Phillbo’s Blog Site

Well today, I imagined I was in the latest Karate Kid movie. I most definately applied the wax on - wax off technique on my car today, using the world famous Myagi Family tradition. I also had assistance from a buffing machine that resembled an axle grinder to complete a shiny complexion. I also used some cut and polish, and was happy with the results.

I think If I dedicated a whole day to it… I could get my 20 year old car shining like new. Even after 2 hours, it looks nice. Something to look forward to I guess.

I have also been very disorganised in regards to moving myself back to Melbourne again, however by rights I will post some photographs of my new place shortly. I just can’t wait to get my broadband cable connected.

Well you could say I’m joining the public service, but its not quite true. I’ve been randomly selected to perform Jury Duty, and perform it I shall. I’ve never done it before, but am looking forward to the experience, even though it may last a day. I have no idea at this stage what I will be a Juror for, whether it be a criminal or civil case, however I will be sure to stand up and be counted when my number is called.

I am back in the stage where moving madness begins. I have to decide what to take, and what to leave behind. As I am currently staying with my folks (and have been for the past 2 months), I have some flexibility

I have begun to break out of the shell, and change a few habits. I am happy with the progress so far, but I know I still have quite a feat to overcome. Wish me well as I endeavour to get my finances and livelyhood back on track.

Well tonight was quite interesting. I installed Windows XP SP2 on both my notebook PC and my trusty old Pentium II desktop PC. Surprisingly my desktop completed the SP2 installation slightly faster than my notebook, and my notebook has almost four times the processing power.

Here is a picture of the Control Panel (Classic View) with SP1 installed. Hint: Click on image for more detailed view.




Here is a picture of the Control Panel (Classic View) with SP2 installed.

I’ve noticed that after installing SP2, IE has a built in POP UP blocker, Windows XP firewall is slightly more customsiable, and Windows by default will now bug you to turn on automatic updates and get an active Anti-Virus program. I’ve also noticed that any Applet code running locally on your computer via IE fails to work — and your reminded by IE that this is potentially dangerous. I am sure IE has other annoying features, but its a good thing I use Firefox.

I also installed XP SP2 on my Pentium IV computer. Straight after the installation it failed to boot into Windows. Using the system recovery console, and running the uninstall batch file provided by Microsoft’s SP2 web site failed to fix the booting problem. Even a default installation of Windows XPSP1a with nothing else installed also failed to boot once SP2 was installed. So in my honourable opinion, it shouldn’t be released yet, as it appears to have some serious problems still.

I got appointed Captain of my Wednesday Night Mixed Tennis team. I had to organise a team roster, and it took me ages and ages to be semi-satisfied with it. Player rotation can be painful, and I wish it would work where six players could play at once instead of four. I don’t think such an inclusion for a Night Time competition would work anyway, as competition play may go past the local government defined curfews for outdoor, under lights tennis competition. But anyway, let the season begin.

On my Wednesday night mixed team, we play Tullarmarine. I have no idea what my opponents will be like, but I sure hope I can pretend to represent Australia living the “Olympic Dream” during these week of Olympic festivities. Rumor has it, other players in my team are far better than myself, so I will have to be ready to eat humble pie in a hurry. Then again, I’ve never admitted to being good at tennis. Well not in the past 10 years anyway.

Thursday night is Mens competition night, and the biggest challange in reagrds to playing on Thursday nights is to remain fierce, whilst being social enough to enjoy a few cold beers afrerwards. It looks like we’re having a Grand Final re-match. We’ve both been promoted 3 grades, and I sure hope we’ll rise to the occasion.

Only time will tell the outcome of both matches, so there is no use thinking about what may happen. Life is far to short to worry unecessarily I love the fact that I lose my Captaincy title for Thursday nights

Anyway.. since I’m house sitting for my folks, I must feed the animals, tie up the dogs, stoke the fire, brush my teeth, and then attempt to sleep. I definately need to catch a few more ZZZZZZZZzzzZZZzzzZZzzs, otherwise work will feel like a mental hospital.

Well my weekend involved an interruption. My old housemates Paul and Kellie gave birth to their first child, a girl. Her Name is Summer Anne, and her birth weight is approximately 7lbs 6oz. Congratulations.

So yesterday, I worked, I went to visit people in hospital, and made a late run to the Hadfield Tennis Club Trivia Night. I got lost trying to find the place, and every Essendon Supporter in the AFL would be ashamed that I had no idea where the home ground of Windy Hill is. Needless to say, my team did come last, but we were the smallest, and we did not cheat either. I made it to the final of a solo trivia competition (for team bonus points), however lost due to my lack of knowledge regarding astrology…bah!

Afterwards, I went down with a few folk from my Tennis club to an Irish Pub called O’Sullivans. I once again, got very disorinentaed on the way back to my car.

I knew it was just over one block away, but I still managed to stuff up. I’m sure the estimated 3 minutes walk took more like 30 minutes, as I was going at least 90 degrees in the wrong direction. Following tram tracks usually works quite well, but I didn’t take into an account a 5 or 6 way intersection, and 3 tram line intersection in close proximity to each other.

I made it home safe and sober; I had a low alcohol consumption day, but needed to just to ensure I’d stay awake for such a long day. I’m glad its over.

The weekend is fast apporaching, and I can’t wait. Got one more day of Bobbing (being Tommorrow), and after that let the games begin.

I’ve got my Tennis Club’s Trivia Night, and I’m almost certain my table will loose, but you can never know for certain. I can’t wait for the moment of 2 minutes glory, where trophies are presented to my team for a convincing grand final win. It should be a good night.

I’m also moving back to Melbourne in 2 weeks time, it should be good. However I think my heart will always remain in Geelong. Got an appointment, must run.

When it comes to the crunch, you get hammered, and there is much potential to be hammered hard.

Over the last six months, I have been on a big financial roller coaster ride. When the revenue has come in frequently, I have been successfully able to sustain my living means, even without regular income from my part time job. However when the cash flow issues occur, I’ve had no choice but to obtain credit. Obtaining credit for Business “Cost of Sales” purchases has made this situation very unstable. Also going into the red for personal expenses has magnified this problem.

I am still employed part time doing Tech Support for a big company, however I feel this job is a time bomb, and my health will inevtiably suffer. Hence, the money is my only motivation to turn up.

I truthfully admit, I find bobbing for an ISP mundane and stressful; this job surely measures how much patience I have. I will however try my best to remain content, as they’re still providing me with employment, and I still need a regular stream of income.

I’ve FINALLY decided to kill my credit cards and other lines of credit, and change my business trading practices where possible. I decided long ago, but never acted on it. I was pretty sure I could bail myself out of it.

Swallowing pride is hard, and admitting you have a problem is also very hard. At my age, I feel I’m expected to be responsible, and to not make such mistakes. I honestly believe my own pride contributed to this problem. However I also believe the older you get, the more you realise the importance of learning from previous mistakes.

I honestly thank God that I’m beginning to see light at the end of this dark tunnel. The Support from my family and friends has been overwhelming. It may be a long journey, but I’m willing to work hard to ensure I am no longer enslaved by this trail of debt.

I still have goals I want to achieve, and I am sure determination and perseverance will help me get there.

Well I’ve been commuting regulary between Geelong and Melbourne for the past week. My friend Josh has graciously offered his spare bed for my use tonight, I sure do appreciate it. Got an early start Bobbing at my regular job tommorow.

Today I learned heaps and heaps thanks to my mate John Matthews. He’s a trained Super Geek, fluent in various operating systems and programming languages. We set up DHCP, Active Directory, and MS ISA Server today. I need to implement policies and an automated backup system, so I’m still running parrallel systems at the Church I’ve been working at, however I think the migration to the new system should go across without too many hitches. I sure hope it does anyway.

As I’ve grown up on the UNIX side of the fence, Windows 2003 server operates somewhat differently, but it also has many uncanny similarities. Many of them are way to similar. But thats another story.

It is getting late, and this constant travelling is really starting to take its toll, so I shall sign off and get some much needed sleep.

Yesterday I arrived back in Geelong after an hour long train ride from Melbourne. I got in my car, and the old thing was insistant that it wasn’t going to work. After pleading with it, and attempting a jumpstart with the assistance of a kind Geelong citizen, it still wouldn’t fire up. Even a roll starting attempt failed. Luckily, I found my RACV membership card, and gave ‘em a call.

The RACV checked fuel flow, brushed up one spark plug (as it was the only one that would bother to move), and the 340,000km old motor sparked to life. He advised me to get new spark plugs. I took my car for an hour long drive just to re-charge that run down battery.

This afternoon, my car started OK, so I visited Repco, and got new oil, filters, spark plugs, and some two stroke oil. The two stroke went straight to my petrol tank, as I think it probably lubricate the spark plugs.

When I arrived home, each spark plug came out with relative ease, due to my dodgy lubrication technique, and I’m sure having a warm motor helped also. I also Drained the oil, replaced the filters, and put new oil in. I must admit, the car is running much nicer now, so I’m kind of impressed considering I know very little about cars.

Maybe I should change career? At this stage, I think not. Anyway, sleep is calling me, I better obey this call. Tomorrow is a new working day.

This year has raced along so far. I am very happy to know that Spring is coming shortly, and the daylight hours are starting to noticably increase; even though the days have been getting longer for over a month.

I’ve had a pretty damn good weekend, and Saturday night was entertaining, but turned out very strange none the less. Some things weee not meant to be written I suppose.

My last two days have been relaxing, but I have a busy few weeks ahead. In the previous week I’ve channelled anger towards Windows 2003 Server, MS IAS 2000 (and why they didn’t give me 2004) is anyones guess. Maybe I should ask?

But I will inevitably beat it, even if it means recruiting personnel from the Australian Army. Wish me patience, as I’m going to need it.