My Blog Posts

As previously mentioned Lloyd Cole is coming to Sydney. He is playing at the basement on Tuesday the 17th of April. I’m going, is anyone with me? Drop me an email or call me up and I’ll get you a ticket as well. Oh, and I should thank Andrew Collins for almost incidentally reminding me that the man himself is still making gorgeous records. And furthermore, I start my new job on the 12th of March. Wish me luck.

The 70’s throwback went to the recent Marillion get together in Holland. He’s so hip he took his big sister. Together they managed to corner the singer and take this photo. Notice the slightly false smile on the bloke in the middle. Thats because the car salesman to his right has a knife poised around his knee cap. Its the only way they could get the photo.

It’s Monday, it’s far too early in the morning. According to my Christmas present weather station it is 24.6 degrees C in the lounge. And my barking mad wife is making the children wear dressing gowns because “Its a bit chilly”. My question to you dear reader - can I get her sectioned for this kind of behaviour?

There have been complaints from several quarters that it has been rather quiet around these parts. Its just a shame that most of the complainants are too technologically challenged to click on the ‘Comments’ link and say it through the medium of this web site. Ho hum. You will not be surprised to hear that the reason for my slackness is that I’ve been busy. Apart from the weekend small person wrangling and general domestic duties I’ve been looking for a new job. And the good news is that I’ve got one. Starting in three weeks I shall be differently employed. Expect more news nearer the time but I tendered my resignation on Wednesday - think of it as my Valentines present to my current employer - and have negotiated a slightly shorter than contractually necessary notice period so that I can start my new job on the 12th of March. Wish me luck.

Yee, and furthermore, ha. Lloyd Cole is coming down under to perform some gigs in April. I’m there, does anyone fancy coming with me? His latest album (Anti Depressant) is a corker by the way, go out and buy a copy right now.

We bought bunk beds in the January sales. The family then assembled them. Here is the photo evidence - Assembling the bunk beds. Next I can feel a fascinating photo essay showing you all how I take out the rubbish. Or not, we’ll see if the muse hits.

I didn’t actually get to watch much of the recent England vs Australia test match on television, which is probably a good thing. This is the only time I’m going to mention the 2005/6 Ashes series and Aggers sums up my thinking perfectly.

Since Monday the boys and I have mainly been playing with our new Nintendo Wii. It is lots of fun. And in no way does our lounge look anything like this. Everyone has their own Mii and no, mine doesn’t look like a complete nerd. The Wii Sports game that comes with the console is our favourite. I’m a particular demon at the bowling and tennis games. Now to go and practice my golf swing.

If, like my brother, you’ve missed the last post for both cards and presents consider yourself chastised. And then forgiven. You can make it up to me by buying me a t-shirt from the Militant Geek range. Iain will be getting me this one, which will only be understood by people who read my other blog.

Quote of the day today from the ever grumpy Charlie Brooker; “proper work” usually involves performing a task you hate on behalf of people you’d gleefully club to death with a bull’s knee if only it were legal to do so.

If you are stuck for a Christmas present for me (and you shouldn’t be) can I suggest a t-shirt. You can’t go past the quality wearables from RedMolotov.com. Can I suggest this one, this one or failing that buy me this one and I’ll be your best friend forever.

Here’s one from the “Not Arf” 1980s. Happy Christmas everyone;

Last year we sent out a photo of the tin lids with our Christmas cards. You can see it to the left of these words. A seasonal theme and some (vaguely) smiling children, what more could you want? This year we had a flash of inspiration. We were off to watch the England v NSW cricket game at the SCG. We thought it would be great to get a photograph of the youngest members of the family in front of the current Ashes holders.

I may have mentioned before (here and here) my theory that giving your children stupid names is somewhat akin to child abuse. I’m glad to see that I’m not alone here and that noted teacher Frank Chalk has declared the 21st of November St Dweezil’s day to shame those who would foist absurd monikers on their offspring. Remember parents, its not big and its certainly not clever.

Further proof, if any were needed, that SWMBO is a nutbag. We’ve had an upturn in the temperature around these parts recently, in fact a couple of days this week would have been labelled “scorchers” by any British red-top newspaper worthy of its salt. This morning she asked what the temperature was going to be today. On being told that the forecast says anything up to 25 degrees celsius she proudly proclaimed - “I’ll get my long trousers on then”. When I raised a quizzical eyebrow or two she said “why, isn’t that cold then?” Completely teapot.

I think I know where JFGP gets his extreme fondness for television from. Me. How can you not love a medium that gives us something like tonight’s episode of MythBusters which is apparently called “Whirlpool of Death”. If you are unfortunate enough to miss or otherwise not view this masterpiece you can read all about it here. I love Wikipedia too.

Or, in this case, the golf club. I’ve put my photos of Mark and Sophie’s wedding up on flickr as this set. According to my count that means I don’t have to post another photo of the day until some time in late January.

Kiddies on the beach. Hosted on Zooomr Welcome to another photo of the day. This one is of our favourite boys and girls at Clontarf beach. It was a little hot so we had retired from the water and were sitting under the trees having snacks. Which was nice. Of course, the snacks weren’t enough, and I did have to bribe the kiddies to sit still whilst I took a couple of photos. As you can tell from this picture it didn’t really work that well. But please do give me points for trying.

The youngest member of the team has been standing for a while. At the weekend he took a couple of steps. Over the last few days he has gained confidence by the minute and today he has managed to string together quite a few steps at a time. As far as we are concerned this makes him a walker. Good work little man.

I really can’t get my head around this. On the day that I took delivery of my new iPod (thanks family) I read this article that claims Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, one time guitarist for Steely Dan is now a terrorism consultant to the Pentagon. That’s just plain freaky man. I’m off to listen to Katy Lied.