NetBloke.com - New Beginnings
Publication Date: 29/08/2001
ISSN 1445-1360
Publication Date: 29/08/2001
ISSN 1445-1360
G'day!
Well I had to miss sending out an issue last week. Moving 700 miles and then getting mucked around a little with Internet access didn't help. It really is amazing how much such a move takes out of you.
I am sure Des Moines already has a few resident Aussies around, although I haven't bumped into any yet. I find it funny how everyone thinks my accent is so cute. I always thought I had a really awful voice. So I suppose I will enjoy the compliments while they last.
I have found it amazing how many community-oriented Web sites there are on Des Moines and Iowa. It has made it a lot easier to find out what is happening about town. Normally it takes a few weeks or months to get in tune with your new surroundings but I already feel very much at home.
So this issue I have decided to feature some of those sites that have helped me out. For any friends or family coming to visit this will prove that this city has quite a bit to do! Also I know a lot of my subscribers originally found their way to me from Lockergnome and with the upcoming Gnomedex convention I thought you guys might also find these sites useful if you are coming. If you aren't coming and are thinking about it I would recommend it. I am going -- it sounds like fun, and I will be lending a hand to my mates at Lockergnome.
For those of you with the time and patience if you want to see what my new home looks like (before we moved anything in) take a look at the pictures I put in the gallery section of the NetBloke Web site. I haven't had time to optimize the pictures so they will take a while to download. Also the quality on some of the pics is not so great, as I just basically ran around the house and took shots quickly before we unloaded the U-Haul.
Anyway that is about all for now, I am still catching up on the couple of days work I missed because it took 3 days to get my cable connection hooked up. I am sure glad I have returned to a high speed connection!
So until next week seeya later!
Nathan Allan
When you are moving house and you know you just cannot live without Internet access when you get to your new home, try and prearrange a local dial-up account. I was lucky enough to be able to bot off my friends but still this meant I couldn't get access from home for a few days. When it is vital to your work that you have access you really notice when you don't have it! To their credit the local cable provider had me hooked up and surfing in three days.
That is what I have been since I have got to Des Moines. With all the moving, lifting and jumping back on my bike and riding everywhere, I certainly have been tired!
I have just felt like vegging out under the verandah with a cold tinnie in one hand and sausage roll in the other.
The Des Moines Register
Well by the name you may have guessed already that this is the online version of Des Moines' daily newspaper. This has been great for the news and local weather.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/
Iowa.com
I really liked this site as it provided me with all the local bike trails. Karissa and I have bikes and we bought Hayden a trailer that I tow along. With some of the scenic riverside trails here I am sure to be in tip top shape very soon. Oh and Iowa may be a very flat state but get an unfit guy on a bike and you soon find some pretty decent hills!
http://www.iowa.com
The Downtown Community Alliance
Des Moines seems very keen to build on community and revitalize neighborhoods and the downtown area. The area we moved into has a community group, although I am yet to see a Web site for it (I haven't looked yet though!). I found this web site through looking for more information on the downtown farmers market. We went to it last time I was here, and want to make a regular outing of it. It is reported to be in the top ten farmers markets nation wide. I liked the mix of food, art and crafts.
http://desmoinesdt.com
The Des Moines Partnership
This group really impressed me and was one of the reasons why we wanted to live in Des Moines. They are proactive with urban renewal and attracting more business and people to the downtown area.
http://www.desmoinesmetro.com
The State of Iowa
This is the official state Web site with loads of facts, figures and links about Iowa. Pretty handy when you want to come to or live in the state!
http://www.state.ia.us
A bloke emailed me a while ago and suggested that I ask everyone what their favourite Web site was. Whether it is for local events, banking or pure Web entertainment. I was thinking it would be interesting to find out why and what people are using the Internet for. So send in what your favourite Web site is and a few lines on why.
If you want have your favorite site published, email netbloke@netbloke.com
ANSWER
Last issue I asked you the following question:
Bill M was the only person to suggest a solution to Ismail Hansdot's very technical modem question last issue. I won't run it here again but you can go to the last issue to view it here:
http://www.netbloke.com/newsletters/22.shtml
So here is where Bill suggested Ismail go. Good sources for drivers of all types.
"G'Day or Howdy or HI Y'all (what ever fits your location when you get this)
Try these links:
http://www.driverguide.com
http://www.drivershq.com/main_home.html
http://www.windrivers.com
Hope these will be of help to your readers"
If you have a question of your own, contact me.
I really liked this story. Reminds me of a few people that have worked in a lot of different jobs.
The Perfect Job
My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned... couldn't concentrate.
Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack. I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.
After that I tried to be a tailor. But I just wasn't suited for it, mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.
I wanted to be a barber, but I just couldn't cut it.
Then I tried to be a chef. I figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.
I attempted to be a deli worker. But any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.
My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.
I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.
Next was a job in a shoe factory. I figured to be a shoe-in. I gave it my soul, but the boss was a heel.
I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.
Found work with Eddie Bauer, stuffing coat linings. Had to quit because I was always a little down in the mouth.
I managed to get a good job in pool maintenance, but the work was just too draining.
I got a job feeding giraffes at the zoo, but I wasn't up to it.
So then I got a job in a workout centre, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.
After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian. Then I realized there was no future in it.
My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was the same old grind.
So I retired and found that I was perfect for the job!
