Until one day I did a google search to see if anyone else had the same issue!

Fortunately someone else had the same problem, asking the same question I had in a forum somewhere “why is my wireless keyboard dead?”. Everyone had a possible answer, batteries. No!

The issue wasn’t actually with dead batteries but with the contact that the batteries made inside the keyboard. Apparently over time the springs ware out a bit, much like Grandma’s old spring mattress and need a bit of help to make the difference.

The fix? Grab some steel wool from the kitchen and tear off a small piece, take out the batteries and pop in the steel wool, put the batteries back in and it should work!

Failing all else (and I do think this is a last resort) take it in to your nearest Apple store for a warranty claim.

This means that you will no longer be booked at 67Km p/h on Queensland roads in a 60 zone, you will be booked at 61Km p/h.

I’m not looking for an excuse to speed. As a sensible driver over the last 15 years I have had not one speeding ticket. I am, shall we call it, a “sedate” driver. I take driving very calmly and see driving as a journey, not a destination.

I really enjoy it.

I don’t ever have to worry about speed cameras, Police cars and radar traps. Why? Because I stick to the speed limit. The speed limit is a non-negotiable for me. I was recently in Sydney and was about to start the long journey home when my Aunt (who I was staying with) informed me to “watch out for the speed cameras”. I politely informed her that I was not in the least bit concerned about getting a speeding ticket. She was horrified, “how can you be so blase? It could cost you double demerit points?”. I had to gently explain that I wasn’t going to get a ticket because I don’t exceed the speed limit, how could I be concerned about the Police and speed cameras if I don’t speed?

So now we get to the crux of this post.

The Queensland government has announced that it is about to go digital with all it’s speed cameras.

What does this mean to the average motorist? I means that the the actual speed limit will now be enforced rather than the current variation of 10%.

The Western Australian government has got it right, they have reduced the variation to 5%. This will ensure that motorists are not penalised if the accidentally go a smidge over 60km p/h. It also allows for variations in the speed camera calibration and the calibration of motorists speedometers.

Want to set your cruise control to the speed limit? YOU CAN’T

This is because:

1. Next time you have cruise control on - watch carefully, the speedo will routinely go over your speed setting by a K or two on declines and downward slops and then correct itself
2. Your speedometer might be out - there are all sorts of things that can affect your true speed like tyre pressure, it’s your responsibility to ensure that it is correct

Why you can’t use the speed limit as a guide for general driving

You will need to drastically change your driving habits to stop Queensland Government main roads coffers from overflowing! Drive 5% under the posted speed and you will be OK.

Drive on the speed limit, let your mind wander, go over the posted limit by more that 1 K, and they have got you.

Queensland is in for a rude shock when this policy comes into effect.

Let me repeat, I have never had a speeding ticket, I don’t speed. But when digital cameras are rolled out across Queensland, I plan on keeping my untarnished record intact, regardless of my feelings about a policy that is all about increasing government coffers – I will continue to abide by the speed limit.

No longer is there a bit of grace there just in case you go over a little.

You will need to drive at 5% under the posted limit to ensure that you don’t get booked by accident.

Courier Mail article

This is just a short post, but it’s the small things that really count in this season of joy thanksgiving!

They wander around up there at all hours – padding back and forth and indulging in the odd “Possum Fight”.

Until a few days ago I was usually awoken by a heavy “thunk” as a possum throws itself mightily from a nearby tree branch… the entire tree is now gone… I chopped it down in desperation. Actually “Chopped” might not be the correct way of putting it… I lept “mightily” from the roof onto the tree and snapped it in half. Dad was watching me do this and thought it was hilarious.

So I’m about ready to strangle them!

An hour ago I chain sawed another branch down on the other side of the house in an effort to reduce access points onto our roof… I hope tonight will yield some success in this endeavour!

But this is the result of a roll of 161 stamps and a miss-spent afternoon in the (relatively) remote NSW town of Coonamundra.

Live writer is a XML-RPC client that allows you to post blog entries from your windows desktop.

It means that any metaweblog api compliant blogging platform can be posted to using Live Writer.

It’s awesome, just for quickly tapping out entries it’s great.

You can also easily add images:

Inserting a map of where I live:

I made it with iMovie on my new Mac Book Pro and my Canon TX1.