Archive for December, 2008

Tassie Tassie Tassie

Published at December 7, 2008 in vacation!, Coffee and Life. 0 Comments

Well that was a nice weekend away.

A while back, Tiger airlines was offering a discount on their normal (already cheap) flights around Australia, and Rachel and I decided to do a weekend away in Tasmania as neither of us had been there before. So, flights were booked. Total price for the flights between the two of us, return, was $91. So a lot closer to the trip, a random motel was chosen, near Port Arthur, which we wanted to see, for a single night, car rental booked. (ok so when you factor in motel and car rental, a cheap trip is not so cheap anymore, but hey who thinks these things through properly?) and off we went.

I must start at the outset and say Tasmania is breathtakingly beautiful. We drove the 80km from the airport to Port Arthur and were stunned at the landscape. Also, we drove from the airport to Port Arthur and did not see anything that remotely resembled city or even suburban life as we are used to.

We got to Port Arthur with no problems, checked into our motel in Nubeena (10k out of Port Arthur), drove towards the historic site there, stopping at the Eucalypt Cafe for a meal and coffee.

An interlude here dear reader, as you may know, I am a little bit of a coffee snob and am not big on drinking coffee outside of my home, but this little cafe, in the middle of nowhere, had a menu that told me they certainly know their coffee. In fact I am not sure if I have ever seen a cafe with ristrettos and dopios on their menu ever before. So, if you are a coffee snob, and want a decent coffee in tassie, try the Eucalypt cafe in Port Arthur

Back to our main tale, we got to the Port Arthur historic site, and it started to heavily rain. We wandered into the information center, only to see that the pricing was a little steep to be wandering around a few ruins, especially in the rain. I mean yes, we could see it from the lookout and it did look pretty, but $28 each, to wander around some ruined houses, not an overly great proposition to us, especially in the rain.

Rachel particularly wanted to see the memorial site from when Martin Bryant shot a large number of people, becoming Australias biggest ever murderer. (some people refer to him as our biggest serial killer, but serial killers kill over multiple time periods, he just went on one big rampage. Does that make him a parallel killer?). So she asked at the information booth there, only to be told in hushed tones that they dont really talk about it, and handed a pamphlet with less info than might be garnered on the back of a cereal box. She also received unclear directions to the memorial, which we were then unable to find.

So in the rain, we drove to a lookout point not far from the historic site, where we once again took in the magnificent view, and then back to the motel for a quick nap.

It was still raining when we finished napping, so the decision was made to head into Hobart to check out the restaurants. 90Km later after a drive through rain soaked beautiful countryside, we made it to the CBD. It really had that country feel to it, and at 6.45pm on a saturday, was deader than a doornail that had twice been shot dead. We could not even find a place for a decent meal. So, several phonecalls later, to friends and family, we established that North Hobart may be better, and managed to find our way there.

Elizabeth St, in North Hobart seemed a little like a toned down version of Fitzroys Brunswick st. A massive variety of restaurants, lots of people walking up and down. We chose a lovely indian place whose name currently escapes me and had a very nice meal. In fact, I would rank their naan breads up there with the best i have ever had.

After dinner, we had the lovely drive back to our motel, 90kms away. In the dark, with no street lighting to speak of, along windy country roads, some unsealed, in a rent-a-car that i was not too familiar with. We were also tailgated for about 70km of that drive. FUN!.

 Oh i forgot to mention, anything further out than 30ks from Hobart, and we had no mobile phone reception, no voda wifi internet reception. For a couple who are as connected as us, this was mildly freaky.

Motel was comfortable enough for us, and sleep was had.

Next morning, back to Eucalypt for coffee and breakfast, and then back to the airport for our home flight.

A couple of notes on the flights and tasmania airport.

1. A food court is not 2 cafes serving exactly the same fare as eachother at exactly the same price. Please take note of this Hobart Airport

2. Tiger Airways has more room in their seats than Jetstar

3. Tiger Airways planes shudder a lot more than any other airoplane i have been on.

4. They also land in a more scary fashion.

5. Dont offer us the roomier seats only to take them away when we sit down. If you deem us unsuitable, thats fine, but nothing changed from when you offered them to us until we sat down.

All in all, the trip was much fun, and a much needed getaway. Will definitely go back and hopefully spend much longer there, soaking in the scenery and relaxed atomsphere.

Going to the dogs

Published at December 2, 2008 in dogs, pets and Life. 0 Comments

Last night, Rachel and I went and had a look at a couple of dogs that need rehoming. A japanese spitz, and a norwegian elkhound. Rachel has had her heart set on a japanese spitz for quite some time and I tend to prefer the idea of rehoming a dog that needs it, rather than getting a puppy.

These dogs were quite spectacular. Though we were really only interested in one dog, we agreed to take both and will pick them up on Sunday. I personally am very enamoured with the elkhound. Such a beautiful looking dog, but I am unsure of our ability to cope with two dogs. As such, we are offering the elkhound to Rachels uncle and aunt, and also my dad. Of course, if neither of them take it, we will provide it a loving home. Part of me is hoping that it just stays with us, the other part, that bit that is practical and pragmatic, is less hopeful.

The japanese spitz is also an absolute darling, and it connected with Rachel from the moment we got there to look. This dog knew it was going to get a new mummy, and seemed to bond instantly. I suspect that the house of Rachel and Raph will blossom with this new addition.

We would have loved to take them home last night, but we are off to Tassie for a couple of days on the weekend, so will pick the dogs up on the way home. Not sure how beej will react to them, but hopefully he will learn reasonably quickly.

More on the nation of procrastri

Published at December 2, 2008 in Education, State of the raph and Life. 0 Comments

So, its getting close to the end of this masters. In theory, complete this last assignment, then do two industry based exams, and I have completed my course requirements. Of cours, during the course of the masters, I think I have attained a PhD in procrastination, and a Grad certificate in self frustration.

I should have had this assignment already. Its due in two days, and I have my day job to keep me busy in that time. Of course, being me, instead of finishing the assignment, I played a bit of spore over the weekend, and did some cooking, and sleeping.

Ok, i did do about 9 hours of reading, planning and preparing, but that leaves another 8-10 hours that need to be done in actually completing the bloody thing. Also, as this is the final assignment for this subject, it is an exam equivalent, and therefore is a MUST PASS assignment for the subject.

Still, I am learning, and despite my self sabotage habits, I am also progressing. I cannot ask for an extension on this one either, because on Saturday, myself and Rachel are off to Tasmania for a weekend away.

So hopefully, I can get it done over the next few evenings, well not hopefully, I WILL get it done… May involve some bleary eyes at work.

The next thing to consider is whether or not to put myself through more educational anguish, and pursue an MBA. I will get significant credit for coursework already completed in the Masters, but I need to consider my general sanity.

 Of course, having got a new desk to work on may help. I think I need to place a “study computer” on it, just so i can have a dedicated study desk. Could be interesting.

Ah well, will update when the assignment is in. I may even write up a brief commentary on the Rondell Data Corporation, as by the end of it, I may have some good ideas to impart. For such a well used example of organisational strategy and change, the Rondell Data Corp seems to be conspicuously absent from the web.

Everybody needs good neighbours.

Published at December 1, 2008 in Cranbourne and The House. 2 Comments

Our neighbours fixed their front yard!!!!

 It was one of the niggling annoyances at the house of Raph and Rachel, that our neighbours who have been living in their house since about six months before we moved in, had never done anything at all with their yard. Im talking five foot high weeds, an unusable garage due to lack of driveway up to lip of the garage, and no leveling out of the soil.

 Their front yard really was an eyesore, to the point where complaints may have been lodged with the council.

Well last week, they finally got the weeds all removed, a driveway installed, and the ground levelled. They even seemed to have a house warming party on Saturday night. Course I didnt really appreciate the very bad music coming at massive volume at 1am, and even less, the car parked RIGHT ACROSS MY DRIVEWAY, but at least their yard is looking ok.

I suspect the old residents moved, and there are new residents. i could be wrong, but theres no longer 10 sets of shoes outside the front door. Maybe we should introduce ourselves, but i dont know yet. The neighbour on the other side is a delightful fellow, but this houses owner has been recalcitrant in every aspect of neighbourliness. I wont forget how weaselly he was in attempting to not contribute fencing costs.

More on the house soon.