Another update to my experience with Orkut.

My current stats are as follows:

• connected to 164,591 people through 53 friends.
• Profile views: 258, Average path:2.9, Number of Friends: 74

Let me know if you too would like to be part of Orkut. Just leave a note in the comments and I will get you connected.

[listening to: Toxic - Britney Spears ]
10:21:24 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests • Random

ST KILDA 3.0 8.2 16.4 19.8 (122) GEELONG 4.1 5.4 6.7 9.7 (61)
Goals:
St Kilda: F Gehrig 7 S Milne 4 A Hamill 3 N Riewoldt 3 A Thompson A Jones.
Geelong: H Playfair 2 B Graham J Kelly J Corey P Riccardi K Kingsley D Milburn M Scarlett.
Best:
St Kilda: F Gehrig B Goddard N Dal Santo L Ball A Hamill L Penny A Jones.
Geelong: C Ling J Kelly J Hunt M Scarlett.
Umpires: B Rosebury G Dore D Margetts.
Crowd: 35,042 at Telstra Dome.

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas had said the turmoil of rape allegations against two of his players would galvanise his team, and the Saints proved good to his word with a thumping win over Geelong tonight.

The re-match of the Wizard Cup final combatants promised a match as intriguing and close as that game, but instead the Saints overcame a slow start to flog Geelong 19.8 (122) to 9.7 (61) in AFL round one at the Telstra Dome. [more]

10:49:53 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda has opened the 2004 season in fine style, overcoming a slow start to belt Geelong by 61 points at Telstra Dome, 19.8 (122) to 9.7 (61). The Wizard Home Loans Cup premiers trailed by 19 points halfway through the opening quarter when they conceded the first three goals, and after recovering to within seven points at the first change, should have been at least three goals down again in the second. [more]

10:20:14 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

ST KILDA coach Grant Thomas had said the turmoil of rape allegations against two of his players would galvanise his team, and the Saints proved good to his word with a thumping win over Geelong tonight. [more]

10:14:01 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Round 1			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
			G.B	G.B	G.B	G.B
	St. Kilda		3.0	8.2	16.4	19.8		(122)
	Geelong		4.1	5.4	6.7	9.7		(61)
Match Status: Completed			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4		Full Time

ST KILDA 3.0 8.2 16.4 19.8 (122)
GEELONG 4.1 5.4 6.7 9.7 (61)
Goals: St Kilda: F Gehrig 7 S Milne 4 A Hamill 3 N Riewoldt 3 A Thompson A Jones. Geelong: H Playfair 2 B Graham J Kelly J Corey P Riccardi K Kingsley D Milburn M Scarlett.
Best: St Kilda: F Gehrig B Goddard N Dal Santo L Ball A Hamill L Penny A Jones. Geelong: C Ling J Kelly J Hunt M Scarlett.
Umpires: B Rosebury G Dore D Margetts.
Crowd: 35,042 at Telstra Dome.

10:01:59 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I got some photos of the 430 dozen donuts and the wonderful ladies selling them at the local community fun day. Yummy, don't eat too many Moira

[listening to: Ray Of Light - Madonna ]
11:23:08 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Random

I've just been down to the local school to greet the friendly Krispy Kreme van, and help unload 430 dozen donuts. That's a lot of donuts.

Today is local government election day, and the local school is one of the polling booths. As a fund raiser, the school is running a Family Fun day, and my wife Moira Arrigo is looking after the donut stand.

I'm at home looking after the kids.

Something seems wrong about that role reversal - but then again, I don't think I could be trusted with 430 dozen donuts.

[listening to: Can't Get You Out of My Head - Kylie Minogue ]
7:59:20 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Random

Over the past few months I've been spending some time on eBay with my kids. I've bought a bunch of stuff that I used to own, but thanks to my boistrous kids, they have been destroyed. See if you can spot a theme

THUNDERBIRDS

• DVD THUNDERBIRDS 6 The Movie *NEW* R4
• BRAND NEW IN PACK - Thunderbirds TB1
• ** mib THUNDERBIRDS Tracy Island playset **  
• THUNDERBIRDS 2 shaped torch,UK 1999
• THUNDERBIRDS DIGITAL ALARM CLOCK
• THUNDERBIRDS 2 & 4 & MOLE TALKING MINT W0W!

EARTHWORM JIM

• Earthworm JIM With Spring-loaded Real Firing
• WAREHOUSE CLEANOUT!! 6 EARTHWORM JIM MOC
• WAREHOUSE CLEANOUT!! EARTHWORM JIM PROMO

RANDOM TOYS

• HAND HELD SEGA - SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
• BEANIE KIDS BILL THE PLATYPUS
• 0Z DISNEY~ LIZARD POOH~ AUSSIE RELEASE

[listening to: Solo Por Ti (Amiwawa) - Gipsy Kings ]
10:29:36 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Random

Back in the 1990s, when the computing industry banded together to develop an easier and faster way to connect peripheral devices to computers, they expected the new technology to be used for printers and cameras, not rubber duckies. [Yahoo! News - Most Viewed]

ive got a usb watch, and a usb christmas tree

i want that duck!

[listening to: Oh Éh Oh Éh - Gipsy Kings ]
6:19:56 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

It's raining, which is a good excuse to sit at home and watch The Critic on DVD

This show was so funny and really neglected by local TV.

I can still remember the episode when Jay played a trumpet with his tummy - a classic.

Voiced by John Lovitz, his classic line was "It Stinks".

Love it!!

1:31:14 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • My Interests • TV

we finally cut bricey's hair - he looks so much better!!!

Before	After

He is so cute

11:46:42 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

"Shane Warne spun Australia to a series-clinching 27-run victory over Sri Lanka on the fifth and final day of the second Test in Kandy on Saturday. Warne snapped up 5 for 90 as Sri Lanka, who started the day needing 51 runs with three wickets remaining having been set an improbable 352-run victory target, were bowled out for 324 in 73.1 overs. With the win, Australia lead the three-match series 2-0. The 34-year-old Warne finished with 10 for 155 in the match, his second consecutive 10-wicket haul in his second game back for Australia after a 12-months drugs ban. Warne extended his series tally to 20 wickets at 15.7 and his career haul to 511 scalps, giving him a chance of breaking Courtney Walsh's 519-wicket world record during the third and final Test next week." [more]

6:40:22 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie were the stars of the show at Kandy, requiring only 6.1 overs on the fifth morning to take the three Sri Lankan wickets which gave Australia an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series. Sri Lanka, who started the day needing 51 to win, came unstuck as they tried to sprint towards the target and were eventually bowled out for 324, an agonising 27 runs shy of a remarkable Test win.  [more]

6:40:22 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

The fifth day of the second Test won't enter a second session, or possibly a second hour.

After a gripping fourth day's play at Kandy's Asgiriya International Stadium on Friday, Australia require only three wickets for a series-clinching victory, while Sri Lanka need just 51 runs to square the best-of-three contest.

Friday contained a season's worth of drama inside three sessions. From Damien Martyn's highest Test score (161) to Muttiah Muralitharan's five-wicket haul of the series; from Sanath Jayasuriya's dashing ton, to the late day heroics of Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie, the second Test has ebbed and flowed at an astonishing rate.

Jayasuriya cut, drove and hooked Sri Lanka into contention, scoring a swashbuckling century and severely eroding Australia's once intimidating 351-run lead.

After Muralitharan (5-173) spun out Australia's tail before lunch - Jayasuriya (131) put the hosts back in the game. [more]

11:14:38 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 1 is available for download from the Microsoft TechNet site. There is no signup or nomination process required to access this download.

However Customers who download Windows XP SP2 RC1 will not be eligible for support through the technical beta program. However, Microsoft has created 11 new newsgroups to foster community-based support.

Customers are encouraged to download and begin testing Windows XP SP2 in their environments through this release candidate.

The download and related information is located at this URL:

http://www.microsoft.com/sp2preview

10:59:25 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Organization

I have had a sad few weeks in relation to my still new car.

A few weeks back my car was violated by Qantas Valet Parking located at Sydney Airport.  I returned from a trip interstate to find the right hand side of my car scratched and dented. I felt sick. My baby had been violated. The valet company accepted no responsibility for the damage - as per their Terms & Conditions. What a copout! They could at least have told me and said sorry. I am really disappointed with the service from Qantas in relation to this.

I rang my insurance company - AAMI - who booked me in for an appointment on March 9 to get the car repaired.

The day came and I took it to the local office. AAMI provides a taxi from their office to your next destination, as well as a taxi to collect the car,  so I went back home. It was tough leaving my car behind.

The following day, I got a call from my Client Manager, who told me the car was at All Ride Smash Repair, and that I could collect it on Mar 17. I was happy, because I knew when I would collect the car, and the smash repairer had a website!

However, as we got closer to the date, things didn't turn out as expect. In the end, the car pickup was delayed by one day, and I finally got it on Mar 18.  Doesn't matter in the end - I now have my car back.

It has been really inconvenient this week without my car. Having four kids is a challenge most of the time, but having to ferry them all around with just one car has been a real challenge for my long suffering wife. Oh well, it's all over now.

10:44:47 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Random

Damien Martyn scored an unbeaten century on the third day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka at Kandy with Australia 5-320 - a lead of 229 runs - as rain brought an early end to the third afternoon of play.

Players were forced from the field an hour before tea. Umpires later abandoned play for the day.

Martyn is not out 104 and Andrew Symonds on 6 in Australia's second innings total of 5-320 - a handy lead of 229.

The batsmen out today were Adam Gilchrist for 144, Darren Lehmann for 21 and captain Ricky Ponting for 27.

Earlier, Australia went to lunch on 4-299 on the third day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka.

At the break, Martyn was not out on 90 and Ponting was on 27.

Martyn has been lucky, dropped on 0 and 65, both times by Mahela Jayawardene at second slip off the bowling of Nuwan Zoysa.

His early life today, when he had added just one run to his overnight score, reinforced the need for patience and he crawled through the rest of the session, scoring just 26 runs in two hours.

After taking more than more five hours to make his drought-breaking century in the first Test in Galle, Martyn was set for an even longer ton here, having batted more than five and a half hours already as Australia tries to build a big lead as well as use up time. [more]

10:03:01 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

Adam Gilchrist proved a worthy deputy in more ways than one as captain Ricky Ponting sat out the start of Australia's second innings with a back injury in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka at Asgiriya Stadium here today.

Batting at No.3 in place of the injured Ponting, the Australian vice-captain scored his 10th Test century to lead the Australian rescue program on the second day.

While Ponting got continuous treatment for his damaged back, Gilchrist rediscovered the form that had abandoned him in the latter part of the summer.

His last century was in the first Test against Zimbabwe back in October and this ton ends a string of single digit scores for the wicketkeeper.

At stumps, with bad light stopping play, Australia was 2-221, with Gilchrist on 140 and Damien Martyn on 64.

Australia leads by 130 runs with eight wickets in hand.

12:29:14 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

Following my weekend of waiting for foxtel, I have been waiting to hear from the call center folks regarding a rescheduled appointment.

The installers are still on strike - read all about it, thanks to google

I reckon I will be waiting a while.

What a disaster!!

9:37:18 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

After waiting patiently, today was the day i got my XDA II. My object of desire is here!

Thanks thehardware.ws

I'm getting in charged right now and tomorrow I will load it up with all the good stuff.

I'll let you know how it goes!!!

9:27:07 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Further to the discussion last week about kids blogging, my number 2 son, Billy, started his blog on the weekend.

It's not much at the moment, reviews of his favourite sites, but it is certainly his voice - spelling errors and all :) And i love his “Billy arrigo meter“ line.

Welcome Billy!!!

11:25:49 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

Irony hits spot with Hamill 
ST KILDA will enter the season proper with the stifling burden of expectation after swamping brave Geelong with a five-goal final quarter at Telstra Dome last night.

Pleasure with pain 
APOLOGIES to Lisa Marie Presley, but it was torture missing the Saints strut their stuff last night.

Saints run down courageous Cats 
Magic night for Harvey
IT was far from the predicted runaway win, but the Saints last night capped an electric month of football by claiming the Wizard Cup.

Saints are Wizards 
New kids on block shine
St Kilda 1.14.5 (98) bt
Geelong 1.10.7 (76)
THE Saints came marching home last night as the Wizard Cup heralded a new football season of high hopes for underdogs.
Molly Meldrum: Pleasure with pain
Wizard Cup final pictures
Match report

Kids add true grit to their armoury 
ST Kilda has added the most dangerous of all ingredients to its talent-laden line-up: the will to win when all seems lost.

5:22:47 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Boy from Sin City is one happy Saint
Lenny Hayes isn't bitter at being missed by Sydney. more

Saints coach faces a big test this season
The game of football, as we knew it, looked to be coming to an end on that Saturday night at Telstra Dome less than two years ago when Grant Thomas's young unfancied Saints defied the odds and drew with Sydney. more

Harvey steals the show
A rampant St Kilda staged a stunning final-quarter revival to win its first pre-season competition grand final since 1996 when it beat a gallant Geelong by 22 points at the Telstra Dome last night. more

Saints run all the way to the dais
St Kilda won the final of the pre-season competition last night by the sort of margin many had predicted, but not in the manner many had anticipated. more

Gehrig, Saints have the final say
The irony was inescapable, and almost cruel. For 95 per cent of the Wizard Cup grand final, Geelong's irrepressible full-back Matthew Scarlett was impassable. more

5:16:22 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I spent all day Saturday at home waiting for the men from Foxtel to come and install the new Foxtel Digital service.

We were expecting them between 12pm and 5pm.

At 3.30pm I got a call from someone at Telstra saying that the installation was being cancelled and would be rescheduled to another time, but they couldn't tell me when and would get back to me within 2 business days.

Weird.

But it all made sense, when I saw a story in the smh - Foxtel digital roll out descends into chaos. A good old fashioned strike! An industrial dispute.

Oh well, back to watching the replay of the Wizard Cup Grand Final.

11:58:41 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas says his side’s triumph in the Wizard Home Loans Cup grand final on Saturday night is only a small step in the club’s bid to re-emerge as an AFL powerhouse.

The Saints lifted only their second senior AFL trophy since their one and only premiership win back in 1966, by overrunning Geelong in the final quarter at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, and their first since victory in this same competition back in 1996. [more]

11:30:12 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

1:53:32 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

ST KILDA'S 2004 pre-season AFL flag was a more deserved triumph than its previous piece of silverware, according to half-back Aussie Jones.

Jones, one of the survivors of the Saints' 1996 summer premiership and one of his side's best in tonight's grand final win over Geelong, rated this year's pre-season win much higher.

"Back then the Wizard Cup wasn't such a strong competition but this year a lot of sides have taken in full strengths sides so our 1996 win was probably a bit of a fake.

"So this is a much better win."

[more]

[listening to: Somebody Kill Me - Adam Sandler ]
11:44:56 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda’s crop of exciting youngsters have lifted their first major AFL trophy but it was veteran Robert Harvey who inspired the Saints’ thrilling comeback victory over Geelong in Saturday night’s Wizard Home Loans Cup grand final at Telstra Dome.

The exciting Saints showed they have the grit and tenacity to match their undoubted potential by steamrolling over the top of the Cats in the final term after trailing for much of the second and third quarters.

In front of more than 50,000 fans – the biggest ever crowd for a pre-season final at Docklands – the Saints won 1.14.5 (98) to 1.10.7 (76) after having trailed by 11 points at the last change.  [more]

[listening to: Pretty Mary Sunlite - Jerry Reed ]
11:04:14 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Good article from foxsports

St Kilda 1.14.5 (98) Geelong 1.10.7 (76)

ST KILDA have stormed home in the final quarter to beat Geelong in the AFL Wizard Cup final, denying the Cats their first silverware in 41 years.

St Kilda ran over a tiring Cats side in the final term, scoring five goals to none to win 1.14.5 (98) to 1.10.7 (76) to win their first cup since 1996 and add to the hype about their hopes in the upcoming premiership season.

Saints veteran and dual Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey was best afield, racking up possessions and adding to his individual accolades by winning the Michael Tuck medal as best on ground.

The Cats led by 11 points at the last change, belying their status as rank outsiders for the final.

But they had no answer to a physically powerful Saints when it mattered.

The game had a physical opening, with St Kilda recruit Brent Guerra cannoning into key Cats midfielder Cameron Ling.

[more]

[listening to: Pass the Dutchie - Musical Youth ]
10:57:34 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda 1.14.5 (98) bt Geelong 1.10.7 (76)

ST KILDA has stormed home in the final quarter to beat Geelong in the AFL Wizard Cup final, denying the Cats their first silverware in 41 years.

St Kilda ran over a tiring Cats side in the final term, scoring five goals to none to win 1.14.5 (98) to 1.10.7 (76) to win their first cup since 1996 and add to the hype about their hopes in the upcoming premiership season.

Saints veteran and dual Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey was best afield, racking up possessions and adding to his individual accolades by winning the Michael Tuck medal as best on ground.

[more]

[listening to: Pacha's Homecoming/The Blue Plate Special [Score] [Score] - John Debney ]
10:52:13 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Sportal rock! They are always the first site updated with the lastest news

St Kilda has captured its second pre-season title with a 22-point come-from-behind win over Geelong in the 2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup final at Telstra Dome.

After leading for much of the first three quarters of the game, the Cats were finally broken in the dying minutes, the saints overrunning them 1.14.5 (98) to 1.10.7 (76).

Seeking to emulate their March 1996 triumph, the Saints began the final term 11 points behind but attacked the margin with a fervour that indicated this title meant an enormous amount to the young side. [more]

[listening to: One Day I'll Fly Away - Nicole Kidman ]
10:27:12 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

ST KILDA 0.4.1 1.7.5 1.10.6 1.14.5 (98)
GEELONG 0.2.1 0.7.3 0.10.4 1.10.7 (76)

Nine-pointers:
St Kilda: L Montagna.
Geelong: B Graham.

Goals:
St Kilda: B Guerra 4 A Hammill 2 F Gehrig 2 N Riewoldt 2 A Jones L Hayes L Ball S Milne.
Geelong: K Kingsley 5 M McCarthy 2 B Graham B Haynes G Ablett Jnr.

Best:
St Kilda: R Harvey L Hayes P Guerra M Dal Santo B Voss L Ball.
Geelong: T Enright K Kingsley D Milburn J Rahilly M Scarlett C Mooney.

Umpires: M Vozzo S McLaren C Rowe S McInerney.
Crowd: 50,533 at Telstra Dome

10:27:11 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

10:18:08 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

The saints have beaten geelong in the pre-season grandfinal - 98 to 76

Robert Harvey wins the best on ground award

Lots of stories to follow!

10:09:07 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Should we be excited or sad or suspicious??

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, long known for its high-calorie treats, says it plans to offer a low-sugar doughnut to attract dieters and diabetics. more

7:28:28 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Shane Warne claimed his 500th Test wicket as Australia bowled Sri Lanka out for 154 to win the first cricket Test by 197 runs at Galle today.Warne became the second bowler in Test cricket history to take 500 wickets, following just world record holder Courtney Walsh into the elite 500-club. Warne, who was banned from all cricket and stranded on 491 scalps while he served a 12-month doping suspension, has been back in the sport for just over a month. But in his first Test since his suspension he has returned as good as ever, taking 5-116 in Sri Lanka's first innings and another five-wicket haul in the second. With Australia closing in on victory in the first Test, Warne claimed victim No.500 when Sri Lankan captain Hashan Tillakaratne skied a catch to Andrew Symonds. Warne was mobbed by his team-mates and saluted the crowd.

[more]

[listening to: Nature Boy - David Bowie ]
7:21:09 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

The scoresheet makes no mention of Darren Lehmann's skyward glance, the tears flowing for a lost friend. And numbers alone will never reveal Damien Martyn's excitement and relief upon ending a two-year jinx in the shadows of Galle's 17th-century fort.

Instead, raw data shows that both batsmen scored vital, match-turning centuries on the fourth day of the first Test, guiding Australia to 8(dec)-512 in the second innings and a 348-run lead entering the final three sessions. The emotions that accompanied each individual feat? Those can't be related numerically.

Having overcome injury, though not the death of close friend David Hookes, Lehmann led all Australian batsmen with a well crafted 63 in the first innings, despite a five-month absence from the international arena. His second innings began less convincingly - dropped second ball by Tillakaratne Dilshan.

But upon settling at the crease, Lehmann confirmed his status as Australia's premier player of spin, defying the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena and Upul Chandana to raise his fourth Test century on a dusty, slow wicket. Immediately he looked to the heavens, eyes welling with emotion.

[more]

[listening to: Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera ]
11:42:12 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

This should not have been Australia's day. With a dressing room that resembled an infirmary and a scoreboard favouring the home team, Ricky Ponting's side arrived at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday fully aware that one indifferent session would virtually ensure a Sri Lankan victory in the first Test.

Then Shane Warne added a dramatic chapter to his already fabled career, claiming a five-wicket haul in his first Test since the 2002-03 Ashes series. And Matthew Hayden continued the revival, guiding his side from a 161-run first-innings deficit with a patient, well-crafted century.

By stumps, their combined efforts engineered a dazzling match transformation - Australia advancing to a 32-run lead against the backdrop of Brett Lee's injury-enforced departure from Sri Lanka and Michael Kasprowicz's shoulder sprain.

[more]

11:45:20 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

Wow - everyday there have been heaps of stories about the saints, and they arent all negative.

Here's a selection from http://afl.com.au, http://saints.com.au, http://realfooty.com.au, http://heraldsun.com.au/footy

• Saints walking in right direction
• So far so cool as Saints prepare to 'have a crack'
• Slick deals put kids on block
• Bomber puts case for forgotten Cats
• Thompson says his young Cats can match St Kilda
• Saints to hold nothing back
• Saints embrace finals experience 
• Saints firming for Wizard glory 
• Thomas easy on Saints' celebrations
• Thomas notes draw irony
• Saints, Cats flag different approach
• In-your-face Saints make hefty impact
• Saints glimpse the Holy Grail 

[listening to: Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera ]
10:29:35 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

It's now been a few weeks since I started with Orkut.

My current stats are as follows:

Connected to 129,936 people through 48 friends.

Profile views: 197, Average Path: 2.9, Number of Friends: 69

6:03:44 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests • Random

I bit the bullet a few weeks ago an ordered an XDA II. I had been lusting after this for a while. I was so excited!

I ordered it from local Australian e-tailer thehardware.ws. The ordering experience was pretty good and I got confirmation that everything was in order and I would get the phone in a few days -  that was Feb 19.

On the 20th of Feb, I got an email that said the order was delayed to the 5th of March.

Ok, I can live with a litte delay.

On the 25th of Feb, I get another note about another delay - now it will be March 20th.

Grrr - I'm getting cranky. The money has already been taken out of my credit card, so someone has my money for nothing!

On the 5th of March, I get yet another note about yet another delay - delivery scheduled for May 4th.

What the hell has happened to impule buying and instant gratification! May 4th, the phone will be superceded by a newer model and the current model will be sold at half price. This really sucks. My teeth are grinding. My breathing is erratic. I'm not happy.

But, there is a silver lining to this cloud - a new distributor has been found and March 15th is the new delivery date.

However, all I can think is "Beware the Ides of March,"

[listening to: Sparkling Diamonds - Caroline O'Connor ]
4:06:33 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

St Kilda 2.16.12 (126) Essendon 1.11.9 (84)

"THE word about St Kilda is spreading and at Telstra Dome last night the Saints showed they are on a mission. With bold, exciting and determined football they shook off their hoodoo against the Bombers. It had been five years between drinks for the folk at Moorabbin. Essendon had won each of the five encounters before this Wizard Cup semi-final: Round 8, 1999; Round 12, 2000; Round 11, 2001; Round 8, 2002 and Round 14, 2003 - and all by an average of 10 goals. Even more damning, they had won 31 of the past 36 encounters. From the opening bounce it looked like the lopsided tally would swing back. The Saints were aggressive, tough and unforgiving at every contest. " [more]

12:32:36 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

"THE changing of the football guard could not have been more rapid or complete. The bright new St Kilda outfit that has promised so much for so long finally clicked at Telstra Dome against Essendon, winning through to Saturday night's Wizard Cup grand final. In a stunning effort by the competition's most exciting young list, St Kilda set up a battle of the AFL's new breed with a 42-point win and will take on Geelong. " [more]

10:03:16 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda's bandwagon is fairly charging after the Saints eclipsed Essendon by 42 points last night to reach their first grand final since 1997.

The Saints will play Geelong in Saturday night's grand final at Telstra Dome, and Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy for one believes they will play a role in September.

"(St Kilda coach Grant) Thomas has had a one-track mind," said Sheedy. "They've had to clear some good players to get that side together."

Sheedy said St Kilda had earnt its win last. "It was a rude awakening for Essendon tonight," he said. "That might be the best thing out of it. St Kilda came out and wanted to teach Essendon how to play footy and that's not the worst thing sometimes." [more]

1:46:39 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Height on his side: St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt marks over Essendon's Adam Ramanauskas. The Saints won by 42 points, marching into next week's Wizard Cup final

12:13:20 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

11:19:58 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

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11:19:01 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda has confirmed its status as the AFL’s most exciting up-and-coming team by beating its 'bogy' side Essendon to reach its first pre-season grand final for eight years at Telstra Dome on Saturday night. In the clearest sign yet Grant Thomas’ side will be a serious contender for higher honours in 2004, the Saints thrashed Essendon 2.16.12 (126) to 1.11.9 (84).  

[more]

11:06:08 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

ST KILDA 2.16.12 (126) ESSENDON 1.11.9 (84)

THE Saints marched into the AFL Wizard Cup grand final after thrashing bogey side Essendon in tonight's second semi-final at Telstra Dome.

Electrifying from the start, St Kilda was never headed and recorded its first win over the Bombers since 1999 with a 42-point pasting, 2.16.12 (126) to 1.11.9 (84).

The Saints, who have won just the one night flag since their sole premiership of 1966, will now play Geelong in next Saturday's pre-season decider in a chance for both clubs to add to their bare trophy cabinet. [more]

10:47:36 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Sportal tells the story:

St Kilda has confirmed its status as the AFL’s most exciting up and coming team by beating its ‘bogy’ side Essendon to reach its first pre-season grand final for eight years on Saturday night.

In the most obvious sign yet Grant Thomas’ side will be a serious contender in 2004, the Saints thrashed Essendon 2.16.12 (126) to 1.11.9 (84) with their star-studded forward line unstoppable for the second successive week.

In front of the biggest crowd of the Wizard Home Loans Cup so far of over 29,500, St Kilda dominated the game from the outset with a six goal to one first term setting up their victory.

The Saints victory not only set up a fairytale grand final against a similarly success-starved Geelong side at Telstra Dome next Saturday night but also showed that Thomas’ team is ready to compete against the AFL big guns.

Discounting pre-season and practice matches, the Saints had lost 31 of their past 36 games against Essendon – dating back to when Kevin Sheedy first took charge of the Bombers in 1981.

But from the moment Brendon Goddard scored a nine point super goal after just four minutes the result of this game was never in doubt as the Saints’ attack of Fraser Gehrig (five goals), Nick Riewoldt (four), Aaron Hamill (two) and goalsneak Stephen Milne (three) destroyed the highly-rated Bombers, just as they did Richmond the week before.

The Saints’ surprisingly easy demolition of the Bombers now sets up one of the most intriguing and potentially exciting pre-season grand finals for years – between two clubs who between them have lifted just one senior trophy in the past 38 years.

St.Kilda: 1.4.5 1.8.7 1.13.10 2.16.12 (126).
Essendon: 0.1.1 1.5.3 1.9.4 1.11.9 (84).

NINE POINT GOALS:
St.Kilda: Goddard, Thompson.
Essendon: J Johnson.
SIX POINT GOALS:
St.Kilda: Gehrig 5, Riewoldt 4, Milne 3, Hamill 2, Blake, Ball.
Essendon: Watson 2, J Johnson, Hille, Richards, McPhee, Lloyd, Rioli, M Johnson, Alvey, Fletcher.
BEST:
St.Kilda: Ball, Black, Riewoldt, Gehrig, Penny, Jones, Dal Santo, Blake,.
Essendon: J Johnson, Hird, McPhee, Watson, Rioli.

10:45:11 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

"St Kilda has confirmed its status as the AFL's most exciting up and coming team by beating its 'bogy' side Essendon to reach its first pre-season grand final for eight years on Saturday night.

In the most obvious sign yet Grant Thomas' side will be a serious contender in 2004, the Saints thrashed Essendon 2.16.12 (126) to 1.11.9 (84) with their star-studded forward line unstoppable for the second successive week." [more]

10:33:45 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Woohoo - the Saints beat the Bombers. The Saints move into the pre-season grand final and meet Geelong next week.  Wow. The last time they made it to a grand final was 1997.

Gotta wait until mid-night before I can see the game - thanks channel 10 and fox footy!

9:58:34 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I wrote an angry email to Fox Footy and guess what, I got a reply. However, it's pretty lame.  Now I need to write a nasty note to Channel 10.

Dear Mr Arrigo,

Thank you for your email regarding the broadcasting of St Kilda Wizard Cup games on FOX Footy Channel.

Unfortunately, FOX Footy Channel was contractually unable to broadcast the Rnd 1 & 2 St Kilda games any earlier than we did.

Channel 10 held the live rights to both the Rnd 1 & Rnd 2 St Kilda games and FOX Footy Channel is not permitted to broadcast a Wizard Cup Channel 10 (or Channel 9) game in NSW any earlier than either the scheduled end of Channel 9 or 10’s telecast, or 11.30pm.

If Channels 9 or 10 choose not to broadcast a Wizard Cup game until 11.30pm or later, then unfortunately FOX Footy Channel cannot show the game any earlier than 11.30pm. In the circumstance of last weekend, the decision to not broadcast the game until 11.45pm on Channel 10 was a decision made solely by the 10 Network. Likewise this weekend, the fact that Channel 10 will not screen the St Kilda match until 12.10 am on the Sunday morning is a decision solely made by the 10 Network.

FOX Footy Channel will be broadcasting that match as soon as we are contractually permitted to - that is 11.30pm. We appreciate your frustration, however, in this situation there is nothing that FOXTEL can do otherwise - in this instance, such decisions rest with the 9 & 10 Networks.

We certainly value your continued loyalty to FOX Footy Channel and trust that you continue to enjoy the 3 EXCLUSIVELY LIVE games during the home & away season as well as a great line-up of footy programming on the channel (commencing Monday 22 March).

Thank you again for contacting FOX Footy Channel - we hope that you enjoy FOX Footy Channel as part of your Essentials package for season 2004.

Regards,

FOX Footy Channel

12:44:42 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Guess what I got in my inbox? An email from Krispy Kreme announcing the opening of their Sydney Store in May.

The store will be on the corner of York Street & Wynyard Place in Sydney.

Woohoo!!

9:10:21 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests

Greater Union is running a promo next weekend where they show all three lord of the rings movie, back to back! 

My boys and I did that last weekend - we watched the first two on DVD and then went to the cinema. It was hard work, but someone had to do it.

ALL THREE EPIC FILMS. ONE LEGENDARY WEEKEND. Greater Union and Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas announce a movie event like no other. For the weekend of Friday, March 12 to Sunday, March 14 2004, our cinemas will screen all three films of Peter Jackson’s magnificent film trilogy of J R R Tolkien’s masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. On each of the three days, during one mammoth session commencing at 1.30pm, the quest to save Middle Earth will be seen in its entirety in The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, with a short break between each film. A special Cinebuzz member price of $23 per ticket not only allows you to enjoy all three films, but will also include your own special DVD containing never-before-seen footage. One weekend to rule them all. Only at Greater Union/Birch Carroll & Coyle cinema.

12:59:21 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • My Interests