And Now For The Good News

April 10, 2013 in Entertainment, Film & TV, Lifestyle, News, People, Self, Society, Technology

Ever since childhood I’ve hated watching the news. I would daydream or leave the room if my parents insisted on watching the news at home, consistent in my attempt to avoid knowing what was going on in the world. Why? Because they only ever report the bad. With the exception of the token “good news story” of the dog riding a surfboard, or what’s happening in Hollywood, the news is primarily about the important things that happen in the world, and this seems to be predominantly the bad. North Korea’s latest threats, the death of public figures, murder, accidents, robberies, the [...]

This Week: Bike Riding and Juicer Buying

March 23, 2013 in Health, Lifestyle, Meta, Nutrition

I have had a pretty eventful week but the really disappointing part is most of it I couldn’t photograph! I visited family (who have a no-photos-on-internet policy) and went to the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition (again strict no-photos-policy). But there were some things I could photograph, so here they are: We got an assortment of desserts from KoKo Black including the best chocolate mousse I have ever tasted. The Viking & I shared this  ”sampler” and we struggled to finish it (I think the hazelnut hot chocolate – see later pic – was the clincher). I attempted to ride the coolest bicycle [...]

Sporting Bad Boys: Do We Punish Them Enough?

March 18, 2013 in Current Affairs, News, Sport

Everytime I hear one of these stories I wonder when will enough be enough? The story I’m referring to is the Canberra Raiders sacking of their star fullback, Josh Dugan. Most of us, well those who follow Rugby League anyway, would have seen the Instagram pic by now. It shows Dugan promptly giving the bird to the camera while drinking with his mate and fellow Raiders star, Blake Ferguson. Dugan has now been sacked by the Raiders but that doesn’t mean he can’t be recruited to another NRL team. Remember the last high-profile sacking made by Canberra? Todd Carney. He [...]

Why Matthew Johns is an Alpha Male – and Shouldn’t Be

February 15, 2013 in Celebrity, Current Affairs, Film & TV, News, People, Sex, Society, Sport

“Man up, Sydney!” So a billboard advertisement for Triple M’s The Grill Team admonishes, glaring down from atop the Pacific Highway, Roseville at us pathetic, feminine Sydney motorists. I must confess I’ve never quite understood the phrase ‘man up’. Particularly after watching my pregnant boss carry around an energy-sapping bowling ball in her stomach for the last nine months and deal with the unique hell that is working in retail over Christmas, I can’t perceive how there is anything quite so tough as a woman. And that’s to say nothing of how the bowling ball is expelled into the world. Confusion [...]

This Week: Lingerie Football, and Sponsored Posts

January 18, 2013 in Body Image, Celebrity, Current Affairs, Entertainment, Film & TV, Sport, Technology

Here’s JJ & T with another weekly chat about life, the universe…and well, anything… JJ: So, T – how’s your week been? T: It’s been alright. And yours? JJ: Kind of a “meh” week. Nothing much happened. I had a good rant about male-hair discrimination, but apart from that…nada T: I’ve been busy being a Stepmother. But I’m all riled up today about the Lingerie Football League! JJ: What have they done now? T: Well they’re now changing the name to Legends Football League and getting rid of the Lingerie. JJ: How can they claim to be legends? Legends of what? T: Gridiron. [...]

Should Your Job Affect Your Life?

January 8, 2013 in Celebrity, Current Affairs, Entertainment, Lifestyle, News, Sport, Work

By now you would have heard about Shane Warne flipping out at the MCG. For his dramatics Warne copped a $4,500 fine and a one match ban. While I understand the severity of the penalties, and I understand that what Warne did was unacceptable, this got me thinking about things we’ve all done in the workplace and whether or not some jobs are held to a higher sense of accountability than others. I am a teacher’s wife. This is a fact I am generally proud of as I believe teachers contribute greatly to society. My best friend is also a [...]

Ian Thorpe and Homosexuality: Is It Any Of Our Business?

August 14, 2012 in Current Affairs, Entertainment, Film & TV, News, People, Relationships, Sexuality, Society, Sport

Until Day 13 of the London Olympic Games, Ian Thorpe had won more gold medals in his career than his entire nation had managed at London 2012. Yet for some strange reason we treat Thorpe like we’ve forgotten he was a superstar of the pool just over a decade ago. I’m also baffled as to why Channel Nine chose Grant Hackett, who has not been short of a scandal in recent memory, to host the swimming commentary with NRL legend, Ray Warren. What is wrong with the Thorpedo? Is this just another case of tall poppy syndrome? I was pleased [...]

“I Don’t Want To Be Gay Anymore”

August 3, 2012 in Celebrity, Current Affairs, Gender, Health, Human Rights, Marriage, Mental Health, News, People, Politics, Relationships, Religion, Self, Sexuality, Society, Sport

“I don’t want to be gay anymore”. This is just one of the thoughts that has gone through my mind lately, not that I have a choice of course. I have been confronted with my sexuality head on. I’m “out” to some and I’m not “out” to others and it’s tiring. It’s tiring living with one foot in the closet and one foot out. When I came out to my parents, my family and friends over ten years ago I felt a sense of relief. I was being true to myself – I’m bisexual and I don’t care who gives [...]

Olympics: Swimming And The Media

August 1, 2012 in Current Affairs, Entertainment, Film & TV, Fitness, Health, News, Sport

Whenever the Olympics is on, I become an armchair expert at the swimming. You see, I was a swimmer as a young’un, therefore my expert hat appears every 4 years.  So getting up at 5am and ignoring all my other TV shows for a week becomes standard fare in my household. I have to say, all my squealing and clapping my hands at the TV (and possibly waking my neighbours downstairs) has not resulted in the plethora of medals the Aussies have been expected to take home. I’ve noticed two things in the media over the last few days in [...]

I Owe My health to Stephanie Rice

July 10, 2012 in Body Image, Celebrity, Entertainment, Health, Lifestyle, Mental Health, News, Nutrition, People, Self, Society, Sport

I owe Stephanie Rice my life. Okay, so that may sound a tad melodramatic but I at least owe her my health. As the London Olympic Games fast approach us the spotlight is firmly fixed on the 24-year-old queen of the pool. 60 minutes interviewed her on Sunday night and Sunday Life ran a cover story profile on the swimmer at the beginning of the month. This looks to be her last Olympic Games as she plans to retire from professional swimming following the 2012 London Games. This makes me a bit sad but we all know not to trust [...]