I'm a cube

Was reading cnet.com.au and stumbled on their article 7 photoshop alternatives.  One of them is a very simple free online editor called LunaPic.  Ultra simple to do simple gif animations with your pics, including my new favourite for everything including powerpoint transitions.. the cube!  I made the below in a few simple minutes. 

The top rated program was pixlr. For an online program it really does give photoshop a run for it's money!

TWITTER FABULOUS

I'm known for trying all things technologically new.  Recently, I spoke at a seminar and my contact page at the end of the presentation seemed to go on for ages.. you know, facebook, twitter, blogger, email etc...

A few of my friends are on twitter now, but I'm sure they're not too sure what the hell it is.  The most common statement is that oh, so it's just a few lines about what you're doing.  I guess that's one way of looking at it.

I'm no marvel at twitter either, however, something happened recently which was just too twitter fabulous.  I follow Wilson; the world's number one tennis brand on twitter.  And because I'm blaming my recent tennis slump to my racquet, I've decided to buy a new one (surely 12 months is time to upgrade!).  Who knew buying a racquet would be so hard.

In the past, I've basically gone down to Rebel and whatever was on special, I'd buy, well whatever Wilson that is.  This time, I decided to do some research; which I have to admit took ages.

I finally decided on the Wilson K factor Pro Tour; basically on the feel and the fact that it looks different from most of the other Wilson sticks.  I was told by one of the tennis shops that this racquet is used by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Well, I put Wilson to the test on twitter and asked if it was the case, and also if they're still making this racquet (cause it was on amazing special!).  Well, full marks to Wilson, they replied really quickly back to me on twitter!

Oh and the answer?  

WilsonTennis: @Thangngo Tsonga is using the [K]obra Tour, not the [K]Pro Tour. Yes, the [K]Pro Tour is in production.

Vanity Fair Exhibition: National Portrait Gallery

We were in Canberra decided to go to the national gallery, but made a wrong turn (they're doing all sorts of works along Parkes Way) and we decided to go to the new National Portrait Gallery instead; which was a stroke of luck because we caught the travelling Vanity Fair exhibition for their photo's of the rich and famous 1913 - 2008.

It was fantastic, very packed because it was the final weekend.  For me, there were several stand outs, the sillouhetted Josephine Baker and a young and very sexy Keith Ledger.

The Gallery itself appeared brand spanking new and is just accross from the National Gallery.

Family Portrait

I was cleaning up my hard disk drive and came across this gorgeous family portrait taken of walter and I and our immediate family.

You can really feel the love that day... that pic was taken in 2007.

Vietnamese Dinner

Went to Hai Au in Canley Vale, one of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants. Just honest, good, home style Vietnamese. Not cheap, compared to others in the area, but worth it.

Canh Chua (sour soup) chicken is just the right amount of sweetness from the chicken, sour from tomato, pineapple and sometimes tamarind, tart from mint - and you get a side dish of fresh cut chillis to add to taste.

The other fav of ours is the sizzling beef (bo tiet bang), perfect balance.

Women Criminals

Went to see the Femme Fatale: the female criminal exhibition at the Justice & Police Museum and was pleasantly surprised.

Eugenia Falleni (pictured) caught my eye in particular, around 1898 she came to Australia, adopted the name Harry Leo Crawford and proceeded to live as a man. Even marrying Annie Birkett, who was eventually murdered by Falleni. What's bizaar is that apparently Birkett didn't realise the truth.

Banh Beo - a Vietnamese delight

Banh Beo is a delicate Vietnamese dish that you may not have heard of. They are coin sized little delights which are surprisingly hard to make.

There's the glutinuous base, topped with yellow soya bean mix, topped again with a bright orange prawn/seafood roe (you can't see here), served with sliced shallots oil glaze, Vietnamese crutons and fish sauce.

Delicate, delicious and delightful.

My step-mum, a wonderful, kind woman started making them at 3.30am this morning for her daughter's wedding lunch today.

In addition to this dish, she made crab and asparagus soup, viet salad, cold meats and soi for dessert. You wouldn't know she's over almost 70 years old.

This pics shows the various stages in the evolution of Banh Beo!

It's not to everyone's taste, but it's delicious to me.

Hungry? Read my recommendations on the best restaurants in Cabramatta.

Hang's Wedding

My step-sister, Hang was married today. It's a traditional Vietnamese wedding, so we'll all be exhausted by the end of it all.

I took this pic and had to agree that brides are always so beautiful.

We're only half way, I'm on a break between the church and tonight's reception. But am very proud of her, as her older brother I had to witness the wedding papers!

BLOSSOM FLOWER TEA

After steamboat dinner at Lydia's on Sunday night, we were served with 'blossom tea'. They're hand sewn tea made from flower blossoms. They look like round balls but in hot water, they literally bloom to reveal a flower.

Remarkable. Thanks Lydia.

The blue beast!

I never thought a rational decision could be so satisfying. We needed a more sensible car to replace the tank that was the commodore.

I decided to go for something cheap and cheery that wasn't the same as some of the other applicances on the road.

Chose the Hyundai i30 because you got so much for the money, 9 airbags, great blue internal display, turbo diesel (for my green credentials), a flick knife like remote entry key.

And it drives pretty good too. To top it all up, it even has a chilled glove box!

Was looking at my car when we were parked in the City this morning and thought, gosh, it looks, especially in that blue, pretty hot!

Art Gallery of NSW

I was a glorious day in Sydney, sunny, bright and crisp. We went to see a couple of exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW, Silk Ikats of Central Asia and Intensely Dutch.

The Ikats exhibition was about ornate robes, tunics and textile panels from Central Asia, while the other exhibition featured works from younger artists post WWII.

Walter took this picture of me outside the Art Gallery.