This will hurt me...

Concrete, bricks, leaves, grass, trees... We've got the makings of a town here! This photo was taken down near the blubber pots here on Salamanca Lawns. As canny readers will have already noted (see the "Currently Reading" section on the side bar), I am very much enjoying Chinua Achebe's thoroughly excellent Things Fall Apart , years later than I first intended! If you've not already, pick it up. Aside from a general Molly Meldrum-esque "do yourself a favour" [and doesn't that pinpoint me in cultural, geographical and temporal place?] I thought it would be nice to share a thought that resonated with me from the text: "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man. He was like the man in the song who had ten and one wives and not enough soup for his foo-foo ." On that score, it shames me to say that I am not much a man! It's a great read thoug...

As I have banged on about of late, I've been in attendance at a conference for the past three days. Over the course, I've had the privilege of seeing some world class brains on a variety of issues do excellent and engaging presentations, and then there were others who maybe were something less. No different from any conference then! I began jotting a few questions that I would suggest future presenters read and think about before they get around to deliver the talk. In part, this began as a bit of a venting process during poor presentations, but upon reflection, I actually think that each point is actually quite valid. Even (especially) the ones written in frustration. So here they are, my list of things to think about when preparing a presentation: What are you trying to say? Is it worth saying? Have you actually thought about what it is that you will say? Is there anything new or original in what it is that you have to say? Are you attempting to construct an argument? If so...

All right, with the mighty Bombers flying high in the pre-season cup , the time is upon us to gaze into the crystal ball and try to pluck this year's chumps and champions. Regular readers (all one of you) may recall my tremendous foresight in picking Geelong (that ragtag cluster of misfits best known for their extended premiership drought), for glory this time last year. On the back of this, I managed to win my regular tipping competition, see the magnificent Tasmanian Tigers win their first ever Sheffield Shield AND the Ford Whatever-it-is Cup, impregnate my wife again , see the back of John Howard and (hopefully) win a Nobel Prize. I'm not even fussy about which one, any will do. That just the sort of bloke I am, humble to a fault. Anyway, with this form, I'm tipping that at least three people are eagerly anticipating my forecast for this year. First, I shall put the kiss of death on the Essendon Football Club and tip them for pre-season glory! HURRAH! See the Bombers f...

God, the footy has started already. It seems to start earlier every year. Not much changed with Richmond being thumped again. I see the G-Train is back. And didn’t they delist Milne? I hate that guy. I’ll have to have a think about my predictions this season and see if I can repeat my extraordinary tip for the Catters last year. I also have high hopes that I can triumph in the footy tipping this year. People are waiting!

Setting up the tipping comp this year has forced me into a few predictions: In another bold, and probably stupid move, I'm tipping Geelong to end years of heartbreak with a win over West Coast in the Grand Final. Not so bold is my prediction that Matthew Lloyd will be a runaway winner of the Coleman medal. Again, a safe bet that Chris Judd will win the Brownlow. More boldly, I predict that post-celebration he will announce his intention to sign for Essendon. In a stab in the dark, I'm going with Alwyn Davey will be awarded the Rising Star award. I'm sick of top picks getting it, so here's hoping Bryce Gibbs does his knee by round three. The surprise packet this year? The Catters. Both Abletts will run amock, and I reckon that they'll kick a few more goals this year with a more direct game plan. Sydney must be due a few injuries, if they get even three of four to leading players, I don't think they have any depth to cover them. There's no way they'd cope ...