When I set out documenting the ups and downs of my early Myki adoption I wanted to achieve two things; publicly document my first impressions and in turn hopefully provide some constructive feedback and guidance for using our whizz-bang new ticketing system. I'm far from afraid of trying new technology and even wear the geek or nerd badge with pride. There's a club for people like us, you know.

I can still see the enormous potential of the Myki system, and quite often over the last few days I have touched on and off with an air of success and wondrous achievement. But today's adventures down Myki Lane took me to an interesting and perplexing dilemma with two options; up to a $9.92 default fare, not knowing which zones my tram travelled through (read on for more on this) or an indefinite extension of my journey. I shall explain.

Less than a week after receiving word my UK colleagues couldn't reach their offices because of heavy snowfalls, here in Melbourne we are heading into a day of "catastrophic" fire conditions and a forecast maximum of 43°C. Talk about opposite ends of the Earth!

I have faith in Myki, Melbourne's new but much maligned public transport ticketing system.  With a price tag of $1.35 billion, $350 million over budget and now running three years behind schedule, it's understandable the system is receiving a public flogging in the media.  I almost feel sorry for the poor schmucks who have to defend it.  But I don't care much for that.  I just want to get out there, try the system for myself and get a feel for how it might revolutionise our public transport system.  Pity though; I doubt it will.

It's pretty safe to say 2009 was a rollercoaster!  There were the highs of some spectacular music performances and the lows of a broken elbow, broken foot and a surprise redundancy for good measure.  I had a guide dog puppy live with me for five months, and the arrival of a second niece.