Two Sitting Ducks Pining for the days when blogs were cutting edge

Just a Reminder

Surely you will have noticed that things are a little quiet around here of recent times. Sure, I have not been as creative as I used to be. There was a time a few years ago, back when blogging was a little less mainstream, that I had the time to take lots of photos, post-process the better ones, and post a select few up on this Web site.

Much has changed since then, and the upshot is that I simply don't really have as much time nor inclination to post here. However, I do still post quite a few comments to Twitter which get fed through as Facebook status updates, for those who don't get the Twitter thing. These comments, plus all the other meta stuff I do on the web, such as saving bookmarks to delicious, sharing items from Google Reader, and highlighting favourites on Flickr, plus other stuff, ends up at andrewcanion.com.

I encourage you to either try these excellent individual sites, or at least subscribe to the RSS feed at andrewcanion.com.

Thanks!

My Wife is a Bigger Mac Geek Than Me

Hannah's previous laptop was a clunky Toshiba running Windows XP. It was a horrible piece of hardware, running horrible Microsoft software. She didn't like it, but it was all she had. Until it was stolen. Frankly, they can have it. It was a piece of junk.

This created the need for a new computer. One that she could love. For some years now, I've been extolling the virtues of the Mac, and my brainwashing, combined with timely demos of how I was able to do stuff so efficiently on my Mac, had sunk in sufficiently for Hannah to make the jump.

So now, Hannah is the proud owner of a MacBook. One that is faster than mine. But at least my keyboard still glows in the dark.

Put it on the record that Han loves her Mac. Our relationship is suffering, but she is just so happy! It's incredibly cute to see how attached she has become to this new computer. It's amazing - she has always hated using computers, now she looks to use it all the time.

So now, we are both Macheads. My perfect wife just got perfecter.

Rediscovering Libraries

Last Saturday I finally made my way to the local community library - something I've been meaning to do for almost two years, since we last moved house.

It's actually been a very long time since I last stepped into a public library. I don't think I've been an active library user since I lived at home with my parents, so that would be about 10 years now. In the intervening years, I've never felt like I was going to be living in the location long enough to warrant being bothered to sign up as a member.

Now though, I don't see us moving anytime soon. Our financial budget is also much tighter these days (and thanks to the Reserve Bank's interest rate policy, getting tighter all the time) so the option to buy new books isn't really there now. Also, more recently, I have really gotten back into reading in a big way. I've always enjoyed reading but have struggled to find the time to do it, with it losing the free time battle against other pursuits like TV, internet, etc.

So, after ten years of library absenteeism, I once again walked into a book building. It was great! Wandering the aisles, seeing what might jump out at me. I put in a request to receive a book that was at another library. I used the catalogue to search for a book, then felt the excitement of scanning the shelves looking for the corresponding Dewey Decimal.

Now I am halfway through the first of three books I borrowed, and am excited about reading again. But I haven't completely given up on the internet - you can track my reading at either www.shelfari.com/andrewcanion or http://www.librarything.com/profile/Splinky (I haven't yet decided which of these two websites are better - any comments?)

Andrew’s Motto For Today

I'm just a party dude,
With a party attitude.

ESPN’s Bill Simmons: Sports Journalism’s Gold Standard

I love reading Bill Simmons' articles. I love listening to Bill Simmons podcasts (check out this Bill Walton episode for an hour of podcast gold). Bill Simmons is the franchise player of sports writing, and more specifically, basketball writing. I only wish we had such an equivalent writing in Australia about the NBL. Now that would be awesome.

Just to give you an idea of how good this guy writes, especially from a basketball perspective, I present the following quote:

If you're scoring at home, the Hero Complex manifests itself in the following ways during close games: Insistence on making every big play; propensity to make out-of-control drives that lead to offensive fouls; overeagerness to take advantage of a potential two-for-one by hoisting up a horrible 3-pointer; and most importantly, insistence on being isolated on beat-the-buzzer plays so that everyone can stand around while you dribble for 17 seconds, fake like you're going to the basket, then pull up for a horrendous jumper. The success rate of the buzzer-beating shot by someone suffering from the Hero Complex is roughly 11 percent. And that might be high.

Anybody who has watched or played basketball, at pretty much any level, will identify with this affliction!

La Boheme

Last night Hannah and I were fortunate enough to be attend West Australian Opera's performance of La Boheme, as a guest of Beaumonde Catering.

I'd never been to the opera before last night, so I wasn't sure what to expect, or whether or not I'd enjoy it. I was more certain that Hannah would have a good time as she definitely has a more artistic side than I.

What was especially great about last night was being a guest of Beaumonde. This meant that we didn't just get great tickets in the dress circle, but prior to the show we were treated to canapes and drinks, followed by a most delicious meal that highlighted what a great catering company they are. While enjoying the meal, we were given some background and explanation of La Boheme by the Musical Director.

From there, it was downstairs to the theatre for the first two Acts. As I mentioned, I didn't know what to expect, but I was truly blown away. The strength of the performer's voices, coupled with an excellent orchestra and magnificent set design, all framed in the beautiful His Majesty's Theatre, just made for an awesome experience. Also helpful were the English surtitles provided, which helped me follow the story which is performed in Italian.

At intermission, we were provided with desserts and more drinks and reflected on the great performance we had seen so far, and we looked forward to the second half.

Acts 3 & 4 did not disappoint. The performances were just amazing, and I was completely taken in by it all. I can't describe how much I enjoyed it all - it was simply amazing.

Following the show, it was back for some more dessert and drinks while we waited for the crowd to disperse. The cast also came up to meet the guests of Beaumonde.

All in all, it was a great first time opera experience, made even more special by being there as a guest of Beaumonde and enjoying their hospitality at the same time. It made for such a special night; one we will not be forgetting.