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.