First Day back in NZ
Wednesday evening, leaving SFO. We were delayed from leaving the gate because of a 'hydraulic' malfunction, they eventually got fixed, then we taxied out to the runway, in line for takeoff, when the Capt'n said they had to return to the gate to fix the same thing. Fortunately, a few minutes later, they said the engineer had talked the pilots through it, and plane was OK to go, an hour late.
Flight wasn't bad (except for one of the numerous Texas retirees reclining practically into my nose). Despite heavy cocktails & a couple Sominex, I didn't sleep much, but it was OK due to the massive entertainment selections (I watched Prince of Persia, Get Him to the Greek, Crazy Heart, Winter's Bone, A-Team). Mid-flight the concierge informed me she had booked me on a later flight AUK-WLG. It still only left 90 minutes from landing til the departure of my connection - I had no real expectations that I would make it, so I didn't stress. Also, I took my Chapman Stick with me, as oversize luggage. At SFO, I had the brand-new case wrapped in protective plastic. When I picked it up in Auckland : the plastic was long gone, and there were several slices & gouges on the case, where it looked like someone took out their frustrations with a box cutter. Think I may lodge a complaint with Air New Zealand, but everything else on the travel was grade-A...
Anyway, it indeed took over an hour to pick up my baggage & get through customs (TIP : don't bring honey into NZ). By the time I got to the domestic terminal, I had to re-book myself on a later flight to Wellington. That worked fine, made it there & was greeted and assisted by the Weta PA, who joked about getting worried when I was originally slated to be there 90 minutes earlier... There was one other Weta starter, a TD from Toronto, who had recently been at Animal Logic. (he later griped about how difficult and expensive it was to live in Sydney, so that's a plus in the Weta vs. Dr. D dilemma).
He got to the Museum Hotel, then told us since Monday is a bank holiday, it would behoove us to get out bank account setups done today. Not a problem, since I wasn't feeling tired then. Got my bank account set, then the rest of the day was mine. I walked around town, hit up some local snacks, tried out the hotel's fitness center, and got my mobile phone taken care of.
In one of those great Wellington moments, I happened to hear on the radio about a film event tonight : Malcolm le Grice, a UK experimental filmmaker, presenting his work & performance. Very unique - not just interesting nonnarrative films, but the presentation on 2 or 3 screens, with personal interaction and dance. And, at 70, it was his first time in New Zealand. Great to see things like this.
After the show, grocery shopping ($10 for a 2 liter of Dr. Pepper??), some more snacks :O. Then chill & organizing & TV watching in the room (can't go wrong with shows like "The Naked Office", and the metal music video show "Steel Mill"), until chat w/ Bonnie. Loved seein & hearing her again! Then sleeeeeep... feels like it's been one long day since Wednesday morning...
Flight wasn't bad (except for one of the numerous Texas retirees reclining practically into my nose). Despite heavy cocktails & a couple Sominex, I didn't sleep much, but it was OK due to the massive entertainment selections (I watched Prince of Persia, Get Him to the Greek, Crazy Heart, Winter's Bone, A-Team). Mid-flight the concierge informed me she had booked me on a later flight AUK-WLG. It still only left 90 minutes from landing til the departure of my connection - I had no real expectations that I would make it, so I didn't stress. Also, I took my Chapman Stick with me, as oversize luggage. At SFO, I had the brand-new case wrapped in protective plastic. When I picked it up in Auckland : the plastic was long gone, and there were several slices & gouges on the case, where it looked like someone took out their frustrations with a box cutter. Think I may lodge a complaint with Air New Zealand, but everything else on the travel was grade-A...
Anyway, it indeed took over an hour to pick up my baggage & get through customs (TIP : don't bring honey into NZ). By the time I got to the domestic terminal, I had to re-book myself on a later flight to Wellington. That worked fine, made it there & was greeted and assisted by the Weta PA, who joked about getting worried when I was originally slated to be there 90 minutes earlier... There was one other Weta starter, a TD from Toronto, who had recently been at Animal Logic. (he later griped about how difficult and expensive it was to live in Sydney, so that's a plus in the Weta vs. Dr. D dilemma).
He got to the Museum Hotel, then told us since Monday is a bank holiday, it would behoove us to get out bank account setups done today. Not a problem, since I wasn't feeling tired then. Got my bank account set, then the rest of the day was mine. I walked around town, hit up some local snacks, tried out the hotel's fitness center, and got my mobile phone taken care of.
In one of those great Wellington moments, I happened to hear on the radio about a film event tonight : Malcolm le Grice, a UK experimental filmmaker, presenting his work & performance. Very unique - not just interesting nonnarrative films, but the presentation on 2 or 3 screens, with personal interaction and dance. And, at 70, it was his first time in New Zealand. Great to see things like this.
After the show, grocery shopping ($10 for a 2 liter of Dr. Pepper??), some more snacks :O. Then chill & organizing & TV watching in the room (can't go wrong with shows like "The Naked Office", and the metal music video show "Steel Mill"), until chat w/ Bonnie. Loved seein & hearing her again! Then sleeeeeep... feels like it's been one long day since Wednesday morning...
posted by pegasusgiraffe at 6:55 AM
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