Last weekend my brother and I built (OK, assembled) a ‘Billy’ bookcase. An Ikea stalwart, the ‘Billy’ bookcase graces many a home of people I know. Simple, practical and filled with things that we love. It was great to see some of my books which haven’t emerged from their packing boxes since we moved here […]

Three is the number of mice which will no longer make merry in my kitchen. (Hooray!) Three is also the number of correct picks I made in the footy tipping on the weekend. (I can feel that trophy slipping from my grasp.)

It must be the change of season. We caught our first winter mouse this morning. Rats. (Or mice, actually.)

I’m sure there are many more architecturally accurate ways to describe our problem. But this pithy attempt does seem to sum it up succinctly – and poetically. (OK, maybe that’s an overstatement. It rhymes.) Rumble.* Crumble.** Grumble.*** * That’s the tram. ** That’s the plaster. *** That’s the disgruntled home owners/rate payers/public transport users.

My housemate has discovered a new flavour in instant porridge – and just the thing for those chilly early mornings. It’s hazelnut – with just a hint of golden syrup. Mmmmmmmmm. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I love it. And so does our dog. (Stares. Give me some of that human food. Stares. I really like it. Stares. […]

It’s an emergency! Whatever – I’m having my lunch. While eating at one of Collins Street West’s finer dining establishments yesterday, we heard the alert siren go off over the PA system. (The one they always use for the tests.) Hmmm, a test. The alarm seemed barely to register with the throng. Staff kept serving. […]

For some months now, via a friend in Canberra, I’ve been following the fortunes of a gold rimmed ‘Murchison Bowling Club’ glass which has graced the shelves of ‘Revolve’ – a junk shop attached to Canberra tip. Much speculation has ensued regarding the path of said glass from Murchison (a small town in central Victoria […]

Population: You. It’s one of the best lines from ‘The Simpsons’. And truly – the only one I can remember. It’s brought to mind today as I sit here to write about my relationship with my … personal trainer. Adam has been slack lately. He’s just not turning up for the 6.30 am starts. He […]

Foxes, it would appear, have many, varied and contradictory characteristics. I have heard the following expressions recently: ‘Cunning like a fox’; ‘Itchy like a fox’; ‘Foxy like a fox’ and ‘Dumb like a fox’. The week before last I even saw a fox down at Footscray Park although, given the rapidity of its departure from […]

Him: “It’s just one of those things. The man has foibles.” Me: “He has fur balls?” (mind you, it was a crackly telephone line). Him: “Yes. Don’t act so surprised. Human foibles. Everyone has them.” Me: (unsure) “Fur balls?” Him: “Trust me on this one.” Me: (v unsure) “Okaaaaaay.” … Me: “Oh, foibles.” (I think […]