A series of events I know are not important but in the moment, are:
Not in order obviously, because paying extra for salad items and receiving no actual volumetric increase is THE WORST. As if there is a limit to the size of a sandwich!
Recent-ish history, in infographs
One Cool Thing: Boat Rides Along French Sewers
Sewers were built to stop the spread of cholera, which is what you get (and potentially die from) if you drink water contaminated with sewage. It was a real problem when people got their drinking water from same river they emptied the contents of their chamber pot in.
Paris started building their sewer network in the 1840’s and it took them 50 years to complete. They were so proud of it that when it was done, it ended up becoming a tourist attraction. ‘Sewermen’ gave tours and on the weekends, you could put on your Sunday finest and go for a boat ride along the ‘river’. More here.
What it looked like:
In their defence, whereas sewers in Australia are black and grey water (i.e. toilet water plus shower water, kitchen water, etc.), in Paris it’s that, combined with stormwater (rainwater) so it’s more dilute. Still, surely it would smell?
I like…
In a recent episode, my podcast co-host Kate HIGHLY recommended listening to Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? It’s very funny, even better than she said.
I love a list of life advice and here’s Mari Andrew’s ‘100 Things I Know’
This is the look I would like to be going for this summer (matchy-matchy!) but the words ‘sheer’ and ‘intentionally unlined’ to describe a pair of pants feels troubling
I loved Anne Patchett’s new book Tom Lake. Ditto Really Good Actually by Monica Heisey
I’m looking forward to hosting Nick Bhasin at Eltham books on Thursday 28th September (Melbourne). Tickets are $45 and include his hilarious but also unexpectedly moving book ‘I Look Forward to Hearing From You’ plus wine and samosas. Yes, samosas!
I’m also hosting Clare Fletcher at Robinson books in Glen Waverley (Melbourne) on Friday 6th October. We’ll be talking about her second novel, Love Match. It’s rural romance and has a real Maeve Binchy kinda vibe. That, if you didn’t know, is my biggest compliment.
Can I say how nice it is to have people read and support your work? Thank you for supporting this. And PLEASE send me your small disappointments and minor inconveniences, I’m collecting them.
Bye for now,
Katherine
I want every single one of those as prints. Or tea towels, please.
Also. I ran out of jalapenos this week. On mexican night. Had already been to the shops. Not one of my neighbours had jalapenos. A friend from another suburb (Shay, obvs) suggested I move immediately.
ALSO - on sewers and cholera and watery things - have you read Steven Johnson's The Ghost Map?? Reckon you'd love it.
Okay, this turned into a K & K catch up message. Love this newsy xxx
Perfect. Hilarious. I agree with Kate. Tea towels please. Or a calendar...