In case you missed it on G4TV's "The Feed"...

bit.ly/yfWYlF is a bizarrely compelling documentary about the (mass) debate over the gender of the Capcom videogame character Poison.

May happs

1. We get a Madame Tussauds (www.madametussauds.com/Sydney)

2. "They" hold a day of TED talks here (www.tedxsydney.com)

Snow Cap

LUNDI

Discovered the videos of contemporary violinist Lindsey Stirling, a peacock-haired pixie with hypnotising hips and marvellously infectious melodies. So much like! Sample - http://bit.ly/kr2i2s

MARDI

The Sony PS Vita launch with AB, etc. Water taxis ferried us to a harbour pontoon for hands-on demos, catering, a bigwig's speech, a ridiculously impressive fireworks display and DJ-ing by the Empire Of The Sun chappy with the headdress.

MERCREDI

Ignored fatigue for Blueju!ce at the Roundhouse. Support act #1 was pretty terrible and #2 was just woeful. Thankfully, the eight-strong B. had more energy in their opener than the previous two sets combined. So hot they glowed.

JEUDI

Heard philosopher Alain De Botton discuss his latest tome, "Religion For Atheists", and answer audience Qs at the Opera House. "Gentle but provoking", the moderator called him. He's quick with a joke, too.

VENDREDI

University orientation, which basically entailed joining clubs. For me - anime, beer, culture, fantasy/sci-fi, film, gaming, Oxfam, Red Cross, UN and vegetarian food (you only have to like it, not be a vego).

SAMEDI

Dinner at AZ's craft-filled abode. She made paella, a funky Spanish salad and dip. We continued a tradition of introducing each other to musical acts - I think we have a new convert to the cult of Steven Wilson :-)

DIMANCHE

The UFC finally returned to Japan (for UFC 144) and it was fab. With 4/9 local fighters victorious and two others lasting the distance, I'm praying that fans there will embrace the company's presence as a chance to resurrect MMA from the doldrums in their country.


artovfarkhus.tumblr.com

Forgotten footy

Seems my memory circuits struggle to retain even seven days' worth of key events...

Prior to Friday night's doco-fest, I attended the NSW Waratahs vs. Tonga rugby union trial game at the SFS. This 100-minute affair (1 x 40-minute "quarter", 3 x 20 min.) saw the home side flog the visitors, 52-0. Mercifully, it was only $10 entry.

Then, on Saturday, I tuned in for rugby league's annual World Club Challenge. Was content to see the Leeds Rhinos out-defend the Manly Sea Eagles, 26-12. In the words of Mark Twain, "Anyone but Manly." Except the dirty Roosters, obviously.

Stumbling at the zeroth hurdle

MONTAG

Went with DL to a preview of Brit alien-invasion flick "Attack The Block" at the Dendy Newtown. It's tough going at first 'cos the majority of characters are bad people (housing estate thugs), but given the opportunity for redemption they win you over.

DIENSTAG

Saw Roger Waters perform "The Wall" at Allphones Arena with DW from poker. Visually, it was the most amazing concert I've experienced. The encore - the set in ruins and no way to rock out any bigger or better - was a 12-man acoustic "Waltzing Matilda"!

MITTWOCH

Caught up with the "Penthouse" crew for Yank eats at the Jazz City Diner in Darlinghurst (I had the Thanksgiving Turkey Burger and real onion rings) followed by drinks at nearby cocktail bar Pocket (where I was introduced to the wonders of the Negroni).

DONNERSTAG

Had permission not to go in to work because UFC On Fuel TV: Sanchez Vs. Ellenberger was live on Facebook/One HD. MR and I watched it at his joint, were sozzled on beer by mid-arvo and retired to picnic chairs in his backyard, where we smoked cigars in the sun.

FREITAG

Was utterly enthralled by the documentaries "Delphi: Why It Matters", presented by Cambridge classics lecturer Dr Michael C. Scott; and three-parter "Ottomans vs. Christians: Battle For The Mediterranean", with historian Julian Davidson. Recommend them both!

SAMSTAG

Upgraded my creaky HTC Magic mobile phone to a Samsung Galaxy S-II. As tempted as I was by the Apple iPhone 4S, I can't stand the thought of a monoculture of iProducts. I've got friends who love their S-IIs, and it was only an extra $5 per month on my plan.

SONNTAG

Y'know what? The new Van Halen album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", ain't too shabby. It's David Lee Roth's first with the band since 1984's "1984" and his quirky lines and delivery make every song distinctive. Goes without saying the guit/keys are ace.

Carved in sand

Were it not for a snippet overheard in Subway, I'd have been unaware that, post-2011, NSW has abolished the School Certificate - a piece of paper that once held meaning for myself and several readers of this crummy blog. Details are sketchy, but from what I can gather, the statewide exam grades of the S/C will be replaced with a holistic Record Of Achievement that may also include extra-curriculars like the Duke Of Edinburgh Award. Apparently, the purpose is to encourge kids to stay on longer, aided by courses that connect Years 10 and 11, along with the fact they'll now receive credit for 100% of what they do, even if they leave partway through the HSC.

Rule of three

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart @ Manning Bar

Doors swing late. Numbers appear lowish. Rainbow Chan opens. Voice as instrument. Lots of looping. Keyboard, glockenspiel, melodica. Bobbing marionette maestro. Pwns Cardigans' "Lovefool". Will go places. (Already rocked Iceland.) Geoffrey O'Connor next. Atypical three-piece. Guitar scientist look. Smooth rock poses. Ultra-polite commentary. '80s-esque atmospherics. Build and build. To beautiful axemanship. Unobstructed view goneski. Time to stand. For The Pains! It's all Kip. Frenzied strum attack. Peggy gradually blooms. Others mine rhythm. Everything's better live. Blissful audience we. Dancing fool dances. Feather earrings grins. Lyrics lovingly mouthed. Pizza store dedication. Token false finish. Then round 2. Unimproveable indie rock. Washes over me. Fountain of youth.

"Dragon" exhibition @ Art Gallery Of NSW

The theory was sound: a collection of mostly Chinese artworks depicting dragons as a celebration of its being the zodiac animal for 2012. In practice, it amounted to a lone corridor of "nice" if unspectacular items, some of which were less interesting than their labels. Still, it's a pleasant walk through the trees and statues of Hyde Park, and I came away from the gift shop with a mounted Jeffrey Smart print. Here's a shot of the original on Clive James' website – http://bit.ly/ziZt6w

"Darbie's had a cold for about five years"

As is regularly the case, that title has esseffay to do with what I'm going to talk about. Or rather what was talked about in the February 6 issue of the excellent "Wrestling Observer" newsletter - a set-to between wrestler Jeff Jarrett and cricketer Harbhajan Singh. You didn't know "The Turbanator" was involved with rasslin'? Yep, he plays the promoter on India's "Ring Ka King" program. Hence, with some trimming by me:

"The final show of the first season...built up to an ultimate showdown between Jeff Jarrett and Harbhajan Singh... They were doing an angle where Jarrett was attempting to buy the promotion and move it to the US... Jarrett came out with a guitar and an 'I hate Bhajji' (Singh's nickname) T-shirt. Singh came out with a cricket stump. Jarrett heavily stalled since Singh isn't a worker... He kept running away and then decided to leave. As he was leaving, the 580lb Ryuta Yamamotoyama, a Japanese sumo who is known in India because he was a contestant on the 'Bigg Boss' reality TV show, blocked him, threw him back in the ring and stood guard for Singh for the rest of the match. They did a few simple lock-ups where Jarrett would get thrown down. Jarrett tried to leave again but was blocked again by Yamamotoyama. Then he did the Ric Flair beg in the corner. Singh took Jarrett's shirt off and tore it up. At this point Abyss, Scott Steiner, Sir Brutus Magnus, Sonjay Dutt and RDX (a heel Indian police officer character) came out and tried to move Yamamotoyama. They all bumped for the immovable sumo. Singh was in control until Jarrett made a signal and the lights went out... When they were back on, somehow all the heels were in the ring beating down Singh. They all held him as Jarrett got the guitar, but before he could hit Singh, out came the babyfaces, who are Matt Morgan, Roscoe Jackson, Chavo Guerrero Jr, Pagal Parinda and Mahabali Veera. Jarrett hit Veera with the guitar. Singh then grabbed the cricket stump and threatened Jarrett and all the heels ran away."

(This is an example of why I subscribe to "Wrestling Observer"/"Figure Four Weekly". Where else would you hear about such strangeness?)

Limited Edition Pineapple Mentos

Thank you, SC, for sharing this wonderful link to a compilation of footage that reveals the true spirit of the being known as The Doctor. In a mere 1:39, his multiple incarnations show us how life's problems should be solved. Synchronously, we come to understand what it means to be a hero, before a whimsical coda leaves us crying, "Bravo! Encore!"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzmnPs64K74

Chasing cards

Opened the five boosters of "Dark Ascension" that came with the theme decks and I jagged two mythic rares - Moonveil Dragon and a foil Elbrus, The Binding Blade (a sword that transforms into a demon). As far as I'm aware, the frequency is 1:8 packs, not taking into account shiny editions. Alas, there was no sign of Sorin, Lord Of Innistrad, a la-di-da planeswalker I would instantly sell for the market price of $50, investing the proceeds in additional boosters.

River deep, mountain high

Picked all five winners on the UFC 143 main card in our office comp and won money on the headliner with Sportingbet. Don't feel terribly good about it, however, since I honestly believe Mike Pierce deserved the decision over Josh Koscheck. And it's a sad day for the sport if Nick Diaz really is walking away in frustration (assuming he can escape from his supposedly multi-fight contract). Hope things turn out OK for the guy. Yeah, he got paid a fortune, but many former fighters have burnt through those and ended up in a sorry state.

Did you know?

In November, six brand-new mini-episodes of "The Fast Show" were released online.

If you wanna watch 'em, start here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib06Ury55s8

Fellow fans be warned, though, they're more nostalgic than funny. Blame Foster's!

I'll tumble for ya

I've created a new Tumblr page - whatisaddsterreading.tumblr.com - and kicked it off with the tomes I can remember force-feeding my brain in January. No doubt I've forgotten something, but the idea was just to get the bugger underway.

Later: If you particularly want anything you spot on there, and it's not an author I religiously collect, you can probably have it. Message me.

Proper sweets

It's going to be a gig-filled 12 months. I say this because I'm sitting on tix to (in date order): The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Roger Waters, Blueju!ce, Paradise Lost, Mastodon, the Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain, Benny Chong, the Future Music Festival (feat. New Order, Frank Ocean, Die Antwoord, etc.), Wild Flag, First Aid Kit, the Dirty Three, Dead Meadow and Yes. I'm gutted that I missed getting a ticket to Lana Del Rey, and annoyed that the F/M/F clashes with both Taylor Swift (who I coulda seen for cheap) AND Urge Overkill. Also, what happened to the Cornershop tour?

Journal of the thrills

"The Empire Strips Back" @ The Vanguard with CM and AM

It's not often you see a spunky blonde dancer strip from snow gear to an ice-white bra and panties, slice open a tauntaun, pull out its guts (dildos), then proceed to rub herself on its furry carcass like it was a fireside rug in the Playboy Mansion. But the saucily specific pursuit of "Star Wars" burlesque has a logic all its own. A logic that makes perfect sense when the lights are low, you're partaking of refreshments and the male MC is a camp, tubby Luke Skywalker with glittering shoes. So then C-3PO climbed out of a pile of mechanical junk to execute a fetching droid dance. A trio of Wookiee-hunting babes (just go with it) pranced about in martial fashion. A Twi'lek displayed a sultriness that Oola lacked. Han Solo was disappointingly male, but he played it for laughs, with his Millennium Falcon guitar. An Emperor's royal guard showed what lies under those famous red robes, viz. armour. But hey, it's sexy armour. Slave girl Leia used her chain to swing from the ceiling. Boba Fett did Boba Fett mannerisms in and around the Slave-I cockpit. There was a break, and the compere sung a twisted version of Radiohead's "Creep" about his incestuous desires, for a second there sounding like Placebo's Brian Molko. An anonymous Jedi (let's call her Mara Jade) performed a captivating lightsaber-assisted routine. A Tusken Raider bathed in sand like Dita Von Teese bathes in Champagne. Three Stormtroopers moving in formation were amusing but also hawt. Finally, Darth Vader, 'saber-twirling and Force-choking, reminded us that this man's world "would be nothing, nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl, ooh".