You enjoy 12 days of Christmas so why not 12 things to talk about this Christmas. Consider our 2 additional listings our Christmas present to you!
1. Christmas goodies
We’re not talking food here, although we would be lying if we say we don’t enjoy the brunches, dinners, turkey, puddings, cakes, chocolates, candies (we could go on and on and on). We’re talking the dizzying array of limited edition products and gift sets that you only get this one month out of twelve in a year. All those pretty boxes, ribbons, gift wrap and gift cards that come with the amazing pressies we’re supposed to be buying for others, but really end up coveting for ourselves. Call us crazy, but there’s just something about snowflakes, reindeers, angels, that red-gold-green combo that make us go nuts. Tell us, what’s your favourite gift item this year?
2. World Aids Day
December means Christmas joy, but let’s not forget a more serious cause associated with this month too. The recently-past World Aids Day, observed every year on the 1st of December since 1988, saw a slew of activities aimed at garnering support for the awareness of AIDS. Top champions of this cause M.A.C partnered Action For Aids (AFA) in the organizing of the World Aids Day Walk 2009 and also channeled proceeds from selling its lipstick and lip glosses to the M.A.C Aids Fund which provides financial support to those affected by HIV/Aids all over the world. Nike sold (RED) shoelaces in its “Lace Up. Save Lives.” campaign, in support of the Global Fund to help eliminate Aids in Africa and fund initiatives directed at delivering education on HIV/Aids prevention. Designers Against Aids spearheaded a new project called “Knitting Against Aids”, where they got as many people as possible around the world to knit scarves to be sold in Antwerp, Belgium during “Take Care Week” (the week before World Aids Day). Limited edition scarves by designers and artists were also auctioned off, with proceeds going entirely to the Aids cause. And these are just some of the initiatives we saw from around the world revolving around World Aids Day. Inspired yet? Well, we say, go out and do something, ANYTHING, to support this worthy cause. Whether it’s donning a simple red ribbon, buying a product, or actually getting involved in fund-raising activities, any action is good action as far as we’re concerned.
3. The iPhone Juggernaut
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably already aware that December marks the month the iPhone is available to M1 and Starhub subscribers. Gee, we wonder what gave that away? Was it the blatant, in-your-face advertising, or the insane queues that couldn’t help but remind you of the McDonald’s-Hello Kitty saga that once rocked our country? Those who brought some form of amusement to while away the waiting hours were suitably thankful, and some were disappointed to discover that despite reservations, there were no iPhones waiting for them. (Frankly, we’re a little horrified by this. What’s the whole point of a reservation then??) Telcos are already anxiously awaiting their next shipments, no doubt in fear of what irate customers are going to do when deprived of a superior touch screen and more than 200,000 apps to choose from.
4. Sex And The City 2
Yep, it’s official, Carrie Bradshaw and the gang are back. We’re being teased by the promise of a shock plot (although we think hardly anything would shock THAT bunch) and a cameo appearance by Miley Cyrus (huh? Hannah Montana?), but for now, we’re just baffled by the movie’s first poster. We love us some Ms Bradshaw, but we have to say this is an absolute disaster. Why? Come, we shall count the reasons together: 1) Carrie, in a white dress, gold aviators, heels and clutch, looks overly photoshopped. A mannequin has more realistic skin than this! 2) She’s walking out of a silver backdrop of the city and a huge “2” in sparkling sequins. Hello? Space Age much?? Maybe that’s why Carrie looks like a cyborg. 3) The tagline says “CARRIE ON”. Groan.
5. The Wii Competition
Nope, we’re not having our own Nintendo Wii tournament. Been there, done that, folks. By mid 2010, the Nintendo Wii will have proper competition in the form of Microsoft’s Project Natal and Sony’s PS3 Motion Controller. The PS3 Motion Controller works in similar fashion to the Wii, sensing position, distance and movement with handheld controllers, all via a sensor to be placed atop your television. Microsoft’s Project Natal, however, is attempting to truly blow the gamer’s mind by claiming facial and voice recognition. THE PLAYER IS THE CONTROLLER. We’d dearly love to continue with specs, actual release dates and games you can look forward to, but we’re kinda busy being speechless right now…
6. Hopenhagen & COP15 The UN Climate Change Conference
For those not in the know, the Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that essentially governs greenhouse gas emissions by various countries that have signed the protocol. This agreement is due to expire in 2012.
Enter Hopenhagen and The UN Conference for Climate Change. The former (www.hopenhagen.org) is a public movement generated by the International Advertising Association, aimed at getting world leaders to recognize the need for change, change that will lead to hope for a better world. Visitors from all over the world signed the UN Climate Petition, presented to world leaders from 192 countries before the commencement of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhaagen, Denmark, from 7 to 18 December 2009. This conference is pretty much the world’s last chance to devise ways to reduce emissions, so we’re kinda hoping our world leaders are taking this seriously. The website also gives you up-to-date news on the progress of this conference, so check in regularly to see how things are faring, and also to see how you can get involved in saving our planet earth.
7. Google Editions Store
By no means are we heralding the death of the paperback, but we have to admit the impending launch of Google Editions Store has us pretty excited. Pretty much anyone with a web browser will have access to roughly half a million digital books, either to be read online or downloaded for offline reading. But before the book pirate in you gets all excited, these aren’t free downloads, there ARE costs involved. We’ll have to wait and see how this catches on – not that anyone really reads anything these days, but we somehow can’t imagine curling up in bed with Google Editions title in their laptop (or smartphone). And for the life of us, we can’t imagine what kind of havoc it’s going to play with our eyesight.
8. Courtney Love loses custody of Frances Bean Cobain…again
How does she do it? For the second time, Courtney Love has lost custody of her daughter with the late Nirvana legend, Kurt Cobain. Thing is, no one really quite knows why this time. Another OxyContin saga? OD-ed on something else? Daughter refusing to hang around an insane mother who rants about former bandmates online and gets sued for libel? Or just a simple case of teenage rebellion? Court papers published online show that Frances Bean, now a comely 17-year-old, is under temporary guardianship of her father’s mother and sister, Wendy O’Connor and Kimberly Dawn Cobain.
9. Sonia Rykiel for H&M 2009
Sonia Rykiel is no longer the exclusive domain of our ah lians of yesteryear. Le Queen of Knits is making a modern day comeback with H&M, hot on the heels with Jimmy Choo and Cavalli collaborations with H&M. Already launched is a racy lingerie line for Holiday 2009 - ignoring the Over The Top show at Palais Royale featuring English model Lily Cole, we must say we quite like the styles. Sort of fifties-style sexy pinup girl with a touch more class.
The second collaboration between Rykiel and H&M will be for a range of knits for Spring 2010. From what little we’ve seen, it’s classic French – chic, restrained, sophisticated, fun, yet somehow STILL DAMN SEXY. Sometimes, we simply have to admit, no one does it quite like the French.
10. Polaroid Two
If you’re a stickler for nostalgia, yet can’t help but ooh and ahh at the latest shiny objects to hit town, here’s a product that will satisfy your bizarrely bipolar gadget-geek behaviour. Meet the Polaroid Two, the digital successor of the original Polaroid camera that snaps and spits your shots almost instantly. This baby uses Zink (zero ink) technology to instantly print your choice of 7-megapixel photos into pocket-sized stickers. We’re loving the built-in cropping and photo editing features, so once you’re done “photoshopping”, flip the lid and load your film to print! So what if it’s chunkier and less streamlined that your modern point-and-shoot digicam? You can’t compare that to a Polaroid camera. Instant party fun!
11. Alice in Wonderland
Tim Burton’s back with his choice thespians Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. This time, it’s his take on Alice in Wonderland, with Depp as The Mad Hatter and Carter as who else but The Red Queen. We’re expecting a visual feast come March – a riot of colour, makeup and costumes as Burton delivers his usual adventurous blend of dark and quirky. And with other notable names like Anne Hathaway as The White Queen, Martin Sheen as The White Rabbit and Alan Rickman as The Caterpillar, it’s hard not to expect the sun and the moon from this one flick. Count us in and call us excited!
12. Demi Moore defends herself on Twitter
Right. This isn’t exactly new, but we’re so scandalized/bemused/amused (delete where applicable) that we STILL don’t know what to say. At the centre of the drama is 47-year-old Demi Moore and her November 2009 cover of W magazine. Take a gander for yourself – peeps are claiming that a chunk of her hip was airbrushed out, creating a photoshop disaster where, pardon the pun, things just don’t line up, and her thigh is about an inch further out then her hip. Ms Moore naturally took umbrage and decided to clear the air in the ever-reliable, always-accurate Twitterverse. Posting what she claims was the original picture, Demi went on the record to say she has “no hips” and that she’s “been on the skinny side” lately. W Magazine claims no serious retouching was done, and fans defend the picture by blaming the misalignment on weird body position (hips swung to one side). Okay………
