Big-noting and Small Talking.

I once met an author who spent an extraordinary amount of time speaking about themself. I would have said it was just the highlights of their apparent illustrious career, but it went on and on and on. Shortlisted for a few local awards, one one and lost a couple - but not their fault. Always hard done by and as a result of vendettas against them.

They hadn't actually published anything of real note, and I hadn't read any of their work. Or so I thought.

They then mentioned a book, quite an obscure book that they had recently ghost-written. I had to bite my tongue, as it was a book I had actually read - an historical book on a subject close to my heart.  It was awful. It was, in fact, the worst written book I had ever encountered. Poor grammar, badly structured, repetitive, with whole paragraphs that seemed to convey the same thing several times, and obvious spelling errors.  And the editing was even worse. (Yes, they had self-edited, I believe.)

There is no reason to believe this author remembers me at all, and we have no current connections. Even though, I doubt they would recognise themself from the above. Someone told me recently that they hadn't changed, although the minor glories were now long in the past.

As they spoke I didn't say anything, just smiled and nodded with the others who were standing there. But they continued to preach their prowess, name-dropping at will. Oh, and they said a few things which shouldn't be said in public.

On the other hand, a few months ago I managed to listen to Charlie Higson. Not only is he a respected author, but a very funny comedian and fine actor who appeared in The Fast Show, one of my all time favourite comedy shows. A show that I watched repeatedly when I lived in Japan, and then again when I returned to Australia.

Charlie was funny, engaging, self-deprecating, and humble. I managed to catch-up with him afterwards, and thank him for his time. Told him how much I appreciated his work and then left before I could annoy him.  He was gracious, and thanked me.  He said he was grateful the Fast Show had been able to touch and entertain so many people.

I know who I would want to listen to again, or purchase from. Which reminds me, I need to go and watch The Fast Show again.

It's gripped! It's sorted! 

Let's Fast Show!

Such a Silly Season.

Yes, I know. It's always some kind of silly season somewhere.  But for me, specifically, it's silly season in the world of AFL fandom.

As many know, I am a huge fan of Australian Rules football. I am a diehard Essendon supporter, who has suffered for more than 20 years with a team who seem to aspire to mediocrity. We are the butt of many jokes, and there are even webpages counting up the number of days since we have won a finals match. It is a ridiculously high number, and one that frustrates all Essendon fans.

Brad Scott, our coach, has just completed his second year at the helm. At the beginning of the year he cautioned against getting our hopes too high. It didn't help that for much of the year we were sitting high in the league ladder - higher than we deserved, especially when you looked at our percentages. But then we completely collapsed at the end of the season to fall outside the top 8, and miss the final series once again.

I was disappointed, but not surprised. We finished roughly where I had anticipated.  We won some close games, and lost when we played better teams. And faded badly at the end of the season.

While many fans are angry and upset, I understand that changes take time, and recognise the cultural changes being brought into the team. A slow change, but one that I believe will reap rewards.

And the silly season?  Why, that's the trade period that is currently happening, and finishes on Wednesday.  It runs for about ten days and the fan forums are either laughably funny at insanely delusional suggestions made (trade "this player who can barely get a game" for "their champion") or just downright frustrating at the negativity and hostility.

The media is no better.  One day Essendon is criticised for not being active enough in trades, and the next reminded we have no real trade capital and should go to the draft. You simply cannot win.

I'm sticking with Brad. It takes time to turn a team (and a club) around after years of complacency.  AFL is not like other sports where you simply buy in players.  We have a draft system for rookies, but then players in the system already need to be traded - either for other players or draft picks and so on. It provides some equalisation across the league, but means it is difficult to change things quickly when you need to.

So I do think the future is bright, despite the calls in forums for Brad to be sacked and everyone at the club to be replaced. We will get there, and I think it will be in the next few years.

But this season still hurt, though.