I'm about to go off blog for a bit.
Have a magical Christmas and see you on the other side...
(Pic credit: Petbucket.com)
Have a magical Christmas and see you on the other side...
(Pic credit: Petbucket.com)
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Interior Magazine
A couple of months ago, you may recall, I spent several hours chatting to a lovely architect who was responsible for waving the renovation wand over what has since become my new best friend, Loretta, a cafe at the top of Cuba Street (it's now my favourite spot for doing interviews).
The story has just been published in Interior Magazine's December issue (click here to read).
(Pic credit: Paul McCredie)
The story has just been published in Interior Magazine's December issue (click here to read).
(Pic credit: Paul McCredie)
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Percentages
Today was:
30% research for two 1500 word pieces that have to be written over the break
20% excitement at landing two new commissions with two new publications - go me!
10% further excitement at organising my first media trip of the year - this one is only to the South Island but has the makings of a great weekend (and, hopefully, a good wee yarn)
10% shunting of words around the screen
10% drafting of questions for two upcoming interviews
5% walking and coffeeing around the Bay with my mate Rachel and her woofer Peggy
5% wondering what the hell to have for dinner and if our visitor from San Francisco, who flies back in today, will notice that I haven't cleaned the house (epic fail in the house-keeping stakes this week)
5% refusing to go to Wednesday running group because the sky is furiously leaking
5% happy to be self employed so on days like this, when big fat raindrops snake down the windows, I'm cosy and dry at home .
On our way to meet Rachel and Peggy, a horrid Siamese type cat had a swipe at Bristol, which goes some way to explaining today's visual.
(Pic credit: Gemma Correll)
30% research for two 1500 word pieces that have to be written over the break
20% excitement at landing two new commissions with two new publications - go me!
10% further excitement at organising my first media trip of the year - this one is only to the South Island but has the makings of a great weekend (and, hopefully, a good wee yarn)
10% shunting of words around the screen
10% drafting of questions for two upcoming interviews
5% walking and coffeeing around the Bay with my mate Rachel and her woofer Peggy
5% wondering what the hell to have for dinner and if our visitor from San Francisco, who flies back in today, will notice that I haven't cleaned the house (epic fail in the house-keeping stakes this week)
5% refusing to go to Wednesday running group because the sky is furiously leaking
5% happy to be self employed so on days like this, when big fat raindrops snake down the windows, I'm cosy and dry at home .
On our way to meet Rachel and Peggy, a horrid Siamese type cat had a swipe at Bristol, which goes some way to explaining today's visual.
(Pic credit: Gemma Correll)
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
My Paddy Gower profile is in North & South Magazine
It took two interviews, a morning trailing around Parliament's inner sanctum and a race to deadline before I flew to Europe in November.
But my profile of Paddy Gower, TV3's Political Editor, is published in the January 2015 issue of North & South Magazine. And, just quietly, think it turned out okay (Paddy emailed yesterday to say he liked it too, so a huge exhale).
Click here to read.
But my profile of Paddy Gower, TV3's Political Editor, is published in the January 2015 issue of North & South Magazine. And, just quietly, think it turned out okay (Paddy emailed yesterday to say he liked it too, so a huge exhale).
Click here to read.
Friday, 12 December 2014
A good Friday
I am almost at the standard December tipping point where excitement at wrapping another year fades into dread at things that still have to be completed/have been pushed under the carpet of avoidance.
But today I managed to brush the tediousness to one side with a road trip to Whanganui for a national magazine with a photographer mate I haven't seen for years. In fact, aside from one small gig I commissioned him to do when I worked for some dreary government department ages ago, we calculated we last worked together 15 or so years ago! For,in fact, the same magazine that commissioned us today! Catching up was all kinds of lovely and we filled the five and a half hour round trip with much laughter, gossip and interesting conversation.
And the chap we interviewed, a man who overcame incredible hardships to stand in front of the UN and argue for the rights of disabled people, was one of the most interesting men I've ever met. He was also humble and kind and generous. It's not overstating the fact to say he glued another piece of my battered faith in human kind back into place.
The cherry atop the icing of this superb day was running into a well-known comedian in Bulls, of all places, where we stopped for lunch. She was there to MC a function and the photographer and I had a whale of a time catching up with her. Happy days...
Today's visual is, what else, but the river city, Whanganui (sorry, inspiration has left the building for its Christmas break).
But today I managed to brush the tediousness to one side with a road trip to Whanganui for a national magazine with a photographer mate I haven't seen for years. In fact, aside from one small gig I commissioned him to do when I worked for some dreary government department ages ago, we calculated we last worked together 15 or so years ago! For,in fact, the same magazine that commissioned us today! Catching up was all kinds of lovely and we filled the five and a half hour round trip with much laughter, gossip and interesting conversation.
And the chap we interviewed, a man who overcame incredible hardships to stand in front of the UN and argue for the rights of disabled people, was one of the most interesting men I've ever met. He was also humble and kind and generous. It's not overstating the fact to say he glued another piece of my battered faith in human kind back into place.
The cherry atop the icing of this superb day was running into a well-known comedian in Bulls, of all places, where we stopped for lunch. She was there to MC a function and the photographer and I had a whale of a time catching up with her. Happy days...
Today's visual is, what else, but the river city, Whanganui (sorry, inspiration has left the building for its Christmas break).
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Two years
ago to the day, we lost our wee angel, Molly.
She had gone to live with friends in San Francisco when we moved to the UK and two years ago today her vet discovered a tumour on her spleen and sent her quickly and quietly to doggie heaven with her American parents by her side (click here to read).
Not a day goes by when I don't think of Miss Molly and hope that she's having a lovely time in doggy heaven. Go well, sweet one.
She had gone to live with friends in San Francisco when we moved to the UK and two years ago today her vet discovered a tumour on her spleen and sent her quickly and quietly to doggie heaven with her American parents by her side (click here to read).
Not a day goes by when I don't think of Miss Molly and hope that she's having a lovely time in doggy heaven. Go well, sweet one.
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
We bought a bach!
The next key on my key-ring will be for this 70s slice of retro heaven at Waiterere Beach!
Regular readers will know a large chunk of this year has been swallowed by searching for a classic Kiwi bach and after much rolling of eyes and saying of bad words, we finally found it. We're hoping to settle as soon as the lawyers finish doing whatever it is lawyers do.
And yes, it does commit many, many abuses of the style/colour/taste bible, but it's nothing buckets of white paint and a bit of interiors caressing won't solve. The key, of course, is to wave the renovation wand in a way that liberates it from its 70s prison, but still retains the essence of a bach, where you can walk sand through the house and feel relaxed about it.
It's two streets away from the beach and we couldn't be more excited. There is much repetition of the happy dance in our household at the moment.
Regular readers will know a large chunk of this year has been swallowed by searching for a classic Kiwi bach and after much rolling of eyes and saying of bad words, we finally found it. We're hoping to settle as soon as the lawyers finish doing whatever it is lawyers do.
And yes, it does commit many, many abuses of the style/colour/taste bible, but it's nothing buckets of white paint and a bit of interiors caressing won't solve. The key, of course, is to wave the renovation wand in a way that liberates it from its 70s prison, but still retains the essence of a bach, where you can walk sand through the house and feel relaxed about it.
It's two streets away from the beach and we couldn't be more excited. There is much repetition of the happy dance in our household at the moment.
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