These words force you to a new madness

After what seems an interminable amount of time, I've drawn myself back to the blog.

Two weeks, five weeks, 32 weeks, it all seems like much of a blur at the moment.

I've just come off a two week internship at the Dom Post, which was very much an eye-opening experience. While you can see some of what I managed to achieve here, here, here, and here, let's be perfectly honest about this - I was out of my depth.

Sure, the baby reporter moniker has always been something of a piss-take, but I would not envy anyone jumping into the atmosphere of a metropolitan newspaper (or its equivalent) in an entry level position. It's... it's... it's difficult to explain, so I shan't.

I shall merely say that while it wasn't what I expected, I could take away some serious lessons, and so could my compadre, Sandra the luddite (who was able to start off our internship with this wonderful surprise - which sounded incredibly familiar).

And when this baby reporter grows up, he's going to be a full-grown hack...

Something to look forward to...

PB.

Other intership adventures can be found here and here.

A Literary Man of Letters

Joe Bennett, what happened? You used to be a pillar of literary integrity, with your regular slot on Book Time Zone of MoonTV fame, leading to the world of words, but, alas, your current column in the DomPost shows you know not who Hank is. Alas.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Joe's latest column in the Dom showed his ignorance in all things Bukowski. I'm not saying that's incredibly uncommon, but Mr. Bennett is usually a literate chap, who should no better. Thankfully, the column isn't on Stuff yet, so I won't have to give a link and cause you to lament like me.

For the record, Charles Bukowski is a fine, fine poet, and, really, more poetry should follow his nihilistic lead than that of the self-indulgence of the Beats and subsequent poetry slammers. I suggest all of you go out and at the very least find Barfly, the Mickey Rourke movie of a typical period in Bukowski's life.

And Joe, please hurry up and read one of his novels. It's well worth it.

The little guy's still standing

The long weekend meant I didn't have to man the station for three whole days, and while I do like to have a good read of the papers on the weekend, I try not to delve into the media too much. Everyone needs a break every now and then.

The Muliaga case continued to drag on. And on. And on.

The papers (The Dominion Post and the Sunday Star-Times (yes, I'm a Fairfax ho)) lapped up the coverage of Mighty River's mighty powers acting fairly humbly in going to the Muliaga family to take back all those hurtful things they had said. You, too, got to have a feeling of superiority over those nasty electricos that everyone loves to hate.

In his interview with the Prime Minister, John Dunne, down in Christchurch, continued to defend his view that no-one could really have a strong opinion either way, and it was too soon to lay the blame. Ms. Clark wasn't so sure, and Mr. Dunne was roundly treated to a stern telling off. I suppose, given his audience (apologies, but Christchurch has a seedy underbelly) the listener was supposed to lap up his defiance in the face of our nation's supreme being, but being Wellingtoncentric, I couldn't help but laugh at his little tirade against the Man.

Phil Wallington on National Radio's Nine 'til Noon, a slot which everyone should listen, wasn't too unhappy with the media's coverage of the story, but he was disappointed (along with you dear listener) that the media didn't ask the right questions. He did approve of the all-round disappointment shown at the power guy's actions, and (with glee I write) he was disgusted, like Radio NZ's listeners, at the condemnation of the Muliaga family. Shame on you. Feel some white liberal guilt, then go back to your lattes people.

Gerry Brownlee and Judith Collins got some good soundbites on NewstalkZB's news bulletins roundly criticising the Government's moves to link social welfare with power disconnection policies. Always looking out to save your tax dollars people.

And, touch wood, that will be that. Until tomorrow.