Stuff

What I'm reading

Latest issue of National Geographic. Should remember to renew. I lurve this magazine. I feel smarter just taking it out of our mailbox. Also finally updated my membership at the local library (as in paid a three-year old $16 fine plus $4 for a new card). We had stopped going because the counter ladies (I refuse to call them librarians) were so rude and abrupt, like we should do an 'Imelda Marcos knee-walk to the altar' thing for getting to borrow things for free. Anyway, I bit the bullet and went back yesterday, and the young librarian there was so easygoing and helpful. Phew! So I got This Charming Man by Marian Keyes, Terrorist by John Updike, and Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan. A bit of an eclectic mix. But that's so me.

What I'm watching

Hooked on Masterchef Australia. How good is this show! High level production values, good pacing (except for the recaps after each break), stellar judges (Gary's my favourite), really talented cooks (no dodgy celebrity-hunting contestants here), interesting weekly structure (mystery box, group challenge, cook-off with a top chef, elimination etc). The UK version has nothing on the Australian program.

Also following Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations travelogue again (incidentally, Matt Preston on Masterchef has the same title for his Epicure weekly column). I secretly (OK, not so secret now) aspire to be like Tony in attitude -- straightforward, acerbic, sarcastic and yet open, generous and even brave. He's... at home in the world. I want to be like that.

Watching Australia's Next Top Model. Rupert's daughter-in-law, model Sarah Murdoch, is doing a fan-bloody-tastic job as host and co-producer (Jodhi Meares was such a script-reading robot). I think the contestants this year are far better looking than last year's, and more talented. Well, as far as posing can be a talent. My top three are Adele, Claire, and Tahnee.

What I'm looking forward to

Staying overnight at our friends' place. School break. Rick being on holiday at the same time and catching a couple of movies together. Going out of town to visit other friends. Getting the first half of the year behind me. Jack growing more teeth. Jack learning to string a sentence together.