At the Dowse

Saw two good exhibitions today - 'Spectrum' and 'Knitted and Knotted'. I don't just go there to drink wine on a Friday - I do the cultural bit, too!

Adele

I'm not usually aware of any current music or artists, but I'm glad I stumbled upon Adele. Great song and voice.

Lighthouse Cinema

The Lighthouse is a Petone gem, and I managed to fit in two movies yesterday. I highly recommend Bill Cunningham. He is a darling of a man, and his story and outlook on life and work is brilliant. I do enjoy a good doco. Not sure what I think of Incendies. Not a setting or political situation I fully understand, will have to research. Same sort of reaction I had to The Constant Gardener.

Ginger Nemesis

For Batman it was The Joker, for Lady Di it was Camilla and for Millie it's Jack from next door. He has a way of appearing and staring, but Millie sensibly put him in his place while he was still a kitten, so for now he keeps a respectful distance. But what are his evil plans ..... ?

Sunny Saturday

That calls for brunch, with friends, in one of Petone's fine cafes.

Two Sleep-Ins Ahead

Even when you love your job, which I do, the prospect of the weekend is a delight!

Ah, that looks better!

Each morning I walk through the civic centre of Lower Hutt, enjoying the gardens, stream, trees and ducks. It has been a puzzle to me as to why the fountain in the 'Fountain Garden' has been empty of any water. I glumly assumed it must be some health and safety over-reaction, but no! This morning, an unexpected delight - pool full and fountain playing beautifully.

Flying Home

I'm such a regular customer, as I 'snapper on and snapper off' the Valley Flyer buses home, I'm getting to know which drivers are on which routes at which times. How lucky to have three routes that can get me home - there's always one bus or another ready when I am. For the first time ever, I really appreciate ratepayer subsidised travel!

Pondering, Pondering

Millie does her fair share of pondering, too.

How can one catch a tasty seagull for dinner?

Spring is in the Air

There is definitely a spring feel all around. The mornings are light at 7:15 as I walk off to school. The evenings are lengthening. Daffodil Day is at the end of the week. Spring is just around the corner - hooray!

The Beginning of the End?

Just saw the sports news. I admit I know little and care nothing about rugby, but wouldn't right now be the time the All Blacks ought to start a habit of winning games? I know it's selfish, but the endless analysis and gloom when they lose these world cups is getting a little repetitive to even the uninterested.

This should do nicely, thanks!

How Irritating #1 MasterChef Past and Present

This is how it would be said in normal conversation:

"I pulled my sponge out of the oven and it looked a bit burnt. I felt a little disappointed, but worse was to come when I slipped on a banana skin and the cake sailed out of my hands and landed on the judge's head."

This is how they feel compelled to say it:

"I'm pulling the sponge out of the oven and it looks a bit burnt. I'm feeling disappointed and worse is to come. I slip on a banana skin and the cake sails out of my hands and lands on the judge's head."

Why is everything that has happened previously reported in the present tense?

Give me a good "Come Dine With Me" omnibus any day!

Addiction - I just can't help myself ....

Addiction is an insidious thing. It's there, available but you'd never bother - who needs it? Then a friend says " Try it - it will be fun." So you figure, why not - just to keep her happy. It's great, but who really needs it? Then a while later, you're a little stressed, so why not another try - just this once. Quite good, but not too often. And so it builds up, until you can't imagine NOT using the dishwasher every time. I should have known - this is how it was with the clothes dryer, and now I haven't used a clothesline in years!

Short but Snappy - with Snow!

It took a long time to arrive, but what a spectacular winter we have had - and all conveniently condensed into three days of beauty. Given these are hardly
likely to be bettered, I suggest we move straight on into spring.