Michael Wheatland's Blog

Facebook

2009-10-24T13:16:00.002+09:30

Due to lack of time I am not going to be blogging any more, but rather I will be using facebook to keep people up to date and find out what others are doing.

I may return and start blogging at some stage, however if you are interested in me please add me as a friend on facebook.

Michael Wheatland's Facebook Profile

Whale Shark

2009-02-17T14:19:00.000+09:30

While we were out fishing with Steve and Craig we came across this whale shark. It was as big as the boat and very gentle. It started to lift it's head out of the water to see what we were doing there.

All in all it was a very successful day with a couple of coral trout and a few other Trevelly we had a great dinner when we got home. Along with the mud crabs that were fresh from the mangroves, it made a delicious meal.

November 2008: Photos from Nhulunbuy

2008-12-03T18:55:00.000+09:30

This is the view from our flat. Third floor overlooking the beach.
Also attached are some of the photos of us exploring new areas around town.

Back in Nhulunbuy

2008-12-03T17:58:00.000+09:30

After our trip to Melbourne it was nice to get back into the warmer climate, blue water, white beaches and outdoor lifestyle. Although Melbourne was nice to see many family and friends the cold weather and the traffic was just killing us.

You can check out more info about what we get up to in Nhulunbuy on my town website. Gove Online.

Photos from Melbourne

2008-12-03T17:52:00.000+09:30

More Halloween Photos

2008-12-03T17:48:00.000+09:30

Haloween Party

2008-12-03T17:39:00.000+09:30

Here are some of the photos from Nathan's annual haloween party.

Some older photos

2008-09-07T23:03:00.000+09:30

Here are some photos that I forgot to post a couple of months ago.

Bogged

2008-09-07T22:54:00.000+09:30

Yes I got bogged, but what better place to do it.
This place is magnificent. You couldn't ask for a better beach.
Little Bondi East of Nhulunbuy.

The new flat

2008-09-07T22:26:00.002+09:30

I created a video for my website www.goveonline.com that shows the flat that I am moving into.

Work Hard, Play Harder

2008-08-24T23:34:00.005+09:30

While I was in Brisbane a week ago I decided to go all out and buy a Sony Playstation 3.
It is a beautiful system, it is easy to use. Totally wireless, already hooked up to my wireless internet.

I also went all out and bought Grand Theft Auto 4, Metal Gear Solid 4, Ratchet and Clank and Buzz, the TV Trivia game.

So What does it do?

Plays Full High Definition 1080p games
Plays Full HD blueray movies
Works as a wireless media player - Streams movies and music from my laptop
Plays DivX movies off discs and USB sticks
Records TV (Using the Play TV adapter which I am going to buy)
Plays online games for free (Unlike MS XBox 360)
Dual boot to yellowdog linux
Oh, and it grills...

Brisbane Visit

2008-08-18T10:28:00.000+09:30

During the last week I stayed in Brisbane for a control logic meeting at the companies head office. This is the view from the balcony of the apartment which I stayed in. The 'Medina' apartment was located just at the end of the story bridge, not a very fancy room, but the location was fantastic. Only a 2 min walk to work in the morning along the river.

You can see the office I was working in in the second photo. It is the small brown building right on the water with trees around it.

I will be back in Brisbane in about a weeks time for the Rio Tinto Graduate Forum.

Australian Hip Hop

2008-08-17T03:41:00.002+09:30

I am a bit of an Australian Hip Hop fan. I thought I would share some of the best tracks with you.

For those of you not listening to Triple J you are missing out!

The classic and best Australian hip-hop track ever.

About taking the not so easy options in life.

Australian Hip Hop cover of Redgum's 1975 anti-Vietnam song.

Very political, I would like to think this song is about John Howard.

Bliss and Eso with their 'Make Poverty History' track.

Urthboy "We get around"

El Questro

It's your round. The Clown Prince.

Some great Australian artists are: Hilltop hoods, Downsyde, Bliss n Eso, Urthboy, The Herd.
Get out and listen to some Australian music, stop listening to American pop.

The New Flat - More Photos

2008-07-31T06:28:00.000+09:30

The new flat

2008-07-31T06:25:00.001+09:30

The new flat. Ocean Views, 2 bedroom, 3rd floor, Bath with bathroom, Kitchen, Laundry, Lounge, Dining room and balcony.

Drinking night

2008-07-31T06:22:00.000+09:30

We recently had Matt and Ben over for a few drinks. These are a couple of artistic shots taken by Matt. He is getting very good at picking a good shot.

The Giddy River

2008-07-15T19:15:00.000+09:30

Some more photos from the Giddy River.
Speachless...

Adventures of the Paj - Giddy River

2008-07-15T19:12:00.000+09:30

Heading out this weekend was fantastic. Swimming in a beautiful waterhole next to some really nice waterfalls.
This is by far the biggest river that I have seen up here so far.

The Paj got to strech its legs as well being 50km out of town.

The Adventures of 'The Paj'

2008-07-12T17:19:00.000+09:30

After enjoying a quiet upbringing in Sherbrooke, Victoria 'The Paj' suffered a mid life crisis. Fleeing to the farthest northern coast of Australia, it is now known for it's adventurous spirit and unforgiving determination.

We did get it bogged today at the beach around the point between Yirrkala and Shady Beach. But after some encouragement she pulled through.

'The Paj' 1985 Mitsubishi Pajero.

Sony Ericsson G900

2008-07-12T08:02:00.000+09:30

While my mum was in Hong Kong recently I asked her to buy me a new mobile. The Sony Ericsson G900 may not look much, but it has all kinds of great features. I am using my Sony Memory M2 1GB Memory card, It has a full touch screen. Plays some of the best games and applications that I have ever seen on a phone. It has WIFI (Wireless network) so when I am at home or at work it connects to the internet to check my email and websites for me. A 5MP autofocus camera is very good for a camera phone.

I would recommend this phone to anyone. It is a bit expensive in Australia, when it becomes available. But you can buy one off ebay for a good price.

Anyway, Thanks Mum. Love you.

The Apartment

2008-07-12T07:54:00.000+09:30

Now that the regular routine has set in I can't wait to come back to Melbourne and spend some time with friends and family. I am enjoying work though. There is always plenty to do and the career opportunities are fantastic. With a little more experience here I am sure I will be set up for the rest of my life with a good job.
I am not sure about where I will be in the future, whether I come back to Melbourne and work for a consultant in a few years, or stay with Rio Tinto and move to another site. There are plenty of options opening up, and most of them are very rewarding.

I will be back in Melbourne for the last two weeks of October, so if you want to catch up give me a call.

A BBQ at the beach - Photos part 2

2008-05-18T22:14:00.002+09:30

A BBQ at the beach

2008-05-18T22:09:00.003+09:30

We had a great time out at the beach last weekend. We took out a couple of camp stoves, cooked up a feast and went for a swim.

Sitting around and having a chat was also fun. I am missing everyone back in Melbourne and I can't wait to come back to see you all.

Also I will be in Brisbane in late August. If anyone wants to catch up and is in the local area at the time let me know.

I hope the Paj Still works

2008-04-28T12:34:00.000+09:30

A day at the beaches

2008-04-28T12:25:00.003+09:30

On Saturday we took the Paj out to the eastern beaches. Despite it being sand driving the car went really well, almost getting bogged only once. The beaches out here are spectacular, better than any beach that I have ever seen, and I have been told that the fishing is great out here. I can't wait to go camping for a full weekend here. I did however go for a swim in the ocean, the first since I have been here due to the stingers. It was great apart from cutting myself on some coral.