Wednesday, July 27, 2011

See You Zeg / Covers Playlist / Koru Milo / NZ Post Book Awards

Georgia on my mind

The other day I received an email from a friend currently teaching English in Georgia (the country in Eurasia rather than the US State) trying to introduce a Georgian word into English usage, at least amongst his circle of friends back here.
  • zeg = (n) day after tomorrow, in two days time.
Its brevity appeals. I also rather like the sound of it. ‘See you zeg.’ Sounds kinda hepcat, kinda Brave New World.

In my brave new world of working Monday-Tuesday and writing full-time Wednesday-Sunday, I’m often losing track of which day of the week it is. So promising to check the oil and water zeg means I can gloss over the fact I can’t remember if it’s Thursday or Friday.


Bi-fold playlist for a week in which you doubt your own originality


Side A: Originals Whose Fame Has Been Surpassed By Covers
Torn – Ednaswap
Nothing Compares 2 U – The Family
Tainted Love – Gloria Jones
Mad World – Tears for Fears

Side B: Covers That Make Being Not Entirely Original Seem Cool
You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry And The Pacemakers 
It Ain’t Me Babe - Jan and Dean 
Throw Your Arms Around Me – Neil Finn 
The Letter – Joe Cocker

Side C: Spotlight on Manfred Mann (& Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)
Do Wah Diddy 
Quinn The Eskimo 
Blinded By The Light
For You

Side D: Hey Joe. Hey Joe? Hey Joe! Hey, Joe? Hey! Joe!
Hey Joe - The Byrds 
Hey Joe - Patty Smith
Hey Joe - Brant Bjork
Hey Joe - Tim O’Brien


Kiwi As

What's more New Zealand than a koru pattern in a mug of Milo?
(And yes, my desk is normally this messy)




2011 New Zealand Post Book Awards

Tonight the winners of the 2011 New Zealand Post Book Awards were announced. Thanks to the live tweeter from the NZ Book Council (@nzbookcouncil) I can tell you that winners in the four categories were:

*  General non-fiction: Chris Bourke - Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of NZ Popular Music 1918-1964
Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918-1964


*  Illustrated non-fiction: Damian Skinner - The Passing World: The Passage of Life: John Hovell and the Art of Kowhaiwhai (also winner of most coloned title)
The Passing World, the Passage of Life: John Hovell and the Art of Kowhaiwhai


*  Poetry: Kate Camp - The Mirror of Simple Annihilated Souls
The Mirror of Simple
Annihilated Souls


*  Fiction: Laurence Fearnley - The Hut Builder
The Hut Builder


Chris Bourke's Blue Smoke also won the people's choice award... and the Book of the Year (so he cleaned up, basically). Congrats to Chris!

The short-lists for each category can be found here.

As I post this, there haven't been any press releases on the winners (embargoed until 10pm I think), so I'm like, totally breaking news here for you non-Twitters.  (The first book award winners were announced ages ago; press release here).

And now for the comment portion of this mini-post: Meh. It's late, I'm going to bed (before I say anything that I might regret; if not tomorrow, maybe zeg, or the day after zeg).

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for posting the winners last night before the official announcement came out. I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation, and it was so exciting to know 'early'! Regards, Alison Ballance