Category Archives: Blog

MSG: What Australian and New Zealand Consumers Should Know

Mono Sodium Glutamate was a buzz word from the 80’s and 90’s. It seemed that everyone had a story to tell about the after-effects of this flavour enhancing food additive. MSG used to be a dirty word, but it seems that in the past decade, the tide of scientific evidence has turned the other way.Continue reading “MSG: What Australian and New Zealand Consumers Should Know”

Scorpion Dagger: The Renaissance Needs More Pizza and Beer

Haunting, weird, controversial and wickedly funny, these gifs created by James Kerr A.K.A Scorpion Dagger are made from parts of well-known Renaissance paintings along with the flotsam and jetsam of his insane imagination. Renaissance and Medieval art has been hitherto considered too high brow to be messed with. Although Scorpion Dagger proves that anything isContinue reading “Scorpion Dagger: The Renaissance Needs More Pizza and Beer”

Take the quiz: What New Zealand native species are you?

Take this quiz that originally appeared on the NZ Department of Conservation’s website. It is a lot of fun.  Image Source Kauri You’re one of the world’s mightiest characters. You’re tall and strong and are respected by many. But with great power comes great responsibility, and you find that often you’re reassuring people that ‘My homeContinue reading “Take the quiz: What New Zealand native species are you?”

Hello Fellow Citizens of the Pale Blue Dot

I am so grateful to be alive today. When there is chaos and impending war all around us, that’s about all we can say, in our own individual humble way. All of my posts this week and next were prewritten about a month ago. Before all hell was unleashed in both the Middle East, RussiaContinue reading “Hello Fellow Citizens of the Pale Blue Dot”

Impossibly Beautiful Marine Life in Sydney Harbour – Part 4

So far I have lovingly described a lot of Sydney natives who live under the sea. In our final of the series I look at the Gloomy Octopus and Eastern Blue Devil Fish, two of the most reclusive, mysterious and strangely beautiful residents of Sydney Harbour. I hope that you’ve enjoyed this series on ImpossiblyContinue reading “Impossibly Beautiful Marine Life in Sydney Harbour – Part 4”

Bill Bailey Demands Release Of Land Snails in Polynesia

In a fascinating Guardian interactive entitled Seven Digital Sins, Comedian Bill Bailey muses on how the abundance of campaigns on social media causes us all to go into meltdown. As a consequence, we never become deeply involved in social causes and ideas that we are passionate about, beyond the paltry click-click of our keyboards. HisContinue reading “Bill Bailey Demands Release Of Land Snails in Polynesia”

Impossibly Beautiful Marine Life in Sydney Harbour – Part 3

As promised, here are more amazing creatures both big and small who call Sydney Harbour home. Although if you are planning on a snorkelling or diving expedition, be aware that most of these creatures will be elusive, shy and unwilling to interact with you. Seahorse Seahorses are gorgeous, mystical and delicate creatures. They have captivatedContinue reading “Impossibly Beautiful Marine Life in Sydney Harbour – Part 3”

The Purgatory of Good and Bad Choices: Vintage Criminal Portraits

These photos of Australian female criminals come from a series taken between 1910 and 1930 by the NSW police. For the benefit of the modern-day reader, a surprising amount of detail remains of the subjects’ stories. Unlike a typical mug shot, these women were allowed or perhaps even encouraged, to compose themselves or position themselves inContinue reading “The Purgatory of Good and Bad Choices: Vintage Criminal Portraits”

Welcome to Melbourne’s Rapidly Vanishing World

In just about any city, formerly unfashionable places undergo rapid revamps. Suddenly overnight, these shabby, overlooked places become cool. It’s a fickle and inevitable transformation. A sublimination and muting of tastes into the oblivion of current fashion. This is the case in Melbourne’s western suburbs: Altona, Seddon, Footscray, Yarraville, Sunshine and Newport. Every city withContinue reading “Welcome to Melbourne’s Rapidly Vanishing World”