The SquizLogKeith Pitty takes a squiz at the world. |
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The SquizLogKeith Pitty takes a squiz at the world. |
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After four days play, the first Test between Pakistan and India in Lahore is poised beautifully for a result.
Sure, it may take some imaginative and bold captaincy from both Inzamam-ul-Haq and Rahul Dravid on the final day. A couple of declarations could set the match up to end like the second half of an evenly matched Twenty20 match. Perhaps the final overs will produce a thrilling finish in which both teams have a chance of snatching victory?
No, of course I'm dreaming. The batathon will continue. Sehwag and Dravid will no doubt bat themselves further into the record books in this ridiculous match that has so far produced 1,082 runs for the loss of just 7 wickets.
What is the point of preparing pitches like this that allow batsmen to plunder runs at will without moving their feet?
So Google Earth is now available for the Mac!
The only snag is that, unlike most Mac users, I still haven't got around to upgrading OS X to Tiger. And that's the version required to run Google Earth.
Maybe it's time...
Update (20/02/06): Now that I've upgraded to Tiger I see that Google have changed their pre-reqs to specify OS X 10.3.9+ rather than 10.4! Oh well, it was good that they prompted me to upgrade because now I'm enjoying other benefits of Tiger as well.
Damn!
Yesterday I took my son to the Test Match at the SCG, only to be very nearly hypnotised into a comatose state by the South African batsmen's dull occupation of the crease.
Then today, whilst I was back at the office re-aquainting myself with the art of developing software, Ponting made a typically masterful ton in his hundredth Test and Gilchrist cut loose, rediscovering his ability to destroy opposing bowlers.
Oh well. Hopefully, with my continued absence, the Aussies will wrap up the series two-nil in a suitably entertaining fashion.
Update (6th Jan, wishing I was at the SCG): As Australia cruise to victory Ponting has just brought up another century, this time in just 111 balls. That's a century in each innings in his hundredth Test!
Our valuables and a few clothes were packed. The cars were ready to go, just in case.
After the hottest New Year's day on record in the Sydney region a southerly change turned the bushfires, which had already claimed three Central Coast homes, in the direction of Kariong. ABC Local Radio was keeping us up to date with the latest information as it came to hand. The NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner had warned of 100 km/hr winds. As the news came that the fire was ten minutes from Kariong we weren't exactly panicking but I'd be lying if I said we were all calm.
When we moved here ten years ago we heard about the big fires of 1994 and how the whole suburb had been evacuated.
This time as the temperatures soared I knew that bushfires were on the cards and so it proved.
Fortunately by the time we went to bed at 1:30am it was clear that there was no direct threat to us and we could rest relatively easily. But it was a reminder that along with living in a place surrounded by beautiful national parks comes the danger of bushfires.
For now at least the threat has receded and the local fire is no longer impacting Kariong.
Not a bad spot, eh?
Nelson's Lagoon is in the Mimosa Rocks National Park on the South Coast of NSW, not far north of Tathra. We were lucky enough to spend a few hours here during our Christmas week with the Pitty clan.