Back in August I wrote the coming new design of Triptivity called “Canberra”. It was still an early release and still an unfinished mockup. I want to thank everybody who gave us comments (via WordPress or mail). They were useful to us and showed us, that we are on the right track. Today I would like to present the latest version which shows better how the design will be. Beside a screenshot we will provide a zip file where we included html, css and images. So you if you are interested in how we build it, you can download it onto your computer.
Within the next days and weeks we are going to talk about certain aspects about the design. Like how to setup a menu like Apple, how to efficiently implement a three column layout and other aspects. Of course we will reference on web sites which we found useful.
Please feel free to give comments. And if you have ideas how to implement it better – just get in touch with us! We hope that you like it as much as we do.

The ZIP-File

CPA Congress in Canberra was a huge success and the National Convention Centre packed! You’ve read about the session highlights, now watch what delegates had to say about their Congress experience on CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.

Back in the Nation’s Capital for a week of hurt and paperwork.

This one is affectionately known as the “bike test of death”, basically the protocol involves making it harder every 3 minutes until you practically fall off, passout or vomit, whichever comes first!

Oh and somebody else will intermittently jab your ear with needles to test your lactate levels.. It really is great fun!

The AIS or, “the tute” as it is known, is always a funny place for us camp based athletes – you almost feel as though you are intruders on the residential athletes when you only roll into town 4 or 5 times a year for a week or so..

At the same time its a really good environment and everybody is really welcoming of new people, particularly in the dining hall where most of the interaction between teams and athletes of different sports take place.

However, being the second most vertically challenged athlete at the tute, behind only the gymnasts, I always feel very, very small in Gym or Dining Hall. Particularly when stuck in the toast area with volleyballers, basketballers and rowers who are sometimes not the best at noticing those below their eyeline!

This sometimes causes issues when said Giants choose to hold a conversation in a doorway and maintain a blissful ignorance to us smaller athletes existence!

All in all, the tute’s about the best place to be in Canberra because there is precious little else to do in our roundabout infested capital!

Finished up with a trip to Parliament to smile for cameras and shake hands with important people. Nice to finally have the official announcement of my selection for Vancouver out of the way, all go from here.

Plane leaves on Monday and I just can’t wait to get back into full length lycra!
Although I am dreading reintroducing my feet to my Lange’s after almost a month without wearing shoes on a regular basis.

Mitch.

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The Canberra book-signing turn-out has been as enthusiastic as Shell’arbour. They crave aliens from the outside world down here.

Aunt Karen let me sleep-in today, to a lazy 6.30am when my first interview came through.

Brian – listed in my book as ‘the Favourite Brother in Law’ (or FBIL) – has come along as ‘driver cum bodyguard’ (although given his questionable physique he’s probably more lover than fighter).

I’m getting the chance to speak briefly with everybody who buys a copy of my book, both at ACT shopping centres and at the Literary Dinner last night. (Karen and Brian both complimented the chef on their tasty beef-cheek dinner. I could only watch them devour it in envy, as I addressed the hundred or so guests about my book. To be fair, Karen did send up her spare bread roll to go with long glass of water.)

What’s interesting is that I’m signing well over a hundred books at each session and half of them are being bought by men – for Dad or brothers or uncles – or by women for men. That’s really encouraging because I thought, given the popularity of The Midday Show, the bulk of people buying or reading my book would be women. But it seems like the split is pretty even between the sexes.

It’s amazing how many people come up and say ‘I can’t wait to read your stories.’ That’s a huge relief for a first-time author.

Build a mezanine storage floor

Need more space? If you have a garage or room with a high ceiling, a mezanine floor maybe the space solution you are looking for.

We constructed a mezanine floor out of timber and added a small staircase for access. The structure is self supporting and does not need to be fixed to the walls. Ideal for leased premises or storage solutions for the home and small business.

We have compiled a construction guide showing a step by step guide to the construction of a mezanine storage floor. Included are illustrations plans and a timber span table to help work out the correct timber sizes for the span required.

Easy to assemble in a weekend for the home builder. From small areas to large, just adjust the timber sizes and measurments to suit your room size.

Included are tips on construction and easy to read plans and illustrations.

View the full range of ADF construction guides at our website www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php.

How to build a picket fence

Build your own decorative timber fencing and gates easily with the ADF Construction guides and detailed plans. Adjust the sizes to suit your area and start building straight away.

Build a timber picket fence

The ADF Construction guide covers everything you need to know to build your own decorative front fences and gates including picket, paling, panel, horizontal slat and more. Incorporate entrance pergolas, arbors, radial pergolas, lean-to pergolas, garden gazebos and other garden structures as explained in this easy to follow construction guide.

All Guides include photo illustrations, step by step instructions, material lists, suppliers, tips from the experts and over $25 of free bonus books with each purchase.

Was $19.95 RRP, buy online for under $7.95. Most plans are under $5! And receive the book immediately by return email!

Many guide books and construction guides are available including how to build a timber deck, staircase, attic ladder, bookshelf, install windows and doors, and much more.

Visit our website where you can view the whole range of DIY plans and guides. www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php

Build your Own Horizontal Timber Privacy Screens!

Build your own horizontal timber slat privacy screen easily with the ADF Construction guides and detailed plans. Adjust the sizes to suit your area and start building straight away.

The ADF Construction guide covers everything you need to know to build your own privacy screens quickly and easily. Includes a free guide to foundations and footings to help with your project. Many other projects available including, Radial pergolas, lean-to pergolas, garden gazebos, fencing, gates and screens. All privacy screen designs are explained in this easy to follow construction guide.

The Guides include photo illustrations, step by step instructions, material lists, suppliers, tips from the experts and over $25 of free bonus books with each purchase.

 Was $19.95 RRP, buy online for under $7.95. Most plans are under $5! And receive the book immediately by return email!

 Many guide books and construction guides are available including how to build a timber deck, staircase, attic ladder, bookshelf, install windows and doors, and much more.

 Visit our website where you can view the whole range of DIY plans and guides. www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php

  Build your Own Horizontal Timber Slat Fencing and Screens!

Horizontal Timber Slat Fence Construction

Build your own horizontal timber slat fence or screen easily with the ADF Construction guides and detailed plans. Adjust the sizes to suit your area and start building straight away.

The ADF Construction guide covers everything you need to know to build your own slat fence quickly and easily. Includes a free guide to foundations and footings to help with your project. Radial pergolas, lean-to pergolas, garden gazebos, fencing, gates and screens are explained in this easy to follow construction guides. All Guides include photo illustrations, step by step instructions, material lists, suppliers, tips from the experts and over $25 of free bonus books with each purchase.

 Was $19.95 RRP, buy online for under $7.95. Most plans are under $5! And receive the book immediately by return email!

Build a timber slat fence

 Many guide books and construction guides are available including how to build a timber deck, staircase, attic ladder, bookshelf, install windows and doors, and much more.

 Visit our website where you can view the whole range of DIY plans and guides. www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php

A couple of weekends ago I visited the nation’s capital, the fine and circular city Canberra with a friend who, inexplicably, had some strong desire to visit.

So, we go to Old Parliament House via the Aboriginal Embassy. At Old Parliament House, I get a little carried away with taking photos of portraits of former Prime Ministers. You know, like this guy:

Or this guy:

All very good and dandy, I thought. Prime Minister portraits hanging in Old Parliament House. Prime Ministers who, love them or hate them, fought their way to the top to lead (or mislead) the country, perhaps with a lot of luck or cunning or backstabbing or by default.

Of course, I thought as I wandered past other former Prime Ministers, none of them have been women. We like to think we’re a progressive nation with equal rights for women. Well, that’s according to rightwing columnists and bloggers who make this point by comparing women’s rights and equality in Australia with women in, say, Afghanistan. Still, women in Australia have it better than their sisters in that country. Oh, apart from the fact that one in three women in Australia will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Other countries have or have had female PMs: India, the UK, Dominica, Finland, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Canada, Pakistan, Turkey, Haiti, Israel, New Zealand, Jamaica, Croatia, Norway, Moldova, and Iceland. I’ve probably missed more but look at that list. Wow. And Australia?

Nothing. Julia Gillard, it’s your freaking time.

So, I’m wandering around looking at these portraits and admiring the art work while noting it’s all men, men, men when I come before another portrait and stop in my tracks.

Of course, I scream inside, of course! We have had a female Prime Minister of Australia! How the fuck did I forget?

The former PM and her husband

Note: this was the only portrait in Old Parliament House of a former PM that included the wife. I looked.

For sheer entertainment value alone, I love op shopping! Particularly fancy dress costume shopping. Its an excellent (and thrifty) way to spend an afternoon with friends.

Recently I was invited to an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed fancy dress party and so my friends and I decided to visit some op shops in the hunt to find the perfect costume. Canberra has a number of Salvo’s and Vinnies stores that are packed with pre-loved clothing, furniture and other knick-knacks.  The Fyshwick Salvo’s was a treasure trove of clothes and costume ideas. While we were there we found some fabulous retro jackets and vests for Mad Hatter costumes.

Mad Hatter’s aside, we found plenty of other costume ideas in the op shops we visited: khaki mens’ safari suits (great for a David Attenborough costume), martial arts uniforms (Karate Kid), wet suits (diver or Aquaman), uniforms (school, nurses); board shorts and Hawaiian shirts (for a tropical or beach theme); leather jackets (Grease, Rock n Roll), wedding dresses, evening gowns; and a heap of 70’s style mens suits and a spectular lurex dress (perfect for a disco themed party).

Next time you’ve got a fancy dress party, why not start with an op shop for your costume inspiration.

For those who know I have joined Pedal Power the ACT equivalent of Bicycle NSW. I have been able to get a couple of rides with Pedal Power in on Saturdays. These rides are similar to MASSBUG rides with the riders being a mixture of ages and led by an experienced ride leader.

Like the MASSBUG rides the leader has planned the ride weeks if not Months in advance and has been able to take us to some interesting places. On the first ride we went to Reid and saw the Turkish memorial to the ANZACs and their service in Korea along side troops from New Zealand and Australia.  Last Saturday we went to the ACT bushfire memorial to the fires that happened in 2003 and destroyed most of Mt Stromlo and several suburbs.

The Saturday rides all finish at a cafe. On the first ride it finished at a cafe in Dickson and on the last one we finished at Weston Creek.  I have enjoyed these rides although they are not as fast as the rides with Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club. I am still considering joining either the Tuggeranong Vikings Cycling Club or the ACT Vets Cycling Club. I will make a decision as soon as I have been able to get in on a training ride.

I have also purchased the famous Red Book of  rides which outlines some good places to ride in Canberra. On thursday I went on a ride to Belconnen and back to Civic after work. The day was hot and dry. The temperatures were in the 30s so I was drinking water most of the day to keep myself hydrated for this ride. I was able to get a good ride in although it was just a exploratory ride, the route was mapped out in the Red Book and it used a lot of the ACT’s bike paths to Belconnen. I started from Weston Park where I rode to after work. I then went through Yarralumla past the Governor General’s residance and then around the lake and Scrivenor Dam.

I then took the path that lead to Parkes Drive near the ANU and got talking to some rodies. It is interesting here in the ACT given that a lot of people ride road bikes  (not just the guys in clubs wearing lycra). The riders are also friendly and when I stopped to check things out they did ask if I was allright or needed directions. I rode along the bike path under Parkes way and then encountered what would normally be a slight rise. I say this because it was either the heat or the lack of preparation that really sapped my strength. I was riding the Katana and lacked the range of gears that either the Trek, Red Hybrid or Black Magic has. I continued on however and got to Belconnen way.

After a wrong turn I got back on to the route suggested in the Red book and went up Benjamin Way. I then took the path around Lake Ginninderra and noticed the transition from urban suburb to what would be almost European farm land (yellow not Green however). I rode around that lake and would have gone on past the University of Canberra but took a few more wrong turns and wound up back in suburban Canberra. I rode through some of the northern suburbs. Some of which resembled housing commission suburbs in Sydney.

I finally found myself on familiar territory when I got to Lyneham. When I got there I took the bike path I know leads to Dickson and then took myself up Northbourne Avenue back to Woden via Adelaide Avenue. It was a really good ride but one I will have to repeat again to make sure I get the benifit of the good landmarks.

If your looking for a site for Australian courses then this site is for you with a range of services including employer training and workshops, you can find a course located near you. For short courses, workshops and training this site is practical and useful.

Good news!

The CFMEU Raiders defeated the CA Brumbies in a cross-code touch challenge.

Run as a charity promotion event, raising awareness of white ribbon day on November 25.

Final score 5-1 Raiders.

Raiders: Josh Dugan (2), Drury Low, Terry Campese and Glenn Buttriss – Tries

Brumbies: James Stannard – Try

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra

The Australian War Memorial is probably one of the most photographed buildings in Canberra, if not Australia.  This image, taken from the south west through the trees of the surrounding gardens shows the sandstone and copper dome and hints at the size and impressive nature of the building.