It’s too damn hot, so here are some photos from last week’s jaunt down to Inverloch. Uh oh — he lives! Spotted this in Cranbourne: In Korumburra we found this company who appear to have named their business after Net Speak’s “Be Right Back”… complete with an actual BRB message in the window: This was ... [More]
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Which movies are suitable for older kids?
As my kids have grown, the choices of movies has become a little harder. With one 14 and the other 11, most kids’ movies aren’t very appealing, but many adult M-rated movies aren’t suitable either. MA15+ is a legal restriction — kids under 15 can’t legally see the movie unsupervised, and although they can see ... [More]
I spotted this in November on a train. Read both of the poems, was mildly amused, then noticed the second one had been written by someone I know. (Well, admittedly have only met once or twice, years ago, but you know…) Posting it today as I saw on Twitter this morning that he had to ... [More]
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A short break in Inverloch
Got back yesterday from a few days in Inverloch. We rented a house near the beach with my sister and her family. Sunday Drove down as sorry, but even V/Line’s new improved services only provide 3-4 services a day. Anyway we had lots of stuff to carry. Stopped at Korumburra for lunch at the Kelly ... [More]
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Happy new year
Happy new year. 2010. It sounds so futuristic. At least, for a day or two. Resolutions? I’ve got a number of goals, but the underlying theme is to get myself organised, stop being distracted by every little thing in the always-online worl… (ooh, did you see that Tweet??) and get stuff done. Hope 2010 brings ... [More]
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Myki has arrived
Myki has arrived in Melbourne. Kind of. The government announced yesterday it is now valid for travel on trains only, so if that’s the third of the PT system that you use, and you never get on a tram or bus, you can use it. I gave it a spin yesterday afternoon. Here’s what happened. ... [More]
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I’m sharp and smart
…apparently. (It’s a sharps disposal container at Monash Medical Centre.) Also spotted just before Christmas, reindeer carrot in Safeway: “The carrots preferred by reindeers.” “Ingredients: Carrots, magic, love.” I wonder if the ACCC would approve of those claims?
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Quick lunch review
El Fresco cafe, Centre Road, Bentleigh. Maybe the notice in the front window saying they need experienced staff should have been an omen. Stools in the window to watch the passing parade — excellent. Smokers’ tables far enough away that smoke shouldn’t be a problem except during a strong southerly. The drinks arrived quickly. Tasty, ... [More]
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Christmas is coming
So here we are, Christmas Eve. After yesterday’s heat, it was still 30 degrees C overnight. Thankfully it’s cooled down now to 25, and I’ve opened up the house to let it all in — though hopefully not too many flies. Tomorrow we’ll pile over to my sister’s house for Christmas lunch, but it’s looking ... [More]
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The hidden message in the train seats
Many of Melbourne’s train seats look like this: Look closely. Those are not all just random shapes designed to hide the dirt. Anything look familiar?
Massive billboards to remind us about how great the government is? It’s part of the plan. That’s Richmond Station; there’s others at South Yarra and Malvern and no doubt elsewhere. Mind you, the first of the new trains apparently hasn’t actually made it into service yet. It’s a bit like Myki. Lucky they’re not putting ... [More]
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Melbourne becomes a big city
When I first visited London in the 90s I was staggered by the scale of it. Not so much physical size, but the mass of people. I remember being at Piccadilly Circus on a Sunday and there were just swarms of people, heading in all directions. I felt like a small town hick who had ... [More]
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Stealth advertising
Seen on Saturday: Don’t go to Dan Murphy’s for your booze — keep going and come to Winelovers Warehouse instead! Technically they’re their truck is illegally parked, of course, hanging out of the parking space into No Standing territory. But I wonder how many people were suckered in?
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Myki newsflash
This was my favourite Twitter post of the week, which I’m repeating here while it’s still timely: NEWSFLASH: Govt to change state to the Assyrian Calendar, giving 3 more months to get #Myki right “by the end of the year” (W00t — Retweets!) And yes if you’re wondering, I had done some research before posting ... [More]
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Legal precinct stereotypes
In the legal precinct (William Street between Little Bourke and Latrobe Streets, for non-Melburnians), there are three distinct groups of people that strike me as common, but whom you don’t see much of in other areas of the CBD: 1. Young men looking uncomfortable in shirts and ties (and sometimes suits) — eg defendants and ... [More]
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Chickens for phones
Dunno about you, but I’ve got a spare useless mobile phone sitting at home doing nothing. It’s a Nokia 6100 that I got in 2004, then donated to Isaac when I got the 6230i, and he’s just recently upgraded to my less-old 6230i now I’ve got an N95. The 6100’s buttons are hopeless these days, ... [More]