Friday 29 May 2009

'ish is the best!

There's no better vocal add on than 'ish - 'ish is one of those sounds that let you say hand on heart what the other person wants to hear without lying!

For example, last night Lisa went to bed early (as usual), and as she was getting into bed, she said with hope in her voice "are you going to bed now too?" - to which I replied "yes....'ish".

Yeah, the 'ish is a bit more quiet than the yes bit, but all in all it keeps everyone happy - Lisa will be asleep in about 5 minutes and won't notice that I'm not there until much later when I finish up playing Nascar '08 - which by the way has to be the hardest racing game on XBox ever, I'm really struggling to get a feel for these cars - and I'm happy because I've had my fill of teenage entertainment!

But it works in just about all situations - will you do this, that, come here or there with me, etc... tag 'ish on the end of your answer and all will be happy days!

Enjoy...
C

Tuesday 26 May 2009

OP or not OP

Over the summer I thought long and hard about whether I would play one last season of footy - I'm turning 32 soon, and although when I was 23 playing I'd look at the old blokes still going and think, geez, they're a bit old to be still playing, and now I've fallen into the same category.

I thought, well if I'm going to go around one more time, I'd invest in getting my body to the point where I could perform at my best, with really only the amount of time I could work on it being a real limitation.

Hours of physio, orthodics, specialised training, and I was well on my way - I didn't do any running for three months and still managed to get into the 7's in my beep test, which would have gotten me into the army or the fire brigade, so I was fairly happy.

That was until it happened, I started getting a pain in my right groin, which developed into server pain, so much so that I couldn't run or kick or anything.

Initially I was diagnosed with an over active adductor, but the training I was given wasn't helping, in fact it was getting worse. I saw the club physio who diagnosed it as ostititus pubis - and inflamation of around the groin and lower abs where they attach to the pelvis - yikes, this finishes careers, and at my age I'm pretty much done.

I went through and mostly stuck to the regime I was given, and again not much was happening - two things helped, anti-inflamitories and strapping the old pelvis and groins.

So recently joining a gym, I thought as part of my work outs I'd find some exercises for my hip - bingo. One exercise I hang off a bar raising my knees to my chest, and the other I knee down with a couple of dumbbells and stand up on my knees. Guess what, each time I do it, the pain I was feeling goes - so what is it? beats the hell out of me, I'm just glad I stumbled across it and it works!









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Monday 25 May 2009

Thanks Recruitment Systems!

(At the risk of sounding American) can I get a big shout out for Recruitment Systems.

We have a shared customer who wants to integrate our service into their CRM.

Recruitment Systems already have four other providers as recommended, none of which are Esendex (yet), and initally when I enquired to get a look at a demo, I couldn't. So when I called today I was kind of thinking that in fact they'd be in the narky side because we weren't yet preferred providers.

I called, and spoke with Rob, who to my surpirse was the complete opposite, and it was refreshing to not have any hurdles thrown up, and instead, it was "let's get this customer up and running, I'll get a support guy to give you a call at some stage today".

And a little while later, and to be fair sooner than expected, I got my call and we were away.

So thanks guys, you've made my life a little easier, and it's good to know there's another business out there who believes in good customer service!


Cheers,
C

Thursday 21 May 2009

As time goes by, the world of SMS becomes more and more interesting.

With Telstra on the move set to change the landscape of the market locally - people complaining on forums about the big telcos being greedy, it's interesting.

Over the last two years or so, we have seen companies draw a line in the sand, pick their mark and go for it.

SMS global was at the Cebit trade show and according to reports, used models to run around the place promoting their business - it'll be interesting when Telstra shut down their routes, and what will happen to them then - surely they will have enough traffic to justify good pricing locally, but because of the off net rates, it will be interesting to say the least. if they give me a call, we might help them out.

We have Message-Media who are now more advertising company than anything, who have set sail to try and play catch up with channel 9 owned Fifth Finger and Belong - who developed into an advertising and general development company long ago.

So what about us, where are we sitting, with new bits and pieces due out in the short term to keep people talking about us at the water cooler, the future is very interesting.

it's a type of psyche to identify where we belong in the lives of our customers, and the role that we should be playing that brings great benefit and value to those that choose to do business with us.

Without giving the game away, this big boat are pulling out from the docks, and will no doubt be heading off into a different direct with a flurry of ideas and concepts, they will be whittled down into a clear and concise focus as we pull away from what you might expect are our traditional competitors.

definitely interesting times ahead.!

Wednesday 20 May 2009

Lou Richards, a ledgend of the game?

This is the question that running around Melbourne talk back radio, regarding Lou Richards not being made a legend of the game.

When I was a kid, on Sunday mornings watching the footy wrap ups, Lous handball competition, I think I was one of many kids that learnt to appreciate and love the game through Lou. And there's no doubt he's a legend for what he did for the game since finishing his career at Collingwood a thousand years ago.

The problem that I think most people have, including myself was that we're actually far too young to know what kind of player he was - I know that my old grandfather didn't much care for him, being a staunch saints man himself.

When I first heard he wasn't being inducted as a legend of the game, I was appalled, at first, then I guess the thing that first got my mind going in the opposite direction was that I heard that Collingwood didn't even include him in their team of the century - so when their club president gets on the radio to make comments about it, it's pretty surprising seeing as he didn't seem so supportive at the time of drumming up the list for Collingwood?

I guess then you look at his playing record, and there's nothing that really stands out as being a champion, and when considered against players who are already inducted, you've got to be joking.

So far the list reads;

Darrel Baldock
Ron Barassi
Kevin Bartlett - god bless you Uncle Kev
Haydn Bunton
Roy Cazaly
John Coleman
Gordon Coventry
Jack Dyer
Polly Farmer
Peter Hudson
Bill Hutchinson
Alex Jesaulenko
Jock McHale
John Nicholls
Bob Pratt
Dick Renyonds
Barrie Robran
Bobby Skilton
Norm Smith
Ias Stewart
Teddy Whitten

And if you can say Lou Richards, based on playing ability, is up there with these guys with a straight face, then he should be in, but until that happens you've got to be joking!

Have a great day!









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Tuesday 19 May 2009

Arming the guns!

Well Skye and I have been speaking about joining a gym for ages now, with the choice being either the Brighton Baths, or One.

The baths were cool, a tiny little gym that looked out into Port Phillip Bay, or One, which is literally across the road, but no view to speak of.

We ended up going with One, for me it was because it's across the road so you don't lose any time getting there - and whilst riding a my GSXR is cool, fast and cool, trying to find a place for my helmet and jacket, then having to put it on and off, ah, too difficult.

For Skye it was the fact that they did a two for one deal for six months! Bless him.

So now it's time for goal setting.

Skye wants to put on a few kilo's of bulk on his skinny little frame - my goal? Um, I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure it will involve being able to lift more than Skye at all times!

Stay tuned for updates - we may even get some pics going!

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Sense of humour doesn't alway work

I'm glad I'm not a comedian, because I don't think there's anything worse than sliding in a small amount of humour only to get silence coming back through the phone line - the thought of having that amongst a room full of people would be absolutely terrifying!

I slipped in a crack about having to kick the monkey that turns the wheels of my PC today (which is a bit of a dad joke, even though to my knowledge I'm not a dad) and I got donuts!

Each time I speak to this person I forget that she doesn't find me in anyway the least bit amusing, and actually get on better when I display an a-type personality (i.e. none to speak of) - which doesn't do my confidence any good.

luckily I have bundles of the stuff - so much so, that the government has issued a pricing floor on it, so it can only be devalued by a certain amount!

Tuesday 12 May 2009

multibolg!!

this is a multiblog - a bit like a multibet, but not as good!

Last night Lisa gave me an idea for a possible invention that removed the potential for men not to get in trouble from their other halves for not paying attention - TIVO for men, which allows us to go back in conversation to pick up things we didn't want to listen to in the first place.

This morning I came into the office the to be greeted by a thank you message from Meri at Vodafone, thanking me for my feedback I gave her eval. She said to me that it was funny that someone who only knew of her last year had more insight about her than people she's worked with for years. - what can I say, I'm perceptive.

Also got an email from our Accountants today regarding property investment, and how the first home buyers grant for new builds is what Australia needs to lead us out of a recession - probably true, probably the fact that hundreds of houses that burnt down recently here in Vic might also help too. But it got me thinking... The grant is great, and the stimulus package was great too - what would have been better is that in times of economic uncertainty most companies generally have a last in first out policy (unless you're over paid, or not very good at your job), and these comments rely on people entering the market, where as the people already in the market are probably better placed to generate the stimulus required. So with that, I would have thought that it would have been a better idea to instead give a new build grant. if you bought a new build over the next 18 months, then the government gave you $10k towards a new house, or $5k towards a new flat/apartment? And maybe a bonus on top for a new build in a remote location?

Going through the forums today, it's easy to see where the shady offshore SMS providers now raising prices sighting increased Telco costs - interesting to see people blaming the Telco's for being greedy?? I wonder how many of them just won't use the service, because they're paying for it?

Saints on a roll! St Kilda by far has the best defense in the universe - according to fictional sources, the US department for defence has contacted the Melbourne based AFL club requesting further information on how to achieve such a tight defense using a fraction of the US budget. A non-existent speaker for the club apparently told the US to let Sam Fisher play loose in the back line!

Skye showed me some photo's of his friend who came first runner up in the Miss Australia Swimware Competition - I wish I could boast that - either the title of the fact she was a friend, whatever.

VAFA requiring clubs have Match Day Managers - basically they are a volunteer from the home club wh0 wears a bright white (as white is) jacket saying Match Day manager. Their role is to speak with umpires, and if they say upset because someone called them a name, the Match day Manager has to go over there and say something like "I know he's a *&*$%$ *%^&^%, but you've hurt his feelings, and would you please refrain from calling him a &$^^ 9(@&#^&? Thank you". Sounds like a top job, book me in, I'd like to do it twice on Saturdays, not!

Some people are stalkers - called a lead today, and the guys was well, uncomfortable talking with me. Some people are short and you expect that, fine, but when I asked what he was looking at using the service for the reply I got back was "I'm really busy....". Strange? I had a look at the trial traffic because I felt it was suspicious only to see that he had been sending an ex-girlfriend (or wannabe girlfriend) messages claiming he was a another guy before revealing his true identity. Fair enough the guy was hurt and like he said he was quite upset when she told him she was not attracted to him, but I'm not sure he thought it through before carrying out his dastardly plan - I mean, making yourself out to be a psycho always wins the ladies over, doesn't it?

On the weekend Skye ran 8km's in over 40 minutes - he claims he ran it, must have been going backwards??

Friday 8 May 2009

Cheap and cheerfuls

So I wonder with Tesltra shutting down grey routes what's going to happen to our cheap and cheerful mates?

There are already posts floating around Whirlpool forum as the spin machine winds up blaming Tesltra for being greedy - which is probably more to do with peoples perception of Telstra than anything.

So what will happen? I wonder will people be prepared to stick with them and pay a higher price, put up with less and less messages going through or will they decide that in order to get the service they have to pay the money?

I love football!

Can I say, I love football, AFL football that is - and I miss it so much during the summer it's not funny, almost to the point where I think what am I going to do this weekend, again?

Sure cricket during the summer is good, the IPL is good to watch - although being in South Africa, it's not that great this time around, they're just not as crazy as the locals in India about cricket which is part of the spectacle as far as I'm concerned.

The other thing is, cricket's only good to watch, unless you live for the game standing in the Australia summer sun all day hoping the ball might come to you at some stage while you watch some bloke blocking every ball is a rubbish way to spend the day, and you have no right to tell people you play sport. I mean I ride an exercise bike, but I don't tell people I'm a cyclist!

No, football is brilliant - it has speed, power, agility, and as an elite player, you simply must have well rounded sporting characteristics.

Rugby and soccer are OK too - rugby union, not that league stuff, it doesn't make sense, why do they scrum? No reason, they just want to make sure they resemble union because it's a better game and they want to pretend they're just as interesting. But still they don't beat AFL.

Guys constantly crashing packs, hard tackles, jumping on the shoulders to take flying marks, kicking the balls on angles for the right bounce to get the goal as their toes touch the boundary line.

It's amazing, and I still say nothing beats getting some take out, a beer turn the heater on and settle into the couch to watch the game on a Friday night - it doesn't even matter who plays, I'll still be there watching.

Also, there are very few other football codes where fans of different teams sit in relative harmony amongst each other, with the occasional banter being thrown around the terraces all in good fun*.

* This comment excludes Collingwood and Port Adelaide supporters who tend to be on the feral side of things - quick tip, should you ever be surrounded by these supporters and feel you need to get away quickly? A simple but always effect trick is using the power of confusion - I use the old "if I have an apple in one hand and an apple in the other, how may apples do I have?" and while they think about it run.

Essendon supporters are OK, but they're stuck in a time warp, I call it football Alzheimer's - they keep thinking they're a good team and winning premierships, but it hasn't happened for ages, and isn't going to happen anytime soon.

St Kilda supporters are the best, they've always been proud even though the old trophy cabinet is bear, we've been up there several times, we never let that get in the way of our enthusiasm.

Cats supporters used to be as good as Saints supporters, until recently - the best team in the league for the last two seasons, still only manage one trophy, but have become super arrogant and c'mon what's that about, they're from Geelong and their team colours consist of hoops! HOOPS! What? Yes hoops! They also seem to forget that they are and always will be know as the handbags of the competition - not my words, but it's just the way it is.

And when we get 18 teams into the comp, then all the better, as games will go from Thursday to Monday nights, we just need another four teams, and we could have a 7 day a week competition - we'd probably have to extend the season to 12 months - sounds like nirvana to me!

Cheers,
C








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Wednesday 6 May 2009

An open letter apology to David Thorne

Dear David,

Can I start by saying that I've found a lot of amusement in your website at www.27bslash6.com - I particularly liked the emails about the moving in party and the Nigerian scam.

However, and the reason for this open letter, I would like to apologise to you for the behaviour of Skye for biting off more than he can chew. Whilst Skye is a Brighton, intelligent individual, why he decided to provoke you like a boy with stick is beyond me.

Initially I did find your email responses mild, and when you advised Skye that you had copied 6.4 meg of his Facebook got him going, although to be honest I found it very chat room 1990's when to scare someone you would comment that you liked their desktop, which lead to a quick disappearance of the avatar.

I do have to say though setting up a secondary Skye Facebook account, and then posting comments as if Skye had wrote them was awesome - especially the admission that he photo shopped a friends head on to another body and sat on the couch eating Skittles before having to each the picture to get rid of the evidence before Bec came in was great.

So to that end, if Skye has caused you any inconvenience my apologies, thank you for being such a good sport, and enjoy.

Regards,
Chris










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