Reasons to be cheerful today

* Mum and Dad are visiting.

* I acquired the new Rush album, "Snakes And Arrows", from Utopia.

* I caught up on some culture - "Beautiful Minds: The Centennial Exhibition Of The Noble Prizes" at the University of Technology, Sydney, and "World Press Photo 2006" at the State Library's Mitchell Galleries. (Neither will cost you anything; both will teach you something.)

* The Newcastle Knights came from 12 points down with 12 minutes to go to beat the New Zealand Warriors, 24-18. Kurt Gidley, you're a deadset champ! Two tries, four conversions and no backward steps!

* "Torchwood: Slow Decay" by Andy Lane continues to thrill...even if the pages have a sour smell (which I've also noticed with recent "Doctor Who" novels).

* Mum and Dad are visiting.