reflections

Safety in Canberra

I have been travelling to Canberra quite frequently in my new role. In some ways I find the atmosphere very similar to Switzerland: clean, civilised, quiet, slow and safe. Safe? Well I thought so until I saw a common bench chained to a wall outside the hotel I was staying at. Why would anyone go to the trouble of stealing a plain wooden bench? Its not branded prada or gucci, I checked. Is this a Canberra quirk?

Yes Minister!

After the most recent cabinet reshuffle, the Sri Lankan government now has 104 ministers and junior ministers among the country's 225 parliamentarians. I can't begin to imagine how decisions are made in the cabinet room. I guess the president hasn't heard of the expression "too many cooks spoil the soup".

Photo originally uploaded by dgray_xplane and story published by the BBC.

Freedom

Qantas and Virgin seem to have gone a little too far with censorship. Today's SMH reports the story of Allen Jasson who has been barred from flying wearing a t-shirt depicting George Bush as a terrorist. Qantas staff allegedly argue that the t-shirt is a seurity risk or an item likely to upset passengers. I honestly don't think anyone would be mortally offended by the t-shirt, except maybe Bush himself. As for the t-shirt being a security risk, well I am still trying to figure that out.

Photo originally uploaded by flamed.

Nemesis

I was visiting a client on Monday and noticed a company called The Nemesis Group listed among the tenants in the building. Interesting name. I tried to find out a little more about what they do, but not even Google could find any references to it. ASIC tells me that they were only registered on 11 August 2006. So far they seem to be keeping a low profile. One of Bin Laden's new ventures?

Hand washing instructions

I saw this poster in the men's toilets at work. Interesting. I guess there must be people who do not know how to wash their hands. The poster includes directions on drying one's hands as well. 

PNG retaliates

Australia was threatened with retaliation by PNG today. They didn't threaten us with war or terrorism. Instead PNG threatened to reduce the $300 million or so it receives from Australia each year. I don't quite understand how that could be seen as a threat however. What am I missing? See the full story in the SMH.

Photo originally uploaded by Gabba Gabba Hey.

Mouse Orgy

Walt Disney has taken disciplinary action against employees caught on video simulating an orgy while dressed as Disney characters. Apparently the culprits claimed to be rehearsing for a revolutionary sex education ride.

Photo originally uploaded by rom.

Tourism Hot Spot

Forget the beaches of Bali. Forget the ski slopes of New Zealand. The next hot tourist destination could be Iran's nuclear facilities.  President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly issued an order to open the countries nuclear sites to tourists. Iran's Tourism and Cultural Heritage Organisation is studying ways to best implement the order. Tempted?

Photo originally uploaded by Mark Lawrence.

Naming Your Children

I couldn't help laughing out loud this morning when I read a BBC news report where the head of Sri Lanka's Teachers Association was quoted. I didn't laugh because of what he said, rather at his name - Joseph Stalin. Why on earth would you want to give your son that infamous name?

Photo originally uploaded by saifatlast.

Location, location, location

It is often said that selecting the right location is the most important factor in being successful. The other day I drove past three shops that are very well located to leverage from each other's customers.

The first shop in the line up was a bridal dress shop. Next to it was a shop selling raunchy lingerie - for the honeymoon no doubt. The third shop was a pawn shop where the married couple can cash in their unwanted wedding gifts after returning broke from the honeymoon. I wonder if all three shops have the same owner?