Wages & Pages

So I'm finally back in Wellington! Caught the train back on Thursday evening. It's Sunday now, so last day of freedom before I start my new job! I am really excited about it, but pretty gutted that I had such an average summer holiday! Was definitely nice to spend lots of time with my family though.

So, because I left my old job for this one, I got a pay out of my annual leave. It's fantassstic to not be worrying about money! (For another week at least...) But I couldn't resist spending some, so Charlie and I had a great day in town on Friday. It was crazy hot too which was nice. We got coffee, and then I went and got my left nostril pierced at Ninjaflower. I've had my nostril pierced at least twice in the past (circa 2007) and both times were at a tattoo studio here in Wellington. I was never unhappy with that studio's service. But wow, Ninjaflower is in a whole different league; I was way impressed. I've been told by lots of people that I should go there, and I'm so glad I did- I'll definitely be another person running around recommending it to all her friends in the future. It was about twice the price of what I paid at the other place back in 2007, but the jewellery alone was worth the difference, in that it's not going to fall out like a twist stud (the reason I had it redone back then). Also, the time spent in the piercing room was probably a solid 15 minutes, with the piercer talking and explaining constantly, and also being pretty entertaining. I want to have a ring rather than a stud, but they don't recommend wearing one until you've had a stud in for three months. But he took the time to position a ring in my nostril, in order to pierce where it will look best when I change to a ring.

I think the best thing was that I see a nostril piercing on a par with earlobe piercing, just in terms of how common it is, and how quick it is to do. But it's still scary having a needle pushed through a body part, and it's great to have them sort of treat it on an equal level to anything they do if that makes sense. There was no brush-off "you'll be right! It's nothing" like at the 2007-place, and Ninjaflower took the time to talk through a lot of aftercare tips.

We had sushi for lunch, and I bought a few make up things from Farmers (including an eyelash curler, Emily). And then I went on a book-rampage and bought three. Someone recommended the Wally Lamb book to me over Christmas, and awkwardly I can't remember who it was (awkward, because we don't have that much family). I started it last night and it's pretty thick, so no spoilers please! Do let me know if you have read it though. So far, it's a novel that sort of rotates around the marriage of two staff members (sorry, "faculty") at Columbine High School. So we all know where this is going. The dedication page at the front, from the author to his mother, had my eyes watering the tiniest bit. So, good luck me.

I also bought the second and third book in the John Marsden Tomorrow series. I already have the first one (Tomorrow When the War Began, which the 2010 movie I rave about it based on), and the three books of The Ellie Chronicles, a sort of sequel series. So there are ten books in total, and I haven't read them right through since I left high school. I read both The Dead of the Night and The Third Day, the Frost yesterday (not a productive Saturday, at all). They are just so fantastic. Inspired by this post from Danielle at Sometimes Sweet, I think I'll do a post of my favourite books shortly. Today I also desperately need to clean the apartment... don't hold your breath on that one though, I'll consider today a success if I manage to wash and straighten my hair.

Day 9 of 30

I decided that doing one catch up post would be a silly idea, because it would be long and boring, and no one would read it. So we'll treat the past few days as a little break from 30 Days of Interpretation, and I'll start up again with Day 9 today. Forgive me?

• The last film you saw at the cinema

The last film I saw I have already mentioned; the wonderful film adaptation of John Marsden's Tomorrow When the War Began. If you've read the books and haven't seen it yet, you're a moron (or you're in some unfortunate country that's not screening it). If you haven't read the books nor seen it, I would recommend going to see it right now. I don't think it will affect your enjoyment of the books, and if anything it will make you want to read all seven (plus the follow-up trilogy) now! I found Caitlin Stasey really annoying in Neighbours, but just brilliant in this movie playing the lead role of Ellie (possibly due to the fact she's grown up a bit). I think the only person I didn't really like in the film was Corrie, but I didn't like her much in the books either.

Aw man, I want to go see it again now.

Caturday/TWTWB

Wallace and I had the apartment to ourselves all afternoon, while Charlie's been at work. Basically, we did sweet FA with this time, apart from a shower, a load of washing and a load of dishes. I consider that pretty productive considering I had another 600+ blog posts materialise on my Reader overnight... this 30 Days of Me thing is out of control!

Yesterday after work, Sarah and I finally went to see Tomorrow When the War Began. Which is excellent, because it was one of my four goals for September. Also excellent was the film itself. Oh, man. I loved it. Loved it. I couldn't possibly count the number of times I read those seven books by John Marsden between school years 7-13. I am wildly entertained while reading them to this day. I don't know if I'd recommend the three books that came out more recently though.

Anyway, the movie was really really good. As with all films adapted from books, there were differences. But surprisingly a lot of the most significant conversations were word-for-word from the book. Which was exciting, but also annoying, because I could practically say their lines along with them on the first viewing, and it took you out of the action a bit.

I thought it was well cast. At first I really disliked Phoebe Tonkin playing Fi, but grew to really like her by the end. The scenery is PERRRFECT, just as you imagine. Some scenes were a bit green-screen looking, but it didn't matter too much.

I want to see more nooow...