I was hungary, I wanted a cookie...where could I find a cookie? Well look no further, I found the cookie bar. Every style, type, shape, size, side cookies, cookie meals, value cookies, low fat cookies, extra-fat cookies. Man I was in freakin cookie heaven.
If you want to find this cookie heaven and get some extra fat into you..
Location: Coronado Springs Resort Pepper Market, Orlando, Florida
Price: 2 Dollars to 20 Dollars
Now the funny thing about cookie heaven was they wrapped a small cookie in a box 10 times bigger than needed, Greenies would get very upset...
Monday, January 31, 2005
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Gospel FM Radio Man
'Hey guys, have you seen much of the disney parks? Yeah I think they are really neat. ' Ask's our friendly Taxi Driver.
In the background is the sound of Gospel 24hr radio, Orlando's 24hour gospel radio station.Gospel FM Radio Man-Our taxi driver on first impressions looks like a good christian deep south Happy clapper Pentecostal fellow. Friendly, musical, cool...and praise the lord.
I explained
'No, not yet, we did not really get time cause we are here for a conference..'
'All the way to Disneyworld Orlando Florida and you have not seen a Disney Park! Ah come on man! Just take it easy for the weekend and take a ride out to Animal Kingdom or if you like the water, Why not take a dip at Blizzard Beach!' Explains 24hour Gospel man...
suddenly a huge Uncle Sam people mover (i.e. a people mover that is three times the size it needs to be) swerves directly in front of us.
'ahh, Fuck man! Come on! This duuudes taking up two lanes, come on, these people nowdays driving in two lanes when really duuude, there is only one lane..'
What a cool character, a happy clappy 24hour gospel dude who suffers from road rage..Well I thought to myself, what a surprise.
'So where are you folks from?'
'well i am from Australia and my friends here, they are from Germany.'
'That's neat, Germany! Man you guys have a good soccer team, yeah man, I watch the soccer on ESPN Euroports live. Whats that name of that player,
Pause,
Longer Pause
Ahhh craaap, I can't think of his name...you know, short, no one likes him..Ah crap...I'll think of his name in a minute...Anyway, I will see you guys next time, have a good flight...'
An accomodating and a friendly fellow, I managed to reach deeper into my pocket and give him a bit of a tip...its not like he needed it too much. But he was friendly so I thought it would be nice to give him one....See you next time, Uncle SAM 24hour Gospel Radio Man!...
In the background is the sound of Gospel 24hr radio, Orlando's 24hour gospel radio station.Gospel FM Radio Man-Our taxi driver on first impressions looks like a good christian deep south Happy clapper Pentecostal fellow. Friendly, musical, cool...and praise the lord.
I explained
'No, not yet, we did not really get time cause we are here for a conference..'
'All the way to Disneyworld Orlando Florida and you have not seen a Disney Park! Ah come on man! Just take it easy for the weekend and take a ride out to Animal Kingdom or if you like the water, Why not take a dip at Blizzard Beach!' Explains 24hour Gospel man...
suddenly a huge Uncle Sam people mover (i.e. a people mover that is three times the size it needs to be) swerves directly in front of us.
'ahh, Fuck man! Come on! This duuudes taking up two lanes, come on, these people nowdays driving in two lanes when really duuude, there is only one lane..'
What a cool character, a happy clappy 24hour gospel dude who suffers from road rage..Well I thought to myself, what a surprise.
'So where are you folks from?'
'well i am from Australia and my friends here, they are from Germany.'
'That's neat, Germany! Man you guys have a good soccer team, yeah man, I watch the soccer on ESPN Euroports live. Whats that name of that player,
Pause,
Longer Pause
Ahhh craaap, I can't think of his name...you know, short, no one likes him..Ah crap...I'll think of his name in a minute...Anyway, I will see you guys next time, have a good flight...'
An accomodating and a friendly fellow, I managed to reach deeper into my pocket and give him a bit of a tip...its not like he needed it too much. But he was friendly so I thought it would be nice to give him one....See you next time, Uncle SAM 24hour Gospel Radio Man!...
Friday, January 28, 2005
Solar Energy Global Politics
Well, where can I start...
Solar Cell manufactuing is being increasingly dominated by its traditionally strong markets of Japan and Germany because not long ago the governments of these countries poured heaps of money into stabilising the subsidies for these markets. It seems now with these markets are well supported and leading the way. Recently some more countries have started these subsidy programs for solar energy like Spain, Croatia and Korea. So future growth in these countries is expected if they follow the same trajectory that Germany and Japan have. It seems now that in Germany and Japan, Solar Energy installations on grid connected homes and buildings is becoming mainstream. Recent investments into manufacturing in Germany are supported by mainstream venture capitalists including the big banks like Deutche Bank.At this moment in time the demand for solar cells outstrips supply, this is causing phenominal growth in the manufacturing sector. So much so that companies will hire people who know about solar cells from anywhere in the world.
I was lucky enough to study at a world leading research institute in Solar Energy so therefore it was easy for me to get a job overseas in the industry.
Australia has always been good at research. Our history shows this. The institute where I studied is one of the best in the world at research into solar cells. However Australia has never really been a good place to do large scale manufacturing (i.e. what they are good at doing in germany). This happens due to a multitude of reasons, mainly culture. Germans are renowned for their Engineering prowess. Therefore the actual possibility for engineering jobs in Australia for Solar Engineers to 'make' solar cells is very very limited.People always ask the question, why can't a Solar Engineer get a job in Australia? They always seem perplexed? Australia has so much sun. Well the answer is a solar engineer that specialises in some stand alone installations may have the possibility to get a job, however the stand alone market for telecommunications became saturated 20 years ago. The growth areas include building integrated grid connected photovoltaics. However, jobs in these areas are very rare and I estimate the current market is about 2 jobs int he whole of Australia. If the government of Australia was to support some higher cost grid buybacks then they could support the growth of this industry in Australia and that 2 jobs may turn into something more like 1000. Personally I am waiting for this day, however why I am waiting, I must do something and work overseas to get some great experience and when the window of opportunity does grow in Australia i will be one of the first back there.
One reason Australia does not support these subsidised buybacks of photovoltaics like germany has to do with our current governments alliance to the Bush government and not rattifying the Koto protocol. Also Australia has an abundance of Coal supplies. Something to last for another 200 years. So there is no great need to 'innovate' in terms of our energy production compared to countries like Japan where they don't have this luxory. However it seems that a variety of push and pull factors may force Australia to rethink there energy supply solutions within the next 20 years...
Solar Cell manufactuing is being increasingly dominated by its traditionally strong markets of Japan and Germany because not long ago the governments of these countries poured heaps of money into stabilising the subsidies for these markets. It seems now with these markets are well supported and leading the way. Recently some more countries have started these subsidy programs for solar energy like Spain, Croatia and Korea. So future growth in these countries is expected if they follow the same trajectory that Germany and Japan have. It seems now that in Germany and Japan, Solar Energy installations on grid connected homes and buildings is becoming mainstream. Recent investments into manufacturing in Germany are supported by mainstream venture capitalists including the big banks like Deutche Bank.At this moment in time the demand for solar cells outstrips supply, this is causing phenominal growth in the manufacturing sector. So much so that companies will hire people who know about solar cells from anywhere in the world.
I was lucky enough to study at a world leading research institute in Solar Energy so therefore it was easy for me to get a job overseas in the industry.
Australia has always been good at research. Our history shows this. The institute where I studied is one of the best in the world at research into solar cells. However Australia has never really been a good place to do large scale manufacturing (i.e. what they are good at doing in germany). This happens due to a multitude of reasons, mainly culture. Germans are renowned for their Engineering prowess. Therefore the actual possibility for engineering jobs in Australia for Solar Engineers to 'make' solar cells is very very limited.People always ask the question, why can't a Solar Engineer get a job in Australia? They always seem perplexed? Australia has so much sun. Well the answer is a solar engineer that specialises in some stand alone installations may have the possibility to get a job, however the stand alone market for telecommunications became saturated 20 years ago. The growth areas include building integrated grid connected photovoltaics. However, jobs in these areas are very rare and I estimate the current market is about 2 jobs int he whole of Australia. If the government of Australia was to support some higher cost grid buybacks then they could support the growth of this industry in Australia and that 2 jobs may turn into something more like 1000. Personally I am waiting for this day, however why I am waiting, I must do something and work overseas to get some great experience and when the window of opportunity does grow in Australia i will be one of the first back there.
One reason Australia does not support these subsidised buybacks of photovoltaics like germany has to do with our current governments alliance to the Bush government and not rattifying the Koto protocol. Also Australia has an abundance of Coal supplies. Something to last for another 200 years. So there is no great need to 'innovate' in terms of our energy production compared to countries like Japan where they don't have this luxory. However it seems that a variety of push and pull factors may force Australia to rethink there energy supply solutions within the next 20 years...
Thursday, January 13, 2005
18:36 pm Berlin Time 08/01/05
18:36 pm Berlin Time 08/01/05
First Entry for the year....
At the moment I am halucinating, I have been awake for 24 hours and in three countries. I have taken 2 taxis, 1 tram, 1 train and 3 planes.I have been in multiple time zones and the current time zone is wooooooeeee I freakin am confused zone. So far this year has been great. I have swam in tropical waters, chased tigers, been lost in Airports, taken dodgy flights and met many people from all over the world.
A few things I want to say about the big Uncle Sam, the USA..after just coiming back from my first trip to this fat country. Number one, not everything is bad! There are people who are very friendly, helpful and nice. Yet I still met a few kranks. Number two, everything is three times the size that it needs to be! The cars, the roads, the houses, the cookies, the hotel beds, the hotel rooms, the large meal at McDonalds.....absolutely everything...ummm including one third of the people!!Number three, on free TV they have 60 chanels. However I could not find one interesting chanel. Huge amounts of quantity but no quality!Number four, in Orlando there is 24 hour gospel music FM radio!
Ok not too much can be said about US other than that I had fun!
First Entry for the year....
At the moment I am halucinating, I have been awake for 24 hours and in three countries. I have taken 2 taxis, 1 tram, 1 train and 3 planes.I have been in multiple time zones and the current time zone is wooooooeeee I freakin am confused zone. So far this year has been great. I have swam in tropical waters, chased tigers, been lost in Airports, taken dodgy flights and met many people from all over the world.
A few things I want to say about the big Uncle Sam, the USA..after just coiming back from my first trip to this fat country. Number one, not everything is bad! There are people who are very friendly, helpful and nice. Yet I still met a few kranks. Number two, everything is three times the size that it needs to be! The cars, the roads, the houses, the cookies, the hotel beds, the hotel rooms, the large meal at McDonalds.....absolutely everything...ummm including one third of the people!!Number three, on free TV they have 60 chanels. However I could not find one interesting chanel. Huge amounts of quantity but no quality!Number four, in Orlando there is 24 hour gospel music FM radio!
Ok not too much can be said about US other than that I had fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)