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...
Monday, 31 August 2009
Sunday, 30 August 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, 23 August 2009
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...
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...
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
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...
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...
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...
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
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!
..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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
