too much time on his hands...

a googleblogtag to get higher than reeves

news update: george bush becomes old-fashioned camel

Friday 9th May 2008
I know it is a boring theme for those who don't, but I love living where I live.  One of the reasons is the wildlife here.

This afternoon I am on the phone with The Sheila discussing what we are going to have for dinner - I suppose I am lucky it was her I was talking to.

I noticed a tree move outside my window...a fairly common event as the birds move through during the day.  Judging by the amount of movement I was thinking "big bird" - not the Sesame Street type, just a generic big bird.

To say I was excited and went off would be close as a koala popped its head up over a fern and just stopped there!!!  This is the view from my desk - no I am not in jail, it is a combination of window dividers and porch posts - I wasn't sure how long it would pose...20 mins later, still there.
I have thought about koalas many times, but this is without doubt the best yet.

I especially love the quality of the phone camera.

thought at 14:10:36 :: comment ( 0 ) :: email this thought :: hahaha.com.au/weblog/index.php?thought=1396

Friday 25th April 2008
After 60 years of intensive study, researchers at the Centre for Strategic Military Studies have finally determined why Germany lost World War 2

thought at 10:40:46 :: comment ( 0 ) :: email this thought :: hahaha.com.au/weblog/index.php?thought=1395

Thursday 17th April 2008
IMPOSSIBLE!

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Tuesday 15th April 2008
When you have a serious problem e.g. Mugabe apparently stealing the Zimbabwe election, it is only right that the people take action.

However perhaps someone should come up with an idea that will have a bigger impact than a general strike when the unemployment rate is 80%

thought at 16:30:16 :: comment ( 0 ) :: email this thought :: hahaha.com.au/weblog/index.php?thought=1393

Thursday 3rd April 2008
In my Climate Change talks I always mention that I think the whole carbon trading scheme thingy will be rorted to the limit that companies can get away with it.

Here's my first example plus a follow up.

In Queensland all Energex electricity accounts were all sold or donated or given or whatever  to Origin energy.  Not quite sure why and we didn't have a choice, but suddenly Origin are our electricity providers.

We have paid a premium for using Green Power for quite a while.  Don't get me started on why people who want do the right thing by using renewable power have to pay more than people who don't give a shit.

I guess Origin has been watching the mobile phone industry because they came up with a plan.  Give people some compact fluorescent light globes and a low flow shower rose.  Sign them up for 12 months, don't charge them for the renewable power.

Instead, claim the carbon credits - obviously worth more than what they collect from customers - see opening line.  

Part of the contract is that I install all the stuff they sent me, thereby reducing my energy (and carbon usage).  However the loophole you could drive a Hummer through is that I have had a low flow shower rose for about 15 years and compact fluros through the house since they came out.  So there is actually a Zero reduction in carbon by using their "gifts".

Trying to explain that to someone in a call centre is useless, they simply suggest you give the "gifts" away to a friend.  Explaining that I can't under the contract just confuses them.

Today I received a letter from Origin saying "Well, it's done, as a team we are now saving the world" etc. 

Not good enough for me, I would like to have 50% renewable energy minimum so I called them up.

I'll bet you can already guess.  I can't have any more renewable energy on top of the 20% they give me for free.  I can't even buy it!

No amount of logical discussion made any difference, it just isn't possible until after my 12 month contract expires.

That's what I like about these companies...with their partnership we are saving the world - one subsidy at a time.

thought at 08:01:10 :: comment ( 2 ) :: email this thought :: hahaha.com.au/weblog/index.php?thought=1392

Comments
I know you hate negativity, but it really burns me up that big companies make big profits while paying lipservice to saving the planet. But what burns me up even more is that such a high percentage of people are so blind about whats going on! Why don't people care about what we're doing to the planet and ake some kind of effort toward getting away from (for example) power companies that don't use renewables as much as they could. Why isn't the outback teeming with photovoltaic panels???????????????
When I was offered this plan I read the fine print first. I decided that 20% renewable energy was not enough and didn't want to be locked into a 12 month contract. Plus I had already installed water flow limiters and low flow shower heads before it was advertised and subsidised . Instead I am still trying to minimise my own 'carbon footprint' while saving for a PV array for my house (and keeping my fingers crossed that I am chosen in the government ballot for a bulk buy system).

Not everyone thinks Australia is the Climate Clever country

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