gifts from strangers

> The Thin Wall, Ultravox...beyond annoyed by the rapid footsteps of junior suits delivering giftwrapped bottles of champagne to their bosses. i only have one so far, and had to get it myself.

> Atmosphere, Joy Division...my inbox now has 16 generic christmas emails from people i don't know very well.

yellow snow

> Trick Bag, John Lee Hooker...got me one more Lotto $33 million ticket. up to four now.

> Kid For Today, Boards of Canada...someone left a green lollipop on my desk. i swapped it for the yellow one next door.

crackhead

> This Is Tomorrow, Bryan Ferry...decided to change lanes without indicating. a pair of too-high heels wobbled and screeched, and for the second time today i heard the 'f' word.

> New Tattoo, Hello Sailor...tried to avoid stepping on cracks in the footpath. not as much fun as when the kids are around, but i was able to cheat constantly.

smoke

> Lilac Wine, Jeff Buckley...pass me a dark red bottle and a hand-made cigar. shit, i'm still at work.

> The Climber, Neil Finn...short people definitely walk faster than tall people. not sure if this is important to know.

full of it

> Nothing's Impossible, Depeche Mode...uncontrollable yawning arrives unannounced. being bored on a full stomach is getting easier.

> Waifs and Strays (grid twilight mix), Marc Almond...ordered a yakitori bento box for the second time in three days.

turkey shoot

> I Go Hard, I Go Home, The Presets...my head is dancing to this one. i look like a turkey.

> Where Boys Fear To Tread, Smashing Pumpkins...got my third $33 million Lotto megapick. on the 30th of december, i will receive a payout long deserved.

> Clampdown, The Clash...my ticket didn't work at the station gate. the person behind walked into me on purpose.

bad company

> Watching The Detectives, Elvis Costello...the clouds are saying nasty things to each other. some of them will start crying soon.

> What Do You Want From Me, Monaco...messenger conversation with friend living on US$20K a month in the third world. surprisingly, he feels guilty.

rooftops

> Hey Little Girl, Icehouse...just realised i can see the rooftop bar of a pub from my 27th floor window. those bastards are drinking beer at 12:30pm under green umbrellas.

> Nice Dream, Radiohead...a hypothesis about the walking speed of short people versus tall people is forming. more observation is required before publication.

compulsive

> Godless, The Dandy Warhols...please take your cash, which i do, compulsively checking to see if the machine slipped an extra fifty in by mistake.

> Disorder, Joy Division...egg and bacon on turkish, no sauce, well-done bacon, plenty of saliva.

resolution lost

> Heart's Filthy Lesson, David Bowie...along Darling Harbour bridge under the monorail, waiting for the sky to fall on my head.

> Red Hill Mining Town, U2...pulling the blind down at my desk, trying to stop the sun burning away a thin resolve to work.