Eagles win thriller by solitary point 
THE West Coast Eagles held off Sydney by one point to win today's AFL Grand Final at the MCG.

West Coast 12.13 (85) defeated Sydney 12.12 (84)

[listening to: All You Have To Do - Jet ]
5:25:01 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Happy Birthday Ethernet!!!!

September 30: Independence Day in Botswana (1966)

• 1399 - The Duke of Lancaster deposed Richard II to become Henry IV of England, merging the Duchy of Lancaster with the crown.
• 1939 - World War II: General W³adys³aw Sikorski (pictured) became Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile.
• 1966 - Seretse Khama became the first President of Botswana when the Bechuanaland Protectorate gained independence from the United Kingdom.
• 1980 - Ethernet specifications were first published by Xerox, Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation.
• 1991 - Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in a coup d'état and replaced by General Raoul Cédras. A large-scale exodus of boat people ensued.

[listening to: Joker & The Thief - Wolfmother ]
10:02:25 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

I had a little piece published in the September edition of the Global Corporate Challenge Newsletter

It's from my adventures at the PLC Garden Day last week

Saturday 23rd September, 2006

6.45am: Pedometer reading 0. The kids get me out of bed. Today is the PLC garden day and my wife needs to get there early to help setup the book stall.

8.45am: Pedometer reading: 1088. Car loaded, breakfast done, kids washed and dressed. I surprise myself with the pedometer reading. I think I went up and down the stairs about 10 times.

9.45am: Pedometer reading: 1506. I deliberately parked far away from the event. A round trip to the car is going to be about 1000 steps and I reckon I will do this trip a few times.

10.55am: Pedometer reading: 2134. Been at Kiddy Korner for almost an hour. Brice (my 6 year old) has been on all the rides. I buy tickets one at a time, so that I have to walk to the ticket seller. It's not far, but every little bit helps.

11.15am: Pedometer reading: 3130: Have to go back to the car to get a blanket. My cunning plan of parking far away will help drive up those steps.

11.30am: Pedometer reading: 3333. Quick rest stop and Devonshire Tea. The Year 11 girls are serving tea and scones. We have to do our part to help with the fundraising.

11.55am: Pedometer reading: 4326. Back to the car. Drop off some of the stuff the kids have bought and I no longer want to carry. I'd rather walk it back, than lug it around.

12.25pm: Pedometer reading: 5097. The girls want to look at the jewellery stalls, but Brice wants to buy something at the Black Rhino stall. These things are at the opposite end of the venue. Another opportunity for a walk across the school grounds.

12.55pm: Pedometer reading: 6100. The boys have had enough so we walk back to the car again and head home for a bit of a rest.

2.15pm: Pedometer reading: 9205. Brice wants to have a light sabre battle. I convince him to go for a walk around the block *WHILE* we have a battle. Imagine what the neighbours must think as we walk past trying to wack each other with these things.

5.30pm: Pedometer reading: 10012. Moira arrived exhausted from the garden day and delegates the dinner preparation to me. Oh Joy!

7.30pm: Pedometer reading: 10347. Get the little ones ready for bed. I agree to carry Brice up the stairs.

9.30pm: Pedometer reading: 19012. I get onto the treadmill and spend an hour or so walking before settling down for the night. Check team watch stats and discover we are the top team in the company and beating those guys from Readify. I can sleep soundly tonight!

[listening to: Come Around Again - Jet ]
4:35:00 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Random

Interesting. Bluey gets a second interview

McKenna earns a second interview with Saints
The Age, Australia - 26 Sep 2006
COLLINGWOOD assistant coach Guy McKenna has been invited back for a second interview for the vacant St Kilda coaching position. McKenna has already been interviewed once by Ian Foote of Stride Management, the ...
Last rites finally for the coach having to be Jock of all trades The Australian
all 3 news articles »

5:20:17 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

You Are Best Described By...

Impression, Sunrise By Claude Monet

5:11:59 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

September 27: Meskel in Ethiopia and Eritrea; World Tourism Day.

• 1825 - Locomotion No. 1 (pictured) hauled the first train on opening day of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first railway to use steam locomotives and carry passengers.
• 1905 - Albert Einstein published the article "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?", introducing the equation E=mc².
• 1940 - World War II: The Tripartite Pact was signed in Berlin by the major Axis Powers — Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and the Empire of Japan.
• 1988 - Led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy was founded in Burma (now known as Myanmar).
• 1983 - Richard Stallman announced the GNU project to develop a free Unix-like operating system.

[listening to: Mind's Eye - Wolfmother ]
9:31:40 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek

September 26: European Day of Languages

• 1580 - The Golden Hind sailed into Plymouth, England, as Francis Drake (pictured) completed his circumnavigation of the globe.
• 1687 - The Parthenon in Athens was partially destroyed during an armed conflict between Venetian and Ottoman forces.
• 1907 - Newfoundland and New Zealand became dominions within the British Empire.
• 1957 - West Side Story, a musical written by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, and produced and directed by Jerome Robbins, made its debut on Broadway.
• 1983 - Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov of the Soviet Union averted a worldwide nuclear war.

[listening to: Pyramid - Wolfmother ]
8:09:20 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek

So, the Brownlow medal went to Sydney's Adam Goodes

Goodonya Goodie

Here's the final leaderboard

• Adam Goodes - 26
• Scott West - 23
• Daniel Kerr - 22*
• Chris Judd - 21
• Brad Johnson - 19
• Matthew Pavlich - 15
• Shaun Burgoyne - 15
• Brendon Lade - 15
• Paul Chapman - 14

Well the rumour mill wasn't too far from the truth, as it predicted Adam Goodes too.

The Saints had a crap showing. No player made it in the top 10.

ST KILDA
12: Robert Harvey
10: Nick Dal Santo
8: * Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt
6: Fraser Gehrig, Brendon Goddard
5: Jason Gram
3: Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
2: Samuel Fisher
1: Matt Maguire, * Max Hudghton, Brett Voss

What I found amusing has been the coverage of the "fashions".

The Saint's players did well on this score

[listening to: Human Jukebox - Sandi Thom ]
8:05:58 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

My son Antony (or as he prefers to be know as 'Rigo) has started a new blog http://antonyarrigo.wordpress.com

He's tells me that he is going to start a videoblog too.

I'm curious to hear what he will have to say

[listening to: Mind's Eye - Wolfmother ]
11:03:29 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

I saw an ad on ABC TV tonight, The IT Crowd is coming to the big screen this week.

The IT Crowd
Yesterday's Jam

9:00pm  Wednesday, September 27, 2006

From the writer of Father Ted and Black Books, get ready to delve into the off-the-wall world of an IT department, with the new six-part comedy series, The IT Crowd, starting Wednesday 27 September at 9pm.

Best friends Roy (Chris O'Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade) spend their days working in the IT Department of Reynholm Industries, solving other people's computer dilemmas, or at least pretending to. But while their social betters work upstairs in fantastic surrounds with great views and unisex toilets, they are relegated to the horrible dark basement underneath it all.

Moss is highly intelligent but has the social skills of a serial killer. He can't communicate with anything that doesn't have a keyboard and he's still dressed by his mum.

Roy on the other hand, is someone whose spiky personality ensures that he will always be kept as far away from normal people as possible. Working in the basement, away from prying eyes, he's able to indulge his love of everything that is bad for him; fast food, comics and endless nonsensical arguments with Moss.

Their world is shattered when the highly ambitious Jen (Katherine Parkinson) joins the team as their new manager. Jen has dreamed of being a high-powered businesswoman all her life, or at least that's what she claims on her resume. With her imitation Armani suit and the ability to tell the most outrageous lies while keeping a straight face, she knows absolutely nothing about computers, but isn't about to admit it.

[listening to: Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll [#] [#] - The Killers ]
8:06:37 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • TV

Emma and Bricey braved the elements and went for a swim on Sunday 24/9.

The first official swim in the pool for the season.

It was a good way to cool off on such a hot & windy day.

[listening to: Bohemiath (Dialogue) - Steven Wright ]
1:38:06 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

Ace

You Belong in Australia

Ace! Sunny, upbeat, and cute You make the perfect surf bum Now stop hogging the vegemite!

[listening to: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine - The Killers ]
11:58:20 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

It's a hot and windy day today in Sydney.

State braced for bushfires
A total fire ban is in place across large parts of NSW, amid forecasts of soaring temperatures and strong winds.

What's really worrying is that the whole state is so dry means we could be in for a hot hot summer

[listening to: Let It Be - Nick Cave ]
11:22:33 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

From my friends over at Saintsatinal

TOP 15 in the 2006 Brownlow Medal

• S Goodwin 28
• A Goodes 28
• B Johnson 27
• N Riewoldt 26
• C Judd 18
• N Buckley 18
• C Bruce 18
• S West 17
• S Mitchell 16
• N Dal Santo 15
• N Thompson 14
• B Hall 14
• J Brown 13
• D Kerr 13
• T Edwards 13
• C Cornes 13

Looks believable

[listening to: Somebody Told Me - The Killers ]
7:13:46 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

A big day in the school year. Today is the PLC Garden DAY

Moira gets to sort books

Emma gets to drive Jeeps

Brice goes in inflatable things

We get to have Devonshire Tea served by the Year 11 girls

[listening to: Ridiculous Thoughts - The Cranberries ]
3:49:38 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

September 22: Rosh Hashanah, 5767 begins at sunset (Judaism, 2006); Independence Day in Bulgaria (1908) and Mali (1960); Car Free Day in Europe & Canada.

• 1776 - Captain Nathan Hale, an American Revolutionary spy from the Continental Army, was hanged by British forces.
• 1792 - France adopted the Republican Calendar.
• 1869 - Das Rheingold, the first of four operas in Der Ring des Nibelungen by German composer Richard Wagner (pictured), was first performed in Munich.
• 1980 - Iraq launched an invasion of Iran, starting the Iran-Iraq War.

[listening to: Everything Will Be Alright - The Killers ]
6:31:05 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Hey Geoff : Snap!

You Are Incredibly Logical

Move over Spock - you're the new master of logic You think rationally, clearly, and quickly. A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer!

9:02:42 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

What an awesome speech....

"My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him."

"He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun.

"I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did.

"He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live.

"He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together.

"I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end.

"I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.

"I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day.

"When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals.

"Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help Daddy."

[listening to: All These Things That I've Done - The Killers ]
11:22:18 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • TV

September 20:

• 1378 - Papal Schism: Unhappy with Pope Urban VI (pictured), a group of cardinals elected a rival papacy in Antipope Clement VII, throwing the Roman Catholic Church into a turmoil.
• 1854 - The Crimean War began with a Franco-British victory over Russian forces in the Battle of Alma.
• 1870 - The Bersaglieri entered Rome, ending the temporal power of the Pope and completing the unification of Italy.
• 1906 - The ocean liner RMS Mauretania, the largest and fastest ship in the world at the time, was launched in Newcastle, England.
• 1973 - Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets before 30,492 spectators at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas in an internationally televised tennis match dubbed the "Battle of the Sexes".

[listening to: All These Things That I've Done - The Killers ]
8:45:29 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Some good news for the Saints, as some key players re-sign with the club for the long term.

St Kilda re-signs Brendon Goddard The Age, Australia - 14 hours ago Brendon Goddard has become the latest St Kilda player to confirm his AFL future after signing for two more seasons. Goddard, the No.1 pick in the 2002 draft, committed to the Saints until the end of the 2008 season. Harvey to play a 20th season The Australian Goddard commits to Saints The Australian all 6 news articles » sportal.com.au Goddard re-signs for two years sportal.com.au, Australia - 16 hours ago St Kilda has followed up a tumultuous week with the positive news young midfielder Brendon Goddard has committed to the club for another two years. Goddard a Saint to '08 AFL all 2 news articles »

[listening to: It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones ]
8:47:19 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I read this book to the kids tonight when I put them to bed

How I Became A Pirate:
by Melinda Long, David Shannon
# Harcourt Children's Books (2003)
ISBN: 0152018484

[listening to: Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve ]
8:53:27 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Geek

It's not just Talk Like A Pirate Day

September 19: Independence Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983), Armed Forces Day in Chile, International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

• 1356 - Hundred Years' War: Despite a shortage of arrows, English and Welsh forces led by Edward the Black Prince decisively won the Battle of Poitiers and captured King Jean II of France.
• 1692 - Giles Corey, who had refused to enter a plea, was pressed to his death during the Salem witch trials.
• 1893 - New Zealand became the first country to introduce universal suffrage, following the women's suffrage movement led by Kate Sheppard.
• 1982 - ":-)" and ":-(" were first proposed by Scott Fahlman for use as emoticons .
• 1995 - The Manifesto of "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski (police sketch pictured) was published in The Washington Post and The New York Times, almost three months after it was submitted.

[listening to: Sunset Borderline - Sandi Thom ]
4:13:13 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek • Random

Tomorrow's the day

In anticipation, here's the top 10 pickup lines

10 . Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?

9. Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?

8. Come on up and see me urchins.

7. Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you.

6. I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon.

5. Pardon me, but would ya mind if fired me cannon through your porthole?

4. How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?

3. Ya know, darlin’, I’m 97 percent chum free.

2. Well blow me down?

And the number one pickup line for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day is …

1. Prepare to be boarded.

8:04:45 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

The Saints continue to feature in the news, including a scatching report card.

sportal.com.au

2006 report card: St Kilda AFL, Australia - 42 minutes ago What went right: St Kilda made its third consecutive finals series this season, which was only the second time in the club's history that it had achieved this feat. Saints first considered sacking Thomas two years ago The Age Thomas' position shaky for years The Age Roos offers Thomas support Townsville Bulletin The Australian - sportal.com.au all 10 news articles »

Harvey to play