Saudi Men receiving Text Alerts on Wives

Courtesy of Gizmodo Australia

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/11/saudi-arabian-men-now-get-text-alerts-when-their-wives-leave-the-country/

Its pretty appalling.......

Equities Trading

I have made the decision to commence Shares Trading.

Its a little late in the game (not really), but better late than never..

Ironic that I have worked within the industry for years, but never had the inclination..our money lay in other assets..

I have 30 years till retirement and it will give me another passive interest/hobby and diversification to immerse myself in.

I have chosen my online broker, have set up a CMA, some funds have been deposited to trade...

Being realistic and from what I have learnt over the years, a net return of 11% to 15% with fully franked dividends in the first year is very achievable...

Here goes....

Android to iPhone switch

So, after countless years since last having an iPhone (3GS), I have relented and gone back to the iPhone 4S from my Android powered HTC.

This was a decision that wasn't taken lightly as I am sure most of you would know. 

The reason.....after 3 Android devices in 3 years, I was fed up with them failing (literally) to do some of the most easy & inane tasks such as receiving emails, syncing the calender, Facebook not loading, Twitter not loading, not receiving calls, not receiving sms, receiving a missed call notification 3 days later, etc etc etc.

I tried in vain to be patient but I just need a device that works. I'm banking on the iPhone 4S to see me through, after positive feedback by nearly everyone I have spoken to...

Stay tuned for a further update in a couple of weeks

Harley X

Ooohh, I have a new pet hate....

So, every now & then I try allow myself to have a lunch break, even if its for just 15 minutes to get something to eat & read some crap newspaper online. 

I know this is an unfamiliar and foreign concept to many, but damn I think I'm entitled to it.

So, like most business days I have encountered now, I have left the building to get some lunch, returned, opened my lunch, commenced eating, have read the first paragraph of what ever article I'm reading, and I have someone who has approached me with this opening line:

"Oh Hi Harley X, are you eating lunch"?

At this stage I turn to them & give them the look as if to say "Oh, we have another candidate for MENSA here"!

Trying not to be too unapproachable or too sarcastic, I respond with my usual "you got it".

Instead of that person getting the hint & using some manners and leaving me to my lunch, they commence with their line of questioning as if to say, tough sh*t about your break, I'm more important.

At this stage I return to my screen and shoo them away like a garden variety serial pest...

Some people are clueless...

2014 Diversity Visa Lottery

Well, tonight I entered the 2014 Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card) for the USA.

I think this will be my final chance at getting to the U.S to live and work.

In 2008 we were successful, but the GFC got in the way and ended up staying put in Australia.

From May 1 2013 I will be able to check the status of our entry to see if we were successful.

Fingers crossed while rubbing a rabbit's foot...

Taylors Mistake Handski

I purchased the Taylors Mistake Handski back in the day (circa 1988).
It was one of the only Hand Planes commercially found in Australia at the time.

After a week long stint the beach, I reignited the excitement to get back out & start bodysurfing now that its coming into warmer weather.

I hadn't used the Taylors Mistake in many years & I wasn't sure whether I still had it in my possession.
I know that I didn't have it at my house, but I am fairly certain it would be at my folks house, as my father throws nothing out...

I made the call this morning:

Harley X: "Dad, do you remember that Handski I used to own for bodysurfing"
Father: "Yep, & I know exactly where it is and I can drop it over to your place today"
Harley X: "F*CKING AWESOME"!!!!!!!!

Not only am I receiving back a piece of history, I now no longer need to shell out huge wads of cash for a new handplane when I have the original & best...



Happy Friday everyone!!

Harley X

Post Vacation Blues

Well, its 2nd day back from a weeks vacation, & I have to say, I am not that pleased to be back.
My motivation is less than zero, and I'm already looking for excuses to have a long lunch & plan another holiday.

I thought a week off would motivate me, recharge my batteries, & seek to make improvements & streamline processes within the company, but I think its done the complete opposite.

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling this way, so maybe I just need to kick myself up the ar$e and get on with it!

New York City - September 11

September 11 every year is very sad for so many. 
It makes you realise that life itself can be taken away at a moments notice, so enjoy it and embrace it while you have it.

Courtesy of Ground Zero Museum

New York City - September - #5

On the eve of September 11, please spare a thought for the thousands of lives that were affected directly or indirectly, by terrorism.

A clock pulled from the rubble of the South Tower which collapsed at 9.58am on September 11, 2001


Courtesy of Ground Zero Museuum
http://www.groundzeromuseum.com/

New York City - September - #4

Amazing: As the caption on the picture notes, 2 beams fell from the 67th floor of the WTC and landed upright in the shape of a cross.

New York City - September - #3

A calender found in the PATH subway station after the September 11 attacks
Courtesy of: Ground Zero Museum

New York City - September - #2

A harrowing image.

The two light beams which now take place of the two towers that fell on September 11, 2001

New York City - September - 1 year on

This time last year I was in New York City for 2 reasons. 

The first & probably the most important was to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, and to pay my respects. 

The second reason was to revisit the city, which I last visited, in the summer of 1994. 

I didn’t know what to expect visiting the Big Apple after 17 years away, especially now that terrorism had played a significant part in reshaping & destroying many lives, not just within the city limits, but the nation as a whole. 

Over the course of September 2012, I hope to provide a daily photo & small caption on what I saw and felt at the time. 

There will be many photos from the Ground Zero Museum that will be confronting to some.  

It would fail in comparison to being there on September 11.....

Manhattan Early Evening

Me's Korean BBQ - Honolulu

Here's a big shout out for the good people of Me's BBQ in Honolulu (situated on Uluniu Avenue, just off Kuhio Avenue)

Its been 5 months since I was there last. Good Korean food, fast....

The food is great, the prices are cheap, and its a welcome relief from the burger & fries joints that saturate the island

Do yourself a favour when in Waikiki and treat to yourself to some great, simple, Korean fare....

Mobile Phone Contact List

So, I decided that I should back up my contacts list from my mobile phone
in case of the "inevitable" should happen (dropped in toilet, lost in cab, lost at the pub, etc).
I navigated through my list of contacts to realise that out of the 280 contacts listed, 
I have probably spoken with 40, at best, within the last 5 years.

How have I managed to hoard these numbers & not complete an annual cleanout of these digits?

More to the point, am I bad person for not reaching out to the remaining 240 or so, and dropping them a simple "hello" over the course of the last couple of years?

Santa Monica - Fairmont Mirramar

Its almost a year since we stayed at the Fairmont Mirramar, Santa Monica.

Just to torment myself, I went through my photos of the trip to relieve the memory, and to remind myself that we wont be going this year.

Here is the view from our room, heading south towards the Pier and Venice Beach.

Studying has commenced!

Prior to my ITIL commencement in November, I will be undertaking a number of short courses to mentally prepare myself for learning & exams again. 

The last time I sat a course or exam was in 2006, so I may be a little rusty.

Today, I commenced the Leaders Curriculum through my work. Its an online course with set exams through SkillSoft.

My first unit is "Driving Business Excellence" and the first topic is "The Imperatives of Innovation and Leadership in Strategy"

I'm really looking forward to it!

Skillset Overhaul

Today, I came to the harsh realisation that my current position/role will be sent overseas for good within the next couple of years, and I'm still 25 years out from retirement (minimum)!

I had the "burning bush" moment that my skill set needs a major overhaul otherwise I will be left behind, and will find myself handing out flyers for Kinko's or working for Bunnings as a geriatric 'team member'.

I am going to harness my current employers offer for ITIL training and accreditation and focus my energy on completing all the modules in order to be a more employable and valuable asset.

View over Seven Mile Beach

This is what I have to look forward to every weekend or so....


Its tough....

South Coast Weekends here we come!

In a previous post, I mentioned I had a couple of options in respect to either:

a) doing up the laundry

b) some backyard decking

or

c) buying a South Coast weekender near the beach

It is with great pleasure that I can confirm that the weekender won out by a country mile.

Hope to settle this Saturday & be out on my new T&C Malibu Board within the next couple of weeks carving up Seven Mile Beach.

I have not got a name for the weekender, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (think beach theme)