blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2008-07-23 07:54 pm
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Nun of that!

Back to punctuation in a moment, but first, a few 'we're not willing to finish being a pilgrim' moments. On Tuesday night there were hordes at Circular Quay station playing their tambourines and singing, I give them another four days before that sort of thing is met with an Offensive Behaviour charge.

This morning saw a large group of Argentine pilgrims on the train, all bound for the airport and thence New Zealand. Keep an eye out for those orange, yellow and red backpacks, Kiwis!

Then, at Central, I had a magical pilgrim moment.

There were three nuns, standing on a quiet part of the platform, dignified and graceful against the foggy clutter of the morning commuter traffic. Their white tunics and long white veils gave them an otherworldly air, blue scapulars fluttering lightly in the breeze, with elegant ropes of rosary beads across their left hips. They were young, smooth faces and joyful smiles, with clear complexions and perfect teeth. Where they French? I wondered. Scandinavian? I moved closer, until I could hear them speaking.

"So, you know, it was, like, really good!"

I managed not to giggle until I was at the other end of the platform, and wondered if it might not be worth suggesting to Californian orders that they work on that valleyspeak if they are committed to the whole dignity concept. But they were the sorts of nuns that would make schoolgirls consider vocations, even if they sounded like Buffy. Actually ... they could have been working a few weapons under those scapulars ...

People have been saying dumb things around me lately. Of a book: "It's really hard, the chapters are 10 pages long!" was wailed around the office yesterday. NB, this is the office of a publishing house. Of course, it doesn't beat last year's winning idiot comment:  "I still haven't read  the last three Harry Potters." "Well, you need to set aside some serious time to tackle big books like those." Heard in the office of what was then Australia's most prestigious magazine. Though I believe it was said by an ad rep.

Tonight's current affairs has brought a special moment, though. Joan Coates, an Australian member of the International Olympic Committee was on the 7.30 Report defending China, and expressing surprise at the pro-Tibet protests. "I mean, we could have had that here for our Olympics. We could have had people in Sydney protesting Iraq."

Yes. At the Sydney Olympics. In 2000. Moron.

[identity profile] emerald-dragon8.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
AHAHA. I watched a bit of the 7:30 Report but I missed that.

And it's good to hear that even people who work in publishing houses are lazy. :) Although not so good when you consider that they determine the books that are released.

[identity profile] deensey.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
Well, pre-emptively you realise. They could have been those sorts that see the future, and protested events that hadn't happened yet?
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[identity profile] meredyth-13.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
*stands by my Olympic boycott*

OMG! You do realise you just bunnied Joss for a series on weapon wielding, valley-speak nuns out there and doing it?

Of course, I did wonder briefly if a scapula was some kind of bone.

Poor New Zealand - 100% guaranteed to get all our rejects and refugees. ;)

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
It makes a pleasant change from sending them all to Nauru ...

I was happy to see them all rugged up properly, though. If they thought it was cold in Sydney this morning, wait until they hit Christchurch.

I would TOTALLY watch a Joss ninja nun series. Especially if it had singing.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
Luckily these were all magazine people, and I think yesterday's was really from the ad department, too.

Though I once had a chat with a book editor who was planning to get around to Shakespeare at some point.

Are you watching The Gruen Transfer? Did I just hallucinate an American add for a bedside gun rack? I'm scared!

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
Surely then they ought to have been protesting Tibet!

[identity profile] deensey.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
Oh no, in fact, I think they should have protesting the complete meltdown of civilisation as we know it in 2048. *shrugs* To each their own I suppose.

[identity profile] emerald-dragon8.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I am, and no, you didn't hallucinate! I'm just slightly scared for my life.
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[identity profile] meredyth-13.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
Am I the only one having horrible Sally Field Flying Nun visions right now? I seem to remember gratuitous singing and dangerous guitar wielding - not to mention the damage that hat could have done to innocent bystanders - standing 10 feet away.

If we have ninja nuns, we're going to have to have pirate nuns - it's a cosmic balance thing, you know?

Argh - then I tried to envisage a Captain Jack Sparrow Nun. I think my brain is bleeding.

I love getting on the plane from Brisbane to Melbourne or Canberra. My natural sadism kicks in when the pilot or copilot calmly announces 'and it's a balmy 8 degrees outside' and all those short and thong wearing buggers starting shivering and moaning. I imagine Christchurch has many similar moments.

[identity profile] deensey.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
Remind me to give you Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog, speaking of Joss and singing (but not nuns).

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
The Pacific will save us! They will be too tired to shoot straight by the time they reach our shores. Although I'm now not so sure I want to move back to England, it's a bit close ...
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[identity profile] meredyth-13.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
Oh dear, it's Wednesday, isn't it? I missed Spicks and Specks too. Bugger. Serves me right for the appalling shiny that is So You Think You Can Dance. *sporks self*

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
OOH! Yes please and I can send it down to meredyth, who missed it! LOVE YOU DEENSE!

[identity profile] deensey.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
Indeed! I can get you links for dling if you'd rather not wait. All parts are small

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
I am used to Christchurch, being a frequent visitor, but last winter it plummeted 15 degrees in 24 hours. People were hiding in the corners of buildings where the heat collected. I bought a length of wool and wrapped it around myself and my 11-year-old Kiwi friend.

"We look like orphans!" she complained.

"Yes," I replied,"but WARM orphans!"

I think pirate nuns may have already been done in the colonial period ...

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
It was good S&S ... Step away from the commercial TV, mere, come back to the ABC.

[identity profile] emerald-dragon8.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
Yay!! For once the ocean comes in handy. And to think, a year from now I'll be either in San Francisco or New York (or travelling between the two). Slightly alarming.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
2048?! I'd better finish that novel so I can build the compound.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
You are a sweetie. That would be lovely.

[identity profile] emerald-dragon8.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's a shame! You missed a U2 tribute band singing "Wake Up Jeff!" (Wait, is that how Jeff spells his name?)

[identity profile] deensey.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
You better. I figure J and I will build the canadian compound, but we can have tunnels connecting us.
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[identity profile] meredyth-13.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:21 am (UTC)(link)
Hmmm, I should be able to catch it on ABC2 tomorrow night, if I remember. If I wasn't a dance h0r I would never put up with the crap, but every so often a dancer gets up there that makes me tingle all over or cry like a baby. I don't suppose you saw the 15 year old boy in Aus? Long story if you didn't, but O.M.F.G. that boy was spirituality in dance - the sheer beauty of him moving had me in tears. I get emo just thinking about it. And he was such a gawky, earnest, sweet kid with braces. *happy sigh*

I shall return - although right now I'm contemplating my five minute steam shower before puffer routine, and trying to pry myself away from Fray fic and certain compatriots who keep posting and chatting about interesting stuffs.

:D
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[identity profile] meredyth-13.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
The WIGGLES Wake up Jeff?

*roflmao*

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:25 am (UTC)(link)
I am contemplating San Francisco, too. But it isn't like the rest of America. And you can catch the BART to Berkley, which is like Melbourne with funny accents.

New York isn't like the rest of the world, so you should be fine there, too.

[identity profile] emerald-dragon8.livejournal.com 2008-07-23 11:28 am (UTC)(link)
In time for Azkatraz? 'Cause that would be wonderful. I'm so nervous that I'm not going to know anyone and will act like a total loser and not talk to anyone, considering my history of social ineptitude. New York is a must-see. I just can't travel without going to New York.

Are you still planning to come to Canberra sometime?

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