gwennie

Hey there, I may try and swipe that soundtrack from you if that is possible? I am still failing at using my ipod but I have USB keys..?

Also - you are a resident; would you ever do this kinda thing?? http://www.openwananga.ac.nz/mauri_ora.html

kar

Congrats Scott! On the brevity of answers as much as anything else. :-)

Also welcome back Al.. Another year and the brave festivAl soldiers on, a myth to last the test of time. How was this last fest of 0 10; the cushiest one yet? Did you rock 'insanely'?? well?

I bags going to Rock en Seine! (Postponing my trip home to aout!)

This was fabulous - I loved it ) I actually hope to see it as a full length cartoon now. Hope Anthony can post it (after the comp?) so I can describe my fave bits

Ah, just saw this. Verry creepy. What think ye of this - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/and-al...-creativity-vs-
Interesting 'creativity' point vs shameless self-promotion..?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/r...y-cluster-flies

Oh dear god. I have a new predator fear.

Kor 'yeah i hate 4channers too they ruin peoples lives its not fair' - I have a new ambition to try out this chat!
Sounds hilariously traumatic.

I would like to subscribe to this product or service, Mr Wickywack.

Wow, that site is fabb to the maxx . I would like to say a big shout-out to the FF fans out (in) here. Hope you are going to get to go Al?
P.s. Does the 'Fast Reply' button not work?

Kar

Me too! I approve of this dastardly plan, and further would like to propose that we dress in our furry gear, to "enhance the experience". It's the best way to 'bear' it, in my mind

P.s. Furrthermore, a 3D Beowulf sounds so wrong...! Whatever happened to that crazy idea, was it a box-office flop?

Ooh, in the Hutt also - well, I'm gonna sign up to one of them to teach me climbing tout sweet:). Ferg's does this as a 2 hour lesson every 2 weeks on a Thursday from about 6.30(as long as there is at least 1 other person there.)
Not sure if you got my text last night Kev as credit ran out - was saying it was lovely to see you and Caroline again, and in one piece
Let me know if you want me to put your name down for any of the lessons as I'll ring them tomorrow.

A few more observations of the Kiwi variety:
I have been here for months and manged to not see any hobbits or got any 'Lord of the Rings' memorabilia or tours in. I am thinking I may have a look at some of that stuff..would love to do a screen-writing course now aswell, it must be in the air. I haven't done the rock-climbing yet that I have been wanting to do also, but now I can take lessons in climbing (as long as there is another person signed up to 'belay'.) I knew there was a lot of outdoor stuff here, like skydiving, hiking, (zorbing) etc. but didn't realise there is a heck of a lot of water sports also. Thankfully these are not compulsory, but there's a big summer program of events starting up from this week and I may see something I like. There's some cycling stuff which looks fun, but some of the amateur stuff is 25k or 50k!! I have cycled less than 20k in my life.

There was another mini-earthquake today but I didn't even notice it. I was a bit ill this week, I blame my crappy immune system, it may have gone into shock from the sun. It is absolutely beautiful today, but I can't believe I am here 3 months..Already! I am putting in an application of my 'intention to apply for residency', as I've managed to get out the lack of Barries tea ) It is only the fact that people randomly go barefoot that gets me, I am still taken aback when for instance the guy sitting beside me in the cinema has no shoes. (Such British sensibilities I have !)

I miss pubs, there is not many pubs here but I reeeally love this Irish pub I found in the city centre, called Molly Malones (I can feel you all cringing out there.) It's great - cute barmen, sortof chatty regulars and the WORST 'Oirish' trad-music shite I ever heard. I have to trick my flatmates into going there with me now.. The 'flatties' are great by the way - two Kiwi girls, early 20's but oh-so-sensible. Usually they are in bed by half nine.. hehe. We may do a cinema trip next week, and we all share the cooking also. They are a good influence in general! Okay, I am off to make some more sweetmeats now, as I have been given a baking book for a pressie (and have some pancakes and also some 'instant muffins' in a packet!:) Some real news sooon, hopefully activity-wise!

Aha, I thought you'd like the 'wee Anthony' thing alright I've seen flying foxes in a park alright, in Rathmines and definitely Clara Lara!! That place was fantastic actually, I wish I'd gone there more.. You are right though Al, it was as good a place for drowning as ever I've seen.
Kids are definitely hardier here, like mini Kevin O'Riordans made human.

Forgot to tell Anthony that the Skywalk in Sydney wasn't too exciting, but I recommend the bike tour (from Bonza bikes, Harrington st.) and the pub tour (which is a different company based in the Rocks.) My Champagne Sunset sail was cancelled by the way as of stoormy weather, but I did get to do a not-very-exciting boat tour as part of my Blue Mountains trip!

Wow. What an (al) saga! I think I may try and get an xbox now and start at the very beginning..:> I really do notice the difference sound makes to movies, am even picking up new atmospheric sounds in the rewatchings of Die Hard (I want to say trilogy..so I will. We can forget the 4th one!)

It's interesting how the soundcard issue hasn't come up for me since my brief foray in 'technical support'in eircom :/. Is the 'Thank you for Smoking' film any good?
Anyway sounds like another fab setup al, and I look forward to seeing your impressive collection (ahem) in July

Amazingly I have been here nearly 3 months now, and survived few light earthquakes, giant spideys and my first cockroach (yum!) Things are not going too bad - thanks to the combined caring of Tara, Evelyn and wee Anthony I was well looked after, and kept fed and sheltered for my first 6 weeks. After landing in the Wellington airport turbulent winds I limped over to Tara's workplace where she minded me until it was hometime, which is just as well - them thar hills are well steep and I wasn't getting very far there at all. It was a decent day but then the storms started for another week The weather here is so changable and October was pretty damp and miserable and also FREEZING on the whole. November was only half decent but we've had a few nice days-at-time in December which was fabulous, and I actually enjoyed walking to work. I also had my first Thanksgiving which was similarly amazing!!)

Continuing the death-defying theme however, the spiders here DO jump, there is something TINY that keeps biting me and goddamn trucks are trying to mow me down! A lot of drivers in my road/walking to work seem to be a tad careless - especially when backing out of/into driveways, sometimes I think they are trying to reach a target.. It is still amazing to me that people are so carefree in their day-to-day activities, but I think I may be from an 'overly careful' society where we wouldn't let kids play on the road, and wandering off hiking through miles and miles of wilderness IS a big deal I haven't tried this 'tramping yet' which seems to be a strenuous kind of hiking where you take days to walk and camp into the bush, (and you can use a 'free hut' for accommodation if it is free!) No shops or services on this campout, and maybe some tinned food in a hut if you're lucky. I don't know why but EVERY SINGLE kiwi I talk to seems to do this kinda crap for fun. I swore (yet again) after 'camping' at a festival that I'd never ever ever do it again, hehe. This last time I swore was only Electric Picnic (which is in some fancy grounds of Mullingar? Castle) so I think I have to accept that I am SOOO not a camping girl. Disappointing I know but there is too much dark and BITEY BUGS and general discomfort pour moi. (I am much better at dealing with spiders and the like now, and happily cohabit when they can't be reached!) The Scallys, Caroline and Kev also brought me to see some lizards and wetas which was cool

In any case I have been to Sydney on my Xmas hols and did a few tours there, where I several times held my life in my shaky hands!:) Firstly the bike tour was hilariously unmonitored, one lady skidded off her bike as we hadn't been warned about some rails which were wet, but we were cycling all along the docks as well with nothing between us and water but some skinny skiddy bike tyres.. As we cycled around and right through circular quay with its trams and little road-trains I got separated from the group and luckily managed to find them 20 mins later, thanks to my previous exploring-skillsz There were thousands on people in this area (Kings Wharf going up to the markets and Chinese Gardens) and I was really glad I had been wandering in the area beforehand or I wouldn't have known where to head. We also went through Chinatown which was packed and over to the Opera house which was a construction site for the New Years festivities. The Botanic Gardens was one place we weren't allowed cycle which was odd, but the Sydney are becomingly increasingly precious about this area it seems - they closed it for New Years Eve so no-one could stay inside after 3, (whereas last year it was a prime fireworks-viewing location.) I think the Opera House area was selling tickets for their space, hence construction but I was heading home on the 30th so glad to miss out on the scrambling for space!! The idea of getting a spot from 'crack of dawn' was obviouly a big issue, with every local I heard talk bitching and mocking about it :/

This included really bitchy girls I went on surfing lesson with (this was with Manly Beach surf school, who are excellent instructors!) They were British and hilariously put their wetsuits on the wrong way:)) I wish I had noticed before instructors said, and then I could have taken a pic.. I, foolishly of course, opted for just a rash vest as I wanted to get some colour (that wasn't scarily white), and it was the first sunny day, 2nd last day of my hols so I was aiming for just a smidgne 'off-white', and had my Factor 30 water-resistant suncream on.
Big, HUUUGE mistake of course, as you already know, curse you. This is a faux-pas for which I am still paying, as besides being scraped up on my arms by the fecking surfboard itself (oh for long sleeves), I was also completely scalded by the sun. I had the factor 30, and reapplied after the lesson (with the additional delay of lunch), but I reckon I was sloppy or careless at least one of these times as the top of my legs are still lobster-like. Backs of my knees are still sore but were in agony 2/3 DAYS later - they are now finally recovering..5 days:) I know it is my own fault as I only remembered later on that you should apply 30 mins before going into sun, and I defo didn't apply enough, or early enough on the backs of my legs..:*very sadface here* Oh well at least I didn't endanger myself for new years.. The surfing was only dangerous if you drift out (which was happening to me in first 5 mins!) or get hit with board while in water (seems pretty much a sure thing!) so I was glad to avoid any near-drowning. It's remarkably difficult to 'steer' a surfboard however, and is especially paddling a wide board; but paradoxically it's much easier to surf on a bigger board. No sharks though, unlike on Bondi beach.. Gonna update later on other tours or trips, including the 'HIGH-ALltitude/hangover death trip to Napier' I took with Kev n Caroline.

*shock*
I can't believe you went to the cinema at all Mr. Wickham!! Was it the Lighthouse or the super-secret poshy one on Merrion sq??

Reading that 'review' of yours got me to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ondine_(film)
How have we not seen this masterpiece in cinemas?? Do you think it came out at all?

I have Breaking Bad to watch now. 'citing!
Will check for boobs.

Avast!! Please to stop saying 'the girlfriend' Mr. Wickham!

Ah if only you had sporty friends.. Where are the football fans on this board??

Kevin, you did say 'I look forward to your reviews of the Twilight films'..

Non-sequitir: Have you drank any of your wines yet?
(sequitir: I can only watch those Harry snotter Potter films while drinking!)

i dunno you goys.. I had my swahsbuckling-pirate wench costume allll ready. How do you propose I can eightify this..?

oh no, tis all so sads..We can never be equally miserable. We will always have the more miserable faction, alrii'?!
But yeh, i really think freaking out about BET is unnecesary. Is that an example of positive discrimination that people bandy about these days.?

i just don't know, but I do agree with the censoring of violence and swearing, (mostly only cos of my own foul mouth !) Seriously, i have been brought up as a truck-driver./ And I know this point is irrelevant now but hey. I'm tryna join in here, all chimps together !!:D

Hey, tis miserable here, Count me in (for Greece anyhoo:P)

one lousy feckin banana..

Noo, it sound sore. What would you retain there..?

P.s. I just wanna see what picture i get when I post hehe..