Well the big day has come and gone, Jarrod started High School today. I was very apprehensive about the day, but it went off really well. He came home from school enthusiastic and really happy, lets hope it lasts. Riley went into Grade 3 today, she just rolls with the punches and had a great day.

Today was the first day of the ALP Conference, I really think that Mark Latham has the makings of a great ALP leaders. Howard is running scared. Bring it on Johnnie!!!

Well tomorrow is the first day back at school for the kids, Jarrod will be venturing into new ground when entering Year 7 at Sunbury Downs College, Riley will be in Grade 3 at Sunbury Heights Primary School. I have the batteries for the Digital Camera charged and will take pics of the big HIgh School boy. Today was spent getting books ready etc.

Spent the day trying to get our new help desk software working, who said working with Macs was easy. Also Happy Non Wedding Anniversary to Me! Married this day 14 years ago, no longer relevant!

On reading my crikey.com.au email I came across this site Fourth Annual Weblog Awards, I implore you to put a vote in for John Howard: P.M., it's one of my personal favorites.

This afternoon I am off to the Hume City Council Australia Day Ceremony. I was on the selection panel for the Citizens of the Year and would like to congratulate Darrell Marr from Broadmeadows for being selected as this years recipient.

Congratulations to Steve Waugh for being announced as the Australian of the Year for 2004, personally, I would have preferred Dr Fiona Wood to have won this accolade. I think it is time that they introduce another category of Sports Person of the Year. Anyway congrats Steve!!

61 days to go till we are in paradise.

Went in to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre yesterday, there was a big sale of run out stock, mainly shoes, managed to pick up 3 pairs for Riley, and a pair for Jarrod and I for about $80.00. We then ventured to the Crown Complex where Chinese New Year Festivities were taking place. Had a great lunch in the Food Court, we then went and had coffee at the new Docklands area called New Quay.

66 days to go till we are in paradise.

Reasonably lazy day today, bit of shopping, sat in the sun watched a bit of the Australian Open the Aussies are doing OK at the moment.

I cooked a yummy dinner, my own recipe of Parmesan Schnitzel, for those who are wondering what the difference is between this and normal Schnitzel, I add Parmesan Cheese, Chicken Stock Powder, salt, pepper and parsley to the breadcrumb mix to taste, one of my better recipies.

Thanks to Des for another completely useless way to waste time if you don't like penguins, my higest score is 320.5

RIP David Hookes, tragically taken today after a fight at a Melbourne Hotel

ARRRGGGHHH! This new system is still taking up most of my waking hours, tonight, I figure that I finally have all of the data ready to upload and then realise that our temporary license key has expired and the techo at work that looks after the server is on holidays for the next week. Some thing are really not meant to be!

Last night I went and saw Somethings Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson and Dianne Keaton, it was a real "feelgood" movie, quite a few laughs. Jack Nicholson was his idiosentric self.

At the moment, I think I am witnessing Australia self destruct against the Indians in the ODI at the Gabba.

Took the kids to the Melton Wave Pool today, apart for the waves malfunctioning for about an hour, it was enjoyable for them and gave me a few hours to read my current book No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson

Work, Work and more work, I hate to think of the number of hours I have put in this week. I am in charge of implementing a new Help Desk and Asset Management Program for our Department. If you ever have the need to do this I can recommend WebHelpDesk, the package is soooo (too ;-)) comprehensive and what I thought would be a weeks' production time will turn into a month.

Spent this morning sitting on a selection panel to select the Hume City Council Citizen, Young Citizen and Event of the Year, my lips are sealed on the recipients but they are most worthy of the gong.

I am most envious of my mate Des, he is in Vanuatu at the moment. Ah well only about 82 days to go to we head to Paradise
Had a bit of time out on the weekend and ventured to the beach for a night, was nice to get away and just do nothing! Not something I am too used to.

Well we returned safe and sound from Sespray today, had a great week away, just getting back to basics although, the oldest prodigy had to take his playstation. We spent the week just relaxing and not doing much at all. I checked my email once and didn't really miss the puta at all. We decided that we would take the scenic route home today so we ventured home via Inverloch and Phillip Island.

Got home about 8pm and have got the Coldplay DVD I ordered just after Xmas and a letter from the TAC telling me that I had been noticed driving safely under the Drive Right Campaign and I got rewarded with a mini first aid kit.