Monday, March 17, 2008

When Irish Eyes are Aussie

Hello blog lovers.

“slainte agus fad saol chughat is go b,fhaig tu pog anocht”


Happy Easter and St Patricks weekend.


I love my connection to the Irish. I married the daughter of Irish Parents, have wonderful Irish in-laws...'The McElroys' (Those of us Married to the McElroys were christened the 'Outlaws' by Bernadette, my wifes sister....we got our revenge by starting the 'I married a McElroy' Club...see t shirts...still available upon request) and two boys who know and love their Irish routes.

http://www.mcelroyclan.zoomshare.com/


The Irish tradition of travel has been a long one and helps those of us a long way from home feel somehow connected to an Irish culture. Often through the usual Irish theme pub, but more importantly through the work of enthusiastic individuals like those featured in this web site:


http://www.blarneybulletin.com/

Anyhow it is always great to pretend to be Irish if only for a day and I like the effect Guinness has on me, leaving me...full and satified...like a good Irish meal...

I was trying to find an Irish joke that didn't follow the drinking stereotype and came across this one...I liked it a lot....


A Dog’s Funeral
Muldoon, an Irish immigrant in Australia lived alone in the bush with only a pet dog for company. One day the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and asked, “Father, me dog is dead. Could ya’ be saying a mass for the poor creature?”
Father Patrick replied, “I’m afraid not, we cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there are some methodists down the lane, and there’s no tellin’ what they believe. Maybe they’ll do something for the creature.
Muldoon said, “I’ll go right away, Father. Do ya’ think $5,000 is enough for donate for the service?”
Father Patrick exclaimed, “Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus? Why didn’t ya’ tell me the dog was Catholic?”


Love The Gills

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Man's little secrets

FIRST MAY I SAY....... YESSSSSSS



BARAK THE ALBION FAN
West Bromwich Albion Football Club...My beloved Albion (real pre 1990's fans call them Albion) are into the FA Cup Semi Final.

Supporting 'The Albion' has always been a great lesson in life. Despite all our plans, life chooses its own route...usually one that reminds us not to take things for granted...However, like all supporters of underdogs I still believe......I believe we will mess it up mostly..... but until then ....YESSSSSS..

Well I am really beginning to love Australia and find myself enjoying little differences more and more. Here are some observations.....I was sat waiting in my GP surgery (don't worry I was temporarily deaf due to swimmers ear)...what do mean you weren't worrying....Anyhow the waiting room scenario gives men the chance to indulge in one of their many little secret hobbies....Womens magazine reading....(Hello, cosmo, etc...) and I have concluded that liberation has well and truly arrived in Australia, however, as with everything over here a compromise to Aussy decency is made..For example a British article about the shrinking rain forest, becomes......'The endangered rain forest...good place for a shag, or not'. The thinning ozone worry becomes...'will ya bum get burned, if you're shagging in the rainforest'....most odd

Humans eternally do silly things the following article from the Western Australian press made even 'Albion' fans look 'normal'...

A 42-year-old man who became entangled in a tree while paragliding with his pet chihuahua east of Melbourne was rescued by emergency services after a five-hour search.
The paraglider set off on a routine flight with his chihuahua strapped to him from Donna Buang Summit Road, near Warburton, just before 5pm (AEDT) yesterday.
But shortly after take-off the pilot became entangled in a tree and called 000 from his mobile phone.

Local police began a ground search as a police helicopter scoured the area, and they eventually made contact with the uninjured man about 6.40pm.

He was dangling from a tree about 35 metres above the ground near Don Gap.

Police, ambulance paramedics, Country Fire Authority officers and State Emergency Service volunteers walked into the area and found the pilot about 9.15pm.

Police search and rescue officers climbed the tree, placed a harness around the man and carried him to safety an hour later.
The man was treated for cuts by paramedics and taken to the Maroondah Hospital for observation.

All I have to say is why the hell would you take your dog paragliding? but then again the Aussies...all tough, macho and cynical do seem to spoil their dogs...check out the following pictures and links...all genuine I promise..

(btw, 000 is Australian emergency number, same as 999 in THE uk)



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