Bit of an amalgam this post – hopefully less painful (and probably spelt differently) from the stuff the (evil) dentist puts in your mouth! :)

Anyways – start off with the opening of this years Christchurch Arts Festival. Proudly sponsored by CPIT (Maaike’s employer) I headed along to support. Maaike had been highly cryptic about the opening ceremony only saying CPIT was involved.

I was shown a straw and some plastic (pictured below) – but had no idea what their contribution to the opening ceremony was going to be.

It was completely artistic – wow ;)

Next on the agenda was the “Mighty Midges“. Well, it was according to Maaike – too much time in Co. Down being munched by the little creatures. Really the team name is “Mighty Midgets” for the Spring Challenge. It’s a female only (read easy – trivial – nonsensical..) event in September. Maaike Amy and Michelle are all doing it – and Steve and I will be support crew. It’s a bike, hike – and rafting?! event.. So they’ve started training (late start) and you can see the before and – after (well, actually still before) pictures here.

While I imagine there will be cries of “no, the Spring Challenge really is hard, three people die of hypothermia each year (they make three die just incase the stats don’t add up) – and some are ravaged by tigers and leopards (all true)”.. I’m not so sure. Will just have to wait and see I guess. Heh.

Lastly – but definitely not leastly (not a real word I know, but it ought to be) Maaike and I headed to Auckland with Val and Dom (two housemates) to see Cirque Du Soleil (Dralion performance). It was, amazing. It was lovely staying with Dom’s mum and having some really interesting chats…

Did get rained on – and tried sheltering (pretty unsuccessfully) under a bridge.

And then the circus. If you ever get the chance to see Cirque Du Soleil I highly recommend it. I have seen three productions now – and flew from ChCh to Auckland to see this one. There is something quite special about watching artists at the top of their game. It is inspiring, beautiful, challenging, breathtaking and, like, quite good. Honestly.. just go see. You won’t be disappointed.

At last.. another day on the slopes. Headed up on Sunday with Maaike (vid below) and Nick & Heidi, Clare and Emma. Lots of fun was had.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep_rEuM8D4I]

Now with edited audio for Femke Jongerius

Maaike has been having sneaky mid-week days. Apparently this is time back for working long hours.. anyway.. definitely paying off. I think it might be time for some rope-tow-nutcracker action soon!. Heh.

So… Steve and Michelle got back from a month and a half or so from Europe. This is a very good thing!! Really great to have them back. Hopefully some fun ski trips ahead.

I was also slightly rude/mercenary/self interested//// and asked them to use part of their communal 6L Spirits & 10L of port/sherry duty free limits.. to bring me back just a wee couple of bottles …

… and they did (thanks!)

I really need to find the RSS feed so I can subscribe before they come out (and you can download them freely).

Anyway.. this years BBC Reith Lectures (A new citizenship) can be found here. The first lecture which I’ve just finished listening to was on Markets and Morality. For example, should we set up a trading mechanism for refugees?

Other than that, lovely Saturday – going to a circus / orchestra production (Through the looking glass)… followed by a yum dinner to (belatedly) celebrate Maaike getting her residence.

Sunday was horrible.. Maaike crushed me twice at Tantrix, and then on the mini-golf course (new course, good layout).

Sigh.