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ADVENTURE

Thinkerbell and Lion Remind Aussies that ‘Life’s Good When You Give a XXXX’

by Tracy J. Chu

Leading brewer Lion has unveiled the latest instalment of the ‘Give a XXXX’ brand campaign with a memorable new work across TVC, OOH, Radio and Social content for the iconic Queensland beer, XXXX, via Thinkerbell. 

Set to Montell Jordan’s iconic hip hop track, This Is How We Do It, the idea aims to capture XXXX’s take on the unique perspective that Queenslanders have towards living the good life.

The campaign launched on Sunday and encapsulates the innovative ways in which Queenslanders make the most of the much-loved part of the country. Whether that be cleverly rigging a hammock to their 4WD or finding original ways to keep cool while fielding in beach cricket – all laddering up to the fresh modern representation of XXXX. 

Lion’s head of marketing, Core Beer, Chris Allan, said “This bright and bold new work reminds us that the aspirational QLD lifestyle at its core is social and fun. The good life, and the things that really matter to Queenslanders, are often achieved with a little resourcefulness and creativity. XXXX is quintessentially QLD and for 145 years we’ve demonstrated that with some conscious effort, everyone can reap the rewards of the good life and celebrate all of the things that matter to them the most. Life’s good when you give a XXXX.”

Thinkerbell’s national chief creative, Jim Ingram, added “We hope we’ve captured a bit of Queensland ingenuity in this work, without overcomplicating things. Not everyone has the time or a desire to have a two week glamping adventure into the Daintree. It’s amazing what you can do with an old jetty, or a car winch these days.”

The latest work is supported by XXXX’s media investment in Queensland from the coast to the outback across TV, OOH, Radio and Social.

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ADVENTURE

Lion and Thinkerbell show how good life is in latest ‘Give a XXXX’ spot

by Tracy J. Chu

Lion has launched the latest iteration of its ‘Give a XXXX’ campaign via the brewers creative agency of record, Thinkerbell.

The tongue-in-cheek platform was first launch last July, touching on the positive outlook that Queenslanders take towards ‘living the good life’.

The latest iteration is set to Montell Jordan’s hip hop track ‘This Is How We Do It’, featuring a group of Queenslanders engaged in a highly competitive beach cricket game, with a dock standing in for the cricket pitch.

Lion’s head of marketing – core beer, Chris Allan, said: “This bright and bold new work reminds us that the aspirational QLD lifestyle at its core is social and fun. The good life, and the things that really matter to Queenslanders, are often achieved with a little resourcefulness and creativity. XXXX is quintessentially Queensland and for 145 years we’ve demonstrated that with some conscious effort, everyone can reap the rewards of the good life and celebrate all of the things that matter to them the most. Life’s good when you give a XXXX.”

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Thinkerbell’s national chief creative, Jim Ingram, added: “We hope we’ve captured a bit of Queensland ingenuity in this work, without overcomplicating things. Not everyone has the time or a desire to have a two week glamping adventure into the Daintree. It’s amazing what you can do with an old jetty, or a car winch these days.”

Thinkerbell was appointed as Lion’s creative partner in 2021, and has since worked on a number of campaigns including a masterbrand ‘brewery duty’ call out, XXXX State of Original activation and a new platform for Hahn.

The new campaign rolls out in Queensland across TV, OOH, radio and social.

Credit

Client: Lion
Creative Agency: Thinkerbell
Media Agency: UM
Film Production: Mofa
Stills Production: Pool

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ADVENTURE

Retired Orpington couple plan bucket list of adventures after winning National Lottery Set For Life draw

by Tracy J. Chu

A retired couple are planning a bucket list of experiences thanks to a National Lottery win that sees them bank £10,000 every month for a year.

Angela and Steve Hathorn, from Orpington, are still in shock after they matched all five main numbers in the Set For Life draw on January 23.

Angela, 63, used to work with children with special educational needs at schools and nurseries and 68-year-old Steve was a design draughtsman.

They are now planning a series of adventures including a cruise, luxury trips to London and more visits to historical and heritage sites across the UK.

Angela explained how she was initially worried there was a problem with her ticket when she asked for it to be checked at her local shop.

She said: “Every Sunday I buy my Set For Life tickets for the coming week and normally get both checked at the end of the week in the shop, I never check the numbers online.

“Unusually, I went into the Co-Op on Carlton Parade on the Tuesday and asked the lady to check the numbers for the Monday night draw.

“She had a puzzled look on her face as she stared at The National Lottery terminal and then she asked her colleague to take a look.

Angela and Steve Hathorn from Orpington celebrate winning £10,000 every month for a year on The National Lottery Set For Life. Picture: James Robinson/Camelot
Angela and Steve Hathorn from Orpington celebrate winning £10,000 every month for a year on The National Lottery Set For Life. Picture: James Robinson/Camelot

“I was starting to get nervous, worried there was a problem and not helped by a large queue behind me, before the shop assistant said they couldn’t pay out over £100, and I should go call the National Lottery line to claim my prize.

“I didn’t even ask how much, I just went back to my car to drive home.”

The 63-year-old was parked

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ADVENTURE

How one girl’s 16 years of life impacts thousands | Lifestyle

by Tracy J. Chu

Penny Doerge should have had a normal childhood, hanging out with friends and growing into adulthood before thinking about how she could change the world. But at an early age, Penny was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumors and can lead to brain cancer.

The prognosis was not good. But Penny had a life to live and refused to live it in darkness. In fact, she chose to spread light to everyone around her.

During the pandemic, Penny created a series of small gatherings called adventure camps for the neighborhood kids. Each child had a COVID test at the door, and then the fun began. It was Penny’s way of creating connections to overcome isolation. For those who couldn’t attend, she made funny TikTok videos and shared her artwork for those who couldn’t attend. She loved to use her creativity to make ordinary things beautiful.

When it was time for another surgery — she had 15 in all — Penny would go about it in a businesslike manner. No complaining, no crying, just get through it and get back to living.

Her mother remembers, “Somebody said Penny was an actress and the world was her stage. She was joy personified.”

Her teachers remember her as a hardworking girl everyone wanted to be around. She was happy and beautiful and artistically gifted. And she used those attributes to lift others. “She was a little angel,” her grandfather remembers. “She was fun and happy. Penny taught us a lot.” Her father adds, “She taught us how to treat other people.

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Sometimes a very special person comes into this life to remind all those around

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ADVENTURE

Veteran adventures through Georgia on kayaks and motorcycles

by Tracy J. Chu

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Georgia Pit Bull is living a life of adventure thanks to his dad. The duo has traveled thousands of miles together kayaking, rock climbing, and motorcycling. They have shared their journey on TikTok and now they are trying to pay it forward.

When you live the life of an adventurer, you spend a lot of time defying the odds; doing the very things, people thought you could not do.

Knucklehead is the perfect example of what “living the life of an adventurer,” means.

“We ride motorcycles and Knucklehead is a pretty famous motor brand. We called him Knucklehead, and he quickly started living up to his name,” said Knucklehead’s owner Aaron Dean.

He can kayak, motorcycle, rock climb, and even climb a ladder; which Aaron tells me Knucklehead learned on his own!

This is a dog that loves adventure.

His dad is a vet who served in Iraq and came home with undiagnosed PTSD.

“I recently got a diagnosis from a doctor up here in Blue Ridge. Until then, you kind of think you are crazy,” said Dean.

Dogs became a comfort Aaron needed.

“I talk to him like he is my friend, not my kid,” said Dean, “There are times I literally can’t get off the couch and he will come and put all his weight on me and push me to get up and make me go ride motorcycles or something!”

Everywhere Aaron went, Knucklehead would go and in the places he couldn’t go Aaron found a way.

”You can see this special box I made for him out of aluminum,” said Dean.

The two have put in some serious time.

“On the dirt bike, he has probably gone 1000 miles on it, we have got 1300 miles on this bike,”

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ADVENTURE

Kinzbachs enjoy Las Vegas and mull next adventure: Rocking the RV Life

by Tracy J. Chu

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Kinzbachs are in the Las Vegas area getting ready to resume traveling this week.

They plan to head to Bullhead City, Arizona, and take a side trip to Oatman, Arizona, where wild donkeys roam freely – definitely Old West history.

This week, the couple talks about the area’s RV parks and how different parks have different rules along with varying amenities. (Because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s good, the couple says.) They also encountered a mouse and offer a sure-fire tip on how to keep them away.

Listen live online here.

They discuss plans to go north or south: Glacier National Park in Montana or Big Bend National Park in Texas? Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or Key West, Florida? Meanwhile, former radio man Jeff finds time to talk about a Pink Floyd concert that was part of the World Series of Rock at Cleveland Stadium back in 1977.

In Northeast Ohio, Jeff is well-known for his 50 years of radio work, first as a host of the Buzzard Morning News at WMMS-FM/100.7, and later at WONE FM/97.5 in Akron.

The Kinzbachs have been living out of their RV since Jeff retired from the radio business in September 2020. Now, Jeff and Patti have transferred Jeff’s radio skills to their adventurous podcast while traveling North America. The “Rocking the RV Life” podcast is presented in partnership with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

Listeners can access “Rocking the RV Life” via Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and at cleveland.com’s podcasting page.

Follow the podcast and the Kinzbachs’ travels at rockingthervlife.com.

Note to Apple Podcast listeners: If you subscribed to “Rocking the RV Life” before it partnered with cleveland.com and are having trouble finding new episodes, try the following:

• Click the ellipses, also known as the three-dot More Options

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ADVENTURE

Faith and Values: Detours in life are God’s invitation to adventure

by Tracy J. Chu

This winter, on our first day in Kauai, we needed to take a bus to get our rental car, which was an hour away. Luggage beside us, we waited for the bus to arrive. It was a 30-minute wait, and we got to enjoy some warm weather that contrasted greatly with the minus 4 weather in Pullman.

During our wait, a 25-year-old woman sitting across from us started pacing around – getting up, sitting down, getting up, walking around, picking up leaves, throwing them in the trash and, then, sitting back down again. She was sweating profusely, and she looked anxious.

When she calmed down a little bit, she looked at us and started talking about her mental health problems, specifically her anxiety and schizophrenia. She talked about how walking and picking up leaves helped ease and soothe her anxiety. She talked about being homeless at one point in her life, the baby she had who died four days after birth and the baby’s father who had done no good in their lives. We only asked a few questions about her life, but they were enough for her to share bits and pieces of her story.

The bus arrived on time, and our conversation ended. We parted ways not knowing each other’s names. (P.S. We bumped into her at Walmart a few hours later and exchanged names!) Then, we approached the bus. Yet, lo and behold, the bus driver didn’t allow us to get on because our suitcases were too big to fit inside. We offered to pay for extra seats to put our luggage, and it was still a no.

Lord, why? We waited for 30 minutes. We need transportation to pick up our rental car.

I kept my frustrations to myself, and we started looking for an

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TRAVELLING

How Shakira Has Inspired Every Loba to go Tell Their Ex Off

by Tracy J. Chu

For over 20 years, Shakira has penned some of our generation’s most iconic heartbreak songs.

Who hasn’t stayed up crying to “Antología” or feel every single word of “Inevitable?” How many of us haven’t felt “Ciega, Sordomuda” or put on “Sale el sol” to believe in love again?

At every point of her career, her music has permeated the soul of mujeres worldwide because, let’s be honest, if someone knows how to turn her broken heart into art, it’s Shakira.

Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images Shakira at the “Elvis” Red Carpet.

Now, at 45 years old, she has made history with her new track “BZRP Music Sessions #53” where she lays out her trapos sucios and all the suffering, infidelity, and public humiliation she experienced and survived with ex-partner Gerard Piqué, washing him away with some much-needed Laundry Service.

Of course, as a woman, her chart-topping success also received mockery and criticism from the public as they expected Shakira to suffer in silence, as they preferred the version of her that reached for her bleeding heart on the floor of a grocery store in the video of “Monotonía” and not the empowered loba that is now howling at the moon with all her might.

Some said she didn’t think of her children.

Others that “hell hath no fury as a woman scorned.”

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images Shakira with Sasha and Milan Piqué.

Or as Vogue Spain expertly articulated—calling her out for her lack of “sorority” toward the 23-year-old woman Piqué cheated on her with, Clara Chía Martí.

It leaves me wondering: did anyone bother to think about Shakira’s children while Piqué brought his lovers to his home? When they appeared on the cover of magazines at social events together? Did anyone ever

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ADVENTURE

Naomi Osaka Pregnant – First Child For Tennis Star Naomi Osaka

by Tracy J. Chu

Congratulations are in order for Naomi Osaka, who is pregnant with her first child.

The tennis superstar, 25, announced the news across her social media channels Jan. 11, 2023.

“Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023,” Osaka captioned three screenshots, including one photo of a sonogram and two others detailing her exciting life update.

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun. These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to,” she wrote.

Osaka continued, “I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s my mom,’ haha. 2023 will be a year that’ll be full of lessons for me and I hope I’ll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I’ll be at Aus 2024. Love you all infinitely.”

osaka-pregnancy-two-cz-230111-5e5ff4.png 1x”/Osaka shared her exciting <a href=life update in both English and Japanese.” height=”2048″ width=”2048″/
Osaka shared her exciting life update in both English and Japanese.Naomi Osaka

Last week, Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open in a shocking move just over a week before the tournament began without citing a reason. It was speculated her withdrawal was tied to ongoing health issues after withdrawing from Wimbledon last June.

The mom-to-be added a “sidenote” at the bottom of her update.

“I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to

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ADVENTURE

Naomi Osaka Is Pregnant: “Everyday Is a New Blessing and Adventure”

by Tracy J. Chu

Tennis star Naomi Osaka announced she is pregnant with her first child and that she is still planning on making her return to the sport at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion tweeted on Wednesday, “Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023.” Alongside that caption she shared an image of her sonogram on an ultrasound monitor and a screenshot of a Notes app note that read, “The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun. These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”

Osaka continues, “I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s my mom,’ haha. 2023 will be a year that’ll be full of lessons for me and I hope I’ll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I’ll be at Aus 2024.” She concluded, “Love you all infinitely,” with a red heart emoji. In a postscript, she added, “Sidenote: I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually.” She also shared the message in Japanese.

The tennis player has been dating rapper Cordae for the last three years. The pair had their first date at the Staples Center

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