Of Chocolate, Dame Edna and Birdsong

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:

Supremes - Up The Ladder to the Roof

Supremes - Stoned Love

And the weather? Mild again for the time of year - but too cloudy to see any Geminid meteors!