The Smirkonian Sightseer

The Vintage that never was

Back in June of 2012 I took this photo from the car park at Brady's Lookout in the Tamar Valley. At the time there was a volcanic ash cloud circling the planet’s lower hemisphere, originating from Chile's Puyehue volcano. I remember flights to Tasmania were cancelled for several days.

The photo, taken at sunset, clearly shows the diffused light coming through the ash cloud.

 

 

Fast forward a year or so, I received a phone call one Saturday morning from a polite woman wanting to use my photo of Brady’s Lookout for a wine bottle label. She explained it was only a private label and would not be commercially available. Gladly I gave her permission for free use of my photo. As I’m not a professional photographer, I refused to accept any payment.

That was the last I heard of my photo supposedly being use for a wine label, until yesterday.

I’d told my sister in-law about it sometime ago, as she was doing a wine appreciation course on local wines. Yesterday she produced this empty bottle of wine with my photo on it. Well, what a surprised! There it was, and I must say I thought the photo did look rather elegant on the bottle.

I was curious as to how the Pinot Noir tasted. Well from the comments my brother gave, let’s assume it was a good thing the label stayed private!

 

Tweetsheet Tuesday

So here are a few Tweets that have grabbed my attention today.

I know what I'm watching tonight...

Billy Connolly + British Columbia - what's not to like? Tonight 7.30pm on 72: last ep of his Journey to the Edge of the World series.

— BeCuriousinBC (@AussiesLoveBC) August 27, 2012

I've been looking for a solution to synchronise Lightroom catalogues on my MacBook Air and iMac. This comes close but not quite...

Synchronize your Lightroom catalog with the cloud using Mosaic View: j.mp/MWfAZg

— PetaPixel (@petapixel) August 27, 2012

This is a beautiful waterfall shot...

Norway by Apo Japo bit.ly/Tkrydk on 500px.com

— 500px: Choice (@500px_choice) August 27, 2012

… and this stunner of the Milky Way pouring into a waterfall. Well thought out composition.

Milky Way + Waterfall: ow.ly/dfiKm

— Amazing Photography (@AmazingPics) August 27, 2012

Although I'm not the conference type, I hear the best part is the free buffet...

When I go to a conference at the @westinbayshore tmblr.co/Zt2_5vSFyuWy

— Definitely Raining (@VancouverWTF) August 27, 2012

British match racing sailor, Ian Williams started following me on Twitter today. No chance of reciprocating as I'm following the Kiwi FMJ team. (Yes I know I should be backing the Aussie teams.)

Just moved into the Badrutt's Palace hotel ready for St Moritz Match Race. Pretty nice view from the balcony! twitter.com/Williams_Racin…

— Ian Williams (@Williams_Racing) August 27, 2012

Last I checked, bids were at $7,000 for the tin lid...

If a Cylon + Boba Fett had a baby...ebay.com/itm/Reimagined…#eBay

— Video Game Museum (@vgmuseum) August 26, 2012

Tassie pro cyclist Wes Sulzberger retweeted this unfortunate gem...

Doh! Not the way to win a race... youtube.com/watch?v=PGBQ4G… via @cycle_nation

— dan craven (@DanFromNam) August 27, 2012

Last year I stayed up all night to watch this event via internet streaming. It's one way to use up my monthly 30G quota, but worth it. Santorini is a natural environment for Parkour.

Early promo for this one. It's gonna be huge! :D instagr.am/p/O1fZ_BDUPj/

— Airborn Academy™ (@AirbornAcademy) August 27, 2012

 

And the tributes continue...

Throw-away photographs shot during Neil Armstrong's visit to the moon: j.mp/SKwHxN

— PetaPixel (@petapixel) August 27, 2012

 

RT @in_focus: Neil Armstrong, 1930-2012 - a farewell to a true pioneer in 38 photos - theatln.tc/NRQZWJ

— Amazing Photography (@AmazingPics) August 27, 2012

Wednesday Tweetsheet

Great SBS coverage of #wildsidemtb on sunday, if you missed it you can also view the documentary online: sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral…

— Sid Taberlay (@SidTaberlay) February 28, 2012

Nice feature story on WildsideMTB from Cycling Central.

 

NBN rollout now plotted on Google Maps, with address search! nbnco.com.au/blog/nbn-rollo… #NBN

— NBNCo Limited (@NBNCoLimited) February 28, 2012

Just to prove to us they are rolling out in the poorest suburbs first. Real-life Suburgatory!

 

Paris-Nice start list bit.ly/ybq1tC

— Cyclingnews.com (@Cyclingnewsfeed) February 28, 2012

Good to see two Tassie guys on the start list; Wes named for Greenedge and Richie for Sky.

 

Welcome to Iron Chef @_GreenEDGE_ style: tinyurl.com/85lqvta "Bike riders can't cook" with the hilarious@Fumybeppu and @badencooke

— Cyclismas (@Cyclismas) February 28, 2012

FOCUS!

Google doodle celebrates Gioachino Rossini's 220th birthday & the leap year!... fb.me/1EieLSdBV

— Minnix (@minnixs) February 28, 2012

220th or 55th? Happy leap year everyone.

 

Friday Tweetsheet

The daily hightlight snap from my twitter feed…

@SHO_TheBorgias

The Borgias

The only thing to fear is God and Borgia. The original crime family returns April 8th at 10PM ET/PT: youtu.be/Q4lzzWYADjk #TheBorgias

I'd like to see this series. Not usually my thing but Luke Pasqualino's in it (Skins, Blood & Chrome)

 

@_GreenEDGE_

GreenEDGE Cycling

Introducing new video series - Bike Riders Can't Cook. Episode #1 features Allan Davis, a bike pump + Bundaberg rum: bit.ly/wKcZW8

 

@miketomalaris

Michael Tomalaris

SBS's live coverage of #tracknats up against #7network and @Australian_Open this weekend. Confident @AnnaMeares will roll #rafa for ratings.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

Toronto teens send Lego man on an a balloon odyssey 24 kilometres high: bit.ly/wQH1lc

-This is a nice little story from Canada.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

500 MTB riders arrive in Tasmania with $1.5m worth of bikes + support crews, close to $1m injection for state economy. cyclingnews.com/news/taberlay-…

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

Testing out Topaz Labs Star Effects plugin. Steam train at Nation Railway Museum, York, England flic.kr/p/bjb1vB

 

@nadasurf

matthew caws

If you missed the @YouTube live stream of our record release show in NYC on Tuesday, you can see it here: bit.ly/nadasurflive

Sit back and enjoy just over an hour of the Nada's live. Love it!

 

 

Twitbits Sunday

Happy New Year, tweeps!

 

I spent new years eve in Hobart with my mate Tony at his Sandy Bay apartment. We started the day with some shopping - exchanging a shirt Tony had given me for xmas - it seems a medium/slim fit is too tight for my broad shoulders! Then we headed to the Taste festival to have our usual plate of Rosti and a few other yummy dishes washed down with several local Sauvignon Blancs. Had a look around the Sydney Hobart yachts at Constitution Dock and drunk coffee like there's no tomorrow.

 

 

In the evening we spent a few hours with some friends of Tony's over on the eastern shore. I was asleep by 11.30pm and woke soon after to the sounds of 'crackers' from the fireworks show down on the waterfront.

 

I've had early nye's for the past ten years (I guess I'm just getting old). When I spend new years at home in Launceston, I'm woken by the country club casino fireworks over my back fence- makes me bolt out of bed at the first bang.

 

Anyway, onto today's twitbits….

 

This evening saw a busy one, with my new found interest in Big Bash T/20 cricket and the start of the cycling season and a new Greenedge outfit competing for the very first time.

 

 

@mattgoss1986

Matt Goss

Hello again Melbourne! This time for the bay crits! Bring on 2012 and a great season with @_GreenEDGE_ !!

 

@mcewenrobbie

Robbie McEwen

I ride for GreenEDGE @GreenEDGE_cycling it all starts today! Join us on the Green Team

 

@PhilLiggett

Phil Liggett

New Year's Day and the season set to go this afternoon in Geelong with a crack Aussie field for the Jayco Bay Classics, round one.

 

@leighhoward1

Leigh Howard

Bring on 2012! twitgoo.com/55rqcl @GreenEDGEfans

 

 

@GreenEDGEFans

AussieCyclingFans

Woo Hoo 2012 going to be great for @_GreenEDGE_ let the racing begin!

 

@simongerrans

Simon Gerrans

First outing in the new @_GreenEDGE_ kit today. Feeling very patriotic.

 

@_GreenEDGE_

GreenEDGE Cycling

GreenEDGE-AIS gives the green team its first podium. Melissa Hoskins finishes second to Chloe Hosking. Rochelle Gilmore third. #BayCrits

 

@MelissaMHoskins

Melissa Hoskins

Good start to 2012! 2nd in the first stage of the Bay Crits. Pretty sure I have the best team out there. Thanks girls! @_GreenEDGE_

 

Provisional results:

1. Chloe Hosking (Total Rush)
2. Melissa Hoskins (GreenEDGE)
2. Rochelle Gilmore (Bikeexchange.com.au)
4. Tiffany Cromwell (GreenEDGE)
5. Jessie Maclean (GreenEDGE)

Over shadowing the event and highlight of the evening was this gem of a comment from Chloe Hosking….

@Philip_Gomes

Philip Gomes

We may already have a winner in the cycling quote of the year comp "What can you say, Pat McQuaid is a dick." Chloe Hosking, Jan 1st 2012.

@CyclingCentral

CyclingCentral

Hosking savages McQuaid after winning Jayco Bay Classic opener sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral… #BayCrits #cycling

 

Hosking described UCI president Pat McQuaid as "a bit of a dick" after she won race one of the Jayco Bay Classic criterium series on Sunday in Geelong.

McQuaid generated plenty of criticism at last September's world road championships in Copenhagen when he said women's racing had "not progressed enough" for a minimum wage.

That's what we like to hear… such gold. This Aussie girl has some balls!

Now to the men's event...

@VicCycleEvents

Vic Cycling Events

Second sprint - Bernie Sulzberger, Windsor, Haas #baycrits

 

@VicCycleEvents

Vic Cycling Events

3rd sprint - Bernie Sulzberger, Haas, Cooke #baycrits

 

@SophieSmith86

Sophie Smith

Peloton is out of the race at about the 46min mark. That includes defending champ Goss.

 

@_GreenEDGE_

GreenEDGE Cycling

Allan Davis finishes third at stage one of #BayCrits. Greg Henderson (Degani Bakery Cafe) wins ahead of Chris Sutton (Urban Hotels).

 

@_GreenEDGE_

GreenEDGE Cycling

Although Davis rides for GreenEDGE, he represents the Mitchelton Wines / Lowe Farms squad during the four-day #BayCrits series.

 

@VicCycleEvents

Vic Cycling Events

GreenEDGE tent very popular with the crowd. They are still happy with their debut #baycrits

 

@SophieSmith86

Sophie Smith

Huge interest in GreenEDGE amongst fans. That many people around the team tent with cameras, it was like feeding time at the zoo.

 

@mattgoss1986

Matt Goss

Bay crit number 1 is over, heart rate is still about 200. That's a hard course to start the series/season on! But were up and running now!

 

@_GreenEDGE_

GreenEDGE Cycling

You read about our first podium of the season from Mel Hoksins. Now, details on podium #2 courtesy of Allan Davis. bit.ly/vZebSR

 

@mcewenrobbie

Robbie McEwen

here is todays mid race footage. Heinrich went down quite hard, I managed to miss him as I came thru corner at speed vimeo.com/34426314

- As you'll see (at around 1.43) Robbie lost a lot of speed avoiding Haussler.

 

One of the other Tassie lads hangs up last seasons kit…

@richie_porte

Richie Porte

Had a great time in Adelaide, now back to Tas for team tri with some mates. Excited to pull the Sky kit on but thanks saxo for past 2 years.

 

And over in the UK, Cav also got to trying on the Sky threads

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

Officially @teamsky ...... twitpic.com/81qay8

 

 

While all the cycling excitement was happening, in Hobart, the Hobart Hurricanes take on Sydney Thunder in a top-of-the-table battle.

@swegen31

Alex Johnston

Packed pic.twitter.com/S3yRrnXU

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Official crowd numbers are 12328! The #purplearmy is out and about at 'Hurricane House' tonight! #purplepower

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

5/134! 1 over to go! Rana with the ball.. Get behind the #peoplesmullet! The #purplearmy love him

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Wicket first ball! Rana on fire once again at #hurricanhouse!

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Get around him! Rana with another! 7/135 3 balls to go. The #peoplesmullet with a majestic caught and bowled! Superstar!

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Rana! Another! Give him the keys to the city. #nothinghitsyoulikeahurricane #peoplesmullet

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

That is the end of @ThunderBBL innings. 8/138! Brilliant final 5 from @HurricanesBBL. Rana the star of the show with 3 in the final over!

 

A great start and achievable target in front of a sell-out home crowd.

 

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Jaques clean bowled by Edwards. Not the start we were after... @T_Bird81 makes his way to the middle.

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Edwards drops short and @T_Bird81 pounces! 1/7 off the first over.

 

@AlisterNicho

Alister Nicholson

Official crowd is apparently only 12238 at Bellerive tonight. A few must have jumped the fence: yfrog.com/nzrdlgyj

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Back to back 4's for @T_Bird81! 1/42.

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Gayle goes for 16 off his first over! 1/49 off 6.. Great start from @T_Bird81 and @jwells_9

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

2/80 off 11! Shah and @jwells_9 are crafting a match winning partnership here at #hurricanehouse

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Shah looking brilliant at the crease tonight on 33 n/o. 3/109 with 30 required of 30 balls

 

@dg79

Daniel Gray

@HurricanesBBL showing yet again that a champion team is tough to beat. Reflection of quality Tassie culture @eddiecowan wrote about.

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Another 4 takes Shah to 40 off 31! 3/122 with 17 required!

 

@MKPS001

Mindy Pawsey

Shah taking matters into his own hands here. @HurricanesBBL look to have it!

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

Gayle plucks one out of nowhere to pick up @tomtriffitt19 for 18. @Lockdog33 the new man in, 9 required

 

@HurricanesBBL

Hobart Hurricanes

And that's the game! @mattjohnston23 finishes things off with a giant 6 over the Stuart Spencer stand! #4from4aintbad #purplepower

 

Well done Hobart Hurricanes. Four from four. Outstanding. Still at the top of the table.

 

There were a few other interesting bits today, but none stoodout more than this...

 

@giagia

Gia Milinovich

My Han-Solo-in-carbonite chocolates from last night: post.ly/4eynO

Oh this is sooo cool (or frozen - whatever) I what!

 

Twitbits Friday

 

The daily snap of highlights from my twitter feed… ok, just because I haven't been regular this week is no reason to give me the shits.

@nadasurf

matthew caws

If you live in the US, our new album 'The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy' is avail to pre-order @iTunesMusic: bit.ly/sWQr0T

- I'm a huge Nada Surf fan. Been waiting for this to be released, possibly Jan 24, 2012. I've already heard a few demo versions from this album. 'When I Was Young' free preview track still available.

 

@EnamoredAspects

EnamoredAspects

Coming Feb 2012. Battlestar Galactica's @BloodAndChrome – @LucaPasqualino @BenGCotton @LiliBordan @DopudMike

This is another thing I'm looking forward to in 2012… BG: Blood And Chrome.

 

@joeyldotcom

Joey L.

Need to watch a good film tonight with a travel theme to temporarily cure my wanderlust. Any recommendations?

- I recommend 'Jumper'.

 

@AmazingPics

Amazing Photography

Baffling Earth Photography: ow.ly/7ZXnY

 

@grist

Grist

Remember those gigantic plumes of methane in the Arctic? Turns out they're a BIG DEAL: bit.ly/vuPgc2

- Methane from rapidly thawing permafrost has not been correctly factored into current global warming estimates. Woops - we're all gonna die!

 

@Joshua_Freeman

Joshua Freeman™

Extreme Pogo Sticking, shot entirely on #GoPro flpbd.it/0zkg

 

@cameronwurf

cameron james wurf

Great days training with the genesis Team here in tassie, fittingly we boarded the pain train up mt Wellington @SteeleVH your an animal!!

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

How To Bake A Nikon Cake diyphotography.net/how-to-bake-a-…

- Yum!

 

 

Twitbits Monday

@ProfBrianCox

Brian Cox

In the old days I used to go up mountains in a helicopter #wonders post.ly/3gVQv

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd 

New Twist on an old tale... bit.ly/opgdpI #parkour

 

@PhilKeoghan

Phil Keoghan

Phew! Never been no nervous at a sporting event ... Celebrating into the night @RugbyWorldCup yfrog.com/nzdgiqrj

- Amazing Race's Phil showing his roots with a celebration of NZ's win.

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

Spent last hour watching a guy in sailor cap & aviators in the pool with 3 girlfriends taking inappropriate group photos #asianhughheffner

- Poolside can be quite boring. What a perve!

 

@neiltyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson

TheBigBangTheory: When geeky scientists can be main characters in a hit primetime series, you know there's hope for the world

 

@DavidBlue

David Blue

I just passed Darth Vader whipping a child with a pink pool floatie at a bday party. STILL better than Episode 1.

 

@scottpape

Scott Pape

#occupymelbourne catch cry is that #wearethe99% No, you're the 1% see here globalrichlist.com The real 99% are the billions of 'Chindians'

 

@kochie_online

david koch

How to occupy the right way http://t.co/XgaT6DSF

- For those occasions when a well meaning protest gets hijacked by radicals.

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

Nothing like a bit of 80's porno style synth jazz music while you eat breakfast. #debbiedoesNOTdodallasatthistimeofday

 

@anthony_tan

Anthony Tan

Snap poll: Are riders like Nathan Haas and Steele Von Hoff ready for the WorldTour, which GreenEdge GM Shayne Bannan suggests not?

- Definite yes. When ur hot, ur hot! Snap 'em up while they're in form.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd 

Nothing annoys me more than seeing shoddy editing on air. #tvnews

- For some strange reason, an editor thought it fit to show two blatant shots of an opposition cameraman in a news report. When I used to be an editor, this was the biggest no-no. Disappointing to see.

 

@Mega_Free

Meagan Freeman

#vegan chocolate pie. So so so amazing!!! Would never guess it was vegan.

- Can I have cream on that?

 

@SmirksTas - Following 157 - Followers 50

Twitterscraps Wednesday

 

Here's what landed on the floor of my bird cage …

 

@louisvirtel

Louis Virtel

Twitter is for people who want to seem cooler than Garfield while sounding exactly like Garfield.

 

@AP

The Associated Press

NBC axes 1960s drama 'The Playboy Club' after three episodes; it's the first cancellation of the fall TV season: apne.ws/pX2MeZ

- Replaced by Brian Williams 'Rock Center'. More news?

 

@NelsonAspen

Nelson Aspen

THE SIMPSONS facing cancellation. hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-simps…

- NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

 

@AP

The Associated Press

Don't have a cow, 'Simpsons' fans, but the iconic Fox series is on the ropes: apne.ws/pNAw7r

- Stop it! This is painful.

 

@mindrelic

Josh Owens

Sunset in Joshua tree with @drkanab @KesslerCrane twitpic.com/6v5tk0

- Crane? That's not even a jib rig. Nice sunset though.

 

@500px_choice

500px: Choice

Wizards says "lay down" by Marcin Nawrocki bit.ly/o7Tw1B on http://500px.com

 

 

@wilw

Wil Wheaton

Siri, what do the tears of angry Apple cultists taste like?

- Sad when the Apple strudel, um I mean faithful, cry foul over a model number.

 

@tw1tt3rart

TW1TT3Rart

#OneOfTheseDays #Love will rule

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

┏━┓╭━━━┳━┓┏┳━━┓

┃┈┃┃┈╭╮┃┈┃┃┃┈┏┛

┃┈┗┻┓╰╯┃┈┗╯┃┈┏┛

┗━━━┻━━┻━━━┻━━┛

▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂ #TwitterArt

- Oh I'm all for a love-in!

 

@cuntoftheday

Cunt of the Day

S.Africa's govt. is Cunt of the Day for refusing the Dalai Lama a visa - not, apparently, under pressure from China. bit.ly/cFK35R

 

@Pro_Cycling

VeloNation News Feed

Cavendish to miss Paris-Bourges, could ride Giro di Lombardia goo.gl/fb/Nnj24 #cycling

- Come on Cav, get your act together. This non-sense is giving the coveted rainbow jersey a bad rap.

 

@CadburyAU

Cadbury Australia

First 10 tweeps to RT that @LaurenPhillips_ is the #BubblyInsider will #WIN 1 of 10 Cadbury Bubbly bar prize packs! Go! cadbury.com.au/About-Cadbury/…

- Hmmm. Found this one 10mins after it was posted and there were 92 others already before me.

 

@AngryBieber

Justin

8 months on Twitter so far and I havent had ONE retweet. Fuck this website.

- (as retweeted by @chrisroww)

 

@jade_burley

Jade Burley

If you are planning a trip to "Festivale" in Launceston next February and you love your craft beer, you will be very disappointed indeed.

- Bugger!

 

@DiscoverTas

Discover Tasmania

Discover the beauty of Freycinet National Park blog.discovertasmania.com/tassie-adventu…

- Best place in the world

 

@Wes_Sulzberger

Wesley Sulzberger

Pretty Flashy kickstarter.com/projects/revol…

 

@parabola

Cameron Gray

Scientists Reconstruct Video Clips From Brain Activity - gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/scient…

- Cam, it looks like some of your art work.

 

@swegen31

Alex Johnston

No, sorry, I won't change my script to include the sponsor's name.

- Ah finally, a journalist that has a code of ethics.

 

@MerlinOfficial

Merlin Official

Exciting news for Australian fans. Merlin s4 will be coming to Ten very soon...

- For those who aren't torrent pirates.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

I'm crapping myself for no reason. There's a bird outside that sounds like a #Quantel drive failure @SXNewsTas

- Alarm phobia

 

@SmirksTas - Following 155 - Followers 45

p.s. yes I do know it was a Kessler dolly-slider

Twitbits Monday

So here's what landed at the bottom of the bird-cage today...

 

@iSpeakFresh

j u s t i n ♕

Who else wakes up and checks Twitter like it's the morning paper?

- Hey, you lookin' at me?

 

@petatodd

Peta Todd

I am now entering what the modern day world calls a strop.

- I was called that at school! … #backinmyday

 

@Joshua_Freeman

Joshua Freeman™

#StarTrek & #DoctorWho #Tardis cookies that my wife @Mega_Free made for me yfrog.com/o0u3sgmj

- Yum, Starfleet cookies!

 

@SXNewsTas

Southern Cross News

Social Media 2011 03 10 11 youtube.com/watch?v=NyjtSM… via @youtube

- Strange title for a Morning News Update. One of these days they'll figure it out.

Hint: A title should reflect or partially describe the content of the media. 'Social Media' is the platform type, or technology medium, chosen to present it.

 

@Sim_sat_cyclist

Paivi sims

@SmirksTas yes it is a weird title but that's what happens when you spit the dummy with the computer.

[UPDATE] I'm told this faux pas has been resolved. Sorry Paivi, but when I start a rant, I can't be stopped!

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

England swelter... bit.ly/rmLaNp

Ah, fish'n'chips! Well that's what I'm looking at...

@swegen31

Alex Johnston

Big day. Car service. Haircut. Chased postman semi nude. Fell in prickly bush. Chat with PM to come. #politas

- Great interview with PM in the prickly bush (?)

 

@wtdcomics

wtdcomics

WTD 1287 whattheduck.net pic.twitter.com/FqwDfZZR

 

@Cyclingnewsfeed

Cyclingnews.com

News: Cavendish to Omega Pharma-QuickStep?: World Champion said to insist on Specialized bike bit.ly/oxT3z7

- Putting bike before team. #toolsofthetrade

- This speculation has gone on for months . If it goes on too much loner, Cav will be singing that Jason Derulo song "Ridin' Solo".

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

Getting my priorities right & ordering some coffee online before going training. If i run out in the next weeks, I won't be training at all.

- See! What did I say????

 

@SmirksTas - Following 154 - Followers 45

Twitbits Sunday

It's still daylight!... edition.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

Gone off Red Rock Deli 10pk since they added balsamic vinegar.

- I love their Sea Salt chips, but adding balsamic vinegar to them is a crime against my taste buds. Dare I say 'I'm spitting chips'.

 

@Wendy_8_Yeung

Wendy Yeung

False advertising. Red Rock Deli never used sea salt in their sea salt and balsamic vinegar chips. They used plain, old SALT.

- So the plot thickens. Please remove this ghastly flavour from the 10 pk variety box, 'cause I sure ain't paying for somethin' I'm not gonna eat.

 

@NatGeoTraveler

Nat Geo Traveler

Top 10 Elevator Rides on.natgeo.com/p15Q7w

- I remember my first "wow" evelator experience - going up the external glass evelator on the harbour tower in Vancouver, Canada. It's now called the Vancouver Lookout. Other great elevator rides have been CN Tower Toronto, Empire State NY  and Macau Tower.

 

@mindrelic

Josh Owens

one of the first frames from an astrolapse shot in Big Sur as the sunset faded enough to expose the milkyway twitpic.com/6tmmmw

- Another stunning shot from Josh Owens. Follow the link for the full size.

 

@iSpeakFresh

j u s t i n ♕

That awkward moment when you can't hear someone so you just laugh and nod your head and hope it wasn't a question!

- Yep, I've been in some weird situations. I have bad hearing, so this happens a lot.

 

@SHO_weeds

Weeds

“Sign the f*cking custody papers so I can go to that High Line park and watch people screw in the hotel windows.” –Jill #Weeds

- Also known as the Eyefull Tower, @sunriseon7 did their weather segment from here a few weeks back. I'm told it's quite the tourist attraction. See the live webcam.

- Exhibitionists aside, Weeds is a great series to watch. Seen every episode from the start.

 

@Sim_sat_cyclist

Paivi sims

I found a documentary on foreign foods and it included a piece on prawn crackers and how they are cooked and I am never eating them again!

- Paivi was munching prawn crackers last Friday and literally stopped mid-bite when I started to tell her what they really are.

 

@sunriseon7

Sunrise

Did you turn your clocks forward NSW, Vic, Tas, ACT & SA? #sun7

- Something I don't normally do is sleep in. Somehow today I did. Got up at 10am. A few hours later I turned on my iMac and noticed the time and them realised it was the middle of the afternoon.

 

@petatodd

Peta Todd

I'm grudgingly awake and @MarkCavendish thought it was ok to get up for training without a final call on the cuddle front. #rules

- Oh no. A crack in domestic bliss.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

I Am Coming... (no, it's a marketing thing and not what you think) bit.ly/pKi1ek

- I don't think I've ever had my Nikon camera poised to shoot off at a specific time.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

The 360 Project - 48 Nikon D700 cameras arranged in a circle create The Matrix style imagery. vimeo.com/user2175487

The 360 Project - Behind the Scenes from Ryan Enn Hughes on Vimeo.

 

 

@SmirksTas - Following 154 - Followers 47

Tweet Reads Saturday

Standout's on my Twitter feed today...

@CyclingCentral

CyclingCentral

Broom Wagon blog: What, no hula hoops? http://ow.ly/6ql1T #cycling

 

- Great read, recapping the weeks event in Pro Cycling with a load of laughs.

 

@nbcnightlynews

NBC Nightly News

The @NBCNews account has been hacked. Working on it. Please don't retweet any misinformation.

 

@NBCNewsPR

NBC News PR

Statement by NBC News on @NBCNews Twitter account hacking: bit.ly/onTUJH

 

- A few hours later...

@NBCNews

NBC News

Thank you for helping spread the word and not sharing bad information.

 

@JoeyBoots

Joey Boots ✔

@NBCNews use a better password than Peacock.

 

- A fitting reply when the account came back online.

 

@HTCHighroad

Team HTC-Highroad

HTC-Highroad Defends Title in Britain fb.me/1eHooK8Nu

 

@CovertAffairs

Covert Affairs

Would you rather work for Arthur or Joan?

 

- Plucked eyebrows anytime!

 

@PhilLiggett

Phil Liggett

memorable time in Calgary, now flying to Montreal. Sending this from 41kft up! The great Lakes are very blue.

 

@louisvirtel

Louis Virtel

One way to make yourself feel better is realizing there are adult skateboarders in the world.

 

@macworld

Macworld

Uninstalling apps you bought at the Mac App Store? @tedlandau has tips in case you have some unexpected hassles: macw.us/njiMon

 

- For when the app turns out to be not what you thought it was.

 

@OffTrackPlanet

Off Track Planet

10 Best Places to Get Drunk in Public - When pounding shots of Jack alone in your room isn't cutting it anymore  ow.ly/1eCL8Y

 

- Not surprised by #4

 

@OffTrackPlanet

Off Track Planet

"Best Summer Vacation Story Ever" thedailywh.at/2011/09/01/bes… via @TheDailyWhat

 

- It's one of those 'don't tell mum and dad i'm here' stories.

 

@LandLopers

Matt

Happy #FollowFriday! If you want travel, then you better follow these folks: http://ht.ly/6ps9a #travel

 

- Nice list of travel blogs.

 

@Chris_Gorham

Christopher Gorham

#USATrivia Scenes from 2nights #Suits finale were filmed in the same bldg that played Langley in the #CovertAffairs pilot.

 

- Love Suits… the tv show, not the attire.

 

@NatGeoTraveler

Nat Geo Traveler

Top 10 Walks & Hiking Tours on.natgeo.com/o8Whgf

 

@Autocorrects

AutoCorrects

Google it twitpic.com/6ik92u

 

 

@lonelyplanet

Lonely Planet

Drinks and the city: how to hydrate around the world http://ow.ly/6pL0d #lp

 

- Here are my suggestions: Tsingtao in Hong Kong, Mythos in Mykonos, and Mango Lassi found in any Indian restaurant around the world.

 

@TravelingEditor

Dylan Lowe

Pack this, not that blt.cc/ivud7i by @Ayngelina

 

- Every overseas trip I've done, I've always packed something I never needed. A few more trips required before this lesson learned.

 

@parabola

Cameron Gray

I think I finally "get" tea

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

@parabola Keep this up you'll be reading them next. #tea

 

@WilliamShatner

William Shatner

Have you heard my rendition of Iron Man from my upcoming album "Seeking Major Tom"? My best, Bill revolvermag.com/news/exclusive…

 

- $#*! My Dad Sings! Honestly, it's just aweful.

 

@SmirksTas - Following 153 - Followers 41

'Night eggheads

 

Tweet Reads 8 Sep 2011

A selection of highlights from my Twitter activity today…

 

@richie_porte

Richie Porte

so 2012 I'll be riding for Team Sky! Very excited but I must say big thanks also to Saxobank-Sungard for a great 2 years. #excitingtimes

 

@_GreenEDGE_

GreenEDGE Cycling

cyclingnews.com/news/q-and-a-g… Gerry Ryan gives insight into GreenEDGE

 

@wilw

Wil Wheaton

Oh, I'm in shape ... unfortunately, it's the shape of a pear.

 

@evernote

evernote

Evernote removes file type restrictions for Free accounts bit.ly/oazwIn

 

- Been using Evernote for a few weeks. Wonderful at synching docs.

 

@twisst

Twisst ISS alerts

Apparently the live video feed is a still image when the ISS is on the dark side of earth :) bit.ly/dv1aew #ISS #webcam

 

@LandLopers

Matt

Travel Photography Made Simple – Improving Your Photos Through Composition http://ht.ly/6nEWf #travel #lp #ttot #photography

 

- I can always do better.

 

@Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop

Just announced at #PSW - @AdobeCarousel for syncing all your photos across multiple devices. #hcadadobe twitpic.com/6hff3s

 

- Seems every tech company are rushing to release synching apps in competition to Apple's iCloud. When I use up all my allowance on Evernote and iCloud, there's now Carousel to turn too.

 

@macworld

Macworld

What you can do to protect your iTunes account? Macworld Podcast panelists @dmoren and @lexfri offer helpful hints. macw.us/rhDbgM

 

@leolaporte

Leo Laporte

Whose idea was it to put the smoke detector so close to the kitchen?

 

@AussieGrit

Mark Webber

Not every day you get a letter from Buckingham palace. twitpic.com/6hco2v

 

- Back in ye olde days, getting a summons to the palace wasn't always good news. She probably wants a new chauffeur!

 

@joeyldotcom

Joey L.

I'm working on too many projects at once, adding to each little by little. Each one is like my baby. I'm going to give birth to quintuplets.

 

- A hard working photog. I used to be like this when I worked full time in a newsroom, but would lose focus because I was working on so many things at once. Consequently, the work quality suffered. Now I give my attention to one thing at a time.

 

@BootsnAll

BootsnAll Travel

12 Career Skills That Travel Will Improve bit.ly/pOcE9y #travel

 

@Joshua_Freeman

Joshua Freeman™

If you don't like #Spaceballs you're an idiot.

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

@Joshua_Freeman Strange thing is, I like #Spaceballs and I've never seen it. (i did say it was strange)

 

@Joshua_Freeman

Joshua Freeman™

@SmirksTas you have to watch it then man! You'll like it. #Spaceballs

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

Last block of training done. Now to freshen up for #ToB. After the course severity & crashes, maybe leaving #Vuelta early was a blessing.

 

@LandLopers

Matt

Why I Don’t Like Solo Travel http://ht.ly/6olHR #travel #Lp #ttot

 

@worldofgreece

ODYSSEY

Greek yogurt (known as 'strained' or 'straggisto' in Greece) is changing consumer tastes and the U.S. yogurt... fb.me/18DH0Fe6a

 

- Welcome to my favourite food.

 

@lonelyplanet

Lonely Planet

Weird sight in Morocco: goats in trees http://ow.ly/6oodc #lp

 

@Autocorrects

AutoCorrects

Hot for teacher http://t.co/CjCOSNl

 

@Autocorrects

AutoCorrects

WTF dad twitpic.com/6hn8hl

 

@BrianJacobSmith

Brian J. Smith

Spiderman wasn't my thing. Amazing cast and design, though. Audience seemed to love it. Left after first act, have never done that before.

 

@500px_choice

500px: Choice

Red umbrella by saelanwangsa tinyurl.com/3dhtmnx on http://500px.com

 

That will do for today.

@SmirksTas - Following 161 - Followers 43

Tweet Reads for Monday September 5, 2011

 

Here are today's highlights from my Twitter feed...

 

@kochie_online

david koch

JOD: Girl asks her Dad if she can go to a 50Cent concert.He turns around & says, "Here's $1.Take Your sister." Hope you enjoyed Fathers Day!

 

@johnleewriter

John Lee

The Kindle version of my Walking Vancouver book is now available in the US amzn.to/qRZw1f

 

- Shame about the closed market. How about an international version?

 

@johnleewriter

John Lee

Forecast says #Vancouver will be 28 Celsius by Thursday. Here's how it looks now: bit.ly/12X7q

 

 

- For an up-to-date look at Vancouver click the link in the tweet above. (Updates every 300 secs)

 

@NatGeoTraveler

Nat Geo Traveler

What’s in Your Hiking Day Pack? on.natgeo.com/ptjLMh via @ngadventure blog

 

@julienpretotRTR

julienpretotRTR

OK, I stop watching the #vuelta now

 

- I stopped watching in the first week. Once Gossy and Cav were out, that was it for me.

 

@AdviceToWriters

Jon Winokur

Editing is everything. Cut until you can cut no more. What is left often springs into life. ESTHER FREUD #amwriting #writing #writetip

 

@LandLopers

Matt

The Palace is Closed Today: How to Deal with Uncomfortable Travel Moments http://ht.ly/68Ob2 #travel #LP #ttot

 

- This reminds me of the time Tony and I were in Zakynthos, Greece. We walked up a tiring hill to the Venetian fort at Bohali only to find it closed. I guess the lack of crowds should have tipped us off.

 

@DiscoverTas

Discover Tasmania

RT @AProperHome: 32 Glorious Photos of Tasmania from Light Stalking multiurl.com/s/0xzd

 

@DavidBlue

David Blue

Things I learned @ #DragonCon: mathematical equation - the more people "love your costume," the less you're wearing. Guaranteed.

 

- So less IS more.

 

@swegen31

Alex Johnston

Bizarre scenes on Hobart's waterfront as WIN's microphone broadcasts Bob Brown through the ferry terminal PA system. #politas

 

@Cyclingnewsfeed

Cyclingnews.com

News: Goss attempts to rescue worlds campaign at Giro di Padania: Milan-San Remo winner lines up with national team bit.ly/oX8tQ5

 

- The linked article has the following photo with caption "Britain's Mark Cavendish enjoys a joke with Australian Matt Goss." It looks like Gossy is in no laughing mood.

 

 

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

So happy to announce on this lovely Monday morning that I will be racing in this years #TourOfBritain with my @HTCHighroad team. #excited

 

@swegen31

Alex Johnston

I don't think the new anti pulp mill add broke the bank youtube.com/watch?v=FQMzeu… #politas

 

- No, not unlike the cost of a pulp mill which would.

 

@parabola

Cameron Gray

Tonight on the menu in my quest to try all the different restaurants in my area, Pizza Capers. here's hoping it's as good as the picture! :)

 

@TVTechnology

TV Technology

NBC news van catches fire, backs up traffic | abc7.com http://ow.ly/6lwPf

 

- Opposition networks just love reporting this stuff.

 

@Quantel

Quantel

Day five of the IBC stand build and it's really coming together now!...bit.ly/qEhLg0

 

- Quantel builds a temporary broadcast production facility, and it's all just for show.

 

That's all for today.

@SmirksTas - Following 156 - Followers 44

 

Tweet Reads Sunday Sept 4, 2011

Here's the interesting stuff from my Twitter feed today:

@cameronwurf

cameron james wurf

Back into racing tomorrow and a new tin lid from rudy project to keep me safe, #ihopeidontneedit! yfrog.com/h0b3tixj

 

 

@Wes_Sulzberger

Wesley Sulzberger

@cameronwurf You're going to need a new helmet with the head butts i'll be throwing at you for the Tassie cup at GP Padania.

 

@matt_conn

Matthew Conn

I think I would find the Phillip Morris "Smoking is good" under 15's cycle classic, less offensive than Giro di Padania. #theyhaveissues

 

@MarkCavendish

Mark Cavendish

1st time at cinema for over a year. @petatodd & I are seeing Cowboys&Aliens. Normally not my thing, but the clash of genres has intrigued me

 

richie_porte

Richie Porte

Doing Monaco Triathlon with @badencooke and Gatesy tomorrow for some fun!#bustoutthebudgiesmugglers!

 

@cameronwurf

cameron james wurf

@richie_porte man in true historic triathlon style cookie should also ride in budgies and gatesy run in budgies and a blue bonds singlet!

 

@Eamon_Sullivan

Eamon Sullivan

Walking through kingscross at 8am and seeing people still drinking makes you feel like the healthiest person in the world.

 

@GreySkyThinking

Gwyn Grey

Be positive. A cloudy day is like lying under a big fluffy duvet.A rainy day is like lying under a big fluffy duvet with an incontinent aunt

 

@AP

The Associated Press

Porn trade group: Adult film performer retests as HIV-negative, after positive test, productions can resume: apne.ws/qh69Tp -EF

 

@LandLopers

Matt

A Cynic’s Guide to Green Travel http://ht.ly/68Oa0 #travel #Lp #ttot #eco

 

@lonelyplanet

Lonely Planet

The distance of travel -- by @markbroadhead http://ow.ly/6kx0u

 

- When you get off the plane, don't forget to travel.

 

@NiamhHughes

Niamh Hughes

Nice Startup Genome Infograph on "Why Startups Fail" - via @Bjoernlasse @maxmarmer @Techcrunch post.ly/33LkU cc @sandbox_network

 

- infographics are fun to read… or just stare blindly at in confusion!

 

@GregoryMichael

Gregory Michael

Twitter makes me want to have drinks with people I’ve never met, and Facebook makes me want to throw drinks at people I already know

 

@parabola

Cameron Gray

Buddha Thai restaurant, highly recommend it :)

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

@parabola Do you order by numbers or orally spit out menu items like Puk Bow Tuk Fuc

 

@parabola

Cameron Gray

@SmirksTas haha I'm more of a point at the picture kind of guy

 

@worldmrt

WorldMatchRacingTour

Want to know what's going on in the world of match racing? Check out the new e-zine - Match Racing 360° #WMRT bit.ly/nYV6EW

 

@lonelyplanet

Lonely Planet

Britain’s best one-day walks http://ow.ly/6kxfP #lp

 

- I've been to at least two of these loctions but didn't have time to do full day walks.

 

@lonelyplanet

Lonely Planet

10 ways to kill time at the airport -- by @remelila http://ow.ly/6kxcv

 

- been there, done all of 'em

 

@travelcanucks

Cam & Nicole

Perfect September afternoon in #Vancouver, views from Granville St Bridge twitpic.com/6fnhvz

 

One from me:

 

@SmirksTas

Andrew Shepherd

New season preview: The Amazing Race - Meet the Teams youtube.com/watch?v=cT4psL…

 

@SmirksTas - Following 157 - Followers 43

 

Dropped scones...

If someone dropped your food on the floor, would you eat it? Probably not. But that's not what I'm talking about.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I've been reading Lawrence Durrell's The Greek Islands. There's a passage I read about English Corfu society...

From almost everywhere in the town one can hear the characteristic click-clock of the ball on the bat, and the rounds of applause. Once upon a time it was mingled with the stately popping of ginger-beer bottles, which as ritual objects, together with drop scones, lingered on in the coloured marquee until about 1937-38. (page 22)

This reminded me of a cafe board I spotted in the Kefalonia town of Lixouri on our Greek Islands tour of 2007, and I can clearly remember Tony making a joke about the 'dropped scones' on offer.

At the time I'd never heard of drop scones or indeed, dropped scones, and had forgotten about it until I read the passage quoted above. So a short Google search later reveals they are small pancakes, similar to what we call in Australia pikelettes.

Pictures from our 2007 tour of Greece. Left; approaching Lixouri on the ferry. Right; Pero's cafe board with dropped scones on the menu.

Just Desserts

One thing I've discovered on this trip is a dessert dish called Eton Mess.

It sounds like something scrapped off the bed sheets each morning at Eton College, but in fact it's a concoction of summer fruit (mainly strawberries), meringue and lots of cream.

However on presentation, my first assumption may well be correct.

A day at the Taste...

Today Tony and I decided to go to the Taste Festival (formerly own as the Taste of Tasmania) with his old teen squeeze, Jacki (another story... a long story in fact, don't ask!.. and sorry to Jacki for calling it 'old', I meant it was a long time ago... actually I had a teen squeeze of my own... hi Tanya, I known you nosey in here from time to time).

Anyway...

Jac turned up early, apologising if she was interrupting something... HA! ... you wish woman!

The Taste opens at 11am, we find a parking spot in Battery Point and walk to the site situated next to Salamanca Place. We're 8 minutes early and stand around with the waiting crowd. Tony checks his Twitter (or what ever iPhone dweebs do in a quite moment).

Once inside we started with some wood fired pizza and a glass of shardy from the nearest vendor... in fact, I think I stuck with the chardonnay most of the time. Jac disappeared looking for a stall that offers something with mushrooms (I hate mushrooms, if you ever wanted to know). Next was another glass of shardy from the Panorama vineyard, followed by a plate of Rosti, a favourite of ours, having first tried Rosti in its native Switzerland. I opted for, on Tony's advise, the bacon and cheese dish variety they offered, Very nice to try again, but as I always remember (we have the Rosti each year at the Taste and Festivale), not something I'd costume on a daily basis.

Next, Tony and Jac sent me off on a hunt for the Josef Chromy stall for some sparkling wine, which I discovered was stall 17. Most stalls, annoyingly, don't show there stall number. So after a near circuit of Shed #1, I discover the Chromy stall near where I started. Normally I'd express anger here, but already too drunk to care, I merrily order 3 glasses of sparkling wine. and make my way back to our 'home base' of a temporary table.

Consuming this we decide to move on and venture through the venue, oohing and aahing at the variety of food as went ventured outside.

We made our way outside and saw a Southern Cross News crew filming around the female toilets. I recognised them as Simon, the reporter, and Mark, fellow former full-time news tape editor now turned cameraman. Intrigued I asked what the story (or interest) was around the girls loo's. We as it turns out, I was again too drunk to remember the answer... and shortly there after confirmed by Simon's tactful comment to Mark - "Are we done here?". Colleague status aside, I came to the sudden conclusion that they were talking to an idiot.

Moving on...

I catch up with my 'homies' at a table outside and we decide to progress to dessert. Jac and I find a stall serving berries. We pick a pan cota for each of us and rejoin Tony. The sun is warm but not as hot as yesterday (topped 38 degrees). More drinks, Tony gets me a Pale Ale Honey beer that I spotted earlier. Mmmm. Not as nice as I thought. Lastly, I buy our customary Elderberry drink. It's non-alcoholic and a refreshing drink to end the day out with.

3pm... Time to depart, we walk back to the car and I'm surprised Jac takes the wheel.

No scary story here because we arrive back at the apartment safe and sound.

Happy new year everyone.

The Boys Are Back...

This past weekend I spent Friday and Saturday in Hobart with Tony. We mostly watched TV at his apartment.

Saturday evening we met up with Tony's old 'girl-pal' Jacki at the State Cinema in North Hobart to see The Boys Are Back starring Clive Owen. I'd seen a rather glowing review on At The Movies and decided it might be worth seeing.

It was my first time to the State Cinema, there's a star on the pavement outside commemorating the cinematic life of Tasmanian born Errol Flynn. The heritage listed building is licensed so we have a glass of wine on the back terrace before we ventured in, up the stairs to a nice cosy cinema that seated about 50 or 60 people.

As they say, expect nothing and you'll never be disappointed. Well that certainly was true. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, particularly as it was a mostly an Australian production.

For a review of The Boys Are Back look here.

Get your own copy below... (disclaimer: I earn 6% on sales)

Where's my cake?

Today I'm 46... going on 16.

On Sunday I had lunch with the family a Rosevears Tavern. Tony made the trip from Hobart to be there as well, which was nice.

Then last night I had another meal with Mum and Dad at their new house. Mum had asked the old man to get a chocolate/creamed sponge cake for me. When he got to the shop they only had mud cake (which he thought would be too rich, so he didn't get it.) Grrrrr. What he eventually bought was a pecan pie, which for me is a little rich after a few mouth fulls. So, double grrrrr!

PIE IS NOT CAKE!!!

Anyway, my point being, after hinting all week I wanted a frigging birthday cake, I still haven't had any CAKE.

L-R: David (my brother), Jacki (Adam's girlfiend), Adam (my nephew), Me, Tony (best friend and partner), Mum, Christine (David's partner). Dad took the photo.

Somethin's cookin'

My mate Tony likes to cook, and I must say he's very good.

A few weeks back the General Manager for SCTV rewarded me a contra-meal-deal for doing some extra work for him, so last week I took Tony out for a meal at a little Italian restaurant in town.

This week we were talking in the car (out getting takeaway) and he asked when I was going to take him out for another meal (he thought the restaurant was 'ordinary'). So I said 'if you think that was ordinary why don't you suggest somewhere extraordinary?' ... he says "but I cook extraordinary every Saturday!"

Pizza Rules!

I love pizza. When I was in Italy (May 2000) I had the opportunity to taste an authentic Italian pizza. And I must say it was the best pizza I'd ever had. These days, around the world you get all strange types of pizza, thick crusts (i don't mind them), cheese filled edges, wired selections of toppings, etc. Yes, pizza is now a stateless, boundless, flag-less food.

To protect the authentic Neapolitan pizza making process, the Italian Ministry for Agriculture has issued guidelines for making Pizza's the traditional way.

This includes: pizza must be round, no more than 14 inches in diameter, no thicker than 0.1 inches in the middle and with a crust of about 0.8 inches. The texture must be soft, elastic, easily foldable.

This story made front page news in Naples... "an act of love, but a desperate one."

Bellissimo!

Erectile Dysfunction?

A common herb may be related to those times when you can't get it up. A report suggests licorice may be the culprit. I'm not a great licorice eater (just as well!). I'm definately stay away from it now. :)

Festivale

Each year in Launceston we have a food and wine festival that's very popular with the locals. Festivale is on this weekend and runs for three days. Tony and I went last night. We have so much fun we're going again this afternoon.

Christmas Day

I'm not much for celebrating christmas day (yes that was a small 'c'!!!) The older I get the less appealing it is to me. The day is nearly over now but turned out better than I thought it would.

This is the first year in ages that I've had the 25th of December off. The newsroom operates year round, seven days a week and they usually ask me to do the shift, but not this time.

Last night I caught up with my friend Michael who is down from Sydney visiting his parents here in Tassie.
Today I went along to the family gathering at my parents house. I seemed to be the only one drinking... I guess there wasn't any need for me to that along those extra bottles.

Green Tea

I'm quite a connoisseur of tea. I drink Dilmah tea daily and I knew something was good about it. I read an arcticle from the BBC about green tea, which contains anti-oxidants that may have a protective effect against cancer. Now its been discovered that the chemicals in green tea also shut down a key molecule (aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor) which can play a significant role in the development of cancer.