Thu - June 1, 2006

What The Beans?

So, I lived in Chicago for 4 years, had kids that did so for 8 years, visit on numerous occasions, and I've never even been to Detroit but damn it, those are MY teams. De....troit Bas.....ket....ball!
You got your Mission Impossible 3, your retro comic strip hero: Superman, and your X-men action movies. The one and only movie scene I need for the whole summer (besides CARS) was the following scenerio described eloquently by Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports.
At one point during the third quarter Wednesday night, Shaquille O'Neal got the ball right near the basket and headed up for one of his signature monster dunks that usually end with him hanging from the rim and kicking his feet up. It's a demoralizing play, one that is pure power and, for the most part, indefensible.

This time, though, there was a defense.

Just as O'Neal was about to spring his 7-foot-1, 325-pound body toward the basket, Ben Wallace threw a hand down on top of the ball and with some kind of superhuman strength snuffed out the entire enterprise in its infancy. O'Neal would end up crashing to the floor, eventually falling backwards and sprawling onto his back, while the ball went nowhere and the referees whistled for a jump ball.

To recap: Ben Wallace put Shaq on his ass. One-handed.

It was power meets power, a play that caused a disbelieving gasp and then a wild roar from the Palace crowd.

Encore...Ben Wallace got the jump ball, too. And...that's a wrap.

This whole house is a Tom Cruised up mess.

But it's good to be home, and on the porch, and only 36 hours away from happy hour.

I know I'll miss them when they all leave for the summer, TOMORROW!

Ben, I know you're there cuz I saw a picture of you bowling on someone's Xanga site, and you'd think Tony would let us know if anything had happened.

Tony Bennet singing "The Way You Look Tonight", Martina McBride's "This One's For The Girl" and the Today shows' video montage for Katie Couric's last day solidified in my mind that Imus In The Morning is the only news talk show that I'll ever watch again.

I falling in love with the Dixie Chicks again.

Me: "Melissa, there are just two things you have to do for me all summer..."
Her: "I know, I know...convert the whole world to Christianity and find the Mother Ship?"

Mark, flipping past a body building contest while channel surfing: "Whadda ya mean, go back? You actually like that stuff?"
Jen: "No, and you don't like it when cars get in a wreck, but you gotta watch it."

Melissa: "I bet Shaq can sweat a small baby during just the 1st half."

And the winning comment is:

Thelma, after searching all over for the coffee thermos: "Lloyd, I can't find the butler!"
Lloyd: "Maybe he quit."

Summertime...and the livin' is crazy!

Posted at 08:08 AM    

Mon - June 5, 2006

Easy Come, Easy Go

Posted at 12:21 PM    

Tue - June 6, 2006

G'day Mates

Happy Birthday Baby!

Posted at 07:33 AM    

When I Grow Up

Everything seemed to be happening in a fog. I was walking down the Paul’s neatly manicured barn yard with row after row of weeping willow trees to shade me from the sun. At every tree there seemed to be a familiar face surrounded by a signature icon, to greet me. First up was Melissa in what appeared to be a music video, her background singers were the YA’s but I only recognized O’s smiling, familiar face. Next came a park like setting lined with quaint streets and homey flats. Seems we lived there next to Jen and Tony and our Australian friends were visiting for the summer. Of course the Eiffel tower was in the backdrop. I finally came to the end of the trees which had turned into an outdoor ampitheatre. Annie handed me a playbill just as Ben came out on the stage to introduce “My Story.” Then I quit my day job and woke from a Tuesday afternoon nap. Needless to say, I'm on the porch writing now. Can anyone interpret dreams? Does this even need interpreting?

Posted at 04:11 PM    

You Better Run, You Better Take Cover

I’m in a funk, again.
I shouldn’t be.
Cripes.
I usually skip over journal posts that start with, “Today was a good day, or last week-end was awesome…”  They bore me. That’s all, so  I will not be offended if you skip this one. I’m gonna avago at sharing how good I’ve had it lately, and maybe I’ll talk myself out of this.  The parenthesis are English translation from Aussie (pronounced: Auzzie) slang.
Memorial Day Week-end we arsed off (left in a hurry) to see the rellies (relatives) at the station (big farm or lots of land).  Yeah?
Happy hour is back on track, and that’s good cuz it’s never fun to drink with the flies (alone).  Yeah? Yeah?
Even though the two sheilas (girls) came home for a fortnight (2 weeks)…they soon racked off (get out fast) to their woop woop (small out of the way town) for the summer.
Lee, our old bloke (male friend) lobbed in (drop in to visit) for a bit from Oz (Australia).  I reckon that is one family we do not ever miss a beat with.  He filled us in on his family for the last 12 years and then listened intently to our rendition, including some videos.  I would say the Avery’s are mates (friends) for life and we’re hoping the next rendezvous we’ll be down under with matildas (sleeping bags) in tow….long before we’re crumbly (old). Lee, glad to have you here and see how you’re going….it was good to bat the breeze (idle chit chat) as well as the dinkum (genuine) talks.  No worries, as soon as Mark is done with yakka (work) we’re gonna be the drop kicks (losers) that’ll leave you clagged (worn) out.
He buggered about Fruitport while we arsed out across the state to the Paul’s. 
Ben is marrying into a beaut (good) family.  We enjoyed a cuppa  with the extended rellies and then had no worries while just the moms and daughters waited for the Tiger fans to return.  The day went by like the clappers (fast).  They threw down (put out there) a 4th of July invite that will be hard to argue the toss (dispute).

So. She’ll be apples (everything will be all right).  Yeah? Yeah? Yeah?

My kids are all gone on someone (in love), and it looks good onya.  They’re gonna be flat out like a lizard drinking this summer (busy).   And by the end of August will be flaked out (worn out)…I’m sure. But they'll all give it a fair go and  will be goin’ off (having a great time) come next Sunday when the campers arrive.
I will blow-in (uninvited guest) on them from time to time. Ring me.  Remember the 800# if the mobiles don’t work.  Us oldies (parents) have to stay clued-up (well informed).
Crickey (surprise at something)!!
I HAVE talked myself out of going round the bend (losing your mind).   Throw another shrimp on the barbie, I abso-bloody-lutely should have no worries. Everythings jake.  That’d be right.  Bob’s your uncle. Yeah? Yeah?

Posted at 09:03 PM    

Fri - June 9, 2006

So What The Fuss?

Now Listening: A Time 2 Love ~ Stevie Wonder
I've been upstairs for 2 days. No kidding. These are the after pictures. Kinda makes you wonder what the he** it looked like before doesn't it? Assuredly, not like this. Oh well, I'm off to happy hour. Then maybe CARS tomorrow between Bourdon ~ Bolhuis wedding and reception. Have a smear cake all over your face kind of week-end.

Posted at 03:14 PM    

Tue - June 13, 2006

Sun - June 18, 2006