My middle name is Tyler and it is a name that has been used on my fathers side for generations. I am not quite sure of the history but much like most Mongolians believe they are descended from Chingis (Ghengis) Khan, I am descended from Wat Tyler.

History is written by the oppressors so all I've read of Wat casts him as a bit of a thug who was rude to the 15 yr old King. The leading of a peasnts revolution may have also led to the young monarch's grumpy attitude. The Mayor and one of the Kings bodyguards took it upon themselves to kill the unarmed Wat. Well the clock turned and I forget the name of the king but I remember Wat's name being remembered during the Poll Tax riots a few years back.

My Granny Barbara passed away recently and my lovely old Pa sent me a photo of our Tyler coat of Arms which Granny had in her house.

Click on the picture for an enbiggened version.

He wanted to remain six but sadly, 'Time and buttered eggs wait for no man'. Emrys is now seven years old and feeling the weight of the world upon his shoulders. As you can see in the attached photograph he has much to worry about, multiple Lego Bionicles to construct, a remote controlled car to drive at the dog and an electronic microscope with which to unfathom the mysteries of life.

Such is life.
Evan is also another year older, reaching 14 back on Feb the 14th. He too is concerned with enduring life. His concerns are of a more adult nature, things such as listening to Triple J, zits, strange girls, bumfluff and whether or not to shave it off.

Emmy has been running round the yard dressed as a combination of Zorro and um... a traffic cop, maybe.

I got home last night and the house looked like a swampy mad artists brainstorming zone. This is normal, you see our boys live at home most of the day without any institutional breaks at a school. The rain has been bucketing down for the past four days which may be contributing. The sitting room was great, utter chaos. Em had covered the floor with huge drawings on newsprint of massive dragons. A dragon city he told me. He gave Cheri and I a lesson in Dragon physiology we had to sit and take notes. Apparently they are some kind of egg laying mammal with blood reserves (for battle wounds) and two brains. I made a video which I might add to this post one day, if you're interested.

I then realised I was late picking Ev up from his Drama class, he goes straight onto scouts afterward which is why I have to pick him up. Drama class sounds like torture, a roomful of mad teenagers all thinking they are the most erudite, hi-larious and intellectually stimulating person in the room. Terrifying.

The poor, brave drama teacher was waiting outside with Ev. I'm a tool.

I'll make this quick cos my batteries are running out.
Hope you all had a fine weekend. Evan is now fourteen. We did not have a birthday party or anything. I expect he'd squirm if we made him play pass the parcel nowadays. John Lee paid us a visit and we chatted about politics and philosophy. Then I took an old computer monitor round to his place for him and helped him shift some stuff in the yard.

I finished making Cheri some worry beads using a bunch of olive pits that I had been collecting. Jay is watching the Cricket and Emmy is listening to an Artemis Fowl audio book.

I cannot do too much stuff at any one time, I have some sort of physical/mental disability. Lets call it 'Slack', I am currently feeling slacktastic. It is sort of like mental juggling, tossing all these activities around between my brain, my body, my diary, Cheri, my kids and my work. There is only so much I can fit in, especially when it is so bloody hot. The only cure is Reggae... mmm and a coldie. Perhaps it is fate that my dive trip this weekend has been cancelled.

OK, I am taking a ute load of 13 year olds to Brisbane in 20 minutes. Should I wear headphones?

Then on up to Mooloolaba tomorrow (for 6am) in time for the Panamuna Sprints. After that I'll head back down to Brissy to pick up Ev and take him to Toowomba for Camp with Wings.

Rachel (The Traveling Bakers) called whilst I was at work, apparently the mobile somehow got dropped in water, which explains why I cannot get through. Charlie was wanting to see Jason and the Finches. So here are some piccies for the little lad. Jay was hosing the floor of the finch cage and they all flew down to bathe in the puddles

Been a long day... time for my afternoon nap.

We've spent a fair bit of time down at Boambee Creek Reserve so far this year. Evan looked very comfy on the roof of the ute reading, "Biggles Learns To Fly".

Steven left us with a couple of old 'high fidelity stereo audio devices'. Evan has claimed the loudest one, I'm wondering if that was a tactical error. Our house is very small. Although I don't mind Triple J, yet.

Sunburnt overfed, it goes on.
Earlier today I saw Emrys running along the sandy beach wearing his favourite Christmas present. People in their bathers gawked as he dashed past with his hand sewn silky black shirt and hat with a, 'Z'.

Here is a picture I've wanted to post for while:

It was Max's birthday a few weeks ago. Evan and I went as Sid Vicious (Sid from an alternate reality obviously).