Everyone’s up in arms because the so-called ‘victim’ in this case was a 16 year old girl. Do you think he knew that?  Have you seen the average 16 year old girl out in town lately? Dressed up to the nines, with makeup and clothes to make them appear 18 so they can buy booze, could you pick the underagers with any certainty?  It’s not like they were in school uniform. And, I’m sorry, but this whole victim statement just gives me the shits.  ‘I had a lot of things go wrong in my life’ but had ‘turned a corner and things were looking better’.

Yes, that’s why at 16, you were out at 3am with your friends following drunk celebrities down an alleyway in town in Wellington. Things are gonna get a whole lot better for you living that kind of life. Get real. That’s a victim impact statement specifically designed to invoke sympathy if ever I heard one.

At 16, I was fairly naive, but even I knew that following any drunk guy down a dark alleyway at night and asking for a kiss is asking for trouble, no matter who he is.  Are you that stupid?  And hello? Parents? Your 16 year old kid is out at 3am, what the fuck are you thinking?

And yes, what he did was crude and probably revolting, but for heavens sake, chalk it up to bad decision making on your part, and a drunken mistake on his, and let him get on with his life. And get the hell on with your own. Go to school, go home at a decent hour in the weekends, and make something of your life. The choice is yours.

Unless of course the celeb was Jordan Luck. Then feel free to string him up by the balls. That guy is a Loser with a capital L ;-)

Though all I’m going to do tonight is have a whinge. I know, so unlike me. What I really want to do is swear – a lot, because I am seriously pissed off.  Last week I bought myself a couple of shiny new toys… a lovely MacBook Pro, and an iPod Touch.  So my dilemma was, how to connect to the internet on the laptop, because I have the iMac at home, so obviously the laptop is for taking out places. I checked out the Vodafone website and decided the way to go was a Wireless home and mobile broadband bundle with Vodafone, which was going to cost almost exactly the same as my current fixed package. It all looked and sounded great. So I popped into the Vodafone shop, talked it over with the very helpful shop assistants, and signed up.

Then I started to run into trouble.  I went out and bought myself a cheap USB mouse for the laptop. I would have gone wireless, but since I’ve spent way too much money this month already, decided on the cheaper option. Now, the MacBook Pro only has 2 USB ports, right next to each other. Which wouldn’t be an issue, except for the fact that Vodafone’s Vodem stick is too goddamn wide. Plug that baby in and ain’t nothing going to fit in the port next door. So I have a choice: connect to the net, or use the mouse. Just not at the same time.

Then, I decided I wanted to transfer some files from the iMac to the MacBook.  After a bit of research, I decided the fastest and easiest way to go would be a firewire cable. So, the iMac has a 400 port, the MacBook an 800 port. Can’t be that unusual surely, plenty of people must have one of each of these types of computers and want to transfer stuff. But do you think I can find one to buy anywhere?? Good one Christchurch.

Ok, these I can deal with.  I’ll just have to save up for a wireless mouse, or get myself a USB extension cable, that will sort the Vodem stick problem.  And I’m sure if I pop into MagnumMac they will be able to sort out a firewire cable for me – though it pisses me off I can’t buy one online from their website, cos I’m too lazy to drive into the city and they’re not open at hours that suit my work schedule.

But then yesterday, Vodafone switched on my home phone wireless, and disconnected my fixed line phone and broadband. I came home and set up the phone, and lo and behold, it all worked! Hooray! NOT. I discovered today that my ihug email address no longer exists.  Despite assurances from the Vodafone shop assistants that my email account would not be affected, apparently that information was all wrong. Apparently I can’t keep my ihug address without a fixed line account. So here I am, locked in now to a wireless plan for 24 months, and if I want my email address back, I have to sign up for a new fixed line on top of that. Yes, cos I can so afford that.

It took about an hour of being transferred between 3 departments and speaking to 5 different people at Vodafone, for them to impart that snippet of information to me.  One guy even assured me it would be no problem for me to transfer my email account to my wireless plan, then promptly transferred me to someone in another department in order to do so, who then told me he was completely wrong.  All I can say, Vodafone, is FAIL.

So tomorrow I have to take my wireless phone and the Vodem stick back to the shop who sold it to me, cancel my wireless plan, reinstate my fixed line, grovel so that I don’t have to pay the cancellation charges (though I really think they should be grovelling to me), and get my email address reinstated. Because EVERYTHING I do online uses that email address. I’m simply unprepared for losing it altogether.

Then, I have to find another way of connecting the laptop to mobile broadband while I’m out and about. Feel free to send suggestions. Just not to my non-existent email address at ihug.

So that’s my whinge for November. And to top it off, beach volleyball was cancelled for the 2nd week in a row, it’s fireworks tomorrow night and my dog will freak out, TV2 is playing yet another disaster mini-series straight after the last one, and I’m still fucking itching. Shite.

And now, we return to our normal, happy, upbeat and positive broadcasting. Pfffft, maybe tomorrow.

So, I’m going a little nuts here, cooped up inside. I’ve been sick since last Sunday, with bronchitis. Had Monday and Tuesday off work, dragged my butt in on Wednesday, and Thursday morning, but by 10.30am I’m sure everyone was sick of me coughing my lungs up all over the place (I’m sure they were all thinking SWINE FLU), and I was ready to collapse, so I took myself off back home to bed. The upside to this (and trust me, there needed to be one), was being able to listen to The Rock without interruptions, and enter any and all competitions. So I find myself now with two tickets to the Rock’s screening of Green Day’s Bullet in a Bible dvd at The Palms next Wednesday night. How good is that going to be on the big screen? Just can’t decide who to take with me. And even as I typed that, I had a sudden flash of inspiration. I wonder…

Right. One more dvd to watch before bed. Finally getting around to seeing Twilight. Hope it’s worth the wait.

August: I spent 6 days in Auckland. Which I previously thought of as a hell-hole but have had to revise my opinion somewhat. Thanks to my splendid host and tour guide, Kev, thanks buddy! On arriving at the airport, Kev picked me up and our first stop was for a coffee. It was very early in the morning, poor guy! We then drove to the top of Mt Eden for some photo opportunities of the city and harbour. Then it was off to Muriwai Beach and the gannet colony, and more pictures of stunning views on a beautiful day. After walking around the tracks for about an hour, we decided that was enough healthy exercise for the day, and took ourselves off to the Hellertau Brewery for some lunch and beer tasting. We had the coolest waiter, this goth looking dude (I’d have said emo if he hadn’t been so smiley) who was most helpful and friendly. By the time we left I had developed a wee crush as he reminded me of Adam Lambert. We had turkish bread with pesto and dips, tasted 5 different beers, then decided it would be rude to leave without attempting the wine tasting selection as well. As Kev was driving I ended up finishing most of it so by the time we got back to his house, I wasn’t feeling any pain. Favourite beer? The Stunt Woman Pilsner.

The following day I spent in our Auckland office, and the girls took me for lunch to Joy Bong Thai Restuarant on K’Road, which was delicious. Friday dawned wet and windy and kind of wild, we had coffee in Vulcan Lane, then Kev went off to work and left me to fend for myself in the big city. I did some window shopping in Queen Street then caught the 11am ferry to Devonport where I did some more window shopping and bought presents from Devonport Chocolates, then had myself a pub lunch at Angkor Cafe & Restaurant. Back on the city side, I embarked on a Harbour Cruise. It was a bumpy ride, and the captain announced we wouldn’t be going as far as Rangitoto as the seas were too rough. I was disappointed but there were a few green looking people who seemed relieved.

Later that evening I met up with Kev at the Northern Steamship Co. bar which was a great wee spot. Moving on from there we went to the Brew Bar where they were playing some great rock music, definitely my kind of place. Finished up the evening getting reasonably drunk at Danny Doolans Irish Bar, an exceptional hot dog from an outdoor vendor, and a taxi home.

Saturday we took a bus into town to pick up the car, had pancakes for brunch at Dutch Delight in Birkenhead, checked out the Albany Mega Centre where I shopped for nachos ingredients for our evening meal in the most well stocked New World I have ever seen. I scored a box of Shredded Wheat to take home, something I haven’t been able to find in ChCh for some time. Their range of international foods was extremely good! We then took a drive out to Browns Bay, then home for some relaxing time out. Watched Kev’s Green Day dvd, Bullet in a Bible, and started my new obsession.

Sunday saw us up bright and early and mountain biking in Woodhill Forest. Hard work for such an unfit me, but great fun!  A bit shocked that in Auckland they make you pay for that kind of activity that you can do in various places in and around Christchurch for free! Sunday night we had the best burgers ever from Burger Fuel in Takapuna, they definitely need a franchise like that down here! Delicious.

Monday I spent the day in town, had lunch and a gossip with the girls from the AA, another great Thai restuarant, then Kevin drove me to the airport for my flight home. I’d had a great time and was a little sad to be leaving, but comforted by the fact I was absconding with Kev’s Green Day dvd so it wasn’t all bad :)  All in all, Auckland wasn’t the big bad city I was expecting, and I’d have to say my preconceived ideas about the place were all wrong. But I’d still rather live in Christchurch, colder as it may be!

I will get around to adding photos to the gallery, be patient, I’ll get around to it when I can be arsed.

Part of the problem, is I have developed an obsession/infatuation with Green Day. As is often the case with me, I can like a band’s music on the radio but they don’t become one of my favourites until I have seen them live. Well, I haven’t really seen them live (yet), but after watching the Bullet in a Bible dvd, it has changed my life. It takes 3 things for me to count a band as one of my favourites: excellent music & lyrics, obviously, exceptional live performances, and charismatic band members, particularly the front man. Of course, Green Day have that in spades. For about the first month after getting home from Auckland, I pretty near watched that dvd every day, I was completely addicted.  I had no time for anything else. I stopped watching my favourite tv shows, stopped reading books, stopped blogging and messing about on the net, all to have more time to watch the dvd.  I’ve weaned myself slightly now of course, because work kept getting in the way, but went out and bought the new cd, 21st Century Breakdown, and now I’m hopelessly in love with that too. It goes with me everywhere on the iPod, in the car, walking at lunchtimes….  Next step is to collect all the back catalogue of course.  And the concert. They play at Vector Arena in December. As time went by I realised that nothing was going to stop me from going. I found someone to sell me a ticket to the sold out Saturday concert, and booked my flights, and I am there! This is going to be the highlight of my year.

In other rock news, the Rock’s Legal Tender Tour came to Christchurch Town Hall on Friday night just gone.  I arrived just in time for Luger Boa to take the stage. Don’t know much of their music other than what has played on the radio, but they were a decent enough live act. They were followed by Airbourne. Now, I haven’t been much of an Airbourne fan up to now, but that was one hell of a good performance, and who am I to argue in the face of public opinion? They were a hard act to follow, especially for the Living End, who, to be perfectly frank, were shit.  They haven’t yet perfected their live sound, all you could hear was the screeching of guitar and bass and although I know a fair bit of their music I only recognised a couple of songs, and that was because of the beat – I couldn’t even hear the singing. They toured with Green Day, and I think they were trying too hard to be Green Day. The lead singer wore clothes in Billie Joe’s style, and was trying without much success to pull off the eyeliner. Only he looked like he had a full face of makeup, which was all shiny and sliding off his face as he sweated under the lights. He actually looked plastic. Not a good look man. Get your own style.

Shihad followed on last, and my only real whinge about the concert would be they weren’t on stage for nearly long enough. How do you fit so many awesome Shihad songs into about 3/4 of an hour? Answer: you don’t.  Not nearly enough. Still…they performed, we bounced and sang and screamed along, loved every short minute of it, and were somewhat disappointed when they never played Home Again, not even in the encore.  However, I was extremely happy to hear You Again from Killjoy, it was the first time I’d heard them play it live in all their concerts that I’ve been too, about time!

Took Mum to the Speights Ale House in Ferrymead for dinner and to watch the Tua/Cameron fight last night. Turned into a fun evening when bumped into the young sexy Brad (with girlfriend in tow – awkward much?), and they joined our table – always a good night when there’s someone gorgeous to flirt with. Such a naughty boy, that one. Made a bet on the outcome with him, and lost.  So I’m buying him lunch on Thursday. What a damn shame.

Having a quiet day at home today, the weather has turned to custard and think I will hole up and watch some more Spooks dvds ahead of a busy week, starting with a Bailey kids dinner tomorrow night, the start of beach volleyball on Tuesday, and lets not forget lunch with Brad on Thursday ;-)

Right after I clean out the spare room, of course. Yeah, right.

• A nice block of land somewhere near the beach with no neighbours too close by, and this house. Though the pink bedroom has to go.
• Flights and tickets to Green Day’s American Idiot stage show.

That’s it really. I don’t want much.

And yes, a big blog update to come soon, truly. The flatmate has been hogging the computer. Ok, that’s a lie, but I needed an excuse.

And can I just say for the record, that was a fine choice of names. Far better than Rolton Arrdey Carrdey Foicharly Mooh Bailey.

S. Awesome thanks Kama – What would I do without you? I think I might write you a song.

K. Go on then. What would it be about?

S. It’s a work in progress but it would cover areas like – Orana Park, Crusaders, Donkeys, 2 Part NCR Books, The Weather, Prescription Drugs…..

*snort*

No, it’s J-Dogg’s turn to be famous. A somewhat brief article in the Sunday Herald on “pet dating” which is apparently a phenomenen sweeping the world. Apparently. He didn’t get his picture in the paper, or at least I don’t think so, as I’ve only seen the online verson. Such a shame, as his mug shot is truly handsome. But they did quote his advert.

Off to Auckland on Wednesday. Have to work a day while I’m up there, but we are going out for a Thai lunch so it won’t be all bad, plus lunch with the AA girls on Monday at which there will certainly be wine. It’s going to be very nice to get away from my noisy neighbours for a few days, and Jack will enjoy staying with Diesel. Though I will miss him, and am also looking forward to the welcome home party I’ve been promised ;-)

And since there’s only 2 sleeps to go, I’d best be off to google Auckland touristy stuff, so I at least have some kind of plan of what I want to do there besides walk up One Tree Hill and the Sky Tower.

As for me, I’m now 37. How did that happen?  My boy Ed was so excited Monday morning, that he woke me up at 4am to wish me happy birthday. I didn’t manage to get back to sleep properly, so got up with a headache, but luckily that cleared. Must have been all the end of month reports I was doing at work (yeah right). Rosa baked me an amazing coffee cake, I’m going to miss that girl when she leaves town! Actually, it was probably the cake that cleared my headache… I then had a lovely birthday dinner at my folks, an awesome lasagne cooked by my brother Matt, and sticky date pudding for dessert. And was thoroughly spoilt by the family, with Spooks Season 3 & 4 on DVD, and a ticket to the Rock’s Legal Tender tour, headlined by none other than my favourite band, Shihad, with Airbourne, Luger Boa and the Living End. And I hear the Rock are making a further announcement about the tour tomorrow, I’m guessing that means a 5th act – rock!