Being treated like a king

Last night was a wee treat, nettie took us out to At Tony's a

"Teppanyaki style restaurant with a huge variety of menu styles to pick from"

Map Here
Nettie had on her wonderful new shoes, and we both had a fabulous night of protein and of course some fab Pegasus Bay Reisling to wash it all down. I particularly enjoyed the Salmon, but the Beef was really tender too. Of course the company was the best thing, and the treat of being out on a date. We'll bring some of the lids one day too, they'll enjoy the dinner and a show I'm sure.

Tags:

• Food
• Treasure

Venus Finally Trines at Midnight

Venus Finally Trines at Midnight,
originally uploaded by ninefish.

It arrived today, after a long correspondence with Ed Mondazzi at Discount New Age Books !

This was going to get here before Christmas in time for Nettie's Birthday, but somewhere between Ed's big warehouse and our little whare the postal gremlins grasped it and never gave it back.


Ed tried real hard to find where it had gone, to no avail. Eventually, at his cost he replaced the book and airmailed it to us. Thanks Ed. It's very reassuring to buy over the internet and have the issues solved without any hassle whatsoever.

Tags:

• Treasure
• Nettie

Thanks Katie

IMG_0406.JPG,
originally uploaded by ninefish.

Katie made this box of decorated shells for us after our walk on the beach last sunday

Tags:

• Treasure
• Kids
• Beach

on purpose

Yesterday was Baden Powell's birthday. As usual I was at the District Founder's Day event







at Burwood Park.

Doug Nelmes (at right in the picture here)






read the following out to the assembled hordes. I noted the relevance of the message in today's world as well as when B-P said it nearly 70 years ago.

B-P's Last message to scouts: "Dear Scouts,

if you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.

Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.

I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live happy and to die happy (stick to your Scout promise always) even after you have ceased to be a boy, and God help you to do it.

Your Friend
Baden-Powell"

Forget the male focus [it's a function of the era and thoughts of B-P] and add your own view on a deity, but the rest is good advice and worth a smile, and that's why it's here :-)

Tags:

• Scouting
• Purpose

New Horizons

The possibility that I am employable and have something to offer. A conduit to clients, experience, life skills, insight in addition to creativity and software knowledge.

{a raft of interest in my applications}

Tags:

• work

weekend Sun and Fun

Finally a quiet moment, snatched from the maw.
Read a book in the hammock, shared the beach with the girls
watching Eurythmic's Videos eating Rolos and of course pizza friday
falling asleep after saturday dinner: falefel and home made tortillas

15 minutes of fame

Darling Nettie, whose dress featured in the Ashburton Guardian last month. She's a clever girl, can't wait to see what the artist does with the blank canvas [dress]

See why it's there at all below

Nettie turns heads in Ashburton
Art and fashion make the perfect pair, and lovers of the two are in for a real treat when they combine again to form an exhibition and fundraising venture at the Ashburton Art Gallery.
“Signify – A Fashion/Art Collaboration” is a new exhibition celebrating the relationship between New Zealand’s fashion and fine art sectors.
A selection of fashion designers have been asked to contribute to the exhibition by donating a white or pale coloured garment which will then be painted by a New Zealand artist."

how beautiful is this? how ugly is this?

This isn't really something that makes me smile, but what could be done to change it makes me beam from ear to ear.

I always wanted to change the world, just not quite like this though.

Click image below to view video in a pop up window

How have we changed the planet? See for yourself.

the original site is here: Worldchanging Campaign

I haven't any spare money right now to contribute, you may have. Either way, I'd like us all to think just how much we affect those around us with our actions; as people, as businesses, as families, as communities.

Pass it on,

Glad I'm not in NYC today

Pictures of Snow in NYC "We are having a blizzard here in NYC today."

I'll be there one day soon, but today it's snowing there and it looks darn cold, we complain about the winters in Christchurch but I think winter in NY will seem even more cold than the UK used to be for me.

A big kayak, but worth it

Split Apple Rock,
originally uploaded by ninefish.

Split apple rock, Kaiteriteri.
Nettie took this from the water taxi, but I kayaked over here, the local Kayak hire warned us off trying to do it, but of course I didn't listen and nosed the kayak between the two halves which were almost submerged by the time I got there after a kayak of about 1.5Km

Tags:

• Beach
• Fun

phew!

Realising that Fun with Dick and Jane is not a blue print for my next job