More Rain...

That's right, more rain. We had a brief reprieve and some lovely blue sky was spotted through some clouds, and like I said, it was brief. Even the crazy guys on The Chaser's War Against Everything, sat on their set in the last show, with water pouring down on them.... in the studio. No, the roof wasn't leaking, they really are just crazy. If you live in Australia and you haven't seen the show yet, you're missing a treat. It's a little like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on steroids, except there are five guys who play host. These guys will do anything. They will say anything to anyone, they will do the most outrageous pranks, and nudity is expected if it will get a laugh. In the last show, one of the guys went from door to door as a porn star (one woman said he looked like a cross between Elvis and Borat). He started out as "Tool" porn guy, then "Pizza" porn guy, and then "Pool" porn guy. That was my favorite because he actually stripped down to a g-string with exposed, but very cute, buns. Many of the women he met knew what was going on and played along, but the poor elderly women were pretty shaken up - can you blame them?

Check out a video - you'll want to watch them all! http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=2765149300516224817

These guys are all talented - they can sing, dance, and act. One of my favorite bits is "When Life is Like a Musical." In the last show, two guys were in the emergency room of a hospital awaiting treatment, and suddenly stood up singing and dancing about having to wait so long. You have to see it to appreciate it.

Some interesting balcony news:
I have some regular lorikeet visitors and they almost always arrive in pairs. They are so cute snuggling on the "roost" and preening each other. Of course, all that lovey action disappears if I offer one a grape. Then it becomes "every lorikeet for him or her/self." One lorikeet, in particular, has stolen my heart. It's strange, because I love him for his orneriness. If I place grapes around the roost for him to pick off for himself, he'll go to each one, grab it, and throw it on the floor. He actually wants the grape, but he wants to be sure no other bird can get it too.I keep telling him that grapes don't grow on trees and he should be more grapeful, but .... oh well.

He also tries to peck my hand when I put food up for them. He just assumes I'm trying to take the food away - you have to admit that this is pretty cheeky behavior for something 10" tall. I then wave my finger in his face with him laughing and saying (to himself) "Hah! You don't scare me!!!" Two days ago I took out the cup of seed and held it for him to peck a few seeds out of it before I poured the rest on the plate. When I started moving away, he chose not to let go of his prize, and rode over to the plate perched on top of the little cup. He wouldn't let go until I had almost emptied the seed onto the plate. I've got to come up with a good name for the little guy - any suggestions? ....hmmmmmm.... maybe "Bird from La Mancha?"

And territorial? This little bird will fight, at one time, with one wing tied behind his back - crested pidgeons (one particularly persistent pidgeon), two king parrots (timid despite their size), two crimson rosellas (timid as well) and the occasional noisy mynah. The PPP (particularly persistent pidgeon) was almost as tough as the lorikeet. Unfortunately for the PPP, however, the lorikeet has help. Its mate flies up to the roof, looks down, and distracts PPP, whilst Mr. La Mancha charges head on for the attack. PPP doesn't stand a chance!

Finally, Tim and I had a nice Queen's Birthday last Monday. We took the dogs up to Pie in the Sky and had Devonshire Tea under the trees and overlooking the Hawkesbury River. Then we drove down to Brooklyn and walked along the water viewing the wrecked sailing yachts that didn't survive the recent storm. We saw five good size boats - one mostly submerged. Later we had a lovely fresh fish "tea" in an outside cafe (yes, the weather was perfect!) and strolled around the little town of Brooklyn. Well, the weather was perfect until we were almost home... and then, rain.

This is a recent not too horrible photo of me with long hair:



Last note: I just had a run-in with my little feisty feathered friend. He's getting more vicious, but maybe the weather is just getting to him as well.

Hugs,
Judi