Today when I was reading The Brisbane Times (www.brisbanetimes.com.au) I was very pleased to read that there are many parks in Brisbane where free wi-fi is available.  This is the article and locations listed below.

Did you know that apparently, the technology of wi-fi was invented in Australia by the CSIRO in the 90s?  Apparently, we did it, not the USA.  Good for Oz. 

Bayside Bungalow.

Here is the article below:

Free wi-fi for 20 Brisbane parks

Marissa Calligeros    October 23, 2011 - 11:52A

Free wireless internet will be available at 20 parks across Brisbane by mid next year, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says.

Cr Quirk today announced the 20 sites where the free wi-fi service will become available, following a successful trial in Brisbane’s Botanical Gardens and New Farm Park.
The free service was one of the only real surprises in Cr Quirk’s June council budget this year, with $2 million set aside for the initiative.

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Today, he also revealed that a further $413,000 would be spent on upgrading wi-fi services in 34 council libraries across the city.

Cr Quirk said more than 5000 people had taken advantage of the free wi-fi service in the Botanic Gardens, since last November, with most users connecting for about an hour each time.
‘‘And we’ve had similar numbers in New Farm Park,” Cr Quirk said.
“The popularity of free wi-fi access in the City Botanic Gardens, New Farm Park and council’s libraries has demonstrated that internet access is important to many of Brisbane’s residents and visitors.”
Cr Quirk said the council will now start work on determining the best locations in the selected sites to place the wireless equipment.
“Wi-fi access will be available in hotspots at each location, and signage will be installed to help people identify where these hotspots are,” Cr Quirk said.
“Work is expected to start next month to progressively roll out wi-fi access across the 20 locations by June next year.”

The public areas selected for the latest wi-fi rollout are:

• Rocks Riverside Park
• Orleigh Park, West End
• Post Office Square
• Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens
• The Lake Parklands, Forest Lake
• Carindale Recreation Reserve
• Booker Place Park, Bellbowrie
• 7th Brigade Park, Chermside
• Einbunpin Lagoon, Sandgate
• Guyatt Park, St Lucia
• Calamvale District Park
• Gregory Park, Milton
• King George Square
• Oriel Park, Hamilton
• D.M. Henderson Park, Macgregor
• Kalinga Park, Wooloowin
• Glindemann Park, Holland Park
• Teralba Park, Everton Park
• Hidden World Park, Fitzgibbon
• Jacob’s Ladder, Spring Hill

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-wifi-for-20-brisbane-parks-20111023-1me7n.html#ixzz1bZY7rRC5

It's Spring So It's Time To Spring Clean!

Well, it's been spring for over a month now and the weather is getting warmer and days sunnier here in Melbourne.  It is great to see this after a long brutal and grey winter with hardly any sun again.  For Queenslanders like me that have been here quite a long time, it's still difficult to get through these seasons! 

Lately I have embraced the concept of positive thinking which may sound cliche and tired but when one actually puts it into practice in an authentic way, the results are well worth it. 

I have decided I just don't do negative anymore, only positive.  Negative acquaintances, situations, jobs, relatives, anything negative, I'm just not doing it anymore I have decided.  Already the differences are amazing and I am already much happier.

Here is a great article I read today about spring cleaning in general and in particular, your house, your company and your life!  All fantastic advice to get everyone ready and happy for Christmas.

I found the article on the find articles website with the address:  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_6_60/ai_n13453558/

and the article is written by Lyn Norment.  Enjoy. 

'Spring clean your life and relationships': "Toss out some of those bad habits … talking too much, smoking too much, drinking too much and sleeping around."
by Lynn Norment

AS a kid growing up in Tennessee, spring was always a time for serious cleaning. Ofttimes I headed up the family cleaning brigade and directed my sisters in our annual spring ritual: washing windows and venetian blinds, cleaning window sills, stripping and waxing floors, scrubbing the oven, organizing closets and getting rid of items no longer used.

To this day, I still think of spring as a time to clean up, throw out, refine and polish, and get a fresh start. And it goes further than just cleaning out your closet and reorganizing your drawers. (Though this is an excellent time to do just that and put together a nice box or bag for those who are less fortunate. If you haven't worn or used an item in two years [some say one year], give or throw it away.)

Spring is also a good time to clean up your personal life. That doesn't mean you should dump your imperfect husband or lover, but simply reassess your relationship and vow to make it better. Perhaps you need to have a heart-to-heart talk with your man about what is not so right with the relationship. Experts agree that lack of communication is the No. i reason relationships go sour. Ofttimes husbands and wives are so busy with jobs, children, household responsibilities (and also sports, church and school events) that they often neglect each other and the union.

Slow down and take time for you and your man. Get a baby-sitter and check into a hotel if that's the only way you can get some uninterrupted time. Reflect on what brought you two together in the first place and try to rekindle that romance. Just like your job and your kids, relationships take time, dedication and nurturing. Good marriages don't just happen. Happy couples work endlessly and tirelessly to make them successful.

Spring renewal also means getting rid of negative energy in your life, and sometimes that translates into dumping so-called friends and even some relatives. What about that girlfriend or cousin who constantly bad-mouths your man and otherwise transfers her anger, jealousy and low self-esteem into your life? Confront her and her negative ways, and if necessary, toss her out with those old clothes.

Also toss out some of those bad habits, such as gossiping and talking too much, smoking too much, drinking too much and sleeping around. Married or single, there is no excuse for playing Russian roulette with your health and life.

But spring cleaning doesn't stop there. This is also a good time to assess your health and physical fitness. When was the last time you made a doctor's appointment to get a thorough exam rather than respond to an emergency situation? Don't be one of those people who are "afraid of doctors" and who refuse to get checkups. Your cholesterol is high and your blood pressure is up, yet you continue on the same unhealthy path that got you there in the first place. Stop being stupid. See your doctor, adopt a healthy nutrition plan, and begin (and most importantly continue) an exercise routine that can add energy to your step and years to your life. Make an appointment to get your eyes checked, and get a mammogram and colonoscopy. Be the best that you can be by adapting a healthy lifestyle.

Spring is a good time to assess and renew your commitment to your job as well. If you are unhappy with your workplace, don't just sit around with other malcontents and complain. Ask your boss what you can do to improve your performance to get a raise. In the meantime, do the work you are being paid to do. Make sure you are the best employee you can be.

The snow and ice are melting and warm breezes are in the air. Just like the budding flowers and trees, you have another chance to get it right. Don't blow it this time.

Lyn Norment.

Work

I have to get ready for work. I have a shorter working week these days but it is still a mental and physical vortex which I don't really return from until Saturday morning.

I really like the people in the office where I work. It is a corporate entity which actually gives back to the community as well. Great idea and good for the community too! I also get inspired at work.

There is a lot to do however at my job at the moment.  This is pretty much my desk above.  I am not kidding.  My work colleagues would agree.  Wish me luck for the week!

Spring!

It's Spring!  Well, it is supposed to be.  There is not a lot of evidence of it today in Melbourne however.  I am freezing and I have just closed the window to shut out icy air.  Why did I leave Queensland all those years ago?  Was I really that bored?  I was I guess or I wouldn't have left.  However, now I am always freezing and I wonder at my decision.

There is lots to do and look forward to in Melbourne though. Spring Racing for example.

Shopping trips to the city are also enjoyable in Spring (when the sun shines in Spring). 

I also love going to Chadstone Shopping Centre and looking at the gorgeous shops in Spring.  There is a new energy in Spring and everyone seems happier for a while!

I particularly like this Louis Vuitton bag.  It would look good taking this to the office!  Good for going to lunch too.   Happiness is a nice hand bag at all times.

Macaroons!

Macaroons have become my new favourite thing!  They are so pretty and taste absolutely gorgeous and if you just have one, you will not break your diet!

They go perfectly well with morning coffee AND afternoon tea or you can serve them at dinner!  People never refuse them!  They are neither rich nor immoral which is always a good thing.

I just enjoy looking at them for ages before I eat them!

I don't know if this is a Melbourne City Thing at the moment but they are everywhere.

A friend of mine even told me this week she even likes them for breakfast!

What do you want for Mother's Day!

If you are a mother of any sort, what do you want for Mother's Day? I have put my order in for these! The 505 and the 503, but not the pink as I don't wear pink.

And I would love to go to my favourite hotel for afternoon tea in Melbourne City and have these macaroons!  I love the lemon and coconut flavoured macaroons at The Westin, they are my favourite!

It's Cold!

Cold!

Winter has suddenly arrived here!  It is not snowing but if I went outside into my garden and saw this above pictured scene, I would not be surprised!  Every winter I spend in Melbourne, I always live in a parellel world and think of the mild sunny winters of Brisbane where I come from.  Brisbane sunny winters are much more pleasant than the grey Melbourne type where we don't see the sun for 9 days at a time!