There’s a discount card in Christchurch through one of the local radio stations – RDU… and I went into a music shop to pick a replacement up. The assistant basically refused to sell me one unless I took the $5 more expensive option and bought tickets to a music gig with the discount card thrown in for free.. So on Sunday Steve & Michelle and Aroha and I went off to the Cheap as Chips concert. It was a good gig if a little cold – the highlight definitely being a dub band called the Blackseeds..

Other than that a fairly lazy weekend, tried to find out what was wrong with my camera (takes about 4 pictures and then dies) and it looks like it might be the charger.. I had no idea those things could break!

So I’d been looking forward for aaaages to visiting my cousin Thomas up in Palmerston North with his family. Thomas has been working to get cluster munitions banned by coordinating NGO’s. Very exciting (and demanding work)… so when I get the chance to see him and his lovely wife Paula I jump at it.

There is a darker side to our re-unions. From a youngish age (say 7) we’ve been reasonably competitive with each other. I think it was when I saw him in Geneva that we conceived of the Scrabble championship – whereby we play a game and the victor has bragging rights until the next meeting.

The last time I was up in Palmy I beat Thomas. Paula decided that as we took it so seriously we should have a championship cup… she bought it and had ‘Scrabble Champion’ engraved on it. It was a beautiful day when it arrived by post to my house.

So it was with a light heart tinged with a small amount of trepidation that I arrived into palmy to be collected at the airport. The day was spent catching up – and then that evening we had our game. Two pics – left before – right after…

It was a good game – even if I came second. Thomas amassed 460 to my 304. I was sad to see (my) cup go.. but was happy to get over 300 points… 460 is just ridiculous. I shall have to do some intensive training before meeting again at Christmas.

The rest of the weekend (once my tears had dried) was spent having happy family times – it was lovely to see my cousins growing up… and I suppose it does make me – admit? – that I am missing my nieces and nephews growing up back in Dublin – and the US. Why doesn’t everyone just move here? They know it makes sense!

Friday night was out with the social club from work. Free wine. The plan was to get a little inebriated. Which was exactly what happened. Didn’t help that my (Irish) friend from work Francis knew the bar owner…

So Saturday was pretty much a write off… haven’t had that in a very long time. Did go out to see No Country For Old Men. Really was good.

Sunday out climbing with Mark and then croquet afterwards. Came second. Out of two. Good game though – make some silly mistakes (trying to be too clever/evil).

Off to Palmerston North on Friday to see my cousin and family – can’t wait.

I suppose it’s the season that’s in it.. but quite a lot of my friends back home are getting engaged & married – and some of them are even starting families. Very exciting! And of course my own nieces and nephews aren’t getting any smaller. Damn them. My friends Emma and Jennifer got married last year, and this year Stella and my cousin Beth … And one does feel like one is missing out sometimes! Just a little.

Mind you – a couple of weeks ago as I mentioned I was at my friends Thor & Jess’ wedding. It was a really lovely day and I felt so honoured really, to be invited.. Did make me feel like I do have a life here (that will be hard to give up – IF I do go that way – which I am not planning on (mum))

Photo courtesy of Anna Williams (thanks!)

So yes… it really is so hard to decide sometimes… I suppose if you don’t make a decision then that really is one in it’s own right. I love the quality of life here – and the relaxedness to the place. The access to the outdoors is pretty unbeatable too. Decisions decisions.

Oh – and according to this article in BBC News.. a kiss every night is the secret to keeping love alive (from a couple celebrating their 80th valentines night)

For the day that’s in it, and for the cynics out there.. Here is a link to a pretty funny (in my opinion) article written in the guardian on the concept of having an UnValentines Day…