November 6, 2003

• Back in Sydney

  We arrived back safe and sound at the Fwak! studio around midnight.

  After an extended Departure Lounge experience, our flight was, in the end, rescheduled for the NEXT AFTERNOON (15 hrs later!) so United Airlines stuck everyone in a LAX hotel for the night. By this time, it was 2.30am. And the entire next day was spent in the air… A whole day lost, but better safe than sorry I guess.

  Another annoyance is that the boxes of Eddie’s music equipment and animation disks etc.that we had Fed-Exed to L.A. three long weeks ago, had not cleared US customs and they’re being shipped back to Australia next week. Simply because we could not provide manufacturer’s info and contact details for each and every single piece of equipment… I mean, what’s the national security threat here? Where’s the risk? We don’t get it. Now we gotta figure out how else to bring the stuff over…

  Today, we’re running around buying last minute wearables for the wedding, catching up with friends, getting haricuts etc. Driving out to Wandin Valley tomorrow morning…

  ---

  Mr Unknown has written a review of the “lucha” episode in Angel (the WB). We haven’t seen it, but sounds like it may be worth checking out.

  ---

  Links & Trivia…

  The Dabadaba Revival Project - Download some MP3s ! Groovy stuff.

  JeanSnow.net is a very cool blog with news and pictures about Tokyo urban life and pop culture. Also check out Hunkabutta.com – another Tokyo blog with lotsa photos.

   
  images from hunkabuttacom (cool car!)
  and jeansnow.net (Painting from an exhibition at Mori Art Museum)

  Bleeding Edge Goth Dolls… I know some people who would love these.

  Having had so much time to kill on the plane (even after watching three highly predictable & trashy movies: Uptown Girls, Terminator 3, Alex and Emma… don’t bother), I was getting right into the Skymall magazine  from the front seat pocket. 

  Much more fun than browsing through an Ikea catalogue!  From luggage and perfumes to fake fireplaces, gargoyle drainpipes, office gadgets and folding Vegas tables for the home… The quantity and VARIETY of stuff in here is mind-boggling. I’ve collected some gems for this blog - most of which made me go “What the…?”  I didn’t even know that this stuff existed.

  • The Shoe Stretcher. Can you believe this? A device to stretch shoes that are too small. I could use this.
  • Child’s ATM. Replacement for the piggy-bank? Apparently this accepts and dispenses banknotes just like a real ATM. It even comes with your own special ATM card. They say the machine (or is it a toy?) teaches children “money-management” skills… ??
  • The Cyclone Washmate. It looks like a regular bucket with a lid, but it’s actually a portable washing machine! On one hand, this seems like a neat idea for travellers, but is it really worth seventy bucks? Wouldn’t it be easier to HAND-wash a small load? Similarly, the $599 Deluxe Shoe Shine Station makes me wonder who would actually buy this. Is it so hard to bend down and hand-polish your own shoes?
  • The Buttkicker Lifeshaker. Attach this to your couch and it enhances your home-entertainment experience….
  • The Aquabells dumbells are kinda cool and makes perfect sense for travellers who don’t want to lug around real weights. Add water to add weight.
  • The Martini Atomizer. …?? An exotic sell for a cheap spray bottle? 
  • The Feline drinking fountain is a water-filter for cats and it seems overindulgent but… on second thoughts, cats might love this. Notice how they get obsessed with running/dripping taps (faucets) and showers?
  • The Optical wallet light is a credit-card sized magnifying glass and pocket light combo. Useful for reading wall menus when you’ve forgotten to bring your reading glasses. Again, another seemingly stupid-looking gizmo, but why do I feel I could use one?
  • The EVAC-U8 Smokehood. You’re supposed to put this on in smokey emergency situations… Would make a good Halloween mask no?

  Another wacky American product that has caught my eye is the Round Towel - first spotted in LA Weekly. How cool is this? A beach towel that folds into a beach bag with detachable plastic pocket. My only gripe - Why does it have to be round? A sure way to stick out like a sore thumb at the beach…

  Tribe.net – the new Friendster?

  Puzzleblog – for daily Scrabble fun.

  Have been reading Shocked and Amazed Vol. 6- this is an awesome collection of carny/sideshow stories and interviews…

  This issue has freaky doctors, a professional lunatic, Coney Island babies, a man who could not be hung, a huge head tumor with a face on it, a floating prison, a big dead frozen whale and more, more, more. - Atomic Books

  ---

  More American vs Australian words:

  Thongs —— G-strings
  Flip-flops —— Thongs
  Sweater —— Jumper
  Trash —– Rubbish
  Pound key (#) —— Hash key
  Beat (tired) —— Buggered
  Forest —— Bush
  Damn! —– Bugger!

  • 11:27 pm
  • 3 Comments