Back in March I conducted a photograpic tour to document the underground cabling work being done to supply power to a new building in Civic, in early August I conducted another tour to provide an update on the progress of the cabling and the building.
I am pleased to report that since the first photographic tour, all of the cabling work has been completed, and all of the holes in the ground have been dug over. The building is also coming along nicely, as can be seen in some of these photos.
Firstly, let me remind you of the route taken by the cabling.
Back in March, the corner of Limestone Avenue and Coranderrk Street, which had some unrelated cabling work, looked like this
In August it looked like this
I then moved on to the Mount Ainslie Substation where I got some better photos than last time
I noticed that there seems to be a telecommunications device of some sort right next to the substation…it looks to be too small to be a phone tower, so I can only assume that it is a device setup to enable ActewAGL to monitor the substation remotely.
The areas which needed to have grass replanted have been covered in straw
This is the view looking down the fairly straight path to Limestone Avenue
I then attempted to replicate a photo I took in March, with little luck due to being unfamiliar with the modes of the camera.
As I continued towards Limestone Avenue, I spotted some wildlife, firstly a magpie
And some kangaroos (alongside Batman Street, which is actually called Quick Street on the Ainslie side of Limestone Avenue)
And some birds
And more kangaroos
On Limestone Avenue there is more straw
From the corner of Limestone Avenue and Allambee Street, the underground cabling building can be seen.
More magpies in trees on Allambee Street
In March, this area had a fence around it
And another spot which had a fence around it, this spot is in fact the spot which was the location of a photo and video of a horizontal directional drilling machine at work.
From a little bit further down Allambee Street the building looked like this in March
The corner where Allambee Street becomes Currong Street has changed a bit too!
From near the corner of Currong and Boolee Streets I had a very clear view of the Underground Cabling Building.
And more straw at the corner of Currong and Boolee Streets
From the intersection of Boolee and Ballumbir (err, sorry, they changed it to Cooyong Street for some painfully pointless reason) Streets
In March I took a photo of the building from the lawn above final leg of the cable journey
And then set about taking more photos of the building
Look! Another magpie!
More from the building
Better cross the road
Some more photos before I do
In March
Now
Window washing?
It was around about here that a passer-by informed me that he had “seen better buildings”…perhaps, but I wasn’t there for the cosmetics, I was there to document Canberra’s changing skyline.
Another magpie
Things have changed since March
Back in March, the building looked a tad less finished from the bridge over Coranderrk Street which leads to the CIT Reid Campus
Due to a recent photograpic tour of a different part of Canberra by another person on another website, being conducted by means of trespassing, I wish to assure you that I have, at no stage during my photographic tours, trespassed. The closest I get to building sites is sticking the lens of the camera through the peep holes.
Google once again remained the most popular search engine, despite a tiny drop, with 89.32% of all search engine referrals coming from Google. Yahoo was next with a slightly improved 9.14%, and MSN was next on 0.59%.
The top ten search keywords were:
schnappi video
samuel gordon stewart
samuel gordon
Schnappi video
riotact
2ue studio
louie the fly
samuel gordon-stewart
stan zemanek cancer
larry emdur
Among the odd keywords were
what was temperature in sydney at 3am 29th July 2006?
primary school and english and blog
机场建设费 fuel
东航 tips
Mike\’s Windmill Shop manager
if is child sidebar blix wordpress
conversation of making a booking, you are a customer calling a restaurant
australian off-air mp4
bagpipe music on webstream
spatchcock gobledegook
heatseeker browser
spring nut
animal taxi software
积分活动accumulate
Combino air-conditioned
policy¾ggar%melbourne
common words for lunatic
funny cityrail ringtones
how much would 8 bananas cost from woolworths
Internet Explorer lost a bit of ground but remained the most popular browser with 66.17% of the readership, Firefox gained and was next with 28.60%, Safari dropped to have 4.21%. Mozilla Suite, Opera and Netscape were under 1%, with Konqueror and others under 0.1%.
Windows was the most popular Operating System, and gained a small amount, with 90.31% of the readership, followed by Mac, which recorded another drop, with 7.98%, and Linux which gained slightly, to be on 1.62%. All others were under 0.10%.
The vast majority of readers were in Australia, althought the number did drop a few points to 79.28%. Next was the US with 6.67%, The UK with 3.94, and Japan with 2.27%. The rest of the 73 countires were under 1%.
also tied for this position is Deus Lo Vult: 5 referrals
Bandwidth
July 2006: 6,770MB
June 2006: 5,900MB
May 2006: 14,680MB
April 2006: 32,130MB
March 2006: 12,350MB
February 2006 9,280MB
January 2006: 14,240MB
December 2005: 14,010MB
November 2005: 2,870MB
October 2005: 657.85MB
September 2005: 519.89MB
August 2005: 82.93MB
A few days ago I made a comment about the aging Optus B1 satellite needing to be replaced, and whilst this is still true (Optus D1 is due up later this month), it is not the cause of the Southern Cross Syndication programming faults also mentioned in that article. Instead, it would appear that Southern Cross moved their programming services over to Optus B3 a few months ago.
The constant losses of signal experienced by network stations last week were in fact caused by regular solar activity, which unfortunately does disrupt the signal.
However, I believe that Optus B3 is not transmitting its signal as strongly as Optus B1 did. The reason I believe this is that minor sudden rain showers seem to be able to cause much more disruption than they used to. On the weekend, both 2CC and 2CA lost their network feeds temporarily when a brief rain shower occured at the receiver. Previously, such an intensity of rain would not have been enough to cause that disruption.
In other corrections, I also mentioned on the weekend that 2UE are running pre-recorded news, and managed to play a bulletin which was 24 hours old at 2am on Sunday. This is true, but it was not quite as recent a development as I thought. In the article I mentioned that 2UE followed 3AW’s lead to pre-recorded overnight news, it is now apparent that this is wrong, and 3AW actually followed 2UE’s lead (thank you to the people who alerted me to this error). Regardless of that, it is still a terrible way to run a supposed news leader…and I really don’t know what will happen if and when major international news breaks after midnight.
Once again, the Southern Cross Syndication website is well behind actual events…months on from 2UE’s decision they are still advertising the 2UE NSW news feed as “Live every hour around-the-clock plus half hourly in breakfast”. (Source)
I can only hope that they aren’t trying to use a strange definition of “live”.
I thought I might share some of my recollection of how I found out about September 11. I remember that on the morning of September 12 (Australian) I was unwell and didn’t go to school…I stayed in bed until about 9:30am and when I got up to have breakfast Mum informed me that some planes had crashed in the US. I decided that I would watch one of the morning news bulletins. When I turned on the TV, I noticed that the news was running beyond its scheduled finishing time on one station, and then I noticed that the same thing was on every channel…and then I saw the footage…I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing, and I spent pretty much all day glued to the television, shocked and horrified by what was unfolding on the other side of the world.
I remember my friends who had been at high school that day telling me that the classrooms which had televisions on that day were also glued to the television, very few classes actually ran…an institution which pretty much banned contact with the outside world during school hours ground to a halt because of what was happening overseas.
I watched the entire two parts of the mini-series on Channel Seven, "The Path To 9/11", and I must say that I thought it was one of the best pieces of television I have ever watched…I’m normally not a fan of mini-series’, but this was just outstanding. I don’t see what all the fuss over it being too critical of the Clinton administration was about…it was somewhat critical of both the Bush administration as well. It was a very moving mini-series, and I hope it does get repeated at some stage because it deserves to be run more than once, and I would urge people who haven’t seen it, to watch it if it is repeated.
I’m sure we have all been touched by the events of that fateful day in 2001, and my thoughts (just like the thoughts of many others), are with those who lost people in the tragic events of that day.
As I write this, we are only seven short hours away from the exact monent, five years on, that the first plane hit the World Trade Centre in New York, on a fateful day which has since been known as 9/11.
On this particular occasion, I have decided to hold all the posts which I had planned, and instead post this tribute to the victims of 9/11. I have deicded to have a special 9/11 Musicians Of The Week award, as I think The Seekers, and their song “We Shall Not Be Moved” are a fitting tribute to all who were killed, injured, or otherwise affected by the terrible events of 9/11.
On this day of reflection, I wish all of the survivors all the best, and mourn for those who did not survive.
Samuel
Well I’m on my way to heaven,
We shall not be moved.
On our way to heaven
We shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side,
We shall not be moved.
We shall not, we shall not be moved.
We shall not, we shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side
We shall not be moved.
Well we’re on that road to freedom,
We shall not be moved.
On that road to freedom
We shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side,
We shall not be moved.
We’re brothers together,
We shall not be moved.
We’re brothers together,
We shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side
We shall not be moved.
Lord, we shall not, we shall not be moved.
We shall not, we shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side
We shall not be moved.
Lord, we’re on our way to heaven,
We shall not be moved.
Lord, on that way to heaven
We shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side,
We shall not be moved.
We shall not, we shall not be moved.
Oh, we shall not, we shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s standin’ by the water side
(Whoa, just like a tree that’s standin’ down by the water side)
We shall not be moved.
It looks like 2UE have entered the pre-recorded news game, their 2am bulletin this morning was unfortunately a repeat of yesterday’s 2am bulletin, featuring news of the newspoll predicting a Peter Beattie victory in “today’s state election”, the motor racing industry mourning the loss of Peter Brock (but none of the details revealed during Saturday), a report which made the multiple bombings in India sound like they only just happened in the last few hours…and all of the latest in sport…from Friday night.
In fact the only thing which wasn’t out of date was the time call…at least they managed to play a 2am bulletin.
It’s a real shame that 2UE have followed the lead of their sister station in Melbourne, 3AW, and started pre-recording overnight news bulletins…looks like 2GB might be the only live and local overnight news service in Sydney after all.
Time for another round of questions from the Questionable Trio
Q: In the 1986 remake of the incredibly funny movie Little shop of horrors, with a cast of the who’s who in comedy movies at the time (Charity says "i love it myself") Who was the director of the movie?…and here is one you won’t know…what is the name of the man eating plant with slight attitude problems…and who did its voice.
A…Frank Oz of the Muppets fame was the director…the plants name was actually "Audrey 2" who came from outer space to eat the world…he was voiced by the incredibly cool Levi Stubbs Jr from the Four Tops.
Q: Name the actor:
Before entering films, I was a hard working apprentice engineer at BOAC. I played Frankenstein’s Creature in the 1967 film Casino Royale. I was awarded an MBE in the 2000 Queen’s Millennium Honours List I have been a weightlifting champion many times. I played a dual role in the Jabberwocky movie. I said this about one of my best known roles: "I took the part of the villain because everyone remembers the villain." In one of my movie roles the same part was played by three actors. I trained Christopher Reeve for his role in the Superman movie.
A: I am David Prowse.
My roles in the Jabberwocky movie were the "Black Knight" and the "Red Knight". The Film was Star Wars and the other actors were James Earl Jones doing the voice over because they didn’t like my British accent for the role of Darth Vader and Bob Anderson was the stuntman
Trivia: besides the above Darth Vader actors there were also Sebastian Shaw played Darth Vader’s face (as his redeemed self), seen only in Return of the Jedi, and Ben Burtt also added the breathing for Vader.
Have a great week.
Best wishes from The Questionable Trio Irene, Charity and Samuel
It’s been a very sad week with the loss of Steve Irwin and Peter Brock, and now more bombings in India, and I’m sure plenty of people will talk to you about that, so I might talk about a few other things instead.
Firstly, have you ever thought about all the paper that 2UE uses for things which are only ever read out on-air once (like this email for instance), well Xerox have shown off a prototype of reusable paper. The basic principle is that you print on it with UV light, and then the document fades away after about 16 hours, so you can print on it all over again…imagine how much paper could be saved worldwide…sounds like an idea worth pursuing to me.
I noticed yesterday that the unnamed teenager who stabbed Rowan Barker last year has been released on a two year suspended sentence after being convicted of a crime which carries a maximum ten year gaol sentence…it’s just not right John, I feel very sorry for Rowan, and I sincerely hope the Director of Public Prosecutions appeals the sentence and wins. These overly lenient sentences are driving me nuts John, I’m sick of them…why can’t judges hand down decent sentences any more, it seems like everyone gets away with serious crimes these days. Rowan was nearly killed by this thug, he should not be allowed back out into society.
On a related note, ACT Opposition Leader and Shadow Attorney General, Bill Stefaniak is calling for the double jeopardy laws to be re-worked , he claims they are an anachronism in modern times, and I agree with him. As he points out, if new evidence (such as DNA evidence) can be used to acquit someone, why shouldn’t it be possible to use it to convict someone? Certainly we would need safeguards, but I see nothing wrong with new evidence being presented on appeal. It works in the UK, and it would appear that the New South Wales government are considering it, sounds good to me!
I think Bill sums it up nicely in his press release:
The reforms in the UK which are being considered by the NSW Government mean the Crown may pursue further action where there has been an acquittal for murder, manslaughter or offences attracting life imprisonment where fresh and compelling evidence is now available, (eg. DNA analysis) or where there was a ‘tainted’ acquittal, (eg. where a key witness committed perjury in the trial or people gave false evidence under duress.)
Anyway, I’ll end this email on a light note with a quick joke… Q: Why did the indecisive chicken cross the road? A: To get to the other side…er, no — to go shopping…no, not that either…
Enjoy the morning John, and a big hello to Charity, Irene, Georgie and all of the lovely listeners!
Original Story 3:07pm
2CC have just broken the news (citing Sky News as a source) that motor racing legend Peter Brock has been killed in a racing accident.
More news as it comes to hand.
Samuel
Update: 3:13pm
Still unconfirmed, but more details, apparently the car hit a tree and knocked it down. Brock had a co-driver, condition unknown. End Update
Update: 3:30pm
2CC news is reporting that police have confirmed the death. News conference shortly. End Update
Update: 4:06pm
Looks like it is all confirmed now…I do have to wonder what will happen to the “have lunch with Peter Brock” competition that some shed company has been running during their television advertisements…I hope they pull the ads quick smart.
2CC’s 4PM news confirmed beyond all reasonable doubt that Peter Brock has died in a single vehicle accident and his co-driver is in a stable condition. I’ll let news.com.au fill in the other details (I just wish they would stop using the 3:05pm timestamp on their article…their first note appeared at 3:07, and the latest update was much later than that.
MOTOR racing champion driver Peter Brock has been killed in a racing accident in Western Australia.
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) said in a statement the accident occurred at about 1.50pm (AEST).
Sixty-one-year-old Brock’s co-driver, believed to Mick Hone, has been taken to hospital in a stable condition. CAMS said it will conduct a full investigation into the incident.
In the meantime, CAMS and event officials are working with the relevant civil authorities.
“On behalf of the motor sport community, CAMS offers its sincere sympathy to Peter’s family and many friends,” the statement said.
Targa West is a tarmac special stage rally.
Brock was a dominant figure in Australian motor sport, winning the Bathurst 1000, Australia’s most prominent domestic motorsport event, a total of nine times through the 1970s and 80s.
He won six Bathurst 1000 wins in seven years, including his victory in the 1979 event, which he won by a record six laps.
He retired from full-time driving in 1997.
Since 1997, he had made two return visits to Bathurst in 2002 and 2004 and returned to top-level touring car racing as a team owner of “Team Brock” in 2002 in the V8 Supercar category.
A year later he sold his share in the team to Kees Weel.
In recent years, he occasionally competed in various motorsport events such as the Targa Tasmania.
Or if not, send the long overdue replacement satellite up to take its place please?
This is now officially out of hand, the Optus B1 satellite has managed to stop broadcasting almost hourly all day, and has been having similar incidents throughout the week. The poor panel operators at stations which rely on that satellite are surely being driven mad by the constant loss of programming, and the shambles it makes of ad break schedules.
The John Laws show was a joke this morning…Tim Webster was filling in, but we didn’t get to hear much of him doing that, instead network stations had to take other measures, which in 2CC’s case meant playing lots of songs which sounded like songs Webster would have played…and even replaying interviews Webster did last week! The bits of Tim Webster’s show that we did get to hear seemed to mostly involve him playing more music (with constant audio glitches from the satellite feed).
I don’t know what Southern Cross plan on doing about the football tonight…I think we are going to have a bunch of network stations getting the webstreams ready just in case…or perhaps they will just ring the feeder stations and use a telephone quality signal.
Either way, this is a mess, and Optus need to get the replacement satellite up there before B1 completely dies.
Good idea, scrap local government…there is nothing which they do, that a more efficient state government department couldn’t do anyway.
And while we’re at it, can we please scrap the local government of Mr. Stanhope and his annoying friends here in the ACT…it was all running just fine before self-government.
Well that concludes the Home And Away season in both competitions, now it is on to the finals, and my tipping will continue until the end. The weekend which just passed was very good overall…if only I’d gone for the Storm in the NRL…would have had a perfect round then, but not to worry. The AFL was a bit more disappointing, but the doggies won, so I can’t be too upset.
John Stanley just announced on 2UE that the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has died after being stung in the chest by a stingray, whilst filming an underwater show of some sort.
I suppose an accident was bound to happen eventually, but this is sad and tragic news none the less.
Rest In Peace Steve
Update: The Courier Mail has the following to say:
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin dead
September 04, 2006 02:14pm
Article from: The Courier-Mail
THE Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, is dead.
He was killed in a freak accident in Cairns, police sources said. It is understood he was killed by a sting-ray barb that went through his chest.
He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary and that’s when it occured.
Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality this morning at Batt Reef off Port Douglas.
2UE have also added that he was 44 years old, and was pronounced dead upon arrival to hospital. End Update
