New Zealand - February 15 stops

From New Zealand

It is very soon on the QCD that Kevin remembers why he has "issues" doing road trips with me. I am a pretty darned poor navigator. Though, I insist that no one would be able to interpret the map of Nelson that is presented in the "Lonely Planet: New Zealand". NO ONE.

From New Zealand

It took stopping at this "dairy" twice ("What's a 'dairy'"? we asked Anna. "It's the same thing as a 'milk bar'".) to find our first stop - The World of Wearable Art and Classic Cars museum. Yeah, I know. I'm still pinching myself. It was so cool and thank god I had taken time to work Kevin into Project Runway appreciation. Each year in Wellington there is a competition to design wearable art. From what I can tell from the video they played from the show, it is more a choreographed performance than just a runway show. The museum boasts 4 "rooms". (NO PHOTOGRAPHY!) The first contains mannequins wearing, I assume, either winning designs or possibly the most recent year's designs. The second room is similar but it is illuminated only with BLACK LIGHT with shimmering, glowing, iridescent wonder. The third room is a theater playing clips from the WOW video. The final room is the only place where photographs are allowed - the classic car showroom. Fortunately, there is some wearable art included, or I would have none to share. Really. None. Now, don't ask me again.

From New Zealand

Interestingly, Nelson (home of the WOW museum) is also the geographical center of New Zealand. (Actually, it is the geographical centre.) So, if we could pull all of NZ off the globe it would actually balance on the pointy sculpture then have marking the spot...if you turned the sculpture upside down. The view was nice, too. (It is very interesting that the geographical center (centre) should happen to fall on the top of a big hill rather than half way up or down in a sad little valley. (Though, I don't think there are sad little valleys in NZ. I think I read that this is what New Zealand translates into in Maori - the land without sad little valleys. I might have gotten that wrong.

The marking monument.

From New Zealand

The view.

From New Zealand

A photo that BEGS to be called "Off Centre".

From New Zealand

This same park in NZ is the site of the first NZ rugby game (oh wow) and the location of a (not-so-soon-to-be) giant Kauri tree (planted 1951). Saw them both.

Finally in Nelson, we failed to eat at Hell's Pizza. Rather, we hurried down the road to our evening destination - Motueka- where we hoped to see a movie at their cute art theater - The Gecko. (which isn't as cute as we were led to believe, since they DON'T SHOW MOVIES ON MONDAYS.)

New Zealand: Queen Charlotte Drive (Feb 15)

From New Zealand

We debated taking a clockwise vs an anticlockwise path around the island. One of the things Kevin was most keen on doing was to swim with the seals and maybe, too, the dolphins in Kaikoura. If you've forgotten your NZ geography or you just have trouble keeping track of which vowel heavy name is which, Kaikoura is located only a few hours South of Picton - in a clockwise position.

So, lets play a game. I argued for a counterclockwise trajectory because 1. I try to make Kevin's life less pleasant whenever possible 2. we'd be too late to actually do anything today and then we'd be staying overnight and spending another half day or more without having actually gained much ground in our "we will see everything" 11-day tour of the island 3. Why not? we did Australia in a clockwise fashion - we wouldn't want to over-wind the Southern Hemisphere or 4. I was secretly terrified of freezing to death in the water and wanted to postpone death or catching some chill-born disease until our journey was concluded - and maybe we'd even run out of time.

That was too easy, wasn't it? I wish I could say the answer was #2 - it makes so much sense now. Maybe Kevin accepted my argument (#3) because he subconsciously understood #2. We'd only know if we asked him - and it is too early on a Sunday to do that!

So, against the flow of the clock hands we drove. Stopping at look outs and enjoying the view from the road - water, hills, and lots of clouds.

NZ February 15 - The Ferry

From New Zealand

On Monday morning we got up at a ridiculous hour (particularly if you're body is still flirting with Brisbane time) and drove off in Anna and Andrew's car (thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you) to the harbour and the inter-island ferry. It was another grey, grey, cloudy day. We found seats in the dining hall and had a truly crummy breakfast. Then, the fun began!

From New Zealand

The trip between the North and the South Island takes 3 to 4 hours. (I was on vacation. I was not watching my watch.) We did a bit of wandering about - the gift shop, the bar, the cold and windy deck - checking out the scenery. The northern aspect of the South Island, the Marlborough Sounds, is covered with a fringe of islands and peninsulas. So, you spend a long time thinking you are "almost there".

From New Zealand

We de-ferried at Picton and made a quick driving tour of the town marveling at the lack of parking and seats in restaurants. Like every other American in Picton that Monday, we settled on getting lunch at Subway where I was pleased to learn that New Zealanders do not consider shredded carrots to be a sandwich topping. Already, I am feeling like NZ and I were meant to be together. We traveled a short distance along the Queen Charlotte Drive and pulled over to enjoy the first look out - eat our lunch and look at the port of Picton.

NZ - February 14

From New Zealand

Our second day in Wellington was clear, sunny, and almost breathless...at least until evening. We took advantage of this by doing outdoor sight seeing.

From New Zealand

First we took the cable car from the city to the Botanic Gardens. Kevin and I love botanic gardens - and I will dare to drop a spoiler here - this was the only one we saw during our trip. It was a beautiful garden and so much like being home in the US. Hydrangeas, lilies, and roses - oh my!

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

(Rose petals in the fountain.)

I even enjoyed the succulents. Note to Australian gardeners: I think they look much better when they are not enmeshed in spider webs.

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

After a kabob lunch, we made a pretty quick tour of the Wellington Zoo. There, in the darkened exhibit, we saw our first (and only - damn, another spoiler) kiwi. About the size of a chicken and scurrying about the back shadows - no way could a photo be obtained. The chimpanzees were very frisky. It was great fun to watch. (About this time the sun disappeared and the wind returned.) We were just in time to witness the sun bear tear apart some "grubby" logs that had been placed in their home for their enjoyment.

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

In the waning light of the evening, we traveled to a hilltop near/in Brooklyn where a single wind turbine stands and took in the view.

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

I wasted all that time!

From New Zealand

I could have saved myself YEARS - not to mention tens of thousands of dollars by just going to Wellington sooner! The injustice of it all!

NZ alley

Beautiful wall in Wellington.

New Zealand - It begins!

From New Zealand

Mid February Kevin and I left Brisbane for our much anticipated trip to NZ. I already acknowledge that I cannot do justice to that experience. The mountains! the beaches! the green fields! the wildlife! the cool, beautiful weather!!! and, the nightmare of driving twisty mountains road with a man who has an allergic reaction to tail lights! We made some rudimentary notes about what we did each day and I took copious photographs - though even as I was snap, snap, snapping I was keeping a loose mental list of all the cool images I was missing. Then, comes the disappointment of actually looking at the photos and recognizing that they are invariably incapable of capturing the entirety of the experience. In addition, it is only now after I have downloaded them onto my computer, that I know there is a blob of something on my camera lens for the first 3 or 4 days. Thank goodness for the rainy day that encouraged me to dig out the lens paper and wipe off my lens! I'll try to repair the blemish - (I haven't been successful, so far, but maybe I'll be inspired.)

So, let us begin!

We flew into Wellington where we stayed with our friends, Anna and Andrew. We arrived after midnight and I surprised everyone by staying up til almost 2 AM. (Though, in all honesty, it is less surprising when you correct for the shift in time. Wellington is 3 hours ahead of Brisbane.)

From New Zealand

On Saturday we were introduced to the windy world that is Wellington...trekking around the city - taking in first Te Papa (The Museum of New Zealand) including the giant squid but not the current exhibit "A Day in Pompeii". (We didn't bring anything appropriate for a "hot time" in the "old town".)

From New Zealand

Lunch at Sweet Mother's - real deep south (American) cooking. Not sure how it got to New Zealand - but I'll take some gumbo any day. (Apologies to Dave Robicheaux - I could have ordered a po'boy sandwich, but didn't. Kevin did. I had a bite. Still friends?)

From New Zealand

We saw government buildings, Cuba Street (fountain above), the NZ Film Archive and the theater that premiered, hmmm, what was that New Zealand movie...about a ring, I think....

From New Zealand

It wasn't the best outdoor weather day - until we were committed to some indoor time - playing tichu and having supper. Then, the sun shown.

5,200 Australians strip for art's sake - Times Online

5,200 Australians strip for art's sake - Times Online

Once again, we have missed the opportunity to participate in the creation of one of Spencer Tunick's photographs! Alas! How many more opportunities will come our way? Maybe we need to investigate a Spencer Tunick mailing list...

This one's for Kayla

Times Up! (Title Recall) The vogue round

Can you match the pose with the title? (Note - not all the titles are represented here. I had to make the quiz a little challenging.)

Lolita

Dumbo

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

Dora the Explorer

Friends

The Emperor's New Clothes

Flight of the Bumblebee

Chinatown in the evening

From Chinatown Jan 2010

Chinatown is having a facelift. Unfortunately, it was still in bandages when I went for a wander last weekend. It is supposed to be finished for the Chinese New Year celebration - Feb 14. We will miss it, however.

A few photos with the new camera.

Roma Street Parklands

Happy Australia Day!

From EKKA 2009

Don't try to understand the flag pole.

I've got this thing for bird of paradise....

Not that I want to grow them. I don't care that much for them as an entire plant - but parts are very, very nice.

And, what is this white flower?

From Singles 2010

Reading the fine print

From Singles 2010

Be warned!

This is a guide only and is not a substitue for essential training in resuscitation.

On my walk this morning...

It is done!

From Singles 2010

And, I am very psyched. It is going to take time to digest the instruction manual and try all the fiddly bits. (Hmm, and I told Kevin that "Black Kevienna" was next on the agenda.)

Of course, not all of us are as enthused.

From Singles 2010

This is it.

Camera shopping has begun in earnest!

My choices are limited because I really, really, really want a viewfinder. I don't know how anyone with progressive lenses or bifocals can use the LCD screens to compose a photograph. (Imagine that! Someday soon I may actually be composing again rather than just pointing, shooting, and praying.) If I want something that will fit in my pocket, which I have liked about my compact devil camera, I have a choice between Canon IXUS's. In any case I definately want something lighter than my SLR. (I need to weigh it, I think.)

In preparation I looked at my photo-a-day blog from 2009 and tallied the various "kinds" of photos I take. To some extent these numbers are affected by the limitations of my camera. For example, there are only 15 photos(of roughly 300)taken in low light sitations and an additional 9 taken at night. I doubt that a flash was ever used as my flash beams straight from hell and people look like they're gazing into the warm glow of atomic bomb. Most of the photos were taken out doors: 34 landscapes, 13 buildings, 37 "other". Only 19 photos were of animals, including Zelda and only 14 were portraits or featured people. The vast majority were photos that relied upon the macro setting of my camera and/or were cropped severely to isolate details.

My deadline is Feb 12 when we will be off to New Zealand. Anyone with an opinion is invited to comment.

No doubt the makers of dental floss are puzzing

From Singles 2010

over the sudden downturn in their sales. FINALLY this week I got my tooth fixed and now a shiny new crown sits over the food trap that was (one of) my left lower molar(s). I wish I could say all is now well. But now I feel bruised and possibly more painful. Unfortunately, my dentist has a life and isn't open on Fridays (Saturdays or Sundays) and since I have a job I will be waiting until Thursday of next week to address this. Please tell me that sensitivity to hot and cold as well as constant low level aching and a tingling sensation in the bone and a feeling of fullness in the ear are nothing. Go ahead. I'm listening. At least with my right ear.

My Legendary Girlfriend

You see, sometimes I'll catch Alice looking at me while I'm watching TV and she'll have this huge inane grin on her face that really doesn't become her. I'll ask her what she's doing...

You see, Kevin. I'm not the ONLY one.

I'll give this book a C. Moments of humor...but it both drags and is relatively predictable.

I 've been thinking it is time to be more serious

From Singles 2010

Perhaps you've noticed that I haven't been here at the blog recently. I admit that this is in part due to my working 6 days last week, but also because I was thinking that maybe I need to start writing more considered essays. Dig deeper into the questions that plague my existence. Dissect and analyze my life, my thoughts, my emotions. Stop using this as a glob of silly putty with which I collect the most superficial imprint of my existence. Put in more of my heart, my fears, my secret desires. Open up. Stop being afraid to face the big questions of my world.

So, here it goes.

Who are these damn roaches and why do they come to our house to die?

Weird News Photos | NBC New York

Weird News Photos | NBC New York

I cannot find a way to show you this photo - you'll have to follow the link...to my nightmare!

January 5

From Singles 2010

Happy Birthday, Dad!

FAME!

Finally took time to rewatch the 1980 "Fame". Beautiful.

Our Boxing Day Rebellion!

From photo a day

Thanks to Christmas being on a Friday and Boxing Day, therefore, on Saturday, I got an extra Monday holiday. So, to celebrate we scheduled a whole weekend of Boxing Day Celebration.

From photo a day

We've tried to do it right - eating spaghetti, playing (Chinese) Ghost Stories (one win, one loss - though I suspect we only won because I convinced Kevin we should step down to the "Novice" level), and watching four (count them FOUR) Ang Lee films.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"

"Eat, Drink, Man, Woman"

"The Ice Storm"

"The Wedding Banquet"

And, that would be 16 thumbs up....

Jolie Bon's Bounce

From Singles 2009

He lifted his chin and rubbed the whiskers on his throat, the cast in his green eyes as ancient and devoid of moral light as those in a prehistoric, scale-covered creature breaking from the egg.

Meet Legion. Another fine, very disturbing Burke bad guy.

Another Burke novel where the lines of reality and the divine blur. Legion seems to be a demon with unexpected strength and supreme malice, an odor from hell and a second voice. Marvin Stokes is a traveling Bible salesman who pulls his suitcase of scripture tied to a roller skate yet is suffused with an air of predation. And, then there's Sal Angelo, a homeless, drug fogged Vietnam vet who claims to have been responsible for transporting a seriously injured soldier Dave out of the field and harms way.

The second tier of bad and good guys are more mundane: Tee Bobby Hulin - guitar player extraordinaire who's accused of raping and murdering a high school girl, his manager Jimmy Dean Styles, his lawyer, Perry LaSalle (of THE LaSalles), the prosecutor, Barbara Shannahan - who Clete falls for, a former "button man", Joe Zeroski, who's daughter has been brutally murdered, Joe's niece and various, ahem, associates... Someday I need to re-read one of these books immediately while I know all the characters.

And, of course, there's Dave and Clete. And, its a great Clete book.

He ran his big hand across the firmness of her back, the taper of her muscles along her hips.

"You're stand-up," he said.

"Not really," she said.

"You feel great, Barbara. Wow, do you feel great," he said, rubbing his cheek against her hair, petting her back, closing his eyes as he breathed in the fragrance and heat on her neck.

"So do you. But, Clete..." she said uncomfortably.

"What is it?" he asked, looking with alarm at her face.

"You're standing on my foot."

True to Form

From Singles 2009

More wisdom from Katie Nash - via Elizabeth Berg.

I think of how once I was standing in a church on Christmas Eve. There was a spicy scent of pine in the air, candles glowed, and there was baby Jesus in a creche on the alter. There was a sermon about love and joy, about redemption. And then everyone began to sing "O Holy Night". Next to me was a woman who could not carry a tune. At first I was so annoyed, listening to her. I wondered, Why does she sing so loud when she doesn't even know how? Then I looked at her and she was so pure, staring straight ahead, her face lit from within. Something moved into my heart at that moment that I did not really understand, but I understand it now: It is never about how good your voice is; it is only about feeling the urge to sing, and then having the courage to do it with the voice you are given. It is about what people try to share with each other, even if so many of us are so off-key when we do it. It is about saying we are somewhere, when what we mean is we are as close as we are able to get.

The thing about seasons is that when you're in one, you can't believe the others will ever come back. It feels to me like summer has its feet planted far apart and its hands on its hips: I am here.

Movers will come soon, Mrs Randolph told me, to take their things away. Then the house will be empty, and then new people will be there. A little time will pass and then it will seem like the new people have always been there. The way time and situations shift is a mystery of life. The way you can't count on anything staying, that's a sadness. Only yesterday, I saw white hairs in Bones' muzzle. I lay beside him, petting him, feeling so bad that he is getting old. For his part, he just wagged his tail and enjoyed the petting, which is what I mean about animals. They don't pace around, worrying. All they do is say, fine.

One thing I know. Anything we have, we are only borrowing. Anything. Anytime.

"Purple Cane Road" and "Mary Mary"

This is the one I'd been waiting for. It is the place I fell in love with James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux. I fell in love listening to Will Patton bringing life to Burke's words. The voice of Dave Robicheaux.

Unfortunately, this book is NOT available in Brisbane Australia's library system. By that I mean, it isn't available in print. So, despite my explicitly stated goal to read all of Robicheaux in order, I listened to "Purple Cane Road". And, I learned something. I learned the importance of the reader. (That is to say, it was not read by Will Patton.)

Now, since it has taken me 3 days after Christmas to get to the "twelfth day", it will come as no surprise that I actually "read" this book weeks ago. And, as a consequence my comments are very broad and lacking specifics. I'm not sure if my memory painted a story that the reality could not match or if the tale was tarnished by the wrong voice, but I was not blown away. Gosh, I hate to say that.

Similarly, while listening to Patterson's "Mary, Mary" was entertaining, it would not have launched me on a Patterson binge. Again, the narrator was all wrong for Alex Cross. This was exquisitely illustrated to me by his mispronunciation of the name Sojourner (as in Sojourner Truth.) No educated American, particularly an African American with a PhD would stumble over Sojourner. (Obviously, I was not entranced to have this error loom so large.)

If I had my act together

you would have received a Christmas card. And, it would have been very cool... looking something like this:

As it is, you will have to accept our (cyber) tardy well wishes for a joyful holiday and extra special new year!

With love in any season....

Ann, Kevin, and Zelda

Congratulations, Dr. Andrew!

From photo a day

Yes, yes. I'm very late. Very late. Well done!

(I hope the photos I took with your camera turned out well.)

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas!

You'll have to hum your own carol. These are the images from Christmas 2009 - spent entirely here in Brisbane! Items to note:

Scene from mall was pulled because Kevin tells me it was boring. However, it was taken at 1:30 AM on the big "all night shopping" night at Chermside.

Santaland. Myers in the city (Queen Street Mall.) What is this fetish for going through a mouth into a magic land??? (See also Luna Park, Melbourne.)

Kevin with his favorite Christmas gift - thanks to Margie. Dark chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

No photo of Zelda with her favorite gift - though she got to chew on it for almost 45 minutes before it hit the great dumpster, minus one squeaker, lots of yellow fuzz, and a significant piece of rubber.

Christmas lights from the Catholic Church on Maundrell Terrace. Please note- the bushmen wise men and Santa kneeling near the manger (with a gift, of course)!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas!

On the Eighth Day of Christmas!

I'm a sucker for lights...

On the Seventh Day of Christmas!

This one from Kevin!

On the Sixth Day of Chirstmas!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas!

On the Third Day of Christmas!

On the Second day of Christmas

On the First Day of Christmas

Why Kevin and I have no children

From photo a day

Thanks to Wit Pimkanchanapong's activity at the APT 6 at the GOMA now!

Warning to all

From APT 6 Goma

A sausage sizzle, even if it is at the Gallery of Modern Art, is a BYOM* event. Be prepared.

*Bring Your Own Mustard

Salute to Mo-vember!

From APT 6 Goma

From APT 6 Goma

GOMA - APT 6

From APT 6 Goma

That would be the Asian Pacific Triennial #6 and we were very impressed. We went early so we could see the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, just to say we had. It was the opening of the exhibition and you wouldn't have thought it would take much thought to figure out that it was going to be a "big deal" to a large number of people. We expected a crowd. We just (or I just) didn't think they'd be all dressed up! I did wear my new shorts and socks - but I must say I was far from cool. In fact, if there was a coolness continuum, Kevin and I were resting comfortably on the left end.

From APT 6 Goma

The other principle reason we chose to attend the opening was that there were to be two outdoor exhibitions - a "fruit market" of paper fruit. (You could by the printed paper sheets and cut out/fold/make your own. A banana for 80c! Cheaper than what I pay for bananas in the flesh!)

From APT 6 Goma

The second, awe inspiring, not to be missed exhibit were the bubble machines! I could not stop smiling.

A quick slideshow of art from the exhibition. We recommend it to everyone!

Life imitates Art

From APT 6 Goma

From APT 6 Goma

What's going on here? Any Aussies know??? (These are ants. Later that evening - 12 hours or so, they were still in a huddle but on the ceiling beside the light fixture. By morning they were gone and not seen again.)

Coordination:

I'm thinking ahead to my 2010 resolution and contemplating something like "looking in a mirror before I go out". This comes from the juxtaposition of two things. Being entirely impressed with the effort that some women put into dressing and seeing myself in the photos Kevin mother took while here in Brisbane (photo withheld - public service).

I'll never be able to achieve the level of pizzazz I witnessed today - how Anna Bligh matched her outfit to the colo(u)r (no doubt) of the APT signs at the GOMA - including her shoes (not pictured - just trust me...)

From APT 6 Goma

or the woman sitting in front of me on the train who's bra matched her dress! >

From APT 6 Goma

But, I'm hoping to be more easily distinguished from "bag lady" or "recently released mental patient" or as Kevin labels it "little old lady".

Looking up!

Finally a clear night. At 2:37 AM Kevin and I made our way out into the street, some of us clad in our pjs, and watched the International Space Station zip across the sky. I'm pretty sure I saw them waving.