New Zealand!!! PART 1

Back from New Zealand. After a long awaited trip it definitely did not disappoint. Firstly a massive thanks to Jasmin for sticking up with me for 2 weeks and inviting me in the first place. Considering we haven't known each other all that long i thought we did well putting up with each other especially as we were around each other 24/7. But we had lots of fun!

Where to begin? The start would probably be best. The flight was uneventful however i am still surprised at how long it takes to fly to NZ from Australia. Its further than you think. Anyways upon landing in Dunedin i was suddenly surrounded by luscious green valleys. A nice change in scenery to the dry, isolated, often half burning Perth! A small city on the coast it was beautiful from up on the rolling hills that surrounded it.

After a quick go down the golf range and a bit of sightseeing a celebratory catch up drink was in order.

We went out and stayed till closing time. It just so happened that we become friendly with the barman and he started mixing us some drinks and conveniently forgot to charge us! Free shots! Yummy!

Windy!!

The next 2 days held pretty much the same routine, minus the free drinks. More sightseeing and shopping and having fun during the day and catching up on drink time at night. Jasmin's lovely gran quickly picked up on our pattern and gave us a brief telling off. But she was so nice about it. We did leave all our pre-drink bottlecaps on the windowsill so i can see how she was concerned.

We soon hit the road for our week long trip away from 'home' in Dunedin. Wanaka was our destination; to spend a night with Jasmin's uncle and family. When we arrived we headed straight to the winery where he worked. Wow. Its all i can say. Judge for yourself... you seriously wouldn't mind seeing this scenery every day at work.

A trip down to the little beach on the lake was fun and after entertaining Jasmin's adorable cousin for the afternoon we headed out... again. We played a few games of pool, the first of many on our travels. An audience of two old couples sat watching us and were thoroughly entertained. In fact they enjoyed it so much one of them stopped and asked to take a snap of us on the way out. Hilarious. Afterwards we hit the club. I say club as i swear its the only one in town.

We hung around the next day and done a little bit more child minding whilst we let our hangovers subside before setting off towards Queenstown.

To be continued...

Other cool pics:

Dundedin Train Station

Beautiful Coast

Breaking the silence...

It's been a while and for that i apologise. Meh... Its been a busy month. Working full time over Christmas with only a handful of days off, whilst entertaining the grandparents and various people throughout the festive holidays! Been saving hard, and am nearly ready for a fantastic time in New Zealand. (Cue a far too excited facial expression)

Lets do this in chronological order...

Had a nice family Xmas. Nan and Grandad providing plenty of entertainment throughout.

Nan still acting like a child at Xmas.

Grandad was clearly just as excited..

For New Years i managed to get a few days off to go down to Margaret River for the weekend. What a great weekend! The 5 of us stayed in a little shack 5 minutes from the beautiful and prestigious surf beaches.

For New Years we were joined by a few more friends and played drinking games all night, barely stopping to celebrate the coming of another year. The next day provided a much needed recovery in the sun and a paddle in the river.

Synchronised attempted handstand

Reece volunteered to be buried alive!

Er, where are you guys going?

Keisha on the bus

When i woke the next day, i was no longer a teenager. 20 years of age, i went on a great tour bus ride around the many wineries with tom and keisha and we had a tiring but fun day sampling far too much wine, cheese and chocolate! yummy!!

A great view from one of the wineries.

Since then its been back to work. Apart from that I've started playing football again, and now along with my group sessions i train 5 times a week. Phew! 'Why?' you might ask. Well I'm trying to get myself fit to join the police, as its the only thing i can improve. Well, i cant go changing my personality. After completing a two day first aid course next week i hand in my application to the WA Police Force! And then keep my fingers crossed. eek!

Thanks Tom and Keisha for a wonderful weekend!

The Night Torn Mad With Footsteps

Managed to get my hands on some more Charles Bukowski this weekend.

'A Song With No End'

when Whitman wrote, "I sing the body electric"

I know what he

meant

I know what he

wanted:

to be completely alive every moment

in spite of the inevitable.

we can't cheat death but we can make it

work so hard

that when it does take

us

it will have known a victory just as

perfect as

ours.

Even after a sociable weekend i had time to think about music, and felt like making a list of albums i just couldnt go without.. these are albums that are completely amazing start to finish and have meant something to me through my teenage years. Just thought i'd share. Feel free to try them out for yourself.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer? - Amanda Palmer
A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Dresden Dolls - The Dresden Dolls
Yes Virginia - The Dresden Dolls
Fire - Electric Six
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
You Could Have It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand
Black Cherry - Goldfrapp
Gorillaz - Gorillaz
Demon Days - Gorillaz
Grinderman - Grinderman
Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
Meteora - Linkin Park
A Certain Trigger - Maximo Park
Our Earthly Pleasures - Maximo Park
Absolution - Muse
Origin of Symmetry - Muse
Showbiz - Muse
Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus - Nick Cave
The Boatman’s Call - Nick Cave
Let Love In - Nick Cave
No More Shall We Part - Nick Cave
Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down - Noah and The Whale
Americana - Offspring
Ixnay On The Hombre - Offspring
Smash - Offspring
Hold Your Colour - Pendulum
Meds - Placebo
Placebo - Placebo
Sleeping With Ghosts - Placebo
Songs For The Deaf - Queens Of The Stone Age
Lullabies To Paralyze - Queens Of The Stone Age
In Rainbows - Radiohead
Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine
Mezmerize - System Of a Down
Contra - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
With Love and Squalor - We Are Scientists
Elephant - The White Stripes
A Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation - The Wombats

The Gentle Art

Recently, a lack of activity brought about by injury and general laziness has spurred me into finally getting myself off my arse and doing something.

So... whilst raking up the hours at work i have managed to get myself sent home early for the last two Wednesdays! whoop! This gave me time to get down the beach and do some surfing. Maybe when i find a beach buddy i can get them to take a snapshot to put up and prove i can surf!

As well as beaching it I've discovered and urge to get myself fit again. Whilst the soccer season is out i need to work hard to stay in shape. Too much drinking will take its toll! So besides finding a group fitness session to throw myself into, Ive decided to take up something that will push my mind and my body while i also learn how to defend myself.

Traditional Japanese Jujitsu.

I've always been fascinated by the Samurai. The skill, dedication and way of life. So i thought why not take up something I'm interested in and jujitsu was the samurai's way of defending himself when unarmed on the battlefield. This may be handy on the apparently dangerous streets of Northbridge.. HA!

It's hard. I can usually pick things up very quick. But this requires practice, dedication and patience. I want to take this seriously... lets hope i can stay focused. I also get to train with weapons. Who doesn't want an excuse to have a real samurai sword?

Anyways. Work Work Work as per usual. Lets hope this weekend holds something a bit more exciting.

Stand and Deliver!

Its that time of the year when we all get dressed up for no reason and get suitably drunk... also for no reason but have lots of fun! Havent really done a proper halloween costume for a long time so I tried to make an effort this year.

After getting invited to a house party by Jasmin's lovely mum I thought why not! So after not a lot of thinking about it I headed to the nearest costume store and started browsing. After a purchase, and finding a few little bits for the finishing looks, I managed ( I think ) to pull off Adam Ant! 

Angela put on a great spread, and made an amazing effort with the decorations of Reddington Manor! I thought the Aussies never really celebrated halloween? It seems bigger than xmas for the Reddingtons!

Everywhere you looked it was creepy ghouls, spiders, skulls and all sorts!

Caught up with Rhiannon the pirate and had a good time!

As per usual the rest of this week was just work, work, work. Argh christmas is going to be sooo busy it's going to be mental! At least I'll have lots of money for New Zealand YAY! 13 weeks to go...

Just a quickie today...

This weeks just been more working. Fun times. Hung out with kiesha and tommy sunday for a nice catch up. Looking forward to halloween next week though! YAY! Got a cool costume.

Been practicing on my lovely piano! Finally recieved my dresden dolls sheet music book things..

Got something to learn now. Woop.

Punching in a Dream

Awesome new band from New Zealand have me listening to their debut album at the moment. 'The Naked and Famous'.

Definitely worth a listen. In particular 'Punching in a Dream' and 'Young Blood'.

Not a lot to say about it as i've only just got it but yeh it sounds great so far!

Also....

I've managed to complete my Dragonball Z collection! Which means not only do i have hours of awesome anime to watch but also some new material to draw from. Woop!

I obviously have far too much time on my hands but i dont care!!

But hey.. here's a proof of me socialising last friday with a couple of lovely girls... so u wont see any more pics for a while... haha!



Strength Through Music

Busra this one's for you. I really need to do this on a regular!! So thanks for the kick up the backside!

Last few weeks have been fairly average i suppose. The absence of a certain person has left coming back to Australia just not as fun as when i left it. Don't know if you ever read this but you know who you are. And i miss my friends in the UK obviously. Am just finding it hard getting back into the swing of things i think. I wish people understood sometimes. Started a new job however and the money is ok, meaning that should a trip to New Zealand be on the cards after xmas i should be able to afford it. Cant wait for that!

Friday i actually socialised. Was a nice afternoon, clocked off early from work to run down to the Breakwater. Had a few drinks to celebrate Rhiannons birthday and i think she was glad people turned up as it was difficult on a work day! Was very nice to see some familiar faces. As per usual my camera was absent from the venue. :-( woops

But saturday, after work i managed to buy myself something i have wanted ever since i've had an unhealthy obsession with music.

Thats right I bought a piano. Something to keep me sane while at home.

I admit that my recent re-found love for the Dresden Dolls and lead singer Amanda Palmer may have urged me towards it but its a beautiful object nonetheless. I can play a little bit but the whole reason i bought it is to learn on. Ahhh.. Amanda ...

While all you teenage girls fantasise about being abducted by vampires and whatever the hell twilight is all about; im listening to Amanda Palmer. Either solo or as half the Dresden Dolls, her frantic piano bashing, powerful voice, charm and devilishly good looks have me hooked. So screw all your manufactured Britney and Christina wanabees. I dont care how blonde they are, or how big their boobs are nothing compares to the different, talented and beautiful Amanda :P

So leading on to my music taste this time. Its all about 'The Dresden Dolls'. Brian Viglione (seen here) on the drums and Amanda Palmer on the piano and vocals are the band, originally from Boston.

They have been with me for years but i've recently re-ignited the spark of excitement I get when I listen to them. All their albums are amazing ofcourse. Would i say anything else? They go from soft and happy to slow and haunting to fast and frantic. A variety of pure genius music for music lovers.

Amanda also has an album by herself called 'Who killed Amanda Palmer?'. Its equally as good as the Dolls if not better. I dont usually get obsessed easily and i actually look down on celebrity idolising... but what can i say...