One of the lowlights of ‘007 was the “don’t tase me bro” incident, which was converted into a brilliant remix (check in video); and plenty of re-remixes on the tube. Some commentators said he was an attention-seeking git; i prefer the term performance artist.

If only that dead Canadian guy had heard the song, he might have been able to rap out a quick defensive beatbox.

You have to be ready when they come to get you. And you too could make the most memorable phrase of the year. So what’s your catchphrase gonna be? And what kind of incident would you like to make the news?

Well i took the latest letter down to John this morning. It’s fully legalese. He wasn’t so happy. “Oh you’re going the legal road are you? But we’ve always been friendly.”

Well until you gave us half the legal requirement for notice to vacate, yeah.

i hope things don’t get ugly.

Anyone got a spare 5br mansion for under $2000 a month?

Tee hee.

Finally i’ve read a book that has nothing to do with terrorism or international politics. My very good friend Shanny lent me an extraordinary tale called “Marching Powder”, the true story of an Englishman inside a Bolivian prison.

Ooh yeah, a true story. We love it.

So Thomas McFadden became famous because he started giving tours, and became the unofficial tour guide of San Pedro prison, in La Paz; Lonely Planet had the prison listed as a must-see destination mainly because of this guy’s charming demeanour (and cocaine parties).

But it’s not only tourists who pay their way into the prison .. the prisoners themselves have to pay an entrance fee into San Pedro – after they are sentenced. They then have to buy their own cell through the internal real-estate system!

.. there are restaurants and shops set up so that people can survive;
.. prisoners’ families stay inside the prison because they can’t live in the ruined outside economy without their breadwinner.
.. And the best cocaine laboratories are hidden away inside the prison.

It’s plainly written, and very enjoyable, although painful and frightening in places. There’s a lot you find hard to believe, and corruption drips off the page. i’d give it a big 8 star rating.

Apparently Brad Pitt is producing the film, due this year.
(more info:

• interview with author and subject, at bNet;
• review in SMH, ’03;
• talk of a documentary at foreign correspondent;
  
• the author in Wikipedia.)

Good news, everyone!

When we consulted the very wonderful Tenants Union o’ Victoria (tuv.org.au), they told us that the Notice to Vacate was legally invalid, and the minimum period is 60 days – even when you’re not on a fixed term lease (ie month-to-month).

So, technically you could just ignore the letter, the lawyer told us. but if you’re on good terms with your landlord you might want to tell them, so they can draft another letter. Give them a chance to get it right.

Hmm, let me think ..

Oh no, the day has come. We thought things were a bit strange when Bobby the new landlord started having his mail directed to our mailbox. I think i’m still in shock.

So John comes around yesterday evening and asks to see me. He’s got a letter, and he says, “i don’t think you’re going to like what’s in there.”

Sure enough, our remaining time in the beautiful house on the hill has shrunk dramatically. From “the foreseeable future”, to 31 days. Notice to vacate.

No, it didn’t say ‘vacation’.

Ick. Now i’m upset. Don’t know exactly what’s going on in John’s family situation, but somebody wants to destroy their father’s vegetable garden as well as the best rental home in Melbourne.

Ouch. So if anyone has any leads on a new and marvellous place for michael or lou to stay, let me know. Thanks.

Yes, i’d like two large well-lit rooms, gorgeous views of city or parkland, music room, polished floors, big kitchen, huge backyard, plenty of really good heating, good eco-design, close to northcote and city, lovely housemates and friendly landowners, all for under five centi per moon.

Yep, that’d be good.