Well, it’s been fun here at the offices of the Tribune, you mark our words. Jane’s been Rain-Manning her arse off building, losing, rebuilding, breaking and re-re-building the new website.

Ever said to someone, “I’d appreciate some honest feedback on this?” Did you mean it? Steve E. took us at our word and has taken us to task on everything from our new name to the number of local pedestrian crossings …

There are times in life when one’s standards slip. Some would argue that this is a side-effect of a happy and contented marital life; no longer do we have a need to worry about the grooming and attention to detail necessary to ensnare a mate.

A long, long time ago, somewhere in the faraway land of Mjelkborn. It is 6:17am on a Sunday morning. King Mortensen and his long term de-facto mistress Tindelheid are sound asleep in their turret.

You really DO!

For something that is essentially just a bag to keep all your parts that shouldn't get dirty in, the human body certainly attracts more than its fair share of consternation, admiration and general attention.

Of Dog’s Paws, Turrets and the Mile High Club...

Why They’re Never Perfect and NEVER Made of Silicone.

Is there such a thing as perfection? Can an object be absolutely perfect in form and substance? If so, is the totality of that object, including the observer’s feelings toward it, actually perfect? Is something flawless able to be perfect, or is it the flaws in objects that make them more desirable, and therefore more perfect than the flawless?

The body issue came about mainly due to all the things I’ve been thinking about my body lately. Weird things, because I’ve never really had to think about it all that much before.

My body and I have a hate / hate relationship. It bears me about with no small amount of groaning, creaking and the odd alarming cracking sound. I, in turn, stuff it full of Brie and red wine and then berate it soundly for not looking like Kate Moss. I look more like Ian Moss (sorry - small Cold Chisel joke there for those in the know).

although it’s ok to hate the ones on channel 10, all right thinking persons should do so.

I was listening to one of the last editions of The Religion Report on Radio National the other day on my way to work (see the November Issue for my outraged rant about the axing of this program).

This particular program was discussing the concept of Love Thy Neighbour, which is the summation of Christianity. For those of you who thought Christianity was all about casting homosexuals to the burning hellfire and getting all horrified about fellatio, I refer you to Matthew 22:36 – 40.

Regular readers of these pages may have received the impression that your beloved editors are perhaps a little too fond of a drink and the odd chain-smoking session while hunched over a laptop or a new episode of Battlestar Galactica.

Lovely co-editor and I are currently spending a fair bit of time at the gym, and it’s given me pause to reflect on the chasm that exists between how men and women see their bodies.

I spend several hours a week at the gym lifting weights and pulling on cables and all that hairy stuff, and in between sets I’ve got a minute or so to wander around and stretch, and observe.

Sometimes too much, sometimes too little

They’re throwing it around over there in DC!

Freedom of choice, unless it’s the wrong style dress on Election Day!

Yes, as well as a new name the Tribune now has a new website.

From Ornamentation to Modification

It’s hard to think of an interesting angle about the body because lets face it, it has all been done to death.

The Fortunes of Law

 

This is a debut novel with a difference. It was written by a friend of mine, Philip Skelsey.

I approached it with some apprehension. Disliking it would be awkward. Happily I can tell you it is a delightful book and very elegantly written.

I first became aware of the Grand Ridge Brewery through their promotional stand at the Royal Melbourne Show last year.

How would you react if you arrived at your front door after a great weekend to find a person slumped against your flatmate’s car in the throes of death? I had that unenviable experience just last week, after I’d spent a great weekend with friends, family and the love of my life, cricket.

 

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Sangria must be the easiest cocktail in the world.

I have been working hard all holidays refining the details for you, tirelessly mixing, tasting, sampling and experimenting on your behalf; consulting with eager participants most evenings. Curiously, no hard and fast rules apply after all for this refreshing Spanish wine punch, perfect for hot summer days and nights.

One of the things that has been happening in the wine world that I find fun & interesting is that the New World wine makers are experimenting with some different Old World grapes.

Yum! Perfect for taking to work for lunch.

Just cook the chicken the night before and then mix in the salady stuff the next day.

Or have it for dinner – no carbs, no gassey stuff, no stinky stuff, just good clean yummy food.

A brand new year is upon us, and with it a whole twelve months of shhhport from around the world. Well, mostly from inside my head, truth be known. So what awaits us in 2009?

Well, for a start, as far as I know, there are no World Cups of any kind, and, saints be praised, no stinking Olympics! Apparently the last cricket World Cup is still going, but my sources are the West Indian police, so I can’t confirm it with any more certainty than whether the Pakistan coach suicided, had a heart attack, or was carried away by killer bees. Click here to carbon-date that last joke.