Monday, August 27, 2007
Car Shopping in Canberra
Well thought after some time in the hilux I was due for an upgrade! So Pinko and I hit the streets on Saturday to check out what was available! The first car I looked at was the Mitsubishi 380, this car was value for money (19990, 38000km) and drove really well and when you throw in a 5 year warranty this is pretty hard to beat. This was the first car I looked at, drove and the eventual winner on the day. This car was such good value that everywhere we went dealers just didn't want to sell me a car, the toyota dealer even told me to go buy the 380! There were 2 cars that were comparable on the day a subaru liberty, though had a few more ks on the clock and well 5 yr warranty came into play! the other car was a holden sv8 but who can't afford to run a v8 let alone insure one!
So by the end of the day I had decided on the 380 and went and put a deposit on it today and hopfully I will have the car by the end of this week! I will
give a full review on the car after a longer drive hopefully to Yass for a round of golf on sunday!
Looking at a falcon, but never really been a fan and not worth the extra $6ooo.
Got told about the Monaro that was great value at 50k, thanks but no thanks not quite what I was looking for!
Trying to get a deal on the Liberty, ended up being comparable and always a nice car, good resale and reliable but no 5 year warranty.
Pinko agreed with my end choice, now all was left t
o choose a colour blue, silver white or gold?
I think silver, also had the lowest Ks so why not, so much for me getting a smaller car!
Well thought after some time in the hilux I was due for an upgrade! So Pinko and I hit the streets on Saturday to check out what was available! The first car I looked at was the Mitsubishi 380, this car was value for money (19990, 38000km) and drove really well and when you throw in a 5 year warranty this is pretty hard to beat. This was the first car I looked at, drove and the eventual winner on the day. This car was such good value that everywhere we went dealers just didn't want to sell me a car, the toyota dealer even told me to go buy the 380! There were 2 cars that were comparable on the day a subaru liberty, though had a few more ks on the clock and well 5 yr warranty came into play! the other car was a holden sv8 but who can't afford to run a v8 let alone insure one!
So by the end of the day I had decided on the 380 and went and put a deposit on it today and hopfully I will have the car by the end of this week! I will
give a full review on the car after a longer drive hopefully to Yass for a round of golf on sunday!Looking at a falcon, but never really been a fan and not worth the extra $6ooo.
Got told about the Monaro that was great value at 50k, thanks but no thanks not quite what I was looking for!
Trying to get a deal on the Liberty, ended up being comparable and always a nice car, good resale and reliable but no 5 year warranty.
Pinko agreed with my end choice, now all was left t
o choose a colour blue, silver white or gold?I think silver, also had the lowest Ks so why not, so much for me getting a smaller car!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Ians entering product testing
After some experiences with new toys and the weekend approaching to test drive some cars (any suggestions?), thought would add in my 2c on the products I've used
K2 Silencer - Tested at Thredbo
I ventured upto the ski slopes on the weekend with some mates from Whistler and remininsce, coming back to work was quite difficult. On this weekend as my skis are still in Canada, I decided to demo a pair of twin tip skis I was thinking about purchasing. I hired out some K2 silencers (169cm, standard mount). These skis worked a treat were quite responsive and got great flex which was handy through the park and just generally free skiing in Aussie conditions which was hard in the early morning and slush from around 11. I don't think these would handle powder conditions of bigger mountains brilliantly but on piste and park these are great, some definate more testing required. The best thing about the skis is they are value and held up well to some harder treatment especially when doing park often resulting in damaged side rails and bases. The only issue that I had with the skis is how easily the top deacal chipped/peeled, my style doesn't help this but seems to be a common thing in K2 skis. If your learning to ski I don't reccomend these skis but if your planning on visiting the snow a bit and dont won't to blow the budget cos the mountains in Aus pretty much do that for you (really $100 day lift ticket does hurt the pocket) try out the Silencers.
Smith versus Spy
Smith versus Spy
With my trip to the snow after getting the shits with my Spy Blizzard goggles, 3 lenses all crap decided to fork out a little extra cash and buy some Smith Prodigy goggles. I must say here and now if going to fork out money for goggles do it properly and you'll notice the difference from comfort, visibility and fog wise! After perservering a whole season in Whistler with the Spys which would readily fog up and then the issues with water between the lenses which pretty much means they are screwed and time to by another lens, the S
miths were unbelieveable, they didn't fog, were comfortable and the strap system is much better especially when wanting to ski with and without a helmet. Though the Smiths havent been through a whole season I definately think next time around ignore the fashion styled goggles and go with the goggles with good reputation in lens and anti-fog. Also don't trust the hype Spy Blizzards were the top snowboarding goggles last season
miths were unbelieveable, they didn't fog, were comfortable and the strap system is much better especially when wanting to ski with and without a helmet. Though the Smiths havent been through a whole season I definately think next time around ignore the fashion styled goggles and go with the goggles with good reputation in lens and anti-fog. Also don't trust the hype Spy Blizzards were the top snowboarding goggles last seasonAnyway enough procrastination in the office from me off to do some work and think about what cars Pinko and I should test drive on the weekend.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Scrabble, Rummikub, some hockey and catching up with Friends
Well another weekend has past in Canberra, pretty crazy thinking have now been here nearly 2 months! The weekend again started on Thursday night at O'Neils, this is good fun but is becoming a dangerous tradition especially when others decide (Ash & Elene) that Civic is a good idea and party till all hours, glad decided against this as could of made friday at work very difficult! Friday was North bar for free champagne then a few of us decided dinner was a good idea so off to Jimmy's Kitchen in Dickson we went, can highly reccommend it all the meals that we had were delicious and easily fed the four of us. It was then decided after dinner to head out to Jess' place to watch a couple of movies, we headed out to Jess' place with some more drinks and decided to play board games instead! Rimsy champion of rummikub lost his first game, must say think had begginers luck. Then it was scrabble where Tracey, Rims and I had forged a lead against Jess who then came from the back to leave us in her wake! A movie was turned on but quickly decide against as we all crashed out! Had a very enjoyable evening and definately will do again. After getting back to my place on Saturday had the big breakfast at a cafe in Watson, again this place I can highly reccommend, coffee was nice, service good, food delicious and quite an extensive breakky menu, not the cheapest around but worth the couple of extra dollars. Off to hockey to role my ankle in the first 30 seconds no reserves so played the whole game, think didn't help the team much lost 3-2 to wests, 1 goal to me but missed about 5!
The sore ankle and previous late night I thought would just kick back and recover but Genevieve was in town and after not seeing her for a couple of years was great to catch up! Ended up going out again then to Cathys place (Gens friend whos 30th bday it was) to have a couple of drinks then sunday involved lazing round, watching DVDs and eating another big breakfast cooked by Cathy for her guests, which I am very grateful for especially since I was a random!
On a totally different note my parents headed to Mudgee for a Dog show and Felix won best in show which Mum was stoked with, so thought would throw in couple of photos of that.
Well another weekend has past in Canberra, pretty crazy thinking have now been here nearly 2 months! The weekend again started on Thursday night at O'Neils, this is good fun but is becoming a dangerous tradition especially when others decide (Ash & Elene) that Civic is a good idea and party till all hours, glad decided against this as could of made friday at work very difficult! Friday was North bar for free champagne then a few of us decided dinner was a good idea so off to Jimmy's Kitchen in Dickson we went, can highly reccommend it all the meals that we had were delicious and easily fed the four of us. It was then decided after dinner to head out to Jess' place to watch a couple of movies, we headed out to Jess' place with some more drinks and decided to play board games instead! Rimsy champion of rummikub lost his first game, must say think had begginers luck. Then it was scrabble where Tracey, Rims and I had forged a lead against Jess who then came from the back to leave us in her wake! A movie was turned on but quickly decide against as we all crashed out! Had a very enjoyable evening and definately will do again. After getting back to my place on Saturday had the big breakfast at a cafe in Watson, again this place I can highly reccommend, coffee was nice, service good, food delicious and quite an extensive breakky menu, not the cheapest around but worth the couple of extra dollars. Off to hockey to role my ankle in the first 30 seconds no reserves so played the whole game, think didn't help the team much lost 3-2 to wests, 1 goal to me but missed about 5!
The sore ankle and previous late night I thought would just kick back and recover but Genevieve was in town and after not seeing her for a couple of years was great to catch up! Ended up going out again then to Cathys place (Gens friend whos 30th bday it was) to have a couple of drinks then sunday involved lazing round, watching DVDs and eating another big breakfast cooked by Cathy for her guests, which I am very grateful for especially since I was a random!
On a totally different note my parents headed to Mudgee for a Dog show and Felix won best in show which Mum was stoked with, so thought would throw in couple of photos of that.
Genevieve and I out at King O'Malleys just having a few pints, awesome to catch up maybe should do it more than every 2-3 years.
Going to have to get a bigger lounge, especially when the pup grows up, As you can see by Maddison the kids have been sent to the floor!
Felix getting judged where he was awarded best in show
After a long weekend, nothing like relaxing whilst showing off the bounty!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Dinner and Drinks x 2 and one crazy limo!
Well what a weekend back at work wondering where it went. After some warm ups on Thursday night at O'Neils on the $2.50 pints had a casual day on friday at work as jeans for genes day then we headed out to our mid year work dinner. We went to the Harem in Kingston with the cushion room and belly dancer to top of the turkish banquet. It was very enjoyable and great to sit down and have a beer with everyone! I of course prob made a spectacle of myself especially as I wasnt going to let full bottles of red go to waste so just walked out of the restaurant drinking from them very classy! By this stage it was just all the guys and gals out for a few more drinks so wasn't as random! This night though did make the drive the next day to Sydney a little harder, no not as hard as the drive back after Saturday night! 100years of hockey at Sydney Uni and it seems like the club has stuck to its guns and all had a great night. Hopefully it was a success and before you know it Sydney Uni might have a hockey pitch. The day started with lunch with the grandparents with some fresh bread and fresh prawns gotta love the fish markets! After lunch it was to Renwick St to get ready organise the booze and wait for the limo which at 6 arrived and took 13 of us around the city for some pres and great time well worth it, champagne flowed and the tunes cranked! Dinner at the Great Hall followed by drinks at the Grose and the Marly where I left due to prob to much to drink not enough sleep and the thought of 3hours drive on the sunday, though when went and picked up the car think I made the right decision as a number of people had just returned home, this being at 11am the next day. All in all a great weekend catching up with old mates and meeting new people. So until next time keep it real!
Well what a weekend back at work wondering where it went. After some warm ups on Thursday night at O'Neils on the $2.50 pints had a casual day on friday at work as jeans for genes day then we headed out to our mid year work dinner. We went to the Harem in Kingston with the cushion room and belly dancer to top of the turkish banquet. It was very enjoyable and great to sit down and have a beer with everyone! I of course prob made a spectacle of myself especially as I wasnt going to let full bottles of red go to waste so just walked out of the restaurant drinking from them very classy! By this stage it was just all the guys and gals out for a few more drinks so wasn't as random! This night though did make the drive the next day to Sydney a little harder, no not as hard as the drive back after Saturday night! 100years of hockey at Sydney Uni and it seems like the club has stuck to its guns and all had a great night. Hopefully it was a success and before you know it Sydney Uni might have a hockey pitch. The day started with lunch with the grandparents with some fresh bread and fresh prawns gotta love the fish markets! After lunch it was to Renwick St to get ready organise the booze and wait for the limo which at 6 arrived and took 13 of us around the city for some pres and great time well worth it, champagne flowed and the tunes cranked! Dinner at the Great Hall followed by drinks at the Grose and the Marly where I left due to prob to much to drink not enough sleep and the thought of 3hours drive on the sunday, though when went and picked up the car think I made the right decision as a number of people had just returned home, this being at 11am the next day. All in all a great weekend catching up with old mates and meeting new people. So until next time keep it real!
Dinner on Friday Night all having a good time
Rob, Remo and Kent waiting for the Limo
The limo group, posed for a phot next to the limo down at The Rocks
Posing as always at the dinner, as things were about to kick off
In the Limo on the way to the Dinner, this was before to many drinks
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A Weekend back in Cowra
On the weekend just past I went home to feed the dogs whilst the parents went to Sydney. It was also convienient as have just found a new place in Canberra and needed to move in.
I had a really good weekend catching up with Ranko, Will and Mel at the last Cowra Rugby game for the season, unfortunately the Eagles struggled a bit and lost 1sts and 2nds by a fair margin. It was then to Rankos for Dinner, big thanks it was awesome just catching up. Ranko and I then went to the townhouse for a night out, whilst Will and Mel went home but thats fair enough. On that note congratulations and all the best to Will and Mel who are expecting their first child, so thanks heaps Mel for putting up with three guys getting on the sauce.
The main reason I had to go home though was to feed the dogs which seem to be constantly increasing in number!
We had a litter of border collie pups though the litter was only one which is rare and a big surprise as thought that June wasn't even pregnant. Maggie (the pup) is now 6 weeks and taking over.
On the weekend just past I went home to feed the dogs whilst the parents went to Sydney. It was also convienient as have just found a new place in Canberra and needed to move in.
I had a really good weekend catching up with Ranko, Will and Mel at the last Cowra Rugby game for the season, unfortunately the Eagles struggled a bit and lost 1sts and 2nds by a fair margin. It was then to Rankos for Dinner, big thanks it was awesome just catching up. Ranko and I then went to the townhouse for a night out, whilst Will and Mel went home but thats fair enough. On that note congratulations and all the best to Will and Mel who are expecting their first child, so thanks heaps Mel for putting up with three guys getting on the sauce.
The main reason I had to go home though was to feed the dogs which seem to be constantly increasing in number!
We had a litter of border collie pups though the litter was only one which is rare and a big surprise as thought that June wasn't even pregnant. Maggie (the pup) is now 6 weeks and taking over.
Maggie in her room, we no longer have a laundry
Paris getting told whos boss by Maggie
Felix taking it easy
My new room in Monc V2, kind of moved in!
