Yet More Memes

Another graduate of a Perth driving school


Causal Friday always confused poor dyslexic Brian



Due to his dyslexia Fred never quite understood Causal Friday


Essendon erotic supplements meme


Nek Minnit double take

Anzac Day 2008

Australia's day of national remembrance is held on the 25th of April each year. It represents the day, figuratively speaking, that Australia (and New Zealand) became a national as it was the first time, in 1915, that it had gone to war as its own country and not for Britain. The fact that the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were still commanded by inept British leaders is beside the fact.

Every year I pay my respects for those that fought to maintain the beliefs and freedoms that I now use. The day starts with a pre-dawn visit to the State War Memorial in Kings Park. It's the only day, other than Christmas Day, where so many people get up so early. Prior to 6am we are shown footage and provided with commentary on a battle that Australian and other allies fought in. At six the formal ceremony begins with wreath laying and a speech by a prominent military officer. It was Commodore Shandler this year, I believe. There was no cannon firing this year but we were treated to a flyover by a Roulette and a formation of biplanes.

Kings Park War Memorial Cenotaph in the hour before dawn.

Perth skyline from Kings Park.

Names of the fallen below the Cenotaph.

Flags at half mast as a sign of respect for the fallen.

Biplane flyover.

Cenotaph inscription.

Flame of Remembrance - Let Silent Contemplation be your Offering.

Large crowd in attendance - estimated at 40,000.

THE ODE

They shall grow not old
as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
we will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET

The playing of the Last Post is more spine-tingling than watching any horror movie (Miky and I watched "The Eye" from Hong Kong last night).

Following the dawn service I did my fruit and veg shopping before returning home to have a nice hot breakfast. Even made breakfast in bed for the missus - Anzac Day fills me with pride and some adrenalin. She looks after me every day so it is the least I can do. After brekkie the boy and I attended the Anzac Day Parade in Perth. I'm very glad that he was happy to go and enjoyed himself. There were some old diggers marching and it was a lovely day.

I found it rather ironic that, at this stage, this is the second wettest April on record, being only 3mm short of the record, and with four days with rain forecast to finish off the month, that it didn't rain. It is traditional for it to rain on Anzac Day.


Digger showing us how to have a shave digger-style

So many campaign medals - poor digger can't stand up straight.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade a.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade b.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade Royal Australian Engineers Flag.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade Royal Australian Engineers Tunnel Rats Vietnam Flag.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade c.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade Army Band.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade Korea+ & S.E. Asia Vets Association Flag.

Anzac Day 2008 Parade Normany Veterans Flag.

Anzac House - the place to be to catch up with your mates.

There certainly weren't too many survivors from the Normandy D-Day Landings that marched. Numbers were thin amongst the over 80s. It is sad to see their numbers dwindling. The march was almost as disorganised as the Gallipoli landing as you were unable to tell which line was going to march and the diggers themselves didn't seem to know either.

Just to round off a great day after preparing a roast vegetable lunch (haven't I been a good boy today?) I get to sit down and watch Essendon play Collingwood in the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster at the MCG. Now, I was thinking at six o'clock this morning when eight magpies landed on the Cenotaph at War Memorial and started warbling that that might be an omen for the match. The were already "crowing" about winning it. And so it turned out. To the tune of 73 points no less. Ruined a good day of paying respects for those that have sacrificed so much for our way of life. And the dishing out has begun already. And I so deserve it.

How To Embrass Yourself In Public And Get Away With It

I received an email newsletter from Essendon Football Club late Friday night. Of course, I didn't notice the date as it was in my inbox early on Saturday morning. The newsletter article stated that "Tonight's practice match against West Coast at Subiaco is a crucial test for the Bombers in the lead up to Round 1". The email came to my inbox at 10:35pm on Friday. So, with good reason I expected that the match would be on Saturday evening.

We had tea and then I had to chase around after the boy who is like an old woman when you want to go somewhere. You have to tell him to go to the toilet, brush his teeth, put some warm clothes on, bring a hat, etc, although not simultaneously. Finally we got out the door and drove to the train station. As we climbed the stairs to the platform I noticed the train coming. My ticket was taken care of but I had to purchase a ticket for the boy. I heard the notification, "Doors closing" just before I grabbed the ticket out of the machine but we managed to get on before they closed on us. Lucky.

It turned out that we were even luckier as we had caught an express train and there were only four stops until we arrived in the city and had to change trains. Some guy even asked me, "Are you going to the footy?" which seemed rather stupid as we had our Essendon gear on. He also wanted to know who was playing.

Didn't have to wait too long and managed to get to the ground a couple of minutes before bouncedown. I was more than a little surprised by the lack of supporters at the ground. Normally for a game between the West Coast Eagles and Essendon there are thousands of crazy people in attendance. And there are usually lots of Essendon supporters also.

Nobody. The ground was deserted. The doors to the stadium at Subiaco Oval were open - not much to stop any would-be terrorists. We walked in to see what was happening. The sprinklers were on and the ground was set up for an upcoming rugby match. And here was the boy and myself kitted up in our club colours all by ourselves. What a prize dill I felt like.

At least we managed to get home on the same train ticket and didn't have to pay twice.

Time To Wear Black

With the passing of Kevin Sheedy, as coach anyway, I think it is time to improve on the black armband. Normally when somebody associated with football passes away the players sport a black armband. I say all Essendon supporters should wear black this week, instead of the team's colours of black and red, following Sheedy's demise. We can do away with the red strip for one week, can't we?

Tribute To Kevin Sheedy

I follow Essendon Football Club. I've only known one coach - Kevin Sheedy. He's been coach of Essendon for 27 years. Twenty seven years people. That's pretty much unheard of in this day and age of professional sport. That's so long that about three generations of footballers have played for the club in that time.

Sheedy is an institution at Essendon. In fact, he should be part of the constitution. Sheedy's been the face of Essendon, a change agent for the game and should be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Legend of the game.

Who will fill his boots at the Bombers? They have to be larger than life and able to add more words to the footballers' vernacular along the lines of "seagull", "marshmallows" and "Martians". Sheedy was nothing if not eccentric.

They will probably need to be a former Bombers player or they stand little chance of being accepted. Of those I see Terry Daniher, Mark Thompson, Gary O'Donnell or Neale Daniher as the most likely for a successor to be chosen from. Mark Harvey has just been appointed caretaker coach of Fremantle Football Club so I don't think that he'll be offered the job, although he has been an assistant coach since 1998 so he's probably a decent chance. I favour Gary O'Donnell with Terry Daniher, TD, being a dark horse.

Back to Kevin Sheedy. Essendon has won four day premierships and a further six night, or pre-season, premierships under his tutelage. Complete list of Essendon premierships. And his very long term win-loss record is around 67%. He started the jacket waving that is conducted by victorious supporters of Essendon or the West Coast Eagles after Essendon won an epic contest by two points. Such was the emotion of the man. Perhaps it is fitting that, if the Bombers don't make the finals, his last game will be against the Eagles.

I am just glad that he hasn't been sacked. His contract won't be renewed and that will leave his pride slightly intact. Alan Jeans said that sacking was a part of life for coaches. "There's only two types of coaches. You're either a sacked coach or you're going to be a sacked coach" - I can't locate the quotation exactly. Thankfully, Sheedy doesn't fit the mould, still. It'd be an ugly mould anyway. He does look like a Toby mug.

So long Kevin. I wish you well. Thank you for all the premierships, great players, unforgettable moments and your love and promotion of the game. Life will be different without you at the helm.