I’m moving servers tomorrow so the site may not appear quite right for those who still wander on by to see what’s going on. It’s my first WordPress migration to this brand new server so no doubt I’ll find out that lots of things are broken. Still, it’s good to have a personal blog to test before I start moving over paying customers.
Not So Skitty Kitty
When Bella was rescued and came to live with us four houses and three children ago(!) she was the most skittish kitten you could ever meet. She trusted no one and never, ever allowed anyone to pat her. Slowly, ever so slowly, she became ‘my’ cat and Rae had Thomas. She would sit on my lap, but no one else’s, and still run a mile from strangers.
After we lost Thomas she changed. Suddenly she became more trusting as she had the house was now her own. While still most definitely ‘my;’’ cat she began to sit on Rae’s lap every now and then and even smooched strangers she thought nice enough. But never kids. Oh no, children were to be avoided at all costs.
And then along came Moo. Moo listened to us and took things at the glacial pace required. Eventually Bella decided she’d let Moo open and shut the back door for her. Then she decided Moo could pat her whenever she wanted.
But last night. Wow.
Last night Bella deemed Moo lap worthy.
Moo and I were equally surprised. After a couple of minutes Moo said “Dad, I need to go and sit at my desk.”. The surprise was too much and she was a little scared. I told her just to pat Bell and relax. So she did. And Bella purred, turned around and went back to sleep.
Looks like Bella has decided she has two people now.
Bunk Pencils
Game Day
Park in one of those one way, seemingly no-standing anywhere side streets. Rejoice when I find I park two blocks closer than where I normally park. The panel beaters are working overtime. Bugger, I forgot my phone.
Under the bridge, under the train tracks. Wonder if the guywith the metal detector in the park found anything.
Swan St via a laneway. I swear there was an ATM here, maybe 20 years ago. Lunch, sushi. The pregnant lady isn’t behind the counter. I wonder if she has had her baby since we were last here?
Stroll down Swan St. A smile of solidarity from a pretty girl wearing a Tiger’s scarf. Browse in the book cafe. $12 for ‘DOS for Dummies’. That’s as optimistic as a Tiger supporter has to be.
ANZ ATM at Richmond station only dispensing 50s. “They’re all going to the footy.” sighs a woman in to her phone as she walks past.
Coffee from a corner cafe. $5.50 extra large skinny latte. The room is full of yellow and black. “Enjoy the game.” as she passes the white paper cup to me. Obviously not a Tiger.
Stewart St curves me back towards the ‘G. Narrow footpaths, Tiger fans going to the ground or to Richmond for some lunch,
Cool, Brunton Ave is closed so I can walk up the road. Walking in the middle of the road never gets old, even at 44. It’s a proper footy afternoon too; cold and grey with bare trees in Yarra Park.
Do you buy The Record from the first seller you see? He looks lonely out there. Walk on by. Move with the crowds along the path. This seller is making an effort, buy from him.
Up the steps, up the stairs and in to my seat.
Beanie on, jacket on, scarf on. Game on.
7 times 2
Detached
This time last week I was in a bit of trouble.
It had been going a few days but last Thursday morning I admitted to myself that I really wasn’t seeing very well and with the looming Easter long weekend I’d better do something about it. So I made an appointment with my optometrist. I packed up the kids and we drove in to town after not being able to get a car park at the station I intended to go from. Of course this made what was becoming a stressful situation even more so.
After, eventually, making it in and having yelled at my poor wife who had no idea what was going and why I was so on edge I saw my optometrist. He had a quick look and said it’s either nothing or you’re off to the hospital.
It ended up not being nothing.
Apparently my retina had detached and things weren’t that good (“It’s not sight threatening, yet.”). Instead of sending me to emergency he suggested a clinic just around the corner that could see me straight away. So off we went and spent a couple of hours being scanned and then propped up to have the retina sealed back in to place by laser. And that hurt.
Now I’m stuck with a “massive” (their words) floater that may or may not go away over time. Things are still uncomfortable but I can mostly see what I need to. It was scary, and without a wonderful and understanding wife who forgives me for being a horrid husband, it would have been doubly so. I’ll be happier when the floater goes and my eyes aren’t so tired at the end of the day but until then I’ll be pleased it didn’t turn out a lot worse than it could have.
Dead Mice
People collect many things but it seems I’ve inadvertently started collecting dead mice. I found these five in a drawer I was cleaning out and there are a couple more sitting next to the kids PC. Why on earth would I have kept them? I’m currently using a Microsoft Touch Mouse, although the battery life isn’t that great it’s a smooth mouse, but I’ll probably end up at back with the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000 before too long.
Anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these? I wonder if they could be of use to anyone or if they should just go in the bin.
Express Memories
I walked out in to the kitchen just now and saw some Salada’s on the bench.
I had an instant flash back to my early teens. Mum and Dad had just bought a wonder of modern technology, a microwave oven. It was beige, had thick brown doors and a dial to set the time. My favourite thing to do was to grab a Salada, slice some tasty cheese and watch it bubble away as the biscuits slowly spun around. I must have eaten the entire Australian cheese industry production that year.
I’m so tempted to go and do it again right now…
Lucky Moo
Coles have recently released a range of Lego minifig like footy player characters, I think there’s 34 all up. I was shopping yesterday so I bought three packs. Each pack is sealed so you have no idea which of the players is inside, although by now I guess you can probably pick up whomever you want on Ebay.
Anyway….
I held out the three bags and kids each picked one.
You wouldn’t believe it but Moo picked her favourite player straight away. First go she got Jack Reiwoldt and boy, was she happy.
But the luck didn’t end there. Mr Henry managed to pick a Bulldog too (although not his favourite). Poor old Bert had to settle for a Saint.
Late Tip
It’s back – Tony’s Tipping has just been re-opened for what, I think, is it’s 10th anniversary.
Join up, the less you know about footy the better. http://www.footytips.com.au/comps/TonysT