...As a spectator at least. The Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread) came through Wellington this year and the boats were incredible!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
I promise there are real updates coming...
But until then, I shot a DJ show (terrible light and almost no performance value) but very cool video show and great music. Hexstatic (I believe from the UK & and part of the Ninja Tunes group)
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Yippee!
Finally did my first live music photo gig in NZ yesterday. Small venue, singer songwriter, and plenty of fun. (Also close to getting on staff at a music magazine in Wellington) Whoo Hoo!
Saturday, January 14, 2006
More catch up...
Christmas and New Years over the summer break were excellent. The pictures have been up for a while, but thought I should give them a bit of narrative as well.
Our offices closed on the Thursday before a Sunday Christmas with Thursday not really being work. Board games, xbox, darts, beer, wine unabashedly came out by noon. Along with those was the excitement of an upcoming holiday break, with friends going to Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt… these Kiwi’s know how to travel.
I opted to work through the break to same as much holiday as possible for my trip to Europe in July, as it turned out it still felt very much like a holiday.
After about a half a day of work with maybe 4 out of 90 people I hopped on a ferry to the South Island to meet my friends Sal and Paul for Christmas. The ferry is between Wellington and Picton – landing about half nine in the evening. Picton is a very small town, yet I had to get from there to Nelson (about 2 hours away) to meet my pals. Once I determined that there were no busses available that time of night, I left Sal and Paul know via test message. Being the planner that I am, this was about 20 minutes before the ferry was to leave. I promptly received a phone call from Sal insisting that they come pick me up, to which I insisted they do no such thing as I was determined to try and hitch a ride for the first time in my life. After a few minutes on the phone and letting her know the ferry was late and I wouldn’t land in Picton until 11 pm now – she and Paul acquiesced to my demands. I hit end on the mobile and the guy sitting next to me asked me where I was off to. To which I replied Nelson, and he offered me a ride. I must admit I was almost disappointed with how easy that was – not 30 seconds went by and now someone asked me if I wanted a ride!
I boarded with Sam, a good looking guy about my age, living in Wellington but from Nelson informed me that these were the roughest seas he had ever seen – and he’d been riding the ferry for about 10 years. Sure enough from the forward lounge, you could barely stay in your seat, and the spray when we broke through swells whited out the windows. This lounge by the way is seven stories above the water in a 500-foot ship that even carries bloody trains. Needless to say, I loved it!
By 3 am Sam dropped me off where Paul and Sal picked me up in Nelson and we made the last 20 minute treck from Nelson to Mapua, the very, very small town of which we were staying outside. We stayed in Mapua Leisure park (say leisure with a british accent and it’s much more fitting). The two brits and I in a chalet 200 meters from the Tasman Sea, for 4 days we basically didn’t move. Sal and Paul are vegetarian and Sal is quite maternal so I was spoiled with fresh fruits and vegetables as I sat in the sun, read Harry Potter, and took breaks to play petonque (French lawn bolling – rather sure I misspelled it). It is the most stationary and most relaxed I’ve been in months. The sound of gentle waves lulled me to sleep each night, the milky way was out in force, and even during the day the quite that only nature provides enveloped us. Cell phones only worked standing atop of a tree stump 200 meters from our chalet, but the beach was closer, so it did more calling. Absolutely glorious.
We sat in front of the chalet on Christmas morning and opened presents around the picnic table, enjoyed the sun, and then stuffed ourselves with a feast we barbequed. Summer Christmases are quite nice, yet not all that different from South Texas in temperature, only in the length of days with the sun setting here after ten.
Took the ferry back Tuesday to get back to work, all three days of the work week as Monday and Tuesday were bank holidays. At this point, I officially decided to start my Christmas beard, as I wouldn’t be seeing any clients. Thursday afternoon I realized New Years was during the upcoming weekend so Friday at lunch I decided to plan a trip – yet again my talent for planning shining through.
Bought tickets at 6:15 for a 7:00 flight back to Nelson, transport from the airport to a hostel in Motueka. Saturday morning to be picked up by a Kayaking company for a two-day trip through the Abel Tasman National Park (Northwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island). Then a night in Marahow to be followed by a two day sailing trip through more of Abel Tasman before flying back to Wellington on Wednesday morning where I would head straight to work. Not to bad for no planning, eh?
Went on a gourmet, fully catered Kayaking trip where I only had to provide myself with 3 other people (a British couple and a Dutch chap). It was amazing, immaculate weather – except for the start when we got 55 knot gusts, but that only lasted for the very first hour. The water looked liked the Caribbean, but there were seals in it. Afterwards we continued downwind and enjoyed world-class beauty - stopping on beaches for tea, lunch and finally for camping on New Years Eve. With the long days I was taken aback by counting down to 2006 only about an hour after it got dark. Truly beautiful.
The wind was kicking up again so my sailing trip was cancelled, instead I popped back to Wellington Monday night after spending the day with Hanna, a lovely Finnish architect.
Tuesday was great back in Wellington where I met and spent the day with a German named Connie. (As it turns out I went out last night with Theresa, a Kiwi) I only bring up these girls because of how blown away I am by how worldly the rest of the world is. Of these three girls I went out with; Hanna went to school in London, speaks Finnish, English, French, and Russian, Connie grew up in Africa, speaks German, English, and Swahili (at 19 was jumping over to London for the weekend), and now Theresa who lived in Thailand for a year so she speaks English, Thai, and French. All of them had lived overseas before they were 20 and this didn’t stop; they’re all smart, confident, and capable. I can’t imagine seeing the world has hurt, so I wonder what happens to my countrymen that are famous for not travelling?
Well, the Wednesday after new years it was back to another gruelling three-day week with two of us in the office and lots of breaks to play the X-box. The weekend was filled with people returning from holidays, telling stories, and winding me up about my beard.
A day in the office and then down to Christchurch for a three week consulting engagement, from where I’m now writing you. Sitting in a little garden attached to my room sipping tea and feeling thoroughly commonwealth.
More importantly I’m aware that in two days I will have been overseas for one year… a whole year. A year that has flown by in the sense it has never dragged. Yet, at the same time when I reminisce it feels like a lifetime. I must say that I do feel I am living, sucking the marrow, taking the path less travelled, and it is definitely making all the difference. As Dougal my flatmate says, “We’re here for a good time, not a long time.”
Family and friends are in my thoughts and heart as I think about how long it has been; yet of the things I’m surprised to miss, I most miss the soulful passion of America. I experienced most threw great singers, and I wonder why I don’t feel it here. Is it because it is too easy here, virtually everyone is healthy, happy, and satiated? Do you need struggle to bring out what inspired Jazz and Hip-hop? It is wonderfully easy and comfortable here, but will I grow board of it?
This is by no means a desire to return, but merely one to keep travelling and to travel further afield. But where to next?
“No worries” as the Kiwis say... and live, I’ve got at least another year to figure that out.
Our offices closed on the Thursday before a Sunday Christmas with Thursday not really being work. Board games, xbox, darts, beer, wine unabashedly came out by noon. Along with those was the excitement of an upcoming holiday break, with friends going to Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt… these Kiwi’s know how to travel.
I opted to work through the break to same as much holiday as possible for my trip to Europe in July, as it turned out it still felt very much like a holiday.
After about a half a day of work with maybe 4 out of 90 people I hopped on a ferry to the South Island to meet my friends Sal and Paul for Christmas. The ferry is between Wellington and Picton – landing about half nine in the evening. Picton is a very small town, yet I had to get from there to Nelson (about 2 hours away) to meet my pals. Once I determined that there were no busses available that time of night, I left Sal and Paul know via test message. Being the planner that I am, this was about 20 minutes before the ferry was to leave. I promptly received a phone call from Sal insisting that they come pick me up, to which I insisted they do no such thing as I was determined to try and hitch a ride for the first time in my life. After a few minutes on the phone and letting her know the ferry was late and I wouldn’t land in Picton until 11 pm now – she and Paul acquiesced to my demands. I hit end on the mobile and the guy sitting next to me asked me where I was off to. To which I replied Nelson, and he offered me a ride. I must admit I was almost disappointed with how easy that was – not 30 seconds went by and now someone asked me if I wanted a ride!
I boarded with Sam, a good looking guy about my age, living in Wellington but from Nelson informed me that these were the roughest seas he had ever seen – and he’d been riding the ferry for about 10 years. Sure enough from the forward lounge, you could barely stay in your seat, and the spray when we broke through swells whited out the windows. This lounge by the way is seven stories above the water in a 500-foot ship that even carries bloody trains. Needless to say, I loved it!
By 3 am Sam dropped me off where Paul and Sal picked me up in Nelson and we made the last 20 minute treck from Nelson to Mapua, the very, very small town of which we were staying outside. We stayed in Mapua Leisure park (say leisure with a british accent and it’s much more fitting). The two brits and I in a chalet 200 meters from the Tasman Sea, for 4 days we basically didn’t move. Sal and Paul are vegetarian and Sal is quite maternal so I was spoiled with fresh fruits and vegetables as I sat in the sun, read Harry Potter, and took breaks to play petonque (French lawn bolling – rather sure I misspelled it). It is the most stationary and most relaxed I’ve been in months. The sound of gentle waves lulled me to sleep each night, the milky way was out in force, and even during the day the quite that only nature provides enveloped us. Cell phones only worked standing atop of a tree stump 200 meters from our chalet, but the beach was closer, so it did more calling. Absolutely glorious.
We sat in front of the chalet on Christmas morning and opened presents around the picnic table, enjoyed the sun, and then stuffed ourselves with a feast we barbequed. Summer Christmases are quite nice, yet not all that different from South Texas in temperature, only in the length of days with the sun setting here after ten.
Took the ferry back Tuesday to get back to work, all three days of the work week as Monday and Tuesday were bank holidays. At this point, I officially decided to start my Christmas beard, as I wouldn’t be seeing any clients. Thursday afternoon I realized New Years was during the upcoming weekend so Friday at lunch I decided to plan a trip – yet again my talent for planning shining through.
Bought tickets at 6:15 for a 7:00 flight back to Nelson, transport from the airport to a hostel in Motueka. Saturday morning to be picked up by a Kayaking company for a two-day trip through the Abel Tasman National Park (Northwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island). Then a night in Marahow to be followed by a two day sailing trip through more of Abel Tasman before flying back to Wellington on Wednesday morning where I would head straight to work. Not to bad for no planning, eh?
Went on a gourmet, fully catered Kayaking trip where I only had to provide myself with 3 other people (a British couple and a Dutch chap). It was amazing, immaculate weather – except for the start when we got 55 knot gusts, but that only lasted for the very first hour. The water looked liked the Caribbean, but there were seals in it. Afterwards we continued downwind and enjoyed world-class beauty - stopping on beaches for tea, lunch and finally for camping on New Years Eve. With the long days I was taken aback by counting down to 2006 only about an hour after it got dark. Truly beautiful.
The wind was kicking up again so my sailing trip was cancelled, instead I popped back to Wellington Monday night after spending the day with Hanna, a lovely Finnish architect.
Tuesday was great back in Wellington where I met and spent the day with a German named Connie. (As it turns out I went out last night with Theresa, a Kiwi) I only bring up these girls because of how blown away I am by how worldly the rest of the world is. Of these three girls I went out with; Hanna went to school in London, speaks Finnish, English, French, and Russian, Connie grew up in Africa, speaks German, English, and Swahili (at 19 was jumping over to London for the weekend), and now Theresa who lived in Thailand for a year so she speaks English, Thai, and French. All of them had lived overseas before they were 20 and this didn’t stop; they’re all smart, confident, and capable. I can’t imagine seeing the world has hurt, so I wonder what happens to my countrymen that are famous for not travelling?
Well, the Wednesday after new years it was back to another gruelling three-day week with two of us in the office and lots of breaks to play the X-box. The weekend was filled with people returning from holidays, telling stories, and winding me up about my beard.
A day in the office and then down to Christchurch for a three week consulting engagement, from where I’m now writing you. Sitting in a little garden attached to my room sipping tea and feeling thoroughly commonwealth.
More importantly I’m aware that in two days I will have been overseas for one year… a whole year. A year that has flown by in the sense it has never dragged. Yet, at the same time when I reminisce it feels like a lifetime. I must say that I do feel I am living, sucking the marrow, taking the path less travelled, and it is definitely making all the difference. As Dougal my flatmate says, “We’re here for a good time, not a long time.”
Family and friends are in my thoughts and heart as I think about how long it has been; yet of the things I’m surprised to miss, I most miss the soulful passion of America. I experienced most threw great singers, and I wonder why I don’t feel it here. Is it because it is too easy here, virtually everyone is healthy, happy, and satiated? Do you need struggle to bring out what inspired Jazz and Hip-hop? It is wonderfully easy and comfortable here, but will I grow board of it?
This is by no means a desire to return, but merely one to keep travelling and to travel further afield. But where to next?
“No worries” as the Kiwis say... and live, I’ve got at least another year to figure that out.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Gratuitous extra shot
Here's where we stopped for lunch on New Year's Eve. Right before I shot this there was a seal swimming around in the rocks (bottom left hand side of this photo)!
New Year's Eve Photos
I went on a Kayaking trip last minute in Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island. Here are the photos from the weekend.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Photos from Queenstown
Here are the photos from Jessie, Julie, and my trip to Queenstown earlier this month.
Merry Christmas from NZ!
This is a Pohutukawa blossom, from a tree known as the "Kiwi Christmas Tree". Great thing about a spring time Christmas is that things are in bloom!
Also have photos from my Christmas weekend here.
Also have photos from my Christmas weekend here.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Fortnight of Firsts
So it has been more than a fortnight, but Kiwi’s use the term all the time and I just had to pull it out for fun.
Not a whole bunch has happened if I look back on the last few weeks, which means I’m probably working too much. Nonetheless, I had my first earthquake! A 4.6 while I was playing X-box at the office, so it didn’t even register with me for about 15 seconds at which point when I asked the guy I was playing with if we just had an earthquake. He response was yes, and then he swiftly killed me for my lack of concentration.
Actually with a bit a thought, lots have happened. Jessie and Julie from Austin visited for many nights of fun, a four-day trip to Queenstown, climbing mountains, BBQ, and 11 PM sunsets! (Pictures coming after Xmas)
That reminds me, my camera is fixed! (Like finding out a pet is going to pull through surgery) Sweetness, thanks to kiwi get it done attitude. Nikon here actually re-soldered a connection. I have to assume I would have been told to replace well before soldering ever happened back stateside.
I got my tickets for my trip to Europe in July and the leave without a blink. (July 1 to August 5) As it turns out my Dad and step-mom will be in Italy during that time so I’ll meet them there, as I probably won’t be back in the states for another year. On the way back I’ll got four days in Dubai to see my first of the Middle East, yet this is a very westernised city – it should still be a ball.
I’ve been terrible about updating the blog as well as returning email… apologies to all waiting for email (emails stretching back 2 months!) but it’s happening over the break – better late than never.
So I’m bolting from work in a couple hours to cruise down to the Malboro Sounds and join some Enlgish friends for a couple of days sitting in a cabin amongst Fjords for a great view and some relaxation!
Merry Christmas to all! I’ll be toasting you all with sunsets at 11, flip-flops, and 80-degree warmth wishing you all the best!
Not a whole bunch has happened if I look back on the last few weeks, which means I’m probably working too much. Nonetheless, I had my first earthquake! A 4.6 while I was playing X-box at the office, so it didn’t even register with me for about 15 seconds at which point when I asked the guy I was playing with if we just had an earthquake. He response was yes, and then he swiftly killed me for my lack of concentration.
Actually with a bit a thought, lots have happened. Jessie and Julie from Austin visited for many nights of fun, a four-day trip to Queenstown, climbing mountains, BBQ, and 11 PM sunsets! (Pictures coming after Xmas)
That reminds me, my camera is fixed! (Like finding out a pet is going to pull through surgery) Sweetness, thanks to kiwi get it done attitude. Nikon here actually re-soldered a connection. I have to assume I would have been told to replace well before soldering ever happened back stateside.
I got my tickets for my trip to Europe in July and the leave without a blink. (July 1 to August 5) As it turns out my Dad and step-mom will be in Italy during that time so I’ll meet them there, as I probably won’t be back in the states for another year. On the way back I’ll got four days in Dubai to see my first of the Middle East, yet this is a very westernised city – it should still be a ball.
I’ve been terrible about updating the blog as well as returning email… apologies to all waiting for email (emails stretching back 2 months!) but it’s happening over the break – better late than never.
So I’m bolting from work in a couple hours to cruise down to the Malboro Sounds and join some Enlgish friends for a couple of days sitting in a cabin amongst Fjords for a great view and some relaxation!
Merry Christmas to all! I’ll be toasting you all with sunsets at 11, flip-flops, and 80-degree warmth wishing you all the best!
Friday, December 02, 2005
You know you away from the US when....
I received my official invitation to apply for residency in New Zealand! Now I get to go get chest X-Rays, FBI files, and other fun documentation.
Also, I saw some new VW car today I not see before, the Touran. I saw it and thought to myself it's odd I didn't know about this car. I've always been mildly a car buff and a big fan of V-dubs, so why didn't I know about this? Then it hit me, I'm no longer emerged the ultimate consumer society of the US. A dramatic realization I came about subtly is how much less advertising I am exposed to, moreover that I don't have that itch to buy stuff anymore. Don't know if it just me and not my environment, but I dig the change.
Happy Friday, y'all.
Also, I saw some new VW car today I not see before, the Touran. I saw it and thought to myself it's odd I didn't know about this car. I've always been mildly a car buff and a big fan of V-dubs, so why didn't I know about this? Then it hit me, I'm no longer emerged the ultimate consumer society of the US. A dramatic realization I came about subtly is how much less advertising I am exposed to, moreover that I don't have that itch to buy stuff anymore. Don't know if it just me and not my environment, but I dig the change.
Happy Friday, y'all.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Hello Again!
Wow it’s amazing how I fast time flies. I guess it’s been a month since my last post, yet thankfully it feels like quite a bit longer.
If anything I want to insure I don’t fall into autopilot and realize that a year has past that feels like a month. I always prefer months that feel like years.
So what has happened in Trey’s life? (By the way I hope this day-to-day journal isn’t nearly as dull as it feels writing; I am also hoping I’ll appreciate having it one day)
My office rugby team has had their first, second, third, and now eight game. Despite having only triumphed in one, we have had a ball and I must say I might have a new favourite (spelling I have to get used to for work) team sport – well at least to watch. Granted I have never really enjoyed watching any sports, rugby doesn’t have to do much to come out as my “favourite”.
I revert back to my notes to see the ups and downs of the month….
• I spent an entire weekend at work, yet thanks to the Kiwi work/life balance I’ve been given an extra two days of holiday to take for the effort.
• I’m still on my first tank of gas in my scooter – since July!
• I listen to NPR and Austin’s KUT on podcasts still and was impressed again with one of our countries strengths when the KKK led a protest in support of Proposition 2 in Texas. I couldn’t possibly disagree more with their views, but am so impressed with a country that tolerates those views and allows them to be broadcast. Yet, I was then utterly ashamed when Texas passed prop 2 – how can this place I call home, that I love so much, be so hatefully bigoted? How can the great state of Texas represent blatant prejudice, not in the back room of a farmhouse with the former generation that is often tolerated with the “they were brain washed” argument? But in our polls with landslide figures! What is happening to my home while I am away?
• Went to the Toast Martinborough Wine & Food Festival last weekend, which had the perfect combination of great wine, food, music, and friends.
• Like having a pet die, I had to take my camera into the shop. We’ll see if I have to purchase “the next one”, until then (possibly 6 weeks) I won’t be shooting. Damn this kills me!
• A wonderful English couple I befriended in Tonga have hired me to shoot their wedding in July - in the UK! So Europe for my annual month long holiday (thank you Kiwi holidays) in Europe! I plan to be in the UK for about a week then head south by train… not to much planned after that other than to insist on not moving around that much – afteral I’ll be back plenty I’m sure. Looks like I may not get back to the States for possibly another year, but anyone that misses me should just come to New Zealand or meet me in Europe – tell me that doesn’t sound like more fun?!
• I have been accepted to apply for residency in New Zealand after submitting my “Expression of Interest”. I realized I may not have laid out my plan so well before so here is the very rough version (I don’t intend it to ever be very concrete): Stay here for at least 2 summers saving money, then fly to Malaysia for a year long over land trip taking me into Africa (obviously I’ll get on a boat here and there). I hope to go through Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Iran (maybe), Israel, Libya, Egypt, Kenya, (other African nations) – at the end of which I want to go to Europe and work in a non-English speaking country. This is about as rough as plans get. I have also considered taking off in two summers to work in South America as a volunteer and get my Spanish is good shape. The one thing that is certain is that nothing is certain. In that vein I am applying for residency in order to start the clock on my New Zealand citizenship. If I happen to be here for three years I’ll have it to go along with my US citizenship which would allow me to live here or Australia if/when I wanted to – not to mention travel on a Common Wealth passport and possibly less inflammatory one.
• I’ve actually caught myself getting nostalgic for the US watching West Wing DVDs from the Library (I have a Library card as of yesterday). I know I’m away when upon seeing the Chilean embassy walking today I realized I have not idea where the US embassy is – but there is one within a mile of my flat.
• I’m so ashamed to admit this…. Yet, having the unbelievably orderly British way here is rubbing off on me. I ironed my pillow cases today (I know pelt me with rocks – it’s ridiculous)
New Zealand celebrated Guy Fawks Day a few weeks back, a day celebrating some guy who attempted to blow up the king in 1605 (in England as there were no Europeans here then). The whole premise of this day cracks me up, as the guy was basically a terrorist. So one must wonder what all the fireworks represent? Apparently, the night started out with bonfires to celebrate the safety of the King, but now the Brits and Kiwis celebrate Guy Fawks in a way to “stick it to the man”.
Independent of the history the night was awesome. Great BBQ/costume party (the Kiwi’s love their “fancy dress” parties), some American girls I had become aquatinted with through a British Girl I met in Fiji were in for the night and we had ball. The fireworks over the bay were awesome. Yet running late to see them we walked into some folk’s backyard, introduced ourselves, and enjoyed the fireworks from Mt. Victoria. A panoramic view of the city lights horseshoeing around the bay, fireworks going off at eye level that appeared to eclipse the bay in size, in a still cool night extenuated by the bay mirroring the colourful explosions above.
On the subject of holidays, Thanksgiving passed last week. I was curious what it would feel like without family – yet it didn’t really feel like Thanksgiving so I wasn’t so bothered. Of course I had to take the mickey out of my friends by wishing them all a Happy Thanksgiving. My friends John and Sarah planned a huge BBQ for the occasion, with the invitation inviting all to take advantage of the holiday with their “token American”. The weather didn’t cooperate so we resorted to plan B, an awesome night at a fabulous restaurant – which I must say would put up a hard fight to be topped by any BBQ.
This past week my friend Vic from San Francisco visited. Austin dot com, to Standford, to BioTech in Silicon Valley… and now travelling for 6+ months. (see anyone can do this – that’s my prod for the month) We had a ball, I showed him through Wellington in the evenings and despite only travelling for a month he greatly appreciated having access to a “home” for a week.
This last weekend I’ve been a bit sick or “crook” as the Kiwis say. Nonetheless, I had a great weekend, specifically brunch on Saturday. Vic and I hopped up the Cable Car that is below my flat, climbed about 300 feet vertically into the Botanical Gardens where we met my friend Elisabet, a fabulous German girl I’ve met here. Walked through a misty day to the rose gardens where we had coffee and brunch sitting on leather couches in a greenhouse. Natural and bright light shown as we chatted, reclined, read the paper – all the while with views of the fields of roses blurred by the rain on the panes of glass that encased us.
Sunday I wandered to a movie, then Te Papa (the Kiwi version of the Smithsonian). Only visited the café, yet I was again taken aback by the enormity of the architecture. I love to concretely remind myself of the enormity of things external. Similar to my day today, strolling through the gardens again, I renew my amazement with the beauty that surrounds. I notice myself looking up again. This sense of quite literally widening my perspective by looking up reminds me of travelling again. Noticing the rooflines, trees, sky, and mountains – unlike the “rat race” which has me see only my computer, sidewalk, next source of sustenance – a shrinking of my view.
This makes me think about my lifestyle. I wrote about it to my friend George and was curious if I’ve put it down in words here… so out of laziness I’ll just copy it from my email.
Life here is good. I live in a flat in downtown Wellington, a city that feels quite like a miniature San Francisco to me. I really enjoy the lifestyle I'm living now. I have a 4 minute walk to work though 360 degrees of concrete along crowded sidewalks stuffed with clothing boutiques and coffee shops. Work is great as it is truly challenging me and I honestly believe it is moving my career forward as I am working with large organizations and large networks. Nonetheless, the work environment is fantastic. Our Wellington office has the vast majority of the company with about 90 people; it is very young, full of energy, and the company prides its self on its meritocracy and flat, young culture. All the desks are covered with legos, pictures, sports balls, and nerf guns, while the aisles between desks are jammed with mountain bikes and kayak paddles. With no offices or separators, the place is loud and high energy - constantly reminding me of a newsroom.
I have met some lovely people. Lots through my work and unlike my previous work experience I relate exceptionally well with my colleges. With folks from the office: I go running Mondays and Wednesdays, play rugby Tuesday and Thursdays, play soccer on Fridays, race sail boats on the weekends, go hiking in the mountains, road trips around New Zealand wine country, kayaking in sounds, and really enjoy myself.
Well that’s plenty blathering for tonight, yet to give a bit of reading value for my blog I thought I would recommend a couple things I’ve been consuming lately:
New Music:
Melissa Greener (Austin)
Porterdavis (Austin)
Hurts to Purr (Austin) - not on iTunes yet
Andy Guthrie (USA)
Podcasts (if you aren’t listening to these you should check ‘em out):
NPR’s “On The Media”
Fresh Bread from a French bakery! Whoo hoo!
If anything I want to insure I don’t fall into autopilot and realize that a year has past that feels like a month. I always prefer months that feel like years.
So what has happened in Trey’s life? (By the way I hope this day-to-day journal isn’t nearly as dull as it feels writing; I am also hoping I’ll appreciate having it one day)
My office rugby team has had their first, second, third, and now eight game. Despite having only triumphed in one, we have had a ball and I must say I might have a new favourite (spelling I have to get used to for work) team sport – well at least to watch. Granted I have never really enjoyed watching any sports, rugby doesn’t have to do much to come out as my “favourite”.
I revert back to my notes to see the ups and downs of the month….
• I spent an entire weekend at work, yet thanks to the Kiwi work/life balance I’ve been given an extra two days of holiday to take for the effort.
• I’m still on my first tank of gas in my scooter – since July!
• I listen to NPR and Austin’s KUT on podcasts still and was impressed again with one of our countries strengths when the KKK led a protest in support of Proposition 2 in Texas. I couldn’t possibly disagree more with their views, but am so impressed with a country that tolerates those views and allows them to be broadcast. Yet, I was then utterly ashamed when Texas passed prop 2 – how can this place I call home, that I love so much, be so hatefully bigoted? How can the great state of Texas represent blatant prejudice, not in the back room of a farmhouse with the former generation that is often tolerated with the “they were brain washed” argument? But in our polls with landslide figures! What is happening to my home while I am away?
• Went to the Toast Martinborough Wine & Food Festival last weekend, which had the perfect combination of great wine, food, music, and friends.
• Like having a pet die, I had to take my camera into the shop. We’ll see if I have to purchase “the next one”, until then (possibly 6 weeks) I won’t be shooting. Damn this kills me!
• A wonderful English couple I befriended in Tonga have hired me to shoot their wedding in July - in the UK! So Europe for my annual month long holiday (thank you Kiwi holidays) in Europe! I plan to be in the UK for about a week then head south by train… not to much planned after that other than to insist on not moving around that much – afteral I’ll be back plenty I’m sure. Looks like I may not get back to the States for possibly another year, but anyone that misses me should just come to New Zealand or meet me in Europe – tell me that doesn’t sound like more fun?!
• I have been accepted to apply for residency in New Zealand after submitting my “Expression of Interest”. I realized I may not have laid out my plan so well before so here is the very rough version (I don’t intend it to ever be very concrete): Stay here for at least 2 summers saving money, then fly to Malaysia for a year long over land trip taking me into Africa (obviously I’ll get on a boat here and there). I hope to go through Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Iran (maybe), Israel, Libya, Egypt, Kenya, (other African nations) – at the end of which I want to go to Europe and work in a non-English speaking country. This is about as rough as plans get. I have also considered taking off in two summers to work in South America as a volunteer and get my Spanish is good shape. The one thing that is certain is that nothing is certain. In that vein I am applying for residency in order to start the clock on my New Zealand citizenship. If I happen to be here for three years I’ll have it to go along with my US citizenship which would allow me to live here or Australia if/when I wanted to – not to mention travel on a Common Wealth passport and possibly less inflammatory one.
• I’ve actually caught myself getting nostalgic for the US watching West Wing DVDs from the Library (I have a Library card as of yesterday). I know I’m away when upon seeing the Chilean embassy walking today I realized I have not idea where the US embassy is – but there is one within a mile of my flat.
• I’m so ashamed to admit this…. Yet, having the unbelievably orderly British way here is rubbing off on me. I ironed my pillow cases today (I know pelt me with rocks – it’s ridiculous)
New Zealand celebrated Guy Fawks Day a few weeks back, a day celebrating some guy who attempted to blow up the king in 1605 (in England as there were no Europeans here then). The whole premise of this day cracks me up, as the guy was basically a terrorist. So one must wonder what all the fireworks represent? Apparently, the night started out with bonfires to celebrate the safety of the King, but now the Brits and Kiwis celebrate Guy Fawks in a way to “stick it to the man”.
Independent of the history the night was awesome. Great BBQ/costume party (the Kiwi’s love their “fancy dress” parties), some American girls I had become aquatinted with through a British Girl I met in Fiji were in for the night and we had ball. The fireworks over the bay were awesome. Yet running late to see them we walked into some folk’s backyard, introduced ourselves, and enjoyed the fireworks from Mt. Victoria. A panoramic view of the city lights horseshoeing around the bay, fireworks going off at eye level that appeared to eclipse the bay in size, in a still cool night extenuated by the bay mirroring the colourful explosions above.
On the subject of holidays, Thanksgiving passed last week. I was curious what it would feel like without family – yet it didn’t really feel like Thanksgiving so I wasn’t so bothered. Of course I had to take the mickey out of my friends by wishing them all a Happy Thanksgiving. My friends John and Sarah planned a huge BBQ for the occasion, with the invitation inviting all to take advantage of the holiday with their “token American”. The weather didn’t cooperate so we resorted to plan B, an awesome night at a fabulous restaurant – which I must say would put up a hard fight to be topped by any BBQ.
This past week my friend Vic from San Francisco visited. Austin dot com, to Standford, to BioTech in Silicon Valley… and now travelling for 6+ months. (see anyone can do this – that’s my prod for the month) We had a ball, I showed him through Wellington in the evenings and despite only travelling for a month he greatly appreciated having access to a “home” for a week.
This last weekend I’ve been a bit sick or “crook” as the Kiwis say. Nonetheless, I had a great weekend, specifically brunch on Saturday. Vic and I hopped up the Cable Car that is below my flat, climbed about 300 feet vertically into the Botanical Gardens where we met my friend Elisabet, a fabulous German girl I’ve met here. Walked through a misty day to the rose gardens where we had coffee and brunch sitting on leather couches in a greenhouse. Natural and bright light shown as we chatted, reclined, read the paper – all the while with views of the fields of roses blurred by the rain on the panes of glass that encased us.
Sunday I wandered to a movie, then Te Papa (the Kiwi version of the Smithsonian). Only visited the café, yet I was again taken aback by the enormity of the architecture. I love to concretely remind myself of the enormity of things external. Similar to my day today, strolling through the gardens again, I renew my amazement with the beauty that surrounds. I notice myself looking up again. This sense of quite literally widening my perspective by looking up reminds me of travelling again. Noticing the rooflines, trees, sky, and mountains – unlike the “rat race” which has me see only my computer, sidewalk, next source of sustenance – a shrinking of my view.
This makes me think about my lifestyle. I wrote about it to my friend George and was curious if I’ve put it down in words here… so out of laziness I’ll just copy it from my email.
Life here is good. I live in a flat in downtown Wellington, a city that feels quite like a miniature San Francisco to me. I really enjoy the lifestyle I'm living now. I have a 4 minute walk to work though 360 degrees of concrete along crowded sidewalks stuffed with clothing boutiques and coffee shops. Work is great as it is truly challenging me and I honestly believe it is moving my career forward as I am working with large organizations and large networks. Nonetheless, the work environment is fantastic. Our Wellington office has the vast majority of the company with about 90 people; it is very young, full of energy, and the company prides its self on its meritocracy and flat, young culture. All the desks are covered with legos, pictures, sports balls, and nerf guns, while the aisles between desks are jammed with mountain bikes and kayak paddles. With no offices or separators, the place is loud and high energy - constantly reminding me of a newsroom.
I have met some lovely people. Lots through my work and unlike my previous work experience I relate exceptionally well with my colleges. With folks from the office: I go running Mondays and Wednesdays, play rugby Tuesday and Thursdays, play soccer on Fridays, race sail boats on the weekends, go hiking in the mountains, road trips around New Zealand wine country, kayaking in sounds, and really enjoy myself.
Well that’s plenty blathering for tonight, yet to give a bit of reading value for my blog I thought I would recommend a couple things I’ve been consuming lately:
New Music:
Melissa Greener (Austin)
Porterdavis (Austin)
Hurts to Purr (Austin) - not on iTunes yet
Andy Guthrie (USA)
Podcasts (if you aren’t listening to these you should check ‘em out):
NPR’s “On The Media”
Fresh Bread from a French bakery! Whoo hoo!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
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