Photographs from Space

Photographs of Earth (pdf)

These photographs were taken from space by Astronaut Sunita Williams.

They’re quite spectacular.

Happy Earth Hour Day!

I hope we all celebrated Earth Power Hour in the most carbon-burningest (yes, I did just invent a word) way possible!

Casa Ash celebrated by turning on:

• air conditioning;
• heating;
• dishwasher;
• stove;
• microwave;
• the lights;
• stereo;
• three computers;
• three TVs;
• four freezers;
• two fridges;
• washing machine;
• dryer on;

plus:

• doors and windows open; and
• a 4WD idling in the driveway with the CD player, headlights and air con on, although this was turned off after 15 minutes.

Update: Eeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent news via Tim Blair. Sparkage up!

Mining Rules OK!

Many Australians who have never traveled outside their leafy green inner-city suburbs get a kick from taking the mickey out of those of us in the Minerals & Energy game. When they’re not stereotyping us as filthy, semi-literate grunts (a la last year’s ALP advertisements), they’re sniping at us for making too much money and while in the process, raping and pillaging the earth — THEIR earth, as some point out, as though we should feel morally obliged to personally give them each a cut of our paychecks. (Hint: ever heard of taxes? royalties?)

Not only don’t they realise that many folks in the resources sector have tertiary and higher degrees; that Minerals & Energy companies here in Western Australia are very cognisant of taking good care of our environment and have whole departments dedicated to helping do that; that the WA resources sector (mining, oil & gas) is currently subsidising the leafy-green latte-sipping lifestyle they tend to take for granted … but they also they don’t realise that they haven’t even the first clue what really goes on, say, down a coal mine…

Now, here’s what some folks think of, when they think of coal mining… Good ol’ Devo, Workin’ in a Coal Mine:

But that was like, so last Millennium! Modern mining is a whole ‘nother thing altogether:

…

Now: a free plug for my State, and for my industry. Western Australia is a beaut state, but we need people!! From anywhere!! Check these out:

Wiki entry on Western Australia, for youse furriners.

Go West Now! Government portal; abject plea for people to come settle here.

mine4jobs.com. What it says.