Keeping it real

I have been able to catch up with a few friends over the last week or two, now that I have my own car.  I had a lovely meal at Mary Joy's Saturday week ago with a few of her friends.  My first proper outing since I got back.  Last Sunday Brian and I went and saw the latest Bruce Willis action film, "Surrogates".  No, it had nothing to do with babies.  It was a fairly standard thriller of the out of control futuristic technology and evil futuristic mega corporation genre (think "Robo Cop", "Minority Report").  Also, why is the last guy on earth always a really smart scientist ("The Quiet Earth", "I am Legend")?  What if it was Trev from Palmerston North who was the last representative of the human race? 

I went to the dentist of Wednesday.  I need a filling.  

I had a fun day with Anna-Lisa on Thursday at Miranda hot pools.  It was probably unecessary for me to go there as I have nothing to actually unwind from.  Still, it was good.  And Anna-Lisa makes a mean sandwich.

On Saturday I had dinner with Richard and his dad Hugh.  Hugh cooked a very nice roast and I was reacquainted (my, was that a struggle to spell) with the pleasures of whisky.  On Sunday I drove Richard down to his place in Te Puke and had a relaxing afternoon and evening there.  We discussed New Zealand television and comedy and contrasted the confidence of New Zealand culture today with the still evident "cultural cringe" we saw during our childhoods- things really have changed remarkably.  I spent a little time with Richard and Alaina and their children Cole and Silke this morning before driving back to Auckland.

I always like to do a little "pilgrimage" to Mt Maunganui when I am down Tauranga way.  This is a view of the Mount on what was an overcast and chilly spring day-