A 4 hour public transit odessy in Wellington

So… having decided to go to a brunch holiday coffee with Amy we got on the train to Kaiwharawhara station only about 3 stops down from ours at Hutt Central.  It was a gathering of other emigrants to New Zealand and had several friends that Amy had made here.  The coffee was lovely and in less than an hour we were on the stairs back down to the Kaiwharawhara station.  The trains are all above ground here so you have to climb up and over on pedestrian walkways.  Kaiwharawhara is only one stop from the end of the line at Wellington station.

We thought we were in luck as the train was just approaching.  Perfect! We thought.  We hopped right on and after a few minutes the ticket taker approached.  She took our passes and then doubled-looked.

“This train is going to Paraparam.” She said…

“Oops!” We said.

She laughed and gave us a transfer ticket and told us we’d have to get off at the next station and take the next train back.  The next station turned out to be Takapu Road which was a very nice station.  I had a hard time picturing just exactly where it was, but judging from the length of the ride, I’d guess about 5-7 kilometres from Kaiwharawhara.  Well about 15 minutes later we got on the return train.  After getting off we noticed the sign that shows which side of the platform to board for the train to Hutt vs Paraparamu… well that should be easier next time.

So we are on the right train.  All is good, right? Oops! The train in front ours breaks down.  Now we’re stuck on the tracks and it’s been about 2 hours since this trip began.  The crippled train inches to the next station (only 2 hops from home), but by now it’s well past lunch so we decide to get off at Petone for some food.  There is a nice spot called Kilim just a few blocks from the station.  We’ve eaten there a few times before.  The place is a little busy, but not bad.  It takes 45 minutes to get our food… LOL!  But it was very tasty.  We eat and go back to Petone station.

There are no confusing platforms at Petone, just going to Wellington and going to Hutt.  Easy Peasy!

Oops!

We managed to get on the one possible wrong train going toward Hutt, but veers off to Melling instead of to Hutt Central.  Luckily the ticket taker catches this in time for us to get off immediately and wait for the real Hutt line.  After about 40 minutes at Petone we finally get on the right train home.  The ticket taker this time is the same one that was on our very first train.  She had a good laugh at our journey.

We finally got home around 2:00.  Whew!  I guess we didn’t need to do anything anyway!

Paper Kings

"Yet I think, having used my words as the kings used gold,

ere we came by the rustling jest of the paper kings,

I who am overbold will be steadily bold,

in the counted tale of things."

One of the stone tablets on the harbour that I had not noticed before.  I read it today and was reminded of my writing and these words spoke to me.  We have dreams of being paper kings and may we all be counted in the tale of things.

The quote is from Iris Guiver Wilkinson under the name Robin Hyde.  She was a poet from New Zealand.

For Tom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, I've collected the odd photo of the cool cars I come across in Wellington.  I think my step-father would get a kick out of them  The triumph was pretty wicked.  One of the guys here at work has a Delorian even... 

Blog Dump November 2008

Okay... I have a bunch of totally unrelated things to share.  I've been sitting on a couple of photos and just haven't linked them in to a blog yet.

First off... Turnbull House.  This was the location of the "Fright Night" RPG convention I attended.  It is right across the street from the Parliament house.  That puts it 2 blocks from the train station and therefore easy as to get to.  Details of the gaming can be found on my other blog.  I don't know the history of the house yet, but apparently it can be rented cheap as.

Spring has sprung in Wellington and I have captured bad pictures of it.  What I really enjoy even more than the pretty flowers is how wonderful the air smells every where you go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally today I got off the train to this...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool as, eh?  I need to check out the web site.  http://www.cartooningforpeace.org

Sort of on topic for peace.  A NZ soldier was recently awarded the Victoria Cross--the highest medal awarded in the British Commonwealth.  He carried a fellow soldier to safety in the face of heavy automatic weapon fire from both sides while caught in a cross fire.  It was a miracle they both made it.  His friend would have certainly died.  Willie Apiata didn't want the award--too much publicity and he felt his unit all performed admirably that day.  It is the first time a Kiwi has been given the Victoria Cross in 60 years.  One of the benefits of being both American and a resident Kiwi is the ability to be proud of both.  I was happy to have two things to be happy about this week.

I am past 10,000 words on the "novel". WOOT!  I didn't think I would ever create 10,000 words on a single topic.

Tread Lightly...

We have serious problems to solve.  At this moment deciding who is to blame for them is less important than deciding how to solve them.  Campaigns are built on ideals and theories.  Only when candidates confront the complexity of the real issues do we see how well the theories will hold up.  No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.  In order to proceed forward we will have to step in to the mine fields. 

Whether you are a Republican or Democrat or Other… these are only labels.  The steps we take will be as a nation—a nation that is a member of the world.  While we may have great influence on the world we do not speak for the world.  On both the domestic and the international stage we must go forward humbly.  We must be prepared to question common convention.  We must be ready to consider that an opposing view may yet lead us to the same goals.  We must not fall back on tired excuses.  We must not get hung up on differing labels.  Solutions that work while not compromising our values are correct regardless of what we call them.

The ideals of our country have not changed although I would say we have not considered them often in the last 8 years.  I refuse to believe that our nation was founded to cater to elite rich and international corporate interest while at the same time ignoring the welfare of every human being below a certain balance sheet value.  The notion that if you let the super-rich get richer, then this will make middle and lower income household better is not proving to be true.  The accusation that “lazy Americans” are to blame is only partially true.  Americans are responsible for America, but I don’t know any lazy ones.  The vast majority of Americans I know work really hard with both spouses trying to put in 40+ hour weeks. They work hard trying to afford homes, health care, day care, insurance, taxes, and retirement.  While at the same time the corporations they work for, pay less salary, reduce health care, penalize (mostly women) for child care demands, steal retirement funds, and avoid taxes at every opportunity.  The Executives that run these corporations are often paid 300% more than average employees, receive perks valued at millions of dollars, never want for health care or child care, and are often paid huge bonuses even when their employees face lay offs.  If we implement a few policies to curb unchecked greed and allow working families to establish homes, receive health care, provide for their children, and save for their own retirement, then I think we will have made some vast improvements. 

People desire to live well and do well for their children, but I think most folks would also see the same opportunities given to all people.  I think America can deliver that.  I think by doing this well we will see prosperity grow and expand naturally.  International influence will spread by example rather than by force of policy.  But know that your neighbors and fellow citizens would see you do well.

Intarweb Eats Blog

I had a good general blog written.  My proxy ate it.  Here is the short form...

Amy and Gabe are home. Yay! :)

I have new walking shoes, new hiking shoes and new sandals. Yay!

Today is Guy Fawke's Day. Fireworks tonight!

It is windy.

Work is better than average.

I am writing a novel for National Novel Writing Month.

Talk to ya again soon!