This is the start of the Sunday Walk to Port Chalmers. We stopped off at the new Dunedin stadium which is under construction.  It is really shooting up and should be well ready for the World Cup in 2011.

Josie took these snaps so they are a bit random. They do show the size of the construction which is directly and indirectly pumping millions into the regional economy. There was a good deal of controversy about the project since it is funded by the Dunedin city council with limited central government input. I am glad to see that the old council pushed it through - even at the cost of Peter Chin's second term!

This might be the place that houses the new language centre which will relocate from near the clock tower.

On the way to Port Chalmers. I think we did about 12 Kms. This was Tory's first long walk and she handled it really well.

yours truly in one of his rare photos

We made it just in time to be picked up! We got a nice ice-cream at the port which bucked the girls up no end.

http://www.youtube.com/user/johnster1968?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/qkPv4EULpuA

http://www.youtube.com/user/johnster1968?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/9x9B3JX2jTI

Here is a test of linking to my Youtube channel.

Student loans.

I hate student loans. I have been under the millstone of a student loan ever since I restarted my uni studies about 10 years ago. The IRD insist on tacking 10% from my PAYE every fortnight which means that I am taxed at over 32%. If you include 15% GST the total money which goes to the government is over 40% of my take home pay. I have about $2300 to go on the loan now so I should be finished by the end of the year all things going to plan. I am looking forward to having just al little more left in the bank account next year if I can finally slay that horrid little leech.

The Mine Tragedy and Jogging with Mari

Everyone was quite sad yesterday with the news of the 2nd blast in the mine over on the West Coast.  Hard to imaginne that the lives of 29 people could be snuffed out so quickly just as they were doing their daily jobs. The PM has ordered all of the govt flags to fly at half mast and he will fly down tomorrow to meet the families of the victims. According to the mine officials the levels of flammable gas in the mine mean that it could continue to explode regularly for decades to come meaning that the miners may never be recovered.

At 6 every morning after Mari has finished her meditation we have been going jogging together. So far it had been quite fun and Mari is quite good. Today we did 25 mins which even though is pathetic is a good set up for the day. I will walk down to school today which will take another 45 mins.  All up that makes about 1/14th of my day in some sort of exercise.

Lungs

I think that when I breathe out my lungs don't empty well prompting my to breathe in a lot deeper. I winder whether that is related to the pneumonia that I had during the winter... Lovely morning this morning though. The weather is warm and overcast with a gentle rain. And what's better it is the last day of the working week. Today the students are going to put up the Christmas decorations.

Jogging Improvement

I hate the first kilometre of my jog. Afer that it is quite enjoyable. Strangely enough I enjoy running up hills. Maybe it is the sadomasochist in me. Josie ran in the finals of the Otago Athletics yesterday and got a fourth. Actually her relay team got fourth. Mari is back applying for jobs and she also picked up a $50 electric piano from Trademe which is now sitting happily in Victoria's room. The school is waiting for a Tsunami of students due in the next few months but in the meantime I don't need to do much more than just turn up and watch hours of YouTube. I am sooooo hanging out for the Christmas holidays! On Friday apart from the IELTS results coming out and the staff party we are going to get the students to put up the Christmas decorations. A clear signal of the holidays!!!!

Looking for a new premises for the school

Our lease is up in early 2013 so I thought it would be a good idea to go looking for cheaper premises. Unfortunately there is not a lot around which is as good as what we have now. I looked at the purchase price for a section of building that was mildly ok and the guy said he wanted a million dollars for it. He was dreaming considering I can't remember that building ever being fully tenanted. Looks like we will stay where we are.

Back jogging

Fingers crossed for a return to semi-fitness. Today was forecast  to be about 21 degrees but it dawned overcast and the cloud doesn't seem to be wanting to burn off any time soon.  I have got to mow the lawns and clean out the garage while everyone is away at Saturday Morning Music. I have a nice bottle of Irish stout as a present to myself after I finish so it is shaping up to be a pretty pleasant afternoon. Josie and I might go on a walk to Port Chalmers tomorrow while Mari is at her meditation class. Victoria will probably stay with Mari since the walk could be quite epic.  If we go I'll take the camera for a few shots of the new stadium which is being built over by the port. It seems to be on target for completion before the World Cup next year.

Dentist

5 fillings - not including my wisdom tooth $1000. Fuck. I heard somewhere that some random scientist had intended a process where teeth could be re-seeded into the gums. I am too lazy to google this but am more than happy to repeat this probably fictitious story as truth on the internet.

Fitness Failure

Well it lasted less than a week and that was a month ago. I really need motivation pills. Christmas is coming and I really want to go biking with the girls somewhere along the rail trail. The only problem is my extreme laziness and my love of beer.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunedin/McDuffs-Brewery/38392685941