No more Golf and BBQ

So I have been told that a round of Golf in the UK is going to cost an arm and a leg. BBQ's are also non-existent. So last weekend, my boss and a few guys from work decided to get back out on the golf course to cause more havoc. We decided to play at Paraparaumu. For the non-golfers, Paraparaumu golf course has been the course of choice for 12 NZ Opens. It is also rated 73rd on the world top 100 golf courses. The morning started at 7:30am, such a beautiful course with golf carts is bad news. Although donuts were a no-no, rally driving and skiddies were a must. The boss and I got hussled and lost the game by 5 strokes, breakfast and beers were on us.

The day followed with a trip to Lindale Farm to see umm.....farm animals I guess. It was the first time I've seen a lama in the flesh and boy are those things ugly. The only thing that sprung to my mind was:

"Tina, you fat lard, come get some DINNER!... Tina, eat. Food. Eat the FOOD! "

We also found out that if you gave the pigs a hug, they start oinking. Mike got a bit upset, I think he's part of the animal rights movement.

Mike: Nicole! On the sign it says "Dont tease the animals, they have feelings too"

After the farm, it was back to the bach to indulge with some beverages and good food. Although we did not have a BBQ, we did use it as a brazier to keep us warm. Typical shenanigans went on and I passed out around 10pm. What a great weekend.

Only 1 more week in New Zealand and I'm off to the big smoke.

Sam

Oink Oink - 1.2 MB

Highland Cattle - 2.5 MB




Extreme Carting








Check out the Scenery








Dirty Mongrel









Getting lucky from an Emu







It's Tina the Lama








Say "Cheese"








Love Waikanae









Performance from Kapahaka group

London here I come

People say Friday the 13th is an unlucky day, but on that day, my visa was aproved!
Very excited; like a little school boy with a stiffy.
I meet up with Sam Burrett during her short stint in Wellington and went out for a few drinks, dinner, drinks, dessert, drinks. It was an early night but we managed to get a lot of drinks down. The next day at work was a ride off, drinking pints is totally different from drinking schooners.

Friday night was meant to be a quiet night as I was feeling under the moon. I brushed my mates as I did not want to go out. But at 5:30pm, my colleagues wanted me to go for a quick drink before going home, so why not. After the first pint, I went outside to have a smoke and to my surprise, it was my mates that I brushed. I was caught red handed and no amount of reasoning could explain my actions. So out partying we went and as usual, drinks flowed. Saturday was another ride off on the couch like a vegetable.

Time is slowly running out for me in Wellington. My flights are booked, clothes packed. Just waiting for the day to arrive. Anyway, spending this weekend up in Waikanae relaxing and sinking a few beers with mates.

Sam





Sam Burrett and Emma








mmm beers







We saw Ghosts









Will loves his convertible

3 weeks and still no Visa.

I have now been home for 6 weeks and still visaless.

Although I have a feeling that something is going to come in the mail this week. So intensed.

I did not utilise my gym membership last month so I have been getting my arse into gear this week; getting up at 5:30am to go for a run with a sweatshirt and beanie.

A lot of people have said to me.

"Why are you going so hard at the gym? You are just going to get the Healthrow injection"

No matter how strong my determination not to pack on the pounds, I have to agree with that statement. All I'll be eating is Bangas & Mash and Yorkshire Pudding.

The old lady was feeling a bit down on Sunday so I treated her to a movie. We went to the Lighthouse Cinema in Petone. The cinema is situated in a historical building that seats about 40 people. All the seats are twin seater couches, you can only imagine the luxurious atmosphere; sitting there with a glass of red. The movie that was screening when we arrived was Happy go Lucky. It was about a 30 year old female that is high on life. Quirky, Spontaneous and amusing. Sam Burrett from England via Australia is in Wellington tomorrow night so I'll be meeting her for a few drinks.

Lame update, but its 12:45am and I have less than 5 hours sleep.

Sam

Drunken Mike making cheese toastie






Romantic walk in the park with Ham







This is why NZ is so beautiful

Golf carts kick ass

My boss and 2 work colleagues decided to have a little friendly competition over 18 holes of golf. We hired two golf carts as we were too lazy to walk 5 kilometres. The moment we got into the carts, the game was all over. No longer was the game about having the least amount of shots to get the ball into the hole but who can get to the players ball first & kick it, pull donuts, put the other players off and basically shout obscenity when a shot is mothered. The c-bomb was possibly the most used word followed closely by Fuck - Bitch - Shit.
A normal game of golf when walking should take about 4 hrs 30 mins. But our game in the carts took 4 hrs 15mins. We are so crap! I was annoyed at leaving the camera at home.

The week has been pretty full on, work sent me to Auckland for a few days to finish some project work. It was all work and no play, I bascially slept for about 3 hours per night.
This then lead to me not going out Friday and Saturday night just so I could catch up on sleep.
It's Queens Birthday Monday, I am feeling fresh and ready for the week ahead.
I am still missing Brisbane quite a bit, I miss the ease of partying and going out any night of the week. Due to the bad weather in Wellington, it is an effort to get friends to go out at night.

It's late and I need my beauty sleep.

Sam




Asians










I need to stop posing









DRINKS!









Why do I hang with Retards?

Just waiting on Visa

I have finally applied for my visa after 4 weeks of procrastinating.
Work has been pretty full on and living at home is kinda a drag as it takes me 1 hour to get to work.

The boys and I went on a road trip 2 weeks ago to attend a mates engagement party in Taranaki. The 5 hour drive was painful as I was sick. The funny part about it is that the 5 people I went up with all got sick! So when I was recovering, they started sneezing and coughing. My bad. From Taranaki, we took another 4+ hour drive up to Auckland as my mates had tickets to the Foo Fighters, I on the other hand did not want to go to the concert so ended up spending time with close family friends in Auckland.
My mate Mike shows a slight resemblance to Foo Fighters front-man Dave Grohl. While walking down the street, a stranger approached him and asked "Aren't you in a band?"
It was very funny and still is.

There is a casino in Auckland and of course most of my time was spent there, I love Blackjack.
Blackjack paid for all our entertainment so the trip was pretty good.
I've also been using Skype quite a bit to call people. It's amazing how good the quality is. If you have skype, feel free to gimme a call, I may even show you a bit of something something.

SkypeName: Sam-NZ

No time to write, need to catch up on emails.

Sam




Notice the beer in Mike's hand








Fiona was the first to get sick








Party on the farm








Moisties









7 degrees in Taranaki







It's Dave Grohl








Tracey's 21st








He's special








I am a sexy bitch

Wellington is still Home

Only one week in Wellington and I’ve already settled in. My boss at First NZ Capital was kind enough to give me a 4 week contract during my stint in Wellington. Although I would have loved to write loose stories about my nights out, this week has been passive but still fun.
My week has been very busy with catch up, dinner and drinks every night.

Grant, Gemma and I decided to head down to good ole Working Men’s Club for a few jugs. This place was our watering hole every Friday and Saturday night when we were younger. Although it’s mainly for the older generation, we didn’t mind taking advantage of the $7 jugs ($5.50 last time).
4 jugs later, we decided to play the coin in the cup drinking game where you had to bounce the coin into the cup in the middle and of course the loser consumes. The bouncing of the coins was actually very noisy but onlookers didn’t mind too much due to our sheer talent.
I also managed to get a video so everyone can join in the fun.

I still have not applied for my visa as I want to make sure everything is in order so it will not be declined again.
I’m off to Taranaki and Auckland this weekend for an engagement party and to umm…. Party I guess.
Hope all is well in Brisbane.

Sam

Flipping coin into glass - 5.7 MB




Dad's early birthday celebration









Grant and Gemma

Grant wanted a pash

Farewell Brisbane

When I arrived in Wellington at 12:40am, it was 10 degrees! What have I done? I am moving away from 30 degree heat waves to 10 degree chill storms.
We had a little shin-dig on Saturday, food got eaten, beers got drank.
I am still saddened by the departure but it's time to move on and see the world.

The errands for UK has already started. I managed to apply for an international drivers permit, new credit card, 1 month gym membership (free), yes free! It's amazing how a little bit of politeness can save you $200.

I would like to take a few minutes now to sound gay:

To the boys at 99 Gregory Terrace (my second home), it's been fun chilling out and getting loose whenever we feel like it. I miss our Guitar jam sessions and constant chatter about nothing.

To the English, although we have only known each other for 4 months (some even 4 days), its been great doing all the touristie activities. I wouldn't have done it without you. Do look me up on your return to Pommy land.

To the flatmates, Thanks for putting up with my drunken state at early hours of the morning and me walking around the apartment semi-naked.

Rob the dirty Maori, I am not going to miss your 5am wake up calls. Eat a dick.

Last but not least, the lovely Jacqui, you always tend to put a small on my face even when I'm cranky. You are constantly enthusiastic and full of energy. I will indeed miss you.

Farewell Sunshine State

Sam

Diet Coke + Mentos - 5.6 MB





Mum and Dad







It's Gollum!









Drinking Games








Fun with String

Phantom of the Opera

Anna from Auckland is here for the week and I am unemployed again.
On Friday, I was already at the train station having drinks with work colleagues and as soon as I meet Anna at the train station, we went straight back to the bar; luggage and all. After a few hours at the bar, we went back to my apartment to freshen up and it’s back out to meet up with more people.
She didn’t know what to expect, she literally got off the plane 20 mins ago and was already in a pub.
We spent the weekend hanging out, shopping, wining and dining.

On Sunday, Anna managed to drag me to watch The Phantom of the Opera. I have never been to a musical nor was I interested but there has to be a first for everything. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed it. The story of love and betrayal. Anthony Warlow’s (Phantom) voice is amazing. The energy and sheer intensity is over whelming. We then went out for dinner, drank couple bottles of wine and meet up with more friends for a Sunday session.

I went to the English’s apartment last night for a few drinks. They live on the 17th floor with an awesome view of the river and the storey bridge. We got a bit bored at midnight and decided to make some paper darts to launch off the balcony. All the darts were rubbish and mine ended up on a 15th floor balcony.
The idea was good but too bad we were all retarded at making paper darts.

Mum and Dad are probably at Melbourne airport waiting to board so I will need to arrange for a taxi to pick them up. The next few days are going to be hectic. So much to do with so little time, I need to see an accountant to sort out my taxes before I depart Australia.
If anyone would like me to purchase anything, please do let me know.

I also had to create a new album for random drinking photos here

See you all (NZ'ders) real soon

Sam

Jacqui is loose – 2.7 MB

Paper Darts - 4.6 MB




Flipping Coasters








Anna, James and Linley from NZ








Asleep at the pub again!








The usual drunk crowd








More dinner parties








Crappy Darts

Missing Brisbane Already

I am still in Brisbane but I'm already starting to miss it. Walking away from the lifestyle and friends is going to be difficult. I have met a range of interesting, fascinating and loose individuals during my time in Australia.

My mate Rob invited me out to dinner on Sunday night, which I thought was a bit weird and gay since all we ever do is get hammered on Tequila.
So as I was getting a drink, Lynch and Jacqui approached me from behind. My initial thought was “Hey, its random to see you here” then a group of people emerged from around the corner. Ah yes, they got me. My Cluedo skills did not catch on.
The surprise was organised by Jackie which lead me to question how she knew my other group of friends. Her reply was simply “Facebook”

After dinner, we went to a pub to watch Middlesbrough vs. Manchester United. It was a great game and football is starting to grow on me. London is going to be awesome.
Work was a struggle this morning, having shots on a Sunday night is painful.

Its late and I need to practise some songs on my Git-Tar

Sam





Favourite past time








Sam and Kiwi Rob







I love Sundays

Brazilian Samba

We went out to dinner at a Brazilian restaurant last Friday, although the food wasn’t authentic Brazilian cuisine, the atmosphere was.
Waiters would come up to us individually and serve us meat from large skewers. After dinner, everyone got on the dance floor to practise a simple dance, it was fun and hilarious.
After more games and self embarrassment, the main show started.
Different types of dances were performed ranging from Samba, lombarda to carnival. I managed to get a video clip of Lynchy, Jax and Jimmy grinding strangers. Pay attention to the last 5 seconds of the clip; Jimmy (in green) gets down extremly low with a lady 3 times his age. We then hit the clubs in Valley.

I realised that I still had about 250 business cards left. The postal address and mobile number were my Australia contacts and it would be no use to me in London. Since work is slowly winding down, I decided to build a shrine for all to remember me by. After minutes of sketching, I decided to build a pyramid and a castle like building.

Only 3 more weeks before I return to NZ. I still have not booked my tickets to London. I will be back in Wellington on April 21st if anyone would like to catch up.

Sam

Lombarda Dance - 4.0 MB





Boo







Here comes the aeroplane








I think this was Samba








Excess business cards