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Well, alot happened after the baby was born...  I took 12 months off work to care for her, and was basically dismissed while i was away.. So i did what i had to do, went out and got a forklift ticket and started doing blue collar work to make ends meet.. Ended up working industrial for 12 months, ending on a minesite about 1600k's northwest of perth, western australia.. a small manganese / chromite minesite ' woodie woodie ' driving a 988H caterpillar front end loader.. was an awesome experience, and one i certainly wont forget in a hurry.. but now, I've decided to settle down - and I'm back in insurance, working for Zurich Australia in west perth office.. I sold the little 250cc motorbike, and bought a 900cc version of it :P alot more grunt, gets to 100 alot faster too ( like 3.2 seconds ) get to ride every day to work.. and that's awesome ! Grace ( the baby ) is now almost 2, she's talking and telling me what's what.. and she loves the bike.. the wife isnt so keen on the bike, but tolerates it..

Ok, so a bit's happened since my last update.. the baby came home, my ability to sleep went with it.. I've taken 8 months off work to look after her, and it's giving me a bit more time to follow up on my life.. So I went out and bought a motorbike, yeah - no kidding.. having my midlife crisis at 29 aint so bad - atleast I'll get a chance to enjoy it.. I bought a Honda CBR RR 1997 model.. 250cc - she goes like the clappers and sounds like a v-rocket being dropped over london during the war.. small children run for cover, parents lock the door's - I must be a nasty person because I ride a motorbike ! :) Can I get it up on 1 wheel ? no - but I'm trying.. :) Do I look like a Ninja, damn yes ! :) Is it good fun ? - Like you would not believe !

A fantastic last few days have passed with the birth of my daughter " Grace ", born on the 31st January at 11.37am - she weighed in at 2.33kg ( 5 pounds ). Born 4 weeks early via c section due to complications, she's a strong little thing - and pretty cute too.. Mum and baby are doing well, still in hospital - and bub's in the nursery getting special attention due to her being so tiny.. I'm sure they'll release her soon to her mum who wants to just cuddle her all day long.. She's quiet, sleeps pretty much constantly.. and only requires feeding every 3 hours.. which isnt so bad.. I have no idea what I'm in for ( as she's our first ) but I'm sure I'll manage.. if other people can do it - I should be just fine.. I mean, I've got 2 cat's - and they turned out just fine.. so logic says I should be alright ! :) Is it normal to get soppy over babies ? I'm starting to find myself discussing breast feeding, pumps and cleaning baby's bums - which is a bit freaky and slightly out of place for me.. I guess it is a major life changing event.. right up there with marriage, getting a mortgage and retirement.. Looks like whatever road I go down now, It's gonna be alot more planning to get there.. so long freedom.. :) Atleast all my other mates are having, or had kids.. so I don't feel so kooky talking about it - and it might be kinda cool, hangout with the guys - and take the kids of a walk.. they've all got girls too.. which is a bit weird - what's with the all chick thing ? are we all jinxed ? hahahahh Keep in mind, that I'm from a family of all boys.. and there's no girls in or around my house - spare mum, who bless her - managed to put up with us all for many years - and still does.. Was it such a bad comment when I said " But I don't know anything about girls ! " - and my wife laughed " Well, you're about to find out.. " which kinda scared the crap out of me.. Anyhow, enough for one night - it's 3:30am.. time for bed !

Ok, well - today's the 26th january - also known as Australia day ! a fantastic day for spending with your family and having a bbq.. a bit like the American's 4th of July... No plans today to work on my machines.. though, I've got a new pcb for my 720° from ebay.. and another 2 on their way.. you can never have enough of a good thing ( and spare parts are getting harder to locate now ) Just last week a control panel - populated went for $250 usd.. damn ! I can get a whole machine for that !!! that's just a sign of how rare these parts are becoming now, and dedicated controllers have a finite life.. it's time for me to start sourcing an alternate solution because NOS parts are never going to be found for a reasonable price anymore. ( if there's anything left out there )..  Anyhow, happy Australia Day ! Aussie Aussie Aussie !! OI OI OI !!  

Well, I've heard quite a bit about this blogging thing - and while it seem's only slightly more interesting than watching paint dry, or being made to mow the lawn.. I thought " hell, why not " maybe someone will see humour in the crazyness that is my life.. Maybe it'll turn out to be something more than the ramblings of a crazed computer junkie, an internet nerd and a compulsive tinkerer and adrenaline junkie.. It's not too hard to see why I tend to liven parties... I have an alcohol still, I am a motor operator in the rescue crew in the greatest white water event on earth, I am a volunteer fireman, I work for an insurance company.. ( no, not both at the same time.. ) and I've got a baby on the way - well, I don't - but my wife does.. and I play paintball on a competitive level - with a group of guys who live over 3 hours away.. AM I MAD ?!?! ( and I referee at a field for corporate players for a bit of spare $$$ ) And during all this, I find time to collect arcade machines and tinker with anything that seem's to pass my way.. I could never imagine a weekend that's simply " nothing to do " What I wouldnt give for a couple of days off, but then again.. who want's to sit still - getting old and pining over 'what could have been' - I'm going out with a bang, and I'll either get killed doing something really stupid - or something really brave.. either way, it'll probably be too late by the time I realise I've done it.. :) You cant really live life until you're prepared to go it head long and just have a go..

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