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June 2002
Germany 8 - Saudi Arabia 0; Ireland 1 - Cameroon 1
Awoke at Lauren's, feeling a little worse for wear. We went to Radial for breakfast, and then Lauren dropped me back at the Local so I could collect my car.
When I got home I attempted to have a bit of a nap and didn't exactly succeed. No matter. I checked my email and when John got home from his excursions we watched some TV. Caught half-time of the Super-12 final (I didn't even realise they were at that stage of the season - shows how out of touch I am), and then we watched State And Main.
State And Main was a really good film; a very dry humour throughout. After the movie we watched the Ireland vs. Cameroon World Cup match. That was also a great piece of entertainment.
After the game, which was a 1-1 draw, I had myself a shower. I had spent much of the afternoon pondering what I'm going to make for dinner tomorrow night. I had invited Sarah and Alice over because I decided earlier in the week I wanted to make something interesting for Sunday Night TV. I still don't know what that "something interesting" is yet. Oh well...
Much of the day was spent watching movies. I ended up watching Executive Decision and then the end of Wall Street before heading out to see Star Wars: Episode II with Lauren.
I enjoyed Episode II. I got from it pretty much what I was expecting. It was very (and I mean VERY) CGI-enhanced. I'm sure the probably filmed 90% of the film on any empty sound stage and then just added CGI backgrops. But entertaining it was.
After the movie, Lauren came back to my place and we played Mexicans for a while. John arrived home and joined in. Lauren left around 3ish, and I turned on the TV to catch the Argentina - Nigeria game. I must have fallen asleep during the game because I woke up and something completely different was on.
Argentina 1 - Nigeria 0; Paraguay 2 - South Africa 2; England 1 - Sweden 1
Got up and showered. Tumbled my laundry. Recorded a few more CDs. Checked the World Cup news. Uploaded photos and movies from Tuesday night from the camera to the computer. Did some tidying. Changed the sheets. Paid bills. Planned dinner.
Went to the Farmer's Market with Lauren to buy ingredients for me feast. The menu:
- Orange Roughy, poached in white wine with a salsa verdi accompaniment
- Rice pilaf with pine nuts
- Spinach and cheese phyllo roll
- Mushroom and cheese phyllo roll
Well, it wasn't a 100% success, but everyone said they liked at least some part of it, and several (including me) went back for seconds, so it obviously wasn't a complete failure, either.
The crowd consisted of: John, Lea, Sarah, Alice, and Lauren. We watched the season finale of Six Feet Under, and then watched State And Main. All very fun and ejnoyable and then everyone went home. A nice, pleasant day.
This morning's weather report: "It's currently 74 (23C) at 7:45am and we can expect a high of 91-95 (33-35C)." When I got home at 7:10, Weather.Com had the temperature at 92F (33C) but feeling like 97 (36C). I think it's probably closer to 40C here in the computer/music/play room. It's going to be a warm summer, I think.
Work consisted of meetings, email catchup, training session (led by yours truly), meeting, email catchup, conference call, start writing up training session. And now I'm home to do more work on the training session write-up. But that's okay.
Woohoo! I'm such a geek - I have three computers up and working at the moment. One is ripping CDs; one has work documentation going on; and the last is keeping me up to date on things going on in the world. Exciting, eh?
PS As at 8pm Eastern US time (midday NZT) my webcam is running live.
Woohoo!! Bald!!
Recording CDs onto MDs for the trip. Prepping more CDs.
There was no such thing as 9 June 2002 for me.
The plane landed at 4:25am, and I was waiting for the others in the concourse by 4:40am. John and Amy appeared a little after 5am and we made our way to immigration (which I sped through and the others had to queue for) and then baggage collection and customs.
We waited for a little while for my Dad to arrive (our flights were quite early) and then we headed over to my mum's place. When we got to mum's, Chelsea had her head out of her bedroom window, waiting for our arrival, so she pulled on some clothes and came over. Over the course of the morning, we were visited by Chelsea, Jason, Wendy II, Celise, Ross, Kees. Somehow, I ended up cooking breakfast for Amy, John, Ross, and myself. Eggs, toast, and bacon (well, no bacon for Amy). Tasty.
It was my first time meeting young Kees, who was born in March of last year. He's a fun little kid.
Allergies started to play up for John and I. The cat was outside, but that didn't help.
After showers and cleanings and so forth, Dad took Amy, John, and I over to his place, where we were to be staying for the next few nights.
Dad has a cat, too, so we started to get a little nervous about our ability to stay there. We aimed to give it a go, but first we decided to spend some time in Takapuna, where we were deposited by Dad.
We wandered down to Takapuna Beach and I called Brent. We was working and we arranged for me to come up and meet him at 1pm for lunch.
Belinda and Brent for lunch at The Sin Bin.
Spent the afternoon there. Caught up with Paul Hough. Played pool and drank beer.
Paul dropped us back at my mum's place where we had a big family dinner.
John and Amy had some medicine to fight the effect of the cat. I did, too, but we were all falling asleep at the same time, so Celise eventually ran us back to Dad's.
Sleep was not particularly good, so we decided to get a hotel for the next few nights. I called Celise to see if she could sort something out, and she said she'd get back to me.
After breakfast, we wandered up the road to the bus stop and caught the bus into town. I wasn't sure which side of the road the city bus stopped on so we tried both sides. When the rain arrived, we were forced to the side with the shelter, which, fortunately enough, was the correct side. Woohoo!!
Once in town, we wandered down Queen Street for a little bit and then back up a little. I left John and Amy at a cafe on Vulcan Lane while I went off to find the US Consulate, so I could sort out my visa.
Well, I quickly discovered that the Consulate had moved since I had received an address for it. So on the phone again, calling Celise to look it up in the phone book. New address in hand, I headed back to the others and we headed down to Customs Street.
Next problem - they had increased the fee for processing the visa request, so I had to go to the Post Office to pay and get a receipt. New problem: they don't take credit cards for this transaction so I have to find an ATM to get the cash. Finally, with 10 minutes left before the consulate closes its visa windows, everything is submitted. I am now sans passport for a few days.
Meeting up again with Amy and John, we continue our trek up Queen Street, buying souvenirs and CDs. I gave Hamish a call and he was able to meet for lunch at The Queens Head Tavern. Excellent news!
Lunch at Queens Head.
Real Groovy Records
Deposit US$2000
Sky Tower
Bus to Highbury to meet Celise
Celise delivered us to the new hotel in Takapuna, The Spencer on Byron, where she had acquired for us a very nice suite with a view of Rangitoto.
Went to catch a bus, ended up catching a cab into town. Dinner from Yeeros, then another cab to Parnell, to Martin's place.
Caught up with Uncle Martin, Philby, Mike, Shona, Paul Markham, Nick Westgate.
Drank much beer. Watched some soccer. Caught a cab back to Takapuna
Got caught up in a load of work. Ended up spending the bulk of the morning dealing with phone calls and emails.
Bianca came over in the afternoon and we all headed over to the War Memorial Museum.
Bianca as tour guide. Picked up an extra person.
Lunch. Tooth got loose.
Finished museum. Bianca dropped us back at hotel to freshen up.
Had a couple of drinks, played Scrabble.
Bianca returned, went to dinner at Palace of India, then back to Bianca's place to see Kumanan and hang out. Then home to bed.
Tooth fell out. I woke up, took it out of my mouth and put it to one side.
More work in the morning.
Another day in Takapuna. Stopped in at dentist across the road to make appointment. Had another walk along the beach. Met mum for a funds transfer. Then dentist.
Ate leftover curry and then John and I went for NZ food - sausage rolls and meat pies and L&P. Good stuff.
Met Brent at the Sin Bin for drinks and soccer. Later we were joined by other locals.
Later went to the English pub on the corner of the road and drank more and watched more football. Late night...
Up for more work...
Caught the bus into town. Had breakfast at the Empire Tavern. Then picked up the rental car and went for a drive.
Took John and Amy to Mount Eden. Got several photos. John went right into the crater (I was too lazy to join him) and acquired a rock for Crazy Girl.
Went to Eden Park.
Returned to the North Shore. Drove up along the East Coast Bays. Picked up some KFC and then back to the hotel to munch out.
Caught the bus into town to meet up with the crew at the Occidental.
After the Occi, Brent, Martin, Damian, Nick, Wendy, Belinda, John, Amy and I went over to the Voodoo Lounge. I have no idea when we got home.
Up and off on the road trip south.
Breakfast in Ponsonby
Highway 1 south
Highway 2 south
Matamata
Big Cow
Rotorua. Smell. Lunch. Pools
Mud pools. John drives.
Wairaki. Taupo. Motor lodge. Spa Bath.
Rugby game. Power out. Drinks and Scrabble by candle light.
Q-bar. Maori vs Wallabies. Bar into club. Soccer.
Late night feed. Egg burger and chips with gravy.
Breakfast. Huka Falls. Craters of the Moon.
Highway 1 south. Desert Road. Central Plateau. Mountains.
Waiouru. Bulls. Wellington. Apollo Motel.
Hans and Steve at Duxton.
Shed Five. Ceviche and Tuna. Whitebait. Salmon. Tuna.
Molly Malones. Football. Back to hotel.
Out early and picked up Hans and Steve. Breakfast at Lido.
Drive to Masterton. Hans asleep.
Work all day.
Check in and then dinner at Sellar. Fillet Mignon.
Breakfast tasty.
Work all day.
Dinner in Greytown. Steak again.
Work all day.
Fish and chips (and hot dog for me) for dinner with Brad (Tarakihi and hoki). Washed down with Old Dark.
Up to the Slug and Lettuce to meet up with Dominic, Kate, John. Then to Stellar. Saw Lance, Bev's son.
Final day at work. Left around 2:30 to collect John and Amy from train station. Drove by my old flat then north on State Highway 2.
Stopped in Eketahuna for a bite to eat.
Drove Pahiatua track to Palmerston North.
Turned off SH1 at Waiouru and stopped in Ohakune for the night at the Powderhorn. Dinner. Beers.
Breakfast in Ohakune, then up to Highway 3 and off up to Hamilton.
Got room at Old Imperial Hotel
Arranged to meet Brent and Belinda at Muddy Farmer, then dinner at Caravan Serai at 8:45 organised by Bianca.
Watched first half of England vs Brazil at Muddy Farmer then walked up the Sky City to watch the second half. Then up to Caravan Serai for dinner.
Kumanan, Bianca, Martin. Damian (briefly). Food very tasty
Then to Players to watch the US vs Germany game and drink more beer. Left at half time. John stayed out until 4am with Martin.
Woke up. Took car back to Hertz and walked back to the hotel. Checked out and picked up by mum and Barry.
Went to St Lukes and then Warehouse. Up One Tree Hill for a looksy and then met Dad and Bernice for brunch at Circus Circus in Mt Eden.
After brunch went to airport via Foodtown. John and Amy checked in, but I couldn't until 6pm. So we all went upstairs to the bar to hang out until boarding for John and Amy.
Dad, Wendy, Chelsea, Celise, Kees, Mum, Barry, Bianca.
Saw John and Amy to customs and then checked in my stuff. My upgrade was still not guaranteed. Very pissed off. Not flying Air New Zealand again.
Did some last minute shopping with Bianca and my dad and then back to the bar. Then a McD's mission with Bianca and back upstairs.
Finally time to go. Got to gate and they decided to give me my upgrade. Still not flying them again if I can help it. I did actually get to sit in the upstairs cabin of the 747, though, which was neat.
Watched The Time Machine. Ate food.
Slept for about five or six hours in a reasonable manner.
Watched the second half of Ausin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and had breakfast. Watched bits and pieces of other movies.
Was let off the plane first due to being in Business class. Through immigration very quickly, and likewise through customs.
Walked around the airport to the Delta terminal and found that I was in good time to catch the 3:15 flight to Atlanta, if I had been booked on it. Alas, since my baggage was checked through I could not catch the earlier flight and spent the next 7 or so hours in the Crown Room.
My flight to Atlanta eventually came round and I jumped on it. Very tired. Slept for the first 45 minutes or so of the flight but then couldn't get back to sleep.
Happy birthday Steve "Gesture" Johnson
The plane landed around 5:30am.
I picked up my bag and headed for the taxi stand. A cab was waiting and he got me home for $28. I only had two $20, so I asked for $5 in change (a $7 tip is good enough) and he only had two $1 bills. I got gyped. Not impressed. And then I realised that I had forgotten to get a receipt. Damnit. Double-whammied. In any case, I was home and in bed by 7am.
I awoke around 1pm and had a much-needed shower. I started laundry and updating my CD list and Lauren called to see if I was interested in brunch. I was, so after an abortive attempt at Flying Biscuit, we ate at Radial. Hmmm..... Radial....
I awoke around 7am and didn't feel too shabby after a pretty solid night's sleep. The shower, however, was less than supportive - very little cold water was making it out the top, so the cleansing process was rather hot. Bother. Nevertheless, ablutions were completed and off to work I headed a little before 8am.
Work was at the level to be expected the first day back after a two-week absence. I survived most of the day, but around 3pm I started to flag. At 6pm, it was time to leave to avoid falling asleep driving home.
Once home I got online, continued ripping CDs, emailed a "happy birthday" to my littlest sister, and got to work on updating the journal thing...
Okay, so I didn't get a lot of detail up there yet, nor any photos, but I did get the basics and I did clean up my email folders so they are no longer full of crap (well, my main inboxes, anyway). I'll do photos and stuff tomorrow night; right now I need something to eat.
Went to Local for dinner. Met up with Clair, Pete, and a recent acquaintance of theirs, Brooke. Entertaining evening. Brooke had spent the last two years in Alaska.
Steve has bought a house and closes on it on Friday. Party to follow soon after.
Busy day at work.
After work was trivia (of course), for which the team was me, John, George, Jenny and Jenny (previously referred to as Crazy Girl, although seeing how she is reading this journal these days, it's probably not polite to refer to her as such, even though it does have the potential to make it confusing as to which Jenny I might be talking about). We nailed the first round, with a perfect score at the end of the half-time bonus question. A very impressive 35 points. Unfortunately, at the end of the second round, prior to the final question, we had merely transposed the digits, having scored only an additionl 18 points. Needless to say, we did not place.
We did stay on for drinks though. Much later that we had planned. Ugh. At about 1:30am we dropped the Jenny (formerly and not henceforth known as Crazy Girl) home and came home ourselves (that being John and I).
Getting out of bed was very difficult this morning. So difficult, in fact, that it took until after 9am to do it. I did manage to get a fair amount of stuff done at work today, although it was accomplished slowly.
After work I stopped by Kinkos to get some documents bound and came home to change. I had planned on stopping down at Home Depot but it's currently *;20 and it is seeming less likely with each minute. I have, however, sorted my mail, paid some bills, ordered a small (300W) two plug inverter, updated my pictures page and finally emptied the last of the bags from my trip. Not a total waste of time, and besides, it's now thundering and lightninging and raining. Joy!
I did eventually head out to Home Depot and picked up a 14.4V cordless drill and a set of drill bits and screwdriver bits for it. I also picked up some screwdrivers, pliers and an extension cord. Building the toolkit! Then I came home and played Civ III for the first time in about three weeks. Yippee. I might not be winning my game, but I want to see it through.
Interesting article I was linked to today, regarding the Pledge of Allegiance.
Long and busy day at work. I had to postpone my trip to DC until the following week, which did not impress the account manager I was supposed to be working with. Oh well.
Dinner with Sarah and Alice and John at The Earl.
Picked up Lauren and went to the Local.
Crashed over at Lauren's, after falling asleep trying to watch Titus.
Came home. Tidied up. Shaved head. Played CivIII.
Watched Final Fantasy and Shrek on HBO.
Drinking.
Found out that Jenny's brother, Stewart was at DEMF.
World Cup Final
Good crowd came over. Brazil 2-0 Germany.
Some sleep
Breakfast and drinking at Andy's.
Pride parade
Back to nap