by Katherine Giese It has been generally accepted that The Simpsons is a study of life. It may be less widely known, however, that The Simpsons is a study of my life. I’m not a big proponent of coincidence, but believe strongly in fate. Why, then, is my life irrevocably intertwined with The Simpsons? When [Read more]
Andrew Fithall’s Top 10 of 2010
January 13, 2011 by 67 Comments
There was a recent reference on this site to the Kanye West album which seems to have reminded people that he can do things other than be an irritating moron at awards events. However, I am still not a fan. But each to their own. With the Ashes lost and football yet to re-commence, I [Read more]
Coming to Melbourne to see the Eagles
December 23, 2010 by Leave a Comment
It’s fair to say that 2010 was a year that didn’t inspire me to go to Melbourne to see the Eagles. However, just once I decided to make the investment and fly down from chilly, rainy Canberra and make my way to an iconic Melbourne sporting venue to do just that. I’d actually been watching [Read more]
My Favourite Drop Kick. Part three.
December 17, 2010 by 3 Comments
Vin Maskell continues his occasional series Nashville songwriter Paul Craft wrote Drop Kick Me Jesus in the mid-1970s. It became a minor country and western hit for a bloke called Bobby Bare in 1976. Wikipedia describes the song as the world’s ‘only Christian football waltz’. One doubts not too many people would dispute such a [Read more]
Art Show: Ochre Ground
November 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Martin Tighe, who painted Chappy for the 2007 Almanac, has a show opening on Wednesday. Almanac Admin
Mr B- Gentleman Rhymer
October 15, 2010 by 2 Comments
Mr B layin’ down some grooves for y’all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSflRlHPay4 Almanac Admin
Haiku Bob- Premiership Edition: earth and the times
October 12, 2010 by 11 Comments
last Saturday in September the sun beaten to a pulp grand final replay – the washing still hanging over my thoughts the chorus of magpies warm spring sun the Colliwobbles fade the earth and the times turned by his feet – Heater’s smother October sun Ball soaks up some heat between goals the coach wears [Read more]
Haiku Bob: grand final draw – nowhere to be seen
September 27, 2010 by 7 Comments
September morning – a magpie’s song pierces my brain Spring clouds – the teams gather in their huddles first warm day players clutching and spilling a hot ball blood pouring from the full-back’s nose – spring heat glare of the sun – the path to goal nowhere to be seen Spring breeze – Davis goals [Read more]
The Big Dance
September 21, 2010 by 5 Comments
i) The Pilgrimage An overcrowded morning train is nearing Richmond station, the fabled Melbourne Cricket Ground, the common destination, where kids are playing kick-to-kick, and cars are filling space, and stalls are selling scarves and things, they’ll even paint your face, Damian BalassoneDamian Balassone is a failed half-forward flanker who writes poetry. He is the [Read more]
The Ballad of Dogs and Magpies
September 6, 2010 by 8 Comments
The Ballad of Dogs and Magpies by Andrew Gigacz The Magpies won The Bulldogs lost It was to be expected But ’twas a game Of Dogs too tame And needs to be dissected Before the match The pundits said “The Dogs have nought to lose” So you would think With that in mind A “risk [Read more]
Harms Election Watch: Rd-8 The Final Word
August 20, 2010 by 8 Comments
I reckon I’ve said enough. Disappointing campaign, despite the opportunity. Thought that the independents shone a light on a few issues which weren’t taking up. John HarmsJTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His [Read more]
Harms Election Watch: Rd 7- ALP Launch
August 19, 2010 by 6 Comments
And so finally the ALP have their launch in Brisbane. It is a low-key affair. So low-key in the torpor of the Queensland winter that the faithful forget they are at a political rally and that they are supposed to respond spontaneously, like a Baptist congregation in Mississippi. Even the Silver Bodgie has to wait, [Read more]
Harms election watch – Round 6: Rooty Hill RSL
August 17, 2010 by 11 Comments
by John Harms Those of us who spent too much time in the Trans-Australian Banks (pre-Betfair, of course) in the 1990s will recall waiting nervously through Rooty Hill RSL ads on SKY until the result of the photo finish came through. I think it was their only advertiser. So, as we were hanging out to [Read more]
Harms Election Watch: Round 5- Julia in form
August 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Election betting has flattened out, but no matter how I look at it, I just keep coming back to one thing: the election result is all about Queensland. And the pollies know it as well. Queenslanders are still recovering from the Coalition’s launch on Sunday. Rarely have so many blueblood Liberals graced the Sunshine State. [Read more]
Harms Election Watch: Round 4
August 15, 2010 by 5 Comments
This election will be won and lost in Queensland. Simple as that. And Queensland is different sort of place, with its own understanding of the world. I lived there for 30 years, and if pressed, I would say I am a Queenslander. Not your typical Queenslander, but I reckon I understand the Queensland sensibility. John [Read more]
Election Harms Round 2- The Debate
August 13, 2010 by 1 Comment
Sunday evening used to be for watching Disneyland. You would always wonder which land the story would come from: Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, and the other Lands which have drifted from my memory. Then came Big Brother, and Sunday evening footy, and now Master Chef. I watched the end of Master Chef last night just [Read more]
Crows: Capable of Obstruction but not Government
August 13, 2010 by 2 Comments
I tipped Western Bulldogs to beat Adelaide yesterday and bet on them to get over the line. And they did, but, sitting in the rain in that lonely park I only wanted Adelaide to find a method, any method, to kick a couple of goals in the last quarter and to stay in front. In [Read more]
Harms’ Election Watch- Part 1
August 12, 2010 by 25 Comments
As Director of Manning Clark House in Canberra, I am obliged to have a good grasp of Australian History, and at least pretend to have a good grasp of contemporary Australian day-to-day politics. I reckon I’ve got the nuts and bolts of the first one covered, but I’m less confident about the other. Not because [Read more]
A Tiding of Magpies and an Interloper Farewell Haiku Bob
August 3, 2010 by 19 Comments
by Peter Flynn It is early Saturday night not long after sunset. I saunter down Gertrude Street listening to Port versus Hawthorn. Bizarrely, I find myself barracking furiously for Port Adelaide. It’s funny who you can end up supporting in neutral sporting contests. Each Port pack mark in front of goal evokes a well-concealed short [Read more]
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