blog, jurgen dot ca.

A Senate report into the federal funding of public transport released last month found that Melbourne's system was badly managed in comparison to Perth's system, where there is a government operator in charge. Melbourne's system lacked accountability because it was unclear who was in charge, that report found.

Well, DUH.

They needed a report to tell them that? It's what I've been saying all along. To top it off, the one person who could possibly do something about it is completely useless.

No. Actually, she's worse than useless, she's actually become an impediment.

It's the Funktionide, a very creepy worm-like body pillow. And, is it just me, or does the guy on the bed look unusually excited by technology?

(via @pgib)

a fish, a barrel, and a smoking gun

In one of those "whatever happened to..." moments, I typed "suck.com" into my browser this morning (as I used to do every WEEKDAY), and felt all mid-90s again. While they haven't produced any new content since 2001, everything seems to still be there. Ah, memories.

(ratstocats.com, unfortunately, seems to have disappeared).

In the most profound financial change in recent Middle East history, Gulf Arabs are planning – along with China, Russia, Japan and France – to end dollar dealings for oil

Uh-oh.

To see why this will upset the USA, you need to watch this video. It's informative, funny and slightly disturbing. Check out, in particular, the Salvadore Dalí story starting around around 21:20. Understand this video was made before the current financial crisis, and the consequences of all these dollar bills flying back toward the US is even greater than before.

For the record: I'm still at home. No need to look busy yet.

The myki ticket system will breach anti-discrimination laws when it is finally introduced, according to Victoria's leading social welfare group.

They really thought this one through well, didn't they?

My favourite bit is towards the end when they have a "battle of the spokespeople": Ticket Authority person saying "1.2 metres is the standard", then someone from Standards Australia saying "noooo... it's 80-90cm".

If it wasn't so tragic and grossly over-budget, it would be hilarious.

It has almost 12 times the amount of saturated fat and three times the kilojoules a serve. It has half the protein of the original and less than half the amount of vitamin B. Oh, and there's more salt.

Just what the doctor ordered.