Journal Entries
Speeding Bean
Posted Nov 15, 2008
I took a drive out into the Southern Alps yesterday. It was a cloudless day, warm with a brisk nor'wester blowing.
The scenery is utterly breathtaking. I don't think I have ever experienced anything quite like it.
My head and eyes were so full of the beauty of the place that I didn't notice that I was over the speed limit. But a policeman did 
My first speeding ticket 
Silly old fool that I am 
Discuss this Journal entry [24]
Latest reply: Nov 15, 2008
The internet is a wonderful thing!
Posted Nov 6, 2008
I have just discovered the Open University's free 'Open Learn' online. What a fantastic resource 
In the 90s I completed an OU degree in my spare time and was really impressed with the quality of the teaching materials and texts. It wasn't exactly cheap, but I got a degree which academics in many universities think is second to none 
So imagine my delight when I found that the OU are providing a limited number of short courses online for free? 
There are no exams and no qualifications as a result of completing the courses; but to be honest I don't want any more of either 
I have signed up to study 'Achieving Public Dialogue' which is about communication between scientists and non-scientists: a topic close to my heart.
Also I'm going to study 'Social Issues and GM Crops' which is something that's about to hit NZ and about which I only know what I've read in the media.
I shall move onto other courses in time; assuming that these ones are simple to manipulate online (and assuming that I have no more broadband problems at home 
) and I enjoy studying again.
It's been about eight years since I did any study 
Wish me luck...
Fb
Discuss this Journal entry [7]
Latest reply: Nov 6, 2008
Computer blips
Posted Nov 4, 2008
I may be a little less regular than usual My computer seems to have developed a glitch - not recognising the wireless modem for more than 10 minutes at a time I'm going to try to fix it this evening, but I'm just as likely to break it altogether 
Fb
Discuss this Journal entry [22]
Latest reply: Nov 4, 2008
Elections
Posted Nov 4, 2008
The Indy website has an article about voters in the US flocking to the polls and flooding a creaky system 
Surely not yet? In the US it's still Monday isn't it? Is this a case of a UK paper inventing the news, or are the polls really open in the States?
We have our very own election in NZ on Saturday, when the incumbent will be standing against the Liberals (aka Conservatives). Helen Clark has been PM for three terms, so the feeling is that she'll be ditched simply because of longevity. The fact that her track record is generally considered to be pretty good and that most people appear to like her, seem to have little bearing on the expected outcome
The alternative looks to me like a poor substitute. But I've only been here a couple of months, so I'm probably still very uninformed.
I think that the US election is going to be a lot more interesting... 
Discuss this Journal entry [12]
Latest reply: Nov 4, 2008
WebCam experiment
Posted Oct 30, 2008
In 35 minutes I shall be in Chchch Cathedral Square under a WebCam. My brothers in Britain are teed up to be watching 
If any of you are online... it's this one http://www.live-web-cams.co.nz/web-cam/cathedral.html and I'll be somewhere in the vicinity of the purple bug. Wearing blue jacket, grey trousers (field trip today, so red trousers and yellow coat will stay at home) and cell phone in hand (communicating with UK).
See you there
Fb
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Latest reply: Oct 30, 2008
frenchbean
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