The last days of a job can be good, if you're lucky. Thankfully, my luck has come in. I'm at what's called the "Rats and Mice" stage of the job, finishing off the loose ends, doing some handovers, saying goodbye to the crew. I've really enjoyed this job. Great people, and I'm sad to be leaving them behind. But it's my last few days with the company, and this means I get to do things like get a lunch break and go out for coffee.
Which is what I did today.
For an hour.
Unheard of.
Regardless, I went out for coffee with an old colleague from way back when - back in the deepest darkest naughties when we worked in merchant banking. Back when the lunches went on for hours, the alcohol flowed and all of these behaviours. 25-years on it's been lovely to reconnect. It's funny how people don't change that much. We congratulated ourselves on doing well. We don't look our age. We're solvent. We're single, pretty much by choice (but also have you seen the dating pool out there - sheesh!)
It was lovely.
I'm not sure of the moral of this short blog, but it is nice to reconnect with people, just as it's good to get a bit of downtime.
Two more days of this contract, then four days off, starting a new job next Wednesday.
I'm not going to write about how cute my cat is being. He's being hideously sooky after his little holiday at Blarney's place. Making it even more fun, he's decided it's cold enough to sleep with me again. I woke up this morning with him cuddled up next to me and Manky Mouse (his aptly named favourite toy) on my pillow. Thanks, mate.
No, I'm going to provide a few of my observations about New Zealand. Not that I'm unaware of this place. I've been over "The Ditch", also known as the Tasman Sea, ten or twelve times - but mostly to the South Island. Geetangeli lives in Christchurch. I make a point of visiting. There's a difference between the North and South Islands
In saying this, New Zealand is not really a foreign country, even if it is classed as one thanks to the use of my passport. I mean, so much is familiar. The electricity sockets are the same. They drive on the same side of the road. The food is similar, if not the same, coming from, similar British roots. Yet, there are some differences that I saw, and rather liked from my short stay in Auckland.
1) People seem to be universally nice
Sure, people are nice all over the world, but as Canadians are known as the nicer cousins to Americans, New Zealand seems to have similar relationship. People appear to be universally welcoming. Maybe a little quieter, but welcoming. I'd heard some things about people from Auckland - akin to how people from Melbourne view people from Sydney. It didn't make a difference.
2) Walking through groups of people
Maybe it's a big city thing, but randos seem to walk right through groups of people. How rude? It was noticeable while walking down Queen Street.
3) Their National Anthem is much, much nicer than ours
Have a listen to this. It's sung in both Maori and English, and it doesn't contain the word 'girt'. It goes to show that a National Anthem can be both stirring and lovely.
The song of the day is the alternative national anthem.
4) The incorporation of the Maori language around the country
Another great thing New Zealand does better than Australia. We're about 50 years behind them. I really like the way signs and words are in both languages. It gives a sense of belonging for all.
And they've got some great words, like whanau (Friends and family), kia ora (g'day) and my favourite, whakeparu (toilet). It's great being a part of this.
5) The food and coffee punch above their weight
Kiwis like their food and coffee and it's lovely to be a part of the culture. Saying this, a lot of my eating was done in the refectory of a Freemason's hall where and excellent CWA (Country Women's Institute) spread was provided. Asparagus rolls! I'm happy.
They are everywhere. Wherever you go, there seemed to be a box of feijoas in a cardboard box in the lobby. They must be in season. I love the soda you used to be able to get.
8) Whittaker's Chocolate
Have some spare New Zealand dollars at the airport. Spend it on Whittaker's chocolate. My favourite is Jelly Tip - Geetangeli always brings me some over when she's about. it's addictive.
When I walked into Blarney's place she told me I could find him in Lance's room. He's normally stationed at the back of the house in the spare room. When I dropped him off, I left him in the spare room.
"What happened?" I had to ask.
Blarney smiled. "I went down to play with him and he got out. He doesn't know what outside is, but he ran into Lance's room, and he's been sitting in the cupboard ever since."
"He'd like that."
See, I know Lucifer hates staying with Blarney, but I know he's fed, watered, uses the litter box and plays a lot at night - for a few days, he'll cope. And he's got a cupboard to sit in - he feels safe. All is well.
Tonight, I collected him from the cupboard, put him in his carry cage, had a cup of tea with Blarney with him sitting next to me (in his box) on the couch, with Blarney's two cats, Rey Rey and Kylo sitting with her.
There was no hissing or spitting. Everybody was relaxed.
I took him home a bit later. He's great in the car.
We got home I let him out.
And he hasn't shut up since!
Lucifer is normally a quiet boy. Nope, he's chatting away like a dinner lady in a canteen. He can't leave his scratching post alone. He's being smoochy?
Here I was thinking I'd be getting the cold shoulder for a few days.
Rather than dwell on the fact that my plane might not get me home tonight, thanks to a looming cyclone I'm going to look back on the marvelous day that was had yesterday.
See, I really like New Zealand. It's familiar, but it's also different in a lot of ways. Auckland is a big city by the sea, but it has its own strange charm. The buildings are different. The people are different. The only thing that seems the same is the supermarkets and their set up. Being a port city, we arrived at the waterfront to find a very large cruise liner which holds up to 5000 people (Great way to get gastro or COVID as far as I'm concerned.) People are friendly, but they will also walk through you without a word if you're walking in a group.
The morning was spent with to others from our group. They are lovely. They're also a little older than me, but mobile, which is good. I refer to them as my maiden aunts. They would go into a shop. I'd sit outside. We had a good potter, had a lovely coffee, then I put them in an Uber and went off to see a friend at the Marina.
It was lovely catching up with ZeeZee. She's a writing friend who's been living with her partner on a boat over here. She's just awesome. I got to meet her partner and see the America's Cup and their boat and have a lovely catch up.
Another Uber ride later it was back to the hotel for a nana nap, then to get change and meet up with the rest of the crew to be taken to the meeting for which we came to New Zealand.
There are some interesting elements when you're a freemason. to being a freemason. We were talking about it, after the last night's meeting. Some of it is addictive. The fact that it gives you space to investigate humanity in a safe, nurturing environment is one of the drawcards for me.
Going into another lodge, you meet people, who you may have absolutely nothing in common with, but everybody will have some similar values. Seekers, searchers, those who want peace, harmony and fellowship and enjoy looking for the good in man. It's not a bad thing. What always gets me is how comfortable you become with these people so quickly. They are generous, kind, funny, knowledgeable and interesting. You never know where conversations will go. It's good.
We had a big meeting last night, where some ritual was performed. It appears the New Zealand lodges have more members than we have in Australia (mind you they don't have the tyranny of distance), so the room was busy. It was wonderful.
And then there was the proper supper, complete with asparagus rolls, decent vegetarian sandwiches and fruit plates. The feast could have fed an army.
We went back to the hotel around eleven, physically and spiritually replete.
Now, I'm preparing to check out of the hotel. We have another meeting today, before I take off for the airport and hopefully get the flight back. So far, the wind and the rain have not been too bad. It is very wet, but not unpleasantly so. So far, we've been lucky. May that luck hold.
Greetings from Auckland, where we're expecting a cyclone (hurricane) to hit in the next 12 hours. Oh what fun! I'm supposed to be going back to Australia tomorrow - but we will have to see whether the weather allows that to occur. It's a situation here that planes have to get in to get out. Fingers crossed, if not, I might be having an extra night here. Mind you, the people are lovely and the food is good. There are worse places to be stuck, and hopefully, it won't be too long. If the airline cancels you, they'have to get you back. I'm not that worried. As long as I get back safely.
Anyway, here are this week's questions, brought to you, as always, by Sunday Stealing.
1. Can you touch your nose with your tongue?
No. Did I try this out? No - I've done that in the past.
2. What foreign language did you study in school? How much of it do you still remember?
I studied French at school all the way through and into first year university. Since then, I've always tried to use it. I also have been on the Duolingo app for over three years, and I can proudly say, that though I'm not fluent, my French is very good. When in France, the French let me speak, gently correct my grammatical slips and encourage me to keep speaking French - which is nearly unheard of. Being humble and saying, "Pardonnez-moi, mon Francais est terrible. Je suis desole. Je suis Australienne," gets you a very long way. They don't mind Australians. The English and the Americans not so much. Getting along with the French is all about attitude.
3. What recipe did you most recently prepare? Where did you get the recipe and how did it turn out?
I had to take something sweet to a barbeque last weekend. It was a long weekend. The shops were closed. I looked through the pantry. Thank goodness for RecipeTinEats. Nagi is a goddess. I made her easy peanut butter cookies. A cup of peanut butter, a cup of brown sugar and an egg. Mixed the three together, roll up into balls and bake for 10 minutes. They went down a treat.
4. What song have you listened to over and over and over again?
As I'm in New Zealand, the song of the day is a Kiwi song that I have on regular rotation. I used to live about The Thompson Twins nanny in London in the 90's. I have lots of songs on regular rotation in my head.
5. Are there currently any pets in your household? Are you considering adding another?
I have a lovely black cat named Lucifer (who is staying with a friend while I'm away, much to his chagrin) who is a very solitary cat and very happy to be an only child. Given the opportunity, I would have ALL the cats. But Lucifer and I kick along well - although there will be hell to pay when I get home to Australia, whenever that may be.
6. As an adult, have you ever performed with a drama group? (Student productions don't count.)
Yes. I was part of a drama group when I lived in London. To this day, I am still an overgrown theatre kid and frustrated actor on the inside. It's good fun. Good for confidence.
Greetings from Auckland, New Zealand, where they are getting ready for a cyclone to hit in the next 24 hours. Fun, eh! They're explecting 6-month's worth of rain on Sunday morning
This is the weather map for Sunday at midday.
Yep. Fun.
While out at dinner tonight, I asked the fellow sitting opposite me what a Orange alert was. He just said it wasn't good.
"And a Red Weather Alert."
"Yeah, nah. Worse."
There's an Orange Alert out on Auckland from 9 pm on Saturday night.
My flight is booked to leave at 8.30 on Sunday evening. This might be a bit interesting. We will cross that bridge if and when it occurs. The airline has duty of are to get me home somehow.
I've just checked the Qantas website. The warning was issued about the cyclone while I was flying over. Hmmm.
Regardless, I will get home somehow. Hopefully the cyclone does what cyclones often do and divert.
And this is why we have travel insurance.
So, I'm in Auckland.
It's humid and overcast.
It has the feel of a larger city - lacking some of the charm of other centres in New Zealand. However, we've landed in an inner-city area with lots of older buildings and a bit more pizzaz than what I remembered from 23 years ago - when I was last here for a friend's wedding.
Tomorrow is the day for sightseeing, before a big mason's meeting tomorrow night.
Allegedly, on Sunday, there's another meeting at lunch time. Then I'm supposed to be off to the airport after that.
Okay, enough whinging about the weather.
I will now complain about airport prices.
$10 for an almond decaf latte (large).
Seriously.
Highway robbery.
Anyway, as I'm not making too much sense, I'm going to sign off. I've been up since 5 am Melbourne time and bed is beckoning.
Keep your fingers crossed I get back across the ditch in a timely manner and in one piece.
I have been told that I'm a bad mother. He looked me right in the eye with such disdain. I could see it. You hate me! How could you? As mothers go, you are the worst of all mothers, and nobody is worse than you.
Yes, I took my cat over to Blarney's tonight. Nobody spouts vitriol and bile like a black cat who has been forced into his travel box and then taken to his lease favourite cat sitter's place. Cat sitters who would love to love him, but he won't let them.
I got him in his room. I set out his stuff - litter tray, food and water, blanket, toys, they opened his cage. He hissed at me.
After going out for a chat with Blarney and Barney I went back in to see him again and say goodbye. This time, he was behind the bed head. He hissed at me again.
See - worst mother in the world.
I know this is only a short trip across the pond to Auckland, but I'm away for three full days, leaving early tomorrow morning, coming home late Sunday night. I'll happily leave him for two nights - but this feels a bit longer. (also my normal cat sitter is away). So, he's gone to Aunty Blarney's for a few days. I'll pick him up Monday night after going to the gym. I don't really care how unhappy he is for a few days - he's being fed, watered and his poop scooped - and he's being looked in on regularly (even if he hisses at his guardians). What more can he hope for? It's better than being left alone for three full days with no company.
Still, there is nothing worse than when your most near and dear call you bad names and let you know of their absolute hatred.
I'm sure he'll have forgotten it all when I bring him home in a few days.
