Working Class Man

Today saw my first day at the office. And it was brilliant. I was worried all morning, sitting on the bus, walking the street, that maybe I made the wrong choice and that this job isn't for me. My first impression speaks otherwise.

It just seems to click. The people there are excellent, friendly and helpful, and the whole environment seems pretty swell. To top it all off, I have my own office. Big office. Complete with a view out towards the harbour. Sweet. I took my camera in to take photos to show people what my place looks like, hopefully wishing that it was good. I was too embarrased though to take the camera out and start snapping away. I'll do it before the week comes to an end though.

This whole starting a career seems weird. I always wondered about it, but never really imagined it. There's a sense of surrealness to it all. Which is probably a good thing. In the last year, everything that has seemed surreal at first turned out to be the most real and greatest thing to happen to me: Hamburg, Elaine, now this job. I'm pretty lucky.

Now I've got to go brush up on my Intellectual Property stuff - I'm a little rusty on everything.

The (Un)Gambler

The Family that gambles together stays together. Well, it was a good enough excuse for the family to sit down last night and play some poker. Luckily we weren't playing for money. Just pride and a bottle of wine. Needless to say I left with neither. First one out. Well, hopefully the line "Unlucky in cards, lucky in love" holds true.

Onto the completely unrelated topics. Ukuleles. During the week, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra played a free concert at the Soundshell in the Botannical Gardens. While I couldn't make it myself, I did manage to track down a little treat for everyone.



This series of free outdoor concerts comes to a close tonight, and in a big bang I hope. The Little Bushman is playing, and with some fine fine weather, it looks as though it'll be chocka-block full of people today. This just means I'll have to head down early. A picnic sounds like a stellar idea. It should be the nicest way to round down for the beginning of my legal career tomorrow.

Monster Mash

Last night was a smash. After having farewell drinks for Yi, and finally realising that she was not only going to Beijing, but then onto the UK indefinitely, I headed to meet up with the new work crew.

Now, I've already mentioned that I got invited to this little shindig at sea because an old friend of mine from Chemistry now works there. Turns out it's a completely different Liz than I anticipated. How did I find out? Well, I asked the wrong person who looked familiar if they were Liz. Turned out to be another person I know from law, called Alice. Close, but not close enough. Soon enough I managed to find Liz, and to my relief it was an even better find. I hadn't seen her in nigh on 3 years, so a good catch up was had.

After doing the rounds and meeting everyone, it soon became apparent that no partners were there, and it was mainly all the younger crowd. Needless to say that the bar-tab got chewed through pretty quickly. Which was a good thing on my part, because everyone had read the internal memo about me, and as soon as they caught onto who I was, the reply was "So you're Michael?! The lifeguard!". After some more drinks and time, I soon was referred to as "The Over-achiever". It was all taken in jest.

But nonetheless, it was a good night to meet so many new and friendly people. Some more overtly freindly than others, which made the night a little uncomfortable at times. Ass-grabbing seems to be a popular sport amongst some of my furture workmates.

Well, like I said, this weekend doesn't hold much in store for me. I'm just taking it easy, enjoying the last few simple days of freedom I'll have for a little while.

It's the Simple Things

I've always said that beauty comes in details. Simple things can make a day. Simple things, as it turns out, can also detract from a day. Like holding onto what you think is right, standing all righteous and the like, only to realise once it's all been said and done, just how incredibily ridiculous you sound. All for a simple thing. Boy do I feel a little foolish.

So as not to dwell on the issue, I'll discuss the plans for tonight. There's Yi's farewell drinks, as she's heading off to Auckland and then to Beijing for a short stint. It should be some good fun to catch up with all and sundry again.

Then, I'm going on a cruise. It's only a harbour cruise, but it's a cruise nonetheless. This one has been organised by my new employer. Well, actually, it's the social club. And I've been invited because, as it turns out, an old friend of mine already works there and thinks it'd be a great way to meet people. All over free drinks and nibbles. I'm not one to turn down freebies. But the interesting part of this story is that I got to see the email that was forwarded around the workplace to initiate everyone to my commencement on Monday. It's an ego boost for sure:

Michael has a BSc (Chemistry) and an LLB from Victoria University. He has recently returned from an exchange semester at the Bucerius Law School in Germany. He is fluent in Japanese and German, and after being runner up in the Bell Gully Mooting competition at VUW in 2002 he won the same event in 2006. He has a VUW Gold Medal for water polo and is an accomplished hockey player. To top this off he is also a better than average pianist and a qualified lifeguard.

I couldn't have blown my own trumpet better. And with that, I'm off to socialise.

The weekend has nothing in store. The perfect wind down to starting work.

Undies Undies Togs

I always talked to people on the exchange about this incredibly funny ad from New Zealand. They seem more interested in the fact that we had a word as weird as "togs". But finally, I can share it with my worldly friends and friends round the world.



Enjoy, and now you can finally understand what I'm talking about.

A Long Weekend of Fun

On Saturday night, a small group of us ventured into town and partook in the latest trend to hit Wellington: The Lanes. While the advertising leaves a rather interesting aftertaste, here's some photos of people who actually know how to hold a bowling ball whilst drinking.It was a pretty good time, and I ended drinking alot more than I anticipated. More so considering the large night I had previously. Nontheless it was good fun, but it did make Sunday a little difficult. This wasn't a huge problem, seeing as I was working at the pool, outside, in the nice weather. Good thing it wasn't an extremely hot day, otherwise my tiredness would have overcome me.

Monday turned into a good day. The fine weather meant a visit to the Family Day Carnival at Trenthem Races was a fine call. Well, it started off that way. Bright sun, warm weather, then strong winds and spittle. So a couple of hours was all we had. It was enough for Jamie and my Dad to lose money then break even again. Everyone wins!

But that night turned out to be a sweet night. After escaping the house because of bungled plans, I wound up at some mates' place for a good ol' BBQ. I didn't know half the people there, or I may have met them before but my memory failed me. It was a pretty food time, talking about all sorts of things, the least of which was a conversation between ten of us aimed at interesting toilets around the world. Trust me, it was a a good time and everyone was laughing. Really.

So today sees me getting to do some actual work, or work to get actual work. I'm just chasing people up about so I can get the details sorted out for my contract. The usual things: professionals course, flights, time off, that kind of thing. Just goes to show I've got a little ways to work before I can really concisely work out the details at first glance. I'm working on it.

And with that plan in mind, I must go and start organising my life for the next while.

Where are We Going?

I've now officially got my offer. And it looks pretty damn good. I'm going to take it after a few minor details are clarified and confirmed.

Picking it up yesterday was a fun day. After my lunch with Meredith, which coincidentally was at this great little Chinese place I've never seen before, I waited for a phone call telling me the offer was ready to be picked up. Several hours later and a couple of phonecalls to chase it up I had it. In order to fill my time and stave off boredom while waiting for return phonecalls, I wandered the waterfront. Yesterday was an amazing day again. The heat, sunshine and general vibe was sweet. It reminded me of my time in Hamburg when I first arrived: wandering, visiting the waterfront, sitting on grassy knolls reading books. To think I'm going to be in an office soon.

That's what is starting to creep on me: the realisation that things are moving in my life. It's a good direction, and much like Hamburg, it's a direction I'm not entirely sure where it's headed but simply that I'm in it for the ride and it looks good. It reminds me of a card I bought my sister before she left for Canada.

And I had a wicked time last night at a drunken BYO dinner. Many bottles of wine, curry, and pool games. It was a blast, even though I only knew one person there and everyone else probably knew who I was. Gossip. It's a wonderful thing sometimes. Nonetheless, it was an amazing time. Currently I'm looking forward to an evening of bowling tonight. Should be a blast.

When it Rains, it Pours

The weather here is just stellar. Some how, Summer has decided to show itself. And my god, it is in full swing. Today is a scorcher, cloudless day with the slighest breath of warm wind.

That's not the best part. I've been offered a job. Unofficially. I'm waiting for the paper work to arrive tomorrow so I can look through it, and yes, it is the job that I really wanted and should hopefully take me around the globe. The funniest things is that I've also been asked to interivew for the JET exchange, as well as hearing back from another law firm who is extremely interested and are now trying to put together a package for their Auckland office. It's ironic really. I strived for so long to get a foot in the door, and now there's a number to choose between.

I'm now going to delve into personal and emotional details. Fair warning for the faint of heart. I miss Elaine. Dearly. Achingly. After talking to her today, hearing myself say that I would give anything to have her here, or be there, it cemented the fact for me. After all the self-sale-pitches I've had to make over the few weeks in interviews, hearing something as true, honest, and raw slip out was a pleasant contrast.

It also intensified the ache. Everyword was true, and never have I said something I meant and meant something I said more so.

Melting Moments

Today is just an amazingly hot, brilliantly sunny, and simply gorgeous day. And I had to wear a suit...

Awaking to a such stunning weather usually brings a smile to most people's faces. It was probably on your face today, and most likely returning as you hear I had to wear a suit. A black suit. A black wool suit. With a tie. I thank the heavens that the room my interview took place in had air conditioning and a giant jug of ice cold water. I thank even more the fact that I got there early enough to sit down, drink half the jug, and cool off.

The interview itself was a new and different experience. Not because I had to answer questions I've never been asked before, or had to write an essay on what Mergers and Acquisitions means to me without reference to American Psycho. No, that would have been slightly easier to cope with. I felt as though I was in control of the interview. From the moment the guys walked into the room, I felt like the power rested with me. I knew their names, I knew their background, and I asked all the questions for the first ten minutes while they answered me. But it didn't seem odd to them at all. And that's what was weird as hell. To be in control of a situation where you're not the one making the decision, where in fact the opposite should be true. I'm not asking them why the firm is right for me, I applied in the first place. But that's precisely how it felt. Plain odd.

Currently I'm seeking refuge from the sun, though the heat is creeping in. It feels good to be in a shirt and shorts. But even the reduction from that to a suit doesn't feel enough. Personally, I think I'm still not used to this heat, not used to Summer. The pitfalls of season skipping.

Hopefully the hard work and determination pays off. I've worked at finding a job since September last year, when I found out there was nothing for me where I was led to believe there was. Admittedly it's getting a little draining having to do all this research, all this cold calling, all this self-selling. I partly hope I find something soon to ease this, and the other part of me is hoping for two different reasons: Money, and Pride.

I need money to do what I want. To be secure in the knowledge I can afford a return ticket to the USA, or from the USA. To be sound in the comfort of paying back debt. And to simply live as the grown up I'm supposed to be.

That goes hand in hand with Pride. I don't want to be a bum. I don't like hearing that "No". The pride takes a real fall sometimes with that. And I'd like to produce a response I recieved so everyone can share it:

After reviewing your CV I regret to inform you that your qualifications and experience do not adequately match those sought for this position.

I would like to thank you for taking the time in applying to X and wish you all the best in your search for a suitable position.

I pick myself up, but it's hard to sometimes. It's crazy having to build those catch nets for that situation, not expecting anything, having to build yourself down while maintaining that smile for the firms. I don't like being rejected. I don't enjoy failure.

But so far, everything good in my life has simply just been there at the right time and the most unexpected times. So, quietly I'm hoping that the one interview, the one firm that seemed so out of the blue, so surprising, is for me.

Fun in the Sun

Today turned into a spectacular day. The scheduled beach volleyball went amazingly and the weather really turned it on for us. Unfortunately it does, however, mean that I have rather defined and nasty tan lines now. Well, they're less of tan lines than a definite trasition from pale to pink. It seems sunblock and handball games do not mix. At least for me.

It was so much fun to have a good old run around and get really active. Thankfully my fitness is still up there, so the day wasn't too bad. Sadly, the same cannot be said for my back. I'm currently lying on my stomach to ease the tension and stiffness. Getting old is not fun.

The handball was a great way to wind down the week though. After having interviews and personality analysis, having a good throw around on some sand was a blast. Thankfully the scenery was pretty idyllic too. Wellington can be a beautiful place sometimes.


And Skype is the most wonderful thing in the world. I highly recommend it as a method for keeping in touch. There's nothing like seeing the smile you so often hear behind the voice.

Divine Time

Yesterday was a good day. As I've already posted for parts of yesterday, I'll just cover what happened post posting.

Went down to the Soundshell in the Botannical Gardens again after work, and the magical Deva Mahal was playing. My god that woman can sing. Thankfully the weather decided to play nice too. Fingers crossed that it continues to hold, as on Sunday the Opensouls are playing, and that should be an absolute cracking concert. All for free too. I love Wellington sometimes.


Talked again to Elaine, and it just doesn't get any easier for me to be somewhere else. Soppy, I know. It's getting easier to live with, but not having any immediate dates to see her again is a little frustrating. But we're both working on that, having a hectic and intense study schedule doesn't make organising such dates a simple thing. Not that I envisaged conducting a long distance relationship a simple thing. I did have plans to surprise her on my return from the Vis Moot. However, being three weeks before her exams, and the possibility of knocking on her door at midnight meant I needed inside information as to it's viability. Unfortunately my 'inside man' is Elaine herself, so the plans for a surprise were short lived. Hopefully though the plans can continue, dependant on her availability and desire to have a distraction of the highest order such as myself around. I'm hoping for an affirmative answer, but I do understand otherwise. I'll mope for a bit of course, but the long term is more important.

My sister, Amy, is doing well. Looking like she's having a blast in Montreal. If anyone is passing through that area, she might want some English company. Let me know. I'll probably also bug you if she's running through your neighbourhood.

Anyways, time to dash to the pools to keep myself occupied and do a little work to help pay the bills. Today doesn't look like it's going to hold to much for me, but tomorrow looks interesting, as my brother is taking me to a poker night with his mates. I'll mistakenly forget to inform them that I can count cards.

I Swear They Didn't Have Mushrooms

These last few days have been interesting. I had the interview yesterday which went well, and one today that went swimmingly. Well, it was more like a swim on the way back to collect my car as it was pouring down and I got completely soaked in my suit. It actually felt pretty sweet walking in the rain in a suit. Something I've never done before, and would recommend to all, as long as you had something dry to get changed into at the other end.

Then Jess and I attempted to see a movie. Note the operative word being attempted. We failed miserably. Our alternatives turned out to be failures too. Except for the Botannical Gardens, which at the moment is all lit up at night in the most surreal fashion.











Today has been a pretty good day really. I've had some feedback from one of the law firms I interviewed with and they are pretty keen to have me come on board. This would be amazing. Even more so as they've motioned that I would be involved in the international scene, going to conferences, meeting with international clients and generally being an overseas man. Sweet! And they'd pay for training and specialisation training, which coincidentally would see me increase my international career prospects more so. So yeah, things are on track (touch wood).

Now all that would be left is to find a suitable place to live.

Bright Eyes

Things are getting on track. I'm interviewing for some positions at law firms, all of which could provide fantastic stepping stones to doing what I want and finding something to enjoy. Getting into the swing of things and putting yourself out there is a difficult task, and it's one I'm still taking too. Hopefully something will come of it.

Again, telephone calls can be a marvellous thing. I needn't go on at length about this, as you know how I feel and how a simple thing like a conversation can make a good day into a great day. Thank you again. It's a difficult thing to make me stumble and struggle with words, yet you've done it again.

You are completely magical.

There's so much I want to say, but can't find the words to do it. Okay, well, maybe I can but I can't promise the deliverance of usual prose and eleoquance. I want to be where you are. Dearly.

The Return of the King

Well, I'm back in New Zealand now. Attempting to iron out my life for the coming year. One thing I've noticed is that everything does feel different. I'd equate it to attempting to put a big box into a slightly smaller box. It feels like it should fit, looks like it should, but it doesn't.

It feels weird to be back, almost as if I haven't even left. This is where the startingly good memory comes in and I remember little things from Germany. Best example was while working at the pool the other day, something triggered a memory of a small dragonfly tattoo. I smiled for the rest of the shift.

As you may have noticed, I'm still working at the pools. The simple fact being money is a priority. Not that I'm a greedy person, it's just that there's debts to pay. And I don't have employment for the year yet, as my interviews with various firms are next week. Added to that is the uncertainty of what's happening with the JET exchange, which will be resolved at the end of the month when I know if I've got an interview.

It's probably a good thing that I've gotten home and hit the ground running: arrived on Tuesday, started working on Wednesday at the pools and chased up people for flats and accomodation. This just makes the contrast to being in Germany and New Zealand so much different. I spent the last week and a half in Hamburg struggling to find things to do beyond chasing up people who were on holiday, and reading lots of books. Add to that the weather, the fact it's light in the afternoon, and that there's English all around me. It makes for an interesting feeling of uneasy familiarity.

I've decided to try and keep this blogging thing going. It won't necessaarily be filled with storied of adventures in Germany or Europe, seeing as I'm no longer there. I hope instead to just talk about anything and everything that I come across. It'll be a place for similar musings as before, but I'll probably be using things and places familiar to a fair number of readers, and not to others. In those cases, I'll do my damndest to make sure everyone is on the same page, be it by discussion or by a simple link.

Here's to the New Year.