blads blog

Just booked my spot at THE Revit training event in Australia - namely Revit Technology Conference 2009, which is underway in about 4 weeks in Melboune at the Sebel Albert Park Hotel, June 18-21. I'll look forward to catching up with you all there!

Wow! its been a whole week since escaping the confines of Flinders Private Hospital. Whilst it doesn't look like it my leg is healing rather nicely with dead skin literally dropping off by the hand-fulls... I just wish it wasn't so dammed itchy.... grrrr

OK I'm posting this announcement a tad late - needed to catch up with things a home first, but as of May 14 late in the afternoon, I was discharged from hospital. The leg is healing nicely every day, I'm still on antibiotics (which don't give me the sh*ts, thankfully) and I'm monitoring my blood glucose levels 3-4 times per day. I'd like to thank all who visited, sent emails and/or cards and particularly the doctors & nurses of Ward 4 South FPH.

Day 8, then last two days have been more restful than previous. The docs are pleased with the effects of the antibiotics on the infection, blood-sugar levels have been down and blood pressure getting back to normal levels at last... that being said, I've still will most likely have at least another 4-5 days in here, unless I can get off this antibiotic drip machine... For the food lovers, choices for my food menus over the last two days are as follows (bold selection = what I had...) Saturday Lunch Soup - Chicken Noodle (great for the soul) Main Course: Home style Lamb casserole Spinach & Ricotta patties with chargrilled vegetable relish Assorted sandwiches Accompaniments: Seasonal vegetables Mashed potato Cous Cous Side salad Saturday Dinner Main Course: Glazed Chicken with bbq sauce Scrambled eggs on toast Combination salad Assorted sandwiches Accompaniments: Seasonal vegetables Baked baby Potato Mashed potato Side salad I meant to post the above on Day 8, however a minor i...

OK its now nearing the end of day 6 but certanly at the beginning I thought I'd never experience pain that exceeded the squeezing of those postules... man was I ever wrong!!! This afternoon my leg was about to be fitted with a compression bandage which had these cute little images on them to indicate level of compression - however on the 1st attempt of placing the bandage it was placed perhaps a wee bit toooo tight and pain levels went thro' the roof... Thankfully the fabulous nurses understood my incoherant babbling and all was rectified and pain eventually subsided particularly with the help from pain meds... On to other more interesting stuff - today's menu Breakfast - weetbix with berry fruit yoghurt Lunch - Roast capsicun & swiss cheese quiche with chips (fries)... man I shoulda ordered the side salad (probably their master plan...) Dinner - braised pork with plum sauce, rice and asian greens today's surprise visitors: Cathy Reid & BDASA el Presidente, Neil...

Well to date May exacty hasn't been a great 'month'. It sorta started off well with me in Brisbane, finishing off the BDA's Eco-Smart training the day before, unfortunately things had deteriorated during the night... my left leg was severvely swollen and it'd looked like I had dipped my leg in red food colouring... for the first time in my life I wasn't looking forward to flying but I made it home where my darling MBH organized an after hours doctor to visit who immediately sent me packing to the emergency department of the hospital. OK Sat May 2 arrives with me having brekkie in the emergency dept whilst waiting to be delivered to my room for the next ??? days After spending a few days here, with the wonderful doctors lancing my 'postules' on my leg, the pain helped partially by the meds a surprise visitor appeared... and man what a spirit-lifter :) Whilst I was trying to type up some minutes, who should appear near the end of my bed... none other than ...

OK earlier today my existing mouse and keyboard died, so I had to venture out in the 40+C heat today to go mouse and keyboard hunting. I got to say I was initially none too impressed with what was presented in the marketplace. Everything I saw were "mini" mice, suitable for notebooks n' stuff - I'd just gotten rid of one of those, although my old one was a tad larger than what was generally on offer...I looked at both Logitech and Microsoft but to no avail... I was almost ready to give up and then I found it... a glorious shaped, exceedingly stylish, large-ish mouse and it felt as if it was made for my hand... I was extremely eager to get back to the office and put it through its paces. Using this mouse is almost orgasmic... really it just glides over all surfaces and it feels as if its an extension of your own hand. It is quite simply the best mouse I've used... its just amazing. So what is it, you ask... its a Microsoft Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology. ...

Happy New Year everybody and I thought I start this years' blogging with something outside the box... For many years MBH (much better half) & I have collected Monopoly games, thankfully many of our friends have indulged us in our pastime. I did have a list but as another friend pointed out recently, a picture is worth a thousand words... With thanks to all who supported us in our little collection, here it is...

Season's Greetings to all... and to all a prosperous New Year

I apologize for the lack of posts during the past week (or so), but I couldn't seem to find time to write anything live from AU2008 - AU this year was a very busy, but a fantastic time for me. Hosting the AUGI Past Presidents' luncheon, attending the AU Blogger Social, the AUGI booth and a plethora of AUGI meetings, to name but a few of the activities that kept me busy... One of the best parts of AU for me is always getting a chance to talk directly with fellow AUGIlets, Local User Group peeps and this year, AUGI Country Chapter peoples. It was particularly great to finally meet in person, long time online friend, Binu Mathew, President of the Focus Kuwait User Group. Its always great to hear from other Local User Groups & Country Chapters to hear about the variety of challenges that are out there. I'm also thankful I was able to get out and about to get some local Vegas photos and some of the magnificent Venetian Resort Hotel... For those of you who didn't make...

Where does the time go to... arrived Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas after a smooth (ish) 28 hour journey. Got settled in to our "home" for the next week @ the Venetian Resort Hotel. Later that evening meet up with fellow AUGI BoD members and Karen Popp, Extension Media to sample the fine fare at Del Toro, part of the new Palazzzo Hotel and the Lamborghini Las Vegas showrooms. Day 1 of AU2008, saw the Community Leadership Conference event takes place with great talks by Robert Green, Bev Arnoldy, John Morgan & Shaun Hendriks. Afterwards followed the International Reception, where we caught up with English newlyweds, Mr & Mrs Shaun Bryant and long-time online friend Binu Mathew , President of Focus Kuwait Users Group . Day 2 saw the AUGI Board with its "meet n'greet" AUGI Volunteers session, where fellow BoD member Mike Pery welcomed and thanked AUGI's volunteers.

Well the countdown has well and truly begun as AU 2008 draws near... in less than two weeks time, The Saint & I will be in Las Vegas, NV. Some of the highlights we're looking forward too... Community Leadership Conference International Reception AU Keynote Speaker AUGI Past President's Luncheon First_Blogger_Social_at_AU2008 International User Community Meeting / Technology Main Stage AUGI Day (Wednesday 3rd December) AUGI Unplugged Annual AUGI Meeting / AUGI Beer Bust AUGI Top Daug finals Revit & Sustainability classes The invites to attend a host of other events are starting to roll in... namely the AEC BIM Mixer - Monday Dec 1, 7:30 - 9:30pm The First Blogger Social @ AU - Tuesday Dec 2, 4:00 - 5:30pm

Well its all over for over 'til next year... just a small gathering last year of around 50-60 people came to our annual party and help us celebrate our wedding anniversary... Huge thanks to friends Julie, Nino & Ronnie who helped throughout the day and duringthe night... too bad no-one wanted to get into the pool (as it was a little chilly...) OK whilst some of the images are a tad off... I'm sure it had nothing to do with the intoxicanted photographer :)