People, people, people, you may be celebrating the fact that Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky has resigned. But it’s not that simple. Just as the replacement of Connex with Metro hasn’t miraculously fixed the trains, neither will everything magically be okay with a new minister at the helm. She was spot-on last week when she ... [More]
Over the holidays, I became a bikie: … discovered the truth about Roger Ramjet: … and took a ride in a harvester:
It’s just not that hard to stub out that cigarette when you get rid of it, rather than chucking it on the ground. It’s just not that hard to look at the lights outside the lift when it arrives. If the top light is on, it’s going up. If the bottom light is on, it’s ... [More]
So here’s what I’ve found while trying out Myki in the last week or two. On the day it was announced it was being switched-on for trains, I ordered cards for my kids. (I should note that I still recommend the general public do not use it, unless they’re looking for trouble. Me? I am ... [More]
Here’s an inconvenient truth of ticketing: Installing brand new smartcard systems, even established ones from elsewhere, is perhaps not as cheap as one might think. Some have said instead of developing Myki, Victoria should have bought an existing system like Hong Kong’s Octopus, or London’s Oyster. The government (TTA) claim you can’t do this. But ... [More]
I spent the day working at home yesterday rather than venture out into the world of 43 degree temperatures and train heat troubles, though admittedly I also missed out on comfy air-conditioning at work. My house doesn’t have air-conditioning. It does have internal blinds in most rooms, the exceptions being the kitchen and the bathroom, ... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
…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?
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]
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]
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?