Different tune

Following concerns over the adult content of Australian Big Brother last year, you could understand the producers being more careful about what goes to air this year. But some caution has come from a different angle: the songs the housemates are singing. I think this comes from concerns that the songs are covered by commercial copyright. This is surmised from a comment made on the show (I think by Gretel Killeen, host extraordinaire) that Big Brother was being prevented from airing some conversations from the house because there was commercial music being sung in the background. And it seems that at least one house mate has now been penalised for singing in the house. Not getting any easier to be a producer (or housemate) is it?

A lesson for the learning

Remember Jessica Lynch? She's sure people do and that they recognize her - they just don't say so. And that's apparently how she prefers it. She wants to be just another student on campus. This is a far cry from the spotlight of publicity Jessica was thrown into following her rescue three years ago from Saddam Hospital. Nine days before Lynch's 507th Army Maintenance Company convoy was in Nasiriyah when it took a wrong turn and was attacked. Eleven American soldiers were killed and six were captured, including Lynch. Her dramatic nighttime rescue in the early days of the Iraq war made her an instant celebrity. She's now a student at the West Virginia University, where she's hopeful of being just another anonymous college student on a campus of thousands. She's studying Journalism (originally she'd planned to teach Kindergarten) but may end up in broadcasting: "I'd really like to start a kids TV program here in West Virginia. Something for kids who are in the hospital or have cancer."

Doomed

Titanic (the newer version) was on television the other evening and I sat through it again ... and thought about all those who perished - and those who didn't including Lillian Gertrud Asplund, the last American survivor of the sinking. Lillian died recently, aged 99. The Yahoo report I read didn't mention if there are other survivors alive in other countries. It did mention the other American survivors - who were both babies at the time and do not remember the events of that night in April 1912 when a variety of circumstances came together to sink the liner many believed to be "unsinkable". Lillian's mother, Selma Asplund said at the time the family went to the Titanic's upper deck after the ship struck the iceberg. "I could see the icebergs for a great distance around ... It was cold and the little ones were cuddling close to one another and trying to keep from under the feet of the many excited people ... My little girl, Lillie, accompanied me, and my husband said 'Go ahead, we will get into one of the other boats.' He smiled as he said it." He and three of his children were among those to lose their lives that night. Selma Asplund died on the 52nd anniversary of the sinking in 1964.

Da Vinci Code

Despite (or in spite of) the “review” on the noticeboard of a church in Leichhardt (paraphrased: if you thought Church was long and boring … you haven’t seen The Da Vinci Code) we took ourselves off on the weekend to see the movie of Dan Brown’s (or was it?) book. We were pleasantly surprised. Even though the show was 2+ hours long, it didn’t drag. My only concern was that as I had read the book before seeing the film, I will never know if I would have worked out the location of the Chalice (and Blade) before Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon. I think I also spotted a couple of continuity errors – one with views from the plane coming into England … and I can’t remember the other one. Minor irritants. Would I line up to see a film of the next one (Angels & Demons) – probably – I’d like to see how the helicopter sequence.

And on things relating to art and Da Vinci, I was reading somewhere the other day that the last time the Mona Lisa was moved – just a few meters - it cost 3.2 million British pounds. It would be interesting to see the itemized account for that!

Software

I spent part of Sunday doing a computer intervention. I went with Lizzie on Saturday when she bought an MP3 player at George'?s, York St, Sydney. I was a bit surprised when the phone rang? and it was Lizzie having trouble loading songs onto the new machine. But, alas, the phone intervention didn't work so I was booked for an actual intervention. And I have to admit the devil was in the detail - and I didn't like it. Why would you make your media player work hand-in-glove with Windows Media Player. Which is okay if you know about playlists and things, but not so great otherwise. Two-and-a-half hours later it was sorted - instructions written and tested. And music, photos and text installed on the MP3 player (which is a generic name of course). Phew.

Birthday Yum Cha

We usually go into ChinaTown for Yum Cha but that may not be the case after today. For Margaret’s birthday we went to a local Chinese restaurant (in Marrickville) for Yum Cha. We had tried to go a couple of Sundays ago but the queue was off-putting. But someone was on the ball for today and had made a booking. And just as well. It was busier today than the last time. With good reason. It was very good – okay not as slick as in ChinaTown but good value, quick service … and very hot tea. So we’ll go local next time.

Also part of the birthday celebrations was coffee (or tea or hot water) and a not exactly to the rules game of trivia. It was good fun - but a bit disappointing when the others decided they’d had enough! Why is it that people have different tolerance levels for games – especially trivia? I suppose that’s what makes life interesting!

Happy birthday Margaret!

Blogging made easy?

It's been a bit hard to blog over the last couple of days because the Blogger Site has been undergoing maintenance. I hadn't realized how much I've come to rely on the site just being there ... just waiting for our blog sessions. But when you think of all the people using the Blogger site, it's amazing the site is so reliable. Makes me wonder how many hack attacks the site attracts daily - and whether any are ever successful.

Degustation

Not really - but we could have. For Sooz's birthday we decided to go to dinner at Glass, Luke Mangan's establishment. (Who is Luke?) Situated in the recently refurbished Hilton Hotel in Sydney's CBD, Glass is fairly special - even more so by night. The lighting is subdued, the atmosphere relaxed, the service is plentiful and attentive and the food is excellent in quality and preparation. We were pleased to share the evening with M, one of Sooz's oldest friends (as in they've known each other for over 25 years), who is in town for the week. All in all a wonderful evening and a night to remember. M was staying at the nearby Swissotel and we called in there before dinner to freshen up and take in the view (we'll do happy hour and canapes another time) from the Executive Lounge on Level 24. And for anyone visiting Sydney, the Swissotel does offer some rooms with balconies - and the chance to escape into fresh air if you've a mind to.

Cash Backman

While we were on the Gold Coast a couple of weeks ago, and Sooz was waiting to see the doctor at the Medical Centre for a lurgy she had contracted (possibily from spa water inhaled), I went for a walk in the local shopping precinct at Palm Beach.
First shop I came to ... Cash Converters. Second shop ... a pawn show (don't remember the name). Third shop ... a music store where I was attended to in my search for a clarinet or perhaps an harmonica by a Mr Cash Backman. Seemed that if the music store didn't pan out for him, he would be nominately perfect for either of the two previous shops!

Beaconsfield Media

Listening to the ABC's Media Report from a couple of weeks ago - about the time of the rescue of the Beaconsfield Miners - gave some insight into how the hordes of journalists were managed on site. For example, SMS alerts were used to advise when press conferences would be held otherwise it would have been difficult to co-ordinate the media who were spread throughout the town including, it seems, "hiding in trees".
The program also raised the issue of Cheque Book journalism - and that who won the exclusive television rights to the Miners' story depended in part on the personalities the networks could front. Once David Koch (Channel 7 personality) had been invited into the back of an ambulance bearing one of the rescued miners, Channel 9 apparently realised it would need to send its biggest gun (Eddie McGuire, also known as Eddie Everywhere) to have any chance of securing the deal ... which they did - supposedly for $2.something million. Little wonder then that the Nine Network has recently announced that it will be shedding 100 jobs (aka people) from its news and current affairs division, mostly from its Sydney office.
Other interesting points made:
* The miners survived 5 days - then they had all the mod cons albeit in very cramped conditions (!! and without bathroom facilities)
* It was estimated that the deal broker for the Miners' story would have earned 20%-30% commission. (I suppose there's no way of telling if that is true or not.)

The Onion Radio News ...

... is a podcast I listen to regularly. While it has previously been quite quirky and funny, it seems to have become ... how to put it? ... in fairly poor taste. Today's was about a day wasted looking for a missing baby; a couple of days ago - a politician being questioned about a scandal deflects media attention by shooting the person standing next to him. Or perhaps it's just me and my perception of funny? How big a part does a person's disposition play in what they see as comedic?

Remake

Yet another two remakes have hit the big screen - "Poseidon" and "The Omen". Usually movies are released on a Thusday but in a marketing move, "The Omen" was released on Tuesday - 6.6.06 - which may have something to do with the supposed mark of the beast "666". That reminds me of a Gary Larson cartoon of a few years ago which had a "333" sign for the idiot son of "the Beast". Somehow it seemed funny at the time.
Not sure if I'll go see either of the movies - although "Poseidon" would probably have some decent special effects ... but will it have Maureen McGovern singing "Morning After"? And what was her song from "Towering Inferno"?

Stuff

In a conversation with our web developer Steph yesterday, the subject turned to "stuff". Really. And how you could substitute "stuff" for more technical terms and language and still know what you were talking about. And Steph reminded me of one of the features of Google - where you can enter "define:stuff" and it will return results. So we did it - and were stunned at how far-reaching "stuff" was/is - especially with the Wikipedia entry. It left us both scratching our heads!

Good design

I recently invested in some screen protectors for my tablet PC (aka Moses) but was a bit disappointed because they seemed to be very plasticy and very blue. I persevered for a couple of weeks and then decided l couldn't tolerate it any more and as soon as I returned home from holidays I was going to remove the protector on Moses and file the other 4 that came in the pack as "last resort". But as I was showing my Dad how blue the screen protector was, I flicked the corner, and in so doing, separated the screen protector and its protective covering - who would have thought a screen protector would have a screen protector. I take back everything I said about the screen protectors being badly designed _ but if you'd seen how marked (and blue) the screen protector was, you'd understand why. Of course, the thing that was really off-putting was that the stylus/pen just did not glide over the screen like it did before the screen protector ... but it's all better now! Fujitsu rules! OK.

Coffee tragic

I am the first to admit that the situation is becoming a bit silly. Bad enough that my coffee order is currently quite specific (large flat white weak and very hot) but it's about to get worse. After many attempts to get a "decent coffee" from the baristas other than Brendan at my local coffee shop, I was stunned to receive a less than good coffee from him. Hmmm. And then I realised that Brendan was not at his usual post on the machine. He was on the other side. Who would have thought that all those dud coffees could be related to the machine rather than the barista - although Brendan is still the best! So now to make sure that the best cup of coffee arrives all I have to ask for is a large flat white weak and very hot from the right side of the machine - or, if it's not Brendan: a large one shot flat etc etc. Coffee tragic. Definitely.

Placement

I read a report this morning about someone who had invented an alarm clock which won't turn off until you enter in a corresponding sequence of flashing lights (to ensure your pre-frontal cortex is as awake as the rest of you). Then I read the items immediately underneath it - Ads by Google. This interests me. Is it automated? Triggered by key words? Manually inserted? Who pays for them? How many do you get for your money? Do you only pay if people click the links? I'm off to find out more.

CPAP Specials, Service Australia's leading CPAP supplier Specials, Services, All in One www.sleepfitness.com

Sleep Disorder Centre Aus Sleep Lab provides diagnostic tests for sleep disorders (OSA, Snoring) www.airliquidehealthcare.com.au

Top Insomnia Treatments The Top Treatments For Insomnia. End Your Sleeping Problems Now! www.InsomniaTreatments.com

Thanks Ben

On Saturday night we went to Sydney University's Great Hall for the farewell performance of conductor Ben Macpherson OAM. Ben's had stewardship of the Sydney University Musical Society for the last 23 years and done a fantastic job. He will be missed. I hope his vineyard appreciates him as he hums his way through the rows. Thanks for all your efforts Ben. Muchly appreciated - as would be central heating in the Great Hall for winter concerts! Thank goodness someone had given us the heads-up so we were suitably rugged up - including beanies and gloves!

An apple a day

Isn't this a wonderful specimen of an apple? All the way from the Apple Belt in Queensland ... Stanthorpe to be precise. It's always nice to get presents - especially ones almost picked fresh - well, hand picked from the local markets at least. Thanks M.

Lurgy time

Not quite sure what's going around at the moment, but it's not good. Have just been down for a couple of days with a lurgy (which I may or may not have contracted from Sooz who had it last week, or my sister who had it the week before that). Also on the (more serious) health front, on Saturday my Dad was taken to the Emergency Department with "the highest blood sugar reading ever recorded at the hospital" which they think will result in him being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Also in hospital, sister-in-law Kim, who is still there following a bowel haemorrhage. She's doing better now and they believe she will be out on the weekend.

Unkind thoughts

Okay, I admit it, I felt dreadful for thinking it. The story that prompted it was in today's Daily Telegraph:

Two university students were found dead inside a large, deflated helium balloon after apparently pulling it down and crawling inside it, officials said. The deaths of Jason Ackerman and Sara Rydman, both 21, appeared accidental, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Major Bob Schrader said.

Of course, you have to wonder what they were thinking - and if it were me, it would have had something to do with plans to inhale the helium and speak in high squeaky voices. (Not that I would ever condone it!)

A quick Google search reveals that this might not have been too far off the mark. A CBS News Report states:

"It was more a fun thing they thought they were doing," said Linda Rydman, mother of Sara Rydman, adding that the two were apparently breathing helium from the balloon to make their voices go higher.

But the U.S. Compressed Gas Association warned that inhaling helium is dangerous because it can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen.

The county medical examiner said Sunday the official cause of death will not be released for six weeks, until toxicology results come back.