Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten

After a long day at work, I treated myself to a movie last night. I went to see Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten. I highly recommend this film if you haven't already had a chance to view it at your local theater. I am inspired to set aside my dissertation chapter and my grading for the next few days and work on some neglected half-written songs.

Akaroa

This past weekend I drove to Akaroa. Akaroa means long harbor in Maori. It was the site of the country's first French settlement. Akaroa held a French festival on Saturday. One of the professors in the department owns a home in Akaroa and let me stay in their batch (rustic guest house). I had a lovely time. I wandered the streets of the city during the morning. I even saw a dog in the window of a local shop, no he wasn't for sale. Slightly before noon I went on a dolphin watching expedition. Akaroa harbor is home to one of the rarest breed of dolphins, the hector dolphin. Hector dolphins are much smaller than bottle-nosed dolphins. They are extremely friendly and inquisitive. I saw several along our cruise. Unfortunately, none stuck around long enough for me to swim with the dolphins. I did have the opportunity swim in the Pacific Ocean, in a full wetsuit. It was a bit chilly and rough, but well worth it as it was the first time I swam in open waters. Upon my return to dry land I visited the fair grounds for lunch and wine tasting. The evening concluded with a spectacular aerial show by local performers.

Original New Zealand Carnival Game, Laughing Clowns

Horse across the street from the batch

Kaka's beak plant at the front of the property

Very friendly horse down the street from the batch

Sheep across the street from the batch

Cow down the street from the batch

Akaroa Harbor (can you spot the hector dolphin?)

Cherry Blossoms

I haven't written lately because I was buried under a mountain of work. It is beautiful in Christchurch; the cherry blossoms are blooming. I walked about of work today and my car was covered in cherry blossom petals - it was very lovely. Today was rather gloomy, but I will take some pictures tomorrow.

Some Pictures

Below are some pictures from my recent trip to the north island. I will post details of my trip starting tomorrow. Unfortunately due to my internet access and limited bandwidth, I will not be able to post as many pictures as I would like.

Wellington: Government & Parliament Buildings

Taupo: Black Swans on the Shore of Lake Taupo

Lake TaupoRotorua: Fence of Government Gardens

North Island

I hopped from the South Island to the North Island on Saturday. I arrived in the port city of Wellington; while there I spent numerous hours in the city museums. At the Rialto, I caught the movie, Eagle vs. Shark. A review of the movie, details of my adventures, and pictures will be posted when I get back to Christchurch next week, as my internet access is limited. Over the next few days I will tour Lake Taupo and Rotorua.

My Early Days in Christchurch

Here are some pictures from my early days in Christchurch they date back to mid-July.

Below is my first residence: The Thistle Guest House

St. Peter's is the Anglican Church across the street from the Thistle Guest House on Church Corner.

St. Peter's Grave Yard

Tombstone at St. Peters
Notice at the center of the tombstone it reads "Good Bye."

Frosted Roses at St. Peter's

University of Canterbury

The Commerce Building: Home of the Political Science Department

My Office: Home Sweet Home

Random Campus Trees

Campus PathwayOutside the Forestry Department

Flower Along the Way to School

In Loving Memory of Dr. Steve Poe

I am very saddened to report that Prof. Steve Poe passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 16, 2007 while playing tennis. Poe is one of my favorite college professors (undergraduate and graduate). He had a tremendous impact on my research and teaching. His obituary can be found in Sunday's edition of the Denton Record Chronicle.

I am happy to count myself as one of Steve Poe’s students. I became interested in the empirical study of human rights after taking Steve Poe’s undergraduate human rights class at UNT. Poe encouraged me to follow my research interests in human rights through independent study and later through graduate school. Steve was a great mentor and provided inspiration and guidance throughout my academic journey. I will miss turning to him for advice.

Steve Poe is the best instructor I have ever known. Poe had an uncanny ability to steer classroom discussions and create an interactive learning environment. I will never forget the fictitious country Trombonia he used in his foreign policy decision-making exercise. When I prepare for classes I often think, “What would Poe do?” I will continue to use my memories of him to help me with my teaching and research.

Riccarton House & Bush

Here is the 2nd entry in my notable places around Christchurch series. This past Sunday on my way to school to do work, I stopped off at the Riccarton House & Bush. The Maori name for the site is Putaringamotu, the place of echo. It was home to Canterbury's Scottish pioneers the Deans. On the site is the Riccarton House, Deans Cottage (the oldest remaining building in the Canterbury plains), and an ancient forest of kahikatea trees. It is Canterbury's only remaining part of the kahikatea floodplain forest. Also present on the site are giant oak trees the Deans planted to remind them of their Scottish home.

Riccarton House

Deans Cottage

Kahikatea Loop Track

Downtown Christchurch

I took this picture on Saturday in City Centre Christchurch at the corner of Turam and High Streets. Don't let the trees fool you, it gets pretty frosty here during the winter.

The Hills

On Saturday I went up to the hills overlooking Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbor with Jeremy, Michelle, Harmonie, and Luka. On our way up we say many sheep and a few people on bicycles. Here are some pictures.

I just bought a book containing self-guided walks in the Canterbury area. I plan on going on a few excursions, or tramping as they say here, during my stay in Christchurch.

Abe Has a Posse

This picture of Abe, Jodi, and me was taken by the lovely Martha Anderson during March of this year at my birthday celebration. A great time was had by all who attended the evening of go-karts, mexican food, and various beverages. My friends bought me the alarm clock of all alarm clocks, Clocky.



Clocky was created by a graduate student at MIT. It is billed as the alarm clock that runs away from you. Clocky allows its owner to hit the snooze button once. After the allotted time has elapsed, Clocky jumps from the owner's nightstand and rolls about the room make noises reminiscent of R2D2. It can withstand a 2 foot (60.96 cm) drop.

Abe and Clocky accompanied me to New Zealand. Clocky has faithfully woken me up at the wee hours of the morning; thank you guys!

The Flu

I have been under the weather since Monday. I am growing impatient because I normally rebound rather quickly when I fall ill. I was told by a doctor here in NZ that I have the flu. While trying to will myself well, I thought about the phrase the flu. Why is it that when you have influenza it is said that you have "the flu?" Why is "the" attached to it? Why not I have influenza? I guess people say I have the measles or the mumps, but no one every says that they have the cold. Is it a sign of severity? Please attribute the last ramblings to the lack of effective flu medication.

By the way, more pictures are on their way soon!

Hagley Park

I got my camera to cooperate with me, here is my first edition of pictures of Christchurch landmarks. Hagley Park is a beautiful park (161 hectares) in the middle of Christchurch, replete with rugby fields, netball courts, frisbee areas, football fields, field hockey areas, botanic gardens, and a golf course. It is in between the University and City Centre. Even though it is cold and wintry the park is very pretty.

New House and Mona Vale

I have good news, I found a great place to live. My new place is in Merivale and is about a 10 minute bicycle ride from school and city centre. My flatmates are Steph and Madison. Steph is getting her master's in librarian science and has lived in Christchurch all her life. Madison is a chef in the Arts Centre; he is from North Carolina. Here are pics of the new place taken by my flatmates.





I decided on my new flat while hanging out at the gardens of Mona Vale feeding ducks. Here are some pictures I took.
Left: Drive to Main House Right: Pool House