The Memory vs The Moment

So here's one of those philosophical questions: are you experiencing this moment right now, or are you simply remembering it? (And if you are remembering it, thanks for thinking of this blog.)

Seriously, the previous night I was woken around 3am by some louts yelling outside. Unusually for me, I went back to sleep pretty much straight away, yet I remember the moment. And now, I'm wondering... did I ever really experience, or is it just a memory I have and it never happened?

And beyond that... this moment right now. Are you experiencing it for real? Or is this simply a vivid memory you're experiencing? And if it is a memory, is it a real one?

Studies have shown that memory is very unreliable. So if this is a memory, is it one that is actually based in reality? Or are you imagining that you're reading this post?

[This reminds me of the idea that... what if the universe was created, as is, with everyone having their memories as they are, what if it was all created just five minutes ago?]

However, contemplating this sort of thing, while interesting, and can lead to weird thoughts in your head... what can you do about it? It's one of those non-falsifyable hypotheses. And, more practically, what of it? Even if it is true, what can you do about it? You can't tell if this is happening right now or a memory, so that possibility doesn't get you anywhere.

(Although, there is a comfort of knowing that you're around in the future and simply remembering it.)

It's a weird idea that I have at times...

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Melbourne at Play

Sunday wasn't as nice. Overcast, slightly rainy, cold. Not a day to be wandering around.

Hit the market when it was open proper. Have to say, seen a little, seen a lot of it. Yeah, I've been to markets like that before. (In fact, I was reminded of the Night Market up in Cairns.)

After that, I headed over to the Melbourne Aquarium.

Saw penguins, fish, sharks... reminded me of Kelly Tarlton's. (There's a surprise!)

Passing over the Yarra River, is it supposed to be that colour?


The Australian Centre for the Moving Image wasn't as impressive as I hoped. Didn't understand a lot of the art. Otherwise, I wandered around, hit the Minotaur store (see me and Minny!), saw the Scientology building, and a Rhino on a skateboard... yeah, interesting approach over there. In Canberra, I saw a sign that read "Drink Drive. DIE in a ditch." Well, yeah, straight and to the point.

Not a bad last day, but still a lot to see. Well, just have to go back some time... (although there are also plenty of other cities to see as well...)

(Check out my trip photo album.)

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Melbourne at Play

After kicking off the social section by meeting up with Pete, I had the whole weekend in front of me.

Saturday, I set out northeasterly, heading towards the museum. Just outside, there was a fountain, brilliantly backlit by the sun.


In the museum, while I didn't go to the Tutankhamun exhibit, I did see a quick 3d movie about Egypt first as I had time. Seriously, Melbourne, nothing opens before 10am for tourists? Te Papa would have had a hundred visitors by then! The movie was nice, and then we were told by a SUDDENLY LOUD VOICE to basically GTFO. Nice move.

The museum itself was fairly expansive, and had some nice interactive exhibits. They've a forest I saw some birds in, and a small river where I saw a fish (yes, there is a fish there).

The afternoon, after a passing Italian meal, I headed over the the Old Melbourne Gaol. Where I got locked up.

I also took part in the Trial of Ned Kelly as Constable McIntyre. Helped sentence him to death! Go me!

Just one day, and that was a lot of walking...

(Although I'll be discussing some pictures, check out my trip photo album.)

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Melbourne at Work

So, the reason I was in Australia was, primarily, for a conference. (Surprisingly, I don't have any pictures of that.)

The first day I was there I did some pre-conference discussion, but then in the afternoon... a good way to see Melbourne cheaply (ie for free), and get some idea of what's around, check out the Melbourne Tourist Shuttle, and then the City Free Tram. Takes a few hours, but that's a good thing.

Of course, the day I was (first) there, I arrived at exactly the wrong time for the Victoria Market.

Doesn't look that impressive.

Work was at the Melbourne of University, which is where I saw this guy:

...right outside the department of Zoology. Well, I found ironically amusing.

And while the room view wasn't that exciting, I did manage to see this more than once:


But with the few days of work over, it was time to go social in Melbourne! (And get very sore feet.)

(Although I'll be discussing some pictures, check out my trip photo album.)

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Canbarren

Okay, so let's talk Australia! As in... I was over there! Last week! And didn't mention it on my blog because I'm paranoid! I mean...

Anyway, first I was in Canberra. People keep saying you need a car to get around the place. Yeah, I can see that. I was up the Black Mountain Tower (seen here), and... here's the view looking around.

Yeah, not a lot happening. Indeed, while I was there, I occasionally checked for a wireless connection. Let me pass on the information I found in the form of A Wireless Map of Canberra:


And all capped off by the plane you fly to get from there to anywhere else. Props?


(Although I'll be discussing some pictures, check out my trip photo album.)

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Torchwood: Miracle Day Two

Psst, here's a quick tip for you: the Sheldrake Theory / Morphic Field idea? It's rubbish. Except in the world of Doctor Who of course. (...admittedly, we are in a world where no-one is dying, so possibly other things might be going on as well...)

Dear gods, RTD, get on with it! (Yes, I know Doris Elgin wrote it, but I'm holding RTD responsible.) Seriously, what the hell happened in this episode? Drummond got away, but... the whole plane ride was completely irrelevant. Jack gets poisoned then is saved, so... what plot got advanced there?

And the medical people... RTD is really trying to do something about the increasing population, bringing it up, address what impact the non-dying population will imply... but the problem is, realistically, that is going to take time to really come to fruition. And yet, RTD is building it up as an Important Thing. Unless we suddenly jump a few months in the next episode or two, it is just getting in the way.

So yes, I'm saying this episode has padding. A lot of padding. Plane ride, irrelevant. Medical stuff, leading nowhere. Oswald Danes, still not become anything of note. Just what is his plot line supposed to be about anyway? The trailer had him as a new cult figure, and yet we are just getting snippets here. I'm not even seeing him as the Big Bad of whatever is causing this. (And it's not helping that Bill Pullman just isn't bothering to act in any of the scenes he's in.) He's supposed to be 'the face of the miracle', and yet... nada.

Get the hell on with it, people. Do you have something to say in this series, or not?


Next Time: John Barrowman vs Bill Pullman. Only one smugness will survive!

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Mystery Photo #3

And who are these two fellas?

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