So hear I am! 100 days since I started this blog, and 100 blog entries to my name.
I realised that I wanted to start this blog in Singapore. I remember at the time hundreds of potential blog entries, matters I wanted documented and wanting to jot down opinions and reviews of issues current to myself.
At first, I felt like this blog was helping my life get more interesting - I wanted to go out more so I would have more to blog about and not appear as the miserable old man I feel like sometimes. It worked initially - i did venture out more. I had that motivation.
Of late the outings have dried up and I am sometimes left scraping for topics to blog about. It isn't always a scrape, but it is more often than I would care to admit to.
When I started this blog, I wanted to commit to a blog a day for at least a year. I still feel like this is achievable, but am thinking that I will have to reduce quantity and perhaps focus on quality after that. My friend who suggested blogging posts once a month and they are always interesting posts. While I feel this is too infrequent, I don't see once a day sustainable in the long term.
There is lots I have not discussed. Despite having no readers, some I do not feel ready for or it is not the right time. Others have disappeared from short term memory. Either way, I'll do my best to keep to my year commitment and stick this one out.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
What could have been
My parents always had planned for me to go to uni, get a degree, get a good job and set myself up for life. They were uneducated themselves and a little light on the details of what they wanted me to do or study and while some may say they gave me freedom to do what I wanted and enjoyed, some may also say that their plan lacked focus or direction and I had to work it all out for myself at a time when I was very confused and undecided.
I browsed through the University guide in my last year of school, I had felt like I had led a largely sheltered life. I had few extra curriculum activities, hobbies or friends. I picked IT because I enjoyed computer studies at school, had recently purchased my first desktop PC and s and it seemed like a logical career choice at the time.
Whilst I am happy with my choice, If I could do it all again with the benefit of hindsight, I wish I could pursue Psychology. I really enjoy looking for tells at the poker table. I like studying people and their reactions to questions or situations. I look for uncomfortable pauses or subtle changes in tone when talking to others. I like finding the boundary and skirting around it. Most of what I know is from trial and error, I feel i could have benefited from formal training.
As it stands today, my choice wasn't the worst I could have made, but my mind does wonder sometimes...
I browsed through the University guide in my last year of school, I had felt like I had led a largely sheltered life. I had few extra curriculum activities, hobbies or friends. I picked IT because I enjoyed computer studies at school, had recently purchased my first desktop PC and s and it seemed like a logical career choice at the time.
Whilst I am happy with my choice, If I could do it all again with the benefit of hindsight, I wish I could pursue Psychology. I really enjoy looking for tells at the poker table. I like studying people and their reactions to questions or situations. I look for uncomfortable pauses or subtle changes in tone when talking to others. I like finding the boundary and skirting around it. Most of what I know is from trial and error, I feel i could have benefited from formal training.
As it stands today, my choice wasn't the worst I could have made, but my mind does wonder sometimes...
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
The wrong direction.
My weight is becomming a problem. I am at a stage where my belt has expanded, my clothes are tighter and I have a general feeling of unhealthiness that has come over me. I am too afraid to stand on the scale because I know it's going to be a big number.
I am definitely eating the wrong foods. I'm spending too much time eating supermarket crap. I am still walking regularly but with less od the oomph that comes so naturally when I am in the zone and I will also allow excuses to creep in and not walk. I didn't walk yesterday because it was too humid. I walked today but had to really push myself out of the house.
This is not he heaviest I've ever been, not by a long shot. Do not let that detract from the fact that I am very disappointed int the way I look and feel right now. I've looked for motivation and even posted here but having issues pulling that trigger and going into full focus.
I'm by no means giving up - I cannot let myself get any bigger.
I am definitely eating the wrong foods. I'm spending too much time eating supermarket crap. I am still walking regularly but with less od the oomph that comes so naturally when I am in the zone and I will also allow excuses to creep in and not walk. I didn't walk yesterday because it was too humid. I walked today but had to really push myself out of the house.
This is not he heaviest I've ever been, not by a long shot. Do not let that detract from the fact that I am very disappointed int the way I look and feel right now. I've looked for motivation and even posted here but having issues pulling that trigger and going into full focus.
I'm by no means giving up - I cannot let myself get any bigger.
Monday, 25 February 2013
Business is picking up
Work is actually starting to get busy again. Customers are upgrading and expanding, faults are happening. I'm starting to help out with a few interesting areas just outside my prime responsibilities. The days are going faster and I'm feeling more satisfied.
The only downer to all this is that I do not feel like I am learning. Maybe I am in cruise control and lost my drive? I'm not happy about it and going to have to do something to get back into overdrive. It is very easy to sit back into your comfort zone but that isn't really the job I get paid for.
The only downer to all this is that I do not feel like I am learning. Maybe I am in cruise control and lost my drive? I'm not happy about it and going to have to do something to get back into overdrive. It is very easy to sit back into your comfort zone but that isn't really the job I get paid for.
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Playing with a partner
I trekked off to Manly today with a friend for a teams poker tournament event. The event was $75 each plus $50 in add-ons and rebuys. Top prize was a week long all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas - a prize we both would have been delighted with.
Teams events are risky because you are not just playing for yourself, you are playing for two and you kinda do not want to be the person who busts the team.Whilst we have trust in each others play and teams events are a little risky, its fun to change it up a little.
We both started the tournament rather slowly. We were on our own for the first hour and lost roughly half or stacks. I was very fortunate to win the hand before the break with a flush and return my stack to a defensible level. My partner had done slightly better but neither of us felt we were in a great position.
After the break our stacks were combined and we completed our double add-ons. Teams swapped control after every blind period (20 minutes) and we treaded water for 3 or 4 levels. It felt like I was winning with bluffs and could not make my big hands work. Eventually, I managed to turn a straight when holding my favourite hand (72). My opponent had a straight also and went all in, which I had to call. His straight improved on the river and I was eliminated.
We ate at the overpriced bistro in the breeze outside away from the heat indoors and made the trek home. My partner was very forgiving and Vegas will have to remain on ice for the time being.
Teams events are risky because you are not just playing for yourself, you are playing for two and you kinda do not want to be the person who busts the team.Whilst we have trust in each others play and teams events are a little risky, its fun to change it up a little.
We both started the tournament rather slowly. We were on our own for the first hour and lost roughly half or stacks. I was very fortunate to win the hand before the break with a flush and return my stack to a defensible level. My partner had done slightly better but neither of us felt we were in a great position.
After the break our stacks were combined and we completed our double add-ons. Teams swapped control after every blind period (20 minutes) and we treaded water for 3 or 4 levels. It felt like I was winning with bluffs and could not make my big hands work. Eventually, I managed to turn a straight when holding my favourite hand (72). My opponent had a straight also and went all in, which I had to call. His straight improved on the river and I was eliminated.
We ate at the overpriced bistro in the breeze outside away from the heat indoors and made the trek home. My partner was very forgiving and Vegas will have to remain on ice for the time being.
Saturday, 23 February 2013
I need a life
Today has been a wasted day. Sure we have copped a drenching and I have played courier to my family but I feel like I have achieved nothing today.
Even if it had been a dry sunny day and I had no courier duties I'm not sure if much would have been achieved other than perhaps a good walk.
On my most recent courier duty, I drove through the heart of Newtown and saw so many young people enjoying their Saturday nights. I really need to find a good hobby but have so few friends, am not good at making new friends and am a relatively boring. My parents are hermits and I feel like I missed my 20's. I've been trying to play catch up but it is not as easy as one would expect it to be.
Even if it had been a dry sunny day and I had no courier duties I'm not sure if much would have been achieved other than perhaps a good walk.
On my most recent courier duty, I drove through the heart of Newtown and saw so many young people enjoying their Saturday nights. I really need to find a good hobby but have so few friends, am not good at making new friends and am a relatively boring. My parents are hermits and I feel like I missed my 20's. I've been trying to play catch up but it is not as easy as one would expect it to be.
Friday, 22 February 2013
Pearl Jam
There was an interesting program on Music Max today about the top 50 albums of the 90's. This interested me as this is my favourite music period. Whilst I did not have much time to follow the full program, I did see about an hour of it and was in time to see them feature "Vitalogy"
I still remember buying this CD from my local record store back in the days where i would scour for my collection. The cardboard cover meant that it did not fit into my CD rack and I had to sit it on the floor of my stand.
I still remember one particular Thursday night back in uni days where a friend and I were at uni bar having a few drinks and we were talking about Pearl Jam touring and playing that night, only a few hundred meters away. The show was sold out months before but we took our chances and headed to the Entertainment Centre and tried to secure a couple of tickets. Ended up paying $100 each for a ticket from a scalper not even knowing where we were sitting. This was quite a massive investment for the time as was about twice retail price.
We entered the venue about 2 or 3 songs in and were ushered to our seats - first tier, Front row center. You could not have found better seats (although there was a large standing moshpit in front of us). We really enjoyed ourselves and the gig and in hindsight it was money well spent.
A few months later I was playing pool with some old school friends and picked "Spin the Black Circle" from the dukebox. They looked at me as if I was from another planet and could not understand how I could listen to such fast paced and alternative music.
Pearl Jam are a band that I have had alot of fun with and one of the bands that defined the 90's for me, yet I still would not put them up there with my favourite bands or call myself a die hard fan. Nonetheless, I still think they were a quality outfit and well worth a listen.
I still remember buying this CD from my local record store back in the days where i would scour for my collection. The cardboard cover meant that it did not fit into my CD rack and I had to sit it on the floor of my stand.
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| Vitalogy Cover |
I still remember one particular Thursday night back in uni days where a friend and I were at uni bar having a few drinks and we were talking about Pearl Jam touring and playing that night, only a few hundred meters away. The show was sold out months before but we took our chances and headed to the Entertainment Centre and tried to secure a couple of tickets. Ended up paying $100 each for a ticket from a scalper not even knowing where we were sitting. This was quite a massive investment for the time as was about twice retail price.
We entered the venue about 2 or 3 songs in and were ushered to our seats - first tier, Front row center. You could not have found better seats (although there was a large standing moshpit in front of us). We really enjoyed ourselves and the gig and in hindsight it was money well spent.
A few months later I was playing pool with some old school friends and picked "Spin the Black Circle" from the dukebox. They looked at me as if I was from another planet and could not understand how I could listen to such fast paced and alternative music.
Pearl Jam are a band that I have had alot of fun with and one of the bands that defined the 90's for me, yet I still would not put them up there with my favourite bands or call myself a die hard fan. Nonetheless, I still think they were a quality outfit and well worth a listen.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Benevenuti Del Piero
My father and I like soccer and are passive A-League fans. We watch World Cups quite intensively and squeeze in the odd champions league. My dad is Italian and we have always followed Italy in World Cups (particularly in the years when Australia kept missing out).
Last year when news filtered through that Sydney FC had pulled off a miracle and secured ADP, dad was estatic. Rarely is he keen to want to go to go out and watch a sporting event, but he is super keen to see ADP wear the Sky Blue shirt at least one time.
Between revolving around work schedules and general lazyness I have dropped the ball on this one. I still want to make this happen, only I'm not sure when. Fortunately, ADP has signed up for another year today and given us more chances to make this happen.
Last year when news filtered through that Sydney FC had pulled off a miracle and secured ADP, dad was estatic. Rarely is he keen to want to go to go out and watch a sporting event, but he is super keen to see ADP wear the Sky Blue shirt at least one time.
Between revolving around work schedules and general lazyness I have dropped the ball on this one. I still want to make this happen, only I'm not sure when. Fortunately, ADP has signed up for another year today and given us more chances to make this happen.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Giving way to the bell
Often walking paths are shared with cyclists. A simple courtesy that bike riders are expected to offer is a simple ring of a bell as they approach a walker.
Why is it that so few cyclists ring their bells when they approach walkers? their bikes are so quiet nowdays that you can never hear them coming. Even if there is enough room for a cyclist to pass, a bell ring is appreciated to help walkers who may be thinking of crossing the path or avoid being startled as a cyclist whisses past.
To further complicate matters, of those who do ring are usually children who ring the bell for no other reason than they have a bell and want to use it. Whilst this is much less of an issue it can be really annoying turning round to the sound of a bell only to find a kid playing.
To those few cyclists who follow bell etiquette, thank you. To those who don't, its not too late to change.
Why is it that so few cyclists ring their bells when they approach walkers? their bikes are so quiet nowdays that you can never hear them coming. Even if there is enough room for a cyclist to pass, a bell ring is appreciated to help walkers who may be thinking of crossing the path or avoid being startled as a cyclist whisses past.
To further complicate matters, of those who do ring are usually children who ring the bell for no other reason than they have a bell and want to use it. Whilst this is much less of an issue it can be really annoying turning round to the sound of a bell only to find a kid playing.
To those few cyclists who follow bell etiquette, thank you. To those who don't, its not too late to change.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
One of my few fantasies
A friend from work has decided to pack up shop and applied for a transfer to Silicon Valley. from what he says, the work is quieter than what he was expecting but he is enjoying the break away from home and the subtle differences that the US offers.
One of his indulgences was to splash out $60,000 on a V8 Chrysler Camaro. If I were to live in the US for a year, I would be parting with a third of that and looking for a early 80's Silver Deloreon.
Deloreons were the coolest cars going around when I was growing up, helped largely by the Back to the Future franchise. Any car with doors that open upwards get instant brownie points. Other than that, they just look cool. The Deloreon never made it to Australia and most have the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car for local use.
I went to Universal Studios in Los Angeles when I was a kid. I sat in replicas of KITT from Knight Rider and the cop car from Blues Brothers. There was a Deloreon on one of the stage shows and I was a volunteer in charge of rocking it for one of the shows but never managed to sit in it.
My fantasy will probably never come to fruition, but one can dream.
One of his indulgences was to splash out $60,000 on a V8 Chrysler Camaro. If I were to live in the US for a year, I would be parting with a third of that and looking for a early 80's Silver Deloreon.
Deloreons were the coolest cars going around when I was growing up, helped largely by the Back to the Future franchise. Any car with doors that open upwards get instant brownie points. Other than that, they just look cool. The Deloreon never made it to Australia and most have the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car for local use.
I went to Universal Studios in Los Angeles when I was a kid. I sat in replicas of KITT from Knight Rider and the cop car from Blues Brothers. There was a Deloreon on one of the stage shows and I was a volunteer in charge of rocking it for one of the shows but never managed to sit in it.
My fantasy will probably never come to fruition, but one can dream.
Monday, 18 February 2013
Com-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-puter-puter, puter games
Isn't it amazing how so much of our lives can be wasted playing games. At a previous job in an IT helpdesk there were several people addicted to World of Warcraft and Second Life. I was fortunate enough to skip these phases as the people who played them seemed to play them all night.
My dad recently acquired an iPhone from my youngest sister. I installed a few apps and he has been playing an italian card game (Scopa) ever since, addicted to trying to climb the points leader board and reach the summit to the point whereby the actual game stops being fun.
On the other hand, my mum has a FB Bejeweled addiction. It does not get boring for her. As annoying as it get sometime being not able to use the home PC, I think it actually does her mind good and may be helping to keep her mind active and starve off alzheimers.
I must say I find simple phone or PC apps far more addictive than long quest type games - maybe I dont have the attention span for longer games or I am plain not good at them. Either way, a good chunk of my life has been spent playing games and I wonder what I could have achieved if I had put the time to something more constructive.
My dad recently acquired an iPhone from my youngest sister. I installed a few apps and he has been playing an italian card game (Scopa) ever since, addicted to trying to climb the points leader board and reach the summit to the point whereby the actual game stops being fun.
On the other hand, my mum has a FB Bejeweled addiction. It does not get boring for her. As annoying as it get sometime being not able to use the home PC, I think it actually does her mind good and may be helping to keep her mind active and starve off alzheimers.
I must say I find simple phone or PC apps far more addictive than long quest type games - maybe I dont have the attention span for longer games or I am plain not good at them. Either way, a good chunk of my life has been spent playing games and I wonder what I could have achieved if I had put the time to something more constructive.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Italian Elections
Italy go to the polls this week. Whilst overseas elections wouldn't
usually interest me that much, this one doe as I voted in it. I don't
know why, but my father is Italian and since I turned 18 I have had
ballots mailed to me for federal elections and referendums.
The first thing that hits you is how difficult it is to vote if you don't know Italian. In Australia, when you vote, you can request instructions in any number of languages. In the Italian elections, despite voting in the Australasian and aftican block, all instructions are in Italian. Occasionally I will receive mail from a candidate with voting instructions in English and Italian and can work it out. The voting system is horrible as well. In Australia, with compulsory voting, they do all they can to make voting simple - all you do is number a box. In the Italian elections there is no preferential voting and you have to write the surname of the guy in the party you are voting for on the ballot paper, I haven't worked out if you are only voting for one guy or voting for a party and the winning candidate in that party gets the vote.
In any case, I voted with to stick with Monte, if for no other reason that he has kept to his word in calling an election after the budget and I feel he is making the hard choices for Italy that it needs in this time of crisis. I have never voted Berlusconi and never will. It would be interested to see the results somewhere once this election is finished but finding such information is very difficult
The first thing that hits you is how difficult it is to vote if you don't know Italian. In Australia, when you vote, you can request instructions in any number of languages. In the Italian elections, despite voting in the Australasian and aftican block, all instructions are in Italian. Occasionally I will receive mail from a candidate with voting instructions in English and Italian and can work it out. The voting system is horrible as well. In Australia, with compulsory voting, they do all they can to make voting simple - all you do is number a box. In the Italian elections there is no preferential voting and you have to write the surname of the guy in the party you are voting for on the ballot paper, I haven't worked out if you are only voting for one guy or voting for a party and the winning candidate in that party gets the vote.
In any case, I voted with to stick with Monte, if for no other reason that he has kept to his word in calling an election after the budget and I feel he is making the hard choices for Italy that it needs in this time of crisis. I have never voted Berlusconi and never will. It would be interested to see the results somewhere once this election is finished but finding such information is very difficult
Saturday, 16 February 2013
Total Recall 2012
About the only thing I achieved today was that I had the opportunity to watch Total Recall. I really liked the Arnie version, as such, had reservations about whether or not I should watch nte new version but I took the plunge anyway.
I like post apocalyptic future presentations that are rough on the edges and show a future where people have to resort to old fashioned methods to survive, but are fused with futuristic enhancements that you could only imagine. I thought the original movie did this quite well but this one was a little too futuristic. It made for great special affects but the movie lost some of its aura.
A new generation of fans will probably like this movie but for purists lime myself who had seen the original, it is no match. I think settling on Mars was more realistic than going through the Earths core (as unrealistic as settling on Mars is). I really liked the little details in the original like the Johnny Cab and entrusting a stranger for help - the new one you always had a s sense of who was good and bad and it made the movie rather predictable.
I think I would have been happier if they had engineered a sequel to the original Like they did with Escape from New York. Are we that out of ideas as a society that we keep to go around resurrecting old ideas? Makes you wonder if they will refresh it again in 20 years time.
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| Total Recall 2012 Movie Poster |
I like post apocalyptic future presentations that are rough on the edges and show a future where people have to resort to old fashioned methods to survive, but are fused with futuristic enhancements that you could only imagine. I thought the original movie did this quite well but this one was a little too futuristic. It made for great special affects but the movie lost some of its aura.
A new generation of fans will probably like this movie but for purists lime myself who had seen the original, it is no match. I think settling on Mars was more realistic than going through the Earths core (as unrealistic as settling on Mars is). I really liked the little details in the original like the Johnny Cab and entrusting a stranger for help - the new one you always had a s sense of who was good and bad and it made the movie rather predictable.
I think I would have been happier if they had engineered a sequel to the original Like they did with Escape from New York. Are we that out of ideas as a society that we keep to go around resurrecting old ideas? Makes you wonder if they will refresh it again in 20 years time.
Friday, 15 February 2013
What is his Storious?
I was a big fan of the Paralympics last year, moreso than the Olympics themselves. I don't know if it was Australia won more medals, if the coverage was better on the ad-free ABC, or if the constant swimming replays and lack of diversity bored me on Channel 9 or a combination of all of the above, but either way I was addicted to the games for those couple of weeks and watched as much as I possibly could.
In the last day or so the news that Oscar Pistorious had murdered his girlfriend has filtered down the media. I was as shocked as the next person, but have to say, am not one of Oscar's biggest fans. I am of the school that believe that he should not be able to race in the normal Olympics - at least not with the carbon fiber blades that he uses. It is a significant advantage in my mind and whilst I have sympathy for him being born without fibulas, do not believe that it is a level playing field if he competes.
That leads me to his tirade after he lost the 200m final at the Paralympics. He all but called his opponent a cheat for having better prosthetics, particularly as his opponent was an above the knee amputee. I think Oscar had a point, however, he should have targeted the people in charge of defining regulation instead of his opponent. There was an obvious sense of double standard and a general lack of sportsmanship, particularly as if Oscar had ran the same time as he did in the heats, he would have won gold. He later apologised, however, it felt like the true Oscar has let himself out of the bag and it was a lasting memory for me.
It is sad that someone seen as such a role model is capable of murdering someone. I hope for his sake and the sake of his fans that there is a logical reason why this occurred, even if it is not justified. I'm sure he will feel a great sense of remorse for what he has done and hope that some good can come out of it - maybe SA can get some gun reform or Oscar can reform himself and be a different kind of role model.
In the last day or so the news that Oscar Pistorious had murdered his girlfriend has filtered down the media. I was as shocked as the next person, but have to say, am not one of Oscar's biggest fans. I am of the school that believe that he should not be able to race in the normal Olympics - at least not with the carbon fiber blades that he uses. It is a significant advantage in my mind and whilst I have sympathy for him being born without fibulas, do not believe that it is a level playing field if he competes.
That leads me to his tirade after he lost the 200m final at the Paralympics. He all but called his opponent a cheat for having better prosthetics, particularly as his opponent was an above the knee amputee. I think Oscar had a point, however, he should have targeted the people in charge of defining regulation instead of his opponent. There was an obvious sense of double standard and a general lack of sportsmanship, particularly as if Oscar had ran the same time as he did in the heats, he would have won gold. He later apologised, however, it felt like the true Oscar has let himself out of the bag and it was a lasting memory for me.
It is sad that someone seen as such a role model is capable of murdering someone. I hope for his sake and the sake of his fans that there is a logical reason why this occurred, even if it is not justified. I'm sure he will feel a great sense of remorse for what he has done and hope that some good can come out of it - maybe SA can get some gun reform or Oscar can reform himself and be a different kind of role model.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Valentine's Day?
Happy Valentine's!
My Valentine's is quiet and non eventful, not because I am on call and not because I think it is a lame excuse for a date, but because even if I were free, there wouldn't be anyone to take.
I have a new years resolution to go out on a date. I am kinda stuck in a rut whereby I just want something I can never have. I'll figure a way through it but it isn't easy. It's not a part of my life that I am particularly happy or proud of, but is something I have to learn to live with.
My youngest sister is a florist and as such, hates valentines day. It is the busiest time of year from her and she gets home exhausted. At least she hates it for the right reasons.
My Valentine's is quiet and non eventful, not because I am on call and not because I think it is a lame excuse for a date, but because even if I were free, there wouldn't be anyone to take.
I have a new years resolution to go out on a date. I am kinda stuck in a rut whereby I just want something I can never have. I'll figure a way through it but it isn't easy. It's not a part of my life that I am particularly happy or proud of, but is something I have to learn to live with.
My youngest sister is a florist and as such, hates valentines day. It is the busiest time of year from her and she gets home exhausted. At least she hates it for the right reasons.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Numbers. Some keep haunting me.
People that know me are familiar with my better than average ability of remembering numbers. I am also good at remembering birthdays. I can remember birthdays for people i used to work with and people I went to school with - some I haven't seen in years and may never see again.
Today is someones birthday that I will probably never see again. It is the birthday of an ex-girlfriend. It is particularly easy to remember as it was the day before Valentines day. We broke up over 10 years ago, but she was special as it was my longest relationship, and the only relationship that I used the 'L word. I am well and truly over it now, but it was still a significant and important part of my life.
I met her in my uni days at the uni bar. She was quite shy and pleased that I gave her attention at first. If she gained anything from me, it was certainly confidence. Maybe it was a sign of my youth or experience, but for a long time, I took her for granted and didn't take the relationship seriously.
That changed very suddenly when I lost my best friend. All of a sudden, I realised how short life was. I started taking her seriously and felt like I really was in a relationship. We had a very good 6 months and she helped me through my loss, then, she tragically lost her best friend.
I wanted to help as much as I could and felt like I was in the best position to do so. The problem was, her best friend was a Male and had a crush on her. She felt like I was somehow happy that he died which I promise was not the case and the relationship started to crumble. A few months later she started cheating on me and whilst alarms were ringing like sirens, there was nothing that could be done to save the relationship. She was no longer interested in me and as I went through the stages of greif finally found acceptance and finally accepted that I didn't want a cheater anyway and even if I was able to sustain the relationship, it was close to its use by date.
I have a habit whereby relationships do not end well. I am not friends with any of my ex girlfriends and this one is no different.This one took the longest to get over, but she was not right for me. Whilst it is her birthday, she will not be getting wishes from me. I do think of her on rare occasions but wish i could forget her birthday.
Today is someones birthday that I will probably never see again. It is the birthday of an ex-girlfriend. It is particularly easy to remember as it was the day before Valentines day. We broke up over 10 years ago, but she was special as it was my longest relationship, and the only relationship that I used the 'L word. I am well and truly over it now, but it was still a significant and important part of my life.
I met her in my uni days at the uni bar. She was quite shy and pleased that I gave her attention at first. If she gained anything from me, it was certainly confidence. Maybe it was a sign of my youth or experience, but for a long time, I took her for granted and didn't take the relationship seriously.
That changed very suddenly when I lost my best friend. All of a sudden, I realised how short life was. I started taking her seriously and felt like I really was in a relationship. We had a very good 6 months and she helped me through my loss, then, she tragically lost her best friend.
I wanted to help as much as I could and felt like I was in the best position to do so. The problem was, her best friend was a Male and had a crush on her. She felt like I was somehow happy that he died which I promise was not the case and the relationship started to crumble. A few months later she started cheating on me and whilst alarms were ringing like sirens, there was nothing that could be done to save the relationship. She was no longer interested in me and as I went through the stages of greif finally found acceptance and finally accepted that I didn't want a cheater anyway and even if I was able to sustain the relationship, it was close to its use by date.
I have a habit whereby relationships do not end well. I am not friends with any of my ex girlfriends and this one is no different.This one took the longest to get over, but she was not right for me. Whilst it is her birthday, she will not be getting wishes from me. I do think of her on rare occasions but wish i could forget her birthday.
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Pope quits!
I was shocked with the rest of the world this morning to wake up to the news that the pope had resigned. I remember from my primary education learning that Pope's do not quit so did not see this coming.
It is ironic that Benedict XVI was helped to his position as he was a conservative, yet has been doing his bit to anoint younger Archbishops and change the make-up of the church. He may have failed to make naughty priests accountable for their crimes, may not have accepted women priests, safe sex or homosexuals but he has helped lay the structure for them to be accepted by the church someday.
When you look back at his reign, I think history will remember him as the first Pope to resign in the modern era. It is a very clever move on his part - few people work in their mid-80's in this day and age and his decision has reason, particularly as the memory of JPII's final years and his lack of ability is still fresh in our minds. I think the Church is coming to a crossroads and some tough decisions are going to have to be made, lets hope the new Pope will have some of the courage that the current one lacked.
It is ironic that Benedict XVI was helped to his position as he was a conservative, yet has been doing his bit to anoint younger Archbishops and change the make-up of the church. He may have failed to make naughty priests accountable for their crimes, may not have accepted women priests, safe sex or homosexuals but he has helped lay the structure for them to be accepted by the church someday.
When you look back at his reign, I think history will remember him as the first Pope to resign in the modern era. It is a very clever move on his part - few people work in their mid-80's in this day and age and his decision has reason, particularly as the memory of JPII's final years and his lack of ability is still fresh in our minds. I think the Church is coming to a crossroads and some tough decisions are going to have to be made, lets hope the new Pope will have some of the courage that the current one lacked.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Gnocci
My favourite food growing up was homemade gnocci. My nonna used to make this in kilos and my nonno was quite big on it as well. When my nonno passed away, my nonna stopped making it and the recipe. She would make them from scratch and mostly by hand - I'm told it was simple but fery laborious and time consuming.
My nonna's aunt has a machine to automate most of the process. She has been making her own batches and giving a bag to nonna whenever she does. Nonna isn't a fan of machine made gnocci, so she has been passing it on to me who is only too happy to accept.
We cooked a batch on the weekend and it was great. One of my new years resolutions was to learn how to make it myself and give nonna a person to pass on the recipe to. I'm a horrible cook but really want to give this one a go. She says it is better done in winter months as the pasta is less sticky. Maybe it is old age but I think there is a part of her that doesn't want to do this, though I'd really appreciate it if she gives this a go - I really want to eat nonnas gnocci one more time!
My nonna's aunt has a machine to automate most of the process. She has been making her own batches and giving a bag to nonna whenever she does. Nonna isn't a fan of machine made gnocci, so she has been passing it on to me who is only too happy to accept.
We cooked a batch on the weekend and it was great. One of my new years resolutions was to learn how to make it myself and give nonna a person to pass on the recipe to. I'm a horrible cook but really want to give this one a go. She says it is better done in winter months as the pasta is less sticky. Maybe it is old age but I think there is a part of her that doesn't want to do this, though I'd really appreciate it if she gives this a go - I really want to eat nonnas gnocci one more time!
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Testing my luck.
I ventured back into the Casino today. The Sydney Casino has a big poker tournament next month which attracts a $2,200 buy-in. As I would never pay so much to play in such a tournament, my only chance is to qualify via satellites. Today's satellite attracted a $250 fee, with 1 ticket offered for every 10 runners. A friend was keen to chance her luck on it so it felt like a good day to go.
The tournament was scheduled to start at 2:15pm. We were a little early and registered quickly. There was a commotion at 2:15 when they announced the start was delayed to 3pm due to lack of runners - 19 players were already registered and ready to go, some of the regulars were vocal in their disappointment and management eventually agreed on a 2:30 compromise.
The first session was quite successful for me. I started off folding everything, so much so that I felt like I could get away with a few bluffs (and i did). Just before the break some of them were hitting and I went to the first break with my stack tripled. My friend had also started well but had taken a big hit just before the break. The late start was pointless as they only opened up 2 tables anyway and despite crawling to 25 runners, the extras were surplus and treated as reserves, only joining when one was eliminated.
After the break the table numbers started dwindling. My friend was eliminated and both tables had 3 or so empty seats so I opened my range. This tactic did not work for me and my stack started to erode. We eventually combined tables and I went card dead. I eventually made a move with KQ, ran into AQ and lost. I made it to 7th place, a respectable finish but still 4 outside the prize money.
The good thing about playing at Casinos is that tournaments are stricter than pub games, though today I must say that the organisers had no clue. They couldn't tell us when the tournament starts, how long the breaks were scheduled for, if antes were introduced in later levels and changed their minds about offering the final table a free drink. It is nice having a dealer look after the side pots and settle disagreements, however there in certainly room for improvement.
I may not have won money today, but it was still nice playing in a formal tournament and will try another one if I can squeeze it in. At least I was also able to catch up with my friend, who despite being eliminated relatively early, was able to recover $200 on the cash tables afterwards!
The tournament was scheduled to start at 2:15pm. We were a little early and registered quickly. There was a commotion at 2:15 when they announced the start was delayed to 3pm due to lack of runners - 19 players were already registered and ready to go, some of the regulars were vocal in their disappointment and management eventually agreed on a 2:30 compromise.
The first session was quite successful for me. I started off folding everything, so much so that I felt like I could get away with a few bluffs (and i did). Just before the break some of them were hitting and I went to the first break with my stack tripled. My friend had also started well but had taken a big hit just before the break. The late start was pointless as they only opened up 2 tables anyway and despite crawling to 25 runners, the extras were surplus and treated as reserves, only joining when one was eliminated.
After the break the table numbers started dwindling. My friend was eliminated and both tables had 3 or so empty seats so I opened my range. This tactic did not work for me and my stack started to erode. We eventually combined tables and I went card dead. I eventually made a move with KQ, ran into AQ and lost. I made it to 7th place, a respectable finish but still 4 outside the prize money.
The good thing about playing at Casinos is that tournaments are stricter than pub games, though today I must say that the organisers had no clue. They couldn't tell us when the tournament starts, how long the breaks were scheduled for, if antes were introduced in later levels and changed their minds about offering the final table a free drink. It is nice having a dealer look after the side pots and settle disagreements, however there in certainly room for improvement.
I may not have won money today, but it was still nice playing in a formal tournament and will try another one if I can squeeze it in. At least I was also able to catch up with my friend, who despite being eliminated relatively early, was able to recover $200 on the cash tables afterwards!
Saturday, 9 February 2013
They're a Weird Mob
My little sister came over today and on strong recommendations from my dad, we watched an Australian movie from 1966 called "They're a Weird Mob". He built this as a predecessor to "The Castle" and I was curious enough to want to watch it.
I could see how my dad could fall in love with this one. It is about an Italian immigrant who came over by boat and getting used to the quirks of this strange world down under. This movie was made a couple of years after my dad would have made the same sea journey and had little bits of Italian in it, making it easy for him to understand it.
I didn't find it as funny as it was billed, however, there were some funny scenes and slight bits of humour, mostly centered around broken english and taking aussie slang literally.
The most interest I had is having a glimpse of Sydney from back in the day that my father immigrated.Seeing developing suburbs, the way Italians were treated, the old currency circulating, telephone switchrooms, old cars and labourers and the accents in the language were all eye openers for me. I particularly liked the panoramic camerawork of Sydney Harbour at the end of the film with a half finished Opera House - It has been there all my lifetime so it's hard to imagine a harbour without it.
The film itself fell short of expectations for my sister and I, but that may have been partly due to my dad's high appraisals. but the window into the mid 60's Australiana was well worth the effort.
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| They're a Weird Mob Movie Poster |
I could see how my dad could fall in love with this one. It is about an Italian immigrant who came over by boat and getting used to the quirks of this strange world down under. This movie was made a couple of years after my dad would have made the same sea journey and had little bits of Italian in it, making it easy for him to understand it.
I didn't find it as funny as it was billed, however, there were some funny scenes and slight bits of humour, mostly centered around broken english and taking aussie slang literally.
The most interest I had is having a glimpse of Sydney from back in the day that my father immigrated.Seeing developing suburbs, the way Italians were treated, the old currency circulating, telephone switchrooms, old cars and labourers and the accents in the language were all eye openers for me. I particularly liked the panoramic camerawork of Sydney Harbour at the end of the film with a half finished Opera House - It has been there all my lifetime so it's hard to imagine a harbour without it.
The film itself fell short of expectations for my sister and I, but that may have been partly due to my dad's high appraisals. but the window into the mid 60's Australiana was well worth the effort.
Friday, 8 February 2013
Invisibility.
I am a big caucasian that lives in a very asian end of town. I go for my walks through the main drag and through suburban streets.
What is common is that if I pass another caucasian there is a 50% chance they will say hi or nod. if I pass an asian, there is a 99% chance that they will catch a glimpse of me through a corner of their eye and walk past like I don't even exist. I look out for this glimpse, most times it is so subtle that I don't even think they know what they are doing.
Maybe it is cultural, maybe I freak them out. I don't know what they think I'm going to do, but sometimes its nice to feel human.
What is common is that if I pass another caucasian there is a 50% chance they will say hi or nod. if I pass an asian, there is a 99% chance that they will catch a glimpse of me through a corner of their eye and walk past like I don't even exist. I look out for this glimpse, most times it is so subtle that I don't even think they know what they are doing.
Maybe it is cultural, maybe I freak them out. I don't know what they think I'm going to do, but sometimes its nice to feel human.
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Is everyone on the Juice?
It feels like we have just made it over the Lance Armstrong hurdle and we have steered head first into another. To think that clubs can actively shonky doctors to administer performance enhancing drugs is astonishing.
With sporting codes all over the country crossing their t's and dotting their i's making sure that they have followed process, the question going through my head is what happened to all the testing? surely something happening on such a large scale for so long should have been picked up on tests sooner. I have often wondered - cycling has a habit of frequently detecting drug cheats, is that because other sports are clean or do they have more rigorous testing than other sports? This week is giving weight to the latter.
Lets hope something good comes out of this and it is the catalyst to give Aussie sports the overdue cleanup it so desperately needs.
With sporting codes all over the country crossing their t's and dotting their i's making sure that they have followed process, the question going through my head is what happened to all the testing? surely something happening on such a large scale for so long should have been picked up on tests sooner. I have often wondered - cycling has a habit of frequently detecting drug cheats, is that because other sports are clean or do they have more rigorous testing than other sports? This week is giving weight to the latter.
Lets hope something good comes out of this and it is the catalyst to give Aussie sports the overdue cleanup it so desperately needs.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Frank Gehry Does UTS.
I was first introduced to Frank Gehry's buildings via The Simpsons, on the episode where Mr. Burns turned one into a prison. I've yet to see one of his buildings in person but have seen many pictures on the web. As an old boy of UTS, I have been taking an interest on Gehry's plans to build a campus on the old Dairy Farmers site in Ultimo.
On my adventures to the Casino a month or so ago, I made a point to go past the site and see how construction had been going. It was largely a hole in the ground but there are public viewing windows whereby you can monitor its progress.
Fortuately on my outing with my middle sister yesterday, we walked past Ultimo and I had the chance to snap up early progress. Despite my sister feeling like it was a bad part of town, I'm sure it will come alive once this thing is completed.
Yes its very rough and doesn't look like much yet, but I'm looking forward to watching this one take shape and monitoring its progress.
On my adventures to the Casino a month or so ago, I made a point to go past the site and see how construction had been going. It was largely a hole in the ground but there are public viewing windows whereby you can monitor its progress.
Fortuately on my outing with my middle sister yesterday, we walked past Ultimo and I had the chance to snap up early progress. Despite my sister feeling like it was a bad part of town, I'm sure it will come alive once this thing is completed.
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| 5-2-13 - Frank Gehry UTS Building |
Yes its very rough and doesn't look like much yet, but I'm looking forward to watching this one take shape and monitoring its progress.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Catch-Up with my Sister
My middle sister returned back from a 10-day trip to Thailand on the weekend and her first chance to catch up with me was today. We went for dinner at Toros at Darling Harbour and took advantage of their "Cheap Tuesday Tapas" day.
The muscles were outstanding. The other dishes were good but I think we went a little heavy on the deep fried dishes. We needed a salad later on but the place was good and I would certainly re-visit.
We caught up with her trip. She rode an elephant, sat on a buffalo, did alot of partying and shopping - it was a very different holiday to what I would normally do. She enjoyed herself but wouldn't do it again and wasn't a fan of Air Asia.
It was nice catching up with middle sister today. Its something I should do more often.
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| Tapas Tuesday |
The muscles were outstanding. The other dishes were good but I think we went a little heavy on the deep fried dishes. We needed a salad later on but the place was good and I would certainly re-visit.
We caught up with her trip. She rode an elephant, sat on a buffalo, did alot of partying and shopping - it was a very different holiday to what I would normally do. She enjoyed herself but wouldn't do it again and wasn't a fan of Air Asia.
It was nice catching up with middle sister today. Its something I should do more often.
Monday, 4 February 2013
Poker-ing the Superbowl
I played a cheap pub game of poker today. It was an opportunity to cash in the $82 I won on Keno yesterday. Crowd was a little smaller than normal and I sat on a crazy table.
It took me far too long to realise that cheap flops were impossible on my table. I had a bit of lick and won a few nice pots, however, my winings quickly dwindled with most hands having healthy preflop raises. I kept hanging on but was in auto pilot for most of the game.
My attention was turned to the big screen and the Superbowl. I had saw the occasional game (or part thereof) on One HD a few years ago and don't understand all the rules but watched it anyway. Thankfully it was a replay and most stoppages were edited out.
I had to go for the Ravens as they were the underdogs. They were off the blocks early and made some entertaining plays. Destiny's Child hit the ground running and it was funny watching Beyonce being as impromptu as she could to prove she wasn't lip synching. Then, a funny thing happened, the power went out and the 49wes came home with a wet sail. They fell just short, but it made for a tight finish.
What I found most interesting was how entertaining the match was. My experience with Grand Finals is that they are mostly hype but are anti-climactic. This one was exciting from start to finish and just kept getting better. it may have been because I was watching a game with stoppages edited out (even then it felt slow) but it was interesting nonetheless. I may not have won poker today but it was worth going out to watch the Superbowl.
It took me far too long to realise that cheap flops were impossible on my table. I had a bit of lick and won a few nice pots, however, my winings quickly dwindled with most hands having healthy preflop raises. I kept hanging on but was in auto pilot for most of the game.
My attention was turned to the big screen and the Superbowl. I had saw the occasional game (or part thereof) on One HD a few years ago and don't understand all the rules but watched it anyway. Thankfully it was a replay and most stoppages were edited out.
I had to go for the Ravens as they were the underdogs. They were off the blocks early and made some entertaining plays. Destiny's Child hit the ground running and it was funny watching Beyonce being as impromptu as she could to prove she wasn't lip synching. Then, a funny thing happened, the power went out and the 49wes came home with a wet sail. They fell just short, but it made for a tight finish.
What I found most interesting was how entertaining the match was. My experience with Grand Finals is that they are mostly hype but are anti-climactic. This one was exciting from start to finish and just kept getting better. it may have been because I was watching a game with stoppages edited out (even then it felt slow) but it was interesting nonetheless. I may not have won poker today but it was worth going out to watch the Superbowl.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Taking it to the Knight.
I received an interesting text this week inviting me to a poker tournament just outside Newcastle. The seat was worth $200 but I had won it in a tournament late last year. it was in the back of my mind, bit was never issued a paper ticket and had forgotten it was coming. Fortunately, I had not made other plans and did the trek to Newcastle. I have passed by Newcastle in road trips before but had never stopped there.
The tournament was held in Mayfield Diggers Club. As I was travelling alone, I decided to train it in. This probably wasn't the best decision as I needed to leave home at around 7am it took three and a half hours train time to get there and alot of time sitting down. I was at the club by 11:30 am and squeezed in an early lunch at the club bistro- Grilled Barramundi, chips and salad.
The tournament started on time and was a good structure. There was a 20K start stack with 25 minute blind levels. The blinds and antes did go up quickly, but this is normal for a club game. Antes were introduced after the second break (which is uncommon). There were no rebuys or add-on's. Most people there seemed local and not many had made the trek up from Sydney. There was a bit over 220 runners, so quite a large field. Top 18 get paid.
I took my seat and list a couple of thousand in the first hand when my two pair lucked out to a flush. I recovered back to a starting stack by the first break. I felt myself playing relatively well today. I took chances but wasn't reckless. I had doubled my break bu the second break and was over 70K bu the third break. I was eliminated just before the fourth break, coming off a bad hand, I pushed with 10-J and was called by 88. My hand did not improve and my opponent turned an 8 to seal my fate.
In the end I had a good run today. There were 60 or so runners left when I was eliminated and I lasted about 7 hours. I was fortunate enough to be offered a lift back to Sydney, which I took. While I was waiting for my lift, I watched cricket and played Keno. I know that I won at least $80 on the ticket but my lift was leaving half way through my ticket and will have to wait until tomorrow to check it. Wish me luck!
The tournament was held in Mayfield Diggers Club. As I was travelling alone, I decided to train it in. This probably wasn't the best decision as I needed to leave home at around 7am it took three and a half hours train time to get there and alot of time sitting down. I was at the club by 11:30 am and squeezed in an early lunch at the club bistro- Grilled Barramundi, chips and salad.
The tournament started on time and was a good structure. There was a 20K start stack with 25 minute blind levels. The blinds and antes did go up quickly, but this is normal for a club game. Antes were introduced after the second break (which is uncommon). There were no rebuys or add-on's. Most people there seemed local and not many had made the trek up from Sydney. There was a bit over 220 runners, so quite a large field. Top 18 get paid.
I took my seat and list a couple of thousand in the first hand when my two pair lucked out to a flush. I recovered back to a starting stack by the first break. I felt myself playing relatively well today. I took chances but wasn't reckless. I had doubled my break bu the second break and was over 70K bu the third break. I was eliminated just before the fourth break, coming off a bad hand, I pushed with 10-J and was called by 88. My hand did not improve and my opponent turned an 8 to seal my fate.
In the end I had a good run today. There were 60 or so runners left when I was eliminated and I lasted about 7 hours. I was fortunate enough to be offered a lift back to Sydney, which I took. While I was waiting for my lift, I watched cricket and played Keno. I know that I won at least $80 on the ticket but my lift was leaving half way through my ticket and will have to wait until tomorrow to check it. Wish me luck!
Saturday, 2 February 2013
The Sapphires
The Sapphires Is probably the most recognised Australian movie title of 2012. It cleaned up at the AACTA awards this week so I thought it was worthwhile dedicating a post to it. I did not know much about this movie except Chris O'Dowd was in it (from the IT Crowd TV series). Dad watched this and thought it was worth a watch.
Well, this will probably come as a surprise to you but I didn't like it. I'm not a fan of musicals and this one had far too much singing for my liking and I kept zoning off. I thin the idea of a group of Aboriginal women singing to the troops is probably a story that needed to be told, but I would have felt much more satisfied if my dad just told me that instead of talking me into watching the darn thing. There were obvious sub plots which were predictable and a lot of the same cliche's and stereotypes you would expect from an Aboriginal film.
If you are into musicals, by all means, give it a go, but otherwise, save your time. It is one I wont be watching again. The fact that it did so well at the AACTA's shows me how bad a year last year was for Australian film.
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| The Sapphires! |
Well, this will probably come as a surprise to you but I didn't like it. I'm not a fan of musicals and this one had far too much singing for my liking and I kept zoning off. I thin the idea of a group of Aboriginal women singing to the troops is probably a story that needed to be told, but I would have felt much more satisfied if my dad just told me that instead of talking me into watching the darn thing. There were obvious sub plots which were predictable and a lot of the same cliche's and stereotypes you would expect from an Aboriginal film.
If you are into musicals, by all means, give it a go, but otherwise, save your time. It is one I wont be watching again. The fact that it did so well at the AACTA's shows me how bad a year last year was for Australian film.
Friday, 1 February 2013
The wrong kind of busy
This week was easily the busiest work week I have had this year. A few of the managers have been tasking me with loose ends that need to be closed off.
I have been managing lifecycles, preparing reports, cleaning up product bases and updating databases. These are all fiddly little things that someone has to do, and me being quiet with cases right now is the obvious person to di it.
Today I went a step further and did trade and diversity training - bith of these are mandatory but I had been avoiding them out of lack of interest. The diversity training was whack - it was a role play with disabled and racist people, choosing the best out of three responses, none of which were responses expected in the real world. I'm glad they are crossed of the list for this year.
None of the above are my prime responsibility or particularly fun, but someone has to do it and I am paid to do a job so i need to see it through. At lesat I am busy and the days are going by quicker, but I'd love to have to lab a case or get into soe real work.
I have been managing lifecycles, preparing reports, cleaning up product bases and updating databases. These are all fiddly little things that someone has to do, and me being quiet with cases right now is the obvious person to di it.
Today I went a step further and did trade and diversity training - bith of these are mandatory but I had been avoiding them out of lack of interest. The diversity training was whack - it was a role play with disabled and racist people, choosing the best out of three responses, none of which were responses expected in the real world. I'm glad they are crossed of the list for this year.
None of the above are my prime responsibility or particularly fun, but someone has to do it and I am paid to do a job so i need to see it through. At lesat I am busy and the days are going by quicker, but I'd love to have to lab a case or get into soe real work.
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