The judge, the soroptimist and a cactus

Posted on February 26, 2010 at 3:45pm | 3 comments

I appeared before a Supreme Court judge this week. More later.

Meanwhile, I’m sure that Soroptimists are lovely people.

In fact, Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.

But I wish they would buy their own camera, or use a mobile phone that has a camera inbuilt.

Ever since I started in my current job, and for years before, a Soroptomist drops into the office regularly to collect a tiny battered camera. They use it to take photos of guest speakers, handover ceremonies and the like.

They are the only community organisation that does this and nobody else in the office uses the dilapidated camera.

This week a Soroptimist called in and the camera was missing. (more…)

Horoscope in retrospect

Posted on February 17, 2010 at 6:44pm | 1 comment

If I was able to write my own horoscope in retrospect it would be something like:

Capricorn for Wednesday

A series of mistakes and frustrations will sap your natural energy today. Don’t let it get you down! Money matters will command your attention. Stand up for yourself and recover what’s owing to you.

The day started with me forgetting my office key. I arrived 10 minutes later than usual at 7.40am and figured someone else would get there soon, so I may as well just wait.

The next person arrived at 7.55am. During the wait I discovered I had few staff members listed in my phone’s contact book. I knew that none of the early arrivals would answer the switchboard phone and I needed to call a direct line to get in.

Should I go home and get the key or wait? I waited and eventually got in. (more…)

Top 30 innovations of the last 30 years

Posted on January 2, 2010 at 6:19pm | 1 comment

Early last year, Knowledge@Wharton released a list of the top 30 innovations over the past 30 years.

I’ve just discovered the article, but it’s still thought provoking to ponder the technological changes that have occurred in three decades.

The list is as follows, in their order of importance:

1. Internet, broadband, WWW (browser and html)
2. PC/laptop computers
3. Mobile phones
4. Email
5. DNA testing and sequencing/Human genome mapping
6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
7. Microprocessors
8. Fibre optics
9. Office software (spreadsheets, word processors)
10. Non-invasive laser/robotic surgery (laparoscopy)
11. Open source software and services (e.g., Linux, Wikipedia)
12. Light emitting diodes
13. Liquid crystal display (LCD)
14. GPS systems
15. Online shopping/ecommerce/auctions (e.g., eBay)
16. Media file compression (jpeg, mpeg, mp3)
17. Microfinance
18. Photovoltaic Solar Energy
19. Large scale wind turbines
20. Social networking via the Internet
21. Graphic user interface (GUI)
22. Digital photography/videography
23. RFID and applications (e.g., EZ Pass)
24. Genetically modified plants
25. Bio fuels
26. Bar codes and scanners
27. ATMs
28. Stents
29. SRAM flash memory
30. Anti retroviral treatment for AIDS (more…)

True barber shop conversation

Posted on December 30, 2009 at 8:16pm | 1 comment

Have you ever regretted asking someone a polite question because of the answer you receive?

Like: “How are you?” and the lengthy response is a recital of human misery.

Waiting for a haircut yesterday I heard this conversation –

Barber: “So how is Sid? I haven’t seen him for a long time.”

Customer: “Sid isn’t too good at the moment.”

Barber: “Sorry to hear that.”

Customer: “His wife found him unconscious in his den. She had to call the ambulance.”

Barber: “Oh!”

Customer: “It’s one day at a time for Sid now. We were lucky to have him home for Christmas.”

Pause.

Barber: “He was always in good shape for his age.”

Customer: “Mmm.”

Silence.

Mowing the lawns

Posted on November 7, 2009 at 4:22pm | 0 comments

We’ve mowed the lawns twice this week and they need mowing again already.

Morning coffee

Posted on August 21, 2009 at 8:04am | 1 comment

I take three heaped teaspoons of coffee in a mug, with milk but no sugar. I usually have one mug a day, in the morning. Why do some people think it’s strange to have three spoons of coffee?

Something I like #1

Posted on August 13, 2009 at 10:33pm | 1 comment

I like feeling warm on a cold day, rugged up in front of a fire, especially if it’s raining.

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