On the Bottom Half

Limits.

Riddle me this: the on-campus speed limit at Monash University is everywhere 40 km/h. However, every few hundred feet, there are speed humps that are set for 20 km/h. Does this make any more sense to you guys? I may not be a traffic engineer, but I swear these decisions are made by committee.

In other news, I spent the better part of yesterday morning setting up our very own little WiFi hotspot in the townhouse complex. We've finally got a broadband connection and thanks to some previous residents, a wireless router as well. Now I know a little about routers and network administration. Who knew that was how your internet connection worked when through a router?

Computer is supposed to come today. I'm not getting my hopes up.

I've been listening to NOVA 100 in the mornings during the commute. The hosts are Hughesy, Kate and Dave. Funny, but often mean, really. I've found that a lot of public humour in Australia (stuff on T.V./radio, etc.) is kinda mean-spirited and often I'm cringing at someone's dig, rather than laughing because it's more cruel than funny. Those of you who know what I laugh at will find this rather disturbing. Subtley, its different than humour at home. Helen was saying that prominent in public Aussie-ness is 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' where the best are cut down because they are better than the rest. We have this too, but I get the feeling at home that its a little more lighthearted, whereas here I'll often get the feeling that its really meant. Not that this reflects on the real people of Australia, who, of course, are much more friendly than you'll ever expect ;-)

A radio example: Kate was ragging on Hughesy yesterday morning because he didn't buy his girlfriend a present for their fourth anniversary. Hughesy said they had a committee decision between the two of them that there wouldn't be any presents this year. They went out for dinner and an IMAX instead and that was it. Kate went on that even when your girl says no presents and the statement is mutual between the two of you, you should still buy her a present anyway. Hughesy said that he didn't want to cause her embarassment by getting her something when she wouldn't have anything for him. Kate says doesn't matter, get her something anyway. They continue on like this and start TAKING CALLS about whether or not Hughesy should have gotten his girlfriend a present. Then, they actually get Hughesy's girl on the line and asked her, on air, what she thinks about her not getting a present. Kate tries to push on her that Hughesy's a dunce boyfriend for not buying her a present, while Hughesy's girl just flat out refuses to agree with Kate. 'He's not exactly a romantic,' Hughesy's girl says, 'but you can't have it all.' Not in so many words, but Kate says: 'Hughesy, you're a bad boyfriend. I think every girl should always get a present on anniversary days, even when the two of you have had a personal and private conversation agreeing there's not going to be presents this time.' Man, I wouldn't want to be on the defensive sharing intimate relationship details on-air, nor would I want to publically discuss my shortcomings as a boyfriend. (Unless, of course, I were a billionaire and such things were unavoidable.) Kudos to Hughesy and girlfriend for standing up to the assault.

Have a listen: NOVA 100.3. Don't know what will be on when you get to it. It's kind of an everything radio station, bending toward Top 40 in the mornings.

Hmmm, just an observation of public life.

posted by Kyle @ 16:16