TET.Life (The Extraordinary Tourist Life)

TET. The Edge Skatepark. Probably 1990? I was browsing this blog wondering what to write about this week when it occurred to me that over the years I've written surprisingly little about skateboarding. Specifically myself and skateboarding. Most likely because the heyday of my skating years was from 1988 to about 1996. I didn't start writing this blog until about 2003-4 long after I'd completely lost most of my skills beyond the very, very basics.

Kizmet, Gretchen and Spencer. Frank Woodley is a master of physical comedy, silly absurd humor and is an Australian national treasure. I've always looked forward to his TV appearances whether it be a guest spot or staring in his own TV series. I've followed his appearances for years, even so, it was news to me that he's also a talented artist/illustrator (I'm not surprised I just never knew that was something he did). When I saw him promoting his book series, Kizmet , on Channel Ten's The Project and got a quick glimpse of his illustration style I just had to see more. So I immediately got online and bought the first two, newly released Kizmet books .

I caught Justice League War  by Warner Animation on Netflix thinking, finally some new DC animation to watch. I do own a few DC Warner Animation titles and usually they're quite good. This is the first title I've seen that's based off the New 52 comic book run that reset everything in the DC comic universe. If this is any kind of typical example of the new story lines, I'm really glad I don't waste my money on comics.

Lexus Hoverboard. I know it's been a while since Lexus showed off 'Slide' their version of a Back to the Future II style hoverboard but I couldn't not blog about it just because the buzz has died down. I'm not going to explain how it works in any great detail, it's pretty much what you'd expect, super conducting magnets, both in the board and in the riding surface. Check out the Lexus Slide website if you want more detailed information.

If you're a fan of Superhero films or you're a filmmaker interested in the Sci-fi/Superhero genre then this documentary about Tim Burton's doomed movie, staring Nicolas Cage as Superman, from the 1990's, Superman Lives is a fascinating insight into the pre-production of a big budget film. The Death of 'Superman Lives' What Happened? , a documentary by Jon Schnepp, follows the development of the movie from writer/director, Kevin Smith's early, and well documented involvement, right through to the final days of when Warner Brother's pulled the plug and transferred their funding to another movie, Wild, Wild West , that, arguably, should've been canned too.

Paprika Cottage, North Adelaide, South Australia, doesn't look like much from the outside. It's a small, heritage cottage alongside the rear gardens of Buxton Manor Mansion that was originally built as the chauffeur's lodgings. However the inside has been beautifully restored and includes a modest two person spa making it an excellent weekend retreat or very homely longer term accommodation. My partner and I recently spent a weekend at the cottage, our second stay, the first being about five years ago, and it was exactly as I remembered it. We love the cottage because it feels more like a home than a hotel room. Very much helped by the views of the gardens that can be seen out of all the windows instead of a city skyline.

I will be the first to admit that until I saw the first trailers for Josh Trank's Fantastic Four I wasn't that excited for the film. Like most people, even the announcement of the principle cast didn't add anything much of a spark. Johnny Storm being played by Michael B. Jordan didn't really raise an eyebrow for me. I mean, sure a previously white character is now black but it's no great stretch of the imagination to see how that might be possible. The rest of the main actors I wasn't that familiar with, despite seeing some of their other work prior to this film. No one particularly stood out. The trailers turned all that apathy around, making the Fantastic Four look far more interesting and inspired than their previous movie franchise from 2005 and 2007. However, I think rumors of too many issues on the set and people's general lack of interest in the film's development, took its toll and set people up to just pan the film regardless of it'...