Bargain Bin Masterpieces

Sales at the local video store. A "selected range of DVDs" reduced to $ 12.98 apiece, in conjunction with a "buy 2, get 1 free" offer! As expected, it turned out to be a very selected range, consisting mostly of truly crappy flicks I wouldn't waste my shelf space on if they were thrown at me for free.

Still, a bit of digging revealed a couple of movie history milestones that were still missing from my – admittedly humble – collection. So, with Dark City, Holy Grail, and Pulp Fiction for only $ 8.65 each, I'm now fully prepared for the next rainy weekend.

Happy Anniversary

So I'm a bit late; but hey, what's a day in 40 years? On October 5, 1969, the first episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus went to air, bringing to life a comedy troupe that would redefine the definition of "funny" and that is still entertaining the world long after disbanding.

Go the Eels

No more sleeps; this is the day! After a dismal start to the 2009 season, the Eels turned around just in time to scrape across the finish line. And by continuing their extraordinary run that would see them win 9 of their last 10 games, they went on to be the first team ever to make it to the Grand Final from 8th position on the ladder.

So, in just a couple of hours, the Parra Eels will take on the Melbourne Storm to win their first Grand Final since 1986.

Go The Eels!

Disclaimer: The above picture is for illustration purposes only and does not depict today's actual decoration of Parramatta Town Hall. While I would love to post some images of a town that is well and truly engulfed in blue and gold; I am at the moment photographically impaired and must resort to a photo from the Columbo archives, taken a couple of years ago.

Proactive co-worker

Me: "Good news, $ApplicationDeveloper; upper management has finally approved the purchase of that source code management tool you suggested"

App Developer: "No rush; I managed to kludge up a valid license key".

Dust

Apparently the dust storm that hit Sydney early this morning was the worst in 70 years; and of course Columbo's work place didn't escape the dramatic event:

View from the office, just after 8 am:





The photos have not been post-processed in any way (apart from a bit of cropping) and show the colors and lights (or lack thereof) exactly as they occurred.

Sunday ...

A not so lazy Sunday afternoon in the local business district:

Ouch

It's quite true that not all men run the risk of being mistaken for, say, Brad Pitt; and obviously, we uglier slightly less handsome guys are supporting women in their efforts to resist, ahem, certain temptations by, well, not presenting such temptations in the first place. There's also no doubt that some blokes are more than just a bit delusional when it comes to assessing their own attractiveness; and that the occasional reality check, reminding us them that they may not be quite the chick magnets they think they are, is necessary.

However, I also believe it's important to keep in mind that we guys have feelings, too. Wouldn't you think we deserve more gentle, sympathetic treatment than the blunt, shocking approach Zest Communications has chosen to remind us of our effect on the fairer sex?

Arrrr

Just a quick reminder that it be International Talk Like A Pirate Day today.

I wonder if it also be National Holiday of Somalia

The commitytee is convening

Tomorrow's topic: Unlocking the full potential of shpehl chekk

Wisemans Ferry

Another time lapse; one in a more rural setting.





And on the way home, another stop on the banks of the Hawkesbury River (at Mooney Mooney):