dez'sPopLife

The Asia Quake Crisis

The death toll from the earthquake and tsunamis stands at over 25,000 with over a million homeless.

Looks like a quite a few bloggers have already posted calls to action and links to aid agencies including Russ Weakley, Keith Robinson and Molly Holzschlag.

Meanwhile Nick Bradbury is donating all proceeds from the sale of TopStyle and FeedDemon to the International Red Cross.

If you're an Aussie, below is a list of aid agencies collecting donations (links courtesy Russ):

• Australian Foundation for Asia and Pacific - http://www.afap.org or call 1800 007 308;
• CARE Australia - http://www.careaustralia.org.au or call 1800 020 046;
• The Australian Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org.au, call 1800 811 700 or send a cheque or money order to: GPO Box 9949 in your capital city, indicating that your donation is to go to the Asia Quake and Tsunamis Appeal;
• Oxfam - http://www.oxfam.org.au or call call 1800 034 034;
• World Vision - http://www.worldvision.com.au or call 13 32 40;
• UNICEF - http://www.unicef.org.au or call 1300 884 233.

Finally, Evelyn Rodriguez over at Crossroads Dispatches, was on Phi Phi Don island off the Andaman coast of Thailand when the tidal wave hit and has posted a couple of accounts [1|2].

UPDATE 1 December 29: The latest from Evelyn Rodriguez, Humbled by Stories of Tsunami Survivors.

UPDATE 2 December 29: Via the Radiant Marketing Group, The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami blog started by some Asian bloggers offers news and information about resources, aid, donations and volunteer efforts. See also this report about blog coverage on the crisis.

My Australian Idol Blog

With Series 2 having just started, and my posts on the subject being some of the most visited and discussed on this site, I have set up a separate blog to discuss Australian Idol, the Idol phenomenon and talent development in general: dez's idolChat. Check it out.

The Contender

Jeffrey Zeldman's thoughtful piece on the passing of Marlon Brando, The Contender,

No actor since has possessed such talent and no actor ever threw so much talent away.

Can't-Wait-2-See: Fahrenheit 9/11

Michael Moore's Cannes Film Festival winning Fahrenheit 9/11 is on my must see list. Check out the trailer.

Life Assessment Quiz

Via , as days pass by, Mark Pilgrim suggests everyone over the age of 25 should try the Clean Sweep Program. As a list junkie it's probably just the thing I need to get my life in order. Though it is open to debate whether or not some of the things listed here are actually indicative of a life well lived.

Designer by Day, Catwoman by Night

Designer by Day, Catwoman by Night, from Design Observer, laments the potrayal of graphic designers in the upcoming film Catwoman, where Halle Berry plays the title Jekyll-and-Hyde role, whose character is split between a shy, retiring graphic designer and an untamed, feline superhero,

It looks like Hollywood has yet again dramatized a profession that in truth, is better characterized by toiling into the wee hours. (I, for one, have never known a journalist who ended his reporting day at 5pm any more than I know any graphic designers who are nine-to-fivers.) Does "graphic designer" as a character type suggest a kind of banal anonymity, a chameleonlike identity? Or is it just an amorphous character type: in other words, just as "graphic designer" may be the antidote to superhero, is it also the opposite of villain?

Aussie Big Brother Evictee Stages Pro Refugee Protest

Several housemates in Season 4 of Big Brother Australia have been putting the real in reality TV.

Recently on the two hour late night show which is streamed live from the house, several housemates engaged in a frank discussion about Australia's involvement in the war in Iraq, covering all sides of the spectrum on this issue. It was probably quite reflective of the range of views held by the general public tough there were many complaints that it was aired.

Then on last nights eviction show, the latest evictee Merlin taped up his mouth, flashed a "Free the Refugees" sign and refused to speak for the rest of the show. It caused quite a stir to say the least.

The issue of mandatory detention of Asylum Seekers is another controversial issue here in Australia with the Australian Government's position being heavily criticised by several human rights organisations.

Today Merlin broke his silence on why he did what he did.

David Boreanaz talks about the end of Angel

Via WHEDONesque, Angel star David Boreanaz talks about the end of the heroic vampire's crusade against evil.

See also David Boreanaz says goodbye.

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy is No.1 of the Kick-Ass TV Chicks

Via WHEDONesque, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy is No.1 of E!Online's Top 10 Kick-Ass TV Chicks of all time. Some of my other favourites got a mention too. Lucy Lawless as Xena came in at Number 10 and Aussie Peta Wilson's La Femme Nikita came in at 7. Also noteworthy, Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman was Number 8, Farrah Fawcett came in at at 4, Heather Locklear at 3 and Diana Rigg's at Emma Peel at 2.

Garner to stick with Alias indefinitely

I have really been enjoying Alias this season especially with the addition of (our) Melissa George. I think it's become edgier and Jennifer Garner is just a superstar, no to ways about it. Anyway, Sci Fi Wire reports that Garner officially signed to return for season four and added that she plans to stick with the show indefinitely. Cool!