I’ve been pretty lax in checking the oil level in the car recently, despite the humungous amount of money such slackness cost me a couple of years ago when it directly led to the whole engine needing replacing, which cost $3000. But as I had noticed one of the tyres needed inflating, I decided to ... [More]
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Drink, Mr Davros?
“Excuse me Mr Davros, would you like a drink?” “Oooh, lovely, yes please.” “Ah, that hit the spot. I don’t suppose you’d have any biscuits?” (From behind the scenes footage on the Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks DVD)
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The Midas touch
Over the past few years, the banks have stood accused of piling on bank fees, reducing branches and staff, and generally treating their customers with contempt. While this has been happening, they’ve focussed on their most profitable customers, rewarding them with shiny cards, priority phone lines, and something close to obsequiousness. Having got a home ... [More]
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Here are my shoes
Here are my shoes (well, most of them)… I hate buying shoes. There are few activities I hate more. It might be because I’ve had a very hit-and-miss history when buying. Roughly in order of purchase: MISS — ancient brown semi-casual shoes [1]. Subject to endless gags from lovely girlfriend (aka fashion consultant) and just ... [More]
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Anniversary
Two years ago I stood outside the Nova cinema in Carlton, slightly nervously marking time. Then she arrived, and we went on our first date.
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St George
The great thing about using St George Bank in Victoria is that on the rare occasions I have to go into a branch, there’s never any queues, because they don’t have any customers.
Picked up Marita (back from Perth junket conference) from the airport on Friday night. Traffic bad. Very bad. That’s what comes from agreeing to pickup before realising the flight lands at 6:35pm. Went to a wedding on Saturday morning. Shopped on Saturday afternoon. Saw three hall stands in a Fitzroy antique shop that would look ... [More]
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I’m not sure
I’m not sure, but I think the car was a blue Ford Falcon. I’m not sure, but OZC 821 may have been the licence plate number. I’m not sure, but the lady driving it may have been eating an apple. I’m not sure, but she may have got her driver licence in a corn flakes ... [More]
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Stuff from the past week
Stuff from the past week: My arch nemesis, Big Ears/Darrin, often hangs out with his mates having a coffee outside the Collins Street (Paris End) McDonalds on weekdays about 9:30am. I wonder if I can bribe the McPeople there to do the same thing to him as he did to me? After much hunting, last ... [More]
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Book reviews
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson — I finished this some time ago, but realised I forgot to rate it. A multi-stranded adventure through modern technology and WW2, following numerous related characters. Obviously codes and cyphers and other geeky sciences form an important part of the plot, but it doesn’t get too bogged down in mathematical detail, ... [More]
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Gog and Magog
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KAOS has finally won
Today I rang up my accountant to make an appointment. “Don’t tell me you want to do your tax.” “I want to do my tax.” “I asked you not to tell me that.” It seems the influence of Maxwell Smart has even reached accountants. Vale Agent 86. (How come Gilligan didn’t get this much attention?)
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Watch your step
Confirmed geek telecommunications specialist David Mery was arrested at Southwark tube station in London. What had he done? Among other things, he’d failed to look at police on the way into the station, was wearing a jacket they decided was ‘too warm for the season’, had a bulky rucksack, and two other men entered the ... [More]
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Movie reviews
Robots — This had its amusing moments. It didn’t suck. But it fails my “if it were the only thing playing on a long plane flight, would I watch it?” test. It wasn’t engaging. It wasn’t interesting. I felt little sympathy for the characters. It felt like a poor man’s Monsters Inc. Uninspired. Wallace and ... [More]
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The trophy and the baby
Since Rob, not I, won Tony’s footy tipping competition this year, yesterday it was my melancholy duty to give Rob the World’s Ugliest Trophy. You can tell from the look on my face how disappointed I was to give it over. (Pic by Tony) In happier news yesterday, my friends Josh and Cathy’s baby arrived. ... [More]
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On the move
I’ve given notice on my rental house (by registered mail to avoid any problems like previously). Moving day is Monday the 24th of October — one month from tomorrow. I’m hiring Gronow’s again — they were good last time. Also sorting out dates for services and things. Should be no problems with power/water, but the ... [More]