Grandma made you something special

I’m having all the fun. I’ve booked tickets to see Nick Cave in November and Morrissey in December, yay!

Timing. Why I’ve fallen out of love with Australia
See also Clive James.

Maybe he’s not all bad. It’s such a trivial thing at a time like this but I’d love to see a properly Australian flag. (Though I guess the one we’ve got now is very indicative of the current PM’s obsession)
“Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson today accused Opposition Leader Mark Latham of wanting to change the Australian flag.
“(Mr Latham) actually had a proposal, which I have never seen him repudiate, that the Eureka flag would make a good replacement,” he said.” (n.c.a.)

“Students at a Catholic school complained about new Haribo sweet wrappers which they claim portray fruit having sex.” (ananova)
Catholic kids have moved on if they can spot cunnilingus when they see it.
I thought it was a joke but this
Scots language version of the Scottish Parliament website is real.

Gay marriage ban unconstitutional, rules US court
“Judge Hicks ruled that the state’s Defence of Marriage Act, that was passed in 1998 limiting marriage to a contract between a man and a woman, was unconstitutional.
He said that Washington cannot grant a privilege like marriage to one group of citizens and not to others without providing a compelling reason for such discrimination.” (smh)
Same sex parents ‘OK’: research
“THERE was no legitimate basis to deny same-sex couples access to adoption and IVF treatment, Victorian law reform researchers have found.”
(n.c.a)

Redheads ‘sexier than blondes’
“”Historically, redheads have been seen as women with a lot of spunk. We think of them as sexy, rebellious and dangerous.”” (news.com.au)
I’m sorted if I ever decide to go back to natural, then.

Very cute quiz where you can match the Australian animal with its noise. The koala and cockatoo noises made me a bit homesick.
(Mail is back, btw).

If you ever wonder why I rabbit on about the quality of life of Aboriginal Australians, this report on the Mortality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will give you some idea.
“In 1998-2000, life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was shorter by 21 years for males and 20 years for females, compared with the total population.”

“Packets of sweets containing toys depicting the September 11 terror attack are being urgently recalled in the US.
The small figurines feature a plane flying into the World Trade Centre.” (ananova)
I wonder how long it’ll be before they’re on eBay?