Condolences.

I have received the sad news that the Brother-n-Law of one of the guys - Paul - who haunts one of the forums I do has lost his life in a flying accident. He was an Ag Pilot - a Cropduster.

Some folk inhabit a different, more dangerous and braver world than some of the rest of us.

Here is a youtube tribute to some of those frontier souls.

Some Aussie Outback and Truckie videos.

Since Pete and others seem to like a glimpse of the Outback and the frontier souls who inhabit it, here are some links to youtube videos for you;

First we have a cab ride in a road train (starts at the beginning of the '90 mile straight' - Nullabor Plain).

Then we have a montage of road train footage. And another (Music by Slim Dusty).

And one from a European truckdriver's perspective.

Goin through the gears (that has to be late afternoon from the way the shadows are); Spicer (not as common as a RoadRanger gearbox). Here is a guy who knows his RoadRanger.

They can take a while to overtake!

Movies we've seen - Inglourious Basterds

Went and saw ' Inglourious Basterds' a while ago.

It's not historically accurate. It IS very Tarantino, and it's definitely worth seeing.

"Superbly exagerated characters in high intensity moments. This is classic Tarantino"

Giles Hardie -SMH (Via 'Rotten Tomatoes').

4 1/2 out of 5 recommended.

Movies seen - District 9.

Not long back from seeing 'District 9'. Went and saw it on my own as no-one else in the family is much into Sci-Fi.

I actually don't think they would have liked it, but it was quite well done. It used a Sci-Fi vehicle to make some social commentary on South Africa's Apartheid past (not so subtly - but effective).

The plot centres on how a ship load of alien refugees are treated by humans, using the corollary of how humans treat 'different' humans as the basis.

It is based on a South African short film called 'Alive in Joburg' which in itself was inspired by the clearing/relocation of District 6 in Capetown in 1966.

The film reportedly cost $30 million to make, and took $37 million on it's first weekend. Not bad. Who said art doesn't pay - that's the sort of return 'Crocodile Dundee' provided.

3.5 out of 5. - Appeals to a specialised audience.

Welcome back home.

Daughter is back home after spending some time in the US. She did the West Coast thing with some extended family - LA, San Fransisco, San Diego.

She had a great time, but we and she are glad to have her back home.

Outback with a radio.

Found this on youtube and just had to share it..

Friday Fat Jet!!!

Been a while...

Courtesy of Alex's photography.

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.