Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
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Well here we are, the longest day has been and gone and we're now on the
slippery slope of dwindling daylight and shorter days.
Did you enjoy the summer?
Okay, so I'm probably rubbing a very raw nerve with many people -- this weather
is ridiculous. But on the subject of weather, where do you go for your forecasts?
Many large websites such as the NZ Herald and Xtra offer weather pages, the Xtra
one even linking through to MetNet
where an attempt is made to sell you more information.
What's behind MetNet's cash-register? I don't know and I don't see any reason
to find out -- because there's so much weather info available for free over
at the Met Service
there's little point.
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If you've got half a brain and can tell an isobar from a garden-bar then
the Met Service website is a goldmine. Once you've perused its many pages
you'll never waste your time on other sites that provide the readers' digest
version of what our skies are going to do.
But there are other options...
For a less conventional, but apparently just as accurate, look into the future
you can check out PredictWeather.com
where their Weather EZine
crystal-ball gazes well into 2005.
So that's the weather forecasting and prediction side nailed -- now how the hell do
we go about improving the weather??
Smile, you thieving sods
Regular readers will know that my home was hit by burglars recently and
I lost a lot of stuff I can ill-afford to replace but I'm not the only one.
At this time of year, the pond-scum that makes up a small part of our
society seem happy to help themselves to other people's property and sometimes
there's not a lot you can do about it.
The other day I caught a young kid (about 8 years old) rifling through my mailbox
and he seemed totally unconcerned when I confronted him. He obviously knew that
even if I called the police he'd remain totally immune to any kind of penalty
(don't you love touchy-feely, tree-hugging, hippy politicians that pass laws
that negate the need for parental and personal responsibility?)
Well it seems that an Aardvark reader has had similar problems with theft
from their mailbox, losing family Christmas gifts to mail thieves, and
decided to do something about it.
These pages
tell the story. It's just a shame the camera wasn't higher resolution.
Mind you, even if the pictures had been good enough to identify the faces
I suspect the outcome would have been nothing more than some counselling
and an ex-gratia benefit payout to compensate them for the trauma of being
caught.
Friday Night, 7:30pm on Prime TV
Yep, that's when yours truly will be appearing on Scrapheap Challenge
in an episode where I lead a team of British Navy engineers in their
attempt to build a jet-powered dragster.
Aardvark Forums
Sorry but the forums are still "a work in progress" as they're upgraded. Normal
service will be resumed as soon as possible.
Fingers out folks
Come on, I'm still waiting for the deluge of suggestions for the Christmas
Eve "Lighten Up" extravaganza. Get your suggestions in now!
Have your say on today's column
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