Catching up on 2 weeks

Wello, here's how it's been going since I got back from San Francisco/Berkeley/Napa trip. Left SFO 9:30PM, right to Auckland (slept most of the way, in about 2-hour segments), got in 5 AM Tues morn, could've taken an earlier flight to Wellington but I stuck with original flight, got back into Welly 8 AM, got home took a shower, and went into work. The rest of the week was trying to max out on hours, 7 AM-midnight, but making time to get to the gym.

Parties going on over the weekend, though. Friday, went out to see a co-worker's band play, Koko at The Big Kumara bar down on Cuba street. They billed it as "Sweetness for the Soul." Which was about right, some pleasant R-n-B fueled rock grooves, got it shaking out there. Saturday after a full day was one of the craziest parties of the year. Saki's 'penthouse' apartment atop some office building downtown. Slick - balcony, one room converted into a dancefloor; the bed being converted to a burlesque photo shoot; the wide veranda that's a real helipad, and the hottub on the rooftop. Fire dancer putting on a show at one point. I was there till 2:30, most people left 4-5ish... epic, fine art photos here. There was a checkpoint on the road out of town, just at a curve beyond the last sidestreet, as the po-po are wont to do - they just stop you as yer going along the road and spot-breathalize you. I hadn't imbibed for hours so no worries. Made me wonder, though, how often have co-workers been busted hardcore for 'drink driving'. Then I wondered if it were like in Napa Valley or Ft Lauderdale in March - the cops ain't gonna interfere with the town's bread and butter.

Sunday was mellow, worked a 'half-day' then made it to Aidan's birthday BBQ. The place he and Guerdon and DaveW share is 5th-floor along Karaka Bay/Worser Bay, I walked over. Got there, and Guerdon suggested taking the gondola. Neat idea, but with 5 dudes (one over 6'4"), we ground to a halt 3/4 of a floor up. No technician readily available, so we ended up taking off one of the fence's panels, and crawling out.

Then onto Monday (actually, it's all Wednesday anymore).Had chiropractor visit, first time I've done that, but my sciatica is just not going away, seeing if they can actually help or if it's like that episode of Simpsons. Going back in on Monday for 'findings report'. Went out with the 'supper club' on Wednesday - first time I had, we went to Istanbul, very nice dinner. Thursday lunch took my bike in for W.O.F. checkup, evening was Kat's birthday, got out from work 10ish then headed over to Motel, martini bar behind Chow.

Friday - lunchtime went with George Oliver to the Antarctica exhibit at Victoria University. Decent art, not a lot, but it was great to have such a learned guide, he's got some fantastic stories about 'the ice'. He lived there for 5 months, working as a janitor at McMurdo Station. I'm fascinated with that place, would love to get there someday (insanely expensive for a trip, ~NZ$20g). Friday was Julian Bryant's last day, so there was a toast down in comp for him, then he held court at... Motel at night. Also, interesting event - Dreamworks Animation was on a recruiting visit, they had a reception at Duxton. Don't wanna say no more...

Sunday was seeing Shark Boy and Lava Girl. Fun, but I think the dark glasses gave me a headache all day... Got a credit tho. Took another break in the afternoon to kick out some jams with Raine, great to be playing music.