Lunar Eclipse

Tonight all eyes have been looking at the sky to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse. The day here in NZ was cloudless until about 2pm this afternoon when the low cloud rolled in off the Pacific Ocean. The cloud has stayed all night until about 11pm tonight when the clouds became intermittent allowing New Zealanders to catch a good glimpse of the darkened disc in the sky showing a faint background of orange. The sky had intermittent cloud until around midnight when they started to hide the moon from view once again.

We did however see the eclipse and marvel at what powers the universe has. It makes me realise just how small planet earth is in the scope of things. I just wander what is beyond space?

Any ideas?

Cooking

Now im going to be honest......I am NOT a good cook.

Today i decided to cook myself some spagetti bolognese. It is the first time ever that i have made it. Im usually the kind of guy that buys take-outs or cooks very basic things at home. I made it at lunch time and then took the rest to work to eat.

I have to admit it wasnt too bad. I perhaps needed to add a bit of parmesan cheese to strengthen the taste but i must admit that i am proud of myself. I left some for my partner and he complimented me on my new found skill. He also gave me a gentle and subtle hint of how to improve it. I dont take criticism well so he done well not to get a black eye but i will try to make it again tomorrow and fine tune my culinary skills. It it still isnt perfect then we will know because my partner will have TWO black eyes.........oh i must have Irish blood in me!!

Lighter Nights

I have noticed tonight as i looked out of the bar during happy hour that the evenings are getting lighter. Just six weeks ago it was getting dark at 5.20pm but it has now increased up to 6pm. That 40 minutes makes a difference i think. To top that the first of the daffodils have started to bloom. The past few days have started to warm up as well with todays temperatures topping 19c and treating us to lots and lots of sun. The nights are still frosty though.

Tomorrow we are expecting much the same weatherwise so im going to spend the day in the city centre chilling out. I might even have a beer or two.

Reusable-bags

The last couple of days have seen almost spring like weather with warm sunny days and cooler frosty nights. Spring is just around the corner. 1st September is officially the first day of spring. However we will still have a month or two of unsettled weather before summer sets in during November.

This afternoon i went into work for a couple of hours and then decided to take the afternoon off and enjoy the weather so i took a gentle stroll around the city before heading off to Starbucks. It may sound quite boring to some people but it really recharges my batteries just going for a stroll and watching other people going about their business.

Tonight we went out to Borders bookstore to have a look at the latest magazines on their shelves. They have a good selection of international magazines including Men's Health UK, Men's Health USA and Men's Health Australia. I was also surprised to see a Men's Vogue which i think was American. From there we went to KFC in the mall. It's late night shopping here until 9pm and the mall was packed out.

Have you noticed how it is getting fashionable to buy re-usable shopping bags from local stores. It saves the environment by reducing plastic bag consumption. Now here in NZ they charge you a dollar to buy one where i could get my plastic bags for FREE everytime. I'm not sure why they dont sell the re-usable bags for 10 or 20c because it is the supermarket that will save money in the long run by not having to issue as many plastic bags. I think the cost thing has ignited me today because i saw the sports shop in the mall selling re-usable bags for $1.99 each. Now that's getting too expensive.
I understand that Tesco's in the UK sells their re-usable bags for 10p plus if it breaks you get a replacement for free. Now that's FAIR.

Tiring weekend

My weekend hasnt really been like a weekend because i have worked solidly throughout it. I took the opportunity to walk to work to keep up my exercise regime. It's been quite a nice day outside but a little bit chilly in the light wind.

Tomorrow is the start of a busy week so im going to head off to bed....Anyone going to join me ;)

Turkish meal

Tonight i went with a friend of mine to a Turkish restaurant in town. They made a great effort to make it look authentic but it had something missing that didnt make it feel like we were in Turkey. The food was good but hugely overpriced for what it was. To be honest I came away having spent over $20 and still felt hungry. Also to be doubly honest the food at the local Turkish takeaway costs less than half the price, looks and tastes just the same and you can eat in there and the staff ARE actually Turkish!

Oh dear, the restaurant is sounding a little pathetic now i put it like that but it was enjoyable. Next month we might try Greek.

A cold day

Today i took the opportunity do get some exercise and decided to do my 7km walk around the city to keep me fit. It was however a cold wintry day even though the sun was shining. I stopped halfway through my walk and went into Starbucks for my compulsory latte. I read the paper and caught up with some news which was mainly about the NZ dollar dropping 10% against the US dollar in under a week and how the economy is slowing. Hardly exciting really.

Tonight i went to the Chinese takeaway for a chicken curry with rice. Lots of vege's, tasty. Tonight it's going to be an early night as i have to be at work by 6am tomorrow!!

Oh and i guess i had better give my suggestion for yesterdays ending to the sentence. My answer is........

........and pulled out two cherries and a gherkin!

complete this!

Here we go guys,

Complete this sentence.

Today I met George Clooney and he let me put my hand down his pants. I was very surprised to pull out.................!!!!

A busy day for me at work today. Im tired.

1st blog birthday

Yesterday was my official blog birthday. I am officially one year old! I feel like the Queen with two birthdays. It is so amazing as to how quickly the year has gone. It seems like only yesterday that i first started blogging. I have met so many wonderful people through blogging from all over the world. It is great to see how other people live their lives and suddenly you see that people arent so different afterall.

One or two things i have learnt over the past year are:-

1. Not all Americans LIKE George Bush!
2. Norway isnt always cold!
3. Portuguese people continue to be the nicest people in the world.
4. Canada ISNT a state in the United States!

I have celebrated my blog birthday by eating a nice big bar of Cadbury's Bonoffee Pie chocolate...so yum!

Tomorrow i will be starting off a new series offering everyone to complete a sentence that i start...but more about that tomorrow.

Love you all (or as they say in USA, love y'all)

Bouncer

Last night we went to the local supermarket situated about 3 blocks away. We dont usually go to this supermarket because it is pretty small. But it has just been renovated.

Well we were stunned to see that they actually hire a bouncer at the front of their store! It was 8pm at night granted but i had no idea that they hired someone like this. I have to admit that it is on the boundarries of a fairly rough neighbourhood but it is on a boundary. It is also situated on the boundary of a good area! I was half expecting to see a fight break out and a bouncer roughing someone up!!

Anyways, i got my chocolate buns and came home afterwards so i was happy.

weather

Today has been a glorious day here. I have even seen the first signs of daffodils poking their heads from the grounds. I think spring may be just around the corner but the weather chart above suggests we have a bit more of winter left yet.

I have to vacate to bed now as i have an early early start at work tomorrow morning ()6.15hrs! It will still be dark and cold as i walk to work.