What's with the shitty currency?

All this time to build up a strong currency and now it's turned to shit.. WTF?

PS3 region free? Only half of it is....

So I've been playing Rock Band on and off for the past few weeks, which I ordered from the US when the currency was good (now it is shit). I can play games from the US fine, however it's the DLC that I can't get with an Australian PSN account! ARGH!

Yeah there are workarounds (create a fake US PSN account to a fake address and use a US based credit card or Entropay) to get funds to the account. This costs a shitload (Entropay take 5% of the whole amount transferred to the card).

Should Sony be able to tout that their console is region free?

Damn Aussie dollar has peaked too soon

It was only a few weeks ago that it was 1 Aussie dollar was over 1.30 Sing dollars and 3 Malay ringgit.

Now it's 1.24 SGD and 2.9 MYR ... shithouse!

Nissan dealers are rip off artists...

Replacement remote control - Nissan want $150 + $90 (one hour labour) to program. A new genuine remote control on eBay with programming instructions (and 5 minutes time) cost me $43.

Replacement front grille - Mine has something spilled on it and the chrome is flaking away. Nissan want $200+. Online new replacement cost me $111, plus a little extra for some double sided tape to stick the Nissan badge on (no doubt would have to do the same with the dealer item too).

Idle relearn - Nissan wanted $50 (half an hour labour) to hook up their Consult diagnostic device to "diagnose" a high idle. A quick search on the internet, print out idle relearn instructions, and a couple of tries later, my idle is now fixed for free.

DragonForce are coming!

Every now and again, power metal comes to Perth. We have already been blessed this year with Nightwish (not really power metal but still sort of in that realm). However, the stars have aligned and DragonForce have announced Australian (and Perth in particular) dates! Fuck yes! They came a couple of years back and I missed it, not missing out this time...

I've just bought tickets. And the venue? Metro in Freo (same as Nightwish). It's on a weekday (and a work night), but fuck it, I'm going. Right before my birthday too! Is 3 months to grow back some long hair?

P.S. I hope this starts a tradition of European metal coming down under. My wishlist include Kamelot, Symphony X, Elegy, InnerWish, Heavenly and of course Gamma Ray.

I'm gonna be a rock star ... in a video game

I finally bit the bullet and bought Rock Band for PS3. At 1 AUD = 0.98USD, it was the perfect time to buy it. I'm really looking forward to having a go at the drum kit, unlike guitar, I know I will be starting out on beginner.

No more Liberty Bell....

Anyone who knows me will know that I love cars, especially ones that are fast. Since I've earned a decentish income, I've put a decent amount of money towards my mode of transport. After this weekend, I will have changed cars again (my 5th in 8 years ......)

But it's not an upgrade. In fact, this car is missing a turbo, leather, climate control and serious street cred. Yes, I am downgrading... Due to the bleak outlook on petrol prices, and the amount I drive for work each day, I've decided to trade in, become totally debt free (hecs doesn't count) and drive something cheaper.