And the fat get fatter

Oh great. It would seem that the Australian launch of the Double Down has now sparked a 'who has the biggest cock' competition amongst questionably relevant food outlets.

Mexican restaurant chain Mad Mex (who I've never heard of - is this just a Sydney thing?) have just announced the introduction of a 1kg burrito.

Yes, that's right - a 1kg burrito. That's double the size of their regular burrito (which is a scary fact in itself), and if you successfully nom your way through this mountain of Mexican, you get a free t-shirt. A FREE T-SHIRT!

What I find fascinating about all this is the current trend for opposite approaches within the fast food advertising sector. While McDonald's is desperate for us to believe it has seen the healthy light and now wants to offer low-fat salads and yoghurt, stores like KFC (and now Mad Mex) are going the complete opposite and intend to kill us all before we're 30. It would seem that the age old battle between communal societal care and self-determined stupidity is alive and well, and tastes like triple-fried cheese.

Human Rights Arts and Film Festival

This year, as in past gone by, Oxfam Australia is proud to be supporting the Human Rights and Arts Film Festival.

This year, we are sponsoring the screening of three films:

Moving to Mars follows two refugee families from Burma over the course of a year that will change their lives completely. Forced from their homeland by the repressive military junta, they have lived in a Thai refugee camp for many years. A resettlement scheme offers them the chance of a new life, but their new home, in the British city of Sheffield, will be different to everything they have ever known.

The Indigenous people of Takuu, a tiny low-lying atoll in the South Western Pacific, have an impossible decision to make. Water is rising, and as their land starts to disappear, their way of life is under threat. As they prepare for a terrifying tidal flood to rip through their community, they must ask the question: do we stay, or do we leave our homeland forever? There Once was an Island reveals the human face of climate change in the Pacific, challenging audiences everywhere to consider their own relationship to the earth and the other people on it.

In the heart of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, United Nations soldiers guard a heavily fortified building known as the “special court.” Inside, Issa Sesay awaits his trial. Prosecutors say Sesay is a war criminal, guilty of heinous crimes against humanity. His defenders say he is a reluctant fighter who protected civilians and played a crucial role in bringing peace to Sierra Leone. With unprecedented access to prosecutors, defence attorneys, victims and  Sesay himself, War Don Don puts international justice on trial for the world to see.

These films will be touring the country as part of the festival - please do come along to a screening near you and have a chat to our volunteers about the issues raised by the films.

Melbourne
Moving to Mars: 9pm, Tuesday 17 May, Australian Centre for the Moving Image
There Once Was An Island: 6:30pm, Friday 20 May, Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Seminar: Progressive Media: Creating and Exhibiting Films for Social Activism, 2pm, Saturday 21 May, Australian Centre for the Moving Image
War Don Don (Melbourne festival closing night): 6:30pm, Sunday 22 May, Capitol Theatre

Moving to Mars will also be touring the country
Alice Springs: 6pm, Saturday 28 May, Olive Pink Botanical Gardens
Brisbane: 6:30pm, Friday 3 June, Venue TBC
Sydney: 6:30pm, Saturday 4 June, Dendy Newtown
Byron Bay: 7pm, Saturday 4 June, Dendy Byron Bay
Adelaide: 7pm, Friday 10 June, Mercury Cinema
Perth: 6pm, Friday 10 June, Luna Cinema Paradiso

War Don Don will be screening in Canberra
2pm, Sunday 29 May, National Film and Sound Archives

Of course, there's much more on offer than just these three great films. Please check out the full program for your city and get out to see some fascinating films, documentaries and events.

First published on Oxfam Blogs

Congrats to all 2011 shows

Well, we've reached the end of yet another season, and with that comes the revealing of this years' award recipients.

Taking out the top award of the festival, the Barry Award, is British stand-up comic Russell Kane. Having already been awarded the top prize for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Kane has also earned the honour of becoming the first person to take out both awards for the same show.

To roll off the other honours: the Best Newcomer Award was taken out by Michael Workman. The Golden Gibbo Award (given to a comic who puts commercial interests aside to explore artistic ideas) was handed to Geraldine Quinn. The Bulmer's Choice Award went to Wil Anderson. The Festival Director's Award was given to Denise Scott. Finally, the Piece of Wood Award (decided by fellow comics) was awarded to Harley Breen.

Congratulations to all these winners. But really, we should be applauding the valiant efforts of ALL comics who are brave enough to stand up there, night after night, persevering in their pursuit of performance. Comedians, musicians, dancers, actors, singers and performers - we salute you.

And remember, comedy is not just a one-month-a-year thing. There are heaps of venues around Australia where you can go see comedy all year round. Please, get out there and support your local comedians!

First published on The Pun

The Koopas need YOU

WANT!

World War II propaganda-style Super Mario Brothers posters.
Yes.

1980s cult movie art exhibition

I need a ticket to California, STAT!

The 3B Show, featuring artwork inspired by Back to the Future, Beetlejuice and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure created by members of The Autumn Society, opens on May 5th at Gallery 1988 in Venice and runs through June 3rd.

via Laughing Squid

I ♥ this picture

via Richard Watts

Keane on Carbon

Great piece from Bernard Keane in today's Crikey, pointing our the ludicrous arguments at play in the carbon tax debate:

The constant claim from business that they support a carbon price, but not one that will affect them (usually, "cost jobs"), is, literally, nonsensical. You can't support a carbon price if you don't want it to change anything. It's like declaring in 1988 "I support the removal of tariffs, but not if it costs any jobs". The purpose of a carbon price -- the only purpose -- is exactly to change things, to start decarbonising the world's most emissions-intensive economy, so that at least we catch up with the rest of the world in per capita carbon usage, even if we're in no danger of leading the world.

Full article

Wordart screenshot

And the nominees are...

It's that time of the festival when the various award shortlists are announced!

The Barry Award

Established in 1998, this recognises the most outstanding show of the entire festival. It is named for the festival's patron, Barry Humphries.

In the running for the top award of the festival are: Tig Notaro, Hannah Gadsby, Russell Kane, Paul Foot, DeAnne Smith, Bob Franklin and Sam Simmons.

The Golden Gibbo Award

In memory of the late, great Lynda Gibson, who passed away in 2004, the Golden Gibbo is awarded to a local, independent show that bucks trends and pursues the artist's idea more strongly than it pursues any commercial lure.

In the running for this year are: Ryan Coffey, Geraldine Quinn, Xavier Michelides, Neal Protenza and The Underlads.

The Bulmers People's Choice Award

You can still put in your own two cents for this public-selected award. Vote now!

All winners will be announced next Saturday night.

First published on The Pun

YouTube Copyright School

Wow. So, starting this week, YouTube will make it mandatory to watch this delightful Happy Tree Friends copyright information video if you infringe copyright.

All users who receive a valid copyright notification will be forced to watch the video, and in order to upload any new videos, the user will also have to answer questions in a short quiz YouTube has created.

I can see what they're aiming for in terms of educating people about copyright basics, but.. c'mon... talk about wimping out! This video seriously over-simplifies copyright as an issue, skims over the concept of fair use and gives no clear understanding of how to avoid being sued by copyright owners other than the message "don't ever copy someone else. ever."

Remixing existing content is one very strong way that adaptation and improvement can lead to better outcomes. No new idea is truly original, and the sooner that we acknowledge that, the better. Alternatives to copyright like creative commons allow for this recognition, and I've never understood why YouTube has never provided it as an option on their site, as Flickr has.

This video is contributing to the general scare campaign of copyright protection, and make it clear that YouTube's focus is on protecting their own liability in the face of record companies and TV/film studios. You can't really blame them for that, but it would be nice to see them stand up and support those genuine creators who remix existing work in respectful and engaging ways, rather than just write the entire process of as 'potentially illegal, so don't do anything'.

via Mashable

Blue Grassy Knoll – Three Short Comedies

It's a cold night in the middle of the comedy festival. The warm wooden interiors of the Melbourne Recital Centre beckon you in from the rain and wind. The band tunes up, the projectionist starts the reel and Three Short Comedies brings the true genius of Keaton’s films to life.

Blue Grassy Knoll (Gus Macmillan, Mark Elton, Phil McLeod, Simon Barefoot and Steph O’Hara) are well known for their passion in the ways of classic vaudeville comedian and silent film-maker Buston Keaton. They’ve done this before. The reason they keep coming back is because they do it so well.

The term “silent film” is actually something of a misnomer, explains Barefoot before the performance. Movies were never screened in silence, there was always some form of accompaniment – be it a full orchestra or just the vicar on piano. Blue Grass Knoll resurrect this live element to Keaton’s work with their own scores, and the result is a truly enjoyable night out. On display this season are three short films from Keaton’s peak in the 1920s: One Week, The Playhouse and the lesser known The Boat.

Blue Grassy Knoll achieve a wonderful aim with this show: you don’t notice they are there. That might sound like an odd achievement for a performing band, but really it’s an art in and of itself. Your attention is focussed entirely on the screen – watching the gags roll out, clapping, cheering and booing like a cheesy pantomime audience – so much so that the band blends seamlessly into the cinema space. Synchronised sound effects, appropriately slapstick banjo accompaniment – even the rowdy babble of a dinner party in full flight – these boys create the missing aural elements to great cinematic moments.

My only complaint to this great performance may be the quality of the print used – Keaton’s works are now long out of copyright, and it must be hard (and expensive) to get hold of properly remastered reels. Those in use at Three Short Comedies could do with a run through some Hollywood production houses. But this certainly doesn’t detract from the overall effect – a genuine step back in time to the experience of attending a picture show in the 1920s.

First published on The Pun

King Tide in Tuvalu

Many small Pacific island nations, like Tuvalu and Kiribati, are just metres above sea level at their highest point. Residents here are experiencing the effects of climate change first hand – severe weather events have become more frequent and more intense, and sea levels are rising. Islanders face an increasingly precarious existence, coping with destroyed property, eroded shorelines, and crops killed by salt water intrusion.

In February 2011, award-winning photographer Rodney Dekker visited Tuvalu to record the impact of the king tides.



Find out more

• Get smart on climate change
• Why ocean levels are rising
• View photos showing the impacts of climate change in the Pacific

First published on Oxfam Blogs

Walk on the goddamn left

Nothing makes me more frustrated than walking down the footpath and bumping straight into people who refuse to accept a fundamental social rule.

In Australia, we drive on the left. Therefore, logically, we should automatically, naturally, subconsciously WALK on the left.

It's not that hard.
It will eliminate doing that stupidly awkward dance as you attempt to avoid smacking into other people.
It will speed up foot traffic.
It will get all of you goddamn annoying indecisive freaks out of my way.

This t-shirt will now solve all of these problems.

I know, I'm a grumpy old man.
Bugger off.
No, wait, buy my t-shirt.
Then bugger off.

Activism vs Slacktivism

Ahh technology. Rather than try and properly expand my notes from the ECF debate 'Activism vs Slacktivism' I recently attended, I'm content to provide the Twitter feed of my thoughts.
Enjoy
You can also watch the video of this event.

Just saying what US immigration is thinking

Gold.

Ron English erected these signs at the USA-Mexico border for April Fool's day.

It's funny because America is a racist country.

Why I love the interwebs #483

Ever wondered why cats are not doctors? Wonder no more!

via Neatorama

Online activism

Online activism. LOL

via Barry

The Global Day of Action for a Financial Transaction Tax

The global campaign for a Robin Hood Tax has moved up a notch, with campaigners from 25 countries uniting to call for the G20 to deliver a tax on the banks. From Argentina to Australia, Spain to Senegal, and Brussels to Brazil, thousands of people and organizations have taken part across the globe!



Earlier this year, campaigners took action on the eve of a G20 Finance Ministers meeting in Paris, where the Financial Transaction Tax is expected to be discussed. President Sarkozy of France, Chair of the G20 and G8 this year, is leading the charge for a tax on financial transactions that could raise billions to tackle global challenges of poverty and climate change. With banks returning to profits and ongoing public anger as the effects of the financial crisis continue to be felt, this year sees a golden opportunity to see a tax on banks agreed.

What you can do:

• Watch the video
• Find out more about the Robin Hood Tax

First published on Oxfam Blogs

Whale sushi

Going through some old files on my computer, and came across this. Apparently I submitted it as one of my photo manipulation projects for my graphic design degree. LOL.

Where we're going, we don't need posters

Back to the Future posters redesigned in the style of other famous movie posters? Yes please.