Religion and politics

World Youth Day 2008 is a six-day celebration of the Catholic faith presided over by his holiness Pope Bendedict XVI. It is expected to attract 1,000,000 participants. It is centred on Randwick Racecourse, about 100m from my flat. It will result in road closures, diverted buses and general chaos. It began today.

In other news, CM has left our mag for greener publishing pastures and, with the ed's blessing, I've inherited the "Movies" page. I'm excited. Expect to hear me rabbiting on about many more releasings of cinematical newness.


Listening: "Lightbulb Sun" (2008 double-disc special edition of the 2000 album) - Porcupine Tree. Largesse from my record reviewer mate LA.

Reading: "Cabin Pressure: One Man's Desperate Attempt To Recapture His Youth As A Camp Counselor" (2007) by Josh Wolk. Purchased with part of an Amazon birthday voucher from EM.

Watching: (On a video from AC) an episode of Japanese game show "TV Champions" in which chefs compete for the "knife skills" crown. Slicing cucumbers the fastest and lemons the thinnest, making the longest unbroken apple peel and decorating the most plates within a time limit. The final rounds involved carving an undersea diorama from vegies, then a tribute to Tokyo Tower. These guys were Ginsu gods!