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There is a way out of this dilemma. Just look at the petrol gauge and, if it has the pump symbol, which side the filler nozzle is shown. In my experience, since hearing this tip several years ago, it will match the side the actual filler is found on the car! If it just says “Petrol” you’re stuffed!
You’d think the website for an energy provider would have the current status of the network they use to provide energy. Because of our half arsed energy system Genesis are an “Energy retailer” who use another company’s network to distribute their product.
If you go to that distributor, UnitedNetworks which is a subsidiary of Vector, on the “Outages Centre” there is actually page with that useful information.
So why the heck, to be polite, can’t Genesis have a link to that page from their site?
Genesis Energy Home Page – Which is a useless load of promotional bullshit
Vector.co.nz - Electricity Faults and Outages- Major Faults
Which actually has useful information
The BBC won’t allow embedding so click here to view
The BBC won’t allow embedding but this is so worth clicking here
How a cat Ran up a $300 water bill! (click for full story)
http://view.break.com/169353 - Watch more free videos
Car Magazine report from the London Motorshow. Some nice metal but who let the G-Wiz in?
Lancia may return to Australia - theage.com.au
Quirky Italian car maker Lancia is considering a return to Australia after an absence of more than 20 years.
Since Ateco represent Fiat Auto in Aus/NZ I presume if Aussie happens we’ll also see Lancia back in NZ in 2010?
When I think of Lancia it’s 70’s classics – like the Beta HPE, Beta & Gamma Coupe – and the 80’s Delta which come to mind. As Lancia dissolved in a pile of rust and abandoned RHD markets shortly after it’s those memories which linger. New Zealand hasn’t seen a new Lancia for decades but you do see the occasional survivor. I particularly remember following a trio of Delta Integrales near Hamilton a few years ago. To see one is rare, three at the same time just amazing!
The line from the article that floored me was:
[Lancia boss Olivier Francois] ..who has told journalists he wants Lancia to be “Italy’s answer to Lexus”
Given the current range, warmed over Fiat platforms with odd styling, he’s got one heck of a job ahead of him. Lexus had the advantage of starting from a clean slate not the mixed Lancia legacy of classic (but lately just odd) design, motorsport credibility and appalling quality.
It’s likely to be the new Delta we see first which is, as I’ve said before, elegantly odd rather than a classic beauty. It would be nice to see Lancia return but with Fiat Auto sales counted in the hundreds (239 Fiat (the 500 will boost that in 08) , 516 Alfa Romeo, 32 Ferrari in 2007) wouldn’t the money be better invested in the current brands rather than adding another one?
UPDATE 2008–07–28: There’s a great Lancia Delta Integrale review in NZ Classic Car
The Nano is great but I think this would be a big mistake for Fiat.
To me Fiat = great little cars so to slap a badge on the Nano is akin to saying “We can’t do what we do best”
Tata Nano may be branded a Fiat in overseas markets - Autoblog
From Chair-Entity Vicki
The online registration form for the 2008 Skeptics Conference is now live at:
http://skeptics.org.nz/SK:SKEPCONFERENCEFORM
Register now!
Quick info:
Friday 26 September - Sunday 28 September
Waikato Diocesan College,
660 River Rd, Hamilton Base
Conference fee: $45/30 (waged/unwaged)If you're in the Hamilton or Auckland region, we'd appreciate it if you could help get the word out. Easiest way would be to put a conference poster up at your workplace, school staffroom, lab etc.
The A4 conference poster PDF can be downloaded from here:
http://skeptics.org.nz/download/skepconf2008.pdfAs usual there's a very interesting line-up of fascinating topics, along with some fun activities planned. More info on the NZ Skeptics Website.
There’s a new Kiwi based Skeptics blog!
Evidence Based Thought - evidencebasedthought.wordpress.com
Welcome to the Evidence Based Thought blog. A skeptical blog authored by a group of like minded individuals in New Zealand that will look to discuss some contemporary issues from a position of scientific skepticism that relate to their home country and abroad..
Tonight's Close Up story “Costly Repairs”, about the cost of car repairs after slow speed collisions, was interesting until they dragged out Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson.
Why is he considered an “authority”?
Why do the media, TV One especially, run to him for comment on just about every car related story?
I was interested to read in the Sunday Star Times that Radio Sport might be considering re-hiring Martin Devlin. Perhaps they should ask Radio Live for some tapes, from the days when he was their morning host, when he referred to Radio Sport, his former employer, as the sinking ship…
Martin Devlin wired for Veitch slot - Stuff.co.nz
Tony Veitch's demise could become Radio Sport's gain. The drums have started beating for a surprise return to the airwaves by Martin Devlin…
There are many great lines in “Life on Mars” but Gene Hunt’s;
“Look at her, she's as nervous as a very small nun at a penguin shoot”
was just brilliant.
Auckland looks a lot better without that bloody ugly Sky Tower dominating the skyline.
Taken from work as the sea fog lifted.
He is a farewell gift for a skeptical, raving atheist, boss…
The idea came while reading this post on FriendlyAtheist
There's an advert on the radio for a shop in Southland which comes with a signed up long term lessee, and property either side, and only costs $99,000.
Every time I hear it I remember the day I got off my bike and took this photo.
The two aren't connected, except in my mind, I hope...
Why do Sony make so many similar sized/styled laptops, but nothing really innovative?
Some are small, some are more powerful, some are different colours but where is the tablet, the touch, UMPC, the innovation?
Just heard this mentioned on Radio Live, thanks Graeme Hill, and it’s a good thing.
Science Media Centre - www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The SMC is an independent source of expert comment and information for journalists covering science and technology in New Zealand. Here we feature the opinions of leading scientists on breaking news stories and provide background reports and tools for both journalists and scientists. Our aim is to promote accurate, bias-free reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community
All I wanted to know was how much SKY Television's new HD set top box costs.
That meant waiting ages, and this is with broadband so God help dialup users, for the flash based site to load. Then I had to listen to some stupid receptionist prattle on about nothing, at one stage even telling me “Don’t forget, you have to click stuff”, while trying to find anything that looked like a “Price” link.
This is on a site that has no mention of pricing until you click on “Get MySKY HDi”. I don’t want to get it, I just want to know how much it is!
God forbid if you want any other info as clicking a link triggers yet more prattle from the receptionist, vaguely related to the feature, then asks the question “Would you like to learn a bit more about it?”. Well that’s why I clicked on the bloody link in the first place!
Oh, if you want to know I eventually clicked “Get MySKY HDi” and it’s a one off $599 joining fee or $49 installation fee plus $15 per month for the rest of eternity (about how long the damn site takes to load).
I then clicked “Close” on a website that did nothing to make me want “MySky Hdi”.
Who designed this crap?
NotMySKY HDi - SKY Television's crap website about their new HD set top box.
They’ll cost $199–699 to buy, $80–250/Month to run and that’s for 24 months… and still won’t do what I need.
Vodafone can keep it!
Brilliant! I’ve been a few times and loved it. Melbourne at Grand Prix time is awesome. Hope to get back for some more now it’s going to be around for a while.
Grand Prix to stay until 2015 | theage.com.au
MELBOURNE will host formula one racing until 2015 after the Brumby Government stared down race organisers over their demand for a night Grand Prix
As I write someone is being interviewed on TV, a British show, and the sky above is crisscrossed with contrails. I noticed them in the US when there, especially Florida. In New Zealand they are a rare sight, a good one enough to justify a photo.
Brilliant, thanks to Phil Plait for finding this;
In Conversation - 26 June 2008 - The late great physicist Richard Feynman
Scientists are sometimes accused of diminishing the beauty of the natural world by explaining it in terms of scientific ideas and processes. Not so, according to the late Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, who says knowledge about the inner structure of flowers only adds to the excitement, mystery and awe
Normally I leave for work at about 08:20 to get across Auckland, from the West to the Shore, for a 09:00’ish start. This avoids the worst of the commuter and school run traffic. An 08:30 start means a 60 minute +commute so I don’t unless it’s necessary.
Today I expected the truck protest to cause havoc but, because of car pooling, didn’t leave early as advised. I actually left a little bit later, nearer 08:25, and was amazed to arrive at work at 08:50. That’s a record time thanks to deserted roads and no cross traffic triggering red lights.
Riding the green wave on empty roads was brilliant. Could we have a Truck Protest every day?!
Protest fails to bring traffic chaos - 04 Jul 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news
An estimated 4000 trucks converged on the main city centres and smaller towns throughout New Zealand in protest at the government's plan to increase road user charges.
By 8am the roads were jammed but police estimated the number of private cars on the roads, particularly in Auckland, was down between 30 and 40 per cent and the predicted nightmare of a city-wide traffic gridlock did not happen.
I’m dreadfully late posting this. I knew of Humphrey’s jazz but it’s the Chairman of “I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue” I’ll miss most, thanks Humph.
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Obituary: Humphrey Lyttelton
Humphrey Lyttelton: Raconteur, wit and father of British jazz
Battleground God - www.philosophersnet.com/games/god
Can your beliefs about God make it across TPM's challenging intellectual battleground?
Congratulations! You have been awarded the TPM medal of honour! This is our highest award for outstanding service on the intellectual battleground.
The fact that you progressed through this activity neither being hit nor biting a bullet suggests that your beliefs about God are internally consistent and very well thought out.
However, you avoided both these fates - and in doing so qualify for our highest award. A fine achievement!
How did you do compared to other people?
From The Now Show (talking about the rolling road blocks in Britain)
“…a fairly pointless protest really. If causing great convoys of slow moving traffic gave you political clout then the Caravan Club would be the most powerful lobby group in Britain”
The Telegraph have a great profile of Ferrari (& Fiat) Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo as momentum builds for the launch of the “affordable” Ferrari California. Apart from some dubious styling, the 612, and occasionally tacky merchandising Ferrari are on form thanks to his leadership.
No stopping Ferrari - Telegraph
Ferrari's chairman has overseen a resurgence in the famous marque, and he is far from finished, reports Russell Hotten…
I thought The Street, Series one, was was brilliant, funny, tragic, poignant, inspiring, compelling television. It’s won awards, it’s fantastic, even TVNZ seem to think so by their own blurb.
SO WHY THE HELL IS IT SCREENING AT 23:00 - 00:10 MID-WEEK?
So shite like “The Rich List” can screen in primetime? No wonder TVNZ is stuffed.*
The Street | TV ONE | tvnz.co.nz
Wednesday July 2 at 11pm
About the show
The first series of The Street, Jimmy McGovern's emotionally powerful series, proved an instant hit with both public and critics alike.The show which ran with the tagline, "behind every door in every street, there's a story waiting to be told" scooped British television's top industry awards winning both the 2007 BAFTA and RTS awards for Best Drama Series.
The Daily Mirror dubbed it, "poignant, funny and wonderful," while the Daily Mail reckoned it was "event television." For its part, The Times raved that, "after weeks of watching awful dramas, having a McGovern drama turn up is like having Elvis walk into the room. McGovern is so persistently, noticeably, bracingly, not crap."
Now, The Street is back for a second series which features six stand-alone episodes about characters who happen to live in the same street in Manchester.
As he did in the first series, McGovern, the creator of such seminal works such as Cracker, The Lakes, Hillsborough and Gunpowder, Treason And Plot has mentored new writers. He has worked with them to create strong stories with universal appeal. These often explore the darker side of human nature, but do so with wit, intelligence and compassion.
* To be polite
UPDATE 2008–07–15:
I wrote to TVNZ re the street, a toned down version of this post, and the reply was:
"This was a repeat of the first series.
Christine Wilton
Communications Executive”
Except it isn't unless their website, which promotes series 2, and my memory (doesn't seem like series 1 to me), and IMDB’s episode list are all wrong. Showed me what TVNZ knew, and how much they care about quality TV. Remember this is the company that kept “Life on Mars” Series 2 on the shelf until they panic screened it when Prime purchased it’s follow up “Ashes…”.
I suspect if you really want to see anything without it being raped in the name of programming or commercial demands wait for the DVD.
He has arrived!
| Shipment | Location | Date | Time |
| International | United States | 06/25/08 | 5:23pm |
| Arrived Abroad | New Zealand | 07/01/08 | 7:29am |
| Out of customs | New Zealand | 07/01/08 | 1:54pm |
| Delivered Abroad | New Zealand | 07/01/08 | 5:18pm |
More to follow…
Bernard Hickey is a financial journalist, this blog post isn’t about Finance…
I’m watching the Green Wing again, on DVD, and loved this reference to out Noodly Father (thankyoutube for the clip)
Joe Bennett: Where Underpants Come from
I'll disclose I'm reading this because it's, in a strange way, about where I work and because I love Joe's writing.
The Best of Car Magazine
A blast from the past but still great reading today. From supercars to not super cars (Ford Capri), tales of CANAM and Formula One from the 60's, and when will the oil run out from the 70's (hint, it should have already) this is a great mix of nostalgia. One of the best articles is a "behind the scenes" look at filming the racing movie "Le Mans". Another highlight is the faithfully reproduced totally sexist advertising!
George Dyson: Darwin Among the Machines: The Evolution of Global Intelligence
I was shocked this book, about the evolution of artificial intelligence, began in New Zealand!
Karl Pilkington: Happyslapped by a Jellyfish: The words of Karl Pilkington
The sticker on the front says "If you think he's a genius, you're an idiot -Rricky Gervais". Karl writes about what he knows, which isn't much but he's been on a few holidays...
It's genius!
Karl Kruszelnicki: Great Mythconceptions: The Science Behind the Myths
Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki is an Aussie "celebrity scientist". This book is a collection of his columns which expose the truth behind many commonly quoted "facts".
Do we really use only 10 percent of our brain? Read this book and you'll find out...
Spike Milligan: Silly Verse for Kids
A classic for children of any age...
Jean-Michel Jarre : The Symphonic Jean-Michel Jarre (2CD Set)
I've always liked Jarre's work, his live concert DVDs especially, but the thought of it done by a symphony orchestra had me wondering: "elevator music"?
This disc proves I was wrong. The symphonic nature of his compositions is expressed brilliantly by superb arrangements. Recommended for more than elevators! You can hear samples, or buy as mp3's, from the Amazon page.
Greg Johnson: Here Comes the Caviar
Brilliant Kiwi artist, now resident in L.A. If you have the chance to see Greg live, don't miss it.
Rudy Sunde: Chants de Marins/Sea Shanties
Rudy is a local artist, writer and bugman (entomologist)
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