This posting, i'm letting my fingers do the talking... via various emails that i've sent to friends throughout the week...
To Michael - 19.04.04
Interesting morning. Toilet blocked up yesterday, so we had to get sexy plumber out (YAY! Andrew now appreciates why I would go on and on about this 'hot plumber' that would come out to us whenever we had problems. Suspect Andrew is currently at home trying to block the toilet again.) Plan was to get up at 7.15 and have a quick shave/shower before the plumber arrived at 7.30, then grab some money out, leave it with Andrew (who is on holidays) to pay and grab the receipt and I get to work as usual. Plumber arrived at 7.16. Bugger.
After plumber left, I noticed the bathroom window open, and wanted to close it not to give the people in the back blocks a peep show routine. In the process of closing it, successfully slammed the window on my thumb, causing a blood blister. Not fun. Not happy. Lots of pain. But now Caspar and I are even more like father, like son.
Finally got ready and walked out the front door to see the tram I intended to catch to get me to work just that tad bit earlier (since I was now officially late) shoot straight past me, and ended up walking all the way to work, only to have the transit system mock me by having a tram shoot past me just as I arrived at work.
Rest of the day has been okay aside from that, but hey - it's only 12.46.
Had one interview this morning and spent most of my time absolutely drooling over him. Tall, boy next door with the cutest little dimpled smile, with a passion for fine art (he owned a picasso) and good conversation. I think he suspected I was definitely interested in his 'qualifications', although i'm sure his wife and six week old daughter wouldn't appreciate it, and neither would Ant (although he agrees with me that it is always fine to look cause we are only human).
Anyway, backs to work for me now. Have another interviewee just finishing off our registration database which means i'll be doing the one on one part in a few minutes time. Then i've got another interview at 4pm today. Busy day! Add to that the 50+ resumes I have still to work through at the moment... if I get through half of those today and make something out of it, i'll be happy.
Thanks again for a fun weekend. Glad everything was kinda chatty as it helps build friendships stronger and, besides, there is never any harm in reminding us how great friends became great in the first place.
To Sam - 02.04.04
Getting debt free... hmm... last year cost me enormously, so I can't really see me being debt free for a while yet. But my side projects are coming together better than what I would've anticipated, and while I can see them being long term, I feel more on track now than I have in a while. 2002, and the start of 2003, were wonderful periods for me. Mid to late last year though, were definitely one of the toughest periods i've had to face yet. What felt good was getting through it with a strong attitude and my dignity still intact, and many of my family and friends have commented on that and how proud they are of me for achieving what I have in the face of adversity. But still, as I always believe, what doesn't kill you only serves to make us stronger.
Heard the new George Michael album. It's a bit blah so far... but then i've always thought that of his albums on the first few listens and decide he is an artist that you always need to let grow on you. I'm not finding much 'rock' lately that interests me either, except for Daniel John's and Paul Mac's new outfit, The Disassociatives. I like bands that mess with traditional formats, such as what Garbage, U2 and Nine Inch Nails have done over the years. But I think i'm swinging more towards dance music again lately, but considering I have a long time passion for dance and have often worked in that genre, it is hardly surprising. I'm finding even pop music bores me a bit lately. I like what Maroon 5 have been doing lately, but some of my 'favourites' have been disappointing me lately. I mean, 'Red Blooded Woman' is a good example - I don't think terribly much of that track and think there are so many better options on 'Body Language' that Kylie could've gone with.
To an old FMR friend - 14.04.04
I know I keep saying it, but must catch up soon. Book project is going really well, and between you and me, seem to have (big name local journalist) perhaps interested in getting involved in some way too. I've also accepted a part time job with an English company, while will see me needing to set up my own 'company' in the immediate future, but that's all very exciting. Also doing full time here (and the UK job will work in with this), and this feels like it is all going well too.
Home life is good. Andrew has left Stage & Screen (finally!) and is going on to become the Melbourne manager for Globetrotters (or some company like that...) He is stoked, and will be brilliant at it. Ant and I hit eight months recently too, and is (ahem) 'meeting the parents and family' this coming weekend, which he is a little nervous about. I've finally got back to rejoining the gym too. Had my fitness
assessment yesterday and was disgusted at how much weight I've gained, especially after all the time, effort and money I put into losing it.
Say hi to xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx (if she's back), xxx (if she's back), and anyone else still there that I have lots of time and affection for. Hope all is going well there and that the recent Warner/Melb shutdown isn't 'hitting' FMR too hard.
Article that made me laugh during the week... taken from Christie's always fantastic column in Beat, 'Industrial Strength'
PLAYING FREEBIES
The issue of free promotional copies has been a hot subject of late, with the Sydney Morning Herald and Triple J attacking the Australasian Record Industry Association (ARIA)’s head Stephen Peach for accepting them when artists aren’t paid royalties on these. We understand a current affairs TV show is working on a story on the “black market” where record company execs exchange promo copies for everything from TV sets to gym memberships. Phil Tripp of Immedia! sent out a press release demanding that the ARIA board suspend or sack Peach pending an inquiry. But the board rallied around Peach, saying “recent attempts to try and link illegal downloading and file sharing with the legal distribution of CDs in the record industry are absurd” and that ARIA management needed promo CDs “in the course of their work at ARIA which includes the production of the ARIA Awards and weekly music charts.” Others suggest that the local music industry go South Africa’s way which has a set limit (1,900 copies) on the amount of promo CDs for each release.
Recent Happy Birthday's...
To my brother in law, Sid, for his 50th. Also to an old family friend, Gary Young, who also turned 50 on the same day.
To Andrew's partner (and now 'housemate') Mark, who turned 40.
To Paul Smith, who turned 30.
And to our campest NZ friend around, Leo, who turned 30 on the 20th!
David Knox is kindly taking me to see Radiohead with him tomorrow night, which should be fun, although David has yet to hear any of Radiohead's material (prefers to go in 'fresh', which you have to admire him for), and i'm hoping the entire concert doesn't focus around the 'Kid A' and 'Amnesiac' albums... please, let there be some 'The Bends' and 'OK Computer' thrown in for good measure.
Tuesday night is off... thankfully!
Catching up with Andrew at his spooky Kew mansions on Wednesday night.
Thankfully, I believe Thursday and Friday nights are free this week, which will give me some space to get my new little part time business venture up and off the ground.
Saturday night is celebrating Leo's 30th.
Another busy week all round! Time to wrap up this posting!
-----original message-----
From: Po box 1200 Oranjestad aruba [mailto:marline@jj.com]
Sent: Friday, February 2, 2004 8:63AM
To: alejandrina; jannet@utv.com; danika; tosha; maryln
Subject: link on site above
Rob paid no further attention to them He looked at his traveling machine rather doubtfully and wondered if he dared risk its power to carry him through the air Whether he remained in the ship or trusted to the machine, he stood a good chance of dropping into the sea at any moment
So, while he hesitated, he attached the machine to his wrist and leaned over the bulwarks to watch the progress of the storm He might stay in the ship until it foundered, he thought, and then take his chances with the machine
He decided to wait until a climax arrived
Question: Always wondered why spam tends to have some form of 'other email' on the bottom. Beginning to suspect that spam software looks for links at the end of emails in order to become suspect. FYI - new anti-spam laws were passed in Australia in recent weeks. It has seemingly made 0 impact on how much spam I get. However, the new Nortons Internet Security software i'm using has kindly whisked it away to another part of my Outlook so that I don't necessarily need to see anything that lets me know Christians can help me get out of debt, doubt the function or size of my penis, or let me see naughty schoolgirls with big jugs who want to be spanked. Thanks Mr Norton...
1. WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP?
Well, the beauty of living so close to work means that I don't have to get up as early as the rest of the household. Having said that, i'm still getting up earlier now than I was a year or two back. At FMR, i'd generally get into work around 9.30, and work till 6.30-7.00ish. Now, I try to get into work around the 8.30 mark, so I generally try to get up around 7.45.
2. IF YOU COULD EAT LUNCH WITH ONE FAMOUS PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Hmm... far too many to think of there. Perhaps Bono from U2... Perhaps one of those infamous Diva's like Cher or Bette... just too many really.
3. GOLD OR SILVER?
Not sure... probably silver. Don't really think about these things too much since I don't wear jewellery.
4. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA?
Went to the preview and Q&A with the director/writer for 'Camp', which was a lot of fun.
...what happened to 5?
6. WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
Well, having a partner who gets up before me and gives me breakfast in bed most mornings... yes, i'm a lucky sod. Oh, and it's usually coffee, a couple of slices of toast with jam or vegemite, and my glutten/wheat free cereal that I insist on. I'm really a rather demanding bitch.
7. WHO WOULD YOU HATE TO BE STUCK IN A ROOM WITH?
Me from about 15 years ago.
8. CAN YOU TOUCH YOUR NOSE WITH YOUR TONGUE?
I don't think so and i'm not game to try.
9. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Family and friends... hope... feeling good... I don't know; inspirational things for crying out loud!
10. WHAT'S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
John
11. WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST -- BEACH, CITY, OR COUNTRY?
City
12. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I like the new smoothie fat free ice cream that is out. I think Sara Lee make it but i'm not entirely sure on that.
13. BUTTER, PLAIN, OR SALTED POPCORN?
salted
14. FAVORITE COLOR?
probably blue. I'm not being very committed to my answers today, am I...
15. FAVORITE CAR?
I've always liked Honda's. I think i'm stuck with my Mitsubishi for a while longer.
16. FAVORITE SANDWICH FILLING?
I used to like tuna, lettuce, carrot and thinly sliced tomato.
17. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU DESPISE?
negativity.
18. FAVORITE FLOWER?
Um... don't really know. I've never been a big flower person.
19. IF YOU HAD A BIG WIN IN THE LOTTERY, HOW LONG WOULD YOU WAIT TO TELL PEOPLE?
God, i'd be so excited i'd want to tell everyone immediately. Common sense would probably kick in though, and I probably wouldn't be so forward.
20. FIZZY OR STILL WATER AS A DRINK?
Pepsi Max or Vanilla Diet Coke. I'm trying to drink more water. I know it's better for me.
21. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM?
Let's not go there.
22. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR KEY RING?
Too many.
23. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO?
I'm a little too young to think about retirement locations.
24. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
jobs, yes (or atleast i'd like to think so). balls, no.
25. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?
Saturday
26. RED OR WHITE WINE?
Depends on the occasion. Red tends to make me sleepy but I love how mellow it is. White is a great summer drink and excellent socialising wine too. So yeah, depends on the situation and the company. You drink red with your housemates...
27. WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY?
Well, my partner threw a mini surprise party for me on the night of my birthday with a handful of close friends. And then I had a 'shared' birthday with Leon on the Saturday night with a few more close friends. It was very different to last years Extravaganza but I didn't mind that. 30 was important. 31 is bringing it back to being subtle and intimate and not much really.
28. DO YOU CARRY A DONOR CARD?
No, but I probably should put myself down for that. It's not like i'd need them in that sort of situation.
29. SAY SOMETHING NICE ABOUT THE PERSON THAT SENT THIS TO YOU.
He has been a consistently good friend who I met from an industry that has proven to be consistently inconsistent.
30. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
I only ever put them up here. I have too many friends who get shitty at me for forwarding questionnaires in the past.
31. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK FIRST?
See above.
