Number 49: See Both Solar and Lunar Eclipses

Completed 16 June 2011 and 14 November 2012
Total Lunar Eclipse and Partial Solar Eclipse. 

So as a bit of an astronomy nerd, this one was going to be completed with or without a bucket list.  

The total lunar eclipse took place in June of 2011 with the maximum being at around 4:50am and in the middle of June that meant it was quite cold (for Brisbane). It also turned out to be a perfectly clear night for viewing, not a cloud in the sky. 

My astronomy set up.

So I started setting up my gear at around 3:00am including telescope, mount, camera and accessories. Oh I happen to be using a Skywatcher Black Diamond 130mm Mak Cass mounted on a Heq5 Pro tripod and a Nikon D40x. 

Lunar Eclipse - 16 June 2011

The solar eclipse was much more of an event on 14 November 2012 with the maximum being at 6:58am. So lots of research  to find out what time, where to be, what percentage we would get. I woke up really early that morning, around 3:00am to get ready with all my camera gear and walk around to the roof level of the nearby car park for the uninterrupted views of the eclipse.  

Path and percentages of the eclipse

And while it was not total in Brisbane (83%), there was a noticeable changes in both temperature and light levels as it took place. It was a strange thing watching it through the solar glasses seeing a massive slice of the sun missing. 

Partial Solar Eclipse - 14 November 2012

Mark 49 as done.

Read More

Number 30: Stay in the Best Suite in a Five Star Hotel

Completed 29 December 2011

Executive One Bedroom Suite - Marriott Hotel - Brisbane

In the December 2011 Christmas break, with the office closed I didn't really have any plans or much to do so I decided to tick of the things from my bucket list. So since I was in line for a bonus in December I picked something that cost a pretty penny.

So I started searching for local 5 star hotels and enquiring as to their most expensive suite and I must say it was an odd experience to ask about available rooms and responding with “Do you have anything more expensive?”

After calling around most of the 5 star hotels in Brisbane, I ended up deciding on the Marriott’s Executive One Bedroom Suite via Lastminute.com.

Yep, $785.50 for one night. 

So around 1:30pm on the day, I ventured into the city to check in and get sorted. I checked in and went up to the room with no plans to leave it for the entirety of my stay.

While I was there I spent a nice afternoon in the Executive Lounge eating and drinking while reading, watching movies, sleeping in and ordering room service for dinner and breakfast the following morning. The highlight by far was the bed; I have never slept in such a comfortable bed before. 

Mark 30 as done.

Read More

Number 29: Meet Your Idol

Completed 3 December 2009
Dream Theater - Original line-up

I've always loved Dream Theater and had seen them live once in Melbourne a couple of years earlier. However at that stage I didn't have the opportunity to buy the meet and greet package so when the chance came up in 2009 tour, I ( along with the wholehearted support of my then girlfriend) went for it.

So the tickets were booked and a few days before the event we got the laminate, the ticket and the instructions for the meet and greet, now was the time to get excited.

Like I'd be late to this...

The "Black Clouds and Silver Linings Tour" setlist was mainly from the album of the same name, which I really liked, one of their better albums of recent years had the set list as follows:

A Nightmare to Remember

A Rite of Passage

Hollow Years

The Mirror

Lie

Wither

The Dance of Eternity *One of my favourite DT tracks of all time*

Solitary Shell

In the Name of God

Encore: The Count of Tuscany

And on Support was Pain of Salvation with the below setlist and I was really looking forward to seeing these guys live as they are quite a good band. But whoever managed their balance levels was having a bad night and the bass was terribly overpowered.

Falling

The Perfect Element

Fandango

Ashes

Linoleum

Conditioned

Disco Queen

Dream Theater, an amazing progressive metal band from the US and why do they get the honour of being classed as my "Idol"? Simple, as I mentioned to the band when I met them... They were the band that introduced me to good music. Meaning prior to discovering DT I was just an annoying little teenager that listened to the "Top 40" style charts and without them I would not have discovered other great bands like Porcupine Tree, Devin Townsend, Pain of Salvation and X Japan.

Mark 29 as done.

Read More

Update post - No: 57 See the All Time Greatest Films and No: 84 Sell All Your Junk on eBay

Update to Number 57 - Count: 70/131

Over this weekend I got to watch North By Northwest (1959) by Alfred Hitchcock and while I enjoyed it, I must admit that I enjoyed Rear Window (the previous Hitchcock movie I watched from the list) more. I have gone and updated the list accordingly. 


Update to Number 84. 

Over the duration of this weekend I've also been searching my apartment for things to get rid of via eBay. So far I've located, priced and photographed about 11 items and they will probably go on-line next week.  

Once the items are listed, an official post will come out. 

Read More

Number 27: See an Erupting Volcano

Completed 27 December 2010
Mount Yasur, Tanna, Vanuatu. 

During a visit to Vanuatu in December 2010, one of our main targets and reasons for going was to see the mighty Mt. Yasur, the world’s most accessible active volcano and the worlds 3rd most active.


The holiday was split in to two halves, the first half being a nice enjoyable relaxing adventure with things like exploring the main island of Efate, swimming with tropical fish (See Number 02) and relaxing at a number of resorts. We had quite a wonderful time doing it as well apart from a slight bump (which I found most exciting) in the road of a 7.3 Earthquake striking while we were there but for more details on that see Number 102.


Then we started the adventure half of the trip, which involved a domestic flight to the island of Tanna and then a 2.5hr ride in the back of a ute along roads that can barely be called such. But oh how it was worth it.

Climbing the final leg on foot, you feel a small rumble and then hear a tremendous roar as you climb, Yasur is greeting you. What a sight to behold.

What a truly incredible experience. Something so mind blowing to witness and a sight that will no doubt stay with me for the rest of my life. If doing this has ever crossed your mind... I tell you now, do it!

Furthermore on an awesome side note I got to meet John Seach while I was there, a guy who runs a great little volcano activity website that I frequent called www.volcanolive.com/

Mark 27 as done.

Read More