Anyway. Same mixed mood. Same thoughts, same ideas, same plans.

Saw my soon-to-be ex care co-ordinator this afty. There's a new CMHT system being put into place and the area is covers has been divided into sectors. I'm in South East and my current care co-ord covers South West, so because I don't live a little more to the left I'm getting reassigned. If I could, I'd tell you the rather funny but unfortunate name of the bloke I'm getting. It got a fair few giggles out of me, my parents and even my care co-ord when she was telling me.

In a way, I'm a little bit sad that after all this time of resenting her and our appointments, it's only recently that I've begun to open up and I can now actually admit to liking her. This said, it's pretty bad timing that I'm getting (regrettably) dumped because of CMHT politics and their arsing about nature. I'm also a little worried about talking to a bloke, it's not like I can ask him about his boyfriend troubles...maybe I can? Who knows, but he definitely won't understand the menstrual pains of life - though neither do I right now, not since a year or so ago. Maybe this could work out come to think of it!?

She mentioned the Art Psychotherapy. She mentioned something along the lines of, getting assessed and them putting a plan in place for when I get back from Oz. She's pretty sure I'll get it anyway.

So summary of none therapy stuff in my life today. This morning I woke up intentionally early with the intention of meeting S for coffee. For some reason though it took me forever and a day to get ready. There was so much in my head and things kept popping into it, like a never ending to-do list. 4 hours later I made it. Went for a coffee and then to S's flat for a while. He went to work at 2 and I was left to roam Manchester though I ended up at Piccadilly station pacing and then cleared out my bank account in a mad dash around Superdrug. Pretty much anything with a pretty pink discount/offer label was bought.

My minds wired. I'm seeing all sorts. Everything is warping and twisting. I can hear and feel the ants.

I'd quite like to switch off my brain right now.

In other news... look at this adorable cat.

Nationals MP Kay Hull has backed the government's guest worker scheme to allow Pacific Island workers to pick fruit in Australia.

Under the three-year pilot scheme, 2,500 workers from Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea will be given temporary work visas to help in agricultural industries.

Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has criticised the idea saying unemployed Australians should do the work.

But Ms Hull, the federal member for the southern NSW seat of Riverina, says Dr Nelson is misguided.

She said farmers in her electorate were being forced to let their crops rot because there were not enough workers to pick the fruit.

"You simply cannot live in a city electorate and make these decisions without recognising the absolute dire circumstances that are existing in my electorate and other electorates," Ms Hull told ABC Radio.

The desperate and dateless Nelson -- who I have long suspected of taking the worst advice possible on a whole range of matters, a characteristic of him in both his portfolios under Howard -- seems set on opposing for opposition's sake. And he wonders why people get to hate politicians, though Kay Hull is proving an exception right now...

As, in his own way, is Barnaby Joyce. The issue here is university "union" fees -- which I posted about in 2005: USU Online - the University of Sydney Union Website and Student union fees bill passed - National - theage.com.au. As the downside of this ill-considered reform became apparent I posted again in 2007: It seemed a good idea at the time… This week we learn that the government plans to undo some of that reform. I really think this must be done.

THE Rudd Government is set to reintroduce compulsory fees for university students to reverse a decline in sporting and social services on campuses.

It is understood that an announcement is due next month on an "opt-out" system in which students will be able to choose which services their fees are spent on and whether they belong to the student union.

It will aim to redress what the Government says are the consequences of the Howard government wiping out compulsory student unionism in late 2005 and replacing it with voluntary student unionism.

The former government relied on the support of the Family First Senator Steve Fielding after the Nationals Barnaby Joyce crossed the Senate floor because he feared a decline in campus sport.

Senator Joyce, who met recently with the National Union of Students, told the Herald yesterday that he would vote with Labor again if he liked the legislation.

Sport, he said, had been "smacked" by VSU. "I haven't changed my position. If it's right, I will support it," he said.

"You've got to have some capacity to cover sporting costs. A university is more than an academic institution."

A report commissioned in February by the Youth Minister, Kate Ellis, and released recently, received more than 162 submissions, the majority of which "concluded that the abolition of upfront compulsory student union fees had impacted negatively on the provision of amenities and services to university students".

For example, the University of Technology, Sydney, reported that compulsory student unionism used to raise $6.2 million a year for services. That had declined to $190,000 a year and the university had contributed another $500,000 from its operating budget.

To cope, it increased food prices by 15 per cent and reduced "funding and member numbers in sporting, recreational, cultural and social clubs".

The Howard government offered about $80 million in transitional assistance but that runs out on June 30 next year.

Despite this, the report found most universities were having to supplement student services from funds budgeted for salaries, learning and research.

The Education Minister, Julia Gillard, has in recent days reinforced Labor's election pledge that "there would not be a return to compulsory student unionism".

But a Labor source said Ms Gillard was choosing her language carefully. Labor would not reintroduce compulsory student union membership but the fee that accompanied the membership and funded services.

"It's like saying that you won't pay taxes," the source said of those opposed to having to pay a fee.

Before VSU, fees ranged from $100 to $600. Under the new system, yet to go before cabinet, fees would be at the lower end of the scale.

Under opt-out proposals, students could tick a box if they were unhappy with their fees being spent on any area in particular. There would be restrictions or bans on money being used for partisan politics but student advocacy would be funded.

The Opposition education spokesman, Tony Smith, was opposed to any change.

"We thought the legislation we passed was the right legislation. The former Howard government gave students choice," he said.

The president of the National Union of Students, Angus McFarland, said the Government needed to pass the legislation in time for fees to be collected at the start of the academic year.

"Month after month, services keep degrading. It's that urgent."

Clearly I do not agree with all that Barnaby Joyce comes up with, but I really do think politics in this country needs more people prepared to say "If it's right, I will support it."

Perhaps Brendan Nelson might take note.

Cuttlefish have sucker-lined appendages growing from their heads: eight long and prehensile arms, and two retractile tentacles.  They have a highly developed central nervous system and highly developed complex eyes, which focus by changing the shape of the entire eyeball.  They have thick shells beneath their muscular mantle.  This mantle is expanded and contracted to expel water from the mantle cavity through the funnel.  The mouth consists of a bird-like beak, jaws, and a rasping tongue.

The main diet of cuttlefish is small fish and crustaceans. Cuttlefish shoot out two tentacles, which are usually tucked away in pouches under their eyes.  Prey is then pulled into the powerful suckered arms and then eaten by crushing the animal with their beak.

Cuttlefish can crawl, swim, or employ jet propulsion to burst with surprising speed.  Cuttlefish are prehaps best known for their amazing ability to change color and shape to show aggression, fear, or sexual excitement.  Under their skin, they possess a dense layer of elastic pigment sacs called chromatophores, which are used to change their colour. As camouflage, colour changes are used to match surroundings with extraordinary accuracy, as seen in the video above.  Males duel using an intricate combination of colour and body language, pulsing vivid stripes of blues, purples and greens over their mantles.  Groups of around seven males battle with each other using intense blasts of colour until one emerges as the winner.  He then turns his attentions to the smaller females, mesmerizing them with another kaleidoscopic display (This does not work on human females, many of whom think lava lamps are stupid).  Like all members of the squid family they can use jets of ink to confuse and escape from attackers. 

Until recently, the cuttlefish harvest at the spawning grounds near Whyalla, South Australia, was limited, but new markets in Asia caused a dramatic increase in commercial fishing beginning in 1996.   Despite that, the cuttlefish are not listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Also, check out http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/camo/ and click, watch a preview and Anatomy of a Cuttlefish.

Director: Neil Armfield

Writer(s): Luke Davis (novel) and Neil Armfield (writer)

Release Date: May 25 2006 (Australia)

November 17, 2006 (Limited)*(Theatrical)

March 27, 2007 (DVD)

Genre: Drama | Romance

Plot:This story is a narration from an Australian man who falls in love with two kinds of Candy: a woman of the same name and heroin. The narrator changes from a smart-aleck to someone trying to find a vein to inject, while Candy changes from an actress, call girl, streetwalker, and then a madwoman. Starting in Sydney, the two eventually end up in Melbourne to go clean, but they fail. This leads them to turn to finding money and heroin, while other posessions and attachments become unimportant. (credit to imdb.com user Godvia4862)

Awards: 4 wins and 16 nominations

Cast: Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish, Geoffrey Rush, Paul Blackwell, Tom Budge

MPAA: Rated R for pervasive depiction of drug addiction, disturbing images, language, sexual content and nudity.

Box Office: n/a

When I first caught this movie, It was at a friends house. I had never heard of this movie before and I was excited to see Heath Ledger perform in his native country.

My movie is quite disturbing and not for one who is easily sickened. The whole miscarriage scene just make me so queasy I could not see it. The movie was meant for mature audiences only and I am so glad I prepared myself before watching this movie. It was an eye opening experience.

The acting was good. The only known face in the movie to me was, of course, Heath Ledger's. So I didn't know how to really grade it. There was no awkwardness and no forced lines so that's good. You could feel their emotions as if it was you who was going through them. And that's the way it's supposed to be.

Abbie Cornish did a fantastic job. Having to act as a crazed woman is no feat, but she did it flawlessly. Her character demanded her utmost soul and she handed it over with no questions asked. Heath Ledger did a great job. He never has disappointed me and he certainly didn't here. The character Dan was perfect for Heath. Sure he was a Junkie and a poet, but it fit him so well. It was down to the very mannerisms of Heath that made this perfect. It was like they wrote this character just for Heath.

I won't say much about the movie in fear of giving up everything. But I will say that there were some crazy scenes that made me look away in utter fear of freaking out. Some topics just hit too hard for me but It made a broad statement about the abuse of drugs and it was projected in a wonderful, if grueling, way. The only disappointment in the movie was the ending. I don't know what was the cause of me not understanding it. Whether it was meant to keep to scratching your head afterwards, or if I seemingly erased some scenes from my memory. I just did not understand what was going on. It didn't help that all my friend did was tease me for not getting it.

A

I enjoyed this movie greatly. It was mind numbing and it felt as if I was the one going to all the turmoil.

MYV382

Allis R.

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Gotta love the internet, so many lovely places to have a lot of fun!

Ad. AIPA et consortes (cz. 2)

Ano, wielbłąd jaki jest, każdy widzi...

Nie demonizuję AIPA-y, choć miałbym ku temu dobry powód.

Gdyż to właśnie AIPA (Ehrenkreutz, Warzel, Olszanka, Łada) w skoordynowanej akcji podała mnie do Australian Broadcasting Authority w Sydney i - w sojuszu z Anti-Defamation League (B´nai B´rith) - do Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (w Melbourne).

Za co? Ano za m.in. niesłychany antysemityzm. Dr Janusz Polkowski, w odpowiedzi na słynny wówczas List 13 "prominentów", zacytował w mej audycji w radiu 3ZZZ fragment z książki Teresy Torańskiej "Oni", opublikowanej w Londynie, potem w drugim obiegu, następnie w późnych latach 80. w PRL (z ingerencjami cenzury) i wreszcie w RP (2004). Była to wypowiedź polskojęzycznego partyjniaka PZPR (Werfel albo Staszewski) o błędach Urzędu Bezpieczeństwa (dla niewtajemniczonych - aparatczyk powiedział refleksyjnie: (...) źle zaplanowaliśmy Urząd Bezpieczeństwa. Jasiu powinien bić Stacha a Mosiek Icka, a nie Mosiek Stacha a Jasiu Icka (...))

Jednak rzeczywistym powodem skargi było moje ujęcie się za naczelnym Tygodnika, Michałem Filkiem, na którego nagonkę urządzili autorzy słynnego "Listu 13". Dominowali wśród nich członkowie AIPA-y.
Notabene, o pomoc i poparcie Polonii dla Filka apelowali wówczas prezes Federacji Andrzej Kaszubski i Jolanta Wolska - tak dzisiaj szarpana wirtualnie przez księgowego Włodzimierza Kowalika.

Byłem jedynym Polonusem, muszącym osobiście pałować się z tutejszą kombinacją polskojęzycznej lewicy i żydowskimi tropicielami światowego antysemityzmu (zaznaczę, że B´nai B´rith ma status obserwatora przy ONZ i płaci suto swym pracownikom). Na szczęscie wygrałem, bo bym poszedł z torbami. Co tylko wzmocniło mój podziw do mej przybranej ojczyzny Australii - kraju racjonalizmu, względnego obiektywizmu i demokracji.
Filek po powrocie ze szpitala do redakcji podziękował 3ZZZ. Jego samego i "Tygodnik" oskarżyciele z B´nai B´rith podali do Australian Press Council, który jednak zastrzeżenia oddalił.
Następnie szarpał "Tygodnik Polski" niejaki Piotr Łada (AIPA) i Żyd Landsberger. Tę sprawę "odziedziczył" następny redaktor naczelny dr Zdzisław Derwiński. I też - po latach - pomyślnie doprowadził ją do końca, tj. skargi Łady odrzucił komisarz, a Landsberger wycofał sprawę za porozumieniem stron.

Moja sprawa ciągnęła się 2 lata (bo koalicja AIPA-y z B´nai B´rith Danniego Ben Moshego przegrywała w kolejnych instancjach, ale odwoływali się coraz wyżej), kosztowała 3ZZZ dużo wysiłku, pieniędzy i czasu - aż wreszcie skargi AIPA-y i sojuszników zostały ostatecznie oddalone w Sydney, a syjonistyczna B´nai B´rith wycofała się z pozwu na tydzień przed wyznaczoną rozprawą przed Komisja Praw Człowieka w pełnym składzie w Melbourne (bo 3ZZZ zapowiedziało Ben Moshemu, że ściągnie media i przywiezie autobusami swoją publiczność). Jeden dzień rozprawy przed prawnikami w perukach kosztawał wówczas ok. 17 tys. dolarów.

Ale o takich cymesach nie przeczytacie w raportach AIPA-y.

Szczegóły mojej sprawy z połowy lat 90. można znaleźć tutaj: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~polclub/3zzz240.htm

Czekam już ponad 10 lat na list z przeprosinami od AIPA-y, Federacji Żydów Polskich w Australii, B´nai B´rith, Światowego Kongresu Żydów w Australii - czyli tych, którzy mnie wspólnie szarpali.
Nie mogę wykluczyć, że wetkną takowy dyskretnie do mej trumny...

Jeśli tak miał wyglądać dialog polsko-żydowski w Australii, nad którym pieczę uzurpowała sobie sprawować AIPA, to większość z nas chyba woli być głuchoniemymi.

O "aktywności" członka AIPA-y Piotra Łady na naszym terenie da się napisać powieść. Pozwolę zacytować sobie tylko wyjątki z listów/skarg/donosów Łady:
- 9.7.1996, z pisemnej skargi do szefa 3ZZZ:..."The program lead by Mr. Wnuk was part of the campaign organised by a small group of hatemongers within our community... I would like to warn (...) that emotions in the Polish community are rising high (...) and you must establish a strict control over the Polish Section to stop more damage done to the community...". Kopie wysłano do Public Prosecution Office i Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission.

- 3.10.96, w liście do 3ZZZ donosił, że Tygodnik Polski jest pismem, gdzie dokonuje się "bezkrwawy pogrom" Zaś w 3ZZZ "...The Polish program has even its spiritual leader, Father Wieslaw Slowik (...) I think, it must be something wrong with the mission of Father Slowik as the spiritual leader in the Polish community"

- W nr. 113 Kuriera Zachodniego tak oto kwieciście scharakteryzował Polonię w Melbourne: "ogarnięci amokiem antysemici... chorzy na nienawiść... bezmyślny, rozhisteryzowany tłum Polaków... ciesząca się gawiedź, zwariowane towarzystwo..."?

Byli internowani, byli aktywiści "S", szczepowienchy oraz Marian Kałuski i Włodzimierz Kowalik siedzieli przez cały ten czas cicho jak myszy pod miotłą. Odwagi nabrali po 10 latach - na emeryturach lub zasiłkach, atakując obecnie (co za paradoks!) Tygodnik, 3ZZZ, Federację w Wiktorii i Radę Naczelną. Innymi słowy zapełniając wakat po złagodniałej AIPA-ie.

Tym niemniej, nadmierna personalizacja i uogólnianie prowadzi często na manowce. Dlatego nie zgodzę się z przypuszczeniem Mel.Pol.-a.

Wątpię, że nomen-omen Elżbieta Szczepańska na swą imprezę 25-lecia "S" w Melbourne zaprosiła Adama Warzela jako członka egzekutywy AIPA-y (choć AIPA, tak jak i Federacja Witoriańska wsparła tę imprezę sutą dotacją). Myślę, że przybył jako b. szef przedstawicielstwa Biura NSZZ "S" z Brukseli na Australię. Centrala w Brukseli - jak dopiero teraz wiemy - kierowana była wówczas przez TW Milewskiego.

Zresztą członkowie AIPA-y są różni. Całkiem sporo z nich to zwykli, porządni ludzie. Trudno łatkę antypolonizmu, filosemityzmu i lewicowego odchylenia przykleić np. sprawozdawcy Tygodnika - Eugeniuszowi Bajkowskiemu, który nie tak dawno dosłownie ściął się w "Tygodniku" z Ładą i opisał przygody swojej rodziny z mniejszością etniczną w Polsce.

Także ładnych parę lat temu, sam prof. Ehrenkreutz - choć nigdy nie podaliśmy sobie ręki ani nie zamieniliśmy słowa - stanął obok mnie, ramię-w-ramię, w proteście przeciw wizycie w Domu Polskim "Syrena" w Melbourne, członka WRON, kosmonauty Hermaszewskiego.
W tym proteście nie wzięli udziału: inni AIPA-owcy, szczepowienchy, AGL-owcy ani Marian Kałuski czy Włodzimierz Kowalik. Było kilkunastu zwykłych członków "S" i dwóch byłych internowanych.

Na prelekcję Mirosława Chojeckiego, która zorganizowałem w Melbourne tuż przed wyjazdem do Polski, przyszło paru "prominentów" AIPA-y (m.in. Ehrenkreutz i Łada), Monika Wiench (ATPH), Grażyna Pławska AGL (trochę się awanturowała). "Wybitny historyk" Kałuski stchórzył, bo mógłbym go gdzieś przydybać, a poradziłem mu, aby nosił przy sobie dokumenty dotyczące jego publicznie wyrażonej opinii o moich córkach.
Podobnie scykorzył wojowniczy związkowiec i szef AGL, Jacek Klaś, obecnie zajęty odszkodowaniami dla więzionych w PRL.

Współpracy Rady Naczelnej z AIPA-ą nie ma.
Kiedyś to AIPA nie chciała mieć nic wspólnego z tzw. Polonią zorganizowaną, zaś dzisiaj chyba mało kto miałby ochotę na współpracę z AIPA-ą.
Być może skuszą się organizacje pozostające programowo poza RN: Australijska Gwardia Ludowa (Klaś et consortes), Australijsko-Polskie Towarzystwo Histeryczne (Szczepańska, Wiench, Drozd et consortes) i biuro pomocy seniorom w Footscray, Australijsko-Polskie Biuro Usług Społecznych (APBUS) Elżbiety Drozd, któremu na ich 10-lecie prominentny członek AIPA-y z Melbourne, ok. 10 lat temu, załatwił sute dofinansowanie. Zresztą to przy tym właśnie biurze uwiły sobie gniazdko Monika Wiench i młociarka-dyskobolka Elżbieta Szczepańska.
Pożyjemy, zobaczymy.

A propos skarg (pominę skargi Elżbiety Szczepańskiej i Moniki Wiench, bo to dla mnie już normalka).
Parę lat temu Elżbieta Drozd i irlandzki promotor jej pracy magisterskiej dr Desmond Cahill (studiował teologię w Rzymie, ale wolał żonę) też mieli scysję - poprzez adwokatów - ze społecznym radiem 3ZZZ. Drozd przegrała, a Cahill zgodził się na rozwiązanie polubowne. Tym niemniej korespondencja pomiędzy prawnikami kosztowała nas AU$1400.
Na konferencji, na podstawie "sondaży" Drozd, Cahill publicznie nazwał Polonię rasistami i prorokował przed 4 laty, że jeśli Watykan nie zmieni swego nastawienia na bardziej liberalne, to za kilkadziesiąt lat przestanie istnieć. Notabene podobnie prorokował na przełomie lat 60./70. gensek "Wiesław", który już przekształcił się był w materię nieorganiczną, podczas gdy Kościół katolicki podwoił liczbę wiernych. W odpowiedzi na "życzliwą" poradę Cahilla, Watykan wybrał konserwatystę Ratzingera, co spotkało się z powszechną aprobatą.

Następnie Drozd zażądała usunięcia linku do jej organizacji z witryny RN, no i ma niekończące się pretensje do Federacji Wiktoriańskiej i "Tygodnika", który broni się przed jej regularnymi "produkcyjniakami" na tematy miernej kondycji społeczności polonijnej i rozdawania garściami dyplomów uznania (koszt 1 dolar).

Na zamówiony przeze mnie raport z działalności APBUS-a Drozdowej czekam już ponad 2 lata. Chciałem dowiedzieć się ile na tym doradztwie seniorom zarabia Drozd i czy zapłaciła koszty procesowe swoje i Cahilla ze swojej kieszeni czy kieszeni podatnika australijskiego (myśmy zapłacili ze swojej kieszeni). Jako zarejestrowana organizacja społeczna i finansowana z podatków, APBUS ma obowiązek publikowania rocznych raportów finansowych. 2 lata temu, Elżbieta Drozd odpisała mi, że "raport wysłany będzie w późniejszym terminie".
Odpowiedź godna spółdzielni mieszkaniowej w PRL ("przydział mieszkania nastąpi po 2000 r.").

Myślę, że księgowy Włodzimierz Kowalik - gdyby chciał - mógłby nam zdać sprawę z kondycji w/w organizacji. Ale woli pielęgnować urazę, że w konkursie na naczelnegoTygodnika, "cuś" mu nie wyszło, bo wygrała osoba (Józefa Jarosz) pełniąca tę funkcję za darmo.

Tak oto wygląda proza życia w Melbourne. Ogólnie mówiąc jest fajnie i wesoło, prawie jak w Polsce.

Samozwańczy ekspert of AIPA-y, niejaki Włodzimierz Kowalik, obiecywał nam parokrotnie, publicznie, 2 lata temu, że wszystko to opisze z detalami WKRÓTCE...
Od tamtego czasu jednak zajął się lustracją, Jolantą Wolską, Tygodnikiem i mną.

The modern Australian and seafood restaurant, Quay in the Rocks took out the prestigious restaurant of the year title.

La épica historia de romance y guerra, protagonizada por Nicole Kidman, y Hugh Jackman, actualmente en fase de post-production, tiene ya fecha de estreno. En USA llegará a las pantallas algo más de un mes antes: el 14 de noviembre.

Con la noticia, también nos han llegado nuevos posters e imágenes de la película para ir abriendo boca.

El guión, es una historia original ideada por su director, Baz Luhrmann (¡Aleluya!, algo original), que dirigió en 2001 “Moulin Rouge” (menos aleluya), teniendo a sus órdenes a Nicole Kidman. Lo ha coescrito junto al guionista de la saga “Piratas del Caribe”, Stuart Beattie.

El rodaje se ha realizado íntegramente en Australia, y se da la circunstancia que tanto el director, como sus dos protagonistas, proceden de ese Continente.

Tal y como está confeccionada, se habla ya de ella como una importante candidata a los premios Oscar.

Para conocer el argumento, y ver el trailer pinchad aquí

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Posters

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Imágenes

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Fuente: IMDb

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Swanson  

Hellboy 2 - O Exército Dourado (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)
Estréia: 05 de Setembro de 2008
Elenco: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Anna Walton

Ensaio sobre a Cegueira (Blindness)
Estréia: 12 de Setembro de 2008
Elenco: Julianne Moore, Danny Glover, Alice Braga, Mark Ruffalo, Gael García Bernal, Don McKellar, Maury Chaykin, Martha Burns

Amor e Inocência (Becoming Jane)
Estréia: 26 de Setembro de 2008
Elenco: Anne Hathaway, Julie Walters, James McAvoy, Maggie Smith, Jessica Ashworth

Noites de Tormenta (Nights in Rodanthe)
Estréia: 03 de Outubro de 2008
Elenco: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Christopher Meloni, James Franco, Viola Davis

Quatro Amigas e um Jeans Viajante 2 (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2)
Estréia: 02 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, Blake Lively, Josh Barclay Caras

007 - Quantum of Solace (007 - Quantum of Solace)
Estréia: 7 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Anatole Taubmann e Giancarlo Giannini

Os Estranhos (The Strangers)
Estréia: 7 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: Peter Clayton-Luce, Scott Speedman, Liv Tyler, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Laura Margolis.

Ele Não Está Tão a Fim de Você (He's Just Not That Into You)
Estréia: 14 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly, Justin Long, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Estréia: 14 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: Javier Bardem, Patricia Clarkson, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall

Queime Depois de Ler (Burn After Reading)
Estréia: 28 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand

Fireflies in the Garden (Fireflies in the Garden)
Estréia: 28 de Novembro de 2008
Elenco: Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hayden Panettiere, Ioan Gruffudd, Shannon Lucio, George Newbern, Cayden Boyd, Chase Ellison, Brooklynn Proulx.

Madagascar 2 - A Grande Escapada (Madagascar 2)
Estréia: 12 de Dezembro de 2008
Elenco: Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Andy Richter, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller

Austrália (Australia)
Estréia: 25 de Dezembro de 2008
Elenco: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson

Crepúsculo (Twilight)
Estréia: 25 de Dezembro de 2008
Elenco: Nikki Reed, Kristen Stewart, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser e Robert Pattinson

Fonte: Cinéfilos do Cinema. Lembrando que saiu da lista acima o esperado "Harry Potter e o Enigma do Príncipe", cuja estréia foi adiada para julho de 2009.

We also need to start discussing energy demands as social things, rather than simply a matter of correct pricing or installing a well timed deus ex machina [Ed: improbable solution to an intractable problem], if we’re going to make any real headway on climate change. As we point out, quoting Nicholas Stern and Cameron Hepburn, ‘[c]limate change policy … raises questions that are fundamentally and inescapably ethical’

He expands on this argument in a more academic article here.

The blood supply agency has clung to AIDS myths dispelled more than 20 years ago to defend its blood ban in the Tasmanian anti-discrimination case brought by 25-year-old Michael Cain.

...When asked if that included gay men who had done nothing more than kissing, Holland replied, “Yes, sir, because they increase their chance of transmitting an infection such as HIV.”

The latest report of the proceedings of the Equality Tribunal investigation into the Red Cross's ban on gay men and lesbians donating blood has turned into farce today. Please don't laugh too hard when you read the whole account in the Sydney Star Observer.

The purpose of this site is to help you stretch your travel money that little bit further by offering hints and tips on finding the cheapest ways of getting around and enjoying your time downunder.

If you want to have a cheap Australian holiday it would be a good idea to first find a
cheap flight to Australia. Once you've got that sorted out you might want to look into getting discounted Australian domestic flights from a variety of airlines in Australia. Getting around on land requires transport - many travellers prefer automobiles and that's why cheap car hire is such a crowd pleaser. This is especially true if you happen to be hauling the spouse and kids along for a cheap family holiday in Australia. Unless you're planning on staying with friends (or camping on the side of the road) you'll probably want to suss out some cheap accommodation in Australia. It's hard to beat a good travel experience, just make sure you do plenty of research so you don't end up wasting a bunch of cash.

The best specials on Australian holiday packages can usually be found at the last minute but make sure you don't blow your budget stuffing fat commissions into the wallets of Australian travel agents.

You can find all sorts of great information in this travellers resource guide! Enjoy reading up on everything you find here and be sure to enjoy your time in this wonderful country. Last but not least, have fun!!

The 200 meter dash is officially over!  You'll see the race tonight on NBC, but Usain Bolt broke the world record in the race with a time of 19.30 seconds.  That is .02 faster than Michael Johnson's run in the 1996 Atlanta games.  With the world record, Bolt also becomes the first man to break the 100 and 200 meter world records at an Olympics.  The scary part for the rest of the field is that Bolt is only 21 years of age, which means I would be shocked if he wasn't in London for the 2012 games and maybe even the 2016 games.  This guy has a bright, bright future ahead of him.  Let's just hope he doesn't get too cocky or we don't hear about any performance-enhancing drugs with him.  I do have to say this, that man's stride is effortless and amazing.

Could it be for the United States baseball team, can they win the gold in the final year of competition?  They were able to defeat Japan 4-2 today to earn a birth in the semifinals.  They will face some stiff competition in the round against the defending gold medalist, Cuba.  The game will start at six in the morning on Friday.  In the other semifinal South Korea will play Chinese Taipei.  I'm hoping the United States can take the gold.  It would be a bigger upset than the Ben Sheets led crew in 2000.

Also congrats to the basketball team as they drubbed Australia this morning 116-85.  The "Redeem Team" continues to be dominate and I appreciate their ability, but I'll be honest, I'm just bored watching them play.  I hope someone can make a game of it in this Olympiad.

“Troop 757” is an Ebay seller with an interesting sense of humor. He probably figured, if people bid on cheese sandwiches that look like Elvis, the sky’s the limit, right? Wrong. His listing of a Pringles’ can, with a genuine fart sealed inside, received no bids. I wonder why. Here’s his pitch:

“Pringles Can with Natural Human Odor! Egg and Tuna Scented. Yes, someone has passed gas in the Pringles Can! With the tight sealing lid that smell will last until someone opens it. Leave it at your work break room for that mooch who doesn't bring lunch. Send it to your Friends!! That will fix them! Send it to your boss!!”

Meantime, “A54Rallye” from Iowa tried to sell a roll of toilet paper. No, it wasn’t anything special, it was just that: toilet paper. I guess the reason it didn’t work is because, well, it’s not really all that weird. At least the Pringles can was somewhat original.

Then there’s this week’s real success story: “Annastella007” from Queensland, Australia, caught her dirtbag of a husband cheating, and put the other woman’s panties, accompanied by a used condom packet (size small, ha!), up for sale. Ebay rules forbid the offering of used underwear, so now she relisted with the promise of a picture of the panties. When I last checked, bidding had reached over $300, which –even though I have no clue who this woman is- makes me a little happy. Seems like she deserves it.

Check out her story; her list number is 250280309940 or click:  http://bestof.ebay.com/

The $50 million Geothermal Drilling Program will be doled out as grants to the geothermal industry to defray the cost of drilling deep wells. Australia currently gets nearly 80 percent of its energy from dirty coal but the government has set a goal of getting 20 percent of the nation's energy from renewable sources by 2020. A report released this week by the Australian Geothermal Energy Association estimates than a A$12 billion ($10.36 billion) investment would yield 2,200 megawatts of installed geothermal capacity, satisfying about 40 percent of the government's clean energy goal.

The investment is part of larger shift going on Down Under. The new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol earlier this year (leaving the U.S. as the sole developed nation yet to do so) and has made clean energy a priority for Australia, which is the world's leading coal exporter.

The country is also a large uranium exporter, but Resources Minister Martin Ferguson recently said that while mining should continue for export, Australia itself doesn't need the nuclear power. "The position of the Government is very clear: We will not support nuclear power in Australia because we don't need to,'' Mr Ferguson told ABC Radio.

Instead, Ferguson is pushing geothermal hard. Unlike other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, geothermal energy is capable of providing base-load energy, not subject to intermittent winds or a setting sun. This sort of base-load capacity could directly replace coal-fired power plants.

The early exhibits
* The Giraffe House was completed in 1923
* The Aquarium in 1927
* Floral Clock in 1928
* Tahr Mountain in 1932
* The Tiger Pits in 1939
Under the directorship of Edward Hallstrom in the 1940s – 1960s several new exhibits were built including those for larger cats, koalas, apes and gorillas.

Later additions and changes
A critical review in 1967 led to a new emphasis on scientific conservation, education and preservation. New exhibits were built starting with the Platypus and Nocturnal Houses, waterfowl ponds and walkthrough Rainforest Aviary. A Veterinary Quarantine Centre was built as was an Education Centre (funded by the Department of Education). Previous attractions such as elephant rides, miniature trains, monkey circus and merry-go-round gave way to educational facilities such as Friendship Farm and Seal theatre.In the mid-1980s, a cable car was installed that allows visitors to view the zoo and Sydney Harbour. It runs from the bottom of the park close to the ferry wharf, and transports passengers to the top end of the zoo.

2000 Masterplan
In 2000, TCSA commenced a 12-year $250 million master plan, the majority of which is being spent at Taronga Zoo. The first major master plan item was the Backyard to Bush precinct. Under the plan, the Zoo received five Asian elephants from the Thailand Zoological Park Organisation for breeding purposes, education, long-term research and involvement of conservation programs. The plan has met opposition from environmental activists in Thailand, who blockaded the trucks hauling the elephants to Bangkok International Airport for their flight on June 5, 2006.[4] The elephants along with other Asian rain forest specimens are housed in the "Wild Asia" precinct which opened in 2006 and aims to immerse visitors in an Asian rain forest environment.A marine section, Great Southern Oceans, opened in April 2008.

Zoo Friends
Zoo Friends is an organisation which offers support in form of volunteers and fund raising for both Taronga and Western Plains Zoo. It's a good way of getting behind the scenes at the Zoo and offers its members free Zoo entry. Members are also eligible to volunteer to help at the Zoo.

Animals and exhibits
Taronga Zoo has about 340 species and over 2600 individual animals

Transport
The Taronga Zoo ferry services are, for many tourists, the preferred mode of travel to the zoo. Passengers disembarking at the ferry wharf, located on Bradley's Head Road, can enter the zoo via a cable car or connect with local State Transit bus services. Sydney Ferries offers combined "ZooLink" tickets covering ferry fares, park entry and cable car ride.

From the Associated Press:

Kobe Bryant scored 25 points in his best game in Beijing, and the men’s U.S. Olympic team advanced to the semifinals by beating Australia 116-85 on Wednesday night.

The United States will play defending champion Argentina or Greece on Friday night for a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game.

Locked in what looked like another tough game with Australia, the Americans sent the Aussies’ upset hopes down under with a 14-0 burst to open the second half, featuring nine points from Bryant.

LeBron James added 16 points for the Americans, who are guaranteed a chance to play for a medal. They need two more wins for their first gold medal in a major international competition since the 2000 Sydney Games.

It appears that the US team may in fact be destined for gold. The team has not won the gold just yet but it appears imminent. The toughest challenges are ahead and there are still a few hurdles left to get past. Thoughts?