Snowboards make my life better because I don't use them.

See how these two don't actually have both of their feet connected to the board? This makes for added value for those 'old school' skiing luddites like me who stick to two planks.

Let me explain: Each time these guys get on and off a ski lift they must unclip or re-clip (respectively) their feet to their snowboard - this takes a bit of awkward shuffling and reasonable amount of time. The latter is most important because the time spent stuffing around with bindings is not time spent on the actual slope. In an empirical exeriment on a short run I was able to fit in twice the number of runs because I didn't have to stuff around. Given that everybody pays the same price for lift tickets it means that snowboarders are subsidising skiers both in terms of slope time and number of runs, by as much as 50%. Everyone else should snowboard.

Why am I paying for dropped mobile phone calls?
Probably about a third of the mobile phone calls I make get dropped at some point by the network during conversation. I swear, re-dial and complete the conversation. I have no doubt I am paying two flag-fall fees for the one conversation, and the telco has just profited by providing sub-standard service. I want my 20 cents back each time it happens. This arrangement actually encourages carriers to provide underprovisioned networks that routinely drop calls. I move that any reasonable length call that is dropped before either party hangs up should be free. Who's with me? This should hammer the Telstra share price in time for T3.

The Bogan-Wanker Scale.
I have a steaming pile of philosophical questions that need answers. Inspired by the thinking behind www.politicalcompass.org I figure the world needs a new internet based test that determines where a candidate sits on the bogan-wanker scale. A candidate may then compare their boganity against celebrities and historical figures. The candidate may then print out a certificate... it'll be great. You'll see. How is the scale calibrated? Is the population normally distributed across the scale? is there a skew one way or the other? Is one's boganity intrinsic or acquired? Is the distribution of the population on the bogan-wanker scale in a country related to its Big Mac index? I think there might be a Dawkins university PhD in this. Start commenting now.

Jim pats an invisible dog at Lake Louise

My trailer got a propane heater.

Ross gets airborne over Lake Louise. Someone pass me the anti-vertigo pills.

Ross appreciates the serenity. He has opinions.

Banff has views.

Prior to going snowmobiling I feared Canada may have be suffering a bogan shortage. My fears were put to rest when the bloke in the foreground rolled his skidoo.

He gets 2 out of a possible 5 Khe Sanhs for his effort.