The SquizLogKeith Pitty takes a squiz at the world. |
|
The SquizLogKeith Pitty takes a squiz at the world. |
|
Rosie has yearned for a pet dog for ages. And today Lynda and I fulfilled our commitment to get her one soon after we returned from Bundaberg.
Lynda and the kids were introduced to Rusty, a ten-month old Fox Terrier cross, yesterday at the Somersby RSPCA and today Grandma and I had the chance to meet him too. This time next week he will have been to the vet for a certain operation, our back yard will have been puppy-proofed and Rosie should be happily indulging her new pet.
For all of us owning and caring for a dog will be a new experience. But when you meet Rusty (pictured below) and see the imploring look in the eyes of your children, how can you say no?
A little while ago, in the Sydney Morning Herald I came across an expression that I hadn't heard of before: the Gosford skirt.
What is it? An ultra-mini-skirt.
But why a Gosford skirt, you may be thinking. Well, because the Gosford skirt comes down just below The Entrance. And, as any resident of the NSW Central Coast would know, that is geographically correct.
It's the height of summer here and I have happened to notice quite a few Gosford skirts recently.
I know that I very recently stated that I needed to get to bed earlier, but when a tennis match involving Lleyton Hewitt turns into an epic that finishes just before midnight I can be forgiven just this once, can't I?
After all, on Australia Day it would have been unpatriotic not to watch the match until its conclusion.
I've long admired Jerry Weinberg's writing about the people aspects of software development.
So I took notice when I came across his essay entitled Personal Chemistry and the Healthy Body via Esther Derby. From the outset his reference to "DP professionals" may appear to make it a dated piece of writing but it has stood the test of time and is well worth a read.
For me, as a commuter, it reminds me that I need to get to bed earlier to ensure a good night's sleep. This should give me a better chance to make good use of the commuting time on the train (an hour and half each way). And I'd be more likely to feel energetic enough to get out of the office at lunch time for a walk.
If I can summon enough self-discipline to do that, I should be more effective with my work. Sounds a bit like a new year's resolution, doesn't it? I guess I'll see how successful I am.
But in any case, I recommend Jerry Weinberg's article.
We're back from Bundaberg.
Alex was fortunate enough to captain the NSW Primary Schools cricket team to success; they finished joint winners with Victoria. As you can see below, they were unsurprisingly very happy about it. And, naturally, their parents were very proud.
Alex and his victorious NSW teammates.
Alex and the Victoria captain accept the Challenge Cup.
As the Pakistan tail crumbled it began to look as though the Test Match would not last until the afternooon tea interval. Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill were weaving their magic on the SCG pitch and were brushing aside the lower order. It appeared as though Pakistan were plunging to an innings defeat.
So what? There was still over a day remaining and it was inevitable that Australia would win. What was the big deal about the match finishing before tea on the fourth day?
To a select bunch of players, parents and coaching staff the timing of the conclusion was all important. The NSW Primary Schools boys and girls teams were due to be presented with their caps at the afternoon tea interval. So after the middle to lower order Pakistani collapse we were cheering the last wicket partnership between Asim and Asif. And they combined for a partnership of more than 50, much to our relief.
So, the presentation to our boys went ahead as scheduled...
Alex is presented with his NSW Primary Schools cap by Dave Gilbert
The team proudly wears their caps
Names of future stars on the SCG scoreboard?
Alex all decked out for the Australian primary schools carnival in Bundaberg
"Was it 6:30 on the dot when you came in, Rosie?", my wife asked.
"No. It was 6:36. When I looked at my watch it was 6:31 and I read till the end of the chapter."
What was I doing awake before 7am this morning, on a Sunday in the holidays? Well, I was only semi-awake. And I had to make some sort of effort; it was my daughter's birthday after all. She had been given permission to disturb her parents at 6:30am for the present opening ceremony.
As I said, I was only partially awake so I made sure I had a private viewing of her presents later. And then it was time for me to do the party preparation jobs that had been assigned to me. As usual, it was Daddy's task to blow the balloons up. But this year I was also required to run an errand to the supermarket for cinnamon donuts.
Anyway, the party was a big success and Rosie, as you can see from the photos below, thoroughly enjoyed herself.
