A warm week in Canberra
Okay, so the daily maximum temperatures were forecast to be >40 °C/104 °F every day this week. I’m sure if I was outside I’d be uncomfortably hot. I’m grateful I can work inside and I’m grateful for modern air conditioning. At home with the windows open, it was very warm and without a fan, sleeping would have been really very uncomfortable. That said, I did have my humidifier running. I don’t mind a little mould so long as I don’t feel dry.
The heat was a hot topic (pun intended) on the TV and radio news with lots of messages to stay hydrated and stay as cool as possible.
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I don’t think I could live in South Australia or Centralia (Central Australia) where summer days can approach 50 °C/122 °F. The heat is dry and it draws the moisture from your body almost imperceptibly. Give me the humidity of the tropics or subequatorial Australia any day.
Given the forecast I planned appropriately. I cooked a heap of meat last Saturday night with a view to making meaty salads most nights. That said, I did use my toaster oven on Monday and Tuesday evening but only for short periods. The toaster oven doesn’t really make a huge amount of difference to the temperature in kitchen compared with the proper mounted oven.
Early morning walks and the Owl Statue
On new year’s eve I started walking for about 40 minutes first thing in the morning. That’s roughly walking up and down Benjamin Way plus some other streets where I live in Belconnen (a town centre in Canberra, Australia). The turn around point is the Owl Statue. A magnificent piece of public art paid for by the residents of Canberra through our taxes. Sadly, some people don’t see an owl, they see an erect penis and someone has now vandalised the statue with graffiti. It’s a pretty unattractive penis, but a fantastic looking owl. I wish people was stop sexualising our public art.
My aim is to complete 10,000 steps a day. Hopefully more on weekends. This week, with daily temperatures approaching and occasionally exceeding 40 °C/104 °F, I haven’t wanted to get out of the office during the day, so the step count has been just over 10,000. I expect as the days cool down, I’ll walk to the shops at lunch time a bit more and get the steps up.
None of this activity has done anything for my weight though. It’s been sitting pretty steady at around 85 kilograms/187 pounds. Of course, it’s not helped by some decadent eating with double and triple brie as well as puff pastry covered meat meals. Then there’s the hot chips on Fridays.
Green and gold from Mabel
Blogging friend, Mabel Kwong, posted this week a marvellous piece on Australia’s national colours. I really enjoyed reading this and couldn’t help but add a comment.
As you might expect, maroon is my favourite ‘Australian’ colour. I also thought I might mention my thoughts on 26 January and the public holiday associated with the landing of Captain Arthur Phillip.
Early release of Abu Bakar Bashir
A close friend sent me a text message on Friday night to tell me about the early release of Abu Bakar Bashir. Bashir was the spiritual leader of those men who planned and executed the Bali Bombings in 2002. He is 80 years old. He is set for early release from prison. As far as I know he has not repented for his actions. He is in jail because of a conviction following a charge that he was involved in jihadi training. There is speculation on why he is to be released early. I’m not about to comment on the politics of another country. You can read stories on most of the media websites about his early release and make up your own minds.
The thought this man will be released before his sentence is complete saddens me. As a result of the bombings in Kuta in 2002, 202 people died including 88 Australians. Many were injured, some of whom were brought to Royal Darwin Hospital for resuscitation and life saving care. Many of them were referred to specialist burns units in hospitals around Australia. I spoke with some of the victims who survived. I have heard and I have read many of their stories.
I would prefer that Abu Bakar Bashir be executed like the ring leaders who planned and executed the bombings. If asked, I would volunteer to execute him. Failing that, as an alternative, I would think dying in jail would be a suitable end to this man.
What have I watched this week?
Star Trek: Discovery
Episode one of season two of Star Trek: Discovery (DISCO) aired this week and was released on 17 January. While American readers may not fully appreciate the little “Easter egg”, 17 January can also be annotated 1701. Episode 1 of season 2, features for the first time in DISCO, the USS Enterprise which has the designation NCC-1701. This should not be confused with the NX-01 also named Enterprise but that ship, my favourite ship, was before the United Federation of Planets came into being.
OMG this episode was fantastic. So much was packaged into it. I was worried I wouldn’t like Captain Christopher Pike. I was worried about the uniform clashes (DISCO vs TOS). Would we see Commander Spock?
If you have Netflix in Australia and New Zealand you can see DISCO in all its glory. American readers will need to subscribe to CBS All Access. I’m not sure what the situation is for Canada.
Sex Education
Do you remember Gillian Anderson from the X-Files? Can you imagine her as an English sex therapist? This Netflix show is about Gillian Anderson’s son who has been exposed enough to his mother’s home-based practice that he starts a sex therapy clinic at high school. This show is hilarious. Just a warning if you are interested in watching it, there is some nudity and a lot of explicit language.
Law & Order
One of my favourite podcasts is Dork Trek. The hosts all have a love for Law & Order and keep talking about doing a podcast on Law & Order.
I thought I should start watching Law & Order to get a head start. I used to watch it when I lived in Brisbane more than 20 years ago.
I started with season 1 episode 1. I had forgotten one of the early stars was COB (Chief of the Boat) from Crimson Tide.
The first episode is based on an all too familiar theme, medical misadventure resulting in the death of a patient because of negligence from a legendary doctor.
What have I listened to this week?
The usual tech, Star Trek, photography, blogging, and comedy podcasts.
I’ve also been listening to some of The Beatles classics.
What have I eaten this week?
This is a gallery of photographs. Click on one image and scroll through the rest of them.
Much of what I’ve eaten this week ties into this week’s post on Yummy Lummy.
Yummy Lummy this week
I did a half arsed cooking experiment this week. Last Saturday, I spent the afternoon cooking two pieces of chicken maryland and three pieces of lamb rump by sous vide. As soon as the meat was cooked I transferred it still in the vacuum bags to the refrigerator. I wanted to see what it was like to eat leftover sous vide meat that hadn’t been frozen and then reheated.
If you’re interested in how it turned out, please visit the post https://YummyLummy.com/20190120
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Final thoughts
- Do you like early morning walking?
- How do you feel about daytime temperatures approaching and exceeding 40 °C/104 °F?
- Would you volunteer to execute a terrorist?
It is a lovely owl..I don’t see a penis in it at all. That poor bird.
I’ve never thought of dipping ice cream in a hot beverage. I have dipped Dairy Queen fries in DQ ice cream, though—
Thanks, Kris. People see things they want to see I think.
Yes, dipping ice cold ice cream in hot coffee seems weird, but it’s a thing, and in restaurants, I’ve paid for it. My version only cost me about $1.50.
Sounds like you got a new routine going trying to walk at least 40 minutes a day. Maybe you can get a few kilometres walk out of that. Personally I much rather walk in the afternoon as I really am not a morning person. I’ve tried walking in the morning before work as I’ve heard people say that can boost moods. Doesn’t work for me at all.
I don’t mind temperatures around 40’C. Could probably handle 50’C but you are right, at that temperature you can feel your body evaporating away.
Thanks for the shoutout, Gaz 😀
My pleasure Mabel. It was a great post.
I’ve tried walking after work but I get to hungry. By the time I’ve eaten dinner it feels too late.
You could always walk before dinner… Then again that might make you hungrier and you’ll eat more 😃😃😃
That’s the risk 🤣😂
I so enjoy early morning walking Gary. I didn’t get up early over here in Seminyak as decided to have a day of complete rest. I have been reading about the release of ABB and some political commentary. ‘Interesting’ the reasons the press is saying why he is being released. Just dreadful that he is being released. Your avocado and brie on toast looks great. Hope you have a great week albeit with that dreadful heat.
Thanks, Sue. I’m guessing the weather where you are is balmy and pleasant.
Today has been considerably cooler and when I was out this morning I wondered if I should have worn something with long sleeves.
My reaction on receiving the text message on Friday evening was visceral. If it happens it happens. I just hope no further harm to people and infrastructure occurs.
Avocados have upped in price again this week. I may not be as free with it as usual 😂