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.