Cute Scruffy Blonde of the Moment, Martin Freeman (known to us all as Dr Watson in BBC's recent Sherlock), has been cast in the role of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's two-parter films of Tolkein's "The Hobbit".

Of course, first they have to decid a country to shoot it in...

Further details here

Those of you writing Hetalia, or really, just anyone who wants to know about the less publicised but interesting parts of Europe may find this site well worth viewing:

Hidden Europe newsletter archive.

The company produce a thrice-yearly magazine, somewhat unsurprisingly called Hidden Europe, which is "a publication that showcases excellent travel writing, featuring the offbeat, the eclectic and the everyday that make Europe so special."

The newsletter archive doesn't allow you to read every single article (for obvious reasons) but has enough content and photography to keep you informed and entertained.

Recommended for those of you writing Nordic countries Hetalia...



Swedish/Sami Yoik/Pop/Jazz singer-songwriter, Sofia Jannok: "Irene".

If anyone is looking to buy the complete set of the original Weiss Kreuz "Side B" manga (i.e. vol 1-5 in Japanese), they are being offered on eBay here for $35.74 / £22.60 exl.P&P.

Surprise, surprise, but the US Govt has just announced that from 8th Sept 2010, the currently free and mandatory ESTA, aka Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, which all Visa Waiver holders (e.g. British, Europeans, New Zealanders, Australians, etc etc) have to complete before entering the US, will cost $14. If you don't have one of these, Immigration will send you home (without any supper).

The ESTA last two years however, so if you have a planned trip to the US (or even if you don't, really), then fill in the form now. Even if you don't need it for another year and a half, it saves you ten quid. If, like me, you already have a current one (mine had about a year left on it), then apply for a new one. As I visit the US 1-2 times a year, it's worth the five minutes out of my life.

You need to know your passport number (as well as the normal personal details) when you fill in the form, which you can find here.


Grokked from Martin's Money Tips.

Before you say "WTF? Is Tosca taking lewd tentacle porn photos now?", this was actually an advertisement poster (without the 'Octopi love' wording) in a clothing store I passed by with daegaer and louiselux tonight.

Semi-naked man grasping two octopi. Advertising clothing. I kid you not.

Oh Brendan Fraser, how far thou art fallen!

His latest movie? - "Furry Vengeance"

So many things wrong with that...

Happy Earth Day to all of you and the Planet Earth!

My personal piece of education today was to watch a 2008 TED: Ideas Worth Spreading video of oceanographer Robert Ballard talking about exploring Earth's underwater world; the amazing things they've found (often simply by accident) and how it's merely the tip of the iceberg.

After viewing that, I can't help but think that instead of pinning our hopes on technologies and advances made through exploring and colonising other worlds, the best hope for a future viable Earth is a landscape a lot closer and one largely ignored.

Watch the video - it's amazing:

Robert Ballard on exploring our oceans

Another site I recommend:

Save My Oceans

Toothbrush packaging is the work of the Devil...