Monday, December 26, 2005
And how are we all today? Sufficiently recovered from our Xmas hangovers, I trust.
I had a very pleasant day sitting in the sunshine eating curries. Jim produced enough food to feed 14 and although there were only five of us there wasn't a lot left over. Which tells you the extent of our sins. I was in charge of dessert and so naturally we had ice-cream. Chocolate, of course.
Current weight 78.6 kg
This was our first Christmas at home for quite a while which got us to pondering where we had spent the day in previous years. We eventually produced lists. This is Jim's which is fractionally more colourful than mine:
WHERE WERE YOU AT CHRISTMAS?
2005 Mosman Park, Perth, WA
2004 Ridgewood, Perth, WA
2003 Glenelg, Adelaide, SA
2002 Cottesloe, Perth, WA
2001 Batu Apoi, Temburong, Brunei, Borneo
2000 Queenstown, NZ
1999 Perth, WA
1998 Auckland, NZ
1997 Mosman Park, Perth, WA
1996 Hobart, Tasmania
1995 Wellington, NZ
1994 Kalbarri, WA
1993 Cottesloe, Perth, WA
1992 Maylands, Perth, WA
1991 Kandi, Sri Lanka
1990 Bangkok, Thailand
1989 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Borneo
1988 Caerleon, Wales, UK
1987 Dubai, UAE
1986 Aqaba, Jordan
1985 Goa, India
1984 Kuwait City, Kuwait
1983 Huddersfield, England, UK
1982 Johannesburg, South Africa
1981 Maputo, Mozambique, Africa
1980 Caldicot, Wales, UK
1979 Oswestry, England, UK
1978 Huddersfield, England, UK
1977 Kafar Rupin, Israel
1976 Huddersfield, England, UK
1975 Huddersfield, England, UK
|
I had a very pleasant day sitting in the sunshine eating curries. Jim produced enough food to feed 14 and although there were only five of us there wasn't a lot left over. Which tells you the extent of our sins. I was in charge of dessert and so naturally we had ice-cream. Chocolate, of course.
Current weight 78.6 kg
This was our first Christmas at home for quite a while which got us to pondering where we had spent the day in previous years. We eventually produced lists. This is Jim's which is fractionally more colourful than mine:
WHERE WERE YOU AT CHRISTMAS?
2005 Mosman Park, Perth, WA
2004 Ridgewood, Perth, WA
2003 Glenelg, Adelaide, SA
2002 Cottesloe, Perth, WA
2001 Batu Apoi, Temburong, Brunei, Borneo
2000 Queenstown, NZ
1999 Perth, WA
1998 Auckland, NZ
1997 Mosman Park, Perth, WA
1996 Hobart, Tasmania
1995 Wellington, NZ
1994 Kalbarri, WA
1993 Cottesloe, Perth, WA
1992 Maylands, Perth, WA
1991 Kandi, Sri Lanka
1990 Bangkok, Thailand
1989 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Borneo
1988 Caerleon, Wales, UK
1987 Dubai, UAE
1986 Aqaba, Jordan
1985 Goa, India
1984 Kuwait City, Kuwait
1983 Huddersfield, England, UK
1982 Johannesburg, South Africa
1981 Maputo, Mozambique, Africa
1980 Caldicot, Wales, UK
1979 Oswestry, England, UK
1978 Huddersfield, England, UK
1977 Kafar Rupin, Israel
1976 Huddersfield, England, UK
1975 Huddersfield, England, UK
Monday, December 19, 2005
Some thoughts to encourage me to see the big picture.
For all our conceits about being the center of the universe, we live in a routine planet of a humdrum star stuck away in an obscure corner ... on an unexceptional galaxy which is one of about 100 billion galaxies. ... That is the fundamental fact of the universe we inhabit, and it is very good for us to understand that. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (1934-1996)
"The Universe is Big. Really big. It may seem like a long way to the corner chemist, but compared to the Universe, that's peanuts."
Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
... it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world... Bogart as Rick in Casablanca
|
For all our conceits about being the center of the universe, we live in a routine planet of a humdrum star stuck away in an obscure corner ... on an unexceptional galaxy which is one of about 100 billion galaxies. ... That is the fundamental fact of the universe we inhabit, and it is very good for us to understand that. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (1934-1996)
"The Universe is Big. Really big. It may seem like a long way to the corner chemist, but compared to the Universe, that's peanuts."
Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
... it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world... Bogart as Rick in Casablanca
I was emailed via Friends Reunited last week by a friend I have had no contact with for 20 years. We were probationary teachers together in the rough end of London. "I thought of you," she wrote "when I realized it was the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death because we were together in that crappy tower block you lived in in West Ham when we heard the news."
Were we? Doubtless we were. I have no reason to question her recollection of events. However, it made me realize what a self-centred soul I must be because not only do I not remember hearing about John Lennon's assassination but I can't place myself at any of the other 'landmark' events of the 20th century. What was I doing when Kennedy was shot? No idea. What was I doing when man landed on the moon? Watching Doctor Who probably, but I don't really know. When Elvis died? Clueless. The twin towers? (I hate to give in to the US dating system and say 9/11 but who recognizes 11/9?)Well, I have the excuse that I was living in the jungle at the time and news filtered in slowly.
Of course, if you were to name a year I could probably tell you my weight at the time and what diet I was on. See what I mean? Totally self-centred. And my current weight? 78.8 kg. The steady Christmas rise continues.
|
Were we? Doubtless we were. I have no reason to question her recollection of events. However, it made me realize what a self-centred soul I must be because not only do I not remember hearing about John Lennon's assassination but I can't place myself at any of the other 'landmark' events of the 20th century. What was I doing when Kennedy was shot? No idea. What was I doing when man landed on the moon? Watching Doctor Who probably, but I don't really know. When Elvis died? Clueless. The twin towers? (I hate to give in to the US dating system and say 9/11 but who recognizes 11/9?)Well, I have the excuse that I was living in the jungle at the time and news filtered in slowly.
Of course, if you were to name a year I could probably tell you my weight at the time and what diet I was on. See what I mean? Totally self-centred. And my current weight? 78.8 kg. The steady Christmas rise continues.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Current weight: 78.4 kg. Yes, the visit of my in-laws has resulted in an immediate gain of a kilo. I fear further damage will be done by the numerous packets of chocolate biscuits and other goodies left in their wake.
Our next guest arrives tomorrow.
|
Our next guest arrives tomorrow.
Monday, December 05, 2005
I did eventually weigh myself last week and tipped the scales at 77.4 kg but that was before my in-laws arrived and we went to visit several restaurants ... and a chocolate factory that gave free samples. In addition they bought me a box of sixteen hand crafted chocolates. I suppose I must having been looking a little under-nourished. So let's change the subject quickly.
Ahem, I watched Australia's Favourite Movies last night (in my defence may I just say that the rain was lashing down and I was out of the city in an area that only has three TV channels and two of them were showing sport and sheep-dip ads) so I thought I'd give the show a wider audience and inform you of the results.
Here's the top ten:
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Well, who could argue with that. A tad predictable perhaps but not a bad choice.
2. Amelie
I was astounded by this. From the tone of her voice so was the presenter. Who'd have thought ANY foreign language film would have been in the top ten. For myself, I thought it was a bit silly but I have a low tolerance for films in foreign languages I understand enough of to try and follow but don't speak well enough to do without the sub-titles.
3. Blade Runner
Great choice. I love this movie. It's ages old but still looks good. Based on the novel with the superb title: Do Androids dream of electric sheep?
4. The Shawshank Redemption
It was OK but nothing special. I was surprised to see it so high up the list.
5. Donnie Darko
Having only seen this movie a few times I probably haven't understood it completely yet but I enjoyed it nevertheless. It occurs to me that the list -with its high incidence of sci fi- is probably a reflection of the type of people who are most likely to vote online i.e. adolescent males.
6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars. What's not to like? Perfection in film making.
7. Pulp Fiction
This is so well put together yet it doesn't take itself too seriously. It's nice to know it's appreciated.
8. The Princess Bride
Here I have to admit ignorance. I have never heard of this movie. Having seen the trailers during the show, I can only say this is evidence of my good taste.
9. Gone With The Wind
Yes, A classic. Got to dust this one off and watch it again soon.
10. Fight Club
Apart from Brad Pitt, this movie didn't have a lot to recommend it in my view but it seems I'm in the minority here.
Feel free to send me your opinions. If you'd like to see the complete list of 100 movies the link is below.
|
|
Ahem, I watched Australia's Favourite Movies last night (in my defence may I just say that the rain was lashing down and I was out of the city in an area that only has three TV channels and two of them were showing sport and sheep-dip ads) so I thought I'd give the show a wider audience and inform you of the results.
Here's the top ten:
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Well, who could argue with that. A tad predictable perhaps but not a bad choice.
2. Amelie
I was astounded by this. From the tone of her voice so was the presenter. Who'd have thought ANY foreign language film would have been in the top ten. For myself, I thought it was a bit silly but I have a low tolerance for films in foreign languages I understand enough of to try and follow but don't speak well enough to do without the sub-titles.
3. Blade Runner
Great choice. I love this movie. It's ages old but still looks good. Based on the novel with the superb title: Do Androids dream of electric sheep?
4. The Shawshank Redemption
It was OK but nothing special. I was surprised to see it so high up the list.
5. Donnie Darko
Having only seen this movie a few times I probably haven't understood it completely yet but I enjoyed it nevertheless. It occurs to me that the list -with its high incidence of sci fi- is probably a reflection of the type of people who are most likely to vote online i.e. adolescent males.
6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars. What's not to like? Perfection in film making.
7. Pulp Fiction
This is so well put together yet it doesn't take itself too seriously. It's nice to know it's appreciated.
8. The Princess Bride
Here I have to admit ignorance. I have never heard of this movie. Having seen the trailers during the show, I can only say this is evidence of my good taste.
9. Gone With The Wind
Yes, A classic. Got to dust this one off and watch it again soon.
10. Fight Club
Apart from Brad Pitt, this movie didn't have a lot to recommend it in my view but it seems I'm in the minority here.
Feel free to send me your opinions. If you'd like to see the complete list of 100 movies the link is below.
