Rob Palmer in Perth for Garden Week

March 31, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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Rob Palmer started in the construction industry as a nine year old working at his Dad’s company during school holidays. In 2000, while he was working as a carpenter in his own business, Rob was approached to be a presenter on a lifestyle programme on Channel 10. That program only lasted until 2001 but by then he was on his way in the media industry.

He then started on Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens where he’s still a popular presenter.

Last year he showed the world he’s multi-talented by winning Dancing with the Stars. In just over a week he’ll be in Perth for Garden Week at Perry Lakes Reserve in Floreat, but I spoke to him on the phone this morning during my radio program on 98.5 Sonshine FM. You can hear our conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

Garden Week, 7-11April 2011, is set to be a gardening spectacular, celebrating the best in horticulture, gardens and landscaping.

Proudly supported by major sponsor, Water Corporation, the event is a highlight on the West Australian event calendar and one not to be missed at the beautiful Perry Lakes Reserve in Floreat.

Open 9.30am until 5.00pm daily, visitors can explore over a hundred exhibits, breathtaking displays, new products and design concepts, and enjoy a five day seminar series, Talking Gardens, proudly sponsored by Yates and presented by the Horticultural Media Association (HMA).

Set amongst the beautifully designed Water Corporation gardens, the Talking Gardens seminar series will bring together Australia’s well known and loved gardening personalities including Deryn Thorpe, Chris Ferreira, Nick Bell, Sue MacDougall and John Colwill.

Rob will be appearing at the Garden Show at 11.00am and 2.00pm from Thursday to Sunday next week.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR310311_0850.mp3]

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Catching iPad Fever

March 26, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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While the rest of the world is going crazy over the release of the iPad2, I’ve now caught up and become the owner of one of the original iPads.

My wife, Pauline, recently won an online competition through the good folks at Pilot Australia and part of the prize was a 16GB iPad. Pauline was kind enough to give me the iPad and so now I’m getting used to the wonderful world of apps and tablet computing.

So far I’m absolutely loving the experience. It’s fun and practical. It’s the 3G version so I can stay connected wherever I am.

So, do you own an iPad? What apps would you recommend?

The iPad is handy as an eBook reader so I’m wondering if you have any great suggestions for places to find free, good quality eBooks.



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Jack’s Back – Pirates of the Caribbean Returns

March 24, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides is almost here. It’s full of pirates, mermaids, zombies and even Blackbeard makes an appearance.

Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica, he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard, Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

The film stars Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane and Geoffrey Rush.

Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall. It opens in Australia on Thursday the 19th of May.



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What’s for Breakfast?

March 23, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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We’re told it’s the most important meal of the day. It eases our body into action and prepares us for the activities ahead. It kick starts our metabolism after a night of rest and the effects of a good breakfast can be felt throughout the day.

I’ve recently switched to the most basic of breakfasts …. porridge.

While it’s easy to be seduced by the shiny, bright packaging of processed breakfast foods, I’ve got to admit that I’m really not missing the sweeter, more ‘exotic’ breakfast cereals. These days I simply whack some oats, a little honey and some water in a bowl, shove it through the microwave, add just a dash of milk and I’m ready for a good start to the day. (I may negate some of the healthy benefits of my rolled outs with my big mug of strong, black coffee, but that’s a risk I’m prepared to take.)

I should say that I’ve been surprised at how much cheaper rolled oats are than other cereals and how long a packet lasts. When I was choosing which oats to buy I grabbed the Lowan Wholegrain Rolled Oats from Lowan Whole Foods because they cost less than most other brands and I wasn’t paying for fancy packaging.

Lowan Rolled Oats contain the goodness of 100% wholegrains and are milled using a method which retains a high percentage of nutrients.

A bowl of Lowan Rolled Oats can keep you feeling full for longer. Naturally low in salt and containing vitamin B1, each serve of Lowan Rolled Oats is high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre.

So, are you a porridge eater? What do you have for breakfast? Are you in the habit of skipping breakfast?



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Technology Stole My Life

March 19, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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One of the blogs I always enjoy reading is Challies.com.

Tim Challies is about to release a book about how our increased ability to use technology to connect with people all over the world we’re losing touch with those closest to us. It asks the questions whether all this connection to technology is good for our souls.

Check out the video above and see if it resonates with you.

Two weeks from today is the official release date for my book The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion. And if you’re planning to order the book (and really, you should, don’t you think?), it makes some sense to pre-order it before the official release date.

If you are going to be reading it in Kindle format, you will definitely want to order ASAP. For every 200 people who order on Kindle, the price will drop by $1 (and since you’re not charged until the day it actually releases, you’ll get those savings). Other ebook platforms will also get those savings, but not until the book actually releases. The price has already fallen and I’d love to see it fall some more.

The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion will be available in hardcover or Kindle version.

So, do you find that you’re ‘connected’ to more people than ever but that technology is stealing your life?



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