Sunday, October 29, 2006

Wheels x 4 [# 16]

Well things just keep moving on and in my favour! Work is busy and stimulating. I've got a few jobs on the go, but more projects keep coming up and I'm wanting to clear some out to get ahead. I've just finished a book on breast cancer - basically 80 odd pages of one-liners that needed an illustrated cartoon. The book is called 'Laugh Your Tits Off' (a favourite Kiwi expression). It was a very difficult job actually. Not only was the deadline and workload taxing, but the subject matter was obviously quite painful. I had to try and draw sensitive cartoons that were both funny and informative. How do you draw a cartoon of a bald lady having chemotherapy that makes you laugh? Or draw someone with a tram flap reconstruction? Difficult. I got home each day drained and exhausted. Well, it's Breast Cancer month in NZ this month and the book's author is quite well known so it'll be publicised in the mass media and there's a good chance she'll promote it on Campbell Live - the daily 7pm magazine show on TV3! I'll let you know in my next post how things go.

 See my Illustration blog for some more of the pictures if you like.

After relying on public transport for a couple of months I was wasting so much time that I couldn't stand it any longer and decided to look for a car - well the big news is the vehicle I've bought. But it actually feels like I've been given it! I'm house-sitting again for Paula and John and sadly John's mother died recently.


I was looking for a vehicle and lucky for me Paula thought of me when they had to decide what to do with it. She offered it to me over the phone at a great deal and I thought - cool, sounds great. But I didn't realise how great until I took position last week. It's a Honda Accord 2.2 LXi, in fab condition. Initially I wanted to use public transport but the car is working out about half as expensive and it's about 20 k's up and down some significant hills to work so I wasn't keen to cycle (also considering that I carry my laptop to work each day, I didn't want it turning up for work damaged or damp - same goes for me!) I'm still a bit embarrassed by such a great car and how much they asked for it!

This is one of the chariots that used to sweep me to work each day. Note the rust holes!

I have also enjoyed my first game of cricket here! Last week we had a pre-season game and it was good fun. I got a lift over to Paraparumu with some of the guys and they made me feel welcome. It was a grey, drizzly day and it started drizzling heavily half an hour before I came in to bat. The ball was swinging wildly (it got Paul out by swinging 2 feet back into the stumps) then I came into bat. Again it swung a crazy distance and I was out first ball! Didn't even hit the thing. I did redeem myself though in the second over when the other team came into bat. I took a wicked, reaching, one handed catch to dismiss their vice-captain. I don't know who was more surprised me or the rest of my team! He wasn't happy and spent the rest of the day making comments about me :) He-he!

In the interests of modesty I have toned down the spectacular nature of my catch to this,
I hope it gives a you a slight taste of how absolutely stunning it was.

Kiwidiom
Week 2 : Amped
Amped : Pumped up, excited, psyched.
Example: 'I couldn't wait to start my ballroom dancing classes. I was totally amped.'
I like this one and use it regularly, I think you should too.

posted by col @ 11:53 am 0 comments

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Officially Employed [# 15]

Another significant month. It's so nice to have things to write about, pictures to upload and encouraging developments in life.
That's reason enough to add a posting. I've been living in my new digs for a month now and working for over 5 weeks. I've been working 6 days a week for most of those weeks too. This job wasn't advertised - I found it through cold calling - an unpredictable ordeal but this time I was fortunate. My boss, Marguerite works incredibly hard and is full of ideas - I get good briefings but also lots of free reign. It's a very good job! And what a great thing to be able to say.
This week I was given (for my portfolio), full, proof versions of the two books I've finished and the annual catalogue I designed. It's always very rewarding to see the whole job I designed and illustrated all printed up.
And yesterday I was officially given a contract. I am now employed. Hurray.

One thing though is the tedious commute to work. It's only about 20k's but if the buses don't turn up or my train is late it can take an hour and a half to get to work! This is the longest commute I've ever had and not something I thought I'd experience coming to live in New Zealand! So I've decided to search for a car and this week I had a lucky break. Paula, who I've house-sat for and will again next month, rang to say her mother in law had died recently. That wasn't the lucky break, but Paula said they had a car to dispose of and would I like it? A 1994 Honda Accord, well cared for and they'll only as $400 for it because I'll be house-sitting for nearly 3 weeks in October for her. Can't wait. It'll also give me the freedom to explore more, go camping at the weekends, salvage kelp from the seaside etc. I'll pick the car up in a couple of weeks once John's had a chance to sort a couple of scratches out! - They're such great people :)

This'll also allow me to bring some furniture back to my room. In New Zealand, rooms are usually rented unfurnished which seems a bit wierd as half the population have to lug around tables and beds every few years. Anyway, so far I bought my bed off my house-mates who were buying a new one and I was given a desk and chair. I just need a chest of drawers. This is a big improvement. When I first moved in I had to do some speculative paintings for a publisher and the only way was to sit on the side of the bed and use the ironing board as a work bench! Painting in my room under the single bare lamp bulb I felt a quiet solidarity with all those emerging artists and illustrators around the world, trying to make a career for themselves painting on the kitchen table or propped up against the stove in the bedsit!


'The emerging artist'

I needed a bin too so I harvested some of the abundant flax that grows everywhere and had a go at weaving a basket. I think it follows the 'rustic' school of styling and craftsmanship (which is very sought after) but it's servicable and kind of funky. It all goes to give my space some Colin Pells identity. Living cheaply with style. Well that's what I call it anyway. I need some new socks but I think I'll have to buy those though.

I was wondering if I could use it as a hat too.
I think I could get away with it, what do you think?

On a similar note, I've finally got my trunk travelling on it's long voyage round the world to me. 250 quid but at least I'll have my favourite books, music, the odd rug and souvenir from Morocco or India or somewhere. I've been living out of my rucksack for nearly half a year now.


Other stuff:
At work the other day Perry, Marguerite's friend came over and asked if we could assist him in taking some advertising photos for a new business he's started - Trike Tours in New Zealand. So we downed tools (I was machining a pencil at the time), and had our photos taken at the lookout over Maungaraki. A fun diversion - every day is different in this job. Just the way I like it.
The Wellington 'What's On' newspaper is doing an article on it and the pic will be included.


We had a book launch last week in Wellington, oh, and our company has had an article written about it in the local paper - there's a pic of me and Marguerite in there too - I'm not sure whether I'll be able to handle all of this fame. I'm quite a private fellow really, not sure how to deal with all of this celebrity status. Before long there'll be hordes of beautiful young women chasing me down the street. (I've mentioned that before haven't I? - sorry - it's just a recurring daydream I have, can't seem to shift it!)

Just incase anyone's interested in my neighbourhood, here's a photo of Kelburn. It's not my house - ours is on an even steeper hillside but you get the idea of the area. It's nice up here.



One sad thing about living in this house though is that there is a no pets policy and so I won't be able to have Frodo - the young cat who befrended/took ownership/moved in when I was living in Lower Hutt at Cathie's place. (Pics of him are shown below on previous postings). He's an excellent cat and I regret not being able to look after him. Maybe I should have thought more carefully about my priorities when looking for somewhere to live. However there is other wildlife around...



This is a friendly weta - made famous by the eponymous film production company.
These chaps grow to over 6 inches! Grrr.

Kiwidiom
OK, I've decided to add a new, regular feature to my blog. I've called it Kiwidiom. As I pick up slang and vernacular I shall share these rich cultural treasures with the wider community. I shall endeavour to provide a helpful translation into understandable English and, wherever possible, without the use of expletives (bearing in mind the country's proximity to Australia and the inevitable verbal inflluences, this may be somewhat challenging).
Week 1: Munted.
Munted 1: To become distorted or chewed up to such a degree that it has become unusable.
Example: 'Na, mate, the key won't fit anymore because the lock's been munted.'
Munted 2: To be rendered incomprehensible by an excessive quantity of alcoholic beverages.
Example: 'My mother came home from her Bridge evening after having too many sherries. She was munted.'

posted by col @ 3:57 pm 0 comments