LOL, Zoe.

I was sucking up to the Aussies by saying "frogs" t hangs head in shame

I was sucking up to the Aussies by saying "frogs"

And don't think we don't appreciate it. (We have desert frogs, BTW, that can seal themselves in watertight pouches underground and ride out years-long droughts. In the interests of clarity, let me assure you that I mean literal frogs, not wandering Frenchmen. Aborigines are known to use them as a water supply during desert treks. ...Again, the frogs, not wandering-- Well, you get the picture.)

No, frogs go *ribbet"

Try explaining to a one-and-a-bit-year-old why a frog says "rabbit".

It's a complicated world, I'm telling ya'.

Oh, BTW, how is everyone?

Good over here, bt. You? Aren't we supposed to chide you if you turn up here at the moment? (In which case - chide! chide!) How's the job stuff going?

Do German frogs say "ribbit" or is that a strictly English thing? And what do German dogs say?

I once saw a list of what dogs "say" in various languages. They bore little resemblance to one another.

And what do German dogs say?

*rolfe* ?

Do German frogs say "ribbit" or is that a strictly English thing?

German frogs say "quaaack". Do not ask me what German ducks say. But I'm responsible for the English stuff, so my frogs say rabbit.

German dogs say "wau wau", so that's pretty close. And a dog is the one animal noise B can make so far! I ask him, "what does a dog say" and he goes woof woof. We're so proud.

Gosh, if we actually suceed in getting this kid bilingual, it'll be quite an achievement.

t Trudy thwaps Jimmi on the head

I'm learning lots of German words lately Fiona, but they're all from opera so they tend to be things like "Liebestod" and "Ewigkeit," which might not be that useful in conversation.

Good over here, bt. You? Aren't we supposed to chide you if you turn up here at the moment? (In which case - chide! chide!) How's the job stuff going?

Correct, chide away. Though, as noted, I've actually finished putting together my study notes, and a couple of weeks earlier than I expected, so I'm treating myself (at 4:15 am, thus demonstrating my near-total lack of sense). Day-to-day job stuff is going very well, there's some interesting research stuff going on right now. The big issue of the moment - where I'm going next - is still unresolved. A Sydney subsidiary is currently considering whether I would fit in with their future resourcing needs, and hope to have an answer in about a week or so (fingers crossed).

Initial signs are good, there seems to be no question about my competence and experience, and they're keeping me informed as to where dicussions are at. We figure that if they want to keep me sweet it's a good sign. It's a little daunting to know the directors are talking about you, though (no pressure).

Asterix dogs say "Arf Arf".

Are the German dogs saying *wow wow* or *vow vow* bitte?