Twittering on the IPad

As a not-so-young chook, I like to check out new technology and try and get my head around it. Case in point - it's taken me 18 months to sort out why my FOTC post wasn't published (it contained meta data or somesuch) - but I finally got there!

Twitter took a bit longer for me to get the hang of. Posted a few tweets, and then gradually realised how useful it could be. Eg - when we feel a big earthquake here in Wellington, it's on to GeoNet to check location and size, and then on to Twitter to see who else felt it.

During the Japan quake, one person who was there sent out a 'test tweet' to see if anyone was receiving. At least three of us sent an acknowledgment back which must have been reassuring.

Having an IPad (no advertising intended) has lifted it to a whole new level. On my last Friday off, I was able to watch the Earthquake Memorial in Christchurch live on TV, while also connecting with lots of other Tweeters in New Zealand and abroad, providing and receiving updates and getting the vibe of the ceremony. My conclusion: it was not too soon; and having Prince William attend was spot-on.

The memorial gave New Zealand and Christchurch the opportunity to put things into perspective and also pay tribute to the victims and rescuers involved in the Japan tsunami.

Kia kaha - be strong.

Conchords soar in Aro Valley

Flight of the Conchords, review of their mini-concert, Feb 12 2008 (only took me 18 months to post it!):

Bret and Jemaine played a short set (Jenni, Inner City Pressure, Think About It) at the AroVideo store in Wellington this morning. Invitations were only sent out to AroVideo members at 10 pm the night before, giving about 12 hours notice in an effort to keep numbers down.

The store was crowded, but speakers were outside, so those of us who couldn't get inside could still hear (see video clip on www.stuff.co.nz). Then we all waited around with DVDs, CDs, jandals, a ukulele (on which Bret wrote 'Ukes not nukes'), a pie (apparently, though I didn't see that), even a tissue, to be signed. They had earlier offered to sign 'boobies and butts' too, but again I didn't see if they did.

My friend and I waited an hour to speak to them, and the reason it took so long is cos the guys chatted to everyone, wrote personal messages and posed for photos. Lovely guys, both gorgeous close-up, with smiles to die for. Eagle vs Shark was also released on DVD today, so the lovely Loren Horsley was also there.

My friend took photos, incl one of me up close with Jemaine. A perfect start to the day or, as I like to call my conversation with Bret - 'Five minutes in heaven'. In typical NZ/Wellington fashion, we have at least three friends in common, so plenty of conversation 'ins'.

China 2008

I've recently spent nearly 10 days in China - 3 days in Shanghai and a week in Beijing, and had an unexpectedly good time. It was a work trip, so no husband or sons (all of whom would have liked to come), and most of it was therefore work-related.

But I also managed to tick off a few must-dos while I was there, including:

• visiting The Bund (Shanghai) at night
• going to Tienanmen Square
• spending four hours in The Forbidden City
• going to the Ming Tombs
• climbing the Great Wall at Mutianyu
• shopping (haggling encouraged) at several markets
• eating Peking Duck
• eating other yummy dishes, some of which I couldn't identify
• bike-riding around the city, at night, no lights on the bike (or helmet).

Would I go back? Absolutely! It was great timing because of the Olympic Games and the Paralymics, which began while I was in Beijing (actually I met some of the NZ Paralympian team at a welcoming function for them at the NZ Embassy). Everything was clean, lots of people spoke English, and mostly they were very friendly. Also, the weather was very good - a bit of rain on one or two days, but pleasantly warm. And I love being able to go out at night with bare arms. Don't do that very often in Wellington.

As a lone woman traveller, I also felt very safe, whether in big crowds, on the Metro (easy to use and cheap) or at night walking back from the Metro to my hotel.

Big thanks to 'Michael's House' - comfortable accommodation, reasonably priced, and friendly staff.

As a family, we're working out if we can all go some time...

Who are you?

This blogger began as an experiment in setting one up. Occasionally I post a piece of writing, as and when the mood takes me. For a long time the counter of 'views' sat at about 16 - I have no idea who those initial viewers were. Then, after six months, it doubled to 32.

Now the numbers regularly increases - it's currently at 136! I know that's not big bikkies compared to Vegan Lunch Box and Sartorialist - two blogs I read regularly, although I can't remember how I initially found either - and they are so different to each other. Check them out.

So, my curiosity is aroused by who looks at my blog. What takes you there? Is it because Withnail and I is one of your favourite movies too, and you come in through my profile? And if so, do you check out my blog?

Is it because you googled a bizarre combination of words (Chad, Conchords, Golden Bay) and it led to my blog?

If I haven't written for a while, do you give up on me? Is anyone a repeat visitor? Why hasn't anyone left a comment?

Would you like to be the first person to comment? There will be a (virtual) chocolate fish for the first person who comments on my blog.

I'll be waiting...

A week in paradise

We've just came back from a week in the paradise that is Golden Bay, New Zealand. There was lots of sun, and calm blue seas.

We dug shellfish - pipis and clams - out of the sand with our toes, and lightly steamed them open along with mussels taken off the rocks. We caught salmon within a minute of the line going in to the water (cheating slightly as this was at the salmon farm after unsuccessful attempts at trout in the Takaka river) and had it smoked for us in ten minutes so we could bring a taste of our holiday back home.

We explored Wharariki Beach, and went in and out of dark tunnels, staying alert for any seals resting inside. We walked through the bush and across the swing bridge ("1 person at a time") to Wainui Falls and my sons, who had come reluctantly, were blown away by the falls.

The boys made friends with other kids at the camping ground and ran around like a pack of marauding (but friendly) dogs. One night we all joined a bonfire on the beach and toasted marshmallows. The kids played 'Tackle Bullrush' in the dark, as a giant full moon rose behind a hill.

I spent a lot of evenings looking at the sky hoping to see the McNaught comet. I saw it one night, but the brightness of the moon meant that it wasn't very obvious - and certainly not as spectacular as it had been earlier in the week, according to others at the motor camp. The stars were beautiful and it's always reassuring to see the Southern Cross.

Last night we sailed back across the Cook Strait on the ferry, a calm trip, with the moon lighting the way back home. I hope my sons remember this holiday for a very long time; I know I will.

It's been a while...

This feels like one of those Christmas letters where you start by apologising for not writing all year. Or maybe it's more like going to confession: 'Forgive me, it's been over three months since my last blog'. Where does the time go? Well 20 hours a week goes on work, (paid work I mean), and many, many more hours go on running a household and a family. Wouldn't it be nice if the government paid for that work?

I chose to be a 'stay-at-home' mother for nearly seven years until both my sons were at school, and I'm pleased I made that decision. They're small for such a short time. But it would have been great to have had my contribution as a 'parent as first teacher' recognised with some sort of payment from the government, or tax relief for my husband. We can but dream.

We're counting down till Christmas. My sister-in-law and her husband are here from England. I'm planning on giving them a real kiwi Christmas, but they are very concerned about missing out on Brussels sprouts, turkey and plum pudding. I know!

Speaking of kiwi - a plug for the little cartoon kiwi movie on You Tube, and also Flight of the Conchords. See them now, before they get really big. Then you can feel superior as you say to your mates 'Oh yeah, Jermaine and Bret. I've been following them for years. You know, since the whole 'Figwit' business'.

Have a great Christmas, peace on earth (wouldn't that be nice) and a beautiful 2007 to one and all.

How to spend many hours watching strangers...

I'm referring to You Tube - what a complete phenomenon of our time! We've come to it fairly late, until recently just popping in to check out videos people had sent me, eg the Star Trek ones, Sci-Fi Spelling Bee and Chad Vader - I know there's a theme here, but we're not Trekkies.

But lately we've gone online and just surfed around looking at normal people who have set up a webcam, made a wee film, and shared their insights with (literally) the world. We saw the old guy in his 70s. I like to think if my dad was still alive, this might have appealed to him.

Last night we had fun surfing through old music videos: Marc Bolan (T Rex), very early Elton John, David Bowie and The Stranglers. We were also checking out Jack Black and watched his Tenacious D video "Tribute" which was hilarious. Then we watched the Swartz kids do their version (a tribute to "Tribute" I guess). It was really well done. It looked like the kids were on holiday in Hawaii and, perhaps while Mum and Dad were at the pool, they filmed this homage, in the hotel room, by the pool and on the beach. I think they might have a future in film there.

Another highlight, which I had seen for the first time only the night before on C4 music channel, was Elton John's "I need love" which features Robert Downey Jnr miming to the song while he walks around an empty apartment. Really simple, very effective - perhaps all the more knowing a little of Downey's problems. Scariest thing was a comment under the video from some not-so-bright spark: "That is not Elton John". Someone kindly put him right.

Two more not to miss - hilarious video of Elton's "Tiny Dancer" where the filmmaker has done a literal translation of the words into images. Also Fat Boy Slim's "Weapons..." (can't remember the rest of the title) with Christopher Walken dancing. Incredible!!

I think we might have to put some sort of time limit on, it's very addictive...