Sunday, December 31, 2023

Palestinean civilian death toll in Gaza soon to surpass Battle of Britain


Palestinean civilians are being killed at twice the rate of British civilians during the Battle of Britain and The Blitz.


In an interesting, if gruesome historical comparison, the civilian death toll among Palestinian residents of Gaza will soon surpass that of British civilians during the Battle of Britain.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

What's happening here? Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s …

 

(c) SEHMUZ BAYHAN / Life Framer


A super scenario welcomes the viewer as they make sense of this impromptu street shot. Superman strikes a strong confident shape within the frame as he clearly directs a tourist – only the tightly gripped wad of cash in his hand betraying his mortal existence. No matter which way it’s dressed up, the simple act of manners and helping someone out is wonderful to see in any street scene. A humorous, well-timed and engaging picture. Bravo

See more: https://www.life-framer.com/humans-2023

STARTED OUT JUST DRINKING BEER - THE Mental As Anything STORY


 A superbly researched and written account of one of Australia’s most popular bands, with unfettered access to all the key players, and a defacto social history of a time when living in Sydney was cheap and fun. 

The Mentals went from the top of a pool table to the top of the charts. Enjoy the untold stories behind Aussie classics like: Live It Up, Too Many Times, If You Leave Me Can I Come  Too?, Berserk Warriors, Egypt, The Nips are Getting Bigger, and a whole lot more.  

“In fact, the Mentals had more charting singles than any other Aussie band in the 80s and 90s,” says author, Stuart Lloyd. “26 in all, compared to INXS’ 17.”

Plus, tales from the road as told by Greedy, Martin, Bird, Pete & Reg — and a star-studded cast including Colin Hay, Richard Gottehrer, Mark Opitz, Ross Wilson and Wreckless Eric —  in this access-all-areas official biography. 


“It’s an official biography, but that doesn’t mean it’s been sandpapered and varnished into some sort of saccharine version of the truth,” says Lloyd. “I told them upfront it had to be warts and all, or not at all, and to their credit, they have signed off on the good the bad and the ugly of the band’s 43-year journey … including the acrimonious wrongful dismissal court case in 2004, an on-stage death at Australian Made 1987, a punch-up between Greedy and Bird that put the drummer in hospital while touring New York, a payola scandal which affected Live It Up, and so on. But overall it’s a celebration of one of Oz Rock’s hardest-working most prolific and creative bands. A great summer read, I’d say.”

== -- ==

“Love it!!! Brought up lots of memories. Thoroughly enjoyable.” —KIRK PENGILLY, INXS

“This book gives us a big gulp of one of Australia’s most uniquely talented and popular bands.”—ANTHONY (TONY) FIELD, The Cockroaches, The Wiggles.

“An extraordinary and horrific portrait of five butchers who were country-killed specialists, shot through with black humour and near-naked burlesque attire.’— H.G. NELSON, comedian and broadcaster

“Stuart Lloyd captures the alchemy that saw Australian bands flourish from the arid plains of our suburban lives. I loved the Mentals and I love this book.” —DAVE WARNER, author, Countdown: The Wonder Years, and 25 Years of Mushroom Records

“Takes us behind the showbiz curtain. A deep-dive beyond the colourful personalities and the larrikin-esque cheerfulness of a uniquely Australian band who have been the soundtrack of our lives for decades. Had me glued to each page.” —JANE GAZZO, music journalist and broadcaster


Stuart Lloyd
has interviewed the likes of Paul Kelly, Bic Runga and REM, on songwriting, and his travel and music features have appeared in publications such as Variety (US), The  Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and Songsmith. This is his 19th non-fiction book. The  Telegraph (UK) described him as ‘The Perfect Storyteller!’ 


Wednesday, September 20, 2023

What are these men doing? Is it the end of the world?

 


Just what exactly is going on here?

A scene from the latest Zombie apocalypse movie? No, it's actually a sculpture from Isaac Cordal, a famous Belgian-based, Spanish Galician sculptor and photographer whose work revolves around the urban environment. 

This scene forms part of one of his better-known installations entitled Follow The Leaders from ten years ago. The work has travelled around the world and has been seen in Colombia, France, Germany and his home town in Belgium. It also takes other forms and representations.

He describes it as "a critical reflection on our inertia as a social mass. Representing a social stereotype associated with power compound businessmen who run the global social spectrum."

Fancy talk, but the message is clear: While the elite talk and plot, the world crumbles.

For more, visit his fascinating website: Cement Eclipses


Friday, September 8, 2023

Confirmation Bias: Why people fall for stupid shit

 


Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency of individuals to favour information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or values while ignoring or discounting information that contradicts those beliefs or values. In other words, people often seek out, interpret, and remember information in a way that supports their existing viewpoints or expectations, and they tend to dismiss or downplay information that challenges those viewpoints.

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

These are the top 10 banter capitals of Australia, new survey finds


A survey conducted by the e-learning platform Preply asked more than 1,500 residents of the 50 largest metropolitan areas to rate the banter level in their city.

Monday, August 21, 2023

Qatar Airways Showcases The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Trophy At Local Football Club


The Award-Winning Airline Reaffirms its Commitment to the Australian Market and the Community

The spirit of unity, football, and community was at the forefront of a memorable event held by Qatar Airways, a proud sponsor of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™. The esteemed Pennant Hills Football Club played host to an unforgettable day where the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ winner's trophy took centre stage, creating lasting memories and emphasising Qatar Airways' commitment to both football and the local community.

The event that took place on Saturday, August 19th, brought together football enthusiasts, players, and families to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ on Australian soil. Amid the excitement, Qatar Airways highlighted its dedication to supporting women's football and fostering community connections.
 
"Football has the extraordinary power to bring people together, and our partnership with FIFA reflects our commitment to fostering this unity within the Australian market, utilising the power of the beautiful game, promoting sportsmanship, diversity, and togetherness," said Justin Kestel, Qatar Airways Regional Manager of Australia and New Zealand.

Qatar Airways' dedication to the local Australian community was further underscored during the event, with the airline's extensive repatriation efforts to bring Australians home during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic being noted.

The event began with an engaging soccer clinic, allowing young local players from both Pennant Hills and neighbouring association clubs to experience the joy of the game first-hand, further enriched by the presence of renowned football freestylers, who captivated the crowds with their mesmerising skills and exceptional talent. Qatar Airways' cabin crew members proudly unveiled the prestigious FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ winner's trophy, a symbol of women's football excellence and achievement. The trophy's victorious journey, including with Australia's own "Matilda's", served as a powerful testament to the sport's unifying power.

"The FIFA Women's World Cup ™ has lit a fire in the hearts of young girls and boys, showing them that they can kick start their dreams on their local football field. As a female player and coach, seeing the trophy here at Pennant Hills FC, will hopefully further build on the dreams of junior players", said Emily Graham, Director of Coaching.

Tony Macko, President of Pennant Hills Football Club expressed his gratitude to Qatar Airways for bringing a piece of history to the local community. "We are honoured to have been part of this remarkable event. Qatar Airways' commitment to football and its efforts to uplift Australian communities truly aligns with our values. The event has left an indelible mark on our club and its members", Tony said.

The celebration concluded with a classic Australian touch – a delicious sausage sizzle that brought everyone together to reflect on the significance of teamwork and shared experiences. Attendees departed with exclusive Qatar Airways giveaways, symbolising a day that encapsulated the power of sport and community.

Qatar Airways is the national carrier of the State of Qatar, and it takes great pride in its role as a global ambassador, connecting communities, cultures, and continents through its extensive network. As a proud sponsor of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™, Qatar Airways is committed to celebrating and promoting women's football on a global scale.