Does anybody know of an affordable place for out-of-towners to stay for a couple of nights near Macquarie University?

Isaac Mizrahi Live Launch Party
They look really nice here.






Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - Out in NYC, November 4th


Unsweetined Book Scans
Rare and Never Before Seen pictures from Jodie Sweetin's book. I love the one from the Full House reunion dinner.

more

Then read on :-)

If you are between the ages of 12 and 59 and speak Australian English as your first language, then you are eligible to participate in a new research study at the National Acoustic Laboratories. This study evaluates a new test that is designed to measure people's ability to understand speech in noisy places.

There's only a single appointment of 45 minutes to attend, and you will be paid $20 for your time. Testing takes place at NAL's main laboratory at 126 Greville Street, Chatswood. If you're interested, please contact Helen Glyde on 9412 6976 or via email at helen.glyde@nal.gov.au.

(Posted on behalf of a colleague)

• 15:13 @Mathieu_LF me please! :) #
• 15:27 @Mathieu_LF it's gemzeh@ihug.co.nz thanks so much! :) #
• 16:08 @Mathieu_LF thank you so much :) #
• 22:38 @Mathieu_LF Shes a bit better I think shes puttin a little weight on her foot and walking a bit more so hopefully shell make a full recovery #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

Happy birthday, Sesame Street.

As regular readers of this blog know, I watch a lot of Sesame Street since I had my daughter. Before that, not so much, at least, not since my own childhood. But I am part of the original Sesame Street generation: it turns 40 this year---this week is the beginning of the new season---and I turn 40 (gulp) this coming summer. I was pretty much raised on Big Bird and Snuffy and Oscar, learning letters and numbers with them, and I love that my own kid is doing the same, now. (Although right NOW she is watching Barney, which I hate. I know, I know, that's mean. But I can't help it.) Personally, I will be THRILLED for the new season to begin, if only because we have watched all the ones from last year multiple times. As much as I love Neil Patrick Harris as the Fairy Shoeperson, and Sandra Oh as the Cookie Fairy, I'm ready for some new material. Although I never really get tired of Prairie Dawn. I just love that girl.


In other news, how much did I love Taylor Swift on SNL this weekend? I thought she was beyond fab, especially her monologue. If you missed it, it's here:


There was also a great send-up of the Twilight movie, although I kind of missed a lot of the joke because I, um, haven't seen it. I know, I know. I really should, especially with the second one about to come out, for professional research reasons if nothing else. I mean, it's a great thing when a YA book does this well. But honestly, I'm kind of suffering from Twilight burnout even WITHOUT seeing the movie. I mean, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are everywhere these days, and I feel like every time I turn around there's another series about vampires on TV or in the new releases on the bookshelf. And I am just not a vampire/werewolf kind of person. It probably makes me seem wholly unimaginative, but I like stories about real people and real life. This is why I never got into Harry Potter, either (and why my husband maintains I am a Muggle. But whatever).

Finally, on a more serious note, I'm sitting here watching a segment on domestic violence on GMA, and it's breaking my heart. They're talking specifically about teenage girls, and what they are calling the "Rhianna effect," i.e. that since she came forward and talked about being beaten by Chris Brown on Friday night, calls to domestic violence lines---and specifically teen targeted ones---went up considerably. This is an issue close to my own heart, because I wrote a book about a girl in a similar relationship, and since then I have literally gotten hundreds of emails and letters from girls telling me about their own stories with abusive boyfriends. It's a terrible, terrible thing, that this happens, and I so respect Rhianna for coming forward and shedding some bright, needed light on the subject. I was never in an abusive relationship. But several of my close friends, in high school and since, were, and they were not weak women. They were strong and smart and just got overwhelmed. It happens. But it doesn't HAVE to. There are resources and help out there. So if you need it, speak up. Tell a friend, a parent, a clergyperson, a teacher. Tell SOMEONE. Please. The number for National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is 1-866-331-9474. Their website is here.

I hope you all have a great day.

Sometimes I don't even know how I end up reading various things online. Who knew what my life was missing was half an hour spent devoted to reading an old post about various directors (and other people) going on about Polanski and his get out of jail free cuz of talent card. (I know.) I couldn't tell you how I ended up there, just that I did. And I left with the need to see S5 of Desperate Housewives.

My mind, she is obviously not well.

Yay, my 2009 booklist has 154 books on it, according to goodreads. :D The overall list is at 602. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a morning to start.

Hi guys...

May be a long shot but I was wondering if anyone had any spare tickets to the second (17th Nov) Tori Amos show at The Opera House.

Willing to buy for cost price.

Cheers!

Does anyone know where I can buy Mana Potions in Sydney?

eg. http://www.manapotions.com/

EDIT: found them thanks - Games Paradise on Pitt Street!

I just stumbled across this, from here

Farmers’ markets are a great way to get all kinds of fresh organic food. Sydney has many excellent farmers’ markets as do many of the larger towns in New South Wales. A list of these markets is below.

Farmers’ Markets in Sydney

Bondi Junction Organic Farmers’ Market
Oxford Street
Bondi Junction NSW 2022

Chatswood Farmers’ Market
Cnr Pacific Highway and Centennial Avenue
Chatswood NSW 2067

Entertainment Quarter Farmers’ Market
Lang Road
Moore Park NSW 2021

Fox Farmers’ Market
Hornsby Mall
Moore Park NSW 2021

Frenchs Forest Organic Market
Parkway Hotel
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Every Sunday
7am – 1pm

Good Living Growers’ Market
Pyrmont Day Park
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Every 1st Saturday
7am – 11am

Hawkesbury Farmers’ Market
Castle Hill Showgrounds
Showground Road
Castle Hill NSW 2153
Every 2nd Saturday
8am – 12pm

Hornsby Organic Food Market
Hornsby Mall
Hornsby NSW 2077
Every Thursday
8am – 3pm

Leichhardt Organic Market
Orange Grove School
Cnr Perry Street and Balmain Road
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Every Saturday
8am – 1pm

Manly West Organic Market
Manly West School
Hill Street
Balgowlah NSW 2093

Marrickville Organic Food Market
142 Addison Road
Marrickville NSW 2204
Every Sunday
8:30 – 2pm

Northside Produce Markets
North Sydney NSW
Every 3rd Saturday
8am – 12pm

Penrith Market
Station Street
Penrith NSW 2750
Every Wednesday
8am – 1:30pm

Penshurst Organic Food Market
Pole Depot
23 St Georges Road
Penshurst NSW
Every Sunday
9am – 2pm

St Ives Organic Market
St Ives Showground
Mona Vale Road
St Ives NSW 2075

Warwick Farm Market
Warrick Farm Racecourse
Governor Macquarie Drive
Warwick Farm NSW 2170
Every Saturday
8am – 1pm

Is there anywhere in Sydney that does screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show?

Hi everyone,

The HBC's currently working hard on our annual holiday gift suggestion list, and we appreciate all of the interesting entries you've e-mailed us so far. Keep 'em coming!

Don't forget that for each person you tell us you need a gift for, you get extra entry into our book giveaway. More info here.

Thank you everyone, for your input on my Dark Tower text tattoo. However, I decided for now to just go with the Unfound symbol instead.

( Enter Through the Unfound Door )

• 04:08 My poor little hamster Fern is limping and wont put weight on one of her legs :( So worried :( :( :( #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

i am planning a full arm of just alice in wonderland tattoos this is the first of many

Kristy, I didn't think you'd go for another sponsorship deal after the Davis Diapers debacle.

( Image under cut. )

Disclaimer: I don't usually steal promotional material from fast-food joints.