#817 ... Highbury

The suburb of Highbury on the southern side of the city ... 10 minutes from the CBD ... you get views of the city from here ... and YES you can reach it by bus ... if you don't mind the twisty roller coaster ride.

Note the Roger Walker design orange house on the hillside and the wind turbine (white) on the righthand skyline. This is a demonstraion turbine and about a third of the size of the wind farm being built further over the hills to the right ... in Makara

#816 ... Spring maybe??

This lone spring flower appears every spring on the edge of our driveway ... despite the brutal treatment through the rest of the year by the lawnmower !!! ... even though it was sunny yesterday when I took this photo ... today is bucketting down with rain ... so let's believe that spring really is on the way.

And another reason is that I have just finished a skype call to Cora in Germany ... which was absolutely awesome to catch up with one of our German students ... Cora lived with us in 2006 ... so another event to celebrate with a bright spring flower !!!

#815 ...#opengovt BarCamp

The opengovt BarCamp happened this weeked in Wellington. here are some participants learning about the OLPC initiative (one laptop per child)... amazing devices

The New Zealand Open Government Bar Camp is an "unconference" for people who are interested in making government-held data more freely available for others to re-use. An "unconference" is an alternative participant-driven event, that avoids aspects of a conventional conference, such as high fees and sponsored presentations.

Web 2.0 developments have shown the potential of combining data from different sources made freely available on the Internet. The government holds a huge range of non-personal data which could form the basis of innovative services and applications by others on the Internet.

A BarCamp is an international network of user generated conferences — open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants. The first BarCamps focused on early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies, social protocols, and open data formats. The format has also been used for a variety of other topics, including public transit, health care, and political organizing.

History
The name "BarCamp" is a playful allusion to the event's origins, with reference to the hacker slang term, foobar: BarCamp arose as a spin-off of Foo Camp, an annual invitation-only participant driven conference hosted by open source publishing luminary Tim O'Reilly.

The first BarCamp was held in Palo Alto, California, from August 19-21, 2005, in the offices of Socialtext. It was organized in less than one week, from concept to event, with 200 attendees. Since then, BarCamps have been held in over 350 cities around the world, in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australasia and Asia. To mark the one-year anniversary of BarCamp, BarCampEarth was held in multiple locations world wide on August 25-27, 2006. The second-year anniversary of BarCamp, BarCampBlock was held in Palo Alto at the original location, but also over a three block radius on August 18-19, 2007, and was attended by over 800 people.

Following the similar lines of success, the first ever BarCamp Shimla, India was held on the June 28, 2009 as a Voice of Himachal initiativeHimVani which mainly focused on the taking up of Entrepreneurship as a profession among the various young professionals of the state.

#814 ... The Green Men

The other day it was the "orange" men on walkabout ... well today it's the turn of the "green" men to show a bit of collective colour. Taking time out for a coffee and a smoke at Pigeon Park, manners Street ... looking east along Courtenay Place ... the Opera House is to the left (out of shot)

#813 ... Council

The Wellington City Council administration offices on Victoria Street ... behind the winter trees ... to the left of this light tan building is the Wellington Public Library .. and to the right behind the fron cyclist is Lido Cafe .. one of Wellington's well known foody places

#812 ... Harbour Edge

from the left around the wharf edge .. Shed 5 Restaurant & Bar, The Loaded Hog Bar, the award winning Meridian building and on the right hand side the NZ Post building ... and look at that still water ... YES it does happen in Wellington!!

#811 ... Shopping Trolley

These students have probably been to the Salvation Army 2nd hand store at the lower end of Taranaki Street ... and here they are heading home, up Taranaki Street with their "new" old couch ... many hands make light work !!!

#810 ... School House

Victoria University's School of Architecture, in Vivian Street ... across the road from a couple of "strip clubs" !!! is housed in the Wellington city centre in a building which has itself won a national architectural award - a former freight depot (for the former iteration of Air New Zealand)that has been refurbished and opened up, with a large slice taken out of its centre, to fill the building with the clear New Zealand sunlight.

At Victoria students can also undertake a three year Bachelor of Building Science, or a four year Bachelor of Design taught in conjunction with the Wellington Polytechnic. Areas of research expertise include energy and environmental design of buildings; building performance and evaluation; building economics, management and regulations; interior architecture and design; and culture, history and theory in architecture. Much of the School's current sponsored research is carried out through its Centre for Building Performance Research, and the School benefits from its situation in the national capital through the ability to liaise with the head offices and research centres of many major institutions.

Victoria University School of Architecture facilities.

#809 ... iPod Rugby

This family were heading up the concouse to the Westpac Stadium for a night of rugby ... the Wellington Lions vs the Auckland Blues .. and YES we won ... just ... bu 1 point!! The young boy here was taking part in the dress up event for the night .. an innovative ipod costume displaying a rugby player on the screen .. they all look happy .. and that's before the game!!

#808 ... Jam Cafe

Jam Cafe in the western end of manners Street ... another friendlu hole in the wall coffee & snack stop ... these guys ... John & Joseph .. and of course... Brigette on the early morning shift are friendly and welcoming ... so call past, grab a coffee, some conversation and maybe a fresh muffin ... welcome to the city Jam Cafe

#807 ... One Sharp

Lunchtime theatre is having a trial season at the Southern Cross Pub ... I went along at 1pm sharp, to a 45 min short play written and acted by Asher and Tansey ... $15 for soup, toast and live theatre ... Asher and Tansy graduated last year from the Toi Whakaari: The NZ Drama School. Yet another colourful and rewarding aspect of this little capital city somewhere in the South Pacific!!

Te oroko hanganga o nga mahi toi.
We are a place of creation.

We celebrate collaboration and innovation.

We embrace the talents of designers, directors, technicians, actors, managers, costumiers, playwrights, film makers, dramaturges and scholars. We encourage collaboration among disciplines. We promote new and exciting work.

Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School is New Zealand’s foremost training establishment for the dramatic arts. Toi Whakaari’s vision is to lead in the training of actors, directors, technicians and designers in performing arts – nationally and internationally. In particular Toi Whakaari’s aim is to ignite the creativity in each student and provide them with the skills of their craft to effectively tell the stories of Aotearoa and beyond.

Drawing upon a wealth of expertise and collaborative talent, we use a process of skills development, provocation, reflection and analysis to encompass a structured, interdisciplinary approach to the work of making theatre. We are the pre-eminent theatre and screen training facility in Oceania.

#806 ... Hey Ho

Hey ho ... it's off to work we go !! The Hawkins Construction team heading across the city to the Telecom building site ... looking very smart in their corporate gear.

#805 ... Taco To Go

New vibrant Mexican mobile food outlet - Saturdays at Riverbank Carpark in Lower Hutt & Sundays at Harbourside Market next to TePapa. Owner is Helena Coolen, good food & great customer service.

Photo courtesy of nzrumi

#804 ... City Survey

Bottom end of Cuba Street ... confirming that everything is still in the same place and we are all on the level!!

#803 ... Willis Street

Looking south up Willis Street ... Chews Lane to the left and the new telecom building to the right (under construction) ... Brooklyn Hill in the far distance

#802 ... Painted Walls

All from the same length of wall ... a car park in Vivian Street.

#801 ... The Wireless Generation

Spotted in a T-shirt boutique in Cuba Mall ... a new suit for the new "apple" generation ... maybe too many apples !!!

#800 ... World Wellington

Martin Bosley stands proudly in front of his temporary tent restaurant in Midland Park

It's not often you get something for nothing but some Wellingtonians have been lucky enough to be treated to a free lunch, in style. Diners in the city's Midland Park tucked into a surprise gourmet three course meal, wine included, in a makeshift restaurant. It was all the generous idea of one of the capital's top chefs, Martin Bosley.

He says he wanted to treat people who couldn't afford a menu including salmon fillet in citrus butter with caviar, pork cheek and eel with baby carrots, and a mint and cream dessert covered in rice crispies. Bosley also put on free dinners on Thursday night.

Martin is a well known supporter of many things Wellington ... thanks for continuing to colour our city

#799 ... NOT WELLINGTON 3

This is the last of the NOT WELLINGTON series and depicts the "haggis" ceremony at Carmo and David's wedding ... and despite what people may think ... the haggis was very tasty ... and there was none left over !!! This is the reciting of the "Address to a Haggis" before serving.

Haggis is a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.

Haggis somewhat resembles stuffed intestines (pig intestines otherwise known as chitterlings), sausages and savoury puddings of which it is among the largest types. As the 2001 English edition of the Larousse Gastronomique puts it, "Although its description is not immediately appealing, haggis has an excellent nutty texture and delicious savoury flavour".

The haggis is a traditional Scottish dish memorialised as the national dish of Scotland by Robert Burns' poem "Address to a Haggis" in 1787. Haggis is traditionally served with "neeps and tatties" (Scots: swede, yellow turnip or rutabaga and potatoes, boiled and mashed separately) and a "dram" (i.e. a glass of Scotch whisky), especially as the main course of a Burns supper. However it is also often eaten with other accompaniments, or served with a whisky-based sauce

Recitation of the poem Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns is an important part of the Burns supper.Haggis is traditionally served with the Burns supper on the week of January 25, when Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, is commemorated. He wrote the poem Address to a Haggis, which starts "Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!" During Burns's lifetime haggis was a popular dish for the poor, as it was very cheap, being made from leftover, otherwise thrown away, parts of a sheep (the most common livestock in Scotland), yet nourishing.

Haggis is widely available in supermarkets in Scotland and other parts of the world all the year round, with cheaper brands normally packed in artificial casings, rather than stomachs, just as cheaper brands of sausages are no longer stuffed into animal intestines. Sometimes haggis is sold in tins, which can simply be microwaved or oven-baked. Some supermarket haggis is largely made from pig, rather than sheep, offal.

#798 ... Oriental Iceberg

The Iceberg in Oriental Bay ... YEAH RIGHT

A fake 'iceberg' in Wellington's Oriental Bay yesterday was made by special effects wizards Weta for a climate change stunt. The object, which appears to be made of polystyrene or a similar material, is between the Carter Fountain and the Overseas Passenger Terminal. A plaque visible on the 'iceberg' reads: "Press anonymous 2009".

A group of self-described anonymous artists claimed responsibility for the 'iceberg' via email. "We are not affiliated with any formal group."We're just people who care, people who have children. This is an appeal to every New Zealander who sees this artwork to stand up and take action. It's time to really do something about climate change, before it's too late."

Weta spokeswoman Ri Streeter said Weta Workshop was commissioned to make the iceberg by the artists, who asked to remain anonymous. "When the artists approached us they told us it was a statement for global warming." The group wanted to create conversation and awareness around the issue and Weta thought it was an interesting thing to do, she said. It was installed by a team of professionals and overseen by Weta. It was not a hazard and was clear of the shipping lane, Ms Street said. The object became a talking point on Oriental Parade, with observers variously speculating that it could be an artwork, a movie prop, advertising, or a climate change awareness stunt.

Last month, the Hutt motorway traffic was brought to a crawl one morning rush-hour as motorists slowed to spy at what appeared to be a school of sharks swimming in the harbour. But the fins were fakes being used to promote a fish market at Lowry Bay in Eastbourne.

#797 ... NOT WELLINGTON 2

This photo was taken on the drive back down the island to Wellington. You get some idea of the scale of the gumboot constructed from corrugated iron, by the car in the background.
The "gumboot" capital of New Zealand ...Taihape

Taihape Coordinates: 39°40.6′S 175°47.8′E / 39.6767°S 175.7967°E / -39.6767; 175.7967is a small, picturesque town near the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. It services a large rural community and lies on the main North-South route through the centre of the North Island. Taihape is the butt of many jokes owing to its rural isolation and its "one horse town: blink and you'll miss it" reputation.

Taihape is a rural supply town and was at its peak during the 1960s when it was a bustling railway and transport hub for the surrounding farming community. Much of its economic activity revolved around the railway and rural communities. A major decline occurred in the 1980s due to a restructure and electrification of the railway system and a general downturn in the farming sector. In recent years with the advent of major tourist attractions Taihape is now experiencing an upturn in local commerce. Its location on the North Island Main Trunk Railway and on State Highway 1 has ensured its economic survival as a key stopping point for weary and hungry travellers, although today only occasional excursion trains stop at the once busy railway station. Taihape's main claim to fame is as the "Gumboot Capital of the World", and it attracts large numbers of people to the annual gumboot-throwing contest.

Fame
For most New Zealanders, Taihape is a "one-horse" town on the main highway ideal as a stopover for weary travellers going north or south. By far its biggest claim to fame is as the home of the annual Gumboot Day. Gumboot day was first celebrated on Tuesday 9 April 1985. This festival was devised by local business people who, realising that they could never rid the town of its rural backwater image, decided to capitalise on its rural image.

Taihape's second claim to fame is that it is regarded (along with Eketahuna) as the archetypical small New Zealand farming town. This reputation was greatly enhanced when entertainer John Clarke used it as a location for his Fred Dagg comedy persona.

#796 ... NOT WELLINGTON

The postings were missed over the weekend as I was travelling up country to a friend's wedding ... so no access to the wired world ... however as a bonus here is a shot of driving north to the mountains in the middle of the North Island ... this is the main highway coming into Waiouru ... early morning ... magnificent!!

#795 ... Courted Brass

The facade of the new Supreme Court ... a bronze screen depicting the strength, durability and stature of the Pohutukawa and Rata tree ... the glass inserts are the berries and flowers

The overall design concept for the Supreme Court building incorporates a free-standing courtroom as the central focus of the building, with the courtroom being visible from outside the building. The concept of the free-standing, visible courtroom will act as a metaphor for promoting ‘justice to be transparent and open'. Similarly, judges will preside in the court space at eye-level with legal colleagues and the public, reflecting a sense of equality.

#794 ... Old & New, Short & Tall

The IBM Tower behind Montieth's General Practioner Pub & Restaurant .. highly recommended especially for any "game" meal ... had many a great night here. Corner Willis & Boulcot Streets

#793 ... Cheap Cheap Cheap

Michael Hill Jewellers on Lambton Quay ... writing up the blackboard specials for the day

#792 ... Courtenay Place

Looking through the Weta Workshop TRIPOD along Courtenay Place. This is the eastern end, opposite the Embassy Theatre, and where the yellow buses congregate ... at a key transport hub.

#791 ... Frizzell Veges

Another of Dick Frizzell's great artworks, recently hung at Moore Wilson's Fresh in Tort Street. The young guy in the bottom right hand corner is not Dick, but one of the helpful staff at Moore Wilson

Dick Frizzell (b. Richard Frizzell, 1943) is a New Zealand artist, based in Hawke's Bay.

Frizzell's work can best be described as expressionist pop (Warwick Brown) in its appropriation of kitsch kiwiana icons and incorporating them into his often cartoon-like paintings and lithographs. As such, it can be compared to the likes of Roy Lichtenstein, Paul Hartigan, ian scott. Frizzell's best-known work uses as its base the "Four Square man", an advertising character for the Four Square grocery chain.

Frizzell is also responsible for the lithograph 'Mickey to Tiki'. This has now become the best selling print in New Zealand. It portrays a cartoon 'Mickey Mouse' changing in stages to a 'Tiki'

Frizzell trained at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts from 1960 to 1964, studying under such well-known artists as Rudi Gopas and Russell Clark. After this he worked in advertising for many years, and it is through this that he gained his appreciation for the advertising characters he uses in his work.

#790 ... Structured Patterns

Apartment balconies .. The Terrace

#789 ... One Man Digging

One man digging a hole ... with a {w}hole lot of support ... management theory in action or is that "inaction"

#788 ... Grey Day

A view from the car, at the traffic lights, end of Adelaide Raod looking north towards the Basin Reserve ... peaks of the grandstand are centre of photo .. grey sky, wet windscreen ... captures the morning really.