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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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