Tomorrow will be 2m 47s shorter

I am a bit of a weather buff - and I keep the Boston and Wellington weather links on my iGoogle homepage. The two cities, each being approximately 45 degrees from the equator, have provided an interesting comparison. In particular, it's amazing to see the difference that the continental land mass (the U.S.) makes with regard to distinct seasons that the maritime conditions of New Zealand just do not provide. What we lack in seasonal change we make up for with one great asset - WIND - lots of it!

But, today, I'm not writing about wind or climate. I'm writing about the sad fact that "tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 47 seconds shorter" (this is what the google weather page says, in terms of daylight). We're still managing more than 12 hours of sunlight each day, but I know I'll have to give that up soon. Perhaps it is time for me to move back home to the Far North.

WELLINGTON:

Sunrise: 7:12 AM NZDT
Sunset: 7:48 PM NZDT
Length of Day: 12h 35m

Tomorrow will be 2m 47s shorter.

Moon Rise: 7:31 PM NZDT
Moon Set: 6:58 AM NZDT
Moon Phase: Full Moon, 100% Illuminated

Newtown Festival 2009

I'm on my way to the Newtown Festival (website). I'll post some of my photos later, but for now I have borrowed a video from a post on Vimeo. My friends will find this funny because I don't like cats at all (and for some reason, a cat gets an inordinate amount of air time toward the beginning of this video). It is still a very enjoyable video about the festival in what I consider the heart of Wellington - Newtown.

Newtown Festival: Fair Day (4:45 min.) from Justine Flanagan on Vimeo.

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra

On Saturday night I went to the Jackson Street Fiesta in Petone. The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra played and made it truly worth the trip out there. One of the best songs they did was Heartache (Bonnie Tyler). This made me smile for a few reasons - first because the group of ukuleles and one bass were so good, but also because my brother Mark used to have to practice to this song when he was learning to play drums twenty years ago (remember that, Mark?). It brought back some wonderful memories. 

This video (from You Tube) is of the Ukulele Orchestra - take a look and listen, they truly are a band for kids from 1 to 92! (Website)

A Beautiful Ray (on a spectacular day by the bay)

While running this evening along Oriental Parade, I saw an amazing stingray (probably 3 feet wide and 4 feet long). It slowly glided through water along the seawall and attracted increasing numbers of spectators as walkers and joggers stopped to take a look. It was quite remarkable that this beautiful creature could bring people together in such a unique way.

Every day since living in New Zealand, I have been within a few feet of the ocean - once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I've also made a point to run along the oceanfront and in the hills that look down onto it. Its colours change with the sun and clouds, and there's so much underneath that I still haven't seen. Today it felt like I had made contact with another world....

The Navigators (Fuse Circus)

Regrettably, summer is winding down in Wellington and the Earth is beginning to tilt its Northern half toward the sun... but NOT JUST YET! There have still been some entertaining events around the city. One example is the Fuse Circus show, the Navigators. I took some video footage, but this video covered by the New Zealand news station  is a lot better than mine. Take a look - the group is really fantastic! This is busking community theatre at its best with stage costumes designed by the crew that worked on King Kong and Chronicles of Narnia. 

LINK TO VIDEO

Cuba Street Carnival

Every two years, the Wellington City Council sponsors the Cuba Street Carnival, and 2009 marked the 10th event! With an estimated 150,000 people in attendance, it was the next best thing to being in Rio de Janeiro. With 80 bands playing throughout the city and several food stalls and vendors, it's unlikely that anyone had a less-than-ideal day and night. Here is a video of the event (courtesy of Snapstar):

Snapstar TV ep1. Cuba Street Carnival. from Snapstar TV on Vimeo.

Nightswimming

After going to the movies with friends (to watch Slumdog Millionaire), I went for a short run. It was about 10 pm and nearly a full moon just perched over Mount Victoria. It was a rare, calm and warm evening, so I decided to go for a swim in the ocean after the run. A thin layer of mist blurred the line where ocean ends and sky begins. It was beautiful.    

New Zealand International Rugby Sevens

This weekend was Wellington's biggest party weekend - "The Sevens" International Rugby Tournament. The 10th anniversary of the two-day tournament saw teams from 16 countries (including Kenya, England, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others) compete for the shield. Crowds of more than 30,000 spectators showed up in "fancy dress" (costumes) and the partying continued for more than 60 continuous hours. 

Teletubbies at the Sausage Sizzle
PIs (Pacific Islanders)
Niue Team Haka

New Zealand Scores a Try!

One Love Concert

I dropped by the tail end of the One Love concert this evening to see the Black Seeds, a Wellington-based reggae band. Other New Zealand bands included Unity Pacific, The Little Bushman and others.

Here's a video from the Black Seeds, shot in New Zealand:

Waitangi Day

February 6th is Waitangi Day - a day to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document, signed in 1840). The Treaty made New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guaranteed Māori rights to their land and gave Māori the rights of British citizens living in New Zealand. There are significant differences between the Māori and English language versions of the Treaty, and virtually since 1840 this has led to debate (and several court cases) over exactly what was agreed to at Waitangi. [source: Wikipedia]

The following photos and video are from events at Waitangi Park in Wellington. One of the greatest parts of living in Wellington is the range of music and cultural offerings in the city.

So many Polynesians have beautiful singing voices or musical talent, even if they cannot read music. They often times learn to sing in church. The second two videos are of an award-winning barbershop quartet based in Wellington - four guys who started singing together in high school and continue to do so while in university. Their singing has won them several awards and provided the opportunity to travel internationally. In a country where Polynesians are often treated as second-class citizens, it is really encouraging to see those that rise above and excel in ways that many of us couldn't achieve.

My apologies for my shaky hand at the camera and the wind interfering with the sound quality.



Musical Island Boys (Wellington-based Barbershop Quartet)

Pasifika Festival, Wellington

This weekend, Wellington City Council hosted its second annual Pasifika Festival. The weather was warm and sunny and the turnout of hundreds of Pacific Islanders, Maori and Pakeha was really encouraging. With dances and singing from many of the Pacific Islands, it was a wonderful event. These videos are from a Samoan group - sorry about the over-exposure, but the singing is well worth listening to.

U.S. Presidential Inauguration

The U.S. Presidential inauguration made front-page news in New Zealand.  It made me wonder whether most Americans realize the impact the country and its leadership has on the rest of the world.  By the way, can you name the Prime Minister of New Zealand? (answer: John Key, National Party).

Siva Afi (Samoan Fire Knife Dance)

The Samoan "Siva Afi" (Fire-Knife Dance) has a history which goes back several generations. As the name implies, the dance is performed by wrapping a machete in towels at either end with a portion of the knife exposed. The knife is generally lit on fire on one end and the performer begins by putting fire from the lit end into his mouth (see photo) to light the other end. With the two ends lit, the dancer performs acrobatic feats while twirling the knife around, behind his back and between his legs. Here are a few videos I shot of a performance from my last trip to Samoa.  The slow-motion videos are for you to learn the moves and practice at home:

Samoa

Just after two weeks in Tonga, I spent 4 days in the office and then flew to Samoa for the weekend.  Extravagant?  Yes.  Worth it?  Definitely!  Here are a couple photos of people I came across while cruising around the island of 'Upolu.  Samoans are generally very friendly, proud, welcoming, forgiving, charismatic, and very good-natured.  This is a place where I will return again and again - in my mind, if not in actuality.

Slideshow of Photos from Samoa:

Closing of Catholic Senior School

After 28 years of providing form 6 education to students from all over Samoa, the Catholic Senior School shut its doors.   I lived at the school for 3 years (1997-2000) and taught chemistry, math and physics as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer.  These were, and likely will always be, among the most enjoyable and vivid years of my life.  Samoa opened a whole new world and has provided me with many pleasant memories.  After 10 years, I clearly remember the laughter, the beautiful singing, and the creativity of the students. 

The closing ceremony included a mass and a huge dinner with a live band, three roasted pigs, a roasted cow (!) and lots of Vailima (Samoa's very own beer).   

The photos below are from 1997-1999, when I lived in Moamoa and taught at the school.  Two of the students from the photo above are in the photos below (Matthew and Helen).  Can you spot them?   More photos from 1997-1999 are in my online photo album (click here). 

Tonga

Two weeks in Tonga for Christmas and New Years Eve were absolutely beautiful.  Much of the time was spent around the capital town of Nuku'alofa ("Village of Love")  and the main island, Tongatapu ("Sacred South").  Photos are of a boat we took to a nearby island, a man fishing along the reef's edge, Hufangalupe ("Pigeon's Gate"), the Mapu'a 'a Vaca ("Chief's Whistle") Blowholes, and the Ha'amonga 'a Maui ("Maui's Burden") Trilithon.   

The best part of the trip was the opportunity to stay with Teki's (Tongan) family and enjoy local food.  A few archeological sites are well preserved, including the trilithon in the bottom picture which is made of limestone taken from the Wallis Islands (West of Samoa) and constructed in the early 13th century.  Snorkelling was also fantastic.
   

The Seismic Isolation Dance

Two buildings in Wellington are virtually earthquake-proof: (1) the Parliament and the (2) Te Papa Museum. They are protected by flexible plates at their base which essentially allow the building to remain relatively still during an earthquake by providing a shock-absorbing buffer at the building's base. This buffer is also capable of allowing the entire building to shift from left to right without damaging its frame. After seeing a video of the plate action (follow link for video), I was inspired to create the Earthquake Dance. In case of an emergency in Wellington, this is what I will be doing:



By the way, I'll be in Tonga for Christmas and New Years Eve, so enjoy the holidays!

Rainy Weekend

It has been a cold and rainy weekend in Wellington, so I picked up a few movies from the city library.  Below are video trailers from two excellent films from Australia (Rabbit Proof Fence) and New Zealand (Whale Rider).  Although these films are approximately 6 years old,  I would recommend either of them for your next rainy weekend, if you haven't seen them already.  

RABBIT PROOF FENCE

WHALE RIDER

Bike the Bays

One of my favourite events of the year is the Bike the Bays bicycle ride around the various bays outside of Wellington. Hundreds of people come out for the 28-KM ride and enjoy the morning. Last year this event was held in February (see link to my entry last year).

The ride this year was beautiful because the Pōhutukawa trees were in full bloom. (NB: the Pōhutukawa is sometimes referred to as the New Zealand Chrsitmas tree because of its brilliant red flowers and green leaves, and because it blooms just in time for Christmas. Here is a video clip from Scorching Bay (one of the bays with a beautiful small beach) and a couple of photos from the ride.

Visitors from Another Hemisphere, Part II

Here are a couple videos from my recent travels with friends from the North. The videos are of: (1) a traffic jam on the South Island, (2) Angela's bungy jump/canyon swing, and (3) a Tui (a native bird of New Zealand).