Down and Out

Bologneasy

Joel — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:43:20 +0000

What is it with Italians and fire? Sure, stereotype says that they’re passionate people who love to live life through lots of hand gestures and a sense of fatalism, but New Year’s Eve is slightly crazed. IED-sized bangers and boxes … Continue reading →

Around the world in 54 flights

Joel — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:45:01 +0000

So, 2011 started in Sydney, ended in Bologna, and I flew 108,881 miles in between – my carbon footprint is getting slightly smaller and the frequent flyer miles still teeter around the million mark. Most of those were on the … Continue reading →

My year in cities 2011

Joel — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:00:53 +0000

View Cities 2011 in a larger map A few days later than normal, a brief recap on my travels in 2011. After a long period of intense travel things were a little more normal last year with a better sense … Continue reading →

The Northern Lights? Not tonight

Joel — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:54:20 +0000

(Find the pictures on Flickr too.) Off to Tromsø to celebrate Ma and Pop Down’s 40th wedding anniversary (congratulations!), 70 degrees north and well inside the Arctic Circle. Our world according to Mercator made it difficult to understand that we … Continue reading →

Laser eye surgery: 21 days later

Joel — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:07:37 +0000

Well, it’s been three weeks since I had laser surgery to correct my myopia so it’s time to reflect on what’s happened. Put simply – I don’t notice it’s been done, because the vision is perfect and discomfort non-existent. Apart … Continue reading →

Spreadsheet of countries, soverign states and territories

Joel — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:04:42 +0000

I have sometimes ‘amused’ friends and family by keeping track of the countries I’ve visited, although I don’t reallythink of the total number visited as a goal in itself. It’s just like stamp collecting, really, since the colour and shape … Continue reading →

Bye bye eyes, see ya spectacles

Joel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:59:51 +0000

I didn’t put my umbrella up when it rained in London this morning, for this might be the last day that I ever worry about getting my glasses wet: tomorrow I’m going to have my eyes lasered. I wanted my … Continue reading →

Junking football

Joel — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:10:54 +0000

As a geographer, professional researcher and the son of a graphic designer* I’ve long been interested in the field of data visualisation, which drew me to Kaiser Fung’s excellent Junk Charts blog. It’s made me about the way that I … Continue reading →

Cross-Channel Hot Air Ballooning – the World Record Attempt is ON

Joel — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:49:33 +0000

UPDATE: mission accomplished! The team has crossed the channel and is currently awaiting their retrieve who are in… England. So, Pop Down is dusting off the basket and getting ready to take part in what is expected to be the … Continue reading →

Paris Marathon: Yikes!

Joel — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:01:34 +0000

Yep, it’s less than four full days until I hit the streets of Paris with 40,000 other runners to compete (well, take part in) the 2011 Paris Marathon. Taper madness has set in, but fear not, I’ll have the much … Continue reading →