The Social Network

On the weekend I went to see the movie depicting the beginnings of the phenomenon that is Facebook called The Social Network and like the doco "Exit through the gift shop" a few weeks earlier it was kinda horrifying as it reinforced that this generation, people seem OK with burning everyone around them for singular success and fame. I think I am turning into a hippy as I really would rather be broke than hurt a friend to make a penny. Worth a look though on the eve of Facebook launching their email competitor to Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail. Also does have a great soundtrack and was extremely well cast - big ups for Justin taking on the devil role, much as I try it is hard to not taint the real person with the Characters they portray.

Tea of the month

On my wonderful holiday in the USA I spent a day at Disneyland and whilst there I purchased a fun tin of tea called Wonderland "Mad tea party blend" . It really is one of the nicest blends I have ever come across, with a light blend of floral's over an Indian black tea base. Now if only there was a Disney store in New Zealand so I could get some for my friends for Christmas.

Yay for flowers

I had a most unexpected, but very welcomed surprise arrive last night in the form of some pretty indigo flowers. I don't know about you but I rarely receive them, but they are one of my favourite presents so always sure to put a smile on my face.

Chocolate Shortage = Tragedy

read this

Chocolate: Worth its weight in gold?

I am now soooooo buying fair trade chocolate to maybe keep it coming as the thought of a drought is unbearable.

Woman to admire

I have just finished reading Theresa Gattungs book "Bird on a wire" and have to say it has been an eye opener on so many topics that to save words I am going to cheat and list them below:
• How strong the media's influence is on the public in NZ (and how often uninformed and skewed)
• How wrong we are to try and fracture big businesses
• How we need education on what makes this country survive and get behind those industries as a country even though they may be manned by the smallest population
• That I never want to be a CEO
• That the government both National and Labour make some major mistakes at times to win favour in what really is too short an election time-frame for any good legislation to see its true long-term goals come into effect
I would highly recommend this book as it covers many an interest from business, management, being a woman, promoting NZ, and so on.

Eat Pray Love and crash

I finally went along to see the movie rendition of a book I really enjoyed Eat Pray Love. I have to say there are actresses that are for men and ones who are for woman and Julia Roberts is definitely the latter.

I was very critical of the casting of her in this role but she was marvelous and captured the true spirit of the three phases the author went through so well. The soundtrack is also really good for lazy afternoons.

However in my rosy glow walking home I had the weirdest thing happen to me — I was run over by a bicycle - never thought that could happen — but it did and boy was it painful so I am now sporting a massive bruise on my butt and thigh and just when my legs had finally recovered form the 1/2 marathon :P

Sculpture on shore

Dad and I went along to the Sculpture on Shore exhibition today. To help support the Women's refuge and to get some inspiration. Turned out to be a mammoth amount of artwork ranging in materials, scale and subject although did notice two predominant themes of war and nature.

Most moving artist for me was Sean Crawford with two works one entitled "Ewe Me and the Bomb" and the other as pictured below "Dominion - Redux" which you could see was about our greatest export in the literal being sacrificed but on closer look it was made up of poppies so on researching the work I found their was a double meaning of the sacrifice of the men who fought in Gallipoli. A definite thinking man type artist and one to watch in my opinion.

Sean Crawford - Dominion - Redux

A couple of other favourites

Gregor Kregar - Twisting the Void 1, 2009

Cat Auburn - Stealing the luck of George Stubbs, 2010

Saskia Baetens-Van Gils - Rabbit Ascending Staircase, 2010

Windy Weekend

Is it just me or are beautiful blue skies just not quite as nice when they are accompanied by southerly winds?

Anyway been keeping busy with the job hunt and if nothing else am getting to know the lay of the land in terms of Marketing, Advertising and Studio's out there.

Friday tried to help raise awareness for the plight of the Whales and also had my first AK Samba experience having a go at the bells, which was alot of fun and much harder than it looks. Loved the body painted people as pretty brave in the cold wind.

Saturday went to the Auckland Cultural festival which was great fun watching the parade of so many different cultures and then trying lots of yummy new foods. The parade commentator was very naughty asking things like the pretty Thai girls to come closer so he could make a proper assessment and telling his colleague to lay off the sausages as his gut was already too big.

Change the present, change a future - Oxfam

At university I did my main written assignment on charities and at the time found that a few really aligned with my values. Some that really were making some positive changes in the world. One of them was Amnesty International and the other was Oxfam. I think Oxfam's fun campaign of making you able to choose your donation like a shopping experience is very original and smart and I love choosing between donkeys and ducks at Christmas as my support to them.

If you have not seen their Oxfam Unwrapped campaign check it out here.

First strawberries for summer

I managed to fill a bowl with strawberries from my balcony garden today. Can't wait to have them for dessert tonight. There really is no substitute for the joy of eating something you grew yourself.

My first half marathon

Last year I tried out my first 1/4 marathon so this year I decided to up the anti and give the 1/2 a go and I did start out training but with a trip overseas and a bout of bronchitis my last 6 weeks were a little low on it. None the less I made it to the finish and was really happy with my time as I improved on my rate from last year. It was also an amazing thing to get to run over the harbour bridge.

Hopefully next year though Adidas picks a slightly more boring colour as the high vis yellow was kinda yuk.

Only downer is hobbling round like a grandma so stiff and sore for the next two days.

I also managed to drag myself out for the always fun Diwali festival as the dance shows are always amazing, the food good and fed my obsession for firework shows.

Also really love the gates they have installed in the Aotea square.

Red and Lee Child

So in an attempt more for myself than anything to keep a record of what I read here is the latest book.

I just finished my second Lee Child book and even though it was totally out of order I still really enjoyed it I think he will be my choice for summer lazy days. This one was kidnapping and militia cults so quite exciting and weird.











I also saw the movie Red with the most amazing cast featuring some fav's of mine Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman. A shout out to Bruce also as he looks amazing for a guy in his 50's. The scene where he hops out of the car and shoots at Karl Urban's character is simply amazing choreography.

Sandspit and Casablanca

We started by packing early on Thursday night and then after having a lovely dinner at another local Japanese place to my house called Shochiku which adds to the list of Renkon, Kens Yakitori and one I can't remember the name of on corner of Queen Street and City Road.

We set off at noon on Friday and were in Sandspit not long after to setup camp and basque in the sunshine. It was a nice spot with lovely views of the harbour and really neat retro styled decor to all the amenities. Night one went OK a bit cold but luckily I had packed the hot water bottle and the beautiful sounds of the moreporks more than made up for it.

Day two we just relaxed in the sun read our books, went shell hunting, for a bush walk and generally relaxed. Love the crazy rocks in the area and now can tell the difference between, Bubble, Cockle, Muscle, Scallop, Turret, Biscuit, Tulip, Ostrich Foot and Oyster shells.

Sunday more sun bathing and book reading before heading into Matakana's Ascention winery to listen to some music and watch Casablanca under the stars alot of fun - especially some of the remarks yelled from some very inebriated audience members.

Monday we went to Charlies gelato garden and had the sweetest strawberries I have had in years and seriously the best blueberry gelato in the world. Then we went for a drive to Snells beach, Algies Bay and Scotts Landing all stunning on a bright sunny day before heading home.

Macarons the new Cupcake?

Is it just me or does it seem like the craze for cupcakes is nearing the end and a new craze for macarons has started. I keep seeing them pop up in magazines, cafes and all the food blogs I read. Now I feel like one. Might have to hunt down a recipe for a Christmas one as only 9 weeks to go.

Oh Joy Eats

Photo courtesy of Oh Joy Eats - my fav food blog

Walk for Survival - 14th November 2010

If anyone would like to take part or donate to this worthy cause of helping the Melanoma Foundation please see the details on the attached poster. My dad is the organiser and would love any support he can get.

Birkenhead Rotary

A sticky situation

Grrrrr!!! just noticed that my favourite dress has chewing gum stuck to the bottom from my visit to the movies on the weekend and no matter how much plucking, freezing or boiling I do it is not coming off so begins the very slow removal process.

If only people were more thoughtful, as it is always funny till the joke is on you - karma do your thing.

30 mins and alot of electrical tape

A weekend of fun

Went out to a new bar in Britomart called 1885 for a few drinks and friends catchup. Was a nice venue with a great cover band.

It's funny though how quickly you forget how easy it is to get a hangover when you have not been drinking for ages and then suddenly start again. I thank Sals greasy pizza for atleast softening the blow.

What better way to burn/sweat off said hangover than with a walk up Rangitoto. I love this walk as it is just far enough to feel like a workout but not so bad you feel like collapsing and the reward of the stunning views is a must.

After the walk we decided it was such a nice day that a cold beer seemed in order so we headed off to Brew on Quay to sample some new ones. My favourite was Eidelweiss snowfresh, I am really enjoying wheat beers and pilsners this year.

Then I headed up to Ponsonby to check out the Art in the Dark installation in Western Park which really made it feel like Christmas for me with all the lights in the trees.

Sunday was a warm but rainy day so we decided to hide out in the cinemas. We started with Exit through the gift shop. This movie really got under my skin as it was such a blatant example of how easily someone can pervert/profit off a subculture and really miss the point of said culture in the first place. I felt really sorry for the guys who had opened their worlds to this guy and been totally used. Definitely worth a look to remind you of the dark side of art capitalism. It also made me respect Banksy even more than I already did.



Then we went to see The last airbender in 3D. I am addicted to 3D but boy do my eyes hurt by the end of the two hours. I have seen this movie twice now (first time on my flight to LA) and I really love it. The choreography is really fluid and beautiful, the music is soul soaring and the visuals are stunning. This all wrapped up in a story with some nice messages about living harmoniously, dealing with your emotions and not giving up makes for a nice feel good movie.

New Music

I seem to be going through a soppy inspirational phase and my music is reflecting this with one of my favourite songs at the moment being from Miley Cyrus - When I look at you and Metisse's boom boom ba. I blame it on the weather getting warmer and the shops starting to put the Christmas stuff in.

I also just got two new albums both very different.

Eminem's new album recovery. Which still has his rhyming and magical melodies that I love and his interview on 60 minutes was very interesting as I think all of us have a crisis of motivation, self or worse in our thirties so nice to hear another coming through and better than ever. Favourite songs so far are going through changes and 25 to life as well as the single not afraid.

Brookes Faser's latest album Flags which doesn't feel as tidy as her previous two albums jumping from reggae to folk to country and back to pop but she has a beautiful voice and as always poetic lyrics so you get over this. Best enjoyed with a jasmine tea a good book and a bit of sunshine. Favourite songs Sailboats and Here's to you.

September Books

All that glitters - Denise L'Estrange Corbet
I loved this book for so many reasons. The first that she is a woman who chanced on something she loved and through hard work and lots of passion succeeded in doing it. Two because she never backed down to a bully. Three because she was so open about talking about the downs just as much as the ups, which was helpful in demystifying depression something so many New Zealander's suffer from.

Dear Fatty - Dawn French
I just wanted to pop round to her house for a cup of tea and cake after reading this book. She writes with so much heart and humour you can't help but love her by the last page (assuming you didn't already). It also gives a glimpse into Jennifer Saunders life another woman to truely admire and I really liked how she is happy with herself warts and all. It made me laugh, cry and feel inspired a great read.







The enemy - Lee Child
This was my first crime novel in ages and I had forgotten how much I love them as I think everyone has a genre that they call their light books the ones you read in between the bigs ones and the ones that you know the formula and love it. Most girls I think go for Romance/Chick Lit but for me it is definitely Crime. I grew up engrossed in Elizabeth George, Patricia Cornwell and John Grisham. This author is pretty popular and I can see why a good mix of good characters, great plot and enough twists to keep the pages turning. As it was my first of his I now have a mega 14 left to read, ironically starting dead in the middle at book 8 - hmm to go backwards or forwards.




The Truth about Diamond - Nicole Richie
I note that the cover and the intro emphasize again and again that this is a novel not an autobiography but you could have had me fooled as she uses real stars names and it rings very similar to her actual life so I am taking it as one. I found it an interesting one to read just after a trip in the USA as it gave me some insight into the behind the scenes happenings in LA and Malibu as when there and driving by the glitz and appeal is often hard to imagine. Not a booker prize novel but good for an hour or two.

Te Aroha - mist and mayhem

This weekend I headed out of town to the very pretty little town of Te Aroha in the heartland of the North Island. Every garden was full of flowers and the day was blue skies and sunny so we were all ready for the hike. Little did I know this hike would mean 2 and 1/2 hours directly up a steep hill into icy mist and wind but felt that amazing sense of achievement you do when you push yourself beyond what you thought were your limits. Then it was another 3 hours back down, we think around 12kms in total. I did manage to slip on my butt twice - someone had to and one poor gal twisted her ankle but in general everyone was only a little achy in joints and muscles. We also stayed at the most awesomely condiment packed motel and ate at the most yummy restaurant.

The next day brought with it a well needed soak in the local therapeutic mineral hot pools and a lovely scenic coastal drive back to Auckland.

We hiked from the bottom to where the tower is

The mist made the forest look kinda mystical and spooky

Beautiful Kowhai tree in bloom

I am loving the amazing colour of the grass in spring