By 12.30 this afternoon we had visited the MCG (for the first time), listened to some great speeches by people opposed to, and directly discriminated by, Howard's industrial relations laws, stood for the national anthem, joined in a Mexican wave, clapped along to Jimmy Barnes singing Working Class Man and taken a gander at the Myer Christmas windows.

Please excuse me while I go and have a little lie down.

Flickr set of the Fill the 'G rally.

This is the first event, in 30 years of living in Melbourne, that has come close to enticing me into the MCG.

Say no to unfair work laws!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
8am-10am
Gates open 7am

The episode of Peppa Pig that screened this morning began with Daddy Pig in the kitchen making soup and Mummy Pig doing some important work on the computer. Peppa and her little brother George ask Daddy Pig if they can watch Mummy Pig working. He says, "Alright, as long as you don't disturb her." And that is the moment, ladies and piglets, where it all goes horribly wrong.

Of course George and Peppa do disturb Mummy, and break the computer. Mummy asks Daddy to fix it (WTF?!) and in exchange she'll finish making the lunch. Daddy feigns ineptitude then turns the computer off and on again. All is well. Peppa and George convince Daddy to play a computer game with them, which they do and hilarity ensues. End of episode.

If you didn't quite keep up with the sequence of events there, note that Mummy Pig was interrupted during her Do Not Disturb time, had to stop and make lunch for everyone, and still has to finish her work. Everyone else gets to have fun and do as they please.*

In today's Age there's an interview with Nancy Kanter, Senior V.P. of original programming for Playhouse Disney, which finishes with

Shows made specifically for preschoolers are really aware of just how impressionable their viewers are. They're actually really responsible shows that reflect good modelling and positive social messages. So if you know your children are watching age-appropriate television, I think you're pretty safe for the most part.

Now maybe it's because it cuts a bit too close to the bone for me, but I call bullshit.

Also has anyone else noticed that Trotro's mother never ever says no to him? Spoilt little $#%&*@ (donkey).

*OK, it's an accurate representation of daily life, but honestly.

There's nothing quite like being kept awake by the neighbours' kid crying out "Muuummmmeeeee" all night. A toddler in need of attention must be the most plaintive sound on the planet.

(Because all the cool kids are doing it and I want them to be my friends.)

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing, you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

You know in The Day of the Triffids, where you know the dystopia has reached its nadir, because the army is trying to make blind people subsist on watery triffids? That was based on John Wyndham's experience with black salsify. No, of course I am not telling the truth, but it could be true.

Zoe Williams throws out the swede, but shares tips for consuming the other vegetables in the box.

There is really nothing you can do with alfalfa apart from use it as a beard for your other vegetables. I mean a decorative beard, not a metaphorical beard, to make people believe that the other vegetables aren't gay.

It started peacefully enough on Thursday (actually it started almost exactly three years ago in a most unpeaceful fashion) with caterpillar meringues*, followed by ladybird biscuits** on Friday. Saturday saw sausage rolls, zucchini slice, ham and cheese scrolls, and a chocolate cake disguised as the Quangle Wangle's hat. Today it all culminated with chicken and mushroom skewers, sushi (purchased), mini pizzas, and the bog standard snack foods that you see at parties. Prepared but forgotten were Waldorf salad, potato wedges, more pizzas and chips.

If only I would learn to follow my own advice.

Happy Birthday Abbey!

*Where the caterpillar describes the shape not the contents of the dessert.
**No insects harmed here either.

A genius in action, Jon Stewart demonstrates the correct technique for responding to the stupid.

(via Rjurik)

This one's for me dad.

YouTube link.

I have been interviewed by Tansy on her new blog Kids Dish where I was grilled (!) on Abbey's eating habits. Kids Dish is all about food, young 'uns and how entertaining it can be when you put the two of them together. I think I manage to come across as one of those perfectionist parents with a near-perfect child that mainly exist to annoy others. Honestly it's not always hunkydory. Last night Abbey licked her fork twice and called it dinner.