Mai Me Arai

In Part 1 of my epic weekend I discussed Saturday, but Sunday was much more involved because we spent the day at the zoo.

I’ll admit I grudgingly dragged myself from bed early on Sunday so that we could get to the zoo when it opened. We’re talking me waking up on Sunday the same time I . . . → Read More: The Epic Weekend – Part 2

Those of you who still visit my blog, something I try to do myself occasionally, will have noticed there is a new advertisement on the right. Those of you who deign to read my musings via an rss reader (which is my preferred way of keeping up with sites) will also have noticed ads. After a . . . → Read More: Google Adsense

When I first heard about the National Broadband Network I was excited, and who wouldn’t be with 100Mb (which is magically turned into 1Gb) access for all? Then the details started to filter down and over time my excitement has diminished to the point where now I personally think the NBN is a mistake, at least in its current form.

While the technology is exciting the price tag decidedly is not at approximately $5000 per household, and that is only the estimated price to build it (half of which is tax-payer funded). As with any government project we can expect the cost to increase, despite Stephen Conroy’s assertion that rollouts in Tasmania have been completed 5% under budget. On that note, why is it always Tasmania that sees new telecommunications technology rolled out to first?

Continue reading NBN

I really love Q & A on the ABC so was surprised to see a special Q & A on last night after Dick Smith’s documentary about resource waste/management and population control. As usual they had a loudmouth on the panel, this time in the form of John Elliot, who with his tiny world view blathered over others . . . → Read More: Q & A Dominates

Since I sent an email about the proposed internet filter to the local Labor rep it’s only fair to do the same to Liberal:

Hi Pat,

With the announcement of a federal election I am contacting you regarding the one policy that I am concerned about (for now) – the proposed internet filter.

I have been following this issue . . . → Read More: Playing Both Sides

I was handed a pamphlet regarding my national member at the train station this morning which had his email address on it, and some really tacky/corny photos of him with Julia Gillard meeting ‘the people’ (in hardhats!), so fired this off to him:

Hi Nick,

I received a small leaflet concerning your work in the Macarthur region, which is unusual . . . → Read More: Getting in Touch

The following letter was written when I stayed overnight at the hospital with my mum last week. She quietly passed away on Sunday just before midday and her funeral will be held tomorrow (Wednesday).

I wrote this letter in the back of a book thinking no one would notice it was there but someone did and as . . . → Read More: Dear Mum

I initially thought implementing a nation broadband network (NBN), effectively giving 93% of Australian homes access to 100MB internet access (provided through a 3rd party), was a fantasic idea but as usual the concept is better than the reality and now that details are emerging it worries me in a number of ways.

NBN Co., the company . . . → Read More: NBN Worries