Up Front by Emma Hart

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Up Front: The Doctor Will See You Shortly

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  • Idiot Savant,

    Big, big love to whoever it is at Prime who is getting this stuff over so fast, and indeed at all.

    I think they figured out that if they didn't, people would torrent it.

    TVNZ's snappy decision to screen "V" has just saved me some bandwidth. OTOH, whichever moron isn't screening Dolhouse only has themselves to blame.

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report Reply

  • kmont,

    Well, that was fun.

    I got to satisfy my curiosity and buying one/both of the books is on my list.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Any anecdotes?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • kmont,

    Robyn Gallagher would tell the anecdotes better.

    On twitter she summerised thusly:

    Highlight of the PA books launch: the naughty, funny stories from the fellow from the actual Reserve Bank.

    I enjoyed talking to the professional and baby journalists that seemed to be everywhere.

    Bob the toddler was pretty winning I have to say.

    Stephen Judd was on form as one of the most naturally sociable people I have ever met.

    Yeah it was good. I had to rush off early but I enjoyed meeting all the PA folks and various "friends of Russell".

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    "friends of Russell" with quotation marks like that sounds like some sort of drug code. Which it probably is, come to think of it.

    It was a lovely occasion. Kicking myself for not walking up to the person whose arm tattooes looked just like JackElder's gravatar.

    Then sociable Stephen and I fell for the oldest trick in the book: "You guys go ahead and get us a table". I'm quite positive I shall never see any of those people again.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    *blinks* *massages forehead with knuckles* *hopes "naturally sociable" is not code for "drank too much and would not shut up."*

    That was a good night, wasn't it? I resisted the urge to kidnap Bob for my Unspeakably Adorable Toddler collection, but only just. As for the adults, I am assuming that Russell has some sort of concealed device that lures clever and engaging people from their hiding places so they can be plied with liquor and anecdote.

    I'm a bit hungover but already cheered up by watching Kathy's face as she reads the Reserve Bank Annual introduction.

    gio: yeah, the guy with Jack Elder's tattoos was Jack Elder. I should have introduced you, being naturally sociable and all.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    Anecdotes? Well, let's just say that the word game that ended up with "GROGSLUT" was not inappropriate. Conversations about the origins of the Derby name "Glam Flaps" and the dangers of saying "cut links" too quickly on the radio nearly brought on a respiratory crisis in one of our esteemed authors. And long after the relatively sensible among us had departed for restorative bowls of congee, a very suggestive and possibly scandalous Twitter conversation was maintained between [redacted] and [you know who].

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Thanks everyone, that was a lovely evening with lots of excellent conversation. I was just a tiny bit hungover this morning.

    And how good was it that Dr Don Abel, an actual Assistant Governor of the Reserve Bank, unexpectedly turned up and spoke at the launch at Parliament? What a dude!

    Thanks also to Grant Robertson and Jen Toogood, and to Matawhero wines and Monteith's for helping the party flow.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Then sociable Stephen and I fell for the oldest trick in the book: "You guys go ahead and get us a table". I'm quite positive I shall never see any of those people again.

    We turned up! Eventually. You were gone, and it was shut. So we did... some other things.

    I had a fabulous time, and everyone was just lovely. I got up about an hour ago.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    It was a choice evening, especially meeting Dr Don who seemed really enthused by the goings on.

    There need to be more PA events in Wellington. Srsly.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    And how good was it that Dr Don Abel, an actual Assistant Governor of the Reserve Bank, unexpectedly turned up and spoke at the launch at Parliament? What a dude!

    I didn't hear what he had to say due to being mesmerised by his resemblance to Norman Lloyd.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Is that the actor from St Elsewhere?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    The very same.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I had a fabulous time, and everyone was just lovely. I got up about an hour ago.

    Ha. My friends Kerry and Jo had me on the road heading for the first garage sale (three in Island Bay alone) shortly after 8am.

    Our five-hour grassroots retail tour also took us to a Hutt Valley church fair that was way too Jesus-y and the the avenue of delights that Petone has become.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • kmont,

    Oh and "sociable Stephen" is a compliment of course.

    I am supposed to be playing Anti-Monopoly right now but instead I am dipping in and out here.

    How unsociable.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Hosking,

    I had a ball and came home telling myself I really need to get out more.

    I owe a beer to several people whose cigarettes I bludged. Mouth like a mountaineer's sock when I woke up though.

    Great to put some faces to names, too.

    The Don Abel thing...loved it. I doubt that in any other country someone holding a position like Assistant Reserve Bank governor would come along to an event like that.

    I find it difficult to get nationalistic and chest-beaty about the usual things (not even the ABs, these days) but I do feel a swell of national pride when I see examples like that of a kind of low key unforced Kiwi informality.

    Ummm.. a swell of national pride in a sort of informal, low key way.

    If you see what I mean. You probably don't.

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Our five-hour grassroots retail tour also took us to a Hutt Valley church fair that was way too Jesus-y

    Boy, did you come on the wrong weekend.

    The Don Abel thing...loved it. I doubt that in any other country someone holding a position like Assistant Reserve Bank governor would come along to an event like that.

    Hear, hear. And blast I didn't get to talk to you.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Ha. My friends Kerry and Jo had me on the road heading for the first garage sale (three in Island Bay alone) shortly after 8am.

    I was up at 8am, Still. I blame Megan.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I was up at 8am, Still. I blame Megan.

    Can't wait for Megan's account.;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    I am supposed to be playing Anti-Monopoly right now

    “I think it's wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly.”

    Steven Wright

    Had to post that didnI.
    But wait, there's more.

    “I was at this restaurant. The sign said "Breakfast Anytime." So I ordered French Toast in the Renaissance.”

    Steven Wright

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan,

    The Don Abel thing...loved it. I doubt that in any other country someone holding a position like Assistant Reserve Bank governor would come along to an event like that.

    When he introduced himself to me and Robyn by saying "Hello, I'm Don Abel, I'm from the Reserve Bank", I believe I blurted out "Whatever, you are not." And then when he said he was an assistant governor, I may have done it again.

    Seriously, coolest thing ever.

    I was up at 8am, Still. I blame Megan.

    From my Twitter profile:

    I blame @ghetsuhm for anything that happens henceforth
    2:56 AM Nov 28th

    Yep, totally @ghetsuhm's fault.
    6:33 AM Nov 28th

    So it cannot possibly be my fault.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    When he introduced himself to me and Robyn by saying "Hello, I'm Don Abel, I'm from the Reserve Bank", I believe I blurted out "Whatever, you are not." And then when he said he was an assistant governor, I may have done it again.

    When he introduced himself to us before the launch, my first thought was the opposite: "Oh, how interesting that someone from the Reserve Bank turned up. He might be in for a bit of a shock!" Then when he was about to leave he said "Oh, and Bollard has a message for you: he knows where you live".

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    Oh, and here are some photos from the formal part of the evening, thanks to the wonderful Mike Roseingrave.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Thanks for the photos Tom.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    what lovely photos, Tom. It looks like everyone had a thoroughly nice time.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

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