iSad

As you’ve no doubt heard (and if you’re on Twitter, you have been bombarded since this morning) Steve Jobs has passed away, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a techie person (hell, I write – I could probably make do with a blackboard and chalk). I own a single Apple product, so am hardly a fanboi (fangirl?). However, I felt a bizarre sense of loss this morning. In fact, I feel it still. Steve Jobs has changed our lives and the way we live. His impact on the world and the cultural zeitgeist is immense.

My time at Splendour in the Grass 2011

Splendour in the Grass. The seminal Australian music festival had been on my bucket list for a while now, and with this year’s lineup being Britpop-heavy, I acquiesced. (Unlike many others – this year didn’t sell out in record time, as has been the case in the past. Whether this is due to the apparently underwhelming list of acts or the hefty price tag of ~$500 is anyone’s guess).

Max Brenner | Sexual Chocolate

Chocolate by the Bald Man. Hell of a description. The latest haven for coffee lovers of Brisbane, or should I say chocolate lovers. Cos that’s what’s on the menu – advocates of diabetes are probably up in their sanctimonious arms, whilst the dentists and personal trainers are squealing with delight. This place is the biz.  I have been here at least 10 times, and 9 times it has been extremely busy. It must be a testament to the tastes and sugary palette of the citizens of our fair city that this place is doing very, very well.

A review on book reviews | What do you read my Lord? Words, words, words

First up, a little about myself. I basically do not watch TV. Aside from the odd cooking show and a rerun of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, let’s assume that I think of my 42 inch TV as a big paperweight. I don’t know who Barney Stinson is, except that it looks like Doogie grew up and is pretending to be into chicks now. So what do I do in my spare time? I read. Voraciously. Actually I wouldn’t say that I read so much that I devour books. I usually have a few on the go – at the moment its Kafka’s The Trial, Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen, seminal Australian ode Cloudstreet and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (shut up). I’ve also recently joined a Classical Books Club, where our first selections are The Great Gatsby and Jude the Obscure.

Let’s have a toast for the douchebags

Offense. What does it mean? Bookish definition is “a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; a transgression; sin.” So I guess you could say it is when someone or something communicates with you in a manner that is at odds with your personal morals and beliefs. I have to say this post was borne of my personal and general media reaction to Ricky Gervais hosting  the Golden Globes a few weeks ago. For those that missed it, here is a taster:

2011 Travel wish-list | Take me on a trip I’d like to go someday...

As an adjunct from last week’s (apparently divisive) Top 50 of 2010 list, I thought I would share an open letter on possible locales for vacay this year. Preface – I get very obsessed with things. The current flavour du mois seems to be this blog – masturbation by manuscription. My other fixation at the mo – Israel (and neighbouring regions). 

The land of the holy, which is a slightly curious choice as I think I am turning into an atheist. I can hear the pundits’ wails of derision – “You can’t be a bit of an atheist, that’s like saying you’re a bit pregnant; you either are or you aren’t”. The thing is, I have a great respect for all religions, I am just not sure if I believe in it. Again – bizarre. I guess its the intrinsic difference between a racist joke and a joke about racism. What was I saying? Oy vey  - Israel.

2010 Wrap

Hello campers, I know I have been slipping on my pimping with this blog, so I thought I would get my Mary Schmich on and do a “Top 50 things I’ve learnt in 2010” post. It’s been a year of ups and downs, both personally, professionally and within the greater context of national and international congress. Anyways, enough with the foreplay and on with the list:

  

  

1.       Don’t ask people about their tattoos, unless it’s a legitimate and heartfelt question. Things such as ‘did that hurt?’; ‘you know that’s there forever’ are obvious and give us the shits. Sure we’ll talk about the meaning or reasons behind our choice, but come on, it’s such a personal thing; unless you are a complete psychopath we know that you are always going to be complimentary – you can’t really diss someone’s tattoo, it’s like saying their kid’s ugly.