This is not my first launch whilst working for Microsoft. There's been Windows Vista, Exchange 2007, and a while back the 2005 Ready Launch (Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005). And Microsoft launches are certainly not new to me in my career. I was there way back when Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and NT 3.1 (yes you read correctly) was launched. In Australia there was Windows 2000 and later Windows XP as well.

But this is the first time, even working for Microsoft, that I've been so directly involved in a launch. From looking after the Heroes {Community} Launch Pillar, to becoming directly involved in the event itself, I've become part of this dynamic, passionate, and exhilirating team.

So my perspective has shifted from the spectator seat, receiving giveaways, to the stage, & handing out t-shirts  (check my morning tweets). The show takes on a whole different significance.

All this preamble to put in context some observations:

• Meeting MVP's, Usergroup leads, Regional and HQ MS Staff, and other influential people in the community has been a blast. Of course, there's the awkward, desperate search in my memory to recall a name initially :) I've been overwhelmed at people's friendliness, not to mention their passion for technology. Everyone has a story to tell, from the frivolous to the hilarious.
• Watching the keynotes, demos, and catching some of the tracks delivered by our Evangelists and Technical Specialists has been inspiring. Again, I'm awed at the effort those in my team, and the expertise they demonstrate.
• Meeting customers and hearing about their experiences. I grabbed the chance to hand out t-shirts, and overwhelmingly, the feedback has been positive. Great keynotes, excitement about the products and their impact, and eagerness to hit the tracks and learn more.

So rather than being wowed by the spectacle as before, I'm inspired at a personal level with the passion and commitment of people. I don't think I've ever been to a Microsoft event with standing room only in the auditorium.

Right, off to catch up with more of the community.

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So I'm at the launch event, ready to rock, but I thought I'd blog (initially at least) on a slightly different spin to the launch of Windows, SQL, and Visual Studio 2008.

That is interoperability with the Open Source Communities:

We have a campaign for the heroes that work with Microsoft technologies, integrating and interoperating with Open Source technologies. You can find it here at www.opensourcehero.com You'll find tips, tricks, techniques, and tools, not to mention candid stories on how to develop and work with the latest MS Technologies.

So official speak:

• Microsoft launched a new effort today, located at www.opensourcehero.com, that celebrates individuals who are doing amazing work with open source and Microsoft technology. 
• {Open Source} Heroes features technical information for developing and deploying OSS on Windows, candid customer stories featuring everything from open source interoperability to The Hulk, MacGyver to Pinky & The Brain. We’re also providing a new customer offer called the Hero Hack Pack.
• What’s a Hero Hack Pack? For a limited time, we’re offering completely free (no shipping costs) evaluation editions of Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008, with getting started information for using open source and Microsoft technologies.

So check it out, and let me know what you think.

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I know, I know, I've been lax in posting my (our) progress. Apologies for that, something about access to the numbers of the team, and a set of scales whilst I was in the USA.

But I'm back now, and here's how things stand.

The overall team weight is currently at 804.8kg, down from a start of 832.3kg - which means in 4 weeks, we've lost a massive 27.3kgs between us.

My starting weight was 108.6kg and I'm down to 105.0kg, so have lost 3.6kg in 4 weeks. some 0.9kg per week. This is not great, but not bad considering I lost 2kg whilst in the USA at conferences!!!!

Currently I'm sitting 4th out of 7 on the leader board. So I've clawed up a position. Just biding my time, consistently losing, with 8 weeks to go.

More boxercise tomorrow morning....

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I've long believed that people, on the whole, follow two principles:

1. In general, they wish to do the right thing
2. Overall they'll follow the path of least resistance

Which is why if you're a student, and wish to develop software, but can't afford to buy development tools, you have a dilemma between piracy or open source. The only way to be consistent with the both principles, is to choose the open source option.

But what if those development tools, rich in value, were offered to the same students for free, as long as they were studying?

Then there is no dilemma. You can choose to download either the vendor tools, or open source tools, or both and do a true, non-religious comparison based on the merits of the software.

Well, last night (Australian time) this became a reality as Bill Gates announced "DreamSpark", a program which allows all verified students to freely download Microsoft platform, design, and developer software.

The tools included comprise:

Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition

Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition

XNA Game Studio 2.0

12-month free membership in the XNA Creators Club

Expression Studio, which includes Expression Web, Expression Blend, Expression Design and Expression Media

SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition

SQL Server Developer Edition

Virtual PC 2007

Visual Basic 2005

Visual C++ 2005

Visual C# 2005

Visual J# 2005

Visual Web Developer 2005

The first wave of the program includes just 11 countries. However, we're working with the Australian Universities to implement the Identity Verification system, so that our students too can benefit from this great program.

Watch this space....

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On Wednesday evening we had the regular TechReady "Ask the Experts" and Games night.

Due to absolutely no planning on my part, I ended up at the SQL Integration Services table. Boy, what a bunch of features are coming down the pipe in SQL2008. It was great to catch up with a couple of the team.

Then up to the labs, where all of the lab machines had been turned into a massive LAN party. You could choose from one of two games: Age of Empires (which despite considerable time, I just can't seem to master) or Gears of War.

It wasn't the best Games Party I've been to, principally because I didn't catch up with any of the team. So playing Gears of War, by myself seemed to defeat the purpose of having a network.

In an adjacent hall were some 32 XBox360's with PGR4 and Halo3. Also a massive Halo3 knockout contest. I didn't even bother entering, even looking at those knocked out in the first round, it was clear that I wouldn't have lasted 10 seconds in that arena.

Well organised, but without a crowd of friends, not the best...

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Talk about inspiring!! This morning our keynote was from Michio Kaku, a Theoretical Physicist and Futurist.

We looked into advances in wearable computing, from glasses, to clothes, jewellery even. In a world where the average silicon chip costs less than a penny, less than paper. The future of medicine, growing our own organs, working with genetics, nano-technology helping replace intrusive tests.

His latest book, The "Physics of the Impossible" discusses the actual (theoretical) physics behind things we deem today as impossible. Things like teleportation, time travel etc.

Dr. Kaku, was engaging, sometimes funny, but always inspiring. I'm not sure that I agreed with all of his predictions, but many of them resonate with me:

For a long time I've noted the adoption of technology to fashion (wristwatch -> digital watch; wired phone headset -> wireless phone headset) and have predicted that when they can split the display from a phone/PDA, people will become just as comfortable wearing displays on their eyes as they are with speakers in their ears. This will solve the dual dillemma of needing smaller form factor for portability (forcing a smaller display) whilst needing a bigger display (forcing a bigger form factor)

A fantastic session to inspire technologists in this generation.

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We've managed to gain a limited allocation of tickets to the Customer Launch events for Australian Usergroup Leaders. Please check your email for details and instructions on how to apply for these.

These are fantastic tickets to what is panning out to be a great event - a full day of training on these new technologies, as well as free software for all attendees.

Looking forward to catching up with you there.

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Yes, you read right!!!

SonyEricsson, arguably one of the most popular mobile platforms in the globe since the early '90's has announced the "Experia X1" their Windows Mobile Device.

You heard it here first

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So a study from a couple of British (Warwick & Dartmouth) Universities has found that Middle Age is Depressing. It seems that none of the things that people consider will bring them happiness, actually do. Kids and Grannies are happy, but between those two is a generation of pain, troubles, unfulfilled dreams and general unhappiness.

"Some people suffer more than others but in our data the average effect is large. It happens to men and women, to single and married people, to rich and poor, and to those with and without children. Nobody knows why we see this consistency."

My personal experience and observation is that those things: Income, wealth, rewards, health, status, fame, home (or rather house), car are rewards for success. They might bring a transient happiness, but not any sense of fulfillment, success, or lasting joy. Some of my happiest times have been when penniless travelling round the US, Caribbean and UK; when ill with deep friendships and relationships. Now the trappings of the middle class (great expression that) are there but don't really affect my happiness. The fact that I've fulfilled (or in some cases not) dreams has a huge impact on my personal state. My  relationships, and working not to sacrifice my values (openness, honesty, loyalty, empowering people) for anything or anyone, helps me stay centred and (mostly) sane

So finding your core values, and living in a manner congruent with them, brings that fulfillment, success, and joy, no matter your status, station, or wealth in life.

What are your values? Are you sacrificing or compromising them in exchange for a role, promotion, increase, job, boy/girlfriend, or other pressure?

Thanks to Truemors for this link.

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... at the conference hotel this morning

http://reviews.cnet.com/7009-7254_7-0.html?CType=2277&ac=925&ISPID=&ISPNAME=&&kbps=54

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Heard of Twitter?

That's a question I've asked at 3 presentations I've given recently. It's one of those "polarising" questions.

All of the audiences I've asked the question have been technical people, both within and out of the Microsoft ecosystem. Even with this audience there are a minority who've heard of Twitter, and less whom use it (although not much less). Then there's the majority whom haven't heard of it, and when you explain the concept to them, doubt they'd use it.

Well, I have a smatterings of followers, and I follow a couple more, on Twitter. http://twitter.com/home and although I'm a regular updates of what I'm doing and/or  thinking at any given time, I was skeptical as to any real value that Twitter could provide me.

But, pleasantly surprised, here I am in Seattle, and Twitter has become invaluable:

• Catching up with colleagues from Australia and other countries, without necessarily having Internet access, or people's phone numbers.
• Getting the low down on sessions people are attending at the conference. Are they good, bad, indifferent, essential?
• Getting news as it happens, as well as people's opinions on this news - and most importantly -
• Finding out where people are gathering for beer

So check it out, try it out, and if perchance you want to follow me, hit http://twitter.com/rog42

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Most of you reading my blog will be familiar with the concept of a usergroup. Perhaps you are a member, a leader, or perhaps you don't feel there's any particular value for you....

Simply put, a usergroup is a collection of people whom have a similar interest (in this case) in a technology. These people meet regularly, often about once a month, and discuss  the ins and outs of the technology.

For many people, it's an opportunity to discuss their passion in depth with other enthusiasts. Often a discussion you can't have at home :)

There are plenty of other benefits to becoming a member and attending a usergroup. These include: hearing about the latest advances, or future trends in your chosen technology; getting an opportunity to present to others on your solutions; networking and finding out about career opportunities; giving feedback to the vendors of the technology.

So where can you find a usergroup in your area, focussed on a technology you're passionate about?

Well, our Live Services MVP Bronwen Zande, blogged today about the new MSDN Usergroup site which has just been released. Here you'll be able to search for, and find your usergroup, it's contact and meeting details, on an adapted Live Services Map.

Check out her blog here: New Microsoft Usergroup site for Australia released! Cheers for the insight Bronwen.

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So a couple of days ago I blogged about my intention, nay, passion to maintain my diet and exercise regime whilst here at the Academic Airlift Conference here in Seattle.

I thought I'd give a little visual representation of just how difficult this is proving to be. Here is my average day, and the food choices on offer:

6am - Wake - In the basket opposite my bed

6:50am - Breakfast - Prior to 7am session

Yep with a 7am start, there was not much time to hit the gym this morning. My first miss this week. I'm going to have to do some calisthnetics in my room later.

So, for breakfast, no protein, or even complex carbohydrates (cereals) in sight. For my 3rd day running, my breakfast looked like this:

11:15am Morning Break -

Please don't think I'm complaining!!

From one perspective, this is catered brilliantly. The quantity and quality of the food is fantastic.

From TechEd, and other conferences, I well know the difficulty of feeding hordes of people at a conference. Not to mention the value of increased sugars to help people concentrate & stay awake when looking down the barrel of 12 hours of concentration.

I am merely diarising quite how difficult it is even by lunchtime, to manage a reduced calorie eating plan here.

But now, heeeeere's lunch....

1pm - Lunch

What's in the boxes?

First...

Then...

So that's the accompaniment and dessert, now the side dish...

And then, coup de grace, my Chicken Caesar Wrap, the main course....

Again a GREAT lunch. i.e. if your objective is quality food, and maximum wakefulness, with plenty of sugars.

Kind've the antithesis of my objectives unfortunately...

So I ate the content of the wraps and the apple, and felt the burden of global citizenship when I threw the rest of the perfectly good food away.... :(

What did we get this afternoon?

3pm - Afternoon break

 

Yep, you're read that correctly - Vitamin Water. Of course 40g of sugars too...

Power bars - way to go!! No not Protein Bars, just a shot in the arm of quickly absorbed sugars (if you still need one)

For the health conscious :) Seriously though, my digestion is going to turn liquid if I have too much more fruit...

7:45pm Dinner

No, no, that's not my main - it's not even the starter, just a side salad...

No, that's not the meal for the entire table, just a leg of lamb for me!!! Note, I asked for no chips or potatoes, so this is just half the size of the actual dish. It's also why I was given the salad that could feed the population of half the countries in Africa.

I skipped dessert (Vanilla Creme Brulee)

10pm "Drinks on Corp"

So there are only two strategies to make this work:

1) Don't have anything to drink at all. Of course the pressure from building rapport and developing relationships.

2) Ensure that you don't eat while drinking (fatty, carb-rich foods), and keep carb-rich mixers (Colas etc) to a minimum.

Guess which strategy I followed?

Conclusion

So you can see to achieve my mission (5kg loss in 16 days) my work is really cut out for me...

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I Love our generation. I Love the technology we work with, and I especially Love the Internet.

One of the things I love is enabling people, connecting people. The implications of that over my career, has been to work with a heap of technologies: JCL, COBOL, Novell, WordPerfect, Windows for Workgroups, WiFi, Notes, Exchange, dBaseIII & Clipper, Windows NT thru 2003 (& of course now 2008) just to mention a very few...

Yesterday we had a session on interoperability, and it really resonated with me. With the myriad of technologies I've worked with, and the environments I know our clients work in.

The truth is, apart from the company I now work for, very, very few organisations have a truly homogenous environment. Most, if not all, have different technologies throughout their architecture, some even have "competing" technologies within the same domain (e.g. at Nokia we had Solaris & Windows on engineers desktops)

In this environment Microsoft has a bunch of great technologies in virtually every domain, and hence we do a lot of work to ensure that we reduce the burden of interoperability.

It is important to realise that we're deliberate in our efforts to add value in the ICT industry, and the four areas where we look to interoperate:

1. Boundaries

a) Protocols - working to "talk the language" of the hw, sw, and nw technology. From TCP/IP to kerberos to robotics protocols

b) Data Formats - of course the current hot topic is OpenXML, but we work with data formats throughout the gamut of the software industry

c) Application Programming Interfaces - ensuring that applications developed on platforms other than our own have the hooks to transfer data. Also that developers can add value and extend our technologies.

2. Enablers

a) Documentation - You only have to head over to www.msdn.com, www.technet.com, or http://support.microsoft.com  to get a sense of the reams of documentation available to understand and interoperate with Microsoft technology.

b) Software Development Kits - from Robotics studio to Windows Mobile, we provide not only the API's, but also the SDK's to enable people to develop bridges into our technology.

c) Samples - Another way to enable interoperability is to provide sample code to "bootstrap" development. Not only sample code of course, but sample databases, directory formats and others....

3. Business Relationships

a) Partners - Considers developing a product like Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008, and then think about the 500 000(!!) OEM's, ISV's and partners whom provide hw, drivers, and applications for OS's of this nature. Clearly we need to work in the business domain to enable all of this technology to work, to honour IP rights, and innovate new technologies.

b) Joint Development - from working with OEM's and Operators on the Windows Mobile platform, to working with organisations like Novell and Apple over many years to develop technology that works together.

c) Cross-licensing - Again, here is an area where we allow other vendors to integrate our technology into theirs, and theirs into ours

4. The Community at Large

a) Industry Roundtables - from the IETF to ISO, Governments to Finance, we constantly participate in discussions with industry to we work with new standards, protocols and developments

b) Open Source Development Projects - initiatives like dotNETNuke and the newly awarded Open Source Initiative Licences awarded to Microsoft are testament to how we work with OSS.

c) Feedback - some 5 million users gave feedback during the development of Windows Vista and Office 2007. Even now that Windows Server 2008 has RTM'd, we're receiving and responding to the feedback we get from partners, governments, and our customers.

So, you can understand why I enjoyed this session so much. Craig Kitterman did a great job of showing that we're one of the players in all areas of this great technology age. A major player perhaps, but one of many, and we're working deliberately to enable and empower professionals and users in working with all areas of technology.

I do Love our generation. A time where Amanzi and Charis, my 11 and 9 year old daughters, can talk to me in Seattle, from Sydney, from a Three Skype Phone, over a 3G mobile network, the Internet, to Skype, on my Windows Vista laptop - for free. Talk about playing nicely...

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For Christmas I was fortunate enough to get everyone in the family a Zune, including myself. I got one of the 2nd Gen 80GB Zunes, and I have to say it is an awesome device.

No doubt you already have your personal preferences about media players. Some, like the convenience and ease of use, not to mention the all encompassing "i" of the iPod. Other's prefer the flexibility of being able to choose their own sync software, or use the "Plays for Sure" ecosystem with Windows Media Player.

This post isn't to compare devices, or even give my feelings about why I personally think the Zune is quite literally the best music player on the market at the moment. (Yes including the iTouch)

Rather, this trip saw me use the Zune in "anger" for the first time. i.e. It was the first time that I had the opportunity to need long term battery life, a pocketable device, and one which will meet all my media needs (music, sharing pictures, keeping up-to-date with podcasts, and video) for a couple of weeks.

The first stress test of course is battery life. Could I get from Sydney to Seattle (12hr40 + 5hr + 2hr) without needing a recharge?

The short answer is a resounding "Yes!!"

For the flight, I didn't use the Qantas media system at all. Mainly because the "on demand" system wasn't working, and secondly because I wanted to listen to my music and catch-up on other interests (writing a letter, preparing work etc).

So for the long haul, I started listening to the Zune from 20 mins after take-off, and stopped 20 mins before landing. Some 6 hours of that was light classical music through the noise cancellers to help me sleep.

To be honest I didn't use the Zune at all whilst in San Francisco. I'd mislaid my Zune headphones at home, and didn't want to sit in an airport with the noise cancellers on.

On the Seattle flight I watched most of "Hot Fuzz."

So, er, that's 2 hours of video after 12 hours of audio.

So if you have a need for a great, pocketably small music device, with a sweet interface, easy syncing, and amazing battery life; you won't go wrong with the 80GB Zune II.

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Well, here I am, in Seattle, and the weather is just as shown on TV (Gray's Anatomy), which is to say cold and wet. I am enjoying being back though. I'm finding it like seeing an old friend. There are still new experiences to enjoy, but a familiarity with the people and my surroundings not to feel alien.

Yesterday I was asked to facilitate a workshop with the Academic Evangelists of Large Developed countries, and began meeting my new compatriots from around the world.

The workshop went well, and it's great to see the initiatives which other countries are implementing for our academic audiences.

Also, last night, I put the final touches on our proposal to host the Imagine Cup in Australia in 2009. We're competing against 6 other countries, including the USA. So tough competitors, and it would be great to win this. Hosting the Imagine Cup finals in Sydney would definitely be a highlight.

Not much sleep happening then, but sleep is so overrated.

Back at home I know the Heroes {Community} Team is finalising the details for our Demo Competition. Watch this space.

Time to rock...

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No it's not orange juice...

That is a Hefeweizen!!

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Just connecting through San Francisco en route to my 2 week study madness in Seattle, and thought I might share my travel experiences.

Firstly the flight was superb, at least that which I remember... Y'see I got a 4 seat row to myself, which is arguably better than Business Class, inasmuch as you can truly sleep flat. I already have (cheap) noise cancellers, so together with my Zune, gentle classical music and lying flat, I got a respectable 6 hours sleep on the flight.

But getting into San Francisco proved, well, frustrating. Firstly Immigration. The Immigration in the US has funky technology, take all your fingerprints, your thumbprints, and a digital mugshot. But apart from delaying the process of actually getting into the country, I'm not convinced this adds anything to security.

Also, have you thought about the amount of storage that must take. Not to mention the duplicates. I would've thought a checkbox on the form "I've travelled to the US within the last 12 months" combined with a passport number index, would drastically reduce the overhead technically, not to mention speed up the process for incoming passengers.

Of course this is an entirely moot point, because even after the almost 40 mins in the queue at Immigration, there was another 25 min wait before the bags hit the carousel. Then another good 10 mins before my bag, with priority stickers came trundling along.

Still, it's not as bad as Tom Bradley International in LA. But then the total time to get through was over an hour and a half, which is double Sydney, and almost 5 times Singapore (the best airport in the world).

Of course, despite having been sat in a plane, with plastic cutlery, no liquids (greater than 100ml), and been subjected virtually to a strip search, I'm now in the secure zone of the US. So have to once more go through a security checkpoint. Only this one requires more undressing.

I've learned since the last time I came through. Pretty much no lace up shoes, no watch, and put everything else (phone, Zune, wallet) in your bag. If you can get away without a belt, so much the better, but with my waist shrinking, this is not a good idea right now.

In my rush, and without any signage to the contrary, I left my laptop in my backpack. Well, of course that came through on the x-ray, so TSA (Transport Security Advisory) took the liberty of taking out my laptop and putting my bag through the machine again.

I then headed off for lunch, where the least carb full meal was a chicken caesar, but I probably counteracted that with my first (only?) Hefeweizzen of the trip. Kind've a "welcome to America."

With over an hour to kill, I decided to post my blogs, and grab these thoughts. Only to discover my laptop was missing.....

Oh yes, the TSA took it out of the bag, but not back in!!! With my laptop weighing so little, and my backpack weighing so much, I didn't even notice the difference.

whew....

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If you've ever travelled to the USA, personally, or on expenses, you'll understand the difficulty in maintaining a weight-loss program. This is the country with the highest overweight people per capita for a reason, and most of those don't eat 3 meals a day at a restaurant for weeks at a time.

The truth is that the food in the US is of the highest quality, and rich in calories. A short trip to the supermarket, and you'll notice aisles with "non-sugar bread." Excuse me? Even the bread has sugar in it? At restaurants you have far less choice, the bread they serve is the bread you get.

Then there's the quantity. I went for breakfast in July, to a wonderful restaurant with my really good friend Heinrich, and ordered what I thought would be relatively safe. A spanish omelette. Well, it was an 8 egg omelette. 8 eggs. That's insane. My entire family could comfortably eat that. Seriously, this is the one country in the world where I leave food on the plate at every meal.

Then there's the beer. I know, I know, you don't have to drink when you're travelling. But it is very hard not to. Not outrageously of course, but a couple of social beers as you deepen friendships with foreign counterparts. In Seattle my beer of choice is a Hefeweizen. Which comes with a quarter lemon in the top, and looks like Orange Juice. It is cloudy and hoppy, and probably contains the sugars of a Caribbean Island.

So how can I possibly expect to stay on track with my Biggest Loser program, and win the $1000.

Well, I have a plan, with 2 core strategies:

1. Maintain my exercise.

I bought myself a skipping rope. Just something that is easy to carry, and will be simple to build into even the busiest routine, whether or not the hotel has a decent (and available) gym. I plan to start and end each day with 15 growing to 30 mins of skipping.

Also, I bought some 16 Oz boxing gloves, and have brought them along. Hopefully the gym (or one in the area) has a punch bag. If not, I'll try to buddy up with a colleague to do 30 mins of my boxercise routine 3 or so times per week

If I can, I'm going to try to get to the gym and/or swimming pool once a day.

2. Plan my meals.

I think the biggest problem is just accepting what's offered when travelling. Rather than planning, and sticking to the plan. It's hard because I do love my tucker, and have been brought up to "finish what's on my plate" Also, because so much is available and on offer. But the plan is as follows:

• Start the day with cereal - of the non-sugared variety if I can find it. Rolled oats, muesli those sorts of things.
• Get protein bars and shakes, which are low in carbs, for the snacks and lunchtime meals throughout the day.
• Graze every two hours, so I'm not hungry. Studies show that eating 6 times a day burns as much fat as exercising an hour a day (of course that's when you're not eating donuts and burgers for those 6 meals) :)
• My dinner plan is steak and/or salmon, with salads. The thing to avoid at dinner, of course, is the potatoes, rice, breads, and pasta carb-rich accompaniments.

The plan is to lose 5 kgs by the time I return. That should put me to within a kg of 100kgs and be on-track to my overall target. 5 kgs means 5lbs per week. Doable, but not easy.

I'll try to keep a tally of how I'm doing.

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So today Em turned the ripe old age of 18. What a blast!! And what a time in history to become an adult. Rather than being the tail end of Gen "Y" or the "Millennials." The so called first generation to know more about current mainstream technology than their parents, Em is probably more part of Gen "C, otherwise known as the "Connected" Generation. The first generation to have grown up with ubiquitous Internet access, cellular mobile phones, and digital broadcast technologies.

The morning had started well, with a family sleep in, then presents as is our tradition. Although her main present is "Shibby," her car (which she got some 5 months ago), Em got kitted up with some necessities for moving out of home, and studying nursing at Uni.

First is "McCoy" (aka "Bones" a StarTrek joke) her skeleton.

.She also picked up a toolkit, a nurse teddy bear, and her very own nurses watch.

Check out the rest of the photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29747&id=688362291

As a treat we took her to "City Extra," a 24 hour restaurant on Circular Quay, where the only rule is, "There are no rules!" Of course Amanzi, Charis, and I took advantage of having our dessert first :)

Em started her evening with her first public(ly legal) cocktail. Some fantastic concoction of Midori, Malibu, Champagne and Lemonade.

After dinner, she headed out with her friends for an evening of wine, frivolity, and song. Allegedly they ended up at the World Bar where drinks can be purchased in a teapot. But I wouldn't know anything about that :)

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