CBD of MEL

After living in Melbourne for a couple of months now, I decided that it was time to get out and see the city.  I found a beautiful park that wasn't too far from work.  The park was a war memorial.  I heard that Australia was planning to give up everything north of Sydney during WWII and was only planning to defend the south.  I actually probably would have gone with the reverse choice (beautiful scenery in the north and lots of people in the south).  Also, next to the memorial is the Royal Botanical Gardens.  They are definitely worth a visit... even for someone that doesn't get too excited about plants.  

The other great stop on my day in the city is ACDC lane, named after that Ausie band, AC/DC.  The lane was in a very random location and I walked the entire block of it.  It's interesting how politicians get much larger streets named after them, not that AC/DC is deserving.  With that in mind, most of the New Zealand mountains are named after politicians or their friends.  However, interestingly, no mountain has been named after Sir Edmund Hillary in NZ.  There is currently a debate to change one of the mountain names to honor Hillary, but apparently there is resistance to changing the name from long-ago politicians.

Work Part 1

 Since it is difficult for most of you to come visit me at work, I decided to provide a flavor of what goes on.  This is part 1 of _ parts.  First we have the whiteboard on the left.  This is in one of the hallways.  I would like to have everyone guess what part of the board I wrote on.  Also, I've noticed that what I have put on the board has remained on the board for about a month.   I am curious to see if it will be there, still, when I move onto my next job.  I think the problem is that the board is right next to the tea ("break") room.  Most people I know are not interested in focusing on work on the way to/from or in such a room. 

 Next we have the conference room. I spend every Wednesday and Friday morning here.  Fridays are from 8:30-12.  I sit in the back right corner.  I tried to change up seats, each week, defying conformity, but I got strange looks from people.  It is obvious that everyone has chosen seats.  When I was sitting in "someones" seat, the humor for the morning was to have everyone sit in a new seat.  It's a sad life that researchers live.  I've always wondered why everyone picks a seat and stays there for classes, conferences, etc..  I personally like to change up the scenery.

Lastly, back to the tea room.  This is the view from the tea room.  Unfortunately in Melbourne, the view is not typically a sunny day.  However, when ti is clear out, it is absolutely beautiful.  The other side of the building has a limited view of the ocean.    None of the windows open, not even in my office.  I think they do that to deter unsatisfied researchers from escaping.  I've been thinking about breaking my window and throwing out a rope to ab-sail/rappel down every night (I'm on the 6th floor).  Work would be so much fun, and I would be so much more efficient at leaving my office.  

Ode to Mountains

Mountains, appearing stable, yet ever fragile and so much change.  Daring those who are able, every mile, every range.   Grows and erodes, born of the earth's destructive power.  Glaciers cut roads, but also walls to be devoured.  Peaks ever soaring, beautiful and grand.  Ridges and moors, paint the land.  Successes and failures, a measure of man.  These mold, soul cures, for those who can.  Lost lives, so much pain.  For those who dive, so much to gain.       

Queen

 I had my first official mountaineering training over this past weekend, the Queen's birthday... or at least in New Zealand.  As it turns out, the Queen's birthday is celebrated on different days, depending on what country one is in.  Interestingly, most of these celebrations don't even fall on the same month as the Queen's real birthday.  Who knew?  I wonder if the Queen knows about this.  I suppose if it were me, I wouldn't mind having my birthday celebrated on multiple days.  It would be months and months of presents and cake.  Anyhow, I don't get the Queen's birthday off for work.  Kiwis do, so therefore the mountaineering course was offered over the New Zealand Queen's birthday.

The mountaineering course syllabus essentially stated that students would learn proper snow and ice travel.  Interestingly, there was no snow and ice in any accessible area of New Zealand over the past weekend.  Therefore, we had to fake it.  The course began on Castle Hill, which is a awesome collection of boulders up on a hill.  We learned a variety of rope techniques.  It was raining in the mountains, so we were stuck in the hills. 

 The next day we learned how to dry tool.  We climbed up cliff faces with ice tools and crampons.  I had never really planned to do rock climbing with ice gear, but then again, it worked pretty well.  I got to bring out my fancy smanshy carbon fiber tools.  I received bloody knuckles during my first attempt up.  However, I was told that I did well... hmm.  My fancy tools now look like they have actually been used.  I don't have to be crazy about keeping them shiny now.  We also used my new rope... which is longer than typical ropes (it was on sale), so it is also heavier to carry up and down the mountain.  The rope now looks like it finally has seen some use.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera that day.

During the last day of the course, we went up Temple Basin, using ropes and ridge traverse techniques.  I had the opportunity to lead my first rock climb.  There were so many Keas on the route.  The disadvantage is that they try to steal rope anchors.  Unfortunately, they're smart and strong enough to do it.  Anyhow, we had beautiful weather and the traverse was a nice wrap up for my first official mountaineering training course.  Time to plan my next trip!! 

For more pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/david.bark/2011_03_06_queens#

Party on the top, business on the sides

Recently, I decided it was time for a haircut.  I had been looking all over Melbourne for a decent priced barber.. meaning <=$20.  Typical haircuts appear to be $40 around here.  Well, my frugal nature brought me to the thought of going to a hair academy.  What better way to blend into a culture than to let their artists give you the "local haircut".  So, I told them my usual style (short on top 3cm, shorter on the sides).  However, I also said that I'd be open to suggestions.  So the stylist suggested to have a little longer top side.  So he brought out the electric clippers and went along my sides and back... nothing unusual.  He brought out the scissors and started trimming the sides and back that were already shaved.  It was a first for me to have someone trim something that was already clipped.  I waited for about 45 minutes, while he trimmed the 1/4 cm hair.  I figured that he was learning.  It was then time to cut the top.  So, he takes off about a 1/4 cm from the top and asks how it looks.  I said that my conservative nature would prefer it a little shorter.  So, he took another 1/4 cm off the top.  I was thirsty, hungry, and wanted to see the penguins, so I confirmed the length.  I figured it may look better when I style it my way anyhow (mohawk style).  I don't know how the haircut experience is for most people, but I always assume that the cut will look better once I shower and spike the hair.  The student asked for approval from his boss and the boss mentioned that the trim on the back had to be fixed slightly.  So the 0.252 cm patch was trimmed to 0.25 cm.  I tried the hairstyle for a day or two, but the strange look from the boss told me that I should probably give it a more conservative look.  So, I trimmed the top, myself, and did a fine job, I might add.  The picture is of the original haircut.  It was a fun experience and now I know how to cut my own hair!