6812392

I say!

I find it quite fascinating that Marlon Brando, the late famous movie star, owned patent number 6812392, which is a patent for a drumhead tensioning device. If you type that number into Google, or click on the link I've given, the first result is to Brando's patent. I must let Menzies IV know, as he's quite a drummer himself. Brando enjoyed the bongos, most of all, so I believe.

The nights are starting to close in, here in Kalimbuka. Of course, being so near to the equator, it doesn't make much difference - a matter of a few minutes difference between June and December, but I do enjoy opening the door in the early evening this time of year, looking around and announcing to Mrs M and Doviko that "Ah well...Looks like the nights are drawing in". Of course Doviko, who has just handed me a nice MGT, hasn't got a clue what I'm talking about in this instance.


Here's a rather interesting postcard I came across the other day in my collection. It's from the Pilanseberg National Park, and it was obviously bought some time ago. I could make a quiz question out of this by asking why it's obvious that it was taken some time ago, but instead I'll give the answer now.

Actually, on second thoughts, this will be the quiz question for this post. There's a fairly large clue in the picture which proves that the postcard was produced some time ago. Can you spot it? Here's a clue - it has something to do with something beginning with 'B'.

MM III

Whinging Aussies

I say!

Well I say!

What a wonderful year 2009 will be!

Much better than 2008, when far too many people, some of whom I dearly miss, dropped off the planet.

Of course, the main event in 2009 will be the coming UK summer, when England will win back the Ashes.

Up at the Government Hostel (for some time now, known as the Hotel Masongola, but known and loved by all the regulars as 'The Hostile'), Picken said to me only the other day: "Why do the Aussies whinge so much?"

Well, I say, I couldn't agree more. Why do they whinge?

On the other hand, and whilst the Aussies can't play cricket for peanuts, they do make excellent movies. My goodness! Mrs M and myself so much enjoyed watching Clubland last night. What an excellent movie, I recommend it. The DVD arrived unannounced, and with no posting address, in our Zomba Box. However, it was posted from Australia, I can tell from the stamp, and, do you know what, I think that Spud's Mum sent it to us. And do you know why I think that? I think that she sent it because I have an inkling that Carslemane acted as an extra in it.

If you look very closely, at the scene where the corpse is removed from the neighbour's house, I'm almost certain that Carslemane plays one of the ambulence attendants.

Well, I ask you? How significant is that?

As far as I know, Carslemane is still lost in space somewhere - last heard of as reported by Caro and Jacko in this post, as 'Going strong for the Top End'. But perhaps not! Perhaps he turned right after the truck hit him, at Camooweal.

Now, there's a funny thing about Camooweal, which I do not understand at all. I was looking at the Google map of it the other day, and Doviko, as he tends to do, was at my shoulder, with my next MGT in his hand. All of a sudden, he said, "Sir, one should not look at a lady's private parts like that." And then he walked off. I still don't know what he means.

The Clubland movie was filmed in Sydney, according to the credits. If only I could persuade the Pitch Advisors' Committee to meet next time in Sidders, instead of Sri Lanka, I might be able to investigate further.

MM III

Cards

I say!

The Aussies were beaten at cricket (by South Africa) yet again today.

Anyway, I was throwing out some Christmas cards this morning when the one below caught my attention. It's from our security firm, and it shows quite a story.

A bird has nested in the chimney, making it impossible for Santy to enter the house that way, so instead he's tried to come through a window, but this, of course, has set off the security alarm, and the beefy boys in black have arrived to save the day. I hope Santa knows the security password!


MM III

Dogs

I say!

I've been trying very hard to explain the concept behind this website about a Dog care centre to Abdul (the nightwatchman), but something is definitely being lost in translation. You have to remember that Abdul is familiar with Casper and Farley, our two guard dogs, and has undoubtedly come across many dogs in his village. The purpose of dogs, as far as Abdul is concerned, is to guard against the criminals. That is their only function.

So, I showed him the Dog Day Care Centre website to see what he thought about how dogs are treated in Scotland. He could not understand it at all.

"Sir" he said "This is a place where dogs go to feel at home?"

"More or less" I replied. "People can send their dogs to this centre if they themselves are not at home, and do not want their dogs to get lonely"

"Sir - they let the dogs in the house?"

"Yes, Abdul. In Scotland they do that."

"And they let them go on the chairs without beating them?"

"Yes. It appears that the chairs and sofas at this day centre are there just for the dogs"

"And they let the dogs go in the swimming pool?"

"So it would appear, Abdul, but I suspect that the picture is of a swimming pool only for dogs"

"Sir - a swimming pool only for dogs! I do not believe any of this."

Doviko interjected at this point to suggest that the website was probably a scam, but the concept of a scam website took a lot of explaining to Abdul, in several languages including Chichewa and Yau.

At least, Rob makes his dog swim in the sea.

Now then, Abdul can fully understand allowing a hippo in the house (see below), but a dog? That video that reminds me of a hippo up at Chobe. That one also only understood Afrikaans.

MM III

Most disgraceful moment in history

I say!

Well, we are all looking forward to the Ashes cricket series next year. And wonderful news - my ticket for the Saturday's play at the Edgbaston Test in August has been secured! What a fortunate being I am. I had intended to take Hotters with me, but unfortunately the tickets are like gold dust - only available to bone fide pitch advisers. Also, it is to be wondered what he would actually learn at Edgbaston with his eyes closed all the time.

One has to start thinking that, given recent results, will Australia ever win another Test Match?

What can we learn from history? Well, there is the incident recorded below, which the great and wonderful Richie Benaud described as the most disgraceful moment in the history of the game. Here it is again, for your disapproval. I rather think that the Aussies have matured a bit since that day, fortunately.



MM III