Send in the Clowns

Posted: November 9, 2016 in Midlife Crisis in Maryhole

So that happened. Still in a state of stunned sadness really. The former emotion is easy to understand, the latter less so. At this stage impossible to adequately describe in a few words the emotions at present but as this saga has provided many laughs in last few months need to address it now so can move on to better and brighter things. Like curling up in a corner in the fetal position. The sadness is likely linked to the world we live in and the one my grandkids will grow up in. Its much more than the fact that someone like Trump can be elected President of USA as disturbing as that is. Its a world dominated by media and celebrity, racism and ignorance, misogyny and hatred. Its a world where a man charged with sexual assault (innocent until proven guilty)can seek refuge in an OS Embassy but still influence an election through selective release of personal data. He says he has no data on Trump. I suggest he hasnt looked very hard. Its a world where the most powerful man in the world doesnt have to release his tax records. I could go on but it is too depressing really. So lets look at some other issues that more annoy than depress!

Pollsters are right up there with weather forecasters when it comes to accuracy and indeed showing any remorse or regret for their incompetence. Now you may argue that , like weather forecasting, it is almost impossible to determine these things with any degree of accuracy. Too many variables. Fine, I get that. THAN FUCKING STOP DOING IT.You screwed up Brexit and now the US election. There were many WTF reactions to the result but in all that I think the Democrats and Clinton in particular escaped some blame that should be coming their way. Someone screwed up royally and relied too much on this amazing poll data. They took the rust belt for granted and it cost them the election. In my working life certainly meant a lot of people – dubbed “Golden Boys” – who were promoted beyond their capability but who were a protected species even when they got it horribly wrong. They were of course management suck ups but you have to think in the Democrats there are some people who should never run a campaign again and yet it is Clinton that will take the blame and that is fair in part. She has zero charisma and cant connect with average people. Except maybe Tim Kaine – the walking embodiment of average . Now VP may not be that important after the election but it is in the campaign and once he finished presenting his spanish harmonica recital 23 times there was nothing left. With Trump you needed the dull Pence to offset him. With Clinton you needed the exact opposite. Her fascination/reliance on celebrity played well on TV and in big cities but not in Bumfuck, Idaho. Say what you will about Trump – and I have – but his campaign out played Clinton at every turn. The final night was a classic example. Philly Cheese off with The Boss and Da Boss on stage before a rapturous crowd and next day she loses Pennsylvania. Its all in the detail and for every big city she carried with 15% of the vote Trump carried 10 counties each with 2% of vote. One thing where technology is great these days are the updated counts where they drill down to single booths etc. Fox news will be insufferable now while CNN seems fairly balanced if a little Democrat flavoured. I watched the CNN coverage and it was pretty good but there is always that one moment with them and this time it was at the end. Trump is giving his acceptance speech and CNN breaks into it to say that they can now declare that “Donald Trump has won this election. Now back to President Elect Trump giving his um…. .ah……. victory speech. Oh”

And the speech was pretty good as expected. Very early days. The one thing that stood out though was apparent shunning of Pence and one wonders what that relationship really is like. He thanked him almost as an afterthought after thanking everyone else including Billy Bush first! One wonders if Trump really wants the Presidency? I am sure he does not realise what it fully entails and many think he will be the face and Pence et al will run the country. You know, like with Cheney 🙂 One thing to remember is Republicans have control of both houses so no excuses Donald. Wall, Isis, Obamacare….. all in your power. Some of my Yank friends are Republican and say no need to worry about Trump as plenty of checks and balances in Congress to slow him down. I just hope these checks and balances have had a recent oil change and service! The Supreme Court should be a concern for many given it will now have a very conservative look for decades but you can only tell people so many times eh. As disturbing as this result is the one thing you dont want to happen now is for something to come out about Trump that precludes him from the Presidency. If you are a massive conspiracy theorist – and who isnt – this would be the final big play by Russkies or whoever to destabilise the country and send it into constitutional chaos.

There is a personal angst to all this too. Devoted followers know I love my trips to the USA . Its a country I love. This relies heavily on my Q Super continuing to perform well – HELP – and Trump not tightening the immigration laws against extremely handsome and intelligent visitors. I return in February next year for Seattlandia and one cant help but wonder if the country will have changed at all. Should be no Government shut downs at least!

In a night/day of many emotions expressed by many people Van Jones summed it best in a thoughtful and emotional response delivered while still in a state of shock

Went off early this week as who knows what the world will look like after Tuesday. Women will either be wearing pantsuits or protecting their privates. Men will be watching sports and drinking. Ok, not everything will change, fair call. Not much more to say really that hasnt already been said. If they dont know by now they never will. One amusing/annoying aspect of course is the short attention span of both the media and citizens to significant issues. Everyone is in a lather about the “emails” and yet Buffoon Bob will go to polls on Tuesday still with no tax return release! Kelly Bundy is a great example of your typical Trump voter supporter. Head can only hold so many facts until it has to lose one to take a new one on board

Mind you it isnt all one sided over there either . Obama has been doing the rounds and one generally expects a better behaved crowd at these shindigs even if the occasional protester breaks through the offensive front line in black suits and matching glasses. Doesnt take long then for the crowd to work into a misplaced frenzy that even the leader of the free world cant control. Or was it all staged? You decide

One thing for sure and certain is that the tightness of the race has sent the market into jitters already. If there is a silver lining it is that the Aussie $ could climb well against the US $ for any of you solo travellers out there. Of course in my case (also known as mild OCD ) I already have my US currency and so will simply have less Aussie $ to come home to anyway. Never been a glass half full type of person because in those situations my only question is “Ok which asshole took half my drink?”

Speaking of Kelly B, one is reminded of her affliction when one looks at our “Test” batting line up . I say “Test” that way because these clowns dont realise it is a 5 day affair. “Dont hook at the Waca” “Ok, I will forget I shouldnt slash outside off stump then. Done” . You can put them on a concrete road but if the ball moves a bee’s dick off line our boys are screwed. When Davie “Kaboom” Warner is the voice of reason in a team you know the world has turned upside down and yet we still remain on the bottom ? Interesting side fact. At Old Farts day the other week in Woomby there was a book fair and who knew Warner had released at least 5 books? I would have put money on the fact he hadnt read 5 books! Mind you he has nailed the Steve Smith likeness. It appears when he is not getting out LBW to men he is being caught behind by sheilas

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In other sporting news is the world finally waking up to the fact that the QT man of league is not a messiah but just a naughty boy ? Expect 2017 to be a rough year for him media wise as his sheen has certainly dulled and only a premiership would gleam it up again. The World Series ( if the world was only the USA of course) baseball final was very good bordering on mesmerising. I found myself even understanding terms like “double play” which previously I assumed only referred to what happened after the game #lockeroomtalk#trump . Lets face it if BB wins next Tuesday next year they will be playing for the Trump Cup so enjoy it while it lasts

In TV land not a lot happened. Done with Youre the Worst after 3 seasons. I should be done with Blacklist but for some reason simply tune in each week to see how much sillier they can get. The bar is at record lows at present mind you. Paranoid is your typical solid UK drama with a complex plot and interesting obscure characters but with one major and jarring flaw. For some reason no Detectives over there ever carry a gun ergo baddies always get away. Russell Coight is apparently being resurrected. It was always a bit hit and miss for me but will be interesting to see if they “update” him. Judging by his efforts on Upper Middle Bogan I am suggesting Robbins does not have a vast range in the acting caper

November is here which means summer is in full blast. The weather folk will be alternating creaming their jeans over possible storms or possible bushfires. For Maryhole the only forecast we need is

And yep, nowhere to run. Let alone crawl.

Yeah getting later each week but played golf on a Tuesday this week and it has thrown me. Also had to wait for my review of Fashion on the Fields of course. No one won. Again.

So, its just over a week until the USA votes and Trump is still a chance. How is this possible? More Weiner trouble for a Clinton of course. Two decades apart. Really though even if there was an email digitally signed by Hilary stating that on Nov 9th she intended to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge it still shouldnt matter. Trump’s latest claim that 650 million people could be let in to USA the first week of a Clinton presidency is simply so ludicrous even when placed in a hat with all his other ridiculous claims. As said many times before I get that the 25-30% rusted on deplorables lap this up but that aint getting him extra votes. Another aspect that amazes me , having commented previously on his female surrogates , are that his two main male disciples are equally laughable despite some previous noteworthy contributions in life. Gingrich and Giuliani. Throw in Chris Christie and its Moe, Larry and Curly all over again. Compare that with Biden, Obamas x 2. Everywhere you look Clinton should be pulling 85%. But not in America and not with a Clinton.

Appropriately then it is Halloween. Having been instructed previously on the origin of Halloween given my distaste for the Aussie adoption I shant go down that path again. If people enjoy dressing up and going to neighbourhoods to mix with other so inclined so be it. Just dont knock on my door, assuming you got past the barbed wire and broken glass. In this weather it is not fair either to have to lock up place at 5pm and pretend you are not home:( Luckily already in PJs so no great impost. Now, bring back cracker night and I am in. Then there will be some neighbours jumping, trust me.

In the sporting world there was a massive event on yesterday. Yes Ferguson, Walker, Greathead and Morgan won all the choccies against a start studded field in the annual Melbourne Cup Ambrose Invitational World Cup Golfing Extravaganza in Maryhole. It was organised by the Vets so there were more carts than in the parking lot at Woolies but us 4 brave walkers did it tough on a dry, firm track. Sadly, I did a fetlock and had to be put down at day’s end. Or at least carried down the stairs, lumbered with trophies. Starting to think I putt better on sand greens and thinking of moving to somewhere with them permanently – like Thargomindah. At least it gets more rain than Maryhole. Seriously, all joking aside, I am sick to death of the constant lack of rain here couple by the continual “unbridled enthusiasm” (copyright Billy Mumphrey) that our clown forecasters keep posting storm warnings with. Its 2016, factor in some “historical data” ya gooses. In the meantime I shall remain a cock eyed optimist

In other sporting news some test cricket starts soonish, somewhere in this wide brown land. Seriously that is the level of my interest at present. I will watch the first hour of a new Test series on home soil although if in Perth as I suspect it could impact on my nanna nap. Cricket now is more of a highlights package viewing experience for moi and none more interesting than this little snippet overnight. Interesting fact – this cricketer has never been given out LBW. Everytime he gets hit on leg he asks for a review and is always given not out on snicko evidence assuming it hit bat first. Ya with me ? Of interest, he never tours India. The crowd of 3 went wild.

In TV land Quarry wrapped up an impressive first season after a slight mid season lull. Best new series of the year for me. Many of course would give that gong to Westworld and that is ok but as said in other media commitments ( BBC News of the World etc) I cannot follow this series which I think is trying to be deliberately complex to appease the nerds and not going to waste precious remaining brain cells trying to. Alcohol consumption features heavily in my near and distant future. One series that could lead me to drink even more is The FALL. Its another one of those shows with its moody, slow burning atmospherics that please some but simply bore me. Long dull one on one conversations and Gillian A’s sultry constipated look combined with long wistful stares into nothing does nothing for me and she is definitely an X file for me in the spank bank these days. Season 3 was even worse than 1 and 2 (why watch it then ? – good question Your Honour) with a simply ridiculous conclusion

Another reason for a late note this week was a lovely weekend spent in Toowoomba with several of the clan. Started with Old Farts day at TACAPS for Will and Pat, a school Fete and then the baby shower for Ranny – or more specifically a pre wetting of baby’s head with Richard. Didnt quite all go to plan but a great few days all round

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November already which means just over a month for bub to arrive, about 2 months to Xmas and under 4 months to Seattlandia! Two of those events are very exciting

Later dudes

The Week That Was – 24-10-2016

Posted: October 23, 2016 in Uncategorized

Yep, I try to walk away from this farce called a US election but feel like Michael and not just because I have a brother called Freddo . Who strangely never wants to come fishing with me ? Not only did I watch the last debate live but even the Al Smith dinner the next day ! Last week I didnt even know who Al Smith was. To be fair I stumbled across it watching The Kelly File and there is the drum. While I scoff at folk watching The Block and MKR I watch O’Reilly and Kelly, who it must be said is somewhat transfixing. Not sure if she speaks yet, have the sound off. If I ever watch Hannity, shoot me ok. On a side note that is likely to see my inbox filled with requests to donate to Trump has everyone else noted that most of his surrogates are females who look like failed Beauty Queen entrants – rather attractive from a distance but quite severe up close. And then they screech, sorry speak. The last debate was of most interest because it meant there would be a third SNL parody – who doesnt want to play Trump Bingo!

Only two weeks to go and amazingly he could still win. While it should not surprise me it does – why aren’t more people concerned about the process of the wikileaks hacks rather than the content? Assange is no hero last time I checked . Of course Buffoon Bob shoots himself in foot daily so even if media wasnt “rigged” there is hardly space left to discuss the leaks. They say a picture paints 1000 words and this one attached to the excellent Rolling Stone article by Matt Taibbi is both mesmerising and beautiful. And scary in its accuracy. This is nightmare inducing imagery akin to Munch’s The Scream

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So, I am guessing other stuff is happening in the world. In TV land, Goliath started off strong and then faded away rather poorly. At least I watched the episodes in the correct order!

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/oct/22/new-york-times-review-pans-series-but-then-admits-critic-saw-it-in-wrong-order

Black Mirror is one show can watch in any order and still be impressed. Great to see Season 3 back and on Netflix. Virtually impossible to describe. Speaking of impossible, why try to revamp the vamp and make a new Rocky Horror? Ok, of course there is a simple answer so here is a tougher question – Why Tim Curry, Why 😦 The opening sequence was in fact excellent but as soon as Riff Raff appeared in an odd “vocal interpretation” followed shortly by Cox, the cat was out of the bag. It does remind one that not only was the the original movie magical but the cast was stellar across the board. I could watch the 2016 opening again and again though. So lets

Sporting wise The All Blacks won again and we do seem a bit overly sensitive to the clown article in the NZ media. Not as if Kiwis can read after all 🙂 The Moto GP at Phillip Island simply reminds us what Mike Gibson use to say – these guys have balls the size of orchestra stalls. Cricket starts soon zzzzzzzzzz

Actually had some rain yesterday but not a lot. Did cool place down but the poor old golf course needs about 3 times as much. The Bunker Bike is currently dead so means its all hands – well both – on deck and manual hand raking. 2 hrs is about my limit – especially when sand is a bit wet like this morning – before back screams out “You’re kidding right?”. Then ankle joins in ” at least you dont have to lug the whole body around 24/7″ ! So, time to down tools and get the morning coffee and head home for weekly blog. (Yes that would be this , move to top of class). Toast makes good coffee but so does Sexie Coffee – and with latter I dont have to get out of car and chance meeting some great unwashed. Sexie Coffee is on highway just north of Maryhole and as is drive through one gets a good glance at “line up” at the window as one approaches along said highway. In a northerly direction. Still following this anecdote? Although never yet had to follow through on this, general rule is if 3 cars lined up turnaround and go home. Just the one ? Great, onward and upward. Now, the drive through has a semi circular configuration as you may know and not all is visible from road but a good 75% and literally 10 s away. What are the chances? Yep, you guessed it. That last 25% somehow had 2 cars in it for that critical moment. Assuming women drivers given how long it took them to travel 20m not in a straight line! Thank Me, no reverse parking is involved 🙂

And its goodnight from him

Where to start. I have a theory. All Brontosauruses are thin at one end. Oops wrong theory. At least that one is factual. All we have in the US election though are theories about the release of Donny’s Donts and Hils private thoughts. More women have lined up to complain about Donny then at a Boxing Day sale. Oh dear, I have just given him a whole new group to harass. As said in other media commitments enough is enough and if the Clinton campaign is orchestrating a slow trickle (and not just Bill these days) of stories then cease and desist because the US public are largely sick of it. The one aspect that could lead to an unexpected result is poor voter turnout and you need to envigorate the people not disgust them. If not disgusted yet by Buffoon Bob then they never will. And now he is unshackled! Love the line about comparing him to King Kong – “breaks the shackles and gropes white women against their will” . Amazon forests have been cleared writing about this nonsense and climate change bought forward 3 years (thanks China!) with everything spoken about it. It use to be Jon Stewart as go to person but now it is Samantha Bee. Not only is she witty, smart and crude but also brings a female perspective to it all and you can see she is only barely controlling her anger as she delivers one great put down after another

Billy Bush gets suspended from his job because NBC has higher standards for reporters than many US voters have for Presidential candidates. Many of the Republican surrogates, mostly female nudge nudge wink wink, deflect to Bill Clinton’s behaviour as a way of justifying Donny Boy’s locker room bravado. It gets some traction of course but the big one about Clinton paying $800 k to settle a sexaul harassment lawsuit menas he was guilty even though Donny Boy always settles because he was innocent. Anderson Cooper nailed Conway on it and she was mega uncomfortable

Speaking of Conway the SNL clip of her day off was magic and probably pretty close to the mark this last week.

So, enough US politics for one week. Moving onto sport, the best thing about last nights Test match was Valentine Holmes is a Queenslander! The boy does fly. Kyrgios continues to prove he is an irredeemable clod. We finally have the Bathurst winner confirmed and any false impressions of Brocky as a charmimg playboy somewhat dashed. The two parter miniseries on Brock was an odd mix to say the least and reminds me Molly wasnt that bad and INXS almost Emmy worthy. Mind you if they ever do the life story of Bubba Watson – The Hillbilly Years they have the guy to play him when not appearing as a ghost on Offspring of course. Apparently there is a Test series of cricket coming up against SA with the only real interest is which ward of St Vincents the selectors will visit to pick their pace attack. Pat Cummins had a great return to one day game yesterday but has been told only to play one day cricket for rest of life so doesnt break down anymore at the ripe old age of 23. Thank Me we have all those conditioning experts on the ACB payroll

In TV land watching third season of Halt and Catch Fire which pretty well sums up my golf game at present. You know if I ever catch fire again that is. It is a great show and like the move to San Francisco. Hope they find my heart by season end. Watched the Aussie drama Deep Water which was good apart from William McInnes. As said many times, Aussies make great TV but do get sick and tired of seeing so many same old (and in same cases positively ancient) faces bob up. And memo to Check 1-2 McLachlan – stick to playing baddies as in Deep Water and not fluff as in Wrong Girl. Or not act at all of course, an appealing choice to be honest. Another Aussie newbie Rosehaven has some comedic chops but fear the lead guy could grate week after week. Exorcist is getting into the good stuff while Lethal Weapon has slightly improved as Wayans dials down the goof act a bit. Apart from expecting Jack Bauer to appear at any moment, Designated Survivor is engaging stuff and of course Shameless never disappoints

One may ask where do you get all this time to watch so much TV? Hell, I only list the good stuff! Plenty of time still spent out on Golf Club doing bunkers of course (on course actually) but this wind is doing my head in. All leaves blown out in morning, all return by afternoon. If there were not rakes left incorrectly at edge I guess more may blow in! Getting up at 5 am is probably the clue to having so much time left in the day. And some pleasantly cool weather of late as indicated by my two “go to” signs – aching shoulders at 4am in morning and the inability for automatic garage door to roll up and stay up. Probably a crude joke in there but we are not in a locker room ok.

HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE ZINGER.

Going to a retro street party in a few weeks and “price of admission” is one LP of the vinyl variety. Knew I had a cache hidden somewhere under my signed Donny Osmond posters and eventually found them and what can only be called an electic mix

Slade – Sladest
Deep Purple – Made in Japan
Concert for Bangladesh
JC Superstar Original Soundtrack
Bad Company – Desolation Angels
Cocker – Cocker
Monty Python – 5 LPs!

Wish I had kept Smokie – The Hits to give away but was only a 45 to be fair. Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature because they dont give one for Enunciation ?

One last thought. If they dont sort out this crazy clown nonsense soon I see some rather unfortunate events occurring this Halloween. Just saying

They say a week is a long time in politics. For me 90 minutes is too long. When it is a debacle. Sorry Debate. I really need to stop watching US politics so much as I despair for the world we live in at times. How anybody could say with a straight face that Buffoon Bob won the second debate is beyond reason. Yes, of course like everywhere else the media is biased and nowhere more so than in USA and so hard to get a fair review admittedly. So, instead will use my own two eyes, two ears and an IQ of at least double figures. I dont give a crap about Pussygate (or taxes for that matter) – it tells us nothing new about him. What drives me up the wall ( an actual one, not a dreamt up one) is he simply doesnt answer questions and no one pulls him up on it. His knowledge of the world is akin to that of his family tree – the Orangutan .The Supreme Court question was just one of many examples – yeah get another devil incarnate to replace the one that died but Hey Hilary why dont you contribute your own millions to your campaign eh? Huuuuuge Zinger ! Nope, simply embarrassing to a level where the bar is not even above ground. Some commented on the look on Hil’s face at times but truly believe she was as shocked as anyone with the dribble coming out – and she lives it 24/7! Of course she is far from perfect but at least she has a grasp of the world and what is going on even if she doesnt have all the right answers. I can only take it from his comment that Dickwad Don is going to send in a band of secret ninjas in the dark and reclaim Syria, Iraq, Libya and even Madagascar from those pesky , but adorable, zoo animals. His complaints about moderators and everything else simply reminds me of the Bill Maher tagline #whinylittlebitch . And the sniffs are back. So many great memes etc around at present but this one caught my eye as combines two simply bizarre current behaviours in the world

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Of course with BB we know he thinks he is My answer to everything like knows the bible better than the Pope etc . He also thinks he is a great golfer so lets look at the swing. Ok, not Charles Barkley admittedly but that putting stroke looks “susceptible” and bet he wishes he could wear a suit on course. And then of course we get the crap about him handing out money at the end

In other sporting news we had two fairytales – AFL and NRL – and one nightmare – Aussie ODI tour of SA. Of most interest to me though was Bathurst yesterday. Watched the start as usual and then came back for last 20 laps and it was simply riveting television. The skill level of these guys is amazing and seeing them scream down Conrod reminded me of my recent lap record – 47 kph!

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In between sport and politics was able to finally celebrate CLP birthday at the rather special Casa Di Natura. A great package of a sauna, a swim and a massage. And champers and choccies. Then they tell us you will be last couple to do package as closing down pool etc. Dont feel so bad about peeing in pool now

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And before heading to Flashman Sunshine Coast INC HQ dropped into Rainbow Beach to catch up with da boys. Glorious day in a beautiful location

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I tell ya, its a hard life but think I am up for it

In other news Summer is well and truly here , at least in Maryhole. Only a bit over 4 months to wait for Seattlandia I guess

And in other news my son finally went over to the darkside and joined Facebook and set a record for number of photos uploaded in any 24 hr period. But as they are mostly my gorgeous grandkids I will allow it this once

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And then there were two and I just lost all interest. Tipped Melbourne several weeks ago and stick with that because as we all know you have to lose one first before winning one. Canberra showed inexperience last night on the big stage and it cost them dearly. As expected Cowboys were shot ducks by time they rolled into Sydney once more. Pity the AFL isnt going to be two Sydney teams though, that would have been funny. Jason Day still has shaggers back and so the final event has lost some appeal as well but still a good viewing spectacle. Just have to remember tomorrow that it is over by 7 am!

Speaking of a funny contest the US election campaign enters its 4 th year and the debate beckons. After Trump got his hair ruffled by lightweight Fallon , Clinton thought she would take the hard hitting interview route

This was both funny and cringeful at the same time. Barack can get away with it while Obama of the M variety may in fact be the most charismatic of them all. Zack had a couple of good zingers at least but one does wonder what Hil was trying to achieve – most BTF watchers would already be her supporters. Trump supporters are also easily recognisable. Just not believable

You cant write this stuff

In other TV news tis the season for newbies and there is a current fascination with turning movies into TV shows, both here and abroad. Lethal Weapon and Exorcist were first cabs of rank and no surprise for this LBD that any show with a Wayans in it was going to be hard to take. Couple of soppy ones like This is Us and Pitch both had their big twists in first ep so could all be downhill now. A comparatively short trip. With the 24 reboot just around the corner we are reminded of JB in Designated Survivor – interesting enough premise but very much in the Madam Secretary mould methinks and not West Wing. Or 24. Can certainly skip Graves while Bull has a definite Lie to Me vibe happening. In the remaining 30 minutes in the day quickly fast forward through returning shows like Shameless and Transparent

Did a bit of flirting this week and CLP fully understands. She is not only a year older but so much wiser to boot. I could be in trouble. I flirted with the idea of adding a week at beginning of next year holiday in cold old Chicago to get my winter fix as Summer kicks in here already. I look for signs – like “great today only super flight deals” . There were none. In fact there is the usual Qantas penalty for changing flights. It was going to cost at least 5 grand just for extra week before factoring in beer and peanuts. Its only money right? Well yes but I also went to doctor during week and he said I was looking as fit and healthy as ever. Then he took the glove off and we both relaxed. So I may live longer than expected, let alone fear. That 5 grand could come in handy. To go to Chicago the year after and do it proper eh! I may just need a leg up. Wait a minute……

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And so the Broncos bow out for another year at least with some fight. When you have a makeshift centre pairing you are going to struggle and a 10 minute period in second half with two easy tries did that. After getting every call last week they squared the ledger this week, not that there were any howlers like last week. Two missed offside penalties (even Gus Gould acknowledged them!) were critical though especially the last one near full time. Of course the NSW media used all their ink last week moaning about how things went Broncos way – wont be a peep this week . You cant help but wish good things for JT though as he is simply all class. Parker wont look back on his last few games with any great pride and Milford was usual missing link. Boyd was good but backline in general lacking. The forwards need 5 more Thaidays. McGuire is a clown thug and Blair not much better. Gillet brain explosion didnt help anyone and tie that in with Roberts effort last week and there is your season gone. It can be a tough world at times and you have to think the Cowboys could be spent after last nights game. Luckily they only play Cronulla:) Would like to see Panthers win it all and some Bronco do something stupid on Monday just to round out their season in style. Jason Day is going to struggle next week again one assumes and you wouldnt want our Adam to have a 4 foot left to right slider to win it all on the 72nd. The gob merchant DJ looks a safe bet. Wallabies won a match and the fans rejoiced. Such a small group these days that largely went unnoticed

In the land of make believe people better get ready for a Trump presidency and then look in the mirror for the culprit. We now have the charm offensive in full swing even with some hair tussling involved. From afar it is no more believable as each week passes but becoming more understandable. You would have to think the debates are the last chance for him to totally stuff it all up so even the deplorables see it. In the land of political satire have to say Samantha Bee is knocking it out of the park while Colbert is only a shadow of his former self. Not really following the back and forth here on the plebiscite but seems an awful lot of money to spend on a no brainer. Guess that what happens when you have no brainers running the country

In TV land Offspring and Suits finished season/midseason finales and the world did truly rejoice. Offspring had a certain whimsy to start with along the lines of a Seachange for example but simply went gaga a season or two ago, came back after a break and did the impossible. It got worse. Once you lose whimsy you are dead in the water and we all know what that means. Sharks jump over you easily. As for Suits, well what can u say. Has one of the most unlikable characters in TV land in Rachel( only matched by Elizabeth on Blacklist for this LBD) and a plot line of late simply of the charts. There are too many ridiculous things to list and still get to sleep tonight – except maybe the A Few Good Men reference! – so lets just say sayonara to both shows for ever. In a pleasant surprise though a new show Quarry comes along and looks like the cats pyjamas. Like Aquarius before it is set in a great time period in USA -early 70s. Great cast and interesting plot so far . Many other shows return next couple of weeks but not getting sucked into AHS again.

In other news, nothing happened

And so Spring has sprung and the cloud/sun/rain app is all sold out in the app store. Speaking of which now we have the next few weeks of downloading “iPhone 7 compatible” upgrades for all apps on my iPhone 3 . Seasons change but some things remain the same. Trump is still a chance to be Top Dog while Broncos are no chance

It is amusing to see the negative backlash for Matt Lauers probing interrogation of Trump. What were they expecting — he makes Karl Stefanovic look like David Frost. I even got an email this morning from Eric Trump looking for donations for their campaign all because one day many years ago I briefly subscribed to Washington Times! The calamity still has not happened – or at least what your average yank considers a calamity. You could see this go down to the wire in a contest most called 6 weeks ago. It would be like Clive Palmer and Jacqui Lambie on a joint ticket here in Wonderland and still a chance going into polling day. At least they are only asking for nickel donations not dollars. (Warning – may be too clever for some readers). I do return to USA next March and there will be a new President either way. Could be interesting bordering on scary

Broncos sadly thought the Grand Final was 2 weeks ago. They played well then but now have gone back to usual crap. Brisbane hotels have reported bookings for their Mad Monday next week already! Smartest planning they have done all year. I cant recall a team getting such a poor “rub of the green” as Titans did last night. Yes you can say by letter of law it was a penalty try etc but really every call went Broncos way. The square up will probably come now with Jet and The Grey cited and sidelined for next week. Wont the Sydney media love showing the kick and headbutt on loop for next few days. To be fair I think the Cowboys players egged them on. One thing apparent in first half last night was Broncs should have held onto Taylor and let Hunt go. Really sick and tired of Hayne doing his Christ the Redeemer pose after any good thing he does. Luckily it only annoys me about 3 times a game these days

In other sporting news Jordan Day (known as Jason to his mates) suddenly cant find the middle of the fairway with a compass and flashlight. It is encouraging to all hackers when the world number one just loses his game like that – just wish it wasnt an Aussie. I have been on this earth for many years but cant recall a previous period when I didnt even know on a given day when Aussies were playing Test cricket or ODI in another country. Talk a bout a Who Cares fixture – second now only to a Bledisloe Cup match. Its Ashes and World Cup now and thats it.

In TV land Narcos Season 2 is very good once again as is Ray Donovan even if latter tends towards pulp fiction most of the time . Jon Voight is having a ball. It can be embarrasing at times to note some shows one still watches in a Melbourne Cup field of quality available really. Mostly due to having started the show back many years ago and hard to walk away from. However now I clearly have my running shoes on for Suits and Offspring. They jumped the shark, went back and back flipped with triple pike and then did a forward somersault and landed flat on their ass. Aussie TV has been bad for a long time now but it still surprises that in 2016 they can make a “new show” like Doctor Doctor and it will rate of course. Then again the forum post for Zumbas Desserts on Whirlpool runs to five pages!

The week started with a big wedding and even bigger night. Yes nothing like an old fool eh. So, waking up on Fathers day was not a pleasant experience having only got home on Fathers Day a few hours before hand! High Caloric intake helps to a degree in the recovery process but one still feels flat. And then one gets a present from da boys and all is good again

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Better get out and do my chores for the day because as you know the weather forecast is – “chance of possible shower” and they are never wrong. How could they be really ? Its like saying Trump is a chance of winning, Broncos are a chance of beating Cowboys/Storm, buy a ticket for a chance at $10 million. Chances are one day they could be right!

Aussie Sport – What went wrong ?

Posted: August 20, 2016 in Sport

We lost. Goodbye.Turn off the lights

So, a few years ago Queenie with the Corgis complained of an anus horribilis. At least you can get a cream for that. We have just had one fuckedup fortnight #flashmanoriginal which could take years to fix if ever. So what went wrong ? Everything

When the Bronte sisters (#royhg) failed in the pool it was disappointing for sure as they were close to gold medal certs as Bolt was in the 4 x 100 – given he did have to rely on 3 other nobodies for certainty. BTW in other media commitments I suggested that any athlete who wants to know what real pressure is should try being one of those 3 in that race! Even N Korea would say you did what to those guys that lost ??? Man that is brutal. Take a chill pill dudes. And a reefer . Anyhoo….

One “disaster” followed another and as each one happened more pressure was exerted on the next “favourites”. Enter the self imploding Boomers! In previous years we have come close in this caper but usually faulted at end as one may reasonably expect with NBL players trying to step up. Like Brisbane Roar appearing at the World Cup. But we had 5 NBA players in this group, several with NBA finals winning experience! The cyclists have been hopeless whether on track or in velodrome. In between, some lesser known athletes have done very well and at times brilliantly

Now you could think well it is the Olympics, only comes around every 4 years. We are still a great sporting nation. Some people like to show that we will still win more medals per person in Australia than USA for example. Whoopie Doo. Half those clowns are voting for Trump – if they ever get near a sporting event it would be a first. Or a Nascar event of course. What about our other sports? Glad you asked

Wallabies were flogged – really no point in even crossing the Tasman in a couple of weeks. Save us all the pain. Have the Bledisloe Cup permanently mounted in middle of Auckland Harbour. Our cricketers cant win a chook raffle in the sub continent – even with John the Bookie onside. We use to rule the world in Rugby League – now we struggle against the sheep herders. Individual sports? Tennis – bunch of overpaid egos and dummy spitters. Golfers – not bad to be fair but then it is a unique sport where just about every player “chokes” at some point so lets not single out our boys. Except Sharkie of course

Many factors at play methinks. Good point made this morning by someone else – we use to dominate Tennis and Swimming when they were outdoor sports predominantly and our weather enabled us to train more and longer year round. Now they are mostly all indoors and even Iceland can train all year round! The intrusion of media cant be understated – both social and other forms. Our losers have to climb out of the pool and then read off the lines from 100 Polite Ways to Lose to a microphone shoved in their face. At this rate we are down to number 97 – my dog ate my speedos, honest . The reason is two fold – to be such highly paid amateurs relies on massive sponsorship and secondly several are always eyeing off a career in media after they have finished being losers in the sporting world. Note – in an abysmal effort by Channel 7 for these games a few commentators stood out and none better than the two at Swimming. Aussies have a laid back nature in general and of course we sell this as a central theme of our much sought after national identity. Sadly it only works in the backstroke for swimmers!

Our sporting stars are paid too much too soon as is clearly evident with Tomic the Tanker. He wins about 35% of matches and is a multi millionaire. Imagine in my old job of saving humanity in general and lives in particular. A 35% success rate would have you out on the street living under a bridge rather quickly. Our cricketers are way overpaid of course and yet still after so many years cant hit a spinning ball? Doesnt matter will be back in Big Bash next summer making another million for 4 overs of whacking. Which is about 3 overs more than what they probably do in the dressing room afterwards. Our NRL heroes are now full time wankers so have too much time and money on their hands and a limited IQ often to address these Twin Towers of Temptation. Can we finally agree that the QT man is the same as every other NRL coach and not some wonderful “man manager” ? Jimmy the Jet needs to take off somewhere else.

Now most of this doesnt really matter because this is still the greatest country in the world to live in. Period. Pity our media is the same as everywhere else in the world

Lets just not sugarcoat what has been a very poor performance across the board by well paid and often pampered sporting “heroes”. In the never ending discussion about the “cop” problem in USA some critics argue that while the job may be tough it is one they choose to do for whatever reason. That is a bit harsh in my view but does have a certain validity. I wouldnt want to get up at 4am in the morning and dive in the pool so choose not to although have passed by a couple on way home from pub in younger days. Those that choose to do know that for a small % there can be rich rewards ahead and a guaranteed “successful life” . Its a choice they make

Or maybe they just dont want to dig roads or sit in an office all day ?