Can't say I was originally a massive fan when Rochelle introduced me to Mr Matthews CDs (http://www.dmband.com/), but over the years certain tunes have grown on me.
However to see the man live, with his zaney band of merry men strutting their stuff, was superb! Great lyrics, amazing musicians... just brilliant. Its weird to think with such a keen following over here, this was the first time DM have actually toured down-under!
Monday, March 28, 2005
Saturday, March 26, 2005
The long weekend
Bizarrely Sydney has not lived up to its tropical reputation, the last week has been atrocious, but the results have been quite spectacular, with massive waves Sydney Massive Surf this week, not that it helps my learning curve!
So the weather's been bad, its kinda good to lounge around, watch DVDs... we got through 5 episodes of "The West Wing". Tomorrow, gonna bet more active, hopng a bit of a golf, Dave Matthew's concert, BBQ, and a bke ride on Monday.... what ths place is made for!
Clock's go back, or is it forward, what-ever, this weekend, so alas tis the start of winter, but that should mean less rain and clear cool days... back to wearing jumpers.
So the weather's been bad, its kinda good to lounge around, watch DVDs... we got through 5 episodes of "The West Wing". Tomorrow, gonna bet more active, hopng a bit of a golf, Dave Matthew's concert, BBQ, and a bke ride on Monday.... what ths place is made for!
Clock's go back, or is it forward, what-ever, this weekend, so alas tis the start of winter, but that should mean less rain and clear cool days... back to wearing jumpers.
Monday, March 14, 2005
My perfect morning.... bloody close!
Today is officially a day off for me. I'm currently based out of melbourne, and the Australian states have a variety of differing public holidays. Although I've decided to work most of it (gives me a day in lieu when NSW has a holiday when I 'really' want a day off), it hasn't stopped an almost ideal day!
Late start (ish) after beloved rochelle gets up early for the start of her week. Finaly got up for a quick surf - waves dropped away quickly but got up a few times (baby steps, baby steps). Back for some eggs, cooked with fresh herbs (another magnificant winner from the lady of my life...)
Needless to say all this in bright autumn sunshine, day start temp around 20deg, promising to be a balmy 29deg, but sure the sea breeze will take the edge of that...
My only regrets to this amazing day
- wish rochelle didn't have to work
- wish some friends 'n' family in the UK could be here to share it (someday soon...)
- wish I'd bandaged up the blister I got yesterday mountain biking... it bloody smarts in salt water
Late start (ish) after beloved rochelle gets up early for the start of her week. Finaly got up for a quick surf - waves dropped away quickly but got up a few times (baby steps, baby steps). Back for some eggs, cooked with fresh herbs (another magnificant winner from the lady of my life...)
Needless to say all this in bright autumn sunshine, day start temp around 20deg, promising to be a balmy 29deg, but sure the sea breeze will take the edge of that...
My only regrets to this amazing day
- wish rochelle didn't have to work
- wish some friends 'n' family in the UK could be here to share it (someday soon...)
- wish I'd bandaged up the blister I got yesterday mountain biking... it bloody smarts in salt water
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Summer problems here downunder, Too many storms
Most people assume that summer equals good weather, which in the case of Sydney is generally the case. The temp here (although I'm melbourne most of the time at the moment) hovers between 20 and 30 degrees, out on the coast (Where we are). Unfortunately, with the hot and humid comes thunder storms. According to an article in the syndey morning herald (you may have to register, but its free) this morning, Sydney has as many storms per year as Cairns (which is up north and 'very' tropical), 2 a month on average.
What you don't realise that summer is wetter here than winter, so that 2 a month actually becomes about once a week. Normally this is not a problem (or "no drama" as you'd hear in the pub), sunny warm morning, building up to a mid afternoon / evening storm, which is ususally a sight to behold over the ocean.
I forgot ALL the positives, when, and as described in said article, you get stuck on a plane, on the tarmac for over an hour. We had a massive storm on Thursday as i was flying in from melbourne. The pilot loaded up on extra fuel, as is SOP if there is a chance of extra circling, and it was a little bumpy on approachh, but once we landed the problems started. It seems, and its is kinda common sense, that no airport workers (baggage, fuel, guys with lollypops, important bloke with big headphones) are allowed out from under cover whilst lightening is within 9km, and until the last thunder is heard 30 minutes ago.
The result of all this is that existing planes can have baggage unloaded, there is no spot to put just landed planes and the problem just compounds as planes arrive. Luckily I had no checked in luggage, but the 75 minutes on the tarmac were complete dead time as they were under the impression we may be let in at any time. So of course we couldn't move around, couldn't use laptops or cell phones. Very annoying. Of course to make matters worse, all the information boards in the airport say the plane has landed, but no-one is told much else. When I finally departed, the scenes were caotic as things had backed up (taxis waiting, busses waiting, people waiting to get on, people waiting for baggage). What a mess.
Thinking out of the box for a minute a few simple solutions to help alleviate these problems.
1. push planes away to make room even though they've not been unloaded, at least passangers can disembark (I believe people in the push back trucks are not in jeapordy, and don't see the need for other people on the tarmac)
2. this alows other planes to at least disembark
3. update those message boards with a new state (i.e. landed, on tarmac etc.)
... oh well I can dream....
What you don't realise that summer is wetter here than winter, so that 2 a month actually becomes about once a week. Normally this is not a problem (or "no drama" as you'd hear in the pub), sunny warm morning, building up to a mid afternoon / evening storm, which is ususally a sight to behold over the ocean.
I forgot ALL the positives, when, and as described in said article, you get stuck on a plane, on the tarmac for over an hour. We had a massive storm on Thursday as i was flying in from melbourne. The pilot loaded up on extra fuel, as is SOP if there is a chance of extra circling, and it was a little bumpy on approachh, but once we landed the problems started. It seems, and its is kinda common sense, that no airport workers (baggage, fuel, guys with lollypops, important bloke with big headphones) are allowed out from under cover whilst lightening is within 9km, and until the last thunder is heard 30 minutes ago.
The result of all this is that existing planes can have baggage unloaded, there is no spot to put just landed planes and the problem just compounds as planes arrive. Luckily I had no checked in luggage, but the 75 minutes on the tarmac were complete dead time as they were under the impression we may be let in at any time. So of course we couldn't move around, couldn't use laptops or cell phones. Very annoying. Of course to make matters worse, all the information boards in the airport say the plane has landed, but no-one is told much else. When I finally departed, the scenes were caotic as things had backed up (taxis waiting, busses waiting, people waiting to get on, people waiting for baggage). What a mess.
Thinking out of the box for a minute a few simple solutions to help alleviate these problems.
1. push planes away to make room even though they've not been unloaded, at least passangers can disembark (I believe people in the push back trucks are not in jeapordy, and don't see the need for other people on the tarmac)
2. this alows other planes to at least disembark
3. update those message boards with a new state (i.e. landed, on tarmac etc.)
... oh well I can dream....
What can you do but laugh...
I admit, i did chuckle
Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.
A backward poet writes inverse.
A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
Dijon vu - the same mustard as before ?
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.
A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.
When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.
A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired.
What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway.)
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes.
She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off.
A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.
You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
Local Area Network in Australia: the LAN down under.
He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
Every calendar's days are numbered.
A lot of money is tainted - It taint yours and it taint mine.
A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
A plateau is a high form of flattery.
A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.
A backward poet writes inverse.
A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
Dijon vu - the same mustard as before ?
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.
A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.
When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.
A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired.
What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway.)
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes.
She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off.
A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.
You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
Local Area Network in Australia: the LAN down under.
He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
Every calendar's days are numbered.
A lot of money is tainted - It taint yours and it taint mine.
A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
A plateau is a high form of flattery.
A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
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