Christmas 2005 Newsletter

Hi all,
I recently sent this newsletter out to friends and family but in the unlikely event of me missing anyone I have posted it on my blog for all to read.
The older one gets, the faster time flies.  Now aint that the truth.  Our last newsletter was in July and now it is already almost Christmas. Our trip to Aussie last year seems like it was just yesterday.
This year we have decided to splash out and spend Christmas and New Year with our son Brad and grandson Ethan in London.  We fly out on December 15th and return to Auckland on January 14th.  It’s all very exciting - we haven’t been to London since December 1999 and have only seen our grandson once when he was only three months old. He is now almost three years old.  It is going to be quite a big family reunion.  Darren and Amanda and obviously Evan will be going too and Irene’s sister Gillian and her husband Colin will be coming from the states.  We will all be staying with Brad and Tony (Irene’s brother) and his new wife Ingrid and baby Sammy.
I am now well ensconced in the new Silverdale factory which I mentioned in our last newsletter. The drive to work in the mornings is wonderful, no traffic and beautiful country scenery.  The factory is huge and the offices are state of the art, very comfortable indeed.
My boss is one of those people who have to have some kind of project on the go at all times.  After the new factory had been completed he had nothing to stimulate his active mind.  When we were in the old factory we were limited with storage space and had a six metre shipping container in the yard which was used to store surplus tools, etc.
Anyway, one Monday morning he came in and announced that he had an idea how to utilize the now empty container.  We would put an ad in the local newspaper saying that we‘d like to send the container filled with warm clothing and blankets to the earthquake victims in Pakistan.   Well we were inundated with calls from people volunteering help. We set up drop off points for collection of clothes and blankets and within ten days the container was filled!  The container is being shipped to Pakistan on the 24th November.  What a wonderful gesture from the people of NZ.  We even got parcels from as far away as Invercargill, in the south of the South Island.
Check out the website:  See here http://www.flickr.com/photos/aqw/62084493/
And here http://www.flickr.com/photos/aqw/
My painting has been put on the back burner lately; I’ve been channelling my inspiration into a different art form.  I’ve been trying my hand at writing short stories, essays, blogging and I‘ve just finished a play which I hope one day to produce both in SA and here in NZ.  The writing is not great but I have certainly enjoyed the experience.  If anyone would like to risk it, you can read some of my stuff at: http://alfwood.blogspot.com/
The family is well; Irene is still working hard at the same job and enjoying every minute of it, Darren continues to excel in his field and also enjoys his work a lot.  He has his own Web developer forum on the net and has a worldwide following. http://dontcom.com/
Evan has had a good year at school coming first in his class.  He has decided that he is a bit young to go to university next year (only just turned seventeen) so will be staying on at school to do his “A” levels. He is still besotted with all things Chinese and can now speak, read and write Mandarin moderately well.  His music is still very important in his life and he will be playing in two orchestras next year, Westlake Concert Band and the Westlake Symphony Orchestra.
We recently had general elections in NZ and the Labour Party under Helen Clark won a third term.  She has formed a coalition with two right-of-centre parties which is very strange for a left wing Labour party.  Anyway we have them for another three years.  The nice thing about the Labour government is that they have promised interest free student loans for tertiary education; this will suit us just fine for when Evan starts university in 2007.
Sorry about the South African loss of the 2011 Rugby World cup but at least NZ got it which is good for us.  It promises to bring millions into our slowing economy. 
Well, that’s all for now folks, we wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and prosperous New year.  Please drop us a line, we are starving for news from you guys.
 
Lots of love from
Alf, Irene and Evan (Wood, in case you had forgotten.)

Unblocking the blog

I haven't posted for some time now, been kinda busy with other things. I tried my hand at writing a play which I have almost completed. I need to read it a few more times so that I can get some more inspiration to tweak and improve it. Having said that, I must add that writing the play was a truly rewarding and fulfilling experience. Maybe one day I can get it produced.
I am busy reading a very interesting and inspirational book, (On the advice of Amanda, Darren's lovely girlfriend) it is called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It is "a spiritual path to higher creativity" The book is a twelve week course designed to unblock the creativity in us. So far it has made very interesting reading. I am only on page 20 and already I'm feeling more inspired than I have for a long time. Watch this space to witness the results. Hopefully, my inspiration for painting will improve as well.
The mildest New Zealand winter in living memory has come back to bite us in the arse. It is supposed to be Spring but the weather has turned foul with rain, wind, snow. Forcast for this weekend: Generally shitty. Until next time, have a good one.

Gemini (Part Two)

Here is part two of the story :

Jim arrived back at his flat in Oxford a few evenings later. Ken was home, lying on the sofa watching TV.

“How was your break in London?” asked Ken lazily sitting up.

“Great! I always have a good time in London. Where’s Janet tonight?”

“She’s studying; got a big exam tomorrow. Want a beer?” Ken moved toward the kitchen.

“Yes please, aren’t you working tonight?

“No,” replied Ken handing Jim the beer. “It’s my night off so I thought I’d just chill out here in front of the Telly.”

“Listen; you were an adopted child weren’t you?” Jim asked hesitantly…

Mary and Douglas Wilson from Wessex had adopted Ken when he was just 9 months old. The Wilson’s were not a wealthy family. Doug worked as a butcher in the local butchery and earned just enough to support his family. Mary would do sewing at home to supplement the family income. Life was a constant battle. The education of their adopted son, Ken, being their prime motivation. They were a close and loving family and gave Ken a lot of affection. They, too, had been very open with him and had told him all about his adoption. However, tragedy struck when Ken was 16 years old, his dad, Doug had had an unexpected heart attack and died at the relatively young age of 55. There was a small insurance policy, which took care of the mortgage, but Ken had to take a job at night to help his mum and to pay for his school. Fortunately, Ken was a bright student and when turning 18, he won a full scholarship to study Computer engineering at Oxford University. Ken had found a part-time job in Oxford so that he could pay for his food and accommodation. He had got himself a cheap flat, which he now shared with Jim.

“Yes, you know I was adopted - I have already told you I was. Why do you ask?” Ken sounded a little irritated; he never liked talking about it.

“Well something weird happened to me in London. Do you think it possible that you may have a twin brother?”

“What!” Shouted Ken, now a little more than irritated. His parents had never mentioned brothers or sisters.

“Calm down and I’ll explain. Do you remember Karen, the red head girl from the London School of Music?”

“Yes I remember her, she was at our party several weeks ago, what about her and why the questions about adoption and twin brothers.” still sounding irritated.

Jim told Ken the full story of his meeting with Chris, how shocked he had been by the uncanny resemblance between the two of them.

“Can you set up a meeting between us?” asked Ken now looking a lot calmer and feeling more than a bit curious.

“Sure, but don’t you want to chat to your mum first?”

“No! I want to meet him first. If we are as alike as you say we are, I will know instinctively if he is my brother or not.” Ken smiled thoughtfully and then added, “I always wanted a brother.”

“Ok, will do. Give me a few days. I’ll get hold of Karen to contact Chris and set up a meeting with you two.” Then with a mischievous smile, Jim added, “I think those two are attracted to one another and I wouldn’t be surprised if a romance soon blossoms. By the way, when is your birthday?”

“June 2^nd, I’m a Gemini.” Ken shivered with the sudden realisation and Jim’s mouth fell open in utter surprise. Gemini the star sign of the twins…

u

Chris and Karen had begun dating and had become quite close. Jim had been right a romance had developed and the two had become almost inseparable. During one of their dates a few days later, Karen told Chris that Jim had related the story about him to Ken who wanted to meet him. Chris decided not to wait for the adoption papers but to go ahead and let Jim set up a meeting…

u

My God, they were right, he looks exactly like me, thought Chris, his heart pounding and the glass of beer shaking in his hand.

Their eyes met; there was instant recognition. Ken started to move towards the bar where Chris was sitting holding his beer. They were connected as if by some invisible thread. Ken felt mesmerised by the sight of Chris. He instinctively knew he was about to meet his twin brother for the first time.

Slowly Chris placed the pint on the bar and stood up. He felt as if he was part of some surreal slow motion movie. Ken was now only a few yards from him; he felt the tears well up in his eyes. He knew he was looking at his brother. He could see moisture in Ken’s eyes. Ken stopped in front of Chris. Their gaze not straying for a second, both of them trying to control their emotions. The moment was very awkward, what now? The next second they were in each other’s arms, hugging as only brothers do. The tears now flowing freely. They were not tears of sadness but of overwhelming joy. They did not need any proof, they knew. The Jukebox started to play and suddenly there was applause coming from all over the pub and everyone was standing and looking in their direction. Karen and Jim had been hiding in the corner of the pub to witness the reunion. It was Jim who had started the Jukebox and applause. The song being played was “He aint heavy, he’s my Brother”…

Gemini

On the 23rd July I posted a short story which I had written during an evening class in creative writing. It was called " Mind The Gap" I hope y'all enjoyed it. If so here is part one of my next attempt at writing, if not, cope!!

Gemini.

A short story

By

Alf Wood

“Pint of bitter, please” said Chris to the barman.

I need something to calm my nerves, he thought while waiting in The King’s Arms pub on the corner of Highgate and Swanson roads Kensington.

His mind was racing. I’m a man. Men don’t cry. I must not cry. What do I say? What will he think of me?

“That’ll be two quid please mate,” said the barman sliding the pint of beer across the bar counter to him.

“Tah” he handed over the two pounds shakily.

What does he look like? So many questions. All these thoughts were beginning to make him dizzy with emotion; a huge lump had developed in his throat. Twenty years was a long time. Will I know him, will he recognise me? I have never even met him, so why am I feeling so emotional? Questions…thoughts… emotions…excitement…

Then he saw him walk into the pub…

u

What was the name of that pub again? The King’s Arms? Ah, there it is on the corner of Highgate and Swanson roads. Ken’s thoughts were running wild too, while walking from the Highgate tube station his mind was like a cauldron of bubbling thoughts. How did this happen, when did it all begin? Is it really happening? Will I burst into tears, making a real ass of myself? He had always been an emotional person. He‘d often get tears in his eyes while watching movies. Janet, his fiancée, loved that the most about him, the fact that he could ‘get in touch with his feminine side’. He wished she was with him now, she was always able to comfort him and make him relax, but she had said that this was something that he had to do by himself. His roommate, Jim had agreed with her. So he had taken the early train from Oxford to London and here he was, outside the entrance to The King’s Arms.

With a deep breath of nervous anticipation, he pushed the swing door open and stepped inside. The pub wasn’t full, just a smattering of people sitting around smoking and drinking, doing the things that pub goers usually do in pubs. He looked around slowly, thinking, will I recognise him? What do I say to him? And then their eyes met …

u

How did this happen, when did it all begin?

It all began when Christopher Fowler had been accepted by the London School of Music to complete a Masters degree in Music. He had completed his Bachelor of Music at Auckland University the previous year and had decided to try his luck in London. He had packed, sold off all his meagre student belongings and said an emotional farewell to his parents and set off for the UK and London.

He fell in love with London the moment he stepped out of Heathrow Airport; it felt as if he had come home. He had arranged accommodation before leaving New Zealand, a neat little bed-sit in Hampstead. It was January and the weather was not exactly a Kiwi summer, however, no bad weather could dampen his enthusiasm and he couldn’t get enough of the London culture. While travelling around and absorbing all the wonderful sights and sounds of London, he kept thinking what a wise man that Dr. Samuel Johnston was when he said those now famous words: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."

The morning of his first lecture had arrived, he had got to the campus early and on entering the lecture theatre found that there were already a few students sitting there. He had only just sat down when a pretty red head girl came over and smiled at him.

“Hi, Ken, isn’t it?”

“No” he smiled, rather puzzled. “Chris... Chris Fowler, do I know you?”

“Oh, sorry, you look very much like someone I met at a party last week in Oxford, my name’s Karen.” she replied apologetically. “I detect a slight accent, it’s familiar but I can’t put my finger on it.”

“I’m a Kiwi,” he said proudly. “I’m from Auckland; I’m here to do my masters.”

“Cool, there are a lot of your compatriots studying music here so I’m sure you won’t be too homesick. I’m also doing my masters so we should be seeing a lot more of each other. Anyway, I have to run, enjoy your first day and sorry again for the mistake, see you later.” And with that she rushed off to the back of the lecture theatre leaving him gaping after her. He had a feeling that he would be seeing a lot more of this girl.

A few weeks after his first meeting with Karen, Chris was sitting in the student’s cafeteria having lunch when she and another student, approached.

“Hi Chris,” she greeted him warmly. “I would like you to meet my friend Jim, Jim is studying science at Oxford and is in London for a few days’ break, Jim, this is Chris, the guy I was telling you about.”

“Hi, pleased to meet you,” said Chris standing up and extending his hand in greeting.

“Incredible!” remarked Jim, grasping Chris’s hand warmly. “You were right, Karry, there is quite a resemblance, I can hardly believe my eyes.”

“Resemblance, what are you two talking about? Who do I resemble?” Chris asked with a puzzled look on his face.

“You, mate, are a carbon copy of my roommate in Oxford, Ken…Ken Wilson, it is quite uncanny you could be twins” explained Jim. “Eerie, very eerie.”

“Well my star sign is Gemini, the twins that might explain it.” He said smiling facetiously

Chris knew he had been adopted. His parents had been very open with him and had told him everything they knew but nothing had been said about brothers or sisters let alone twins. They had told him that he had been born in the UK and that they had adopted him while they were there on their OE. He was two years old when they got him and had returned to New Zealand almost immediately. He had grown up in a very happy, upper middle class home and had had plenty of love and affection from his adoptive parents. Even with the knowledge of his adoption he never had any desire to find out anything about his biological parents and it never even occurred to him to ask whether he had any siblings… until now.

“Well, I will have to meet this mysterious twin some time, won’t I?” Chris tried to sound flippant and disinterested. “Sorry, I have a class in 5 minutes. Gotta rush. Catch you later, Karry. Nice meeting you, Jim.”

He could not concentrate on his lecture, all day long he kept thinking: Twins, twins the words kept repeating themselves in his brain. His stomach was knotted. Could it be true, could he have a twin brother? No, surely not, was it possible…?

When he arrived back in his room that evening he immediately sent an e-mail to his parents, telling them what had happened and asking them if there was any chance that he had a twin brother in the UK. Their reply came a few hours later saying that they did not think he had a twin brother but it was possible as it was a long time ago and the agencies were not as thorough then as they were now and that they would try to find the adoption papers and the address of the agency in London and send them off to him. This would take a week or two so he would have to be patient. He was sure that there was little chance of him having a twin brother. He would just put the whole episode out of his mind and get on with his studies…although he had to admit he was intrigued.

to be continued..........

The Haka and the Tri-Nations series

Monday morning and the South African population of New Zealand are all in mourning after the Springboks were defeated by the All Blacks on Saturday night. It was a very exciting game with both side playing superb rugby, the final score 31-27. Another great feature of the game was the unleashing of the All Black’s new “Haka”. The following article appeared on TVNZ’s news web site:

It is as defining and famous as their rugby prowess, but on Saturday night, the All Blacks surprised everyone when they unleashed a new rendition of their pre-match haka.
The especially written war cry has been a closely-guarded secret among players, who have been rehearsing and refining it for months. And while its debut at Carisbrook proved popular among fans, don't expect to see it performed at every test.
The pre-match haka is the brainchild of the players who say they want to forge a new legacy. "It also represented a lot of the things we felt were strong within us, the blackness of the jersey, the silver fern," says All Blacks captain Tana Umaga.
The new war cry was written for the team by Ngati Porou's Derek Lardelli and players had spent months rehearsing it but kept the secret to themselves.
"It was fantastic. It's always awesome to stand in front of the haka," says South African captain John Smit. "It's probably one of the most special things about playing the All Blacks."
The new haka will be used alongside the traditional 'ka' mate' which was popularised a century ago and used in various guises almost ever since.
"You've got to move with the times and these young men have thought about it and gone to a few people I'm sure and they do the haka so much better than we ever did it," says former All Black Tane Norton.
"I mean, we used to love doing the haka and loved doing it for the people of New Zealand but now they practice it with a lot of passion and do a good job of it," he says.
A new challenge to take a new generation of All Blacks on to victory.

The final outcome of the Tri-nations series (SA, Aussie and NZ) will be determined after next week’s clash between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. The Springboks still stand to win the series, how? I don’t really know, but I’m sure someone will soon enlighten me.

Summer is well on the way, it is getting warmer and warmer and is getting light a lot earlier in the mornings now. Reminds me of that little ditty which we used to recite as kids

“Spring has sprung, the grass has ris, I wonder where the birdies is?”
(Excuse the bad English)
Have a good week.

Wednesday midweek, down hill to the Weekend

Wednesday, mid-week, downhill to the weekend, I now live for my weekends.

Since our last tenant left the downstairs flat we have been battling to find permanent tenants. We finally found a sweet little South African girl who is very keen on the place but can only move in on the 1st October, she has some kind of lease restraint where she is living now. Anyway we have agreed to let her have the place but need to fill it until then. Well, thanks to a good friend of ours, who used to run a B&B, we have let it to a new immigrant family of three from South Africa. They arrived last night and have settled in nicely. Hopefully they will stay until the end of September by which time they will have found something more permanent.

‘Twas a big day for Evan yesterday, he had his braces removed after two years of being a “metal mouth”, and so handsome he is too.Click here to see the new smile. http://www.flickr.com/photos/irene_wood/34454416/

Had an extra dose of culture last Sunday when Evan and I went to a free symphony concert at the Auckland town hall. (Irene stayed at home and prepared the flat for our guests). The Auckland Symphony Orchestra performed music with a Scandinavian flavour. The music was very enjoyable with lots of light and classical numbers from Scandinavian composers. The highlight of the afternoon was a performance of one Griegs piano concertos, the soloist being a young 13 year old Korean lad who played this very difficult movement from memory with no sheet music at all. His performance was incredible and needless to say was rewarded by a standing ovation.

Sunday was also the 60th anniversary of VJ day (the day marking the end of WW2 and the allied victory against Japan, and to commemorate this there was a big parade up Queen Street involving the veterans and present armed forces of NZ. The parade was addressed by the mayor of Auckland, the prime minister and the governor general. The weather was sunny and all in all a pleasant day.

Anyway, it’s back to to work for me, lunch time is over. Roll on Friday, until next time, be well.

The weekend beckons

It’s Thursday, cloudy but surprisingly warm for this time of year.
The week has been quite eventful. Last Sunday we went to watch the finals of the KBB music festival competition in which Evan’s school had four bands participating: The Concert Band (in which E plays), The Symphony Orchestra, The Chamber Orchestra and The Big Band (Jazz). All four won Gold awards, which is quite an achievement considering there were 105 groups (Bands) entered, representing 40 schools from all over NZ. Westlake Boys and Girls have excellent music departments and extremely talented students. Evan enjoys school and we are happy that he changed from Corelli.
Monday evening we attended the prize giving of an essay writing competition sponsored by our local Free Mason Lodge. The competition was open to all North Shore secondary schools (High Schools) (12 in all). Anyway, Evan’s teacher had submitted one of his exam essays for which he won third prize. (A very nice NZ oxford dictionary) We are so proud.
Tuesday evening was another of the school music events; it was a showcase of all the groups from both the boys and girls schools, including all the choirs, bands and Barbershop group. This event was held at the very beautiful Bruce Mason Theatre in Takapuna. A great evening’s entertainment was had by all.
Well, that’s all for now, happily tomorrow is Friday and the weekend beckons. Have a good one.
P.S. Check out My Flicker for more pics of the bands and other interesting stuff. http://www.flickr.com/photos/aqw/