Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Beat the Devil
Briliant short movie staring Clive Owen, James Brown, Gary Oldman, Danny Trejo and a BMW Z4 for a drag race on the Las Vegas Strip!
And don't forget the "It's Marilyn, the creep from down the hall!" bit at the end!
Directed by: Tony Scott.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Google Lunar X Prize
(There is no audio)
And when it was finally done......
How can you beat that?
Well.....The X PRIZE Foundation and Google announced on the 13th of September the Google Lunar X Prize, a robotic race to the Moon to win a US $30 million prize purse. Private companies from around the world will compete to land a privately funded robotic rover on the Moon that is capable of completing several mission objectives, including roaming the lunar surface for at least 500 meters and sending video, images and data back to the Earth. Here is their promo it speaks for itself, I think.
Personal note: I can't believe that there has not been any (wo-)man on the moon in my lifetime, that means no one has been back in over 30 years. I wonder if the moon is going to be a bit like my new homeland Australia, left without being colonised for over a hundred years after the first Europeans laid eyes on it. The aboriginals made the right choice in making Australia their home over 40,000 years ago. Everyone recognizes Australia to be full of natural wonders and riches, now. What will we say in 40,000 years from now about the people that life on the moon? Or will we, ever....?
Weird Nature Puzzling Partners
Puzzling Partners is episode 5 of the BBC series Weird Nature.
In six engrossing episodes, many natural oddities of animal behaviour are explored, interpreted and filmed in exquisite detail. Using a unique presentation that combines elements of drama and special effects to explaining each amazing subject, Weird Nature delves deep into the every day lives of living things to reveal that the bizarre is commonplace in the natural world.
In six engrossing episodes, many natural oddities of animal behaviour are explored, interpreted and filmed in exquisite detail. Using a unique presentation that combines elements of drama and special effects to explaining each amazing subject, Weird Nature delves deep into the every day lives of living things to reveal that the bizarre is commonplace in the natural world.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Doyles
As we are always trying to do something nice on the weekends on Saturday the 16th we went out for a ''Fish and Chips'' at the legendary Doyles. Doyles is one of Sydney's best known seafood restaurants. It has expanded a lot and has restaurants across Sydney now. We thought we did well by going to the original restaurant at Watson Bay the site where Doyle sold his fish from in 1845. Watson Bay is a nice bay with a little beach with distant city views on one side and high cliffs on the other. Even though it was a nice sunny day and there were plenty of people on our ferry from Circular Quay the queues at the restaurant were modest a mere 10 minutes at most. Most people must have gone for a quick take away from Doyles on the Wharf to eat it in the park. It was a very nice meal and the staff were very attentive. On the menu it also says that you can have your second portion of fish on the house. But the portions (even at lunch) were such that we couldn't eat any more.
Circular Quay, Doyles, Doyles Lager, Watsons Bay
Opera House goes pink
Sydney Opera House goes pink
As a way of drawing attention to Breast Cancer Month in October, the Estee Lauder Companies initiated the Global Illumination campaign in 2000 to light significant architectural landmarks and monuments around the world pink.In Australia this event is used to launch Breast Cancer Month. In 2006, more than 30 cities participated in the Illumination including London, New York, Tokyo, Warsaw and Paris, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In 2007, 13 Australian cities will be participating in the Global Illumination program, with 25 buildings being illuminated.
Source: Lookforward.com.au
Great Natural Wonders of the World
Great natural Wonders of the World broadcast by the BBC narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
David Attenborough sets out on an intrepid quest across seven continents. From the highest, coldest summit to the lowest, hottest place on Earth, and from the world's tallest waterfalls to its most impressive caverns, this unique documentary celebrates the wealth of natural features that makes Planet Earth so varied, distinctive and beautiful.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Lunar Eclipse
A bit late but I only just found the timelapse video for it.
On August the 28th we had seen our second lunar eclipse this year and this time in Sydney, Australia. The last Lunar Eclipse Caroline and I saw was when we were still living in Witney, UK on a bitterly cold evening on the third of March. Fortunately for us it was a lot warmer this Australian winternight and we watched the whole eclipse while enjoying a Stone's ginger beer. I wonder if the mossies that were enjoying us in their turn got a little tipsy too?
Stone's Ginger Beer is a refreshing, zingy drink with a definite hit of ginger both on the nose and palate that is moderated by a softening sweetness. Stone's Premium Alcoholic Ginger Beer is the perfect way to quench the thirst on a hot summers day. It is equally at home over the bar by itself as it is with your favourite spicy Asian influenced cuisine.
On August the 28th we had seen our second lunar eclipse this year and this time in Sydney, Australia. The last Lunar Eclipse Caroline and I saw was when we were still living in Witney, UK on a bitterly cold evening on the third of March. Fortunately for us it was a lot warmer this Australian winternight and we watched the whole eclipse while enjoying a Stone's ginger beer. I wonder if the mossies that were enjoying us in their turn got a little tipsy too?
WINEMAKERS' NOTES:
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
30 and counting
30!!!
Monday afternoon we went to see the Simpsons Movie. And we had the BEST movie experience anyone can wish for especially on your birthday. Caroline and I were the only ones watching the movie. We had the whole theatre for ourselves. The only downside was that we were limited where we sat down as we had assigned seats. But they were the best seats in the house at the back and in the middle.
Arnie
and Caroline 
I turned 30 yesterday, it still hasn't sunk in ....thirty.
Anyway to mark the occasion Caroline had taken me away to the country for the long APEC weekend. It began Friday when we visited the Featherdale Wildlife Park. It is a wildlife park full of mostly Australian animals. The Park lets you get a hands on experience with some of the inhabitants. For example you can hold a Kookaburra, pet a koala or any of the kangaroos and wallabies that roam 'free' in several parts of the park. Unfortunately it rained for a bit but we stayed dry with umbrellas provided by the park. Free of charge!!!
Rock Wallabies, Tasmanian Devil, Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Brown Snake,
Echidna and a Gould's Monitor
And when I was able to drag Caroline away from the wombats we continued to Mudgee, driving through the wonderful Blue Mountains. Only stopping after we had passsed them while the sun was setting.
Mudgee is a small country town about 260 Km away from us. Famous for its fine wines produced in 40 different wineries.
We didn't go to Mudgee for the wineries but to be far away from the city (APEC) and hopefully see some wild kangaroos and enjoy some bushwalking. Judging by the amount of road kill there had to be plenty around and we were also surprised to see a lot of dead wombats along the road. On Saturday we drove through Gulgong visited Goulburn River National Park in the area and hiked to the BIG Drip (Currently under threat from mining ).
As we walked through the National Park we came across numerous Wombat burrows.
Unfortunately we saw none but it was evident they were there as they had left scat and fresh markings behind. We had to be back early at the Lauralla Guest House that day. Caroline had booked a table weeks in advance at a nice restaurant for the evening somewhere. But before we headed back, we had time to stop by one vineyard for a tasting. It was fortunate we were heading back when we did. Soon after it started pouring down with rain. The rain drove all the long-neck turtles out of hiding and onto the roads.
Being the animal lovers we are we stopped and managed to rescue a few of them. We chose the Frog Rock winery and drove to Frog Rock it was only a small detour on the map. And by doing so we discovered that the Frog Rock winery is actually NOT in Frog Rock but much closer to Mudgee. And as far as we could tell there weren't even any other wineries to go to in Frog Rock. In the end we managed to find the Frog Rock vineyard just outside Mudgee and Caroline enjoyed tasting their wines. I did not taste any because I was driving and I don't like wine anyway.
The surprise restaurant we went to was the Blue Wren. A winery with a fine restaurant, we had learned that earlier at breakfast from some of the other guests that were also staying at our Guest House, who had been the night before. We came to that same conclusion ourselves. It was good they have a courtesy bus that picks you up and takes you home after again. With all the wineries and tasting that goes on during the day not completely unnecessary judging by the state some people were in.
We were fortunate to have been picked up by the owner in his luxury car and he was also the one that took us home. Maybe because we handed a wine bag in that was left by someone at another table still containing a bottle of wine. Karma. What goes around comes around, we like to think.
On Sunday it was already time to go home again but it seemed like we had been away for a week. Not because we were bored!! but because we had seen and done so much. We decided to go to Wollemi National Park on our way home and visit Dunn's Swamp for one more bushwalk. During the walk we had beautiful views over the swamp from several lookout points.
Again we came across signs we were in wombat country but again they eluded us. We did came across a huge goanna that I believe to be a Lace Monitor.
And while finding links for this blog, I found that Dunn's Swamp is a UFO hotspot as well.
In order to get to Dunn's Swamp we had to go over unsealed roads. Which is always something we look forward to and sometimes the only reason for going anywhere. Except for Jackass in Queensland 3 years ago we went there purely because of its name. Although we are unable to find it on any maps now (e.g. Google) except of course for the one we had bought then in Cairns. From Dunn's Swamp we continued our way down to Lithgow along the park still over unsealed roads enjoying the drive and avoiding some of the traffic also making their way back to Sydney.
After all that we were home by 7 even though it felt more like 10. And we still had Monday off.
Rock Wallabies, Tasmanian Devil, Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Brown Snake,
Echidna and a Gould's Monitor
Looking back at the Blue Mountains
Mudgee is a small country town about 260 Km away from us. Famous for its fine wines produced in 40 different wineries.
We didn't go to Mudgee for the wineries but to be far away from the city (APEC) and hopefully see some wild kangaroos and enjoy some bushwalking. Judging by the amount of road kill there had to be plenty around and we were also surprised to see a lot of dead wombats along the road. On Saturday we drove through Gulgong visited Goulburn River National Park in the area and hiked to the BIG Drip (Currently under threat from mining ).
As we walked through the National Park we came across numerous Wombat burrows.
Unfortunately we saw none but it was evident they were there as they had left scat and fresh markings behind. We had to be back early at the Lauralla Guest House that day. Caroline had booked a table weeks in advance at a nice restaurant for the evening somewhere. But before we headed back, we had time to stop by one vineyard for a tasting. It was fortunate we were heading back when we did. Soon after it started pouring down with rain. The rain drove all the long-neck turtles out of hiding and onto the roads.
Being the animal lovers we are we stopped and managed to rescue a few of them. We chose the Frog Rock winery and drove to Frog Rock it was only a small detour on the map. And by doing so we discovered that the Frog Rock winery is actually NOT in Frog Rock but much closer to Mudgee. And as far as we could tell there weren't even any other wineries to go to in Frog Rock. In the end we managed to find the Frog Rock vineyard just outside Mudgee and Caroline enjoyed tasting their wines. I did not taste any because I was driving and I don't like wine anyway.
The surprise restaurant we went to was the Blue Wren. A winery with a fine restaurant, we had learned that earlier at breakfast from some of the other guests that were also staying at our Guest House, who had been the night before. We came to that same conclusion ourselves. It was good they have a courtesy bus that picks you up and takes you home after again. With all the wineries and tasting that goes on during the day not completely unnecessary judging by the state some people were in.
We were fortunate to have been picked up by the owner in his luxury car and he was also the one that took us home. Maybe because we handed a wine bag in that was left by someone at another table still containing a bottle of wine. Karma. What goes around comes around, we like to think.
On Sunday it was already time to go home again but it seemed like we had been away for a week. Not because we were bored!! but because we had seen and done so much. We decided to go to Wollemi National Park on our way home and visit Dunn's Swamp for one more bushwalk. During the walk we had beautiful views over the swamp from several lookout points.
Again we came across signs we were in wombat country but again they eluded us. We did came across a huge goanna that I believe to be a Lace Monitor.
In order to get to Dunn's Swamp we had to go over unsealed roads. Which is always something we look forward to and sometimes the only reason for going anywhere. Except for Jackass in Queensland 3 years ago we went there purely because of its name. Although we are unable to find it on any maps now (e.g. Google) except of course for the one we had bought then in Cairns. From Dunn's Swamp we continued our way down to Lithgow along the park still over unsealed roads enjoying the drive and avoiding some of the traffic also making their way back to Sydney.
On the way home we finally came across these two road signs together again.
Monday afternoon we went to see the Simpsons Movie. And we had the BEST movie experience anyone can wish for especially on your birthday. Caroline and I were the only ones watching the movie. We had the whole theatre for ourselves. The only downside was that we were limited where we sat down as we had assigned seats. But they were the best seats in the house at the back and in the middle.
Arnie
and Caroline Monday, September 03, 2007
APEC
Workers setting up the 3m high fence along Alfred Street (by Circular Quay) and patrolling police officers.
Sydney hosts the APEC meeting this year. That is the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperative.
And Sydney's CBD has changed drastically. 21 world leaders are coming to Sydney and for the occasion 5 Km of fencing has risen in the CBD from the 2nd to the 9th of September. This is to safeguard them and their entourage in the event of violent protests. A lot of these security measures are focused on George W. Bush's safety. The CBD has turned into a virtual fortress with an increase 0f 3,000 police and 1,500 soldiers and road closures disrupting traffic. Hopefully it will all pass uneventfully but better safe then sorry they must have thought. Sewers have been flushed to flush out any explosive devices that may have been hidden there and the general public may be subject to search in certain areas. Other areas are off limits like the Opera House which will be closed during this period as well as some train stations in the CBD will be closed from 7th to 9th. Also an emergency announcement system has been put in place to give out information in the event that would be necessary.
A good thing to come out of this is that Sydneysiders have been given an extra bank holiday on the 7th of September and they are encouraged to leave town that weekend. Which we are planning to do so we can enjoy a long weekend away for my birthday on the 10th.
Sydney hosts the APEC meeting this year. That is the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperative.
And Sydney's CBD has changed drastically. 21 world leaders are coming to Sydney and for the occasion 5 Km of fencing has risen in the CBD from the 2nd to the 9th of September. This is to safeguard them and their entourage in the event of violent protests. A lot of these security measures are focused on George W. Bush's safety. The CBD has turned into a virtual fortress with an increase 0f 3,000 police and 1,500 soldiers and road closures disrupting traffic. Hopefully it will all pass uneventfully but better safe then sorry they must have thought. Sewers have been flushed to flush out any explosive devices that may have been hidden there and the general public may be subject to search in certain areas. Other areas are off limits like the Opera House which will be closed during this period as well as some train stations in the CBD will be closed from 7th to 9th. Also an emergency announcement system has been put in place to give out information in the event that would be necessary.
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