Another Melbourne Trip

Melbourne has become just another work city for me, which is sad cause I do quite like the place. From a tourist's perspective, the infrastructure, choice of foods, variety of events is quite good. All I seem to see is the hotel, the car and the training rooms on the project sites.

However, one good story to emerge was a gambling one. My workmate came with me to the casino. Now I was trying out some new craps method (betting against the dice, for the more advanced gamblers amongst us) and it just wasn't happening. My workmate (who was away from the table on a phone call) comes back to see me down to $9. I get offered the dice, but didn't want to roll. The dice are offered to my workmate, who declined as she had no money.

This old guy next to her then offers $5 for her to roll.....45 minutes later, she sevens out on what was the longest craps roll I have ever seen. I got all my money back (and more!), and my workmate has turned her $5 into $230! The funniest thing was that at the end of the roll, she was given an ovation, and two business guys gave her a $25 each for her part in making them (and everyone else on the table) a ton of money.

So from now on, craps is my game!

Damn! two cheap calls already:

...or your colleague's! I believe the moral of the story is take that girlie with you or you'll be going home with 9 bucks matey.

Oh, and I may be about 10 years late but nice blog - we just stumbled on it accidentally at work...we were googling my friend's new man......and low and behold....an entire parallel universe of blogs written by people I know! Crazy times!
Aives (email) - 18 December '06 - 05:22

haha, thanks for visiting! My entries are a lot tamer these days :)
JookBoy - 19 December '06 - 06:31

US Visit - Day Seven

Purchased matinee tickets to "Spamalot", a Monty Python play on the "Search for the Holy Grail" movie. Very funny play, recommended.
Lunch at Central Park, found out the hills in the park are all man made. Adds a freshness to the city.
Brother-in-law tells me of a terrace house that was sold for $53 million.
Saw the flagship Apple store. Reminds me of the Louvre entrance.
Strolled 5th Avenue. Amazed at the amount of money and consumerism that exists there. I did go into the Louis Vutton store, though. So much money invested into the look of the stores.
Italian dinner. Risotto was delicious.
Good to catch up with Claire and I-Van (brother-in-law). I-Van (who's studying as an ophthalmologist at at well known eye surgery) tells me that he talked to Ralph Lauren just last week!
Drinks again, met some of Katrina's other friends, all internationals. Highlight was the W Hotel's bar.
Get home at 3:30 am. If this is what New York nightlife is, I'm not going to last more than a month!

Amount of work done: check 1 email only

US Visit - Day Six

New York, New York! Last visit was 12 years ago.
1.6 million people in a super small island.
City feels dirty, loud and full of life.
Visited World Trade Centre site, such a vast empty space in the middle of all these buildings.
Finally saw Claire (my sister) after 1.5 years. Baby nieces aren't so baby anymore, both of them can talk. Still cuties.
Met up with Christine and Kathleen, two cousins from Canada.
Hot dogs weren't as good as I remember them to be.
Wonderful exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art AND they let you take photos of the pictures!
Dinner with Katrina. Of course we go to drinks with some of her friends.
Meat Packing district very cool. Cobbled streets add a old-school feel to the place.
Immediately I have found a version of Privilege in New York (complete with very random dancing poles).
Have taken a liking to Grey Goose vodka shots.
Get home at 3:00 am.

Amount of work done: checked 4 emails only.

Only one cheap call:

1) Why would you want to take a photo of a painting?

2) Mary-ann knows what happened to me when I got introduced to Grey Goose shots. Highlights of the evening were not remembering giving my phone to a Japanese girl to get her to put in her number, getting kicked out of the club about three times, and MA somehow managing to get me to the station so that I could go to work (6:30am start) - I would have been on time except that I got lost between the station and work.

RC
randomcow (email) (link) - 16 February '07 - 10:29

US Visit - Day Five

4 hour flight to Toronto, met up with my uncle.
Drive to Grandmother's retirement village at Richmond Hill. Sad to see that Mama didn't recognise me (Alzheimer's) but glad to see that she is feeling quite happy all the time (at least in her expression)
Visited Grandfather's resting place. Very calm and peaceful area. Good choice of location.
Vigourous discussion with my uncle re the difficulties of being Asian/Australian or Asian/Canadian as we identify ourselves with both cultures, but on the flip side not quite belonging to either one.
More vigourous discussions on the benefits of labour unions and working for the government.
Total time in car: 3 hours
Comfort food at the local Cantonese restaurant with my uncle and aunty. Ah, it felt like ages since I had that stuff!

Amount of work done: minimal

US Visit - Day Four

Boss again earlier than me today.
Only morning workshops today. Impressed with what Salesforce are offering for their Winter 07 release.
All sorts of dramas as they pull down the conference BEFORE the last workshop finishes. Unhappy organiser people looking worried.
Go for lunch at a place called Zuni's. Realise it's mentioned in that "In Praise of Slow" book. Wait an hour for roast chicken, but well worth it. Rate it better than Orportos!
Attend baseball game with Eddie. Great seats. Sports fans are nuts all over the world! I now know what an RBI is (Runs Batted In) and who the Detroit Tigers are (go Justin Verlander!)
Back to the room for 11pm conference call.
Now 3am, have to get up by 4:30am...it's not worth the effort.

Amount of work done: moderate

US Visit - Day Three

Boss earlier than me today.
Colin Powell's speech on leadership. Powerful and funny. A true orator. Some good quotes:

- The best leaders are those that not only have a vision, but can drive that vision through to every member of their team
- Leaders inspire, not just motivate
- You know you're a good leader if your troops follow you, if only out of curiosity. Cause then it's about trust

Another full Salesforce conference day. Impressed with some of the partner offerings that link in with Salesforce.
Realise that there is a massive Playstation Sony store across the road. Had to check it out. Everything is just bigger in America!
Damn conference calls with back home make me miss the company sponsored drinks.
Eddie intros me to an Australian friend of his from Brisbane. Turns out to be Lina, a friend of mine. Small world indeed.
Back to Red Room for more drinks. I'm a damn regular there.
Happy that getting home is as simple as pressing the elevator button to Level 3.

US Visit - Day Two

Great sleep in high thread-count sheets, able to get to the lobby before boss.
Attend first day of Salesforce conference. These Americans really know how to do a conference! Keynote address contains strobe lights and massive projector screens. It's all about the optimism, random "yeahs!" and bagging out Microsoft.
Attend workshops. Mostly good, one bad. Bad lunch.
More workshops. Realise I should take some notes so I can write something about this trip when I get back to work.
Concert at night, "Train" performing. Only realise who they were at the very last song, "Drops of Jupiter". No boogying afterwards, everyone dispersed.
Drinks with AUS/NZ people. Red Room (apparently it's the bar to go to) too full, onwards to another Red Room.
Jet lag kicking in after one or two, had to go.

Amount of work done: high

US Visit - Day One

Wandered around San Francisco (well, at least around Union Square).
Had a lazy lunch listening to a jazz duo (double bass + trumpet).
Checked out the Apple Store (where else??), that Genius Bar thing is quite helpful.
Swung into Museum of Modern Art, liked Henri Matisse and this guy called Chuck Close.
Slight issue on the project, hopefully will be fixed by tomorrow.
Caught up with my cousin who lives here. Great to see him again, it's like friends who after a long time away can get back straight into conversation.
Went to a bar called Red Room. Classy establisment, they have portraits on the wall, but they are of actual people on video. Swank!

Amount of work done: moderate

Damn! two cheap calls already:

fantastic city.... enjoy mate :) go the farmers market at the ferry building - the site of an always favourite client office visit!!
Bjee - 08 October '06 - 20:29

Bah, didn't make it there :( Will have to check it out next time.
JookBoy (link) - 11 October '06 - 16:22

Us Visit - Day Zero

Furious packing till 2am.
Sad farewell. (but only for a week babe!)
Quality food in business class.
Couldn't sleep, kept sliding down the bed.
Watched "Kenny", very heartwarming movie.
Watched "Mission Impossible 3", Michelle Q is hot!

Amount of work done: minimal

Damn! five cheap calls already:

Maggie (it's MAGGIE Q) is hot. Even as a chick I have to say she's H.O.T.TTTTTTTTTT. Just oozes sex appeal.

What's up with the sliders thing? My pal who's a shortie says she slides down the business class bed, but wouldn't have thought you'd have that issue with your 6-ft-minus-1-cm?! Maybe you should've stuck with cattle class instead :)
beckster (link) - 09 October '06 - 09:25

Whoops, yes Maggie Q.

It's just that the bed is flat, but it's at an angle. Just found it hard to stay still, and when I do push against the foot rest at the bottom, my feet were getting squished!
JookBoy (link) - 09 October '06 - 14:01

kenny is such an interesting movie, a little slow but very heartwarming. How cute is the little romance huh...
addy - 09 October '06 - 19:27

Gee - bit rich to be complaining about the lack of sleepability in business class! [Considered retracting this comment due to upcoming 12 hr flight and worry about bad karma, but will leave it as is]
Dessy - 10 October '06 - 13:51

Yes, quite cute!

haha, but it's true :) If it was good, I wouldn't complain, but considering the amount of money that is needed for that ticket...however, seemed like everyone else around me was getting sleep, so I must have been doing something wrong with my sleping position.
And yes, if I had Economy tickets, I'm sure it would have been a lot worse, so relatively it was much more comfortable. Is that better? :P
JookBoy (link) - 11 October '06 - 16:11

"The Undercover Economist" - A Review

Tim Hartford's book about the underlying theories that drive our behaviours was a very interesting read. It explained in layman terms how the scarcity of a resource, as well as the information that each party has, and other external factors drive the prices that we are willing to pay.

I especially liked his explanation on the intricacies of auctions, and how one would go about getting the best price for an asset. There was a section about poker where the theory goes that you should bluff only when you have the worst hands, not when you have the semi-strong hands (as I try to do).

The section on why poor countries are poor was food for thought, arguing that the 'social capital' of poor countries was low, which made it so hard for poor countries to start reform. He continues with a convincing (in my opinion) statement at the need for lowering global trade barriers. I finally understand 'comparative advantage'!

So very informative book, worthy of a read.

Death In The Family

It always hurts to hear of a death in the family. Grandpa's (Dad's side) passing away from a heart attack was a suprise to most of us. However, at the age of 85, as my Dad says, we have been thinking of it for a while.

Looking at it positively, it does bring our family together...Dad told us stories of Grandpa in his youth (he was a pioneer of women's underwear in Hong Kong....yes I do learn something new every day!) and of his devotion to his kids, sending them all that he earned so they could get through university. It ultimately gets repaid, as his kids (ie my dad and my uncles/aunts) have looked after him for the last 20 years since his retirement. Dad said that he didn't have much invested, but I think his investment in his kids was very wise.

The suddenness has made my Dad think about his work-life balance, and what is really important for him, and that is a good thing. It has made me think that it's time to call up my Grandma (Mum's side) in Hong Kong, and to reconnect with family, cause you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. As for me, I have some regrets that it was about 4 months since I spoke to him, but we were never that close. I just want to make sure Dad is ok.

Dad sent an email around, here's an excerpt that I found quite touching:

It is always a sad thing to lose a parent and it marks the ending of an era. Father had moved from China to Hong Kong and then to Canada and his children and grandchildren are now living all over the world. I think he will be proud to be the head of a family tree that valued hard work and family ties. He will be remembered as a loving father and dedicated husband .

Grandpa - Passed Away 1 September 2006 - R.I.P.

Damn! four cheap calls already:

Condolences to you and your family Big Guy. Your Grandad sounds like an honourable man and am sure his legacy will live on
lmm - 04 September '06 - 14:43

Kev, I'm very sorry to hear mate. But it sounds like your Granddad has left his mark on a lot of people and his memory and legacy continues to live on strongly.

And yes, a death in the family always reminds us to be good to the people we still have.
Anton - 04 September '06 - 23:11

My thoughts are with you and your family KC.

Losing your grandparents are one of the hardest things to have to deal with in life. I identify to the words of your father, for my father ushered similar words when my grandmother passed away some five years ago.

His memory, I'm sure, will live in your heart, and surely if only in spirit through you, passed on to the next generation.
alvina - 07 September '06 - 12:31

sorry to hear it, dude.

RC
randomcow (email) - 10 September '06 - 19:27

The Wonders Of The Web

A friend of mine told me about someone they had met. Not knowing his other friends, my friend had a slight level of discomfort in being "in the dark" about this person. So what do we do? We "Google" him :)

Amazingly, the top hit led straight to his blog (what else?). Only after a few searches, and I was already looking at photos from his trips etc etc. The even ruder shock was seeing a photo of myself in one of those sets of pictures!

Yes, it is a small world :)

So the lesson here, boys and girls, is to always be aware that everything is public on the Net. I remember Bec reading some of the older, more quality posts before she went out with me. Lucky I didn't write up all my hoey stories!

Damn! four cheap calls already:

i'd be careful how you use the word Google if i were you :) article here
reenie (email) - 26 August '06 - 07:56

oops, didn't realise tags were getting removed. i meant here:
http://news.com.com/Google+wants+people+..
reenie (email) - 26 August '06 - 07:57

Oh but it was exactly your hoeyness that oh-so-attracted me in the first place JB! Nowadays you just want to snooze all the time *sigh*
beckster (link) - 27 August '06 - 05:33

I think that with all my dirt on the web I'm going to have to marry a girl who can't speak English. Or Japanese - people have written stuff about me online in Japanese, too.

RC
randomcow (email) - 10 September '06 - 19:22

"Berlin: The Downfall" - A Review

Curse project deliverables! Been unable/unwilling to write for the last month as I'm desperately making sure that the project goes live (which it has, thank goodness).

I've always browsed Anthony Beevor's books every time I go to Borders, and find his mix of reporting the military strategy against the everyday experiences of the local population quite a refreshing read as opposed to the strictly numbers books of other war novels. In this book, he documents how the USSR invades and concludes the 2nd World War in Europe. It is amazing the quickness of the collapse of Germany in 1945, and horriying the brutality of the Red Army in its revenge against the "facist beasts".

I was thoroughly confused as to where all the armies were going, with frequent consultations to the fairly vague maps at the front. The other thing that I probably did not appreciate were the numbers of people involved in all these armies. Marshalling 2 million men to invade Germany must have been a logistical nightmare. And maybe this confusion I had rightly reflects the confusion of the actual military operations on the ground.
I liked the references to the personas of the individual Russian and German army commanders, as well as the insight into the weakness and cruelty of the Nazi leadership as the walls crumbled around them.

The frequent references to the rape and casualties of the civilian population reared its ugly head time and time again, and emphasised more than anything else that the suffering always hits hardest those most unable to defend themselves. It saddened me greatly to think that there is such a "dark aura of male sexuality that is so easily shown, whenever the shackles of discipline and responsibility are removed".

Overall a very recommended book. I will have to read "Stalingrad" (as from the same author) as well.

"Dry" - A Review

I was recommended this book by a workmate of mine. It follows the memoirs of a alcoholic who goes into rehab and experiences all the trials and tribulations that soberness provides. Whilst the story of recovering alcoholics is not new, the fact that he is a gay advertising writer does lend some more interest to the tale. The humour in the book is top-notch. I had trouble with a few of the references he makes, but the details in which he goes to make it a very enjoyable read.

What I did find the most interesting was the way gay guys seem to be constantly on a roller-coaster of emotions. Heady heights of happiness one day, mind-numbing lows the next. This ability to understand their own emotions to that level is something that amazes me. Is this the reason that girls like to have a gay guy best friend? Because they can understand the emotional roller-coaster, whilst lending another perspective?

There was one line in the book where someone makes a snarky comment to Augusten (the author), who says "Take that back!". I could not help but laugh that is exactly the same line my workmate (who recommend me the book) uses. And yes he is, for those that are asking.

Damn! four cheap calls already:

have you ever considered gals like gay guys as best friends because gals know gay guys won't try and get into their pants? :P i think a lot of straight guys cross that line with their closest gal pals.
reenie (link) - 18 June '06 - 05:51

Really reenie?!! Clearly I'm not alluring enough as I can't recall any of my straight male chums making a pass at me!! Boo.

Or maybe it's just a more dangerous line to tread when both parties are single. You get along, you like each other enough to be good friends, you have fun and enjoy great times together, which all results in a 'oh well why not?' kinda thing?
beckster (link) - 18 June '06 - 10:54

nah, I don't think that's 100% true. This gay buddist monk I used to hang around with a bit was a huge womanizer. Also a cockblock. And to top it all off, he said he didn't find me attractive. Damn gay guys.

RC
randomcow - 25 June '06 - 05:37

:/ i've been in tricky situations before, where i thought i was just good friends with the guy, and the guy ends up wanting more. it's tough, cause you have to end the friendship too sometimes. i've also been told many times by different guys, that when a straight guy looks at a girl, majority of the time, he's trying to figure out how to get into her pants. right RC? :P

beckster, there were probably a TON of guys lusting after you when you were single. they were just too scared to do anything about it :)
reenie (link) - 02 July '06 - 21:48

Zazen - Everyday Mindfulness

A good article (slightly long) about meditation and how to focus on the "now" and your current experience to calm yourself and be at peace.

Standing on top of a mountain when I've gone skiing, 3am talks in the car with my friends, that special relationship "look and smile" from across the room, these are all things that feel great. What I don't do enough of is to sit back and savour these moments.
There are also times (especially at work) where we are so heads down, bottoms up that they whole day passes without us looking out the window to see the lovely autumn day outside.

I liked this quote from the article:

When you pay close attention to your experience, you begin to freshly notice the difference between those actions that are truly worth doing, and those that aren't. When you pay attention, you just know. It's not a mystery. And when you know what experiences are really worth having, you can have more of them, and fewer of the less satisfying experiences, and your life will be richer for it.

So sit back and take in your surroundings. Problems will unravel, worries will untangle, and you'll understand just that little bit more about yourself.

Damn! three cheap calls already:

good entry kc. We definitely have to take some time out of our crazy lives to just sit and breathe. We need to enjoy more of the little happy things and cherish the people that share our lives.
Breathe in, breathe out.....
addy - 19 May '06 - 13:35

you know, i remember having a 3am talk with you :) you drove me home to blacktown, and we sat outside my house for ages chatting about anything and everything :) great nite ^_^
reenie (email) (link) - 19 May '06 - 20:57

Yeah, I do remember that night. Seems like we never have time for those kinds of things nowadays :(

Hope you're having fun in London!
JookBoy (link) - 11 June '06 - 18:09

"Taming The Tiger" - A Review

I was given a Christian rediscovery book the other day, which talked about a Kung Fu expert who found God. There was a lot of action in the book, a ton of strange incidents, a decent amount of skepticism on my part. A few things stood out:

1. He was sent to China from London to learn Kung Fu when he was 4, and was able to understand complex interpretations in Chinese within 4 weeks. Of course, backdating could be possible
2. Some of the random fights that were described. They really did sound like B-grade action movies as other people have said in the reviews.
3. Being chased by some thugs in Saudi Arabia, they have run out of a town into the desert and straight away found themselves in a Bedouin encampment where they would be protected for a few days. I didn't get why the thugs just didn't wait for a few days??

Of course, it was an inspirational book on how in the trust of God anything is possible. Definitely good marketing material. I did relate the section where he realised that the hardest part would be for those people that did not experience God in any sense, since their lives are not filled with tragedy. Why lean on God if you're not crippled, as it were? Blind faith takes a lot more work and commitment than something you can experience every day.

He's going to speak in a friend's church this week, so I heard. Will be interesting to hear from my friend what he says.
My philosphy on life still is about the same. For some reason I'm reading all these Christian books. "The Case for the Creator" is coming up.

Damn! four cheap calls already:

Great to hear that you're getting stuck into the chrisitian books KC! I agree that the stories of people hitting rock bottom, finding god and transforming their lives make the most compelling reading. It's probably harder to trust the work of God in your life until you have hit that rock bottom.

However, I'm finding that as I consider it more, it is less and less a "blind faith" than I previously thought. Someone once told me that knowledge of the presence of God and his amazing works, was like a ball that you were trying to hold under water - it wants to push up to the surface, but it can't because you keep pushing it down. Maybe it takes until that point when you hit rock bottom before you actually start thinking about your life "properly"?
Dessy - 07 May '06 - 12:08

Maybe now the Christian sites will tag you as a 'good read' as well as all the pr0n sites JB!

Is it the right way to believe when faith is something a person resorts to after hitting rock bottom ie. if everything was peachy then God would be the last thing on one's mind? Makes it sound a bit like a consolation prize, a desperate last resort. Or does God not care how you get there with faith, so long as you get there?
beckster (link) - 09 May '06 - 05:31

Haha, more web hits!
I believe that God does not care how you get there, as long as you get there in the end.
JookBoy (link) - 12 May '06 - 07:09

It's hard to know what to say or how to say it...

I agree with Des. At first it appears to be a 'blind' faith. In many ways it is counter intuitive to everything you've been brought up to trust in - logic, reason, science. I'm not discounting their value, but there are places where logic, reason and science ends and faith begins. As you look deeper it is, in fact, anything but blind.
alvina - 14 May '06 - 16:01

Blogging Hitting The Big Time

Even the Economist has an whole special section on blogging on its latest issue. What I found surprising was that 41% of blogs are written in Japanese. Those guys are technology nuts over there!

This transition away from the mass media has been going on for a while. In terms of TV watching and radio listening, I have really cut down the amount of time I spend on those mediums. I do still read magazines and newspapers, but the ability to be disrupted by advertisements is not an issue. I go in, get the info I want and get out. No waiting around because a commercial break kicks in.

I think everyone can relate to particpatory media. We all get that warm and fuzzy feeling when people comment on our blogs, and we feel validated that our opinions are, if not approved, at least read and digested. It's human nature to be involved in conversations, as well as providing an outlet for our perspectives.

The big question is will having all these extra opinions help? Yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but does it add any value? The more voices there are, the less anyone can stand out as a voice of authority. It might mean that it's even harder now to determine what's good and what's bad. Sometimes ignorance is bliss :) For me, though, I would like to know the other side of the coin, and blogging is definitely a way to understand how other people think.

Damn! five cheap calls already:

"The big question is will having all these extra opinions help? Yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but does it add any value?"

The answer to both parts is, of course, yes. While not all blogs are equal, (some have much higher 'influencer' measures than others), for so long as we live, having an opinion is indicia that we, as sentient beings, have the ability to reason, to argue and that we are not wasting our God-given gifts to exercise these talents.

And most certainly it adds value. Blogs are here to stay and are not some random, temporal idea that's going to dissipate faster than dot.com-era shareholder wealth. For as long as we live in a civilisation with a diverse range of beliefs and interests, any and all viewpoints will continue to enrich our life-long experiences. And for as long as we live in a participatory democracy, it is our civic right and duty to express such opinions. But what makes blogging different is that unlike a backyard BBQ conversation, those opinions are attributable and on public display. While blogging may have the kitsch of the new to it, it has become one of the most efficient ways to get our message across to whoever wants to hear it - and isn't that just the lifeblood of freedom?

In short, blogging's really just the devolution downwards of the privileges of the old media - and those that control it.
Stephen (link) - 23 April '06 - 15:28

yeah, I've gotta get up my blog and start documenting my sexcapades here in Japan :-o Then I can stop spamming your blog.

Speaking of which, should be buying the car tomorrow. A mazda bongo friendee diesel 4wd with popup roof. A real beast, should be on the road for under $3,000 if all goes well at auction.

www.autoadvan.co.uk/vehicle/4ebay04.jpg

Check out that roof-poppin' madness!

RC
randomcow (email) - 26 April '06 - 09:24

What a crazy car! Which part of Japan are you in now? Wish I could visit...
Al
Al - 02 May '06 - 23:05

Haha, quality car mate. Send me a picture of you next to it (on in that roof) when it's purchased.

Wise words Stephen. The ability to participate is vastly more available with the internet (and blogging) than it has ever been.
JookBoy (link) - 06 May '06 - 06:16

dude, I've been marked as a spammer by your blog. I think it's because I tried to post with five links in my last post.

RC
randomcow - 07 May '06 - 18:09

1421 - A Review

It's a strange thing that my perception of the book has changed because I decided to read some more reviews on the book itself. Taken at face value, 1421 is a mind-blowing book that makes the Chinese look all that in maritime travel. Having sailed to Americas, Australia/New Zealand, around Greenland...if it was true, then I am thoroughly impressed with my great ancestors. The evidence given seems logical, and maybe a part of me wanted to believe that the Chinese actually did something in those days, instead of tooling around with the jade sphere within sphere things that take 2 years to create, and don't do much.

However, reading more reviews, this seems like it's falling into the "Da Vinci Code" category, only with more pictures and footnotes. There are many fallacies in Menzies' arguments ie the assumptions he makes leads to logical conclusions and then because of that conclusion he asserts that the assumption is a fact (?!). That and his website is very sparse on details and hard evidence.

One the bright aims of the book would have been to create awareness of history and more curious minds to delve deeper into it. Of course, the darker aim of this book is to create a bit of contraversy to help sales of the book. On both counts, Menzies has succeeded.

One of the quotes from the Amazon review page puts it very well:

"So, one is left at this - history is not an exact science much of the time, but it isn't a complete fiction or completely subjective dependent upon the whims of those who believe what they will believe, either. It is true that China was more advanced that Europe in many ways at this time, and that the Chinese did command larger fleets than the Europeans at this point in time. However, Menzies' conclusions here are based on interpretation that rests on the shifting sands of myth, legend, and documents with variable ideas of accuracy."

I wait to see what becomes of this thread. Maybe history will get rewritten...

Only one cheap call:

we rooled the seas (and da world) once upon a time (in china).. and one day soon we will again dominate this earth. reprezents yo!
giz - 20 April '06 - 23:32

Enjoy The Present

Talking to a friend the other day, and we were comparing the qualities of being in a relationship and being single. Being in a relationship means that I am very much in sync with my girlfriend's activities, and her with mine. We know where the other person is with a fairly high level of accuracy. Being single, on the other hand, means that you are free to come and go as you please. Go overseas for a while, take a day off work, try out a new hobby on a weeknight....all these things are possible because you have that freedom.

Another friend of mine talks about their singleness as if it's a really bad condition that they want to get rid of as soon as possible. What I have realised is that you have to take the good and the bad. You can be a when you're single, but at the risk of loneliness. You can have the comfort and companionship when you're going out, but at the risk of not being able to "play".

What it comes down to is that you should enjoy the present, and enjoy the situation as much as you can. Don't wish to be single when you're a couple, and don't wish to be a couple when you're single, because in reality the other side of the fence is never ever as good as you think it is. And if you do try to have your cake and eat it at the same time, it works for about a month....after that, someone is bound to get hurt.

Almost Famous

Newsflash: "The famous 'Ron' from Harry Potter, Rupert Grint, has been found to have identical twins who live in Sydney. When asked for a comment, Rupert responded on email the following message:

:|

Damn! three cheap calls already:

Hahahahaahahaaa. Ha.

The depths that some of us will go to for some connection with the famous :|
beckster (link) - 19 February '06 - 03:22

i dont know the one on the right ... i swearz ...... :P
addy - 19 February '06 - 05:24

*rolling my eyes all the way from YVR* :Þ
Wendy - 03 March '06 - 05:57

Calling The Folks

I called my grandfather (dad's side) in Toronto, and my grandmother (mum's side) in Hong Kong to wish them a belated Chinese New Year. It's amazing the amount of Cantonesse that I remember when it's the only language to communicate on. I had prepared myself was a few choice phrases and half expected the conversation to be very very short.

I was plesantly surprised to hear the enthusiasm in their voice, and the amount of stuff that we talked about. Topics of birthdays, what my plans are, how my realtionship is going when I was going to visit (that's one of the 'always gets asked' questions) filled up the chat. And the coolest thing is that they're quite good at ending the conversation, saying "well, you have to go, so I'll talk to you later!" :)

So if you're dreading the phone call to old relos, fear not. You will be as happy as me to have made the call. It makes their day, and makes you feel good. What more do you need?

Only one cheap call:

it's such a blessing to still have your grandparents. a reallllllll blessing! :) cherish them! :)
alvina - 22 February '06 - 12:27

Is The Job Right?

It's been nearly 5 years since I've come out of uni, with all the dreams and aspirations that a university grad has. Having done some work experience during uni, I was used to the corporate life and all that it entails. I'm now at a stage of thinking about the quality of my job and how far I can see myself going down this path.

Can I be a Chief Information Officer? Can I be a Project Director for a large multinational? I don't know...
I have other friends who have great aspirations to be involved in social work, and "making a difference". These are the people whom I have the most interest in, in terms of their jobs. Perhaps I could join the two areas together, project work and social work??

I think the best way to judge my job would be whether it satisfies one word: "Wow". If the work is interesting, then it would be a "wow". If I am passionate about what I do, then it would be a "wow". That's the focus I will have going forward.

Is my job like that now? It has its moments, but not really. I know, however, that it is a stepping stone to get that knowledge and skill to move to that dream job later on. Project work is change management, and that always makes a difference in someone's life.

Only one cheap call:

Ultimately work has to be fulfilling and satisfying - of available awake hours (say 7-8 hours sleep a night) I figure you spend at least HALF at work or travelling there.

For me personally, I wouldn't say that "WOW" was a great way to indicate the right job. I'm lucky enough to be working in a job i find enjoyable and not too stressful - but ultimately i want work to be sufficient to allow me to enjoy the time NOT at work.

If as you say your job "is the stepping stone ... to that dream job later on" then I'd say you probably are in the right place and should plug along. It might not be WOW but it's taking you were you want to go - and hopefully we all are making those right steps towards our goals for now and in the future.
Dessy - 17 February '06 - 12:52

Squeezy

Yes, I have no original thoughts on this website :) Click through to get the full size pic.



Damn! two cheap calls already:
HAHAHAH thats hilarious.... and yet disturbing .....
but nonetheless..... HAHAHAHAH
Addy - 23 January '06 - 12:40

hahaha - as if you guys haven't done that yourself!

RC
randomcow - 24 January '06 - 08:25

Balancing The Alone Time

Having just gone down to Jervis Bay for a New Years celebration with 20 friends, I'm beginning to realise that I draw a lot of my energy by having those good friends around me. When they are animated, I'm animated. When they're calm and settled, I'm still animated. They bring out the entertainer in me, and I laugh myself to the floor at some of their antics.

What I do miss out on is the real alone time needed for deep contemplation. The kind of alone time where I find out what I really want out of life, what motivates and drives me forward. The kind of alone time that energises me in a different way, and provides insights to the real me.

So the 30 day trial is to draw upon energies from my relationship, my friends and myself and not just my relationship and my friends. The morning walk has definitely helped. Anyone know much about that meditation stuff?

Yay for New Years and new 30 day trials!

Damn! two cheap calls already:

Travelling to new and different places.. the great energiser.
Bjee - 03 January '06 - 07:42

Yeah, its funny how when travelling, even when you're in a big crowd or city, you can feel alone in your thoughts and emotions. Can really help to focus and clarify things in life. And yes Bjee, also a great energiser!
anton - 03 January '06 - 16:15