30 Degrees

Yesterday, 2009-09-12, we've had 30 degrees Celsius in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I could not believe the indicator on my desktop. It was hot in the office but when I left, in the evening, it was even worse outside! The air in the city was full of dust. During the day there was a strong wind, shaking the glass walls of Rialto towers. Considering it is still Winter, having 30 degrees is really, really odd.

Why Women have Sex?

Interesting research by two University of Texas professors - Cinty Meston and David Buss - reveals the reasons women give for having sex.

Secret's out: why women really have sex | Health & Lifestyle | News.com.au

Munchausen Management

A great article about the Munchausen Management Syndrome. Does it apply in your organization?

If your organization hasn’t diagnosed Munchausen Management Syndrome but you suspect that is the diagnosis, here some of the characteristics of the condition:

• Crisis mode is the only mode.
• Nothing gets done until it is a crisis.
• You can see the crisis coming and can predict who will “save the day”.
• Crisis prevention is not a priority.
• Crisis management means doing nothing until the problem puts a project, a deal, or the business at significant risk – then managing to save the day through “heroic” efforts – basically doing what should have been done when it should have been done.
• Promotions, rewards and recognition go to the “heroes” who save the day (and create the situations).
• There is a pattern to the behavior: crisis, heroics, reward, crisis, heroics, reward.
• It doesn’t matter who can get hurt or the long term ramifications to the organization – just as long as there is an opportunity for the individual(s) to “save the day”.

Munchausen Management : published at CarolinaNewswire.com - business ; technology news

This seems to happen in many companies and the sad part is that most of them are not even aware of the condition and/or the long-term ramifications for the organization.

Photos: Royal Botanical Gardens

Photo album from a walk to Royal Botanical Gardens. My favorite spot in Melbourne.

2009-08-27 Royal Botanical Gardens

Depression

Beyondblue is a site dedicated to address the issues related to depression. Good advice, useful information, links. 

beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia.
beyondblue is a bipartisan initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments with a key goal of raising community awareness about depression and reducing stigma associated with the illness. 

Web Site

Spring is here

The Spring is definitely here. Yesterday, after a few days of drizzle and for/clouds, the temperature was quite high. It made me think that soon the t-shirts will be required as it is getting too warm. And the Sun was strong enough to give a hint of what's ahead in the warm season.
I have to say I'm hardly waiting to get rid of the heater - that saves life during winter, as the house has a poor insulation. Well, *have* is a compliment, really. The house has no insulation whatsoever is more likely description.
Today the forecast is 20 degrees. This is more like it. Goodbye Winter!

Oh, yes, and the days are getting longer. It is still a daylight and the orange colors of the Sun are visible after I'm done with work. Feels much better.

MaxMagnus Comics!

Wohoo! I finally found the MaxMagnus comics series. It's an old series I enjoyed very much but was never able to complete the whole series. I was unable to find any traces of it in years. This is great!
Maxmagnus - Skenirani stripovi - Stripzona

AusPost Postage Rates

At the link below you can find the AusPost postage calculator for domestic and international letters and parcels.
Australia Post, Calculate postage rates

Good Fortune

Fortune goes round, I guess, and what goes up must come down. And vice versa. It is interesting to witness how things change, whether you do something about it or not. I have been quite passive in the past year or so and so many things have happened, one would not believe it. While, during the past years, I've been quite proactive and, at the end, I had a feeling that no matter I do there are only so many things I can actually influence.
Anyway, things are moving for the better at the moment and I have a wonderful year in front of me without any perceived worries along the way. Let's see what more life has to bring.

Creating a Will in Australia

I'm looking how to create a will. It seems to be relatively simple process for simple cases like mine. In brief

A Valid Will is one that is able to be put
into effect and will be accepted by a court of law. To be Valid The
Willmaker/Testator must be mentally competent and,your Will must be

1. In writing,

2. Signed at the bottom by the testator (you) and

3. Witnessed by at least two people. The testator and the witnesses must all be present when the will is signed.

At the link below, you can create a will online:
Create Free Online Will - AAMI Insurance Australia

Superannuation, while may be subject to the will, may not necessarily be so. Usually, a superannuation fund will have a form you need to submit to make a death benefit nomination. The details for VicSuper are here.