The History of Burst Culture

While driving someone through Uber the other day we came onto the discussion of what I want out of life. I told him about how my old website - www.burstculture.com got destroyed (before being sold off to American T-Shirt merchants). He asked if it was backed up on the webarchive.

I came home and I checked out the web archive. And it was in tact up until March 2016. So I lost a lot of content that I had produced and commissioned but I had restored a lot of what I had lost. I was ecstatic. I backed up everything onto my computer. I'll probably post some things that aren't too dated here.

But using the webarchive I found out that I was not the first owner of burstculture.com. From what I can tell I'm actually the third.

The first owner was in 2007 by Ed. Ed ran his website the same way I ran Burst Culture. He'd blog about pop culture and nonsense. He's actually on blogger as http://burstculture.blogspot.com.au/ and calls his blog No TV and No Beer make Eddy Something Something. And he has used blogger templates. My website looked nicer, but his blogger looks better than mine (currently).

The second owner was Puffy Chrissy. I've checked out his Twitter and the guy looks famous https://twitter.com/PuffChrissy. Looks like he wrote some books and created a character called Drunk Hulk. I guess he is like The Incredible Hulk but Drunk. So that's cool.

Since Puff Chrissy it looks like the domain was just held onto by sitters. It wasn't until I bought it in 2015 that the domain name was given justice again.

My first blog was actually Culture Burst, but someone else had the domain name, so I switched and was much happier with it.

Now it's a shirt store.

How to rate Uber Passengers

Welcome to the world of Uber, where not only do you rate us, but we rate you!

It's a little disgusting that we rate people, but the ratings are not on the person as a whole, but how they are passengers. Now, normally I would rate someone a 5/5 as long as they don't annoy me. But I do have some general rules that will affect a passenger's rating from me.

How to Lose Stars

Putting in the wrong pickup location- 1 star (if you even end up finding them)

Putting in the wrong destination- 1 star

Texting or calling saying they are going to be out in a couple of minutes- 1 star

Finishing a smoke before they get in my car- 1 star

Asking to smoke in my car- 1 star

Touching my head unit- 1 star

Asking if I have an AUX cable

Asking if I have water for them- 1 star

Asking if I have mints- 1 star

Asking if I have drugs- depends which drug

Complaining about the size of my car 1 star (usually middle-aged women)

Giving backseat directions 1 star

Spilling something- 3 stars

Yelling out windows- 3 stars

Maccas run- 2 stars

Littering out window- 5 stars

Throwing up- 5 stars

How to Gain Stars

Passengers starts with 5 stars

1 extra star for every 10 kilometres

3 stars for any surge over 2x

Tipping - $5 per star

Finding alcohol in the backseat and giving it to me 5 stars

Being a genuine good person- 5 stars

I give most people 5 stars. Most people are great and just want to get to their destination. It's the people that are expecting chauffeur service, more stuff at my expense, I don't like it. They're already getting a bargain on Uber rates.

I don't pick anyone up with a rating below 4.6 stars unless it's a surge. Or really close. 

So passengers, I hope you have learnt a bit about etiquette. Drivers, I hope you've learned a little about how to be stingier with your stars. If you have any additions or queries, let me know in the comments.

If rating people sounds like fun then read here to earn an extra $200 on signing up for Uber.

Free $200 for signing up to Uber

I've been an on and off Uber driver in Melbourne for the last year or so. I'm one of the highest rated drivers in Victoria. It's a great way to earn a little side cash if you are interested.

A few people have asked me to share some tips and stories about my time with Uber, and I think I will. So if you have any questions feel free to ask below.

If you think driving for Uber might be for you I implore you to use my referral code - KrisC196

I get $400 for each person I sign up (and many people are interested) and I split my referral in half with the person who signs up. It's a little extra for me, and a little extra for you. Especially if you were already interested in giving it a try.

For you to get your $200 you have to do 20 trips through Uber, I'd suggest staying around cities as these are the places to rack up trips quickly. If you want longer trips (longer=more money) then stick to the suburbs.

Just to clarify, you will still get any money you make from doing your Uber trips, but I will give you an additional $200AUD.

If your car doesn't qualify for Uber then you can still do UberEats.

Have fun driving, let me know if you have any questions and be sure to use the code- KrisC196 when signing up to drive.

partners.uber.com/krisc196

I'm a Graphic Designer?

When I was in Primary School I was a pretty good drawer, for a student. Compared to other primary school students my skills would still hold up.

People come to me with their graphic design problems. I've helped people redesign their websites, relaunch their brands, help others with logo and business card design. I never trained as a graphic designer, never pursued it as a career but I probably have six months of experience.

I know graphic designers that know what they are doing and know what they are talking about that have given up on the pipe dream of being graphic designers.

I've even been approached to share my designs with a graphic design company. I'd consider myself a writer over a designer, but I guess people just assume I can do anything because I say I can do anything.

I'll start sharing my designs here once they start selling. So stay posted!

Tipping Point

We don't tip in Australia. Maybe we're meant to. Once a mate of a cousin's of mine delivered me some pizza. I rounded up to the dollar and said keep the change. My cousin then told me later that his mate said I tipped him 5 cents. It's better than the nothing I would have given him if the order came to a round number.

I tipped another pizza guy once. I ordered a kebab and he didn't want to make it for me.

'Are you sure?'
'Yeah, I'm pretty sure. Is it a hassle?'
'A little. It's fine.'

When it was time to pay I gave a $2 tip. I learnt something about myself that day. That I'd rather tip someone that didn't want to do their job rather than tip someone who was happy to do their job.

My Mrs bought a handbag, and then it was put into a gift bag and then into a carry bag. The salesgirl said it was stupid company policy and that they obviously don't care about the environment. I sort of wanted to buy a handbag based on her honesty.

I guess I just like it when people are people and not corporate drones.

(Disclaimer: When I went to the states I tipped the customary 15-20%)

New Year's Resolutions

It's 2017, this is my second post on the blog. Surely my resolution is to write more.

I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. No one ever talks about their resolutions come February, let alone sticks with them. In general I try and be mindful of my exercise and eating habits (as long as the Maltesers are hidden). I always try and better myself in some way, mostly from continuing to learn as much as possible, or to at lease be learning something new at all times.

I do, however, have some goals this year. Besides my business goals I am also going to finish my novel that I've been working on and off for since last year. It's aimed at a younger audience but you may want to read some. No doubt I will post some samples down the track.

I'm also going to win a Writer's Award this year. I'm not even questioning it. It's going to happen. Watch this space.

How about you? Any goals that you're going to kick this year? Let me know, I'm approachable.