Pen pal

Hi there. How’s ya handle jandal? We haven’t checked in with each other for a while, but I’ll try my best with this one-sided conversation I’ve got to work with. Life on this side of the typeface is pretty swell, mother sends her love and the dog’s wagging its tail with glee, as always.

So my hairs won’t be taking me to NY I found out this week, but I’m all good with that. It was a very surreal experience and gi-normous fun having a platinum blonde personality for a while, even if my eyebrows had trouble keeping up at times. Plans to ditch the Gaga in favour of the Lady are now imminent, and who knows what that will look like.

So my NY visit will have to wait for my future book signing – yes, my first work of literary significance has begun! Or perhaps a stopover on my way to Colorado – due diligence is currently underway on my next business venture, which I’m truly excited about, and if proven feasible shall lead me there. Then again, there could be innumerable other reasons that take me to NY and I just love that unpredictability about life.

I hope you are well and laughing more often than not. The world delivers exactly what you ask and move in the direction of, so be who you want to be and watch all the marvellousness being propelled into your sphere. That’s really important, so please don’t forget. I want you to have everything of your wildest dreams.

All my love,
Anthea xxx

P.S. That smile really suits you, keep it up :)

Ponderosa

The other week I was talking to a man I know at a party. He said something along the lines of – Anthea, writing a diary (i.e. this blog) is hardly the same thing as biting off a big chunk of whoopee and actually producing something properly to be sent out into the world.

Only he didn’t say it like that, cos he’s pretty old school and seems to look at me (at least the way I see it) disapprovingly whenever I blurt out inappropriate things. Which, let’s face it, is quite often, because I’m not always very good at engaging my brain before I open my mouth.

Anyway, his parting shot was that he looked forward to reading my first manuscript or whatever once I got it finished. Which was his way of saying: don’t just talk about it; do it. And ofcourse the old bugger is absolutely right.

So as I lie here nursing my lurgie in this little bedroom of a central Wellington flat reading the back of a drugs packet (and noting that it says I must only avoid alcohol with the night time pills; which by my interpretation means day time drinking is perfectly acceptable), I’m pondering upon this.

And on all the things I’ve written and read so far this week, from work related stuff to things I chose from my own volition. What I enjoyed writing/reading and what was harder to get into than a Scotsman’s wallet – because apart from the motivation of being paid to do it, held no real interest for me at all. Yeah, I’m struggling with some of that, but a girl’s gotta make a living eh.

These are the things that are swirling around my head as I surrender to exhaustion from pushing too hard and not looking after myself enough over the past month or so. My body has finally said ENOUGH! You will rest and you will do it now, I don’t care what’s on the agenda. And so I’m listening and thinking and pondering and sleeping instead.

Tech writer at large

In addition to the obscure ramblings in this personal blog (which I keep vaguely secret!), I decided it was time I actually started writing a blog on things related to my profession. Given this is supposedly what I actually get paid for in real life and everything. So for those interested in all things communication - you can also visit me at http://www.techwriter-at-large.com.

A wet fish in my back pocket

For most of my career I’ve been lucky enough to work with extremely motivated and committed individuals who are truly impassioned by what they do. It’s made maintaining enthusiasm and momentum easy and has suited my ‘roll-up-your-sleeves-and deliver‘ approach very well.

It’s also something I’ve very much taken for granted up until now. I’ve been naïve.

I’ve been asked a lot recently by different people my reasons for becoming involved in various things. More importantly, I’ve been asking myself the same questions so to be sure of my true motivations and commitment. And I’m learning the hard way to be certain of what drives others before throwing my hat in the ring and agreeing to things.

I’m losing count of how many meetings, workshops and communications I’ve had over the last couple of weeks where people have openly said something along the lines of “I’m a talker not a doer, don’t expect anything from me - but please will those willing to take on mountains of responsibility raise their hands”.

Who the hell hires these people? But at least you know where you stand. Worse are the ones that promise the world and deliver sweet FA. Who expect things to just happen around them without actively participating themselves. Who happily take credit for any progress which they had nothing to do with at all, yet loudly dish out criticism wherever they see fit.

Actions speak louder than words. Always.

I’m a typical Capricorn goat in many ways, in that I will steadfastly work towards a goal no matter how rocky and slow going the trail might be. But no one can achieve everything in isolation. We all have our obvious limitations and need inspiration, support and the insight of others’ experience at times.

I’m frustrated and finding it really difficult to resist whipping out the wet fish I keep in my back pocket especially for face slapping purposes. So get with the programme or just f*** off and get out of the way.

Snippets from the pontoon

Hmmm... well I haven't been doing much (non-work related) writing of late; too busy. But I feel it coming on... soon... when I find the space to sit and think... the ideas are bubbling away under there somewhere. But good things take time and all that.

In the meantime, some quick update snippets off the top of my head:

• Kiwifruit season has come and gone for another year. I'm drinking enough juice for my blood to go green.

• My horse and I haven't parted company for ages. We're in love with one another again (in a totally unsick kind of way!)

• Does my new addiction to National Radio mean I'm getting old?

• I'm reviving my acting career in a local drama production. Today Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, tomorrow Broadway!

• As the result of becoming a community volunteer, of late I have been found haunting the local police station, funeral homes and the court house. Really, never a dull moment.

• My horoscope tells me I'm going through my most romantic phase for the next 5 years. This is concerning for obvious reasons!

• In a fashion sense, I'm going through a definite vintage phase. It's either as a result of the recession or the fact that I love playing with different charactertures.

• I can still be found working in interesting places. Above is a pic of me sitting in one of the pontoons (hulls) of a rather large catamaran studying its shore connect power system.

How's that?

Alpine back country adventure

Yesterday I returned from probably the most enjoyable business trip I’ve ever been on. Asked to go to a back country station near the beautiful Hanmer Springs to gather firsthand information about an alternative power system installation… well really, how could I possibly refuse. In fact, I decided to make the most of the opportunity and bravely took my horse with me on the 5 hour journey south.

Hossack Station is a 25,000 acre high country sheep and cattle station, which also has a safari hunting park and breeds beautiful horses. Dating back to 1852, the scenery, atmosphere and buildings are like an amazing trip back in time. I had to pull my horse through no less than 10 rivers inside his tin box just to get up the 10km ...err... driveway. Thank goodness for Buck!

On the second day we got a heavy snowfall; at least 15cm. I've never seen snow like that outside a ski field and it was simply breathtaking - check out my photos for yourself. The snowball fights at nearby Hanmer Springs hot pools while it was snowing was also awesome childish fun!

Needless to say, my horse Charlie Brown was glad to finally get home to the balmy climes of Nelson last night. I could tell this because as soon as he got back in his paddock he stuck his dick out and ran away looking extremely happy :)

So big ups to Genkit and The Hossack for the opportunity and your generosity. And cheers to the guys for the good company; it was very amusing from beginning to end.

Te Mahoerangi

I spent Queen's Birthday weekend with the Synapsys crew at Nydia Bay in the Marlborough Sounds. It was a great weekend, good people and fine fare.

We stayed at at Te Mahoerangi Ecolodge which is a fantastic place run by people doing awesome things. If you're ever in the area I can highly recommend it. It's reachable by water taxi or by tramping a couple of hours on foot.

Check out my photos.

Creatively visualising my backside

I’ve been playing around with a bit of creative visualisation lately and today I put a picture of the very expensive saddle I’d like to buy up in my office. It looks like this:



I’ve decided I will buy this saddle once I’ve achieved two things:

1. When my nag Charlie Brown is once again safe to ride. We are currently undergoing THEApy with Jo Ragg at Serendipity Equine here in Nelson. We’re making progress on the ground. I'm curious to see how things go next week once we actually start getting on his back!


2. I can afford it without sacrificing rent, food or other essentials! What can I say, the freelance life has it's ups and downs. Definitely moving in the right direction but not quite there yet.

I’m from the school of thought that pretty much anything can be achieved with the right attitude, flexibility of mind and hard work, but ideally I want my backside to be warming this saddle by April or May.

I was tempted to put a picture of Johnny Depp on my wall beside the saddle, but that’s just silly…

HAPPY EASTER HOLIDAYS EVERYONE :)

Just call me "Chopper"

Who ever said relocating to the provinces is a downward career move? To sum up the past year from a vocational perspective …well it's been interesting. Let me see, I’ve been apple bobbing, carried out roading inspections, wandered around sawmills in the middle of nowhere, worked for some large NZ companies, joined a local internet cluster, and learned lots about totally random things like aviation communication systems and battery banks. An upcoming assignment will see me being helicoptered to work in Golden Bay to project manage a property refit for someone who owns half the South Island. Just where will it stop I wonder?

One thing is for sure, life in Thea’s world is never dull. Freelancing from the provinces suits me just fine.

The beard of knowledge

Really flattered today. I was asked to consider an off campus part-time marking/teaching role for a NZ tiertiary institution. “We usually require a post grad qualification…” - I definitely don’t have one of those. “You are an outstanding student and technical writer…” – Err… thanks, I’ve been one for all of about 9 months! But keep on with the compliments eh, I don’t mind at all!

I see it all just as the beginning of achieving my goal of becoming NZ’s technical writing poster girl! The industry could definitely do with a shake up. The time is nigh. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that, but still, watch this space…

In saying all that, a few years ago I never would have believed I would be working for myself, let alone aiming to actually stand up and be noticed. Part of it’s that underlying determined streak I was born with, but a lot of it is due to the really cool people around me in their various guises. Whether they realise it or not, they are a continuous source of inspiration and motivation for me. Thanks y’all - love u lots :)

My new life

As I sat in my office this afternoon having a very important meeting with myself and working on my spring tan, I couldn’t help thinking how much life has changed.

I’m still the same (sarcastic, pain-in-the-arse) person I was six months ago ofcourse; perhaps just slightly more provincial, whilst retaining a certain big city open mindedness! But as the months have gone by since I moved to Nelson I have definitely felt myself chilling out. These days I’m practically horizontal!

Every now and then I wonder if I’m barking. Like when I’m going through a lonely social retard phase or I’m not entirely sure where my next rent payment is coming from. But I’ve also discovered great new things about myself: I make a mean and moist chocolate muffin; I seem to have the ability to convince complete strangers that I know what I’m doing; and putting myself in tight spots is a great recipe for creativity.

I went back to Welly recently, and although it was fun, I’m glad I don’t live there anymore. I miss my mates ofcourse and the option to go to lots of great gigs, but I’m glad to be away from the consumerism craziness that tends to engulf me in the big city. And I can definitely live without rush hour.

I’m chilled, but challenged. Life is good.

Rotten in Denmark

Due to a shortage of space, at one of the jobs I work my desk is located in a corridor between offices, the kitchen and WCs. It has its advantages - I have the best view in the whole building and get to talk to lots of folk passing by throughout the day. Unfortunately I also have a direct view to the toilets and can’t help but be aware of comings and goings throughout the day.

Now we’re all human and what goes on in there is a private matter between you and your backside as far as I’m concerned …until a fluttering brown eye is flaunted in the public domain that is. Not mentioning any names ofcourse, but there’s this one older guy who pretty much everyday without fail attends to his “needs”. You know it’s coming as soon as he closes the door. The room starts shaking and everybody within a 200m radius is awoken from their reverie by a thundering clap. Followed by what can only be described as all too realistic moist, wet, rotten faaAAAAArting noises. Call me a girl, but it’s definitely enough to put me off my stride and make me feel a little nauseous.

The environment is pretty much male dominated and they all think make great jokes about it - but not to his face I notice – I reckon deep down they’re scared too! They work in IT. I reckon they should create him a little icon for his computer desktop. It would have a picture of a piece of crap, all brown, smelly and disgusting like. Underneath it could simply say “Happens Daily”.

Maybe he’s a mate of Kevin Bloody Wilson. Or a reincarnation of famous French professional farter, Joseph Pujol (aka Le Pétomane). Or perhaps he’s a wombat. A wombat? Yeah, the wombat uses its bum to produce something of a novelty – square poos. No shit!

Whatever he is, I've made a mental note never to shake his hand.