Forlorn of thee

Prince Philip loves...

2012-02-06T15:00:00.001+11:00

Blackberry Help 1: Text file to MemoPad

2012-01-25T11:02:00.003+11:00

Number 1 in this series of Blackberry How To**

How to get text files into your MemoPad when Sync doesn't work with Outlook 2010 and avoid having to retype...

Turn Mass Storage Mode Support: On (Settings → Media Card)
Connect your Blackberry via USB to your PC (Passwords etc)
Copy the text files to your media card and disconnect when finished
Open Media then Menu → Explore
Select the text file - filename.txt
Menu → Select Mode
Menu → Select. Highlight the required text
Menu → Copy
Close Media
Open MemoPad
Menu → New
Menu → Paste

Convoluted, but it works...

** More as a memory jogger for myself rather than for any greater noble purpose.

Chinese New Year

2012-01-23T12:18:00.003+11:00

Today's Chinese New Year or the first day of the Spring Festival, end of winter! I'm sure many would dispute that. For us upside downers, it means the end of summer and beginning of autumn. Not much of a summer, I'm quite sure it's the end of the world.

Anyway, a happy and prosperous Dragon New Year to all. Year of the dragon, the blurb goes:

Lucky gemstone: Opal, sapphire and amber
Lucky colours: Gold and black
Most compatible signs for Dragons: Rat, Snake, Monkey and Rooster
Most incompatible signs for Dragons: Dog... too bad if you're 18, 30, 42 or 54 :(

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T08:39:00.003+11:00

...and a Happy New Year.

Odd

2011-12-07T16:37:00.003+11:00

Summer started seven days ago but it sure doesn't feel like it. I'm not complaining, always preferred the cold to the heat. Not to mention the flies, the way shirts stick to ones back and how deodorants fail to stop that trickle...

Suffering in sympathy with our northern neighbours about to experience a White Christmas? Maybe...

My Castle Fantasy...

2011-10-25T15:49:00.006+11:00

I've finally found the perfect spot to build my dream home. It's in Cambewarra, away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. It's 40 acres, 10 cleared, nestled below a rainforest pocket on the Browns Mountain, private, overlooking a panorama of the distant Shoalhaven coast. Asking $395,000.

And the house, it's got to be a Queenslander. Love the design, verandah all round...

Give me a home among the gumtrees
With lots of plum trees
A sheep or two, a k-kangaroo
A clothesline out the back
Verandah out the front
And an old rocking chair ...

John Williamson - Home among the Gum Trees

Confimation...

2011-10-20T17:37:00.004+11:00

Say no to FB Groups

In the SMH today, headlines read Facebook intelligence used to target CHOGM protesters.

Deputy Commissioner Chris Dawson said in the meantime protest actions, such as the Anti-Corporate Greed and Anti-Wall Street movements, have been widely monitored through Facebook and Twitter.

"Police are monitoring all such groups and that's proper, there's nothing underhanded in that," he said.

Guess why I deactivated my account...

Why am I not surprised II...

2011-10-19T10:55:00.005+11:00

I'm sure you've been following the story in China about the little boy who was hit by a van and how long it took before anyone helped...

Unfortunately, that's a reflection of today's society. I wrote a while ago Why I'm not surprised, where ambulance officers were being sued for "unlawful assault and battery" and the judgment of the California Supreme Court.

Done it!

2011-10-10T14:31:00.004+11:00

Leaving Facebook. Screenshot kept for posterity.

Finally, I've pressed that deactivate button. Yes, I've removed myself from Facebook, deleted, gone!

The final straw? It was being added to a protest group, campaigning for something by a "friend", without my consent. To a group I have no interest in, nor did I support what they were campaigning for.

Fun is one thing, but landing up on the blacklist of a foreign government is another.

How many...

2011-10-07T14:22:00.008+11:00

PS: This is an interesting post as it embeds a calculated field from a Google Spreadsheet. It is linked to a Google Document and published, updated every 5 minutes. From the Google document menu, select File, Publish to the Web.... easy!

Ahhhhhh.....

2011-09-30T16:48:00.002+10:00

Long weekend, mow the lawn, read Game of Thrones and generally do very little!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Mid Autumn Love Story

2011-09-13T11:39:00.005+10:00

I'm a fantasy novel nutter and was quite taken by the story of Hou Yi and Chang'e. Yesterday, 12th September was the Mid Autumn Festival (think moon cakes and paper lanterns).

It's the story about a Hou Yi, the god of archery who lost his immortality, and had to live the rest of his life on earth. One day, he defeated the water god, who abandoned his daughter Chang'e in his haste to escape. Chang'e was downright gorgeous, and it was love at first sight for Hou.

They were soon married and as with most marriages, when the Hou was out hunting the baddies, Chang'e was bored at home. Hou was previously rewarded two bottles of the elixir of life (one for Chang'e and one for himself), but did not tell Chang'e what they were. In her boredom, she drank the double dose, and ascended to the moon to live forever with a white rabbit (that's another story).

She became the moon goddess. What became of Hou? He was murdered by his best student...

Pseudonyms

2011-09-05T16:20:00.004+10:00

Sometime ago I whinged about Facebook insisting that all accounts be opened with real names and that Young Werther wasn't a real name. Hmmm...

Looks like Google+ is going the same way. Is it fair that I have to use my real name and identify myself. Some argue that it's the right way to go as FB and Google+ are social networking sites. Maybe, I do have something to hide and no intention of linking my drunken activities, blog confessions and opinions to my LinkedIn or FB account (that are populated by workmates and family).

After all, you wouldn't befriend Tom, Dick or Harry (unless Harry's got HRH preceeding it), similarly, you wouldn't accept any invite from Young Werther on FB or any other social networking site... would you?

In the stone "type" writer age, writers used nom de plumes. It's a well established precedent, so let us secretive b*stards be!

24 Views of Mt. Fuji, by Hokusai

2011-08-09T13:16:00.005+10:00

Kanagawa oki nami-ura by Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849)

I'm a bit of a SF/ Fantasy bluff, and many years ago I read "24 Views of Mt. Fuji, by Hokusai". Bit misleading, the novel's not by Hokusai (that's the title) but is a short Science Fiction novel by Roger Zelazny. It won the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novella.

What really grabbed me were the woodblock prints by Hokusai. They were gorgeous. The story followed a widow's travels around Japan. For e-book owners you can download* a EPUB version here (right click and save as).

*Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

Australian Fairy Tale

2011-07-25T09:37:00.012+10:00

A koala was sitting in a gum tree smoking a joint...

When a little lizard walked past, looked up and said, 'Hey Koala!
What are you doing?'

The koala said, 'Smoking a joint, come up and have some.'

So the little lizard climbed up and sat next to the koala where they enjoyed a few hits.

After a while the little lizard said that his mouth was 'dry' and that he was going to get a drink from the river.

The little lizard was so stoned that he leaned over too far and fell into the river. A crocodile saw this and swam over to the little lizard and helped him to the side. Then he asked the little lizard, 'What's the matter with you?'

The little lizard explained to the crocodile that he had been sitting with the koala in the tree, smoking a joint, but got too stoned and fell into the river while taking a drink….

The crocodile said that he had to check this out and walked into the rain forest, found the tree where the koala was sitting finishing a joint. The crocodile looked up and said,

'Hey you!'

So the koala looked down at him and said,

'Shiiiiiiiiiiit dude....

How much water did you drink?

Kick ass chicks - Part II

2011-07-07T12:06:00.017+10:00

Sometime ago, I compiled a list of ladies who are more than capable of whupping my butt. As time goes by, new heroines arise and unfortunately, classic broads like Lt. Ellen Ripley are put to pasture. So, without further ado, here's my new list...

1) At the top is Eliza Dushku as Echo in Dollhouse. For those who are not familiar with the storyline, 'dolls' have their memory wiped and reprogrammed for each assignment.

2) Who can go past Lena Headey as Sarah Connor in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. She's English and carries a big gun.

3) One of my favourites, Natalie Portman at her butt-kicking best as Mathilda in Leon: The Professional. As Padmé in Star Wars and Evey in V for Vendetta, these were secondary, love-struck roles (IMHO)

4) Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander in the Millennium Trilogy, abused but still manages to tattoo a rapist in the nether regions and hacks into an account, running off with a billion SEK.

5) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, witch extraordinaire!

6) Something about Japanese girls in school uniform wielding samurai swords... Gianna Jun as Saya in Blood: The Last Vampire.

7) If Johnny Depp can get the ladies drooling, Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann gets me hot under the collar.

8) Can't go past a flaming red head, Famke Janssen as Phoenix in the X-Men.

9) One has to include Miranda Otto as Eowyn, the strong silent type in Lord of the Rings.

Ringwraith: No man can kill me. Die now.
Eowyn: I am no man.

10) Dilemma, do I include someone tried and trusted or a total new comer. Went for the latter and introducing Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games.

Keep an eye out for her... could be another Lara Croft

Facebook...

2011-06-08T09:40:00.003+10:00

Have been wasting a bit of time on this "social site" called Empire Avenue (you can blame Krys for that). The objective is to maximise your share price by conducting "social" activities like Twittering, Blogging or linking to other "social" places like Facebook.

So Young Werther opened his FB account and guess what? FB thinks that I'm not a real person and suspended the account .... duh!@!@#$!

More than that, Werther has been requested to "upload a copy of my government-issued photo ID making sure that my full name, date of birth, and photo are clear". This is going to be fun...

Jesus, food for thought...

2011-05-17T17:01:00.004+10:00

Was reading Lilly's blog on faith, something twigged. On the face of it, can Christians really have more in common with Muslims than with the Jews?

Yet as Christians, we align ourselves with the Jewish faith. Browsing Wikipedia, managed to glean the following.

Christianity is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Christian derives from the Greek word Christ, a translation of the Hebrew term Messiah. Meaning CHRISTians believe in JC, pretty obvious this.

Wiki goes on to say almost all Christian groups regard Jesus as the Messiah who suffered death by crucifixion and rose bodily from the dead and will come again to judge the living and the dead. So far so good.

But Wiki explains that in Islam, Jesus is considered to be a Messenger of God and the Messiah who was sent to guide the Children of Israel with the Gospel. According to the Qur'an, Jesus was born to Mary and was given the ability to perform miracles. However, Islam rejects assertions that Jesus was crucified by the Romans, instead claiming that he had been raised alive up to heaven. Islamic traditions say that he will return to earth near the day of judgement to restore justice and defeat the Antichrist and the enemies of Islam. Hmmm...

But Judaism holds that Jesus is not the Messiah, arguing that he had not fulfilled the Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh nor embodied the personal qualifications of the Messiah. According to Jewish tradition, there were no more prophets after Malachi, who lived about 420 BC.

Huh?? Well, Christians, what's with all the discrimination and Islam-phobia?

An Aussie Christmas!

2010-12-22T14:09:00.003+11:00

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Ceratopetalum gummiferum or Christmas Bush from the front yard.

On a clear day...

2010-12-09T15:05:00.003+11:00

Having great problems with the Html on Blogger. It will not let me do this!!
http://ywerther.atspace.com/

Can anyone help? Please?

Working from home...

2010-11-17T10:58:00.009+11:00

Most who follow this blog know that the company I work for is shutting down. Not a lot to do, so I mostly work from home, answering a few emails, pay some bills and the like. In between applying for jobs, I've also been watching a lot of news on TV.

One realises one's been watching too much TV news when one starts developing a crush on news readers!

In the old days, news presenters were the mature, graying serious type. One just turned the TV on and went about doing other things, catching snippets of what's happening in the world. Unfortunately, TV companies have caught on and in the chase for eyeballs, attractive faces have been appearing on the box.

The two who's got me drooling are Juanita Phillips on ABC and Peta-Jane Madam on SBS... oh well, it's time for the 7:00pm news ;)

Neither sound nor fury...

2010-10-19T11:13:00.003+11:00

It’s wet, it’s cold and I’m miserable. This damn company I work for should be closed and liquidated by now but no, it still gasps and the blood still flows through those CAT 6 cables. Me? Again, I’m the last one standing, I’m bored and there’s no reason to go into the office,..

So I work from home, work as in drinking too much coffee, snacking on the chips and chocolate. Wanted to mow the lawn but the weather has been crap, wet and windy. As luck would have it, my Victa has died and gone up to mower heaven (or hell). Still, I sent it to the doctor’s and hopefully the defibrillator can put that spark back.

Since I’ve started whinging, no point holding back. The company intranet’s buggered; the two stunning ladies at the front door turned out to be Jehovah Witnesses; the wine cellar’s dry and I’ve got a 7:00 pm phone conference which clashes with Two and a Half Men on the box.

At least I’ve got the mash and meat loaf ready for dinner…

Patience

2010-10-01T14:15:00.003+10:00

One moment please.... waiting !

Depressing...

2010-08-25T09:28:00.006+10:00

Went through today's headlines, not one happy!. Wall Street slumps, Home sales at 15 year lows, China plane crashes, Congo mass rape, 600 jobs to go at National Foods, Worker stole $50,000 from university... and the list goes on.

Not going to talk about the election, nothing to talk about anyway. No idea who's going to be the next Prime Minister.

Instead, let's dance...

Marketing 102 *

2010-07-23T10:54:00.005+10:00

Darwin restaurant owner John Spellman started charging patrons $10 for wearing thongs. When a customer complained, he took a $10 note out of the register and said: "Buy yourself a hamburger". Nice!

He again appeared in the news accusing one woman of having "saggy tits" (for breast feeding a baby) and suggested another had a "floppy c...".

Hmmm...

How about the Japanese chef offering a 30 per cent discount to patrons who eat all the food they had ordered adding "Please also note that vegetables and salad on the side are NOT decorations; they are part of the meal too". I'm sure business is booming.

Any publicity is good publicity, right?

Just how successful have those Tourism Australia adverts been? The one with Lara Bingle saying "Where the bloody hell are you?" or the happy - clappy "There's nothing like Australia"

Elizee stripping on Uluru? Sex sell, we all knew that!

* 101 previously used

Kick ass chicks

2010-07-07T11:48:00.003+10:00

Consolidated from some old forgotten blog.
__________________________

My top 10 kick ass fantasy femmes. Who's yours?

1) Selene, kick ass vampire warrior played by Kate Beckinsale (in Underworld and Underworld: Evolution)

__________________________

2) Zhang Ziyi who plays Moon (Hero), Jen (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Mei (House of Flying Daggers)

__________________________

3) River Tam (in Serenity and Fire Fly) played by Summer Glau. The perfect assassin conditioned by the Alliance.

__________________________

4) Buffy (Buffy the Vampire Killer) played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. what more need be said...

__________________________

5) Ziva David played by Cote de Pablo. The Mossad liaison officer in NCIS.

__________________________

6) Trinity in The Matrix series played by Carrie-Anne Moss. A computer programmer and a hacker who has escaped from the Matrix.

__________________________

7) Lara Croft played by Angelina Jolie, the seeker of truth, daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft, English.

__________________________

8) The Bride in Kill Bill, waking up after a long coma and hell bent on revenge. Played by Uma Thurman.

__________________________

9) Alice played by Milla Jovovich, wakes up with amnesia, takes on the Hive in Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Resident Evil: Extinction.

__________________________

10. The Mama of them all Lt. Ellen Ripley played by Sigourney Weaver in Alien, Aliens, Aliens 3 and Alien: Resurrection. If anyone can kick some big scary butt, Ripley's the one to do it.

__________________________

Round the world in 3.7 years

2010-06-30T10:35:00.003+10:00

Following on with the cooking theme, discovered this fab blog by Sarah - What's Cooking in your World?

Her goal? Prepare 1, possibly 2 meals per week from a different country, until she's worked her way through all the World's countries in alphabetical order.

Nice one! When the time comes, hope you can do something with ..... Aubergine!

Couple more advertisements from Clemenger BBDO for Perfect Italiano

And when I have no woman to listen to, I practice my listening face...

I love my mama...

Sometimes when I cook, I weep...

What a (sporting) week!

2010-06-25T11:07:00.002+10:00

Italy and France out of the Soccer World Cup, New Zealand undefeated and wait for it... Isner beat Mahut 70-68. It's not a basketball match but tennis at Wimbeldon. 11 hours on court.

In the Australia's Cup
Gillard: 1 Rudd: 0

Julia Gillard is Australia's first woman Prime Minister and good for her! Rudd and Swan what arrogance! Wayne you gotta go too.

... and Joe, eat your heart out. Julia's a lot prettier than you.

C’est la vie

2010-06-24T09:47:00.003+10:00

Masterchef

2010-06-21T10:03:00.002+10:00

Been watching too much TV. The worst thing about this show... putting on too much weight! Fellow aficionados, might recognise this song...

Is there a bit of LGG in there?

What the f????

2010-06-11T16:16:00.002+10:00

(whinge with a religious bent)

I've been hiding under a rock all these years. Centuries some might say. I've just discovered that the secularist have had a field day while I was under that rock.

It's no longer correct to use the abbreviation BC (Before Christ) nor AD (Anno Domini - translated as in the Year of our Lord). It's now BCE (Before the Common Era) or CE (Common Era). It matters not if 10 BC = 10 BCE or 2010 AD = 2010 CE.

Wikipedia said it better than I ever could...

"...the use of BCE/CE shows sensitivity to those who use the same year numbering system as the one that originated with and is currently used by Christians, but who are not themselves Christian."

WTF???

Miss Me ?

2010-05-26T13:45:00.003+10:00

Wordless Wednesday (Stolen from Lavender years ago)

The copy machine and you

2010-05-17T12:56:00.001+10:00

Have you ever photocopied important documents in the office? Passports, bank statements, drivers license and the like?

All modern copying machines have a hard disk drive and it is very likely the image of those copies are still on that drive. Imagine what happens when the lease is up. The office gets a new machine and the old one with scans of your personal information gets shipped to Russia or maybe Nigera.

The accompany investigative video from CBS News is well worth watching.

Sometimes when I cook, I weep...

2010-05-14T15:56:00.004+10:00

I've talked about SNAGS and men buying pantyhose, about Guy-liner and Man-scara. It's back, love this advert ..."Sometimes when I cook, I weep." Muwhahaha...

I've also blogged about tradies, the good looking plumber who knows his U-bends, the sparkie who knows how to turn it on.

Here's a Tom-Magnum-Selleck tradie in his Chesty Bond's singlet who parks his ute, grabs a stubbie from the fridge and when his partner raises her eyebrows... don's an apron!

I think I'm going to chuck...

Ahhhh ahhhh

2010-04-28T11:34:00.002+10:00

I've just read....

1) The richest guy down under is a Kiwi
2) Melbourne's gonna be bigger than Sydney. Read here!
3) The world ends 2012 ☺

How will the world end? Global warming, sea levels rising to 4,000m (that's where Noah's Ark landed, 4,000 m up Mount Ararat).

Best Free Blackberry Applications

2010-03-30T14:05:00.003+11:00

With the demise of my Dell PDA, I've had to make do with a Blackberry 8310.

What sucks:

The BB screen is about half the size of the PDA.
There aren't as many free applications for the BB as a PDA running on Windows Mobile.
Word and Excel software normally included when you buy a Windows PDA, but nothing with the BB. Not even an Acrobat Reader for pdf files (Yes, I know, the enterprise server is capable of converting these files when sent as attachments in an email but it's just not the same).
The Windows File Explorer only recognises the BB after signing onto the Desktop Manager and the Roxio Media Manager. Give me ActiveSync anytime!

Attempting to make the BB feel more homely and less of a occupational hazard, I would recommend the following freebies:

Mobiola xPlayer lite v1.8. The BB Media Player is pretty poor, if all you want is an MP3 player, you can't go past the Mobiola lite. The problem is that you've got to install BB's App World first.

Mobipocket Reader v6.0: I've been a Microsoft Reader fan for ages, but a Mobipocket Reader is a more than adequate substitute. I've converter my LIT library with the ABC Amber LIT Converter (to HTM), then to PRC files with the Mobipocket Creator. Both free.

FileScout Lite. A free file manager for the BB. A txt reader is included.

Opera Mini 4.2.1. The BB browser is terrible for viewing many pages. I've gone for the Opera Mini, but version 4. Version 5 is terribly unuser friendly!

Google Maps v2.2.0. No further comment needed. If there is one application that is a must have, this is it. I can even see the office in satellite view.

Kinevia MetrO. If you're in a strange city and need a public transport timetable, just download it with this application. Timetables and are available from Aachen to Zurich!

BB Notepad v1.1.3. Unlike the BB MemoPad, this one allows you to create files in txt format.

Magmic Sudoku v1.0.10. Bored, exercise that brain with three levels of difficulty.

Handmark Blackjack v1.12. Practice your Blackjack skills before visiting Crown Casino.

There are various chat programs available Ramble IM and Yahoo Messenger seems the best.

Hmmm... wonder why App World keeps warning me less than 5 Mb free memory available !

Java anyone?

2010-03-24T14:35:00.003+11:00

Playing with a little java programming using Processing 1.0.9.
Get your copy from Processing

Please be patient as it's loading... then wave your mouse over the square.

This browser does not have a Java Plug-in.

Get the latest Java Plug-in here.

Two things I learnt this week...

2010-03-11T10:08:00.004+11:00

An obituary...

My PDA stopped working, the power won't power, the buttons do nothing.

My constant companion for past last six years, carried my library of e-books that I read on the train, the Metro application that saw me through Paris and London and AIM that allowed me to chatter when bored.

Two thing's I've learnt...

Never take a PDA apart and
A parallel port scanner will not work with a "parallel to USB" cable.

Sudoku on the Blackberry just doesn't feel as satisfying as Lara Croft on the PDA... bang! bang!

Shades of grey

2010-02-10T14:26:00.003+11:00

My heart weeps for Medine Memi, buried alive by her father and grandfather.

Is this normal Kurdish practice? If so, should I be sheading a tear for the execution of Chemical Ali who ordered the gassing and murder of 5,000 Kurds in the city of Halabja during the Iran-Iraq war.

It's not easy is it? Never black, nor white but damn shades of grey.

But still, Medine, Heshu, Hatun, Gulsum, Tulay and many others brutally murdered, all will forever stand out in this cruel grey world...

The price of virginity

2010-02-03T10:37:00.006+11:00

Tony Abbot (the Monk) Liberal Opposition Leader was asked by Australian Women's Weekly, what advice he would give his three daughters on sex before marriage. His response:

"I would say to my daughters, if they were to ask me this question … it is the greatest gift you can give someone, the ultimate gift of giving and don't give it to someone lightly."

The chorus from Aussie women :

"If one were to look in the dictionary under "hypocrite", there would be a picture of Mr Abbott." ~ Comedian Fiona Scott-Norman

"Nonsense!" ~ Latrobe University sex education expert Associate Professor Anne Mitchell.

"These comments will confirm the worst fears of Australian women about Tony Abbott, Australian women want to make their own choices and they don't want to be lectured to by Mr Abbott." ~ Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard

and on and on it goes...

But is the proof not in the pudding? In today's news, A CASH-STRAPPED New Zealand student who auctioned off her virginity to help pay her university fees said she had accepted an offer of $NZ45,000 ($36,100) to sleep with a stranger.

Would you give away $NZ45,000 lightly?

It's time...

2010-02-01T09:57:00.005+11:00

Wikipedia ~ Outlook is one of India's four top-selling English weekly newsmagazines. Like many other Indian magazines it is reluctant to reveal its circulation, but the 2007 National Readership Survey suggested 1.5 million copies. Outlook's competitors are India Today, The Week, and Tehelka.

Circulation 1.5 million! One bashing has managed to do what millions spent in advertising could not. It's about time we faced up to racism, not bury our head in the sand, saying she'll be alright!

It's not!

Related posts:

Racist? Never.....
Funny this.....

and an oldie but goodie

One day in boring Sydney...

2010-01-25T16:16:00.015+11:00

I think Sydney is boring! Those who don't live in Sydney (especially those from overseas) probably think it's paradise on earth! If you were to visit, I'd really be scraping the barrel to find enough sights to show you or things to keep you entertained. OK, there's a nice blue harbour, but that's about it! I could spend a week in London and not get bored, a week in Rome is not long enough, a week in Paris and one would barely scratch the surface of that city. A day in Sydney, and you've done it all!

If you did drop by, what would I recommend?

Harbour Bridge Walk
Catch a train and get off at Milsons Point (Northern side of the Bridge). Walk across the Harbour Bridge. Cost, the train fare, time 1 hour.

Circular Quay
You've arrived on the other side, take a stroll round the Rocks. This is the birthplace of Sydney, the Old Town. Cost free (maybe buy a coffee), time 1 hour

Opera House
Walk east around Circular Quay, over to the Opera House. Take your camera out! Maybe go on the Essential Tour. Book online its cheaper $29, 1 hour

Manly Ferry
Walk back to Circular Quay and buy a return ferry trip to Manly. Cost $13, it's a 30 minute trip each way.

Lunch in Manly
Buy yourself a packet of fish and chips (throw in some shrimps, calamari and mussels too), sit at a bench on the Corso, feeding yourself and the seagulls. Food and drink, less than $20, u.v. rays - free (hope you remembered the sunnies and zinc cream).

Back to the City
Zoos, aquariums are pretty much standard fare all over the world so I wouldn't recommend visiting them. If you've got transport visit the Koala Park at West Pennant Hills. This is the one where you get to pat and feed the roos, maybe even cuddle a Koala. Entry fee is $19. The cost of a taxi ride is exorbitant!

If you can't make it there, the next best is Wildlife World at Darling Harbour. Entry $32. You get to see the weird and wonderful creatures of Australia. You can while away a couple of hours in there.

Finally, Sydney's own Eiffel Tower, Centerpoint. For $25, you get a 360º view of Sydney from 260m up.

Finally, Opera and Dinner
Hope you've booked in advance. Book an opera online and a table at the Bennelong. Chef Guillaume Brahimi is brilliant! Time, the rest of the evening, cost - breathtaking! But then you wouldn't do it too often ($105 - $270 for one opera ticket, dinner hmm...)

So here it is, Sydney in 24 hours!

Introducing GG

2010-01-22T08:44:00.002+11:00

I'm not referring to the Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce nor Marie Bashir, Governor General of NSW but to a great mate from Adelaide, South Australia. He's joined me at Fun with Finance with his first post Food. Do drop by and give him some support and comments.

The Bean Counter

2010-01-14T15:14:00.002+11:00

Doctors have concluded that if you find the man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds, your right half of your brain is better developed than most people.

If you find the man between 3 seconds and 1 minute, your right half of the brain is developed normally.

If you find the man between 1 minute and 3 minutes, then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to eat more protein.

If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, have you got problems :)

Ready Go!

The silly season...

2009-12-23T09:03:00.002+11:00

Don't you just love reporters. I know one person who doesn't, Cardinal George Pell. Commenting on the miracles of Mary MacKillop, he said "Yes obviously (cancer can be cured by prayer), and there are quite a number of examples in the books."

And the headlines screamed: Books prove prayer can cure cancer, says archbishop

I think what he wanted to say was "There are quiet a number of documented cases where prayer helped cancer go into remission..." Sigh, George, gotta watch what you say.

Poor Britney, been accused of eating cute furry things! Britney Spears denies eating squirrels says the headlines. All it was, Spears's official website published a list of the top 75 silly stories.

And finally, I don't care if I have a heart attack, bugger the calories and cholesterol, I had to add this. Bacon, sausage, (deep) fried bread, mushroom, tomatoes, baked beans and fried egg... coffee! Where's the coffee??

Freebies and a long life...

2009-12-14T09:26:00.004+11:00

Manz at Gritfix brought this to my attention, free stickers from LadyUmbrella. If Chrissy cards are scant this year, send off your free sticker. It may just arrive in time for Christmas.

For something totally different, worried about the cholesterol overdose at the office parties, you gotta read this. For those who have aversion to clicking through, it's an article about staring at boobs to live longer.

According to Dr. Karen Weatherby, a gerontologist (A what?) and author of the study, suggests that staring at women's breasts is good for men's health and increases their life expectancy. She also recommended that men over 40 should gaze at larger breasts daily for 10 minutes.

Applying for work on Russian TV

2009-12-08T15:23:00.000+11:00

I'd love to work with Oxana Fedorova (Miss Russia/ Miss Universe) on the kid's program Good Night, Little Ones.

To all friends...

2009-12-07T14:12:00.002+11:00

A very Merry Christmas. Another year, zooms past...

Conscription?

2009-11-29T14:26:00.000+11:00

I've always had an interest in the Templars, not joining them but in a Robert-Langdon-kinda-way. Have read the facts, the history, the conspiracies and the myth.

Imagine my surprise when perusing the weekend tabloid, tucked away in the corner, I came across this little advert.

Love the quip "The militarism is not the focus pf our remit; rather we prefer to concentrate on the philanthropic and esoteric aspects on a worldwide basis, however, the Order is a military one." Huh?

The it goes on to say "Armed Services men and women are encouraged to apply..."

2012? Who cares?

2009-11-16T10:11:00.006+11:00

We've been reading about global warming, greenhouse gasses, climate change blah blah...

There will be a climate change conference in Copenhagen from the 7th to 18th December 2009 and we've got all these countries hoping for great changes, setting emission targets to save our planet.

What the hell, bugged the planet. Why should Australia care, suffer the economic consequences when the major emitters don't give a f*ck.

List of countries by 2006 emissions in tonnes. Source Wikipedia

How many of the countries listed above are doing anything towards reducing their carbon emissions? China? US? Russia? India?

It's really no different to saving the whales... There's Greenpeace screaming "Whales must not be allowed to die in the thousands..." and there's Japan screaming "Sushi !"

Australia - a short history

2009-11-12T09:54:00.004+11:00

Aborigines: "Damn Colonist!"
(Watching Captain Cook claim NSW in 1788)

English: "Bugger, it's Paddy and his leprechauns!"
(Watching the arrival of Irish convicts between 1791-1820)

Whites: "Yellow peril !"
(Following the arrival of Chinese miners in the 1850s)

West Europeans: "Oh my Lord, it's the wogs and Mafia crims here to steal our jobs and wives!"
(Cringing at the arrival of the Italians, Greeks, Poles and Yugoslavs in the 1950s)

All: "It's the bloody boat people !"
(Counting as 100,000 Vietnamese escape communism between 1970s - 1980s)

John Howard: "Stop the Afgans on the MV Tampa and Iraqis sneaking into Australia ! Mandatory detention !"
(John Howard playing on Australians xenophobic sentiment, won the election in 2001)

Kevin Rudd: "It's about people smuggling, like money laundering and drug trafficking. It's not about refugees from war-torn Sri Lanka."
(Rudd Government on the dilemma posed by 78 Tamils on board the Aussie customs ship, the Oceanic Viking, 2009)

Cottonwool Kids and Spoilt Brats

2009-11-04T15:35:00.005+11:00

Reading Annie's blog, made me wonder how far we've come...

"PINT-SIZED crash helmets, baby- wipe warmers, baby GPS units, temporary tattoos with mum's mobile number and food allergy warnings". We protect, mollycoddle, teach them to walk away from fights. We let them have their way, throw tantrums at the supermarket, buy them the latest toys and gadgets and more...

What happened to the sound smack when they misbehave? Where's the biff in the school playground?

Even schools now eschew corporal punishment and teachers have one less behavioral motivator. I recall being hauled up at assembly (in front of the whole school and feeling the cane), standing in the corner of the classroom, arms outstretched holding weighty tomes and running round the quad. It probably made me a better person.

Was in church on Sunday for a little quiet reflection but alas there was this couple letting their kid run amok, not just in the aisle but climbing all over the altar. Yea, Jesus may love little kids but I could have throttled that monkey...

Mixed bag: Sharks, FCUM and Nessie

2009-10-29T09:22:00.010+11:00

There is a monster great white measuring up to six metres long prowling the popular beachs of Queensland.

It bit another three meter great white almost in half (poor thing was still alive when hauled onto a boat near Deadman's Beach off north Stradbroke island). Read more here.

_______________________

Unique branding or a ripoff. English football club FCUM (Football Club of Manchester) could be accused of copying FCUK.

What's really sad is that they don't have any fans (watch the end of this clip) !

_______________________

And finally, they have found Nessie's remains. Unfortunately it was discovered in Dorset, southern part of England.

Wee ladie, am sorry tae Scootlund :0)

End times - 2012?

2009-10-22T11:53:00.006+11:00

Can you imaging the hostility religion causes?

Someone recently sent me an email whinging about the Halal label on Cadbury Milk chocs. "BOYCOTT CADBURY!" she screamed. "Less than 2% of Aussies are Muslims, why do we pander to them, how come they punch above their weight?" Insinuations and accusations of bribery and other devious deeds followed.

How many of the 60%+ Aussie Christian population cares whether there is a Halal, Kosher or even a Heart Foundation Tick on a block of chocolate?

What I find disturbing is that the "militant" Catholic crusaders are coming out of the woodwork. They are making direct attacks on other religions, be it kicking up a ruckus about a Halal label, or calling for Latin masses. Even the Vatican is on a recruitment drive, holding out the olive branch to unhappy Anglicans, inviting them to return to the fold, mobilising its troops so to speak.

What's sad is that there are so few differences, but so many common traits in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. To begin with, there is a common ancestor Abraham. His sons were Ishmael and Issac. Mohammad descended from Ishmael, Moses and Jesus from Issac. All believe in one god, share sacred sites and even the Archangel Gabriel revealing the Qur'an to Mohammad and the Annunciation (to Mary).

So, how about it. Lets merge the three religions and end it all. By the way did you know, the "official" view according to the Catholic Church, the end of the world is when Jews become Christians (Catechism of the Catholic Church 674).

Sweet Briar Rose

2009-10-20T13:23:00.004+11:00

Briar Rose, the name of sleeping beauty in a tale by the Brothers Grimm. A flower with pink petals and a lovely fragrance.

Such a sweet name and yet, it's classified as a weed down under.

Sweet Briar Rose... life's just not fair eh?

Mobile Blogging

2009-09-30T08:11:00.002+10:00

Here it is, my first blog delivered via the Blackberry from the station. So how does it look? I've no idea how to position the photos.

Guess mobile blogging is great for short mutters and limited (read one !) photo.

Next stop, Bondi Beach !!

Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra

Dust Storm - Sydney

2009-09-24T13:30:00.005+10:00

Woke up on 23 September 2009, to find everything bathed in an eerie red glow. Sydney was smothered by thick cloud of fine red dust, carried by strong winds from inland NSW.

By mid-morning, the red hue was gone but the dust storm still raged. This was not fog...

Thank goodness, the storm has cleared today and we've got back our blue skies...

Aussie favourites and other goodies...

2009-09-23T14:11:00.008+10:00

I've done a few parcel exchanges in my time, (usually with friends Stateside). Seldom have I given it much thought, throw in a couple of packets of Tim-Tam, a jar of Vegemite and so on.

The postage, costs three times the value of the goodies, maybe it's time I put a little effort into the task. So I ask myself, what's typical Aussie? Wine is out of the question as bottles are too heavy and likely to smash...

Here it is, my list of eight Aussie icons.

1. Lamingtons. Sponge cake dipped into chocolate and pressed into desiccated coconut.

2. Twisties. Cheese cereal snack launched in the 1950s.

3. ANZAC Biscuits. Made from rolled oats, flour and coconut, baked by anxious wives, mothers and girlfriends during World War I, packed in food parcels, and sent to the Australian soldiers in the trenches. Originally called Soldiers' Biscuits later renamed ANZAC Biscuits.

Worth noting: ANZAC is a word protected by law. One can say ANZAC day and ANZAC biscuits. ANZAC cookies, NO!!!

The Department of Veterans' Affairs say... "It should be noted that approvals for the word 'Anzac' to be used on biscuit products have been given provided that the product generally conforms to the traditional recipe and shape, is not advertised in any way that would play on Australia's military heritage, and is not used in association with the word 'cookies', with its non-Australian overtones."

4. Milo. A chocolate and malt drink developed in Australia in the 1930's. Associated with Aussie cricket and the favoured beverage for the Tim Tam Slam.

5. Tim Tams. Biscuit smothered in a coating of chocolate. Bite off the ends and suck your Milo through it... the Tim Tam Slam!

6. Whittaker's Chocolates. There is no distinct Aussie brand so I picked one from NZ. The most common chocs in Australia are made by the multinationals, Cadbury, Lindt and Toblerone.

7. Vegemite. A dark brown and salty spread made from yeast. Yum on hot toast and butter!

8. Mandura Teas. From the tea plantations in northern NSW, founded by Michael and Norma Grant-Cook in 1978.

Fish therapy anyone?

2009-09-18T09:51:00.006+10:00

Garra rufa or the reddish log sucker live and breed in the outdoor pools of some Turkish spas, where they feed on the skin of patients with psoriasis. The fish consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin to grow, with the outdoor location of the treatment bringing beneficial effects.

Read a little bit more here.

But have you wondered what happens to the fish from devouring all that dead skin... they grow!

For M$5*, you get to while away 10 minutes, with you feet dangling in the tank and fish gnawing away those tootsies!

M$3 = A$1 = U$0.80

I'm a sucker for...

2009-09-15T10:31:00.003+10:00

...sob stories? Or a pretty face :)

Danish mum, Karen seeking August's dad... maybe maintenance support :)

Heidi Clarke, looking for Prince Charming, left his jacket at a city cafe...

Food, shopping and stuff...

2009-09-04T09:30:00.022+10:00

Sometime ago Vixel mentioned that she would love to try durians. Finally, after almost a decade, I've reacquainted my taste buds with that fruit. Durians have this hard thorny shell, quite difficult to open. Nowadays, one can buy them conveniently prepacked in Malaysian supermarkets. Bought four packets for M$ 10*.

The taste, heaven. The smell? Er... not unpleasant. My mistake however was to carry the recently acquired durian around in the shopping center.

On shopping centres... visited Berja ya Times Square. Can you imagine ten floors of shops, with cinemas, bowling alleys and a theme park as diversions. The shopp-a-holics can leave the kids and partners...

(I was exploring the food hall !)

The month of Ramadan has just started. This is when Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown (not even a drop of water !).

For the non-astronomers, sunrise and sunset times are published in the dailies.

During this month, there is a proliferation of little roadside stalls selling typical Malaysian fare. The daily breaking of fast in the evening is one of celebration. People buy their evening meal (...cooking is the last thing on your mind if you've been working and starving the whole day).

... and these stalls sell a famous Malaysian dish... satay!

... and Nasi Lemak (coconut rice) was a dish for the poorer members of the community, now it's found in all the 5 star hotels. It comprises the rice cooked in coconut milk, a sprinkle of fried peanuts and ikan bilis (anchovies?) and a dollop of sambal (a kind of thick chili paste).

... and I had my nasi lemak with beef rendang (a mild dry coconut curry). Not going to tough it out with a couple of peanuts and anchovies...

More weird and wonderful fruits, bought a kilo of mangosteens for M$3*. This sells for A$1* each in Sydney. Unfortunately, rambutans (the red hairy ones) weren't in season.

Much better than the Aussie Beef jerky is the Long Yo k. It's thin slices of pork, marinated and then smoked.... sweetish and it's yum!

Wandering the wet markets, spotted mud crab for sale at M$22* a kilo. Crab sells for A$40* in Sydney. The poor crabs landed up on the dining table looking a little... er cut up?

Finally, Bak Kut Teh (literally translated spare rib tea). Ordered my bowl at this place, it's spare ribs cooked for hours in herbs and soya sauce.

Planning my next trip... who's coming?

* M$3 = A$1 = U$0.80 = £0.50

Temples, Churches and Mosques...

2009-08-31T12:00:00.013+10:00

Back from a short holiday to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, population a tad shy of 7 m inhabitants (including the suburbs). A friend asked for snaps of a church, managed to do better.

Malaysia is a Muslim country but enshrined in the country's constitution is the right of worship. So, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian places of worship are a commonplace around town.

We'll start with Po Ling Chinese Temple. Serves pretty good vegetarian dishes. (Yes, it's all about food... and shopping in Malaysia!)

Dropped by the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple. Paid my M$2* for what I thought was the admission fee. Was I wrong! It was a 'donation' for a blessing. Cleansed my soul over the fire and was handed a packet containing two bananas, betle leaves and chalk (smear the chalk on the leaves and chew!)

It's said that all distances out of Kuala Lumpur start from St. Mary's Cathedral. It's located next to Selangor Club and the Padang (the Field) where the old colonials sipped their Scotch and swung the cricket bat.

Finally, there's Masjid Negara (the National Mosque).

No, its not a sect nor freemasons in purple. A condition for admittance, us foreigners had to attire ourselves in this robe :)

* M$3 = A$1 = U$0.80

Eye Candy?

2009-08-14T14:10:00.004+10:00

It started at Wimbledon, the All England Club admitted that to play on Centre Court, you gotta be a hottie! So there was Gisela Dulko (unseeded), Sorana Cirstea (27th), and Maria Kirilenko (unseeded, ranked 59) all playing on Centre Court whereas poor Svetlana Kuznetsova, who won the French Open and Serena Williams had to slug it out on Court 2.

The SMH article also quotes a spokesman from the All England Club, Johnny Perkins, "Good looks are a factor. 'It's not a coincidence that those [on Centre Court] are attractive."

Wimbledon champion, German Michael Stich, hit the nail on the head when he said "That's [sex] is what they sell."

Now we also know that job offers are based on good looks, bugger the experience. Talent2 director, John Banks said physical appearance was still a large part of the hiring process. In some cases, it was the determining factor 90 per cent of the time.

So girls, if you're hankering for that vacancy you know what to wear...

Guess job interviews are designed to weed out the ugly and those of undesirable race.

Office 2010

2009-07-21T17:16:00.001+10:00

For the geeks in us... this had me in stiches. Thanks KC.

The Ides of March

2009-06-18T11:08:00.004+10:00

Is buying life insurance like tempting fate? Lighting strike me, I don't care coz I'm insured!

What about the old biddies who save for, prepay their funeral or buy a funeral bond?

I'm no better, planning my own demise and a damn nifty piece of work too. The powers that be decided to close the joint and I've Gantt-ed myself out of a job by 19 March 2010.

Damn I could be hit by a bus by a then...

Racist? Never.....

2009-06-17T16:10:00.003+10:00

We've had an expatriate manager accusing Aussies of being racist, vehement denials from various pollies followed with accusations of the guy being sour grapes.

Unfortunately, we were made made to eat humble pie when thousand of Indian students demonstrated against racial violence directed against them. Now we have this research from Prof. Leigh at the Australian National University who found that found people with Chinese names are much more likely to be knocked back for a job interview than applicants with an Anglo-Saxon name.

In Sydney, Chinese jobseekers needed to send 92 per cent more job applications than those with an Anglo-Saxon background, while Middle Eastern applicants needed to post 80 per cent more resumes.

Shame...

Beauty Marketing 101

2009-06-12T10:39:00.005+10:00

The market is dominated by the big boys (or girls), Estee Lauder, Clinique, L'Oreal but to name a few. The market is crowded and despite the credit crunch, buyers are still willing to spend. So how can a one differentiate oneself?

By offering a unique product. Something special and unique with miraculous properties...

We have a Norwegian company, Bioforskning, synthesising a compound found in sperm and claiming the resulting concoction is the ultimate new wrinkle-busting antioxidant or the (not-cheap) offering from SkinScience (now we know how those porn stars stay young and it's free too!)

Or the offering from SkinMedica, its TNS Recovery Complex is formulated with harvested foreskin cells.

For an organic feel, how about a bird-poo facial tested by Japanese geishas since the 18th century?

Thank you MSN!

Funny this.....

2009-06-01T17:08:00.005+10:00

"I would say that Australia definitely is different [from] the US. In many ways it was like stepping back in time... But my point is that [racism] does exist and it's got to change because the world is full of a lot of people and most economies have to take advantage - including Australia - of a diverse set of people."
Sol Trujillo - ex CEO Telstra

"I think there was a bit of sour grapes in them actually,"
John Brumby - Victorian Premier

and in today's press 1,164 articles

Indian students in Melbourne, Victoria protest over race attacks... Ethnic tensions after a spate of recent attacks on Indian students - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Finally.... in damage control mode

"I speak on behalf of all Australians when say I say that we deplore and condemn these attacks,"
Kevin Rudd - Prime Minister

Making money on the net

2009-05-27T09:26:00.003+10:00

From Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time comic

Didn't think it was possible to make money on the net but recently someone offered to send me $50 to stick their banner on the Fun with Finance blog, plus 30¢ - 50¢ per click. All payments made monthly via PayPal.

Did I take it up? No.

Started the blogs for fun and not looking to make money, besides I wouldn't be able to abuse anyone would I, when I'm on a good behaviour bond!

You can't be a Christian...

2009-05-07T15:54:00.001+10:00

... and practice Tai chi or Yoga. Reverend Viv Morse from Wynyard Baptist Church took offense at a senior citizens' Tai Chi class.

"Half of Tai Chi is Taoism and Zen Buddhism, which is in total contrast to what we as a Christian church believe in." Rev Morse said.

He goes on to say "It's about a type of meditation, and what they call search for enlightenment, where you go into things like yoga do (yoga do) or, like in the martial arts, meditations where you just emptied your mind and let it go wherever it wanted to.

Well that stands in opposition to Christianity, which says we are to be in control of our faculties."

Nice... bring back the inquisition!

Read the story here.

Political Correctness?

2009-04-22T08:59:00.008+10:00

Do you dare speak your mine? Stand up for you beliefs? Miss California did and got her butt kicked.

Was she insensitive and offensive? Should she have lied, just to win?

California in a general election ballot on November 4, 2008 changed the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples and eliminated same-sex couples' right to marry. Also known as Proposition 8....

Cheap Plonk

2009-03-27T09:22:00.003+11:00

The 16th annual Chardonnay du Monde competition was held on 11 to 14 March 2009 at Château des Ravatys, the wine estate of the Pasteur Institute at Saint Lager in the Burgundy wine region of France.

923 wines were sampled from 37 countries. After four days of judging, coming in as one of the 10 BEST Chardonnay in the WORLD is Mc Williams Hanwood Estate Chardonnay - South Eastern Australia 2007.

Yup, just stocked the cellar at $6.50 a bottle from 1st Choice Wines

Quality comes at a price... sigh ;)

Lunch Lite?

2009-03-24T09:31:00.007+11:00

Went for lunch at Fish at the Rocks with the team from work. Service was fine but the food? Can be surmised in one word... disappointing. Maybe two words... very disappointing.

Started with oysters. Considered the lobster at $108 but didn't want to make a pig of myself, instead went for the Moreton Bay Bugs at $64. Just enough for 4 fork-fulls!

Someone had the West Aussie scampi at $76, the dish looked impressive but totally inedible. Served in tempura batter but the chef FORGOT to remove the very hard shell! No meat in that either!

Dessert was a saving grace but then at $12 it better be!

Still famished, we wandered down to Hungry Jacks for a burger...

Male Fantasies !

2009-03-19T11:05:00.007+11:00

Thanks to a couple of Tribe mates for bringing this to my attention...

From the International Tribune...

" Dressed in a plaid miniskirt, a polka-dot shirt and a pink Victorian dress, three young women named Japan's "Ambassadors of Cute" made their debut at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday and are about to embark on a mission to spread Japan's smorgasbord of fashion culture to the world.

They will lecture on Japanese fashion at international events, including an anime and fashion expo in Bangkok later this month and a cultural convention in Paris in July. To reinforce their cuteness, two pink hearts float next to the girls' official titles on government releases..."

Nice work guys. Reinforcing the Lolita Complex... and government sanctioned too !

________________________

and....

"Man caught with penis in pasta jar ... near Nobbys Beach" screams the headline.

The poilce found a 750-millilitre jar around his penis and noted that Weatherley attempted to continue "pleasuring himself in between bouts of wrestling".

A search of his car uncovered pornography, a home-made sex aid, women's stockings and a Jack Russell terrier.

Poor poor terrier...

What the f*ck is this world cuming to?

Twits and Twitter(s) !

2009-03-13T14:57:00.007+11:00

Keep receiving these invites to keep up with mates on Twitter. You may wonder what it is...

The official blurb is "Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?"

According to Wiki it's "a social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates, tweets, which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length."

Twits!

1) It costs me hard cold cash every time I send a SMS!
2) Tried signing on and I'm told...

3) Fine... Clicked forgot password and...

4) Helpdesk or support. I'd be that lucky. One has to sign in to be able to access support, and that I can't do!

Twitters

Barack Obama
Malcolm Turnbull
Kevin Rudd

Livin' down under

2009-03-03T12:56:00.002+11:00

I love living in Australia... well, mostly.

It's big, it's friendly, the weather in Sydney is fabulous.

But to be an Aussie means having to vote. Since 1911, one must be enrolled on the electoral roll. From 1924 voting is compulsory for everyone on that roll. Failure to vote means having to turn up in court and cop a fine. Refuse to pay that fine and you could be thrown in jail.

To be on the electoral roll also means you can be summoned for jury duty. I've copped it sweet, criminal case expected to last 3 weeks from 30 March.

Employer has kindly begged the Sheriff's office that I be let off, otherwise there goes this quarter's financial reporting.

... or I could always turn up in jeans with joint hanging from my lips mumbling "Peace man! That pig is guilty as hell."

Necessary Change?

2009-02-20T13:10:00.005+11:00

Being a Catholic is not easy, there are more 'thou shall nots' than 'thou can'. It's no surprise to read that Father Peter Kennedy has been sacked as the Catholic priest of St Mary's parish in Brisbane for allowing women to preach, for blessing gay couples, for denying the Virgin birth and for claiming that the Church is dysfunctional.

But then, it's never easy doing anything and sticking with it, be it a diet, exercise regiment or ones beliefs. Too often, you have to choose, black or white, never gray. One is either a Catholic or one is not. You believe or you don't. You can't be a Catholic and claim that Jesus was a mere mortal and that Mary was not a virgin.

Pope Benedict was none too happy with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who supports abortion rights. She said on NBC - Meet the Press "The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose."

On several issues, Obama's Democratic administration is at odds with the Vatican. Issues like abortion and stemcell research.

Would acceptance of the right to abortion, gay marriages, women priests be viewed as corruption of the fundamental beliefs, metaphorically speaking, a crack in St Peter's rock?

And I tell you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

~ Matthew 16:18

Is there a growing confrontation directed against the Magisterium, that threatens the very foundation of the Church*?

Necessary change or evil corruption, what say you?

* Taken from Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (for Religious and Laity)

Why am I not surprised...

2009-02-19T19:20:00.003+11:00

...that Brodie Cambourne's solicitor, is from Slater & Gordon.

The Queensland woman was given emergency first aid by St John Ambulance officers while visiting Victoria is suing and says her treatment was unlawful assault. She alleges volunteer medics permanently damaged her shoulder when they rushed to assist her at a Lorne surf carnival. Read more here.

The writ claims treatment administered by the unnamed first-aid officers constituted "unlawful assault and battery".

Let her suffer !

Related:

On Circles, Cycles and round things...

2009-02-10T14:02:00.006+11:00

The Sun is round, our world goes round in circles, Stonehenge, boobs and even atoms, all round. We are surrounded by round things, our universe governed by circles.

As certain as night follows day, sadness and happiness, down and up, why shouldn't cycles and circles prevail.

On money

There's the short business cycle (I'd put that around 7 years, much like a 7 year itch) or longer Kondratiev wave (40 - 60 years).

The good times will return, it's just that we can never pick the bottom nor estimate the timing.

On religion

Have we Christians had our turn? With the Crusades, we nudged out the Saracens. Has the circle turned, we've had our 500 years and now it's time for Islam to be the dominant religion.

On civilisations.

The industrial revolution ushered in the great western power. Industry, capitalism, mass production and consumption.

The Eastern civilisations all but disappeared. The Spanish conquest crushed the Aztecs. We're now probably seeing the resurgence of the Chinese, Indian and South American empires.

So many questions, no bloody answers.

Whatcha Think About These?

2009-01-16T13:16:00.006+11:00

"Want longer lasting SEX?" on 12 metre billboards

_______________________________

"There’s probably no God – now stop worrying and enjoy your life" on 800 buses across the UK

_______________________________

"ISLAM: The Way of Life of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad."
on 290 buses in Broward County FL

_______________________________

A quarter of Australians say it is perfectly acceptable to swear while
doing business, while almost all of the English and Americans
surveyed found it deeply offensive. Read more here.

BUGGER!
_______________________________

And finally... some advice please.
Got (...googled) the email address of an ex I haven't
been in touch with for 20+ years.

Should I write?

Some Things Just Don't Change

2009-01-14T14:25:00.005+11:00

~ In memory of Shabana ~

In 2007, I blogged about Duaa Khalil Aswad - murdered by a mob of men, about Cindy Sheehan who asked why her son died and about Mary of Bethany, sister to Lazarus, the lady who anointed Jesus.

Today, we remember Shabana whose bullet-riden body was found slumped on the ground in the centre of Mingora's Green Square, strewn with money, CD recordings of her performances and photographs from her albums.

A Taliban leader admitted to the killing because of her un-Islamic vices. He warned that his men had killed her and if any other girls were found performing in the city's Banr Bazaar they would be killed "one by one". Read more at the Telegraph and the Daily Mail.

Murdered!

joy joy..

2008-12-31T00:11:00.004+11:00

Mark you calendars.. January 5th, the new edition will be out..

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/12/29/the-new-yorker-revie.html

and all I can think about is the New Yorker's account of Comforts claw hand and gun powder.. YICKS!!!

"he became convinced that he could concoct a superior version of gunpowder. He blew off much of his left hand. By the time he was finished with his experiments, his thumb was the only remaining digit"

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2009/01/05/090105crbo_books_levy

New Years Resolutions

2008-12-30T23:12:00.003+11:00

Happy New Year!!!

Good job on the BBQ, YW. Does your new rabbit hang out with you when you are in the backyard BBQing?

I had the day off yesterday and feeling frisky decided to take my horse trailer down to the beach with a couple of goats for a nice day hike. It was beautiful, no one was on the beach, and no dogs bugging us. I need more days like this for the new year!

So, I'm up at 4am again, wandering around my house. My mind is racing with thoughts..
I saw a beautiful 10 acre parcel for sale just down my street, I want it but its under these huge power poles. HUGE, wondering if it is a bad investment down the road. It isn't like I can take them down when I decide they are 'in my way'. *s*

I need to get out of here and look for more property but I feel like I'm giving up. It has been so draining and I am getting whinny about it. Needing someone elses eyes because I'm starting to not trust myself. I hate brokers, well I don't hate them but total time suckage!

Hope everyone has a fantastic New Years celebration.

The Un - Australian BBQ

2008-12-30T09:06:00.008+11:00

West Australian Crayfish

Paul Hogan (Croc Dundee to some) stares from the small screen, encouraging us to throw another shrimp on the barbie. An Aussie Christmas and the Great Barbecue, they go hand-in-hand, can't have one without the other.

The problem is, I've been watching too much Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. Slapping a couple of sausages, a slab of steak and some chops on the barbie is kinda boring. The trick is to dress up the meat, smother it in a marinade, camouflage the fatty taste and charred bits... So here it is, next time you have a BBQ, give this a try...

BEEF

3/4 cup soya sauce
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup finely grated onion
2 flat teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoon grated ginger
Pinch of sugar

Marinate beef in concoction for at least 1 hour prior to cooking. Baste with left over marinade whilst cooking.

~
FISH, SHRIMPS AND PRAWNS

1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Mix and baste fish frequently whilst cooking.

~

LAMB

1 cup pineapple juice (unsweetened)
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Whisk and marinate meat for at least 1 hour before cooking.
Baste with marinade whilst cooking.

~

CHICKEN KEBAB

1 cup coconut milk/ cream
1 teaspoon green (or red) curry paste (seasoned to taste)
Salt and Pepper
Thread chicken with pineapple, onion and capsicum (red or butter)

Spoon over kebabs whilst cooking.

my intro

2008-12-23T15:22:00.004+11:00

who am I? Not quite sure *laughs* I am your typical neighbor I suppose, nothing too special. I am YW's friend from another social network and was invited to come see what real blogging was all about. I feel hesitant only because I'm not sure what other people post or not post, how guarded people are or just let things run the course.

I love honesty, compassion for life, animals of course, and trying my hardest to come out of my shell and trust more people.

Today I made my very first percolated coffee, I'll probably never forgive myself for waiting so long to taste a 'real' cup of coffee. I'd rather drink tea than drink a drip electric now. I was in heaven this morning. OHmehGawww it was so good..

when you need advice

2008-12-22T14:04:00.002+11:00

Well, its the cheery Christmas season that used to be my favorite holiday of all time. The lights, the food, the Mass celebrated with my father and an entire community. How does one find the holiday spirit when it feels life continues to drain your energy. I'm not talking about normal work and paying bills. I'm talking about your friends and family that you give yourself too. Today was a bit hard, without naming names, I'll give some examples of my drained heart. My PM's, one from a gentle man that lost his dog of 16 years and trying to stay 'happy' while going through mourning. One was from a disgruntled man, his marriage is failing and he was seeking my advice in talking to his wife. Needing reassurance she wasn't going to leave him. My mom must have called me three times to complain about her sister! One was from a long time troll friend that was just fed up with the negative talk and was wondering how others would perceive him if he came out and tried to join the general populous. Another questioned if I was alright for not responding to a forgotten PM. Oh and a great one, *laughs* "you may be making 'x' jealous by talking to me so much".. LOL. Didn't realize I was talking to him all really. I won't mention the heartache blogs people are posting.. our economy is crap!

So I get lost in these remedial messages and tend to lose what is me. I put so much of my heart into other people that I wonder if I'm short changing myself. Yet, other mornings, I rush to the computer like a young school girl and wonder if anyone remembers me or is thinking of me. I laugh at myself often.

It's so nice to have friends that listen and add a shoulder to lean on and a nudge to get the happy thoughts back in place. ♥ ╥╥ò ♥ ╥╥α ♥

Season's Greetings and Best Wishes...

2008-12-15T15:39:00.002+11:00

to those who celebrate... a very Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year.

Whatever you do have a great time !

Cheers xo

Un-wrappable things I'd like for Christmas

2008-12-09T14:36:00.009+11:00

Taking a leaf from Sarah Von at yes and yes five un-wrappable presents I'd like for Christmas...

A White Christmas: It's been ooh... 23 years since I've seen snow at Christmas time. We get a few flurries in the Blue Mountains but nothing to brag about and definitely NOT in December. My last Christmas was Hull, 1985 when Bob Geldof fed the world, Wham played at Wembley and Hull KR ruled RL.

Jennifer Hawkins: Which guy in their right mind wouldn't want a date with Jen. The ex Brisbane Bronco's cheerleader, Miss Universe and now face of the Myer Department store. Jen... I think I love you! (Click on the link, she's in red... *sigh*)

Six Pack: I'm allowed to dream right? James Bond (the new one) has it, Brad Pitt has it, I want one too! Can't recall if Sean Connery had a 6 pack. All I can remember is a damn hairy chest...

Stress free 2009: 2008 wasn't that great. Small relationship problem (that's kinda putting it mildly).

Peace on Earth: And goodwill to all men (and women). What we do to each other be it in Mumbai, Sri Lanka, Congo, Iran and the Middle East. The list goes on...

What's yours?

Facebook Warning

2008-12-04T09:39:00.011+11:00

Click for large photo

A friend had her Facebook account hacked yesterday and this message was sent

Quote

You look just right on this secret video.
OPS (OPS? sic... Oops)
http://www.geocities.com/wsrthoxzd/index.htm?07dch27db=11606d (link changed)

Unquote

What was ingenious about this is that:

it plays on your curiosity and expectation of a dirty videos hence your propensity to click ;)
it's from a trusted source, a Facebook friend
Clicking on the link you get presented with a very authentic screen (OK it's hosted at Geocities, which is wrong!). There are embed codes, a video screen and comment option.
Then a pop up appears telling you do not have an updated Flash Player
You are offered an update to save and run...

Save and run the update at your peril.

Always source updates from the original software sites eg. Flash Player from adobe.com, or from a reputable site like download.com

Looks like she wasn't the only one. Lindsay Lohan had her account hacked too. Happens to the best of us ;)

When Things Go Wrong

2008-11-25T14:06:00.002+11:00

Came across a couple of passages... the first by an unknown the other by Kipling

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

~ Anon

______________________________________

IF

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

~ Rudyard Kipling

Stealing a moment...

2008-11-20T12:51:00.012+11:00

Was reading Vicki's blog Sparkle and Glitter about all the little things that helps one make it through the workday. Endless cups of coffee aside, amid the mind-numbing spreadsheets, I try to sneak out for a quiet moment, to make a call to a loved one (or the headhunter), sometimes to reflect, maybe even daydream...

Quite surprisingly, at the very heart of a bustling city of 4 million, one can find many quiet spots, all within a stone's throw of the office (located on the northern end of the city, just before the Harbour Bridge). In case you're ever in Sydney and need some where quiet, here's a couple of my favourite...

1) Under the Aon Building there are some shops selling great coffee and a really peaceful space overlooking Hickson Street Wharf.

2) Courtyard of St Patrick's. BTW this little church has a fantastic collection of statues located round the internal wall of the building.

3) Park at Lang Street

4) Wynyard Park and statue of Reverend J.D. Lang, the minister who founded the Scot's Church.

5) Underpass of the Western Distributor (up ramp to the Harbour Bridge)

Lunch time... sneaking out for a little peace, quiet and sun :)

Pimp my blog

2008-11-17T13:21:00.005+11:00

Since I work in the finance industry, thought it a good (bad? ugly?) idea to pen another blog Fun with Finance where I can mutter some insane ideas and thoughts, something to do with money, saving money, making money (pretty scarce on ideas here) and loosing money (this one's easy!)...

http://funandfinance.blogspot.com/

Feel free to comment, criticise or rant.

Goat's with a view

2008-11-13T16:12:00.003+11:00

One thing I love about Taronga Zoo is it's location along Sydney's foreshore in the very, very expensive suburb of Mosman. Glad the goat's enjoying the view :)

Hallelujah!

2008-11-10T10:17:00.003+11:00

Leonard Cohen writer, composer of Hallelujah (one of my favourite songs) will be in Australia at the end of Jan 2009. He talks to Neil McCormick, Telegraph, London

Leonard Cohen

In 15 years away from the stage, Leonard Cohen has endured psychological crisis, spiritual transformation and the loss of his fortune in a financial fraud, yet he treats such personal dramas as the stuff of art. "We basically all lead the same kind of lives," he said recently. "Gain and loss, surrender and victory - popular music has to be about those subjects."

It is all there in one song in particular, an epic, gospel-tinged ballad of desire and rejection, love and sex, God and man, failure and transcendence, the inevitability of death and triumph of the spirit against the greatest odds. Performed by a 73-year-old man with a shattered voice, it is a song with the power to turn a rock arena into a cathedral.

The song is Hallelujah. Written and rewritten by Cohen over the years, it has come to be regarded by many as the greatest song of all time. It has been recorded and performed by more than 100 artists in a dozen different languages, including versions by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bono, KD Lang, Rufus Wainwright and, most famously, Jeff Buckley. It has featured on the soundtracks of dozens of films, from Shrek to the dark satire Lord of War.

Rufus Wainwright

It is, in many respects, a song for every occasion. Rufus Wainwright has said, "It's an easy song to sing. The music never pummels the words. The melody is almost liturgical and conjures up religious feelings. It's purifying." It was not, however, an easy song to write. When he works, Cohen explores every lyrical permutation, sometimes completely finishing verses then discarding them. He claims there are at least 80 verses to Hallelujah. "I filled two notebooks and I remember being in the Royalton Hotel [in New York], on the carpet in my underwear, banging my head on the floor and saying, 'I can't finish this song.'"
advertisement

He has actually recorded two distinct versions, with almost completely different lyrics, and it is partly this that lends the song its openness to interpretation, as artists mix and match verses. It subtly alters over time to reflect the needs of the moment.

Appropriately, in its original version on Cohen's 1984 album Various Positions, Hallelujah is, partially, about the act of songwriting itself. Cohen invokes the Biblical story of King David (composer of psalms and so the original songwriter) and the woman whose beauty overthrew him, Bathsheba. The protagonist offers up his "sacred chord" to a lover whose indifference to art is expressed in the put-down, "You don't really care for music, do ya?"

Cohen first rose to minor prominence in the late Fifties as a Canadian poet and novelist (he has produced 12 volumes of poetry and prose), turning to songwriting only in his thirties in an attempt to generate some income. "In hindsight it seems the height of folly to address one's economic problems by becoming a singer," he subsequently said, although he was an accomplished musician who had performed with country bands in university in Montreal.

Despite standing in dark contrast to the prevailing hippie spirit, his 1968 debut was greeted with popular acclaim. Yet for some, Cohen's doleful voice and challenging subject matter became synonymous with "bedsits and razorblades". He once dryly described his reputation as "suicidal, depressive, melancholic and a ladies man, as if women appreciated these other qualities".

Cohen's amorous interests are to the fore in Hallelujah. Bathsheba seduces and defiles David. But the singer pointedly expresses no preference for "the holy or the broken hallelujah". In the end, despite acknowledging failure, confusion and weakness, he pronounces himself ready to stand defiantly before the "Lord of Song" with "nothing on my tongue but 'Hallelujah'." The second version of the song - which appeared in 1994 and retained only the chorus and concluding lines - is even more overtly sexual than the original. It is also emotionally harsher, the bitter reminiscence of someone who admits "all I've ever seemed to learn from love / Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew ya."

Former Velvet Underground member John Cale helped shape it with his own recording in 1991, when Cohen faxed him 15 pages of lyrics. "I went through and just picked out the cheeky verses," Cale claimed. It was this that Jeff Buckley covered for his 1994 album Grace. Buckley described it as an homage to "the hallelujah of the orgasm".

Jeff Buckley

Though it dispenses with the final redemptive verse, Buckley's recording retains the song's religious character. This is part of its innate appeal, the contrast between its harsh depiction of life and the quality of uplifting transcendence contained in the repeated soaring Hallelujahs.

"That's what it's all about," says Cohen. "You're not going to be able to work this thing out. There's no solution to this mess. The only moment that you can live here comfortably in these absolutely irreconcilable conflicts is when you embrace it all and say, "Look, I don't understand a ****ing thing at all - Hallelujah!'"

Buckley's version (and his subsequent death in a swimming accident in 1997) really began the afterlife of Hallelujah. Versions are regularly used as background music during montages of people getting bad news in TV hospital dramas and death scenes. Asked about the song's enduring appeal, Cohen says, "It's got a good chorus", which is true, if disingenuous. It is a song that tells us failure is OK, indeed it is human. It is a song that suggests it is enough just to have lived.

It is a lesson Cohen seems to have taken time to arrive at. A self-confessed depressive, in 1994 he retreated to Mount Baldy Zen Centre near Los Angeles, beginning five years of seclusion during which he was ordained as a Buddhist monk. He has said of the experience, "Life became not easier, but simpler. The backdrop of self-analysis I had lived with disappeared. It's like that joke: 'When you're hitting your head against a brick wall, it feels good when it stops.'"

His new-found equanimity faced a challenge in 2005, when he discovered his retirement funds had been siphoned off by a trusted manager. More than $5 million dollars was gone, leaving him, aged 70, with just $150,000 in his account. "I had to go to work," he said. "I have no money left. I'm not saying it's bad. I have enough of an understanding of the way the world works to understand that these things happen." It is this that has put him back on the stage and in the studio, where he has been recording a new album. Given the lengthy gestation of Hallelujah, however, it might be unwise for fans to hold their breath.

"The only advice I have for young songwriters is that if you stick with a song long enough, it will yield," he recently said. "But long enough is not any fixed duration. You might have to stay with it for years and years."

What the fuck was I thinking?

2008-11-07T12:30:00.003+11:00

Pon and Zi, a love story.

Pon & Zi Artwork - Jeff Thomas
Fuck was I thinking - Jenny Owen Youngs
Video - Nathan Alexander Jones

Mind power!

2008-11-04T09:06:00.003+11:00

By Donald Wilson MD 1979 Book. He is a doctor right?
Get your copy from Amazon

:)

BTW this 10% brain thing is FALSE. We use 100% of our brain!
See snopes.com

Jacaranda Time

2008-11-03T18:14:00.001+11:00

Purple blooms, slippery pavements, summer's almost here!

Blogging mad...

2008-10-28T18:22:00.005+11:00

No, I haven't blown a gasket and gone blogging mad, I had to do this, was a tagged by Lavender

SEVEN FACTS ABOUT ME:

ONE
I drink coffee. Much too much coffee 7 - 8 mugs a day

TWO
Started smoking at 13, gave up at 27. Was a two-packet-a-day guy... cough... cough...

THREE
I still read Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl

FOUR
I love KFC and I always eat my chips/fries with mayo, satay sauce or gravy.

FIVE
I love the night. Been called Dracula often.

SIX
I have as my Facebook friend, my first crush (she taught me how to kiss, the one with a wiggling tongue). She was 16 and I was 13.

SEVEN
I love horror flicks especially the Japanese ones...

I won't impose on anyone. If you feel like sharing please do and leave me some directions to your blog :)

Never insult the waiter.. or the chef.. or the manager.

2008-10-27T17:04:00.000+11:00

The service was slow, the food crap. Should you complain, whinge to the manager, call the chef, kick up a fuss.

If you're at the Coogee Bay Hotel, its better to STFU. Stephen and Jessica Whyte and their three sons were served complimentary gelato dessert by Coogee Bay Hotel staff three weeks ago after complaining about food prices, facilities and staff attitude.

Mrs Whyte says that when she took a spoonful and put it to her lips, she knew she was getting more than gelato and became violently ill. She spat the contents into a napkin her family later sent to the National Measurements Institute, which found it had "properties similar to human excreta".

Read more here and here.

Yuck!!