The Compass

Arjen's right wrist with compass on watch bandI frequently get questions about the compass residing on the wrist band of my watch.

The real answer is that I use it when bushwalking – I also have a “proper” one for things that need more accuracy, but this works and is always handy. More recently, I figured I might as well have some fun with it. So now my answer (to adults) is “I’m an atheist, so this is my moral compass.”

People also wonder why I wear my watch on my right wrist, even though I’m right-handed (for writing). I actually throw left-handed and tend to catch with my right hand – but that’s a sideline. Here’s the truth: the origin of the choice-of-wrist is decades old, and was part of an experiment that stuck. You’ve probably seen or read detective stories, where the brilliant deduction is made that because a victim or suspect wears the watch on the right wrist, and “therefore they must’ve been left handed”? Being young and already inquisitive, I thought I’d just test that and of course it’s complete nonsense. But I kinda got used to wearing the watch on the right wrist, and it’s a neat reminder that while Occam’s Razor is a good guide, drawing far reaching conclusions on seemingly obvious little things can easily (and thus quite often) yield invalid results!

Bushwalking on the Grand Canyon Track (Blue Mountains, NSW)

First bushwalk with BBW

That’s the Brisbane Bushwalkers Club which has existed for a long time, Picnic Pete introduced me to ’em. Done bushwalks before of course, with Phoebe also, but it’s interesting to be in a group with some very experienced people, and also with other kids (including of about Phoebe’s age). Today it was raining, we climbed rocks, went off a path, got part soaked, and Phoebe loved it all!

I think we have another winner there, which is good because one of the plans is to go to the snow in September. I’m not a ski fan, but snow is cool plenty of stuff to do.