I was delighted to read on the Google Earth blog about a fantastic initiative of the Victorian Rainforest Network to create accurate and educational overlays for Google Earth that clearly illustrate a range of threats to our precious forest environments.

Of particular interest is the maps of logging in catchment areas. Organisations like the VRN get a bit of a reputation in the ‘mainstream media’ as a rag tag bunch of dreadlocked hippies… associated with great TV news footage of chains, bulldozers etc. So, sadly, to a lot of ‘middle Melbourne’, they are not relevant or even visible.

Now that we’re facing increasing water restrictions, however, the forest message is getting stronger. These overlays highlight the issue graphically with Google Earth. You might think as you drive through some of the roads in these areas, that the forest looks great – thick and unspoiled, but just a little way off the road it’s a very different matter. It’s one of those ‘Awful Truth‘ moments, one that is starting to get relevance in the gardens of suburbia.

Download them, check them out, be appalled… then vote accordingly next saturday!

this is my bike – I’ve had it for about 6 years now and I reckon it’s worth about $20,000, would anyone like to buy it?

What? too much?!? don’t be so hasty, let me fill you in on the details:

Initial cost $250, maintenance and accessories $400. I’ve ridden it the 7 km. to work almost every working day for six years. Conservatively 210 days per year.

If I had paid for public transport that would be $5.50 per day (it’s now $6.10, but six years ago, it was about $4.50, so I’m making a bit of an average here) – that’s $1155 per year – for a total of $6930. True, if I had purchased period tickets, I might have cut the figure by $1000. So if you’re currently a zone 1 public transport user, I’ll let it go for just $5,000.

… but what’s it worth to you if you drive a car? Well, the figures can get pretty rubbery, but lets say you went with the RACV’s 2006 RACV vehicle operating costs, even the smallest car is going to set you back $111.20 per week. Do the six year average guesstimage and come up with around $100 per week to be kind. That’s $4,800 per year, or $28,800 over six years! and they haven’t even counted the cost of parking! The cheapest street parking around here (if you can get it) is $4 per day (another $5000 over the 6 years!).

I get to my desk at work in 25 minutes. By car it takes at least 40 – that’s 15 minutes at each end of the day that I get for free. If you’re on flexi-time, that’s more than a day off per month! So, not only are you saving money – you’re getting extra time to enjoy it – could it be any better?

So, you’re convinced now – the bike has many useful operating years ahead of it, so I reckon it’s worth at least $5,000. If you currently drive a car I’ll let you have it for a shade under $20,000 – come on!! it’s still a bargain! I guarantee, you’ll be SAVING MONEY!

Oh, wait – I forgot about the 20 minute’s exercise I get twice a day. I probably should add in the cost of a gym membership… 😉

Steve Irwin’s number finally came up. It wasn’t one of his beloved crocs, or a shark or any of the spectacular, glamorous and lethal animals he’s so often photographed with, but a Stingray. Apparently a spike through the heart dealt the fatal blow.

The Wikipedia page about stingrays even mentions the possibly fatal effects of a sting to the chest.

There were plenty who didn’t agree with him, there were plenty who couldn’t stand his style, but there are also plenty who saw him for what he really was – a man who loved and understood animals. So long Steve, we’ll miss you!

Low Isles, Google Maps