Brian's Friends
[Most Recent Entries]
[Calendar View]
[Friends View]
Below are the most recent 25 friends' journal entries.
[ << Previous 25 ]
| Sunday, December 20th, 2009 |
melbournemaniac
[ blodbegjear ]
|
3:24p |
NYE
I still haven't thought of anything to do. Could you guys dish on some of the great overlooked events in Melbourne happening this NYE? IE great rock music nights, or even music festivals happening out in the country and such. Many thanks! |
melbournemaniac
[ nsanity_au ]
|
1:39p |
Non-nerdy friends don't understand the filter? here's a handy analogy...
It even involves cars, making it slashdot worthy... http://digihub.smh.com.au/node/1484
Conroy plans speed humps for Australia's freeways
aturner | December 18, 2009
In an ambitious plan to protect Australia's children, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has announced plans to install speed humps every 100 metres on all Australian freeways.
After a 12 month trial of speed humps in several suburban back streets, Senator Conroy says he is confident that placing speed humps on every Australian freeway will reduce accidents by 100 percent with a "negligible" impact on traffic congestion and travel times.
"Australia's roads are a dangerous place for children, so the Rudd government is doing everything it can to protect people," says Senator Conroy. "A vocal minority of drivers may object to the plan, but the moral majority can see that it's the right thing to do. Anyone who objects to the mandatory speed hump plan obviously hates children".
Senator Conroy also released a traffic management report which appears to support his claims of reducing accidents by 100 percent with a "negligible" impact on traffic congestion. Unfortunately the report was only conducted in suburban back streets. The report concedes that once mandatory speed humps are applied to 100 kph freeways, one in five accidents will still occur. The report also concedes that dangerous drivers who are most likely to speed will easily find ways around the speed humps.
The wording of the mandatory speed hump plan leaves scope for it to be expanded beyond the freeways, although there are few details available. Senator Conroy claims the plan will only be applied to areas which have been "refused classification". Supporters of the speed hump plan have already called for it to be expanded to include roads outside casinos, gay bars, adult book stores and some medical clinics.
Traffic management specialists, transport groups, car manufacturers, road builders and motoring associations have all condemned the mandatory speed hump plan as flawed, unworkable, easily bypassed, politically motivated and open to abuse.
Senator Conroy's heart may be in the right place, but he clearly has "no understanding of how roads work," says Australian Motoring Association spokeswoman Shirley Knott.
"The mandatory speed hump plan will strangle the road network for the entire country, while doing little to stop people who are doing the wrong thing. Rather than waste millions of dollars on a project that will cripple our transport system while not actually achieving its goals, we recommend the government listen to the traffic management specialists and invest the money in education campaigns and better policing," says Ms Knott.
"Of more concern than traffic jams is that the mandatory speed hump plan is veiled in secrecy and open to abuse. Who is to say how future governments may manipulate traffic management to block off streets that it doesn't want the public to see? An open and transparent road system is a cornerstone of democracy, and we don't want to see Australia sliding down the slippery slope towards a police state where the government controls everywhere we go and everything we see."
For more details of opposition to the mandatory speed hump plan, visit nocleanfeed.com.
cross-posted to my journal.
Current Mood:  chipperCurrent Music: A-Team | Don't tell Mama |
melbournemaniac
[ masha_999 ]
|
10:01a |
Another restaurant rec request
Hey fellow Melbournians! Just wondering if any of you lovely folks could recommend a restaurant in the South Yarra/Toorak area (I'm on the corner of Chapel/Toorak Rd) or anywhere within a reasonable PT distance where I could enjoy dinner with a special someone tonight. I don't mind what kind of cuisine it is, but I'd like something exceptional. Anyone visited anywhere particularly mind-blowing recently? Oh & if we're talking price-ranges, I'd prefer something under $50 pp and probably can't shell out more than $75. ETA: But a charming little place that's also cheap wd be totally fine. Basically, I'm after food & atmosphere, not dollar-values. Thanks you guys! |
| Saturday, December 19th, 2009 |
edinburgers
[ conifer ]
|
4:45p |
Me again...
...with a totally different question. Can anyone recommend a window cleaner/company for cleaning 2nd floor flat windows? A quick google suggests that the best option would be a company who can use the 'reach and wash' telescopic cleaning equipment, though I would be interested to know if it is any good (does it clean right to the edges?). I'm going to phone round for quotes, but would prefer to hear of anywhere thats particularly good/should be avoided! Thanks (again)! |
neferet
|
2:17p |
I've been very good so far at not posting 'yay,snow!' however I think what is happening outside my window at the moment may well qualify as a blizzard :) Massive change to the excruciating sunshine that cut my shopping trip short this morning; at least the hamlings have food :) Speaking of hamsters, I know I have two little darlings at the moment, but if I had had room for a third, I would have the most amazing black and white Syrian right now. She was adorable; a runt in Syrian terms, but sooo friendly, and her black and white speckled colouring was like nothing I've seen in a hamster before. Apparently she's been there a couple of days cos the kids don't think she looks like a hamster (she looks more like one of my balls of yarn). I really wish I could have brought her home with me!!! *le sigh* |
pinkoi
|
12:36p |
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) hughe deserves a medal for putting up with a dickhead like me for so long... All I do is cause him headaches... |
melbournemaniac
[ flaxendandelion ]
|
4:56p |
A word to the wise on Sunline Clothing Alterations in QV Village opposite Woolworth's/Safeway. The lady said it'd be $5 to repair a belt loop, then less than a minute later was asking for $6. I said I'd take it elsewhere and she relented. It's only a dollar, but it's more of an integrity issue. And I highly recommend Circe on Little Collins St. |
| Friday, December 18th, 2009 |
warren_ellis
|
5:51p |
In The Bleak Early Winter
Tiiiired. Sitting here listening to Pocahaunted and chugging coffee in order to stay lucid enough to do a GRAVEL phone conference set for 1.30am. This week’s been utterly buggered — you may have noticed the silence here — by a member of the family being rushed into hospital early in the week, which has turned everything into bubbling chaos and is necessitating runs to the hospital, rescheduling, etc. And then the snow hit, turned into two inches of white stuff sitting on three inches of ice, and Britain shut down because it is now a country of weaklings and jabbering genetic wreckage who shit themselves when the sky moves.
GRAVEL phone conference with my producers is to set the storyline. I’ve spent what little time I’ve had this week putting all my notes in order. Which is how I ended up writing the line "Bill, you’re kind of persona non fucker around here."
Also, at the top of the week, I wrapped the last few pages of ULTIMATE COMICS IRON MAN ARMOR WARS #4, which is one of the more ridiculous titles that I haven’t invented myself. Sadly, the Marvel office chose to ignore the alternate titles I wrote at the top of each script. I liked IRON MAN: HUMAN SEX JEEP the best.
Had a conversation with David Bogart at Marvel about the future of the NEWUNIVERSAL: STORMFRONT project there that got stalled when my computer and backups were destroyed. Should be sorted in a few months. I think Dave’s official title at Marvel is Grand Inquisitor or Witchfinder General or something, but I’ve known him pretty much since he started out in the business, and, frankly, it’s always nice to know that there’s a guy in that office who will never try to screw me over. Dave will look after me.
Or, of course, I will have him killed. I know lots of people in New York. I mean, trust is good, but insurance is better, right?
If I can just get a few more pages on other things out over the next two days, then from Monday I am done with 2009, and anyone who doesn’t like it can bite my muckpump.
More coffee.
(Automatically crossposted from warrenellis.com. Feel free to comment here or at my internet church at Whitechapel. If anything in this post looks weird, it's because LJ is run on steampipes and rubber bands -- please click through to the main site.) |
|
officialgaiman
|
6:57p |
Xmas Roundup With Some Good Links and a photo of an author in it
http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/12/xmas-roundup-with-some-good-links-and.html posted by Neil
How the hell did it get to be December the 18th? Ohhh. All the links I meant to post. Arghh. For a start, I want to repost this little true thing I wrote, from last year's Independent: it's about being an eight year old Jewish kid who really wanted a Christmas tree... http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/neil-gaiman-hanukkah-with-bells-on-1203307.htmlI wanted to tell you that you can still get the signed prints of "Before You Read This" I did with Todd Klein -- it's a poem I wrote that Todd lettered -- at Todd's website (along with Todd's other unique signed prints -- collaborations with Alex Ross, Alan Moore and J.H. Williams). http://kleinletters.com/Blog/?p=6525. (If you're hesitating, order: they're really cheap, and the second printing will be gone soon.) Also, for signed things and rare stuff, you can Do Good while last minute shopping by heading over to the CBLDF shop website. Here's the page with stuff related to me on it.) I just got my author's copies of "A Hundred Words To Talk of Death", the poem I wrote that Jim Lee illustrated and Todd Klein lettered. (Someone wrote to me on Twitter pointing out that it is two syllables short, and unable to figure out why. I will leave that as a problem for you to solve.) It's beautiful -- the same size and quality as the print of "The Day The Saucers Came". It's glorious. (Thinks: I can take a photo to show people.)
I didn't used to think of Jim Lee as a glorious and subtle pencil artist, but he really is, and this is wonderful. (You can order them from here, and read about Kitty's adventures in shipping them out over at http://kittysneverwear.blogspot.com/, with bonus pictures right now of my Very Late Guy Fawkes Part of last month.)  Here is a photo of an author who needs a shave holding a print of "One Hundred Words" poem.
Kitty herself is heading off on tour with Lady Gaga early next year, and Maddy is going to see them in Chicago (where, about eight years ago, I first met Kitty, on the road with Tori) ( Who will be interviewed tonight on ABC -- Tori that is, not Kitty or Maddy).
Amanda and I have been having something that isn't quite an argument about Lady Gaga for a few weeks. We have really rubbish arguments, because they normally resolve into the discovery that we weren't arguing at all, just saying the same thing from two different points of view. Amanda posted a ukulele video-song-blog she'd written late last night from her Boston flat when she was probably meant to be practising her New Year's Eve Tchaikovsky, and I discovered that our latest argument wasn't an argument and we were talking about the same things again. It's art. You make it.
I don't think I will ever write songs and post them on YouTube instead of blogging. I'm in awe of someone who can. It's a good song, too, not just a funny and wise end-of-an-argument, even if she has to stop and scroll down at the last verse. Also, she said "aluminium".
And finally, in keeping with the not-exactly-Christmassy-but-sort-of theme of this blog...
|
| Saturday, December 19th, 2009 |
melbournemaniac
[ goblinbrodie ]
|
9:55a |
Room available in Huntingdale $97/wk
We are two female studying and working types in our mid-20s, and we’re looking for a tidy-ish, friendly housemate to complete our drug-free, smoke-free household. Vegetarians, vegans, environmentalists, queer people, international students (especially Japanese!) and Monash Uni students welcome. 5 minutes walk from bus stop, 15 minutes walk to train. Available first or second week of January. |
| Friday, December 18th, 2009 |
henriksdal
|
9:02p |
|
edinburgers
[ actionreplay ]
|
7:59p |
Edinburger goths take note
Today I noticed that the discount interiors shop Au Naturale, on the 1st floor (as in 1 floor up) of the Ocean Terminal centre is selling large fake black roses, in the artificial flower display near the Christmas decorations. Thought some of you might be interested. |
edinburgers
[ conifer ]
|
7:23p |
Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Hello edinburgers, I'm on the hunt for some bottles of Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer, which has been advertised on TV recently. My mum, who lives in the middle of nowhere, has asked me to pick up some bottles for my dad for Christmas, but I've not been able to find any anywhere. Its not even mentioned on the Tesco website (so I'm not to positive about my chances there), and town's so busy and cold that I'd prefer not to venture out to try and get hold of some without an idea of where stocks some. Here is an image of a bottle (below the cut) ( Read more... )Thanks to anyone who can help me! Edit 19/12 got some in Peckhams. Thanks everyone for their suggestions! |
moocards
|
4:12p |
Holiday Shipping and Printing Dates
Well, the last order dates for the holidays have passed, and Santa's final sacks of festive MOOs are filling up fast. We're still taking new orders though, and we'll be shipping them out as fast as we can - so don't hesitate to order thank you cards for all your lovely pressies! Just so you know, here's our warehouse and customer service closure dates over the holiday season. ( More ) Current Mood:  busy |
warren_ellis
|
6:38a |
RED: 22 October 2010
Variety says:
Summit Entertainment has set Oct. 22 as the release date for "Red," its espionage thriller starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren.
Red," based on the WildStorm/DC comicbook…
…because apparently reading the names on the spine is hard work.
(Automatically crossposted from warrenellis.com. Feel free to comment here or at my internet church at Whitechapel. If anything in this post looks weird, it's because LJ is run on steampipes and rubber bands -- please click through to the main site.) |
warren_ellis
|
5:53a |
|
dapperscavenger
|
12:04p |
Help required on the internets!
Dell has failed. My friend ordered a telly for her kids xmas present two weeks ago. Yesterday, Dell emailed to say that they had cancelled her order, for no apparent reason. Does anyone know where she can get a black Samsung HD 32" telly (LE32B350) before Xmas on a budget of about £300? Current Mood:  anxious |
uk_goth_music
[ mickmercer ]
|
11:39a |
  Goth magazine THE MICK 50 and THE MICK 51 are both now up for free download. All free, containing interviews with inspiring artists, from yours truly, the longest-running Goth writer in the world. There is also your chance to show Goth Solidarity by helping one of our own, with the Phoenix Marie appeal. Details behind the cut. ( Read more... ) |
with_gusto
|
6:30a |
|
edinburgers
[ pherriswheel ]
|
10:26a |
Phone unlocking?
Having recently moved from London I know that in THAT city you can't swing a dead cat without hitting twenty phone unlocking places. But here in Edinburgh I don't know where to go! So, I need to get my blackberry and my teeny nokia unlocked, can anyone tell me where to go? ALSO does anyone know where in the city centre one might find one of those nifty photo machines where you can print your own digital photos off of a flash drive? Thanks!! |
melbournemaniac
[ universal_lust ]
|
6:34p |
Hey there guys! I drank a beer in Mexico called Pacifico which I thought wasnt available In Australia, till I had some last night at Taco Bell. Ive tried calling all the usual suspects dans ect and they dont have stock it. Google doesnt help, and I dont want to buy it online, I need it before xmas. I cant find out the importer or distributors through google. Taco Bell will sell me a case for $120, which is totally crazy. Can anyone help ?!?!?!?! |
melbournemaniac
[ flaxendandelion ]
|
1:40p |
Best place for takeaway pizza in Carlton/Fitzroy areas and that's open Sunday evenings? |
edinburgers
[ deceitfulkisses ]
|
12:24a |
Delurking
Hello there fellow dwellers of the 'burgh. My name's Kym and I'm delurking as I could do with a bit of help with a Christmas prezzie situation, my Dad was born in Edinburgh and used to live near the "old" hearts ground when he was much much younger. And I thought it'd be nice to give him a hearts shirt for Christmas. However being a 22 year old girl who is not originally from Edinburgh or has much interest in football, I was wondering if there was a better place to look for one other than the Tynecastle stadium shop and thought it might be a good idea to ask people who might be more informed! Any ideas? Thanks |
| Thursday, December 17th, 2009 |
warren_ellis
|
4:54p |
Xmas Can Bite My Muckpump: The Musical Edition
“In Dulce Jubilo” – the Medieval Baebes.
“Just Like Christmas” – Low
“Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses
(Automatically crossposted from warrenellis.com. Feel free to comment here or at my internet church at Whitechapel. If anything in this post looks weird, it's because LJ is run on steampipes and rubber bands -- please click through to the main site.) |
| Friday, December 18th, 2009 |
melbournemaniac
[ scream4noreason ]
|
9:59a |
Can anyone recommend a good singing teacher, jazz style, not too expensive and not too far from the CBD? |
[ << Previous 25 ]
|
