Mr Darcy goes TOO far...

Okay, it's Jane Austen's birthday today... but this is too FAR.

I'm a massive fan but who on God's good earth would wear such a thing???

Especially if it implies that you look like the woman emblazoned on the bit of ceramic.

Eww.

Here comes the sun...

Gimme Sympathy, Metric

Get hot
Get too close to the flame
Wild open space
Talk like an open book
Sign me up
Got no time to take a picture
I'll remember someday
All the chances we took

We're so close
To something better left unknown

I can feel it in my bones
Gimme sympathy
After all this is gone
Who would you rather be
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones
Oh seriously
You're gonna make mistakes you're young
Come on baby play me something
Like here comes the sun
Come on baby play be something
Like here comes the sun

Don't go
Stay with the all unknown
Stay away from the hooks
All the chances we took

Pitchfork pulls in the net...

Yesterday Pitchfork posted their Top 100 tracks of 2009... it's going to take me a while to listen to them all so let's just cut to the chase:

Number 1 went to Animal Collective with "My Girls", (well deserved, but whenever I listen to it I can't help feeling disappointed with myself.. not them.. for not liking it more).

Number 2 was Dirty Projectors with "Stillness in the move"... they simply have one of the best videos of 2009, maybe because its the only video hit I've ever seen with lamas or maybe they're alpacas? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMPF6lpM0XM

Number 3 was Phoneix with "1901".

Number 4 was Bat for Lashes sweeping in on the wave of "Daniel"... I don't know who Daniel is but he should be very proud - one of my favourite songs of the year.

Number 5 was Grizzly Bear with "Two Weeks".

Number 6 was the Yeah Yeah Yeahs with "Zero".

Number 7 was Big Boi ft. Gucci Mane with "Shine Blockas", a song I have never listened to up until about 20 secs ago and now having listened for 40 secs... it's ok, but is using the word shawty which is so unrelatable when ur 6ft.

Number 8 was Phoneix (again) with "Listomania".

Number 9 was Girls, "Lust for life".

Number 10 was Washed Out with "Feel it all around"...

And if you want the rest go to http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7742-the-top-100-tracks-of-2009/.

** If you think these songs stink/are terrible/should never be associated in our memory with 2009... vote for your favs with pitchfork's survey thing: http://2k9survey.pitchfork.com/.

Which reminds me triple j's top 100 poll is coming up so DON'T FORGET TO VOTE.

The Satorialist sees red in Sydney...

So the Satorialist was in Australia again (unfortunately he skipped Brisbane).

But he made up for only heading to the southern states by taking this gorgeous photo of a girl at Bondi, calling it "Red on Red".

I feel kind of bad even posting this because it's SO clearly his image, not mine... so to make me feel better, follow this link: http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/.

Big Ben tweeting...

It's so comforting that Big Ben is on twitter

While the rest of the world is trying to impress in 140 characters... Big Ben just keeps it's tweeting simple.

The number of BONGS aren't just random either - they change according to the hour.

The only problem is that I've always thought of it as a DONG rather than a BONG.

And obviously there's the reliability issue referred to in the bio: "sorry for the missed tweets, think problem is at Twitter's end."

Are we at the middle name stage?

"I never knew your middle name, no need to play that game" Architecture in Helsinki.

We went out to dinner last night at a gorgeous Indian place, which had drapery hanging artistically from the ceiling.

I was finally brave enough to have vegetarian curry... we have it at home all the time, but I've always felt like it's not true Indian when I go out if its missing chunks of lamb or chicken (gory I know, sorry if you're a vege).

Anyway on the other side of the artistic drapery was a couple, obviously on the second date.

She found out that he liked cheesecake.

He found out she didn't like hot curries.

They then discussed Lady Gaga, both fencing around the topic and not daring any criticism just in case the other was an ardent fan.

I don't think there were up to the middle name stage yet, but they were rolling steadily down the path to relationship solidity.

"And we talked about nothing which was more than I wanted you to know" Modest Mouse.

Britain's eyebrows...

Does Britain's Chancellor, Alistair Darling have possibly the scariest eyebrows EVER?

There is a reason why he wears rimless glasses.

But then maybe they inspire the British public with confidence in a time of economic crisis (i.e. recession, recession, recession).

Tony Abbott goes retro...

Is it just me or have we gone back on a little bit of a time warp with Tony Abbott, the Liberal's new leader in arms?

First there was the announcement of his shadow front bench who seem to be a regurgitation of the Howard era.

He even justified his decision of MP Bronwyn Bishiop by saying "67 is the new 57", adding that she will feel right at home with the Senior's portfolio because "she will be one of them" (poor Bronwyn).

Then this morning he announces that Workchoices would be brought back if the Coalition win the next election.

One can already see the Unions ordering another print run on the "Your rights at work, worth fighting for" stickers which were plastered over every bus, backpack and walkway in Australia during the last election.

But the cream of the crop is his announcement on 4BC radio that he might increase Australia's commitment in Afghanistan. What the???

Isn't everyone trying to creep out of Afghanistan slowly... hoping no one will notice the retreat?

Is there some overarching, masterful strategy I'm not seeing?

Bright Star...

I'm going to see an advanced screening of Bright Star tonight.

So excited... season of mists and mellow fruitfulness here we come.

The XX.. Heart skipped a beat

Sometimes I wish these posts could be backdated.

I discovered The XX just before I went on exams and they helped get through the mountain of study awaiting.

Once the glow of the song Islands wore off this became my favourite:

Heart skipped a beat

Please don't say we're done

When I'm not finished

I could give you so much

Make you feel, like never before

Welcome, they said welcome to the floor

It's been a while

And you've found someone better

But I've been waiting too long to give this up

The more I see, I understand

But sometimes, I still need you

Sometimes, I still need you

Sometimes, I still need you

I was struggling to get in

Left waiting outside your door

I was sure

You'd give me more

No need to come to me

When I can make it all the way to you

You made it clear

You weren't near

Near enough to me

Heart skipped a beat

And when I caught it you were out of reach

But I'm sure, I'm sure

You've heard if before

You've heard if before

Please don't say we're done

When I'm not finished

I could give you so much

James Brown... Papa's got a brand new bag

I have just fallen for James Brown... the man is AMAZING.

Let's just say before Michael Jackson there was James Brown.

You have to watch this link to get the full effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtqDB2spyG0.

Queen in the Caribbean

How gorgeous are these outfits?

The Queen has apparently journeyed to the Caribbean and is getting into the spirit of things.

The third image definitely looks like there's been some time spent in the sun or alternatively she's given into the pressure of the fake tan brigade.

For the full fashion goss: www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/01/queen-caribbean-wardrobe

UK troops get a long term sentence...

I'm just chucking this in because it is a beautiful picture (courtesy of Reuters.. no, I am not currently in Afghanistan).

Hard, gritty, tense... British soldiers somehow look strong and wiry compared to their beefed up American counterparts.

Overnight the UK's Foreign Secretary, David Miliband announced UK forces with remain in Afghanistan for five more long years.

Whether that will be the case with a looming UK election next year is another question entirely.

The UK is also upping its commitment to the war by 500 troops, nothing compared to Obama's dedication of 30,000 more American soldiers, but a strong show of allied support all the same.

Abbott takes the liberal leadership...

*New Liberal leader Tony Abbott enters presser with deputy Julie Bishop.

Tony Abbott today became leader of the Australian Liberal party.

It was a bit of a surprise for everybody, including Abbott himself who looked a little shell shocked as he emerged from the party room.

Twitter went wild, with both #spill and Tony Abbott becoming trending topics (the funny thing was noticing confused Americans tweeps going... "can someone please tell me what the heck #spill is?).

Anyways, our fine leader K.Rudd was off in Washington while all the drama happened so Julia Gillard (Abbott's old health portfolio political/flirting sparring partner) was left to welcome the new top dog.

But the question is will the chemistry between Abbott and Gillard continue... now the 'mad monk'/aka Abbott has taken control of the liberal abbey?

*Julia Gillard... bring it on baby... (note: to be fair this image is 2 months old, but appropriate I felt).