... The Under Age needs a new technology article

A complete guide to the Wii U:


http://theunderage.com.au/2012/12/20/wii-u-will-you-buy-it/

...here's a Big Review from a Little Person

Kids are inquisitive. Whether they are analysing something we experienced ones take for granted, or just coming to grips with our big world, every child has questions. The cry of 'but why?' can drive parents mad or perhaps the seemingly bottomless barrel of baffling questions makes parents step back and think. Either way, a life-saving resource has been created for these tired parents who simply don't know why monkeys like bananas or why the sky is blue. Gemma Elwin Harris has found the answers to the big questions with some help from the world's biggest people in her book, ‘Big Questions from Little People’.

Over 70 questions, posed by children aged four to twelve, have been answered in the book. Experts from a range of fields tackle the tough questions, with Heston Blumenthal answering 'Why do we cook food?' and Bear Grylls deciding whether it is okay to eat a worm. Complex questions such as 'how do you fall in love?' are responded by three different experts, providing an attractive answer for all types of children. No question goes unanswered, with thoughts as silly as 'if a cow didn't fart for a whole year and then did one big fart, would it fly into space?' or as specific as ’did Alexander the Great like Frogs?’ being responded to.

This book is as enjoyable for kids as it is for adults. Not only does it bring out the big kid’s inquisitive and silly side, ‘Big Questions from Little People’ provides an experience for families to share. It ignites the flame of wonderment and awe, as well as gaining scientific knowledge and logic that helps our kids become the thinkers and creators of tomorrow.

Comical sketches and humorous out-takes are included throughout the book. Biographies of the experts are featured to avoid the question of ‘who’s that?’ and a handy index serves as the go-to place for a child in need of answers. The book is a must read for the big and little kid alike, whose curiosity kills the cat and wants to know where the cat came from.

‘Big Questions from Little People’ is out now from Faber publishing, RRP $29.99

...Scot Gardiner has made me shiver

As unique as the plot line is, I think we can all relate

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/07/16/the-dead-i-know-continues-to-haunt/

...the wait is over!

The results announced and analysed:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/09/03/why-it-won-2012-cbca-winners-announced/

...Mick Malthouse is a genius

Christi and Mick Malthouse are not your typical father and daughter pair. Read my review of Malthouse: A Football Life for snippets from my interview with the powerhouse family

http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/inside-the-malthouse-2/

...news isn't simple

My review of the new textbook, Media Relations: Issues and Strategies

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/11/04/johnstons-lifebuoy-in-uncharted-waters/

...how can the AFL and child labour be so closely related?

My take on the Sherrin debacle:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/10/15/indian-stitch-up-tip-of-the-iceberg/

...junior sport should be about fun

My first article for the Footy Almanac looks at the morals behind childrens' sport.

http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/morals-v-medals-who-comes-out-on-top/

...I can't wait to find out the winners from the shortlist!

The final review from the shortlist:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/08/29/a-golden-book-from-dubosarsky/

...about the Winter Road Trip

I spoke to the gorgeous Brooke Finlay of sister outfit Stonefield and the ever-lovely Brooke Addamo a.k.a. Owl Eyes about their Winter Road Trip tour for The Line campaign.

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/08/12/drawing-the-line-with-stonefield/

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/08/12/drawing-the-line-with-owl-eyes/

...how can a 65 year old man know teenage girls?

Bill Condon, one of Australia's favourite authors, has a new book out. Here's my review.

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/08/06/condon-draws-straight-line-to-teenage-hearts/

...surely this will be a winner

I can't praise this book highly enough. Check out my review here:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/07/23/newton-discovers-secret-to-good-books/

...Stonnington Battle of the Bands is going to be awesome!

The Stonnington FReeZA Battle of the Bands heat is ready to go off this Friday night, July 6th, with bands Saskwatch and last year’s winner Animaux to headline the event.

The all-ages event sees young bands Hot English, South East, Stereoking and Alice Blu battle it out for a place in the Victorian Battle of the Bands final as well as a $1000 recording and mastering package from Birdland Studios, Prahan and a spot on St Kilda Festival’s Push stage. The statewide winner wins the opportunity to play at Pushover festival 2013.

Stonnington FReeZA/Soundslike Productions committee member Nam Truong says ‘Bands like Stonefield started off playing there (at FReeZA events) and now they play at Glastonbury! ... The upcoming ‘Battle of the Bands’ is a great example of what we do.’

The doors of the Malvern Town Hall, on the corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road, Malvern, open at 6pm. Tickets are $15 at the door or available for $10 on www.chapeloffchapel.com.au . For more information contact Soundslike Productions on 8290 7020.

All FReeZA events are fully supervised and smoke, alcohol and drug free.

...about cortisone

After being crunched in a tackle playing open age schoolgirls AFL in April 2011, I hurt my ribs. They ache whilst breathing, doing push ups, lifting heavy stuff, even in situations such as listening to bass-heavy music. I decided to visit the sports doctor. He prescribed  me some anti-inflammatory pain relief gel which didn't help, and now he suggests I visit the hospital and get a cortisone injection. Not knowing much about this treatment, I have done some research.

Cortisone is a type of legal steroid which comes in the form of injection, pill, cream, eye drop and lotion. They are used to reduce inflammation and therefore pain in soft-tissue injuries, inflamed joints, bursitis and arthritis. It works by preventing white blood cells (they fight infections, sickness, bleeding etc) gathering in the affected area. One injection can reduce pain for several months, years or even remove pain forever. Of course there are rare negative side effects: facial flushing, skin colour lightening and soreness. More major side effects are known but I don't want to think about them!

Having an enormous phobia of needles, medical procedures and blood, this procedure makes me feel faint just thinking about it, except I have had enough of this continuous ache. I think I may just have to put my fears behind me, which will be extremely difficult. But hopefully it's possible.

...about the Olympics!

With two convincing opening wins under their belts, maybe the Aussies are a chance for gold at London! Or maybe not, America is in a league of their own...

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/06/25/australia-farewells-olympic-basketballers/

...am I being too damning?

Not the book for me, but maybe for you:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/06/13/ship-kings-sink-to-bottom-of-best-books/

...how hard is it to write 400 words in an hour or so?

After reading English journalist Simon Barnes' book The Meaning of Sport, Barnes simply stated how he writes match reports, between 400 and 800 words in length, during the game. He pre-empts the result of the game and predicts the turning points of the games as they happen. I tried to write under these conditions, here's the result:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/06/12/tenacious-dees-show-spark/

...laughter from the printed word is awesome

More than a few giggles escaped from my mouth when reading this book. A definite recommendation.

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/05/14/bauer-shoots-goals-with-hoops-of-steel/

...crazy pop stars are all the rage

Unbelievable! Imagine women from generations past meeting this wacky superstar.

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/04/15/boob-signing-with-nicki-minaj/

...about my neighbours a few hundred kilometres away

I was so proud to break this story three minutes before the Herald Sun!

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/04/12/indonesian-earthquake-sends-locals-into-panic/

...how lucky I am to play netball in this day and age

Netball has come a long way from being women's basketball. I wrote about the role of the media in this up and coming sport:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/04/02/bright-future-for-australian-netball/

...about Owl Eyes

Here is my review of the gorgeous Owl Eyes at Moomba:

http://theunderage.com.au/2012/03/12/owl-eyes-at-moomba/

...about my digital portfolio

It is too often that I hear from teachers, parents and peers that I need to have a record of my work so far.  To acknowledge that I am an active learner, to show potential employers I am the person for them. I know without a record I will forget about all my articles, so here is my digital portfolio.