Drink Pepsi? Want to maximise the number of free iTunes songs you win? Check this out. It’s hardly a novel concept, but I probably wouldn’t have thought of it. (Not that it matters, given that we still can’t even buy iTunes songs in Australia, much less win free ones with our sugar water.)

The Herald has a nice interview with Ani Difranco (though it includes a not-too-favourable review of her latest album). She’s in town for a couple concerts. I’ve seen her in London and the US and I wouldn’t mind seeing her here, but I can’t find anybody who wants to go with me! (The Snook jokingly said he’d go only if I found him a “Cover me in honey and throw me to the lesbians” T-shirt to wear.)

The Onion A.V. Club is currently running an interview with Arthur C. Clarke, author of Max’s favorite movie.

I was happy to read this article from The Age about new birth control options for women that lessen or stop menstruation. Finally scientists are starting to realize that most women would be happier not having a period. I’ve been on Depo Provera for over two years now and it’s the Best. Thing. Ever. It’s like being a guy! And for those who are worried about being “unnatural”, it turns out that monthly bleeding isn’t exactly a natural state of events either:

And although it may initially seem unnatural, prolonged amenorrhoea is actually nothing new. An article in the Medical Bulletin of the International Planned Parenthood Federation last summer said, “regular menstruation is not natural: before modern contraception, women spent much of their reproductive lives amenorrhoeic as a consequence of either pregnancy or breastfeeding”.

Plus it’s fun to say and it’s got that cheery little “Amen!” in there. AMEN-ORRHOEA!

Somehow the “political compass” test came up in conversation with the Snook last night, and he revealed that he was pretty firmly in the leftist-libertarian camp. I couldn’t remember taking it before so I just did it myself… and I got leftist-libertarian. I should’ve expected that.

I think I just found the Snook’s birthday present for this year… HA! (Link courtesy of PCJM.)

I just stumbled across this picture of the first same-sex couple to be married in the United States. Seriously, look at that. It brings tears of joy to the eyes. How can anyone honestly say that these two wonderful old ladies shouldn’t be able to enjoy the same happiness and validation as everybody else? It almost makes me want to get married. Almost. 🙂

I just realized that Ebert’s posted his Oscar predictions and he’s got some real surprises in there. For instance, he thinks Shohreh Aghdashloo will win Best Supporting Actress over popular choice Renee Zellweger. He also thinks Bill Murry might win over Sean Penn. Very interesting…

I finally cracked open my copy of Stephen King’s Wolves of the Calla yesterday and I’ve been engrossed ever since. I didn’t realize how much I missed Roland’s world. Today I came across TheDarkTower.net, which is a fan site dedicated to the series (and its intersections with King’s other books). I’m particularly interested in the Roadmap since there are lots of connecting books I haven’t read. I think Salem’s Lot will be next on my list. There’s a lot about Father Callahan in Wolves and I can’t wait to read his backstory in more depth.