I have not written a blog for several weeks and I decided to put some
random thoughts down.These days I have been struggling with an
aural hassle, which is probably an eustachian tube disorder.
I have this constant rushing sensation and voices sound
disembodied as if speaking through a narrow pipe. It is
extremely frustrating and disconcerting. I now comprehend what
Ludwig Van Beethoven went through as I too am unable to hear music.

The football season has concluded and now we turn to Cricket with
the upcoming Ashes Tests at the end of next month. To me the
Ashes are the pinnacle of Cricket and greatly surpasses other
formats of the game. I have no time for ODI's as they go
on for too long and dislike the domestic format
this summer. It would not be surprising that the 50 over game
could be axed as crowd attendances have been so poor. The newer T20
format has really taken off. Matches are over in three hours but it is
ripe for match-fixing.

The preseason AFL competition has also been announced and will no longer be a knockout fromat but a round-robin. This has been brought because of the Gold Coast Sun entering the AFL. I wonder if this format too is doomed. Attendances at the preseason cup earlier this year were disappointing and by switching to a roundrobin lineup may not be a winner either.

Robin 0448 UTC October 28th 2010

We won yet celebrations are on hold.

I should have been celebrating the Magpies' mighty victory in the
Grand Final Replay but I have been laid low with a severe head
cold. Naturally my aunt who is a diehard Bombers supporter
rang me from over the pond yet I was unable to get
a word in as per usual. One wonders why she bothers
calling when she never listens to what you say.

From my memory bank I seem to recollect that the last time Collingwood
won in 1990, I was also ill. However I will celebrate in due course.

I have more interest in the Test Cricket in Mohali than in
the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Robin L. Harwood 0405 UTC October 4th 2010