NDBT

stupid internet place closing. Fast fast; oscar race begins! The important bit; “Also included on the all-important NBR Top 10 Films list are The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Atonement, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Bucket List, Into the Wild, Juno, The Kite Runner, Lars and the Real Girl, Michael Clayton, and Sweeney Todd.” Seen 2, still trying to see Atonement and Michael Clayton and Juno. Into the Wild? Really? I heard such mixed things. SWEENY!! AND GO SEE THE ASSASSINATION ALREADY! IT’S WONDERFUL!!
Strike talks reportedly broke down, but I know nothing
and 25 best musicals? Cabaret included.
Travel – quickly – done the southland, saw lots of birds, the rarest penguin, sea lions, an elephant seal (Ano nuevo is better for that though), lots of pretty scenery, did a farm tour. Will make notes tonight and write it all up when I can. I’m taking a day off in Chch in a couple, so I’ll catch up then!!

musica: This time imperfect – AFI. Ah.

Wow – so much has happened in such a short space of time, it’s hard to remember everything that’s been going on! I don’t really have time for a full update, so… here’s the gist;

west coast; gorgeous scenery

Lake Matheson (reflecive lake). Cocoa in the cafe.

Saw roaring billy falls. Couple of short walks.  Blue Pools. Saw the gates of Haast.
Stayed at Makarora in Mount Aspiring National Park. Lake and Mountains. More pretty scenery. Group meal (meh).
drove inland through the Southern alps. Passed lake Wanaka (3rd largest). Lots of stunning scenery. All surrounded by mountains.

Wanaka – puzzling world. I did the world’s first 2 story maze and completed the whole thing in about 40 minutes!! Most of the group had to use an exit door to make it out in time.

fruit stand with yummy strawberries and fruit ice cream
Original bungy bridge

In Queenstown now. Just checked in, checking email, then out for dinner, and early to bed, because I leave at 6am tomorrow to head to Milford sound. Turns out Stray will not be going to Otago, so I’ll jump up a bus going down, and then stay behind a day or two, see Otago on my own, and catch up with Hoover (my current driver) on her way around. That should still leave me time for Wellington and maybe Waitomo.

In non-travel news, I got 121 out of more than 2000 this last weekend, which bumped me up to 53rd in the competition overall. I’m so gonna break the top 50 before this game is over!!

Also – remember to keep checking out courage campaign and their fight against republicans trying to steal electoral college votes in CA.

Youth, music, sex, and the nineties. I personally LOVE Empire Records. “No – do you really know where Harvard is? It’s another universe, man, filled with big blond guys who row boats and eat ivy.”

Oh and this made me laugh. Bonus points for including Milo Ventimiglia. (Oh and Heroes 207-209 were awesome – I can’t wait for the ending!)

And from CLeolinda;

First Reviews Call ‘Sweeney Todd’ Best Film of 2007; pics from the Sweeney Todd premiere (my God, Johnny Depp cleaned up for the occasion! So did Keith Richards!); Sweeney Todd: Behind the Scenes Footage.

Your First Look at Sam Rockwell in ‘Choke’

New ‘Wanted’ stills with McAvoy and Jolie; James McAvoy on ”Atonement’.’

Katherine Heigl Admits That If It Were Up To Her, She Would Probably Have Aborted Seth Rogen’s Love Child. [Ed; I love this headline.]

I forgot to post earlier - we drove through a little town on the West coast called Ross. It is famous for being the spot of the discovery of the largest gold nugget (possibly at the time). Save the apple ... [Continue reading this entry]

So - the first day on tour went pretty well. The train ride through the Southern Alps was incredibly gorgeous. Lots of Alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. Then there was a bit of waiting at the train station till the ... [Continue reading this entry]