Its been a while since I have been passionate about rugby, I didn't really follow the game much while I was living in London . . . but this year I'm back into it. Reid and I watched a few games of the Super 14 and have watched most of the All Blacks games this season. It has been so exciting and last nights game against Australia was no exception, a closely fought battle for the Bledisloe cup, NZ coming out on top 13 points to 9. Part way through the second half Carter kicked a drop goal and I thought what a waste, if they'd kept on running they might have scored . . . . but on the other hand if they hadn't scored then it would have been 10-9 for the closing minutes just when desperation kicked in for Australia and MAN was it tense!
Anyways - here are the results from All Blacks games so far this season:
New Zealand v Ireland 34-23
New Zealand v Ireland 27-17
New Zealand v Argentina 25-19
New Zealand v Australia 32-12
New Zealand v South Africa 35-17
New Zealand v Australia 13-9
Oh yeah, and how about that Haka - apparently the new Haka has been causing quite a stir here in Oz. Although since I live in Victoria and don't want much free to air telly I've missed all the controversy. Apparently the Aussies aren't that keen on the throat cutting action. I must admit it does look pretty intimidating, but last night the Wallabys didn't even watch the Haka they started up a mini training session off field - chickens!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Sione's Wedding
Generally when the characters are teens its a coming of age film, and when the characters are older its a romantic comedy. Sione's wedding is sort of a combination of both - the characters are all older but as yet haven't faced the time-to-grow-up-meet-a-girl-and-fall-in-love moment . . . . until it is now forced upon them.
Even though the story was pretty predictable it was still really enjoyable to watch. There was plenty of emotional turmoil, comedy, and originality to set the movie apart from other films in both genres. You could say it was something that hadn't been done before, it was almost unique!!
Making the whole experience even better was watching the film at a cinema with other New Zealanders - although I didn't know anyone else (except Reid of course) it was great to laugh along with others at all those things distinctly Kiwi.
I was also impressed with the cinematography - particularly in the opening scene, flying over Auckland city. I did wonder what time of day they filmed that scene because there was very little traffic on the roads or perhaps the traffic crisis in Auckland is just a myth!
Even though the story was pretty predictable it was still really enjoyable to watch. There was plenty of emotional turmoil, comedy, and originality to set the movie apart from other films in both genres. You could say it was something that hadn't been done before, it was almost unique!!
Making the whole experience even better was watching the film at a cinema with other New Zealanders - although I didn't know anyone else (except Reid of course) it was great to laugh along with others at all those things distinctly Kiwi.
I was also impressed with the cinematography - particularly in the opening scene, flying over Auckland city. I did wonder what time of day they filmed that scene because there was very little traffic on the roads or perhaps the traffic crisis in Auckland is just a myth!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
google earth
how cool is this, I can see my Mum and Dad's house in lil old Dunedin, NZ on Google Earth!!!
Its clear as a bell, in fact because everything is so open and spacious it is easier to work out their place than my place in Melbourne, Australia
My Dad will be pleased to know that the shed the old farmer has built across the road sticks out like a sore thumb from outta space, but makes a great landmark in google earth.
Its clear as a bell, in fact because everything is so open and spacious it is easier to work out their place than my place in Melbourne, Australia
My Dad will be pleased to know that the shed the old farmer has built across the road sticks out like a sore thumb from outta space, but makes a great landmark in google earth.
Pirates
Went to see Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Mans Chest, last night
It was pretty good - funny, definitely entertaining, aesthetically pleasing.
I loved the first one - curse of the black pearl. I think the character of Captain Jack Sparrow is so entertaining and Johnny Depp plays the part superbly.
There's not much to say about this film, its not new anymore - so some of the impact of the first film is lost, and the story is very simple - typical themes of humour, courage, and trust.
I think Orlando Bloom is made for the stage, I've never really been a fan of his style
It was pretty good - funny, definitely entertaining, aesthetically pleasing.
I loved the first one - curse of the black pearl. I think the character of Captain Jack Sparrow is so entertaining and Johnny Depp plays the part superbly.
There's not much to say about this film, its not new anymore - so some of the impact of the first film is lost, and the story is very simple - typical themes of humour, courage, and trust.
I think Orlando Bloom is made for the stage, I've never really been a fan of his style
disillusioned
I have always been a fan of Macintosh computers and Apple products. They look great, and the software is awesome.
However. . . . .
I have a Mac Mini, one of the first off the blocks, and it was shipped without the airport card - many an hour wasted trying to work out why it wouldn't work!
I also have an iPod mini - 18 months in it just stopped working - $95 later I have a reconditioned iPod with a 3 month warranty under the battery replacement program.
Now Reid's iPod photo has crapped its pants - also about 18 months old. It doesn't seem to be a problem with the battery, and it is making some strange noises. Reid is pretty pissed that now he has a $600 shiny white brick and wont be replacing it with another iPod.
One of my gripes about studying was my laptop was too heavy and carting it back and forth to uni was a hassle, so I was going to buy a new MacBook. Of course now that the study is on hold I don't really need a new laptop, but the MacBooks are full of problems - the white ones are turning yellow, the mag safe power cord is catching on fire, and they overheat so much that you can't sit them on your lap.
I am sure there are several websites like it, but apple defects outlines a multitude of problems with Apple products.
In my mind Apple is slowly turning into crapple! bummer :(
However. . . . .
I have a Mac Mini, one of the first off the blocks, and it was shipped without the airport card - many an hour wasted trying to work out why it wouldn't work!
I also have an iPod mini - 18 months in it just stopped working - $95 later I have a reconditioned iPod with a 3 month warranty under the battery replacement program.
Now Reid's iPod photo has crapped its pants - also about 18 months old. It doesn't seem to be a problem with the battery, and it is making some strange noises. Reid is pretty pissed that now he has a $600 shiny white brick and wont be replacing it with another iPod.
One of my gripes about studying was my laptop was too heavy and carting it back and forth to uni was a hassle, so I was going to buy a new MacBook. Of course now that the study is on hold I don't really need a new laptop, but the MacBooks are full of problems - the white ones are turning yellow, the mag safe power cord is catching on fire, and they overheat so much that you can't sit them on your lap.
I am sure there are several websites like it, but apple defects outlines a multitude of problems with Apple products.
In my mind Apple is slowly turning into crapple! bummer :(
Monday, July 17, 2006
post masters
so post masters life has begun already!!
On the weekend I bought a book - to read just for fun!! The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood - so far so good, and very well written!
I also picked up some new wool and have started knitting a scarf!! Old lady much?? Still its fun to make things for yourself!
Anyway - here is a pick of progress after day one.
Its great to do things, even boring things, and not feel guilty that I'm not studying! I would spend my weekends moping around procrastinating doing anything to avoid studying and now I can do what ever I want and not feel bad about it!!!
WOOHOO :)
On the weekend I bought a book - to read just for fun!! The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood - so far so good, and very well written!
I also picked up some new wool and have started knitting a scarf!! Old lady much?? Still its fun to make things for yourself!
Anyway - here is a pick of progress after day one.
Its great to do things, even boring things, and not feel guilty that I'm not studying! I would spend my weekends moping around procrastinating doing anything to avoid studying and now I can do what ever I want and not feel bad about it!!!
WOOHOO :)
Saturday, July 15, 2006
study
I think I have decided to chuck in my masters. DOH!
I’ve been at it now for just over a year, and looking back I’m not sure I remember enjoying any of it. My course is research only so I spend a lot of time on my own. I’m not really sure what I expected from my supervisor and in fact I’m not really sure what support a supervisor is supposed to provide. I didn’t meet with him very often and most meetings he was late or had to wrap it up early, he never really gave me feedback on any work I gave to him, except “yep this is good”. Even though I found my topic interesting, I was never really passionate about it so I guess I didn’t really put in much effort either.
After I finished university the first time I lived in London and I never really thought of pursuing psychology as a career – I just wanted to have fun and not be tied to my job. All care – no responsibility!
Then when it came time to start my post grad study I didn’t really give much thought to what I wanted to do – I had always wanted to study neuropsychology so I rocked up to the nearest neuropsychologist at Melbourne University and said where do I start. My first and fatal mistake!
I’m not saying I’ve giving up on further study altogether, at the right time and with the right subject I’m sure I’ll get back into it – political science is looking interesting, particularly environmental or maybe even health policy – although I definitely no politician!!
I’ve been at it now for just over a year, and looking back I’m not sure I remember enjoying any of it. My course is research only so I spend a lot of time on my own. I’m not really sure what I expected from my supervisor and in fact I’m not really sure what support a supervisor is supposed to provide. I didn’t meet with him very often and most meetings he was late or had to wrap it up early, he never really gave me feedback on any work I gave to him, except “yep this is good”. Even though I found my topic interesting, I was never really passionate about it so I guess I didn’t really put in much effort either.
After I finished university the first time I lived in London and I never really thought of pursuing psychology as a career – I just wanted to have fun and not be tied to my job. All care – no responsibility!
Then when it came time to start my post grad study I didn’t really give much thought to what I wanted to do – I had always wanted to study neuropsychology so I rocked up to the nearest neuropsychologist at Melbourne University and said where do I start. My first and fatal mistake!
I’m not saying I’ve giving up on further study altogether, at the right time and with the right subject I’m sure I’ll get back into it – political science is looking interesting, particularly environmental or maybe even health policy – although I definitely no politician!!
work
I’ve had a bit of turmoil at work recently. My boss has been “reassigned” and since I am a PA that has quite an impact on my job. Unfortunately, since this has all happened there has been plenty if activity on the grapevine and what I had managed to ignore for the most part now is front and centre in my mind. I’ve always thought of my boss as a real salesman, and I’ve certainly had the hard sell from him before, he seems to be able to talk his way out of or into anything and he knows all the buzzwords. But in general he has been really good to me and we have a pretty good working relationship.
On the down side I’ve often thought he was a bit of a slacker, he spends more time mucking around on the internet than I do, he never seems to take responsibility for anything, avoids confrontation like the plague, and takes advantage of all the perks of a business credit card.
Until now I’ve nicely managed to ignore all of this and turn a blind eye, however, ye olde grapevine has revealed many greater evils than extended lunches and suspiciously high mobile phone charges. Individually, any one of these things can be ignored, but when you put them all together it exposes a rather nasty person who is only out for himself. Now every time he opens his mouth I wonder how calculated his words are, I’m sure he only tells me what he thinks I want to hear or what will make him sound good. It becomes a problem when you can’t take your boss seriously any more.
On the down side I’ve often thought he was a bit of a slacker, he spends more time mucking around on the internet than I do, he never seems to take responsibility for anything, avoids confrontation like the plague, and takes advantage of all the perks of a business credit card.
Until now I’ve nicely managed to ignore all of this and turn a blind eye, however, ye olde grapevine has revealed many greater evils than extended lunches and suspiciously high mobile phone charges. Individually, any one of these things can be ignored, but when you put them all together it exposes a rather nasty person who is only out for himself. Now every time he opens his mouth I wonder how calculated his words are, I’m sure he only tells me what he thinks I want to hear or what will make him sound good. It becomes a problem when you can’t take your boss seriously any more.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
we're free
HOORAY!!
Earlier in the year Reid and I bought 10 movie vouchers from the Entertainment Book for Hoyts cinemas. Unfortunately, the only Hoyts we can get to without a major co-ordinated public transport effort, is at Melbourne Central and they only show the major Hollywood blockbusters/flops.
Anyways the vouchers expired at the end of June so we had a last minute scramble to use the last of them. Recently we have seen:
X-Men 3 - the last stand. Good, not as good as the first one, but pretty damn good special effects!
Cars - amazing special effects and a nice harmless story.
Over the Hedge - it was short so I didn't have time to get bored, nice harmless story.
Superman Returns - again, good special effects, nice harmless story. Superman is quite long and I was entertained throughout, I didn't think there were any low points of significant length to make me realise my bum was sore. I also thought they did really well building tension - I oood and arhhhed in all the right places.
Now of course Pirates of the Caribbean is out this Thursday so I guess its another Hollywood film up next - hopefully soon we'll see something a bit more arty!!
Earlier in the year Reid and I bought 10 movie vouchers from the Entertainment Book for Hoyts cinemas. Unfortunately, the only Hoyts we can get to without a major co-ordinated public transport effort, is at Melbourne Central and they only show the major Hollywood blockbusters/flops.
Anyways the vouchers expired at the end of June so we had a last minute scramble to use the last of them. Recently we have seen:
X-Men 3 - the last stand. Good, not as good as the first one, but pretty damn good special effects!
Cars - amazing special effects and a nice harmless story.
Over the Hedge - it was short so I didn't have time to get bored, nice harmless story.
Superman Returns - again, good special effects, nice harmless story. Superman is quite long and I was entertained throughout, I didn't think there were any low points of significant length to make me realise my bum was sore. I also thought they did really well building tension - I oood and arhhhed in all the right places.
Now of course Pirates of the Caribbean is out this Thursday so I guess its another Hollywood film up next - hopefully soon we'll see something a bit more arty!!
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