Cashing in and Confusing the Crowds.

The names of our iconic sport stadiums confuse me.  I have no idea where they are anymore and the worst part is ... that every few years they change names.  I don't watch so much sport but my conundrum is when I am thinking of concerts or big matches like the football.

The SFS is still the SFS, the MCG is still the MCG.  But there are some other popular stadiums where I have no idea where they are or if its in the city or in the 'burbs. 

There is (or is it was?) the Telstra Dome, Acer Arena, Etihad Stadium, ANZ Stadium ... its all so hard to know what is what!  After a little research, I found out it's all over Australia!  The Dairy Farmers Stadium, AAMI Stadium, Coopers Stadium, Medibank Stadium, Lexus Centre, St George Stadium.

This is the Telstra Dome ... when it was the Telstra Dome.

This is the Etihad Stadium, nee Telstra Dome. Same stadium, different signage and paint job.

 

 

Apart from the inconveinience of not knowing where to go, my question is ... how far would they go to sell out an icon or location?

Would it be far fetched to see the NSWGovernment sell out our Sydney Harbour Bridge? Our Pylons are already abused during New Years Eve festivities, but it could be year round with a sign mounted on the top.  Does the QANTAS Bridge go down well with you? Or how about the Pantene or Sunsilk Bridge?

Pictures taken From:

http://www.nzafl.co.nz/Portals/0/telstradome2.jpg 
http://www.aviationrecord.com/Portals/0/Airlines-images/Etihad/Etihad-stadium.jpg

Recycled Fridge Magnets

Like most households, we get at least 5 magnets in the mail from plumbers, tradies and real estate agents. Quite hideous in design and layout and quite useless because we have our own regular guys.
We generally keep them on the back of the fridge but once in a while, we just want to chuck them all out.

Well.  I came across a really cool craft idea to recycle magnets and milk cartons!  So today mum and I had a bonza day of making a whole bunch of these magents.

I don't have the instructions to follow, but the jist is that we traced a milk carton template and then stuck on Japanese square washi paper on to it.  We then added a thin strip to make the collar and then super glued a recycled magnet on the back and voila!

Who Owns the Moon?

No one should! But then why does holier-than-though America think they can do what ever they want with it?

NASA sent 2 spacecrafts crashing and slamming into the moon in the hope of finding water molecules. Nothing much came of it.

What if Russia, China, Nth Korea or India wanted to do simiar things to the moon or worse, actually blow parts of it up in order to research?  Would the US and NASA stop them? Who has the right to draw the line?


I'm sure they are doing all their analysis on it but why also waste millions on doing something like this when their economy is in recession?

Reference -

(http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/nasa-mission-kicks-up-a-lunar-dust-storm-20091010-gr1g.html)
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/10/09/science/09moon-600.jpg)

Recycled wrapping paper

I try to be aware of my environment and to act sustainably where ever possible. I'm never going to be one of those crazy Prius driving, hemp wearing hippys but I do like to follow the philosophy where we can reduce our waste, protect what we can of the environment and save money.

My latest project was wrapping presents. There is nothing better than a beautifully wrapped present, regardless of how much the paper and the ribbon cost. It was my sisters birthday a few days ago and this is how I wrapped her present ... using a recycled Franklins catalogue.



I found some solid colour strips so that is the "ribbon" and then with the rest of the sheet, I just wrapped it. As for the bow, I just made one of those floral things by looping long strips of the paper and then stapling it to hold in place. I did it twice, one big and one smaller so it looks fuller.

Its still uses sticky-tape and uses 2 staples, but I think I made it look presentable and am proud of it. After she unwrapped it, the paper then was put straight into the recycle bin. Saved me money and looked good.

I pick up everywhere!

The other day one of my friends asked me if I still collected pamphlets. I know, strange but while growing up, I was notorious for picking up everything from travel brochures, business cards, menus and random magazines. It was my thing (one of ...) and it gave me pleasure. I flipped through all I brought home, clipped out interesting things and stored and hoarded anything and everything to do with business, travel and other interesting tid bits.

I thought that if it was worth the print, it was worth at least a flip-through.

It has provided me with lots of random information over the years. I find out about talks and festivals, whats happening, profiles of people etc. I still to this day pick up stuff that looks interesting. The Avant Card postcard racks are a goldmine for me with free or buy-one-get-one-free movie deals. I dont always find something useful, but sometimes there are coupons, 2-4-1 deals, programs to festials or just something really funky that I can re-use or give to someone who I know would like it.

There is so much random stuff out there and I find so many things interesting. I once heard the mayors of Mumbai and London speaking, there are secret sale, free perfume samples etc.

With everything now on the web and things done through Facebook, e-newsletters and RSS feeds there are volumes of new things to learn, great information and freebies!

Look Up!

I learnt a very important lesson from my dad about communting when I was younger. "When you cross the harbour bridge, you drop down your newspaper and enjoy the view." Or textbook/magazine in my case.

It takes only 10 sec out of your day/what you are reading/ what you are talking about/while sleeping but can really alter your mood. Esp. if you are heading into the city, it really is the calm before the storm.

I now take heed from my dads advice and everytime i get on the bus I make sure I sit on the "correct"side of the bus so that as we cross the bridge, I am on the Opera House side.

Its something small but I dont like to take it for granted. Some people pay thousands of dollars just to get a glimpse of if and some poor others, well they will never get a glimpse of it at all!

I'm Shy, but I'm Working on it.

I just stumbled upon a new file-sharing website called Slideshare where I came across The Shy Connector (see presentation below).

I can really relate to this! I love the flow chart.

• I am a self-proclaimed introvert.
• I don't like making small talk and wish I could jump straight in for a good wholesome discussion.
• My idea of fun is not always going out and drinking or hanging out in the city.

I do try and do things that will make me happy by standing out and being different. (note: there is good and bad different).

One of my biggest issues is comparing myself to others but at the same time I continually try and find out who I am in that situation and not let others of society dictate what I need to be and do.

One of the biggest things I am learning is that you cant keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.

So ... I have embarked on some small changes ones that are already affecting me and slowly changing for the better.

1. Temp.ing. - One of the hardest things to do is to change your job. I now do it all the time! Continually meeting new people, learning their names, assimilating to their office culture, learning new procedures. I have found that I can build rapport with people, people do like me and can see the value in what I have to offer. Its reassuring in light of the fact that I don't hold down a "steady and important" job.
   
2. Newsletter subscriptions - I get to know whats happening, who is involved and can rally others to come with me if I want company. Performances, talks, lectures, galleries and many other things.
   
3. Greater online presence. Ok, most people have done this but by having a blog where I can talk freely without judgement is great! I am also building my online-presence through: Facebook, LinkedIn and Blogger.
   
4. Solo Travel - Nothing forces you to be more friendly than being by yourself when you are surrounded by others who are also solo travellers. Youth hostels are the best way to meet people and to organise spontaneous trips and dinners.
5. Working out what I want to do - Its intimidating knowing that for every search i do, i find another 10 leads of what I might possibly be interested in. When i do know something that I want to do, I will do it. So sailing course in spring, here I come!
   

I'm not expecting to become a complete extrovert and in some instances I am already loud and outspoken. It's more of the confidence I am working on and as I get a better understanding of how the world works, I realise how much of everything is out there and I need to make sense of it all. Its sink or swim baby!

The Shy Connector

View more documents from Sacha Chua.