Date: 30 March 2008 03:18:48
Thank you for the birthday wishes: all much appreciated and valued.
I received two nice books from the parents -- I Peed on Fellini by Australian movie critic David Stratton and Gittinomics by economics writer Ross Gittins. Ross Gittins makes economics even understandable to someone like me, and I am always happy to read his articles as he never forgets about people and society in his writings. I have enjoyed watching David Stratton, and his co-host Margaret Pomeranz, on SBS' The Movie Show previously and now At the Movies on the ABC -- but his reach and interests in film go beyond that and are well-known in Oz. And my sister, brother-in-law and niece bought me a nice casual shirt.
We had dinner at the wonderful Candelori's; we had not been there before, but had heard recommendations: and they were great recommendations. Great Italian food at great prices -- and only a few suburbs away. Though we are rather blessed out here with a number of good restaurants from a number of countries and cultures. We then came back to my parents' place for cake and the obligatory singing of "Happy Birthday"; and I felt very loved by my niece when, at the restaurant, she said, "I come in your car uncle Ian. We friends."
A great day.
Oh -- and I received a text this morning from my assistant: his wife gave birth to a boy yesterday. I won't be forgetting his birthday in a hurry! :) Congratulations to them both. No other news as yet, save mum and bub are doing well.