WHO THE F@#K ARE CHELSEA

Need I say more? I think it would be fitting for Utd to receive the Premiership presentation at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. All those in favour say "Jose is a fool"!

What colour is the sky in your world?

First of all, I'm not going to even attempt to defend Utd's loss last night. They were comprehensively beaten by a far superior side. Kaka was, yet again, inspiring. Now, we should all move on and focus on the double and ensuring that Chelski get nothing this year.

It's been particularly slow in work these last few days. In fact, mind numbingly boring is a better description. I think the guys are reluctant to have me start anything new before I go and so I'm wrapping up a few loose ends and doing the odd scrap of work. Still, only one week to go, but at this rate that could reduce to a couple of days.

I have been useful with my time. Been hunting the net for houses to live in and have arranged a couple of viewings. Saw one last night which was pretty good. Excellent layout and location, room's slightly on the small side but still enough room for my clobber. Talk of putting a pool table in the house, along with the 50" plasma, foxtel and 360 means I probably wouldn't venture out too much! Although if I did, Subi, Leederville and the city are on the doorstep with a whopping great big park only a couple of hundred metres away. The Subi Oval (where the super 14s games have been played) is only a 10 minute walk and the local is JB o'Rilley's which serves possibly the 2nd best pint of Guinness in Perth. Very tempting indeed. I'd be sharing with 3 blokes: a Saffer (who appears normal and not like most), a Swede and an Irishman. Got to decide this weekend but think I'll take it and I'll be moving in week Saturday. Nothing like a house move the weekend before a new job! Smacks of last year when I moved to London...

There's been a few birthdays that I should acknowledge that have happened over the last month. Liz/Gizmo/JBPN's was on the 8th (or is it the 6th??), Monks' was on the 23rd to coincide with some Roman's day of death, my bro's on Tuesday and my cousing Gav's today. In case I don't put out another post beforehand, happy birthday to Rudman as well on the 10th!

This weekend is going to be busy - 2 birthdays (Gav's & Nikkita's) and 2 sporting events (Force v Blues & West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs in the Aussie rules). Sunday may involve a lot of sitting!

All you girlies need to check out my cousin Nicola/Liquorice's website (www.peachiekeen.co.uk) and anyone else who fancies buying some funky pants! Seriously, go, buy, be happy!! I'm not joking... For the love of God, go and buy pants!!!!

Later kids...

Alex

New job!

That's right kids - after weeks of interview, waiting, interview and more waiting, the kind folk at Data Analysis Australia (DAA) have offered me a job. I'll be starting on the 14th May (same day I go and watch the Black Keys) as a consultant statistician. Wanted a senior consultant statistician post but I think a lack of project management and commercial experience means that I just missed out as I'm going in at the top of the consultant scale. Also had assurances that my salary and status will be reviewed regularly to begin with (every 3 months) so I'll be working hard to prove myself and get the senior status. (They've already realised I'm pretty ambitious). They're also going to sponsor me as well as they've offered me a permanent position which means I'll be here in Perth I reckon until around the begining of 2009. This was much to the heart-ache of my mum! That date is still pretty loose but it's the commitment I kept re-iterating to them in the interviews. What happens in the mean time is anyone's guess. The sponsored visa means I can actually stay in the country until mid-2011 by which time I can apply for residency. That's a long way off yet, christ WC07 still hasn't been played! As it's actually a couple more k's south of where I'm currently working (would pretty much have to drive past the office) I'm really going to be looking for somewhere to live a bit closer. Going to look for a couple of places now...

Since I'm not going to be coming back for a while too, all of you lot need to organise yourselves for coming over for a visit - although I'd wait until October at least now as it's starting to get cold (relatively speaking - 20C sees me with a jumper on now!) and you'll want all the glorious sunshine and lazy days down the beach.

I've also organised a trip over to Sydney for the 24th May. Staying with the lovely Kat for a long weekend (all the Bath uni lot - you must remember Kat?!) and we're off to watch Australia v Wales on the Saturday (26th). It will not, as Riley alluded to, be meeting of two mediocre sides. That's disparraging to Australia! Fellow Taffs: surely you agree with me after an apalling 6 nations? If not, I shall be expecting a your tirade of displeasure at my comments in due course.

Some pics...

These are a few from a weekend in March. Think it was a bank holiday and it was a scorcher (topped 40); a good summer day just before it started to get cold... relatively speaking!! From top: A sensible grandmother, annoying (but ultimately loveable) dog, the back garden where I've spent a lot of time either drinking, swimming or just generally lounging, and an uncomfortable looking me (although it's not true - the kid is tops with me except when he pulls my chest hairs out or tries to rip my lip off).