Gift Wrapped
The following was apparently written by some American humorist called Dave Barry. He is on the money here with his description of present wrapping issues for men and women...
This is the time of year when we think back to the very first Christmas, when the Three Wise Men-Gaspar, Balthasar and Herb-went to see the baby Jesus, and, according to the Book of Matthew, "presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
These are simple words, but if we analyze them carefully, we discover an important, yet often-overlooked, theological fact: There is no mention of wrapping paper. If there had been wrapping paper, Matthew would have said so:
"And lo, the gifts WERE inside 600 square cubits of paper. And the paper WAS festooned
with pictures of Frosty the Snowman. And Joseph WAS going to throweth it away, but Mary saideth unto him, she saideth, 'Holdeth it! That is nice paper! Saveth it for next year!' And Joseph DID rolleth his eyeballs. And the baby Jesus WAS more interested in the paper than, for example, the frankincense."
But these words do not appear in the Bible, which means that the very first Christmas gifts were NOT wrapped. This is because the people giving those gifts had two important characteristics:
1. They were wise.
2. They were men.
Men are not big gift wrappers. Men do not understand the point of putting paper on a gift just so somebody else can tear it off. This is not just my opinion:
This is a scientific fact based on a statistical survey of two guys I know. One is my son, Rob, who said the only time he ever wraps a gift is, quote, "if it's such a poor gift that I don't want to be there when the person opens it."
The other is my friend Gene Weingarten, who told me he does wrap gifts, but as a matter of principle never takes more than 15 seconds per gift. "No one ever had to wonder which presents daddy wrapped at Christmas," Gene said.
"They were the ones that looked like enormous spit balls."
I also wrap gifts, but because of some defect in my motor skills, I can never COMPLETELY wrap them. I can take a gift the size of a deck of cards and put it the exact center of a piece of wrapping paper the size of a regulation volleyball court, but when I am done folding and taping, you can still see a sector of the gift peeking out. (Sometimes I camouflage this sector with a
marking pen.) If I had been an ancient Egyptian in the field of mummies, the lower half of the Pharaoh's body would be covered only by Scotch tape.
On the other hand, if you give my wife a 12-inch square of wrapping paper, she can wrap a C-130 cargo plane. My wife, like many women, actually LIKES wrapping things. If she gives you a gift that requires batteries, she wraps the batteries separately, which to me is very close to being a symptom of mental illness. If it were possible, my wife would wrap each individual volt.
My point is that gift-wrapping is one of those skills-like having babies that come more naturally to women than to men. That is why today I am presenting:
GIFT-WRAPPING TIPS FOR MEN
* whenever possible, buy gifts that are already wrapped. If, when the recipient opens the gift, neither one of you recognizes it, you can claim that it's myrrh.
* The editors of Woman's Day magazine recently ran an item on how to make your own wrapping paper by printing a design on it with an apple sliced in half horizontally and dipped in a mixture of food coloring and liquid starch. They must be smoking crack.
* If you're giving a hard-to-wrap gift, skip the wrapping paper! Just put it inside a bag and stick one of those little adhesive bows on it. This creates a festive visual effect that is sure to delight the lucky recipient on Christmas morning:
YOUR WIFE: Why is there a Hefty trash bag under the tree?
YOU: It's a gift! See? It has a bow!
YOUR WIFE (peering into the trash bag): It's a leaf blower.
YOU: Gas-powered! Five horsepower!
YOUR WIFE: I want a divorce.
YOU: I also got you some myrrh.
In conclusion, remember that the important thing is not what you give, or how you wrap it. The important thing, during this very special time of year, is that you save the receipt
This is the time of year when we think back to the very first Christmas, when the Three Wise Men-Gaspar, Balthasar and Herb-went to see the baby Jesus, and, according to the Book of Matthew, "presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
These are simple words, but if we analyze them carefully, we discover an important, yet often-overlooked, theological fact: There is no mention of wrapping paper. If there had been wrapping paper, Matthew would have said so:
"And lo, the gifts WERE inside 600 square cubits of paper. And the paper WAS festooned
with pictures of Frosty the Snowman. And Joseph WAS going to throweth it away, but Mary saideth unto him, she saideth, 'Holdeth it! That is nice paper! Saveth it for next year!' And Joseph DID rolleth his eyeballs. And the baby Jesus WAS more interested in the paper than, for example, the frankincense."
But these words do not appear in the Bible, which means that the very first Christmas gifts were NOT wrapped. This is because the people giving those gifts had two important characteristics:
1. They were wise.
2. They were men.
Men are not big gift wrappers. Men do not understand the point of putting paper on a gift just so somebody else can tear it off. This is not just my opinion:
This is a scientific fact based on a statistical survey of two guys I know. One is my son, Rob, who said the only time he ever wraps a gift is, quote, "if it's such a poor gift that I don't want to be there when the person opens it."
The other is my friend Gene Weingarten, who told me he does wrap gifts, but as a matter of principle never takes more than 15 seconds per gift. "No one ever had to wonder which presents daddy wrapped at Christmas," Gene said.
"They were the ones that looked like enormous spit balls."
I also wrap gifts, but because of some defect in my motor skills, I can never COMPLETELY wrap them. I can take a gift the size of a deck of cards and put it the exact center of a piece of wrapping paper the size of a regulation volleyball court, but when I am done folding and taping, you can still see a sector of the gift peeking out. (Sometimes I camouflage this sector with a
marking pen.) If I had been an ancient Egyptian in the field of mummies, the lower half of the Pharaoh's body would be covered only by Scotch tape.
On the other hand, if you give my wife a 12-inch square of wrapping paper, she can wrap a C-130 cargo plane. My wife, like many women, actually LIKES wrapping things. If she gives you a gift that requires batteries, she wraps the batteries separately, which to me is very close to being a symptom of mental illness. If it were possible, my wife would wrap each individual volt.
My point is that gift-wrapping is one of those skills-like having babies that come more naturally to women than to men. That is why today I am presenting:
GIFT-WRAPPING TIPS FOR MEN
* whenever possible, buy gifts that are already wrapped. If, when the recipient opens the gift, neither one of you recognizes it, you can claim that it's myrrh.
* The editors of Woman's Day magazine recently ran an item on how to make your own wrapping paper by printing a design on it with an apple sliced in half horizontally and dipped in a mixture of food coloring and liquid starch. They must be smoking crack.
* If you're giving a hard-to-wrap gift, skip the wrapping paper! Just put it inside a bag and stick one of those little adhesive bows on it. This creates a festive visual effect that is sure to delight the lucky recipient on Christmas morning:
YOUR WIFE: Why is there a Hefty trash bag under the tree?
YOU: It's a gift! See? It has a bow!
YOUR WIFE (peering into the trash bag): It's a leaf blower.
YOU: Gas-powered! Five horsepower!
YOUR WIFE: I want a divorce.
YOU: I also got you some myrrh.
In conclusion, remember that the important thing is not what you give, or how you wrap it. The important thing, during this very special time of year, is that you save the receipt
My News
Week 2 in my new role as a consultant. I have to remind myself that the client is paying for my services by the hour, that my employer has targets for my productivity and that my earnings are dependant on these.
The folk I work with seem a nice enough bunch, though Project Office types. Not much banter, head down keyboard bangers. I am going to have to do something about that. The team is currently eight strong and consists of the Programme Office Manager, a schedule planner, two guys looking after governance, two folk who do the organisational reporting and three folk doing something though I cannot remember what.
My role for the next 6 months is to review recently completed projects. There is a significant backlog and I am tasked with trying to close the gap, but more importantly to provide a quality of insight into the manner in which projects are managed and delivered in the organisation. To cut through the crap and identify where the issues or successes within a project were, to derive meaningful learnings and capture metrics that are relevant.
There are some good challenges ahead and I look forward to improving the structure and process for these post implementation reviews. I have identified a few shortcomings already and will test my understanding of these in the course of the first reviews. I am expected to get through between 5 and 7 reviews a month. Not an overly taxing target, so I look forward to exceeding expectations on that front.
The boss and I had a really good chat on Monday afternoon, bouncing ideas and discussing some of the trends evident from the results already at hand. I suspect I will have more than a few of these with him over the next six months, looking at trends and debating solutions to these. I suppose a logical progression for me will be in implementing solutions I will be part of developing.
As for life, all is well with us. The weather has improved slightly, if only in the daytime temperatures. Still suffering under bucket loads of rain, which affects Meghan and her horse time, Travis and I with our sport and Des is constantly driving in the rain, which worries me.
Kids are into exams and Meghan is preparing for her end of Intermediate School Ball in 3 weeks time. We need to buy a dress and shoes and all those things. Meghan seldom wears dresses so a new outfit is required. She is less than excited……….
I was invited to attend the Starfish end-of-year function for the contractors. Though I am not part of the division the boss thought it a good idea to meet some of the folk. The company booked the Concrete Bar on Cable Car Lane, just off Lambton Quay in the CBD. An upmarket venue that was packed by the time I finally arrived, opting to finish a piece of work before taking the 10 minute walk. I was expecting twenty odd people, so imagine my surprise at walking into a buzzing fifty odd.
What I had expected to be a beer or two and on the train by 7PM turned into dragging myself away to take the 9PM train, which meant that Desiree had to collect me from the station at 10PM. To sum up the vibe of Starfish, I quote from the Boss Man’s toast at the end of his 2 minute speech: “…the best team of project managers…………….in the World!” which was greeted with a spontaneous cheer that epitomises the attitude and vibe of this “little” company.
I look forward to our staff Christmas function in mid December.
Did my back on the way to work yesterday and had to visit the chiropractor. By the time I had been re-aligned, the muscle spasm had set in so hobbled through the day and spent the evening prostrate on the couch. Slept well though and feeling much better this morning, the pain having been replaced by stiffness and should be good for cricket on Saturday. Speaking of which, our home ground is separated from the sea only by a road. I am wondering how many cricket balls will be lost into the water! Learnt last Saturday that sunscreen is a must, to protect from wind-burn and salt spray, more so than the sun. I must be on layer seven of peeled skin off my nose already; and no end in sight!
We are all scheduled to do our immigration medicals this week. The girls are today, Travis and I on Friday morning and Des on Friday afternoon. I am hoping to drop the Permanent Residence applications at Immigration on Wednesday next week. All going well we should be in the house hunting market by Feb next year, Residence the only barrier to a home loan. Rates are between 7.5% and 9.5% depending on the package structure and risk profile. Property is expensive, though growth in house prices is strong and the affords good opportunities for people, like me, who are willing to buy a property that requires a little work and has potential to be developed. The returns are solid and I expect that will be our approach. Renovating!
The folks called early yesterday morning, our time and their time, from Bangkok. It must have been about 2AM in Bangkok and from the party tones in their voices it probably was! They are having a ball! Shopping and sightseeing, sampling the cuisine and the local brews. Ally I understand has not been afraid of the Thai whiskey, silly girl and Pa, it seems, has taken to sampling every local brew he comes across.
They sounded as though they were, finally, on holiday! I just wonder if they will actually make it to the airport to continue their journey because we can’t wait for them to arrive.
The folk I work with seem a nice enough bunch, though Project Office types. Not much banter, head down keyboard bangers. I am going to have to do something about that. The team is currently eight strong and consists of the Programme Office Manager, a schedule planner, two guys looking after governance, two folk who do the organisational reporting and three folk doing something though I cannot remember what.
My role for the next 6 months is to review recently completed projects. There is a significant backlog and I am tasked with trying to close the gap, but more importantly to provide a quality of insight into the manner in which projects are managed and delivered in the organisation. To cut through the crap and identify where the issues or successes within a project were, to derive meaningful learnings and capture metrics that are relevant.
There are some good challenges ahead and I look forward to improving the structure and process for these post implementation reviews. I have identified a few shortcomings already and will test my understanding of these in the course of the first reviews. I am expected to get through between 5 and 7 reviews a month. Not an overly taxing target, so I look forward to exceeding expectations on that front.
The boss and I had a really good chat on Monday afternoon, bouncing ideas and discussing some of the trends evident from the results already at hand. I suspect I will have more than a few of these with him over the next six months, looking at trends and debating solutions to these. I suppose a logical progression for me will be in implementing solutions I will be part of developing.
As for life, all is well with us. The weather has improved slightly, if only in the daytime temperatures. Still suffering under bucket loads of rain, which affects Meghan and her horse time, Travis and I with our sport and Des is constantly driving in the rain, which worries me.
Kids are into exams and Meghan is preparing for her end of Intermediate School Ball in 3 weeks time. We need to buy a dress and shoes and all those things. Meghan seldom wears dresses so a new outfit is required. She is less than excited……….
I was invited to attend the Starfish end-of-year function for the contractors. Though I am not part of the division the boss thought it a good idea to meet some of the folk. The company booked the Concrete Bar on Cable Car Lane, just off Lambton Quay in the CBD. An upmarket venue that was packed by the time I finally arrived, opting to finish a piece of work before taking the 10 minute walk. I was expecting twenty odd people, so imagine my surprise at walking into a buzzing fifty odd.
What I had expected to be a beer or two and on the train by 7PM turned into dragging myself away to take the 9PM train, which meant that Desiree had to collect me from the station at 10PM. To sum up the vibe of Starfish, I quote from the Boss Man’s toast at the end of his 2 minute speech: “…the best team of project managers…………….in the World!” which was greeted with a spontaneous cheer that epitomises the attitude and vibe of this “little” company.
I look forward to our staff Christmas function in mid December.
Did my back on the way to work yesterday and had to visit the chiropractor. By the time I had been re-aligned, the muscle spasm had set in so hobbled through the day and spent the evening prostrate on the couch. Slept well though and feeling much better this morning, the pain having been replaced by stiffness and should be good for cricket on Saturday. Speaking of which, our home ground is separated from the sea only by a road. I am wondering how many cricket balls will be lost into the water! Learnt last Saturday that sunscreen is a must, to protect from wind-burn and salt spray, more so than the sun. I must be on layer seven of peeled skin off my nose already; and no end in sight!
We are all scheduled to do our immigration medicals this week. The girls are today, Travis and I on Friday morning and Des on Friday afternoon. I am hoping to drop the Permanent Residence applications at Immigration on Wednesday next week. All going well we should be in the house hunting market by Feb next year, Residence the only barrier to a home loan. Rates are between 7.5% and 9.5% depending on the package structure and risk profile. Property is expensive, though growth in house prices is strong and the affords good opportunities for people, like me, who are willing to buy a property that requires a little work and has potential to be developed. The returns are solid and I expect that will be our approach. Renovating!
The folks called early yesterday morning, our time and their time, from Bangkok. It must have been about 2AM in Bangkok and from the party tones in their voices it probably was! They are having a ball! Shopping and sightseeing, sampling the cuisine and the local brews. Ally I understand has not been afraid of the Thai whiskey, silly girl and Pa, it seems, has taken to sampling every local brew he comes across.
They sounded as though they were, finally, on holiday! I just wonder if they will actually make it to the airport to continue their journey because we can’t wait for them to arrive.
My Path
Darkened windows, the lights flash by, streaks of communities, streaks of the infrastructure that control life. White, yellow, red!
A respite, the doors open to fresh Wellington air, Kaiwharawhara! The same to Linden, “pshhhhhh” the password and the doors open.
A lone ranger alights our mount. Finds his seat in the want of todays society, alone.
Pshhhhh! Tawa; and a passenger disembarks, leaving a loner’s spot, quickly snuggled by someone previously sharing!
The lights flash by once again, these late night trips permeated with stops at all stations, like foreplay on a weeknight.
The bleary eyed, the well oiled, the work-a-hardest heading homeward. Those lights flashing by the window once more, signalling our safety, our route, our journey.
A small part of that journey that is life! The choices we make that shape who we are and where we end up.
Not philosophy, simply an observation of the fact that is!
Today we opt to do, tomorrow we opt not! How this trip changes a life, or not!
I think of those on the London underground, bombed on their trip! How many of those on their normal route, or forced to that route by a signal fault, a delay, a missed connection. How many missed that horror, early by the grace of an appreciative manager, free-flowing traffic or a flippant early departure.
Pshhhhhh! Paremata. Pshhhhhhh! Pukerua. Pshhhhhh………… I travel on!
There but for my homeward journey go I! Having met and experienced such lovely souls this evening at my first Starfish function, a different path I am bound to travel.
A respite, the doors open to fresh Wellington air, Kaiwharawhara! The same to Linden, “pshhhhhh” the password and the doors open.
A lone ranger alights our mount. Finds his seat in the want of todays society, alone.
Pshhhhh! Tawa; and a passenger disembarks, leaving a loner’s spot, quickly snuggled by someone previously sharing!
The lights flash by once again, these late night trips permeated with stops at all stations, like foreplay on a weeknight.
The bleary eyed, the well oiled, the work-a-hardest heading homeward. Those lights flashing by the window once more, signalling our safety, our route, our journey.
A small part of that journey that is life! The choices we make that shape who we are and where we end up.
Not philosophy, simply an observation of the fact that is!
Today we opt to do, tomorrow we opt not! How this trip changes a life, or not!
I think of those on the London underground, bombed on their trip! How many of those on their normal route, or forced to that route by a signal fault, a delay, a missed connection. How many missed that horror, early by the grace of an appreciative manager, free-flowing traffic or a flippant early departure.
Pshhhhhh! Paremata. Pshhhhhhh! Pukerua. Pshhhhhh………… I travel on!
There but for my homeward journey go I! Having met and experienced such lovely souls this evening at my first Starfish function, a different path I am bound to travel.
More News'y Stuff
While I have not written for some time, much, as per usual, has transpired in our new lives. Summer, for one, has arrived! I think. I hope. Touch wood!
A full week with no rain and no padded jackets escorting me to work. Aahhh, what a life.
Brian came to visit last weekend. Part of his soccer teams year end tour, I think? He and two mates, one on route to Christchurch as part of a work relocation and one other along for the ride made up the party. A pretty good party by the sight of the boys on Sunday morning. Bleary eyed, yet ready to tackle the golden malt, again, before lunch.
It was good to have Brian around and I always marvel at his approach to life. He is a doer! He is funny and his humour always reminds me of Uncle Louis! A humour that is life itself, derived and inspired by people. To say that he has a capacity for partying would be to sell him short. The boy can thrash it till sunrise and start again with an early breakfast. Needless to say I was green-gilled by Sunday! And he only arrived with us on Saturday morning.
GREAT!
He spent time with us at Travis’ cricket, soaking up the first summer sun on Saturday, came back on Sunday, stayed over and flew back to Auckland on Monday evening! Thanks Brian!
We have been preparing our home for it’s six monthly landlord visit. A sizeable task given that we ignored our duties through the rain and cold months. We are almost there and I suspect we will pass with flying colours.
My resignation at EDS has left me feeling a little vulnerable, unsure. One no longer feels a part of the team. Like a peg without a hole? Things to do and places to go, but a little unstructured. I get the feeling my peers expect me to act in a certain way, to have a certain attitude. What? Why? All I want is to prepare the one major project I have for a seamless handover. Look after my baby!
I have been entertained recently with observations and musings from the Overburg. Of walks on the beach, misty mornings, friendly neighbours, a little wine and whiskey sipping, a life newly discovered. Of waiting with anticipation to catch up on the lives of Val and F! Recently the highveld smog departed, settled now in the foothills of fynbos country and a new four legged companion to boot! That lifelong dream realised! You go guys! And thanks……
(PS: Your music is in the post)
So what of our news? Well, suppose we have been busy doing life! Work, school, sport, horses, maintenance and well, the stuff that makes up what we are, a family.
Missing our folk is reality. News of family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries and the like, remind us of the price we pay. Those sun drenched, red meat blackening, beer filled afternoons, chewing the fat, sharing love! We miss those. Seeing the nieces and nephews grow toward their fist steps, their first day of school, their first exam, their first job, their weddings, becoming parents! These things we miss! As pioneers though, I suppose we build our own “family” to satisfy these cravings.
I suggest we pay a little homage to our forebears, who did just this, without email and telephones. Respect!
Just peered out the window as we pass Plimmerton, The sea is calm, the sky cloudless, the wind but a murmur, like tea settling after a gentle stir. The sheep are out, not cowering in the hollows but freckling the hills. The folk about the carriage are in summer attire, the jackets lazing about the stowage racks, neglected, unwanted!
I sense a ramble coming on……….. something about how blue or green that Tasman, or how green or yellow spotted that hill, or how the rich folk are invasive, or how ………………..
I simply cannot wait to get off the train today and be with my family. A sundown at the beach, a chardonnay, a piece of cheese, a memory!
A full week with no rain and no padded jackets escorting me to work. Aahhh, what a life.
Brian came to visit last weekend. Part of his soccer teams year end tour, I think? He and two mates, one on route to Christchurch as part of a work relocation and one other along for the ride made up the party. A pretty good party by the sight of the boys on Sunday morning. Bleary eyed, yet ready to tackle the golden malt, again, before lunch.
It was good to have Brian around and I always marvel at his approach to life. He is a doer! He is funny and his humour always reminds me of Uncle Louis! A humour that is life itself, derived and inspired by people. To say that he has a capacity for partying would be to sell him short. The boy can thrash it till sunrise and start again with an early breakfast. Needless to say I was green-gilled by Sunday! And he only arrived with us on Saturday morning.
GREAT!
He spent time with us at Travis’ cricket, soaking up the first summer sun on Saturday, came back on Sunday, stayed over and flew back to Auckland on Monday evening! Thanks Brian!
We have been preparing our home for it’s six monthly landlord visit. A sizeable task given that we ignored our duties through the rain and cold months. We are almost there and I suspect we will pass with flying colours.
My resignation at EDS has left me feeling a little vulnerable, unsure. One no longer feels a part of the team. Like a peg without a hole? Things to do and places to go, but a little unstructured. I get the feeling my peers expect me to act in a certain way, to have a certain attitude. What? Why? All I want is to prepare the one major project I have for a seamless handover. Look after my baby!
I have been entertained recently with observations and musings from the Overburg. Of walks on the beach, misty mornings, friendly neighbours, a little wine and whiskey sipping, a life newly discovered. Of waiting with anticipation to catch up on the lives of Val and F! Recently the highveld smog departed, settled now in the foothills of fynbos country and a new four legged companion to boot! That lifelong dream realised! You go guys! And thanks……
(PS: Your music is in the post)
So what of our news? Well, suppose we have been busy doing life! Work, school, sport, horses, maintenance and well, the stuff that makes up what we are, a family.
Missing our folk is reality. News of family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries and the like, remind us of the price we pay. Those sun drenched, red meat blackening, beer filled afternoons, chewing the fat, sharing love! We miss those. Seeing the nieces and nephews grow toward their fist steps, their first day of school, their first exam, their first job, their weddings, becoming parents! These things we miss! As pioneers though, I suppose we build our own “family” to satisfy these cravings.
I suggest we pay a little homage to our forebears, who did just this, without email and telephones. Respect!
Just peered out the window as we pass Plimmerton, The sea is calm, the sky cloudless, the wind but a murmur, like tea settling after a gentle stir. The sheep are out, not cowering in the hollows but freckling the hills. The folk about the carriage are in summer attire, the jackets lazing about the stowage racks, neglected, unwanted!
I sense a ramble coming on……….. something about how blue or green that Tasman, or how green or yellow spotted that hill, or how the rich folk are invasive, or how ………………..
I simply cannot wait to get off the train today and be with my family. A sundown at the beach, a chardonnay, a piece of cheese, a memory!
Just News
I roll toward Wellington this morning with Kapiti Island visible for the first time in an age. Winter just will not give over, being more belligerent than petulant, as I have described it recently. Our long weekend was a sodden, no, flooded affair. Overcast on Saturday morning with the rain holding off just long enough for the College cricket side to wrap up a win. By evening the rain had blown in and it bucketed. Sunday and the wind had departed leaving 24 hours of continuous, monsoon like rain. Monday was more of the same, giving way to increasing winds in the evening, followed overnight and all day Tuesday by gale force southerlies, bringing driving rain and cold well into the night.
I hope, nay pray, that summer will pluck up the courage to give winter a good spanking and take charge. Talk is this is the first of a three year El Ninho cycle………???
As for the College cricket, the boys did well on a damp track with oodles of grass. The boys put on 100 all out in 38 overs. (Travis 11 from 8 balls, 1 x 4 and 1 x 6 batting at 11) A competitive total on that track if they bowled good lines. They triumphed dismissing St Bernards for 73. (Travis 6 overs, no maidens, 1 for 24) The boys fielded well, taking all the catches on offer and creating breakthroughs at important times. Travis’ bowling was indifferent, impatient almost. His stock delivery is away swing, meaning that most of the time the batsmen aren’t good enough to get an edge, playing and missing, playing and missing. He then reverts to trying to take the batsmans head off, which most often slides down leg side for the wide. Problem is when he gets it right, he is dangerous and he gets the ball to zip around the rib cage and ears. It is a good attacking weapon, so I am not discouraging him too much, though I would prefer to see the yorker, given his ability to swing it, as an attacking weapon. I try not to interfere too much, he needs to experiment and figure out what works for him….. I also need to work on his action just a little, noticed a few bad habits creeping in.
The big news is the end result of my exploring a few contract opportunities, which I have written about recently. I have been offered a role in a consulting firm! A fantastic opportunity which I am about to accept. A salary which equals my current package, plus a percentage of revenue, incentive rewards and career development. I will get to put my knowledge and experience to good use in some of New Zealand’s biggest Corporate Companies.
The opportunity is exciting and I cannot wait to get my teeth into it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That was yesterday and I did not get to post the update to the blog, so time for more news and developments. Not a quiet life we lead…….
Tendered my resignation to EDS yesterday and signed the new employment agreement with Starfish Consulting. The new boss was beaming and immediately took me on a tour of the office, announcing my arrival in 4 weeks time and introducing me to team. I had assessed the bosses as dynamic and vibrant, but I was not prepared for the vibe and smiles that awaited me around the offices of Starfish!
I look forward to working with these folks and adding value. They will genuinely appreciate the experiences and knowledge I bring to the organisation. Of particular interest to them, it appears, is my knowledge of high maturity project processes. Not just the theory, but implementation and use in a “living” world. How to apply the theory to derive better project practice. I suspect I will be doing a fair amount of coaching and mentoring, which I do so enjoy!
Meghan turned all of 13 yesterday and I left the office early so that Des and I could take her shopping for her gift. Met the farrier (spelling? The guy that does the horses hooves and shoes) at the pony club when we collected Megs, so arranged to have Melba’s hooves trimmed. She is unshod, so needs her nails clipped and filed about six weekly. That done, we were off to the Saddlery Warehouse in Kapiti road, to pick out a saddle. A daunting task with our limited knowledge but knowing that the young lady down there is very knowledgeable and if we got it wrong, we would be able to exchange the goods.
Saddles come in different sizes and have things called gullets and girths, are mounted or mounted and all sorts of other stuff. Mostly we just nod and say yes, with a smile, but the blank eyes are a sure sign.
Saddle, stirrups, girth and saddle cloth in hand, Meghan is gifted and all that remains is cake, candles and our traditionally out of tune “Happy Birthday”. Megs is stoked, so the money is well spent. I just hope it fits, which Ms Olley will help her with this afternoon.
Meghan sorted it was time to fetch Travis from cricket practice and get him down to athletics training at the Paraparaumu Domain. I had some time ago offered to teach Travis the basics of hurdling and had suggested he find out if the club have hurdles and whether we could get access to them. The end result is that I am now committed to sharing whatever knowledge I have about hurdling with a bunch of kids at the club and will be “coaching” them.
It all stems from the very poor quality of hurdling I witnessed at the Wellington Champs at the end of the last athletics season. One could liken it to kangaroos hopping fences! And we are not Aussies, we are Kiwis……
I was extremely fortunate to have had some really good technique coaching in primary school. Mr Alan Hartley was his name, so I will pass some of that on to these kids if they are interested. Could probably teach them a little about high jump too.
We are having so much fun and Ma and Pa are coming to visit, so life is good!
I hope, nay pray, that summer will pluck up the courage to give winter a good spanking and take charge. Talk is this is the first of a three year El Ninho cycle………???
As for the College cricket, the boys did well on a damp track with oodles of grass. The boys put on 100 all out in 38 overs. (Travis 11 from 8 balls, 1 x 4 and 1 x 6 batting at 11) A competitive total on that track if they bowled good lines. They triumphed dismissing St Bernards for 73. (Travis 6 overs, no maidens, 1 for 24) The boys fielded well, taking all the catches on offer and creating breakthroughs at important times. Travis’ bowling was indifferent, impatient almost. His stock delivery is away swing, meaning that most of the time the batsmen aren’t good enough to get an edge, playing and missing, playing and missing. He then reverts to trying to take the batsmans head off, which most often slides down leg side for the wide. Problem is when he gets it right, he is dangerous and he gets the ball to zip around the rib cage and ears. It is a good attacking weapon, so I am not discouraging him too much, though I would prefer to see the yorker, given his ability to swing it, as an attacking weapon. I try not to interfere too much, he needs to experiment and figure out what works for him….. I also need to work on his action just a little, noticed a few bad habits creeping in.
The big news is the end result of my exploring a few contract opportunities, which I have written about recently. I have been offered a role in a consulting firm! A fantastic opportunity which I am about to accept. A salary which equals my current package, plus a percentage of revenue, incentive rewards and career development. I will get to put my knowledge and experience to good use in some of New Zealand’s biggest Corporate Companies.
The opportunity is exciting and I cannot wait to get my teeth into it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That was yesterday and I did not get to post the update to the blog, so time for more news and developments. Not a quiet life we lead…….
Tendered my resignation to EDS yesterday and signed the new employment agreement with Starfish Consulting. The new boss was beaming and immediately took me on a tour of the office, announcing my arrival in 4 weeks time and introducing me to team. I had assessed the bosses as dynamic and vibrant, but I was not prepared for the vibe and smiles that awaited me around the offices of Starfish!
I look forward to working with these folks and adding value. They will genuinely appreciate the experiences and knowledge I bring to the organisation. Of particular interest to them, it appears, is my knowledge of high maturity project processes. Not just the theory, but implementation and use in a “living” world. How to apply the theory to derive better project practice. I suspect I will be doing a fair amount of coaching and mentoring, which I do so enjoy!
Meghan turned all of 13 yesterday and I left the office early so that Des and I could take her shopping for her gift. Met the farrier (spelling? The guy that does the horses hooves and shoes) at the pony club when we collected Megs, so arranged to have Melba’s hooves trimmed. She is unshod, so needs her nails clipped and filed about six weekly. That done, we were off to the Saddlery Warehouse in Kapiti road, to pick out a saddle. A daunting task with our limited knowledge but knowing that the young lady down there is very knowledgeable and if we got it wrong, we would be able to exchange the goods.
Saddles come in different sizes and have things called gullets and girths, are mounted or mounted and all sorts of other stuff. Mostly we just nod and say yes, with a smile, but the blank eyes are a sure sign.
Saddle, stirrups, girth and saddle cloth in hand, Meghan is gifted and all that remains is cake, candles and our traditionally out of tune “Happy Birthday”. Megs is stoked, so the money is well spent. I just hope it fits, which Ms Olley will help her with this afternoon.
Meghan sorted it was time to fetch Travis from cricket practice and get him down to athletics training at the Paraparaumu Domain. I had some time ago offered to teach Travis the basics of hurdling and had suggested he find out if the club have hurdles and whether we could get access to them. The end result is that I am now committed to sharing whatever knowledge I have about hurdling with a bunch of kids at the club and will be “coaching” them.
It all stems from the very poor quality of hurdling I witnessed at the Wellington Champs at the end of the last athletics season. One could liken it to kangaroos hopping fences! And we are not Aussies, we are Kiwis……
I was extremely fortunate to have had some really good technique coaching in primary school. Mr Alan Hartley was his name, so I will pass some of that on to these kids if they are interested. Could probably teach them a little about high jump too.
We are having so much fun and Ma and Pa are coming to visit, so life is good!
Quickie Update
A weekend departed, a long weekend approaching! Isn’t life just grand.
Only real news is our medal winning performance on the soccer pitch last Saturday. 0-0 at halftime and 3-0 winners by the end of extra time. Travis set-up the first with a quality cross to feet in the box and scored the third, a nice goal from the right edge of the box, to beat the keeper and slam the ball inside the left hand post.
A quiet celebration at the club rooms coupled with the presentation of the medals as league champions and home by 6:30PM, in time to watch the netball test and the rugby league tri-nations test, flitting between the channels, trying to appreciate both matches. The netball was quiet special, for a non-enthusiast! The pace of the game was outstanding with the Silver Ferns and the Aussies going at it in a fairly physical affair. The ferns levelled the three test series at 1-1 with their six point victory margin, only to loose the decider in Christchurch on Monday evening.
As for the Kiwi rugby league side, well they are the “small boys” or the “poor boys” of the code. Though a valiant effort, they were no match for the more polished Kangaroos and lost 28-12? Thereabouts, though the score probably flatters them somewhat. They play the Kangaroos again this weekend in Aus, so expect a thumping!
More sport last weekend, saw the Wellington Lions win through to the local provincial competition, thoroughly beating Auckland at Eden Park, 30-15. The team, the backbone of the Hurricanes Super 14 side, continues to be a pleasure to watch. They play an expansive game, with a tough-as-nails pack of forwards supplying a backline packed with fire power. Consider the players on display on this team: Rodney So’Oalo, Chris Masoe, Neemia Tialata and Jerry Collins in the forwards. Piri Weepu, Tana Umaga, Ma’a Nonu, Corey Jane, Conrad Smith and Jimmy Gopperth, who has hardly missed a kick all season, busting tackles and scoring tries. Pity the final is in Hamilton this weekend…….
The Wellington International Jazz Festival kicks off in two weeks time and I am looking forward to booking a night in Wellington for Des and I to take in a concert and then party the night away at one of the festival venues. We have not taken time to ourselves in ages, so it is long overdue and well earned. Great to have teenage kids that can take care of themselves for an evening.
Save to say that we are all well, that is our news for now.
Only real news is our medal winning performance on the soccer pitch last Saturday. 0-0 at halftime and 3-0 winners by the end of extra time. Travis set-up the first with a quality cross to feet in the box and scored the third, a nice goal from the right edge of the box, to beat the keeper and slam the ball inside the left hand post.
A quiet celebration at the club rooms coupled with the presentation of the medals as league champions and home by 6:30PM, in time to watch the netball test and the rugby league tri-nations test, flitting between the channels, trying to appreciate both matches. The netball was quiet special, for a non-enthusiast! The pace of the game was outstanding with the Silver Ferns and the Aussies going at it in a fairly physical affair. The ferns levelled the three test series at 1-1 with their six point victory margin, only to loose the decider in Christchurch on Monday evening.
As for the Kiwi rugby league side, well they are the “small boys” or the “poor boys” of the code. Though a valiant effort, they were no match for the more polished Kangaroos and lost 28-12? Thereabouts, though the score probably flatters them somewhat. They play the Kangaroos again this weekend in Aus, so expect a thumping!
More sport last weekend, saw the Wellington Lions win through to the local provincial competition, thoroughly beating Auckland at Eden Park, 30-15. The team, the backbone of the Hurricanes Super 14 side, continues to be a pleasure to watch. They play an expansive game, with a tough-as-nails pack of forwards supplying a backline packed with fire power. Consider the players on display on this team: Rodney So’Oalo, Chris Masoe, Neemia Tialata and Jerry Collins in the forwards. Piri Weepu, Tana Umaga, Ma’a Nonu, Corey Jane, Conrad Smith and Jimmy Gopperth, who has hardly missed a kick all season, busting tackles and scoring tries. Pity the final is in Hamilton this weekend…….
The Wellington International Jazz Festival kicks off in two weeks time and I am looking forward to booking a night in Wellington for Des and I to take in a concert and then party the night away at one of the festival venues. We have not taken time to ourselves in ages, so it is long overdue and well earned. Great to have teenage kids that can take care of themselves for an evening.
Save to say that we are all well, that is our news for now.
News (from) Zealand
Travis was not able to secure a place in the under seventeen Kapiti / Horowhenua (District) representative cricket team. The coaches have recognised his potential and believe he will get his chance. The reality is that he is still something of a novice and was competing for a place as a change bowler in the squad. The selectors have opted for players with more experience and cricket maturity. Fair call, with Travis only recently turning fifteen and effectively in his second season. I will say this for him though: He was one of the very few, if not the only player at the trials session on Sunday afternoon to be positive and attacking in his approach to the game. Bowling to take wickets, not shy to bowl the bouncer, the effort ball and seek out the yorker. He nabbed a couple, both against top order batsmen. Impressive given that the approach from all the batsmen was survive at all costs. There were four boundaries in three hours of cricket, the first being four byes, off Travis’ bowling after beating the bat and the keeper with a yorker. One four, struck by Travis through mid wicket and two sixes, monster'ed by the same Travis. More remarkable was his boundaries were struck off last years two opening bowlers!
They have elected to go with experience and Travis will have a great shout at making the squad next year, meaning he would still get two seasons in this age group. The question now is whether he goes to club cricket. The quandary is that he will play for the Kapiti College First Eleven. The college are in a rebuilding year and have dropped from the top grade for this season, while they build this young team. It will be good for the boys confidence to play in a grade where they are competitive, but I wonder at the training, coaching and exposure to good pitches and opposition. A good, mature, experienced captain would also be very beneficial to his growth. Club cricket is played Saturdays and I doubt it will be possible to play college in the morning and club in the afternoon. May be option to see what Sunday cricket is played and if feasible, get him involved there to grow him as a cricketer.
The boy can play! He really can play! So I am keen to see him develop!
They have elected to go with experience and Travis will have a great shout at making the squad next year, meaning he would still get two seasons in this age group. The question now is whether he goes to club cricket. The quandary is that he will play for the Kapiti College First Eleven. The college are in a rebuilding year and have dropped from the top grade for this season, while they build this young team. It will be good for the boys confidence to play in a grade where they are competitive, but I wonder at the training, coaching and exposure to good pitches and opposition. A good, mature, experienced captain would also be very beneficial to his growth. Club cricket is played Saturdays and I doubt it will be possible to play college in the morning and club in the afternoon. May be option to see what Sunday cricket is played and if feasible, get him involved there to grow him as a cricketer.
The boy can play! He really can play! So I am keen to see him develop!
The Soccer Tour
The past weekend was our end of season “Soccer Tour”. The kind of weekend where no soccer is played, copious amounts of booze are consumed and a good time is had by all. Six of us departed Kapiti at ten thirty AM on Friday morning, comfortably strapped into Nigel’s seven seat Toyota GranVia van. Coolers crammed full of the good brew and music at hand the three hour trip to Ohakune was going to be a breeze. The weather was a little grey with a nip in the air and a southerly that had been steadily strengthening through the morning. The forecast for Ohakune was not great for Friday, but improving over the weekend, important considering our golfing plans.
Ohakune is a small town, at the foot of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano and the ski capital of the north island. Oddly, it is also known as New Zealand’s carrot capital. It is sited on the western side of the Mount which is part of the Tongariro National Park. Our trip took us up the west coast from Kapiti, through Levin and up to Bulls on the Wellington to Wanganui route. This part of the country is a coastal plain with vast flat-lands and gently rolling hills, rich in agriculture. At Bulls we veer north east along State Highway One, heading inland and toward the mountains that characterise the centre of the north island and the central plateau.
The road starts to tighten up as we climb through the foothills of the mountain range and travel along a spectacular gorge before dropping into the valley that is home to the Hunterville community. We pull up at the local hotel, seek out the bar, order a beer and break the seal in what is a rather dingy mens room. A handful of mid-morning drinkers are quietly seated in a corner, going about the business of transitioning from last nights hangover, to todays fix. We are rowdy with excitement and anticipation, a stark contrast to the haggard looking men in the corner.
We place a bet on the first race of the day, finish up our pints, are bid a good journey by the buggers in the corner and continue our journey.
Up into the mountains we wind our way again, seeking out the plains beyond that signal “army territory”, the desert road and our destination of Waiouru for the afternoons golf. Less than thirty minutes from Ohakune, it offers a respite from the now less-than-appreciated methane gasses emanating from the back of the van, egged-on for want of a better term, by the baked beans and eggs one of our company had selfishly gorged themselves on for breakfast.
We drop out of the mountains into the hill country that is Waiouru, home to New Zealand’s Infantry. Road signs warn to expect military exercises at any time of the day or night. Right! We turn off State Highway One into Waiouru golf club, down about a kilometre to the parking area and the club house. No cars in sight, no golfers visible on the course and no activity in the club house. A gust disturbs the air in the parking area, followed by a deluge of sleet and sprinkling of “almost-snow”! We decide against golf and agree to re-assess the conditions once in Ohakune.
Off we head, fresh beers in hand, hoping against hope that we will get a round of golf in Ohakune. Turns out the conditions are much improved and we tee off on an empty Ohakune Golf Club course, which is in remarkably good condition with manicured greens, well kept fairways and a rough that is most forgiving. Beanie-headed and sporting an extra layer of clothing under the windbreakers we make our way around the course, stopping at halfway to quench our thirsts with more beer from the ice filled coolers. By the fifteenth hole my game is starting to unravel. A combination of tired legs, cold hands and Oranjeboom Lager. I end my round firing my tee shot at the wrong green, missing that by some 40 meters! I console myself and settle the raucous laughter from the rest of the six-ball by reminding them that we are back here tomorrow…..
The club house is understandably closed and we head straight to Ohakune to check in. Accommodation is in the form of two cabins. Toilet and washbasin immediately inside the entrance, on one side and a shower on the other. One large room houses bunk beds on either side just inside the door, with a double bed in the centre against the far wall. A small curtain-covered window does not bode well for methane ventilation, though I suspect with the beer freely flowing, one should be sufficiently anesthetised not to notice.
Check-in is simple and we spend the rest of the evening drinking beer, chatting, nibbling pitza and potato wedges and enjoy watching the Wellington Lions thump Canterbury in the quarter final of the provincial rugby competition. Tana Umaga is outstanding playing in the centre with Conrad Smith. A try fest to compliment the beer fest.
We bed by about one-thirty AM, me to dream of an improved performance on the golf course in the morning……..
I wake to a spectacular day! Clear skies and wind still. T-shirt weather! The sight of Mt Ruapehu, white capped in the early morning sunshine is spectacular and I wonder whether I will get an opportunity to get up there and cavort in the snow?
It is going for eight o’clock and with the others are still snoring, I take a shower and head off to find a cup of coffee and breakfast. The rest of the boys start making an appearance before I am halfway through brekkie and the morning paper. Another cup of coffee while the lads recharge for the day and by nine we are ready to roll.
The fellows all agree that getting the South African up to the snow “for the first time” is priority and I am cajoled throughout the 13km trip up to the ski-fields. It is what I expected, white and cold underfoot, but I am surprised at how dry the snow feels before it melts against my skin. The lads waste no time in pelting me with compacted balls of snow, which hurt, and teasing me to build a snowman. I find some powdery snow on the way back to the car and enjoy sinking to my knee with each stride, but get egg on my face when one stride lands on an iced-over section. I resembled a novice ice skater, delaying the inevitable horizontal-body-in-the-air-pose before landing on my backside to peels of laughter and more snowballs. Thanks mates!
Back down the mountain, at snails pace, not sure whether there would be patches of ice on the road and onward to Ohakune Golf Club.
The course is empty, again, which I cannot believe. It is a quality golf course, with a snow capped mountain as a backdrop, set in the midst of tranquillity and brightened by the sound of nature. At ten dollars for a round for a visitor, it is excellent value and one would expect better support.
I play poorly and blame the previous nights party. I failed to reach the ladies tee on two occasions and finish joint last, six strokes off the pace. Costs me a couple of dollars which I happily part with. Back into town for an afternoon of betting on the horses. Not my usual idea of fun, but it is a low cost exercise, with everyone putting twenty bucks in the kitty, and then placing TAB easy bets. An easy bet is simply a computer-generated selection of three horses for a race and costs three bucks.
I soon loose interest as we continue to loose money but there is enough to chat about and the afternoon beers aren’t going down to badly. We have two winners all afternoon and we net some twelve dollars each. We leave as dusk descends across the village and the snow capped peak reflects the redness of the setting sun.
We decide that there is enough in the kitty to cover a decent plate of food, so supper is taken at the lodge restaurant. I enjoy a chunk of steak accompanied, no, washed down with two glasses of red wine. Silly boy! Red wine after all that beer and I feel decidedly weak at the knees and sleepy eyed. Supper done the boys opt for clean clothes and aftershave before braving the nightlife scene for a second night! I opt out, hit the sack at ten thirty and sleep through their return at four AM. Needless to say, I was up, showered and off to breakfast well before my green-gilled companions.
I feel rough around the edges, but a litre of orange juice, a long black, toast, eggs, bacon, baked beans and pork sausage, chased down by a second long black sets me reasonably straight for the trip back home.
The trip back is uneventful, though it required frequent checks to ensure the driver was awake. I found that asking “Are we there yet?” every ten minutes, without looking up from the magazine I was reading, kept a sufficient amount of anger-induced-adrenalin in the driver to secure our safe arrival back in Kapiti.
Will I do it again next year? Hell yes!
We are talking of a fishing trip………..
Life and Times
Going back to market has given me a new lease on life. Strange that, because I am not miserable at EDS, just in need of something more personable?! EDS is EDS whether in SA or NZ. Fact! Just a number in a cumbersome titanic trying to re-invent itself.
So, went to an interview today! Wow! Are my skills appreciated. Is this consultancy keen to sell themselves to me and me to their clients! I heard the lass saying “I can hear you are passionate about…..” and “….with this skill set……” and “those are valuable experiences…..”
The market is buoyant. I believed it was buoyant seeing that my customers cannot source project managers for love of money! So why should I be tied to the titanic!
Whether anything comes of this opportunity matters little. The fact is, this interaction has provided a fresh outlook, a knowledge that I can go to market. This little piggy worked at EDS, this little piggy played the field, and this little piggy? Time will reveal all!
Other positive news this week was a negative result on a diabetes test, which also revealed all good with my other organs. It seems I am healthy and can look forward to a good start to my 40’s. (Nuff said)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That was Friday, the weekend has come and gone and we are rumbling along the tracks toward Wellington on a grey, windless morning. The weather has been mild and I have not needed to wear anymore than a suit jacket to work for a week now! The train is its usual busy self this morning, carrying the folk who commute weekly, living in the city during the week and escaping to the calm of weekend life further north. Large contingent of students, so a sleepy feel on Monday mornings, with long haired boys and pretty girls slouched down in their chairs, cramming in the last of the weekends rest before cramming their minds and livers.
A quiet weekend by our usual, teenage driven, two day frenzy. The girls slept over at our Zimbabwe neighbours on Saturday and they reciprocated at our home on Sunday.
I spent a bunch of time on the motorcycle this weekend and completed fitting the wheels. I had opted for a black finish on everything when I refurbished the wheels and was worried it would be too much, black that is. It looks fantastic though, broken by the silver of the brake disks and will be further balanced with the chromed mudguard fitted. Also made good progress toward finishing the paintwork on the petrol tank, a black base which will be detailed in a silver-grey. The combination works well and should tie everything together.
In between cleaning paint off my hands and from under my fingernails, I found time to shoot nine holes at Kapiti Golf Club on Saturday afternoon. Travis and I popped up and managed to lose only a handful of balls but plenty of patience. Fortunately patience costs nothing, though those golf balls took a pounding, continually getting smacked in the teeth, for no reason, or being sent soo far over the green, they felt unwanted and needed “pad kos”.
But, as is golf’s want, on the ninth I drove very right off the tee, long and found a good lie on the fairway of the eighth hole. Slotted the eight iron over the trees onto the dance floor. Now three putting is a patience tester, but I did not care! Getting there was done in style and not having swung a club in some 4 months the round was actually not bad. I am again enthused and look forward to a round this coming weekend with some of my soccer mates.
The soccer is almost done. We have not played for two weeks now, having decided not to compete in the end of season knock out competition. We play in the league final in two weeks time and I think this rest will return the boys rejuvenated and focused on the job at hand.
(We are all in the 30-45 age bracket, so the season had started getting too long)
The train has rumbled through the last tunnel, my signal to finish up with the city only minutes away now. I have an aisle seat this morning, so no chance of a leisurely pack-up once we reach the platform.
Dianna Krall was a great music choice this morning. She is so accomplished and if you like female jazz vocalists, I recommend this album, “The Girl In The Other Room”
So, went to an interview today! Wow! Are my skills appreciated. Is this consultancy keen to sell themselves to me and me to their clients! I heard the lass saying “I can hear you are passionate about…..” and “….with this skill set……” and “those are valuable experiences…..”
The market is buoyant. I believed it was buoyant seeing that my customers cannot source project managers for love of money! So why should I be tied to the titanic!
Whether anything comes of this opportunity matters little. The fact is, this interaction has provided a fresh outlook, a knowledge that I can go to market. This little piggy worked at EDS, this little piggy played the field, and this little piggy? Time will reveal all!
Other positive news this week was a negative result on a diabetes test, which also revealed all good with my other organs. It seems I am healthy and can look forward to a good start to my 40’s. (Nuff said)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That was Friday, the weekend has come and gone and we are rumbling along the tracks toward Wellington on a grey, windless morning. The weather has been mild and I have not needed to wear anymore than a suit jacket to work for a week now! The train is its usual busy self this morning, carrying the folk who commute weekly, living in the city during the week and escaping to the calm of weekend life further north. Large contingent of students, so a sleepy feel on Monday mornings, with long haired boys and pretty girls slouched down in their chairs, cramming in the last of the weekends rest before cramming their minds and livers.
A quiet weekend by our usual, teenage driven, two day frenzy. The girls slept over at our Zimbabwe neighbours on Saturday and they reciprocated at our home on Sunday.
I spent a bunch of time on the motorcycle this weekend and completed fitting the wheels. I had opted for a black finish on everything when I refurbished the wheels and was worried it would be too much, black that is. It looks fantastic though, broken by the silver of the brake disks and will be further balanced with the chromed mudguard fitted. Also made good progress toward finishing the paintwork on the petrol tank, a black base which will be detailed in a silver-grey. The combination works well and should tie everything together.In between cleaning paint off my hands and from under my fingernails, I found time to shoot nine holes at Kapiti Golf Club on Saturday afternoon. Travis and I popped up and managed to lose only a handful of balls but plenty of patience. Fortunately patience costs nothing, though those golf balls took a pounding, continually getting smacked in the teeth, for no reason, or being sent soo far over the green, they felt unwanted and needed “pad kos”.
But, as is golf’s want, on the ninth I drove very right off the tee, long and found a good lie on the fairway of the eighth hole. Slotted the eight iron over the trees onto the dance floor. Now three putting is a patience tester, but I did not care! Getting there was done in style and not having swung a club in some 4 months the round was actually not bad. I am again enthused and look forward to a round this coming weekend with some of my soccer mates.
The soccer is almost done. We have not played for two weeks now, having decided not to compete in the end of season knock out competition. We play in the league final in two weeks time and I think this rest will return the boys rejuvenated and focused on the job at hand.
(We are all in the 30-45 age bracket, so the season had started getting too long)
The train has rumbled through the last tunnel, my signal to finish up with the city only minutes away now. I have an aisle seat this morning, so no chance of a leisurely pack-up once we reach the platform.
Dianna Krall was a great music choice this morning. She is so accomplished and if you like female jazz vocalists, I recommend this album, “The Girl In The Other Room”
Famous Poems of Meghan Vatblé
Love and passion
You should not be afraid of love
Let it be, passion from above
Do not keep it in the dark
Let it show its courage’s mark
When it wants to be released
Do not try to tame the beast
So when it is time to let it go
Lead passion and love to its soul
The heart of sorrow
We blame ourselves for many things
Our hearts get shattered under its wings
We loose our caring and loving touch
Only to find we’ve lost so much
A day will come when we fall away
And soon our lips will have not a thing to say
You will loose your life and all your goals
And the heart of sorrow begins to unfold
Peace
Peace is not easy to find
When peace and war is a bind
When an argument turns to flesh and blood
Men of our country fight in the depth of mud
And though many people search for peace around
For hundreds and thousands years it still can not be found.
You should not be afraid of love
Let it be, passion from above
Do not keep it in the dark
Let it show its courage’s mark
When it wants to be released
Do not try to tame the beast
So when it is time to let it go
Lead passion and love to its soul
The heart of sorrow
We blame ourselves for many things
Our hearts get shattered under its wings
We loose our caring and loving touch
Only to find we’ve lost so much
A day will come when we fall away
And soon our lips will have not a thing to say
You will loose your life and all your goals
And the heart of sorrow begins to unfold
Peace
Peace is not easy to find
When peace and war is a bind
When an argument turns to flesh and blood
Men of our country fight in the depth of mud
And though many people search for peace around
For hundreds and thousands years it still can not be found.
The Falling Sisters
I came accross the following story by accident. Meghan, it seems, has been exploring her story telling talents. She has agreed to me posting this on the blog and I have encouraged her to create her own blog spot as a means to share her poems and stories.
The following is unedited, written by Meghan Vatblé.
The Falling Sisters
As usual Nora and Daisy, the terrible twins, fell asleep watching ‘the classics’. It went on like that for years; you could almost say that it was a tradition for the twins every Sunday. They were close, very close; they told each other everything everyday of their miserable lives. You may wonder why I say ‘miserable’ and this is because they were adopted into a pretend to be good family. Holly and Mark always wanted a family with two girls, well that’s what they got, but that’s not what the twins got. They were two years old when the Jaemins collected Nora and Daisy, they were old enough to know that the Jaemins were not a good future holder for them, but they had no say and that was the beginning of their journey.
Tring, tring, Nora awoke to the phone ringing but that’s not all that woke her,” Daisy, Daisy wake up, Mark and Holly are fighting again! Daisy,” Nora’s heart sank, the screams became clearer and louder, it was Daisy’s screams that Nora had recognised! She rose to her feet as fast as she could, there was no time to dress herself in her dressing gown, she had to hurry. Half way down the hallway the screams of terror stopped, one last screetch and then it ended!
“Daisy, wait, I’m coming!”
She stopped at the doorway and carefully stepped in, as low as her heart was it sank even lower. Tears streamed down her face as she saw Daisy and her helpless body lying on the cold wooden floor.
“What are you looking at?” a voice from around the corner yelled,
“Um, nothing sir, just here to collect Daisy.” she replied
Was this it? Was she going to become Mark’s next victim? He deepened his already deep voice and came closer to her. “You will leave her here all week, this is her punishment”, she couldn’t bear the thought of just leaving her there to wilt like a summer flower grown in winter. So she snapped back incautiously and much too foolishly for his liking, “No! She is already sick and I simply can’t do this to the only person in this house that I love!” this was definitely it, but before she could apologize she was lying on the floor unconscious shivering like a she was in Antarctica.
The morning son flickered brightly on Nora’s back, as the branches waved back and forth blocking out then letting the sun in. She slowly raised to her feet and looked anxiously around. As she trudged down the hard staircase she saw what she had been waiting for her whole life! Mark and Holly had left a $200 cheque on the table and walked out the door! Out the door, out of the home and out of the twins lives forever!
Nora’s face shone in the light, but most of all the bruises stood out. It was clear to Daisy that Nora didn’t try to cover it up. Daisy admired Nora for her confidence in herself, to believe that it did not matter how bad it looked, as long as the world could see what a mess they were, was a big load to carry. Nora turned her face away from the light as she closed the heavy door, her shattered face and discontent eyes appeared on Daisy’s face. For an unsusal reason she could see that Nora was not at all pleased with the morning’s events. When daisy looked closer, she saw that there were so many tears coming down from Nora’s face that it had formed a path in which all the tears came down. “They’re gone”, she proclaimed.
Quotable Quote?
Came accross this in a piece on News24 reporting on the African National Congress Youth League comming out in support of Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's plan to fight HIV/Aids............
ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula said: "There are people who are misleading our people to make them believe that antiretrovirals - and antiretrovirals alone - can actually fight HIV/Aids. It is wrong, that conception."
Is that Freudian?!
ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula said: "There are people who are misleading our people to make them believe that antiretrovirals - and antiretrovirals alone - can actually fight HIV/Aids. It is wrong, that conception."
Is that Freudian?!
Spring!
(Written on 01 September 2006)
Spring has arrived and mother nature is pulling out all the stops.
We rose this morning to a wind-still, cloudless sky. Birds a-flitting and bees a-buzzing, the neighbourhood quiet as we sipped our early morning coffee, admired the sun climbing above the Tararuas and savoured the sounds of spring.
The slightly longer days, encouraging the early spring blossoms, energising those that feed off the soon to follow bounty, their enthusiasm contagious, sweeping us up in the moment. Spring!
How can one trudge on a day like this!
Look around, folk in short sleeves, café’s abuzz, their outdoor tables surrounded by eager patrons, tittering to one another like those birds back home, flitting this way and that, exited, energised by the bounty that is Spring!
Even the Tasman has been infected.
That oft moping expanse of blue, lazily making it’s way to shore theses past few months, seems energised. Clean, long swells, proudly raising a white topped “Hello”, as it triumphantly announces it’s arrival on the shores of Spring!
Tomorrow it can rain, the snows can return and the wind can howl at us, but mother nature has reminded us of what awaits, and has restored our optimism.
Thank you, Spring!
Spring has arrived and mother nature is pulling out all the stops.
We rose this morning to a wind-still, cloudless sky. Birds a-flitting and bees a-buzzing, the neighbourhood quiet as we sipped our early morning coffee, admired the sun climbing above the Tararuas and savoured the sounds of spring.
The slightly longer days, encouraging the early spring blossoms, energising those that feed off the soon to follow bounty, their enthusiasm contagious, sweeping us up in the moment. Spring!
How can one trudge on a day like this!
Look around, folk in short sleeves, café’s abuzz, their outdoor tables surrounded by eager patrons, tittering to one another like those birds back home, flitting this way and that, exited, energised by the bounty that is Spring!
Even the Tasman has been infected.
That oft moping expanse of blue, lazily making it’s way to shore theses past few months, seems energised. Clean, long swells, proudly raising a white topped “Hello”, as it triumphantly announces it’s arrival on the shores of Spring!
Tomorrow it can rain, the snows can return and the wind can howl at us, but mother nature has reminded us of what awaits, and has restored our optimism.
Thank you, Spring!
Playing with paint
Sherrie's image of Kapiti, a painting she has done as a project submission for her Art class.
Pity I do not have a good camera, the textures and definition are particularly good, especially in the gull and the fence. The green square will house a poem she has scourced.
I sense a frame comming and pride of place on the lounge wall.....
Then, on my painting front, from this.......(rusty, dented and buckled)
To this, almost done! now for the water paper and clear coat, more water paper and a little polishing.
Pity I do not have a good camera, the textures and definition are particularly good, especially in the gull and the fence. The green square will house a poem she has scourced.
I sense a frame comming and pride of place on the lounge wall.....
Then, on my painting front, from this.......(rusty, dented and buckled)
To this, almost done! now for the water paper and clear coat, more water paper and a little polishing.
Polluting the simple
(written on 11 August 2006)
The start of my long weekend!
Across from me sits a middle-aged couple from Invercargill. Chatty and relaxed, much as I would have expected of people from the “deep south”.
I have heard much talk that the people from “there” are more conservative, etc etc etc…The people from “there” simply live the “old” values. They live life the way it suppsed to be.
Uncomplicated and unfettered!
While they come from a city, they are not city folk. They appreciate being in the capital and all that the capital has to offer it’s visitors.
They appreciate the public transport the locals scoff and sneeze at. An appreciation that comes from folk that make their lives with so much less. My use of the word “folk” highlights it for me, it is like the word “kin”. It has meaning and depth. A kind of meaning and depth that city folk seem to have lost touch with. The kind of meaning that people of 50 or 40 or even 30 years ago took for granted.
Now we find ourselves trying to buy that kind of meaning. Buy a piece of land in the country, a lifestyle block, then move our technology and our petty kin-less lives into these communities and corrupt the values and appreciation for the simple. The inadvertent conquerours, seeking solitude and retreat, ultimately polluting that which we seek without a moments realisation!
Sad that!
The start of my long weekend!
Across from me sits a middle-aged couple from Invercargill. Chatty and relaxed, much as I would have expected of people from the “deep south”.
I have heard much talk that the people from “there” are more conservative, etc etc etc…The people from “there” simply live the “old” values. They live life the way it suppsed to be.
Uncomplicated and unfettered!
While they come from a city, they are not city folk. They appreciate being in the capital and all that the capital has to offer it’s visitors.
They appreciate the public transport the locals scoff and sneeze at. An appreciation that comes from folk that make their lives with so much less. My use of the word “folk” highlights it for me, it is like the word “kin”. It has meaning and depth. A kind of meaning and depth that city folk seem to have lost touch with. The kind of meaning that people of 50 or 40 or even 30 years ago took for granted.
Now we find ourselves trying to buy that kind of meaning. Buy a piece of land in the country, a lifestyle block, then move our technology and our petty kin-less lives into these communities and corrupt the values and appreciation for the simple. The inadvertent conquerours, seeking solitude and retreat, ultimately polluting that which we seek without a moments realisation!
Sad that!
Honeymoon period
(written on 28 July 2006)
Tonight as I sit on the train, beer at hand, the week done and waiting to depart Wellington for the Kapiti coast, I find myself analysing a thought that has been nibbling at me for a few days now.
Something triggered by a comment in a letter I received earlier this week. The scource is not important and the comment less so, given that the context and the text itself were not meant to provoke a response, analysis or reply. Fact is, it triggered a thought that I now need to explore and share.
It has to do with, for want of a better cliché, the honeymoon period.
That time when all is new and sparkling and the reviews are oft tainted by the desire to justify the decision. When the warts are there, but not seen for the blinkers and bias of the reviewer. Much, I suppose, like the adulterer coming to terms with the reality of the choices made. The initial excitement of the engagement is all consuming, all good and all that matters. Everything has a plausible outcome and the inevitable troubles that loom are easily dismissed.
That is where I have spent much of my quiet time these past few days. Those quiet hours when the mind disturbs your sleep in the small hours and you lie head on pillow, still, contemplating, dissecting, running and re-running the picture. Playing the scene this way and that. Stopping and recreating the scene each time the conscience is pricked by an un-truth, an embellishment or an omission of the raw emotion.
So what does it mean and where has it taken me?
I have discovered this; I am comfortable with our choice. Of this I am sure!
Even under the scrutiny of run-and-re-run, the application of the most illogic thoughts capable of a Capricorn and not ignoring my inherent stubbornness, of this I am sure.
Even when down-playing the achievements of the children and the acceptance they have earned from their peers, of this I am sure.
Even when I consider that my Love is forging a career and rightfully garnering immense respect from her clients, her peers and her superiors, of this I am sure.
Even in the face of new career challenges, of this I am sure.
I am sure that OUR life in New Zealand is the life we want.
I am sure that I do not need to sell our decision to be here. It is our decision and I do not have to justify it. I no longer seek confirmation from the children whether our decision was a good one, or not? I no longer feel threatened that my Love may be unhappy with our circumstance.
I am comfortable now that whether I sing New Zealand’s praises or take exception to it’s warts, I do so from my perspective of life and the world. I am not writing New Zealand’s resume, rather, I am documenting my life experience and setting it there for others to consume as they wish.
I am glad to have this resolved for myself! It creates a freedom of expression and I look forward to expressing my life’s experience thus.
Tonight as I sit on the train, beer at hand, the week done and waiting to depart Wellington for the Kapiti coast, I find myself analysing a thought that has been nibbling at me for a few days now.
Something triggered by a comment in a letter I received earlier this week. The scource is not important and the comment less so, given that the context and the text itself were not meant to provoke a response, analysis or reply. Fact is, it triggered a thought that I now need to explore and share.
It has to do with, for want of a better cliché, the honeymoon period.
That time when all is new and sparkling and the reviews are oft tainted by the desire to justify the decision. When the warts are there, but not seen for the blinkers and bias of the reviewer. Much, I suppose, like the adulterer coming to terms with the reality of the choices made. The initial excitement of the engagement is all consuming, all good and all that matters. Everything has a plausible outcome and the inevitable troubles that loom are easily dismissed.
That is where I have spent much of my quiet time these past few days. Those quiet hours when the mind disturbs your sleep in the small hours and you lie head on pillow, still, contemplating, dissecting, running and re-running the picture. Playing the scene this way and that. Stopping and recreating the scene each time the conscience is pricked by an un-truth, an embellishment or an omission of the raw emotion.
So what does it mean and where has it taken me?
I have discovered this; I am comfortable with our choice. Of this I am sure!
Even under the scrutiny of run-and-re-run, the application of the most illogic thoughts capable of a Capricorn and not ignoring my inherent stubbornness, of this I am sure.
Even when down-playing the achievements of the children and the acceptance they have earned from their peers, of this I am sure.
Even when I consider that my Love is forging a career and rightfully garnering immense respect from her clients, her peers and her superiors, of this I am sure.
Even in the face of new career challenges, of this I am sure.
I am sure that OUR life in New Zealand is the life we want.
I am sure that I do not need to sell our decision to be here. It is our decision and I do not have to justify it. I no longer seek confirmation from the children whether our decision was a good one, or not? I no longer feel threatened that my Love may be unhappy with our circumstance.
I am comfortable now that whether I sing New Zealand’s praises or take exception to it’s warts, I do so from my perspective of life and the world. I am not writing New Zealand’s resume, rather, I am documenting my life experience and setting it there for others to consume as they wish.
I am glad to have this resolved for myself! It creates a freedom of expression and I look forward to expressing my life’s experience thus.
Pictures from the Soccer Tournament
In Palmerston North at Skoglund Park
It is pretty chilly as can be seen from Meghan's cheeks
Travis on the ball in the final of the Plate Competition angainst Penrose from Auckland.
Kapiti College first team participate in the annual New Zealand Scools Soccer tournament. 16 League winning Colleges are invited to attend the week long tournament, so sides from all over the North Island were in attendance.
Just wide, which would have been his hatrick! in a 4-1 win.
The boys that made it happen.
and what could ever happen without our Moms!
It is pretty chilly as can be seen from Meghan's cheeks
Travis on the ball in the final of the Plate Competition angainst Penrose from Auckland.
Kapiti College first team participate in the annual New Zealand Scools Soccer tournament. 16 League winning Colleges are invited to attend the week long tournament, so sides from all over the North Island were in attendance.
Just wide, which would have been his hatrick! in a 4-1 win.
The boys that made it happen.
and what could ever happen without our Moms!
Sogginess
Sogginess in the hollows, glistening in the early morning sunlight! Lumpy hills, deeply shadowed in the early morning sunlight. Paddocks inhabited by sheep, horses and some by cows.
Houses clinging to hillsides, windows reflecting the brightness of the day. Puddles of water not yet drained on the gravel road along the rail track remind us of the weather, now departed.
That Tasman, blue and calm again, a hint of haze on the horizon and jagged rocks, beaten thus, take a peek at the morning calm above it’s surface.
A rail sign says, “Slow 40”, wish it would “40” all the way to town on this glorious morning.
The darkness of a tunnel, interrupts the scene, heightens the expectation of the emergence.
A modern white fence climbs its way up a mountain side, disappearing over the brow in a attempt to demarcate it’s builders presence. On the other side a rickety twig and wire keep-me-in stops natures lawn mowers from wandering onto the tracks.
Waders go about their business in the wetlands on the outskirts of Plimmerton, while gulls stand idly around on the beach, the wavelets of the ocean gently caressing their delicate, stick-like legs.
The glassy surface of the Porirua Bay shimmers the contrasting images of the marina in the foreground and the low cost houses about the hills.
“Slow 35”, but we bustle along through factories and graffiti, drawn to the bustle of the city, sucked along, powerless. Nothing now but urban Wellington, where open spaces are cold parking lots, where foot bridges over the tracks stand rusty legged and sub-station walls sport the local youths colourful rants.
The darkness of a tunnel provides the viewer a moments respite, a moments reflection. An acceptance of what is.
Wellington harbour comes into view, the city looks calm and inviting and we continue on toward our days due.
Somehow, listening to Eva Cassidy singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” is apt and I remind myself of that which I reflected on in the darkness of the tunnel:
In eight hours time I have the pleasure of writing this observation; in reverse.
How fortunate am I!
Houses clinging to hillsides, windows reflecting the brightness of the day. Puddles of water not yet drained on the gravel road along the rail track remind us of the weather, now departed.
That Tasman, blue and calm again, a hint of haze on the horizon and jagged rocks, beaten thus, take a peek at the morning calm above it’s surface.
A rail sign says, “Slow 40”, wish it would “40” all the way to town on this glorious morning.
The darkness of a tunnel, interrupts the scene, heightens the expectation of the emergence.
A modern white fence climbs its way up a mountain side, disappearing over the brow in a attempt to demarcate it’s builders presence. On the other side a rickety twig and wire keep-me-in stops natures lawn mowers from wandering onto the tracks.
Waders go about their business in the wetlands on the outskirts of Plimmerton, while gulls stand idly around on the beach, the wavelets of the ocean gently caressing their delicate, stick-like legs.
The glassy surface of the Porirua Bay shimmers the contrasting images of the marina in the foreground and the low cost houses about the hills.
“Slow 35”, but we bustle along through factories and graffiti, drawn to the bustle of the city, sucked along, powerless. Nothing now but urban Wellington, where open spaces are cold parking lots, where foot bridges over the tracks stand rusty legged and sub-station walls sport the local youths colourful rants.
The darkness of a tunnel provides the viewer a moments respite, a moments reflection. An acceptance of what is.
Wellington harbour comes into view, the city looks calm and inviting and we continue on toward our days due.
Somehow, listening to Eva Cassidy singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” is apt and I remind myself of that which I reflected on in the darkness of the tunnel:
In eight hours time I have the pleasure of writing this observation; in reverse.
How fortunate am I!
News from Zealand
News from Zealand
Been some time since the last update and a fair amount has transpired.
On the weather front, well yes, it has been a front! A continuous wet, cold, front. We had a great spell fro about 2 weeks but the last week has been what we always see of NZ on the tube. Wet and cold! Today however, the skies have cleared, the wind is playing hide and seek and as a result Kapiti Island is once again framed in the window of the train. A pretty sight accented by the rising sun and surrounded by a lake-like Tasman. I have braved the trip into Wellington this morning without a padded jacket, though I suspect I am courting disaster or at least a few shivers for the homeward trip. The wind is bound to tire of waiting for us to find it and will punish us for not playing along, ensuring it circles the Southern Alps before visiting it’s biting qualities on the stupidly brave.
The work front is a little more relaxed at the moment and I am taking advantage of the lull to recharge my emotions and batteries. I have a few leave days planned which should see me raring to go again when the next wave of chaos hits.
On the sporting front, the big news of the moment is netball. Sherrie’s team achieved their first win of the season. Des and I arrived just in time for the “three cheers” at the end of the game. The girls were over the moon and are looking forward to this weekends challenge. I will not be going to Travis’s rugby this Saturday and will have an opportunity to watch most of Sherrie’s game. (Note to self: I really need to learn some of those netball rules)
First division rugby has been a bridge too far for Travis’s team. They just cannot compete up front and defend for most of the game. Unfortunate because they have some quality players and Travis hardly sees attacking ball. Notwithstanding this, Travis has excelled, especially at full back, though he has been doing duty on the wing for the past two games. A forced change through injuries. Their last game this weekend, so I hope it goes well for them. I also, quietly, hope that Travis will focus on soccer next year.
On the soccer front, Travis was asked to help-out the Kapiti College second team about 6 weeks ago, as they were a number of players short. The next week he was drafted into the first side and is a regular, scoring in every game to date. Notably, the first side is not age restricted, so he is testing his skills against much older boys, though watching him play senior soccer with the team I play for, I can see why he is doing so well. He is in no way intimidated by the bigger, older, stronger players. He simply lets his goals do the talking.
He is off to the annual, week long, regional tournament in Palmerston North next week. I will be driving him up after his representative cricket training session on Sunday evening. I will overnight and watch the first round of games on Monday before returning home. Des, I and the girls will be driving up early on Friday morning to watch the final rounds on Friday. Kapiti have finished 4th and 3rd the past two years, respectively and believe the squad they have this year they could improve on that.
As for the motorcycle mentioned in the last update, I won the auction and the garage floor now boasts a bare frame with the surrounding shelves sporting boxes of various bits and pieces, grouped and labelled, ready for cleaning and painting. The engine rests, quietly imposing, on the workbench. A con-rod, two pistons, rings and a gasket set will need to be ordered. Other than that all looks really good and neat and no major expense looms during the rebuild; and at this rate it may well be on the road in six weeks. I dreamed last night I was riding my XJR again.
Des’s soccer side improves by the week and they are now competing. The won two weeks ago and only two late goals saw them go down to one of the better sides in their league. Unlucky for the ladies that their games seem to be played in the worst weather, week on week. I can think of only 2 games that I have played in a bit of drizzle and 1 where it bucketed for the full 90 minutes. The ladies on the other hand are lucky if they have had 3 games in the dry.
Des and I have also taken the decision to purchase a second car. I take delivery of 1996 Nissan Primera 1800 on Saturday morning. The car is all round neat and mechanically in good nick. Mileage is a little on the high side at 180 000km, but it is a simple twin cam, 16 valve motor so with cam chain as opposed to cam belt. Nothing to fear in terms of working on it and these motors are like the Toyotas, they last longer than the rest of the car. It is an automatic (unfortunately) but with all the bits and bobs and a comfortable, if not un-sporty, motor car, with surprisingly sprightly performance and agility. Oh, the price? $3000.00 or R13 00.
So that is my news for this time around.
Been some time since the last update and a fair amount has transpired.
On the weather front, well yes, it has been a front! A continuous wet, cold, front. We had a great spell fro about 2 weeks but the last week has been what we always see of NZ on the tube. Wet and cold! Today however, the skies have cleared, the wind is playing hide and seek and as a result Kapiti Island is once again framed in the window of the train. A pretty sight accented by the rising sun and surrounded by a lake-like Tasman. I have braved the trip into Wellington this morning without a padded jacket, though I suspect I am courting disaster or at least a few shivers for the homeward trip. The wind is bound to tire of waiting for us to find it and will punish us for not playing along, ensuring it circles the Southern Alps before visiting it’s biting qualities on the stupidly brave.
The work front is a little more relaxed at the moment and I am taking advantage of the lull to recharge my emotions and batteries. I have a few leave days planned which should see me raring to go again when the next wave of chaos hits.
On the sporting front, the big news of the moment is netball. Sherrie’s team achieved their first win of the season. Des and I arrived just in time for the “three cheers” at the end of the game. The girls were over the moon and are looking forward to this weekends challenge. I will not be going to Travis’s rugby this Saturday and will have an opportunity to watch most of Sherrie’s game. (Note to self: I really need to learn some of those netball rules)
First division rugby has been a bridge too far for Travis’s team. They just cannot compete up front and defend for most of the game. Unfortunate because they have some quality players and Travis hardly sees attacking ball. Notwithstanding this, Travis has excelled, especially at full back, though he has been doing duty on the wing for the past two games. A forced change through injuries. Their last game this weekend, so I hope it goes well for them. I also, quietly, hope that Travis will focus on soccer next year.
On the soccer front, Travis was asked to help-out the Kapiti College second team about 6 weeks ago, as they were a number of players short. The next week he was drafted into the first side and is a regular, scoring in every game to date. Notably, the first side is not age restricted, so he is testing his skills against much older boys, though watching him play senior soccer with the team I play for, I can see why he is doing so well. He is in no way intimidated by the bigger, older, stronger players. He simply lets his goals do the talking.
He is off to the annual, week long, regional tournament in Palmerston North next week. I will be driving him up after his representative cricket training session on Sunday evening. I will overnight and watch the first round of games on Monday before returning home. Des, I and the girls will be driving up early on Friday morning to watch the final rounds on Friday. Kapiti have finished 4th and 3rd the past two years, respectively and believe the squad they have this year they could improve on that.
As for the motorcycle mentioned in the last update, I won the auction and the garage floor now boasts a bare frame with the surrounding shelves sporting boxes of various bits and pieces, grouped and labelled, ready for cleaning and painting. The engine rests, quietly imposing, on the workbench. A con-rod, two pistons, rings and a gasket set will need to be ordered. Other than that all looks really good and neat and no major expense looms during the rebuild; and at this rate it may well be on the road in six weeks. I dreamed last night I was riding my XJR again.
Des’s soccer side improves by the week and they are now competing. The won two weeks ago and only two late goals saw them go down to one of the better sides in their league. Unlucky for the ladies that their games seem to be played in the worst weather, week on week. I can think of only 2 games that I have played in a bit of drizzle and 1 where it bucketed for the full 90 minutes. The ladies on the other hand are lucky if they have had 3 games in the dry.
Des and I have also taken the decision to purchase a second car. I take delivery of 1996 Nissan Primera 1800 on Saturday morning. The car is all round neat and mechanically in good nick. Mileage is a little on the high side at 180 000km, but it is a simple twin cam, 16 valve motor so with cam chain as opposed to cam belt. Nothing to fear in terms of working on it and these motors are like the Toyotas, they last longer than the rest of the car. It is an automatic (unfortunately) but with all the bits and bobs and a comfortable, if not un-sporty, motor car, with surprisingly sprightly performance and agility. Oh, the price? $3000.00 or R13 00.
So that is my news for this time around.
More of our life and times
Finally, for me, I take time-out to pen a letter.
It has been ages and I while I feel a tad guilty at not having had the interest, here it is, an update from the land of the long white cloud.
I miss boerewors, biltong and my motorcycle! I miss the taste of red meat cooked over a bed of hot coals. I also miss knowing exactly where I fit in the pecking order and the rules of engagement in a business context.
The boerewors and biltong can be remedied in the same way the longing for Ricoffy was remedied. We buy Ricoffy, at a premium, at a local supermarket that stock a few items on the “International Shelf”. It is stocked alongside the pap, jelly tots and fizzers. Picked up a shaker of braai salt the other day. As for the wors and billies, there are SA butchers around, I just need to make the time to visit and pay the price. Thought I spotted a butchery named Springbok Meats” from the train last week, passing through Tawa. Will need to check it out!
As for the braai thing, gas barbies just aren’t the real McCoy! Need to track down a drum or gas bottle, drill some holes and do it the right way. So, that is not a show-stopper!
The pecking order and being politically correct is something that will come with time. I find that people are very conscious of saying the right things, being understanding and accepting of faults or mistakes.
Frustrating, when all I want to say is “Bull! You cocked it up! Fix it and make sure it was fixed yesterday!”
Instead, you say, “So what is the problem, how did it happen? Do you need help? How long do you think it will take to resolve? Do you think you need additional training?”
A little directness would go a long way to getting things done.
Lastly, the motorcycle!
That is about to be remedied. I plan to purchase this bucket of bolts.
A 1974 Yamaha RD 400.
What makes it interesting? It is a twin cylinder, two stroke, 400cc. A bike that enjoys cult status the world over, whether in 350cc or 400cc guise. The first true mass produced road bike. A two stroke that ate 750cc fours for brekkie under acceleration and put them to shame through the twisty bits.
The model I am lining up is the 40bhp model, notably understated when compared to the post 1976 models which produced a grin inducing 80bhp.
A Yamaha marketing slogan of the time, reflects this thinking, “How to straighten a hairpin”
Some research on restoration of these bikes turned up a few design ideas. I am going to match, pretty closely, the bike pictured below, which although is a 250cc, uses the same frame and suspension. The only notable difference appears to be the petrol tank size and shape. I particularly like the effect of the matt black, minimal chrome and clean lines.
I am looking forward to having a project on the go again.
Kapiti College Rugby:
The boys got a thumping at the hands of Silverstream College! Forty-odd, nil. The boys never had the ball and while we missed two of our best forwards on Saturday, it would not have changed the result. Silverstream would still have dominated possession.
Travis was never-the-less the stand-out player for Kapiti, again! The Silvertsream coach sought him out after the game and congratulated him on his performance. We then put him in the car and took him down to the medical centre for a concussion check-up.
He was given a clean bill of health but for a pretty sore tooth, jaw and more than his fair share of bruises, bumps and scrapes, the result of no possession and defending for 80 minutes. He certainly has a fire in his belly when it comes to “rugger”! He is aggressive on attack and defence and refuses to take a step backwards. He does not tolerate intimidation and it has been “handbags” at close quarters more than once this season.
Sporting results did not get any better as the day wore on. We surrendered our unbeaten run of two and a half seasons, going down to the Kapiti Coast United 2nd team, 2-0.
Sherrie’s Kapiti College netball team are still looking for their first victory of the season, succumbing to Paraparaumu College 27-22.
Then the bokke came up as short as was expected and Des’ soccer for Sunday was cancelled. Nuff said about the Boks!
Meghan and Melba are all good and she is still enjoying having a horse to love and care for. That said though, it is a big commitment and requires a lot of Meghan’s time. A requirement that is made more difficult by the fact that she does not have easy access to the horse, and needs to take 2 busses each way to get perform her chores on days when Des or I cannot transport her.
This is going to be big factor in whatever decisions we make later in the year regarding our home and where to live.
As I see it, we have two options. Buy in the area of the Pony Club to ensure the kids are close to school and their friends, or buy a piece of land, have the horse on the property and the kids commute to school……
On the face of it, buying close to the Pony Club is the obvious choice, but we do so want the piece of land with the paddock!
We may of course be forced to choose one or the other, based on price and opportunity at the time we go to market! I know the kids are keen on the lifestyle of a piece of land with space, but the commute is a pressure on them and us.
One thing is clear however, we want to stay on the Kapiti Coast.
Till next time, happy-happy to all……..
It has been ages and I while I feel a tad guilty at not having had the interest, here it is, an update from the land of the long white cloud.
I miss boerewors, biltong and my motorcycle! I miss the taste of red meat cooked over a bed of hot coals. I also miss knowing exactly where I fit in the pecking order and the rules of engagement in a business context.
The boerewors and biltong can be remedied in the same way the longing for Ricoffy was remedied. We buy Ricoffy, at a premium, at a local supermarket that stock a few items on the “International Shelf”. It is stocked alongside the pap, jelly tots and fizzers. Picked up a shaker of braai salt the other day. As for the wors and billies, there are SA butchers around, I just need to make the time to visit and pay the price. Thought I spotted a butchery named Springbok Meats” from the train last week, passing through Tawa. Will need to check it out!
As for the braai thing, gas barbies just aren’t the real McCoy! Need to track down a drum or gas bottle, drill some holes and do it the right way. So, that is not a show-stopper!
The pecking order and being politically correct is something that will come with time. I find that people are very conscious of saying the right things, being understanding and accepting of faults or mistakes.
Frustrating, when all I want to say is “Bull! You cocked it up! Fix it and make sure it was fixed yesterday!”
Instead, you say, “So what is the problem, how did it happen? Do you need help? How long do you think it will take to resolve? Do you think you need additional training?”
A little directness would go a long way to getting things done.
Lastly, the motorcycle!
That is about to be remedied. I plan to purchase this bucket of bolts.
A 1974 Yamaha RD 400.
What makes it interesting? It is a twin cylinder, two stroke, 400cc. A bike that enjoys cult status the world over, whether in 350cc or 400cc guise. The first true mass produced road bike. A two stroke that ate 750cc fours for brekkie under acceleration and put them to shame through the twisty bits.
The model I am lining up is the 40bhp model, notably understated when compared to the post 1976 models which produced a grin inducing 80bhp.
A Yamaha marketing slogan of the time, reflects this thinking, “How to straighten a hairpin”
Some research on restoration of these bikes turned up a few design ideas. I am going to match, pretty closely, the bike pictured below, which although is a 250cc, uses the same frame and suspension. The only notable difference appears to be the petrol tank size and shape. I particularly like the effect of the matt black, minimal chrome and clean lines.
I am looking forward to having a project on the go again.
Kapiti College Rugby:
The boys got a thumping at the hands of Silverstream College! Forty-odd, nil. The boys never had the ball and while we missed two of our best forwards on Saturday, it would not have changed the result. Silverstream would still have dominated possession.
Travis was never-the-less the stand-out player for Kapiti, again! The Silvertsream coach sought him out after the game and congratulated him on his performance. We then put him in the car and took him down to the medical centre for a concussion check-up.
He was given a clean bill of health but for a pretty sore tooth, jaw and more than his fair share of bruises, bumps and scrapes, the result of no possession and defending for 80 minutes. He certainly has a fire in his belly when it comes to “rugger”! He is aggressive on attack and defence and refuses to take a step backwards. He does not tolerate intimidation and it has been “handbags” at close quarters more than once this season.
Sporting results did not get any better as the day wore on. We surrendered our unbeaten run of two and a half seasons, going down to the Kapiti Coast United 2nd team, 2-0.
Sherrie’s Kapiti College netball team are still looking for their first victory of the season, succumbing to Paraparaumu College 27-22.
Then the bokke came up as short as was expected and Des’ soccer for Sunday was cancelled. Nuff said about the Boks!
Meghan and Melba are all good and she is still enjoying having a horse to love and care for. That said though, it is a big commitment and requires a lot of Meghan’s time. A requirement that is made more difficult by the fact that she does not have easy access to the horse, and needs to take 2 busses each way to get perform her chores on days when Des or I cannot transport her.
This is going to be big factor in whatever decisions we make later in the year regarding our home and where to live.
As I see it, we have two options. Buy in the area of the Pony Club to ensure the kids are close to school and their friends, or buy a piece of land, have the horse on the property and the kids commute to school……
On the face of it, buying close to the Pony Club is the obvious choice, but we do so want the piece of land with the paddock!
We may of course be forced to choose one or the other, based on price and opportunity at the time we go to market! I know the kids are keen on the lifestyle of a piece of land with space, but the commute is a pressure on them and us.
One thing is clear however, we want to stay on the Kapiti Coast.
Till next time, happy-happy to all……..
Had to post something!
Sorry, but no posts this week.......
It has been all work (frustration upon frustration) and no play this week, so I think it appropriate to post this Dilbert..........
It has been all work (frustration upon frustration) and no play this week, so I think it appropriate to post this Dilbert..........
(click image to enlarge)
What is 40?
A tribute to Maurice and Alyson, my parents, on their 40th Wedding Aniversary:
Start with a pretty girl and add a ducktail
stir love and passion into the cocktail
traditional dramas of parental blessing
the little matter of a baby, pressing!
then comes the planning and panic
what size the cake and invite tactic
venues and timing the plight
best men and the bachelors last right
priests flower-girls and frocks
witnesses to the church in flocks
sermons hymns and symbolic rings
the union consummated by these things
throw in a honeymoon not so plain
how long that journey in the rain
at his side a prize not to hide
to his family presented the bride
hard working and career change needed
and Dad’s good advice well heeded
off the tools and out of railing
into an office then plan sailing
independence through employ procured
together the unions adventure secured
in buying and setting up home
ten by four and never alone
from sub-tropic to high veld
the cape and the low veld
through provinces east and west
their union put to the test
through trials and pains
mole hills for mountains
and mountains for molehills
their union did provided the pills
when health robbed childbearing
with religion misled interfering
emotional stresses and strain
this bond further did ingrain
and through the years did they provide
their children’s light and easy ride
with space to learn and grow
within this unions glow
to role models they’d cast a glance
in pursuit of life’s perfect stance
oft good advice heeding
not always agreeing
thus the union remains
all be it with stains
well how could forty years
pass by without tears
a union of four by ten
a grand milestone then
and many the original witness flock
today of this achievement do take stock
as this union set store by their elders
a responsibility now to their shoulders
to light the way for those that follow
to progress hope when vows seem hollow
so while it seems you’ve paid your due
we all for a time still will look to you
acknowledge then today our admirations
HEAR! HEAR! CONGRATULATIONS!
stir love and passion into the cocktail
traditional dramas of parental blessing
the little matter of a baby, pressing!
then comes the planning and panic
what size the cake and invite tactic
venues and timing the plight
best men and the bachelors last right
priests flower-girls and frocks
witnesses to the church in flocks
sermons hymns and symbolic rings
the union consummated by these things
throw in a honeymoon not so plain
how long that journey in the rain
at his side a prize not to hide
to his family presented the bride
hard working and career change needed
and Dad’s good advice well heeded
off the tools and out of railing
into an office then plan sailing
independence through employ procured
together the unions adventure secured
in buying and setting up home
ten by four and never alone
from sub-tropic to high veld
the cape and the low veld
through provinces east and west
their union put to the test
through trials and pains
mole hills for mountains
and mountains for molehills
their union did provided the pills
when health robbed childbearing
with religion misled interfering
emotional stresses and strain
this bond further did ingrain
and through the years did they provide
their children’s light and easy ride
with space to learn and grow
within this unions glow
to role models they’d cast a glance
in pursuit of life’s perfect stance
oft good advice heeding
not always agreeing
thus the union remains
all be it with stains
well how could forty years
pass by without tears
a union of four by ten
a grand milestone then
and many the original witness flock
today of this achievement do take stock
as this union set store by their elders
a responsibility now to their shoulders
to light the way for those that follow
to progress hope when vows seem hollow
so while it seems you’ve paid your due
we all for a time still will look to you
acknowledge then today our admirations
HEAR! HEAR! CONGRATULATIONS!
Passing time
while on this trip a thought I ponder
how many ways to pass time, I wonder
as we all homeward head
to spend our time before to bed
there is the laptop brigade
banging away at emails and documents
their day filled in their career’s pursuit
meeting those deadlines, imposed or accepted
there are the technology junkies
eyes glued, watching a movie
ears wired, taking in a tune
leaving behind those stresses and strains
the newspaper brigade
hidden from view their attentions engrossed
taking in the news of the day
sculpted in the opinions of a few
there are those that just sit
stare blankly at this and at that
disinterested or drained
from a tough day at that
some do crotchet or needlepoint
some do the puzzles
some page a magazine or absorb a story
and others might say a little
but my favourite of all
is to try a bit of each
and when that’s not enough
simply shut down and zizz!
how many ways to pass time, I wonder
as we all homeward head
to spend our time before to bed
there is the laptop brigade
banging away at emails and documents
their day filled in their career’s pursuit
meeting those deadlines, imposed or accepted
there are the technology junkies
eyes glued, watching a movie
ears wired, taking in a tune
leaving behind those stresses and strains
the newspaper brigade
hidden from view their attentions engrossed
taking in the news of the day
sculpted in the opinions of a few
there are those that just sit
stare blankly at this and at that
disinterested or drained
from a tough day at that
some do crotchet or needlepoint
some do the puzzles
some page a magazine or absorb a story
and others might say a little
but my favourite of all
is to try a bit of each
and when that’s not enough
simply shut down and zizz!
I do so love this game, too...
SWEDISH FAN
PORTUGESE FAN
AT LEAST SHE DRINKS BEER
BRAZIL
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
DUTCH FAN
ITALIAN FAN
POLISH FAN
PARAGUAY FAN
AND......................................................
ENGLISH FAN
PORTUGESE FAN
AT LEAST SHE DRINKS BEER
BRAZIL
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
DUTCH FAN
ITALIAN FAN
POLISH FAN
PARAGUAY FAN
AND......................................................
ENGLISH FAN
Sherrie's mid term results
Another indication the kids are settling in well!
And less reason for me to be worried about the boys and resulting social life......
WELL DONE SHERRIE!!!
And less reason for me to be worried about the boys and resulting social life......
WELL DONE SHERRIE!!!
YES! I love my rugby.......
So Kapiti College Boys Rugby, under 65kg, made their debut in Division 1 this past weekend. The first ever under 65kg side to play in the top division in the history of the College. No mean feat and from the exuberance with which they “geed” each other up meant that the tension was palpable. Yip, they were now in the big leagues and what better way to test their standing in this company than tackling the elite, Wellington College 1.
Unbeaten this season in Division 1, having conceded no more than 10 odd points and scoring no less than 30 odd in any game to date. The pace setters. This was going to be akin to a small Cape Town school, say a school like Pinelands High, moving up mid-season to tackle Paarl Gym.
Half-time had parents making comments like, “Travis is playing Wellington on his own” and “Travis is keeping the boys in the game”
Imagine my pride! In an inspired tactical move during Thursday’s training, the coach switched Travis to the 15 jumper. He was really excited at the prospect and has been eyeing the position since he opted to play rugby this season. It meant that he could get involved in the teams attacks far more than from the wing and make use of his safe hands under the high or bouncing ball.
His positional play was particularly good and punished Wellington on at least 4 occasions, running the ball back incredibly aggressively, securing possession and setting up the second phase.
He was singled out by the Captain of the Wellington team after the game and congratulated on his performance. He was a pleasure to watch, excited the Kapiti supporters and had the Wellington clan swallowing hard each time he was put in possession. Two good busts through the centre from set phase rounded off the performance.
As for the team? Passion and commitment carried them for 70 minute before the well drilled Wellington started to turn their second half domination of possession into points. At 19-5 with 5 minutes to go the result was a fair reflection of the game, but a soft try, in the last minute spoilt the achievement of Kapiti in this encounter.
Two tight heads late in the game tells a story, but the lessons, if they have been learned, will stand them in good stead for the coming encounters in the top flight. This team will win a few! And there is a sense that the team are already making the improvements required to shake up this competition. I quietly hope that the coaches will now instruct the fly half to bring Travis into the game from fullback. Put him into the inside channel at pace, allowing him to run hard at the opposition half back and fly half.
So, nuff said bout dat! On the soccer field, my team remains unbeaten with a 5-1 win and Desiree’s side went down 4-1 on Sunday. The ladies are improving week-on-week and there is a camaraderie starting to develop in the squad, the starting line up is a little more settled and positional play and structure are developing. Des is now starting every game and has not been substituted in 3 games, so you can imagine the aches and pains on Monday morning! Though I should watch what I say, as my back has been sore for about three weeks now, but I will not take a break! So nuff said bout dat, too!
It is really cold today, the Southerly his howling off of snow somewhere and gloves and beanies are the order of the day. Forecast shows this will last a couple more days, so all strength to us! Brrrrrrr!
The children are all fine and Meghan is really enjoying her new role as horse minder / keeper / owner. She dutifully goes about her chores with Melba without a hint of the Meghan attitude, though she has lost none of that dry sense of humour, in fact, I believe she is honing it and developing the confidence to share it, or should I say use it!? Probably use it, as it is I who tends to be impaled on the harpoon of her wit most often.
I have been promising myself to jot down these gems, so hopefully in the next letter………..
Time runs out, again, as we approach Paraparaumu station and another day is almost done. Just the five minute bus trip home and it is family update time, dodging Meghan’s quips and savouring Desiree’s cooking……….. slobber, slobber…….. and the mandatory world cup soccer highlights at 8:30PM.
Unbeaten this season in Division 1, having conceded no more than 10 odd points and scoring no less than 30 odd in any game to date. The pace setters. This was going to be akin to a small Cape Town school, say a school like Pinelands High, moving up mid-season to tackle Paarl Gym.
Half-time had parents making comments like, “Travis is playing Wellington on his own” and “Travis is keeping the boys in the game”
Imagine my pride! In an inspired tactical move during Thursday’s training, the coach switched Travis to the 15 jumper. He was really excited at the prospect and has been eyeing the position since he opted to play rugby this season. It meant that he could get involved in the teams attacks far more than from the wing and make use of his safe hands under the high or bouncing ball.
His positional play was particularly good and punished Wellington on at least 4 occasions, running the ball back incredibly aggressively, securing possession and setting up the second phase.
He was singled out by the Captain of the Wellington team after the game and congratulated on his performance. He was a pleasure to watch, excited the Kapiti supporters and had the Wellington clan swallowing hard each time he was put in possession. Two good busts through the centre from set phase rounded off the performance.
As for the team? Passion and commitment carried them for 70 minute before the well drilled Wellington started to turn their second half domination of possession into points. At 19-5 with 5 minutes to go the result was a fair reflection of the game, but a soft try, in the last minute spoilt the achievement of Kapiti in this encounter.
Two tight heads late in the game tells a story, but the lessons, if they have been learned, will stand them in good stead for the coming encounters in the top flight. This team will win a few! And there is a sense that the team are already making the improvements required to shake up this competition. I quietly hope that the coaches will now instruct the fly half to bring Travis into the game from fullback. Put him into the inside channel at pace, allowing him to run hard at the opposition half back and fly half.
So, nuff said bout dat! On the soccer field, my team remains unbeaten with a 5-1 win and Desiree’s side went down 4-1 on Sunday. The ladies are improving week-on-week and there is a camaraderie starting to develop in the squad, the starting line up is a little more settled and positional play and structure are developing. Des is now starting every game and has not been substituted in 3 games, so you can imagine the aches and pains on Monday morning! Though I should watch what I say, as my back has been sore for about three weeks now, but I will not take a break! So nuff said bout dat, too!
It is really cold today, the Southerly his howling off of snow somewhere and gloves and beanies are the order of the day. Forecast shows this will last a couple more days, so all strength to us! Brrrrrrr!
The children are all fine and Meghan is really enjoying her new role as horse minder / keeper / owner. She dutifully goes about her chores with Melba without a hint of the Meghan attitude, though she has lost none of that dry sense of humour, in fact, I believe she is honing it and developing the confidence to share it, or should I say use it!? Probably use it, as it is I who tends to be impaled on the harpoon of her wit most often.
I have been promising myself to jot down these gems, so hopefully in the next letter………..
Time runs out, again, as we approach Paraparaumu station and another day is almost done. Just the five minute bus trip home and it is family update time, dodging Meghan’s quips and savouring Desiree’s cooking……….. slobber, slobber…….. and the mandatory world cup soccer highlights at 8:30PM.
The cost of convenience
The oil price is starting to have an effect and for the first time it nips at my pocket. Outside of the price of petrol at the pump, the impact has been little felt by the man in the street. Our grocery bill seems to have remained fairly static and the price of public transport has not increased, until yesterday that is.
As of 3 July, train fares on the Capital Connection rise 15%, though I
believe it is 3 years since the last increase.
Fares on the Metro trains will rise on average 15% in August and it is expected the new fare and boundary structure will be implemented on the bus sector in August.
I suspect this is going to send a portion of the commuters, who turned to public transport in the face of the fuel price hikes, back into their cars with the additional cost of the fares not warranting the sacrifice of convenience.
As of 3 July, train fares on the Capital Connection rise 15%, though I
believe it is 3 years since the last increase.
Fares on the Metro trains will rise on average 15% in August and it is expected the new fare and boundary structure will be implemented on the bus sector in August.
I suspect this is going to send a portion of the commuters, who turned to public transport in the face of the fuel price hikes, back into their cars with the additional cost of the fares not warranting the sacrifice of convenience.
So less crowding on the trains and an increase in traffic congestion.
Strange this obsession with convenience. Consider the cost of motoring to work in Wellington from Kapiti:
- 100km per day for 20 days is 2000km
- Average car at an average 10km per litre is 200 litres
- $1.70 a litre equates to $340 a month in fuel alone. I will not go into running costs.
- It does not end there though. Parking in the city is at a premium and best early bird rates are $10 per day, so an additional $200 for the month.
- Minimum grand total to run your car into Wellington for convenience? $550.
Under the new fare structure my monthly bill will total $290. The trains run every 20 minutes during peak hour and we have an express service to Kapiti.
The busses are scheduled to align with train arrival and departure times, so little planning is required. The new fares will also see the introduction of new rules on the Capital Connection. Given that the service is superior, in comfort and facilities, they will no longer accept student term passes or discounted tickets.
This should reduce the overcrowding on this service, caused by the fact that it is exactly the same fare as the standard service, so the trip of choice for most from Kapiti.
I look forward to 3 July, even if it means I am being a little bit of a snob, because I will pay the extra to use the service.
Letter to my friend (For Posterity)
The Rant
(Written some time back, so posted here to share. Note the "farm" refers to New Zealand)
Ah yes...... alas, the farm was flooded, so no rugby, though I was pretty hacked that it was called off. It had rained heavily over Wellington, but the Kapiti Coast was a jaffer! Bright, freshly washed sunshine on a clean garden! Was thinking that if they call of the rugger every time there has been a bit of rain, these kids will never get to play and what will I have to enthuse about?! Honestly, rugby is a contact sport, played in all but lightning-skies and pitches that resemble the deep end of a swimming pool!
You can just imagine the kid’s disappointment. Like telling a 6 year old he has to wait an hour after lunch before he can swim.
Mere mortal, middle class hacks just do not get a fair shout anymore! The meek have indeed inherited the earth! "We can not allow our children to play rugby in the acid rain!” We stopped allowing anybody, including us as parents, to enforce boundaries for these poor cudgers a decade ago........... we must honour the rights of criminals (after all, many of these criminals are the un-disciplined kids we raised over the past decade).........."
So, there was no rugby! Damned meek! Best you go and spend my taxes on building indoor fields for rugby to played on, so that when your "inmate bound" delinquents lose you cannot blame it on acid rain getting in their eyes. Of course, it never affects the winners, hey!?
I feel better now! No I don't! But at least there is this weekend to look forward to, unless a cyclone develops off the coast of Siberia or an earthquake is felt under Greenland or we get a few drops of rain here, or fears of a killer wave travelling across the Atlantic, splitting at the bottom of Africa, making its way inexorably across the Pacific, Indian and Tasman's to envelope New Zealand in some much longed for "decent surf conditions"
I have always believed society was invented to protect the weak from the strong......... but this is bloody ridiculous!
So good to hear that the house is not a disappointment and that my encouragement to take the plunge has not backfired, yet! Will keep a close eye on developments, at the first sign of trouble, I will deny all knowledge.....
EDS are EDS! Same shit, different building! i cannot wait for the kids birth certificates to arrive from Home Affairs (4 more weeks according to their blurb), then I apply for PR and so I hope that by the end of July, mid August, I will have free reign to work for whom I please.
We are all sooo very well, for which I am thankful, though I notice some quietness around each of the kids and Des (and Me) from time to time, those occasions when one looks back across the ocean and ponders. I know that for me the ponder is short. The looking back is more to the friends and family, familiarity of those associations and a deep desire to be sharing this that is our new life with them. That for me is the hardest. I want my folk and friends to experience this!
So I have used up a whole bunch of EDS time to pen this "sharing", but that Rational Upgrade Project needs a schedule, so I must go.
(Written some time back, so posted here to share. Note the "farm" refers to New Zealand)
Ah yes...... alas, the farm was flooded, so no rugby, though I was pretty hacked that it was called off. It had rained heavily over Wellington, but the Kapiti Coast was a jaffer! Bright, freshly washed sunshine on a clean garden! Was thinking that if they call of the rugger every time there has been a bit of rain, these kids will never get to play and what will I have to enthuse about?! Honestly, rugby is a contact sport, played in all but lightning-skies and pitches that resemble the deep end of a swimming pool!
You can just imagine the kid’s disappointment. Like telling a 6 year old he has to wait an hour after lunch before he can swim.
Mere mortal, middle class hacks just do not get a fair shout anymore! The meek have indeed inherited the earth! "We can not allow our children to play rugby in the acid rain!” We stopped allowing anybody, including us as parents, to enforce boundaries for these poor cudgers a decade ago........... we must honour the rights of criminals (after all, many of these criminals are the un-disciplined kids we raised over the past decade).........."
So, there was no rugby! Damned meek! Best you go and spend my taxes on building indoor fields for rugby to played on, so that when your "inmate bound" delinquents lose you cannot blame it on acid rain getting in their eyes. Of course, it never affects the winners, hey!?
I feel better now! No I don't! But at least there is this weekend to look forward to, unless a cyclone develops off the coast of Siberia or an earthquake is felt under Greenland or we get a few drops of rain here, or fears of a killer wave travelling across the Atlantic, splitting at the bottom of Africa, making its way inexorably across the Pacific, Indian and Tasman's to envelope New Zealand in some much longed for "decent surf conditions"
I have always believed society was invented to protect the weak from the strong......... but this is bloody ridiculous!
So good to hear that the house is not a disappointment and that my encouragement to take the plunge has not backfired, yet! Will keep a close eye on developments, at the first sign of trouble, I will deny all knowledge.....
EDS are EDS! Same shit, different building! i cannot wait for the kids birth certificates to arrive from Home Affairs (4 more weeks according to their blurb), then I apply for PR and so I hope that by the end of July, mid August, I will have free reign to work for whom I please.
We are all sooo very well, for which I am thankful, though I notice some quietness around each of the kids and Des (and Me) from time to time, those occasions when one looks back across the ocean and ponders. I know that for me the ponder is short. The looking back is more to the friends and family, familiarity of those associations and a deep desire to be sharing this that is our new life with them. That for me is the hardest. I want my folk and friends to experience this!
So I have used up a whole bunch of EDS time to pen this "sharing", but that Rational Upgrade Project needs a schedule, so I must go.
The great conspiracy!
I remain convinced and undeterred in my theory that the Kiwi’s have long conspired to keep immigrants out of the country.
From afar and across the waters, we see images of snow, wind, rain, cold, rain, rain and more rain! Bollocks!
We are now well into the winter and yes, we have had rain, we have had wind and there is currently the heaviest snow in 20 years in the Canterbury district. Snow on the plains that are the setting for Christchurch. I suggest they are pretty cold, considering the power outage in many areas for going on two days now! But we are led to believe Wellington’s weather is so “crapola”, “Windy Wellington” they say! “It always rains in Wellington” they say!
Well I say! Crapola!
The air temperature is yet to dip below freezing! Even with the Southerly that has been breezing off the Canterbury snows only a couple of hundred kilometres away. While we have seen some heavy frosts the last two mornings, it simply proves we have had clear skies, after a rainy spell of, wait for it, one day! The air temperature is nowhere near as chill as a Highveld winter and compares more closely with Cape Town,
When it storms, it storms! The wind comes out of the south, biting, with grey skies that gives the city an eerie darkness that suggests home time, all day. These rants of winter remain short lived though, with spells lasting a day or two, followed by the frosts and clear skies. My sense is that, on average, we have two days of weather a week. Long may it last, until spring plucks up the courage to step up to the plate and provide us those beach days, tramping days, barbeque days.
For South Africans having lived on the Highveld and in the Cape “of storms” the transition has not been challenging. I can, however, understand a Durbanite or anybody who has grown up north of the tropic of Capricorn having issues with settling to this.
The Kiwi’s have also figured that being even slightly cold is plain stupid. They wrap up and wear gloves and scarves and beanies, when all that is needed is a jacket. So when you see them on TV, at venues on the North Island, wrapped in their “Puffer Jackets” (sleeping bags with sleeves) beenies, scarves and sporting gloves that would allow one to conquer Everest? It is bollocks!
Having said that, I believe if one were in Dunedin or Otago or Invercargill and you did not own that apparel, you would freeze to death.
My point? Do not fear the weather if you plan to visit the North Island and I cannot wait for the snows to arrive on the ranges around Wellington much like this
Though a picture I stumbled accross of Upper Hutt, a suburb north east of Wellington is not quite what I had in mind!
From afar and across the waters, we see images of snow, wind, rain, cold, rain, rain and more rain! Bollocks!
We are now well into the winter and yes, we have had rain, we have had wind and there is currently the heaviest snow in 20 years in the Canterbury district. Snow on the plains that are the setting for Christchurch. I suggest they are pretty cold, considering the power outage in many areas for going on two days now! But we are led to believe Wellington’s weather is so “crapola”, “Windy Wellington” they say! “It always rains in Wellington” they say!
Well I say! Crapola!
The air temperature is yet to dip below freezing! Even with the Southerly that has been breezing off the Canterbury snows only a couple of hundred kilometres away. While we have seen some heavy frosts the last two mornings, it simply proves we have had clear skies, after a rainy spell of, wait for it, one day! The air temperature is nowhere near as chill as a Highveld winter and compares more closely with Cape Town,
When it storms, it storms! The wind comes out of the south, biting, with grey skies that gives the city an eerie darkness that suggests home time, all day. These rants of winter remain short lived though, with spells lasting a day or two, followed by the frosts and clear skies. My sense is that, on average, we have two days of weather a week. Long may it last, until spring plucks up the courage to step up to the plate and provide us those beach days, tramping days, barbeque days.
For South Africans having lived on the Highveld and in the Cape “of storms” the transition has not been challenging. I can, however, understand a Durbanite or anybody who has grown up north of the tropic of Capricorn having issues with settling to this.
The Kiwi’s have also figured that being even slightly cold is plain stupid. They wrap up and wear gloves and scarves and beanies, when all that is needed is a jacket. So when you see them on TV, at venues on the North Island, wrapped in their “Puffer Jackets” (sleeping bags with sleeves) beenies, scarves and sporting gloves that would allow one to conquer Everest? It is bollocks!
Having said that, I believe if one were in Dunedin or Otago or Invercargill and you did not own that apparel, you would freeze to death.
My point? Do not fear the weather if you plan to visit the North Island and I cannot wait for the snows to arrive on the ranges around Wellington much like this
Though a picture I stumbled accross of Upper Hutt, a suburb north east of Wellington is not quite what I had in mind!
Update – 12 June 2006
Much has been happening, while nothing has been happening!
Nothing in the sense that our lives are settling and that our news, for now at least, is pretty mundane. I am proud of what we have achieved in such a short time and that within just 5 months of leaving South Africa, I am experiencing “writers block”! No fun in just providing the weekends sports results, again, the weather update, again, the …………. you get the idea.
That said, much HAS been happening:
Des and I took a night off. We booked into the West Plaza Hotel, in central Wellington last Sunday afternoon on a package deal which included a suite, dinner, breakfast and champagne as a welcome. The champers never materialised and we didn’t much care.
The idea was to get away, take in a show, a good meal and sleep in a little on the Monday morning, a public holiday here celebrating the Queen’s birthday.
The suite was not that well appointed, but Des appreciated the gown laid out on the bed and a steaming hot bath before we dashed to the Circa Theatre, two blocks down. We arrived in time to enjoy a glass of wine and then discovered we were welcome to take a glass into the theatre. I took full advantage and ordered another glass of the kiwi red and proceeded to what is an intimate venue, seating no more than 200.
We were entertained by lively performances, good humour and a reasonably responsive audience. “The Underpants” proved a good tonic and we left feeling that our $70 had been well spent.
A dash back up the 2 blocks to the hotel, in a biting southerly carrying buckets of water, saw us back at the hotel for an early dinner. One of those dinners were the plates are huge, the helpings small and an artist is employed to decorate ornately the vast open spaces of porcelain, with splashes of colour and sprigs of things. The food was good! The combinations worked well and the flavours were what the taste buds had expected having been primed by lavish descriptions on the menu.
A bottle of white wine to the good and our tummies satisfied, we opted to retire to the bar in the hotel for night caps. The weather had turned sour and the southerly ensured we did not want to go dashing off to the nightlife spots some 4 blocks away. Dom Benedictine and Johnny Walker Black ensured we were “well oiled” for bed time
Only needing to check out at 1PM and with breakfast being served until 10:30, we took advantage and only rose around 9:30. Quick shower and off to breakfast. The usual fare of fruit and yoghurt and juice and eggs and toast and bacon and, and, and washed down with good black coffee.
We lazed around the room a little after breakfast and checked out. We had not made plans and the weather was still unpleasant with gusting icy southerlies, though no rain. A little retail therapy! We had been putting off making a few required purchases, so set about the shopping precinct.
Puffer jackets for the children, a strip plug for me, insulation tape for Travis, a few goodies from the $2 Store and a toaster.
We snacked-for-lunch at a Cafe on Cuba Street, which could just as well have been Long Street in Cape Town. Our day was done and we headed back to Kapiti and our children, a DVD and Pizza for supper.
I had put in for leave on the Tuesday, so had an extra day to myself to potter around the house catch my breath and just relax, given that Des was at work and the kids at school for most of the day.
On the sporting front the KCU “Hair on Rosetta” 3rds remain unbeaten and we are track to win the league with 3 games remaining. The ladies team recorded a good win and Desiree scored on of the four goals. Kapiti college rugby bounced back from their loss to Newlands with a good win against Tawa College and slipped to a draw this weekend against Hereatanga College (17-17). Travis scored a nice try against Tawa but the big improvement in his game is his defence. The boy is missing very little and is effectively intimidating his opposite number with thumping tackles and very aggressive running with ball in hand.
The netball team are really struggling though, especially when faced with teams comprising adults. These mismatches are soul destroying for the girls, though when they are faced with teams from the colleges, more age and skill related, they compete eagerly and have acquitted themselves well. They still seek their first win and I hope it comes soon, as the girls train hard and deserve a little success for their efforts.
The horse lease is going really well and Melba is proving to be a good fit for Meghan. I call her Granny Melba, which Megs finds less than amusing and retorts with “you are not so young yourself, grandpa Alan” type comments.
Travis was invited to the New Zealand Cross Country Championships, to be contested at Welcome Bay near Mt Manganui. He decided that the 10 days notice he was given was not sufficient to prepare properly and give himself the opportunity to compete. It is a long drive from Wellington and I think he did not want to miss his rugby.
More Travis news: He started a job on Sunday at a local fish and chips shop. Yip, Travis working! Who would have thought? I expected Sherrie to lead the way on that one. He has been frequenting the take out, near Kapiti College for some time now and when he spotted a vacancy advertised in the window, he applied. He was started on the till and wrapping the food fare and came home smelling of fish-and-chips-cooking-oil and eyes wide at what it takes to run a busy food outlet. He seems keen, so we wait to see.
Desiree’s work continues to interest her and she is receiving great feedback from both her clients and her employer.
For the record, I am tipping the
NETHERLANDS FOR THE WORLD CUP!
Nothing in the sense that our lives are settling and that our news, for now at least, is pretty mundane. I am proud of what we have achieved in such a short time and that within just 5 months of leaving South Africa, I am experiencing “writers block”! No fun in just providing the weekends sports results, again, the weather update, again, the …………. you get the idea.
That said, much HAS been happening:
Des and I took a night off. We booked into the West Plaza Hotel, in central Wellington last Sunday afternoon on a package deal which included a suite, dinner, breakfast and champagne as a welcome. The champers never materialised and we didn’t much care.
The idea was to get away, take in a show, a good meal and sleep in a little on the Monday morning, a public holiday here celebrating the Queen’s birthday.
The suite was not that well appointed, but Des appreciated the gown laid out on the bed and a steaming hot bath before we dashed to the Circa Theatre, two blocks down. We arrived in time to enjoy a glass of wine and then discovered we were welcome to take a glass into the theatre. I took full advantage and ordered another glass of the kiwi red and proceeded to what is an intimate venue, seating no more than 200.
We were entertained by lively performances, good humour and a reasonably responsive audience. “The Underpants” proved a good tonic and we left feeling that our $70 had been well spent.
A dash back up the 2 blocks to the hotel, in a biting southerly carrying buckets of water, saw us back at the hotel for an early dinner. One of those dinners were the plates are huge, the helpings small and an artist is employed to decorate ornately the vast open spaces of porcelain, with splashes of colour and sprigs of things. The food was good! The combinations worked well and the flavours were what the taste buds had expected having been primed by lavish descriptions on the menu.
A bottle of white wine to the good and our tummies satisfied, we opted to retire to the bar in the hotel for night caps. The weather had turned sour and the southerly ensured we did not want to go dashing off to the nightlife spots some 4 blocks away. Dom Benedictine and Johnny Walker Black ensured we were “well oiled” for bed time
Only needing to check out at 1PM and with breakfast being served until 10:30, we took advantage and only rose around 9:30. Quick shower and off to breakfast. The usual fare of fruit and yoghurt and juice and eggs and toast and bacon and, and, and washed down with good black coffee.
We lazed around the room a little after breakfast and checked out. We had not made plans and the weather was still unpleasant with gusting icy southerlies, though no rain. A little retail therapy! We had been putting off making a few required purchases, so set about the shopping precinct.
Puffer jackets for the children, a strip plug for me, insulation tape for Travis, a few goodies from the $2 Store and a toaster.
We snacked-for-lunch at a Cafe on Cuba Street, which could just as well have been Long Street in Cape Town. Our day was done and we headed back to Kapiti and our children, a DVD and Pizza for supper.
I had put in for leave on the Tuesday, so had an extra day to myself to potter around the house catch my breath and just relax, given that Des was at work and the kids at school for most of the day.
On the sporting front the KCU “Hair on Rosetta” 3rds remain unbeaten and we are track to win the league with 3 games remaining. The ladies team recorded a good win and Desiree scored on of the four goals. Kapiti college rugby bounced back from their loss to Newlands with a good win against Tawa College and slipped to a draw this weekend against Hereatanga College (17-17). Travis scored a nice try against Tawa but the big improvement in his game is his defence. The boy is missing very little and is effectively intimidating his opposite number with thumping tackles and very aggressive running with ball in hand.
The netball team are really struggling though, especially when faced with teams comprising adults. These mismatches are soul destroying for the girls, though when they are faced with teams from the colleges, more age and skill related, they compete eagerly and have acquitted themselves well. They still seek their first win and I hope it comes soon, as the girls train hard and deserve a little success for their efforts.
The horse lease is going really well and Melba is proving to be a good fit for Meghan. I call her Granny Melba, which Megs finds less than amusing and retorts with “you are not so young yourself, grandpa Alan” type comments.
Travis was invited to the New Zealand Cross Country Championships, to be contested at Welcome Bay near Mt Manganui. He decided that the 10 days notice he was given was not sufficient to prepare properly and give himself the opportunity to compete. It is a long drive from Wellington and I think he did not want to miss his rugby.
More Travis news: He started a job on Sunday at a local fish and chips shop. Yip, Travis working! Who would have thought? I expected Sherrie to lead the way on that one. He has been frequenting the take out, near Kapiti College for some time now and when he spotted a vacancy advertised in the window, he applied. He was started on the till and wrapping the food fare and came home smelling of fish-and-chips-cooking-oil and eyes wide at what it takes to run a busy food outlet. He seems keen, so we wait to see.
Desiree’s work continues to interest her and she is receiving great feedback from both her clients and her employer.
For the record, I am tipping the
NETHERLANDS FOR THE WORLD CUP!
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