Yeah, I’m getting more and more excited to see Baz Luhrmann’s Gatsby (oh no, will he actually call it that? Now I’m nervous). Every time I see more sneaky shots from the set or officially-released stills, it reminds me how perfect Leo DiCaprio is for the role (a little PG language on those links, FYI). If nothing else, it’s going to be gorgeous, but I’m really looking forward to seeing what Luhrmann, an Aussie, does with one of the Great American Novels.
Hahaha, dude. McDonald’s. You have been around for a long time, and your name is now synonymous with cheap, crappy, unhealthy fast food. Is doing a Twitter promotion called #McDStories really a great idea? Didn’t think so.
If you didn’t see this video, you need to. I actually kind of want Bon Iver to do a cover album now. Is that wrong? It’s probably wrong.
Angus brought my attention to this: an Aussie Rules football team (the Sydney Swans, if you’re interested and/or care about AFL) has signed an American college basketball player! Pretty exciting times!
More serious: you need to read these articles by Thabiti Anyabwile. This Black Leader or That Black Leader?, A New “Black Theology” without the (Dis)qualifying Adjective, and Where Does “Blackness” and “Whiteness” Come From? I am so thankful for Pastor T’s consistent, thoughtful, intelligent, biblical teaching on the myth of “race” and the issues of culture and ethnicity for a modern Christian. You especially need to read the comments sections and watch as he completely disarms harsh, even hateful and slanderous, critics. It’s a beautiful thing to see.
This Foreign Policy (a Slate offshoot) article about sending your kids to college overseas is great. I read bits of it aloud to my tenth graders today and they were definitely intrigued at the idea of living in a cool place for a few years while getting an outstanding education AND spending a fraction of what college now costs in the U.S. At a time when a top-tier university can set you back 40 grand A YEAR, it seems smart to look at all your options.
And here, of course, is Slate’s TV Club chat about this week’s Downton Abbey episode!
A Wilderness Life 
Thabiti Anyabwile is indeed a great example.
But where was your plug for Tasmania?
Nothing wrong with your wish for a cover album. That video was great!
Tim