| Richard has moved |
[Sep. 9th, 2009|11:04 pm] |
Hi Gang
Ive moved!
Ive changed my address and contact details but not my email. So if you need my new contact details then please email me.
Best wishes |
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| Richard Allen's leaving Australia |
[Jul. 7th, 2007|12:49 pm] |
Dear Friends
I’ve got some exciting news: I've been offered a job with a big nasty investment bank called Merrill Lynch on Wall Street.
This means Ill disappearing to New York at the end of the month. Ill miss you and Australia terribly but this will also be a great opportunity and adventure for me. However, Ill still be keeping the same email at my tefkin address.
My old snail mail address won’t work after this month. I won’t have a new snail mail address for a few months but email me if you need this.
For my Sydney friends, Ill be having some sort of going away drinks in a few weeks. Email me if you’re around.
Regards
Dick |
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| One perfect day... |
[Jul. 5th, 2007|08:32 pm] |
Have you ever had one of those days were everything just works perfectly? Were all the things you were worried about resolve in an almost perfect fashion for you? When you say, if just one of these things had happened, you’d be happy, and instead 5 big things happen well?
Sigh. |
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| Dicks news |
[Oct. 14th, 2006|03:43 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
Dear friends
It’s been a while and I have been quiet in Sydney, so I pay homage to the ancient tradition of letter writing, given fresh life in its newest incarnation of the Internet, by updating my dearest with Dick news.
What’s stayed much the same?
I'm still at CBA and trying to be a good apprentice at my trade. But there is so much to learn. And alas no one in my team to teach so I’m discovering new approaches by chatting to others at CBA.
I'm finishing off my masters. I barely passed a subject (which is bad) I should have failed (which is good). The disaster of the mid semester exam meant I put a lot of work into the final exam. I only have three subjects and 5 exams to go. That means that maybe around February I will get my life back.
I picked up a few more belts in my latest martial art but fear I may have to put it on the back burner till February.
With martial arts and lectures I’m getting home at 10pm most weeknights. This is too hard to keep up.
New and exciting news:
My brother is getting married. We’re off to Turkey sometime late in 2007 to witness said event and meet the bride.
My mum is trying to get onto the Internet. I’m trying to assist from far away but as you know technical support is hard to give over the phone.
I'm also trying to records the big events, people, details and activity of my life for the last 35 years (yes yes just had a birthday recently) in a journal. I should do this before I start forgetting too much (grin). Your help with any of these details gratefully received.
I'm spending plenty of time at the gym. I would like to get certain things in place at this age that will become habits for the rest of the life: health, weight, finances and spiritual. Like everyone I lost the life "how to" guide so having to work this out myself. Open to advice.
So that’s what’s been happening for the last six months. Please let me know your news and any interesting journal entries (see above).
Warmest thoughts
Richard |
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| And now is the winter of our discontent |
[Apr. 22nd, 2006|01:21 pm] |
Hi gang
A while since posting so I thought Id say hi in the post con rush of enthusiasm.
Hi.....
[what's this you say? Stay? Say more?... Well if you insist but only on the condition that you return the favour]
Dicks world since last we spoke? since last we sent missives? Since the afternoon tea? Since the midnight rendezvous? Since that masked day of the Venetian carnivalle?
Met a lovely girl, spent much quality time, it ended.
Got car fixed up and going swell.
A few more subjects knocked of the masters. Suspect Ill finish but not an easy degree this time.
Started grading up the food chain in another martial art. Geez early belt gradings are a waste of time.
Most of my team resigned due to a crappy new political manager who happily sells out his team to make him sound good. And he expresses surprise?
Despite trying to do four people's job, I'm actually starting to learn stuff at work. Its hard but a hard lesson is usually a well learnt lesson.
Went to a fab conquest and met lots of nice people again.
In a similar vein looking forward to all the great people at Pheno.
Went to Japan over the new year which was great fun. Got to do a lot of box ticking and saw lots of sumo.
Basically just going to study and work hard until the new year. And then we'll see.. Oh yes, we WILL see.... |
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| Fabulous Idea |
[Dec. 24th, 2005|05:26 pm] |
A friend had a fabulous idea:
Ask all my friends to email me photos of themselves. That would make a nice photo album and serve as a happy reminder.
So please email me a nice large photo of yourself (broadband on) so I can remember everyone. |
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| Car for sale |
[Jul. 28th, 2005|11:21 pm] |
HI All
Ive got a car to sell:
Hyundai Lantra 1994. Redbook price about 3-5k.
For a quick sale lets say 3k.
The catch: The rego is just about expired and it isn't worth my time getting all the crap organised to transfer it from vic rego to NSW so that's the price the buyer has to pay. If a day or two or your time is worth 2k and you could bare a well maintained Hyundai lantra, then give me an email (tefkin@yahoo.com). |
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| Work you scurvy dogs or Ill take the whip to you |
[Jul. 28th, 2005|11:14 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
Since starting work at The Bank, I’ve met a new type of creature. Its called the project manager.
Come with me to the Asterix comics of yore. To the pirate ship, we'll go down below decks to where a big nasty man walks up and down the aisle between rows of chained slaves. He whips them when they fall slack and shouts imprecations.
We'll that’s what these project managers remind me of: They don’t actually do anything to contribute to the solution, they just whip the slaves harder, cut deadlines and tug the forelock respectively whenever the captain ducks his head down to see if we can go a little faster.
Does this seem harsh? |
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| Important decisions |
[Jul. 15th, 2005|11:37 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | creative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Gotan | ] |
So I’m getting a new car at last.
A Peugeot 206cc. Wanker factor high.
car
But the important decision that I need your help on: colour?
Initially I was thinking black:
Dark, mysterious, sort of dangerous
good for hiding dirt
But then someone said that dust shows up more on black than on silver.
Silver/alum:
affluent, sporty
possibly better for a small car. black makes it look small. Silver makes it look fast.
Play with the website, give me your feedback and reasoning:
Remember the rule:
No reason to stupid, no justification to materialistic, no excuse to two dimensional. |
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| There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor |
[Apr. 30th, 2005|03:53 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  discontent | ] |
There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor.
It stirs the emotions.
There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor... and it says "here is your house during the day, you must be at home during the day, its the weekend, relax"
There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor... but its not too bright, too demanding. Its not the blinding light of morning or lunchtime, demanding I stride forth and seize the day. Nor the rushed breathless electric light of evening, ticking away, telling me to move on quickly to my evenings appointment. Its the lazy sunlight of late afternoon, the sun low in the sky. It says your work is done so relax and enjoy the remains of the day.
There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor... and it shows me a once familiar room in a different light. Different to the rushed few hours I get late at night after work. A different room, a different house, a different life, a different way. Why don’t I see this more often?
There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor... and it reveals a clean but tired old bathroom. Not the shiny sharp spotless bathroom of an Ikea catalogue that looks to nice to use, but the bathroom of my childhood. Not new but familiar. Not sharp, but gentle like family, like mum.
There is sunlight falling across the bathroom floor... and the natural light fills the whole room, leaving little shadow. Nothing hidden, nothing secret. Just honest and open. A little boring but unstresful.
Why is this light so unfamiliar? my life otherwise defined by a few hours each evening?
I swing closed the bathroom door, cutting of this unusual and troubling light and rush to my appointment. |
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| Dick News |
[Apr. 30th, 2005|12:21 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | chipper | ] |
It's been a few months so I thought Id say hello to all my friends with another Dicks News. So let's cut straight to the chase shall we:
Work is going well. I'm involved in a big APRA response which is sucking up a lot of time but it’s a good way to see the bank.
Karate is going well and it's not ungodly hot so I can breathe in the Dojo now. Last week I went along to a senior class. We did sparring and I unfortunately got put in the heavy weight division: We are talking 7 foot tall, 130 KG of muscle, been a black belt for 10 years type of guys. Sigh. Not pretty.
Thought of a cool idea for a module. As usual I doubt I will ever right or run it.
Enjoying Age of Aquarius campaign.
House sold at last. Did not get what I wanted but I figure it’s a risk minimization move.
Wrapped to hear the Voluntary Student Unionism is on the way. You'll notice you never hear the lefties spell it out (it's just "evil VSU") because it makes them look silly. As a lefty it's hard to argue that giving you and me a choice to join a political organisation is bad for us because big brother lefty knows better.
Anyway, as per the last VSU campaign, the student union is spending my compulsorily extorted money (on fear of failure) to bribe students to an anti VSU rally with food, alcohol and entertainment. I.e.: I'm being forced to pay for politics opposite mine. Can anyone see anything intrinsically wrong with this picture?
Still thinking about getting a new car. Honda Euro Accord LX. Thoughts anyone?
Going skiing in a few months to Threadbo. Yay!!!
Hope you are all well. Best wishes.
Kind Regards
Richard Allen
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Before enlightenment
chopping wood
carrying water
After enlightenment
chopping wood
carrying water
- Zen Proverb
Home 02 9953 1239
Mobile/SMS 04 0000 66 92
tefkin@yahoo.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> |
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| Movies |
[Apr. 20th, 2005|09:54 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | contemplative | ] |
I'm thinking of being social but not too energetic. Video nights tend to fit the bill. Here's the details for a possible:
DVD night at Dick's place:
The 4400 on main big TV
First 3 episodes of the new Dr Who
Stars Wars Clone wars (sort of after movie 2 but before 3: anime) in small back room
Saturday Night
6pm plus
14th May
Location
Unit 2
5 Milson Rd
Cremorne Point
(easy public transport: 10m on Mosman ferry from Circular Quay, get of at first stop, walk up the hill for 2 minutes)
Numbers: say 4 to 10? Interested? Send me an email. tefkin@yahoo.com |
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| Dick news |
[Feb. 21st, 2005|08:54 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  bouncy | ] |
Hi one and all
Yet another evil attempt to get you into trouble with your works anti spam software by the evil title of my missives from the front.
Ok you know the drill, I let you know what I've been up to and in return you tell me about your life:
I've moved to Sydney.
I'm working for Which Bank?
I'm looking for a new or recent second hand car as my present one has served me well so deserves to be put out to stud.
I'm doing Karate at a dojo in central Sydney. The sensei is not a complete wanker (many are) but his English is only slightly better than my Russian.
I'm seeing a nice girl but early days yet.
I've just been accepted into a masters of Quantitative finance which work is paying for (call that 30k!!!).
My house failed to sell so that may take a while to realize.
I've been reading all about Kyoto (short version yes there is climate change but, despite what the left says, no one can prove what's causing it).
I got my black belt in a long and brutal grading.
Where I live is beautiful, near the water, surrounded by trees, 2m from the ferry and 10 minutes across the water from Circular Quay.
I've just done a pump class which explains the playful mood of this missive. I was taking the ferry home tonight and realized how good life is at the moment: great job, accommodation, girl, activities, affluent, health, happy family.
I hope life is treating you well. Tell me about it? |
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| Moral conundrum |
[Jan. 25th, 2005|09:52 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | rejuvenated | ] |
I need some advice from my completely biased set of friends (who mainly reside in Melbourne):
Easter. Two conventions. One in Sydney. One in Melbourne. Which to go to?
Melbourne Conquest:
+Larger Con
+Lots of people I know and love
+Better range of games
-Couple of hundred in travel costs
Sydney Necro:
+Easy to get to
+I live in Sydney now. I have to make Sydney friends
+They ran a very good con last year
+I’ve been to tons of Conquests and would not be missed
I’m leaning towards Conquest but am not sure this is truly wise so much as comfortable. Advice? |
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| Dicks new address |
[Dec. 4th, 2004|12:55 am] |
Hi All
A few people felt they missed this last time to lets make sure:
2/5 Milsons Rd
Cremorne Point
Sydney NSW 2090
(02) 9953-1239
Being in Sydney is weird. I keep feeling like it was all a bit of fun and excitement but now time to go home... Take the ferry to work each morning is good for the soul. Hope you are all well. Back on email.
Dick |
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| Free washer and dryer |
[Nov. 10th, 2004|01:42 pm] |
Hi All
I'm off to Sydney and the place I moving to have a washing machine and dryer.
Therefore I would like to avoid having to take up mine. Would you like mine?
I'm looking for a good family to take in my washing machine and dryer for about three years. They are as good as new, house trained with no faults.
The deal would be as follows:
You get to borrow them for up to three years. At this point I will probably want them back.
You do pick up initially and bring them back to me in three years.
I appreciate that these things wear and tear over time so won't worry too much about that in three years.
Please give me a call relatively quickly if you would like to come and get them? |
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| And the winners is.....Syd-der-Ney |
[Nov. 8th, 2004|01:47 pm] |
Hi Everyone
After a tiring few days driving around Sydney, I found a new place.
It's on Cremorne point, essentially 1 point east of Kirribili and Uncle John (translation Lower north shore 1 point east of the Sydney harbour Bridge). The address is:
Unit 2
5 Milsons Rd
Cremorne Point
Sydney 2090 |
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| Richard's Going away party |
[Oct. 26th, 2004|10:50 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | melancholy | ] |
Last chance to see....
That’s right, Richard is of to seek his fame and fortune in mystical and far away Sydney.
But despair not, for there is a last chance to see him, literally hours before he leaves.
So keep this time free: [tentative]:
Sunday November 21st
5.00 pm The Atrium, Sofitel, Collins Street for drinks
6.30 pm La Café, Sofitel, Collins Street for some food [please give me an RSVP if your going to have some food with me as we can give them an idea of numbers]
And if you cant come this day then let me know and we can catch up before hand.
I would love to see you all, say good bye and confirm contact details before I go so please do come along. Even if you can only drop by for a drink it would be great to see you all. |
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