high camp letter from Thailand...

    Rob Astbury was Australia's highest paid and most popular sport's reporter for the Kerry Packer TV network before he upped stakes and de-camped to sunny Thailand where he has helped build a property empire which currently involves the world's tallest apartment block in the beach resort of Pattaya, Oceon 1 Tower (rumours still persist that Elton John has purchased one of the penthouses)

          He stills files reports for various media outlets including a riveting eye-witness take on the Boxing Day tsunami, for the top Oz website crikey.com.au. Astbury was in the middle of the terrible event which devestated the Thai island of Phuket

         In his soon to be published autobiography called Twice as Hard , Astbury has devoted a chapter to Karen Chant , who like another Sydney gay icon Simone Troy, has a villa in Pattaya. Karen & Simone were top stars at the late ruler of Kings Cross night life 'Mr Sin' Abe Saffron's Les Girls.

         Karen Chant recently celebrated her 78th birthday by performing at the trendy new Pattaya gay show bar and hotel The Venue.

          According to Astbury's book in those days Karen recalls that dressing and living as a woman on a daily basis was out of the question. “It was all cloak and dagger stuff, but hysterically exciting all the same. If there was a party on a Saturday night, you needed to take your clothes with you, and get changed at the venue.” In spite of a lot of abuse at the time, Karen decided to live out the rest of her life as a woman and, if at all possible, become involved in show business.

         “Posh night clubs were just beginning to open and some were renowned for alternative entertainment.” The era is remembered affectionately as the Roaring 50s and very soon the prejudice against gays, and in particular cross dressing, was starting to turn. Karen’s trademark was impersonating Frances Faye and the two even became friends after Frances attended one of the live performances. Some years later Karen and Frances did a duet at the glitzy Chequers Club, and after the show Frances told reporters: “Karen does me better than I do myself.”

          tSS recalls those days when at times, it was more exciting than today's 'open closet' supposed freedom. As a callow youth, once when leaving Les Girls with a friend who had decided to dress as a Carmelite nun for the evening , we were accosted by 2 policemen who were attracted by our joyful singing of "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam". The coppers made menacing movements as truncheons were drawn and I hid behind the nun's habits as he suggested the plods ring his father first. Which they did whereupon Carmelite Nun's daddy ordered the officers to escort us safely home in a squad car. Our nun's dad happened to be the head of the Vice Squad. Sydney was that sort of town.

          Karen Chant's star continued to rise at a club known as Purple Onion. Sunday nights were magic with la crème de la crème of the entertainment world often in the audience, including Margot Fonteyn, Rudolph Nureyev, Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Rosemary Clooney, Earl Grant and even the Beatles  crammed into a small disused warehouse watching a Las Vegas style drag spectacular.

           Karen and her partner of 46 years Jeffrey Lee relocated to Pattaya three years ago. At 78 most of us would take off the wig, moisturize the make up from our face and sit back to enjoy the fruits of our labor. However, Karen still performs free of any fee at Pattaya’s popular gay night spot The Venue and encourages patrons to donate towards a local charity for underprivileged children.

And brought to you at great expense is Thailand's version of Karen Chant's 'This Is Your Life":

   
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A city that is much maligned because of pre-conceived attitudes and numerous inaccurate tabloid reports ( that insult the highly friendly Thai people) Pattaya has become one of Asia's most exciting and vibrant holiday spots that now hosts tens of thousands of expatriates attracted by perfect tropical weather, cheap living costs, dozens of beautiful golf courses and tennis clubs, yachting marinas and some of the best hotels and restaurants in the world. At night the city comes alive with sensational cabaret shows, hundreds of small drinking bars and glam nightclubs.

And where else would one see a parade of 200 be-decked elephants parading down the main boulevarde to honour the head of the much loved and hard working Thai Royal Family, and the world's longest ruling monarch HM KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, (King Rama IX) on his Golden Jubilee. The Thai people's respect and love for their Royal Family is one reason Thailand is called the Land of Smiles.

Jomtien-a beach resort just outside Pattaya is the up and coming place and The Venue it's latest top nightclub and inn consisting of a brand new hotel of 15 luxury suits, a swimming pool and spa, but is best known for its show bar. It's the brain child of Brits Ray Cornell, Darrell Bevers and Ken Townsley, who recently sold his highly successful travel business and retired to Pattaya.

         The credit for the outstanding success of the floor shows and the very high standard belongs to Ray Cornell and Darrel Bevers.

Ray, was born in London and performed in West End musicals and on television as a dancer, but he really made his name as a choreographer and theatre director. Darrell joined Ray in 1975 and together formed a theatrical company and talent agency supplying dancers and singers to major shows in the U.K and to cruise lines throughout the world.     Ray & Darrell with some local beauties.

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While we're in a gay and hearty mood...

                                                                                                                         

Check out Same Same's just announced list of the "25 most influencial gay & lesbian Australians". Included are recently retired High Court justice Michael Kirby, tSS's own medico Dr Kerryn Phelps, respected author David Malouf, Olympic diver and gay pin-up Matthew Mitcham (right) the very pretty MTV host Ruby Rose and the Aaron Neitch (left) who audtioned as a cheerleader for the Penrith Panthers' football team and surprised even himself when the macho players heartily accepted him.

Ruby Rose

what we are loving...

The silly season which is upon us brings unexpected joys as ABC TV re-screens some excellent documentaries.

Tonight's 'Backstairs Billy: The Queen Mum's Butler' is one such show that gives an amazing insight into the British Royal family in that way that an examination of life downstairs can truly reveal the truth of life Upstairs.
              tSS was fortunate to meet the late Bill Tallon (right), subject of the film, the former life-long loyal aide to HRH The Queen Mother, at one of his discreet dinner parties at Lodge House, the small grace and favour cottage attached to Clarence House in which he lived. (the better part of valour prevents us from revealing who actually took tSS to the dinner party).
             tSS being painfully shy found Tallon was one of life's true gentleman who could make all guests feel equally important.
               Probing questions during pre-dinner drinks about our background revealed a link with another guest who featured in the doco, Basia Briggs. Bingo!.Common ground was found as we both had Polish mothers and  the next hour was spent in deep discussion as to just why we felt it was something to hide (a long story-Basia is Polish nobility-tSS is Polish peasantry)
               Bill's fall from grace at the death of the Queen Mum in 2002, as featured in the film, was less painful than that of another royal aide Stephen Barry who was Prince Charle's valet for 12 years until the arrival of Princess Diana. Barry was less discreet than Tallon who never discussed the royals, and a regular at a Fulham Road gay restaurant where tSS once snapped Barry when he fell to the floor in a drunken stupor. We were  plagued the following day by Fleet Street picture editors who had gotten wind of the event, to sell the snap. We declined.
              Afterall-we had once been transported to the Ascot races in a Range Rover driven by Barry and loaned to him by Prince Charles. Not knowing at the time that most of the royal autos were painted in a special deep blue reserved for them but recognised by police which allowed us to be flagged past any traffic jam.
           Sadly Barry's various drunken indescretions were his downfall.. Sacked when Charles married Diana, he went to the USA and was the first ex-royal employee to make a mint (long before the boring Paul Burrell)  from selling his story of life with the royals.
            4 years later tSS ran into Barry in the Kings Road in Chelsea and congratulated him on his amazing success in the USA where he had become a top selling author and TV expert on the Royal family.

"Not so" said Barry. "I've offended the most powerful famly in world and they have tentacles everywhere. Or at least-those who are behind them have. Whenever I travel my life is a misery. It takes me 4 hours to clear customs and immigration". 2 years later Stephen Barry died of cancer.

           Next weeks ABC documentary in the series is 'Hitler’s Favourite Royal'-about Queen Victoria’s youngest grandchild, first cousin of the King and the Kaiser, Prince Charles Edward who fell under the spell of the Nazi madman.
           In 1999 tSS attended a function at the Sydney Opera House in honour of the 2000 Sydney Olympics (which then Olympic president Juan Antonio Samaranch -or the Marquess of Samaranch to give him his title, and an admirer of the fascist Spanish dictator Franco, was later to declare the "best ever'.)
         Meeting a wonderful 84 year old long distance runner who had won a medal at the 1935 Berlin Olympics, tSS was compelled to ask him what his impressions were of Adolf Hitler who had presented him his silver medal.

"Unimpressive, not very tall and pasty faced with dreadful halitosis" was the answer.

       But I digress. Back in London in 2003 for our yearly visit, and visiting a friend in Kennington, tSS ran into Bill Tallon near the tube station. Tallon was now residing there and in true fashion, recognised me before I, he, and struck up a conversation.

"And what is it like living now in the suburbs " I asked "after your former address and do your neighbours know who you are ?".
'
"Oh yes" said Bill." Everytime I leave the flat the curtains are a symphony of movement".

alarming news !!!

Our favourite wedding couple Dr Geoffrey and Brynne Edelsten have had their first drama !

Just 30 minutes ago Dr Geoffrey crashed his helicopter at Melbourne's Moorabbin Airport.

The Doc is reported as being OK with minor injuries.The helicopter was trashed. It was also the medicos first solo flight.

# fact : It was black-not pink like his previous chopper.

a soap saga

As per usual tSS beat other media sources to the arrest of Home and Away star Todd Lasance on alleged cocaine posession charges.

         Kit and Kaboodle, the uber smart Kings Cross club was also where that other Home and Away star Jodi Gordon had spent the night before she was found in the early hours cowering beside a bed at the Rushcutter's Bay home of an alleged bike club member. The chic apartment is a few doors from the Sydney home of former British chat show host Michael Parkinson. Gordon was in a confused state and told police that earlier in the night she had used cocaine.

               Gordon's 2 year affair with Channel 7 boss and heir of the Stokes billions, Ryan Stokes, ended shortly after the incident but tSS can report the pair have been seeing each other in secret in the past 2 months.

               Another tSS source tells us that there could be more drama for some celebrities and a prominent businessman as investigators sift through information provided by Richard Buttrose, the high profile Eastern Suburbs social figure and nephew of TV identity Ita Buttrose.

.               Buttrose was arrested in February this year after a police sting at the favourite Sydney drinking hole of royals Prince Harry and Princess Anne's daughter  Zara Phillips, the Lord Dudley pub in Woolhaha. Buttrose was released on bail only to be re-arrested after police raided an apartment he owned and found over one million dollars in cash there and a stash of cocaine police claimed was worth $3M. Buttrose pleaded guilty to the supply charges and is believed to have given exstensive information to police about the names found in his mobile phone.

            It's said the tremors of fear that ran through Sydney society over his arrest have put many on edge but despite police claims they had smashed the city's major coke supply source, the Kit and Kaboodle raid shows the easy access to the drug in dozens of nightclubs around the town.

           Ironically, Lasance's soapie character is an anti-drug campaigner and he was just about to travel to Hollywood following the successful of Avatar star and friend Sam Worthington.

Nicole snaps

Nicole Kidman has ruffled the feathers of Sydney paparazzi Jamie Fawcett with her announcement that she cannot live in Sydney because of intrusive cameras.

Fawcett has responded calling Kidman a "hypocrite". It's a bit over 12 months since Fawcett faced the Supreme Court after suing the Sydney Morning Herald over alleged defamatory statements written by tSS friend and columnist Annette Sharp. Fawcett lost the case in spectacular fashion despite having an eminent libel barrister and QC on his team.

tSS attended court the day Nicole Kidman gave evidence in the case and our previous doubts about her acting abilities were swept aside as she gave the performance of a lifetime describing the terror of being followed in car chases by Fawcett. tSS has been with Fawcett on these chases and Kidman was correct to some degree but more often than not, the dramas could be avoided if over zealous minders didn't exacerbate the situation. Fawcett is probably one of the more professional snappers in town now that the place is crawling with kids who have purchased a digital camera and still dream of the riches they think can be made from pap snaps.

The problem is that prices for celebrity snaps are falling and the paparazzi -or the annoying bunch of louts that pass for them these days are becoming more obnoxious. Even worse are celebrity minders and PR's who have mistaken them for genuine media snappers who know the rules.

tSS has also worked for Nicole Kidman 3 times -once at her sister's birthday party were we played pool with then husband Tom Cruise for an hour. Leaving the party early to get some pre-arranged street snaps at Kidman's PR's request, we were suddenly abused by minders and nearly tossed beneath a passing car.

Nicole and husband Keith Urban have also encountered drama with the local council in the NSW Southern Highlands were they have been re-furbishing their magnificent country mansion. A bulldozed mound on their land alongside a main road on which they have planted thick foliage to defeat prying camera lens is now a matter of council debate about it's legality.

Nor are we fully convinced that Ms Kidman is that terrified of the snappers-or Fawcett for matter. As a passenger in Fawcett's car one day when the paparazzo spotted Tom & Nicole cruising through Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and Fawcett decided to follow, within 10 minutes Cruise pulled over , walked back and had an amiable chat with us, requesting that we may like to leave him and his wife alone for the day. We complied.

Unlike others who are intrusive, Fawcett is the photographer no-one really spots, except the cleverest like Kidman. As a former private eye for top gumshoe Frank Monte , Fawcett was noted for his discreet ability to wait for hours upon end to catch his target like errant businessman Alan Bond to plant a summons in their hand. He once travelled to Marbella in Spain hunting for Quintex boss Christopher Skase who was holed up in a luxury villa.

Fawcett correctly guessed that Skase would eventually venture into town and sat in a local cafe for a week until Skase finally walked in to be handed a sheaf of summons with his cappuccino.

Christopher Skase in wheelchair and oxygen mask for his extradition court case in Spain,


********************************

And the news you won't read in the tabloids yet and always in the Social Shuttle first... One of our favourite bars, Kit and Kaboodle in Kings Cross was raided last night by police with their dreaded sniffer dogs with the result, Home and Away star Todd Lasance has been charged with cocaine possession, nipping in the bud his plans to travel this week to Hollywood for a movie audition.

TigerGate # 2

It had to happen.

 tSS's favourite celebrity spruiker Max Markson has nabbed a piece of the Tiger Wood's juggernaut and signed up Las Vegas cocktail waitress, the delightfully named Jaimee Grubbs. Grubbs (right) first media appearance is a saucy photo shoot in the high brow English mag Zoo to be published this Tuesday.

Max has a few helpful words for Tiger to repair his image :"a stint in rehab for sex addiction like Michael Douglas" and some serious interviews on 60 Minutes, Oprah and Larry King. Max gets 20% of the take for this stuff.

Born in Bournemouth in the UK, Max failed his A-level exams, left school and began promoting pop groups and BBC Radio One disc jockeys, sold saucepans from a market stall in Shepherds Bush and finally ended up in Oz selling political slogan t-shirts. Now he's the antipodean answer to England's Max Clifford, representing sports stars and just about anyone who happens to hit the headlines, as long as there is a dollar to be made.

some of Max's clients:

left to right : Corey Delaney,  Bill Clinton,  George Bush Snr,  Mick Gatto ,Cherie Blair,

Maria Venuti 

photo finish

some snaps from the week's events...

  Mini Cooper at the 2010 Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras launch at the Polo Lounge

the fab Susan Saradon at the Sydney premiere of the Peter Jackson
film 'The Lovely Bones'

Toni Collette at the Australian Film Awards in Melbourne

Exclusive : Rock legend Jimi Hendrix was a pedophile !

Well that's possibly the headline a tabloid like Britain's The Sun would run today.

A new autobiography just released by former pop singer and music business identity Jonathan King who had a string of hit records in the 1960's through to the 80's relates the story of how the late rocker Jimi Hendrix had sex with a 14 year old fan and caught a venereal disease from her.

In his book Jonathan King, 65 My Life So Far King says he used to "nag Hendrix to scale down the drugs and have sex with a 'better class of girl' ". He writes "At least 3 times in private Hendrix whipped out his reasonably substantial dick to reveal to me a vast amount of discharge oozing from his infected organ."

" Did I think he had VD again?" he'd ask King innocently. And once swore, when I confirmed it, 'Christ she can't have been more than 14 years old! " said Hendrix referring to the young female fan he had just had sex with.

Jonathan King is his pop star days

King's book contains a host of bawdy revelations and tales of sexual romps involving some of the biggest names of the rock world from the 60's to the 90's and includes revelations about bi-sexual orgies he attended with former Beatle John Lennon (see story below).

Others stories including King's own claim he slept with 12 girls in a row after his number 1 hit " Everyone's Gone to the Moon" written and released when he was still a university student can be found on the Madame Arcati blog.

King holds back nothing in his book and goes into great depth about his 2001 conviction on sex charges for which he spent nearly 4 years in jail for. During his incarceration he spent his time assisting other prisoners prepare appeals against their convictions. On his release he made a highly amusing movie about his ordeal which can be viewed on-line at Vile Pervert

And here is King's 1965 first big hit record which sold 4 million copies:

a night to remember

tSS has scored 2 tickets courtesy of Barry Humphries to the gala premiere of Dame Edna Everage's new stage spectacular this Monday night at the Sydney Opera House.

               This show should be something else-brilliant violinist Richard Tognetti and the highly acclaimed  Australian Chamber Orchestra will be performing along with Humphries, Dame Edna and Sir Les Patterson, Cultural Attache and Minister for The Yartz.
                One proviso, Barry has recommended we don't let the Dame know we are his guests The seats are in the front row and we could come in for a verbal bashing from Edna.

                 Sir Les will be singing some of his favourite songs from Slim Dusty country tunes to Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy". Humphries says Sir Les may even be joined by Dame Edna in a duet-  " if only to upstage the respected senior politician" whilst Humphries will conduct the orchestra. This we have to see. All 3 on stage at once.

                 Humphries has also advised Tognetti to take out extra insurance on the amazing gift he received 2 years ago from a mystery benefactor-a $10M valued violin known as a Carrodus-one of only four in existence. 
 "Sir Les has a particularly virulent strain of spittle that has been known to eat holes through the toughest timber" says Humphries. 
            Barry will also be performing Façade, Edith Sitwell’s eccentric nonsense poems recited over William Walton’s cheeky, jazzy, hummable instrumental backgrounds. Humphries says "expect anything in this show-anything is likely to happen"
             As to Sir Les Patterson who will be appearing in off-white tails, Humphries says " I've been quite surprised. There hasn't been one single objection to Sir Les taking the stage at such a cultural evening. Although there could be quite a body of objection afterwards".
         
  There are only 2 performances in Sydney and 2 in Melbourne with limited seats-so book early HERE.
        
As Humphries says :"this is a once in a lifetime event. And many may say after 'thank God for that' "
                    **************************************************

## If a night with the Dame isn't your bag, how about former Australian Guantanamo Bay inmate Mamdouh Habib's one man show Waiting For Mamdouh which will be premiered next February as part of NIDA's  Short+Sweet theatrical festival.

   Habib spent nearly 4 years at GITMO before being released without charge and flown back to Australia by private jet. He says he was tortured in Pakistan with Australian and CIA agents watching on before being blindfolded and flown to Cuba.. He also says he has had 3 offers from the US to make films of his life but cannot travel abroad because the Australian government refuses to issue a passport despite him never having been convicted of a crime.
   Mamdou's play is a ten minute soliloquy performed in a cell onstage where he "tells the truth to the Australian people and the world." of his time in Cuba.

TigerGate

Our spy in Thailand disguised as property developer Rob Astbury informs tSS that his houseboy printed up a few hundred t-shirts stating "I HAD SEX WITH TIGER TOO"-sold the lot at his girlfriend's market stall and has gone off for a holiday on the proceeds.

## fact : Tiger Wood's mum is Thai.

SPECIAL NOTICE :

The entire staff of the Social Shuttle (including the recently sacked sub-editor Mildred Pierce) would like to state, for the record, they have never had an affair or dalliance with the respected golfer  Mr Tiger Woods.

exclusive : Beatle John Lennon's bi-sexual orgies !

The British blogger Madame Arcati says a new book reveals that former Beatle John Lennon indulged in bi-sexual orgies. Former pop king Jonathan King who has sold over 40 million records in his time reveals the tale in his just released autobiography 65 My Life So Far.
                 There have been persistent rumours about Lennon's sexuality over the years especially concerning his manager and the discoverer of  The Beatles, Brian Epstein.
               Lennon's first wife Cynthia, who John married in 1968 but also had been living with since their art school days and possibly knew the Beatle better than anyone including Yoko Ono, details in her 2004 book John the complicated relationship between Lennon and Epstein.

          Although she denies it was sexual she does concede it was an extremely complex relationship with Lennon at times being excessively cruel to Epstein whist at the same time expressing his deep admiration for the man.
                   When Brian Epstein committed suicide in 1967 it was said that he was upset at the possibility of losing  management of The Beatles whilst close friends claimed that Epstein was distraught at losing his influence with Lennon who they said he was obsessed with. Cynthia says Lennon, assassinated in New York in 1980 was devastated at the news of Epstein's death.              
                    A contemporary of Epsteins, the music identity Simon Napier-Bell relates the tale of receiving a long rambling phone message about Lennon from Epstein on his answering machine the night the Beatles manager killed himself.
                  Jonathan King had his first massive hit record in 1965 with his song "Everyones Gone To The Moon" whilst he was still a university undergraduate and went onto have a string of pop hits over the years as well as producing records for top bands like 10CC and Genesis, worked with bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Whitesnake, ran his own record company, stood for Parliament, hosted TV shows and wrote for newspapers and produced the Eurovision Song Contest.
             He also did a stint in jail and currently has an appeal over that court case before the European Court of Human Rights.

King says in his book that "two or three times" in the 60s, Lennon stayed over at his flat with with several young ladies and was perfectly happy to indulge in a multi-gender session of stimulation."


65 My Life So Far can be obtained at Amazon.
             **********************************************************

## tSS has had to sack one staff member after a kind reader pointed out that dreadful spelling mistakes have been rampant throughout posts. The office moggie Mildred Pierce who doubled as a sub-editor has been banished from the office and only fear of the RSPCA who have already pounced upon 2 cast members of "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here"over the demise of a rat prevents us from removing the feline from the building..

It's also recommended that one should always double check one's work if using one of those new mini laptops if your sight is not up to par.

"a legend like a character out of central casting.."

   Bob & Blanche Hawke                                                                Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

That's how Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described former PM Bob Hawke when I asked him for a comment tonight about the great Labor Party hero at his 80th birthday party. I think it was meant as a compliment. He added " I'm pleased he got to 80 and I hope he's around for another 20 years". I expect Bob thinks likewise.

150 of the faithful had gathered at Guillaume at Bennelong restaurant at the Sydney Opera House to toast the Golden Bodgie. Hawkie looked his best, resplendent in black tie and his silver mane had never glowed so glossily..
             There were a series of endless toasts from Labor luminaries and a recorded messages from Bill Clinton and golfer Greg Norman plus a live hook-up to former British PM Tony Blair who all sung Hawke's praises. And there were 2 billionaire widows in the room-Kerry Packer's widow Ros and Jeanne, the wife of the late Dick Pratt  who both proclaimed words along the lines of "Bob was good to us when he was in power". Well yes, quite.

Advertising guru John Singleton who masterminded Hawke's 3 election wins said "Hawke would still be PM today if it hadn't been for events"-possibly a gibe at that other Labor PM Paul Keating who had unseated Hawke in a party room spill. Keating sat looking stoney faced.
          
Handel's Messiah may have been thrilling a packed Concert Hall in the main body of the Opera House but this was after all, a celebration for the party of the working man so what could be more appropriate than a stripper gram. One with a difference-a slim female in a mask of Hawke's great adversary, recently trashed PM John Howard . She girated bizarley and slowly stripped. That was enough for tSS-we left just as Bob and Blanche-B1 & B2 were about to cut Bob's birthday cake-a giant golf ball !

John Singleton's squeeze Yvette Hartman in Versace



                                                                        


                                                                         Paul Keating

If striptease is your thing, check out Johnny Howard / Gypsy Rose Lee here
( warning -may offend  )

getting into bed with the Smiths

Mr & Mrs Smith, the British boutique hotel guide experts have finally launched their Australasian guide to the best inns around the country. Not only is this a guide to some of the most interesting and luxurious hotels in some of the most exotic locations , the guide also guarantees the best rates if you book via the Mr & Mrs Smith website

You won't find a Sheraton or Hilton in this book but you will find some fab places where Paris Hilton likes to relax. Victorias at Wategos in northern NSW is one such place where Paris bedded down. It's also hosted David Bowie, James Packer, Mick Jagger, Nicole Kidman and HRH Prince Harry who true to form, caused havoc in the numerous local night spots at the popular Byron Bay resort just around the corner from Wategos beach. (Victorias also has a Lear jet and helicopter on hand)                   
                                                                  Sigrid Thornton

                                                             Victorias at Wategos

Mr & Mrs Smith use a variety of guest writers from all fields to compile their reviews and reports. In this edition actress Sigrid Thornton, Vogue editor Kirstie Clements and party organizer David Grant contribute.
      Grant is the genius event organizer behind the legendary Cointreau Balls (they're now a university study subject) in Sydney and more recently has been overseeing major functions and parties at the last 4 Olympics. He hangs his hat up after the 2012 London games now that reduced budgets are eating into his ability to turn a small drinks affair into a bash never to be forgotten.

The tome was launched at chef Christine Mansfield's new eatery Universal in East Sydney.

       Vogue editor Kirstie Clements & David Grant


                            ***********************************************
Tonight sees 2 parties that tSS will be at with bells on. The 2010 Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras has it's official launch in Oxford Street with promises of a special star guest (last year it was comedian Joan Rivers) and at the Bennelong Restaurant in the Opera House former Prime Minister Bob Hawke celebrates his 80th birthday with a host of Labor Party luminaries including current PM Kevin Rudd.

the virus is spreading

tSS did say we may as well spread the tale and so it has begun. Right wing mouth piece and the first successful blogger Matt Drudge reports the non-story of the non-break up of Rupert Murdoch and wife Wendi 3 days after the Social Shuttle decided the tale should go viral.

Meanwhile HRH The Queen is threatening to tether the paparazzi if they don't leave her and her royal flock alone whilst on holiday at their various sumptuous palaces.

Perhaps the market will do the job for her as the sale in "celebrity" photos falters. The Social Shuttle's USA agent which distributes our snaps throughout the world sends a regular monthly statement and the latest contains a sales report for a batch of snaps to the glorious mag Hello-the Chinese edition.
      One sale was  for a pic of Murdoch and his wife Wendi (right) which has been published dozens of times throughout Europe and Asia and which featured in a recent Hello-it received the princely sum of $4.70.

everything old is new again

Let's hear a warm welcome for the diminutive Bonwyn Bishop MP who arrives back on the Opposition front bench, elevated today by the Mad Monk Tony Abbott. As a sometime walker of the Antipodean Iron Lady-who makes her heroine Margaret Thatcher look like a lefty-underneath that steely exterior tSS can report is a real party gal.

Bronny becomes Opposition spokesperson on aged care. She has experience here. In a similar role under PM John Howard she had to weather the storm that surrounded reports of pensioners being scolded in baths and doused in kerosene in Victorian retirement homes.

With a tSS produced Warhol style portrait dominating her Dee Why electorate office, Bishop had made many a senior public servant wilt under her fixed gaze and rapid fire questioning in Senate Estimates Committees.

Once, when Minister for Armed Forces Personnel, Bronwyn inspected one of the new Collin's Class submarines and later back on the wharf and surrounded by young smiling sailors announced to the assembled media flock: "I'm the first female politician to go down on a submarine !"

credit where it's due...

Top TV network, the former Kerry Packer owned TCN 9  is boasting on youtube in a news promo the fact that their political reporter Kevin Wilde:  "three months ago (Kevin Wilde) broke the news that Kristina Keneally would be our next premier,'' .

Wilde was slightly out in his predictions-he claimed Keneally would take the helm on Sept 1st- whereas the Social Shuttle said 3 months ago that " The Shuttle confidently predicts that within 2 months the new state premier will be 40 year old American born Kristina Keneally.". Wilde reported Keneally's ascension on Dec 3rd on the 10.30pm news. tSS blogged the news at 7.45pm the same night.

We were out by 4 weeks, Wilde by 3 months.
Channel Nine staff : 2000 plus . the Social Shuttle staff : 3 plus one cat.

## Tomorrow : tSS resident Thailand spy and former top Nine network GTV 9 sports broadcaster Rob Astbury reports on the latest goings-on in the seaside playground of Pattaya .

"14 days to seal history's judgement....'

Above are  the logos of 56 newspapers in 45 countries and today they are running, for the first time in history, a common editorial on a subject regarded as the most important to mankind this century, or as one puts it "We do so because humanity faces a profound emergency."

No-it isn't an announcement of the re-uniting of Peter Andre and Jordon. It's all about climate change (what else ?). Where does this leave new Federal Opposition Leader, budgie smuggler clad Tony Abbott who has surfed in on a wave of climate change denial with his Liberal Party moisten eyed in ecstasy at what they perceive as a New Leader who will deliver them from the wilderness of the opposition backbenches and probable oblivion in 2010 ?. Probably up the creek.

Read the UK Guardian's piece on the editorial and see if you can spot the Aussie tabloid in the pic above.