Mike Riversdale

I've always said that I could probably have George W Bush as a drinking buddy HOWEVER, much like my actual drinking buddies, I wouldn't want him to be in charge of anything let alone be the president of the USA. A few press photographers have taken the time to have reflect on the time the USA did, indeed, let this drinking buddy have the power to fuck up. My favourite photo is a sad one, of a man at the end of his reign and symbolically alone in the world.

This just in from the fine freedom fighters (I use the phrase cautiously but knowingly) of  Creative Freedom Foundation : Hi Mike Riversdale, In this newsletter there are several stories but none as important as the news that National's Steven Joyce and Chris Finlayson say they plan to go ahead with the Guilt Upon Accusation law Section 92A that results in punishment before a trial and before any evidence has been held up to court scrutiny. This is obviously sad news but it isn't set in stone and since the announcement the UK have completely backed away from their S92A-like law due to "impracticalities and complexities", while in New Zealand many people have urgently written letters to their MPs. Icky stuff for all of us. What does it mean - if you are accused (whether you're guilty or not) by anyone/company of breaching their copyright they can have your Internet Service Provider (ISP) immediately cut off your Internet access and/or remove the material (ie, take

It has to be said that this is a posting for me as I keep forgetting how to set up the Compiz Cube Desktop effect on Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex), *ahem* 1: Turn on effects Choose the level of effects from the menu bar using System -> Preferences -> Appearance . Once the Appearance dialog appears, click on the Visual Effects tab and select Advanced 2: Install the config apps Install the Compiz Configuration Settings Manager (called Advanced Desktop Effects Settings in Add/Remove) and the Fusion Icon. These can be installed by opening Applications -> Add/Remove , then typing “compiz” in the search box 3: Amend the effects Compiz Settings may be found under System -> Preferences -> Compiz Config Settings Manager Desktop -> Desktop Cube - check General -> Desktop Size tab -> set Horizontal Virtual Size to 4 For opacity: Desktop -> Desktop Cube -> Transparent cube tab Thanks to Reformed Musings: Compiz Fusion Desktop Effects and UbuntuForums: 8.10 - Compiz

How to speak Kiwi - Originally uploaded by Caffeine inc

A list of iPhone apps I use all the time, in order of "don't you dare take this off me!". The list includes both the "comes with/can't remove from phone" and the "got from iTunes" applications. All downloaded apps I use were $0 when I installed them. Note: nearly all links are to an iTunes resource and you'll need iTunes installed . Let me know if any of the links don't work Text ('with phone') Sending txt's is still my starting point for sending txts. The iPhone's use of the GMail "conversation" approach rocks ... Phone ('with phone') It makes calls to people with a telephonic device. It makes the process soooo easy! Contacts ('with phone') Now it syncs with my GMail contacts I am as happy as a pig in poo. Although to make me even happier being able to sync with multiple GMail/Google Apps accounts would leave me with NOTHING to ask for! iPod ('with phone') For a long time I hav

A while ago I harangued the fine readers of this and my work blog about what laptop should the Riversdales buy ... many (but not all ) respondents were adamant that I should not look at anything other than an Apple Macp(Pro) - yet I was unconvinced of the cost/benefit calculation. And then a mate, Tony, said this : Bought an Acer Extensa 5620. $1299 from DSE. Trash Vista, dual boot Solaris (better than any Linux Distro) and Mac OS X leopard. Both just work. Starting to fall in love with Mac OS X I was sold ... just. When it came time to hand over the credit card I had open, in 2 separate tabs, the completed order forms for Dell and Apple. Whichever I clicked on next I would buy ... call me indecisive if you want :-) And then it hit me! What do I want this machine for? It was to use the web from anywhere (no mean machine required), store every piece of music I've got, play DVDs/Blu-ray and generally be the "media" hub for us all. With the iPhone I could surf (not 100% &qu

MacKenzie high Country Bread - Southern Grain Never dry, large slices and toasts up a treat - we love it, thanks Steph for the intro

Nice photo from Google's satellite provider, GeoEye: We just received a spectacular overhead shot of the National Mall during the Inauguration from our satellite imagery partner GeoEye. This gorgeous satellite view of the ceremony was taken at 11:19am (Eastern) by the GeoEye-1 satellite as it passed overhead. To see this amazing image download this KML and open it up in Google Earth -- here is a preview of what you'll see:

A wee delay in the "look back at 2008 via photos" as we finish off the NZ summer holiday in style at Waiterere Holiday Camp (more on that later). May 2008 saw us putting down the camera after the crazy first few months and having a nice family time with the one notable exceptions being Liz's organised "Baby Group 5th Birthday" and a Kindy do. Home alone with pizza, nuts and Epic Pale Ale Jack lauches onto his 'jumpy thing' Jack and his Beano collection At home with the Welsh kids Miramar moon Mass 5th birthday party at Miramar Playcentre Asleep Dancing at the Kindy evening, 2008 Jack is just a blur as he plays with Sugar Meg asleep on Liz All photos uploaded by Mike Riversdale

Link from ThoughtSpurs: Star Wars & Religion

Barack Riversdale, A New Hope - Originally uploaded by Mike Riversdale

After the excitement of last year's March we enter a few of the quieter months (especially from a "photo taking" point of view) with April 2008 . We had fun inside, a Wheelathon in aid of the local Kindy, a wander around the wonderful Wellington waterfront,  weird-ass legs and a Seatoun beach play. Liz dancing with the kids Jack being reassured after his shoe broke Meg all made up Jack all made up On the "pirate" boat in Chaffers Marina Glenn and his amazing rubber legs Up, down and in the middle of Seatoun playground (all pictures uploaded by Mike Riversdale )

Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy –will you let me be yours? Gloria ... or ... Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is . All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? yours, Gloria Via Bits & Pieces from Miss Cellania

This Friday (16th) from 11:30am it is Jane And The Dragon Day at the Weta Cave. Here's the details from the Weta Holics website : Friday January 16 is Jane And The Dragon Day at the Weta Cave in Miramar, Wellington.  The day will be filled with medieval events and encounters for the whole family to enjoy for free - just turn up! Programme of events 11.30am –12pm Book signing and reading with Martin Baynton, author of Jane and the Dragon 12pm-5pm Jane and the Dragon kids activities including colouring in and making your own Jane and the Dragon story. You can go in the draw to win some very cool Weta prizes 12.30pm -1pm Wellington Zoo Animal encounters session with the bearded dragon 1pm –1.30pm Book signing and reading with Martin Baynton, author of Jane and the Dragon 1.30pm-2pm Wellington Zoo Animal encounters session with the bearded dragon 2pm-3pm Meet Weta sword smith Peter Lyon and learn about the secrets of swords 4pm-5pm Meet Weta sword smith Peter Lyon and learn about the s

March is a big month in the Riversdale household with both seniors having birthdays and March 2008 was a 40th for one of them. Also during 2008 we had a school fair, zoo visit, Craft2.0, beach visits and an Easter Egg Hunt. Enjoy ... Liz, poses as a new 40 year old Luke loves Epic Pale Ale 2008 Food Festival at Miramar Central School Jack, seaweed and a Worser bay afternoon Meg at Worser Bay Swim between the flags Williams and Riversdale protegy Mike outside the NewDowse at Craft2.0 Craft2.0 at the NewDowse (Easter 2008) Miramar 'Save the Children' graffiti Maupuia view over Brussels St, Miramar Tahi the Wellington Zoo Kiwi Beautiful Meg Liz looking funky for the Zoo visit on Easter Monday Mike and Adam at the Stadium watching the Huricanes v Crusaders (Super 14, 2008) A bunch of lads Jack and Sugar fast asleep

As is traditional in New Zealand February 2008 followed January bringing forth a KiwiFoo (have fun everyone going this year, unfortunately I am otherwise engaged), a trip to Riversdale, much mooching around Miramar and a Blogger Meetup (thanks Mr Epic :-) (all pictures uploaded by me ) Kiwi Foo 2008 Monarch caterpillar Mike, Meg and Sugar Where's the beach gone? Taking the plunge... Jacqui & Martin for dinner and financial advice Liz ... Sunflower in full bloom Crickey Mike, put a shirt on! Hadyn quaffs a free Epic Pale Ale at the Wellington Bloggers Meet-up