So I have almost survived this Friday the 13th. It is 6:30 pm and I think I will get through it just find. Had a little bit of a rough day at work, so did everyone else. We had an unusual amount of Large Flats, aka Magazines, to deliver today. Other than that the day has gone just swimmingly.
The last time that June 13th marked Friday the 13th was all the way back in 2003. Think back what were doing, and did you see yourself today back then.
I know for sure that I did not see myself in New Zealand, if you would of told me that I would of laughed and said New Zealand?!?! I was preparing to Graduate from High School and move on to college. Where were you? Go ahead think about it. 2003 seems like ages ago but really it was a blink of the eye ago. Its been a crazy ride since that day, but hell I wouldnt change a thing.
June 13 is the 164th day of the year, There are 201 days remaining until the end of the year. Back on that date in 2003 Roger Clemens recorded his 300th win and his 4,000th strikeout while the Yankees were playing the Cardinals, Massachusettes Attorney General Thomas Reilly accuses college student Luke Thompson of creating a fake airline, Mainline Airways, and selling bogus tickets to name a few of the events.
When I started writing this blog it was Friday the 13th. I wanted to edit and load the part III of my South Island Trip. So I edited and posted the video and had to wait for YouTube the give the go ahead. So they have and that is what is posted above.
On another note, in the States it is Father's Day. So I will like to take this time to wish my dad Vinnie "Cenzo" Petrina a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY... I also want to extend those wishes to Grandpa Lou, Grandpa Mike, Uncle Lou, Uncle Mike, Josh and Steven. Sorry that I couldnt be there in person, but I hope the blog post makes up or it. Have a great day. And for those that are interested as to when NZ Father's Day is...September, must be a Spring thing.
So I have a few things happen these past few days that have made me decide to compare the lingo of someone from the NY Metropolitan area to that of a Kiwi... For starters my mom posted a comment asking what a "Jandal" is? Simply put it is a "Sandal/Flip Flop" actually thats what it is no simply put. The other instance was a email i received. Leo sent me an email and addressed it "Hey Seppo" I was like "W...T..F...?!?" and then she told me that her brother Nat refers to me as "Seppo"... That still didnt answer my question so I enquired further... she replied with it is a slang word for an American in Oceania Surfer talk... ok so how the hell did they stumble upon that slang name for an American. Affectionately it morphed from...
Yankee ---> Yank-tank ---> Septic tank === Seppo
So that had me thinking, that I have not shared with you the new words that I have been tossing around in casual conversation. I feel like I have been experience lingo similar to that from the movie "Juno" DREAM BIG...
Without further ado
Mike's Newest Lingo
Cheers-Thank You
No Worries-No Problem
Meaty-Awesome/Sweet/BadAss
CarPark-ParkingLot
Boot-Trunk
Sussed-Sorted
Lolly-Candy
Knackered-Tired/Spent/Recked
IceBlock-Popsicle
Bugger/BuggerAll/BuggerOff-F***/NotMuch/PissOff
TeaTowel-DishTowel
TomatoSauce-Ketchup
and My Personal Favorite...
Zed-the letter "Z"
There are plenty other different slang words. I have not picked up on them yet so I did not include them in my New Lingo List. A furter look into the lingo may call for a more entertaining method than reading.
Take these words and try and use them in your lingo... they are catchy...
It is hard to believe that this photo was taking three months ago. It was taken the first day I arrived. Leo took me around to several different locations near by for some quick sight seeing. We werent going to waste anytime. I was going to see as much as possible as soon as possible. To tell you the truth, I have done heaps, but I dont know where the time has gone. The journey started with a two hour flight delay in JFK Airport in New York. A trip where I was supposed to have so much time to kill inbetween flights I would be bored to tears, to a trip where when we touched down in LA I had thirty minutes to run aross the airport. I had to fight through crowds and wait in line. The whole time the sign above me flashing Plane to "Auckland" -- "Now Bording". It was a nailbitter, finally I told the security lady that my flight was bording, she got me out of line and straigh to the front. I got through security and ran to my gate. I was getting there as the last few people in line were getting on board. Thirteen hours later I landed in Auckland, waited on line for customes and then stood at the baggage carosel watching the same bags go by me for twenty minutes. I had made the flight but it looks like my bags hadnt. I then went and stood in line to the baggage claims place. I had been farting around with this rubbish for two hours and just wanted to get some breakfast. I finally made it through the gates a little after 730 AM. All I had was my backpack and the clothes on my back. If I wrote a book that is how it would start. Maybe a little more detail. That seems to be the start of a short story.
A Blast From the Past
When I first arrived gas was holding steady at 1.73 a liter, the Summer was whinding down. The days still long, the water warm, and not a cloud in the sky. Boys and young men ran around in jandals and had crazy haircuts. People walked barefoot through the mall and shops. Girls and young ladies wore next to nothing while texting on their two cell phones. Old ladies walked the streets in skirts and stockings, while old men walked the streets wearing shorts and business socks. And there I was straight off the plane from winter wearing a collared shirt with a sweater over top, jeans and my fresh Nike Air Assaults. Did I look out of place? Maybe just a little. So I did what anyperson would do to blend in, I lost the sweater, collared shirt and socks and shoes. Rolled up my jeans, I walked the streets barefoot and in my white under tee. It was all I would have of summer, those few weeks, I was going to take the most of it while I could.
Fast Forward to the Present
Now it is the present, gone are the long days and the warm summer skies. They give way to early nights and cold fall mornings. As I rise six a.m. for work blackness is still upon and the sun not expected for another two hours. Today is the first day that I can say cold weather is here. Iced over windshield gave over to a brisk cold morning. Delivering the mail not be able to feel my fingers. Underdressed for the day and boy did it show. Shorts and a long sleeve just wont cut it. I need the pants and my polo fleece. Lawns covered in frost just like back home, except it is the wrong time a year. As you all prepare for summer I prepare for winter. Leaves changing and falling off the trees. I feel like it should be halloween, but it actually will be only the 4th of July. My body has been thrown for a loop, confused as all hell it sits and ponders. It sits and thinks about those Christmas in July celebration at Greenport campgrounds. It is fitting for the weather down here, so I might have to do it, a christmas celebration for Mike and Leo. Our birthdays fall in July and so do many of my families. Tse-Tse, Uncle Lou and cousin Josh, Leo and I shall celebrate with a Christmas time feast to commemorate our birthdays and New Zealands first Christmas in July. So now that I am done blabbing, it is time for me to go and start planning. Christmas in July will be huge success.
And for those that have been curious, and I know how much you all love countdowns.
After we taped I was asked about "Queen's Birthday" which is a national holiday in NZ. So before the question becomes moot I better answer it.
The "Queen's Official Birthday" is celebrated as a public holiday in several Commonwealth Countries. The exact date of the celebration varies from country to country and it does not usually mark the real birthday of the Sovereign. The curent Monarch Queen Elizabeth II was born April 21 1926. In New Zealand the holiday is the first Monday in June.
As you all know I went to the local bar to watch the Super 14 rugby semifinal between the Hurricanes and Crusaders. What you dont know is what I was indulging in before we left for the bar. If you guessed Mussels you are correct.
Leo and I decided to pick up some mussels from the Market as they were on special this week. We got a Kg(2.2 pounds) of mussels which was 20 of them. These are not your run of the mill, tiny ass, Long Island Mussels. These had some size to them and were very filling. We cooked them up in a coconut cream sauce and ate them over pasta. It was delicious and next time they go on special we are doing it again. Here is a diagram of step by step process of the mussel dinner.
After the meal we headed out to the bar. We ended up at Pat's Garage in Northcote, it is a 5 minute walk from our flat. We headed through the big double door entrance way and spotted two seats at the bar right infront of the big screen tele. Prime time seats for a prime time game. I bought the first round of drinks, Speights Original Beer and a Vodka and Cranberry. If you were wondering I got the beer and Leo the cranberry. We got settled as the bar began to crowd. People were there to do all types of things, play pool, OTB, Casino gaming room, and watch the game. People came and went as the game played, at halftime we got round two of drinks, status quo on the drinks. The start of the second half brought disappointment, with 15 minutes left in the game we decided to chug our drinks and head for home.
When we arrived home we sat and watched some tele, and decided what we were going to do on Sunday. We couldnt determine a rock solid plan so we headed to bed deciding to get up whenever and play the rest of the day by ear.
Sunday came and went, my only full day off and it flew past. Next thing I knew it was 6 am Monday morning and I was getting ready for another work week. I arrived to work 15 minutes early grapped a cup of tea and sat and chatted till seven. At seven got up and heading for my route case. There I sorted my large flats (magazines) and then sorted my letters. At eight am the Albany team gets their morning tea break. Tea* break is fifteen minutes. I got another cup of tea and had some cookies that I brought from home. Back to the case to finish sorting and headed out on my run (route) at 830. I bike out to my route that is 2 miles away, deliver my mail and head back to the office. I am finished at a quater after eleven. Drop of all my unwanted mail and head back to the flat, hoping to talk to my mom.
*when I say "tea" I mean break. They call it "tea breaks" or some might know it as "tea time".
Boy I was in for a suprise when my mom signed on and was still at the BBQ at Annie's and Gary. I got to see and talk to everyone. Uncle Mike busting chops and keeping it relaxed as always. My dad got a haircut, after all these years of telling him to shave it he finally does when I am not around to rub it. Thats what he has done to me for twenty two years after I have shaved my head. Apparently he likes how it feels. I got to talk to the little ones, Delainey, Caleb and Connor. I got to see how big Avry "DisneyWorld" is getting. I missed the grandparents, but got to see all the women with their new short haircuts. Pain in the ass Michelle making funny noises and making a fool of herself... like always j/k... Did I mention that my Uncle Mike was busting them hardcore? Uncle Lou and Aunt Tracy got to talk to them and explained the Wildfoods video. Some of the family vowed they were getting a camera for the computer so they can talk to me... I know it is only thursday but I do not have any more friend requests on MSN Messenger. (michael.petrina@gmail.com is the name) It was nice seeing and talking to all that were there.
I eventually caught up with Mimi when she came online later in the evening. We chatted and shared music and youtube videos. Great fun to keep me busy in my wide open afternoons. The next day my mom celebrated a HALF CENTURY of living. Happy Belated Blog Birthday Mom! I caught her online after work and we chatted for a good chunk of time. Ever since that conversation I have been listening and watching Hall and Oates and Steely Dan videos from youtube. Hey mom "Is there gas in the car???? Is there gas in the car????"
The week is starting to come to an end and I have a three day weekend due to the celebration of the Queen's Birthday. What it is I am not sure of yet, but I will do some research and report back to you guys. (Report back to you WINK WINK)
We were going to plan a trip to Rotoroa to do some street luging** and Zorbing, but the weather is supposed to be nasty so we canned that. I will have blogs about those things once I do those things. Well I hope that all are doing great and that you are enjoying the warm weather. Here each day gets colder and colder, but I am still in shorts and a Tshirt at work so not too bad. We quickly approach the sortest day of the year for me and the longest for those that are state bound. Be Safe Be Clean... Take a Shower
This is my first installment of HurricaneOne TV, they will get better as they go. For some reason after I uploaded the mouth and words are off. I hope to fix that, I hope you enjoy. Leave Comments, Suggestions, or Hatred.
