It's one thing to save water, ...

... it's another to feel ripped off. We recently received our 'water' bill for the last three months. The actual water usage itself cost us just $15.05, which is pretty good for three months. That's because we make a consious effort to save water (pail in the shower while the water warms up etc), and this is reflected in the stats below. Our average use is 209 litres per day, even less than what's categorised as "efficient water use" which is 239 litres per day.

And how are we rewarded for our conservation efforts? With a total bill of $306.26! THREE HUNDRED AND SIX DOLLARS, AND TWENTY-SIX CENTS. Including an Annual Parks Charge of $53.84 (guess we should spend more time in the park, Babes!) and a "Sewerage Service Adjustment" of $148.18, which they allegedly neglected to charge over the last 12 months! Someone needs to take a long, hard look at the billing system, I think the average Aussie family is paying too much...

Happy Pre-Father's Day

Australia and New Zealand celebrate Father's Day on September 2, unlike most of the world. So when I woke up this morning, I was pleasantly surprised (and really touched) to be greeted by Babes with a plate of my favourite corn fritters, a la Bill Granger. It was my pre-Father's Day treat, and it was yummy!
Father's Day has never been a day I've personally taken seriously; it's always been about somebody else, namely MY dad, and more recently Babes' dad too. So it's certainly a sign of the times that this event finally has some significance for me! Babes and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank our fathers for all they've done for us over the years. Thanks, dads! And while we're at it, here's a gentle reminder that you'll be assigned duties in your new and upcoming roles as Grandpas...

Happy 50th Birthday, Malaysia!

For all its corruption, inefficiency, crime and inequality, and despite the fact that I haven't lived there since 1999, I still call Malaysia home. There's a certain charm, spirit and atmosphere that's simply unrivalled. Maybe some day we'll return, maybe some day there'll be equal rights for all, maybe some day some people will actually put in an honest day's work instead of relying on the government for a handout, maybe some day the government will stop dishing out handouts to those that don't deserve 'em. Maybe one day Roshan Thiran will be Prime Minister! I'd vote for you, my friend. But for now, Happy Merdeka to all Malaysians all over the world. How did we celebrate August 31? How else but by sharing Char Kuay Teow and Chicken Rice at Malaymas!