When I grow up, I want to be Emmanuelle Alt.
Carmen Sandiego and why Angelina Jolie isn’t a convincing spy
When I was younger, my dad used to drive two hours every second Saturday to collect my sister and I, and drive another two hours so we could spend the weekend with him. Vice versa the following day. (Side note: I should probably stop giving him so much grief, that’s quite a commitment.)
On these weekends I used to look forward to a roast at my grandma’s house (best gravy ever) and playing ‘Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego’ on his old school apple computer with the 8 inch floppy disk drive and floppy disks that really were floppy.
Carmen Sandiego was awesome; playing made me look really smart in geography and Carmen is a super elusive international thief with a taste for luxury who is almost impossible to catch and SHE’S A WOMAN.
One of the things that stayed with me, was that one of the distinguishing features of one of the V.I.L.E henchmen (not to self: recruit henchmen) was a tattoo and it ALWAYS GAVE HIM AWAY.
And this is why I don’t believe that Angelina Jolie is convincing as a spy.
The end.
Happy New Year!
Hello people of the tumblr…
I wish you all a happy new year.. I am coming off the back of a pretty rough year on both a personal and professional front, and I really hope that next year is a vast improvement. I mean, I have hope that next year will be a vast improvement.
In April I will be flying to New York, my second visit to this magical city. I’ll be there for almost two weeks, followed by just under a week in LA.
I love Los Angeles. And I love New York.
As an Australian arriving in either city, you feel as if you know the layout immediately, from years of television and movies. On my first visit, it took me half an hour of walking around Beverley Hills before I remembered that I had never been there before.
The difference between these two brilliant cities- you feel the pulse of New York as soon as you arrive.
Los Angeles is a little more guarded.
It wasn’t until my second visit that I started to feel it’s heartbeat.. I met a few people, who introduced me to other people.. that is how LA works…
I met up with a charming NOLA transplant turned Angeleno
I went to Roscoe’s and embraced the concept of Chicken n Waffles.
I went to a couple of Lakers games (which I LOVED, even when they lost) and got to catch up with other Lakers fans I’d only ever known from online forums before.
The first time I travelled to New York, I arrived on the evening of December 23, and it was magical- lights reflected in snow, magical compared to our hot, humid Christmases. By the time I arrived on the LES to pick up the keys to the Williamsburg warehouse apartment I’d rented, my ‘Miracle on 34th St’ had turned into an episode of ‘Law & Order’; shady looking characters skulking in hoodies.. and then I found the L train, and made it to Williamsburg and my apartment.
My new friend Russ introduced me to Burger Joint, I introduced him to the rules of cricket in an Irish bar in midtown. I spent time with an old school friend who’d made it in the big apple, and I had coffee with my new friend Laura and discussed loves old and new (one I’ve only just got done with).
Travelling abroad (particularly on your own) has given me a sense of achievement and growth, and next April’s trip is what is keeping me focused for 2012. Or at least the next 3 months.
Happy New Year.
A xx
I Shall Be Released and All Things Must Pass are what propel me forwards at present. My umbrella was stolen. Don’t rain on my parade.
George died on my birthday, 10 years ago.. he has always been my favourite Beatle…
