Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Thursday, December 03, 2009
24 Ways
There must be 50 ways to leave your lover, but December brings us 24 ways to impress your friends.
http://24ways.org/ is a website that updates it's content 24 times a year, and it all comes out in the lead up to Christmas.
For those of you that don't have an advent calendar (see Bart Simpson on my window ledge) you can still receive a gift of nerdy goodness every morning in the lead up to Christmas.
Apart from having quite a fancy looking site (lots of overlaying divs and use of opacity, need not view in IE6) the site provides good articles from well known webbies such as Andy Clarke, Jeffrey Zeldman and Kevin Yank, covering a range of topics including Accessibility, Wireframes, Pitching, Contracts, Cross Browser, Search, CSS, typeface etc etc.
They are already a few articles in this month including
- RGBA colour in CSS3 and the use of Opacity
- Breaking out the edges of the browser
- Have a field day with html5 forms
Happy reading.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Loretta Loves
One of my friends from work is stepping into the realm of websites, albeit one toe at a time.
Lauranza has set up LorettaLoves, a tumblr site that she has set up to keep her life in London documented..... it will very much be worth a read. I can feel a Guardian story coming up on Miss Harvey.
I've recently purchased a few more domains, two that will remain a secret for now, but the other is SurferM.ag. For now there is some really important content there, but there will be more to come.
Lauranza has set up LorettaLoves, a tumblr site that she has set up to keep her life in London documented..... it will very much be worth a read. I can feel a Guardian story coming up on Miss Harvey.
I've recently purchased a few more domains, two that will remain a secret for now, but the other is SurferM.ag. For now there is some really important content there, but there will be more to come.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Venn and the art of religion
I saw a nice little tweet on this Venn diagram.
I'm not saying it's true, I just thought it was quite funny.
I'm not saying it's true, I just thought it was quite funny.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Mushrooms
Today I bring a little of goodness and a little bit of silliness, essentially because that's what was brought to me late last night.
First of the bat will be........
Mushroom Patte Borough Markets
This stuff is so good you'll want to cover anything you can get your hands on with it and eat it up again.
It looks disgusting, but tastes oh so good.
The silliness comes from my good friend Bartek, who jabbered me this this morning
Weebles Toon Shrooms
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Shut up woman and get on my horse
The internet is an amazing place.
Today I had meetings about how to integrate an otherwise seemingly archaic software application and wrap a beautifully designed front end to enhance user experience.
I also spent some time reviewing Micro Formats, checking out the XFN format for improved social networking, and ways to do it as discussed in Discovering Magic on Alistapart.
At the same time I participated in a nerdy Forum where we discussed the pro's and con's of Mass inoculation, while finding humor in the fact that many people have similar side tracked thoughts of a mad man, much like my own.
Yet the single most favourite item I found on the internet today was through Twitter. Not only does Twitter contain such classics as @sinnermonologue, a real life Truman show of a work collegue, but it also has "Shut up Woman, Get on my Horse".
Shut up woman, get on my horse - The name says it all!
Today I had meetings about how to integrate an otherwise seemingly archaic software application and wrap a beautifully designed front end to enhance user experience.
I also spent some time reviewing Micro Formats, checking out the XFN format for improved social networking, and ways to do it as discussed in Discovering Magic on Alistapart.
At the same time I participated in a nerdy Forum where we discussed the pro's and con's of Mass inoculation, while finding humor in the fact that many people have similar side tracked thoughts of a mad man, much like my own.
Yet the single most favourite item I found on the internet today was through Twitter. Not only does Twitter contain such classics as @sinnermonologue, a real life Truman show of a work collegue, but it also has "Shut up Woman, Get on my Horse".
Shut up woman, get on my horse - The name says it all!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
London in the Winter
It's a sad a depressing time of the year when the sun has gone down just as the clock strikes time to go home..... and the worse thing is that it will go down a minute earlier every day until December 21st.
Still, there are worse things in the world.
This afternoon I'm heading to Lords with my good friend Roland Davies. Roland and I have battled on the cricket ground since we were 10, so it should be interesting to see just how bad we've got over the years.
I was also sat out of the Thames on Saturday afternoon with Chocolate Al for some sunset pictures. The sun let us down (well the clouds did anyway), but we still managed to snap a few nice pics.
St Paul's Cathedral
Chocolate Al
Still, there are worse things in the world.
This afternoon I'm heading to Lords with my good friend Roland Davies. Roland and I have battled on the cricket ground since we were 10, so it should be interesting to see just how bad we've got over the years.
I was also sat out of the Thames on Saturday afternoon with Chocolate Al for some sunset pictures. The sun let us down (well the clouds did anyway), but we still managed to snap a few nice pics.
St Paul's Cathedral
Chocolate AlThursday, September 10, 2009
Casino Betting
To celebrate the fact that I've been in Malta all week looking at gambling sites I thought I'd add a bit of gambling fun to the site.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Malta
It always seems to be the way, no updates on this blog for months and then all of a sudden there's three in one day.
Another bizarre series of events has again landed me on another adventure, this time it's off to sunny Malta in the Mediterranean.
We've managed to land an awesome project at work and I'll be spending a week with the client in Malta going through the in's and out's of what is required, and how we're going to be able to delivery the project in the tight time frames.
If there's time to post photo's, they will follow, but it's likely to be one hell of a busy week.
Another bizarre series of events has again landed me on another adventure, this time it's off to sunny Malta in the Mediterranean.
We've managed to land an awesome project at work and I'll be spending a week with the client in Malta going through the in's and out's of what is required, and how we're going to be able to delivery the project in the tight time frames.
If there's time to post photo's, they will follow, but it's likely to be one hell of a busy week.
Blogger has turned 10
...so I've added a surfrider foundation box to my blog, each click saves an inch of beach. Make sure you wait for the body glove sponsor and get a look at the video.......... Mmmmm, video.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Rock Werchter 2009 Pictures
Rock Werchter was a 4 fun filled day festival in Belgium.
For less than £300 you get one of the best line ups in music for the year, and a bunch of people to chill out, relax, and enjoy it with.
I'm working on the short clips I took while I'm there, but for now here's a couple of pictures from the adventure.
Amanda and Sarah in their best rock werchter festival gear
Freaking long line at the ATM 3 minutes after the gates opened on day 2
Someone sat down where Sarah was lying and took the jam out of her donut
Rock Werchter Love
Butterflies coming down during Cold Plays gig
An ABUNDANCE of butterflies
.... and Francis is down for the count
.... and Amanda was soon to follow
A look through my glasses during one of our afternoon naps
Waiting for Limp Biskit
Rodriguez y Gabrielle, simply amazing!
"It's all about the he said she said bullshit"
Leave girls and a wine bar for an hour and this is what I come back to
.... and then the face drawing began
2ManyDJs at Rock Werchter 2009
Milk was a bad choice...
Chicken was a good choice
Naked mud wrestling...... well you judge for yourself.
For less than £300 you get one of the best line ups in music for the year, and a bunch of people to chill out, relax, and enjoy it with.
I'm working on the short clips I took while I'm there, but for now here's a couple of pictures from the adventure.
Amanda and Sarah in their best rock werchter festival gear
Freaking long line at the ATM 3 minutes after the gates opened on day 2
Someone sat down where Sarah was lying and took the jam out of her donut
Rock Werchter Love
Butterflies coming down during Cold Plays gig
An ABUNDANCE of butterflies
.... and Francis is down for the count
.... and Amanda was soon to follow
A look through my glasses during one of our afternoon naps
Waiting for Limp Biskit
Rodriguez y Gabrielle, simply amazing!
"It's all about the he said she said bullshit"
Leave girls and a wine bar for an hour and this is what I come back to 
.... and then the face drawing began
2ManyDJs at Rock Werchter 2009
Milk was a bad choice...
Chicken was a good choice
Naked mud wrestling...... well you judge for yourself.Monday, July 13, 2009
Twitter brings down Surf the Dream
Due to my new iphone and ready access to both the internet and tweetie I'm finding that this blog is getting neglected.
There are still things happening, I promise! Although settling back into work life in London has slowed the travel stories down quite a bit, but has also ensured that everything continues to remain busy.
Here's my latest random 60 twitter posts....... such a nerd.
There are still things happening, I promise! Although settling back into work life in London has slowed the travel stories down quite a bit, but has also ensured that everything continues to remain busy.
Here's my latest random 60 twitter posts....... such a nerd.
- Ugly car, bad call @laura-loi http://twitpic.com/a56ua
- Cricket has too many numbers, and they go too high...... #girlcricketquotes
- can't bowl there hauritz. Ball doesn't spin so well as a full toss.
- Take me back to Mexico. http://twitpic.com/a101w
- It's got to be down hill from here http://twitpic.com/a0foc
- Purple rain as Ed and tara cook up a storm http://twitpic.com/a05mi
- Survival time for England
- oh yeah baby, pull those curtains back @sntfrancis
- It's going to get all kinds of messy! http://twitpic.com/9wybx
- 300 up for Australia. Come on boys (but katich just got out, 122) Another century for pup?
- @totallyrich oh yeah? which ever one you had available would be cool to try out.
- @cat_m i feel you're trying to say something, perhaps remind yourself about something, but I just can't put my finger on it.
- @triplejdools 422-8
- @intranation Try and explain cricket using ONLY baseball analogies.
- @totallyrich lens lens lens lens lens lens lens lens lens. Can I borrow the 50mm fixed lens?
- @sntfrancis he just got out...... could have been given a bit earlier, made 60-odd runs. need any flu drugs? am getting cough stuff now.....
- on ya hauritz you little beauty!!! It was true when I played, It seems it is still true today. Sh!t gets wickets.
- peterson you lucky south african son of a b1tch.
- Pretty happy with 97-3 at lunch.
- And so the Summer of cricket begins #ashes09
- Alright so it's hailing in Stockwell, hello summer
- @teppie i love canon, cheap but amazing qual canon hv30, expensive GREAT camera, Canon XH G1... probably a bit too much. what's the purpose?
- @teppie do you need a video camera for work or personal use?
- 3.7 gb of my rock werchter photos decided to go missing, 4gb SD card, macbook, ixus 70, tips for recovery? still only 31mb free space. help?
- Back in London after rockwerchter, jumble beginnings of a flu coming on.
- Temperature at the camping grounds, about 31. Temp inside the tent about 45.
- Not entirely ready forthis festival, oh well what could possibly go wrong?
- Am so tired, but on a bus bound for hapiness!
- @sntfrancis about 22 days or something, but paul flys back tomorrow ;(
- @teppie Sky News: UK queen approves new bravery medal called "Elizabeth Cross" to recognize forces killed in action or result of terrorism
- @sntfrancis oh there's some shops in moorgate, will go down for a look just before 12 and let you know if I can't find anything.
- @sntfrancis totally not prepared for tomorrow. EEEK!!!! Where do I get gumboots from? #festivalfail
- @teppie @alcattell yeah cattell, way to break someone's hopes and dreams. you used to be cool..
- @teppie I think it's called the phone book. might be wrong though. apparently I've been pre-approved for a Degree AND £10,000 credit card.
- #ryanair #worstcompanyintheworldever (via @abovetheclouds_ ) ditto
- Peter Andre is cooler now then he was when he was making music.
- Rackspace FTW! http://tr.im/qk2Y
- @sntfrancis i loves ya. do we need gumboots? rephrase. do i need gumboots?
- nice balmy day in London. Feels like I'm back home in Darwin.
- @totallyrich just say i wanted to borrow a canon lens, when would be the best time to remind you to grab it?
- POW POW POW POW
- watch out low flying ducks, i'm feeling peckish.
- @teppie what, an article on the wabbey and you're not quoted?
- Just been trying this out, an accessibility tool for checking the colours on your site. http://www.checkmycolours.com/ (via @meeratank)
- @eadmundo Swine Flu. Common Symptoms are nausea, vomiting and stomach ache. swap feeling bad with the flu to feeling bad with the treatment.
- @eadmundo fingers crossed i'm still recovering from saturday and not starting to get the flu. Brussels @ the end of the week! Rock Wertcher!
- not sure if this is a flu feeling or I just take longer to recover from hangovers.
- Sickest man alive
- It's about to piss down http://twitpic.com/8kvc1
- It's business time..... http://twitpic.com/8kcam
- Borough Market oysters, booyah! http://twitpic.com/8ka79
- @fishmitten i'm in a glass case of emotion
- check out @sntfrancis here http://bit.ly/DMv2P
- @brandempire site link? sounds impressive.
- @teaandcheese sent that lens and attachment off yesteday, should be there soon!
- She Rides! played for and got, intended, pool god, king of cues, prince of the planet potters!
- im not going to mish. relax, i am not pished
- why did i never pay attention in biology class, why did i always turn to page 37 and start drawing little beards and mustaches on the sperms
- Awesome, who doesn't love a 3.30am wake up by an intoxicated flatmate.
- What's the go with the helicopter I'm Stockwell? Shooting at the school dance?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
London South Bank Skateboardering
Today I went down to the South Bank with a mate of mine to take a few shots of him skateboarding.
There were some pretty awesome skaters there, not to mention the guys that were there on the bikes.
I ended up with 200+ shots which I'm slowly going through to edit.
Here's a brief preview of my mate, plus another guy (green shirt) who was pretty damn awesome!
Friday, June 05, 2009
Chocolate Al
My good friend Al Cattell, otherwise known as "Chocolate Al" is celebrating his Birthday today.
To help chocolate Al celebrate I've hired a wicked camper van and we're heading down to Corwall for a weekend of sun and surf..... well at least the surf anyway.
Take a guess at
- How old is Chocolate Al this year? (hint, look at the picture)
- How did Al get the name "Chocolate"?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
New Camera - Canon 50D
The latest addition to the Surf the Dream family is the new Canon 50D.
I've done a quick write up on my other SurftheDream site, New Canon 50D.
For now though I thought I'd show you a couple of snaps that I took around the garden at Paulie G's house.
First off we have me, with the camera, in the mirror using the monochrome setting.
Now to the garden.
I spotted a little catapiller chowing down on some leafy goodness. Using the macro setting I zoomed in a little, manual focused the little bugger (with AF the brown leaves in front were in focus)
And this is the same photo after a bit of zooming and cropping in Photoshop CS4.
This is all done with the pictures taken as super fine large JPG's. Next stage will be to use the RAW files and see if I can get a little bit more out of the picture...... maybe the amoeba on the flea that's chewing on the caterpillar who's sucking some leafy goodness.
I've done a quick write up on my other SurftheDream site, New Canon 50D.
For now though I thought I'd show you a couple of snaps that I took around the garden at Paulie G's house.
First off we have me, with the camera, in the mirror using the monochrome setting.
Now to the garden.
I spotted a little catapiller chowing down on some leafy goodness. Using the macro setting I zoomed in a little, manual focused the little bugger (with AF the brown leaves in front were in focus)
And this is the same photo after a bit of zooming and cropping in Photoshop CS4.
This is all done with the pictures taken as super fine large JPG's. Next stage will be to use the RAW files and see if I can get a little bit more out of the picture...... maybe the amoeba on the flea that's chewing on the caterpillar who's sucking some leafy goodness.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Visa Application Submissions
Biometrics taken, Visa application submited.
It's been a long process beginning back in November of 2007 when I first start at Squiz UK.
I worked there until June before taking a three month Europe road trip and then heading back to Darwin for another three months.
Next I was back in London with my housies, my workmates, and reinventing long lost friendships with special persons I first met way back in Hawaii.
Now I want more time.
More time with my Northern Hemisphere folk, more chances to travel Europe, more chances to film my big wave riding friends..... and with that last point life has just given me one of those "everything is fantastic and will be alright" moments.
What is that moment?
Well, after putting in my application I decided to go for a celebratory pint at O'Mallys in the Brisbane Queen Street Mall.
In the past I've had beers at O'Mallys with Vim, Jado, Jimmy, Corsa, Rollie, Jess, a weird random time with Baylis Barnesy Jas and Trobs, and there's been many a good time and many a good memory.
Today however, I came for a pint on my own and to write about what's been happening.
As the Guinness was placed on the bar I looked over towards the big screen to see big wave surfing on ESPN. Not just any big wave surfing, it was the Billabong XXL 2008 Awards dinner... and as I sip my pint I watch Al Mennie & Duncan Scott surfing a 40ft swell at Mullagmore back in 01 December 2007, and I smile with the knowledge that the footage on the tv is the footage I was lucky enough to film back on that cold wind swept cliff ledge of Mullagmore.
Life is beautiful.
(even sweeter, the credits just rolled with a "Video Courtesy of...... Justin Avery" ... plus many more names, but hey it's still pretty cool)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
ANZAC Day 2009 Dawn Service in Gallipoli - Last Post
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Babies in the office
With the impending birth of Kylie and Paul's second child, and me being 20 hours flying time away from them, I was happy to get a dose of baby action in the office yesterday.
Baby Anna is the daughter of one of my team members at work who came in for a visit yesterday afternoon. Apparently on the way to the office she was grizzly and cried a bit, but as soon as she was in the Squiz office she was all smiles.
Some might say it's the cold harsh London weather versus the warmth of the office, I think it's just the fact that Anna had spent 9 of the 10 months in the office (albeit womb based).
Thanks for the comment....
Baby Anna is the daughter of one of my team members at work who came in for a visit yesterday afternoon. Apparently on the way to the office she was grizzly and cried a bit, but as soon as she was in the Squiz office she was all smiles.
Some might say it's the cold harsh London weather versus the warmth of the office, I think it's just the fact that Anna had spent 9 of the 10 months in the office (albeit womb based).
Thanks for the comment....
@justinavery U ARE A NATURAL BORN HAIRY FATHER.. we can have babies anyday.. ; )
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Stockwell Slutbox & Boatraces
You might be hard pressed to work out what these two things have in common, but don't worry there's not much.
Stockwell Slutbox is the name that someone may have given to our household at some point...... for no other reason then we live in Stockwell...... and we're a bunch of sluts..... but not really.
This morning I started a t-shirt design in honour of all the stayers at the box, it's not completely finished but it's mostly there.
..... and the boat race?
Well its the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race today and we're off there now.
Stockwell Slutbox is the name that someone may have given to our household at some point...... for no other reason then we live in Stockwell...... and we're a bunch of sluts..... but not really.
This morning I started a t-shirt design in honour of all the stayers at the box, it's not completely finished but it's mostly there.
..... and the boat race?Well its the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race today and we're off there now.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
London Pub Surfing - Old Kings Head
Shenannigans Irish Pub was my local while I was back in Dariwn, but now that I'm back in blighty I've rekindled my love affair with the pub around the corner from work.
After a particular long day at work I decided to stop in there for a quick been on the way home to check if they had the cricket on (Australia was playing a Test match).
Not only did they change the channel and put the game on for me, but they also turned off the music and turned up the commentary..... and then when I ordered a beer they charged £2.
Brilliant!
If you're ever around on a week night be sure to drop in and say hi.
View Larger Map
After a particular long day at work I decided to stop in there for a quick been on the way home to check if they had the cricket on (Australia was playing a Test match).
Not only did they change the channel and put the game on for me, but they also turned off the music and turned up the commentary..... and then when I ordered a beer they charged £2.
Brilliant!
If you're ever around on a week night be sure to drop in and say hi.
View Larger Map
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Many meanings of ass
18th March is a rubbish day..... and as long as I consider myself to be part Irish it will continue to be for me as well as a very large portion of the Western population.
The first thought that occurred to me as I woke this morning was "I feel like ass".
Actually, my first thought was "How did I sleep all night with the laptop still sitting on my chest where I obviously fell asleep catching up on twitter updates".
My second thought was, "I feel like ass".
That statement alone has many connotations. Do I feel like ass the same way I felt like having another guinness last night, or, like a bald head with re-growth that feels like sand paper was my whole body made up from two cheeks, wispy hair and a brown eye that smelled bad.
None of those.
The ass, or bum as it is more humourously referred to as, is generally a place of despair.... or at least when you think about your own bum. It is this place of despair that I was facing this morning and hence the 2nd thought of the day.
Ass doesn't just stop there either. You can be rat-arsed, get your ass kicked, kick some ass of your own, know an ass-hole, be out at the pub metaphorically chasing ass or be at a gay bar and literally chasing ass, you could be an ass-wipe, you could use an ass-wipe (i hope you all do, it's called toilet paper people!)
Whatever ass you may be, I hope it's not the 18th of March kind of ass.
Now where is my pint of guinness?
The first thought that occurred to me as I woke this morning was "I feel like ass".
Actually, my first thought was "How did I sleep all night with the laptop still sitting on my chest where I obviously fell asleep catching up on twitter updates".
My second thought was, "I feel like ass".
That statement alone has many connotations. Do I feel like ass the same way I felt like having another guinness last night, or, like a bald head with re-growth that feels like sand paper was my whole body made up from two cheeks, wispy hair and a brown eye that smelled bad.
None of those.
The ass, or bum as it is more humourously referred to as, is generally a place of despair.... or at least when you think about your own bum. It is this place of despair that I was facing this morning and hence the 2nd thought of the day.
Ass doesn't just stop there either. You can be rat-arsed, get your ass kicked, kick some ass of your own, know an ass-hole, be out at the pub metaphorically chasing ass or be at a gay bar and literally chasing ass, you could be an ass-wipe, you could use an ass-wipe (i hope you all do, it's called toilet paper people!)
Whatever ass you may be, I hope it's not the 18th of March kind of ass.
Now where is my pint of guinness?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
London Bathroom Cam
As you know I live with 5 other people and share a bathroom. There's 3 guys and 3 girls, but one of them keeps using my shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste etc etc and it's getting on my nerves.
To find out which one, rather then confront them all, I've set up a webcam so that I can monitor it from anywhere I go.
I'm turning it off when I'm using the bathroom and as soon as I catch them I'll take it down.
Work getting the better of you?
Work has been getting the better of me lately.
Work and the pub.
Work during the day, pub at night......... and on the weekends..... all day.
The pub has been getting the better of me lately.
Ahhh yes, that's much more to the point.
It's not 'entirely' true, but true enough at the moment.
That shouldn't fool you though, there's been plenty of other things happening over the past few weeks that seemed to have missed out on constant updating posts, so watch out for the follow up on the West Hame game, East Point Sunset, Comic Book look at World War 2, and the filming of Victor Mennace at Burdens.
Work and the pub.
Work during the day, pub at night......... and on the weekends..... all day.
The pub has been getting the better of me lately.
Ahhh yes, that's much more to the point.
It's not 'entirely' true, but true enough at the moment.
That shouldn't fool you though, there's been plenty of other things happening over the past few weeks that seemed to have missed out on constant updating posts, so watch out for the follow up on the West Hame game, East Point Sunset, Comic Book look at World War 2, and the filming of Victor Mennace at Burdens.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Informative Coffee Mugs
Today was a long day.
I've spent a good part of 6 hours a day over the past few days writing a scope of work for a client.
While it is fun and rewarding because you are able to create the perfect project..... after 15 hours anyone is going to get tired of anything (yes, even that ;)
This tiredness led me into the kitchen for a coffee, where I made a simple yet profound discovery.
Informative Coffee Mugs.
The Coffee Mug that I chose was "The Mug of VI" which had a list of VI commands around it's circumference.
Nerdy? Yes, very nerdy indeed. BUT it made me think that we could have a whole swagger of coffee mugs with tips. Mac Tips, PC Tips, Matrix tips, tips on popping up, paddling, duck diving, reading weather maps, good conditions, bad conditions...........good pick up lines, bad pick uplines, the list is endless........
If you could have a coffee mug with instructions, what would you want to have?
I've spent a good part of 6 hours a day over the past few days writing a scope of work for a client.
While it is fun and rewarding because you are able to create the perfect project..... after 15 hours anyone is going to get tired of anything (yes, even that ;)
This tiredness led me into the kitchen for a coffee, where I made a simple yet profound discovery.
Informative Coffee Mugs.
The Coffee Mug that I chose was "The Mug of VI" which had a list of VI commands around it's circumference.
Nerdy? Yes, very nerdy indeed. BUT it made me think that we could have a whole swagger of coffee mugs with tips. Mac Tips, PC Tips, Matrix tips, tips on popping up, paddling, duck diving, reading weather maps, good conditions, bad conditions...........good pick up lines, bad pick uplines, the list is endless........
If you could have a coffee mug with instructions, what would you want to have?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Open Street Map Visualisation
While travelling I've been very lucky picking navigating my way around different places.
Lately the navigation is thanks to a handy sat nav I picked up in Italy at the beginning on my summer travels through Europe, but prior to that I wasn't quite as current with my technology (and I couldn't afford it).
I relied a lot on Google Maps or Open Street Map to print off maps or directions before we left and follow it as we drove.
Open Street Map is like the wikipedia of road maps and it relies on us to keep in current.
The video below is the growth rate of Open Street Map over a 12 months period, and you can visually understand how quickly contributions can spread around the world.
Go Technology. Go People.
OSM 2008: A Year of Edits from ItoWorld on Vimeo.
Lately the navigation is thanks to a handy sat nav I picked up in Italy at the beginning on my summer travels through Europe, but prior to that I wasn't quite as current with my technology (and I couldn't afford it).
I relied a lot on Google Maps or Open Street Map to print off maps or directions before we left and follow it as we drove.
Open Street Map is like the wikipedia of road maps and it relies on us to keep in current.
The video below is the growth rate of Open Street Map over a 12 months period, and you can visually understand how quickly contributions can spread around the world.
Go Technology. Go People.
OSM 2008: A Year of Edits from ItoWorld on Vimeo.
Friday, February 06, 2009
HSBC Customer Service
I made a trip to the bank this morning to cash a cheque for some filming I did last year but got a little more then I bargained for.
Here's what happened.
When I left for Australia recently I put a freeze on my gym membership until I got back, not that I ever used it much while I was here. Unbeknown to me the gym decided they still wanted me to pay and subsequently direct debited money out of my bank account........ or at least they tried to........... three times.
Each time the transaction was dishonored, but after the 3rd time HSBC closed the account down. Fair enough.
When I went in to find out what I couldn't transfer money and cash my cheque (which I now seemed to have misplaced) I found out that it was closed.
"Well please reopen it so I can do all these things". I said.
The young man informed me that it was not possible to reopen the account because it was closed, before going on to say I wasn't able to ever open an account with HSBC again........ or at least not for 12 months.
"But I've got £1000 sitting in a savings account with you, how do I access that?"
Apparently they could transfer it to another bank account, once I opened one at another bank.
"That's a bit inconvenient." I thought to myself (thoughts have been moderated for this post).
I asked what I could do to the Gym based on the fact they were the cause of this whole thing.
"I would have to check with my Manager" he said, "did you want me to do that?"
Do fat kids like smarties. Do my girls gain weight when I spend time at home.
YES!!!!
"Well," he says on his return, "it turns out that we might be able to do something for you."
Really?!?! I thought I could never open an account ever again. Well don't let me put you out or anything. I wouldn't want you to service a customers needs or anything like that. Shouldn't you be charging people account fee's or denying them finances?
I know your title is customer services manager but I'm sure it doesn't mean you have to help EVERY customer that comes through the doors. But if you insist, sure. Knock yourself out.
We took down a bunch of details and it turned out that yes, I could reopen the account. He even set me up with a better account with less fees. The only catch is that I have to bring in a council bill with my name/address on it and my passport before the account is unfrozen.
"Can I bring it in tomorrow?" I asked, knowing that some of the banks functions are open on a Saturday.
"No, sorry sir. We're not open until Monday." he replied.......... before adding....... "oh, but I'm not in Monday. I'm not back again until Wednesday."
But surely someone else could finish off the process? Surely..........
Surely not apparently. He started it, only he can finish the process off. *cough*pigsarse*cough*
Well at least I left the bank a somewhat satisfied customer.
Here's what happened.
When I left for Australia recently I put a freeze on my gym membership until I got back, not that I ever used it much while I was here. Unbeknown to me the gym decided they still wanted me to pay and subsequently direct debited money out of my bank account........ or at least they tried to........... three times.
Each time the transaction was dishonored, but after the 3rd time HSBC closed the account down. Fair enough.
When I went in to find out what I couldn't transfer money and cash my cheque (which I now seemed to have misplaced) I found out that it was closed.
"Well please reopen it so I can do all these things". I said.
The young man informed me that it was not possible to reopen the account because it was closed, before going on to say I wasn't able to ever open an account with HSBC again........ or at least not for 12 months.
"But I've got £1000 sitting in a savings account with you, how do I access that?"
Apparently they could transfer it to another bank account, once I opened one at another bank.
"That's a bit inconvenient." I thought to myself (thoughts have been moderated for this post).
I asked what I could do to the Gym based on the fact they were the cause of this whole thing.
"I would have to check with my Manager" he said, "did you want me to do that?"
Do fat kids like smarties. Do my girls gain weight when I spend time at home.
YES!!!!
"Well," he says on his return, "it turns out that we might be able to do something for you."
Really?!?! I thought I could never open an account ever again. Well don't let me put you out or anything. I wouldn't want you to service a customers needs or anything like that. Shouldn't you be charging people account fee's or denying them finances?
I know your title is customer services manager but I'm sure it doesn't mean you have to help EVERY customer that comes through the doors. But if you insist, sure. Knock yourself out.
We took down a bunch of details and it turned out that yes, I could reopen the account. He even set me up with a better account with less fees. The only catch is that I have to bring in a council bill with my name/address on it and my passport before the account is unfrozen.
"Can I bring it in tomorrow?" I asked, knowing that some of the banks functions are open on a Saturday.
"No, sorry sir. We're not open until Monday." he replied.......... before adding....... "oh, but I'm not in Monday. I'm not back again until Wednesday."
But surely someone else could finish off the process? Surely..........
Surely not apparently. He started it, only he can finish the process off. *cough*pigsarse*cough*
Well at least I left the bank a somewhat satisfied customer.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Snow in London Photo's
In reverse order........... welcome to the images of London since I got back from Darwin...... the capital city of warm.
For my little brother Chaz!
View from my room
For my little brother Chaz!
View from my room
Monday, February 02, 2009
Snow in London
Yet again I take another giant step away from life as it were in Darwin.
On the walk up to the pub for a sunday roast and a pint it started to snow. How beautiful, yet very cold, it was to walk along in the gentle falling snow.
When I awoke this morning things had changed a little.
As I opened the curtains to look out over the back yard all I could see was a white blanket of snow covering the world.
On the roof terrace sat about 8 inches of overnight snow, and in the front yard there was eight inches of snow ready to soak into my new grandpa slippers for my walk to work.
Compared to rain, snow is so much better to walk to work in.
I'm without my camera cable at the moment, but there will be a series of pictures put up this evening when I get home.
Simply beautiful.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Darwin to London
As the plane was descending into London I could hardly believe that what seemed like only moments ago I was enjoying a bag of grease from the Parap Markets on Saturday morning.
The last three months have been a blur of parties, celebrations, websites, new beginnings and the rekindling of old friendships.
Every morning was spent down at the Coffee Club for a couple of long blacks, maybe a bite to eat, and the conversational rantings of Paul Manning, Karen Stoddard, Bec Walker and myself (with the occasional special guest appearances of Skevos, Bok, Suzie and Lyoness). Big cheers to the Store Manager Anna and her young yet very capable Assistant Manager Lauren for starting our mornings off with a smile.
Lunchtimes started off at the pool for a bit of exercise before I caught the debilitating disease, slackbastardititis, and moved to lunches at the wok, sushi train, banyan tree and shenannigans.
Afternoons were spent at one place, Shenannigans, and thanks to some quick promotional thinking Power and Water staff now get Happy Hour there every day during the week. Often it was just the two beers in the afternoon, but every now and then someone had a problem we needed to get to the bottom of which required 4 pints.
Fortunately we worked out a plan to keep everyones drinks/shouts in order as well. If someone went three drinks up in a shout (purchased 3 of your drinks before you brought them one) you owed that person 0ral gratification. No matter how hard Paul and I tried, the girls would never let us shout drinks!!!
During all this fun that was being outside of work we still did get some things accomplished. I managed to make the Power and Water Internet site go live (although I had nothing to do with the colour scheme/design/navigation structure etc etc, please don't judge me ;), and built a new services based Intranet site using an Open Source CMS.
It's hard to come to grips with though. On Friday morning I walked to work in 5 minutes and broke into a sweat doing so. Tomorrow morning, Monday, I'll take a 30 minute tube ride into work and we're expecting snow. On Saturday I lived in Dariwn, a city with a population of 120,000 people. On Sunday I'm back to living in London, a city with the population of 7.5 million people.
I'll miss everyone in Darwin, a few much more then I would have first thought, but I'm sure I'll begin to slip back into London lifestyle pretty quickly. I've already got my grandpa slippers, tracksuit and hoody on....... a far cry from last sunday with a pair of boardies and a singlet.
The last three months have been a blur of parties, celebrations, websites, new beginnings and the rekindling of old friendships.
Every morning was spent down at the Coffee Club for a couple of long blacks, maybe a bite to eat, and the conversational rantings of Paul Manning, Karen Stoddard, Bec Walker and myself (with the occasional special guest appearances of Skevos, Bok, Suzie and Lyoness). Big cheers to the Store Manager Anna and her young yet very capable Assistant Manager Lauren for starting our mornings off with a smile.
Lunchtimes started off at the pool for a bit of exercise before I caught the debilitating disease, slackbastardititis, and moved to lunches at the wok, sushi train, banyan tree and shenannigans.
Afternoons were spent at one place, Shenannigans, and thanks to some quick promotional thinking Power and Water staff now get Happy Hour there every day during the week. Often it was just the two beers in the afternoon, but every now and then someone had a problem we needed to get to the bottom of which required 4 pints.
Fortunately we worked out a plan to keep everyones drinks/shouts in order as well. If someone went three drinks up in a shout (purchased 3 of your drinks before you brought them one) you owed that person 0ral gratification. No matter how hard Paul and I tried, the girls would never let us shout drinks!!!
During all this fun that was being outside of work we still did get some things accomplished. I managed to make the Power and Water Internet site go live (although I had nothing to do with the colour scheme/design/navigation structure etc etc, please don't judge me ;), and built a new services based Intranet site using an Open Source CMS.
It's hard to come to grips with though. On Friday morning I walked to work in 5 minutes and broke into a sweat doing so. Tomorrow morning, Monday, I'll take a 30 minute tube ride into work and we're expecting snow. On Saturday I lived in Dariwn, a city with a population of 120,000 people. On Sunday I'm back to living in London, a city with the population of 7.5 million people.
I'll miss everyone in Darwin, a few much more then I would have first thought, but I'm sure I'll begin to slip back into London lifestyle pretty quickly. I've already got my grandpa slippers, tracksuit and hoody on....... a far cry from last sunday with a pair of boardies and a singlet.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How to lose weight
While I was walking into the coffee shop this morning I was thinking how strange things can happen to you in certain circumstances.
People can show unusual feats of strength if a family member is trapped under a car, people get extremely competitive and border on being violent once they take to a sporting field, your best mate that sticks by your side no matter what will desert you at the opportunity to hook up with a hot chick.
We see bizzare things happen to normal individuals in circumstances like these as well as others.
It occured to me this morning because during my walk in I noticed something that I hadn't noticed for quite a few months. As I walked in I could hear a kind of jingle.
A kind of jingle jangle.
Or was it more jangle jongle. Or Jongle Jobble.
All of a sudden I realised I couldn't hear it, I could feel it. And it wasn't a jingle, jangle, jongle, jangle, jobble, it was a wobble.
Like the bed springs on a honeymooners bed I could not just feel my belly bouncing and shaking, but I could see it through my shirt!
It then occured to me that I hadn't seen someone under the car.
I had long been away from any kind of sporting field, unless you call the pub a sporting field.
I wasn't trying to hook up with a hot chick.............. I realised I had already hooked up!
And that is what happens, you get lazy, you get fat, and you start to wobble.
Executive Summary for The G Space: If you want to lose weight, break up with your partner and get yourself into the shape that would cause best friends to turn on each other just to hook up with you.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Leaving home or heading home
It's been business as usual for the past few weeks. Nothing of huge consequence has happened, but at the same time there's been a lot on and I've had a great time.
- The Power and Water Intranet site has been built and is just going through the final checks before it goes live.
- I've started up some podcasts based on the nonsense that Paul and myself talk during the morning coffee's at the Coffee Club.
- We created another pointless blog for the Nuggets of Knowledge that come from these pointless chats
The biggest news of the week is that I'm staying with the current flight plans and I'll be leaving Darwin on the afternoon of February 1 to fly back to the UK and start back up again with Squiz UK.
It's crazy to think that I've been away from London for 3 months already, the time has absolutely flown. It's been great spending time with my ol' friends from Darwin though, and I've even managed to make a few new friends who I'll be sure to remember for years to come.
About now I'd usually go into a spiel about what I've learnt, maybe a poem or a song, but I've got to catch up with Paulie G tomorrow morning and I'll never hear the end of it.
Friday, January 02, 2009
How did new years treat you?
It's another year and it has started with a low pressure system off the coast of Darwin bringing some small fun waves to Casuarina Beach, and a few to Nightcliff as well.
If the low pressure system stays out off the coast we should see some small waves at Nightcliff tomorrow morning from 7am, but the tides will once again let us down for any action at Casuarina Beach.
If you're still struggling from some new years blues, head over and take the poll and let us know how you're handling it.
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