A grammar quiz: presented with the question, 'Name a historical figure you would invite to dinner, and why', which of the following is the grammatically correct response? If you're feeling smug, give reasons.
1) Marie Curie – whom I admire for her views on intellectual property and its impact on scientific research
2) Marie Curie – who I admire for her views on intellectual property and its impact on scientific research
I know the answer, because I've just consulted Butterworths' Grammar for Lawyers, an invaluable resource for any grammar nazi.
Send in your answers, and I'll let you know in a couple of days.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Jog Blog
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming. At best, I can only write something insightful and provocative every three days or so. In the mean time:
I never used to enjoy going for a jog, but then I got an mp3 player. Now it's much more tolerable, since the boredom factor is reduced. Having said that, I usually listen to the same album every time I go for a run, so I have some way of measuring my progress. If I've reached the halfway point of my route by the end of track five, I know I'm doing okay.
There are other ways of making mundane fitness rituals more interesting. Here's a few fun games to play while jogging:
Try to avoid stepping in dog poo
Try to avoid getting run over by a car or cyclist. If you run on a bike track while listening to music as I do, the latter is especially difficult.
Mix it up a bit by breaking into a sprint occasionally. Usually this coincides with trying to outrun a crazy dog, off its leash, that is quickly bearing down on you while its owner chuckles heartily at your expense.
Play the 'man or woman' game. This is a game I invented that can only be played in twilight or at night. The game commences when you see someone far up ahead in the distance. The object of the game is to guess whether they are a man or a woman. Now, this is not as easy as it sounds. Here are some of the ways it's played out for me in the past, as recounted by my inner monologue:
Exciting news, everyone.
I’ve been jogging for a while now, and lately I don’t seem to be improving all that much. I jog the same route every time, and at the moment it’s taking me 50-55 minutes. I want to get that down to no more than 45 minutes, but how? About an hour ago, I was playing the Wii, and part of the answer hit me. The game I was playing (Wii Sports) displays a graph of your scores over time so that you can see whether you’re actually getting better. It seemed to be an idea begging to be stolen. So, I’ll record my times and make up a graph.
But I can also do better than the Wii, because unlike the Wii I am a human being, and as such, can operate and update a web site. To which end: I’m going to post my results on the net, and link to them from this blog. That way, you can all see whether I’m getting better or not. From my point of view, it’s really not important whether you actually care enough to check the results (quite frankly I don’t know why you would). I just need that extra pressure to achieve, the thought that everyone will be able to see what a big wuss I am if I don’t start improving my time.
I never used to enjoy going for a jog, but then I got an mp3 player. Now it's much more tolerable, since the boredom factor is reduced. Having said that, I usually listen to the same album every time I go for a run, so I have some way of measuring my progress. If I've reached the halfway point of my route by the end of track five, I know I'm doing okay.
There are other ways of making mundane fitness rituals more interesting. Here's a few fun games to play while jogging:
Try to avoid stepping in dog poo
Try to avoid getting run over by a car or cyclist. If you run on a bike track while listening to music as I do, the latter is especially difficult.
Mix it up a bit by breaking into a sprint occasionally. Usually this coincides with trying to outrun a crazy dog, off its leash, that is quickly bearing down on you while its owner chuckles heartily at your expense.
Play the 'man or woman' game. This is a game I invented that can only be played in twilight or at night. The game commences when you see someone far up ahead in the distance. The object of the game is to guess whether they are a man or a woman. Now, this is not as easy as it sounds. Here are some of the ways it's played out for me in the past, as recounted by my inner monologue:
- That’s gotta be a man. Yep, it’s- ...wait. Just a little closer... oh. No, big woman. She really did look like a dude from back over there...
- She’s definitely a chick. And, actually, she looks like she could be a very good looker! I’ll jog closer to the path so I can perve on her a littl- Oh. Hang on. I think... shit. It’s a guy. That’s so wrong.
- (much more rare): Girl, I think. She seems to be pretty hot. But wait, we’ve been down that road before. Let’s reserve judgment. Ok, getting closer, and... Nice! Jogging babe! Suddenly, all this exercise is paying off! Alright body, it’s go time. Let’s jog slowly past her while trying to look masculine and not just puffed.
Exciting news, everyone.
I’ve been jogging for a while now, and lately I don’t seem to be improving all that much. I jog the same route every time, and at the moment it’s taking me 50-55 minutes. I want to get that down to no more than 45 minutes, but how? About an hour ago, I was playing the Wii, and part of the answer hit me. The game I was playing (Wii Sports) displays a graph of your scores over time so that you can see whether you’re actually getting better. It seemed to be an idea begging to be stolen. So, I’ll record my times and make up a graph.
But I can also do better than the Wii, because unlike the Wii I am a human being, and as such, can operate and update a web site. To which end: I’m going to post my results on the net, and link to them from this blog. That way, you can all see whether I’m getting better or not. From my point of view, it’s really not important whether you actually care enough to check the results (quite frankly I don’t know why you would). I just need that extra pressure to achieve, the thought that everyone will be able to see what a big wuss I am if I don’t start improving my time.
Welcome, newcomers!
If you got here from Joshua Gans' blog, the post you're looking for is two posts below this one. Not three!! Two. If you overshoot you'll encounter bad poetry.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Facial Hair
While many of you have a varying degree of facial hair. I on the other hand do not, therefore I am in need of your assistance. I am to attend a Moustache party on the weekend and need some suggestions as to what kind of moustache would suit me.
Your ideas and opinions are greatly anticipated.
Catchya
Alice
Your ideas and opinions are greatly anticipated.
Catchya
Alice
Being wrong
(Note to Alice and others like her: While this may initially seem to be a post about politics and the internet, I promise that if you keep reading you’ll see I’m actually making a wider, hopefully less boring point).
Recently I’ve been reading up on Labor’s broadband proposal. My gut feeling was that any half-decent proposal to roll out ‘true’ broadband infrastructure is better than doing nothing (the Libs), while doing nothing is way better than handing it all to an evil, evil monopoly (Telstra). But, not knowing much of the detail of Labor’s plan, I’ve been doing the rounds on the internet (which is, rather ironically, shaped to 64kb at our work at the moment) to try and find out more.
One of my first ports of call was Joshua Gans’ blog. He’s an economist for the people, and has written some very sensible stuff about the economic impact of copyright reform, as well as creating the iTunes index. You could say I highly respect his opinion or, put another way, I think he is a ‘dude’ while concurrently he could lay claim to being ‘the shit’.
So I was somewhat perplexed to see that he’s… not really all that enthused about Labor’s plan. In fact, he doesn’t seem convinced that Australia needs better broadband at all. The limbs of Gans’ argument with which I most violently disagree are:
1) We’re so far behind most other economically developed nations in terms of broadband speed that it’s futile to even attempt to catch up.
2) Australians don’t need faster broadband to be economically competitive. Fast broadband is a luxury, used only by the rich for entertainment, so the Government shouldn’t subsidise its establishment.
On a personal level, this makes me feel extremely uneasy. What’s happening here is that Joshua Gans, someone whose opinion I respect, who ‘gets it’, and who has a great deal more knowledge and insight into the relevant subject than I do, has put forward an opinion I think is rubbish. Clearly, we can’t both be right. Either I’m wrong or he is.
On the one hand, I tend to believe that the opinion I hold is the correct one – otherwise it wouldn’t be my opinion. But objectively, I know that all other things being equal, in matters of economics Joshua Gans’ opinion is more likely to be valid than mine. Cause, y’know, it’s what he’s trained to do, it’s what he does, and I think he’s pretty good at it.
The immediate effect of all this is that I’ve come to doubt my judgement about the issue. I keep asking myself, what am I not understanding about this? But what really sucks is that no matter the outcome, I’ve made an error of judgement. Either I’m wrong about the need for fast broadband, or I was wrong in thinking that Joshua Gans was a switched on guy.
Have you guys ever had a similar experience? Has someone whose opinion you really respected ever come out with a view you totally opposed?
PS: Apparently the humble blog is dying. Perhaps that’s why no one’s been contributing lately…
Recently I’ve been reading up on Labor’s broadband proposal. My gut feeling was that any half-decent proposal to roll out ‘true’ broadband infrastructure is better than doing nothing (the Libs), while doing nothing is way better than handing it all to an evil, evil monopoly (Telstra). But, not knowing much of the detail of Labor’s plan, I’ve been doing the rounds on the internet (which is, rather ironically, shaped to 64kb at our work at the moment) to try and find out more.
One of my first ports of call was Joshua Gans’ blog. He’s an economist for the people, and has written some very sensible stuff about the economic impact of copyright reform, as well as creating the iTunes index. You could say I highly respect his opinion or, put another way, I think he is a ‘dude’ while concurrently he could lay claim to being ‘the shit’.
So I was somewhat perplexed to see that he’s… not really all that enthused about Labor’s plan. In fact, he doesn’t seem convinced that Australia needs better broadband at all. The limbs of Gans’ argument with which I most violently disagree are:
1) We’re so far behind most other economically developed nations in terms of broadband speed that it’s futile to even attempt to catch up.
2) Australians don’t need faster broadband to be economically competitive. Fast broadband is a luxury, used only by the rich for entertainment, so the Government shouldn’t subsidise its establishment.
On a personal level, this makes me feel extremely uneasy. What’s happening here is that Joshua Gans, someone whose opinion I respect, who ‘gets it’, and who has a great deal more knowledge and insight into the relevant subject than I do, has put forward an opinion I think is rubbish. Clearly, we can’t both be right. Either I’m wrong or he is.
On the one hand, I tend to believe that the opinion I hold is the correct one – otherwise it wouldn’t be my opinion. But objectively, I know that all other things being equal, in matters of economics Joshua Gans’ opinion is more likely to be valid than mine. Cause, y’know, it’s what he’s trained to do, it’s what he does, and I think he’s pretty good at it.
The immediate effect of all this is that I’ve come to doubt my judgement about the issue. I keep asking myself, what am I not understanding about this? But what really sucks is that no matter the outcome, I’ve made an error of judgement. Either I’m wrong about the need for fast broadband, or I was wrong in thinking that Joshua Gans was a switched on guy.
Have you guys ever had a similar experience? Has someone whose opinion you really respected ever come out with a view you totally opposed?
PS: Apparently the humble blog is dying. Perhaps that’s why no one’s been contributing lately…
Sunday, March 25, 2007
A draft
Last night as I lay silent in sweet sleep,
Astarte poured a curse into my mind.
Her cruel display into my dreams did seep:
A love unparalleled; fleeting; divine.
A siren that I've spied in waking lights
But never met (I’m sure I never can)
Clasps at my hand. Her gaze a kiss invites,
And through this act our souls meet for a span.
But soon I rouse, my vision blurred by tears,
Remember loss, and shut my eyes in vain.
Though I might live another eighty years,
Awake, how could I find such love again?
Thus here I lie in bed, no more to weep,
And soon, I pray, she’ll lead me back to sleep.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
More's Law
Sorry to continue on a legal theme, but as a follow up to my last post, I thought I'd share the following. It's Gadens Lawyers' description of what will be on offer at their stall at the Sydney Law Careers Fair (tip of the hat to Crikey):
Who from your firm will be attending?
A representative selection of some of our finest and most earnest young solicitors may attend, subject to their daily billing targets. If the stall is unattended, it’s because we’re all doing something more important.
Will they be making any presentations or giving talks?
Unlikely. They’re quite shy and very focused on their chargeable hours. We will be raffling off an interview every hour as usual, but this should be no cause for amusement or conversation.
What items/information will you have for graduates to take away?
We will be giving away a manila folder containing a sample time sheet, a list of after-hours dinner delivery services in the CBD, a guide to achieving optimum personal billing statistics during your summer clerkship and a bus ticket.
What are the three most important qualities you are looking for in a graduate employee?
A law degree; willingness to work until it hurts, then keep working; and the personality and personal values of a federal cabinet minister.
How many positions will you have available for graduates this year?
We prefer to hire in bulk to account for natural attrition and burnout. This year we are taking 150 graduates in the hope of there being six or seven of them left standing by February 2008. This is more than previously because we’ve been losing them faster than anticipated. Young people today just seem to be soft.
In addition, I think I've settled on my five famous people to invite to dinner (see previous post):
Isaac Asimov
Sir Thomas More
Natalie Portman
Ben Folds
Marie Curie
Interesting facts about the two new arrivals: Marie Curie essentially 'open sourced' the refinement process to turn pitchblende into radium (ie she refused to patent it so that science as a whole could use and build on the technique). She's also the only person to have won two Nobel prizes in different fields.
Thomas More wrote Utopia and burnt protestants at the stake. He's my kind of people.
Who from your firm will be attending?
A representative selection of some of our finest and most earnest young solicitors may attend, subject to their daily billing targets. If the stall is unattended, it’s because we’re all doing something more important.
Will they be making any presentations or giving talks?
Unlikely. They’re quite shy and very focused on their chargeable hours. We will be raffling off an interview every hour as usual, but this should be no cause for amusement or conversation.
What items/information will you have for graduates to take away?
We will be giving away a manila folder containing a sample time sheet, a list of after-hours dinner delivery services in the CBD, a guide to achieving optimum personal billing statistics during your summer clerkship and a bus ticket.
What are the three most important qualities you are looking for in a graduate employee?
A law degree; willingness to work until it hurts, then keep working; and the personality and personal values of a federal cabinet minister.
How many positions will you have available for graduates this year?
We prefer to hire in bulk to account for natural attrition and burnout. This year we are taking 150 graduates in the hope of there being six or seven of them left standing by February 2008. This is more than previously because we’ve been losing them faster than anticipated. Young people today just seem to be soft.
In addition, I think I've settled on my five famous people to invite to dinner (see previous post):
Isaac Asimov
Sir Thomas More
Natalie Portman
Ben Folds
Marie Curie
Interesting facts about the two new arrivals: Marie Curie essentially 'open sourced' the refinement process to turn pitchblende into radium (ie she refused to patent it so that science as a whole could use and build on the technique). She's also the only person to have won two Nobel prizes in different fields.
Thomas More wrote Utopia and burnt protestants at the stake. He's my kind of people.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
And now for something moderately different.
I went to the Law Careers Fair at Flinders Uni yesterday. It was a barrel of laughs, and I'm wallowing in free stationary and chocolates, welcome bribes from prospective employers.
But now I need your help. Clerkship applications are due in April, which means I'll be spending a fair chunk of my free time over the next few weeks getting - as we in the legal business say - my shit together. In law, if you don't get a clerkship before you finish your degree, you don't get a cushy job. And I have my heart set on a cushy job.
Most firms that take on clerks seem to follow this selection process:
1: Send us your CV and an academic transcript.
2: If your transcript is good enough, we'll look over your CV.
3: If your CV is good enough, we'll interview you.
4: If you were fantastic at the interview, we'll give you a clerkship.
Thusly they whittle hundreds of applicants down to two or three clerks. Now, there's nothing inherently ridiculous about this process, except that I tend to get excluded at around (1). This despite the fact that I could potentially come across as a resonable prospect in steps (2) and (3).
So it was with interest that I read the application form for commercial law firm Kain C+C. They specifically don't want candidates to send in transcripts or CVs. Instead they've developed a questionnaire which will determine whether applicants are 'culturally aligned' to the firm's values.
If they like what they see on my application, they'll invite me to a BBQ lunch, and if I do well there (presumably performance is measured by the number of sausages eaten, or correct application of sauce) they'll invite me to a more formal interview.
Is this a sensible way of screening applicants? I don't think I could say it's any less valid than the standard approach. The questionnaire is certainly more fun than typing up another boring cover letter.
So, in light of the above, I want your help. What follows are the questions on this application form, and my tentative responses. Note that for each question, there is only space for a very small answer.
What is your most important non professional goal for the next five years?
I aim to be able to speak Japanese fluently and be able to read a Japanese newspaper.
Who would be the five people (alive or dead) you'd invite to dinner? Why?
Isaac Asimov - by all accounts a great party guest as well as a fiercely intelligent person
Ben Folds - for his passion and for some fantastic after dinner music
Natalie Portman - the world's most beautiful law student
[I need two more! Possible options and suggestions from the guys at work include Charles Darwin (I think this has potential), Bill Clinton (maybe), Al Gore (I think he'd be a bit boring), Karl Marx (too commie), Jesus (too fictitious) Nelson Mandella (too obvious, too "I'm trying to make myself look like a decent human being") Ghandi (see Mandella), Hitler (I vetoed him). I think I need a political figure to seem knowledgeable about that sort of thing, but no one too partisan or contentious. I also think it would be good to have another woman, one who isn't there simply because she's purrdy.]Phew!
What is your favourite book? Why?
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever - Stephen Donaldson
Follows a deeply flawed individual as he saves the world. Anti-heroes are always much more interesting.
[Problem! Hardly anyone besides myself has ever read this book. They won't have a clue what I'm talking about.]
What is your favourite movie? Why?
Fight Club. A cracker of a movie about the gap between the lifestyle that we as individuals are promised by our society, and the reality of our lives. Shows the frustration that this gulf can cause.
[A bit of a risk, but if this firm is as hip as they claim, at least someone there will have seen the movie and recognise its brilliance]
What is your greatest passion? Why?
I'm fascinated by the history and culture of Japan. Contemporary Japanese culture is a clash between centuries-old tradition and new ways of thinking, and this tension intrigues me. I enjoy learning about how events in Japan's past have shaped its approach to current events.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Co-wrote, directed and performed in a show for the 2004 Adelaide Fringe Festival, entitled 'Mime - The Musical!'. Steep learning curve - had to book a venue, juggle finances, draft press releases, and deal with the media.
If you hadn't chosen law, what other career whould you have pursued? Why?
Either journalism or odd jobs while trying to make it as a fiction writer. I love using and crafting language to achieve a goal - whether that goal is to inform, pursuade or entertain.
Okay! So now it's over to you. I want to know two things: firstly, what do you think of my answers? Do you think they're geared to impress a potential employer? Do you have any suggestions as to what would make my answers 'better'? Secondly, how would you respond to these questions? I ask this second question because you're all interesting people, and I think they're interesting questions. You might say I'm interested.
But now I need your help. Clerkship applications are due in April, which means I'll be spending a fair chunk of my free time over the next few weeks getting - as we in the legal business say - my shit together. In law, if you don't get a clerkship before you finish your degree, you don't get a cushy job. And I have my heart set on a cushy job.
Most firms that take on clerks seem to follow this selection process:
1: Send us your CV and an academic transcript.
2: If your transcript is good enough, we'll look over your CV.
3: If your CV is good enough, we'll interview you.
4: If you were fantastic at the interview, we'll give you a clerkship.
Thusly they whittle hundreds of applicants down to two or three clerks. Now, there's nothing inherently ridiculous about this process, except that I tend to get excluded at around (1). This despite the fact that I could potentially come across as a resonable prospect in steps (2) and (3).
So it was with interest that I read the application form for commercial law firm Kain C+C. They specifically don't want candidates to send in transcripts or CVs. Instead they've developed a questionnaire which will determine whether applicants are 'culturally aligned' to the firm's values.
If they like what they see on my application, they'll invite me to a BBQ lunch, and if I do well there (presumably performance is measured by the number of sausages eaten, or correct application of sauce) they'll invite me to a more formal interview.
Is this a sensible way of screening applicants? I don't think I could say it's any less valid than the standard approach. The questionnaire is certainly more fun than typing up another boring cover letter.
So, in light of the above, I want your help. What follows are the questions on this application form, and my tentative responses. Note that for each question, there is only space for a very small answer.
What is your most important non professional goal for the next five years?
I aim to be able to speak Japanese fluently and be able to read a Japanese newspaper.
Who would be the five people (alive or dead) you'd invite to dinner? Why?
Isaac Asimov - by all accounts a great party guest as well as a fiercely intelligent person
Ben Folds - for his passion and for some fantastic after dinner music
Natalie Portman - the world's most beautiful law student
[I need two more! Possible options and suggestions from the guys at work include Charles Darwin (I think this has potential), Bill Clinton (maybe), Al Gore (I think he'd be a bit boring), Karl Marx (too commie), Jesus (too fictitious) Nelson Mandella (too obvious, too "I'm trying to make myself look like a decent human being") Ghandi (see Mandella), Hitler (I vetoed him). I think I need a political figure to seem knowledgeable about that sort of thing, but no one too partisan or contentious. I also think it would be good to have another woman, one who isn't there simply because she's purrdy.]Phew!
What is your favourite book? Why?
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever - Stephen Donaldson
Follows a deeply flawed individual as he saves the world. Anti-heroes are always much more interesting.
[Problem! Hardly anyone besides myself has ever read this book. They won't have a clue what I'm talking about.]
What is your favourite movie? Why?
Fight Club. A cracker of a movie about the gap between the lifestyle that we as individuals are promised by our society, and the reality of our lives. Shows the frustration that this gulf can cause.
[A bit of a risk, but if this firm is as hip as they claim, at least someone there will have seen the movie and recognise its brilliance]
What is your greatest passion? Why?
I'm fascinated by the history and culture of Japan. Contemporary Japanese culture is a clash between centuries-old tradition and new ways of thinking, and this tension intrigues me. I enjoy learning about how events in Japan's past have shaped its approach to current events.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Co-wrote, directed and performed in a show for the 2004 Adelaide Fringe Festival, entitled 'Mime - The Musical!'. Steep learning curve - had to book a venue, juggle finances, draft press releases, and deal with the media.
If you hadn't chosen law, what other career whould you have pursued? Why?
Either journalism or odd jobs while trying to make it as a fiction writer. I love using and crafting language to achieve a goal - whether that goal is to inform, pursuade or entertain.
Okay! So now it's over to you. I want to know two things: firstly, what do you think of my answers? Do you think they're geared to impress a potential employer? Do you have any suggestions as to what would make my answers 'better'? Secondly, how would you respond to these questions? I ask this second question because you're all interesting people, and I think they're interesting questions. You might say I'm interested.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Fringe Party '07
I got a lift into town with the Hicks family. Apparently their son's got himself into some sort of trouble.
The party was just getting started.
There were buskers and musicians everywhere.
Some idiot muso must have thought it was hard rubbish day.
I'm starving!
But the line up at the Yiros place is huge, and I have to meet Alice. She will be pissed off at me if I show up late, smelling of garlic sauce.
The agreed meeting place. Suddenly, night falls! Where is Alice?
Disaster averted. Alice and George arrive. Obligatory photo time.
Ah, Hungry Jacks. I am starving, but tonight is about culture, and Hungry Jacks is not culture. Your bacon deluxe cannot tempt me!
No time for food now - bring on the salsa girls!
They twirl, and I am strangely intrigued...
They pose for photos, and I am strangely intrigued...
Meet Porkchopper, the Fringe mascot for 2007.
A man who twirls fire. The crowd is not amused. Where did those salsa girls go?
People gather to watch the electronic musicians. Somehow I've managed to lose my friends.
Argh! It's Julian! I can sense he intends to hit me over the head with that rolled up Fringe program.
Alice, George, and Julian.
The crowds have not gone away. Y'all know you can click on these photos to get a bigger version, right?
Fireworks over the Nova Cinema
In Adelaide, we force small children to play in bands. We maintain that it's character building.
I think my camera has taken party drugs.
Time to go home. Sprint to catch the last bus!
All that running has made me thirsty. I'll stop and have a drink at these stagnant pools of water that I'm sure no drunken yobbo has befouled.
If I lived here, I'd be home by now. Alas, I do not live here.
The party was just getting started.
There were buskers and musicians everywhere.
Some idiot muso must have thought it was hard rubbish day.
I'm starving!
But the line up at the Yiros place is huge, and I have to meet Alice. She will be pissed off at me if I show up late, smelling of garlic sauce.
The agreed meeting place. Suddenly, night falls! Where is Alice?
Disaster averted. Alice and George arrive. Obligatory photo time.
Ah, Hungry Jacks. I am starving, but tonight is about culture, and Hungry Jacks is not culture. Your bacon deluxe cannot tempt me!
No time for food now - bring on the salsa girls!
They twirl, and I am strangely intrigued...
They pose for photos, and I am strangely intrigued...
Meet Porkchopper, the Fringe mascot for 2007.
A man who twirls fire. The crowd is not amused. Where did those salsa girls go?
People gather to watch the electronic musicians. Somehow I've managed to lose my friends.
Argh! It's Julian! I can sense he intends to hit me over the head with that rolled up Fringe program.
Alice, George, and Julian.
The crowds have not gone away. Y'all know you can click on these photos to get a bigger version, right?
Fireworks over the Nova Cinema
In Adelaide, we force small children to play in bands. We maintain that it's character building.
I think my camera has taken party drugs.
Time to go home. Sprint to catch the last bus!
All that running has made me thirsty. I'll stop and have a drink at these stagnant pools of water that I'm sure no drunken yobbo has befouled.
If I lived here, I'd be home by now. Alas, I do not live here.
For Andrew...
Andy, as promised, the video clip for Charlotte Hatherley's song 'Bastardo' - directed by Mr Edgar Wright.
Oh, and everyone else should have a look too. Can't hurt, can it?
P.S. - see if you can spot the Simon Pegg (Shaun, in Shaun of the Dead) cameo
Oh, and everyone else should have a look too. Can't hurt, can it?
P.S. - see if you can spot the Simon Pegg (Shaun, in Shaun of the Dead) cameo
Let's see how your innocence pays off...
Right!
A friend of mine sent me this, and it's quite simple - you read through the list of offences that will be in the first comment to this post (just so it doesn't take over the front page), and then add up the fines that you receive (only one fine for each offence). Then post what you got in the form of "My fine is $....". You don't have to say which fines you got, just your overall amount.
Maximum fine is $1,110.60
My fine is $180.50
You can also send this out as an email to your friends...
A friend of mine sent me this, and it's quite simple - you read through the list of offences that will be in the first comment to this post (just so it doesn't take over the front page), and then add up the fines that you receive (only one fine for each offence). Then post what you got in the form of "My fine is $....". You don't have to say which fines you got, just your overall amount.
Maximum fine is $1,110.60
My fine is $180.50
You can also send this out as an email to your friends...
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Fringe Parade
Unfortunately I do not intend to spend this blog having an insightful discussion about Australia's government or George's potty mouth. Infact the subject of this blog is fairly straight forward is in no way insightful and I doubt there will be any swearing.
Thursday night is the opening of the fringe and while we are always enthusiastic participants during this wonderful time to live in Adelaide, it is rare for us to attend the opening night parade which is cool. Therefore I propose (and I do this in this medium because I can't be bothered finding my phone) that we attend the fringe parade.
Takers???
Catchya
Alice
Thursday night is the opening of the fringe and while we are always enthusiastic participants during this wonderful time to live in Adelaide, it is rare for us to attend the opening night parade which is cool. Therefore I propose (and I do this in this medium because I can't be bothered finding my phone) that we attend the fringe parade.
Takers???
Catchya
Alice
Hot Damn!
Oh baby, oh baby.
I just got tickets for an advance screening next Tuesday of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's next film, Hot Fuzz. For those that don't recognise the names, they're the ones behind Shaun of the Dead and the telly series Spaced.
But that's not the coolest bit. ALSO in attendance at this screening will be messrs Pegg, Wright and Mr Nick Frost, to do a Q+A.
Oh YEAH.
I just got tickets for an advance screening next Tuesday of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's next film, Hot Fuzz. For those that don't recognise the names, they're the ones behind Shaun of the Dead and the telly series Spaced.
But that's not the coolest bit. ALSO in attendance at this screening will be messrs Pegg, Wright and Mr Nick Frost, to do a Q+A.
Oh YEAH.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Okay, but seriously, the Government's fucked.
I apologise for the coarse language. I try not to use the word 'government' too often on this blog, especially in the title of a post. Another thing I aspire to do is to try and be a little more objective in my analysis of Australian politics - a little less biased. Failing this, I'd at least endeavour to make a reasoned, well thought out argument before dispensing any snap conclusions.
But really, though. This time they've lost the plot, taken the cake, and... and... performed various other actions which, taken together, point to a serious mental illness.
Behold, courtesy of Margaret Simons at Crikey:
On a very distantly related note...
So last night I rediscovered the joy of a computer game called Bookworm Adventures. I've enthused about it to some of you before - it's a delicious synthesis of unadulterated nerdiness, combining the nerdiness of computer roleplaying games with the nerdiness of spelling things correctly. Verily, it is a computer roleplaying game wherein enemies are dispatched by spelling words correctly.
Anyway, I was reflecting that the game represented admirably the noble concept of edutainment - that learning and having fun are not mutually exclusive. Don't make me draw you a Venn diagram, muthafuckas.
I reflected on the warm feeling I get inside when I look at my in-game stats:
I thought that I should try and spread the Good News. I pondered on who could most use an expansion of their vocabulary, and the answer was obvious. Perhaps if George knew more words, he wouldn't feel compelled to write posts with a profanity content hovering around 70%.
This would be a good thing.
But then I thought about it a bit more. I tried to envisage George actually playing the game. Now, I don't think I'll show it to him.
But really, though. This time they've lost the plot, taken the cake, and... and... performed various other actions which, taken together, point to a serious mental illness.
Behold, courtesy of Margaret Simons at Crikey:
"The Government plans to pass legislation in the autumn session aimed at regulating all content – including text and still images – using the film classification system as the standard.I mean... wow. They've been trying to drag us back to the 1950's for years, but this bill is in a league of its own. It has a huge potential to impact bloggers - along with basically everyone else who publishes anything online. The next time George goes on a rant about female genitalia, will we have to shut the blog down until the OFLC can review it? Will we be forced to implement an age verification system to stop children reading about Kate's trip to Port Vincent? It's unfeasible, unenforceable, and a stupid idea to boot. Aw, what the hell, let's use some conservative terminology. It's un-Australian!
Crikey understands that publishers would have to submit for classification all material to be delivered electronically – including book and magazine content. Any content that gained an MA or R classification would have be subject to an approved age restricted access system. [emphases added]"
On a very distantly related note...
So last night I rediscovered the joy of a computer game called Bookworm Adventures. I've enthused about it to some of you before - it's a delicious synthesis of unadulterated nerdiness, combining the nerdiness of computer roleplaying games with the nerdiness of spelling things correctly. Verily, it is a computer roleplaying game wherein enemies are dispatched by spelling words correctly.
Anyway, I was reflecting that the game represented admirably the noble concept of edutainment - that learning and having fun are not mutually exclusive. Don't make me draw you a Venn diagram, muthafuckas.
I reflected on the warm feeling I get inside when I look at my in-game stats:
I thought that I should try and spread the Good News. I pondered on who could most use an expansion of their vocabulary, and the answer was obvious. Perhaps if George knew more words, he wouldn't feel compelled to write posts with a profanity content hovering around 70%.
This would be a good thing.
But then I thought about it a bit more. I tried to envisage George actually playing the game. Now, I don't think I'll show it to him.
Ab hoc possum videre domum tuum
Hi kids! Welcome to your second post for the month of March!
Just dropping by to say hi, how you doin', how're the pets, and also to let you know that yours truly is returning to Radelaide as of tomorrow! (gasp!) Yes folks, that's right, I shall be returning to these fair shores (well, you get the idea) tomorrow evening, sometime around dinner. And I'm then in Adelaide for 4 whole days! Im is flying on Saturday evening, and on Sunday we are enjoying the cool, smooth sounds of WOMADelaide, then leaving back for sunny (well, sometimes) Melbourne!
Are we doing anything? Fringe opening party on Thursday? Anything?
Just dropping by to say hi, how you doin', how're the pets, and also to let you know that yours truly is returning to Radelaide as of tomorrow! (gasp!) Yes folks, that's right, I shall be returning to these fair shores (well, you get the idea) tomorrow evening, sometime around dinner. And I'm then in Adelaide for 4 whole days! Im is flying on Saturday evening, and on Sunday we are enjoying the cool, smooth sounds of WOMADelaide, then leaving back for sunny (well, sometimes) Melbourne!
Are we doing anything? Fringe opening party on Thursday? Anything?
Friday, March 2, 2007
Who said archaeology didn't have a practical application?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the years a few of you have scoffed at my chosen profession due to the lack of employment in said area (and to tell you the truth, rightly so) however today you are to be dis proven. Not only am I currently employed for 54hrs of teaching but today I had a job interview at an Adelaide consulting firm. Now while I have yet to officially receive the job it did take them 2o mins to decide they wanted to take me on some 1 day field trips to see how I work.
So the wheels are turning and I may not even have to move interstate either. Who wants to have a drink to celebrate?
Catchya
Alice
Over the years a few of you have scoffed at my chosen profession due to the lack of employment in said area (and to tell you the truth, rightly so) however today you are to be dis proven. Not only am I currently employed for 54hrs of teaching but today I had a job interview at an Adelaide consulting firm. Now while I have yet to officially receive the job it did take them 2o mins to decide they wanted to take me on some 1 day field trips to see how I work.
So the wheels are turning and I may not even have to move interstate either. Who wants to have a drink to celebrate?
Catchya
Alice
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