It’s a trial to leave you clean
I like Christchurch. It has real bagels, one place with real guacamole, fabulous iced mochas (I went back to the Java cafe – I really like it). Yay good food. It has pretty hills in the distance that aren’t all covered by development and nice architecture around town. Books are ungodly expensive, but the library seems good. And video rentals are expensive, but movies are fairly priced. The weather is pretty nice.
Spent yesterday doing chores, like going grocery shopping. I got my fuits and veg at a place called the funky pumpkin near my house (and chestnuts – I thought I’d try roasting some myself). And then heading to the pak n sav for everything else (well – not quite everything – i only had 3 bags and I had to walk some of the way back). But I’m pretty fixed up. Reading the Ballad of Frankie Silver. Watching some 6 feet under. Put pictures up around my room. Things are good.
I’m living with a bunch of guys. Across from me are Manuel and Lucas, from Buenos Aires. Lucas is really nice, and Manuel seems nice although I haven’t spoken much with him. It’s nice – I get to hear spanish. Then there’s Take from Japan – and I seriously don’t think he can speak English at all. He may or may not be leaving the house in a couple of weeks. He’s going to Thailand, when I asked if he was coming back he said he didn’t know. Which I assume meant he didn’t understand me. Then there’s Rick who’s in the sleep out and uses our kitchen. He’s a big Aussie guy who either isn’t very friendly or very smart. Maybe both.
Thanks to Cleolinda for posting this up; “Australian bookstore chain attempts to shake down small publishers for several thousand dollars each; Tower Books’ Michael Rakusin, in turn, takes the bookstore chain to school. As Teresa Nielsen Hayden herself says, “I just hope Rakusin autographed Rimmer’s ass before he handed it to him” Check out her site for some choice exceprts. That would, ahem, be the bookstore I applied to (its called Whitcoulls in NZ and Angus and Robertson in Oz). Thank god I’m temping instead – bad book chain!! (Also – there are no Dymocks in Christchurch – so there are 3 stores for new books (which I won’t be buying anyways) and 2 are whitcoulls). (I like this (from the link): “‘Dear Michael’ Tacky. When you’re sending a formal blackmail request, you should always use the recipient’s full name.”)
More linkspam, courtesy of cleolinda:
Jonathan Strange ‘s Clarke Collects Stories.
AT&T censors Pearl Jam. I’m sorry – is it 2002? (Given the legalization of warrantless wiretapping – apparently.) (Update from popwatch: “AT&T blames a third-party vendor for snipping Pearl Jam’s anti-Bush lyrics from a webcast of the band’s Lollapalooza performance. The company apologizes for what it calls a violation of its own free-speech policy and says it’s negotiating with the band to stream the unedited performance on its Blue Room site. (You can see the unexpurgated clip on Pearl Jam’s own site.) Show of hands: Who is willing to take AT&T at its word, accept the company’s apology, and feel reassured that that there will be no similar free-speech violations in AT&T’s future offerings?”)
HBO Sucks Up True Blood : “HBO has officially picked up the vampire series True Blood from Six Feet Under’s Alan Ball, based on Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire novel series, Variety reported.” I like this bit of news in part because I’m currently watching season 2 of Six Feet Under. And you know what I enjoy about Six Feet Under (other than it being brilliant), is the fact that I first saw Michael C. Hall as Dexter, so watching him in Six Feet Under, I keep waiting for him to snap and murder somebody (and WHY IS HE NOT UP FOR THE EMMY, HMMM?)
ACTUAL PICTURE FROM SWEENEY TODD ZOMG.
James McAvoy to star in upcoming Frost Flowers?
Trailer: Dan in Real Life Seriously? Does Steve Carrell sleep? Still it’s from the guy who did What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Pieces of April both of which I enjoyed.
Holy crap! I didn’t realize that Be Kind, Rewind is from Michael Gondry, who is a truly gifted director. I’m excited. I loved Mos Def in Hitchhiker’s.
music; again, again, again – blaqk audio, I’m so sick – flyleaf, capital G – nine inch nails, silver and cold – AFI, All that I’m living for/ lacrymosa – evanescence, walk away – franz ferdinand, we used to be friends – dandy warhols.
Tags: Travel
jwdmeow
Any chance the Aussie or the Japanese fellow will be reading your blog?
Before you roast the chestnuts, score them with a sharp knife so that they don’t explode in the oven….
Sorry I got off chat last night, but I haven’t heard from Ginger in a couple of weeks, and she wanted to talk.
I got your voice mail message.
You computer has been delayed. I didn’t fill out some code thing correctly for customs. I got a call from Fed Ex. It will now go out tomorrow. It really ticks me off, b/c I used the code (harmonisation code?) provided to me on-line by Fed Ex. Grrr….
PS – Is Helena going to sing in Sweeney Todd? Can she?
Oh noooooo!!! sniff. Oh well – don´t stress about it. It´s not your fault.
I tried to call you to tell you I got a job, but I never got through…
No, they won´t be reading the blog. The Japanese guy wouldn´t understand it, and he´s leaving in a week anyways. The Aussie guy might not be able to read it either. (I´m very annoyed with him- he rearranged all of my food in the fridge without telling me and moved it all onto the bottom shelf that was covered in some disgusting viscous substance. Who does that?)
Do I have to do anything other than scoring the chestnuts?
I assume both she and Johnny are singing – I hope they both can.
No problem about the chat. But I do want to tell you about my new job – I won´t get a chance to get to an internet cafe till tomorrow. (I´m borrowing Manuel´s comp.)