And by the way...
This is my Obligations Moot Partner Mike (or at least someone he looks like). He was last seen on Degrassi Street. He is also our connection to U2 tickets.
It took me a long time to figure out who he looked like.
Even Better Than The Real Thing....
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre - Brisbane - U2 and the
Vertigo Tour.
Also featuring Multi Grammy award winning R & B singer - Kanye West. According to Kanye, "George Bush does not like black people."
Anyway...let's hope he doesn't make any strange comments. Stick to the music Kanye.
Marc and I will be travelling thanks to a good deal from a friend at Bond Uni.
Dave and the Unknown Person/Student/individual of no fixed address may also be joining us.
A taste of home....
Just watching Olympic hockey, and while it's not quite the Leafs and the Canadiens, it's nice to hear Bob Cole and Harry Neale call the games on Australian TV.
A few ways you can tell it's Bob Cole
1) his voice
2) he is about 5 minutes late calling what players have the puck, and most of the time is wrong....but it sure is great.
"He shoots he scores!"
Oldies but goodies
These were the days...I think I was nine, but I know all about it.
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-73-1181-6516/politics_economy/federal_elections/clip10
ok, and just for fun...look at this one. The best debate answer in history...i couldn't give the exact link, but it's the 5th one down on this page - http://www.museum.tv/debateweb/html/history/1984/video.htm
AC/DC chat room
Thought this was a humourous post by someone in the AC/DC chat room today. For the record though...I took this very seriously. The question raised was answered.
Here it is
"hey guys, where does angus young live???... becuase when i save up enogh money.. im going where ever i can to find him, i dont care if it takes 60 years!! its my dream and im not gunna die until i touch his golden feet. if i never find him it will be a life time wasted."
Most definitely this man is a true fan.
The Vitamin's Quick Poker Tips
Some quick Hold 'em tips to help you along the way.
- someone always has K-Q
- be weary of risking all your chips on an unraised pot
- be weary of two bottom pairs in any pot
- A-Q is a dangerous hand in a ten man game
- Be willing to dump J-J, it's the hardest hand to play
- Play pairs for the flop...but if there's no set, then there should be no bet
- Always bet if you hit your set
- Risk your chips on your hand...not someone elses.
"The key to no-limit poker is to put a man to a decision for all his chips" - Doyle Brunson
that is all for now...
oh, one more thing....
If you can't spot the sucker within 30 minutes of sitting down at the table, then you are the sucker.
News of the Weird
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4748292.stmI hope this never happens to me...but the way I'm going, it may.
Birthday Party
Happy Birthday to one-half of the new blood - Sean Ainley. Thanks as well to roommates Tannis (who may not speak with me ever again after the email/msn incident) and the other half of the new blood - Mike.
'The Hammer' loves it.
Oh yeah, and thanks for the Magnums...
Van Halen and more...
When is the last time you listened to Van Halen? Have you ever listened to the 5150 album? It's simply underrated. I think I'm gonna get my hands on some of their other material today. I've had it in the past, but I didn't bring it all to Australia. I think I like Sammy Haggar as a lead singer better than David Lee Roth. And let's not forget that they tried Gary Cherone (ex lead singer from Extreme) for an album. I bought it...it wasn't up to par.
On another note, I have some good news about my legal education...
I bought a mountain bike on ebay - $130 brand new.
I get the bike, it's got warped/buckled wheels. I wasn't happy. So I email the seller and inform them of the defect. They respond by saying that they'll replace the wheels. Only problem now is the shipping cost - which is 35 bucks...and for a stingy student, this is a definite sticking point. So I ask them about this and they email me back saying they'll pay one way and I pay the other way. Well....I already paid one way...and I am not prepared to pay another way. So it gets me to thinking, I am in Obligations Law at the time being. It's a spin-off from Contract Law, which I got a Distinction in last semester. Anyway, in Obligations Law we've been dealing with the Sale of Goods Act. So I respond to the people telling them they have three options - send me the wheels for free, take back the deal altogether with them paying for the cost of returning the bike, or I'll see the bastards in court. But I didn't stop there with the third option...I gave them this blurb...
Dear Heidi (EBS)...Please refer to sections 17(a)&(e) of the Sale of Goods Act (SGA) QLD dealing with selling of goods and fitness for purpose of those goods. To give you a quick rundown, you sold the goods in a retail sense over Ebay dealing goods of description knowing the particular purpose of the item – being a mountain bicycle. The goods had impurities and/or defects. Therefore according to the SGA and relevant case law you are strictly liable for latent + undetectable defects. More specifically, you, as the seller, are responsible for flaws which no amount of skill or judgment could have detected: relevant rule from case law comes from Kendall (Henry) & Sons v. William Lillico & Sons, Ltd., [1969] 2 A.C. 31. Therefore because the bicycle was delivered with warped wheels, it was not reasonably fit for the purpose of riding, the purpose of which a bicycle is most often used for.
Now...I'm not an expert (yet), and I'm not even sure if I was right, but it worked!
They sent me an email back stating that they'd actually come by my house to replace the whole bike.
The dividends are already paying off...I saved 30 bucks. Now I only have to save another $59,970 before I'm even.
Rob's friend Stewy and Burgers by the Lake
Today I met Rob Bartrop's Friend Stewy by the lake here at Bond. He's here from Sydney for an interview into the Med School. Let's all wish Stewy luck.
Wednesday is free barbecue day at Bond. They serve hamburgers and sausages on bread with ketchup and barbecue sauce. It's kinda odd and kinda gross, nevertheless I waited 30 mins to get mine.
Wednesday is the oddest of days...don't ask why, it just is.
Be well.
The New Blood
This is Sean. He is one half of the 'New Blood.' The other half is Mike. They are named the new blood because we feel they have the capability to make fools of themselves. It has not happened yet (although it's been close). Mike has made smart decisions when he comes out with us. However, unless he does something that will redeem himself - meaning, do something stupid - I will continue to tell all girls that he is my gay friend and is looking for a boyfriend. I will do the same for Sean...especially this Friday, his birthday weekend. The New Blood live with a girl named Tannis. I am not allowed to say her nickname on this blog...I am really not allowed to do much more with this blog. It's kinda pissing me off.
oh well....
Anyway, the new blood is having a little shakeup this weekend. It's time they made their move.
Emergency Update
Officially the tally is up to two people that want off the blog forever.
The Wild Drunk informed me this afternoon. He said, "Please...no more."
The man formerly known as the unnamed student of no fixed address has consistently told me that he never will look on this blog again. Further, he never wants to be on this blog again.
Without these two individuals I fear that my blog will become one big story about chickens. As much as I love the tender taste of a roasted chicken filled with yummy stuffing, it just won't be enough.
I urge these individuals to lift this moratorium from the blog. I need you, Canada needs you, Bobby Hull needs you...
Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin Hull, born January 3, 1939 in Pointe Anne (near Belleville),Ontario, Canada, is regarded as one of the greatest Hockey players and perhaps the greatest left wingers to ever play the game.
Hull was able to have such a fast slapshot because he and his teammate Stan Mikita were the first NHL players to curve the blades of their sticks
A few questions one might ask. Will Bobby Hull ever come to the Gold Coast? If Bond Uni had a hockey team, would he coach? Would he go for a swim at the beach knowing that there have been many shark sightings? Would he join us on a Friday night to Varsity Tavern? Would he take the bus to Surfer's Paradise if coaxed enough? Would he think aftwerwards (as we often do) that taking that bus into Surfer's Paradise was a monumental mistake? Would he hang around the Bond University Library on the comfy IKEA chairs?
As you're going about your business today...just ask yourself...would Bobby do it?
Cannonball
Another exciting weekend on the Gold Coast. I apologize to all four people that read this site for the wait in updates. I may be running out of material...well, material that I am allowed to put on this blog.
Officially the Wild Drunk has yet to tell me not to put any stories about him up here, as have many others (most notably the man formerly known as the unnamed student of no fixed address). I have withheld the best stories of the Wild Drunk, and I will refrain from telling them now. However, word on the street is that he's back! After vowing never to return to his Wild Drunk days, he was rumoured to have been seen last night in Surfer's Paradise...Keep posted for more information on this sighting.
I am not sure what this place does to people...it's just that, what else is there to do on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night than have a couple drinks and tell a couple lies.
I really didn't leave the house much this weekend other than to go out at night. Too many sharks at the beach...then again...to many sharks at the pub too.
A special shout out to Della Muscat. Missed her birthday party last night, but wishing her the best and many happy returns on her special day.
Comments
Since this blog's inception, there have been many comments by friends and foes alike. At this time I'd like to share some of these comments - good and bad:
"Futile, disturbing, but completley addictive,"
Rob Bartrop"Keep it clean," -
My Dad"You idiot," -
My Sister (not sure if she was commenting on my blog or just me in general)
"Mate, how about a barbecue this weekend?"
Morgan Shipp - Land Law Negotiation Partner
"Not since George Orwell has North America been exposed to such insightful commentry and political discussion,"
Rob Bartrop"Great blog" -
Alex Lalka, Toronto political organizer extraordinaire
"I think you are stupid...Really who do you think you are...get out of the country,"
Anonymous (but a true comment to one of my posts)
"The blog has ruined the lives of people I know...mine included,"
Dave Lucenti (also known as Brother "ni" of the Diot family...brother of "I" of the Diot family)
"Its a nice crisp read. Just one thing though. Why is that guy missing his face?"
The Wild Drunk"Seriously guy, take me off that fucking blog," -
Man Formerly known as the Unknown Student"When I am extremely bored I like to take a chicken carcass and put it on my head like a hat. Sometimes I like to lather my body in peanut butter and lie in a park with lots of pigeons,"
Jordo"Gord Prisco may well be the William Shakespere of the 21st century,"
Rob Bartrop "You're gonna talk about what? What in good gracious is a blog? And no, there isn't a student discount on these things"
Woman at supermarket who sells Roasted Chickens
Land Law Negotiation #3
I saw my friend Morgan Shipp (my negotiation partner) last night at Empire.
Empire is a social function put on by the business school at Bond University. It's held on the grass in front of the business school building. They offer basically all you can eat food and a few drinks for the low price of 5 bucks. Last night they were offering a barbecued sausage and hamburgers.
It all made sense to me after seeing Morgan work the crowd last night. Apparently he does very well at barbecues. No wonder he came up with the barabecue idea as a creative option during our negotiation excercise.
I think when Morgan graduates from law school he should be a mediator. He could have all his mediations with kool-aid, Hamburgers and hot dogs.
I think it's a great idea...but I've been wrong before.
A Friday Joke
Ok, so I won't usually post jokes here. However, I thought this was a good one.
The Pentagon announced today "the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces. These Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas boys will be dropped off into Iraq and have been given only the following facts about terrorists:
1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.
We expect the problem in Iraq to be over by Friday."
What a nice story
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18146316-29277,00.htmlCome visit me in Australia...we'll go for a swim.
Squash's Rag Tag Meets the Best
Apparently we now have a squash team at Bond University. And apparently our commissioner thought he'd get a coach. Now I wanna make something clear...we are all shit. Sure we are better than the average guy, but nothing to write home about. And secondly, we aren't even in a league, just our 16 person squash ladder of which only 6 people play on it.
So who does our commissioner get to coach us? Brett Martin. Who you say? Well...see the picture above. Here is Brett Martin (left) playing Jansher Khan, the Wayne Gretzky, Micheal Jordan, Shayne Warne, Wally Lewis, of Squash. While Brett claims he never beat Khan, he was ranked #2 in the World in 1994. If you didn't read that right the first time...Brett Martin was ranked #2 in THE WORLD.
Now he can claim the title of coach to the rag tag bunch of squash players from Bond University.
Land Law Negotiation #2 - The Barbecue
As posted previously, our Land Law Negotiation went well, but the creative option my partner and I came up with to have a barbecue among the parties involved, did not go over so well...
This is a post mortem interview with Morgan Shipp (my negotiation partner) about the barbecue idea.
G = Gord M= Morgan
G: Morgan How are you today?
M: Fantastic mate...
G: Morgan, what the hell were you thinking when you brought up the idea of the barbecue to solve our differences for our land negotiation.
M: Mate, I thought it would be the creative option that would put our side over the top in the eyes of the markers...besides, you thought it was a great idea.
G: True, but if you would've given me the opportunity Morgan, I would have suggested getting a few Roasted Chickens (the kind with stuffing in them) and having everyone over at my place.
M: Look Gord, I haven't had a roasted chicken in a long time...I just figured we could put a few shrimps on the barby.
G: Morgan, don't underestimate the power of a roasted Chicken.
Displeasure
Well, I don't know where else to state my displeasure than this pitiful blog. So here goes....
AC/DC (the greatest hard rock band in the history of music) has not put out an album since 2000. During there heyday in the 70's and 80's we'd see an album at least every three days. Between 1980-84 they released four albums. One being the preeminent Hard Rock albums
Back in Black. We did have to wait five-years from 1995-00 for the release of
Stiff Upper Lip, and even though the boys released
Family Jewels, a Dual Disc DVD that has become the fifth best selling DVD of any kind in history, it's just not enough. WE NEED NEW MATERIAL.
My friends and I in the AC/DC chat room at
www.acdcpower.nethave been complaining for two years about this state of affairs. Some bastards even start false rumours that they talked to the drummers' wife and she said that they would be releasing the album in four months. Well, that was a year ago. We no longer listen to these rumours.
All I'm saying is this...let us know one way or the other. It's like flirting with someone you that really likes you...eventually you should tell them if they're gonna get what they want. In my case, I usually give them what they want.
Ok, back to Constitutional Law Homework (yes Dad, I'm working on my paper).
For the record, I've been dreaming about a roasted chicken all day.
Thanks for listening.
The Boss
My old Boss is online live right now Canada time.
http://www.ipperwashinquiry.ca/He'll be fine I'm sure.
Cutting taxes. Helping to create over a million new jobs. 500,000 people breaking the cycle of welfare dependency. And most importantly, doing what he said he would do. A promise made...a promise kept.
Can we ask for anything more from our polticians?
Land Law Negotiation
Today was our land law negotiation excercise at Bond University Law School. My partner was Morgan Shipp. We represented the Tenants. The other parties were the Developers, Owners and Management of the Property. Basically there was a fictitious scenario that the management wasn't doing a good job...I dunno, something like that.
Anyway, Robert Fisher and William Ury have one of the most respected books on negotiation out there. It's called
Getting to Yes. In that book there is a section about creative options.
While Morgan and I held our own in the negotiation and followed the law of the Body Corporate Community Management Act, I'm not sure that suggesting that all parties have a barbecue to help settle some of the issues was such a great idea.
The Assistance
There are some times in life when a man just needs a friend. The unknown can sometimes be dangerous, sometimes be scary, or just downright ugly.
I would like to congratulate that friend last evening on playing that role to perfection (Even though this person did say they'd abandon ship if the waters got rough).
Another good night on the coast...this place aint so bad.
A chicken #3
Just for the record, I ate another chicken tonight. But it was leftover from last night.
Last night i ate the other half. But i also ate all of the stuffing. Usually I would save half of the stuffing for my next meal, but last night I thought I'd eat all of it. It felt like I had a real special treat to have all of that stuffing. What I didn't realize was how disappointed I was tonight not to have any stuffing. I wish I could look into the future and see these things beforehand. I'm going to write myself a note now as a reminder of how bad I feel. It is almost like I was stealing from myself. Stealing is wrong.
I'm gonna have a beer.
Watching the News
Spent the day in the library today. I have a negotiation excercise on Monday. I hope I do well.
It's sometimes tough to spend the day in the library on the weekend...but today I don't regret it.
On the news this evening was this story - Beachgoers removed from water today on Gold Coast beaches...up to as many as 100 Sharks were seen eating baitfish. I hope you're not reading this Mom.
I may stick to the pool for the next few months.
The Equalizer
of
This is a picture of me and Sally.
Sally used to go to Bond University...but she's on an exchange to Northwestern for the semester. We miss her. She helped me study for my Criminal Law Exam - I got my best mark in that class.
Her alias is Frankendance. Watch out if you're at a bar with her and she's had a drink. She'll come after you with both arms reaching forward and say, "come dance with me." The woman loves to dance.
We miss you Sally...hope you're having fun in Chicago.
Another Friday night TV on the Gold Coast
Folks, taking a night off tonight. Flicking the channels...all four of them.
I am enraptured in Veronica Mars. Has anybody seen this show? She is a super sleuth. Ever since Murder She Wrote went of the air, I've been looking for something just like this. She's a modern day Angela Lansbury.
Other than that, things are pretty tame.
Am I too old to get a skateboard? I don't want one, but if I did....could I?
Busy...
Was just looking on my MSN Messenger list to see who was where. I noticed that Mark and Dave Lucenti - who live at the same complex as I do in Australia - are marked as 'busy' on their MSN.
Then i thought to myself, what the hell are they doing? Busy in the dictionary is defined as:
Sustaining much activity.I know for a fact that they are doing bugger-all.
Sometimes, and we all do it, I put myself on 'away' when I don't want to be bothered. But busy? I think that's going too far. Are they trying to tease me? Maybe they're doing something really fun in their apartment together? Twister? Yahtzee? Snakes and Ladders? Who knows for sure...
I think I'm gonna go on 'busy' for a while to tease them back.
Squash
Today for the record i beat Jay in Squash. My ranking moved to 5th place on the ladder. Next is Myles, Wilky, and DB.
Watch out...here I come.
Jay...I'll give you a few bucks so you can buy this book (ok, so I did win 10-8 in the final game of a five set match, but who cares...today, I am the champ).
Debt
Yes Dave (Dave is my younger brother).
Apparently you do not wish to pay me the money that you owe me. Well, I'm going public with this. Get to the bank, put it in my account, and then I won't have to beat you when I get home.
It's only been two years that you've owed me.
Remember when I helped get you the job you currently have? Are you volunteering at that job or do they pay you? Did you have a good time in Vegas? I hope you did...don't worry, law school is cheap. I live it big here, I don't need the money...no problem (for the record, my sister also owes me money).
I am going to play squash now...My friend Jay beat me in a ladder match the other day. I didn't like losing to him. I have a rematch today with him. He is going down.
Dave....I take cash.
Korean John
Special thanks today go to 'Korean John' for having us at his house last night for an authentic Korean meal. More appropriately thanks to his wife Rosa who did everything.
For those of you that haven't had Soju before, I advise you to stay away. Or at least don't have 19 shots of it - it can be leathal and cause wild behaviour.
John is from Seoul and studying law at Bond as well. I can't mention the other person that came to dinner for fear of legal ramifications. I am no longer allowed to talk about this person on this blog.
If you wondering if the picture seen in this post, well...it's not. It happens to be Kim Jong-il, Communist dictator of North Korea. John happens to be from South Korea. Kim Jong-il will one day most likely kill all of us with his nuclear weapons. Until that time, stay away from Soju.
Bond Golf Day
My last posting about Bond Golf Day had to be taken down in fear of legal ramifications. I have now altered the post to this. Our day was great. Our team consisted of these individuals - Gord Prisco, Sam Marash, Unknown Individual, and Dave Lucenti. We came 2nd. We also had alot to drink that day.
For fear of further problems, I will leave the post as is.
Congrats to the first place team....of Rich, Brady, John and Jay...although they're all shitty squash players.
The Wild Drunk - By Popular Demand
Well here you have him...the Wild Drunk!
The Wild Drunk got his name from many nights out on the Gold Coast. Sometimes he will tell a random waitress she has an STD, or tell another person that the person behind them spit on them, and then he'll abruptly wipe your shirt off where the alleged spit has landed - but there won't be a hint of moisture?
Last evening the Wild Drunk, Marc and I went to Palaver. For those of you that don't know (I don't think I'm even sure), Palaver is a word that means idle chatter. I guess that's how they characterize the parties in Australia? I think they're right...
Anyway, the Wild Drunk is playing golf today. It's Bond University Golf Day. I'm also playing. My team consists of Sam Marash - Melbourne Australia, The Unnamed Student - no fixed address, and Dave Lucenti - North Bay. Neither team is looking to win. We're just looking to come out alive I think.
Peace
Salmonella
I forgot that chicken's sometimes give salmonella poisoning. Please disregard my last post.
Off with their heads!
There are some times in life when a man just needs a friend. The unknown can sometimes be dangerous, sometimes be scary, or just downright ugly.
