Well, we’re supposed to be a week into “Back When We Were Grownups”. How’s everybody doing? I know some of the international folks had difficulty getting a copy. So far it’s just me and Khay in the forums. I’m starting to get worried that the group enthusiasm has waned now the project has become a reality. So time for a roll call – who’s actually reading this one? (I’m not trying to rush you; I’m just wondering whether everybody else has taken a pass and we should skip ahead to the next one.)

Ack! Suddenly the future of “Lance in Space” is in doubt! And just when I finally settled on a playlist. Dammit.

Snookums has a new hobby – home brewing. That’s him with his first batch of “wort” down in our kitchen. When it’s all done, it’ll make 20 liters of beer. Yeah, that’s a lot. It’s currently in the first “fermenting” stage, which means that all the little yeasties inside are turning the sugar into alcohol and releasing carbon dioxide, which bubbles out that valve at the top. (I’m already getting sick of the “GLUB… GLUB…” noises every five seconds.) Then when that’s done, he’s got to fill all the bottles and let them sit to further ferment and create the bubbles. All I know is, we’re going to have one hell of a party when this stuff is finally ready. We’re not even supposed to be drinking beer! (Too many carbs, you know.)

I have a crush on a historian. They’re reshowing Simon Schama’s History of Britain series here in Australia and I’m smitten with him all over again. He’s, like, the coolest nerd ever. He stalks around British ruins wearing glasses and a leather jacket and explaining wars and kingships. Apparently he just scored a sweet new deal for more books and shows. *swoon* I’m a historian groupie.

What. A. Day.
I had three pressing appointments today, all of which were nerve-wracking in different ways. First, I hauled myself out of bed and into the gym for the 9:30 “Pump” class. This is basically synchronized lifting with free weights. It wasn’t as hard as yoga, thankfully, and I got a great workout. (I have a feeling I won’t be able to lift my arms in the morning though.) Our instructor was the funniest, campiest, bitchiest gay man I’ve met in some time. I’m already planning to go again next week.

Next I had to head to the Enmore Theatre to discuss doing some part-time “front of house” work. It’s a great old theatre only a couple of blocks from our house, but it’s mainly a concert venue these days. I won’t know for a few weeks if they need me. If they do, I’ll most likely be ushering or bartending. How sweet would that be? Me, slinging beers at a rock concert! (For the Yanks: it’s not like in American stadium venues. This is an actual old theater with all the chairs and stuff ripped out. The bars are actually inside along the walls and back.) I think it would be totally fun.

And last but not least, I had my big important interview with these folks. I was worried that it was going to be a really stuffy corporate place, but instead everyone was really laid back and nice. It’s in a great building down in the city with views of the Harbour Bridge. As usual I went in planning to be all poised and professional and within five minutes ended up yammering away like I always do. I guess that’s for the best, though. Lots of folks can do what I do; the only thing that distinguishes me is my enthusiasm and passion. Hopefully that’s what came across. (We talked for twice as long as we were supposed to, so fingers crossed!)

So in my book, I went three-for-three today. *phew* Thanks for everyone’s words of encouragement!

It’s that time again!
More fun with Australian culture! I’ll give you the name of an actual Aussie television program, and you guess what the show’s about. (As usual, those of you Down Under are disqualified.) Guess away!

1. McLeod’s Daughters
2. White Collar Blue
3. Young Lions
4. Kath & Kim
5. All Saints
6. The Secret Life of Us

I reckon some of you Brits have probably seen the last one, so don’t ruin it! The others should be all safely unknown. Whoever gets the most right (or makes me laugh the hardest) shall be the winner and will be awarded with my recommendation if you ever apply to be a TV executive. 🙂

Good grief. Remember how excited I was that Wagamama, my favorite London restaurant, opened a branch in Sydney? I’ve just discovered the other half of that karmic equation. School Disco is coming here as well. Yes, you can now dress up as a slutty schoolgirl and get drunk on alcopops in London, Manchester, Ibiza, and Sydney. This is some globalization I could do without. (Here’s my old rant on it if you want to refresh your memory.)

The Book Group site is finally live! All of the group-related blog posts are provided as well as the schedule of books to come. (Posts will still be visible on the w-g homepage too.) There’s a space in the sidebar for links to participant websites, so if you’d like to maybe pick up a little free traffic (and you’re participating!), leave a comment and I’ll add you. And last but not least… The forums are open! I’ve even started off the “Back When We Were Grownups” discussion. (I finished it yesterday. I’m a fast reader and I’m unemployed, remember? But no rush; just jump in when you get done.) There’s also a forum for website and group suggestions, so feel free to let me know what’s on your mind.

I don’t have much time left to put together my Metafilter CD Swap discs. I’ve got two possible themes/playlists picked out, but I’m not sure which to go with. The first is an entire CD of REM covers, from Tori Amos doing “Losing My Religion” to William Burroughs interpreting “Star Me Kitten”. Several of the songs are from an obscure tribute CD I tracked down many years ago. The second option is “Music to Watch Space Girls By – A Mix to Accompany Lance Bass on his Trip to the International Space Station”. Seriously. (I completely nicked the novelty theme idea from Bill.) Anyway, it’s a generally upbeat collection of all the space-themed songs I could find. So which would you rather get? Do you think people would prefer a nerdy REM collection or a nerdy space compilation? (Yeah, I’m a nerd.) Of course, I could always send out both…

Friday Five:
My answers are going to suck this week, as I know jack squat about genealogy.

1. What is your lineage? Where are your ancestors from?
Well, one-quarter is Korean. That’s my maternal grandmother. The other three grandparents are all American. I really haven’t done any research, but I’m pretty sure that the “Howard” side of the family is British. (Sidenote: There’s a Castle Howard in England! I bet I’m in line for the throne.) The “Manns” and “Harter” sides probably lean towards German. When the Snook and I visited last year, my grandma showed us all these old scrapbooks she had and pointed out a picture of a Native American woman. Apparently that was, like, my great-great-grandmother or something. I had no idea. So throw in a little Cherokee too.

2. Of those countries, which would you most like to visit?
Definitely Korea. Ideally I’d like to take my mom and grandmother along on a big trip, if I could afford it. It’s so close to Australia (relatively speaking), though, I may end up taking a mini-trip with the Snook if we can swing it.

3. Which would you least like to visit? Why?
Well, it’s not really a country, but quite frankly, the “American Indian” bit is the least interesting to me. I’ve never really romanticized that culture and I don’t think this familial revelation is going to change that. I’m scared of horses. I’m not a big outdoorsy person. (I did see Pocahontas, like, five times though.) So that’s the part I’d probably least like to “revisit”.

4. Do you do anything during the year to celebrate or recognize your heritage?
Nope. We eat Korean food every now and then, but not on any specific occasion.

5. Who were the first ancestors to move to your present country (parents, grandparents, etc)?
Wait. My “present” country? That’s Australia, which would make it… ME. Yep, I’m my first ancestor to move here. (In terms of America, I have no clue. Man, I wish somebody in my family would research this stuff.)