So.. I wondered about posting this… but.. seeing as it’s family & friends (and complete randoms).. I thought I would..

As you know, or those who have read more than just this post.. after Christmas I went on a 10 day Vipassana Meditation course. This is not an undertaking to be undertaken lightly!

It was, actually, too hard for me. Too hard for my little brain to cope with. And, well, it broke me. Or, at least it shook me up a bit. Quite a bit.

I don’t think, ultimately, it was bad for me. Indeed I think it opened my eyes to a whole world that I didn’t believe in. The Eastern Philosophy of ‘Energy’ and things like that always seemed like utter rubbish to me. I come from a very scientific background. We always had a copy of the new scientist to read.. and it was good. There is a whole lot of good in the Western scientific world.

However, I now think it was wrong of me to think things like acupuncture etc. are rubbish. Which I did. I mean it works for some people – and just ‘cos I don’t understand it doesn’t mean it makes no sense. And people who say they have experienced energy flowing around them … well.. now I can’t rubbish them any more. Because that is what I experienced on the course.

Believe it or not. I don’t really care – it is my reality. And I say I experienced it!! So there :)

However, I went too far. Far too far – and crossed a line and did actually end up in a hostpital! suffering from Mania. It’s a very odd time. Very odd indeed. But, again, I believe for me that it won’t have been a bad thing. Though it was odd being brought into a closed psychiatric ward. My thanks to my loving family & friends who rallied round and sent so many good wishes (and cookies!). It made *all* the difference.

So… I may say more about this at some future date. The reason I put this up is because I think it is important to share the bad things as well as the good things. Life isn’t just ups.. it has it’s downs too… The course took me to a place I do not understand.. but I think on the whole it will have been a good thing.

I am going to put some thoughts up on post vipassana thoughts from time to time. Yes, a third blog. This really is getting ridiculous. I don’t want to clutter this one up with ramblings of an x-lunatic ;)

But that’s the thing… it was an illness which passed. Nothing to be embarrassed about really :) And, hopefully you will see in my actions & thoughts that the course will ultimately have been good for me – no matter where I ended up after it. Let time pass and then judge.

Finally – my thanks to Jo who very very kindly made the logo for http://www.sharetothere.org.nz. I might possibly get to natter about it on the radio.. and I will probably get round to implementing it for the UK & Ireland (if anyone thinks it would be worthwhile!).

p.s… Mania is the exact opposite of depression… so it actually really honestly wasn’t all that bad :) I mean I had free food & accommodation with en-suite ;) There are definitely worse things in life. Monty Python had it right in their ‘always look on the bright side of life’ :)

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 :)