What happens when you don't limit your options.

The Long Layover

The Bike Fridays are in!

After two months of anxious waiting, we finally got our grubby paws on them.

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The vultures are circling

So. It’s almost official (99.5%) that we are leaving Australia in January. First stop: Cuba.

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A shocking discovery

Today I discovered something. Two years of driving on the left side of the road does not erase the memory of 30 years driving on the right.

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A few photos from a night of footy

Last Friday we had some couch surfing guests from the US. They carried amazingly small backpacks, like they were going away for the weekend.

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In search of peace and a bit more happiness

The first rule of meditation club is…there are no locks.

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Hot off the press

Several months ago I got a Flickr message asking for permission to use a photo for a book cover.

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Relying on the kindness of strangers

Can you really rely on the kindness of strangers? Well, we’re 2-for-2 so far on the Great Ocean Road.

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Why Lonely Planet and Newman Are Alike

It’s not the first time and — barring a total boycott of Lonely Planet (unlikely) — not the last time that LP has sent me on a wild goose chase.

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Open letter to cyclists and drivers

I commute by bicycle to and from work. The things I see on a daily basis out there astonish me and there is no shortage of head shaking.

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Staying warm in Melbourne

Old Man Winter is making his way to Melbourne. Well, to be fair, it’s more like his third cousin, twice-removed that’s showing his face round these parts. Nonetheless, it’s getting damn cold!

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4 Nights on the Great Ocean Walk

A flash of panic washed over me. I quickly scanned the back of the van although, in my mind’s eye, I could already see them, stacked one upon the other, on the shoe rack at home. Yvonne’s orthotics were not going to make the trip.

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Question Everything

Speed Levitch on the NYC grid plan.

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What About Me?!?

Great music – check. Beautiful images – check. Excellent cinematography – check. Philosophical musings on the state of the human condition, specifically on topics such as childhood, relationships, ego, old age, consumerism and capitalism – check.

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Who turned the heat up to Ludicrous?

The tram is air-conditioned. But the body heat emanating from the crammed passengers almost masks it. The bead of sweat dripping from the elbow cleavage of a girl, as she holds her mobile to her ear, is testament to that.

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I have questions. Do you have answers?

Apparently, this is the calm before the storm. The holidays have provided a good reason for us to close our eyes and plug our ears while yelling “la la la la la la la”, pretending all is well.

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Do Page Benders Go To Hell?

Hi. I’m Carlo. And I’m a chronic page-bender. (Hello Carlo!)

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Serenity now: A brief respite from the city

Escaping the Americans without further harm, we found ourselves back on the train, about eight hours after our arrival.

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Confessions of a Digital Pack Rat

Just like dad down in the garage, unwilling to part with golf clubs that haven’t seen a dimple on a golf ball in eons, so it goes with me and computer files.

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So…this is Christmas?

As if spending Christmas in the southern hemisphere isn’t weird enough, we took it one step further. We were dining on roast duck, red cabbage, and homemade knoedels when we got “the call”.

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Aussies: they’re just so damned casual

They never cease to amaze me. They like to pretend things are serious, or that they have proper rules and regulations, but then they’ll end up undermining themelves with their casualness.

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The Big Purchase

I may not be a man with a plan, but I am now at least a man with a van.

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Federer For a Day

It’s a goal of mine to see, in person, each tennis Grand Slam event at least once in my lifetime.

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On Elevators

I just have a couple observations on lifts that I want to get off my chest. So here goes.

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Neighbourly Update

We thought she maybe had a reflection and realized the err of her ways. It wasn’t until a couple days ago that I spoke with our real estate agent and found out that she’d called our neighbour for a little chat.

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The Race That Stops A Nation

Although yellow rose was the theme for the 148th annual, 2008 Melbourne Cup, red was the colour of the day for me and Yvonne.

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A Choc-a-bloc Weekend in Sydney

We picked a hell of a weekend to go to Sydney.

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How do you deal with…

At the bottom of the steps that lead down from the backdoor of our 2-bedroom flat is a small courtyard. It consists of a narrow brick path and a tiny patch of grass.

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This Just In

I just posted some pictures on Flickr.

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Happy Birthday Yvonne!

Now, THAT’S how you watch a movie!

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Football Aussie Style

Last Saturday Yvonne and I partook in, what is so far for us, the most Australian of things to do. We went to a footy match.

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There and Back…and There and Back Again

Here’s a question. How long does it take to get from Melbourne to Sydney by air? You’d be forgiven if you answered about one to one-and-a-half hours.

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It’s Greek To Me

Dob in a hoon. C’mon, you got five guesses to tell me what that means.

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Conversation Killer

I hate those awkward moments. You’re in a confined space with a stranger; he leans over and starts to talk. You give the obligatory laugh or short response (like “yeah” and a smile) and then you both look forward into space.

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Workplace Safety. Boots are good.

In an extreme case of good fortune, none of his foot was caught underneath, save for a small piece of his baby toe that was nicked and a little piece of skin was torn off. I am so grateful of this.

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The Long Layover

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