Monday, January 2, 10.26am. We’re love reading on her blog about the mini-projects the owner of Mr Sparrow in Subiaco busies herself with: hand-stitched cards, flower-arranging, plant gift boxes… now Mr Sparrow is welcoming us into the nest to learn, offering a series of summer ‘how-to’ workshops! The first Make Your Own Terrarium workshop has already sold out, but a second workshop has been announced on Sunday, February 5. There is also a Make Your Own Kokedama workshop on Sunday, January 29. Each workshop has materials included and comes with afternoon tea and a Mr Sparrow goodie bag! Bookings essential – sign up on Mr Sparrow’s website or email info@mrsparrow.com.au. Get busy with moss!
Thursday December 22, 4.20pm. Ladies, there’s someone special you’ve forgotten to buy a present for. That someone is… you! DRESS UP didn’t forget. They’re giving all you special ladies 30% off all items in their web store, but only until December 31! If you are feeling special on January 1 it will be too late.
Thursday 15 December, 11.23am. It’s simple: Mens Alpha tees, two for $80. Buy ‘em online at www.alpha60.com.au
Among science fiction blog nerds, Star Trek is often credited with the invention of the flip phone and the tablet/iPad. They predicted the future by matching their current technology with human desire, and then some very smart people raided the prop department and turned their ideas into a reality.
What we know is that before you can predict the future, you must understand the present. So, as The Thousands continues to think about how we can make our content more convenient and mobile, we want to understand what mobile means to you. And, that’s what our Mobile Survey is all about.
In the survey there are only 12 multiple-choice questions that are so quick to answer you might even go back in time. We are also dangling the proverbial carrot with an iPad 2 to give away to one lucky survey taker. The draw is random and we’ll announce the winner on Twitter and Facebook next Wednesday. It’s simple, all you need to do is click here.
Wednesday 23 November, 7.24pm. BLAM! Today Jon Ronson released a short report on real-life superheroes. KAPOW! Proper superheroes (goodwill and justice mean nothing without costumes). BATANG! The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones and the Less Amazing Adventures of Some Other Real-life Superheroes follows Phoenix Jones and his band of masked vigilantes as they sweep the streets of thugs and crackheads. BAMF! Ronson gets under their latex skins, uncovering an underground network of wardens of the night. SHAZAM! It’s available on Amazon for peanuts ($2.99). PEANUTS! Digital only, because paperbacks just weigh down your cape. Jon: you are our superhero.
Tuesday 22 November, 11.57pm. I’m starting to suspect that Dave Cutbush has a superpower which allows him to tap directly into the musical zeitgeist to find out exactly which bands Perth’s music aficionados are just clamoring to see. Deerhoof, Kurt Vile, Thee Oh Sees, Death Grips; it reads as a who’s who from every drunken, backyard ‘so what bands do you you really want to see right now?’ conversations of the last six months. When I heard Cutter was bringing Wooden Shjips and Boris to Perth in March I was like ‘How did he know?’. Think I’m going to check my room for bugs. 
Saturday 19 November, 11.07pm. My mum has mad beef against Maylands. Every time Maylands is mentioned Mum responds with the phrase “It’s full of druggies”. If she could see past the double-homicides, Mum would start to realise that Maylands is a suburb on the up and up. It’s got a couple of the best cafes in Perth, our favourite hardcore venue (a big call we know) and from Wed Nov 30 – Sun Dec 4, Maylands also plays host to a pop-up vintage store organised by 20th Century Vintage, Material Girl and Pack Rat Vintage Goods. From 9am-5pm each day they’ll be hocking all manner of kitsch collectibles, classic fabrics, retro furniture and antique accessories from their temporary storefront at 200B Whatley Crescent. I might pop down and buy Mum something a little bit special, at least then she’ll have to admit that Maylands is full of great vintage stuff as well as druggies.
We love young WA artist Clare Peake‘s installation and drawing works – her imaginative, mysterious unknown landscapes are places we’d like to be. Not just be, but see! In independent, curator-run galleries like the Museum of Natural Mystery, who have just announced that their next show will be Pilot by Clare Peake. Head to the opening of Pilot on Friday, November 25 at 6pm. The gallery will remain open on Saturday 26 from 12-4pm. Check out their website for more details.
Tuesday 15 November, 9.08am. Sarah Trotter and Romy Ash have made a 2012 Trotski & Ash wall calendar! The 2011 calendar sold out within a week, so get cracking. This new edition has a tear-out recipe card for each month and seasonal produce information for the southern hemisphere. Available to order now over at Trotski & Ash.
Monday 14 November, 11.45am. We first got wind of Smith Journal entering the internet from their Editor at Large, and our long time friend, Nadia. And now Smith Journal a-la website is live! She said it would be a “mixture of funny man links and stories, plus posts that expand on key stories” from each issue. And you know what? It is just like this! As the online version of its printed self, posts are divided into Adventure, History, Science, D.I.Y., Photography, Design, Arts and Life. And that’s a life without tits pics, man of the year ratings and forums on facial hairstyles.
