March 23: FOSS.

Ever since I was a kid I had an interest in computers. Not a huge interest, but still an interest. Over the last couple of years I've become more interested in Linux and other forms of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software). Both my laptops run on Linux, and where possible I only run FOSS on them.

My main laptop only has one proprietory program running on it, Zoom, as I need it to participate in some webinars. My older laptop, which I replaced with my main one last year is a 32 bit machine, and only has FOSS installed. I'm keeping it to learn about FOSS. Since most FOSS is now mainly catering to 64 bit hardware, it will no doubt become obsolete, but still fun for me to learn and tinker on.

Chat soon.

March 25: Classic and exotic cars.

I've always loved cars. Now, I don't know much about cars, but I love cars, especially classic cars and modern exotic cars. Mercedes has always been my favourite make of car, and my dream car would be the SLR 300. Whenever I see great cars, I always try to take a photo, so over the years I have a collection of photos.

MARCH 26: Autumn has arrived . . . finally!

It’s so refreshing to finally have a day with a maximum temperature of below 30ºC (86F). Since Christmas Brisbane has only had about 7 days below 30ºC (86F), including a stretch of 43 consecutive days above 32ºC (89.6F). Today, we only reached a maximum temp of 23ºC (73.4F). From tomorrow until Sunday the temperature is expected to be close to 30ºC (86F) before it starts cooling down each day. I hope from then on Brisbane does have a proper autumn.

Chat soon.

March 30: Pixelfed

In my March 25th entry I talked about my love of classic cars and my photos of those cars.

Since I'm not spending much time on mainstream social media I've been thinking about ways to share my car photos, and other photos. So, I've discovered a great website I've started an account on to share my photos. It also helps keep this website small as I can add a link. So, please feel free to check out my photos on Pixelfed. I hope you enjoy my photos.

April 2: Helping a friend plan a trip to Brisbane

A friend of mine from the USA has just arrived in Australia with her husband, and they will be travelling around the country over the next couple of months or so. They will be here in Brisbane in early May. I’m looking forward to their visit as I will be playing tour guide, which is something I really enjoy because it helps me see Brisbane through the eyes of a tourist.

I have a great day planned, along with a dinner with a group of friends. I have no doubt we will all have fun.

April 8: Day trip to Noosa

Today was a beautiful Autumn day here in Brisbane, so I decided to go for a drive up to Noosa, (part of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast) for the day. Noosa is about 125km north of Brisbane, and Noosa beach is at the edge of the Noosa National Park, one of the biggest in Australia. The beach is in a natural bay, so the waves aren’t too big, perfect for a relaxing swim.

I didn’t go in for a swim, but sat on the broad walk for about an hour before halving a look through the most famous street in Noosa, “Hastings Street”.

After that, I slowly worked my way back down the coast before heading home.

Chat soon.

April 12: Volunteering at the Fed Cup Semi Final This Easter

I mentioned on my homepage that I volunteer at the Brisbane International tennis tournament each year (I started in 2010, so have received my 10 year badge this year). Since 2012, I have also volunteered at Davis Cup (men) and Fed Cup (women) ties played here in Brisbane.

For Davis Cup, I have been involved in ties against Korea, USA, and Germany, and so far for Fed Cup, I’ve been involved in ties against Germany, USA, and now this Easter, Belarus. Australia plays Belarus in the Semi Finals over the Easter weekend (April 20 and 21) at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane. Due to the nature of my role, I actually start this weekend, on Sunday, and I will finish on Easter Monday.

If you are in South East Queensland, and are looking for something different to do over the long weekend, why not go down to Pat Rafter Arena at the Queensland Tennis Centre, and support the players.

April 13: Star Wars Episode IX Teaser Released

As a Huge Star Wars fan (I've seen the original trilogy over 100 times), I always get excited when a new movie in the series is released, and here is a great teaser, just released for Episode IX, out in December -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adzYW5DZoWs

Enjoy

April 19: Happy Easter

Happy Easter Weekend everyone. Enjoy this time of new beginnings with your loved ones, and if you are on the roads, drive safely.

April 22: Australia to host Fed Cup Final

The last nine days have been a fun experience being part of the team of volunteers at the Fed Cup tennis Semi Final here in Brisbane between Australia and Belarus. Although the actual Tie was only played on April 20 and 21, the volunteer team I was part of was required much longer.

The other Semi Final was played in France across the same weekend between France and Romania.

Both Semi Finals came down to the wire and Australia beat Belarus 3-2, and France also beat Romania 3-2.

Due to Australia and France last playing each other in France, Australia will host the Final across the weekend of Nov 9 and 10. The host city will be chosen soon.

April 25: ANZAC Day

Ever since the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beach at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, April 25, ANZAC Day is a day we remember and thanks all the brave service men and women who have served, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, for our freedom.

We Will Remember Them.

Lest We Forget.

May 2: On Top of the World, in Brisbane

My friends Callie and Steve, who are on an epic trip around Australia arrived in Brisbane today. I booked a table at one of the most amazing restaurants with arguably the best view in Brisbane. The Summit Restaurant sits atop Mt Cootha and has a 180 degree view of the city.

We arrived at 4pm and went to the Lookout, took some photos, and I pointed out some landmarks around Brisbane. We then enjoyed some drinks at the Kuta Cafe at the lookout before heading into the Summit Restaurant at 6pm.

The food and conversation were amazing, and both Callie and Steve loved the view as dusk turned into night and the city lights came on.

If you are ever in Brisbane, do yourself a favour and visit the Summit Restaurant in the late afternoon and evening.

May 3: Playing Tour Guide around Brisbane

It was a fun day today as I took Callie and Steve on a walking and boat tour of Brisbane. We started off walking down to the CityCat ferry terminal where we caught a CityCat and headed on an easterly route. Along the way I pointed out various landmarks along the Brisbane River. At the end of the route we jumped off and had morning tea at a cafe on the river before boarding another CityCat and headed back into the city.

Once we finished the boat trip, we walked through the City Botantic Gardens across to SouthBank, the redeveloped sight of where World Expo 88, where we stopped for lunch. After lunch we continued through SouthBank, crossed back over the river, and visited Brisbane’s Treasury Casino, built inside the historic Treasury building. Then we continued through the icon Queen Street Mall, stopped at Brisbane City Hall, MacArthur Chambers, which was the building Douglas MacArthur had his headquarters during 1942. We then continued to ANZAC Square, Post Office Square, and finally St Stephen’s Cathedral, the oldest church in Queensland.

We finished off a great day by enjoying dinner with a group of friends.

May 12: Mother's Day

Wishing all mothers everywhere, especially my Mum, and my sister, a very Happy Mother's Day. Enjoy a great day of celebration with you families.

May 24: Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix Weekend

Formula 1, or F1 is one of my favourite sports to watch, and the Monaco F1 Grand Prix is my favourite race each year. And, it is that time of year once more when the F1 drivers and cars take to the iconic streets of Monaco this weekend.

One of my bucketlist dreams is to attend the Monaco F1 Grand Prix at least once, and then the following day, travel to Paris to watch the French Open tennis tournament, which like this year, usually starts the same weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix.

Good luck to all the F1 teams and drivers in Monaco this weekend, as well as all the tennis players at Roland Garros in Paris over the next couple of weeks.

June 4: Winter has arrived in Brisbane

In Australia Winter officially starts on June 1. And today was a really cold day for Brisbane. Our maximum temperature only reached 16C, and with the wind chill it felt even cooler. Normally, our winter temperature are slightly above 20C.

If you are in the southern hemisphere, stay warm this winter, and conversely, if you are in the northern hemisphere, stay cool and safe this summer.

June 6: Queensland Day

On June 6, 1859 Queen Victoria signed a letter granting the separation of Queensland from the Colony of New South Wales, and Queensland became a self governing colony, receiving its own constitution, Governor, and Legislative assembly and council.

On July 20, 1859 Sir George Bowen was named Queensland’s first Governor, and he arrived in Brisbane on December 10, 1859 to a civic reception in the Botanic Gardens.

June 6 is now known as and celebrated as Queensland Day, although, surprisingly, it is not a state public holiday.

June 24: Australia's latest World Number 1 ranked tennis player

Australia has a new world number 1 ranked singles player in tennis this week as Ashleigh Barty from Ipswich in Queensland won the singles title in Birmingham, earning her enough points to rise from world number 2 to number 1 ahead of Wimbledon which starts on July 1.

Barty will become the 27th woman to achieve the world number 1 ranking in the modern era, and the second from Australia after Evonne Goolagong Cawley. And, she is the fifth Australian to hold the number 1 ranking in singles, with John Newcombe, Patrick Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt all being ranked world number 1 on the men’s tour in the modern era.

July 5: Reconnecting after years

Today while in a shopping complex I bumped into my first grade teacher. I was in the first grade in 1980. We last spoke with each other about 15 years ago, but I'm still impressed he remembered my name. (She actually saw me today and mentioned my name first.) She also remembered what year she taught me. It was great to catch up with her again today.

July 7: How Time Flies

It's amazing how time flies. Two years ago today, July 7, 2017, I arrived in Germany for the first time via Singapore and Switzerland. I flew from Brisbane to Singapore, and then Singapore to Zurich, before catching a train from Zurich airport to Konstanz in Germany, where I stayed a few day with my niece and her boyfriend. All up from the time I left my home until the time I arrived at my niece's home was 35 hours.

After a fun few days my sister and brother-in-law travelled seven hours from their home to pick me up before we went back to their place. The day we left my niece we travelled into Switzerland, then through parts of Austria, and Liechtenstein, before chrossing back into Germany to spend the night and following morning in Oberstdorf in the German Alps.

I can't believe that was two years ago.

July 20: 50 Years Since The First Moon Landing

Wow. I can't believe it is 50 years ago that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on the Moon. I’m not yet 50, so my entire life has been one where ‘Man has walked on the Moon’.

I must have seen the footage of Neil Armstrong's first step on the Moon, and his famous line ‘That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind’ over 100 times, and every time I see it, I still become excited. I’ve always had a fascination with space ever since I first saw the Apollo 11 Moon mission.

Even today, when asked, “if money was no object, where would you most like to spend a week?”, my answer is always the same – I’d love to spend a week on the International Space Station.

Congratulations to NASA, and all 400,000+ people who worked tirelessly, and in some cases, gave their lives so humankind could land safely on the Moon and return.

August 12: 30 Day Gratitude Challenge

I was challenged to take part in a 30 Day Gratitude Challenge whereby I am to send a greeting card per day expressing gratitude to at least one person each day for the next 30 days. So, I'm starting today.

I have done a couple of 30 Day Gratitude Challenges in the past, and they are always fun to do, because I know, no matter the situation, if a greeting card is sent as a true heart felt card, then the recipient will always feel that much better when they receive the card.

August 24: Catching up with friends for a round of putt putt

This evening I caught up with two of my longest and best friends for a game of Putt Putt (Miniature Golf). I say 'longest'. because Glenn and I have been friends since grade 1 in 1980, and Dave, Glenn and I have known each other since grade 6.

We haven't all caught up in months, so Glenn suggested for something different we play Putt Putt. It was so much fun, and the course overlooks the Brisbane city skyline, so some amazing views as we progressed around the 18 holes at dusk. I last played Putt Putt 19 years ago, and I even managed to score my very first 'hole in one' this evening.

September 7: Junior Basketball Grand Finals

Today I went to support the junior players playing for the basketball club I’m a Life Member with, who played Grand Finals. Five of the teams from the club were playing today, with three of them wining their Championship, and the other two teams perform well, but were narrowly beaten by a better team on the day.

I played in my first junior basketball grand final in 1988. Hard to believe it was 31 years ago as I still have vivid memories of that day. And, my team won that Championship.

October 23: Star Wars Episode IX "The Rise of Skywalker" Trailer Released

As I mentioned a few months ago, I'm a Huge Star Wars fan (I've seen the original trilogy over 100 times), I always get excited when a new movie in the series is released, and today I bought my ticket to see Star Wars Episode IX "The Rise of Skywalker" on the opening day here in Australia, Thursday, December 19.

Here is the official trailer, just released -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qn_spdM5Zg

Enjoy

December 4: The 12 Days of Giving Challenge

ou know when you get a feeling, just a nudge that you should reach out to someone or help someone? That is a prompting and there is a reason we feel them. This season, I invite you to join me in #The12DaysofGiving and get into the spirit of giving. One person can make a difference.

Let's join forces and send kindness out to the world, each of us playing our small because TOGETHER, we are one community that will change the world. #SendOutCards

You can join the challenge at:

www.the12daysofgiving.com/brits

December 19: Star Wars Episode IX "The Rise of Skywalker" Opening Day

As I mentioned in October, I bought a ticket to go and watch "The Rise of Skywalker" today. In the leadup to today, for the last 8 nights I've watched a previous episode a night to ensure I remember the entire story. I thoroughly enjoyed this, the last of the "Skywalker" saga, and, I'm going back this coming Sunday night to see it with friends who weren't able to see it today.

I can't believe the saga is over after 42 years, when the first movie came out in 1977.

I highly recomend going to watch the movie, as to me, based on one viewing, it is the best in the series.