The PERFECT STRANGER :)

It was a beautiful Wellington Wednesday and I was walking along Oriental Bay....on my way to do my shopping when I saw a poster that caught my attention....

Just then I had this sudden primal urge to go to the zoo. I had been wanting to go to the zoo for some time now but I never seemed to have the time, but this time I was going to forgo my shopping day for a bit of something unusual. I checked my blackberry and used google transit and found the location of the zoo and then the times and schedules of the buses. I had my headphones on so I was "in my zone" but I was pretty happy and I believe I was walking like I was on air for some reason. I think people can actually sense your happiness, judging by how many people smiled back at me that day, or perhaps it was just the contagiousness of a smile :)

I got to the bus stop and there were a few bus shelters on Courtnay Place so I paused for a moment to select one. I realized that there was someone in the second bus stop and she seemed to be staring my way but I totally ignored this as I was "in my zone" and chose to stand in the other bus stop with a smiling blonde chic. I stood there waiting for the bus but I tried to find the bus which would require the least walking. I realized that the girl that was in the bus stop moved to the bus stop I was in and I sort of looked at her to see if she was staring and what and most importantly why? I have no idea, but I just pretended not to notice her noticing me (I suck at pretending :P) I finally got my bus and decided to hop on and the blonde chic and the other girl were talking when I left them.

I get to the zoo and it was awesome!! It was quite a hike though, had to scale a hill over the hill was the zoo so I kept thinking of animals that I wouldn't otherwise see in my lifetime if I didn't make it to the zoo. I was a man on a mission that day :) I got to the zoo and they had awesome service, the receptionist had me setup for a tour and just as advertised, I got a $5 Winter Wednesday discount, which I was pretty happy about. I got into the zoo and it didn't look like much lol I think it was more of a bushwalk, the first creatures I saw were so cute though. They were tiny monkey things (yes I call them that because I didn't read the zoo signs :P) I got to the birds,sorry, I mean "Aviary" (I remember that sign lol) and just when I was there, I heard this pretty heavy American accent and then a pretty light kiwi or New Zealand accent...the voices sounded so familiar. I turned to recognize the two girls from the bus stop. Blondie and the girl who was sitting on the other bus stop. I overheard them talking about what locals say vs what they mean. They got to the topic about how locals sometimes say "TARUE!" and manage to make it sound like they understand you on a very deep level but they don't really mean it, they just say it slowly and it fools people into thinking that they are clued up about a certain topic....I then felt like I have to say hi and my curiosity about why this American woman (stay away from me-Lenny Kravitz) was staring at me and it wasn't in a bad way...it was more in a "subtle intrigue" way. I blurted out "that is so true!" (nice one dude!lol) I think that joke fell to the ground right there...but it worked and I agreed with them and we started talking and I got their names. American Woman was E and Kiwi Chic was H so we started talking about what it was like in NZ and started sharing our traveling experiences and also talked about the social order of things and of course, we looked at some interesting animals....along the way :)

We then got to see a kiwi for the first time!! I can't believe I've been in New Zealand for so long and I've never seen the iconic creature.....well, this was my change. There was a show running so we went in and sat to watch the show. The lady asked "Has anyone here NOT seen a kiwi before?" and I put my hand up along with E and we were asked where we were from. I said "Fiji" and E said "Minnesota" and then someone else in the audience said "Boston" and the presenter asked "Do you watch Boston Legal?" and I don't know why that was funny lol but I got the joke a little late...coz I wasn't paying attention. I got to see a kiwi for the first time..it wasn't that spectacular but it was cute. The kiwi is named "Tahi" which is the Maori word for "One" the little kiwi got the name because he lost his leg in a possum trap. It was such a cute little thing, I asked what sound a kiwi makes and apparently they make a high pitched squeeky squeebly sound. Not the "caw caw,caw caw" I was hoping for lol.....I had a great time checking out the creatures but I felt that it was time to go home. I turned to my two newfound buddies and H had some friends she probably planned to meet up with at the zoo. We had some formalities like the "how do you do?" little bits and pieces and then H wanted me to join them but I was more interested in hanging out with E so I had to decline and so I walked E towards the exit and she asked me if it was the right way to the exit and me being a typical smart ass, I reassured her that we were going the right way...when in fact...lol we went around in circles and I had to eventually admit my own stupidity....but of course, I did so with all graciousness lol We had a laugh and we talked about America and there were lots of comparisons. We had a walk that seemed to take forever....looking at her, I remember wondering whether she was the perfect stranger, she was adorable and smart and she laughed at my jokes (this doesn't necessarily mean that she finds them funny,just that she is willing to share a laugh with me) but I'd like to think I'm Mr. Funny Pants lol anyway she walked into my life when everything was totally messed up. I had so much on my mind, had this messy long distance relationship with a girl from another city which I happily left behind (the city,not the girl) the girl is still lingering but along comes this stranger and I was so taken by her.....I felt like we shared something special. I shall call it a "travellers buzz" because whenever you're travelling, I don't know if you've noticed, you always seem to draw these amazing individuals to you and if you go out on a limb and make an effort you will certainly meet some really amazing people! :D

I wasn't the traveller in this case but...I was happy to have met such an amazing person :)

I'm in a ratrace but I don't think it is a race since I don't seem to be running :P

I haven't been writing much since I moved to Wellington because everything has been "full on" and for those of you unfamilar with the language of the locals. In New Zealand, that means hectic or intense. I have been working intensely in order to submit an application for Permanent Residence in New Zealand. The fees are crazy expensive, NZD$1200,I could buy a used car with that amount of money here....I've been looking to get a license first lol. I have been saving up for a trip to Fiji as well...so much going on and yet I feel like I'm getting nowhere. I have had a quiet day at work so I decided to take the time to bring my creative side back to the fore,I have learned that pressure inhibits creativity. If you want to be as creative as possible, you must NOT have a deadline. Don't get me wrong, I am all for getting things done on time but if you want things done quickly,you shouldn't expect results of a higher quality, there is always a compromise somewhere.

I've been pretty busy but I want to share my second zoo experience here in Wellington.I have to get permission to write about this beautiful stranger first though....I will post this as "my wellington zooper experience" I still managed to add a second blog to my list of blogs but I haven't shared it publicly yet. I've set it up mainly to research some advanced techniques to hug people....yes HUGS :P

Anyone can access it on http://advancedhuggingtechniques.blogspot.com/

Hope you all have a great week :)

My sunshine after the rain :)

I can see the pain deep in her eyes,even though no one sees how she cries,
locked away in her sweet little heart,are her true feelings so difficult to impart,
I can't wait to see her sweet smiles again,feels like warm sunshine after the rain :)

Written by freelancer45

Trying to figure out what google analytics is all about

It is late in the night and I had a bit of a holiday. Went to Auckland to see my family and meet some friends and just get away from all those phones that keep ringing haha. I got back and logged into my account. I am running an ad campaign on google adwords trying to figure out what it all means. I haven't really read the whole how to stuff they send me but I'm pretty sure I got much of it right. I own a few domains so I run google analytics on them and using my free credit, courtesy of google :) I was able to get traffic to my website using tiny little clicky things. Adwords seem a little confusing but I think I get how it works. Just need to keep messing with it.

I locked up the office and was skipping down the road in Oriental Bay listening to : Lady Gaga...hmm catchy stuff..she is a freak and you can expect nothing short of crazy when you see this crazy blonde.

WoW! you can play PACMAN on Google! :)

I woke up this morning...did my readings then opened up my google chrome and there it was!!

Click in the middle and you can actually play PACMAN! :D

It has been a crazy week for me. I have discovered the politics of people....while I try to remain ever so neutral as is my stand and my mindset. Many people are either for or against a cause/person/belief/idea and I find that it is all a little too much drain on my poor little brain :P

I have been working really hard but I realized that I am somewhat at a disadvantage when it comes to my work situation.I need to work a lot more hours if I want to make more money...but I like time to myself and also I devote a good part of my time to voluntary work that I do. While I keep my blog free of any religious or political affiliations...I feel like my efforts to remain neutral at work are being undermined. I am over it now, I work hard and I do my best but I am a tech at heart and I don't think that will ever change. I like being on the phones and I love talking to people but in order for me to be effective, I feel that I have to get work that is hands on and satisfying. I am happy with my current job but I can see the need to supplement my income with other work that actually satisfies my inward desire to fix things....I am flying out to Auckland soon and I will miss my dearest family. They have been so wonderful...I have decided that I will move and it seems that everything is working out. Someone called me at work and offered me a place to stay again...we have a mutual friend. I feel like there so much going on for me....but I also see the need to be wise in making decisions that relate to finance,recreation and technology. I'm hoping that everything works out.

Peace out everyone! :)

Failed Paradise has FAILED! :(

I was wanting get on to view one of my favorite blogs and it didn't show up for some reason..hmmm....so just like the tech that I am,I tried to troubleshoot the problem...trying a different browser,checking my ports. Did a whoislookup to find out where the host was and it seems like godaddy is hosting the site. I know godaddy can't be down right?? the only thing left then would be user configuration. The site is run by a good friend of mine so I posted a note on his wall about the error. I hope this is a temporary issue....error message says :

Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, support@supportwebsite.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

---

Apache/1.3.33 Server at www.failedparadise.com Port 80

Anyway, I went to lunch with someone yesterday...it was amazing and normally Wellington is so windy but for some reason..it was dead calm yesterday.It seems like the wind stopped just for us...we sat here:

I love the sun...and I got lots of sun that day...looking forward to winter...uhm NOT! haha...I was told that the Windchill in Wellington is a killer.

Hopefully everything works out in my new city..only time will tell how well I will fit in here.

FaceBook In Reality - idiotsofants.com and BBC'sThe Wall

I found this to be funny because it was so true...this is exactly what people are doing on Facebook! I'm really glad I don't have too much personal info there that is correct. There are some serious privacy issues there...I don't have anything incriminating there as well....I'll definitely deactivate my account but I will be downloading all my friends contacts first.Busy week...full of fun stuff :)

I may not have everything I want.....but I've got everything I need :)

I have moved from Lower Hutt to a lovely place in Oriental Bay..courtesy of a very generous family that I met 2 weeks ago.I am living in the attic....just like a monster should..lol I am happy up here,I get good sunlight and I get an awesome view into the harbor area.I only have to walk 15 minutes to work and to the city center along the sea front.I am in an ideal location and the family I live with have been so amazing....I have what I need now,a good family but I think I am ready to start a family of my own....I have met someone that I really like but I don't want to rush into anything just yet, experience has taught me to be more careful about who I choose to have close to me.My week has been filled with activity....I've met many more people since I moved to Wellington over 6 weeks ago...I keep saying that I've only been here for 4 weeks because that is how I feel..time sure flies when you're having fun :P
I have been working longer hours because some of my work mates are on leave.I also went out to my first bar in Wellington...I've been to a few bars and clubs in Auckland but I was eager to see what the atmosphere is like here in the Windy City (atmosphere,windy....funny how that seemed to fit in the same sentence) I went to a place called Hotel Bristol on Cuba Street.It seemed like an aged colonial style "tavern" type place...filled mostly with middle-aged,upper-class patrons.They had pool tables and a lounge upstairs and they also have sizable TV screens fitted in viewing areas around a few of their rooms. My new-found friends had taken me out on a "boys night out" to show me around and to get to know me a little better. They all had the same first name "R" and they were only distinguished by a nickname.I just let them recommend a beer.I was bought a Kilkenny which is an Irish beer.I must say there is something classy about drinking beer that has it's heritage dating back to 14th century Ireland. I had a great time with my mates and they dropped me off to my new place.

I'll be back at work...talking to very interesting people :) I am also going to fly back to Auckland next month to see my sister.I'm feeling pretty content these days but I still need to get my social life up where it belongs.I work zombie shifts but I am planning to ask the great people at work to adjust my work schedule.
Keep smiling everyone and have a great day! or at least try to :P

The world is full of beautiful people,none are more beautiful to us than the ones we choose to love!

I was waiting for the bus today and there was this beautiful woman standing at the bus shelter....she looked like she was foreign and she had backpacks and lots of travel gear....so I asked her the obvious since that has always been a hit with people I meet and talk to.....I looked at her and she smiled at me so I felt comfortable and safe then I asked her "are you a traveler?" she nodded then said yes (so I smiled and breathed a little sigh of relief coz that means she understands English lol) I asked her where she was from and she replied Finland....we had really great conversation...I said that I was a bit of a traveler myself and that I was from Fiji and she said she was just there recently and she also said it was a beautiful place...I agreed with her...completely lol we talked about what things are like here in NZ compared to our home countries....she enjoyed how friendly the people were in Fiji and she said she went to different villages there but she stayed on Yasawa Island...she agreed with my comments that even though the life there is simple...the people are generally more happy...and in Western or more modern societies such as New Zealand,we have everything but we are still not happy.She said "yes,people always want more" I said yes,that is true and explained that I had always wanting something more too but being here has changed me.....she just took off her hiking gear and jacket to get comfortable but the bus was coming so....we couldn't chat....as she was getting ready to get on the bus I shook her hand and we exchanged names....she said her name was Marli or maybe Marley or Marlene or maybe Marlin....should have asked her to spell it....I said we probably won't see each other again so goodbye and she said bye....so I had such a smile on my face today.I met a Finn? Is that how you say it?lol I met a Finnlandian? Or maybe I will just say I met a Finnish person? Well it was a real pleasure...more bus stop moments to come :)

"This time baby...I'll be bullet....proof!"

I finished work late on Saturday night.I keep wanting to stay on at work longer for some reason.Jim who works night shift on Saturdays with me had to tell me to go home.lol he said...we had the same argument last week...I then had to stick around for another hour coz there wouldn't be a bus until 11.50pm.I went to the bus stop...and this time,I managed to resist the urge to talk to strangers at the bus stop....lol my cousin calls it "bus stop syndrome"...so,I decided to go across the road and take some money out to get something to eat.I was worried that someone would mug me or something so I had caught a glimpse of a figure approaching me from my side...I got a pleasant surprise when it was a woman in heels with gorgeous
blonde hair and pretty blue eyes behind a bright pink opera type mask staring at me she said.I am so sorry but I would like to ask you for your ATM bill (I always thought that thing that comes out after you take out your cash was known universally as an ATM receipt...but then again,I am in New Zealand) I just stared her in a "are you crazy?woman?" kind of way but from where I was standing,she definitely had nothing to be sorry about lol...I was soon asking what all this racket was about.she politely explained that it is called a scavenger hunt part of a Radio Promotion called ZM's Single Girls Scavenger Hunt."ZM's Single Girls Scavenger Hunt ->Wedding gowns are not encouraged... but corsets, lingerie, or ANYTHING lacey is sweet :)

There's $4,000 CASH up for grabs for the winning teams in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch!"

Hmm...worth getting all laced up and asking strangers for their ATM Receipts...lol I would say :P while I was just being a joker and acting clueless..and dumb like I had no idea what was going on (I'd heard about this from a workmate the day before...but I wanted to be cruel for once lol) Her friend (what a friend indeed!) quickly came to her defence and said: This is a list here,just so you can see it is all legit,they were 4 of them in total..the leggy blonde seemed to be the leader of the pack hehe...she was hot :P okk....I admit I was dazzled by the almost perfect combination of lace and legs and the mask did give her an aura of mystery ;) I gave her my ATM receipt because I was feeling bulletproof on this particular night....I wasn't broke lol...She said "I don't even have to look at it" being a guy,you'd worry if a woman said this to you in another context lol...I was thinking,go ahead I have money this time lol but she had left me temporarily speechless at this point....the girls were all talking amongst themselves...eyeballing me lol the leader of their scavenger pack signaled for them to move out by saying...thank you so much for helping me out or something like that and she said enjoy your evening...with a huge smile of satisfaction on her face...wasn't sure if that was from checking off on her list or...uhm..something else...as they walked away...I could just hear the laughter LOL! CRAAAYYYZZZAAAY! so much for NOT talking to strangers at the bus stop :P

I had an AWESOME week...killer weekend so...I've been listening to La Roux. Love her song "bulletproof" and "I'm going in for the kill" is it me or is there really something sexy about bullets and killing people? lol

Here are some pics I took over the weekend...enjoy :)



My nails were getting too long...I noticed that I have girly looking hands when my nails are long :P
The Dutch Shop in Petone, this place is so Euro....pretty cool! What have windmills got to do with the Dutch?
This is the kitchen where I currently live...I cooked chicken stir fry for my family here...they loved it...compliments to the cook (I don't expect any kisses yet lol)I may know how to cook but I still love to get Mac Dee's :) lol by far,this is what I want to use in order to keep my weight at normal levels. I read somewhere that calorie counts for meals at the "M" is really high..read the nutrition info and seems to confirm this.

We work when we HAVE to...so we can party when we WANT to :)

While I haven't been partying much....I have been working alot lately. I have managed to get more work but....I'm thinking of slowing down as it has been a tough week for me.I managed to view another place...well didn't exactly view it because silly real estate people were not there.I got to the place and took a snap. Not a very big place...and since property managers are involved.I think it would be a costly affair.

It looks like some kind of hostel.I wasn't able to go in and so I called the number on the listing and they said there wouldn't be any viewing until next week.Sorely disappointed,I decided to walk back to the bus stop....the neighborhood looked like a pleasant place to live. The shop owner down the corner from the bus stop was an Indian man and he was quite friendly. Stood there watching the KFC across the road.I wasn't hungry and had to make my way back to work.I have been doing the hard hours at work and I should be well rewarded next week. I am not looking to go out partying but I think I may go out for a drink or two :P

I haven't had much of a social life but I have been meeting new people....at the bus stop lol...my cousin calls it "bus stop syndrome" she has seen my contagious over-friendliness with strangers at the bus stop so....she may be right.I think I shouldn't talk to strangers at the bus stop but I just get the urge to say hello....everyone that I talk to usually respond and I have met a few interesting people this way. Today people are so caughtup in their personal music players and phones that they don't take the time to stop and say hello.I make it my business to know your business lol....I guess you can say that I am nosy....so perhaps I need to tone it down a little.I am pretty happy though,being single has really worked out well for me.I am able to enjoy being so random and not having to worry about anyone but myself and focus on what is truly important to me.I had heard the phrase "thanks,you've made my day" 3 times already this week and I think there is much more to come :)

I can safely say...all in a days work :)

Finding my place....

I went to see a place yesterday in an area called "Hataitai" I'm still uncertain how to say that...I wasn't expecting anything with 5 stars since the advertised rent was cheap...I was right not to expect that. Upon arrival at Arcus way...where it was NOT a road but indeed was a "way" made up of gravel and some areas were paved but mostly looked like a place out in the countryside.I got there to see a blue and white old colonial designed home.Met "O" the contact person for the advertised room. She seemed friendly, showed me around..the room was not too large,had one window and was facing towards the East so I'd get the lovely sunlight that I need to keep me smiling all day :) The bathroom was old and looked like something out of the movie "Vacancy" I mean it was okay...just that it did not appeal to me in anyway. She showed me the backyard..this was the highlight of the place. A large green lawn with a park bench and big trees providing some cool shade...this was more appealing than the bathroom lol....If I could,I'd probably prefer to live in the yard :P

All in all,I liked the place.For a decent amount of money,I could live closer to work but I don't think it would be walkable, if ever I attempt it,it would probably take me a while to get to work...so I have had to weigh that out and they asked me to leave my name and number with them...so they can get back to me.I think the previous dude who lived there must have had some sort of falling out with the other two flatmates or something like that...this wasn't a problem for me...but I had to think whether it could be later on down the line.I get along with most people though,mostly the younger people because I can relate to alot of people who are growing up.My own experiences have taught me valuable lessons in life and if I can help someone learn a thing or two that may help them...I will gladly do so!:)

I've had much time to think things through and my current accommodation will hold up until I can find a decent place closer to work.I try not to stress too much about it because stress can be paralyzing to a certain extent.I live my days one day at a time and that is how I can keep smiling :)

My Facebook Suicide Note*

MY FACEBOOK SUICIDE NOTE*

So my journey is about to be cut short,
A few more clicks and my online existence is not,
A few more tears as I look back,
At the few years since I added my first contact.

I try to find a suitable stateus status,
Hopefully it's one without errors
I would like to say "goodbye world"
Since the begining of code is "hello world"

There are many friends I stand to lose along the way,
but I know I'll see them in REAL life some day,
A few enemies I've added as friends,
But they're the ones I hope not to see again.

There were random people I never knew,
But being a nice guy..accept was all I'd do!
Then there were hearts and drinks and farms,
"Gosh,they're turning us all into facebook bums!"

I wonder what life will be like without facebook
But I realize all I have to do is logout and LOOK :)
People tell me to get a life
but what I would prefer to get is a good wife
In reply I sometimes say get some bookface
You can never win the friends race
Too many friends to track and trace
What matters is not the quantity of your friends
but the quality that matters when your account ends!

So here I am staring at the deactivate button,
Seriously "I'm really gonna do it come on!"
I look back one last time with a tear in my eye
I don't wana live my life on facebook I just wanna die*!


Posted by Fila Kaboom (Suicidal) Paulo.
copyright imawip.blogspot.com


##Please be advised that the following is only a poetic expression of my feelings and the conflict inside me as to whether I really need to be on facebook or not.This does not in anyway mean that I am suicidal (well that is up to you to decide :P) I love my life and I treasure it as a gift from God.Please don't kill yourself after reading this...try to GET a REAL life instead :P ##


* ANY REFERENCES TO FACEBOOK SUICIDE AND DEATH AS MENTIONED HERE ONLY REFERS TO DEACTIVATING A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

I posted this on my facebook...but I'm still considering my facebook suicide :P