With the Olympic torch in Australia, it seems like a good time to post this one. The question: How to design a logo? I mean, after all… it’s the Olympic Games and the pressure is on. Lots of expectation; the need to better previous efforts and all that. Who could forget Sid, Olly and Dickhead, Fatso or that all time favourite, Springy! With all that pressure, the Beijing organisers have come up with this:

How did they come up with this I head you ask? I think I have some idea… (more…)

It’s been a while since anyone wrote a (good) post.

I guess it has been an uneventful few months:

Rudd toppled the tyrant with Mandarin, Corey Worthington impressed the world with his intelligence and good teeth, Rob Mitchell officially contests the McEwen result, two relatively unknown tennis players compete in the Australian Open final, Federer was a bad sport, free porn on your mobile phone, Heath Ledger died, Oz gave up smoking again, Britney Spears is mental, Owen Wilson attempted suicide, James Packer is a Scientologist, Nicole is pregnant, David Hicks isn’t in the news, bogans misbehave at the Big Day Out, Terry Gilliam has had another movie disaster, Obama is ahead in the polls, everyone I know is getting married, the Biggest Loser is coming back to TV and Lost is coming back for yet another season.

Also, the other night at dinner I had a waitress whose name is Oneness.

So much gold!

What a bunch of slack asses.

Was sitting at home on Saturday night, enjoying a repeat of Iron Chef. Theme ingredient: Swallow’s Nest. I hear you ask WHAT? Which is exactly what I did. Very quickly worked out it was a delicacy in Chinese cooking, and by god… EXPENSIVE. Only to be served when the Emperer shows up. (In case you’re wondering, if the friends pop over, then you should serve sea cucumbers. Who knew?). Now, the chefs did their thing with US$24,000 worth of Swallow’s Nest. Broke the budget for the show apparently. We got to the end of the show somewhat intrigued. What is Swallow’s Nest?

Swallows or swifts make nests by regurgitating gelatinous substances, or the saliva. The nests are called swallow’s nest. It is also referred to as bird’s nest. Swallow is the bird Collocalia fuciphaga (Edible-nest Swiftlet), belonging to the Apodidae family and many other birds of the same breed. Swallow’s nest consumption has been known by the Chinese for thousands of years, and people especially those riches love it and consider it as one of the most precious tonic food they can have. As a food and a tonic, it is said to be highly nourishing, containing with elements which can stimulate cell and epidermal growth. If the swallow’s nest is taken regularly, so the tradition says, the skin will be glowing and delicate. Swollow’s nest is also good for the eyes. It is beneficial to the elderly and those who have just recovered from illness.

Yes, that’s right. It is bird spit. Scrapped from inside caves straight to a plate near you! Having eaten snails amongst other things, I can appreciate that some may find this a delicacy. (That said, I baulked at the goat on Friday night… didn’t seem right). Indeed, it is known in foodie circles as the “Caviar of the East”. The thing that shocked me is the fact that Swallow’s Nest is essentially flavourless. Upwards of US$2000 per/kg for something that is tasteless and flavourless. Surely, they were having a lend. No! For over US$100 for a bowl of soup, my god, that would want to be the best soup you’ve ever had.

For more on Swallow’s Nest, check out its Wikipedia page here.