Sterling Grey Contact Lens
Saturday, February 12, 2011
New eyes
So, when I was ordering my usual ninety day supply of daily disposable contacts, I was made aware of a buy 4, get 4 free offer on coloured lenses. Normally they don't have coloured lenses for far sighted (+3.00) prescriptions, let alone in toric configurations. Yet they did this time! So I bought them. I will now have sterling grey eyes for the next fortnight.
Friday, February 11, 2011
“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.”
“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.”
-- George Orwell, 1984
Every time you ignore one section of society and allow them to be treated as second class citizens, you take one step closer to authorising this behaviour.
Every time you turn away from this behaviour, you take one step closer to being the one kicked.
Dear Friday, stop trying to be Monday!
Between the lack of sleep, the huge storm last night that exasperated the already flood and rain damaged areas and roads, the three cancelled services and the humidity, today is not shaping up to be a good day. I'm already over 90 minutes late and I forgot my headphones.
Is it too early for fermented malt on ice?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Social media : the end of gender?
Imagine a media atmosphere that isn't dominated by lame stereotypes about gender and other demographic characteristics. Can you even imagine what that looks like?
Media researcher Johanna Blakley makes an argument today that seems a little bit crazy - social media will create the end of gender based media and advertising.
It's an interesting concept - and one that I hope I will see the effect from in my lifetime.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Untitled
Truth, as found in a cookbook.
Snapped from my copy of "Building a Meal: From Molecular Gastronomy to Culinary Constructivism" by French Chemist and one of my personal food heros: Hervé This
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Gay Christian?
Is this a gay Christian fish symbol?
Because, that is how I'm choosing to interpret it ...
Dear Commuter ...
who decided that just as the train is arriving was the right time to purchase a $50 ticket - with a bag full of 20c coins. I’m sure it’s okay. I mean, all of the commuters behind you wanted to miss that train and catch the next train … no, really.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
This blog has moved on ...
Just a quick note to let you all know that I decided to consolidate all of my blogs into one place, and thus have moved them all to : http://xntrek.wordpress.com/
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Pleasure Unit Theory and Free Will
Well, I was reading Scott Adam's Blog where he floated a working theory called the Pleasure Unit Theory as a means to describe why humans behave they way they do.
Of course, in doing so, Scott dismesses the concept of free will. Apparently, this has put a few noses out of joint.
The way I see this, everyone's right. It's a bit like the scientists arguing over wether matter was waves or particles ... till quantum proved it was both or either.
I think life is like that too - the reality is life is particles - I mean no one chooses to be born a leper or an STD ridden baby - that's the unfortunate luck of the draw. At every point in life, where we do have a choice to make, free will kicks in - and I think that's when the PUT kicks in ...
Let's imagine for a moment, a boy who was born on the wrong side of the tracks - he's lived a bad life, surrounded by crime and depravity. Now, he had no free will in his situation - but every choice he makes therafter is based on his decision tree. That decision tree is part of his "free will" ... but, I think Scott's theory works here, the decision tree is influenced by the boy's interpretation of the pleasure units he will recieve with each decision.
Thus human behaviour is created, and the circle is completed.
Of course, in doing so, Scott dismesses the concept of free will. Apparently, this has put a few noses out of joint.
The way I see this, everyone's right. It's a bit like the scientists arguing over wether matter was waves or particles ... till quantum proved it was both or either.
I think life is like that too - the reality is life is particles - I mean no one chooses to be born a leper or an STD ridden baby - that's the unfortunate luck of the draw. At every point in life, where we do have a choice to make, free will kicks in - and I think that's when the PUT kicks in ...
Let's imagine for a moment, a boy who was born on the wrong side of the tracks - he's lived a bad life, surrounded by crime and depravity. Now, he had no free will in his situation - but every choice he makes therafter is based on his decision tree. That decision tree is part of his "free will" ... but, I think Scott's theory works here, the decision tree is influenced by the boy's interpretation of the pleasure units he will recieve with each decision.
Thus human behaviour is created, and the circle is completed.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Adult Friends
Recently I started checking out some of those adult match making sites. Okay, maybe I should start from the beginning.
Nearly two years ago, my partner started playing the SIMS2 game. She got hooked. Before you could spell Maxis, she was making mods and getting into the whole community thing.
Long story short, she'd rather do that on the weekends than some of the activities I'd prefer. I wanted us to go out and get our open water diving certification, learn surfing, go hiking ... but she's not interested. In the end she told me to find someone else to do these activities with.
So, I asked the usual suspects among my group of friends and colleagues - but that wasn't fruitful. Thus I thought I'd give these sites a go to seek out potential new friends interested in the same thing.
Since I've also started traveling interstate for work again, I thought it might be good to open the net out for people to catch up with when traveling.
So, I hit a few sites and spend some time wrtting up profile that is pretty specific about what I'm after. Turns out I may as well not have bothered - but not the way you think!
Seems that regardless of what you write, people will begin contacting you willy nilly. In the last three days I've been contacted by a girl who's into public sex, another who wanted someone to humiliate her, a couple that wanted a bi-guy to join them and today harassed by some guy who wanted me to bonk his wife!
Even the so called friend finder network is not safe from these ... people ... of differing persuasions.
In the chat channels of friend finder, there seems to be too many guys (but yes a few gals too) who are way too interested in bonking each others brains out. Hey, good for them. It does however mean that it is difficult for someone like me to create friendships because everyone is too busy thinking with their libido or so used to battling them - its now reflex.
I think part of the problem I face is that I am in a strange space at the moment. I'm 32 and I have the experiences of most 40-somethings, the restleness of a 20 year old and I think my body is siding with my experiences when it comes too appearance and ailments.
Maybe this is what they call a mid-life crisis?
The other problem I have is that I'm a walking contradiction. Part of me is a traditionalist, another an eternal optimist, yet another a bitter cynic and finally a hapless romantic.
Within the context of this rave it translates to me thinking back to the chat systems of the BBS' of the 80's, the birth of synchronous chat and its supercedence by IRC at the turn of the 90's ... mainly I think about how they were community minded, how people remembered that someone was behind a keyboard on the other side of that screen name and how true friends could be created from those rooms.
Heck I was the best man to someone I met online and still consider one of my closest friends.
I miss that world and wish it could be like that again. Yet part of me wants to see what the future holds and what bubble of surprises and new experiences are in store for me.
Maybe I just need to chill - akuna mattana - and see if this tree will bear fruit.
Nearly two years ago, my partner started playing the SIMS2 game. She got hooked. Before you could spell Maxis, she was making mods and getting into the whole community thing.
Long story short, she'd rather do that on the weekends than some of the activities I'd prefer. I wanted us to go out and get our open water diving certification, learn surfing, go hiking ... but she's not interested. In the end she told me to find someone else to do these activities with.
So, I asked the usual suspects among my group of friends and colleagues - but that wasn't fruitful. Thus I thought I'd give these sites a go to seek out potential new friends interested in the same thing.
Since I've also started traveling interstate for work again, I thought it might be good to open the net out for people to catch up with when traveling.
So, I hit a few sites and spend some time wrtting up profile that is pretty specific about what I'm after. Turns out I may as well not have bothered - but not the way you think!
Seems that regardless of what you write, people will begin contacting you willy nilly. In the last three days I've been contacted by a girl who's into public sex, another who wanted someone to humiliate her, a couple that wanted a bi-guy to join them and today harassed by some guy who wanted me to bonk his wife!
Even the so called friend finder network is not safe from these ... people ... of differing persuasions.
In the chat channels of friend finder, there seems to be too many guys (but yes a few gals too) who are way too interested in bonking each others brains out. Hey, good for them. It does however mean that it is difficult for someone like me to create friendships because everyone is too busy thinking with their libido or so used to battling them - its now reflex.
I think part of the problem I face is that I am in a strange space at the moment. I'm 32 and I have the experiences of most 40-somethings, the restleness of a 20 year old and I think my body is siding with my experiences when it comes too appearance and ailments.
Maybe this is what they call a mid-life crisis?
The other problem I have is that I'm a walking contradiction. Part of me is a traditionalist, another an eternal optimist, yet another a bitter cynic and finally a hapless romantic.
Within the context of this rave it translates to me thinking back to the chat systems of the BBS' of the 80's, the birth of synchronous chat and its supercedence by IRC at the turn of the 90's ... mainly I think about how they were community minded, how people remembered that someone was behind a keyboard on the other side of that screen name and how true friends could be created from those rooms.
Heck I was the best man to someone I met online and still consider one of my closest friends.
I miss that world and wish it could be like that again. Yet part of me wants to see what the future holds and what bubble of surprises and new experiences are in store for me.
Maybe I just need to chill - akuna mattana - and see if this tree will bear fruit.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
if you're gonna flaunt it - then do so ... but only if you've got it!
Well, it's summer, and for those that know me, it means my fashion nazi police side comes out in force.
Primarily, most of my issues arise around female fashion.
Oh, it's not that the men don't give me cause for concern especially with the "faux hawk" (you know the one! That "not quite a Mohawk" cut that looks like someone shoved gel onto their hair and then proceeded to shove their head up a mate's behind to get "the look") and don't even get me started on the pink polo with the collar up!
But oh, women! The gender that is meant to have it all together and knows how to dress! What the hell happened!?!?
Did they accidentally burn their fashion sense with their bras in the 60's?
Have liberating free love vibes been clubbed to death by the prudish no sex please we're Christian virgins brigade only to be revived by a fashion senseless youth who haven't quite got it?
With the plethora of examples out there, I don't even know where to start ...
There's one thing I do need to begin with there's a recurring theme in my rant today - SIZE. Specifically, I'm talking the number on the label of your chosen piece of apparel. If you're meant to be a 10, then buy a ten - if you're meant to be a 14, then buy a fourteen - do not buy under the illusion that you'll "shrink into it"! If you drop from a fourteen to a twelve, then go out and buy a size 12! Until that moment, don't try to squeeze into one!
So. Other than size, where do I start? Oh! Wait! Looking out the window, I see my first example ...
White under white
Now, as a man, I really should not be complaining about this at all! If you want to wear tight white pants and let the whole world know you like to wear fairy floss G's while making it distinctly obvious what the shape of each your buttocks is, then please, by all means, continue to wear white underwear!
Perhaps, however, if this is not your intention, try beige.
Oh, and before the "purists" besiege me with cries of "beige isn't sexy", please try and remember one basic thing - men don't really care about the lingerie ... sure, we like certain types more than others, but really, when you get right down to the crunch - it's a momentary scenic attraction on the way to happy town ... it doesn't really become important until the initial passion and newness of a relationship wears off, and then they like to know that you still care enough to try and show off your assets in a new display case. Ooh, look at that two lessons for the price of one!
Hipsters
Now, personally I like the little schmoo protruder jeans. I've always said it - if you got it, flaunt it. However, here's the deal ... if you're a size 12 and you've got a nice waist and or hips and you want to show them off, then please, oh please, buy a size 12 pair of hipsters! A size 10 does not make you look more attractive, in fact it does quite the opposite!
See, because of the basic laws of physics, the pressure you've now placed your nether region under by squeezing them into a pair of pants a size or two smaller than your actual physical circumference requires a displacement of mass ... in short, things move. Usually this means one of three things - the entire waist area now "breaks out" over the jeans (aka a muffin top), just the gut breaks and hangs out over the top (aka a gunt) or it all moves to your ass make you look like a bubble butt.
Oh, and another thing - if you're gonna buy these sort of jeans, it is assumed that you want to flaunt something, are not overly self conscious and being the right size, they sit properly ... this means that you shouldn't have a requirement to walk down the street grabbing your beltline (is it still called a beltline at that height?) every three seconds and trying to pull it back up, looking like all the world that you're trying to give yourself a wedgie!
Mini Skirts
Oh, the little eenie meenie tiny weenie skirt flirtini! It's a wonderful piece of apparel ... for some.
The idea behind the old mini is to (first and foremost) show off your legs. It's second attraction is the age old phenomena of the illusion of nudity is far more intriguing than nudity itself.
So, back to basics - size, the correct size means it's not going to ride up (the riding phenomena is due to those basic laws of physics I spoke about earlier regarding materials under pressure) and thus no need for you to constantly tug at your hemline every other second as you walk down the street.
Also, at the risk of sounding (more?) like a male sexist pig ... the primary idea is to show off your legs. So, if you don't have good legs, or you don't believe you have good legs, then ... why the hell are you wearing a mini to begin with? Walking out onto a crowded, public, highly male populated promenade is the wrong time to be self conscious of the men staring or commenting on your legs ... think about that before you wear it and walk out of the house.
Crop Tops
Ditto the size, the self conscious, the constant tugging down, etc ...
Bikinis
Ditto the size, the self conscious, etc ... oh, to heck with it ... if you reeeealy want to wear a bikini a size smaller than your body surface area requires, bite the damn bullet and just go a g-string/v-string/t-box/thong!
Heck, do away with the top and just put on a couple of pasties while you're at it!
Just, (please, oh please!) don't go walking down the beach with a hand constantly up your backside trying to fish out a tiny triangle of material every three minutes when those laws of physics kick back in ...
Jeans
Here's the deal ... jeans come in a variety of shapes, sizes, cuts, styles and colours. This means, that somewhere out there is a variety of jeans that is designed for you - it will flatter your touche, your legs and your general appearance.
So explain to me then, why I am constantly seeing women walk down the street looking like all the world that they just took a dump in their drawers? Or, for that matter, jeans that separate and quarter their ass or legs looking like a bandaged ham?
Of course, by now, you should be more than aware about my feelings on size ... so I shan't repeat that once again.
Potato Sacks
Just to be different, I'm going to take the opposite side of the size debate here. If you're a size 12, then don't buy a size 14. Period.
If you're really interested in wearing volumeness, unattractive, unflattering clothes ... then dispense with the illusion of a distinct fashion sense by discarding the floral print and go right to a Hessian sack with a hemp rope.
You may as well, it has the same effect.
If you are self conscious about your body (or a puritan), then consider an Indian sari - stylish, elegant and distinctively feminine - yet can be defining and obscuring at exactly the same time.
If you're completely self-conscious, then maybe a burkha is more up your ally?
As for "baggy clothing" ... unless you're actively part of a recording and touring hip-hop group, a bag lady or just lost three dress sizes overnight - there's no excuses.
Now. If I haven't been hunted down and stoned by every female rights group, militant feminists, fashion journalists, the editors of Cleo, clothing store attendants, target catalogue fashion models or my friends ... maybe I'll post something else up next week ...
TTFN!
Addendums:
-----------
Ken dropped me a line (January 3rd) - here are his additional thougts on the subject:
Lycra
Not everyone can wear this, in fact only a small percentage of the populus should wear this. Most people do not have a figure that lycra will consider complementary. Lycra is very revealing and should only be warn if you have something to reveal.
Males with underwear showing above their jeans
This is just stupid. If you don't want to ware the right size then accept people laughing behind your back. You might as well get use to them laughing in your face. I keep waiting on them to trip over their jeans as they get under their shoes. Think about this, if you are pulling up your pants all the time they don't fit. Buy a smaller pair or buy a belt. Your pants stay up and your hands are free.
Jeans or tracksuit pants under skirts.
If you are going to wear a skirt, do so. If you are going to wear jeans or tracksuit pants do so. These are not part of the same apparel and should not be treated like they are. If you are going to wear a skirt then your legs should be out there. If it is to cold then don't wear the skirt.
When talking fashion in todays world yer right ... It was hard enough only commenting on three things.
Primarily, most of my issues arise around female fashion.
Oh, it's not that the men don't give me cause for concern especially with the "faux hawk" (you know the one! That "not quite a Mohawk" cut that looks like someone shoved gel onto their hair and then proceeded to shove their head up a mate's behind to get "the look") and don't even get me started on the pink polo with the collar up!
But oh, women! The gender that is meant to have it all together and knows how to dress! What the hell happened!?!?
Did they accidentally burn their fashion sense with their bras in the 60's?
Have liberating free love vibes been clubbed to death by the prudish no sex please we're Christian virgins brigade only to be revived by a fashion senseless youth who haven't quite got it?
With the plethora of examples out there, I don't even know where to start ...
There's one thing I do need to begin with there's a recurring theme in my rant today - SIZE. Specifically, I'm talking the number on the label of your chosen piece of apparel. If you're meant to be a 10, then buy a ten - if you're meant to be a 14, then buy a fourteen - do not buy under the illusion that you'll "shrink into it"! If you drop from a fourteen to a twelve, then go out and buy a size 12! Until that moment, don't try to squeeze into one!
So. Other than size, where do I start? Oh! Wait! Looking out the window, I see my first example ...
White under white
Now, as a man, I really should not be complaining about this at all! If you want to wear tight white pants and let the whole world know you like to wear fairy floss G's while making it distinctly obvious what the shape of each your buttocks is, then please, by all means, continue to wear white underwear!
Perhaps, however, if this is not your intention, try beige.
Oh, and before the "purists" besiege me with cries of "beige isn't sexy", please try and remember one basic thing - men don't really care about the lingerie ... sure, we like certain types more than others, but really, when you get right down to the crunch - it's a momentary scenic attraction on the way to happy town ... it doesn't really become important until the initial passion and newness of a relationship wears off, and then they like to know that you still care enough to try and show off your assets in a new display case. Ooh, look at that two lessons for the price of one!
Hipsters
Now, personally I like the little schmoo protruder jeans. I've always said it - if you got it, flaunt it. However, here's the deal ... if you're a size 12 and you've got a nice waist and or hips and you want to show them off, then please, oh please, buy a size 12 pair of hipsters! A size 10 does not make you look more attractive, in fact it does quite the opposite!
See, because of the basic laws of physics, the pressure you've now placed your nether region under by squeezing them into a pair of pants a size or two smaller than your actual physical circumference requires a displacement of mass ... in short, things move. Usually this means one of three things - the entire waist area now "breaks out" over the jeans (aka a muffin top), just the gut breaks and hangs out over the top (aka a gunt) or it all moves to your ass make you look like a bubble butt.
Oh, and another thing - if you're gonna buy these sort of jeans, it is assumed that you want to flaunt something, are not overly self conscious and being the right size, they sit properly ... this means that you shouldn't have a requirement to walk down the street grabbing your beltline (is it still called a beltline at that height?) every three seconds and trying to pull it back up, looking like all the world that you're trying to give yourself a wedgie!
Mini Skirts
Oh, the little eenie meenie tiny weenie skirt flirtini! It's a wonderful piece of apparel ... for some.
The idea behind the old mini is to (first and foremost) show off your legs. It's second attraction is the age old phenomena of the illusion of nudity is far more intriguing than nudity itself.
So, back to basics - size, the correct size means it's not going to ride up (the riding phenomena is due to those basic laws of physics I spoke about earlier regarding materials under pressure) and thus no need for you to constantly tug at your hemline every other second as you walk down the street.
Also, at the risk of sounding (more?) like a male sexist pig ... the primary idea is to show off your legs. So, if you don't have good legs, or you don't believe you have good legs, then ... why the hell are you wearing a mini to begin with? Walking out onto a crowded, public, highly male populated promenade is the wrong time to be self conscious of the men staring or commenting on your legs ... think about that before you wear it and walk out of the house.
Crop Tops
Ditto the size, the self conscious, the constant tugging down, etc ...
Bikinis
Ditto the size, the self conscious, etc ... oh, to heck with it ... if you reeeealy want to wear a bikini a size smaller than your body surface area requires, bite the damn bullet and just go a g-string/v-string/t-box/thong!
Heck, do away with the top and just put on a couple of pasties while you're at it!
Just, (please, oh please!) don't go walking down the beach with a hand constantly up your backside trying to fish out a tiny triangle of material every three minutes when those laws of physics kick back in ...
Jeans
Here's the deal ... jeans come in a variety of shapes, sizes, cuts, styles and colours. This means, that somewhere out there is a variety of jeans that is designed for you - it will flatter your touche, your legs and your general appearance.
So explain to me then, why I am constantly seeing women walk down the street looking like all the world that they just took a dump in their drawers? Or, for that matter, jeans that separate and quarter their ass or legs looking like a bandaged ham?
Of course, by now, you should be more than aware about my feelings on size ... so I shan't repeat that once again.
Potato Sacks
Just to be different, I'm going to take the opposite side of the size debate here. If you're a size 12, then don't buy a size 14. Period.
If you're really interested in wearing volumeness, unattractive, unflattering clothes ... then dispense with the illusion of a distinct fashion sense by discarding the floral print and go right to a Hessian sack with a hemp rope.
You may as well, it has the same effect.
If you are self conscious about your body (or a puritan), then consider an Indian sari - stylish, elegant and distinctively feminine - yet can be defining and obscuring at exactly the same time.
If you're completely self-conscious, then maybe a burkha is more up your ally?
As for "baggy clothing" ... unless you're actively part of a recording and touring hip-hop group, a bag lady or just lost three dress sizes overnight - there's no excuses.
Now. If I haven't been hunted down and stoned by every female rights group, militant feminists, fashion journalists, the editors of Cleo, clothing store attendants, target catalogue fashion models or my friends ... maybe I'll post something else up next week ...
TTFN!
Addendums:
-----------
Ken dropped me a line (January 3rd) - here are his additional thougts on the subject:
Lycra
Not everyone can wear this, in fact only a small percentage of the populus should wear this. Most people do not have a figure that lycra will consider complementary. Lycra is very revealing and should only be warn if you have something to reveal.
Males with underwear showing above their jeans
This is just stupid. If you don't want to ware the right size then accept people laughing behind your back. You might as well get use to them laughing in your face. I keep waiting on them to trip over their jeans as they get under their shoes. Think about this, if you are pulling up your pants all the time they don't fit. Buy a smaller pair or buy a belt. Your pants stay up and your hands are free.
Jeans or tracksuit pants under skirts.
If you are going to wear a skirt, do so. If you are going to wear jeans or tracksuit pants do so. These are not part of the same apparel and should not be treated like they are. If you are going to wear a skirt then your legs should be out there. If it is to cold then don't wear the skirt.
When talking fashion in todays world yer right ... It was hard enough only commenting on three things.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
are you committed to sparkle motion?
Between one group of my (mad) friends, a topic was raised. It seems a tagline on an eMail one of them received stated "I doubt your commitment to sparkle motion".
We where intrigued ... what the hell is sparkle motion, and why should we have a commitment to it?
The line is actually a reference to the movie Donnie Darko. However, even in that movie - there's no reference to what sparkle motion actually is ... our minds have raced with the possibilities.
Our resident pervert suggested that our commitment should be to the stripper/porn actress by the same name.
I'm hoping there's a better use of our commitment.
Really, I just want a definitive answer to what sparkle motion is ... heck, make it up ...
We where intrigued ... what the hell is sparkle motion, and why should we have a commitment to it?
The line is actually a reference to the movie Donnie Darko. However, even in that movie - there's no reference to what sparkle motion actually is ... our minds have raced with the possibilities.
Our resident pervert suggested that our commitment should be to the stripper/porn actress by the same name.
I'm hoping there's a better use of our commitment.
Really, I just want a definitive answer to what sparkle motion is ... heck, make it up ...
Monday, October 24, 2005
Coming Soon
Something that has really got up my nose lately is a growing trend towards the overtly free utilisation of the "coming soon" phrase.
It's everywhere you go, in all of it's different variants!
New Movie! Your Favorite Genre! Your favorite stars! COMING SOON to a cinema near you!
Brand new store! Opening SOON!
New flavor! Appearing SOON!
Brand new Gadget! Released in the near future!
To show the ridiculousness of this concept, in November of 2004 a building was completed not a 10 minute walk from my house. Two huge billboards have gone up - LOCAL VETERINARIAN - Opening Soon!
That was over twelve months ago! We're still waiting!
At the Crown Casino, a storefront with the blazing letters announcing a store by the name of DOTCOM has been declaring that they'll be OPENING SOON for over three months now.
It's just plain ludicrous!
I want a law to dictate the use of the word SOON.
I nominate that soon cannot equal an amount of time greater than two months. That should be enough time for anyone!
I think based on the current liberal usage I can legitimately say things like:
- I will be irresistible to all women SOON!
- I will be richer than Bill Gates, SOON!
- I will be smarter than Stephen Hawking, SOON!
- I will be hailed as a God by all humanity, SOON!
- I will be finished on this rant, SOON!
Monday, September 26, 2005
of Cars and Choices ...
I started out so well, maintaining my two ‘blogs everyday … and then life got in the way … and I’ve been on the go non-stop with a dozen different things … but, alas I have a breather, enough time to scribe a little something …
So, what’s been happening? I’ve been doing the whole domestic thing – you know, building a retaining wall, cleaning, cooking, etc … pretty boring, mundane, yet time consuming tasks.
Oh, I’ve been looking at new cars! After spending a small fortune on fixing a broken gear on my current sporty number, I decided I need to look at new options. So, a few weeks back, I started researching vehicles, and taking lots of test drives.
I’ve discovered quite a fair bit in this time … the most important lesson is what you think you want may not be what you actually want – nor need in fact.
Having almost always had sporty cars (short of my original Humber Super Snipe, or the company/lease vehicles) I started looking at the Mazda RX8, Nissan 350Z and Honda S2000 almost without thinking … So off I went down the comparison path.
On paper, the RX8 comes out on top, good balance of sporty and comfort features, reasonably priced, etc … but when I went out and test drove it, I was so disappointed! Earlier in the year, I had test-driven the RX8 Special Edition, and that was pretty good … but the standard model was clunkier, not as responsive, etc …
It was seriously a case of great body … and that’s it … Now, I’ve driven and run a number of old RX3’s and RX7’s … and I’d happily replace this even with the issue bound RX7 SII! Heck, my current MX6 performed better in almost all arenas!
This caused a pause in my search as I stepped back and re-evaluated my requirements and my desires. I’ve enjoyed my sports cars, loved the feel, the rush, the cornering, etc … but a new element has come into my thinking – no, not petrol pricing, although it is now a higher priority factor – but comfort. I spend a minimum of two hours going to and fro work. Sports seats are great when you’re zooming around a 75-degree bend at 80+ clicks an hour … but have you ever had to spend an hour and half in one in stop start traffic?
For that matter, have you ever been stuck in a “drivers car” during peak hour traffic? All of a sudden, you get bored, uncomfortable, irritated – and all your muscles ache as all of this mounts up and you’re changing up and down between 1st and 3rd while moving less than 20-clicks an hour!
So, for the first time in my life, I’ve put comfort above performance. With this new direction in mind, I started looking at anything labelled “luxury”.
So, off I went, and drove, and looked, and drove some more … and finally was taken in by the new Lexus IS250 (or colloquially named the baby-GS). Even put down a deposit!
So, happy with my new choice, I go off to my Novated Lease provider and tell them the news, only for a couple of realities to be thrown back quite hard.
Well, damn!
So, I went off and did some more research – this time on cars that were three years old with over 100,000 on the clock. And you know what? There were only two car types that consistently maintained a reasonable value in comparison to others in the same range.
The two? Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Quite honestly, I never thought I’d ever be the owner or driver of either type.
So, I looked harder at the lower-end offerings from both, the Mercedes-Benz C180 Avantgarde and the BMW 320i Execuitive.
In the end, I liked the Beemer more, althought the Merc will probably hold it’s value better.
So, I’m in the process of getting quotes, messing around with figures, driving my lease company rep mad (sorry Luke!) and going a little nuts myself.
Anyhow, I’ll let you know how I go in the end.
Ciao!
So, what’s been happening? I’ve been doing the whole domestic thing – you know, building a retaining wall, cleaning, cooking, etc … pretty boring, mundane, yet time consuming tasks.
Oh, I’ve been looking at new cars! After spending a small fortune on fixing a broken gear on my current sporty number, I decided I need to look at new options. So, a few weeks back, I started researching vehicles, and taking lots of test drives.
I’ve discovered quite a fair bit in this time … the most important lesson is what you think you want may not be what you actually want – nor need in fact.
Having almost always had sporty cars (short of my original Humber Super Snipe, or the company/lease vehicles) I started looking at the Mazda RX8, Nissan 350Z and Honda S2000 almost without thinking … So off I went down the comparison path.
On paper, the RX8 comes out on top, good balance of sporty and comfort features, reasonably priced, etc … but when I went out and test drove it, I was so disappointed! Earlier in the year, I had test-driven the RX8 Special Edition, and that was pretty good … but the standard model was clunkier, not as responsive, etc …
It was seriously a case of great body … and that’s it … Now, I’ve driven and run a number of old RX3’s and RX7’s … and I’d happily replace this even with the issue bound RX7 SII! Heck, my current MX6 performed better in almost all arenas!
This caused a pause in my search as I stepped back and re-evaluated my requirements and my desires. I’ve enjoyed my sports cars, loved the feel, the rush, the cornering, etc … but a new element has come into my thinking – no, not petrol pricing, although it is now a higher priority factor – but comfort. I spend a minimum of two hours going to and fro work. Sports seats are great when you’re zooming around a 75-degree bend at 80+ clicks an hour … but have you ever had to spend an hour and half in one in stop start traffic?
For that matter, have you ever been stuck in a “drivers car” during peak hour traffic? All of a sudden, you get bored, uncomfortable, irritated – and all your muscles ache as all of this mounts up and you’re changing up and down between 1st and 3rd while moving less than 20-clicks an hour!
So, for the first time in my life, I’ve put comfort above performance. With this new direction in mind, I started looking at anything labelled “luxury”.
So, off I went, and drove, and looked, and drove some more … and finally was taken in by the new Lexus IS250 (or colloquially named the baby-GS). Even put down a deposit!
So, happy with my new choice, I go off to my Novated Lease provider and tell them the news, only for a couple of realities to be thrown back quite hard.
- Based on my 40,000 clicks a year Odometer, a five year lease is BAD
- In their opinion (and, coincidentally, that of my accountant) anyone who needs a five-year lease can’t afford the car and shouldn’t be looking at it …
- Based on a three-year lease, I’d have 120,000 clicks on the clock – most cars won’t support a resale anywhere near equal to the residual value …
- The Lexus loses the most value of almost any other car in it’s range.
Well, damn!
So, I went off and did some more research – this time on cars that were three years old with over 100,000 on the clock. And you know what? There were only two car types that consistently maintained a reasonable value in comparison to others in the same range.
The two? Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Quite honestly, I never thought I’d ever be the owner or driver of either type.
So, I looked harder at the lower-end offerings from both, the Mercedes-Benz C180 Avantgarde and the BMW 320i Execuitive.
In the end, I liked the Beemer more, althought the Merc will probably hold it’s value better.
So, I’m in the process of getting quotes, messing around with figures, driving my lease company rep mad (sorry Luke!) and going a little nuts myself.
Anyhow, I’ll let you know how I go in the end.
Ciao!
Monday, September 05, 2005
Of art, food and weddings ...
Well, it has been another interesting weekend.
I apologise for not updating my blog lately, but I’ve been suffering from tiredness … I just can’t seem to shake it either.
Anyhow, this weekend I had two interesting experiences.
On Saturday night, I went to an art exhibition. An “Art Provocateur” exhibition, to be exact. There were some interesting exhibitions, from photos from a BDSM ball, to drawings of BDSM scenes, some interesting pencil drawings of Xena and Gabrielle getting it on, a Latex curtain, dolls in birdcages, and some paintings that to describe will have my blog banned in 23 different countries.
There were also live performances held at this exhibition. A lovely lady performed a suspension. Her partner had carefully tied her up in a lovely red-silk rope and then suspended her from a large winch hook. Now, regardless if you’re into that sort of thing or not, the style, theatrics and overall effect were spectacular. You also have to admire a woman who is willing to place herself in a vulnerable public position and especially in light of the fact that she was afraid of heights … major Kudo’s to her!
The other exhibition, well, lets just say I have no idea what the point was. Perhaps I’m a BDSM Luddite and therefore could not understand the little intricacies of the performance, or maybe it was just plain boring.
This exhibition involved a all-but-naked woman donning a WWII gas mask and a black strap-on, being taped (yes, taped, as in gaffa) by a man in leather chaps, a leather mask and a cage around his member.
So, he taped, alternating between gaffa, plastic strips, masking, “fragile” packing tape and “wet paint” tape. First her arms, then her legs … and so on and so forth for hours … no, I mean it, I don’t mean it felt like hours, it was … starting at about 7-ish by 11, he had just finished the arms … I later heard that when they kicked everyone out at just past midnight, they went to a hotel room and kept taping (yes that’s all – taping) till 6 AM!
The only thing that sort-of kept my interest before I fell into a coma was the woman (slave) kneeling on the ground next to this couple who would bark (almost naturally) and try to bite the donger that the taping girl would wave in her face occasionally.
The dog-girls master was languished across a table above her slave, in a lovely revealing slinky black dress. Would have been interesting to see her do something – anything – rather than languish there and pout, looking for all the world like a smile would kill her. She was rather tasty though.
Anyhow, after my friends used the cattle-prod woke me from my stupor, we drove down to Fitzroy and enjoyed a phenomenal meal at Madame SouSou. Good food, good booze and good company … the way a meal should be.
Sunday morning was hectic. Being father’s day, and having a wedding to go to, as well as needing to get my usual tasks done (you know – dry cleaning, basic shopping, return faulty goods, etc) was too much. We rushed around like maniacs, missed the church event, had the car get stuck in fifth gear (broken cog), organised a spare from my brother-in-laws dad, had a fathers day lunch, got changed, drive to the reception (not before getting lost!) and finally made it in a little late, but before the bridal party came in.
It was a good Italian wedding reception too, the food was divine (and even though I come from an Italian background, still too many courses!) and did I mention plentiful? The company on the table was friendly, jovial and extremely light-hearted.
The bride and groom were stunning and so happy, that at one point I was sure that the only reason they were still smiling was that they had smiling-muscle-cramps.
So, after a pleasant night of dancing, eating, drinking, joking and general festivities, I finally made it home at about a tad before two am.
This morning I had to drive back up to Tullamarine (which, for those that don’t know, is clear across town – approx 70-odd kilometres along the interconnecting freeways) to where my car had broken down and was left overnight. After waiting for the tow truck (for damn near two-hours!) I organised for it to be towed to the Mazda dealership … and it will probably be a week (two?) before I get it back.
So, that’s been my weekend. It can only get better from here, right?
I apologise for not updating my blog lately, but I’ve been suffering from tiredness … I just can’t seem to shake it either.
Anyhow, this weekend I had two interesting experiences.
On Saturday night, I went to an art exhibition. An “Art Provocateur” exhibition, to be exact. There were some interesting exhibitions, from photos from a BDSM ball, to drawings of BDSM scenes, some interesting pencil drawings of Xena and Gabrielle getting it on, a Latex curtain, dolls in birdcages, and some paintings that to describe will have my blog banned in 23 different countries.
There were also live performances held at this exhibition. A lovely lady performed a suspension. Her partner had carefully tied her up in a lovely red-silk rope and then suspended her from a large winch hook. Now, regardless if you’re into that sort of thing or not, the style, theatrics and overall effect were spectacular. You also have to admire a woman who is willing to place herself in a vulnerable public position and especially in light of the fact that she was afraid of heights … major Kudo’s to her!
The other exhibition, well, lets just say I have no idea what the point was. Perhaps I’m a BDSM Luddite and therefore could not understand the little intricacies of the performance, or maybe it was just plain boring.
This exhibition involved a all-but-naked woman donning a WWII gas mask and a black strap-on, being taped (yes, taped, as in gaffa) by a man in leather chaps, a leather mask and a cage around his member.
So, he taped, alternating between gaffa, plastic strips, masking, “fragile” packing tape and “wet paint” tape. First her arms, then her legs … and so on and so forth for hours … no, I mean it, I don’t mean it felt like hours, it was … starting at about 7-ish by 11, he had just finished the arms … I later heard that when they kicked everyone out at just past midnight, they went to a hotel room and kept taping (yes that’s all – taping) till 6 AM!
The only thing that sort-of kept my interest before I fell into a coma was the woman (slave) kneeling on the ground next to this couple who would bark (almost naturally) and try to bite the donger that the taping girl would wave in her face occasionally.
The dog-girls master was languished across a table above her slave, in a lovely revealing slinky black dress. Would have been interesting to see her do something – anything – rather than languish there and pout, looking for all the world like a smile would kill her. She was rather tasty though.
Anyhow, after my friends used the cattle-prod woke me from my stupor, we drove down to Fitzroy and enjoyed a phenomenal meal at Madame SouSou. Good food, good booze and good company … the way a meal should be.
Sunday morning was hectic. Being father’s day, and having a wedding to go to, as well as needing to get my usual tasks done (you know – dry cleaning, basic shopping, return faulty goods, etc) was too much. We rushed around like maniacs, missed the church event, had the car get stuck in fifth gear (broken cog), organised a spare from my brother-in-laws dad, had a fathers day lunch, got changed, drive to the reception (not before getting lost!) and finally made it in a little late, but before the bridal party came in.
It was a good Italian wedding reception too, the food was divine (and even though I come from an Italian background, still too many courses!) and did I mention plentiful? The company on the table was friendly, jovial and extremely light-hearted.
The bride and groom were stunning and so happy, that at one point I was sure that the only reason they were still smiling was that they had smiling-muscle-cramps.
So, after a pleasant night of dancing, eating, drinking, joking and general festivities, I finally made it home at about a tad before two am.
This morning I had to drive back up to Tullamarine (which, for those that don’t know, is clear across town – approx 70-odd kilometres along the interconnecting freeways) to where my car had broken down and was left overnight. After waiting for the tow truck (for damn near two-hours!) I organised for it to be towed to the Mazda dealership … and it will probably be a week (two?) before I get it back.
So, that’s been my weekend. It can only get better from here, right?
Monday, August 22, 2005
I want to be a PLEASURE ACTIVIST
I was catching up on some of Triple-J's Hack (a half-hour current affairs style shown on the National youth broadcast station) Programme, when I started listening to "Men who watch porn together" and the follow up story "Has porn changed your life?" and in that second story, a lady rang up claiming she was a Pleasure Activist.
Now, I'm not exactly sure what a Pleasure Activist is or does, but I think I want in!
Do you know what a Pleasure Activist is?
Are you a pleasure activist?
Drop me a line!
Enlighten me!
Now, I'm not exactly sure what a Pleasure Activist is or does, but I think I want in!
Do you know what a Pleasure Activist is?
Are you a pleasure activist?
Drop me a line!
Enlighten me!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Sunday Night Dichotomy
Do you ever find yourself in two minds?
How do you get back?
I'm sitting here and recovering from my Saturday Night. On the one hand I want to go out and boogie on, on the other I need to recover in a stargate sarcophagus.
Last night was one of entertainment and debauchery that can only be experienced with the words "bucks night". After a night of drinking, mucking around, drinking, "educational entertainment", drinking, clubbing, drinking and finally home ... I was, to use the colloquialism, rat-shit.
Due to the strict non-disclosure-agreement signed for the event, all I can say, is that fun and frivolity was had, and I dare say more than one victim, err, guest, will still be nursing side effects on Monday.
Today's been pretty boring, finally woke up at 1330. Realised I promised a friend I'd go to the home show where he has a huge stand and take some photos, but that wasn't going to happen now. On top of which my lovely partner demanded I head off to Coles and do the groceries, go to the deli and pick up the lunch meats (and biccies of-course!), head to the pharmacy and get a few more things ... so nearly three hours later, I finally get home and I'm exhausted. However, if I want to eat anything other than a can of baked beans or take-away, i need to do the cooking, so into the kitchen I go to prepare some Lamb Ribs marinated in a black pepper sauce with a crushed potato mash with parsley, chives, dill and garlic. Finally, I needed to do some washing, so I shoved a load in.
So, now I'm proverbially stuffed. So, with that I bid you all a good night, and a good night to all.
How do you get back?
I'm sitting here and recovering from my Saturday Night. On the one hand I want to go out and boogie on, on the other I need to recover in a stargate sarcophagus.
Last night was one of entertainment and debauchery that can only be experienced with the words "bucks night". After a night of drinking, mucking around, drinking, "educational entertainment", drinking, clubbing, drinking and finally home ... I was, to use the colloquialism, rat-shit.
Due to the strict non-disclosure-agreement signed for the event, all I can say, is that fun and frivolity was had, and I dare say more than one victim, err, guest, will still be nursing side effects on Monday.
Today's been pretty boring, finally woke up at 1330. Realised I promised a friend I'd go to the home show where he has a huge stand and take some photos, but that wasn't going to happen now. On top of which my lovely partner demanded I head off to Coles and do the groceries, go to the deli and pick up the lunch meats (and biccies of-course!), head to the pharmacy and get a few more things ... so nearly three hours later, I finally get home and I'm exhausted. However, if I want to eat anything other than a can of baked beans or take-away, i need to do the cooking, so into the kitchen I go to prepare some Lamb Ribs marinated in a black pepper sauce with a crushed potato mash with parsley, chives, dill and garlic. Finally, I needed to do some washing, so I shoved a load in.
So, now I'm proverbially stuffed. So, with that I bid you all a good night, and a good night to all.
Friday, August 19, 2005
So, it's the end of my first week ...
Sorry about the long delay in-between posts, but I can't begin to tell you how hard it has been on my poor brain this last week.
My Monday started with a general two-hour introduction to my new host company. Lots of the usual stuff - you know, how big we are, who our key customers are, where we're heading, policies to remember, etc.
Then I jump into the guiding arms of my buddy, who takes me up, shows round the place, introduces me to my new team-mates (who seem pretty ok on first inspection), and shows me to my new desk.
The rest of the week is pretty much going through the departmental induction process (which, by the way, is about 30-odd webex presentations on every aspect of the job, policies, guidelines, collaboration, etc). This can be simultaneously interesting and mind numbing while quickly reaching the information overload marker.
So I've survived that, only to find that you have to be careful what you wish for! I mentioned on Tuesday that I wish I had some projects on, so at least I could chew on a bone. Well, by Friday, I had five on my plate!
unfortunately, none of these I can do anything about, for one reason or another, and so, I'm twiddling my thumbs until the work can come round again.
As part of the global structure, a cool process that is in place is a formalised peer document review. So, I spent the end of the week going through four different proposals. That was fun.
Anyhows, my information overloaded mind is now officially numb, so I'm off to bed.
TTFN
My Monday started with a general two-hour introduction to my new host company. Lots of the usual stuff - you know, how big we are, who our key customers are, where we're heading, policies to remember, etc.
Then I jump into the guiding arms of my buddy, who takes me up, shows round the place, introduces me to my new team-mates (who seem pretty ok on first inspection), and shows me to my new desk.
The rest of the week is pretty much going through the departmental induction process (which, by the way, is about 30-odd webex presentations on every aspect of the job, policies, guidelines, collaboration, etc). This can be simultaneously interesting and mind numbing while quickly reaching the information overload marker.
So I've survived that, only to find that you have to be careful what you wish for! I mentioned on Tuesday that I wish I had some projects on, so at least I could chew on a bone. Well, by Friday, I had five on my plate!
unfortunately, none of these I can do anything about, for one reason or another, and so, I'm twiddling my thumbs until the work can come round again.
As part of the global structure, a cool process that is in place is a formalised peer document review. So, I spent the end of the week going through four different proposals. That was fun.
Anyhows, my information overloaded mind is now officially numb, so I'm off to bed.
TTFN
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