Auld Lang Syne

In case anybody doesn't actually know the words...

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Verse One
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld Lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Verse Two
And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld Lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And if you wish to keep singing, there is more

Happy New Year everybody!



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I did a naughty thing this morning. I peed in the bath tub. At least I aimed over the plug hole. My human told me I was lazy, but I think I was rather sensible.

Even though my human spent most of the day with me, he seemed to be doing a lot of house cleaning. It even included a big long brush of my fur!

Anyway, tonight my human left me to go to Fiona's house (she is Devi's sister) for a paella dinner. If abandoning me wasn't enough, he had the audacity to play with that Maltese Terrier dog called Pixie. I can smell her all over him! Hmmppphhhh! Thankfully he returned tonight in time to see in the new year with me.

random footy pic

round 16, 2006 - Bradshaw kicks, Black lies on the ground and Drummond looks on (the players from my team anyway)

Tiger is 31

Tiger Woods turned 31 today. Happy Birthday Tiger.

His real name is Eldrick. Tiger is just a nickname which stuck, given to him by his father's friend Vuong Dang Phong.

Tiger Woods is not a "black" golfer. He is actually one-quarter Chinese, one-quarter Thai, one-quarter African, one-eighth Native American, and one-eighth Dutch.

When he fills in forms about his ethnicity, he writes "Asian". Tiger actually calls himself Cablinasion, a term he made up.

It doesn't matter to me what ethnicity Tiger is. If he came over, I would sit on his lap just as I would anybody.


Tiger with his later father, Earl Woods

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was a good day. I didn't feel like chicken or turkey so I didn't eat in the morning. I refused the usual for dinner until my human opened up a tin of tuna for me. Honestly, you'd think he would learn by now.

My human went out in the afternoon today to the mall to pick up his dry cleaning. He patted a cat who lives down the road along the way, and played with Tessie the Border Collie dog on the way back. Hmmppphhhh!

saving polar bears

Late last year, I wrote about ' global warming means no more polar bears'.

US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced on 27 December 2006 that the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and initiate a comprehensive scientific review to assess the current status and future of the species.

According to the official media release
The Service will use the next 12 months to gather more information, undertake additional analyses, and assess the reliability of relevant scientific models before making a final decision whether to list the species.

12 months is a long time to wait if polar bears are dying.

The announcement is just a proposal. All Americans who are concerned should read the proposal and comment by the due date.

Time is running out.



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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My human stayed home all day again. As much as I enjoy lying on his lap and napping together on the couch, I'm not like a dog which suffers from separation anxiety.

I need time alone in the house so I can hop up on the kitchen bench without being yelled at, and to do all the other secret feline activities that we do when no humans are around.

searching for New Earth

An orbiting telescope called COROT has been launched to search for new habitable planets.



Many of the planets COROT will detect are expected to be 'hot Jupiters', gaseous worlds. An unknown percentage of those detected are expected to be rocky planets, maybe just a few times larger than the Earth (or smaller, even). If COROT finds such planets, they will constitute a new class of planet altogether.

Links
- Centre national d’études spatiales - CNES (France)
- European Space Agency - ESA

Hmmm... somebody better warn these planets that Earth humans are on their way...

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I had another good day today, though my human went out in the afternoon. When he returned, he brought over a visitor called Court for me to sit on, while they drank beer! And then I got into the catnip.

After Court left, I had a nap on the couch with my human until I got too warm and hopped off.

My human bought me a new food bowl while he was out - a Wedgwood Jemima Puddleduck bowl. Woohoo! Unfortunately, he's taken to calling me Keiser Puddlecat now.

Bob the 'distraction' cat

Everybody knows that in households where cats and dogs share living arrangements, the cats are always in charge. In fact, cats train dogs to know their place in the home.

So good are cats at training dogs, that they even train dogs to serve humans.

In fact, even canine companions such as guide dogs are trained by cats; cats such as Bob the 'distraction' cat.


Bob the cat training Rinda, a puppy at Canine Companions in Oceanside, California. Bob helps companion dogs to learn not to be distracted by cats.

See - North County Times (California) of 23 December 2006

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I had another wonderful day today. The weekend is lasting a long time!

I've been watching Dinotopia the series with my human. We even had a great afternoon nap together today. I love it when I am cradled in my humans arm with my head on his shoulder.

This afternoon, Kettles' human Klaudia came over bearing lunch - including ham, proscuitto, prawns, asparagus, mangos, strawberries, and a sparkling wine. Not only did I get to lie on Klaudia's lap, but she also gave me some ham.

dumber than dumb

A dumb blond who has no talent and is famous for the sake of being famous is going to be paid to attend another party. This time a New Year's Eve party in Sydney.

Even dumber are people who actually pay her.

See - Sydney Morning Herald

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I had a wonderful day today, even if it started late. My human slept in until 10.30am. Can you believe it? I meowed and meowed at 6.20am to wake him, but he chose to ignore me. How rude.

Anyway, he spent all day with me. Woohoo! Not only have we been watching Dinotopia, but we also had naps together on the couch snuggled up together.

NORAD and Santa

NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) monitors artificial objects in space, and detects, validates, and warns of attack against North America (USA and Canada) whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, utilizing mutual support arrangements with other commands.

At this time of the year, NORAD also tracks the movement of Santa from the North Pole.

Hello? Diversion of military resources. If NORAD has this extra capacity, then they can have their funding reduced with much needed funds going towards the search for Osama bin Laden and other terrorists.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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My human was out for much of the day today. He went to Jimmy and Lily's house for a a big Christmas lunch which he told me was delicious. He also gave Jimmy and Lily a cuddle. Not so much Lily who is a bit of a scaredy cat, but she got lots of scratches and even a belly rub. Hmmppphhhh!

not the Queen's Christmas message

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is not the only person to read out a Christmas message. Australian prime minister, John Howard also reads one out.

According to our ABC (that's A for Australian), he said:
while the economy may be prospering there are a number of people who are struggling.
and
And those less fortunate in our community through no fault of their own have fallen between the cracks and we must, all of us, do what we can to help them.

A bit ironic really, given that his government policies created this situation, like tough labour laws that favour businesses and employers rather than workers.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was a another good day. Santa Claws came and left me some gifts. Woohoo! My human also stayed all day with me, except tonight when he went out to a barbeque.


Checking out my box from Santa Claws


Ooh, a stuffed sock


A springy mouse toy, a bouncey fluffy ball on springs... what more could a cat want?


That strange cat called Splat who resides at Belconnen Petbarn who apparently 'road tested' my toys. Hmmppphhhh! I smelt Splat on my humans hand on Wednesday when he came home from work.

random footy pic

Round 9, 2006 - Black celebrating a goal
(we actually have that footy jumper that Blacky is wearing, my human just needs Blacky to sign the back of it, where the number is)

new pic

sometimes, when I am asleep, my toys come out to play...

Deathly Hallows

JK Rowling has revealed that the seventh and final Harry Potter book will be called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

My human has read most of the Harry Potter books out loud to me, and I've also helped him watch the film adaptation. I can't wait for the last book to be published. Occasionally, when my human has forgotten to read me particular chapters, I've had to take the book out and read it myself when he is at work.

The storyline of the new book is a closely guarded secret, but I think I know what will happen.

Harry Potter will cross to the dark side and call himself Lord Vader. Then he will slay all the Hogwarts students under instruction from Voldemort, who in turn declares himself emperor.

Over time, a child called Luke will be discovered with magical powers who fights the emperor, and discovers that Lord Vader is his father. Then good will prevail over evil.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was a good day. My human spent most of the day with me. I also ate lots today.

My other human who used to live here came over to visit me and we had a big cuddle. Then later on, Neil came over to visit and cuddle me.

We watched Iron Chef America tonight. My human was terribly excited as the secret ingredient was duck (Iron Chef Flay against challenger Ming Tsai).

lower tax, no deductions

The Sydney Morning Herald reported today that income tax could be reduced to flat rate of 20 per cent in exchange for no tax deductions.

That could also mean that the majority of taxpayers would no longer have to file an income tax return.

A lot of tax accountants would be out of work. Now they would argue against such a sensible approach.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I was hoping that my human would stay home with me today, but he went to work anyway. I did get a treat for breakfast, tinned salmon (they cost more than tinned tuna, so I only get it now and again) which I ate up.

My human returned home from work earlier today, but he could have been back even earlier, except he went into town first. He told me his office was allowed to finish at 2pm, but he didn't hear about it until 2.45pm. What a doofus!

a giant tent in Astana

Another interesting building for tonight's entry.

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan is shaping to be the new modern architecture centre of the world, soon to surpass Dubai.

The UK architect firm Foster + Partners has designed a giant tent to be built in Astana.

The Khan Shatyry entertainment centre in Astana will become a dramatic civic focal point for the capital of Kazakhstan, the soaring structure, at the northern end of the new city axis, rises from a 200m elliptical base to form the highest peak on the skyline of Astana. The 100,000sqm centre’s unique concept - to provide a sheltered environment embracing an urban-scale internal park, shopping and entertainment venue - was developed in response to the harsh climate of extreme weather in both winter and summer. The building will become a lively public space and an unprecedented amenity for the people of Astana which can be used throughout the year.

Held by a mast, the vast tent-like cable net structure is clad in ETFE, a material that allows light to wash the interior spaces while sheltering them from extreme weather conditions. A park steps up the height of the building in undulating terraces providing public space and green oases for the visitors. A tropical water park weaves its way through the landscape and its wave pools, river and waterfall are lit by roof lights that are seamlessly integrated into the design. The highest terrace is a viewing deck which will offer dramatic views over the park.

At the core of the building is a large flexible space that will form the cultural hub of the centre, accommodating a varied programme of events and exhibitions. Complemented by 40,000sqm of retail space with a wide range of cafes, restaurants and cinemas, as well as ample covered car park facilities, the Khan Shatyry will offer leisure facilities for all.

Artist's impression



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I had an interesting day today. This morning after I ate a little of my packaged processed turkey slices for breakfast, I had a drink of water from my large water bowl on the deck which my human had just replaced with fresh water out of the tap. Then he encouraged me to get into the catnip. Is that what you call a pusher?

Tonight Emily came over and made dinner of Hokkien noodles with cooked Chinese BBQ duck, bok choy, snow peas and puff tofu. She also brought all the ingredients over. I had a nice cuddle with her.

I ate all my dinner tonight

Christmas and holiday gifts

Here's a thought.

Instead of buying and then exchanging expensive and meaningless gifts, wouldn't it be great if some kind hearted people agreed with each other not to exchange gifts for that year and pooled their money towards buying food and treats for the local animal shelter?

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I wasn't feeling too well today. I did eat breakfast, but not dinner. Merlin's humans Kim, Jordan and Liam came over for dinner of bangers and mash and broccoli.

They also watched Galaxy Quest. I just felt like having my human all to myself, so I retired to my basket under the bed, until my human brought me out.

the baiji is extinct

The baiji was the Yangtze River (fresh water) dolphin and has just been declared extinct.

This is very sad news and a tragedy.



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Not much to report today.

random thought #2

Sir Francis Drake was a bit of a pirate. He also traded in slaves.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was okay. I ate my usual amount for breakfast and dinner.

Tonight, Bobby came over, and then not long after Timmy, and I sat on both their laps, though I much prefer Bobby's. They had a beer and then had a risotto for dinner (made with onion, bacon, mushrooms, asparagus and gorgonzola). Then they watched Team America World Police.

wine also comes in...

There are always bottles of wine at my house. You never know when the odd guest may drop by to visit and cuddle me.

Of course, guests deserve wine in real bottles, whether with a cork or a Stelvin screw cap, and served in real crystal wine glasses.

The Hardy Wine Company recently launched the "Shuttle" featuring a 187ml (single serve) acrylic wine bottle securely sealed by its own acrylic wine glass. The tamper-proof bottle is opened by a simple twist-top action, which also releases the glass in which the wine is poured.




Now Palandri Wines has launched a recyclable pouch the "Cheer Pack". With a resealable plastic screw cap, it contains the same amount of wine as a traditional bottle, is half the size and weighs just 15 grams compared with 500 grams for a glass bottle.



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was a slow day, apart from when my human did some house cleaning, but at the same time, I also had a nice long brush of my fur.

Aside from that, not much happened today. I ate a little bit today.

random footy pic

round 12, 2006 - Justin Sherman handballs a disposal

Earth Hour

On 31 March 2007, Sydney will go dark for one hour between 7.30 and 8.30pm by turning off all the lights as a step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

See - WWF - Earth Hour

What a great idea. What would make it even better is if everybody caught public transport on that day.

Sydney going dark for one hour will make a small difference, but imagine if New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, London etc also participated.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I went to visit the vet today and had to stay there for over an hour. I was given my yearly vaccination, then Ernie the locum (not my regular vet called Rob) examined me.

He felt me carefully and said the growth/lump inside me is the size of a tennis ball. He thought it would be too dangerous to do anything about it.

I also had to get stitches on my back leg as my human accidentally cut me when he was trimming my hind fur last night. The little accident cost him an additional $73.15. Serves him right. I hate having my fur trimmed.

I've just been sleeping most of today and haven't eaten anything at all, not after all the drugs injected into me like the vaccine, anaesthetic (a new one suitable for elderly cats), the antidote and penicillin.

Robbie is a Lion

Robbie Williams has been in Brisbane performing at his latest concert.

On Wednesday night he even wore the football jumper of my team on stage. Woohoo!





And earlier, Robbie being given the jumper by Luke Power, Tim Notting, Simon Black and Daniel Bradshaw


*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I woke up my human very early this morning, but he chose to ignore me in favour of the alarm clock radio. He had to go in early today. Why he needs a contraption requiring electricity when I do the job so well is beyond me.

Anyway, today was a better day as it wasn't so warm. My human had a treat for me tonight. After I had my usual chicken, my human gave me some of his cooked tuna as well. Woohoo!

Tonight, we are watching Capote.

ig-Nobel faux pas

I hope so called 'celebrities' have learnt from the major faux pas by Sharon Stone, that it is extremely bad manners to upstage the King and Queen of Norway, by arriving fashionably late, after the royals had arrived last and on time.


Queen Sonja and King Harald (arrived on time, but last as per protocol)


Sharon Stone (arrived late - she should have been refused entry)

See - Norway Aftenposten

Ms Stone should have turned up on time before the King and Queen.

There are some things that money and fame cannot excuse, and good manners is one of them.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Not much happened today.

that dictator

Augusto Pinochet managed to live to 91. His regime tortured and killed 3,000 Chileans.

He overthrew the elected socialist government of Salvador Allende with the support of the United States.

Pinochet supporters would rather live under a military dictatorship than under a socialist government, even though it was democratically elected.

Plenty of European countries have had socialist governments elected - France, Spain, Sweden etc.

If there was a time for a coup, it should only occur when a government no longer abides by the principles of fair and free elections.

And the military should only be a caretaker until fair and free elections are held.

If the majority of the people vote for a socialist government, then they have chosen.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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It was cold last night. I even stayed in bed all night (I usually hop off after my night time cuddle and my human is asleep and sleep on my mat in the living room).

I did a naughty thing though. This morning my human discovered that I had peed on his shorts that he leaves on the floor. He wasn't upset or angry with me, just worried that I might be getting old. The truth is, I was just being lazy.

I didn't feel like eating this morning and just went to sleep in my soft bed/basket on the couch.

Anyway, Emily came over tonight and she and my human had a rare roast beef with green vegetables. I didn't get any as usual, so I've just been nibbling at my cooked chicken dinner.

who is John Citizen?

My human sometimes shows me official forms and the pamphlets that explain what they are and how to fill them in and I've noticed that a lot of them get John Citizen to fill in an example.

Poor John Citizen. Everybody knows where he lives, how old he is etc.

There is now even a picture of him.


*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was very cool compared to yesterday. It was only 15 degrees Celsius. What a big difference to yesterday.

Not much happened today.

France joins the global news service

We don't have cable or satellite (pay) television in my house, so we are deprived of global international news broadcasters.

When something major happens, a lot of the Australian television networks broadcast live feeds from CNN or BBC World.

Our great multilingual government-funded (but with some advertising) SBS rebroadcasts news bulletins from other global broadcasters like CCTV-4 (from China) and Deutsche Welle (from Germany).

Some of the independent satellite television companies also provide Al Jazeera (in Arabic, from Qatar).

The global news community has finally been joined by France with France 24. What took them so long?

Hopefully our SBS will now also show French international news instead of the news bulletins from France 2 which we occasionally watch, but honestly, farmer Jean Luc and his activities in his small village in southern France really isn't that interesting!

Viva la France!

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was hot. It was 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and the inside of the house wasn't much cooler. I spent much of the day in my basket under the bed where it is dark and cool.

My human is rather surprised that I am quite hungry in this heat though.

Falling Water

Two years ago I wrote about Frank Lloyd Wright and Falling Water.

Well, it seems that Brad Pitt also appreciates fine architecture. Angelina Jolie arranged a private tour of Falling Water for Brad as an early 43rd birthday present.

I think it was a very nice present.

See - MSNBC



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was even warmer. Devi came over in the afternoon and she and my human had beer and watched The Omen (remake). I was outside napping on the deck, until my human called me to go inside as he claimed it was cooler. I went on strike as Devi wouldn't let me sit on her lap.

random footy pic

Clark Keating and Jason Roe trying to spoil David Hille's mark
(round 17, 2006)

Crackers (Keating) is no longer in our team, but his hit out skills were amazing.

a Melbourne tram in San Francisco

My human loves to visit Melbourne, not just because it is the home of Australian rules football in Australia, but it is also a great city and has wonderful trams (street cars).

My human loves the older wooden trams but most of them have been replaced with modern metal ones.

A vintage old wooden Melbourne tram was recently bought by San Francisco's MUNI.



The 496 (a W-2 class tram) now operates on the new F (Market) line from the Transbay Terminal to Castro Street and being extended to Fishermans Wharf.

See - Market Street Railway

Of course, there are are also a few other old Melbourne Trams operating in the US including Seattle.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was very warm. I slept mainly. I even tried to snuggle up to my human for a nap on the couch, but it was too warm. Nothing else much happened.

not the Queen's English

Last night I wrote about the Queen's English and how it has changed over the years.

In a multilingual country like India where they have two official languages - English and Hindi, lots of people use both in a sentence which is a blended Hinglish.

There is a great story on NPR that is worth a listen.

If the the English spoken in many English-speaking countries continues to diverge any further (from each other), they may soon become different dialects.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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It was warm today. My human came home from work earlier than usual. He tried to sneak in but I heard him and greeted him when he came inside.

Bobby came over tonight for a quick dinner of steak, couscous, button squash and broccoli. I didn't get any steak, but I did eat all my chicken.

I finally watched Superman Returns with my human.


young Clark Kent

the Queen's English

Everybody knows that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II speaks proper English.

Well, a scientific study has shown that Her Majesty's English has changed over the years. But it is still Her English.

"In 1952 she would have been heard referring to 'thet men in the bleck het'. Now it would be 'that man in the black hat'.

"Similarly, she would have spoken of the citay and dutay, rather than citee and dutee, and hame rather than home In the 1950s she would have been lorst, but by the 1970s lost."
From - UK Telegraph of 5 December 2007

Next time she visits Australia, we will have to check out if she says 'Os-tray-lee-yah' or 'Ors-tray-lee-yah'.

See also another article also in the Telegraph.


The Queen in 1957 and 2000 (scientific analysis was made of her Christmas messages)

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I wasn't feeling too well this morning and didn't want to eat anything. I also went to curl up in my basket under the bed, so my human worried about me all day.

He was glad to see me greeting him when he returned home from work. I also ate a little bit.

a random thought #1

Why aren't goldfish actually gold in colour and silverfish, neither silver nor a fish?

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Emily came over tonight. Woohoo! I spent a lot of time cuddling up to her while we watched TV (actually I was facing away from the TV).

John So, he's my bro - World's Best Mayor

The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So who has cult status in his fine city, has now been voted World's Best Mayor (coming ahead of the mayors of Amsterdam and Harrisburg).

And seriously, there is a song called John So, He's My Bro about the Lord Mayor. He even has a fan club.

At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, John So received more cheers than Prime Minister John Howard. Even just mentioning his name in a Melbourne crowd will bring on a big cheer.


cuddling giant teddy bears is just part of the job...

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I had a funny day today. After I had my breakfast and my human did all his preparation in readiness for work (shower - after which I went in to lap water from the bath tub, make lunch - kangaroo sausage sandwich - eww, eat breakfast, drink coffee etc), I went to my deck and sat by my water bowl so my human filled it up. After he did so, he put it near the catnip. So after I had my drink of water, I got into the catnip.

Ooh, it was so good. But I was sober by the time my human returned home from work and had my dinner.

to the stars...

Professor Stephen Hawking reckons that the human race will need to spread to the stars and colonise new planets to survive (possible annihilation of planet Earth ).

See - BBC News

I hope there will be room for us cats on those space ships.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Nothing much happened today. My human went to work and I just napped all day.

Tonight we watched Smallville.


Clark Kent saves Smallville...again.

a new beacon in Paris

A new tower called the 'Phare' (beacon) will soon be built in the La Défense business district in Paris, to be completed by 2012.

It will be built by a Los Angeles architectural firm called Morphosis which won a design competition.

The tower will be 68-storeys and stand at 300 metres high (shorter than the 320m Eiffel Tower).

The building/tower will include a 60m high atrium, gardens, cafes, shops and an observation deck and sky restaurant. One of the environmental features of the building will be a wind farm on the top and a curving facade to prevent solar overheating.







I think it looks like a giant cat scratching post.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was another quiet day. My human watched Boo which was a very scarey movie, which I enjoyed as my human needed me to protect him.

We're watching Crash right now. It's a very heavy film.

random footy pic

Joel Patfull during round 8, 2006

an anagram

Kyoto is an anagram of Tokyo.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Not much to report today. I made my human have a very lazy day which also included a nap together on the couch. Woohoo!

Dewey the library cat

Dewey Readmore Books, the resident library cat of Spencer Library in Iowa passed away on Wednesday of this week. Actually, Dewey owned the library. Rest in peace Dewey.

I want my own library!

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

.........ooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooo..........

Today was a bit warmer. And not much happened.