Paul McGreevy on TV

Paul McGreevy was on last week's edition of the ABC science show, Catalyst. They had shown a program from the UK about the miseries of pedigree dogs that had been shown elsewhere on the ABC the week earlier.

Here it is: Pedigree Dogs

Life on Mars

All (or most) of NSW was issued with a Severe Storm Warning last night. It sure got a bit gusty and there were reports of cricket ball-sized hail stones in Crookwell but as we were going to bed last night it was pretty calm.

I woke up not long before 5 this morning and could hear the wind in the trees - it sounded almost like the surf. I opened the blinds to watch the sunrise. And watched the sky turn from pink to orange. The storm has brought a whole load of soil in from the Red Centre and dumped it in the Mountains and Sydney.

Jamie initially thought there was a fire.

You can see other people's pictures on the ABC radio website and on the Flickr blog and here is a Youtube slideshow also from the ABC:




It was one of Jamie's work mornings and he said it was the worst ever - the wind was really strong and he had trouble keeping hold of the papers and magazines! Not to mention the drying, choking dust.

Hopefully I will be able to upload the video Robbie made this morning here (I'm making my second attempt just now) or I might have to do it on Flickr. NO, it can't do it - will try uploading it to Flickr.

Worthy of TGIF - but this sadly, bizzarrely is real life

With our tax returns done for this year, we got our annual child care refunds and stimulus package money. We discovered we qualify for a special Large Family Bonus (first time we've been aware of getting it even though, presumably, we've been a "Large" family at least since 2000).

The full amount of the bonus, for one year?

$29.20

We're hotly debating how to spend it now - groceries, shoes, text books . . . Any suggestions?

We babysat Xavier today

After a rocky start (we didn't realise he hadn't had his breakfast) we had a lovely day.

Ishbel was main care-giver and did a great job.

A room with a view

I hurt my back last Thursday morning (the 10th) and have been in bed mostly all day every day since so this is the view I've had all that time.

The upside is all the reading I've got done.

Went to see an osteopath lady this afternoon. She's written me off for Monday too and I've still to stay off my feet and on my back as much as poss.

It's killing me to miss out on all the shopping, washing, cooking and cleaning that needs to be done.

TGIF - WARNING! GRAPHIC BOATING ACCIDENT PHOTO

THIS IS A PICTURE OF A MAN WITH JUST SECONDS LEFT TO LIVE

Follow up on World Survey

Was going to put this as a comment to the last post but it's too funny to miss.

Not long ago we had "Mumbai Calling" on TV. One of my very favourite TV programs this year; I found it hysterically funny.

My favourite episode was where the workers in the call centre were having trouble with British regional accents. Richard E Grant played a failed actor who was brought in to teach them how to identify and deal with those regional accents.

TGIF - World Survey

Last month a world-wide phone survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was:-"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?"

The survey was a huge failure because of the following:

• In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant.


• In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.


• In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.


• In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.


• In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.


• In South America they didn't know what "please" meant.


• In the US they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

And Finally . . .

• In Australia they hung up because they couldn't understand the Indian accent.

It's spring!

TGIF - toilet humour

I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from the other stall saying: 'Hi, how are you?'

I'm not the type to start a conversation in the men's restroom but I don't know what got into me, so I answered, somewhat embarrassed, 'Doin' just fine!'

And the other guy says: 'So what are you up to?' What kind of question is that?

At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I say: 'Uhhh, I'm like you, just traveling!'

At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question. 'Can I come over?' Ok, this question is just too weird for me but I figured I could just be polite and end the conversation. I tell him, 'No........I'm a little busy right now!!!'

Then I hear the guy say nervously... 'Listen, I'll have to call you back.. There's an idiot in the other stall who keeps answering all my questions!!!'