Phillbo’s Blog Site

Well I’ve got my replacement mobile phone, and I think I have a more recent phone book backup on my old computer back in Geelong. The back up on my laptop is like six months old, but it contained many of the phone numbers I regularly use. You never realise how dependant you become on technology until you don’t have it. I even used the LED light on the back of my phone to plug in a USB cable behind a dark desk. One of my customers called me, and I was able to visit them immediately. Bit of a shock, but it was good being contactable again; even though I loved the silence when on holiday.

Finally got their (my customer’s) network printer bridged to a wireless network, and it works fine. The LPR works superbly on the Apple computers too. Even though I don’t own or use a Mac, I think that Apple’s are so much nicer to use on networks, and installing software for hardware with its mammoth hardware driver database is quick and painless. Maybe Microsoft should reconsider their driver signing policy to allow for an increased range of drivers. But when it comes to Mac OSX, the UNIX back end is the biggest advantage of all.

I Worked in Frankston later tonight, for a slightly shorter shift, however I got more done than expected. So I am pretty happy about it.

I must publish my Vanuatu photographs soon. I am still pondering whether to write a commentary, or simply whack a basic photo gallery. Gallery is quick and easy, but a little story would be nice. I will think of something that is for certain.

Well my first experience with international travel I will never forget. I simply loved it.

I managed to lose my mobile phone on Tuesday, leave my house keys at my friends place today (in Vanuatu), lose my passport (but only temporarily), lost my e-ticket, and once I arrived in Brisbane Airport, I managed to lose my wallet also. Maybe there is a lesson to be learnt here, but I did make it back into the country. I have a lot of phone calls to make tommorrow, and will probably need to visit the police, and contact lost property, etc…

I think having a camera bag, a clothes bag, a laptop case, a backpack, and stashing items away is a challenge, however I somehow got into Vanuatu (being the last person to get through immigration — in a mad attempt to fill in the immigration/quaratine question list). Despite all of my mishaps, I still loved it very much. I am very keen to come back for another visit shortly. The climate was insane brilliant, the scenary beautiful, the steaks were sensational, and I’ve even had my hair braided twice in different styles by the local people.

I will post a gallery of 500+ photos soon, but tiredness is against me. It was a good experience seeing some other country, and I will do a sub-blog about it soon.

Well its 3.35am, had about two hours sleep in the past 40 hours or so, but I am sure I will get a few winks of sleep on the plane. I am almost packed, and the anticipation is growing with avengance. Doing my last minute check:

* Got passport
* Got the travel itinery
* Got my digital camera, laptop, and guitar (well it may go over the size/weight, but it must come.
* Got my housemate set to wake up early, just so he can take me to the air port.
* Clothes, etc..

Anyway.. I am ready to rumble… even had my last minute souvlaki, and it was sensational. Just need to double check everything, and thunderbirds ah go.

The neighbours have been having a late night party, so sleep has not been an option. Now excess noise doesn’t wake me, but it prevents me from initially sleeping… weird isn’t it. But I am fired up regardless. Vanuatu, here I come!

Well what a day I have a head of me, and good day it was.

Tonight my team thrashed the opposition on the tennis court. They were undefeated all season, however my ankle is now able to cope with a bit more stress, and my team played wonderfully tonight. Everyone was in sync, and with our home court advantage, we walked nicely over the finish line.

The only thing that is somewhat annoying is, I’ve lost my tennis racquet sometime between last week and this week, and its nowhere to be seen. I think its about time I got a new one, it is like three years old, and the racquet doesn’t suit my game, however I still wouldn’t mind finding it.

Today… well there is no plan to sleep in the next 24 hours. I need to pay some bills (will do that now), have a shower, do some laundry, pack my clothes, fix up an exchange server, go to Frankston to work for ENUM training, and then finally head home, and tick of my travel tick list. I also have to get my guitar, as it must travel.

Only 24 hours until I hop in the plane, so I can’t wait!

Well Ebay is beginning to cost me… I am buying stuff I want but don’t need at all.. however a few U2 CDs and DVD will be appreciated for a long time.

I was shattered (only momentarily) when I heard their tour in Australia had been postponed, so I thought I’d go and get a few CDs of theirs that I don’t have, and I am too slack to shop around for it. I will finally have the full collection again… but I should be saving my money for my Vanuatu trip.. which is like a week away. I can’t wait!

My team had a convincing victory on the tennis court, but it wasn’t impressive, as one of the opposition players in the 2nd set hurt himself. I did start with a 6-0 set, so that was kind of nice. My ankle appears to be holding out… still a little sore, but I have it bandaged up everytime I play.. maybe I should look for an ankle brace on Ebay?

Well I moved my blog to a new (and closer) server… it is now hosted in Brisbane Australia instead of the USA.

I have a server in the USA and Australia these days. Finally worked out a way of tarring everything and getting my SQL backend running smoothly.

Now my blog will be on a my time (except during daylight savings). Now if only DNS propogation time was instant.

Well it has finally clicked that May has arrived.. and on May 13 at 6am, I begin my journey to Vanuatu for a much needed holiday. Can’t wait.

Work has been hectic, but I have the challenge of installing an SSL enabled sendmail system on the BSD dev box. Its been about a year since I’ve built something from a Makefile in UNIX, but I am sure it will all come back to me in a hurry. It is something a little different, but I am extremly confident I can get it working… in fact I’ve got this emotion I can take most challenges head on.

Things are starting to look up, however I was a bit annoyed I couldn’t make it to my friends 30th birthday tonight, but I am sure we’ll make another time to celebrate. I may have to see if I can get myself a decent tax deductable digital camera. My current digital camera was state of the art, many years ago. My new mobile takes better quality pictures, which is quite scary.

Now… the question remains… do I bother with Hepatitas vaccinations? I will get a few opinions from a local GPs, however I have possibly left it too late for vaccinations to be effective. Who knows, but I must find time to pay one or two a visit.