It’s quite obvious that I’ve had a busy few weeks and have neglected my posting responsibilities. Here is a speedy update for those of you who are suffering any withdrawal symptoms – cold sweats, shakes, hallucinations etc.
New job
Going really well. I’ve been there 3 weeks now and have made some good progress on a few major projects.
House
I’ve evolved into a bunnings-addicted handyman, going there every weekend since we moved in. I’ve learnt about plumbing (for the dishwasher), the correct screws for plaster-board (to hang towel rails and pictures), how to install a dealock and that you can buy a ladder for only $36.
The only negative about the house is the ‘fly problem’. There are flies getting in the house from somewhere, and we can’t find where, therefore we can’t stop them. Hopfully, with some through detective work, we will get to the bottom of the problem on the weekend.
Mountian bike
Haven’t been riding for weeks, probably a direct result of the Bunnings addiction mentioned above.
Miscellaneous ovservation
Jane and I were driving home from work today and we stopped at one of the 400 sets of red lights we caught. We were stopped in front of one of those huge Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD beasts. In a fairly sterotypical comment I’m going to say that the driver was predictably a middle-aged women who would have been no taller than 5’5″ and was only just able to see over the steering wheel. It seems that the short genes were passed down from her mother who, I assume, was sitting in the front passenger seat. I must say though, I could only just see grandma in the front seat, with just her forhead and eyebrows poking up over the dashboard. I had three thoughts about this situation: 1. Why is a very short adult allowed in the front seat while a young child who may be taller, not allowed?; 2. the car trip must have been very boring for grandma, not being able to see the outside world; and 3. It was a hilarious sight.
That’s all for now.
Published at August 23, 2006
in Work.
I am now in the closing minutes of my third-last day at my “old job”, as it shall be know from now on. Things are certainly winding down. I have been evicted from my office and relocated into the open plan area. The hand over is nearly complete. I have just deleted my iTunes directory from my computer.
It’s kind of sad, I’ve been working here for more than three years, my first job out of Uni. I have made some wonderful friends who have tought my lots and lots. I will miss the team here. I reckon three years is a good effort, considering I was employed as a temp on a “15 hours a week for 8 weeks” assignment.
Despite being a touch sad about leaving, I’m very much looking forward to my new job. The idea of new challenges, new opportunites, new people is all very exciting for me. I know I’m being cliche, but as they say in the classics: “One door closes and another door opens”.
I will post updates on how the “new job” is in the near future.
Published at August 10, 2006
in Work.
There is a seagull trapped in the courtyard outside my office window. He can’t seem to find his way out over the 4 metre high walls. The poor bugger keeps flying into the windows. He doesn’t appear to be injured, he just can’t get enough lift when flapping his wings.
I sometimes think it would be fun to be a bird, because flying would be cool. Now I wonder what’s the point of being able to fly if you can get stuck somewhere so easily.
Can you tell I don’t have a lot of work to do?
It’s been a long time since my last post, but there has been lots happening so I don’t feel too bad about it.
First, the house is complete! “No, it can’t be true”, I hear you say. Well my friends, you better believe it. Settlement is happening tomorrow and we will be picking up the keys probably about 3pm. I should clarify something though. When I say “complete” I mean everything is done but the garage door, which will be installed on Tuesday next week.
Needless to say, Jane and I are very excited that we have finally made it. After originally planning to settle on 26 May, being 10 weeks late has been a bit of a pain in the bum. But we won’t dwell on that aspect, instead we will rejoyce in the knowledge that we are about to enter the world of mortgages and of being at the mercy of the Reserve Bank. Speaking of which, there have been two interest rate rises between when our loan was originally approved and now, before we have even borrowed a cent. Bummer!
Anyone who is willing to lend a hand moving on the weekend is welcome to drop me a line.
The second big thing that’s happened in the last week is I got a new job. I’m soon to become the Media and Communications person at a place in the city. I’m looking forward to it. I will be managing a large CMS website, as well as producing publications and flyers and ay other graphic design things they need. I already know a few people who work there (that’s how I found out about the opening) so that should make the transition nice and easy.
For now, that’s enough from me.
Published at June 16, 2006
in Music and Work.
I’ve decided that there are probably a few distinct groups of iPod/iTunes users.
1. Browse through your library to find an album you want to listen to, and play it from start to finish.
2. Same as No. 1 but use shuffle.
3. Listen to favourite artists.
4. Custom playlisters.
5. Let Shuffle do its thing on your entire library.
I don’t believe group membership is mutually exclusive. That is, being a member of one group doesn’t mean you can’t pop over and visit one or more of the other groups from time to time, but I think that if you look closely at your listening habbits you will definitely be able to say “yep, more than anything else, I’m one of those people”.
Personally, I find it thoroughly entertaining to throw myself at the mercy of the Shuffle. I have music on all day at work and it’s a great way to hear all sorts of different tunes. Of course, there is the occasional need to intervene with the skip button but that’s no biggy.
What got me thinking about this was I just had the Ghostbusters theme song (by Ray Parker Jr.) come on via Shuffle. Here’s a song that I haven’t heard for ages, has great novelty value and is quite entertaining, but I wouldn’t have thought to go looking for it to listen to. Ahhh, Shuffle, you’re my friend.
What kind of iPodder are you?
Published at April 12, 2006
in Work.
Isn’t it always the way, you get sick just before a long weekend? I started feeling a bit scratchy in the throat yesterday morning and felt progressively worse throughout the day. Didn’t sleep very well at all last night and this morning it feels like my head is going to explode. I’m staying home from work today.
Hopfully I will see some improvement before the 4-day long weekend coming up.
