Mad weather in Melbourne

It was mad driving home from work today. Massive hail, pockets of snow near the mountains where I was. Had to pull over a coupla' times to ensure a safe journey home. 120kmh winds! Intense does not begin to describe the madness.

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Storms affect peak-hour commute
Mex Cooper, Thomas Hunter
August 25, 2009 - 6:03PM
Source - the Age

Wild weather has caused a number of delays for Melbourne commuters as howling winds and heavy rain sweep across the city.

A fallen tree outside Essendon station has caused delays up to half an hour to both citybound and outbound trains on the Broadmeadows line.

A problem with signalling systems also caused delays in South Kensington earlier this evening, but a Connex spokeswoman said the problem had now been rectified.

Connex had buses and maintenance teams on standby for the extreme weather but services were running "relatively smoothly," the spokeswoman said.

Winds up to 128km/h hit Avalon earlier this afternoon and were due to arrive in the city about 5.20pm.

Bureau of Meterology duty forecaster Geoff Feren said the cold front would see the temperature drop rapidly and damaging winds of about 110km/h sweep through Melbourne.

She said the strongest winds - 117 km/h - had so far been reported at Mount William in the Grampians National Park in the state’s west.
Commuters were advised to leave work early as extreme weather threatened to play havoc with the public transport system.

There was also a warning for potential blackouts.

A Yarra Trams spokeswoman said emergency crews were also ready in case overhead tram lines were damaged this afternoon.

Falling trees pulled down both overhead tram and train lines on Friday, causing delays and cancellations when high-speed winds lashed Melbourne.

Connex and Yarra Trams advised commuters to monitor their websites for updates but said it was up to passengers to decide whether they should leave early.

SES spokesman Scott Hilditch said motorists should also take care as debris could be blown on to roads and traffic lights may malfunction from power outages.

He said up to 700,000 people commuted to the city each day and leaving early would help to minimise possible transport snarls.

Emergency services crews were this afternoon gearing up for damaging winds, possible thunderstorms and power blackouts across the state.

Gale-force winds are expected mid-week, in what is shaping up to be an exceptionally gusty season.

The destructive winds would gust to 120km/h in alpine and other elevated areas, while parts of Melbourne and other southern areas would get wind gusts of 100km/h, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Peter Blake said.

The bureau said this morning 100 km/h winds would strengthen in the state's west from early afternoon before hitting Melbourne.

"That front is approaching, it may bring a band of rain and will come late afternoon, 4 to 6pm," he said.

"There will be several hours of winds, it will pick up and strengthen during the day and into the evening.

"At least a lot of people will be safely in their houses by then."

A severe weather warning is in place for much of Victoria predicting sustained winds up to 60km/h and locally damaging gusts up to 110km/h in the Wimmera, western and alpine forecast districts and in parts of the north central, northern country, Mallee, central, northeast and Gippsland regions.

But SES spokesman Allan Briggs said people could help lessen the disruption of powerful winds.

"People need to be prepared for a power outage," he said.

"It's good to have a battery operated radio and torch, and if the power goes out they shouldn't try to do any power repairs themselves. Phone the power company, whose number should be on the bill.

"We'd also advise against using candles, unless in an absolute emergency.

"We're also urging people to avoid parking or sheltering under trees, and suggesting they secure loose items, like outdoor furniture, around their house."

Mr Briggs said SES workers had attended about 150 jobs across Victoria in the last 24 hours, helping the public cope with fallen trees and damaged power lines.

Although the strong winds will originate in the state's west, Mr Briggs said metropolitan Melbourne and the state's elevated areas could be the worst-affected areas.

Monty Python set to reunite

Monty Python set to reunite!!!

Right, the photo on the left has nothing to do with Monty Python except that it's what I made for dinner today - lamb chops and pineapple/apple milk shake. But that is purely for something completely random. Back to regular programming -

"The surviving members of legendary comedy troupe Monty Python will reunite in October to commemorate their 40th anniversary as a team.

John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam are expected to appear together at a red-letter event in New York City on October 15.

There, the Pythons will be honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) with a special award that commemorates their "outstanding contribution to film and television".

"It promises to be a rare and memorable occasion bringing the hugely talented Monty Python team together again, and we feel that the special award is a fitting tribute to this much-loved and singularly British institution," said BAFTA chairman David Parfitt.

According to The Hollywood Reporter , BAFTA previously recognised the work of Monty Python in 1987, when they were presented with a Michael Balcon Award for outstanding British contribution to cinema.

Monty Python's Flying Circus , the TV series which ran from 1969 to 1974, was the home of iconic comedy sketches such as Ministry of Silly Walks, Dead Parrot and The Lumberjack Song. The team also wrote and starred in classic films such as The Life of Brian and The Holy Grail ."

Source - http://au.tv.yahoo.com/news/article/-/article/5846439/monty-python-set-to-reunite/
Date of Access 23 August 2009

And here's the Ministry of Silly Walks.




And a personal fave. The Silly Olympics.

Worth Sharing

Worth sharing.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."
St. Augustine.

Being Happy.

Caught whilst trudging through Orchard Road. Was glad that amongst the homogeneity of Singapore's rapidly shifting loss of identity via all those bloody new metal buildings that primarily conduct heat, making the island hotter and hotter; wait I digress... that we still have people staying happy, doing what they love, and having a great time. Check out Singapore's legendary happy uncle.

We are the remnants of a long line of people.

The One Giant Leap ideal has been a great inspiration all this time, and in line with some of the thoughts gathering in my head about how we have much to be grateful for. That we are what's left of a long long line of survivors who made it through some impossible odds. I mean, pause to have a think. From the amoebas to amphibians to the apes, through the ice ages, the dark ages, the wars, the famines and great epidemics, to the stresses of everyday colonial to capitalist, competitive living. And we are the survivors. We are the sum total of what's left.


The video above isn't the original from the project, but a fanvid that quite does the job.

Here's a verse from the track 'My Culture' that is really apt. And check out the last line.

"When I look back over the years
at the things that brought tears to my eyes
papa said we have to be wise to live long lives
now I recognise what my father said before he dies
vocalise things I've left unsaid
left my spirit unfed for too long
I'm coming home to my family
Where I can be strong
Be who I planned to be
Within me, my ancestry
Givin' me continuity
Would it be remiss to continue in this way
would you rather I quit
come with the other shit
making people's hips sway
lip service I pay but I'm nervous
I pray for all the mothers who get no sleep
like a lifeline I light lines cause my compassion is
deep
for the people who fashioned me, my soul to keep
and this is who I happen to be
and if I don't see that I'm strong then I won't be "

'nuff said. let's find happiness in that!

Gallivanting

And here they are, recent adventures on film. All good things!

I'd rather.

Inspired by One Giant Leap, this thought was greatly provocative. Simple. Not simplistic. But a fundamental truth so easy to forget.

"Do we reckon that at our deathbed, we'll regret not making more money, or working harder?"

I'd rather travel, do, think, and do, spending time with people I love, sharing what I know, and experiencing the planet. The gallivanting continues! Just last week I covered about 1200kms. Will be adding another 600 this week. Onward. And yes, pictures soon.