Things I Love - First Edition

Strawberries and oranges

My two favourite fruits at the moment, there’s nothing better than sweet, juicy strawberries and oranges to make you feel good about life. Whatever question you may have, fresh fruit is the answer.

Podcasts

What is a podcast I hear you asking? Basically, it’s a pre-recorded radio show you can download from iTunes and listen to at your convenience on your portable media player or computer. There are many  audio and video podcasts you can subscribe to, from comedy to philosophy, science and current affairs. 

I’ve been listening to so many podcasts lately, I go to talk to my friends in real life about the people in the podcasts as if I’ve been hanging out with them and they are my close friends. Totally normal behaviour if you ask me. Here are a few worth your time and megabytes…

I Love Green Guide Letters

Hosted by Steele Saunders with a plethora of different guests every week, this podcast is a hilarious look at letters to The Melbourne Age’s TV and radio lift out, The Green Guide. Brace yourselves for the ‘Green Guide letter voice’ which has been perfected by Saunders, and if you’re anything like me, after listening on a regular basis, anytime you are reading a letter to the editor or any kind of feedback you’ll do it in THE voice. 

My favourite episode - number 55, starring Sti Sti, Zazzle and the Snake, and anything involving Lawrence Mooney.

Santo, Sam & Ed

Don’t bother watching the news or reading the newspaper anymore, Santo Cilauro, Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee will tell you everything you need to know about the week’s events.  It’s a load of fun, especially as you can hear them about to laugh at their own punch lines before they even happen. Rob Sitch and Tom Gleisner appear frequently as quality supporting cast members, and it’s champagne comedy as usual from the team at Working Dog. 

On Being with Krista Tippett

This podcast is full of thought provoking conversations about meaning, faith, ethics and ideas and the big questions at the centre of human life. There are some really good interviews here, no matter your background or beliefs. There are hours and hours of conversations with some of the world’s best thinkers and leaders in their fields, right at your fingertips and for free. 

Episodes to download - Translating the Dalai Lama, Fr Greg Boyle on gangs, service and kinship, and Brene Brown on vulnerability. 

Also worth your time

Check out The Little Dum Dum Club hosted by Tommy Dassalo and Karl Chandler, and Wil Anderson’s podcast, FOFOP, both full of laughs and special guests. 

Miranda

If you’ve not yet acquainted yourself with Miranda Hart’s sitcom Miranda, you are missing out on SUCH FUN! I recommend you go out right now, off you go, and buy all three seasons on DVD. Then come home and lock yourself in a darkened room and watch every episode back-to-back and over and over until you are what-I-call exhausted from laughter. 

The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger

He doesn’t give a shit. 

Rikki, aka Gully

I can only describe this girl as mercurial. She is so animated and lively, you never know what is going to come out of her mouth next, which makes life with Gully around consistently fun and hilarious. I remember the first time I met Gully, she was standing next to me complete with her bombshell hair, and talking about how excited she was to go to a future Justin Bieber concert. The shallow, judgmental part of me automatically thought she was just another little girl who had succumbed to Bieber fever.

How wrong I was. The next minute she was exclaiming how pretty my name was, and posing such pertinent questions as ‘Would you rather have books for hands or hands for books?’. As you ponder that one, let me tell you Gully is a one of a kind type of friend.  Gully’s heart is big and her light is bright, and when she shares her life, with her inimitable style of storytelling and sense of humour, it is impossible not to love her. 

Shuh-share your thoughts, leave a comment below… thanks for reading! 

It's Written In The Stars - April 2013

Hello dear readers, Astra here. I've spent a lot of time and effort on this month's predictions, and I pride myself on my sometimes-stunning accuracy. However, any one of these astrological insights could be applicable to you. If you're not happy with your sign, please read another until you find something that resonates. I'm bound to hit something on the head eventually. If nothing resonates, then clearly you are not taking this precise scientific process seriously, and I'd ask you to please refrain from coming round these parts again. 

Yours astrologically, Astra. xoxo

Aries

All of your sushi boats come in this month, Aries, which is unfortunate because you hate sushi and Japanese food in general. Channel some of the disappointment into educating yourself about different cultures and cuisines and try again next year. 

Taurus

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived someone with the same name as you. He or she lived a peaceful life, spending their days in the fields watching cloud formations and picking sunflowers. Then one day, your namesake died of consumption. Beware history doesn't repeat itself, Taurus. 

Gemini

While in Vegas you go and see Cirque du Soleil's latest show. This inspires you to embark on a career as a clown. The good news is, you've already got the credentials. Keep on being yourself Gemini. 

Cancer

You can breathe easy now Queen Elizabeth II is out of hospital and on the mend from her attack of gastroenteritis. You'd been holding your breath so long your blood was turning blue. It's safe to say your favourite monarch would have been spending a lot of time on the throne that week. 

Leo

You hear Kanye West wants to name his child 'North' and wonder why you continue to live on this earth. North West. Leo, you can only hope North ends up with siblings with names like 'South By South', 'East 2' and John. The first three will form a rap crew and John will be a fisherman. 

Virgo

The good news,Virgo, is you have more money in your bank account than the entire country of Cypress. Unfortunately, that $2.96 still won't get you anywhere.  

Libra

You didn't win an Oscar this awards season Libra, but I can tell you this month you will win big. The biggest lot of nothing you've ever seen. At least you're used to it. 

Scorpio

You adopt a dog from a shelter this month, and feel great about yourself for giving a poor, defenseless  abandoned creature a home and all the love and attention it needs. Be sure to remember your kids once in a while, too, Scorpio.  

Sagittarius 

You become addicted to watching 'My Strange Addiction' and eventually get featured in the show itself for having an addiction to 'My Strange Addiction'. The world stops as it gets caught in this vortex of reality as reality. We really can't cope with much more, Sagittarius. 

Capricorn

Have you ever stopped to wonder what your life might be like if you were popular, rich and successful? As you stand in line for government handouts, don't dwell on it too long. You'll be in that line a while longer yet. 

Aquarius

You take a trip to Ikea for lunch. While you are there, a researcher sits down with you to ask why on earth, out of all the places you could choose to go to lunch, you chose to go to Ikea. Now is the time to admit you got confused when your friend asked you if you wanted some Swedish meatballs. 

And Pisces, the fish.

Rather than spending your waking hours scouring Pinterest for the latest in hair braiding, go outside and get some vitamin D.  I'd much rather look at someone with a healthy glow and messy hair than someone perfectly presented with the pallor of a vampire. 

It's Written In The Stars - March 2013

Aries
There’s no denying you are smart, Aries. It’s this, plus your overbearing nature that makes you the person everybody loves to have on their team for trivia night. It’s no wonder all your friends are alcoholics.

Taurus
After your recent outburst of profanity in a local park, I can say, without doubt, you are the reason the Pope resigned. Keep up the good work, Taurus. Perhaps your next gift to the world can be asking the One Direction boys to stop using so much hair product.

Gemini
You’re on top of the world this month, Gemini, after you learn Gotye won the best record Grammy for his hit Somebody That I Used To Know. Then you remember the song was about you and come crashing back down to earth. In your defense, had you known Wally and Gotye was the same person you might have played things differently. Better luck next time. 

Cancer
As you’re naturally full of it anyway, your decision to turn pro at ‘Battleshits’ is a good one, Cancer. Just be mindful of staring at the person in the next cubicle too long, or things could get weird.

Leo
You spend the entire month adding the screaming goat footage you found  to popular songs, only to discover someone has already beaten you to it. Not to worry, you get to work on your real career - writing a sitcom about a group of friends living in New York City in the mid-nineties. 

Virgo
You hear the Alicia Keys song Girl on Fire one too many times this month Virgo, prompting you to stalk the singer and eventually set her on fire as she enjoys dinner with her husband. It’s a classic ‘practice what you preach’ moment, although Ms Keys doesn’t seem to appreciate it as much as you do. Third degree burns don’t seem to do much for a person’s sense of humour. 

Libra
It’s true what they say - drama attracts drama - and this month, Libra, you are nominated for an Academy Award in the “Best Actor or Actress Out To Self Destruct” category.  The exciting part is you win the award, but the rest of your life has fallen apart and there is no one left in your life to share the success with. I hope that statuette keeps you warm at night.  

Scorpio
Remember Scorpio, you have nothing to gain and everything to lose, making you a perfect ambassador for the new Weight Watchers campaign. 

Sagittarius
A little bird tells me you got a new job, Sagittarius. Congratulations. Your social skills will be at an all time high, as people you are working with are held captive by your conversations. I always knew you’d make a great undertaker. 

Capricorn
It’s time, Capricorn, to tell your children there is no such thing as Santa Claus. It’s also time for you to realise you don’t have any children, and walking the streets telling strangers’ children Christmas is a lie is not okay. Seek professional help.  

Aquarius
What if you did everything you ever wanted to do, Aquarius? How would your life look? On second thought, perhaps keep it to yourself. No one needs to know about your disturbing fetishes. 

And Pisces, the fish.
Your dreams have been absurd lately, and you have gotten to the point where you don’t want to sleep for fear of what your unconscious subconscious might have to tell you. I wouldn’t worry too much, Pisces. Let’s face it, your dreams are much more exciting than anything going on in your real life at the moment.