Aaaarrrgghh!

It be that time of the year again..... aaarrrgghh! Today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day... aaaarrrrggh!

I really should be watching "The Big Lebowski" down by the lake

but a wonderful combination of "couldn't be bothered's" and the weather looks a bit dodgy means that I am not. :-( Gee thanks.

I received one of those "eat your heart out" type of photos today

from the Moose. Yup, it did make me wish that I was in Bali on holiday too....... do that to me again pal and I will have to rip your lungs out :-) Have a great time down there guys- please relax, take plenty of photos and enjoy doing no more than is absolutely necessary.
I missed out on a bit of a party last night- one of the gang from Saturday and I were invited to a small birthday "knees-up" at Restaurant Madonna (the scene of some of Saturday's crimes). He went, I skipped the evening and things did get a little out of control....... two guys turning 40 combining their celebrations with another mate's head-wetting. Could you seriously expect anything else?

I managed another visit to the gym today

and after having a very quiet month on that front, I can feel the effects already. A couple of bike sessions and some strength training and my legs are stiff but I know that this will pass soon enough and I can get back into the routine. Looking forward to a week off in another week's time- it will be spent around home, but will be enjoyable nonetheless. A chance to take some photos, visit the gym on a regular basis and entertain some friends at home.
We are off to a party this evening, which is always fun but it is a little sad because it is Patricia's leaving party before she heads off to Taiwan. Patricia, who is our favourite of the "sushi mafia" is always very good to us so she will be missed, but the other young ladies are great as well so we will get by.
Catherine has spent the afternoon in the office today- she has come catching up to do but at least it hasn't been a habit of late. I am going soon to meet her and head off to the party- taking my camera along and I hope to get some worthwhile shots.
Looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow- with luck a visit to the gym again, some domestic duties and a quiet dinner at home to prepare us for the coming week.

Hank Paulson got his way

and was pretty much able to write cheques for the rest of the gazillion dollars that Congress have okayed........ the Dow took things in it's stride and closed lower on the day. I guess that the Americans plan to keep printing money and deflating in order to deal with this massive extra cost to the taxpayer and the financial system in general, which makes me very glad that I don't pay tax to the USA.
We are enjoying a quiet weekend- after getting a few things sorted out in town yesterday (Catherine bought new boots and I exchanged some pants and had batteries changed in my Polar watches) it was a very steady evening at home. Today makes yesterday look like the Royal Easter Show :-) The washing machine and dishwasher have been on but we are taking things very easy and looking forward to cooking a chicken and mushroom ragout to have with pasta for dinner this evening.
If the sun stays out it might be a good idea to get out for a walk for an hour or so to build up an appetite and let the neighbours know that we are still alive.
Good luck for this coming week- we're gonna need it.