I'm having my first dinner in my new little, cozy studio in Auckland city center...fettucine from a packet and baked beans from a can, all I could scrounge up from the little superette. I ate better on the Emirates flight. One of the effects of living right in downtown---there are no grocery stores nearby but at least a bus ride or 20-minute walk away. But I live only a couple of minutes walk from work and right off the main street of Auckland, Queen Street, which goes from K Road (the redlight-turned-artists' district, except for a small seedy part) to the harbor. It's lined with shops, restaurants, food courts, internet cafes and gaming centers and office buildings.
OK, timeout.
I'm watching a documentary on Princess Diana and the night of her death, in English and on NZ tv. Since it happened in France, they have many French-speaking sources, for whom they have provided english subtitles. Now, they just showed Newsweek's European bureau chief, Chris Dickey, stammering away in French with subtitles below. Except, I just saw and heard him speak in Paris just two-three weeks ago, and he speaks perfect English--- in an American accent. (Correct me if I am wrong, globalites.) So, I have no idea why he is interviewing in French for English-language, NZ television. Speaking of which, it's interesting what they have here for what seem like public service announcements: one is about taking care on stairs to prevent a broken leg and another is about preventing dehydration. Hmmm....not exactly "this is your brain on drugs."
