sunday stealing
1 week ago
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sainters!
Haven't been here for a while. Sorry.
Grand Final on Saturday - 2 sleeps away. Saints are in for the first time since 1997. They didn't win that time. They last won in 1966, in fact that's the one and only time they've ever won.
I arrived in Australia in 1967 and the Saints were the reigning premiers - good, I thought, I'll support them, they must be good. Barely won a game for the next 20 years. Haha. Figures.
But... you support a team, win or lose.
1997 was heartbreaking.
This year, they have a real chance. Playing Geelong, the best team of the last 3 years. But, the Saints are the best team this year - finished the home and away season with 20 wins, 2 losses. The 2 teams have played once this year in round 14. Saints by 6 points, one goal.
Bring it on!!
I haven't the words to express how excited I am.
Two sleeps.
GO SAINTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Random books
Since I last wrote about a book I've read....
Robert Rankin - Greatest Show Off Earth: There are two Earths, did you know? One inside the other. One of the protagonists is left on the inside Earth (the one we're familiar with), the other is kidnapped by the outer Earth types. They want to close off the "ends" so that the inner Earth, our Earth, will suffocate. The story that follows is hilariously ridiculous. Rankin writes in the same tradition (if it can be called that?) as Fforde - very entertaining.
Jim Butcher - Death Maske. Recommended to me by my brother. One of the few of his recommendations that I didn't like. Chicago cop plus vampires plus magic - should have been good but just didn't do it for me.
Christopher Brookmyre - be my enemy. I have fallen in love with Brookmyre's writing. Ridiculous storylines, but so well written that you can't help but be entertained. Very Scottish though, so the language may not suit everyone. Excellent thriller.
J V Jones - Sword of Shadows trilogy (but is actually a quartet). The last book is not yet released so it's all up in the air.... Fantasy series that I found a bit slow to get going but find myself hanging out for the final installment. Bleak and cold describes the landscape. Interesting characters.
Caiseal Mor - King of Sleep and The Raven Game. Books 2 and 3 of The Watchers trilogy. I really enjoyed Mor's Carolan Concerto but these left me cold. Could have been great, given their basis in Irish mythology, but spoilt by simplistic, stilted writing. I got really annoyed by two particular characters - one was a "Druid", the other was "the Druid woman". Always, "the druid woman". I mean, if it's established early on that a character is female then it's established. It doesn't need to be stated again and again, every time the character appears. The male characters were just druids, warriors, servants, whatever. It REALLY annoyed me.
Ken Follett - World Without End. Finally finished this. I think I reviewed it already. Could have been great but was a tad too repetitive in the second half to be so.
Calr Hiaasen - Sick Puppy and Skin Tight. Hiaasen is probably the tamer US version of Brookmyre. Great environmental/liberal political undertones. Quirky heroes/heroines. Too many guns for my liking but a great storyteller nonetheless.
Christopher Brookmyre - A Snow Ball In Hell. Sequel to 'a big boy did it and ran away'. Simon Darcourt - the terrorist for hire - returns. Except this time, he's not a terrorist, he's just trying to make the world a better place for the son he didn't know he had till the end of the last book (a big boy did it...). So....he embarks on a campaign to rid the world of all that he doesn't want his son to have to grow up with - tabloid journalists, manufactured pop stars, reality TV "celebrities". It's hard not to agree with Darcourt's targets but his methods are somewhat beyond the pale. Excellent reading!
Sophia McDougall - Romanitas. Set in the present day except that the Roman Empire has never ended. The Imperial Family has become a target for assassins - so the 16 year old heir runs away for his own safety, meets up with a couple of escaped slaves of similar age. At first I thought this was a tale designed for teenagers, as the main characters are teenagers, but it's a bit deeper than that - super mental powers. The social/political structure is basically that of Ancient Rome but lacking the detail of someone who's done the research - therefore, the modern day setting which negates the need for real research/knowledge/accuracy. It's lazy in that sense - change the setting to cover up for the lack of real historical veracity. But, nevertheless, it's not a bad read.
M K Hume - King Arthur: Dragon's Child. Quite possibly the worst Arthurian novel I've ever read.
Robert Rankin - Greatest Show Off Earth: There are two Earths, did you know? One inside the other. One of the protagonists is left on the inside Earth (the one we're familiar with), the other is kidnapped by the outer Earth types. They want to close off the "ends" so that the inner Earth, our Earth, will suffocate. The story that follows is hilariously ridiculous. Rankin writes in the same tradition (if it can be called that?) as Fforde - very entertaining.
Jim Butcher - Death Maske. Recommended to me by my brother. One of the few of his recommendations that I didn't like. Chicago cop plus vampires plus magic - should have been good but just didn't do it for me.
Christopher Brookmyre - be my enemy. I have fallen in love with Brookmyre's writing. Ridiculous storylines, but so well written that you can't help but be entertained. Very Scottish though, so the language may not suit everyone. Excellent thriller.
J V Jones - Sword of Shadows trilogy (but is actually a quartet). The last book is not yet released so it's all up in the air.... Fantasy series that I found a bit slow to get going but find myself hanging out for the final installment. Bleak and cold describes the landscape. Interesting characters.
Caiseal Mor - King of Sleep and The Raven Game. Books 2 and 3 of The Watchers trilogy. I really enjoyed Mor's Carolan Concerto but these left me cold. Could have been great, given their basis in Irish mythology, but spoilt by simplistic, stilted writing. I got really annoyed by two particular characters - one was a "Druid", the other was "the Druid woman". Always, "the druid woman". I mean, if it's established early on that a character is female then it's established. It doesn't need to be stated again and again, every time the character appears. The male characters were just druids, warriors, servants, whatever. It REALLY annoyed me.
Ken Follett - World Without End. Finally finished this. I think I reviewed it already. Could have been great but was a tad too repetitive in the second half to be so.
Calr Hiaasen - Sick Puppy and Skin Tight. Hiaasen is probably the tamer US version of Brookmyre. Great environmental/liberal political undertones. Quirky heroes/heroines. Too many guns for my liking but a great storyteller nonetheless.
Christopher Brookmyre - A Snow Ball In Hell. Sequel to 'a big boy did it and ran away'. Simon Darcourt - the terrorist for hire - returns. Except this time, he's not a terrorist, he's just trying to make the world a better place for the son he didn't know he had till the end of the last book (a big boy did it...). So....he embarks on a campaign to rid the world of all that he doesn't want his son to have to grow up with - tabloid journalists, manufactured pop stars, reality TV "celebrities". It's hard not to agree with Darcourt's targets but his methods are somewhat beyond the pale. Excellent reading!
Sophia McDougall - Romanitas. Set in the present day except that the Roman Empire has never ended. The Imperial Family has become a target for assassins - so the 16 year old heir runs away for his own safety, meets up with a couple of escaped slaves of similar age. At first I thought this was a tale designed for teenagers, as the main characters are teenagers, but it's a bit deeper than that - super mental powers. The social/political structure is basically that of Ancient Rome but lacking the detail of someone who's done the research - therefore, the modern day setting which negates the need for real research/knowledge/accuracy. It's lazy in that sense - change the setting to cover up for the lack of real historical veracity. But, nevertheless, it's not a bad read.
M K Hume - King Arthur: Dragon's Child. Quite possibly the worst Arthurian novel I've ever read.
Hello blog, nice to see you're still here
Random thoughts:
I finished my course, successfully. Graduation's not till December though. Still, I should be applying for jobs now - who wants to come write the application letter for me, because I can't get it going. Confidence lacking? I think so.
The old folks are driving me crazy. Love them to death and so grateful that I can live here relatively cheaply. But....
I am not 15 anymore.
The old man's mind is definitely going. Memory mostly. Physically, he's fine - still plays golf twice a week - 18 holes on a Wednesday, 12 holes on a Friday with the seniors. It's making me angry though that he's not the same. And that subtle touch of childishness that's creeping in alongside the short term memory loss. I don't want to be angry but I can't help it. He's my dad and he has no weaknesses! Fuck!
Mum, on the other hand, has always had a selective memory so it's a bit hard to tell. She still works - part time at the local Steiner school, takes care of the "remedial" kids - teaches them spelling, reading, etc. 77 and still working, can't beat that. Just wish she wouldn't be so critical.
On a brighter note - the AFL home and away season finished this weekend. Saints finished as Minor Premiers with 20 wins, 2 losses. Oh man, it's been a record-breaking year for the Saints. I've been so low-key about it, don't want to jinx it.
Finals start next week - Saints play Collingwood (the team we all love to hate!), who finished 4th. If they win they have the next week off, but if they lose they get a second chance that next week.
All I can say is.....GO SAINTERS!!!!! Excited? Moi? You betcha. September is like Holy Month in Melbourne. Football finals - nothing else matters, especially if your team is playing. And mine is!!! :D
Had a Facebook message from my niece Holly yesterday - she's working in the UK for a year, on a Steinerish bio-dynamic farm in Sussex. She let me know about one of her neighbours - JIMMY PAGE! Has a place just a couple of miles away from where she is. Aaaahh!
'Course, by the time I get there she'll be back here. Still..... stalking possibilities :)
Speaking of Jimmy, got only 15 days left of my 365 day project. Over toooooo quickly.
Sooo looking forward to next year - who knows where I'll be 12 months from now?
I finished my course, successfully. Graduation's not till December though. Still, I should be applying for jobs now - who wants to come write the application letter for me, because I can't get it going. Confidence lacking? I think so.
The old folks are driving me crazy. Love them to death and so grateful that I can live here relatively cheaply. But....
I am not 15 anymore.
The old man's mind is definitely going. Memory mostly. Physically, he's fine - still plays golf twice a week - 18 holes on a Wednesday, 12 holes on a Friday with the seniors. It's making me angry though that he's not the same. And that subtle touch of childishness that's creeping in alongside the short term memory loss. I don't want to be angry but I can't help it. He's my dad and he has no weaknesses! Fuck!
Mum, on the other hand, has always had a selective memory so it's a bit hard to tell. She still works - part time at the local Steiner school, takes care of the "remedial" kids - teaches them spelling, reading, etc. 77 and still working, can't beat that. Just wish she wouldn't be so critical.
On a brighter note - the AFL home and away season finished this weekend. Saints finished as Minor Premiers with 20 wins, 2 losses. Oh man, it's been a record-breaking year for the Saints. I've been so low-key about it, don't want to jinx it.
Finals start next week - Saints play Collingwood (the team we all love to hate!), who finished 4th. If they win they have the next week off, but if they lose they get a second chance that next week.
All I can say is.....GO SAINTERS!!!!! Excited? Moi? You betcha. September is like Holy Month in Melbourne. Football finals - nothing else matters, especially if your team is playing. And mine is!!! :D
Had a Facebook message from my niece Holly yesterday - she's working in the UK for a year, on a Steinerish bio-dynamic farm in Sussex. She let me know about one of her neighbours - JIMMY PAGE! Has a place just a couple of miles away from where she is. Aaaahh!
'Course, by the time I get there she'll be back here. Still..... stalking possibilities :)
Speaking of Jimmy, got only 15 days left of my 365 day project. Over toooooo quickly.
Sooo looking forward to next year - who knows where I'll be 12 months from now?
Friday, August 14, 2009
Vale Les Paul
June 9, 1915 – August 13, 2009.
Lester William Polsfuss, known as Les Paul, died yesterday from complications following pneumonia. He was a major player in the development of the solid body electric guitar - coming up with the Gibson guitar that bears his name in the 1950s. He is responsible, more than anyone else, for the sound of rock and roll - that get down dirty rawness that Fender could never manage.
So many guitarists owe so much to Les Paul, including Jimmy.
He was also a very fine player in his own right.
His influence is immeasurable.
Vale.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Round 18
The Saints travelled up to Sydney to take on the Swans. The game was way too close for comfort. Sydney were playing to keep their finals hopes alive and gave the Saints their closest match of the season. One point! That point was kicked in the final few seconds of the match to clinch the win. What a heart stopper!
18 in a row. Unbelievable :)
18 in a row. Unbelievable :)
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Saturday Photo Hunt
The theme for this week is "entertainment". That means music and, at the moment, that means Led Zeppelin.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The end of the Chaser
The Chaser's War On Everything aired for the final time on Wednesday. It included the most hilarous makeover I've ever seen - Chas decided that half of him should look like Daniel Craig. So.... hair bleached blonde, body hair waxed, lips plumped, botox, the whole works - but only on one side. Hilarious.
Plenty of Chaser stuff on youtube if you're interested.
Plenty of Chaser stuff on youtube if you're interested.
Friday Fill-ins
1. It's time for lunch!
2. The Yarra Valley; it's not a bad place for a photographer.
3. I must be me.
4. How to read is the best thing I have ever known.
5. My time is simply wasted.
6. The last time I laughed really loudly was watching the final Chasers War On Everything on Wednesday night.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cooking a lamb roast, tomorrow my plans include the Saints going for #18 in a row!!! and Sunday, I want to maybe get one of those little hard drive thingies to store all my photographs on!
FFI
2. The Yarra Valley; it's not a bad place for a photographer.
3. I must be me.
4. How to read is the best thing I have ever known.
5. My time is simply wasted.
6. The last time I laughed really loudly was watching the final Chasers War On Everything on Wednesday night.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cooking a lamb roast, tomorrow my plans include the Saints going for #18 in a row!!! and Sunday, I want to maybe get one of those little hard drive thingies to store all my photographs on!
FFI
Friday, July 24, 2009
Do you remember
trying to master the mouse?
As part of the course I'm doing I have to train someone in a workplace situation. I decided I'd teach Mum to open, read and reply to email - then she can get the stuff from her work that she misses out on by being part-time.
Well.......
"Click on Start...the green button in the bottom left corner."
........
........
up
........
down.....
left
.........
........
down
.........
up.
"Yes, now up to where it says "email" and click on that."
up
.......
up.......
left
.........
down......
Perhaps the difference was that no-one was really watching me while I fought to master that rodent.
She got there eventually.
As part of the course I'm doing I have to train someone in a workplace situation. I decided I'd teach Mum to open, read and reply to email - then she can get the stuff from her work that she misses out on by being part-time.
Well.......
"Click on Start...the green button in the bottom left corner."
........
........
up
........
down.....
left
.........
........
down
.........
up.
"Yes, now up to where it says "email" and click on that."
up
.......
up.......
left
.........
down......
Perhaps the difference was that no-one was really watching me while I fought to master that rodent.
She got there eventually.
Friday Fill-ins
1. A setback is not the end of the world.
2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I wonder when - if - the drought will ever break.
3. Home cooked food tastes so good!
4. Sometimes, putting others first is a good thing, sometimes it's not.
5. The view across the valley from the verandah is breathtaking, really.
6. Well, maybe there is hope.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing exciting, tomorrow my plans include babysitting for my brother and watching the Saints go for 17 wins in a row and Sunday, I want to take it as it comes!
FFI
2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I wonder when - if - the drought will ever break.
3. Home cooked food tastes so good!
4. Sometimes, putting others first is a good thing, sometimes it's not.
5. The view across the valley from the verandah is breathtaking, really.
6. Well, maybe there is hope.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing exciting, tomorrow my plans include babysitting for my brother and watching the Saints go for 17 wins in a row and Sunday, I want to take it as it comes!
FFI
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Random stuff
Dad's birthday last Saturday, his 80th. Huge family dinner to celebrate.
Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen - strong environmental message in a story populated by crazies from start to finish. Recommended.
Saints are 16 - 0 and 2 games clear at the top of the ladder. Unbelievable year. :)
Tash the Wonder Dog is starting to decline a bit. :(
The weather is starting to improve but still too cold for my liking.
I need a new 30 day photography challenge as I'm a bit bored with Flickr at the moment.
The Training and Assessment course I'm doing is barrelling along nicely. Sure hope it helps me get a job 'cos being out of work sucks big time. Soul destroying it is.
It's time for a glass of red..... cheers!
Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen - strong environmental message in a story populated by crazies from start to finish. Recommended.
Saints are 16 - 0 and 2 games clear at the top of the ladder. Unbelievable year. :)
Tash the Wonder Dog is starting to decline a bit. :(
The weather is starting to improve but still too cold for my liking.
I need a new 30 day photography challenge as I'm a bit bored with Flickr at the moment.
The Training and Assessment course I'm doing is barrelling along nicely. Sure hope it helps me get a job 'cos being out of work sucks big time. Soul destroying it is.
It's time for a glass of red..... cheers!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday Fill-ins
1. Pasta and a jar of pasta sauce make a quick and easy dinner.
2. Sick Puppy by Carl Hiiasen is the book I'm reading right now.
3. July brings back memories of leaving England for Australia, Dad's birthday too
4. The result was obvious.
5. They say if you tell your dreams - do they? Who knew? .
6. Take the time to think it over. Or, just say "to hell with it" and do it anyway.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the calm before the storm, tomorrow my plans include Dad's 80th birthday - big family dinner and Sunday, I want to see the Saints win their 16th in a row!!
FFI
2. Sick Puppy by Carl Hiiasen is the book I'm reading right now.
3. July brings back memories of leaving England for Australia, Dad's birthday too
4. The result was obvious.
5. They say if you tell your dreams - do they? Who knew? .
6. Take the time to think it over. Or, just say "to hell with it" and do it anyway.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the calm before the storm, tomorrow my plans include Dad's 80th birthday - big family dinner and Sunday, I want to see the Saints win their 16th in a row!!
FFI
Thursday, July 16, 2009
World Without End - Ken Follett
I finally finished this massive book of well over 1100 pages. Ha, it's only taken me a year. It's a huge, sweeping tale of medieval England before, during and after the Black Plague of the late 1340s.
The central theme is the struggle for progressive thinkers to have their new ideas and methods heard and accepted in the face of the intransigent conservatism of the ruling class and, in particular, the Church.
The two central characters are Merthin, the architect and builder, and Caris, the merchant's daughter turned nun. Merthin leaves Kingsbridge, where the story is set, for Italy when his new building methods are ridiculed and sabotaged by the traditionalists in the town guild. He returns, at the height of the Plague, and is determined to construct the tallest cathedral tower in England. At every turn he is thwarted by the guild and the cathedral's prior. Caris becomes a nun to escape charges of witchcraft which arose from her forward thinking approach to life. She leads the town's defences against the ravages of the Plague and is again harrassed and stymied for her medical practices which run counter to those practised (the same way for centuries) by the monks.
The book follows the fortunes of Merthin and Caris from childhood to later middle-age. It's also their love story.
The central themes are important ones but there is a tendency to repeat the same basic scenarios over and over again. New idea meets conservative guild/noble/church -> power struggle -> new idea gains some ground -> conservatives fight back -> new idea thwarted -> conservatives shown up as ineffective or incompetent or venal or evil (or all of the above in a number of cases) -> new idea is given a chance to prove itself -> gradual acceptance of new idea to the consternation and bad grace of the guild/ruling class/church.
The role of the Black Death in changing the basic nature of the Feudal system is also given a lot of coverage. But again, there was a lot of repetition of the same scenarios.
This could have been a great book if it had been two-thirds the length.
The central theme is the struggle for progressive thinkers to have their new ideas and methods heard and accepted in the face of the intransigent conservatism of the ruling class and, in particular, the Church.
The two central characters are Merthin, the architect and builder, and Caris, the merchant's daughter turned nun. Merthin leaves Kingsbridge, where the story is set, for Italy when his new building methods are ridiculed and sabotaged by the traditionalists in the town guild. He returns, at the height of the Plague, and is determined to construct the tallest cathedral tower in England. At every turn he is thwarted by the guild and the cathedral's prior. Caris becomes a nun to escape charges of witchcraft which arose from her forward thinking approach to life. She leads the town's defences against the ravages of the Plague and is again harrassed and stymied for her medical practices which run counter to those practised (the same way for centuries) by the monks.
The book follows the fortunes of Merthin and Caris from childhood to later middle-age. It's also their love story.
The central themes are important ones but there is a tendency to repeat the same basic scenarios over and over again. New idea meets conservative guild/noble/church -> power struggle -> new idea gains some ground -> conservatives fight back -> new idea thwarted -> conservatives shown up as ineffective or incompetent or venal or evil (or all of the above in a number of cases) -> new idea is given a chance to prove itself -> gradual acceptance of new idea to the consternation and bad grace of the guild/ruling class/church.
The role of the Black Death in changing the basic nature of the Feudal system is also given a lot of coverage. But again, there was a lot of repetition of the same scenarios.
This could have been a great book if it had been two-thirds the length.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday Fill-ins - on Saturday
1. The last thing I ate was raisin toast and margarine.
2. Coffee is something I recently bought.
3. When it rains, it doesn't rain enough to end the drought.
4. My father was the first person I talked to today.
5. Hugs are free.
6. I just turned the heating up for extra comfort.
7. And as for the weekend,tonight I'm looking forward to last night I chatted with Georgia, tomorrow today my plans include keeping warm and Sunday, I want to see the Saints win their 15th straight game!
FFI
2. Coffee is something I recently bought.
3. When it rains, it doesn't rain enough to end the drought.
4. My father was the first person I talked to today.
5. Hugs are free.
6. I just turned the heating up for extra comfort.
7. And as for the weekend,
FFI
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Round 14
Saints V Geelong. Both teams undefeated this season. The only teams undefeated this season. Geelong won the Premiership in '07 and were runners-up last year - the best team of the last 3 years, the team that all others measure themselves against. They've only lost 3 or 4 games since mid-07.
And they lost today.
WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Saints by a solitary goal. Man, it was a tough game. Close and extremely hard fought all the way through - there'll be some very sore bodies tonight. 5 minutes to go and scores were level. But the Saints rallied to kick the last goal of the match with just over a minute to go. Thrilling stuff.
And they beat Geelong. Yeah!!!!!!!
And now they sit top of the ladder by themselves too.
I think I'll break out the scarf now - doesn't really matter what happens for the rest of the season, the Saints have now proved themselves to be genuine title contenders. They are good enough!
And they lost today.
WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Saints by a solitary goal. Man, it was a tough game. Close and extremely hard fought all the way through - there'll be some very sore bodies tonight. 5 minutes to go and scores were level. But the Saints rallied to kick the last goal of the match with just over a minute to go. Thrilling stuff.
And they beat Geelong. Yeah!!!!!!!
And now they sit top of the ladder by themselves too.
I think I'll break out the scarf now - doesn't really matter what happens for the rest of the season, the Saints have now proved themselves to be genuine title contenders. They are good enough!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Friday Fill-ins
1. When I heard Whole Lotta Love I fell in love with the guitar.
2. Laughter is best medicine.
3. It's late, but that depends entirely on which side of the globe you're on.
4. Music always.
5. My eyes have seen better focus.
6. Make coffee strongly.
7. And as for the weekend (it's all about sport), tonight I'm looking forward to the men's semi-finals at Wimbledon, tomorrow my plans include the women's final at Wimbledon - I'm betting a Williams will win ;) and Sunday, I want to watch the Saints beat Geelong in the match of the season and then watch Roger win the men's final at Wimbledon!
FFI
2. Laughter is best medicine.
3. It's late, but that depends entirely on which side of the globe you're on.
4. Music always.
5. My eyes have seen better focus.
6. Make coffee strongly.
7. And as for the weekend (it's all about sport), tonight I'm looking forward to the men's semi-finals at Wimbledon, tomorrow my plans include the women's final at Wimbledon - I'm betting a Williams will win ;) and Sunday, I want to watch the Saints beat Geelong in the match of the season and then watch Roger win the men's final at Wimbledon!
FFI
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