Other Interests: pursuing your passion

Public Library

I have to compliment the Brisbane City Council e-library: not only can you search its catalogue, you can hold books and extend time online.

News Aggregators and Blogs

Wisblawg has published this helpful powerpoint presentation on using news aggregators, in particular Bloglines (which I also use), to save time looking at individual sites.

Happy New Year

Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) starts tonight.

I wish everyone a happy and sweet year.

The "sweet" aspect is reflected in the traditional holiday food of apple and honey.

Online music

I have been enjoying the free I Tunes radio player while I sit at my computer. You don't need an I Pod. It has a great range of internet radio stations split into categories.

So it is an appropriate time to be reminded (by this NY Times article) that listening to music online is not unlawful. Only its unauthorised downloading and distribution.

Trick Interview Questions

This Fortune article (via Business Pundit) reviews a new book devoted to brain teasers asked at job interviews to assess applicants' problem solving skills (and, I suspect, their ability to stay cool under pressure).

Reminds me of the story told about an interview at a very upmarket legal firm: the applicant was asked whether he would stand up for an elderly person on a bus. Applicant thinks: if I say yes, it shows I'm soft, if I say no I'm uncaring. Ends up saying he'll make sure the elderly person gets his seat when he goes. On his way out he hears the interviewer say to his colleague: "he catches a bus!"

Australian Election

The Federal Election will be held on Saturday 9 October.

For straight information, look at the ABC's Election site.

For a round up of the political blogs go to The Domain.

The Importance of Family and Ritual

While I do not usually write about my family, I am delighted that my son celebrated his Bar Mitzvah yesterday.

This has been an important journey for both of us: for him as it has given him confidence at the age of 13 when he needs it most and for me as I spent time regularly with him over the last 18 months helping him prepare.

At a time when I was changing careers, family support and religious ritual have been critical. Whilst I am not always "observant", observing ritual has helped develop my spiritual awareness and brought me closer to my son and family.