Chapter 12 - Dogs

Dogs are awesome...

Here are some of the boys that have stayed over:

Chapter 11 - Travis Parker

Ever since I first went snowboarding in 2001 I get excited as winter arrives. Now it’s not as if I am particularly good at snowboarding or even go frequently, but when I see snow I instantly imagine myself on (or in) it. 

Unfortunately I live in Queensland, Australia, where snow is unheard of. At this point of my life, I will soon need to make a decision as to where I am going to go with my career. As crazy as it may sound, one of my major influences has been the presence of snow in said places. Hopefully I will end up somewhere like Canada once my studies are complete, but that is still a distant dream.

In the mean time, I’m hoping a trip to Japan will let me go snowboarding for a couple days and satisfy my cravings. For those two days, I will be Travis Parker; this is my favourite YouTube video of him:

There are a few other videos of him floating around, but most searches unfortunately return with “Travis Barker”. If you have trouble finding videos leave me a comment or email, and I will send you some links.

Chapter 10 - Nom nom nom

I’ve told myself that I’ll start to spend more time on this blog, and I’ll try to post on a weekly basis. To be honest I am sceptical about this myself, but I will try. Unfortunately, today I have nothing exciting to write about, and it’s time for dinner anyway... nom nom nom


I see the image is being trimmed... I will fix this later :)
Edit: Fixed!

Chapter 9 - Takk...

If you are actually read any of my posts, well thanks (takk). If you read chapter 2, you would know Sigur Rós, and today I want to promote their 3^rd full-length album “Takk...” (Just note this is not a review, I’m definitely not qualified to do that). This is the first Sigur Rós album I heard, and to this day is my favourite. Every time I listen to this album, I am uplifted and possessed with happiness. The stand out for me is definitely Hoppipolla, but all the songs are great, and there is also the truely epic Milano. Go out, get this album, and smile.

This is definitely in the top 5 albums of all time.

Chapter 8 - Tutorial: Windows run part 3

How do you know what to type in the run utility to start specific applications? It is actually easily achieved by looking for the application you are after using the task manager. Note you do not need to include the .exe extension.

Run can also be used as a replacement for the command prompt. If you have tried/try command prompt utilities straight through run, you will most likely miss the output. As an example, you could try typing ipconfig into the run interface. The correct way to do this is by using:

cmd /k ipconfig

If you are somebody who uses a lot of desktop shortcuts perhaps these lessons are of no use, but if you like a clean desktop with all your favourite applications at quick distance, try the run tool.

Chapter 7 - Tutorial: Windows run part 2

After reading part 1, you will know how to run applications via the run tool. Unfortunately, applications need to be properly registered under Windows to be recognised by run (I am actually not too sure what the requirements for this are, and some applications don’t do this as part of their installation). Luckily, there is a way to bypass this issue. To make run recognise any application, all you need to do is add its directory to the system variable ‘path’.

This is accomplished by navigating to your system properties (right-click ‘my computer’ -> properties) -> click on the advanced tab ->environment variables -> edit the system variable ‘path’. You should already have a path variable to which you can add additional directories (use a ‘;’ character to separate each entry).

If for any reason there is no path variable already defined you will need to create it using the ‘new’ button. Once you have added additional directories, any applications within these directories will be available through the run tool.

So now you know how to start applications and make them available through run.

Chapter 6 - Tutorial: Windows run part 1

It’s been a while since my last post, partly because of being busy and partly writer’s block. Anyway, today I’ll start talking about the run tool on Windows. It is a tool that I use extensively, and if you get used to it, you will rarely need to use your start menu.

Firstly, the run tool can be accessed via Start > Run... So you need to use the start menu to even use run? Well no, it can also be initiated via the shortcut of Windows Logo + r (When I mention ‘Windows Logo’ I refer to the keyboard button with the windows symbol on it).

As an example, try opening the run interface (Windows + r), and then type “iexplore” and hit enter. If done correctly, you will see Internet Explorer start up. In this way, you will be able to start your applications without the need to navigate to shortcuts and click. Try other application like Firefox (firefox), Live Messenger (msnmsgr) and experiment with other applications you might have installed.

Chapter 5 - Happypolla

If you read Chapter 2, you will notice “Happypolla” is just a play on words of “Hoppipolla”. But it signifies more than just a word to me. To me, it is an emotion, or moment. Happypolla generally occurs in music for me, a moment where I am overcome and need to close my eyes, and indulge in the emotion stirred inside me. Whatever the emotion may be, I need to take a moment to control myself and float off in my own world.

Happypolla can also happen in life, but rarely so. It’s the subtle, gentle actions of some special individuals who don’t seek any recognition, but I notice. These people remind me there is humanity in the human race, and hope.

So you never know when happypolla might happen, but when it does make the most of it.

Chapter 4 - Look back and laugh

Not so long ago, my music tastes were vastly different to what they are today. I used to think I was pretty badass by only listening to music that was “punk” or “hardcore”. The list included bands such as Hawthorne Heights, The Used, Atreyu and Avenged Sevenfold (this is only a small portion of the rubbish I was feeding my ears). Anyway, a while ago I stumbled across this gem of a video; it is a cover of an Avenged Sevenfold song, and it is hilarious.

I really don’t know my favourite part of the clip. The guitars are totally useless and even stop at one point. Luckily the singer is there for team and gives a prompt “Just keep going!” Or is it the crowd? Who are too stupid or deaf to stop head banging and dancing. No, no, the winner is clearly the singer who starts the song with an epic squeal and loses his voice at countless stages.

Chapter 3 - Self development

By occupation, I am a Student & Software Engineer. I study Information Technology with Electrical Engineering at the University of Queensland (Australia). Contrary to the general student, I actually enjoy learning and trying to develop myself further. While definitely not an expert of any standard, I do know a little about various programming languages and software development. With this bit of knowledge, Ocean Cycling will see various tutorials and guides in its future. You can help me help you by asking me any questions (which I will hopefully be able to answer...), otherwise I will write about anything I find particularly interesting.

A few free pieces of software I keep with me if I am coding:

• http://www.eclipse.org/
• http://www.netbeans.org/
• http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/

I may even decide to talk about Electrical Engineering at some stage, but I am definitely more in tune with I.T.

Chapter 2 - Inspiration

Unfortunately I am not a very creative being. Therefore, I cannot really take credit for seemingly abstract titles like happypolla & ocean cycling. Over the last couple years my biggest inspiration has come from music, and the pioneer of that is the very special Sigur Rós. The first time I heard them, and their song ‘hoppipolla’ my life changed. Since then, I am on a constant quest to find music that promotes such strong emotions inside me, and while there will never be another hoppipolla for me; there is plenty of music that I am so happy to have discovered. Over the course of my blogging, I hope to share some of this with you. If you have never heard of the aforementioned song or the band, get onto it... now.

Music video for hoppipolla

Chapter 1 - Beginning

And so it begins. I’ve been meaning to make use of my domain name for a long time, but I’ve just been too lazy to set-up a server. So as a temporary means (hopefully) I will make use of this free service. Although I’ve said I had this planned for a while, I still don’t know what direction this blog will take, and consequently it will probably be fairly random. I am willing to take requests.