TOUCH

Today was the All Souls touch tournament. Their were eight teams. Initially I had been asked to join one team, but they had some pretty average players from where I usually play casual games. Then they seemed to be accepting the individuals who showed up, and we had too many, so I joined the better players from the Regents Park run around group.

We defeated a team of Fijians first up three nil. One of them at least was in the Fijian Under 21 team. So we actually did really well to keep a clean sheet. We then defeated a team who were more social and I bagged a double. Our final round robin game was against a team from Bath Touch Rugby Club. A guy gave a run down on Christianity and invited people to Christian Explored. That was short and casual yet got the points across.

After the Round Robin They were good but we beat them 4-1, I got a try. In the semis we defeated a pretty handy team 5-2. The final was against a team of mainly England national reps and they weren't big steppers like the Fijians, but worked us and defeated us 7-3. Boss got run around by a girl who scored. In his defence he hasn't played much recently, having arrived from Romania yesterday, and their girls were pretty good.

My team would be pretty even with the Chosen Ones, but played a more structured game. I was more a hit up guy and defence rather than necessarily creating space which got frustrating in the final. Mind you we would usually score in the first three in most games anyway, so there was no need to throw too many inside balls etc. The overall standard was high for a Christian tournament, and to get English reps, made it a high level tournament. The refs were keeping a big five metres and the fields seemed more like 100m long than the 70 we play with. So it was taxing playing four 7 minute half games and a 10 minute half final. It seemed so much better run than sports tournaments in New Zealand. This gives me some inspiration!



Yesterday me and Mark Van Rij went to the Bank Museum. In a dorky way it was cool and it looked at the history of money in the UK. The building was designed by Sir John Soanes, we went to his old house the day before. We learned some more basic economics which would impress Paul Hansen and Stewart MacDougall at the University of Otago ECON101. They used to write on paper on money for ages like IOUs. They had a few one million pound notes (written on paper). Also it called a pound, because originally 240 silver coins weighed a pound and it became a bigger denomination. A pound sterling relates to the changing to gold. Mark loves the spiral designs on the notes which stops counterfitting. We got to hold a bullion of gold weighing about 15kg. It is worth currently about £150000. It was heavy. Finally during the war there was a shortage of money so they brought out heaps of paper money notes, but they were too easily counterfeited. The Germans used a high tech system at one of their concentration camps to produce money, to a high quality.

It was free and had some really old coins. Kind of interesting for a free museum. Go to www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/museum/index.htm

Some strict security measures like metal detector and airport bag search thing. It is funny how all of these museums have an abundance of security workers, many of whom sit in rooms on chairs and do nothing. They are of African Extraction mainly and considering these museums are free, I dont know if they get paid much, but the job satisfaction must be low.

Chicks Dig Cars, Scars, Money and Sympathy


It hit me in a dream last night and I stood upright as if I had discovered the answer to all of lifes great mysteries. We all know that chicks aren't as shallow as guys with physical appearances, but do like the luxuries of life notably cars, scars and money. But I reckon they also love sympathy. It is that missing ingredient in the prize jelly sponge of life.

I was thinking about how one of best mates Boss is getting married while Dalman mustn't be too far from taking that walk down the aisle. It brought me back to the Uni days with Boss and how our days evolved around getting up late, attending a class or two and hitting the Meridian for late lunch and then playing touch. It was a simple life, but plenty has changed since those days of making pacts American Pie styles with Ian Carstens (who has become more famous for the Lachlan Gordon moment at his 21st).

Seeing Boss come over as an engaged man, I realised that while we both hang onto the dream of touch for ever and only work when absolutely necessary, it dawned on me that he has softened up in a way and not just physically. The days of the tough talking Boss have given way to the kind hearted creature. He has become dare I say it sympathetic.

Then it dawned on me Dalman is currently the most sympathetic guy on the planet, while my recently married mates Sammy "Sifty" Callander and the ultimate in sympathy Aaron "Cramps" Crampton could start a sympathy factory. Have I stumbled onto something here or do people already know this?

I received an invitation to attend All Souls Sport Quiz night on Monday. I actually emailed them to get them sent over. Boss will be in town and keen, so we can go to that. It is funny because you have to get an invitation before hand, but it is free and they provide a light meal and beer, wine and soft drink. It is an outreach I think. You also must wear smart casual (work attire). It is amazing that they are actually allowed to serve alcohol at a church. It shows the culutral difference between over here and back home. Imagine if Waikaka Presbyterian pulled a stunt like this! It should be fun though.


Today after being buoyed by my Rugby Radio Idol, I went to the Holland Park. It is named after Lord Holland and this park was an upmarket version of the Botanicals in Dunedin. There was an open air theatre under construction and some great flowers and some great open spaces. One point of note is that many of the statues were well kept, whether they were a "Boy Wrestling Lion" or what. They were actually painting the statues when I was there.

Once I had enough of the Park, I went to Oxford/Picadilly Circus area. This saw me walk into Hamleys. This store is like the toy version of Willy Wonka's. This place had it all. Overgrown juveniles with behavioural probkems who refuse to grow up and continue to annoy adult customers. There are so many football trivial pursuit games in this place. Even some clubs had their own game while there was a DVd/ Scene It game of football. You would think they would be better at the beautiful game given the euphoria surrounding the sport. They had heaps of other games including the World's Most Expensive Game, Outrage. It sold for £8000. This involves capturing the crown jewels. In this expensive version, they used real gold, jewels and silver. There were also crafted chess sets including Lord of the Rings characters and the Simpsons. Prices were expensive in this place, but they had the range so rarely seen anywhere else. It would actually be a nightmare taking any kid here, because they would want it all. There was half a floor dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine which my nephew would love. Thomas's friends were the same in pounds as they are in dollars at home. Other highlights was the Cricket game you can plug into the TV and you actually play the shots with this small bat. Finally a hard hat with Thirst Aid written across the front is what I want. It can hold a can of drink on each side and has straws. It was eight pounds, but I loved them, but decided I wouldn't have room for it.

Finally today I went to Lillywhites sports store and bought a Captains armband and a new wallet. It is amazingly cheap there and they have so much stuff. It is like Rebel Sport but with more football things in a smaller place. It was quite amazing how buying in bulk can pass the savings onto the customers.

I notice that people over here play touch in footy boots. It is hard to know these days what the difference is between legal and illegal boots. I actually looked up the rules and in the UK as a guide you must have a minimum of 10 studs in the sole of a moulded boot. Because touch official shoes and boots are so close to each other these days!

Sometimes People Just Need To Get on With It!

The Dunedin City Council are looking into building a new $180 million stadium for the World Cup 2011. As my former employers I realise that they have been spending copious amounts of money attempting to discover whether this is the best option for getting a quarter final at the World Cup and all the money it would bring into the city. I say do it. Carisbrook is a dead duck. It can't host proper internationals now, because it isn't up to scratch, and getting it up to scratch would be very expensive anyway! It would kill the Corstorphine area though!

I got an email response from my Rugby Idol entry on Total Rugby Radio show.

Thanks Scott, and congratulations - your entry will be used in this week's Total Rugby Radio show.The competition is being extended into 2007 so we'll be in touch with the shortlisted entrants second quarter next year. Good luck!Kind regards,Seb Lauzier


Cheers Seb! The website is www.irb.com

It takes me back to those journalism days. It is amazing how difficult it is to fit a match review into 30 seconds. You have to leave out the floral language and just comment on the bones of it all!

Yesterday I went to Wimbledon Park to see the Tennis Museum. It cost too much to do the tour as well and they were working on Centre Court anyway. There were some interesting things in this museum. Our friend Real Tennis got a big mention as the forefather to the modern game. The Royals play Real Tennis too! During the Victorian times tennis was seen as a chance for men and women to meet together for socialising and flirting. In these times it was a real gay old time with cream cakes and they would play on croquet greens. Also there was a 200 degree cinema which had more statistics of the game. Some other great things were some of the old racquets. In 1993 a two handled racquet was introduced with the increase in two handed players like Monica Seles, it never took off. There was also a shot into a 1980s dressing room with Jon McEnroe in a kind of virtual show and he was talking about his career from inside a simulated dressing room. Plenty of head bands and old style racquets!

After visiting Wimbledon I went to visit Mark and Carrie Van Rij. I hadn't seen them for ages, but it seems that they have been looking around big time. From Canada to London. It was bucketing down yesterday so we went and had a look around Hyde Park. We then went out for tea to a Malaysian Restaurant slow service and they still add their ten percent to the price. It was rude, so we refused to pay the extra surcharge! It was quite nice Sweet and Sour Chicken, Satay Lamb Kebabs and Sweet Fried Potatoes (very Malaysian).

Today I slided around playing touch after yesterdays rain. I have got myself a team for the All Souls touch tournament. Boss is returning from Romania for it. It goes from noon until six, and is a good day out. On next Saturday.

I get the feeling my time is running out in this place. That job interview offered me a glimmer of hope because I didn't hear back from anyone for ages about jobs. I have also almost seen everything now except for Madame Tussauds and a west end show.

It is funny how today I was waiting for the tube and teenage girls were singing Boy George. I thought to myself, only in the UK!

Another win for the Stags, I had better go and check how Fulham is getting on.

World Cup group tickets are now sold out. So if you are keen for it November 9th individual tickets go on sale. I will hopefully know what I am doing by then and we can organise a way of getting to games. I think if you are a UK resident you get it cheaper.

Firstly it is great to have the support of you guys, no matter where you are from. It feels like this trip is one of those sponsored journeys, or an Olympic marathon and when I hit the wall you guys get vocal and support me, and even when I hit the drinks station it is the same.

I am meeting up with Mark Van Rij who has arrived in town with his wife. He is looking for work, although with his background in Engineering it seems he shouldn't have to walk through hoops backwards like it seems that I am having to do!

Something to keep me inspired is The Stags winning again 20-17 almost into the quarter finals. It's a bizarre competition, but I like it.

Here is a great address

http://www.irb.com/EN/IRB+TV/Total+Rugby+Radio/
060629+SL+star+reporter.htm

Enter this competition, because I will be. You have to try and live your dream. Over here they have recently completed a tv series which is like NZ Idol but involves potential Marias from the Sound of Music fulfill their dream. The winner gets to perform in the West End production of Sound of Music. This is my chance!

I went to St Mary's on Sunday night with the Zwies (Mark) quite a good service. There are so many music/band types there. It is like Student Soul I guess. The hunky rockstar types and the gorgeous groupies. I don't know which category I fit into! They are opposite a pub so the pub stays open for after church! The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand would be tearing it's hair out, if they still had some!

No Job

I got the call from my recruitment guy saying that I dipped out to someone who had more GIS experience. It is a kick in the teeth as I had a good shot at it and had to travel an hour each way in the tube to get there. I guess with the £15 an hour pay rate, they were getting quality candidates (me included). It could be bon voyage for me soon. I really would need to find a flat now if I am to stay around here. Totally unrealistic for someone with zero dollars and relying on my credit card to get me home!

Today I had some good news. I have an interview tomorrow for a position at Ealing Council. It is a Database/Surveyor Assistant for three months initially and pays about £15 an hour. This sounds quite similar to what I have done and I went into the Recruitment Agency and met Hayden who rang me about the position. He is a Kiwi and knows the Boss at Ealing Council who is interviewing.. He told me that he more than anything wants someone that is keen, so I am the man baby! The description he gave me mentioned that they will train you as well. It is mainly putting files onto their databases, but for £15 an hour I will do anything.

I will definitely have to shift flats though as it is at the very end of Central Line towards the West. I am almost at the very end East. It takes 51 minutes on the tube, without allowing for walking to and from the station. I think they interview a few people, but I am hoping my past Council experience and the fact it is only for three months makes me ideal!

Another interesting occurence today, I received a text from a number which I don't know saying there is a Building Site Administration position in a place called Ware. It sounds as if it is out of London, but the text also says call Leonie at Workstream. Because it is out of London it may be a problem, but I would like to thank the person with the number +447781472651. Is it a God thing? Maybe it is a sign and there is a posh spacious flat with SKY and Wireless internet, three other Christian guys and two good looking down to earth Christian girls of course. They have playing fields where they need football and touch players to form teams and the pay is £15 an hour at least for the job. There is also an awesome Church in the area.

Back to reality it just could be a hassle working in Ware which is in Hertfordshire I think, but I can't seem to find how far from London it is. Also I am unsure if it is permanent or temporary.

I also have another friend Rob Edgecombe who is Jimbo's brother. James and me were great mates at University in the best year of my tertiary education 1999. I have only met Rob a handful of times before coming over here. He isn't the one who texted me the job, but he is also looking for office work. We both decided that July/ August wasn't the best timing, but we are glad we made the decision to come over. Having said that, winter is just around the corner. Those horror stories of darkness get closer and closer to reality.

Real Tennis

On my recent visit to Lords with Boss, we came across a sport which fills me with passion and excitement. In this world of modern sports like tennis and cricket, as part of our tour we were introduced to the sport of Real Tennis. It is an older version of tennis which also resembles squash. It started in the 13th Century and was actually mentioned in 5 of Shakespeare's plays.

See the following website http://www.irtpa.com/

This is exciting because it works on the dream that I could become a National Representative at something. It has a history far superior to base ketball and is probably more my cup of tea than frisby golf. The only problem is finding an official court in New Zealand.

One thing amazes me about some sports like rugby especially is that several people had their own rules, but came together to write official rules for the sport.

I played touch for over two hours yesterday and while the standard was a mixed bag, I felt very tired yesterday. These next couple of days will dictate my entire livelihood. If I hear back about getting an interview for this job then well and good, but if I don't it is tour around with Boss and come home hopefully via Brisbane. The funds are sinking and I only bought a one way ticket.

I got a call from a Recruitment agency yesterday telling of this position which sounds brilliant and pays well above what I would get in New Zealand. He is getting back to me once he talks to the Local Government Authority it is with. It would pay £15 an hour which is far more than the jobs I have been applying for. I also submitted my CV to another two Recruitment Agencies who both didn't think they would be able to help me find work. The funny thing is I submitted my CV to so many agencies and for so many jobs that I receive these random emails from agencies telling me they don't have anything for me. What happens with this role dictates largely what I will do. It is hard to know how many others applicants get forwarded to this company. He called me in the afternoon to ask which Visa I am on. But my phone was off while at Lords so I didn't get the message and he didn't leave his phone number, which appeared on my phone history as no number. He did mention that the job is only until next year (this shouldn't cause problems). Time will tell. While it would be great, and it is promising to think that some people are looking at my CV, from my experience of London there are so many more people that get interviews here too. I haven't even got one yet for this job! This means that I will hang around close to London for the start of next week depending on what I hear on the job front. Otherwise I will meet up with Boss in two weeks when he finishes in Romania, and look around Europe and the UK. My money is drying up!

Yes that's right Lords. I have heaps of photos, it is hard to know how many I can post. We got the guided tour and museum visit. While we were being talked to by a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the best player in the Black Caps arrived and was walking near us. He plays for Middlesex (they use the ground as their home). Scotty Styris is in name and we are not only similar in appearance, but we share the same name. Making me the equivalent of the sexiest man in cricket. I saw the Ashes (both trophy and urn), World Cup Trophy (must've been a replica). There is an 18 year wait to become a member of the M.C.C. The trip is well worth the £8.

For all you sports trivia buffs. We went into the away dressing room in the pavilion and media centre, very space trek. We saw boards with lists of players who have scored centuries, captured five or ten wickets in a test at Lords. There is only one player to appear on the boards for both the home and away team at Lords?

It has been great having Boss in town. I only wish he was around permanently along with some other mates. It is great looking around with a great mate. On Thursday we went to The London Dungeon and played touch. If I was younger, I would've been frightened at the Dungeon. But it was legitimately scary. It would be a great place to work.

We also went to Abbey Road yesterday and saw the crossing and then saw one of the members of U2. It is amazing how many accidents almost occur at the Abbey Road crossing with people like me and Boss walking across. The sad part of it all is that I don't know what the U2 guys name is. He had short grey hair and looks like Dunedin tycoon Pete Shepperd. I feel a little like the person who Lachlan talks about in his many stories. Someone met Brad Thorn the All Black and Australian League Rep at church and advised him that because of his size he should play rugby. Doh! Ignoramus!

P.S. Boss is engaged, but casual about it. He is still the laid back guy.

This is me with my new Cottage Stadium Card giving me booking priviledges for Fulham FC home games! I am officially a football fan!








A great quote from the journalism 100 years of Newspapers Exhibition I went to in London on Friday.








I got out of the Underground Station at Tottenham Court Road. It was a hot day and only then I realised I was in an interesting part of town. I was looking for the swimming pool at a Sports Club in the area. Then I saw a sign for the YMCA, and fled like a homophobic Southern Man!











There I stood at The Royal Observatory. Some familiar place names whilst I was at Longitude 0'0'









My family. Not much of a shot, but my little nephew Willy was restless. My cousin in front is pregnant. My brother had come over from Sweden to go to his father in law who is a dentist. Cheaper to do that!






I was surprised that these photos were working so I posted heaps.

Today I went to Covent Gardens which is a big market place. It is not unlike Camden Markets but not as alternative and the aroma of marijuana isn't there.

While in the area I went to the Theatre Museum. did you know that Vanessa Redgraves the famous English actress in Harry Potter is the mother of Joely Richardson from Nip and Tuck and Lady Chatterley? I also saw some classy marionettes. It is amazing how they used to be so real life like when performing with them (wooden puppets moved by strings on a small stage usually like in the Sound of Music.

For dinner I met up with Mark Zwies from NZ. Some of his home group went to a pub for dinner. It was braised pork on the menu. Very delicious.

Boss arrives tomorrow so I finally have someone like me to hang out with and do cool stuff with. This is going to be a great adventure!

This is me in the Clink old style prison death chair. Who is that guy behind me?


It is hot and balmy in the home of Queeny at the moment. Today I met up with my brother and cousin and my nephew William. It was great seeing some familiar faces again. Willy still loves listening in English and responding in Swedish, so as a three year old he is tough to talk to at times.

I went to Holy Trinity Brompton tonight and it was actually really good. I was sitting amongst some extremely attractive English females. But once the singing stopped they all left. It was hard to know whether it was the way I was singing, or what the story was. But the meet and greet would've been more interesting if they hadn't left! Probably don't have the personality and aims in life I am wanting!

The Wonderful World of Journalism
(This lack of pictures has made this blog into more of a novel!)

Yesterday I went to the 100 years of newspapers in England display at the British Library. It is a monster of a place. Although initially I went into the Camden Town Library which is situated near the British Library. Boy I was way off! The display itself was interesting and free. Who would have thought that the four letter f-word would bring so much joy to a Christian? Having said that, I notice that heaps of the All Souls touch crowd swear, which makes me wonder how many go to All Souls and how many are the outreached?


Anyway a further interesting fact about newspapers in the UK is that The Sunday Telegraph when England won the World Cup in 1966, only dedicated about a quarter of their front page to that story. It shows how popular the sport has become since then, and how infatuated the population is. It is funny watching television on a Saturday afternoon and the results from all the different leagues around Britain come in. It is like Election night. Over to John Motson at Stamford Bridge etc. This is what you get when they are played at once. Fulham beat Newcastle away 2- 1. Very surprising!

There was also a newsroom setup like the real life newspaper ones, done really well. That's the thing with over here in London especially, they have the best displays, and this was no exception. You went through this computer programme and selected which stories to do. You also printed off what your newspaper would look like, it was cool! I guess the country is counting on the next generation of journalists. It was very intense, this seems different to the laid back approach when I went to the sports departments of New Zealand's two leading radio station newsrooms as my course in 2003. Radio NZ was especially low pressure!

Some other interesting information is newspapers rely on sponsors for 60% of their revenue. The cover charge is minimal, that is why there are so many free papers over here! The first topless page three model appeared as early as 1970. This is amazing considering how posh we think the Poms are, yet in a normal tabloid like the Sun or The Mirror they publish such photos and are available at every news stand.

Today I played touch with the All Souls crowd and it was mid 20s temperature. But here there is no beach and generally not much sun, so it kind of didn't seem like it!

I have to move out of my flat tomorrow. I am hoping to crash in the lounge on a mattress or something for a few days until Paul "Boss" Weir graces us with his presence. The Queen won't know what hit her. I have been doing calculations and realised that this is the time to leave London. If I sign up to another flat it will cost me about eight weeks rent deposit, I would get some of that back on departure, but I would also have to keep making regular weekly payments. I am wanting to look around the UK and maybe try my hand elsewhere. Several people have suggested Edinburgh as a great place to live and work. My contacts are however very minimal, so if cokelollygirl can jack up some accommodation for a few days then I will be happy. I want to look around the UK for a couple of weeks, so it may not actually be practical to find a job, then I want to look around Europe with Boss. This would be like Thelma and Louise, Bonnie and Clyde, Dumb and Dumber. Another option is going on an Oakhall Christian tour, and then meet Boss down near Romania. The main problem with any touring is the accommodation. Transport is usually cheap if you go by bus!

Finally I want to go to Brisbane and meet up with an old flatty of mine Christie Peacock and I have another mate Kyle the Vial Paton who is also in Queensland. It is a warm climate and in Australia I could potentially work.

My main problem is I only came with a one way ticket, which means I have to fork out for a ticket the other way.

Also I kind of threw in my last job, but it is acceptable to go crawling back to the DCC I guess. It depends where I end up. But one thing I have learnt is that it takes time to start friendships and this is hard in a big place where you have to travel for an hour to meet up with friends. My mates I have in Dunners have been so encouraging and helpful by providing me with such a support network back home, that it is missed over here. I made more friends in a week in Switzerland than in 6 weeks in London!

You never know though. If there are some jobs that tickle my fancy in other parts of UK or in Brisbane when I pass through them I have to go for them, also if any of these London people get back to me for a change then I will be able to commute back to town.

I know this is a long post, but it is better if I get this down in writing first. There seems to always be an ambundance of people doing office work or applying for it worldwide. Whilst my studies were fun, I am thinking that I maybe should rip into something else. Pick up the journalism minidisk again or maybe look at webdesign, which as always intrigued me!

P.S. Having lunch with my brother tomorrow who is over from the land of hot blondes (Sweden)

My Birthday Actual


Today consisted of fielding a phone call from Mumsy and my brother in Sweden. I call them back usually, because with these calling cards of which I have one I can get 300 minutes for £5. It is dirt cheap!

Not content to sit around here, I went to Greenwich and went to the Royal Observatory place where they started GMT which is also at the co ordinates 0'-0' Longitude, which is pretty cool. It was a free museum, and I noticed my watch was slightly fast!

Just across Greenwich Park which is a big green area there is also a Maritime Museum which wasn't as cool as the Observatory, but for another free museum you can't complain!

Following this I went and played touch at Regents Park with the Allsouls crowd and they let me cut them to threads on account. I must say the standard wasn't really good and I found myself getting lazy on defence at times. It is imperative we keep the defence in a line!

Afterwards we went to the pub. It is funny because this usually has conotations of piss ups and smoky haunts. But most of the crowd had juice or whatever and some of them got some Thai food. This place is both a pub and Thai restaurant. It made me think that Redemption FC should get a quiet pub near The Oval in Dunedin not the cricket ground here and have a post match drink of whatever. It would be sociable. I talked to the head of Allsouls Sport Ministry and he said that they won't put together a football team like Redemption FC because in London it is impossible to have a team without the hooliganism factor in it, and it would give everyone the go ahead to behave like animals on the field since Christians do! So Thomo be warned, you would fit in over here!

Then I left and the climax of my evening was eating a burger at an overcrowded and understaffed McDonalds while standing at a high table on my own. This is what it boils down to people. The food did hit the spot though and I tubed home.

Dare I say, there won't be a big celebration tonight, but it is just another day at the end of it all. Nah, just kidding. I will celebrate when Boss gets to town! My problem is that I haven't really made many mates that I didn't already know around here.

Finally I have been inspired by the tall gangly figure of England striker Peter Crouch who rescued England with a goal against Macedonia. My old flatmate Dave Marsh loves him, and so do I. Whenever he is in the action things happen, good or bad. The funny thing is that despite this unconvincing display by the lads, Gary Lineker and the Match of the Day hosts were lauding praise on this England team. It is as if they are world beaters, even though they scraped together a win over minnows Macedonia. Good on Northern Ireland who beat Spain!

I am celebrating my birthday today, the 7th September. It is amazing how old age sneaks up on you, 28 today! I will have to repeat the scene from Mr Bean when he goes out for dinner and gives himself a birthday card.

Still no luck on the job front either, but all I can do is try. I only have this flat until Sunday, so it is getting into that red zone for decisions.

Today I went to the Tate Modern Art Gallery. It is huge. It is amazing some of the pieces of art. What some people define as art varies so much. Scribbles on paper for example. There were some really interesting things. I saw plenty of well to do types ranging from gay sounding guys to young attractive artists. It was great! I am very cultured!

Following this I went to The Click old style prison from 1200s. It was quite cool because you could take photos with the exhibits. I put my timer to good use because there was no one else in the museum. You wonder how all these places survive. I guess it comes back to all of the people in London. Here goes me bragging about taking photos and I realise that the computer I am using has a Wireless Router which apparently means I can't upload any photos of a very big size.

This explains why I have been sitting around here for hours trying to show you some photos, but to no avail.

You will have to wait until I see you to see my photos. I will put on one of the much maligned slide shows. This always involves hours of monologue in a dull boring lecture style, while everyone tries to stay awake!
Someone has to say it.
Hip Hip!
Hip Hip!
Hip Hip!

Has society changed the norm for 28 year olds? In the 1960s when my Dad was that age, it was probably the norm to be settled down, quarter acre section in the suburbs, wife, kids, steady job, mature/boring outlook on life! I am hoping I am write in saying society has changed! What is acceptable has changed too! Back me up here, I am having a midlife crisis!

Design Museum

While being small by London standards, the Design Museum had some pretty cool stuff. There were F1 cars and a slight history. Also some design icons from yester year including a Playstation chair!

Following this I went to London Tower Bridge and saw the Castle although only from the outside £15 would be better served with something more worthwhile like food.

I went to the Tower Hill branch of the world's most popular Chicken KFC and was astonished by at least 15 signs warning of pickpockets. I got my digital camera out and took a photo of a sign and have still got the camera, but visitors beware! I did notice the word Thieves was spelt wrong, this is hardly surprising judging by the fact that there is no one with English as a first language working there!

My midlife crisis starts soon with my 28th birthday in less than 24 hours NZ time just over in our time. The 7th September is also my nieces birthday. It was a joke that she was a present for me on my 23rd birthday. I am getting close to the big 30. Then I will be a masters at touch!

I am testing the theory that my blog may upload easier from something stored on the computer rather than an external drive. The jury is still out! Although I think it is more the size of my pictures including my CV which wouldn't post to many job boards because it must've been too big. The drama!

Hands up who thinks this advertisement sounds bad?

Men wanted for market research purposes where their vital statistics will be photgraphed and measured.The research is for a leading weekly mens magazine.Totally discreet Must be between 18-35 years of age. The work will take approx 30 mins. Pay £20

Do you think it is for a gay magazine or straight?

It is one of the funny ads that I am sifting through in an attempt to find the good ads!

I am starting to run out of time here. Where do I go from here people? Place your bets! I am an incredibly poor decision maker and am waiting for doors to be opened either way. Before you say anything more, I have been praying.

Jesus is my Goalkeeper!

I saw this written on the back of someones long sleeve replica retro football tops. This is pretty cool. Hard to know if the guy is a Christian or not, but Jesus protects us as our last line of defence against the nasty opposition of the world!

I went to the Spanish festival and saw some girls on stilts (very Mischief the Clownish), dancers and Spanish people. There were a mixture of gorgeous women and gay Spanish males. They were promoting spanish holidays. I got myself a free blue fan, which I used in a very sophisticated manner on the tube on the way home!

A couple of other observations are that there are so many people who sit on their own at church or where ever. It is hard to know whether we at home are more hospitable as a church community or if I just don't usually notice?

I have realised that I am initially a shy guy before I get to know people. This is actually waying on my mind, especially with job interviews coming up.

Mike Moore is in his 40s and can still sprint while Paul Weir lost his ability to sprint at 25. Is 40 the new 25?

Only in London do you get so many bizarre one off jobs available including blood donation, sperm donation, drug trials, research surveys of vital statistics.

P.S. I spoke to this French guy the other day. He works as a concierge at an actual apartment block overnight. He also does nude modelling for Life Drawing classes. He told me that it has taught him the art of mind and body control and that he has to drink lots of water so he doesn't cramp up! He reckons it has helped him feel comfortable with his body. It was pretty funny showing me his usual poses (clothes on of course). Not a bowl of fruit to be seen!

It seems that pubs are also common for gatherings of churches. I am thinking this is more of a venue/ meeting place rather than a piss up!

Yesterday I went for a walk in the Hampstead Heath area. Very posh and I saw the Kenwood House made famous by the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral. It is great stumbling across these green areas though, making London seem less of a concrete jungle.

Today I went to touch at Regents Park with the All Souls crowd and then a group of us went to the pub afterwards. The funny thing is that the pub was more like a pub downstairs and a Thai restaurant upstairs, where we watched the All Blacks choke. But it was a far more comfortable place to watch the action than the Walkabout pubs. Otago didn't do that well either!

A final thought is that I am starting to wonder about the in God's timing. I have been praying and talking to different people, but I am still waiting for that door to open for me to know what to do once this week is over. If I land a job this week I will need to find a flat, if I don't then I will need to find somewhere else to stay. It is funny because previously on this trip I have thought that a door has been opened, but it fell through. It is testing for my faith. I can see how things like people getting married because God told them, and other huge decisions is such a giant leap.

These people don't understand me. It is funny how when you are a stranger in a place you have to start all over. Not only with gaining new mates, but with moulding the mates to do find into the ways that I work. I am noticing how much slang, colloquial language and general Scottyisms I use and can say and get away with, because it is just who I am. Unfortunately I have to start with square one again on that aspect.

Saying "What up nigger?" Doesn't have the same impact with white South Africans who are used to knowing actual people of black extraction. Things like that which I take for granted in everyday language are considered taboo in the big smoke!

I am really going through a contemplative time in life again! I have only a week left in the flat I am staying in and not found a job, so if I want to stay I will need to pay about 6 weeks rent which is about $2000NZ. The other dilemma is my impending birthday on Thursday the 7th September. While I am still in the 20s, I am not really mid twenties which is scary. I am going through the mid life crisis thinking I don't have a job or place to stay at this old age! Then I think Paul Weir is living there too and he has been 28 for nine months! He gave me the advice about how you start losing your speed at 28. But I was talking to a guy at touch who was 37 and believed he only lost it at 34. It gives me hope. The only problem is that assumes I had it to begin with! But I believe it will be easier to cope because I am so used to relying on other things than speed, that it won't affect my game so much.

I found a great site where you can pay money and see the rugby over the Internet. There are heaps of other events you can purchase. I am not being paid to tell you about.

http://www.mediazone.com/channel/new_homepage/main.jsp