Well, no real post.
I thought I had a topic on stumbling into conversations part way, and how taken out of context some things can really give the wrong impression. In my case, on my way to get a cup of tea at the office, a group of guys were talking about a recent video game, GTA V, but I only learned it was in regards to the game later on. The part I overheard sounded as though they were casually talking about a guy they all knew, and having unintentionally met up with him while he was in a compromising activity.
But I'm stuck on how to write this up.
It's an interesting experience, and most people probably have been in that situation of coming into a conversation part way, and thought it was about something else. Its even funnier if you join the conversation and proceed along the lines of your misconception, with everyone else not understanding what you're on about.
In my case this was more about my prudish side kicking in, with my ideas of what really is, and isn't, appropriate for conversation out loud in a workplace. Being in software engineering firm, video games come up alot, and as they're entertainment orientated, many video games are constantly seeking to appeal to our basest desires.
So I have nothing to write really about this, other than it possibly makes me seem prudish to others. But I think its not a bad thing. I'm not closed minded to new ideas or discussions about points of view, but I just have a sense that behaviour and conversations should have certain sensibilities.
Don't you?
Monday, 18 November 2013
Thursday, 14 November 2013
TL;DR
H-uh... I just found out what that means: too long; didn't read.
If my posts ever feel like that, please let me know.
Man down, man down!!
Many years ago, I'd been in Chicago with a group of other work colleagues, and we happened to be there in the middle of their winter. So on the weekend we decided to try our hand at skiing. The area we were staying at, was way out on the northern fringes of greater Chicago, and there had to be some small hills in the suburbs that doubled as mini-ski slopes. The one we went to was not much more than a bunny slope and then a slightly large hill which had a 2min gentle chair lift to the top. It really was tiny. In the summer, the larger hill would have only taken a 5min stroll to get to the top.
Anyway quite a few us hadn't skied before, and as we weren't interested in paying for an instructor, we had myself and one other guy looking to teach the basics of snowplough and turning to the four others. We must have spent about an hour going up and down the bunny slope, building confidence and ability. Finally we got to the stage where everyone was keen to move on and try the larger slope.
The slope wasn't complex, basically the larger hill and the bunny slope were side by side pointing down in the same direction. So we were just going to head down to the bottom of the bunny slope, and then steer a little left towards where the ski lift started that would take us up. So we went down in two groups, myself with two learners and the other guy with the other two.
We all arrived and were joining the lift queue when someone asked: "where's Caryn?"
No one knew where she'd gotten to, but the second group was sure she'd been right with them, and that's when we saw a group of people gathering around near a cluster of trees just at the base of the bunny slope. That's also when you get that sinking feeling and "oh no".
Apparently she'd built speed, panicked and froze up, resulting in her not being able to turn and avoid the little cluster of pines right in front of her. To make things worse, there is a small dip where snow hadn't built up around the base of the cluster of trees, so she'd slid down that and gotten trapped in the dip against a tree, unable to get herself up without a few other people getting in there to lift her out.
Caryn did not ski any more that day, and went off for a hot chocolate. Good thing I'm not trying to make a living as a ski instructor.
Anyway quite a few us hadn't skied before, and as we weren't interested in paying for an instructor, we had myself and one other guy looking to teach the basics of snowplough and turning to the four others. We must have spent about an hour going up and down the bunny slope, building confidence and ability. Finally we got to the stage where everyone was keen to move on and try the larger slope.
The slope wasn't complex, basically the larger hill and the bunny slope were side by side pointing down in the same direction. So we were just going to head down to the bottom of the bunny slope, and then steer a little left towards where the ski lift started that would take us up. So we went down in two groups, myself with two learners and the other guy with the other two.
We all arrived and were joining the lift queue when someone asked: "where's Caryn?"
No one knew where she'd gotten to, but the second group was sure she'd been right with them, and that's when we saw a group of people gathering around near a cluster of trees just at the base of the bunny slope. That's also when you get that sinking feeling and "oh no".
Apparently she'd built speed, panicked and froze up, resulting in her not being able to turn and avoid the little cluster of pines right in front of her. To make things worse, there is a small dip where snow hadn't built up around the base of the cluster of trees, so she'd slid down that and gotten trapped in the dip against a tree, unable to get herself up without a few other people getting in there to lift her out.
Caryn did not ski any more that day, and went off for a hot chocolate. Good thing I'm not trying to make a living as a ski instructor.
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Ohhhh..... nasty
Pretty much if you've ever caught a public transport train, whether in your home town doing the commute, or when on holidays and touring sites, you would have had to encounter the myriad of stairs and escalators that all go with the stations that accompany any public transport system.
During my commute to work, I don't take the stairs nearly enough but I'll kind keep walking on the escalators to speed up my ascent/descent to where ever I'm going. The etiquette here is similar to most places when it comes to escalators which can fit two people across; people who relax and enjoy the escalator ride all stand on one side, and the free side is left available for those who like to walk up the escalator steps in the pretence that we're kinda exercising.
This morning, as I'm stepping up the escalator, and kinda breathing deep as I try to hustle my way to the next train, the guy in front of me farts in mid step and I get my lungs full.
He just keeps going pretending to be innocent while I collapse gasping for air and making a monkey of myself on the floor.
Now, several mouth rinses with water, 2 cups of tea, a banana and some other fruit later, the taste still haunts me. I don't know what I'd do if I ever see that guy again, but the problem is I'll only recognise his butt and that will have me in the position for him to do it all over again.
During my commute to work, I don't take the stairs nearly enough but I'll kind keep walking on the escalators to speed up my ascent/descent to where ever I'm going. The etiquette here is similar to most places when it comes to escalators which can fit two people across; people who relax and enjoy the escalator ride all stand on one side, and the free side is left available for those who like to walk up the escalator steps in the pretence that we're kinda exercising.
This morning, as I'm stepping up the escalator, and kinda breathing deep as I try to hustle my way to the next train, the guy in front of me farts in mid step and I get my lungs full.
He just keeps going pretending to be innocent while I collapse gasping for air and making a monkey of myself on the floor.
Now, several mouth rinses with water, 2 cups of tea, a banana and some other fruit later, the taste still haunts me. I don't know what I'd do if I ever see that guy again, but the problem is I'll only recognise his butt and that will have me in the position for him to do it all over again.
Royal flush
Not the poker kind, at least not this time, instead I mean the toilet type.
A large number of toilets, seemingly anything over 10 years old, uses the float on a lever arm to control the inlet valve. I couldn't really find a decent picture, or at least one that wasn't too gritty, to show how these work, but essentially a rubber stopper is pushed down as the float rises on the water level, at the other end of a lever arm. The rubber stopper is intended to push down on the inlet hole, and cut off the supply once the water level has risen to the right point.
Anyway these things are cheap and nasty, and if you don't get decent rubber washers from the hardware store, then it is highly unlikely it'll seal properly. What you'll end up with is water still seeping through from the tap pressure and causing a hissing sound to be constantly heard. It can drive you crazy if you can hear it all the time.
Even if you can't, then what it also means is that the water level is still gradually rising and once it reaches the overflow point, that water is being wasted.
Anyway, digging through YouTube videos in desperation on how to fix this thing properly, I came across a reference to using Caroma's QuietFlow setup. It's also meant to be maintenance free so I shouldn't even have to worry about replacing ballcock washers anymore.
I had my doubts, but just finished installing it last night and it really does work well. An easy install, and works just like video and other reviews had indicated: fills fast until the set cutoff level where it cuts off straightaway and no hissing. For $24 (including delivery) from ABL Tile Centre its worth it.
Now all I've got to do is replace the jet engine of an exhaust fan with something more discreet, and going to the toilet will finally be a serene experience.
A large number of toilets, seemingly anything over 10 years old, uses the float on a lever arm to control the inlet valve. I couldn't really find a decent picture, or at least one that wasn't too gritty, to show how these work, but essentially a rubber stopper is pushed down as the float rises on the water level, at the other end of a lever arm. The rubber stopper is intended to push down on the inlet hole, and cut off the supply once the water level has risen to the right point.
Even if you can't, then what it also means is that the water level is still gradually rising and once it reaches the overflow point, that water is being wasted.
Anyway, digging through YouTube videos in desperation on how to fix this thing properly, I came across a reference to using Caroma's QuietFlow setup. It's also meant to be maintenance free so I shouldn't even have to worry about replacing ballcock washers anymore.
I had my doubts, but just finished installing it last night and it really does work well. An easy install, and works just like video and other reviews had indicated: fills fast until the set cutoff level where it cuts off straightaway and no hissing. For $24 (including delivery) from ABL Tile Centre its worth it.
Now all I've got to do is replace the jet engine of an exhaust fan with something more discreet, and going to the toilet will finally be a serene experience.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
I'm awake now
So yesterday was interesting. A bunch of changes in perspective, and then on the train ride home I get a call that water is gushing out of the hot water unit.
Awesome.
The tank is only 14 years old, but it seems the early owners weren't into maintaining the anode, so even though we replaced it just after moving in, that apparently was too late.
So a cold shower this morning which was rather exhilarating, and I can also look forward to an exciting water bill, and probably a good electricity one as well. While I was attending to it last night and assessing the extent of corrosion, I could hear the element still frantically trying to heat the little bit of water that was left in the bottom.
Anyway, hoping to get a replacement unit put in today. Bye bye money, I'll miss you, even though you never seemed to care much for me.
Awesome.
The tank is only 14 years old, but it seems the early owners weren't into maintaining the anode, so even though we replaced it just after moving in, that apparently was too late.
So a cold shower this morning which was rather exhilarating, and I can also look forward to an exciting water bill, and probably a good electricity one as well. While I was attending to it last night and assessing the extent of corrosion, I could hear the element still frantically trying to heat the little bit of water that was left in the bottom.
Anyway, hoping to get a replacement unit put in today. Bye bye money, I'll miss you, even though you never seemed to care much for me.
A different perspective
I just wrote about perspective when it comes to hearing about events secondhand, but today I was given a different perspective entirely. A close friend recently experienced an unexpected loss in his family. One day everything was normal, and the next was filled with shock and agony.
The event has understandably shaken them to the core and although he is thankful for what was spared, there is little that gives him much cheer right now.
We spend our lives sometimes chasing ridiculous things, and I think of all the hours I've sunk into computer games and other stuff that doesn't matter, but not into the people who I care about. Events like this help to reset my view on reality.
Bro, my thoughts are with you.
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