I didn't really do anything yesterday. In fact, I can't even remember what I did except watch a bit of the tennis. Its good that Marat won, didn't really like Hewitt. I think he's got his head up his arse. Not the best look ever, I'll tell you that.
I made my first calls at work today.
It was exciting. The first couple rang out, the 2nd app I worked I got through, and they seemed happy I called them, which is good.
Oh and some of my team smoke. Which is not good.
Also my quality control manager completely ignored me on the bus.
*sigh*
I hope I get paid soon.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday, January 30, 2005
MmMMmmMMm... Seafood Buffet
It was Karen and Paul's Birthday bash yesterday.
Eating was the main attraction, since it was an all you can eat buffet. Apart from seafood, they had a lot of other dishes, like pasta, some asian food, carvery, and desserts. The food is actually quite good, but many of the aussies went for the Asian food. I don't know why they'd go to a buffet to eat Asian food. It wasn't even that great.
Instead, I ate a lot of seafood. Things like raw oysters and mussles, crab, smoked salmon and the sort. Yummmmmm.... A typical Asian thing to do. I also had a go at the roast lamb and pork, and tried some of the 'peking duck'. It was really strange peking duck. It wasn't JUST duck in it. They stir fried it with some other stuff. Personally, I think the peking duck is better normally.
After eating too much and finally talking (because I don't talk while eating), there were photos and other assorted things. After we left, we dropped by the casino to have a drink, play some video games, and grab my sister. Dropped Mel home, and went to sleep.
I was reminded again today of how weird it is how people are connected to each other. Apparently, Mel (the one I met last night), I'd actually met before. That was when we were supposedly playing tennis with some mutual friends. Then later, we even played computer games together. Obviously you can't really tell who they are if they're on the other side of the internet, but... yeah... strange.
Eating was the main attraction, since it was an all you can eat buffet. Apart from seafood, they had a lot of other dishes, like pasta, some asian food, carvery, and desserts. The food is actually quite good, but many of the aussies went for the Asian food. I don't know why they'd go to a buffet to eat Asian food. It wasn't even that great.
Instead, I ate a lot of seafood. Things like raw oysters and mussles, crab, smoked salmon and the sort. Yummmmmm.... A typical Asian thing to do. I also had a go at the roast lamb and pork, and tried some of the 'peking duck'. It was really strange peking duck. It wasn't JUST duck in it. They stir fried it with some other stuff. Personally, I think the peking duck is better normally.
After eating too much and finally talking (because I don't talk while eating), there were photos and other assorted things. After we left, we dropped by the casino to have a drink, play some video games, and grab my sister. Dropped Mel home, and went to sleep.
I was reminded again today of how weird it is how people are connected to each other. Apparently, Mel (the one I met last night), I'd actually met before. That was when we were supposedly playing tennis with some mutual friends. Then later, we even played computer games together. Obviously you can't really tell who they are if they're on the other side of the internet, but... yeah... strange.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
the total lack of movement
Not much has happened in the past couple of days. Sat around a lot on Australia day. In fact, I don't think I did anything during the day.
Then I just went to PP with some people.
Today was a little different. I still had work, so I went to that. Thats about it.
Oh any my quality control manager takes my bus. Great.
Then I just went to PP with some people.
Today was a little different. I still had work, so I went to that. Thats about it.
Oh any my quality control manager takes my bus. Great.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
day 2: a continuation in more ways than one
Today was the second day of training. We worked on the system that we'll be using to do most of our work. Its different, old, and a little complicated. I'm sure I'll get used to it the more I use it however.
Thus, the day was draining, and extremely hot. Would have been in the high 30s at least. So right now I'm feeling quite drained from the early morning wakeup, long hours sitting and 'learning', and the hot weather sapping my energy. But enough of my whining.
Time to talk about the important things in life: People. People and public transport, again!
People at work were saying they meet lots of different people on public transport. I don't actually know it they really mean 'meet', or just mean 'see'. This is because the people I see on public transport never talk to each other. In fact, they seem to go out of their way to avoid communication. This is not to say I'm not one of them, clearly I am. But we go out of our way to avoid sitting next to someone unless neccesary, use electronic interference (music) to annoy others and make them sit on the other side of the vehichle, and basically avoid contact.
Here's something to try:
1. Get on a half full/empty public vehichle (preferably with a valid ticket).
2. Sit down in a seat with at least one seat next to you.
3. Smile at the people who get on and are looking for a seat.
4. See how many people go to another spot and sit next to someone who's staring out the window
NB: This will only be feasible if all double seats in the vehichle have at least one person in them.
Chances are, they won't sit next to you. Or perhaps I'm just ugly. Either way, it gives me a bad impression on the city we live in. There are a couple of possibilities: that we are so suspicious of the people who are friendly to us that we would rather trust some indifferent random person, or that people are intentionally unwilling to engage with social interaction with other random people. Maybe even both.
Ahh.. maybe I should just forget about it and go to the beach tomorrow and burn all my skin off. Sounds like a plan.
Thus, the day was draining, and extremely hot. Would have been in the high 30s at least. So right now I'm feeling quite drained from the early morning wakeup, long hours sitting and 'learning', and the hot weather sapping my energy. But enough of my whining.
Time to talk about the important things in life: People. People and public transport, again!
People at work were saying they meet lots of different people on public transport. I don't actually know it they really mean 'meet', or just mean 'see'. This is because the people I see on public transport never talk to each other. In fact, they seem to go out of their way to avoid communication. This is not to say I'm not one of them, clearly I am. But we go out of our way to avoid sitting next to someone unless neccesary, use electronic interference (music) to annoy others and make them sit on the other side of the vehichle, and basically avoid contact.
Here's something to try:
1. Get on a half full/empty public vehichle (preferably with a valid ticket).
2. Sit down in a seat with at least one seat next to you.
3. Smile at the people who get on and are looking for a seat.
4. See how many people go to another spot and sit next to someone who's staring out the window
NB: This will only be feasible if all double seats in the vehichle have at least one person in them.
Chances are, they won't sit next to you. Or perhaps I'm just ugly. Either way, it gives me a bad impression on the city we live in. There are a couple of possibilities: that we are so suspicious of the people who are friendly to us that we would rather trust some indifferent random person, or that people are intentionally unwilling to engage with social interaction with other random people. Maybe even both.
Ahh.. maybe I should just forget about it and go to the beach tomorrow and burn all my skin off. Sounds like a plan.
Monday, January 24, 2005
day 1
I was kind of excited and nervous last night. My sleeping pattern is again whacked out completely. I went to bed at about 9:30, woke up at 1am, couldn't get to sleep till around 4, and it didn't feel like I slept at all. I managed to get myself out of bed however, and got myself off to work.
I got there WAYYY too early. Like... 7:45. Better than being late I suppose. Had myself too much breakfast, and went in. There was a lot of talk about harrasment, bullying and discrimination. Also a heap about privacy legislation. A lot of the privacy stuff I'd actually covered in the last semester of uni. It turns out that an IS subject actually has some use in the real world. So... we learnt what we're meant and not meant to do to uphold the privacy principles, and other similar things. There were even things like an (Non Disclosure Agreement) NDA and stuff about insider trading etc. Basically we're not supposed to get involved with share trading when we know something others don't.
Normally I don't eat much for breakfast or lunch. But today I ate too much. I think my tummy expanded. The reason for this is because I have relatives who own a little cafe near the place I work. They stuffed me with such a big breakfast that I couldn't even finish lunch. Not the best feeling ever.
After lunch... proceedures and things like that. Just working it all out in theory and what we're MEANT to do in certain situations and how not to offend people and stuff. Yeah, pretty self-explanatory. Or maybe not, but I'm not supposed to say.
Tomorrow we're meant to do stuff on the system, see how it works, that sort of thing. Should be fun/exciting.
I also realised again today, how boring public transport can be. If theres nobody to talk to, all I do is stare out the window. I finally understand why people want to buy ipods and the sort. Its fair enough I suppose. Gives you some form of entertainment on the trip. What I can't stand is people who blare it out so loud that the people sitting next to you can hear the things you're playing even if you've got earphones plugged in. How can one be that deaf and not use a hearing aid?
Another thing I noticed is how I've changed since taking public transport however many years ago. Started off as a high school student... changed to uni student, and now working. I guess I'm still a uni student, but its mainly the dress code. Do you think that other people who take the bus notice that you change over the years? I think I've changed a lot, and I think it'd be easy to notice. But I don't really know anyone on my bus who's actually gone through as dramatic changes as I have, so I haven't actually noticed anyone else on the bus changing that much. There are quite a few regulars in peak time, usually an older generation who've been working the whole time I've been at school and uni. Whether they notice the people around them is a different matter.
There was actually an article about that in the age the other day. It was about how individuals seems to isolate themselves in places such as public transport with technology. So things such as iPods and cd players inhibit the social interaction between people, and that maybe one day, we'll see different compartments of a train for people who want to talk and those who don't. Personally, I think the writer was taking it a little too far. Nobody talks on public transport anyway, and some of the time, it's pretty obvious why. If theres a guy who looks drunk, homeless, smells, and goes:
"*mumble mumble* FUCK *mumble mumble* KILL *mumble mumble* FUCK"
then I'd fully understand why. I'm sure we've all seen it before.
I got there WAYYY too early. Like... 7:45. Better than being late I suppose. Had myself too much breakfast, and went in. There was a lot of talk about harrasment, bullying and discrimination. Also a heap about privacy legislation. A lot of the privacy stuff I'd actually covered in the last semester of uni. It turns out that an IS subject actually has some use in the real world. So... we learnt what we're meant and not meant to do to uphold the privacy principles, and other similar things. There were even things like an (Non Disclosure Agreement) NDA and stuff about insider trading etc. Basically we're not supposed to get involved with share trading when we know something others don't.
Normally I don't eat much for breakfast or lunch. But today I ate too much. I think my tummy expanded. The reason for this is because I have relatives who own a little cafe near the place I work. They stuffed me with such a big breakfast that I couldn't even finish lunch. Not the best feeling ever.
After lunch... proceedures and things like that. Just working it all out in theory and what we're MEANT to do in certain situations and how not to offend people and stuff. Yeah, pretty self-explanatory. Or maybe not, but I'm not supposed to say.
Tomorrow we're meant to do stuff on the system, see how it works, that sort of thing. Should be fun/exciting.
I also realised again today, how boring public transport can be. If theres nobody to talk to, all I do is stare out the window. I finally understand why people want to buy ipods and the sort. Its fair enough I suppose. Gives you some form of entertainment on the trip. What I can't stand is people who blare it out so loud that the people sitting next to you can hear the things you're playing even if you've got earphones plugged in. How can one be that deaf and not use a hearing aid?
Another thing I noticed is how I've changed since taking public transport however many years ago. Started off as a high school student... changed to uni student, and now working. I guess I'm still a uni student, but its mainly the dress code. Do you think that other people who take the bus notice that you change over the years? I think I've changed a lot, and I think it'd be easy to notice. But I don't really know anyone on my bus who's actually gone through as dramatic changes as I have, so I haven't actually noticed anyone else on the bus changing that much. There are quite a few regulars in peak time, usually an older generation who've been working the whole time I've been at school and uni. Whether they notice the people around them is a different matter.
There was actually an article about that in the age the other day. It was about how individuals seems to isolate themselves in places such as public transport with technology. So things such as iPods and cd players inhibit the social interaction between people, and that maybe one day, we'll see different compartments of a train for people who want to talk and those who don't. Personally, I think the writer was taking it a little too far. Nobody talks on public transport anyway, and some of the time, it's pretty obvious why. If theres a guy who looks drunk, homeless, smells, and goes:
"*mumble mumble* FUCK *mumble mumble* KILL *mumble mumble* FUCK"
then I'd fully understand why. I'm sure we've all seen it before.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Sunday
Even though I woke up at 12pm, I still feel really tired. Maybe because I couldn't really sleep last night either. Soh gave me this link the other day saying that its quite possibly because I stare at this CRT screen too much. Surprisingly, it hasn't really happened this badly before. But then, that gives me a pretty good reason to go and get a laptop. I think I should bid on something on ebay.
Had lunch with the extended family and some family friends. We tried a few new creations from the resident chef. Not bad at all.
Went shopping after that. I figured that I didn't have any time to do shopping later in the week, because I'm meant to be working, so I thought I'd get presents ready for Friday well in advance. I don't think I'll advertise what I bought, just in case they read this.
I also played some WoW. The Blackrock server always seems to have an enourmous queue, so I think I've given up on that one. I started a new character on another server. Supposedly its the one that all the other IGS people use. Haven't actually told them about it yet though. Ah well.
Had lunch with the extended family and some family friends. We tried a few new creations from the resident chef. Not bad at all.
Went shopping after that. I figured that I didn't have any time to do shopping later in the week, because I'm meant to be working, so I thought I'd get presents ready for Friday well in advance. I don't think I'll advertise what I bought, just in case they read this.
I also played some WoW. The Blackrock server always seems to have an enourmous queue, so I think I've given up on that one. I started a new character on another server. Supposedly its the one that all the other IGS people use. Haven't actually told them about it yet though. Ah well.
Saturday or so
After sleeping too long, I woke up to Sam's call.
Its good that we did something today. I was actually meant to go buy some presents, but I kind of woke up too late. I don't really know when I'm going to go get them. Perhaps I'll try find something tomorrow. That is of course, assuming that I still have a car I can drive to do so. Ever since Fi got her license, I feel like I don't really have one anymore. She's using it to go to church and have an 'experience'. You probably already know how I feel about religion.
Anyway, Sam and I went out to dinner. I'm actually a virgin to Korean food, so dinner was really good. I like their flavors and the side dishes. Different, and yet utterly intriguing. All in all, a good meal.
We went to Soh's place to play poker. Fun as usual, then came back. Good day overall.
Oh and my eye is itchy. Well.. not exactly my eye, just the bit below it.
Its good that we did something today. I was actually meant to go buy some presents, but I kind of woke up too late. I don't really know when I'm going to go get them. Perhaps I'll try find something tomorrow. That is of course, assuming that I still have a car I can drive to do so. Ever since Fi got her license, I feel like I don't really have one anymore. She's using it to go to church and have an 'experience'. You probably already know how I feel about religion.
Anyway, Sam and I went out to dinner. I'm actually a virgin to Korean food, so dinner was really good. I like their flavors and the side dishes. Different, and yet utterly intriguing. All in all, a good meal.
We went to Soh's place to play poker. Fun as usual, then came back. Good day overall.
Oh and my eye is itchy. Well.. not exactly my eye, just the bit below it.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Whingefest
The first part of the day was actually good. I went with Soh to see and buy his new car. Well.. his old new car maybe. Anyway, we left around 10:30 in the morning, when he called me and I was still asleep.
So off we went, all the way to Broadie. Dropped by Vicroads on the way, and went to check out the car. Got a temporary permit to allow the car on the road, and off I went. I had to drive because I'm pretty much the only one with a manual licence who was willing. And if you've got no number plates, chances are you're going to get pulled over.
His car is fun to drive. Easy to skid, feels like it has power steering, and very small. I've hardly ever driven a small car. I think I drove Adrian's golf once, but thats pretty much it with me and small cars.
I had to work tonight as well. Which is what the whingefest is about. Well, that and because I had to work and give up going to the tennis because of it. I'd imagine that'd happen quite often over the next few weeks actually. At least I'll have money... to do.. err... I dunno.. with. I think I will actually buy some sort of a laptop. Not much else to do with money unless I feel like going on holiday.
There was this guy at work. A customer. Firstly, rude, secondly, a liar, and thirdly, a tight arse. You really can't get much worse customers. Especially about the liar part. He wouldn't pay the whole bill because he said the service was lousy, the food was cold, and something about how he didn't get his water. Lucky I wasn't there when he did, otherwise I think I seriously would have said something that he probably wouldn't have wanted to hear. Neither do I care if he or his friends ever come back again. Firstly, the service wasn't lousy. The table right next to his said the waiters (including yours truly) were "the nicest waiters". Secondly, if the food was cold, you can just send it back and we'll cook it again. Thirdly, I'd hardly ask for something off the bill if I didn't give you something that you didn't have to pay for, nor ORDER IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Fuck him. Fuck his friends. Fuck people who are like him.
I think I'll go play some CS to get it out of my system.
So off we went, all the way to Broadie. Dropped by Vicroads on the way, and went to check out the car. Got a temporary permit to allow the car on the road, and off I went. I had to drive because I'm pretty much the only one with a manual licence who was willing. And if you've got no number plates, chances are you're going to get pulled over.
His car is fun to drive. Easy to skid, feels like it has power steering, and very small. I've hardly ever driven a small car. I think I drove Adrian's golf once, but thats pretty much it with me and small cars.
I had to work tonight as well. Which is what the whingefest is about. Well, that and because I had to work and give up going to the tennis because of it. I'd imagine that'd happen quite often over the next few weeks actually. At least I'll have money... to do.. err... I dunno.. with. I think I will actually buy some sort of a laptop. Not much else to do with money unless I feel like going on holiday.
There was this guy at work. A customer. Firstly, rude, secondly, a liar, and thirdly, a tight arse. You really can't get much worse customers. Especially about the liar part. He wouldn't pay the whole bill because he said the service was lousy, the food was cold, and something about how he didn't get his water. Lucky I wasn't there when he did, otherwise I think I seriously would have said something that he probably wouldn't have wanted to hear. Neither do I care if he or his friends ever come back again. Firstly, the service wasn't lousy. The table right next to his said the waiters (including yours truly) were "the nicest waiters". Secondly, if the food was cold, you can just send it back and we'll cook it again. Thirdly, I'd hardly ask for something off the bill if I didn't give you something that you didn't have to pay for, nor ORDER IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Fuck him. Fuck his friends. Fuck people who are like him.
I think I'll go play some CS to get it out of my system.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Interview.
I haven't really got anything to do at the moment. World of Warcraft is loaded up, and I'm in the queue. Don't really feel like doing anything else, I've been out the whole day. So I've decided to blog.
Last night was a killer. I really couldn't sleep at all. I think it was about 6 o'clock when I finally did, just about the time the birds start to come out. I even heard my dad get up and go to the market at 5:30... I actually tried going to sleep earlier, but that didn't work, and I got up to talk to people at 3...
Got up to go to an interview. Even though I had about 3 hours sleep and no breakfast, I think I did well. They asked us to talk to the people next to us about their dream job and their worst job. After that, there was some group work on prioritising. THen there was some more group brainstorming. At least it was more enjoyable than other job interviews I've done. Thats not to say I've done that many...
Anyway. People asked some questions. Some of which were really silly, since they'd told us the answers anyway. I thought I'd just sit there and be quiet. Anyway, we all left, and I went to go find Sam and Garry for lunch. Actually, I even stopped by Anne's work to see if she was there. Alas, she was not. The day I go to the city and check in on people is the day they're not there. What terrible misfortunes I have.
We had Vietnamese noodles. Filling and tasty. Although much of the taste probably comes from the amount of salt they pour into the soup. Oh well, as long as it was filling. Headed off to buy some chocolates for Garry's farewell presents, and went to see the Auntie and Uncle to try and scab a ride home.
Turned out my grandma was also in the city. Well, actually the casino. So after my aunt finished up, we went down to get her and go home. Saw my umm... other auntie? No.. actually, she's my grandma's niece. I'm not really sure that that makes her to me. Another aunt perhaps? I'm not really sure. She was on her way back from the casino to her apartment and my second cousin (the one I picked up from the airport). Anyway, uncle dropped me off at the restaurant. But I skipped dinner, wasn't very hungry.
Cameron rang to tell me I got the job, which is good. I start training Monday.
Last night was a killer. I really couldn't sleep at all. I think it was about 6 o'clock when I finally did, just about the time the birds start to come out. I even heard my dad get up and go to the market at 5:30... I actually tried going to sleep earlier, but that didn't work, and I got up to talk to people at 3...
Got up to go to an interview. Even though I had about 3 hours sleep and no breakfast, I think I did well. They asked us to talk to the people next to us about their dream job and their worst job. After that, there was some group work on prioritising. THen there was some more group brainstorming. At least it was more enjoyable than other job interviews I've done. Thats not to say I've done that many...
Anyway. People asked some questions. Some of which were really silly, since they'd told us the answers anyway. I thought I'd just sit there and be quiet. Anyway, we all left, and I went to go find Sam and Garry for lunch. Actually, I even stopped by Anne's work to see if she was there. Alas, she was not. The day I go to the city and check in on people is the day they're not there. What terrible misfortunes I have.
We had Vietnamese noodles. Filling and tasty. Although much of the taste probably comes from the amount of salt they pour into the soup. Oh well, as long as it was filling. Headed off to buy some chocolates for Garry's farewell presents, and went to see the Auntie and Uncle to try and scab a ride home.
Turned out my grandma was also in the city. Well, actually the casino. So after my aunt finished up, we went down to get her and go home. Saw my umm... other auntie? No.. actually, she's my grandma's niece. I'm not really sure that that makes her to me. Another aunt perhaps? I'm not really sure. She was on her way back from the casino to her apartment and my second cousin (the one I picked up from the airport). Anyway, uncle dropped me off at the restaurant. But I skipped dinner, wasn't very hungry.
Cameron rang to tell me I got the job, which is good. I start training Monday.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Australian Open
Spent most of the day playing games or whatever. Didn't really do much at all. I actually got a call for a job. That was a nice suprise, since most of the jobs I apply for don't even send any sort of feedback at all. Oh well. So I've got a group interview on Thursday morning. Hopefully I'll actually wake up for that. It would be a good start.
Went to the Aussie open tonight. Twas fun. I drove, met Sam and Gaz in the city, and then went to the arena. We saw Davenport v Martinez, and Hewitt v Clemont. Martinez sucked, but at least Clemont went down fighting. He actually looked a bit of a challenge in the first couple of games of the match. Unlucky for him I guess.
Went to the Aussie open tonight. Twas fun. I drove, met Sam and Gaz in the city, and then went to the arena. We saw Davenport v Martinez, and Hewitt v Clemont. Martinez sucked, but at least Clemont went down fighting. He actually looked a bit of a challenge in the first couple of games of the match. Unlucky for him I guess.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Soh's parté
Last night, a bunch of us went over to Soh's sister's place to hang out. Well, it wasn't really meant to be just us hanging out. It was meant to be a classy 'parté' with cheese, crackers and imported beer. Turned out pretty good I rekon.
Thus, there was lots of drinking, eating, and sitting around doing intellectual stuff. In true classy style, we played chess and poker. Very intellectual, kind of. Actually we played big 2 as well, but thats just because we're asian.
Thus, there was lots of drinking, eating, and sitting around doing intellectual stuff. In true classy style, we played chess and poker. Very intellectual, kind of. Actually we played big 2 as well, but thats just because we're asian.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Please don't sue me
I mentioned something about being liable for whats in your blog, like, ages ago. That came up today in Zdnet's online 'tech news'. Click here to view the article.
So from now on, I'm going to have a disclaimer at the bottom of the blog. I'm just going to rip it off the University of Melbourne's (2005) website.
So from now on, I'm going to have a disclaimer at the bottom of the blog. I'm just going to rip it off the University of Melbourne's (2005) website.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Damn those left wing student activists
The recent rise in demand for full fee university places has, I think, stumped those left wing activists. They want free education for all, not that there is such a thing, but the demand for full fee places is puzzling for them, because it means that not everyone is aligned with their beliefs.
Essentially, it doesn't really matter if everyone gets a free education or not. Its the same money that goes to the university, its just that if its free, then the money goes through another middle man, the tax office. Taxes have to stay high or get higher to support the free education, and the cost of collecting and redistributing the tax would be pretty much equal to the cost of paying the money yourself.
If you have to pay out of your own pocket, you have more personal accountability for the money that goes into it. I guess it gives you more incentive to actually do something with your tertiary degree than just to get one for the sake of it. Theres always student loans which you can take to get a degree, and I guess if you do well enough, theres always those scholarships or targeted access programs (TAP) that can get you through a degree. Well, that and a part time or casual job, which are definateley not hard to find these days.
Or theres always another option for those left wing activists to promote. Why don't we just take that $1 billion that we gave in aid to Indonesia, and give everyone a free degree (sarcasm). Theres clearly better things to spend money on than to give everyone a free education. Those leftists keep thinking that its all about the people. I'd agree, but I think keeping the people safe (spending on defence/intelligence/health) is clearly more of a priority than teaching them a different language.
Essentially, it doesn't really matter if everyone gets a free education or not. Its the same money that goes to the university, its just that if its free, then the money goes through another middle man, the tax office. Taxes have to stay high or get higher to support the free education, and the cost of collecting and redistributing the tax would be pretty much equal to the cost of paying the money yourself.
If you have to pay out of your own pocket, you have more personal accountability for the money that goes into it. I guess it gives you more incentive to actually do something with your tertiary degree than just to get one for the sake of it. Theres always student loans which you can take to get a degree, and I guess if you do well enough, theres always those scholarships or targeted access programs (TAP) that can get you through a degree. Well, that and a part time or casual job, which are definateley not hard to find these days.
Or theres always another option for those left wing activists to promote. Why don't we just take that $1 billion that we gave in aid to Indonesia, and give everyone a free degree (sarcasm). Theres clearly better things to spend money on than to give everyone a free education. Those leftists keep thinking that its all about the people. I'd agree, but I think keeping the people safe (spending on defence/intelligence/health) is clearly more of a priority than teaching them a different language.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Day trip to Lorne
As you've probably noticed, I've got pictures today. I've also backdated/timed this post so it looks like I posted when I got back, which I clearly didn't. I'm also going to write like it was that day too... so... don't bother telling me I'm a lazy arse, I already know.
Today, we went to Lorne for a day trip. It was meant to be 30 degrees celcius. But I forgot to check the weather on the coast. Apparently it got to 33 in the city, I'm not really sure what it got to in Lorne.
This is a picture of the big sign thing that says we've reached the Great Ocean Road, the road that goes down the south west coast of Victoria, all the way down to Warnambool.
As you can probably see, the coast didn't have as good weather as in the city. But, we (or should I just say 'I') were optimistic about it.
Not such a great day
It took about 3 hours to drive from Melbourne down to Lorne. We took the coastal roads, so we got a few good scenery shots. The car windows were pretty dirty, so I won't vouch for the quality of the pictures, but if you want to see them, just message me or head over to Soh's gallery to check it out. We should have them up in the next day or two.
Lorne's town center
The water was really cold in the morning. Actually it was really cold the whole day. After a while though, you just get used to it. I brought some body/boogie boards, so we were able to catch a few waves. They were pretty big today. Big enough for Soh to notice they were a lot bigger than the ones in Warnambool we saw last year. Clearly not as big as those on the horse ride, but big enough all the same.
We were hoping that the sun would come out and heat up the water a little. Sure enough, the sun came out later, and we enjoyed a hot afternoon. Almost no clouds in the sky. However, even when the sun came out, the water was still bloody cold. I suppose we didn't really count on the fact that there was nothing between us and Antarctica except a few penguins.
This is just a photo of us all hanging out. Or letting it all hang out, depending on who we're talking about.
We spent pretty much the whole day there, only deciding to leave because I didn't really wanna drive the GOR in the dark. I have to admit, driving around curvy stuff with a manual car is quite fun. I think Soh and Sam were getting a little worried at how fast I was taking the turns, but I couldn't really hear them when they were saying it, so I'm not really sure. I felt confident though. I don't think I would have done the turns so fast even in my other car. In a manual, I feel I have a lot more control, and I can make the turns more precise because the car doesn't have power steering. Theres that, and because I can actually see the front of my car in the van. In the commodore, its like the front of the car is so far away. I don't have a very precise picture of whether I'll hit the side of the road.
Picturesque scenery on the way back
Michael was nice enough to buy us all some beer. I couldn't exactly drink any though, since I was supposed to be driving, but it ended the day quite nicely. Spent a while dropping everyone off at home. City roads just don't seem as exciting as country roads anymore. I did the boulevard in Ivanhoe... 35km/h recommended speed?! Hah! err.. No I wasn't speeding... trust me.
Anyway, came back home exhausted, and now writing this blog... (ahem)...
Today, we went to Lorne for a day trip. It was meant to be 30 degrees celcius. But I forgot to check the weather on the coast. Apparently it got to 33 in the city, I'm not really sure what it got to in Lorne.
This is a picture of the big sign thing that says we've reached the Great Ocean Road, the road that goes down the south west coast of Victoria, all the way down to Warnambool.
As you can probably see, the coast didn't have as good weather as in the city. But, we (or should I just say 'I') were optimistic about it.
Not such a great day
It took about 3 hours to drive from Melbourne down to Lorne. We took the coastal roads, so we got a few good scenery shots. The car windows were pretty dirty, so I won't vouch for the quality of the pictures, but if you want to see them, just message me or head over to Soh's gallery to check it out. We should have them up in the next day or two.
Lorne's town center
The water was really cold in the morning. Actually it was really cold the whole day. After a while though, you just get used to it. I brought some body/boogie boards, so we were able to catch a few waves. They were pretty big today. Big enough for Soh to notice they were a lot bigger than the ones in Warnambool we saw last year. Clearly not as big as those on the horse ride, but big enough all the same.
We were hoping that the sun would come out and heat up the water a little. Sure enough, the sun came out later, and we enjoyed a hot afternoon. Almost no clouds in the sky. However, even when the sun came out, the water was still bloody cold. I suppose we didn't really count on the fact that there was nothing between us and Antarctica except a few penguins.
This is just a photo of us all hanging out. Or letting it all hang out, depending on who we're talking about.
We spent pretty much the whole day there, only deciding to leave because I didn't really wanna drive the GOR in the dark. I have to admit, driving around curvy stuff with a manual car is quite fun. I think Soh and Sam were getting a little worried at how fast I was taking the turns, but I couldn't really hear them when they were saying it, so I'm not really sure. I felt confident though. I don't think I would have done the turns so fast even in my other car. In a manual, I feel I have a lot more control, and I can make the turns more precise because the car doesn't have power steering. Theres that, and because I can actually see the front of my car in the van. In the commodore, its like the front of the car is so far away. I don't have a very precise picture of whether I'll hit the side of the road.
Picturesque scenery on the way back
Michael was nice enough to buy us all some beer. I couldn't exactly drink any though, since I was supposed to be driving, but it ended the day quite nicely. Spent a while dropping everyone off at home. City roads just don't seem as exciting as country roads anymore. I did the boulevard in Ivanhoe... 35km/h recommended speed?! Hah! err.. No I wasn't speeding... trust me.
Anyway, came back home exhausted, and now writing this blog... (ahem)...
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Yesterday was Tommo's 21st birthday bash. So we all trooped over to his place to celebrate. There was lots of food and lots of drink. What else do you need? A quality korean film topped it off, and the sprinkling of a game of bridge seasoned it very well.
After that, there was another poker session at Alec's. It was real money though, so we were kind of reluctant to go in. Exciting and entertaining all the same. Not to mention the bridge we played as well :)
Today...
More poker, and some gaming. Thats about it really.
Ohh and some mah jong with my granny. Fun FUn.
After that, there was another poker session at Alec's. It was real money though, so we were kind of reluctant to go in. Exciting and entertaining all the same. Not to mention the bridge we played as well :)
Today...
More poker, and some gaming. Thats about it really.
Ohh and some mah jong with my granny. Fun FUn.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
I don't have a single new year's resolution. Not that I'd stick to any in the first place. Can't quit smoking because I don't smoke. Can't quit gambling because I don't gamble (yet). Hmmm..
I haven't been up to much either recently. A lot of sitting around...
Actually, some work, some poker (without money) and some driving around...
THats about it really. Oh and there was some tennis the other day. I still suck.
I haven't been up to much either recently. A lot of sitting around...
Actually, some work, some poker (without money) and some driving around...
THats about it really. Oh and there was some tennis the other day. I still suck.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
meow
I think I overdosed on my creased forehead expression today. So much so that my forehead feels tired. Thats never a good thing, having a tired forehead. Trust me.
Bugger if I can even tell everyone whats got me so annoyed. I think its a little bit of everything.
I got up to help do some more computer networking at Granny's. So we now have a wireless network between two houses and a wired network in both. That means only one cable internet bill. Handy huh?
Also had work today. I think thats about when the creased forehead started. It only really ended after I burnt myself with boiling hot water. Strange how these things can end.
Bugger if I can even tell everyone whats got me so annoyed. I think its a little bit of everything.
I got up to help do some more computer networking at Granny's. So we now have a wireless network between two houses and a wired network in both. That means only one cable internet bill. Handy huh?
Also had work today. I think thats about when the creased forehead started. It only really ended after I burnt myself with boiling hot water. Strange how these things can end.
omg i need to get a life
New years eve...
well it was... one and a half hours ago. Now its officially 2005, and we're about 4 and a half hours from the place we were in orbit around the sun as we were at the beginnging of 2004.
Most of the day was spent at the restaurant, working, or eating. Not very exciting.
The entertainment sucked.
I drink some champagne and stuff. Should have been more, but oh well. I'm just going to possibly read a book or something to start the year off.
They say the way you spend new years eve is the way you spend the rest of the year. Ah, maybe I should just kill myself now and get it over with.
well it was... one and a half hours ago. Now its officially 2005, and we're about 4 and a half hours from the place we were in orbit around the sun as we were at the beginnging of 2004.
Most of the day was spent at the restaurant, working, or eating. Not very exciting.
The entertainment sucked.
I drink some champagne and stuff. Should have been more, but oh well. I'm just going to possibly read a book or something to start the year off.
They say the way you spend new years eve is the way you spend the rest of the year. Ah, maybe I should just kill myself now and get it over with.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)