The local pub is a living history museum with many stories to tell. Dips takes a nostalgic look at these institutions in his poem, ‘The Pub’.
Almanac Life: Looking back in lockdown
July 17, 2020 by 21 Comments
Nostalgia, going home, the innocence of childhood, living life – 50 years down the track, Dips O’Donnell remembers and relishes a rich tapestry.
AFL: Curving the Curve
May 25, 2020 by 13 Comments
Dips takes time out after some hard yakka to reminisce – on oil heaters and premiership droughts broken, bulbs dormant and thorns more active. [Perhaps JTH has done the same Youtube searches? Ed.]
Almanac Poetry – A Beer With No Pub
May 6, 2020 by 12 Comments
Dips has had enough! Airing his frustration in satirical verse, it’s time to re-open the pubs and let the good times roll he urges. [Ed: We’ll drink to that!]
Footy: The Rise of the Fall
May 6, 2020 by 34 Comments
Dips muses on the push to bring back footy (prematurely?) and the nature of the AFL beast that demands a conversation be had on the merits of the spectacle and its perhaps seedier underbelly.
Almanac Surfing: Surfing and the middle-aged accountant
April 20, 2020 by 6 Comments
Following Dips O’Donnell’s excellent Queen’s Birthday weekend surfing piece, we thought we’d let you know where it all started. Here’s Dips’ first crack at the caper, a piece which was published in Long Bombs to Snake I.
Those Other Days Are Gone
March 25, 2020 by 8 Comments
In this ever-changing world, a poignant futuristic (and historical) story from Dips O’Donnell, father and son discuss footy in the good old days.
Almanac Lunch (Report): 1989 The Great Grand Final
March 16, 2020 by 12 Comments
Dips O’Donnell enjoyed the cracking Almanac lunch at Perc’s North Fitzroy Arms on Friday. Tinsel Tony Wilson, Dean Anderson and Darren Flanigan told some great stories. Many more are told in Tony’s wonderful book: 1989 The Great Grand Final.
A sustainable Almanac? $5 on the 5th of every month
February 5, 2020 by 25 Comments
It’s a while since this letter from Dips O’Donnell was first posted. Worth reading the comments which have been added since:
Dips O’Donnell is the Almanac’s accountant. This letter explains his way of keeping the Almanac going.
His approach is in keeping with his unheralded genius. He’s inviting readers to make a regular contribution on one day each month. He suggests $5 on the 5th or $6 on the 6th or, in general terms, $x on the xth for all x <=28. (Memberships and one-off contributions are also welcome).
AFL: What’s the point?
November 28, 2019 by 5 Comments
Dips is in the dumps! Where’s the game going? What are the marketing types up to? Is there only one possible (disturbing) end to it all?
Flashback: Summer
November 6, 2019 by 7 Comments
Back in 2009, Dips O’Donnell was ruminating about the four seasons. When thoughts turned to summer, he pondered the clash between the elemental forces of the season – commerce and cricket. He feared that commerce was winning.
Turning Water into Wine
October 2, 2019 by 7 Comments
This is not just the season of atonement for footy clubs. An invitation to Yom Kippur has Dips O’Donnell remembering a far off time and place. Did John Kennedy ever coach at Masada?
Almanac Swimming: Kate O’Donnell wins gold!
August 29, 2019 by 18 Comments
We have a swimming champ in the Almanac family. Kate O’Donnell performed brilliantly at the DSSA National Swimming Championships on the weekend and her proud dad Dips O’Donnell has passed on Coach Tracey Drewitt’s report.
Round 7 – Geelong v Essendon: Cats and cup cakes
May 6, 2019 by 10 Comments
Dips O’Donnell is a man of impeccable manners so when he is caught at a birthday party with the footy on the TV in the next room he finds himself locked in battle with his own conscience.
Almanac (Footy) Linguistics: AFL Terminology
The dictionary defines ‘pithy’ as ‘terse and vigorously expressive’. Dips gets pithy about the over-used sobriquet ‘blockbuster’.