Hi Jaycar,

Congratulations on producing the most useless map. Ever.

Regards,
Gizo

Bookboy on ceasing to read a book you’re not enjoying, and choosing one you do…

You will be happier. Your face will glow. People will find you more attractive. The world will be a better place.

You may even win the lottery.

(link)

“Christmas on Mars” interview with The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Pt. 1 » Scene-Stealers

Have not watched it yet, hope to over the weekend…

(I read that title somewhere in a Sugargliders or Steinbecks space)

I just sent Kym off to her last market for the year, and was about to get Harvald ready for our grocery shopping.

Fired up the ‘pooter to listen to some Gary Numan (he’s apop-star, and he’s got his pilot’s license - how cool is that?).

And that’s when I saw the little red ‘1′ on my mail icon. I clicked, looked, and saw the title of the waiting email - ‘Final Update from Raleigh - We’re coming home!’.

Fuck yeah!

(Dammit, I’m starting to tear up)

I just finished setting up the secondary stereo in the front room. Huge thanks to gonty for the re-loan of Dad’s Marantz, and the speakers.

It’s a refreshing setup - I love the old Marantz, and I love having the boot rack (cheers, Vetti) back out in the open.

To test out the new setup, there really was only one choice of album. ‘The Soft Bulletin‘. I really cannot describe how much this album rocks. The only downside to the album is the lurking knowledge that the Lips will never produce anything as great as this again.

So I stand up, I say ‘Yeah!’, and I try not to think about the end….

UPDATE: I also am moved to stand up and say ‘ah crap it’ - because my CD player is still a bit dodgy. Seems like the laser loses sight of the disc every now and then. It’s amazing how off-putting a tiny gap in sound can be.

SECOND UPDATE: I have corrected spelling, for Crumpet. It’s been a rough day, okay?

…and i laugh…

(linkage)

It is with pride in my heart that I acknowledge my Italian heritage (there is some, tucked away somewhere in there), and let you all know that tonight I enjoyed the company of a good friend, some delicious bolognese, and finished off the superb bottle of Italian Red that Vetti and Joff gifted me for my birthday.

Squoot!

Dear Paul and Crumpet,

Thanks for coming to visit the Hardman and me. It was nice to catch you up together. Thanks also for the DVD.

Please accept my apologies for being rather boring.

Here is a picture of the seal we saw in Sorrento, taken with my silly phone. Enjoy it in spirit, if not quality.

Hugs,
gizo

I’ve just been reading this interesting piece from New York Magazine (and yes, I found it on Coudal).

Striking quote:

Which makes me think, North Americans have the most advanced shoes in the world, yet 90 percent of us still develop problems? We’ve long assumed this means we need better shoes. Maybe it means we don’t need shoes at all.

It’s a bit of a discussion about shoes, walking and modern society I suppose. While reading I was thinking about how much I love my Campers - how it feels right to be close to the ground, and flat. My two main shoes are the Campers, and a pair of Redback Boots (Bobcat UBOK’s). The Redback’s do feel comfortable, they’re great for the garden, and look a treat under my denims. But they pale in comparison to the Campers, which are soft, flexible, lightweight and still heavily spunky.

Barefoot is something I do enjoy - I try to spend a lot of time at home barefoot - but the winter, and the mulch in the backyard can make it a bit cold and hurty - but I am getting used to it.

As an aside, the Hardman - while he loves his shoes - is always much happier barefoot.

I don’t really want to bring the mood down with job discussion, but Wildschwien threw down the gauntlet with this comment:

I should probably get a job in an office.. I work as a gardener for a bunch of rich people. It’s my self-enforced ‘break’ from everything related to my degree. It has its moments. I spend my days mostly pruning, raking, weeding, occasionally planting something, and all the while silently plotting the proletariat revolution…

I think that actually sounds pretty fun, I’m sure Kymbo would enjoy that - although she’d probably want to work for community based gardens rather than rich-folk (I’d be telling her to milk the rich too, though).

In response to Wildschwein - I work as a project guy for a bunch of rich people. It is my ‘reward’ for failing to get a degree. It has it’s moments. I spend my days mostly researching, planning, organising, writing proposals, and occasionally butting heads with the CEO, all the while silently plotting more time at home with the Hardman and Miss Kymbo.

So my dear readers - what do YOU do? Feel free to respond in the ‘Wildshwein format’, or not.

Also - if you are one of the smarties who got a degree - do tell what it is all about, wont you….?