My increased interest in cars and planes

Since moving to Oz I have become more enamoured with cars and planes. I read more about cars and planes now than I ever did before.

Cars

The 2009 Mazda 3 hatchback

I read the car sections of newspapers and blogs for the latest news on new models and technology. I’m interested in the development of green technology – electric and hybrid cars. I am just as interested in regular cars such as Toyota’s and Mazda’s as well as luxury cars like BMW and Audi.

As much as I want to own a car, the practical side of me overcomes my emotions, because deep down I don’t have a desire to own a car. I don’t have a date set in mind to own one or even savings devoted to a car.

Because in the times we live in, owning a car seems silly. They are bad for the environment and your health. The money it costs to own and maintain a car could be used on better things like travel and life betterment – massages, yoga and learning.

There may be a time I do have to own a car, maybe for work reasons. But at this stage I think I want to wait for electric and hybrid cars to become more proficient and cheaper before making the plunge in car ownership. With all the new models and upgrades to existing cars it sure makes it hard to resist.


Planes

Qantas Airbus A380 landing

Over the past few years I have increased my flying. Going to places such as London-England, Australia, Bangkok, Finland and back home to Canada. As well as flying to domestic destinations in Australia.

This has increased my interest in planes and airlines. How to get better service for my money? Which airlines are better, which routes and planes are more efficient and which seat is the best to maximize my economy seat.

Also the latest technology like the latest planes from Airbus, the A380 and from Boeing, the Dreamliner have increased my curiosity about planes.

When my parent’s come to Australia they will be flying into Melbourne on the new A380. I am very excited; I wish I could be on the plane. Although being cramped for 15 hours on a plane is not the best way to spend 15 hours, at least they are doing it on the latest technology has to offer.

With a “single beam seat design offering increased shin and knee clearance, and a carbon fibre back shell with 10.6-inch LCD screen”. The audio/video on-demand system offers hundreds of movies, TV shows and music on demand. As well as power, usb ports and network connection on all seats. In the future Wi-Fi access will be available in all cabins. The new plane should be quieter than 747 planes and more fuel efficient as well.

I look forward to one day flying on the A380 and when it comes out the Boeing Dreamliner. But I look forward even more to one day flying business class and some day first class. But I fear I will have to wait a few decades for that to happen, as I am young and economy is good enough for now. Only when I am older will the other classes truly benefit me, until then it is only really a luxury.

2 Things I’m excited about

I haven’t posted lately and thought it was time to write about something that I am looking forward to. Two dates I am looking forward to: December 10, 2008 and May 8, 2009.

The Canadian Invasion – December 10 – 13, 2008

On December 10, 2008 my parents will arrive in Melbourne to spend 3 months in the land down under. They will spend close to 4 weeks in Melbourne before jetting off to Cairns and exploring the east coast of Australia for the month of January. Returning to Melbourne in February for a week and then heading off to New Zealand for 2 weeks. I will be joining them on this trip, while Lauren joins us for one week.

Their arrival is just 3 weeks away and I’m very much looking forward to showing my family my 2nd home, Melbourne.

Also a few days later my cousin Blayne and his wife Natasha will arrive in Melbourne for a few days. They will have been travelling around Australia for a few weeks. So it will be great to see some more family and Canucks.


Star Trek returns – May 8, 2009

On May 8, 2009 in North America and around the world, a rebooted version of Star Trek will appear in cinemas. The film will feature a new young cast representing the iconic crew members of the USS Enterprise.

The latest trailer is out at: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek

This isn’t your father’s Star Trek or even my Star Trek. Its aim is to make Star Trek a global entity that appeals to a younger generation; re-introducing James T. Kirk, Spock, Bones and the rest of the crew to a new audience.

Many of the older generation who grew up with Star Trek, may not like it. But I of the younger generation who grew up with both the older Trek and the newer (but still stodgy) Next Generation, am very interested by what I have seen. I have already seen the trailer at least 10 times and I am very intrigued.

Spring time in Melbourne 2008

This past weekend in Melbourne the weather forecast was cloudy, overcast and rain. But temperatures were in the mid-high 20’s, it didn’t turn out to be a bad weekend. On Saturday it didn’t rain but was overcast and grey for the morning and early afternoon. By mid to late afternoon the sky was clear and the sun was out.

Lauren and I decided to go for a walk in the late afternoon. Initially I chose a park that I hadn’t been to before, as we had the use of a car. But the park was not as it looked on Google maps. It was small and used for cricket. The rest of the greenery on Google maps was devoted to a golf course. We then headed off to the Merri creek bike trail and started walking into the city. We diverted our path onto side streets and were at the top of the city near Lygon street.

We darted into a small unamusing laneway, if you didn’t know what was there; you would look down and not notice anything. At the end of this short laneway was a restaurant and bar. Lauren and I stopped for a drink and a relaxing break.

We then walked over to Lygon street, a street filled with Italian restaurants, lots of them. They all have outdoor seating on the side walk, where people enjoy pasta or pizza. It’s a bit pricey and the food can be hit and miss. The pizza’s are done Italian style thin crusts and little cheese.

Instead of walking further into the heart of the city we diverted our path and headed east into the inner city suburb of Fitzoy. We decided to have dinner at the Napier Pub. This is right across the street from the Fitzroy Learning network, where I used to volunteer. Lauren and I have been to this pub several times and always enjoyed the food. Lauren had kangaroo and I had chicken schnitzel burger. Both meals were delicious and I tried the kangaroo and will come back again to have it as a meal. It was very tender, juicy and tasty.

After dinner we then had to walk back to the car which was a few kilometres away. We walked up neighbourhood side streets before reaching the area of Clifton Hill which has lots of shops and restaurants.

On our drive home we then decided to have a hot chocolate in our neighbourhood of Fairfield. We went to a restaurant/desert place and sat at the front where there were 2 comfy chairs and drank hot chocolate while reading the Saturday paper.

The walk and adventures along the way was a great way to end my Saturday.