Month: May 2012
-
Self-documenting images
Sometimes I trip over an image that astounds me with its power, meaning or humour. Here’s one that was used to illustrate an article on the English language called Make-or-Break Verbs. Is it possible to pack more meaning into a simple image? Is it possible to find an image that more precisely illustrates an article? If…
-
OECD says Australia is the best, but…
Yesterday, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development launched an updated version of a report called Your Better Life Index. This report compares the performance of 36 countries using criteria such as life satisfaction, safety, health, housing, community and governance. Rather than just accepting the media good-news story that Australia is on top, it’s worthwhile having a…
-
One of the greatest inventors dies
The advancement of the human race in recent times has not been the slow change of evolution. Rather it has advanced in leaps and bounds due to major breakthroughs by dedicated inventors. Sadly, many of them have not received the recognition they deserve. Have a look at this list to see how many of the…
-
An afternoon at Balls Head Reserve
Linda has some friends visiting Sydney next month from the US and wants to show them something of the Sydney she has come to love. Not the tourist areas of Sydney, but the beautiful park-lands around the harbour that are there for all to enjoy, thanks to the foresight and planning of visionaries long gone.…
-
US$17 billion not enough for Zuckerberg?
Perhaps because of the looming initial public offering (IPO), Facebook feels it needs to show potential investors what a great opportunity its shares are. It’s not happy with being one of the wealthiest companies on the planet. It’s not happy with the Facebook page sidebar being stuffed full of advertisements. It’s now putting ads right…
-
The difference between Climate and Weather
Our Climate Commission has just released a report entitled The Critical Decade. These are the key messages from the report: There is no doubt that the climate is changing. The evidence is overwhelming and clear. We are already seeing the social, economic and environmental impacts of a changing climate. It is beyond reasonable doubt that…
-
Stilettos and Starlettos
We were guests at a delightful wedding yesterday. It took place at Summerlees Cottage in the southern tablelands near Moss Vale. The ceremony was a garden affair, and this caused great difficulties for some women as their stiletto heels disappeared into the soft grass. But wait – there is a solution. Read on… When it…
-
Global flatulence
For some reason flatulence is intrinsically funny. It’s just methane gas, but kids wet themselves laughing about it, the internet’s full of jokes about it and comedians make a living from it. The Roman Emperor Elagabulus used a whoopee cushion to amuse his guests at his dinner parties, and they’ve sold well ever since. Search eBay…
-
Vacancy: Padre Pio Parish Glenmore Park
During General Intercessions at Mass last weekend, we were asked to pray for the parishioners of Glenmore Park. You might remember this was where the presiding priest declared he had been married for a year. Now this started me wondering why exactly the parishioners needed our prayers? Because they had been exposed to a priest who…
-
Our society continues to progress
Two things I noticed today caused me to reflect on just how far we in Australia have come along the road of tolerance, equal opportunity and compassion: Linda and I were waiting in a queue to buy movie tickets. Ahead of us was a severely handicapped young lady in a wheelchair buying a ticket. She was by herself, having…