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.
The State of the Game: Part 3
April 16, 2019 by 8 Comments
Why, oh, why did the spider swallow the fly? Dips wonders why, and I guess we all wonder why, but you can make up your own minds!
Round 2 – Geelong v Melbourne: Lights On Lights Out
April 5, 2019 by 12 Comments
Dips O’Donnell endures the damp conditions at Kardinia Park and likes what he sees as the Cats extinguish the Demons’ fire in their Round 2 match.
Almanac (Pro) Running: Death of a Friend
February 21, 2019 by 26 Comments
Dips O’Donnell is concerned. We all know how much the Stawell Gift means to the O’Donnell family. Well, things have taken a turn, resulting in a summit on Friday night. [Dips at his finest – JTH]
Cricket memoir: Dips’ finest hour
November 30, 2018 by 3 Comments
There has been a number of posts on the site recently about backyard cricket, backyards, and early childhood memories. We reprise a cricket story from 2009 by Dips about his backyard cricketing exploits. Have you a story to tell?
The Royal Tour: Oh cringe of cringes! What abasement!
October 19, 2018 by 28 Comments
I get the impression Dips is no fan of the royal family.
Almanac Travel: Perspective
October 8, 2018 by 13 Comments
Dips and Frances O’Donnell spent September in Africa which was spectacular and confronting. The experience forced him to consider the things that are important. One incident in particular had a huge impact.
A Mathematical Analysis of the Cats after 21 rounds
August 16, 2018 by 11 Comments
This is why Dips O’Donnell is an accountant.
AFL: The State of the Game Part 2. The Ramblings of a Madman.
July 20, 2018 by 21 Comments
Dips O’Donnell continues his thoughtful observations. Will the magic of Australian Football be “ruled” out of existence?
A sustainable Almanac? $5 on the 5th of every month
July 6, 2018 by 24 Comments
It’s a month 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: The state of the game and the truth of the matter.
June 15, 2018 by 27 Comments
“Football is not a game of rules, it is a collection of understandings.” Has the AFL confused guiding the game with ruling the game? Some impassioned observations from Dips O’Donnell.
Et Tactus – Tommy’s sin against the Almighty
May 7, 2018 by 11 Comments
Dips O’Donnell’s take on contact with the untouchable umpires, the ballad of Tom Hawkins and other tongue-in-cheek Shakespearean tragedies.
The Brotherhood of Stawell
April 9, 2018 by 10 Comments
Dips goes to Stawell for the Gift, a gift that keeps on giving thanks to his father’s foundations and his family’s continuing tradition
Round 1 (2016) – Geelong v Hawthorn: Cats Out Of The Cradle
April 2, 2018 by 5 Comments
It’s another Easter tussle between the fiercest of rivals – before it all kicks off, here’s Dips O’Donnell’s take on 2016’s game. This time the new player on the block won’t be Paddy from Moggs Creek, it’ll be possibly the greatest midfielder ever in his second coming & with Sam Mitchell gone West, can the Cats’ trio sweep the votes?
At Easter-time Stawell Giveth and Stawell Taketh Away
March 31, 2018 by 43 Comments
We re-visit this classic Almanac yarn each Easter (for good reason):
Dips O’Donnell tells the story of his crack at Stawell and what the event and the weekend mean to the O’Donnell family.
Why your team won’t win the flag. Or, I can put you out of your misery now.
March 15, 2018 by 13 Comments
Sage Dips has a system to work out which teams are up against it – he’s excluded a few.
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