Stay shiny side up, is something motorcyclists say to each other when they see someone heading off on a ride. It's kind of like saying, good luck, ride safe and may the gods be with you It's something that I try to do on the bike, staying shiny side up is a good thing.
I think I've mentioned how work has been getting me down a little recently. I've been spending a lot of time at home thinking about work and what I could have done or, what I should be doing and getting angry over poor decisions that have been made and the lack of help I've had in getting things done. Then the other night, I walked into the lounge room and my wife was watching something on TV, there was a homeless man talking about life on the streets and the first thing that popped into my head was, why am I so hung up on work? Things could be so much worse, why am I letting work get me down? I don't know where the thought came from or why it came to me, I don't think I was thinking about work at the time.
On my way to work the next day, it was cold and raining on and off, but there was this big, clear rainbow, well only half of it to start with. After a few minutes, I was basically riding towards the middle of the rainbow and I could see both sides and all the way over me. It was like I was riding into the middle of the rainbow, like it was some kind of portal or something.
Again I thought that life's pretty good, yeah I'm riding in the cold and wet, but how cool is that rainbow, it was just awesome. Rainbows have always been kind of magical and this one lifted my spirits and again made me wonder why I was so worked up over my job, it's just a job after all. I then said out loud, thank-you Mum, like I kind of believed that she was showing me this awesome rainbow to brighten my day. Of course my rational brain then kicked in and I realised that there is no way that my Mum could be the reason for the rainbow, however, there would have been a thousand or more other people who saw that rainbow and a lot would have thought similar thoughts to mine, that the rainbow was a sign from God or a loved one, or even something else. People who have it a lot worse than me and have a greater need to be cheered up by a sign or even just the rainbow itself.
It made me realise that not that long ago, people would
have struggled to understand why rainbows form and it just goes to show why people would
think that they were a sign from a higher being or something magical. Everything about life on this planet is really just a massive co-incidence with a large amount of luck. We really are all made of star dust. No wonder religion is so big and the cause of so many issues, without it we really would have felt alone and confused for most of history. Not that understanding rainbows makes us any less alone in galaxy, but somehow science comforts me and many others, when religion no longer can.
Bomber
How many other planets do you know of that have life?
Friday, 31 May 2019
Thursday, 30 May 2019
Man it's cold.
Yesterday was pretty cold, in fact I think it was colder riding home after work than it was riding to work in the morning. On the ride home it started to sleet and once I was home it came down pretty hard and sideways for a while. I think that if were only a little higher up we would have had snow. I was half expecting there to be a decent amount of snow on the ground this morning when I woke up.
This kind of weather is probably the worst for camping in. You can't even enjoy a fire as it is so windy and the rain is coming in sideways. Being trapped in a small tent in this weather would be no fun at all, that's even if you could manage to get the tent up in the first place. Just riding the bike in this weather can be a challenge in itself. If there is a little rain and ice on the road and then the wind blowing you all over the place, it wouldn't take much for things to go wrong pretty quickly.
I've had a pretty good run with the weather when it comes to riding the motorcycle. For some reason I seem to miss the big rain showers when they come through or even if we have a day or two of solid rain, I'm either travelling for work or have already planned to have a holiday or something. In the end I don't think that I've ridden in anywhere as much rain as some of the other riders at work who also commute daily. I'm sure the time will come where I'm stuck riding in the rain for several days in a row, it has happened before but not for a while.
I've purchased a bag of wood for the firepit and seeing as I'm not on call this weekend, I think I might fire it up if the weather permits. Saturday night is meant to be looking pretty good at the moment so I think I'll try and do it then.
Bomber
I wonder what ideas I'll come up with around the fire this year.
This kind of weather is probably the worst for camping in. You can't even enjoy a fire as it is so windy and the rain is coming in sideways. Being trapped in a small tent in this weather would be no fun at all, that's even if you could manage to get the tent up in the first place. Just riding the bike in this weather can be a challenge in itself. If there is a little rain and ice on the road and then the wind blowing you all over the place, it wouldn't take much for things to go wrong pretty quickly.
I've had a pretty good run with the weather when it comes to riding the motorcycle. For some reason I seem to miss the big rain showers when they come through or even if we have a day or two of solid rain, I'm either travelling for work or have already planned to have a holiday or something. In the end I don't think that I've ridden in anywhere as much rain as some of the other riders at work who also commute daily. I'm sure the time will come where I'm stuck riding in the rain for several days in a row, it has happened before but not for a while.
I've purchased a bag of wood for the firepit and seeing as I'm not on call this weekend, I think I might fire it up if the weather permits. Saturday night is meant to be looking pretty good at the moment so I think I'll try and do it then.
Bomber
I wonder what ideas I'll come up with around the fire this year.
Wednesday, 29 May 2019
YouTube on the TV
Recently I've started watching some of the YouTube channels that I subscribe to on the TV. It's a fairly large TV, maybe 60 inches and you really notice if the quality of the video isn't any good. I'm already starting to think that maybe the quality of the Insta360 One isn't going to be good enough for what I want.
I know that I shouldn't really worry about that considering that I haven't even managed to record one video yet, but it is something that has been weighing on my mind. I don't really know what I can do about it either. I still want to do the 360° video thing and I can't afford to purchase a better quality camera at the moment. I'm thinking that I'll just have to stick with what I've got and try and make the most of it.
I still don't know when I'm going to go motocamping next, everything has been so chaotic recently but I think things have started to calm down a little. It's a shame that the weather is just so cold already. It has been the coldest couple of days in May in almost 20 years. The Sun is already setting at around 5pm and it will keep getting earlier and earlier until around 22 June which is the shortest day of the year. Usually, an early start to Winter means that it will be quite a mild Winter, so here's hoping.
There is a bike rally that I'm a little interested in attending in the middle of Winter. It is to celebrate the 50th adversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and it is being held at one of the actual sites where the first images were beamed down to before being sent around the world. This location is just on the outside of Canberra so it is an easy ride, but it will be freezing cold. The cost isn't that much and they are supplying firewood so I guess there will be some warmth until you crawl into your tent. I'm not certain if I really want to go or not but it could be fun.
Bomber
I hate having cold feet.
I know that I shouldn't really worry about that considering that I haven't even managed to record one video yet, but it is something that has been weighing on my mind. I don't really know what I can do about it either. I still want to do the 360° video thing and I can't afford to purchase a better quality camera at the moment. I'm thinking that I'll just have to stick with what I've got and try and make the most of it.
I still don't know when I'm going to go motocamping next, everything has been so chaotic recently but I think things have started to calm down a little. It's a shame that the weather is just so cold already. It has been the coldest couple of days in May in almost 20 years. The Sun is already setting at around 5pm and it will keep getting earlier and earlier until around 22 June which is the shortest day of the year. Usually, an early start to Winter means that it will be quite a mild Winter, so here's hoping.
There is a bike rally that I'm a little interested in attending in the middle of Winter. It is to celebrate the 50th adversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and it is being held at one of the actual sites where the first images were beamed down to before being sent around the world. This location is just on the outside of Canberra so it is an easy ride, but it will be freezing cold. The cost isn't that much and they are supplying firewood so I guess there will be some warmth until you crawl into your tent. I'm not certain if I really want to go or not but it could be fun.
Bomber
I hate having cold feet.
Tuesday, 28 May 2019
Should I Increase the Targets?
I've recently been thinking that I should be increasing the step target that I have set. Basically I've been chickening out from doing it as I've only just started hitting the existing step target more regularly and not sure if I could actually achieve a higher target.
From looking at the graph that I do each week the steps and calories burnt follow each other fairly closely which is no real surprise but I wonder if I start using weights again if the calorie burn will go up or not, I may not be getting my heart rate up by lifting weights so the calorie burn may not be there. I did read somewhere that doing weights isn't really the best thing to be doing when you are trying to lose weight.
I've also been wondering about the weight I've been losing. Last week is a good example, I weighed 109kg on Thursday Morning and was still 109kg on Sunday morning, but the previous Thursday I was 110kg. I never ended up buying new scales that would have made it easier to track my weight, but I'm thinking that maybe I'll weigh myself daily this week and see if I can see if it is a gradual weight loss throughout the week or if there is a particular day where I seem to lose more weight. It may be interesting to see if I lose the weight in the morning after a big day at work, or if it is when I've had a quieter day at work but then come home and gone for a longer walk to make up the steps for the day. Unfortunately the scales I have aren't too granular so it will be hard to monitor especially as I'm losing only about a kilo in a good week.
Kmart have some smart scales that link to a bluetooth app and seem to measure in tenths of kilos (eg 109.3 kg), so I think that I'll go and grab them sometime this week and start weighing in daily for a week or two. I don't want to become fixated on the scales either but that's all I really have to go by unless I start measuring my waste line.... which is something that I guess I could do every month.
Sometimes when I write these posts I come up with more ideas and more goals for myself then I probably should.
Bomber
Is too much data a bad thing?
From looking at the graph that I do each week the steps and calories burnt follow each other fairly closely which is no real surprise but I wonder if I start using weights again if the calorie burn will go up or not, I may not be getting my heart rate up by lifting weights so the calorie burn may not be there. I did read somewhere that doing weights isn't really the best thing to be doing when you are trying to lose weight.
I've also been wondering about the weight I've been losing. Last week is a good example, I weighed 109kg on Thursday Morning and was still 109kg on Sunday morning, but the previous Thursday I was 110kg. I never ended up buying new scales that would have made it easier to track my weight, but I'm thinking that maybe I'll weigh myself daily this week and see if I can see if it is a gradual weight loss throughout the week or if there is a particular day where I seem to lose more weight. It may be interesting to see if I lose the weight in the morning after a big day at work, or if it is when I've had a quieter day at work but then come home and gone for a longer walk to make up the steps for the day. Unfortunately the scales I have aren't too granular so it will be hard to monitor especially as I'm losing only about a kilo in a good week.
Kmart have some smart scales that link to a bluetooth app and seem to measure in tenths of kilos (eg 109.3 kg), so I think that I'll go and grab them sometime this week and start weighing in daily for a week or two. I don't want to become fixated on the scales either but that's all I really have to go by unless I start measuring my waste line.... which is something that I guess I could do every month.
Sometimes when I write these posts I come up with more ideas and more goals for myself then I probably should.
Bomber
Is too much data a bad thing?
Monday, 27 May 2019
A Sad Day
Early last week I was looking forward to enjoying today as I was expecting it to be a lazy day at home with the wife and kids at work and school. It's a public holiday in ACT but not in NSW so I had the day off but my wife and kids were meant to be at work and school.
As it turns out, life had other plans for us today and we all attended my wife's Nan's funeral. It was held in the little town with a population of 300, it's where she'd live most of her life, in fact I think it was all of it apart from the last couple of years where she'd been living in a nursing home closer to her son, my wife's father. It takes a couple of hours to drive there and the scenery is always nice, it's just a shame that we were there for a funeral and not a holiday.
The service was nice and was held in a tiny little church on the outskirts of the town. Funerals are never fun but they can be nice and everyone knows what's happening and they can respect each other. The grave side service was freezing cold, the forecast was for 8°C and there was a chance of snow, I'm not sure what the actual temperature was but it was cold and the wind-chill made it even colder. Wakes can be a little awkward at times and this one was no exception. There were a lot of people who don't really know each other well trying to make small talk. Some groups got a little rowdy wanted to make it a bit of a party whilst others just wanted to have a quiet cup of tea or coffee and reminisce.
Being somewhat of an outsider to the family, I basically kept to myself and made sure that my wife was looked after and tried to make sure that the kids behaved themselves. They'd only attended one other funeral and that was several years ago when my Mum passed away. They had a few questions but were generally well behaved. I guess it can be a little confronting when you are young, I didn't attend a funeral until I was a teenager and although one of my grandparents passed away when I would have been around 12 or so.
Bomber
One day we'll be able to live forever.
As it turns out, life had other plans for us today and we all attended my wife's Nan's funeral. It was held in the little town with a population of 300, it's where she'd live most of her life, in fact I think it was all of it apart from the last couple of years where she'd been living in a nursing home closer to her son, my wife's father. It takes a couple of hours to drive there and the scenery is always nice, it's just a shame that we were there for a funeral and not a holiday.
The service was nice and was held in a tiny little church on the outskirts of the town. Funerals are never fun but they can be nice and everyone knows what's happening and they can respect each other. The grave side service was freezing cold, the forecast was for 8°C and there was a chance of snow, I'm not sure what the actual temperature was but it was cold and the wind-chill made it even colder. Wakes can be a little awkward at times and this one was no exception. There were a lot of people who don't really know each other well trying to make small talk. Some groups got a little rowdy wanted to make it a bit of a party whilst others just wanted to have a quiet cup of tea or coffee and reminisce.
Being somewhat of an outsider to the family, I basically kept to myself and made sure that my wife was looked after and tried to make sure that the kids behaved themselves. They'd only attended one other funeral and that was several years ago when my Mum passed away. They had a few questions but were generally well behaved. I guess it can be a little confronting when you are young, I didn't attend a funeral until I was a teenager and although one of my grandparents passed away when I would have been around 12 or so.
Bomber
One day we'll be able to live forever.
Sunday, 26 May 2019
Weighing In
It's that time of the week again. This week has been fairly successful, I ate a little healthier for lunch, I didn't have a beer until Thursday night and I managed to hit my step goal for the week. I was also doing a fair bit of heavy lifting on Thursday and Friday at work so that will help things along too. Again I weighed myself on Thursday morning just in case I forgot to weigh myself this morning, which thankfully I didn't, but again it hadn't changed between Thursday morning and this morning.
We didn't have lunch with Dad yesterday as my son had a birthday party to go to and my wife invited our old neighbours and their kids over to see the new house and for the kids to have a play date with our daughter. I'm not sure what they thought of the place, it's not like anyone is going to say anything bad to your face when they are in your house, but they are still in the old house next door to our old house. Three daughters and them in a three bedroom, one bathroom house that only has the one living space. They don't even have a real outdoor area like we had at the old place, they just have a marquee that they use in the summer. They are really nice people, it would be great if they did move out here somewhere nearby so we could stay in contact a little easier.
Anyway back to the weighing in thing that I do every week. I'd like to start seeing some more weight loss but again I'm still happy that my fitness has obviously improved. I'm sleeping better again basically feeling better than I have in long time. I guess there are some benefits to a healthier lifestyle, funny that.
Weight: 109kg
Steps for the week: 84,768
Average daily calorie burn: 4,768
Bomber
90kg seems so far away
We didn't have lunch with Dad yesterday as my son had a birthday party to go to and my wife invited our old neighbours and their kids over to see the new house and for the kids to have a play date with our daughter. I'm not sure what they thought of the place, it's not like anyone is going to say anything bad to your face when they are in your house, but they are still in the old house next door to our old house. Three daughters and them in a three bedroom, one bathroom house that only has the one living space. They don't even have a real outdoor area like we had at the old place, they just have a marquee that they use in the summer. They are really nice people, it would be great if they did move out here somewhere nearby so we could stay in contact a little easier.
Anyway back to the weighing in thing that I do every week. I'd like to start seeing some more weight loss but again I'm still happy that my fitness has obviously improved. I'm sleeping better again basically feeling better than I have in long time. I guess there are some benefits to a healthier lifestyle, funny that.
Weight: 109kg
Steps for the week: 84,768
Average daily calorie burn: 4,768
Bomber
90kg seems so far away
Saturday, 25 May 2019
Catching Up.
Tonight I'm heading out to dinner with a couple of mates. One of them is my mate who's going through a marriage break up and the other is the mate we've both had basically all out lives. We're going to a Chinese restaurant called "Happy's". It's been around for as long as we've been going out for, probably longer and it usually is a great feed.
My mate who's going through the break-up has been taking it in turns with his ex-wife to stay somewhere else then their home on the weekends. This weekend is his turn and he's staying in a hotel in the centre of town. It's really quite sad but I guess it makes sense. I wouldn't want to go and live my Dad or somewhere else and not see the kids. Neither of them really want be away from their home but they've realised that they need their own space and spending the weekends away from each other is something that they are doing to try and keep what friendship they have left intact. They are in the process of selling their house and once it's sold they'll go their separate ways. I'm not sure if they are planning on trying to reconcile their differences as from the sounds of it, they've been trying to save their marriage for a while now and have been talking to a councillor, but they have ended up deciding that it's time to move on.
It will be great to catch-up with both my mates but it's kind of a shame that the only reason we're doing this is because of the circumstances. If you don't count going camping together maybe once a year for the last few years, we've never gone out for dinner with just the three of us just because we can, maybe we did once or twice 20 years ago, but that's about it. It's something that we should have been doing all along and something that I'm going to try and make time for every few months when we can't be camping together.
I'm on call for work so it won't be a big drinking session or anything, even though after the week I've had that would have been well and truly welcomed. I do have to be really extra careful with having any drinks and then driving as in NSW they've just introduced a new law that is if you are caught over the limit, you will lose your licence for three months on the spot. You'll still have to go to court and most likely pay a fine but you can also lose your licence for longer if the judge thinks you deserve to. I've always been fairly careful with driving after I've had anything to drink, if my wife is with me I always make her drive even if I've only had one drink as she doesn't drink at all. Being on call means that I shouldn't really be drinking at all as I may have to go to work at short notice, work wouldn't have a problem if I'd had a drink or two, but getting pulled over on the way to work and blowing just over the limit would be a right royal pain in the back side. I'd have no time to organise any alternate arrangements and just be walking home and have to call my boss and tell him what happened so he could go in to work. To top it off, not having a licence would mean that I couldn't be on call any longer so I'd lose the restriction allowance that they've been paying for the last few months.
Bomber
I've still never been called in.
My mate who's going through the break-up has been taking it in turns with his ex-wife to stay somewhere else then their home on the weekends. This weekend is his turn and he's staying in a hotel in the centre of town. It's really quite sad but I guess it makes sense. I wouldn't want to go and live my Dad or somewhere else and not see the kids. Neither of them really want be away from their home but they've realised that they need their own space and spending the weekends away from each other is something that they are doing to try and keep what friendship they have left intact. They are in the process of selling their house and once it's sold they'll go their separate ways. I'm not sure if they are planning on trying to reconcile their differences as from the sounds of it, they've been trying to save their marriage for a while now and have been talking to a councillor, but they have ended up deciding that it's time to move on.
It will be great to catch-up with both my mates but it's kind of a shame that the only reason we're doing this is because of the circumstances. If you don't count going camping together maybe once a year for the last few years, we've never gone out for dinner with just the three of us just because we can, maybe we did once or twice 20 years ago, but that's about it. It's something that we should have been doing all along and something that I'm going to try and make time for every few months when we can't be camping together.
I'm on call for work so it won't be a big drinking session or anything, even though after the week I've had that would have been well and truly welcomed. I do have to be really extra careful with having any drinks and then driving as in NSW they've just introduced a new law that is if you are caught over the limit, you will lose your licence for three months on the spot. You'll still have to go to court and most likely pay a fine but you can also lose your licence for longer if the judge thinks you deserve to. I've always been fairly careful with driving after I've had anything to drink, if my wife is with me I always make her drive even if I've only had one drink as she doesn't drink at all. Being on call means that I shouldn't really be drinking at all as I may have to go to work at short notice, work wouldn't have a problem if I'd had a drink or two, but getting pulled over on the way to work and blowing just over the limit would be a right royal pain in the back side. I'd have no time to organise any alternate arrangements and just be walking home and have to call my boss and tell him what happened so he could go in to work. To top it off, not having a licence would mean that I couldn't be on call any longer so I'd lose the restriction allowance that they've been paying for the last few months.
Bomber
I've still never been called in.
Friday, 24 May 2019
Time for the Photos
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| 24 November 2018 |
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| 24 November 2018 |
 |
| 24 May 2019 |
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| 24 May 2019 |
I'm trying to beat my targets each week, but my diet has let me down. I'm not surprised that you can't really see any difference between the photos as there is only maybe one or two kilos difference between the two. The biggest difference that I can see between the two set of photos is the different houses each set were taken in and that I should have put a pair of socks in my pants or something.
Bomber
More photos in another 6 months
Thursday, 23 May 2019
17 Panels, 5.2 KW
I can't remember what I last said when I wrote about getting Solar Panels. I arranged for three quotes, one person came to site, another did it all over the phone and the third I went to their showroom and saw them. After speaking with all three of them I contacted the phone quote again and told them that my requirements had changed a little and got them to re-quote, which they did
The company that came to site gave a quote the next day. They have lots of great reviews but the inverter that they want to use doesn't have a lot of good reviews so a couple of days ago I sent an email asking about the inverters and if they perhaps had a different model and also if the price they quoted for the inverter included the wifi adapter needed if I want to monitor the power, which I do.
The company that I went and saw never sent an email and never made any attempt to contact me again so they've been written off.
All I currently have to go off is the one quote from the company that did everything over the phone. I'm thinking that I'll have no choice but to go with them. They rate higher than the other two on the comparison site I've been using and they also have twice the number of votes then the nearest competitor so they can't be all that bad. They also are using slightly better panels and inverters so I'm guessing that even though they are the most expensive of the two official quotes I have and about the same as the verbal pricing I was given by the company who's showroom I visited.
I've just to clear it with my wife as it costs a fair bit but I think that with the way power prices are going we should try and reduce our dependency on the grid. In another 10 years or so I can look at adding additional panels and maybe by then battery storage will be more affordable and more efficient. I think the ultimate goal would be to have no power bill and sufficient excess power being generated to charge a decent sized battery so an electric car can be charged up by the battery overnight.
Bomber
What's wrong with the world when businesses don't reply to emails or even send quotes?
The company that came to site gave a quote the next day. They have lots of great reviews but the inverter that they want to use doesn't have a lot of good reviews so a couple of days ago I sent an email asking about the inverters and if they perhaps had a different model and also if the price they quoted for the inverter included the wifi adapter needed if I want to monitor the power, which I do.
The company that I went and saw never sent an email and never made any attempt to contact me again so they've been written off.
All I currently have to go off is the one quote from the company that did everything over the phone. I'm thinking that I'll have no choice but to go with them. They rate higher than the other two on the comparison site I've been using and they also have twice the number of votes then the nearest competitor so they can't be all that bad. They also are using slightly better panels and inverters so I'm guessing that even though they are the most expensive of the two official quotes I have and about the same as the verbal pricing I was given by the company who's showroom I visited.
I've just to clear it with my wife as it costs a fair bit but I think that with the way power prices are going we should try and reduce our dependency on the grid. In another 10 years or so I can look at adding additional panels and maybe by then battery storage will be more affordable and more efficient. I think the ultimate goal would be to have no power bill and sufficient excess power being generated to charge a decent sized battery so an electric car can be charged up by the battery overnight.
Bomber
What's wrong with the world when businesses don't reply to emails or even send quotes?
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
A Mixed Bag
Today was one of those days where people were determined to piss me off, I got through the day without letting it get to me but it probably wouldn't have taken much for someone to push me over the edge. I can not stand people who lie to your face and then when you catch them out in the lie they stand by it and dig themselves deeper. Dealing with people like that is just the worst, it's plain to see that they have no idea what they are doing but for some reason they have their management all fooled and everyone thinks that they are doing a great job and can't see what the problem is.
I was feeling pretty good about getting through the day without losing it and I actually got a fair bit done.
Once I got home I found out that my wife's Nan had passed away during the day. She'd been a little unwell in the last week and it was expected that she wouldn't last long. On Sunday she was in a fairly bad way but seemed to make a recovery on Monday. Yesterday she was going downhill again and today she passed away peacefully with her daughter in law (my wife's Mum) and her granddaughter (my wife's sister) at her side. Nan was a great woman I a really enjoyed it when we would visit her. She'd outlived a lot of her family including two of her own daughters, so she was probably missing a lot of them and was somewhat looking forward to seeing them again.
It's one of those things that I struggle with in my head, the afterlife. I'd love to believe that there was one but I just can't. I personally believe that when someone dies, they may see people that they missed or had forgotten about as their brain shuts down and different neural links are either being broken or formed in one last panic. As for any part of our spirit living on I again don't think so.
I do believe that there may be unexplained phenomenon that people believe are ghosts or even images or impressions that people left behind in the environment, almost like a photo, but if they contain any of the actual spirit of a human, I can't see how. We are just animals, why would we have ghosts and the dinosaurs not? I don't believe that humans are any different than any other animal, the absence of dinosaur ghosts, or really any ghosts from before the Victorian time, leads me to believe that there aren't any real ghosts.
Bomber
I'll miss Nan
I was feeling pretty good about getting through the day without losing it and I actually got a fair bit done.
Once I got home I found out that my wife's Nan had passed away during the day. She'd been a little unwell in the last week and it was expected that she wouldn't last long. On Sunday she was in a fairly bad way but seemed to make a recovery on Monday. Yesterday she was going downhill again and today she passed away peacefully with her daughter in law (my wife's Mum) and her granddaughter (my wife's sister) at her side. Nan was a great woman I a really enjoyed it when we would visit her. She'd outlived a lot of her family including two of her own daughters, so she was probably missing a lot of them and was somewhat looking forward to seeing them again.
It's one of those things that I struggle with in my head, the afterlife. I'd love to believe that there was one but I just can't. I personally believe that when someone dies, they may see people that they missed or had forgotten about as their brain shuts down and different neural links are either being broken or formed in one last panic. As for any part of our spirit living on I again don't think so.
I do believe that there may be unexplained phenomenon that people believe are ghosts or even images or impressions that people left behind in the environment, almost like a photo, but if they contain any of the actual spirit of a human, I can't see how. We are just animals, why would we have ghosts and the dinosaurs not? I don't believe that humans are any different than any other animal, the absence of dinosaur ghosts, or really any ghosts from before the Victorian time, leads me to believe that there aren't any real ghosts.
Bomber
I'll miss Nan
Tuesday, 21 May 2019
Keeping Busy
Work has been pretty busy lately and it is about to get a whole heap busier. Everyone has decided that they all want everything done at the same time, it often happens this way as we approach the end of the financial year, same with the approach to Easter or Christmas. Something seems to get everyone worked up and they think that the world will end if the work isn't done in time. I think some of it is that people want all the work that I need to do out of the way before they go on leave so that when they come back they can take their time to do their work. They want to wind down a little before taking a break but don't think that I should be able to wind down a little myself.
I've had people push and push to get me to do things for them quickly, so I've dropped everything and only worked on their task, only to find out six months later that even though it was super urgent for me to do my work, they still haven't even started doing their part of the work. It doesn't seem to matter who I talk to at work, most people seem to be in the same boat, unrealistic expectations are being put on them and they are doing all they can to meet them, meanwhile others in their team or the people who they are doing the work for are waltzing around not doing much or spending a lot of time socialising at work. For some reason people just don't seem to understand that they actually might need to do some work themselves if they want to get things done, or, that if they place such high demands on their staff that they should lead by example.
Bomber
To lead, you need to be in front of everyone else.
I've had people push and push to get me to do things for them quickly, so I've dropped everything and only worked on their task, only to find out six months later that even though it was super urgent for me to do my work, they still haven't even started doing their part of the work. It doesn't seem to matter who I talk to at work, most people seem to be in the same boat, unrealistic expectations are being put on them and they are doing all they can to meet them, meanwhile others in their team or the people who they are doing the work for are waltzing around not doing much or spending a lot of time socialising at work. For some reason people just don't seem to understand that they actually might need to do some work themselves if they want to get things done, or, that if they place such high demands on their staff that they should lead by example.
Bomber
To lead, you need to be in front of everyone else.
Monday, 20 May 2019
Doing some Bettering of me.
A while back I posted about a close mate of mine who was going through a break-up after over ten years of marriage and how I wanted to be a better friend to him. Back in college I had two close mates who I basically did everything with. I had other friends too, but these two were who I went out with every weekend and once college was over, I stayed in close contact with them. They are the god parents to my children, one to my son and the other to my daughter. We usually only catch up a couple of time a year, sometimes less, but since one of them is going through this break-up I've been trying to stay in contact with both them more than I have in the past.
We've set up a group chat and the three of us send messages during the week and check in on each other, it's probably the closest we've been in years. The other night I was telling them about my recent trip to Melbourne and how I really liked Melbourne and we decided that we should go on an road trip together, leaving our families behind for a couple of days and just go and enjoy spending time together as mates. Over the last few years we've often spent a night or two camping together, but this time we're going to go to a hotel and live it up a little. Hopefully we can find something interesting to attend whilst we're there. I'd like to go to the F1 in Melbourne but I'm not sure the other two would be into it as much as I am. I'm pretty sure we would all enjoy going to see a band together or even just find a cool pub and have a few drinks together.
I'm trying to see what's going on in Melbourne in the next few months that could be worth the trip. Metallica are playing in October but the normal tickets have already sold out so unless we want to shell out for the premium gold class tickets, then that's out of the question. I'm sure it would be a good show, but I don't know if I want to pay that much to see them.
Other than that, I can't find any other big names, I'm sure that there will be some smaller gigs with decent bands, but we may just have to pick a date and take our chances.
Bomber
Bettering my friendships
We've set up a group chat and the three of us send messages during the week and check in on each other, it's probably the closest we've been in years. The other night I was telling them about my recent trip to Melbourne and how I really liked Melbourne and we decided that we should go on an road trip together, leaving our families behind for a couple of days and just go and enjoy spending time together as mates. Over the last few years we've often spent a night or two camping together, but this time we're going to go to a hotel and live it up a little. Hopefully we can find something interesting to attend whilst we're there. I'd like to go to the F1 in Melbourne but I'm not sure the other two would be into it as much as I am. I'm pretty sure we would all enjoy going to see a band together or even just find a cool pub and have a few drinks together.
I'm trying to see what's going on in Melbourne in the next few months that could be worth the trip. Metallica are playing in October but the normal tickets have already sold out so unless we want to shell out for the premium gold class tickets, then that's out of the question. I'm sure it would be a good show, but I don't know if I want to pay that much to see them.
Other than that, I can't find any other big names, I'm sure that there will be some smaller gigs with decent bands, but we may just have to pick a date and take our chances.
Bomber
Bettering my friendships
Sunday, 19 May 2019
Weighing In
I weighed myself on Thursday morning just in case I forget to weigh myself this morning, which I did. I didn't remember until after having breakfast and a coffee so I'll just use Thursday's figure.
The amount of work I've done around the house and the extra steps I've been putting in on the weekends really should have had more of an effect than it has in the last couple of weeks. I believe that the main issue is the amount of beer I've been drinking and the amount of junk I've been eating. It's great that I haven't put on weight from the all the over indulgence, but it would be better if I'd lost the weight first and then was able to maintain a lower weight and not worry so much about what I was eating.
I'm going to start making an effort with my diet again. I'm not going to have any beer all next week and also really try and make sure that I'm drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy lunch.
It is getting dark quite early so when I get home from work I don't have as long before the sun sets and it starts to get cold. I'm going to try and keep walking each afternoon if I can but I'm sure the day will come in the next few weeks when it is too cold to really enjoy being outside after dark.
Weight: 110kg
Steps for the week: 84,215
Average daily calorie burn: 4,356
Bomber
I can do this
The amount of work I've done around the house and the extra steps I've been putting in on the weekends really should have had more of an effect than it has in the last couple of weeks. I believe that the main issue is the amount of beer I've been drinking and the amount of junk I've been eating. It's great that I haven't put on weight from the all the over indulgence, but it would be better if I'd lost the weight first and then was able to maintain a lower weight and not worry so much about what I was eating.
I'm going to start making an effort with my diet again. I'm not going to have any beer all next week and also really try and make sure that I'm drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy lunch.
It is getting dark quite early so when I get home from work I don't have as long before the sun sets and it starts to get cold. I'm going to try and keep walking each afternoon if I can but I'm sure the day will come in the next few weeks when it is too cold to really enjoy being outside after dark.
Weight: 110kg
Steps for the week: 84,215
Average daily calorie burn: 4,356
I can do this
Saturday, 18 May 2019
300
Today marks 300 published posts, it's quite a number and I guess it's a lot of time and effort to some degree. I never really thought about how long I would keep this blog going when I started it. I never really knew what would happen to it. This blog was always a kind of experiment, I have never done anything to promote it and I wanted to see if anyone would actually find it and if they did, what they would think of it, or, if they would keep reading it.
What I do find amusing is that some of my posts seem to attract more views, like when I talk about certain subjects, like about getting the snip, but I usually only get just one view for most posts.
You know who you are, whether you realise it or not, if you are reading this in the day or two after it was posted and you read every one of my posts, you are basically the only person reading this blog. My wife does still occasionally view the blog, but not as often as she did when she first found out about it and not as regularly as you do.
I was kind of hoping that more people would discover this blog over time and at one stage I even put in some Amazon affiliate links in some of the posts just in case I could earn some money from this blog. My Amazon affiliate account was closed some time ago as I hadn't generated any business and I never bothered to try and activate it again. This blog wasn't meant to be a money making venture, this blog was and still is for me.
To my one regular reader, thank-you, you have motivated me to keep at this, if I didn't have your one view every day or so, I probably would have given up on this experiment. I've sometimes wondered if you are an internet bot or something, that would kind of be funny if it is true, but also a little sad. I plan to keep on writing daily if possible and seeing how long I can continue to do so, hopefully you'll continue to enjoy reading my posts. I'm assuming you like my posts and that's why you keep coming back. Hopefully you're not an English teacher who just likes correcting my grammar and spelling.
Bomber
Maybe you're a bot?
What I do find amusing is that some of my posts seem to attract more views, like when I talk about certain subjects, like about getting the snip, but I usually only get just one view for most posts.
You know who you are, whether you realise it or not, if you are reading this in the day or two after it was posted and you read every one of my posts, you are basically the only person reading this blog. My wife does still occasionally view the blog, but not as often as she did when she first found out about it and not as regularly as you do.
I was kind of hoping that more people would discover this blog over time and at one stage I even put in some Amazon affiliate links in some of the posts just in case I could earn some money from this blog. My Amazon affiliate account was closed some time ago as I hadn't generated any business and I never bothered to try and activate it again. This blog wasn't meant to be a money making venture, this blog was and still is for me.
To my one regular reader, thank-you, you have motivated me to keep at this, if I didn't have your one view every day or so, I probably would have given up on this experiment. I've sometimes wondered if you are an internet bot or something, that would kind of be funny if it is true, but also a little sad. I plan to keep on writing daily if possible and seeing how long I can continue to do so, hopefully you'll continue to enjoy reading my posts. I'm assuming you like my posts and that's why you keep coming back. Hopefully you're not an English teacher who just likes correcting my grammar and spelling.
Bomber
Maybe you're a bot?
Friday, 17 May 2019
The end, for now.
Well this is it, this could well be the last post regarding this topic for quite some time. The back yard is complete, well sort of, I still want to do something for the fire pit but that can wait until next year or something. Yesterday afternoon I went down the hardware store and purchased what I needed to set up an automatic irrigation system for the garden beds in the backyard. This morning two cubic meters of mulch was delivered so I hooked in and set up the irrigation and then got to spreading the mulch over everything. I think the result is amazing. I am quite proud of how everything turned out and I do still wonder if I should have been a gardener or a landscaper or something like that. I really do enjoy working in the yard and seeing a reward for my hard work.
I'd never removed turf before, I'd never laid a mow strip or garden edging before. I'd never planted a hedge or a large tree before either. I'd mulched the garden several times at the old house but it always seemed like a much harder task than it was today. I think I am definitely fitter than I've been in a while even though I don't look or feel any thinner. If I've lost fat, it isn't from around my belly as I haven't adjusted my belt in a long time and I can't see anything any different in the mirror, if anything I seem to think that I've gotten bigger.
Anyway the back yard is done, the front yard is done. I still want to do the front porch with some pots and a climber of some description and something in pots outside the dinning room window, but those are smaller tasks that can be done in a couple of hours one weekend and not as major as all the work I've done so far.
As far as inside the house goes, I still need to put a TV on the wall in the bedroom but I think my wife and I agree that we really should buy a new TV for in there and I think neither of us really want the expense of that at the moment. The TV in lounge room should be mounted on the wall too, but as I've mentioned in the past I want to install a proper home theatre system in there so that can wait until the savings have recovered a little too. We do also want to do more in the study/spare bedroom but again to do what we want will cost a little more than either of us really want to spend at the moment. I'm sure that will change in a month or two, but for now we're happy with the way things are.
Bomber
Time for a well earned beer.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
I'd never removed turf before, I'd never laid a mow strip or garden edging before. I'd never planted a hedge or a large tree before either. I'd mulched the garden several times at the old house but it always seemed like a much harder task than it was today. I think I am definitely fitter than I've been in a while even though I don't look or feel any thinner. If I've lost fat, it isn't from around my belly as I haven't adjusted my belt in a long time and I can't see anything any different in the mirror, if anything I seem to think that I've gotten bigger.
Anyway the back yard is done, the front yard is done. I still want to do the front porch with some pots and a climber of some description and something in pots outside the dinning room window, but those are smaller tasks that can be done in a couple of hours one weekend and not as major as all the work I've done so far.
As far as inside the house goes, I still need to put a TV on the wall in the bedroom but I think my wife and I agree that we really should buy a new TV for in there and I think neither of us really want the expense of that at the moment. The TV in lounge room should be mounted on the wall too, but as I've mentioned in the past I want to install a proper home theatre system in there so that can wait until the savings have recovered a little too. We do also want to do more in the study/spare bedroom but again to do what we want will cost a little more than either of us really want to spend at the moment. I'm sure that will change in a month or two, but for now we're happy with the way things are.
Bomber
Time for a well earned beer.
Thursday, 16 May 2019
New Toys
Today's post is a little later than planned as I got caught up playing with my new keyboard and mouse that showed up today. I'd had the old set for a few years and they had been thrashed fairly well. The scroll wheel on the mouse was starting to fall off and some of the keys on the keyboard would occasionally get stuck down.
The new set feels so nice to use, I'm sure the last set felt just as good when they were new but it always surprises me how nice a new keyboard can feel to type on. The mouse is a little smaller and a lot lighter than my last one, I'm not sure if I like the way it feels when playing games or if it is just something that I need to get used to. My last mouse had adjustable weights that you could add or remove to try and get the mouse just right for you. I think that having a lighter mouse is probably better in some circumstances but the weight was probably good for being more precise in others. I treated myself to a new mouse pad too, the old one was starting to deteriorate and look quite dirty from the years of use. I ordered what was called a medium mouse pad and it is huge, well at least for me it is. I'm sure some people have bigger ones but it is the biggest I've ever had. It has to be about 40cm wide by 30cm tall, my last one was probably something like 30cm by 20cm and I thought that was quite large.
I didn't really need the RGB back lighting on the keyboard or mouse but it is hard to buy any "gaming" keyboard that doesn't have some sort of back lighting these days. I didn't buy the cheapest thing but it is by no means the most expensive, by all accounts the deal I got was pretty good. The reason I wanted a gaming keyboard was becuase I do play games on the PC. The main advantages that gaming keyboards have over normal keyboards is the anti ghosting technology. Ghosting is when you press a lot of keys very close to the same time or at the same time. A lot of regular keyboards of the cheaper kind will only register a something like four simultaneous keystrokes, once the four keys are all pressed at the same time any other keys won't register at all. Gaming keyboards usually allow for more keys to be pressed at the same time and they all register. The keyboard I've got allows for up to eight keys to be pressed at the one time.
Gaming keyboard often have other features that you can't get in standard keyboards too. For example, there is a button I can press up near the media keys that will disable the windows key from working. This is so you can't accidentally press the windows key when you are mashing the keys frantically, pressing the windows key mid-game can jump you out of the game and bring up the start menu, that can be really frustrating.
One thing I did do more for aesthetics then anything else was to buy the same brand of keyboard and mouse as my headphones, so they all match. There was some actual benefit to doing this and that was that the same piece of software manages all three of them where the last keyboard and mouse I had used a different piece of software to the headphones. By removing a background process, my PC should in theory actually run better. And because I now had all the same brand of peripherals, the mouse mat is the same brand too, just to tie it all together and look nice with the same logo on everything. That's not such a bad thing is it?
Bomber
I do a fair bit of gaming, but don't talk about it much.
The new set feels so nice to use, I'm sure the last set felt just as good when they were new but it always surprises me how nice a new keyboard can feel to type on. The mouse is a little smaller and a lot lighter than my last one, I'm not sure if I like the way it feels when playing games or if it is just something that I need to get used to. My last mouse had adjustable weights that you could add or remove to try and get the mouse just right for you. I think that having a lighter mouse is probably better in some circumstances but the weight was probably good for being more precise in others. I treated myself to a new mouse pad too, the old one was starting to deteriorate and look quite dirty from the years of use. I ordered what was called a medium mouse pad and it is huge, well at least for me it is. I'm sure some people have bigger ones but it is the biggest I've ever had. It has to be about 40cm wide by 30cm tall, my last one was probably something like 30cm by 20cm and I thought that was quite large.
I didn't really need the RGB back lighting on the keyboard or mouse but it is hard to buy any "gaming" keyboard that doesn't have some sort of back lighting these days. I didn't buy the cheapest thing but it is by no means the most expensive, by all accounts the deal I got was pretty good. The reason I wanted a gaming keyboard was becuase I do play games on the PC. The main advantages that gaming keyboards have over normal keyboards is the anti ghosting technology. Ghosting is when you press a lot of keys very close to the same time or at the same time. A lot of regular keyboards of the cheaper kind will only register a something like four simultaneous keystrokes, once the four keys are all pressed at the same time any other keys won't register at all. Gaming keyboards usually allow for more keys to be pressed at the same time and they all register. The keyboard I've got allows for up to eight keys to be pressed at the one time.
Gaming keyboard often have other features that you can't get in standard keyboards too. For example, there is a button I can press up near the media keys that will disable the windows key from working. This is so you can't accidentally press the windows key when you are mashing the keys frantically, pressing the windows key mid-game can jump you out of the game and bring up the start menu, that can be really frustrating.
One thing I did do more for aesthetics then anything else was to buy the same brand of keyboard and mouse as my headphones, so they all match. There was some actual benefit to doing this and that was that the same piece of software manages all three of them where the last keyboard and mouse I had used a different piece of software to the headphones. By removing a background process, my PC should in theory actually run better. And because I now had all the same brand of peripherals, the mouse mat is the same brand too, just to tie it all together and look nice with the same logo on everything. That's not such a bad thing is it?
Bomber
I do a fair bit of gaming, but don't talk about it much.
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Being a Better Dad
I've really trying to be better for my children and trying not to get as cranky as I sometimes did. To help me with this, I've ended up basically bribing my children by increasing their pocket money and I have given them an added incentive to behave at bedtime. It seems to be working as the kids are being better behaved and not arguing when it's time to do chores or go to bed. That is good for my mental health as when they are behaving I'm in a better mood, which is nicer for everyone.
Tonight I'm writing this post in the study with my headphones on whilst the kids finish dinner, I left the table and snuck away as the kids were being naughty and I know that they aren't going to want to finish eating dinner and my wife will probably let them off the hook if I'm not there. Whilst leaving the table when they are still eating isn't the best manners, it's probably better for them and me if I don't see what's going on.
A while back I tried to teach my son how to be a little naughty at bed time and not get in trouble. He doesn't have any older siblings or regular contact with his cousins to learn that as a kid you can get away with staying up and playing in your room as long as you're really quiet. Part of the trouble is that my son likes to leave his door open at bedtime so it's easy to hear and if you walk past his room see, that he's not in bed. I told him that if he shut his door and was really really quiet that Mummy and Daddy wouldn't hear him and he wouldn't get in trouble. He thought it was a great idea and I thought we were on to a winner until about an hour later he came out of his room and announced that he was now going to bed so to leave his door open..... I tried again once more and he still didn't grasp the idea fully as he turned his big light on and started rumaging through his Lego like no tomorrow and made such a racquet that I had to go in, he was upset as he thought that I was going back on what I'd said. I gave up after that.
Bomber
I'm trying, really I am.
Tonight I'm writing this post in the study with my headphones on whilst the kids finish dinner, I left the table and snuck away as the kids were being naughty and I know that they aren't going to want to finish eating dinner and my wife will probably let them off the hook if I'm not there. Whilst leaving the table when they are still eating isn't the best manners, it's probably better for them and me if I don't see what's going on.
A while back I tried to teach my son how to be a little naughty at bed time and not get in trouble. He doesn't have any older siblings or regular contact with his cousins to learn that as a kid you can get away with staying up and playing in your room as long as you're really quiet. Part of the trouble is that my son likes to leave his door open at bedtime so it's easy to hear and if you walk past his room see, that he's not in bed. I told him that if he shut his door and was really really quiet that Mummy and Daddy wouldn't hear him and he wouldn't get in trouble. He thought it was a great idea and I thought we were on to a winner until about an hour later he came out of his room and announced that he was now going to bed so to leave his door open..... I tried again once more and he still didn't grasp the idea fully as he turned his big light on and started rumaging through his Lego like no tomorrow and made such a racquet that I had to go in, he was upset as he thought that I was going back on what I'd said. I gave up after that.
Bomber
I'm trying, really I am.
Tuesday, 14 May 2019
A Confession
So... last night I knew that I didn't have a post ready and I was going to write something but I just couldn't really think of anything to write about and I felt that skipping a day every now and then wasn't such a bad thing. I've accidentally skipped days in the past and nothing bad has happened so.... I do still feel a little guilty though if that means anything.
I really want to get this blog back to it's purpose, which was to write about bettering myself, achieving goals, losing weight and chronicling my adventures in starting a YouTube channel. Of late this blog has not been all that focussed on any of that.
The good news is that all the yard work is nearly done, the solar panel quotes should all be in my inbox by the end of the week and there are not many chores left to do around the house. I can really start concentrating on getting re-focussed on the YouTube channel and everything that goes along with doing that.
I've taken Friday off work to be home when our new security door is getting installed and the mulch for the backyard will be delivered that morning too. I plan to try and knock it all out on Friday so on Saturday afternoon I can service the motorcycle and maybe even head out on Sunday if it is not raining and try and take some 360° photos for Instagram.
Bomber
My posts seem to be getting shorter. Sorry, not sorry, maybe a little.
I really want to get this blog back to it's purpose, which was to write about bettering myself, achieving goals, losing weight and chronicling my adventures in starting a YouTube channel. Of late this blog has not been all that focussed on any of that.
The good news is that all the yard work is nearly done, the solar panel quotes should all be in my inbox by the end of the week and there are not many chores left to do around the house. I can really start concentrating on getting re-focussed on the YouTube channel and everything that goes along with doing that.
I've taken Friday off work to be home when our new security door is getting installed and the mulch for the backyard will be delivered that morning too. I plan to try and knock it all out on Friday so on Saturday afternoon I can service the motorcycle and maybe even head out on Sunday if it is not raining and try and take some 360° photos for Instagram.
Bomber
My posts seem to be getting shorter. Sorry, not sorry, maybe a little.
Sunday, 12 May 2019
Weighing In
I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I remembered at around lunch time but I was working in the yard and wasn't going to come inside an strip off just to weight myself. I figured I could weigh myself before I had my shower when I finished in the yard but alas, I forgot again. The last two weeks haven't been that great so I'm kind of glad that I haven't weighed in as I don't want to know how bad it is.
As I eluded to above, I spent the day in the backyard planting all the plants that we ordered yesterday. We now have a viburnum hedge, a large Japanese Maple and 5 camellias. I also planted the two magnolias that we had in pots. All that's left to do is to install the irrigation, lights and put down the mulch. I plan to do all that next weekend and then the back yard will be done for now.
The weather is really starting to cool down now, today the fog didn't lift until around 3pm, it was good for working in the yard but a little depressing if you wanted to do anything else. I still need to service the motorcycle but I guess that will have to wait now until the backyard is complete as the mulch should be getting delivered on Friday sometime.
Last week
Weight: not sure, probably something like 111kg
Steps for the week: 40,441
Average daily calorie burn: 3,288
This week
Weight: probably something like 112kg
Steps for the week: 65,907
Average daily calorie burn: 4,008
Bomber
Trying again next week
As I eluded to above, I spent the day in the backyard planting all the plants that we ordered yesterday. We now have a viburnum hedge, a large Japanese Maple and 5 camellias. I also planted the two magnolias that we had in pots. All that's left to do is to install the irrigation, lights and put down the mulch. I plan to do all that next weekend and then the back yard will be done for now.
The weather is really starting to cool down now, today the fog didn't lift until around 3pm, it was good for working in the yard but a little depressing if you wanted to do anything else. I still need to service the motorcycle but I guess that will have to wait now until the backyard is complete as the mulch should be getting delivered on Friday sometime.
Last week
Weight: not sure, probably something like 111kg
Steps for the week: 40,441
Average daily calorie burn: 3,288
This week
Weight: probably something like 112kg
Steps for the week: 65,907
Average daily calorie burn: 4,008
Bomber
Trying again next week
Saturday, 11 May 2019
Slipping
I feel like I'm slipping backwards again. I haven't made much of an effort this week, yes I was in Melbourne, but I could have done more, it was raining yesterday but I could have done more. I still haven't sorted out the weights bench in the garage, maybe I am expecting too much of myself, I don't know.
Today we went to the nursery and order a bunch of plants, they are getting delivered tomorrow so I know what I'm doing tomorrow. I need to dig some big holes and improve the soil and then start planting. We've decided to not do the citrus along the back fence, but plant some camellias instead. We've also decided to plant the magnolias that are currently in pots on the front porch, we're going to plant them in the backyard and then look at replanting the lime tree into a wine barrel and purchase a lemon tree to go in another wine barrel.
I'm happy with the way the yard is turning out and I think it will look really nice when everything is planted. If I remember I'll take some photos tomorrow and post them on Monday or something like that.
I've decided that it's time to update my resume as there are some positions being advertised at work shortly. I'm not sure what exactly I'll apply for or if I'll be successful, but it will be good practice all the same as it has been a long time since I last updated the resume or attended any interviews. At the very least it will mean that I'll know if I'm suitable for a more senior position yet or not.
Bomber
I need to ride my bike.
Today we went to the nursery and order a bunch of plants, they are getting delivered tomorrow so I know what I'm doing tomorrow. I need to dig some big holes and improve the soil and then start planting. We've decided to not do the citrus along the back fence, but plant some camellias instead. We've also decided to plant the magnolias that are currently in pots on the front porch, we're going to plant them in the backyard and then look at replanting the lime tree into a wine barrel and purchase a lemon tree to go in another wine barrel.
I'm happy with the way the yard is turning out and I think it will look really nice when everything is planted. If I remember I'll take some photos tomorrow and post them on Monday or something like that.
I've decided that it's time to update my resume as there are some positions being advertised at work shortly. I'm not sure what exactly I'll apply for or if I'll be successful, but it will be good practice all the same as it has been a long time since I last updated the resume or attended any interviews. At the very least it will mean that I'll know if I'm suitable for a more senior position yet or not.
Bomber
I need to ride my bike.
Friday, 10 May 2019
Time to fire it up.
The weather is almost perfect for using the fire pit, well at least it has been, tonight it is raining. This time of year it's not freezing but it is quite cold, so the warmth from a fire can really be enjoyed without feeling like you need to make it a raging fire just to survive. I need to figure out exactly where to set it up and how to have some seating around it for me and the family. I've got an idea in my head but I'm not sure if it will work or not or how much it may cost to set up. I don't want to put the fire pit straight on the grass as the heat will probably kill the grass. I'd like to have some large natural stone pavers or something like that. Something that can be there all year round but maybe the trampoline can be over the are in Summer.
I want there still to be grass, but not everywhere. Something a little like the picture, but probably with more grass in between the stones, the fire pit would sit on a large stone and then there would be some that are around the same size or a little smaller and some sort of seating set up, either a could of simple plank benches or just some stumps. I want the seats to be wood so they are a little warmer to sit on. I could also but some small outdoor cushions to use if the wood was damp, too hard or cold.
Tomorrow I hope to go to the nursery and order the plants we need. We took a look last weekend but didn't really want to hold the plants for a week whilst I was away so we decided to leave it a week and try again. This way we can chose our plants and ask for delivery as soon as possible. That may mean that I have to stay home one morning or finish early so I can be at home to receive the plants but at least it means that they will be in the ground next weekend before the worst of the cold weather hits. We've decided on putting the Japanese maple in the backyard and doing some rose bushes out the front as the nursery staff didn't think the Japanese maple would do so well out the front of the house.
Bomber
I still think I could have been a landscaper.
Tomorrow I hope to go to the nursery and order the plants we need. We took a look last weekend but didn't really want to hold the plants for a week whilst I was away so we decided to leave it a week and try again. This way we can chose our plants and ask for delivery as soon as possible. That may mean that I have to stay home one morning or finish early so I can be at home to receive the plants but at least it means that they will be in the ground next weekend before the worst of the cold weather hits. We've decided on putting the Japanese maple in the backyard and doing some rose bushes out the front as the nursery staff didn't think the Japanese maple would do so well out the front of the house.
Bomber
I still think I could have been a landscaper.
Thursday, 9 May 2019
Back at Home
I completely forgot about writing a post yesterday. We hit the road around 6:30am and I didn't get home until 5:30pm. After dinner I sat down with my wife and son and watched some TV together. I was just enjoying being back at home with my family and completely forgot about this blog. Before I go any further, I should mention that I've updated the post from Tuesday with some photos from around Melbourne and the gaol.
This afternoon I had a rep from one of the solar companies come around and discuss the options for putting some panels on the roof. After talking with him I decided on what I think will be the best install option for our roof to make the most of the available sun all year round. I'm going to get in contact with the company that has already provided a quote and give them a chance to update their quote to provide a similar style and size of install.
I can't remember what I've posted about before but basically there were two options that we were looking at, one where the panels are on stands to get optimum sun light, the other where we have more panels but not in the optimum position. The thinking of having more panels is that it could almost be cheaper as I wouldn't have to pay for the stands and then in Summer I'd also be able to make more power as the sun would be move them. What I'm coming to realise is that if I went for more panels and no stands, is that in Summer I'd be fine, but in Winter I probably wouldn't be making much power at all. The feed in tarrifs are so low at the moment that there is no point generating more than I'm going to be using so who cares if I have an excess of power in Summer. In winter we can run the heater during the day and also will be using the dryer. Winter can be quite cold but also sunny, so having the panels on stands and optimised for winter use would probably make more sense in the long run.
I have one last meeting organised for tomorrow afternoon so then hopefully by early next week I'll have all the quotes and we can make a decision.
Bomber
Glad to be home
This afternoon I had a rep from one of the solar companies come around and discuss the options for putting some panels on the roof. After talking with him I decided on what I think will be the best install option for our roof to make the most of the available sun all year round. I'm going to get in contact with the company that has already provided a quote and give them a chance to update their quote to provide a similar style and size of install.
I can't remember what I've posted about before but basically there were two options that we were looking at, one where the panels are on stands to get optimum sun light, the other where we have more panels but not in the optimum position. The thinking of having more panels is that it could almost be cheaper as I wouldn't have to pay for the stands and then in Summer I'd also be able to make more power as the sun would be move them. What I'm coming to realise is that if I went for more panels and no stands, is that in Summer I'd be fine, but in Winter I probably wouldn't be making much power at all. The feed in tarrifs are so low at the moment that there is no point generating more than I'm going to be using so who cares if I have an excess of power in Summer. In winter we can run the heater during the day and also will be using the dryer. Winter can be quite cold but also sunny, so having the panels on stands and optimised for winter use would probably make more sense in the long run.
I have one last meeting organised for tomorrow afternoon so then hopefully by early next week I'll have all the quotes and we can make a decision.
Bomber
Glad to be home
Tuesday, 7 May 2019
A Little Cruisy
If yesterday was an easy day, today was almost a holiday. After writing yesterday's post I headed out for a walk and took some photos. The photos aren't working for some reason, they won't upload and are crashing the app, so I'll add them when I get back home. [edit: 9 May 2019 - photos now added]
I walked out along one of the docks and found a couple of restored sailing boats and another still being restored.
I walked out along one of the docks and found a couple of restored sailing boats and another still being restored.
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| Docklands, Melbourne Australia |
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| Enterprize |
The Enterprize looked amazing but I can't imagine taking it out on the high seas, it is quite small but it would have been an amazing adventure.
Today we'd finished everything by lunch so we headed into town and ended up doing a tour of Old Melbourne Gaol. It was really good but also a little depressing. Australia has quite a rich history and seeing tbe gallows where Ned Kelly was hanged and walking the Watch House exercise yard where notorious criminals like Chopper Read spent time was pretty cool.
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| Old Melbourne Gaol |
I highly recommend checking out the Old Melbourne Gaol if you get the chance.
Bomber
Glad to have never been to jail.
Glad to have never been to jail.
Monday, 6 May 2019
On the Road
I'm down in Melbourne and it's been a short day. I have several hours to kill before we meet up for dinner so I thought I'd write a quick post and then head out for a walk to see what's around and maybe take some photos.
We're staying in a pretty good location but it's a part of Melbourne that I've never really been to. Usually I'm right in town or out in the suburbs just to the east of the CBD.
The drive down yesterday went well, but there is no way I would come that way on a bike unless I absolutely had to. It is all just dual carriage way highway, great for making good time in a car, but boring and it would be tiring on a bike sitting at 110km/h for hours on end, you'd probably ruin your tyres too.
The o ring for my motorcycle showed up last week when I was sick, so this coming weekend I'll give the bike a proper clean up and change the oil. Hopefully that will stop the leak and I'll be good to go for another 12 months.
We're staying in a pretty good location but it's a part of Melbourne that I've never really been to. Usually I'm right in town or out in the suburbs just to the east of the CBD.
The drive down yesterday went well, but there is no way I would come that way on a bike unless I absolutely had to. It is all just dual carriage way highway, great for making good time in a car, but boring and it would be tiring on a bike sitting at 110km/h for hours on end, you'd probably ruin your tyres too.
The o ring for my motorcycle showed up last week when I was sick, so this coming weekend I'll give the bike a proper clean up and change the oil. Hopefully that will stop the leak and I'll be good to go for another 12 months.
Bomber
I'm eating too much down here.
I'm eating too much down here.
Sunday, 5 May 2019
Not Weighing In
As I mentioned on Friday, I won't be doing my usual weigh-in today as I'm travelling for work. I'm going to be in Melbourne for the next few days and will try and post each night from my phone. I'm not sure what I'll post about, maybe I'll take some photos around Melbourne and post about what I saw on my walk or maybe I'll do more more research into going Motocamping. Melbourne is a little far to visit regularly, it takes about 8 hours to get here by car so it would probably take a little longer on a motorbike as you need to take more breaks. Also it's highway all the way so pretty boring. Most people who come down to Melbourne by bike take a scenic route and do it over a couple of days.
There are some great riding roads in the alpine region of Victoria but only in the warmer months, during winter they are often covered in snow and although I like an adventure, riding in snow isn't really for me. Maybe one day I'll give it a go, but for now I'll stay away.
One of the roads that I'd like to ride one day is the Great Ocean Road, it's 243kms of winding road along the south coast of Victoria. The views are meant to be amazing but the road and rest spots can be really busy with tourists. Maybe one day I can make it a goal to do but it would take some planning as I'd need to get there and get back again, which would make it something like a 2,100km round trip to take the scenic route or 1,900km going the most direct route. Either way, I'd want to do it over several days and seeing as there is only a couple of hundred kms between the scenic and the most direct route I'd go the long way.
Bomber
I'll put it on the bucket list.
There are some great riding roads in the alpine region of Victoria but only in the warmer months, during winter they are often covered in snow and although I like an adventure, riding in snow isn't really for me. Maybe one day I'll give it a go, but for now I'll stay away.
One of the roads that I'd like to ride one day is the Great Ocean Road, it's 243kms of winding road along the south coast of Victoria. The views are meant to be amazing but the road and rest spots can be really busy with tourists. Maybe one day I can make it a goal to do but it would take some planning as I'd need to get there and get back again, which would make it something like a 2,100km round trip to take the scenic route or 1,900km going the most direct route. Either way, I'd want to do it over several days and seeing as there is only a couple of hundred kms between the scenic and the most direct route I'd go the long way.
Bomber
I'll put it on the bucket list.
Saturday, 4 May 2019
Trying to Focus
I haven't really put much time or effort into the whole Motocamp360 business in several months. I really need to focus on getting that back on track. It's crazy where this blog has gone and how the content has changed from being primarily about starting a YouTube business to talking about what plants I should put in the backyard.
I'm going to make an effort to get back to organising a motocamping trip, I don't care that it's getting colder and it gets dark early, I need to get out and do something that isn't related to the house.
The weather down the coast is still pretty nice during the day but it does get a little chilly overnight but nothing that I can't handle. I should really try and make an effort to go solo motocamping again as the only way the YouTube channel is going to work is if I'm comfortable to do it all on my own. That one trip last September, isn't really giving it a go is it now.
I think I should look at head down to the coast via one of the back roads, camping somewhere for free and then head back home the next day. I'll take the 360° camera to film it and try to make a video about it. I don't think that I'll reach my goal of posting as many videos each year as I planned but if I don't start shooting videos and uploading them occasionally, then I probably won't get started at all.
I've also been thinking about the whole 360° content that I was going to put up on Patreon. I'm not sure if I'll do that, I think I'll start off with just normal footage and use the 360° camera to do free capture. Once I've gotten confident with producing normal videos I can try and branch into the 360° market.
Bomber
this will happen this year, I swear.
I'm going to make an effort to get back to organising a motocamping trip, I don't care that it's getting colder and it gets dark early, I need to get out and do something that isn't related to the house.
The weather down the coast is still pretty nice during the day but it does get a little chilly overnight but nothing that I can't handle. I should really try and make an effort to go solo motocamping again as the only way the YouTube channel is going to work is if I'm comfortable to do it all on my own. That one trip last September, isn't really giving it a go is it now.
I think I should look at head down to the coast via one of the back roads, camping somewhere for free and then head back home the next day. I'll take the 360° camera to film it and try to make a video about it. I don't think that I'll reach my goal of posting as many videos each year as I planned but if I don't start shooting videos and uploading them occasionally, then I probably won't get started at all.
I've also been thinking about the whole 360° content that I was going to put up on Patreon. I'm not sure if I'll do that, I think I'll start off with just normal footage and use the 360° camera to do free capture. Once I've gotten confident with producing normal videos I can try and branch into the 360° market.
Bomber
this will happen this year, I swear.
Friday, 3 May 2019
Travel and Training
Last Sunday I had the fitbit on charge whilst I was working in the backyard, so none of the effort I put in paving the edge of the garden beds was recorded. Then being sick on Tuesday and Wednesday meant that I was far from being able to meet my targets this week. On Thursday I was a little better, so I went to work and managed to get just over 10k steps for the day but I didn't manage to get out for a walk after work. Today I was busy at work but still not back to 100% health. Because I was ill, my diet wasn't the best but I also didn't have any beer, even when I was feeling better later in the week I made sure that I didn't have any beer as I think I've been drinking a little too much and that's why my weight loss hasn't been as good as it should have been.
As I mentioned yesterday I've got training next week and I'm having to do some travel as part of that so I won't be doing a weigh in this week unless I manage to get time on Sunday evening and use my phone to do a post. The following Sunday I'll give the figure for both weeks so the graph will be updated then.
I'm going to try and write a little each night on my phone but you'll have to excuse me if the posts are a little shorter than usual and from the phone I can't seem to schedule the posts so they will just go up when I finish writing them. I don't think my dinners will be that great whilst I'm away as we'll probably be eating in a pub or restaurant each night. Hopefully I'll be able to do some walking either before or after dinner as I won't have much else to do.
Bomber
I need to get back to Motocamping
As I mentioned yesterday I've got training next week and I'm having to do some travel as part of that so I won't be doing a weigh in this week unless I manage to get time on Sunday evening and use my phone to do a post. The following Sunday I'll give the figure for both weeks so the graph will be updated then.
I'm going to try and write a little each night on my phone but you'll have to excuse me if the posts are a little shorter than usual and from the phone I can't seem to schedule the posts so they will just go up when I finish writing them. I don't think my dinners will be that great whilst I'm away as we'll probably be eating in a pub or restaurant each night. Hopefully I'll be able to do some walking either before or after dinner as I won't have much else to do.
Bomber
I need to get back to Motocamping
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