Okay, I'll blog properly later...
And I know that this is, y'know, sacriligious... but I'm SURE He'll understand:

- posted by Sam @ 7:45 PM

 
Today...



Today I did very little. I slept in (missing church), stayed on my computer until shortly after midday, went for a bit of a walk, did the flat shop, cooked dinner, read a bit, and watched the last three episodes of season 5 of Buffy with the flatmates (one of our 'guilty' pleasures - it's not often we're together these days, but when we are, it's often fun to watch a few episodes together).

And back to work tomorrow. But I don't feel guilty about having a lazy day. Friday night was Bing's 'going away' party (he's away for three months, but any excuse for a party), which I played host for. Good times, I was wiped out by the end though - I think I forgot that I'm not a student any more, so a 2am bed-time is pretty late. 11am the next morning, J and I saw DREAMGIRLS - which I enjoyed, but J not so much. Good to have it crossed off the list, though. And then last night was our work BBQ, at the boss' house. Which wasn't that late. But to be honest, I could have done with one or two less beers. I need to watch that.

And then, this coming week... well, we have a special Carmi-visit this weekend. Which coincides with the Cuba Street Carnival - funtastic! Monday night will be the Oscars (which are presumably being played live at around 2pm here, but we'll tape that and watch it together... anyone else is free to join, if they want, and are in town). Tuesday night is my first rehearsal (still no update on the website, still no script). Wednesday night I'm working at the Community Law Center, Thursday night is another rehearsal...

And also March. Flip.

Speaking of 'flip' - Tuesday was my one-year anniversary at work. I cannot believe I've worked in that job (or worked full-time, full-stop!) for a year! Crazy! It also meant a very encouraging 'performance review' one-on-one with the boss, which made me feel like an important part of the team - which I guess I am, now! And, erm, I might have got another raise. Which is nice.

But yeah, a year. A year since I was unemployed and freaking about my job... and then it whacked me in the face, in a good way. Hmm.

Oh, and Abbey? You can... but only if you e-mail me.
- posted by Sam @ 9:55 PM

 
Next!





Well, I only got two responses (which were great! And so sweet/surreal), and they didn't quite fit in the flow of what I was going for... so I'm afraid my bio had to be left up to my clumsy hands. You'll see the finished result as soon as it's up on the website... along with two stunning photographs of moi - one as myself, except smiling inanely in that classic "I just heard you say my name, so I'm turning to look at you, and OH MY GOODNESS you're dressed as a chicken, that makes me laugh in a surprised manner" pose. The second... well, that's IN character, and you'll just have to wait and see. I think it'll be great, personally. And I'll tell you one thing - my costume(s)? Awesome. As soon as I saw it, I asked if I could buy any of it after the show (alas, no - but I'll keep askin').

That's all I can say for now. I got to see some of the other leads, who seem nice, and the script (quite different from the film script). Hopefully I'll get my own copy of the script this coming week (although chances are I won't), which will be exciting. We start rehearsing in a little over two weeks, and I can't wait.

I got sunburnt today. But it was for a good cause. Actually, no, it wasn't. And I know I probably said the same thing last week, and the weekend before (which, given the fact that I've been only blogging on Sundays, is the last two blogs), but tough. I guess I feel that if I don't get sunburnt, it hasn't been a good weekend (you know, unless it's bad weather) - because that means I've been having fun.

And it has been a good weekend. Life group BBQ at Lou's place in Pauatahanui (or however it's spelled) - great to see some new LG-ers, and some old ones, and some temporary ones. It's getting to be quite a big group. That's who I hung out with today, having a New World lunch in Waitangi park, in the lack-of-shadow of the giant X-Games arena/zone/thing (Extreme Motorcycling type stuff). Why, from my seat on the grass behind the main ramp, I got to see the tip of a helmet do all these crazy stunts for hours. But it was about the company (and the not-paying-$20-to-actually-see-it).

Also, Jeremy rented an Xbox 360 for the weekend, coz the lucky sod's on holiday. He got two games - Dead Rising (a zombie game which I've played before, so I only played it briefly) and Gears of War (a TPS fighting game - great fun, except that it kept freezing the Xbox up...). Nick brought over his Wii yesterday too, so I got to try that - and, sadly, it made me not want to buy one. I guess I'll never be into 'those kind of games' - although it does have potential. We even had the PS2 going at one point, which made for a mega-geeky day. Topped off with a pizza delivery, natch.

Tonight, I saw VOLVER, the Pedro Almodovar film starring Penelope Cruz, who is nominated for a well-deserved Oscar (two weeks until the Oscars! Argh! Must see 6 films in 14 days! Argh!). Great movie, see it if you can. (For completeness' sake, I also finally saw DIRTY HARRY on DVD - again, a great film. No wonder it's a classic. A little different from Volver, though. Just a touch.)

And then there was church. Which, sadly, was deadly dull. Until the last five minutes, when the last remaining pastor (for those who are counting, one got promoted late last year, one resigned two weeks ago) announced his resignation - to the audible shock of the congregation. Unfortunately, he was the reason I've been going to this church. Still, the new pastor sounds quite like him, so I might stick it out until he arrives. Maybe.

At least, according to his blog, he sounds like my kind of guy:

“…People can and do use popular [communication technology and] media culture as a way of working on their own spirituality, [so as] to constitute meaningful symbols [and resources] for themselves and their communities... Popular media culture is an imaginative palette for faith…

...

While not wanting to over-romanticise blogging I do want to explore something of my experience that blogging can be a creative way of exploring and discussing spirituality. Blogging can provide a means of responding to God. Indeed, theologian Susan J. White suggests, “technology [and the use of technology] can become sacramental. It can become a bearer of the self-giving love of God to a broken [and searching] world.”

Blogging offers a means through which God touches, forms and shapes persons.

The Spirit, in life-giving ways, blows inside and outside of cyberspace…”"

As always, I'll keep you posted.
- posted by Sam @ 9:53 PM

 
!Patria o Muerte!




It's an awesomely sunny day today. I'd be celebrating it more if not for the sunburn from yesterday's Mt Kaukau climb with Reubs. It's a hard life. And with 2/3 of my workmates away tomorrow (making it a cruisy day - in theory), and Tuesday off (Waitangi Day - our national holiday for you overseas readers), it's like a long, sunny weekend. That's awesome.

Now, I need your help. This Saturday (6 days) is our photoshoot for the show, High School Musical. In addition to having to worry about what to wear - a challenge in itself - I need to have a 'short' bio written up. About myself, as well as my performing experience. And, surprisingly, I can't think of much to say on either topic. So, your task is to write a sentence (or two) about me in the comments - it can be witty, true, or both. Or totally surreal. The winner will get their sentence included in my bio, or a thankyou in there, or something.*

* Note: Competition is entirely illusory, and the author does not bind himself to do any such thing. But don't let that stop you.

I saw Apocalypto last night. Not as bad as I'd heard, actually... in fact, I thought it was a pretty good movie. The last half was a little similar to Rambo: First Blood (which I can only just say, having seen it a few months ago), but otherwise, a quality film. Now there're only 5 movies out at the moment that I need to see before the Oscars (in about three 1/2 weeks, I believe) - not, of course, counting those that will be released here in that 3 1/2 week period! It's a hard life.

In other news... um... no, I've got nothing. I just felt like it had been a while since I said "in other news". I'm off to the beach.
- posted by Sam @ 3:09 PM