Don't make me use my handbag!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Something smells... and for once, it ain't Bing. :-)
It's ROTORUA!!!
Yeppers, that's where we find ourselves this sunny Friday, second-to-last day of the year, on our great North Island mission trip. I mean, advencha. Whoops - been reading the CEMissions blog too much. Speaking of travels, I think CEers have NEVER been as spread out as they are this Summer. Two missions trips at the same time, the Hong Kong Ding Dongers (see Carmi's blog, etc.), Jacqui, Bing (p.s. he's blogging too... check it out for details of our trip) and I, the Cromwellians, and of course, the CEers for life all over the world.
Wicked.
This is probably not gonna be a long'n, we're just in the internet cafe waiting for our laundry to be cleaned. Hopefully it won't come out smelling like sulphur, unlike the rest of this stinkin' town.
Stayed the night in a backbackers last night, above an Irish pub (with a gen-u-ine Irish Band playing 'til the early hours). Good deal for a tenner. And the best sleep I've had all trip (there's NOTHING like being woken up to Jess' younger brother singing THAT Natasha Beddingfield song on Singstar early in the morning!), which is good - driving is killing me! We've already cracked the 1000km mark, and for insurance purposes, I'm the only one who can drive.
But oh, we're having fun. Oh yes. And tomorrow night we're spending New Years' Eve in Tauranga with Lyds... and anyone else who turns up. We've been guilt-tripping Roslyn (who we had lunch with yesterday at her new place in Tauranga - although she neglected to mentioned she'd moved until after we visited her old place...) into coming (she's so easy to guilt-trip! :-) )- hopefully that'll work. Wicked. I've got a big box of fireworks too. Suh-weet.
I'm quite exhausted, though, and looking forward to getting back to Welly. Sunday or Monday is the plan. We might stay at Sharon's in Hastings on the way South - not that she knows it. We haven't needed to use our tents, yet. Maybe we will tonight...
In other news, us Royal Terrace boys have suddenly been sprung with a few suprise issues regarding our rent - and none of us are around to fix it. So there have been some desperate e-mails sent around (especially by Jeremy, he's really desperate. Hehe)... here's hoping it'll all work out. Like your face.
Again, my 'not going to be a long'n' prediction has failed. I am indeed a false prophet. But you guys are so fun to write for! :-) Speaking of Pirates of the Carribean (I didn't? Oh.), we had a 'discussion' at Jess's 21st (which went OFF, by the way. Awesome time) about the 'Which movie hero are you?' quiz that went around the blogosphere a few weeks ago. I couldn't believe everyone though Indiana Jones was better than Captain Jack Sparrow. What PUNKS! Everyone knows Captain Jack is so much cooler. Gosh!
In sad news, Vincent Schiavelli has just passed on. I always enjoyed his character acting and his instantly recognisable face, second only to the great Luis Guzman. I will miss him.
And his face.
And, to finish on a thought (not that I've had much time for thinking this holidays, which I'm looking forward to being able to do again!), I've caught up with a few family friends, and they ask me what I've been up to, as you do. But the thing is, when I talk about what's been going on, my life sounds insanely boring. Which I'd be fine with, if it were true. But I consider my life to be incredibly exciting, yet I can't seem to express the how or why of it. So, I dunno.
That wasn't a very good thought. How about this one: what's the deal with printed toilet-paper? I mean, who the heck really wants pictures of sea-shells on it? That's just weird.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Last post of the year?
For once, I won't secretly curse your name if you don't check my blog over the coming week. But come oh-six and the curses'll be up and running again. Tomorrow I leave town, for 7 or 8 days. On a North Island adventure through the mist, through the woods. Through the darkness and the shadows. It's a nightmare, but it's one exciting ride. I'm going to Disney jail for that.
But yes, I and my erstwhile companions are throwing caution and planning into the wind by not actually organising anything and seeing what happens. Wait a second, what exactly does erstwhile mean? Maybe I don't mean that. Who knows. I could check, but.
Just saw King Kong with the folks today. Good heavens, I've never needed to pee so much in my entire... well, all year. I think. Took quite a while to kick in as a film, but I enjoyed it. Similar to Narnia in a lot of respects (mainly in the way I don't want to see either of them again, but still enjoyed them). More injokes, which was nice (I loved the Sumatran Rat Monkey cameo! I must say, I missed PJ's, if he had one...)
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. And not a bit of wringing my heart out before God. I'm understanding things a little better now, I think. I came up with a pretty good triple-allegory too, which was going to make a wicked blog post. But I'd probably confuse the issue, so I'll let that one slide for now.
To be honest - and this is possibly wishful thinking, kinda - one of the things I'm looking forward to about this holiday/adventure the most is hanging out with Christians. We may not end up talking deep talks and whatnot, but that's cool. I think it'll be really healthy, anyway. Refreshing.
Went to Christmas carols with the folks last night - Jacqui was there with her (extended) family too, which was cool. This has been the least Christmassy Christmas ever for me - partly because of work and rehearsals taking all my time. Partly because I'm still sorting something out with God... but partly because I don't really think it should be too different from any other day of the year. Not in a Scroogey way, but the other way. Every day should be filled with what Christmas represents. Except presents, I suppose. And drunken relatives. Maybe.
And now, to leave with some Christmas-related fun...
The Australian Prime Minister urges his nation to follow the example of Jesus Christ, Santa vs Jesus - the battle of the brands and a funky Christmas light-show (video).
Isaiah 9:6-7a
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of his government or of peace...
Friday, December 23, 2005
The magic of Disney...
Written on Tuesday morning
Actually, it's more like the magic of musical theatre. There's a point where a show suddenly comes together during rehearsals, and every further rehearsal builds upon that magic. This point happened this Sunday, and has been growing every night this week. It's the point where we finally see the show for what it could be, and our part in that, and how to get there. It's the point where the performers actually get excited to be a part of the production and can -and do - recommend it to people they know, because it WILL be spectacular. The point where the songs, the dance moves, the faces of your fellow performers (and crew) all get repeated over and over in your head. The point where you realise: THIS is why we do this. THIS is why we love musicals. THIS is the desire of my heart.
I'm gonna take a step back here, because all of you (almost?), my readers, don't know this side of me. I'm still shocked to see that it's still alive and well. I gave up performing - on a big scale, anyway - when I went to Dunedin. I'd always hoped to do musicals down there, but it never happened. But I knew - and hoped - that it would get resurrected in Wellington. And to see that part of me come back, like it was never gone, is weird enough. Especially considering that it's such a big part of who I am, in my heart at least (as opposed to who I am as seen in what I do or say). And though you people have certainly seen glimpses of this side of me, and known of its existence, I must confess that I feel a little regretful (and strangely, slightly guilty, as if I haven't been completely honest. A false guilt, I think) that I never let you see this side of me, this side of me that I had BEEN from 1982 to late 2000. The dramatist.
And as a dramatist, I am prone to gross exaggerations. Such as the above paragraph. Inflated as it may be, it's still the truth. But now, we return to your regular scheduled programme (which, I might add, I am determined to continue in spite of lagging readership. As one of my favourite verses - Habbakuk 3:17-18 - says, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.")...
Interestingly enough, the point of no return coincided with the first and only cast party (with an approximately 66% attendance rate - mostly the dancers) on Sunday. Which certainly amplified its effect, because that was also the point of social cohesion. If you know actors, you'd know that (despite their often melancholic temperament) they like to party. But...
Written today - Friday:
And that's how busy I've been. I haven't been able to finish my a sentence I wrote on Tuesday morning until today. Before I do, I'll slip in this factoid: I am again unemployed. The last two/three days of work and rehearsals have been so incredibly busy, I'm excited about my break. Hopefully I'll have a retro- and pro-spective blog up this weekend, but for now I'll just finish that thought....
"But..." many actors put so much of themselves into their work that once it's over - or put on hold, as in this 10 day period - they can get very depressed. I am one such. February is going to be the cruelest month for me. But even this break is going to be hard, missing that constant energy and fun and focus and... all that. Fortunately I'll keep reasonably busy... Anyway, we'll burn that bridge when we come to it, as it were. Until then, I'm happy to express some feelings that have been strangely supressed (repressed?) over the Otago era of my life. And to discover more and more who I am, and - it seems - what various (and valid) passions I do have...
Monday, December 19, 2005
Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more.
Three more days until I'm unemployed. Although perhaps it would be better looked at as 'on holiday', because I reckon I'll get another temp job (at least) reasonably soon in the New Year. I wonder if I should bother getting the benefit again...
Well, you don't want to hear about all that, do you? Nope. You want to hear about my crazy weekend. Actually, the weekend before was pretty crazy too, what with Carmi and her mother showing up, and other things. But back to this one just been. Bing bong came over on Friday night and we just talked (I know, what's up with that? Isn't that a chick thing?). Only briefly about next week's adventure, but it was really good just to chat with him in general. I woke up at 8:30 the next morning and found Dave P's moving company had called my cellphone - 20 minutes earlier - to say they'd be at the storage place in 20 minutes. I rushed there (having slept terribly) and got there at 9 to find them waiting outside. It didn't open until 9:30. Anyway, long story short, we stuffed all our... er, stuff... into a tiny room. It took well over an hour and a lot of heavy lifting, but I'll tell you what - did it ever wake me up!
Anyway, as I was leaving, Sharon texted to suggest a trip to the beach. She was down from Hastings for the weekend, after her operation. The weather turned evil on us in the afternoon, so we did some chores in town and then looked around Mirimar for a bit (took a photo of the King Kong boat - I still haven't seen that film, I'll possibly wait until Christmas day, see it with the folks. If I can wait that long), then cruised off to Fidels where we yummed up a muffin and a brownie and drank tea. Again: good times. I went home and played guitar until evening, then went to see The Constant Gardener (I think there's a 'the' there) allll byyyy myyyysellllf. Much better than I anticipated, I thought it was going to be a harsh conscience film, like Hotel Rwanda. There'll probably be some Best Actor nominations for that film, and probably best adaptation too. Quite enjoyable, I'm glad I went (I spent 30 minutes trying to convince myself to go, then resorted to watching the trailer online, which worked).
Sudnay was rehearsal from 11-4:15, which was great fun - it finally came together. It no longer feels like we're doing snippets of song and dance numbers, it's a full musical now. And I can honestly say it's going to be really fun to watch (and be in, natch). And the costumes should be pretty funky too. We haven't even started performances and I'm eager to do another musical after this one - partly because I want a proper role, next time. If I can get one, that is. We had the B&B Christmas party after that, just around the corner from my home. That was also great, although there were quite a few absentees. Had a cool chat with Russ the weather guy, he's a nice chap. Wants to own a vineyard, apparently. Seems like a large chunk of the cast is leaving Wellington right after the show, to go to Auckland or overseas to further their acting careers. Which is good for them, but a shame, because I feel like I'm just starting to get to know the Wellington musical theatre scene people. Too bad.
It also brings up the old desire of acting/film-making as a career. Which I like to be reminded of, even though I'm committed to working in law for now. I guess, however, part of me believes that once I'm in law, I'm not going to leave it. Because of the security of a law career (and the perks) versus the instability of entertainment industry careers. Plus I'm not one for big lifestyle changes (or small ones, generally). Well, there's no use in thinking about this all now. I've made my bed, now I've gotta lie in it. Or as Kelly Bundy once said, "you wet your bed, you sleep in it." I used to love that show (Married... With Children).
Here's a brief video that is rather... humorous.
And here's a short passage I found from Charles Spurgeon which beautifully sums up something I've tried to say, in my longwinded way, many a time.
"I am taught in one book to believe that what I sow I shall reap: I am taught in another place, that 'it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.' I see in one place, God presiding over all in providence; and yet I see, and I cannot help seeing, that man acts as he pleases, and that God has left his actions to his own will, in a great measure.
Now, if I were to declare that man was so free to act, that there was no presidence of God over his actions, I should be driven very near to Atheism; and if, on the other hand, I declare that God so overrules all things, as that man is not free enough to be responsible, I am driven at once into Antinomianism or fatalism. That God predestines, and that man is responsible, are two things that few can see. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory; but they are not. It is just the fault of our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other.
If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring."
In the Christmas Spirit, here's a snippet from T.S. Eliot's Journey of the Magi:
"Birth or Death? There was a birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt I had seen birth and death.
But had thought they were different, this Birth was
hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our palaces, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
with an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death."
And finally, a brief note from Phil Baker's blog (see sidebar for link):
"The shallow view of Christmas - it's just about family and presents.
Ephesians 1 gives us the deeper meaning of Christmas: "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son."
So there's the deeper meaning of Christmas - it's about family and presents."
God Bless you all!
Saturday, December 17, 2005
I've been tagged... right through the heart.... blurgh.
Thanks, Abbey.
Here are five weird habits that I have:
1. I spend a disturbing amount of time staring at strangers;
2. When I'm doing this, one of the things I'm doing is imaging their inner monologue - how it sounds and what they're saying.
3. When I'm walking up/down stairs I automatically start counting how many there are;
4. Apparently I mumble when I eat;
5. I always bite my fingernails in a cinema.
And I'm going to Grinch out on this one and NOT pass it on. Muhuhahaha.
Proper blog coming soon, probably Monday.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Three interviews, three denials. Now I know exactly how Jesus must have felt.
I did not get the job. I'm not discouraged, but it's a bit of a shame. And it does mean that I probably won't get a job for at least another... 6 weeks, I suppose. Until the end of January, when the firms start back up again. It's all good. Maybe I'll get that pedestalised Crown Law job after all.
Well, to the comments, then. There were a few worthy of reply, I think. The firewall at work has a pop-up blocker, but I can still use bloglines to read 'em.
Abbey: Your comment got my hopes up. I kept thinking how cool it would be if you suddenly turned up in New Zealand to surprise us all, and thinking how I'd react (and thinking of doing the same thing to you, and how you'd react). Even now part of me wants to believe you've got some secret plan. Bad girl! :-)
Carmi: There. There's your name. I'm so CRUEL!
Scott: Thanks, I hope I get the job t- oh. Well, thanks for the thought. :-) And your reassurance. I'm still feeling positive about the whole thing, and I've got enough money to last me the few weeks until I can get another temp job (and enough rehearsals to keep me busy). It's those pesky new Profs graduates that get me. Taking my jobs, no doubt, grrr... :-)
Rehearsals are getting quite tiring. And sweaty, very sweaty. Which is good. Problem is, I'm so pumped with adrenaline by the time I get home, I have trouble sleeping (which, since I've been back in Wellington, hasn't been a problem like it used to be). Can't win 'em all, I guess. A shorter rehearsal tonight, then the next two days off. I'm considering going to Carols by Candlelight in the caketin on Saturday evening, but I'm not incredibly inspired by the thought. Maybe I'll see King Kong instead. Or Constant Gardener, which I really should see. Should.
I just realised how long it's been since my last good jam session on my guitar(s)! Probably this weekend just gone, but given my old 2-hour-a-day routine, it's quite a shift. Hmm. Musn't get rusty, oh no (as the tin woodsman said to the scarecrow). Hmm, speaking of the Wizard of Oz, I seem to be acting a lot... camper, now that I'm in Beauty and the Beast. Not in a gay way, in a... dramatic way. Kinda like I used to in the olden days. Comes from hanging around dramatic people, I suppose. And having a camp director. It's a laugh, though. Yes, like my face.
One final question - is anyone else here playing The Game? I just lost, by the way. And I wouldn't click on that link if you don't know what I'm talking about. You have been warned...
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near? No, really, why?
Holy frijole, I haven't blogged since Friday. I was gonna do it this weekend - honest - but something came up. Well, some things came up - I was busy, and when I was free I was in a bad mood (more later - perhaps). Monday came around, and I thought of blogging from you-know-where again (c'mon, Abbey, where would I be blogging from during the day on a weekday,hmm? :-) ), but it suddenly got crazy-busy at work! No, no, not 'crazy-busy'. That's a big call. Just busy. But with rehearsal and the like, my life has been crazy-busy! Okay, no, again. Crazy is too much. I think 'quite' is an appropriate intensifier. Quite busy. Busier than I have been in quite a while (yeah yeah, I know, that's not hard), but it could be worse. Not that it's a bad-busy.
But not as busy as some, huh Paul? Engaged???!!! Congratulations! I love how you just slipped that in the middle of a comment. Wowsers. May God bless your relationship with much joy!
I'm enjoying walking around Lambton Quay and The Terrace at lunchtimes. And eating, of course. But the walking, because of the people-watching. I'm finding it very interesting. I'm especially forcing myself to try and see/feel/experience the fact the God loves each and every person that I can see so very much... and that I need to too. Can be quite overwhelming.
Last week was a bad week. At least, sometimes. It was generally a normal week, but when I was alone... Things had been going downhill, spiritually, and were getting more and more dramatic. Not only did I feel bad, but I was bad. I did bad things, I reacted in bad ways, I interacted with people badly. I am - and was at the time - somewhat shocked at how bad things got. And for no obvious reason, except that I had (initially) let it happen by surrendering to sin. And - though I tried - prayer and praise seemed to offer only a very temporary respite from this inward location. I was getting to the point of asking for help from someone (yeah, I know, it's lame that I waited so long!) when I ended up getting some help anyway. Through talking about it, and prayer, and resolve, I'm back in God's rest. And ohhh, it's good to be back. :-)
So, that was my little adventure. That I somehow managed to squeeze in between work and full on rehearsals. And that I somehow managed to conceal from others (and myself) in my pride and in the illusion of prioritising. Speaking of Sunday (oh, it's up there somewhere. It's not? Oh. Well... oh.), I read an article from the New Scientist in the morning, just before going to church (The Rock - the sermon was on anger management, but Stacey and I had to leave a little early. Which is a shame, because we both have notorious anger problems). It talked about an experiment whereby patients were cut on the arms and the healing was timed. Those patients who had an argument with their partner took an extra day to heal. I found that fascinating, but I can't be bothered linking to the article right now. But that's food for thought. Which, when you think about it, is an interesting phrase. Food. For thought. Food.
Maybe I'm just hungry. I'm enjoying having lunch with people, that's cool. Got some Law School Buddies working down the road from me, we're having lunch today. I'll be keen to hear how they're finding the Russell McVeigh experience! Still no news on last weeks' interview, but I've just heard that the Napier job's a no-go. So I'm just waiting on this one. Doors are closing... I'd quite like this one, I reckon. I hope I get it.
Finally, things are looking hopeful for a post-Christmas roadtrip. I have the Bingster interested, and I'm searching for another recruit or two, and now I'm looking at places to visit. Most of you are probably already on the list, but if you have any suggestions, let me know! So, your question of the week: How can I make this the best roadtrip ever? Replies on a postcard to "PostSecret"... just kidding. Comments will do. :-)
Friday, December 09, 2005
A post from you-know-where...
I'm tired. At least, I am now, at 2:30pm on a Friday. Had rehearsal from 6-10:30pm last night, right after an 8:30-5pm working day. Eeek. To top it all off, I only just noticed yesterday how lame my spiritual life had become over the last week or two. Moreso this week. Oh well, recognising it is half the challenge, and it's all dealt with now. God's grace is, well, awesome. I wish I could be more emotive about that. Or about God in general, actually. Something I'm working on, softening my heart to Him.
I was going to lodge an official complaint: where are all my comments? Don't tell me the b'sphere's slow right now - sure it is, people are blogging a bit less, and my readership's dropped a little... but not THAT much! Then I realised, hmm, it must be me. Since people are reading, it can't be that people are sick of me or my blog, it must just be hard to comment on. And I accept that. It's hard to comment on because it's repetitive - work this, work that, God this, God that, movies this, movies that. And there's only so many times you can say something. I mean, I could write all about what I do at work, in minute detail, and that would be tough to comment on (unless it brought some sort of personal revelation with it).
Actually - admission time - I understand this issue because I experience it a lot, especially with the Missions Blog (oh, I'm a BAD person!). In fact, even with personal blogs I read them religiously (heh), and yet I always struggle to read reports on the Missions blog. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it's not about the writer in the latter blog, and I'm more interested in hearing about my friends. Although it can be irritating to have to read too much about the writer on some blogs (I know, hypocrite much?!)... or maybe that's something different, maybe that's person-specific.
Anyway, who knows. So I'll do my best to entertain you, while staying true to trying to keep this a non-public-opinion-swayed blog. 'Tis a very fine line. Unlike your face.
Jeremy graduated on Wednesday. I found that out on Wednesday night, after calling my old flat to say farewell (Jeremy and Carmi drove out yesterday). What a punk, not reminding me. Honestly! He'll be back in town as of tonight, probably for good. For now. Which... which is cool. But not as exciting as it should be. Maybe that's because I'm tired, or used to living without him (strange, given that we lived together for the last 5 years - although the first probably doesn't really count). Hanging out with the Carmster tomorrow morning will be cool - though I'll probably still be wasted. In the tired sense. Ahem. And meeting her Mum could be funny, I missed that last time. Hopefully it's sunny for the first-time Wellington visitor and her daughter. I have a feeling it'll be over all too quickly...
... and then maybe I'll see The Lion, The Witch and... gah. ' Narnia'. With Bing. And THEN on Saturday night I have a going away party for an old friend, which I'm looking forward to. Might be a few old mates there.
I am looking forward to Christmas. And beyond. Plans are afoot.
Wait, metric. Plans are a 0.3048 metres. Or perhaps an 0.3048 metres.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
How come I didn't mention this?
The dude I bought my first suit off (and nearly my second) looks reeeally similar to Mark Petersen - he from The Fast Show. I nearly burst out lasting when he quippingly asked whether something suited me. If only he knew (he clearly didn't, otherwise he wouldn't be able to say anything but "OoooOH! Suit YOU sir!" and the like).
Hmm. Kinda lingers.
The interview this morning went well... 50 minutes well. But... I dunno. I thought it was right on track with what I want to do, but maybe not. Maybe that job is too... commercial. They obviously sensed my concerns, as they started talking about the work they do (a lot of banks and finance companies) and never do (legal aid work). My lack of complete enthusiasm in this part will be what tipped the scales, if I don't get (offered) the job.
But perhaps it's showing me what I want to do: Private client litigation, and criminal law. Relating to people, not representatives. Helping people (which brings up so many issues I wish I'd already dealt with in my head). I don't know who does private client litigation (probably smaller firms, and they don't do much hiring)... probably the same for criminal. I just don't know how it works. The closest thing I can imagine to my ideal law job (note: that's still oxymoronic, but let's pretend) would be being on the Crown Law litigating team. Or is it? While the issues would be perfect, would I feel like I was on the Wrong Side (i.e. the government's)?
I should talk to a lawyer about all this. Preferably a Christian. And old and experienced. Very hard to find... oh! Prayer. Huh. I'll give that a go.
Work's going well - two days without my predecessor by my side. In fact, I completed a property transaction today: went to the bank, withdrew a cheque for $150,000, walked to the other party's law firm's office, and made the formal exchange. And signed for a last-minute change of obligations. I'm sure the novelty will wear off in time, but my solicitor-boss congratulated me. My first settlement. Hehe.
Right, it's almost time for Boston Legal; I should split.
Monday, December 05, 2005
I'm 1/8th Scottish.
You learn something new every day. My Dad's been digging around our ancestry to prove he's allowed to work in the U.K. And here I am with more than a touch of William Wallace in me. Now, all I have to do is prove that I'm part black and I will be the ultimate man.
Although, some would say I already am. Hopefully, that includes the interviewers tomorrow morning. I really need to brush up on my questions and answers. I didn't end up going to First Monday tonight, so I could prepare for tomorrow. But I haven't done any preparing yet, and it's 9:30. Almost bed-time.
It is when you've got an 8am interview. Eek!
I bought another suit today. Well, my Dad did, but I'm going halves with him. Funny thing was, the place had a sale last week, which wasn't going to be on today. HOWEVER they got distracted by their new Christmas window-display and hadn't gotten around to taking down the discount prices just yet, so when we arrived at lunch time, they had to give me $400 off.
Which was nice.
My other suit is probably a little nicer, though, but they're different. And that's important. I can't believe I'm talking - with relish (mmm) - about buying suits. On the other hand, it's very therapeutic following Saturday's debacle, which occurred slightly after blogging. I went down to the shop, for the last day of the sale, but I couldn't find a single park. And I drove past THREE TIMES. Now, I reckon it wasn't just bad luck. Anyway, I went psycho. Like, I NEVER go psycho, but I was fuming. I was totally road-raging, which I never thought I'd do. So I went straight home. It's interesting to see how far beyond our supposed limits we would actually go, often with very little provocation. Long story short, there was some big repentin' going on that evening.
Okay, I'm not really in the mood for writing any more... like what happened on Saturday night at Burger King, or the crazy coincidence at The Street church. So... sorry! :-)
Saturday, December 03, 2005
A Working Class Hero is something to be.
Not that I'm exactly working class. But then, neither was John Lennon. Maybe if we pretend it's a classy working hero. If you wanna be a hero, then just follow me.
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years,
Then they expect you to pick a career,
When you can't really function you're so full of fear,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
So, I'm a busy wee boy all of a sudden. Three rehearsal nights in a row are busy enough: starting work makes things crazy. From Wednesday night 'til midnight last night the only time I've had to myself has been for sleeping and eating. And... other functions. It's been fun. And now it's the weekend all of a sudden, and it feels like I'm unemployed again. And I don't have rehearsals until Thursday, and my parents are away this weekend, so things are dauntingly quiet. Which is actually quite nice.
Anyway, work. It's very similar to my Dunedin job, but with a more tradition, smaller firm. Yes, I'm the only male legal secretary, but I'm allowed to have morning tea with the (male) partners. Because I have a law degree, they tell me. It's strange enough that they have separate morning tea times. That's what happens when you work in the longest-established firm in town (though that's disputed). So, it's a very good job. But now that the woman I'm replacing has left, Monday's going to be quite scary. Given the number of times I mess up when she's helping me... naah, it'll work out. It's only property law, the worst that could happen is... well, I'd prevent a multimillion dollar transaction from occurring. Not so farfetched, believe me.
Anyway, that should be an interesting job, I think. And they've given me time off for an interview in the Hutt (at 8am!) on Tuesday, with a firm I'd really like to work for. So here's hoping. It's funny, working like I am now feels... impressive. Grown-up, responsible... more powerful, I guess. Or purposeful. But I'm still looking forward to a proper job - then I'll be able to settle down. And that's a big thing, otherwise I'm just holding my breath here.
I discovered that I have from Christmas to 3 Jan completely free. Who's up for a week of hijinks in the central North Island and surrounds? Seriously, I'm keen to do something. Let me know, yo.
I know there are some Ricky Jervais fans on here (wave to Scott, Justin and Joe), so they would definitely enjoy this site.
There are also plenty of Pirates of the Carribean fans out there (me too!). Hands up who knew that the trailer for the sequel came out yesterday?
Speaking of trailers, who remembers that '80s Tom Hanks film, Big? Well, do you remember THIS '80s Tom Hanks film, Big?
And three more interesting links that I have on my bloglines: Overheard in New York and Overheard in the Office (can get pretty crude, but usually very funny), and the thought-proving Postsecret...
Life group last night was fun - same gang as last week. Stacey and I are going on another church-hunting date tomorrow morning - to The Street. Dave O'Byrne is taking me to a film tonight to make up for something he forgot to do, which is very good of him. Wonder how he's doing. First Monday coming up, that'll be fun. But now, I noticed a Buy One Get 40% Off the Second Item sale at Satori, so I think I'll head into town. I need some pants to wear with my new shoes.
Good heavens, work, money, power... I am SO not turning into a Consumer. I'll be keeping an eye out for that!
Now, where are my keys...
EDIT: I forgot to mention that we have a new blogger in the ranks...