It arrived... Wrapped in plastic.

I know I normally jinx myself...

But the ETA on my new couch is between 11am and 2pm tomorrow.

*throws arms up and Riverdances*

Ring in the new v360 (pardon the pun).

Announcing the retirement of the Motorola v300.

Banks.

I was just reading jelkie's blog and was reminded about something that happened to me this week.

My incident wasn't nearly as exciting or embarrassing as hers but I'm telling it anyway.

On Wednesday, I received a new bank keycard in the post. I didn't even realise that mine had expired. Correct me if I'm wrong but Wednesday was April 5th, yes?

Why send someone their new keycard 5 days AFTER their old one expires? Hmmmm? What's with that?

Fortunately, I have a habit of taking out chunks of money and not using my keycard often because of a) bank fees; b) I like to be prepared; and c) I get paid monthly and it helps me budget.

I do recall that when this happened a few years ago, I was out shopping only to have my EFTPOS transaction declined.

You'd think with all the fees, the bank would send your card out on time.

What do you do...

When you wake up with *this* in your head:

I can’t fight this feeling any longer

And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow

What started out as friendship, has grown stronger

I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever

I said there is no reason for my fear

Cause I feel so secure when we’re together

You give my life direction

You make everything so clear

And even as I wander

I’m keeping you in sight

You’re a candle in the window

On a cold, dark winter’s night

And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore

I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for

It’s time to bring this ship into the shore

And throw away the oars, forever

Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore

I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for

And if I have to crawl upon the floor

Come crashing through your door

Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you

I’ve been running round in circles in my mind

And it always seems that I’m following you, girl

Cause you take me to the places that alone I’d never find

And even as I wander

I’m keeping you in sight

You’re a candle in the window

On a cold, dark winter’s night

And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore

I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for

It’s time to bring this ship into the shore

And throw away the oars, forever

Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore

I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for

And if I have to crawl upon the floor

Come crashing through your door

Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore.

- REO Speedwagon

Why, you blog it so that everyone can read it and have it in their head too!

Now picture the lead singer... *waves lighter in the air*

What cold front?

So far, there are no signs of the unsettled gusty, squally weather we're supposed to have through until Sunday. There was a bit of a shower yesterday afternoon but it cleared up by evening and remains clear.

On the other hand, it is quite brisk outside now.

You know winter's coming when the couriers stop wearing shorts.

Couric moves to CBS

I used to be a big fan of 'The Today Show'. I loved the rapport between cranky old Bryant Gumble and Katie Couric, and subsequently that between Katie Couric and Matt Lauer (and to a lesser extent, that with Stone Phillips).

Well, Katie has announced that she's leaving 'The Today Show' and NBC altogher.

Why?

She's going to become the first female night time news anchor in television history. I believe she's taking over the spot left vacant by Dan Rather.

I wonder if Ann Curry will replace Katie. Hopefully they won't repeat the whole Deborah Norville disaster when Jane Pauley left.

Here's part of the transcript from her announcement taken from msnbc.com:

Couric: Well I know it's the worst kept secret in America, but I'm going to be working on the CBS Evening News and "60 Minutes" and I'm very excited about it, but I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss everybody.

Lauer: Congratulations. Well the good news is....

Couric: Can I come and visit?

Lauer: You can come anytime you want, and the good news is we have a couple of months to say a proper goodbye. We're going to have a lot of fun and relive a lot of good moments.

Couric: You are going to be so sick of me by the end of May, you're going to be like "goodbye already!"

Lauer: No. No. We are so proud of you.

Couric: Thanks.

Lauer: And we'll to miss you so much.

Lauer: Let's get a check of the weather from Al.

(After the weather report)

Al Roker: Hell just froze over! (laughter)

Lauer: Hail Hail! The gang's all here.

Did someone say 'sudden change in weather'???

An Antarctic cold front is due to hit Melbourne early this afternoon.

I knew there was a reason why I looked at my Mooks jacket as I walked out of the house. Also, I've been thinking about putting a beanie in my bag all week.

I need to quit thinking and start doing.

Weather bureau duty forecaster Stuart Coombs said the front, which was currently over the Portland area in south-west Victoria, would hit Melbourne early this afternoon, bringing cold and squally west-to-south-westerly winds, showers and local hail and thunder.

"We'll start to see showers develop in the early afternoon and by mid afternoon conditions will have deteriorated," Mr Coombs said.

"This air's coming from a long way south," he said.

"It's moved fairly quickly up towards us so it hasn't really changed a lot in its nature. That's part of the reason why it's going to be so cold because it's effectively come express delivery."

Mr Coombs said Melbourne could expect five to ten millimetres of rain, with the outer-eastern and south-eastern suburbs likely to be hardest hit. - The Age

I'm sick.

:(

I've got a cold. Looks like I started taking my multi-vitamins again a bit too late.

Also, although I've been told by my scientist mate, Lanie, that you can't get sick from being cold, I'm sure the sudden change in weather has something to do with it. It's more windy so peoples' germs are travelling faster.

Anyway, I had to buy some lozenges and a pocket pack of tissues yesterday. Today I can hardly breathe.

Chicken soup for dinner, I reckon.

Must get some crackers and 7-Up on my way home too.

So goodbye, my friend...

fitzroyal has closed her blog.

Booooooo...

I want my couch. :(

Bozo.

I should be happy today.

But I'm not.

I should be happy because I paid off a credit card today. Being set free from ties to a financial institution always calls for celebration.

However, I was meant to finish paying it off next month.

You see, I have a carefully laid out monthly budget with set amounts of income set aside for bill payments, etc. I get paid on a monthly basis and that is why I have to do this.

So when I accidentally make TWO payments on one account, it throws the rest of my month into disarray.

Especially when I know that I've just bought a new mobile phone AND I have a trip to the optometrist next week.

I am a dumbass.

Also, I woke up with the niggling symptoms of an evil lurgy attacking my immune system. I blame the stupid bastard on the tram last Friday morning who let out an explosive sneeze in my direction. And no, he didn't cover his mouth. It was a spray all.

Hey...

Did anyone change the battery in their smoke alarm(s)?

I did.

Only because it's been a long time between trips to the dentist.

And the 9V batteries were on sale.

The Cusacks.

Yesterday afternoon, I started to watch 'High Fidelity' again. It's kind of like 'Empire Records' but the story unfolds around a break-up.

Which reminds me, I want to get a copy of 'Empire Records'.

'Oooooh, Rexy, you're so sexy!'

Anyway, watching 'High Fidelity' reminded of a question which JGT and I have raised many times and now I put forth this question to you:

Why are John and Joan Cusack in so many movies together? Do you think it was a buy one get one free family deal?

To name a few: Sixteen Candles, Say Anything, High Fidelity

I wonder if there even is a reason.

Oh, it's hard being a Tigers fan.

So far, the past 2.5 days have not been fun.

April Birthdays!

Alas, it seems April is a quieter birthday month than normal.

Birthday shout-outs to the following:

The Park Hotel
Danielle Crookes
Bernadette Yao
Cedric Yao
Claire Hunter
Betty Windsor
Ambie Nicoll

Hip hip...

My mobile phone is cactus.

My mobile phone is dying.

It really struggles to stay on when I flip it open.

It doesn't like me sending text messages.

Or reading text messages.

Or answering calls.

Or changing the time.

Or setting my alarm.

Or doing anything which requires the screen to be on.

Do I try and get this one fixed or do I get a new one? That is the question I've been struggling with for the past few days.

*tsai* What to do, what to do?

Another one bites the dust.

Another weekend has been and gone.

Friday night, I watched this year's footy season begin in horror fashion. Technically, the footy season started on Thursday night but only if you're a Saints or Eagles fan.

Saturday was The Park Hotel's 3rd birthday where I had my first DJ gig of the year. You can read more about that on http://requestshallofshame.blogspot.com

I went to the pub early to set up my CD player and do a bit of an anti-skip test. Later on, I went home for a nanna nap but ended up watching 'Crash'. Mental note: 'Crash' will kill whatever party mood you have inside of you.

I made it home at around 3am, which was actually 2am. I managed to stay awake long enough to have a shower and change half my clocks back.

Sunday, I woke up in time to watch 'The Sunday Footy Show' but decided I wasn't in the mood for watching ex-footy stars argue with each other. So I went to Coles to do a spot of grocery shopping and puttering about. It was very noisy in Richmond what with the start of the junior football season (noisy footy parents) and the Grand Prix (not just the cars but the associated air show).

The rest of the day is a bit of a blur. I think I spent a lot of it sitting in front of the tv. Except when I had a bout of gastro. Nice. Sunday gastro is getting to be a habit with me.

And that was my weekend in a nutshell.

Let's just say the footy season starts THIS week.

You know you're in for a rough 22 weeks when you go to your local pub and the fellas come up to you and pat you on the back saying, 'I'm sorry about Friday night'.

My beloved Tigers suffered a SHOCKING defeat on Friday night, having been completely annihilated by the Bulldogs in a 115-pt defeat.

They were simply run over. Tired legs, tired bodies, no fight. And Richo was playing in defense! What the...?

Oh well. First week jitters. These will last about 4 weeks, and then we'll get going.

Under the Friday night lights (again), we'll be facing the Saints at the Telstra Dome. I say let them feed the ball to Reiwoldt and he can kick behinds all night.

Yes, yes, I know young Nick will now kick 10-0.