All Blacks and Art Shows

Howdy! Well, I am sitting in the library with 11 books stacked to my left which all need to be gone through and stripped of information relative to my research projects...so instead I think I'll blog.

This library is awesome. It has huge windows all around and right now as I'm typing, I have a panoramic view of Wellington and the sun is setting over the harbor with the mountains behind. I like New Zealand, who could get research done here?? I think I will bring my family to this library as part of their Wellington tour.

I've been a somewhat busy girl lately, I went to an All Blacks game since we last spoke, and that was immensely entertaining. We played the Wallabies (Australia) and massacred them, so it was a smashing success. Though I do think that the crowd around us was somewhat annoyed with the band of drunk American hooligans I was with (boys). It was a good time, but good lord, if ever there was proof of the American stereotype, it was that evening. I still love them anyways.

And no, mother, I was not drinking myself. So in the battle of state representation, Texas came out classy as ever. Here are some pictures my friend Kevin Holland took until I can get home and add some of mine (his are better anyway).

Entering in style:

The Hakka. Remember I showed you a video of it a while ago?

The last nail in Australia's coffin.

Remember that you can click on images to enlarge them.

I also have recently gone to a big Wellington spectacle called the World of Wearable Arts, which is an international competition where artists literally create art that people can wear somehow, out of all sorts of materials and concepts. This amazing show is part fashion show, part art show, part theatrical performance, part Cirque de Soleil, and allllll amazing. Couldn't take pictures of it, but here are some of the art highlights:

This gown won the grand prize, and was an entrance from a carpenter in Alaska. The entire outfit is handcrafted out of WOOD. Amazing.

People on all fours, as human chairs:

See? There's some really great stuff, it was a lot of fun.

Hope you're all enjoying the arrival of Fall. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Summer and my family!