The Mess Around

A big welcome to the Accidental Listener .

This leads to a discussion of stuff that doesn't seem to happen anymore , Sudoku, Vision Boards , Bio-rhythms and the like .

Then Line Dancing , which is discussed in more detail than is strictly necessary .
Andrew goes on at some length about Billy ray Cyrus - lets just say don't get him to ever write an accurate account of your life .

The words of Keith Miller are fondly remembered- eventually .

Treasured childhood memories are shared by Richard

The old tradition of cracker night is reviewed. It's difficult to explain to a different generation how young kids were given fire and explosives .

Richard has a number of future business ideas for later on .

Oh , and there was an earthquake .

This episode kicks off with a specific welcome to a listener who is a dog walker .
Turns out Andrew was a dog walker too .
While describing his operation we realise it was done in his unique style . Richard's partner minded dogs and this gives us the heart-warming stories of Ned the Beagle and Barny the Giant .
Somehow walking dogs has recently presented Richard with an etiquette and moral dilemma .He complains he feels like Cassandra of Troy . Then, naturally, we spend some time learning who that is .
Although Andrews advise is well thought out , there is a sense Richard will ignore it . This may reappear in later episodes .
Andrew shifts gears by updating us on his homework . Unfortunately this involved conversations with the young folk at his University.
Richard has had a big day ,out of his depth .He feels he's learnt many lessons  and is confident to bluff his way thru  .

Richard is still in lockdown ,he manages to casually mention it *sigh*. To cheer himself up he asks about Andrews film .
The student film is every bit as chaotic as you'd expect . The issue  seems to be mainly the conflict between the film being a group activity and Andrews struggle to work in groups.
However you have to admire his grim determination . 

The importance of optimism is discussed at length .

Blind optimism in the face of reality . Richard admires this characteristic in his partner ,as she goes about converting a spare bedroom into a guest suite.
No guests are due in the foreseeable future but that doesn't stop her . 

Andrew is excited for the new iPhone which is a surprise , the conversation is not what you may reasonably expect .

Richard feels that one of his gestures is out of date and has no meaning . Naturally he turns to Andrew for guidance ,You will all be better for what follows .

Richard is still in lockdown ,Andrew isn't . As a result Richard hungers for tales of "going out" .
Andrew obliges but perhaps could've used his going out time better .
one of the places he visits is is a Teppanyaki style restaurant . There is much discussion of that style of eating . Andrew felt he was set up , Richard has a method .

Food in general is discussed , Richard was brought up in a no dessert household . There were a couple of exceptions , Neapolitan ice-cream was considered a giddy high . 
Richard was scolded as a child for his manner of eating it .
Fair enough say Andrew ,who then describes his rather fastidious method .

Cooked rhubarb was another desert exception , which Richard miraculously links back to Japanese food .
Andrew has had troubles with technology . First he's installed ceiling fans in his low ceilinged apartment . They are the natural enemy of the tall person .
Plus his laptop has issues but when he took it to be fixed he discovered he also had issues .

Richard makes two jokes in this episode , enjoy them . Use them to be the life of your next social engagement .

In an effort to prove exciting things happen while in lockdown , Richard revealed he's been wearing shorts .
Shorts are the discussed at length , Richard is in awe of folk who commit to wearing them all year round in Melbourne .
Andrew is suddenly interested when he realises its a challenge although he does have some fears in the shorts department .

Possibly looking round for work in a COVID world ,Richard has a dream to be a "noddy" . One of the team that stand behind ,usually politicians , and nod supportively . He has been studying them carefully and feels there's a real gap in the market for someone who enthusiastically  responds to  the statements being made . Less of a "noddy" and more of a "hype man " .

Andrew has had a delivery . The contents of which makes us ask many questions . It will be an on going saga I feel .

Favourite jam flavours are covered ( it will make sense when you hear it )

Unfortunately  for everyone , Richards partners obsession with a jumper made from their dogs fur has not gone away and , against all odds , has actually progressed .

The term "off kilter" is revisited . Andrew has done some unasked for  research ( where did he find the time? Shouldn't he be working on his film ?) and his results will astound you.

Somehow Richard swings a tale from History in early . This one is all about making the best of a bad situation . We also learn who is  Richard's favourite Viking ( Harald Hardrada) and his surprise that we don't all have a favourite Viking .

 Mask wearing means the polite smile is no longer effective. Richard has been working on making his eyes more expressive. He is attempting to "crinkle" them without knowing what that actually is . His role model in this is "Simon the Likeable " a Kaos agent from Get Smart.

Andrew has toilet trouble . He describes his ideal , Richard explains it exists in the form of a Japanese toilet. There is great excitement .

Andrew has taken to wearing a lanyard . Not for work ( he has no job) , nor for VIP entry to anywhere . So why then ? His answer will once again make you pleased you are not either of them . 

Out of nowhere Richard is obsessed with the term "off kilter" , mainly he keeps asking if anything is ever "on kilter".

A brief mention of sailing allows Richard to share a warning of an event to avoid.
Seasickness and the ability to sleep quickly are discussed . Surprisingly there is a link . Richard has a trained and highly developed ability .

In the hope of discovering whether something is normal behaviour ,Richard turns to Andrew for advice. Unfortunately it involves aspects of the mobile phone. This is not Andrew's strong suit . The more Richard asks questions ,the more is revealed.

Andrew has a new nemesis ,it's his toilet . Or rather its the intermittent fault that seems to occur with his toilet.

Richard waxes lyrical about travel and the beautiful island of Bali. His tale of an early visit there also  involves his chance encounter with Dr Quinn ,Medicine Woman .
I am not even kidding .

Are you in lockdown or not ? Are you even allowed to ask that question ? Suggested rules are discussed.
Andrew's life is fraught for many reasons but his choice of new glasses has not helped . It seems the design is incompatible with his head and as a result they come off at critical moments .
Richard feels Andrew has no choice but to use the Rubberband of Dorkiness. Andrew however remains unconvinced .
The problem often manifests with dog walking . Unfortunately this leads Richard to share several games he likes to play when walking his dogs . You'll learn what a "two-fa" is , and share in the excitement of choosing a word for when it goes one better .
Ridiculous self imposed "games" are shared and Richard rounds it out with a quick summary of Alexander the Great , the Gordian Knot and the Wars of the Diadochi - naturally .