Obviously noone told Magic Dirt. Here is their clip Shovel (RSS readers click through to the post if you can’t see the clip.)

I canvassed you, the readership, for 30th party ideas. Now I’ve made up my mind - it will be a scavenger hunt / dinner Amazing Race themed combination party!

The guests will leave the starting point in staggered intervals. From there, they will follow a set course of things to find and do, and questions to answer. Prizes will be on offer for the winning team.

After that, we all go out for dinner!

The party shall be a blatant copy of one my brother did for his 20th a few years ago.

I’m still organising the details of what will happen, where the race starts and ends, etc. The race is about 70% organised, the rest of it is 5% (approx.). I hope to get things ready enough for invitations to go out in about a week or so.

More at Cat Ladies.

I’m not sure many people will agree with this sentiment; there are an awful lot of “I Love Frankston” bumper stickers on local cars. But what could cause such discontent? Another piece of graffiti, conveniently right next to it, could provide the explanation:

In case you can’t read that, it states:

“Frankston is a microcosm of Australia. Public servants are parasites feeding off the people of this country. It’s now a crime for a father to catch public transport.”

It was that last statement that caught my attention. It’s now illegal for a father to catch public transport? When did this happen? Why have I not heard about this? And if this is incorrect, how did our graffiti scribbler come to think otherwise?

Imagine this scenario:

You are a man, old enough to be a parent, in Frankston, when you decide to catch a bus to Cranbourne (since you’ve always wanted to see the Botanic Gardens, remember?). No sooner do you board the bus, when who should step on but two transit police! They stroll purposefully in your direction, and you have a feeling they’re headed for you. No matter, you think, you have a valid ticket. You are ready to produce it for inspection when one of the cops says:

“Are you a father?”

“Er - no.”

“Are you in league with fathers?”

And since you can NOT prove that you are NOT a father, nor a father-sympathiser, you are politely but firmly escorted from the bus.

Could this happen in Australia? Seems unlikely to me, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything. Perhaps a local expert, such as Pete from Freaked Out Fathers, could shed some light on this matter.

Friends Of Coffee
“it is interesting to note that despite a request for your address to serve legal papers you have not provided this to them. I think to be fair to them you should give your full name and address to them, and be prepared for any action if any. Easy to hide behind a blog Mark. You look like a fool, and are certainly acting like one Mark!”

It is also interesting to note that I’ve only got comments in support of Expresso Drive Thru since their management got wind of my post.

Today when logging in, I noticed a comment from “jon” stating “this blog is lame. Have you got anything good to say about anyone. I would say this is all about a man angry with his world and who has a massive chip on his shoulder. Get some therapy!!”

I looked, and it was on the Melbourne Coffee Reviews page. “What a strange place to leave a comment like that”, I thought. But then I saw Friends Of Coffee above, who left that comment, with the same IP address.

Coincidence? You decide!

Mr. Of Coffee, or jon (if that’s your real name), you obviously are the bloke who runs Expresso Drive Thru in Murrumbeena, or a very close friend. It should be obvious by now that your legal threats have backfired on you. Let me give you some advice about how our legal system works, and how you should react when confronted by criticism:

#1. You can’t sue someone for making you money. Instead, you have to show that the alleged defamation has harmed your business in some way. This is important. Because of this, sending your defendant emails that state “Thanks also for the publicity and the pick up in business we are receiving as a result” is a bad idea. (Yes, this actually happened!)

#2. When you know nothing about the legal system, keep in mind that some people know more than you do. This could be relevant if, for example, you are suing a blog for defamation when there are posts about defamation on that blog.

#3. Why not just ask for a second opinion? When the blog that has said bad things about your product, has in the past given other businesses a second opinion on request, perhaps asking for a second opinion just might be a better idea than half-baked threats.

Friends Of Coffee, clearly you feel a little hard done by. If one critical post has made you feel that way, imagine how pissed off you would be if someone threatened to drag you in front of a court and bankrupt you over something you said.

Just a thought.

It was mine!

I have a nice butt, don’t you think?

There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity - and that line is called rodeo. It never ceases to amaze me what some people will do in the name of sport. Rodeo seems to attract the thrillseeker who seemingly cheats death in the arena; it is the closest thing we have to the ancient Roman Colosseum.

But is it not entertaining? The sight of men backing themselves against wild beasts in this way charges the adrenaline and assaults the senses.

One of the most well-known rodeo events is National Finals Rodeo, organised by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. This is often called the superbowl of rodeo; and like the superbowl, National Rodeo Finals tickets ain’t cheap. Held at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, the NFR features bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, bull riding and barrel racing. Eight world champions are crowned during the NFR.

This multi-event spectacle is normally a sell-out at all events. Many Las Vegas hotels and casinos cater for those who could not get tickets with rodeo parties.

During the event, the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This features around 400 vendors selling cowboy-themed products. Free shuttle buses run between the Cowboy Christmas and the NFR.

My twenties are drawing to a close, and my 30th birthday approacheth. As I watch my youth fade away, I realise that I ought to have a 30th birthday party, but have no ideas on what to do to commemorate this occasion.

So, dear reader, it’s over to you. How should I celebrate my 30th?