Binnsy's Hovel

Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!

The Invisible Killer

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.

Dihydrogen monoxide:
* is also known as hydroxyl acid, and is the major component of acid rain.
* contributes to the “greenhouse effect.”
* may cause severe burns.
* contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
* accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
* may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
* has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Contamination Is Reaching Epidemic Proportions!

Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage in the midwest, and recently California.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
* as an industrial solvent and coolant.
* in nuclear power plants.
* in the production of styrofoam.
* as a fire retardant.
* in many forms of cruel animal research.
* in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
* as an additive in certain “junk-foods” and other food products.

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

The Horror Must Be Stopped!

Worldwide, governments have refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its “importance to the economic health of this nation.” In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.

It’s Not Too Late!

Act NOW to prevent further contamination. Find out more about this dangerous chemical. What you don’t know can hurt you and others throughout the world. Send email to binnsy@gmail.com.

ACT NOW!

Until next time…

Bleg to everything.

Until next time…

Well, I think this is a milestone.

Binnsy’s Hovel was first started by myself over at Blog-City on July 11, 2003. It was a random storehouse of my thoughts, feelings and opinions, and was updated once every few weeks or so. After stumbling across bloggers the likes of Darp, Ant Loewenstein, Mr Lefty, Weezil and Fulmination Dave, I was inspired to post more frequently, and even delve into the taboo and pockmarked moonscape of politics, racism, sexism and all those fun issues.

And I was pleased to see that this kind of sociological discourse brought more visitors to my blog. My opinions sometimes caused people to comment. And yea, it was good.

Then, in October 2004, I decided it was time for a change. I moved most of my existing posts to a new blog here at Blogger. Thus began the life of the blog you see before you now.

And here it stands, 250 posts later.

What an achievement.

In other news, I have a new Blog Tenant! Check out Jayne d’Arcy’s “Artistic Bytes from the Third Eye”, an extremely random collection of tidbits that makes for great reading. She’s also a great sketch artist, and some of her work is displayed on the blog. Great stuff – check it out!

Until next time…

Uni is busy.

Mum been in hospital and still recovering.

Got P’s on Monday w00t .

Until next time…

For those of you who find this blog through BikeBlogs, if you want to see an older post on cycling, click here. Otherwise read on!

I’m very slowly getting back into regular cycling. One ride at a time. At the moment I’m limiting my exertion to trips of around 5-6 kilometres in total, which usually don’t last more than 20 minutes. I’m going to keep this up every couple of days, I hope, in order to work on my average speed and cadence – to get it to the level I want – before stepping up both pace and distance.

Today’s ride was one I’ve done many times before, down my own ‘quiet country lane’ and out onto the main artery between Sydney and Tamworth off which my road turns. I travel along this only about 500 metres before turning off onto a slightly busier road than mine. Then there’s a left-hand turn onto a secluded and peaceful road which winds down into a valley, before ending at the entrance to a property. It’s usually here that I stop for a quick drink and a breather before remounting and tackling the uphill and retracing my steps home.

The ride is good because it’s just enough of an appetiser. Not too cruisy, not too challenging, but just enough of both to reaffirm why I do it. Early morning or late evening is the best time to do the ride, because it’s not too hot, and there’s usually a cool breeze slithering through the valley – making it a perfect spot to pull over for a quiet sit, drink and reflect.

I did this ride on Friday as well, and it was pretty good going then. Today was harder. My muscles are slowly tweaking again, and it’s painful. I’d forgotten where some of my muscles were. But you know you’re in it again when you’re going up a 20 or 30 degree slope; your muscles are aching, straining; every fibre of your being, every part of your body is transferring its energy to your thighs, your calves, shins; you know you’re in it again when you’re in excruciating agony – and you’re loving every second.

For more pics, with individual descriptions, click here.

Until next time…

“Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.”

– Charles A. Dana

“Weblogs provide multiple coherent “views” on a distributed discussion simply because each author tries to make his weblog meaningful.”

– Lilia Efimova

I think it’s time for an intellectual post, and yes, I know I posted a non-consequential rambling blog only a few minutes ago, but c’est la vie.

It’s time I laid down the law, well, my law, on what I believe is a central tenet of a free and democratic society. Free speech is what holds a democracy together. In a country such as Australia, where voting is compulsory, free speech is perhaps not appreciated as much as it could be. The majority of voters simply vote because they have to, and don’t research, don’t question, don’t act. If this is the case, is the result, are the polls, truly representative?

Blogging is a phenomenon that has changed the worldwide political landscape. There are thousands, millions of conscientious people all over the world criticising every aspect of their world – music, movies, celebrities, politicians, other bloggers, the list goes on. Blogging is without doubt a constructive medium. I prefer blogs over newspapers. Why? If I read a newspaper article, I get one objective (depending on which paper I read) opinion. If I read four blog posts on the same topic, I get four varying opinions and commentary. Not only do I get a comprehensive critical understanding of the topic at hand, I get a plethora of perspectives from which to formulate my own.

This ability, this freedom, this unique way of acquiring news and information, is dependent on the tolerant subjectivity of the author and his/her audience. What I mean is that it’s fine to have an opinion; but present that opinion in a way that others can understand and appreciate. Make your opinion count by making it logical. Other people may not agree, but at least they understand where you’re coming from. They can understand why you and others might think the way you do.

I shudder whenever I see a mention of a blog war, or heated criticism and fierce animosity between two bloggers. Blogging is the one medium we all share. It should be a realm of free and tolerant debate, about anything from politics to pineapples.

Let’s all inhabit this Internet – this amazing and incredible Internet – as tolerant and hospitable folk, be we left or right, male or female, gay or straight, black or white, Anglican, Catholic, Buddhist or Islam… Bloggers unite.

Until next time…

Ever wondered what an insomniac looks like at 1:30am while he’s looking up random websites for uni and downloading music looking at more websites for uni?

Wonder no longer…

I just downloaded your entire hard drive. No, really.

I have also found what I believe, in my half-asleep state, to be one of the funniest videos on the net at the moment. Hunter Cressall, you funny, funny man. Broadband would be handy to get this quickly – check it out here.

Until next time…

Here’s the thing.

I don’t own an iPod.

I’m determined never to own an iPod.

For to own an iPod would be to succumb, in the largest possible way, to over-corporatisation.

No, instead I use my humble mobile phone to store and listen to a small but eclectic selection of music.

So instead of publishing the ‘Top 10 on my iPod list’ that bloggers seem to do in abundance these days, I shall publish…

New York State of Mind
Billy Joel

Spread Your Wings
Robbie Williams

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone
Lighthouse Family

Techno Song
The Life Aquatic Soundtrack

Run to Paradise
The Choirboys

April Sun in Cuba
Dragon

Changes
David Bowie

I Just Whispered Your Name
Harry Connick Jr.

At the moment I’m also constructing a blog which will become a journal for one of my units at university. The journal is a compulsory assessment, but as for the presentation – it’s up to us. I decided I’d choose a format I’ve had a bit of experience with. So to see the early edition of the Aperture Chronicles, click here.

My new tenant for this week is ‘irvine in the sky with diamonds’, a cute little blog featuring paintings, poetry and comments from a little four-year-old boy. The blog’s been put together by his mum, and I thought it was a really cute idea. Check it out.

Until next time…

I’m going through a massive reflective and introspective phase tonight. Actually, it started this morning, when, for no seemingly apparent reason, I felt completely over it, really down and had the sudden urge to tear my heart out and lay it on the soft earth for the cold, cruel, heartless and oppressive world to see (no offence).

Uber-productive stuff, to be sure.

This led to an inevitable analysis of those around me on the train. Today, unfortunately – both for my state of mind and the world at large – there were none of the tertiary-educated, self-absorbed, intelligent and introverted businesspeople that I so respect, admire and disengage with on the way to uni.

No.

There, instead was this snippet of wisdom: “Loike dere was dis fully hot chick hanging off me lastnoight dude, loike you heff no idea.”

I have absolutely nothing against ethnic minority groups. Nothing at all. But I do when such pearls as above are ejaculated with such volume that the emergency windows rattle at the elicitation. And I left a few select words out. This is a family blog, after all (last post not included).

But the absolute comment of the day came from some schoolboys on the train on the way home. Here it is:

“Oh, man, we are so not dumbarses.”
“No, mate, we’re smartarses.”

Genius. Absolute bloody genius. Give the kids a mars bar.

Tell me this. Why did I feel the urge to smack them over the face with something blunt yet speedy; brutal yet stylish? A silver-plated shovel, maybe? A platinum axe? Why not these things?

Because novelty mineral-coated weapons and household implements such as these were banned from production following the Industrial Revolution. They were simply too expensive to produce and distribute. The home department and hardware sectors were just starting to develop, and the blunt weapons black market vein was struggling. The invention and mass production of the steel weapon and manual household tool simplified the process and reduced prices.

You believe me, don’t you?

Until next time…

University is absolutely insane.

A whole week and I’m over it.

Someone PLEASE tell me it gets even a tiny bit easier from here. Someone? Anyone?.

Sigh.

It’s so far removed from high school. Students running after class to grab a quick smoke before the next lecture. Lecturers and School Coordinators having coffee with students. The ability to purchase t-shirts with ‘FUCK OFF LIBERAL SCUM’ emblazoned across the chest. A stall for the freaking Australian Communist Party.

What is this place?

I know I’ll love it, given time. A fair bit of time. It’s all so new and weird and exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.

In other news I have broadband. w00t.

Until next time…