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( 2.8 / 112 )I was sitting at home yesterday and very bored. Not keen on riding because my rear tyre was worn to the canvas. But screw it, i got up and got it replace with a new Michelin Pilot Road2 tyre. Was originally opting for the Power 2CT tyre, but after having chatted with the fitment guys on other people's experienes and checking the specs i decided otherwise.
The reason i went for the Road2 is because it was rated much better for all round usage, and one particular point. When you look at the percentage hard and soft compound structure on each tyre, you will see the Power has actually a much larger 'hard' section in the middle than the Road2. The feedback that the guys have been getting is that this becomes an issue when you in a nice low lean when turning, when the tyre contact point is right on the line where the 'soft' and 'hard' compounds meet. Apparently the tyre becomes a bit unstable as grip gets shifted between the two compounds. Read More...
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( 2.7 / 68 )Well I have been very frustrated the last two years in terms of my career, probably because i was not going anywhere. I can't remember when last i was given a task that was actually of some sort of challenge. And I do mean technically, not solving problems due to incompetence. The last few months I did follow up on opportunities for a new job. There were a couple of good one's, but they all fell through the mat.
Now the wait seems to be over, I have been successful for a contracting position at a major insurance company as a Portal/Web Services specialist. Since I have been a permanent employee all my life, this would be my first step into the world of contracting. Luckily I do know a lot of contractors, most of whom have been trying for the last few years to get me into it. Since I basically have no more patients for the false promises that I got the last few years, it is time to start working for myself and get a move on in my career.
All that is left is to put this in black and white this monday.
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( 3 / 60 )So went racing around Zwartkops Raceway again, and it just keeps getting more fun. This time around i though screw it, lets join the B-Class riders. Well my and my trustee FZ6 did not seize to impress. Keeping the corners nice and tight, i was able to gain enough time to keep up with most 1000cc riders.
;)
This time around i was constantly scrapping pegs around most of the corners. It is so much fun leaning with the FZ6, it makes you think wish that the corner was tighter so that you can go lower. This is all possibly with my set of Michilen Pilot Sport tyres, naturally. But my tread on the rear is basically worn, so I am taking it easy till payday before buying a new rear Pilot Power 2CT tyre. Read More...
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( 3.1 / 68 )So recently i bought my self a nice Polar Heart Monitor F4 watch with chest strap. I have been training for a while now with my flatmate Damian, and i guess i wanted something to help me train rather than spending half my time figuring out the computers on the machines.
;)
I have not been disappointed since. It does what it suppose to do, nothing more and less. One thing i have to mention, the two-button interface to access all the functionality has a very good design concept in my personal opinion.
I have currently set my target heart rate zone to 70%-80% of my max heart rate, which translates to 137-156 bpm. Well so far so good, I have worked my way up to a level where i can endure a total workout time of 55min, with at least 35min in the target heart zone. Typical routine would consist of 10min cycling, super-circuit routine, stomach exercises, 10 min treadmill. I am currently pondering of ways to mix up my usual routines to spend more time on the treadmill and increase my time in the target zone.
But one thing is for sure, I have not felt this fit for years. And results is also starting to show. i suspect i might even weight below 90kg, the lowest for the last 6 years. For most of this i must thank Damian, who showed me another side of physical training. I know my why around when it comes at weight and strength training, but it has lost it appeal for me.
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( 2.9 / 50 )
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( 3 / 62 )
;)
Thanks Broodforce!
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( 3 / 70 )Well well another situation of (probably) politics and personal choice over logic. I had to developed a SMSC client as a freelancer. My code was based on the SMPP v3.4 spec. One of the requirements was to connect to 2 different service providers.
While the one was running like a charm, the second would just keep hanging (lets say its service provider A and B respectively). The network connection will be kept alive, but all SMPP packets just halted to come through. When someone tried to send a message from their cellphone it would display an error "message could not be delivered". Only when i manually stopped my client and started it again will the messages start coming through again. I admit it did puzzle me for a bit.
After having a discussion with one of service provider's A network administrators i realized that service provider B requires my client to initiate the ENQUIRE_LINK packet. The reason why network A has been working is because their server was doing it automatically and the SMPP Java implementation that i have been using responded accordingly. I was pretty annoyed with this, because of now i have to add more logic into my code to cater for different SMSC Server implementations. From what i can find in the spec is that it does not state if the responsibility lies with the server or client to send the ENQUIRE_LINK packet.
Well surely this can be debated over a cup of coffee, but there is still one thing that makes me want to pull out my hair. Network B SMSC server expects my client to send out ENQUIRE_LINK packets and hangs if nothing is received causing absolutely nothing to function. Right, so then why the HELL does it still keep the TCP network alive!?
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( 2.8 / 70 )Did my motorcycle license test today and passed. Finally one less thing to deal with the government. I have been trying for months to get an appointment for a test. Luckily one of the driving schools got me in today due to a cancellation. I also booked a K53 Motorcycle License course just before my actual test. The guy took me through the ins and outs, and after a hour of training it was time for the test. The test only lasted about 15 min. The instructor knew i was doing a training course just before, which i think counted to my advantage. I was only required to do every technique once, hence the 15 min before i was done.
So what next, hmmmm.... maybe go test ride the new 2007 Kawasaki Z1000.
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( 2.9 / 130 )Yesterday I went on my first official track day at Zwartkop raceway in Centurion. Oddly enough I can’t remember why I have not been to a track day before, but still I really enjoyed myself. My FZ6 got a set of Michelin Pilot Sport fitted, with reduced pressure: 1.5 bar in front and 2.1 bar at the rear. With the first session I joined the D group to warm up my tires and get a feel for the track, after which I continued riding with the C group.
;)
Read More...
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( 2.6 / 91 )Well it has been a very relaxing Easter weekend for me. I decided to take the off time to get on my bike and take a ride. My parents decided to drive down to Brandfort in the Free State Province to visit some friends, so jumped at the opportunity to use them as my support vehicle.
;)
I got on my bike the Friday morning at 6:30am. Sun was hardly up, and the air was very nippy. But this was not a problem for my fleece apple warmer and thermal long johns. Traffic was almost non-existent, almost like no one has planned to go away for the long weekend. Was nice easy cruising, trying to stay above 180km/h. Yet again my FZ6 was running like pretty well, it was purely a case of relaxing while listening to my tunes. Read More...
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( 3 / 91 )Well last Saturday a fellow Aikidoka and I did our Sankyo grading after a day long Gasshku. Needless to say we both were dog tired. The grading was a lot tougher than we expected. I personally was just very annoyed with myself, with all the technical mistakes i have made. But i passed, and we all know our Sensei does not give grades away freely. Guess the only thing i can do now is to make sure that i train harder for my next grading and get myself back up to scratch.
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( 3 / 85 )Man i hate that plastic scratching sound! Only difference is the car actually slammed the side of my bike. Luckily i was still able to regain control of my bike stop next to the road.
Stupid Driver Causes Bike Crash - Click Here for more great videos and pictures!
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( 3 / 74 )Erotic is when you only use a feather, kinky is when you use the whole chicken!
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( 2.9 / 90 )Another Sunday another run. Its days like this that I treasure the beautiful African sky. Not a single cloud in the sky, just endless blue. Was not to keen on going a run this morning because I have reached a service interval on the FZ6, but yesterday I thought what the hell. As usual I met up the Rock Riders at the Total garage with my friends from CIT Menlyn Gideon and Frikkie.
;)
So Helmut decided would a trip round Lanseria towards Die Bosvelder would be a nice trip. The Lanseria road is a bit controversial, people enjoy the turns and hills, but the condition of the road is not as good as it used to be. Well I still enjoyed it, still able to enjoy the road, even with a bit of traffic. Read More...
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( 2.9 / 101 )I got recently informed that my application for position in another company was unsuccessful. When I asked for the reason why I was not accepted, the lady responded “We feel your Java skills are not strong enough…” Right something is not kosher!
How’s this for a paradigm, who could now at this moment recall the exact wrench size to use when changing a tyre…? Does that make you a “not so strong” mechanic? So what happens when you pick up a wrong wrench? So it does not fit, so you use logical deduction and pick and larger or smaller one. Hey it fits; you change the tire, moving on. Does it mean when a person do not have the apparent knowledge of a specific subject, that he/she does not possess the intellect be able to learn, use or operate it? Read More...
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( 2.8 / 67 )No I have not had a recent bad experience on some dating site. It’s only the dynamics of modern society that I find interesting. People using modern technology, for one of man’s most irrational desire…. true love. Or is it?
Although I can say I am not on any these sites or clubs, I have met a few people who has been and still are. I find it quite interesting their experiences, unfortunately I can’t say any of them have had a “successful” one. Some are very embarrassed at the fact that they have a “dating profile” online. Then others are more liberal and think there is nothing wrong with it, but still I believe both are after the same thing. “No issues, nice personality, can make me smile, blah blah blah, the usual”. Is this truly what everyone wants; is it true that everyone seems to want the same thing? Like they say there are many ways to skin a cat. It just seems to me people only express themselves on what they want in one way though. On the contrary I have met more people who are not sure what they want out of a relationship, or can’t understand why they keep getting into relationship that does not work out.
Well guys seem to hugely abuse this online dating thing. The girls I have met that does online dating, just keep complaining how guys lie on their apparent profiles, even the pictures are fake. And this of course does not help much the honest people who are online to actually meet someone worth dating.
Yet again the promise of technology is foiled by the ignorance of common people.
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( 3 / 78 )About two days ago I stopped by boys at CIT Menlyn, just to chat and show the one guy the movie clip I have of him popping a wheelie on his Yamaha R1. Gideon has been asking when I am trading my Fazer in for the R1. Bastard knows I will do it in a heart beat ;-) But I have reached that awkward point again, after talking to a lot of people on their experience and reading about all the new write ups in the new models coming up. The question is, what the hell so should I buy next?
Ok, my heart is with Yamaha and will always be my first choice. I always have been saying that I am getting the new R1 as my next bike. But will also admit that I am having second thoughts about my Fazer. The bike is just getting better and better. I can’t imagine that a bike can be so versatile in terms of sport riding. What I really enjoy the most is the amount of seating positions you can play around with, and how the bike adapts with you. I remember when starting on the bike I was basically sitting as far back and comfortable as I can. Then I started to lean forward, pivoting around the fuel cap with my hips when leaning in the turn. Now these days I tend to sit upfront as possible, trying to put more weight on the front wheel. It’s almost like adopting a typical Buell Lighting riding position, got me looking at them again. Well I had a bit of thought, and would really not mind have the same type of ride, but obviously with a litre engine.
;)
And the verdict is … the Kawasaki Z1000. The more and more I think about it, the more would I really not mind to ride this bike. I have not actually been on one yet, but according to all the write ups in the bike magazines it is the one that will give me what I want. A reliable all-round hooligan bike that can do just about everything just short of climbing Everest. Well I have some time before reaching that bridge, but sure would not mind to buy one now!
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( 2.9 / 97 )I was invited by my dealer Gideon from CIT Menlyn to join them on a run yesterday. They were taking out 2 new guys and wanted to know if i would join them. Cool Beans.
;)
Well i actually got home at about 6am yesterday morning, was out on a boys night. Lets just say i am going to need some therapy for all the things i saw on Saturday night. Any hows i got home to was the liqueur out of my hair and clean up before going on the run. Met up with the group in Pretoria at about 7am, and everyone were of at about 8am. As we got on the highway i could see who were the "hotheads" in the group. More specifically these two guys, not one with a proper riding jacket on. Read More...
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( 2.9 / 65 )I was invited by my dealer Gideon from CIT Menlyn to join them on a run yesterday. They were taking out 2 new guys and wanted to know if i would join them. Cool Beans.
Well i actually got home at about 6am yesterday morning, was out on a boys night. Lets just say i am going to need some therapy for all the things i saw on Saturday night. Any hows i got home to wash the liqueur out of my hair and clean up before going on the run. Met up with the group in Pretoria at about 7am, and everyone were there at about 8am. As we got on the highway i could see who were the "hotheads" in the group. More specifically these two guys, not one with a proper riding jacket on. Read More...
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( 2.9 / 96 )I like this pic a lot!
;)
Pretty much the feeling that was going around at Loftus Versveld this last Saturday. I believe the Blue Bulls should thank their stars for getting that last try in for the win. Overall the game play was not very impressive, and a lot of criticism coming from the crowds.
I must give it to the Australian and New Zealand players, they earn their salaries. Its like the South African's play with a mindset of being at the field position that want to be at, not where they should be to support the team. Classic highschool mentally, standing somewhere waiting for the ball to come to you so that you of all people can score that try.
Hopefully soon we South Africans will get our heads out and start thinking where we should be on the field.
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( 3 / 80 )Had a nice breakfast run this morning with some mates of mine. First I am sorry for the fellow rider (sorry i forgot his name as it was his first run with us) who came of this bike, glad to hear his injuries was not too serious. I hope a speedy recovery for him. Apart for the unfortunate mishap it was actually a very enjoyable biking day. Nice high speed runs and long sweeping turns. Especially with a great group of riders to hang out with.
;)
We met up 6:30 this morning at the News Café Centurion, nice and early. It was pretty chilly, definite indication that summer is starting to slow down. Everyone was already at the meeting point with my arrival, everyone apart from the group leader. Let’s just say he had a rough night. We pulled away and met up the PineHaven Garage on route to Krugersdorp. After waiting for the remaining riders of the group we head of on the run. Read More...
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( 3 / 84 )Well yes I admit it, I have often engaged in behind the scene humour of how dumb computer users are. We who work in the IT trenches, fixing network problems and supporting systems take some pleasure exchanging war stories of the stupidity of mankind and how people can’t understand that you cannot plug your modem into your network port a.k.a. ID 10 T error…
Ok ok. Yes not everyone is as technical inclined like me, and that’s all fine. I do not expect a client to understand the pro’s and cons of putting javascript validation in a html page. But lately there is something else that has been bothering me. The purpose why software get developed, and what are they intended to do for the users. We can all go with the sales rep’s response “This software will allow you to do your work faster and more efficiently”. Question is what is truly faster and what is truly more efficient. Is faster actually when you reduce a user’s interaction with a software application from 4 button clicks to 1? Is it truly more efficient when a user does not need to worry about what gets entered into the system, because it will validate everything on its own? It’s like more and more software gets developed to literally think for people, and I am not referring to the recovery procedures when a nuclear power plant experiences a melt down. Read More...
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( 3 / 104 )I have come to the point to change my bike tyres, the previous set of Dunlop tyres have worked great. I got over 10 000 Km on my rear, but tread is basically gone. After asking around i then decided to go on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. Since I tend to ride like a Rossi wanna-be I though it would be interesting to try out the more sport orientated set.
Well I am pretty broke after the holiday season spending, but I though what the hell. I got a set for a very good price. I also bought a BMC Racing Filter as my current was clogging up. Got it all fitted this past week, and have been riding most of the weekend. At first I got a bit worried when I started riding on the new tyres, kept looking down checking that my tyres are not running flat, but they seem fine !? The bike was definitely riding more softly on the road. Then I convinced myself to just leave it and ride it, slowly pushing it further and see what the tires do. Ironically I was at a biker birthday party this weekend as well, chatted with a fellow rider who fitted Michelin Pilot Power on the rear, and laughed when I described my experience of mine. Hey also have noticed how softly the tires are riding and also thought they were running flat.
So far I think these Michelin Pilot Sports are awesome tyres, it hold so well and ride softer over the road. With addition of the BMC filters the bike overall is joy to ride, so comfortable when cruising on the highway. I am planning to go down to the track in the near future and see what the bike is overall made of.
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( 3 / 79 )In my experience in the I.T. industry I have became aware of certain trend that seems to be developing in the corporate world. It’s a big bucks business designing more "efficient and effective" business processes with the latest and greatest in technology. But are businesses really that keen to actually move forward with it?
Usually when stepping into a new project, I go with the impression that I am going to work on something new. A system never be done before, overcoming all the short comings of the old system, making the world a much better place. Taking from your lessons learned from your last project, getting the latest methodology available, download the latest releases of development components and frameworks. These are things that I usually look forward when starting on a new project.
Then why does this never happen! Why does it always turn out to be a light overhaul of an existing system, worse even it must look and feel the same. More and more the client and managers are to concern how the end users will accept the new system and don’t want to make it more foreign to the end users. With this mentality the resulting solution usually ends up being almost an exact copy of the old system, just with new face and code…?! Professionals get gunned down from the skies by designers and managers, mostly about the most basic and logical of design issues. It also happens to people that is keen in taking a step forward, using the latest and greatest in the software development world. Someone who wants to implement something noteworthy, to be able to say I have developed with some sense of pride and achievement.
The biggest kick for me of software development is doing what has not been done before, go where no coder has gone before. Building solutions that you are actually eager to point out and say “I developed that”. But I find that now difficult to do. Most of my work done lately has been discarded on the basis of management deciding they don’t need it anymore / suddenly found a better product / change their minds on what they wanted. Even worse spending 2 year of your life on a project you know that is doomed to fail, a system that will hardly last the next 2 years. Even trying to raise all the flags and pointing out pit-falls, still it’s going down in a endless downwards spiral.
Is their any pride left in being a software developer, or is the world changing so that we come no more than brick layers.
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( 2.9 / 83 )Well i thought what the hell, i need to get away. My cousin works on game farm 50 odd kilometres from the town of Piet Retief in the province of Mpumalanga (formerly known as Eastern Transvaal). Me and riding partner Gregg have already been planning this trip a while back, but we both came down with the flu on the particular planned weekend....
Read More...
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( 2.9 / 82 )
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