The gayest Xmas Robin in the world? [Australian Pink Robin (Petroica rodinogaster)]
It's another snippets post, dear reader:
- Chocolate news: If it's not bad enough that one of Britain's favourite historic brands, chocolate manufacturer Cadbury, was taken over by Americans (the conglomerate Mondelez) in 2010 - now there are proposals in the air that Mondelez wants to take over the US brand Hershey's as well. They really shouldn't bother; their "chocolate" is vile, and tastes of sugary earwax. A Yank friend bought us a tin of Hershey's Kisses, and we thought they were so disgusting we threw the lot out and kept the tin!
- Sickest theme park ever? Thanks to a social media video that went viral [geddit?], the world gawped in amazement at the fact that Vietnam has a theme park dedicated to COVID-19!
- Hello, Possums! news: A sale of about 250 items from the personal collection of Barry Humphries will take place at Christie’s in London on 13th February 2025. The auction will include the diamante-encrusted Sydney Opera House spectacles [above] worn by Dame Edna Everage, which are estimated to sell for up to £1,500. We might place a bid!
- It it art? news: A city in Oregon, USA has issued a plea to whoever has been sticking "googly eyes" on its public artworks to stop. I think they look much better, to be honest.
- And finally: Many happy returns to Don Johnson who, scarily, is 75 years old today, and also to the lovely former Supreme Cindy Birdsong, who's 85! Here she is, sparkling away on not one, but two of the group's "post-Diana" hits:
And the weather? Mild again for the time of year - but too cloudy to see any Geminid meteors!
The post-Diana Ross Supremes had some great hits much to the chagrin of Diana and Barry Gordy. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey never got the promotion and support they deserved, though. Machinations behind-the-scenes, much..? Jx
DeleteSave me a seat at the auction till I can get there would you???
ReplyDeleteAnd I can agree with the Hershey candies. Not my favorite either. But I will say the town of Hershey itself is a gorgeous town. My good friend the Dame , who is the florist, Hershey is his number account, as he does weekly flowers rotations and all their events, for all their properties, such as the lavish hotel, both lodges, the Arboretum, country club, the spa and all the business offices, and come the Christmas season....he doesn't sleep. I wish luck to any company trying to take over them. They have a strangle hold here, not to mention own many other brands that might shock some.
It may be a big company, but if it made its money on that chocolate, there's something wrong somewhere... Jx
DeleteWhy can't we have camp robins like the one above.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever find yourself in Herons look out for Cadbury 30% less sugar chocolate bars, they taste almost the same as they did of yore. Cadbury's Roses vile as...
I'd love to see shocking pink robins in our garden!
DeleteI can't be arsed with low-sugar products. They're usually full of aspartame, which I can't stand, or sorbitol, which gives me the shits. Jx
PS What's "Heron's"?
I'd like to apologize on behalf of all sensible Americans that have actually had chocolate from other countries and know that most American chocolate brands are subpar at best. Hershey's is popular because it's American "kid's chocolate" (cheap and plentiful) so many Americans only know it. I'm afraid to say I've had worse chocolate than it, but then, I've also had the privilege of exquisite chocolate from other countries that is leagues better!
ReplyDeleteI have visited Japan many times which was a country that was not big on confectionary, in fact, lactose intolerance is common there, but when they did develop a sweet tooth, they choose to import French desserts and pastries and for that I am grateful! I love delicate flavors! I will pay more for less when the product is made of quality, the problem is that most Americans have been fed on large amounts of cheap quality foods and that is all they know so that is what there palates are adapted too. I do believe it is part of the obesity epidemic here. Even the poorest people who get government benefits to pay for food are incentivized to buy high calorie crap food, making whole foods and grains unaffordable to feed the whole family and as the children become adults it is all they know and what they eat adding to poor health outcomes, but congress only cares that the corporations making the low quality food are happy because they are there biggest lobby supporters!
We probably should start eating the rich, it would be the healthiest thing for most Americans.
"High calorie crap food" is endemic here, too, more's the pity - and many of the worst culprits? Let's see - McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Domino's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Five Guys, Pizza Hut, Wingstop... OK, we do have loads of non-American outlets of similar "quality" too, such as Greggs, doner kebab shops or Nando's, but there is a bit of a "trend" where unhealthy produce tends to originate. Jx
DeleteWhat a coincidence, I just tonight watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Don Johnson has a charming cameo in it as the conductor of the Soul Train which allowed for a great dance party scene. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'll get around to watching it one day - once it's broadcast on terrestrial TV, most likely. Jx
DeleteI loved the Supreme after the departure of La Ross and they should have been more successful than they were.
ReplyDeleteI am looking through the Dame Edna auction to see if there are any other Nicknacks we can pick up.
All together now
[Chorus]
When the Schiaparelli pink, robin comes bob, bob, bobbin’ along, along,
I love the new version of that song! Jx
DeleteSad about what went on behind the scenes for the later Supremes. They had some great songs. If that kind of public sculpture is the best Bend, Oregon can do, the google eyes are a great improvement. You HAVE to get something from the Dame Edna auction. Maybe one of the mauve wigs?
ReplyDeleteShame this frock isn't among the lots! Jx
DeleteI would buy that in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Jx
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