This will hurt me...

Not that my children have (wisely) embraced Australian Rules Football and the mighty Essendon Bombers , Henry and I have been working very hard on his fundamentals. His endurance and speed is top notch and while his handballing needs a bit of work, it is not bad for a fellow of his age. He's getting the hang of keeping his eyes on the ball and is thus improving his marking in leaps and bounds. On that, he has a fair bit of spring in his step, so his leaps and bounds are very strong. Where he lets himself down is in the kicking department. He reminds me a little of Michael Symons, poor technique and prone to rush it. Next stop, electrodes .

Nature and industry co-exist. The view north-west from Natone Hill, Lindisfarne. June 2012. When the World discovered The Beatles, for a time it seemed that all things Liverpudlian was considered cool. This extended (amazingly, really) to poets. Even though Adrian Mitchell wasn't actually from Liverpool, he was someone tagged with the 'Mersey Poet' label because he shared many of their key themes and concerns. I'm something of a fan of Mitchell, and can't help agree with his summation on the state of modern poetry in the eyes of the public, " Most people ignore most poetry because most poetry ignores most people ." I like this one about protecting one's wheelbarrow. However, I am torn between 5 and 9 as the best retort. I've been waiting nigh on thirty years to use one of these... Ten Ways to Avoid Lending Your Wheelbarrow to Anybody , Adrian Mitchell 1 PATRIOTIC May I borrow your wheelbarrow? I didn't lay down my life in World Wa...

That's right, the lads and I took a road so less travelled that the map provided doesn't even work any more!

Public art or graffiti? Does it matter? In the lane-way off 99 Bathurst Street, Hobart. May 2012. Here's a book review. The Battle for History: Re-fighting World War II , essentially an extended literature review on the subject by British military historian John Keegan. Give that well over half a century has passed since the end of World War II; it strikes many as surprising that historians are still struggling to define it. I’m not sure why people are all that surprised, given the infinite angles and interpretations that can be applied to the events of the period (especially when one considers the ways in which the world was irrevocably altered). In assessing the general histories, Keegan manages to illustrate the extent to which our past – including how we think about it, interpret it and define it – dictates our present. Each chapter covers separate approaches to the topic, including overall histories of the war, biographies, distinct campaigns, the intelligence war, logis...

Fellas. FELLAS! Mecca's the other way fellas.

Statue or public art, who can tell? Clarke Avenue, Battery Point. June 2012. Theme Thursday ? ALL GOOD THINGS... ...come to those who wait. I do believe that this is the latest I've ever had a 'morning' post come up. Six and a half hours late? You can probably tell how my day has gone...

After dealing with the Ruskies, Ezra makes his way to Székesfehérvár...

Morning over 10 Murray. Hobart Waterfront. May 2012. Wordless Wednesday.

Henry channels the spirit of Jennifer Lopez...

There is some halfway decent grafitti about town, you just have to know where to look. The lane-way just off Murray Street out by Centrepoint. May 2012. Tuesday means questions and answers, this week back to thieving from Sunday Stealing with The Imaginary Meme, Part One ! 1. Have you ever peed your pants as an adult? Not that I am aware of. 2. Who do you have a celebrity crush on now? I am not certain that I even know any relevant celebrities at the moment. I will be frank and say that celebrity status in itself is a bit of a turn off. 3. Would you date someone you met online? Only if my wife said that it was okay. 4. Do you wear underwear always? Not always. I like to hang free every now and again. 5. Do you hate yourself at times? Never hate. Occasionally I don’t fully approve of myself. 7. Do you like dirty movies? It really depends on the quality of the acting… 8. Could you believe Josha Ledet was voted off Idol? Who what now? 9. When was the last time t...

Henry has been made ducks of his class! .... [ahem] .... I'll get me coat.

I climbed up there once. Telephone tower, as seen from Sandy Bay Road. June 2012. The Internet is a wonderful place filled with the rich and varied treasures of the world holds (is it possible to have a mid-life crisis at 35?) The following are some things that I've had a look at in the last week. I call this: a Compendium of Click-throughs for Monday Morning.. Zadie Smith in favour of libraries . "Well-run libraries are filled with people because what a good library offers cannot be easily found elsewhere: an indoor public space in which you do not have to buy anything in order to stay." Mythbusting! Food additives do not cause childhood behavioural disorders . Some ideas on how to save $$$ in healthcare ... An enjoyable, brief discussion on feminism . Also, I love the first line. A niche interest:  ladies swimsuits of the 1940s ...

Look... Henry has a kangaroo in a headlock...

A hole in the fence. Clarke Avenue, Battery Point. May 2012. Sunday Top Five day and this morning another reminder of the joys of children! Dear Little Ezra® came in to our bedroom this morning with some fanfare, announcing that it was his intention to vomit right there and then. Cue lots of frantic rushing about to ferry said child to toilet, get a hold of a large bowl for any other spillage and so on. I will confess to being slightly sceptical about the validity of the initial claim (this is my nature), I did set about addressing the strict list of demands advanced by my youngest son (while he convalesced in bed, ( my bed, with my wife and my electric blanket on). Anyway, this list of demands (i.e. breakfast) is today's list: Five Things That Ezra Requested (And Ate) For Breakfast, Thus Really Establishing The Fact That He Is Not - Contrary To His Claims Otherwise - In Fact Sick! A croissant(hot) A large bowl of Coco Pops 'Chex' (with milk) A large bowl o...