MoBlog: Can we fix it?
yes we can!
Finally, a good reason to rape
From Oil-thirsty China turns to farmland for diesel oil:
Rape is recognized by scientists the world over as one of the best raw materials for bio-diesel.
Awesome.
Friday, March 30. 2007
Overworked, Paid
Underpaid? Arguable. Happy enough for now.
Working on weekends though, is not my cup of tea. Working on weekends to cover mismanagement is more so not my cup of tea. As a developer, I don't see it at all fair that I'm the one busting my ass to cover up some poor estimates and client management. Without hitting too much detail, I was given 3n/4 hours to do an estimated n hours of work. This was estimated by the former developer, too, so as a newish developer within this system and framework (which is very far from documented), so you can probably multiply the estimate by, say, 1.5-ish? Which works out to be that I was given n/2 hours to do n hours of work.
If it was my poor quoting, then I'd be more willing to make up and cover my own ass, but it was poor management with a project/client that we've had a large-ish history with (from what I can gather). Yet time and time again, projects for this client are left until the last-ish minute. Learn the lesson!
Two things, though. First, we're really short of resources, so I wasn't too surprised that things would be tough going. Secondly, I really love a challenge. But an unrealistic challenge is another story.
In any case, the work is complete and everyone has a smile. I'm still grumpy, but at least I can use it as a bartering chip to get time off so I can visit Nan for her 80th birthday! Which will make me feel quite okay walking our for a day or two when things are undoubtedly tough on the super limited resources.
On that, I should do some work! Blogging at work, a great use of resources. Right? Right! *cough*
Working on weekends though, is not my cup of tea. Working on weekends to cover mismanagement is more so not my cup of tea. As a developer, I don't see it at all fair that I'm the one busting my ass to cover up some poor estimates and client management. Without hitting too much detail, I was given 3n/4 hours to do an estimated n hours of work. This was estimated by the former developer, too, so as a newish developer within this system and framework (which is very far from documented), so you can probably multiply the estimate by, say, 1.5-ish? Which works out to be that I was given n/2 hours to do n hours of work.
If it was my poor quoting, then I'd be more willing to make up and cover my own ass, but it was poor management with a project/client that we've had a large-ish history with (from what I can gather). Yet time and time again, projects for this client are left until the last-ish minute. Learn the lesson!
Two things, though. First, we're really short of resources, so I wasn't too surprised that things would be tough going. Secondly, I really love a challenge. But an unrealistic challenge is another story.
In any case, the work is complete and everyone has a smile. I'm still grumpy, but at least I can use it as a bartering chip to get time off so I can visit Nan for her 80th birthday! Which will make me feel quite okay walking our for a day or two when things are undoubtedly tough on the super limited resources.
On that, I should do some work! Blogging at work, a great use of resources. Right? Right! *cough*
Tuesday, March 27. 2007
Look Before You Leap
What an interesting ride to work this morning. First of all was the excitement in my shiny new bike computarrrr machine. I now know my average speed, trip time, and.. stuff. Not sure how accurate it is - it's all at the default settings. If it *is* accurate, though, then I managed to hit over 50km/h on the hill near home. That's awesome!
But the best part was when I was riding along in my allocated bike lane (on the road), and someone in their car to their right and in front of me was stopped to turn right. The car directly to my right swerved into the bike lane to get around the car waiting to turn, and then it all started. The guy just behind me on his bike was yelling and I yelled just a little. When we got to the lights, he wound down his window and it all started. Minus the expletives, he was pretty much telling us 'stay out of my blind spot!' and I was saying 'it's a bike lane, buddy'. The other cyclist was swearing back just as much calling him stupid, and telling to have a look before he does anything like that.
My logic is, that as a bike lane, people should look - blind spot or not. I mean, consider the bike lane as a 'normal' (vehicle) lane - just because someone is in your blind spot doesn't give you the authority to swerve wildly into their lane and put people in danger.
I will now be on the look out for yellow BA XR6/XR8's (not sure which it was). Hm.
And then yesterday, this lady was standing beside a parked car on my left waiting to cross - she was waiting for the car coming from the other direction to pass so she could cross. Stupidly, she waited for the car (and watched it pass), but never bothered to look toward my direction. One wild swerve and a frightening shock later, we both emerged unscarred. Not the first time that's happened either, and last time it was a kid. Running. That I didn't miss. His mother called me badbad c-words, and his dad was just kind of disappointed at the kid for not looking.
I need a noisier bike.
On the plus side, the bike shaves at least fifteen minutes from my trip (as compared to best case scenario with linking trains). I guess on average, it used to take about an hour and fifteen minutes to get home via trains (and walking to/from/between stations). I've got that down to around forty five minutes on my bike, which is ever so awesome. I like it! And, I feel somewhat productive when I get home, instead of disgruntled because of being squished by a thousand fat dudes with sweaty armpits!
Conclusion? AAA+++, would ride again.
But the best part was when I was riding along in my allocated bike lane (on the road), and someone in their car to their right and in front of me was stopped to turn right. The car directly to my right swerved into the bike lane to get around the car waiting to turn, and then it all started. The guy just behind me on his bike was yelling and I yelled just a little. When we got to the lights, he wound down his window and it all started. Minus the expletives, he was pretty much telling us 'stay out of my blind spot!' and I was saying 'it's a bike lane, buddy'. The other cyclist was swearing back just as much calling him stupid, and telling to have a look before he does anything like that.
My logic is, that as a bike lane, people should look - blind spot or not. I mean, consider the bike lane as a 'normal' (vehicle) lane - just because someone is in your blind spot doesn't give you the authority to swerve wildly into their lane and put people in danger.
I will now be on the look out for yellow BA XR6/XR8's (not sure which it was). Hm.
And then yesterday, this lady was standing beside a parked car on my left waiting to cross - she was waiting for the car coming from the other direction to pass so she could cross. Stupidly, she waited for the car (and watched it pass), but never bothered to look toward my direction. One wild swerve and a frightening shock later, we both emerged unscarred. Not the first time that's happened either, and last time it was a kid. Running. That I didn't miss. His mother called me badbad c-words, and his dad was just kind of disappointed at the kid for not looking.
I need a noisier bike.
On the plus side, the bike shaves at least fifteen minutes from my trip (as compared to best case scenario with linking trains). I guess on average, it used to take about an hour and fifteen minutes to get home via trains (and walking to/from/between stations). I've got that down to around forty five minutes on my bike, which is ever so awesome. I like it! And, I feel somewhat productive when I get home, instead of disgruntled because of being squished by a thousand fat dudes with sweaty armpits!
Conclusion? AAA+++, would ride again.
Tuesday, March 27. 2007
Staring Up The Barrel
On a recent trip of pleasure and urine to the water closet at work, I was doing what everyone does (there, I've said it..) and checked myself out in the mirror. I (for some reason) noticed that I have much more of a tendency to look up at people, rather than look down on them. I find this interesting, because I'm taller than most people that I come across.
Thinking about it a bit more, I'm not sure if it's all that significant or not. I mean, it's kind of interesting. You know, the stereotype of old, wise, assholes that 'look down the nose' to be condescending. I'm by nature quite the opposite of that, so is that somehow related to evolution? I have another theory, and it relates entirely to my shit posture. It's probably all tied in. I'm shy, and relatively not all that confident, so I tend to naturally look at the ground anyway, so looking up at someone allows me to break eye contact and look at the ground more easily.
I guess it's not that significant at all. But weeing is good anyway, and that's what this really was about. Weeing and Wii'ing. Life is good.
Thinking about it a bit more, I'm not sure if it's all that significant or not. I mean, it's kind of interesting. You know, the stereotype of old, wise, assholes that 'look down the nose' to be condescending. I'm by nature quite the opposite of that, so is that somehow related to evolution? I have another theory, and it relates entirely to my shit posture. It's probably all tied in. I'm shy, and relatively not all that confident, so I tend to naturally look at the ground anyway, so looking up at someone allows me to break eye contact and look at the ground more easily.
I guess it's not that significant at all. But weeing is good anyway, and that's what this really was about. Weeing and Wii'ing. Life is good.
Friday, March 16. 2007
Public Transport: You Wish You Were Cool Enough
I only need another three hour ticket, and my subsequent commuting woes will be a thing of the past. In theory. In any case, I'm the proud owner of a Giant CRX 2 flat-bar road bike. $999 cash, sweet deal. Beats the ticket price of $1125, anyway, so I'm happy. I've gotta organise the other junk, though, like pump and water bottle cradle and computer machine and et cetera.
On the plus side, I won't have situations like I ran into today. There was this gorgeous girl on the train. Not like, sexy. Just like, beautiful. You know what I mean? Anyway, right before she got off, she pulled a packed of Winnie Blues out of the bottom of her bag. That sucked. Smokers suck. Smokers aren't beautiful.
I still need to finish Twilight Princess. Made inroads on the weekend, but I feel like I'm a long way off. I need time to stop, dammit! Off I go!
On the plus side, I won't have situations like I ran into today. There was this gorgeous girl on the train. Not like, sexy. Just like, beautiful. You know what I mean? Anyway, right before she got off, she pulled a packed of Winnie Blues out of the bottom of her bag. That sucked. Smokers suck. Smokers aren't beautiful.
I still need to finish Twilight Princess. Made inroads on the weekend, but I feel like I'm a long way off. I need time to stop, dammit! Off I go!
Wednesday, March 14. 2007
Michael Jackson, eat your heart out
No jokes, watching TV on Sunday mornings kicks ass. No jokes.
Watch this for about the coolest thing you're likely to see..ever.
Watch this for about the coolest thing you're likely to see..ever.
Sunday, March 11. 2007
The world isn't just poop
So after a twelve hour day at the office, I decided I'd had about enough. You know, with only testing to do on one project, and Thickbox sending me insane on another project, the line was officially drawn. Thickbox might want to fix itself early in the morning though, because I really don't want another kick in the nuts this week.
It was the best day to have no book or iPod. Sitting around at stupid hours, alone, waiting for trains in the coldish breeze.
But anyway, more to the point, I was on the train home this evening just chewing on a Chupa Chup stick when I heard someone talking and looking in my direction. I don't really know what they said, but I kinda just waved the naked stick around and they seemed sad. "Oh, it's just a stick". Then after a moment I heard "But, do you have any gum?". I actually did, so I shared the love. They went on a bit about karma, and how I'll get something good coming my way. And suddenly came a "Wait a minute, do you like chocolate?". Of course I do, I made that clear. Then the girl held up a three-pack of Guylian chocolate and offered it to me. It was the best trade I've made all day. Two pieces of gum for some chocolate. Still in the plastic wrapper. No jokes, high fives.
Strangers aren't so bad. Especially when they give you candy. Hmm.
It was the best day to have no book or iPod. Sitting around at stupid hours, alone, waiting for trains in the coldish breeze.
But anyway, more to the point, I was on the train home this evening just chewing on a Chupa Chup stick when I heard someone talking and looking in my direction. I don't really know what they said, but I kinda just waved the naked stick around and they seemed sad. "Oh, it's just a stick". Then after a moment I heard "But, do you have any gum?". I actually did, so I shared the love. They went on a bit about karma, and how I'll get something good coming my way. And suddenly came a "Wait a minute, do you like chocolate?". Of course I do, I made that clear. Then the girl held up a three-pack of Guylian chocolate and offered it to me. It was the best trade I've made all day. Two pieces of gum for some chocolate. Still in the plastic wrapper. No jokes, high fives.
Strangers aren't so bad. Especially when they give you candy. Hmm.
Thursday, March 8. 2007
Carbon Neutrality
This is completely based on nothing other than my own opinion, so I could be entirely wrong. But. Who the hell is really fooled by this carbon-neutral mentality?
Sure, carbon neutrality is a great start toward net greenhouse gas reductions, but what of all the other tripe in exhaust emissions and so on. Last I heard, planes still use leaded fuel. That's healthy, I'm sure - in fact it's so healthy, that's no longer on sale for cars to use it. They didn't want people being over-healthy.
I think simply planting trees as a solution is a total copout. I think it'd be great if we were still planting the trees whilst still focusing heavily on reducing emissions. You know, turn your work PC off over the weekend (er, and overnight). You know, simple things. Buy a better fridge, one that's much better insulated. Use 'green' light bulbs. Switch things off that aren't in use. Et cetera. I'm a total hypocrite in a lot of ways, but I'm doing bits and pieces. I feel my small contribution goes a long way in vain as I see so much wastage everywhere else, so I'm not overly fussed whether my personal greenhouse gassing reduces by, say, 25 or 35 percent. It's a start. As an individual, though, I'm not the majority of the problem.
I was reminded of all this by the Honda racing team claiming that they're now carbon neutral. Carbon is a good start. What about the monoliths of rubber used by F1 cars during a race? What about the other junk the cars are pumping out? What about the absolutely pointless waste of limited fossil fuels? If we just don't have F1 racing, we obviate the need for planting trees, and we also remove so much other junk from the environment. Win, or win? Win indeed. I realise that's a completely infeasible solution, but people claiming carbon neutrality should be doing a whole lot more.
Frownie face.
We're doomed either way, I guess. Go humans, go!
Sure, carbon neutrality is a great start toward net greenhouse gas reductions, but what of all the other tripe in exhaust emissions and so on. Last I heard, planes still use leaded fuel. That's healthy, I'm sure - in fact it's so healthy, that's no longer on sale for cars to use it. They didn't want people being over-healthy.
I think simply planting trees as a solution is a total copout. I think it'd be great if we were still planting the trees whilst still focusing heavily on reducing emissions. You know, turn your work PC off over the weekend (er, and overnight). You know, simple things. Buy a better fridge, one that's much better insulated. Use 'green' light bulbs. Switch things off that aren't in use. Et cetera. I'm a total hypocrite in a lot of ways, but I'm doing bits and pieces. I feel my small contribution goes a long way in vain as I see so much wastage everywhere else, so I'm not overly fussed whether my personal greenhouse gassing reduces by, say, 25 or 35 percent. It's a start. As an individual, though, I'm not the majority of the problem.
I was reminded of all this by the Honda racing team claiming that they're now carbon neutral. Carbon is a good start. What about the monoliths of rubber used by F1 cars during a race? What about the other junk the cars are pumping out? What about the absolutely pointless waste of limited fossil fuels? If we just don't have F1 racing, we obviate the need for planting trees, and we also remove so much other junk from the environment. Win, or win? Win indeed. I realise that's a completely infeasible solution, but people claiming carbon neutrality should be doing a whole lot more.
Frownie face.
We're doomed either way, I guess. Go humans, go!
Tuesday, February 27. 2007