Hellooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lots of exciting things going on on the stock front today.
The Kingston store has just received a swathe of, and I'll be frank here, shit hot books. The temporary sale is over, and we're back to business as usual, albeit with a revitalised inventory and a spring in the proverbial.
The Melbourne stores are all about to receive a stack more wonderful remainders. You'll see some Kerouac, Nick Hornby, Richard Dawkins, Roald Dahl, Hunter S. Thompson and many others. The prices are quite ridiculous, as recent visitors to the store will be able to confirm.
Sorry to drag things down with a book post, but one a month is my new target.
Can't stop. You'll be fine here on your own.
September 30, 2008
September 29, 2008
Book + Lethargy = Blethargy
I'm having a hard time loving the literature at the moment.
Paper cuts and permanently damaged cuticles are part of the biz, and I've learned to accept them. Second hand book dealers who dress like flood victims, however, can be very irritating.
In the next couple of days, I plan to briefly analyse the financial crisis spreading the America, the nationalisation of Fannie and Freddie and the respective fates of Lehmann and Merrill Lynch. Then, all going to plan, I'll link that to an unbeatable argument regarding the affordability of remainders in general, and our stock in particular. Are you excited, or what?
Until I can pull that together*, here are a couple of presents I received from Chateau Mitchell, the funniest house in the street.
* Copy it from the paper.
Paper cuts and permanently damaged cuticles are part of the biz, and I've learned to accept them. Second hand book dealers who dress like flood victims, however, can be very irritating.
In the next couple of days, I plan to briefly analyse the financial crisis spreading the America, the nationalisation of Fannie and Freddie and the respective fates of Lehmann and Merrill Lynch. Then, all going to plan, I'll link that to an unbeatable argument regarding the affordability of remainders in general, and our stock in particular. Are you excited, or what?
Until I can pull that together*, here are a couple of presents I received from Chateau Mitchell, the funniest house in the street.
* Copy it from the paper.
September 28, 2008
Literary Tattoos
I don't know if I blogged about this already, but it's, like, totally awesome.
Tattoos are great and all, but a lot of them seem to be deliberately enigmatic - like the snake-entwined dagger smashing through a skull with crossbones behind it. Seriously, wtf? I think people get these done with one eye on the future - how on earth, they might think, can I explain this to my children which I don't yet have? Chinese characters are also good for this, although the idea of permanently sporting a word from a tonal language which I don't speak leaves me petrified of the potential humiliation - you could be that tattooist's running joke for the next 30 years, you realise?
So I totally respect the literary tattoo - you can't hide behind any ambiguity. Passion is always appealing, and permanent passion more so than any other. You can see them all here, but these are a few of my favourites.
"Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt"
And my new favourite - I'd neither read nor heard this poem until last night.
Tattoos are great and all, but a lot of them seem to be deliberately enigmatic - like the snake-entwined dagger smashing through a skull with crossbones behind it. Seriously, wtf? I think people get these done with one eye on the future - how on earth, they might think, can I explain this to my children which I don't yet have? Chinese characters are also good for this, although the idea of permanently sporting a word from a tonal language which I don't speak leaves me petrified of the potential humiliation - you could be that tattooist's running joke for the next 30 years, you realise?
So I totally respect the literary tattoo - you can't hide behind any ambiguity. Passion is always appealing, and permanent passion more so than any other. You can see them all here, but these are a few of my favourites.
"Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt"
And my new favourite - I'd neither read nor heard this poem until last night.
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
- e. e. cummings, i carry your heart with me
September 25, 2008
Friday
It's Friday. It's also forecast to be 25 degrees, and all the plumbing in the warehouse is broken. As a direct result, you get a pretty low standard of blog.
The weekend looms, devoid of High Vibes obligations, filled with German farewells and engagement drinks. I might even read a book.
Must run. The plumber's here.
The weekend looms, devoid of High Vibes obligations, filled with German farewells and engagement drinks. I might even read a book.
Must run. The plumber's here.
September 24, 2008
September 23, 2008
Unrelated
Now, while the rest of the internet is concerned with Oprah and her 9,000 penises, I've managed to find some stuff which comes directly from the period in which I was still able to understand pop-culture references. Well, one anyway. Tell me what you think! Here it is.
Of course, I didn't create this shit. But when you think about it, by adding my valuable fan time to the metaphoric pockets of M.C. Hammer and Vanilla Ice, even temporarily, aren't I partly responsible for their success, and therefore any creative insults which flow from their 15 minutes?
Of course, I didn't create this shit. But when you think about it, by adding my valuable fan time to the metaphoric pockets of M.C. Hammer and Vanilla Ice, even temporarily, aren't I partly responsible for their success, and therefore any creative insults which flow from their 15 minutes?
September 21, 2008
High Vibes - The Fallout
The Northcote High St festival is like your drunken and occasionally abusive uncle - he's great fun to be around at lunch time, by mid-afternoon you're starting to feel nervous. Early evening sees him warbling loudly about his pet hates, and after that people start backing away from him and refusing eye contact. That's because he's a psychopath with a few drinks in him, and as this metaphor turns the corner and heads straight down Sensible Street, the High Vibes festival is exactly the same.
I saw some things yesterday that made me very proud.
1) Man. Asleep. Tram Tracks. Open Mouth.
In order to survive this vale of tears, there are a few things you need to avoid. Sleeping on tram tracks, regardless of whether you expect a tram in the next few hours or not, is always best avoided. Sleeping on them with your open mouth pressed on to the metal tracks is both dangerous and disgusting. Those things never get cleaned.
2) Man. Church. Wine. Vomit.
I'll leave you to join the dots on this one. If it helps, whatever you're thinking is probably right. A church!! Clearly a testament to the success of our secular society, but it's still a bit 'wtf', surely? On the other hand, and as the man in question remarked, 'Better out than in!' (cue smile with vomit caked teeth showpiece).
3) "I Don't Need To Go Home Officer - I'll Just Nap Here in This Gutter"
You need a solid breakfast under your belt if you plan to negotiate with the police. You definitely don't want to be drunk. It's to your advantage if you're able to stand without swaying, and a definite plus if you're wearing trousers which aren't stained with your own urine. Richard Nixon said that you're only finished when you quit, and you have to admire the persistence of some people in staying in the fight long after the final bell has been rung.
4) "Ha Ha!!!! Fucking Books!!! Ha Ha!!!!"
A common remark of passersby as the evening on the street descended into the fourth circle of hell. And they say alcohol impairs your motor skills! These people had no trouble recognising books for exactly what they are. Full credit, game of two halves, etc.
5) Police Slang
Did you know this - police slang for a lesbian is '3070', which is the Northcote postcode? Unrelated, but all part of the wonderful mileur of the day, see?
6) Deleterious
This doesn't really have anything to do with High Vibes, aside from the obvious damage one does to one's health by drinking heavily on a Sunday night. But it's a great word, and dreadfully underused these days, wouldn't you agree? Take it out for a spin.
_________
I ashamed to say that having watched this spectacle unfold with an air of contemptuous superiority from the safety of the counter, I removed my bum bag and headed out into the wild, wild night. I don't recall a great deal of what happened, although I have a clear recollection of dancing to the Baywatch theme, and receiving a confusing text from the DJ instructing me to 'eat cock'. I sincerely hope it was meant for someone else.
I saw some things yesterday that made me very proud.
1) Man. Asleep. Tram Tracks. Open Mouth.
In order to survive this vale of tears, there are a few things you need to avoid. Sleeping on tram tracks, regardless of whether you expect a tram in the next few hours or not, is always best avoided. Sleeping on them with your open mouth pressed on to the metal tracks is both dangerous and disgusting. Those things never get cleaned.
2) Man. Church. Wine. Vomit.
I'll leave you to join the dots on this one. If it helps, whatever you're thinking is probably right. A church!! Clearly a testament to the success of our secular society, but it's still a bit 'wtf', surely? On the other hand, and as the man in question remarked, 'Better out than in!' (cue smile with vomit caked teeth showpiece).
3) "I Don't Need To Go Home Officer - I'll Just Nap Here in This Gutter"
You need a solid breakfast under your belt if you plan to negotiate with the police. You definitely don't want to be drunk. It's to your advantage if you're able to stand without swaying, and a definite plus if you're wearing trousers which aren't stained with your own urine. Richard Nixon said that you're only finished when you quit, and you have to admire the persistence of some people in staying in the fight long after the final bell has been rung.
4) "Ha Ha!!!! Fucking Books!!! Ha Ha!!!!"
A common remark of passersby as the evening on the street descended into the fourth circle of hell. And they say alcohol impairs your motor skills! These people had no trouble recognising books for exactly what they are. Full credit, game of two halves, etc.
5) Police Slang
Did you know this - police slang for a lesbian is '3070', which is the Northcote postcode? Unrelated, but all part of the wonderful mileur of the day, see?
6) Deleterious
This doesn't really have anything to do with High Vibes, aside from the obvious damage one does to one's health by drinking heavily on a Sunday night. But it's a great word, and dreadfully underused these days, wouldn't you agree? Take it out for a spin.
_________
I ashamed to say that having watched this spectacle unfold with an air of contemptuous superiority from the safety of the counter, I removed my bum bag and headed out into the wild, wild night. I don't recall a great deal of what happened, although I have a clear recollection of dancing to the Baywatch theme, and receiving a confusing text from the DJ instructing me to 'eat cock'. I sincerely hope it was meant for someone else.
September 20, 2008
National Babies Day
I know.
Driving down the Citylink this afternoon (thanks to the good folk at Transurban, bless) I noticed an advertisement for National Babies Day.
"It's about time", I thought. "If there's one section of society that are criminally neglected, it's babies".
And what better way to raise awareness of babies than a national day in their honour?
Surely everyone will get behind this worthwhile cause. And don't let the nasty whiff of commercialism stand in your way either. Let's hear what Target have to say about this campaign they've organised for the nation's toddlers.
The campaign encourages the general public to Go Ga-Ga by purchasing from a range of low priced items, some useful, some novel, some just plain cuddly, all found in specially marked merchandising units at every Target store, during September and October.
Isn't that just so sweet? And so convenient! I love babies, plus I'm frequently in Target, so why not support this great idea? But wait! The babies, cute as they are, probably aren't going to appreciate fluffy toys and novelty gifts so much. Over to you Target.
By purchasing any of these items, you can help the Foundation secure state-of-the-art medical equipment for many ‘premmy’ hospital wards around the country.
The website is light on the amount which the company contributes from each sale towards purchasing this equipment. If I was guessing, I'd say that 5% of sales of these products is donated, but that the suppliers to Target of these products probably supply them at lower cost to allow Target to maintain their margin. That might be me just being cynical though.
The date for your calendar is October 17th. Surely you'll want to be a part of this - after all, you like babies; don't you?
Driving down the Citylink this afternoon (thanks to the good folk at Transurban, bless) I noticed an advertisement for National Babies Day.
"It's about time", I thought. "If there's one section of society that are criminally neglected, it's babies".
And what better way to raise awareness of babies than a national day in their honour?
Surely everyone will get behind this worthwhile cause. And don't let the nasty whiff of commercialism stand in your way either. Let's hear what Target have to say about this campaign they've organised for the nation's toddlers.
The campaign encourages the general public to Go Ga-Ga by purchasing from a range of low priced items, some useful, some novel, some just plain cuddly, all found in specially marked merchandising units at every Target store, during September and October.
Isn't that just so sweet? And so convenient! I love babies, plus I'm frequently in Target, so why not support this great idea? But wait! The babies, cute as they are, probably aren't going to appreciate fluffy toys and novelty gifts so much. Over to you Target.
By purchasing any of these items, you can help the Foundation secure state-of-the-art medical equipment for many ‘premmy’ hospital wards around the country.
The website is light on the amount which the company contributes from each sale towards purchasing this equipment. If I was guessing, I'd say that 5% of sales of these products is donated, but that the suppliers to Target of these products probably supply them at lower cost to allow Target to maintain their margin. That might be me just being cynical though.
The date for your calendar is October 17th. Surely you'll want to be a part of this - after all, you like babies; don't you?
September 18, 2008
High Vibes
High Vibes is on again in High Street Northcote this coming Sunday.
It's a tremendous day, especially if you like your literature soaked in alcohol and coffee.
Last year generated the best customer request of all time - the chap who asked if I minded if he 'please could just come in to do a shit?' at the end of the night. You almost can't fault his manners.
The spring sale is also on at Northcote, so there's a tremendous opportunity to pick up some stunning bargains.
After you've stopped by to feed the book monkey on your back, I recommend taking in some of the local music and culture. Once you've done that, head to Willow Bar over the road, where Dirty Derek and 'Juice', from famed Melbourne outfit DJ Gin and Juice will be spinning up drinks and tunes late into the evening. Rumour has it that the Baywatch theme may get a run.
It's been a busy week stocking the shops and recovering from one of the most punishing staff drinks hangovers of all time. I remember arriving at The Brunswick Green and buying a jug. After that things became unclear, and, disgustingly, I managed to wake myself up with my own 'dry mouth noise'. Ladies, form an orderly queue etc. The Christmas party is something to look forward to.
If you're up at High Vibes, drop in and say hi.
It's a tremendous day, especially if you like your literature soaked in alcohol and coffee.
Last year generated the best customer request of all time - the chap who asked if I minded if he 'please could just come in to do a shit?' at the end of the night. You almost can't fault his manners.
The spring sale is also on at Northcote, so there's a tremendous opportunity to pick up some stunning bargains.
After you've stopped by to feed the book monkey on your back, I recommend taking in some of the local music and culture. Once you've done that, head to Willow Bar over the road, where Dirty Derek and 'Juice', from famed Melbourne outfit DJ Gin and Juice will be spinning up drinks and tunes late into the evening. Rumour has it that the Baywatch theme may get a run.
It's been a busy week stocking the shops and recovering from one of the most punishing staff drinks hangovers of all time. I remember arriving at The Brunswick Green and buying a jug. After that things became unclear, and, disgustingly, I managed to wake myself up with my own 'dry mouth noise'. Ladies, form an orderly queue etc. The Christmas party is something to look forward to.
If you're up at High Vibes, drop in and say hi.
September 8, 2008
About: blank
Blog: Overdue
Subject: Things I have done instead of blogging lately.
Effort: Minimal
A lot of them (these things I've been doing, see) are internet related, so it's redundant to add that I'm also damaging my eyesight (in an untraditional, pure kind of way, of course) and gaining weight. I also had a conversation with another adult about spam yesterday, so it's only so long before I start talking in acronyms and buying World of Warcraft plug-ins. All in due course, of course.
1) Spending an unhealthy amount of time hitting 'random' on this site. I'm almost certain that I'm losing heaven points with each click, but the yucks are worth it (short term).
2) Wondering about tattoos. Specifically, this one:
It's a tattoo of a garden chair. You can find more examples of the dangerous combination of technology and stupidity at the horrible tattoos blog. If you're depressed about yourself in any way, it's a great method of self-affirmation. After all, you don't have a skull with a snake-entwined dagger inked onto your forehead, do you?
3) Buying T-shirts. Everyone actually does want one.
4) Bursting with pride at the boundless capacity for humans to strive and succeed, in all their various walks of life. So many boxes ticked, if you'll pardon the rather tasteless pun.
Book things are, of course, occurring, but someone else is dealing with it for a while. I'm 10 hours away from getting on a plane heading north, where I plan to spend 4 days in a tree house with a peer group and a large selection of alcoholic drinks. I will not be returning calls.
Best,
Your local book grocer
Subject: Things I have done instead of blogging lately.
Effort: Minimal
A lot of them (these things I've been doing, see) are internet related, so it's redundant to add that I'm also damaging my eyesight (in an untraditional, pure kind of way, of course) and gaining weight. I also had a conversation with another adult about spam yesterday, so it's only so long before I start talking in acronyms and buying World of Warcraft plug-ins. All in due course, of course.
1) Spending an unhealthy amount of time hitting 'random' on this site. I'm almost certain that I'm losing heaven points with each click, but the yucks are worth it (short term).
2) Wondering about tattoos. Specifically, this one:
It's a tattoo of a garden chair. You can find more examples of the dangerous combination of technology and stupidity at the horrible tattoos blog. If you're depressed about yourself in any way, it's a great method of self-affirmation. After all, you don't have a skull with a snake-entwined dagger inked onto your forehead, do you?
3) Buying T-shirts. Everyone actually does want one.
4) Bursting with pride at the boundless capacity for humans to strive and succeed, in all their various walks of life. So many boxes ticked, if you'll pardon the rather tasteless pun.
Book things are, of course, occurring, but someone else is dealing with it for a while. I'm 10 hours away from getting on a plane heading north, where I plan to spend 4 days in a tree house with a peer group and a large selection of alcoholic drinks. I will not be returning calls.
Best,
Your local book grocer
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