oceania rules
[updated 24-AUG with final results] a slightly different way to look at the current olympic medal count
one year in
today marks the one year mark for me in new zealand. the highlights – public transport that works. a 3 block walk to my bus stop in island bay, a wait usually less than 10 minutes and i’m in the…
dirty tricks
we are nearing an election in new zealand so the level of political theatre is rising. the national party (more conservative) led by john key is currently ahead in the polls and on track to beat the labour party (more…
start the projector, dim the lights, cue the orchestra
going to the cinema here in wellington is quite a different experience than we’re used to at the boston megaplex. firstly there are several great old classic theatres to choose from – the penthouse in brooklyn, the embassy in the…
those funny aussies
a popular aussie tv programme – the gruen transfer – regularly challenges 2 ad agencies to create pitches to sell the unsellable previous challenges include: the return of child labour baghdad as a holiday spot whale meat this week – invading new zealand.…
steam engine saturday
today we went on a trip on the rails – and a trip back in time. nz rail is the national rail service operating 3 lines: the overlander between wellington and auckland the tranzcoastal from picton to christchurch the tranzalpine…
happy birthday liz
today is the queen’s birthday. and we joined other members of the commonwealth in taking today off in celebration best thing is that today is not really the queen’s birthday. her actually birthday is april 21st. but april is not…
let’s have teriyaki, make that taranaki for lunch
today we went on a tramp on mt taranaki. the day started out cold and drizzling, but we decided to head to trailhead and see if the weather cleared. when we arrived things were better, but knowing how extreme conditions…
just like plymouth – only newer
it’s a three day weekend so we’re off to new plymouth to see some more of nz and hopefully go for a tramp on mt taranaki. as we passed though hawera (home of nz’s largest private collection of elvis memorabilia)…
city safari
today we participated in the metlink city safari. hard to describe – but combine orienteering, a scavenger hunt and “amazing race” and you’re close. technically it is called a rogaine and in a fixed duration event where you challenged to visit…
i ordered fettucini, not puccini
tonight we went to see puccini’s la boheme at the majestic saint james theater. on the plus side we it continues to be great to live in such a compact city where it’s a breeze to get around (sans car).…
anzac day
today is anzac day. a summary of the day from nz ministry of culture and heritage (te manatu taonga) is below: Anzac Day occurs on 25 April. It commemorates all New Zealanders killed in war and also honours returned servicemen…
it a small, small, world
whilst i am employed by company e2, i on the account of a large nz telecommunications company (company t) and spend much of my time at their site. today i was sitting at my desk at company t when i…
we find these truths to be self evident
that insurance companies are not really as interested in your well being as they claim in their marketing nz has national heathcare coverage for all but with all such plans sometimes you can’t get seen or treated when you would…
pan handling
today was the karori nature sanctuary’s annual street appeal and the jboss was out beggingaccepting contributions. jboss’ review of the day: My two hour stint on the bucket brigade was pretty successful. It’s hard to say how much I collected as…