Beautiful Day at Hataitai Beach

Hi there

Oh, yes, we are on the cusp of summer.  Today (Saturday NZ time) was so warm, so sunny, with beautiful blue sky, and people poured out to the beach.   There were a couple of waka (outriggers)  in the bay, kids were splashing and ... transparent baby jellyfish!  The jellyfish were harmless but they kept on banging into me whilst I was in the water and it was annoying.  One of the regulars called them 'creepy'.  The little jellyfish felt about the size of a pea, the larger ones felt about triple that size.  Some kids were scooping up the jellyfish and throwing them at each other.

Oh, I didn't want this day to end, it was so lovely at the beach.  We were all singing that song that goes,  "In the summer-time, do-do-do-do-do-doh!"  However, I won't be there tomorrow if those jellyfish are still there.

Below:  Hataitai Beach,  look at that blue sky-

Thief at Hataitai Beach

Hi there

One of our swimming group was in the sea the other day when she looked across to the deck to see a guy rummaging through her bag.  She yelled at him and he strolled off as if he didn't have a care in the world, but without taking anything.  He was a short mature man with short grey hair and wearing dark clothes.

So, everyone, beware.

Going to the movies

Hi there

I went to the movies last week, flashed my Reading Cinemas loyalty card, and waited for my ticket.  The guy behind the counter said, "You've got a free small drink, free popcorn, and $5 off your ticket."

Wow. 

I went to another movie today.  "You've got a free large drink and $5 off your ticket," said the guy behind the counter.

"No, I got that last week," I said, mentally kicking myself for my honesty.  Duh.

Turned out that everything was above board.  I happily luxuriated in my half-price seat, chugging my free drink and fighting every step of the way with a broken-legged (whining) Kate Winslett as she clambered over jolly big rocks and snowy mountains - plane crashes can lead movie heroines into such dangerous circumstances!

Thanks, Reading.

Forgetfulness

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A short time back I was trying to recall the name of someone from my past.  I was positive it had slipped from my mind forever.  For days I tried to recall it.  I said to myself, "I wish I could remember Pamela Smith's^ name."

Huh?  And, well, what do you know-?  The name had come to me just like that!

But the funny thing is that my friend had the exact same experience some time back.  We had  laughed hysterically over this happening.  It must be more of a common occurrence than we both thought ...

^not her real name

Airport tower

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I don't live too far away from the Airport Retail Park which has the normal shops to it, eg The Warehouse, Kathmandu, Briscoes, Bed Bath & Beyond, No 1 Shoes, Rebel....

There was once a time when an airport tower would actually be on the very edge of an airport runway.  Nowadays the towers seem to be away from the airport.  Our soon-to-be-finished airport tower is right-slap-dab in the centre of the Lyall Bay retail complex.  It's quite a way over the Wellington Airport fenceline.  I guess the radar (?) control operators rely on screens rather than visuals nowadays?

You can't tell by the below photo but the tower has been built on an artistic slant.  I wonder how long it will be before photographers start treating it like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and get friends to act as if they're pushing the tower over, or helping it to stand upright?

Those American Sauces

Hi there

Americans sure love their sauces.  I was astounded,  in Vegas, to see the immense range of sauces at buffets and cafes.

Today I'm reading about McDonalds.  Apparently some special sauce was due to hit McD  stores in the States.  Hardly any sauces turned up, culminating in a drastic shortage.  Because of the shortage, there have been riots and demos outside the stores.  Oh dear.

I went to one cafe inside the Rio Hotel in Vegas and was absolutely astounded by the amount of sauces (in packets) for the taking -

LAS VEGAS

Viva, Las Vegas ...

Vegas

Vegas will rise again!