What some people will do for a view

It's a good thing that Australia doesn't get earthquakes...

Easter Royal Show (Sydney)

Who would have thought it? A pig who loves to dive!

How is this for a day job?

I went to a photographic exhibition in Sydney today. This model was part of the Canon stand. Imagine standing in wet paint all day with thousands of people (myself included) snapping away at you. One day she'll be a supermodel and won't have to put up with this stuff.

Spider clearing duty

Being the brave hero I am, it was my job to clear the courtyard of spiders for our outdoor Xmas do. That's when I found this strange looking fellow - one of the weirdest looking spiders I have ever seen. Just look at those little beady eyes... I didn't kill him of course (that's bad luck), just moved him out to the road.
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Storm over Sydney

Check out these storm clouds over Sydney. There was hail and lashings of rain. Traffic came to a stand still. People looked at me like I was crazy when I stopped the car and ventured outside into the pouring rain to get a snap.
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Eating Fluffy, the rodent

Well, we finally tried guineapig - a local delicacy. It tasted pretty good actually (mainly because of the good barbecue sauce on it) but it was bony and not too much meat. And yes, like most weird meats, it tasted a lot like chicken.

I do feel a little guilty, I must admit (not that you would think so from the photo below - the guilt struck later!).

We had guineapigs as pets when I was a kid and I loved them tremendously. One day our dog inexplicably went beserk and barked at them ferociously through the cage. All 3 of our beloved guineapigs proceeded to die from fright. Devastating it was and I cried for days.

And now I have gone and eaten one. Gulp.

By the way, the photo of the live guineapig is not the one we ate. It was taken at a guineapig farm in Titicaca, Peru.

Question: Ladies, where does the red in your lipstick come from?

Answer: From the blood of squished bugs (yes, seriously!)


Five steps to ruby red lips

Step 1: Find a cactus in the Colca Canyon in Peru (not hard, they are everywhere)

Step 2: Chances are it will have parasitic bugs on it (most of them do)

Step 3: Carefully extract the bugs from the cactus (make sure you do not prick yourself)

Step 4: Squish the bugs. (You won't believe the copious amounts of bright red gunge you will get)

Step 5: Apply to the lips for a sexy, glossy finish. (Men will be impressed and want to kiss you immediately - or maybe not)

Yes, these bugs are the primary export of the Colca Canyon, sold by the locals to the cosmetic industry (by whom they are much sought) for use in lipstick. The locals painstakingly pick them off the cacti every 3 months. A kilogram of bugs (that a whole lot of bug) gets them $ 50.

Revlon probably wouldn't want you to know (or believe this) but it is true nevertheless!

Oh, and the bug juice is also used by western factories as a colourant for some yoghurt, mainly strawberry and black cherry (which happen to be my favourite flavours). Fancy that, I have been pouring bug blood onto my cereal all these years.

I am just suprised that Hollywood "splat" directors have not discovered it yet for their special effects. Or maybe they have. I am sure Tarantino would relish the idea of covering his actors in insect goo if it added to the realism of his scenes.