It's Friday night and I've watched 3 programmes I didn't want to see. I went into town today and it's a nightmare of cars and idiots. There was an LCD screen outside the parking building:
Litchfield: 11
Manchester: Full
Cashel: 3
BlahBlah: 2
That was how many parks were left in each parking building. And unlike most of those 'Hidden Queue' signs and stuff, the numbers were accurate. Every time a vehicle entered or exited the numbers changed.
My aim for this weekend is not to go anywhere near the central city. Lions fans are rampant. I got stuck behind 6 campervans today, and all I did was drive from New Brighton to St. Martins.
Today I cut a story I'd written from 10,360 words to 3,000. You'd be amazed how it focuses a piece of writing. Once I cut the extraneous, indulgent exposition, I was away laughing. (Maniacally)
Campbell Live answers very few of the questions I want answered. Could he be any more grateful to his interviewees? "Oh thank you, oh it's so great to have you here, oh you're amazing, oh my heart is pitter-pattering."
Yeeech.
You know what I want? An answer to this email. The original email (I'll forward it to you if you're interested) was sent 21 March. This most recent one I sent 10th of June. No response, as of yet.
Hi Mr Franks,
I’m still very keen to see that response. Any idea of timeframe yet? Particularly interested given your view on the “smacking law” – you know that there’s no point in saying “Oh but I didn’t mean for people to take the law *that* way”. It just doesn’t wash, as I heard you say on radio news this morning. Once it’s in the law people will use it. So how do you defend the legislation *you* introduced?
I’m really, really keen to see that response. Even a draft version would be good.
Thanks again
[Phreq]
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Franks [mailto:Stephen.Franks@parliament.govt.nz]
Sent: Friday, 22 April 2005 3:57 p.m.
To: [phreq]
Subject: RE: Human Rights Act
Sorry
Spurred by your challenge I am aiming to write a comprehensive piece, for wide distribution. It has yet to materialise.
Regards
Stephen
If you're pissed off about this guy taking months and months to answer a simple email (email me at phreq@stonesoup.co.nz for a copy of all the dialogue) from a genuine voter/constituent/emailer/shit-stirrer, then email him at Stephen.Franks@parliament.govt.nz and ask him where this comprehensive piece for wide distribution is.
On another topic, today I got a dog bowl, a pair of hand-knitted woollen socks, and a large corner-pillow from the Sallies for $5. Sock has taken over all three.
I love Sock. She is a lovely, complex, delightful personality. I still can't imagine getting another cat yet - Ruby Tuesday was just too special - but having Sock back means I can paint again. It was so strange. While she was away, I couldn't draw or paint anything worthwhile. I don't know why. I'm just intensely grateful that the spark came back with her.
I gave Sock a paw massage today. It's a big thing for a dog to let you handle their paws, so it was really nice to se her completely relax and close her eyes as I rubbed her toes, 'cos it means that she feels safe with me and safe in our house.
You know, having Sock makes me more sure than ever that I should not be a parent. I have so much respect for people who can parent effectively. I find it hard enough to avoid passing on my problems to the dog! Well, not quite - but you know, having to get up and walk the dog twice a day - it does give my life a sense of obligation/purpose even when I don't want to move. But I'd hate to put a kid in that position. It's okay to have a pet because you're "needy", but a child requires a degree of selflessness that I just don't have.
I can't believe the amount of crap I have watched on TV tonight. House was vaguely amusing, America's Next Top Model was predictably vapid, and Rove is an unconnected orgy of clapping and shrill voices.
Posted by phreq at June 24, 2005 11:03 PM | TrackBack