April 2010 Archives   30 April 2010 Fitness & Health Update - Eat Less Salt The following is from thatsfit.com. Reducing your salt intake is a good thing so I was interested in the following article about the New York Health Department is trying to get New Yorkers to reduce their salt intake. Personally I don't put any salt on food in addition to what's already in there. Companies Sign Up to Reduce Salt in Foods New Yorkers have long set trends in fashion, but now, they're making their mark in the field of health. The New York City Health Department is bringing awareness to the amount of salt used in packaged and restaurant foods, according to NYC Health, and the impact of the city's actions will be felt across the country. The NYC Health Department is going nationwide with its National Salt Reduction Initiative, and it seems to be working. There are already 16 companies who have publicly declared their intention to voluntarily reduce the amount of salt they use, reports Salon. Companies include deli chain Boar's Head, Heinz ketchup, Starbucks and Uno Chicago Grill. Read More     28 April 2010 Taking You Back To 1996! One of my favourite geek sites is Gizmodo and they had a post that I thought people get a giggle from. You all remember the free site builder of the '90's Geocities? Well Geocities has gone to web heaven but there is a site that will replicate what your current site or any other site would look like if it was designed by Geocities. I cracked myself up running ausxip through it. What's even funnier for me is that in 1996, the first page did look like it had been designed by a 13 year old! LOL! I guess we all learn and grow but it is funny! Check out what Geocities would have made of AUSXIP (love the music background...took me a nano second before I cracked up laughing) Type any URL on the site and click Submit to see how it would look as a Geocities page.     26 April 2010 Space The Final Frontier - Hubble Turns 20 ASTRONOMERS around the world this weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the launching of Hubble, NASA's first orbiting space telescope. More than any other instrument, the Hubble telescope revolutionised human understanding of the universe and stimulated a modern-day infatuation with deep space. It beamed to Earth the most spectacular images of faraway galaxies and the births and deaths of stars - and, along the way, helped scientists make key discoveries. Read More     18 April 2010 The New Dr Who Matt Smith Well I can't say I have been looking forward to watching Dr Who without the absolutely brilliant David Tennant. David was my favourite Doctor (he took over the mantle of my favourite Doctor from Tom Baker). It was time to meet a new Doctor. A young Doctor...a different Doctor.   And the verdict? WOW! Matt Smith is going to be an EXCELLENT Time Lord! As David did before him...he has changed the order of my favourite doctors. 1. David Tennett 2. Matt Smith 3. Tom Baker Matt brings a certainly different feel to the Doctor although at times he did remind me just a smidgen of both David and Tom Baker. I have just finished watching his debut in "The Eleventh Hour" and it was a great start! I've also liked watching the Doctor's various companions and Amy Pond played by Karen Gillan is certainly very interesting. My favourite is still Rose Tyler, followed by Martha Jones, Leela, K9 Mark1 and Mark2 and of course Romana. Where does Amy fit in? I don't know yet but I'm looking forward to finding out. For Aussies, ABC is screening the first episode TONIGHT. You can also catch it online at the new ABC IView service which is screening it before the TV version goes to air. It will be available until 29 April 2010.     17 April 2010 Spartacus Episode 13 Recap/Review by MaryD Spartacus Blood and Sand Episode 13 Recap / Review by MaryD Credits for this episode: Directed by Steven S. DeKnight and Jesse Warn Writing credits (in alphabetical order) Steven S. DeKnight (written by) Brent Fletcher (story editor), Aaron Helbing (staff writer), Todd Helbing (staff writer). Miranda Kwok (staff writer) Log Line Spartacus’ fury culminates in the stunning season finale Read The Review (SPOILERS)     11 April 2010 Teenage Solo Sailor Sails Into Aussie Waters I've been following Jessica's solo trip around the world for quite some time now and finally she's reached Australian waters. She's 16 and she is going to finish this round the world solo trip before her 17th birthday. Talk about mental toughness. People were saying this kid was too young; not tough enough but she's proved them wrong...she sailed solo around the world and now she's into the final leg. Wow. The following is from this morning's Sydney Sunday Telegraph: AS gutsy round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson reached Australian waters today, The Sunday Telegraph exclusively witnessed an emotional reunion between the history-making teenager and her parents. In an emotionally-charged homecoming, the 16-year-old spoke candidly this morning about her elation at being back in home waters. After 175 days at sea, Jess is now just weeks from completing her record-breaking journey as the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Speaking over two-way radio to her parents this morning, Jess recalled harrowing moments onboard her tiny yacht Ella’s Pink Lady as well as the most challenging part of her trip. The brave teenager also spoke of her delight at living her dream. Read More     11 April 2010 Dixie Carter Passes Away Lori just sent me the following news about Dixie Carter - ET breaks news that actress Dixie Carter, best known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker on the hit sitcom "Designing Women," has died. She was 70 years old. "This has been a terrible blow to our family," her husband Hal Holbrook tells ET. "We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy. Thank you." In addition to Holbrook, her husband of nearly 26 years, the actress is survived by her two daughters Mary Dixie and Ginna.     10 April 2010 Spartacus Episode 12 Recap / Review by MaryD Spartacus Blood and Sand Episode Recap / Review Season 1 Episode 12 Revelations by MaryD Lucretia and Batiatus await the arrival of Glaber with the intentions to receive his patronage, while Spartacus focuses his attention on his plan for revenge. Friday, 4/9 at 10pm et/pt on Starz. Read Full Recap / Review     7 April 2010 Desperate Remedies with Kevin Smith & Jennifer Ward-Lealand DVD Desperate Remedies with Kevin Smith and Jennifer Ward-Lealand New Zealand Cinema Collection Release Date: 1st January 1993 Run Time: 90 minutes Format: PAL Aspect: 16:9 Director: Stewart Main, Peter Wells Cast: Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Kevin Smith, Lisa Chappell, Cliff Curtis, Michael Hurst Producer: James Wallace In the 19th century town of Hope, beautiful Dorothea Brook has a problem. Her sister Rose is addicted to opium and her villainous boyfriend Fraser who supplies her with it. Dorothea hires Lawrence, a handsome young immigrant to marry Rose and extract her from this destructive relationship. Complications arise when Dorothea and Lawrences find themselves increasingly attracted to each other. Dorothea's companion' Anne sensing a rival pushes her into a marriage of convience. Sex, power and manipulation abound as the situation calls for ... desperate remedies Buy DVD from fishpond.com.au     7 April 2010 Q And Data Examine iPad Squeeee! I will admit when I saw this picture I squealed with delight. Fancy having Q and Data pour over an new apple iPad? Heh. For those who have no clue what I'm talking about (seriously? is there anyone who doesn't know who these two guys in the photo are?) it's John De Lancie and the super cool Brent Spiner aka Q and Commander Data. There were spotted playing with the new iPad. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I got hooked on Star Trek: The Next Generation..1989..wow. Love that show especially Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Denise Crosby and John De Lancie. One of these days I do have to resurrect my ol' Brent Spiner site. Never did a site for Patrick although in a former life I was the Australian rep for his official fan club. Gorgeous man and supreme talent. As for Brent...I have his "Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back" CD from 1991! Back to Q and Data playing with the iPad...I spotted this article/pic on one of my favourite geek sites Gizmodo     6 April 2010 Where is Eva and Zoe? For those who are wondering what ever became of my writing career..you are not alone :) I've been wondering that myself lately. My muse had taken a long holiday. Way too long but I'm happy to report that she's back, feeling refreshed and ready for action. Last year I was half way through writing my new book, "Hidden Truths" which is a continuation of my Eva and Zoe series. When we last left our dynamic duo they were to set sail for Europe and travel back to Greece and Germany. It's been a long journey. Lucia Nobrega drew this amazing piece you see here. Gorgeous of Zoe and Eva on their way to Europe some time ago. You can check out Lucia's illustrations on my official fiction site I hope to finish this baby in the next few months. That's where I'm at with this book. If you are wondering what on earth is my Eva and Zoe series, you can check out my books on Amazon.com Intertwined Souls is the series of novels based on the characters of Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros. Zoe Lambros is a young Greek woman with vengeance in her heart and a faith in God that has been shattered by the death of her family. Eva Muller is the daughter of the German major in command of the troops occupying Zoe's village. This is a story of courage, hope and strength, as Zoe and Eva find unexpected love in extraordinary circumstances. Follow these two women as they travel to Australia as refugees and set up a home together. They face new challenges in a country foreign to their own; a new language and a new culture. Along the way they meet and befriend people that will change their lives. Where Shadows Linger - Now Available from Amazon.com By MaryD You can now order the second book following the lives of Eva and Zoe. You can order it from Amazon.com - The second instalment of the Eva and Zoe series, Where Shadows Linger follows the ever popular In the Blood of the Greeks. Having survived Nazi-occupied Greece and its liberation, Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros are still very much in love, wanting nothing more than to fulfil their dreams and hopes for the future. Emigrating to Sydney, Australia, the two women find themselves making new friends and forging a new life together. However, it is not long before their happiness is marred by prejudice and the machinations of old enemies, plunging them into mortal danger. Will the unique connection between Eva and Zoe be destroyed? Will they lose their new-found friends? Or will Eva and Zoe's love prove strong enough to overcome the shadows of the past that continue to linger in their lives? In the Blood of the Greeks Edition 3 - Available now from Amazon.comSet against the backdrop of World War II, the novel begins in a most troublesome period of human history, where subjugated by the might of Nazi Germany, two women meet under extraordinary circumstances. This is the story of Eva Muller, the daughter of a German major in command of the occupying force in Larissa, Greece in 1944. Through the intervention of the village priest she meets Zoe Lambros, a young Greek woman with vengeance in her heart and a faith in God that has been shattered by the death of her family. They develop a friendship borne out of this dark time. I've also written a couple of non fiction pieces for a local magazine which is pretty cool and another non fiction piece for a new magazine coming out in the next month. More on that later.     6 April 2010 Webmasters and the iPad For those geeks amongst us who have web sites this is for you. If you have been been to the moon recently and just come back, you would have missed the news that Apple's iPad has been released. it's a beautiful gadget that hasn't come to Aussie shores just yet (end of April). I'm just waiting to part with my money for this baby. If you are a webmaster and would like to know what your site looks like on the iPad, there is now a way you can check. Go to http://ipadpeek.com/ and enter your site URL and see how it turns out. Pretty nifty.     4 April 2010 Spartacus Old Wounds Episode Review by MaryD Just posted my episode review for Spartacus Season 1 Episode 11 "Old Wounds" to the AUSXIP Spartacus site. Season 1 Episode 11 "Old Wounds" Spartacus struggles with a fellow gladiator's death. The Magistrate is declared missing as Batiatus and Numerius begin the search for him Please be aware, the review spoils the entire episode so if you haven't seen it yet, you will be spoilt. Read Review     2 April 2010 Xenites And The Greater Good As many of you know the AUSXIP Charity Auction has ended and I've had my first real 'do nothing, watch videos and be totally lazy' day in a long while. Now back to work... I'm quite sure that if I asked many fans on how their economic situation is, they would say it's horrible. It is. We've had a terrible 2009 and 2010 seems to be a tad better for some and not so good for others. This year's auction showed me how much love you all have. How much respect, love and a willingness to dig deep. Xenites are EXTREMELY generous. Even those who didn't win or couldn't bid, gave a little. I was just amazed when I received the first half of the paid list from Starship yesterday. It had people's names on it that didn't win but who contributed, it had people paying extra on top of what they won. I shouldn't have been surprised because that's what you do and have done over the years but this year it's different. Despite the recession, the loss of jobs and other financial burdens, Xenites fans dug deep. That desire to help for the greater good is inspirational. As Lucy said in her message I have never worked on a show with a fanbase as giving as the XWP gang. I guess it was the nature of the show and its message that formed such a community. This is very very true. I've been involved in other fandoms and I have NEVER across anything like the Xenaverse. Last week I received an email that I want to share with you all with the writer's permission. It reads in part: "Knowing that this money is really going some real place and will benefit a good cause which on top makes Lucy happy, is really the main reason for me to spent those "saved" Dollars... Lucys appreciation of her fans is one of the first things, I realized when first coming to AUSXIP and the Xenaverse, that make her and Renée so special...because I have never witnessed anything like that before. So her letter makes me proud to be part of this giving "gang" ...doing it anyway and it defintiely is a very consious choice to spent this hard earned money for their (Lucy's and Renées, well and AUSXIPs) Charities...because even though Lucy always tries to disconnect the fans graciousness from her persona...in the end I think it has almost everything to do with her own graciousness...Fans willingness to give is undouptedly to a great deal because of her. And to me that is how I realize that one person really can make a difference, because we are all connected. I am kind of moved by this whole auction thing..." Thanks everyone for making this fandom what it is. We have our troubles; we have our squabbles..any family does. What we do best is come together for the Greater Good. I'm going to close with my favourite quote that I think applies because Xenites have a huge capacity for love and for giving. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller     Read More Archives