27 June 2007

Technical Support

I *on't go much for flagrant generalisations, but all computer repair people are *umb.Yester*ay I broke my computer. No, I actually broke it. The "*" key came right off the stupi* thing. I *i* my best to replace it myself, but being nought but a humble stunt linguist (okay… not that humble) I was force* to accept *efeat after about half an hour. So I packe* my laptop into its trusty carry case an* took it to visit the experts.

After visiting four central A*elai*e (there's that wor* again…) businesses, all of which a*vertise* themselves as computer repair shops, I ha* no luck. Apparently the problem was too complicate*. Outsi*e their particular *esignate* area. One guy actually ha* the integrity to a*mit that he just *i*n't know how to fix it. One simple plastic square with a '*' on it. I shoul*n't be too harsh. I coul*n't fix it either. But then I *on't have a sign in my win*ow a*vertising a computer repair service.

Now I accept that my computer is a *ell, an* therefore the usual rules of logic (an* in some cases physics) *o not necessarily apply when it comes to getting the thing service*. But these guys actually gave me the impression that I was somehow insulting them by even suggesting they look at it. They weren't even going to *o me the courtesy of figuring out if they coul* help at all.

I can't claim any sort of superior un*erstan*ing of how these things work, but it really *oesn't seem that complex to me. If I ha* corrupte* my C *rive, or over-heate* my vi*eo car*, or spille* mountain *ew in the C* burner I woul* have a little more sympathy, an* woul* refrain from referring to these people with wor*s such as 'lazy', 'unhelpful' or even 'useless'. But after the performance yester*ay morning over one stupi* piece of plastic, I've *eci*e* to use them after all, an* a** 'funny-looking' for goo* measure. With that in min*, if you're looking for goo* computer repair service in A*elai*e, I have of list of businesses not to use. I was going to publish it here, but my journalism *egree alarm went off an* I realise* it woul* probably be classe* as *efamation, particularly as I've referre* to them as 'funny-looking'.

If you're worrie* for my technological well being, you may take heart, as I manage* to fix it myself. I super-glue* the thing back on. It's still *rying…

Far from home



Garry with 2 Rs

14 June 2007

A Random Change of Direction

Those of you who read my blog regularly will have noticed a recurring theme running through my semi-regular rants. At least every second entry (I think) I make some passing comment about being discontent with my situation, geographically speaking that is. If you're in Adelaide reading this, don't take it personally. It's not you're fault you live in a city that I can't stand, and I don't hold it against you. Be that as it may, I think it's fair to say that I have made no secret of the fact that I don't really like being stranded here. My original intention was to simply find work, gather some funds together and get out again as soon as possible. However the finding work part hasn't proved as simple as I would have liked. With that in mind, some of you by now have received covert messages from me hinting that I'm looking for work in Darwin. The time has come to go public with it. I'm over being patient and waiting it out here. I'm busting out!

And now for the unexpected plot twist. I've applied for a job in Sydney. A NSW company is employing linguists to work on language related issues for software designers. If I get it, I'll be working on transcription techniques for improving the interface between computers and people who speak languages which don't use our Roman alphabet. Basically, it's as if the job was custom designed for me, except they put it in Sydney instead of Darwin by accident. I have a phone interview lined up for Tuesday morning, so if you were planning on surprising me with a job offer in Darwin, you have about four days to do it. Otherwise…

Far from home



Garry with 2 Rs

03 June 2007

Get Some Culture

I went to a concert with my dad last night, which is almost funny in itself. Mum bought tickets to this concert ages ago, but found out later it clashed with a retreat she was helping run up in the hills this week. So I got to sub in, which was awesome for me because the concert happened to be the music of Queen, as performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

It was a bit of a fancy show, not to mention 12 degrees outside, so I had my nice trousers and jacket on, feeling very … hmmm. Dad suggested we should get some dinner on Hindley Street before the show. I assumed we'd grab something in a cafĂ© or something. But no, we ended up in McDonalds. Dad secretly loves junk food, but can only get it when Mum's not around to tell him off.

So there I was, all dressed up like a southerner, sitting with my father in McDonalds surrounded by a horde of 14 year old emos with a ticket in my pocket to hear the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra play Queen's greatest hits. I had to laugh at myself. Aussie culture for the win.

The concert, by the way, was awesome. There were seven vocalists, drums, keys, bass guitar and, obviously, a fairly mad lead guitarist, all backed up by a full symphony orchestra. "Bohemian Rhapsody" has never sounded bigger, and "The Show Must Go On" with a full strings section was amazing. You haven't lived 'til you've watched a classical conductor conduct a big rock finish. I was still singing my favourite Queen song on the way out of the theatre:

"Save me, save me, save me.
I can't face this life alone.
Save me, save me, save me.
I'm naked and I'm…"

Far from home



Garry with 2 Rs

P.S. I feel I should point out that that is actually my favourite Queen song; I didn't just say that because it fit my little blog signature. That was just a happy coincidence.