On Getting Lost in the Library

I went to the library today. I didn't get lost in it though, I just thought adding that in would make the whole scenario seem a little more dramatic. It didn't really work, did it?!

ANYWAY

I love libraries. They are like oceans of information on which you can sail freely until you finally rest upon your island (book) of choice. They've also got a kick-ass coffee shop in which you can sail freely into a caffeinated bliss (or if it's your third coffee of the day - into a anxious, sweaty-palmed frenzy)

Here's a list of what books I came home with...

The Everything Guide to Writing Copy
Punk Marketing
An Illustrated History of World War Two
Blogging Heroes
The Art of Digital Music
Make Easy Money with Google
SEO - Search Engine Optimization
The Big Britpop Songbook
Blogging Heroes
From Zero to Rock Hero
The Well-Fed Self Publisher

As you can see, I'm a little torn over which career I should pursue. Maybe I should just work in a library?

Just having these books sitting on my shelf make me feel smarter...but they've gotta go back in four weeks, so I better get cracking.

Skateboarding in New Zealand...

Is insane.

The caliber of the skaters over here is amazing, and there is an awesome skate community that spans the whole of the country.

There are incredible little (and big) skateparks in even the smallest of towns, and it seems to be a high priority of the government and councils to provide kids with decent skate facilities. NZ skaters are much better looked after in terms of parks than their UK counterparts seem to be, which is refreshing.

More blogs on skateboarding down under will pop up very shortly...

Gold Coast for Dummies....

I got back from the Gold Coast last week, that place is amazing. I've never been to Australia, and it was so cool to hear all those freaky accents (kidding). Kept thinking I was in the cast of Neighbours. Gutted I didn't meet Karl or Susan Kennedy, my childhood heroes. I suppose Australia is quite a big place...


A quick run down of things I achieved in the Gold Coast (in no particular order)

Went to Dreamworld
Went on the best rides at Dreamworld
Went to White Water World
Went on the best slides at White Water World
Went fishing
Caught some fish
Went to wedding
Went fishing in wedding get-up
Caught fish in wedding get-up
Jumped off roof into pool at wedding
Saw a stingray
Saw kangaroos, dingos, lizards, pythons, alligators, crocodiles, and emus
Patted wallabies
Cooked a huge t-bone steak on the 'barbie'
Cooked massive prawns on the 'barbie'
Combined the two and had the best 'barbie' ever
Went to a surf club and ate a bucket of prawns
Bought a 'scooner' of beer (I didn't know what the barman meant, so I just asked for a big one)
Got drunk
Passed out on the couch
Got hungover
Lost 3 pairs of sunglasses
Bought 4th pair of sunglasses
Still have 4th pair of sunglasses
(It was an expensive holiday for sunglasses)
Played mini-golf (or 'Put Put' as the natives call it)
Didn't lose mini-golf (3rd out of 4 aint bad)
Drank alcoholic slush puppies (always been a dream of mine)
Went to the beach
Didn't get eaten by sharks
or snakes
or spiders
Went to Hooters
Spoke to the english girl who worked in Hooters
Wished I didn't speak to english girl because she ruined it for me
Found out english girl went scallop trawling for 3 months
Wondered who her careers advisor was
Bought 70 hooters chicken wings between four of us
Probably didn't even finish half of chicken wings
Ate oysters
Ate more oysters
Went to Pacific Fair
Found out 'Pacific Fair' means "Big SATAN'S ARSEHOLE Mall" in Australian
Went to Draculas cabaret restaurant
Enjoyed the show
Got suitably drunk
Got scared on the ghost train
Got the video of me with my hands over my face shown to the whole crowd at Draculas in the intermission
Rode in a limo with strangers
Went to a strip-club
Went on a flow-rider (at Dreamworld, not the strip-club)
Went on a mono-rail
Took photos on the mono-rail


Most importantly, I feel I made the most of it.


So there you have it, my Gold Coast holiday in a nut shell.

Being back at work sucks the big one, I'll tell you that for free.

I've signed a contract for www.suite101.com and am now writing articles for them, I've only done two so far though, so don't get excited...

Had a bloody good night out at the Monster Bar in Lyttelton the other night. Funky tunes and too much whiskey make ollie a bad boy...certainly paid for it the next day!

Soon.

On Reflection...

Good morning Christchurch, good night Eastbourne, hello world!

After a lethargic start to the morning, I've finally kicked into gear. It only took half of the day to get there...coffee works wonders hmm!?

I woke up feeling unmotivated, tired, lazy and like I wasn't getting anywhere. I soon realised that often all it takes to make you feel like you are getting somewhere is for you to get out of bed. So I got out of bed, and now I'm here, in the kitchen, so I guess I have got somewhere - today at least.

It's sometimes pretty tough to stay happy when all of your friends and family are on the other side of the world. The fact that they all go to sleep as soon as you wake up doesn't make things much easier either. The thing is, if I could, I wouldn't change a damn thing. Being away from loved ones only makes me appreciate them a whole lot more, and when I do get to talk to them, the quality of conversation is so much better. It's true that you don't know what you've got till it's gone - that is why I'm here after all. It took less than a day after my girlfriend left the UK for me to realise that I couldn't lose her, so off I went to the travel agent and booked myself a ticket over here.

Although I can't be with everyone I love at the same time, I consider myself blessed to have so many incredible people in my life at all.

Eastbourne will always be my home, no matter where I end up. I don't care what anybody says about that town, it's home to some of the most friendly, inspired and beautiful people I've ever met. I think growing up in a town like Eastbourne instills that hunger in you for something more. Sure it has it's problems, but doesn't everywhere? EVERYONE I know from Eastbourne has affected me in some way. My Willingdon boys that I know I'll be with - even when I'm away from them - till the day I die. The Eastbourne skaters that I grew up with and spent every day of every summer (and the seasons inbetween) with from the age of 12 - 18. The Hailsham boys who are some of the funniest, friendliest, loyal and talented guys I've ever met. Anyone from Eastbourne who's started a band, a clothing company, record label, shop or graphic design company. Everyone who I've ever shared a drink with in Blue. Everyone who I've ever sat on the beach with and had a BBQ and a few bottles of beer. Anyone who I've ever been camping with on the downs. Any drunken soul I've ever waited for a cab with (or walked home with) All of the mates I made when I was at Lewes college. Then later, every single person I met at Kingston University. All the writers, poets, messheads, stoners, MC's, musicians and aspiring young journo's - keep up the good work.

If you're reading this then you're included too.

Shit. That coffee made me babble a bit huh. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and look at everything to really appreciate it. The human condition can be a beautiful thing.

My new life in Christchurch is treating me well, so is everyone I've met over here and for that I can't thank any of you enough. The Kiwi's are a friendly bunch, firm handshakes and warm smiles all around - I'll drink to that.

I feel like I needed to get that out of my system...

ANYWAY

Lately I've been working, partying, and hungover-ing. Went to a party on Friday night that was pretty hilarious, not too many people there and the people that were there were on top form. A few dramas, but when is there not?! It all adds to the experience huh...

I'm going on holiday to the Gold Coast tomorrow (Australia) for a week. This promises to be uber-rad. I've never been to Australia, so I'm going to be making the most of it. I'm going to take a tonne of snaps and I'll chuck them all online somewhere when I get back.

The cat just ran in with a lizard hanging out of her mouth...it was fully gross. Little twitching legs and everything...she's gonna need a tic-tac after that one...

I've got work tonight, making coffees was fun to begin with, but now it's a little boring. Oh well, at least 'Barista' sounds better than 'Dish Pig'...although I do find washing dishing all day rather therapeutic...

One DUNCAN ABRAHAM told me on Saturday night that my blogs have been too short and not frequent enough. He said just as he was getting into them I always stopped, and he compared it to pulling out during sex...

Well Duncan...I hope you need a cigarette after this one...

(Sorry Mum)

The Weatherman...

HELLO

New Zealand, why have you forsaken us with this piss-poor weather? I mean...I don't mind when I'm at work, because I get paid the same to work less, but rain on the weekends too? That's just not on...

Funnily enough, the rain makes me feel quite at home. Whilst everyone else moans and goes on about how bad the weather is, I don't really notice until I remember I'm not in England. I've actually missed that fresh rain smell on a lukewarm day, you know the one? Where, before it rained, the air was all hot and sticky-icky-icky and made your face feel like your testicles and your testicles feel like your face...or is that something only I get? Anyway, then the rain comes and leaves its scent, and everything just feels...better.

Flying burrito brothers is my new favourite restaurant. It's a shit-hot Mexican place that serves THE BEST FOOD I'VE EVER TASTED - apart from Mama's cooking, of course. The menu was so big I needed a TomTom to guide me through it. My TomTom was called Tori and she was from Texas, which surprised me, because I thought she was Canadian. My girlfriend said she could imagine her bull-riding. I told her to stop being so filthy.

I'm dead keen on Gavin and Stacey at the moment, borrowed the box set off some friends and haven't stop watching it. Shit James Corden is funny - he wrote it too, with Nessa (Ruth Jones - could her name be more Welsh?) I reckon I could do that stuff...it's just scriptwriting. I wrote a script at Uni once, it was about a guy trying to persuade his friend that ginger people couldn't get pregnant. I would say it was better than it sounds, but it wasn't.

I guess that's it for now. My girlfriend is telling me via facebook chat to get off the internet. She's sitting next to me. Welcome to 2009...not for pregnant or breast feeding women. I wonder if the future will have a height restriction - all those apocalypses, nuclear holocausts and natural disasters will need some kind of censorship that's for sure. This blog just took a nosedive didn't it?

Signing off...

The last couple weeks have been...

Pretty freaking cool. I turned 21 a week ago and had a really cool 4 days off for my birthday - despite me being worried I'd be too homesick to enjoy it.

On the day of my birthday my housemates took me out to this little town called Methven which is pretty much at the foot of Mount Hutt. The town was actually pretty cool, despite being way out in the stick. Got a coffee in this cool cafe that doubled as a junk shop where "everything" was for sale...even the seats you sat on. I flicked through the vinyls to see if I could find any gems but I was nay successful...my mate Charlie is the king of sniffing out hidden treasures. I couldn't believe how many English people were in this place - 2 out of 3 of the chicks that worked there were Brits, and about 4 customers came in whilst we were in there that were also British. Not holiday-makers or travelers either - full-blown, settled-in English people...bizarre.

Snooped around the town a bit and was shocked to find an awesome skatepark somebody had thrown up in some warehouse...the building was so run down but there were kids all over the place tearing around on their boards. New Zealand knows what's up. Town councils in the UK struggle to put decent skateparks in towns 10 times the size of Methven.





Took a couple snaps...cool huh...

After Methven we drove half-way up Mount Hutt, just to have a look. I don't think I could have ever predicted that I'd spend my 21st birthday half-way up a mountain...



Oh yeah - and there was a sh*tload of fresh snow!

Went out in the evening with a few local hoodlums and gave my liver a good bashing...only went to a couple bars, but they were cool bars with good atmospheres. The night started off pretty low-key but one too many jagermeisters later and I found myself confronted with Space Invaders, a vintage vacuum cleaner, and a terrifying old woman in a cupboard...rock and/or roll...

Tuesday...

Is cold!

There's a week-long chill going on at the moment, and by gum is it chilly. The sky and I are both feeling (and looking) pretty blue today...that's a bit of a weird thing to say isn't it?



That's a picture of me and Tim (I know it's supposed to be 'Tim and I' but I think it makes me sound too middle-class if I write it like that, so I'm not going to) taken at the first year of uni. I lived with Tim for two years, and now I'm in New Zealand, and he's in New York. How does the saying go? Out with the old and in with the new? That appears to be the case huh. I spoke to him on Skype the other day which was very weird. I don't think either of us could have predicted this.

Anyway I'm home. Been working all day which was just fantastic. I feel like watching my new Clash DVD, so I think I might. My obsession with The Clash is still in full effect, and my list of Clash records and books I want to get is still growing...bugger!

Not much to report. All is quiet on the Eastern front. Dinner is just around the corner. I gave up smoking and then started again, and now I'm giving up again. All in all I haven't achieved much.

Riddle me this -

I came to New Zealand able to write well enough for at least some low-level writing job, yet I don't have one.

I came to New Zealand not being able to make coffee, but all I do is make coffee all day.

Where's the justice? I'm know I'm not the only one out there.

I have also figured out that coffee is for some people what fashion is for others. This bothers me on a daily basis, roughly between the hours of 9 - 5.


...this blog isn't really going anywhere is it? Too many short sentences and not enough depth, too much crap-talking and not enough specific description about anything in particular. Oh well.

I'll call in again soon, hopefully with more spark behind my words. Just not feeling very electric today. It's the cold I tellsya.

PS.

Dear England,

If I could, I would fly you over here, stick a cap on your head and a camera round your neck, call you a tourist and show you everything New Zealand has to offer. You'd be here a while.

Dear New Zealand,

If I could, I would introduce you to England, sit you both down with a cuppa tea, and get England to talk to you about it's History, it's children, and why it has a hard time staying out of trouble. You'd be there a while.

Fully Wired...

Hello again...it's been a wee while...again...sorry...again!

I haven't been that busy, just lazy. But I've got a new laptop and I'm fully wireless now so I'll be able to get bloggy much easier...also helps having a place to store all my photos so I can easily upload them too...like this one...



That's me and the latest in high-tech exercise equipment, a small child. Sure gets your arms burning after a few throws.

So what's been going on? Not much. Been working in the cafe, which is so much fun I almost have to stop myself from crying with excitement every morning...almost.

Watched the New Zealand 'Fight of the Century' on Saturday night. Two of NZ's top boxers went head to head and the wholllleeeee country was on the edge of their seats, for about two minutes...because that's how long it took for Shane Cameron to hit the mat...ouch. David Tua is a beast. It was a bloody exhilerating two minutes regardless.



Yup.

I'll check in again soon, sooner than this time. I'm going to keep on top of this blog once and for all, hurraaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Snakes on a Plane?

How about Sheep in the Fast Lane!?



Poor little fellas were slipping and sliding all over the place. Only one of them had the sense to sit down. They were pretty up for having their photo taken though, I think they'd had previous run-ins with the paparazzi. I wondered where they were being taken...maybe out for lunch...maybe to be sheared...maybe to be sold...maybe to be killed...who knows. If the latter is true, RIP. Ewe will be greatly missed.

...sorry about that

The cat I live with has recently developed a new hobby which involves the chasing and eating of lizards. I heard some scuffling under the bean-bag the other day and found said kitty trying to claw and jump on a 5 inch lizard. The little fella had had it's legs mangled by the evil killer cat...I had to put him in a cup and chuck him outside. (Note - it was a gentle, and carefully carried out 'chuck') Apparently the next day the kitty was at it again! How do them there lizards taste hmmmm!?



Evil huh...?!

The cows in the paddock are getting wet...

Because it's raining today...

This might be the third? fourth? rainy day I've experienced in New Zealand in the 2 and a half months I've been here...I like those figures...

I'm getting too slack with this blog...I know and I'm sorry. I'll be all like "ah yeah I might write on my blog", then I go, "oh but I don't have much to say...maybe I'll go cut my toe-nails instead..."

ANYWAY. Stuff has been happening, cool stuff, fun stuff, different stuff. Taken a lot of snaps like this.




Bit average huh? That was on a walk over 'Taylors Mistake' (named so because apparently a fair few collonialists mistook the bay for Lyttelton or Sumner and lost their way afterwards - I think one of the ships had a Captain Taylor on board - or something like that) It's a beautiful bay with amazing walks up from the beach and around the cliffs.



See?

...and one for luck

I love this track...

While the coffee buzz is still fresh...

So here's the bit where I go on about my soundtrack to 2009...hopefully it's not too painful for you...

The Gaslight Anthem - the '59 Sound

I bought this record the day after my girlfriend left the UK in January. Every song on this album helped ease the 'emotional turmoil' (shall we say) I was feeling, and kept me going until I flew out to see her at the end of March. Every time I pressed play I felt a little bit of that pain and unrest flicker away. I have never had a more personal experience with a record, or held one so dear to my heart until the '59 Sound. The lyrics, the music, the motives and the message are all so utterly fucking perfect I struggle to believe I've been lucky enough to stumble across it. I know my mates back home got pissed off with me going on about them every day, but at the same time I know that The Gaslight Anthem have a place in their hearts because of my inability to contain my passion. Three of my best friends in the world and I went to see them in June, and I've never felt so at home at a gig. The Gaslight Anthem are gaining huge momentum these days having just played all the major UK festivals, and they deserve every bit of success that comes their way. The best record I have ever bought.



The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium

I listened to this record almost non-stop on my first flight from the UK to New Zealand in March. As soon as I landed I had to go out and buy it. I think my girlfriend was a little confused as to why all I kept going on about was this CD I had to buy when we hadn't seen each other for three months. I listened to 'Police on my back' when I flew into Auckland airport and I think it blew away my jetlag in 2 and a half minutes of British punk beauty. My girlfriend and I went on a roadtrip of the south island and this album was part of our staple musical diet for that week of travelling. I think she started to warm to it too...all hail Mick Jones and Joe Strummer, they sure don't make 'em like that anymore.



Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Global a Go-Go

Just because sometimes, Joe Strummer is the only guy who can soothe my homesick heart. Bhindi Bhagee is a song I've loved ever since I heard it in a skate video about 5 years ago...it mentions New Zealand too...this isn't the original video, just a homemade one...




Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea

Billy Corgans side project. I bought this about 3 days ago for 3 dollars. I heard a couple of the songs off it a couple years ago and loved them, and just happened to stumble across it the other day on the cheap. It's already one of my favourite records, it sounds like the Smashing Pumpkins in the summertime. Still soulful and moody, but not so heavy on the dark undertones.



The Gaslight Anthem - Sink or Swim

Their first record is much tougher than the '59 Sound. The New Jersey punk influence is definately there in a much rawer form too. I can't fault a single song on the record. This was added to my collection the day after I bought the '59 Sound. If you click on my iTunes 'Top 25 Most Played', both Gaslight Albums (and their four track EP) almost make up the entire list. Here's an acoustic version of '1930'...written (apparently) about the leader singers grandmother who was suffering with alzheimers. The last part of the song is pretty incredible..."I love you more than the stars in the sky, but your name angel escapes me tonight"...makes my neck hairs stand on end and shhiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttt...If you don't wanna listen to the whole song, just fast forward to 3:30 and watch from there...if you want...



So there you have it...my soundtrack to 2009...funny how every pick is in some way either linked to my girlfriend or New Zealand huh...when did I get so god damn soppy?!

Thanks for reading...

My Soundtrack to 2009...

Just over to the right there you'll be able to see my top 5 records of 2009 (note - they're not all FROM 2009, but they're the ones I have listened to most during 2009)

I've gotta dash to work...but I'll update tomorrow on why these albums have been so good to me over the past few months...

Haircuts and House Parties...

Hello.

I've had a haircut, a proper one from a proper blokes barbers. It's way shorter than I've had it before and I'm liking how easy it is to handle. It also dries in about 5 minutes flat, incredible. I went to a barber shop in the city that has a tobbaco shop out front. They were playing Johnny Cash and the Rolling Stones and had pin-ups from way back when on the wall, it was a pretty cool and cosy place. The guy who cut my hair had a face like old wood that looked as though it could tell you a thing or two about the past. He told me a thing or two about the Rolling Stones and about a few english people who'd been through his barber shop during their travels. I'll be going back there for more stories - and haircuts - for sure.

Working in the coffee shop is going ok - though I'm fully over working in hospitality. I've sent CV's out far and wide and should hopefully be making some progress career-wise in the next few weeks.

The guys I'm staying with threw a big house party on Saturday night. It was pretty awesome. Started out pretty civilised but soon turned wacky, and it's always a good time when it turns wacky. My brain felt like scrambled egg the next day. Two days later and it now feels more like an omelette, at least its getting firmer...

I need to buy a freaking laptop so I can keep on top of my blog and send photo's home more often, I'd kinda like to have a better job before I do though.

Got woken up by the wind again last night...it was insane. I thought the windows were gonna cave in, they never did. I have never heard wind like that in my life, and I knew that by the time I woke up it would be a beautiful, crisp, clear morning - and it was. Funny how the wind and storms and stuff do that...wake you up in the middle of the night but they always scurry off by daybreak like they don't want to be caught. I guess the beautiful day that often follows storms is natures way of apologising...

Album of the week...Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea...and it only cost me 3 bucks!

I'll call in again soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon...its been quite cool having people (from UK and NZ) hit me up about not writing on my blog...it's nice to know it's being read!

Teppanyaki Golfers...

We went and had teppanyaki on Friday night, and it was amazing. Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cooking that uses an iron griddle to cook food. We all sat around in a semi-circle as our Japanese chef cooked all this amazing seafood, chicken, steak, fish and rice right infront of us. As soon as it was ready he just chucked it on our plates, I have never tasted anything so damn fresh!


The teppanyaki evening was with my girlfriend's work colleauges. A very mixed bunch of people, but all very cool (in their own ways) nonetheless. One of the older blokes got pissed and kept asking our chef if he played golf (hilarious), one of the older women got pissed and pinched my bum and rubbed her hand down my chest (uncomfortable), and another one of the older guys told me a load of stories about when he was a punk in London in the 70's and 80's (interesting). Had a good chat with that guy about The Clash actually, although I am trying to curb my obsession...I still think I should've been born 30 years earlier though. I feel like I missed out.

After Teppanyaki my girlfriend and I went to one of her friend's places for a few drinks and a bit of mischief. I ended up drinking a little too much and breaking a glass that I was convinced was plastic...oops. Met lots of new people and called my mates back home about three times in one night, that phone bill is gonna hurt.

The sun is shining on Christchurch today and I'm bored of looking at this computer...I'm going to go for a drive and take some pictures or something. Maybe I'll get lost...here's hoping...

English weather....what?

It's been a while huh...I've been neglecting my blog lately, and for that I'm truly sorry...to...my blog...? hmmm...

Anyways, I have a job now, in a coffee shop. Not making coffee, because I'm not trained. They couldn't have a rookie like me working the coffee machine, it's all so bloody confusing. When I was working in a pub, all we had to do to make coffees was put the grind in the holder, stick the holder in the machine, press the button, and bada-bing bada-boom...the coffee came out. At this place they have to push the coffee into the holder harder or softer depending on how fine or coarse the grind is...they have to change their method if the temperature changes (front door opening and closing contributing hugely to temperature change)...once the extraction button is pushed, the coffee has to start running between 7-9 seconds, and be finished by 29-31 seconds...what is this coffee-science madness!?

All going good though, job is easy enough, same old hospo stuff. Take orders...collect crockery...make food (my favourite part)...and it's in quite a nice location too, so it'll do for now.

The weather has been awful the last few days...truly english...grey...wet...depressing. The sun's decided to come out today, and conveniently I have work, funny how that always happens huh!?

I can't wait for summer to roll (back) around...two summers in one year? Awesome!

How did I miss this?

Pretty cool...



As far as I know it's Tony Canal from No Doubt on bass, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Steven Van Zandt on guitars and vocals, and couldn't recognize the drummer...

Funerals and Skateboards.

Yup. That's pretty much what's been going on the last few days. Funeral was sad, but turned into quite a nice day spent with girlfriends family, very wholesome.

Skateboarding in Christchurch is amazing. I went to the local park yesterday (pics coming soon)which is incredible. Took me a while to get my skating legs back (it's been a while) but I was flying around on my new set-up in no time. It was very therapeutic...I was way overdue some exercise! Definately something I'll be keeping up...

Currently listening to Moby...it's like a massage for the soul...

I've got a new favourite song too..."Burning Lights" by Joe Strummer (co-written by The Pogues, apparently) here it is in all it's glory - cool video too.



I'm going to go busking at some point and I'll play this song. I can kind of half sing it, but i'm gonna have a sign saying "all proceeds go towards singing lessons" or something, so even if people think im bad they'll still feel obliged to give me money...maybe?!

Going to have to try and tame my obsession for The Clash soon...nearly finished one biography and moving onto Joe Strummer's biography now...oh dear. Oh well, there's worse things you can be addicted to isn't there?

Felt like this blog was pretty dull. I'm not feeling very bloggy. I'll upload some pictures and stuff soon to shakeeeeeeeeeeeee it all up a bit...

Until next time...

Reception...

Today, I'm a receptionist.

..seriously.

The following took place in an office reception, somewhere in the heart of Christchurch.

I got a one-day slot manning the phones and e-mails at this place in town while all the staff attend a meeting-type thing. I basically just have to hold the fort until 5pm. I have answered the phone two times in as many hours. I have not brought any food with me. I am hungry. I am alone in the wilderness of post-it notes and fax machines, in-trays and office chairs. Well not really alone, there is a woman on the other side of the room, but she's hiding under her office divider thing. Smart move. Maybe she knows something I don't? I am scared. Even the funny forwarded e-mails that keep popping up in outlook are failing to humour me, maybe because I'm not reading them. Who knows?

There is a kettle on the other side of the room that is tempting me with it's promises of coffee and tea, I've learnt not to trust kettles in New Zealand. The dull hum of this computer is the only thing keeping me sane.

ssshhh...the phone's ringing...



It was a windscreen claim...it was terrifying, I don't want to talk about it. There is a little silver bell here that people ding when they need assistance. I need assistance. Should I ding it? Will they come? The more I look at it the more it looks like a nipple. New Zealand, I didn't know you'd treat me this way. I didn't know I'd end up in this place. I wasn't expecting this. The girl on the other side of the room just left. I think she's escaping while she can...clever...I dinged the bell while I could...it went...DING...and now it's gone back to looking like a nipple. The woman is back and talking about the weather. I think it's a trap.

Sorry...I'm just bored. I should really be on seek looking for a job, but no, I'm pretending to be mental on a blog nobody reads in the middle of the day. Hey, at least I'm getting paid for this! Back to normality now huh...

I nearly bought that amazing Clash photo book yesterday but it was a little pricey...I'm definately getting it when I get a job. It's huge and pink and got loads of photos and rare stuff in it. Awesome. New Zealand's looking beautiful today by the way, and the first signs of spring are popping up all over the place...it won't be long before the lambs take over...

Only three hours to go...I'll stop by once I'm on the other side. It's been a pleasure!

PS. Cheers Tim!

Lights and Sounds

This weekend saw a family members 85th birthday and a good old fashioned Sunday afternoon drinking session out in the sticks. Both were nice 'n wholesome. Good kiwi food (developing a soft spot for bacon and egg pie) and a good few bottles of beer always go down a treat on a sunny weekend. The weekend has been pretty chilled out in that respect, no big nights out in the city, no apocalyptic hangovers to speak of...just mellow.

I forgot to mention the awesome pintsize-haka I saw last week at a mall near town...

These school kids came in and performed a whole load of traditional Maori songs and dances, and they were freaking good. Some of those little fellas have a pretty good roar on them. I've never seen anything like that, not in Eastbourne or Kingston anyway. It was all a pretty enriching experience, that's for sure.

I'm a little stoked with the quality of the butchers over here. I went to one today in this little suburb just down the road and picked up two chicken breasts, a big pack of bacon, two pork chops, and three sausages all for 24 bucks. Thats about 9.60 in quids and pennies...insane! Amazing quality too, huge cuts of meat, and no preservatives or any other chemical-warfare bullsh*t either. Top notch.

I'm not feeling very "bloggy" tonight...a little homesick if I'm honest. I wish I could go home for a couple of nights and come back, it's that complete physical detachment that gets me every now and then. Though I know if I were to return to the motherland I would regret it within about fifteen minutes of touching down...not to mention be suffering from a severe case of - as I like to call it - 'Imissmygirlfriendsomuchicanbarelywalkivitis' - ha.

When we drove back from this Sunday session yesterday I discovered if I turned the flash off on my camera it resulted in some pretty cool effects. I'll leave you with a snap and a pearl of wisdom from Oscar Wilde...

"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative."

The Wild West Coast

When I was here in New Zealand in March, my girlfriend and I went on a roadtrip around the south island. After leaving Christchurch and driving through the mountains, we came out on the west coast and drove all the way down. From this picture, taken at Bruce Bay, it's easy to see why they call it the 'wild west coast'...

Bankrobbing...

I really want to find a link so you can all (all five of you) listen to this song called "Crow River" by The Eastern - the band I saw in the pub the other day - but can't find it anywhere. Instead - I'll leave you with this.

Choptober Links...

http://twitter.com/choptobernz

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=87541820599

http://choptober.co.nz/

http://blog.choptober.com


If anybody wants more info e-mail me at ollie@choptober.com

Should be a laugh...everyone get choppy!

Career Opportunities

Yeah...I used a Clash song for the title of another post...I just can't get enough of them at the moment. I think reading that biography has re-ignited my love for them. Been watching a load of interviews with them on youtube (including one with a very young looking yet instantly recognisable Janet Street Porter) Every journo asked them about their politics, about their content, about their beliefs and attitudes - and they always seemed to not have a clue what they were talking about. Being that their songs are so succinct and directed and honest, it seems a bit weird that they always seemed so shy to talk about their beliefs on camera?

In an interview with Tom Snyder in '81, they're playing with a teddy bear and stickers and pulling stupid faces. Snyder keeps having to 'tell them off' almost. Pretty funny. I think they all knew what they were about, but didn't feel it was the media's right to know what they were about, kind of like The Pistols. Mick Jones said in the interview "We don't want to poo poo on the fans" which I think serves as a pretty good example of what I'm trying to get at...simple...stripped down...but with a f*cking good backbone to them. This video speaks for itself really.



Enough about The Clash. There was a crazy storm last night, I don't think I've ever heard rain or wind like that before. It's good though. When the weather kicks up a fuss like that it kind of reminds you you're alive. That you shouldn't take yourself too seriously...because there are forces out there alot more powerful than you.

I've managed to get some unpaid work for The Choptober Foundation. It was conceived by the same Kiwi guys that were behind Movember. Basically...the idea is that everyone grows lambchops (sideburns) in October, and raise money for charities whilst doing it. My role in the crew is to look after and maintain all their websites, blogs, and social networking accounts. I'll also hopefully be doing "press release" kind of stuff...getting them known amongst the media and trying to get them coverage. Cool huh!? I'm pretty stoked about it. Unpaid but damn good experience...that's all I care about...also think I've managed to get myself a job at a coffee shop down the road. Just got back from an interview and the guy said he'd call me in the next few days to let me know when he can fit me in...cashback...I need an income.

I'll be in touch...

Lost In the Supermarket

High spirits are on the menu today. Job prospects haven't really moved on since my last post...still waiting to hear back from a couple places, but I'm hopeful. In the meantime, I may have managed to snag myself some unpaid writing-related type work that, with a bit of luck, might eventually turn into paid writing-related type work. I'm just grateful for any experience I can get at the moment.

I just bought the whole of The Clash's back catalogue for 7 english pounds...bonus. Heard 'Coma Girl' by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros on the radio this morning and it gave me the itch to put my download hat on. I'm gutted beyond words at the death of my laptop. There was so much music on there...

The mountains surrounding Christchurch are looking especially magnificent this morning, like giant jagged marshmallows on the horizon. The sky has responded by vowing not to be outdone by the mountains and has covered us with a vibrant shade of blue that you'll only ever see in New Zealand.

I'm itching to buy a skateboard...I just want to cruuuuise. I miss it. I'm slowly getting the idea that skateboarding over here is seen as 'childish' by alot of adults, but snowboarding is ok? Did I miss something?

I get lost in supermarkets most times I go in them. I never used to in the UK, but here I just can't seem to logically figure out where things are in relation to other things. Which is weird, because most of the time they'll be in a pretty similar place as items in UK supermarkets. I get a littled excited and overwhelmed by all the new products and names and ridiculously large energy drinks I can't stop consuming. It's good fun though, an adventure. Everybody should get lost in a supermarket at least once in their life.

And now a quote from the alcoholic, womanizing, legendary poet Charles Bukowski.

"Sometimes you just have to pee in the sink.”

You said it boss.

Over and out, for now.

Waking up in Wanaka...

This is what the Kiwi's that live by Lake Wanaka wake up to every morning...I can't say I'm not jealous. That's my mate and I on that rock in the corner when we went there in April...I don't think I've felt that kind of serenity before or since. It's a little different to Eastbourne beach...

Friends...

It's hard leaving people like this behind...but knowing they'll still be the same beautiful people they've always been when I get home, makes being away from them a damn sight easier.

Living for the weekend

Word. The weekend just ended, so here's what happened.

Friday night we went out in the city with my girlfriends sister and her husband (from Brighton - small world yeah?!) It was a pretty relaxed night and the drinks were flowing and the music was playing and the laughs were booming. Went to some cool bars too, most notably this one called 'Fat Eddies'. They had a band that were playing "Message to Rudy" as we walked in, which is always going to put you in a good mood. We went upstairs after getting our drinks and it was all decked out like the kind of room you wished you had when you were a teenager. Sloped attic-like ceilings, tonnes of cool sofas, low lighting, vintage beermats and signs stuck up all over the show, plasma TV's and an awesome birds eye view of the band playing below. 4am came round faster than you can say "wasted" and we stumbled home (in a taxi). My girlfriend suffered from a killer hangover on Saturday that kept her in bed till 7pm...poor little poppet. I had to play nurse all day to my little bed-ridden vegetable, she was suffering alright. I treated myself to a chicken avocado and bacon burger from this place called "Burger Wisconsin" for dinner that honestly makes the best burgers I've ever tasted in my life, and damn good value for money (if you're spending the pound at least).

Sunday happened and so did a charity art auction at my girlfriends work. Kids from different schools made all these cool paintings and they were auctioned off to raise money for Cholmondeley Childrens Home (pronounced Chum-li) - my girlfriend helped organise the whole shabang, clever little sausage!

After the auction we headed to this pub called Pomeroys which I feel may become my watering hole of choice on a Sunday afternoon. My girlfriend's boss came down and we had good food and drank some good local beer and were almost the last people in there by closing. They had live music from a folk-blues group called The Eastern. I highly recommend you look into them if you like your music homecooked, warm, and deliciously soulful. I gave them 20 bucks (just under a tenner) for their CD because they put me in a good mood...but some people just bought them a couple beers in exchange for it. They had a banjo too. Gotta love that banjo. The chick playing it made me wanna take my guitar back and swap it for a banjo. I think I'm definately going to have to learn to play, along with harmonica...yeah. The One Man Blues Explosion...all I need to do is learn how to sing. Their vocalist sounded like he smoked 60-a-day, but I don't think he did. They did an amazing cover of 'Wagon Wheel' by Old Crow Medicine Show, which was one of those incredible moments of live music that you know you were lucky to see. Those little musical gems you know you'll never see again in the same place with the same people soaking up the same atmosphere are what makes live music so electric. I was lucky to be there. There were loads of old guys with beards too. There's something about old guys with beards and leathery faces that make me think they've got a story to tell. I wanted to find out all their stories, but didn't. We played pool and darts and ate nachos and had a good time. All hail the Sunday sessions.

Job prospects - looking up. Handed out more CV's and made some very useful contacts. Didn't hear back about the lifeguard job, no surprises there. Got presented with the oppurtunity to teach sex education to 13 and 14 year old kids too - I regretfully had to decline. I don't know nuffin' 'bout sex.

Been reading "Passion if a fashion" - a biography of The Clash. It's excellent, look into it. I think it may actually be one of only a handful of novel-length books I'll be able to finish before I lose interest and patience. This handful includes the autobiographies of Tony Hawk and Johnny Cash, and Bart Simpsons Guide to Life. I read alot of poetry because poets say more in alot less time and space.

"Even at your worst, you are fucking incredible" - Buddy Wakefield.

See?

Gonna go make some tea and breakfast and listen to that CD I bought yesterday. New Zealand's going well, I like this place.

I'll check in again soon.

The ups and downs of (not) earning an income.

Good morning sportsfans, I'm coming to you live from my little cubby hole in chilly Christchurch. Current status - very hungry. I might have to make some cheese on toast in a minute and possibly a strong cup of tea on the side...that should do it.

The last couple of days have been filled with applying for a host of jobs that, for me, are totally off the scale in their randomness. I've applied to be a lifeguard, a real estate consultant, a marketing coordinator, a chef, a PA to New Zealands no.3 property salesman, a barista, and a self defence consultant. Weird huh? I thought I'd send my CV off in bulk to as many different places as possible to maximise my return. I've heard back from a couple and I had two interviews today (that I'll go into in a minute) and things are looking up...kinda.

The jetlag's still not worn off by the way. I'll wake up fresh as a daisy at 5am every morning and be passed out by about 8pm every night, but I'm working on it. Hopefully it won't affect my employment prospects.

"Suffer from any disabilites Mr. Pelling?"

"zZzZZz"

That wouldn't look very good now would it. I'd have to wear a badge saying "I'm not narcoleptic I'm just having an internal fist-fight with my body clock." Yeah...because people wouldn't think I'm weird.

Anyway. I went for an interview at this marketing agency this morning. I was interviewed by a british guy who seemed to take a shine to me, I'm going back there later to shadow him as he tries to get businesses to part with their money and give it to Barnados (the charity). Tough break. I don't know if I'll be up to the job, in fact I think I'd be the worst door to door salesman ever, even if it was for charity. Another issue I have with this job is how much I hate people knocking on my door and asking for my money, being that guy wouldn't be cool. But I thought I'd give it a chance anyway, which is why I agreed to go back.

The second interview I had was to be a "self defence consultant" which sounds a lot cooler than it is. The long and short of it is that I'd be working with a team for this big karate business, going round peoples houses and asking if they want to join up. My income would be based on how many new members I managed to get signed up. I reckon I'd rather try and sell karate to people than Barnados, and I think I'd be better at it too, but I'd probably still be pretty crap at it. My pitch would go like this...

"Hi. Would you or your kids be interested in karate?"

"Not really."

"Would you say you're over 70% against taking up karate lessons?"

"Yes."

"Sweet. In a bit then."

Smooth. A plus side of this job is that I get to do an accelerated karate course which means I'll be a black belt in two years instead of four. I can't say that being a black belt has always been a dream of mine but I'm sure it'd get me some cool points...or "street cred"...no?

Either way I need to get a job soon. Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on myself, I've only been here a week after all. It's just that I have this little list of home comforts I want to buy for myself. I've already ticked off the acoustic guitar...I got a little beauty from a music shop in town the other day for a pretty good price. I also need a car and a skateboard, but I need a job before I can really afford to splash out on these luxuries. I don't like spending when my income is zero, naturally. Oh yeah, and my laptop died on me the day after I got here. I don't know if it's homesick or what but it's at the doctors at the moment so hopefully she'll get a pulse back soon. She better do...she wasn't insured and there's alot of precious stuff on there. Most notably my pornography collection that is so vast I could probably start my own porno DVD stand in the high street. That was a joke. So yeah, I'd rather not have to buy a new laptop unless I really need too, although those little netbooks look pretty sweet. I think I'd look pretty funny using one though, I'm 6 foot 5 and I reckon because the netbooks are so small, it'd make me look
HUGE(ER).

I'm also going to start playing ice hockey. I've never played before but I've always wanted to. I sent some emails about getting information on where I can train etc, so that could be fun. I've always wanted to play but other than skating round an ice rink in Brighton that was no bigger than my bedroom I haven't had much experience. I reckon I'll be a natural though. Then again I have said that about alot of things...

Anyway, my hands are freezing and my stomach's churning, so I better go annilhate a few pieces of cheese on toast. I'll put some pictures and stuff on here in the near future...keep you updated visually as well as...verbally...perhaps...sweet, in a bit then!

Touchdown

Hello. My name's ollie (I don't cap up the O because I think it makes my name look clumsy) I'm 20-years-young and I'm a long way from home. I was half way through a Journalism and Creative Writing degree in London and beginning to think my life was too perfectly ordinary to handle, when cupid lined me up and shot me down. He did a good job too. She was beautiful, she still is and she's still mine. It hasn't exactly been easy for us though, no no. The difficulty came when my fair lady had to return home to New Zealand after the marvellous people at the home office made it very hard for her to stay in the country. So, 9 months, an uncountable amount of expensive phone calls, a few hundred tears, many lonely nights and plane ticket that cost three times the price of my car (though it was a cheap car) has led me here - blogging from New Zealand while my girlfriend's hard at work.

I've just about fought off my jetlag, although I do keep waking up at 4am every morning with a violent bout of need-a-piss urgency, but hopefully it'll pass. I've sorted out my bank account with the lovely people at the bank who all wear t-shirts and smile and don't look like they're about to try and con me, I've sorted out my phone, now all I've got to do is sort out my job.

I've spent all day sifting through jobs on the internet and found a few that will probably be alright. I'm just going to get whatever I can to begin with till the Robert DeNiro starts rolling in...I've awkwardly typed, re-typed, re-re-typed, binned, and re-typed my CV a few times and I'm about the head into Christchurch city centre (on the south island) to dish it out...wish me luck...

I'll keep adding to this little blog of mine...and I'll fill you in on more details and occurences and whatever else I feel like putting in here as time goes by...but yeah...I'll keep you posted...