between grief and nothing

1. This album has been on constant loop the past few days, enough that I feel obliged to buy a copy when it’s properly released. Another Canadian band, of course – funny how they weren’t Canadian until I spent two years in Canada, eh? waiting at arrivals by the baggage carousel  time can be a … Continue reading →

hard to look right at you (or: a slightly hysterical post)

The walls of solitude are pressing closer in these days, and my only recourse is sloth, which defines the days I don’t have to work. Sometimes I marvel at my lack of originality – the only lives I dare lead are the ones I’ve already seen writ large in books, fiction, novels, everything from someone’s … Continue reading →

christmas in august

1. That’s how the Kiwis celebrate it, apparently? I went to a Christmas party Friday night – it should be worrying that it took me a few minutes to remember if it was last night or the night before. It was a friend’s boss’ party, so it was mostly an older crowd: chiefly startup entrepreneurs, … Continue reading →

these streets have too many names for me

This song is gorgeous … and I never knew this was what Paolo Nutini looked like /o\ And he’s Scottish! This is the acoustic version; the album version is here, and it’s smoother and more polished, but, you know, both are evocatively poignant. I think about leaving all the time now. Understandably, partly because some of … Continue reading →

a much-needed break

I have been hit by a particularly intense bout of laziness this weekend. I was supposed to go windsurfing on Saturday but felt strangely reluctant to make my way down to East Coast, so I begged off on the premise that it was raining. Technically, it was raining, and when it stopped, it was too late … Continue reading →

if I could take you away

I meant to post last night after an absolutely uplifting day but then I received a lovely letter and spent the rest of the night (and my introspective energy) replying it. Some highlights: – A good double-block with one class today: I managed to memorize all most of the 36 girls’ names in about 15 minutes. … Continue reading →

little mercies

(I mentally started this list on Tuesday, I think, and accumulated.) Things that I am grateful for: 1. Not having to teach the first block / having my first class of the day at 11.05 am. 2. Being able to say bye to two lovely girls as they head to the US of A for … Continue reading →