I am not a fashionable person. In fact, if you were to ask me anything about modern culture the best I could offer up would be a blank stare and/or vacant expression. It is an affliction I wear proudly.
Last night I was at a small party with a fairly standard array of folk as befits a middle class Sydney social scene. I met a chap who proclaimed with great pomposity how he had recently purchased a Toyota Prius hybrid motor vehicle. He had decided to "do away with the old gas guzzler and help save the environment" by driving an icon of the dedicated non-thinker. "What do you drive Dan?" came the inevitable query and never in my life did I have a greater wish to say "A two door muscle car with a huge V8, detuned so that it runs extra rich because I love seeing the smoke coming out the back". Unfortunately, this would have been a lie and I explained that I rode a Vespa GT200. "That's great," proclaimed the fool, " you and I are on the same wavelength". We certainly were not !
Environmental issues have unfortunately become a fashionable vice for some rather vile people. Only in the last ten years or so have I seen just how much damage hypocritical people and organisations have done once they hijacked the "green" message. Now all of a sudden everything sold has an "environmentally friendly" angle attached to it. The problem is that there is no regulation and it can be applied to basically ANYTHING. Let me just state this now, no matter what anyone says, the Toyota Prius is NOT an environmentally friendly car. The batteries alone have some rather nasty substances in them, and it still burns petrol. People like the village idiot I met last night are hypocrites, fools and bores. Go away and take your falsely cleared conscious with you !
I wonder if it will ever be possible for people to conduct their lives in such a way where they reduce their negative impact on the environment and not feel the need to promote the fact to everyone within earshot.
Todays shout out goes to scientific research. This is where the solutions to our environmental problems will be found.
Todays shout down goes to the chap I met last night. Sorry, but I didn't catch your name, most probably because I didn't care what it was.
"The Broken Windows of the Greenhouse Effect", by Dan the VespaMan.
We all like to think,
That we are saving the world,
But maybe we should think more,
About how the truth gets hurled.
Go drive your hybrids,
Your false green moral,
Keep it to yourself,
Rather than display it as a laurel.
22 February 2009
15 February 2009
Deaf to the Tolling Bell
It seems as I roll merrily forward with this blog and make public all of the things that make up me, there is one topic that needs to be covered. The issue of religion.
I've never been a great fan of carrying a label that identifies me as part of a certain group. I hate being called a Gen Y or Gen X or I-Gen or any of the other stupid titles some social researcher at a university somewhere keeps coming up with to justify their grant. And it is with religion that again I exercise this aversion to being "classified".
The thing is, I follow no religion and I don't believe in God. But only call me an atheist if you desire me to dislike you.
I have spent considerable time looking at the different religions of the world, from the East to the West, and none of them have ever been able to present themselves as credible. I am the sort of person that never takes anything on appearance or promotion. I am a salesmans worse nightmare because I never listen to their "patter" I am only interested in the facts. I believe everything you take seriously as part of your life needs to be scrutinised and properly understood before accepting it. This is where all religions fall down, they NEVER stand up to scrutiny and ALWAYS surround themselves by a ridiculous mystical smokescreen that doesn't allow intensive analysis. A person with a mind as cynical as mine can guess the reasons for this.
However, I do believe that many people find religion an essential ingredient in their lives. It is important that people are allowed to follow any lifestyle and religion they choose (as long as it affects only them). I will never impose my belief's on others, and I expect them to do the same in return.
Todays shout out goes to jokes about religion. If there was a God, I bet she/he/it would be VERY amused. If she/he/it is not, then she/he/it should get over it.
Todays shout down goes to the leaders of the Catholic Church. A greater load of untrustworthy, elitist, ghastly people would be very difficult to find.
"The Bible, my way!", by Dan the VespaMan.
I'll never be a Saint,
But that's OK,
I'll just be me,
Day by day.
I don't believe in God,
Or heaven or hell,
What matters is dignity in life,
THAT is my tolling bell.
I've never been a great fan of carrying a label that identifies me as part of a certain group. I hate being called a Gen Y or Gen X or I-Gen or any of the other stupid titles some social researcher at a university somewhere keeps coming up with to justify their grant. And it is with religion that again I exercise this aversion to being "classified".
The thing is, I follow no religion and I don't believe in God. But only call me an atheist if you desire me to dislike you.
I have spent considerable time looking at the different religions of the world, from the East to the West, and none of them have ever been able to present themselves as credible. I am the sort of person that never takes anything on appearance or promotion. I am a salesmans worse nightmare because I never listen to their "patter" I am only interested in the facts. I believe everything you take seriously as part of your life needs to be scrutinised and properly understood before accepting it. This is where all religions fall down, they NEVER stand up to scrutiny and ALWAYS surround themselves by a ridiculous mystical smokescreen that doesn't allow intensive analysis. A person with a mind as cynical as mine can guess the reasons for this.
However, I do believe that many people find religion an essential ingredient in their lives. It is important that people are allowed to follow any lifestyle and religion they choose (as long as it affects only them). I will never impose my belief's on others, and I expect them to do the same in return.
Todays shout out goes to jokes about religion. If there was a God, I bet she/he/it would be VERY amused. If she/he/it is not, then she/he/it should get over it.
Todays shout down goes to the leaders of the Catholic Church. A greater load of untrustworthy, elitist, ghastly people would be very difficult to find.
"The Bible, my way!", by Dan the VespaMan.
I'll never be a Saint,
But that's OK,
I'll just be me,
Day by day.
I don't believe in God,
Or heaven or hell,
What matters is dignity in life,
THAT is my tolling bell.
08 February 2009
Where I lay my hat
I am not a native Sydney-sider. I moved here a few years ago from my birthplace of Adelaide in South Australia. The thing is it's quite funny just how quickly one integrates into new surroundings, given the chance that is.Just like people who have lived here their entire lives, I find myself indulging in tedious conversations about house prices, traffic, and the abysmal state government. I should be rather ashamed really as this is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable large cities I have ever trod foot in. The picture above was taken last weekend in Circular Quay and shows only a snippet of Sydney. As for the people, I find that most of them seem to live with slightly too much stress in their lives (those damn house prices and traffic problems ofcourse) but this seems to be due to a genuine pursuit of a good life. It is amazing how these people always seem to have a focus on their next enjoyable experience be it a holiday, a night on the town, a concert or a day at the beach. These are healthy attitudes to have.
Todays shout out goes to the Sydney-siders. Keep it up, your positive attitude rubs off on the city.
Todays shout down goes to people who use self service checkouts at supermarkets when they have a full trolley load of groceries. Just a hint, it will be quicker for you if you use one of the conventional aisles.
"Syd and me", by Dan the VespaMan.
I wasn't born here,
I came from over the border,
I arrived as a stranger,
and now I am part of the Sydney order.
Will I live here for the rest of my life,
God only knows,
But one thing I know for sure,
When I see Sydney, it glows.
01 February 2009
Pay the Piper
In these days of financial problems in the worlds markets, it seems strangely coincidental that I watched a program called “e-dreams”. This program concerned itself with a new startup company called “Kozmo.com” which existed from 1998 to 2001. The service it provided is irrelevant.
The central character of the documentary was Joseph Park the founder of the enterprise, a (self-confessed) entrepreneur in his late twenties, who’s infectious enthusiasm pushed the company into dizzying expansionism.
There were many issues that bothered me regarding enterprise Kozmo.com, and primarily it centres around it’s young founder. Firstly, the documentary is a shameless promotion of Park and his apparent wizardry of the business world. One wonders if rather than send his curriculum vitae to future employers he will instead just mail them out a copy of the e-dreams DVD. Scenes of his employees performing “we’re not worthy” bowing to Park and coverage of his bonce appearing in magazines and TV talk shows are strewn throughout the film with monotonous regularity. I can’t even begin to describe his god-awful motivational speeches to his troops, which seem to be lapped up by these lemmings who must have received an extra serve of naivety at birth that bright people missed out on.
You may be thinking that I don’t particularly like young Park, and if the truth be told, he isn’t someone I would be willing to put much trust in. However, I put the idea forward that he is simply an example of where capitalism has some terrible flaws.
It seemed to me that during its operational years, Kozmo.com had one main objective, that being an IPO (initial public offering). Essentially, Kozmo.com was trying to raise capital, and lots of it. In order to do this , the company needed to be “sexed up” to appeal to the sucker investment market who will view the incredible growth of the business (operations expanded into almost a dozen cities within three years) and see that as the siren song for their investment portfolio. The only thing is, profit seemed to take a backseat to the whole extravaganza ($26.3 million dollar loss in 1999).
Now, I am certainly no communist. If you want something done badly, put it in the hands of your government. But, the only time capitalism works is when the concept of the profit motive is adhered to. It is commercially irresponsible for an unprofitable company to keep expanding its operations. To do so is like building a skyscraper without setting the foundations properly. It will come crashing down. Business expansion is something that needs to be done in layers. A newly added layer needs to be tested for profit stability before more are added.
To conclude, was Park negligent in his duties? No, he was just following a common practice of many people who have their eye on the wrong prize. However, I bet he would have a difficult time delivering one of his god-awful motivational speeches to the 1100 employees who lost their jobs after the collapse of Kozmo.com. Now that, I would like to see.
Todays shout out goes to market regulation. In the jungle of the commercial world, it is our only hope for law and order.
Todays shout down goes to the naïve investor. Do your homework, and don’t blame others if you don’t make the fast bucks.
"Penny Pincher", by Dan the VespaMan.
Money Money everywhere,
And many a penny to spend,
We spent it all yesterday,
And tommorrow we’ll spend it again.
I haven’t felt the credit crunch,
But I certainly have heard the shout,
I wonder how I’ll pay the bills,
“With credit” I cry no doubt.
The central character of the documentary was Joseph Park the founder of the enterprise, a (self-confessed) entrepreneur in his late twenties, who’s infectious enthusiasm pushed the company into dizzying expansionism.
There were many issues that bothered me regarding enterprise Kozmo.com, and primarily it centres around it’s young founder. Firstly, the documentary is a shameless promotion of Park and his apparent wizardry of the business world. One wonders if rather than send his curriculum vitae to future employers he will instead just mail them out a copy of the e-dreams DVD. Scenes of his employees performing “we’re not worthy” bowing to Park and coverage of his bonce appearing in magazines and TV talk shows are strewn throughout the film with monotonous regularity. I can’t even begin to describe his god-awful motivational speeches to his troops, which seem to be lapped up by these lemmings who must have received an extra serve of naivety at birth that bright people missed out on.
You may be thinking that I don’t particularly like young Park, and if the truth be told, he isn’t someone I would be willing to put much trust in. However, I put the idea forward that he is simply an example of where capitalism has some terrible flaws.
It seemed to me that during its operational years, Kozmo.com had one main objective, that being an IPO (initial public offering). Essentially, Kozmo.com was trying to raise capital, and lots of it. In order to do this , the company needed to be “sexed up” to appeal to the sucker investment market who will view the incredible growth of the business (operations expanded into almost a dozen cities within three years) and see that as the siren song for their investment portfolio. The only thing is, profit seemed to take a backseat to the whole extravaganza ($26.3 million dollar loss in 1999).
Now, I am certainly no communist. If you want something done badly, put it in the hands of your government. But, the only time capitalism works is when the concept of the profit motive is adhered to. It is commercially irresponsible for an unprofitable company to keep expanding its operations. To do so is like building a skyscraper without setting the foundations properly. It will come crashing down. Business expansion is something that needs to be done in layers. A newly added layer needs to be tested for profit stability before more are added.
To conclude, was Park negligent in his duties? No, he was just following a common practice of many people who have their eye on the wrong prize. However, I bet he would have a difficult time delivering one of his god-awful motivational speeches to the 1100 employees who lost their jobs after the collapse of Kozmo.com. Now that, I would like to see.
Todays shout out goes to market regulation. In the jungle of the commercial world, it is our only hope for law and order.
Todays shout down goes to the naïve investor. Do your homework, and don’t blame others if you don’t make the fast bucks.
"Penny Pincher", by Dan the VespaMan.
Money Money everywhere,
And many a penny to spend,
We spent it all yesterday,
And tommorrow we’ll spend it again.
I haven’t felt the credit crunch,
But I certainly have heard the shout,
I wonder how I’ll pay the bills,
“With credit” I cry no doubt.
26 January 2009
Successful Solitude
For not the the first time I have been thinking about the way I lead my life, and what it is that makes up "me". I guess that most people do a little soul searching every now and then, and I feel that it is important to make sure that you are living your life the way you want to.
As my profile indicates, I have a reclusive streak in me that has existed for quite a while. I don't much like the term, but the word "loner" is probably the one that best describes me. The thing is, I enjoy solitary pursuits in life. I've sometimes wondered if it is some sort of extreme selfishness that is the cause of this, and the conclusion I have come to is yes it is. However, it is not a selfishness whereby I disrespect other people's rights or beliefs, but instead it is a refusal to allow anyone else to have a controlling influence on my life or beliefs. Perhaps we all need to have a little positive selfishness in our lives.
I am not a social animal who seeks the company of people. However, I value the balance I get from working with people during the day, and I love living in a big bustling city. I know people may think I am ignoring them, but to them I say "I know you are there, but I am happy being here".
Todays shout out goes to the "loners" of the world. Consider that you lead a solitary existence because that is what you wanted and you value it. Enjoy it.
Todays shout down goes to people who think "loners" need to be cured. We'll let you know when we need your help.
"The Soloist", by Dan the VespaMan.
I am in my sanctuary,
A quiet and considered place,
No rules or demands from others,
This is where I run my race.
I've never really felt lonely,
Or insecure or shy,
But if I behaved the way I'm "supposed" to,
I would be living a lie.
Thanks Dan.
As my profile indicates, I have a reclusive streak in me that has existed for quite a while. I don't much like the term, but the word "loner" is probably the one that best describes me. The thing is, I enjoy solitary pursuits in life. I've sometimes wondered if it is some sort of extreme selfishness that is the cause of this, and the conclusion I have come to is yes it is. However, it is not a selfishness whereby I disrespect other people's rights or beliefs, but instead it is a refusal to allow anyone else to have a controlling influence on my life or beliefs. Perhaps we all need to have a little positive selfishness in our lives.
I am not a social animal who seeks the company of people. However, I value the balance I get from working with people during the day, and I love living in a big bustling city. I know people may think I am ignoring them, but to them I say "I know you are there, but I am happy being here".
Todays shout out goes to the "loners" of the world. Consider that you lead a solitary existence because that is what you wanted and you value it. Enjoy it.
Todays shout down goes to people who think "loners" need to be cured. We'll let you know when we need your help.
"The Soloist", by Dan the VespaMan.
I am in my sanctuary,
A quiet and considered place,
No rules or demands from others,
This is where I run my race.
I've never really felt lonely,
Or insecure or shy,
But if I behaved the way I'm "supposed" to,
I would be living a lie.
Thanks Dan.
25 January 2009
Monet Today
I finally found my way to the Art Gallery of NSW to see the exhibition "Monet and the Impressionists". Now, let me say from the very start that I have limited knowledge of fine art, and some of the descriptions and explanations provided in the exhibition for the different artistic phases of Claude's life 
were obviously written by someone who knew a great deal about fine art for people who know a great deal about fine art. Pointless ! However, I congratulate the gallery for providing people with the opportunity to see some very beautiful pieces of art for a mere $18. As I understand it, the exhibition has been a great success and I hope we will see many more such presentations. If you are in Sydney on Australia Day, do yourself a favour and spend some time seeing the impressionists and the many other pieces of art in this impressive building. Claude heads back to Boston after tommorrow !
This may be a show of my naivety, but a recent news report advised that the Victorian government had put restrictions on the use of solarium tanning beds, mainly to do with underage use. The thing that confuses me is why there is a market for solariums at
all ??? There seems to be hours of sunlight each day that will do the job.... for free !
Todays shout out goes to Claude Monet. I don't know much about your technique, ideology or inspiration, but I do find your work beautiful.
Todays shout down goes to people who take very young children to art exhibitions and can't understand why they get so bored and start acting up. I hope you feel embarrassed.
"A Philistine at the Gallery", by Dan the VespaMan.
The blues, the greens,
The reds, the pinks,
I saw them today,
It was beautiful, I think.
But to speak in high,
and pompous tones,
To describe the works,
Gives me the groans.
Thanks Claude.
were obviously written by someone who knew a great deal about fine art for people who know a great deal about fine art. Pointless ! However, I congratulate the gallery for providing people with the opportunity to see some very beautiful pieces of art for a mere $18. As I understand it, the exhibition has been a great success and I hope we will see many more such presentations. If you are in Sydney on Australia Day, do yourself a favour and spend some time seeing the impressionists and the many other pieces of art in this impressive building. Claude heads back to Boston after tommorrow !This may be a show of my naivety, but a recent news report advised that the Victorian government had put restrictions on the use of solarium tanning beds, mainly to do with underage use. The thing that confuses me is why there is a market for solariums at
all ??? There seems to be hours of sunlight each day that will do the job.... for free !
Todays shout out goes to Claude Monet. I don't know much about your technique, ideology or inspiration, but I do find your work beautiful.
Todays shout down goes to people who take very young children to art exhibitions and can't understand why they get so bored and start acting up. I hope you feel embarrassed.
"A Philistine at the Gallery", by Dan the VespaMan.
The blues, the greens,
The reds, the pinks,
I saw them today,
It was beautiful, I think.
But to speak in high,
and pompous tones,
To describe the works,
Gives me the groans.
Thanks Claude.
17 January 2009
The Heart of the Matter
I've just finished watching a programme on the history of cardiac surgery that included some rather graphic scenes of surgery procedures. I've always been fascinated by the way that a surgeon almost seems to be working on a piece of machinery albeit incredibly delicate (and a little messy). It's when I see things like this that I question the idea that "things should be left to nature" and we "shouldn't meddle with gods work". Medical advancement is a true example of mankinds desire to help one another even though it would be easier not to.
I was fiddling around with some online photo editing websites today and fed an image through a website that converts it into an andy warhol-like piece of art. Perhaps a little tacky, but I quite like it. Outrageous colour is a gift and I really want to brighten up the blog a bit.
Todays shout out goes to Jeremy Clarkson. Oh yes, he certainly isn't everyones cup of tea, and he does have an arrogant streak in him as long as a motorway. But I enjoy reading his columns in the "Times Online", part standup comedian, part rock and roll, but always amusing and ready to upset someone who takes themselves just a little too seriously.
Todays shout down goes to the movie "Meet Dave" starring (!) Eddie Murphy. To think that I spent precious time watching that steaming pile of god-awful drivel. I still can't understand why a talented comedian like Mr. Murphy who can have his pick of the projects could possibly get involved in such material that befouls our television screens. Boo !
"A Beautiful Heart", by Dan the VespaMan.
The continual pump that is part of me,
My core, my soul, my life,
It feels good to know there are people who,
can help if you are under the knife.
To push the boundaries of technology,
Should always be our aim,
Because win or lose, neither matter,
Just how we play the game.
Thankyou Jeremy for the laughs, thankyou doctors for keeping us laughing.
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