Friday follies

If last week was a fish I would have thrown it back in. This week was somewhat better - although the fish was barely legal.

Anyhoo, on with the show....

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I heard Barry O’Farrell being interviewed by Alan Jones this week. Barry made a good fist of things, and, barring some hitherto unmentioned cosmic conjunction, should be premier of New South Wales in March 2011.

I recently heard someone say something that annoys me no end.  A euphemism that should be refuted at all costs with a swift kick in the shins to whomever utters it – and that is ‘voters always get it right.’ With one or two exceptions (Mark Latham comes to mind), this is an ineffable load of heifer dust. Does anyone remember Peter Debnam? Apart from an infamous but innocuous incident with some budgie-smugglers, what did he do wrong? He should be premier right now, and Nathan Rees would still be an unheard-of Labor backbencher.

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Why do some Australians go all doe-eyed at the mere mention of ‘Halowe’en’? What is the attraction of this Celto-American, ghostly-themed, pagan ritual where awful things are done to pumpkins? I just don’t ‘get’ Halowe’en, particularly its attraction in this great south land, and perhaps never will.

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Another thing I don’t ‘get’ is sushi. What is appetizing about eating raw fish in pickled rice, rolled up in seaweed? Those three ingredients on their own would be enough to ensure I had several litres of iced coffee next to me – but together??!

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The house around the corner from me is bedecked every year in wonderful Christmas lights, including an illuminated tree on its roof. Speaking of trees…

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has angered some Christians with his yuletide terminology.

A giant evergreen that will brighten the Capitol lawn this winter won't be called a Christmas tree. Instead, the Beshear administration has dubbed it a "holiday tree."

The Rev. Jeff Fugate, pastor of Clays Mill Baptist Church in Lexington, said Christians find the change troubling.

"If you call it a holiday tree," Fugate asked, "which holiday are you talking about? We don't put up a holiday tree for Easter or New Year's or Thanksgiving. We put a tree up for Christmas."

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Watched The Secret Millionaire on 9. It’s great for flushing the tear ducts, I’ll give it that; but wonderful to see people and organisations in need given a hand.

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Hey Hey it’s Saturday looks set to return to Channel 9 next year. Given the success of the reunion specials, Hey Hey’s return was a dead certainty – and hopefully it will return to it’s rightful home - on Saturday night!

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Samuel postulates his ideal weekday 2UE talkback radio lineup. I’ll give my (composite) selection here:

Midnight-dawn, John Kerr; Breakfast: Alan Jones; Mornings, Chris Smith; Afternoons, Clive Robertson; Drive, Mike Gardiner; Nights, Clinton Maynard. 

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Serendipity doesn't often occur in the workplace, but I experienced it first-hand this week. I think it helps to be open and accepting and allowing things to just happen, rathan than trying to consciously manipluate them.

This lovely experience, this red rose in a compost heap, reminded me of this charming quote from Joseph Addison:

"Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit, and gives a certain air to the countenance that is more amiable than beauty."

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This weekend I intend to enjoy lots of delicious Aussie white, and watch some DVDs. Especially, some more Classical Destinations. I have series I and II. Magical stuff. Thoroughly recommended - for classical music aficionados as well as those dreaming of a European getaway. I'm fortunate in that I fall into both categories.

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