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 on for St Kilda Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 14 Sep 2006 The 35-year-old club games record-holder, who has played 340 games for the Saints since 1988, told club officials on Thursday he would continue playing.

Footballing heaven Courier Mail, Australia - 16 Sep 2006 THE St Kilda coaching job, vacant after the shock sacking of Grant Thomas on Tuesday, is the best to come on to the AFL market in eight years. Rendell considering Saints job RealFooty Our man at headquarters RealFooty all 3 news articles »

Sacked Thomas urges commitment to Saints The Age, Australia - 14 Sep 2006 Grant Thomas has urged his loyal players to commit their futures to the AFL club to prevent it from imploding. Contract extensions with several Saints players have been jeopardised by the St Kilda board's ...

[listening to: Change Your Mind - The Killers ]
1:32:44 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Moira has taken Emma to the Sydney Fish Markers for a "Bambini in Cucina" session.

Billy has gone to see Nacho Libre with some of his little friends.

Antony and Brice wanted to stay home to play their new games - Star Wars Lego II.

They have just asked me to put on Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope.

Me, I am the adult supervision at home. Moira gave me a list of chores to do (isn't she nice), so I had better go and change that lightbulb.

[listening to: Andy, You're a Star - The Killers ]
2:41:59 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

September 17: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in the United States.

• 1787 - The text of the United States Constitution was finalized in Philadelphia.
• 1809 - The Treaty of Fredrikshamn concluded the Finnish War between Russia and Sweden, with Finland becoming an autonomous Grand Duchy under Czar Alexander I.
• 1894 - The Imperial Japanese Navy and the Beiyang Fleet of Qing China clashed in the Battle of Yalu River, the largest naval engagement of the First Sino-Japanese War.
• 1916 - World War I: "The Red Baron", a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, won his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France.
• 1978 - President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel signed the Camp David Accords after twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David (pictured).

[listening to: On Top - The Killers ]
1:00:39 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

I took my 2 little ones to see Monster House 3D, at Castle Hill

They loved it.

The SMH has a review

Lots of 3D movies coming out too, which is interesting to note.

[listening to: What If I'm Right - Sandi Thom ]
5:49:28 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • My Interests

It has been a while since I went shopping on Amazon.

My latest shipment arrived today.

I feel this makes me clean again ;)

[listening to: Everything Will Be Alright - The Killers ]
5:40:05 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • TV

Pretty disappointed with this attempt, but good enough

You Scored 80% Correct

You are an 80s expert You never confuse New Order with the Pet Shop Boys You know which classical musician Falco rocked When it comes to 80s music, you Just Can't Get Enough!

[listening to: 11 Hells Bells - AcDc ]
8:38:51 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

What did I tell ya?

I called it!!!

And the news is out there!

[listening to: Mystify - INXS ]
6:19:25 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • TV

September 14:

• 786 - Harun al-Rashid (pictured) became the Abbasid caliph upon the death of his brother al-Hadi.
• 1752 - The British Empire adopted the Gregorian calendar, skipping eleven days (September 2 was followed directly by September 14).
• 1812 - Napoleon's invasion of Russia: Napoleon and his Grande Armée captured Moscow, only to find the city deserted and burning.
• 1959 - The Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 crashed onto and became the first man-made object to reach the Moon.
• 1960 - The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

[listening to: Sonnet - The Verve ]
6:16:26 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

No Comment Needed

You Are 46% Feminine, 54% Masculine

You are in touch with both your feminine and masculine sides. You're sensitive at the right times, but you don't let your emotions overwhelm you. You're not a eunuch, just the best of both genders.

[listening to: Castles - Sandi Thom ]
8:05:02 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

The stories continue to grow. Is there no other news in the AFL this week???

Pyke enters St Kilda arena as a contender The Age, Australia - 7 hours ago DUAL West Coast premiership player Don Pyke has firmed for the St Kilda coaching job, a position that looms as one of the most sought after in the AFL.

The Age

Solo approach sank Thomas The Australian, Australia - 6 hours ago LESS than a day after St Kilda sacked its coach Grant Thomas, president Rod Butterss said his board had become frustrated with Thomas' "Alex Ferguson model" of running the club. Same old story but the young players wanted different end The Australian St Kilda restores law and order The Australian What the papers say AFL The Age - The Age all 90 news articles »

Powell retires from Saints The Australian, Australia - 7 hours ago ST KILDA midfield player Stephen Powell has become the first member of St Kilda's old-timers brigade to retire in the wake of the Saints' elimination final exit to St Kilda. Harvey decision looms The Age Powell done and dusted AFL Powell not only Saint to make exit Border Mail all 6 news articles »

Sydney Morning Herald

Saints may beat Swans to Everitt Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 8 hours ago Fun and games … Sydney full-forward Michael O'Loughlin takes it easy at training yesterday. He is expected to be fit for the Swans' preliminary final on Friday week. Saints shoot for coaching stars NEWS.com.au Ex-Roo starts in red Melbourne Herald Sun Saints shooting for star Townsville Bulletin all 5 news articles »

Take the tip: things can change in an instant this time of year The Australian, Australia - 6 hours ago CONSIDERED opinions are not worth much in football. That's because what is considered good sense on Sunday morning, is considered flaky thinking by 5pm that afternoon.

Alves says St Kilda has lost its way Border Mail, Australia - 12 Sep 2006 FORMER St Kilda coach Stan Alves believes the Grant Thomas sacking is a “classic case of the St Kilda football club losing it’s way again”.

Sunday Times.au

Assistants win endorsement AFL, Australia - 13 hours ago Fremantle assistant coach Mark Harvey and his West Coast counterpart Peter Sumich have been anointed as senior coaches in waiting by their respective bosses here as St Kilda begins its search for a new coach to replace the dumped Grant Thomas. Freo coach angry Courier Mail Freo assistant in running Sunday Times.au Hamill not done yet: Thomas RealFooty all 4 news articles »

Thomas fallout is bad sign for club Border Mail, Australia - 1 hour ago ST Kilda’s next coach will find one of the best lists in the AFL comes with potentially-destructive baggage. While Saints president Rod Butterss downplayed the fallout from the shock axing of Grant Thomas ...

[listening to: Under the Gun [#] [#] - The Killers ]
8:01:45 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

September 13

• 533 - Belisarius and his legions defeated Gelimer and the Vandals at the Battle of Ad Decimum near Carthage, and began the "Reconquest of the West" under Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I.
• 1814 - The bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which later became the national anthem of the United States.
• 1847 - Mexican-American War: Six teenagers known as Los Niños Héroes fought to their death defending the military academy at Castillo de Chapultepec in Mexico City during the Battle of Chapultepec.
• 1987 - Goiânia accident: A radioactive item was stolen from an abandoned hospital in Goiânia, Brazil, contaminating hundreds of people.
• 1993 - After rounds of secret negotiations in Norway, PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (pictured with U.S. President Bill Clinton) formally signed the Oslo Peace Accords.

[listening to: 16 - R.E.M - (Don`T Back To) Rockvil - R.E.M ]
4:58:37 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Here I was thinking the footy season was now over, and then boom the bombshell hit on Tuesday.

This news story is dominating all others.

The Age St Kilda top job vacant as Thomas exits The Age, Australia - 11 hours ago St Kilda's extraordinary decision to sack Grant Thomas on the back of three straight AFL finals appearances has opened up a remarkably attractive coaching vacancy. St Kilda restores law and order The Australian Unconventional coach the victim of his own spin The Age Signed, sealed sacked Sainter The Age The Australian - The Age all 60 news articles » Sunday Times.au Alves says St Kilda has lost its way Border Mail, Australia - 2 hours ago FORMER St Kilda coach Stan Alves believes the Grant Thomas sacking is a “classic case of the St Kilda football club losing it’s way again”. Freo assistant in running Sunday Times.au all 2 news articles » Backward step will fire up St Kilda RealFooty, Australia - 9 Sep 2006 LUKE Ball believes St Kilda's best times are yet to come, defying the suggestion that his club should have enjoyed a better return from its talented list in the past three Septembers. Thomas did it his way The Australian, Australia - 7 hours ago AS OTHER coaches stressed about kids and numbers, Grant Thomas was kicking back in thongs in a shack halfway across the world. It was draft day 2004, but Thomas didn't have a problem being on a training camp in the backblocks of South Africa.

[listening to: When Horsepower Meant What It Said - Sandi Thom ]
8:16:09 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

The Saints have a new coach.

Saints coach Thomas sacked

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas will not coach the Saints next year after reaching a "mutaul agreement" with board members earlier today.

Thomas said he was disappointed in the decision and said that before the board meeting, he had expected to hold onto his postition for next season.

''The guys (board) think firmly that the club needs to move in a different direction,'' Thomas told the press conference.

''It's not necessarily a mutual agreement.''

''It came from left-field, I certainly wasn't expecting it.''

Club president Rod Butterss said Thomas' departure would allow the club the time it needed to find a new coach. 

He highlighted strategy as one of the things the club had disagreed with Thomas on.

''We had our differences in terms of strategy and that helped our desision,'' he said.

 
Thomas, Saints part company
Tuesday 12 September 2006
Ben Wise
Sportal for afl.com.au

Grant Thomas has coached his last game with the St Kilda Football Club. Thomas and the Saints have parted company by mutual agreement.

The second-longest serving coach in St Kilda history has been at the helm of the Saints since 2001 when he was a shock replacement for mid-season sacking Malcolm Blight, but club president Rod Butterss and Thomas broke the news at a media conference at Moorabbin on Tuesday that he was leaving the club.

Thomas said that when he went to attend a board meeting at the club on Tuesday afternoon it had never occurred to him that he would not be in charge by day's end.

"I had a fair inkling that I would be coach, but things change … we have to move on pretty quickly.

Thomas also expressed that he was disappointed at having to leave a post that he has "put his heart and soul into" but said: "The board firmly believes the club is heading in a different direction and I will have to live with it. I still think I am the right bloke for the club but the club has made the decision to head in another direction."

"It is not necessarily a resignation it is a mutual agreement, we are after the same things, to achieve the ultimate success. I don't think we are totally congruent with the direction the club is heading.

Butterss said the club wished to thank Thomas for his achievements at the helm of the Saints.

"The board discussed that it was in the best interests of the football club that Grant should stand aside. He has always preached the need to be selfless," Butterss said.

St Kilda was knocked out of the AFL finals race by Melbourne at the MCG last Friday night.

Injuries to key players throughout the year including a season-ending knee injury to star midfielder Lenny Hayes in round nine, a fractured skull to Justin Koschitzke in round six, knee problems for rugged forward Aaron Hamill and Matt Maguire's broken leg made Thomas' task of getting his side into the finals all the more difficult.

After struggling to lift the club from lowly ladder positions in 2002 (15th) and 2003 (15th), Thomas led the club to third in 2004, fourth position in 2005 and eighth this season.

The Saints succumbed in preliminary finals in 2003-04 and won a pre-season competition under Thomas in '04.

Thomas leaves the club with 62 wins from 118 matches (one draw) at the helm, and punctuates what has been a tumultuous year for the club. Thomas played 72 games with the Saints from 1978-83.

4:42:18 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Should I be concerned?

You Are 79% Angry

You're a pretty angry person, although you might not describe yourself that way. But if you think about it, you probably feel annoyed, frustrated, and disappointed often. All of the emotions above are classic signs of anger. And if these angry feelings are controlling your life, you may need help.

4:31:35 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

September 11: New Year's Day in the Coptic and the Ethiopian calendars, National Day of Catalonia, Teacher's Day in parts of Latin America.

• 1297 - Scots under William Wallace defeated English troops in the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
• 1857 - Paiutes and Mormon militias killed about 120 California-bound pioneers in a wagon train in the Mountain Meadows massacre.
• 1922 - The British Mandate of Palestine began.
• 1973 - A military coup in Chile headed by Augusto Pinochet overthrew the government of President Salvador Allende.
• 2001 - September 11 Attacks: Three passenger airliners were hijacked to destroy the World Trade Center in New York City (pictured) and part of The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; a fourth aircraft crashed in Pennsylvania. In total, almost 3,000 people were killed.

[listening to: Castles - Sandi Thom ]
1:57:36 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek • Random

We've been hooked on Rock Star : Supernova

It's funny seeing some mainstream press covering the finale, but not surprising since there is an aussie in the mix.

We like (Toby), but we think  (Lukas) is going to win

Here's a chart that summarises it all

Week:		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8		9	10
Place	Contestant	Result
-	Magni Ásgeirsson			Encore			Encore	Btm 3	Btm 3			SP
-	Toby Rand		Encore						SP	B3	Encore	Encore
-	Dilana Robichaux	Encore						SP			Btm 3	Btm 3
-	Lukas Rossi						Encore				SP	Btm 3
5	Storm Large				Encore						Btm 3	Elim
6	Ryan Star					Encore	Btm 3	Encore			Elim
7	Patrice Pike				Btm 3	Btm 3		Btm 3	Elim
8	Zayra Alvarez		Btm 3		Btm 3			Elim
9	Jill Gioia		Btm 3			Btm 3	Elim
9	Josh Logan			Btm 3			Elim
11	Dana Andrews			Btm 3		Elim
12	Phil Ritchie	Btm 3			Elim
13	Jenny Galt			Elim
14	Chris Pierson	Btm 3	Elim
15	Matt Hoffer	Elim

[listening to: Australia Zoo - The Wiggles ]
4:13:30 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • TV

Yes, it's what it looks like

[listening to: Lonely Girl - Sandi Thom ]
6:06:52 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Another Lost Year

[listening to: Mr. Brightside - The Killers ]
4:40:15 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

September 9: Republic Day in North Korea (1948), Independence Day in Tajikistan (1991).

• 1000 - King Olaf I of Norway fell overboard during the Battle of Svolder and disappeared in the Baltic Sea.
• 1513 - King James IV of Scotland (pictured right) was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field in Northumberland while leading an invasion of England.
• 1850 - As part of the Compromise of 1850, California was admitted into the United States as a free state.
• 2004 - A car bomb exploded outside the Australian embassy, killing at least 9 people and injuring 140 others in the Jakarta embassy bombing.

3:15:39 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Season over for the Saints.

The win was Melbourne's ninth victory from 11 against the Saints and it was the third time the Demons had knocked off St Kilda in three finals.

For the Saints, it was another Friday night loss, following another 6 day break.

Roll on 2007

MELBOURNE 2.2 3.4 8.5 13.12 (90)
ST KILDA 5.4 6.6 9.8 10.12 (72)
Goals: Melbourne: D Neitz 4 B McLean 2 M Bate B Miller A Yze J McDonald R Robertson C Bruce B Pickett. St Kilda: F Gehrig 3 N Riewoldt 2 S Milne 2 J Peckett S Baker J Koschitzke.
Best: C Bruce J White B Green B Pickett B McLean N Carroll J McDonald. St Kilda: L Ball S Baker B Goddard N Riewoldt S Milne R Harvey.
Umpires: B Rosebury J Schmitt D Goldspink.
Crowd: 67,528 at the MCG.

10:20:41 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

"This telecast is a
retransmission of
Channel Ten Adelaide
and may include
advertisments for goods
and services which are not
available in your local area"

7:01:18 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • TV

I spotted this news items

FOXTEL will telecast tomorrow night's St Kilda v Melbourne elimination final live to NSW, the ACT and Queensland. Fans will be able to watch Ten's live feed of the game on Foxtel's Main Event channel (Channel 955) from 7pm.

I will stop being grumpy now.

[listening to: [Untitled Track] - The Wiggles ]
9:28:14 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies • TV

I used to be snarky, so things are changing

You Are a Link Blogger!

Your blog is more about cool links than thougtful posts. Better to be entertaining and brief than longwinded and boring!

[listening to: Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers ]
3:25:19 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

The Saints are up first on Friday night against the Demons. Sudden death. Loser gets eliminated, Winner heads interstate for the next final.

Since the game is on Friday, it was next to impossible for me to get down to Melbourne, so I am stuck in Sydney watching on the telly, and it's a delayed telecast as per usual. Grrrrr. Any other time over the weekend and I could have been down to see it.

The Saints record againts the Demons has been patchy at best. Our last final's meeting was in 1998 when the Demons eliminated the Saints. Painful memories

Since 1980	All Games	Last 5 Games	Highest Score	Lowest Score	Biggest Win
St Kilda	17	2	176	32	88
Melbourne	27	3	165	35	90

This week there will be plenty of chances to relive the victory.

Thursday 07/09/2006

• 2.00a  Round 22 Brisbane Lions v St Kilda
• 3.30p  Last Time They Met 2006 Rnd 10 Melbourne v St Kilda

Friday 08/09/2006

• 8.00a  Last Time They Met 2006 Rnd 10 Melbourne v St Kilda
• 11.30p  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne

Saturday 09/09/2006

• 6.30a  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne
• 9.30a  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne
• 3.30p  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne
• 8.30p  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne

Sunday 10/09/2006

• 12.00p  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne

Monday 11/09/2006

• 11.00a  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne

Tuesday 12/09/2006

• 3.00a  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne
• 1.30p  2006 Finals 2nd EF St Kilda v Melbourne

BTW I will be cheering for the Swans to win againsts the Eagles, so that the Saints meet them in Sydney in two weeks time.

[listening to: Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve ]
11:32:35 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies • TV

September 6: Independence Day in Swaziland (1968); Defence Day in Pakistan; Unification Day in Bulgaria.

• 394: The Christian Roman Emperor Theodosius I defeated the pagan usurper Eugenius in the Battle of Frigidus.
• 1522: The Victoria returned to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, with Juan Sebastián Elcano and 17 survivors of Ferdinand Magellan's 265-man expedition, becoming the first ship to circumnavigate the globe.
• 1941: The Holocaust: All Jews over the age of 6 were required to wear the Star of David (pictured) in areas controlled by Nazi Germany.
• 1955: Ethnic Greeks in Istanbul were attacked by an overwhelming Turkish mob during the Istanbul Pogrom.
• 1995: Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. played his 2131st consecutive major league baseball game, breaking the 56-year old record set by New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig. On

[listening to: Everything Will Be Alright - The Killers ]
10:58:25 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek

Moira Brice, Age 5

Isn't she cute.

For those of you who don't know - Moira is my lovely wife

[listening to: Drop The Pressure - Mylo ]
9:43:25 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

September 4: Labor Day in the United States and Labour Day in Canada (2006)

• 476 - Romulus Augustus, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, was deposed.
• 1260 - Florence and Siena fought in the Battle of Montaperti, as part of the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines.
• 1886 - After years of fighting against the U.S. Army and the armed forces of Mexico, Geronimo (pictured) of the Chiricahua Apache surrendered in Arizona.
• 1956 - The IBM RAMAC 305, the first commercial computer that used magnetic disk storage, was introduced.
• 1972 - Mark Spitz won his seventh swimming gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, becoming the first Olympian to win seven gold medals at the same Olympic games.

[listening to: Kiss - Prince & the Revolution ]
9:07:38 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek • Random

Unbelievable!

The Crocodile Hunter killed while doing what he loves

As he would say - Crikey!

[listening to: Chicken Payback - The Bees ]
5:20:08 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

2nd Elimination Final - Fri 8th Sept 7.30pm AEST

• ST.KILDA v. MELBOURNE The MCG (N)

2nd Qualifying Final - Sat 9th Sept 2.30pm AEST

• ADELAIDE v. FREMANTLE AAMI Stadium

1st Qualifying Final - Sat 9th Sept 7.30pm AEST

• WEST COAST v. SYDNEY Subiaco

1st Elimination Final - Sun 10th Sept 2.30pm AEST

• COLLINGWOOD v. W. BULLDOGS The MCG

[listening to: I'm Just A Girl - Melissa Etheridge ]
10:03:09 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

The end of the season.

I got 4 right. Again, I let my tipping be based on how I wanted things to end, rather than reflecting reality. I was hopeful things could fall the Saints way. I was wrong

Week 22
Home		Draw		Away
Bulldogs (22.15 147)				Bombers (18.17 125)
Tigers (12.13 85)				Eagles (26.17 173)
Crows (23.14 152)				Demons (14.10 94)
Lions (7.15 57)				Saints (16.12 108)
Dockers (23.13 151)				Power (9.18 72)
Swans (21.10 136)				Blues (6.8 44)
Hawks (21.7 133)				Cats (10.12 72)
Magpies (20.19 139)				Kangaroos (10.11 71)

My tipping  has me with 108 correct tips for the season. I don't know how I've done in the tipping comp, but I am sure I didn't win.

The Saints have ended up 6th on the ladder and play an elimination final next week against Melbourne at the MCG.

P W D L F A % Total 1 West Coast Eagles 22 17 0 5 2257 1874 120.44 68 2 Adelaide 22 16 0 6 2331 1640 142.13 64 3 Fremantle 22 15 0 7 2079 1893 109.83 60 4 Sydney Swans 22 14 0 8 2098 1630 128.71 56 5 Collingwood 22 14 0 8 2345 1965 119.34 56 6 St Kilda 22 14 0 8 2074 1752 118.38 56 7 Melbourne 22 13 1 8 2146 1957 109.66 54 8 Western Bulldogs 22 13 0 9 2311 2173 106.35 52   9 Richmond 22 11 0 11 1934 2245 86.15 44 10 Geelong 22 10 1 11 1982 2002 99 42 11 Hawthorn 22 9 0 13 1834 2140 85.7 36 12 Port Adelaide 22 8 0 14 1911 2151 88.84 32 13 Brisbane Lions 22 7 0 15 1844 2239 82.36 28 14 Kangaroos 22 7 0 15 1754 2167 80.94 28 15 Essendon 22 3 1 18 2021 2469 81.86 14 16 Carlton 22 3 1 18 1791 2415 74.16 14

Now I need to work out how I get down to Melbourne for the game next week.

Bring on the finals.

[listening to: Rockin' The Suburbs - Various Artists ]
7:40:00 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies • My Interests

September 3: Father's Day in Australia and New Zealand (2006); Independence Day in Qatar (1971); Armed Forces Day in Taiwan.

• 301 - San Marino, one of the smallest nations in the world and the world's oldest republic still in existence, was founded by Saint Marinus.
• 1260 - Mamluk forces defeated a Mongol army in Palestine in the Battle of Ain Jalut, marking the point of maximum westward expansion of the Mongol Empire.
• 1783 - The signing of the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolutionary War.
• 1901 - The National Flag of Australia (pictured), a Blue Ensign defaced with the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross, flew for the first time in Melbourne.
• 1976 - The Viking 2 spacecraft landed on Mars and took the first close-up, color photos of the planet's surface.

7:29:00 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Geek

So, the Saints beat the Lions. Yippee.

The game is on delayed broadcast here in Canberra. It's about to start. Cant wait to see the game.

And we wont know until Sunday which team plays who, in the finals. We could end up anywhere from 4th, 5th and 6th place, depending on Sunday's results.

	Qtr Time	Half Time	3 Qtr Time	Final
St Kilda	4. 1 (25)	10. 5 (65)	13._6 (84)	16.12.   108
Brisbane Lions	3. 4 (22)	4. 7 (31)	7.14 (56)	7.15.   _57
St Kilda: Goals: - R.Harvey 3, B.Brooks 3, F.Gehrig 3, S.Milne 2, N.Riewoldt, B.Goddard, J.Koschitzke, J.Gram, L.Fisher. Best: - R.Harvey, N.Dal Santo, L.Fisher, B.Voss, L.Ball, L.Montagna, J.Gram, N.Riewoldt. Brisbane Lions: Goals: - J.Sherman 4, D.Bradshaw, C.Johnson, J.Adcock. Best: - M.Voss, J.Sherman, J.Adcock, C.Stiller. Injuries - St Kilda: nil. Brisbane Lions: nil. Reports - St Kilda: nil. Brisbane Lions: nil. Umpires - S.McLaren, S.Grun, J.Quigley. @ the Gabba Ground, Brisbane. Crowd: 27,101.

Saints too strong for Lions ABC Online, Australia - 4 minutes ago St Kilda remained in contention for a top-four finish after defeating Brisbane by 51 points in the final round of the AFL minor premiership at the Gabba on Saturday night. Saints break Gabba hoodoo to beat Lions Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 13 minutes ago An emotional lap of the Gabba was completed by inspirational Brisbane Lions skipper Michael Voss - but even the player himself still had no idea whether it marked his AFL farewell. Saints break Gabba hoodoo to beat Lions The Age, Australia - 15 minutes ago An emotional lap of the Gabba was completed by inspirational Brisbane Lions skipper Michael Voss - but even the player himself still had no idea whether it marked his AFL farewell. Saints romp over Brisbane at the Gabba Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 21 minutes ago An emotional lap of the Gabba was completed by inspirational Brisbane Lions skipper Michael Voss tonight - but even the player himself still had no idea whether it marked his AFL farewell. Saints step up to defeat Lions SportsAustralia.com, Australia - 45 minutes ago With September calling, St Kilda stepped up a gear in defeating the Brisbane Lions by 51 points at the Gabba Ground on Saturday night. Saints outclass Lions sportal.com.au, Australia - 55 minutes ago In a polished display of football, St Kilda completely outclassed Brisbane to come out on top at the Gabba on Saturday night and win by 51 points, boosting its chances of a top

[listening to: Ophidiophobia - Cee-Lo Green ]
10:31:48 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies • My Interests

I find myself in Canberra this weekend with the family.

Moira's Grandmother passed away during the week, so the whole clan is meeting in Canberra.

We're off to the Rose Cottage Inn to celebrate her life and memories and give support to Moira's Mum - Alma.

I'm taking my lucky bottle of Irish Whiskey.

3:07:54 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family

The kids have been watching a show called Flight 29 Down.

It's kinda like LOST but for kids - minus the numbers. the hatch and the bad stuff.

The show is on Nickelodeon, Foxtel Digital Channel 701, at 7pm weeknights, with marathons on the weekend, covering all the episodes.

6:49:45 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family • TV

September 1: Start of the Liturgical year in the Eastern Orthodox Church; Constitution Day in Slovakia; Independence Day in Uzbekistan.

• 1715 - Louis XIV of France (pictured), the "Sun King", died after a reign of 72 years, longer than any other French or other major European monarch.
• 1923 - The Great Kanto earthquake devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, killing about 100,000 people.
• 1939 - Germany launched the Polish Campaign and attacked Poland at Wieluñ and Westerplatte, starting World War II.
• 1951 - Australia, New Zealand and the United States signed a mutual defence pact known as the ANZUS Treaty.
• 1983 - The civilian airliner Korean Air Flight 007, carrying 246 passengers and 23 crew, was shot down by Soviet fighter aircraft near Sakhalin island.

6:34:56 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Random

Spring has Sprung.

On the weekend we drove down to Palm Beach and the kids went for a run.

[listening to: Snakes on a Plane -The Theme - Trevor Rabin ]
9:26:30 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • Family