Conversations From NZ

Crikey, bit of a wild winters day here in the Garden City. About 11am I took a drive upto the tv transmitter tower on the Port Hills, man it was very cold, very windy (a couple of times I had to duck down to stop being blown over) but there was pretty good views over Chch and Diamond Harbour. Very lucky to have missed the storm and heavy snow 2 hrs later too.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Court Theatre- Arsenic and Old Lace

July 2nd 2008 09:02

Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops!"

Mortimer Brewster is familiar with the dark side of life - after all, he is a drama critic. But when he learns that his beloved maiden aunts are practicing murderers his Brooklyn household is transformed from genteel eccentricity into full-blown lunacy. This classic Broadway hit is one of the best madcap, screwball comedies ever.

Don't miss the play that created "black comedy" as Mortimer Brewster discovers his Aunts are more than just a little odd and the skeletons in his family's closet (or should that be bodies in the window-seat) may cause difficulty with his recent engagement to the local pastor's daughter...

Based on the 1944 movie and with the same plot : Mortimer Brewster stops off in Brooklyn to visit his two favourite aunts Abby and Martha and tell them that he has just gotten married. But he discovers the dotty old dears have been feeding their boarders poisoned elderberry wine, desiring only to make them happy in death, and have then convinced their mad brother who imagines he is Teddy Roosevelt to bury the thirteen bodies in the cellar. The situation becomes even crazier when Mortimer’s long lost brother Jonathan, who is on the Ten Most Wanted List, also turns up. (net sourced)

The play, I enjoyed it as its not often I go to watch live theatre, so its always a treat to go. The sets were impressive and the acting was just great with each actor playing their part with gusto. From the mad brother, to the dotty aunts, to the Boris Karloff look alike brother, everyone played the role well. The script is was well written with some funny gags thrown in. A most enjoyable way to pass an hour or so.

kiwiauthor rating 7/10

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

2002 Suzuki GS 1200SS Six MonthTest

June 28th 2008 05:02

It's been about 6 months since I bought the Suky and how has it been? Well at first I found the riding position for my height a bit cramped, with the result of making my knees and wrists ache. But over time and the more I have got used to it, gradually found the position better to ride with. Due to the style and size of the bike, I have found that it prefers the more open sweeping roads rather than the tight twisty stuff although that could be partially down to the rider also.

So far I haven't had to spend too much money on it other than regular servicing, oil consumption isn't too bad either although I always check the level before heading out. Back tyre is holding up well but will need a new one before next WOF, this I expect to be around the $300 mark. Handling isn't too bad, I would prefer sharper brakes and the absence of a centre stand is a real pain at times.

The fairing isn't the best looking in the world, but when it rains, it does protect you some what and also protection from wind blast is good for my height but this is partially due to the riding postion. Overall the GS1200SS looks are you either hate it or love it, myself its not too bad, the belly pan and single seat help enhance the look but against Yam R1s etc, it does look dated.

But then again these bikes tend to be a bit cheaper to buy so you can get a lot of bike for the money if you shop around. Fuel economy, I would guess around 250-280kms on a full tank around town maybe, depends on how you ride it.

Overall not a bad bike, no major problems have shown up as yet and planning a long weekend away once the better weather arrives so will be good to see how it copes with that. It sort of grows on you as wasn't sure about the looks, handling etc when I got it, but now its mine and I've had it a while, I've grown to like the bike, so guess I will keep it longer now.

kiwiauthor rating 6.5/10, plus, costs to buy, more basic engine design, minus looks like a Suzuki parts bin refugee.

Japanese home market colours

Blue colour scheme is just so cool!

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Christchurch Weather Eye

June 22nd 2008 09:19

In the space of a week, we have had a huge change in the weather, ranging from a lovely sunny weekend to a coulpe of days of cold freezing fog to another cold weather front ranging across the whole of NZ.

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

An Evening of Ceroc Dance- Back To School Party, Christchurch Sat 14 June 2008

June 14th 2008 21:42

Ceroc (from the French- C'est le Rock) developed in France from the jive that the GI's taught the French during WW2. Ceroc is derived from many other dances including Salsa, Jive, Swing, Lindy Hop, and Rock and Roll, the main change being simplified footwork which makes it more accessible to beginners.[citation needed] The footwork and hand patterns are similar to Merengue, but with the inclusion of outward turns, multiple turns and dips.

It is danced to music with 4 beats to the bar (4/4 or Common time). It can be danced to most types of popular music from the past several decades, from classic music of the 1940s to the latest chart hits. Music is typically between 108 and 160 bpm. Experienced jivers occasionally dance to music outside those broad constraints

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Christchurch Sunrise

June 14th 2008 21:16

With the shortest day fast approaching, we have been lucky so far with some nice mild weather and this weekend was no exception. On Friday I was at work earlier and just had to get these pics of the sunrise.

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Fine Art Photography, Canvas Editions

June 8th 2008 05:19

Now available, your favourite fine art photography on canvas, each image is individually numbered and still part of the original number of limited editions released

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Kiwi Author - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Wetlands Sunset, Christchurch, NZ

June 8th 2008 05:02

I was sitting at home on Fri night when looking out the window, I saw a stunning sunset, so grabbing my camera I wondered where to go? The beach dunes would be good but it would take too long to get there, so I decided upon heading to the Travis Wetlands which are just around the corner from me.