The other stuff… I’m using Brett Terpstra’s Slogger scripts to log that.

Also, I’m trying to teach myself some Markdown as part of the process too.

Anyway, I decided to repost what I journaled today as a blog post… so here goes.

I was listening to Cmd+Space episode 3 today. It got me thinking about my blog again.

I haven’t really posted anything for quite a while. But then what should I post? I mean, I don’t really follow a lot of tech journalism, except for the podcasts I listen to, to keep up-to-date. My current job means that I’m only really online during breaks and in the evenings.

I could talk about Movies and TV Shows I watch, but, as much as I enjoy watching, I don’t have the critique to give a serious review of them (though that doesn’t mean I won’t do it every now and then).

I even thought about making a Podcast, but what would I talk about.

Anyway, I’m hoping that actually writing about stuff each day in my Journal will wake me up and get me doing something.

I really have no idea what to expect it to bring, but I hope that it doesn't involve too much more of an outlay on my car.

I'm hoping to get off my backside and actually write a bit more, as well as change my blog's theme.

From 2011, I'm glad I have a job again, I'm ecstatic that I have a new nephew.

I don't know about you, but I'm calling this year 2012 – The Year of the Beard.

… oh, and I haven't shaved all year.

I’ve decided that I really want to post more, but I need to not care what others think.

So I’m going to write posts on anything that comes to mind, or interests me.

That’s all.

I’m actually sort of disappointed. But I’m sticking to what I said, so it looks like the beard stays.

Quite a few people have said to me, “Why don’t you just shave off your moustache, and leave the rest of the beard?”. I can’t it’s not the way Movember works. And I respect the Mo too much to bend the rules like that (also they wouldn’t allow me to get free burgers from Grill’d with more than a Mo).

One of my workmates has bluntly said to me “When are you going to shave that thing off your face? Don’t you want a girlfriend?”. Well yes I do want a girlfriend, but I have never shaved (or not shaved) for a girl before. And if I did, I can tell you, she would have made a serious impression on me. I never even shaved off my goatee for my fiancé when I was engaged. But that’s another whole story that I’m not going into here.

So with only 6 days till my self imposed deadline, I am putting in one final plea.
If you want me to shave and do Movember, please donate through my profile (you can find it at http://g.rff.me/Movember).

Regards,

Griffmiester

I have participated in Movember in the last 2 years, and part of that has been because of family that have actually been affected by blokey cancer and partly because I think it’s manly to grow facial hair.

Now if you know me personally, or on social media, you will have noticed in the last 2 months I’ve started to let my beard grow out. Originally I was doing this because I’d seen a pic of the cast of Dwarves for the upcoming films The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) and The Hobbit: There and Back Again(2013), and decided, out of solidarity, that I would grow an appropriately Dwarfish beard for the release of the films. Yes I know that’s a really nerdy thing to do, but back in year 8, I played Oin in my middle school play version of The Hobbit.

Now, I have no gray hairs, so I’m not recreating my part in the play in real life, but I was at least planning on turning up to the films with a long flowing beard… and an Axe.

To get back on track, what has this got to do with the honorable institution of Movember? Well, my dilemma lies in the fact that I’d love to once again participate in Movember, but I didn’t think of that when I was starting on my noble quest to grow my Dwarfish beard. One of the rules of Movember is that you have to start the 1st of Movember clean shaven.

So here’s the rub.

You will decide if I’m doing Movember or not.

“How’s that?” you say.

I’ve decided that I will shave my beard, and grow a Mo for Movember if I can reach a donation target, before the end of October.

Last year, I had $335 donated through my efforts. This year, I’d love to get to $1000.

No, I don’t expect that to be donated through me by the end of October, BUT if I were to match last years donations (that’s $335 by the end of October), I’ll shave my beard and do Movember properly.

So, how do you donate?

Go to http://g.rff.me/Movember and you will find my Movember account. I will post updates here about how things are going.

Please leave a comment about whether or not you think I should shave the beard, and support the Mo.

Regards,

Griffmiester

UPDATE: Wow, straight off the bat I’ve already had one donation for $33.50 from DoubleTake. That’s 10% of the Pre-Movember target. Are you going to help force me to shave off my beard?

Before you all write in your letters complaining as to how much of a chauvinist pig I am for not recognising Woman (hear her roar). I would like to point out that I love women. I Love my Mum. I just find having "Days" to celebrate Vive La Difference an offensive notion. Seriously, why can't people just remember and appreciate the women in their lives without being "reminded" to do so by some group that really wants to create a fuss when none is needed.

Anyway. When you get home tonight, let the women in your life (Mum, sister, wife, significant other) know that you love them… and then enjoy some pancakes. (that's way more important anyway.)

EDIT: I would like to make a correction. I've had it pointed out to me that IWD is more about the fight for Women's rights over the last 100 years than just celebrating Woman. I have to say,  I am for and agree with this, but having a day for it? I suppose I am a chauvinistic guy after all… 

As an afterthought, I completely agree that women should have the Right to vote, the Right to education, the Right to own property, etc, etc, BUT, being a Christian Guy that believes in the Right to Life (and I know this isn't a popular choice with a lot of women nowadays) I can't say I agree with the Right to Choose.

Also, believe it or not, this is something that has been the bible, and written a few thousand years ago (I am not a scholar, so don't quote me on dates for this). In some regards, this will also not be a popular option, but the passage is referred to as "The Wife of Noble Character" Proverbs 31:10-31

I still think you should have Pancakes tonight though.

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So what did I think of Ryan Kwanten‘s portrayal of my life? I thought it was excellent, but I’d just like to point out one detail. I don’t have an older brother called Tim.
Other than that, I will not confirm or deny anything else about the accuracy of this film in reference to my life.

I would really recommend going and seeing it. It has a touching plot, well acted, and it’s Australian.

Also one final thing. During the film, you see a building with “Griffiths” (pic of it here on Flickr) written on it. That is definitely related to me, and I should write about both it and why I deserve (or at least need) a “Miles to Griffiths Teas” Enamel Sign.

The film isn’t due to be released until mid March, but I would love to see it again.
Yes, it really was that good.

and it stars Ryan Kwanten as ME!!!!!

• My Aunt is on the sunset side of 60, and isn't the greatest with technology (though she can email, etc).
• She owns a 2 year old MacBook

So, what happened?

Well, it started in the late afternoon, with three phone calls. When my Aunt answered the phone, there was no one on the other end of the line, and then a few seconds later, a recording saying "Thank you for you call".

The fourth call had an Indian sounding man on the line, who started by claiming that the company he worked for was receiving "Error Messages from your Microsoft Computer".

My Aunt found this odd, not because she has an Apple MacBook (because she doesn't really know the difference), but because the Guy didn't give her any information about himself.

She asked what his name was, and for a phone number, so she could call back (this was so she could ask me about it all). Well, he gave her some innocuous name like "John Brown" (not a really Indian name), but no contact phone number.

"John Brown" continued to inform my Aunt that her "Microsoft Computer" was sending error messages to their computer. He also asked for her name.

My Aunt in reply asked what details he had of hers? eg her email address. "John Brown" still continued to insist that her "Microsoft Computer" was sending error messages to their system, and that it was a virus.

Now I give props to my Aunt, as she didn't buy into this attempt at phishing, and ended up hanging up on "John Brown".

My Aunt then called me and told me about what happened. I explained that first, she didn't have a "Microsoft Computer", that the likelihood of her computer having a virus was slim to none. I also pointed out that there is no way they would have been able to get her phone number from them receiving "Error Messages" from her "Microsoft Computer". They (if they were legit) would have to have contacted her ISP, and they wouldn't have handed them her contact details. So, I told her that she had done the right thing.

I could easily see others with little technical knowledge falling for this scam. I don't know where it was heading, and what information they were trying to find out, but it just shows that you truly need to be wary of cold calls.

So to sum up, if you or a less technically minded friend/relative get a cold call asking techie questions and blaming you for causing problems, I'd suggest you do the following.

1. Ask for or confirm the name of the person you are talking to.
2. Find out the company they are calling from.
3. Get a contact number (which could still be fake), and ask if you can call them back.
4. Hang up.
5. Talk to someone that does have a clue about computers and find out if there is even a remote chance that your computer could be causing problems.

Bon Soir.

EDIT: I've just had the following Blog post pointed out to me http://gbmcomputing.com/microsoft-phone-support-scam-beware/ 
It seems like Garry's post is what this scam was leading to if my Aunt hadn't hung up on the call. Please read Garry's post too.