Men are from Mars

Hiya;

Feeling slightly guilty about missing last week's update. But, save for the hour or so that Bodhi and I flew the kite in the park, (forty minutes of which was spent up a tree untangling it), there wasn't much doing.

This weekend started with drizzle and fog followed by fog and drizzle - perfect tax return weather. A small yet favourable return allowed for a lunchtime splurge at the Shark Fin House in Chinatown where they put the Yum into Cha.

Saturday was also the Australia Ballet School's open day and with Bodhi considering changing his middle name to Baryshnikov, we took him along for a look see. He now knows what he wants to be in life and I know what my my Saturday's will look like for the rest of mine.

On Sunday I took Bodhi around to Shalome & Scarlet's place for a catch up. Bodhi loves girl company and I now understand why. Shalome's girlfriend was there and sitting quietly in the corner listening intently to them talk about their problems was nothing short of fascinating, and surprisingly therapeutic. My problems just seemed to vanish in a cloud of relative insignificance. Men really are from Mars.

see ya,
Minas.

Another Weekend

The old girl dropped the sprog off down the road on Friday night then I took her out for a slap up meal and a bottle of plonk at the local. Home in time to snuggle up and watch the Bill Collins special.

Some of my Greek relos were in town on Saturday so we all went out to Jim’s Greek Tavern in Collingwood for dinner. They don’t do menus, just bring out whatever they’ve cooked that night. Lucky for us that consisted of mountains of fried Calamari, Dips, grilled Octopus, garlic Prawns, Blue eye Cod, Greek salads, breads, mixed grill and as much coffee & desert as you could still stomach. We saved on the taxi fare by just rolling home.

On Sunday The Lovely Samantha had her first day at personal training school (she’s nearly got her certificate III – very proud). While she was out Bodhi and I did the shopping. He insisted on riding his scooter to the shops and so, despite knowing full well it meant “I’ll ride up to the end of the block at which time I’ll grow tired and expect you to carry it for the remainder of our excursion in the highly unlikely event that I want to ride it again.”, I let him.

see ya,
Minas.
http://www.minasaroney.com.au

Spring Carnivale

What to do when you live in the burbs on a quarter acre block , it’s your daughter’s fourth birthday and she wants a fairy princess party? That conundrum faced our friends this weekend but rather than capitulating, they seized the day by getting their princess a castle. The biggest jumping castle they could fit in their backyard. Cue hours of delirious squealing and halcyon fun. Afterward we let the kids have a go.

They did an old fashioned pass-the-parcel which I thought was great. Bodhi didn't share the same enthusiasm. Having missed out on unwrapping a surprise, tears began to well in his spoilt little eyes. I was slightly embarrassed by his reaction, but I’ve only got myself to blame. Years of this “no one misses out” party ethos have set some unrealistic expectations. I thought it the perfect time to explain the important lesson that not everyone’s a winner. Upon observing that my explanation hadn’t had the desired tantrum quelling effect, I promptly explained another important lesson : there’s always pretty pink tiara shaped fairy bread for those that miss out.

Pardon the pun but Spring has well and truly sprung down here. On Sunday we packed a picnic and spent most of the day in Albert park and having warm fuzzy family time.

The Lovely Samantha introduced me to some exercises that will form part of a new fitness regime...which I'm already regretting having asked her to do for me. But, judging by the impending eclipse of my feet, it's long overdue.

The real highlight of the weekend though was the football. In nothing short of a modern miracle, within the space of a day, the Saints went from losing a premiership to winning the only one that really matters.

see ya,
Minas.

www.minasaroney.com.au