Four years ago, Peter "Possum" Bourne died in a non-Rally related car accident. The Rally World hasn't been the same since....
All video clips are well worth the watch...
RIP Possum
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Some People Will Scam ANYONE!!!
Here's an article from The Age today, which tickled my fancy...
It reminds me of going to the Melbourne 4WD and Camping Show last year with my sister and her husband, and while looking at the animals in the Petting Zoo, hearing a woman ask of the guy with the animals: "What sort of dog is this" and the guy answering "It's a Pig"
Japanese Fleeced in Poodle Scam
Sheep or poodle?
Photo: Erin Jonasson
It reminds me of going to the Melbourne 4WD and Camping Show last year with my sister and her husband, and while looking at the animals in the Petting Zoo, hearing a woman ask of the guy with the animals: "What sort of dog is this" and the guy answering "It's a Pig"
Japanese Fleeced in Poodle Scam
Sheep or poodle?
Photo: Erin Jonasson
Thousands of Japanese have been swindled in a scam in which they were sold Australian and British sheep and told they were poodles.
Flocks of sheep were imported to Japan and then sold by a company called Poodles as Pets, marketed as fashionable accessories, available at $1,600 each.
That is a snip compared to a real poodle which retails for twice that much in Japan.
The scam was uncovered when Japanese moviestar Maiko Kawamaki went on a talk-show and wondered why her new pet would not bark or eat dog food.
She was crestfallen when told it was a sheep.
Then hundreds of other women got in touch with police to say they feared their new "poodle" was also a sheep.
One couple said they became suspicious when they took their "dog" to have its claws trimmed and were told it had hooves.
Japanese police believe there could be 2,000 people affected by the scam, which operated in Sapporo and capitalised on the fact that sheep are rare in Japan, so many do not know what they look like.
"We launched an investigation after we were made aware that a company were selling sheep as poodles,'' Japanese police said.
"Sadly we think there is more than one company operating in this way.
"The sheep are believed to have been imported from overseas - Britain, Australia.''
Many of the sheep have now been donated to zoos and farms.
Source: AAP
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Update on Cars
After going through the process of deciding the Liberty GT Spec B was the car for me, I duly had the lease company put together some pricing on a 4 year package, based on the 45,000 km I drive each year, and looks like I can't stretch the finances that far...
What a bummer, as it's a really nice car....
Currently, my thought process, is to wait until Subaru release the new Forester XT, and if it looks the goods, I'll order one of those as I know I can afford one! If they look a bit ho-hum, I'll order the current shape, and it'll still be all good :-)
What a bummer, as it's a really nice car....
Currently, my thought process, is to wait until Subaru release the new Forester XT, and if it looks the goods, I'll order one of those as I know I can afford one! If they look a bit ho-hum, I'll order the current shape, and it'll still be all good :-)
Map My Name
Found some information on www.mapmyname.com a while back, and the site is now in Beta...
It's a kinda cool idea, although I'm not sure where it's really going to go... The aim, is to determine how many people use the Internet, but not sure how well it will take off...
Worthy of a look though... Seems I'm the first Aussie to put myself on the map, as it were...
It's using Google Maps, with another API over the top of it...
Looks very Google - although I don't know that it would fit into any one portfolio... Perhaps in the social networking world? Who knows!
P.S. First Australian to register :-)
It's a kinda cool idea, although I'm not sure where it's really going to go... The aim, is to determine how many people use the Internet, but not sure how well it will take off...
Worthy of a look though... Seems I'm the first Aussie to put myself on the map, as it were...
It's using Google Maps, with another API over the top of it...
Looks very Google - although I don't know that it would fit into any one portfolio... Perhaps in the social networking world? Who knows!
P.S. First Australian to register :-)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Cool deviantART
Just been looking for a new wallpaper, and came across this guys work... awesome digital art!
http://stickersticker.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://stickersticker.deviantart.com/gallery/
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Automotive Dilemnas...
Quite a bit of water under the blog since the last time I shared anything here about cars...
I've gone from researching the hell out of a Hilux, to a Prado (still turbo diesel), and recently, after pricing all the extra goodies I want on a Prado, to take me where I would (in my dreams) want to go, and back again - the cost of leasing such a beast was going to stretch me a little more than was desired... A bit of a pity, but I did a bit of soul searching, and asked "will I actually USE this vehicle for the purpose I'm going to modify it", and the answer came back as "maybe"...
Then I started considering "what do I REALLY want in a car"? and to be honest, I don't bloody know! I want something reasonably efficient, something that performs well, that I can rely on, and doesn't cost a sheep station to lease.
Now, I've been very happy with the Forester XT, but despite this, probably wouldn't get another just yet. Given my involvement in the Impreza WRX Club, I'm thinking of staying with the Subaru brand, but definitely not getting a WRX, as they can't tow anything as heavy as the boat. That pretty well brings me back to an Outback or a Liberty.
A good mate, Les, has the Liberty GT Spec B, which, with my recent pay rise, on a 5 year lease would actually leave me with about $300 more in the bank a month than leasing my current Forester... With a pretty reasonable fuel economy of around 10.9 litres per 100 km (ADR sticker) it's a good contender, as is the Outback 2.5i Premium, with a 9.5 litres per 100 km, but the consideration is really the return when towing the boat, and general driveability.
I'm leaning towards spending a little more, and getting the Liberty, but it really depends how the Outback drives, and could I live without the turbo, having had a turbo charged car for 3 years now.
I've gone from researching the hell out of a Hilux, to a Prado (still turbo diesel), and recently, after pricing all the extra goodies I want on a Prado, to take me where I would (in my dreams) want to go, and back again - the cost of leasing such a beast was going to stretch me a little more than was desired... A bit of a pity, but I did a bit of soul searching, and asked "will I actually USE this vehicle for the purpose I'm going to modify it", and the answer came back as "maybe"...
Then I started considering "what do I REALLY want in a car"? and to be honest, I don't bloody know! I want something reasonably efficient, something that performs well, that I can rely on, and doesn't cost a sheep station to lease.
Now, I've been very happy with the Forester XT, but despite this, probably wouldn't get another just yet. Given my involvement in the Impreza WRX Club, I'm thinking of staying with the Subaru brand, but definitely not getting a WRX, as they can't tow anything as heavy as the boat. That pretty well brings me back to an Outback or a Liberty.
A good mate, Les, has the Liberty GT Spec B, which, with my recent pay rise, on a 5 year lease would actually leave me with about $300 more in the bank a month than leasing my current Forester... With a pretty reasonable fuel economy of around 10.9 litres per 100 km (ADR sticker) it's a good contender, as is the Outback 2.5i Premium, with a 9.5 litres per 100 km, but the consideration is really the return when towing the boat, and general driveability.
I'm leaning towards spending a little more, and getting the Liberty, but it really depends how the Outback drives, and could I live without the turbo, having had a turbo charged car for 3 years now.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A Long Time Between Drinks - errr Blogs
Long time between blogs!
Just sitting at the kitchen table, watching the fish swimming around the fish tank, and realized I've been ultimately slack in keeping any updates feeding into my part of the world... Given no-one's given me any grief about it, I figure it shows how many people actually READ the crap I type!!!
Let's see if I can sum up the past 3 months quickly.
December, just before Christmas - started seeing someone.
January
March
Just sitting at the kitchen table, watching the fish swimming around the fish tank, and realized I've been ultimately slack in keeping any updates feeding into my part of the world... Given no-one's given me any grief about it, I figure it shows how many people actually READ the crap I type!!!
Let's see if I can sum up the past 3 months quickly.
December, just before Christmas - started seeing someone.
January
- worked through the Christmas break, finalising the design for the Vic Roads Dealer Online System remediation project that has been all encompassing for the past few months...
- Implemented the remediated Driver Online System for Vic Roads
- Started back onto the Vic Roads Driver Licensing System remediation design...
- Researched and planned a 4WD trip to Cape York
- Did something I vowed never to do - got my Jetski endorsement for my boat drivers license.
- Spent 10 days on a Luxury on the Murray Houseboat, on the Murray River, starting with the Southern 80 ski race, and finishing with the Echuca Moama Wine and Jazz Festival.
- Discovered, that even though I'm 15 years older and 15 kg heavier than the last time I tried, I CAN still ski on a slalom water ski!
- Also discovered that if you start drinking beer at 7.30 am on a 44 degree day, you can drink 30 cans and still not be pissed by 2.30 the following morning!
- Made some great new friends, who live in the Echuca area!!
- Spent a weekend in the Victorian High Country with my sister and brother-in-law, and some great friends I have met through www.offroadsubarus.com
- Became single again
March
- Went on a Sun Microsystems training course - three days of training to get a free t-shirt!! (although their hardware is VERY cool)
- More time with my new mates in Echuca
- Lots more time working on the last of 4 Vic Roads projects.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
New Synchro's for the Foz
Over the past couple of weeks, the Forester has been crunching into 4th gear above 90 km/h, and I've been trying to get to STi at Subaru Ducklands for about 3,000 km...
The car had it's 100,000 km service about a month ago, and 4,500 km have passed, with me thinking the Subaru has a 100,000 km / 3 year warranty, however the warranty is actually 3 years, Unlimited km!!!
One of the mechanics came for a quick spin with me, and agreed that yes, 4th gear synchro has in fact had it, and 3rd and 5th are a bit iffy...
It's booked in for the end of the month, to have all the synchro's replaced...
Next lot of work to be done, is front brake pads, which are nearly shot, and machining of the rear rotors, which are warped, due to being a non-ventilated rotor...
The car had it's 100,000 km service about a month ago, and 4,500 km have passed, with me thinking the Subaru has a 100,000 km / 3 year warranty, however the warranty is actually 3 years, Unlimited km!!!
One of the mechanics came for a quick spin with me, and agreed that yes, 4th gear synchro has in fact had it, and 3rd and 5th are a bit iffy...
It's booked in for the end of the month, to have all the synchro's replaced...
Next lot of work to be done, is front brake pads, which are nearly shot, and machining of the rear rotors, which are warped, due to being a non-ventilated rotor...
Saturday, October 28, 2006
4WD and Camping Show
Just back from a day on my feet, wandering around Jeff's Shed at the 4wd and Camping Show...
Started off meeting Wayne and Fiona around 10.15 or so, and hitting the Nissan and Toyota stand first up... I reckon that the current Navara is rubbish in comparison to their new Hilux, which has pretty well confirmed I'm making the right decision when the Forester is up for replacement.
We split up a few times, when I got waylaid talking to various vendors about bits and pieces I am considering as possibilities, or definite "must have's" for my Hilux when I get it next April...
From talking to vendors, my Hilux build-up will look something like this!
Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Turbo Diesel D4D - in Sterling Silver
ARB Sahara Bar - colorcoded
ARB side steps - colorcoded
ARB rear step and towbar or the Kaymar equivalent- colorcoded
ARB canopy or hard tonneau - the jury is currently out as to which - also colorcoded
Tub liner - don't care which brand - probably from ARB
Warn Industries 9500 lb winch with plasma winch rope
Koni Suspension Upgrade - the other option is Bilstein, but their vendor rep wasn't very friendly
That's the base vehicle, how for the extra bits!!!
Autron Cruise Control
Autron Battery Management System
Couplertec 4WD Electronic Rust Proofing System
Counteract Paint Sealant - DIY
Counteract Fabric Protection - also DIY
Car Kit - to suit whichever phone I end up with next year
4WD Interiors Roof Console or Department of the Interior make a nice roof console also
And I'm sure there will be a few more goodies when the time comes...
Started off meeting Wayne and Fiona around 10.15 or so, and hitting the Nissan and Toyota stand first up... I reckon that the current Navara is rubbish in comparison to their new Hilux, which has pretty well confirmed I'm making the right decision when the Forester is up for replacement.
We split up a few times, when I got waylaid talking to various vendors about bits and pieces I am considering as possibilities, or definite "must have's" for my Hilux when I get it next April...
From talking to vendors, my Hilux build-up will look something like this!
Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Turbo Diesel D4D - in Sterling Silver
ARB Sahara Bar - colorcoded
ARB side steps - colorcoded
ARB rear step and towbar or the Kaymar equivalent- colorcoded
ARB canopy or hard tonneau - the jury is currently out as to which - also colorcoded
Tub liner - don't care which brand - probably from ARB
Warn Industries 9500 lb winch with plasma winch rope
Koni Suspension Upgrade - the other option is Bilstein, but their vendor rep wasn't very friendly
That's the base vehicle, how for the extra bits!!!
Autron Cruise Control
Autron Battery Management System
Couplertec 4WD Electronic Rust Proofing System
Counteract Paint Sealant - DIY
Counteract Fabric Protection - also DIY
Car Kit - to suit whichever phone I end up with next year
4WD Interiors Roof Console or Department of the Interior make a nice roof console also
And I'm sure there will be a few more goodies when the time comes...
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
A long time between entries
Wow, what a couple of months...
A week after the world lost Steve Irwin, Peter Brock died on a bad corner, during the Targa West Rally. Bathurst was, naturally a tribute to Peter Brock, with Team 888 winning the inagural Peter Brock trophy, with Craig Lowndes at the wheel...
On the personal front, I'm once again single, which was a bad thing at the time, but the right thing to do for the long term. It's not that I don't care, or have strong feelings, I realised I that we were both heading in disparate directions, with different goals to achieve in life...
On the work front, it's full steam ahead on the project I'm working on for Vic Roads, with some crazy, crazy hours being worked to make us look like shining knights, rather than rusty relics...
In the coming months, I'll be hitting the road, to visit every Vic Roads branch in Victoria, replacing the server that provides the platform for the licensing and registration system. That'll be fun, and heaps of time to see various parts of the state, and generally meet lots of new people...
I'll be endeavouring to be a little more attentive to getting some more regular updates happening, just in case anyone actually reads this blog!
Cheerio for now... :-)
A week after the world lost Steve Irwin, Peter Brock died on a bad corner, during the Targa West Rally. Bathurst was, naturally a tribute to Peter Brock, with Team 888 winning the inagural Peter Brock trophy, with Craig Lowndes at the wheel...
On the personal front, I'm once again single, which was a bad thing at the time, but the right thing to do for the long term. It's not that I don't care, or have strong feelings, I realised I that we were both heading in disparate directions, with different goals to achieve in life...
On the work front, it's full steam ahead on the project I'm working on for Vic Roads, with some crazy, crazy hours being worked to make us look like shining knights, rather than rusty relics...
In the coming months, I'll be hitting the road, to visit every Vic Roads branch in Victoria, replacing the server that provides the platform for the licensing and registration system. That'll be fun, and heaps of time to see various parts of the state, and generally meet lots of new people...
I'll be endeavouring to be a little more attentive to getting some more regular updates happening, just in case anyone actually reads this blog!
Cheerio for now... :-)
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