Melbourne Metblogs » neil

Mild Mad Monday

neil — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:09:08 +0000

Carlton's Brendan Fevola and Bryce Gibbs "hanging out" Picture: Rob Baird/Herald Sun

No fights, no urinating on cop shops, no claims of sexual misconduct…yet. A mild mad Monday for footy players but what’s up with my team crossdressing? Not man enough to kick 100 goals perhaps? Still better than the wooden spoon.

Links:

Herald Sun: Fevola Frock Shock

2AM Lockout Lifted

neil — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:23:04 +0000

Today marks the end of one of the worst policies trialled on Melbourne. No longer do patrons have to suffer confusion over which venues have lockouts. No longer will the streets be flooded with people “locked out” of venues. What have we learned from the lock out? Nothing it seems. Crime has increased, there’s still not enough police on the streets, and people are still fighting IN THE STREETS not in the venues. Good old John investigated the situation over the weekend, something he perhaps could have done before the lockout.

At least footy players will have an easier time celebrating Mad Monday tonight.

Links:

Herald Sun: Violence soars in CBD fringes as revellers move out of inner city

Melbourne Day

neil — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:22:42 +0000

John So Raises Some FlagsPhoto: ThatsMelbourne.com.au

This Saturday marks the 173rd anniversary of the city of Melbourne. Melbourne Day sets up opportunities for people to experience all that Melbourne has to offer on the cheap. There are various free events during the day including John So raising the flag of Melbourne, a rifle volley, and some live bands. The best thing about Melbourne Day though is the discounts on many attractions around Melbourne. If you haven’t seen the Eureka Tower, here is your chance to see it for half price (Buy 1 Get 1 Free).

Other deals:

FREE ENTRY - Enterprize, Melbourne’s Tallest Ship

2 FOR 1 ENTRY - City Museum at Old Treasury Melbourne

2 FOR 1 ENTRY - Champions - Australian Racing Museum

Links:

Melbourne Day Discounts

Melbourne Day

Google Street View Goes Live

neil — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:03:45 +0000

To think it was only two years ago, that everyone was excited by the ability to search for addresses in Google Maps. A year and a half ago, the company added driving directions. In it’s final stage in catching up with the rest of the world, they have released Street View for Australia. Street View for those not familar with it, is the ability to see ground level pictures layered on the map. In other words, type in your home address and more than likely you will see the front of your house.

There has been much controversy in the U.S. with Street View’s ability to pick up clear details of people walking on the street. With the Australian launch, they were able to use an automated blurring program that will blur licence plates and faces. It does seem to work well but the program has also blurred a lot of other random objects. Have a look at a few places of interests around Melbourne:

Links:

View of the Yarra from St. Kilda Road

Google Car taking a picture of a woman taking a picture of Luna Park

The MCG

Eureka Tower looking up

In the Domain Tunnel

Nyun Nyun Restaurant, Smith St, Collingwood (Hmm…spell check?)

Update: How could I forget Ramsay Street [via Google Maps Mania]

Pub Tram to the Rescue

neil — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:12:37 +0000

One of today’s most read articles on The Age today is one about how tram conductors are better than tram inspectors. Besides the fact that the author refers erroneously to Tram 15 (non-existent since 1995), she makes a good point. Tram conductors are a cheaper and better way of 1) providing some security in the tram, 2) making sure that everyone rides with a ticket, and 3) having someone who you can ask questions to (eg. tourists). Well, we will never go back to having tram conductors but here’s a idea. Pub Tram.

Helsinki, Finland is home to the pub tram called the Spårakoff . Yes, we do have the restaurant trams which are pretty cool but unless you are willing to part with lots of money for mediocre food, then we need a pub tram. OK, it won’t solve any of the tram problems, in fact it probably will cause more, but imagine those hot summer afternoons catching a tram home from work. Imagine having a nice cold beer on the ride home. Forget Myki, bring on Spårakoff .

Links:

Wikipedia: Spårakoff

The Age: Melbourne’s trams are a hostile place

Photo by matz-o-man [via Melbourne Maniac]

Where Art Thou Week 15-The Night Cat

neil — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:12:36 +0000

I really thought this was going to be a hard one. I mean it was just a picture of a wall. Jopas figured it out within an hour of the posting. Good job.

The Night Cat is one of the best venues in Fitzroy for live acts and dancing. Nope, not your usual Billy Joel cover songs but all kinds of music like jazz and salsa. Unlike most other venues, The Night Cat has loads of room to spread out, so there’s little chance of absorbing other people’s sweat (unless that’s your thing). On certain nights of the week, they teach various dance styles such as the Salsa. If you really want to hear the 80’s cover songs, then don’t fret, 120 Bar across the street plays 80’s music all night. Note: Both venues enforce the 2AM Lockout.

Links:

The Night Cat

120 Bar

Picture by yuu.tokunaga

Tram Tracking Map

neil — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:45:37 +0000

Tramroute.com shows the estimated positions of trams in Melbourne. You just pick the route and watch the tram dots slowly move along the roads. The site also features interactive timetables so you can plan your trip accordingly. The one thing that is missing is real time tram information, something I don’t think Yarra Trams would be keen to release as they have their own revenue stream through their TramTracker product. It would be interested to see how the real time map would look compared to this one. Most likely all the dots would be clumped in one section and then a big space between the next closest dot.

Links:

Tramroute.com [via Digg]

TramTracker

Where Art Thou Week 15

neil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:08 +0000

You can name what’s in the building or name of the street. It’s one of my favourite places in Melbourne (although not located in the CBD) to go on the weekends. Where Art Thou? Put your guesses in the comments. Answers on Friday.

Guy tries to ride on all of Melbourne’s trains in one day

neil — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:54:42 +0000

I was thinking the other day of how long it would take someone to ride each tram route from source to destination. Would it be possible to do it a day? Sure I guess if “nothing” went wrong but who would willingly want to stay on a tram for that long. Well, a guy called Heath Tully has set out on a similar mission to ride the entire train network of Melbourne.

Telstra and Connex have joined forces in this odd mission and he is providing instant updates via his phone/computer. I think more commendable is the overall prowess of completing 183 completely random goals before he is 30. Some of them are fairly easy “38. Do the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk” and some could be quite difficult such as “18. Meet Sir Richard Branson”. Good luck on completing 141.

Nowwearetalking- Ride all the trains in Melbourne

via [Digg]

Project 183

Werribee Joke

neil — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:44:22 +0000

You have to feel sorry for Werribee. Not only does it suffer from Boganitis but is also infamous for it’s sewage farm. Yes, 55% of Melbourne’s sewage goes to Werribee. Here’s a joke to start off our shortened week.

HURRICANE APPEAL

A major hurricane (Hurricane Shazza) and an earthquake Measuring 5.8 on theRichter scale hit the Werribee/Sanctuary Lakes area early Friday afternoon with its epicentre near the Geeelong Freeway.

Victims were seen wandering around aimlessly, muttering “Faaackinell”. The hurricane decimated the area causing approximately $30.00 worth of damage. Three areas of historic burnt out cars were disturbed. Many locals were woken well before their centrelink Cheques arrived.

The Leader Newspaper reported that hundreds of residents were confused and bewildered and were still trying to come to terms with it. One resident - Traycey Sharrynn Smith, a 16-year-old mother of 5 said “It was such a shock, my little girl, Chardonnay-Mercedes came running into my bedroom crying. My youngest two, Harley and Kev slept through it all.”

Apparently looting, muggings and car crime were unaffected and carried on as normal.

The Australian Red Cross has so far managed to ship 4,000 crates of Bacardi-Breezers to the area to help the stricken locals. Rescue workers are still searching through the rubble and have found large quantities of personal belongings, including Health Care Cards, Jewellery and Lap Tops from Officeworks.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

This appeal is to raise money for food and clothing parcels for thoseunfortunate enough to be caught up in this disaster. Clothing is most sought after - items most needed include: Baseball caps, Da-da tracksuits, singlets (blue & white), white sport socks, Nike boots, any other items usually sold at Dimmey’s or The Reject Shop.

Food parcels may be harder to come by, but are needed all the same.Required foodstuffs urgently needed include: Microwave meals, baked beans,Ice cream, Chips, Fizzy drinks. Donations of $15.00 will be taken to buy a packet of Winny blue 25s and alighter to calm the nerves of those affected.

**Breaking news** Werribee Uniting Church has cancelled their local “Nativity Display” due to their inability to find three wise men or a virgin.
Thanks to Strider

When looking for a good image for this post, I found The Werribee Blog. Good for a laugh.