This will hurt me...

A mega quick post to keep the photo streak alive! Here is Henry at the play group. Note the black eye that he picked up in a fight with the stairs fifteen minutes in.

There is something odd going on with blogger today. I can't seem to get it to upload pictures. I will endeavour to resolve it ASAP. Coming up... Henry and a car at Geilston Bay play group. I know that you all will be salivating at that prospect!

I was greeted with a far lovelier scene out on the fire escape this morning. No doubt, you will recall the snow photographed yesterday. Well, it is still there! Only this time, it had a friendly rainbow there to keep it company. I want to share with you all part of my day. I just went to a launch of a campaign designed by, and aimed at, 'young people'. It was an open thing, hip and happening. There were TV cameras there, lots of money thrown at glossy brochures, stickers, stick-on tattoos, a new-fangled website, carry bags, magnets, the lot. The central component is a website projected as a 'multimedia portal for young people by young people' and by and large, they have done a reasonable job in their task, I wouldn't want to suggest otherwise. The thing that I have to note though is the audience. As I said, it was an open launch that was promoted widely. There were tables full of grub and drink for people to pick over. So who was there? Conservatively, I would wa...

In a story sure to shock one Louis la Vache as much as it did I, the front page of today’s Advocate – my home town’s journal of record – shook me to my very core, and prompted me to muse on it. First, the facts as we know them: A dark and stormy night. An unlit road out in the country. A young man in a high powered vehicle. Thirty cows innocent of any crime. A CRASH! So why then, I must ask, this headline? "Man hurt as car hits cows" “Man hurt?!?” FIVE innocent cows killed, and they choose to run with “man hurt”? Unfortunately this is merely the latest in a long line of anti-bovine reportage. It is distressing that the media are not aware of their own biases, and how, constantly, their framing of stories reveal an innate prejudice against cows. When asked for comment, this cow said, “Yeah, the marginalisation of cows is disturbing”. I will not even go into another disturbing facet of the story, other than to say that this quote from the story is equally troubling: “Sgt Lee-...

FINALLY, after weeks and weeks of waiting, there is a little bit of snow to photograph! I have posted it in Autumn , and even a couple of weeks ago , but finally snow! It's lucky that I come in to work early though, as the mountain has been shrouded in cloud since nine o'clock this morning. In fact, my Fern Tree correspondent, Odette, informs me that there is snow at her end. I think that it is very much 'Scott of the Antarctic' up there at the moment. On another note, Henry and I are presently reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Murial Spark. We are both enjoying it very much, but Henry keeps asking when a woman really reaches her ‘ prime ’. And wouldn’t you know it, I have no idea! I would imagine that it would depend on the lady concerned, but I told him I would consult the world through teh Internets.

I came across an interesting little article in the New York Times on the Basics of Fatherhood that offered up eight simple rules to help frame the qualities that might shape a ‘good father’. It discussed (and linked to) an article by family therapist Marie Hartwell-Walker more broadly talks about the role of fathers in the modern world. Both are well worth checking out if you are a father, or are soon to be one. I would like to think that I go alright on all of these, although to be honest, I could do a little more work on a few (as is always the case). It probably serves a useful purpose now and again to stop and assess how we are going in such an important role. As an aside, I like point seven, I try to make all discipline fun! Embrace your responsibility Be there Be there throughout their childhoods Respond to the needs of the kids, not your relationship with their mother Be in a respectful and appreciative relationship with their mother Do your financial share Balance discipline ...

I have taught political science to hundreds of undergraduates over the years (don't I sound old?) One of the things that I have most enjoyed talking about is both the challenge and beauty of the public policy process. One of the most common misunderstandings about public policy is the assumption that problems will inevitably have solutions that are one hundred percent effective. The reality, of course, is that every potential solution will generate new problems that they themselves must be responded to. Thus, the public policy process is better viewed as cyclical rather than linear. This has always been the problem of some of the dialecticians that I have met. Perhaps indicative of the circles that I have frequented, they are often, although not always, of the Marxian variety. Last night, I was presented with one such example. The photograph above demonstrates both the success and failure of a response to a problem. Problem Heavily pregnant mother is tired and sore. Solution Hot ba...

Today I present to you the second instalment of Sports Logos Worthy of Ridicule or Admiration . Last week we dealt with Tigers, and I found fertile ground for derision and approval. This week though, we lean a little more heavily towards the ridicule. Given the topic, it could not be avoided. So, without further ado, this week’s topic! EPISODE TWO: ANIMALS IN SWEATERS It appears to be a noted feature of the US collegiate system that animals are often best presented in nifty sweaters with embroidered logos. I would like to think that today’s collection proves otherwise. Here we have the archetype: the poshly-named college jock from sunny Florida. The Florida Gators logo seen here was in use for most of the 1990s. It shows Albert E. Gator, who – judging by appearances – is a constipated former Marine drill sergeant positively radiating a passive/aggressive tendency. I personally think that Albert looks a bit of a nob, but not everybody thinks would agree. In June 2007, Sports Illustrate...

I had to rush from the bus stop down to the waterfront to get a halfway decent angle to catch the impressive display of colour in the sunrise this morning. For this angle, I am looking east/north east down Davey Street at 7:45 am. It's a good thing that I rushed though, because barely three minutes later the colour had completely disappeared. There has been little in the way of posts today, rushed off my feet all day. Bastard of a thing though when you stop to assess progress and you don't seem to have advanced very far. I guess that these kind of days are inevitable. That knowledge doesn't make them any more bearable however.

The title is a continuation of the George Carlin tribute. As is today's photograph. I can think of nothing more that he would like than a picture of two rubbish bins (that's correct, the old brain is struggling today). So what I will do is post one last George Carlin quote for the day. This one is about 'irony'. Like George, I am continually frustrated by the misuse of the word itself. Not a day goes by when somebody fails to say to me "how ironic" and I think about directing them to Carlin's rant from Brain Droppings : Irony deals with opposites; it has nothing to do with coincidence. If two baseball players from the same hometown, on different teams, receive the same uniform number, it is not ironic. It is a coincidence. If Barry Bonds attains lifetime statistics identical to his father's, it will not be ironic. It will be a coincidence. Irony is "a state of affairs that is the reverse of what was to be expected; a result opposite to and in moc...

To continue a great day of news, Reuters are reporting that George Carlin has died. To quote the man himself: "Bummer". [A message to the faint hearted, please look away now.] [Are all the faint hearted people gone? You better be, because otherwise you won't be able to complain...] ANYWAY. In his honour, I would just like to say a few words: Shit Piss Fuck Cunt Cocksucker Motherfucker Tits Thank you and goodnight. [For an explanation, please click here . Man that Wikipedia is quick!]

Eagle-eyed reader Sue liked the look of Friday’s photograph , but noted an oddity: "To the right hand side is what looks like a boat...and something else. To my aged eyes it appears to be a dolphin??? Or can it be the Loch Ness Monster on holiday??? Can you enlarge that section ( as you did with the picture in the park ) and enlighten us as to what is in the water there??? I'm just curious...." I have done as asked and uploaded the evidence below. Far be it for me to TELL you all what it is, but I think I know. Would anyone like to hazard a guess?

I have already expended quite a few posts on Zimbabwe and the recent turmoil there. I can’t quite express the disappointment that I feel with regards to the latest outcome other than say that I hope that Mugabe gets exactly what is coming to him. Unfortunately, I am familiar with this tune and can see how it will probably pan out. Thus, I won’t bore you with another tirade, I will link to some sober words of the Political Umpire, who has pretty much said what I would have liked to say (only far more politely that I can manage this fine morning). For those interested, I am quoting Thomas Jefferson there in the header, but hold little hope that it will happen.

I have been meaning to take a photograph of today's subject for some time, but had continually put it off through i) a fear of getting anything worthwhile; and ii) bone idleness. It is Henry's favourite part of the Salamanca district, the large salmon aquarium at Tasall's Salmon Shop . As I am sure that most people are aware, getting a decent photograph of fish in an aquarium is a tricky business. This is compounded when you are dealing with an unlit aquarium, as is necessary with a fish like the noble salmon. This one was taken yesterday, one of just four as I had to keep an eye on what the little bloke was up too. I have worked a little magic with the very compact "Microsoft Office Picture Manager" (an underrated little photo fiddler). Technically, it isn't much of a photo, but I am sure that you get the drift of the salmon. What has surprised me is the number of people here in Hobart who haven't paid a visit. I would encourage you all to, as it is a coo...