Tuesday, January 28, 2003
First day back at work after the long weekend was a real bummer, but coping. Yesterday we put the cot up that Anne and Geoff bought us from David Jones. We decided to put it up in the bedroom to start off with. It was strange getting up in the morning and seeing an empty cot in the corner of the bedroom! You certainly appreciate a full night's sleep. Victoria went to the airport today to see off Anne and Geoff, a bit sad but all in all a successful trip. I'm glad I had the opportunity to get to know them both a bit better, they were really good house guests and I had a good time while they were here - I sort of felt I was on holiday too.Monday, January 27, 2003
More thoughts about CelebrationDinner.com and think this is definately the way to go first. Threw together a sample invitation to get the thoughts going.
MrT 1/28/2003 11:46:00 am [+] : Feedback!
We joined in the festivities of Australia Day yesterday. Firstly, we went to Hyde park and walked round all of the classic cars. MGs, Buicks, Model Ts, Beatles, Sunbeams - you name it. Because the climate is so good, they were all in absolutely mint condition. There was also a Food and Wine fair, with samplers of Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Vietnemese, Thai, Indosian plus good old Auzzie snags ( sausages ) and Barramundi burgers. We then went up to Circular Quay to see the tall ships race and have a look round the markets. In the Rocks, there was a country and western fair, with a singer on every street corner. Really good day, although very warm and tiring. Anne and Geoff's last full day today and so it feels a bit funny after they have been here for so long. I think we will just take it easy, or perhaps go to the pictures and have an early night.Saturday, January 25, 2003
Been thinking about my idea after talking to Mum and Lucy. Have decided that perhaps the best way to try out the concept would be to concentrate on "Celebration Dinners". There is still plenty of scope and it's something that everyone organizes once in a while. The good thing is that it narrows the possibilities, and the payment is always done at the event and so there are no money collection worries. I can still have the database of possible venues and do a little research about specials for parties, menus etc. If it works out - I can always expand to events or holidays afterwards and use the same engine.
MrT 1/27/2003 02:14:00 am [+] : Feedback!
We've found a new pub to rival the Royal that's also just down the road. It's the The Lord Dudley. A good old fashioned English pub, with good food, beer and sticky carpets. We took A+G last Thursday and it proved to be a real hit. 20,000 miles around the world and we end up in an English pub - Typical. Got absolutely slaughtered in the one day cricket finals yesterday, good job it's the best out of three. I am now busy working on my new get rich scheme. Here's the idea - let me know what you think by clicking here. OK here goes:Friday, January 24, 2003
I got the idea both at work and whilst sitting in the middle of the barmy army at the cricket. It's a web site to help organizers put together a holiday, a trip to the cricket, a trip to the rugby, a re-union etc. The organizer will log in to this web site, and put some basic details of the event such as when, where, a brief description, but importantly how much the trip will cost, whether a deposit is required etc.
Email invitiations will then go out to all of the invitees detailing the event. The invitee can then reply, but they can also pay the deposit and then the balance online and the money gets transferred directly to the organizer. That way the organizer can book the event in confidence knowing that they already have the money. That way they don't have to hassle their friends for money but they don't end up out of pocket either. Automatic e-mail reminders will chase people up for the deposit or balance as and when required.
Imagine a typical scenario, you're booking to go and see the firework and classical extravaganza at Castle Howard. You would like to invite around 15 people, but you don't want to go out and shell 500 pounds straight away unless you know people can really come. So you use the system to collect the deposits and then you can book your tickets in confidence, meanwhile everyone is really excited because they have all of the details of the event. I plan to build a database of all current events in the country, that organizers can browse to see what they would like to organize, and then provide pre-done invitation templates for them to use.
The more I think about it - the more events I come up with, music gigs, sporting occassions, stag nights - the list is endless. I have started doing a prototype and I think I can definately do it, the hardest thing will be the payment processing - I will take Visa, Mastercard and maybe Direct Debit. I've done this before at work and I know it's possible, but it's just a long process. Still being able to collect the money is the central point and so I
can't really avoid this.
I also thought that the target market of organizers and invitees would be a good advertising audience for tour operators, hotels etc.
Anyway that's the idea - what do you think?
MrT 1/25/2003 12:55:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Mike has got an Aldi PC and sent me an e-mail today on his thirtieth birthday. He did tell me some alarming news though. Apparently Mayfair Chinese takeaway has been putting daffodil bulbs in the food instead of onions - it's put twenty people in hospital already. Although, doctors say they should be out in spring.Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Been a very busy and tiring week this week. It's Australia Day tommorrow and so we have a long weekend which is much needed. I've only been back at work for three weeks! Went to the final ante-natal class tonight and talked all about pain relief and relaxation. We're moving on to parenting next week. Victoria has bought a cot, lots of baby clothes and nappies! She's done good.
Geoff has been to Paddy's market to buy lots and lots of Australian souvenirs to take back to the UK. They have gone up to the Royal tonight for drinks before bedtime.
MrT 1/24/2003 11:34:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Went to the sales kick off for 2003 last night and so have a heavy head this morning. Anne and Geoff are back and seem to have had a good time in Queensland.Saturday, January 18, 2003
MrT 1/21/2003 05:43:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Boiling hot Saturday afternoon. We went up to Woolharra for brunch, bought a couple of books and now are sitting down working our way through them. I bought "101 Philosophy experiments for everyday life" which is interesting and funny and well worth a read. It's a good companion to my other book at the moment, James Herriot's All things wise and Wonderful. The second ante-natal class went well last night, with lots of good ideas for getting through the experience. A brand new father also came in off the ward to speak to us after a 20 hour labour experience. He looked exhausted, but I was impressed at the amount of detail he was able to recount. A no hold barred account. His baby son was miniature.Thursday, January 16, 2003
Work is getting progressively busier with many new customer projects to work on and all of the team's appraisals to complete this week. There has got to be an easier way to earn a living, if only I could retire and live off my celebdaq earnings (>30,000 this week 5,000 in the charts!). I was speaking to a client about celebdaq over here, and he asked what happens to shares if the celebrity dies? What would happen if you had shares in Maurice Gibb? I suppose there is a bit of taste issue.
Watched Peter Kaye again on video last night - put the big light on!
MrT 1/18/2003 04:42:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Went swimming last night at Phillipe and Cooke park for the first time since we've been in Sydney. Fantastic place and I think were Thorpedo won all of his gold medlas during the Olympics. I think it's great that they have now turned it into a public swimming pool and fitness centre. Right in the middle of the city as well, I've made a resolution to go a couple of times a week. I think Vic enjoyed it as well, she seemed to like to float on her back and take the weight off. I wonder if they do births!Wednesday, January 15, 2003
Second ante-natel class tonight. The subject is "How to survive the ordeal" - for our homework last week, we all had to think about a time when we showed particular endurance and then describe some of the stragies we used. I thought I would talk about Nite Pilot or even the flight from the UK to Australia.
Making a killing on Leo De Cap and now have 18 grand in the bank on Celebdaq - I hear they are going to turn it into a tv series.
MrT 1/16/2003 09:57:00 pm [+] : Feedback!
Ok. Got picture today from Lucy and Peter, they look so grown up. All is well in Goodhope Street, work is going well and it looks like we might make enough money on the house to not feel as bad about losing so much last year. Just a little bit worried about being priced out of the market when we come home, but I think it's probably worth getting rid now to be free of the worry.Monday, January 13, 2003
I must admit we have both been feeling a lot better and comfortable about being here and especially at this time of year. It's nice not to have the post-Christmas blues because you are still slap bang in the middle of Summer. It's the sales kick-off conference next week, which is always a bit of a boozy do. Have been paid today, so I think we are going to the Pix to see "Catch me if you can" and then will get a nibble at the Golden Sheaf.
MrT 1/15/2003 06:15:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Anne and Geoff got safely off to Queensland yesterday which was a relief. All is well at the apartment they are staying in - it looks "just like the brochure". Very busy at work again, it didn't take long to get back into the thick of it.Sunday, January 12, 2003
MrT 1/13/2003 10:32:00 pm [+] : Feedback!
Short one today because we've had a really full day. The "Executive Summary" isFriday, January 10, 2003
1) Anne has had a somewhat "Miracle Recovery" and is now able to take up the trip to Queensland and so they are leaving tommorrow.
2) We've all been to the Royal tonight and met with Mark, Caroline, Aleta and Trevor (more about that later).
3) Made money on Leo De Cap on Celebdaq - easy , does anyone really lose money?
4) John ( a.k.a. Helen and John ) sent us Peter Kaye live from the top of the tower on DVD for Christmas - plenty of laughs.
Did you know in Japanese there are five ways to say the number 1 to 5 depending on the way type of object your are counting? There is one way for the objects that are flat, one way for objects that are cylindrical, one way for objects that are cubes etc.... bizzarre.
MrT 1/12/2003 12:36:00 pm [+] : Feedback!
What a day. Had our first ante-natal class this evening at the Mater which was a bit of an eye-opener. Really useful - all of our questions answered and more; but showing us the detailed video of the birth after feeding us tuna sandwiches was a tough one on the tummy. Had a good look round one of the delivery suites and made a mental note where the Nitrous Oxide was kept ( behind the bedside cabinet to the right of the bed ). I remember looking up at the clock on the wall and wondering how long I would spend looking at the self same clock in two and a half months time. It will be like a flight from home to Australia but with painful contractions. The men did this exercise whereby we had to squat down about 2 ft from the floor for sixty seconds and concentrate on our thigh muscles. You can try this at home - after 10 seconds they start to twinge, 30 seconds they start to warm-up and 45 seconds you are in pain. This is supposed to give us a gentle idea what a contraction is like. I was sweating after one that lasted just a minute.Thursday, January 09, 2003
Anne and Geoff had a bit of a setback today. Anne has pulled her muscle in her back and had to go to hospital as she was in complete agony. They have filled her with morphine and so she is now completely zonked out and immobile upstairs. After hearing their experiences at the public hospital, I am now really pleased we decided to go private for the baby. It's a bit of a nightmare scenario as they had only just booked a week in Queensland to leave on Monday. All pray for a miracle recovery.
Took Geoff to the Royal tonight - which was even livelier than usual for moral building exercise. Seemed to do the trick.
Celebdak: Sold Madonna Bought DeCaprio
MrT 1/10/2003 01:37:00 pm [+] : Feedback!
Went to the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay last night to see Rob off before he goes away for a year's travelling.Tuesday, January 07, 2003
Following Lucy's recommendation I have createad an account on Celebdaq and bought "safe" shares in Enimem, Prince Charles, David Beckham and Madonna. Am at a severe disadvantage with being a little detached from the daily gossip and so am relying on Lucy to provide recommendataions. I've been reading about the re-cin scares in London with some alarm - 1 gramme is capable of killing 36,000 people within 72 hours with no antidote ( or so they say ). That's more toxic that a meat pie from Oxford Street butchers. Went to the obstetrician yesterday for a check-up with Vic. All is well, although Dr Shelly Jones inferred that perhaps Vic had been tucking into one too many chockies over the festive period which didn't go down too well. Geoff and Anne are still enjoying themselves - they went to Taronga Zoo yesterday to meet the koalas - You Bewt.
MrT 1/09/2003 02:29:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Beware of the Pie! Victoria and I shared a tasty beef and mushroom pie from the butchers on Oxford Street last night. Unfortunately, it proved much too rich for Vicky's system and she was very ill throughout the night. Still, I think she has it all out of her system now - although she still feels a little tender today. Two thoughts occurred to me:Monday, January 06, 2003
1) I'm glad Victoria did not suffer too much from morning sickness.
2) I wonder how I will handle getting only a few hour sleep a night when baby arrives.
The Office continues to amuse - is this because I can recognize ( or worse, associate ) with the characters?
I've been looking through my notes, and this time tommorrow, we were flying out on our journey.
MrT 1/07/2003 04:35:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Great day at the cricket yesterday, sat right in the middle of the Barmy Army and an absolute scorcher of a day. Topped off only by the fact that we had an emphatic win today. If only we could have turned on the form a bit sooner. Went for a steak at the Royal with Geoff and returned to watch Bandits on DVD which was a bit poor. Fairly quiet and relaxed day at work so far, went for leisurely Yum Cha in Chinatown for lunch. V. nice although I steered clear of the "cauliflower wrapped in condoms dish". Pietschie and his wife have given birth to their baby at 5am this morning. Sebastian, a bouncing baby boy. Looking forward to our first ante-natal class this Friday.Saturday, January 04, 2003
MrT 1/06/2003 05:26:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Fourth day at the test tommorrow looking a lot more promising now, after England close at 218-2 today. Looking forward to it now, although Geoff has bought a hat with Australia in big green writing displayed on the front. I was sure I told him that we will be sat in the middle of the barmy Army. Been to Manly beach today for swim and body surf. Absolute corker of a day, with Victoria comfortably installed in deckchair and parents comfortably installed in the sea.Thursday, January 02, 2003
Have finished Christopher Reeve book from Mum very quickly. Inspiring stuff - I would be prepared to bet that he will be walking within five years.
MrT 1/04/2003 10:08:00 am [+] : Feedback!
Following good performance on the first day of the fifth test, we have made the risky move of buying tickets for the fourth day. Have logged onto Barmy Army to get the song list!Wednesday, January 01, 2003
Nasser
To the tune of "Rupert the Bear"
Nasser, Nasser Hussain, everyone knows his name.
Nasser, Nasser Hussain, everyone knows his name
He's Nasser Hussain!
Marcus Trescothic
To the tune of "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Trescothic, Superstar
Scores more runs than Tendulkar
Andy Caddick
To the tune of "Oh my Darling Clementine"
Andy Caddick, Andy Caddick
Must be worth five hundred grand
He was too good for New Zealand,
So he plays for En-ger-land
etc... etc...
MrT 1/02/2003 11:27:00 pm [+] : Feedback!
Well back to work today. I was just thinking this morning about New Year's Eve. For the actual fireworks, the captain let us sit right in the bow at the front of the boat. We sat there in the night and waited for the fireworks to start and the New Year. All was silent as we waited in the night. There was a group of Geordies next to us, one eventually broke the silence.....
(Spoken in Geordie accent)
There's only one other place in the world you'll get a view like that - that's in the Toon.
I must admit the Harbour bridge does have a passing resemblance to the Tyne Bridge.
Congratulations, Tim!
Your IQ score is 133
This number is the result of a formula based on how many questions you answered correctly on Emode's Ultimate IQ test.
The even better news is that at Emode, we've taken your IQ test one step further. During the test, you answered four different types of questions — mathematical, visual-spatial, linguistic and logical. We were able to analyze how you did on each set of those questions, which allows us to shed light on the way your brain uniquely functions.
At the same time, we compared your answers with others who have taken the test, and according to the sorts of questions you got correct, we can tell your Intellectual Type is a Visionary Philosopher.
The first thing we can tell you about that is you're equally good at mathematical and verbal tasks, and learn best through experience. But that's just scratching the surface.
MrT 1/01/2003 11:15:00 pm [+] : Feedback!
Fireworks on Sydney Harbour were spectacular last night. 9pm show was cancelled due to high winds, but midnight show more than made up to it. The Blue Moon proved to be seaworthy even after colliding with another vessel on the harbour. Off to the Royal now for a quick schnooner before bed.
MrT 1/01/2003 10:35:00 am [+] : Feedback!
