Riveting Friday nights

Zoe decided that Marianna needed help with her sewing. Anyone who owns a cat knows just how important it is for cats to help with things like sewing (not naming names *coughPOPPYcough*) ...

Helping cut ...



Helping fold ...



Helping measure ..



Personally, this photo reveals all. Zoe is OBVIOUSLY the one drinking all of our coffee.

"One-One-One-Emergency, Police, Ambulance or Fire?"

Ah Newtown, suburb of kings. Suburb with everything right on your doorstep ...

... including domestic violence.

We have a tale for you all.

Last night our neighbours at flat 2 had a party - accompanied by the usual lot of shouting. A lot. The woman from Flat 2 removed the yelling party goers from her house, made quite a successful attempt at calming them down, then shut her front door (with them outside) and turned the porch light off (very successful technique of ridding yourself from people who overstay their welcome).

The woman kicked out (we shall call her A.) started up a monologue outside my window about how this guy didn't love her ... only wanted her pussy ... had put her in hospital from punching her .. he didn't love her .. never had.

Soon the couple (A. and lets call him B.) move down the ramp to our house and continue their 'discussion' and it becomes heated very quickly - “Give me the fcking house key”, “I don’t have the fcking house key”. Then there was a whole lot of screaming (from Flat 2's niece who is living with the boy downhill neighbour) and at this stage, both of us were out of bed. We looked out the window to see the woman passed out on the ramp and the man (B.) bolting down the street being chased by the downhill neighbour (still with me?). Marianna went out to assist the unconscious woman – who came round pretty quickly – and I called for an ambulance and police car (calling 111 in a panicky voice). The woman (A.) had a big gash above her eye that was bleeding profusely, and kept passing out while on her knees. It took all our strength to stop her whacking her bad eye on the concrete.

Meanwhile, the downhill neighbour is telling the women from flat 2 to “keep your fcking friends in line” and scuffling with them on the ramp. The police arrive, flashing lights and all, and shine their maglights all around. Everyone’s still yelling and we get reinforcements – six officers in all. Then the assailant comes back, and our patient points the finger. Boyo get’s arrested – just like on TV – and get’s marched off to the police car yelling “thanks [insert A.'s name here] you fcking got me arrested” over and over. Still more yelling from Flat 2, downhill neighbour and the niece he’s going out with. We are both in our pyjamas – Marianna's have little pictures of scarves on them and are white; mine have moons and stars and are dark blue – feeling that the whole thing was rather absurd. Flat 2 woman's sister was great, telling others to calm down in a you-look-ridiculous kind of voice, and suggesting we find dettol to bathe the eye (We suggested not). Finally the ambulance men gave us leave to help A. into the ambo and the police cars all left. We went inside and sipped dutyfree port to calm ourselves and wait for the residual shouting to end. All over by midnight. Nice.

This morning there was a police photographer outside, taking pictures of the scene and all the blood. Don’t get us wrong though, we really do have lovely neighbours. Amidst all the yelling earlier in the evening, they all agreed it would be a lovely gesture to take our recycling out to the street.

Which was nice.

!!!!!!!!!!!THE ROLLING STONES!!!!!!!!!!!

What can you say?

It was freakin awesome! And I hope I can leap around like that when I am 62!!! If you ever get the chance to see the Rolling Stones live you should.

Highlights:

Angie ... oh my god I can't believe they played it!
Paint it Black ... the second top song I wanted them to play.

I must however apologise to the people on the end of my crazy phone calls. But it was important! I'm sure Martin loved hearing a hell of a lot of static (Angie) while walking through a castle in Ireland and while saying, "I can't hear you Beck", I just kept yelling, "oh my god its the rolling stones!"

Then way to freak my mother out by phoning her while they were playing 15 - 20 metres away from us!!!!!!! They had this awesome stage that moved out into the crowd. We thought they might get at least a little closer so they didn't look like little worry dolls ... but the stage kept coming out and stopped so close to us!

And on a note I thought I'd never say: how the hell does Mick Jagger manage to look sexy-in-a-don't-take-your-clothes-off-way?

Easter Poker Weekend

Resident Artist Jason Secto kindly organised a Poker evening for some friends in one of the boat sheds down at the Beach - a brilliant way to spend a Saturday night.

He also provided entertainment including night-time dingy rides out to his little beauty that sits in the water just out from the boatshed. The first trip was a success - the three boys went out to have a look at the work he had done.

The second dingy trip provided the most entertainment for the night. Taking the long way out there, Jason, Emma and Geoffery went past the beach were some young teenagers were playing with fireworks. Truely romantic for them to have fireworks shooting overtop of the dingy.

They made their way out to the boat and Mark, Jeremy and I sat on the deck of the boatshed listening to music. Suddenly it came to our attention that Emma and Jeremy were yelling at us, and appeared to be drifting off towards the boatsheds further down ... and there was no sign of Jason in the dingy. Mark kindly yells out in his heavy thick French accent "goodbye! Bon voyage! Salut!" while waving joyously. Jeremy decides to turn down the music so we can hear whats going on.

Turns out the dingy drifted away from the boat before it had been tied on, and the oars were still in the main boat. Where was Jason? Swimming back to get the oars. Now anyone who has tried to climb onto the back of a boat will appreciate the struggle Jason had to go through in order to climb onto his boat, while soaking wet.

Geoffery and Emma managed to paddle with the current into the boat sheds and Mark then used two other paddles from the boatshed to row out and 'rescue' Jason.

Needless to say, Mark, Jeremy and I found the whole ordeal hilariously funny.
Jason and Emma were wet from swimming or being splashed (needing to wear blankets for the entire evening) and Geoffery expressed a quiet satisfaction with the experience.



The rest of the night was spent recounting the ordeal - Jason here is describing the brut strength he needed in order to hang onto the engine mount to hoist himself onto the boat. Having 'saved his life', Mark is now demanding half of everything Jason owes. Some sort of French custom apparentely ...

Excess - The Airport Finale

The ultimate place for over one hundred suitcases to end up. With a little kiwi ingenuity, we managed to get them all there. That and Con promised a champagne breakfast and carrying a lot of suitcases on bamboo poles sounds a lot more fun after a few glasses of bubbles.


















It was a bloody long way though. The bruises on the shoulders the next day certainly told the painful tale ...


The End!

Saying Goodbye

This particular farewell party had some interesting highlights including Sharon managing to erase all the photos on Martin's camera within the first hour - this led to some 'speed photographing' which is where you push people into a photo and click off as many as possible.



Rick also showed his hidden ballet talent. Included are some photos to show you just how AMAZING he is at ballet ...







or perhaps its just the excitement on his face that leads you to believe he's great at it.

The night was full of dancing (thanks Tim for NOT dropping me) and finger pointing -



for some reason Rick found it necessary to point at everybody in a photo with him.


Bon Voyage Rick and Martin!
You do realise that when you travel to Spain and we write to you, we'll have to write
Rick y Martin? (Thanks to Kate for pointing that out)



Your country needs YOU!

xx

Death

To tell you the truth - and use a terrible pun - I'm sick to death of it.

The last two weeks have involved a whirlwind of death. Those sick with cancer who have a finite time put on their lives ... Young adolescents who have to face a dark night at such a young age ... Beautiful spirits taken from us for no apparent reason.

Disbelief. When will it end?


*to all those now free*

Excess - Stage IV

The train station. Con took over one hundred suitcases on the Capital Connection from Waikanae to Wellington. Some people weren't too happy about it. The station manager asked if it was "some sort of joke" ..

The suitcases were then all carried to Midland Park, a maze constructed and left to brew with the lunchtime suits.

Excess - Stage III

This stage only involved Cuba St. Unfortunately I was writing my thesis and missed out on a section of the movement of suitcases (and it involved Morris Dancers so that was a great photo opportunity gone!).



Infamous Bucket Fountain






Umbrella at meeting of Manners, Cuba and Courtnay.






Con, The Pilot and some little lady

Excess - Stage II

This was a HUGE stage. A bus stop was taken over by suitcases before a lot (and I mean a LOT) of people were roped in to carry them down Courtnay Place, through Manners Mall, all the way to Civic Square.

The final destination was Queens Wharf.








Courtnay Place main bus stop












There were slightly more bags than people so this guy was innovative with trying to carry as many as he could.














Con looked a little lost as he tried to keep track of all his luggage.












All ages got roped into it. This wee guy carried it the entire way - a decent walk for a child this size with a suitcase too.












Con gave a small opera concert for the good (?) of the public.












Spot of Tai Chi in Manners Mall led by the Porter.











Manners Mall












Civic Square













Civic Square












Queens Wharf











Queens Wharf - Con and the Porter











A well deserved break with some well deserved beverages ... and a lot of sunburn.

The Book ..

The due date for my thesis has passed and taken with it the baby that took way over nine months to produce.
Just for proof .. here I am outside the music therapy classroom (at a geeky time of 9.30am) about to hand it over.





I can't believe I did it. I did my Masters.

And now I feel so weird having free time but don't worry! I'm definately not complaining.

Manic stations

Okay. I fell prey to the "Last Days Thesis Manic Behaviour" syndrome.

I bought an SLR digital camera (350D Canon for all those geeky photographers out there) ... for a great deal! but ... god damn! now I just want to play with that and I still have to finish my thesis!
It wasn't that spur of the moment ... we did have to wait for the shop to open in the morning before I bought it.

Nothing like a big purchase to remind you that you are ..

seriously crazy.

Birthday Love

Had the most amazing weekend for my birthday. Thank you to all those who sent their thoughts my way, and those naughty people who actually got me a present as well - you spoil me!

Had so much fun with my parents here for four days. Didn't think about the 'book' at all .. in fact didn't do any work on it! The weather was incredible, making the excess consumption of wine and beer go straight to my head - but how could you not celebrate this wonderful city on days like that?

Photos to come ...

Excess baggage

This is a travelling installation called 'Excess Baggage' as part of the Fringe Festival on at the moment.

Today's stop: Jason's Gallery

Con (with the beard) is the guy who has the excess baggage which he is moving all over Wellington. He roped in people to help him carry the baggage to the van as he is currently trying to make it to the train station. There is a friendly pilot who is helping him out.

Where in Wellington will he appear next?

Indian saying

Only when the last tree has died
and the last river been poisoned
and the last fish been caught
will we realise we cannot eat money.

Current mood

Silencio

Basically there is nothing very exciting to report ... but Dave was getting bored at work so I thought I'd just put a little rant on here.

I'm still working at Malo which is getting busier each day, leaving my poor brain thinking of nothing but flat whites, lattes and damn soy decaf mochas (seriously people, why go out for coffee at all?).
I do however get to do my 'Nutrasweet rant' (as I fondly refer to it) quite often. Come on people, just eat raw sugar okay? Walk around the block if it makes you feel 'less fat' because of it but just don't do the whole 'equal is better for me' ... sorry, my mistake in thinking that fat could hurt you more than cancer can.

My book is nowhere near completion. But its only six weeks to go so why worry? I guarantee none of you reading my blog will read it, so i won't worry too much. Sorry to those academics following in our masters footsteps but I just want to get out there and do it rather than explain my reflections.

The b day draws ever nearer and my parents have decided to come and help me celebrate it.
Which is nice.
It should be a VERY interesting weekend as my parents explore Newtown. Muhahahaha, maybe i should prep them a little more for the interesting characters they will meet. Ahhhh, Newtown.


Things to checkout on the web while you are bored:

http://bofh.ntk.net/

This is written by a cousin of mine and WEIRDLY enough (look out, here comes another story from Beck's life), I rang up Active to win some tickets and when I gave my name to the dj he said, "oh are you related to Simon?" .. BIZARRE! The dj reads the Bastard Operator site and loved Simon's stuff. Anyway, I liked that story and felt pretty special .. onwards.


Music to check out:

The Chandeliers
The Go! Team
Sleater Kinney
The Raskolnikovs


Til I have a digital camera and I can actually put something interesting on here ..
Over and out ...