Archive for March, 2009

Roundup: March 15-31st

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Please enjoy the latest ramblings of mine found around the web.
The picture, by the way, was taken at a restaurant in Thredbo called House of Ullr, where we grilled up some of the best steak (Wagyu beef – take that Anthony Bourdain!) that we ever tasted. (The aprons were fun too).

WISE BREAD

Ordering Online Versus [...]

Conquering Kozzy (Mount Kosciuszko)

Friday, March 27th, 2009

The mission: To climb Australia’s highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko (pronounced kahz-ee-ahz-koh) at 2,228 meters above sea level. The highest peak on the continent. A feat for anybody aiming to climb the highest peaks on each continent. A real notch for the climbing belt, if you ask me.

(Sshhh….don’t tell anybody that there’s a chairlift that takes [...]

Is India in Your Future? Even if it’s Not…

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Something has inexplicably been drawing me to India for ages now. I think it all started when an enthusiastic friend said “You just have to go. It’s complete chaos. It’s full of some of the smartest people in the world who do some of the silliest things.”

Another friend suggested that while you are there (especially [...]

Roundup: March 1st-15th

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

As I get my writing routine back on track, I have managed to churn out a few pearls of wisdom for Wise Bread, in addition to a few others that will appear in print shortly. Enjoy!
WISE BREAD
Hands in Your Pocket: The Cost of Standby Power – Environmental and Otherwise
Go check your electricity meter box. Is [...]

After the Fires: Our Multi-Coloured Backyard

Friday, March 13th, 2009

After being home for a few days in the wake of a month-long evacuation due to the Victorian bush fires, we hear/smell/feel/see something that makes our hearts sing: rain. It pours overnight, and drizzles through the next few days. Although naysayers worry about erosion and the negative long-term restorative effects of too much rain, we [...]

Anthony Bourdain, Why Didn’t You Call?

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Lo and behold, I opened the local paper this week, only to discover that recently Anthony Bourdain and his “No Reservations” television crew were in Alexandra, Victoria (the nearest town of any girth, about 20kms away) shooting an episode.

Why, oh why, Anthony, didn’t you call?

Don’t you know that I love you? Don’t you know that [...]

Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 24th – DAY EIGHTEEN

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

Home, Sweet Home

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – DAY EIGHTEEN
Home, Sweet Home
After an extremely hesitant but positive response from a local authority that we could return home but must remain vigilant about the fires that are almost too close for comfort, we return home.

Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 20-22 – DAYS 14-16

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Enjoying the ocean, and a different kind of fire…

Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2009 – DAYS FOURTEEN to SIXTEEN
Too many “last straws” have come and gone…we need a rest. My own small break in taking a trip to Melbourne was not exactly restful, and Kelly has worked two full weeks in a highly-charged environment with just one [...]

Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 19th – DAY THIRTEEN

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 – DAY THIRTEEN
It seems like every night I sleep somewhere else. I wake up in the middle of the night – as I do, to pee – and have to re-orient myself before trying to get up. I struggle to remember where I am, how I am oriented (is the [...]