little things that count

When I bought my wonderful Canon IXUS from Hong Kong a couple of years ago, it came bundled with a package of freebies from the seller, including a camera bag. I expected a little leather or neoprene thing that I could use to carry my new camera safely around in, but was disappointed to open the package and find what was really just a little sleeve made of netting, with a drawstring.

So I later went out and bought myself a great little padded Crumpler camera bag, complete with carry pockets and strap. But then I discovered that the problem with a 'real' camera bag is that you have to carry it with you. Whereas the little netting sleeve fitted snugly over the camera, protected it from scratches, AND fitted neatly inside my satchel or jacket pocket, so I could easily carry my IXUS with me everywhere. So me and my camera became inseparable, thanks to that sleeve.

I went for a stroll down Fitzroy St and the Esplanade on Saturday, while waiting for a movie to start at the George, and I started taking a few snaps of St Kilda along the way. I tucked the little netting bag into my pocket so I could concentrate on taking my shots. I walked down the Esplanade, past the wonderful art deco Mandalay buildings, past the Palais and Luna Park, to the corner of Acland St, and having taken a last snap, I reached into my pocket to get the camera sleeve... only to find that it wasn't there!

Somewhere along the Esplanade, it had fallen out of my pocket. I hurriedly retraced my steps, in the hope of finding it, but it was nowhere to be found. I've searched in catalogues and online, but I haven't been able to find another like it anywhere. It's amazing how valuable to me that thing had been, and I never realised, of course, until I lost it!

the phantom trams

I came home from work via Collingwood (the suburb, not the team) on Friday night. I was waiting for the 109 tram in Victoria Parade to get me to a connecting 78. The electric sign said the 109 was about 5 minutes away, yet I could see a tram approaching only a minute or so away. It arrived at the stop, and it was a number 24 to Balwyn. I've never heard of a number 24 before, but I assumed that it must take me at least to Church St, so I got aboard, and it took me to where I needed to go.

When I got home, I checked the Yarra Trams site, and found that the 24 does indeed exist, but that it only runs during the weekday peak. Since I seldom ever travel that way, it's little wonder that I'd never heard of it before.

Unlike the tram that followed me on the number 5 the next afternoon... a number 66 to Glenhuntly! I know the 64 runs to East Brighton and the 67 goes to Carnegie, but a 66? That one's not even on the Yarra Trams site... like the mysterious number 7 that sometimes runs down Swanston St to High St during the evening peak.

One day, I have to find a list of these 'unofficial' trams, and see what other phantom services might still exist.

addenda... oops! Should have known that Wikipedia would have the answers! This site hasn't been updated for a while, but has some interesting extra history.

how tweet it is

I set up a Twitter account recently. I have nothing to tweet about, myself; it was purely as part of research for work.

What I discovered is that Twitter is bit like being the 'official' photographer at an event... you can only do one thing at a time - either join in the occasion, or stand outside it and take photos... or tweet, as the case may be.

A report in the paper yesterday noted that the vast majority of ... um... twits... only ever make 1 tweet before they lose interest. I was fast losing interest, too (tho I've made 2 tweets so far!), until I received a 'follow' request (it's an even longer story!) from one of my footballing heroes, Harry O'Brien!

OMG. I felt like a schoolkid getting an autograph from the star half back! I was embarrassed to accept, 'coz I actually have nothing to say on Twitter, but I couldn't resist the very odd sensation that I was 'connected' to someone I admire and respect, no matter how obliquely!

Now I just have to think of stuff to tweet about!

amazon rocks!

So I've been ordering various Region A blu ray discs from Amazon in the US, and enjoying a range of movies and tv shows not yet available here, and today, my latest order arrived - the long-awaited 4th season of Weeds.

Eagerly, I slipped the first disc into the player... and nothing! Nada. Won't play the disc! I checked online, and discovered the unbelievable... even tho the first 3 seasons were unlocked, season 4 is locked! Can't play on my machine! And I just wasted $30 importing it!

It wasn't Amazon's fault... they do a disclaimer on all of their sales of Region A discs outside the Americas. But even so, I decided I would at least write to Amazon, let them know what happened, and ask them to pass on my complaint to their supplier.

To my amazement, they wrote back, within an hour, and offered me a full refund! I was delighted, but embarrassed... I pointed out that I didn't hold them responsible, so I didn't expect a refund at all. Which made it even better. That's the best customer service I've ever had... and I'll have no hesitation in recommending Amazon to anyone!

waiting for the number 5

Wow, it's cold this week. Winter's arrived with a vengeance, and it's even rained a reasonable amount today.

I found myself waiting for the number 5 in Dandenong Road to get home tonight, around 6:30, and decided to try out my camera in the dark and see how it worked. Some of the pics were a bit too dark, but this one turned out really well, capturing the effect of the lamps and rain on the tram tracks at stop 34.

musical inspiration

Inspired by the delightful Wicked! last week, I've put Jersey Boys on my 'must see if I can manage it' list. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Balaclava isn't famous for balaclavas either

I never thought I'd say this about an ad, but I really like this ad for Bega cheese. Every time I see it on the telly, I actually stop and pay attention... clever stuff.

spirit of the times

One of the joys of this time of year is the (semi-annual?) sale at Alternate Worlds, in Chapel St, Windsor. Due to money and space considerations (specifically, a shortage of both!), I don't buy many books any more, but I can't resist checking out the shelves at AW when the sale is on.

I browsed for a considerable time, over two visits, last Saturday. I was just about to leave the store empty-handed, having successfully convinced myself that I neither needed, nor could afford, to buy anything, when, during a last sweeping glance around, my eyes were drawn to a set of volumes on the bottom shelf of a case half-obscured by a table.

It was a complete run of Will Eisner's Spirit Archives, reprinting every Spirit story published in the original run from 1940 - 1952, in 26 beautifully printed hardcover volumes.

Due to the cost of each volume, I owned exactly none of them. But now, they were being offered at 20% off... a bargain I couldn't resist!

I browsed though all 26 volumes, before making my choice, of Vol. 13 (reprinting stories from the second half of 1946). And I've been immersing myself in the gorgeous art, clever stories and brilliant characters ever since. These are grade A, timeless comic stories... the cream of the art form.

I know now that I won't be able to stop at just one... and the sale is on until Friday!

even more things that I hate that other people do

The weather's turned cold and miserable... it's rainy and windy and so dark out tonight... colds and flu are everywhere about (but not, apparently, swine flu, even tho Victoria seems to have become the current world leader in the spread of the 'big S'!)... and here's something else that people do that I can't stand...

• Picture this... you've squeezed into a packed tram or train carriage for the trip home from work. Everyone's wet or damp from the rain; it's steamy and unpleasant inside, even tho' you're protected from the wind and rain... and then, you hear it, from somewhere nearby, but out of sight... the revolting sound of the sniffer!
  
  Yes, apparently, scientists have proven that handkerchiefs are now unsanitary, and it's too much trouble to carry a packet of tissues, so the only option is to snort all that juicy slime back down your throat! Constantly. Loudly. Sickeningly. Maybe I have a weak stomach, but the repeated tune of the heavy sniffer at close quarters is enough to make me want to vomit. Did these people learn absolutely no manners at all when they were growing up? Do they do this in front of their family, friends or work colleagues? Or is it a trick they save to show off in front of strangers??
  

• Closely related... ignorant bastards who cough (or yawn - yuk!) without covering their mouths, especially on public transport.

birthday bash

When your team plays the lowest team in the competition, it's always cause for concern. After all, they have nothing to lose; they are expected not to win, so no-one thinks less of them when they do. But if they turn the tables and upset the competition, it's not just an embarrassment, but the loss of a huge opportunity to advance.

Happily, that didn't happen to Collingwood today in the annual Queen's Birthday holiday grudge match against Melbourne.

The 'Pies shone, in an old-fashioned, cold, rainy Winter's day game, cruising to a big 66-point win, 19.12 to 8.12.

Ok, so we're not in the race for the flag this year, but it's always nice to get a couple of good wins in during the season.