Surfing with a Dolphins

So I have my work from home friday in sydney today. got up to have a bit of a surf and ended up being out on the glassy waves with a pod of dolphins. Granted I thought it was sharks initially and nearly died on the spot from shock, but when you realise its actually the friendly kind a bizarre euphoria takes over.
Now of course, putting everything in context, when you read surfing, read "Attempting to stand on board", when you read pod, read "2". But its still way cool.
Right, no milk so i'm off to get a coffee before embarking on a days grind, but with a bit of a grin..... almost makes up for the manic form my life seems to have taken over the past month.

Busy Busy Busy....

I haven't been busy like this for a while. Forgotten what its like... no time for personal emails, idol chit chat with friends over the phone in the evening, weekends seem to just go by far too quickly.

Work seems to have got the better of me recently. We had a rather quirky evening the other day, with 4 of us (3 directors and myself) in the lab till 3:30 am assembly one of the products that we had originally intended to go to factory had to be done last minute "in house". Quite a bonding session - bit of music, lots of beer, and we did it - soldering, assembling, gluing, debuging etc. etc. Not something to be repeated!

In the meantmie we need to recruit at a rediculous pace, the growth is scary. But it IS great to be a part of it, learning so much about how a small company and a true "business" copes.

I know i'm stressed, not sleeping well blah blah, really need to get a grp and make sure it doesn't overpower me....

Its a crap day... yeehah!

One of the many reasons I love this country is the weather, for sure, its generally much better than I'm used too. However its got to the point where one just has to get outside when the weather's great, as a result, nothing "inside" gets done.... so what does "doing things inside" consist of on a day like this:

1. catching up on DVDs - west wing series 3 is almost complete
2. personal emails - the inbox is full like I can't believe, so finally making inroads and making sure I still have friends at home ;-)
3. golf, well can do that in any weather, so got up v. early with some of the guys and went for a quick 9... played for breakfast, and the other team lost... good outcome for us as a deserved breakfast at one of the local joints.
4. admin - normal stuff, being away all the time means the mail, bills blah blah builds up
5. walk on the beach - even thou its a gray, pretty chilly (by Oz terms), doesn't prohibit that wonderful feeling of soft sand in the feet.

Can't really complain....

Did you know bananas catch fire in the microwave

Its true. A banana, frozen for later use, put into the Microwave to defrost, has a repeating tendancy to catch fire at its stalk.... would never have guessed...

Dave Matthews Band Rocks

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!

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.

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

My sponsored visa arrived!

I can now start work proper!! yippeee!!!

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 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.

Cartoon Fan's dream - Bugs Bunny on Broadway

A bit late I know, but a few weeks ago we went to the sydney opera house, which is always a treat. But on this occasson, especially for me, but I think an initial skeptcal Rochelle, was also swayed, was a fantastic treat as we went to watch cartoons there! not just any cartoons, but classic bug's bunny ones at that.

Bug Bunny on Broadway consists of a fairly hefty number of toon's staring all the favourites, along wth major orchestras, in this case the sydney symphony, As with most of the original cartoons, the soundtracks form a large component of the overall experience. To have a large screen, a highly amused audenience and too many classic scores played and conducted in full grandure, was a real treat.

For anyone familar, the renditions of the famous operas, "barbar of seville" were a particular highlight. Can definitely recommend to all!

bureaucracy sucks!

Right, its been 2 weeks now, and no visa.... nothing... well something, and email from my visa agent saying they've asked for more documents - 1 to prove that i look like I can speak english. This seems to be because I was born in France all those years ago. I wouldn't mind so much, but you know what, apparently its not consistent. No such luck. It depends on the case officer. All these forms and documents I've had to submit, and it turns out it really depends on luck of the draw and how anal / fanickety / problematic / stubbon the case officer is, depends on the length of time / overhead of paper work you need to go through.... arggggg

not much else to report, what can I say, you've seen my schedule... its getting rather manotanous now!

... sorry a little rant...

My days... unemployed

As many now no I quit my big management consultancy job and left the firm on 31st Janurary. Although I have a job to go to, about which I'm extremely excited, its weird giving up a job of almost 8 years and being in a state where you're officially unemployed!

As someone who has always advocated that retirement at an early age would lead to extreme bordem, I can now say, with great certaintity that I have changed my view dramatically.

This is a typical day
- get up early as the other half had to go to work
- help make breakfast, drive to ferry terminal if raining
- do quick bit of shopping whilst the rest of the world is either still in slumber or in process of commtting
- swim the length of manly beach... in training for ocean swimming, should be doing more
- get home, catch up on daily news, make own breakfast, with time to have lots of fruit or more elaborate multi-herbed eggs.
- off to driving range to try and master the art of sticks and balls, 100 of them, but sure they're giving me duds - they never go straight
- down to the surf if there is any, almost standing up consistantly
- back for a spot of lunch, read, basically get out of the sun in the midday heat
- after paper, bit of music, few emails, head to the beach for a spot of volleyball. luckily my partner on court is also unemployed right now, which makes for a good excuse to get some games on the fairly empty courts
- then its time to start the cooking, something i've missed and just never have time for... its been much to the appreciation of Rochelle!... infact she mentioned to a friend that she had no idea what to do with herself when she gets in the door!

its a hard life.... but have to give it up as of monday... the new job starts, getting anxious now....

Catchup, but come on, its been good weather

I have to admit to being slack. I have good excuses thou, i've been un-employed and the weather has been great - really don't want to spend "too" much time at the computer in doors. But you're lucky now as the weather has turned for the worse and its light rain predicted all day, so time to catch up....

Trek to the Blue Mountains

A close friend from back in blighty, well actually he's moved to Switzerland now, "popped over" (well his wife works for BA, you can do that sort of thing) for a couple of weeks in Janurary.

For part of this we decided to embark into the Blue mountains for 3 days of treking, camping, living off the land, fending for our lives with no water oh and avoiding dangerous snakes....
Blue Mountains Trip

The original plan, and it was well planned, was for 3 days in a large loop around the southeast corner of the Blues. Having gone to the camping store, got maps and advice and certain essential equipment like the self heating ceramic tea mug and ultra-lightweight camping mat that's also a floatation device, we planned our trip out based on advice from those more experienced and also let the rangers know of our plans. Additionally, and as nerves started to set in, we borrowed an EPURB from a sailing friend (These are basically a distress beckon normally used out to sea, but given our distance from civilisation and risks out in the bush, a good safety precaution).

I should say at this point that the entire world thought we were mad, what with summer heat, snake season, lack of water etc. etc. Well the rangers said we'd have a great time, and that was enough for us. Little did we know...

The biggest issue on these types of trips, especially in this heat is water. So we took purifying tables and planned the trip around rivers 'n' streams that could enable us to replenish. Imagine our rather worried annoyance when the first "stream" we came too was completely try. bone. we kept going to the main river, but only to find that the river, although flowing, was only barely. It wasn't stagnent, but we'd need to boil off everything we drank. Rats!

At this point we'd been walking through most of the heat of the day, and poor dave, only aclimatised for 2 days from the northern hemisphere winter (europe, via Narita), was starting to suffer. We made camp, Dave rested (mostly in the river to cool off!) and I set about food and new water. In all we boiled up 7 liters of water for food that night and to get us back to the car the next day. The decision had been made that it wasn't worth risking more excursions to find less water. Despite these woahs, oh and the fact that we ran out of camping gas (leak, carelessness, miscalculation - we're not sure), the scenery was pretty spectactular, especially as the sun set! The widelife also, despite the snakes had been fascinating, and as dusk settled, the number of lizards (almost dinosaurs I might add, one was over 1.5m long) grew.

I should add, that although we may look absolutely rediculous in our fly protector nets over our hats (
Me in stupid fly net), where we were was about the most fly invested place you've ever been, not since King's Canyon in the outback, have I been pestered by so many flies. So glad we brought them along, the only issue was getting used to taking a drink, but forgetting the fly net was there - doh!

The overnight stay, although incredibly welcome, was just a tad freaky - noises and such that you can't quite get your imagination around (i think we were invaded by a large group of Kangaroos at one point, but it could have been a hopping axe-murderer for all we knew).

The day started better, the morning coolness a definite advantage over the previous day much later start. Some great porridge, okay some dodgy burnt bits, but delicious all the same. So after a large aamount of cleaning off the burnt bits from the trangier we set off back teh way we came. A much more pleasant walk, with the thought of fresh water back in the car certainly enough to keep us going! We saw loads more snakes out, which was slightly disconcerting. We made it back after a mammouth up hill out of the valley which did almost kill us, but god the sight of the car was a sight to behold!

The day started to heat up after our midday arrival, but there was nothing more welcoming on the trip home, than the over airconditioned Macdonald's restaurant!

Next time - we're going in autumn.... not mid summer!

Some historic Seoul Distroying Stories

Have decided to post some long emails originally written during my, sentence, I mean work stint, in Korea back in Mid 2002 ... enjoy Heart & Seoul
Finally Conseouled

A true, funny, but scary story - a friends blight with cancer

Allan, probably one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and a top bloke to work with to boot, went through the horrible experience of cancer - his story, well worth a read
www.mybollox.com

New Year in the Mountains

Rather than rub it in back home with yet another Sydney New Year's eve fireworks party we decided to head to the mountains. Like the european alps, the Snowies are pretty popular across the summer months, with lots of outdoor sports up in them hills. A large group of friends had decided to venture up, booking a well-regarded local restaurant for new year's eve, 20 of us in all. We stayed in a small chalet close to town with Dave & Vic, friend's of R's from Canberra. Others were scattered around town in apts and chalets.

Having never been to the Aussie mountains in summer it was a fantastic experience, the scenery, air, weather, everything, reminded me of our trips as a family to France in the summer - mum & dad & sis walking, me being a psycho on my bike! Unfortunately (fortunately) as I've got older my bike antics have approached the mundane, however that didn't detract from a couple of great rides.

The second ride was up to a hut a fair ways in - a large group embarked on the trip. The mixed ability group made for a pretty pleasurable trip. The weather was warm, the up and down hills challenging and general banter motivating! See some of the pictures for the views... new year walking etc , breathtaking is the only description. The great thing, as you're off the beaten track, you hardly see a soul, adding to the remoteness and spectasity (word!?)

Amongst the biking, was tennis, walking, eatin' and drinkin'. Having been limited by my beloved other half to only 3 sports a day (spoilsport), it was a balancing act i can tell you! One of the best walks was up to Kosciuszko - the highest point in Australia. Even in summer, as the photos attest to, there is snow up there. So thats where we ventured on New Year's Day. We wimped out and got the chairlift up the first bit, but the walk the remainder of the way was about right considering our post NYE state, me also a little too heavy having attempted a cheesecake overdose ... see later.

The weather started to close in a little, so the views weren't as spectactular as they could have been, but we made it, fairly easily, across all the way to the top. Pretty cool really. Its quite weird seeing snow in summer in Australia (stop press: snowed in Victoria Feb 4th - bizarre!), only one snow ball though... and it was a bit more ice than snow. The wind chill was quite a shock, all glad we'd taken thermal type layers for sure!

All this though, was centered around an evening at a local restaurant that allowed us to obtain two tables for the large group we were, to enjoy a fantastic meal, some Origami, excessive wine and cheesecake... lots of cheesecake! The food was really good, apetizers, entrees the works - and pretty top notch. These courses were interspersed with Cookie's beau, Claudia, doing the most amazing things with paper, including how to blow a frog - miraculous!

Unfortunatley the evening deteriated post the "awards" led by "Led", who was making the most of the unfortunate trips taken on my most of the sailors present, most of whom had attempted this year's Sydney to Hobart race. Some how the delicious cheesecake desert had not been finshed by all, the result was the classic, late in the evening dare, with lots of left over food... it was I have to admit a rediculous notion that I thought I could consume the equivilant of 1 kg of cream cheese. However I might add, that the rules were changed mid way through, imposing a time limit as mid-night approached, which really made the whole thing a little rediculous... but I might add, there was over 100bucks in the pool at that point ... I did give it a good go! Midnight, regardless of my persuit of cheesecake overdose, was ushered in with the customary cheering, champaign toasting and group wide hugs 'n' kisses. They say a picture says a thousand words, some of these certainly do.... nye celebration

So it was with heavy heart that we departed on the Sunday, with a long drive back to Sydney, with a well needed mid-way stop in Canberra to catch up with Rochelle's parents (although only one in residence this time), dip in the pool, bit of a read, catch up on the boxing day cricket day test, and then homeward bound... back to the beach.

Sydney Hobart 2004

Two big events on boxing day every year - the cricket test (this year against pakistan, should be a walk over after attrocious show on previous matches, and Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
So this year we went for a look, walked up to one of the inner harbour view points and saw the amazing trail of 116 yachts, surrounded by what looked like every boat in sydney.
Even the 'commuter ferries' were standing still, being used as giant view platforms - so much so that the 3 that were infront of us were listing as all passengers went to the one side to watch the spectacle!

Christmas by the Beach, Aussie Style

Chilly event this year, 20deg odd - brrr... not actually particularly amazing weather at all, v. ordinary - grey, windy, chilly. Funnily los of locals (most poms i'm sure) braved the day to ensure they had "xmas at the beach" - no-one i saw was sat in their car facing the sea, drinking hot soup from a thermos flask, but it had similar connitations.

We partook in a nice barby slapup breakfast, some pressies, bit of a walk, quickly hooked up with some mates (the orphans as they're known on xmas day when no families to celebrate with), me I'm lucky enough to have a surrogate family over here in the shape of rochelle's parents and brother from canberra. The result, a spectular feast of seafood starter (lobster, oysters and prawns), followed by a rest then roast beef - yummy. Desert, a 'traditional' pud with custard... can't really go wrong. Oh and booze, different wine each course, including fabulous sparkling shiraz... can recommend it! (all drunk out of great high-class glasses, one of many presents)

To top it off, superb presents all round, including new all in one (lounge getting cluttered with 5 remotes), barby tools for the 'professional', powderfinger cd (something not familar to the poms back home, but brill band), golf bag and the west wing on dvd - great!

Anyhow, a few shots of the goings on can be found here... XMas Oz Style