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GREAT ‘08

Can’t beat this:

My New Year’s resolution is to increase my carbon footprint to something resembling a small country.

Yes! To all friends, emailers, commenters, readers, lurkers and haters, the very best wishes for a truly carbontastic 2008. Consume with pride!

Posted by Tim B. on 12/31/2007 at 11:04 AM
  1. HAPPY NEW YEAR, BLAIRITES!

    Noble sentiments from Penguin.  May we all aspire with such ambition.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 12 31 at 11:38 AM • permalink

  2. We’ve got 6 kids to ferry about town to various activities and just this morning I was looking at a MUCH larger, full-size version of our current van, thinking it might be nice to upgrade sometime soon.  Hubby said it would probably suck back twice as much fuel.  I say that sounds like just the right selling point to me!

    Happy New Year, all!  I’m going home to turn on all the lights in the house, tonight.

    Posted by WonderWoman on 2007 12 31 at 11:39 AM • permalink

  3. Same thing as allways plotting to take over the world.

    Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 12 31 at 11:42 AM • permalink

  4. We celebrated with friends under about 1000 fairy lights on the back verandah. It was the pitter patter of little carbon feet.

    Posted by ooh honey honey on 2007 12 31 at 11:42 AM • permalink

  5. Penguin, once again, sets the standard. All of a sudden, I have this urge to buy a Dodge Ram with the V-10 option and rip the catalytic converter out of it, then equip it with Cherry Bomb glass-pack mufflers and go roaring by the Environmental Protection Agency building in Washington with my left arm extended out the window registering the one-fingered international symbol of goodwill.

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 11:48 AM • permalink

  6. Wonderwoman. Get one with little organ pipes in the petrol cap so that it plays a tune as it guzzles!

    Posted by ooh honey honey on 2007 12 31 at 11:54 AM • permalink

  7. Coal in everybody’s New Year’s stockings! A Happy and Carboniferous 2008 to all!

    Posted by andycanuck on 2007 12 31 at 11:55 AM • permalink

  8. happy 2008, denizens of Blairdom.  may all your problems be tiny & all your pleasures be large

    Posted by KK on 2007 12 31 at 12:08 PM • permalink

  9. Glad to see that the Telegraph picked up the ball fumbled by Time.

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 12:12 PM • permalink

  10. oh - and a prediction.  victoria’s charter of rights & responsibilities comes into force today.  i predict this will be MABO legislation par excellence (for our septic friends, Mabo was a landmark aboriginal land rights decision, sarcastically referred to as Money Available: Barristers Only, a lawyers’ picnic)

    Posted by KK on 2007 12 31 at 12:21 PM • permalink

  11. A prosperous New Year to all! Mrs. Paco and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary Wednesday, so I’ve got to line up something special (let’s see . . . where are those Chick-Fil-A coupons?).

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 12:22 PM • permalink

  12. How’s this for a Gaia basher? And so tasteful, too . . .

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 12:31 PM • permalink

  13. #11, happy anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Paco!

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 12 31 at 12:34 PM • permalink

  14. Methane is a far more potent gas than airborne plantfood (CO2); as I’m not a fan of conspicuous consumption (except the fermented variety) I will be eating for gaia’s warmening.

    Posted by Rob Read on 2007 12 31 at 12:36 PM • permalink

  15. Prospero Ano Nuevo to all you Aussies down there in Blairistan.  Just some desert southwest lingo to start your culturally inclusive new year.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 12:37 PM • permalink

  16. Were I to possess the knowledge of words and their usage, as many virtual friends across this great globe have (to many to list, but you know who/whom you are) I would write something worthy of your abilities…BUT I do NOT.

    To me although I have one, vocabulary is a place that stores taxis. Grammar, as I’ve posted in many places, mine passed many years ago. Syntax, is what I pay every time I buy booze or ciggies. Diction, well I won’t get into that one (damn, that didn’t sound nor did it look to damn spiffy, either).

    At any rate, to all that have turned the clock and calendar into 2008, a very healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.

    To those who have not yet turned the clock and calendar, my wish is that you DO have a very healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.

    Cheers to all, from the sword of El Cid.

    Cross posted from my piece of this virtual world. And now from a thread below

    See what I mean, as far as Not having the ability. I can’t even figure out, nor can I understand the term…Scroll UP. SHIT!

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 12 31 at 12:40 PM • permalink

  17. Best wishes to the pacosan and sanette!

    Maybe you could come up with a sonnet for the sanette, along with the coupon, of course.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 12:40 PM • permalink

  18. Happy New Year. 

    Good will to you all.

    Pickles you and I have met.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

    FORWARD

    Posted by Just Another Bloody Lawyer on 2007 12 31 at 12:52 PM • permalink

  19. Oh most joyous congrats, paco!

    Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2007 12 31 at 12:58 PM • permalink

  20. Rebecca and Yojimbo: On behalf of myself and the long suffering Mrs. Paco, I thank you.

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 01:02 PM • permalink

  21. My New Year’s resolution is to increase my carbon footprint to something resembling a small country.

    Yeah, but you better watch out for the Zamzam water, it might wash all the footprint away.

    Posted by burrah on 2007 12 31 at 01:07 PM • permalink

  22. #21

    Just don’t put that stuff through a zuz-zuz water softener.


    /way too esoteric for most I fear, especially if you don’t see many Cary Grant movies.  Sorry, just couldn’t resist.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 01:19 PM • permalink

  23. Carbon footprints are like sooo last year. In 2008 it’s going to be yttrium footprints.

    Posted by Paul Zrimsek on 2007 12 31 at 01:45 PM • permalink

  24. #11

    Best wishes to the paco’s!  The Mrs. and I had our 30th on the 21st. Shortest day of the year, but the longest night.  (That line never worked.)

    Happy carbon guzzling to all!

    Posted by SSG Pooh on 2007 12 31 at 01:48 PM • permalink

  25. i wish for all of you wonderful blessings for this new year!

    and happy anniversary mr & mrs paco
    and belated happy anniversary to mr & mrs pooh

    Posted by missred on 2007 12 31 at 02:11 PM • permalink

  26. #22: Not at all, old fellow! I’ve seen Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House many times. I also have the book.

    Interesting side note: The original title of the book was to be Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Castle, but this was cutting it a little close to P.G. Wodehouse’s “Blandings Castle” stories, so the Master threatened to sue - which resulted in the title change.

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 02:21 PM • permalink

  27. My resolutions for 08…

    More work with Operation Gratitude.

    Refill my gun rack.

    Get started on that boat I’m always threatening to build.

    Continue to annoy MoveOnBots and Truthers.

    Be there when Harry Reid’s head pops from too much success in Iraq.

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 12 31 at 03:48 PM • permalink

  28. Have a carbonista new year!

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 12 31 at 03:49 PM • permalink

  29. Happy 2008 to my favorite blogger and all his loyal bloggees. And a Happy Anniversary to Mr. Paco and the long suffering, saintly, most definitely has a sense of humor Mrs. Paco.
    I will be burning carbon releasing substances but only so I can keep warm enough to lounge around in gym shorts and a tank top.

    Posted by Latino on 2007 12 31 at 03:49 PM • permalink

  30. Say, what woould be a good movie to take Mrs. Paco to see? She (and I) hate yuppified, romance-in-the-big-city stories, but we like a good adventure film from time to time (her favorite movies, interestingly enough, are westerns, but we already saw 3:10 to Yuma). Anything good out there?

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 04:02 PM • permalink

  31. I mean, is there anything starring that great actor, Brendan Cowell?

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 04:03 PM • permalink

  32. Some wonderful, idiotic, biased, lefty media quotes via the excellent Blue Crab Boulevard.

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 04:29 PM • permalink

  33. My wife and four month old baby went out last night and left the air conditioner running. Mwahahahahahahahahaa!

    And then when we got home, we didn’t switch it off so we could get a decent night’s sleep. Mwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

    Posted by Young and Free on 2007 12 31 at 04:34 PM • permalink

  34. Pander Woman

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 04:44 PM • permalink

  35. Our carbon foot print is off to a great start.

    We were visiting the relatives for Christmas when Junior borrowed a cousins bike, tore down the driveway and was promptly collected by the neighbour as she drove home.

    Scratch one eco-friendly bicycle.

    He hit the small, Korean made car in such a way to make it unrepairable.

    Scratch one eco-friendly car.

    He broke his leg in the process, which required an ambulance trip to a base hospital in a bigger country town.  As he stayed there a week, I had to drive 1000 unnecessary miles to visit him each day.

    That must count for at least a bear cub.

    He now has to be ferried everywhere for the next 2-3 months.  No walking.  No bus.  No bikes.  Transport by 4WD only.  Then there are the extra trips to specialists, physio etc. 

    Our humble household will of course require something like an Xbox to get us through this trying ordeal, and it will run 24x7.

    I’m not sure about having a carbon footprint like a small country, but I am starting to feel like Norfolk Island.

    Posted by mr creosote on 2007 12 31 at 05:09 PM • permalink

  36. #18 Just another bloody lawyer

    Oh yes, I remember. I hope the stitches in your eyebrow came out okay and they managed to straighten your nose up a bit.

    You were the bloke at the Story Bridge last Friday night weren’t you?

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 12 31 at 05:53 PM • permalink

  37. Predictions for the year ahead! Every other clown with a chemical imbalance and a hangover does it, why shouldn’t I?

    FEBRUARY
    Prince William, while visiting Kenya, kisses a local girl. Newspapers headlines ignore the other main story of the day, noting simply “Moon falls from orbit - Page 5.”

    MAY
    Warm weather persists in the Southern Hemisphere. Experts point to global warming.

    JUNE
    Cold weather persists in the Northern Hemisphere. Experts point to global warming.

    JULY
    A distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth is found living in far northern Queensland. Gladys Fernshaw, 58, has never worn shoes in her life, and her nose has been broken three times during crocodile wrestling bouts at the local wildlife park. She lost her teeth when she was twenty and smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Australian women’s magazines stick with Princess Diana for cover pics.

    Somebody famous dies. Experts point to global warming.

    SEPTEMBER
    Economic catastrophe strikes hard when an observant bank clerk in Neglected, North Dakota, notices that the legend FEDERAL RESERVE has been replaced on the currency with MONOPOLY. By the end of the day a million US dollars are buying approximately one Albanian leke.

    Children launch class actions against their parents for bringing them into a less than perfect world.

    Somebody else famous dies. Experts point to the stresses of financial uncertainty brought on by global warming.

    NOVEMBER
    Hillary Clinton is elected President of the United States. Secret Service agents deliver her former husband to the Oval Office - next morning Hillary tells reporters, “Bill’s my first lady now.”

    DECEMBER
    The elves stage a coup d’etat and Santa’s Workshop becomes a Marxist collective. Management committees proliferate, ensuring that every Barbie doll has at least three heads and Ipods are the size of Cadillacs.

    Litigated parents take their revenge. “Santa’s not bringing you anything this year… except global warming.”

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 12 31 at 05:59 PM • permalink

  38. Predictions for the year ahead.

    Australian Open-13 days.

    F1-73 days.

    Add a day for sepposatan.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 06:08 PM • permalink

  39. *seppostan* even!

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 06:09 PM • permalink

  40. Did I miss something…:)

    47 days and 20 hours to Daytona!

    In NSW and QLD, that shoud be about 47 days and 3 hours.  It’s great to be an Aussie!

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 06:18 PM • permalink

  41. oops! My bad.

    I think it is later for you.  Still great to be an Aussie though!

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 12 31 at 06:26 PM • permalink

  42. Happy New Year to all youse Blairites!!!!!

    Happy anniversary to the pacos and the poohs!!!!!!!!!!!

    My resolution:

    Shoot more.

    Eat less.

    Learn to reload so I shoot more.

    Install that back up generator.

    Get out of town more often.

    Build cool stuff.

    Increase my carbon footprint 300%.

    Piss off a leftie daily.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 12 31 at 06:38 PM • permalink

  43. Paco—Charlie Wilson’s War is excellent.

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 12 31 at 07:07 PM • permalink

  44. Greetings and salutations to all on this fine dawn of a new year.

    Well it would be ever finer if I’d got home an hour ago instead of waiting for a train that never showed and then a taxi that just drove past…

    But hey thats just my bitching.

    May all your new years be filled with joy and gladness, may your problems find resolution, may your kin grow happy and healthy, may your bank balance grow obscene and may the dark lord Rove’s next disciple gain the next term in office.

    FOUR MORE YEARS! WOOOOOOT!!!

    Jagermeister made me do it…

    Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2007 12 31 at 07:11 PM • permalink

  45. #11 Mrs. Paco and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary Wednesday,

    Well done. An unusual milestone in these liberated times.  The Mrs and I get to 25 years next month.  Blowed if I can think of anything to give or do to mark the occasion. Better think of something!

    Posted by walterplinge on 2007 12 31 at 07:24 PM • permalink

  46. As for V-10 powered ‘utility vehicles’, you should have seen the dirty look i got last night when i said i’d pulled the muffler off my car to increase its emissions so my house would be beach front in 15 years…

    Well done Mr and Mrs Paco, 30 years is quite a bit longer than i’ve even been alive. Now where do i find me a good woman with a thing for fedora’s?

    Resolutions?

    I vow to smoke less, drink less (maybe), eat better, exercise more, work harder, root more and get my hands on a 632ci Chev and run the bastard rich.

    Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2007 12 31 at 07:28 PM • permalink

  47. Congratulations on another year of running the best ever blog, Tim.

    In 2008, I resolve to stay healthy and be kind to people.

    Posted by Apple77 on 2007 12 31 at 07:38 PM • permalink

  48. #45 Walter: Ah, I remember our 25th anniversary. A wonderful romantic dinner - just the four of us: me, Mrs. Paco and the two boys (our kids have always been notorious meal-cadgers, plus they were just never the sort of kids you could safely leave at home; the insurance company was pretty specific about that).

    I’m thinking of getting Mrs. Paco one of these (via our own Captain J.M. Heinrichs: Chairman of the Board for finding cool things on the web).

    Posted by paco on 2007 12 31 at 07:40 PM • permalink

  49. Congratulations to the anniversarios and happy new year to one and all.
    We’re in something of a quandry here. We burn wood to heat our house but I didn’t cut the trees myself. Instead I obtained the latest cords from the detritus of a commercial clear cut on my hunt club. This means I’m burning wood that would otherwise be turned into food for methane emitting termites. So am I a good gaia raper or something of an environmental steward?(I, don’t really care. My family will be warm courtesy of the lovely oaks, cherries and hickory’s that abound in my native area.)

    Posted by greene on 2007 12 31 at 07:49 PM • permalink

  50. Mal Fras does not wish JWH a happy new year.
    And carbon problem here:
    The ice jam on the Nachako River…

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2007 12 31 at 08:01 PM • permalink

  51. #49, I think the rule is that if it makes your life more comfortable, it’s bad.

    Posted by spot_the_dog on 2007 12 31 at 08:03 PM • permalink

  52. No pickles I am the bloke whose chambers are six or so floors under yours

    Posted by Just Another Bloody Lawyer on 2007 12 31 at 08:16 PM • permalink

  53. Apologies for another lengthy post, but this time it’s someone else’s work rather than mine.
    I’m no great reader of poetry but when I found this in Quadrant magazine it seemed just the item for the start of a new year.

    COULD HAVE BEEN

    by John Whitworth

    Goliath was big but he could have been littler,
    Mickey Mouse could have been Mortimer Mouse,
    Chamberlain could have said bollocks to Hitler,
    Christ could have been a success as a victualler,
    Coleridge could have just stayed in the house.

    Could have been, should have been, probably would have been,
    Texts are corrupt and ther meanings obscure,
    Credible, viable, rarely reliable;
    All we can say is that nothing’s for sure.

    Ulysses might have got lost in his wandering,
    Ulysses Grant might have stayed off the booze,
    Wittgenstein might have got by with less pondering,
    Heliogabalus might have stopped squandering,
    Somebody might have converted the Jews.

    May have done, might have done, too bloody right have done,
    Things may be different from what we suppose.
    Speaking pragmatically, axiomatically,
    All we can say is that nobody knows.

    Popes and archbishops are probably flunkeys,
    Pisspots and saucepans are certainly hats,
    Queens and princesses are plausibly junkies,
    Hamlet was possibly written by monkeys,
    Dracula ditto by bloodsucking bats.

    Life is precarious, random and various,
    Probably fatal, but possibly not,
    Too much analysis causes paralysis
    All we can say is it’s all that we’ve got.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 12 31 at 08:51 PM • permalink

  54. It’s the day after - had a great night and I hope that the rest of you enjoyed yourselves as well.

    Happy New Year for 2008!

    Posted by rbresca on 2007 12 31 at 08:56 PM • permalink

  55. #45, Hey, walter,

    It’s our 25th next week.  We’re having a big party.  Well, I hope it’s big.  Could be fairly intimate what with all the slackers who haven’t rsvp’d yet.  You’d think people wouldn’t say no to a free feed, booze and their choice of our favourite 70s to 90s dance music.  Then again, this town empties out at this time of year.

    Posted by Janice on 2007 12 31 at 09:07 PM • permalink

  56. Congrats to Mr and Mrs Paco!
    Happy New Year to all!
    Down with tyranny!
    Down with exclamation marks!

    Posted by Penguin on 2007 12 31 at 09:08 PM • permalink

  57. As google reminds us and wikipedia tells us

    A full switchover to TCP/IP on the ARPANET took place January 1, 1983. In March 1982, the US Department of Defense made TCP/IP the standard for all. 

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2007 12 31 at 09:15 PM • permalink

  58. Congratulations to those with recent or soon-to-be anniversaries. You have beaten the odds & your wives are to be commended. We’ll only have 22 come Washington’s Birthday, but it’s 21 more than anyone thought possible!

    I hope all the denizens of Blairistan & Blairville & Blairboro in all corners of the globe have a beautiful, intriguing, enriching life in the year ahead. You all - especially our Host & his Administrator, nilk, kae, RebeccaH, paco, richard, mole, mentalfloss, yojimbo, el cid, Habib, Ash, lyle, Mr. Bingley, missred, pickles, pogria, TRJS, swinishcapitalist, janice, Wimpy Canadian, AndyCanuck, Spiny, Nick&Nora;, Infidel Tiger, stackja1945, SSG Pooh, & our assorted favorite Texans, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines - put a smile on my face & keep my poor excuse for a brain working nearly every day. I thank you for that. I am a lucky woman to have found you.

    Life Is Good…and getting gooder…so HAPPY NEW YEAR! NOW, Onward & Upward to 2008!!!

    Posted by KC on 2007 12 31 at 09:25 PM • permalink

  59. #52 JABL

    Well that narrows it down then…

    At work today, plaything of the rich, powerful and chronically stupid.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 12 31 at 09:55 PM • permalink

  60. Frankly I’m glad it’s still 2007 here in the Great White North. If the prospects for 2008 include Hilary’s election in the US, Mark Steyn’s conviction by the Canadian Human Rights Kangaroo Kourt and more global warming hysteria, I think I’ll start drinking now and see how long I can go into the New Year. CHEEEEEEERSSSHHH!!!!

    Posted by bobzorunkle on 2007 12 31 at 10:49 PM • permalink

  61. #18
    I, too, have met Mr Pickles.

    But who’s that on the balcony with him?

    Posted by kae on 2007 12 31 at 10:49 PM • permalink

  62. Howard have good time in Kirribili House. Bad.
    Rudd have good time in Kirribili House. Good.

    Welcome to the upside down world of Kevin 08.

    My first gesture of 08 was to place all my recycling beer and wine bottles, cans and papers into my landfill wheelie bin.

    I feel better already.
    Here’s cheers, to 08 gang.

    May we, Keep Kranky at Kev in 08.

    Posted by Bonmot on 2007 12 31 at 10:54 PM • permalink

  63. #38 & 39 paraphrased…

    Add a day for sepposatan/seppostan.

    That’d depend on whether you were from the middle east/or not.

    Posted by kae on 2007 12 31 at 10:55 PM • permalink

  64. #59
    Stop complaining, Mr Pickles.
    Without those holiday nongs the arse’d be out of your trewes.
    Be happy!
    Money for jam.

    #62 Bonmot

    May we, Keep Kranky at Kev in 08.

    I thought New Year’s Resolutions were supposed to be difficult?

    Posted by kae on 2007 12 31 at 11:00 PM • permalink


  65. #62 Bonmot

     

    May we, Keep Kranky at Kev in 08.

    Be of good cheer, friend!  2008 is shaping up to be a fun year.  Labor will be caught in their own trap(s), lefty heads will explode daily, and swinging voters will rue that wild ‘n’ crazy impulse that saw them put their keys in the bowl.

    For pure amusement value, Kevin & Co will provide more bloggable material in 11 months than Howard managed in 11 years!

    Posted by spot_the_dog on 2007 12 31 at 11:34 PM • permalink

  66. #64 Kae & #66 spot

    Of course you’re right.
    This could be a vintage year for Kevni07 going pear-shaped.

    For a man who personally, relentlessly campaigned on rising costs for [i]“working families” under Howard, as they say in Ghostbusters, when interest rates hit 9%, and utility prices skyrocket because of Kyoto…..

    Who you gonna call?

    Posted by Bonmot on 2007 12 31 at 11:45 PM • permalink

  67. Bonmot

    Who you gonna call?

    Kruddbusters.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 12 31 at 11:49 PM • permalink

  68. Ummm, sorry to jump in…just happened to have that playing on YouTube…:)

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 12 31 at 11:51 PM • permalink

  69. For any of our overseas mates coming to Australia for the new year I present the australian tourist commisions newest add.

    Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 12 31 at 11:53 PM • permalink

  70. # 62 Already there - have begun encouraging the 3 & 4 and a half year old to ignore the recycling bin at home. Can’t wait until she tells some lefty teacher that the only true material worth recycling is aluminum , provided it it not transported to far to a smelter.

    For my self , I have begun riding my bike to work - think about it more Co2 produced by me , as well as added benefit of the bus I used to catch still produces the same amount of evil carbon dioxide , without my patronage.

    That and the fact Perth’s public transport is so shithouse it takes 40 mins to travel 4km’s in a straight line , makes it the only way to go.

    Posted by baraka on 2007 12 31 at 11:54 PM • permalink

  71. #11 PACO
    CONGRATULATIONS +++ and many happy more years
    We will celebrate 41 years January 31 and it just keeps getting better and better even if slower and slower

    Posted by Hillyminx on 2008 01 01 at 12:00 AM • permalink

  72. Happy 2008!

    (Slightly OT: Those Russians are crazy.)

    Posted by Burbank on 2008 01 01 at 12:00 AM • permalink

  73. #71, as a fellow Perthian, after seeing the pics a while back showing that most of the material from our “recycling bins” gets dumped into the same landfill as all the other stuff, I now just fill up one bin ‘til it’s full, then start on the other one.

    Do we even have a glass recycling facility here or would it all need to get trucked over East?

    Posted by spot_the_dog on 2008 01 01 at 12:01 AM • permalink

  74. Happy New Years. This is my last post this year before leaving the computer for some actual human company. I also wish for more global warming as the Gulf of Mexico was still a might cold on Thursday. Still, not bad for late December.

    Posted by brett_l on 2008 01 01 at 12:07 AM • permalink

  75. Happy New year to Tim, Andrea and all who post hear- love my daily ‘fix’ with an AB top up.

    Long may we continue to express our views.puerile or no and fight any of Kevin 07s
    attempts to get his grubby little paws onto it.
    It did not take long for the real agenda to start slithering out.
    Have you noticed how weird, worried /anxious looking and uncomfortable he appears when interviewed on TV.
    Even my husband who keeps his own council on things political commented that Rudd did not give any one any confidence in his leadership- he seems ill equipped to handle the tough issues that are going to emerge.
    God how we will miss JWH or Peter Costello.
    Lets hope Ruddd has a very short run.

    I notice he gave all the Lodge staff the day off at Christmas- was that a kind gesture or so he could snoop round their offices and domain ready to make cuts or more demands on their time.

    This little man gets creepier and creepier and his deputy must be lurking somewhere in the basement- any one seen her/heard her rasping voice!!!!!!!!!!!?

    Posted by Hillyminx on 2008 01 01 at 12:12 AM • permalink

  76. #74 I know that some of the metals where being sent in bulk ships to China - the price of scrap steel forced this - nothing to do with the enviroment , as far as glass goes , I thought I read somewhere that ACI had shut the Perth plant.  I heard that Stirling Council where sorting everything and burning all non recyclables to generate power .

    I just love watching all my lefty neighbours ( you know the type - save abc / greens / no mining stickers on their shitty old cars )  placing all cleaned bottles & jars in a crate to make themselves feel superior.

    Posted by baraka on 2008 01 01 at 12:13 AM • permalink

  77. #77, I know what you mean.  Some mornings in my street you can hardly see for all the low-lying smug generated by those folks…

    Posted by spot_the_dog on 2008 01 01 at 12:18 AM • permalink

  78. #53 - I’m no great reader of poetry but when I found this in Quadrant magazine it seemed just the item for the start of a new year

    Great stuff.  I got a subscription to Quadrant for Xmas—first time I’ve read it.  Some great articles there, starting with the one on with the underhand Muslim subversion of the Australian Catholic University.

    It will be interesting see what happens when Keith Windschuttle takes over as editor shortly:

    LOOK out luvvies! Keith Windschuttle, scourge of leftist historians, will campaign against decadence in the arts when he takes over as editor of Quadrant magazine next year.

    Posted by walterplinge on 2008 01 01 at 12:20 AM • permalink

  79. #79
    I occasionally trawl the issues of the mag at work, for free, looking for interesting stuff to read.
    How do I get a sub as a gift from someone?

    8-)

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 12:25 AM • permalink

  80. Happy New Years! every body! Even y’all heathen and foreign devils who practice your festivities at the wrong hour or even the wrong day.

    After we finish with the extra u eliminationism part of the cultural conquest, get your accents more in line with civilized speechifying and correct some inadequacies in your legal codes, we’re going to go to final phase.

    Everyone will submit to Hollywood Standard Date/Time. Then we can all say Happy New Years! together and all at once.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 12:28 AM • permalink

  81. #66

    I reckon your absolutely right!

    For pure amusement value, Kevin & Co will provide more bloggable material in 11 months than Howard managed in 11 years!

    Posted by Dave Wane on 2008 01 01 at 12:40 AM • permalink

  82. #72: Happy anniversary to you and your better half, too, Hillyminx!

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 12:42 AM • permalink

  83. Here ya go, Grimmy.

    If that ain’t your style…

    Here ya go.

    Posted by El Cid on 2008 01 01 at 12:42 AM • permalink

  84. Happy Anniversary…to all having them.

    Posted by El Cid on 2008 01 01 at 12:43 AM • permalink

  85. #79

    You can usually depend on Windshuttle to expose the more likely version of any story.

    Posted by Dave Wane on 2008 01 01 at 12:50 AM • permalink

  86. #81 GRIMEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

    You’ll never get us to fall in line with you Grimmy. We’re already exporting OUR accent to your shores.  Many Seppos are starting to say BUM, instead of butt!!hehehe, they saying PUB, instead of Bar! and they’re saying ARNTY, instead of anty.(always wondered why sepps were related to insects?) :)

    You’re part of the Old World now. All that’s left that is new, fresh and vibrant is Australia and New Zealand.

    AND, NO ONE wants to speak like a Kiwi!!!
    So, we’re all that’s left my dear Grimmy!!

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 01 at 01:17 AM • permalink

  87. Oh, and just to add my New Year’s story,

    the boys had a great morning blowing up ant nests down the back paddock with the monster bungers we were able to score a couple of days ago.

    Man!! those things make the ground erupt!! woo hooo!!

    We’ve all just finished far too much food and not quite enough drink (I’m still working on that).

    Happy Bloody New Year to EACH and EVERY one on this blog.

    I’m sorry I can’t list you all by name (too bloody pissed) but I reckon you know it’s from the heart.

    Christ! I hope mine doesn’t stop beating today.

    And you too Tim and Andrea. And Tim, don’t forget to go for the part of Main presenter on the Aus version of Top Gear. You know you’d be just right for it.

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 01 at 01:25 AM • permalink

  88. I just drove 60 miles there and back for a New Year’s bash. And I ate meat, so stuff that, Paul MCartney

    Later this week I hope to be doing some “heavy breathing” ;-)

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 01 01 at 01:44 AM • permalink

  89. And a special New Year for Andrea, the real imperial keeper, of the blog of course.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 01 01 at 01:46 AM • permalink

  90. A New Year’s Message from Gina Elise. Excuse me please, while I sit here grinning like an idiot.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 01 at 01:51 AM • permalink

  91. #70 so true, Mr. Mole, so true. It’s either comical, poisonous or man eating. Can’t wait to go scuba diving there again. Last time, I dove in an old Uranium mine - actually just a flooded quarry but the story sounds good, near Batchelor if I recall.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 01 01 at 01:52 AM • permalink

  92. In my self appointed role as forum party pooper and buzz bringer downer, I offer the following as a reminder that for those standing the line for us, this is just another day in paradise.

    Give Faith a Fighting Chance

    And for any of those who are doing the hard things in hard places for the rest of us. If you’re asking

    Do you make us proud?

    The answer is, absolutely, every day.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 01:55 AM • permalink

  93. That should have said, absolutely YES!, every day. Sorry.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 01:55 AM • permalink

  94. #91 Hello Swinish!!~~~mad waving~~~~~~

    that clip of Gina was great!!, but , don’t be cranky with me, I think Gina is waaaaay more beautiful as a Brunette.

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 01 at 02:02 AM • permalink

  95. ...Just quietly, Pog, I think she enjoys the dressing up.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 01 at 02:06 AM • permalink

  96. #96 swinish shhhhhhhh

    all ladies enjoy dressing up!! ;)

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 01 at 02:12 AM • permalink

  97. Happy 2008 to all the blessed Blairites and thanks for your wonderful company during 2007.
    Your brilliant and stimulating writings have helped me stave off the dreaded Oldtimers’ disease for yet another year.
    Mrs Skeeter requested only one Christmas present from me in 2007 and that was a year’s subscription to Quadrant. We are very much looking forward to Windschuttle’s increased influence on that excellent publication. It is the only print media item that is purchased in this household.
    And while you are all in a congratulatory mood; if we live another few months, and haven’t had a serious falling out, we will be celebrating our Golden 50th anniversary in September 2008.
    Beat that, you whipper-snappers!

    Posted by Skeeter on 2008 01 01 at 02:15 AM • permalink

  98. For us guys it’s quite the reverse. Whoops…

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 01 at 02:16 AM • permalink

  99. 50 years, go Skeeters!

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 01 at 02:17 AM • permalink

  100. #98
    Mrs Skeets is obviously a woman of taste and substance!

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 02:23 AM • permalink

  101. SKEETERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

    WOOHOOOOOOOOOOO

    Fifty ****ing years!!!!

    that’s Wonderful!!!!

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 01 at 02:23 AM • permalink

  102. What date is that 50th, Skeets?

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 02:23 AM • permalink

  103. #101 Kae,

    or she’s Helen Keller! ;)

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 01 at 02:24 AM • permalink

  104. What a wanker.

    Do these guys really go around believing this stuff?

    I’ve been overseas five times in the last three years, gone to a dozen countries, and not once has someone said to me, “Oh, you’re from Australia, that country that ‘organises race riots’ or ‘that country that does terrible things to refugees and/or indigenous people.’”

    Exactly who are these dickheads talking to? Themselves, I’d suggest.

    Posted by BB77 on 2008 01 01 at 02:28 AM • permalink

  105. #102 Not sure that I want the exact date to be known to all, Kae but will email it to you.
    To set any fears at rest; our wedding was exactly two years to the day before our first kid arrived.
    My pa-in-law was starting to worry that his daughter had married a eunuch when it took so long to start a kid.
    This two-year delay ended a long history in my family. For many generations the first-born had been behind the wedding bouquet.
    Or, as Victor Borge put it, “born in wedlock but only just”.

    Posted by Skeeter on 2008 01 01 at 02:37 AM • permalink

  106. Heh! Pogs: She would certainly need to be blind and deaf to marry me the way I am now.

    Posted by Skeeter on 2008 01 01 at 02:42 AM • permalink

  107. Happy New Year.

    I’ve just been on the chopper flying around Mt COOK. Tim B, I’ve some bad news.

    I can’t find any signs of global warming.

    Will update you with my global prints.

    1.618

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 02:44 AM • permalink

  108. God it’s soooo beautiful, I’m hiking tomorrow.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 02:45 AM • permalink

  109. Where’s my kiss?

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 02:45 AM • permalink

  110. BIIIIIIGG SMOOOOOCHH for 1.618.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 01 at 02:57 AM • permalink

  111. I’d like a go when you come up for air Swinish.
    Bless you 1.6, and best wishes for 2008.

    Posted by Skeeter on 2008 01 01 at 03:31 AM • permalink

  112. Every New Year is the direct descendant, isn’t it, of a long line of proven criminals?

    The probability that the above is an orginal thought is slim—but I cannot for the life of me remember who said it and where or when.

    This being the time for such statements:

    I, MentalFloss, hereby resolve that in 2008 I will, at the very least, begin to contemplate in some conscious way the manner in which I intend to plan to commence the task of listing—in a rational and manageable sequence—those items which must be noted in sufficient detail before undertaking to engage in seriously contemplating any resolution that might affect my life (or the lives of others) in any significant way.

    May this latest in a long line of ne’er-do-well solar revolutions bring to each and every one of you the maximum of joy and the minimum of sadness.

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2008 01 01 at 03:35 AM • permalink

  113. I spent my new years in Sydney! Alas though I have come to the conclusion that I am getting way too old for the whole going out for new years thing.

    By 9pm my friend and I looked at each other and decided that going back to the hotel with a bucket of ice cream and watching the Hells Kitchen marathon was a better idea than staying where we were.

    The only thing that made me feel better about it was that the view from the room was better for the fireworks than where we were before.

    Happy New Year everyone I wish you all a carbontastic new year.

    Posted by Killaette on 2008 01 01 at 03:35 AM • permalink

  114. #37, I just noticed when reading your post that Santa, carefully misread (sorry missred) could be seen as Satan!

    Will there be a stock of Satan sacks next year? Will kiddies have to be bad for Satan?

    Paco, a happy anniversary to you and your wife, who seems a very tolerant lady indeed. As for you, a fellow Wodehouse-lover is always a treasure to behold.

    A happy and prosperous New Year to all! And may your fingers stay nimble!

    Posted by carpefraise on 2008 01 01 at 04:20 AM • permalink

  115. #1, do we, in fact, have any Blair Rites around here?

    It always takes me a while to notice these social things.

    Posted by carpefraise on 2008 01 01 at 04:21 AM • permalink

  116. #115, 37
    What?

    I read it as Stan.

    jeez

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 04:31 AM • permalink

  117. Thank you for your smootches. I’m tipsy, and I’m off to star gaze. (That’s my special passion.)

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 04:31 AM • permalink

  118. Everyone the glaciers are sooooo wonderful…

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 04:32 AM • permalink

  119. Happy new year to all my fellow commentariat.  Would try to come up with something clever, but I’m far too blitzed on champagne.

    Posted by Achillea on 2008 01 01 at 04:33 AM • permalink

  120. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Thank you all for your smootches.

    Poggy I’ve found your sheep. His name is erol.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 04:33 AM • permalink

  121. ;’‘;;’;’;’;’;’;’

    I’m tipsy ;’‘;;’‘;;’ wooo hooooo

    ;’;’;’;’;’;
    ;’;’;’;’;’

    “stars” by 1.618 for sale $45.00999

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 04:33 AM • permalink

  122. #108

    You should have visited Mt Cook before the Bali extravaganza, and told the Un Zud PM Helen Clark of your findings. She may then have been able to convince KRudd and the rest of the alarmists that the world is not really about to end.

    But why spoil a big piss-up and feast in beautiful Bali?

    Posted by Dave Wane on 2008 01 01 at 04:38 AM • permalink

  123. A toast to the Palestinians ringing in the new year with fireworksfights.  That’s the spirit, guys!

    Posted by Achillea on 2008 01 01 at 04:40 AM • permalink

  124. I thought it was a great joke—

    A leading bank executive has been forced to quit after making an insulting remark about Muslims.

    Marc Howells, who was one of Barclaycard’s leading figures, left his £200,000-a-year job after making the quip during a staff meeting as he discussed quarterly figures.

    Colleagues were stunned when he said: “The results were like Muslims - some were good, some were Shi’ite.”

    The Telegraph

    Posted by walterplinge on 2008 01 01 at 04:54 AM • permalink

  125. #125 Thats funny I laughed and I laughed

    Posted by Killaette on 2008 01 01 at 05:36 AM • permalink

  126. Then I stopped

    Posted by Killaette on 2008 01 01 at 05:36 AM • permalink

  127. 65 - Cid, if I believed in reincarnation I’d think maybe I was Cayce Mk 2. There’s just enough of a resemblance to be worrying.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 01 at 06:07 AM • permalink

  128. New Year’s Resolution:
    Stop reading MSM because they will not tell it like it is.
    “Former Pakistani Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto was murdered because of her potential actions in Pakistan, by the combined forces of jihadism in that country. In short, they executed her to pre-empt her future war of ideas. This was the bottom line and here is why….”
    Follow the virtual Paper Trail.

    Posted by blogstrop on 2008 01 01 at 06:34 AM • permalink

  129. Happy New Year all!  This year, I am going to get air conditioning if it is the last thing I do.  It may lead to the end of a very happy 35 year marriage but I am not going to put up with these hot days for much longer (any solutions for coping with being married to a greenie who believes in GW, PO etc?).  Either that, or I should invite Al G over for a visit - that should do it.

    Congrats to all with wedding anniversaries coming up!

    Posted by Quoll on 2008 01 01 at 06:39 AM • permalink

  130. “Belly dancers also took the stage, ...”
    Baghdad New Year 2008 seems to be going well!

    Posted by blogstrop on 2008 01 01 at 06:52 AM • permalink

  131. I just got back from star gazing. It was fantastic people. You can see the Aurora and the milky way as clear as day.

    If you so decide to stay at Mt Cook, I’d suggest to rest the night at the Hermitage hotel, it’s well worth it. There’s so much to do and my dinner was delicious.

    I couldn’t see any global warming in the skies tonight.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 07:32 AM • permalink

  132. 1.618 and all the other Blairinas… love y’all lots. Hope good things for all ya’ll this coming year and every year after.

    Blair dudes. Y’all are cool too.

    God’s Love to who ever it was that invented whiskey! Good stuff.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 07:48 AM • permalink

  133. Hey, found this at Iraqi Mojo.

    Iraqi Unity vs Terrorist

    It’s a commercial running on Iraqi TV.

    For them of y’all that poopoos this sort of thing, you should maybe take a look at the US War of Independence and how it was fought in the southern colonies.

    It was as much a Civil War as a Revolution. Kind of a twofer all at oncer.  Ugly in the extreme and a brutality beyond harsh.

    I’ve been following what’s been coming out of Iraq in the words and deeds of the Iraqis involved in rebuilding their identity. Northing’s perfect, but there’s signs and indicators of real and true grassroots leadership building up that is pushing the ideal of “Iraq for all Iraqis”.

    That’s something worth cheering and hoping for this coming year… and the next years to follow.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 07:57 AM • permalink

  134. xxx grimmy

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 08:07 AM • permalink

  135. xxx another one.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 08:07 AM • permalink

  136. #134 Grimmy, the best New Years “revolution” ever!.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2008 01 01 at 08:16 AM • permalink

  137. To MentalFloss and LiuHoi (I know I spelled that last one wrong…dang it. Folk should aughta be made to have screenies I can remember how to spellerize!!)

    Both y’all better get well and hale this year. Hear me? That aint a request.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 08:22 AM • permalink

  138. And in other carbontastic New Years revelry, French cars once again mysteriously burst into flames.

    Posted by surfmaster on 2008 01 01 at 09:08 AM • permalink

  139. #63PACO
    A brief word before retiring- Thankyou for your good wishes-
    We did not celebrate NEW YEARS EVE, but have had a wonderful evening NYD- Roast beef cooked by my wonderful husband- a good red and the NEW YEARS DAY Concert from Vienna- a must watch for everyone.
    Pure magic- sets the soul free and for a little while the world and it’s troubles obscured.
    Not many things make ones heart sing but this annual event sends one to blissful heights and the wine not really necessary.

    Bless you all and may we make the world a better place by facing the truth and dealing with it.

    Posted by Hillyminx on 2008 01 01 at 09:24 AM • permalink

  140. #138 Is mine easy enough Grimmy?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2008 01 01 at 10:06 AM • permalink

  141. #141, Ash_:

    Yep. That underscore thing might get lost, eventually… but you being female and all, I’m willing to compromise a little bit.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 10:16 AM • permalink

  142. #142 Ah, well, Grimmy, it’s a good thing that I’m not too attached to the underscore thingy, isn’t it?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2008 01 01 at 10:58 AM • permalink

  143. Ash_:

    Be attached to it all you want. You’re a female. Females get special perks and privileges when it comes to issues of effort expenditures made by males.

    It’s all part of the human package.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 11:01 AM • permalink

  144. #144 Oh, well, Grimmy, now I know that, it’s entirely different, isn’t it?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2008 01 01 at 11:08 AM • permalink

  145. #145, Ash_:

    Ok. Looks like I have two basic operational choices here.

    1. I fucked up and gave away an important gender secret. If that’s the case, I’m a gender traitor and deserving of the harshest of punishments.

    2. You, being a female, and therefore, totally familiar with males and manipulation thereof, were already familiar with the program and, therefore, I did no harm.

    Since I prefer the outcome dependent from #2, I’ll go with that one. Sometimes, being a guy and, therefore, in charge, makes all the difference in defining mishaps or successes.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 11:14 AM • permalink

  146. #146 Going with #2 is far more truthful to the facts, and no harm was done from a well known “secret”.

    Definitely go with the second operational choice, Grimmy, because as you know, manipulation of the males is one of the key operational duties of the female gender.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2008 01 01 at 11:18 AM • permalink

  147. #98 we will be celebrating our Golden 50th anniversary in September 2008.

    Wow, that’s wonderful, Skeeter.  Congratulations, and do remind us when the date draws near.

    Mr. H and I will be celebrating our fortieth on September 7, 2008.  Any chance it’s near yours?

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2008 01 01 at 11:35 AM • permalink

  148. #98: Excellent, Skeeter, excellent! Congratulations and best wishes in advance of your half century together.

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 11:44 AM • permalink

  149. #148: Way to go Rebecca and Mr. H!

    Old Paco’s been married for something like 55 years; of course, he spread that out over three wives, so it don’t count.

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 12:25 PM • permalink

  150. Heh. Some New Year’s resolutions from the Plains Feeder blog. I highly recommend the “Mohammedan Fanatics” and “Fidel Castro” links.

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 12:49 PM • permalink

  151. I suspect this will be the next place that the useless, spineless, worthless scumbags of EUrotardopia demand that “Americans DO something”.

    Kenyans burned to death in church.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2008 01 01 at 01:02 PM • permalink

  152. #152 [testing EU systems] Geeze, Grimmy, why didn’t the US do something to stop it? [/testing EU systems]

    Yep, after trying it out, that seems like exactly what the EU will say.

    In an interim report, chief EU monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said the tallying process “lacked credibility”.

    Mr Lambsdorff said an independent inquiry was needed to resolve the dispute over the election and called on the Electoral Commission of Kenya to co-operate fully.

    Does “Dorff” mean ass, in some language?

    MentalFloss?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2008 01 01 at 01:21 PM • permalink

  153. Paco, how do you find all these wonderful blogs?  My bookmarks are filling up.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2008 01 01 at 01:35 PM • permalink

  154. And where is wronwright?  Is he mad at us?

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2008 01 01 at 01:35 PM • permalink

  155. In case there’s anyone out there who hasn’t yet encountered Fark.com, don’t miss it. Interesting, humorous and frightening news stories, helpfully labeled (“Stupid”, “Spiffy”, “Dumbass”, etc.; Florida has its own category, which Andrea would be the first to admit is completely appropriate). The one or two-line summaries are often hilarious.

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 01:37 PM • permalink

  156. #154 Rebecca: The computer is kind of like having a TV that can access a thousand channels. It’s a surfer’s paradise.

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 02:40 PM • permalink

  157. A Happy & Prosperous 2008 to all!

    Posted by JDBagain on 2008 01 01 at 03:25 PM • permalink

  158. paco,

    Fark.com was the very first web forum I ever registered with. I still visit from time to time (Photoshop contests are not to be missed!), but rarely comment anymore.

    Beginning in mid-2004, the place became overrun with loony Leftists and 9/11 Troofers. Virtually any thread could become a political flamewar at any given moment. A crying shame, really.

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 01 01 at 03:34 PM • permalink

  159. #159: That is a shame (I didn’t even notice there was a comments section). The news clips are still hilarious, though. Loony leftists and truthers are like a cold virus: they show up everywhere, and there’s no cure.

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 03:42 PM • permalink

  160. This Fark thread, about trendy over-used words and phrases that ought to be banished from public discourse, is pretty funny - and as yet, “uncontaminated”.

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 01 01 at 04:00 PM • permalink

  161. Heheheh:

    My jackass brother spent 20 minutes on Christmas trying to convince me that the word “the” has no meaning in English. It made me feel good about Fark. I could be wasting my life on worse things.

    Tell him that real linguists suspect that the primordial deity of the Anglo-Saxon/Germanic peoples was “it” as in “it rained”, “it snowed”, “it got dark”, etc. Once you let this sink into your consciousness “it” will drive you mad. It will.

    Just Do It.

    That’s an argument I’d like to see.

    ;^)

    It could be worse: my best friend has an uncle (a college professor!) who is a Holocaust Denier. Whoa.

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 01 01 at 04:09 PM • permalink

  162. A mountain guide fell 60 m to his death here at mt cook. He /used to work at the hotel I’m staying at….

    front page news

    Posted by 1.618 on 2008 01 01 at 04:09 PM • permalink

  163. FWIW, in 3+ years of submitting links (with clever/funny headlines) to Fark, I had exactly (( 4 )) make it to the front page. It’s a tough gig.

    #163 1.618

    I really sorry to hear that. My condolences to his family.

    Mountaineering is an exhilarating and often dangerous sport.

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 01 01 at 04:26 PM • permalink

  164. Oh, and in commemoration of all the wedding anniversaries out there, here’s reason #115 why faithfulness is the way to go. (via J.M. Heinrichs).

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 04:41 PM • permalink

  165. Hi kidz. Hope you all had a great new year’s doing whatever it is you do on such an occasion. Me, I’ve still got champagne left. Remember: two more years and we’re done with this decade! How time flies.

    Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2008 01 01 at 04:58 PM • permalink

  166. Let’s hope one New Years resolution doesn’t make it out of the starter’s gate.
    Oh, and Paco.
    For the My Favourite Year files, how could anyone forget the “But sometimes I like to run a little water through it.” scene.

    Posted by lotocoti on 2008 01 01 at 05:04 PM • permalink

  167. #166: A prosperous New Year to you, too, Andrea. Thanks for all you do (including, but not limited to, efficient administration, timely troll elimination, and trenchant commentary).

    #167 Lotocoti: Another great scene from a movie abounding in them!

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 05:18 PM • permalink

  168. #148 & 149: Thanks RebeccaH and Paco and congratulations back to y’all.
    Ours is 20th September and I’m hoping one of you will remind me. I’ll be in deep shit if I forget this one.

    Posted by Skeeter on 2008 01 01 at 05:28 PM • permalink

  169. OT: This is what happens when you ban guns!

    Man kills father, turns hammer on self

    People don’t kill people, hammers do.

    Posted by Evil Pundit on 2008 01 01 at 05:28 PM • permalink

  170. #167 Locoti, nice article.

    Check this out:

    The State Government has set up a $5 million fund which will pay up to $100,000.

    There are expected to be about 150 claims.

    Let’s see, 150 x $100,000 = $15 million.

    Is the government telling us that it expects 66% of claims to be fraudulent and without merit?

    Given that 90% of the $5 million will be eaten up by administration and lawyers, that will leave enough to payout 5 claims.

    5/150 = 3.33% of claims being paid.  Given what Bolta has been telling us, even that is too high.

    It’s a $5 million handout to the local law firms.  “QC welfare” I call it.

    Posted by mr creosote on 2008 01 01 at 05:34 PM • permalink

  171. #167 & 171

    Mansell is full to overflowing of shit.

    But we knew that.

    Opportunist.

    Sadly, there are people who let him lead them and there are people who believe his crap. The ALP for started.

    Self-appointed opportunist.

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 05:44 PM • permalink

  172. #170 EP: Tragic story, but your lede is hilarious.

    #169: Don’t worry, Skeeter; we’ll remind you. Incidentally, the 50th is “gold”, I think; better start saving up!

    And now, in the Dumbass category, we have a fellow who has demonstrated the nexus between art and garbage (check out the last line of the article).

    Posted by paco on 2008 01 01 at 05:44 PM • permalink

  173. I’m personally sorry that idiots in the child welfare department decided that it was in the best interests of a ten year old child to give her back to her abusive parents in an abusive environment where she was abused again. Physically, sexually and mentally.

    It’s still a social experiment, isn’t it. Look at the results. FAIL.

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 05:47 PM • permalink

  174. Agreed! Anything coming from Australia’s only blue-eyed, white-faced “aborigine” should be instantly dismissed.

    Are there REALLY any aborigines in Tasmania?

    When I went to school, we were told that Truganinni was the last of Tasmania’s aborigines!

    Posted by Dave Wane on 2008 01 01 at 06:12 PM • permalink

  175. I made a special effort in ‘07 to increase my footprint by buying and M3.  Despite my best efforts, I’m still only hitting 17 litres per 100k!  But its great sport to drag a Prius and cut across the pompous asshole’s bow (have to brake to do the same thing to a Smart car).

    I understand Toronto is joining the Fuckwads in Sydney (and San Fran, of all places) in shutting down the city lights for March 29, 2008.  I’m working on arrangements for a “light-up the sky show” from my front-yard, with several thousand (million?) candle-power.  Be looking for it in the papers.

    To a bigger and better footprint for 2008!

    Posted by Son of a Pig and a Monkey on 2008 01 01 at 06:12 PM • permalink

  176. #175
    Funny, Dave, that’s what I learnt, too.

    I guess whitey’s wrong again.

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 06:16 PM • permalink

  177. #176
    I expanded my footprint from an M50 to an M62B35.
    Sadly the budget wouldn’t quite stretch to an S62.
    Are you an E36,46 or 92?

    Posted by lotocoti on 2008 01 01 at 06:31 PM • permalink

  178. Lotocoti,

    Its a 2004 E46.  Budget wouldn’t stretch to E92 (E90?).

    Posted by Son of a Pig and a Monkey on 2008 01 01 at 09:23 PM • permalink

  179. #153. Since you so nicely, Ash_, I shall tell you it’s Old Low German for “village”, hence its presence in the 10th Century invention of a non-territorial Germanic language hybrid of Middle High German and Hebrew/Aramaic we know today as Yiddish.

    The holder of such a surname may or may not be Jewish—however, their origins can probably be traced anywhere from the low countries to the Urals, from Bavaria to LapLand.

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2008 01 01 at 09:34 PM • permalink

  180. #153

    I think “Dorff” may well be a truncation of the strine for “where is one who was once here?” or “what is his state of mind” - “pissdorff”

    Similar modifications can be seen in, for example:

    Is he guilty ? - “Kenoath”
    What’ll we do with him ? - “Fokim”

    Posted by Pickles on 2008 01 01 at 10:12 PM • permalink

  181. Pickles, you forgot the other Ken.

    ‘Ken ‘Tard.

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 01 at 10:16 PM • permalink

  182. I defer to the inestimable efforts of Pickles and kae…

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2008 01 02 at 01:04 AM • permalink

  183. All the best wishes for the New Year, Blairites, from a longstanding lurker.

    Posted by Dame Penelope on 2008 01 02 at 01:29 AM • permalink

  184. Dame Penelope! Congratulations! When did you get your promotion from Buck House?
    Are you still getting about in that sporty pink Rolls?

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 02 at 02:12 AM • permalink

  185. Welcome to the light, Penelope, and a happy new year to you, too.

    Posted by Achillea on 2008 01 02 at 02:36 AM • permalink

  186. Swinish, I had to do an Edna when Andrea’s nargils ate my original plain “Miss”.  It has taken me forever and a knighthood to get back in. Clear bias against non-human contributors, I tell you, speciesists. I do indeed still drive the pink Rolls (flattered you remembered) and have now learned to type as well.  Pretty nifty, I might say, when one lacks opposable thumbs.

    Posted by Dame Penelope on 2008 01 02 at 02:42 AM • permalink

  187. #187 Dame Penny Lope

    When Thunderbirds go Bad

    Posted by Pickles on 2008 01 02 at 03:42 AM • permalink

  188. Pickles, that is just so WRONG.
    What a relief that Dame P was spared such shenanigans.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 02 at 06:04 AM • permalink

  189. I thought it was Lady Penelope?

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 02 at 06:53 AM • permalink

  190. ps, welcome aboard Dame Penelope!!

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 02 at 06:54 AM • permalink

  191. ref #187 Pog.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 02 at 07:29 AM • permalink

  192. #192 bugger oops!!

    Thanks Swinish!

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 02 at 08:00 AM • permalink

  193. I’m sorry, I must confess to a very confused identity.  I tried to start out as Penelope Cat, as in Pepe Le Pew, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Pussycat, then decided to become Lady Penelope, as in the pink rolls, but couldn’t register for some reason, so I registered as Miss Penelope, thinking more of Penelope Pitstop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Pitstop as there was still a pink car involved, but couldn’t gain access to comments under that handle, so was forced to promote myself to Dame.  I am accordingly a kinghted cat who drives a pink sports car.  Hey, it’s a free world.  But most importantly, I am finally here after years of lurking. And I will learn how to link better.

    Posted by Dame Penelope on 2008 01 02 at 08:55 PM • permalink

  194. I am accordingly a kinghted cat who drives a pink sports car.
    All that, plus a very cultured and sexy voice.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 02 at 09:17 PM • permalink

  195. oh oh! Dame Penelope!!

    Swinish has you in his sights!!

    Won’t be long before he asks you to start posing for him.

    Our beloved Swinish is an artist!!mmmmmmm

    Hey, if you’re a cat lady, check out my profile pics!

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 01 02 at 10:25 PM • permalink

  196. And I might add, Dame P, your beauty is ageless.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 02 at 11:21 PM • permalink

  197. Although it seems someone had plans to give International Rescue a facelift. And I’m not talking about that crappy live-action flick either.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 03 at 02:47 AM • permalink

  198. Oh, Swinish, I LIKE!

    The live action movie was rubbish.

    But this says “coming 2005”, I think they’re a bit behind schedule.

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 03 at 02:54 AM • permalink

  199. Response to #199, Take Two. Fingers crossed that Perth’s airconditioners don’t suck all the juice out of my computer twice in thirty minutes.

    kae, the title just before the end says Carlton - I think: it’s a bit dark. But the Carlton name is on my TV soundtrack CD too, so that would make sense.

    I would like to think that they decided to put the project aside for a few years and let the live-action barker’s egg pass from human ken. The Tracys sure as hell won’t be forgotten, and if the producers can give us a movie to match that short it will be Star Wars 1977 all over again. Queues that run for blocks! FAB!

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 03 at 03:56 AM • permalink

  200. #200
    It was a shocker, wasn’t it. Waste of a couple of dollars at the Video shop fer shure.

    The “No strings” bit at the end was a hoot.

    BETTER than Star Wars! (meh!)

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 03 at 04:11 AM • permalink

  201. You didn’t pay MONEY to see it, did you? I saw the shorts at the cinema and I thought I’d choke on the poo-movie stink that flooded over me.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 01 03 at 04:23 AM • permalink

  202. I might have.


    I never saw the shorts.

    Posted by kae on 2008 01 03 at 04:26 AM • permalink

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