2001

If you think 007 is the new international dialling code then get a life! 007 is part of the British national consciousness: heroism, patriotism and self-parody. 007 is James Bond - with a licence to thrill...

Here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods. We in the West are not all this stupid, honestly! Shop carefully!

1. On a Sears hairdryer: "Do not use while sleeping."

2. On a bag of Fritos: "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."

3. On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: use like regular soap."

4. On some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestions: defrost."

5. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of box): "Do not turn upside down."

Seeking the right college: this is the annual rite of passage for high school seniors. It is the beginning of a yearlong journey for them and their parents that can be an exciting, but stressful, time for both. The journey usually begins in the spring of a student's junior year (11th grade) and is not completed until the following spring of his or her senior year (12th grade). During the process student and parents are faced with many decisions in determining which college is the right one.

Spoilt for choice

The turnout for the Peace Corps' Farewell in Warsaw on June 8th was larger than expected. The atmosphere was moistened with tears and sprinkled with a little sadness and sentimentality, but it still managed to be joyful. It's not easy to say goodbye to firm friends, nor to pack up and go home without having mixed feelings. Yet, this is what is expected of Peace Corps Volunteers when their mission comes to an end. It can almost be compared with a gardener transplanting a flower while it's in full bloom and hoping it survives the shock.

Dublin and the Irish diaspora celebrate 16th June in honour of James Joyce, his masterpiece Ulysses and its most famous hero, one Leopold Bloom... It's an excuse for grub and a trip to the pub.

Anna Sheppard, internationally acclaimed costume designer for some of the top film productions of recent years, talked to John Edmondson on the 58th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising about her current work on Roman Polanski's The Pianist, and how she got where she is today.

2000 was a special year for Australia, as we had the honour of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2001 our celebrations have continued, this time to mark the 100th anniversary of Australia as a Federation, our system of Government.

Before 1901

The end of the millennium saw the end of the line for the world famous Mini, but where did it all begin? And will there be more than just the name and the memory to the Mini Cooper soon to be re-launchedby BMW?

Harry's here, specs and all, long-awaited and long-debated!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has been the most hyped film production of recent years, and possibly, for its millions of younger devotees, in living memory. The bespectacled Harry is the latest literary pin-up, which just goes to show thatlooks aren'teverything.

People-watching is always fun, but now "reality television", in the guise of Big Brother, takes it one step further, satisfying our deepest voyeuristic desireswhile giving us a chance to influence the outcome. We are part of the plot!