Year of the Kiwi

 

Summer in Wellington is awesome. There’s no other way of putting it.

 

These billboards annoyed me at first because I didn’t know
what the Sevens were. And well… they look annoying.

 

 

Floating spheres make anything look futuristic.

 

 

The Te Papa lit up at night.

 

 

It’s been a blast so far working at the Dog & Bone. It’s weird how I vowed never
to work in food service again after my days at Friendly’s… and here I am… working
in food service again. I guess it’s different when you’re not catering to screaming kids,
hordes of teenagers, and old people who think a quarter is a decent tip. Actually,
I don’t receive any tips at all… It’s not part of New Zealand culture to tip. It’s bad
because I make less money, but it’s good because I don’t have to be nice to people.

 

 

What the hell’s going on??? I eventually learned that the Sevens is a rugby event
hosted in 8 cities around the world… Wellington being one of them. For some reason,
it’s turned into a massive costume party for the city as well. The lengths people went
with their costumes was unbelievable.

 

 

These were the more tame costumes… where people covered themselves up. Usually
people tried to see how much skin they could get away with. Supposedly it was so bad
last year that they had a dress code at the stadium this year and violators will be banned
for two years.

 

 

Unfortunately I had to work during the Sevens. Then again, it would
have been impossible to get tickets anyway… so working at a pub on
the way to the stadium where people were staggering in drunk by
lunchtime was just as fun.

 

 

Clear that counter… I need a place to put the dishes!

 

 

That’s a poster of Chef Don… his bark is worse than his bite. He and the general
manager are from the States as well. So it’s Americans running an English Pub
in New Zealand… now that’s authentic for ya’!

 

 

Some drunk dude during Seven’s night who overheard that it was my birthday and
insisted on buying me a drink. I had to decline, but he managed to track down the
general manager and the owner of the pub. Before I knew it, he was behind the bar
pouring me a guinness and people were taking pictures of us. Probably in a bunch of
random facebook photos now.

 

 

On a sunny Sunday, Dan and I headed out of Wellington for the first time since coming here.
That’s nearly 2 months for him. That’s what happens when you don’t have a car. Wowsers!

 

 

 

 

Dan’s birthday present. The best present of all… FOOD!!!

 

 

 

 

In New Zealand, a car needs to have an up-to-date WOF, or Warrant of Fitness.
The WOF for my car was due for renewal and everything looked good except that
one tire had very thin treads (they spell it tyre here). I brought it to the tyre shop
expecting to get the one replaced for less than $100… I ended up getting all 4 tyres
replaced for $500… long story (either he was a really good salesman and I’m
a sucker, or those three other tires really had to go and I’m a sucker). Either way,
I’m a sucker riding on 4 gorgeous brand new Goodyear Ducaro tires. Funny thing
is that Dan here just bought his own car for the same price… $500.

 

 

Mission accomplished. My car passed its WOF with flying colors.

 

 

 

 

We all assumed the windows were frosted glass like the ones to the left… until
I discovered otherwise.

 

 

That’s Mika, one of the kitchen workers. I was rooting for his Samoan team during
the 7’s, but had to root for NZ when they clashed in the finals. NZ sports fan for life now.

 

 

It’s weird working at a place where people hang out, so it’s not so lame hanging

out after work.

 

 

Mayank, Sam, and Kiritea… some of my awesome co-workers at the pub.

 

 

One of the chefs. She’s always feeding me random creations.

 

 

There are soooo many free music events here. A walk back to the car after work is

almost certain to be interrupted by something entertaining.

 

 

Very strange clouds loom over Wellington.

 

 

Luckily they didn’t bring rain during the cricket game. ODI Blackcaps vs. England.
Holy crap!!! I’m such a cricket fan now!!! It’s like baseball with a lot more hits.
I was watching a game at work the other night that lasted for 6 hours.
It ended in

a tie after both teams played 50 overs… 340-340… a tie… after 6 hours!!!

 

 

One of the striking differences between cricket and baseball (besides
the absence of strikes), is that the bowler (pitcher) runs before bowling
(throwing without bending the arm) the ball.

 

 

The batting technique in cricket is way different from baseball. It’s more
like a deflection than a full powered swing.

 

 

My good mate, Rich. He’s a sports fanatic!

 

 

Chinese New Year parade on Courtnenay Place.

 

 

Major deja vu of the Wushu Center!

 

 

Random me picture.

 

 

When Dave and I were job hunting over a month ago, I interviewed at a hospitality

temping agency. Occasionally I get work that fills my days off from Dog & Bone.
One day I worked at the Te Papa cafe. It was hardly work because the entire day
was spent playing "name the US states and capitals" (she was a US geography nut

and was enthralled that I could quiz her on stuff like that… I know, it’s nerdy… but it

did make 6 hours go by in a flash.

 

 

Me "working"

 

 

A view looking down at the Beehive courtesy of…

 

 

Working at the cafe on the top floor of the treasury building. Niwa didn’t have much
work for me to do so I gave her a sparkling clean oven. In return, she let me raid the
food cabinet.

 

 

When I’m not working, I’m refining my poker skills. Pub poker when I get a chance
on my evenings off. Internet poker otherwise. Can you believe that flop???

 

 

In about a month I’ll probably be heading to the South Island across the Cook Straight.
You can see it in the distance from the hills of Wellington.

 

 

A local cricket match being played at the Basin Reserve, a very old and historic cricket pitch.

 

 

Not exactly the quality and excitement of an international test match, 20/20, or ODI,
but relaxing way to spend the afternoon nonetheless.

 

 

Students here dress in very drab uniforms. February is back to school season after
the summer holiday. What???

 

 

Poker night at The Feathers before the players arrive.

 

 

A skateboarding competition down at the skate park. Dave should’ve been down
here to win himself $10,000.

 

 

 

 

What’s going on? Why are all these people on the street? It’s Round the Bays, Wellington’s
annual fun run… though I was lazy and did a fun walk instead.

 

 

Fun for people all shapes and sizes. I know… it’s mean.

 

 

These people chose not to run or walk.

 

 

People who weren’t running before are running now.

 

 

Skydivers beware.

 

 

The "championchip" tracks the participant’s place.
I had a time of 1:04 which is funny because that’s about
the time it took for me to run the quarter marathon in
Auckland which was only 3km more.

 

 

So good after such a grueling exercise.

 

 

That afternoon, a massive luxury cruise liner was docked in Wellington. This isn’t it.

 

 

For some reason, a bunch of boat tours and cruises were free

admission. I’m on the Hikitea, some old crane boat.

 

 

Why… doesn’t… it… WORK!!!

 

 

 

 

A street performer working hard to draw a crowd.

 

 

A public art piece.

 

 

 

 

How do you get in your flat when you lose your keys? Throw rocks at the windows
until someone lets you in!