tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36836982024-03-07T15:41:59.108+10:00NebuloCitynebulous stuff from the mind of quopquophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05314875503180949268noreply@blogger.comBlogger554125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-75195935116196460792015-03-24T22:34:00.000+10:002015-03-25T10:19:09.410+10:00On the passing of a legend (Mr Lee Kuan Yew)My facebook feed has been flooded with status updates, profile photo changes, and various shares and comments following the <a href="http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/passing-mr-lee-kuan-yew-founding-prime-minister-singapore" target="_blank">death</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Kuan_Yew" target="_blank">Lee Kuan Yew</a> on 23 March 2015. As I was reflecting on some of this bombardment on Monday night, the first two lines of this poem formed in my mind. I then decided to try to build upon it, and what follows is a rough draft (which, in all reality, will likely never be worked on again) of some thoughts on the passing of a legend.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A nation mourns, a people cry</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The death of mister LKY</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I knew not he whom people grieve</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Just that in him they did believe</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Right man, right time; met SG's needs</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>#NoYewNoUs, their hashtag reads</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>By world's standards he's done a lot</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>His deeds and words won't be forgot</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>His legacy: this li'l red dot</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Up in the world it quickly shot</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I wonder what the future brings</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A new world now, who'll be its kings?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Like all who live, his journey ends</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>His resting place, on God depends.
</i></span></blockquote>
I was a bit hesitant about sharing it, given it was composed in all of about 15 minutes, and some of it felt a little bit forced. Plus, I'm hardly an authority on the man's life and history, so part of me was wary of coming across as ignorant / too simplistic. But hey, it's a poem, and there's poetic licence, and actually I think there's sufficient ambiguity in what I've written that it's not so easy to immediately pigeon-hole me into a particular camp when it comes to the spectrum of feeling about LKY. I will say this though, (and it's perhaps a bit of a random analogy, but I've been watching <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_series)" target="_blank">The Walking Dead</a>, and there's some parallelism in the thought that) you don't get to lead (and keep leading with majority support) in difficult times without ruffling some feathers, getting some people off side, and making enemies. Of course dictators and despots could also fit this description, so I'll just leave that thought hang (and no I'm not saying that's what he was)...<br />
<br />
Anyways, I posted it on facebook, and so far have gotten a number of likes, including from various Singaporeans in my network. I'll take that as some validation that the poem is not rubbish :pquophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-27812382434417952622015-02-19T00:17:00.002+10:002015-02-19T00:17:59.292+10:00Brisbane parkingI have a general aversion to paying for parking, so it's good that I don't often have to think about parking in Brisbane's CBD or surrounding areas. But when that need does arise those few times a year, it's a bit of an endeavour to figure out where best to park, balancing distance from where I want to go, likely availability of spaces (for on street parking options), and the costs. In the past I've used a combination of the carparking.info <a href="http://www.carparking.info/Apps" target="_blank">app</a> or <a href="http://www.carparking.info/" target="_blank">website</a>, and google street view to look at on street parking signs. The latter is not always reliable as the information may be obscured, not clear enough to read when zoomed in, or plain outdated. This <a href="https://www.cashlessparking.com.au/m/map.html?lat=-27.4708614349&lon=153.0227203369#map" target="_blank">ipark map</a> of all of Brisbane's parking meter locations would have saved me a lot of time and effort!<br />
<br />
Another potentially useful resource is the <a href="http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/Parking" target="_blank">Brisbane Parking Guide</a>, where you can find information on parking deals and a map of (commercial) parking stations.<br />
<br />
Brisbane recently conducted its "first comprehensive review of on-street parking management" and the report of this review and its recommendations are available (pdf) <a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/20152801_parking_taskforce_recommendation_report.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. I've only had a brief skim, but it seems to be heading in the direction of good improvements. Part of the <a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/parking-permits/car-parks/car-parking-special-offers" target="_blank">special offers</a> flowing from the review is the availability of $5 evening and weekend parking at the two council operated carparks (King George Square and Wickham St). This is almost as good as the <a href="http://www.racq.com.au/membership/what-you-get/discounts/Secure-Parking" target="_blank">$4 offers available to RACQ members</a> at Secure Parking locations, and the availability of such options makes a trip into the city more viable.<br />
<br />quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-90416254675040078052015-02-17T18:17:00.000+10:002015-02-18T15:23:33.880+10:00CTP (for QLD) revisitedIt's been a while since I <a href="http://quop.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/going-beyond-ctp-part-1.html" target="_blank">last</a> <a href="http://quop.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/going-beyond-ctp-part-2.html" target="_blank">looked</a> at CTP, and the associated at fault driver protection policies. It's also been a while since I blogged, but that's a different story. I recently came across <a href="https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/182797" target="_blank">this deal</a> on OzBargain whereby QBE is offering up to $50 for people to switch their CTP to them, and someone commented that Suncorp has a <a href="https://public.suncorp.gji.com.au/?camphash=IITNrdPHU0G3BvYn8UsWRMehTzLr5lhM" target="_blank">similar offer</a>. So I thought it's time to re-survey the landscape. Here are some things I've noticed:<br />
<ul>
<li>There are fewer CTP providers since the last time I looked; AAMI and NRMA are no longer in the game.</li>
<li>Not too much has changed in terms of the things covered by the various at fault driver protection policies.</li>
<li>It's still difficult to find the full details of the policy QBE offers. I ended up calling them and had a copy emailed to me.</li>
<li>RACQ still offers significantly less 'bang for buck' compared to the competition, who are all fairly neck and neck, with Suncorp being a nose in front.</li>
</ul>
Here's a summary side by side comparison based on my skimming of the various policy documents, with the pricing from the MAIC <a href="http://www.maic.qld.gov.au/ctp-premium/ctp-calculator/ctp-calculator.shtml" target="_blank">CTP calculator</a>. The providers are listed in best to worst ranking (by my reckoning).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjpcCA4HpXw8X9tbDtpI9MuGzNiWDT9JxmwDg3GhcLwQyX3Bt6dcAgwHpNzyVBqL8OheNIzh_Rput8sb3nlco9vdqI94h4Ff6wkGpz7YIh9GV0Dw2h_XDj-EHu2cm52xNTXtMCw/s1600/CTP+2015-05.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjpcCA4HpXw8X9tbDtpI9MuGzNiWDT9JxmwDg3GhcLwQyX3Bt6dcAgwHpNzyVBqL8OheNIzh_Rput8sb3nlco9vdqI94h4Ff6wkGpz7YIh9GV0Dw2h_XDj-EHu2cm52xNTXtMCw/s1600/CTP+2015-05.PNG" height="271" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
QBE will only give me $25 for switching to them, so that's a $12 overall benefit if I change from my current provider Suncorp. Assuming Suncorp still has their offer next year, I should be able to switch back to them and save another $50. Based on this, and assuming that things stay more or less the same in the coming years, I could just rinse and repeat this process for some easy savings... wonder why I didn't work this out earlier!quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-35745554462378886522014-05-17T11:58:00.001+10:002014-05-17T11:58:38.164+10:00Rethinking Church (Francis Chan)Some food for thought...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/50mqagzxU0c" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-9987049020286883382014-05-13T22:54:00.003+10:002014-05-13T22:54:23.896+10:00rethinking facebook usage<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
<br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/nm.campbell/posts/10152147483355488" data-width="466">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
In case this embedding thing doesn't work, basically read this post and the articles linked there in:
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nm.campbell/posts/10152147483355488">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nm.campbell">Nathan Campbell</a>.</div>
</div>
quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-1010600957064197282013-08-07T22:12:00.001+10:002013-08-07T22:12:35.649+10:00Self building lawn chair (and how it was done)This is just a little bit ridiculous (in a good way). Firstly, see this stop motion story of a lawn chair getting built (seemingly without any human intervention):<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/p7l3_THa-Yk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Then, watch the video about how the stop motion video was made:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ALjdGFDLpYI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
The woodworking for the chair itself was enough to impress me (I got as far as making a chopping board in my high school manual arts class). The stop motion video presentation of the chair getting made just took it to another level or three... bravo!quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-86602678681473699022013-07-26T01:03:00.001+10:002013-07-26T01:06:15.266+10:00To do: find replacement to do appBeing forced to replace an app to which you've grown accustomed is, on the one hand, a first world problem, and on the other, a genuine frustration. Particularly so if the app works just about perfectly for your needs. Exhibit A: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Reader#Discontinuation" target="_blank">Google Reader</a>. It wasn't that long ago I made the move to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedly" target="_blank">feedly</a>, and whilst it wasn't all smooth sailing I've adjusted to the post-Google Reader/feedly way of life. Now it's <a href="http://astrid.helpshift.com/a/astrid/?s=announcements&f=astrid-winding-down---august-5th" target="_blank">Astrid's turn for retirement</a>, and the hunt begins for a suitable replacement.<br />
<br />
Features I was looking for:<br />
<ul>
<li>free</li>
<li>support for recurring tasks by due date and completion date </li>
<li>notes for tasks (ie separate notes field / additional to the task title/name)</li>
<li>reminders independent of due date</li>
<li>sync to cloud / PC / other devices (I currently sync between Google Tasks and Astrid on two devices)</li>
<li>automatic backup, restore, and export (see next point) </li>
<li>data compatibility with other similar apps (ie in case need to transition again) </li>
<li>(optional) priority levels</li>
</ul>
Some of my research:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.androidauthority.com/astrid-alternatives-201278/">http://www.androidauthority.com/astrid-alternatives-201278/</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/going-google/top-faqs/task-managers">https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/going-google/top-faqs/task-managers</a></li>
<li><a href="http://alternativeto.net/software/astrid/?platform=android">http://alternativeto.net/software/astrid/?platform=android</a></li>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At4J5a3i2zW8dDhUeGFJbFFORFhNQU5vRW8xZmRxX2c#gid=0">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At4J5a3i2zW8dDhUeGFJbFFORFhNQU5vRW8xZmRxX2c#gid=0</a></li>
</ul>
My shortlist of candidates and selected findings:<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.dayup.gtask&hl=en" target="_blank">Gtasks</a></li>
<ul>
<li>syncs with Google Tasks </li>
<li>does not support recurring tasks in free version</li>
<li>the above limitation pretty much killed it for me, so I uninstalled Gtasks after installing TickTick and importing from Gtasks to TickTick</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ticktick.task" target="_blank">TickTick</a></li>
<ul>
<li>based on/evolved from Gtasks? No longer tied to Google Tasks.</li>
<li>can import from Gtasks, but sync is with own cloud</li>
<li>reminder/alarm is tied to due date</li>
<li>cannot set recurrence by completion date (only due date) </li>
<li>cannot set recurrence by more than 2.5 years (30 months) - I currently have one task that I want to recur every 5 years</li>
<li>overview screen/list only displays 1/1st line of task title</li>
<li>the combination of the above few limitations meant my search was not yet over</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wunderkinder.wunderlistandroid" target="_blank">Wunderlist</a></li>
<ul>
<li>can only import from Astrid.com</li>
<ul>
<li>I wasn't using Astrid.com, but could do a one off sync from Android to Astrid.com, then use astrid.wunderlist.com to do the import into Wunderlist - this produced duplicates of everything, but otherwise worked fine</li>
</ul>
<li>sync is with own cloud </li>
<li>can maintain multiple lists </li>
<li>can set reminder separate from due date </li>
<li>email notification setting done via website seems to apply for normal reminders as well as what the website suggests (other things)</li>
<li>cannot set recurrence by completion date (only due date) </li>
<li>overview screen/list only displays 1/1st line of task title… (but at least this is denoted by "…" cf no indication of more text in TickTick)</li>
<li>selected sort order (eg by due date) does not autorefresh after changing a task's due date (or it might take a minute or more, which is a bit off-putting)</li>
<li>reminder notification cannot be persistent (as Astrid's could be) </li>
</ul>
</ol>
I liked the cleanness and simplicity of TickTick, but it was lacking in some features I wanted. Wunderlist is in some ways more complex/more bloated than what I need, but it offers some features that TickTick doesn't. Wunderlist also has a much larger user (and fan?) base and potentially greater likelihood of sustained future support.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
I also briefly considered how I might extend my use of Evernote, or play around more with Google Keep, but they're notetaking apps and not to do apps. I also subsequently found out I could <a href="http://astrid.helpshift.com/a/astrid/?s=announcements&f=can-i-continue-to-use-astrid-offline-not-syncing-with-google-tasks" target="_blank">keep using Astrid offline / syncing only to Google Tasks</a> (which was my syncing regime in any case), but figured I didn't want to be 'stuck' with old and frozen software.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, Wunderlist it is... but I am going to miss Astrid.</div>
</div>
quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-21935252520318159742013-07-04T23:17:00.001+10:002013-07-04T23:18:22.884+10:00lensaloft does brisbane<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/993046_620053264672042_134077127_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/993046_620053264672042_134077127_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Aerial.<br />
Brisbane.<br />
City/CBD<br />
Dusk.<br />
...<br />
beautiful photography by lensaloft (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Lensaloft" target="_blank">facebook page</a>, from which this photo is taken) take the interactive tour at <a href="http://www.lensaloft.com.au/Interactive_tour/BrisbaneDusk/Brisbane.html">http://www.lensaloft.com.au/Interactive_tour/BrisbaneDusk/Brisbane.html</a>.quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-86153300241525864952012-12-20T21:05:00.000+10:002012-12-20T21:09:39.472+10:00I'm on a roll with this poetry thingBeen wanting to leave but nowhere to go<br />
Then out of the blue a knock knock, hello<br />
"We want you to come, just for a fixed time"<br />
Internal transfer (still on the same dime)<br />
<br />
Firstly for three months, but likely for more<br />
Then permanent role could be on the score<br />
If I want to stay they'll fight to keep me<br />
Train me in more things - good growth I forsee<br />
<br />
A great chance to learn and pick up new skills<br />
Develop career, maybe pay new bills<br />
Despite added costs and time in commute<br />
Future looked brighter, my choice resolute<br />
<br />
Now I have a where but what do you know<br />
The powers that be have dealt me a blow<br />
Supposedly pro- my desire to grow<br />
When put to the test it's "actually, no".<br />
<br />
It's unfortunate, the timing they say<br />
For there's more work due, that's coming our way<br />
None can replace me, so short a timeframe<br />
"No succession plans" - the truth of this claim<br />
<br />
Don't get me started on what else was said<br />
Ifs buts and maybes, they make me see red<br />
Like stats which can be used any which way<br />
The true reasons hide behind shades of grey<br />
<br />
Sick of the BS, double speak and such<br />
Political moves, ass covering much<br />
Bureaucracy stinks, though hard to avoid<br />
Playing this sick game - not something I've toyed<br />
<br />
Maybe I speak from heat of the moment<br />
Making emotions that much more potent<br />
Excuse my desire to vent just a bit<br />
Past disappoinment almost a repeat<br />
<br />
Last year I was set - career change to make'<br />
'puter forensics - a new job I'd take<br />
A verbal offer accepted in Feb<br />
Like a changing tide, forever did ebb<br />
<br />
Never sent they the offer in writing<br />
My contact person nary a sighting<br />
For almost a year this drama dragged on<br />
'til finally 'twas, as good as withdrawn<br />
<br />
It's unfortunate, the timing the say<br />
Budget changes giv'n as reason that day<br />
This came much later, so doesn't allay<br />
Your delay between February and May<br />
<br />
If only I'd gotten offer in writing<br />
Different place today I would be sitting<br />
This year the story, though not quite the same<br />
When all's said and done, equal the end game<br />
<br />
Now that I can't move it's back to square one<br />
Learn again to say "Lord your will be done"<br />
What little desire I had for my role<br />
Has disappeared down a deep and dark hole<br />
<br />
How to keep going, keep fighting the fight<br />
All that's before me is bleakness in sight<br />
In need of guidance on where next to go<br />
For now it seems I'll keep the status quo.quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-40600987365707163862012-12-19T22:02:00.000+10:002012-12-19T22:03:59.607+10:00Another poemNo disclaimers this time, just some explanatory notes.<br />
<br />
A week ago I was sharing with some others how I was feeling like I had nothing to look forward to next year - this is not suicidal talk, but in the context of having a number of things in 2012 either being done and dusted (events, overseas trips / short term missions), or potential things (job changes) return void. I was feeling particularly disheartened about my ongoing attempts to change jobs. The very next day I began some dialogue with another department at work which was interested in picking me up off a "mobility register", for a temporary transfer into a role there. The official offer came through today, but my current area has now refused to release me, so I can't go.<br />
<br />
I was starting to get excited, though keeping in mind the need to not count my chickens before they hatched. Hence the inspiration for this poem:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I had no chickens nor eggs to boot<br />
Was given an egg, though now 'tis moot<br />
For the eggshell got broken<br />
Thus my countenance sunken<br />
One again I'm left holding balut!</blockquote>
quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-5169709392905491612012-12-16T23:52:00.000+10:002012-12-16T23:52:08.929+10:00Another mass shootingA poem I wrote after reflecting on some <a href="http://st-eutychus.com/2012/answering-the-why-of-tragedy-and-the-who-of-stopping-it/" target="_blank">stuff I read</a> on <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/world/live-updates-us--school-shooting-massacre-20121215-2bfx0.html" target="_blank">recent</a> <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/15/world/asia/china-us-school-attack/index.html" target="_blank">events</a>.<br />
<br />
It's rough, very first draft (not that I'm intending to work on it any further), born of rather rusty poetry brain space, probably clumsy in parts and all sorts of other negative remarks one could make about its quality (or lack thereof)... which reflects perhaps, the 10 or so minutes of effort in coming up with it.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Another mass shooting in the US of A<br />The world awakes to a mournful day<br />Innocent lives lost, most people would say<br />Young children now lost to frolick and play </blockquote>
<blockquote>
A similar act in China took place<br />But much less damage that effort inflicted<br />Reigniting the debate which some would argue<br />Strict gun control is what is needed </blockquote>
<blockquote>
‘Tis of course folly to treat the symptoms<br />Without addressing the cause of the problems<br />Less guns should mean less of such an event<br />But can it entirely a repeat prevent? </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The root of these problems, the Bible tells us<br />Begins with Adam and Eve his missus<br />When they turned from God and followed the devil<br />Their walk with God was longer level </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Our sinful hearts is what causes us to hurt<br />Ourselves, each other, loved ones and strangers<br />The only solution God provided for us<br />Christ Jesus who saves us from the utmost of dangers </blockquote>
<blockquote>
One day he’ll return and right all our wrongs<br />In fact it begun when he hung on the cross<br />So we wait patiently for his coming again<br />All knees will bow and declare him as boss</blockquote>
<br />
<br />quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-14224145536474320982012-08-24T22:36:00.001+10:002012-08-24T22:45:30.679+10:00email watchdogi recently blogged about how safe is your password, and mentioned the shouldichangemypassword.com website. in the past, you could have placed yourself on their mailing list to be notified each time they find out about new compromises in general. the evolution of this passive monitoring to a new active monitoring service is called <a href="https://shouldichangemypassword.com/plans.php" target="_blank">email watchdog</a>, which<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
keeps an eye out for your email address and password, and will immediately notify you if they are compromised in any future breaches that [they] identify.</blockquote>
you can <a href="https://shouldichangemypassword.com/account/register.php" target="_blank">sign up</a> to watch up to 10 email addresses for free.quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-88167053534608279942012-08-09T00:55:00.000+10:002012-08-09T00:55:10.528+10:00migrating your whatsapp message historyi've had to change/use a different phone a few times since becoming rather dependent on <a href="http://beta.whatsapp.com/" target="_blank">whatsapp</a>, "a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS." in the past, i've considered it "too hard" to move the message history with a new installation. this time round, in preparing to send my currently primary phone in for repairs, i tried to figure it out on my own. it didn't work... <a href="http://beta.whatsapp.com/faq/questions/20511063-android/20902622-i'm-getting-a-new-android.--how-do-i-move-my-chat-history-over" target="_blank">the correct solution</a> is actually pretty easy but dependent on a specific order of steps. nobody will keep using the same phone forever, so this will come in handy sooner or later.quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-70740335115747921052012-08-08T18:01:00.003+10:002012-08-09T00:55:37.949+10:00household hazardous waste disposalwhen it comes to household hazardous waste, there's some handy <a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/rubbish-tips-and-bins/hazardous-waste/index.htm" target="_blank">information on brisbane city council's website</a> about what sorts of things you can and can't dispose of via the normal rubbish bin collection. according to this page, it's important to know how to dispose of such waste properly, because:<br />
<ol>
<li>disposing of them improperly (eg. via the rubbish bin) creates a hazard for waste collectors, sorters, and the environment.</li>
<li>not disposing of them at all (ie. keeping them in your home) creates a hazard for yourself or others who may come into contact with them.</li>
</ol>
<div>
some tips i was able to make use of recently in relation to this topic:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>small amounts of paint can be disposed by pouring the paint over newspaper and left to dry, then the newspaper thrown into the bin (as per pics below)</li>
<li>the now empty paint tin (with minimal residual paint) can be recycled / thrown in the recycling bin</li>
<li><a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/rubbish-tips-and-bins/hazardous-waste/compact-fluorescent-lighting/index.htm" target="_blank">CFLs and flourescent tubes</a> can be thrown into the rubbish bin if wrapped in newspaper or put in the original box (or the box your replacement bulb/tube came in).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuqBJZEVO5cVpoLiybW_by8k_H-FDOMATGjjbp5pgJOVo0VqGLuQQXOH251ptX7Pf7USlC_JqbjUgV0iAoxTNV4E_jbP-hgigCexPoFOLGDE_34lweFAlHSym3W4cd1SOn-AXgA/s1600/20120714_120216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuqBJZEVO5cVpoLiybW_by8k_H-FDOMATGjjbp5pgJOVo0VqGLuQQXOH251ptX7Pf7USlC_JqbjUgV0iAoxTNV4E_jbP-hgigCexPoFOLGDE_34lweFAlHSym3W4cd1SOn-AXgA/s320/20120714_120216.jpg" width="240" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0chHMwKoqwxL62DTpG98tad-NwjfQbZWds8rYeyLtNt_kZ-sGN7w4Q6KGrvwNKiysjWp-eTLZG0o69dRNscDe9zMFWCCHnAPtMr8nDKKX3gfIg2dp65Si7Zy9H7ZFwHDfxkxEhg/s1600/20120714_120840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0chHMwKoqwxL62DTpG98tad-NwjfQbZWds8rYeyLtNt_kZ-sGN7w4Q6KGrvwNKiysjWp-eTLZG0o69dRNscDe9zMFWCCHnAPtMr8nDKKX3gfIg2dp65Si7Zy9H7ZFwHDfxkxEhg/s320/20120714_120840.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial pouring of paint</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint spread out to dry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-68908048802231384462012-07-23T20:38:00.001+10:002012-07-23T20:38:20.041+10:00Tax, super and you resource"<a href="http://www.taxsuperandyou.gov.au/" target="_blank">Tax, Super + You</a>" is a new and recently launched resource from the ATO designed to help high school students understand Australia's tax and superannuation systems.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As individuals, we all have our aspirations – a desire to make money, to achieve success in life and maybe raise a family. But no matter how successful we are as individuals, we all rely upon others because we are part of a community.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The basic goods and services that we all need – schools, roads, hospitals and social services – are available because we have all contributed to the tax system to provide government with the funds they need to deliver these services on our behalf. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Regardless of what you want to do in life, you need to understand the tax system. You do not have to be a tax lawyer or an accountant but you need to understand your obligations – paying your tax is a serious matter, regardless of what area of employment you end up in.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">-- the Assistant Treasurer the Honourable David Bradbury MP, during the program launch at MacGregor State High School</span></i></blockquote>
I was never taught financial literacy during my school years. Whilst still far from perfect, I think my financial literacy is generally passable these days, thanks to more than a decade in the workforce, doing my own tax returns, engaging the services of a financial advisor, making some pretty big mistakes (some of which I was able to recover from), and time spent dealing with the tax and superannuation systems in the course of my employment.<br />
<br />
I can't recommend more highly the the benefit of starting this aspect of education earlier. If you think your knowledge in these areas is lacking but you're past your high school days, fear not as you can still access the material by <a href="http://www.taxsuperandyou.gov.au/login/index.php" target="_blank">registering here</a> as a member of the public, and you can also <a href="http://www.taxsuperandyou.gov.au/course/view.php?id=190" target="_blank">take a preview</a> and sample one of the lessons without registering.<br />
<br />
One of the first things you are presented with is this perhaps sobering statement:<br />
<blockquote>
You have a legal responsibility to know what taxes you are liable to pay. You can't claim, 'I didn't know I had to pay tax on it'. The Australian income tax system relies on taxpayers <b>self-assessing</b>, which means you are responsible for working out how much you need to declare and can claim on your tax return.</blockquote>
Check it out.quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-44947854011006047972012-07-21T23:01:00.001+10:002012-07-23T20:24:51.904+10:00food truck diningfood trucks - not the kind like <a href="http://www.tastytrucks.com.au/" target="_blank">these</a> that bring/sell breakfast/morning tea/lunch fare to workplaces (sometimes known as smoko vans), but the more gourmet versions helmed by the likes of ex-restaurant level chefs, typically selling a fairly limited menu of items. there's one in brisbane that i know of, <a href="http://www.thebunmobile.com.au/" target="_blank">the bun mobile</a>, but i've not yet tried it. there are a few more options in melbourne and sydney, and when this type of dining option becomes more mainstream, <a href="http://wherethetruck.at/">wherethetruck.at</a> (who have <a href="http://wherethetruck.at/welcoming-brisbane-to-wherethetruck-at/" target="_blank">recently added brisbane</a>/the bun mobile to its coverage) will probably be the best place to track them all down and find out, well where they're at!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179925_10151035351056726_974394580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179925_10151035351056726_974394580_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image source: FaceBook's photos of The Bun Mobile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">btw the bun mobile's offerings are essentially what's known in singapore as a </span><a href="http://www.noobcook.com/kong-bak-pau/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">kong</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.thelittleteochew.com/2009/06/kong-bak-pau-stewed-pork-slices-with.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">bak</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://ieatishootipost.sg/2011/09/westlake-king-of-kong-bak-pau.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">bao</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (扣肉包 or chinese braised pork burger), but with a twist on the fillings available. well if you have to copy an idea, might as well copy a good one, cos a good kong bak bao is quite the mouthful of deliciousness ;)</span><br />
<br />quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-16755305276321575492012-07-15T00:02:00.000+10:002012-07-15T00:02:07.605+10:00how safe is your email password?another day, another piece of news about the leaking of email account passwords. this time it's a <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/12/yahoo-confirms-apologizes-for-the-email-hack-says-still-fixing-plus-check-if-you-were-impacted-non-yahoo-accounts-apply/" target="_blank">yahoo server that's been hacked</a>, but the leak includes addresses from gmail and hotmail among other domains.<br />
<br />
the security company involved have created a tool where you can check to see if your address was involved in the leak - <a href="http://labs.sucuri.net/?yahooleak">http://labs.sucuri.net/?yahooleak</a><br />
<br />
for a more general check to see if your password is known to have been compromised, go to <a href="https://shouldichangemypassword.com/">https://shouldichangemypassword.com/</a>. some would argue that you should change your password every so often anyway, and this is certainly the requirement in many workplaces. however others argue that such policies either offer no benefits, or actually reduces security - see for example <a href="http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/4704/how-does-changing-your-password-every-90-days-increase-security" target="_blank">this discussion</a> on an IT security professionals website.<br />
<br />
at the very least, use a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Password_strength#Guidelines_for_strong_passwords" target="_blank">strong password</a>, and consider using a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Password_manager" target="_blank">password manager</a> to help you manage all the various strong passwords you have around the place. i use <a href="http://upm.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">UPM</a> - universal password manager, and have found it suitable for my needs.<br />
<br />quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-88561528320348181572012-07-09T21:29:00.001+10:002016-03-29T22:58:29.011+10:00Union Shopper - what you, I and they all need to know<i>NB minor edit/updated 20160329 </i><br />
<br />
it's been a while since i <a href="http://quop.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/union-shopper-united-we-save-money.html">mentioned union shopper</a>. (it's also been a while since i blogged, but that's another story.) i've used it recently to help friends buy a fridge and an oven, with some pretty nice savings each time, eg $113 saved last week on an oven that retails for around $600+ (i'm not supposed to quote the actual prices i get from union shopper, hence i'm not giving the exact figures).<br />
<br />
anyway, to save me the trouble of repeating this in future, if i'm doing you the favour of trying to save you some money through the <a href="https://www.unionshopper.com.au/request/" target="_blank">union shopper electrical buying service</a>, i'll direct you to this post so that you'll know what i need to know from you, in order to submit an enquiry:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Product type?
<br /><br />Brand?
<br /><br />Model?
<br /><br />Colour? </b>(eg white, black, s/steel)<b> / other options </b>(eg for fridge, left/right/double hinge, freezer top/bottom mount, etc)
<br />
<br />
<b>Other product type specific details? </b>(eg for oven, runs on: electric / gas; type: single / double / portable)
<!-- updated 20151001 to reflect new form
<br /><br />Removal price required?
<br /><br />Extended warranty price (up to 5 yrs) required?
-->
<br />
<br />
<b>Is item urgent </b>(ie check for available stock)?<b> When do you need it by?</b>
<br />
<br />
<b>Best price?
</b><!-- updated 20151001 to reflect new form
<br /><br />Extended warranty price?
-->
<br />
<br />
<b>Is best price for pickup or delivery?
</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>From store </b>(name & suburb)<b>?
</b><!-- updated 20151001 to reflect new form
<br /><br />Method for price? (ie pick up or delivered)
-->
<br />
<br />
<b>Choose preferred payment method: </b>American Express / Bank Card / Cash / Cheque / Diners Club / Direct Deposit / EFTPOS / Mastercard / Money Order / Visa
<!-- updated 20151001 to reflect new form
<br /><br />Delivery stairs? (# stairs / flights of stairs)
-->
<br />
<br />
<b>Delivery address? </b>(full, including suburb, state and postcode)<b>
</b><br />
<br />
<b>Contact person name and number?
</b><br />
<br />
<b>Are you committed to purchase the item if Union Shopper finds a lower price?</b></blockquote>
a few more things to note before you proceed:<br />
<ul>
<li>this is not a price enquiry service, but a shopping service designed to try to help you save money on something you've already decided to buy. so you need to be committed to purchasing the item assuming union shopper can source a lower price.</li>
<li>they'll respond within 4 business hours with an outcome (ie. either a cheaper price, or that they can't beat your best price).</li>
<li>assuming they can get a cheaper price, i confirm with union shopper that i want to place an order, they'll pass the order details to the supplier who gave the lowest price. i will not know who the supplier is until they contact me.</li>
<li>the supplier contacts me to arrange payment and delivery if required - at this point i'll request they contact you directly, and if possible note your name and address somewhere on the invoice (this might be just a comment). if for any reason this is not possible, i may need to pay for the item first, in which case you will need to reimburse me promptly.</li>
<li>this service does not cater for extended warranties (ie. pricing is for product only, plus delivery if required), nor installation (ie. delivery is just that). there is no scope for me to include these details at the enquiry stage; the winning supplier may offer one or both, however i cannot be certain until the supplier contacts me (which only happens after i confirm with union shopper that i want to place your order).</li>
</ul>
<div>
happy shopping :)</div>
quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-7296436098612718742012-02-26T15:35:00.003+10:002012-02-26T15:35:57.176+10:00a crook backi've been waking up each morning this past week with a sore upper back - tense/tight muscles, spasmic sensations, sometimes just not being able to get comfortable whatever position i get myself in. the symptoms improve within a few hours, and i'm pretty much fine by the afternoon/evening, only to repeat the cycle the next day. there's also been possibly increased tiredness and some echoes of headaches.<br />
<br />
all of which lead me to think for a while that maybe i've suffered some kind of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(medicine)">whiplash</a> like injury, but the only likely cause i can think of were the various bumpy rides during my recent SES deployment to roma/mitchell, which are more of an up and down movement than the typical back and forth of whiplash. moreover, my neck was about as good (or as bad) as it normally is. so, whilst i've discounted whiplash, i did come across a UQ site about the treatment for such injuries which i found of interest - <a href="http://www.som.uq.edu.au/whiplash/home.aspx">the whiplash evidence based information resource</a>. contrary to (some?) popular belief, the best <a href="http://www.som.uq.edu.au/whiplash/whiplash-treatments/whiplash-treatment-table.aspx">treatment plans</a> seems to be to basically get on with it - act as usual and keep exercising, in conjunction with seeking multi modes of treatment.<br />
<br />
and given that i've not been able to find much info about "bumpy road" type injuries (although <a href="http://www.nsnews.com/Bumpy+road+breaks+worker+spine/5588932/story.html">this</a> was quite disturbing!) that's basically what i've tried to do... go to work, play my weekend games of social tennis, housework etc as usual, and seeking some additional treatment from my dad (a registered reflexologist and practitioner of various other alternative therapies). he says that part of my spine (upper back) is out of alignment, and this was likely to have been caused by the bumpy rides with the repeated bouncing/shock transferred from the seat/bum up the back...<br />
<br />
i'm really hoping that this is a temporary thing and that it'll heal by itself in due course (a few weeks?). i'm trying to sleep more on my side so that i'm not putting as much pressure on my back (when lying down) for hours on end. it might be helping a bit...<br />
<br />
now if only the vehicles we travelled in had suspension systems like these...!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eSi6J-QK1lw" width="420"></iframe></div>
<br />quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-62561649155842921852012-02-20T23:06:00.001+10:002012-02-20T23:07:14.568+10:00alternative DNS server optionsas with probably 99.5%* of the online population, i have for years used the default <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_Service">DNS</a> servers that get assigned to me by my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Service_Provider">ISP</a> as part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhcp">DHCP</a> process. i knew that other DNS servers existed, but never thought about using any alternatives. in recent months, i've found out about two such options, both free:<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.opendns.com/">OpenDNS</a>, which claims to be "the leading provider of Internet security and DNS services", featuring</li>
<ul>
<li>Industry leading malware and botnet protection </li>
<li>Award winning Web filtering </li>
<li>Faster, reliable, more secure DNS </li>
<li>Ultra-reliable, globally distributed cloud network </li>
<li>Simple, Smart, Easy</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/intro.html">Google public DNS</a>, which claims to give <a href="http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/performance.html">performance</a> and <a href="http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/security.html">security</a> benefits</li>
</ol>
i haven't tried google's public DNS, but have been using the <a href="http://www.opendns.com/home-solutions/parental-controls/#family">familyshield</a> product from opendns, which comes preconfigured to block adult websites, on top of other standard opendns features. it's quite easy to <a href="https://store.opendns.com/familyshield/setup/device/router">setup</a>, and seems to be working fairly well thus far, though i can't say i've really noticed much difference (performance wise) compared to my ISP default. well it is meant to be a set and forget thing, so here's hoping i don't need to remember it much.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">* yes i totally made that up, but that doesn't mean it's wrong :p</span>quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-54378772545839943362012-02-11T21:18:00.002+10:002012-02-26T15:11:14.509+10:00how does orange suit me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKGOmaYePfTObpUtoVaLn9PJrX-jr5IsumywEr1DfITailh8g3GK157d_LUhfcYBcC37SYRwe3cwXB-8hnvwwOC1gF3GCM3biEiHQpK7mSmECOVoGBUoshvuVNVVKR5s95ej9eA/s1600/IMG_9278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKGOmaYePfTObpUtoVaLn9PJrX-jr5IsumywEr1DfITailh8g3GK157d_LUhfcYBcC37SYRwe3cwXB-8hnvwwOC1gF3GCM3biEiHQpK7mSmECOVoGBUoshvuVNVVKR5s95ej9eA/s320/IMG_9278.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
i finally got my SES uniform a few weeks ago, which means i now need to wear it to training every week. putting a high visibility vest over my (civilian) clothes was a much easier option, but at least i can look the part alongside the rest of the orange-clad membes, and not stick out as the non-uniformed new recruit.<br />
<br />
it's still not all smooth sailing though - i'm missing a few items in the kit, and have no idea if/when these will come through. weirder yet was that my boots only came with one shoelace...<br />
<br />
with no time to visit the shops to buy new laces, i stole the laces from an old and falling-apart pair of sneakers. but these were at most 60-70% of the length of the boot lace, so it was off to google for some inspiration on different lacing methods, and boy are there <a href="http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/2trillionmethods.htm">lots of ways of lacing a shoe</a>!<br />
<br />
i settled on the <a href="http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/armylacing.htm">army lacing</a> method, mostly because this method uses less lace length and is used for combat boots. it was pretty much just right for the old laces on the new boots.<br />
<br />
so, i'm all geared up (more or less) and ready to be deployed.<br />
<br />
and i just so happen to be going on my first deployment tomorrow! 5 days in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_George,_Queensland">st george</a> (about 500km west of brisbane), helping with post flood efforts (the town has just been flooded for the third time in less than 2 years). i'm told the conditions will be rough, which is outside of the experiences of this urban creature... but this is what i signed up for, so it's time to finish packing, get a good night's sleep, and set out early in the morning.<br />
<br />
- - - - -<br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">related posts: <a href="http://quop.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/joining-ses.html">joining the SES</a></span>quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-38666776164715161252012-01-15T23:44:00.000+10:002012-01-15T23:44:08.464+10:00getting more out of my NASfunnily enough, not long after my last post on <a href="http://quop.blogspot.com/2011/10/nas-and-download-automation.html">using a NAS for download automation</a> and thinking it would just be interesting knowledge without a paid usenet account, i came across a <a href="http://www.xsusenet.com/#1">free usenet service</a>! so, with a bit of fiddling around, i installed <a href="http://sabnzbd.org/">sabnzbd+</a> and <a href="http://sickbeard.com/index.html">sick beard</a>, and started using this to keep up with a few tv shows out of the states.<br />
<br />
it was working pretty well, except for the <a href="http://code.google.com/p/sickbeard/wiki/PostProcessing">post processing</a> part which never worked. essentially this meant that the downloaded files remained in the sabnzbd area rather than getting moved (and renamed) to more organised folders under sick beard. it wasn't a major issue, since i could just look in the former location instead of the latter.<br />
<br />
however, today i somewhat chanced upon the cause of the post processing problems and got it working - it was pretty simple: a config file needed to be updated with the actual login details for the NAS. i also recently enabled the <a href="http://www.twonky.com/">twonky</a> media server on the NAS, and installed <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bubblesoft.android.bubbleupnp&hl=en">BubbleUPnP</a> on my phone to access the files using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Plug_and_Play">UPnP</a>, which i'm told should be a better/more stable solution than the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_Message_Block">SMB</a> mounts i was previously using for this purpose.<br />
<br />
good times. except that the usenet service seems to have gone down about the same time i was getting all these wins with improving my home network setup! oh well... maybe i'll just have to wait for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeland_(TV_series)">homeland</a> to play out on australian tv, as i'm presently missing more than half the season!quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-5236171042383441362012-01-15T14:33:00.003+10:002012-02-11T20:06:36.463+10:00joining the SES<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55c7YiS5js3VPn-GXFUBXxssYA6HNDqvrh7AAPf5mEpbCjrE0ayApCJyrBj3J8wtO7B9A5B78ksd0jeKvooHuRcI2siQlp17XHdf6P4MrpUeJ9jrVo0NDP9zCkmFe5guax_4ajA/s1600/IMAG0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55c7YiS5js3VPn-GXFUBXxssYA6HNDqvrh7AAPf5mEpbCjrE0ayApCJyrBj3J8wtO7B9A5B78ksd0jeKvooHuRcI2siQlp17XHdf6P4MrpUeJ9jrVo0NDP9zCkmFe5guax_4ajA/s320/IMAG0217.jpg" width="191" /></a>about a year ago some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932011_Queensland_floods#Brisbane_River_catchment">major flooding</a> hit my home city. there had been flooding to other parts of queensland prior to brisbane being affected, including some pretty serious flash flooding in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932011_Queensland_floods#Toowoomba_and_the_Lockyer_Valley">toowoomba</a> just a few hours drive away. whilst i personally did not see any damage to my property or livelihood, i had friends whose homes were flooded, and got to see first hand some of the devastation when i helped with some of the cleanup.<br />
<br />
(it wasn't a day for photography, but i did take a few on my phone, including this "favourite", if such a term can be appropriate. pictured is a friend whose home had water about a foot past the second storey floor.)<br />
<br />
probably like many others in the community who responded with aid in the days and weeks following the flood, i was left feeling mostly helpless - wanting to do something, but not really knowing where to start, what to do, or how to best give of my time and energy and convert the willingness into something worthwhile. this is part of the reason i decided to sign up as a volunteer with the <a href="http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/ses/default.asp">SES</a> (state emergency service).<br />
<br />
that was in mid january last year, and probably the worst time to join. it wasn't until september that i eventually got into a recruit intake group and began my induction. some three months later, i'm about to finish my probation period and become a community member, which means i can officially take part in activations and call outs. it hasn't all been quite what i expected so far, but i plan on sticking with it for the time being and continue getting trained and better prepared to be able to help and respond to times of emergency. it's also a good opportunity for me to work at forming friendships (maybe) with people outside of my normal circles. and one day, i hope to turn out in my orange uniform and be a part of a well coordinated effort to help someone in need.quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-25148696344783925882012-01-09T23:05:00.000+10:002012-01-09T23:05:33.913+10:00first wedding for the year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD_SDdyu1XT4j9rFETzN93eLCR6-xTkKSiiwCepBwIWIIBic2aSoFCpnW7EziorVD62Dnrx6UVg846PwbgzHCoP-kfEmGk9RFyskX65CxECBHwa2rVl84K9EJ0x84hYPEP0kSig/s1600/IMG_9220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD_SDdyu1XT4j9rFETzN93eLCR6-xTkKSiiwCepBwIWIIBic2aSoFCpnW7EziorVD62Dnrx6UVg846PwbgzHCoP-kfEmGk9RFyskX65CxECBHwa2rVl84K9EJ0x84hYPEP0kSig/s320/IMG_9220.JPG" width="240" /></a>i have a few weddings to attend over the next few months, but another one came up last weekend on fairly short notice. i didn't even know this person was getting married, but since they took the trouble of inviting me and i wasn't already busy, i went along to the ceremony.<br />
<br />
she's a friend of a friend from my uni days, so at best an acquaintance with whom i've had minimal contact over the years. having said that, we have had some deep-ish facebook/email conversations about church/faith related topics, and wifey and i had her over for dinner once.<br />
<br />
anyways, i went along expecting to only really know the bride, however found that i knew/recognised a fair few other people:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>the celebrant (not that i really know him, and not that it's a total surprise given he's a pastor of the church where the ceremony was held)</li>
<li>my elder sister's high school classmate/s</li>
<li>my younger sister's uni coursemate and husband</li>
<li>people from CCCB Coopers Plains</li>
<li>people from a previous church i attended</li>
<li>someone i know from my YF days</li>
<li>someone i know from my uni course</li>
<li>the photographer (a mutual friend who covered our wedding some 4 years ago)</li>
</ul><div>i even found the groom familiar, though i have no idea where i might have seen him before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683698.post-88045151150293806722011-11-01T10:08:00.001+10:002011-11-01T10:08:49.094+10:00hey jacaranda<div><p>so i was walking along on a breezy afternoon, approaching a jacaranda tree, seeing some of its flowers being blown off by the wind, thinking to myself that wouldn't it be cool if I reached out my hand and caught a falling flower (like some kind of super hand-eye coordination skills)... when suddenly a flower blew into my slightly cupped hand whilst my arm was swinging in the normal act of walking. just like that. ha!</p>
<p>i held into it a while longer as i continued walking and marveling about what just took place. then i stopped to take a picture, so that i could remember this moment.</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CRgVN-9nxjQ/Tq84iz39HyI/AAAAAAAAAIc/FP3HBKRX-o0/IMAG0678.png' /></div>quophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14685987493143652949noreply@blogger.com0