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 →

这世界滴滴点点全部都是你

Never watched the movie <那些年> but was introduced to the theme song my last day in HK, when we sang it with gusto at my first karaoke session. It popped into my head on the bus home from a late and very brief lunch with Zyd and as per my regrettable habit, has been on … Continue reading →