Busy Body

Apologies for not having scrawled my thoughts down here sooner - I've been a little busy of late. There's been movements with work, romance, friends and life in general that have captured my attention more than recording things. So apologies.

It hasn't stopped me from thinking about recording my random thoughts though, like the night-scape of Wellington. It's refreshing to walk through it at night sober and see the serenity of the innercity. I intend to record some sort of photo essay on the topic when I have the chance.

Other random thoughts have harked back to a different time - being Halloween today it brought memories of this night last year, and the stories. I long for the child-like wonderment that Halloween used to bring, and how I recpatured it for a brief time in Hamburg.

We've had no trick-or-treaters tonight either. I purposively went to the supermarket to invest in some fun-size chocolate bars. Yet the only scallywags enjoying them are my flat mates. I don't mean to sound bitter, but I saw all the kids in the city running off to Halloween parties, and they were so very enthusiastic. I want the freedom to do that. If I had more hours in the day, I would have set about organising something, but my time has been taken up with organising a catchup next week for the Moot Family.

I've also found myself pondering the change a haircut can bring. It's odd how trimming locks of hair can have that effect - a fresh cut, a fresh smile. Never ceases to amaze me. Might have something to do with the random but engaging conversations I have with my hairdresser - who would have thought dressing up like a Storm Trooper would be that much fun.

And keeping with the child-like theme of this posting, I can't help but get excited over The Golden Compass (I still prefer its real title The Northern Lights, but Americans just had to be different). I hope it captures the brilliance of the books.

Oh, and I've been thoroughly enjoying my music again when I get the chance. Highlights include: Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Jose Gonzalez, Feist, and well, anything that crosses my path really. I've been out of the audiophile loop for too long.

So now, with the evening winding down and some time to myself, I think I'll go and indugle in some fun-size chocolate bars while I read in bed.

Wow

This week has been interesting. Tiring, but interesting.

Favourite Things

The weatherman often gets things wrong, and I'm so very glad he was so very wrong today. It was gloriously sunny day. The sun had real heat in it, the air was warm, and Summer is definitely on its way. It felt good to be out and about all day today, and it feels good to soak in that sun-kissed feeling. And smell. I swear I smell different after being in the sun, and I can only describe it as smelling of warmth from sunshine. The closest I can come is that smell of sheets that have just dried on a warm afternoon. Slightly off-beat I know, but it's the best I can do.

Speaking of things that have been done, and appallingly bad segues, work has gotten me published for a brief article I wrote on copyright and filesharing. Nothing big, but it's getting a fair amount of exposure on the web and soon in print. First step on the way to something bigger I hope.

And, now I am pooped. All that sun and exercise has sapped me, and it feels good.

Clarity

It sometimes scares me how there are moments in my life when I feel like there is absolute clarity. It doesn't bother me that the moments are few and far between, nor that I can't explain them. But that everytime there is one of these moments, my life changes for the better.

It all started a little while back with my workload drying up bit by bit. Don't get me wrong, there'd be days when I'd be up to my neck in work, but the vast majority of late has been scrounging round for things to do. This included researching and writing various articles, which will be published shortly.

Then last night I had a seminar on Work/Life Balance. It was quite astounding really. Nothing new, but hearing it all together has put some things into perspective: it's all about passion and doing what you love. If you're not loving what you do, you find it. Finding that and finding the passion will help things flow better and the balance will come.

And the catalyst - My results for the Patent Attorney Exams came back. I was sitting three out of the necessary six exams. They weren't kidding when they said they were hard. I failed all, hitting 48%. Close, but not close enough. Quite gut wrenching upon reading the results, the thoughts of the numerous hours spent studying, spurning the various social gatherings offered, and just the effort and stress put in just weren't enough.

So I'm sitting in my office distraught, when it all clicks. There was this brilliant moment of clarity, where I realised my career is not going in the direction I want, and I have the opportunity to really take control and bring it back onto the path I want. And that's what I've been building on today.

I can't describe the clarity that came. But I'm holding onto it, working on what I can, and moving towards the others. Brilliant.

In the meantime, I leave you with these two gems, capturing today for me:

• Chris Knox's fantastic anthem, Not Given Lightly; and
• Lou Reed's timeless Perfect Day.

Enjoy.

Take the Power Back

It's an amazing experience hearing an entire industry coming to its knees, and you can share the experience with Radiohead's In Rainbows. It is a glorious album, and Radiohead continue to thrill me. Thank you Elaine.

But the best thing about this album is the distribution. It's a purely digital solo effort by Radiohead, and ever since the announcement was made, there's been tremblings from the Recording Industry. You can hear them cracking.

Go there, download the album at a price you think is worthwhile, and away you go. I'm happy to pay for the album, the effort, the revolution. It's a bonus that the album is fantastically good.

Added to that is the debacle surrounding Capitol v Thomas (formely Virgin v Thomas). Doesn't ring a bell? The copyright and file sharing case? USD 222,000 for sharing 24 files? Ringing bells now I hope. This all speaks of a change, a fairly imminent change I hope. There's alot of debate over things more than copyright now. For starters, the Recording Industry Association of America has stated that these cases are breaking even and a worthwhile venture, yet the artists (whose interests the RIAA is supposed to be protecting) are yet to see a single cent from all of this. There will be public concern.

So it's a wonderful thing for me, the avid music fan frustrated at the state of the recording industry, to hear the changes happening.

Lucky

So now I know how a wet rat feels. I'm not comparing lawyers to rats by any means, but it's the only image I could picture as we trudged around the sodden golf course. There were puddles in my shoes and I felt like I was wearing wet swimwear.

But the golf was good. I certainly enjoyed that aspect, though I'm not sure if everyone I played with did. The fact I was playing with the CEO and CFO only dawned on me the other day, then there was the added weight of knowing this game wouldn't even push my total number of golf rounds into double digits. A good time was had by all though, and we laughed our way round the course, everyone making some good shots, some bad ones, and some horrifying ones. My worst effort when driving went three feet in front of me. It was a good feeling to actually connect with the ball the next time.

The weather has continued with its drudgery, though it did manage to clear this morning. Well, clear enough for me to walk to the supermarket unimpeded by the rain. The wind was another matter. So I've been contained inside mostly. As have flatmates and their significant others. It's an interesting sensation to wake up early on the weekend to what you think is someone knocking on your bedroom door, only to realise that it's actually the frame shaking due to the intense rhythm from upstairs. Imagination no longer required, nor desired.

But to leave you all on a happier note, I give you the distinctly Wellington music stylings of Fly My Pretties in anticipation of Summer and finer weather.

Rhapsody on a Theme

So the weather gods have beaten me with the irony stick again. I go and spout off about the glorious, if not windy, Wellington spring weather and it turns to custard. Again. Though yesterday was nice and warm, today is monsoon season. Never ending rain without wind. Which is extremely odd for Wellington.

Hence my thinking the weather gods are mocking me. Plus, I've got golf on Friday. That's right I'm playing some Business Games Golf, it'll be my third game of golf. And the weather is inclement to put it nicely. Irony on a stick, being flaunted by the weatherman.

In other news I've managed to wingle my way in to a number of vital projects at work. None are billable, but it's the experience that really counts. Papers on various topics that affect the whole firm and will be seen and discussed by Partners. I seem to have a knack for getting those projects. The hopeful in me thinks it's because I continually produce an impressive, well argued opinion. The cynic in me thinks it's because I'm relatively cheap labour when it comes to legal opinions in the firm. Either way, it's invaluable experience and exposure.

Which brings me to an interesting point. In the course of researching for all of these projects I stumbled across the most intriguing website and series of blog posts putting everything I've thought about over the last year or so into written form.

No it's not specifically about moving to the US, it's all about opportunities shaping life and careers, what to skills to work on, and where to put those into practice. Though it's nothing I haven't already considered in some form or another, it's meaningful, for want of a better word, to see it all in one place and reinforced.

I really think Fate is having a quiet whisper in my ear. Which brings me back to ever continuing theme in my life - the right place, the right time.

The Force is Strong in This One

Well Yesterday was a stunning Spring day. It was typical Wellington spring weather with a gorgeous morning, dazzling sunlight and warmth.


The observant should be two steps ahead. And no, it's not that my feet are sunburnt. The spring winds swept up. Gale force strength and rising. It continued today. Excuse me, the wind continues today. Sadly not the sun. It is now cold. Again. Rattling windows, ravaged trees, scattered debris. Wellington has its wind back.

But yesterday was a pearler for the most part. I took the misfortune of broken internet at work as a sign that I shouldn't be inside on the weekend. I grasped that opportunity and walked round the waterfront and through Cuba Street. It's becoming almost a regular occurrence these fine weekends. Nothing wrong with that of course.

Speaking of opportunities, the process for admission to the Bar has begun, and my first round of documents are near completion. Soon enough I'll be wearing the wig and gown. The coveted attire of the profession. Somehow the images of Darth Vader emerging from a darkened room are a strong association with that.

Odd. I hope it's not a sign of things to come.

Oh, and I have two films to review for the Italian Film Festival - Romanzo di Crimine, and La Terra. Looks like fun.

Blue Orchid

Seeing as they were going relatively cheap through work, I decided to buy an orchid. Now, I'm not much of a green thumb, but orchids are pretty amazing plants and can be quite stunning. So it'll be worthwhile, at least I think so.

The greatest thing is that they're indoor plants. Well, in New Zealand at least. With our most bizarre turn of weather at the moment, it's a good thing. We've gone from gloriously warm and sunny days, to despicably cold with razor sharp frosty winds. You'd think we had receded back into the depths of Winter again. That's right, October is supposed to be Spring in New Zealand, but I think the weather gods forget about this little island sometimes.

Seeing as I'm a New Zealander, it's ubiquitous that I mention the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand plays France in the first quarter-final on Sunday at 8 am NZST (that's Saturday 12 pm PST, and 9 pm Saturday in Germany for the ardent fans). Pretty decent time really, so no excuse to miss it.

Through Someone's Eyes

It's always interesting looking at your home town from someone else's perspective. I suppose that's why I enjoy seeing people's photos while they've been here.

Sometimes it's just fun to browse through Flickr, plugging in a vareity tags and gawking at the photos it produces. Take this for example, "wellington" and "waterfront". Or there's "wellington" and "cuba", showing the interesting sides to the heart of the city, Cuba Street.

The only thing I need now is to be able to share all the brilliant Kiwi music. Or maybe I should leave you all to discover that one for yourself.

Nothing Serious

Flight of the Conchords are making it big. The HBO series has just started airing here in New Zealand, and by all accounts it's brilliant.

But I can't get Prime, the channel it screens on here. So I've rediscovered the glory of their BBC Radio Series, which is what the HBO show is based upon. Each time it just gets funnier, as there are numerous references and running jokes contained throughout that might be missed the first time.

Who needs television?

But still I would like to see the shows.

On another note, if you're ever short of food I'd be happy to lend out my evil-genius-cum-miracle worker flatmate. Last night we had a surprise birthday party for my other flatmate, and what originally started out as a couple bottles of wine, some snacks and the like has turned into leftover cake, salads, kebabs, meat patties, chocolate brownies, about seven bottles of wine, a dozen beer and three pre-mixed vodka drinks. I don't know how she does it, but I'd be happy to lend her out.

Anonymous Lawyer

I sometimes wonder what kind of a lawyer I'll grow up to be. I've had quite a few discussions with colleagues over the last few days, and I think I'm one of those people that thrives on pressure and stress. It helps focus and drive me.

And for all the love of being an advocate, and taking that adverserial approach, I don't think I'm as much of an asshole as the people sitting across the table from me with this current dispute. I've never met someone who attacks the people rather than the positions. It's hard to explain, but his correspondence drives me to the extremes. They attempt to ridicule and abuse our client and us, without care for the relative strength (or weaknesses for that matter) of anyone's arguments. It's like he's trying to turn it into something personal. And I don't appreciate it.

I'm doing my best to steer away from being drawn into it, it seems petty, unreasonable and reinforces the archaic lawyer stereotype. The good news is that it's generating a fair amount of work, and I get to do a whole of research and write memos about the issues it's raising.

It's at times like these that I like to browse through a fantastic parody of lawyers found here, at the blog of the Anonymous Lawyer.

Someone left a link to it in my comments many moons ago, and it's only now that I've managed to share it with everyone. Interestingly if you go to his Anonymous Law Firm, the parody is continued with superb detail. I find it amusing, and strangely therapuetic.

The best part is, I don't live that life. I'm doing what I enjoy.

A Sense of Irony

It has become quite apparent that the weather gods take pleasure in mocking me. Put shortly, I was too early to gloat about the glorious weather of the weekend for now it is shit. Cold, dark, and miserable.

Which puts the time frame for completion of the work on our kitchen in serious dubiousness. I don't think we'll be able to use the kitchen by tomorrow, Wednesday or even the end of the week - they haven't even knocked out the exterior wall yet. Though that's a good thing with the weather as it is at the moment. No one wants to be left exposed in this kind of weather. But it still sucks nonetheless, as our lounge is truly now our kitchen. As is our study.

There are, however, things to smile about. For instance, I rediscovered this little gem: Bent Objects. Just go see this fine fellow's fine work, though I do leave you with one of his most recent examples:


Brilliant.

The Sacrifices We Make

I don't suppose many people know the feeling you get halfway through a conversation when you all of a sudden realise that the other person probably isn't taking you all that seriously when you look like a Lion.

That's right. The Masquerade ball last night saw me dressed and made up to the nines, along with some friends professionally made up by Body FX. I thought, however, that there'd be people who've made more effort than the group of us did. And I was wrong.

It was somewhat disappointing to see that the most effort people had made was to dress up and buy a cheap mask with feathers. I certainly thought the painted faces were original and unique. They also served their purpose for masquerading - not many people recognised me at first, and alot of people were thoroughly impressed. There were many many positive comments. One negative from a drunken guy in the Mens, but I think he had issues.

Anyways, it was a great night. I had a brilliant time. The only downside is having to take the make-up off afterwards, and I now have a new found respect for the time it can take women to get ready for bed after a night out. Though I should sincerely hope no one puts on as much as I had on to be a lion.

The removal of make-up is an artform lost on me then. As this morning I still had some black eyeliner on, and some black in my lashes. It filled my lashes out, defining what are usually the blond tips, thereby showing off their full length - My flatmates didn't like me for that. The other thing was that it really brought out my eyes, exposing them as the icy blue they can be somtimes.

Quite cool. Apart from wearing makeup to achieve that effect.

Too Early to Gloat?

You need not fear, for spring is here. Possibly even an early summer, as today was an absolutely divine day.

The botanical gardens, which serves as my front garden, is in full bloom and the spring festival is well underway. You need only see the photos below to see for yourself. The tulips are vividly colourful.


Coupled with that, it's nice to be about in shorts and a t-shirt again walking around the waterfront. Wellington is just a gorgeous city and its days like today that make it shine.

Well, I'm now in the throes of preparing myself for the Labyrinth Masquerade tonight. A dressed down tux with some professional body art on the face should provide a fancy touch. Stories and photos tomorrow.

Word of the Day - Humourility

While some cherish the strength to change what they can, others the serenity to accept what they can't, and some want the wisdom to know the difference, I'm more grateful to have the good humour to go along with it all regardless.

Remember the gutted kitchen roof? Well that's now turned into a roof, an exterior wall, and no kitchen available for use until the work is finished. Tuesday most likely. I had no response when I was told of the impending work over the phone, other than "We have no kitchen? But I made toast there this morning".

Strange to think how reliant we are on kitchens. There's due compensation, and it looks as though the work is going to be fairly quick as the contractors were already lined up. So not too bad. I just had to laugh at the bizarre situation unfolding.

Good thing I could keep that smile on. In an attempt to rejig my finances and sort out my financial health with the bank, I shortly found out soon afterwards that the loan I took out last year to help cover my Bucerius exchange was recorded incorrectly. I'm supposed to be paying a whole lot more interest on it than I currently am. Great. If I hadn't been so smart and tried to sort out my money, or asked about a whole range of options, this would never have come up. Go me trying to improve my situation.

Still the irony of it all is not lost.

Then, matters get more interesting. That's right, there's more. After the seminar today on IP insurance, which by the way is quite neat but you can tell it's run by non-legal professionals as its a good idea but no consideration for the uncertainties of litigation, three of us from work ended back standing in the office bitching about work. Apart from finding out some interesting movements and politics at work, and more about how they treat people, I go and start mouthing off about how little work I have and talk about likely plans to leave next year. It's not really news to my colleagues but, in the fashion of today, one of my seniors is still there unbeknownst to us. Serious foot in mouth disease.

Though it may have some good effect. I stuck around and talked to my senior after packing up my office, and it became quite apparent that she had heard me and my plight of no work. She accepted responsibility for the large part of it, in not finding the time to delegate work. But it was good to just talk about some of the articles I've been asked to write. More on that another time, as it needs your full attention to savour my geekdom.

But before we go, there's more. Upon picking up my car from the garage...the battery is flat. A door had been locked but not closed properly. Adding salt to the wound of the day. However, I decided to shrug it off as I did most things today, and attempted to crash start the car. In my suit. I hear gasps and people are expecting something good from here on in. Well, it all went well until the car hit the driveway of the carpark. And stopped. Stuck in the drive. Waiting for the roadside assistance. All 3 necessary seconds of it after 30 minutes of waiting. Excellent finish to an excellent day.

Now I lie on my bed, typing away, laughing at what today has brought. I am very grateful to have the good humour to face most things.

Casual Dining

Ever wonder what the inside of an old villa kitchen roof looks like? Well wonder no longer, for your pleasure I present our gutted kitchen roof:


The landlord and their builder finally came round to sort it out. And now our lounge is full of kitchen ware, chairs, and baking goods. Interesting times. At least there's a small refund on rent.

On the brighter side of things, work has said they'll contribute to my trip back to Vienna for the Vis Moot, and may get me to visit some associates while I'm over there. Excellent news - I get to make more international contacts, go to Vienna and the competition, and save my money for other purposes. Everyone wins. I'll find out on Friday exactly how much they will contribute and what is expected of me in Europe.

Though discussing work does require mention of the lack of billable work I've been given. There's just not much going round at the moment that I can help with. Sort of makes me feel a little unnecessary. So beyond feeding my addiction for sudoku, I'm doing a fair amount of personal research and education passed off as work related.

My personal favourite research topic at the moment though is the nature of intellectual property rights molecular gastronomy attracts.

I'm a law geek through and through.

Oh, and those suggestions for things to see here in NZ are still more than welcome.

Hilfen Mir Bitte!

Oh, and I need some help. Being a native to this country, I have a fair idea of what are the some of the sights and sounds, but I want to thoroughly impress my next visitor.

So I need some advice on what others with a non-native perspective would consider to be the highlights of their trip. Email me so no surprises are spoiled.

Avast!

For those of us on the right side of the date line, tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Otherwise for the non-natives it's 19 September, but by all means feel free to celebrate early.

I've been given the hurry up to post some more musings, apparently they're neither coming hard nor fast enough. My feeble excuse is that I've had the pleasure to tell most people face to face (or the virtual equivalent) all the interesting things in my life, but I remembered that doesn't include everyone, so that battle was quickly lost.

So for starters I've got the gracious luck to be going to the Young Professionals Ball this coming Saturday. Work has somehow considered it to be a marketing and networking event, and that forking out $75 for a night's festivities, drink, and food is a worthwhile investment. Who am I to complain? The only catch, apart from Elaine not being here for me to accompany, is that it's a masquerade ball - a Labyrinth Masquerade to be precise. Costume. Fun.

But fun we will make it. The other representative from work, who by means of also being in a long distance relationship makes me wonder whether work actually thought this through so the two people most likely to not make assess of themselves are going, is having a little soirée beforehand. There our masquerade masks shall be professionally applied as body art to our faces. How freaking sweet is that? Professionally even. Rest assured there will be photographic evidence.

As for other interesting times - it has become apparent that this year's exchange to Bucerius is at full swing. The stories are vague as of yet, but it sounds like there's many a fun times being had, though I'm not clear of any gossip going on in regard to improving international relations. I shall endeavour to uncover the news as it happens.

Oh, and one of my favourite webcomics, which is on the links to your right, is definitely worth a view, if not to reveal my inner geek a little more. There's a few gems in there, like this:

Life is Full of Wonder

Life is full of wonderful surprises, twists, and turns. Well, my life at least. The best things always seem to happen unexpectedly and come from no where: the Vis Moot, the Exchange, Elaine, and my job to name but a few.

So it's with little wonder that the little musical gem that is Over the Rhine came across my path. Their latest offering, The Trumpet Child, is simply gorgeous. Highly infectious, twitchy jazz-like sounds, it's brilliant. Karin Bergquist has a truly velvet toned voice. Visit their website, listen for yourself, and decide.

Who am I kidding, this album just makes me shiver - it inexplicably makes me smile and think of You. Gorgeous, smooth and delictable rhythm, sound and experience. What is music if not to conjure emotion.

The other interesting thing is what drops into my lap - there's a chance to lecture for a short period next year, and I've been asked to write an article for the firm on copyright and commissioning of work bearing in mind the upcoming changes. It's given me an insight, and something I might spend some spare time developing into a bigger article - there's quite a few interesting questions that arise from all of this. Maybe a Masters on copyright isn't such a bad idea.