New Moon

In May this year I read all the twilight books and for the first time in ages was totally consumed — so much so that when I had finished book two at 9pm at night I looked around for a bookstore open late and went to it and bought the next one, came home and continued reading. I had the biggest black shadows from lack of sleep for a two week period I have ever had. I then proceeded to pass on my passion to all my fellow bookclubbers.

My friend Amy was as equally enamored as me so I am happy to say that we both went along to opening night of the second movie “New moon” and it was amazing — leagues ahead of the first movie which I was not a huge fan of this one the cinematography was better, the costumes were better, the dialogue, the acting, the makeup, the soundtrack everything was fantastic.

We both came away totally buzzing. So all you romantics out there get out and see it. Oh and there is lots of eye candy for gals as well with an extremely buff Jacob.
New Moon Trailer

photoshoot

So as a manager I had to have my pic taken for a company brochure being printed and I think this is the first photoshoot I have had since I was in primary school, had forgotten how little fun they are but am happy with the pics they are true to life atleast (a little more flattering wouldn't have hurt) I have even resisted the temptation to airbrush.

happenings

Had an amazing day on Saturday wining, dining and bookshopping with friends, found one of my all time favourite novels Hunting and Gathering for $2

Sunday had a hangover from said wining and dining (Black Zambuca shots need I say more) but still managed to drag myself out with my mum to the patchwork quilt awards

Monday discovered a new TV show to watch called eastwick filling the charmed, sex in the city girlie gap for me

Tuesday had bookclub and realised my book reading needs to pick up as 1 book a month is not enough

Wednesday went for an amazing walk along the beaches from Takapuna to Milford and then went and saw the interesting movie Imagination of Dr Parnassus or something like that. Wasn't as good as I was hopping as did look at my watch midway but some nice visuals and kinda good story line. Oh and Johnny Depp that is reason enough for me to see something.

Memory

When I was just a wee little whipper snapper (about 5) I used to sit in front of my mums record player (yes I am old) and listen to Elaine Pages record stages. I loved the song memory and listened to it over and over again so much so that 25 years later when I heard she was coming to NZ I couldn't miss out on seeing her and I wasn't disappointed she was amazing. Yes before you ask I was very much one of only about 5 people in the sold out theatre with non grey hair. You can imagine my being upset when her last song was sung and no memory had departed her lips – but wait then the encore and my song and it was sooo good I cried and the audience gave her a standing ovation.

Guy Fawkes 2009

I really do love the kiwi spirit that even though every year it rains on Guy Fawkes we all still get out and light our fireworks. I went to my favourite seller this year Wah Lees to get some big ones and I chose them entirely based on their names such as Whaling witch, Pharoah, Jade Garden, Fujiyama and even a family of very funny characters. All in all a good night even with the slightly long slideshow of my mums adventures over the last 3 months.

Melbourne cup winner or not

I managed to come second in my work sweepstake and win one of my TAB bets but at this stage think I have actually only broken even - still the thrill of picking 2 winners is great.

Thanks Crimescene and Shocking

Its great to be a woman

Last night I went along to a charity event for the Max Womens Foundation and it was so much fun, we were greeted with bubbles and canapes and then got to watch a catwalk show of the summer max collection. Then were spoilt rotten by goodie bags filled with chocolates, chips, jewellery and magazines to name a few.

Last but not least the movie, my sisters keeper which had us all blubbering most of the way. Having read the book I was pleasently happy to find the changes they made didn't hurt the story and the casting was spot on. A fantastic book and a heart wrenching movie.

Oh and here are a few funny pics of me running.

Rose gardens, halloween and marathons

What a great weekend. Started it off on Friday with an art opening and then watched my friend Gregs heavy metal band Manfred Manslaughter play at Whammy - he is very talented but no amount of talent is ever going to get me into that genre of music, however fun on the odd occasion. Then finally after years of planning to go I can say I have been to the Parnell Festival of roses and it was really wonderful, I had no idea how many varieties existed and who knew there was such a thing as a purple rose.

Then later that night I went round to a friends to watch the kids trick or treat, she had even made a trick box full of oily spaghetti that they had to put their hands into - the squeals were very funny.

Lastly I completed my first Quarter marathon and thanks to the super technology of skins I managed to run further than I ever have before. I timed myself way back in June when I started training and it took me 2 hours and 10 minutesto complete the 10.5km course so was sooooo happy today when I bet that by 43 minutes. I have decided that next year I am going to train for the half marathon as try as I might to pretend I hate all sport and exercise I actually quite enjoy running.

This is it!

wow what an amazing man Michael Jackson is. I just watched the last film of his rehearsals and it was amazing he is such an incredible dancer, singer, creator and man. He really made me think about the bigger picture of the unhappiness around me and the damage we do as individuals to each other and the world. Thanks Michael for reminding me that we are each important and that it is up to us to make the change.

"...Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me..."

I would encourage everyone to go and see it. 

Ruakaka suite plastic

So work has been getting me down of late so I decided I needed a break and lucky for me popped Labour Weekend, now you would think in a country obsessed with bachs and camping that planning 6 weeks in advance would be plenty to find a place to stay but let me tell you it is a gruelling task and the worst part the online sites say rejected with a big red cross instead of a much nicer the place is not available so after 50 red crosses I was starting to feel a bit down. Luckily as I was about to give up andreside myself to the idea of being stuck in town a place came available.

So in the car Leanne and I headed up north to a beachside town called Ruakaka. We had no idea what to expect of the place and were surprised to say the least when we arrived. Firstly it was on top of a hill and had the most amazing views ever. Secondly we were given champagne and chocolates on arrival.

And last but not least was the contents of this bach which is hard to explain but I will do my best. Every door and window had a balaniese  carving over it, every surface had some ornament or two or three and every ornament seemed to have several parts to it. Just when you thought you had noticed everything something else would appear. They also wrapped almost everything in fairy lights of different shapes and colours. We loved the bed which was a mattress in the hollowed out base of a water bed with lace trimmed sheets and alter. The place even came with pay TV and recent pirated DVDs. What more could you ask for.

Now if you are thinking that was enough - wait - was we also had two cats one black with no fur and looked very scary like a miniature panther and I am sure was blind as never made eye contact and the other a cream fluff ball who came in for water and left twice a day.

Now for those of you out there obsessesd with clean windows head my warning. I decided to clean them (I know weird for someone on holiday and not in there own place) as the dirt was obstructing my view. Only to have a bird fly straight into them later that day and almost die from concussion - sorry birdie.

I have included a pic of my friend leanne as she cracks me up - everytime we go north and drive past a certain beach she can't stop laughing, no matter how many times she sees the sign. The beach is called Uratiti. This beach is also next to Waipu. Ah the joy of english sounds to Maori names.

To top off a great weekend of hangin on the beach, reading books, gossiping with the girls and cuddling with new born babies we also stopped for a coffee on the way home and won a $50 petrol voucher from  radio station.

Funny how the world works

I was questioning why I was at work today and at 10am found out because Katherines mum was sending a special delivery of cream horns and Afghans. What a great start to a Friday.

8:45am and only three people at work

I find myself wondering why I am one of those three and not one of the ones elsewhere.

I am off to Ruakaka for the long weekend and I can't wait after a grueling hunt for a bach to stay in over 5 weeks it is nice to finally have a destination. I don't even mind if it is cold and rainy as I am just happy to be getting away.

I even made a mixed CD for the drive, Oh so retro.

cowboys and indians

Went along to my friend Melissa's dads 60th party and had an amazing time almost non stop danced to country and western music the whole night (still not a convert) some of the costumes were amazing we had an almost scarily authentic Wyatt Earp, a great Lone Ranger, a fabulous Indian chief, a Dolly Parton even I had trouble not staring at the boobs of and many other cowboys and Indians. Kiwis love a good dressup and when the whole crew get involved it makes the night so much more special. Plus how many parties can you wear ugg boots and a sack and its 100% appropriate.

Happy Birthday Mike (The Sheriff) - thanks for such a great night.

ATC Reunion 1991-1995

My friend Leanne and I went along to the 50 year anniversary of 6 Squadron at Whenuapai Air base and it was alot of fun catching up with the guys and gals we did Air Training Corps with many moons ago and reminiscing some fun stories(we were all hormone fueled teenagers back then after all)

pretty environment killer

Its funny how so many of the lethal and dangerous things in the world are also some of the most beautiful. Spotted this on the road on a very rainy day in Auckland.

diwali, art and light show

So have had a wonderfully inspiring week (outside of work) Sunday I went along to the Diwali indian festival of light and watched some amazing dancing and then as the sun went down the music revved up and I enjoyed dancing along with a massive crowd of people to Indian house music and fireworks.

Then noticed a giant blow up construction appearing in my local park with some really great standup word art decorated if I am not mistaken by our resident graffiti queen Flox, which turns out will be a one day art gallery tomorrow so more to come after I visit.

Then saw a really inspiring movie about the power of one person and a bit of cultural understanding called Gran Torino. Have a squizz at thus billboard very inventive and the wipers actually move.

Had a great time working behind the bar at my sisters gallery - added bonus got to design the handout so keeping the design skills going. They say if you ask the universe it will come so am asking Jeena if you want to make extra necklaces My sis and I will proudly wear them for you :)

If you want a laugh and a bit of an awwwwww moment can recommend couples retreat pretty funny.

Finally our local communications company Telecom put on an amazing light show against our fabulous ferry building. Its amazing what the meeting between creativity and technology can produce.

yellow lines

OK so I am pretty tolerant to most noises after years of living in the heart of cities but painting yellow street lines outside my window at 11pm on a Monday night seems a bit unreasonable and to think in a round about way I am paying the dude to do it with my rates. It sounds amazingly similar to a lawn mower. There is a nice sense of camaraderie though when you look out your window to several other faces all having the same thought.

Big day out here I come

So I know I am a little late for my first Big day out but better late than never I say and I am super excited as so many of my favs are coming.

Muse, Powderfinger, Lisa Mitchell, Lilly Allen, Magic Dirt, Eskimoe Joe, The Decemberists and The Temper trap. So excited I even made my sister a mixed CD to secretly win her over into going to all my picks and ignoring the rest :)

Any tips from seasoned BDOuters appreciated.

Hot kiwi men

Who knew that supporting a good cause could also double as a spunk fest. Amy and I went to see a special screening of Siones wedding to support raising money for the Samoa tsunami victims and got to meet some of kiwis hottest hottest men, who I have to say are even better in the flesh than they are on screen. So below are their pics - sweet dreams for me tonight. Oh and for my Aussie outrageous fortune fan friend I got a few autographs for you chick.

Kirk Torrance


Shane Cortese


Robbie Magasiva

Spring equinox

As the weather does its crazy change post the spring equinox, I am again grateful to be living in a big island and ever so slightly off the fault line. My thoughts are with all those effected by dust storms, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and so on.

on to the trivial stuff.

Tuesday went to bookclub and talked about the only book I have read in 6 weeks and oh what a light one at that. Candace Bushnells Trading Up. Not entirely un-entertaining but very hard to keep going in a book where your affection for the main character progressively declines - Janey Wilcox is rather a gold digging, slapper at the end of the day. Also got to eat mmmmmmm Chocolate covered fruit icecream.

Wednesday was like a ten year reunion of BGD(Bachelor of Graphic Design) as went along to the design assembly's lectures and bumped into 4 of my old class mates and a couple of old teachers. Some interesting speakers followed and made me realise how much I miss print design as it really is so much closer to art than web which is closer to maths or science. Think I might have to create a personal project or two.

Thursday went to what I like to refer to as my weekly party in the pool as aquasize is so much more fun than pain. Did strike a problem this time though as we do it in the diving pool and the stairs were broken which wasn't a problem getting in but after an hours workout getting out had to be up there with one of the least graceful moments in my life imagine hhhhrumph one foot out, wiggle struggle roll other foot out then grrrrr push up and slip and finally jump stumble stand - and all this in togs the one outfit that really doesn't hide much. I did feel a little better when waiting for the bus a police wagon came to arrest and pick up underage drinkers who had to have their parents called - ewww the shame

Friday went to a great bar/restaurant on High Street called Vivace for my friend Emmas birthday drinks. Spent most of the night hearing about the plans of the boys who were heading down to mystery creek with their $1,300 tickets to watch the Tua vs Cameron fight, had to admit was a bit jealous as what fun they would have. (pity in the end the fight was a knockout in about 4 mins and 1.5 rounds)

Saturday all I achieved was a very hot right ear from talking to everyone on the phone most of the day. Saw the movie Funny People which was kinda depressing as felt Adam was kinda talking about the expiry date of people in the comedy/film industry.

Sunday went over to see the new craft market in devonport which was fun and bought a new brooch and some earings (oh and no trip to devonport is complete without a visit to the gourmet chocolate shop and having some chilli and line truffles)

Monday learnt how to be an accountant, only to confirm my suspicions that it is not something I would ever want to be but have somehow tacked onto my already bulging job description - love the fact that our program is called xero, seems a bad omen to me would rather my accounting package was called millions myself.

Tuesday tried out the new work coffee machine a nescaffe and even though I don't drink coffee the novelty of the little capsules won out and had to admit the lowest strength ones with lots of milk and sugar was actually ok. Also saw a beautiful romance movie Young Victoria - highly recommend it to history buffs and romantics alike who don't mind the woman being on top.