Armchair Journey

The Idiot And The Odyssey By Joel Stratte-McClure Fast Thinking, 358pp, $24.95

Short Takes

This is the forum for those who want to make a point fast. Brief opinions may be phoned to (02) 49795980 between 9.30am and 1pm Monday to Friday or emailed to letters@theherald.com.au

Short Takes

This is the forum for those who want to make a point fast. Brief opinions may be phoned to (02) 49795980 between 9.30am and 1pm Monday to Friday or emailed to letters@theherald.com.au

Who Said That . . .

Golf can be a frustrating game, and its given life to some great quotes over the years. Heres 20 to work into your next golfing conversation.

Change Of Heart

From holding fast to the Church line in his response to claims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests, Maitland-Newcastle bishop Michael Malone has become an outspoken advocate for victims of pedophilia. In a frank and wide-ranging interview he tells Joanne McCarthy what led to his epiphany.

Not So Fast: Roos Refuses To Be Pressured On Davis Trade

WHILE admitting his surprise at reading Sydney-born Nick Davis was a West Coast supporter as a youngster, Swans coach Paul Roos did not seem too perturbed over Davis revealing in the Herald yesterday he would "love to play" in Perth.

Poms Are Poor-man's Prats

THIS missive was too long for the quotes section, but too interesting, well written and well said to leave out. It was penned by Simon Barnes of the Times on the English cricketers after they insisted on running out a Kiwi batsman, even though he had collided with an English fast bowler: "Time, I think, for a brief lesson on mimicry in the natural world. For it is my view that the England cricket team have adopted the wrong mimetic strategy and that is why we have a side of unpleasant, ...

Quotes Of The Week

"We have two options: we can do something, which is what we are doing; or we can sit around and pray that fuel comes down. Option B is not an option that this management is envisaging at all."

Fast Eddie Facing Ban For A Month

EDDIE Jones may be suspended for a month after earning the dubious honour of becoming the first coach to front the SANZAR judiciary - for making derogatory comments about Sydney referee Matt Goddard.

Fast Eddie Sure Knows How To Entertain

USUALLY after a match, the assembled rugby scribes dawdle their way to the official press conferences, where the two coaches have their say.

Fast Track For A Buck Or Three

GOOD morning and welcome to the Offshore Skills Assessment Centre. My name is Kevin and I'll be your facilitator for the duration of the course. As you know, Australia desperately needs skilled workers. Our industries have a shortfall of almost 100,000 positions, mostly in trades, and overseas recruits such as yourselves can help fill the gap.

Out Of The Mouths Of Blackguards And Businessmen

Chris Twyman continues his survey of the most memorable quotes of 2005.

Murali: I Never Said 'chuckers'

MUTTIAH Muralitharan last night denied labelling Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee "chuckers", hours after members of the Australian team expressed anger at quotes attributed to the Sri Lankan off spinner.

Quick Quotes On Brett Lee

QUICK QUOTES ON BRETT LEE I didn't seem to pick it up and I played the wrong line altogether, but looking at the replay I was beaten for pace. He is most successful when he's pitching the ball up, and he's done extremely well in the past few weeks. When he's so confident like that, there is no st

Hype Another Day

WHEN the James Bond marketing machine gives you a 15-minute interview with one of its talking heads you'd better not waste time in idle chit-chat. Fast- talker JAMES JOYCE accepts the mission.

Charity Bashes Or The Ashes, Lee Can Deliver

The injured Australian fast bowler Brett Lee spoke at a fundraiser for a fellow with a brain tumour at Bondi's Hakoah Club last Sunday night, and was most impressive. Entertaining, eloquent and humble. Among other things, he reported that he hoped to be back bowling within three weeks, and had every hope of making the Ashes Tour.

Boys In Hot Carsfire Up Insurers

FAST and expensive cars are the ultimate boys' toys, but girls are more likely to get cheaper insurance to drive them.

The Best Quotes Of 2000 Quote Unquote

"They never even talked about the enemy during the war like that. I am shocked, appalled and saddened." - Kevan Gosper responds to a newspaper headline calling him a 'Greedy Obstinate Selfish Pompous Egotistical Reptile', after his 11-year-old daughter Sophie was the first Australian to

Novel Attractions

EMPTY fast-food cartons crackle in the wind. Fresh racist graffiti sneer from the shuttering of boarded-up shops. And outside the bookmakers', fragments of yesterday's dreams flutter in the unswept gutter. Even in the bright light of a new day Borough High Street, Southwark, is a mess. "A heap

James And The Dragon

JAMES Sidebottom, author of The Greenhorns chapter, is fast becoming a wizard at data entry with the help of a dragon. Dragon System's Naturally Speaking for Teens , that is. James, who became a quadriplegic after an accident at the age of seven, uses this voice-activation software to achieve