the age of the Myki is upon us

I was on a tram this morning when a team of nervous looking ticket inspectors boarded, handheld scanners at the ready. The age of Myki has begun.

Whilst the technology used in the Myki system is clearly cutting edge (as it should be for the cost of $1.5 billion), it reminds me of the 80s and early 90s, when I relied heavily on public transport. Back then, if you didn't plan ahead for your trip you could find yourself inadvertantly travelling without a ticket, or missing the train or tram whilst trying to buy a ticket.

death - the difference between the common cold and the flu

There seems to be a major epidemic of the common cold in Australia, and newspapers like the Herald Sun are creating hysteria by using words like “Flu” in the headline, but going on to discuss the common cold in the article. By doing this they are just encouraging the sick leave junkies and the hypochondriacs.

As a contractor, I tend to work through most illnesses. I draw the line at real eyesight effecting migraines and anything requiring regular urgent toilet breaks, but these occur less frequently than the many variations of the cold virus.

.... i blame the earthquake

We're lucky in Melbourne. We live in a beautiful city in a pretty good country, we're very rarely affected by natural or manmade disasters. Our leaders are no more or less competent than any others, but at least they are democratically elected, if that's something that means anything to you.

In fact, upon reflection, you could say that Melbourne is a bit boring. I certainly wouldn't say that, as I beleive there is plenty to keep a person occupied here, but in terms of hard hitting sensational or tabloid news, car crashes and very infrequent gang related crime is as exciting as it gets.

brothel or restaurant?

Catching a tram home from work is exciting and often an adventure, but I have decided to walk to or from work a few times a week for the fresh air and exercise.

Usually this is pretty straightforward and uneventful, particularly when i do it early in the week, but a couple of days ago I was walking home and overheard a funny exchange as I passed a local restaurant.

ass or crotch? - the luck of the draw on peak hour trams

Peak hour trams in Melbourne are often full beyond their capacity according to some recent stats reported in the Age this week. This is no surprise to those of us who commute to and from work every day. Aside from being dangerous, just as filling any vehicle beyond it's capacity is dangerous, it's often inconvenient and plain old uncomfortable.

Occasionally I get on my morning or evening tram and find that there is a seat available. I always check if someone else wants the seat, because that's how I was raised, but often I get to sit down and spend my journey reading in something approaching comfort. Sounds good right? Lucky me!

look ma, no hands, no helmet, no lights...... and no consideration for anyone or anything

In my part of Melbourne bikes have been cool for a long time. It's close to the city, it gets clogged up with car and public transport traffic, and there are lots of parks, so riding is mostly a pleasure.

Unfortunately recent years has seen the bike go beyond a useful cheap mechanical form of transport, to being a fashion statement. The funny side is, a lot of people walk their bikes around on the footpaths and never seem to ride them, particularly up and down the busy shopping strips where all of the bars and cafes are.

i used to read on the tram, but now i am so crammed in i can hardly reach my phone in my pocket

I was reading this article in The Age about public transport in Melbourne over the weekend as I thought about alternative ways to get to and from work. The public transport system is at bursting point around peak times every day. I stand at tram stops and have to let one, and sometimes up to three trams go by before there is one with room for anyone else.

I've tried cycling, but drivers in Melbourne seem to feel like they are competing with cyclists and behave very aggressively.

I would love to know the story regarding these shoes

even if I had killed a busload of disabled children, I wouldn't have made it to the front page of a Melbourne newspaper today

Catching up on world affairs can be tough on AFL grand final day. The major papers in Melbourne are obsessed at the best of times, but today you could get away with mass murder in the garden state.

If you're after some real news today head to google and click on the News tab. As an international news aggregator, google news categorises stories, so you have to select the sports option to see sport. As sport isn't really news, the news section tends to be more about real news.

For an international flavour try the international version of the New York Times the International Herald Tribune, or NPR (National Public Radio) is always good for some in depth news, a lot of which you can download as podcasts. If you like science and technology try the Nexus magazine website.


Alternatively, read a book! There are a few out there that are not about sport!

Location: Melbourne

I hate football (or, What to do in melbourne on grand final day if you dislike football)

Melbourne is a great city, but it has one failing: it's all consuming obsession with sport. One sport in particular dominates the attention of enough Melbournians to make it look like we are all obsessed. Contrary to all appearances, there are plenty of Melbournians who remain sane through the Australian Rules finals season and continue living a sane and productive existence.

abandoned bikes etc

I think that most people would agree that there has been a big shift in the last few years with more and more people turning to the bicycle as their main form of daily transport, particularly in capital cities.

For the most part, this trend is due to one or all of the following: petrol prices, parking shortages, fitness fads, public transport woes and last but certainly not least pure fashion.
For me and a few people I know, it is cheaper and quicker to ride than to drive or catch public transport to work. It is also healthier and more relaxing, as not only do you get some exercise, but you don't have people sneezing and coughing in your face, and nutters screaming at the top of their lungs.

carlton hotel

been here?

nice

The Forum: How can anyone not love this building?

My father took my sister and me to the Forum to see ET when it opened. I saw Billy Bragg there, Augie March, and a number of other acts.

For a while, this magnifiscent building was occupied by an Evangelical Church. You could hear them carrying on for blocks sometimes.

The building where I work

nice huh?

people come here purely for photos and weddings