Decisions Decisions.

July is some way off yet. But that's when I am planning to take my annual holidays. No matter that there is no one to do my job while I am gone! By then it will be 19 months since my last holidays, and it's likely I will be about ready to crack. Unless I actually make plans and book tickets, no one will EVER be trained to cover for me, leaving me trapped forever in a downward spiral of never-ending responsibilities. I'm slowly learning that one must not do their job TOO well, as this only leads to more work with no pay rise in sight. In fact a slight aura of irresponsibility seems to be the best way to avoid being crushed by mounting responsibilities. I think I may need to call in sick sometime in the coming weeks to re-enforce this fact. I am in fact about due for the first cold of the season, so I think when it hits, I will actually take a sick day or two. I usually just keep working and suffer through, but to hell with it, why be a martyr?

So, July. At first I was thinking a little mid-winter sunshine would be the go. New Caledonia? Hawaii even? Asia somewhere? But then I got all fired up about trains again. Auckland to Wellington, catch the ferry, Picton to Christchurch, Christchurch to Greytown and back again. Then probably fly back to Auckland. I have, infact, never been to the South Island. Shameful. But what about the sunshine? I'll need a dose to calm the old S.A.D.
Shame those holiday deals always seem to be twin share. Anyone keen to escape with me?

Maybe I could do both? After all, now I have 4 weeks to fill instead of 3!

What I did for my holidays

Well, actually, I didn't really have holidays. But I did go down to Rotorua for Raggamuffin, and let me tell you, I can't wait for the next one! Breakfast at Zippy's, a night at the Thermal Holiday Park, and a day barfoot on the grass drinking beer and listening to reggae.

Here is a very small portion of my tomato crop. Low acid Roma tomato's in the front there, and a selection from a mixed 6 pack of seedlings at the back. I grew them in big white buckets against the north side of the house (which is the sunniest spot on our section, but is also our concrete driveway :( ) Applications of fish fertilizer and constant watering resulted in a bumper crop. They are finishing up just as my dad's fancy heirloom tomatos are ripening. How convenient! Sadly, my eggplants are not doing so well. Some mysterous pest has laid eggs in every one of the fruit and they are all infested with the hatchling grubs. :'(

In other news, next saturday I'm off on the "Waves and Wheels to Opua" train trip. Yippee!!!! Auckland to Whangarei by train on the north-western line, Whangerei to Opua by coach, And then Opua to Auckland by boat going around all the little inlets. Can't wait.

http://www.railfan.org.nz/

It's too darn hot to sit in front of a computer.

DO WANT

I'd like to be sitting inside one of these just now.

I've been having a lucky couple of weeks. Money and free stuff keeps falling in my lap. I bought a Big Wednesday ticket, but I guess it's not that kind of luck. :( Can't win them all I guess!
The monkeys are somewhat heat affected, they are so hot they can hardly move. Poor monkeys.
I went to Wellington for one night to see Throwing Muses play. It was awesomewicked. I also spent the next day shopping before my flight out, ended up having to buy another bag for my lovely second-hand purchases, 2 of which were Kimonos. They are from a place called Asia Gallery in Kilbirnie (look it up!) They import second hand stuff from japan. The kimonos are mostly only $25 each, although there was a big pile of $5 kimonos in the middle of the floor also. I wanted to buy some just for the fabrics, but didn't have the room! :( Maybe next time.

Eating pizza and drinking beer at Fidel's on Cuba St is also highly recommended. Best vegetarian pizza. Yum.