Not Too Shabby

For some months now, I have been pouring over Google images, watching videos and reading blogs about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It's the latest, greatest thing for decorators renovating old furniture to achieve the 'shabby chic' look. It has only been recently available in New Zealand, and strangely there are only three distributors in the whole country - in Rangiora, Cromwell and, fortunately, Raumati. Last week, I finally made it to Fenwick Vintages in Raumati.

The people there couldn't have been more friendly and helpful, and I was able to pick up all the supplies and 'tips of the trade' that I required to make a start. Since then I have been eagerly anticipating my holiday project. At this point I must add a word of caution. I am not advocating the painting of everything wooden. It is a sin to paint over oak, rimu or kauri. 

But I have no love of pine, and that is what my kitchen dresser is made of. I do like its shape, and it fits perfectly in my wee kitchen, holding the crockery and other bits and pieces. Given the age of the house, a 'shabby chic' makeover seemed appropriate. And there is one colour that it had to be.

Or more precisely, quarter duck egg blue. And so today the transformation began. 

Waiting for the paint to dry, before sanding and waxing.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is brilliant because it will cover any surface, so there is no preparation before slapping it on. You don't need to be too flash with a paint brush (which I have never been) because the actual finish is achieved with the sandpaper, then brought to life with the wax. I'm very pleased with the result. It looks much better in the kitchen now. And so thoughts turn to the next project ...

December Doings

It's been a busy month, so a wee recap is in order. There has been a major reconciliation with an old friend. I have mentioned in earlier posts that I decided to move on from a longstanding relationship, and it had been many months since our paths had crossed. A mutual friend was calling in and as I was in her car it seemed churlish not to say hello. In the spirit of Christmas, we have decided to put our differences aside and I do have to admit that though Stickman's ridiculous new covered carpark is a monstrosity, it is refreshingly cool on a hot Petone afternoon. He also had some agreeably priced Dilmah teabags, so I said I might call in again now and then.

Up close and personal with Stickman.

Although it is still a week out from the big day, I have done a fair bit of 'Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus' celebrating already, including Leonard Cohen's show last Wednesday night. 

Sublime.

He was every bit as magnificent as expected, and to have again had the privilege of hearing him sing Hallelujah is already my Christmas highlight. Amazing performance from start to finish. I hope I have his energy at seventy-nine.

Invention of the millenium.

Secret Santa really came through for me this year. No more cleaning out the compost bench top bucket for me. Biodegradable liners - the world has been waiting for these. It really is the little things in life that make the difference.

Usually a morning trip to The Lighthouse ensures me a theatre pretty much to myself, but when I arrived for Philomena it was as if I had stumbled into the Petone Grey Power AGM. Those gold card holders must have a bit of a reputation for raucous behaviour because we were reminded not just to turn off our cellphones but to also refrain from chatting during the movie. I did wonder for a while whether they intended to follow the second direction, but eventually we all settled down to a cracker of a movie. I read the book a couple of years ago so was familiar with the basic facts, but this didn't detract in the least from my enjoyment of this poignant story. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan were brilliant. See it.

And finally, a plea to all those supermarket and mall shoppers out there. It's getting busy. You can do it in the lethal killing machine we call a car. Exercise the same control over your feet. Maintain a safe following distance, keep a steady safe speed, no sudden movements and check behind before you turn - and please restrain those kiddies!

Two Gifts

I like Steve Coogan, and I particularly love him as Alan Partridge. This is an absolute cracker of a movie - a Christmas cracker if you like. Take a break and see this. It is seriously funny. Before it started there were the shorts for another Steve Coogan movie - Philomena - which also looks good, though a more serious underlying (true) story. I will look forward to that opening - I'm building a nice wee list of holiday movies.

I saw this one a couple of weeks ago, and it was a good watch, but I think the real clamour will begin once it is released on DVD. Every secondary school history teacher will be booking the AV room for a few periods and ticking off 'American Civil Rights Movement' in their workplan. NCEA candidates will be able to precis the key ideas, add an attractive border and 'presto' a few more precious credits will be earned. It will be the gift that just keeps on giving.

Brief Ponderings

The year is coming to a close, but the busyness is at its peak as the school year races to its conclusion. My thoughts are consumed with end of year records and reporting, and the choreography and costuming of the nativity. In the midst of it all a few thoughts still emerge . . .

I try to avoid sports as much as is possible, but some knowledge of our national teams does filter through. Clearly the suggestion is preposterous that New Zealand cricket players could be involved in match fixing. Match fixing involves changing the reasonable expectation of how a match will unfold. From what I can gather, for New Zealanders to change the expected outcome, they would have to 'fix' the game so New Zealand could win. Where New Zealand cricket has been concerned, for at least the last decade, winning has not been a significant feature. Or has the team been consistently throwing every match for pecuniary advantage, whilst the New Zealand public wring their hands in abject misery?

It was reported here in the Dominion Post last weekend that Petone was the 'fashionable and hip' suburb in Lower Hutt. This would apparently be reflected in the new rating valuations due in the following week. My previous rating valuation was already over-inflated, so I wasn't surprised when the new capital value had remained the same when I received it this week. What I'd love to know is why, on July the first, my land will magically be worth $45,000 more and my house $45,000 less. 

Why are telegraph cucumbers always wrapped in plastic? Why are regular onions unpeeled, but red onions always peeled? And who unpeeled them, and did they wash their hands?

Do I have unexplored powers of prophesy? Lately I get a strong feeling that the number of eftpos transactions in any given second on a day, sometime soon, will be a leading news story. In a month or so I predict the media will report on the high cost of school uniforms. I can see ahead a shimmering February day when the topic of talkback will be the pros and cons of moving the school holidays to coincide with the hottest part of summer. Spooky!

But most important of all - how can anyone not love Christmas? I love the Christmas cards. I love hearing and singing Christmas carols. I love Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. I love being a party to the excitement of children as they enjoy the Christmas season and look forward to Christmas Day. I love the Christmas story. So any Grinches out there - I don't want to know! Don't tell me how much you dislike Christmas, and I'll refrain from telling you how annoying I find you. And in the meantime - here's Bob ...