OK….so just for a little bit I weakened. I decided to grab a Macdonalds from the drive-thru in Petone. For the experience factor of course….so ALL in the name of science right?? First thing I noticed, is this particular drive-thru happens to be a 24hr one on Fridays and Saturdays which would be handy if the food they sold was at all edible.

Disgusted is the nicest word I can use for the results of my experience, they had this meal called a Kiwi Combo, and well; maybe they assumed I was a tourist or something??? Because when I got home with it, the burger which is basically a lamb burger stank of stale cigarettes - and I mean really reaked….suffice to say it ended up in the bin where it probably originated from back at the drive through and my lesson has been learned. I would have gone back to complain but they have actually done me a HUGE favour, as I will definatley think twice before having any fast food.

In other news? Let me see….The Wellington Brass Band schedule for Christmas kicks of tomorrow, and Kirckdales (think Harrods in London except this is New Zealands take on it) we will be playing here for about an hour every Friday leading up to Christmas. I also have to sneak out of work before 17.30hrs in order to achieve this feat; therefore I intend to buy our team some morning breakfast as a bit of bribery (plus I am overdue to shout morning tea =P) anyways - more later. My bed is calling my name and I need to get up early in the morning.

Also in even more news, I don’t know whether to be elated or shocked, but apparently using the word ‘bomb’ in my last post attracted a LOT of attention to the blog, and I hit an all time high of 80 concurrent browsers (or bots to be fair so not necessarily people)….not too surprising although to be fair it could just be that a lot of people out there actually like MacGuyver like me - I truly hope it’s the latter!

I know …I know!! The medication will kick in soon, but seriously I am thinking of starting a shrine to MacGuyver! What a top series! I mean lets face it, where else are you going to learn how to make a bomb out of chewing gum? =P

I am re-aquainting myself with the series at the moment, since I don’t have much by way of TV in my bedsit, I rent DVD’s weekly, and I get through a season a week of whatever takes my fancy, so far I’ve done seasons 1 - 4 of Alias, Seasons 1 - 2 of Roswell and currently I am on Season 1 of MacGuyver! All for the cost of a couple of pints it’s great

It’s just getting hotter and hotter here, and it’s not even Summer yet? We’ve had 4 days of sheer sunniness, heat and general (careful you’ll get sunburnt!)….I’m not even complaining either, it’s just a bit of a shock to the system I guess, I’m so used to it being miserable, rainy and basically crap that all of this is still very much a spectacle to behold - I mean there’s not a single cloud in the sky! Well ok maybe 1, but it’s miles away! It’s nearly 7 in the eveining, and the sun will be out until nearly 9pm! As it has been all day….

In other news the whole house selling thing has gone deathly quiet so I have resigned myself to the fact it ain’t going to get sold in a hurry. For the first time ever too, I’ve done my christmas shopping! Well - I have to catch the post now don’t I?

AND also in further news - I bumped into the fella I sat next to on the flight over, the cricketer called Darren Dugby; we’ve exchanged numbers so hopefully he can fix me up with some social contacts in the area

Ever realise whatever you “thought” you knew about a particular subject or skill actually amounted to pretty much naff all? Me too! Had my first brass lesson today (since leaving school) and was given tons of new exercises and techniques that once mastered will transform my playing (I hope); for example “buzzing” through a simple phrase in tune without an instrument just with my lips! I feel like pandora’s box has just been opened. Like I have been asleep for the past 15 years! With some of the stuff I have been shown today, I have the potential to actually become a “Musician” instead of just someone who plays an instrument!

So, obviously I am going to practice what I have been shown today, and sign up for some more lessons!

In other news? It’s Saturday morning and the sun is shining bright, and I am thinking what the $£$% am I doing indoors typing this for???? Laters!

I am getting this real sense of Christmas being literally just round the corner, and I have got to get my toosh in gear and get some pressies sorted out and posted, as it’ll take about 10-15 days for them to get to the UK. Hmmm….just dunno what to get for people yet, I reckon I have another 2 days before it becomes a problem for me.

In other news? Not much to report really, I am continuing to lose weight (yippeeee) but at a slightly slower rate which is to be expected, as the increased exercise balances the increased muscle mass against lost blubber…..or something like that?!?! o.O The weather is definatley here though for plenty of outdoorsy stuff, and it’s been mighty fine weather all week, in fact as I type this the bright (UV-unprotected) sunlight is streaming through my window, increasing my chances of getting sunburn or sunstroke - Meh! Don’t worry I’ve got my factor 30+, I bought some the other day, hehe it looks like they don’t do anything less than 30 out here and it’s just as well with the Solar energy bombarding us at the moment.

I’ll be starting on-call at work just into December, so I guess that will be “fun” - so far all I really know is to answer the phone. It’ll all fall into place once I actually do it I suppose though. Meanwhile I am brushing up on Check Point NGX stuff - it’s ALL FUN FUN FUN!!!

I’ve just got back from taking part in the Christmas Parade with Wellington Brass Band; and I am a little bit tired to say the least, it’s glorious hot sunshine over here today, and the march was about an hour long [EDIT - was only about 20 odd minutes march but felt like an hour!!] and easily over a kilometer!! Still we all made it to the finish line, and there were loads of crowds, unfortunatley I didn’t have anyone there who could take any pictures, so I “borrow” some from press footage later on perhaps ;P Anyways - Here’s another photo, of me in my new uniform, and it’s also a glimpse of my bedsit too!!

I have had 2 rehersals now, and I have a uniform and will be marching on Sunday in the Wellington Christmas Parade. We are in front of some all-star cheerleaders apparently, shame we aren’t behind….sigh anyways!! Just thought I would blog again with some inane talk.

I’m looking forward to some un-expected funds too!! Firstly, it turns out I paid too much income tax back in 2004!! Also BT have overcharged me following the cancellation of my line (BIG surprise there!) - so, I’ll be putting that to one side in order to “enjoy” myself on my birthday with the lads (wink)…

Look out for some photo’s of me in my new uniform coming soon!!

The weather is ace! and is set to remain glorious and sunny right through to Monday! So, I’ll be heading out to do outdoorsy touristy stuff at some point on Saturday; also I have now hooked up with a band >> Wellington Tramways and Onslow Brass Band They’ve even loaned me a cornet whilst I wait for mine in shipping, they have quite a pedigree and are just a little bit older than Frodsham Silver, being formed in 1905…I got put onto them by one of the database guys on the 3rd floor (I’m, on the 2nd Floor at work) we’ve got marching practice on Sunday down in Wellington too; ready for the Christmas parade!

All I need now, is to find the perfect woman (blonde, about 25, x-super model with a lust for geeks) and sell my house and my life is perfect!!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone ;P