Well overdue

It's been awhile since I've posted. There's been many reasons for that, the primary reason being the influx of work. It has been, and hopefully will continue to be, a wild ride.

Enough. Updates. Since I've last written, I've moved into the central city. It's a pretty sweet apartment with two others. There's a balcony overlooking the viaduct and harbour, together with access to a gym, spa, sauna and pool. It's pretty sweet. Best, and worst, thing is that it's one block behind work. Great because I can sleep very very late and still make it to work at a reasonable hour. Which is great given how long and tiring some days have been. And that is partly the problem; living so close means easily staying a little while longer than everyone else just to finish that one last thing off.

The ever increase at work has its payoffs though. For example the increase in my travels round the country. The latest excursion being to Queenstown. Painfully the flight schedule in and out of Queenstown required me to be there the afternoon beforehand and leave later the following day. It was excruciating, taking a long weekend with all that sunshine, fresh air and luge. To be honest it wasn't that long a weekend as I had to be back for a trial the next week.

So I leave you with photos from this torrid affair with Queenstown and one of the songs currently on high rotate: The General Specific by Band of Horses. I realise it's a little old news, but so is this update really. So enjoy.

Resurgence

I'm finding my rhythm again.  Settling into a pattern after travelling can be a little difficult, especially going from one intense schedule into another.  Certainly having some music helps.

And the latest offering by Gomez is well worth it.  It is an album, in the nostalgic sense of the word.  Some have proclaimed the death of the album as an art form, and the rise of the album as merely a vehicle for individual songs.  Thankfully some artists are defying that trend.  But, just to appease the masses and incentivise you to purchase the album, I give you Win Park Slope.

Gomez has, however, flown under the radar of most people.  They first released Bring it On around 10 years ago.  And the album hasn't dated.  Or at least not for me.  People will probably recognise Get Yourself Arrested, and Whippin' Picidilly even if the names don't ring a bell.

In Vienna

It's been about a month since I last posted anything.  So I do apologise.  Offered as some flimsy justification is my annual adventure to Vienna and the necessary hectic work schedule beforehand.

Vienna.  It was amazing.  As always.  And as always I was there with the VUW moot team.  This year was different though.  I'm not just talking about the unseasonably warm and summery weather.  We also won.  First out of two hundred and thirty three universities.  233.  It was a long time coming, and these guys deserved it this year.

We've been called the favourites so many times before.  But this year hit it home.  Not so much backed highly to win, though there is that most years, but more of everyone's most liked team.  Afterwards everyone heaped praise on us and called us one of the most deserving teams.  I think it had something to do with David's acceptance speech; we travel from the far side of the world on very little and are reliant on the support of the teams we meet on our way.

As part of the celebrations we took a horse and carriage ride through the street of Vienna.  Sipping Veuve Clicquot out of plastic cups.  Magic.

I should also mention other highlights, like being taken on a tour of the Supreme Court of Austria by one of the presiding judges, meeting so many fascinating people in practice in Europe, dancing til 5 in the morning, sneaking snacks of meat between our forced vegetarian meals, chairing arbitrations, and much much more.

There was also the 4:30 am departure from Vienna to head home.  The 8 hour transit in LA, made easier by staying in the Air New Zealand lounge, being upgraded on the flight between LA and Auckland, randomly bumping into team mates who had left days before me, and the joys of jet lag.  The stories.  Oh the stories.

I will be returning next year.  That much is guaranteed.  I know I moaned about the price of going over, of uncertainty and not being entirely sure of the whole thing.  But I miss being in Europe, I love Vienna, and I am addicted to the moot competition.  I can't imagine not going anymore.

That Time

Tis been a while since my last post.  I've been a little on the busy side.  With work of course.  Which has been hard to explain to most, for I love what I do and the opportunities I get.  I may complain about the hours, but I wouldn't want it any other way.  I mean, I get paid to argue with people.

Anyways.  I should share some music.  A friend introduced me to Bat For Lashes, whose latest offering is decidedly good.  Daniel is the track doing the round, but I'm partial to Glass.  Try it and see.

What else?  I'm off to Vienna (again) shortly for the Vis Moot, and I'm looking forward to it.  I always love going to Vienna.

Just thought I'd gloat.

Adventures in the South Island

Great time off two weeks ago, spending a week travelling through the South Island and then into Wellington. Fantastic trip, great scenery and generally just a much needed break for me. Sadly I didn't take photos of the Cuba Street Carnival when in Wellington, but it was awesome.

Porare River near Punakaiki, Christchurch Art Gallery, Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki, Punakaiki, Pelorus Sounds, and Kaiteriteri.

Lantern Festival

Auckland played host to the Chinese Lantern Festival. Well, it still is playing host as it goes on for the entire weekend. But I went last night.

As you can see, there's some pretty cool lanterns out there, hanging from the trees, built up, and floating around Albert Park.

There were also throngs of people there. It was unbelievably busy. The food area was probably the most packed. Though I didn't go to the Karaoke Stage, so I can't know for sure.

Legalease

Finally I put up a photo from New Years. Here's the campsite. Slightly longer exposure to capture the light, hence the blurry figures. But it does make for some crisp lights and mood.

Random topic change. If you haven't already guessed: music holds a special place for me. Whether it's playing or listening to it. If you recall, when in Hamburg, I had to buy myself a guitar to have any hope of retaining my sanity. Some may even remember my elation at being given free reign with the law school's Steinway.

But in terms of listening to music, there's an association with a number of songs, artists and albums. For example the Goo Goo Dolls, Led Zeppelin and Crowded House are associated with certain people, whether they know it or not.

So it's always difficult explaining this to others that don't know me that well. I feel some difficulty when having to explain my attraction to music and my compulsion to play any instrument lying round. It feels that this is something that isn't always properly conveyed let alone understood. I can't say it bothers me terribly. However, I certainly would like them to accept it.

Why am I writing this? I really don't know. Probably in an attempt to distract myself from what really has been bothering me - I'm worried I really will become that stereotypically heartless and soulless lawyer. Yes, I've covered this before. But it's a transition that seems to be coming easier and easier.

Let me explain. It's becoming easier for me to fall into the role of an advocate, pushing my client's best interests and only taking into account any emotional aspect if it serves my purpose. Prime example is listening to people in a mediation, letting them release their concerns, while I sit there, nod, listen and take it onboard showing some sympathy only then to use it to convince them to accept the proposal I'm about to give them. Effective. Very effective. But is it a 'good' thing?

Professional aspects aside, I'm also worried about doing the same in my personal life. I am the sort of person who emotionally invests in everything I do. Typically, I'm emotionally candid. But a couple of events over the last whee while have made me stop and consider whether I need to be a little blank, a little separate, a little heartless.

And that bothers me. To have to live less candidly, less open, less honest to simply make things easier. Is this what everyone does? Or just lawyers?

Wellington

Working in a high flying job may be all well and good. But I don't get to enjoy regional public holidays. I missed Auckland Anniversary Weekend because I had to be in Wellington for work. Not that I'm complaining too much. I got to go to the Wellington Cup. Along with 27,999 other people.

It was good times, though when the crowd really became too much we departed back to the city. And I'm glad we did. Apparently a later train back ended up being stuck for 30 minutes, doors closed, inadequate ventilation, crowded and stuffy. Not to mention unbelievably hot.

The other good thing about going to Wellington, other than catching up with as many friends as possible because that's a given, is visiting my dealer - Melting Perfection. Damn that stuff is good. And like a good addict, I'm getting my friends hooked so I don't feel so bad about it. I've successfully turned a couple of people at work. One of the partners will be next.

And yes, I know. I still need to post those promised photos from New Years.

Quickly

Time for updates.  Christmas was great, it was brilliant to catch up with family and friends.  New Years was great too, unwinding on the beach, laying in the sun.  I will put photos up, but I'm too tired to actually upload the photos at the moment.  Soon, I promise.

I will, however, provide you music.  TV on the Radio released a brilliant album last year, Dear Science, and the whole thing is fantastic, layered and complex.  My picks are Golden Age, Family Tree and Lover's Day.

And, as always, work has kept me busy.  Very busy.  And I'm only going to get busier.  This is precisely what I wanted, and probably the best time to be doing all this - young, vibrant, enthusiastic, and of course no commitments, not even a pet.  So a couple of stressful days, a few lost nights of sleep aren't going to do irreparable harm.

Doesn't hurt that I have a few weekends here and there that just make me beam.  Oh, nothing like that.  Just drinks and laughs with friends, sunshine and conversation with new people, and fresh air and strawberries outside of Auckland.

Speaking of which, there seems to be something about Auckland drivers.  Or at least the drivers around Ellerslie.  They seem to have a habit of hanging out windows and yelling obscenities at me.  One such incident involved a guy driving buy, and loudly yelling "homo".  I was puzzled.  Actually, my first thought was what an incredibly small mind he had and how could he possibly consider me, form and then voice that opinion all while driving.  It certainly appeared beyond his capacity.

Until next time.

A New Year

Just to let you know, I am back and will be posting some stuff in the next whee while.