Have any readers, in the last five months, purchased a Samsung LCD/Plasma television during their buy-one-get-one free promo? I bought the sleek LA40M81BDX (above) in February from The Good Guys in Maribyrnong and Samsung had promised to deliver the tellies within six to eight weeks. I say that’s hogwash, as we’re now approaching the middle of May, and it’s almost 11 weeks.

Confirmation email aside, I’ve not received any phonecalls, follow up emails or mail whatsoever. I say, how hard is it to send my free 19″ telly to my doorstep?

Granted, it was a good deal. For $1973 inc. gst, I got myself a relatively large LCD television and a free 19″. Now that’s a steal.

But steal or not, it’s still a restless wait for the Samsung contact that’s never gona come. Or is it?

Yoohoo…anyone working in Samsung here? Get your fucking act together already! My bedroom looks empty and rather forlorn looking without a shiny screen looking back at me.

Hey I’m all for publicity, controversy and ratings, but Big Brother 2008 has definitely gone out of its way to make itself ‘different’ this year.

Turn on our tellies and you’d not have missed this friendly-looking grandmother who professed that ‘Religion is the root of all evil’. Click on the Big Brother website and her profile indicates she’s a right wing Pauline Hanson fan. There’s also an accusation of migrant people coming into this country with all their problems. Just, wow. Well done Channel Ten. You can’t top that.

If BB2008 ever needed an ambassador for their show, Terri’s the one. Terri is a warm, friendly and caring person, who has views and opinions just like anyone else. I believe Channel Ten has gotten it right this year, with its eclectic lineup of (boring people notwithstanding) one metre tall belly dancer, a high pitched-sounding bloke, a tattooed UFO believer who looks like a sex maniac and the obligatory Asian. Oh, and don’t forget Mr Corey ‘I don’t give a fuck I was just having fun’ Worthington who is rumoured to be an intruder to the house. I wonder if he’s apologised to his parents for all the embarrassment he’s put them through.

Speaking of Asian, the look on Terri’s face was priceless when Nobbie first walked into the room. And it’s hilarious she voted for Nobbie ‘coz he’s too ‘touchy-feeley’. I guess she’s never really been loved by her husband before.

I’m sad she ended up being the first to be voted out.

Racism, we have no room for that in the society we live in.

And BB2008.

*chuckles*

PS: adrock2xander has never cared for BB. With Terri’s eviction, there’s one less thing for him to talk about.

I’ve always enjoyed a little bit of decadence in my lifestyle, and being a member of Sensual Ball satisfies that little bit of egotism in me. Granted, I don’t partake in any of the sexual cruises or swinging parties that dot their itinerary. But it’s always interesting to find out what the other side of the fence has in stall for the ‘unfortunate’ ones.

Several weeks ago I received an email from Sensual Ball alerting me to the casting of Australia’s version of Temptation Island. I had a good laugh upon looking at the application forms (both singles and couples). I thought they’re really thorough and professional. Well, when you’re messing around with the lives and relationships of people who’re committed to each other, you leave no stone unturned.

Here’re some of the questions:

1) Can you imagine being unfaithful to your partner under any circumstances?

2) Why are members of the opposite sex attracted to you?

3) Why are you a great partner?

Just for chuckles I submitted my application form (for singles). Every reality show needs the obligatory Asian who gets voted out within the first two weeks.

Check it out guys and send in your applications. Who knows you might just end up on TV with me :O

NOTE: Sensual Ball website is not safe for work.

EDIT: Argh I just found out that the deadline for applications falls on the 27th. What a pity.

I’m possibly the only Victorian who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Underbelly. I care about it so much, I haven’t even seen it. At my housewarming party several weeks ago, the blokes were sitting around the barbie talking about which mafia leader eating what pasta dish at that Lygon Street joint.

I guess that’s completely relevant ‘coz they grew up in Melbourne and Mr ABC of ABC Drug Cartel used to make headlines and they grew up watching and reading up on them on the media. Perhaps they left out how they spent $10 a week on dope from the local deli just round the corner from here.

The only gangland killers I know are the teenage wannabes from Merrylands High School who surrendered themselves to the coppers the moment they turned up. What idiots. They didn’t even get to damage some public property before they were arrested. Pfft.

But hey, looks like Underbelly will now be shown in other parts of the world. That might just spur me to watch it at your nearest pay-per-view channel in Asia when I visit my relos. Yup, ‘coz that’s so much easier than driving to my mate’s place in NSW for the same reason.

adrock2xander still hasn’t seen Underbelly.

The Royal Melbourne Show is starting in 2 days time!

What’s there to see this year?
Well, there are the animals (minus the horses); I love attending the dogs and cats shows, the variety of breeds astonishes me. There are the arts and crafts, carnival, produce to sample, but my favourite is still the showbag section. Lots and lots of showbags to think about and buy.

So, take some time off and attend the Royal Melbourne Show. Its worth the ticket price if you spend the entire day there.

Show Hours
Thursday 20th - Saturday 29th September
9:30am - 10pm

Sunday 30th
9:30am - 8:30pm

Ticket Prices
Adult $27.00
Concession $17.00
Child (Aged 5 to 14 years old, free entry for under 5 years old) $13.00
Family (2 Adults, 3 Children) $75.00
Seniors Day (Valid for Tuesday 25 September only) $13.00

Most amusing thirty seconds.

She: “hello, good afternoon Sir. You’ve won in a promotion.”
Me: “how did you get my number?”
She: “you were randomly selected to win in the promotion.”
Me: “how did you get my number? I am on the do not call register.”
She: “like I said Sir, this was computer generated.”
Me: “can you tell me what promotion this is, and what company I’m dealing with so I can make a complaint to the do not call register?”
<pause>
Me: “hello? hello?”
<click>

So maybe this is a further way to get rid of phone spammers? Remember to register yourself on the do not call register. And if you’ve got time, try and find out what you’ve won, take as many details as possible and lodge a complaint!

On Sunday night I and a friend (S) went along to Red Door Burlesque, at The Order Of Melbourne on level 2 of 401 Swanston Street, opposite RMIT (It’s the red door just beyond the 7-11 and the Druid’s Cafe, heading out of the CBD). (Contact them on (03) 9663 6707.)

It was an excellent night out. The Order of Melbourne is a restaurant/bar on the second level (at the top of about four flights of stairs); it has a large dining area, a DJ booth, a trapeze hanging from the ceiling, and, of course, a stage. The mood is very Victorian (the era, not the state). There is no dress code, but S and I felt a little under-dressed compared to the other patrons. And i’m not talking about standard shirts and ties; i’m talking gothic (once again, Victorian) sorts of outfits, one or two of which looked home-made. I almost wished I had a top hat and cane. It’s not just a place you go to, it’s a place where you’re invited to participate in the atmosphere. Of course, both S and I were in jeans and biker jackets, and nobody seemed to mind.
(more…)

“Firefly” fanclub Can’t Stop The Serenity Melbourne is holding a sepcial event for all feminists and Joss Whedon fans: they are holding a special screening of the sci-fi movie Serenity at RMIT’s Kaleide Theatre, 360 Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Tickets cost $14 online, and will be $15 at the doors (which open at 6:30, Saturday the 23rd June - thats one week away). As well as the movie itself, they will be showing a Canadian fan-made parody of the Firefly TV series, called “Mosquito”, and you’ll get to see previews for a Melbourne-based fan project. Proceeds from the event will go towards the international feminist lobby group Equality Now, which campaigns on Womens Rights issues around the world (from discriminatory laws to stoning to FGM - and if you don’t know what that stands for, go to the website now…).

*Serenity Charity Screening website
*Joss Whedon blogging on the absolute need for feminist action

First it was Jessica Alba, then over the weekend I see Logie winner, Kate Ritchie. Walking through Chinatown, I decided to stop at Kun Ming Restaurant for some Chinese food (or Hong Kong food as the young woman outside stated). No one seemed to bother her or rather most didn’t recognize her including myself (I’m a Neighbours fan). About an hour later, I spot her again walking down Swanston Street.

Usually when you see celebrities traveling around town, they have entourages, body guards and limos. Its refreshing to see that someone so famous can eat at an average restaurant and walk down the street like a “normal” person.

Picture via SMH/Penny Stephens

Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Chinatown, Australia, Kate Ritchie

I saw a short article about this on television. Some guy proposed to his girlfriend on the large screen on Federation Square. All he had to do was send an SMS message.

Apparently, Optus has placed a message board on which scrolling messages can be displaced. This is near the 7-Eleven store, close to the corner of Flinders and Swanston Street. Each message cost 55 cents and messages should be sent to 19 767 333.

But for the major gimmick, try the Optus SMS Fed TV. This is the large television screen on Federation Square. One can create personalised messages with animation to be displayed on the big screen. I don’t know who or what decides on the type of animation but that was what the guy did when he proposed to his girlfriend. He sent an SMS to 041 33 33 021 and was charged the premium SMS charged of 55cents. Cheap?

Has anyone else tried it yet? Looking at the Fed Square website, it seems that this service is available on certain weekdays in May only from 12 to 2 pm.

News Link
Herald Sun’s article on the marriage proposal