Late Nights Watch The Tour de France
The late nights are the order of the day again as the Tour de France once again swings into action. There’s even more reason to get excited as an Australian this year with 12 Australians starting the race. Of course the Orica Greenedge team is getting stronger and, after 5 stages, we are on top of the world with Simon Gerrans winning stage 3 and then the Teams Time Trial victory in Stage 4 giving him the yellow jersey.
Anyway, this looks as though it’s going to be a very exciting Tour and I’m going to settle in again for the duration. Sleep is going to be the number two priority. That being said, I did nod off last night with around 60km to go and woke up with 30km to go. Decided that Cavendish was likely going to be the winner and took myself off to bed.
It was a good assumption to make.
Running Every Day Progress
2013 has been the year in which I have participated in a little challenge of attempting to run every day for a year. We've immaginatively titled the challenge the REDFAY challenge which stands for Run Every Day For A Year. I actually started the challenge unofficially midway through December 2012 but am really only counting the calendar year for this year.
It’s the halfway point of the year and that means it’s the halfway point of the challenge. I thought it would be a good idea to check in with a few thoughts about my experience.
Firstly, a few stats about the year so far.
Today is day 185 and I have indeed run every day bringing the tally to…185 runs.
Total number of kilometres covered is 1,807 km which averages out to around 9.77km per run. I’m hoping to get the average up to an even 10km per day to make it 3,650km for the year.
Now for my thoughts about the year of running so far. I am absolutely amazed at how strong my body feels. I went into this challenge fully expecting it to be a massive drag on my health. The most number of days I had run before doing this was around 7 days in a row. The idea that I could run 185 days in succession, be injury free and not feel completely worn down seemed like an unrealistic fantasy at the start of the year.
I’m still looking forward to my run every day, my body feels far stronger rather than weaker and I’m actually enjoying the experience.
I’m logging my runs on Strava.com as proof that I am actually getting out every day. Actually, the fact that I am using a GPS watch (Garmin 610) certainly enhances the experience. Tracking exactly how many kilometres I’m running, being aware of my running pace and plotting the courses online has kept it fresh and given me goals to try and achieve as the year has gone by.
I’m running quicker than I have for the past 10 years, nearly down to 4 minute k’s again.
Good News!
Beer drinkers of the world...rejoice!
It’s not every day that you read news to really warm the heart but today was the day that many a beer drinker is going to appreciate. The idea that drinking a beer a day can improve the health of your heart prompts me to hope that there is more funding for further research.
Apparently, scientists have figured out that blood flow to the heart improved within a couple of hours after drinking two-thirds of a pint. The better new to this is that the effect was far better than if you were to drink a non-alcoholic equivalent.
The study was done at Harokopio University in Athens. Good on them for their hard work and commitment to a worthy cause. The full story can be read at: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/beer-could-improve-your-heart-health/story-fneuzkvr-1226674119877
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Friday, September 18, 2009
Cricket Tomorrow
The second week of the first game of cricket is on tomorrow and we’ve got a huge target to chase down. Even though the conditions are going to be pretty good with a synthetic turf pitch that isn’t too bouncy and an outfield that is hard as a rock and filled with tufts of grass, I expect that the depth of the batting line up will be shown up.
That being said, it only really takes one decent partnership between two batsmen who dig in and put their heads down to break the game wide open. Let’s hope for at least a decent showing. If we have to lose I’d rather it be after a real fight rather than surrendering meekly.
It could be a long season if the team gets rolled for under 100. The spirits may fall and the doubts will be well and truly planted in the mind. Bring on tomorrow.
That being said, it only really takes one decent partnership between two batsmen who dig in and put their heads down to break the game wide open. Let’s hope for at least a decent showing. If we have to lose I’d rather it be after a real fight rather than surrendering meekly.
It could be a long season if the team gets rolled for under 100. The spirits may fall and the doubts will be well and truly planted in the mind. Bring on tomorrow.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Billy Doctrove Is A Terrible Umpire
That's right, I can stay silent no longer. After watching the first 4 and a half days of the 1st Ashes Test I've got to make this as plain as I can. Billy Droctrove, one of the umpires of the game, has no business being out on the field in any capacity.
This poor excuse for a cricket umpire has made one woeful decision after another. LBW decisions are a lottery with this bloke. He gives the ones that are not out, out and the decisions that should be given out are turned down. He's called leg byes on shots that have obviously come off the bat and runs for balls that have obviously come off the pads.
There is virtually nothing that umpire Billy Doctrove can get right. It's basically a stuff up-a-thon and the ICC appears quite happy to put up with this mediocrity because this is certainly not the first time that Billy has proven that he is not fit for Test duties.
We're watching the highest class of cricket, surely it's not too much to expect that we get umpires of a similar quality officiating.
The only positive I can think of about Doctrove's substandard performance is that it was equally poor for both sides.
This poor excuse for a cricket umpire has made one woeful decision after another. LBW decisions are a lottery with this bloke. He gives the ones that are not out, out and the decisions that should be given out are turned down. He's called leg byes on shots that have obviously come off the bat and runs for balls that have obviously come off the pads.
There is virtually nothing that umpire Billy Doctrove can get right. It's basically a stuff up-a-thon and the ICC appears quite happy to put up with this mediocrity because this is certainly not the first time that Billy has proven that he is not fit for Test duties.
We're watching the highest class of cricket, surely it's not too much to expect that we get umpires of a similar quality officiating.
The only positive I can think of about Doctrove's substandard performance is that it was equally poor for both sides.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Lawnmower Tips in 1905
Ecofill
For the perfection of a lawn mowing with a good machine is absolutely necessary and should be done frequently. To cut the grass fairly low down without the danger of biting and pulling it up by the roots, its knives should be made to pass so closely to the shoe-plate that they will cut paper at any point and until the proper method of setting it higher or lower, according to the exigencies of the moment, be thoroughly understood, it will be impossible to guarantee that it will work properly.
Sticks and stones should be swept off the grass before the mower is set upon it; and when being put away at night the machine should be cleaned and oiled , so that it may not rust. During the winter season when the machine is not in use it should be taken apart, each piece well oiled and stored away separately, taking particular care not to lose the bolts and screws.
To work it well it is better to cut the grass at least once a week at the height of the season, but less often in the beginning and end, as the grass does not then grow so rapidly. There is often an argument as to whether the cut grass should be left on the lawn or taken away in a box. If the grass is left on the lawn it will provide some measure of manure, whilst when allowed to become long before being cut and then left it will disfigure the lawn.
For the perfection of a lawn mowing with a good machine is absolutely necessary and should be done frequently. To cut the grass fairly low down without the danger of biting and pulling it up by the roots, its knives should be made to pass so closely to the shoe-plate that they will cut paper at any point and until the proper method of setting it higher or lower, according to the exigencies of the moment, be thoroughly understood, it will be impossible to guarantee that it will work properly.
Sticks and stones should be swept off the grass before the mower is set upon it; and when being put away at night the machine should be cleaned and oiled , so that it may not rust. During the winter season when the machine is not in use it should be taken apart, each piece well oiled and stored away separately, taking particular care not to lose the bolts and screws.
To work it well it is better to cut the grass at least once a week at the height of the season, but less often in the beginning and end, as the grass does not then grow so rapidly. There is often an argument as to whether the cut grass should be left on the lawn or taken away in a box. If the grass is left on the lawn it will provide some measure of manure, whilst when allowed to become long before being cut and then left it will disfigure the lawn.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Your Choice of Lawns
Before we even get into the options available for you to start a new lawn, you first have to decide whether you want to go with a natural lawn or an artificial grass alternative, both options are perfectly valid and you might have to do a cost comparison of the two first.
However, if you want to go for the traditional natural grass, read on.
There are two different ways of forming a lawn – by laying down turfs and by sowing seed. Which of these two methods is better depends entirely on the requirements. If a lawn is wanted quickly, it can be got by using turfs; but if a good lawn is required at small expense, and there is sufficient patience to wait for it then by all means let seed be sown.
The disadvantage in laying down turf is that the defects of an old lawn are thus implanted, and gain renewed vigour on a new. With seed sowing we have, so to speak, a carte blanche to work upon.
The first thing to consider is whether the ground is drained. If not, then that work should at once be performed. In heavy soils the drains will need to be nearer the surface and nearer to each other than in a light soil. In no case should they be less than eighteen inches from the surface.
Next you need to dig and trench the ground to the depth of eighteen inches if possible, and in any case not less than one foot. In this work an eye should be kept to making the soil level by freeing the surface from lumps and hollows.
It is a good plan to work among the soil some well-decayed manure and some leaf soil and, if heavy, some lime. With a heavy soil should be incorporated some good loam, free from weeds; and an opportunity here presents itself of disposing of a good quantity of sifted coal ashes. The digging must be of a uniform depth, whatever that may be.
However, if you want to go for the traditional natural grass, read on.
There are two different ways of forming a lawn – by laying down turfs and by sowing seed. Which of these two methods is better depends entirely on the requirements. If a lawn is wanted quickly, it can be got by using turfs; but if a good lawn is required at small expense, and there is sufficient patience to wait for it then by all means let seed be sown.
The disadvantage in laying down turf is that the defects of an old lawn are thus implanted, and gain renewed vigour on a new. With seed sowing we have, so to speak, a carte blanche to work upon.
The first thing to consider is whether the ground is drained. If not, then that work should at once be performed. In heavy soils the drains will need to be nearer the surface and nearer to each other than in a light soil. In no case should they be less than eighteen inches from the surface.
Next you need to dig and trench the ground to the depth of eighteen inches if possible, and in any case not less than one foot. In this work an eye should be kept to making the soil level by freeing the surface from lumps and hollows.
It is a good plan to work among the soil some well-decayed manure and some leaf soil and, if heavy, some lime. With a heavy soil should be incorporated some good loam, free from weeds; and an opportunity here presents itself of disposing of a good quantity of sifted coal ashes. The digging must be of a uniform depth, whatever that may be.
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Best And Worst Of People
As with all stories of tragedy these days we hear the stories that display the generous spirit of humans but, inevitably it seems, we also get reminded that there are plenty of low-lifes out there too. The Victorian bushfires have been one such occasion where some despicable behaviour by the dregs of humanity have been displayed.
The start of many of the fires was the result of arson and that’s bad enough but then, some of the residents whose houses were burnt to the ground returned to find that their homes had been picked over by looters. When you’ve just lost almost every last possession you own in the world the last thing you need is heartless bastards taking the opportunity to steal the remainder.
Now we’re starting to hear stories of opportunists moving in and trying to buy land and houses in the area expecting massive price discounts. These sharks are basically trying to screw over the landowners, victims of the fires, in yet another way by taking advantage of their tragic circumstances.
Finally, there are also reports of some landlords who have jacked the price of rent in the area to double the price hoping to cash in on the need for displaced people to find somewhere to stay.
The start of many of the fires was the result of arson and that’s bad enough but then, some of the residents whose houses were burnt to the ground returned to find that their homes had been picked over by looters. When you’ve just lost almost every last possession you own in the world the last thing you need is heartless bastards taking the opportunity to steal the remainder.
Now we’re starting to hear stories of opportunists moving in and trying to buy land and houses in the area expecting massive price discounts. These sharks are basically trying to screw over the landowners, victims of the fires, in yet another way by taking advantage of their tragic circumstances.
Finally, there are also reports of some landlords who have jacked the price of rent in the area to double the price hoping to cash in on the need for displaced people to find somewhere to stay.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
How Does A Complete Loser Become Head of A Major Corporation?
Just a question I was asking myself when I read the email from Jerry Yang to the Yahoo employees announcing that 10% of them had lost their jobs. The fact that his job wasn't one of the ones to go is a complete injustice.
So here's his email:
yahoos,
i feel it’s important for me to reach out to you after our earnings announcement, and before our all hands meeting tomorrow.
we as a company have been through a tremendously challenging year; and managing the increasingly turbulent global advertising climate has been an important focus for the last three months.
throughout the first three quarters of 2008, we have been balancing between investing in our top priorities, and managing our cost structure. beginning in september, with the help of Bain & Co., we initiated a series of steps to determine how we can become more efficient and productive as an organization.
we heard from you through the YEES survey, and through your suggestions on backyard, and we’ve identified many areas that we all feel we can improve upon. our productivity efforts, based in part on what we heard from you, will involve initiatives such as streamlining our organizational structure through reducing layers and increasing spans of control, and eliminating redundancies. longer term structural efficiencies include consolidating facilities, improving procurement, and standardizing our global technology platforms.
today as part of our q3 earnings release, we said that our goal is to reduce our current annualized cost run rate of roughly $3.9 billion by more than $400 million before the end of 2008. we are targeting non-headcount expenses wherever possible, such as facilities and outside services. however, because compensation expenses are the single largest part of our costs, we anticipate a reduction of at least 10% of our global workforce by year-end.
affected employees will be notified of layoffs in the next several weeks. we understand that hearing this news now creates uncertainty, but we are moving ahead in a way that balances speed with a clear focus on accomplishing what is necessary to set the organization up for long term success. going forward it will continue to be important for us to make the right decisions to keep our business efficient and strong.
having layoffs is very difficult, particularly in light of all we’ve experienced this year. but we don’t take these decisions lightly, and are committed to treating affected employees fairly, offering severance and outplacement services.
the steps we are taking are not easy for us as a company, but as we become more fit as an organization, decision-making will be faster and it will be easier for us all to get more done and stay focused on our strategy. these changes will also prepare us to better deal with the macroeconomic downturn. as with previous downturns, yahoo! continues to be a place where consumers turn for information and communications, and is an integral part of their internet day. as the global economy improves in the future, i certainly believe that we will be stronger and benefit from the actions we are taking now.
as always, i thank you for all you do as yahoos.
best,
jerry
So here's his email:
yahoos,
i feel it’s important for me to reach out to you after our earnings announcement, and before our all hands meeting tomorrow.
we as a company have been through a tremendously challenging year; and managing the increasingly turbulent global advertising climate has been an important focus for the last three months.
throughout the first three quarters of 2008, we have been balancing between investing in our top priorities, and managing our cost structure. beginning in september, with the help of Bain & Co., we initiated a series of steps to determine how we can become more efficient and productive as an organization.
we heard from you through the YEES survey, and through your suggestions on backyard, and we’ve identified many areas that we all feel we can improve upon. our productivity efforts, based in part on what we heard from you, will involve initiatives such as streamlining our organizational structure through reducing layers and increasing spans of control, and eliminating redundancies. longer term structural efficiencies include consolidating facilities, improving procurement, and standardizing our global technology platforms.
today as part of our q3 earnings release, we said that our goal is to reduce our current annualized cost run rate of roughly $3.9 billion by more than $400 million before the end of 2008. we are targeting non-headcount expenses wherever possible, such as facilities and outside services. however, because compensation expenses are the single largest part of our costs, we anticipate a reduction of at least 10% of our global workforce by year-end.
affected employees will be notified of layoffs in the next several weeks. we understand that hearing this news now creates uncertainty, but we are moving ahead in a way that balances speed with a clear focus on accomplishing what is necessary to set the organization up for long term success. going forward it will continue to be important for us to make the right decisions to keep our business efficient and strong.
having layoffs is very difficult, particularly in light of all we’ve experienced this year. but we don’t take these decisions lightly, and are committed to treating affected employees fairly, offering severance and outplacement services.
the steps we are taking are not easy for us as a company, but as we become more fit as an organization, decision-making will be faster and it will be easier for us all to get more done and stay focused on our strategy. these changes will also prepare us to better deal with the macroeconomic downturn. as with previous downturns, yahoo! continues to be a place where consumers turn for information and communications, and is an integral part of their internet day. as the global economy improves in the future, i certainly believe that we will be stronger and benefit from the actions we are taking now.
as always, i thank you for all you do as yahoos.
best,
jerry
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