Yes. My wife finally got her drivers license. Right on her 30th birthday.
Now I just need to convince her that it's fun to drive.
IJMS 2026: ‘The Lover’
4 days ago
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
So, don't shop there
I'm a little bewildered at the behaviour of some people lately. It's been around me for some time now and I'm starting to get annoyed with it.
What am I referring to? Choice.
Whether it's been on the radio or with friends, I have noticed that people are complaining about the lack of freshness and the monopolistic nature of certain food stores.
You have a choice, don't shop there.
I could go on about it for another five or ten minutes, but why bother? If people can't see that they have a choice with everything they do, then what will my telling them have any effect on future decisions?
What am I referring to? Choice.
Whether it's been on the radio or with friends, I have noticed that people are complaining about the lack of freshness and the monopolistic nature of certain food stores.
You have a choice, don't shop there.
I could go on about it for another five or ten minutes, but why bother? If people can't see that they have a choice with everything they do, then what will my telling them have any effect on future decisions?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Tweeting Twitter
The other day I was listening to my usual podcast and finally caved into their constant barrage of twitter this and twitter that. It made me think, what is this "twitter" you guys always speak of. So I went and had a look. If you haven't seen it yourself, feel free to click here.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
It cost how much?
Over the last few years there have been a lot of buzz words zooming around in the media, on the web and in your face, just like in this entry today. I'm going to use as many buzz words as I can to see if it actually works. What am I talking about? Sustainability.
It's become one of those cool things people talk about. But the sad truth is, it's pretty much out of reach for most Australian's. Why so?
Firstly, most of us have full time jobs and can't really be expected to come home to attend to our veggie patch... keeping in mind that a patch big enough to sustain you year round will have to be massive and constantly looked after.
Fine, you say. What about your water? Sure, there are those water storage tank shops that have sprung up all over Sydney. They're not cheap and neither is the installation. Speaking of cheap... Solar panels are not, and you would be silly not to think about installing the and supplementing them with a couple of nice neighbour friendly windmills because it's generally windy when it's cloudy.
Earlier this year the Australian Government announced and implemented a cashback scheme for anyone purchasing solar technology for their homes. We're not talking a few hundred dollars either. We're talking thousands and on most occasions, tens of thousands of dollars to install. So when the Government implemented this extraordinary scheme guess what happened?
Solar panel installation prices went up.
What happened when the scheme was shutdown due to its significant popularity thank to sucking the Government dry? Solar installations went back down in price by a significant amount of money.
So, were customers who took advantage of the scheme taken advantage of? I would say yes. Much in the same way flat panel television sets went up in price when the Government announced the $900 rebate they handed out to every one, including dead people.
I have an inkling suspicion that everyone, deep down wants to be more sustainable and more considerate towards the environment. But how can anyone be expected to obtain a large enough solar panel array to support their household's electronics?
How is anyone expected to be able to afford the technology that has been around for a very long time now and should be expected to have significant reductions in costs?
Most technologically advanced devices get cheaper over time due to the simple fact that it gets cheaper to manufacture and market saturation. Since it isn't cheap, the market isn't taking it up, if the market doesn't take it up, the price stays up.
Talk about a double edged sword.
As a child I remember watching that brilliant show called Beyond 2000. Sadly most, if not all the things they showed haven't actually been invented. However, solar panels were shown on the show. I constantly hear and read about advances in solar panels, bringing up their efficiency and bringing down their price by a significant portion.
The verdict? I haven't seen them yet. And believe me, I've been looking. I'm looking because I am planning on building a new house soon and I want it to be as green as possible. Since I run my own server in my business from home, it's a device that's always on and I'd like to have it powered off the grid. Infact, I'd like to invest a great deal of time into making sure my house relies on the grid as much as possible. I know that it may be impossible to have it completely off the grid. But I want to have the least amount of reliance as possible.
This goes for water too. I plan on installing some large tanks, probably underground for water storage.
I'm open to hear about any other alternative energy suggestions you may have for a house in the suburbs of South West Sydney.
It's become one of those cool things people talk about. But the sad truth is, it's pretty much out of reach for most Australian's. Why so?
Firstly, most of us have full time jobs and can't really be expected to come home to attend to our veggie patch... keeping in mind that a patch big enough to sustain you year round will have to be massive and constantly looked after.
Fine, you say. What about your water? Sure, there are those water storage tank shops that have sprung up all over Sydney. They're not cheap and neither is the installation. Speaking of cheap... Solar panels are not, and you would be silly not to think about installing the and supplementing them with a couple of nice neighbour friendly windmills because it's generally windy when it's cloudy.
Earlier this year the Australian Government announced and implemented a cashback scheme for anyone purchasing solar technology for their homes. We're not talking a few hundred dollars either. We're talking thousands and on most occasions, tens of thousands of dollars to install. So when the Government implemented this extraordinary scheme guess what happened?
Solar panel installation prices went up.
What happened when the scheme was shutdown due to its significant popularity thank to sucking the Government dry? Solar installations went back down in price by a significant amount of money.
So, were customers who took advantage of the scheme taken advantage of? I would say yes. Much in the same way flat panel television sets went up in price when the Government announced the $900 rebate they handed out to every one, including dead people.
I have an inkling suspicion that everyone, deep down wants to be more sustainable and more considerate towards the environment. But how can anyone be expected to obtain a large enough solar panel array to support their household's electronics?
How is anyone expected to be able to afford the technology that has been around for a very long time now and should be expected to have significant reductions in costs?
Most technologically advanced devices get cheaper over time due to the simple fact that it gets cheaper to manufacture and market saturation. Since it isn't cheap, the market isn't taking it up, if the market doesn't take it up, the price stays up.
Talk about a double edged sword.
As a child I remember watching that brilliant show called Beyond 2000. Sadly most, if not all the things they showed haven't actually been invented. However, solar panels were shown on the show. I constantly hear and read about advances in solar panels, bringing up their efficiency and bringing down their price by a significant portion.
The verdict? I haven't seen them yet. And believe me, I've been looking. I'm looking because I am planning on building a new house soon and I want it to be as green as possible. Since I run my own server in my business from home, it's a device that's always on and I'd like to have it powered off the grid. Infact, I'd like to invest a great deal of time into making sure my house relies on the grid as much as possible. I know that it may be impossible to have it completely off the grid. But I want to have the least amount of reliance as possible.
This goes for water too. I plan on installing some large tanks, probably underground for water storage.
I'm open to hear about any other alternative energy suggestions you may have for a house in the suburbs of South West Sydney.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Water Restrictions Lifted
Most of my friends and even some business associates know that my wife and I are fairly proactive water conservationists. While we also recycle properly and don't litter, we also like to make sure that we are considerate of the environment.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Noch ein Bier, bitte! - One more beer, please!
The day was not dry, but cold and wet.
As time drew near, closer, we fret.
It was now due for us to leave.
Onward to Sash's party this eve.
We arrive with fanfare and our usual grace.
Sash greeting us with a smile on his face.
"Shit, we're late" lets make a move.
Jove's still getting dressed, dude.
Finally, we're off. To the train station
Crossing the street and up the elevation.
With a sudden blur, the train appears.
If we miss this one, we won't get there for years.
Blasting down the stairs
We just make it in.
Settled on the seating
With compromised position.
A stroll through the Quay
We make it to Löwenbräu
Spelling mistakes
Cause us to have a cow.
We were let in okay
And taken to our seats
Where we ordered our beers
And selection of cold meats.
Our meals arrived quickly
And on to our secord course
The beer was flowing
I started talking in Morse.
Voices got louder
Dirtier jokes
Helgas with boosoms
Covered in coats.
What the fuck?
This isn't right....
More beer please,
It's the start of the night!
Alex and Mary
Are off to get home
5am start
I don't envy them both.
Sash and Jove
Karensa and me
Talk and drink
With merry and glee.
Karensa and Jove
Stumble up the alley way
Jove is sick
Mixed alcohol gone stray
From champagne to schnapps
To beer, Oi! That was mine.
Jove is wasted
Spewing all the time.
We found her up the street
Kneeling over a pot plant
Bleahhhh, out it came
We all laughed, what a rant.
Laying down on the bench
She takes a small nap
Rudely awaken
By Sash's bursting yap!
"Get up, don't sleep"
Sash is freaking
Jove says "Shutup"
"I'm not sleephmfthing..."
We get her up
And she chunders some more.
Embarrassed, we walk her
To the main street floor.
TAXI! We caught one
The driver not sure.
Karensa assures him
She's already spewed before.
Sash held her boot
Over her mouth.
Ten minutes later,
Bleahhh! like a spout
Straight into the shoe
Down the calve it goes
Again and again
Who knows how many times
We finally arrive home
And put her to slumber
Karensa crashes in the car
What a bummer.
I sober up
And find Karensa in the car
Say goodbye to Sash
Best birthday by far.
As time drew near, closer, we fret.
It was now due for us to leave.
Onward to Sash's party this eve.
We arrive with fanfare and our usual grace.
Sash greeting us with a smile on his face.
"Shit, we're late" lets make a move.
Jove's still getting dressed, dude.
Finally, we're off. To the train station
Crossing the street and up the elevation.
With a sudden blur, the train appears.
If we miss this one, we won't get there for years.
Blasting down the stairs
We just make it in.
Settled on the seating
With compromised position.
A stroll through the Quay
We make it to Löwenbräu
Spelling mistakes
Cause us to have a cow.
We were let in okay
And taken to our seats
Where we ordered our beers
And selection of cold meats.
Our meals arrived quickly
And on to our secord course
The beer was flowing
I started talking in Morse.
Voices got louder
Dirtier jokes
Helgas with boosoms
Covered in coats.
What the fuck?
This isn't right....
More beer please,
It's the start of the night!
Alex and Mary
Are off to get home
5am start
I don't envy them both.
Sash and Jove
Karensa and me
Talk and drink
With merry and glee.
Karensa and Jove
Stumble up the alley way
Jove is sick
Mixed alcohol gone stray
From champagne to schnapps
To beer, Oi! That was mine.
Jove is wasted
Spewing all the time.
We found her up the street
Kneeling over a pot plant
Bleahhhh, out it came
We all laughed, what a rant.
Laying down on the bench
She takes a small nap
Rudely awaken
By Sash's bursting yap!
"Get up, don't sleep"
Sash is freaking
Jove says "Shutup"
"I'm not sleephmfthing..."
We get her up
And she chunders some more.
Embarrassed, we walk her
To the main street floor.
TAXI! We caught one
The driver not sure.
Karensa assures him
She's already spewed before.
Sash held her boot
Over her mouth.
Ten minutes later,
Bleahhh! like a spout
Straight into the shoe
Down the calve it goes
Again and again
Who knows how many times
We finally arrive home
And put her to slumber
Karensa crashes in the car
What a bummer.
I sober up
And find Karensa in the car
Say goodbye to Sash
Best birthday by far.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Gen Y.... bored yet?
Books have been written about them. Things have been said. Opinions voiced. And now game shows have been broadcast about them.... Who are they?
They're the generation Y. The generation that apparently can't hold a job for more than 6 months. It's a generation that was brought up with the need for everything NOW, and that's when they get it. Now later, not next week. NOW!
They're the generation Y. The generation that apparently can't hold a job for more than 6 months. It's a generation that was brought up with the need for everything NOW, and that's when they get it. Now later, not next week. NOW!
