Michael Bell
@xtrackka.bsky.social
Transport and optimism
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Pinned
Michael Bell
@xtrackka.bsky.social
· Jan 1
1/1/26 musing:
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
Studies have consistently shown that paid-timed parking creates turnover and increases retail visitation. The only way RETAILERS “feel the pinch” from paid-timed parking is when THEY, the retailer, can no longer hog the best customer car parking spots right outside their shop.
February 12, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Studies have consistently shown that paid-timed parking creates turnover and increases retail visitation. The only way RETAILERS “feel the pinch” from paid-timed parking is when THEY, the retailer, can no longer hog the best customer car parking spots right outside their shop.
Oh you got crowded house to dream it’s over?
I got MC Hammer to touch this.
I got MC Hammer to touch this.
Oh you got INXS to tear us apart?
I got crowded house to dream it’s over.
I got crowded house to dream it’s over.
Oh, you got Tom Petty to back down?
I got INXS to tear us apart.
I got INXS to tear us apart.
February 12, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Oh you got crowded house to dream it’s over?
I got MC Hammer to touch this.
I got MC Hammer to touch this.
If the hands on those clocks never moved, I wouldn’t notice. I suspect I’m not alone.
February 11, 2026 at 9:58 PM
If the hands on those clocks never moved, I wouldn’t notice. I suspect I’m not alone.
Time to revive a classic
February 11, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Time to revive a classic
Political commentators frothing uncontrollably at the opportunity to dissect tonight’s latest news about a political party that died years ago.
The rest of Australia: what time is Jakara skiing for Olympic Gold tonight?
The rest of Australia: what time is Jakara skiing for Olympic Gold tonight?
February 11, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Political commentators frothing uncontrollably at the opportunity to dissect tonight’s latest news about a political party that died years ago.
The rest of Australia: what time is Jakara skiing for Olympic Gold tonight?
The rest of Australia: what time is Jakara skiing for Olympic Gold tonight?
If they’re coming from Flinders St - don’t! Go directly to Town Hall Station.
If they’re coming from Southern Cross or Flagstaff, don’t! Transfer to State Library at Melbourne Central.
If they’re coming from Melbourne Central - don’t! Go directly to State Library.
If they’re coming from Southern Cross or Flagstaff, don’t! Transfer to State Library at Melbourne Central.
If they’re coming from Melbourne Central - don’t! Go directly to State Library.
February 11, 2026 at 6:43 AM
If they’re coming from Flinders St - don’t! Go directly to Town Hall Station.
If they’re coming from Southern Cross or Flagstaff, don’t! Transfer to State Library at Melbourne Central.
If they’re coming from Melbourne Central - don’t! Go directly to State Library.
If they’re coming from Southern Cross or Flagstaff, don’t! Transfer to State Library at Melbourne Central.
If they’re coming from Melbourne Central - don’t! Go directly to State Library.
Week 2 of the new Metro Tunnel operating, and there’s still a billion people travelling outbound on Frankston Line trains and getting off at Caulfield to transfer to the Dandenong Line. Why? Surely they’re not all coming from Parliament Station? 🚊🔍👀
February 11, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Week 2 of the new Metro Tunnel operating, and there’s still a billion people travelling outbound on Frankston Line trains and getting off at Caulfield to transfer to the Dandenong Line. Why? Surely they’re not all coming from Parliament Station? 🚊🔍👀
The next attempt involves…. plugging all the holes drilled last week, and drilling new holes!
This time, holes have been drilled on an angle from the back of the non-slip tread through to the riser. Incredible design.
This time, holes have been drilled on an angle from the back of the non-slip tread through to the riser. Incredible design.
February 10, 2026 at 8:49 PM
The next attempt involves…. plugging all the holes drilled last week, and drilling new holes!
This time, holes have been drilled on an angle from the back of the non-slip tread through to the riser. Incredible design.
This time, holes have been drilled on an angle from the back of the non-slip tread through to the riser. Incredible design.
Extreme nonsense. Australian standards require power outlets to have a switch, so power outlets can be turned off while appliances are left plugged in and pose zero risk. Australia standards require fuses and RCD protection at the switchboard, further reducing risk.
February 10, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Extreme nonsense. Australian standards require power outlets to have a switch, so power outlets can be turned off while appliances are left plugged in and pose zero risk. Australia standards require fuses and RCD protection at the switchboard, further reducing risk.
The Oz decided to go with this angle of the exact same interaction
February 9, 2026 at 10:02 AM
The Oz decided to go with this angle of the exact same interaction
Reposted by Michael Bell
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Jeepers! For a club that made Foundation Memberships so easy to say yes to, they sure have over-complicated the subsequent membership sign up process. #TassieDevils
February 9, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Jeepers! For a club that made Foundation Memberships so easy to say yes to, they sure have over-complicated the subsequent membership sign up process. #TassieDevils
Or is it a prudent employer showing due concern for their employees who might have to transit through an area of potential conflict on their way to/from work?
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Or is it a prudent employer showing due concern for their employees who might have to transit through an area of potential conflict on their way to/from work?
Kudelka. We’ve lost a good one. 😢
February 9, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Kudelka. We’ve lost a good one. 😢
8 months after LXRP declared “Parkdale’s transformation is complete! All works are now complete, marking the end of the Parkdale project”… they’re finally finishing the unfinished bit.
Well, it’s been filled with topsoil. Whether it gets planted is yet to be seen.
#ParkdaleLXR
Well, it’s been filled with topsoil. Whether it gets planted is yet to be seen.
#ParkdaleLXR
February 7, 2026 at 11:16 PM
8 months after LXRP declared “Parkdale’s transformation is complete! All works are now complete, marking the end of the Parkdale project”… they’re finally finishing the unfinished bit.
Well, it’s been filled with topsoil. Whether it gets planted is yet to be seen.
#ParkdaleLXR
Well, it’s been filled with topsoil. Whether it gets planted is yet to be seen.
#ParkdaleLXR
Same vibes the classic 1980s B&D Dustbuster
February 5, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Same vibes the classic 1980s B&D Dustbuster
Took 10 days for authorities to see what the public knew immediately.
No recall of parliament, no outrage from noisy right wing commentators, and crickets from the commissioners for anti-whatever. Pathetic.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
No recall of parliament, no outrage from noisy right wing commentators, and crickets from the commissioners for anti-whatever. Pathetic.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Breaking: Invasion Day rally attempted bombing declared terrorist act
The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Perth's CBD last week is declared a terrorist attack by authorities.
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Took 10 days for authorities to see what the public knew immediately.
No recall of parliament, no outrage from noisy right wing commentators, and crickets from the commissioners for anti-whatever. Pathetic.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
No recall of parliament, no outrage from noisy right wing commentators, and crickets from the commissioners for anti-whatever. Pathetic.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
And yet another attempt to “fix” the drainage problem plaguing the steps at Parkdale Station - the protruding stair treads have been reset/replaced.
February 5, 2026 at 1:56 AM
And yet another attempt to “fix” the drainage problem plaguing the steps at Parkdale Station - the protruding stair treads have been reset/replaced.
It’s an odd lede when Marles is subsequently reported as having said:
“the objective of the audit was not about identifying land for new housing development, but some sites including Maribyrnong could be suitable.”
“the objective of the audit was not about identifying land for new housing development, but some sites including Maribyrnong could be suitable.”
February 4, 2026 at 10:38 AM
It’s an odd lede when Marles is subsequently reported as having said:
“the objective of the audit was not about identifying land for new housing development, but some sites including Maribyrnong could be suitable.”
“the objective of the audit was not about identifying land for new housing development, but some sites including Maribyrnong could be suitable.”
Blue Line trains no longer pass through Melbourne Central
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Blue Line trains no longer pass through Melbourne Central
What a missed opportunity to run a shuttle bus between Westall Station and the event.
Westall is a 6 minute bus drive from the Kennedy Community Centre, and it has a premium Saturday service with trains every 10 minutes (almost) all day!
Westall is a 6 minute bus drive from the Kennedy Community Centre, and it has a premium Saturday service with trains every 10 minutes (almost) all day!
February 3, 2026 at 9:21 AM
What a missed opportunity to run a shuttle bus between Westall Station and the event.
Westall is a 6 minute bus drive from the Kennedy Community Centre, and it has a premium Saturday service with trains every 10 minutes (almost) all day!
Westall is a 6 minute bus drive from the Kennedy Community Centre, and it has a premium Saturday service with trains every 10 minutes (almost) all day!