poor philly... the ugliest... and RIP Kane

From Travel + Leisure magazine

Earlier this year, Travelandleisure.com and CNN Headline News polled travelers and residents on what they like (and don't like) about 25 top urban destinations in the U.S. Turns out that people have some pretty strong feelings about New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and other hot spots—we received nearly 60,000 responses.

And the results?

Philadelphia has the least attractive people, with the most attractive in Miami.

Los Angeles has the least intelligent people, with the most intelligent in Seattle.

Hmmm... I'd rather visit Seattle than Miami.

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This morning, Beryl and Ted and Ji-ha came over to visit and informed me that Kane, that lovely German Shepherd who stays with me from time to time, passed away.

I had been thinking that he was due for another visit. Kane was nearly 11 and a half years old, and died in his sleep at home. I'll miss Kane, I really enjoyed going for walks with him. Rest in peace Kane, you were a wonderful companion.


(photo from March 2007)

Whatev-ah

Whatev-ah (what ever) means "I don't care", but also "this is the end of the conversation" or "say what you want, I've got no position on this subject".

It is used to express indifference. According to linguist Tony Thorne and the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), it has been used since the seventies:

1973: Meaning "that's what I meant", US Secretary of Defense briefing paper for returning POWs
1982: Meaning "you decide", San Francisco Examiner
1980s: Used regularly by California "valley girls" (eg film Clueless)
1986: "Whatever man, whatever", in film Platoon
1990s: Used by the Jerry Springer crowd
Late 1990s: Reaches UK's rich female teenagers
Early 2000s: UK street language
2003: Little Britain's first TV series

Teachers in the UK are now fighting back by asking students to explain what they mean.

See - BBC News

Whatev-ah... or is that 'meh'?

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Today was an eventful day. This morning Mary came over and I helped her to bring over some turf that she had dug out from her new place. Afterwards, I took Kane for a walk to visit Kettles, that white cat a few streets away. Her people are away, so I checked on and fed her.

Around midday, I took Kane for a walk to the markets and bought some sausage mince (from a regular butcher, the organic butcher was closed), and a beef bone for Kane.

Sue D came over before 2pm. The frozen puff pastry was unusable (dry) so I mixed the sausage mince with a red curry paste and chopped spring onions (scallions), put them on sliced sour dough bread and baked them.

Then we watched an incredibly good football game between Essendon and Fremantle while Kane had his bone.



After the game and Sue D departed, I took Kane to the school oval. Jake was there playing with a ball with his person's daughter. They didn't stay long. I kicked a football a few times to Kane, but he just wagged his tail.

There was a great program on TV tonight called My Family and Other Animals about Gerald Durrell's childhood on the Greek Island of Corfu. Thoroughly recommended.

Escaping the dreary wet weather of 1930s England, an eccentric family uproot and ship themselves to the sunnier climes of the Greek island of Corfu.


A totally eccentric and cool family

EU 50

Today, the European Union (EU) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding, the signing of the Treaty of Rome which created the original European Economic Community, now the EU. The six founders were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Fifty years without war between any of the countries which now make up the EU is unprecedented in history. Integration, and expansion from six to 27 countries, has played a major part in that. The EU has at the same time become a force for peace in the world.

Certainly something worth celebrating.

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I took Kane on a longer walk this morning to the markets which was about a 20 minute walk each way (normally it takes me less time, but Kane being a dog wanted to smell lots of things like shrubs etc).

At the markets I tied him near the pet store and bought some items. Then I took him inside the pet store where a staff member gave him a treat. There were so many smells that I think Kane didn't want to stay too long.


Kane's person came and collected him tonight. We had a lot of fun this weekend, even if he wouldn't play with a football or a little rubber ball.

the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge (nicknamed the 'coat-hanger' by Sydney-siders) turned 75 today. To celebrate, the bridge was closed yesterday and some 200 000 people walked across it.

See - Sydney Morning Herald (18 March 2007)









The bridge isn't as spectacular as some others around the world, but it is our bridge. It isn't as big as many others, but it is pedestrian friendly (there are footpaths/sidewalks on either sides). And for every Australian coming home via Sydney on a long international flight, the view of the bridge out of the aeroplane window is a welcoming sight.

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Today was a public holiday in Canberra. Kane the German Shepherd came over in the afternoon for a couple of hours. He is a huge dog and very well behaved. I took him on two walks, firstly around the corner and back, and then to the local shops. He was content to lie on the floor and rest. Thankfully given his size, he didn't want to lay on my lap. It also rained a bit today, so Kane smelt like a wet dog!



Kane's people are going away this weekend, so he is coming to stay over then. I wonder if he will run after a football.