Uni Games - Day 1

Boys got up 32 - 28, Girls down 32 - 26. This is one of the bars at The Mecure where we are staying. Some real Uni Games photos will follow.

Airport Efficieny

Great efficieny in Perth Airport. We landed 30 minutes here for AUG and our bags still aren't on the carousel and the computer says we have not landed.

You've lost that loving feeling

I am back in Australia! I leave for Uni Games tomorrow so I thought I would take you back to when Men's co-Grand Poobar was a Rookie. Great serende Al!

That Darn Cat

My brother Dave's cat. It is very cute. Did not have time to post a new photo, so figured this one would be a good one to use from my old collection.

On another note, I found some references to my thesis on the web, so figured I would include a link here. Check out:

http://celab21.pc.elec.uq.edu.au/~thommo/thesissummary.html

It has a summary of my thesis and a link to the full document (all 80 pages of it) in PDF format. If you are bored, have a read. (Ok, I realise that you are going to be have to be pretty bored to read it - but maybe there is someone out there who is having trouble sleeping and needs some assistance in getting to sleep? :-))

Better late than never...

I promised Skye a long time ago I would put this photo on the net, so here it is! This is from Friday's at Mooloolaba (I think it is called something else now) on the Saturday night of the Maroochydore Australia Day Carnival.

I don't have time to write much now, gotta go pick my boss up from the airport. I go home to Australia tomorrow! Yay!

He's slutty, he's sleezy, he's sooo f**king easy...

Looks like Ant is struggling a bit... Shrek could have it won.

Well it is about time to mention some rock classics that I have in my Mobile Music Collection. Rock classics, you may be thinking Led Zepplin, ACDC, Cold Chisel? Nah, this isn't Triple M. My rock classics:

Aerosmith - Ain't that a Bitch

Aerosmith are one of my all time favourite bands. This song is off Nine Lives which was released when I was attending the University of California - Irvine. The album always reminds me of Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt, basketball every day of the week, our apartments (named Dartmouth) on Stanford Street.

Bon Jovi - Always

Bon Jovi, my other favourite band in the early nineties. These guys had alot of great hits. Always is probably not the best one, but it never seems to age. This reminds me of Jorgo a bit.

Supergrass - Movin'
Default - Wasting My Time
POD - Alive
White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
The Strokes - Last Night
Eels - Mr E's Beautiful Blues
Joydrop - Beautiful
Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows

These are songs from the 21st Century that have stuck in my top rated in iTunes. Of note, POD - Alive, the theme song for the UQ Basketball recruiting video, directed by Thommo and Pearcy.

Fuel - Hemmorrhage
Fuel - Jesus or a Gun
Fuel - Shimmer
Fuel - Sunburn

Fuel, these guys classify in my all time top 5 bands and my favourite song of all time Shimmer! (Though I have to say musically I LOVE Hemmorrhage, just that Shimmer has more referential value)

Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta
Seven Mary Three - Lucky
Radiohead - Lucky (Live)
Refreshments - Banditos
Weezer - El Scorchio
The Nixons - Sister

Late nineties rock, reminding me of 1996 and 1998 at UQ doing Engineering. The Rubber Room on Triple M in 1996 and then Thesis Lab 1998! I still remember downloading the live version of Radiohead's Lucky accidently when I was looking for Seven Mary Three's Lucky.

Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song
Stone Temple Pilots - Sour Girl
Stone Temple Pilots - Creep

Last but certainly not least, STP. These guys are kinda alternative rock, were never really mainstream cept for Interstate Love Song and Plush (ohh my god, cannot believe I did not put the live version of Plush I have into this collection, will have to add it to the 'just missed out section').

Anyways that is enough for today, tomorrow I will look at my easy listening tracks. Following that I think I have got some alternative stuff, then two recent songs that I define as top 5 tunes of all time for me!

He eats it, he beats it, he sadly mistreats it...

Dave looks like he might have the lead but we will see... Notice he has also switched over to the right hand. Blasphamy!

Quote of the Day

"That was just instinct. Kind of like running from the cops." Marquis Weeks, University of Virginia tailback, after returning a kick 100 yards for a touchdown two weeks ago against North Carolina.

Contender No 2

Here was our other contender for Virgin of the Year, Anthony or Boof as we call him. Notice that technically he is using his right hand for this consumption, which is breaking the International Drinking Rules and require him to redo the consumption. Seems as though Grand Poobar Al missed this little indiscression at the time.

Who will win? Boof or Shrek?

Here's to Brother Shrek, Brother Shrek, Brother Shrek...

Was going through the photos on my digital camera and found pictures of the Virgin Yard Glass Consumption Challenge 2004. The two 'best' Virgins of NUG that year (as selected by the Veterans) have to consume a yardie full of beer. The one who finishes fastest (handicaps may be added by Veterans at their discression) is declared the Best Virgin for that year. The Best Virgin is given Veteran status for the remainder of the evening.

The 2004 Best Virgin was awarded to Dave Ogilvy (Shrek). Here is Dave early in his consumption effort. I will continue to post pictures over the next few days.

Continuing on my description of my Mobile Music Selection, today we look at my Hip-Hop / R&B selection. I am sure some music aficionados will explain to me that this stuff is not Hip-Hop or R&B or something, but whatever....

From Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk

Hey Mama, Let's Get Retarded, Shut Up and The Boogie that Be.

I like these guys, they are very funky, playing in Brisbane too on 10 October at the Riverstage. Pity I will be flying back to Singapore, I reckon they would go off in concert. The concert is sold out, so bad luck if you want to go but don't have tickets!

Let's Get Retarded of course reminds me of NBA Finals 2004. ESPN used the more appropriate version Let's Get it Started as their add campaign as I watched my Detroit Pistons beat the Lakers in 5 to surprise just about everyone (even me) and win the title. When they went down 3-2 to the Nets after that double over time thriller in the Conference Semi's, I figured we were dead and buried.

The Boogie that Be reminds me of Billy. It was her favourite song for alot of the time we went out, and it brings back great memories. I realised just a few days ago that whenever you break up with someone you always focus on the negative. Screw that, we had a great time together, so why not cherish those memories. Boogie that Be is one way I can do that!

Chingy - One Call Away

I first heard this song on the way back from Maroochydore after a huge Southern Cross Cup win. Caity Dyne loved this song, I had never heard it before. I must say I love it now. It rocks!

Eve featuring Gwen Stefani - Let Me Blow Your Mind

This is a classic from 2001 Australian Uni Games (Sydney). This was UQ Basketball's song for at least a year.

Nelly - Hot in Here
Nelly, P Diddy & Murphy Lee - Shake Ya Tail Feather

Nelly, Hot in Here, 2002 AUG (Adelaide), Uni of NSW Girls team.

Outkast - Hey Ya
Outkast - Roses

These guys define funky. Cannot say enough about Speakerboxxx and The Love Below. I will come back to these guys later.

R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix)

The only remix I like (that I can think of). Gotta thank BigJoe and NUG 2003 in Brissy for this one.

2 Up - Why do I try so hard

This is a culture classic. If you have never heard it, find someone who has it or buy 2 Up's EP 'It Tastes like Chicken'. Great references to Westfield kids trying to act 'Black'. Aussie Hip-Hop at its best.

Usher - Yeah!

Dunno why I like this song, just do. My first recollection of it - 2004 North Road Triple with the Captials vs The Pride. I reckon they played it 10 times at least that night.

On my next post, lets look at some classic rock tracks from my past...

My Mobile Music Selection

S$239 for a 1 Gigabyte SD Card (could have got one for S$219 but it was normal speed and no warranty). Not bad at all, allows me to take a mobile music selection with me on my Treo 600.

I am going to start describing my mobile music selection, explaining what I take with me and why. I will finish it up over the next few days.

Full Albums:

Cold Play - A Rush of Blood to the Head
Cold Play - Parachutes

I am a big fan of Coldplay. They are a bit soft at times, but you can listen in any mood and their music has some soul.

Counting Crows - Across a Wire - LIVE in New York
Counting Crows - Films about Ghosts - Best Of

Counting Crows - probably my favourite band. I own all of their albums, so choose their best live album and their Best Of album to carry around.

Powderfinger - Vulture Street
George - Polyserena
Something for Kate - Beautiful Sharks

Three of my favourite Australian Bands. Because I am travelling everywhere, it is nice to have some Aussie music with me, to remind me of home, but also to play for foreigners. Music for me are like bookmarks for my life, alot of music reminds me of experiences in the past. Something for Kate's Beautiful Sharks reminds me of my 10 day trip to the Maldives. Strangely enough this CD was available at the Hilton for hire and it reminds me of relaxing on the beach doing NOTHING for 10 days. Ahh that is the life.

Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American

Punk Rock I guess you could call it. Emily Davies put me onto these guys. Em played for UQ at Uni Games back in 2001 and we briefly dated around the same time. We were not compatible, but Jimmy and I definetly are.

10 Things I Hate About You - Soundtrack

I love this movie. I own it on DVD twice, Region 1 and Region 4. I have seen it about 20 times. Not sure why I like it, just do. It was a 'hang-over' movie back in 1999 when me and the boys (Matty, Stu, Booga, Hammo, James) used to go out on the town, return to Booga's place for 'Man Loving' and then head to the cinemas the next day with Frozen Coke in hand. The soundtrack has a great blend of rocky ballads and more sombre relaxing tunes.

Tomorrow, I will talk about what R&B / Hip Hop I have in my mobile collection!

No Museum for you!

Well, no Museum for me, the National Museum of Singapore was closed for renovations till 2006! So instead I checked out Dodgeball with Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. Absolute crack up.

In Singapore, you buy tickets with a specified seat (mine was M07). Would be bad for Stu, he would always have to sit up the front. They also have the same 'Don't Pirate Movies' advertisement before the movie. Cinema was no Senstadium let me tell you.

Which Character are you from The Pirates of Caribbean?

I am...



Who are you? Click here to find out.

Shopping in Singapore

I went shopping today in Singapore. People have always said to me that Singapore is about shopping and eating. Well this photos gives some credence to that statement. I could not fit the entire diagram in the photo but this is a map of an underground shopping centre that connects a series of other malls (Raffles, SunTec City etc..). It is called the City Link Mall. You have gotta laugh, a mall so you can shop on while you make your way to the next shopping destination. Very Singaporian!

Vietnam - Untold Adventures Await!

I did not get to goto Vietnam this week because the meeting was cancelled. Check out some of the exciting things I might see there like this guy who has not cut his hair for 31 years! It is 6.2 metres long and he is going for the Guinness World Record. Good luck to him

Quote of the Day

A McDonald's in Singapore. Ok pretty boring. Check out the picture in more detail. You sure you are in Singapore and not Mexico Thommo?

Someone had this quote at the bottom of an email I received. I liked it:

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

This sounds like my kinda website

It is true that the web is full of lots of weird and wonderful things. I decided to do a search for 'Thommo' just to see what came up. I found this site:

Get Thommo Pussy Campaign

I guess I gotta agree with that to a certain extent ;-). Anyway, what I thought was even funnier was that they refered to this particular Thommo as having Shrek-Syndrome. Their comment is that it is hard to pick up when you look like Shrek. Well I think that everyone who went to NUG 2004 can tell you that looking like Shrek does not prohibit a good pickup. My advice, just look for the nearest referee. Good on ya Shrek!

I told you not to reboot that machine!

Gotta love the Korean subway train timetable system that is run on a PC with a 20 GB HDD and CD-ROM drive. An absolute classic photo!

My Gym

This is my gym at the apartments here in Singapore. Pretty basic, very small and no hot chicks to perve on. :-( However it keeps me semi-fit while I am away from basketball. I found an outdoor basketball court less than 1km from my where I am staying. I am going to buy and basketball and check it out over the weekend. Should be interesting.

Interview with Coops

NBL.com.au have an interview with Coops about moving around the NBL and settling in Adelaide. Check it out via the link below!

Interview with Coops

Finished Reading

You have probably read 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. Well here is another of his books, 'Angels and Demons'. It tells another story of the Harvard professor Robert Langdon. A good read... I recommend it!

Quote of the Day

"Dry your eyes mate, I know you want to make her see how much this pain hurts, but you've got to walk away now." - The Streets

Singapore - You gotta Love it

This is pretty cool I can automatically post to the blog and save the Photo!

Check this photo out from 'The Handle Bar' in Singapore. Not only does it make reference to my favourite sport but it is made in Australia too!

Photo from the Past

Lauren, Ange and Thommo having a few Drinks

Wanted to check out how to post photos to my blog. I am using a service from Hello.com to post the photo. Unfortunately I cannot use this service directly from my phone, so I will have to find an alternative method. In the mean time, enjoy some photos from the past!

Japanese and the Art of War

Today I have been adding applications to my Treo 600. Nothing really exciting, though a very nice game called Warfare Incorporated (very similar to C&C) has caught my eye.

Lunch today was at Yoshinoya, a McDonald's for Japanese food. Not too bad at all.


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Posting from my Phone

I have a facination with the perfect handheld connected device. I currently have a PalmOne Treo 600. I will be posting more thoughts on the perfect device, but until then, I thought I would get this working. Blogging from my Treo! 'Watch this Space'

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.hexlet.com/]

Thailand, Chaos Theory and Religion

I returned to Singapore from Thailand today. Business went well and I got to appreciate some of Thailand's gems including a tradition 'Thai Massage' and Thai Food including Pad Thai Noodles and Green Curry. I have realised very quickly that I cannot eat any spicy foods. If I am going to spend more time over here in Singapore then I will have to learn.

I watched 'The Butterfly Effect' today. WOW! Fantastic film. It is hard to describe my reaction to it. Some of the images (especially of the kids behaviour) sent shivers down my spine. I was not 'scared' but the movie shocked me, surprised me. If you have not seen it I recommend it. Though it is not for the faint hearted.

I have never really had a place for religion or faith (I realise they are two distinct concepts) in my life. I guess being a person who is based around logic and reason, miracles or explaining the unexplained via an all powerful God has never been something I have done. The concept of faith though is greater than believing in God. Why do we do what we do? What drives us? Why do I get up and do what I do? I have asked these questions time and time again lately.

Anyway, reading Dan Brown books has been great. Not that these books answer these questions, but they take three things I love to know about, science, history and faith, and put them together in very acccessable and fictional tales. The Da Vinci Code was great. Digital Fortress was also entertaining though not holding the same 'read one more page' feeling of the former. I see that as a little ironic, seeing as though Digital Fortress lies very much in my realm as a Computer Engineer.

Back to the point, these books with their references to religion and faith, have sparked my brain into thinking more about spirituality. Alot of people say it is dead in the modern world. I am not so sure.

The Dan Brown book I am currently reading is Angels and Demons. I am intruged how films and books can have such an effect on me. I create extensive though processes and a thirst for more knowledge on things after seeing a movie or reading a book, yet interaction with people lacks the same effect. Maybe I speak with the wrong people? Maybe I don't ask the right questions?