(no subject)

What do I have to do tonight? I have to spend a lot of money calling Australia trying to resolve housing on the UNSW campus. I guess I'm best off buying an international calling card for this one, rate wise.

This stresses me out more than you'd think. In large part because there's no guarantee this will be the solution. Also because I'd rather do everything by email, and I have to speak to strangers on the phone? In another country? Where there's always that little pause on the line because it's so far away? Freaks me out. It's like -- here's this technological blip, but what I'm hearing is an arched eyebrow before every reply. *shudder*

Yeah, did the reality of like everything just kick in last night? You bet.

(no subject)

I am really stressed out by the intersection of Sydney and money and my job right now, but I'm emailing possible accomodations fast and furious right now and should have that sorted out soon. What's particularly fascinating to me (other than my increasing ability to understand where things are in relation to each other, as opposed to just finding a few things that sound peripherally familiar) is the number of lodging options for someone in my situation that are run by religious fellowships. I suppose that isn't surprising, and surely these things exist in the U.S., but I've never come across it before personally.

In the last hour I've emailed (in addition to things less unfamiliar to me) Anglican and Jewish student dorms, a Catholic retreat, a "spiritually supportive residence for young women", some dude on Craigslist and the Darlinghurst YWCA.

Stop laughing! Actually, I think I've found something non-religious, convenient, clean and under-budget in Newton. With kitchen- and Internet- access.

*

Unrelated:

Dear Fandom,

Red wine is never, ever put on ice (unless it's sangria, and then it's sangria, not red wine).

(no subject)

When I was seventeen, this is what I wanted to do with my life:
http://www.kevinsites.net/

The most recent post on it, which I would recommend everyone read in its entirety is the journalist's account of the footage that has been constantly discussed on the evening news of late, which is the killing of a wounded Iraqi by a U.S. servicemember in a way/situation that was pretty shocking yet also potentially explainable. (Meanwhile: I'm doing a bad job of explaining this, as I am attempting and failing to use value neutral language, while also getting the point across as to why it has become a media story, just read the damn post).

via grendel