Monthly Archives: February 2016

02.28.16
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Diary of a Shore Thing #1

Well, tonight marks the start of a new cohabitation. I’m now a Shore dweller. (North Shore of Auckland for those who love abroad).

In my limited experience, I’ve always found the North Shore to be different. Certainly different from the city fringe that I’ve enjoyed for the last seven years. And generally views with suspicion from Howick and further afield – Palmerston North for example.

And then there’s the micro-climates of the Takapuna, Belmont, Devonport strip, compared with Birkenhead and surrounds, and then Albany is whole different beast altogether.

Moving today was hard on several levels, but mostly physical. I can’t walk at the moment, and then there was the highly inconvenient heat exhaustion that caught me about 3pm. I was fairly useless for the next 90minutes whilst rehydrating and eating.

But I’ve made it. It’ll be interesting to see how my chameleonic nature blends me in. Who knows, I may actually grow to love this place.

02.24.16
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Thoughts: Yet Another Life Changing Event

Over the last year or so there have been a number of events in my life requiring my attention and dedication to get through. Nothing earth-shattering but generally a bit distracting and frustrating.

Over the last month or so, I’ve been reflecting on my existence and considering the things that impact me (both positively and negatively) that I can control and the things that impact me that I can’t control. I’ve also considered the things I don’t actually care about, and the things I shouldn’t care about.

It has been quite the cathartic process.

All that being said, as a result of all this navel-gazing, this coming weekend is my last in my extraordinarily expensive apartment in Grey Lynn. I have mixed feelings as I love apartment dwelling and this one has been fun,  but it’s time. I’m moving in with the significant other. This is a fairly big thing for me as I’ve been stoically independent for the last seven years. I love my space and solitude as much as I love company. *deep breath*

My main concern was the impact this would have on my kids. They’re still being brought up in the ways of the Lord by their mother and their school and their church, and they’ll know that Dad doesn’t subscribe to a lot of the imposed morality of their environment. I am very conscious of making sure they never feel like visitors or that they’ve been replaced.

Of secondary concern is that I’m moving to Belmont. BELMONT. I’m going to have to become a Shore Boy. There are some aspects of the Shore that I like: Tunnels in hills for example. Beaches are OK I guess. I like Takapuna. I am dreading being a regular on Lake Rd – that abomination of tarmac that connects Esmonde Rd to Devonport. But I’ll get used to it I suppose.

I will miss my locals – Freida Margolis, The Gypsy Tea Room et al – but I will make my presence felt on Hurstmere Rd and surrounds I’m sure.

I am looking forward to making use of the Devonport Ferry on a semi-regular basis. A definite bonus.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

02.22.16
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Thoughts: Protest

I’m a fan of protest. I think we live in a fairly benign country and are a race of people that are pretty relaxed.

So when we get agitated, things get real.

However. We don’t protest well these days. Back when the Springboks were here in the apartheid era (1981? Was it?) I remember my normally passive family members putting passivity aside and protesting. It was a strange and scary thing.

The anti-TPP protest in Auckland? Silly. Many didn’t know what they were protesting about or for. Some did, for sure, but I suspect they were in the minority. Blocking motorways and disrupting the lives of fellow citizens, to my mind, is somewhat counterproductive.

Throwing a dildo at Joyce? Achieved nothing. She shouldn’t have gotten away with it in my opinion. Kind of a dick move.

But what has inspired this post is the dumping of muck on Gerry Brownlee at a remembrance service. I’m outraged at this. It’s disgraceful. Friends of mine died on that day. It’s disrespectful and again, counterproductive.

I get that people are aggrieved with the current government. I get that the rebuild isn’t going as quickly as some think it should be (my expectation is that it’s a 20 year project actually). If you’re going to protest, and you have an absolute right to, make sure you think through the outcomes properly. You want the masses on your side. Dumb shit like this just pisses people off.

02.19.16
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Thoughts: Small Business Trials

I’ve been a bit quiet on the whole blogging thing in recent times as I’ve had a bit on my mind.

I have my own wee business and I work diligently and sometimes, just sometimes, I even work hard.

Last year I put a lot of effort into one particular client over a six month period, on the promise (and signed agreement) of commissions. And I succeeded, earning $30k. However, towards the end of last year it became apparent that they didn’t want to pay up. Mainly because they couldn’t. It’s one thing to earn an income, it’s quite another to receive it.

Phone calls have been unanswered. Emails not responded to. And it is ongoing.

It has been so frustrating as I’d budgeted for the arrival of at least some of the money before Christmas. It didn’t. Christmas was therefore lean.

I’ve had to put this situation into a silo because focusing on it would bring a lot of negativity, anger and bitterness into my world, which I simply don’t want. Being able to pick up new work with awesome people has softened the blow somewhat but I’ve been on the back foot. And I don’t like it.

I guess in life you meet some people who show their true colours aren’t as good as they should be. It’s a shame that it’s usually in times of pressure when you can least afford the emotional energy.

So, I’m planning my next steps. Survival has been achieved. I’ve made some fairly substantial changes in my life that will make things a little easier and quite possible a little funner (it’s a word!!!). Now it’s time to plant my feet and toughen up. You can do that with good people in your corner (Thanks KT).

Will I ever receive what I’m owed? Hard to say. It’s reached the point where I’ll have to hand things over to the experts.

Why oh why do people renege on agreements? And stop communicating when things get tight? Such a stupid course of action. Not at all helpful.