Don't even try to keep up!

Hey Everyone

Fo Shizzle, it's jeffrizzle. Not that I am particularly down with the jive or in fact any of that crazy fo sho stuff you youngsters get up to these days.

I haven't been blogging recently due to the hectic lack of time availability. Either way its now after 5 so i am gonna do it. Have now moved out of Palmerston North, extracted myself from the roots we sprouted there and migrated to the big smoke. Am now waiting for my bed to arrive before I can position it in my new flat and (with a bit of luck) sleep in it.

Work is good. Officer "buzz cut" Harper is getting it done and enjoying it too. My job is vastly more commercial than the previous embodiment of my career. Commercial being a good thing.

Have found a long strip of restaurants called "Parnell" that whets my appetite too.

Kate texted to say that Ankor Wat was a cool place to visit. Am sure she meant the word "cool" to move beyond its current ambiguous meaning to mean "harrowing but meaningful and important." Anyways, she sounds good which is good and all good. blah.

What else? humpf. Little to report. Til next time then I guess.

jeff

..And last but not least an update from Nik..

Hello Everyone!

My apologies on the slackness of signing up.. I must get into checking my emails more regularly. Nice work on getting the ball rolling Dave, as Borat would put it "Great success", it’s grand to here about the whanau’s goings on all around the NZ and beyond.

First up I'd like to Congratulate Dave, Matt (Good to see you still had time for some drums and golf before celebrating), Emma and Mary on graduating, and to Jeff on his Masters. Good going guys!
Also good on ya Jeff for getting the Logistics Officer position sounds authoritative. Also tell Kate I hope the Vietnam trip goes well for her, what a place for a holiday.
Sounds like Jazz schools keeping you busy Vic, do any of your bands have a MySpace page? Its good to hear Granddads on the mend.

Liv and I headed over to Wanaka for Cams exhibition. It was a highly impressive display, well done Cam.

Dunedin’s going sweet. We had a flat inspection today it all went well, the landlord said he'll install a heat pump (score!), he also mentioned possibly extending my room and the kitchen in the end of semester break. Architecture school has been busy, but all well.
Its funny that you say about your cell phone losing incident Dave.. In the weekend I was playing a raro juice drinking game with some comrades and my phone ended up in a full jug. I found that my phone wasn't all that water resistant.

Also my big 21's next month (24th June). I'm going to do the whole 21st thing in Timaru, as it’s the weekend after exams finish the timings superb.
It would be great if all of you could make it, but I understand the distance may be an issue. Luckily I've managed to organise a band to play, and a mates going to bring around some turntables to DJ afterwards. Hopefully grandma can come and samba it up on the dance floor.























Ka kite anō.

Nik

The Big Smoke, Toke

Hello all,

This is so excellent in being able to keep up with everyone and everything. Things like trips to New Orleans and tramps and the like are the sorts of things that we would usually miss out on hearing about.

Well, its been a while since I have posted anything, so there has been lot happening. We had the major mill shut about 2-3 weeks ago and it all went very well. I was following a senior engineer around following his jobs and keeping track of progress etc. Worked out well for him as he got a return of gout in his ankle which prevented him from being so accessible around the mill. Also worked out well for me because I got to learn a lot of the ropes without being directly responible for most of it!! The other cool thing about the shut was being able to go inside some of the equipment, such as tanks, stacks and boilers which gives a better understanding of what is going on. Here is a photo I took off one of the maintenance cranes during the May shut:

I was meant to be in Christchurch over this weekend just terminating now for a course, however, it was cancelled and I only found out n the Monday before hand. So that was a shame as I was looking forward to seeing the family and Hannah and friends, but I am going down next weekend on my own expense anyway. So that will also be good. Will get to catch up with Patrick on his birthday which will be good and also going to watch Hannah perform in a play that her class have been working on for a couple of months now. So that should be a good time.

One of the advangtages with not going to Christchurch this weekend is that I was invited to an amazing party last night. It was one of Heather's work mates' 40th birthday party and there was a Hangi and a spit and more beer than I have seen in one place for quite sometime. Therefore, the fact that I didn't know many people became a minor detail after a while and now I know an even greater fraction of the Tokoroa community.

So taking care and enjoying some warm days even for the end of May and looking forward to hearing from everyone. Take care, Matt

baby please dont go down to New Orleans

Hi from Jen and Pete,
We got back from Broadbeach this morning in the wee hours,had a couple of hours of sleep and went to work.
It was a busy weekend over there as they had their annual Blues Festival which ran virtually day and night from Thurs night to Sunday night,it was great, with up to 4 different performers at one time in different locations,on the beach,in the mall,and some of the streets were closed off to traffic,the music ranged from Janis Joplin to more traditional blues.The only downside was that our hotel was so central when we went back to our room we could often hear 2 bands playing silmultaneously!
We didnt actually know it was on before we got there,all the musos amongst you would have absolutely loved it.
There were several other things on including a home show,a travel expo,and a "what a girl wants" exhibition on,no time for shopping sadly,but never mind.....
Caught up with Michael Roberts and Helen Conner,which was good, they are both heading back to NZ to live soon.
well must get off to bed,take care all,see you tomorrow Mum and Dad,love Jen

Dont go down to New Orleans

Barbara reporting in....

Dear all,

What a fantastic photo of Cameron. It is lovely to see all the boys achieving in their selected fields. Sorry we missed you at the weekend Cameron.

I hope that Victoria's trip and gig goes well. Jeff is in Auckland so will not be at home when she is in Palmerston North.

I am so relieved to hear that dad is on the mend. There seems to be quite a bit of nasty flu about..the Boarding School at the hostel has been hit with it.

Hopefully mum managed to get her travel tickets sorted out. She will be getting ready to fly. Time to purchase a good book.

Happy Birthday Jenni. You will no doubt enjoy your time away.

It is fun checking the blogs each day. I love the chat and the news. I hope that Olivia got home from her trip to Queenstown ok. Sounds as if she is preparing herself for the big OE. We looked out for her at Knox. It was lovely going back there for drinks and we managed to take one or two photos as well.

We really enjoyed our time in Dunedin. Yes it was very busy but so much fun. It was great to see both boys looking so relaxed and ready to tackle their respective careers. It seems to be a long week at school this week but so be it.
No more news.

Kind regards to all. Love Barb and Ash

fenj

Thought I would see if I could post a picture not exactly sure how I did it but found this one of Cam Seeing capping was the order of the day thought I wouldtry with it. I'm sure I have one of Jeff as well... Happy Birthday for Friday Jenni now I have got the cobweb out of my head and remember when it is have a nice birthday trip love Mum and Dad

Fenj

Hi Back again Great way to get around all
Nice to see Barb Ash and Jen Jen's reuionn went well Great photoes
Dad looking and sounding a lot better
Better all get some shuteye you all Hope Jeff anEmma away to great Start new job I am off to cards
G/M

Funedin

Hi Everyone,

Good to see everyone keeping up with their weekly blogging requirements, I find it tends to keep one regular, and has the added bonus of containing no nut, dairy, gluten, meat or MSG products. Terribly sorry, exhausted from a long weekend, seems i'm typing non-sensical jibberish...

Anyway, the weekend was a huge success. Was great to catch up with everyone again - family, knoxies, lawyers and alma mater alumni alike. Great to finally get those pieces of papers - means i've jumped through all the hoops and paperwork and there's no way they can claim them back. excellent!

Congrats on your Masters Jeff, nice work! We shall have to catch up for a celebratory drink. Does anyone offer a doctorate of dairying?

Glad to hear of your colourful trip to Queenstown Live! Sounds interesting, did you survive the tramp? and yes, you must go a global wanderin at some point. Oh and thanks for the mention!

LOVE the photos Matt. You know you've made it when you've got your name on the door...

nice work Jenni. Soooo envious of you going to Broadbeach... one day i'll make it back there...

alrighty, falling asleep.

Dave

Hi all, man this is great. Congratulations to Dave, Emma and Mary hope you all had a great time at graduation. And Cam sounds like your show was terrific you must be stoked. Jeff a "masters" and are you off to europe this week???????

I struggle to get on computer these days as Pat has turned into a net sociallite.

Victoria is off to Palmy on wed for gig then one in wgtn friday. They also play on ferry in exchange for free fares. I havent seen them yet but they play at a swing ball on June 1st so will go to that.

Hope dad is okay and didnt pick up that awful cough from here.
Cheers Chris

a wee bit more

hi there again Pete pushed the publish button by mistake and had not quite finished...................
take care all,love Jen and Pete

on the road again

Hi, made it,phew, better late than never,
thanks Dave for getting this going,have just managed to get time to learn about logging in,
plenty of great news,
our heartfelt congratulations to Dave and Mary on their graduation(s) and to Jeff for his, it is a great pity you werent able to attend it Jeff.
Hope your weekend and ceremony went really well Emma,and you can catch up on a bit of sleep before starting the new job tomorrow.
We have been down to Cams exhibition in Wanaka,thursday night,great opening night,nearly a sellout,well done Cam.Nick and Liv came over so a great family catchup.
I had my 30th year nursing reunion on friday and Saturday night,fantastic seeing people I havent seen for 10 to 20 years,fabulous reunion with Virginia Chris,which was a highlight,but after 3 big nights in a row have limped into MDay,caught up with Gma,Gdad,Barbs and Ash at Waimate,Gdad a bit under the weather,hopefully will be back to his old self soon.
We are off to Broadbeach on Thursday,will have one for you at Madisons Dave (short black)

Hi All, We have had a great weekend in Dunedin with David and Jeff. Graduation went exceptionally well, with all the arrangements going like clockwork. The above images say it all.
The family group photo is taken after drinks, in the main stairwell of Knox College---where Jeff and Dave and now Olivia stayed in Dunedin for their first 2 years of Uni life.

Cheers, Ashley and Barbara.

fenj

Hi all ,well what a performance getting back to post another message.
Mothers day today Jen came down for a cuppa and Barb and and Ash called on way home from a seemingly busy weekend.Had Tried a few times to send congrats to Cam For what I gather was a very sucessful expo.Dave on his degree Mary and Emma(hope I got that correct .Then Jeffs Masters? tomorrow I think.(thanks to Ash getting me sorted out.Kate you are on your way to some exotic place then into the Assie bush for a couple of months one of you will have to put it writng for me so I can get it in my brain.
Liv I hope your bush walk was well worth while with that big pack.you sound as tho you have distant places in your sights.Was nice to hear you enjoyed Vics gig in Wanaka..Not in the same league but I am now going to old time dance trying to learn sequence dancing..gives me and understanding the time and dedication the dancing with the stars people Our group has a go at the samba ( not the throws etc) also last week had a go at the swing waltz if you watch the program was the group dance with all the ladies in purple dresses.G/Dad a bit off color at present has a nasty wee cough and pain in his side under rib Dr has given him medication wants to see him tomorrow certainly looks better today Savage Club on a raid to Invercargil and Dunedun next Friday Quite a bit of flu and stuff around hope it comes off All back to work hope heads all OK Love G/ma

Live's sign in..(finally) + some details of my adventure

Hello family
Awesome to read about what everyone's been up to, haven't had a chance to read all of them yet. But have to say that the O'Connell family look to be lacking a lil. I'm currently in Queenstown. I caught a bus over at 3.30 this arfternoon, holding everything i own on my back. I'm going tramping tonight but am not meeting my friends up here untill 10.30 so i had a casual 6 hrs to fill in looking somewhat like a homeless person. It's been funny. I couldn't really go into any shops bcz my pack is so big that i'd feel a lil like a bull in a china shop (plus all the disapproving stares). I thought about dropping my pack off somewhere but couldn't bear to depart with all my belongings. So i chilled at the salvation army for a while until it closed at 5.30. sat on a part bench for abot 2 hrs but the dark and the cold overcame me and i reluctantly hauled myself into Starbucks for an exuberantly priced white chocolate mocha - a small price to pay for 2hrs of warmth and comfort. About to fall asleep there I thought I better leave and have found myself here at a internet cafe. I feel quite at home here, with a 'New Zealand' patch on my pack surrounded by other people without immediate places of residence. The only downfall is that every minute spent here costs money. I think I might reside at my old park bench for a wee while before I hit the bush for the weekend and will have to rough it sleeping on the ground (I'm sure that at that moment i'll be missing my old park bench). Haven't had a chance to read every1's blogs, will do it now. Hope everyone is well, dave you deserve a mention, so there you go. Would love to say hi to every1 but i'm afraid time is money. Vic good luck for your gigs, I thought you were awesome in Wanaka at new years, to all you boys and girls who are graduating and getting fancy jobs - good stuff, good to hear about Sheila Winn Barb, I miss CDS, they were good times...But these are also good times so i'm really very lucky. I've decided that this wee expedition today is good training for travelling overseas so I might follow in G-ma's footsteps and globetrot for a while sometime soon...hopefully. I've been eyeing up some aid and relief work in India or Afganistan but will have to wait to see where my feet take me.
love you all,
God bless,
Live

Tokoroa Update

Well hello all again,

Great to see everyone getting involved in this and interesting to see that Grandma is so blog savvy that she has got an online nickname! Great!

Well, another week has past. Not a lot happened. However, I thought that I would bring my photos pages to your attention.

Matt's Photos

These include photos from my graduation and a collection of photos that I have been creating whilst in the North Island. Feel free to check them from time to time as I will be continually updating them.

Well, I have a big week this week with the site shut. This is where half of the Kinleith site is shutdown for large scale maintenance. The other half will be shut in September. This is a yearly event which I will need to become accustomed to over my years working at the Kinleith site.

Have a safe week everyone.

Matthew

P.S here is the photo that David requested:

Tuition Time

Dear all,
Well finally I have managed to make this work. I have written several other posts but they have disappeared! Hopefully the tuition Jeff has given me via a phone call will make this one valid.
We are both fine here. I have a bit of flu but it seems to be an occupational hazard. We are both getting ready for our trip to Dunedin the see David graduate [and Mary] and catch up with Jeff. Hopefully it will be a fun weekend. Always a big milestone in a family. Lots and fun, a bit of formality and ltos to eat and drink and be merry I guess.
School has been busy due to a 2 day course in Chch last Friday and Saturday. The course was held at the old University and I must admit that on a miserable, wet Canterbury day it was not very pleasant or exciting. We had many workshops and speakers..some good and one particularly boring at 4.30 on Friday pm.
I stayed at a motel with 2 other on the Friday night. We walked into Riccarton Mall to get a bite to eat and to stretch our legs..it is there that we ran into Jenni and Pete.
Tomorrow we have Open Day/ Chapel and a meeting with the Board so not really a day to catch up. During the week I judged the Craighead Sheilah Winn Shakespeare entries.5x 5min pieces an 2x 15minutes. It would have been much easier if I had not dropped and broken the judges light before the event started. Very hard to write in the pitch dark and glasses were of little use.
It is time for report writing which is always a stressful, long-drawn out process, howver the weather late last week was so wet that it was the best thing to be doing.
It is great to see the Blog developing. Still Olivia, Jen and Nick to sign in I think. It was great to see your Blog Patrick. Well done. We look forward to your news.
Congratulations to Matt on his graduation. It is a pity about the parade but no doubt you managed to celebrate in suitable style.
All the best Cam for your Art show in Wanaka..great to see and hear about. Maybe we will see you in Dunedin? or will you be in Wanaka?
Well it is time to go. I love watching Jamie Oliver on Friday Nights so I will go and try out one of his ideas for tea. [I watch that while Ash watches the rugby on the other tv] I noticed he was very quiet about last night's game. He ahs spent all today outside prunning roses as the time is starting to march away. Take care. Happy duck-shooting. Barbara

Cell-Phone Registry

Hey Vic,
Love the idea of the cell phone number... I was debating putting mine on the internet for all those text spammers and stalkers to see, but decided its best to get everyone's numbers back (threw my phone in the bin by mistake a couple of months back with my McDonalds rubbish), so if people wanna post their numbers, or just text me their's, then that would be cool.

Cheers
Dave 027 424 9018

hey hey. good to finally get a chance to get on here and hear what everyones up to. ive just had three weeks holiday but back into jazz school this week, trying to choose tunes for my assessment and get my band sorted and all that. yeah, one of my new bands is playing at grad balls in palmy (16th) and wellington (18th) this month, so if jeff or cam or anyone else whos up that way happens to be around and free give me a text or something 0276209893. sweet. hope ur all having a good day

victoria

Just saying...Hi

Uhh hey guys its Pat here. As in the youngest of us... Basicly im just saying hey and that i found this page. My email is Yamisopoor@hotmail.com in case somebody needs it, schools going good for me. Hows everyone else going??