CAMBRIDGE — As an Irish pub, the Asgard in Central Square is usually festooned in green, but Saturday saw the addition of a little gold to the color scheme as expats and locals alike convened to celebrate Australia Day.

Though traditionally held on January 26, the day in 1788 that the first British ships sailed into Sydney Harbor, the celebration of Australia’s Fourth of July was moved to the weekend to observe the holiday in style, with drinking, live music, and a hot meat pie or two. With more than 200 revelers by the late afternoon, the event had already outpaced previous years’ festivities – all good news for the evening’s hosts, the Demons, Boston’s Australian rules football club.

A blend between American football, soccer, rugby, and a little bit of cricket, Australian rules football, or “footy,” is a grueling, physically taxing sport — and a popular one, judging by the red Demons jerseys that liberally dotted the sea of green and gold at the Asgard. Though relatively unknown in the US, the sport has been gaining popularity in Boston in recent years, especially among non-Australians.

Joe Connor, who is entering his second year as back pocket for the Demons, is one such recent convert. After discovering the sport on late-night ESPN after an evening out at the bars, Connor was immediately taken: “It was the best sport I’d ever seen. I had to find a local club after that.” Though the demands of the sport required months of getting into shape, Connor was not to be dissuaded; “I found something that I loved.”

Something else Connor loved, it seemed, were the meat pies provided for the event by Sam Jackson of KO Catering and Pies. An Aussie himself, Jackson offered partygoers a taste of Australia with his pies and sausage rolls, much as he does on a daily basis at his restaurant and food truck in Southie.

Though I have a natural fear of any foodstuff dubbed by the generic “meat” rather than a specific kind, I was pleasantly surprised that, with a dash of ketchup, the meat pie was a spicy, flaky, delicious creation, not unlike the barbecue pulled pork of my Southern heritage.

Australia Day in Boston is not just about the food though, as attendees enjoyed beers from the Coopers and James Boag, both Australian breweries with burgeoning appeal in the United States. To accompany the hearty eating and drinking was David Putrino, a Cambridge resident by way of Perth, who played Australian classics on the acoustic guitar. Over the tunes, guests compared their Aussie pride: green and gold beads, t-shirts and temporary tattoos emblazoned with the Australian flag and, in one case, a rather daring Steve Irwin costume, complete with flowing blond wig.

“We’re here to celebrate Australia,” said Richard Fuller, a transplant from Melbourne and president of the Demons. Fuller is not a recent arrival stateside, coming to Boston in 1998, but his accent remains firmly in place. “It’s about getting the expats together and having a bit of a fundraiser.”

In a city as sports-mad as Boston, Fuller acknowledges the challenge of getting the Demons name out there – a reason for events like the Australia Day celebration and the team’s annual Grand Final watching party, the Super Bowl equivalent for Australian rules football. “We’re trying to educated Boston and the natives,” Fuller explained. “It’s a tough town, but hopefully we’ll do what we can.”

And under the green and gold streamers and several “sporting flags,” bearing the beloved national symbol of the boxing kangaroo, over the strains of a particularly haunting version of “Waltzing Matilda,” the Demons seemed to be doing a pretty good job.

Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett fell off a concert stage and hit his head during a show in Sydney Wednesday.

According to TMZ, doctors at Sydney’s St. Vincent’s Hospital said that Buffett, 64, was in stable condition four hours after he was admitted.

Any further details have not been revealed.

An official message posted on Buffett’s website said,

“As you probably already know, Jimmy had an accident while performing in Sydney last night and was taken to the hospital. The doctors say he is doing well and will be released tomorrow. More info as we get it, and thank you for all of your well-wishes!”

ROME — The exhibition “Rituals of Life” is accessible to visitors to the Vatican Museums will be on display for all of 2011.

“Rituals of Life” is a journey through the spirituality and culture of the Aboriginal people of Australia through the collection brought together in the Ethnological Museum of the Vatican Museums. “Rituals of Life” was collated by Fr. Nicola Mapelli, Curator of the Ethnological Collections of the Vatican Museums, with the support and collaboration of the National Museum of Australia through the work of Senior Indigenous curator Margo Neale and Katherine Aigner; and with the assistance of Nadia Fiussello.

The objects of the exhibition were prepared and organised thanks to the care and competent restoration undertaken on the works of art displayed by the Poly-Material laboratory of the Vatican Museums, coordinated by Stefania Pandozy. The exhibition “Rituals life” is permeated by spirituality and allusions to the ancestral world. The centrality of the indigenous art is strongly connected to their spirituality and you can find part of the spirituality in the exhibition “Rituals life”.

“I’m just about to shoot through customs. Do you mind calling me back in about ten minutes?”

When we called to interview Angus Stone last week, we were not surprised to hear that he was about to board a plane.

Angus and Julia Stone, have built themselves a reputation as being a very well traveled duo. The Australian siblings spent the better part of two years touring after releasing their debut album, “A Book Like This” in 2007. Their sophomore record, “Down The Way” was recorded in a number of different studios, dotted around the globe and was released this March. The new album is one of the most subtle and honest slices of folk you’re likely to hear this year and has gone platinum in the band’s native Oz.

After he’d made it through airport security, the interview went ahead as planned. Angus told us about the process of making “Down The Way” and the tour, which reaches Boston’s Paradise Rock Club on Tuesday.

BLAST: You played in Portland last night. Where are you headed next?

ANGUS STONE: We’re off to the Windy City. Chicago.

BLAST: It seems as though you’re band that’s constantly on the move. At this point do you feel more at home on the road than anywhere else?

AS: Well, you’re permanently nowhere. It’s kind of something that grows on you. At first, you miss the stillness and nature – the place where we grew up has all that. There’s a lot of home on the road and there’s a lot of not.

BLAST: Does touring with your sister ever get tiresome?

AS: I think playing with Julia is more like playing with a friend than a sibling. We share the same passion and love for writing.

BLAST: Do you think that all your touring and travelling has helped you as musicians and contributed to the success you’ve enjoyed so far?

AS: Yeah. Constantly playing shows and being on the road allows you to evolve – with your writing and your skill with your instruments. It gives you an infinite space for learning, emotionally and also creatively.

BLAST: What has been the best experience of the tour so far?

AS: We played Austin City Limits, which was pretty cool. In LA I got to see some old friends. You know, it’s hard to put a finger on what’s been best. Everything’s been good.

BLAST: Of the upcoming dates, where are you looking forward to playing?

AS: I’m looking forward to…(pauses and laughs)… whereabouts are you calling from again?

BLAST: Boston.

AS: (Laughs again) OK, I’m really looking forward to coming to Boston. I’ve heard it’s a beautiful place.

BLAST: You’re latest album “Down the Way” was written and recorded in various places all over the world. Now you’re back on tour, do you find that audiences in certain places respond differently to certain songs?

AS: Yeah, there some songs on there with the names of places we’ve played in them. Those places have a really proud connection to those songs. But, otherwise, it’s hard to gage – I should have some sort of thermometer on stage to take these readings.

BLAST: There are moments on the album come across as being very specific and personal to one of the two you. Were you and Julia in constant collaboration while writing songs or did work individually and then piece things together?

AS: The songs [on the album] that you hear me sing are the songs that I wrote, and vice versa. But it’s always a collaborative session, on all the songs. Whether it’s in the studio or just us jamming on them. There are always seeds there that haven’t quite hatched. When different musicians work their magic on it, it all starts to fall into place – places you would have never had seen it going.

BLAST: You and Julia have both worked on solo projects while in the process of doing stuff for the band. Are there times when you’ve worked on something for yourself and then felt it would fit better on an A&JS record?

AS: Yes. As an example, I did a solo project called “Lady Of The Sunshine.” There was a song on that record called “Big Jet Plane.” We were coming up on recording our album just after that. I thought of that song and just thought it fit really well with what we do. So I moved that across to Julia, and our project.

BLAST: You must enjoy that kind of freedom.

AS: Sure. The cool thing about it is that there are no boundaries. We can make our own rules for anything. I really like that we can just do what we want. We have great record companies that allow us to that and give us that freedom.

BLAST: Finally, I imagine you may need a break after this tour. What are your plans for when it’s all finished?

AS: Oh man. I’m thinking about going to Canada. Some friends of mine are getting a house in Banff. So I think I’ll go there and do some snowboarding.

For Angus Stone a more personal adventure will follow the public one he and his sister are currently in the midst of. One hopes that it won’t be too long, however, before the pair returns to the studio to follow up their stunning second album.

Angus and Julia Stone play the Paradise Rock Club on October 26. There album “Down The Way” is available now.

Amanda Ware (WireImage)

BRISBANE, Australia — In what was perhaps one of the most awkward moments of Australian television history, Australia’s Next Top Model host Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong winner at Tuesday night’s grand finale.

To make matters infinitely worse the whole debacle was broadcast live, thanks to an ill-fated decision to allow viewers to vote for their favorite model during the show.

The most cringe-worthy moment came just minutes after Sydney’s Kelsey Martinovich was named winner of the 2010 season.

Hurrah for Kelsey! Cue fireworks, cheering, air kissing and speeches from both contestants.

The only problem: the real winner was Gold Coast model Amanda Ware.

(Silence. Tumble weed rolls past)

Murdoch — former model and daughter-in-law of Fox overlord, Rupert Murdoch, looked visibly ill when she was informed of the mistake, stammering out a few "oh my God’s" before whispering "it’s Amanda, I’m so sorry."

To their credit both Amanda and Kelsey handled the announcement with considerable grace, an amazing feat considering their hyperventilating host and a crowd of stunned onlookers.

Amanda will now receive a modeling contract with Priscilla’s, a $25,000 contract with Levi’s, a trip to New York, a Ford Fiesta Zetec, $20,000 in cash and an eight-page spread in Harpers Bazaar Australia.

It wasn’t all bad for Kelsey either. Thanks to the stuff up (that someone will surely be lynched for) she will also receive $25,000 cash and trip to New York.

As for the producers of Australia’s Next Top Model?

With such amateurish efforts, perhaps they will be forced to recite the mantra "what would Tyra do?" before filming begins on the 2011 season!

Duncan Lyle, 20, journeyed from Melbourne, Australia to London to study classical dance at the prestigious Royal Academy. His next stop: the Boston Ballet. Blast asked Lyle about pursuing his dream across oceans.

BLAST: What was it like growing up in Melbourne? What made you want to dance overseas? Why America?

DUNCAN LYLE: Melbourne is a very, very beautiful city. People in Melbourne are very kind and open-minded and Melbourne has a wonderful dance company. I think Melbourne was the perfect place to grow up! But I’ve always wanted to dance overseas—I think it’s the ultimate validation for an Australian dancer—and America has always had a great appeal to me. It’s such an exciting and diverse place offering so many opportunities. America really is the place to be.

BLAST: How did ballet become your passion and why?

DL: I have no idea how my interest was initially sparked in ballet. For as long as I can remember it is always what I have wanted to do. I don’t think there’s ever been any other path.

BLAST: Have you encountered much resistance?

DL: I went to an all-boys school so some of the guys gave me a pretty hard time and I decided to keep it a secret. When I got older I decided to let it be publicly known which surprisingly gained me quite a bit of respect from my peers.

BLAST: How did tell your friends? Is there a story there?

DL: One day I just decided that my mates should know. At lunchtime I gathered them all together and made the big announcement. They didn’t even bat an eyelid. I almost got the impression they were thinking, “So…? What are you making such a big deal about?” My friends were so accepting and a great support network. I realized it didn’t matter what anyone else thought if I had friends who were going to stick by me, and when an opportunity presented itself to perform for the whole school I decided to take it. I was surprised at the reaction I got. After performing a pas de deux with a (very attractive) girl, I got quite a lot of respect and admiration from my peers. Especially the older students.

BLAST: What are some favorite roles you’ve danced?

DL: I performed the Pas de Cinq from "The Sleeping Beauty" with the Royal Ballet School on our graduate tour to Japan. It’s a very challenging and exhausting piece but the solo plays to my strengths and was very fun. I performed Franz from "Copp©lia" as a guest artist with the Russian Choreographic Academy in Melbourne. It was great to perform a principal part, doing a grand pas de deux.

BLAST: What kind of music and dance do you enjoy outside of Ballet?

DL: My taste in music is incredibly eclectic. If you put my iPod on shuffle you would find some very random things! I have everything from Britney Spears, to Sergei Rachmaninov, to "Avenue Q," to Arcangelo Corelli!

BLAST: What made you want to work with the Boston Ballet?

DL: All the American students at the Royal Ballet School have been telling me that Boston Ballet is an amazing company and certainly one of the best in the US. After seeing a few clips on YouTube I have to say I fully agree and I’m quite in awe of how high the standard of the company is.

Microsoft is celebrating 1 million consoles sold in Australia and New Zealand with a limited time custom Xbox 360 system auction promotion, offering up some of the most dazzling systems ever seen.

The auction, dubbed “Konsoles for Kids,” is an effort to raise money for the David Peachey Foundation, to help promote the development of the indigenous youth in Australia.

Some of the one-of-a-kind systems are kind of lame. Like this Kelly Rowland or Russell Crowe branded Xboxs.

But Microsoft has today, put up a Halo Xbox 360. Designed by Richard Taylor from WETA Workshop (the team that did special effects in the LOTR movies) this diorama of sorts is one spectacle to behold and the winner should be overjoyed to take this one home.

Pick your jaw up.

If you feel like placing bids, head over to the promotion page at Xbox.com and get started. It’s all in Australian monies, but you can convert that, right?

Source: Kotaku

Intense rhythm. Unique sounds. Cultural respect and musical understanding—all come together for Xavier Rudd’s latest album, "Koonyum Sun." His first time with a South African Rhythm section, this work represents the musical endeavors of Rudd, Tio Moloantoa (Bass), and Andile Nqubezelo (drums). The trio met in 2008 at Austria’s Nuke Festival, and will be hitting the United States this fall as Xavier Rudd and Izintaba.

Rudd, an accomplished guitarist, percussionist, didgeridoo and harmonica player, among other instruments, chatted with Blast from Melbourne, Australia, about the new album and his musical background

BLAST: Your new album has an African influence correct?

XAVIER RUDD: Yeah, yeah.

BLAST: Many artists had incorporated this type of influence in the 80s ( Peter Gabriel’s song, Biko, after South African activist Steve Biko, particularly stands out)  Do you feel that with so many issues going on nationally, individuals sometimes forget global conflicts not directly presented to them, and that directing your musical energy to a culture will bring awareness to it?

XR: Yes, I think so, yeah, I do. I think that over time there’s a lot of issues that are almost in and out of control. I think that music is …a way to bring awareness in society. I mean music has the ability to sort of…to break through barriers. Draw connection, connect culture…and religion and country…and people and…oppression and happiness.

So yeah, I think that it’s an important thing. Directing energy…yeah, I think that…musicians can direct their energy to a cause and bring it to their heart (to bring awareness to their cause).

BLAST: In turn, how do you think music brings awareness to another culture’s beauty, as opposed to its social issues? Which one is more difficult to bring across?

XR: I don’t know, I haven’t noticed…well I guess my music focuses on environment and cultures and a lot of my music unconsciously respects that, it’s what sort of comes in my heart. A lot of times I’m not doing it for any reason; I’m not trying to write lyrics for (any reason). It just comes naturally. I haven’t really gotten involved musically in any conflict situations. I support a lot of environmental causes, but I haven’t been really on the front line with conflict. So I’d have to say I don’t really know.

Blast: So…I have read articles suggesting that playing the didgeridoo reduces the impact of snoring and sleep apnea…

XR: All the didge players that I know snore!

Blast: But really, I have watched various performers…well, mainly music students playing the didgeridoo at recitals or jamming. Many had stated that it was difficult to convey a melody through it—versus the rhythm. True? False? I’ve seen some didgeridoo players try very much to create a melody.

XR: Oh yeah, it’s impossible to play melody, it wasn’t made for it. You can voice harmonies through it. But in a sense it’s one note.

BLAST: In respect of that, being a…didgeridoo virtuoso is deemed as very difficult in terms of breath support with circular breathing….I found records of players sustaining notes of up to forty minutes! How did you come to get involved in this instrument?

XR: I sort of played it most of my life and Yirdaki is the traditional name of an instrument that the didgeridoo derives from. (The instrument) is a message for aboriginal cultures, the strongest message that’s ever existed, and that connection is very important.

BLAST: Do you think most people are aware of the musical intricacies of this?

XR: Not a lot of people know, because it’s sort of swept under the carpet A lot of the culture is very unknown.

Blast: Now your new lineup sounds like a rhythm overload—in a good way. Is there something in particular that drew you to this?

XR: We met in Australia and had this heavy connection-spiritually, musically, emotionally. We’ve become great friends. That’s basically the story, you know, I just feel really blessed, and they’re such beautiful people to be around. I feel really, really blessed.

Blast: Do you think working with these … what many would label as ‘world beats’, as opposed to American or European styles, is something you always had an ear for? Are there certain feelings of syncopation or timing you’ve been more attuned to?

XR: I think so, yeah. The way I play, or approach my instruments is very rhythmical, more percussion based. So, I think so, for sure. This is a perfect match for the way I play.

BLAST: Are there any other types of music or cultures you see yourself delving into in the future?

XR: I don’t think too much about that stuff. What happens happens and you can’t really predict it. I’m interested in a lot of cultures and a lot of different music. I like to play, I like to learn about that culture and music, I don’t really have aspirations to any particular style, but at the same time I find that I am very blessed on my journey. There are a lot of cool opportunities that arise.

BLAST: Anything you’d like to add?

XR: Where are you from?

BLAST: Boston!

XR: Oh wicked! Well, Boston, Massachusetts is one of my favorite places; people are very friendly and fun and I look forward to coming through there.

BLAST: Thanks!

TORONTO — The food is unhygienic, the water is dirty and there’s one toilet for more than 250 people. One man has died because of the unsanitary conditions in which he, his family, and his friends were forced to live.

In early October 2009, a rickety wooden boat carrying more than 250 Tamil men, women, and children was intercepted off the coast of Indonesia. It has been more than four months and the 254 men, women, and children, seeking to avoid persecution from their own government, are still trapped on-board that 30-metre boat, still docked in Merak, Indonesia, about three hours from Jakarta.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has been denied access to the boat by Indonesian officials, even though, according to Canadian Humanitarian Appeal for Relief of Tamils (CanadianHART), more than 100 of those on board are recognized refugees.

Jessica Chandrashekar, a York University graduate student, arrived in Indonesia on Jan. 21 with CanadianHART in a planned attempt to board the ship and document the conditions by taking photos and conducting interviews with the detained. She, and two Australians with similar missions, were arrested by the Indonesian government and held for 11 hours. She did not have permission to board the ship and was repeatedly interrogated, The Excalibur, York University’s campus newspaper, reports.

Chandrashekar did not reply after several requests for an interview. However, she told The Excalibur that she was denied basic rights while under detention by the Indonesian police. "[The police] took me to the police station in Merak and held me there for quite some time. [They] questioned and interrogated me and took away my passport and cell phone and would not let us call an embassy."

According to a spokesman for the Indonesian police, Chandrashekar and her Australian counterparts tried to give documents to those on board, which is strictly illegal. Chandrashekar returned to Canada on Jan. 30, and is now banned from visiting Indonesia for six months.

In early February, Indonesian officials reported that the identities of the Tamils on-board would soon be verified and their futures would be determined. But the people on-board say they’ll only step onto Indonesian soil if they are guaranteed to be sent off of it. The Indonesian government says that’s something they cannot promise without verifying identities and documents first, but the Tamils on-board remain uncompromising.

Spokespeople for various human rights organizations say that all of the paperwork and questioning can be done while the Tamils stay on the boat, as many are afraid that they will be jailed as soon as they disembark, just as other asylum seekers were almost a year ago.

Those asylum seekers, who are currently confined to a tiny jail for 24 hours a day with less than one metre squared per person, are now on a hunger strike. They hope it will spur the authorities to provide them with a resettlement deal that will relieve them from their dirty cells and place them in a suburb in Canada or Australia.

The Tamils on-board the boat also want to be resettled to Australia or Canada. Canada would be a fitting home because, as many living in downtown Toronto know from the plethora of protests that occurred just last year, it has a large population of Tamils.

Aadish Srivastharan, a young activist who participated heavily in protests in Toronto during the war in Sri Lanka, says he’s now shifted his focus to those trapped in Indonesia, in what he calls "inhumane conditions." Srivastharan wants to go to Indonesia, but after being told of what happened to Chandrashekar, he looks a little worried.

"I didn’t know that. She got arrested? See, that’s ridiculous. How do you get arrested for trying to bring food to your brothers and sisters? It’s not right," he says, his voice trailing off at the end of the statement. Srivastharan looks off into space, trying to imagine what his countrymen and women are going through. "I understand that some people are against letting them off the boat because some are believed to be terrorists working with the [Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam]. I don’t know, maybe they are being too stubborn. Maybe, they should get off the boat and see what happens. They can’t stay on it forever."

Rights groups and the global Tamil diaspora hopes the Indonesian government will not send the Tamils back to Sri Lanka. There they will likely be branded as traitors, jailed, persecuted and charged with illegal migration, as many others trying to flee the country have been.

According to the Indonesian government in early February, the problem should have, by now, been solved. But, the government’s definition of solved likely differs from that of the Tamils’, who want safety and security promptly, as politics and paperwork are never prompt.

Srivastharan is, however, optimistic. "It’ll be over soon. They are barely surviving. They’ll have to get off if they want to live. But what kind of life will they live?"

This article was featured in the March edition of the Ryerson Free Press and Arthur.

BRISBANE, Australia — After more than 60 years, the wreck of the doomed hospital ship AHS Centaur has been located.

The wreck, which was found by Bluewater Recoveries on December 20, lies due east of Moreton Island on a seabed approximately a mile and a half under water.

It is a grave to 268 medics and sailors who lost their lives when the Centaur was sunk without warning by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine on May 14, 1943, about 50 miles north-east of Brisbane.

Only 64 people survived the attack.

Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said the sinking of the AHS Centaur was a sad day in the nation’s history, which should always be remembered.

"The photographs of the Centaur resting peacefully on the ocean’s floor will help ensure the lives of the brave crew and nurses who died so tragically are never forgotten," she said. "I hope by locating the final resting place of the AHS Centaur, the family and friends of those men and women … find some resolution."

A commemorative plaque (which was laid at the starboard side of the fore deck) honors those who lost their lives in the service of the nation.

David Mearns, the principal director of Bluewater Recoveries, led the search for the wreck on board the Australian Defence Maritime Services support vessel, the Seahorse Spirit.

An approximate location, calculated by the Centaur’s navigator 40 minutes before the vessel was torpedoed, was used as a guide by the search team.

"While the wreck is intact, Centaur’s hull appears to be partially broken in at least one and possibly two locations. No doubt the torpedo strike would have caused one of these breaks," Mearns said. "Remarkably (the wreck) is less than one nautical mile from the dead reckoning position I calculated from (navigator) Gordon Rippon’s track. I can’t remember finding a wreck as close to the position reported by a primary source witness."

Mearns, whose team also helped lay the AHS Centaur’s commemorative plaque, said the wreck was approximately 30 miles due east of the southern tip of Moreton Island.

"Following the plaque laying we spent four hours filming individual pieces of wreckage found in the small debris field immediately adjacent to the wreck," he said. "Personal items were found including ankle boots (with the laces intact), a trunk of personal belongings and a felt slouch hat."

"I consider it one of the great privileges in my life to have led this important project,” he added.

The AHS Centaur has since been declared an historic shipwreck under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, meaning that the vessel cannot be interfered with in any way

BRISBANE, Australia — An Australian Special Forces Explosives Detection Dog named Sabi has been found alive and well almost 14 months after being declared missing in action in Afghanistan.

The black Labrador retriever, who was trained to detect improvised explosive devices in the Oruzgan province, was recovered by a US soldier at an isolated patrol base recently.

The US soldier, known only by his first name John, was aware his Australian Special Forces colleagues were missing one of their explosive detection dogs.

John said it was immediately obvious that Sabi was no ordinary canine.

"I took the dog and gave it some commands which it understood," he said.

At the time of her disappearance Sabi was coming to the end of her second tour of duty in Afghanistan, having previously deployed to Oruzgan in 2007.

Sabi was declared MIA in September 2008 after the combined Australian, US and Afghan National Army convoy was ambushed by an insurgent force.

Nine Australian soldiers including Sabi’s handler were injured during the attack After the engagement Trooper Mark Donaldson earned the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest military honor for bravery.

After more than a year in South Afghanistan, Sabi was flown to Tarin Kowt to be reunited with one of her Australian Special Forces handlers, who knew instantly it was the team’s missing dog.

"I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away. It’s a game we used to play over and over during her training," the trainer said.

"It’s amazing, just incredible to have her back."

If you haven’t been following the Internet soap opera of Gabe Newell and the Australian Left 4 Dead modders, let’s get you caught up!

Weeks ago Valve, maker of Left 4 Dead, flew two founding members of a Left 4 Dead 2 boycott community group to Valve headquarters in Seattle for some up close and personal time with the zombie shooter in hopes of changing their minds.

That’s all great, but here’s where the fun starts. An Australian Left 4 Dead modder, Joe W-A-e also wanted to be flown to Seattle to show the development team his mod, and Newell jokingly responded saying he’d be boycotting the‚  mod and Joe was not flown to Valve HQ.

It gets better! Joe then decided to ask community members, through his website, to donate cash to fly Newell to Australia to try out his mod in the flesh. 48 hours later, the website, Fly Gabe Newell, generated over $3,000, which was more than enough to fly Newell and project manager Erik Johnson to the land down under. The two are currently packing for their trip to the land of the kangaroos next week.

Here’s the last twist, I swear. Newell and Johnson will be flying to Australia on their own dimes and will give the money to the Child’s Play charity. How nice!

Newell had this to say about the entire zany situation:

“The power of the gaming community and their ability to rally around a cause “" be it serious or fun in nature “" is amazing. In 2003, the community helped the FBI and European law enforcement officials find the people who stole the Half-Life 2 source code. This year, the community is putting me on a plane to the other side of the world to meet Joe W-A and see his MOD. It’s going to be a fun trip.”

We should be hearing more of this story next week, but for now, take comfort in the fact that the gaming community is capable of great deeds.

Valve’s zombie-fest of a project, “Left 4 Dead 2″ has hit a snag in the Australian game market.

The Australian ratings board has “refused classification” for the game meaning it can’t be made commerically available in the land down under.

What facet of Left 4 Dead 2 is just “too much” for the Australian gamer? Sure the game is centered around the evisceration and total annihilation of the undead. But undead means zombies, and we all know they’re pretty much dead. No says Australia. Well they put it a little more eloquently. Have a look.

* The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play.

* It notes that this violence is “inflicted upon “Ëœthe Infected’ who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently.”

* The report singles out the use of melee weapons as those that “inflict the most damage” and cause “copious amounts of blood spray and splatter (sic), decapitations and limb dismemberment”¦ or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds.”

* In conclusion, the Board finds that the “interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence. This coupled with the graphic depictions of blood and gore combine to create a playing impact which is high.”

Sorry Australian zombie head-hunters. Unless the Australian Government loosens up soon, you’re S.O.L.

Left 4 Dead 2 “Banned” in Australia @ Kotaku

According to an Australian news site, the “Twilight” book series has been deemed too racy for children, and have been banned from elementary schools.

Librarians have stripped the books from shelves in some junior schools because they believe the content is too sexual and goes against religious beliefs, reports the Australian Daily Telegraph.

One Aussie school even ran a special class for young students explaining the “racy and supernatural themes” in the books.

Australian Catholic Education Office spokesman Mark Rix told the newspaper that “individual schools had to decide whether the books were suitable.”

Librarians have pulled the book from shelves, and parents were told not to allow their children to bring the books to school.

“It comes down to the discretion of the school to keep an eye on what the kids read,” said Rix. “Some primary students are not ready to read Twilight. That said, some secondary students may not be either.”

Sorry, the position for the “best job in the world” has been filled. Ben Southall, a freckled and golden-haired 34-year-old Brit beat out 34,000 applicants from 200 countries to land the coveted island job.

Starting July 1, Southall will move into a three-bedroom beachfront property overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. For six months, he’ll also clean the pool, feed some fish and blog/vlog about what’s going on around the tropical island in sunny Queensland, Australia. Oh, and he’ll receive a cool 100 G’s for his “troubles.”

A former fundraiser, Southall is an avid traveler. The Brit has traveled to various exotic locations and “love[s] discovering new places.”

“Last year, I drove all around Africa, I crossed deserts, climbed mountains, run marathons, bungee jump, mountain-bike, scuba-dive and snorkel everywhere because I’m practically a fish myself” he said in his minute-long application video.

Southall will also receive free return airfare from his home in Britain, transportation around the island, a computer and filming equipment as well as the opportunity to travel to other islands.

Tourism Queensland chief Anthony Hayes said the competition has generated more than $110 million in free publicity, according to the Telegraph, a nice economic boost during slow economic times.

Visit the island website to sign up for Southall’s updates.

“It’s a beautiful day today in California!”

That’s how our chat with Australian singer, Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced chill-me) begins. And it just kept getting sunnier. Blast got to spend a few moments with the 17-year old who has already become famous in her home country of Australia and across Europe, and we learned that the singer is down-to-earth, interested in American culture and has the talent needed to become a big hit in the U.S.

“I really haven’t toured around the U.S. so its nice to have a sort of fresh start or clean slate her, I am older now and I know what I am doing and I have done it in Australia and Europe before. I am looking forward to traveling America like you see in movies where you’re traveling on the open road and see cactuses,” Cilmi raved.

Cilmi is an Australian but is of Italian descent. Since she was young(er), she has expressed interest in music but was told she did not have the discipline needed for a music career. Not accepting the criticism of teachers, she joined a band performing cover songs by Led Zeppelin, Jet, Silverchair and others.

“I listen to different things. Growing up I listened to Led Zeppelin. I love Kings of Leon and Jett, and I would listen to them when I went to school,” Cilmi said. “I love listening to old blues stuff too, so I love different things, and I guess I’m a mixture of things. I love Blondie and Stix, so maybe my genre is ‘popular glam rock.’”

While singing at a community festival in Melbourne, Warner Music executive Michael Parisi was amazed with the singer’s vocal abilities. Parisi brought Cilmi to major records labels in the U.S. and the U.K. where she was offered record deals at four different companies. Finally in 2004 she joined Island Records UK.

While working on her debut album Cilmi co-wrote singles for the Australian movie Hating Alison Ashley. In December 2007 her ‘Sweet About Me’ single broke on the radio as a Top 100 hit from her Lessons to Be Learned CD.‚ 

“Gabriella possesses every attribute that music fans across the world are hungering for,” said Monte Lipman, president and CEO of Universal Republic. “U.S. fans are about to see first-hand what European audiences have been raving about, whether it’s her poise, her passion, or unbridled ability to deliver a song like you’ve never heard it before — Gabriella is this year’s breakthrough artist.” ‚ ‚ 

The album will be released in America on March 17, with her single already being played in radio and featured on VH1′s You Oughta Know.

“If I can get my album recognized here too it would be amazing. People are hitting me up on MySpace, so it’s really cool to have that reception too,” Cilmi added.

For such a happy-go-lucky young woman, it seems hard to believe Cilmi has already won or been nominated for artist of the year awards or hailed by publications like Britain’s Q Magazine. But what the girl lacks in stuffiness she makes up in creativity. Her voice is reminiscent of blues legends like Etta James and similar to today’s sounds of Duffy.

“I write everything from personal experiences, everything that catches my attention influences me and I like to write on that and use music that inspires me to make old things new, ‘Sweet About Me’ is a nursery rhyme about people who never want to grow up so if you don’t want to grow up listen to it,” she added.

Whether or not she gets the attention divas like Beyonce and Britney do in this country, one thing will remain the same: Cilmi’s abilities and friendly manner, which has already survived European media scrutiny and temptations of the music industry, are unchangeable.

“Just check out my MySpace, I’m obsessed with my MySpace page and I answer all my messages, I swear!”

In cue with her joyful spirit Blast is giving away a special Cilmi pack, so check our contests page next week and enter to win by March 28!

Do you want to hear former U.S. President George W. Bush speak? Probably not. But Australian celebrity agent Max Markson thinks the people of Australia might. That’s why he’s planning to bring the 43rd president down under, and charge $650 a head and $6,500 per table, to hear W. talk.

Markson has already organized speaking tours for #41 George H. W. Bush and #42 Bill Clinton.

“I think it is right I should also get number 43 out here,” said Markson.

The agent said he’s confident Aussies would shell out the money to see Bush, because he sat in the Oval Office during one of the most difficult times in U.S. history.‚ 

Markson also said he’d like for former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza‚ Rice to join Bush, possibly further down the road.‚ ”I could arrange for them to come as a package, but I think Condoleezza is a star in her own right,” he said.

I don’t think people will avoid the talk because they hate Bush, the simple fact that so many believe he’s the worst president ever (which he’s really not, but he did suck) might draw a large crowd. The price is hefty though, $1000 AUD per head and $10000 AUD per table, but there’s obviously enough wealthy Australians to fill the seats.

The talk is planned for next year. The nature of the talk wasn’t specified by Markson, but if it’s in any way “motivational” it’ll be a bust.

This is an exclusive special report from Blast Magazine

BRISBANE, Australia — At least 181 people have been confirmed dead and thousands of homes have been destroyed in Victoria’s worst bushfire disaster.

According to ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) online, Victorian police are prepared for the death toll to reach 300 pending formal identification and retrieval of the dead.

Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon has warned the public to be prepared for more fatalities.

“We are going house by house and street by street to search for bodies … and we have some cause to believe there are clearly more people who have died in this fire” she said.

Many of the deceased died in their cars whilst trying to escape the fires but were quickly overcome by the flames.

Over 4200 calls were made to the state’s emergency hotline as fires approached residential areas.

According to the Herald Sun, emergency hotline operators (000) were forced to listen “to terrified Victorians dying over the phone” when help could not reach them in time.

Police forensic experts have the grim and time consuming job of identifying the dead, a nearly impossible feat considering the extreme heat of the fire.

Police are also looking for a man suspected of starting two fires on the outskirts of Melbourne (the capital city of Victoria.)

Although the blazes were quickly extinguished, the Country Fire Authority warns that they had the potential to become major fires.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has angrily condemned any arsonists responsible for lighting fires while speaking with Channel 9 reporters, saying that there are no other words to describe the arson than “mass murder.”

Survivors of the bushfire disaster have taken refuge in hastily erected centers and continue to wait for funds and supplies.

Australians have rallied for the bushfire victims raising $21.5 million for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, which aired on the Nine Network last night.

Several A-list stars such as Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Anthony LaPaglia, Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, Ellen DeGeneres, Hugh Jackman and Rachel Griffiths, lent their support to the cause.

Australian Olympians as well as NRL (National Rugby League) and AFL (Australian Football League) players worked in the call center, as people from all over Australia phoned in to donate money.

This is an exclusive special report from Blast Magazine.

BRISBANE, Australia — As bush fires continue to devastate the southern state of Victoria, residents in far north Queensland are still battling floodwaters resulting from ex- Cyclone Ellie’s torrential rainfall.

The cyclone, which was downgraded to a tropical low after crossing the coast on Feb. 2, has dumped rain continuously for the past week, causing massive flood damage to the state’s roads and infrastructure.

According to ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) online, the Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has declared more than 62 percent of Queensland a “disaster zone.”

“Rainfall of between 200-300 millimeters (8-12 inches) has fallen in the Cairns to Mackay region since tropical cyclone Ellie crossed the coast and it has recharged already flooded rivers,” he said.

Over 330 millimeters (13 inches) of rain has been recorded in the town of Ingham alone, which has been cut off for the past eight days as flood waters hit record levels. At least 3000 properties have been affected by the floodwaters, the town only recognizable from the roofs visible above the water.

More than 50 percent of Ingham residents have been forced to seek accommodation at the evacuation center, as food and water supplies begin to run low.

Not only have schools and businesses been closed but local authorities are also urging citizens not to go into the water after several reports of crocodile sightings close to residential areas.

In Cairns it is already feared that a five year old boy is dead, following a suspected crocodile attack.

The Army and the Red Cross have been called in to help with the relief effort in the far north and other affected areas, with weather forecasts suggesting that the waters will finally begin to recede.

However the damage bill is estimated to cost Queensland $109 million, with that number expected to rise once the full extent of the destruction is ascertained.

The death toll continues to rise in Australia, thanks to raging wildfires that have burned entire towns off the map. Currently at 108, officials say the toll could rise even further as they battle flames and search through wreckage, according to Reuters.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described the fires as “hell in all its fury.” Firefighters are still battling more than a dozen blazes, as the fire quickly advances further into several towns, fanned by winds.

The flames are moving so fast some people burned to death in their cars trying to escape. Others, who‚ refused‚ to flee their residences, burned to death in their homes.

Officials still need to sift through the more than 700 houses that have burnt to the ground and affected by the fires, some of which have been blamed on arsonists. The death toll cannot be finalized until that happens.

The fires, in large part, are due to Australia experiencing it’s hottest summer in nearly a century.‚ In Australia’s southeast, flames were fanned by wind as the temperature reached 115 degrees. The flames travelled quickly, destroying everything that came in their way.

The fires, so far, have affected nearly 1,160 square miles, more than twice the size of New York City.

The Prime Minister has deployed more than 3,000 firefighters to fight the flames, one for every square kilometer affected. Rudd has expressed his condolences and grief to those who have lost family members or their homes, and has vowed to do everything he can to fight the fires and prevent more deaths.

SYDNEY, Australia — Lesbian relationships in Australia received welcome recognition this November after two bills enforcing equality were passed through the Senate.‚ The amendments expanded the terms “de facto relationship”, “parent”, “step-parent” and “relative” to include same-sex couples giving them equal rights on a number of issues.

Australian Social Security entitlements, Medicare health care, tax, and employment benefits were some of the areas where gay and lesbian couples would receive equal rights.

Openly gay Labor Senator Penny Wong said her government had followed through on last year’s election promises to remove discrimination from Australian Commonwealth laws.

“They deliver, on an important day for us, on a very important election commitment”, she said.‚ ”More importantly, they will deliver the sort of equality before the law that same-sex couples have never previously experienced.”

Liberal opposition Senator George Brandis acknowledged the significance of the bills saying they would complete law reform in the area of same-sex relationships which began 40 years ago when homosexual relationships were decriminalized.‚ Senator Bob Brown, leader of the Australian Greens party and also openly gay, was not so commending.‚ While he commended the ‚ recognition of rights, he was scathing for the ‚ lack of leadership to include equality in same-sex marriage.

“Both the older parties have a task to undertake: to communicate better with the Australian community and to understand that the pressure coming from sectional groups, minority groups, to sanction marriage for all couples regardless has great public support”,‚ Brown‚ said.

A poll taken by Australasia’s largest online lesbian dating and community site Pink Sofa supported Senator Brown’s sentiments with 88 per cent of the more than 4000 respondents wanting same sex marriages legalized. Website‚ member Jenny Ball was thrilled with the outcome but also wanted more.

“This really is a milestone for the Australian Gay and Lesbian Community and is something that has been long-awaited and now brings us in line with a number of other forward-thinking countries,”‚ Ball‚ said. ‚ ”The next key step is for the government to ratify the laws that currently prevent same-sex marriage, thereby removing the final piece of discrimination and marginalization against the community”.

Marriage for same-sex couples remains on the horizon however with the Labour Government as well as the opposition parties refusing to be swayed by public opinion.

BRISBANE, Australia — Top Five Films Of 2008

1. Wall-E

One of the most beautiful and charming films of 2008 would have to be Pixar’s latest offering, “Wall-E.” Not only is the animation spectacular – just watch as Wall-E first enters outer space – but the story is so engaging it’s hard to believe that there is barely any dialog. With only a few beeps and bops, sound designer Ben Burtt was able to infuse Wall-E with more charisma and personality than most of Hollywood’s leading men. He is a little robot with a heart of gold, cleaning up Earth and dreaming of the day when he can hold the hand of his true love. Enter Eve, a new robot sent to the human-devoid Earth to search for signs of life on the dying planet. The resulting courtship between Wall-E and Eve is affecting and very funny (for adults and children alike). Wall-E is a bumbling fool, awkwardly trying to impress the object of his infatuation. Even as the film moves into the faster second act, Wall-E and Eve’s misadventures on the human controlled Axiom spaceship continue to amuse, especially when they join forces with other charismatic robots in the repair shop. On a serious note the film also creates a very real dystopia, in which mass consumerism has forced all humans to abandon Earth, leaving the clean up job to little robots like Wall-E. The human characters are depicted as fat and lazy, almost completely oblivious to their state of denial, in what is a very pointed commentary about society today. But “Wall-E” is ultimately a kid’s film, with absolutely beautiful animation, endearing protagonists and a third act which has one of the most heart- breaking and tear inducing scenes I have ever seen. Relax though – it’s a Disney film so you can be sure of a happy ending.

Best Scene: Wall-E and Eve share an intimate moment while floating in the star-studded abyss of outer space.

2. The Dark Knight

“Why so serious?” Heath Ledger’s tour de force performance as The Joker is truly the icing on a cake layered with many levels of cinematic spectacle. Beautifully orchestrated by director and screen writer Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight” starts where prequel “Batman Begins” left off – Batman has joined forces with Commissioner Gordon in order to deal with the escalation of crime in Gotham. But neither are prepared for what criminal mastermind, The Joker has in store. Ledger’s Joker is every bit an “agent of chaos,” laughing manically as he pushes Batman to his extremes and (violently) questions society’s moral code. Rather than humanize The Joker via a heart-breaking Anakin/Darth Vader back story, Nolan keeps his arch villain unsympathetic and totally unpredictable, allowing the narrative arc to depict the tragic demise of Harvey Dent. But to focus purely on the late Heath Ledger’s performance would be to ignore a stellar cast, notably Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader, Aaron Eckhart as Gotham D.A Harvey Dent and a top-of-his-game Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon. Amazing visuals, a bone chilling score and one of the most suspenseful scenes ever seen on film, all work together to make “The Dark Knight” one of the best films of 2008.

Best Scene: Batman interrogates The Joker only to be blindsided by a new revelation. “You’re going to have to play my little game if you want to save one of…them.” Scary.

3. Iron Man

The success of “Iron Man” can be summed up in three words – Robert Downey Jr. “Iron Man” might have crashed and burned had it not been for Downey’s arrogant yet oddly endearing performance as millionaire industrialist Tony Stark. He pulls off what could have been a cheesy change-of-heart scene to really make the audience believe that a weapons manufacturer could develop a conscience – all while munching down on a cheeseburger! Downey’s non-stop banter adds to the character’s charm and Jon Favreau’s keen direction keeps the film from dragging. An impressive cast, including Jeff Bridges and the soon-to-be-replaced Terrence Howard, give the comic book adaptation a much needed plausibility factor, supported in part by the superb special effects. Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark’s assistant Pepper Potts is of course excellent, delivering one of the best put downs to a recently bedded and scathing Vanity Fair journalist, “I do everything and anything Mr Stark requires, including on occasion, taking out the trash.” But this really is Downey’s film – from riding in the “funvee,” and enjoying a lap dance in his private airplane, to blowing up terrorist training camps, Tony Stark is truly the anti-hero. We can’t wait for him to get back into the iron suit.

Best Scene: Tony Stark’s first outing as the Iron Man.

4. Twilight

If ever a film were to be characterized as a guilty pleasure than it is “Twilight.” Its shortcomings are obvious and mostly budget dependent (lackluster special effects and an over reliance on wire work) but it’s hardly the reason fans have been lining up to see the film over and over again. Come on – it’s a Gothic and impossible love story between a human girl and a vampire! What more could you want. The relationship between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, beautifully depicted by so-hot-right-now Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, is really the heart of “Twilight.” While some critics have judged the film harshly for its high level of teen angst and brooding stares, to fans that is what it’s all about. “Twilight” is no cinematic masterpiece but it doesn’t intend to be. Rather, it attempts to capture the underlying sexual tension and euphoria of first love, and boy does it deliver. The young cast are impressive with Peter Facinelli a stand out as the calm and always gentle Dr Carlisle Cullen. It is a pity however that you don’t see more of Cam Gigandet, the menacing vampire/ tracker/ resident bad ass James. He gives the “Twilight” vampires some much needed – forgive the pun – bite. But at least we can be sure that his fiery mate Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) will be back in future films to help with the body count. Her cameo at the prom was both sinister and exciting – come on “New Moon!”

Best Scene: Bella joins the Cullen’s for a game of baseball, vampire style.

5. Australia

Ok, this entry is likely to divide readers, but as an Aussie, I just couldn’t overlook Baz Luhrmann’s epic film, “Australia.” A visually stunning and highly emotive film, “Australia” has been subjected to a high degree of scrutiny, especially from Australian film critics. Debates concerning culture and national identity follow nearly every film which purports to be quintessentially Australian and this film was, of course, no exception. National cinema in Australia has always been pre-occupied with discovering and identifying who we are as a nation – a nearly impossible feat for a two hour film. Luckily Baz Luhrmann doesn’t seem to let such considerations plague the screenplay. I for one see no reason why the love story and underlying themes of the film should not resonate with an international audience. After all, it really is a fairly simple story of the English rose, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who moves to Australia and ends up on a cattle drove (don’t ask), where she meets and eventually falls in love with The Drover (Hugh Jackman, aka sexiest man alive). On a more serious note, the film also deals with plight of indigenous Australian’s in the 1940s with particular reference to the Stolen Generation – the Aboriginal children who were taken from their parents and put into White controlled missions, in accordance with the horrific government policy of the time. Much has been said of Kidman and Jackman’s performances but the true star of this film is newcomer Brandon Walters as the half caste Nullah and the always reliable David Wenham, as the uber bastard Fletcher, who is able to take the somewhat ridiculous Australian slang and make it believable. That said there are some colloquialisms I have NEVER heard of – particularly The Drover’s retort, “shut your damper hole.” But it is easy to overlook some of the more cringy moments when you consider Luhrmann’s beautiful re-creation of life in the 1940s Northern Territory and the cinematic spectacle, which the film delivers.

Best Scene: Lady Sarah Ashley gets a shock after seeing her first kangaroo.
Other great films of 2008 (in no particular order)

* “Son of Rambow”
* “Frost/Nixon”
* “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”
* “Quantum of Solace”
* “The Orphanage”
* “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

Thanks to YouTube, anyone with a digital camera, Internet connection and a modicum of talent can become a filmmaker.

But back in the 1980s, making your own film required perseverance, creativity and a lot of hard work.

Many of today’s aspiring filmmakers would find it hard to beat the work of Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala and Jayson Lamb — three boys from Mississippi who set the precedent for the ultimate homemade movie.

Together, they created a shot by shot remake of the 1981 Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark, complete with a rolling boulder, ballsy leading lady and the infamous Nazi face-melting scene.

The trio of 12-year-olds were so inspired by Steven Spielberg’s original film that they designed storyboards, props and costumes and began production on their own adaptation in 1982.

Seven years, $5,000 and three sets of presumably frazzled parents later, their film was complete.

Their version, aptly entitled Raiders of the Lost Ark: An Adaptation, is a heartfelt tribute to Spielberg’s original, made all the more impressive by the obvious amount of effort the lads invested in the project.

Using only household objects and simulated stubble, and conning friends and family into joining the cast and crew, Eric, Chris and Jayson brought the whip-cracking adventures of Indiana Jones to life, albeit with noticeable pubescent voice-breaking.

The adaptation received its first official screening in 2003 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Texas, more than 22 years after the boys began the pre-production process.

Since then, the film has screened to sold out audiences all over the world and has even gained the approval of Spielberg and George Lucas.

Blast recently caught up with Eric and Chris (now in their 30s), who fessed up about truck stunts, deals with Paramount and meeting the master himself.

Oh dear. I’m afraid I may have gone and done something rather rash.

Something that may cause the church of Rome to excommunicate me or my Neapolitan ancestors to turn over in their graves.

Let me say for the record that I only use 100 percent Italian-olive extra virgin olive oil. The only brand I use is Monini, which is the oil they use IN Italy.

But I ran out of olive oil Friday, and since my people can’t eat meat on Fridays of Lent, I was off to the store, in the snow, to buy olive oil to complete the pressed tomato and fresh mozzarella panini that Giada De Laurentiis (Who I adore) recently showed off on her Food Network show, Everyday Italian.

As a talented writer for a major American newspaper, I naturally had about $6 in my wallet. Shaws Supermarket had a 50 percent off sale on Red Island “Premium Australian” extra virgin olive oil, which ended up being $4.99 for a 500mL bottle. The next closest thing from Italy ran about $12, so I quickly grabbed the Aussie brand, did a self checkout and ran out of there like I’d stolen something.

It was amazing. Though not as dark and bold as some of the premium Italian olive oils I’ve tried, the Australian brand was distinctively fruity, like an oily wine flavor. Dipping it on some semolina bread, it was very smooth and fragrant. I’m very impressed.

The oil uses a blend of picual, barnea and frantoio olives, and for the price I paid, it’s certainly worth a try.

I’m not saying I’m going to switch, but Red Island certainly gives a person something to think about. Let’s just hope the 50 percent off wasn’t some sort of clearance sale.

Those Aussies sure do it right — wine, meats and now olive oil.

Multi-platinum recording artist Christina Aguilera will release a live DVD filmed during her July 2007 shows in Sydney, Australia during her “Back to Basics” world tour.

“This breathlessly energetic, dazzling live concert spectacular brought the house down-and the cameras were rolling there to catch it all,” RCA Music Group said in a statement.

Back to Basics — Live and Down Under will be a 90-minute video available for $14.99 exclusively at Best Buy February 5.

“Christina’s done it again — another stunning long-form from one of music’s greatest performers. We are fortunate Best Buy shares our excitement and has partnered with us on this project,” said Tom Corson, EVP/GM of RCA.

The concert features 18 songs from the four-time Grammy Award-winning superstar’s career, including hit singles “Ain’t No Other Man” and “Candyman” and number one hits “Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)” and “What a Girl Wants.”

The DVD captures the excitement of this lavish tour, from the unique stage with 3 distinct scenes, more than 600 moving lights and a state-of-the-art hydraulic system, to production incorporating everything from burlesque cabaret to trapeze choreography, fire jugglers, and stilt walkers-but the heart and soul of the show is Christina Aguilera, with her awe-inspiring voice and silver-screen charisma. Bonus material gives viewers a true 360 degree perspective of the tour by featuring exclusive interviews with her dancers, wardrobe (Simone Harouche), hair and makeup (Stephen Sollitto), musicians, background vocalists, musical director (Rob Lewis), Jordan Bratman (Christina’s husband) and Christina herself.

Aguilera has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and created four number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is also a three-time Grammy Award-winner.

Track list:
Disc 1:
1. Into: Back to Basics
2. Ain’t No Other Man
3. Back In The Day
4. Understand
5. Come On Over
6. Slow Down Baby
7. Still Dirrty
8. I Got Trouble
9. Makes Me Wanna Pray
10. What A Girl Wants
11. Oh Mother
12. Enter The Circus
13. Welcome
14. Dirrty
15. Candyman
16. Nasty Naughty Boy
17. Hurt
18. Lady Marmalade
19. Encore: Thank You
20. Beautiful
21. Fighter
Disc 2: Special Features- Exclusive Behind the Scenes Footage & Interviews