All rev’ed up, just got back from a ride & swim, the sun is setting, the kookaburras are singing. Feeling like I’ve been active enough to write something so here goes.

Its about t-45 days till I make tracks for the intrepid India. In preparation I’ve gone all out and purchased a professional digital SLR camera. The Nikon D80 Camera from Digital Photographics Ausustralia, who I can recommend highly I ordered on the Friday and it arrived on the Tuesday (with registered post). Now I just need to work out how to carry the thing discreetly, its about as chunky as they get.

Sadly, due to a lack of funds I’ve had to put getting the canvas prints on hold, the images are ready to go just awaiting funds… so stay tuned. Or pick one you would like printed on canvas from the photoblog, and I’ll arrange it for a small fee.

In other non-news, I’ve been getting distracted from university and hanging out with lovely people more and more. Just the other night had some friends over and had a play with the new camera. You can see the photos here. They were all taken at night in low light levels without a flash, so might seem a little grainy.

Also been doing a bit more sporty type activities of late, including yoga, rock climbing at kangaroo point, riding, swimming in a lovely pool surrounded by trees at sunset and bush walking (photos) when I get the chance to get away from Brisbane. Not bad all in all… at this rate I’ll be fit in no time, mind you I have a bit of catching up to do.

Also knocked up a flyer for the Forkless Feast, run by Griffith University Food Co-operative (see below).

Last and least, is Facebook. I’ve recently sold my sole, or rather all my personal information to the highest bidder (probably Viacom). The web based social networking application is pretty amazing at its ability to suck time from you, while actually containing minimal content. Users rarely post anymore than messages to each other saying hello, photos, and the infimus ’status update’ (which I have hacked to be displayed directly on this blog). I have been attempting to share interesting content, however so far I haven’t received much feedback about my shared posts. Also a rather frustrating point is the lack of statistics available to users. It is not possible to review how people are using your data, if they are at all and thus difficult to make decisions about howto use the technology more effectively. When compared to an open source blog, (such as this one), I have all the data about who (not your names, but a number unless you have some sort of don’t track me addon) comes here, how often and what they look at… all of this is completely absent from Facebook. I could rave on forever about Facebook at the moment, but I’ll save it for a concise post in the future.

I’m going to upgrade my blog soon to version 2.3 of Wordpress… so things might look a little different next time you drop by. Wish me luck with my exam study, and exams just life generally. Hope your all well and making the most of things where ever you may be.

Your blogger friend,

Nathan

Just found this affirmation floating around my house. Read it. Enjoyed it. Thought others might too. Here goes

—

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideal; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him/Her to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

—

Copyright Affirmations Australia (reproduced without permission in the nature of all things blog)

Just been doing a little research into renewable energy opportunities in Australia & SE Asia and came across the following poem. Enjoy.

“Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea”

Renewables should be the future and our leader’s mighty boast,
Sun, wind and waves developed from the land and sea and coast
Mistaken Aussie leader’s thoughts are nuclear and coal,
They do not seem to care about the cost of climate toll.

Oh, round and round and up and down the politician speaks,
When now the bloke would surely choke from chimneys that reek,
Of sulfur fumes and blackish plumes that fill the air with dirt,
You’d want to snub the nearest pub your lungs are bound to hurt.