BBC has an excellent article which confirms something that I have always known. James, this is why your big brother will remain the tallest McPherson that ever lived.
Monthly Archive for September, 2007
I remember as a kid, in primary school, having these endless, in depth, and very serious debates about what would win in a battle between various dangerous creatures. The practicalities associated with such debates was never all that important, for example there was no problem with pitting a gorilla against a great white shark, although the only remaining neutral territory, the air, did make it difficult to decide who would actually win. You can imagine my surprise when I found this article on the BBC, it seems some scientists never actually moved on:
The study showed that although the tiger was the bigger, more efficient biter, the dingo was better equipped to deal with prey that struggles.
What this study suggests is that the thylacine had a much more restricted range of prey,” explained Dr Stephen Wroe from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney.
“The dingo, on the other hand, is adept at taking anything from invertebrates through to kangaroos. The dingo can also be a social hunter and it’s most unlikely that the thylacine was; and we know that the more specialised an animal is, the more vulnerable it is.”
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Dingo had measure of Tassie tiger
I’m heading back to Australia soon, really cant wait. This time, for the first time ever, I will actually be there for a decent amount of time, a whole month! Petra will also be coming which adds an extra degree of excitement, for the past 18 months she has heard nothing but how wonderful it is, with this trip I get to show her exactly what I mean.
Of course when I’m there friends and family wonder what it is like over here, and just like its hard to tell people how great Australia is, its hard to describe just how great Amsterdam is. Anyway, last year before heading back for my sisters wedding Petra and I put together a little video of what was then our new place (I moved, stayed two nights, then flew to Australia). Thought it might be fun to share it here, so that when I’m back home this time, everyone can see my Dutch life that little bit more clearly…
I’m a little peeved today. About 3 weeks ago I installed Quicktime, a site that I visit often seems to be obsessed by it, and I finally decided that I might as well just install it. See I don’t really care that it’s Apple (I’m even thinking about getting one of those touch iPods), it’s just I’m really picky about what software I install on my machine, years of dealing with Windows has taught me that the less you install, the more reliable and speedy your PC. When I did install it, it of course tried to push iTunes onto me, something common to a lot of software packages these days (the Google toolbar being the main offender), it was an offer that I declined. Windows Media does it for me, I don’t have an iPod, and I don’t plan to shop at their DRM crippled store thank you very much.
This morning, as I was rushing out the door, I got a note from Apple saying that some of their software needed to be updated (note updated, not installed). Stupidly I didn’t read anymore than that, I just assumed that it was just a Quicktime update. Knowing the importance of security, and keeping your patches up to date, I said go ahead and install. I have just got back now, to turn on my PC and find that I was actually installing iTunes!
Now, let me just say this, if Microsoft ever pulled this dodgy sort of move, they would have been hauled over the coals three or four times. I have never wanted to install iTunes, I have never proactively gone to any Apple site to download it, and I don’t want it on my machine. To prompt me to install it via their “Software Update” tool is very near fraudulent! What right have they to stick a sign on my computer screen asking if I want one of their products, its like some kind of pop-up advert.
Now I have to go through an uninstall, and hope that it doesn’t leave any rubbish behind, which by the way, I’m sure it does. I’m uninstalling Quicktime while I’m at it…
Of course this makes me feel stupid. I long ago gave up on Virus scanning software, and turn off Windows Defender. They don’t really work, they just slow your PC down, and I have never had a malicious software problem. This is just a little reminder about how vigilant you have to be, and how hard it is for the average PC user. ARGH.
Even if just for the awesome intro…
Italians!
Doctors find 26 needles in a woman’s body, believed to have been inserted by relatives upset she was not a boy.
Incredibly they even found a needle in her brain, this X-ray is amazing!
Extreme dining: Four edgy alternatives to burger and fries
Features a video of a fine dish of live Octopus. I think I probably would. I usually go out of my way to try whatever may constitute a delicacy in the countries I have visited, for example Zebra, Mopani Worms, whole finch like birds in Lebanon (beak and all), Crocodile, Frikandel) but this would certainly test my limits.
From the video “It’s kinda like a gummy bear, but a gummy bear that is alive and writhing and sucking onto whatever it can grab“, nice, but not expected to go on sale in McDonalds any time soon. So what is the weirdest thing you have eaten at the dinner table?
Extreme Dining II: Truthdig – Chinese ‘Penis Emporium’ Serves Up the Goods
Ok, now this, this is going too far.
Fire protection company damaged by fire – Boing Boing
I just had to have a little chuckle about this one.
BBC NEWS | Health | Why rock and roll stars die young
Its really is amazing how many of my favourites have dies young, with Jeff Buckley and Kurt Cobain being the most prominent. I think it has actually gotten a little better. My fathers generation lost stars like Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Elvis, Janis Joplin, and well, this list just goes on.
It has been a long time since I wore a watch, in fact the last watch I wore purely because it had a 256meg memory stick built into it (of course I was one of the first, alright!). I do wear one every now and then, usually when having a bit of a “dressy” night out, and I’m constantly on the lookout for interesting pieces. This little collection fits “interesting”.
Of course my old mate Scotty, who had trouble reading analog clocks until late year 11 (I know because I had to help him read them during our final Japanese exam), is probably terrified by these.
Started with My First Time
Continued from My First Time Part II
Continued further from My First Time Part III
Was still going at My First Time Part IV
Despite better judgement it continued here My First Time Part V
I turned to acknowledge the old man, but he was gone, just an empty bottle of yellow labeled Dark Ale remained, still wobbling from a awkward landing. The Schnitzel had arrived and I rediscovered the guys sitting around the table. I could see my beer, it’s green label faced me like it knew who I was. I looked at each of the guys, and as I did we all said “Mate, this tastes like an angel has pissed on my tongue”…
Strangely, we all tell exactly the same story about that day, as if each of us approached that bar, each ordered the beers and were each spoken to by the old man. No one knows for sure who he was, but rumour has it that a young bloke named Thomas used to visit the pub on fine summers days. He knew that after a day in the surf there is nothing like a sampling of his families fine brews while taking in the sea air.
From that day I have drunk Coopers, it’s the only beer my taste buds allow….
THE END
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