only problem with my desire to get this movie in front of as many Americans as possible is that, should it air on TV, I will NOT be eligible to submit "Fahrenheit 9/11" for Academy Award consideration for Best Documentary. Academy rules forbid the airing of a documentary on television within nine months of its theatrical release (fiction films do not have the same restriction).

Although I have no assurance from our home video distributor that they would allow a one-time television broadcast -- and the chances are they probably won't -- I have decided it is more important to take that risk and hope against hope that I can persuade someone to put it on TV, even if it's the night before the election.

Therefore, I have decided not to submit "Fahrenheit 9/11" for consideration for the Best Documentary Oscar. If there is even the remotest of chances that I can get this film seen by a few million more Americans before election day, then that is more important to me than winning another documentary Oscar. I have already won a Best Documentary statue. Having a second one would be nice, but not as nice as getting this country back in the hands of the majority.

The deadline to submit the film for the documentary Oscar was last Wednesday. I told my crew who worked on the film, let's let someone else have that Oscar. We have already helped to ignite the biggest year ever for nonfiction films. Last week, 1 out of every 5 films playing in movie theaters across America was a documentary! That is simply unheard of. There have been so many great nonfiction films this year, why not step aside and share what we have with someone else? Remove the 800-pound gorilla from that Oscar category and let the five films who get nominated have all the attention they deserve (instead of the focus being on a film that has already had more than its share of attention).

I've read a lot about "Fahrenheit" being a "sure bet" for the documentary Oscar this year. I don't believe anything is truly a "sure bet." And, in the end, I think sometimes it's good for your soul to give up something everyone says is so easily yours (ask Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps why he gave up his spot in the last race to someone else equally deserving, and you'll know what I am talking about).

I have informed our distributors of my decision. They support me (in fact, they then offered to submit our film for all the other categories it is eligible for, including Best Picture -- so, hey, who knows, maybe I'll get to complete that Oscar speech from 2003! Sorry, just kidding).

Don't get your hopes up for seeing "Fahrenheit 9/11" on TV before the election. In fact, I would count on NOT seeing it there (you know me, I'm always going after something I probably shouldn't). Get to the theaters soon, if you haven't already, or get it from the video s