Back…with a music recommendation and kidney chat

Dunno what really prompted me to dust off the blog after 5 months of snoredom (and a heap of people responding to my Kidney for $50000 post with, of course, offers to sell their own kidneys), but I thought I’d do so and see what happens.

In the interests of promoting fine unsigned musical talent, check out this link to a band called The Project, headed up by Andrew Furth, who regularly posts at one of my regular forum hangouts, the Dave Matthews Band fan forum http://www.antsmarching.org – Andrew’s been working on a live EP and has tracks to download:

http://www.theprojectboston.com/onathursday

Now, to kidneys.

My Dad’s recuperating in hospital after an operation to remove what’s most likely the very beginnnings of a cancerous growth on one of his kidneys, so it’s sort of a current affairs issue in the family. But looking over the 5 months of yet to be approved comments (as of this afternoon), I was rather stunned to see 20 comments by people who were offering one of theirs. My approval of these is by no way an endorsement of their “for sale” ads, but a simple way of showing just how willing people are to put a price on one of their organs.

It’s just…well, interesting.

62% of US dial-uppers say no to upgrading

I find this statistic from the Pew Internet & American Life Project very interesting. You’d think that with the Internet being so rich in content, with streaming video, audio and lots of pictorial information, those disadvantaged by slower browsing speeds would want to go faster. I find it utterly annoying when my connection speed is throttled down to dialup speeds if our download allowance is exceeded, and would never want to have to go back to the old ways of connecting to the Web.

How about you? If you still use dialup, will you ever go to broadband, if not, why not?

(h/t Engadget)

Laser etch tattoos??

A rather strange way of adorning one’s skin – if you call that sort of thing adornment.

(h/t Engadget)

Alan Jones has prostate cancer

I’m listening to his press conference now – in the midst of this rather startling and unexpected news, he’s showing his class and level headedness in not over-lamenting his situation, and looking at it in the perspective of others who struggle far more than he will in this battle.

I wish him well and hope that he recovers from this setback. News link to come…

Faith on Film Festival

An interesting event at a few Hoyts cinemas around the state (particularly at the Fox Studios Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park) showcasing films relating to Christianity. It’s probably been created as a response to World Youth Day, but the selection of films looks rather conducive to church groups getting along for some sort of event of their own.

Find out more here

Row, row, row your boat…

…gently across the strait of Oresund (a 5km wide body of water separating Norway and Sweden), and fall asleep halfway.

Read more about this amusing story of an “adventurous” 78 year old Swede here.

Happy New Financial Year!!

1 July is now upon us! If you’re like me and like to lodge your tax return early, I’m sure you know about e-tax. If not, find out more here and download it.

Million Dollar Wheel falls off

I heard that the newest incarnation of Wheel of Fortune here in Aussie land was axed by Channel 9, adding to its programming woes this year. Not surprising – I watched bits and pieces of it and it is nothing compared to the classic days of John and Adriana on Channel Seven.

Games shows like that seem to be often identified hand in hand with the hosts that made them popular, such as Tony Barber/Glenn Ridge and Sale of the Century, and John Burgess and the original Wheel. I’m not sure that Burgo could make the show a winner again, but him and the long gone moustache are what I most readily identify with the show – that and the old fashioned bankrupt sound (which I believe has been updated). Tim Campbell is no John Burgess.

Source: News Limited

Character v intellect

The vice chancellor of Australian Catholic University says that it should be important to remember that these 2 characteristics are not divorced from one another, and thus the university will be relying on a “mentality of service” as opposed to the more traditional entrance criterium of finishing grades in Year 12.

Based on the criteria, which include having completed 3 semesters of Year 11 and 12, plus a demonstrable commitment to service in the community, it seems like a very fair idea, showing that potential university students are keen to work hard outside of their studies and be diligent in those pursuits. It breaks down the barrier of total intellectual superiority when it comes to accepting students, while still indicating that schooling is still very important for prospective students.

Source: News Limited

Charities being hit hard by rising costs of living

It’s not surprising to see that the level of donations to charities are dropping off at a time when there’s traditionally a spike in money donations coinciding with the end of the financial year. To see an example of how the Smith Family may fall short of its $4.5 million donation budget by up to $500000 should be a reminder that even the smallest of donations by many people can go a long way.

Source: News Limited