Time to celebrate the start of the new school term.

Promised Half-Pint (my daughter) that if she cleaned her room, I'd take her to see the new Harry Potter movie. This bribe was worth every penny, if you have any experience of what a teenage room looks like after three weeks holiday. Biological experiments going crazy in the accumulated crockery that never made it back to the kitchen; clothes (I think it was just about everything she owns) decorating the floor and keeping the bed up; bottles, tins and papers - I can't explain these but they could keep a recycling firm in business for a year; stationery; toys; toiletries; towels... list getting out of hand... and the missing Jack Russell. Yep. The three days notice was necessary.

Saturday morning inspection passed. Off to Monte and the Il Grande theatre. Wow. Nice going Nu Metro. The giant (that's me) could stretch out and not break my knees or neck. The screen is huge and the movie was magical. My only gripe was the yucky popcorn and flat coke that cost a fortune. Things improved once we settled on pancakes and cappuccino's for lunch. Half Pint enjoyed the Skate Park, then we cruised Exclusive Books and spend all my gift vouchers.
BTW Spud, the Madness Continues is as brilliant as the first Spud. I can't wait for the next instalment.
Half Pint took off for the Amusement Arcade (and proved that girls can kick butt... and it was her first time in an arcade) while I moved outside to read Spud and enjoy a long awaited ciggie. While I was chillin', I noticed a couple of disturbing things. One was that the Balloon thingie has only one cable anchoring it to terra firma. Second was observing floods of prepubescent girls, dressed to the hilt, swarming around the casino sans an adult. If they're not watching movies, skating or playing games, what are they doing there? Third was watching a limo pull up and collect a half dozen 6 year olds. I was disgusted with the way they spoke to the driver (because he walked and did not run to open the door) and more disgusted with the parents (who said nothing). Who the hell hires a limo to chauffeur 6 year olds around? Even if it is the 'Princess' birthday, do some face painting, play games and eat cake. If you have spare cash, hire an entertainer and a jumping castle. Your Princess is going to grow up to be a rude 'gimme' ungrateful brat and you deserve it.
I was saddened to observe the gamblers too. They have this weird manic expression while they throw their money away. Unbelievable. Tarted pensioners and middle aged men in bad suits.
Half-Pint and I voted unanimously that, with exception of the Movies, Skate Park and Bird Park, Monte is plastic to the faux ceiling.
Next bribe opportunity, we're doing the Planetarium.

Sunday evening. Half-Pint is back at boarding school and my house is strangely quiet. I can actually hear myself sigh in relief. No radios, no TV, no rap. Bliss.
The traffic is going to be hell tomorrow.