Don't you love birthdays? yeah, well maybe if you didnt have about 25 of them in one month. What is it about August, oh yes that's right...must have been a wet November. So to speak. (Blush, I am really the shy and bashful type).

Have just got home from celebrating a mates 49th birthday (say it fast and it doesn't hurt). What fun. Our rugby team won (Canterbury beat Wellington 43-21 for those in the know) and it hasn't rained for about 6 hours. Fun indeed.

Thought I would show off a bit of Christchurch...the pic on the left is of a sculpture in our town square, the other I took during the Chinese lantern festival earlier this year...the punter just snuck outta the shadows (Soprano style) as I took the picture. My photographer mate tells me I could have added the Monet effects after the pic had been taken except it was there "au naturelle". Lucky me, or as my Engrish teacher would say "You lazy" (yep, she mitta bin Chinese). Anyway, am going to take the gals swimming tomorrow, its the best way I know how to get an hours uninterrupted reading. And I have been to the library and got 3 books out. I am going to read myself into a stupor for the next few weeks. Starting with Mil Millington's "Love and other near death experiences".

Don McLean, thats what I'm listening too. Flashback Friday and I wasn't able to find the photo I wanted for that. So, the PC savvy computer kid in my house found this graphic instead. Wish I was 12 again. Which reminds me, what age would YOU be if you didn't know how old you were?

By the way, do check out my old neighbours website (link on the right) NAKED ART. They are very clever people and I really miss being next door to them, and popping in for a coffee but ending up with a wine (well, I didn't like to be rude). The business got too big so off they went.
Also, since I am in an indulgent mood my old mate Chris the photographer gets an honourable mention. You are an inspiration to me and my wee camera, Chris old bean!!

Phew, there is somebody out there (thanks - you know who you are!).
Yes, the ol' "ex" thing has occupied my time lately. Am surprised how much so. Then I decided its a waste of energy. The what ifs don't matter and THEN I had the horrid thought that I may have just grown up. Afterall.
As Dr Suess says
" You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any
direction you choose"

So, there we have it. I'm off and away and who knows where I'll stop. My grateful thanks to Pixie ( and you really must check out her review of King Lear) and my dear friend Cinders for listening to me prattle and wail. Turns out it was about me after all! Who knew! I owe you more wine than I'm sure we could drink (altho' I'm certain we would give it a fair shake).

This photo is taken from the main road through Dobson (West Coast, South Island, NZ) - it shows a wind named "The Barber" (obvious if you have the misfortune to be outside in it, very cutting); I love it. Mix it with that coal dust odour and the sunshine and I'm sure there would be a great cocktail in the making.

By the way, I know I am new at this but geez...I really feel like I am talking to myself. Is this the way it is? Am I really boring? I can talk about what its like to have my best friend get it on with my ex...would that get you talking to me?? Honestly, that would be great, cos she ain't talking to me...hey, he's MY ex..she knew that, right? And I am soooo over it....

When I wake up in the morning, my "baby" will be years old.

She is so excited I have almost forgetten how sick I was 10 years ago, how scared I was that we would both die, that maybe her dad wouldn't get to us both in time. Thank gawd for modern times eh?

We all made it.

Am listening to Bob Dylan, his "Modern Times" album and its stirrin stuff. Maybe "gulping" stuff but I have cheap red wine and one shouldnt gulp that!!

I have returned from the 'naki. Went toHawera and had a peek at the meat processing plant here plus the HUGE Fonterra dairy plant. the scariest thing was climbing the Water Tower. Honestly, I really thought that I had got over my "thing" about heights. No. I do have pix of me clinging to the Towers' innards but they ain't for publication. get your thrills elsewhere. I am sure I don't look that terified anyway. No. I don't. Not at all.

Next week.....

Rain rain go away, there's enough on my lawn today!!

Yesterday I took my camera out for a stroll. I found the sculpture made from remnants of the Twin Towers, it is on display near the Fire Station house. I really liked the shapes of the nails.

Oh, and the sun has just come out. Hooray!!