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Showing posts from February, 2009

What Would You Do With "Unlimited" Internet Storage?

Really, say it was NZ$50/year and you had 10 terabytes of space which you could increase in terabytes at an extra cost a $5 Note: this is all made up and I do not have such a service to offer you ... but it's coming, just look around ... believe me, it's coming. What would you use it for? For me I would have ALL my music online and available whenever I wanted it, no more choosing what the iPhone will store. Every music track I've ever bought. But that is temporary because it's all going online anyway; the concept that we will own a physical anything is gonna evaporate and we'll merely purchase the rights to play something wherever we are, whenever we want and however we want - streamed instantly to us. But for now, ALL my music online. And then it's every home video I've ever made is going up! Possibly every DVD I've ever bought (LOTR will chew up a wee bit of space, but hey $5 and a terabyte back). But video is bound to go the way of music (it's jus...
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Christchurch On Monday Should Be A Laff

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( Crusaders 24 Hurricanes 30 ) Mind you, have you seen Chickipedia - The Wiki of Hot Women , thanks to @kalena we now have knowledge of the ultimate useless/useful wiki ;-)
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Do NOT Mail; Do NOT Call (NZ)

In New Zealand and get annoying sales calls at 6pm and/or spam in your letterbox? Don't want it? Read Miraz's http://knowit.co.nz/2009/02/do-not-mail-do-not-call (pass it on)
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Fantastic Australian Letter Fed Up With Dumb-Ass Government Forms

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Great find from David MacGregor over at ThoughtSpurs Dear Mr. Minister, I’m in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this. How is it that K-Mart has my address and telephone number, and knows that I bought a Television Set and Golf Clubs from them back in 1997, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date. For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand? My birth date you have in my Medicare information, and it is on all the income tax forms I’ve filed for the past 40 years. It is on my driver’s licence, on the last eight passports I’ve ever had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I’ve had to fill out before being allowed off the planes over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that I’ve filled out every 5 years since 1966. Also..would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother’s name is Audrey, my Father’s name is Jack, and I’d be absolutely fucking astounded if that ever ch...
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This Website Is [No Longer] Blacked Out

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[Updated: 23-Feb-2009] As you've all probably read/seen the NZ Government has delayed the implementation of Section 92a. I'd like to congratulate Bronwyn and Matthew as well as all their CreativeFreedom.org supporters for an amazing effort. Read more at many news websites , here's the low down from Radio New Zealand : The Government has announced it will delay the introduction of a controversial new copyright law due to come into effect this week. Last week the Government was presented with a petition signed online by more than 10,000 people against Section 92A of the Copyright Act. It requires Internet Service Providers to disconnect users accused of illegally downloading copyrighted material, and opponents say people will be disconnected without evidence or court scrutiny. Prime Minister John Key says the implementation of Section 92A will now be delayed until 27 March to give the industry time to agree on a voluntary code of practice. Mr Key says if there has not ...

Internet BlackOut - Join The Protest Against NZ Section92a

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Wow, Stephen Fry , Leo Laporte , VodafoneNZ and many MANY more are changing their online icons to a black square in protest of the New Zealand Government bringing in Section 92a ( my previous posts ). The protest is being lead by two totally separate groups: CreativeFreedom.org and ... wait for it, Peter Dunne MP . Here's the opening stanza from CreativeFreedom - http://creativefreedom.org.nz/blackout.html : ---------- Join The New Zealand Internet Blackout to protest against the Guilt Upon Accusation law 'Section 92A' that calls for internet disconnection based on accusations of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny. This is due to come into effect on February 28th unless immediate action is taken by the National Party. Join thousands of New Zealanders already against this law by blacking out your Facebook photo, your websites, your Myspace pages, your Twitter account, in protest against this unjust new law that may ...
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The Ending In My Favourite Film Of All Time - Casablanca

And hey, you can watch the whole of Casablanca online ! Anywho, here's the ending, cracker
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Jim Explains How To Wish Those Debts Away

Become a bank and pretend - read more at The weird and wonderful world of corporate accounting
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3 Small Things That Give Me Big Rage

Toothpaste tube squeezed from the top Clothes line pegs on the ground Interruptions when it's OBVIOUS I am busy That is all, carry on
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Golliwogs - They're OK, Apparently

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Note: Whilst this post was drafted well before the Golliwog-laden BBC/Carol Thatcher scandal I am, of course, very happy about the timing :-) Over the past week* I've asked the question, " Gollywogs (stuffed toy), OK or not OK? " (my bad spelling was kindly overlooked by all, thank you). I asked using txt, on Facebook **, via Twitter and a few face-to-faces. The overall response was saddening to me. But first, a little context as to why I asked the question ... I was in a Smallfry , a Wellington kiddie toy shop (Upper Level, Capital Gateway, Thorndon Key) hoping to kill some time with the kids as we mooched around on a Sunday afternoon when I noticed a Golliwog or two for sale. "Christ, another one" I thought to myself thinking it was only the "venerated" Kirks ( Kirkaldie & Stains , the Wellington version of Harrods but a little less grand in scale) that happily pushed this relic from a distant past. Somehow it's understandable (not acceptab...
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Virtual Super 14 - I Am MiramarMike, Who Are You?

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Sign up , add me (" MiramarMike ") and crack into it! The Hurricanes are holding a free public training and autograph session at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt on Thursday 12 February. Come on down and meet the Hurricanes as they prepare for their 2009 Rebel Sport Super 14 opener against the Waratahs at Westpac Stadium on Saturday 14 February. An open training run is from 3.15pm - 4.45pm, followed by a meet the players and autograph session from 4.45pm - 5.15pm. Enjoy the More FM BBQ and meet Captain Hurricane, plus loads of giveaways - posters and tattoos.
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June 2008; A Look Back With Colour Photography

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Sorry for the delay folks between May and this look back in colour. June, is winter here in New Zealand but did we let that slow us down in our adventuring ... no, we did not. We jetted off to Staglands Wildlife Park, had Jack leaving Miramar Central Kindy and starting Worser Bay School (VERY exciting), mates over, the Storylines Festival, birthdays - just all on! Staglands Dylan, Meg and Jack Flickr meme mosaic Crazy skater on Oriental Parade Orries v MSP (2008) Storylines Family Day Jack's 5th birthday party at Junglerama Jack's Kindy 5th birthday goodbye Jack's 5th birthday present opening Jack's 5th birthday Chocolate Frog brekkie Jack's 5th birthday dinner at Great India restaurant Jack's first morning at school Mooching in Miramar mid-2008 Wendy, Conrad, Henry and Bella over for dinner Carol and Jack All photos taken by Mike Riversdale
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Wiggles in New Zealand

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Having seen the classic mark 1 lineup you can imagine how excited we are at the Riversdale abode that after a long 5 year wait we will be joining the throngs at the Wellington gig :-) The tour of New Zealand 2009 is bound to be a sellout so don't delay in getting your tickets ... get some for the kids as well what the hell The Wiggles are generally very family friendly. Tour dates with links to the evil Ticketek to reserve your very own place on this historic tour -   http://www.thewiggles.com.au/nz/events/41 The Wiggles Live in Concert NZ 2009 WHAT’S red, blue, yellow AND purple, AND LOTS OF FUN THE FAB FOUR for the UNDER FIVES …… THE WIGGLES! TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY, DECEMBER 1st, 2008 Get ready to Wiggle New Zealand! It’s nearly time to dance live-in-concert with the ‘fab four for the under fives’ at 'The Wiggles Live in Concert’ in 2009'! The Wiggles look forward to touring New Zealand in 2009, for the first time since 2005! Join Anthony (Blue), Jeff (Purple), Murray (Re...
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Hee Hee - Made Me Laff Anywho

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2 screenshots I've had on the computer for a while. Firstly Dawn with a little self love: And the following shows how much my own company is out to help it's staff by replicating the whole of Google Labs within itself, *ahem* By the way - you going to Webstock, don't forget to say hi if you are ...
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Starlight Express for Skylight: Charity Preview - 30th June

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Received this from the most awesomest community agency going, Skylight (yes, I used to work there): Skylight is going into the New Year with great energy to makes as much of a difference to the lives of young people in New Zealand who are really hurting because of grief in their lives. One of our sources of energy for doing this is through a Charity Preview showing of Starlight Express - the fastest show on earth! We are extremely excited to be able to offer this opportunity. I would like to encourage you to buy tickets for the June 30 Charity Preview at Wellington TSB Arena . Please nominate Skylight as your charity of choice. There will be 3,000 seats available in total so the more tickets sold for Skylight the more revenue we will generate. How does this happen? The special price is just $50 per ticket . Plus, The Really Useful Group (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company) and Ticketek have all waived fees and royalties. That means $45 from every ticket sold will go to the nominate...
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If Only Banks Licensed These Videos And Put It Onto Their Websites

Borrowing Money in Plain English [3-Dec-2024: Video unavailable. This video is private] Saving Money in Plain English [3-Dec-2024: Video unavailable. This video is private]
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Alan Sugar Tells It Like It Is - Experts Know Naff-All

Top find from Jim -  SIR ALAN SUGAR: The so-called experts know double naff-all Since then, I have never allowed any so-called expert to advise me what to do with my money. Trust me when I tell you they know naff-all. If they did have some magic way of making money legally they wouldn't be dealing with you, they would be off making it for themselves.
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Popular articles

The Difference Between One Million And One Billion

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It feels like a billion is just a bit bigger than a million. Obviously it's bigger but it fits on the same scale as a million, surely. It doesn't. A billion is so so so much bigger than a million. I've trawled the internet finding graphics and videos that show the VAST difference between one million and one billion. Oh, and just to finish with a different misconception about space starting with the classic opening line from the great Douglas Adams and The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy : “Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.”

W. C. Fields quotes

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The office has all been moved around - new desks (with starter handles to raise and lower them), new high(er) speed network and ... the same old work. At least I have a differing view of the world, my team (well, the team I'm a part of not "my" team) is a lot closer - finally - and it's like an office from the 80's ... or even a classroom. But I still have time to move the crap off the PC : ------ Any man who hates dogs and loves whiskey can't be all bad. Anyone who hates Dogs and Kids Can't be All Bad. Hey! Who took the cork off my lunch??! Who stole the cork from my breakfast? Now don't say you can't swear off drinking, it's easy. I've done it a thousand times. Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again. Then quit, no use being a damn fool about things. Madam, there's no such thing as a tough child - if you parboil them first for seven hours, they alwa...

This Is What Drowning People Actually Look Like

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THIS is so so useful - thanks @exlibrarykris@cloudisland.nz for her annual share . The popular conception of what drowning looks like is not accurate. Unlike this photo, drowning people usually can’t call out for help, and there is very little splashing or waving. Drowning is actually a very quiet and undramatic action. Photo by Stephen Frink Drowning does not look like what we’re conditioned to think of as drowning. In an article in the Fall 2006 issue of the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue’s On Scene journal, Pia described the instinctive drowning response as follows: Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled before speech occurs. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough f...

"Right Wing" Comedians

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Too many people comfortably plump themselves into an army of one type or another . Surrounded by those that sound like you, listen to you intently whilst nodding, and echo your thoughts on why the fight is a good fight and that the other side are such bad terrible people. I used to be more like that than I am nowadays ... hmmmm, aren't we humans meant to become more conservative and reactionary as we age, strange Mike. These thoughts have me thinking of two UK comedians that have been tagged as "right wing", which is putting them into an army for the benefit of someone but, I suspect, not them. First up,  Simon Evans who makes me laugh when he's talking about his family, kids, and life in Brighton. He then hit my ears big time with: Simon Evans Goes to Market , has had six seasons, delighting audiences with his witty and insightful take on the comedically unpromising territory of economics, all of which prove among the most popular downloads on the Sounds App. On the...

It's All Going To Change

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Exponential is gonna make this world of humans very very different. What the fuck is " exponential change " Mike? I, you, and all humans are built to see change in a linear way. A wolf accelerating at a set rate is going to slowly catch us, but we know when, and therefore where (see how clever we are), so we get tricksy and make plans to not be there and then, hah, take that wolf! The wolf starts out at 1 kmh, but speeds up at 2 kmh. It's now at 3 kmh, but hang on it's still getting faster, now at 5 kmh. Christ this wolf is still going, 7 kmh. Meh, we can run at 10 kmh. It adds another 2 kmh, ok, it's catching up. 9 kmh, we're starting to worry and make plans. Wow, the wolf is now 11 kmh, probably a blur but s'ok as it is slower than a bike so maybe we use that. Oh noes, another 2 kmh, that's 13 kmh. A spurt from the wolf and it's now 15 kmh, and one more boost, up to 17 kmh. Within only 9 steps this damn wolf is now running at us at 17 kmh. We...

On a scale of 1 to 10, how is your day going?

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So many people have had me ask them this simple question, " On a scale of 1 to 10, how is your day going? (where 1 is as low as it can get)" Once the person responds, you then simply askm " Is there anything I could do to help move it from a 6 to a 7? " (or . . . "from a 3 to a 4" or "from a 10 to an 11"). Just reach out and ask ... I cannot recommend this highly enough as both for support people / friends / family that are keeping an active eye on someone in their life, but also just as a great way to connect not matter what the situation. So where did it come from - this is a technique that Jane McGonicall  ( @avantgame ) picked up from her friend Michael, a philanthropist and entrepreneur and uses in a Super Better "quest" called Plus-One Better - here are the complete instructions. QUEST: Plus-One Better Pick three people: 1. Someone who would like to hear from you 2. Someone you would like to hear from 3. Some...

Series 2 Starts With An Episode About Burnout & Suicidal Thoughts

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Kicking off series 2 of  Mike's Audio Summaries podcast in which I take blog posts and supporting web articles into Google's NotebookLM AI to create an audio "deep dive". Long time readers, friends, and family will know my time with a "wobbly brain" and some of the posts I have published over the years on mental health and specifically suicidal thoughts. This episode, Burnout & Suicidal Thoughts , is a positive, hopeful, and action orientated discussion on those subjects. Aotearoa New Zealand 1737 – Free call or text 1737 Lifeline – 0800 543 354 Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234  Samaritans – 0800 726 666 Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865  What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds) Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54, free text 5626 Anxiety New Zealand -  0800 269 4389 UK Samaritans 116 123 HOPELineUK 0800 068 41 41 CALM 0800 58 58 58 Lifeline (Northern Ireland) 0808 808 8000 Community Advice & Listening Line (Wales) 0800 132 737 (24/7) or...

Take A Mate To Work Day

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Brilliant idea from, someone on FB as a meme, I think. Do you have any idea what your mates do when they go to work? Heck, you might not really know what your partner does, or your kids. But your friends, what do they actually do? Most of us will have a rough idea that they're a Programme Manager, or perhaps an Accountant, or a Service Desk Manager. But what does that actually mean, what do they do in a typical day. This isn't about making a judgement, just curiosity, and understanding ya mate a little better. Take Your Mate To Work Day (and if you have a mate called Kate you are in!) Let's pick a day - I always say do things on a Tuesday because nothing exciting happens on a Tuesday. How about the second Tuesday in February. That would make the next one Tuesday 11th February, 2025 . Who's up for it? I am, once I start my job in the new year and settle in I'm gonna invite a mate to come watch what I do, just for shits and giggles tbf Apparently this is absolutely no...

9 More Things I've Done

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I've done a lot of things but I've done 9 things off my " It's later than you think " / " I've Never See Star Wars " list I've talked about the Poptart , Mills & Boon , and Footloose already, so here's the other 6. Walk The Southern Walkway (Wellington)  - 7/10 The Southern Walkway is an 11km walk along the Town Belt between Oriental Bay and Island Bay. The total walk can be completed in 4–5 hours depending on fitness and interest. [source: Explore Wellington - Southern Walkway Map PDF ] I can't remember when I did it, but I do recall it being a lot easier than I thought it would be. It's a perfect walk for a nice summer's day tbh, get amongst it! Watch a Bruce Lee movie - 4/10 It was Enter The Dragon ... hmmm, not sure I really enjoyed it tbh. A lot of slapstick noises with the fighting, the story was ok, and definitely felt of it's time. I can imagine it was very different back then, and Bruce Lee is, OK, but yeah, no...

Happy Birthday This Blog, 20 Years Old

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It's been a source of laughs, a place of catharsis, times to be brave and open, and all with a lovely regularity that I enjoy. I published my first post back in December 2004 which kicked of a number of years during which I posting daily. This faded to a dribble as Facebook and Twitter replaced the posts, and rushed back as I realised that social media is ephemera, useful for sharing but of no use keeping things. So, 20 years ... I'm not gonna link you to stuff here, it's all available in search, labels at the bottom, but maybe a follow the links in This Is My (Blog) Life .