Posts by Jolisa

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  • Holiday Book Club,

    And for kids I recommend Kate de Goldi's 'The 10 pm question'.

    It's about one of those very anxious 12 year old boys. And realistic boy stuff. And has an eccentric girl character. And some family stuff. And a great male teacher.

    Seconded, and I'd add that it's a fine book for adults too - my favourite of the pile of NZ fiction I have been reading for review. It also has an excellent cat character. Called the Fat Controller. 'Nuff said.

    Amy, what did you make of Novel About My Wife? I liked it in spite of myself, and in spite of itself, if that makes sense. She's a very fine writer, but the plot was disturbing, in good ways and bad.

    Another two recommendations: Tobias Wolff's collected short stories (see rave in this week's Listener) and School of Love, Elizabeth Knox's book of essays (see rave in next week's Listener).

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    Great minds, Glenn!

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    Ah, Welly. A kinder, gentler class of nutters.

    So is it high tide on the Cheviera this evening? I'd have just abandoned the car and gone off for a swim.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    I, on the other hand, am doomed. I mean, not 'shot after a high speed car chase' doomed, but 'sitting hotly in standstill traffic on Great North Road for hours while wending my way to Oratia' doomed. Still, at least I'm prepared.

    Magic! So you're iphoning it in? That's devotion. Post of the week, I'd say. Can Russell hop on his bike and bring you a nice cold one?

    Having been to the grandparental refuge in question, there are far worse places to retreat too on a sunny Friday afternoon :)

    Yep. Wish I was there.

    And, speculating wildly in advance of the facts, but since when has purse-snatching been a capital crime in NZ?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    Or droolier. Not so good on the hills, but.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    Breaking: pickup accomplished, family retreated to grandparental refuge at the end of Pt Chev Rd. Phew.

    You're right, Ben, it would have been better on a bike, although tricky with two kids unless you've got one of those top of the line Dutch jobbies. Drool.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    I love the internet. I'm sitting in the dark in snowy New Haven on a Thursday night, e-mailing my bros and sis to suggest alternate routes home from work tonight on the basis of Russell's public service announcement about the one-off crazy Friday Pt Chev traffic. A message to the future!

    And I got this instant reply from one brother:

    Yers. [Wife] is stuck on Meola with an over-it [baby], aiming to pick [older kid] up by 3:30 -- from the corner of Gt North and Pt Chev roads -- against the flow of four lanes of motorway pouring off at Pt Chev exit... she has been on the road for 30 min so far. not too excellent! I am directing via txt from the Control Centre based on google maps and arcane / esoteric pizza delivery knowledge.

    whee.

    Not!

    Once they hook up all those CCTVs to Google Street View, it really will be just like being there...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Current Status: Holidays,

    As Dorothy Parker might have said, "I like to have a rofflenui, two at the very most; three I'm under the table, four I'm under the host".

    Maybe it has live whitebait in it, Japanese style? That'd make you roffle a little bit as it went down...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Southerly: Another One for the Kids,

    David, your problem is solved. If you write it, they will illustrate it.

    He is a handsome chap. Note the relatively smooth trouser fronts. Definitely a Prince Albert.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Southerly: Another One for the Kids,

    Otterly excellent story, by the way, David.

    Did you consider having the Princess skate on the frozen Thames? That could work, what with otters being river-dwellers and all. I doubt it will freeze again in our lifetime but poetic licence can and probably should make it so.

    Amy, that picture is unwholesomely cute, a perfect antidote to the one Prince Albert one.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

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