Dilemma Resolution.... Maybe?

So after much thought and consideration of the tempting suggestions, and after having a chat with a good friend of mine at lunch time today... I decided to resolve the "Gus" issue...

As it is Christmas, and Santa did treat me quite well this year, I opted to return the wine to Gus, untouched... Now I wish I didn't...

As I approached the door with the first carton of wine I was wondering what would transpire... Feeling a little good spirited I rang the doorbell... Of course "The Gus" as opposed to the little Gus's or Mr Gus, answered the door...

Me: Hi Mrs Gus, I just stumbled across this whilst cleaning
Gus: There is supposed to be more than that
Me: Oh there is, there's another two case, one this size, and one larger, I just found them whilst cleaning up just then and thought I would rush them over to you.
Gus: Well... Thank you...
Me: That's OK, My Pleasure, I'll just race back and grab the others...

I went back into the house, by the time I was back on the driveway with the other two cases Mr Gus and one of the little Gus's was already there....

Mr Gus: What on earth are they doing here?
Me: I have no idea, I just found them and thought that you may want them...
Mr Gus: How long have they been here?
Me: I'm not sure...
Mr Gus: Is there a date?
Me: Oh Maybe, I'm not sure
Mr Gus: well here, we'll take them for you
Me: Oh thanks
Mr Gus: No thank you
Me: You folks have the happiest of New Years!
Mr Gus: OK, thanks...

I was under the impression by Mr Gus, and Little Gus that they were awfully surprised that I wasn't Satan...

Anyway, to the fans of the wine story, I hope I didn't disappoint you with my acts of kindness... well not that kind... Mr Gus did trespass, violating a number of safety warnings... He may need a warning himself...

Or not...

Rally Update

My sources have informed me that there was only six (6) people present at this mornings rally, and he failed to see a council representative, therefore I am unable to announce any decision that may or may not have been made this morning...

I am now going back to bed!

Peace!

Holidays are Fun...

A rally may be more fun!

I just got back home about an hour ago and stumbled across this "destructive" poster pinned and nailed into the two trees that the City Council wishes to remove.

In response, well not really a response, but a comment...

First of all, if you are going to try and hold a rally against the destruction of trees, print on recycled paper, or at least don't laminate the paper so that it can be recycled at a later date.

Secondly, it may seem somewhat "duplicitous" or better yet "stupid" to advertise such a protest by NAILING THE SIGN TO THE TREE... Tree are living things, last time I hammered a nail into a living thing I was almost arrested for Grievous Bodily Harm... Next time, tape it to the tree... Oh and why I am at it... The only way you can guarantee that all native trees have been destroyed on this property is by trespassing, it may be worthwhile not implicating yourself in a crime before your next rally... oh and last time I checked removed trees, aren't necessarily destroyed!

Thirdly, Please, PLEASE use Microsoft Word, it comes with a spell and grammar check, so proving your stupidity isn't as easy as spelling opposed and environment apposed and invironment, it certainly doesn't glorify your IQ.

Fourthly, people don't walk through the environment (sorry I mean invironment) of the front yard, they certainly don't walk through the invironment of the trees, last time I checked they were solid.

You mention the unique habitat these trees provide for various species of birds, (the feathered kind). Yet fail to mention that five years ago you were requesting $500 to hire a Falcon for a month so the birds would leave.

These neighbours fail to accommodate for the liability posed by these trees, the branches falling from these great heights measure close to 4 inches in diameter, when one of these branches falls upon a child and slices it in half killing the child instantly, will they rally around the tree then?

I enjoy the environment, I like trees, in fact I have organised a number of National Tree Day events I have the shirts to prove it! None of these neighbours have attended, probably because they weren't invited, much like I wasn't to tomorrows rally. I also like allowing little children to walk down this street without fear of being struck down by a random branch, or swooped upon by an over-zealous falcon!

Two of the smartest people I know have strongly urged me to not be around tomorrow morning, two others, who wish they were as smart as the other two, (you know you do), have said the same thing. So I will not be around tomorrow morning, the boxing day sales have started and I want a new PlayStation game!

Rumour has it that the spelling and grammar Nazi has run away with the signs so ashamed that something so poorly could be reproduced... I had nothing to do with it... Hopefully a spy will supply some photos of tomorrow...

I need some sleep... Take Care Folks... oh and Plant a tree!!!

Fortress Markdom!?

(This post was intended for Saturday, I was unable to load photos until today)
Well it has been quite an eventful 24 hours, I receive news that I have been awarded a scholarship for a PhD, and 12 hours later I get called an a$$hole... The fun never stops eh?

This got me thinking, my neighbour's are essentially the most annoying people on the planet, more annoying than Andy Dick, Ian Thorpe and Jessica Rowe all put together. If my neighbour's collectively represent the Australian population, one has to wonder why I should continue to be a part of said nation.

Needless to say, I have spoken to some relatively powerful friends, and have arranged for this house to secede from the Commonwealth of Australia (sorry mum and dad) and become a UN Protectorate. Unless a better name is suggested, this UN protectorate will now be called 'Markdom', not very creative I know, but I am sober, and it has been a long day, let me know your suggestions.

I am in the process of drafting my constitution, and finding customs agents willing to enforce my borders. At the moment, I am protected by British Peacekeepers (well not really), so I should be safe, if not, I have Brinkley to take them all out...

For those of you who don't know me, this isn't really a joke, we just had the flag raising ceremony thirty minutes ago, with a small crowd gathered to cheer on the birth of a nation... Oh the crowd refused to be photographed...



I don't know how long my little protectorship will last, but it is sure to be viable for at least the rest of the silly season. In the meantime folks, have a very happy Christmas and New Year, if you are Jewish, happy Hanukkah, for the Atheists, enjoy the Holiday, and for the rest of you... Well see you next year...

Oh and whilst this sounds like the last post for the year, it really isn't, next week, by popular demand, will be a year in review, including a number of confrontations never published and a quest to find a date for New Years Eve so I can keep last years resolution!

Window in the Skies...

Before you start leaving comments, realise that I am fully aware that I have already posted a video for Window in the Skies (new U2 song)...

But, in honour of Bono's knighthood... And my seriously depressing fascination with punctuation in subtitles...

I give you the Live versions of Windows, from Japan... For a laugh read the subtitles, kind of like bad karaoke, until you realise the over emphasis on punctuation...

And Dad, before you comment, I do realise that the subtitled punctuation is better than my own, and I am ashamed of that, but then again...

Live from the House

Well the front of the house... I have TREE HUGGERS!!!!

Oh and apparently I am an A$$hole... The Gold Coast City Council has turned up to remove some trees on their property, they just happen to be in my front yard... Well the neighbours are all upset and are standing there hugging trees.... I am going to get some photos soon, I believe the police have been called...

The fun never stops here at slow demise... More later

Update: So they won the fight, but didn't win the war, check back soon for an important announcement! After about an hour, apparently some council worker turned up and told the tree removalist's that the tax payer isn't paying them to sit around whilst these people harass perfectly innocent trees that never asked to be hugged, which in most cases may be considered assault (thanks anon. commenter). So the trucks pulled out, no word on when they shall return, although midnight could be fun!

As for photo's well... I don't trust hippies, so I took one through the door... it didn't really turn out, but you get the idea... I took another one when I was in the garage with my phone... and I got booed...
Blogger only wants me to post one picture at the moment, I'll try more tomorrow!

Dilemma Central

After much thought and very little decision making I have decided to ask for the advice of you, my avid readers for some advice...

By now you should all be quite aware of the trouble that "Gus" has caused me and the construction team over the past few weeks. Whilst I am usually an easy going guy, I do hold grudges, and quite frankly I think I deserve to take some revenge upon Gus, I just hadn't known what to do...

Until now...

Someone needs to tell Gus that you should be kind to your neighbours... Because if your not, when the courier that is delivering your 3 cases of wine from Barossa Valley screws up and delivers them to your neighbour, and not you...

You may never see that wine again!!!

That's right folks, some courier screwed up and I am now in possession of Gus's Christmas supply of Vino!

So the question is, what does one do? The ethical side of things would be to deliver them to her, but she doesn't want any of us on her property... Do we give the wine to charity? Call the courier company and explain their error? Or just drink it myself?...

Let me know my friends, because revenge is sweet, but getting drunk on someone else's dime, may even be sweeter!

New U2 Video

Just as I was doing my daily You Tube watch I stumbled across the new U2 vid for Windows in the Sky. Parts of it were filmed in Melbourne whilst I was down there not so long ago, having been made aware of this the actual video freaked me out!

Tonne of noise being made around the house today, which means there should be something worth photographing later this afternoon...

TIME. Magazine Person of the Year

Apparently... It's...

ME!

The annual honor for 2006 went to each and every one of us, as Time cited the shift from institutions to individuals - citizens of the new digital democracy, as the magazine put it. The winners this year were anyone using or creating content on the World Wide Web.

Normally I'd go into a long winded speech thanking everyone who has helped me out of the years, and the obligatory thanks to God... But really... I can't be bothered...

Day 84

Very exciting day today... A crane stopped by to put the roof trusses on the... um... roof...

We also had a visit from the termite kid, who essentially taught me all about termites, something I have to admit I have never really aspired to know anyway. Just in case you were wondering, termites eat wood, houses are made from wood, therefore termites eat house... Luckily we have a whole lot of house so they haven't been overly successful in their quest to feast...

I managed to take one picture of the upstairs part of the house before the battery in my camera decided it didn't want to co-operate anymore...

In other news, I went and saw the new James Bond film the other day Casino Royale it was great to see a decent action film that gave you the impression that someone was actually doing the stunts, instead of some actor hanging from cables in front of a green screen. It was typical Bond and most enjoyable....

I don't believe I just reviewed a movie...

Day 83

As previously alluded to, or maybe it wasn't... Last night I ventured out with mum and dad to help celebrate their wedding anniversary. We hit the top of Q1, I have to admit that I was somewhat impressed.

The view was great, the food at Absynthe was most excellent, and the company was just as riveting!

The house is coming along at a speed that I didn't think was possible. Apparently if you pay your bills on time, people work harder for you... I didn't know this, although I usually pay my phone bill on time, and Telstra still sucks, so maybe it doesn't quite work that way...

Expecting a crane in the front yard tomorrow to deliver some scaffold so they can get the roof on by the end of next week, just before Christmas...

The framing for upstairs is complete, except for the balcony. I am trying to convince Dad to install a Missile Defense Shield as well, just in case North Korea decides to target my bathroom...

So... Um... Yeah... Photo time it is then...

In 12 days time it's Christmas, I have only bought a few presents so far and need ideas, so if you have one, an idea that is, let me know, it doesn't need to be person specific, just a different gift idea...

I'll post some pics of the crane action tomorrow!

Day 80

For the record, I am not intentionally posting every five days, infact I was under the impression that I'd already posted a number of posts since the last one... but alas... it wasn't true...

Maybe I just dreamt that I did... which is even scarier...

So much to write, so little time...

Richard and Cath made a surprise visit this weekend, that was intriguing, I'd say more, but I don't think that I will.

Simon and Bernadette just dropped in for a visit this afternoon, Bernadette has about three and a half months left until Simon's' spawn starts taking on the universe... scary thought I know...

Going to dinner tomorrow night for Mum and Dads 37th wedding anniversary, I don't know why I was invited, but I was taught to never turn down a free meal... Unless they intend to make me pay for it, in which case maybe I shouldn't go?

Well this dribble has gone on long enough, you only come here to either read about cranky neighbours or look at photos, and seeing that the neighbours have taken their weekly Xanax already, I guess photos will just have to do...

Day 75...

Interesting days these are... Decided to take some aerial photos, something I haven't done since the first week... I'm beginning to think that Gus has recruited a cheer squad, no hard evidence yet, but just a heads up...

Enjoy...




Some more photos coming up this weekend... Only a few more days until Christmas....

Day 70...

It's World AIDS Day today...

In other news...

The yellow jackets were back this morning, I wasn't to sure who they were until I received a letter in the post from the Gold Coast City Council...

It seems "Gus" has issues and has ' alleged a complaint concerning dust nuisance' in case you were wondering Councils Health, Regulatory and Lifeguard Service Branch has received a complaint about an issue allegedly occurring at your premises. The complaint was in relation to a dust nuisance due to building works.

Blah Blah Blah...

Whilst Council is reluctant to single out residents, if the alleged complaint is proven to be a breach of the law, you may be subject to further action by Council, including notices or penalties...

The note came with a tip sheet on Air Pollution, in particular a section on Dirt and Dust from Construction one of its many recommendations is...

Water
Spraying water onto topsoil can be very effective in reducing dust. It is important that enough water is used to keep the topsoil layer damp and that spraying is completed before strong breezes develop.

Last time I read the paper I was told that we were experiencing the worst drought in 100 years. Current water restrictions would make it illegal for me to follow the Councils advice, unless I used buckets... Come on folks, you've seen the photos... It ain't happening!!!

The Council visited, donning the yellow vests to appease Satan, they found nothing wrong... But something tells me this story won't end just yet...

I just can't wait until Gus starts her construction... She's creating enough enemies at Council and Workplace Health and Safety, the bribes she is going to have to pay just to get approval will most likely outweigh the cost of the renovation...

Anyway, enough about the Anti-Christ... Photo time!!!