Park Tools PK63

The grand-daddy of all bike tools, Park Tools PK 63. Bought it while the US dollar was at an all time low few months back. My day job, Dietitian, night job; Sports Dietitian and now a weekend wrench. The first project was restoring a mate's 1950's Malvern Star (suppose to be a pro bike in its hey day) Will try to get some picts next time round.
While you may have the best tools, it does not buy you experience. You just pick up a book and learn the hard way. Try looking for a 2-3mm ballbearing which I dropped while I opened up the hub of a Shimano cup cone wheel.

Options

"...our squad of athletes have grown dramatically over the years..."
"...we need someone who knows the sport and is willing to train with the athletes... but also know their life outside the sport.."
"...we need someone who knows the education system and the stress the athletes face.."
" ...we need someone has done the hard yard, has life experiences and who the athletes can look up to as a life coach.."

Just some extracts of a phone conversation I had with the Singapore Sailing CEO last Friday. The irony, I worked with passion hoping for a full time job only to be told, we really need you, but red tape restricts us from hiring you (full time). I left the country and with it my disillusion.

"..we had a meeting some time back and your name came up as the best person for the job.."
"...would you be keen to take up a high performance/sports science coordinator for the junior squad of National sailors for the upcoming Asian Games and 2010 Youth Olympics...."

Me: How much are u going to pay me! ( not those exact words but similar meaning)

"no scale really. Its up to you to negotiate.." (I take that as any thing I want..ha)

I couldn't really sleep on Friday. I had initial granduers of box seat tickets to a stadium pack full of people while watching our group of athletes walk into the stadium. But am held back with a good stable job, my own patch and a lifestyle only people in Singapore can dream about. Do I really want to give it all up for passion again?

Darwin's Waterfront

5 years back when I arrived, I recall the census reporting a population of just 100,000 for the Northern Territory (this includes Alice Springs and remote). Meaning; there's a lot less in Darwin. Houses were still pretty cheap then, you could get a land and home package for $250k.
Not anymore. Populations almost doubled and it was only befitting that we had a convention centre to match. National conferences were always held down South as there wasn't a location that could accommodate such a large crowd. Next year, we're finally having the National Dietitians Conference up here in Darwin for the first time

Apparently the State government put aside $500k for the celebrations with 2 days of spectacular fireworks. Some contested the splurge who thought the money could be better spent.

Happy Snaps...

The Kid in me

Sis is gonna kill me for this, but I must say, the intention was there. I was to buy something for my nephew and 2 niece. But sometimes I wonder if I'm buying what I want instead. Am sure David (my nephew) would have been happy with a brand new train but no, not after I laid my eyes on the most elaborate (and expensive) train set!
And with that, I pretty much blew the budget. Then again, I'm a 'boy' person. I can wrestle, tickle, poke and play rough with my nephew, but obviously, my niece dun enjoy that..ha.

Did she ever feel secure?

The Dry Season: cool and crisp weather, sky's crystal blue. Time to enjoy a little good ol' nature. Went back to Kakadu National Park for some ideas on my parents itinerary but I doubt we'll be spending much time here as mum's not the sit by the camp fire type. Gosh, we havent even got to the toilets yet...
Anyway, back to the post. I thought I got asked a question that sounded awfully familiar.
Gina: "Does your girlfriend ever feel secure?"
Me: "Why?"
Gina: "Well, you seem to know more Taiwanese backpackers than us (backpackers). And they're all girls."
First, let me set things straight. Perhaps guys are more focused on careers, that the thought of resigning from full time employment for at least a year to travel is a huge ask thus most of the backpackers are females.
Second, (not most but) all my colleagues are females.
So why am I single? Perhaps I'm used and contented with single life, perhaps I dun see myself in Darwin for the long haul. But one thing did come out of that conversation, its definitely harder getting to know people once you leave Uni and start working, cos its an extra effort that on days you'd rather sit back and relax in front of the telly.

Top: Was suppose to be rock art at Ubir but I think the camera was focused on other art.

Glenti 2008

The annual Glenti or Greek Festival here in Darwin. All my Greek favourites from Yiros to fried Octopus and short bread to vanilla slices over the weekend.
Darwin only has a population of 200 thousand. If we take out the remote population, and a turn out of 35 thousand is expected, it pretty much a huge part of town. Thats a good crowd.

Back from Brisbane

Was in Brisbane the previous 2 wks doing a course looking at the management of Type 1 Diabetes. But what I really do enjoy is the travel allowance that come with it. Its what I look forward to everyday when I'm on course.
You see, even though there's a limit, I am quite happy with cereals for breakfast in my hotel room and perhaps a quick sandwich at the hospital cafeteria or the bakery across the street. Which leaves me with quite a bit of budget come dinner. My daily routine has been grabbing a boost juice at the end of the day and trawling through the restuarants on SouthBank and in the City. I had been having a different cuisine everyday Chinese, Greek, Italian, Korean... with a few fine dining thrown in here and there. I can totally see how hard it would be for Steph to resist all these choices and good food (especially when the boss pays the tab). Took a couple of days after for some R&R and went for a day trip to the Lamington National Park.