Catching up with the other Daniel McPherson

by | Sep 16, 2006 | Melbourne, Uncategorized

Dan used to sit next to me at Microsoft Melbourne all those years ago. I remember when Dan bought this massive Creative mp3 player, I think it was 6Gb or something, was about the size of a bread plate, way back in 99 or 00. We thought it was the bomb. Cost him a week’s pay. I was extremely envious. Five years ago DanMc moved to Microsoft London and when we caught up for a quick coffee last Thursday he told me he has recently chased a skirt to Amsterdam where he tells me he will continue to put off his true dream of bringing webcams to Africa, even though he’s now 30 and looking every day of it. Apparently he’d ratherbuy a beer in a movie theatre and, Dan, remember….. it breaks down like this: it’s legal to buy it, it’s legal to own it and, if you’re the proprietor of a hash bar, it’s legal to sell it. It’s legal to carry it, which doesn’t really matter ’cause — get a load of this — if the cops stop you, it’s illegal for them to search you. Searching you is a right that the cops in Amsterdam don’t have.

Dan (left), and Richard Sockpuppet Giles (right)

Dan’s sparse blog.

It’s The Questions You Ask

by | Sep 16, 2006 | Uncategorized

One of the secrets I learned a few years ago was that it’s the questions you ask yourself in times of adversity that determine your paradigm.

For example, when the shit hits the fan, my previous programmed response was to think

"Oh you idiot, how could you let this happen?"

"You shouldn’t have done x, y or z. Why didn’t you do a through d like so-and-so told you?"

 "How could this happen to me? How could he or she do that to me?"

From these questions, a domino effect happens of victim mentality. The thoughts that follow are all pity party thoughts. It’s a simple biological reaction. The neurons in the brain that are associated with fear and flight stimulate each other. One you trigger one of them, a predictable chain of event occurs.

And then suddenly, out of the blue, one day my questions changed. Since that time, when the shit hits the fan, I ask myself:

"How can I use this as an opportunity?"

"How can I benefit from this?"

"How can I profit from this new information?"

"What unpleasantness has this event rescued me from?"

And my favourite:

"What would Napoleon do?"

Again, the neurons in the brain that are associated with creativity, discipline and passion also stimulate each other. Trigger one of them and watch what happens. It’s simple biology.

In Adversity.

by | Sep 16, 2006 | Uncategorized

It isn’t how you handle success that I’m interested in. It’s how you handle adversity. Anyone can look impressive when they are rolling in the good times. But it takes true strength of character to handle the rough times. I’m interested in being around people who have what it takes. Life’s too short to spend with spineless people.

Scanning Miriam

by | Sep 16, 2006 | Uncategorized

As you can probably tell from her blog posts, Miriam was the star of the TPN dinner this week as she regaled us with stories of going to an Anglican all girl school in Canberra and… well the things girls do when they are with girls. "nuff said. Well on her blog tonight she’s put up a photo diary of her recent experience getting a  barcode tattoo.! Very cool. I’ve said for years I’d love to get one exactly like that, although recently I’ve changed my mind and decided I’m going to get a TPN logo instead. Over the course of my life I’ll get a tatt of the logo of every company I start. 

Last night’s TPN dinner went OFF

by | Sep 15, 2006 | Melbourne, Podcast, Uncategorized

Well last night, to celebrate Richard Giles’ first trip to Melbourne since he’s been on TPN, a few of us, hosts and guests, gathered together in solemn fashion for dinner at Chocolate Buddha in Fed Square, then had a few drinkies at Taxi. I won’t say ANYTHING about what was discussed (valour being the better part of discretion) but will just say if you weren’t there you missed out on an education. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter.

Michael Specht’s commentary is a good start:

Cameron was in full swing, maybe one too many coffees in the day, Father Bob made a brief appearance, Martin from the Travel Show, Of course Rich Giles was there, along with Kate, Miriam, Matt, Tony, Rich (Stock market Rich, do you have a web site?) and a couple of others I do not get to meet.

We all had photos taken with Cam’s red glasses (I am sure they will be on Flickr soon), Cam had the Video camera going which means there might be a video podcast.  Lots of Sake was had and looking at some of the posts floating around lots of fun was had by all.

Some other thoughts of the night from the people who came:

Rich’s photos are here.

My photos of the night are here (watch for a G’Day World video edition coming soon).

Miriam’s posts about it are here (but her blog seems to be down at the moment… second thoughts about some stuff you wrote Mizza?)  🙂

Urbaer’s are here.

Cait’s posts are here.

Thanks to everyone who came, especially my friend Father Bob Maguire ("I’m 72!!!") who made it in ("I nearly slipped on the stairs!").

Don’t miss the next TPN dinner which will be in early December to celebrate two years of G’Day World and therefore two years of Aussie podcasting! Book here!