:: zone3 ::

Gave a bit of a hand to set up our company tent at the Relay for Life supporting the Cancer Society.


IBM Relay for Life Tent (1)


IBM Relay for Life Tent (2)



Of course there is still time to donate directly if you want…


The event is now well underway. Should head back down considering have my slots up soon…

On Saturday (29/03/2008) and Sunday (30/03/2008) the Wellington Relay for Life is on.

Anyone with spare time can come along and support the people doing the run/walk to raise funds for the Cancer Society.

If you'd like to donate, Relay for Life has an oline form to donate directly (pick IBM NZ as the team ;) ). All funds raised are used to improve community well-being by reducing the incidence and impact of Cancer.

It’s been about 3 weeks since the New Zealand release of Body Combat 35. Plenty of time to get use to the moves and start getting some real power behind it, even if just starting out with it.

Had a pretty packed Wellington launch event at Les Mills. Followed by a couple of blitz weeks of team instructors at the usual time slots.

BC35 has a pile of leg work to it, with some kick heavy tracks also set of one legged squats. The promo for BC35 gives a good idea of what to expect.

Next weekend Wellington’s Relay for Life is on. Relay for Life runs nationwide as a fund raiser for the Cancer Society, helping to support education, research, etc. Relay For Life is a overnight team event that raises funds for the Cancer Society of New Zealand. Most people know someone who has had cancer, so makes for a great charity.

As my work is organising a team, am joining in for a couple of hours of the relaying over the night. If anyone is interested in sponsoring, get in touch, and will send the details or can donate directly (pick IBM NZ as the team :) ). All funds raised are used to improve community well-being by reducing the incidence and impact of Cancer.

Come along on the day and support it if in Wellington and have time.

Ok, so mentioned it before, Body Combat is a great fun way to get fit. The hard bit when starting out with it if as un-coordinated as me, is getting the technique right.

The first class I did was great! Although I was left at the end of it wondering how the hell the rest of the people manage to do all the kicks etc so gracefully.

The short answer is practice. Being pretty un-fit when start and not very flexible or coordinated it took 3-4 class before started getting a feel of the correct technique, and about another dozen before I looked like I sort of know what I’m going.

Although it is largely practice, there are a few ticks to help improve….

It’s been about two months since joined the gym. Was a great idea doing it and should have much earlier.

Never considered myself the type of person that would like going to the gym, but now getting regularly am really enjoying it.

Have started to notice getting a lot fitter, so must be paying off… Lost about 8kg as well...

Seems to have been a busy start to the year, although not too hectic. Guess that shows in the lack of updates on here.

Over the last month or so, have ended up away every second week for short trips. Also with the new job role really kicking off, has made it pretty busy at work. That said, am enjoying it and finding it a fun change from what the role I had been doing.

A couple weeks ago decided I need to get a bit fitter. So off I went to the local Les Mills and joined.

Interesting getting joined up the gym considering have never really used one. A few people around pretty much posers and a few seriously bulking up, but most just in there few times a week excise.

In the weekend, thought better try out their classes too and now have been along a couple of time to their Body Combat class.

Basically fast, hard, shadow boxing and kicking to music for an hour. Think going to be along to that once a week.
Starting to get my jab and cross down… Still need a bit of work on my hook though.

If you follow the editorials of a few papers, it appears the New Zealand political winds are changing.

No longer can National do no right, it seems it is no the case of Labour can do no right.

The US has Burning Man, we have to make do with Burning Sheep. Given that there are estimated to be over 40 million sheep in New Zealand (ten times the people), maybe it’s better named.

Burning Sheep



On the outskirts of Wellington each year, Burning Sheep comes along. A chance for a little of a beach party with a sheep effigy.

Have a few of my photos up here.

Yesterday was another great year at Toast Martinborough, a New Zealand wine festival in the Martinborough area. It’s a great chance to taste the regions wines, an area known for its Pinot Noir.

As a fun way to get to it from Wellington, a friend of mine came up with the idea of idea of going by helicopter. For a once a year event, makes a great way to get there.

Toast Martinborough Helicopter


Have some chopper ride photos on my site…

Well it has been a week since started, but now in a new job. Still with the same company though.

Last week started my new job as a ‘Technical Pre-sales Consultant’, having been the Team Leader of a small Network Operations team.

Well it’s Movember (the month formerly known as November) and considering I’ve been clean shaven for about 6 months, thought should join in this year and grow a Mo in support of men's health and the fight against prostate cancer.

Pictures and progress reports to come…


To sponsor my Mo, please go to:
http://www.movember.com/nz/donate/?action=sponsorlink®o=150025

Anyone that is keen to on the idea of seeing east Europe, Central Asia and taking entirely in-appropriate cars (1000cc) over in-appropriate and at time non-existent roads, should enter the Mongol Rally 2008.

Entries opened today for 24 hours with a random draw with another chance at the draw on 6th Nov.

Even if not doing it, worth checking it out the site. And if doing it, will be a cool chance to see a lot of piles and get some cool photos.

Serious thinking of doing theMongol Rally next year. Waiting for entries to open on the website.

Haven’t decided on what route to take yet, although starting to think about it. Given the time of the year, St Petersburg could be a good option making it for white nights… Am very interested to see as much of the ‘Stans as possible and get a feel for what the ex-Soviet states are like and how they are changing since 91.

Just now need to convince friends to join the expedition...