| (no subject) |
[Dec. 13th, 2007|05:20 pm] |
If it wasn't immediately obvious from the complete lack of updates over the last few months, I've (mostly) decided to abandon this blog for the time being. I'll still be reading entries on my friends' list and making the occasional comment but, really, I've found that this blog has really just descended into me complaining about things.
With this in mind, there's a new-ish blog here which I hope will be more about music, and less about perceived annoyances. |
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| Interruption of service |
[Sep. 21st, 2007|10:28 pm] |
Well, it's been a while. I've most been laid up with a bunch of work-stuff, as well as sorting out details for my forthcoming trip to the UK, Denmark and the US.
On that note, just a brief thingy to say that, for anyone interested, I'll be posting all my travel photos, stories and general trip ephemera on a new blog,
You Go This Way and I'll Go Funkadelic
Why, you ask? Mainly just so that some of the people (a couple of workmates, mostly) who I may have complained about in the past can read about my travels without scrolling back to far in the past and discovering what I've thought about them at various points. Etc.
So, anyway, I'm in London for four days, followed by 10 days staying in Copenhagen with my aunt (who lives there) and my parents (who are there on holiday), followed by a week in New York City, and then back to the maelstrom that is work. Sadly, Vanessa's staying at home, studying for her final exams for her Public Health specialisation.
OK ... dull update. But stay tuned for interesting-ness soon. |
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| 404 |
[Sep. 5th, 2007|09:37 am] |
| [ | music |
| | The Steinbecks-Morell Bridge | ] |
Sorry! an unexpected error has occurred.
This error has been forwarded to MySpace's technical group.
Dear MySpace,
Given that I haven't been able to access my inbox for an ENTIRE WEEK, I'd argue that the 'unexpected error' you keep reporting is actually an expected error. Can you please fix your piece-of-shit site so I can read the messages from that small subsection of people I know who, for some inexplicable reason, use your stupid, buggy site for getting in touch with me, rather than just sending me a normal email.
Thanks.
Lawrence |
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| Shine on |
[Aug. 22nd, 2007|11:13 am] |
| [ | music |
| | The House Of Love-Love IV | ] |
I'd forgotten how awesome The House Of Love were in their prime. |
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| It was the worst birthday ever |
[Aug. 20th, 2007|04:50 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Karl Smith-Must Say More | ] |
I wrote this as part of a communal blog for my friend Nick, who is turning 25 tomorrow. However, I thought I may as well post it here as well.
______
I can probably trace the bulk of my neuroses back to one particular day: February 23rd, 1989: my fourteenth birthday and, coincidently, the day of my high school’s athletics day. Why do I hate being out in the sun? Ask me about my fourteenth birthday. Why do I hate sport with such a passion? Again, ask me about my fourteenth birthday.
A digression: athletics day was always a strange day at my school. It was a day of, if not compulsory participation, then compulsory attendance, and I could never understand why the entire school was forced to spend a day sitting in the hot sun watching the kids who liked sport run around the field. (I mean, it’s not like the entire school had to sit around and watch me at my drawing board during graphics and design, or watch the kids who were good at maths sit tests or anything.) Bear in mind that late February is probably the hottest time of the year, and that there wasn’t a single bit of shade around the sports fields at my school. To the best of my recollection, you weren’t even allowed to bring a book or a Walkman onto the sports field. For the freaks, the geeks, the nerds, the burn-outs and the generally enfeebled, it was a day of hot, boring discomfort. The fact that it would often fall on my birthday felt particularly unjust.
Another digression: the school’s groundskeeper and sometime-teacher, Mr. Findlay. Even thinking about him today makes me feel slightly queasy. He was a deeply unlikeable man, who wandered glowering around the school, lit cigarette in hand, emanating a deep hatred for all children other than those who took his 6th and 7th form Outdoor Education courses. For plump, bookish but generally rule-abiding kids like my friends and I, he was our arch nemesis –hunting our kind for sport.
It was on February 23rd, 1989 that my world and Mr. Findlay’s worlds collided for the first time. It must have been at morning tea time that, graciously given a “break” from the enforced frivolity of watching people we didn’t actually like run in circles around a field, we were allowed to leave the field for 15 minutes for our morning tea. Cheers. Taking my skateboard, I was walking up to the top car park when “Findlay” (as he was unaffectionately known) intercepted me and commented on the fact that one of socks was down. (My high school had a fairly strict dress code, and it was crucially important that our socks remained up on our journey to adulthood.) The passage of time has erased his exact words to me, but my skateboard was immediately confiscated, and I was told to report to him in a few minutes for a “job”, which I assumed to be picking up litter at lunchbreak.
No such luck.
Finding him a few minutes later, I saw he was standing next to a gigantic metal drum attached to something which looked like it was designed to be pulled by a team of oxen. “The cricket pitch needs rolling” he said matter-of-factly. And that was that. From approximately 10am until 3pm, I lumbered with this bloody great steel drum, back and forth, back and forth, crushing down the pitch in the hot sun. Whilst I certainly wouldn’t like to draw trite comparisons to Jesus’ crucifixion, whenever I watch those old religious epics and see Christ carrying his cross up the hill, the first thing that comes to mind is that day, sunburnt, sweating, carrying a heavy load and feeling utterly miserable. All through the afternoon, friends and enemies alike wandered over to watch my toil. Some expressed sympathy and outrage. Most just mocked me. I felt like Sisyphus. (Or some form of perverse entertainment in a Roman arena, circa 200AD.) God knows how I got through the day without passing out or suffering heatstroke, although the fact that I have absolutely no recollection of what happened after the school day ended suggests I probably just came home and collapsed.
I say again: It was the worst birthday ever.
For my 21st birthday, my dad gave me a photo album featuring 20 photos, one taken on every birthday since infancy. In most of them I look pretty happy. But there’s one particular one where I’m sunburnt to hell, my head is tilted on a strange angle, and I look like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. Guess the year.
PS - As an addendum to this sorry tale: isn’t it weird to think that schools could force students to sit outside in the hot sun all day, and teachers could walk around the school smoking? |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 8th, 2007|03:24 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Weezer-Perfect Situation | ] |
Two great shows in two weeks …
The Clientele last Monday were absolutely transcendent. I’ve been a fan since I bought “Suburban Light” on a whim back in 2000 after someone on the Sinister mailing list mentioned them, but they were one of those bands I just assumed I’d never play live. (Not only did I see them play, but thanks to a strange set of coincidences I actually picked them up from the Auckland airport and stayed up drinking tea with them ‘til 2am.) Playing to a small but appreciative crowd of about 120 (including TV3 newsreader John Campbell and a bunch of ex-Flying Nun luminaries) they concentrated mostly on “God Save The Clientele” and early singles, as well as covers of songs by Television, The Go-Betweens and The Television Personalities. Al’s voice sounded great live, and the reverb-drenched guitar, coupled with James’ fluid basslines and Mel’s keyboards, violin and occasional backing vocals made for a magical night. Given how much they seemed to enjoy themselves, let’s hope it’s not too long before they’re back.
After one weeks respite from movies and gigs (and one hell of a headcold) Vanessa and I headed out with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) chockasunday to see Editors play at The Studio last night. Given the constant comparisons in the media between Editors and Interpol, I’d argue that Editors sure could teach Interpol a thing or two about putting on a live show. Their show was everything that Interpol’s 2005 St. James show wasn’t – intense, passionate and totally brilliant. Tom Smith’s voice was an absolute revelation live, and the band played like their lives depended on it. Much like the brilliant Franz Ferdinand show back in 2004, I felt like I was watching a band at the absolute height of their powers – the point where they’ve transcended the indie ghettos but haven’t become quite bloated enough to be playing stadiums.
A few quite nights in, and then I’m seeing Bob Dylan and The Frames on Saturday, and Ryan Adams next week. |
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| We all make the little flowers grow |
[Aug. 6th, 2007|12:40 pm] |
RIP Lee Hazlewood. If my house was on fire and I had to grab a handful of CDs, "Fairytales and Fantasies: The Best of Nancy & Lee" would be one of the first ones I reached for.
Without wanting to be too cynical, but I do hope that whatever inevitable post-death artistic reevaluation at least means that some of his more obscure back catalogue stuff (and even the two Nancy & Lee albums) get the deluxe reissue treatment. That material is just far too great to sit in a vault somewhere.
Lee, I'm going to miss you. |
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| The final film festival rundown |
[Jul. 30th, 2007|11:32 am] |
| [ | music |
| | Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová-The Hill | ] |
Saturday July 28th
Once
A festival highlight. Basically “Before Sunrise: The Musical”, it was touching without being too schmaltzy, and Glen Hansard was a revelation. I can’t wait to see him play before the Dylan show in a few weeks.
My Kid Could Paint That
A documentary about the art of a four-year-old American girl, which sells for huge amounts of money in the US. Halfway through the film, the filmmaker begins to doubt the authenticity of the child’s work, and the film becomes a self-reflexive documentary about modern art. An excellent, balanced film, which never really manages to find an answer.
Perfume
Honestly, I had no idea how they’d be able to pull this off. The book is so incredibly visceral, but the film was a real triumph of the senses, with great performances from Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman.
Sunday July 29th
Manufacturing Dissent
Fairly good documentary about Michael Moore, made by a couple of Canadians. Moore comes across as a bit of an arsehole, but I figure most people probably knew that anyway.
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man
Fantastic documentary with loads of interview footage of the man himself, as well as insights from Jarvis Cocker, Johnny Marr, Richard Hawley etc. For someone so allegedly reclusive, Walker came across as being very personable and interesting, and had great insight into his own creative process. The footage of his percussionist repeatedly punching a side of beef as a rhythm track, and stories about finding just the right donkey to record was priceless.
And that's it for this year. After The Clientele tonight, I think I'll have a few early nights. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 27th, 2007|06:36 am] |
Tuesday July 24th
Kurt Cobain: About A Son
Another dead rock martyr. Taped interviews with Kurt Cobain set to footage from Aberdeen, Olympia and Seattle. Surprisingly compelling, despite the complete lack of any Nirvana music or footage.
Wednesday July 25th
Eagle vs Shark
The New Zealand debut (I think) of the debut feature film from Taika Waititi, director of the acclaimed short “Two Cars, One Night”. Overseas reviews have made lots of “Napoleon Dynamite” comparisons, but “Eagle …” is a little darker (of course – what would a New Zealand film be without an underlying darkness) and a little more adult in its sensibility. The movie was shot in Wellington and around Porirua and the Hutt (what is it with small New Zealand towns and murals?) and looked really beautiful. The Phoenix Foundation provided the score, and everything came together really well. Destined to be something of a New Zealand classic.
Thursday July 26th
The Simpsons Movie
Not actually a festival movie, obviously. But everything I’d hope it’d be. The transition from TV to the big screen worked really well, and the widescreen was used to maximum effect, and the whole thing just looked really really great. Plus, you get the feeling the writers have been holding off all the best jokes from the last two seasons for this. “The Simpsons” reached a plateau a good six or seven years ago, and it’s unlikely to ever reach the peak of the mid 90s. A sequel every few years certainly wouldn’t go amiss. |
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| The film festival continues |
[Jul. 23rd, 2007|04:12 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová-Drown Out | ] |
Saturday July 21st
Jesus Camp
A documentary about Becky Fischer and her “Kids On Fire” (yes, really) school of ministry in North Dakota. Despite the subject matter, the film was pretty even-handed, and what separated the film from the usual Christians-in-middle-America-are-freaks panic was the inclusion of the opinions of a liberal, non-Republican Christian talk show host, who was very happy to take the “moral majority” to task. The film was also interesting in showing just what a complete arsehole Ted Haggard is, even before all his troubles began. (A prominent right wing, pro-Republican, anti-gay marriage evangelist, Haggard was outed a few months after the film was finished for paying a male prostitute for sex, and using crystal meth. Can you say “hypocrisy” Ted?) A pet hate of mine is parents using children as a mouthpiece for their own agendas, and this film really just illustrated how parents can get kids to parrot their beliefs. It’d be interesting to see a follow up documentary in 10 or 15 years, to see how/where these kids have ended up.
This Is New Zealand
Actually a presentation of three films – the iconic, three-screen presentation of “This Is New Zealand” from the 1970 World Fair, a documentary about said World Fair, and a 20 minute tourist film from 1970 entitled “C’mon To New Zealand” designed to encourage Australians to visit their, hip, swingin’ neighbour across the Tasman. “This Is New Zealand” was really brilliant and hadn’t aged a day. It’d probably still encourage people to come here, such was the brilliance of the cinematography and the scenery. The documentary about the World Fair was amusing, and vaguely racist. (ie. “Without the presence of the guards, the Japanese visitors would probably trample each other to death trying to get in”.) But the tourism film was absolutely hilarious. Basically, it was footage of people with bad hair smoking cigarettes up and down the country. Nice.
Knocked Up
Not actually part of the film festival, obviously. But brilliantly funny. Also, Bill from “Freaks & Geeks” (ie. actor Martin Starr) is actually a pretty good looking guy now. |
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| Festival madness continues ... |
[Jul. 20th, 2007|09:43 am] |
| [ | music |
| | Tompaulin-Give Me A Riot In The Summertime | ] |
Thursday 18th
Quelques jours en septembre (A Few Days In September)
Classy Euro thriller in the same vein as Michael Haneke’s “Cache” (Hidden) a few years back.
Friday 19th
Control
A towering achievement of filmmaking, and the highlight of the festival so far. The attention to the visual details was incredible, and every single shot looked like it could have been one of Anton Corbijn’s still photos. Plus, it was sympathetic without turning Ian Curtis into some
sort of rock'n'roll martyr, and didn't shy away from making him out to
be a bit of a selfish arsehole. Samatha Morton was incredible as Deborah Curtis, and the soundtrack (of course) brilliant.
Death of a President
Every review I’ve read has described this film as “shocking” and “controversial”, and even dyed-in-the-wool Democrat Hillary Clinton labelled it as “disgusting”. Which probably explains a lot about why the US is embroiled in the problems it is – even those dead set against Bush and US foreign policy seem to have some idea that the office of Commander In Chief is some sort of holy order which, in itself, can’t be questioned or critiqued. (I remember seeing a bumper sticker in Hawaii in Nov. 2001 saying “My Country, Right Or Wrong”.) Personally, I thought this was a smart, well thought out and thought-provoking film.
Half Nelson
Another depressing junkie film, and another festival highlight. Kind of like “Dead Poet’s Society” if Robin Williams was a heroin addict. Fantastic performances from Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps, and a nice soundtrack courtesy of Broken Social Scene. |
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| Film Festival roundup |
[Jul. 17th, 2007|02:32 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Elbow-Something In The Air | ] |
For anyone interested …
Friday July 13th:
Love Story
A film about 60s band Love. An interesting documentary with a great cast of characters. It was quite touching to see Arthur Lee’s last interviews, and hear him speak. Clearly heroin addiction, imprisonment and his varying degrees of misfortune and ill-health had done some damage, but he was still sharp, witty and charming. Factoid: I had no idea that Love’s first album sold 150,000 copies on release. I had absolutely no idea they enjoyed that level of popularity.
Saturday July 14th:
Tales From Earthsea
Actually really disappointing, given how much I’ve loved every other Studio Ghibli film I’ve seen. This one, whilst certainly not bad, nonetheless felt rushed and lacked the attention to detail that made films like “Howl’s Moving Castle”, “Spirited Away” and “Nausicaa: The Valley of the Wind” so wonderful. Plus, the plot was woefully disjointed and relied on some knowledge of LeGuin’s books to make sense.
Sunday July 15th:
Sherrybaby
An excellent (but depressing) film about a recovering junkie, Sherry, who has just been released from prison, and is trying to regain custody of her daughter. Maggie Gyllenhaal was typically excellent, but the film was incredibly bleak and seedy in places, especially when you’re introduced to Sherry’s obviously abusive-father. Similar to the two recent Australian junkie films, “Little Fish” and “Angel”, in that it didn’t attempt to provide any solutions or make an unrealistic presentation of people overcoming obstacles, but rather just showed the struggle of getting through the day.
Rescue Dawn
Werner Herzog dramatises the story of US Navy pilot (and ex-pat German) Dieter Dengler, the subject of a previous Herzog documentary, “Little Deiter Needs To Fly”. This was a totally non-political war film, and was less about Vietnam, and more about the triumph of one man’s spirit in the face of adversity. Great performances from Christian Bale as Dengler (although quite why he put on an American accent, rather than a German accent I’m not sure) and Steve Zhan.
Monday July 16th:
Audience of One
The story of American Pentecostal minister Richard Gazowsky, who, despite never having seen a film before (and, non, I don’t know how this is possible) received a vision whilst praying on a mountaintop that he was called to make ‘the greatest movie of all time’ - a multi-million dollar Sci-Fi film called “Gravity: The Shadow of Joseph”. Clearly, it didn’t work out, but watching it all derail proves incredibly fascinating. An interesting look at one man’s faith, and the people who follow him.
More soon … |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 6th, 2007|11:44 am] |
| [ | music |
| | Distance-Editors | ] |
If there's one lesson I've learnt from The Sopranos, it's that, if you're dealing with the Mafia, don't "bust their balls". (See also: "Goodfellas".) So many lives ould have been saved by following this simple advice.
Three more episodes of "The Sopranos" to go, and one more of "Heroes", and then I basically have no more TV to look forward to until season III of "Battlestar" and the NBC version of "The Office" become available.
(sigh) |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 28th, 2007|12:07 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | F.U.-Jack-Pioneer Soundtracks | ] |
I'm a bit slow on the uptake here, but I finally got around to buying "Neon Bible" by The Arcade Fire a few days ago. There's no doubt that it's a very good album. BUT ... do the 17 year old indie kids who soak this stuff up realise that it sounds EXACTLY like Bruce Springsteen? I played "Antichrist Television Blues" to three people yesterday, and they all thought it was The Boss. The Killers did a very good job of ripping Springsteen off last year with "When We Were Young", and now The Arcade Fire are doing the same thing. When did Springsteen suddenly become a touchstone for the indie kids, and how come no one emailed me about it.
I've been listening to "Structure & Cosmetics" by The Brunettes a lot lately. It's a very good, somewhat 'mature' album, and hopefully it'll crack through a little as it's less quirky than the other two records, and the production is certainly a lot more lush. On the flip side, it's more melancholy, with less obvious uptempo pop hits, so who knows? It's coming out on Sub Pop in August in the States, and a few weeks earlier in New Zealand.
Last night's "Pop's Ultimate Star" (or whatever it was called) was surprisingly watchable. I'm rooting for the TrueBliss girls, personally, although I thought Rosita's cover of "Not Given Lightly" was really great. Dominic Bowden, however, can kiss my arse. I can't believe he introduced Jo Cotton with the words "a shadow of her former self". Jeeze. They might as well have made her wear a shirt which said USED TO BE FAT (BUT NOW ISN'T). Wanker. Also, what's with referring to "Behind Blue Eyes" as 'Limp Bizkit's version of The Who song "Behind Blue Eyes"'? Because it's not like Limp Bizkit's version was some radical reinterpretation, and you're going to score far more cred citing The Who than you'll ever get mentioning Limp Bizkit.
I probably should have spent last night studying instead of watching shit TV.
What, exactly, is the point of "hidden" tracks on CDs? The last two albums I've bought have both had one of those last-track-finishes-followed-by-30-seconds-of-silence-followed-by-an-unlisted-song thing. Isn't this totally pointless? If you put a CD into a CD player you can usually see how long the song is, so the "surprise" isn't really that exciting - certainly after the first time it's just a pain.
Finally, I've noticed that Americans have a habit of saying, "London, England", rather than just "London". I appreciate that there is more than one London in the world, but surely the British one would be the default? |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 30th, 2007|10:19 am] |
| [ | music |
| | Hermann Loves Pauline-Super Furry Animals-Radiator | ] |
OK, so I'm verging into the realms of the politially incorrect here... This morning at the supermarket I saw a display selling cookies in aid of a dyslexia charity. (I think it's national dyslexia week, or month, or something.) Looking at the brochure which accompanied the display I saw the words "Dyslexia: The Gift of Picture Thinking". I've known a few dyslexic people throughout school and university, and I know education has been pretty rough for them. Maybe I'm being naive, but I don't think any of them would have considered their dyslexia a "gift". And, also, isn't this rather stupid positioning when asking for money? Why would anyone want to donate money to a charity for people who are gifted? If dyslexia is a gift, I'm thinking - well, what can dyslexics do for me? |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 29th, 2007|11:19 am] |
The Brunettes played their first proper Auckland show (discounting their set at the Lil' Chief Christmas Party) in more than a year on Friday night. Weird to think that, in 2001 I'd go to see them play every few weeks, at various tiny venues. I ended up wedged into a corner by the side of the stage, so the sound mix wasn't exactly great. Nonetheless, they played a great set to an absolutely packed Kings Arms. The real treat, though, was another wonderful set from Ed Cake's new-ish band, Pie Warmer. Based on the recordings I've heard, and the songs he's playing in his live set, there's a very very good album waiting to be released in the near future.
Last night I had every intention to go see The Cosbys' last show. However, a day of chasing down library books and essay writing left me dead tired. I could barely keep my eyes open through the DVD of "The Science of Sleep" and went to bed at 10pm. What a wild life I lead. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 27th, 2007|08:01 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Tea For The Tillerman-Cat Stevens-Tea For The Tillerman | ] |
I can't really say why, but despite my love of most things of the folky/acoustic/wimpy, I've always been quite dismissive of Cat Stevens. For me, he was always to Nick Drake what James Blunt is to Elliiott Smith. (And, yes, I know that sounds mean.) But having watched "harold & Maude" a few weeks ago, I'm suddenly smitten. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 24th, 2007|02:56 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | A Lullaby - Lucky Soul | ] |
Music stuff: If there's a better girly-pop album than Lucky Soul's "The Great Unwanted" in 2007, I'll eat my proverbial hat. It's shiny and melodic and wonderful, like the best bits of Blondie, St. Etienne and Dusty Springfield all mixed into one. Swoon! I got a copy of The Brunettes' new album, "Structure & Cosmetics" a few days ago. It's really great, although something of a departure. Well - not a huge departure - it still sounds like The Brunettes, but is (mostly) less quirky, and a little more melancholy. The title track sounds like Lee Hazlewood produced by Ennio Morricone. I think Sub Pop are putting it out in August, and the Lil' Chief pressing will happen around the same time. Fingers crossed for some hot chart action here and abroad.
I'm amazed at the slagging the music press are giving Brett Anderson's solo album. Because I've got more enjoyment from that record than from every other new release this year combined. OK, so it's no "Dog Man Star" but given the lavish praise given to Jarvis' album and Damon's "The Good, The Bad and The Queen" I'm confused. It's certainly as good as the Jarvis Cocker record, and nothing like the MOR drek Richard Ashcroft is turning out these days. I'm figuring that, seeing as Brett has patched things up with Bernard Butler and currently has Matt Osman in his touring band, it can't be long before there's a "new" Anderson/Butler/Osman incarnation of Suede.
Non-music stuff: University continues. The papers are much duller than I'd hoped, and I was quite miffed to only receive Bs for my two essays until I discovered that only two people in the entire paper got A grades and seven people got Ds. Whether there are more dunces than smart people in the paper, or whether they're just grading really hard remains to be seen.
I'm going to a funeral on Friday. This guy from my church called John. He was only 53, although probably looked about ten or fifteen years older. He had really bad diabetes, had his leg amputated a few years back, smoked like a chimney and didn't really make a hell of a lot of effort to look after himself. I'm not actually sure how he died, but I suspect his body just kinda gave up on him. He was something of a grumpy curmudgeon, but endearingly so. His politics always got my hackles up (China the perfect Socialist paradise? Sure, as long as you don't mind having your organs harvested if you're a political dissidant or a falun gong practitioner) and he once called Vanessa "sick" for claiming (with her tongue firmly in her cheek) that people now got their spiritual guidance from Oprah Winfrey. Nonetheless, I'll miss his rants on the virtues of planting trees and the evils of American politics. I like the fact that people like John come to my church, and aren't afraid to stand up and rant about the stuff they're passionate about. And also that my church openly embraces so many people who don't really fit into society, and who probably would find fitting in to almost any mainstream church impossible. John - we locked horns a few times over the last year years, but also have a few pretty good conversations. I'll miss you pal ... |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 19th, 2007|02:38 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | The Crane Wife 3-The Decemberists-The Crane Wife | ] |
OK, so I haven't posted in months, probably, I blame study, my aunt from Denmark visiting, work and general life-angst. Sorry, etc.
Today I went to the new-ish bit of the Sylvia Park mall to get lunch.
Anyway, there was a big crowd of people milling around which, I realised, was for some kind of grand opening of the new Playboy clothing store. Apparently some Playboy bunnies were going to be at the opening at 1pm. Lunch due eaten, and walking back to my car, I walked past the store and saw there was a big line, and the four bunnies were signing autographs. Weirdly, at least 50% of the people getting stuff signed were adolescent girls. Is this the kind of aspirational thing parents want to encourage? (Because a lot of them were with their parents.) Perplexing ... |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 17th, 2007|04:37 pm] |
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Most depressing sight ever. A forty-something Maori man, probably homeless, huddled in an alcove of Queen Steet sniffing glue. And wearing a gigantic novelty leprechaun hat. Happy fucking St. Patricks day. |
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