Five for Friday no. 50

In honour of the New Year, some famous resolution lists.

There are over 800 languages spoken in NYC, many of them endangered.

The Queensland Government is reviewing compulsory voting legislation. 

La Boite is presenting Holding The Man in February and it looks to be a wonderful show.

There are a lot of British-comedy in-jokes but still, this...

Postcard from old friends

My new bracelet

This is the story of how I accidentally won a bracelet.

I’m on twitter. I would go so far as to say I have a mild twitter addiction. Twitter participants have three levels: sign up and post one a month; mild addiction; on it all the time. I’m on the slight addiction level and likely to stay that way unless I get a job in digital marketing.

Anyway, I’m on twitter and for some reason Lisa Brown – a Gold Coast based fashion designer and leading Queensland designer - and I became reciprocal followers; though a Brisbane fashion tweet I expect, or a reference to a mutual account keeper. I don’t know. Two weeks later and I find out that by following the account and sharing it with friends, I inadvertently entered a competition and won!

My prize? This beautiful bangle! I love it. I’m super excited to by wearing a bangle by a local designer and more over, a designer I may not have heard about if not for Twitter.

Now I want to get myself into gear and make it to a Brisbane Fashion Festival show featuring her work – if I can still get tickets!

R.I.P Qld Premier's Literary Awards

I am adding my voice to the many in uproar today over Campbell Newman's decision to take an axe to the Queensland Premiere's Literary Awards.

This was not an election promise, just a first step in Newman's budget-preservation strategy, that also includes announcements of potential redundancies at certain government departments (heard on 612ABC Brisbane radio this morning).

Not that axing the awards is going to save a whole lot of moolah - a total of $250,000 in the year. In governmental terms, that's pocket-change. The sort of money they might spend on paperclips and staples per annum.

Even Federal Minister for the Arts Simon Crean came out on twitter, stating:

@SimonCrean_MP: Disappointed the @TheQldPremier has cut the Literary Awards, especially in the National Year of Reading. Short sighted! Reconsider Premier.

Despite the uproar that I have been aware of today, most of the State won't care, which is why the Premier can get away with it. Who cares now? The arts community, who probably didn't vote LNP anyway. He knows that and knows that this is an easy storm to weather. But it shouldn't be. Brisbane does not exactly have the most glowing reputation as a cultural destination and this is leap backwards. We voted in a Premier who doesn't care about writing, books or the promotion of literacy. Go Campbell.

Did I mention it is also the National Year of Reading?

I do not need to write a full blog post about this, because so many talented Brisbane writers have put fingers to keyboards today and turned their minds to the reasons and the stupidity.

Stuart Glover - founder of the Brisbane Writers Festival

Andrew Stafford, author of Pig City

Nick Earls, author of Zigzag Street

Josh Donellen – up and coming writer and Rave magazine’s music reviewer. 'Inaugural Premier's Obituary Award'

The Queensland Writers Centre’s official response on their facebook page (like them while you’re visiting).

Sign the official petition to reverse the decision.

Official website of the (former) Queensland Premiers Literary Awards.

The Courier Mail's wrap-up and their 'overwhelming' reader response as former arts MP Matt Foley calls the decision "a squalid, ugly start to the business of government".

It's my party I'll go retro if I want to

This weekend just gone marked the start of my 10 day long birthday celebrations. Following a formula that had been so successful last year, I had a joint birthday party with two close friends and fellow aquarians, one of who also blogs over at My Heart Beats.

I had pre-party outfit panic until one day, staring at my wardrobe hoping for inspiration, I spotted a dress purchased in the post-christmas sales and not as yet worn – perfect! It was from Kitten D'Amour, a Queensland designed and made brand that make fabulous boudoir-chic clothing in limited runs. My dress was 67 of 80. It was so much fun to wear because it's the sort of dress you know you look great in; it's the sort of dress that makes you feel good, which is just what you want for a birthday dress.

The birthday girls.

Dress from Kitten D'Amour. The first of many I hope.

With thanks to the fabulous Rachael for the photo.

We invited everyone we knew who was sufficiently fabulous to have drinks at Limes Hotel. We started early to catch the sunset and I have to say that the rooftop bar is lovely in the late afternoon sun. Starting at 5 does mean that one parties for quite a looong time though...

Apologies for the lack of photos – I might have starting enjoying myself to much to think of taking photos.