I’m blogging again.

Where to begin? There’s too much to cover (there usually is), and I don’t want my first update in months to be a rambling mess. So when things seem tricky, one must turn to lists. Here be two, in no particular order:

CURRENT TOP TEN

1. Cube Root of Book by Paul Magee — two thirds through and I’m hooked, with its balance of almost-too-intellectual wordplay and sneaky, gobsmacking sincerity. This guy was one of my favourite teachers at Uni; opened up a whole lot of doors and windows on poetry, he did, for me at least.
2. Darren Hanlon — been reading his online tour journal lately and revisiting his albums, EPs and songs. I listen to Old Dream and I tear up and I don’t know why but I love it and him.
3. East West 101 — just started on this and it’s already the best Aussie crime drama I know. Probably my favourite anywhere, after The Wire.  But I dislike most other crime dramas. Anyway, look! An Australian cast that isn’t predominantly white!
4. The Lost Thing — deserved the Oscar. Shaun Tan is amazing. I gave him a glass of water once.
5. You Are Here festival — an excellent inaugural fringe arts festival for Canberra. Good stuff. Especially the bread. And Tom Doig’s Selling Ice to the Remains of the Eskimos. Full on. Still processing it all, a month later.
6. Living in Canberra again — it’s lovely.
7. Myth, Propaganda and Disaster is Nazi Germany and Contemporary America: A Drama in 30 Scenes by Stephen Sewell — I love works with long titles. I read this as a script rather than seeing it performed and I was satisfied. Intense and brain-sparking.
8. National Young Writers Month — it’s coming up in June and I’m the ACT Ambassador. Woo! Get amongst it, under-25ers.
9. $8 one-kilo banana loaf — bananas are still expensive, but this is big, discounted and delicious
10. Getting engaged — yup, it’s pretty awesome.

CURRENT BOTTOM TEN

1. THE COLD — IT’S REALLY FRIGGIN COLD.
2. Money, or lack thereof — I could do with some more paid employment, thx.
3. Jerkface real estate agents — I don’t want to buy your overpriced apartment, especially when you tell me it’s not so bad if my fiancée dies, you soulless arse.
4. Blessed — maybe my expectations of Andrew Bovell were too high after being floored by When the Rain Stops Falling and Lantana, or maybe it was the other co-writers, but this just seemed needlessly depressing and meh in comparison.
5. queues — just had enough of them this week, thanks.
6. The response of most people when I tell them of my Canberra move — stop acting like I’ve told you I have cancer. If you actually lived here for a while you’d see beyond stereotypes and how it’s actually kind of great.
7. A Commercial Farce — When a character is meant to be obnoxious, he shouldn’t be so obnoxious that the audience cannot stand him being on stage. Also, your first running gag should draw you in, not be obnoxious. Verdict: obnoxious and not very good.
8. Coming up with a Bottom Ten — either life is really good or I am too positive. Hmm. OH!
9. My breadmaker being on the fritz — I added yeast! Why don’t you cook good?
10. Any Royal Wedding hoohaa — seriously, why do people care about this?