Is Oz The Only One With Balls?

An Australia-Japan showdown is looming, as key International Whaling Commission nations failed today to agree on a compromise allowing Antarctic whalehunting to continue for 10 years.

Whale 'research'...yeah right!

Nasty Nippon has warned the Ockers of a major diplomatic dispute by taking Japan to the International Court of Justice over whaling, but Oz PM Rudd has repeated his threat: "If necessary, we'll take it to the ICJ before the next whaling season commences. I don't think I can be plainer than that."
The Florida meeting highlights that Australia seems the only one prepared to actually hold the line. Our gutless NZ government, Australia's longtime anti-whaling ally, now backs a compromise (curious how that positional modification has not been loudly trumpeted here!). And USA may also support it, depending upon yet-unspecified catch quotas (in other words, we'll wait and see which way the wind blows first - hmmm, just like in WWII!).
A three-quarters vote is needed to approve this cop-out deal, casting doubt on reaching a consensus...as only a third of member countries are represented at the meeting (indicating perhaps that many of them don't really give a damn anyway...?)

Oscars Again...*yawn*

This weekend: the endless speeches, pathetic acknowledgements of every man and his auntie, dramatic tears of fake shock and awe...
the dishing-out of the 82nd.Oscar Awards... *drumroll*a hush falls over the Kodak Theatre*
The nominees are...well, here's the complete list...

Don't eat blue M&Ms!

The one everyone's eyeing is the intriguing 'Best Director' tussle between James Cameron (for sci-fi mega-mix Avatar) and his ex- Kathryn Bigelow (for bomb-disposal war film The Hurt Locker)...plus those films are in the home straight for 'Best Picture' too. Both have their strong points and weaknesses: I've already posted about Avatar...stunning visuals but underwhelming storyline.
I downloaded The Hurt Locker last week (not yet released here in NZ) and y'know, it annoyed me! I'll give Bigelow high marks for tension-building but, in terms of authenticity, if the central character was under my command and behaving so recklessly, I'd have his butt in the slammer! And yet I read the character is based on one particular serving soldier – I won't be proud, if I was him! Having clocked up some years in The Green Machine myself (3rd.generation military), I know the army would never allow someone to run amok like that.
Ok, it's only a movie – yet Bigelow is being praised for her accuracy and attention to detail. So in terms of cinematography, top marks (and deserving of its awards so far) but I feel she's way off-target in the character portrayal stakes.
As for the actor himself (Jeremy Renner) getting 'Best Actor'? Nup, nup, nup. That'll surely go to Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart. And the award for Best Picture goes to... *envelope please* screams* cheers* applause* astonishment* "I never dreamed"etc etc* ...and cut to commercials...

Graffiti: Easy Cum - Easy Go!

Ever pondered Man's impermanence on our planet?
Graffiti...images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Anything from simple words to elaborate paintings, it's been around since the Ancient Greeks, marking the passing of Man. These days, spray paint and marker pens are the tools of choice to communicate social and political messages.
To some, it's art: to others, vandalism.

I spotted this "interesting" graffiti on a wall in the heart of Auckland City near the university, beside the Inspiration statue...but by the very next week, it had been painted over by the Graffiti Police.
This may be the only photographic proof that it ever existed at all!
Wow! So deep and meaningful!
So...like...have another puff, dude...
and remember to "Vote 4 Droopy"!