Monday, 22nd January.
The last days of chez Ian

Plans for the new site are coming along nicely, so let's take this opportunity to look back at the highlights of planetian.com.

Umm...

I'm struggling here people, help me out...

Well while we're trying to think of something, let me mention that on Sunday I'm heading back to Australia for a few weeks. I'll be able to see My Beloved in action against the Team Formerly Known As Footscray. They're playing at "Colonial Stadium"...harumph! Selling naming rights for a footy ground, how crass. It will be my first chance to see the deteriorating turf down docklands way. Am I allowed to take my own lunch? It broke my heart to hear that the AFL was in financial trouble because of hordes of thermos-toting grannies depriving the caterers and the league of precious revenue. Heaven help us if the game becomes about the clubs and about the supporters, heaven help us if the corporate fans in their airconditioned boxes have to munch on meat pies instead of quiche, heaven help us if the regular week-in week-out fan is able to see his or her team compete in a Grand Final, heaven help us if an entire family can afford to go to the football together...sorry, sorry, got carried away. Maybe things have changed while I've been away...

(Magic moment from the other day... playing soccer in Regent's Park with the lads, wore my long-sleeved Carlton jumper - long sleeves for skinny lads! - and a pair of Australians stopping and pointing: "Surely that isn't a Carlton jumper?" "Looks like it is - bloody Carlton supporters are everywhere!")