Sunday 22 June 2008

Lilly's Bits

1. It could be yours lock, stock and barrel

Bids opened on eBay at 5am this morning, for people wanting to secure a new life in the Australian sun. Six years on from emigrating down under, Briton Ian Usher is selling all his worldly possessions on the online auction site to the highest offer. Up for sale is his ... lifestyle. Following on from a painful divorce he wants to up and leave his Perth paradise and start afresh somewhere new. He's throwing in everything, including; his 3 bedroom house, his car, his wardrobe, his jet-ski and if required, his friends and even his job. Must have been an extremely painful divorce...at least he didn't include his ex wife in the package...

2. Who's a pretty boy then?

More than one third of Australian men would consider a cosmetic enhancement to improve their looks according to a surprising new poll. These enhancements include traditionally female procedures such as facial peels, laser treatments, injections and skin tightening (and more than likely liposuction given we are turning into a fat nation). A cosmetic physician said that men are quite practical about finding solutions to looking older, comparing cosmetic fillers to fillers in maintenance work. Practical problem solvers that they are. I draw the line at pretty men though (too much competition).
So, what are your views about cosmetic surgery?? Would you do it, have you done it, with what results? How would you feel if your partner wanted some work done?

3. Husbands overturning wedding tradition
Apparently more and more Aussie men are beginning to take their wives' names when they marry, reversing centuries of tradition. What do you think? Would you adopt your wife's surname or would you like your partner to adopt your surname upon marrying?

4. Want a bigger brain?

People who meditate grow bigger brains than those who don't. Researchers at Harvard, Yale, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found the first evidence that meditation can alter the physical structure of our brains. Brain scans they conducted reveal that experienced meditators boasted increased thickness in parts of the brain that deal with attention and processing sensory input. Something to be said for standing on your head and going Om I guess. Read more here.

5. Sexy food sells

An R rated food fight has begun on supermarket shelves, with grocery marketing turning risque. Never before has the line between food and sex been so blurred with marketers using phrases and imagery more commonly found in a Mills and Boon novels than on chocolate bar wrappers.

A Nestle double blend hot chocolate container states: "You know you want me. You want to hold me. You want to have me to yourself." AO (adults only) muesli bars and soon to be released Sultry Sally Potato Chips are among brands trying to sell edible sex appeal on packets and websites.

Last month the Advertising Standards Bureau investigated complaints about an M&Ms ad campaign featuring the character Miss Green wearing white knee high boots and hugging a tree to which she was handcuffed. Complaints were made about the advertisement with one person claiming the company had turned the female M&M into a slutty pole dancer. The complaint was dismissed. Other ads I have noticed are Drink Sprite, Look Sexy, Tim Tam Crush and Love Potions and muesli bars featuring naked nut characters lying on a bed/in a bath with censored areas.

6. Rape classified as a weapon of War


The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war. The document describes the deliberate use of rape as a tactic in war and a threat to international security. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said violence against women had reached "unspeakable proportions" in some societies recovering from conflict. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the world now recognised that sexual violence profoundly affected not only the health and safety of women, but the economic and social stability of their nations. Other speakers identified the former Yugoslavia, Sudan's Darfur region, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Liberia as regions where deliberate sexual violence had occurred on a mass scale. The former commander of the UN peacekeeping force in eastern Congo, Maj-Gen Patrick Cammaert, told the BBC he personally witnessed its impact. "It's a very effective weapon, because the communities are totally destroyed," he said. "You destroy communities. You punish the men, and you punish the women, doing it in front of the men." About time.

7. Feeling Blue?

Then mung beans, lobster, turkey, asparagus, sunflower seeds, cottage cheese, pineapple, tofu, spinach and bananas could lift your spirits. A diet high in tryptophan - an amino acid converted by the body into the feel-good chemical serotonin - can improve mood and well being. I eat 8 of the 10 - but cannot do sunflower seeds or cottage cheese....I do not want to be too spirited.....


Have a great week.

16 comments:

  1. Lilly that is almost 7 posts in one ... where do I start.
    1. not interested Perth is too far away.
    2. I don't mind him anyway as long as he doesn't expect me to get prettied up.
    3. I don't care what name he has. I liked his.
    4.Interesting - putting it on my long to do list 101 in 1001 days.
    5.Very funny ads.Those mueseli bars crack me up ...but I still won't buy them.
    6.This is serious and about time.Thanks for sharing this.
    7.I suck at these foods - now I know my problem and my DH ... I have some shopping to do.mmmm
    6.

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  2. I'd fancy a go at that auction, though I fear I'd be totally outbid. As for the meditation, well I've been doing that for years. Maybe that's why my partner can often be heard saying - "If your head gets any bigger we'll have to get a bigger house."
    Only joking, but I do meditate and I don't know about it making the brain bigger but it is extremely relaxing after a busy day.

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  3. 1. Does Ian have an asking price? And wouldn't it be nice if we could actually get rid of all our problems this way?-- I correct myself! Some people do just walk away, huh?
    2. Men in the business I was in men have been getting plastic surgery for years. I had my eyes done and it was the best money I've ever spent. I was in and out in a couple hours and back to work the next day. That tired droopy eyelid look that was driving me bonkers was gone.
    3. I'm sure the heck not going to change my name again. I've done that twice and it's insanity with your credit and IRS. I wouldn't recommend it for men or women. It's an antiquated tradition of 'I own you." And Kids could care less.
    4. I'd love to read more about this 'bigger brain'. Bigger doesn't mean more intelligent. If you have a link to this, Lilly, please put it on your next post.
    5.Advertisers have gone insane! It's seems we've come into the 'shock them' to get their attention mode.
    6. 'About time' is right. Good for the United Nations Council.
    7. I eat all those things! I love cottage cheese, but sunflower seeds don't turn me on.

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  4. Baby~amore - I know I am lazy this week - saved it all up to one post.
    1. The guy's bid is on about $700,000 at the moment.
    2. I think men age better than women. I do not like pretty men though.
    3. I think keeping your own name is the way to go.
    4. Mediatation is the best thing to do.
    5. No wonder we are getting to be the fattest nation on earth - we fall for all the advertising.
    6. Its a sad one this one - apparently in the Congo 40 women are raped a day, all in the name of getting back at your fellow man.
    7. I think you sound happy regardless from your blog so maybe you were just born with the right levels of sero (whatever)and dont need any help from food!

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  5. Jon - your partner sounds like she has a good sense of humor. I think the guy selling his house is going to do very well out of it - he has had loads of publicity. Meditation is something that I should get into - a bigger brain is a big incentive. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Redchair
    1. Ian has had lots of bids already so its up around the $700,000 mark already - good way to do it I guess. Lots of people just walk away - the cowards anyway.
    2. I guess its good guys are taking an interest in their appearance although they age better than we do - I would like to do it but not sure who I would trust to do so. Good on you though - I totally think its a positive.
    3. I agree everyone should keep their own names - but whose name do the kids take? Thats the choice - lots are using both names.
    4. I put the link to the study at the end of the sotry in the post for you.
    5. Advertisers will do anything to get out attention - shame its all such rubbish food they are doing it with.
    6. It certainly is a positive thing.
    7. Well you must be one happy person - no seeds do not do it for me. I have tried but I get roughage other ways.
    Thanks for stopping by, always love your comments.

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  7. As always, I only hear and see these type of news in your blog. Where do you get them? Ooh, that must have been a really messy, bad divorce for him to that extreme, eh?

    With men having cosmetic surgeries, I say "go for it if they make you feel better". I would go for a few of my own if I could afford them, starting with my height. Hehehe. I do agree with you on the very pretty face men. Too much competition. Personally, If I were still single, I wouldn't go for men who choose surgical procudures just to become more handsome. In my mind, they're just way too self-absorbed. It's another to correct a problem that has a great negative impact on your self-esteem, but to enhance what's already beautiful and perfect, is insane.

    I'm a traditionalist, so I have to stick with my hubby's last name.

    I don't like the idea that our food products are laced with sexualy suggestive ads. There are proper places for such contents, like in my novel. hehehe. But not on food products, for goodness sake.

    U.N. finally had done something we can all be proud of.

    I love all the food you mentioned. I like to eat my cottage cheese with some cut up peaches. And, ooh, sunflower seeds are so good. I only eat them when they're already peeled, roasted, and lightly salted. I don't like the plain ones that are still in pods. Have a great week.

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  8. Lilly-
    "You don't like pretty men?"

    I don't believe that. We all love pretty men. Look how pretty Jon is in his pix.Whew..WHOOOOOOO!

    AS for myself, I DO love pretty boys.
    Vikki

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  9. Redchair - of course it depends on what you classify as 'pretty'. I love men but the pretty ones do not do it for me. Now let's see. Brad Pitt is too pretty as is Mr Depp. Richard Gere and George Clooney and Denzel Washington are not. That's the difference for me. I like my handsome to be a bit rough around the edges, he he.

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  10. Tasha - I dont know I just come across them and they take my fancy. Love your comment about saving the sexually suestive stuff for your novel! Cottage cheese and peaches - must give that a try. Sun flower seeds I just cannot come at - have tried but feel like a bird.

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  11. Lilly you are so grown up. I would fall on the floor and rip my own clothing off for any one of the men that you list there. (I'm kidding of course- but I might)Vikki

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  12. HEY ....Baby~Amore!
    One of the best things about Perth: IT IS FAR AWAY! The world is growing smaller with tecnology but in distance we are the most isolated city in the world and for that reason 'alone' I love it the most :)

    Tulip

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  13. I LOVE these little collections of news and ideas that you find and put together. All I can say is you are one smart lady. You seem to always know what is going on!!!! LOL I never know what is going on. :) That is why I read Lilly's Life!!!!

    Now wouldn't that make a great ad for your blog. I've missed you and will be back as soon as I get break in work. Been buried lately. I just love your blog and you!!! You are one classy gal! Hugs, R :)

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  14. Thanks Robin - strange things interest me it seems and I appreciate your comments, truly!!

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  15. About cosmetic surgery:

    I have been considering some work. A breast reduction. I'm tired of hauling these melons around, and I'm tired of my shirts not fitting right. I either look like I'm wearing a tent or as though I'm trying to be a hoochie mama. I don't want to like like either.

    If my man wants to have something done, that's his choice and I support him.



    Referencing Sexy Food:

    I remember when I was a teen, we always said that eating green M&M's makes you horny. Did you ever hear that one? And NOW...there that green M&M is, doing a pole dance and wearing slutty boots. I guess there was some truth to that rumor.

    Tia

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  16. Hey Tulip - I agee Perth is a lovely place - and there are some advantages in living far away form relatives sometimes.....

    Tia - Yes I know what you mean and I think amything is all ok if you are doing it for the right reasons. As for the green M&Ms, no I never heard that before and I bet thats is why they have done the advertising like that - thanks for that info I am going to explore that further, he he. Thanks for dropping by.

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Thanks for your comments.