More in a physical sense than philosophical, or emotional. BAM!! It hit me this evening as I walked back to my bedsit; after spending a pleasant day with friends (Keith and Lyn from UK), it’s simple too! I looked up at the clear night sky, and saw stars which didn’t look familiar, I couldn’t make out little ‘Casseopia’ or ‘The Plough’ all the stars and constellations were alien to me…it was nearly enough to give me that vertigo feeling too! First time I’ve properly looked at the night sky without the clouds to obstruct my view…and you know what? I saw ‘my’ starsign - Saggitarius proudly dominating the sky for the first time in my life! This kinda made things ok again for me

Whilst I feel settled, and enjoy it here, it’s the little things like this that often remind me ‘I’m not in Kansas any more’; course I’ve never been to Kansas either…possibly flown over it maybe? But hey!! It’s a figure of speech, so I’ll stick with it.

We went for a meal last night with ’said’ friends and I tried ‘Kangaroo’ for the first time, which is presented like steak - right down to the peppercorn sauce! I must admit despite having a usual aversion to liver, this was ok! It was like eating liver without the liver texture that always puts me off? I’m amazed I remember as much, because we managed to drink a fair bit of alcohol, and I only just made the last train back from town to suburbia…

Got one more day off work tomorrow, so I intend to use it as productivly as I can, gonna ring the band hall (UK band and surprise em all) and say hi, then once I’ve sorted some water out, and my backpack I’m gonna break in my new walking shoes (Gortex Treksta’s) by heading up to Lowry Lookout again it should be a good day weather wise too, then I’ll head back chill out and go to band practice.

I’ve spent years and years “thinking” I knew how to play the cornet. When in fact I didn’t really ‘get’ the finer points, luckilly the crowd I’m in with now at Wellington Brass Band are helping me to step up; and it’s a steep learning curve! Having to ‘unlearn’ years of bad practise and habit, and replace it with the new and improved version…. In part I guess I know a little of Vista’s pain now, but that still doesn’t make me wanna go out and buy a copy!! I’ve got a LOT of hard work to get myself ready for the Australian Nationals, we’ve got two pieces and two marches to get perfect, and they are not the easiest pieces on the planet - she’ll be right though

Sigh…Keith should be in Welly (pet name for Wellington - duh!!) tomorrow, and so I’ll be out forcing myself to have a good time, and drink copious amounts of alcohol. I must admit I have been extremly tame since I arrived in NZ. I haven’t even gone out for that sake of going out?! Well, no excuses tomorrow I’m on a mission…who knows? I might even get noticed?!

In other news? Nothing much goin on…

Well all the usual stuff to begin with, got up raced for train to work etc…

One of our suppliers was in today showing us how to install some software, anyways to cut a long story short, and so not incriminate myself or any vendors out there, it failed miserably… well not entirely miserably, because we managed to get the supplier to shout us for morning-tea twice AND lunch, so with my savings today I think I’ll head into town tonight and watch the premiere of “Jumper” - Looks like an absolutley AWESOME flick

Oh yeah baby!! Brisbane? Watch out, I’m headed your way! This Easter the band I joined (Wellington Brass Band) will be going over there to compete in Australian Nationals, coz we’re like the best band in the whole world or something….well I believe it?! (second only to Frodsham Silver Band of course - how could I forget you guys?!) Anyhoo…after all the blowing, and the wind, and marching and stuff, I’ll be heading down to the Gold Coast for a week…general debauchery etc…pubs, clubs…beaches (with pubs, clubs)….hotel/bungalows (near pubs, clubs)…

So….Perfect time for me to sort my self out! If you get my meaning, and try my hand at some good harmless dating fun! My biggest task, and goal in all of this, is to learn how to laugh at myself and actually mean it! I hate taking myself and life so seriously (it’s like my work life persona has invaded my own).

As you guessed, I am on the upbeat, but that’s also because I have some time off soon, Keith (ex-colleague from UK) is over with his wife, and they hit Wellington in a couple of days, I of course with a little forsight have booked the time off, so I can meet up with them and generally behave like a two year old (who’s allowed alcohol)….

In other news on a more serious and scientific note, for all you guys in the UK, I will test whether or not the water really does spin the ‘other way’ when going down the plug-hole in Oz!