Fiddling with the server. Hold your thoughts until Iâm done and I re-open comments. 3pm. Move done, re-delegating. (When you see this, it’s reached you.)
Categories
Categories
Eric Ray Smith
This is Private Eric Smith. According to the Australian War Memorial listing, Eric, of Bentleigh, enlisted on 12 March 1915. This photo was taken in May. He sailed to war aboard HMAT Wandilla on 17 June 1915. He died of illness on 22 August 1915, aged 27. He was buried at sea. The listing says ... [More]
Categories
The train with less seats
OK, so I’ve finally seen the modified test train in the flesh. Here’s a short video explaining the changes. Both the video and a Flickr slideshow are over on the PTUA web site. I think it’s okay. In an age where people struggle just to squeeze on board the train, this design encourages people to ... [More]
Categories
Daniel’s roo chilli
This is my fairly quick chilli recipe, adapted from a recipe in 4 Ingredients by Kim McCosker and Rachael Bermingham. Dice onion and cook in a little canola or olive oil in a saucepan until brown. Add about 500 grams of kangaroo mince, cook until brown. Chuck in a sachet of Taco mix or your ... [More]
Categories
Going underground
Andrew notes a certain fascination among some people with the London Underground. For me, it’s the concept of an entire network of railway services where you don’t need a timetable. You just turn up and go. The result is people treating the trains as the default way of getting around for a lot more trips ... [More]
Categories
SIEV
Call me slow. I didn’t realise until reading the paper on Monday that SIEV is an acronym. (As in SIEV-X.) It’s authorities jargon, and stands for “Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel” — the one involved in last week’s fatal fire being SIEV 36.
This is how it was told to me. Can’t say I’ve seen anything like this myself. The tram was departing Footscray from the terminus, close to the market. A passenger got on board, with two live chickens from the market. “Mate”, said the tram driver, “you can’t bring live animals on the tram!” “Oh. Okay”, ... [More]
Categories
Overheard/spotted/annoying
Overheard: Young buck on train, reading travel catalogue to his mates, spotted a “bargain”, but maybe doesn’t pay attention to the news much. “I really want to go to Fiji.” Spotted: Distinguished gentleman sitting at al fresco cafe table. Remarkably large foreheard, like one of those Tintin professors from The Shooting Star who needs the ... [More]
It’s not enough that we have to deal with them in the city; now charity muggers have started showing up in my local shopping centre on Centre Road. I encountered them yesterday on my day off — two of them were promoting the Fred Hollows Foundation. Now, I think that the FHF is as worthy ... [More]
Categories
Pyromania
There’s a cold going round the family. I hope I’m on the tail end of it now, but it’s rotten. I feel fine 85% of the time, but every hour or so there’s a period of almost uncontrollable coughing, caused by an itchy throat that can’t be soothed by man nor beast nor Strepsil. (Not ... [More]
Categories
Advertising transport
Is the culture around public transport changing? Back in 2003 or so, General Motors Canada issued this advert: Creeps and Weirdos. (Pic via Richard Layman) Later they apologised for it. Something closer to the mark (at least for Melbourne’s buses) would have been “Pensioners and school kids”. But that hardly bites in quite the right ... [More]
Categories
Itching theory
I have this wild theory that scratching itches is effectively masking the itch with pain. But because scratching can lead to damaging the skin, particularly if there is a scab in the vicinity, it might be better to slap it instead. That would overcome the itch without damaging the skin. Just an idea. Not one ... [More]
Categories
Quick stuff
Vague news Dear national news programme: Don’t just say something happened “in eastern Melbourne”. Use a couple more words and tell me what suburb. Do the same for other cities too. Dream I had a dream that I’d gone back to my old primary school, and was being shown around by a lady who said ... [More]
Categories
Morons
Don’t beep at me. I can see the green light. But I can also see the traffic banked up on the other side of the intersection. I know it’s really hard because the switch is so awkwardly placed, such a long way from your hands on the steering wheel, but fer chrissake use your indicators! ... [More]
I tried Myki for myself on Saturday in Geelong. Bought one for the promotional price of $5 in the special Myki Shop in Ryrie Street and hopped on a bus to the station. Some brief notes on it: I’ve since gone onto the web site and registered my Myki and looked at my transactions. The ... [More]
Categories
Which way?
And now for a vital question. Hanging down away from the wall? (over) Or facing the wall? (under) Or do you just not care? Which way do you put your toilet rolls on the dispenser? Leave a comment. Me? Always hanging away from the wall, as God intended. And if I find it (at my ... [More]