couldnt embed the video so if you are interested watch via the link"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpQczxLSWD0
i finally learned something - pity it took me so long. hope all you kids dont make the same me-stake
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
good for a laugh
a friend of mine sent me a file last night which had a joke in it. I have shared it with some people but i thought everyone might enjoy a laugh so here is a link to the file
quote for the day: "It is hard to tell if a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you were in his place." H. L. Mencken
on a brighter note:
"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." Woody Allen
quote for the day: "It is hard to tell if a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you were in his place." H. L. Mencken
on a brighter note:
"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." Woody Allen
Thursday, November 27, 2008
so so
another week has rolled on by. what has been achieved this week?
- done a couple of shifts at my new job and have some more lined up next week
- had an interview for a "real" job (as ash would have it) yesterday. wont hear back until next week
- have just spent a couple of hours cleaning the house top to bottom. a clean house always feels better for some reason
- had a couple of meetings with people about the consulting business. slow progress being made here
- cooked a few meals. had a nice slow cooked pork belly last night with the best crackling ever (yum).
- finished ~1000 out of 2500 riders on Sunday in the great bike ride. not bad for a fat "b.....". Average speed was 28km/h which is probably quicker than i have ridden for a while (and i did very little drafting)
So what's coming up:
- going to visit friends (Dale and Girls who are over for a couple of weeks) tonight
- going to a party on Saturday night (an ex work colleagues 60th). that's how you know you are getting old - when friends start turning 60.
- working Monday, Wed and Sat next week (at the moment)
Update:
- everyone seems to be going ok (nothing really to report)
- ben cousin's football career is hanging by a thread. he has nominated for the draft but it looks like only Brisbane might be interested and there is no guarantee
- the lynx continue to get flogged every week (Mel is still getting splinters)
- the weather has been shit (coolish, stormy and windy) and not conducive to cycling
- Xmas is coming (but the money tree has died so all you can expect is a hug)
till next time think about this - I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.
J. D. Salinger (1919 - )
- done a couple of shifts at my new job and have some more lined up next week
- had an interview for a "real" job (as ash would have it) yesterday. wont hear back until next week
- have just spent a couple of hours cleaning the house top to bottom. a clean house always feels better for some reason
- had a couple of meetings with people about the consulting business. slow progress being made here
- cooked a few meals. had a nice slow cooked pork belly last night with the best crackling ever (yum).
- finished ~1000 out of 2500 riders on Sunday in the great bike ride. not bad for a fat "b.....". Average speed was 28km/h which is probably quicker than i have ridden for a while (and i did very little drafting)
So what's coming up:
- going to visit friends (Dale and Girls who are over for a couple of weeks) tonight
- going to a party on Saturday night (an ex work colleagues 60th). that's how you know you are getting old - when friends start turning 60.
- working Monday, Wed and Sat next week (at the moment)
Update:
- everyone seems to be going ok (nothing really to report)
- ben cousin's football career is hanging by a thread. he has nominated for the draft but it looks like only Brisbane might be interested and there is no guarantee
- the lynx continue to get flogged every week (Mel is still getting splinters)
- the weather has been shit (coolish, stormy and windy) and not conducive to cycling
- Xmas is coming (but the money tree has died so all you can expect is a hug)
till next time think about this - I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.
J. D. Salinger (1919 - )
Monday, November 24, 2008
new job
i started a new job today on a casual basis. there are many ways to describe this role, none of them very sexy, but i suspect life in this role could become very interesting (if today is anything to go by).
i dont expect this job to be the balance of my working life but i would not have applied for it (and done it today and tomorrow and other days into the future) if i wasnt interested in it at some level (i am sure).
so what do you think i might have become in my spare time? some hints:
- i will surely work with/around interesting people
- cash is involved
- its outside (sort of)
- music is nearby
- there is a uniform (of sorts)
- cars are allowed
PS - family members or those in the know are barred from voting
i dont expect this job to be the balance of my working life but i would not have applied for it (and done it today and tomorrow and other days into the future) if i wasnt interested in it at some level (i am sure).
so what do you think i might have become in my spare time? some hints:
- i will surely work with/around interesting people
- cash is involved
- its outside (sort of)
- music is nearby
- there is a uniform (of sorts)
- cars are allowed
PS - family members or those in the know are barred from voting
Thursday, November 20, 2008
a brave man or a fool
the following was a story in today's electronic media and i am not sure what to think. on the one hand there is so much to agree with, but on the other hand the sentiment is almost (if not actually) repugnant.
_______________________________
THE retail king Gerry Harvey may have a personal fortune of about $1.6 billion but the Harvey Norman founder thinks donating to charity is "just wasted".
Asked in a new book about the role he and Harvey Norman play in the community, Mr Harvey said giving money to people who "are not putting anything back into the community" is like "helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason".
He said he believed in helping "develop people to their potential" because "when they achieve [their potential] they will put a lot more back into the community".
"You could go out and give a million dollars to a charity tomorrow to help the homeless. You could argue that it is just wasted. They are not putting anything back into the community.
"It might be a callous way of putting it but what are they doing? You are helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason. They are just a drag on the whole community.
"So did that million you gave them help? It helped to keep them alive but did it help our society? No. Society might have been better off without them but we are supposed to look after the disadvantaged and so we do it. But it doesn't help the society."
Mr Harvey added: "That is not to say we don't give money away to charities because we have given plenty away over the years. At the end of the day, the more quality individuals you develop in the community, the better off the community should be."
Earlier this year, Harvey Norman donated beds to a charity, Bridge Back to Life, that helps homeless men find rental accommodation.
The comments are in a new book, Master CEOs, by the Sydney funds manager Matthew Kidman.
Clare Martin, the chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, said: "I have really been impressed at corporate Australia and their real involvement in the wider community … and I always thought that Harvey Norman shared that as well.
"It does surprise me that Gerry Harvey, who's a very significant business figure, should not share the values of many other corporates."
In the interview, Mr Harvey also said that despite his wealth, "I still have a fear about going broke. I always think about it."
___________________________________
only a brave man or a fool would actually make such statements and allow them to go into print. I am not sure which Gerry Harvey is but i am sure he is bound to stir up an interesting debate especially in the current economic crisis.
It is highly likely that the excesses of the "worthy" achievers in the finance sector and elsewhere will result in a good many "lesser" people in our society ending up as a disadvantaged person (define it). one can only hope gerry harvey remains wealthy (define it) because it would be very interesting for him to be "poor".
Maybe mr harvey should revisit the movie - trading places - for a refresher on the random nature of the universe in relation to wealth and wellbeing.
_______________________________
THE retail king Gerry Harvey may have a personal fortune of about $1.6 billion but the Harvey Norman founder thinks donating to charity is "just wasted".
Asked in a new book about the role he and Harvey Norman play in the community, Mr Harvey said giving money to people who "are not putting anything back into the community" is like "helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason".
He said he believed in helping "develop people to their potential" because "when they achieve [their potential] they will put a lot more back into the community".
"You could go out and give a million dollars to a charity tomorrow to help the homeless. You could argue that it is just wasted. They are not putting anything back into the community.
"It might be a callous way of putting it but what are they doing? You are helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason. They are just a drag on the whole community.
"So did that million you gave them help? It helped to keep them alive but did it help our society? No. Society might have been better off without them but we are supposed to look after the disadvantaged and so we do it. But it doesn't help the society."
Mr Harvey added: "That is not to say we don't give money away to charities because we have given plenty away over the years. At the end of the day, the more quality individuals you develop in the community, the better off the community should be."
Earlier this year, Harvey Norman donated beds to a charity, Bridge Back to Life, that helps homeless men find rental accommodation.
The comments are in a new book, Master CEOs, by the Sydney funds manager Matthew Kidman.
Clare Martin, the chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, said: "I have really been impressed at corporate Australia and their real involvement in the wider community … and I always thought that Harvey Norman shared that as well.
"It does surprise me that Gerry Harvey, who's a very significant business figure, should not share the values of many other corporates."
In the interview, Mr Harvey also said that despite his wealth, "I still have a fear about going broke. I always think about it."
___________________________________
only a brave man or a fool would actually make such statements and allow them to go into print. I am not sure which Gerry Harvey is but i am sure he is bound to stir up an interesting debate especially in the current economic crisis.
It is highly likely that the excesses of the "worthy" achievers in the finance sector and elsewhere will result in a good many "lesser" people in our society ending up as a disadvantaged person (define it). one can only hope gerry harvey remains wealthy (define it) because it would be very interesting for him to be "poor".
Maybe mr harvey should revisit the movie - trading places - for a refresher on the random nature of the universe in relation to wealth and wellbeing.
not much to say (or so i thought)
its funny you know but i sometimes sit in front of the computer and wonder what i might say to that small group of people who sometimes wander through this blog. Over the past few weeks it has been a real struggle and i am not sure why. it seems that i may not be alone as some of my blogger "buddies" also appear to be afflicted by the same malaise.
but then i sat here a bit longer and i thought this (i didnt expect that to paraphrase S Cowell)
is anyone out there "worried" about what is happening in the global economy? I am now starting to get a bit concerned about what the next 2-3 years might hold for all of us.
My instinct is that it is not going to be pretty and we are all going to experience a "once in a life time" event (if you werent around in the mid 1930s and perhaps in the 40s). it now looks to me that the global economy - despite increasingly desperate efforts by a host of governments - is going to go to "hell in a hand basket" in many if not all of the major economies. This will change our societies and will influence all of us either directly or indirectly.
if you are young, now is a good time to pay attention (and learn the inevitable lessons). you may actually be young enough to see another one of these global meltdowns in 20-30 years once "we" recover from this one.
no matter what happens the world is going to become a different place (and damn quick) for many people and i dont necessarily mean better. However, that said there will be some incredible opportunities arising out of this debacle.
I think i might just go and plant a few vegetables (kidding)
but then i sat here a bit longer and i thought this (i didnt expect that to paraphrase S Cowell)
is anyone out there "worried" about what is happening in the global economy? I am now starting to get a bit concerned about what the next 2-3 years might hold for all of us.
My instinct is that it is not going to be pretty and we are all going to experience a "once in a life time" event (if you werent around in the mid 1930s and perhaps in the 40s). it now looks to me that the global economy - despite increasingly desperate efforts by a host of governments - is going to go to "hell in a hand basket" in many if not all of the major economies. This will change our societies and will influence all of us either directly or indirectly.
if you are young, now is a good time to pay attention (and learn the inevitable lessons). you may actually be young enough to see another one of these global meltdowns in 20-30 years once "we" recover from this one.
no matter what happens the world is going to become a different place (and damn quick) for many people and i dont necessarily mean better. However, that said there will be some incredible opportunities arising out of this debacle.
I think i might just go and plant a few vegetables (kidding)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Irony
Saw a newspaper article today that although tragic made me smile (i know i am a sad sack)
_______________________________
a woman (in south america somewhere) was killed by a coffin containing her dead husband (coffins usually do that - contain dead people) on the way to a funeral when the hearse came to an abrupt stop and the coffin slid forward and fell on her killing her instantly (broke her neck).
___________________________________________
My thoughts on reading this was oh that's sad then on reflection i thought there could be other ways of thinking about this - like:
- Guess he could not bear to go without her so he found a way to take her with him; or
- she pissed him off so much in life he was still looking for a way to get his own back in death.
Anyway, whatever is the truth of the matter, they will now obviously be re-united. Hope the answer was the former otherwise he/she are destined for a "hellish" future.
_______________________________
a woman (in south america somewhere) was killed by a coffin containing her dead husband (coffins usually do that - contain dead people) on the way to a funeral when the hearse came to an abrupt stop and the coffin slid forward and fell on her killing her instantly (broke her neck).
___________________________________________
My thoughts on reading this was oh that's sad then on reflection i thought there could be other ways of thinking about this - like:
- Guess he could not bear to go without her so he found a way to take her with him; or
- she pissed him off so much in life he was still looking for a way to get his own back in death.
Anyway, whatever is the truth of the matter, they will now obviously be re-united. Hope the answer was the former otherwise he/she are destined for a "hellish" future.
family update
well life in dullsville has been generally dull. This week just seems to have glided by with no really notable events - well sort of:
- mum has been a "bit" sick - yep she got the lurgy but not the full blown version thankfully.
- Ash got a job and she might be getting sick (today). She is not sure about it yet but it is still early days
- Nanny Max is getting over it
- grandad is still going ok and Nanna is ok too
- Lauren turned 18 this week (we will be there sunday afternoon/night for family drinks)
- Paul and Amber had a great time in Vietnam. Now they are back to domesticity (and planning for the future)
- the stockmarket is still chewing up our money (as is our "poor" family)
- i am getting the business thing sorted out (should have new emails and website up soon) and I am also applying for jobs of all kinds (Bunnings, Bottleshop Attendant, Project Director/Manager etc)
- no riding has been done for weeks but i am going to do a ride next Sunday week so i probably should dust the cobwebs off the bike and make sure the wheels still go around next week
- have not heard about or from anyone else so the assumption is that all is fine on the western front
Other:
- looks like Ben Cousins might get clearance to play. He might be wearing a wig though as he gave a hair sample that came up clean. Clubs in the running appear to be brisbane and st kilda
- the weather is fine (and improving)
- mum has been a "bit" sick - yep she got the lurgy but not the full blown version thankfully.
- Ash got a job and she might be getting sick (today). She is not sure about it yet but it is still early days
- Nanny Max is getting over it
- grandad is still going ok and Nanna is ok too
- Lauren turned 18 this week (we will be there sunday afternoon/night for family drinks)
- Paul and Amber had a great time in Vietnam. Now they are back to domesticity (and planning for the future)
- the stockmarket is still chewing up our money (as is our "poor" family)
- i am getting the business thing sorted out (should have new emails and website up soon) and I am also applying for jobs of all kinds (Bunnings, Bottleshop Attendant, Project Director/Manager etc)
- no riding has been done for weeks but i am going to do a ride next Sunday week so i probably should dust the cobwebs off the bike and make sure the wheels still go around next week
- have not heard about or from anyone else so the assumption is that all is fine on the western front
Other:
- looks like Ben Cousins might get clearance to play. He might be wearing a wig though as he gave a hair sample that came up clean. Clubs in the running appear to be brisbane and st kilda
- the weather is fine (and improving)
Friday, November 7, 2008
a winner - no matter what
australia is a great country. it is the land of opportunity. it will judge you harshly if you deserve it, but it will also recognise you if you deserve it.
this person (whom i dont know from adam) is a winner whether he wins this competition or not:
_____________________________________
African among award finalists
Lorna Edwards
November 7, 2008
A TEARFUL Dr Berhan Ahmed believes he won the quinella this week.
He cried with joy when Barack Obama was elected US president-elect on Wednesday and the eyes trickled again yesterday when he was named a Victorian finalist for this year's Australian of the Year award.
Both events helped bring hope to Victoria's African youth. The community was still recovering from being demonised by previous immigration minister Kevin Andrews, who last year accused African refugees of failing to integrate, he said.
"I'm really thrilled. I had no words," Dr Ahmed said. "It means there is hope for my community."
He was named along with indigenous leader Paul Briggs, environmental campaigner Don Henry and charity founder Rachel Stanfield-Porter as the four Victorian finalists.
Finalists from other states include climate change expert Ross Garnaut, Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice, retired cricketer Glenn McGrath and Aboriginal leader Mick Dodson. State winners will be announced later this month.
Dr Ahmed, chairman of the African Think Tank and head of the Eritrean Community in Australia group, was jubilant just to be named a finalist after spending two decades working with refugees since his arrival in Australia from Sudan in 1987.
He learnt English by getting a job as a tram conductor in Melbourne after convincing the tram depot he had experience working on trams in Sudan, even though none existed.
Since then, he has worked to bridge the gap in education and basic services for African refugees leaving their war-torn homelands for Australia.
Dr Ahmed was also involved in the Cormo Express debacle of 2003 when a shipload of 57,000 live Australian sheep was rejected by the Saudis. As outrage grew over the doomed sheep stuck at sea, Dr Ahmed helped negotiate for them to be sent to impoverished Eritrea as a gift.
His latest endeavour is working with Athletics Victoria to get African refugee children into sport. "We would like to train them to be the new champions in the world for Australia."
_________________
go Dr Ahmed - you deserve whatever you (and those that follow you) achieve.
this person (whom i dont know from adam) is a winner whether he wins this competition or not:
_____________________________________
African among award finalists
Lorna Edwards
November 7, 2008
A TEARFUL Dr Berhan Ahmed believes he won the quinella this week.
He cried with joy when Barack Obama was elected US president-elect on Wednesday and the eyes trickled again yesterday when he was named a Victorian finalist for this year's Australian of the Year award.
Both events helped bring hope to Victoria's African youth. The community was still recovering from being demonised by previous immigration minister Kevin Andrews, who last year accused African refugees of failing to integrate, he said.
"I'm really thrilled. I had no words," Dr Ahmed said. "It means there is hope for my community."
He was named along with indigenous leader Paul Briggs, environmental campaigner Don Henry and charity founder Rachel Stanfield-Porter as the four Victorian finalists.
Finalists from other states include climate change expert Ross Garnaut, Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice, retired cricketer Glenn McGrath and Aboriginal leader Mick Dodson. State winners will be announced later this month.
Dr Ahmed, chairman of the African Think Tank and head of the Eritrean Community in Australia group, was jubilant just to be named a finalist after spending two decades working with refugees since his arrival in Australia from Sudan in 1987.
He learnt English by getting a job as a tram conductor in Melbourne after convincing the tram depot he had experience working on trams in Sudan, even though none existed.
Since then, he has worked to bridge the gap in education and basic services for African refugees leaving their war-torn homelands for Australia.
Dr Ahmed was also involved in the Cormo Express debacle of 2003 when a shipload of 57,000 live Australian sheep was rejected by the Saudis. As outrage grew over the doomed sheep stuck at sea, Dr Ahmed helped negotiate for them to be sent to impoverished Eritrea as a gift.
His latest endeavour is working with Athletics Victoria to get African refugee children into sport. "We would like to train them to be the new champions in the world for Australia."
_________________
go Dr Ahmed - you deserve whatever you (and those that follow you) achieve.
well it looks like i am over the flu
got through today without cough mixture or throat lozenges or other drugs (sort of) if you discount a glass of wine or three with dinner.
spent most of the day at home doing research - i kid you not - in front of the fire (can you believe that) because it was cool and pouring rain (must be the after affects of the cold).
otherwise my day was pretty quiet. Took Sue to work and picked her up. Had coffee for breakfast and later in the day (and bought ash 1 too).
Cooked dinner - i am getting pretty good at roast chook but i still have to work on the stuffing apparently (too "sharp/tangy". Obviously too much lemon as well as the red wine vinegar the recipe suggested). Not much wrong though with the chicken (none left) so i guess i have to be grateful for small mercies. there did not seem to be any gripes about the vegies either.
G seems to be settling well in Vancouver. its cold - and its going to get colder. Get a coat and get over it. Havent heard from the "love birds" - must have run out of credit.
spent most of the day at home doing research - i kid you not - in front of the fire (can you believe that) because it was cool and pouring rain (must be the after affects of the cold).
otherwise my day was pretty quiet. Took Sue to work and picked her up. Had coffee for breakfast and later in the day (and bought ash 1 too).
Cooked dinner - i am getting pretty good at roast chook but i still have to work on the stuffing apparently (too "sharp/tangy". Obviously too much lemon as well as the red wine vinegar the recipe suggested). Not much wrong though with the chicken (none left) so i guess i have to be grateful for small mercies. there did not seem to be any gripes about the vegies either.
G seems to be settling well in Vancouver. its cold - and its going to get colder. Get a coat and get over it. Havent heard from the "love birds" - must have run out of credit.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
the wedding
Paul and Amber got married a couple of Friday's ago in Melbourne. It was a fantastic day (congratulations guys). We all hope they enjoy the rest of their lives together. They have clearly started off on the right foot - they love each other and they are "drinking buddies".
here are some of the best of the photos i took:
the beautiful bride (amber) and her equally "charming prince" (paul)
the bridal party (lee, paul and holly, georgie) with Mr and Mrs Harcus
Nan and Pop
Dale (who looked after Georgia and all of us - thank you)
Georgia
Ashleigh with Laurie (paul's dad)
Sue (paul's mum) with Fiona ("best cousin") and Keegan
the bride and groom are currently honeymooning in Vietnam (sitting by the pool with a few quiet ones no doubt)
GOOD LUCK GUYS. we all hope you enjoy life after marriage
here are some of the best of the photos i took:
the beautiful bride (amber) and her equally "charming prince" (paul)
the bridal party (lee, paul and holly, georgie) with Mr and Mrs Harcus
Nan and Pop
Dale (who looked after Georgia and all of us - thank you)
Georgia
Ashleigh with Laurie (paul's dad)
Sue (paul's mum) with Fiona ("best cousin") and Keegan
the bride and groom are currently honeymooning in Vietnam (sitting by the pool with a few quiet ones no doubt)
GOOD LUCK GUYS. we all hope you enjoy life after marriage
Georgia Does Canada
well daughter #X has finally made it to canada to start her working holiday. She is going to chronicle her experience so if you are interested you can follow it here.
she is sure to attract a little bit of attention because she is smart, has more front than a double decker bus and she loves to party. She is also pretty good looking which will undoubtedly help (if anyone can see her under her "snowbunny" clothes which she will undoubtedly need to keep her warm in sunny vancouver)
we all hope she has a great experience - so she doesnt want to come home too early (kidding). Guess only time will tell.
she is sure to attract a little bit of attention because she is smart, has more front than a double decker bus and she loves to party. She is also pretty good looking which will undoubtedly help (if anyone can see her under her "snowbunny" clothes which she will undoubtedly need to keep her warm in sunny vancouver)
we all hope she has a great experience - so she doesnt want to come home too early (kidding). Guess only time will tell.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
still sick
eyes have improved dramatically which is good, but i still have a head/chest cold with a horrible dry cough and a sore throat. the cough comes in waves when the cough mixture and throat lozenges wear off. Doctors for me tomorrow to get some heavy duty medicine.
after i get this illness thing sorted out i will be working fulltime on getting some income coming in. the world economic crisis has got in the way of my grand plans but that is ok. the time off has been good while it has lasted and it has served a purpose in the family sense allowing me to "help" out in a number of ways.
after i get this illness thing sorted out i will be working fulltime on getting some income coming in. the world economic crisis has got in the way of my grand plans but that is ok. the time off has been good while it has lasted and it has served a purpose in the family sense allowing me to "help" out in a number of ways.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
