So on the 21st it was my birthday. As it is every year. Only it was on a Sunday this year, which it isn’t always on. Though I was born on a Sunday. I wonder how many Sundays I have had my birthday on since I was born.

Anyways, had a bbq to celebrate my birthday – and my wonderful friend Michelle – who shares the same auspicious day.

Then on Friday evening there was a party to celebrate Burns Night. Robert Burns was the creator of Auld Lang Syne and many other poems. My friend Isla was having a party to celebrate (being Scottish ‘n all). It was a really excellent night – there was another Scot living in her house (Colin!?).. he took us through all the speeches & tradition that surrounds the day. Really interesting guy – he’s on a 5 year trip around the world. Only he’s not taking a plane! Cycling, trains, walking etc.. mad, but impressive.

The Haggis was made by one of the guests. It was wrapped in the sheep’s stomach. I could be wrong but I don’t think I’ve eaten one like that before. It was delicious as ever though (you don’t eat the stomach!).

Much whiskey was drunk and merriment had. I was unfortunately having to take it easy on the drink.. but enjoyed the evening somehow all the same ;) There was even a ceile..

Sat morning headed off on a tramp with my flatmate Mark. Good times – first honest exercise I’ve had in tooooo long. My thighs keep on reminding me of the fact today..

Finally yet another bbq on the Saturday evening.. and some good views of the estuary – full of kite surfers. See, you can just do so many sports here. Great place.

Move here. Go on, you *know*
a) it makes sense
b) I’m not going to stop nagging
c) it’d be fun.

And this goes for any family & friends (even strangers) who are reading this. Magic country. Though we have had a really awful summer it must be said. Still, hopefully will be a kick-ass winter season!

Oh.. and finally finally.. for my pool playing friends out there (do love the game) just watched Stickmen. Surprisingly low (6.5) rating on imdb.. but an excellent film (if you know NZ pool rules and enjoy the game)

… Or the man who makes the tie?

Yes – I’m back in work this week, and it has been interesting and I can see there’s going to be lots to learn. Which I’m quite looking forward to. I had become lazy (through no ones fault but my own) towards the end of last year. Now I work for the E-Business team and I’m hoping I’m going to get to heavily use & promote Open Source software within the ministry.

It’s quite interesting really the politics which goes on. My boss’ boss’ boss has taken some initiatives and does go for the Open Source approach. Which does take some guts..

Mind you, when the Open Source option is technically superior and far far cheaper you’d wonder what the problem is. But I guess Micro$oft etc. have quite a lot of money to throw around to try kill the OS movement.

The only thing I object to is having to wear a tie. I’ve swallowed my pride (this took some doing) and I do wear one now. But I still feel it’s utterly redundant seeing as I do not meet the public. I dress smartly – but the tie just feels like a noose.

What else.. checked out the buskers festival which is on at the moment. Some excellent acts – really enjoyed it. Then some biking this evening with Dave – really great to get out with him again.. must try to make that a regular event now.

So.. it’s kinda finished.. ish.. but if anyone wants to test it (and tell your friends..) well www.sharetothere.org is up and running.

Basically it’s the next iteration of snowpool.org.nz which was the site I set up to help ppl carpool to the ski fields. Did I mention that site had an offer of sponsorship? Well it did… anyways.. here’s hoping sharetothere works as well.

Basically it allows you to set up an event (e.g. a gig / match) and then have ppl add carpools to the event..

I think it’s a good idea and simply implemented – but I am always open to suggestions. Would be easy to create a copy for Irish / UK / US etc. if anyone thinks it is worth it? :)

Before Christmas I headed up to Rotorua to meet my friends Mark & Lorna (who are now happily engaged!). It was lovely to get away from the pretty dreary weather ChCh has been experiencing over the last few weeks.

Nice views out over the Tongariro crossing. You can see Mt. Doom in that picture. At least I think that’s the one.

We spent a very pleasant day in Rotorua. It’s really McMaori… in that you get the dances and shows put on for the tourists. Quite well done though. We had a hangi for dinner. A Hangi is where they dig a hole in the ground – fill it with hot rocks & then the food. Seal it all up again and it basically becomes an oven. Quite a delicious taste to be honest.

I shall just put some pictures up now..

And a panorama.. though it didn’t merge quite as well as normal..

Then Mark & Lorna very kindly dropped me to my Aunts house at Palmerston North where I enjoyed a lovely Christmas day.

On the 26th I bussed up to Auckland and stayed the night in a pretty dismal hostel – before heading on the 10 day meditation course. The meditation course itself was actually a little too hard for me… In fact I had a slight brain meltdown afterwards though am feeling much better now. Looks like the pop survey was correct.. I did go madder :)

So it has been an interesting last couple of days to say the least.. currently I’m am just trying to digest the last few days of the course.. and I expect to be back blogging again in a week. I think 10 days of no talking really was a little bit too much for me ;)

In the meantime.. my friend Lorcan has started a blog…