Above & below pictures are of the artist Joh Brack.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Lunch with John Brack
I have not know too much of the art work of John Brack and was please to see it. The girls and I from the office took time to go to the NGV and view a collection of the work of this Australian artist.
Above & below pictures are of the artist Joh Brack.
Above & below pictures are of the artist Joh Brack.
Hollywood comes to Melbourne
Hollywood superstars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have arrived in Melbourne with their daughter Suri in preparation for filming of Holmes' new horror flick at Docklands.The couple's private jet was taken into an executive hangar at Essendon Airport
The star couple disembarked, with Cruise carrying three-year-old Suri.
The celebrity family were whisked from the airport in a two-car convoy, with a white Audi four-wheel-drive carrying them and a black Audi sedan as escort.
James Packer's private Crown Towers penthouse is said to be housing the family during their stay - after the billionaire offered up the lavish and super secure suite to his friends.
Crown has reportedly increased its security in readiness for the power couple's arrival.
And the Docklands studio where Holmes will film horror re-make Don't Be Afraid of the Dark with Australian actor Guy Pearce will be a media-free zone during filming.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
AFL: Sydney Swans play Adelaide Crows.
Someone needs to stop Barry Hall. I love the guy but he is out of control. Does he know when to stop. I really don't think so.
Adelaide maintained its climb up the AFL ladder - and utter dominance of Sydney - with a fighting 16-point victory at AAMI Stadium.
The Swans led by as much as 25 points soon after halftime, before the Crows fired into action and eventually won 12.13 (85) to 10.9 (69) in front of 38,064 supporters. Defeat slipped Sydney to 5-8 for the year and with a pair of possible tribunal headaches for Barry Hall and young tall Jesse White, who were both reported. Adelaide have now won their last six matches against the Swans. They were well served by the brilliant Jason Porplyzia (four goals), Bernie Vince, Scott Thompson, and ruckman Brad Moran played their part, while Kurt Tippett (two goals) was again threatening as a tall target. Brett Kirk, Ryan O'Keefe and Rhyce Shaw all battled manfully for Sydney and Hall kicked four goals despite the report.
Sydney were the more desperate team in the early stages, while they were also tactically sharp, getting numbers back quickly to counter the Crows' forward movement. A five-point lead at the first change was the minimum the Swans deserved and they kept the momentum in the second by barreling through the first three majors of the term. Hall was enjoying a great first half, Kirk, Shaw and Adam Goodes were leading a dominant midfield and ex-Crow Martin Mattner provided plenty of run out of defence. Clear by 19 points at the half, the visitors seemed likely to continue on their merry way when Kirk waltzed in to goal for his side's seventh. But instead of killing the game, the Swans allowed Adelaide back into the contest with a handful of errors. Winning a greater share of ball out of the middle, Adelaide gobbled up the advantage Sydney fought so hard to create in the space of 15 minutes. Andrew McLeod's inspired dribble goal deep in time-on meant the Crows took a seven-point lead into the final change. Hall's fourth cut it back to two, but the Crows ran the game out stronger to seal the four points. ADELAIDE 1.3, 3.4, 9.7, 12.13 (85) SYDNEY 2.2, 6.5, 8.6, 10.9 (69)
A CLOUD hangs over Barry Hall's career after he was reported for another striking incident in Sydney's loss to Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
Hall delivered a short, sharp, left hand to the chin of Crows defender Ben Rutten as the pair tangled on the ground after the three-quarter time siren to sour his 250th AFL game.
The prospect of a four or five-week ban could be the final straw for the Swans, who have repeatedly pleaded with the fiery forward to control his temper.
This latest incident comes only three weeks after Hall was blasted by coach Paul Roos for costing the side victory when he gave away three consecutive 50m penalties against Hawthorn.
"There's definitely still some issues there with Barry Hall,'' said Fox Sports expert and former Geelong player Dwayne Russell.
"I don't know too many leopards that can instantly change their spots - and Barry Hall is still a leopard. The fact that he kicked four goals might help him out because he actually looked like a player contributing to the team.
"But the thing that would worry the Swans might be the fact that it just seemed like a reflex action. He did it before his brain had a chance to kick in. That's a worry, because how can you coach to rectify that? I'm not sure that either stern words or a cuddle from Paul Roos is going to rectify that.''
However, Roos was surprised to learn that Hall had been reported. "I only just found out (Hall) got reported, I was surprised. I must admit I didn't see it,'' Roos said. "But, yes, his football performance was very good, he kicked four goals.''
Hall delivered a short, sharp, left hand to the chin of Crows defender Ben Rutten as the pair tangled on the ground after the three-quarter time siren to sour his 250th AFL game.
The prospect of a four or five-week ban could be the final straw for the Swans, who have repeatedly pleaded with the fiery forward to control his temper.
This latest incident comes only three weeks after Hall was blasted by coach Paul Roos for costing the side victory when he gave away three consecutive 50m penalties against Hawthorn.
"There's definitely still some issues there with Barry Hall,'' said Fox Sports expert and former Geelong player Dwayne Russell.
"I don't know too many leopards that can instantly change their spots - and Barry Hall is still a leopard. The fact that he kicked four goals might help him out because he actually looked like a player contributing to the team.
"But the thing that would worry the Swans might be the fact that it just seemed like a reflex action. He did it before his brain had a chance to kick in. That's a worry, because how can you coach to rectify that? I'm not sure that either stern words or a cuddle from Paul Roos is going to rectify that.''
However, Roos was surprised to learn that Hall had been reported. "I only just found out (Hall) got reported, I was surprised. I must admit I didn't see it,'' Roos said. "But, yes, his football performance was very good, he kicked four goals.''
Adelaide maintained its climb up the AFL ladder - and utter dominance of Sydney - with a fighting 16-point victory at AAMI Stadium.The Swans led by as much as 25 points soon after halftime, before the Crows fired into action and eventually won 12.13 (85) to 10.9 (69) in front of 38,064 supporters. Defeat slipped Sydney to 5-8 for the year and with a pair of possible tribunal headaches for Barry Hall and young tall Jesse White, who were both reported. Adelaide have now won their last six matches against the Swans. They were well served by the brilliant Jason Porplyzia (four goals), Bernie Vince, Scott Thompson, and ruckman Brad Moran played their part, while Kurt Tippett (two goals) was again threatening as a tall target. Brett Kirk, Ryan O'Keefe and Rhyce Shaw all battled manfully for Sydney and Hall kicked four goals despite the report.
Sydney were the more desperate team in the early stages, while they were also tactically sharp, getting numbers back quickly to counter the Crows' forward movement. A five-point lead at the first change was the minimum the Swans deserved and they kept the momentum in the second by barreling through the first three majors of the term. Hall was enjoying a great first half, Kirk, Shaw and Adam Goodes were leading a dominant midfield and ex-Crow Martin Mattner provided plenty of run out of defence. Clear by 19 points at the half, the visitors seemed likely to continue on their merry way when Kirk waltzed in to goal for his side's seventh. But instead of killing the game, the Swans allowed Adelaide back into the contest with a handful of errors. Winning a greater share of ball out of the middle, Adelaide gobbled up the advantage Sydney fought so hard to create in the space of 15 minutes. Andrew McLeod's inspired dribble goal deep in time-on meant the Crows took a seven-point lead into the final change. Hall's fourth cut it back to two, but the Crows ran the game out stronger to seal the four points. ADELAIDE 1.3, 3.4, 9.7, 12.13 (85) SYDNEY 2.2, 6.5, 8.6, 10.9 (69)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Farrah Fawcett DEAD
This poster of Farrah Fawcett is the biggest selling poster of all time.
A winsome smile, tousled hair and unfettered sensuality were Farrah Fawcett's trademarks as a sex symbol and 1970s TV star in "Charlie's Angels." But as her life drew to a close, she captivated the public in a far different way: as a cancer patient who fought for, then surrendered, her treasured privacy to document her struggle with the disease and inspire others.
Fawcett, 62, died Thursday morning at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, nearly three years after being diagnosed with anal cancer. Ryan O'Neal, the longtime companion who returned to her side when she became ill, was with her.
"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," O'Neal said. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
In the end, Fawcett sought to offer more than that, re-emerging in the spotlight with a new gravitas.
In "Farrah's Story," which aired last month, she made public her painful treatments and dispiriting setbacks — from shaving her golden locks before chemotherapy could claim them to undergoing experimental treatments in Germany.
"Her big message to people is don't give up. No matter what they say to you, keep fighting," Alana Stewart, who filmed Fawcett as she underwent treatment, said last month. NBC estimated the May 15, 2009, broadcast drew nearly 9 million viewers.
In the documentary, she also recounted her efforts to unmask the source of leaks from her UCLA Medical Center records, which led a hospital employee to plead guilty to violating a federal privacy law for selling celebrities' information to the National Enquirer.
"There are no words to express the deep sense of loss that I feel," Stewart said Thursday. "For 30 years, Farrah was much more than a friend. She was my sister, and although I will miss her terribly, I know in my heart that she will always be there as that angel on the shoulder of everyone who loved her."
Other "Charlie's Angels" stars also paid tribute.
"Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels," Jaclyn Smith said.
Said Cheryl Ladd: "She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms."
Kate Jackson said she would remember Fawcett's "kindness, her cutting, dry wit and, of course, her beautiful smile. Today when you think of Farrah remember her smiling because that is exactly how she wanted to be remembered, smiling."
Fawcett became a sensation in 1976 as one-third of the crime-fighting trio in "Charlie's Angels." A poster of her in a clingy, red swimsuit sold in the millions and her full, layered hairstyle became all the rage, with girls and women across America mimicking the look.
She left the show after one season but had a flop on the big screen with "Somebody Killed Her Husband." She turned to more serious roles in the 1980s and 1990s, winning praise playing an abused wife in "The Burning Bed."
Born Feb. 2, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Texas, she was named Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett by her mother, who said she added the Farrah because it sounded good with Fawcett. As a student at the University of Texas at Austin, she was voted one of the 10 most beautiful people on the campus and her photos were eventually spotted by movie publicist David Mirisch, who suggested she pursue a film career.
She appeared in a string of commercials, including one where she shaved quarterback Joe Namath, and in such TV shows as "That Girl," "The Flying Nun," "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Partridge Family."
She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. According to the American Cancer Society Web site, an estimated 5,290 Americans, most of them adults over 35, will be diagnosed with that type of cancer this year, and there will be 710 deaths.
As she underwent treatment, she enlisted the help of O'Neal, who was the father of her now 24-year-old son, Redmond.
This month, O'Neal said he asked Fawcett to marry him and she agreed. They would wed "as soon as she can say yes," he said, but it never happened.
Fawcett, Jackson and Smith made up the original "Angels," the sexy, police-trained trio of martial arts experts who took their assignments from a rich, mysterious boss named Charlie (John Forsythe, who was never seen on camera but whose distinctive voice was heard on speaker phone.)
The program debuted in September 1976, the height of what some critics derisively referred to as television's "jiggle show" era, and it gave each of the actresses ample opportunity to show off their figures as they disguised themselves as hookers and strippers to solve crimes.
Backed by a clever publicity campaign, Fawcett — then billed as Farrah Fawcett-Majors because of her marriage to "The Six Million Dollar Man" star Lee Majors — quickly became the most popular Angel of all.
Her face helped sell T-shirts, lunch boxes, shampoo, wigs and even a novelty plumbing device called Farrah's faucet. Her flowing blond hair, pearly white smile and trim, shapely body made her a favorite with male viewers in particular.
The public and the show's producer, Spelling-Goldberg, were shocked when she announced after the series' first season that she was leaving television's No. 5-rated series to star in feature films. (Ladd became the new "Angel" on the series.)
But film turned out to be a platform where Fawcett was never able to duplicate her TV success. Her first star vehicle, the comedy-mystery "Somebody Killed Her Husband," flopped and Hollywood cynics cracked that it should have been titled "Somebody Killed Her Career."
The actress had also been in line to star in "Foul Play" for Columbia Pictures. But the studio opted for Goldie Hawn instead. Fawcett told The Associated Press in 1979 that Spelling-Goldberg sabotaged her, warning "all the studios that that they would be sued for damages if they employed me."
She finally reached an agreement to appear in three episodes of "Charlie's Angels" a season, an experience she called "painful."
After a short string of unsuccessful movies, Fawcett found critical success in the 1984 television movie "The Burning Bed," which earned her an Emmy nomination.
As further proof of her acting credentials, Fawcett appeared off-Broadway in "Extremities," playing a woman who seeks revenge against her attacker after being raped in her own home. She repeated the role in the 1986 film version.
Not content to continue playing victims, she switched type to take on roles as a murderous mother in the 1989 true-crime story "Small Sacrifices" and a tough lawyer on the trail of a thief in 1992's "Criminal Behavior."
She also starred in biographies of Nazi-hunter Beate Klarsfeld and photographer Margaret Bourke-White.
In 1995, at age 50, Fawcett stirred controversy posing partly nude for Playboy magazine. The following year, she starred in a Playboy video, "All of Me," in which she was equally unclothed while she sculpted and painted.
Fawcett's most unfortunate career moment may have been a 1997 appearance on David Letterman's show, when her disjointed, rambling answers led many to speculate that she was on drugs. She denied that, blaming her strange behavior on questionable advice from her mother to be playful and have a good time.
In September 2006, Fawcett, who at 59 still maintained a strict regimen of tennis and paddleball, began to feel strangely exhausted. She underwent two weeks of tests that revealed the cancer.
"I do not want to die of this disease. So I say to God, `It is seriously time for a miracle,'" she said in "Farrah's Story."
A winsome smile, tousled hair and unfettered sensuality were Farrah Fawcett's trademarks as a sex symbol and 1970s TV star in "Charlie's Angels." But as her life drew to a close, she captivated the public in a far different way: as a cancer patient who fought for, then surrendered, her treasured privacy to document her struggle with the disease and inspire others.Fawcett, 62, died Thursday morning at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, nearly three years after being diagnosed with anal cancer. Ryan O'Neal, the longtime companion who returned to her side when she became ill, was with her.
"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," O'Neal said. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
In the end, Fawcett sought to offer more than that, re-emerging in the spotlight with a new gravitas.
In "Farrah's Story," which aired last month, she made public her painful treatments and dispiriting setbacks — from shaving her golden locks before chemotherapy could claim them to undergoing experimental treatments in Germany.
"Her big message to people is don't give up. No matter what they say to you, keep fighting," Alana Stewart, who filmed Fawcett as she underwent treatment, said last month. NBC estimated the May 15, 2009, broadcast drew nearly 9 million viewers.
In the documentary, she also recounted her efforts to unmask the source of leaks from her UCLA Medical Center records, which led a hospital employee to plead guilty to violating a federal privacy law for selling celebrities' information to the National Enquirer.
"There are no words to express the deep sense of loss that I feel," Stewart said Thursday. "For 30 years, Farrah was much more than a friend. She was my sister, and although I will miss her terribly, I know in my heart that she will always be there as that angel on the shoulder of everyone who loved her."
Other "Charlie's Angels" stars also paid tribute.
"Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels," Jaclyn Smith said.
Said Cheryl Ladd: "She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms."
Kate Jackson said she would remember Fawcett's "kindness, her cutting, dry wit and, of course, her beautiful smile. Today when you think of Farrah remember her smiling because that is exactly how she wanted to be remembered, smiling."
Fawcett became a sensation in 1976 as one-third of the crime-fighting trio in "Charlie's Angels." A poster of her in a clingy, red swimsuit sold in the millions and her full, layered hairstyle became all the rage, with girls and women across America mimicking the look.
She left the show after one season but had a flop on the big screen with "Somebody Killed Her Husband." She turned to more serious roles in the 1980s and 1990s, winning praise playing an abused wife in "The Burning Bed."
Born Feb. 2, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Texas, she was named Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett by her mother, who said she added the Farrah because it sounded good with Fawcett. As a student at the University of Texas at Austin, she was voted one of the 10 most beautiful people on the campus and her photos were eventually spotted by movie publicist David Mirisch, who suggested she pursue a film career.
She appeared in a string of commercials, including one where she shaved quarterback Joe Namath, and in such TV shows as "That Girl," "The Flying Nun," "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Partridge Family."
She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. According to the American Cancer Society Web site, an estimated 5,290 Americans, most of them adults over 35, will be diagnosed with that type of cancer this year, and there will be 710 deaths.
As she underwent treatment, she enlisted the help of O'Neal, who was the father of her now 24-year-old son, Redmond.
This month, O'Neal said he asked Fawcett to marry him and she agreed. They would wed "as soon as she can say yes," he said, but it never happened.
Fawcett, Jackson and Smith made up the original "Angels," the sexy, police-trained trio of martial arts experts who took their assignments from a rich, mysterious boss named Charlie (John Forsythe, who was never seen on camera but whose distinctive voice was heard on speaker phone.)
The program debuted in September 1976, the height of what some critics derisively referred to as television's "jiggle show" era, and it gave each of the actresses ample opportunity to show off their figures as they disguised themselves as hookers and strippers to solve crimes.
Backed by a clever publicity campaign, Fawcett — then billed as Farrah Fawcett-Majors because of her marriage to "The Six Million Dollar Man" star Lee Majors — quickly became the most popular Angel of all.
Her face helped sell T-shirts, lunch boxes, shampoo, wigs and even a novelty plumbing device called Farrah's faucet. Her flowing blond hair, pearly white smile and trim, shapely body made her a favorite with male viewers in particular.
The public and the show's producer, Spelling-Goldberg, were shocked when she announced after the series' first season that she was leaving television's No. 5-rated series to star in feature films. (Ladd became the new "Angel" on the series.)
But film turned out to be a platform where Fawcett was never able to duplicate her TV success. Her first star vehicle, the comedy-mystery "Somebody Killed Her Husband," flopped and Hollywood cynics cracked that it should have been titled "Somebody Killed Her Career."
The actress had also been in line to star in "Foul Play" for Columbia Pictures. But the studio opted for Goldie Hawn instead. Fawcett told The Associated Press in 1979 that Spelling-Goldberg sabotaged her, warning "all the studios that that they would be sued for damages if they employed me."
She finally reached an agreement to appear in three episodes of "Charlie's Angels" a season, an experience she called "painful."
After a short string of unsuccessful movies, Fawcett found critical success in the 1984 television movie "The Burning Bed," which earned her an Emmy nomination.
As further proof of her acting credentials, Fawcett appeared off-Broadway in "Extremities," playing a woman who seeks revenge against her attacker after being raped in her own home. She repeated the role in the 1986 film version.
Not content to continue playing victims, she switched type to take on roles as a murderous mother in the 1989 true-crime story "Small Sacrifices" and a tough lawyer on the trail of a thief in 1992's "Criminal Behavior."
She also starred in biographies of Nazi-hunter Beate Klarsfeld and photographer Margaret Bourke-White.
In 1995, at age 50, Fawcett stirred controversy posing partly nude for Playboy magazine. The following year, she starred in a Playboy video, "All of Me," in which she was equally unclothed while she sculpted and painted.
Fawcett's most unfortunate career moment may have been a 1997 appearance on David Letterman's show, when her disjointed, rambling answers led many to speculate that she was on drugs. She denied that, blaming her strange behavior on questionable advice from her mother to be playful and have a good time.
In September 2006, Fawcett, who at 59 still maintained a strict regimen of tennis and paddleball, began to feel strangely exhausted. She underwent two weeks of tests that revealed the cancer.
"I do not want to die of this disease. So I say to God, `It is seriously time for a miracle,'" she said in "Farrah's Story."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
AFL: Michael O'Loughlin
Sydney's longest serving player, Michael O'Loughlin has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.Flanked by coach Paul Roos at a press conference this afternoon, the 32-year-old key forward announced that his 15-season career in the AFL is coming to an end.
The future of O'Loughlin and many of his veteran teammates has been the topic of speculation all season, particularly as the Swans look towards youth as they appear set to miss the finals for the first time in seven years.
O'Loughlin told Roos of his decision yesterday, and his teammates this morning. He said that he knew it was time for him to call it quits.
After a late start to the year following off-season ankle surgery, O'Loughlin had said earlier in the season he was happy with his form and at that point would be looking to play on.
"I'm just thinking about the ankle and getting back and playing," he said upon his return to football.
"Last year was an OK year for me apart from injuring the ankle, and those games I did play I felt I had an impact so if I can keep doing that, we'll probably go another year. I'd like to, but that's too far away."As to what has changed his mind, that will be revealed this afternoon.
O'Loughlin has played a club record 293 games with the Swans and is scheduled for his 300th game against Richmond at the MCG on August 9.He was recruited from the Central District club in Adelaide as a teenager in the 1994 draft, picked up by the Swans as a third round selection, the 40th pick overall.
He didn't need to wait long before making his senior debut, in round five of the next season in 1995, against Adelaide at the SCG, and the man who would be nicknamed 'Magic' kicked three goals in Sydney's big win over the Crows.
Since then he has added another 502 goals to be second only to South Melbourne legend Bob Pratt (681) on the Swans all-time list.
O'Loughlin played in a grand final in his second season, in a losing side against North Melbourne, and would play in two more, in 2006, and in the winning premiership side in 2005.
In 1998 he won the club's Best and Fairest award, and was runner-up in award 2000. He was also the Swans leading goalkicker in both 2000 (53 goals) and 2001 (35 goals), and won selection in the All-Australian team in both 1997 and 2000.On the Swans website, coach Paul Roos attributed O'Loughlin's recent poor form to difficulties gelling with new players
Monday, June 22, 2009
Swine Flu Holiday
Come to Victoria the capital of swine flu in Australia. We have more cases and people die in Vortoria from swine flu then anywhere else in Australia.
Top 100 song of all time: Billie Jean -Michael Jackson
When I look back to 1983 and the song “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, all I can think of is a happy time. I had just moved out from home, exploring the gay scene on Oxford Street and was in love. To steal a line from the movie Titanic – I felt like I was the king of the world. My life did change years later and by growing up I do believe you can lose that innocents of youth. Where you fall head of over heals in love and that you can live forever. Sadly some people didn’t.
AFL: Swans lose again against Collingwood.
It may be Sydney's home game but ANZ Stadium holds no fears for Collingwood, who have won four of their six games there.
The Pies are also on a six-game winning streak against the Swans and will surge into fourth spot should they account for Sydney. But Paul Roos' men are proven performers when the chips are down, and Sydney bad boy Barry Hall will be desperate to make amends for his round 11 brain fade that cost his team victory against Hawthorn. The Pies boast plenty of match-winners, with Leon Davis and Dane Swan able to wreak havoc in the middle. But it is Collingwood's small forwards that could pose the greatest threat for Sydney. Alan Didak is capable of ripping a game wide open, while Brad Dick has popped up for eight goals in his past two outings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
