Wednesday, November 27, 2013
I was so caught up in the craziness of my first day at the NT News and in Darwin that I completely forgot to mention the Japanese travel show hosts after lunch. Yes, I had cameras in my face as was asked to appear on a Getaway-type show... until they asked me the question. Something about poles on buildings that channel lightning strikes to avoid damage according to intern Tamara, who came in and saved the day. I was stuck between her heroism and the sweaty melodramatic faces of the two hosts, and there's a good chance I'll look the fool in front of millions in the land of Mt Fuji...
***
Backtracking to yesterday, I found one or two briefs (three-paragraph stories) of mine in the day's paper. Baby steps. I end up spending the bulk of my day in the Magistrates Court (lower court) this time, looking out for two offenders that were part of a ram-raid on a corner store and property. They had stolen $20 and a bottle of Bundaberg rum, but caused $20,000 worth of damage. I then only had to write a brief on each of them, which totally took me by surprise...
Today I discover I have two stories in the BusinessWeek section, about fracking and Andrew Forrest's indigenous employment review campaign. Woohoo! It was a great edition, and I'm noticing more about what really makes this paper a great one.
Story-wise I was kept busy. I did the street poll, went to a closed community to try and find out about a murder, and found out how 11 people were stranded in west Arnhem Land for two days because of heavy rains. The police reports for Tennant Creek were interesting; a man was run over by a bus while asleep on the road, and the town's power went out for 90 minutes after an explosion at the power station.
There was also a farewell as a Walkley 2013-nominated colleague finished up. Sarah taught me a bit about court straight up so it's a shame she has to leave. I hope she wins tomorrow night.
But before some (not all) of this... I did my first crocodile story.
SCHOOLIES IN THE CAGE OF DEATH!
Facing a croc in formal dresses for the heck of it. Love it. Now I'm keen to get amongst it.
Monday, November 25, 2013
For those who don't know, I have moved to Darwin.
Yes, I have left regional NSW for the greener and more humid pastures of the Top End. I began my work today as a reporter for the NT News, known as Australia's craziest/quirkiest newspaper.
I arrived with the threat of Category 1 Cyclone Alessia. It came to almost nothing, and instead provided me with a very cool (for this time of year) beginning to my time in the tropics.
I was welcomed with a hearty meal of baked lasagne and choc-chip biscuits by my housemates (because of it being 'cool' enough at 29 degrees to bake). They are a lovely couple to be married in April and from what I can see fully embody the lovely laidback attitude of the Territorians.
This morning, I had forgotten what time I started. I thought it was 9am, but thought it'd be best to arrive 8.30 just in case. With the offer to be dropped off though, I end up there just before 8. I get let in, and have that awkward moment where I discover it really WAS a 9am start.
***
The day itself was great if not ironic. I covered a plea submission in the NT Supreme Court, found out about fracking in the Territory through a Narrabri-based farmer who had Dubbo connections, and then wrote of a Dubbo-born RAAF commander transferring away from Darwin after 13 years.
I was shown Smith Street Mall by our month-long intern, who joined me for lunch and explained about lots of cool places. I saw a chocolate shop that was oh-so-intriguing. In other food news, I saw an ad for Direct from Greece, which made me laugh and get really excited at the same time. I can buy Ion chocolate! I'm set.
After lunch, we're approached by Japanese travel show hosts. Yes, I had cameras in my face as was asked to appear on a Getaway-type show... until they asked me the question. Something about poles on buildings that channel lightning strikes to avoid damage according to intern Tamara, who came in and saved the day. I was stuck between her heroism and the sweaty melodramatic faces of the two hosts, and there's a good chance I'll look the fool in front of millions in the land of Mt Fuji...
After lunch, we're approached by Japanese travel show hosts. Yes, I had cameras in my face as was asked to appear on a Getaway-type show... until they asked me the question. Something about poles on buildings that channel lightning strikes to avoid damage according to intern Tamara, who came in and saved the day. I was stuck between her heroism and the sweaty melodramatic faces of the two hosts, and there's a good chance I'll look the fool in front of millions in the land of Mt Fuji...
Everyone seemed really nice, which was exactly what you could hope for. It's a multicultural office too, with at least one Thai lady and an Irishman (yes, I get to hear a great Irish accent every day). I found that walking around though, everyone's converged on Darwin which is pretty cool.
My taxi fare home was worth every cent as I had a long-time resident cabbie who told me his stories of becoming involved with a Japanese netball team for the Arafura Games, and how they were too scared to hold baby crocodiles. Gold.
He also reckons a lot of Indigenous Australians here live on a staple dish of rice after it was the big thing in the 1970s. It was so big you'd buy it in huge sacks. What made this funnier later was going to Woolworths for food and finding a sack of basmati rice on the floor in its home aisle.
I can't say I've ever noticed these in a supermarket before...
Monday, November 11, 2013
The Week That Was: Melbourne Cup, a big retirement and a thoughtful letter
0 comments Posted by Katina at 8:00 PMThursday, November 07, 2013
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| Photo: bigbrother.com.au |
TIM WON!
I had intended to write an entry on the final three, but I've been a bit behind the eight-ball this week with my television - I only watched the Big Brother finale this morning after a self-imposed social media blackout.
And HOW GOOD was the result?! Out of the three, I think Australia got the order right. And Tim was the perfect player of this game, perhaps more open in that than anyone else we've seen.
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| Photo: bigbrother.com.au |
I wrote this time last year about how great the 2012 season was, but when you get a season that is just as good it becomes lost on you. The 2013 selection of housemates was not just interesting, but the continued twists kept them on their toes and it made for fantastic television.
And the relationships were some of the most intense yet.
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| Photo: news.com.au |
This series, while I wasn't in it, was the result of a good selection of people, that had interesting conflicts. Although news on the outside that it might be rigged has annoyed me a bit today. On wondering why Justynn wasn't at the finale, it's revealed he wasn't invited. And then I find out he's a part-time actor...
Oh and speaking of, I was reminded that Tim was the Rihanna plane streaker. So this year we've had an aspiring actress/model, a race car driver's boyfriend, former AFL player and well. It's been a bit of a B-grade special hasn't it?
***
I'm sad it's over for another year though. Maybe next year I'll give it a go. It looks like they have so much fun.
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| Photo: bigbrother.com.au |
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Thor: The Dark World (M)
THE TALE of Asgardian heir to the throne and
all-round god Thor is Marvel's most mixed with its elements of medieval living
and intergalactic reach. It's an ironic notion to think we're looking for some
superior alien race, and Marvel have nothing to suggest that for much of it life
is where Earthlings were 1500 years ago.
At the same time, Thor's story is
most relatable with its focus on his relationship with brother Loki. The pair
could not be more opposite (indeed on-screen representatives Chris Hemsworth and
Tom Hiddleston appearance-wise), representing good and evil while managing to
keep a light head.
A parallel of good and evil is what this sequel first
shows; while Thor is off fighting for peace within the nine realms Asgard rules
over, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is still losing a two-year battle of
heartbreak. Not even the bumbling charm of Richard (Chris O'Dowd) can improve
her mindset.
Jane's work has led her to London, where her time as a singleton
comes to an end after falling through a portal to an unknown realm and
contracting the Aether. You'd be right thinking that's a bad thing - the Aether
is a matter capable of destroying worlds and highly sought by exiled elf
Malekith (Christopher Eccleston).
It's a triple whammy for Jane - she finds
her love once more, gets to travel to Asgard and meets the parents (Rene Russo
and Anthony Hopkins). But the plan to be rid of a threat known previously to
Thor only in childhood stories has the saviour in a real predicament.
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| Photo: perezhilton.com - I love this! |
The Marvel Cinematic Universe just keeps on giving with this fine continuation of the thread. The script from Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely is extremely entertaining, with plenty of unexpected twists and cracking humour delivered well by the cast. Everyone gets a go in contributing, and no one disappoints.
Importantly, the story continues the ongoing feud between brothers, founded from Loki's desire for the Asgardian throne and still fuelled by his view of supposed favoritism towards Thor. It's essentially Marvel's version of any given sibling rivalry, engrossing for its wave of positive and negative emotion as well as Loki's ability to keep everyone guessing.
Hiddleston has fun with his gleeful villain, creating the smallest bit of sympathy while still managing to exude a most evil interior. Alongside him, Hemsworth counteracts nicely as Thor with his strong presence and good intentions. The supporting cast all return, including a crazed Stellan Skarsgard, and new characters create unexpected sub-plots to add to the overall story twists.
As per usual within Marvel's realm, post-credit scenes give an insight of what's to come - and they won't disappoint. The first film delivered a good introduction, and now we learn Thor can withstand complex issues that concern Asgard and Earth. A great continuation not to be missed.
Rating: 4/5
*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post, Midstate Observer (Orange) and Rotten Tomatoes from Saturday 2/11/2013
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of Captain Phillips.
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