Wizard's Guide to Wellington Book Launch

My friend, A J Ponder had a  launch for her children's book, "The Wizard's Guide to Wellington" this evening.  At the Rona Gallery & Book Store in Eastbourne.  There was also an art competition with the theme 'The Magic of Wellington' to coincide with the book launch.

A J did a nice reading from the book, and a good speech.  The book is selling like hot cakes.  It can be bought also at The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie.  Other shops later.

My swimming buddy, J, won a prize for her painting of Oriental Bay at night.

One of my fave paintings - it also won a prize - was by a young man, Brendan Grant.  He did a picture of the Embassy Theatre at Courtenay Place.  It was set two days before "The Hobbit" premiere and even had the 2-days-to-go countdown clock in it, plus the notice above the theatre entrance that also announced "2 days to go".Here's a photo of the painting.  What a lovely painting, Brendan.  I wish I knew how to make it bigger so everyone could all see it much more clearer.

Here's also a photo of my friend A.J. Ponder, taken toward the end of the evening.

countdown clock to The Hobbit Premier in New Zealand

Here's the clock that is counting down the days to the Hobbit Premier in Wellington.  The countdown clock is on top of the Embassy Theatre in Courtenay Place.  Our mayor revealed last week that for the week of the premier in November that Wellington will adopt the title  "the Middle of Middle Earth".  When the LOTR premier was on, most of the signs in Wellington got changed to "Middle Earth", even the airport got a name change for the day.

Middle-Earth Count-down Clock to Hobbit Premier

I live in Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand.  And being that I live in Miramar, home of Weta Workshop, Weta Digital, and Peter Jackson, I have a fairly intense interest in the coming world premier of "The Hobbit" (part 1).  Okay we've got the world premier, just like we did for LOTR: The Return of the King.  But I well remember some star in Hollywood dismissing our earlier  "world premier" as of no consequence and when the movie had it's premier in Hollywood a few days later, that would be the real one.

Who cares?  Wellington will go all out for our big day.  And last week, our mayor announced a count-down clock on the top of the Embassy Theatre, ticking down the hours. We saw it (working) on television.

I hiked down to the Embassy this morning.  Well, actually I drove, so sue me.  I went down with the express purpose of photographing the clock.  Naturally, when I parked, I realised I didnt have my camera.  But, thanks to my swimming buddy, J who told me to always keep an old camera in the car, I was prepared.

But not prepared for the clock not operating!

Anyway, here are some pics of the Embassy Theatre at the end of Courtenay Place.  What looks like a giant creepy-crawlie(a weta?)  is a Weta sculpture.  Note the movie camera at the top of it. 

Look to the top of the theatre and you will see neon signs that refer to Wellington being the middle of Middle Earth.  In the centre of these two signs.... no clock!  Sorry about that.

PS:  Second swim for October.... done!  I must admit I'm a bit worried whether we can get more swims in by end of month.  The weather has not been kind to us.  And now that I've opened my big mouth and said,we're trying for five swims (oh dear), per month, I'm sure that J is giving me the evil eye.