The Breakfast Radio Diaries 110 - Such a boring trainwreck

I ate gourmet pies and downed lemon lime and bitters by the mug full but even the tastiest Chinese BBQ pork belly effort wasn't going to save a truly boring AFL Grand Final. Also good luck finding saveloys in this town and why a dam spilling over truly is a time to celebrate.

NO PIE OR FRANK OPTIONS

Look, it should have been no surprise really shopping the morning of an AFL Grand Final but we still tried our luck trying to find some party pies for the kids at the local supermarket. But they, like Sydney in the end, were completely gone. Same for the cocktail franks or any time of footy field sausage. (Apparently a lot of people on the Vic border side of things used the public holiday to cross the border into NSW just to buy snags..)

Luckily there was plenty of frozen pizza left. Oh and cheese and dip. And Miss Amelie Gourmet still had a few of their award winning gourmet pies life. So we still managed a decent spread to be able to make ourselves comfy and prepare for a big game. 

If only someone had warned up earlier though..

I WENT TO A CHEESE PLATTER LUNCH WHERE ROBBIE WILLIAMS PERFORMED ON THE TV AND THEN A TERRIBLY BORING GAME OF FOOTBALL BROKE OUT

I mentioned before how much I love a Grand Final no matter who is in it, but allow me to clarify. I love a close Grand Final. I love a back and forth Grand Final. I love a nail biting Grand Final right til the dying seconds.

Therefore I did not enjoy the latest AFL grand final at all because it was like watching a champion UFC fighter beating down on someone who's just signed up for one of those ten week boxercise challenges and they've never stepped through the ropes before. The Cats didn't just beat the Swans,  they crushed them from the get go and my interest in proceedings waned dramatically with each Geelong goal. By half time I gave up even wondering as the writing was so on the wall, even Stevie Wonder couldn't have missed it.

This is supposed to be the two best teams of the season slugging it out for bragging rights but again I found myself wishing the game was played in thirds and not quarters because it would be over a lot quicker.

(And don't get me started on the bet I put on Lance Franklin to do something, anything. He played for the length of a cup of coffee and my multi disappeared into the ether faster than I could say 'so what else is on?')

Best on ground: Well that would have to be Robbie Williams in his pink jacket wouldn't it? He promised he'd be exceptional and he backed that right up. A tribute to Warny, a song for John Farnham, 'The obligatory new song', his team up with Delta Goodrem - he set the stage.

...Which then quickly came unglued as the game started and tipped dramatically on one side, the Geelong side. Sydney couldn't hold that hot potato long enough to do anything, while the cats whipped out their 81 ways to cook up spuds cookbook and put on a dominating performance which was heaven for Cats fans, tragic for Swans fans and after a while pretty boring for everyone else. 

What didn't help change that mood was the half time entertainment which kind of got lost in the Williams shadow. For a start, I've only ever heard of Temper Trap, Goanna and Christine Anu although G Flip did smash those skins with some gusto which was impressive. The rest of the performance though? Yeah, that failed to set things on fire sadly and those Swans supporters really could have done with a pep up. 
Maybe if they swapped the pre-game and mid game performance options? 

Worst on ground: Previously mentioned, Buddy. He tried, he was well outgunned, let's leave it and this failure of a GF right there shall we?

THE DAM, SHE'S A FLOWIN!

Congratulations to the town of Dartmouth and their dam finally spilling over, something that hasn't happened for nigh on 26 years now. For weeks it's been hovering at 99% capacity and finally just a few days ago it finally tipped over. 

Now for our international visitors here (according to the stats over the last 7 days most of you are digging this blog from the US but there's also a fairly decent contingent hailing from Russia, Germany and The Philippines - hello to you all) you may be wondering what all the excitement is about here. Well like I mentioned, it's not something anyone has seen for two and a bit decades so there's that - also it's been a huge boon on the towns economy. People have been checking out if it's spilled yet over the last few weeks then stopping off for a beer at the local pub. 
And then another beer. 
Then beers lead to meals, meals and more beers lead to accommodation.
Therefore a once in a blue moon dam spill is not only good for the economy, it's good for everyone!

(Apparently the water from this spill over takes an entire day to run it's way to the water in Mitta Mitta, which is 15kms/9.3 miles away. I did suggest a leaf boat race along that length on the show this morning but that's a long day to see if your leaf is the fastest..) 

DOES IT HEAT UP FROM HERE?

I can't believe I have to ask this about a TV series that's usually really good at keeping the action and twists coming when you least expect it but I did ask our TV expert Molky (via email) if Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon is going to actually get back to what it was instead of this West Wing power play scenario that doesn't really seem to be going anywhere in a hurry. 

Warning: Possible spoilers here?

-The crab guy was looking good for a second as this seasons killer heel...but lasted as long as a cup of coffee. 

-Damon (Matt Smith) started off as a killer heel but now seems to have run out of puff leaving other things like horses do his dirty work, too busy trying to woo anything that walks like his niece. Hopefully he gets his evil mojo back. 

-Where are all the devious characters with private agendas at? I'm talking this seasons Littlefingers, Varys, Cersis and Sand Snakes of the world. This season we have Damon, the queen and uh...crab man maybe another house or two?

(EDIT: Okay, that crippled guy is showing some promise..)

-There's dragons, awesome. There's no undead (yet) boo. There were the crab people but what about the Dothraki? So far it doesn't seem to stretch far from home but hopefully that changes. 

-We need to see more bastard from this bloke before he bleeds to death. Apart from sticking a spear into a trapped beast and warning his brother not to get funky with his daughter, I don't think we've seen anything that gives anyone any reason to fear him in power. This is Game of Thrones, we need to fear whoever is sitting on that iron throne.  

Molky did tell me things do heat up post bloody wedding beat up so there's something to look forward to but I'm hoping that happens sooner than later. We've covered the intrigue, now make with the invading armies, crafty backstabbing houses and things beyond our understanding already. 

Right, onto finding the kids some entertainment on day 1 of the school holidays. 

Wish me luck!

-Almigo