Anthony Malloy

Blogfish

Blogfish has included me on their link list under ‘Digital Photography’. Thankyou, whoever you are, now I’m really going to have to take some more pics.

I’m not obsessing, truly, but there was no rooster this morning and it must be for one of two reasons:

a) It blew away. This is the one I’m hoping for. Last night we (all 4-5 million Melbournians) had a massive wind storm. The SES spokesman said it was their busiest night ever for calls, mainly because the winds were spread over all of Melbourne. So I’m hoping The Rooster From Hell (close relation to The Neighbour FH & The Guests FH) was picked up in a wind gust and is now sitting atop the Rialto (or here) building.

b) The ranger went to see them yesterday and after a nice chat and cup of tea some arrangements have been made so the neighbourhood can sleep in peace.

Hopefully, for your sake and mine, this will be the last rooster bulletin.

Although Father’s Day started early thanks to our new mortal enemy – next door’s rooster, my first Dad’s Day was magical.

Phoebe purchased me a wonderful present from her school stall – a digital watch. Yep, I am now the proud owner (and sometime wearer) of a camouflage digital watch. Genuine plastic casing and band. It’s rather special. She also gave me a key chain and made me a card – covered with her current favourites incorporating Peter Pan, the Little Mermaid, Buzz Lightyear, Hi-5, the Life Education Van from school (?!?!?) and the collection of Australian coins. That’s my girl.

Rae then made my morning. She gave me a beautiful ring – three intertwined bands running around my finger in a patter guaranteed to give a mobius strip a headache. Between my new watch and ring I’m a pretty lucky guy.

Of course no Dad’s Day is complete without socks (ta Rae), a great breakfast and walk along the water front.

I think I could use to this.

My life is reduced to this. 5.10 am (yes, there is a ‘5’ on the morning clock) Rae and I are peeping over the next door neighbour’s fence rooster spotting.

Three times it crowed (again) and it was the third one that gave it away. A big black rooster, sitting on a chair in the shadows, looking very happy with itself. We now have confirmation that the people at 112 are keeping wildlife, and our bet is it is without a permit. The damn thing repeated its trick three times before sunrise too – each time just as we were about tip over the edge back into sleep.

Fair enough – a chook that clucks by day, but a rooster guaranteed to wake you at 5 every morning. No way. Of course the Council isn’t open on the weekend but come Monday the crowing will stop.

Picture the scene, a wonderful evening at friends the night before. Late night, a bottle of red each. Stumble home to bed and crawl under the doona for a precious six hours of sleep before rising for work.

All is going well in the land of nod when, for the first time ever, a rooster has appeared in the neighbourhood. At first I thought it may be Thomas doing rooster impersonations (he is a clever cat). Rae had the slightly more lucid thought that it was Phoebe, but she was sleeping at Nana’s. Three times it crowed and there was no sleep after that. Six hours was reduced to five and my headache didn’t go away.

We think it may be next door – the home of the magically appearing cat on heat. If they pluck a moo-ing cow out of their hat next, war will be declared.

Just noticed on the ‘What’s On’ list at work today. The Billings Method class is followed by the pre-natal class.

I can’t believe I have injured myself whilst sleeping. I’m typing this sitting side on to the keyboard, head pointing down because I can’t move. I seem to have pulled some muscle(s) in my neck and I can’t move my head. Up, down, left, right – all options are out. I’m permanently looking at the world over my left shoulder.

Rae’s coming home soon to take me off to the doctor; I’m heading back to the hot water bottle.

Phee asked where blood came from yesterday. Lucky for us we have Australia’s greatest kids museum just around the corner so we took her off to Scienceworks for the special ‘Body Odyssey‘ exhibit . Even with the attention span of a gnat she got a lot out of it – especially on healthy eating which seems to be an obsession of hers at the moment. Mind you the biggest squeals of delight came from any of the sections dealing with bodily waste; just goes to prove you can’t go past a good fart joke no matter what the age.

I had my car serviced the other day. Sitting in the traffic coming home last night I glanced up at the ‘Next Service Due’ sticker. 175000 k’s. Mmmm, okay, what’s my odometer say? I’ve done 185000 k’s.

Maybe he expects me to drive in reverse for the next three months.

First off, Trish is fine. No more nose bleeds.
Rae and I had really good Mexican the other night at Chilli Kiss. Wonderful food and a most attentive waiter, all though this may have been because he had just spilt a glass over another patron. The lady on the table next to us visibly pulled away as he approached with a tray of drinks. He dealt with it well and she didn’t create a scene – ended up okay for both parties. They’re at 161 Nicholson St, Carlton if you’re feeling hungry.

If you go to see the School of Philosophy Players presentation of The Tempest make sure you bring your own cushion. It is long and the seats are hard. I’d never seen The Tempest performed before so enjoyed the evening. It did make me realise how much I have to take Rae to see A Midsummer’s Night Dream in the Botanic Gardens this year. It’s been far too long.

It’s almost a Spring like day today so Phee and I are off for a walk, probably around the lake. Rae’s catching up with an old friend, Paul Kelly is on the CD player and Thomas is luxuriating in the sun. Life is good.