Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Retinal scan

My local optometrist, Dr Lewis Cutter at Mountain Eyeworks, recently installed a fancy (and very expensive) new retinal scan machine. Here's one of the images - my left retina in this case.



The bright circle in the centre is the optic nerve. Dr C's annotated something he wanted to look more closely at so in the end I had to have a follow up exam using the traditional dilation method. I can tell you it's well worth paying the little extra for the machine to avoid this!

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Brisbane vs Essendon

While I won't get to ski on my birthday today like I did last year, I got an early birthday present last night when I watched the Lions defeat Essendon at the Gabba.

I've got to take my chances to attend Lions games when I'm in Brisbane, but I went to this one not feeling terribly hopeful after their dismal display last week. But the only thing better than a win is an unexpected win!

While Brisbane only won by 18 points, after quarter time they never really looked like losing. In the end the scoreboard flattered Essendon thanks to some questionable free kicks going their way and some wayward kicking for goal by the Lions in the second quarter in particular.

Go Lions!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Auskick

The AFL has a wonderful program for encouraging children to get involved with Aussie Rules. Known as Auskick it's based on modified rules that aim to teach the fundamental principles while ensuring fun and an appropriate level of physical contact for each age group (as judged by the mothers!) The real secret though is in the extensive support system that the AFL has established to assist schools and parents in running the program. It's so good it ought to be a management school case study.

Where this is all leading is that I went to see my wife's godson Rohan play this morning. Here's a picture of Rohan and his dad, my very good friend Raj, after the game.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Denison Canal

My parents house in Tasmania is located on the Denison Canal which was built in the early 1900's to provide a shorter shipping route from Hobart to the east coast of Tasmania. It isn't quite on the scale of the Panama or Suez canals - it's only about 500 metres long and cost the grand sum of 15,000 pounds to build (and as far as I know, nobody died in the process). But it is Australia's only man made shipping canal.

Now it's primarily used by recreational shipping. Since the house is located directly across from the bridge it makes for a good show, especially in a small seaside town of a few hundred people where not much else happens.

The bridge opens by rotating as you can see in this photo. The building in the background is the local hotel built in 1868.


The operator (Tony) collects the toll using a high tech device - a bucket on a stick.


It's also customary to add a can of beer to the bucket as a tip (you can't quite see it but I guarantee it's there!)


And when the tide goes out, you can collect some lovely tender mussels from the rocks under the bridge. Not at all like the chewy ones you get so often in restaurants. The hardest part is cleaning them. Cooking them is easy - put them in a pot with some white wine and boil them just until they open which usually takes about 30 seconds. Yum!

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Revolving restaurant

I've always been fascinated by revolving restaurants and thoroughly enjoy the experience of watching the view change as I dine. So tonight we went to Points, the revolving restaurant at the top of Hobart's Wrest Point Casino to celebrate my Mum's birthday.

Winter is on its way in Tasmania, and if you look closely you'll see traces of snow on top of Mt. Wellington.


Inside it was a lot warmer. Marie wanted to keep her hair a safe distance from this flambé!