Things I've learnt from TV: Ally McBeal

Ally McBeal was a great TV programme. A female protagonist who is just a little on the eccentric side, just trying to make a wrong, right. I can relate on a number of levels and the neurosis and flamboyant gesticulations are just the beginning.

This quirky show taught me a lot a lot about life:
1) You need a theme song. I don't necessarily have a 'life' theme song so much as a song of the day but I think it has the same effect.
2) Everybody should have access to a jazz bar in their office building that has a jazz singer who takes requests and where you can "do a number" on a whim.
3) Jon Bon Jovi would make a great handyman. *insert rude plumber joke here*
4) To take the time to take a moment. Lean your head on your hand, resting your fingers on the bridge of your nose and just...take a moment. 
5) Anything can be profound if you add "Fishism" to the end of it.
6) Anorexia is bad.

In the words of John "the biscuit" Cage - Poughkeep, poughkeep, poughkeepsie.

More Vegemite nonsense

This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen.

People either want to eat Vegemite or they don't. Did you not learn anything from the iSnack fiasco?

Kids have coped just fine with full strength Vegemite toast for many years. Whether is it was on a sandwich at school or on toasted soldiers dunked into a boiled egg we are all here to tell the story.

And here is an idea - if you don't want the flavour to be so salty - put less on! You just need to get your ratios right.

In the words of that crazy judge from Boston Legal - This is outrageous.

Jog on Kraft. Stick to finding new ways to make cheese taste like a plastic bag and leave Vegemite alone.

Definition of an understudy...

I was all excited to go to opening night of Dr Zhivago - a world premiere musical. Once we were seated we were told by the producer that Anthony Warlow had injured himself that day in rehearsal.We were pretty gutted, we are all big Anthony Warlow fans.

The producer then went on to say that the understudy and cast would perform "about half an hour" of the show and we would all get a refund/exchange on our ticket.

To me, this is peculiar behaviour for opening night of a professional production. Why is the understudy not ready to go on?! Isn't that by definition the role of an understudy? We could only speculate as to the reason/s why he was not fully ready but in my opinion it was a poor decision.

Now we have seen the first 45 minutes of the show and the cast did a great job and Anton (the "true Russian" understudy) is clearly a talented performer. I was just not into it because I knew it would end abruptly. And because we were told it would be half an hour it felt very long.

I will be exchanging my ticket rather than refunding it and I hope this poor decision doesn't hurt them in the long run.

Cyclists who don't obey the road rules

Good on those people who are keen cyclists - saving the planet and getting exercise at the same time. Doesn't get much better than that. Unless you are a car behind trying your best not to kill them.

Yes I know, the road is there to share and they have just as much right to be there as the cars.

What pisses me right off is when you slowly and carefully over take them (as do all the others in your lane) and then you get stopped at a set of traffic lights and they just push their way to the front of the queue making the arduous task of getting around start ALL over again.

More vexing are those cyclists who don't believe they are required to stop at said traffic light, instead just following the pedestrian cross signal or worse still running a red. EITHER YOU ARE A PEDESTRIAN AND YOU CYCLE ON THE FOOTPATH OR A CAR ON THE ROAD!!!! This is not a Hannah Montana moment - you do not get the best of both worlds.

If you want to be treated with the same respect as a car then obey the road rules. All of them, not just when it is convenient.

No excuse for bad manners.

There is a great little organic shop downstairs from my office that I frequently visit for delcious breakfast and lunch. In the mornings they have a pick and mix style breakfast bar where you can choose the fruit, museli and yoghurt from a range of options and design your own meal. At lunch they have soups, salads, fresh rice paper rolls and a juice bar.


It is run by a delightful Chinese couple and Margaret and her team are always friendly and happy to serve.

I am astounded by the number of people walk up to the front of the counter and say "I'll have the chicken." then just hold their money and turn their face away. If you are ordering a soup or rice paper roll there are often questions as to whether you want bread, sauce, pepper and these go ignored.

I'm sorry you'll have what? Was that a please I heard in there? No? You don't want to answer whether you want pepper? Ok just take your salad and walk away never mind about saying thank you.

It is just plain rude.


It really isn't that hard and there are lots of ways you can mix it up so you don't get bored...

I'd like to have the chicken please.
Please may I have the chicken?
Or my favourite, May I please have the chicken?

As they say, Civility costs nothing.