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Done the rounds. But still amusing.

Neil Gaiman is in town. Finally a chance to meet him.

It seems up to now any time he was here, I was flying somewhere. And I’m no jetsetter. If I was it would be a small consolation.

Nonetheless its great that he does make the effort. Australia is quite a distance.

But I’m booked in. Just deciding on what to get signed. He’s here in Australia doing a number of appearances which is good. Although his new works aren’t due for release for awhile.

So that leaves me with getting him to autograph some existing material or splurging on The Absolute Sandman. Its an amazing collection I’ve heard. Extremely expensive but a terrific piece for the bookshelf.

I’d need to locate it this weekend if that was the case. I’m sure a lot of others have the same idea. Decisions. Decisions.

Been doing a bit of spring cleaning around the house. Following through on some new years resolutions.

Decided to not be so precious about books. I love them. Would dearly like to have a room to dedicate to a library. Lovely idea but dead weight in reality.

So I’ve been purging all the books that aren’t near and dear to me. Well at least that I think I might re-read anyways. Shifting a third of them out.

As a side thought, I’ve been eyeing off those e-book readers. Dymocks have gone into it in a big way. The only problem is that they’re selling the Iliad reader for eight hundred and ninety nine dollars.

I’d tried to locate the Sony reader in Japan whilst I was there. But had no luck. Not even at the Sony store. The Iliad has more that I want. From what I’ve read its not that flexible.

The ASUS eeePC could probably do the trick. Its small and light. However the screen is small and the form factor really isn’t conducive of reading on the bus or train. The newer model with the larger screen looks serviceable.

That currently leaves me with the Ipod Touch which I own. The chief issue is that the only reader is a builtin PDF reader in the mail app. I needed to drop twenty five dollars to obtain it and a number of other apps. Lets not go into this issue again.

The multitouch interface serves well for reading. Being able to magnify text at a sweep. Both portrait and landscape reading.

Graphics come up well. However the overall screen size is small. Reading comics may be difficult as it would require much touching to get through a page. So to speak.

But mailing a document to read ? I guess thats easier than most other methods. Although I can’t see why they didn’t just make the pdf viewer available generally.

Its a good start. I’ll give it a go around and abouts to see if it serves.

Definitely looking forward to the App Store. Perhaps the forthcoming WWDC will provide further details. There appear to be developers galore in line so it will be interesting to see how they compare to the existing apps available.

A document viewer must be in there somewhere. Either from Apple or a third party.

Using the Itunes store on the Touch is a revelation. So I can only imagine the App Store will be the same. As a delivery and payment mechanism it should be seamless.

Apple are going to go to the bank.

What a year. My heroes. Creative people who’ve influenced me. Given great inspiration and enjoyment are all passing on.

Gary Gygax, Dave Stevens. Now Arthur C Clarke.

Inevitable but sad.

The state of the internet on mobile devices is all over the shop. On Saturday we needed to book a restaurant for Sunday night.

We only had the name and the suburb. So I though I’d go to whitepages from my phone browser. Bad mistake. Whitepages came up a mess. Soldiering on I plugged in what details I had but came back with an eye straining mass of gibberish.

Sitting there for awhile to think. What the heck give google a go.

Plugged in the URL. It detected my phone and adjusted the web page to suit my Nokia Navigator. Entered the restaurant name and it comes back with the address and phone number. Not to overdo things, it also returns a map and a link for directions.

Now thats what I call a service. Plus its free !

People may complain about Google being a monopoly. Theres a reason for it though. They really know their tech and they make sure that it works in most given situations.

That little extra care is what keeps them king of search. Plus we got to have a great meal.

The Ipod Touch is a great bit of gear. As an Ipod its features and functionality are top notch.

However what annoys me is Apple’s dogmatic enforcement of product differentiation. The Touch is an Iphone without the phone components. I accepted that on release that it was decided that it be stripped of some functionality.

The problem is that functionality is solely some applications. In this case some small apps for mail, weather, stock, etc. A little over the top. To anyone its abundantly clear that a Touch is not an Iphone. So whats the harm in giving them both the same apps.

I have no qualms about buying new apps.

It just stings that the missing apps are now made available to new Touch purchasers at no charge. In fact there was a price drop on the Touch. But for early adopters those apps come at a cost. Various places have said that its an accounting requirement.

I’d like to know if theres an official statement that it is. It seems very much a grey area. Especially given the long practice of BIOS and firmware updates.

Case in point, PS3 and XBox360 adding DIVX and XVID playback functionality. How is it that these significant features come at no charge ?

Nearest I can figure is that Apple is conditioning the public to pay for apps delivered via the Itunes store.

I don’t need or want another login.

I have a document that currently tracks my logins. Note that none of these are work related.

Your app better be darn good is all I can say.

Whew. The Xmas break has gone by in a flash. Even less time for the normal retrospection.

Last year has had its ups and downs. Plenty of surprises and fun. The boys completed another year of school. The youngest his first. Football featured heavily. Plenty of milestones to be proud of.

A wonderful trip overseas. New sights and experiences in a totally foreign place.

I’ve been fortunate in more ways then I can count. Heres to a new year. New possibilities.

The latest trip was immense fun. As per usual I took care of video duties while the better half handled photos. This is the usual assignment to keep things simple and light.

As much as I like video and editing. Sometimes its just easier to capture that one moment. Snap and its done. Not like video where I need to actively look at everything I want to capture. Make sure I don’t run into someone whilst filming. Changing tapes and keeping batteries fresh.

Having said that I’ve gotten into a groove with video. I “run and gunned” it for two weeks. Got short snippets and key moments. Was happy to leave it at photos for certain times. I miss things when all I’m doing is video. Its important to stop and enjoy the moments as much as record them.

There was just so much great stuff with the Japan trip it was overwhelming. I kept wishing I’d brought the DSLR. Especially around Kyoto. Give me three days of photo shoots and I’d be a happy camper.

A new Crowded House album in something over ten years. What can I say? There were rumours and rumblings over the last few months. I’ve been dancing on clouds for the last couple of months listening to it.

I have my favourite band back. After an amazing farewell. Despite the devastating loss of Paul Hester.

Following Neil’s solo career and colloborations with Tim. The old favourites were never far away at a concert.

Having accept the losses. They’ve reformed with a new drummer Matt Sherrod and delivered an amazingly strong album. Distinctive melodies and harmonies tinged heavily with saddness and melancholy.

A solid colloboration with a mix of new and old sounds. The same distinctive guitars layering melodies and hooks. Synths and piano colouring the mood. Underpinned with solid rhythms from bass and drums.

Stand out tracks are Don’t Stop Now, She Called Up, Silent House and English Trees. Transit Lounge manages to skirt the familiar topic of being in transit in a good way. All too often I think of Tenacious D’s “The Road”.

Its good to be home. Even if its changed some.

So I snagged a Touch a couple of weeks ago. Succumbing finally and laying down the readies for a shiny new toy.

Its a very cool bit of gear. Mobile safari works a treat. Sixteen gig is more than enough for all my music and podcasts. Its seems quite heavy after my first gen Nano.

No signs of video display issues with blacks that have been reported elsewhere. The multitouch interface is a revelation. I’m still currently investigating the rigors of H264 encoding.

My Ipod duties are split between the two devices. The Touch fits the bill during planned activities out i.e. daily commutes and waiting on appointments. The Nano is the omnipresent entertainer in that five minutes that needs to be filled as I’ve slipped it into my pocket on the spur of the moment.

The main annoyance I have is that since the Iphone release. There has been several revisions to Itunes. I can’t help but think that most of them are to do with Apple blocking the hacking of the Iphone. All in aid of protecting their revenue agreement with AT&T.

My cursory scans of the update notes don’t really highlight any pressing issues that would require such speedy updates. Although I’m anxiously awaiting the new release which enables event entry to the calendar.

Here in lies my second peeve. The intentional hobbling of features on the Ipod Touch in comparison to the Iphone.

So if your after an Ipod with a good screen that can double as a web browser in a pinch then the Touch is it. It is expensive though if you do a feature comparison between the Iphone and it.

Returning to normal work day life after holidays. The holiday sheen is still with me.

Everyone talks of the wonderful public transport system in Japan and how terrible the Sydney’s is. Don’t get me wrong, Japan’s transport system is a marvel of precision and capacity.

In all our recent travels, we’ve run into transport issues. Stuck on full trains during peak hour in Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto. Everyone weathered the delays. Despite being three quarters of an hour to two hours behind.

Tokyo was particularly interesting as we’d just finished the afternoon in Ginza and were heading back to Shinjuku to meet some friends for dinner. However the south loop of the Maranouchi line was being held up. Apparently due to an accident.

After a half an hour wait, we opted to go around the Tokyo Metro north loop and hop to a JR line back. Two stops short of Ikebukuro the trains were delayed. Eventually making it back in a little over an hour. Updates on the JR line showed that the southern loop was running by then.

Last Friday I rolled up to McMahon’s Point to catch the six pm rivercat. Unfortunately the Ferry service could only manage a small two decker tourist ferry rented to fill in. Most likely rivercats were in for maintenance.

The problem was its a peak hour service and was full just from picking up in Circular Quay. A lucky few managed to get on before they shifted the gangplank. The public service announcement was that everyone had to wait for the seven pm service. Needless to say there were a huge number of livid people.

Rather than wait, I hopped the bus back up to North Sydney station. Jumped the train to Town Hall and caught a bus to Top Ryde. Walking in the house door at seven fifteen pm.

No mess no fuss. All thanks to a weekly travel pass that entitles me to ride everything.

Departed Tokyo for Kyoto by Shinkansen on Tuesday. Two and a half hour trip. Rather than fluffing around with shuttle buses or trying to connect via the Tokyo Metro (as we attempted in Osaka), we called a cab to Tokyo station. A smooth shinkansen ride saw us arriving in the late afternoon in Kyoto.

Stayed at a ryokan called Tazuru. Certainly a change of pace from western style hotels. Sleeping on tatami mats with two public baths to choose from. Turned out to be an excellent location within easy walk to Shijo Road. We tried out both baths as attendence is swapped in the mornings and evenings. Nothing quite like a relaxing spa after a full days touring.

Made ample use of the daily 500 yen unlimited bus ride pass to get around to all the cultural sites. There are too many to mention. The highlights were definitely the rock garden at Ryoan-ji and the Kiyomizudera (by far the grandest). It has amazing views of Kyoto as its perched on a cliff side.

Its often hard to tell scale based on the guidebooks and maps. Luckily the Kiyomizu was the last on our list as all the other temples are small by comparison. The number of people visiting on the Saturday we were there proof of its popularity. Thats not to say that other places didn’t have something to offer.

Visited Gion Corner to look for geisha. The place was brimming with people with cameras at the ready. Any appearance of a kimono greeted with flashes and snaps.

Plenty of shopping to break up the touring. The usual major department stores and US chains like the GAP. There was a dedicated football store which had the boys enthralled. Our last day, we spent winding down walking the shops along Shijo-Dori and Nishiki-Koji Dori

We saved Universal Studios to break up the monotony of temple and shrines. Caught the train into Osaka and across to the theme park. Its big enough to spend the whole day there, which we did. The boys enjoying the Spiderman ride and the closing Peter Pan show.

As the ryokan didn’t have internet access, we visited a couple of internet cafes. These are the type that provide private cubicles, showers, book libraries and allow dining. Interesting concept. I’m guessing its a home away from home given the average size of housing there.

Well worth the time to visit. Highly recommended.

Hopped the Hikari express train from Kyoto to Kansai International on Sunday evening. Discovered that Jetstar had added a stopover in Brisbane although we arrived in Sydney at the original scheduled time.

All up an amazing trip. I was well glad to be home when I arrived back. Getting much needed personal space. However it hasn’t been too long that I’ve started thinking of the next trip.

Rolled into Tokyo on Wednesday afternoon. The shinkansen was a doddle. Everything was posted in English as well as Japanese. Including the timetables.

Its like gravity. The train just cuts through the distance. Only the occasional shudder as another bullet train rips past in the opposite direction. Blink and its gone. Inside the quiet is only interrupted by the regular calls of the hostess selling food and drink.

Caught up with friends who got in two days before us. Nothing quite prepares you for the seething mass of people in the train stations. Hong Kong is close but the sheer size of the Tokyo underground is staggering. Its cheap and efficient. Free if you’ve got a JR Pass.

It took awhile to get acclimatised again. Looking for the posted exits and the station maps. Getting to actual sights from the train station is the easy bit.

Staying at the Nishi Shinjuku hotel. Its extremely good value and well located. Don’t expect anything flash. The staff speak English well. Internet is free provided you bring a laptop.

Highlights this time round was Harajuku and Yoyogi Park on a Sunday. Wandered through the Meiji Shrine and watched the crowds watching the zany young folk. Walked along Omotesando. Definitely the place to be on a weekend. Battled our way back into the JR Harajuku station.

Ginza is still great. Love the classiness of the place. Mitsukoshi department store, especially the food hall, is amazing. Had an expensive cake and coffee set overlooking the intersection.

Ginza Apple Store was packed. Its much more welcoming than the minimalist Osaka store (its trying way too hard). No Ipod Touches on the first visit. Plenty on display today. Finally got to fiddle with one. Definitely on the buy list now. Most likely when I get home.

Went back to Akihabara. Strangely it doesn’t fascinate me all that much. Yodabashi and Bic Camera are well located enough that they’ve got me covered. Prices are exceptionally good. However issues with voltages, PAL output and English menus / OSes come to the fore.

The electronics game stores like Softmap are great. They stock pretty much everything that could be made. However make sure games and accessories suit your TV type and voltage. Hope your Japanese is up to scratch though. DVDs seemed expensive. PC games were the opposite.

Saw some maids strolling around on the street. Cute but not my thang.

Strong advice for weekend dining. Plan ahead or eat early. Lunch before twelve, afternoon tea at half two and dinner at six. Most places are tiny and a group of nine will take up half the joint. Thats not to say there aren’t places that can take that many. Its just they take some finding.

Kids are well catered for at restaurants and cafes. Albeit not seen much at all. Teenage school kids aplenty though. Visited Tokyo Disney again. I think this will be our last until the boys are tall enough to ride everything. Mickey hoovered my wallet well enough to tide his crew and him over until we next come by.

Didn’t get through nearly as much as I wanted. Asakusa Temple, Shibuya, Roppongi to name a few. Guess another trip will be required.

Tomorrow is off to Kyoto.

New X Men is the only X-Men title I read. Grant Morrison pulled some major character work and warped the X mythology with amazing ease.

Following on Joss Whedon narrowed down on the core characters and their relationships. Solid stuff.

Deciding to confirm some thoughts about the current storyline I checked out the Cyclops wiki. Leading to a giant “WHAT THE” ?

Can I say RETCON to the end of Morrison’s run ? Can folks not leave something alone ?

A great character was woven new and fresh. A definite arc and role to play. However popular characters can’t be left alone. Another new addition to the pantheon.

I want to see more attempts at great new characters. Where can writers go if there is no significance ?

The flight to Osaka with Jetstar was amazingly good. Service was excellent. Seats were actually comfortable. Food. Well you can’t have everything. Truth to tell it wasn’t bad.

The boys travelled well. Day one was where the irrits set in. The long day of travel and humidity seem to take its toll. We had a light day of getting to know Osaka. Sussed out the rail lines. Got to know Umeda and Shinsaibashi. Visited the Aquarium. Definitely worth it with kids. The rest of the place I could take or leave.

Didn’t ride the ferris wheel.

Yodabashi Umeda is a mega store of electronic goodness. I pretty much don’t need anywhere else.

Day two was sightseeing from end to end. Checked out Shitennoji Temple and Osaka Castle. Back to Shinsaibashi for some light shopping and afternoon tea.

Finally located the Apple Store. A triumph of minimalism. No Ipod Touch to be seen. Very disappointing. The Ginza store was better.

Had a wander through Dotombori but ended up having dinner at an all you can eat sushi joint back on Shinsaibashi Suji.

I’ve got a pretty good sense of direction. Managing me through foreign cities easily. Shinsaibashi Suji totally blew that comfort factor. Surfacing at Takashimaya in Namba I had half an hour to quest for the Apple Store. Totally missed Mido Suji Road.

The lower end of Namba threw me into Den Den town and I wound up back at Takashimaya ! Having got my bearings I powered up Mido Suji Road to my final destination. Hence my disappointment with the place I guess.

The capper to the day was the Floating Sky Garden. With tired feet and full tummies we dragged ourselves over to the Observatory. It served up a visual treat of the entire Osaka skyline lit up. Pretty good for six hundred yen.

For a three day layover, Osaka was great. We’ve hit most of the sights and got a sense of the place. Its a vibrant city with friendly folk. English isn’t spoken much but we didn’t miss out on anything important.

The cool kids love their fashions. The wildest look like rock and roll raga muffins in search of a video clip to star. They wear it with confidence. So whose to say no.

I can clearly say “I’ll be back”.

Tomorrow is jumping the shinkansen to Tokyo. Should be fun.

The tooth fairy has arrived in the last few months. Number one has been shedding baby teeth. Biology racing through the stages. I can’t keep pace.

He recently got invited to a special school workgroup. Its just the morning but I’m sure it’ll be fun. I’m amazed and proud that he got picked to attend.

USB2 extension cable. Simple enough accessory. Go to a computer store your looking at between twenty and twenty five dollars for a one point eight metre extension.

Go to the local supermarket. The same extension is five dollars.

Go figure.

Last Saturday the second Barcamp for Sydney was held.

Top notch event. A varied mix of talks. The most popular revolved around startups and experiences with startups. Extremely informative and lively discussions.

I ended up staying for the full day.

Well worth the effort of attending. Thanks to the organisers.

As the slogan goes. Time to get out there and execute.

The urge to travel has been fermenting for the last six to eight months. Flights are paid for. Hotels booked. Well and truly tired of researching. Bags still to pack. Still some last minute arrangements but its locked in.

Kids have been forewarned. Its been well over two years since the last big overseas trip. Truly they have it good. I only took one trip as a five year old and the next wasn’t until I was around twenty.

Mine kinder roll their eyes at Disneyland and sniff at the prospect of plane travel. If asked they’d rather kick a ball round the park !

Truth to tell. They’ve been exceptionally good travel companions. Tolerating their mad parents need to drag them around foreign places and eating strange foods.

More to come.