blog in an elevator

Australia, Soften The Fck Up (STFU)

2011-07-14T15:07:00.000+10:00

“Have you ever wanted to get something off your chest, ask your mate for advice, or to let them know you were feeling like absolute shit but you just couldn't because you didn’t want to seem like a girl? Everyone was having fun so it just didn't seem right to bring them down with your personal problems? Were you worried that your mates would see you in a whole different light if you revealed what was going on inside?

So you toughened up and kept it to yourself. Except you weren’t toughening up at all were you? Cause inside you were eating yourself up and falling to pieces.”

- Nic, Soften The Fck Up member

Suicide is the leading cause of death amongst young people today. Of those deaths a staggering 80% are blokes.

We say its time for us to chuck out the stereotype “harden the f— up” mentality and bring back the laid-back Aussie. The real Aussie bloke who look after their mates and blokes who are strong enough to admit that something isn’t right, when something isn’t right and get help.

We say its time to Soften the Fck Up.

I feel strongly about this issue because acting like the stereotypical real man is something I am very guilty of myself. I simply don’t talk emotion. I never have. Especially avoiding my own. It took me an awful lot of courage to tell my parents I had depression. To me it’s like admitting I’ve failed. It’s still something I don’t like to talk about now. You can read my story here.

However, I know I am not alone and we need to change that.

Every bloke has got challenges in their life. If we just get better at sharing the hard stuff, then we might be able to achieve so much more with our lives. And we wouldn’t end up adding to the suicide statistics. Cause the harder you try to be, the harder you can fall.

So, be tough, go soft. Join us and share your story, let men across Australia know what being a real man is all about.

Soften The Fck Up

http://www.softenthefckup.com.au/

On Twitter http://twitter.com/SoftenTFU

Or email me at rob.elli@gmail.com

If you need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. It’s a free and confidential service that won’t show on your landline bill.

today's spam.

2011-06-26T10:29:00.000+10:00

from	Mrs.Yuping Asehui.asehui.yuping01@hotmail.com
reply-to		asehui.yuping001@hotmail.com
to
date		25 June 2011 11:40
subject		Urgent Proposal...

hide details 11:40 (21 hours ago)

Warning: This message may not be from the alleged person or organisation. Beware of following any links in it or of providing the sender with any personal information. Learn more

Dear Friend,

its about a customer that came to S.C.Bank to engage in Private Banking
services,the customer had a financial portfolio of $21.5m USD and this I
help turned over in the purchase of securities in the capital markets.I
was the bank adviser assisting the customer in the management of the
funds. I have proposal for you as a matter of urgency to late Mr.Eric
Morgan from United Kingdom,who died along side with his wife and their
only daughter in the event,Terrorist Attack on 11th September,2001 in the
world trade center.My proposition is that,I am prepared to place you in a
position and instruct my Bank to release the deposit to you as the closest
surviving relation.If you find yourself able to work with me in this
transaction,do contact my private. E-mail:asehui.yuping001@hotmail.com

If you give me positive signals,I will initiate this process towards
conclusion.

Regards,
Mrs.Yuping Asehui.

Should I follow these links?

2011-06-24T14:38:00.000+10:00

Rob Elliott

New Security Updates
1 message

service@online3945.lloydstsb.co.uk

23 June 2011 23:51

To: rob.elli@gmail.com

Online Service
Thursday June 23 , 2011

Dear Customer,
We are committed to making our site more accessible and support the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Our product directory has been designed to meet the WAI recommendations and the new online banking service requires specific configurations
Please note that in order to use Lloyds TSB Internet Banking service you must enroll in our new Security updates.

Click here to update your account

This verification will allow us to activate new features for your account on our system.

Sincerely,
Customer Service.

Darren Lockyer's suggestions to enhance the NRL

2011-06-24T14:21:00.000+10:00

Dump scrums in favour of a handover of possession to minimise stoppages.
Further reduce the number of interchanges to eight to make attrition more of a factor.
Clubs to have their salary caps paid from by the NRL out of it's new TV rights deal.
Delay expansion until all of it existing 16 NRL clubs are financially secure.
Increase the salary cap to $5 million after TV rights deal is struck.
Establishment a three-person panel to rule on off-field player misbehaviour.
More education for young players to reduce the off-field misbehaviour which can be so damaging to the game.

SIDS and Kids. Information I did not know.

2011-06-21T14:20:00.000+10:00

This is an extract from Rebecca Sparrow's blog (link below). I hope she doesn't mind me borrowing the words.

http://rebeccasparrow.wordpress.com

Next Friday 24 June, is Red Nose Day, a day we all associate with the pivotal role SIDS and Kids has played in reducing the occurrences of Sudden and Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

But what many people don’t know is that SIDS and Kids fund medical research and provide a range of bereavement support services to anyone who has suffered the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child under the age of six, regardless of cause. Miscarriage. Stillbirth. Cot death. Accident or illness.

There are thousands of parents silently grieving lost pregnancies, babies, children. Please buy a red nose this week or give generously at www.sidsandkids.org If you have lost a baby or a child and would like to talk to someone, SIDS and Kids operate a 24-hour Bereavement Support line. Call (08) 8369 0155.

To read Rebecca's full blog, visit

http://rebeccasparrow.wordpress.com/2011/06/19/sunday-mail-column-for-sunday-19-june-2011-the-one-about-georgie-and-red-nose-day/

Slammin Sam Thaiday shakes the magic 8 ball that is Andrew Mccullough

2011-06-21T09:00:00.000+10:00

why are we talking about gays marrying?

2011-06-20T16:28:00.000+10:00

why isn't it already ok for them to?

why should only heterosexual people be put through divorce? let the gays have to go thro that crap too if they like!

on a serious note, I've only recently (within the last year or so) come round to being accepting of gay marriage. but that's only cos I've only just recently come round to the idea of marriage full stop (my anniversary is April 9).

Today, I did something I haven’t done before. I said to Liz, I’m going to cook us vegetable pies for tea.

2011-06-19T20:33:00.000+10:00

Today, I did something I haven’t done before. I said to Liz, I’m going to cook us vegetable pies for tea.

Yes I know what you’re thinking, well hear me out. They were nice. Very nice indeed and probably cost me less than $10 to feed us both tonight and will feed us again with the mini pies I made for the freezer (our freezer is very lucky. It gets lots of things made for it. Tonight it was pies, last week it was curry. Yes, I am strange).

So, what’s in a vegetable pie? Well veg obviously. Then just some salt and pepper. It’s pretty easy. It had to be as I made it. The recipe? Well I didn’t have one. I kinda made it up. But I’ve been kind enough to write it down here. So you too can have a try at making it. Go on, you know you want to.

Ingredients

2 medium sized potatoes

2 medium carrots

Half head of broccoli (including stalk)

Frozen green beans

1 onion

Garlic shoots (or you can use normal garlic)

Spring Onions (or you can call them scallions. They are however, definitely not shallots ok?)

1 celery stick

How it goes together

Ok, here we can split the cooking into 2 pieces. Boiling and frying.

1) Boiling.

2) Fill a pan with boiling water and lob in your potatoes and carrots and some salt and bring back to the boil

3) After it’s come to the boil, throw in the broccoli (including the stalk)

4) Boil the buggery out of it for 15 to 20 minutes

5) When nearly done, add the freezer beans

6) Frying

7) Heat a fry pan and add some olive oil (no measurement, throw in as much as you like, but less than Jamie Oliver does)

8) Chop onions and add to pan

9) Chop garlic shoots and spring onions to pan and fry for 5 minutes

10) Throw in some salt and pepper

11) Add chopped celery and fry until you’ve had enough

When you’ve finished frying, take off the heat

When you’ve finished boiling, drain the veg and roughly mash. Then, mix the 2 together. Voila. You’ve got pie filling. Now you need pastry. What do you mean I didn’t say you needed pastry? You’re making a pie fool. Course you’ll need pastry.

So, at this point while you’re looking for pastry, put the oven on full. Ok. Now. Find a pie dish, muffin pan, whatever you’re going to cook the pies in. Oil a little to prevent sticking and lay your pastry in it. The special trick is to throw the tin and the base pastry in the oven for 2 minutes to get it going. As you do this, turn the oven down to 200c otherwise you’ll ruin the pastry you just spent 20 minutes finding.

After 2 minutes when it’s started to colour, take pastry out and fill it with pie filling. Then throw some pastry on top to cover it. Brush with a little milk (I used soy as I though I’m making a vegetable pie, so I should keep it vegetarian. Although God knows what they put in pastry these days) and throw it in the oven. Don’t literally throw it in the over. That will make a mess. Place it casually in the oven why don’t you.

Cook the pie until the pastry is lovely, golden and all risen. Then, pie is done. Take out of the oven and serve. Enjoy with whatever and whoever you like. I shared mine with the wife, the first half of West Tigers v Melbourne Storm and a beer.

Max Ehrmann's "Desiderata"

2011-06-18T09:04:00.000+10:00

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

what the fuck does LMAOSHMSFOAIDMT stand for?

2011-06-10T15:37:00.001+10:00

Laughing my ass off so hard my sombrero fell off and i dropped my taco.

Happy weekend folks!

The theme for my new office

2011-06-10T15:23:00.002+10:00

The office canvas is simplicity in polished wooden floors and white walls. The doorway is adorned in art deco tiles while the window allows sunlight to filter through the frosted glass and art deco lead lined window into the boardroom.

The furniture is simple, straight lines and clean tones. With a mixture of white, tempered glass and brushed metal. The carpets, function and hardwearing, reflect the cleanliness and simplicity of the walls and floor.

The artwork is abstract, focussed, vibrant and colourful, reflecting the personalities and attitudes of the players inside.

The office is calm, but never quiet, relaxed but always purposeful. At one with its surrounds, its contents and the people it maintains.

Nappies!

2011-05-28T19:17:00.001+10:00

Lots of excitement in the Elliott household today, as the wife is preparing for her first face to face retail opportunity for the nappies. Yes, Hatchlings Cloth Nappies is going to the market. The Mummy Tree Markets none the less.

The last few weeks have seen Liz getting the stock ready. Which essentially has seen her closed up in our back room sewing. She’s not been perturbed. Just gone like a maniac. She’s been excellent and even managed to survive an overlocker explosion.

So today we’ve got the final touches together. Tomorrow will see us at 7.30am setting up stall to sell nappies. We’re pumped. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Soften the Fck Up; challenge the stereotype of real men in Australia

2011-04-13T21:20:00.001+10:00

I recently put myself forward to be involved in a campaign called Soften the Fck Up. Soften the Fck Up (Soften TFU) is the first of many campaigns seeking to challenge the stereotype of real men in Australia. Without first shifting the stereotype of "real man" being the alpha, masculine men who don't talk about emotions, we can't reduce the stigma around mental health and all its associated issues in order to increase mental health literacy and promote help-seeking behaviour.

It's something I feel strongly about, as it's something I am very guilty of myself. I simply don't talk emotion. I never have. Especially avoiding my own. It took me an awful lot of courage to tell my parents I had depression. To me it's like admitting I've failed. Hell it even took me a large dose of Soften the Fck Up to tell my wife I'd written this. But I have now. Our fearless leader Ehon Chan asked us if we'd contribute a story if we could about ourselves and our situation that would help people understand better what we are trying to achieve.

Well, this is my story.

Hi, my name is Rob. If you could see me and see my life, you’d think I was doing pretty well. I am 34, have a very attractive wife, an 8-month-old baby and my wife and I both have our own businesses, which we run from home. I’m fit, healthy, good looking (and modest!) and seemingly with the world at my feet. Life should be easy for me. Except it isn’t. I’m one of the thousands of young men in Australia that suffer from anxiety and depression.

I haven’t always known I’ve had anxiety and depression. It all came to a head a few years ago. I’d been living with an ex girlfriend, but things had not been right for some time. We’d bought a house together and never saw each other as she worked away. I worked all day and partied all night. Slowly turning a small saving into a pit of debt. We saw a counsellor to work out the issues, or at least try. I went once and never want back. Turned out she thought I had depression and told me. Not something I wanted to hear or discuss. Depression? It’s a state of mind. If you’re depressed, do something about it. Or that’s what I thought then. So I did. I ended the relationship and moved out.

As you can guess, it didn’t fix my anxiety or my depression. It just got worse, as did my drinking to cope. Both always bubbling below the surface. My job suffered and I got into a rut at work. Just kicking along from one thing to the next. I did manage to find myself a girlfriend amongst all the mess somehow, my wife Liz. She understood my situation to a degree as she suffers from depression herself. She wanted me to get help and do something about it. But I didn’t want to talk about it. Why would I want to? Why would I want to open myself up to that?

So we struggled along. The two of us coping inwardly with our problems, just making ends meet emotionally and not ever discussing where we were. Until the pressure became too much and we split up at Christmas a few years back. I honestly have never been more scared, lonely and unhappy in my life. I’ve since tried to explain to people the anxiety I get. The closest I can come is the feeling of being in a room you can’t escape, with the walls slowly closing in and you can do nothing at all about it.

I’d love to tell you where my anxiety and depression came from, but I honestly don’t know. I have always been a bit anxious, especially as a child. But it was mostly waved away as being one of those things.

So I bit the bullet and saw a doctor, got some medication and tried to cut down the drink. They both helped. The answer really isn’t at the bottom of a glass, I know from repeated attempts to find it. Liz and I got back together. Despite our problems, we missed each other and we missed the support network. We missed the only people we’ve been able to talk to about our depression.

So here I am. 2 years later. Just about coping and getting by. I’ve often looked back and thought, how could I have done this easier. What could have made it better? And there is honestly only one answer I settle on each time. If I’d have been able to talk to my friends about what was going on. If one time instead of reaching for a pint, I’d have reached out to a friend.

But more importantly, if one time, just one of my friends would have talked to me. If just one time, instead of buying me a beer or telling me to cheer the fck up, one of my friends would have talked to me and asked me how I was doing.

I understand now that depression is more than a state of mind. That for me as for many others, you can’t just cheer up. That’s why I firmly believe in Soften the Fck Up. Stay soft Australia.

WWF WTF

2011-04-05T10:18:00.001+10:00

How many Freudian Slips does it take to change a light bulb?

2011-03-22T14:02:00.002+10:00

How many Freudian Slips does it take to change a light bulb?

Two.

One to change the bulb.

The other one to hold the penis.

Where I'm at.

2011-03-21T15:42:00.000+10:00

In a couple of weeks time. I'll turn 34 years old. Liz, my wonderful Liz, asked me the other day what I would like for my birthday. At the time, I had no idea. My initial response was "what did I buy for your birthday?" which I considered a good question. However when Liz reminded me that last year we gave Christmas presents and her birthday present a miss due to a myriad of reasons neither of us could recall, all I could think of then was, "what a shitty husband I am".

The reason I was calling Liz at the time was to apologise to her for being an insensitive prick only half an hour before. You see, I received one of those phone calls where the lady just wants to talk and be heard and the husband can only see problem solving mode. What can I say I've had 2 weeks away for work, living with my work colleagues. I don't get a chance to turn off! Anyhow. That was the reason for my call.

So after we chatted, I hung up and thought about what I wanted for my birthday and if I was as shitty a husband as I thought I was half an hour earlier and at Christmas time. As I did this, I burned one of my DVDs onto my laptop, so I could transfer it to my MacBook and then onto my iPad. I was able to check my Twitter account on my HTC phone at the same time. So, maybe technology is not on the birthday list.

I then got to thinking more about me and what I want or need. I'd been mulling over if I was happy with myself and my position the day before when I went for a run along the beach. So, let's go over the evidence.

1) I have a great wife now. I didn't when I was 21.
2) I'm fitter now than I was at 21
3) I'm better looking now
4) I'm starting to fulfil my potential. 21 year old though he's already fulfilled his potential
5) I'm more modest now than I was at 21 (OK, so that's technically not true)
6) I'm not lonely now, I was when I was 21.
7) I'm setting goals for myself now. I've NEVER done that.
8) I have everything I want right now. That's never happened to me. Never thought it could.

So I decided. I'm in a good place. My depression and anxiety seems ok. My diet seems ok. I'm working on things for the future that look really good. What else do I need?

I figured I need an XBox or a Wii. That ought to do it!

This has been my day today....

2011-03-21T14:43:00.000+10:00

Only in my day, no one actually has turned up so far. Ignorance or apathy. I don't know and I don't care.

Happy St Patrick's Day from The Olde Quindanning Inne

2011-03-17T23:06:00.001+10:00

Lowering or removing the blood alcohol limit. Thoughts?

2011-03-01T15:10:00.000+10:00

I'm not sure where I stand on this. It's a comment from one of Australia's peak motoring bodies essentially advocating our right as Australians to have A drink, then have a drive.

Lord knows, I have previously gotten in a car and driven after a couple of beers. There have been a couple of times when I know I've been over the limit, but chanced it. I recall quite vividly getting stopped at a RBT in the city and the officer who tested me looking at me with quite a degree of contempt. Apparently I'd passed (failed?) the test very, very narrowly. I know I've also driven at times when I know I would have lost my licence if I'd have been stopped.

So, what's the answer to this question? Should Australia lower the blood alcohol limit or remove it completely? Is there an argument that setting a zero blood alcohol limit would prevent people drinking and driving? Or is the argument that by doing this you're only going to get more people drinking and driving and chancing it after 1 beer or glass of wine.

Personally, I think that this is an attitude thing. Think on, 40 years ago, there was very relaxed attitude to drinking and driving. So much so, I'd bet the majority of people over 50 have done it and have done it in such a condition that would make them unsafe to walk, let alone drive.

If drinking and driving had always been banned and a no go, then would we have this issue? Would we be debating this? I doubt very much so. Give it another generation and I think there will be less and less argument against an allowed blood alcohol content. I'd be happy for it to be removed completely.

RACQ questions lowering the blood alcohol limit

Queensland’s peak motoring body fears a lowering of the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit from 0.05 to 0.02 or zero could turn most drivers into criminals.

The Federal Government’s draft National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 (NRSS) proposes a reduction in the legal BAC limit.

RACQ executive manager traffic and safety John Wikman said the Club had argued against this and other recommendations in its submission to the NRSS.

A blood alcohol limit of 0.02 could rule out drinking altogether for some people and reduce intake to just one drink for others, he said.

That meant anyone who had one drink over lunch or dinner could potentially become a criminal if they got behind the wheel.

Mr Wikman said the real concern lay with drivers who recorded a BAC over the existing legal limit, with the crash risk in that range much higher than between 0.02 and 0.05.

“Queensland considered reducing the BAC limit in 2010 but there is no local research proving that crash rates are substantially higher for drivers with a BAC between zero and the existing limit,” he said.

“We recommend that research be carried out in Australia before changes to the BAC are considered.

“The NRSS also needs to address the problem of repeat high-end drink drivers, who continue to be a danger on our roads.”

Mr Wikman said the RACQ did not support the NRSS push to ban hands-free mobile phones, preferring better enforcement of existing rules.

In addition, the Club wanted the Federal Government to allocate more funding to improve the State’s roads and reduce the carnage.

The draft NRSS target proposed a 30 percent cut in the number of road deaths and serious injuries, but RACQ believed Australia could achieve a 50 per cent cut, in line with international standards, Mr Wikman said.

This target was only achievable if more funding was allocated to road projects and infrastructure that would improve the state of the roads and, as a result, increase driver safety.

RACQ recommended that the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) be used to assess risk on the highest volume roads and sections be prioritised for safety improvements.

Infrastructure improvements would be more effective than the lowering of speed limits in reducing road crash severity and likelihood, while also maintaining travel efficiency.

The RACQ supported all levels of government adopting the safe system approach aiming for safer drivers in safer vehicles on safer roads, Mr Wikman said.

RACQ’s submission to the draft National Road Safety Strategy can be viewed online atracq.com.

Mum sues after smothering newborn - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

2011-02-16T15:36:00.000+10:00

Mum sues after smothering newborn - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

I don't know how many of you have seen this, but this scared the heck out of me. There simply is nothing good about this story at all, especially the fact that a young life was wiped out before it started and the poor mother will never be the same again.

My wife didn't have a disastrously easy birth with our daughter, but I know well enough to say it wasn't easy. I only realised in the days following the birth how scared I was when it came time to leave the maternity suite at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and consequently leave my physically and emotionally drained wife alone with our new child.

She'd been up all the previous day and had been in bed, not sleeping, until her waters broke around 2am. Charlie wasn't born until 5pm that day and it was 9pm when I was asked to leave.

I only found out bits over the next few days, but the midwifes don't give massive amounts of support over those first hours. Liz was essentially just left with a screaming baby. Ok, there is an instinct in all mothers. But they need help. You can't just leave a woman who only hours previously gave birth to a child on her own after minimal instruction. They need help. Lots of it.

Unfortunately now, this lady needs a lot of help. I don't know how much $600,000 will help. But I certainly hope she gets the help she needs and deserves.

X-Men - First Class / Official Trailer

2011-02-13T23:23:00.000+10:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K76u-Ql_9zc

On my own, on my terms.

2011-02-13T12:00:00.000+10:00

I think I've discovered something about myself. I am a little bit of a loner. I say discovered, I've always known this. I think this weekend I've rediscovered it.
I'm working down in Bunbury in WA again. The work is with my father in law and as there are several of us, we stay in a 4 bedroom rented unit. It works well. We all share cooking. But despite working together and despite some of us being related through marriage, none of us wants to spend more time than is necessary with each other.
So this weekend, I arranged to come up to Perth to see my friend Ann who I used to work with. We're having lunch together today, Sunday, but Perth is a bit far to drive just for lunch so I came up Saturday night.
I've not really spent much time in Perth despite Andy, my brother in law and his wife Dallas living here. Andy is out of town and Dallas wanted a quiet night in with her DVDs and takeaway food last night, but despite this when I arrived, I had many plans of what I could do.
When I got here though, I didn't really do anything. I had a little walk through Perth, but most of my time was spent in the hotel. And what a good hotel too. As I often do when I have to stay somewhere, I went all out and can now heartily recommend the Perth Hilton. They have a wonderful team of staff and the valet parking guys and concierge didn't do a double take as my stubbly grizzly face fell out of my hire car in my boardshorts and thongs yesterday.
So my evening, beers and steak in the steak house under the hotel. Then a few more beers and sport in my room. Not doing anything, but not doing anything on my own. On my terms. Just the way I like it.

Dancing Fool

2011-02-13T11:07:00.000+10:00

Science fact

2011-02-12T20:31:00.001+10:00

CSIRO believe that 32,000 homes in QLDs southeast are exposed to a 2.5m storm tide where they risk damage of $1.1bn. By the time todays babies (including my own Charleston) leave school in 2030 the # of homes at risk will be 62,000 at a potential cost of $2bn in TODAYS money.

The 6 months total rainfall to January for eastern Australia is unprecedented, the December and January rainfall in Victoria is unprecedented. Many other records have been set, including.......

A record LOW rainfall in Perth.

Anyone seen four horsemen yet?

My response to someone's thoughts on the flood levy.

2011-01-29T21:11:00.000+10:00

Ok. Whilst I started this comment by thinking, why the hell would someone agree with the taxes, I can really see where you are coming from.
The fact is, the country is in a massive f*cking mess. So we as tax payers, need to fork out some money. That bit I agree with. But my thoughts are that the government should be overhauling the tax system to ensure that all taxes are fairly collected from everyone.
Do I mind paying some money for the flood relief? Well yes and no. My house isn't on a flood area. If you bought or built on land that had been known to have flooded. It's a risk you take. No you really do. So yes, I mind paying in that line of thought.
But, some people never had a chance, or an inclination that this was going to happen. I saw the TBar videos. No one could have foreseen that kinda damage (well the weathermen might have given a bit more warning, but). So no I don't mind the concept of paying in that case.
However, I've had the good luck to make quite a bit of money this tax year after losing my job last tax year. So I'm now going to be taxed more than others because of this. Is that fair? Should my taxes be put to covering this flood? And if they are, what am I going to cover. Should I just decline and buy sandbags? Or can I go and help out with the cleaning? (which I haven't been able to do as I was overseas when it all happened and do feel bad about missing the chance to assist).
I am totally going to ace my citizenship exam on Monday so I have a vote!!

in reply to this post, from my wonderful twitter friend Bern Morley (@Bern_Morley). My mum's maiden name was Morley. Wonder if we're related!

http://bernmorley.blogspot.com/2011/01/death-and-taxes.html

Richard Keys & Andy Gray explain the offside rule to girls

2011-01-25T01:35:00.001+10:00

Tempting offer

2011-01-23T21:14:00.001+10:00

	from	Wang Lei
reply-to		wanglei1961@live.com
to
date		14 January 2011 21:28
subject		Re

hide details 14 Jan (9 days ago)

My name is Wang Lei and i am the Financial Supervisor for China Mingseng Banking Corp I
am contacting you to seek your partnership in a pending business project, which I have
here in my hand and ready to be executed without hitches,

I would give to you a more detailed explanation of this project which I prefer to call
a deal, if I get your positive response in agreeing to partner with me since this
business is 100 percent risk free because I have all the modalities fashioned out to
give this business an excellent outcome.In an attempt to throw light on this business
deal, During my last account auditing, i came across an account that has been dormant
since 2003 with a balance of Seven million usa dollars. After series of investigations,
i discovered that the account belonged to an American doctor who died along with his
family in a plane crash while on vacation in Africa.

I am open to negotiate your percentage so far you put in your utmost attention,
confidentiality and sincerity due to the nature of the business.
Please if you are interested do respond back to me further information

Best Regards,
Wang lei

the view

2011-01-04T11:15:00.001+10:00

the view down the street from my old house window as I wait out of the sun for RACQ.

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heat

2010-12-16T11:44:00.001+10:00

If she was an adult, she'd say "this fucking heat is killing me" and she'd have a beer.

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farewell my friend

2010-12-14T06:15:00.001+10:00

and so begins the removal of my pc tower. farewell my friend.

soon to be for sale;

liquid cooled intel core 2 quad CPU

4gig RAM

1TB Hard drive

NVIDIA GE Force 8800 GT Graphics card

DVD Burner

Cool Tower

guess who's back?

2010-12-09T22:16:00.001+10:00

Back again. Guess who's back, tell a friend.

So we're on our way from Melbourne to Brisbane. Cruising at some height and travelling some speed. Our trips for now are over. We get to settle in with Charleston for first Christmas. Liz will be making nappies and I will be baby wrangling. Score.

So all well in team Elliott!

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on the way home

2010-12-07T07:10:00.001+10:00

So, here we are. In the air, somewhere between Perth and Melbourne. Charleston has been a little bugger and Liz and I are tired and a little frustrated. On the plus side though, eyes have just closed and we're on the way to sleep.

Liz and I have made it through nearly 3 months in WA, in a life changing environment. We are honestly the better for it.

Big things abound for the next 12 months we can feel it. Nappies will become centre stage for the Christmas period while we work out where I can work next. This suits Liz perfect, as she's well behind on the business plan. But she has some stock made at least. Now I have to step up and look after Charlie and let Liz do what she wants and needs to do. It's going to be fun for all.

A bit of a sad week ahead though. Melbourne has to be visited for Grandma Aileen's cremation. That's Wednesday. Today is Monday. So a few days in Melbourne with the Moore's. Len's not looking forward to it, so I'm guessing there'll be a few out to teas!

Ok. Adult talk time now Charleston is asleep!

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why does the nutter always sit next to me?

2010-11-20T11:42:00.000+10:00

If you are sitting next to a loudmouth or an irritating person on a plane, train or in a coffee shop, bus or cinema, it isn’t always easy to do anything about it.

But a revolutionary new fix has been suggested for just this type of scenario which has proved to be highly successful, especially with the surge of new personal mobile computing tools available to us these days.

Simply follow these instructions:

1. Say nothing, but quietly and calmly open up your preferred choice of equipment.

2. Switch it on.

3. Make sure the annoying person can see the screen without being too obvious.

4. Close your eyes and tilt your head toward the sky whilst making out you are in prayer.

5. Click on this link:

http://Boortz.com/mp3/archive/countdown.swf

You can guarantee that they won’t stick around long enough to say goodbye!

Making me laugh today....

2010-11-20T10:46:00.000+10:00

Star Team? A-Wars?

Should the Unemployed also be Unemployable?

2010-11-18T13:37:00.000+10:00

I've been reading a couple of articles and comments on line asking "Should the Unemployed also be Unemployable?".

In some ways I can agree with this statement, given a long stretch out of work you can quickly lose track with where your industry is, or was.

But the real difference between an active job seeker and someone who is just going though the motions is the thoughts, ability and dedication towards keeping yourself fresh and to keep up on industry knowledge. Perhaps in taking time to gain some additional qualifications and experience.

However, this need not necessarily be a deal breaker. I have employed several people over the years that have come out of a long period of unemployment to work with me and have performed admirably and in some cases far exceeded my expectations of them. It really depends on the role in question, you don't always need a polished diamond, sometimes you just need one that looks like it could have potential. That's where the real leaders stand up in taking these people and helping them reach their potential.

Some of the long term unemployed are sadly now unemployable in the roles similar to the one they previously worked in. But, given the right motivation, even these people can find work if they approach it in the right way.

As an example, I'm currently working in Western Australia. Here there is a big skilled labour shortage, so there is always opportunity for work. And given that baby boomers are retiring yearly in far greater numbers that generation Y are leaving school, that always leaves a place for the unemployed. It just depends if they want it!

So I'm sick. Very. It's man flu, or pneumonia or some haemorrhagic fever or something.

2010-10-25T18:46:00.000+10:00

So I'm sick. Very. It's man flu, or pneumonia or some haemorrhagic fever or something. By the time you read this, I'm bound to be in hospital on an IV.

After I rang my boss and let him know this morning, one of the other blokes from work called me so he could pick up the key to the training room I had. "You sound terrible" he said. This came after another bloke at work told me "You look like shit" on Friday. So, I know I'm suffering.

So today, the wife decided I couldn't do anything. I'd have to sit on the sofa all day, just like you would if you were a kid off school sick. Which was terrible. I hate sitting still. Never mind doing what I'm told. But I managed it.

Highlight of the day. Caesar salad wraps for lunch. Including croutons on the wraps. Top wife. Hot, clever and quite easily got the measure of me.

So. What have I done today. Spent more time than normal on Twitter for a Monday. Read quite a bit of my book (The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan - quite a good read if you like that kind of thing) and looked after Charleston while Liz tried to catch up somewhat on the missed last few months of her business.

Looking after Charlie for me means one thing often. That is. Taking pictures of her being cute. Being cute is easy for her. She's a terribly good looking child (if you know Liz and me you can appreciate how easy it would be for our offspring to be good looking).

So, here she is. In her pimp chair (or Bumbo I think it's called).

S'funny - MRS MACS - Lean Meat Crusty Top

2010-10-16T16:38:00.000+10:00

how Australians react to terrorism. or why home news is not news

2010-10-12T21:32:00.000+10:00

One month and one day ago, I like all people in Australia was subjected to an media blanket of information on, commemoration of and general information on the 2001 September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.

This was and remains, one of the (possibly the) biggest terrorist attack in recent history. I'm not denying that the fall out from this was terrible and many lives were lost, but lets put it into perspective for Australia. From what I can find on the Internet, 10 Australians lost their lives that day in an attack on American soil. That's around 10,000 miles from Sydney.

8 years ago today, in Kuta in Bali, so a mere 2,900 miles away 88 Australians were among the 202 people killed in the biggest terrorist attack in Indonesia. I was unaware of this until I saw it on the news. And when I say I saw it, I only briefly did. It was on the screen for 5 seconds (I'm in WA). I then did a search on news.com.au (the reputable news agency we have in Australia) and found only this story. I even checked the more reliable The Punch and found nothing.

Why is it that something that has a dramatic effect on Australians and Australian life illicit such a small response on it's anniversary? I am not sure exactly what this says, but I think it says a lot about how the news is reported in this country.

Voilà!

2010-10-09T18:26:00.000+10:00

Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.

Communication Shutdown

2010-10-04T23:09:00.001+10:00

Back in Bunbury

2010-10-04T09:49:00.000+10:00

I woke this morning at about what I guess was normal time. Normal time if I was in Brisbane. Only I wasn't, I was back in Bunbury, and it was early. Liz and Charlie were playing that game they like to play in the night. Liz tries to feed and calm, Charlie; Charlie tries to get fed and wind herself up. It never looks like fun to me, but they both keep doing it so it must be fun.

So I was awake. Awake from an average night's sleep in a unfamiliar bed in our townhouse in Bunbury. But I was happy to be there. Even if I wasn't that happy to be awake, I was excited (and a little bit nervous) about what lay ahead today and this week.

I managed an hour or so more sleep before I had to get myself up and get myself to work. I'm there now, in the boss' office, waiting for my pilot for this week, Kerry. I've a different part of the training to get myself across today and this week and Kerry is the lady to take me through it.

I'm loving the different aspect of what I'm doing at the moment. It's great that I don't have to be involved in the day to day squabbles, conflicts and demands of getting things done. Instead I'm here to deliver specific content to specific people at a specific time. They know what they've come for and I know what I'm to discuss with them. Then when I'm done, the day is over. I can go home and relax. Sure they're might be a little preparation for tomorrow, but not the constant worry over an ever increasing to do list, email in box from hell and the constant flurry of issues from my team members. Not to mention I don't have an untrustworthy boss trying to micromanage my day when they're failing to deliver on their own key activities.

In short I'm relaxed and generally feeling in control. Something that didn't happen often in the past. Something I am looking forward to happening more in the future.

Katy Perry on Sesame St

2010-09-27T09:56:00.000+10:00

gage roads

2010-09-17T17:42:00.001+10:00

I don't know where Gage Roads is. but the guys there sure make a good beer.

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I wish you could have seen my today....

2010-09-09T01:11:00.000+10:00

.... I should have got a picture. There I was, resplendent in my new work gear of boots, shirts, jacket and glasses. I looked like a worker on a construction site. All day-glow yellows and high visibility stripes.

And I've done well. In 2 days I've ended up with 3 pairs of safety glasses. Score me.

Peek-a-kat

2010-09-06T20:52:00.000+10:00

The day before

2010-09-03T17:04:00.000+10:00

Today is the day before we pack up and fly to Bunbury WA to start the next step in our life. I can't pretend I'm not a little nervous, as I am. Besides I hate packing, so I'll probably have to have a couple of beers and a whinge at Liz before I get my arse in gear and do something this evening.

All being well, we're being picked up at 6.30am tomorrow. So that will mean a 5am start. Got to love those. As that's the case, might not get both games of football in tonight. Might just go game 1. But then we'll see. Game one is likely to see the Broncos put to the sword by Canberra. Don't know if I can sleep after that. It'd be like trying to sleep after watching Halloween.

Tomorrow is going to be big. In fact the weekend is going to be big. Tomorrow see us get into Melbourne around 10.30, then we'll be having lunch, visiting Grandma and then heading back to Kate and Darryne's place. Dinner and bed. Sunday is up early and fly to Perth. Land and drive to see Andy and Dallas. Then an late afternoon scurry down the coast to Bunbury. Hopefully I can get a sleep in on Monday. Chances are I'll have things to do. And home work for day 1 of job.

Charlie left speechless by corruption allegations

2010-09-02T16:54:00.000+10:00

Charlie's first press conference

2010-08-29T19:13:00.000+10:00

Charlie fields a particularly long and boring question from the press.

One of the funniest things I've seen in some time

2010-08-29T13:04:00.001+10:00

Charlie's first address to the world

2010-08-27T09:23:00.001+10:00

you've just ruined my mood Ben Cousins

2010-08-26T18:03:00.000+10:00

I didn't know the Ben Cousins doco was on TV. And even if I did I wouldn't have wasted the minutes of my life to watch it. Ben Cousins is a highly talented footballer, not doubt. Ben Cousins is also a massive c*ck, no doubt.

However what's more appalling is that this person has to be put on TV to air his thoughts and views on his drug taking to the world. Why? Why has he got more right to tell us how drugs can ruin your life then other people? Drugs haven't ruined his life, just as they didn't ruin Wendell Sailor's life or Andrew John's life. They were just a toy and a play thing to a massively over paid and intellectually challenged sports person. A boy who became a man with too much money and sycophantic hangers on for his own good.

F*ck you Ben Cousins, you didn't ruin your life, but you've just ruined my mood. And I didn't even see your god-damned documentary.

Terry Henry

2010-08-20T07:51:00.000+10:00

The (New) Young ones?

2010-07-30T15:15:00.000+10:00

is it me, or is @DoctortriplejPM looking more like rick from the young ones these days?

2010-07-27T10:55:00.001+10:00

for some time now i've tried to let people know of the dangers of crocs, they may be comfortable, but you look like a twat.

then i saw this sign. i want a portable one i can carry with me.

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REGISTER

2010-07-26T17:07:00.001+10:00

did it end?

2010-07-21T16:57:00.001+10:00

Jeebus

2010-07-21T16:53:00.000+10:00

Me and the maori wrasse

2010-07-19T16:23:00.000+10:00

my rugby league themed novel...

2010-07-18T20:30:00.001+10:00

would be a who dunnit type thriller. it would be titled "the second man play"

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UK Number One 'Knob' Songs (base #changelovetoknobsongs humour)

2010-07-18T13:43:00.000+10:00

UK Number One 'Knob' Songs

Doris Day - Secret Knob (1954)
Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall in Knob (1956)
Frankie Laine - A Woman In Knob (1956)
Ronnie Hilton - No Other Knob (1956)
Tab Hunter - Young Knob (1957)
Bobby Darin - Dream Knobber (1959)
Shirley Bassey - As I Knob You (1959)
Elvis Presley - A Fool Such As I / I Need Your Knob Tonight (1959)
Cliff Richard and The Shadows - I Knob You (1960)
Ricky Valence - Tell Laura I Knob Her (1960)
Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Knobbingg You (1962)
Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling In Knob / Rock-A-Hula Baby (1962)
Frank Ifield - Confessin' (That I Knob You) (1963)
Brian Poole and The Tremeloes - Do You Knob Me (1963)
Peter and Gordon - A World Without Knob (1964)
Searchers - Don't Throw Your Knob Away (1964)
Supremes - Baby Knob (1964)
Beatles - Can't Buy Me Knob (1964)
Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Knobbing Feeling (1965)
Sandie Shaw - Long Live Knob (1965)
Dusty Springfield - You Don't Have To Say You Knob Me (1966)
Beatles - All You Need Is Knob (1967)
Knob Affair - Everlasting Knob (1968)
Bobby Gentry - I'll Never Fall In Knob Again (1969)
Edison Lighthouse - Knob Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) (1970)
T Rex - Hot Knob (1971)
Donny Osmond - Puppy Knob (1972)
Little Jimmy Osmond - Long Haired Knobber From Liverpool (1972)
Donny Osmond - Young Knob (1973)
Gary Glitter - I Knob You Knob Me Knob (1973)
Osmonds - Knob Me For A Reason (1974)
Rubettes - Sugar Baby Knob (1974)
10cc - I'm Not In Knob (1975)
Bay City Rollers - Give A Little Knob (1975)
Showaddywaddy - Under The Moon Of Knob (1976)
Tina Charles - I Knob To Knob (But My Baby Knobs To Dance) (1976)
Donna Summer - I Feel Knob (1977)
Dr Hook - When You're In Knob With A Beautiful Woman (1979)
Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm In Knob (1980)
Barbra Streisand - Woman In Knob (1980)
Soft Cell - Tainted Knob (1981)
Kraftwerk - The Model / Computer Knob (1982)
Renee and Renato - Save Your Knob (1982)
Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Knob (1983)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - The Power Of Knob (1984)
Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Knob You (1984)
Whitney Houston - Saving All My Knob For You (1985)
Foreigner - I Want To Know What Knob Is (1985)
Philip Bailey and Phil Collins - Easy Knobber (1985)
Jennifer Rush - The Power Of Knob (1985)
Housemartins - Caravan Of Knob (1986)
Michael Jackson - I Just Can't Stop Knobbing You (1987)
Phil Collins - A Groovy Kind Of Knob (1988)
Glenn Medeiros - Nothing's Gonna Change My Knob For You (1988)
Sonia - You'll Never Stop Me Knobbing You (1989)
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Knob You (1992)
UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Knob With You (1993)
Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Knob (But I Won't Do That) (1993)
Wet Wet Wet - Knob Is All Around (1994)
Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Neneh Cherry and Eric Clapton - Knob Can Build A Bridge (1995)
Gary Barlow - Forever Knob (1996)
Take That - How Deep Is Your Knob (1996)
Gary Barlow - Knob Won't Wait (1997)
Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls (PS I Knob You) (1999)
Spice Girls - Holler / Let Knob Lead The Way (2000)
Westlife - My Knob (2000)
Hear'Say - The Way To Your Knob (2001)
Jennifer Lopez - Knob Don't Cost A Thing (2001)
Beyonce - Crazy In Knob (2003)
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Knob (2007)
David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Knob Takes Over (2009)
JLS - Everybody In Knob (2009)
Cheryl Cole - Fight for this Knob (2009)
Scouting for Girls - This Ain't a Knob Song (2010)

My Wedding Day

2010-06-25T11:15:00.000+10:00

It's been a while (2) or why I wasn't surprised England didn't beat America.

2010-06-14T10:29:00.000+10:00

I've seen a few world cups in my time. Several in fact. From the highlight reels of Mexico 86, where my parents woke me in the night (at my request) to tell me that Gary Lineker had scored a hat trick against Poland to send England into the second round, through the tear streaked streets of Turin in Italy 90. Dodging the mean streets of the US 94 thanks to a disastrous qualifying campaign before landing in France 98 for another meeting with the damnable Argentinians. Over to Japan and Korea in 2002 with Dave Becks on one leg and not much else to 2006 in Germany with Rooney getting sent off thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo.

I've come to absolutely loathe Argentinians and Germans in a sporting sense and absolutely dread penalty kicks. I've also come to know that an England team that should on paper be world beating, can play for 90 minutes against USA, USA, USA and not seriously look capable of beating them. I mean, Emile Heskey. C'mon.

I opted not to get up at 4.30am to watch the game live. Instead I relied on my Foxtel IQ to tape it for me. Thus allowing me to fast forward through the unbelievably boring SBS pre match and half time opinions. In fact I've not watched one game live yet. Overnight timing, drab match ups and the previously mentioned poor coverage and lack of real analytical talent on SBS have seen to that. Tonight's Denmark vs Holland may be the first. But we'll see how I feel later on.

As a proud Englishman, I've learned history's football lessons harshly. I've seen the high points of our Footballing skills over the last 25 years, including a memorable 5-1 thrashing of Germany in Munich despite conceding the first goal, but it's the losses and bad points that stick more in my mind. The penalty shoot outs (several of them, plus the resultant pizza hit adverts), Ronaldinho's lob against Seaman, Beckham's thrash out with the leg and the resulting red card and the one that started it all, Maradona's hand of God. It was with all of these in mind I took my very English mentality into the first round games. I wanted the win, I wanted us to do well, despite the team being littered with the seemingly obnoxious money grabbing tossers I'd ignore in a social setting. So I got up. I made a cup of tea. Then I settled back to watch it unfold. England's next best chance to win the World Cup. The one that's eluded us for 44 years. And I watched, with little or no enjoyment as first we went ahead, then retreated into our shells, conceded the most ridiculous of goals (England have one really stupid moment each big tournament. Let's hope this is the only one in South Africa) and then toiled not very hard to try and put America (Fuck yeah) to the sword.

On the goal, I only have this to say. Robert Green made a poor error. It was basic schoolboy stuff, when ball is coming towards you, ensure your body is behind it. For this, he should be mercilessly teased by the British press for the next 4 years. However, he should be supported by his team mates. I don't recall any one of the English players going and giving him a pat on the back or the obligatory slap on the arse that sporting teams love. Contrast this to a game of Rugby League I watched yesterday. One of the players knocked the ball on, hardly the greatest of crimes as it rarely results in such a match changing thing as a goal, yet about 37 players game and gave him pats of various parts of his anatomy.

Maybe thats it. Team. Maybe England weren't one the other night/morning. If not to draw a similarly, look at how Germany put their underdog opponents Australia to the sword. Ok, Australia were hampered by poor coaching decisions (Timmy up front on his own? Really?), sub standard refereeing and Lucas Neil at the back, but Germany absolutely thumped them. And they could have had seven.

So now I wait. Expectantly. Wanting England to put 3 (at least) past Algeria.

Western Force vs Stormers

2010-04-02T08:18:00.000+10:00

Before the game with the Western Force, the Stormers players entered the dressing room, all down and groggy, complaining that they all needed a challenge to get excited about a game. When he heard this, Bryan Habana had enough of all the complaining, and officially announced that the team could go off and enjoy themselves, while he, Bryan Habana played the Western Force all by himself.

The game had started, and the rest of the Stormers team was on their way to the local pub for an enjoyable evening. The team passed by a bunch of tv's being displayed at a store, and the game was being shown. 15 minutes had gone and it was still 0-0. The Stormers all agreed that Bryan Habana was doing pretty well.

On the way back to the stadium the final scores popped up at the same store they had passed on the way to the pub. The score they were all waiting for finally showed up, and it read: Western Force nil Stormers nil. The whole team was so very proud of their team-mate, for playing his heart out and getting a well deserved draw for the team all by himself.

The rest of the Stormers squad finally came back, only to see Bryan Habana sitting on the bench in the changing room with his head held firmly in his hands. Ricky Januarie went up to him and asked him what had happened. Bryan Habana replied, “I got sent off after 19 minutes.”

It's been a while. Or why blogs are fun for a while.

2009-12-31T15:35:00.000+10:00

catharsis /kəθ'ɑːʳsɪs/

Synonyms:

noun: purgation

Catharsis is getting rid of unhappy memories or strong emotions such as anger or sadness by expressing them in some way. N-UNCOUNT
- He wrote out his rage and bewilderment, which gradually became a form of catharsis leading to understanding.

Well that kind of sums it up really. The cathartic effects of putting all your thoughts down somewhere do actually outweigh the worry and the wonder you get that people will read them and think you either a bit of a twat or a potential serial killer in the making.

I first started writing my thoughts as a child. They never lasted long, as the paper was always consigned to the bin. I then had a short lived blog in the middle noughties (ps. noughties? really? come on surely we can do better than that to name a generation the noughties!) which i enjoyed and got some limited but good reviews for. But I've never really made myself do it for a long time. There always seems to be something else I want to do, but in reality I think I've discovered the reason. I'm lazy. Downright lazy. I'm a lazy man living in a lazy world.

Think about it. I can (and do) access the internet regularly from a variety of places. Home, work and on the move. I specifically bought a mobile phone (the HTC Magic) so I could Facebook and Twitter from whereever the hell I like (weirdest place so far, Chinchilla in Western QLD). So why don't I do it. I don't know. Well, consider this my new year resolution. A blog a week at least. Come on. You can do it boy.

Hottest 100 Of All Time 2009

2009-07-12T20:28:00.000+10:00

Songs from it I'm sure I know

* 1.

* Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

* 2.

* Rage Against the Machine - Killing In The Name

* 6.

* Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

* 8.

* Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge

* 10.

* Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven

* 11.

* John Lennon - Imagine

* 12.

* Oasis - Wonderwall

* 13.

* Radiohead - Creep

* 14.

* The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

* 17.

* Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section

* 18.

* Muse - Knights Of Cydonia

* 19.

* Metallica - One

* 20.

* White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

* 21.

* Powderfinger - These Days

* 22.

* Massive Attack - Teardrop

* 23.

* Hunters & Collectors - Throw Your Arms Around Me

* 25.

* Pearl Jam - Alive

* 26.

* Michael Jackson - Thriller

* 27.

* Powderfinger - My Happiness

* 31.

* Metallica - Enter Sandman

* 32.

* New Order - Blue Monday

* 33.

* Silverchair - Tomorrow

* 34.

* The Living End - Prisoner Of Society

* 38.

* The Killers - Mr Brightside

* 40.

* Nirvana - Come As You Are

* 41.

* Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

* 43.

* The Beach Boys - God Only Knows

* 44.

* The Beatles - Hey Jude

* 45.

* Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows

* 47.

* John Butler Trio - Betterman

* 49.

* Guns 'N Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

* 50.

* Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over

* 54.

* The Cure - Close To Me

* 55.

* Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

* 57.

* Tool - Forty Six & 2

* 58.

* Daft Punk - Around The World

* 59.

* Augie March - One Crowded Hour

* 60.

* Johnny Cash - Hurt

* 61.

* Blur - Song 2

* 64.

* Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun

* 65.

* Underworld - Born Slippy

* 66.

* Elton John - Tiny Dancer

* 70.

* The Prodigy - Breathe

* 71.

* The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

* 73.

* The Clash - London Calling

* 75.

* Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

* 76.

* The Stone Roses - Fools Gold

* 77.

* Gotye - Hearts A Mess

* 81.

* Pulp - Common People

* 82.

* System Of A Down - Chop Suey!

* 83.

* Placebo - Every You Every Me

* 84.

* Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman, No Cry

* 85.

* The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You

* 86.

* The Beatles - Come Together

* 90.

* Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire

* 93.

* Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy

* 94.

* Modest Mouse - Float On

* 95.

* Stevie Wonder - Superstition

* 96.

* Daft Punk - One More Time

* 100.

* Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

Songs from it I actually like

* 2.

* Rage Against the Machine - Killing In The Name

* 6.

* Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

* 11.

* John Lennon - Imagine

* 12.

* Oasis - Wonderwall

* 17.

* Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section

* 18.

* Muse - Knights Of Cydonia

* 19.

* Metallica - One

* 20.

* White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

* 21.

* Powderfinger - These Days

* 22.

* Massive Attack - Teardrop

* 23.

* Hunters & Collectors - Throw Your Arms Around Me

* 26.

* Michael Jackson - Thriller

* 27.

* Powderfinger - My Happiness

* 31.

* Metallica - Enter Sandman

* 41.

* Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

* 44.

* The Beatles - Hey Jude

* 45.

* Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows

* 47.

* John Butler Trio - Betterman

* 49.

* Guns 'N Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

* 50.

* Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over

* 54.

* The Cure - Close To Me

* 58.

* Daft Punk - Around The World

* 59.

* Augie March - One Crowded Hour

* 61.

* Blur - Song 2

* 64.

* Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun

* 65.

* Underworld - Born Slippy

* 70.

* The Prodigy - Breathe

* 73.

* The Clash - London Calling

* 77.

* Gotye - Hearts A Mess

* 81.

* Pulp - Common People

* 83.

* Placebo - Every You Every Me

* 90.

* Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire

* 94.

* Modest Mouse - Float On

* 96.

* Daft Punk - One More Time

* 100.

* Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

sound track to my life my arse

There's somethin' wrong with the world today

2009-07-06T18:26:00.000+10:00

I don't know what it is,
Something's wrong with our eyes

We're seeing things in a different way
And God knows it ain't His
It sure ain't no surprise

We're livin' on the edge

So sang one of the greatest bands of our time. If you know who, send me an email and you can go go into the draw to use my time machine to go back in time to 1994 and watch them perform it live.

So what is wrong with the world today? Well I'll tell you one of the things I learned in the last week that I think is wrong with the world today. Footballers; their salary and their behaviour. It's actually a good title for a book, a film, a report or an inquest. In the last fortnight, we've seen players who are considered to be at the peak of their prowess (take Lote Tuqiri) and players who've already been through the ringer several times (take Ben Cousins and Brett Seymour, no really please take them a long way away) manage to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In Lote's case, I'll give him a little bit of the benefit of the doubt at the moment. We aren't sure what he's done. The ARU won't tell us, Lote's not allowed to tell us and even the ever reliable press corps don't appear to have the answer. But my big problem with this, is that a player that is earning somewhere between $600,000 and $900,000 a season to play a game can allow himself to be in a position where he puts his contract in jeopardy. For what ever reason.

Let's put that in context. I earn less than Lote, considerably less. I do however, have similar things built into my employment contract that I'm not allowed to do or to try and get away with. Rock up at work drunk or feeling the after effects of too much drink and I'm pushing the envelope. Get into a fight with a colleague and I'm pretty much gone. I understand the potential risks here and I avoid them. Because I have to. Because my job and my financial standing would be at risk if I didn't.

Brett Seymour was a fairly good player for the Broncos (even tipped as the next Alfie Langer before being sacked for allegedly headbutting a girl on the dance floor of a Brisbane pub. He turned to Cronulla and became again, a fairly good player for them. In March this year, he was filmed rolling around drunk and half naked in the street and dropped for a couple of games after being ejected from a local bar. He'd already been in trouble with the club after being convicted of drink driving. So he promised the club he wouldn't go out drinking while being out injured. Promised them in fact. Then later went on a bit of a bender, ended up in the same bar he was kicked out of in March and got in strife and kicked out again. He was apparently caught punching a mirror in the bathrooms. So he was sacked. No more chances. Thanks and close the door on your way out.

In Ben's case, enough has already been written and reported on his individual and unique circumstances and relationship with the public, police and reporters. In the last 2 weeks, he's managed to find the headlines for giving the finger to a TV camera ("Within our family we all do it to each other as a joke gesture. I've even seen my grandmother do it.") and joking about his team getting 'absolutely raped' to a radio host. This man is an absolute idiot. I don't care what anyone says to try and convince me of mitigating circumstances in his case, nothing can excuse his behaviour. The petulance and immaturity of giving the bird to a TV camera, then the sheer stupidity of comparing a sporting loss to rape? Come on, he honestly wants to be locked up and not allowed out on his own. I personally don't know anyone that's been raped, but I'm pretty sure it's not something he ever wants to happen to him or anyone he knows.

But my biggest problem with all 3 of this individuals, is that for better or worse, they are held up as sporting heroes and idols to kids. These are some of the people that children of Australia look up to and want to be like. They want to emulate them and be like them. Are these really the best that we have? The best we can fill our newspapers with?

But then again, as better people than me have said before. Today's news is tomorrow's fish and chip papers.

Just a quick update after writing this, Nate Myles has been suspended for 6 games by the NRL after a drunken incident on the Central Coast. Good old Nate "was apparently disorientated and naked in a hotel corridor" and scared the bejeebers out of a family. Good work Nate. You just added the full stop my blog post needed.

Apparently it doesn't matter if you're black or white...... or the power or Twitter

2009-06-27T21:21:00.000+10:00

I got to work the other morning early to finish off a tender. Locked myself in a room with Mal, Jess and some coffe to work out what we needed to do and came out an hour an a half later to find out that both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson had died.

Now at this point, lets forget about Farah Fawcett as that's what it seemed the world did. Instead, lets rejoice in the crazy absolutely fucked up life that was Michael Jackson and also wonder how we didn't know that both Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum had died.

Although Harrison Ford wasn't dead. If the Imperial Troops couldn't kill him in the Star Wars films (although he didn't have to deal with Jar Jar Binks), if the Nazis ("I hate Nazis) couldn't kill him in the Indiana Jones films and if Julia Ormond couldn't kill him in Sabrina, then no damn internet rumour was going to finish him off.

As for poor old Jeff Goldblum, turns out he died falling from the same cliff that Tom Cruise fell from and died a few years ago. Except Tom didn't die. And neither did Jeff Goldblum. Only Katie Holmes wishes Tom died that day. Then she wouldn't be the robotic mindless autonom that she is. Nicole Kidman would be. Luckily for Law and Order, Jeff Goldblum didn't die either (although if his performance in Thursday nights Law and Order is anything to go by I think he died some years ago). But the internet had rumours both of them did die.

Crazy. I did my best not to get affected by all the rumours. I wasn't that bothered about Jeff Goldblum, sorry mate but you're just not that good an actor. I was bothered about Harrison Ford. The only way he should go is when filming Star Wars 7, Han's revenge. In 20 years time. Not killed off by being the next in line of celebrity deaths.

I also helped where I could by spreading as many Michael Jackson jokes as possible. I won't repeat them all here. If you want to see them, follow me on Twitter.

What got me though was the sheer level of support and devotion to him. To be honest, I'd almost forgotten him. In an age where 'celebrity' status is earned by being locked in a house for 2 months with a dozen other pricks, Jacko was really one from the old school. He was only 11 years younger than my parents. And he was Michael Jackson. I remember rumours that when he played a concert at Hyde Park, there were more people outside than inside. That the concert could be heard 5 miles away. Thats a celebrity. That's what peopel will soon forget about.

Although not as quickly as they forgot Farrah Fawcett.

Spellcheck....

2009-06-22T22:47:00.001+10:00

crap... forgot to use it!

One week in

2009-06-22T22:35:00.000+10:00

Ok, so I've been in Bulimba for a week. We're nearly fully settled in and things are where we need them to be. More thanks to my urban gardener girl (UGG henceforth, so much easier!) than to me, but I'm helping where I can inbetween work.
The last week was way too work heavy for me. Going to have to look at that.
I became a fan of the automated e-toll pass thingy last week. I don't have one yet to get over the gateway, but it looks so much easier. Besides do you have any idea how difficult it is to get $1.30 out of your jacket pocket when you're wearing motobike gloves? Trust me it's hard. Almost as hard as it is for the poor sods that sit in that toll booth to smile. Mind you, day 1 in the car I was let off when i was 5c short of the $2.90 thats required. Thanks toll booth lady.
My annoying bike buyer is still kicking it. After a month of back and forth email contact about why he thinks I should pay for stuff he wants me to do to the bike I sold him he reported me on eBay as a bad seller. Queue another week of emails through eBay until I got the shits with him and told him to leave me alone. Now I've been reported to eBay's Trust team. They're going to go through my feedback with a fine tooth comb. Losers.
The weekend was at least fun last week. Went to UGG's parents up at Maleny. Had to take their trailer back that we borrowed for the move. Plus drop off a packing crate we're going to turn into a chicken coop. Well, UGG is.
Rosie came with us for the drive. Well, Rosie is the drive. She's my rugged Toyota Hilux truck. Never a finer example of Japanese mechanista has been put together. Despite the fact that she only likes to have premium fuel and can cost a lot to fill up.
Saw a bit of some friends of ours over the weekend too which was good. Think I was turning into a bit of a hermit. Work all week, internet all weekend. Making me a little more crazy than I actuallly am. Think I'm coming good though.
Hey look at that, there's a spell check option. Think I'll use that soon.
UGG's dad is into genealogy so he's decided he wants to track my lineage. Starting with my dad's line so this evening I spent an hour on msn to my mum to get details. Should be fun for UGG dad and fun for us to see the results. Unless I'm releated to some prat. That I won't like

Things to do in Denver when you're dead

2009-06-12T21:39:00.000+10:00

I only saw it the once. Think it was ok.

Anyhow, I have submitted to peer (fiancee) pressure and gotten back on the blog bandwagon. I did try a blog through Windows Live (or one of it's earlier clunkier predecessor's) and it was generally well accepted amongst it's following of 3 people. And yes I was one of them.

So what's going on in my life at the moment? Well I've just sold my motorbike to a guy who thinks that I need to help contribute to his costs of making the bike roadworthy and runnable. Despite the fact I sold it to him without a roadworthy and as is. Dream on buddy. Dream on.

On top of that I'm moving house. Funny story there, but skipping that for a second we get the keys for a rental place in Bulimba tomorrow. That's right. South of the river. I aren't that scared. Except I have to drive over the river on the Gateway Bridge to get to work and back now. Just for the record, I don't like bridges. Heights. Water. All of them. Yes I realise I'm a pussy. Deal with it. Cos I'm ok with it.

So the reason for moving. Well the unit we're in at the moment sold some months ago. The new owner wanted us to leave as soon as he bought it so he could move in. I told him to do one. Politley of course. I only used 3 f's. One at the beginning and 2 at the end. Anyhow the lease ran out, so we got a nice bog standard letter from A.N. Other Real Estate woman giving us the date we had to be out. That date was 17 July. This letter came in May. Plenty of time. Top work A.N. Other Real Estate woman. So 2 weeks ago. My lovely lady and I were kicking back on a Saturday afternoon. Lovely lady was on the web checking out houses. I can't recall how, but we looked at letter from A.N. Other Real Estate woman and determined we had to be out of our house by 16 June. Cue big half hour of arguments, bitching falling out and generally acting like a couple of pricks. At the time, it gave us 9 days (we thought) to find somewhere to live.

So cue 6 days of mad frantic house looking for by lovely lady. A fine job she did. Nearly drove her self nuts by obsessing over the finer search issues in realestate.com. Then this morning I emailed A.N. Other Real Estate woman to ask her how much rent I had to pay until we move out next week. What she said. Why next week? Well I explained pretty much the same story as above. Chuckle. Are you sure she said. No I said. I'm not sure about most things. Except socks are tricky to wear with shorts. Near damn impossible. Let me check she said. A.N. Other Real Estate woman kept me on the phone for 2 minutes whilst she did check. Swear she was giggling as she came back on and told me we had another month left to go on our lease. Bitch. Well ok it's not her fault, but I can't blame myself. Especially as I'm a bloke.

So, there we are. A month early, but we've got a new place. Over the bridge. Keys to be picked up tomorrow. And lots of fucking cleaning to do. Got to love it.

First post!

2009-06-12T21:10:00.001+10:00