What a farcical evening

It was raining heavily this evening. When I left work, I had no idea how bad my evening was going to be. I arrived at Queen St Mall bus stop just before 5:40pm. Due to the heavy rain, there were major delays with the buses, so the bus I was waiting on, that was meant to come at 5:45pm, was majorly delayed. Fair enough, that can’t be helped. But everyone at the stop was kept waiting & waiting. By the time 6:20pm arrived, our bus still had not arrived! Then a few minutes later, I heard a splash & turned around. An Asian guy in wearing a white t-shirt had vomited. He was seated 20m away from where I was standing. His group of friends (all Asian) helped him clean up. One of them was a guy in an orange t-shirt (read further down for his contribution to the evening). The vomiting incident hardly improved my mood (nothing against the guy, though). Fortunately, the vents at the Queen St Mall bus stop prevented me from smelling the stench.

Then a while later (around 6:35pm), our bus finally arrived. Sooooo late!! Once it filled up, the bus took off & ventured along Coronation Drive, but then the bus driver decided to stop at the stop across the Regatta. Quite why the driver stopped mid-way, I don’t know. But all passengers had to vacate & board another bus that was already at the Regatta stop. Oh, well, let’s just get on with it. So once everyone boarded the second bus, it was hoped that we could get home sooner rather than later without further dramas.

But guess what? There was more drama. The bus had only travelled no more than 100m away from the Regatta stop when a couple of people from the back yelled: “Someone threw up” & “Yuck! Someone at the back spewed”. A few passengers at the back were covering their noses. Some left their seats & all the standing passengers had to push forward to make space. Fortunately, I was seated at the front – but the front was now overcrowded by people moving away from the vomit scene. I never saw the vomit, & just as well. Nevertheless, I quickly took out my white flower liniment & placed it in front of my nose to prevent the vomit smell from reaching my nose. I looked around & saw Belinda Hong standing in the middle of the bus (& closer to the vomit than I was). Belle gave a sheepish smile & shrugged as if to say “what’s going on”. I nodded, then pulled a long face & shook my head as if to say “this is horrible”. I then motioned Belle to come closer to where I was seated, & Belle shrugged further as if to indicate she wasn’t able to – the bus was packed.

The bus was thus forced to stop at the stop outside a pub just across Toowong Village. Everyone got out quickly. Belle somehow disappeared, so I never got to talk to her about it. It turns out that the person who vomited on the bus was the orange-shirt guy from the Queen St Mall stop. So now, I had to wait for a third bus to get home. That duly arrived 10-15 minutes later, just past 7pm. Everyone boarded the bus, including the orange-shirt guy. Before the bus took off, one of the passengers, a rather feisty young lady, asked the bus driver to eject the orange-shirt guy as he had vomited on the previous bus (she obviously did not want a repeat performance). The driver duly obliged. Though he was polite to the guy, he was crankier to subsequent passengers coming on board as he was already 1-1.5 hours late due to bad weather. Finally, we got going. And finally, I managed to arrive at my stop & eventually home around 7:30pm.

Bad weather. People throwing up. Taking 3 buses to get me home on a route that would normally only need just 1 bus ride. Arriving home at 7:30pm when I would have done by 6:20pm. What a farcical evening! One that I hope would never be repeated ever again.

Good, better, best

GOOD
A policeman was watching for speeders and was surprised at how few he was catching. He then discovered the problem - a 12-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand painted sign, which read 'RADAR TRAP AHEAD.' The officer then found a young accomplice down the road with a sign reading 'TIPS' and a bucket full of money. (And we used to just sell lemonade!)

BETTER
A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar post in the Manawatu with a fine of $160 included. Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $160 The police responded with another mailed photo of handcuffs.

BEST
A young woman was pulled over for speeding. As a policeman walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said, "I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the Policemen's Ball."
He replied, "Policemen don't have balls."
There was a moment of silence while she smiled and he realized what he'd just said. He closed his book, got back in his patrol car and left. She was laughing too hard to start her car.

An Australian, a Kiwi and a South African

An Australian, a Kiwi (i.e. New Zealander) and a South African are in a bar one night having a beer.

All of a sudden the South African drinks his beer, throws his glass in the air, pulls out a gun and shoots the glass to pieces.

"In Seth Efrika our glasses are so cheap that we don't need to drink from the same one twice," he says.

The Kiwi, obviously impressed by this, drinks his beer, throws his glass into the air, pulls out his gun and shoots the glass to pieces.

"Wull mate, in Noo Zulland we have so much sand to make the glasses that we don't need to drink out the same glass either," he says.

The Australian, cool as a koala, picks up his beer and drinks it, throws his glass in the air, pulls out his gun and shoots the South African and the Kiwi.

He turns to the astonished barman and says, "In Strailya mate, we have so many bloody South Africans and Kiwis that we don't need to drink with the same ones twice."

Article: Eat less meat to fight climate change

I saw the article below on NineMSN website a couple of months ago. And ok, I might be overlooking something big, but I still just can't get my head around it. So the article seems to be saying that getting rid of our steaks & sausages can save our planet?? Pfffhhh. Hello....there is a reason why God give us animals - so that we can get our meat from some of them. And so, I'll keep enjoying my meat. So there.


****************************************
'Eat less meat to fight climate change'

People should cut their consumption of meat to help combat climate change, a top United Nations expert told a British Sunday newspaper.

Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), told The Observer that people should start by having one meat-free day per week then cut back further.

The 68-year-old Indian economist, who is a vegetarian, said diet change was important in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental problems associated with rearing cattle and other animals.

"Give up meat for one day (per week) initially, and decrease it from there," he said.

"In terms of immediacy of action and the feasibility of bringing about reductions in a short period of time, it clearly is the most attractive opportunity."

Other small-scale lifestyle changes would also help to combat climate change, he said without elaborating.

"That's what I want to emphasise: we really have to bring about reductions in every sector of the economy."

Dr Pachauri is due to give a speech in London on Monday under the title: "Global Warning: the impact of meat production and consumption on climate change".

Dr Pachauri, who was re-elected for a second term six-year term as IPCC chairman last week, has headed the organisation since 2002 and oversaw its seminal assessment report in 2007 which gave graphic forecasts of the risks posed by global warming.

The IPCC warned then that without action the planet's rising temperatures could unleash potentially catastrophic change to earth's climate system, leading to hunger, drought, storms and massive species loss.

The organisation also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 along with former US vice president Al Gore.

Dave & Jim

Dave and Jim were a couple of drinking buddies who worked as Aircraft mechanics in Melbourne. One day the airport was fogged in and they were stuck in the hangar with nothing to do. Dave said: "Man, I wish we had something to drink!" Jim says: "Me too. Y'know, I've heard you can drink jet fuel and get a buzz. You wanna try it?"

So they pour themselves a couple of glasses of high octane booze and get completely smashed. The next morning Dave wakes up and is surprised at how good he feels. In fact he feels GREAT! NO hangover! NO bad side effects. Nothing! Then the phone rings. It's Jim.

Jim says: "Hey, how do you feel this morning?"
Dave says: "I feel great, how about you?"
Jim says: "I feel great, too. You don't have a hangover?"
Dave says, "No that jet fuel is great stuff -- no hangover, nothing. We ought to do this more often."
"Yeah, well there's just one thing."
"What's that?"
"Have you farted yet?"
"No."
"Well, DON'T, 'cause I'm in Perth."

Work conference in Sydney; colleague left :(

Just came back last nite yesterday from a 2-day PKF conference in Sydney. I flew to Sydney on Sunday afternoon with some colleagues. We stayed at Rydges North Sydney for 2 nights (Sunday & Monday night).

The 2 day conference was held in one of the conference rooms in the Rydges hotel. On the whole, was quite fulfilling. The materials covered were not really new, but the conference taught me to take a different perspective on things. All together, about 12 people, from various parts of Australia, attended the conference. The presenter was the head of tax, or one of the heads of tax, in PKF Sydney. The conference gave me & my colleagues an opportunity to get to know other people from the other PKF offices in other major cities in Australia - Sydney as host, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide & Gold Coast. The guys from Perth, in particular, were friendly & talkative. All of us stayed at Rydges, except the Sydney people. We ate a lot. Rydges North Sydney provided buffet, all-you-can-eat breakfast & lunch. So I ate as much as I could, & I think I gained some weight during my stay in Sydney.

Dinner was not paid for by work, so we ate out on Sunday & Monday nights.
On Sunday night, just a few hours after arriving at Rydges North Sydney, I had dinner with my Brisbane colleagues at a nearby pub. We saw the Perth guys at the pub, but at the time we didn't know who they were because the conference would only start on Monday. It was after I got back to the hotel, that I saw my room-mate & recognised him as one of the guys at the pub!
On Monday night, as a group, we (minus the Sydney people, who had homes to go back to) headed out on Monday night for dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants at Kings Wharf. I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but will recognise it the next time I'm in Sydney. I had the BBQ ribs, & it was tasty. Monday nite was fun - one of the highlights of the Sydney trip.
Rydges North Sydney, while not 5 stars, was reasonably good. But come yesterday evening, it was time to say goodbye, so we all headed to the airport together. The PKF conference finished early yesterday, & that gave us a chance to leave the hotel early to avoid the rush hour traffic en route to the airport. We did just that that, & had time to burn, so we hung out at the airport for a few hours. We chat for a bit, before heading our separate ways.

I don't know when I will get to attend another such conference inter-state - this thing doesn't happen often. But I would certainly welcome it. I'd be happy if it was once a year. Now that would be good.

Unfortunately, when I returned to work today, I found out that one of my colleagues, Chris, had left yesterday. It's sad that someone whom you see every morning, whom you greet & sometimes have a chat with, will no longer be around. It happened so suddenly & unexpectedly - the decision to leave was apparently a mutual decision on both sides. But anyway, life goes on, I guess. I will try to get his email & keep in touch in some way. Hope he's well & all the best with finding a new job.

No, Obama, noooooo...........

Politicians worldwide are often lamented & criticised for their failure to keep election promises. In the wake of Obama's big win in the US Presidential Elections (huge celebrations & all that), many will wait & see whether Obama does or does not keep his election promises.

I, for one, hope that he does NOT keep some of his promises. I say that after stumbling on this blog: http://whynotobama2008.blogspot.com/
As well-written as it is, the blog does make for disturbing reading. Are all that really Obama's policies?? *wince* If it's true that those are indeed his policies, then goodness gracious me!

Now, let me say that before I read the blog, I was sort of aware of Obama's leaning towards abortion. But that was based on loosely hearing things being said about Obama. I was definitely not aware of Obama's marriage policies (approving same-sex marriage, etc), until I read the above blog. After reading the blog, it looks like what people say about Obama being pro-abortion is true! Ohhhh dear!

But I thought Obama is a Christian??!! Yet he favours abortion? Yet he thinks same-sex marriage is alright? But why??? Personally, I am opposed to abortion, simply I believe taking a human life, or denial of the right to live, is wrong. I am pro-life. I've never supported abortion, & never will. I just can't. Same-sex marriage??? Pfffhhh, well, that is unbiblical & is not proper marriage at all. It just isn't, & it just can't be.

Anyway, what I have to say is: No, Obama, noooo! Don't implement those policies! Don't do it! Don't be a bad BO (get it, BO? Obama's initials?! haha). Sorry Mr Obama, nothing personal. But I'm not in favour of those policies, & in no way can I support it. One can only hope & pray that Obama & his ilk will come to their senses & abandon all plans to implement those pro-abortion & same-sex marriage policies. That's right, pray. Pray really hard.

Congratulations, Barack Obama

Barack Obama has won the US Presidential elections. That means he's the new President of the US! Wow, congratulations, Obama! His win represents a ground-breaking development - the first African-American president of the US. His win was by a landslide. I guess his rallying phrase "it's time for a change" worked in getting a huge slice of the American votes. Perhaps people really did want a change & plumped for him. I'm no political expert at all, so I can't dwell on too much details.....

Well done, Obama. I'm happy that the US now has a black president. Happy in that regard. All the very best with your reign, Mr Obama. But I must say I do have reservations over Obama's appointment. Nothing against the man, it's just his policies. Read next post for more details.

Melbourne Cup at work, RBA cuts interest rate

We had a huge Melbourne Cup lunch at work today. Everyone at the firm (about 140-160 people) gathered at the main lunch room at Level 6, to gave a meal together before the start of the Melbourne Cup. The food was all catered - chicken, beef roasts, vegetable salad, buns. Reasonable, though nothing out of this world. It was a good chance for me to spend some time chatting with some colleagues & getting to know them a little better. Then "the race that stops a nation", as the Melbourne Cup is known, kicked off. The Cup was won by the horse named Viewed (strange name?). A few colleagues had put some money on some of the horses, & some of them won money. I didn't place any bets (I know nothing about horses), so no pain no gain for me.

is apparently trying to boost the economy & avoid further slumps. The And meantime, today, the Reserve Bank of Australia slashed the interest rate by 75 basis point (i.e. by 0.75%). Good news for those looking to buy a home, but not so for those investors with sizeable cash savings. The interest rate cut comes in the wake of the global financial crisis, & RBARBA's actions raise a couple of questions. Firstly, is the massive correction an admission by the RBA that they made an error when they originally increased the interest rate around the end of 2007 & the start of 2008? Secondly, will the banks pass on the interest rate cut to the consumers? The banks were quick to raise their loan interest rates when the RBA increased the official interest rate in 2007 & early 2008 - but not so quick to raise deposit rates. But now that the RBA has gone the other way, will the banks follow quickly? I doubt it. It's all self-serving behaviour by the banks - which is not good for us customers.

Qld Roar - winless at home, unbeaten away

So far, the story of Queensland Roar's inconsistent season reads: no wins at home, no losses away. I dunno whether to laugh or cry. So far, they have played 4 home games at Suncorp Stadium. The first one was against Adelaide & ended 1-1. I went to that match. I skipped the subequent 3 homes games, all of which were lost. It's a good thing I skipped those matches.

I just cannot understand it. How can a team struggle so much to win a match at home? Aren't teams meant to do better at home than away? Not it seems when your team is called Queensland Roar. Ok, the fact that they're unbeaten away is definitely commendable. Yet, the inescapable lament is that they cannot even win ONE home game. In the European leagues, teams with the same dismal home record as Qld Roar will most likely be around the bottom of the ladder. But hey, this is the A-League & things are different here. That's why Qld Roar's season is not over yet. Not by quite a way. There's still plenty to play for. There's still a chance for the Roar to make the A-League playoffs. But whether they are good enough to take it remains to be seen.