Monday, September 29, 2008

Three New Photo Sets posted on Flickr

  • Qantas A380 Arrival Ceremony - Andrew and I (and 3000 other lucky Qantas staff and families) went to Hangar 96 at Sydney Airport to see the new Qantas A380 arrive in Australia
  • Holiday in Port Douglas - Four days of chilling out by the huge lagoon pools at the Sheraton Mirage, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, and visiting the Daintree.
  • 2008 AFL Grand Final - I was at the MCG to witness the Hawks historic win over the Cats. Go Hawks!!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Hawks triumph over Cats in historic AFL Grand Final

Hawthorn 18.7 (115) d Geelong 11.23 (89)

"THE 2008 [AFL] grand final will be written in sporting history as the day the champion cracked under pressure from a relentless and youthful challenger."

I had the pleasure of securing a grand final ticket in the MCC lottery a few weeks ago. My team, the Hawthorn Hawks, have been playing very well this year, securing second spot on the ladder at the end of the home and away season. The first three weeks of the finals played out without too many surprises. One by one the 3rd to 8th teams fell to their favoured opponents. On Grand Final day it was 1 v 2, Geelong (with 23 wins / 1 loss for the year to date) v Hawthorn. Geelong were the reigning premiers. Hawthorn were in their first Grand Final in 17 years.

A crowd of 100,012 flocked to Victoria's temple, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with probably an equal number watching the game in the pubs in nearby Richmond and the CBD.

Hawthorn were definitely the underdog. The bookies outside the 'G were offering odds of 3:1 for a Hawthorn victory ... yet there was quiet confidence that the Hawks would put up a fight.

The first two quarters were neck a neck. Geelong ahead by 1 point at quarter time. Hawthorn ahead by 3 points at half time. It was nail biting stuff - the game could have gone either way. Then the Hawks put on a stunning performance to close it out, kicking five goals in a row in the third quarter, and finishing the game ahead by 26 points.

On ya boys! We are a happy team at Hawthorn.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Dinner at Tabou

Pork and Plum Terrine, Scotch Fillet Steak Frites Salade, Creme Brulee

The 39 Steps

"This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action"

Went to see The 39 Steps as a birthday treat yesterday afternoon. Well worth the $80. Very clever, and lots of fun. Four stars.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

India photos are now up on Flickr

Photo highlights from my recent India trip are now up on Flickr.
  • Mumbai - street scenes, art, and plenty of pics from Aadil and Ruby's wedding receptions
  • Jaipur - palaces, supersize chess men, art, sundials, street scenes, and markets

Monday, July 21, 2008

India trip

I've just returned from my first trip to India.

Congratulations and many thanks to Aadil and Ruby for giving me the opportunity to come to Mumbai to experience the sheer scale and colour of (multiple) Indian wedding receptions.

I spent four days in Mumbai, attending a wedding reception in a mosque followed by another wedding reception in a function room, then traveled by overnight train to Jaipur, where I stayed in a palace hotel for another four nights.

Jaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan, was fantastic - incredible palaces, forts, rich colours, shopping bazaars, great food, and friendly people.

Monday, March 24, 2008

USA / UK / Cambodia / Vietnam trip

Have just returned from seven weeks overseas. Road trip through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, skiing in Colorado, visiting friends in London, seeing Angkor Wat, a cruise down the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, and a few days sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City. Gradually adding photos to Flickr and Facebook over the coming days and weeks.

Friday, September 14, 2007

[smh] New east-west line may cut congestion

NSW Govt unveils plans for a metro-style rail line connecting Malabar to West Ryde. Great idea!

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

CIO Tenure

Continuing the theme of 18 months, it would seem that the average CIO tenure is almost 6 years - significantly more than the industry urband legend that the average CIO lasts just 18 months.