I'm back!

Took a while because a lot of stuff is happening at work, but this is my 'I'm back from Egypt' posting.
I had a really great time hanging out with cousins in law, sailling on Falucas, going to the circus and checking out the big stuff.
Once the trip was over I was in a strangely ambivilent mood; on the one hand I was quite heartbroken to leave such a wonderful place, but for some reason also relieved to be going (even though I hadn't had any difficult or stressful encounters). I have tried to analyse the roots of these feelings, but have failed, so I will have to consign them to simple emotions.
The weather was wonderful - like Adelaide heat it was dry. As soon as you left the sun and stepped in the shade it cooled down - and if there was a breeze it could even get cool! This was one of the reasons it was wonderful to sail on the Nile in a Falucca - lying down while sheilded from the sun with the breeze of the moving boat cooling one down - bliss!
Another memorable moment was going to see a circus, something else I haven't done since South Australia. On my single day in Aswan (will be 3 next time...) I got thrown off course and didn't get to the sites I wanted to, but I did notice that a circus was in town. So I turned up at 7:30, hung around until 8:30 and then saw a very amusing, thought not exactly breath taking, show. The clowns were great, though I think this had more to do with me having no idea what they were saying than being any good. The lions and Tigers (the only animal act) were ferocious and scary - sitting a mere metre from them as I was. All in all a great night, and I think I can say that not many other western tourists would have done the same in Aswan!
The monuments were, of course, Monumental. Not much more to say, I was a big Egypt fan when I was a kid, so it was great to see this stuff in the flesh, and I took lots of photos. Some of my favorite stuff was finding a little corner somewhere where the paint, from 5000 years ago, was still visible.
I was, however, in awe of the magnificent Tut-Ankh-Amun burial mask. It was like staring back 5000 years, or maybe into the abyss, to look into his eyes. Along with the Taj Mahal, it is one of the few sights I have been emotionally affected by.
I went to see the mask with Mustafa, my uncles nephew. We had a great time going to the pyramid (where I enabled him to go inside - something he hadn't done before and was visibly emotional about when he emerged) and the musuem, and then we went to a cafe and played Dominoes! I think he was reasonably impressed with my game (I won, but that's hospitality for you...) as I had been practicing against Grandma :)
I also played dominoes against a street tout rather than pay him for the shit souvineers he had; we had a lot more fun and I was happy to pay him a little money and buy him a drink. The same day I did that I worked out that paying someone for their photo was a much better way to give money to desperately poor people than buying their crap (which I didn't do anyway)
On the last night before I left I spent the evening with Adam and our cousin Mai as Mai tought me a little arabic, both spoken and written. We had a lot of fun, though Adam might have gotten a little bored.... Mai is Mustafa's sister, and daughter of Suzanne who took me out a few times too and is Khaled's, my uncle, sister.
And it all leaves me with the question - given the ancient egyptian civilization lasted some 3000 years, how long will our great 'western' civilization last?

Off to Egypt

Tomorrow!
I have little organised, but I'm not going for long so it should be ok. Am picking up a few things this evening on the way home, but basically am going to have a very early night ahead of catching the bus at 2:50 tomorrow morning. Then have a sleep on plane (one hopes), then wait for the Alitalia dispute to finish, then arrive in Cairo!!

Wolfowitz to spread neo-con gospel

Oh yay.
One of the big neo-con names, one of the biggest arguers for the invasion of iraq, has been put forward by the US as the next president of the World Bank. This is a man who has NO banking experience, except maybe debt what with the US being so deeply in deficit because of the war (among other things).
Apparently the neo-cons "are about free markets and elections and reducing the role of government in societies" though the enormous increase in government spending and the totally one sided 'free markets' they desire don't seem to back this up. (BTW why is it that governments like the OZ one are so obsessed with free trade, lack of tariffs, and running tight fiscal policy to keep the deficit in check, when the most successful country in the world ignores these off hand - because they are the most successful of course! Mark will give better reasons for this)
It seems frightening that one of the big pushers for a war will be in charge of the purse strings of aid to largely non-christian countries.

Stuff Wot Happened

On the weekend I headed up to Birmingham to catch up with Janice and Adam and Grandma in the wake of Martin's death. We had a good time, largely just J & A and I lounging around at their place, mucking around a bit, watching the red nose day stuff on Friday night, playing some computer games on Saturday night.
We went down to Stratford on the Saturday to meet Grandma. She was a little flumoxed at having all of us there at once (she hasn't seen Adam since boxing day - she told us she didn't really recognise him).
I had a one on one with her for while (45 minutes?) which seemed to go well, we talked about various things including Martin. I assured her that she wasn't alone - merely head of the household!
Came back on Sunday (almost didn't - my ticket was for monday!) and have been relaxing since. Trying to get rid of this big cold I've had (just saw throught really) for a few weeks before heading off to Egypt.
On Monday it was my Dad's birthday. I tried to ring him, but he is insanely (always) busy with Grease in toowoomba. He did get the flowers I organised though, so that was good. I won't be able to ring him for the opening because I'll be somewhere strange (plane, Egypt?).
I also saw the Woodsman with Kevin Bacon, another play turned into a film (and goes to show how much I like plays...). I then went climbing last night and a rest tonight (wednesday).
I leave for Egypt on Friday at 6 in the morning so have to catch a bus at about 2:30. Haven't organised a thing, but I can't really think of much to organise. (got Visa, flight, money, passport- what more can a material boy need)
I've been trying for a bit of a 'gluton free' week, but gave up today as it's just stupid. All my favorite stuff is wheat based (except rice) and I ended up eating crap for snacks (like chocolate) instead of the usual bread role or something.
So I lasted 6 days, and cant' say I noticed any particular benefit (which I didn't really expect, just interested).

Cool Idea for emergency housing

The inflatable, concrete house/tent. The idea being that a folded up package of concrete impregnated fabric is inflated and allowed to dry - leaving a surprisingly tough (think whole egg shells) skin which can be used to live in.
Still more expensive than a normal tent, but far more durable.
Appropriate Technology all the way!

House of Lords upholds 'democracy'

Democracy is more than just voting - it must also address the 'tyranny of the masses' and uphold a minimum set of human rights.
Strangely, the least democratic part of the UK parliamentary system is insisting that those human rights not be eroded, while the democraticly elected lower house tries to push through stupid legislation that lets politicians put people under house arrest with minimal evidence (less than 'balance of probabilities' which the Lords are asking for).
The lords have forced both houses to sit for more than 24 hours now, as they reject the government's bill again and again. Go the Lords I say!!!
What they want

• A sunset clause so that new, better legislation can be introduced. The government says this new legislation would be too rushed, but compared to the 2 weeks the house has had to contemplate the current bill this seems ridiculous
• The suspicion required to arrest someone increased (!) to 'the balance of probabilities'. F*ck me, how can you arrest someone for less?
• A judge to be involved in the arrest process
  They actually got this one

It still destroys the principle of Habeous Corpus (however you spell that) - ie where's the body ie where's the proof - and the separation of the three pillars of government - judiciary, executive and legislature.
The government has just come back offering to replace the current legislation in 1 years time, but to not put in a sunset clause. WHAT's THE DIFFERENCE. They just can't back down, probably because they know they are wrong. Get over it and admit the legislation youtried to put through was a pile of crap and let the lords fix it.

Hotel Rawanda

Because of the chronological order of these blogs, this item will appear above the item about my great uncle, but is not the same import at all. Basically, last night I went to see this great film, read my review on my other blog. (Especially Mum and Dad and Ash, as I'd like you all to see this film).
Tonight I am going up to Birmingham to see how I can help, and will spend the weekend there with Jan and Adam.

Great Uncle Martin dies

My great uncle martin died last night, after becoming ill and being rushed to the hospital. He was always full of life, and welcomed me with open arms whenever I visited him. He kept on playing his piano right until the end, even though his arthritis was getting worse and worse; it is his piano playing at Christmas time a few years back that I know will be my sister and mother's fondest memory of this wonderful man.
It was great to visit him in the last few months at his convalescence - he knew (at the ripe young age of 93) all the nurses names and wittily complained about the other drongos at the home - people who could not keep up with his scrabble/crossword/painting regime.
This turn of events was, to my knowledge, totally unexpected, but he had a good innings and will continue to be remembered and loved by all those he touched.
See ya mate.

Been listening to XTC lately

a great band from the 80's - part of what would have been called the 'alternate' scene back then. Here's the lyrics to 'Dear God'

Dear god,
Hope you got the letter,
And I pray you can make it better down here.
I don’t mean a big reduction in the price of beer,
But all the people that you made in your image,
See them starving on their feet,
’cause they don’t get enough to eat

From god,
I can’t believe in you.

Dear god,
Sorry to disturb you,
But I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears,
And all the people that you made in your image,
See them fighting in the street,
’cause they can’t make opinions meet,
About god,
I can’t believe in you.

Did you make disease, and the diamond blue?
Did you make mankind after we made you?
And the devil too!

Dear god,
Don’t know if you noticed,
But your name is on a lot of quotes in this book.
Us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look,
And all the people that you made in your image,
Still believing that junk is true.
Well I know it ain’t and so do you,
Dear god,
I can’t believe in,
I don’t believe in,

I won’t believe in heaven and hell.
No saints, no sinners,
No devil as well.
No pearly gates, no thorny crown.
You’re always letting us humans down.
The wars you bring, the babes you drown.
Those lost at sea and never found,
And it’s the same the whole world ’round.
The hurt I see helps to compound,
That the father, son and holy ghost,
Is just somebody’s unholy hoax,
And if you’re up there you’ll perceive,
That my heart’s here upon my sleeve.
If there’s one thing I don’t believe in...

It’s you,
Dear god.

Also, here's an interesting story about ants, you know how much I love them!

Woohoo - The Donnas Rock!

Went to see the Donnas last night, and they, of course, ROCK!
John, who works for me, left yesterday for Finland for a holiday with his Finnish girlfriend. This left me with his project which was due to go live, last week? At any rate, I fixed up the last few things, did a test run on live, had a panic because it looked like it failed, spent a few hours determining that while something had gone wrong it didn't actually effect the outcome of the program, and so it can all go live today!
Also DbCatalog, my 'side' project I've been trying to get live while working on my main project, is in the process of going live as well. It is all in Alastair (my tech manager) 's capable hands.
This weekend I am off to Groove Amada again with Jo, and climbing then hanging with James (and Tam) from work in Clapam or somewhere.

Can you read this?

Hopefully this new blog template is more easily read by everyone - I've had some complaints that some text is hard to read, or not visible at all! please let me know if you are still having problems.
Also, anyone can now comment on my posts, so don't hesitate - click 'comment' now!

EU goes for Software Patents

The EU looked like they were going to drop this dud idea, but for some reason have just pretty much passed it as legislation. So I can be sued for pretty much anything I do on the web from now on because some b*stard will have patented it (One-Click purchases anyone?).
What's even more ridiculous about this is that US patents will presumably come into force, while EU ones will only just start to be processed this year - so there will be a major disadvantage to EU companies because they'll have to battle against all the dross in the US patent stuff (Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off anyone? though admitadly that's not software)
Grrr.

Sorry it's been a while!

Let me see,
Wednesday last week I pretty much went home, can't remember doing anything special... though that night the tone of the rest of my working week was set, for in the morning I arrived to find, ta dum!, my hard disk at work had failed. This isn't such a big problem as I had everything pretty much backed up (I am the 5th person in 2 months to have their hard disk fail - fair enough warning). The only problem is that, because of our contract with our supplier, it took until Monday (yesterday) for my HD to get replaced, then Monday was written off as the techs installed software, and today has been written off as _I_ install software.
So I haven't really got a lot of work done in the last few days.
Friday night I went to a gig at the 'Garage' to see 'Mika Bomb', who describe themselves as 'Japanese Chic Trash Rock', and it was pretty much what I expected : 'hard rock' done the japanese way, ie poppy :)
Saturday I lounged about, went for a climb, and then in the evening went to see my flat mate Leo's brand new Ska (Jazz) band play at a birthday party. Unlike a lot of people I even congratulated the birthday boy (some guy called Richard) on his coming of age (somewhere around 40 I'd guess).
Anyhoo, the variously named 'New Skatellites' or 'Army of Ska' blew me away. After 2 hours practice (that's it - even we had more before the Battle of the Bands Mark!) they were totally awesome! One of the guys, Chris, was playing Sax and did the first solo and I loved it. I think the big difference between this and other Jazz is a) it was fun (Ska is fun) and b) I had a connection with the musicians (via Leo, his girlfriend, and being introduced to Chris). Great Night.
Sunday I mucked around some more, didn't go shopping, but did go to see two Fellini films with Jo. Didn't even fall asleep this time (but then, it wasn't Saturday afternoon). La Strada was the stand out, though I'm happy I didn't know what the name meant before seeing it.
Finally yesterday I stayed at work for toooooo long in the vain hope of getting something done, but didn't.

Feeling a little ill today

I've had this little 'flu for the alst few weeks, but it's never really gotten too bad. Today I am feeling a little more poorly than usual, but I'll still go climbing tonight - maybe have tomorrow night off....
Last night I went, on the spur of the moment, to see 'Casshern', a japanese live-action rendition of a comic (I am sure). Twas quite entertaining - check out my review. During the day I got my Visa for Egypt, which was no hassle at all except for the sheer amount of time it took to get to the consulate and back (which I had to do twice - once to drop off the passport and once to pick it up). Consequently I was at work until 7:30, which is why I went to the afor mentioned film.
On the weekend I went to Grandmas and had my first real Balti with Janice and Adam, at a place that Adam goes too after shows put on by the drama group he is in. Unfortunately the 'bouncing waiter' was not as energetic, but maybe that's because it wasn't 1 in the morning with the restaurant filled with 50 excited teenagers.
Grandma seemed good, obsessing on the funeral for her sister Nan, but we had some good chats about how much she liked being in the residence, and how she's nade a friend called Hilda (and how Martin, her brother, has made _lots_ of female friends). She is still worried about the money, so I have to keep on assuring her that it's OK to enjoy the last of her years even if it does cost a bit, and that she can afford it anyway.
Friday night I watched 'Lost in Translation' on DVD (on the Mac Mini!); thank you Adam/Khaled!
That's about it I think...