Quilter's Mark Two

Again for brunch at my great cafe in Ghuznee, but there are SO many great cafes to choose from.

Today it's a ham and cheese croissant, not exactly Parisian style, but good and nourishing all the same. grab another recent New Yorker to browse and wait for long black coffee. Lots of parents with kids out this Saturday morning, and I see a redheaded tall youth with his Asian wife, petite and pretty, wheeling their little one in their pram. He sweeps up another toddler and walks well in advance of the the mother and babe. Do I perceive inherent white racism at work here, or am I being ageist? I think not, most white men seem to think Asian women belong to them, but here was a Gen Y case and it troubled me a little. I hope it was a rare example.

I have just spent a virtual three hundred dollars (window shopping!) on Art work for the new parlour cum French classroom. it has to be atmospheric if I am to succeed in having a French school at home. Francais a la Maison, I will call it. i will desperately need the extra dollars to survive in this delicious, but somewhat expensive city.

Pam this morning left forever, changing the Telecom into my name, but not without difficulties. She cannot keep her original email address which upset her no end. telecom is adamant however and she'll just have find a generic email address like everyone else.

I am now on way to the Police HQ for AGM of Interfaith, meeting up with fellow ECKist Viva, to put in an appearance for ECKANKAR, should be interesting, I'll keep you posted.

Btw, yesterday I received my first, and last, warning, at a cost of forty dollars, for incorrect parking my scooter. Always learn by experience I say, ouch!

Quilters Bookshop in Ghuznee

Another day in town and so much has gone on since last blog. Awaiting the final result of the new flatmate, Fir, a chef from Boston. I think she'll be as good as we could find so here's hoping!

Back to more Scottish Dance last night, a good night and learning more each time I go. There are dances scheduled for the next few weeks I'm not sure if I'm up to that , yet!

The house decor is slowly coming together, although a windy accident yesterday smashed the large coffee table I very foolishly left on the balcony waiting for the Sallies to pick up. So be it! They may have dropped it anyway, lol!

Today's big event was interview at NZ AF for a volunteer job of mentoring young Poz people. Starts in a few weeks. Then on to WINZ as it was nearby. An interesting story as i had no RV for interview, which is exactly why I dropped in. But happily a nice mature woman looked after me and I am now registered, waiting for confirmation in the mail. I won't hold my breath!

So a visit to Daniel's treasure house for a possible frame for the Warhol print I purchased at Te Papa on my first visit, should find a cheapie there. Also checked at Abel,s Antiques and checked the coffee table for $125, still there and must tell Aime?

So a quick excellent coffee at Quilter's second hand bookshop, and a bacon toasted which went down well. This is a great bookshop and I risk buying a book each time I come in. But don't forget my new rule, buy one, give one away!

 

Lower Hutt Farewell

Arrived a little early  for doctor's appointment at Lower Hutt, twenty five minutes by beautiful coach from Courtenay Place, leaving dead on time.

Am now in a coffee house Zampelli's, and coffee is delicious.

The area is a big outer suburb with all conveniences, and a lot of rest homes I think. That is where I am going for lunch and farewell for Pam, where we may even give them a song, or two, in French!

Latino Film Fest

This is the view at dawn from my bedroom at Evans Bay, not bad ay?

Today I saw the best movie in a while, a free one to boot, at the local Latino Film fest in Te Papa. It was an incredibly sensitive story about a couple of young Cuban boys from different socioeconomic backgrounds and  how their friendship changed many things. Anyway I was in tears at the  end. Bravo Cuba. Afterwards  Dorothy ( who took me to the movie) and I went for a coffee and cake at the Market. A jazz group was putting on a great show. See pic.

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The Day of the Bledisloe Cup!

Well things turned out differently, as they always do, and flatmate stays in, for the moment!

Had an emotional chat last night and thought it better to let things lie sleeping for the moment, the smoking issue may well come up later at an opportune moment, but she's not ready for that yet. This morning she had disappeared when I got up so I had the morning to clean the bathroom and rehang the NZ Railway poster in the dining area where she likes to sit. All will be well, honey works better than vinegar!

Into town to exchange lamp shade, and popped in to buy another Cunard line print from Daniel. We had a nice chat about the sixties in Kings Cross, when he was seventeen and made leather bags for an American. A real character no doubt, there will be more to come from that one.

Exchanged shade with nice lighting man and now am in Mr Buns on Courtenay  Place, where I came to on my first visit. A long black and a meat pie is about their best offer, hope I don't regret it.

Next on to Vodaphone to buy a prepaid sim for local calls, my Travel Sim is just too bloody expensive.

It is the day of the Bledisloe Cup, number two, and Wellington is pregnant with excitement. many Wallabies strutting around with logos resplendent on their backs, and the Kiwis gearing up to yet another vicious fight on the field - all sold out of course so I decide to come in at six thirty to watch the game in the Four Kings opposite, a gaming palace with as many screens and ardent Kiwis as you could get. The atmosphere should nearly be as good as at the ground. The weather is fine and the city is ready for the joust. Am looking forward to my first Wellington spectator sport!

 

Midnight Espresso

Another nice lemon honey and ginger tea at my favourite Cuba St cafe. Again lots of changes to report since my lovely lunch with Pam. On returning home last night Aime a little bit strained said she loved the redecorated hallway, since the movers left with Pam's stuff,and told me her  daughter Astrid  was visiting this weekend and would bring some furniture! I was too distracted to register what this meant but later,after hearing her smoke several cigarettes outside I saw that she was very stressed and that Astrid had left hubby and kids and was on way to be with Mum in Wellington.  not a good sign. Tonight am having a conversation with her and will advise best to leave for a new place with Astrid to start a new life. better for all as I couldn't bear living with two people like her. Happily there were two likely aspirants on the net who were interested in the the room available. I have now listed two rooms,one from Sep 1 and one from Oct 1. A month's notice is more than fair I think.

Tomorrow I will also have a chat with Mr  Patel about the situation.

 Think the universe will have its way, and it's time for Aime to move on and me to start afresh. Also have to decide if  I change to wireless or keep landline. I really don't know the best and cheapest option. Too much so quickly.

Lunch was at at Body Poz and finally met the elusive  Heta, full Maori man who teaches ballroom dancing. Now I am going to dance Sunday at seven pm at Thistle Room in Arthur At near Cuba. Could be very interesting!.....

Pam's Move

Wow, another experience like mine in Hobart, but this time my new flatmate's departure for a new job in Auckland. The two removalists, male and female, female boss, of course, arrived at nine thirty and I was still in bed. but all good, there was a lot of packing to do, and by twelve thirty it was finished, moved all that could fit into their van. just a few odds and ends left over but all over, a good move. they are never easy and Pam has decided to celebrate by inviting me to have lunch with her in Cuba St at Fidel's, one of her, and my, favourites.

Moved in - just!

Well,  the removalists came, one of them! He was a bit surly to start with, thinking I was 'whingin'about only one worker, but another one soon appeared and they both carried the heavy stuff like Egyptian Slaves, I really marvelled at their strength. A couple of furniture casualties but all was there so I'm not bothering to report broken chair which i may be able to get repaired eventually.

Exhausted, I collapsed in a heap to survey the mess. Happily all would fit into into my larger room so that was the main problem solved. i sadly looked over the few books I now had left on my twosmall book   shelves, and tried not to think of the hundred or so I gave away, all valuable books, to people who I hope will appreciate them. Result, less weight more space!

Slowly I will get to take control of my new home, in a sharing way of course!!

Luggage Arrives!

It's two o'clock and the Auckland removalists kindly rang to have me home from two to four to be ready for the final arrival of my 'stuff' from Hobart, Hallelujah! I have emptied my room and the scene is set for my discovery I what I DID pack to bring over to Kiwi land to start my new life. Yesterday I spent the day wandering around Wellington, taking shots and eventually going to a Food Fair in the car park of the pr- eminent food providore inWellington, whose name escapes me, but it didn't escape the many hundred who descended there yesterday. many thousands of dollars would have been spent on gourmet food parcels, which were in the main a rip- off. I escaped to come home to rest. We eventually sat down to a delicious apple crumble Aime's son cooked and brought to share. His name is Daniel, he is a delight, and is also moving to Auckland for more opportunities, in the travel industry. It was a pleasant evening, and Pam is getting excited about her move. i'm glad it's her and not me as I will never go through a move  like that again. What on earth did I bring!!

I am looking forward to meeting the removalists!

My first earthquake!

Quiet morning with Pam helping her pack the kitchen stuff she is taking to Auckland. With a wry smile I see everything that I left behind me in Hobart now going up to her new lodging. I could have brought it all! But no matter, I'll just get on with less, and better quality as all my stuff was old and decrepit.

 Am now into town after baking some muffins for afters at the weekly Poz Group pot luck lunch and

later to meet with the landlord Mr Patel in the Dairy on Oriental, then on to HU song in Kilbernie and after to teal with Liam in Wadestown. My scooter is certainly proving its worth.

However to the point, sitting in  the Body Pos, third floor, Courtenay Place, suddenly the earthmoved under   us. it was a slow moving tremor, like an ancient monster had decided to wake and let us knowhe is  there.

It lasted about thirty seconds, and a few things fell off the shelves. Some people were decidedly nervous but it felt fine to me. But wait, three after-shocks came, slower and smaller than the earlier one which was estimated at .6.9 , quite a large one, somewhere on the South Island

Nothing of consequence, however the train station was closed and people were out on the streets talking.

It made you feel very very small, and powerless, nothing could be done. the earth was speaking to us. quite a surreal moment.

Breakfast at scopa, again!

Decided to start furnishing the soon to be empty house on Evans Bay Parade. On the quaintly named Ghuznee St, opposite the Film Archives, I found four suitably used high backed cane chairs to surround a very plain white round table, easy to disguise. This will be the mainstay of the  redecoration as that is where the people of the house congregate. As well I arranged for a pickup of the computer chair and awful coffee table which I will soon replace. 

Also visited the Belgian Daniel, friend of Pam, who has the Antique/ junk shop next door. Quite an interesting visit as he's been here since nine years old, and is quite the kiwi. Found a Cunard Line print I will procure for the hallway once I start hanging pictures. 

Still waiting for the freight arrival...patience!!!

Today the sun is shining and it is indeed a taste of Spring weather. My home on the bay will be lovely in the warmer months.

The coffee and poached eggs arrive in good time and all is good. Later today I pick up the jeans purchase and  get ready for another rehearsal of the Glamaphones. The other flatmate is today bussing to the north to save her daughter from the abuse of her bikie gang husband. Another sad and probably hopeless kiwi story of drugs and dysfunction. It certainly is all going on here, and not far from my doorstep, but not in my house thank God!

Am planning to go to a local theatre Saturday night at the Gryphon, an amateur production which will be funny if nothing else. There is no need to be idle in Wellington, just too much to do, and good interesting stuff.

On Cuba Street at cafe scopa

IIToday has been a non day, staying at home chilling with the flatmate Pam who is about to leave in a few weeks so time with hr is never wasted. There'll be big changes when she goes as she's been directing a tight ship for four years and is giving me instructions to keep it afloat.

So eventually into Cuba St to try a new cafe, this time one I had looked at often, called scopa, with a small c. Service is great and coffee excellent, see photos of the denizens of Cuba on below.

Was going to collect my tailor-made jeans from Duncan Mclean in Riddiford St Newtown as Yesterday I fitted them and Kate said they would be ready today, but I may go to- morrow as it's a bit late now. 

Googled the jean man Duncan...tres interessant, he and his wifePrudence, a New Yorker, both artists, have set up his business and survived the 2009 crash and now diversify successfully. He is locally trained and NY experienced so he knows his stuff.  I Really like his 1950 s retro jeans which of course are a perfect fit. They both seem to  be part of the the great talent that has returned happily to this wonderful city. Prudence has a blog which I discovered, she is also a great writer!

Still waiting for my boxes to arrive from Hobart, if not by Friday I'll ring them yet again. I have so much stuff in them I need to use. In the mean time I'll just be a cafe cockroach and enjoy the scene.

On to cruise the famous Cuba St, it doesn't  disappoint. i manage to take some nice photos, with my Nikon, not this toy I have here, although does make memories!

Only half an hour before the HU Song,  but I must visit Midnight Espresso before and have a hot ginger, honey and lemon drink, plus my favourite 'mousetrap', I'll  explain later. 

It's busy as always, and next to me is a handsome young blond English lad, ( in last photo) seriously chatting to his red-haired lady friend, an American I wrongly assume. The days used to be when the intrepid English traveller stopped by Wellington on his way to somewhere and was totally seduced by some young New Zealand lassie, and never left, but stayed to make his  fortune. Things are different today.

Gore Vidal at Te Papa

Big morning news is that flatmate Pam has been accepted for big new administerial job, in Auckland. She has immediately invited me to  take over the leasehold of number 42. Now I am a real Wellingtonian.

So with mind abuzz I mount my bike/ scooter into town, it's a beautiful sunny  day btw, to see the Film Fest Doco of Gore Vidal, the last made of him while he was alive. Should be good. Then I can think about whom to get to rent the spare room in Roseneath.

So much to think about, best to think about nothing. Que sera sera!

Good to say the Gore Vidal documentary was excellent, and my neighbour Seat M8, called Dorothy McFarlane, agreed with me, to the point that we exchanged telephone numbers and will meet up for a coffee sometime. She has a daughter in Houston Texas, and a son architect, in Paris. She is also interested in afterlife. So I may have a new friend here, she is a Scorpio, btw, and has a gay film buff friend in Sydney whom she chats with about movies. There is a good chance of a possible friendship.

Back to the cityLibrary to do more music printing for our upcoming concert in September. A lemon and   honey drink later with scrambled eggs and salmon, and I am ready for the rest of the day.

Victoria University

Was here to seenFrench Minister Azouz Begab but  mistakenly Came on the wrong day, however the coffee was good in the student caff.

La Granda Bellezza

The possible best film of the Wellington Film Festival, Paolo Sorrentino surpassed himself withgreat actors   and a return to the fabulous era of Italian cinema in the fifties and sixties with Fellini and Antonioni. This is a superb, tongue in cheek rendition of all that is wonderful and awful in Bella Roma, and this great director/writer doesn't miss a trick. he laughs and everyone and everything, but with a sad and realistic poignancy that we just have to 'let it be'. It was most evocative for me, at the age of the main character, Jep, nay three years older!,  and having just returned from a few weeks looking at the real Rome, near bankrupt, struggling to survive, with more decaying buildings and empty hotels than most capitals, let alone the great, first city of the world, Rome. Over two hours sped by and it really was the best way to see Rome, through the lens of a master, and with characters of such dimensions that it takes a time for their memory to leave one's mind. Indeed a great movie. Out in the Embassy foyer,( see pics) the sun is shining again and Wellington has much to offer. But first to the optometrist to repair my broken glasses' frame.

More of Wonderful Wellie

Today was contact day, meaning I connected to the mainland, OZ, to be precise. I had applied on the net yesterday and a quick phone call this morning confirmed it, so immediately on the phone to bro. And best friends in Melbourne. Surprise to some but a good feeling of connection remained, not that I have much time to chat. Another call to the Hobart PacknSend  confirmed the disaster, this time the boss had no idea when my freight would arrive. No explanations, mate, that's just how it is. I express my disappointment but now am resigned to a very late arrival, probable two more weeks!

So I decide to cook my first meal for the new 'family', Mum's spinach pie. Found the necessary equipment and the oven worked tolerable well. It tasted OK but needed spicing up. That will come. Leave note to say 'eat the pie in the oven' and then off to Well. hospital to get my scripts. Easy peasy, lovely James one and James two, both UK, looked after me and then into town to get the prescribed three months affair. All good, but I terminally broke my glasses so the nice pharmacist gave me an address and now I await the result tomorrow, perhaps a courier to Auckland to replace the stem. Very nice attention. Felt good so bought some sushi and now am at the Film Archives to see a 60s US doco called The Source, a wacko cult from California, just my cup of tea. the place is abuzz with young enthusiasts and it feels great. We'll see how good the film is.

No luggage!

It is now two weeks tomorrow since I thought I sent my luggage from Hobart Town, but after a phone call this morning to Marc, he still has it in his office, he's been too busy to send it! This, I'm afraid, is total Tassie, do it when you feel like, take no notice of the client who has already paid big money - she'll be right mate!

My dream from last night predicted this mess, I was in a foreign city and nothing was working, What a mess! with apologies to Bette Davis. So I made the call to confirm it, and now I MUST be patient, probably for more than another week without some (near) essential items. Ah well, so be it,  I should have watched what I said when I told myself I needed to pretend I was in the case of the bush- fire evacuees, who had to leave, and live, with nothing.

Mine is not that bad and I still have lots to do to prepare. today I made some i- net arrangements to have unlimited calls to OZ and NZ for only  $25 monthly, to be halved with Aime. I do need this phone contact with the mainland, also to get their numbers which are firmly locked in 'sent  baggage'!

Today to the ANZ bank to try and pick up my new debit card so at least I can access my fast diminishing funds. Yes, it is more expensive here, but things are excellent quality and I'll just have get used  to it, won't I?

After a Bagel and jam in Felix's (see pic)I am enrolling at the City Library, also in a Maori course to start my real NZ experience, learning their language!

At home at Evans Bay

Just thought I should post some photos of my new housemate Pam, and my new Scooter, which doesn't yet have a name!

Sunday at Market

Herewith, why New Zealand is so different from Australia...

The Treaty.

The proud island races of Maori and South Pacificans have blended near perfectly with the invading English, and French, but is was the canny English in 6th February, 1814 that carried the day in their favour. Sixty years the Maoris went from 95per cent to 5 per cent of the population because of the gifts of smallpox and other plagues brought from the Imperial forces of the English world. However the Maoris survived and to this day their language is written proudly beside any English you see in the streets. The Te Papa Museum, an example of this proud Maori heritage, is a place of great knowledge and free to all who enter, a far cry from the famed MONA in Hobart of which very few, if any, Kiwis have heard, and rightly so, for it is not a flea's fart is comparison to this wonderful cultural icon in Wellington, something which certainly makes this city the rich capital of Culture in New Zealand.

The Museum guide just came up to me, another Aussie, but here since 1965, when he escaped the Viet Nam draft in Australia. lucky me who didn't have to escape, it escaped me!

He gave me good info re living here, as an expat, he is now a kiwi, and worked here in Te Papa since 1999. His knowledge was excellent and there are many free course where I can learn Maori. Yippee!

First Concert

My firstSaturday in Wellington and I am invited, via the Glamaphones, to sing for the 'Oldies' at Sprott House Karora. It's for a one thirty start so after small chat to catch up with Pam, who is on night shift, I leave early to go to the city library where I hope to download the songs to heir printer and have a semblance being at one with his choir, I have, after all, spent only two hours with. All goes well and I'll be back with my ID to join an excellent Library.

Arriving early at Sprott House, I relax with the young receptionist, and wait for the others to appear, which they do. Our conductor, Jean Malcolm, is a charismatic woman and I am sure is a friend of Cherel. The small concert goes down well of course, and I chat with one of the residents who was recently in Hobart. we agree that MONA is over- rated as an Art Gallery, but then, it is just one man's fetish, as I told her. i then take a short ride back down the winding hill looking at the cute and charming   suburbage that is Wellington City.

Now am in my favourite Cuba Street cafe, Midnight Espresso, and have a lemon honey ginger tea, with an egg and bacon bagel -

my main meal for the day. Later, who knows?

Wellington Film Festival

My first film in the Festival, which,btw. Is fantastic, is a French documentary called La Maison de Radio.

It certainly covers all things in the world of radio on Paris, and therefore France. 

A quick local fush 'n chups later and I'm on the bus to town and just happen to light across Cuba street where I had seen the scooter of my choice during the Seminar. This time the owner, Jamie, is there, and is just the smooth talker I needed to ease the required amount from my new ANZ Bank account. He accompanies me to the registry office and I am now the proud owner of a Taiwanese 50cc scooter with US number plates. Just time to visit the Alliance francaise before I take delivery at 4.30pm. Also ready for the Glamaphones choir rehearsal tonight at St Andrews.

Impetuous, yes, sensible, also yes, as now I am an independent entity in my new town, which is perfect for a scooter.

Last Days in Hobart

It,s a wet and cold last day of the gigantic festival of Voices in Hobart Town, a place which does festivals better than most, certainly with unbelievable enthusiasm. This afternoon's final concert is at the Federation Hall in the Grand Chancellor Hotel, a venue use by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra so it has great acoustics. Our gig is the final one, and will be a great ending to five days of concentrated singing and learning from a Maestro from London and New Your, Charlie Beale. It has been great fun and a fitting farewell to this strange, ambiguous city called Hobart Town, which has been my home for the past three years, and which I am soon quitting for the Shaky Isles, Wellington NZ. Mixed feelings come upon me as I make my complicated departure, as I'm leaving a great part of me behind, with friends and many possessions I am relinquishing for the next big chapter of my life in Another Country. Three years nearly to the day, as I arrived for this same Festival in 2010, when I was singing Gospel, with the American Myron Butler, from Los Angeles. This time is with the Out and Loud segment, a collection of all the GLBTI choirs in Australia, coming together to celebrate song, love and freedom to express it. it has been uplifting and exciting and I've met some wonderful people.

Last night however I had to attend the final Alliance francaise event, the July 14 Dinner at Blackman's Bay, a modest Tasmanian story, but enjoyable in spite of the mediocre French-copy food, which didn't really work.. Too heavy and indigestible, not at all French! After the Dinner it was back to FoV Voice Box space for the wrap party, which was a total success, with a videotape sent around the world to many GLBTI choirs who had sent best wishes to us via video for the Festival. Such are the days of modern technology.

So packing and choosing what to take to Wellington, where I am sharing a house, has been occupying most of small free time. this week it will be all dedicated to the big Move. Much to do and selling my  car is not the least. But a new start is just that: new country, new friends, new home, and my sale of my car is an enormous symbol of surrender, but also of freedom, which is what this move is about. I have to analyse why my decision to leave this quaint but dysfunctional island is so correct for me. A part of my decision to  adopt Hobart was my protective nature, the tiny forgotten isle, nestling off Australia's nether regions. It seemed vulnerable, was very beautiful, and had seemingly just what I needed: a safe space with friendly natives and a natural unspoiled landscape. But three years later I know it is time to move on, Tassie is not exactly what I thought it might be, and the pundits were right. I have now proved it for myself, which is what  I always have to do. The Four Families which are reputed to rule all things on this once verdant isle, are obviously very jealous to 'keep it in the family', meaning that any change that's not in their favour, or their family's, will just not happen. Such is the history of backward sliding convict driven, Anglo-saxon governed Van Diemen's Land. Tasmania is certainly a 'great place to visit', but you don't want to know its secrets, and you never will, as the doors doors are firmly bolted. The parochial nature of this small community-oriented society is nevermore loudly   echoed than it its fierce desire to remain the 'underdog', 'cos 'that's what we were, and what we always stay, so don't try and change us!' This is the catch- cry of the country that has lost all its talented natives to the mainland or OS, and has destroyed its indigenous culture to be a shrill call in the wilderness, espoused by the few but totally ignored by the group of Tasmanians always in power who mouth platitudes, but in reality, with apologies to Edna Ferber 'I just don't give a damn!'