Latest news with #Jocasta
Sydney Morning Herald
01-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Finished Dry July? Try Spud-free September next
As you read this, I'll have just finished Dry July. I'll be enjoying Saturated Saturday. Or perhaps Seriously Sozzled Sunday. Just kidding, of course, the whole point of Dry July is to reset your relationship with the demon drink, hopefully in a lasting way. All the same, there were some tough moments, particularly when searching for zero-alcohol wines. One 'shiraz' was so poor I turned over the label to ascertain which of Australia's wine-making districts was responsible for the horror. Barossa perhaps? Coonawarra? In fact, the winery listed its address as Surry Hills, which did make me wonder from which side of Crown Street they'd sourced the grapes. Another problem: you decide to distract yourself by watching a bunch of TV shows, only to realise that the characters in almost every program are constantly drinking. Hardly a scene goes by without everyone tucking into a glass of chardonnay, pouring a frothy beer, or marching into a party in which they are offered champagne in attractively frosted flutes. Maybe they need a special warning at the start of the film. Not so much 'strong sex scenes' as 'constant drinking.' It reminded me of the time we were renovating our kitchen. Whatever the drama, in any kitchen-based scene I was constantly distracted by the choice of benchtop. 'Did you see that brutal murder,' I'd ask Jocasta, 'and how easily the killer wiped the blood off those Corian benchtops? Maybe that's the surface we should get.' Jocasta would nod her agreement. 'Yes, and the knife block, from which he sourced the murder weapon, appears to keep the blades nice and sharp.' There's a problem, too, for those of us with addictive personalities, as you tend replace one vice with another. I still remember giving up smoking 40 years ago, creating a spike in the sales of Tim Tams that must have caused the Arnott's factory employees to work triple shifts. Every time I wanted a cigarette, particularly on a long drive, I'd reach for another packet of Tim Tams. Sydney to Goulburn was not so much 194 kilometres as three packs of Tim Tams and a strawberry milk chaser. This time around it's been dark chocolate – the New Zealand brand is the best – cashews, and the inhalation of a whole avocado at about 9pm each night. Dry July may have helped my liver, but not the size of my belly. The most lasting limit on my drinking may be my inability to fit through the turnstiles at the local grog shop.
The Age
01-08-2025
- The Age
Finished Dry July? Try Spud-free September next
As you read this, I'll have just finished Dry July. I'll be enjoying Saturated Saturday. Or perhaps Seriously Sozzled Sunday. Just kidding, of course, the whole point of Dry July is to reset your relationship with the demon drink, hopefully in a lasting way. All the same, there were some tough moments, particularly when searching for zero-alcohol wines. One 'shiraz' was so poor I turned over the label to ascertain which of Australia's wine-making districts was responsible for the horror. Barossa perhaps? Coonawarra? In fact, the winery listed its address as Surry Hills, which did make me wonder from which side of Crown Street they'd sourced the grapes. Another problem: you decide to distract yourself by watching a bunch of TV shows, only to realise that the characters in almost every program are constantly drinking. Hardly a scene goes by without everyone tucking into a glass of chardonnay, pouring a frothy beer, or marching into a party in which they are offered champagne in attractively frosted flutes. Maybe they need a special warning at the start of the film. Not so much 'strong sex scenes' as 'constant drinking.' It reminded me of the time we were renovating our kitchen. Whatever the drama, in any kitchen-based scene I was constantly distracted by the choice of benchtop. 'Did you see that brutal murder,' I'd ask Jocasta, 'and how easily the killer wiped the blood off those Corian benchtops? Maybe that's the surface we should get.' Jocasta would nod her agreement. 'Yes, and the knife block, from which he sourced the murder weapon, appears to keep the blades nice and sharp.' There's a problem, too, for those of us with addictive personalities, as you tend replace one vice with another. I still remember giving up smoking 40 years ago, creating a spike in the sales of Tim Tams that must have caused the Arnott's factory employees to work triple shifts. Every time I wanted a cigarette, particularly on a long drive, I'd reach for another packet of Tim Tams. Sydney to Goulburn was not so much 194 kilometres as three packs of Tim Tams and a strawberry milk chaser. This time around it's been dark chocolate – the New Zealand brand is the best – cashews, and the inhalation of a whole avocado at about 9pm each night. Dry July may have helped my liver, but not the size of my belly. The most lasting limit on my drinking may be my inability to fit through the turnstiles at the local grog shop.
Geek Tyrant
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Marvel Has Reportedly Found Their Jocasta aka Bride of Ultron for Upcoming Series VISION QUEST — GeekTyrant
A new rumor from the world of the MCU claims that the studio has found their Jocasta, also known as the Bride of Ultron, for the upcoming series, Vision Quest . Terry Matalas ( Star Trek: Picard ) is showrunning the series, taking the place of Jac Schaeffer, who left that series to focus on Agatha All Along . Paul Bettany will return in Vision Quest as the title character, with James Spader reprising his Avengers: Age of Ultron role as Ultron. Todd Stashwick and Faran Tahir, who is back as Iron Man 's Raza, are also set to appear, as is Ruaridh Mollica (widely believed to be Tommy Maximoff). Now it's being reported by Nexus Point News (via CBM) that Vision Quest is set to include a version of Jocasta. The character has reportedly been cast, but the identity of who will play her is currently being kept under wraps. The site has seen some casting details, though, and it sounds like Marvel Studios wanted a Black actress in her 40s - 60s to play a character better known in the comics as "The Bride of Ultron." The fact that an older actor was wanted suggests Jocasta will take on that role in the MCU as well. According to the casting call, "Jocasta is described as being cunning, powerful, determined, and motivated by revenge." We can only speculate about what that means, though it's previously been reported that Vision Quest will feature these characters in "human" form. Created by Jim Shooter and George Perez in 1977, Jocasta debuted in the pages of 1977's Avengers #162 . Built by Ultron, Jocasta's consciousness is based on the brain patterns of Janet Van Dyne, as in the comics, Ultron was created and based on Hank Pym, not Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Jocasta would go on to serve as a member of The Avengers and, in recent years, attempted to make herself more human. When she did so, the character was portrayed as a Black woman, so Vision Quest isn't taking any liberties with the source material here. Are you interested in seeing this character join the MCU?
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander fans left puzzled as they spot multiple 'inconsistencies' ahead of final season
Outlanders fans flocked to Reddit to voice their concerns about one particular storyline surrounding Murtagh Fraser. Outlander's highly anticipated eighth and final season is looming with the show expected to air in late 2025 or early 2026. However, while the excitement is building for the grand finale, some die-hard fans are still hung up on previous plot "inconsistencies" surrounding their favourite characters which have left them puzzled. Fans rushed to the social media site Reddit to voice their concerns with the storyline surrounding Jocasta Cameron and Murtagh Fraser's romantic reunion. In the Starz show, the pair develop a romantic relationship despite the fact that Murtagh is supposed to be madly in love with Ellen, Jocasta's sister. This relationship is hugely different from what happens in the original Outlander books, written by Diana Gabaldon. In the novels, Murtagh actually dies at Culloden but in the series, he lives and his story continues, which is when his relationship with Jocasta develops. Murtagh eventually dies at the Battle of Alamance in the fifth season, the Irish Star reports. One fan took to Reddit to remark: "I would give myself a headache if I stopped to consider all of the inconsistencies they never thought about. Bless you for having the stomach for it. "That said, the the whole Jocasta/Murtagh 'reunion' when he brought Brianna to River Run made no sense. "Murtagh was a Fraser and wouldn't have been in the habit of hanging out at Leoch, but he attended the Gathering where he tried to court Ellen. Jocasta was already married off and gone by then. They never would have met before." A second echoed: "Maybe Murtagh visited Miss Fitzgibbons." A third replied: "Not impossible, but it wouldn't explain Jocasta acting like he's her long lost love." A fourth agreed: "Yes, her remembering his hands sounded as if they grew up together." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A fifth chimed in: "Even once Jocasta was married I suppose she still could have gone to the Gathering or otherwise visited her sister Ellen? "Jamie identifies him as a Fraser by surname but his aunt by marriage Mrs. Fitzgibbons is at Leoch. "When we met him he's traveling/living with the MacKenzies intermittently. "While obviously that's for Jamie's benefit, none of the other men behave as though he's an outsider or a guest at Leoch's table, to the point that Claire has to be told he's not just another Leoch MacKenzie. "I always assumed he had some marginal connection to the Leoch MacKenzies like a grandparent." In other news, several Outlander stars have joined forces for a new venture just last month. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Steven Cree, who played Old Ian Murray, Duncan Lacroix, who portrayed Murtagh Fitzgibbons, and Claire Sermonne, known for her role of Louise de Rohan, have all featured in the latest music video from fellow Outlander actor Andrew Gower's band Gustaffson. The Outlander trio, along with a host of other celebrities including Line of Duty's Leanne Best, David Gyasi of The Diplomat, and Arty Froushan from Carnival Row, have all shared their previously unseen audition self-tapes, which are shown in the music video for Gustaffson's new single Closer from their debut album Black and White Movie.
Sydney Morning Herald
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ten policies that would make me the perfect prime minister
There are so many policies from all sides, and yet nothing that makes the average person sit up and pay attention. So, vote for me! Here are the 10 changes I'll make on day one. Ban all leaf blowers. There'll be a buyback system, similar to the gun amnesty. 'Too expensive,' I hear you say. 'Not at all,' I reply. When the day comes – when we will melt down all the leaf-blowers in one giant, joyous conflagration – we'll make back all the money by selling tickets to a grateful public. Ban any additional TV streaming services. Yet another one has just arrived – Max – and, according to members of my family, we'll have to subscribe because it offers shows to which they are already addicted. Yes, I say, that's fine, so long as we unsubscribe to one of the others. No. Impossible. We have to keep this one for the grandchildren, and this one for Jocasta, and this other one so I can watch Clarkson's Farm (for no better reason than the sound of me chuckling over Jeremy Clarkson so annoys Jocasta). Don't destroy families! Let the government step in. Mark down Max as the maximum. No further streamers allowed. Ban shrinkflation. They reduce the size of the product, hoping no one will notice, and suddenly, your recipe is a dud because there's less tuna in the can. There are also not enough Tim Tams to sustain a drive to Melbourne. I say: ban this evil! Or at least force supermarkets to add a sign: 'Beware: there are now only nine biscuits in this pack. You'll only get to Albury.' Mandate the 'generous pour' in pubs and restaurants. I know what you're thinking: I'm just trying to win the alcoholic vote, but fair is fair. Beer drinkers can order a jug, while spirit lovers can ask for a double, but the poor wine drinker is often left with the choice of ordering a whole bottle (unseemly) or leaving the bar with a puddle of chardonnay glumly staring up from the bottom of an enormous glass. Some establishments offer a choice of 'standard' or 'large'. I say: why not all? Say 'cheers' if you agree. Bring in DNA testing for chewing gum miscreants. Here's the worst feeling: you place your hand under the chair or table, and there it is: the wad of chewing gum, shoved there by some thoughtless oaf. OK, my policy might be a bit Clive Palmer/Pauline Hanson, but let's test that gum. Years later, when that teenager is 60 and sends his sample to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, we'll have him bang to rights. Oh, the feeling. Ban the social kiss. Women hate it, but men do too. COVID let us off the hook for a while, but now the social kiss is back. Peril, once more, lurks at every social occasion. How well do I know her? Or, we work together but are also friends, so what are the rules? And what if I go for the left cheek, and then she shifts position, and we end up ... Oh, it's all too awful. Ban it. Ban it good. No advertising when you are on hold. OK, I understand that Westpac, Qantas, or the NRMA may not be able to take my call instantly. I'm willing to wait. I'm happy to read the paper while I wait. But I can't read the paper because the music is constantly interrupted by a voice, which I, in my sweet hopefulness, take to be an actual person, ready to help me, only to realise, time and time again, it's another advertisement, destroying my concentration. Here's my policy: no voices until it's a real one.
