For those of us living in Better Britain, the volcano crisis may be a blessing. If the erupting continues, these ghastly people – toffs and chavs alike – may be unable to get here for the Rugby World Cup. So, ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses and be upstanding; for the toast is to – Valhalla.Chad Taylor on the future of the book in the digital age:
In less than two years, I'll probably be creating and selling my own ebooks via this blog and my author site, or via some similar online mechanism. The notion is empowering but more than a little melancholy. Writing is already a lonely business: when the publishing model changes, it will become even lonelier.If I get a free hour or three I’d like to comment on that: you are welcome to start the debate here or at Chad’s place.
Karl du Fresne on a Wairarapa house party:
Several in the audience drew comparisons with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and the analogy was apt. Not only was the lineup similar but the repertoire too; in fact some of the warmest applause was for Chambers’ rendition of the Gillian Welch song Elvis Presley Blues. Like Welch and Rawlings these two had the ability, with just two instruments, to keep their audience engaged – entranced is not too strong a word – for the better part of two hours; long enough to just about exhaust their repertoire.I would so be there for that. And I have been to that house, which is quietly spectacular, as is the New Zealand way.
Today is My Birthday starts out on on reality TV but:
I’ve gotten sidetracked by bad tattoos. Like this one. . . And this chick who I guess just really hates doggy-style.You so want to see this.
Dim-Post on vegetables:
The merits and drawbacks of removing GST on ‘health foods’ are interesting enough, but even more is the mystery of the spring onions that cost $3.00 at my local supermarket and $0.50 at the farmers market two minutes walk from the supermarket.The mystery is, why not grow them? FFS, if I can do it. . . But yes, farmers’ markets are ace. From the Cambridge one we get fruit and vegetables we don’t have in the garden plus fish, meat, cheese and loads of complicated things we could make at home – e.g. lime and ginger cordial – but can’t be arsed to.
In overseas news, London-based Mick Hartley on the reaction to the Foreign Office’s internal memo making light of His Popiness:
After all the paedophile scandals, finally the various assorted clergy can return to doing what they do best: aggrieved pomposity.He is also the place to go to for updates from North Korea and Sudan or general news about Islam as a religion of peace and kindness to women.
Are you now, or have you ever been - a columnist??
ReplyDeleteI think SS that there are a few orchards around Cambridge that would undercut the supermarkets. Our local was about a kilometre away.
ReplyDeleteOf course you have to organise yourself to get off your arse to go there, which you would be capable of doing - others not so.
Phil, I refuse to confirm or deny.
ReplyDeleteCK, there are indeed orchards here that provide a superior service, especially in blueberry season - we get the export version.
I had never thought of the Waikato as a fruit-growing region but we get fantastic apples, pears, feijoas etc etc, often picked that morning, the evening before at the earliest. However,it is not the Bay of Plenty - but then, where is?