Was it really 40 - 40! years ago?

A long time ago, in a place not so far away, a 12 year old boy and his brother and sister stayed home from school with their Mum's blessing and watched TV all day.

The event we watched was the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon, and the first 2 humans to set foot on a celestial body other than the earth. It was, I believe, the most significant event I've ever witnessed, on a whole range of levels.

It probably, for example, influenced me as to the direction I took when looking for a job skill (electronics), further heightened my interest in my favourite fiction genre (science fiction), also reinforced my respect for the USA. All of these important in forming a 12 yo's view of the world and it's/his future.

It was, I note during Australia's and the US's involvement in the Vietnam war. (It was pretty impressive that the US could wage a war (hot and Cold), and yet still do something the size and scope of what the Apollo project achieved). And I was even then aware of the technological spinoffs of the space program (transistors and integrated circuits, for example).

A few short years later, I was to join our Air Force and train in electronics, the way paved by the subjects I chose and was motivated in. A few years after I had left the RAAF I got to work manufacturing some space hardware (for a local subcontractor for what was then Hughes Aircraft - for the Aussat-B series of satellites - and a few follow-on ones as well).

So, as July 20th approaches, lets marvel at what was achieved, honour the courage and dedication of those that conceived and achieved it, and reflect on how it affected us all, in one way or another.

Sat for my 'Ham' exams.

Well, I finally got to do something which has been on my 'to do' list for a very long time.

Sunday, I sat for my 'Ham' licence. Ham radio being amateur radio.

There were 3 exams, theory, regulations, and practical. There are 3 levels in Australia, and I did the intermediate level, or Standard licence. I passed. :-)

All-weather Flat Jet

It's been a while - too long a while - since I posted some of Alex's photos.

This is an F-111 displaying her 'all-weather' capabilities. F-111s ('Pigs') are flown by Nos 1 and 6 Sqn RAAF. Two of the oldest squadrons in the world, at 1 Jan 1916 and 15 Jun 1917 they even pre-date the formation of the RAAF, which is itself one of the oldest air forces in the world (1921). How is that possible - because they were part of the AFC - Australian Flying Corps - part of the 1st AIF - Aust Army - (1915).

Movies we've seen. 'Angels and Demons'

We went and saw 'Angels and Demons' yesterday.

Adaption of the Dan Brown book (written before DaVinci Code).

I won't do a spoiler, but suffice it to say there is a twist in the end of the movie. I haven't read either of Brown's books, so I can't comment on whether they are true to the books or not.

Some people take the conspiracy aspect that is the mainstay of books and movies like this VERY seriously (I suspect that counts for a lot of their popularity actually).

My feeling was that there was a lot of inconsistency in the story for the film. An inconsistency that doesn't sit well with the aforementioned twist in the end. To me, it would have made more sense without the twist than with it.

Acting good, production/direction good, screenplay so/so.

3 out of 5.

Gotta love internet 'justice'.

The internet is a great and amazing thing. Like walking into the world's biggest public library, mail order store, video store, and social club all at the same time.

It can give a sense of anonymity, possibly a false sense of anonymity, which some think they can hide behind.

Sometimes, those who do the wrong thing come badly undone though.

This has become somewhat famous on the 'net, and led to the term 'to be wenzeled'.

1. Defrauded by an Internet seller.
2. Publicly outed as fraudulent person of low character.

There's a lesson to be learnt here, hope the right people learn it.

Dan at 'the office'.

Some people have a different workplace than the rest of us. This is Dan's workplace, deep underground, dirty, wet, and dangerous.

So when we take Australia's primary product exports for granted (like mining) we should think about what people like Dan's workdays involve to get those products.

(Dan and I haunt the same forum - The best thing about this 'net thingy is you get to know (sort of) people who you only have, say, hobbies, or even just the 'net, in common with).

Keep up the good work Dan, our balance of payments needs you!

Movies we've seen. 'Defiance' and 'Star Trek'.

Last weekend, wen and saw the movie 'Defiance'.

Based on a true story about the Jewish Bielski brothers who escape into the forests of Poland/Belarussia to esacpe the Germans, who are, with the help of the locals, rounding up Jews to send them off to be killed.

Good script, historically true as far as my checks can tell. Some action and inter-character drama. Gives you some pause for thought about what people had to do in situations that test basic values.

A solid 9 out of 10. Has a very important story to tell.



This weekend, went and saw 'Star Trek'.

As a kid, I loved Star Trek, and have seen the other movies. (No longer possible as the original actors are all aging (or sadly - passed on as is the case with James Doohan - Scotty).

Good script. LOTS of action, twists the timeline a bit (but that also sets up the scene for future movies). I found it a little 'cheesy' in parts though.

8.5 out of 10. Recommended as good entertainment.

First post in a while...

This is my first post in quite a while. Since February in fact.
Thought I should at least explain why that has been so.
What happened in February? On the 27th, we lost a family member, not our little family, but my Wife's sister Rosemary, very quickly (in fact over a couple of days really) to leukaemia. There were other medical problems as well, but that was the big one.

It wasn't something I felt I could write about, and it is still very difficult. It also was not something I could ignore, and write of something else, so I just didn't write at all.

But life does go on. And Rosie would be the first person to tell us to get on with life, because time can pass, can run out all too soon.

So I have written, and will write some more.
Rosie was a very private person, so I will respect that privacy, but also, she will not be forgotten either.

Doing our bit for 'Clean Up Oz Day'

The staff at our little workplace got up early the other morning and engaged in some community involvement, cleaning up a park near our workplace. We are a small office of 21, but part of a larger company, which encourages making a connection with the local community.

I thought it'd also be a nice idea to post a piccie of my workmates - most of them anyway.

So here are my workmates and I. (It was quite foggy that morning beside the river).
From left; Mark, Jacob, Jan, Myself (with the orange GT stripe), Karen (sitting), Lindsay (rear row w/hat), Peter, Andy, Nat (sitting), Ian (in yellow), Tracy, Dennis, Bryan, Rod, Denny (sitting), Bob and Pierre. (Tim took the photo).

...Now black is all I see...

A nice lady at work circulated this poem with some pictures. It's starting to pop up in a few places on the 'net. Quite touching, written by a Victorian gent;

Where green and gold once cloaked the land
Where eucalypt and pine did stand
Where man did live and lay his hand
Now black is all I see

Where horses grazed and cattle drank
Where grasses lined the river bank
Where stood a house and water tank
Now black is all I see

There was a town with store and hall
Which proudly stood ‘neath ridges tall
Now nothing moves or lives at all
And black is all I see

There stood a home and there another
Where lived a daughter, father , mother
A sister, cousin, niece or brother
Now black is all I see

Our nation grieves and holds them tight
Throughout the darkness of the night
Till daybreak brings an ashy light
And black is all I see

Mike Claridge, Fri Feb 13, 2009

A Tribute - to our Bush Fire Fighters.

The bushfire tragedy in Victoria (and there are bushfires in NSW, and bad flooding in Queensland too, let's not forget) makes this a good time to reflect on ou Emergency Service volunteers.

In Victoria, its the CFA - the Country Fire Authority.
Here in NSW, we have our equivalent, the Rural Fire Service - the RFS (the world's largest fire service - which probably says all about how much they are needed). Another group is the SES - State Emergency Service, who do more varied work such as storm damage, floods, and other disasters. Most of these guys (and gals) are volunteers, they help their community for free, giving up their evenings for training and equipment maintenance, and their time when it's needed for actual disaster relief.

I was in a bushfire brigade when we lived in an outlying village, but not currently.

Times like Victoria is having now puts the affection the community feels for these volunteers into perspective. For example, at our local Australia Day festivities, the local RFS brigades and SES participate in the parade, get a warm round of appreciative applause, as it's a simple and heartfelt way to say Thanks.

Here are some piccies from Oz Day - 26 Jan;