Elizabeth November 1st, 2008

Picture by Michael Blamey of Melbourne Today

I’ve been following Michael Blamey’s photography for a long time, at least a couple of years. I remember going on a big google spree when I decided to move to Melbourne, and Melbourne Today was amongst the blogs that I turned up. It was a real treat to have a photo of my new home served up to me each day, so I quickly became hooked.

Later on I discovered another of his blogs, St Kilda Today, and added it to my list of daily haunts. It became even more exciting when I began working on Fitzroy St and actually recognised the faces of the shop assistants and coffee shop patrons that he was photographing! I always feared that I’d be snapped from a distance, but it never happened. It became part of my routine to come home and see which Fitzroy St scene had been frozen for the day, and the unpretentiousness of the shots made them feel very familiar.

I don’t work on Fitzroy St anymore, but I still enjoy the blog. In fact, I probably enjoy it even more now because it keeps me in the loop on what’s going on there.

If you live in Melbourne, like Melbourne or want to travel here someday, you’ll find Michael’s photography a real asset. You couldn’t hope to find a truer depiction of the city’s daytime life. It’s only tonight that I realised he has other blogs and projects out there, so here’s a few links for you to explore.

Melbourne Today
St Kilda Today
Fitzroy St
Port Vila Today
In Tokyo Now (2007)
Cameras For Kids

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Elizabeth June 29th, 2008

The Top 100 Australian Web 2.0 Applications list was published in BRW this month, and today I spent some time browsing what was on offer. I found it a fantastic resource for discovering new web applications, and especially for the Aussie-related content.

Here are some that I found especially useful or interesting:

3. Red Bubble

Website: http://www.redbubble.com/

Person/Company: Martin Hosking/ Peter Styles/ Paul Vanzella

Description: Art gallery and creative community where artists can upload art and sell it in many formats. Over 100,000 items sold in 71 countries in the first financial year. Has raised $3.7 million in funding.

I’ve had an account at RedBubble for some time, although I haven’t really been active there since setting it all up. It’s definitely something I’d like to invest more time in though, you can check it out here.

13. Remember The Milk

Website: http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Person/Company: Emily Boyd/ Omar Kilani

Description: Web, mobile and IM shareable to-do lists with features including location. Over 500,000 users globally.

15. StreetAdvisor

Website: http://streetadvisor.com.au/

Person/Company: Jason Spencer/ Adam Spencer

Description: Residents rate their streets and localities on criteria such as public facilities, noise, and neighbourly spirit, and write reviews. Users earn ‘streetcred’ and ‘local experts’ are appointed. The primary focus is on Australia, US, UK and Canada, but it has been launched in many other countries.

You can read the full list of 100 Web 2.0 Applications here. In order to be eligible for the list sites had to be true web applications (rather than static web sites), significantly Australian, innovative and provide true value from participation.

There are lots of news, business, sport and lifestyle related sites out there with already established communities that I didn’t know about. Maybe you’ll find something in the list that makes your life a little more streamlined, or helps you to connect with other people who are interested in the stuff you like.

Either way, it’s really encouraging to see such success and innovation coming from the Australian web scene. Plus, it gives me extra stuff to do on the tram on my way to work!

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Elizabeth June 25th, 2008

Strange fact: Tim showed me this video tonight, and I knew straight away that I wanted to share it with everyone here. But moments before publishing it I was reminded of a post I read at MetroDad today, in which he said:

This video reminds me why I love traveling around the world so much. It’s because getting to intimately know people all over the planet always reminds me that, deep-down inside, we’re so much more similar than we are different. It’s something we should all strive to remember every day.

I was reading his site from work, and because I didn’t have any sound I didn’t play the video. Fast forward a few hours, and I was seeing it through a different channel.

The world is getting smaller. And this video is good proof of that.

Here’s another video, along the same lines, by Matt Harding.

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Elizabeth February 29th, 2008

I am loving this comic so much right now. I’ve been sitting here hitting ‘random’ for 20 mins, and it’s nothing but gold.

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Elizabeth February 25th, 2008

Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life?

Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness and methamphetamine addiction in a quiet American suburb.

Garfield minus Garfield

I know Tim can’t stand Garfield – I wonder if he’ll like it better this way? Either way, this is so going on my rss reader!

Thanks to Patrick for the link.

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Elizabeth February 23rd, 2008

I don’t have time to write much tonight, but it’s been a few days without a post and I wanted to share a few great links with you guys.

Art by yumiyumi

Crystal Perch

I’ve sort of fallen in love with Aline (Yumi) Yamada, a Brazilian artist and illustrator who now lives in Columbus Ohio. I’m drawn to anything that features retro and/or stylized birds and trees, but I also love her cute girl illustrations. Check out her Etsy shop and get hooked like me!

National Geographic Atlas Puzzles

I was sort of hoping that the discovery of these interactive jigsaw puzzles would help me in my goal to learn the US state capitals, and all the world capitals. Unfortunately they’re a little too small to show that much detail, but still incredibly addictive and very satisfying to complete.

You can change the default settings to give you more (smaller) pieces, and also to rotate them randomly on the board. In my opinion, this makes it way more fun.

And lastly…

Win a free bathroom! (But there’s a catch…)

Rotorooter is giving away a free bathroom, decked out with the latest technology. It’s great news, as long as you like your bathrooms so pink that it reminds you of Strawberry Shortcake vomit.

The bathroom, which is so pink that even Barbie thinks it’s a bit much, includes a Nintendo Wii, a Sony Vaio laptop, a flat screen TV that functions as both a monitor and a heated towel rack (totally swank), an iPod, a fridge (also pink), a salon-style hairdryer, a pedi kit, and subscriptions to your favorite magazines.

(via Wired)

Can I be the first to say that coffee shouldn’t be brewed next to the place that it’s, um, disposed of?

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Elizabeth February 6th, 2008

Just a quick post, to tell you about some of the cool stuff I’ve come across over the past couple of days.

Samorost 2 – This is a beautifully designed game that even I can play! Requires some brainpower to conquer, but it’s really rewarding. The trial version lets you play 3 levels of the game, which is a complete storyline that doesn’t make you feel like you’ve got to buy it when you’re done. But if you decide to it’s only a few bucks to keep going.

I feel like the last kid invited to the party, since everyone I’ve shown this to so far has already seen it!  Typical.

Mr Picassohead – Unleash your inner cubist. This is really addictive.

Optical Illusions – You know those crappy emails that you get 3 times per year, full of the same optical illusions? This website is a fantastic resource that blows the others out of the water. It’s full of interactive flash-based illustrations that let you “prove” to yourself that you’re not being deceived, and well-written explanations of what you should be experiencing. For those that are interested in knowing how it all works, each example is also accompanied by a detailed summary of the science behind it all.

The 5 Most Horrifying Bugs in the World – This is totally worth reading, even if you’re a bit phobic like me. It’s funny and gross and awesome all at once. Hands up if you’ll be having nightmares about Bot Flies tonight?

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Elizabeth January 18th, 2008

I mean it – I refuse to give that worthless waste of space any more publicity than he’s already been given. I’m annoyed that this stupid party of his had led to him being offered management and a deal with Big Brother.

I’m annoyed that he’s breathing my air.

Instead, this is a post about a website called Slap Corey. It’s surprisingly therapeutic.

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Elizabeth December 6th, 2007

My Moleskine: Scanned pages from the Moleskine journals of revcruz.

Moleskinerie: The flickr pool devoted to Moleskines

One Sentence: People telling stories, with a single sentence.

Delicious Days: And incredible food blog, with recipes and information that will make you think about what you eat.

Chocolate & Zucchini: Another amazing food/recipe blog from French blogger and author Clotilde Dusoulier.

CNET’s Digital Home DIY: Ideas and instructions for adding digital convenience to your house and lifestyle.

Orisinal: Some of the most beautiful, and most calming flash games I’ve ever come across. And lots of fun, too.

Lifehacker: Tips (or “hacks”) for improving your life, online and off.

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Elizabeth November 17th, 2007

LA PEN QUOTIDIEN
Bambi Edlund, Vancouver BC

La Pen Quotidien is a daily drawing project by a graphic designer and illustrator from Vancouver. Each drawing is accompanied by a story, which made it hold my interest longer than some of the other art/photo-a-day blogs that I have come across. Besides, the drawings are so cute!

These old phones crack me up—has any other piece of machinery had more personality? The one on the left is persistent, trying to get your attention by calling out helloooooo!!! The one in the center is more serious, she speaks in an upper-crust British accent and tells you secretive, gossipy news in hushed tones. The hussy on the top right reminds me a little of the maid from the Jetsons, with a flower in her hair and a better rack.

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ALL THINGS GIRLS CAN TELL
Sara (I think?), Philadelphia USA

This is a blog that I have really enjoyed reading over the past week or so. The author is an admin at etsy.com and also runs an etsy store of her own which is full of beautiful things. And honestly, even if her actual blog wasn’t an interesting read I’d still be hooked on the cute handmade stuff that she makes.

Read her blog, or go here to buy me these potholders

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Elizabeth November 12th, 2007

When I participated in NaBloPoMo last year, I was secretly hoping to win the copy of No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog that was donated by Maggie Mason of Mighty Girl and Mighty Goods.

When I didn’t win it, I just went ahead and ordered myself a copy anyway. Maggie even wrote a little note inside before dropping it in the mail.

It’s a handy resource if you’re finding yourself in a rut, and especially if you’re beginning a blog for the first time. It’s also useful for discovering bloggers who are doing it well, thanks to the examples that she includes throughout the book.

I’ll be trawling it for ideas and inspiration during November to make sure that I don’t fall behind! Let’s hope you’ve seen my last NaBloPoMo whine.

Buy your autographed copy here.

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Elizabeth November 10th, 2007

I found a neat site today, called Free Rice. It’s a simple word definition game, and for each correct answer the sponsors of the site donate 10 grains of rice through the UN. Their FAQ says it all.

I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it grew really quickly. It’s also quite addictive, and I’ve learned all sorts of stuff today! For instance, I have discovered that I am so much more than a lazy bum – I am both apolaustic and fainéant. IN YOUR FACE!

And now it is time for dessert, as Free Rice taught me that I may also have a psalterium.

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Elizabeth November 6th, 2007

I’m supposed to be working on a recording today, so this will be short! Just wanted to share a few interesting links that I’ve come across.

Fridgewatcher – Take a peek at the contents of other peoples’ fridges, and submit your own photo. Particularly interesting is the option to view fridges from a particular country, and see how other people eat.

It made me go in search of the Time photoessay I saw a while ago, called What the World Eats. Visit the article to view families from all over the world, plus their weekly groceries and budget. It’s incredible to see the way that one family can waste so much of their budget on empty calories, and how little it costs for a poor family to survive.

More quick links:

I am both enthralled and disgusted by this 24kt gold & diamond Mac.

Have you ever wished that birds would flock to you in the park, and start nibbling at your feet? Of course you have.

And lastly…

Media Watch is claiming that Ten and Roving Enterprises are responsible for broadcasting subliminal advertising during the coverage of this year’s ARIA awards. While the jury is out on whether subliminal advertising is even valid, it would appear that they have breached the industry Code of Practice by choosing to insert logos into their show that displayed at 1/25th of a second.

Personally, I think they’ll have a hard time proving that Ten was deliberately trying to trick us into dipping our KFC wings in a tub of Olay. I didn’t notice the ads on the night, and even when I was looking for them in the video below I rarely spotted more than a quick burst of light.

Of course, that’s sort of the point – if Media Watch’s claims are true, then we were never supposed to spot them. There’s something really sneaky about this issue, I think.

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Elizabeth November 5th, 2007

As I’m browsing the NaBloPoMo blogs this month, I’ll share my favourites here. If there’s a blog you think I should check out, leave a comment and tell me all about it!

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SARCOMICAL
Melissa, Indianapolis USA


I’m really going to enjoy this blog. One of my favourite posts is titled “Cameraphone Pics I Took at My Old Office With the Intention Of Posting Them But I Never Got Around to It Yet I Kept Taking Them Anyway So I Should Be Able to Milk This for a Few Posts, Part 2″.

i can’t stand close-minded people. i’m a night person. i hate the word ‘mucus’. i must have some sort of depth perception issue, as i am constantly bumping into walls, desks, tables, couches, and doors when i leave and enter rooms. i also trip sometimes when walking and going up (yes, up) and down stairs. people who don’t put their carts away in the parking lot annoy me. i have to take a deep breath and brace myself before going on a down escalator. i can sleep through almost anything, but i hate taking naps. feet are disgusting, i don’t care who you are (unless you’re under 2 years old) – don’t touch me with your feet.

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DAYDREAMZ
Aidan, Canada


Probably one of the best looking blog sites I’ve seen in a long time, with a really original design. And once you’re finished clicking on the flashy stuff, the blog is good reading too!


No snappy, quotable paragraphs… just a naturally written blog about a girl in Canada.

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LETTERS TO VICKI
Jo, Michigan USA


A med school student and mother of three, writing letters to her former sister-in-law Vicki who died a few years ago. Highly addictive, and way less depressing than it sounds.

I know that in the past, we’ve both agreed that my mother is infinitely preferable to your mother. I mean, my mother actually likes me sometimes. And my mother wouldn’t get into such a snit over a fight we’d had the week before that when I came home showing obvious signs and symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage she’d ignore me and let me DIE. Okay, even I know that’s not fair. I know that just because I wouldn’t miss a subarachnoid bleed, doesn’t mean that everyone in the world knows how to spot it. We’ll just chalk that sentiment up to bitterness. I mean, it would’ve been different if you’d been half paralyzed, or unable to speak, or something less permanent and more easily overcome. But you’re DEAD. I think that deserves a bit of bitterness.

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Elizabeth August 14th, 2007

I am often amused by the random ads served up by Google Ads as I surf other sites and blogs, especially when they combine to form something even greater. Today’s discovery is my favourite, by far:

Spotted at Scrabulous.com, who cater to everybody’s needs!

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