Transport blogger / campaigner and spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association / professional geek.
Bunurong land, Melbourne, Australia.
Opinions on this blog are all mine.
$270 for the car, to fix the distributor. I swear to you now, that’s the last repair — and hopefully the last money ever on that bloody car. (I filled up on Tuesday.) On the brighter side, did you hear about that car hoon guy, the one who was stupid enough to get his car ... [More]
Another top class bit of parking. Okay, so it doesn’t appear to actually say “No parking”, but it’s not hard to imagine what the intent was. I haven’t seen the Get Smart movie yet, but I’m quite amused by these telephone box adverts for it. In Rippon Street, they’re apparently very proud of that beautification ... [More]
When I bought my car (which seemed good at the time), the bloke I bought it from reckoned when the fuel light went on, you had about another 50K on it. So far it’s never caused me trouble — I’ve never tried to do a Krameresque “how far will it go”, and it’s never actually ... [More]
On Monday I took an early lunch and met my mum and Peter and the kids for a jaunt up onto the Eureka Skydeck. My mum had won tickets for four, but didn’t want to go up herself. The lift had buttons for 1, 2, 86, 87 and 88. Hmm. The automated voice reckoned we ... [More]
Attention: Tracey and Joanna Hoyle, and Tracey Anne Tobias. None of you live at my house. (I checked; these aren’t aliases the kids are using.) So please stop giving my address to people. The mail for you has gone back to the sender. (Unlike last time, I did check the White Pages to see if ... [More]
I do wish the owners of automatic doors would think more of us fast-walkers. Obviously if doors are next to a lot of passing traffic, the sensors can’t look too far for moving people, but if they’re in a corridor, it shouldn’t be too hard to detect oncoming speedsters. As it is, at places like ... [More]
So, Eastlink is open. Whoop-de-do. And even though it was meant to be the solution to eastern Melbourne’s traffic, it’s already clear it’s just moved the problems elsewhere: Opposition leader Ted Baillieu said congestion on Eastlink could cause problems at both ends including at Hoddle Street and at the Frankston end at the Cranbourne Road ... [More]
On the 12th of August 1990, I sent out an email. It went to a handful of friends, under the name “Toxic Custard Workshop Files.” It was the first of many, initially made up of (allegedly) humorous writing, though these days it’s mostly the previous week’s blog posts. Tonight, 30th of June 2008, I’m sending ... [More]
The over-arching rule is: Don’t waste people’s time. Don’t invite everyone in the known universe, unless they’re all genuinely needed on the phone at once. Talk to them individually if possible; it’s often more efficient. If plans change and some people aren’t needed after all, let them know. If you have people in different states/cities, ... [More]
PS. See also: The machines will win II 28/5/2011: Pictures tweaked.
April 2005: September 2005: May 2008: June 2008: Richard Heinberg: “I think what the oil consuming nations really need to understand is that this is not a temporary blip in the oil market. What we’re seeing is a fundamental and permanent change in the global energy economy. We will be dealing with the fallout of ... [More]
Jon Faine, when he’s in the studio, is like an orchestra conductor. You don’t obviously see it when listening to the radio, but he waves his arms around to silently signal to his producer to keep the caller on-air, or mute them. It must be an effort to keep talking informatively, encourage the callers’ thoughts ... [More]
Fifteen years ago I wore a Seiko wristwatch. It was given to me by my legendary Uncle Kevin (UK in the UK), about a decade before. Fifteen years ago I didn’t carry a camera routinely. I had a 35mm Kodak one that my mum had given to me. I It was heavy, had no zoom, ... [More]
How does bellybutton fluff work? Where on earth does it come from? There seems to be never-ending bits of it coming from my bellybutton. Every time I check there’s another bit. Can it be harnessed somehow? I wonder if it generates emissions when burnt. If not, it could almost be a limitless source of power.
The week before we moved, the BBC started a new drama, starring William Hartnell. An old man, whose name appeared to be Grandfather or the Doctor, had a police phone box of the kind we saw in the street all the time in those days. It turned out to be a magical and unimaginably wonderful ... [More]
(Move your mouse over the vehicles) In reporting a proposed congestion charge in Manchester, UK, some of the international media seem to have got a bit confused. The Daily Mirror says: There are now also congestion charges in Stockholm, Melbourne and Toronto. CNN reports: Melbourne, Australia, has imposed a charge for downtown driving since 2000. ... [More]