Lance Armstrong speaks to me. Through my iPod.
You see, I got one of those Nike + iPod Sport Kits for my birthday (thanks guys), and have only started using it recently (funnily enough I hadn't gone for a run until recently...). For those not in the loop, it is a sensor that goes under the inner sole of a specially designed Nike shoe (or for me, in a pouch that straps onto the shoelaces of my Asics) and a receiver that plugs into your iPod, and these basically record the time, distance, pace and calories burned in real time as you run. The beauty of it is that you can track those results on an iPod Nano and, after connecting the Nano to a computer, it gets added to your running history on the Nike+ website. Very cool, hopefully will keep me motivated to train properly and run more often.
Anyway, it was really freaky after my second run when, upon completion, the voice of none other than Lance Armstrong came through the iPod. It was something along the lines of "Hi this is Lance Armstrong, congratulations on breaking your personal record in workout time." First thought that came to my head - wow, a guy with one testicle is talking to me...
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Lance Armstrong
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
power outage - take two
Yesterday morning the power went out at work... again. At 9am on a Monday morning. So we waited. Kept ourselves busy with work that wouldn't require a computer. And waited some more. At about 10am we were told that there were people looking into it and that it should be on in a couple of hours. We waited a little more. It started to get really warm and muggy and I resorted to fanning myself with a sheet of paper. Then we were told that the emergency power was going to be turned off as well (which powered the backup lights and the elevators), and that they'd be working to fix it until about 4pm. Bugger that. I was home by midday, where I have a fan in my room. Oh and electricity.
Friday, February 22, 2008
running (or lack thereof)
Three weeks ago I started my running training in the lead up to the 10km run I'm doing in July. Time since the last time I went for a run - three weeks. I'm terrible. I've even got a training schedule done up and everything. Early mornings just aren't my thing. But I'll change. I know I will. Sure, I tell myself this same thing every time, but I'm gonna do it. Starting with a run at 6am tomorrow morning. Last two Saturdays I tried waking up at 6am for a run, but the furthest I got was to my bedroom door - all of I sudden I found myself in bed and the morning was gone. I'm not an early morning person...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
polls, polls, polls
Here are the results of a poll of 11,000 people in Britain on the best British albums ever:
BEST BRITISH ALBUMS
1. Oasis, Definitely Maybe
2. Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
3. Radiohead, OK Computer
4. Beatles, Revolver
5. Stone Roses, Stone Roses
6. Beatles, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
7. Clash, London Calling
8. Keane, Under the Iron Sea
9. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon
10. Verve, Urban Hymns
Oasis have the top two spots? I mean, Oasis are great and they're both good albums, I agree they should be in the top 50 maybe, but #1 and #2? Also have to disagree with Keane being in there. The Verve album is another good one that probably doesn't quite deserve to be as high as it is.
What's with the lack of Led Zeppelin? Also think Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon should be up higher, not to mention that The Wall should've made it up there too... Would've loved to see some Muse sneak into the top 10, though maybe that's too "new" for the Brits to handle - Keane's Under The Iron Sea was the only CD in the top 10 from the past decade.
In other poll news, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has topped the list of the 101 best books ever written according to Aussie readers. Second was JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, followed by Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, Tolkien's The Hobbit, The Harry Potter series, Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One, Magician by Raymond E Feist and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre rounded out the top 10. This is all fair enough, no complaints from me, a nice diverse selection there.
This next poll is an interesting one - Ralph magazine's sexiest woman award. The winner was Jennifer Hawkins, but its second place that has me puzzled - it was a tie between Rihanna and Julia Gillard. Yes, that's right, Julia Gillard, the deputy PM. I don't get it, I thought she was a man...
Kyle Sandilands picked up the Mark Holden Wanker of the Year Award, with Corey Worthington and Matt Newton coming equal second.
BEST BRITISH ALBUMS
1. Oasis, Definitely Maybe
2. Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
3. Radiohead, OK Computer
4. Beatles, Revolver
5. Stone Roses, Stone Roses
6. Beatles, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
7. Clash, London Calling
8. Keane, Under the Iron Sea
9. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon
10. Verve, Urban Hymns
Oasis have the top two spots? I mean, Oasis are great and they're both good albums, I agree they should be in the top 50 maybe, but #1 and #2? Also have to disagree with Keane being in there. The Verve album is another good one that probably doesn't quite deserve to be as high as it is.
What's with the lack of Led Zeppelin? Also think Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon should be up higher, not to mention that The Wall should've made it up there too... Would've loved to see some Muse sneak into the top 10, though maybe that's too "new" for the Brits to handle - Keane's Under The Iron Sea was the only CD in the top 10 from the past decade.
In other poll news, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has topped the list of the 101 best books ever written according to Aussie readers. Second was JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, followed by Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, Tolkien's The Hobbit, The Harry Potter series, Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One, Magician by Raymond E Feist and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre rounded out the top 10. This is all fair enough, no complaints from me, a nice diverse selection there.
This next poll is an interesting one - Ralph magazine's sexiest woman award. The winner was Jennifer Hawkins, but its second place that has me puzzled - it was a tie between Rihanna and Julia Gillard. Yes, that's right, Julia Gillard, the deputy PM. I don't get it, I thought she was a man...
Kyle Sandilands picked up the Mark Holden Wanker of the Year Award, with Corey Worthington and Matt Newton coming equal second.
Friday, February 15, 2008
the phantom of the opera
Last night I went to see The Phantom of the Opera musical. In one word: brilliant. After getting myself in the mood for it in the lead up to the night by watching the movie and repeatedly listening to the original recording at work, I wasn't let down.
I can't really think of anything bad about it. I was in the front row on the first balcony, so had a great seat. It was way better than the movie. So many times I just wanted to sing along but quickly realised that it would be inappropriate.
The special effects were just truly amazing. The things they can achieve with smoke, lights and who knows what else... there were some things that I just couldn't figure out how they did it. The way they made it look like they were floating along on a boat while candles rose up from the "water" below, the realism of the settings (and the way they seamlessly changed the set with the blink of an eye) that made you feel like you were really there, the blasts of fire coming up from the stage, The falling (and rising) chandelier... I loved it all.
Anthony Warlow played the Phantom so well, portrayed the mood swings so well - passionate one moment, insane with rage the next - sent shivers down my spine. You could physically see the rage within him, as well as in his voice. Also, the way they made his character just appear where and when you least expect him, whether it be up high above the stage or out from behind a prop...
Was definitely worth every cent. Would even consider going again. If you haven't been, you should go, an event you just can't miss. Way better than the movie.
Oh and I bought a cool Phantom mug too, its got the mask on it which is black, and when you put hot water in the mug, the mask goes white, and then back to black again when my tea goes cold or when you're finished. Very cool. Also helps me tell if my tea is still warm or not.
I can't really think of anything bad about it. I was in the front row on the first balcony, so had a great seat. It was way better than the movie. So many times I just wanted to sing along but quickly realised that it would be inappropriate.
The special effects were just truly amazing. The things they can achieve with smoke, lights and who knows what else... there were some things that I just couldn't figure out how they did it. The way they made it look like they were floating along on a boat while candles rose up from the "water" below, the realism of the settings (and the way they seamlessly changed the set with the blink of an eye) that made you feel like you were really there, the blasts of fire coming up from the stage, The falling (and rising) chandelier... I loved it all.
Anthony Warlow played the Phantom so well, portrayed the mood swings so well - passionate one moment, insane with rage the next - sent shivers down my spine. You could physically see the rage within him, as well as in his voice. Also, the way they made his character just appear where and when you least expect him, whether it be up high above the stage or out from behind a prop...
Was definitely worth every cent. Would even consider going again. If you haven't been, you should go, an event you just can't miss. Way better than the movie.
Oh and I bought a cool Phantom mug too, its got the mask on it which is black, and when you put hot water in the mug, the mask goes white, and then back to black again when my tea goes cold or when you're finished. Very cool. Also helps me tell if my tea is still warm or not.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
more car troubles
My hot streak of luck continues. This morning I took the car to the mechanic to get the rear brake pads changed (finally, after limping around with minimal brake usage...), and when I got there I needed him to give me a lift to work. So, we were on our way, with Ian driving and me in the passenger seat when, while idling at a traffic light about two-thirds of the way there, the car started to vibrate quite a bit. I mentioned it to Ian, who realised something was wrong and pulled into the left turning lane. As the lights went green and we went to turn left, the car spluttered and the engine died halfway around the turn. So we ended up having to push the car into an empty carpark.
So, Ian turns to me and asks "How far is your office from here?" It was pouring rain, but I had an umbrella, so I decided to take on the half hour journey to work, and let him deal with getting the car towed back to the garage (and getting it fixed of course). I'm kinda glad that it happened with the mechanic in the car with me, saved me the effort of explaining to him what happened.
The walk to work wasn't as bad as I had expected, except that when I got back to the office I found my top half dry and my bottom half soaked. Air conditioning didn't help with that.
Anyway, they needed to keep my car overnight. So right now I am carless. It sucks, gives me an excuse to not go to the gym though. Oh well, hopefully I get it back tomorrow.
So, Ian turns to me and asks "How far is your office from here?" It was pouring rain, but I had an umbrella, so I decided to take on the half hour journey to work, and let him deal with getting the car towed back to the garage (and getting it fixed of course). I'm kinda glad that it happened with the mechanic in the car with me, saved me the effort of explaining to him what happened.
The walk to work wasn't as bad as I had expected, except that when I got back to the office I found my top half dry and my bottom half soaked. Air conditioning didn't help with that.
Anyway, they needed to keep my car overnight. So right now I am carless. It sucks, gives me an excuse to not go to the gym though. Oh well, hopefully I get it back tomorrow.
Monday, February 11, 2008
where did the power go?
Power went out in the office this afternoon. It kinda reminded me how much we depend on technology. Computers went off, phones went off, aircon stopped and the lights went off (except for the emergency lights which came on). Those with laptops couldn't really do much as the servers were also down. So what did I do when the power went off? I quickly went off to make a tea while the hot water was still, well, hot. Then I went back to my desk to work on some drawings by hand, old school style, without computers or anything fancy like that...
...except that I was listening to music on my iPod, and contacing people and checking my email on my mobile phone.
The power came back on just as I was leaving.
...except that I was listening to music on my iPod, and contacing people and checking my email on my mobile phone.
The power came back on just as I was leaving.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
dragons and roar
Looks like I have some catching up to do - its been a week between posts. Well, here's the highlights package:
Monday-Wednesday: Can't really remember the first half of the week. Couldn't have been that exciting. All I remember is rain, lots of it, and getting my shoes and socks wet walking through a flooded tunnel on the way to the gym one afternoon.
Thursday: Went to Chinatown after work for a Chinese New Year dinner. It was good, both the food and entertainment. Oh and the company was awesome too of course. The food consisted of an 8 dish Chinese banquet, which was good, some stuff there that I hadn't tried before. They had the dragon dance which actually came into the restaurant and was right beside our table at one stage, that was entertaining with some sweet acrobatics involved, as was the drum beat the dragons danced to. Highlight of the night was actually this Chinese magician dude who came around to the tables to do all sorts of tricks. With some of them it was obvious enough to spot the trick when you looked closely enough (what do you expect from a table full of engineers?), but there were a few which stumped us. The one in particular which had us amazed was one which involved placing two twenty cent coins on top of each other under a glass, swirling the glass around and making one of the coins go through the table. We were convinced he was using trick coins, but after giving him our own coins, he did it again. They say a good magician never performs the same trick twice to a certain audience, but this guy pulled it off.
Friday: Headed up to Brisbane again, this time to watch the QLD Roar play Sydney FC in the second leg of the A-League minor semi final. The trip there was interesting to say the least - I had to walk from Roma Street station to Suncorp Stadium, and was less than a quarter of the way when it started bucketing down rain. When I say bucketing, I mean bucketing. It was almost horizontal at one stage and absolutely stung my face as I tried to walk into it, so I managed to find a little shelter, but by this stage I was absolutely drenched to the bone and all I cared about was the wellbeing of my phone, ipod and digital camera. Anyway, it eventually died down a bit and so I figured that since I was already soaked I may as well go for it. Got there, and my seat was about 5 rows from the front, behind the Sydney bench. The match was delayed by half an hour because of the wet field, but the rain had stopped by the time I got there, and when the action did start it was definitely worth the wait and the sogginess. Roar won 2-0 and I lost my voice by about the 20th minute. Caught the train back home in the cold of the air conditioning, which didn't help when I was wearing a wet shirt...
Saturday: Took advantage of the sunny day and dried out my car, which had a pool of water sitting in the foot well of the back seat - a result of wet weather and the damage I sustained from the accident letting the water in. Absorbent paper towel did the trick, in a move inspired by a Simpsons episode.
Sunday: Went to the beach today, had a great day. Exhausted by the end of it. Got a sunnies tan again... I never learn, do I. I forgot to put sunscreen on my face.
Anyway that's about it, I'm off to bed. Though I don't know if I'll be able to get to sleep very quickly though, had a nanny nap this arvo after getting home from the beach.
Monday-Wednesday: Can't really remember the first half of the week. Couldn't have been that exciting. All I remember is rain, lots of it, and getting my shoes and socks wet walking through a flooded tunnel on the way to the gym one afternoon.
Thursday: Went to Chinatown after work for a Chinese New Year dinner. It was good, both the food and entertainment. Oh and the company was awesome too of course. The food consisted of an 8 dish Chinese banquet, which was good, some stuff there that I hadn't tried before. They had the dragon dance which actually came into the restaurant and was right beside our table at one stage, that was entertaining with some sweet acrobatics involved, as was the drum beat the dragons danced to. Highlight of the night was actually this Chinese magician dude who came around to the tables to do all sorts of tricks. With some of them it was obvious enough to spot the trick when you looked closely enough (what do you expect from a table full of engineers?), but there were a few which stumped us. The one in particular which had us amazed was one which involved placing two twenty cent coins on top of each other under a glass, swirling the glass around and making one of the coins go through the table. We were convinced he was using trick coins, but after giving him our own coins, he did it again. They say a good magician never performs the same trick twice to a certain audience, but this guy pulled it off.
Friday: Headed up to Brisbane again, this time to watch the QLD Roar play Sydney FC in the second leg of the A-League minor semi final. The trip there was interesting to say the least - I had to walk from Roma Street station to Suncorp Stadium, and was less than a quarter of the way when it started bucketing down rain. When I say bucketing, I mean bucketing. It was almost horizontal at one stage and absolutely stung my face as I tried to walk into it, so I managed to find a little shelter, but by this stage I was absolutely drenched to the bone and all I cared about was the wellbeing of my phone, ipod and digital camera. Anyway, it eventually died down a bit and so I figured that since I was already soaked I may as well go for it. Got there, and my seat was about 5 rows from the front, behind the Sydney bench. The match was delayed by half an hour because of the wet field, but the rain had stopped by the time I got there, and when the action did start it was definitely worth the wait and the sogginess. Roar won 2-0 and I lost my voice by about the 20th minute. Caught the train back home in the cold of the air conditioning, which didn't help when I was wearing a wet shirt...
Saturday: Took advantage of the sunny day and dried out my car, which had a pool of water sitting in the foot well of the back seat - a result of wet weather and the damage I sustained from the accident letting the water in. Absorbent paper towel did the trick, in a move inspired by a Simpsons episode.
Sunday: Went to the beach today, had a great day. Exhausted by the end of it. Got a sunnies tan again... I never learn, do I. I forgot to put sunscreen on my face.
Anyway that's about it, I'm off to bed. Though I don't know if I'll be able to get to sleep very quickly though, had a nanny nap this arvo after getting home from the beach.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
chick flicks
I've got a confession to make - defying the natural trend of the stereotypical male, I have this strange and unexplainable habit of actually enjoying romantic comedies.
You know, the movies with the sappy love story that usually features a man and a woman who are somehow attracted to each other, whether they know it at the time or not, and they don't get together because they don't think they like the other (a variation of this could be not being able to get together for whatever reason), and then after after a series of lightly humorous events that builds up the relationship between the two (which could be a build up of what they believe to be annoyance between the two but is to be later proven to be an increase in attraction), they do finally discover that they love each other and are made for each other, and one either chases the other and goes to extreme lengths to get to them (as they happen to be in a position that makes it difficult to be reached at that point in time) to profess their love for them, or they come together by some amazing concidence and awkwardly share their feelings for each other. Either way they get together and live happily ever after.
Despite this plot predictability, there's just something about chick flicks that I can't resist, and I can't put my finger on it...
You know, the movies with the sappy love story that usually features a man and a woman who are somehow attracted to each other, whether they know it at the time or not, and they don't get together because they don't think they like the other (a variation of this could be not being able to get together for whatever reason), and then after after a series of lightly humorous events that builds up the relationship between the two (which could be a build up of what they believe to be annoyance between the two but is to be later proven to be an increase in attraction), they do finally discover that they love each other and are made for each other, and one either chases the other and goes to extreme lengths to get to them (as they happen to be in a position that makes it difficult to be reached at that point in time) to profess their love for them, or they come together by some amazing concidence and awkwardly share their feelings for each other. Either way they get together and live happily ever after.
Despite this plot predictability, there's just something about chick flicks that I can't resist, and I can't put my finger on it...
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