Newcastle

I'm at my oldies' place, where lamb stew is on the menu, WWE PPV "Night Of Champions" is on the telly and stress doesn't exist.

Movie review: "Salute" (2008)

The gist: The defining image of the 1968 Olympics is US 200-metre runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving the "black power" salute on the victory dais. The man who finished between and stood beside them is also a hero in America, though shamefully under-appreciated in his homeland - Australia's Peter Norman.

Selling points: Serious historical documenting (all file footage and interviews, no re-enactments) made doubly relevant by the Oz connection and upcoming Beijing games. Forces us to question whether sport should be blind to politics. Prior to Mexico '68, student protestors were massacred, now we have China hosting...

It's kinda like: A frickin' tragedy is what it's kinda like. The blackballing and personal hardship all three men endured as a result of their unrepentant actions will astonish, anger and likely reduce you to tears. The way Norman's achievements were ignored by the organisers of the Sydney Olympics is a national disgrace.

Final word: Tommie, Peter and John, we salute you.

[Australian cinema release date: July 17]

Mainly concerned with food

Curious crisps killed the cat

Calbee Paripari Variation Mentaiko Mayonnaise Potato Chips. Mentaiko is marinated pollock roe. I heartily recommend these to fans of burning lips and stomach upsets. Enough said.

"LOOK AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH!"

(Shouty Nickelback quote to hopefully make SC laugh.) After it got two separate plugs in "The Sydney Morning Herald", I had to scope out the "AC/DC Exposed!" exhibition at the Blender Gallery in Paddington. The converted townhouse is crammed with forty-plus black-and-white prints by Philip Morris that follow the band from a green promo shoot in '74 to Bon's final Aussie fling in '79, crashing a gig by The Ferrets in Cremorne. There are also shots from the same era of international acts in Oz.

When you're done with the Acca Dacca pics, head citywards along Oxford to the Australian Centre for Photography and the four-gallery "Hijacked" exhibition, the hippest heap of snaps I've seen this year. Is it wrong that they provoked more of a reaction in me than those annual collections of news and nature photos?

World of rugger

At the M. residence, we fortified ourselves with Afrikaner fare - Castle Lager, samoosas (not samosas) and boerewors rolls - before driving to ANZ Stadium to watch the rugby union international between the Wallabies and France. Coupla funny things... On carts around the edges of the field were giant torches that spouted flames into the air whenever points were scored. And at regular intervals, eg. a restart kick, a trumpet would play and the crowd would shout "Ole!" We won in fairly convincing fashion, 34-13, but I fear we'll be flogged by the All Blacks and Springboks in the Tri Nations.

Grumpy old man

Attention: Thai restaurants! Glass noodles and carrot do not a vego spring roll make. How about some greens and mushrooms with that?

Grumpy old man 2

Attention: supermarket fillers! Don't throw goddamn bags of rice onto goddamn metal shelves. At Food For Less today, there wasn't a single packet of Sunrise Long Grain White without a hole in it! I had to buy goddamn Uncle Ben's.

Obligatory "Doctor Who" reference

Recently, I have partaken in chapter 4, verses 6-10 of the new TV series, as well as the audio "Unregenerate!" and novel "Sick Building".

What a voice!

"Sweet About Me" by Gabriella Cilmi (Jools Holland pronounced it "chill me", so that must be correct). I realise I'm so late to this party that the chairs are being stacked, but I don't generally pay attention to the charts here or overseas.

Fast food movement

The Scottish restaurant's limited-edition McAfrica burger is a floury bun housing a pair of wafer-thin beef patties, greasy cheese, whiteish tomato, whiteish lettuce and a harissa-style sauce whose zing goes well with a strawberry shake. Hurry, boys, she's McWaiting there for you!

How to deal

Earlier, at the service station, the woman in front of me requested a recharge for her Vodafone mobile but was apologetically informed the system was down. "I'm VERY upset about this," she stated loudly, and seemed on the verge of a tirade. The attendant calmly replied, "If you're upset, I'm upset, because that means I can't sell it to you." To which there was no rejoinder. Situation defused.

Then, when I checked my mail, I found a note from the bloke across the hall. His apartment was burgled yesterday and, by the sound of it, he lost the lot. There was no hint of accusation or acrimony in his words, he merely wished to warn his neighbours to keep their doors and windows locked. He added that the police had told him the drainpipes outside our building are very climbable! I haven't met this fella, but to be thinking of others at a time when it would be so much easier to wallow in self-pity is a class act. Respect, mate.

PSP game review: "Echochrome" (2008)

The gist: Manoeuvre what looks like an artist's dummy around monochromatic 3D structures by altering the perspective to suit. For example, if there's a gap in the path blocking your way, rotate the screen so it's hidden behind a pillar. Your character will now keep walking as if it wasn't there!

Selling points: Enough puzzles to last a nuclear winter. After the simple tutorial and early levels, things become increasingly head-scratching as you're confronted with multiple staircases, manholes, trampolines and dudes to control. There's also a classical score with vocals and strings. Even if you solve everything, you can go back and try to beat your best times – or create your own landscapes and share 'em with mates.

It's kinda like: Being trapped inside an MC Escher drawing. Oh yeah, and the "Walker" reminds me of the little men from the ancient "Lode Runner" series of games. They got bloody hard, too.

Final word: Shades of genius.

[Australian release date: out now]

Call me naive, but...

I was wondering what scholars in centuries past who'd completed degrees in astrology must have thought when their universities finally abolished the course as nonsense. Which led me to imagining how I'd react if my alma mater stopped offering a Bachelor Of Arts program. Then I climbed onto my trusty high horse...

As unis move further from learning for it's own sake and become "degree factories" where a student's sole goal is to get a fancy piece of paper and get out, as disciplines are valued more for the investment they can attract or fees they can command than for their social and cultural worth, as college prospectuses mention graduate placement percentages ahead of the virtues of a liberal education, I can see a day when some institutions scrap their humanities departments altogether.

That worries me. It also concerns me that a Google search reveals you can still study for an astrology degree.

Twofer

The Supanova Pop Culture Expo was the first reason CM, AM and I were in Homebush yesty. We attended the Q&A sessions with Nichelle Nichols ("Star Trek") and Jewel Staite ("Firefly"/"Serenity"), the bros got autographed photos and I paid through the nostrils for an official Slytherin scarf (house colours, with serpent crest).

I could listen to both actresses from sunup to sundown. NN's subject matter was the more important, covering topics such as race, sexuality and her fateful meeting with Dr Martin Luther King, but it was delivered with genuine warmth and wisdom wrapped in self-deprecating good humour. Among other things, JS recounted an hilarious extended anecdote about her practical joke war with co-star Nathan Fillion. And who knew she was the lil' gal in the rainbow wig in "Space Cases"?

Towards the end of the convention, we met up briefly with DL who was investing in some original art. We soon bid him farewell and hurried across to ANZ Stadium to rendezvous with PB.

The second reason for us being in Homebush was to cheer on the Socceroos against China. Needing to salvage pride after recent poor form, they fielded a full-strength team. Having already qualified for the next round, we picked a youthful and inexperienced squad and suffered the consequences – 1-0 their way.

There's no denying the goal was a ripsnorter, but the rest of the game was a shambles: frustrating botched attacks on our part, solid defending marred by diving and stalling on theirs, and ridiculous refereeing. The only jubilation for Aussie supporters came when the Chinese were awarded an undeserved penalty. The striker scored, was made to retake it, then sent the ball wide. Y'know, treating a "dead rubber" lightly may have cost us fans...


Tiny gem of a "Harry Potter" prequel

Yes, really. Last known e-whereabouts - www.waterstones.com/ waterstonesweb/navigate.do?pPageID=200000681
(Note: Delete that space. Also, I had to increase my monitor resolution to fit the entire text on screen.)

Dumb lunchtime quest

Trying all of Spring Valley's new Smart Water range. You can tick "Armour" (tangerine and starfruit) off the list. Will its 0.02% echinacea extract prevent the head cold I feel threatening? I haves me doubts.

Paper, pixels and provisions (with provenance)

P1: "Bleach" #23 manga (Kino), "I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets! – The Comics Of Fletcher Hanks" collection by Paul Karasik (borrowed from DL), "Doctor Who: Forever Autumn" novel by Mark Morris (Galaxy).

P2: "Tin Man" miniseries (borrowed from CM), "Smokin’ Aces" (bought with part of Sanity voucher from GH), two episodes of "Cage Fighting Championship" (FUEL TV), the flicks "Hollywoodland" (borrowed from CM) and "13 Tzameti" (review copy sent to me by Siren).

P3: Brazilian Palma Louca beer (local bottlo), Japanese Oishi salt-and-vinegar-flavoured fake pork crackling (Asian grocer near work), South African "tv" choccy bar (purchased by M. family at Springbok Delights, Lane Cove).

Another PK meme

Grab a sci-fi book from your shelves, turn to page 123 and blog the fifth (whole) sentence. Repeat for fiction of a different genre.

"Someone had scrawled three interlocking Harlequin diamonds near the entrance to theater two, so she walked inside and found a drunk sleeping in the third row"
- "The Traveller" (2005) by John Twelve Hawks

"Bryan Cady's feet, of course, were bare; but otherwise he was dressed up like a fashion-conscious mortician"
- "Flesh & Blood" (1994) by Graham Masterton

What has this exercise taught us? That it's now the turn of BS, CM, SC, RS and DQ to consult their libraries for out-of-context info! :-)

Go see Alice

An assortment of entries in the Kinokuniya Digital Art Prize 2008 can be admired in the bookstore's window "gallery". Most of them are amazing. If they were for sale and the amounts were reasonable... My favourite depicts Alice (of Wonderland fame) exploring a dingy inner-city setting with a "No entry" sign and tunnel to God Knows Where. I believe it's titled "Curiouser And Curiouser". The graphic artist's name escapes me. Next time you're in the vicinity, have a look for yourselves!

Cowgirl junkies

CM and I couldn't get enough of The Sunny Cowgirls when we attended the premiere of "Dust Will Settle", a documentary about the Aussie C&W sister act. Free booze and gourmet nibblies; a chat with the lovely lasses themselves, Sophie and Celeste Clabburn; an enjoyable 30-minute doco (coming to the Country Music Channel on July 3); plus a squiz at "Acting Stupid", the first clip from their third album. These ever-smilin' chicks are the dinkum deal – they were raised in rural Victoria, have worked as jillaroos, live on a farm outside Tamworth and, where possible, travel to gigs in a ute with their dog!


Topnotch telly: I'm enthralled by TVN's live coverage of Royal Ascot Week. Top-hatted to-do, eccentric pundits, universally well-spoken interviewees and unfamiliar champion gee-gees (except for Henrythenavigator – I know him). And horse racing, of course!

My back continues to give me grief :-(

How fit am I?

I injured my back...sitting cross-legged on the lounge. My feet were cold, all right? Majorly painful and led to a sitcom moment where I was literally unable to move, stuck like a player in a game of invisible "Twister". Couldn't tell if the problem was musculoskeletal or a pinched nerve. Didn't repair itself overnight, either. At one point, I rolled slowly and agonisingly out of bed and searched the hall cupboard for Dencorub, Tiger Balm or the like. All I had was a jar of Vicks. I was desperate enough to apply some, but it didn't do squat. Just like the time I tried to stem the flow of blood from a nasal cut (don't ask) with honey, 'cos I'd heard it was historically used as a healing agent. But back to my back. Still suffering...

Crunch, crunch, dissolve, crunch

Sugar Fix, at the rear of the Myer food court, is the shop we all wish was on the corner of our street as kids - filled with exotic junk from half a dozen lands. I walked out with a triumvirate of teeth-rotters today:

* Curlies (New Zealand) - fairly standard cheese-flavoured corn snacks

* Astros (South Africa) - biscuit balls coated in chocolate and multicoloured candy. The carton teased, "New massive black hole Astro in selected packs." Alas, the (collapsed) stars weren't right, AND

* Leone Mandarin Lozenges (Italy) - rough orange lumps with a mild mandarin flavour. Strangely pleasant, which explains the "since 1857".

Movie review: "The Happening" (2008)

The gist: All I can safely reveal is that it involves chunks of the north-eastern US population dying for no immediately apparent reason. Confronting a taboo on a grand scale = especially shocking.

Selling points: The latest suspense-fest from writer-producer-director M. Night Shyamalan, who future historians might – I stress, *might* – regard as the Hitchcock of our generation. Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel in range-broadening roles.

It's kinda like: John Wyndham's spiffy sci-fi disaster yarns. That is to say, it's driven by characters hypothesising about, coping with and, if they're lucky, adapting to catastrophic circumstances.

Final word: The best M. Night-mare since "Unbreakable".

[Australian cinema release date: Five days ago.]

PK from Tyranny Of The Blank Page's meme

The top seven songs in my life right now:

1. "Don't Stop Believin'" – Journey. As I walked through the tunnel to Railway Square yesterday, a young Indian(?) busker started singing this – and he was frickin' good. I dropped my pocket change into his guitar case. Journey 4EVER!

2. "Still Alive" – Jonathon Coulton and GlaDOS. Despite the rave reviews, I've never gotten around to playing "Portal", the videogame from which this eerily brilliant track comes. I heard it on YouTube (as can you), then downloaded it from iTunes.

3. "Mr. Pitiful" - Matt Costa. Opening choon on the "Unfamiliar Faces" album, which I liberated from the free CDs shoebox of a sister publication. A pop gem, jolly yet imploring, that prepares you for the curious mixture ahead.

4. "Wasted Years" - Iron Maiden. When RS2 received a double of "Somewhere Back In Time - The Best Of: 1980-1989", she was kind enough to pass it on. Lately, I've been revisiting the intricate guitar of this uplifting anthem (is that redundant?).

5. "Wise Up! Sucker" - Pop Will Eat Itself. I worshipped these "grebo" dudes in senior high and beyond. I dunno how many times BP and I watched the clip. Makes me wanna jump in a car, speed to a converted warehouse, then...um, swivel in a chair.

6. "Dancing In The Moonlight" - Toploader. That's two tracks on my list with hand claps! Tried to purchase this feelgood, jingle-jangle single (actually a cover) in 2000, but it'd already been deleted. That sorta thing's no longer a problem.

7. "Wired For Sound" - Cliff Richard. Because everyone needs an embarrassing song to perform in the shower :-) Covered in cobwebs, absolutely inane lyrics and it makes me stoopidly happy the same way it did when I was nine years old.

I hereby tag BS, RS, DL, SC, CM, PB and DQ to continue the meme on *their* blogs!

Tired

One's company

In a segregated space colony, isolation ain't so splendid, but the alternative – social contact – has become too frightening for some to bear. I suspect Colin Brake's "Three’s A Crowd" (B/F audio #69, 2005) may be an allegory for "Doctor Who" fandom in the Internet Age...

Rice power!

On the weekend, Mum delivered a most excellent birthday present: a Sunbeam rice cooker. Greatest invention since the toaster. No more struggling with the saucepan method – this thing produces perfect grains every time. My newfound self-sufficiency is gonna put a dent in the earnings of certain Asian restaurants.

Warm house

SC's housewarming was a tad bacchanalian. I drank nearly two bottles of red, met a very nice girl who I had a very nice conversation with but who really couldn't stay, then snogged someone else (who, admittedly, was also very nice). Woke up Catholic-guilty as I always do, with burly farmhands trampling grapes inside my skull. SMSed SC who messaged back absolution :-)

Diamond geezers

Foxtel rewarded DL's numerous wrestling pieces in the mag by inviting he, CM and I to the ECW/SmackDown show at the Acer Arena. The big fella was in a corporate box, while we got "diamond" class seats (worth 350 smackers each!) in the third row. Sitting that close, I could see the scar tissue on Matt Hardy's forehead and the light sheen of sweat on Michelle McCool's lower back. The fireworks were thunderous and we jumped every time they went off. Match of the night for me was Punk versus Benjamin – so skilful! Some of the fans at ringside are incredibly hard-core, eg. a bloke had drawn exact copies of one wrestler's tattoos on himself in texta...unless they were real, which is scarier still.

Head buried in...

"The Steep Approach To Garbadale" (2007) by Iain Banks. As wish-I'd-thought-of-that as every novel the Scotsman writes. This one's about a dysfunctional clan living off the profits of a squillion-selling (and counting), "Monopoly"-like boardgame invented in the late 1800s.

Belated bleatings

Origin 2

Origin Poo, more like (he said maturely). Although I was repeatedly flipping over to "Miami Ink"/"London Ink" AND playing solitaire "M:TG", it was obvious they were murdering us down the left wing. So...30-0 and momentum must be with the Maroons for the decider.

New kids on the conveyor

Sushi Train are currently doing nigiri with grilled scallops (delish) and sesame squid (brownish in colour; still just tastes like wasabi). Sushi Roll have vego maki wrapped in cabbage instead of seaweed (too watery for my liking).

A whinge

Patrons seem to be struggling with the George St Greater Union's recently introduced numbered seating. Personally, I reckon it's tops and enjoy selecting my spot when I'm at the box office. But the number of people I see having to ask others to move suggests some folk either don't understand the concept or are feigning ignorance in the hope the rightful occupants will be too polite to say anything. I hate that!

Not always the deepest

The graphic novel-sized "Vertigo: First Cut" is actually seven issue #1s from the DC imprint, plus a preview of an eighth comic – all for the price of one, ie. AUD$6. With my hit/miss appraisals, they are: "Army@Love" (miss); "Crossing Midnight" (miss); "DMZ" (hit); "The Exterminators" (hit); "Jack Of Fables" (hit – as I already knew from reading "Fables"); "Loveless" (miss); and "Scalped" (miss). The previewed Vertigo title, "Air", also falls short of the mark. Terrific value, though, if your local comic store has it in stock.

Reanimator

Computer revived with assistance from PG. Drive wiped. How I miss my non-Microsoft programs. Outlook and Explorer are ugly brutes :-(

TWTTTW

UFC's new rival

A bootleg of "Elite XC Saturday Night Fights 31/05/08" from GH was waiting in the mailbox. Bam! Streetfighting legend Kimbo Slice struggled until his fist literally burst his opponent's cauliflowered ear, Lawler/Smith went from slugfest to disappointing no-contest and I discovered women's MMA star Gina Carano. Hubba hubba!

Suddenly, nothing happened

The 68th and by far worst of the Big Finish audios is Alison Lawson's 2005 tale "Doctor Who: Catch-1782", in which a MacGuffin transports Mel back to said date, where she's drugged and held prisoner (to some fans' delight, no doubt) until the Sixth Doctor materialises. And that's all! How did this slip through quality control?

Pub opinion

CM and I called in at the St James Hotel in Castlereagh St because, hey, we remember when it was the smoky dungeon known as Castles. Pluses: satisfying schnitzels, Kirin on tap, groovy gold picture frames around the flat screens, exciting Lakers/Celtics basketball game. Minuses: no airflow, bound to be chockers with tossers after dark.

Productive public holiday? Nah...

My antiquated home PC has lapsed into a coma from which it may never awaken. Until notified otherwise, please use my company e-mail address.

TV series 1: "Tim And Eric Awesome Show Great Job!". DL gave me a promo disc with the entire first season. I failed my saving throw versus subversion during the Michael Cera "Kitty Cat Man" skit and burst out laughing. A taste worth acquiring.

Chocolate: When not pushing infant milk formula on third-world mothers, Nestle releases some sweeeeet choccy. Case in point – Club Classic Mixed Berry. Goes dangerously well with a smooth red wine.

TV series 2: "Fight Quest". Identical premise to that of "Human Weapon" (see the May 8 entry). Judging by the Kali ep, this duo places less emphasis on sightseeing and more on training. The knife/stick/open-hand combats at the end were intense.

Film: "The Forbidden Kingdom". Officially released here on July 31, but available in Chi-town on DVD now for 12 Oxford scholars. Jackie Chan and Jet Li play dual roles as a drunken master/shopkeeper and monk/The Monkey King, respectively. They also finally square off! There's a "Neverending Story" twist to this flick that coulda been awful, but thankfully the kid isn't too annoying.

The Euro 2008 soccer tournament is under way in Austria/Switzerland. Pity the games start at either 2am or 4.45am. And most are on a channel I don't have – Setanta. At this stage, my only involvement is catching the morning highlights on Fox Sports News, then marking the scores on my "FourFourTwo" wall chart :-)

Fashion and bashin'

"Taisho Chic" (state gallery) reveals the Japan of the '20s-'30s, where Western influence led to social liberalism and, as a result, reactionary conservatism. The exhibition concentrates on the changing role of women as depicted in exquisite silk-panel paintings and woodblock prints. There are also kimonos and other objets d'art that fuse traditional and modern designs. Beyond the history lesson, the collection had me contemplating cultural perceptions of beauty.

In "Rockabilly: Living The 50s" (city museum), photographer Steven Siewert captures the cool guys and glamorous gals who belong to the Hillbilly/Psychobilly/Rockabilly subculture as they take part in Brisbane's GreazeFest and various Sydney events. I had no idea some people in the scene go so far as to holiday in vintage caravans full of period furniture. I give 'em 10/10 for style!

"UFC #85: Bedlam" lived up to its subtitle with an undercard upset, furious back-and-forth strikes/submissions, a controversial referee stoppage, an illegal knee to a downed opponent, an incorrect point deduction for a different incident, a piledriver(!), a questionable judges' decision, a triple-knockdown KO inside two minutes, and a flying knee finisher in the main event.

"I call dibs on the priest!"

The essential housework is done and I'll soon be bound for The Shire, to test the new 4th Edition "Dungeons & Dragons" rules with TC, LPO, SC and JC. From midday to midnight, TC will be running us through the first module, "H1 - Keep On The Shadowfell". Speak to youse Sunday.

Narnia 2: Death To The Telmarines*

Embiggened adaptation. Righteous war! A subtext about true faith. Conveying Emotion 101 (easily forgiven in the youngsters). Improved scenery and SFX. Chuckles. But mainly...righteous war!

Seriously, Disney may as well deduct the price of the DVD edition from my bank account right now :-)


*Your titleage may vary.

Birthday buoyant

Lunched with my Mum, sister AK and adorably mischievous two-year-old niece CK at Mother Chu's Vegetarian Kitchen. Had a black pepper "protein ball" dish (an instant fave) and ginger tea.

Dined with the M. family on delicious roast duck. Indulged in Bombay Sapphire gin, Remy Martin XO Premier Cru cognac and co-operative "House Of The Dead 2 & 3 Return" on the Wii.

Turned 36.

Channel/Fireball

Hearing tell (from RG) of a combo-riffic restaurant in Leichhardt by the name of No Name, and having a pressing errand to run in the area, I paid it a visit. Whoa. If your belly's bigger than your budget, this is the noshery. For 22 squid, I got a couple of sizeable lamb chops, a main's worth of spaghetti, a side (garden) salad and a basket of fresh bread. Plus all the toppings. Didn't leave a crumb :-)


Dig, dig, digging: The 2008 album "Unfamiliar Faces" by Matt Costa. Catchy folk-pop-rock that's sweet and upbeat.

Movie review: "Kung Fu Panda" (2008)

The gist: An animated, anthropomorphic, slapstick martial arts fable for all ages. Put simply, funny animals fight! In a China that never was, noodle cook Po has greatness thrust upon him when the master of the local temple declares him to be the "dragon warrior". Can the pudgy panda stop the evil snow leopard Tai Lung from decimating his village?

Selling points: Looks and sounds amazing. Kids will love the critter-filled story; adults will appreciate the cleverness with which it's told. Features the voices of Jack Black (as Po) and other Hollywoodlums – how many can you work out before the credits roll?

It's kinda like: Three things I can think of... Big-screen cartoons such as "Over The Hedge". A comedy version of the long-running comic "Usagi Yojimbo" (about a wandering samurai rabbit). Playing the giant panda character in the "Tekken" videogame series.

Final word: Its kung-fu is strong!

[Australian cinema relase date: June 26]

Desert island blips

I just downloaded 10 cherished tracks from the iTunes Store. I won't tell you the titles, but I will tell you the artists. Then, if you're mind-numbingly bored, you can try to guess the former. An appropriate prize for the person who gets 'em all correct...or maybe just the dude or dudette who identifies the most. (One attempt per reader.) In alphabetical order, the singers/bands are: Catherine Britt, The Dandy Warhols, dEUS, Gin Blossoms, GLaDOS and Jonathan Coulton, James, Elton John, The Lemonheads, Steve Perry and Tom Petty. Too hard?

Theatre sports

30/05

The last Andrew Lloyd Webber musical I'd seen was "Cats", in the mid-'80s, and on occasion, I still found myself humming the songs. I took that as a positive sign and bought a ticket to see "The Phantom Of The Opera" at Star City's Lyric Theatre. Hurried home from work, showered, put on what passes for The Ritz in my world (sports coat, shiny shoes) and arrived at the venue in time to order a steamed chicken dish from the Asian section of the food court, find the meat to be bloody inside and return it untouched to a sympathetic staffer for a full refund. I wasn't that hungry, anyway. The show was fantastic – much more than just a masked bloke and a sheila on a dinghy in the fog. Theatre, opera, ballet. Humour, grandeur, chaos. I wanna describe it as Gothic camp, but I'm not sure if that's the right term. Afterwards, I made straight for the taxi rank, but the line was ridiculous. So I had a late supper from the "pub grub" section of the f/c, then watched the poseurs at the poker tables for a while. I have to say, the recent armed hold-up hasn't deterred any gamblers – the casino was crammed! I was pleased to discover a rack containing complimentary copies of the current issue of Oz poker mag "Bluff". Armed with one of those, I returned to the cab queue and the wait passed quickly.

31/05

Made my way to Coogee Oval to see Randwick thrash Uni in Shute Shield rugby. Except we didn't. Thrash 'em, that is. We squeaked home 26-23, with a penalty in the dying seconds. The clubhouse was standing room only, so I opted to watch the 'Tahs in the Super 14 final from the comfort of my couch. A disappointing loss. Ditto Knights vs Warriors in the league.

01/06

Met DL, his brother R. and his friend N. at the SCG for the AFL showdown between Sydney and Richmond. All three of them follow the Tigers, while I go for the Swans (as attested to by the supporter's cap I'd purchased on sale at Best & Less for $10). We finished 82 points in front. They took it quite well. The weather was Melbourne-crazy – scorching sun for the first half; cold, driving rain for the second. We got drunk at that Thai bar in the Entertainment Quarter. As security were ejecting a pair of yobs, they started throwing cutlery and R. was caught in the crossfire.


Bizarre pro-wrestling gimmick seen on the "TNA Global Impact!" DVD: There's a Japanese rassler who calls himself Milano Collection A.T., claims to be an expert on Italian fashion design and walks an invisible dog to the ring. I see on Wikipedia that his signature moves include the "Armani Shoe Exchange".

Classifying crap: I've tried three new, fairly decent, fast-food franchise burgers/sandwiches lately and would rank them thusly: Subway Chicken Tandoori, Oporto Veggie Burger, Macca's McEurope. It all comes down to the novelty of the sauce. Cucumber raita beats lemon'n'herb beats a miserly dollop of Napoletana :-)

Give me literature (or give me brain death!): "Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8, Volume 2 – No Future For You" (2007-08) by various peeps; "Once Upon A Time In The North" (2008) by Philip Pullman; "The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao" (2007) by Junot Diaz. [Sniff] It won a Pulitzer, you know.