Anthony Malloy

I still call CDs records, I call downloads albums. I still think of it as the Internet, not the internet. I still think of directories instead of folders so I wonder when I’ll stop referring to taping a show and start using ‘record’ instead? Considering we haven’t had a VCR for four years it may be a habit that dies hard.

It really feels like our own home now ‘cause on Saturday we hosted our first Grand Final BBQ. It was pretty amazing that we barely noticed almost 20 adults and as many kids, it made us realise just how big this place actually is when it can cope with those numbers and still have space for more.

It was a different day this year. Apart from missing some good friends the weather meant that, for possibly the first time ever, everyone was inside and actually watching the game. Unfortunately our pride and joy, the deck, only got to host people for five minutes before the rain hit, not that the kids seemed to mind. I did manage to get most of the cooking done without getting drenched and this year it was done before the bounce of the ball too, another first.

Miss Trish was missing so I had the honour of passing the Anthony Malloy Memorial Footy Tipping Competition trophy to this year’s winner, Michael Walker. Michael’s joy was short lived though as even a room full of screaming people couldn’t get the Saints over the line. Mind you Daniel didn’t seem to mind the result.

Like after all GFs we were absolutely buggered on Saturday night, and the dishes may have been around for a bit longer than they should have on Sunday, but we had a great day and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Hopefully next year there will be a bit more sunshine and the Walkers will be able to go home happy.

Thanks to some great anti-inflammatory drugs and a liberal application of liniment I’ve been able to move a little today. My big project, and one I’m now paying for, was to get the deck ready for the bbq next weekend. The plan is to oil it every six months, as recommended by the guy who built it, so here it is after its first semi-annual oiling.

I wonder if I can keep the kids off it for a week?

Okay, that’s it. I’m never showering again. Hopped out of the shower this morning, grabbed towel, went to dry my back and * click *. Hmmm, that doesn’t feel good. Oh no, not good at all. Actually one could say that feels #$&*#$*&# bad. Somehow I’ve managed to do something to my shoulder/back just by raising flicking the towel. I’m sitting here like The Hunchback of Derrimut, unable to turn or even make the coffee. Not many choices but to be wait and see if it corrects itself over the course of the day.

My good wife, who had to be roped in to back drying duties, says I have to take up some form of exercise as sitting at a PC all day every day isn’t helping me. I have to agree. I also have to be able to move to exercise so it may be a while.

Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

So, how do you do it? Sorry to ask but as I was outside last night and noticed the neighbours over the fence doing it without a light on. I looked around and could see another neighbour doing the same thing. Rae doesn’t mind but I have to have the light on, it hurts after a while without it.

Watching television – lights on or off?

The Fence .

Still no fence. Next door neighbours have tried five different guys with no success. Good thing is it’s given me the chance to chat with them and they are lovely. Joanne asked me if I like Vietnamese food. I think the instant drool that appeared may have been answer enough – apparently she’s a great cook of Vietnamese and we’ve been invited for a meal. On another front the neighbour across the road haven’t been seen for a week and a half. Most odd. No sign of them moving out so maybe it’s just a holiday.

Books

I went with reading Iain Banks’ Transition first. Also pre-ordered the new Ian Rankin novel, it should arrive in three weeks. Bargain price again – $17.50 instead of $29.95. Bert’s first mail surprise should arrive next week.

It must be this perfect Spring weather because today was a day for pleasant surprises.

First off it was the post office, yes, Australia Post went above and beyond. A couple of weeks ago I sent out some invoices where I had transposed two numbers in my PO Box. Not the brightest thing to do so you can imagine my surprise when I checked the box today and there was a cheque – complete with incorrect address! Plus one for Aussie Post.

I then took the kids to Macca’s for lunch. I couldn’t get the woman’s name without looking like a dirty old man and Phee wasn’t quick enough but not only did she give us extra fries for the kids she also threw in a bonus kids toy so the three young ones had one each.

And finally this afternoon an email from ING dropped in to my inbox. Apparently I’ve been a good saver and this month they are going to give me a bonus $50 interest! Free money – who can complain!

Even though I have my pile of Problem Books I still buy new ones. Indeed I forgot to mention that I have read Ian Rankin’s post Rebus novel while Exit Music sat there staring at me. Today the delivery man knocked on the door and deposited six bottles of wine and two new books from my latest love, The Book Depository.

I love books, love reading, love having shelves full books but the one bad thing is the expense. I should probably join a library but, and this may sound weird, I’ve always had problems reading books I don’t own. I know, don’t ask, it’s just another oddity to add to my very long list. Given reading isn’t such a cheap hobby you can imagine my delight when I found www.bookdepository.co.uk – dirt cheap books, sent from the UK with free postage. That’s right. absolutely no postage costs at all. I must admit I first thought this must be a con, or a temporary promotion to get me hooked but it’s not – the books are sent to you for nix.

But how cheap are they? Well today I received Iain Banks’ new book Transition. It cost me $10.40 (as a pre-order) delivered to the door. Angus and Robertson have its list price as $29.95. I also bought Dennis Lehane’s The Given Day (thanks to an interview with him in the Good Weekend a couple of weeks ago). That one cost me $21.00 delivered while Borders have it listed as $41.95. We’re going to order the kids a book every now and then too so they get the surprise of having one turn up in the mail.

The sad thing is these prices make it almost impossible for me to go and purchase books from the local book store any more. I know I should be supporting my local businesses, god knows I need locals to support mine, but I can’t justify to myself, or the CFO, spending twice as much on non-essentials like books.

I’m determined that neither of these shall end up as Problem Books but now I’m faced with the decision of which to tackle first. I think Mr Banks may come out on top, guess we’ll see tonight about 9:30.

(Oh and if you want to see something really cool – watch people shop at The Book Depository)

Saturday night, 12 days in to Spring and it’s a balmy (yet windy) 29 degrees outside at 8:15pm. Great finish to a couple of great days. Yesteday we went to see the Star Wars exhibition at Science Works. If you ignore all the boring educational aspects then it’s a fantastic experience seeing the original models. The Falcon, X-Wings, Boba Fett’s blaster, Chewie – it really brought back the magic of the first trilogy, which they sensibly concentrated on. A nap in the afternoon with Rae followed by a movie at night.

This morning it was haircut time, sprayed the weeds in the front yard to get it ready for seeding, Ren came over and a relaxing afternoon around the house topped off with a lamb roast. Nothing special but it’s just been a relaxing two days spent with Rae and the young ones, a mini holiday at home. Now the dough is resting for tomorrow morning’s breakfast, the kids are in bed and it’s time for an early night.

I’m very grumpy with someone I don’t know, he’s thrown my whole day out. When you spend time at home you get to know the rhythm of life on your street. Kids off to school, postie arriving, kids home, friends that visit across the road every Wednesday, neighbour home at 4 and put the garage up door up for the next arrival; that sort of thing.

Now the one thing I have factored in to my week is that the catalogues arrive Tuesday morning so it’s eggs, coffee and catalogues while the kids watch Play School. You can imagine my disappointment this morning when I went out the front and there were no catalogues to be found and I’m not sure the day has got back on track since.

It’s now afternoon and they’ve finally appeared, and just in time. I was falling asleep (thanks for the killer cold kids) so I’ve made my coffee and now it’s time for my version of window shopping, It’s the little things that keep you sane.