Last Days in NZ, MBA progress

[tcpip]

After Wanganui headed back to Wellington. Alas, the fair town had been taken over by thousands of beer-swilling bogans going to the AC/DC concert and every hotel, motel etc had been booked (even the expensive ones). After a desparate tour around, even to Seatoun, Karaka, Maupuia etc, we gave up and headed north again to Porirua, the location where the classic Peter Jackson film Bad Taste was shot. Staying a dire motel (Jade Court) we made our way back in the early hours of the morning, lost three bottle of duty-free purchased booze at customs, and stumbled into Wellington international airport which, if possible, was more dire that the motel from the night before. To add poison to it all, the 'plane was extremely late and without announcement of this status.

Returning to Australia I received my results for my assignments for Information Systems and Marketing; credits for both. I was hoping for something higher (my default grade with minimum effort is a distinction), but given that I wrote both assignments whilst sitting in the OpenBSD hackathon with no prior preperation I shouldn't be too surprised. Exams are next week at which point I have completed a Grad Cert in Management (Technology Management).

In other news, received a delightful hand-written letter from bingo_mcdingo. I have a small mountain of reading material to get through, including that sent by mr_figgy and taavi, who will hopefully forgive me for my late response, especially given that I have just finished the grotesque historical fantasy The Sad Tales of the Brothers Grossbart; review pending.

Comments

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

You're the second to respond about slowly responding. As for what the other guy said, well, apologies in advance for the "flowery medieval dialogue". He also admitted he doesn't particularly like Fantasy...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I don't like most fantasy either. Now something like science fantasy (e.g., Moorcock) or historical fantasy.. That's an entirely different kettle of fish. :)

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

Well, you're not in for Hogwarts.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Well, according to the author, that's not fantasy :).

To which Terry Pratchett's gave a classic response..

His full response to Rowling's admission that she did not think Harry Potter was fantasy as she was writing it, was:

"I would have thought that the wizards, witches, trolls, unicorns, hidden worlds, jumping chocolate frogs, owl mail, magic food, ghosts, broomsticks and spells would have given her a clue?"

More: at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4732385.stm


Although I do confess I've been pondering on the marketing success of Potter and Twilight. My thoughts on popular culture swing between total disdain and detached analysis

Genuine Curiosity

[ghoststrider.livejournal.com]

So how are Australian-New Zealand relations? I'm sure your governments get along fine, but what about the people's views towards one another? Over here in America most people view the Canadians as socialist pussies who eat nothing but maple syrup and pancakes and they view us as crass capitalists who can't budget for the love of god and like to eat babies with Tabasco sauce.

I don't believe in either viewpoint, by the way.

Just wondering how Ozzies and Zealanders view each other across the Ditch.

Re: Genuine Curiosity

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Almost entirely with good natured humour. Both accuse the other side of having unusual sexual relations with sheep, and have a go at each other's accents (Kiwis say "fush and chups", Skippies say "feesh and cheeps").

Re: Genuine Curiosity

[ghoststrider.livejournal.com]

I really have to get good samples of each's dialects. I want to be able to speak in every English accent, if only for dinner parties and fun on Ventrilo.

Re: Genuine Curiosity

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Listen to the BBC. They have the best English accents.

Re: Genuine Curiosity

[ghoststrider.livejournal.com]

Will do!