The first post for ages.

Well, I'm currently getting my ass kicked in an online game of scrabble, but perhaps that's got something to do with the riesling I've been quietly consuming over the last half hour. Actually, I doubt that it's got much to do with the Riesling, but I thought I'd try and use that as a convenient excuse - and also to sound cool. Some guy called 'James G' is giving me a thourough ass kicking and appears to be one of those 'serious' scrabble players. I can't really be bothered trying to beat him, so I'm kinda playing half-heartedly, giving him copious opportunities to get high points and feeding him little gems of three letter words such as 'Jet' and 'Nun'. But its an ok way to pass the time when you're drinking on a Saturday night.

We're off to Christchurch in less than a week. We're spending our Christmas and New Year's down there. I hope I can survive it all. I never do too well if I'm kept out of my routine for too long. I swear some of the kids have rubbed off on me and made me quite Autistic at times. I was really worried about the house for ages, but luckily we've got a neighbourhood boy to look after it - feed the cat, the chickens, water the garden, collect the mail.... boy, the list just goes on and on..... but it's great having peace of mind knowing that all the hard work you put into your garden won't go to waste. I've really enjoyed having this garden, and especially growing roses. Its been fun. I've got into photography quite a bit over the last couple of months, and love taking pictures of our garden in all its glory. I don't know how many people actually check out the photos (which I post religiously on facebook) but thats ok. Scrabble update: James G has just played 'Uke'. God, who would have thought that was a word?

Christmas is a strange time of year, and I never know quite what to make of it. More than ever I am beginning to notice the overwhelming commercialism that is assocaited with Christmas. It seems as though it is more a time of stressing about what to buy people and wondering if you have spent enough money, more than anything else. My idea of a perfect Christmas would be to sit round the table with my family and friends enjoying a meal together. Good food and good times, connecting with one another. I don't really see what gift giving has to do with that feeling of connection, and to me it seems to only create a feeling of obligation. Surely the best gift you can give someone is your time and wanting to be with them? isn't love the best thing you can give? What I hate is being asked what I want, and then when I say that I don't want anything, getting funny looks. Not buying into the whole commercialism of Christmas is difficult. It just seems so silly though. I don't need anything, I have everything i could want or need - I have a loving family and wonderful husband, a lovely house, a good job (well.... it has it's moments....) but realistically, I'm wanting for nothing. Like John Lennon said back in the 60's 'All you need is love'. And I've gotta say: 'love is all you need.'

Macro Photography

This is my latest obsession..... Macro Photography.

My god, I think there was only one post last October! one! sorry fans, but I have been slack as of late. Still, I haven't entirely given up the idea of a blog, and so let's catch up over what's been happening over the last month, shall we?

One thing I must say is how much I'm enjoying spring so far. I'm beginning to think that it might be my favourite season of the year. I'm completely enthralled by nature, and the changes that are taking place around me - the little things that I used to take for granted. For instance, I'm learning to appreciate the simple beauty of the trees bearing spring blossoms, the multitude of colours that appears to have popped up overnight, out of nowhere. I'm really enjoying watching our roses slowly bud, and then waiting in anticipation for them to open and reveal the beautiful colours and fragrances.

I'm also continuing to understand the importance of surrounding yourself with people who you have a reciprocal relationship of trust and appreciation of the other with - and of severing ties with people who may not be such a positive influence. Basically, I'm just trying my hardest to be happy - something which proves easier and easier as I get older.

Now I must admit, most of the rabbling on and on that you're reading stems from the fact that Tim is out tonight, at a conference dinner so I'm all alone at home with no one to talk to but myself. And when you think about it, what is a blog (or a diary for that matter) but a means of sorting out your thoughts through the written word? and poor old Tim has just missed out on a dinner from our local delicious burger takeaway, burger wisconsin! (although I doubt he minded missing out on the chick flick that I watched while nibbling on my burger - for those of you that are interested, it was 'becoming Jane'.)

The Moon Whispers play at the San Francisco bath house

Last night, the Moon Whispers played at Wellington's premiere Indie band venue, the San Francisco bath house. Here are some photos from the night. Oh yeah, and a video, too. I'm sadly still getting the hang of this blogging thing, and only TODAY realised that you can actually upload videos! until now I just thought it was photos, but I've been proven wrong!
asdf

Fi at a rugby match!

As promised, the picture of me attending a rugby game (my first one ever). Don't I just look soooo pleased to be there?

By the way, it was the Ranfurly cup game, Canterbury vs Auckland (29th September in chch) in case anyone is interested.

Oh yeah, and we lost.

So maybe it wasn't the best game to be at...... well, for a first game.

Fi's Christchurch trip

OK, first things first.

Well, what a whirlwind trip to Christchurch I just had...... I went down there last Friday (the 28th) for my cousin Mary's 21st - I arrived back a couple of days ago on Monday, feeling exhausted but pleased to be home.

As I said, I would post up some photos of the beautiful people from the 21st, so here you are:

It was also my little brother's 26th birthday that night, so we celebrated it simultaneously. We had a lot of fun with fake moustaches that I had purchased him for a birthday present, so everyone had a go at wearing them, and posing for the camera (as you do). I must admit, my Dad really suited his moustache, although it made him look a bit like a seedy old Spanish man!















The trip to Christchurch also saw me partake in my first ever live Rugby game. I thought I would humour my parents and go along with them to the Ranfurly Shield game against Auckland (held on the 29th of September, at Jade stadium). I decided that I might as well go along, since I had spent all of my 27 years never having gone to a game. I got a photo of me at the game as proof for anyone that might not believe me. Ha!

Happy birthday Glen!

My little brother turns 26 today!

By the way, I must have set this blog to American time, because the date says '27th September' when in actual fact his birthday is on the 28th.

Also celebrating his birthday today, is my ex-flatmate Andreas Kacofagetis! Happy birthday, Andreas!

Indy!

We have a cat!

Last Wednesday we acquired 'Indy', a lovely friendly tabby, from Tim's band mate Elisa di Napoli (pictured above.)

Indy is enjoying exploring her new environment, and loves sleeping on the end of our bed at night (and trying to bite our toes!)

Tim plays with his fire devil sticks

Tonight, Tim asked me to take his picture for him, for some work newsletter or other.... little did I know that he wanted me to take his picture while he juggled 'fire devil sticks'....... I think he did pretty well considering he hasn't used them in over four years!

He probably gave the neighbours something to talk about - as he was juggling them in the middle of the road in our quiet little suburban street ;D

The last few weeks....

As you can see from these pictures, we've been having some fun times recently. Our days have not been so monotonous as late, but rather full of excitement and intrigue. We're careening through life not knowing what crazy thing will happen next. Ok, so that might be a slight exaggeration, but life is pretty good right now. Entertaining, anyway.

Last Saturday (22nd September) we hosted an 'Equinox party' in order to mark the passing of the Equinox (not sure if 'passing' is the right way to describe the Equinox, but oh well). The theme was 'dress formal' and amazingly, nearly everyone did. There were a couple of scoundrels that turned up wearing hoodies, but apart from that everyone did as they were told and dressed in their very best...... We spent an entertaining night on our balcony, and christened our new gas tabletop heater - which worked a treat and meant that we were able to eat dinner outside. The wine flowed freely, and we indulged heavily in roast lamb, and numerous desserts, which were all delicious. Later that night, an impromptu gig began - an all ages affair, with Luca (age 5) on drums.

It makes me realise that we should host more parties like this, where everyone can get along and have a good time (and have an excuse to dress up, of course - because lets admit it, that's all part of the fun!)
The weekend before that The Moon Whispers played at the Valve bar, in what was (in my opinion) one of their best gigs ever. The passion and energy they displayed was amazing. They've become really tight as a band, and it shows.
This weekend, I'm off to Christchurch for my cousin's 21st birthday.... which should be an interesting affair. No doubt photos of the beautiful people will follow..... stay tuned!

James and Kath's 81st!

Pictures from James and Katherine's '81st birthday', which Tim and I attended last night.

James and Kath had organised the Christchurch based band, known as 'Pine' to play at their party. Tim and James and some others provided the warm up act, jamming together on stage as though they'd been doing it for ages (in reality they had only played together once before - at practice earlier that night!)

Amy kept us entertained with her dance moves to Kylie Minogue, and was undoubtedly the best dressed on the night (apart from Kath, who was looking gorgeous).

The highlight of the night for Fi was when she went to chat to Jim, and he offered her his hand saying, 'I'm Jim, by the way.' I guess he doesn't see her dressed up very often!

Image of the day......

It's poetry time!

She forgot the sound of the rain
She forgot the smell
Of the rain drenched plains.
She could not remember the sound,
Or the taste
Of the wild, sweeping sea.
She no longer searched through
Lush green valleys,
The stars no longer shone
fiercly in the black diamond sky.

She had pushed it all away,
traded in for another time
Another place,
Another way of being.

But something remained....
A wild urge,
A fractured being,
A star-lit person cascading from the sky.
A dark forest,
A torn ribbon,
A rain-drenched mountain,
An empty table.
A thousand echoes.

Something was building,
Something was coming.
All colours, blue, green, and black.
A cascade of visions,
A thousand lives half carried
Something was calling
Something was emerging.

If I Look up at at the sky,
Will I see your face tonight?
You are torn from me,
A being no-more.
I burn, ache,
I hunger for you,
The immaculate star-child.

Last night I sat by the lake,
And watched as the light made
Ribbons over perfect still waters.
The sleepy sound of crickets brought me back.

The Moon Whispers gig

Last night Tim's band - The Moon Whispers, rocked the socks off everyone at the Valve Bar! It was a great chance to listen to some awesome NZ music, and to check out the graffiti in the toilets. (I know, I'm a little peculiar!) but the graffiti in those toilets makes it worth visiting the bar alone.

We started the night by inviting Bruce, Elisa, Dan, and his partner, Harriet, over for dinner before the gig. They all rocked up here and we had a pleasant dinner together before getting ready to go out.

It was lovely to see a good turnout in the audience, and to catch up with some old friends we hadn't seen for a while (thanks to James, Katherine, and Ian for turning up!). An added bonus was having Tim's sister, Ses, there - and her comment about Tim being the sexiest guy on stage, which made me smile :D I told her that I would go home and promptly ravish him, which no doubt left her feeling a little squeamish! oh well!

Eliza (Tim's cousin) also turned up with her new man, who seems really nice. Lots of drunken fun ensued.....

A couple of REALLY drunk teenage girls provided us with some comic relief during the set as they danced madly around, nearly tripped up a few times (Katherine was worried that they would end up in her lap, as we were in the front row, so she had to move her chair back!), and to top it all off, one of them managed to lose both her shoes - one ending up, somehow, on top of Tim's bass amp! we were impressed to see them jump up and 'chest bump' each other, in mid air! ah to be 18 again! (and full of Alcohol.......)






For this gig, Elisa decided to dress up as a boy, and turned up wearing a shirt and tails, and a bowler hat. She looked stunning as usual, and sung beautifully. Tim played bass really well, and I felt that the whole band has really started to jell together more. Dan didn't play the drums too loudly either, which everyone was relieved about.

Harry Potter

What can I say? I really do fall in love with the characters in Harry Potter. *sigh*

Fanfictions.....

I've added a new page element to my blog - you can view it on the left. Basically, it contains fanfictions that I've read that I really like. Yes, I know, this just goes to show how much of a geek I am, but they are a seriously good waste of time! I mean, who doesn't need to procrastinate every now and again, I ask you?! the first (and only fanfiction so far) on the list is a Harry Potter fanfiction - an alternative seventh book. It is rather long (41 chapters) but really worth reading if you feel as though you haven't got enough of Harry Potter yet, or you just miss being in the Harry Potter universe. I'm going to add more fanfictions to my list as I discover them. I've read heaps so far, but I am very picky about what I like, and I have high standards. Anyway, if you do read them, let me know what you think. Also, it'd be nice to know that I'm not the only adult who strays into fanfiction.net and enjoys it!

God, I so need someone to share in my fanfiction craze! perhaps I should take up a wanted ad in the paper, lol!

Tim is back!

and he brought his sister with him! we caught up with her today, around at Esther's place.

Project: front garden makeover!

Above: one of the roses we planted yesterday, called 'Sexy Rexy'.

The last two days I have had my wonderful Pal, Ali, up to visit, and she has helped me to tackle the wilderness of the front garden!

Day one: We dug out a trench in the front garden, around the retaining wall. Then we planted five roses along it.
The next day we went out and brought some nice organic compost to spread over the heavy clay soil, which will help break it up and nurture the roes. Ali reckons they will be very happy there, in their posy in the sun!

Some of the roses we planted include the following: Dublin Bay, Sexy Rexy, Just Joey, Electron, and Landora. Below are Electron, Landora, and Dublin Bay.

Just had to say......

That I'm missing my husband!

*sniff sniff*

Picture of the day!

My dad and some, erm, 'Lady friends' he met in Thailand.

Nice implants, don't you think? :D

Our latest bargain!

Yes, we do love our weird and wonderful things. Right now we are very much into retro stuff - mainly furniture, and we couldn't resist buying this dining table (with matching chairs) when we saw it in Steptoe and Son. Apparently, the design dates back to the late 1940's - early 1950's and the seats are covered in the original vinyl. I also scored a cushion in the weekend that matches my flowery retro lampshade, so I'm a happy girl.



By the way, what do you think of our ancient radio in the background of the picture? it is from Tim's Granny, and it still works! (although the only station it can receive is access radio!).

Tim posing for the camera (a rare thing indeed).



Yesterday, Tim and I went for a walk near the Kaitokes in Upper Hutt. It was called 'Tane's walk'. These pictures were taken during the walk.

Me standing in the entrance of the tunnel.



The beautiful native bush of the walk.......



An interesting picture of mold growing on a tree branch..... I just loved the colours!



Me, fossicking around in the bush!



A beautiful Punga fern, with the jungle in the background.