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Elections, Wargaming/Roleplaying, Rockclimbing/Work, WA people
Costello apparently has "called" the election. Even Telstra wants Howard to go. So do a lot of Australians, at least according to a collection of opinion polls. In more important political news, radical left liberal and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov has been nominated as the presidential candidate in an umbrella group against Putin. Let's hope for a checkmate. Of course, this all compares well to Burma who don't have the luxury of elections; or the right of dissent.
I have found a use for Facebook (apart from Scrabble). It's Warbook, a low-intensity (couple of minutes per hour) fantasy wargame. Speaking of wargames, played Decipher's LoTR on Sunday with the Church of Gaming crowd - once again we found the combat system wanting, to say the least. How could they have put such great effort into production quality and make such a mess of the rules? Played more Polaris on Friday night with the Melbourne Roleplaying Salon. I'm beginning to get some sense of what it is that bugs me about the game; it's narrativist without a narrative.
To ensure that we actually get up from our desks and not pour over hot code all day, VPAC took us rockclimbing last week. The ideal body shape seems to be wiry with strong forearms. I'm exactly not that, but it was fun nonetheless. Looking forward to what other shenanigens this place gets up to. This is, of course, in between working on some of the more annoying aspects of Python (which I usually like) and the oddities of IBMs recommended data backup system.
Had a pleasant visit from Stean V. last week who dropped in from his normal abode in Southern Cross to attend a wedding and catch up with old friends; we dined at a cheerful Korean restaurant in Elsternwick. In a fortnight's time will be visited by the wonderful 'Lornie Llama'. I've made promises to take to many and sundry local bars.
I have found a use for Facebook (apart from Scrabble). It's Warbook, a low-intensity (couple of minutes per hour) fantasy wargame. Speaking of wargames, played Decipher's LoTR on Sunday with the Church of Gaming crowd - once again we found the combat system wanting, to say the least. How could they have put such great effort into production quality and make such a mess of the rules? Played more Polaris on Friday night with the Melbourne Roleplaying Salon. I'm beginning to get some sense of what it is that bugs me about the game; it's narrativist without a narrative.
To ensure that we actually get up from our desks and not pour over hot code all day, VPAC took us rockclimbing last week. The ideal body shape seems to be wiry with strong forearms. I'm exactly not that, but it was fun nonetheless. Looking forward to what other shenanigens this place gets up to. This is, of course, in between working on some of the more annoying aspects of Python (which I usually like) and the oddities of IBMs recommended data backup system.
Had a pleasant visit from Stean V. last week who dropped in from his normal abode in Southern Cross to attend a wedding and catch up with old friends; we dined at a cheerful Korean restaurant in Elsternwick. In a fortnight's time will be visited by the wonderful 'Lornie Llama'. I've made promises to take to many and sundry local bars.
no subject
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22509677-17301,00.html
Only one choice for Howard: hold off
COMMENT: Dennis Shanahan | October 01, 2007
JOHN Howard's friendly advisers are all saying he needs more time before the election.
Today's Newspoll figures will confirm that view.
The likelihood of the Prime Minister rushing to Government House to call an early November election today seems slight.
The reasons for this are twofold: the Newspoll figures have become a political end in themselves, and there is a hint, or perhaps just a forlorn hope, that Kevin Rudd's sheen is dulling.
The argument for more time is built on the perfectly reasonable view, expressed by Howard himself, that the Coalition faces annihilation if the polling does not improve. While that's true, it's now at the stage where nobody really believes there will be a shift in sentiment until Howard indeed calls the election.
This goes to the point of Newspoll surveys becoming an end in themselves. Unlike the pollsters, strategists and leaders, most MPs don't really have a clue about polling, even in their own seat. Newspoll's authority imbues it with an influence far beyond its actual two-weekly survey results because that's what the Labor and Coalition MPs use as a foundation for their attitude towards the election and their leadership.
Rudd and Howard are privy to much more detailed numbers and, most importantly, the real reasons behind any fluctuations.
Newspoll provides the MPs, even ministers, with a headline direction and that can influence the leaders' thinking and strategy.
As for the content, on today's Newspoll figures there is only one which shows any real movement and then it is slight - a three-point fall in the Labor leader's satisfaction from a near-record 65to 62 per cent.
Labor won't be bothered, although some will look at Howard's satisfaction rating of 44 per cent after almost 12 years in office and wonder, but the Coalition will take heart that their belief that they've started to wind back Rudd is being vindicated.
The sum total of today's Newspoll is that the election date keeps looking further away than ever imagined.
no subject
Newspoll isn't even a *good* poll.
We'll see...