The Asia Pacific region is launching URS week, an initiative to increase the profile of URS and link staff together in a single purpose. The theme this year is "One Small Step Can Make a World of Difference" - it's about climate change and environmental sustainability. Mike (American) and I were just discussing the energy and environmental consciousness of Australians. He described it really well when he said he used to use three paper towels to dry his hands, but now uses only one, leaves with hands still slightly wet, and feels compelled to save the wet soggy paper towel to blow his nose later. It's amazing how environmentally different the entire culture is. You would not think about not recycling, about leaving something plugged in, or letting the water run superfluously.
The launch to URS week was a movie night to see the film "A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash" at Nova Cinema in Carlton. Choc tops (infamous chocolate dipped ice cream cones) and popcorn were included. I took Phill as my guest and he summed it up well. It was interesting but a bit like watching the news for three hours. They sure did a great job of bashing the trucks and SUVs of Texas. I took the heat for our entire state. A bunch of us went for tea (supper) at Il Gamrero on Lygon St (Little Italy). I had a yummy pesto gnocchi and the house red. By the way, the house (cheap) shiraz is wonderful in Australia, but my favored pinot noir is not so good here - better in New Zealand I'm told. Tuffy, Robo, and I headed to The Rainbow Hotel (one of their favored pubs, not gay) off Brunswick St in Fitzroy. We met Tuffy's friend Sammy there as well. We heard some good live music - a couple of acoustic guitar blues style singer/songwriters.
The launch to URS week was a movie night to see the film "A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash" at Nova Cinema in Carlton. Choc tops (infamous chocolate dipped ice cream cones) and popcorn were included. I took Phill as my guest and he summed it up well. It was interesting but a bit like watching the news for three hours. They sure did a great job of bashing the trucks and SUVs of Texas. I took the heat for our entire state. A bunch of us went for tea (supper) at Il Gamrero on Lygon St (Little Italy). I had a yummy pesto gnocchi and the house red. By the way, the house (cheap) shiraz is wonderful in Australia, but my favored pinot noir is not so good here - better in New Zealand I'm told. Tuffy, Robo, and I headed to The Rainbow Hotel (one of their favored pubs, not gay) off Brunswick St in Fitzroy. We met Tuffy's friend Sammy there as well. We heard some good live music - a couple of acoustic guitar blues style singer/songwriters.
