School starts tomorrow

For the first time since 2001 I'm back at Uni full time tomorrow morning. So if anybody has some good annoying mature student type questions I'll try and fit them in. So far I've got "... but in the real world ...." also I'll be sitting right up the front and will be arguing with the lecturer just when the lecturer is supposed to finish.

Shopping is stressful

Many people find shopping enjoyable, I do not! It's a pain in the neck and stressful. The Internet makes it easier but it's still a chore.

I think it's the stress of potentially buying the wrong item or paying too much for it, both of which in reality are likely to happen to some degree. I mean life seems to be ok with out the new "thing" so why put myself through the stress ... but then I do actually need a bicycle ... time to go shopping (arghh).

Dick Smith Vs Georgie Boy

Five years on and the Australian, David Hicks is still being held in Guantanamo being denied natural justice (e.g. the right to a fair trial and defense). Sure he's probably not innocent, that's really not the issue. The issue is that Johnie Howard (like Tony Blair) has accepted the treatment of Australian's as second class citizens at Guantanamo(There are no American's held at Guantanamo). This is in spite of Australia's massive support for Bush's war in Iraq. Johnie Howard, what a wimp, he can stand up to the terrorists but not his friends. I guess he just wants to be one of the boys.

Luckily, electronics man Dick Smith is going in to bat, donating 60K to help free Hicks. ( Yea, ok I just wanted to post the cheesy Dick Smith Logo).

Goodbye, Evil Empire, bye, bye, Bill

Ok, I got my new computer, my first very own computer in about 3 years!! I've also bitten the bullet and opted to install Ubuntu (a Linux distribution) instead of Microsoft's (Evil Empire) Windows as my operating system. Not only did I save $150 but I'm safe in the knowledge my computer is working for me and not spying, manipulating and policing me, I am now the master of my computer ..... or I could be if I knew how Linux works.

In other news, I am now a student and have my student ID. All I need now is a bicycle and I'm ready for the new year.

Waitangi Day Circle Line Pub Crawl 2007

It's loud, drunken, causes chaos on the tube and finishes (for most) with an aggressive display of forign Nationalism in front of Big Ben. Despite all this the Waitangi Day circle line pub crawl (in London) is very well tolerated by the British Transport police (and Londoners in general) and hasn't yet been banned. I'm guessing management is the keyword. So for the sake of nostalgia here is the glorious event, please don't watch if your easily offended by drunken louts..... P.S the drunken crowd dive at the end is concerning, as it's lead to death elsewhere

Lucky flat number 13!!

Probably one the most under-rated decisions of modern life is picking a flat / living arrangement. Get it right and you'll have new friends, a happy/ healthy year, see and do things you previously didn't kno about and lastly (and leastly, lol) save money. Get it wrong and you'll end up owing money, dreading your flatties and the world will generally fall down around you. So, an important decision and after a bit of questioning I decided to go with the first flat I looked at.

As luck would have it my new flat is lucky, as in lucky flat number 13 (or 14 if you count my hostel in first year). However, all joking aside, I'm pretty sure this one's going to be a goodie. With ages 23 - 33, 3.5 nationalities, 3-4 students, 1-2 workers, 1 vege/non-drinker, 1 couple, oh and 5 people I think the flat has a good mix (based purely on gut feeling .... and 10 years experience), comfortable, workable, mature but not homogeneous. Only downside is one of the flatties represents the landlord but as the landlord appears to the most helpful easygoing landlord I've ever met this is probably just a bonus!

For those who want to visit I'm in Avonhead, Christchurch, just get in touch.

Home for the next year(+?)

Well I've finally arrived where I'm intending to stay for the next year or two, Christchurch. So I can finally answer the question "where do you live?" . It'll make conversations easier or at least shorter.

Wellington was great, managed to catch up a lot of people and make to the One Love (Bob Marley's birthday / Waitangi Day celebration) concert. I would post a pic but my usb cable is hideing (probably in a box).

Hitching the from Invers to Picton

I know it's supposedly not safe but really I'd like to see the stats and anyway I'm guy! But here's how the hitching went, for those who are curious about who hitches / picks up hitchers etc:

Ride 1) Invers to Gore:
Male driver, early 30's, works in submarine logistics and has written a book! , is on his way to pick up his wife and child

----- Random local kids start a conversation with me about the pro's and con's of hitching. I wonder what their parents reaction will be??

Ride 2) Gore to Dunedin:
2 Males and a female, early 20's, students, Gore locals, off to the Pink Floyd (someone Waters) thing in Christchurch

Ride 3) Dunedin to Christchurch:
2 Females, sisters, wouldn't you know my luck going all the way to Christchurch!! Thanks mum

Ride 4) Christchurch to Amberly:
1 Female, 30's, radiography student, lives in Amberly

Ride 5) Amberly to Hamner Springs turn off:
1 Female 50's ? , Told me her late husband told here never to pick up hitchers 'cos they're all on drugs and just outa jail!

Ride 6) Hamner Springs turn off to Ward:
Father (late 40's) and daughter (16?) from Aussie visiting rallies and dropping her off at a boarding school in Palmaston North. Water and droughts was the conversation of the day.

Ride 7) Ward to Blenham.... after almost an hour waiting:
1 Female mid/late 20's, studying OT after blowing the trust fund and spending a year on the dole, was looking for the magical passive income combiined with low cost life!

Ride 8) Blenham to Picton ( after only2 min!!):
1 Male 60's, works in Blenham, lives in Picton, claims "I owe a few rides"