Awhile back I made note of having read Jared Diamond's Collapse and also Guns Germs and Steel. I can see, as someone who once considered Anthropology, how many would see Diamond's arguments as simplifications of complex and variable histories. I wonder how much the author weighed this counter-argument, given the obvious evidence at the present moment. Even a robust and hopeful mind bows at the sobering signs in climate, energy and warmongering.
And I think that we are not so old a species, despite the (deer in the headlights) moments that have repeated themselves around the globe and through our short time here on the planet. One that lifts another cup to youth and fecundity as mountains and temples crumble around them.
Old and new in the Times
Sunday, December 30
But Seriously
Disney and DieHard are great. Great myths. Now that Western culture has hoovered the world up and is 'spreadin' democracy' one oil-bearing nation at a time, perhaps we might remember a warning (9\11, Katrina, the Ross shelf, extinctions) in the not- so- distant past. The real one.
More than the rest of the Entire World combined?!?!?!
How could the world hate the U.S.?!?
More than the rest of the Entire World combined?!?!?!
How could the world hate the U.S.?!?
Tuesday, December 25
A Merry Christmas For Us
WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS WORK VISAS!
Yesterday morning, Jesse was given his work visa and permit, which will allow him to work in any profession in New Zealand through January 31 of 2009. We didn't let ourselves do anything more than hope it would all work out, and here we are now, sitting on the other side of our efforts, knowing that we can work here legally, living in our own apartment, proud owners of a couch, refrigerator, and some cookware, Wellington library card-holders, and any number of opportunities awaiting us in 2008. Mind you, it's cost us almost our entire savings of the past 5 years, but I feel like we're finally on our way to the futures we have wanted for ourselves. With jobs in sight, we can start saving once again, making our way toward a more progressive life in the place where we hope to live it out.
That said, we've been reminded of Peak Oil, and are getting on with thoughts on our 5-year plan once again. Or, I should say that I am finally in line for getting on with the 5-year plan. Or even further, we've taken our first step in this 5-year plan and are ready for whatever may be next. I see a primary next step being the acquiring of life skills that would be useful in this future we envision, and saving money from our jobs so that we can someday soon purchase land, build our house, all that good stuff. Jesse's seen the necessity of life changes as a result of Peak Oil in mind for several years now, but I've held off on getting too involved until this big first hurdle, this move, was conquered. It was a question whether it ever would take the first step, and now that we have, i feel ready for anything. Bring on the cobbling!
Read more about Peak Oil here.
(Survey says if that's not for you, try this)
Yesterday morning, Jesse was given his work visa and permit, which will allow him to work in any profession in New Zealand through January 31 of 2009. We didn't let ourselves do anything more than hope it would all work out, and here we are now, sitting on the other side of our efforts, knowing that we can work here legally, living in our own apartment, proud owners of a couch, refrigerator, and some cookware, Wellington library card-holders, and any number of opportunities awaiting us in 2008. Mind you, it's cost us almost our entire savings of the past 5 years, but I feel like we're finally on our way to the futures we have wanted for ourselves. With jobs in sight, we can start saving once again, making our way toward a more progressive life in the place where we hope to live it out.
That said, we've been reminded of Peak Oil, and are getting on with thoughts on our 5-year plan once again. Or, I should say that I am finally in line for getting on with the 5-year plan. Or even further, we've taken our first step in this 5-year plan and are ready for whatever may be next. I see a primary next step being the acquiring of life skills that would be useful in this future we envision, and saving money from our jobs so that we can someday soon purchase land, build our house, all that good stuff. Jesse's seen the necessity of life changes as a result of Peak Oil in mind for several years now, but I've held off on getting too involved until this big first hurdle, this move, was conquered. It was a question whether it ever would take the first step, and now that we have, i feel ready for anything. Bring on the cobbling!
Read more about Peak Oil here.
(Survey says if that's not for you, try this)
Friday, December 21
Work!!!
Beth got her work permit and visa! We're promised Jesse's on Monday. All our deliveries and fixes and installations came through by Friday, and we dare say we have a working household now. It's only today, then, that I'm starting to let myself believe that we are set up for a year of life in Wellington, New Zealand, with income,with an interesting place to live, and with each other, mended many times over but still hanging on and a little giddy.
There was a big earthquake just north of us last night. We'll hope for some lasting power in this land of volcanoes and fault lines.
There was a big earthquake just north of us last night. We'll hope for some lasting power in this land of volcanoes and fault lines.
Friday, December 7
Very December
Well, it's sure not winter here. Not exactly summer either. But that's beside the point.
Dance let us down, Auckland was not quite It either.....
In a few days we'll have been a month in 'Welly' and (as I hear someone blaring CCR's House of the Rising Sun), and it's high time the dam broke. It's been tough-really tough. Tough of course in ways unforseen. Windy, lonely, and windier.
But now it seems a cusp is afoot. We're undergoing medical exams. Armed with x-rays. Undergone the roughly six weeks of cellular recombination and Kiwi roughage that makes a new person. We have contacts, a bank account, a coffee press and even friends. This is weird!
After weeks of walls, walls, walls. It appears that things may evolve. Bets has her choice in IT. Suitors are clamoring. In the next few days, she can make a choice on her career here in NZ, and we should land an apartment. This would automatically award her a work visa, begin Jesse's work visa award from Immigration, and preclude our address! Cowabunga!
There are alot of good reasons why this should take place. The fact that everyone takes off for the summer here, especially before Xmas, but likes to get something done beforehand. The fact that IT is in demand. The fact that we have worked so hard, for weeks, against a steep learning curve. The fact that we've had help and advice from really good people since here. And the fact that we had so much support from friends and family in the States.
In the interest of avoiding a jinx, I'll stop short of predicting success. But for the first moment in quite awhile, it looks rather dandy.
Regards,
J
Dance let us down, Auckland was not quite It either.....
In a few days we'll have been a month in 'Welly' and (as I hear someone blaring CCR's House of the Rising Sun), and it's high time the dam broke. It's been tough-really tough. Tough of course in ways unforseen. Windy, lonely, and windier.
But now it seems a cusp is afoot. We're undergoing medical exams. Armed with x-rays. Undergone the roughly six weeks of cellular recombination and Kiwi roughage that makes a new person. We have contacts, a bank account, a coffee press and even friends. This is weird!
After weeks of walls, walls, walls. It appears that things may evolve. Bets has her choice in IT. Suitors are clamoring. In the next few days, she can make a choice on her career here in NZ, and we should land an apartment. This would automatically award her a work visa, begin Jesse's work visa award from Immigration, and preclude our address! Cowabunga!
There are alot of good reasons why this should take place. The fact that everyone takes off for the summer here, especially before Xmas, but likes to get something done beforehand. The fact that IT is in demand. The fact that we have worked so hard, for weeks, against a steep learning curve. The fact that we've had help and advice from really good people since here. And the fact that we had so much support from friends and family in the States.
In the interest of avoiding a jinx, I'll stop short of predicting success. But for the first moment in quite awhile, it looks rather dandy.
Regards,
J
When not otherwise involved, there's beer
This is Mata (maori: "raw") Manuka Honey Ale, a gold medal winner in 2007. Easy summer drinking.
Bennetts has been shortlisted as Betsy's favorite, which is also good because they brew in the Welly suburb of Island Bay. Not unrelated to the fact that they make a kicking Honey brew.
Emersons is perhaps the most celebrated Kiwi brewery, out of the southland of Dunedin. They import the hops from USA ("stonefruit, pine, citrus and geranium"and "sweet bisquity"). Their American Pale Ale brought a tear to my eye, I'm not ashamed to say.
This is James Cook Spruce Beer. Suprisingly clean, yummy and (newly) Xmas-y brew. Refreshing!!! And historical.
Bets and I've been touring Kiwi beers. This is Moa Noir. The Moa is a extinct flightless bird, and Noir is a mild, balanced and yummy (coffee and chocolate) beer that is pretty fine.
Of course there are clunkers here in Eden, which explains the month it took till I mentioned beer. All is forgiven. Cheers!
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