The other day I heard that Flight of the Conchords were going to write a movie – and the next morning I woke up with the complete plot in my head. So hey, Bret and Jemaine? If you ever happened to read this, it’s all yours – obligation free… The plot Jemaine’s crazy cousin, played by Taika […]
So once again I find myself woefully unprepared for a trip just a few days from leaving. On Monday I’m flying to Invercargill, then driving to Bluff before sailing to the Campbell Islands on what should be an amazing expedition. Unfortunately, instead of collecting lots of snug, professional gear suited to a trip to New […]
As Rebecca and I renovate our old wooden house we’re turning up some interesting, disgusting, objects. Most impressive is this beautifully mummified creature which was preserved in the gap between the building’s inner and outer walls, and looks a lot like one of Jim Henson’s Skeksi creatures from the Dark Crystal movie.
You’d think it was unsporting if the IRB predicted the outcome to every Rugby World Cup pool match, wouldn’t you? But that’s exactly what they’ve done. Check it out. I was looking up match fixtures on the official www.rugbyworldcup.com site today and noticed something funny. Do you see how some teams are listed just on […]
Rugby rugby rugby. Cup cup cup. How many times have you heard the phrase? I’ve been working as a sub-editor lately and can confirm that every newspaper story written in New Zealand for the last two months has included a World Cup angle. Rugby rugby rugby. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the tournament immensely, […]
On February 22 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake demolished most of Christchurch, which is my hometown, and turned the spire of its iconic cathedral into a pile of dark-stoned rubble. I went back to Christchurch recently, for the first time since the quake, and it’s funny. You walk down a street and you’re sure you remember […]
Some plot devices are so hackneyed they must never be used again. These 17 classic cliches can make your book or screenplay cringe-worthy without you knowing
I’m sick I’m sick. I’m sick. I’ve been sick so long I’m bored of it. And the stuff coming out of my nose… Yesterday I actually blew something out that smelled – how is that even possible? I use my nose to smell. It came out my nose. Ergo, I should have smelt it before it arrived. […]
What a pleasure it has been travelling with Jim. Seventy-four and snowy bearded, Jim joined us from Kathmandu to Khumjung, walking with us up to 3700 metres before heading off on a ramble down valley. Not only was Jim a mountaineer, he also taught religious studies at Canterbury University, lived in India for several years, […]
I love to go a-wandering Along the mountain track And as I go I love to sing, Rebecca’s knapsack, plus my own, On my back. Val-der-ree… A week ago Rebecca and I set off up valley to cross the 5380 metre Renjo Pass. It was ambitious of us, considering our rubbish fitness, the tough time […]
