May 29, 2008

Pulling Mussels from a Shell

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

**When saying luging they mean street carting.

May 26, 2008

HurricaneOne TV


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.

May 22, 2008

What Could I Possibly Have to Say...

Hey Everyone,
Week is going well. Work is going well, getting the flat sorted, filling the cabinets and refridge with food. Recovering well from the race, running easy. I dont really have much to add, getting real excited for the big rugby game on Saturday night. If you couldnt tell.
I have enjoyed all your comments, Keep them coming and I will keep entertaining you!
I will leave you wit the Part II of my South Island Video.
Enjoy!

May 19, 2008

Super 14

This week I bring a different spin on the Whats Hott In NZ.

Super 14 Rugby is "Whats Hott" at the moment. With the semifinals beginning and two of the NZ clubs squaring off against eachother the tension can be cut with a knife.
This Saturday night at 1935 the Hurricanes will face the Crusaders. The Hurricanes are the number 4 seed and represent Wellington region. The Crusaders are the number 1 seed and they represent the Canterbury region. Hurricanes stand to represent the North Island and Crusaders stand to represent the South Island.
The two teams have already met this year. The Crusaders won the first match, it was a long tough fight back in the middle of the season. Both teams have grown and evolved since then. This should be a great matchup.
The other semifinal is Waratahs against the Sharks. Both teams are not from NZ so at the moment NZ doesnt care about that match.
Super 14
The Super 14 is the largest rugby union football club championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland/Reds, New South Wales/Waratahs, ACT/Brumbies, and Western Australia/Force), five NZ franchises, each of which is comprised by a number of provinces (the resulting teams are based in Auckland/Blues, Hamilton/Chiefs, Wellington/Hurricanes, Christchurch/Crusaders, and Dunedin/Highlanders), and five teams from South Africa(Free State/Cheetahs, Western Cape/Stormers, Kwazulu Natal/Sharks, Gauteng/Lions, Northern Gauteng/Bulls). The fourteen sides all play against one another once in the regular season, with no divisional or pool system. With each team granted one bye week, this phase of the competition runs for fourteen weeks.

The teams are ranked according to the number of competition points they accrue throughout the season. Competition points are awarded as follows: - 4 for winning a match - 2 for drawing a match Additional Bonus Points are awarded as follows: - 1 Bonus Point for scoring four or more tries in a match - 1 Bonus Point for losing by seven or fewer points

The teams in the top four places on the competition ladder after the regular season enter the two-week knockout phase of the tournament. Two semi-finals (in which the top-ranked team hosts the fourth, and second-ranked hosts the third) are contested to decide the two finalists, which is played at the highest ranked winners' home ground, as opposed to a pre-selected neutral venue.
The current competition was inaugurated in 1996, and from the first season through to 2005, the competition was known as Super 12; the name change came about following the expansion for the 2006 season. The term Super Rugby is sometimes used when talking about the Super 14 and Super 12 collectively. Matches are now broadcast in 41 countries.

The Hurricanes are my favorite teams. For obvious reasons but most importantly because they are good. If you dont know the obvious reason then read the URL to my webpage and the lightbulb should turn on.

The Hurricanes are one of the original Super Rugby Teams. Representing the lower part of the North Island, the Wellington Hurricanes got their name from a play on the city's nickname. "Windy Wellington" The Hurricanes feature several All Black players.

My favorite Hurricane is Rodney So’oialo, he is a blockbusting No 8 with the size, speed and skill to play anywhere in the back row. Renowned for his exceptional fitness. He is the captain of the Hurricanes and leads the team on the field.


If I can stand up to the Crusaders I know that the Hurricanes will have no problems taking care of business.

This past Friday night I went to my first Rugby game. We had awesome tickets, mid field down on the field level. It was a great night for Rugby. The Hurricanes were visiting Auckland and playing the Blues. It was a great atmosphere. Even tho the Hurricanes lost it was a great game. The Blues edged the Hurricanes 19-17, but great action made the game so much fun. Here is the number one highlight from the game.


Hope you all enjoy that about Rugby and do a little more research on your own. I will keep you posted on how the semifinals go.

Huntly Half Marathon

Yesterday I completed a Half Marathon. Seventh overall, 1:12:22, 5:31 per mile. Today HurricaneOne caught up with me for an interview.

Everything else is going great. Went to my first Rugby game friday night. More to follow in the upcoming days.

May 16, 2008

Keeping a Promise

It has been awhile but the video I promised you all.

South Island Trip Part I

May 13, 2008

International Press

I was going to sit here and type about how I found Tecmo Super Bowl for NES online but I found something way more awesome than that. Let me share it with you.

Huntly Half Warms UpMonday 12 May, 2008

With less than a week to go, the heat is on for runners taking part in the famous Huntly Half Marathon. May 18th will see Hakanoa Domain in Huntly become a swarming crowd of runners and walkers as they prepare to join the 45,000 people who have completed the Huntly Half Marathon over the last 27 years.

Entries for the 28th Retravision Huntly Half Marathon and the accompanying Solid Energy 10k are coming in steadily, and race organiser Graham Dudfield says numbers so far are looking similar to last year. He expects a rush of entries before the race, and on race day. Online entries are open until Tuesday 13th May, and late entries are open until up to half an hour before the event.

The Huntly Half started in 1981 and has a strong reputation among athletes, attracting runners such as John Walker, Dick Quax, Allison Roe, and many more. Favourites in the elite section this year will include Iain MacDonald and Kyle MacDonald from Tauranga and Paul Crowhurst (Pakuranga), who all have the potential for a sub-70 minute finish. Michael Petrina from the USA has run some fast track times but will be attempting his first half marathon. In the women's race, Australia's Hanny Allston will be the one to watch after her recent win in the Rotorua Marathon. Over $30,000 worth of merit and spot prizes will be presented on the day, and all participants have a chance to win.

It's rumoured that Bill and Ben from TV3's Pulp Sport programme may make an appearance in the half marathon, so any spectators who have witnessed past antics from the pair will be watching with interest.

The race is strongly supported by both the Huntly and Hamilton communities, giving the event a personal touch which is traditionally appreciated by competitors. Running club Hamilton City Hawks have had a long-term involvement in the Huntly Half. The Retravision Huntly Half Marathon caters for all levels of entrant, and Hamilton City Hawks take pride in presenting an event which looks after the needs of all runners and walkers. A carnival atmosphere prevails at the finish area in the Lake Hakanoa Domain, with performers and food/drink stalls. Race H.Q. is at Huntly Thistle soccer club rooms.

To enter, visit the Cool Running before Tuesday 13th, or enter early on race day – May 18th.

email dawntuffery@gmail.com or call 0274947999. Race Director Graham Dudfield:

Thats right I made international press. What can I say it is pretty cool and I am pretty honored to be mentioned in the same paragraph as John Walker. I was pretty excited when I found that quick little article.