I bumped into David Beckham yesterday

I would have taken this exact photo with Gi-Gi (my sexy new camera) yesterday, but I was holding my hand luggage.

As I checked in for my flight home at Wellington airport yesterday, the lady commented that we would be on a 747 (they usually only allow the 737 and smaller to land at Wellington due to small runway and one of the most dangerously windy airports in the world) as David and his LA Galaxy crew were flying in on it. (I guess they needed a lot more business class seating than can be found on the lowly 737...? Extra room for entourages? Lots of suitcases? I'm pretty sure there was no seats on QF47 flight from Sydney to Wellington available to the public for that day...)

So I hung around the press area instead of the Qantas club, to get me a look at this high-falutin type. And sure enough, he and his gang came staggering up, smiled politely while a very scary Maori yelled a welcome chant at them and offered them a feathery stick (must research significance but it was a hell of a lot cooler than anything we do to welcome important guests at C.K.S.), then the entire team touched foreheads with the lineup of important Wellington officials, including this woman who was on the end of the line, about 3 feet away from me and the 75 yr old die-hard Beckham fan grinning and moaning away next to me.

My official report - D-Becks is much shorter and hotter up close in his football trackie than dolled up in the press with Posh clutching his arms.

Anyway, then I had to hurry off and board David's jet to bring me back home. Hurrah for back home!

Vale´ Bernie

Two Elections and Two Good Choices!

This is the man we chose to run the country...

First off, I guess Labor got into power or something, and maybe John Howard ended up getting fired? Not sure what thats all about...

Doesn't that look like she is just SO THRILLED that he has his arm around her?

Secondly, and infiniately more relevant and important, last night gave us the excruciatingly awful 3+ hour Australian Idol extraveganza. Suzy and I couldn't bear to watch more than a few minutes at a time, every time we switched over there was either some no-name providing numbingly boring filler, or the final 12 producing some of the most horrendous musical war crimes I have ever heard. It was an abomination, and I hear that they also had several lengthy cuts in broadcasting (although they probably came as a blessed relief when compared to the actual "entertainment").

I only really switched over right at the end, to find out who won. When I tuned in the judges were giving them a few words, and I got to see both Kyle and Mark basically say "Matt, I want you to win". Nice!

The best bit was Mark Holden telling Matt to "be smart. Do what Casey Donovan did, or Missy Higgins. Take your time, don't rush something out". I'm sorry Mark, but what the fuck? Casey Donovan is a stupid fat cow who was inexplicably given a chance of a lifetime, which she then flushed down the toilet... but only after discovering the hardway that it was inedible. If she does anything to make the headlines again which doesn't involve being found dead in a pile of her own waste at 21 I'm going to be amazed, because she has well and truely lost her chance to capitalise on her Idol success.

If you're wondering why that flyer doesn't look quite up to the SonyBMG standards, that would be because she got dumped by the record label after the one album they were forced to give her. Still... looks like a rocking show!

And comparing anyone from Australian Idol to Missy Higgins is just insane (for the record, Missy was discovered via JJJ Unearthed playing original music, and she then took a long overseas break before trying to get into the music industry, which is what he was getting at). The real difference is that she actually has talent, and didn't rely on a national kareoke competition to kickstart her career, but actually put herself out there with an Indy EP and supporting bands like George before getting a record deal.

S, it came time for the envelope (after this break!) and just about everyone is waiting for them to call out Matt Corby's name. But shock of shocks, the Australian public made the right choice and gave it to Natalie Gauci! Even she couldn't believe it, and asked them "are you sure?"

So congrats to Natalie, and thank god it's over. Hopefully she won't end up getting shafted onto the Young Divas or similar, and actually gets to give it a crack. Now we get to see how many of them produce absurdly bad singles and then fade away, only to turn up on Neighbours (Dan O'Connor), Singing Bee (Milsy!) and low budget musicals (just about everyone yay!).

Employment %

Some times I feel the only reason i still have a job is that I'm the only person in my office that can use percentages to their advantage. My ability to take X & Y preform (X-Y)/X x 100 puts me on the mathematical holy ground! Who needs first year maths all you need to secede is to have payed attention in year 8 week 5 Tuesday period 3.

CONGRATULATIONS SHARI & JOHN!!!

Well done John. Great catch!

And great rock.

Another round of exams: DONE

Tonga data collection and member visit

Officially, Tonga is the toughest Pacific location I have visited. Very basic and glamour-free.

But between you and me, (and everyone else I have spoken to in the last 2 weeks) Tonga is my all time favourite Pacific location. I LOVE it! In a very deep and raunchy way. Ok, not raunchy. But a lot!

The riots in November last year have had a big impact and it would be very tough to live on Tongatapu. There are a number of factors that will soon culminate in a heartbreaking 'loss of innocence' for this little kingdom but such a genuine, stripped back, traditional and big hearted place has got me lovestruck.

For me, first there was work to do:


Talamahu markets


Ocean of Light school


I met with Aussies and Kiwis and toured the hospital and a school. The newest assignee at the Australia High Commission and I visited the local market, makeshift supermarkets, browsed the half dozen or so books in the book shop, dodged chickens and pigs on our drive to the south coast of the island, discovered REAL icecream and tested a few 'reputable' restaurants. I heard from some spouses about the hardships of trying to find cheese.

Friends Cafe

Then there was not-so-work.

Pangaimotu jetty

I spent Sunday on Pangaimotu on the waters edge.

WIth a few hours at Big Mama's for fish and chips, beer and some people watching.

View from Big Mama's 'yaucht club'


I met some lovely people, with whom the nightlife was investigated.

And made some friends I plan to keep.

Now I'm plotting the holiday I must take my husband back for, before destiny gets her gruesome grip on my charming little pacific gem.

Good Headline - But....

'We'll destroy hoons' cars - and video it'

Screams the Herald - I'm sure in an article that has been written straight from the government press release - government press releases are so handy, it saves having to do any journalistic work yourself, the spin doctors in Governor Macquarie Tower do it all for you.

Then Hark! I hear a researcher into Modified Car Culture from UWS (OK that did make me giggle). 1/4 of 1% of accidents caused by modified cars - but don't the hoons cause all the accidents? Why isn't the government threating to destroy the pedestrian killing, environment killing, urban 4WD of Mosman - guess trashing a hotted up civic is a better headline then actually doing things about road safety.

Farewell Marty, or I can't believe I almost forgot again!

THANK YOU AUSTRALIA.

That is all.

New Toy

Just sharing my new nerdy toy: Wireless HD media server with 500GB hard drive... Gave it it's first run on the second season of the IT Crowd last night

Mediagate MG350

Mattwa

Can you please give us ALL the Melbourne Cup trifecta this year?

I am modestly envoweled, and other fun facts about my name!

Here is a brief distraction for everyone. Enjoy!

Richard Andrew.

Etymology*:

---

Forename:
Origin: English
Meaning: Powerful, Rich Ruler

Surname:
Origin: (Greek.) A brave man. Courage, bravery, manhood, from a man.

Top 5 facts:

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1. 31% of the letters are vowels. Of one million first and last names we looked at, 74% have a higher vowel make-up. This means you are modestly envoweled.
   
2. Backwards, it is Drahcir Werdna... nice ring to it, huh?
3. In Pig Latin, it is Ichardray Andrewway.
4. In ASCII binary it is...
   01010010 01101001 01100011 01101000 01100001 01110010 01100100 00100000 01000001 01101110 01100100 01110010 01100101 01110111
5. People with this first name are probably: Male. So, there's a 98% likelihood you sweat just thinking of the price of shaver blades.

3 things you didn't know:

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1. Your personal power animal is the Loch Ness Monster (TOP THAT!)
2. Your 'Numerology' number is 9. If it wasn't bulls**t, it would mean that you are multi-talented, compassionate, and impartial. A humanitarian, you seek opportunities to help others.
3. According to the US Census Bureau°, 1.707% of US residents have the first name 'Richard' and 0.005% have the surname 'Andrew'. The US has around 300 million residents, so we guesstimate there are 256 'Richard Andrew's.

Don't you love the STUNNING ACCURACY of the Numerology section? I mean... it's just SPOOKY!

Friday Mutterings

So Mel keeps answering the phone before me taking away the small hope that a random phone call will break me out of my desk funk. Oh Todd from the US Studies centre just invited me to hear Harriett Fulbright (widow of Senator Fulbright - of Fulbright Scholarship fame) speak this excites me. Also today I'm in the process of orgainising flowers for the men folk at Dee's wedding. I should be cleaning my desk and working on some budget papers but all I really want to do is have a nap on the couch. Can anyone break this funk.

Good Luck Matt S

Good Luck Noodle

Sarah - I want something from Tonga

Richard - I plead with you - discuss the eyebrows on Idol those guys are killing me

John - you really shouldn't have done that

Margaret - The small glimmer of hope i have right now is breakfast tomorrow - 10.30

Shari - Blog Something

I also need to remember to pick up some pictures after 2.00pm so if you speak to me nag me.


AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It shall be mine...

USB Mini Fridge for a can... I wantsssssss it.