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Showing posts from September, 2009

Live Forever

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Sitting watching a DVD ( Live Forever: The Rise and Fall Of Britpop ) playing THE best music EVER reminds me of the awesome times. Of course I realise it's only THE best music EVER because exactly of the memories it brings back. But fuck it, it is! Live forever people, party and don't let 'em question it! Links to as many YouTube vids of the soundtrack to one of the most vibrant and musically amazing times of my life (and the CD of the DVD ) ... so far. Click on the one you want or check out the complete playlist and have the time of our life! Live Forever - Oasis Common People - Pulp Parklife - Blur Alright - Supergrass Girl From Mars - Ash Waking Up - Elastica Mulder And Scully - Catatonia Fine Time - Cast The Changing Man - Paul Weller Stupid Girl - Garbage Everything Must Go - Manic Street Preachers The Riverboat Song - Ocean Colour Scene Atomic - Sleeper Tattva - Kula Shaker Come Back To What You Know - Embrace Wide Open Space - Mansun 6 Underground -...
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I Won! And From a VERY Exclusive List

Love it - and I really hope somewhere in the world there is a "Mr. Patrick Gomez", fantastic name. Dear Lucky Winner. We are happy to inform you that your email address have emerged winner of £1,000,000GBP only (One Million Great British Pounds Only) in Euro-Millions Award. The online cyber draws was conducted from an exclusive list of 15,000,000 email addresses of individuals and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random computer selection from the web. Your email address is attached to Participant No.: *7*, Selection Frequency.:*21*, Percentage.:*98.95%* and PROMOTION DATE: 1ST of AUGUST, 2009. Bear in mind that prizes will strictly be remitted to winners that officially file in for their claim within the given time frame. To begin your claim, you are to forward this message to our accredited claim agent: Euro-Millions Lottery London, United Kingdom CONTACT: Mr. Patrick Gomez TEL: +44-701-[snip] EMAIL: pgomez1951@[snip] pgomez1951@[snip] ================...
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Selected Billy Connelly

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Hee hee ... and with only a "couple" of DVDs to check the correct spelling ;-)
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Karma Explained

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Karma explained via
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Why Is Christmas Day On December 25th ... Mithras?

Stephen Fry on QI discussing the similarities between Mithras and Jesus - read more at Wikipedia: Mithraic Mysteries I love Stephen Fry's line: There's a great deal in Christianity that's traditional and however wonderful people think the story is it's frankly ... not original
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THE Best Film Review Ever - Karl Pilkington On "The Invention Of Lying"

[23-Nov-2024: This video is no longer avaialble] I watched it via iTunes Stick with it and then ask yourself, "Would I be as honest with my mate/boss?" - and if the answer is yes, you now know what to do first thing tomorrow morning at work ;-)
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Bet You Jump

Ok, it's only 14 seconds long and I've warned you that you'll jump but I bet you're thinking, "Yeah, whatever" - I was ... Did ya jump? Video at The Telegraph
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But It's A Robot - Slightly Unnerving Eh!

Am working my way through the most creepy stuff on the web and didn't make it past this video of the robot BigDog which has been developed by Boston Dynamics - a robotics company - in response to a request by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry soldiers' equipment across rough terrain. ... bet you watch it more than once
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iGoogle - New Zealand Themes

Did you know there were so many? http://www.google.co.nz/ig/directory?q=new+zealand&hl=en&type=themes iGoogle is your personalized Google page. Add news, photos, weather, and stuff from across the web to your page.
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Kids Marshmallow Experiment

Hee hee The marshmallow experiment is a famous test of this concept conducted by Walter Mischel at Stanfo rd University and discussed by Daniel Goleman in his popular work. In the 1960s, a group of four-year olds were given a marshmallow and promised another, only if they could wait 20 minutes before eating the first one. Some children could wait and others could not. The researchers then followed the progress of each child into adolescence, and demonstrated that those with the ability to wait were better adjusted and more dependable (determined via surveys of their parents and teachers), and scored an average of 210 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. [23-Nov-2024: Video no longer available] Link via The Presurfer
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Miramar Cinema To Open Late 2010

The unknown (to me) Whiteria 'newspaper' NewsWire.co.nz reports that Jamie Selkirk has finally given details about the opening of the Miramar cinema . Definitely read the full article after these salient facts: Building expected to start January 2010 Opening September 2010 Renovation costs around NZ$4million Partnered with Brookyln's Penthouse Cinema for distribution Incorporates 2 cinemas Aiming at the art house releases with some mainstream Includes a cafe restaurant partnered with Cafe Polo View Larger Map
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The Fast Show - Very Drunk

Michael Alan Riversdale in a few years ;-)
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Skylight Launches New Resilience/Support Magazine

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A Media Release about the launch of new edgy, innovative, magazine style youth resource to help teens and young people in New Zealand deal with tough times. Skylight has launched an innovative new single edition youth support magazine, ‘The Journey Through’, which honestly and frankly tackles the very difficult issues teens and young people face. It’s been written specifically for young people in New Zealand, and features many stories, words and photos, kiwi teens have contributed. Life can be really tough. The issues teenagers face are diverse and include changing schools, moving to a new city or country, losing your friends, bullying, parents breaking up, living in a blended family or absent parents, peer pressure, terminal illness or death of someone close to them, mental health issue, disability and too often trauma, abuse or violence. Skylight, a unique support organisation helping young people and their families/whānau deal with change, loss, trauma and grief, recognises that yo...
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Breathing Space Website Live In About 37 Minutes

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As you know my wife, Liz, and her business partner Helen have started a new business called Breathing Space ("a new initiative for the professional development of parents"). The awesome folks at Decisive Flow has created them a logo which the two agreed on yesterday. I then said to Liz, "I'll set up a website for you", that won't take long. Why won't it take long - because: They have very simple needs right now They are running the business with Google Apps Google Apps has the ability to publish a site to the world Last night I got home, played with the kids, watched some (crap!!) TV and then around 9:30pm popped up the lid of the laptop and plowed into it. From whoa (nothing, not even a DNS entry) to go (website up and ready) took around 37 minutes. Don't get me wrong, it's a very VERY simple site but they can add deeper pages by simply creating pages and entering the text. Everything is automated for them and as far as they're concerned ...
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Robert Carlyle In The 'Timed To Perfection' Johnny Walker Ad

There's nothing really that special about the ad except it's around 5:30 mins long and Robert Carlyle seems* to time every moment to perfection [23-Nov-2024: Video no longer available] * who can tell if computers and their shenanigans were involved :-)
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What Does It Mean To Be British?

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When the house is quiet I get to peak back in time using my "Starred Items" list in the Google Reader and see what I thought was of absolute and utter importance way back then. Mostly the articles are scanned and immediately unstarred but now and again I read something and exclaim, "Ooooh yeah, that was awesome then" "What it means to be British" from the UK Ministry of Justice is one I can't even remember seeing! I think it was in reaction to the crazy post "kick them all out" times that the country went through ... but I could be wrong. What do I think it means to be British ... well, I quite like JK Rowling's answer : 'Britishness for me means the best comedy and the best music in the world, the most interesting fashion and football, and the funkiest flag,' says author JK Rowling. ... except for the flag bit :-) And the football stuff. I would also add in The Beano ( Wikipedia ) and whatever that encapsulates about being Brit...
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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...

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...

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...

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...