How I have become a friend with worms

Can we become friends with worms?

Yes, we can. In fact, it wouldn't take much time before we start calling them by their nicknames. I first could not believe it if this would ever happen to me. It has been almost a year since I started worm composting. Now I call them by their nickname "Mimi-chan". Yes, we can.

An Aussie couple I know showed me a worm compost system about a year ago. They explained to me how this system works and said, "We can do our part in saving the Earth starting from our own little backyard. These worms recycle kitchen waste into an excellent soil amendment called worm compost. We can reduce our garbage and grow veggies by becoming a friend with worms." I immediately liked the idea and thought to myself, "With a worm compost system, it maybe possible for us to save the Earth." Yes, we can.

Although I liked the concept of saving the Earth, the idea of paying money for worms, keeping and growing them still prevented me from getting into action for a while.

Then, one Saturday morning, just out of the blue, I wanted it and rushed to a nearby hardware store for a worm compost system and live worms. The price for the system didn't surprise me, however, it almost knocked me out when I saw the price tag for 1000 live worms (appropriate number to start worm compost system) was US$50! I was struck dumb.

When my noble aim to save the world from my backyard was almost swayed, the words from the couple whispered into my head, "We can do our part in saving the Earth by becoming a friend with worms. Yes, we can."

Led by this voice, I bought a worm compost system and 1000 live worms. When I got home, my wife was appalled and could say nothing. I could not blame her, because I paid a total amount of US$75 for them. What a big money to spend on for just worms and its home!

You might want to know if I ever regret it. No, Not even a bit. I have become a friend with worms and call them by their nickname "Mimi-chan". Also, even though it may just be a little contribution, now I know, if we can put our efforts together, we can change something. Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

Yes, we can save the Earth by becoming friends with worms.

Giraffe and me

Let's draw animals, shall we?

This was how we got started a drawing competition among our friends. There were 3 of us. Two fathers and one mother. We all have one thing in common. We all have a child and need to practice drawing animals to appeal to the child. In other words, we all did have a motivation.

Tigers, koalas, dogs, elephants. We showed our piece of work to each other after drawing. Then someone said, "Let's draw a giraffe!" and so did we. I noticed that the other father had drawn a giraffe's angle just like an antenna sticking into an alien's head. I jeered at it and said, "There is no such thing in a giraffe." He insisted that he was telling the truth and promised me to send a proof the next day.

As promised, he sent me a picutre of the proof, which really made me laugh. He sent me a giraffe's image (the above picture), telling me that he had searched for it with Google and picked the best example. I searched for a giraffe picture with Google but no such image came up on the 1st page, not even on the 2nd and 3rd. Imagining the time and efforts he has spent on to choose the best laughable picture, I just could not help myself laughing. He has a really good sense of humor. The picture made my whole that day really happy.

My love with Netbooks

I love Netbooks.  A netbook is a small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet. This new type of PC can change the whole concept of what is a mobile PC. Unlike previous mobile PCs, this new breed carries relatively in-expensive price tags (ranging from A$500-1000) and that is why it has appealed to so many people. In fact, netbooks have started to take market share away from Laptops. I believe that this trend will continue, given the current global economic slowdown. 

Netbooks typically run on Windows XP operating system rather than more resource-intensive operating systems like Windows Vista. This has many advantages. Firstly, it does not need a cutting edge but un-necessary expensive processor to operate its Operating System. Secondly, the software distributor Microsoft offers much less purchase price for Windows XP. These advantages, as it turns out, all come back to one point again. In-expensive PCs.

Some tips to buy Netbooks. 

It is important to consider thoroughly what you require the most in your Netbook other than price. Is that lightness or compactness or durability or wider keyboard or wider screen or more disc space, or longer battery life? Some models have started to accommodate such customers' requests as many as possible. However, you must make your own judgement, as it is simply hard to have everything in your PC. Therefore, my love with Netbooks will continue for good...

Crazy TIGER!!!

I missed my flight with Tiger Airways from Tasmania to Melbourne this morning.

How could this happen? I usually give myself allowance of 30 minutes or more prior to my departure time to get to the airport. This time, I was there 40 minutes before. Anyone would think that this should not be a problem, as I was not carrying any check-in luggage at all.

Wrong.

Check-in desks close strictly 45 minutes before scheduled departure time, regardless of whether you only have carry-in luggage or not. Any passenger not having completed check-in formalities will forfet their seat and no compensation will be given.

This extremely strict rule is no easy to be noticed on their website nor their ticket! While writing this blog, I checked my own e-ticket for that. It says ,, at the very bottom end of the ticket in very small print where you will never ever pay attention. This is ridiculous.

Given the current flight rules with other airlines not that strict, it just does not make sense that only one airline can have such strict rules. Besides, if they wish to do so, this special rule has to be clearly depicted on their tickets.

There are some pitfalls behind something, especially when it is something you have not tried before. I have learned that lesson the hard way. One thing is certain. I will never fly with Tiger Airways.

Mango Beer!

I have recently become a big fan of Mango Beer. I am proud to say that this handcrafted beer is made in Broom, Western Australia. With the combination of 100% mango juice & beer, one cannot resist its desire to to drink more of it. Now you can purchase this excellent beer from a nearby liquor store. Bon appetit!

Mid-tier Australian iron ore miners struggleing to survive

Since the collapse of the share markets around the globe in late 2008, a great many of Australia's mid-to-small mining companies are feeling the pinch in the hardest way. Most of them are at a finishing-up stage where their initial productions are expected to start somewhere in 2009. Then came the world's economic downturn. It is likely that more and more mergers & acquisitions will occur this year. This year will be quite interesting to watch the Australian iron ore industry. 

Bread making is a lot of fun!

Bread making should be a lot of fun. When I made my first bread, I was 14 years old. I was very excited to see plain flour transforming its shape into something delicious by my own hands. I made a lot of breads during those days. I even gave away my bread to my neighbours and they all loved my bread. Those were the days.

This same feelings should have come to me when I tried my bread making for the first time here in Perth, Australia. However, I failed. I did not know what went wrong, eventually found out that it was all due to the flour I used for bread making. The one I used in Japan was different from that of Australian made. However, my hardship still did not go away... when I used a Japanese bread flour which my friend brought for me and still failed.

My wife was a winner after all. She has never done bread making before. But she made the first bread perfectly,,,, with Australian made bread flour. What can I say more?

Swine flu

In recent weeks, it appears that there are a lot of reports from around the world with regard to swine flu. Here in Perth, as there is no direct flight from the U.S. or Mexico, we do not have much tense feeling. Having said that, there are some suspected cases reported in Western Australia too. The Australian government has implemented thermal scanners at its major international airports.

I have a client who had planned to visit Perth but have cancelled his trip to Perth totally. When he called me about his cancellation, I wanted to say to him, "I am living in Australia! The very destination you have just cancelled to go to." Of course, I shut my mouse and said, "I am looking forward to your next visit" and hung up the phone.

After the call, I thought to myself. "Wait a minute, I am actually very lucky that he has cancelled his trip to Perth, as I will not need to look after him." Sometimes in life, something unexpected happens at an unexpected occasion.

I became a tiger on a sunny Saturday afternoon

Finally, I became a tiger. 

This was achieved on a happy sunny Saturday afternoon. My wife took me to a nearby park where Family Day party took place. It turned out to be such a enjoyable day, because they gave face painting for free and that I have always wanted to try it. I loved it so much that I had not washed my face on the day until I went to bed. Happy Family Day!