see the other photo for the other view from the top of the dunes
Saturday
friday i'm in love
Hiring a long board on the beach. No photos today even though yesterday was very sunny and possiblythe hottest so far this holiday. before lunch very little wind, the rising surf and high tide. afterwards the rising easterly took the joy from the day, but not before henny had her defining moment
watching henny surf the long board into the beach, standing up and grinning from ear to ear. Looking back over her shoulder and grinning from ear to ear, checking out whether dad has been watching. i had, and i saw it all.
eliot did as well, though from further out and with a few wiggles thrown for good measure.
friday night is pizza night another tradition. i'm grateful for being able to sit watching Star Wars 2 eating homemade pizza [cooked in the recently refurbished oven that now works when the old one ruined everything i baked in it] followed by foul tasting chocolate from Cadbury who have ruined triple decker by adding this bright pink top layer. It may be the last time i let henrietta choose the movie chocolate again.
the politically incorrect joy of a sunburned face, and the tingle of feet that are also too red for their own good
watching henny surf the long board into the beach, standing up and grinning from ear to ear. Looking back over her shoulder and grinning from ear to ear, checking out whether dad has been watching. i had, and i saw it all.
eliot did as well, though from further out and with a few wiggles thrown for good measure.
friday night is pizza night another tradition. i'm grateful for being able to sit watching Star Wars 2 eating homemade pizza [cooked in the recently refurbished oven that now works when the old one ruined everything i baked in it] followed by foul tasting chocolate from Cadbury who have ruined triple decker by adding this bright pink top layer. It may be the last time i let henrietta choose the movie chocolate again.
the politically incorrect joy of a sunburned face, and the tingle of feet that are also too red for their own good
Friday
Thursday on holiday
waking to a windless morning and warm sun, heading to the beach with henny and the body boards.
cheese rolls and lots of chippies in the yard [where it was still windless even though the easterly was well and truly settled in at the beach]
eating ice cream on the beach [even though it tasted like arse, and seemed to be full of grit that was straight from the scop in the store]
henny snoozing in the afternoon
girls doing jigsaws
cheese rolls and lots of chippies in the yard [where it was still windless even though the easterly was well and truly settled in at the beach]
eating ice cream on the beach [even though it tasted like arse, and seemed to be full of grit that was straight from the scop in the store]
henny snoozing in the afternoon
girls doing jigsaws
Wednesday
henny's pav yum
food to be grateful for, though it may hang around for longer than i wanted around my waist.
see more of the pictures here
see more of the pictures here
boxing day and more
Beryl got in touch, yay!
There's been a few things to note and most involve the sea or the children or both.
Watching eliot taking henrietta to the beach and holding her hand whilst he did so. a definite mastercard moment.
reading more of joe bennet's book, in the sun in the backyard with the kids lounging in the sunshine and in the hammock
eating salmon spiked with garlic, [actually there's been lots of food gratitude this christmas, some of it involving home baking, some the local delicacy of deep fried mars bars which involved waiting for the chip shop to open this morning. we'd gone to the shops to get some milk and enjoy the beach walk in the warm morning rain {thanks for that too}, and henny and india realised that they could get the fabled delicacy if dad had bought along their beach money. luckily he had. I had a long black from Switch Espresso while we waited for the chippy to open.]
going surfing [see the pictures here]
There's been a few things to note and most involve the sea or the children or both.
Watching eliot taking henrietta to the beach and holding her hand whilst he did so. a definite mastercard moment.
reading more of joe bennet's book, in the sun in the backyard with the kids lounging in the sunshine and in the hammock
eating salmon spiked with garlic, [actually there's been lots of food gratitude this christmas, some of it involving home baking, some the local delicacy of deep fried mars bars which involved waiting for the chip shop to open this morning. we'd gone to the shops to get some milk and enjoy the beach walk in the warm morning rain {thanks for that too}, and henny and india realised that they could get the fabled delicacy if dad had bought along their beach money. luckily he had. I had a long black from Switch Espresso while we waited for the chippy to open.]
going surfing [see the pictures here]
Tuesday
Christmas Day aftermath
so many things for christmas day!
the sound of wrapping paper being torn, smiles on faces, reflected gratitude for small joys unlooked for.
hugs and kisses from friends not seen for too long
messages and distant touches from bebil and jody
the belly laughs i had while reading the first chapter of a book Sharon gave me for christmas
I think it was the lugubrious reference to page three of the sun that really got me laughing, he'd computed that in his time away from england he'd missed some 9,000 women exposing their boobs to him, i couldn't help but laugh at the thought of what i'd also missed.
and, whilst sad, i'm grateful for James Brown who died yesterday. i'll miss him. He was played a lot by me at Sharon's wedding reception in 1988, he never failed to wake me up, and gave everyone a little shaken booty now and again, i think i managed to sneak some on the the soundtrack to my wedding too
bye James, thanks for all the FUNk.
the sound of wrapping paper being torn, smiles on faces, reflected gratitude for small joys unlooked for.
hugs and kisses from friends not seen for too long
messages and distant touches from bebil and jody
the belly laughs i had while reading the first chapter of a book Sharon gave me for christmas
I think it was the lugubrious reference to page three of the sun that really got me laughing, he'd computed that in his time away from england he'd missed some 9,000 women exposing their boobs to him, i couldn't help but laugh at the thought of what i'd also missed.
and, whilst sad, i'm grateful for James Brown who died yesterday. i'll miss him. He was played a lot by me at Sharon's wedding reception in 1988, he never failed to wake me up, and gave everyone a little shaken booty now and again, i think i managed to sneak some on the the soundtrack to my wedding too
bye James, thanks for all the FUNk.
Friday
One two three for 211206
we got presents at work!
all the corporate gifts received at UMC were distributed, and i got my fair share with very few naff ones, and managed to swap some of them for other less naff ones. watch out children's stockings there's some free naff stuff coming
i fiinished getting the christmas cards out, phew!
and finally the magic of the internet bought some fast responses to the e card i sent for foreign correspondents
bonus gratitude: getting gifts to nettie before their surprise departure for the North Island for christmas
everyone needs a hug now and then
I'm ignorant of the politics (if any) behind this, but I'm grateful for the smiles and tears it brings with it
Maybe it's the old hippy inside me, or just my normal emotional state, but everyone should hug more. I need a hug :-)
Love
Maybe it's the old hippy inside me, or just my normal emotional state, but everyone should hug more. I need a hug :-)
Love
Wednesday
I sometimes feel like this, do you?
another moment of insight from Doug Savage
you should go along and follow the link, it's worth 10 minutes of giggling
you should go along and follow the link, it's worth 10 minutes of giggling
Tuesday
Stand true and suck it up
"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."Harriet Beecher Stowe
And that's something to listen to on a daily basis
Monday
Eliot pops in to see his old dad
and spent some time here on friday afternoon, I was pleased as punch to see the boy, and had to take a photo of the new braces for posterity. Thanks Eliot
Friday
Pass this on, please
This amazing story of the will to change is inspiring, both at a human level and as fantastic marketing, see Leader Notes' commentary on the actual invisible children site for more information
Can we make a difference from this end of the world? I bet we can.
Three 20-something kids with a video camera wind up in northern Uganda. They see incredible horror and encounter heartbreaking suffering, most especially among children.
Instead of turning their backs, they can't stop thinking about it. They decide to do something about it.
What can three white kids do to stop 20 years of horror and war? They decide that alone they can't do much, but if they can mobilize enough other youth, they can influence the powerful.
They know their audience - other youth. They use multimedia, they use rock music, they use myspace, they make music videos, they portray things raw and gritty and honest and authentic.
They first tell their story of their experience in Northern Uganda about the Night Commuters in a documentary:
Can we make a difference from this end of the world? I bet we can.
Being treated like a king
Last night was a wee treat, nettie took us out to At Tony's a
Map Here
Nettie had on her wonderful new shoes, and we both had a fabulous night of protein and of course some fab Pegasus Bay Reisling to wash it all down. I particularly enjoyed the Salmon, but the Beef was really tender too. Of course the company was the best thing, and the treat of being out on a date. We'll bring some of the lids one day too, they'll enjoy the dinner and a show I'm sure.
"Teppanyaki style restaurant with a huge variety of menu styles to pick from"
Map Here
Nettie had on her wonderful new shoes, and we both had a fabulous night of protein and of course some fab Pegasus Bay Reisling to wash it all down. I particularly enjoyed the Salmon, but the Beef was really tender too. Of course the company was the best thing, and the treat of being out on a date. We'll bring some of the lids one day too, they'll enjoy the dinner and a show I'm sure.
Thursday
Venus Finally Trines at Midnight
It arrived today, after a long correspondence with Ed Mondazzi at Discount New Age Books !
This was going to get here before Christmas in time for Nettie's Birthday, but somewhere between Ed's big warehouse and our little whare the postal gremlins grasped it and never gave it back.
Ed tried real hard to find where it had gone, to no avail. Eventually, at his cost he replaced the book and airmailed it to us. Thanks Ed. It's very reassuring to buy over the internet and have the issues solved without any hassle whatsoever.
This was going to get here before Christmas in time for Nettie's Birthday, but somewhere between Ed's big warehouse and our little whare the postal gremlins grasped it and never gave it back.
Ed tried real hard to find where it had gone, to no avail. Eventually, at his cost he replaced the book and airmailed it to us. Thanks Ed. It's very reassuring to buy over the internet and have the issues solved without any hassle whatsoever.
on purpose
Yesterday was Baden Powell's birthday. As usual I was at the District Founder's Day event
at Burwood Park.
Doug Nelmes (at right in the picture here)
read the following out to the assembled hordes. I noted the relevance of the message in today's world as well as when B-P said it nearly 70 years ago.
Forget the male focus [it's a function of the era and thoughts of B-P] and add your own view on a deity, but the rest is good advice and worth a smile, and that's why it's here :-)
at Burwood Park.
Doug Nelmes (at right in the picture here)
read the following out to the assembled hordes. I noted the relevance of the message in today's world as well as when B-P said it nearly 70 years ago.
B-P's Last message to scouts: "Dear Scouts,
if you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.
Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.
I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.
But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live happy and to die happy (stick to your Scout promise always) even after you have ceased to be a boy, and God help you to do it.
Your Friend
Baden-Powell"
Forget the male focus [it's a function of the era and thoughts of B-P] and add your own view on a deity, but the rest is good advice and worth a smile, and that's why it's here :-)
Wednesday
New Horizons
The possibility that I am employable and have something to offer. A conduit to clients, experience, life skills, insight in addition to creativity and software knowledge.
{a raft of interest in my applications}
{a raft of interest in my applications}
Monday
weekend Sun and Fun
Finally a quiet moment, snatched from the maw.
Read a book in the hammock, shared the beach with the girls
watching Eurythmic's Videos eating Rolos and of course pizza friday
falling asleep after saturday dinner: falefel and home made tortillas
Read a book in the hammock, shared the beach with the girls
watching Eurythmic's Videos eating Rolos and of course pizza friday
falling asleep after saturday dinner: falefel and home made tortillas
15 minutes of fame
Darling Nettie, whose dress featured in the Ashburton Guardian last month. She's a clever girl, can't wait to see what the artist does with the blank canvas [dress]
See why it's there at all below
See why it's there at all below
Nettie turns heads in Ashburton
Art and fashion make the perfect pair, and lovers of the two are in for a real treat when they combine again to form an exhibition and fundraising venture at the Ashburton Art Gallery.
“Signify – A Fashion/Art Collaboration” is a new exhibition celebrating the relationship between New Zealand’s fashion and fine art sectors.
A selection of fashion designers have been asked to contribute to the exhibition by donating a white or pale coloured garment which will then be painted by a New Zealand artist."
Friday
how beautiful is this? how ugly is this?
This isn't really something that makes me smile, but what could be done to change it makes me beam from ear to ear.
I always wanted to change the world, just not quite like this though.
Click image below to view video in a pop up window
the original site is here: Worldchanging Campaign
I haven't any spare money right now to contribute, you may have. Either way, I'd like us all to think just how much we affect those around us with our actions; as people, as businesses, as families, as communities.
Pass it on,
I always wanted to change the world, just not quite like this though.
Click image below to view video in a pop up window
How have we changed the planet? See for yourself.
the original site is here: Worldchanging Campaign
I haven't any spare money right now to contribute, you may have. Either way, I'd like us all to think just how much we affect those around us with our actions; as people, as businesses, as families, as communities.
Pass it on,
Monday
Glad I'm not in NYC today
Pictures of Snow in NYC "We are having a blizzard here in NYC today."
I'll be there one day soon, but today it's snowing there and it looks darn cold, we complain about the winters in Christchurch but I think winter in NY will seem even more cold than the UK used to be for me.
Sunday
A big kayak, but worth it
Split apple rock, Kaiteriteri.
Nettie took this from the water taxi, but I kayaked over here, the local Kayak hire warned us off trying to do it, but of course I didn't listen and nosed the kayak between the two halves which were almost submerged by the time I got there after a kayak of about 1.5Km
Nettie took this from the water taxi, but I kayaked over here, the local Kayak hire warned us off trying to do it, but of course I didn't listen and nosed the kayak between the two halves which were almost submerged by the time I got there after a kayak of about 1.5Km
Monday
recap
3 weeks of fun with the girls and nettie
girls with straightened hair
watching smiles come home from shopping for clothes all day
snuggling kids into bed on sunday evenings
camping in the garden
sneaking coffee and pizza on a thursday
girls with straightened hair
watching smiles come home from shopping for clothes all day
snuggling kids into bed on sunday evenings
camping in the garden
sneaking coffee and pizza on a thursday
Friday
Thursday
another reminder from the gods of syncronicity
"So what do we do? Anything - something. So long as we just
don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we
wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late."
Lee Iacocca
another
gem from insight of the day
Tuesday
beautiful, but narrow and congested
it's a beautiful sight, but not sure i could put up with the proximity of the neighbours anymore after living in New Zealand's wide open spaces
see the rest of the "birmingham, it's not shit" pool images for more local colour
see the rest of the "birmingham, it's not shit" pool images for more local colour
back with a quick quote
here's to affirmations
from insight of the day
reuniting with your loved ones [nettie, straight hair and all]
baking with the girls
having dinner cooked for me
by the sweetest chefs i know
"I AM - the two most powerful words in the world, for whatever we put after them becomes our reality."
Susan Howson
from insight of the day
reuniting with your loved ones [nettie, straight hair and all]
baking with the girls
having dinner cooked for me
by the sweetest chefs i know
Monday
a resumé for the week
i haven't been posting but i have been smiling just the same
it's been a fun week with the children still at home and keeping me on my toes
i'm grateful for the warm cuddles as the little ones slowly wake up and come and find me first
being patted on the head while cooking by the big boy
pizza on friday nights
that the sea wasn't as cold as i imagined on friday
that sara's blog is working well for her family and friends and that she is also doing well all things considered
for sneaking off to the cinema while no one was looking
that the big lad is now mobile and seeing his friends more
for straight hair and narrow waists
sunshine and memphis meltdowns at the buskers festival
it's been a fun week with the children still at home and keeping me on my toes
i'm grateful for the warm cuddles as the little ones slowly wake up and come and find me first
being patted on the head while cooking by the big boy
pizza on friday nights
that the sea wasn't as cold as i imagined on friday
that sara's blog is working well for her family and friends and that she is also doing well all things considered
for sneaking off to the cinema while no one was looking
that the big lad is now mobile and seeing his friends more
for straight hair and narrow waists
sunshine and memphis meltdowns at the buskers festival
weekends are great
surfing last week
we all went out to waimari beach for some fun in the sun
eliot and i stayed dry, but the girls had a full on surf, we all got a bit browner, but it was very mellow
eliot and i stayed dry, but the girls had a full on surf, we all got a bit browner, but it was very mellow
Friday
being grateful, thinking more
was keeping my desk clean this morning, and was reminded by this
more of bob parsons here 16 rules for survival
thanks for the smell of cut grass
curly headed children with sleep in their eyes
fresh strawberries
the internet
warm sunshine after rain
tomorrow
"16. There's always a reason to smile. Find it. After all, you're really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: 'We're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time.'"
more of bob parsons here 16 rules for survival
thanks for the smell of cut grass
curly headed children with sleep in their eyes
fresh strawberries
the internet
warm sunshine after rain
tomorrow
Thursday
thursday blessings
the kids are home again, and eliot can drive!
i'm really grateful that the kids are back, i've missed them and had lots of stories to catch up on. they've grown [of course] and got browner over the few weeks they've been with juli.
and for nettie who's my rock
they are all healthy, and i'm very grateful for that, and this makes sara's story even more poignant for me, please spare a thought for sara and her family at this time. [i found out about sara because a very good friend of mine, robyn garnett was holidaying with sara when she was diagnosed]
i'm really grateful that the kids are back, i've missed them and had lots of stories to catch up on. they've grown [of course] and got browner over the few weeks they've been with juli.
and for nettie who's my rock
they are all healthy, and i'm very grateful for that, and this makes sara's story even more poignant for me, please spare a thought for sara and her family at this time. [i found out about sara because a very good friend of mine, robyn garnett was holidaying with sara when she was diagnosed]
Wednesday
cleaning up for 2006
i've been having a big clear out, no new year's resolutions, but i do like to clear the decks, there's lots of broken things around my workspace [and in the garage, i know] so i've been taking stock and clearing house, and then today i'm reminded that tina turner said...
see the rest of the pertinent quote here:
and keep an eye on my desk to see how well i'm doing. all i need to do now is to get all the pieces of paper with task notes on them into one place so they actually get done. that's part of the getting things done book i'm also reading
Sometimes you've got to let everything go...purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything...whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it
see the rest of the pertinent quote here:
and keep an eye on my desk to see how well i'm doing. all i need to do now is to get all the pieces of paper with task notes on them into one place so they actually get done. that's part of the getting things done book i'm also reading
Friday
rejecting inspiration
this is two sides to the argument, firstly those wonderful chickens have some input
and then there's this
part of a longer quote that's here:on insight of the day
and then there's this
If you want something new, you must do something different today. There's no finish line to this pursuit; you should always be planning for what's possible.
part of a longer quote that's here:on insight of the day
Thursday
eulogy
Uncle Keith died the other day
i'd like to take this moment to acknowledge some of the contributions he made to my life that i'm very grateful for
his smile, was always wide, and whenever we were together he always made it fun
his love of music: he introduced me [and dad] to lots of raucous big bands, came with me to my first concerts[stan kenton, woody herman, buddy rich] it's been a long lived legacy and something i cherish every day. i've moved on from these early influences but still play stan kenton's music, love big band sounds still, and a very thankful that this exposure also stayed with me and my playing of the saxaphone. i never really got into frank sinatra quite like he did, but i'm a sucker for a crooner, and enjoy the phrasing of all the singers that came after the boss
the laughs he created, christmas time was always an excuse for a family party, and the sight of keith and dad taking off the beatles with their wigs and saucepan guitars jigging to "love me do" was not to be missed. except now we do.
the smell of his cigarettes was always very comforting, even though they shouldn't have been
his joie de vivre and encouragement
farewell keith and thank you, you did it your way
i'd like to take this moment to acknowledge some of the contributions he made to my life that i'm very grateful for
his smile, was always wide, and whenever we were together he always made it fun
his love of music: he introduced me [and dad] to lots of raucous big bands, came with me to my first concerts[stan kenton, woody herman, buddy rich] it's been a long lived legacy and something i cherish every day. i've moved on from these early influences but still play stan kenton's music, love big band sounds still, and a very thankful that this exposure also stayed with me and my playing of the saxaphone. i never really got into frank sinatra quite like he did, but i'm a sucker for a crooner, and enjoy the phrasing of all the singers that came after the boss
the laughs he created, christmas time was always an excuse for a family party, and the sight of keith and dad taking off the beatles with their wigs and saucepan guitars jigging to "love me do" was not to be missed. except now we do.
the smell of his cigarettes was always very comforting, even though they shouldn't have been
his joie de vivre and encouragement
farewell keith and thank you, you did it your way
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