I've come back from a week long work trip and there is  this weird smell in the house.

Moira calls me and says that there is something stuck in the chimney and she isn't coming home until it's gone.

I turn to the Yellow Pages in search of a solution, and I begin to traverse the categories:

Where: Australia > New South Wales > Sydney Metro > Category: Home / Real Estate > Maintain / Renovate > Pests > Pest Control: [filters:Possums,Odours]

I turned up a single entry:

Shore Pest Services
Family Run Business With Over 30 Years Experience In Pest Control.

St Ives NSW 2075
ph: (02) 9449 2948 

Pest Control

I call the dude, he comes over and extracts a dead possum from my chimney. urrrg!!! There's a bunch of white maggots too.

No photos, but trust me - it was a dead possum.

I call Moira amd she can come back home now.

[listening to: Olivers Army - Elvis Costello ]
5:16:10 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

I have been treated to many delights for my 42nd birthday.

I score some DVDs (including KIMBA the White Lion and War of the Worlds) and some CDs (including Madonna's new one), some clothes and some books (including one titled "Dealing with People You Can't Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst" - what are my kids telling me??)

Moira took me out on a harbour cruise, with wines from Pepper Tree Wines.

There is even photographic proof that we went out :

[listening to: Jump - Madonna ]
8:26:49 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • Geek

Today is my birthday.

I'm 42.

Technically, I am a Baby Boomer, but my affinity is to GenX

[listening to: Hung Up - Madonna ]
8:40:09 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

Do you think Brice is influencing me at all??

You Are 6 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

[listening to: Overdose - The Androids ]
7:44:54 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek • Random

I did ok with the maths quiz, now it's time for science

You Passed 8th Grade Science

Congratulations, you got 8/8 correct!

[listening to: Do It With Madonna - The Androids ]
7:41:21 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek • Random

As I was scanning my news feeds this morning, I saw this headline - "BREAKING NEWS: Arrested, 7th Heaven, Kitchen cancelled"

What?? Arrested Development cancelled? I'm sad to read this.

Arrested Development has gotta be the funnies program I've seen in years. I have both Season 1 and Season 2 on DVD, and just this week, caught up with all the latest in Season 3, thanks to the wonders of technology.

Series 1 has been shown on network TV here, and is now on Foxtel's Comedy Channel. I have loaned my DVDs to lots of people. But there is only so much a single person can do.

Here's some free advice for those rocket scientists in Willoughby who are desperate to be Number One. Get the rights for Season 2 and Season 3 of Arrested Development and show it, in prime time. While you are at it, get the rights for shows like "My Name is Earl", "Everybody Hates Chris", and "Commander in Chief". All these are fantastic programs. They all pass the Arrigo family quality test. 

[listening to: Everybody - Martin Solveig ]
4:28:58 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • TV

Speaking of all things cricket, the 1st Test between Australian and the West Indies finished today. The following says it all:

Australia v West Indies, 1st Test, Brisbane, 4th day

West Indies crash to 379-run defeat
Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken produced an exhilarating display of sheer pace and controlled swing that routed West Indies on the fourth day at the Gabba
Scorecard | Bulletin | Verdict - Supporting act steps up | 'This was probably the worst' - Chanderpaul | ''I'm there to bowl fast' - Lee | Match home

It's going to be a long hot unforgiving summer for the WIndies.

[listening to: I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down - Elvis Costello & the Attractions ]
8:04:27 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Interests • TV

I got a nice surprise this week at work. I got an early birthday present from one of my team members.

It was a signed copy of the Steve Waugh autobiography "Out Of My Comfort Zone".

Yes, it was signed by the great man himself. The dedication read:"To Frank, Come on The Saints", complete with signature.

Well, I was lost for words.

Thanks Andrew for this most thoughtful gift!

[listening to: Pump It Up - Elvis Costello & the Attractions ]
7:47:47 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Friends • My Organization

We decided to introduce our kids to the classic cult comedy, The Young Ones. We introduced them to The Goodies a while back, which they all loved, so surely they would like The Young Ones.

The DVDs were on sale at the ABC Shop, so we bought series 1 and series 2.

I explained to Bricey that it was like a live action cartoon, so he was happy to watch.

I hadn't re-watched the series for years, so it was good fun reliving the show again, with the surreal segues, the live musical acts, the wacky puppets. Hard to believe the show is over 20 years old now

Oh, and the kids liked it too.

[listening to: Living With a Hernia - Weird Al Yankovic ]
6:01:41 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • TV