Memoirs of a Volunteer - 19/3/09

Well, with weeks trotting by, one thought one should finally get ones arse into gear. After some celebrating being another year greater (not better).
The birthday was possibly the soberest this millennia, although I did allow myself a few Speights over the weekend, during at house party at our manor. An enjoyable evening spent floor sliding, chopsing and meeting people, judging at the "female housemate cakermaker contest", having another Speights, and witnessing first hand the social experiment that is "Hipster". With tight jeans, make-up and meticulously messy hair these mammals were flighty beasts, but once familiarised, a most interesting quarry. And no-one got thrown off the deck.
For details of the "female housemate cakermaker contest" - click on the photo of the notes.

So, birthday season mainly comprised a couple days of eating curry and mountain biking around the local vicinity (was it mentioned it's fair hilly?). I had also volunteered some time at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/. Pretty swell place this, if you like the outdoors, and native NZ birds that appear to regard themselves as mammals. I also spent several hours wielding a machete at the NZ bush, all in the name of ecology it would seem, to clear paths on the sanctuary.

Still meeting lots of good people who are very supportive following our change of scene. On the odd occasion however, it feels almost certain that in giving directions, certain people may be inclined to mislead. On purpose. This may also be a paranoia.
Fortunately assistance is on hand from maps for navigating, the corkscrew hills into surrounding valleys.

Em's teaching going well, although she has developed a (literally not metaphorical) pain in the neck, and is currently unable to ambiturn. Don't think this is linked to the floor sliding, or the drink habit, but may have something to do with the headlocks. Along with the first contact training of the rugby season, there are now pains in two necks. Physio.....

Today some paid work was actually achieved, weeding, pruning and tidying in the gardens of the wealthy of Wellington. Should soon have our first travel tokens in the piggy bank of excursion, and an idea of what, where and who to go and see.

It appears the comments are now ticketyboo, so let us know how ye be?.