Vacant Mind

Obsession with Japan April 27th, 2008

It seems that my obsession with Japan is set to continue, since returning I was thinking of starting up Taiko (Japanese Drumming)  & learning japense as well.

Now there is something else that I might be set to attend. The Japan Festival is being held in the later part of May and is set to showcase a lot of popular culture about Japan.

The only question that I have is why the Japan Club of Victoria would only have their website in Japanese and not English, does a Victorian club not want others (besides Japanese) to join. Do I sound annoyed…well I am. I suppose that it’s typically Japanese but I feel a bit hindered to join because I don’t feel welcome – a bit much from just reading a website.

Either way I’m going and have a great time!

Tags: Japan, Japanese
Posted in Festival | No Comments »

The story of 3 train lines April 25th, 2008

I have had the fortunate ability to have traveled on 3 (possibly 5) different train lines.

Glen Waverley
Belgrave/Lilydale
Carnbourne/Packenham

They are listed by the way in order of the one that I want to travel. I have always used the Glen Waverley line because it was closet to home, but recently I’ve had the chance to house sit closer to two different train lines.

Our train systems really are a mess, when at 6.30am there should be a minimal number of people it was standing room only. I know which line I won’ t be eventually living near (Carnbourne/Packenham) I thought that it was hard on the Glen Waverley, hardly ever express, doesn’t come often though and over crowding on somedays.

I have previously heard of the Public Transport User Association,  but now I’m seriously considering joining and helping where I can. I know that Connex has started to bring in changes I just hope that they will work as effectively as Melbourne desperately needs the change.

I can’t tell you the tension in the train some morning (actually most of you might know what I’m talking about) and it would be great to have a normal train ride one day.

Tags: Transport Melbourne Trains
Posted in melbourne | 1 Comment »

Traveling Buddies April 20th, 2008

One of my most enjoyed benefits from my recent trip is the number of friends that I had made along the way. The different experiences that they have brought from their lives into mine has added to the stories that I have in my head and to the experiences that I had overseas.

After I left them overseas I was certain that I would never see them again, but I was wrong. They have followed me home, and it’s been great! To hear what they have been up to since we last departed, the adventures, parties & people. All the while I’m truding through my 9-5 job trying to repay debt and save money to buy a house.

So far I have had dinner with a few people that I travelled with, it’s been both a blessing and a curse to hear about what they have been up to and I have failed to interest or impress them on what I had been up to since we parted. It has caused me to pay more attention to other travels and help them out when I see that I think they look lost, except for when I see them with portable GPS devices.

It has started me back on the track of taking photos, because it was one of the most enjoyable parts of traveling, capuring the moments that I know I want to remember. Now I try to take photos of the parts and moments of Melbourne that I love and want to remember.

The travel buddies have moved on, and we shared and laughed in one night as we had in a month. They too now love Melbourne as much as I do (I told them they would) and I hope that they will come back

Tags: Friends, melbourne, Photography, Travel
Posted in Travel | No Comments »

Evil Corporation April 15th, 2008

Working for a corporation tends to egnite some emotions that I don’t generally like, the most common of them seem to be. “What’s it like working for a evil company?”

The general perception that big public financial institutions are evil because they steal money from the public and finance unethical practices isn’t far wrong. In the past they have always gone where the money is, which has often meant funding projects or companies that provided profit without consideration of the impact of the other person down the line.

But how do you justify your position within this organisation without the expense of your soul? I don’t know yet, I haven’t found out how to do it.

But what I have noticed that they are (the big companies) are starting to notice (finally!) what the public are thinking of them. To the extent that they are starting marketing campaigns against the perception. Case in point the Commonwealth Bank ad on T.V promoting the “different” side of the bank while at the same time rising interest rates.

The move into ethical investing my many fund managers (even though some don’t exist – opes prime)

It is nice to be able to say in an interview that the reason I was attracted to your company was the importance placed on social responsibility, so the tide is changing, but as with everything it changes slowly.

Tags: Australia, Work
Posted in Work | No Comments »