iPhones hit Australia

July 12, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
8 Comments

iphone.jpgThe iPhone was finally released in Australia yesterday.

As I made my way through our local shopping centre I noticed the long lines at the Telstra and the Optus shops. The shops had put up those retractable tape barriers that form those mazes that we all love so much at airports. Shoppers were corralled into dedicated iPhone shopping queues. People were determined to get their iPhone and they were prepared to kiss their day goodbye as they waited in line. They needed an iPhone.

Have you ever wondered how it is that things that weren’t even thought of not so long ago have become essential? The iPhone wasn’t even available in Australia a couple of days ago but yesterday it became something that thousands of people couldn’t live without. I only recently had to get a new phone because my old one broke. I got a reasonably basic one but it’s still got more fruit than I’ll ever really need. A mobile phone is a luxury anyway but all I really need is something to make and receive calls as well as sending the occasional text message.

Sure, we progress, and I certainly wouldn’t like to go back to days without electricity, running water and many of the others things we now take for granted, but I wonder if we get things a little out of proportion when it comes to what we consider as the basics of life. Are we confusing what is essential with things that are simply helpful or even luxuries?

Don’t get me wrong, there are certain toys that I’m happy to have. I listen to my iPod Mini everyday. I’ll admit that some people think it’s archaic, seeing as it’s one of the first 4 GB iPod Minis that was available. I think I bought mine only a short while before they stopped making them. I’ve got all kinds of bits and pieces that I don’t really ‘need’ but hopefully I’m keeping them in some kind of perspective. I don’t want to give up all the ‘stuff’ that living in Australia can offer, but on the other hand I don’t want to forget how fortunate I am to have access to so much wealth.

I know that by the simple fact that I’m now sitting and tapping away at this old computer with its staggering 1.2 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM, I have greater technology at my fingertips than the vast majority of the world’s population. In fact, knowing that I can walk a few steps from where I am right now, turn on a tap and pour a glass of drinkable water, puts me at a huge advantage over millions of people on this planet.

If you’re going to rush out and grab an iPhone, I hope you enjoy it and that it does what you need … er … want it to do. New technology is fascinating and I’m sure you’re going to get a lot of pleasure from your new purchase. I simply hope that you realise how incredibly fortunate you are to be able to spend more than what many other people in the world would earn in an entire year on your shiny new gadget.



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Hot Hot Hot

July 12, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

chilli.jpgHow hot is too hot?

I enjoy a good hot curry but I must admit that I’m always keen to ensure that my taste buds are likely to recover within a reasonable period of time.

News.com.au has published an article titled London restaurant’s Bollywood Burner ‘world’s hottest’ curry. It talks about a curry so hot that those who sample it are left feeling dizzy or light headed. Do you think they might be taking things a little too far?

A LONDON restaurant is serving up what it hopes will be confirmed as the world’s hottest curry, with even the chef admitting it is “too extreme” to keep on the menu.

Vivek Singh at The Cinnamon Club grabbed some of the hottest chilli peppers known to man to create the Bollywood Burner, a lamb-based dish with a fierce kick.

The curry is so hot that diners are asked to sign a disclaimer confirming they are aware of the risks involved before daring to eat it.

The great thing about many of the curries I’ve eaten in India is that while they may be quite hot, they manage to maintain the flavours. It’s not about creating something that will have you screaming for a fire extinguisher, it’s about blending the spices to create something that excites the taste buds.

After two visits to India I can only remember two curries that were too hot. Several of the locals had trouble with those ones too but I managed to eat them anyway.

How about you? Do you enjoy spicy food? How hot is too hot for you? Do you see hot curry as a challenge?

If a curry is really spicy I end up with hiccups. I can usually cure spice induced hiccups with a quick drink or two and I always make sure that I eat plenty of rice and chapatis with my curry to even out the effects of the chillis and spices.



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Need . More . Coffee

July 11, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

I must admit that I’m feeling a little weary today. I was up late again last night watching the latest stage in the tour.

Cadel Evans moved up to second overall in the Tour de France in stage 6, the first of the mountain stages, and with some more ‘medium’ mountains in today’s stage we could have an Aussie in yellow by this time tomorrow.

So it’s more medium mountains today before another day on the flat then two days of high mountains. After all that, and ten days straight racing, the riders are given their first rest day for the 2008 Tour de France on Tuesday.

By then I reckon they’ll all be ready for a little rest. I know I will.



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Can you take a hint?

July 9, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
7 Comments

Do you know when you’ve stayed too long and it’s time to leave?

Have you ever had guests visit who don’t seem to get the hint?

I heard a day or so back that a German woman had to call emergency services to rescue her after a friend dropped in at her apartment then talked for thirty hours straight. I can’t even stay awake for thirty hours but apparently this lady’s guest just rambled on about personal problems and became increasingly intoxicated.

The 48 year old lady dialled the emergency hotline after many failed attempts at encouraging her guest to leave. She didn’t know what else to do but to call an ambulance.

When the paramedics refused to carry the guest out of her apartment, the woman called the police. Thankfully they picked up the friend and drove her home.

I hope if I ever outstay my welcome when visiting a friend that I take the hint.

There are times when we have to let a friend disrupt our life so that we can hear what’s going on in theirs. We need to be open to hearing their pain and to journeying with them during the dark times but there comes a point where we need to say, ‘enough’. Helping someone in their time of need may inconvenience us and we may need to rearrange our plans now and then, but if we’re to be of any use to those we’re seeking to help, we need to create boundaries.

If I need to stay up all night to help a friend through a dark time, that’s one thing, but thirty hours straight is of no use to anyone.

Are you able to set boundaries that help you and others?

If you’re just on a social visit with friends, how do you decide when it’s time to go?

Have you had friends stay far too late and how did you let them know it was time to go? I heard of a guy who used to just get up and go to bed if his guests stayed too long. Probably not the most subtle or sensitive way to get the message across.

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Just click on the comments link of this post and have your say.



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Tour 2008 Continues

July 8, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
1 Comment

After three days of racing the 2008 Tour de France is just getting started.

The official Tour de France 2008 website has all the details and standings for all riders but here’s how things stand for the top ten riders at the moment.

1. FEILLU Romain 124 AGRITUBEL 13h 27′ 05″
2. LONGO BORGHINI Paolo 59 BARLOWORLD 13h 27′ 40″ + 00′ 35″
3. FRISCHKORN William 194 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 13h 28′ 47″ + 01′ 42″
4. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 13h 28′ 50″ + 01′ 45″
5. KIRCHEN Kim 41 TEAM COLUMBIA 13h 28′ 51″ + 01′ 46″
6. FREIRE Oscar 133 RABOBANK 13h 28′ 51″ + 01′ 46″
7. PINEAU Jérôme 145 BOUYGUES TELECOM 13h 28′ 51″ + 01′ 46″
8. MILLAR David 198 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 13h 28′ 51″ + 01′ 46″
9. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE – LOTTO 13h 28′ 51″ + 01′ 46″
10. POZZATO Filippo 61 LIQUIGAS 13h 28′ 51″ + 01′ 46″

I’ve enjoyed seeing all the colour and the tactics over the past few days. Tour de France time is one of my favourite times of the year. It does mean late nights and mornings that come around far too soon but I’m enjoying watching the TV coverage half a world away in Perth, Western Australia.

The fun really begins with today’s stage.

Stage four is a 29.5 km time trial so we should start to see the main contenders come out to play. Although it’s only a short time trial I’m hoping to see Australia’s Cadel Evans put in a good performance to set himself up for greater things later in the three week event. It’s claimed that one of his main rivals, Alejandro Valverde, has been brushing up on his time trialling techniques.

Cadel’s strengths are in time trialling and his climbing ability so it’ll be interesting to see at least one of those strengths on display in today’s stage.



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