Steady on

So I'm going to Newcastle for the This is Not Art Festival again this year, despite the fact I haven't done my tax return and there's a big pile of bits (books, receipts, notes, unsolicited advertising material from my letterbox to which I need to respond angrily, newspaper clippings) that has colonised the northeast corner of my room.

TINA is great, but this year I'm going by myself because none of the usual suspects are available. Let's face it, they only ever come with me once - does that tell you anything? Anyway, it may well be the last year I get my arse up there. At least until I:
a) Create another zine/indie publication to sell; or
b) Become a way famous writer who is then invited to speak on a panel.

I'm facing the whole age thing, which I know is really a state of mind, but I feel that I'm no longer in the 'young writer' state of mind, so I'm old either way. As long as I go with a mindset to enjoy myself, it'll be fine...

Today, some sleuthing (ie chatting...) unveiled that James looks after the Bose store at the Intercontinental (his father and uncle own both Sydney stores). He is the eldest of five children. He did an IT degree before travelling, then decided he wanted to manage the business (hence the TAFE course). He is also moving out of home in two weeks time. I guess his age at about 24.

I have also decided that I really like Jonathon Valenzuela, who is the Square program presenter on FBi on Thursday nights. He's nerdical and I like most of what he plays. He mentioned on air that he used to live in The Hills, where I grew up. Then I found out that he did a media degree at Macquarie Uni, like me. AND THEN I discovered that he's also an occasional journalist, writer and zinemaker. Be still my beating heart. He's 25.

On the older end of the scale is Rohan Belliappa (27) who is the operations manager at the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce. I went to the Import Export Show at Darling Harbour today and they were the only bilateral chamber of commerce with a stall. I took one look at him and I don't know how I knew but I said "you must be Rohan" and introduced myself. Rohan was instrumental in helping me pull together the Canada article I wrote a few months back so he knew who I was, even though we'd never met in person. He had a copy of the article on display, actually.

Anyway, apart from being drop dead gorgeous with beautiful skin, nice cheekbones and intense eyes, he was incredibly friendly (I love Canadians) and we talked a bit about Rick (the guy I interviewed), Canada Day (he didn't make it to the North Sydney party) and cricket (he plays for Coogee). We'll be rolling out Easy Guide to Exporting 2 early next year so I told him I'll be in touch. "We should meet for a drink after work," I'll say...

Okay, that's enough for today. The only reason you're getting this is because I'm supposed to finish an article for The Project Manager and I'm finding it really difficult.