IE v Firefox: the battle begins :
"This month Microsoft and Mozilla released new versions of their Internet Explorer and Firefox internet browsers."
Well, at this stage Firefox is winning, but will it win overall?? We have always liked a battle and a challenge. Why is that? Ford or Holden? Cliff Richard or Elvis? The Beatles or Stones? Labour or Liberal? Margarine or butter? We always seems to split ourselves in two and then race. Is it just western societies? Is it just modern societies? We only ever present ourselves with two choices and then love watching the ensuing battle and taking a spot in one of the camps. Me? Firefox.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Theresa gets a leg-up
Theresa gets a leg-up :
"A PRIZED dairy cow is putting her best foot forward again after an Australian-first effort to fit a prosthetic limb."
I blogged about Theresa the cow before. It's so good to know that she has taken to her artificial leg, that it has helped her, that we have an Australian first and that the people in Australia are so kind and inventive. Thank goodness her owners comments on radio!!
"A PRIZED dairy cow is putting her best foot forward again after an Australian-first effort to fit a prosthetic limb."
I blogged about Theresa the cow before. It's so good to know that she has taken to her artificial leg, that it has helped her, that we have an Australian first and that the people in Australia are so kind and inventive. Thank goodness her owners comments on radio!!
Trick or treat - but play it safe
AdelaideNow... Trick or treat - but play it safe:
"AS HUNDREDS of children take to Adelaide streets to celebrate Halloween's 'trick or treat' doorknock tonight, a child-protection expert has reminded parents that fun poses a risk."
The more kids out the safer and the more the parents and neighbourhood keep a kindly watch the better. I have had the best costumes this year! The kids have been really fun and that is something a bit different because it is often lukewarm in Adelaide. I was actually ready for it this year and was really pleased the kids came out in such grand style...I hope they get lots of treats.
"AS HUNDREDS of children take to Adelaide streets to celebrate Halloween's 'trick or treat' doorknock tonight, a child-protection expert has reminded parents that fun poses a risk."
The more kids out the safer and the more the parents and neighbourhood keep a kindly watch the better. I have had the best costumes this year! The kids have been really fun and that is something a bit different because it is often lukewarm in Adelaide. I was actually ready for it this year and was really pleased the kids came out in such grand style...I hope they get lots of treats.
Irwin Halloween costume 'tacky, disrespectful'.
Irwin Halloween costume 'tacky, disrespectful'.:
"'We all saw the outpouring of emotion and I think that to have it so closely followed with something as in poor taste as this, it's a real shame.'"
A society operates from the heart. An economy operates from the hip pocket. We know what is in our hearts and I guess we have to decide what we are prepared to accept in this world which has no boundaries. It is a shame but it's about who we are.
"'We all saw the outpouring of emotion and I think that to have it so closely followed with something as in poor taste as this, it's a real shame.'"
A society operates from the heart. An economy operates from the hip pocket. We know what is in our hearts and I guess we have to decide what we are prepared to accept in this world which has no boundaries. It is a shame but it's about who we are.
Howard, Beazley trade blows over climate change.
Howard, Beazley trade blows over climate change. :
"'I as Prime Minister am not going to take decisions that will put at risk the jobs and the investments associated with the natural advantages that this country enjoys,' Mr Howard said."
What the UN is saying is misleading and Labour's point of view is "inane twaddle" ??? And the other experts? The other information? We shall have no advantages if we do not address global warming. There will be no jobs. We have to make some big changes and we need a plan. That is common sense given all the information the world has been given. Why doesn't the Government want to do anything about it?
"'I as Prime Minister am not going to take decisions that will put at risk the jobs and the investments associated with the natural advantages that this country enjoys,' Mr Howard said."
What the UN is saying is misleading and Labour's point of view is "inane twaddle" ??? And the other experts? The other information? We shall have no advantages if we do not address global warming. There will be no jobs. We have to make some big changes and we need a plan. That is common sense given all the information the world has been given. Why doesn't the Government want to do anything about it?
Monday, October 30, 2006
New antarctic challenge for Adelaide adventurer
New antarctic challenge for Adelaide adventurer:
"Adelaide adventurer, Duncan Chessell, is training for a new challenge, to scale the highest peak on the frozen continent of Antarctica."
It sounds like an amazing adventure and I am sure the four Centacare Antarctic Challenge Team will have an awesome time and come back with some incredible footage. My friend's father when exploring in the Antarctic many moons ago and he came back with lovely long white hair and a long white beard...the classic stereotype!!
Antarctic Wallpapers
Teenager punched to ground dies
Teenager punched to ground dies:
"The 17-year-old was attacked outside a McDonald's restaurant on the Esplanade in Cairns in the early hours of Saturday morning."
I appreciate the news has kept us informed but has been courteous enough to spare the victim's family any media scrutiny. As a nation we need to deal with this. This is another needless loss of life because some kids have no boundaries. It is no use being sorry after you have killed someone. It is no use saying you didn't mean it. It is no use looking at the parents and saying it was an accident. Children need to know that killing people is not an option, accidentally or not. They need to really understand that when you do certain things then you are putting a life at risk and that life is someone else's and they cannot get it back. I feel so terribly sorry for the parents of the young boy. It probably all started with a squabble but it is pointless...the young boy just could not survice and the parents, family and friends have to manage the loss now and it must be so hard. It's bad enough when they are sick but when it's something like this you must be beside yourself. Those responsible have to be dealt with but they now have to live with having killed someone and having done that at such a young age, how do they then rectify themselves for the rest of their lives? We have to stop it.
"The 17-year-old was attacked outside a McDonald's restaurant on the Esplanade in Cairns in the early hours of Saturday morning."
I appreciate the news has kept us informed but has been courteous enough to spare the victim's family any media scrutiny. As a nation we need to deal with this. This is another needless loss of life because some kids have no boundaries. It is no use being sorry after you have killed someone. It is no use saying you didn't mean it. It is no use looking at the parents and saying it was an accident. Children need to know that killing people is not an option, accidentally or not. They need to really understand that when you do certain things then you are putting a life at risk and that life is someone else's and they cannot get it back. I feel so terribly sorry for the parents of the young boy. It probably all started with a squabble but it is pointless...the young boy just could not survice and the parents, family and friends have to manage the loss now and it must be so hard. It's bad enough when they are sick but when it's something like this you must be beside yourself. Those responsible have to be dealt with but they now have to live with having killed someone and having done that at such a young age, how do they then rectify themselves for the rest of their lives? We have to stop it.
UK climate report to put heat on Australia
AdelaideNow... UK climate report to put heat on Australia:
"Mr Albanese said Australia must immediately ratify the Kyoto Protocol, introduce a national emissions trading scheme, increase the renewable energy target and reassess transport systems and building sustainable cities."
I simply do not understand a government which will not take strong and immediate leadership when it comes to the regulation required to help confront global warming and the costly impact of climate change. There is no point in waiting. So many experts have given their information and views. We need to act.
"Mr Albanese said Australia must immediately ratify the Kyoto Protocol, introduce a national emissions trading scheme, increase the renewable energy target and reassess transport systems and building sustainable cities."
I simply do not understand a government which will not take strong and immediate leadership when it comes to the regulation required to help confront global warming and the costly impact of climate change. There is no point in waiting. So many experts have given their information and views. We need to act.
Muslim women wanted mufti removed
AdelaideNow... Muslim women wanted mufti removed:
"'People did speak to him repeatedly about his outbursts and the fact that his comments had no relation to anything mentioned in either our holy book, the Koran, or the teachings of Mohammed.'"
This is how it should be. We can think what we like and say what we like and we are all capable of coming up with arguments and counter arguments. It's called debate. Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilaly is a Muslim cleric and therefore it is for his community to decide whether he is worthy of remaining a leader and whether he has any credibility. They obviously have a clear stance and I believe we should respect them . We make our own decisions about our church leaders.
"'People did speak to him repeatedly about his outbursts and the fact that his comments had no relation to anything mentioned in either our holy book, the Koran, or the teachings of Mohammed.'"
This is how it should be. We can think what we like and say what we like and we are all capable of coming up with arguments and counter arguments. It's called debate. Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilaly is a Muslim cleric and therefore it is for his community to decide whether he is worthy of remaining a leader and whether he has any credibility. They obviously have a clear stance and I believe we should respect them . We make our own decisions about our church leaders.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Bosses sneakily spying on staff emails:
Bosses sneakily spying on staff emails: : "One in five employers may be snooping on their staff emails without informing them or gaining their consent, according to a new report."
I know they can and I do not think they have that right unless it is filtered out with some resonable filtering. Bosses need to see what people are doing because it is so easy to get distracted on a computer and so easy to offend. No one should use a work computer for personal things except in break times and personal things do not include offensive stuff. My emails are like my letter. I should not want anyone to open my letters and Her Majesty used to guarantee that was an inalienable right. I expect the same for my emails.
Free Images
Top house just an 'abstract veranda'
Top house just an 'abstract veranda' :"Designed to withstand gale-force Southern Ocean winds that batter the coast during winter, the beach house consists of a pair of 43m steel trusses supported by legs through which the building's services run."
Heaven help the Mornington Peninsula. It is not a house. It's a ghastly crate. Have a look at the picture. There is nothing aesthetically appealing about it. Its merit is that it can withstand gale force wins and the legs cleverly hide the utilities. When it's as modern trash as that, it would want to redeem itself somehow. No, I am not impressed. We really are getting stupider by the day.
Family First attack 'extreme' Greens
Family First attack 'extreme' Greens :"'The Greens are anti-family and anti-business,' Senator Fielding said."
The Greens....extreme??? You have got to be joking!!! I suppose it makes a change from their being accused of talking treehugging hippie crap or being wet lefties. Family First must be feeling threatened to say the Greens are anti family and anti business. What a joke.
Battle to limit net at work
AdelaideNow... Battle to limit net at work:
"Companies are beginning to ban web access and block instant-messaging services to squash discreet conversations among workers and prohibit employees from watching sports events on their computers."
It's too easy to become distracted , especially if you are desk bound and then you look for a bit of life and colour, I suppose. I guess employers need to look at the working conditions of their employees, but the truth is, no one should be doing personal things at work on the Net unless they are on a break. I don't think they can stop Net use in break times because so much of what we do is on the Net and it doesn't take long to send the email or pay that bill. It makes life easier. Longer working hours mean there has to be a bit of trade off. I was watching a girl at a desk the other day and she was on a chat line as she worked. I don't know how accurate her work was and maybe the chatting was for work. I still believe it's better to get up and go and talk to people . Most work email boxes are just too jammed with mail and cannot be dealt with in a happy way. All that sitting makes us dull.
"Companies are beginning to ban web access and block instant-messaging services to squash discreet conversations among workers and prohibit employees from watching sports events on their computers."
It's too easy to become distracted , especially if you are desk bound and then you look for a bit of life and colour, I suppose. I guess employers need to look at the working conditions of their employees, but the truth is, no one should be doing personal things at work on the Net unless they are on a break. I don't think they can stop Net use in break times because so much of what we do is on the Net and it doesn't take long to send the email or pay that bill. It makes life easier. Longer working hours mean there has to be a bit of trade off. I was watching a girl at a desk the other day and she was on a chat line as she worked. I don't know how accurate her work was and maybe the chatting was for work. I still believe it's better to get up and go and talk to people . Most work email boxes are just too jammed with mail and cannot be dealt with in a happy way. All that sitting makes us dull.
School formals drugs warning
AdelaideNow... School formals drugs warning:
"The company also subjects students to metal detectors, mandatory breath tests for alcohol, bag searches and electronic ticket validation."
This is for formals in NSW schools, but it is being discussed here and the article says we do not believe we need it. The security does simply that...secures people. We seem to be in an age where we are reluctant to tell children. Reluctant to stop them from harming themselves and others. So then we reach a point where they make dangerous and damaging decisions and then we are sorry. If the security measures give students a sense of safety and their parents some peace of mind, then it's a good thing. There are kids who are quite out of control because they have no boundaries and they are then able to become very destructive and we foot the bills in one way or another. I hope we are looking at this realistically in SA. I should have thought parents and school could make the decisions. Beefing up security in no way implies that the school is tough and the kids are out of control. It is merely a matter of sending a strong message to those who would use formals to their own ends instead of the community purpose.
"The company also subjects students to metal detectors, mandatory breath tests for alcohol, bag searches and electronic ticket validation."
This is for formals in NSW schools, but it is being discussed here and the article says we do not believe we need it. The security does simply that...secures people. We seem to be in an age where we are reluctant to tell children. Reluctant to stop them from harming themselves and others. So then we reach a point where they make dangerous and damaging decisions and then we are sorry. If the security measures give students a sense of safety and their parents some peace of mind, then it's a good thing. There are kids who are quite out of control because they have no boundaries and they are then able to become very destructive and we foot the bills in one way or another. I hope we are looking at this realistically in SA. I should have thought parents and school could make the decisions. Beefing up security in no way implies that the school is tough and the kids are out of control. It is merely a matter of sending a strong message to those who would use formals to their own ends instead of the community purpose.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
OECD test
OECD test ignores spelling and grammar :
"THE international OECD test cited as proof that Australian students have one of the highest literacy rates in the world does not test spelling and grammar."
Well, I'm impressed. We really are a stupid world at the moment. Terrified of skills, fearing opinion, incapable of confronting excellence and so proud of the mediocrity which breeds standardisation.
"THE international OECD test cited as proof that Australian students have one of the highest literacy rates in the world does not test spelling and grammar."
Well, I'm impressed. We really are a stupid world at the moment. Terrified of skills, fearing opinion, incapable of confronting excellence and so proud of the mediocrity which breeds standardisation.
Scuba Dancing
They are trying to set the world record for scuba dancing in Sydney. I can't believe how they have trackpants and sneakers on in the water!! Where's all the glitz, glam and bling??? I wish them all well, but rather them than me , it's so bloomin' cold!!
Noarlunga receives UN Healthy Cities award
AdelaideNow... Town receives UN Healthy Cities award:
"'Noarlunga has been implementing Healthy Cities projects since 1987, including tackling major health issues linked to unemployment, developing multicultural activities, and addressing water quality and other environmental health issues,' the WHO said."
Noarlunga....well done!! It has been busy and it's nice and obvious. The health centre and drop in centres run a lot of health activities and information sessions. The health village has been very actively involving the community in better health and the hospital also engages clients very easily once they are in the door whether as patients or visitors. The mental health services have improved and are really very good and the skills in that area are impressive. The shopping centre is very recycling conscious and they were right behind the dumping of plastic bags and getting us all to use cloth bags. But areas like Beach Road are noticeably cleaner and more inviting and the whole area is starting to lift. I have enjoyed reading about how the students at the local High School developed and integrated the knowledge and skills of indigenous people into their curriculum. Some of that stuff is really innovative . Good on Noarlunga!!
"'Noarlunga has been implementing Healthy Cities projects since 1987, including tackling major health issues linked to unemployment, developing multicultural activities, and addressing water quality and other environmental health issues,' the WHO said."
Noarlunga....well done!! It has been busy and it's nice and obvious. The health centre and drop in centres run a lot of health activities and information sessions. The health village has been very actively involving the community in better health and the hospital also engages clients very easily once they are in the door whether as patients or visitors. The mental health services have improved and are really very good and the skills in that area are impressive. The shopping centre is very recycling conscious and they were right behind the dumping of plastic bags and getting us all to use cloth bags. But areas like Beach Road are noticeably cleaner and more inviting and the whole area is starting to lift. I have enjoyed reading about how the students at the local High School developed and integrated the knowledge and skills of indigenous people into their curriculum. Some of that stuff is really innovative . Good on Noarlunga!!
SA gamblers lose record amount on pokies.
SA gamblers lose record amount on pokies. :
"South Australian gamblers also lost a record amount of money - a total of $751 million, or nearly $2 million a day."
Nick Xenophon has been the only politician to constantly pursue the misery of the pokies. My friend at uni years ago had a father who was addicted to the pokies and his stories of how their family lived and then how his Mum divorced his Dad who died a bit later were stories which used to bring tears to my eyes. When I visited the family you could see they were still recovering from abject poverty and I guess we all rallied a bit, without being too obvious to support them into their new launch into life. The pokies can be used sensibly. I have used them but I find them boring so I leave pretty quickly once my money is gone. I think I have only used them about 3 times, but you see people with their eyes glazed just tipping money into them. 10% of the populations is addicts. In our Nanny society we force people to obey speed limits, restrict alcohol intake whilst driving, wear seatbelts in cars not smoke here their and everywhere, so our Nanny society should've been out in full force protecting us from the pokies and Mr.Xenophon should not be left to be the lone voice in the wilderness. In the social groups I have been in we have started to pick venues without or well hidden pokies because we are fed up with the noise and the wall of constant jumping colour. So...all that money down the drain for people and their families. Who are the winners here???
"South Australian gamblers also lost a record amount of money - a total of $751 million, or nearly $2 million a day."
Nick Xenophon has been the only politician to constantly pursue the misery of the pokies. My friend at uni years ago had a father who was addicted to the pokies and his stories of how their family lived and then how his Mum divorced his Dad who died a bit later were stories which used to bring tears to my eyes. When I visited the family you could see they were still recovering from abject poverty and I guess we all rallied a bit, without being too obvious to support them into their new launch into life. The pokies can be used sensibly. I have used them but I find them boring so I leave pretty quickly once my money is gone. I think I have only used them about 3 times, but you see people with their eyes glazed just tipping money into them. 10% of the populations is addicts. In our Nanny society we force people to obey speed limits, restrict alcohol intake whilst driving, wear seatbelts in cars not smoke here their and everywhere, so our Nanny society should've been out in full force protecting us from the pokies and Mr.Xenophon should not be left to be the lone voice in the wilderness. In the social groups I have been in we have started to pick venues without or well hidden pokies because we are fed up with the noise and the wall of constant jumping colour. So...all that money down the drain for people and their families. Who are the winners here???
Friday, October 27, 2006
Gluttony Quotient
| Your Gluttony Quotient: 51% |
 You definitely have your gluttonous moments. For you, eating is a true hobby. And while you do spend a lot on food, you can always make it back winning eating contests. |
Okay, I'll fess up! NOTHING comes between me and my GOOD food! Love it , love it, love it!!! I'd never win an eating contest, though. I enjoy each and every mouthful. Oh...yum!
Police defend operations after teens run amok
Police defend operations after teens run amok:
"Police have been forced to defend their operations at Glenelg after hundreds of drunken teens ran amok in Moseley Square over the weekend."
It's neither the police nor the shop owners who are the problem. The only people who need to defend themselves are the youths and their parents. This is how the teenagers think they can behave in the Glenelg area. Who socialises children? Who gives them community values? I think the shop owners have every right to complain. The police are in the front line and are dealing with it as best they can, though. Glenelg ought to be a nice place to visit. I no longer go there. The last two times someone had tried to break into my parked car and the time before than there was a gang launching itself erratically around the place. I used to love Glenelg. A lot of people did and most of us laugh when we talk about the post office area and Moseley Square. We get what we are prepared to accept. Kids used to be part of the community. Now there's a group who've gone tribal. The other kids take no notice and have no wish to be associated with them and just say they are stupid. Why is there that split? And why do some kids think that destructive behaviour in the public arena is fine? They are determining what occurs and who goes there. No point in advertising it as a tourist attraction while it remains like that. There needs to be some solid discussion about how we can fix it. It is a community problem...and we are fed up with reckless kids. Really fed up.
"Police have been forced to defend their operations at Glenelg after hundreds of drunken teens ran amok in Moseley Square over the weekend."
It's neither the police nor the shop owners who are the problem. The only people who need to defend themselves are the youths and their parents. This is how the teenagers think they can behave in the Glenelg area. Who socialises children? Who gives them community values? I think the shop owners have every right to complain. The police are in the front line and are dealing with it as best they can, though. Glenelg ought to be a nice place to visit. I no longer go there. The last two times someone had tried to break into my parked car and the time before than there was a gang launching itself erratically around the place. I used to love Glenelg. A lot of people did and most of us laugh when we talk about the post office area and Moseley Square. We get what we are prepared to accept. Kids used to be part of the community. Now there's a group who've gone tribal. The other kids take no notice and have no wish to be associated with them and just say they are stupid. Why is there that split? And why do some kids think that destructive behaviour in the public arena is fine? They are determining what occurs and who goes there. No point in advertising it as a tourist attraction while it remains like that. There needs to be some solid discussion about how we can fix it. It is a community problem...and we are fed up with reckless kids. Really fed up.
Waste water to breathe life into the land
AdelaideNow... Waste water to breathe life into the land:
"'We use a lot of potable water for non-potable use and we take all this water which is perfectly good for irrigation and let it run to sea, which is not environmentally acceptable,' he said."
I hope the government will approve this scheme because the point being made is absolutely right. We let a lot of water go to waste and it'll be a lot of capital investment to change our ways, but now is the time and it would make such a difference. The oceans don't need more water - they are rising. The land needs water and we need to think our way out of this.
"'We use a lot of potable water for non-potable use and we take all this water which is perfectly good for irrigation and let it run to sea, which is not environmentally acceptable,' he said."
I hope the government will approve this scheme because the point being made is absolutely right. We let a lot of water go to waste and it'll be a lot of capital investment to change our ways, but now is the time and it would make such a difference. The oceans don't need more water - they are rising. The land needs water and we need to think our way out of this.
Downer, brigadier clash over Iraq
AdelaideNow... Downer, brigadier clash over Iraq:
"The commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Brigadier Mick Moon, predicts 12 to 18 months should be enough time for the Iraqis to take direct control of security."
When brigadiers and generals are giving their expert opinion who is the government to ignore it? I can't believe they think they know better than the men in command of the troops and the men who are there in charge 24/7. These men actually know what they are talking about. How can you dismiss them like that?? The politicians really need to wake up and join the rest of us.
"The commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Brigadier Mick Moon, predicts 12 to 18 months should be enough time for the Iraqis to take direct control of security."
When brigadiers and generals are giving their expert opinion who is the government to ignore it? I can't believe they think they know better than the men in command of the troops and the men who are there in charge 24/7. These men actually know what they are talking about. How can you dismiss them like that?? The politicians really need to wake up and join the rest of us.
World of fashion on our doorstep
AdelaideNow... World of fashion on our doorstep:
"Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said Adelaide's booming economy made it an attractive market for fashion designers and retailers."
I am not surprised quality clothing is doing well because we like it!! We may hang around in leggings and trakkie daks at the weekend or after work, but we do like nice things here and we are prepared to pay for quality. Cheaper than flying overseas to get it and some of us make trips to Melbourne to get shoes , in particular. Adelaide never seems to carry the right shoes. Not good quality ones and not a range. It would be nice to reverse that because Adelaide would make a nice weekend away from the bustle and would be a good place just to browse and shop...as we do. Last couple of weeks I have grabbed some great baragains and the quality has come back. The main thing is not to overstock and to have plan be if one of the lines is not popular because I confess we are a bit narrow in our choices because there are not so many of us. No many people here go for the way out clothes. We used to be really good at fashion but we have become a bit ordinary. It's the older ones looking for quality driving the market at the moment I should think. Lots of Adelaidians live here and work interstate or have to go overseas on business trips. That also influences what we need. What I like is that people have time to talk to you about what you are choosing if you want to spend that time on that kind of conversation. I have found that approach very helpful. Not everyone knows what tehy are talking about but the bulk of our people know what they are selling and know it well. There's an enthusiasm there about their products. I like that. I cannot stand people who are clueless. They never get my money. I go elsewhere.
"Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said Adelaide's booming economy made it an attractive market for fashion designers and retailers."
I am not surprised quality clothing is doing well because we like it!! We may hang around in leggings and trakkie daks at the weekend or after work, but we do like nice things here and we are prepared to pay for quality. Cheaper than flying overseas to get it and some of us make trips to Melbourne to get shoes , in particular. Adelaide never seems to carry the right shoes. Not good quality ones and not a range. It would be nice to reverse that because Adelaide would make a nice weekend away from the bustle and would be a good place just to browse and shop...as we do. Last couple of weeks I have grabbed some great baragains and the quality has come back. The main thing is not to overstock and to have plan be if one of the lines is not popular because I confess we are a bit narrow in our choices because there are not so many of us. No many people here go for the way out clothes. We used to be really good at fashion but we have become a bit ordinary. It's the older ones looking for quality driving the market at the moment I should think. Lots of Adelaidians live here and work interstate or have to go overseas on business trips. That also influences what we need. What I like is that people have time to talk to you about what you are choosing if you want to spend that time on that kind of conversation. I have found that approach very helpful. Not everyone knows what tehy are talking about but the bulk of our people know what they are selling and know it well. There's an enthusiasm there about their products. I like that. I cannot stand people who are clueless. They never get my money. I go elsewhere.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Maths theory bags lotto jackpot
Maths theory bags lotto jackpot : "The syndicate, made up of 17 staff members at Bradford University and College, bagged the big prize by using two boxes, 49 pieces of paper and a large amount of brainpower."
Given they hurt their heads for 8 years, then I am glad to see knowledge and learning won the day!! It's great to see thinkers put their theories to the test and their money where their mouth is. More!! I want more thinking!! Pitting of wits against the odds!
Free Images
Students sneak out to fast-food outlets
AdelaideNow... Students sneak out to fast-food outlets:
"TEACHERS and nutritionists are concerned students are avoiding healthy eating policies in school canteens by buying takeaways during their lunch breaks."
They certainly pour into town after school to eat rubbish. It's like a plague of locusts as they awarm and eat. I guess it's about community co operation. Teenagers are a law unto themselves because they have been brought up as consumers and they have considerable disposable income these days. They have therefore been given too much say for their level of life experience and many learn later they made the wrong decisions. In the mean time businesses have made a wonderful profit from them. So, team effort required.
"TEACHERS and nutritionists are concerned students are avoiding healthy eating policies in school canteens by buying takeaways during their lunch breaks."
They certainly pour into town after school to eat rubbish. It's like a plague of locusts as they awarm and eat. I guess it's about community co operation. Teenagers are a law unto themselves because they have been brought up as consumers and they have considerable disposable income these days. They have therefore been given too much say for their level of life experience and many learn later they made the wrong decisions. In the mean time businesses have made a wonderful profit from them. So, team effort required.
Youths hijack Paris buses
Youths hijack Paris buses :
"Earlier last night hooded youths set fire to a bus in the western suburb of Nanterre, leaving passengers scrambling to escape, firemen and police said."
Weren't they talking about surveillance cameras that could see through clothing at some railway station to help improve security? The whole world has taken to the hooded approach and it is becoming tiresome. Pretty gutless and the police everywhere must be fed up with hooded this and hooded that. The new cover up trend. The masked avengers. So, do we have the technology to see through hoods? The sooner the better because it is the tiny few holding the rest of us to ransome. Pot on them.
"Earlier last night hooded youths set fire to a bus in the western suburb of Nanterre, leaving passengers scrambling to escape, firemen and police said."
Weren't they talking about surveillance cameras that could see through clothing at some railway station to help improve security? The whole world has taken to the hooded approach and it is becoming tiresome. Pretty gutless and the police everywhere must be fed up with hooded this and hooded that. The new cover up trend. The masked avengers. So, do we have the technology to see through hoods? The sooner the better because it is the tiny few holding the rest of us to ransome. Pot on them.
Fox hounded over US campaign ad.
Fox hounded over US campaign ad. :
"Hollywood star Michael J Fox is finding out just how ugly US politics can get, facing claims he played up tormenting effects of Parkinson's to puff up Democrat candidates in mid-term elections."
Any hurt caused to Michael J Fox hurts us too. He needs to know we are 100% on his side. He has been brave, courageous, down to earth and so Michael J Fox. We feel his pain, we are shocked by any attack on him. Bottom line? He is the public voice of those who suffer that debilitating illness. Those who know its course are aware of the blatant, heartless cruelty he is facing. They also know what this means to him. He is publicly representing thousands of silent voices and he is doing it with conviction because he wants an end to this disease. Why wouldn't he? He is putting himself in the line of fire to give voice to those who suffer this disease and the way he is being treated shows why somebody needs to do this. It is so cruel. People who value his humanitarian effort and his supreme personal risk taking know the truth. This is how people with Parkinson's are treated. About time the world changed and he has demonstrated that.
"Hollywood star Michael J Fox is finding out just how ugly US politics can get, facing claims he played up tormenting effects of Parkinson's to puff up Democrat candidates in mid-term elections."
Any hurt caused to Michael J Fox hurts us too. He needs to know we are 100% on his side. He has been brave, courageous, down to earth and so Michael J Fox. We feel his pain, we are shocked by any attack on him. Bottom line? He is the public voice of those who suffer that debilitating illness. Those who know its course are aware of the blatant, heartless cruelty he is facing. They also know what this means to him. He is publicly representing thousands of silent voices and he is doing it with conviction because he wants an end to this disease. Why wouldn't he? He is putting himself in the line of fire to give voice to those who suffer this disease and the way he is being treated shows why somebody needs to do this. It is so cruel. People who value his humanitarian effort and his supreme personal risk taking know the truth. This is how people with Parkinson's are treated. About time the world changed and he has demonstrated that.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Skills shortage
AdelaideNow... Skills shortage:
"THE decline in housing affordability must be addressed if South Australia is to win the war for talent among skilled workers, Housing Minister Jay Weatherill has warned."
I should have thought educating people properly and adequately and ensuring they are educated would have been way ahead of housing. Teach people and they can build their own houses.
"THE decline in housing affordability must be addressed if South Australia is to win the war for talent among skilled workers, Housing Minister Jay Weatherill has warned."
I should have thought educating people properly and adequately and ensuring they are educated would have been way ahead of housing. Teach people and they can build their own houses.
HIV, sex not linked, 'experts' tell court
AdelaideNow... HIV, sex not linked, 'experts' tell court:"The case is being closely monitored by state and federal health officials, who are concerned it could undermine more than two decades of public education about the need to practice safe sex"
Whatever the courts decide, the courts decide, but we, the public practically choked on our lunch today trying to discuss this. It was the talk of the town, that's for sure, because the experts have been very careful to make us properly informed about AIDS both so that we can protect ourselves, but also so that we have a capacity to deal with people with AIDS intelligently. We were wondering why all the money and time on all those campaigns and why peope would try to disprove something when it has been central to our wellbeing for 20 years. We plain cannot afford to get this wrong because the break throughs have been considerable and the community is as one on this . It would turn a total community effort on its head, so it does have to be monitored and interpreted.
Rosey future for Jessica
AdelaideNow... Rosey future for Jessica:"With tinges of red, white and apricot, more than 600 entrants helped choose the winner announced at the Adelaide Town Hall last night, a French rose judged on its striking colour and multiple flowers."
So did Jessica grow the winning rose? It doesn't actually say. It is a lovely rose and yes, we have been lucky this year. The warm ,dry weather has made our roses bloom in a spectacular fashion so the rose show ought to have been very impressive. Adelaide gardens are a riot of colour with the prolific displays of roses even though the lawns look a bit the worse for wear.
Free Images
Booby trapped.
The Age: Plastic surgeon's revenge.:
"They are probably the world's most unusual 'wanted' posters. German plastic surgeon Michael Koenig, cheated out of payment by women, has handed pictures of their enlarged breasts to Cologne police, in the hope the photos will help trace them. Bild newspaper has already printed a five-column picture of one 'wanted' pair."
Hilarious, but such a sensible manoeuvre to get his money. I love the notion of the absconders being booby trapped. Love it. Very creative problem solving.
"They are probably the world's most unusual 'wanted' posters. German plastic surgeon Michael Koenig, cheated out of payment by women, has handed pictures of their enlarged breasts to Cologne police, in the hope the photos will help trace them. Bild newspaper has already printed a five-column picture of one 'wanted' pair."
Hilarious, but such a sensible manoeuvre to get his money. I love the notion of the absconders being booby trapped. Love it. Very creative problem solving.
Cheese as the new love drug
The Age: : "Forget champagne and chocolates, the best food to perk up your sex life is cheese. A US study reveals that it contains more of the 'love drug' phenylethylamine than chocolate."
Cheese? Better than champagne and chocolates? I love cheese but it's not very sexy. Good, delicious...stinky...runny...gloopy...globby...fermenting! It can give you smelly breath, an upset stomach...it can bind you, as my mother would say. No, no, no! Champagne and chocolate, please.
Free Images
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
AdelaideNow... Three stars stripped from top SA restaurants
AdelaideNow... Three stars stripped from top SA restaurants:
"The ratings were an example of eastern state magazines becoming increasingly parochial, Restaurant and Catering SA's chief Sally Neville said."
Touché!! Makes a change . We were always being called parochial. As South Australians we shall have a deadset honest look about what this loss or drop in international ratings might mean. I find it very odd since I have seen reviews of both these restaurants elsewhere and they were certainly spoken of highly and in glowing terms. You have to eat there. You have to have interantional friends who eat there. We combine ease of atmosphere with good food and any international guests I have had are always impressed with Adelaide they want and they can eat anywhere. They like Adelaide because the food and service are good and it's about making people feel comfortable . The restaurants here are special. Not fake. No one is made to feel ill at ease and the the food shows flair and care. The three restaurants mentioned will understanably be feeling upset. I can only say...look at who dines there and listen to what they say. There's a hotel I stay in overseas which doesn't have the stars, but it has the reputation and the accolades ...because it's about service, security and genuine care for overseas guests. It's home away from home and they pride themselves in that. Format hotels and standardisation are becoming tiresome...as is show pony stuff. I think we just need to keep the picture straight !!
"The ratings were an example of eastern state magazines becoming increasingly parochial, Restaurant and Catering SA's chief Sally Neville said."
Touché!! Makes a change . We were always being called parochial. As South Australians we shall have a deadset honest look about what this loss or drop in international ratings might mean. I find it very odd since I have seen reviews of both these restaurants elsewhere and they were certainly spoken of highly and in glowing terms. You have to eat there. You have to have interantional friends who eat there. We combine ease of atmosphere with good food and any international guests I have had are always impressed with Adelaide they want and they can eat anywhere. They like Adelaide because the food and service are good and it's about making people feel comfortable . The restaurants here are special. Not fake. No one is made to feel ill at ease and the the food shows flair and care. The three restaurants mentioned will understanably be feeling upset. I can only say...look at who dines there and listen to what they say. There's a hotel I stay in overseas which doesn't have the stars, but it has the reputation and the accolades ...because it's about service, security and genuine care for overseas guests. It's home away from home and they pride themselves in that. Format hotels and standardisation are becoming tiresome...as is show pony stuff. I think we just need to keep the picture straight !!
Vicar saves day with knicker run
Vicar saves day with knicker run :"'Someone came up with the point that it was a bit difficult that ladies essentials were not able to be bought in Inglewood,' Reverend Gary Husband told National Radio."
Heaven forbid the ladies of Inglewood should be knickerless and what a great Vicar to come to their aid. I hope they get their stocks of undies in order soon. I bet they are all laughing. There is only one clothing shop in the small town...they need knickers!!
Annette's Traditional Underwear
Mobile phones linked to sperm death
Mobile phones linked to sperm death :"A team led by Ashok Agarwal found that those who talked on their phone for more than four hours a day produced 40 per cent less sperm – and a poorer quality – than men who never used a mobile phone at all."
Oooooh! Now we can say, mobile phones aka sperm zappers! I had heard about mobile phones in pockets being a problem. I had heard of tight jeans being a problem. I have heard of laptops on laps being a problem...but now it's men gasbagging on mobiles!! We shall have to instigate mobile management methods. Apparently other countries have done research too with different outcomes or additional ideas. The looking at this issue pleases me enormously because I am so tired of mobiles interrupting meetings. I am fed up with the instant cow towing to the ring of the mobile, like it's the heavenly spirit incarnate calling...and I am tired of mobile interruptus. So , go for it researchers, just find me a reason!!
Free Images
Australia 'a giant in using up planet'
Australia 'a giant in using up planet' :
"AUSTRALIANS soak up more scarce resources than almost any other nation and produce so much waste on average that their mark on the world's ecology exceeds China, the environmental group WWF said today."
The figures are there and they are not pretty. We used to be very careful. We used to have a way of managing our environment and our lifestyle without being wasteful. Then we became self indulgent and we had the "haves" who had this wonderful sense of entiltelment and no sense of responsibility. Why should they be? They are entitled. This self serving attitude has been difficult to comprehend but it has been allowed to exist. When you then have a government which really doesn't act with any sort of real purpose in terms of our ecological footprint, then yes, we find ourselves ina pickle and now with an embarrassing international image. We were always good at environmental and ecological issues. Now we keep following the dollar. Silly. Silly and so ill informed. The glib, self righteous and couldn't give a stuff attitude is costing us dearly.
"AUSTRALIANS soak up more scarce resources than almost any other nation and produce so much waste on average that their mark on the world's ecology exceeds China, the environmental group WWF said today."
The figures are there and they are not pretty. We used to be very careful. We used to have a way of managing our environment and our lifestyle without being wasteful. Then we became self indulgent and we had the "haves" who had this wonderful sense of entiltelment and no sense of responsibility. Why should they be? They are entitled. This self serving attitude has been difficult to comprehend but it has been allowed to exist. When you then have a government which really doesn't act with any sort of real purpose in terms of our ecological footprint, then yes, we find ourselves ina pickle and now with an embarrassing international image. We were always good at environmental and ecological issues. Now we keep following the dollar. Silly. Silly and so ill informed. The glib, self righteous and couldn't give a stuff attitude is costing us dearly.
Monday, October 23, 2006
More people call South Australia home
More people call South Australia home :
"'Higher overseas migration and reducing the flow of people moving interstate have been key contributors to the growth and shows South Australia is turning the tables on population.''"
I am not surprised. It's the food, the weather, the laid back lifestyle. Houses are affordable and you have a chance to plan and run your own life. One of my friend's daughters , who didn't want to come here form NSW, is as happy as Larry because she said she was driven along in Sydney. It was all fun and good but she realises here she has a chance just to wander and be herself. She can see friends, go out or just run the dog down the beach. She says she is less stressed and her head isn't so busy. When she wants to see friends in NSW she hops on a plane and in the meantime she has sms ing chatting online. The peace of mind and food are real assets here. You can be yourself and take charge of your life. I guess a lot of people find it boring but more and more realise it's a massive relief to live here.
"'Higher overseas migration and reducing the flow of people moving interstate have been key contributors to the growth and shows South Australia is turning the tables on population.''"
I am not surprised. It's the food, the weather, the laid back lifestyle. Houses are affordable and you have a chance to plan and run your own life. One of my friend's daughters , who didn't want to come here form NSW, is as happy as Larry because she said she was driven along in Sydney. It was all fun and good but she realises here she has a chance just to wander and be herself. She can see friends, go out or just run the dog down the beach. She says she is less stressed and her head isn't so busy. When she wants to see friends in NSW she hops on a plane and in the meantime she has sms ing chatting online. The peace of mind and food are real assets here. You can be yourself and take charge of your life. I guess a lot of people find it boring but more and more realise it's a massive relief to live here.
Water trading market should include non-users: report.
Water trading market should include non-users: report.
: "The report from the National Water Initiative suggests that those who do not use the water should still be able to buy and sell entitlements, because this would make the market more efficient."
As long as they know what they are talking about. I love articles like this. Who doesn't use water?? Water brokers??? Why do we need water brokers? Factors to drive the price of water??? Water is suddenly a money making commodity instead of a necessity...a basic right. Someone is making real fools of us...or have I got it wrong?!
: "The report from the National Water Initiative suggests that those who do not use the water should still be able to buy and sell entitlements, because this would make the market more efficient."
As long as they know what they are talking about. I love articles like this. Who doesn't use water?? Water brokers??? Why do we need water brokers? Factors to drive the price of water??? Water is suddenly a money making commodity instead of a necessity...a basic right. Someone is making real fools of us...or have I got it wrong?!
Teen girls face trial over cabbie murder.
Teen girls face trial over cabbie murder. :
"In the Lidcombe Children's Court today, the 14 and 15-year-old girls were committed to stand trial on the murder charge, while the robbery charges were adjourned until next year."
Where on earth do we get children like this and are we able to fix them? What kind of lives will they have and what on earth created kids like this?
"In the Lidcombe Children's Court today, the 14 and 15-year-old girls were committed to stand trial on the murder charge, while the robbery charges were adjourned until next year."
Where on earth do we get children like this and are we able to fix them? What kind of lives will they have and what on earth created kids like this?
Blogging Privacy Survey
A postgrad student, Karen McCullagh, at the University of Manchester contacted me to do and advertise her blogging survey. As the survey queen how could I resist and post grad work often relies on good will. The survey took me about 10 minutes and the only private question is age. So, go for it survey addicts!!
The survey is here:
Privacy Survey
and info about the survey is here:
Research info
The survey is here:
Privacy Survey
and info about the survey is here:
Research info
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Could you pass year 8 Spanish??
Well, there you go!! I looked up blog things and there is a site Blog things and it has things for blogs to keep you amused for hours!!!
| You Passed 8th Grade Spanish |
 Congratulations, you got 7/8 correct! |
Australians want recycled water
Australians want recycled water :"'Cultural conventions, and most existing engineering systems, reflect the notion that what flows into the body and what flows out should be strictly separated, never the twain shall meet,' she said."
And thank heaven's for that. This is why we are civilised. There's a reason to separate the two and we have come a long way in terms of health since we did that. It's called hygiene and there is no guarantee treated sewage will be safe because unfortunately people are not to be trusted. Using recyled water for all sorts of other purposes is not a problem.
Singing in the shower a 'waste of money'.
Singing in the shower a 'waste of money'. :"Anthony O'Brien from Energy Australia says that is time taken up doing activities such as shaving, playing with toys, singing, daydreaming and brushing teeth."
BUGGA!!! No playing with toys in the shower. Bum, piddle , wee, poo, pops. Bugga! Can't play with the toys in the bath - uses too much water. Why is the NSW government sending out 500,000 shower timers to people? How much does that cost? Can't people get their own timers? Then they can put the govt money towards new desalination plants to use up the water from the oceans which are drowning nations. We can get our own timers and it's a good idea. So what sort of timers do we get? Come on..organise us and use your money for the big water saving picture!!
There are some great rubber ducks at Gifted NSW. You'll just have to play with them in the toilet!!
Hundreds of NSW children subject to AVOs.
Hundreds of NSW children subject to AVOs. : "'We're going in a vicious circle here and these young children are dangerously out of control.'"
212 apprehended violence orders against children between the ages of 10 and 14 and 813 against youths between tha ages of 15 and 19??? And that's just one state. I have said before we appear to have some odd parenting here and I have also said it's embarrassing to watch the behaviour of Australian children and then the children brought up by parents from other countries. We get what we are prepared to accept and rude, violent antagonistic children are indulged here. Wake up , Australia, your country needs you.The time and money being wasted on these kids is insane. Socialising is something we need to reconsider because we have thought kids should be the centre of the universe. Well, their universe is like Lord of the Flies.. Wake up, wake up , wake up.
212 apprehended violence orders against children between the ages of 10 and 14 and 813 against youths between tha ages of 15 and 19??? And that's just one state. I have said before we appear to have some odd parenting here and I have also said it's embarrassing to watch the behaviour of Australian children and then the children brought up by parents from other countries. We get what we are prepared to accept and rude, violent antagonistic children are indulged here. Wake up , Australia, your country needs you.The time and money being wasted on these kids is insane. Socialising is something we need to reconsider because we have thought kids should be the centre of the universe. Well, their universe is like Lord of the Flies.. Wake up, wake up , wake up.
/C:/output.html
Anyone know what this means?
/C:/output.html
I found it on my list of visitor activity and it seems like odd activity...
/C:/output.html
I found it on my list of visitor activity and it seems like odd activity...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
GM bugs may boost biofuel production
News in Science - GM bugs may boost biofuel production - :"The use of GM organisms holds promise for 'certain niches', says Adrian Lake founder and president of the Biodiesel Association of Australia.
But he says the technology is still being developed and has potential risks."
Got this story via Wired, which never lets me down. There is always something amazing!! There's talk of GM corn, termites and their capacity to break down cellulose and then these bugs..GM to breed specific bugs. I can see there could be a problem of crossing GM corn for ethanol with our own crops for eating and feeding animals. Ic an see a problem with termites...who needs more of the critters and now bugs...GM bacteria!! These bugs might not just go in the car's tank....I'm not sure about this one. I support looking for new age , new millennium fuel...but not all these apparent or potential risks.
Spy software used in call centers
ScienceDaily: Spy software used in call centers:"Fluss said both emotion detection and speech analytics use recorded and transcribed conversations to sort them by searchable words and phrases."
It's going to be $400 million up the spout here. As usual we have been discussing how to manage telemarketers. Most of us put the phone down, or we say we just have to check something and then leave the phone off the hook while we do it. People are becoming increasingly frustrated and annoyed with the constant interruptions. Mail and email is far more successful ...or just having the website there. When we want something we are not at all against looking for the information!!
US shows signs of net addiction
US shows signs of net addiction: "'Addicts' showed signs of compulsive internet use, habitually checking e-mail, websites and chat rooms."
10% of the population are addicts. Doesn't matter what they are addicted to. An addict is an addict is an addict. This is where notions of harm reduction and moderate use fall on deaf ears. An addict has to be treated and dealt with carefully. Often the addict will just go from one addiction to another. Stop this addiction and an addict will become addicted to something else. I guess the trick is to get it channeled into something harmless. They speak of golf addicts and workaholics. People who can't stop working often become very rich before they become very sick. Bird watching can become addictive! I don't really want to make fun because an addict is not able to cure themselves and living with one is hell. The article speaks of people hiding their Net use from their spouses or partners. Now that is addiction. The secret use and the deception. I guess at anyone time people who use the Net go through the phase of always being on the Net and checking emails etc etc. There is so much to see, so many diversions and when you first get on the Net it is a wonderland. Then you start chatting, blogging or downloading and it just goes on and on. In this household we vary our pace. Sometimes we are not very enthusiastic about the Net. Other times we are in Net mode and then will spend a lot of time of the Net. It's when people have to go on the Net when they are working that it can be a problem. They are on the Net during the day and then come home at night and are on the Net. They become exhausted. Their sleep patterns become irregular. I have a friend whose son got really angry and agressive, really threw a hissy fit and was soooo hard to get along with for a while because he became addicted to Net gaming and they decided to take action and try and stop it because he was getting lost in his gaming world and totally obsessed by it. The withdrawal was something to behold. He has a happy balance now and retrospectively can appreciate what his parents and friends did for him. Yes, it can be tough.
Penguin deaths in landslide.
Rabbits blamed for penguin deaths in landslide. :"The fragile sub-Antarctic world heritage area has been overrun with more than 100,000 rabbits in recent years, which are stripping the island bare of its plants."
Poor penguins. I know our conservationists and experts in biodiversity will be right onto it, but this will not be easy to repair since it is nesting season and the landslide has gone right onto the nesting site. This is horrible. The funding to eradicate the rabbits had not been approved and so the excess rabbits had damaged the environment and the massive rains just caved it in. This is also the sort of situation where experts from the world over offer their help, knowledge and support. I hope the damage can repaired sufficiently to save the other penguins and their chicks. Anyone for rabbit stew? Rabbit casseroled in Coke used to be the top taste winter food.
Blog meme
Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?
The look …not particularly but I am happier than I was. I had a lovely beach scene at one time but the host couldn’t seem to keep the picture hosted and so my blog kept crashing. In the end I went through the Tiger Lily, which was so hard to read, then black, green, which I quite liked, and then settled on the standard blue Blogger template which I have tinkered with. I think it’s okay and I am not prepared to change at this stage for fear of crashing the whole lot!…and depriving you of all my thoughts.
Does your family know about your blog?
Some do some don’t. Those who do are very supportive and amazed with the contacts I get..
Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?
I am right up there on the web. It’s hardly private. Some friends know about my blog. I am known for my blogging.
Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? Or do you try to discover new blogs?
I always read the blogs of those who take the time to comment. I consider this the right thing to do. I look for new blogs and I like to find new blogs. Blogs are a wonderful source of inspiration and the ones I read regularly I value immensely.
Did your blog positively affect your mind? Give an example.
Did my blog?? I am still blogging. It can affect me very positively in that I can sometimes achieve some change or do something worthwhile. It has been so important in terms of issues or individual crisis. During the tsunami I was operating as the link to French blogs because people needed information quickly and my blog came up on searches and then I could redirect people and be in contact with French bloggers who were gathering tsunami rescue information. It has also helped individuals and I have heard from them because I took the time to blog about their cause and that really makes me feel so good on the inside. Blogging is something I find which makes me more interested in others and that means I have nothing to complain about!
What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?
My first traffic counter crashed at over 2000, but StatCounter has been my faithful friend and yes, I find it very useful. I love how so many people come from everywhere and it amazes me how many visitors I get from far flung places. It was so exciting when I hit 20, 000. I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a real achievement. I don’t get squillions of visitors but blogs like that are often run by more than one person. Sometimes I have a trickle and that’s okay. My numbers are pretty constant and I keep them up by sharing in Blogshares and Blog Explosion. Those sites help stimulate interest but it also means I get to see other blogs. Sometimes the numbers go mad and that is okay too. I like to know I am valued, I guess.
Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?
Actually I don’t. I just think of their blog and their writing voice. I do not actually think of how they look as a person.
Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
Yes. It provides contact. It promotes international understanding. It stimulates the brain and is a wonderful foil to format media. It is heaps of fun and sometimes a real challenge.
Do you think that the blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
Yes and no. It operates alongside the real world and it has many of the features of the real world. It tends to have a good sense of fair play and community and it certainly operates from a thinking, community point of view. It is not separate.
Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
Political blogs do not scare me at all. I like to see what people are thinking even if I find it offensive and I do not agree. Most political blogs are very interesting and promote a good amount of discussion and thinking. I think we need to think better politically and avoid the jargonistisc jingoism. I like to think we can put forward our ideas and that people can show why they disagree with them. If you stop political thinking you gag the nation or world and then you don’t know what is in people’s heads!
Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?
When people criticise my blog it is not at all useful. Not to them. Not to me and apparently not to anyone. It really creates a bad vibe. It’s like criticising my eye colour. My blog is me.
Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog if you died?
No. Why would I?
Which blogger has had the greatest impression on you?
Rezo.net. Then there was the blog of the ex Vietnam vets which I used to read which got me into blogging. I was reading their blog trying to make sense of the lead up to the Iraq invasion. I found their blog to be very helpful to my state of mind at the time. The blogs I like or which influence me are often found on the links to the right on my blog. Some bloggers are just plain awesome.
Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?
Given various blog organisations have had a great deal of difficulty categorising my blog, I could say no one. I can’t judge that for myself. I think others could, though.
Name a song you want to listen to?
Ose by Yannick Noah…but I also love Ta Douleur by Camille.
Tag some people
I really liked being tagged by PP at Slightly Mad. Doing memes is not everyone’s thing, but I love them and questionnaires and I am the survey queen, that’s for sure! I invite these bloggers to participate it they would like to.
Flubberwinkle
Inside the USA
The Journal of a Future Politician
Tropical Screamer
Still Waters
The look …not particularly but I am happier than I was. I had a lovely beach scene at one time but the host couldn’t seem to keep the picture hosted and so my blog kept crashing. In the end I went through the Tiger Lily, which was so hard to read, then black, green, which I quite liked, and then settled on the standard blue Blogger template which I have tinkered with. I think it’s okay and I am not prepared to change at this stage for fear of crashing the whole lot!…and depriving you of all my thoughts.
Does your family know about your blog?
Some do some don’t. Those who do are very supportive and amazed with the contacts I get..
Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?
I am right up there on the web. It’s hardly private. Some friends know about my blog. I am known for my blogging.
Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? Or do you try to discover new blogs?
I always read the blogs of those who take the time to comment. I consider this the right thing to do. I look for new blogs and I like to find new blogs. Blogs are a wonderful source of inspiration and the ones I read regularly I value immensely.
Did your blog positively affect your mind? Give an example.
Did my blog?? I am still blogging. It can affect me very positively in that I can sometimes achieve some change or do something worthwhile. It has been so important in terms of issues or individual crisis. During the tsunami I was operating as the link to French blogs because people needed information quickly and my blog came up on searches and then I could redirect people and be in contact with French bloggers who were gathering tsunami rescue information. It has also helped individuals and I have heard from them because I took the time to blog about their cause and that really makes me feel so good on the inside. Blogging is something I find which makes me more interested in others and that means I have nothing to complain about!
What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?
My first traffic counter crashed at over 2000, but StatCounter has been my faithful friend and yes, I find it very useful. I love how so many people come from everywhere and it amazes me how many visitors I get from far flung places. It was so exciting when I hit 20, 000. I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a real achievement. I don’t get squillions of visitors but blogs like that are often run by more than one person. Sometimes I have a trickle and that’s okay. My numbers are pretty constant and I keep them up by sharing in Blogshares and Blog Explosion. Those sites help stimulate interest but it also means I get to see other blogs. Sometimes the numbers go mad and that is okay too. I like to know I am valued, I guess.
Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?
Actually I don’t. I just think of their blog and their writing voice. I do not actually think of how they look as a person.
Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
Yes. It provides contact. It promotes international understanding. It stimulates the brain and is a wonderful foil to format media. It is heaps of fun and sometimes a real challenge.
Do you think that the blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
Yes and no. It operates alongside the real world and it has many of the features of the real world. It tends to have a good sense of fair play and community and it certainly operates from a thinking, community point of view. It is not separate.
Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
Political blogs do not scare me at all. I like to see what people are thinking even if I find it offensive and I do not agree. Most political blogs are very interesting and promote a good amount of discussion and thinking. I think we need to think better politically and avoid the jargonistisc jingoism. I like to think we can put forward our ideas and that people can show why they disagree with them. If you stop political thinking you gag the nation or world and then you don’t know what is in people’s heads!
Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?
When people criticise my blog it is not at all useful. Not to them. Not to me and apparently not to anyone. It really creates a bad vibe. It’s like criticising my eye colour. My blog is me.
Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog if you died?
No. Why would I?
Which blogger has had the greatest impression on you?
Rezo.net. Then there was the blog of the ex Vietnam vets which I used to read which got me into blogging. I was reading their blog trying to make sense of the lead up to the Iraq invasion. I found their blog to be very helpful to my state of mind at the time. The blogs I like or which influence me are often found on the links to the right on my blog. Some bloggers are just plain awesome.
Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?
Given various blog organisations have had a great deal of difficulty categorising my blog, I could say no one. I can’t judge that for myself. I think others could, though.
Name a song you want to listen to?
Ose by Yannick Noah…but I also love Ta Douleur by Camille.
Tag some people
I really liked being tagged by PP at Slightly Mad. Doing memes is not everyone’s thing, but I love them and questionnaires and I am the survey queen, that’s for sure! I invite these bloggers to participate it they would like to.
Flubberwinkle
Inside the USA
The Journal of a Future Politician
Tropical Screamer
Still Waters
Friday, October 20, 2006
Delay in Hicks trial a concern: Ellison
AdelaideNow... Delay in Hicks trial a concern: Ellison:
"'We have made it clear that we do not think that it is satisfactory that this man has been incarcerated for so long without facing trial,' Mr Ellison said at the 10th International Criminal Lawyers Conference held in Perth today."
It's actually good to see a member of the government speak up on behalf of David Hicks. Until now it has been members of other parties and it was Bob Brown who offered to actually visit him. He has been in Guantanamo since 2002. He is nothing, no one, has no rights and being in Guantanamo means you are in this place everyone talks about and knows about. It has an image. Those who are there are living it. We use it on TV , in series, in discussions ...but it is allowed to exist and the people there are not allowed to exist. I find this a strange way of managing things when you are supposed to be a strong nation. Leaving things untouched means you do not know what to do. Like our government has not really done anything about global warming. They do not know what to do. I think Senator Ellison is doing and saying what he wought to be and what should have been said before. It's about what we stand for, really. Doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do. I can't believe you would have an ornament like Guantanamo Bay.
"'We have made it clear that we do not think that it is satisfactory that this man has been incarcerated for so long without facing trial,' Mr Ellison said at the 10th International Criminal Lawyers Conference held in Perth today."
It's actually good to see a member of the government speak up on behalf of David Hicks. Until now it has been members of other parties and it was Bob Brown who offered to actually visit him. He has been in Guantanamo since 2002. He is nothing, no one, has no rights and being in Guantanamo means you are in this place everyone talks about and knows about. It has an image. Those who are there are living it. We use it on TV , in series, in discussions ...but it is allowed to exist and the people there are not allowed to exist. I find this a strange way of managing things when you are supposed to be a strong nation. Leaving things untouched means you do not know what to do. Like our government has not really done anything about global warming. They do not know what to do. I think Senator Ellison is doing and saying what he wought to be and what should have been said before. It's about what we stand for, really. Doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do. I can't believe you would have an ornament like Guantanamo Bay.
Farmers look to rotten bananas for fuel.
Farmers look to rotten bananas for fuel.:"The state's peak horticultural body is setting up a pilot facility at a banana plantation in far north Queensland to trial a clean methane gas made from banana waste."
We might as well use them for fuel because we can't eat them at the price they are. I sat and ate dried banana chips today again. We have mangoes a plenty...but we are still sadly lacking in our much loved bananas. If they go into petrol tanks, shall we cry? Banana power! We used to run on it ourselves.
Australians want more action on climate change: survey.
Australians want more action on climate change: survey.:
"A new survey has found fewer than 10 per cent of Australians believe the Federal Government is doing enough to address climate change."
We do want some action. It is appalling that we are confronted on a daily basis with the effects of climate change and there is NOTHING, no plan, NOTHING which says we are doing anthing to deal with it. It strikes us as mighty odd and so irresponsible. When we take more care than the government, it's a worry.
"A new survey has found fewer than 10 per cent of Australians believe the Federal Government is doing enough to address climate change."
We do want some action. It is appalling that we are confronted on a daily basis with the effects of climate change and there is NOTHING, no plan, NOTHING which says we are doing anthing to deal with it. It strikes us as mighty odd and so irresponsible. When we take more care than the government, it's a worry.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Plea bargain rubbish, Hicks' father says
Plea bargain rubbish, Hicks' father says :
"'It sounded like a load of garbage,' Terry Hicks said on ABC radio today."
I thought the same myself when I heard it on the radio today. I thought it was a weird way of going about things and I thought the open, forthright approach of his lawyer was good. It just all seemed illogical to me.
"'It sounded like a load of garbage,' Terry Hicks said on ABC radio today."
I thought the same myself when I heard it on the radio today. I thought it was a weird way of going about things and I thought the open, forthright approach of his lawyer was good. It just all seemed illogical to me.
New scholarship for SA students
New scholarship for SA students :
"SOUTH Australia's top students who take up an offer to study at the University of Adelaide next year will get a $10,000 scholarship."
Even though I am a Flinders graduate and pleased to be, Adelaide had a long standing tradition of scholarship and excellence which has been eroded. Flinders was a different type of learning environment which is why studying at either one was good, depending upon who you were. Uni SA only added to the mix in a good way. When Adelaide lost that traditional hall of excellence feel and name, it was a loss. It is good to see Adelaide fighting back because it was one of Australia's top universities and with good reason. Then it just lost the edge and traded on its laurels. Now it has bitten the bullet, I am certain it'll go forward with determination and success. I have been inspired by many graduation ceremony speakers at Adelaide...it needs to reinvent itself because it makes a substantial contribution to our intellectual landscape...and provides the balance we need here.
"SOUTH Australia's top students who take up an offer to study at the University of Adelaide next year will get a $10,000 scholarship."
Even though I am a Flinders graduate and pleased to be, Adelaide had a long standing tradition of scholarship and excellence which has been eroded. Flinders was a different type of learning environment which is why studying at either one was good, depending upon who you were. Uni SA only added to the mix in a good way. When Adelaide lost that traditional hall of excellence feel and name, it was a loss. It is good to see Adelaide fighting back because it was one of Australia's top universities and with good reason. Then it just lost the edge and traded on its laurels. Now it has bitten the bullet, I am certain it'll go forward with determination and success. I have been inspired by many graduation ceremony speakers at Adelaide...it needs to reinvent itself because it makes a substantial contribution to our intellectual landscape...and provides the balance we need here.
Eating disorders rife in youngsters
AdelaideNow... Eating disorders rife in youngsters:
"The Eating Disorder Association of South Australia said more than 2300 young people experiencing body image issues and eating disorders such as anorexia contacted the group for help in 2005-06, up from 1800 in 2004-05.
The number is expected to rise to 3000 next year."
Given it is a lot more children from 7-11 then the parents and community must be somehow putting pressure on kids. This is sad. They are too fat or they cannot eat and enjoy their food. What kind of society are we that cannot make kids thrive?? Normal, happy kids are busy and doing and get hungry. For the first time in years I have seen boys out on the street on their bikes. They do what kids used to do. They peddle up and down the street on their bikes and laugh and have fun. They hide and play tricks on each other. What I have seen is all good, clean, healthy active fun. I bet as soon as they go in the door at home , they want something to eat and that is when you give them the good food. They are healthily hungry. They are not thinking about food and what it might do to them . They are running and cycling and then work up an appetite. They are not overweight. They wear their bike helmets and they all look happy and bright. The sorts of kids you want to say a cheery hello to. Long time since I have seen kids like that and it is so great. On this street a lot of us are out the front over the course of a day, so they have many eyes around at the weekend. We are just about our daily business but it makes it a safer neighbourhood because of that. Add the joggers, the dog walkers and the people strolling to the shops and it's a good place for kids to play.
"The Eating Disorder Association of South Australia said more than 2300 young people experiencing body image issues and eating disorders such as anorexia contacted the group for help in 2005-06, up from 1800 in 2004-05.
The number is expected to rise to 3000 next year."
Given it is a lot more children from 7-11 then the parents and community must be somehow putting pressure on kids. This is sad. They are too fat or they cannot eat and enjoy their food. What kind of society are we that cannot make kids thrive?? Normal, happy kids are busy and doing and get hungry. For the first time in years I have seen boys out on the street on their bikes. They do what kids used to do. They peddle up and down the street on their bikes and laugh and have fun. They hide and play tricks on each other. What I have seen is all good, clean, healthy active fun. I bet as soon as they go in the door at home , they want something to eat and that is when you give them the good food. They are healthily hungry. They are not thinking about food and what it might do to them . They are running and cycling and then work up an appetite. They are not overweight. They wear their bike helmets and they all look happy and bright. The sorts of kids you want to say a cheery hello to. Long time since I have seen kids like that and it is so great. On this street a lot of us are out the front over the course of a day, so they have many eyes around at the weekend. We are just about our daily business but it makes it a safer neighbourhood because of that. Add the joggers, the dog walkers and the people strolling to the shops and it's a good place for kids to play.
France tops tourist destinations despite frosty welcome.
France tops tourist destinations despite frosty welcome. :
"Ms Du Cluzeau also says the French refuse to speak foreign languages to tourists, even when they were capable of doing so."
French speaking people are really nice and friendly if you speak French with them. Even people who are bad at French get a good response. They always forget to mention that in France people speak French. When people come here we make no allowances if they speak no English. We expect people to speak English here. People need to ring up France in advance to tell them they are coming so they switch over to their language. I cannot believe how people avoid speaking French to the French. It's their country. You make an effort to speak their language. I cannot stand the notion that other people can change in their own country to fit the needs of you , the tourist. And truly , if you visit a country and you don't speak the language, you really aren't visiting the country. You are missing the people. You are missing the best places to eat. You are huddled in some place where you are okay but you aren't living. Talk to the French speakers in French. You'll see the difference because French people are really polite and considerate and will really help you if you ask or just talk. People I know just do the best they can with their French and the resultant effect is great. Like we do here. If people try their English, we really help them along. If France were so awful people wouldn't go there. Allez-y!!
"Ms Du Cluzeau also says the French refuse to speak foreign languages to tourists, even when they were capable of doing so."
French speaking people are really nice and friendly if you speak French with them. Even people who are bad at French get a good response. They always forget to mention that in France people speak French. When people come here we make no allowances if they speak no English. We expect people to speak English here. People need to ring up France in advance to tell them they are coming so they switch over to their language. I cannot believe how people avoid speaking French to the French. It's their country. You make an effort to speak their language. I cannot stand the notion that other people can change in their own country to fit the needs of you , the tourist. And truly , if you visit a country and you don't speak the language, you really aren't visiting the country. You are missing the people. You are missing the best places to eat. You are huddled in some place where you are okay but you aren't living. Talk to the French speakers in French. You'll see the difference because French people are really polite and considerate and will really help you if you ask or just talk. People I know just do the best they can with their French and the resultant effect is great. Like we do here. If people try their English, we really help them along. If France were so awful people wouldn't go there. Allez-y!!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Humanity faces species split
Humanity faces species split :
"The mating preferences of the rich, highly educated and well-nourished could ultimately drive their separation into a genetically distinct group that no longer interbreeds with less fortunate human beings."
There is ample evidence coming out that the rich and the privileged are not healthier and are not advantaged. They are not well fed. They have drug, alcohol and depressive problems. So the theory might work were it true that money means you have brains. The coffee coloured people by the score is nothing new. I do think, however , we shall change and there will be different types of people. There is already that gap between real people and how they look and engineered people. I think we are preparing ourselves for the advent of humanoids!
"The mating preferences of the rich, highly educated and well-nourished could ultimately drive their separation into a genetically distinct group that no longer interbreeds with less fortunate human beings."
There is ample evidence coming out that the rich and the privileged are not healthier and are not advantaged. They are not well fed. They have drug, alcohol and depressive problems. So the theory might work were it true that money means you have brains. The coffee coloured people by the score is nothing new. I do think, however , we shall change and there will be different types of people. There is already that gap between real people and how they look and engineered people. I think we are preparing ourselves for the advent of humanoids!
Aussies 'rolling in dough'
AdelaideNow... Aussies 'rolling in dough':
"While much of the rise was because of share ownership and the growing value of the family home, Mr Costello said Government policies had played a part."
Yes, the rich are getting richer. It's the assets belt which is expanding. The have nots have less. That's how this economic approach works. It runs on the premise those who have will want to keep it and so the rich have this lovely feathered nest. Very Dickensian.
"While much of the rise was because of share ownership and the growing value of the family home, Mr Costello said Government policies had played a part."
Yes, the rich are getting richer. It's the assets belt which is expanding. The have nots have less. That's how this economic approach works. It runs on the premise those who have will want to keep it and so the rich have this lovely feathered nest. Very Dickensian.
Drug detox for would-be car-jacker
AdelaideNow... Drug detox for would-be car-jacker:
"It is alleged Ms Brennan was surprised when she jumped into the car and found it was a manual, not an automatic.
Police alleged that she tried to run off but was restrained by two male bystanders."
Does sound a bit like the poor girl had addled brains and I am so glad that part of how she is being dealt with is being given the offer she can't refuse of going to detox. She needs to be looking after herself if she is going to scare the wits out of a 49 year old lady by trying to steal her car and then totally stuff it up. This is not a life moving forward. At 20 she has a chance to learn and get on the right track. The two guys were obviously thinking. So this whole thing is a complete community reaction to a person who's going down the wrong road. I am convined a community approach will produce results. I hope the poor lady who had her car hi jacked is okay and not too much in shock. I am glad I drive a manual!!
"It is alleged Ms Brennan was surprised when she jumped into the car and found it was a manual, not an automatic.
Police alleged that she tried to run off but was restrained by two male bystanders."
Does sound a bit like the poor girl had addled brains and I am so glad that part of how she is being dealt with is being given the offer she can't refuse of going to detox. She needs to be looking after herself if she is going to scare the wits out of a 49 year old lady by trying to steal her car and then totally stuff it up. This is not a life moving forward. At 20 she has a chance to learn and get on the right track. The two guys were obviously thinking. So this whole thing is a complete community reaction to a person who's going down the wrong road. I am convined a community approach will produce results. I hope the poor lady who had her car hi jacked is okay and not too much in shock. I am glad I drive a manual!!
Bolt came from Boeing plane
Bolt came from Boeing plane: CASA. :
"'I had a cup of coffee, and before I finished the coffee I heard a big noise - splash, bang,' he said."
A bolt falling off a plane in flight might be rare but it really ought not happen. Losing bits off the plane as you fly is very shoddy maintenance!! Scary. It's fantastic the guy who heard it fall on his roof actually retrieved it and realised it had to be acted upon. It might have dropped in the ocean or forest and it might have dropped where peopple would not have realised its significance. Given planes run on time tables , the plane will be tracked down, but up there for thinking, Mr. Margiotta.
"'I had a cup of coffee, and before I finished the coffee I heard a big noise - splash, bang,' he said."
A bolt falling off a plane in flight might be rare but it really ought not happen. Losing bits off the plane as you fly is very shoddy maintenance!! Scary. It's fantastic the guy who heard it fall on his roof actually retrieved it and realised it had to be acted upon. It might have dropped in the ocean or forest and it might have dropped where peopple would not have realised its significance. Given planes run on time tables , the plane will be tracked down, but up there for thinking, Mr. Margiotta.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Dams dry up at night, says study
AdelaideNow... Dams dry up at night, says study:"Modelling of ten dams in four different climactic regions found that, irrespective of dam size or climate, up to 40 per cent of total annual water evaporation occurred at night."
In winter they can evaoprate up to 70% at night. What??! I thought sun evaporated water? I thought heat evaporated water. Why are we getting night time evaporation to such a huge extent? I really need a scientisit to explain this to me. Obviously we need to stop this evaporation. It would save us heaps of water. But does it also mean our night time sprinkler regime is ill founded?
Exact cost of obesity to be revealed
AdelaideNow... Exact cost of obesity to be revealed:
"It considers the direct and indirect costs of obesity, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer."
I am really glad to see this approach. The more information we give to ourselves and to our children , the better. It needs to be done in that fuss free, matter of fact way. As a group of parents today we were horrified our school canteens are largely resisting the change to healthy food for children when 3 other states have finally seen the light. We have had the argument that the kids won't eat it. I think we have had enough evidence to show that it's what we teach children and what we allow them that will determine what they eat. Jamie Oliver had to battle all of that. It's adopting a persistent approach which works. Why wouldn't we want our children and ourselves to be healthy. Why do we consider ourselves to be civilised and intelligent when we not only make dumb decisions and choices, we actually encourage life threatening eating?! Proper food is vital. Everything.
"It considers the direct and indirect costs of obesity, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer."
I am really glad to see this approach. The more information we give to ourselves and to our children , the better. It needs to be done in that fuss free, matter of fact way. As a group of parents today we were horrified our school canteens are largely resisting the change to healthy food for children when 3 other states have finally seen the light. We have had the argument that the kids won't eat it. I think we have had enough evidence to show that it's what we teach children and what we allow them that will determine what they eat. Jamie Oliver had to battle all of that. It's adopting a persistent approach which works. Why wouldn't we want our children and ourselves to be healthy. Why do we consider ourselves to be civilised and intelligent when we not only make dumb decisions and choices, we actually encourage life threatening eating?! Proper food is vital. Everything.
Top uni sets wacky quiz
Top uni sets wacky quiz :
"AT what point is a person dead? And how does a perm work? You may need to talk your way out of questions like these to get into Britain's elite universities, a survey of applicants has revealed."
I love this creative approach to sorting the goats out from the sheep and I like the fact that creative intelligence is valued at Oxford. In a way, I'd like to see this developed into a phenomenon...a TV show or game or online site to get everyone's brains jigged up. I'd love to see us all hurting our heads with creativity and learning. Ultimately it's fun and a lot of laughs are to be had. If commericalising thinking is the way to get people to use their heads and imaginations again...let's do it, because we certainly need more creative approaches to our problems.
"AT what point is a person dead? And how does a perm work? You may need to talk your way out of questions like these to get into Britain's elite universities, a survey of applicants has revealed."
I love this creative approach to sorting the goats out from the sheep and I like the fact that creative intelligence is valued at Oxford. In a way, I'd like to see this developed into a phenomenon...a TV show or game or online site to get everyone's brains jigged up. I'd love to see us all hurting our heads with creativity and learning. Ultimately it's fun and a lot of laughs are to be had. If commericalising thinking is the way to get people to use their heads and imaginations again...let's do it, because we certainly need more creative approaches to our problems.
Want a fried Coke with that?
Want a fried Coke with that? :
"FRIED Coke has become the latest artery-clogging hit at US state fairs."
Oh dear. Bad as the fried Mars bar. I do wonder where our heads are at sometimes.
"FRIED Coke has become the latest artery-clogging hit at US state fairs."
Oh dear. Bad as the fried Mars bar. I do wonder where our heads are at sometimes.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Driver follows GPS into sand
Driver follows GPS into sand :
"AN 80-year-old German motorist has obediently followed his navigation system all the way into a huge pile of sand, abrubtly bringing his trip to an end."
Whoops!!! Fortunately no one was hurt. I heard a lady raving on about these a few weeks back. She was a techno noddy like me and she couldn't believe how great GPS systems were and how much time they saved her because she was on the road a lot for work. She almost made me go out and buy one. I would have if I had to travel more. They sound fabulous.
"AN 80-year-old German motorist has obediently followed his navigation system all the way into a huge pile of sand, abrubtly bringing his trip to an end."
Whoops!!! Fortunately no one was hurt. I heard a lady raving on about these a few weeks back. She was a techno noddy like me and she couldn't believe how great GPS systems were and how much time they saved her because she was on the road a lot for work. She almost made me go out and buy one. I would have if I had to travel more. They sound fabulous.
Aussies jump for poverty
Aussies jump for poverty :
"Organisers said 50,000 people at 230 locations across Australia would participate in the STAND UP campaign, along with millions around the world."
The person who didn't stand up came from the Phillipines. It wasn't a problem that they didn't. They thought this would change nothing. That it was a lovely idea but the reality would go on and that poverty would always be talked about but never resolved. We live in a world where there is enough for everybody. We stood up for poverty because we actually are sick of the plans and empty rhetoric. We do want change. We do want our children to live in a better world and no one should be poor because of an accident of birth place. For me, it meant getting off my backside and actually sponoring the child I had been thinking about sponsoring for so long. It also made some of us start a knitting club to make blankets and clothes. That has been a good social thing for us but it is far more important to the people who receive these things. It's not as if you have to do a lot to make the changes. It's doing something. Something counts.
"Organisers said 50,000 people at 230 locations across Australia would participate in the STAND UP campaign, along with millions around the world."
The person who didn't stand up came from the Phillipines. It wasn't a problem that they didn't. They thought this would change nothing. That it was a lovely idea but the reality would go on and that poverty would always be talked about but never resolved. We live in a world where there is enough for everybody. We stood up for poverty because we actually are sick of the plans and empty rhetoric. We do want change. We do want our children to live in a better world and no one should be poor because of an accident of birth place. For me, it meant getting off my backside and actually sponoring the child I had been thinking about sponsoring for so long. It also made some of us start a knitting club to make blankets and clothes. That has been a good social thing for us but it is far more important to the people who receive these things. It's not as if you have to do a lot to make the changes. It's doing something. Something counts.
Climate solution 'must include nuclear power'
Climate solution 'must include nuclear power' :
"'Renewable energy is part of the solution but another very important part of the solution is nuclear power.'"
There only needs to be one Chernobyl. The deliterous impact of nuclear power when it goes wrong is very , very long term and incredibly devastating and destructive. The facts still need to be put before us. We still need to have a log, hard look at all the information. As far as I understand it , nuclear power could only ever be an interim measure and will not get us onto any kind of viable road. I am sure if I am wrong, I shall be corrected. There is another type of nuclear power which they haven't quite developed yet which might be more useful to us. To be honest, I want to hear the information from experts , researchers and scientists who know about these things. But Chernobyl is a one off you cannot afford to have. One is too many. Renewable energy is the only way to go because it is sustainable and it does not create the greenhouse gases. Solar power, wind power....hydro electric power too would have its short comings. I think it's important we get it all out on the table and look at it.
"'Renewable energy is part of the solution but another very important part of the solution is nuclear power.'"
There only needs to be one Chernobyl. The deliterous impact of nuclear power when it goes wrong is very , very long term and incredibly devastating and destructive. The facts still need to be put before us. We still need to have a log, hard look at all the information. As far as I understand it , nuclear power could only ever be an interim measure and will not get us onto any kind of viable road. I am sure if I am wrong, I shall be corrected. There is another type of nuclear power which they haven't quite developed yet which might be more useful to us. To be honest, I want to hear the information from experts , researchers and scientists who know about these things. But Chernobyl is a one off you cannot afford to have. One is too many. Renewable energy is the only way to go because it is sustainable and it does not create the greenhouse gases. Solar power, wind power....hydro electric power too would have its short comings. I think it's important we get it all out on the table and look at it.
Traditional summer holiday 'losing favour'
AdelaideNow... Traditional summer holiday 'losing favour':
"However, 44 per cent said feeling revitalised and refreshed after a holiday ended after their first day back at work, although another 44 per cent said the feeling lasted for a week."
Ain't that the truth. One day and it's all gone and that's a sad fact of our lives these days. You do get a longer benefit from a longer break though and a longer break enables you to rediscover and reinvent yourself. It is harder for people to take longer breaks because working conditions are frenetic and really unhealthy. Poepple become so wired they forget how to slow down and slowing down makes you feel stupid because you live in a frenetic world. You neither discover nor see in the fast lane. People can be frightened to take a long break. I think there is a push to encourage short breaks for reasons which benefit work places not poeple. Those who go for a long break always come back looking like a million dollars and with a fresh approach. For some they disengage and follow another path. Inability to slow down ought to be a warning bell.
"However, 44 per cent said feeling revitalised and refreshed after a holiday ended after their first day back at work, although another 44 per cent said the feeling lasted for a week."
Ain't that the truth. One day and it's all gone and that's a sad fact of our lives these days. You do get a longer benefit from a longer break though and a longer break enables you to rediscover and reinvent yourself. It is harder for people to take longer breaks because working conditions are frenetic and really unhealthy. Poepple become so wired they forget how to slow down and slowing down makes you feel stupid because you live in a frenetic world. You neither discover nor see in the fast lane. People can be frightened to take a long break. I think there is a push to encourage short breaks for reasons which benefit work places not poeple. Those who go for a long break always come back looking like a million dollars and with a fresh approach. For some they disengage and follow another path. Inability to slow down ought to be a warning bell.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Ethical Fashion Show
Change Design:"Change Design exists to promote design-led change to more sustainable ways of living. Formerly known as the EcoDesign Foundation, Change Design is a project of the Society for Responsible Design, Sydney, Australia."
Change Design was as disappointed as I am that we do not show the Ethical Design Show here in Australia. I saw it on the French news last night. It's so cool, so fun, but so important....and so Paris! The fashion is created by a number of countries by recycling and using their indigenous cultural ideas in a very remarkable and modern way. There was a bracelet made from a can and it looked amazing ...as did the plastic dresses. It's art, culture, creativity, fun and important fashion. Brilliant . Just brilliant.
The official site is here and runs in French and English (down the bottom):
The Ethical Fashion Show
There is information in French here:
Infos de la Planète
and English information here:
treehugger
NextFest
Fun solutions to serious problems:
"It has everything from the latest in airline ticket security, to a wall of colour you can swish around with your hand, to computer software for people in the developing world who cannot read."
I want a NextFest. I want to see the fun solutions to all of our problems. I want to see the creative side of technology there for me to wonder at and engage with. Sounds like they have some fantastic exhibits.
"It has everything from the latest in airline ticket security, to a wall of colour you can swish around with your hand, to computer software for people in the developing world who cannot read."
I want a NextFest. I want to see the fun solutions to all of our problems. I want to see the creative side of technology there for me to wonder at and engage with. Sounds like they have some fantastic exhibits.
Downer plays down pullout talk
AdelaideNow... Downer plays down pullout talk:
"'Nobody wants to stay in Iraq for one minute longer than is necessary and the definition of necessary is whether the Iraqi regime can survive without the support of some foreign troops,' he said."
This need not have happened , you know. All the calming talk in the world will not bring back the unnecessary dead nor resolve the ongoing blood bath. It's about getting a plan which will work...so which plan is that because the current one is shot to pieces.
"'Nobody wants to stay in Iraq for one minute longer than is necessary and the definition of necessary is whether the Iraqi regime can survive without the support of some foreign troops,' he said."
This need not have happened , you know. All the calming talk in the world will not bring back the unnecessary dead nor resolve the ongoing blood bath. It's about getting a plan which will work...so which plan is that because the current one is shot to pieces.
Baby Gorilla
I can't resist. Such a beautiful photo which depicts the ultimate in care and contentment. Such a big hand . Such a tiny body. This is so beautiful.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
'Sniffing' sensors set to be unveiled
'Sniffing' sensors set to be unveiled:"University of Newcastle scientists say they could revolutionise border security with new chemical sensors which can detect explosives and illegal drugs."
I love it. Sniffing sensors. It's obvious when you think about it, but it's a long way beteen the thought and the gadget which can do this. It's a good use of technology and it will help to fight the good fight. I hope they are able to perfect it now they have some funding from the Australian Research Council.
UK army head puts cat among Iraq pigeons
UK army head puts cat among Iraq pigeons :
"Then terrorists could 'run around the world saying 'we've defeated the Americans, it's the greatest victory over the West since the beginning of time', and it becomes a recruiting propaganda piece of advocacy for jihadists,' Mr Howard said."
I do believe Sir Richard has changed his mind and says Britain will stay alongside the Americans until the job is done....(or until everyone is dead, whichever comes first). There is no way the Americans will be defeated...they seem to have limitless men, limitless money and limitless equipment. The amount of money going into this is humungous.I don't know how they do it and I don't know how they can sustain so many soldiers being killed. It must be awful for them. The amount of death is disgusting.The invasion has caused so much death. Every day more and more. Them, us , someone else. Everyone is getting killed and we just watch the numbers and money getting racked up. Oh for the Ministry of Peace and a far saner approach. People far more important than I have been saying Iraq is one of the biggest contributors to the terrorist situation. So being there is feeding an antagonism we do not need because conflict and confrontation breed contempt and agression. So many squillions are being spent by us when the terrorist budget is so low. It's so sad.Intelligence seems to get rid of and thwart terrorists. There have been some good successes with intelligence. The British seem to be very aware of how this links together, probably because of the awful London bombings. They seem to realise if you keep stirring the pot, then there is hubble bubble. There have been more attacks since Iraq. Others have documented just how many attacks there have been and how much they have escalated since 2003. I think we are not looking at this very sensibly at all and no wonder. With all the best will in the world I think the intentions were good, but it is so costly in terms of equipment and personnel and then the Iraqis have paid dearly with their blood and the country is so unstable and just seems to be rubble. I never see a plant or a tree. I never see anything nice. The whole country is a mess. We need to stop excusing ourselves and start thinking about how we are going to put it right. We are not stupid. We need to find a different approach because the military one is not working and I keep saying that. Right , wrong, this that...cut the clap trap and start using our brains. There is no victory and there is no defeat in this.It's just a terrible, terrible mess which has to be resolved. Playing winners and losers and heroes and vilains is not going to resolve anything. We actually need to be working on a plan which will work. Position bargaining is just running through lives and money.
"Then terrorists could 'run around the world saying 'we've defeated the Americans, it's the greatest victory over the West since the beginning of time', and it becomes a recruiting propaganda piece of advocacy for jihadists,' Mr Howard said."
I do believe Sir Richard has changed his mind and says Britain will stay alongside the Americans until the job is done....(or until everyone is dead, whichever comes first). There is no way the Americans will be defeated...they seem to have limitless men, limitless money and limitless equipment. The amount of money going into this is humungous.I don't know how they do it and I don't know how they can sustain so many soldiers being killed. It must be awful for them. The amount of death is disgusting.The invasion has caused so much death. Every day more and more. Them, us , someone else. Everyone is getting killed and we just watch the numbers and money getting racked up. Oh for the Ministry of Peace and a far saner approach. People far more important than I have been saying Iraq is one of the biggest contributors to the terrorist situation. So being there is feeding an antagonism we do not need because conflict and confrontation breed contempt and agression. So many squillions are being spent by us when the terrorist budget is so low. It's so sad.Intelligence seems to get rid of and thwart terrorists. There have been some good successes with intelligence. The British seem to be very aware of how this links together, probably because of the awful London bombings. They seem to realise if you keep stirring the pot, then there is hubble bubble. There have been more attacks since Iraq. Others have documented just how many attacks there have been and how much they have escalated since 2003. I think we are not looking at this very sensibly at all and no wonder. With all the best will in the world I think the intentions were good, but it is so costly in terms of equipment and personnel and then the Iraqis have paid dearly with their blood and the country is so unstable and just seems to be rubble. I never see a plant or a tree. I never see anything nice. The whole country is a mess. We need to stop excusing ourselves and start thinking about how we are going to put it right. We are not stupid. We need to find a different approach because the military one is not working and I keep saying that. Right , wrong, this that...cut the clap trap and start using our brains. There is no victory and there is no defeat in this.It's just a terrible, terrible mess which has to be resolved. Playing winners and losers and heroes and vilains is not going to resolve anything. We actually need to be working on a plan which will work. Position bargaining is just running through lives and money.
Hill rules out new water plant
AdelaideNow... Hill rules out new water plant:
"'We certainly are investigating one for the Port Augusta-Whyalla area and to serve Roxby Downs. That will take some pressure off the Murray.'"
Yep, yep, yep, keep the uranium mines going, at all costs. Come on!! I agree, I hate it when it doesn't rain and then, when it does you see all this water pooling and rushing down the drains and off the roof tops...heaps of it. We really do need to think about how we are going to utilise our storm water. We have come up with some great ideas so far and they are really worthy of us, especially the wetlands. That is so sensible and so beautiful and so us. But there is no reason why we cannot be pioneering and utilising desalination technology along side it. It is something we can get ahead on , we can investigate and we can develop both as a help to us and a help to the rest of Australia/the world. Adelaide is good at pioneering technology for the reasons I have said before. We are big enough to be a good testing ground and not so big we will cause major stuff ups when things go awry. The hills could do with a water plant and if we are going to have to fight bush fires because we have hideous, antisocial creatures who think it's fun to light a fire...then we need water. What's the point of us all doing the right thing when some creep lights a fire and all that water we saved is poured onto the fire?? I think we can do more than one thing at once with regard to water. It's called multitasking.
"'We certainly are investigating one for the Port Augusta-Whyalla area and to serve Roxby Downs. That will take some pressure off the Murray.'"
Yep, yep, yep, keep the uranium mines going, at all costs. Come on!! I agree, I hate it when it doesn't rain and then, when it does you see all this water pooling and rushing down the drains and off the roof tops...heaps of it. We really do need to think about how we are going to utilise our storm water. We have come up with some great ideas so far and they are really worthy of us, especially the wetlands. That is so sensible and so beautiful and so us. But there is no reason why we cannot be pioneering and utilising desalination technology along side it. It is something we can get ahead on , we can investigate and we can develop both as a help to us and a help to the rest of Australia/the world. Adelaide is good at pioneering technology for the reasons I have said before. We are big enough to be a good testing ground and not so big we will cause major stuff ups when things go awry. The hills could do with a water plant and if we are going to have to fight bush fires because we have hideous, antisocial creatures who think it's fun to light a fire...then we need water. What's the point of us all doing the right thing when some creep lights a fire and all that water we saved is poured onto the fire?? I think we can do more than one thing at once with regard to water. It's called multitasking.
School swimming lessons 'under threat'.
School swimming lessons 'under threat'. :
"The State Government is reviewing aquatic and music programs.
The union says the Government plans to allocate funding for swimming lessons directly to school principals, rather than through a central fund."
In a state which prides itself on the Arts and has a long history of supporting and promoting the Arts ...why would you tamper with music programmes except to improve and enhance them? Fewer and fewer students have access to music and that is a sorry state of affairs, particularly when so many Australians give so much to the performing arts. It's not just a sideline here and so our educational institutions and our communities should do everything they can to promote a curiosity and success in the Arts.
Same for sports. We are a nation which gets everyone involved in sports. Schools have never thought you have to be good at sport to do it and as a parent I have been in awe of how teachers involve children in all sorts of sports at all sorts of levels. As for the swimming and aquatics programmes...they have to be compulsory because we live on the coast and we swim. We are engaged with water all the time. Our littlies attract a lot of attention overseas because they are so at home in the water and have such good skills and our older people enjoy the benefits of aquatics at home and on holiday. From a safety point of view it's essential. As a parent the swimming programmes were a godsend but they also promoted an interest in aquatic activities outside of school. Active is good!! Interests are good and safety is of paramount importance!! The young ones are a lot more water savvy than older people and they are like that because they have an affinity with the water. It's the Learn ot Swim programmes and the spin off which have generated that enthusiasm and ease. Health, safety and serenity...that's what it's about!
"The State Government is reviewing aquatic and music programs.
The union says the Government plans to allocate funding for swimming lessons directly to school principals, rather than through a central fund."
In a state which prides itself on the Arts and has a long history of supporting and promoting the Arts ...why would you tamper with music programmes except to improve and enhance them? Fewer and fewer students have access to music and that is a sorry state of affairs, particularly when so many Australians give so much to the performing arts. It's not just a sideline here and so our educational institutions and our communities should do everything they can to promote a curiosity and success in the Arts.
Same for sports. We are a nation which gets everyone involved in sports. Schools have never thought you have to be good at sport to do it and as a parent I have been in awe of how teachers involve children in all sorts of sports at all sorts of levels. As for the swimming and aquatics programmes...they have to be compulsory because we live on the coast and we swim. We are engaged with water all the time. Our littlies attract a lot of attention overseas because they are so at home in the water and have such good skills and our older people enjoy the benefits of aquatics at home and on holiday. From a safety point of view it's essential. As a parent the swimming programmes were a godsend but they also promoted an interest in aquatic activities outside of school. Active is good!! Interests are good and safety is of paramount importance!! The young ones are a lot more water savvy than older people and they are like that because they have an affinity with the water. It's the Learn ot Swim programmes and the spin off which have generated that enthusiasm and ease. Health, safety and serenity...that's what it's about!
Friday, October 13, 2006
Mums free to breastfeed in public
Mums free to breastfeed in public :
"NURSING mothers will be free to breastfeed at work, school and in other public places in South Australia under proposed changes to equal opportunity laws."
It says it all when we have to make a law to say it's all right to breast feed your baby. Where are our heads??
"NURSING mothers will be free to breastfeed at work, school and in other public places in South Australia under proposed changes to equal opportunity laws."
It says it all when we have to make a law to say it's all right to breast feed your baby. Where are our heads??
Spida weaves into Sydney
Spida weaves into Sydney : "While there have been questions over how 'Spida' will fit into the Swans' renowned team-first culture - he has a reputation for outspoken and random behaviour - the ruckman said he was ready to lower his profile."
I like Spida. He is a really decent bloke who can deal with all sorts of things and who always has an interesting perspective. 4 years with Hawthorn and 10 years with St. Kilda and maybe 2 or 3 years with the Swans, which was his wish. His team is the football public and that may be difficult for others to understand. I can like football because of guys like Spida. He has made me knowledgeable, he has helped me to understand what all the fuss is about and he has made me think about why Australians are so in love with this game. He has a good brain, he has a fantastic sense of humour and he has a great commitment to his football public. Yes, he is an individual and maybe others need to understand that it is his skills level and his personality which make people love the sport which he loves so much. It is his life. They are making him sound like an old crock. That he is not. He is in a transition phase now and maybe he will come to understand that he has only done half the job. The next phase is to get the young ones as enthusiastic and cool about it all as he is. He needs a good mentor, both to help him achieve his goals but also to ensure a guy like him isn't lost to the game because he thinks he is too old. There is a big future ahead of him I am sure.
Dad's spy camera catches 'peeping tom'
AdelaideNow... Dad's spy camera catches 'peeping tom':
"THE ingenuity of a Brisbane father who installed spy cameras in his daughter's bedroom to catch a peeping tom has led to a man's arrest, police said today."
I blogged about this Dad before because he dealt with the peeping Tom by installing a spycam in his daughter's bedroom. He wasn't fighting fire with fire, he didn't get emotional, scandalised and outraged...he just worked out how to get this guy who had such a gall and was pretty brazen. The Dad even let him know he knew he was there. So...there you go, the guy has been caught, technology saved the day, the Dad can be well pleased with his level headed , thinking approach...and the daughter can sleep at night! The police made good use of the spy cam footage and that is fantastic.
"THE ingenuity of a Brisbane father who installed spy cameras in his daughter's bedroom to catch a peeping tom has led to a man's arrest, police said today."
I blogged about this Dad before because he dealt with the peeping Tom by installing a spycam in his daughter's bedroom. He wasn't fighting fire with fire, he didn't get emotional, scandalised and outraged...he just worked out how to get this guy who had such a gall and was pretty brazen. The Dad even let him know he knew he was there. So...there you go, the guy has been caught, technology saved the day, the Dad can be well pleased with his level headed , thinking approach...and the daughter can sleep at night! The police made good use of the spy cam footage and that is fantastic.
Woman blows .239
AdelaideNow... Woman blows .239:
"When breath-tested, the 21-year-old blew .239."
OMG!!! At 10.15 am. I am amazed she could even open the door to get in the car in the first place. A minor crash is what had her caught and thank heaven's for that...because now we know , now she may be stopped and oh boy, now I hope she will get some help. That drunk on a Thursday morning...what on earth is going on with her? Partied out ?? How much do you need to register before you are comatose/dead?
"When breath-tested, the 21-year-old blew .239."
OMG!!! At 10.15 am. I am amazed she could even open the door to get in the car in the first place. A minor crash is what had her caught and thank heaven's for that...because now we know , now she may be stopped and oh boy, now I hope she will get some help. That drunk on a Thursday morning...what on earth is going on with her? Partied out ?? How much do you need to register before you are comatose/dead?
Children foil robbers' getaway
Children foil robbers' getaway :
"A passer-by spotted the car but did not have a pen and feared she would forget the plate number, so she asked a group of children to memorise it, police in the northern British city of Liverpool said yesterday."
See? There are good kids around and for all the good they do one, just one will do huge amounts of damage. The extremes are very extreme. The good ones have a real sense of community and work with their fellow human beings. It's called being socialised and these kids helped those robbers be caught withing 40 minutes. That is great stuff.
"A passer-by spotted the car but did not have a pen and feared she would forget the plate number, so she asked a group of children to memorise it, police in the northern British city of Liverpool said yesterday."
See? There are good kids around and for all the good they do one, just one will do huge amounts of damage. The extremes are very extreme. The good ones have a real sense of community and work with their fellow human beings. It's called being socialised and these kids helped those robbers be caught withing 40 minutes. That is great stuff.
Hunt for arsonists as fire threat eases
Hunt for arsonists as fire threat eases :
"In Hobart, a 14-year-old boy was caught lighting fires as firemen continued to battle bushfires which had earlier threatened homes in the city."
Social responsibility is lacking. It's not arson. It's an environmental and humanitarian crime. It's pushing water and human resources to the limit, it's threatening species, it's threatening income, homes, people, children, animals, trees. It's polluting the environment and creating fear and worry. The cost is enormous both financially and from a human and environmental perspective. It shows a total and blatant disregard for the safety of others and the welfare of our native species and farms. It is more than arson. Locking them away is not enough and shouldn't be considered. Tagging them and tailing them. Making their lives a misery as they have done to others. They should have to meet the people who fight the fires. They should listen to the families of the fire firefighters. They should meet the people whose homes, farms , loved ones and animals are damaged. They should have to be there fighting fires. They should have to be there cleaning up. They should have to be there repairing the damage...for as long as it takes for the damge to be reapired. They should fix equipment, clean trucks...and all under strict surveillance and all along the way they will hear about what they have done. They are not arsonists...there's another word which I am too polite to use which starts in a similar way. Sorry, but it's incomprehensible how socially deprived these people are and they are dangerous because they have no idea. They should now live a life of service. I hope they catch them all and I hope people keep noticing them because that is a great community effort.
"In Hobart, a 14-year-old boy was caught lighting fires as firemen continued to battle bushfires which had earlier threatened homes in the city."
Social responsibility is lacking. It's not arson. It's an environmental and humanitarian crime. It's pushing water and human resources to the limit, it's threatening species, it's threatening income, homes, people, children, animals, trees. It's polluting the environment and creating fear and worry. The cost is enormous both financially and from a human and environmental perspective. It shows a total and blatant disregard for the safety of others and the welfare of our native species and farms. It is more than arson. Locking them away is not enough and shouldn't be considered. Tagging them and tailing them. Making their lives a misery as they have done to others. They should have to meet the people who fight the fires. They should listen to the families of the fire firefighters. They should meet the people whose homes, farms , loved ones and animals are damaged. They should have to be there fighting fires. They should have to be there cleaning up. They should have to be there repairing the damage...for as long as it takes for the damge to be reapired. They should fix equipment, clean trucks...and all under strict surveillance and all along the way they will hear about what they have done. They are not arsonists...there's another word which I am too polite to use which starts in a similar way. Sorry, but it's incomprehensible how socially deprived these people are and they are dangerous because they have no idea. They should now live a life of service. I hope they catch them all and I hope people keep noticing them because that is a great community effort.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
'655,000 Iraqi civilians killed'
Scotsman.com '655,000 Iraqi civilians killed':
"AMERICAN and Iraqi public health experts have calculated that about 655,000 Iraqis have died as a result of the March 2003 US-led invasion and subsequent violence, far above previous estimates."
Mr. Howard and Mr. Bush say this is wrong.
The IRAQ BODY COUNT Database has it up towards 49, 000 for civilian deaths which they have itemised.
The Washington Post carried an article in 2004 that estimated the deaths at 100,000. Because certain people said they weren't going to do body counts then it comes down to others doing that job. Thousands and thousands of deaths and all that it is said is the number is wrong. You are so damned right! It is wrong. Very, very wrong.
"AMERICAN and Iraqi public health experts have calculated that about 655,000 Iraqis have died as a result of the March 2003 US-led invasion and subsequent violence, far above previous estimates."
Mr. Howard and Mr. Bush say this is wrong.
The IRAQ BODY COUNT Database has it up towards 49, 000 for civilian deaths which they have itemised.
The Washington Post carried an article in 2004 that estimated the deaths at 100,000. Because certain people said they weren't going to do body counts then it comes down to others doing that job. Thousands and thousands of deaths and all that it is said is the number is wrong. You are so damned right! It is wrong. Very, very wrong.
Australia may miss greenhouse target
Hot Air Balloon AdventuresAustralia may miss greenhouse target :
"'Minister Campbell's admission that Australia may not meet its greenhouse gas reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol stands in stark contrast to the confident claims he and Prime Minister John Howard have made for years that Australia is one of few countries that will meet its target,' she said in a later statement."
Reducing greenhouse emissions is a key factor and the LA LA approach from the government is gaining momentum. Whatever is vital and important gets the LALALALALA...LALA approach...like they are so all knowing and we are so damn dumb...scientists, researchers, experts...anyone else. It's a very poor way of dealing with a slack approach. Most people who stuff up on serious issues admit it and get their sorry backsides into gear.
We still haven't signed the Kyoto Protocol. Who cares? I care. Does the government????
Govt to cut red tape for developments
Govt to cut red tape for developments :
"Under the sweeping changes to the environment act, public nominations of areas for protection face a shakier future, with stronger powers being handed to the government."
This government is so out of touch with our nation and is so antagonistic. There is no such thing as consultation but the worst thing is they make a travesty of the things we hold dear. Protecting our environment is a key issue in Australia. Caring about our land is important to us. The red tape is a figment of the imagination of a government which doesn't give a tuppenny cuss about us and what we think is important. Like the industrial relations forums and avenues we had in place . This government thinks it is always right and that its approach is sensible and the rest of us are somehow too stupid to understand. I am truly astounded by this bill and the arguments against it were well spoken and well thought out. I hope the protests are loud and clear. They may have the control of the senate but it does not give them the right to patronise us and make what we see as valuable so worthless. Bob Brown is right ...its' a horror bill.
A horror bill created by horror heads.
"Under the sweeping changes to the environment act, public nominations of areas for protection face a shakier future, with stronger powers being handed to the government."
This government is so out of touch with our nation and is so antagonistic. There is no such thing as consultation but the worst thing is they make a travesty of the things we hold dear. Protecting our environment is a key issue in Australia. Caring about our land is important to us. The red tape is a figment of the imagination of a government which doesn't give a tuppenny cuss about us and what we think is important. Like the industrial relations forums and avenues we had in place . This government thinks it is always right and that its approach is sensible and the rest of us are somehow too stupid to understand. I am truly astounded by this bill and the arguments against it were well spoken and well thought out. I hope the protests are loud and clear. They may have the control of the senate but it does not give them the right to patronise us and make what we see as valuable so worthless. Bob Brown is right ...its' a horror bill.
A horror bill created by horror heads.
SA faces toughest ever water restrictions.
SA faces toughest ever water restrictions. :
"The use of sprinklers on gardens and lawns will be limited to three days a week and on sporting ovals to only two days a week."
Hoorah!! Not because we have water restrictions, but because we have dared to stop people wasting a precious resource. Until the powers that be work out how to get the rising ocean onto our land in non saline form, then we have to be careful with our water and there is no reason why we can't. Once we get the rules and guidelines and we can see the state of our reservoirs, then we won't complain. We'll kick in and do our bit. I am so glad we are not pussy footing around this issue.
"The use of sprinklers on gardens and lawns will be limited to three days a week and on sporting ovals to only two days a week."
Hoorah!! Not because we have water restrictions, but because we have dared to stop people wasting a precious resource. Until the powers that be work out how to get the rising ocean onto our land in non saline form, then we have to be careful with our water and there is no reason why we can't. Once we get the rules and guidelines and we can see the state of our reservoirs, then we won't complain. We'll kick in and do our bit. I am so glad we are not pussy footing around this issue.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Batten down for the 2038 bug
Batten down for the 2038 bug :"Like the Y2K, the 2038 bug is caused by invisible numeric values embedded into software code. But while the millennium bug affected older systems unable to store full century digits, the 2038 glitch is all about the way computer operating systems such as Unix record the passing of time."
The 2038 bug is on its way and I am sure the geeks will explain it to us and find the work arounds. I say geek in the nicest of ways because Adelaide is full of geeks and we love them because they bring us good things! Like the two Americans who brought us You Tube and how happy must they be?! It's to do with 32 bit and 64 bit time but I don't even know what that means except it'll mess with dates...they are going to have to sort it out, but maybe they'll be well balded by then and will speak normal speak to those of us who don't get it! Won't they have a whole lot of new, new ultra new, schmick, modern technology by then? Will this 2038 even be relevant?!
Numerical liberation front
I’m glad to have a computer because I was sick of being numerically oppressed and digitally deprived. I had spent my whole life bogged down by numbers from the time I was conceived. A foetus waits 283 days to make its debut. That’s 9 calendar month or 10 lunar months just to confuse the issue. To complicate matters further, doctors record the pregnancy in weeks and the law allows it to be aborted before 3 months and to be a legally viable human being at 28 weeks. But no matter, 46 chromosomes dictate human destiny and heaven help you if you have too many or too few.
Still not convinced I can’t get by with out my number crunching floating point co processor? Let’s start with birthdays. That fateful day creates a whole host of limitations for computerless people. It determines age and what a burden that can become. Age is one of the best forms of numerical oppression we have. With my computer I can turn and tumble my age until it becomes unrecognisable – but not so for the non-binary rest.
You have to start school at 5. You may not go earlier or later. Too bad if your birthday is in the wrong month and you have to wait until the next intake or repeat what you have already done because you didn’t do a full 41 weeks of Reception. You are then compelled to remain at school until you are 16, like it or not. You can start work at 15 but no one wants you – something to do with Lord Shaftesbury and the exploitation of child labour. But we’ve all heard of teenage prodigies putting the wind up nations by gainfully employing their time on computers. Some kids need to work. Left to their own devices they make negative choices for some reason. I bet they won’t be twiddling their toenails when they are 65 and deemed no longer fit for the workforce.
This age thing gets even worse. Prior to 18 you can be forbidden all sorts of fun. Perhaps rightly so, but how that can be used and abused. No wine, women and song for you ,my son, on pain of illegality. So you defy the numerical barrier and create your own age related mayhem. At 18 you can sign your life away and vote but you’ll still be told you are too young because life begins at 40. See how restrictive numbers are?
Then you have star signs and biorhythms wreaking havoc with your daily living. 9 planets(give or take one or two, depending on the boffins) have an awesome power over you which no self respecting astrologer will ever let you forget. Worse still you’re thrown headlong onto the crests and dumped into the troughs of your biorhythms which tie you to a 33 day intellectual cycle, a 28 day physical cycle and a 23 day emotional cycle. Now I can log onto a site or run my software and my computer works it all out in a jiffy. I don’t have to sit there wading through numbers and readings and charts. My computer tells me everything at a stroke of a key.
The birthday stuff is daunting enough but there are so many numbers you have to remember just to exist in our society aka the economy. Economies thrive on numbers - pin numbers, bank account numbers, tax file numbers, ID numbers, phone numbers, mobile numbers, registration numbers, authentication numbers, credit card numbers, enrolment numbers, club membership numbers. Whew! The list goes on and on in our bureaucratic, systematised society. Numbers can swamp your adult life and forgetting them can be very painful. Try forgetting your PIN number for the ATM. There’s no chance of telling the machine you’ve had a rotten day and you are suffering from brain fade. Three tries and –whammo!- your card is gobbled up. So then you have to get a new one from the central card snatching agency- complete with a new Pin for you to forget. Quite apart from the fact my computer has a chance of talking some sense to these sorts of infernal machines, the word processor deals with the deadly dull correspondence relating to these matters. Email is God’s gift to the numerically oppressed. It’s all resolved by the send and receive buttons and a few well chosen words. I even have the option of an encrypted password file. Yes!
Now do you understand? Numbers are to blame for everything. You eat too many kilojoules; your cholesterol is above 5 somethings; you’re over .05; you went over 50km; you’re an only child from a 1 parent family; you pay 43 cents in the dollar; you’re above or below the income threshold. And 10-1 you had a bet on the horses, a twirl of the gaming machines or a flutter on the lotto. You wouldn’t want to try one of those winning systems they keep advertising computers can work out? I am so glad I have my computer. I leave all the number crunching to it, God bless its little keyboard.
Still not convinced I can’t get by with out my number crunching floating point co processor? Let’s start with birthdays. That fateful day creates a whole host of limitations for computerless people. It determines age and what a burden that can become. Age is one of the best forms of numerical oppression we have. With my computer I can turn and tumble my age until it becomes unrecognisable – but not so for the non-binary rest.
You have to start school at 5. You may not go earlier or later. Too bad if your birthday is in the wrong month and you have to wait until the next intake or repeat what you have already done because you didn’t do a full 41 weeks of Reception. You are then compelled to remain at school until you are 16, like it or not. You can start work at 15 but no one wants you – something to do with Lord Shaftesbury and the exploitation of child labour. But we’ve all heard of teenage prodigies putting the wind up nations by gainfully employing their time on computers. Some kids need to work. Left to their own devices they make negative choices for some reason. I bet they won’t be twiddling their toenails when they are 65 and deemed no longer fit for the workforce.
This age thing gets even worse. Prior to 18 you can be forbidden all sorts of fun. Perhaps rightly so, but how that can be used and abused. No wine, women and song for you ,my son, on pain of illegality. So you defy the numerical barrier and create your own age related mayhem. At 18 you can sign your life away and vote but you’ll still be told you are too young because life begins at 40. See how restrictive numbers are?
Then you have star signs and biorhythms wreaking havoc with your daily living. 9 planets(give or take one or two, depending on the boffins) have an awesome power over you which no self respecting astrologer will ever let you forget. Worse still you’re thrown headlong onto the crests and dumped into the troughs of your biorhythms which tie you to a 33 day intellectual cycle, a 28 day physical cycle and a 23 day emotional cycle. Now I can log onto a site or run my software and my computer works it all out in a jiffy. I don’t have to sit there wading through numbers and readings and charts. My computer tells me everything at a stroke of a key.
The birthday stuff is daunting enough but there are so many numbers you have to remember just to exist in our society aka the economy. Economies thrive on numbers - pin numbers, bank account numbers, tax file numbers, ID numbers, phone numbers, mobile numbers, registration numbers, authentication numbers, credit card numbers, enrolment numbers, club membership numbers. Whew! The list goes on and on in our bureaucratic, systematised society. Numbers can swamp your adult life and forgetting them can be very painful. Try forgetting your PIN number for the ATM. There’s no chance of telling the machine you’ve had a rotten day and you are suffering from brain fade. Three tries and –whammo!- your card is gobbled up. So then you have to get a new one from the central card snatching agency- complete with a new Pin for you to forget. Quite apart from the fact my computer has a chance of talking some sense to these sorts of infernal machines, the word processor deals with the deadly dull correspondence relating to these matters. Email is God’s gift to the numerically oppressed. It’s all resolved by the send and receive buttons and a few well chosen words. I even have the option of an encrypted password file. Yes!
Now do you understand? Numbers are to blame for everything. You eat too many kilojoules; your cholesterol is above 5 somethings; you’re over .05; you went over 50km; you’re an only child from a 1 parent family; you pay 43 cents in the dollar; you’re above or below the income threshold. And 10-1 you had a bet on the horses, a twirl of the gaming machines or a flutter on the lotto. You wouldn’t want to try one of those winning systems they keep advertising computers can work out? I am so glad I have my computer. I leave all the number crunching to it, God bless its little keyboard.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)