A wild post appears!

It uses procrastination, it's super effective!


So yeah, the blog. A lot has happened since (checks date of last post) October 2013! Time for a solid bullet pointed list I think.

• Finished teacher registration, now licensed to teach anywhere* (*Anywhere where an NZ teaching qualification is recognised)
  
• Got my dog. Loki, a heading dog who leaves me shaking my head sometimes but is always by my side, or when not waiting for me.

• Went to Vietnam supervising a school exchange. While the country was very interesting and different, never again will I lead a trip composed primarily of teenage girls. Also ate pigeon, turtle, jellyfish, cow hoof and ostrich. Would only recommend the ostrich.
  
• Attended the wedding of a couple of good mates as a groomsman. Tough job I know, standing there and looking pretty. But I think I nailed it. Was also a lot of fun being silly for the photographer and dancing with bridesmaids.
  
• Got a .270 rifle for hunting deer. Have taken it out a couple of times but haven't had any success with it yet.
  
• Moved house to a little cottage on a small farmlet by the lake. So much serenity. Plenty of room for the dog to run, and best bit. No noisy neighbours. Apart from the cows, and rooster, and geese...
  
• Did some more stuff, outdoors adventures, tramping, hunting, etc. None of it is especially springing to mind though.

Have my red belt grading on Monday so hoping that goes well. Also have a tournament the weekend after. And then some other stuff. Might be I'll even blog about it. No one knows :P.

My path to greatness.

Re-organised after being inspired by Steve Kamb at www.nerdfitness.com. Instead of a boring bucket list, I have turned it into quests to reach new levels. Each quest is worth 20% of a level. Master quests are a level each. All is subject to change due to life being unpredictable. Let's see what level I am now then...

Currently at Level 16! (80% progress to level 17)
Visit Stewart Island (Rakiura) - 11/07/2014 On my first day there I saw a Kiwi, in the wild, in the middle of the day. Amazing experience. It was so peaceful (being winter therefore no one was there). Also caught a load of Blue Cod, enjoyed THE pub quiz and took in the serenity. SO much serenity :P.
Get a promotion at work. - 17/06/2014 Assistant HOF Science. Once again I am a 2IC. Means more responsibilities but also an extra couple of grand. Sweet.
Get a dog - 01/01/2014 Loki, the mischievous heading dog joined me in my adventures. Being a puppy, he got right to work destroying anything left within his reach. Now 8 months old, he has begun to mature and calm down. Will have to work him though as he is very energetic.
Be in a wedding party - 17/05/2014 Stood as groomsman for good friends from uni. Had a blast, much fun being silly for the photographer.

Level 15 master quest - Become a fully registered teacher 22/10/13 The email arrived today confirming I am now a proper teacher for reals. 2 years of hard work spread over the last 6 (because they wouldn't count a lot of it as relevant). I can now go and teach pretty much where I want and get paid the right amount. Glad this one is over, it was a constant niggle throughout the years.

Level 14 master quest - Pilot a plane 21/07/13 - Wakatipu Aero Club. Right after my skydive I did this, took a plane out for around 20 minutes, flying around the Queenstown basin. Pretty cool but rather tame given the activity of the morning. Definitely hungry for more though.

Level 13 master quest - Skydive 21/07/13 - NZone in Queenstown. Wasn't originally on the plan for my trip down South, but I thought 'F*%k it'. The ride up I was trying to distract myself, then the door opens and my feet are hanging out into open space. A brief moment of 'Oh shit!' before the instructor pushes off and we go tumbling out. 40 seconds or so of free-fall all the while you are hoping and praying the chute will pop, then whoosh! Floating gently down above Lake Wakatipu. Absolutely amazing, absolutely terrifying.

Level 12 master quest -See the Aurora. 23/11/12 - Dancing lights in the sky above, unfortunately hidden partially by cloud. Also weird to see the Pole star much more overhead than what you see in England. 

Level 11
-Fly completely around the world. Done 08/11 - London - Tokyo - Auckland - Los Angeles - London.
-Visit Canada. Done 05/12/12 - They really are friendlier here, and much more so than Americans. Vancouver was very idyllic in the forest away from the city.
-Visit Scandinavia. 20/11/12 - Lovely place I definitely need to return to. Awesome scenery, amazing weather, expensive though.
-Visit Iceland. 03/12/12 - Really does look like another world. An amazing place with very distinctive landscapes.
-Snowshoe hike with huskies. 24/11/12 - Couldn't do sledding as the snow was wrong, but still had an awesome time hiking in the woods and hills with a pack of husky cross dogs.

Level 10 master quest
Attend a major festival. Done 08/06/12 - Download festival, was freaking awesome.

Level 9
-See Stonehenge. Done 08/04/10. During a spring break road trip. It is smaller than you would expect, although it is very quiet considering how close the highway is, and impressive when you realise these are the only stones for miles around, everything else is chalk.
-Visit Cawdor castle. June 10, road trip with the parents, very interesting place. Not as cool as Warwick though.
- Visit Loch Ness . June 10, kind of spooky when it is misty and still.
- See a movie in 3D. Done 19/12/09. Avatar, really well done with good depth to the picture. The plot and action were pretty good as well.
-Get a professional massage. It was at a LARP event but I did pay for it :p.

Level 8 master quest
-Participate in a national sporting competition. Done 02. National secondary school rowing. And again 11/10 - Tae Kwon Do open competition in London, 2 golds!

Level 7
-See Eddie Izzard live. Done 04/12/09. The Stripped show at Wembley arena. Fantastic show with lots of new material linked into the old stuff. Highly recommended.
-See West-end theatre. Done 24/01/09. Avenue Q,Brilliant show, highly recommended but not for kids!
-Meet someone in person off the Internet. Done 03/09.
-Visit Dublin. Done 18/09/09. Great city, not many tall buildings but lots of old ones. Expensive day paint balling and night out. There for Gaelic footy final so very busy. Guinness tastes better here.
-Wake up on bench in the park. Done 07/09 (train station but close enough) Hard night in London, had to wait too long for the train and fell asleep, then fell asleep on the train and missed my stop.

Level 6 Master quest
-Ride a horse/motorbike/snowmobile/jetski . Done 92-ish/done 08/done 02-09/done 2011 Horse-riding as a child, bought my own bike early 08, snowmobiling in Poland early 09. Jetskiing in Portugal 2011 - if you turn sharply, the jetski turns, you go straight!


Level 5
-Do something that makes someone say, “You know, I really admire what you did!”. Done 09. A couple of people have said this about me going out into the world on my own.
-Win an award. Done 12/08. Medals for Solomons deployment count I guess.
-Set off a fire extinguisher. Done 01-02. Drunken shenanigans at a soccer party, CO2 is cold!
-Volunteer for a good cause. Done 09-12. Various youth related causes.
-Visit Paris. Done 17/08/09. Beautiful city, plenty to see and do, very expensive though.

Level 4 master quest
-Deploy with the army. Done 15/07/08. 4 month stint in the Solomon Islands sweltering in the heat and keeping the peace.

Level 3
- Write my will. Done 07-08.
- See a tornado. Done late 05. Final field ex of basic training watched 3 track across the horizon in Waiouru.
- Get below 10% body fat. Done 22/07/09. 3 weeks of lots of walking and partying with little sleep and food will do that, now to keep it that way.
- Make a complete and utter fool of myself. Done far too often. The reason why I don't drink heavily anymore, still happens though.
- Become a semi-acceptable cook. I have cooked for other people and they haven't died so success!

Level 2 - Master quest
- Serve my country. Done 25/09/05. Three years with the Territorial army, to which I will return.

Level 1
- Organise a stag party. Done 15/12/08.Michael Kelly's in Wellington, NZ. 2 nights of male bonding and drunkenness.
- Ride a roller coaster (can't believe I haven't done this yet). Done 8/06/12. Not a roller coaster but an exhilarating ride anyway, possibly more thrilling than a roller coaster.
- Plant a tree. Done sometime in 96-97. Intermediate school task, planting trees by the Waitara river. And again at some point in the past at a relatives place.
- Stay out all night partying and go to work the next day without having gone home. I'm checking this one off, having done several all nighters and carried on with minimal sleep is as close as I can get, given my profession. Also followed up and all night drinking session with a TKD tournament.
- Journey cross-country without a map. Done 2010-11 - sort of, drive towards somewhere then figure out where I am in Western England. Also, wandering about in Wales.

Master quests remaining 
Visit all six continents. 4 (Asia, Europe, Australia, North America) down.
Visit Antarctica (gets it's own one due to difficulty).
Climb a mountain (English mountains don't count, on account of them being hills)Dec 2014, Tongariro crossing, not counting it though.
Go on safari.
Become conversational in a second language (currently - a bit shit at many).
Black belt in TKD (Red belt as of 9/6/14, hopefully by end 2015. Nope.).

Run a 10k (04/2014)/Half (26km Mountain run with combat loading)/Full marathon .

Visit one of the great falls.

Gain dive master qualification (currently at - open water).
Complete arctic/desert/jungle survival training.
Become an outdoor instructor (Oct 2015 - Outdoor leader certificate).

Get married.
Have a kid.

Walk the Inca trail.

Walk from The Shire to Mordor (Matamata to Mt Ngauruhoe).
Walk the Te Araroa Trail (Length of NZ)

Own an apartment or a house.

Go to space (hey, why not).

Quests remaining

1. Visit the Pyramids.
2. Drive across New Zealand from North to South (So far Pukekohe down to Dunedin).
3. See the Great Wall of China.
4. Learn to play a new instrument (I can make the violin screech).
5. Swim a kilometre in the sea.
6. Fix a car/bike.
7. Be able to play 10 songs fully on the piano.
8. Visit the top of the Eiffel Tower.
9. Learn to surf.
10. Sit on a jury.
11. Drink beer at Oktoberfest in Munich.
12. Go up in a hot-air balloon.
13. Fire an AK-47.
14. Visit an active volcano.
15. Drive a ridiculously expensive car.
16. Change a stranger’s flat tire.
17. Learn how to sail.
18. Go whale watching.
19. Fly first (or business) class.
20. See a full solar eclipse.
21. Visit Rome.
22. Ride/fly a warplane.
23. Create and maintain a bug out bag and survival kit.
24. Become an ambulance officer/paramedic (at first responder level).
25. Live on the ocean for a month.
26. Get a tailored suit made.
27. Go on a horse and hound hunt.
28. Dive at Truk lagoon, Guam.
29. 
    
30. 
    

Boom, headshot.

So much for a low key holiday. In the last 2 weeks I spent a weekend Larping, drove over 2000km, shot .22's at cans and shotguns at clay birds, hunted deer and goats with a .308, did some rock climbing, mountain biking and camped in a storm. Now I am shortly off to the capital for another larp, a steam-punk convention and maybe an Oktoberfest event. Work will be a rest after this. Breaking it down.

33AR - First weekend of my break was the steam-punk apocalypse larp. Over the weekend I mainly played demons, but also a telegraph operator who no one questioned or even asked his name. Could have been a saboteur for all they knew. I also played my recurring Forest Folk character Fergus, who now brews nasty liquor using tree sap and his socks. Good fellow. The weekend was filled with 'the players did what? Ahahaha!', causing paranoia and having fun.

Following 33AR, I visited the barber to get my face changed, saw an optometrist and gave blood. Then Simon and myself drove up north to visit some friends. Here we shot rifles, drove quad bikes, picked up calves, flew RC planes, retrieved said plane from a tree, drank, played with puppies and generally had a good time.

After a days rest I then went hunting with the lads in Wairarapa, having been lent a very expensive but very nice .308 rifle. Shot some goats and I got my first deer, in fact two in a row. We then went through the effort of bringing the meat the 2km back to the car. After all was said and done, I ended up with around 57kg of venison in my freezer, so I won't be needing to buy meat for a while.

Another days rest and then I was off up to Taupo with another teacher where we mountain biked (with full packs) into a secluded bay to do some rock climbing. The weather had other ideas however so we only got one climb in before returning to the shelter someone had conveniently built at the bay. We spent the night in the relative comfort of the shelter while a storm rolled through.

As I sit here typing this, my bags are packed for a weekend in Wellington where there shall be larping, drinking, and general mischief most like. Then on Monday, back to work for the downhill leg of the year. The time seems to have gone so quickly since I returned in December last year.

It's the life in your years.

Another season ends, another post appears. This winter has been pretty mild in my opinion, but then again, it is my first winter back in NZ since '08. Busy one though, with many an activity done. First off, the teeth recovered reasonably well, barely any trouble now. I took up the new hobby of mountain climbing, completing two skills course and an avalanche awareness course. Good fun to be had on a mountain side, but you have to be sure of your equipment, your skills and your partner. Looking forward to continuing with it during early spring and next winter.

My archery club somewhat fell through, mainly due to my weekends being often taken up with other things and the students being unable or unwilling to get themselves to the range. I might try and start it up again shortly, or else put it off to next year. Speaking of next year, there is really not much longer left in the school year now. Seniors are off on study leave before long and then there are summer activities to take up more time.

In mid July I had a pretty epic holiday in Queenstown. some skiing, some drinking, horse trekking through Middle Earth, flying a plane and a sky dive. A couple of goals ticked of the quest list. It was not cheap though, so I suspect my next break in 3 weeks will be a pretty low key local thing.

In three weeks My registration period ends, meaning I need to have my paperwork in order for if the ministry request it. Then, if all goes to plan, I will be a fully registered teacher, another goal checked off.

How'd I get here?

On Friday I had my first adult experience with anaesthesia. It didn't go quite how I was expecting. The needle went into the hand, the mask over the face. I started counting down from 20, got to about 10... Then woke up around an hour and a half later with four teeth missing lying in a different room. No drifting off, no dreams, no sensation. Just a missing block of time and a sore mouth. It took longer than they were expecting for me to drop off because I was so calm. Now, three days later I no longer look quite like I took a couple of punches to the jaw and feel more or less normal (apart from the loose bit of stitch, damn annoying). Looks like I will be able to be back to work on Wednesday, bugger.

During the holidays (back in April, I've been slack) I passed my fitness test for the army (not by as much as I would have liked, but plenty beyond the minimum). So I am now just waiting for the paperwork monster to spit out a contract for me before I can move forward with that. I am also waiting for the bureaucrats to sort out my firearms licence as I have passed all checks with that as well. Does not fill one with confidence in the police when it takes them this long to do something so simple, but hey. I also got several fillings which I have needed for a while (but I did not need the large bill, ouch). Also saw Iron man 3 which I totally enjoyed, great dynamics between Tony and the kid plus awesome plot hooks. From Simon's urging I started watching Parks & recreation which has been a lot of fun. Unfortunately finished that show but have just started on Arrested development which is pretty fun too.

Since then, I have been back down to Wellington a few times. However, it seems the novelty is starting to wear off. Too many cookie cutter people and not enough personality. Still, it gets me out of the village and gives me time with my friends. I saw the latest Star Trek movie which I quite enjoyed, even if it was a bit slow at times. Then promptly followed this with watching the original series introduction to Khan and the second movie. Hangover 3 was a great ending to the trilogy in my opinion, thoroughly enjoyable. Spent an evening catching up with the 15B boys who could make it out, some changes in these guys but they are still the same people I would trust my life with.

Since returning to school I have made some headway in setting up a archery group for students. Limited at present by my own ability and funding, but have some options to proceed with this which is exciting. I have also taken up rock climbing on the school's wall (gotta love free facilities). You don't realise just how much you hands can sweat until you are clinging to a hold by three fingers.

Another day in paradise.

Haha! Look at that, only one month this time, I'm getting better. So, where did I leave off? Ah yes, Ragnarok.

33AR is a steampunk LARP set in the 1800s after a massive demon invasion of Earth. The main action takes place on a refugee camp on the Isle of Skye. I was along to help the organisers crew it, so my role changed throughout the weekend. First off, I assembled a demon cage. Then, I protected the cage from the noisy denizens of Wainuiomata (Including a very noisy stag). After this, some players arrived so I lay down inside the cage to be a demon, who escaped when they started messing with it (silly players). The look of terror in their eyes as we emerged from the dark was priceless. I then did some spying which is very easy when no-one seems to question you beyond asking your name if you are unarmed. The following day I played a possessed Buddhist monk with designs of blackmail (who got tortured and executed for this) and the spy again. This was also interspersed with periods of zombie-ing which built up to a full scale assault. Finally my spy returned for an abduction attempt which proved far too successful so I had to allow them to be rescued, but the spy got away to sneak another day. Overall, a lot of fun, even if it was quite different to the LARP's I was used to from the UK.

The weekend after this I was supposed to be going on a tramp in the ranges with a school group but this got called off on account of rain. So instead I had some people over for a few drinks to finally do something of a housewarming. This was followed but some ever-so-thrilling catching up on work. Woo, work.

This weekend I went down to Wellington again, however this time the capital let me down in terms of weather. However still had a good time, had some drinks, caught up with mates, went to a Blutfleck & Drab 5 gig at Bodega, and saw Oblivion. Best description I can really give, a lot like Prometheus. In that is was very pretty and I really wanted to enjoy it, but plot holes and scientific inaccuracy ahoy.

Now on two weeks holiday. This has several things happening, some fun (mates over to the homestead, Iron man 3) some not so fun (teeth extraction, fitness test). Still, good to finally have a rest after one of the longest terms in about a decade (or so Mum says).

La vida loca

Whew, been a busy few months alright, and once again I have been failing to keep this up to date. Hmm, bullet-points I think;

• December 2012 - Left England. Awesome farewell, followed by a meandering path back to NZ. First stop was Iceland, which was out of this world. Did a quick quad bike tour that just left me hungry for more. Next stop Seattle. Very interesting city, the people I met were all very friendly, even the security at the airport. Made me think America wasn't all bad, or it may have just reinforced my opinion that those on the West coast are alright. Then I caught the train to Vancouver which was neat, although there were a lot of homeless people about. Mostly walked about here, bit disappointing I could hit the bar scene as it looked a bit metal. Finally caught the long flight home.
  Arrived back in NZ and caught up with some mates very quickly. Underwent minor culture shock reintegrating into a 'small society. Spent Christmas with the family and had a quiet New Years (for a change).
• January 2013 - Tripped around the country for a bit, helped a mate build a house, applied for several jobs and finally got one at the end of the month, 2 days before school started back. Talk about hectic! Discovered a decent metal-ish bar in Wellington that has become my regular place to hit when I get down to the capital.
• February 2013 - Working time. Once again chaos as I simultaneously prepare for work while working, while also finding a place to live and moving in, while also sorting out all those other pesky things you need when starting a house. An expensive month this was. Also got away hunting with some friends which filled my freezer with venison. Attended an alternative fashion show which was a bit fun and got stupidly drunk at my big brothers stag do.
• March 2013 - Had a blast at big bros wedding, caught some neat music in the capital, hosted a girl from Argentina and some students from Vietnam, and got myself more involved in the schools extracurricular programme. Still have several things to sort out (like a flat-warming party, now 8 weeks overdue!), but they are on the to-do list and I have a long weekend coming up. 

Coming up I have a school trip away, my first LARP back in the homeland, and school holidays which I haven't even considered what to do for yet. Despite finally being somewhat 'settled' I still feel somewhat restless. While the work and place I live are alright, I still feel like there is more to do and see, something missing, etc. Regardless, I will see out the year here at the very least and then re-assess things.

August 2014 Alt-fest is starting in the UK. I would very much like to go to this as it sounds awesome and it would also be an opportunity to see friends from the old country. I guess only time and finances will tell if I will be able to make it at this stage.