Those Who Can't Do- Teach

So it has been a while since Vicky and I have posted, and since a Typhoon has stopped me from heading to Malaysia tomorrow, i figured I would show you how another succesful Roff to escape a Kiwi winter. I have been very busy teaching, and just tripping around. I got back from a four day wind and water filled adventure to the isolated east coast with some of the chinese teachers, once the typhoon struck we were deserted in a small town, this didnt stop riding our pushbikes to the cold springs for an enjoyable soaking (pictured above). Unfortunatly Vicky had to work as some sort of car parts consultant magazine thing so she missed out on the adventure.

Waterfalls before the typhoon struck in hualliem.

Giving life lessons is only a small part of curriculum de harry.

Two of my better "Art Students" at the high school.

The kids worked so hard to build this kite, unfortunatly they took too long so they didn't have enough time to break it, which meant I took some time to revisit my childhood.

Tawianese Garbage truck.

Vicky and I sitting in traffic. Peaceful traffic conditions pictured below (non peak hour).

Vicky powering into the waves at the local beach. The name i can't pronounce or spell.

One of the beaches further south. Ken-Ting.

Vicky and I have been working for an animal rescue group, we have met and helped many dogs that people abandon because dogs are a throw away item to people here. It is a sad truth but many people here dopn't realise that a puppy grows into a dog. In the dense city dogs become a hinderence on people so they just leave them in the streets. This dog "Patrick" was abandoned and was found very hungry, Vicky helped him and walked him everyday until someone in the United States adopted him. He now has a better life than most of us.

Japan.... we never blogged after Japan so here is a few photos. Miyajima.

Most people light candles for a birthday party, but when the people in Nara found out it was Vicky's birthday, they set an entire mountain alight.

Family Time

Hi All! Adam, Amanda and their Murray cousins from the sunny side of the country went out to breakfast today with myself, Mum and Lizzy to celebrate Dads birthday, and although Dad wasnt techincally present, we thought it would be nice to celebrate none-the-less. It was awesome to see Ads and Amanda again, and hope more of you take holidays over here!!

August party

It's on again - John Roff's famous August birthday party. It might be a little quieter this year than normal in that Jan is in Perth at the moment as Lizzie has a dose of the flu. I spoke to John tonight as Adam, Amanda, Benedict (son of Angela, Cathie's sister) and Benedict's wife called in to see him on their way back from 10 days up the WA coast. Happy birthday for tomorrow, John.

Best way to survive a NZ winter:

Go to Fiji!












































Ok we didn't actually go to Fiji, it was the Cook Islands, but it's all Fiji to me.
Joe and I stayed on Rarotonga for a week and managed to scoop a sweet day trip out to an island called Aitutaki in return for writing a story on it. I recommend journalism to anyone who likes freebies and can bluff their way into tour groups.


I also recommend getting an office job to any teachers out there looking for a laugh. It's hilarious. So many more movies/tv shows make sense to me now.
I currently:
-Share a cubicle with a guy who's sole desk ornaments are a R2DT figurine and a pile of stones that he collects from the bottom of his shoes each day
-Use the windowless, oxygen-starved cafateria for coffee that's been powdered to within an inch of its life
-Have a boss who breaks words into more syllables than necessary (like Po.Tential and Stor.Ay)and tells me I need to work on my "journalese". I hope to be so cool when I grow up.


In other news, Christchurch is having an arts festival this month - so we are taking full advantage of that. Paul Kelly's A to Z tour has been a highlight.
















Grant, we didn't realise Dan was playing til he appeared on stage and (thanks to a lapse in stage security in NZ) caught up with him after the show to give him and Paul tips on hiking in the area and on how to avoid associating with the locals. They apparently only listened to half our advice because Paul told the crowd the next night (which we attended on the band's kind invite) that they hiked a really cool track while Dan told the crowd he had been propositioned in the men's room of the local swimming pool. Can't say we didn't warn him.

To keep the punters happy - Kate's Paul Kelly top three:
- Dumb Things
- Love New Runs on Time
- The Ballad of Queenie & Rover (which he conveniently shortened to Queenie and Rover so he could have a song for "Q")

K8

A - League

The name of the comp is roff A league. Go Mariners! Games start tomorrow so get your tips in.

New Tipping Comp A - League - Come on!

I have set up an A - League tipping comp. Go to footytips.com.au and join the comp. You can go through the "find a comp" links. The code word is roff. In the AFL, Dude Love still leads from Toody with Nick one point behind. Harry is last. Dan is third last.

The caricature we used on the "Roff Red 2" wine label for Glenn's 60th

Give Annika a hand...

Fame at last! That's Annika and her friend Meg in the The Age newspaper last Sunday in an article about go-go dancing and Australia's premier provider: Miss Anna's Go-Go Academy. You got a glimpse of her skills last Christmas and Milly has converted from belly-dancing to this new (old) form. Where does go-go rate on your list, Damien?

Give Dom a hand...

Dom has broken his thumb in a rugby tackle he hardly even remembers. Twelve valiant Box Hill Under 18s were struggling against a full team from Powerhouse so tackles were the order of the day. He broke it in the first five minutes but played out the rest of the game, probably not improving the situation. He goes to a hand surgeon this Wednesday and will have surgery at some stage in the near future. It's likely to involve a pin and six weeks or so in plaster - no more writing (it's his right hand, of course), sport, guitar and the rest of it. Just what you need when you've just turned 17...

Seventeen years down the road

Dom turned 17 today - July 28 - and would like to thank you all for your cards and letters. He got a football, a kicking tee and a referee's whistle (and a twelve-pack of Yogo) this morning but there might be some family help down the track when he finds the electric guitar he's currently seeking. Tonight the Roffs in Melbourne are going to a dumpling palace in Chinatown for a feast and a catch-up. Happy birthday, Dom.

bday party in perth!

hey everyone!

It's been ages since I last blogged so hopefully I still know how to do it! lol. A few pics from a joint bday a friend and I had at the Mint Bar in Perth. They have retro nights! all old songs like macarena, hanson, spice girls - its brilliant!!

family gossip update

Melbourne is awash with gossip tonight (Friday). Contrary to former publicity stating that Joe and Jake would be playing rugby in Canberra tomorrow, Joe is trapped in a hotel room in Melbourne with swine flu. Jake has a leg injury which will prevent him from playing but possibly not prevent him from dancing at the ball. Daniel and Alaine are in Melbourne visiting Milly (don't ask about the new boyfriend - Scottish soccer star, apparently) and all are currently at a party with the Forrest clan. Stuart is unable to comment at the moment as he has been confined to bed in a "tired and emotional" state by Marianne. Meanwhile, Daniel is considering a three month stay in Melbourne to become a barrister and Alaine is considering a longer stay after she comes back from about four months in Asia and Europe.
Meanwhile, Nick is in Newcastle and, since he took his boots, will probably be playing footy there sometime tomorrow. Annika is enjoying Adam's hospitality in Sydney. Amanda and Daniel spent the afternoon today visiting art galleries. The really good news is Aunty Betty Forrest, miraculously, is in remission and we may get to enjoy her company for longer than we expected.

Traveller anniversary

To celebrate the 5 year anniversay of the release of 'The Traveller' ..... no not really. Mainly as an excuse to practise photoshop, 'The Traveller' is now on YouTube. Ad, how do you embed?

philosophical question

Sar and I are having a philosophical debate at the moment and I am looking for clarification.

I am of the belief that when Xav kicks Eli we should both punish him and yet commend him if it was a clean strike; after all, how does a child develop kicking abilities if he is not provided positive reinforcement for good technique?

Sar takes a more deontological stance, suggesting that one should never kick other people. Kant would surely agree, however I remain convinced from a utilitarian view that it both toughens Eli up and develops Xav’s hand eye co-ordination, thus achieving the greater good.

Some quandary - Daniel, can you please advise....

Roff Rugby

Joe and I are playing in a 'Royals Legends versus Australian Legends' game in Canberra on Saturday 25th (2pm). Royals was my club in the 90's, and we are having our 60th Anniversary celebrations. Grant and Stu asked about the details, so here they are. It's a big ask for Novacastrians and Mexicans to travel so far for a game, but if anyone is around, this is the team Joe and I are playing in - come and have a look. It looks like I might be playing an original song about Ruggers at the ball that night too.

Aussie Legends team
1 Tim Hutchinson
2 James McCormack
3 Jeffery Adam
4 Mark Zdjelar Canberra Raiders Junior; ACT Schoolboys in League and NSW Police in Rugby League against NZ. Kookaburras and ACT Schoolboys in Union
5 Greg Hulme
6 Ray Price Dual International – Rugby Union played for Parramatta, NSW and 8 tests for the Wallabies (75/76) and with The Australian Rugby Legends toured New York and then South Africa playing against the French, New Zealand and South African Legends..

- Rugby League player for Parramatta 259 games (1976 -86) NSW State Of Origin 15 games Australia 22 tests.


7 Scott Gourley Dual Rugby International – Rugby Union played for
Narrabri NSW, Eastwood, Captained 1986 Australian Schoolboys NZ tour and 5 games for the Wallabies including tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales 1988 and with The Australian Rugby Legends toured Great Britain, Hong Kong, New York and Port of Spain.

- Rugby League played for St George 1996 - 98 Easts 1997 – 98 Australia 1 test NSW 1 State of Origin.


8 Dave Carter Rugby International played for Quirindi NSW, NSW
Country and Wallabies (late 80's) and with The Australian Rugby Legends toured Great Britain and Hong Kong.
9 Steve Merrick Rugby Union International played for Singleton, NSW
Country and Australia and with The Australian Rugby Legends toured Great Britain, Hong Kong.


10 Cliff Lyons Rugby played for The Australian Rugby Legends
Toured South Africa playing against the France, New Zealand and South African Legends and also playing for the New Zealand Legends against the South African Legends in the 1996 World Legends Cup Tournament final in Durban.

- Rugby League played for Norths 23 games Manly 309 games NSW 6 games Australia 6 Tests

11 Peter Hammond
12 Tony Melrose Rugby Union for Parramatta and Gordon, Captained
Australian Schoolboys to England 6 Tests for the Wallabies

- Rugby League played for Parramatta 17 games Souths 50 games Manly 37 games Easts 73 games NSW State of Origin ('80 - '90)

13 Joe Roff Wallaby - 86 tests(1995 and 2005) Winner World Cup 1999 Tri Nations, Bledisloe Cup, successful series against the British and Irish Lions, ACT Brumbies (1995 – 2004), Super 12 winner (2001, 2004), French champion - Biarritz Olympique (2001/2002), two sporting Blues for Oxford University (2006-2007), ACT premiers (Tuggeranong Vikings, 1994), Waratah Shield winner (Marist College Pearce, 1992, 1993)


14 Andy McGrath Australian 7’s 1997, Australian U 21’s Champions 1996, Brumby runners 1996-2000, Kookaburras 95-01, Carlow Ireland 00/01,Royals 01-08

15 Jake Roff Keen spectator of all above-mentioned legends


Paul Cornish, Matt O'Conner and Geoff Didier (all ex-Wallabies) will be in the opposition team (the Royals legends team)

Uncle Gordon

We were all saddened by Gordon's passing. Thought Grant's reflections captured something very special. Gordon's influence on the extended family is still very much with us. He was the one who originally organised games and sports for the kids. We remember that in family concerts he was the one who could turn his hand to any role. He would be the front man and then deftly blend into the background. We remember his goodness and gentle nature...even on the squash court. Certainly he was a significant adult figure as we all grew up. At Roseville and Dunbogan and at family gatherings in between his consistency of nature always made him approachable and good fun. We remember him fondly.


Glenn and Sue at Toodie and Marianne's place on the way to Canberra

Happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday to you,
you live in a zoo,
Happy birthday to Lily,
Happy birthday to you.
While this is one of the world's most popular songs, somehow it didn't make it into the JJJ Top 100.
Along with the glaring oversight of most of Bob Dylan's catalogue, I was also upset that Steeleye Span missed out. Who exactly ARE these people who vote?
Julia arrived home from Vietnam this morning and is tired but happy.
Speaking of happy, happy birthday for yesterday, Lily. Can we have some pictures of the party? Your mum makes the best cakes.

Hottest 100 Songs of All Time

The votes are in and the "hottest" 100 songs of all time have been announced. Approximately 500,000 Australians voted the following as the top 10 tunes of our time:

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana

2. Killing in the Name Rage Against the Machine

3. Halleluja  Jeff Buckley

4. Love Will Tear Us apart Joy Division

5. Paranoid Android  Radiohead

6. Bohemian Rhapsody Queen

7. Last Goodbye Jeff Buckley

8. Under the Bridge  Red Hot Chilli Peppers

9. Everlong  Foo Fighters

10. Stairway to Heaven Led Zepplin

Sadly, Ted Nugent, Rock Lobster and Neil's Bar did not make the final cut. You can view the top 100 songs at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100_alltime/countdown/cd_10.htm. 

Two of Canberra's favourite sons are back next season!

Vale Uncle Gordon

All members of the family will have been saddened by the news of the recent death of our uncle Gordon Thomas. Gordon was the very-much loved husband of Eileen Roff's sister, Norma, and father of our cousins, Virgina, Mitchell and Louise.
Uncle Gordon played a big role in the lives of the Roff brothers and many of us enjoyed the hospitality of the Thomas home in Roseville while we were growing up. Gordon will be remembered for his generosity but mostly for his skills as an organiser and entertainer. It was difficult to find a picture of Gordon by himself in the family photo collection as he was usually either surrounded by kids or in the middle of the cast of a musical production. He was unusual in his generation in that while he shared the sense of duty which characterised fathers of that time (providing for the family was priority number one), he was a great listener as well. This made him a loved companion for younger members of the family and also allowed him to be an effective leader during the many years he spent as both a volunteer and part of the executive of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Sydney.
Stuart was able to visit Gordon in hospital before he died and will be representing the family at the funeral, the details of which are yet to be announced. I'm sure the Thomas family will be in the thoughs and prayers of all Roffs during this difficult time.

Milly finally scores - again!

Okay, I got the wrong magazine and the wrong competition, but you all got the general idea. Here are the correct details:

THANKS TO marie claire AND YELLOWGLEN

Your group will be picked up from your hotel in a 1960 Mercedes Benz and 1960 Fiat, then whisked away to French Pink in Melbourne’s Albert Park for a luxe pampering session.

Once you’ve been primped and preened, your driver will take you off to Empire Vintage for a personal tour of the store with vintage expert Lyn Gardener (below). After you’ve shopped to your heart’s content with your $2000 shopping vouchers, you’ll enjoy high tea accompanied by a glass of Yellowglen Vintage bubbly to round off the afternoon in style.

PRIZES INCLUDE:

■ Return economy class flights from the winner’s nearest capital city to Melbourne for the winner and four friends
■ One night’s accommodation at a luxurious
Melbourne hotel
■ Be chauffeur driven in style on the day in vintage cars
■ Deluxe pampering session at French Pink salon
■ A personal tour of renowned boutique Empire Vintage, with $2000 spending money each for you and your friends
■ High tea for five, including a glass of Yellowglen bubbly

Milly finally scores

You know I'm not one to gossip, but Milly, who spends most of her working time reading crap magazines, entered a competition in "In Style" magazine and won a trip for herself and four members of her family to a luxury weekend in, you guessed it, Melbourne! She's invited her grandmother, mother, her favourite sister Alaine and cousin Annika to join her. First reserves are Stuart and myself who feel we could do the weekend justice but, since Yellowglen is the major sponsor, Marianne is probably a good choice. The Roff Report looks forward to a detailed report...

InStyle and Yellowglen are giving one lucky reader and four friends the chance to win a weekend of vintage style!

Escape to Melbourne, the city of style with four of your family! You will fly to Melbourne where you will spend two nights at the Westin Melbourne. Chic and elegantly understated, The Westin Melbourne is one of Australia's most awarded hotels, surrounded by theatres, galleries, boutiques and top tourist attractions.

You will then be collected by A Vintage Outing for a day of vintage shopping, where you will each have $2,000 to spend at vintage-inspired stores including Alannah Hill, Keshett, Leona Edmiston and more. Lyn Gardner and Danielle Pumo from A Vintage Outing will be on hand to act as your personal stylists and you will also stop at Madame Brussels to enjoy a delicious lunch and Yellowglen Vintage Bubbly.

Footy tipping update

Dan tipped 7 last week which is one short of a whopper ( mmm whoppers). Toody (Broke Back Mountain) has roared up to 2nd place. Gandalf is third due to his commitment to tipping the dogs. Harry is last by a fair bit. The administrator still holds a substantial lead.

Jake in Vietnam

Grant and Julia, I have actually been to the beach that you visited (as seen above).

In unrelated news, if anyone wants me to do any photoshop projects, I am keen to practise and would be happy to put the time in as I am learning - think student haircuts.

Examples may include airbrushing pimples (There are alot of 15-27 year olds in the family!!), placing yourself in exotic locations (the Zacs, Alaines, Harrys, Amandas etc. etc. of the family may not need this one), draining all colours in a picture bar one, and numerous other applications.

Unrelated (really, this time) - Joe and I are playing in an 'Aussie Legends versus Royals legends (my old Rugby club)' game in Canberra toward the end of July. Those invited include Ray Price, Cliff Lyons, Scott Goulay, Jeremy Paul, Bradley Clyde and a few others (that I will name in the comments section Damian (!))

Other news - Kelly and I are doing the 10km at the Gold Coast Marathon this weekend on no training - anyone ever done something stupid like that to have a break from the kids?

Movie Review - Transformers 2

Despite far too much time invested on character and plot development, at the expense of Optimus Prime and Megatron resolving philosophical differences transformer style, it is still probably the best movie ever made.

Grant and Julia trial separation

Yes, I'm back, but Julia is staying in Vietnam for another two weeks for more holidays with her mate, Libby, who arrived the day before I left. I would love to have stayed but, apparently, some students want their first semester results and it involves me doing a bit of marking. Here are some more pics for your edification.

We had an afternoon on this beach which was bliss and we could have stayed in one of the huts instead of a night on the wild Cat Ba Island but we didn't know it was an option. Next time.

We were dropped at an island and bicycled to a remote village where we left the bikes and trecked through a rainforest to a cave full of bats. Julia fell in the dark cave and has the bruises and scars to prove it. The other people in the pic were our gang on the boat.

This is the view from our cabin on the Junk we were aboard on Ha Long Bay. Our junk looked like the one you can see here. Three days and two nights with everything included cost about $100 each. Do it while it's still available at this price!

One last motorcycle picture: we crossed a low river and had to push our bikes for about half a kilometre across a mud flat on a loose, bamboo track. If the bike (or you) fell on either side, it would never be seen again. Julia is making it look easy but it wasn't. Geeze it's cold back in Melbourne...

Hottest 100 Songs of All Time

I'm surprised no one has posted their ten picks for the hottest 100 songs of all time. Rock Lobster was up there for me.

Photos from Walcha - Glenn 60

Great weekend. Highlights - The speeches, dances, food and frivolity. Below are a few close-ups, but I'm sure there will be more of the venue and party to follow.

Julia and Grant in Vietnam

Here we are in Vietnam again, this time for a motorcycle trip and, for Julia, a longer holiday with a friend after my two weeks here finishes. We've finished the bike part and it was excellent. Nights were spent in traditional houses with local families and the roads were a constant procession of bends over mountain passes and through rice-growing lower areas. Julia got her motorcycle licence again for the trip but it was still a big ask to ride so far in such a strange environment (including having to ride on the right hand side of the road) Getting out of Hanoi was by far the hardest part but dodging the buffalos, chooks, trucks, busses, and the thousands of other motorcycles on the road required lots of attention. The picture above is at our first stop out of the city. Hey, Jake, can you photoshop some crossed bullet belts onto Jules and have the tip of an AK-47 peeking out over her right shoulder?

Road conditions constantly changed. Here we had to ride up the drains on either side of the digger to get past.
This was our last night as guests in a Dao ethnic minority villiage. The rice wine flowed freely and Julia married all our children to the son and two daughters of our hosts. The girls are very attractive but there's a complication for Annika in that she has to bring a buffalo with her when she arrives.

Julia is making great use of the Vietnamese she's been studying in Australia. She had quite a conversation with this 80 year-old we met at one of our frequent stops.

Here we are with our new in-laws. Start packing, Dom, Nick and Annika. We're having a rest at the moment but have another adventure planned in Ha Long Bay starting tomorrow.

Car for sale?

Hi. Still cannot remember my password so here goes.

I am retiring the much-loved Camry as of next week as my new package includes a new car. Whacko! A brand spanker to drive the economy.

I have been offered $500 as a trade-in so any enterprising cousin might like to offer the same and utilize what I think has more value even if sentimental. 253K kilos completed, mostly Mudgee, Lismore, rural NSW and Victoria, and potentially 250K more to go. No rego as of 30 June, and may need new tyres. Some dimples of love as modeled by Kimi below (in front of the Mudgee mansion) that make it perfect for on-street parking. I decked a kangaroo on the weekend which merely bounced off the bonnet without a scratch (to the car). But a spot or two of rust courtesy of 10 years in Manly. Complete with 2002 Sydney Street directory, a B-52’s driving tape and some stray Indian movie music (as I grade up to CD’s). Kimi not included but lunch could be provided on pick-up (when she gets back from Japan). And a nice number plate too that might help at a Dennie (?) Muster.

Any interest?

Brendan

Johnny's last tour

Grant was right. It was only a matter of time before I was discovered... by a Port Macquarie Radio DJ on a mission - He interviewed me about my Johhny song. I'm glad someone out there backs me up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIizWoS6hoQ

Is it just me, or ar the Roffs dominating the Youtube airwaves?

ROCK BANG!

Here's the film clip I was in with my go-go class last year. Spot-o me in brown curls and a hot pink dress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ_erQL0jkA

Maisie apology

Daddy just learned how to 'photoshop', so I apologise in advance for the obsessive sharing of cute photo's he probably thinks needs to be posted on the Roff blogg!~ Love Maisie