Miller Family Photo minus the Father

Brett (right), Brett's Mum (center), Brett's Brother (left)
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

This photo was taken in Queens Park a few days before his brother left to live in australia.

Brett and I in the Otepuni Park

Brett and I in the Otepuni Park
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

This photo was taken in the Otepuni Park which is only a walk over the stopbanks away from our flat

Flatting

Well its been a busy 4 weeks here in the deep south. My course is finished and i'm now living in a flat with Brett and a few mates. It's a few minutes walk to SIT and also to where I work. When I have uploaded my photos i'll be able to show you what its like.

~Sam

Poem from Lucy

~>Fare thee Well <~

you now watch from above
as we live with your love
forever and always in our hearts
so many feelings, where to start?
no one knows

my tears could've filled a bath
what I'd do to hear your laugh
i hadn't seen you for a long time
song teddy is no longer mine
he is ours

you live on in all of us forever
in some ways the family came together
i tried to stay strong
of course that didn't last long
i broke down

i was a Paul bearer I've never been so proud
when i think about it now, there was quite a crowd
putting those flowers in your grave
i don't think I'll ever be as brave
never again

thinking of you everyday
always considering what you would say
everything i do is for you
we all know it's true

when you are in my dreams
so real, they seem
i know you can see me
from all lifes troubles you are now free

i think about all the small things
all the memories they bring
one day we will meet up again
but until then

i love you
we love you
i miss you
we all miss you xxx

Young Labour

With the impending election and the furious campaigning going on, I have decided to take a more active role in Young Labour while living in the Southland Electorate. After reading Dad's article about National's Education Policy it made me get fired up in local politics. Following this post I will be putting up some images of what I have been up to down here at SIT.

National's Education Policy

Courtesy of my father at http://principalpossum.blogspot.com

Those of you who followed my blog during my sabbatical will realise the opposition I have developed to the US system of annual testing of students throught primary and intermediate years. Schools, Principals and teachers were entirely focused on preparing their kids for the tests each year (from age 7 up!) as they were judged on how their kids did.

USA was ranked 42nd in the International PISA tests while NZ was ranked in the top 5 so why are we planning to copy such a programme?

We have to oppose this at all costs. Weighing the pig does not make it any fatter!

NZ schools already regularly assess student progress to inform further strategies. There is no need to have a centrally imposed and driven programme which has the intention (according to their policy) of comparing students in one school with another.

This crock of shit is a populist strategy for which there is no credible research to support it.

You will have different important policy positions which determine your vote. For me, education is one of the most important issues and National's position on regular testing makes it impossible for me not to let as many people as possible know what they are up to.

The NZ education system is in good health. Young people are more literate and numerate as a group than any before. We do have a longish tail of under achievement which is largely ethnically centred and with programmes such as Te Kotahitanga and Ka Hikitia we are making inroads in this area.

If National are elected and push this policy through I will struggle to remain involved in education to my current level in New Zealand.

Holidays

My holidays have started and only a few days til I start shooting my 15 Minute Film for BDM-131 (Practical Filming). So far things have been cold and quiet down here, except for the Hercules flight that flew by a few days ago. I've still been job hunting like mad but things are doing well down here. Its only a small update today until I upload my photos to flickr.

Forbidden Broadway Again

So I was asked to post about Forbidden Broadway. Until I get the still captures from the footage I took i will instead post the article from the Southland Times about it.

"The musicals Chicago, Cats and Mammia Mia are all targets of satire in the Invercargill Musical Theatre's latest show.


Forbidden Broadway, which begins tomorrow night, is a comedy spoof of some of the world's best loved musicals.

The show features spoof songs from musicals such as Phantom of the Opera to Annie.

Director Craig Waddell said Forbidden Broadway is the Australasian premiere of the show, which has been on Broadway since the 1980s.

"It's a bit of a piss-take at musicals really ... People will certainly recognise the music, but the lyrics will be different," he said.

The show stars eight of the theatre's more experienced singers, he said.

Held at Repertory House, it was designed to be a smaller, more intimate show than the previous production of Cats.

"We just wanted to try something different." The show will run from tomorrow night until September 13, although there is no performance on Sunday.

Tickets are $25 and available from the Invercargill City Council booking office."

Click on the link http://www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4681187a16895.html to see the article with a photo. In the photo, the girl to the far left is my friend Jaz who secured us Sponsors Gala tickets

Weekend

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday,

Today I celebrate two significant events: Fathers Day, and Mine and Brett's 6 months together. I am writing this post from the Multimedia Lab at SIT. It turns out I can multi-task because Im writing this post and also working on my script. Well I was the good son this afternoon cos I rang home and wished dad a happy fathers day. This is going to be a real short post today. My mind appears to be having a seizure right now and I can't think of anything intellectual to write without resorting to ranting - which i wont do.

Forbidden Broadway

Tonight is the Australasian Premiere of the Musical "Forbidden Broadway". The reason I am posting this is because my friend Jaz has a lead role and got Brett and I tickets to the Sponsors Gala. The show is a spoof of other musicals such as Rent, Mamma Mia, Fiddler on the Roof etc. I will be taking photos to post on the blog because Flash Photography is encouraged.

I will post my thoughts on the show tomorrow.

I've been keeping up with reading the family blogs which is quite interesting.

Grandma,
Im glad the HTML trick worked for your counter and it's good to see that the Kereru is back in the trees.

Mum,
You now know the Technological Age is nothing to be feared

Dad,
Did you create that wiki that is linked on your Blog? If so, you really need to change the colour scheme

Only a short post today as I got most of it out last week. Will post again in a few days

~Sam

New Week

So i got a facebook message from dad telling me to update my blog. Well a new week has started here in the deep south. I must admit I had a pretty guiet weekend. Brett stayed at the Grand and we hung out with a few mates and watched some tv. I love lazy weekends when its quiet.

Anyway so today Brett departs from Invercargill for 3 days to Auckland so he can undergo induction training for ANZ. He is staying at the Waitakere Estate for the duration of the course. I also handed in my 30s commercial for Practical Filming. I would post a youtube link for it, but I don't have the clearance for the actors. So instead I might put it on CD and post it up.

I've also been hearing from Mum and Dad through email and a couple of postcards. The last couple of weeks however have been a bit rough. I've seen the SIT nurse and the SIT counsellor. I think I will be making another appointment with her.

I also offer my sincere apologies for the no update recently. I've been snowed under at Tech and my internet decided to play up. Damn Wireless Router lol. So anyways in Web and Graphic Design we have been doing HTML websites which I am flying through. I guess the only bad thing is the tutor hardly lets me answer questions...unless nobody else can answer. I've also been helping a few of my classmates with HTML code and I helped one of my floormates at the grand with her Poster assignment.
Today, Patrick, the Practical Filming tutor gave us one last chance to drop out of the Practical Filming paper - which there is no chance of me doing - I've dreamed of making films since I was about 6 years old when Dad used to bring home the clunky old VHS Analog Cameras. Since being at SIT i've almost orgasmed (pardon the expression) at the opportunities to use Professional equipment in out productions.

My next big undertaking is to learn about CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) for Web Design and also to complete the Pre-Production for our 12-15 short film project.

This week in Business and Legal Studies we are studying the Law of Contract which will help for the end of year assignment where we have to talk about a national event and do budgets, hiring,legal aspects etc. So I decied to do the Motu Challenge seeing as I can contact the organisers and sponsors when necessary.

Well now it seems i'm beginning to rant a wee bit, so I will rant just a bit more.

I have now got a new film obsession. "Rent". Based on the stage show, its got the most amazing music which I intend to buy. Also one of my musical friends landed a role in "Forbidden Broadway", a musical show which pokes the piss at other musicals. So as a lead actress she got Brett and I free tickets to the Final Dress Rehearsal, so I will have to take my camera and post some images on flickr.

Well thats it from me for a couple of days and I will hopefully have more to say and less to rant about :)

~Sam

Queens Park and Filming

Today Brett and I decided to have a catch up with our mate Laura who used to live here at the Grand. So we made a time to meet, and we took Jaz with us. We spent 4 hours in Queens Park looking at the Bird Aviary and the wild animals. It was an awesome afternoon, I don't think I have laughed as much in the last couple weeks.

Also this morning, my group finished filming for our 30s TV Commerical. From here on out - well til friday is just editing so we can hand it in all ready for marking. I think I might brush up on my Final Cut skills as well. Also on the friday our commercial is due, we also have our poster for Web and Graphic Design due. There is a draft idea posted below of what I might use for my assesment.

I've been looking after myself too, my cold was about to flare up again - which would not have been pleasent - but I managed to keep if from being too dramatic.

I am also in the process of pre-production for a 15 minute film for Practical Filming. I have a script started so I am keeping up with all my work. I also topped up my printer credits so I can print my activity for Business and Legal Studies off too.

Emily Dickinson Poster

Emily Dickinson Poster
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

This is the poster we did for Week 4 Tutorial in Photoshop

Draft Poster Idea for Web and Graphic Design

Draft Poster Idea for Web and Graphic Design
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

This is my draft idea for my poster to base a website on. This is also the draft for my first Web and Graphic Design Assessment. I would put more up but that would be giving too much away.

Talk about self-promotion for a film company :)

Me and Brett on the Balcony of the Grand

Me and Brett on the Balcony of the Grand
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

Sunflower Photoshop Tutorial

Sunflower Photoshop Tutorial
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

I did this image in the first lesson of Web and Graphic Design. The purpose of the lesson was to age the image using channels, masks and stock photos. And this is the end result

New Semester

I have started my new semester here at SIT. It's gonna be real intense for the last half of the year. I have classes like Business and Legal Studies, Media Culture, Practical Filming and Web and Graphic Design.

Aside from the workload, I was also hit with a Viral Flu which took a lot out of me.

Looking at my diary shocks me at the moment with all the assignments I have due. I have a 30s TV Commercial Due in 2 weeks, A poster, A Website, 3000 word essay etc. But the good thing is, I am staying organised and keeping up with the work load.

I got some more exam results as well. I got 55% for my script, which I have to disagree with, but its still a pass and I learnt some valuable skills out of it. I got a D- for my film for the editing side of it, and I know why. When it was edited, all the shots were in order and there was nothing missing. But when I rendered it to CD, heaps of shots got cut out or cut short and I couldnt change it at the time because we had to hand it in. I just have the final exam to do for BDM105 Editing and then I will recieve my marks.

The image posted above this is what I did in the first Web and Graphic Design Lesson. I knew my photoshop skills would come in handy at some point during the course of my degree.

I'll post again in a few days

~Sam xxx

Exams a Coming

Well its been a busy week down here in the deep south. For the last few days we have been getting a wealth of information regarding exams. The first one in fact is next tuesday. And its the most boring subject imaginable...COMMUNICATIONS.

The good thing is though, that the manager of the Grand has converted a room into an absolutely fantastic study area with a long table so you can spread your stuff out and a computer that ties into the SIT network was installed a couple of weeks ago so things are looking up.

The downside of Last Week was one of my best friends (we shared a corridor to ourselves) left the Grand with SIT backing. She wasn't coping with the noise at all hours and during the week. There are times even I feel like losing it like she did. But, i should be strong and know that no matter how bad it is in the Grand, things could get worse.

I'm planning on making a trip to the Bay sometime in the near future, so I can let you all know how i'm going, and what i'm doing.

Brett says "Hi!"

~Sam

I write this post from my sickbed more or less. This past week i've been knocked back by a pretty heavy cold. It hasn't been pleasent. I guess its more or less due to the fact that winter (one of nvercargill's 2 seasons) is approaching fast. The good thing is that i'm not the only one affected. Quite a few people at the Grand are falling ill.

On a differen subject, i've started doing something quite alarming...don't panic, its nothing bad...well depends how you take it really. I have only been in the deep south since february, so thats like only 4 months right? Well I have started to roll my "r's" especially in "Nurse", "Burger", "Work".

I apologise that this post lacks substance, but i've been so run down, i'm finding it hard to actually type this post.

Posted below is a poem I wrote during the families "Secret Beach" Holiday with Kurt and Hine

Until I write again,

~Sam

Mahinepua Bay
----------------------------------------------------

Jagged grey rocks line the bay
The waves crash into the shore
In an uncaring embrace //
//
The afternoon mist
A whirling maelstrom of fog
Blankets the landscape in shimmering moisture //
//
The late sun sets low in the sky
The fog retreats and
The land is tinted gold //
//
The crashing waves echo
Penetrating the quite night air
As the world lays down to sleep //
//

My Oh My

Long time no write,

I finally (at long last) remembered my user details for my blog. That made me so super happy so now I am able to fill you in on whats been happening for the past few months.

FEB 08
==============
I finished work early in February and got all my stuff together like packing and booking tickets etc for my departure from Hanaia to the Deep South. I left on a very fresh early morning from Rotorua. Once I landed in Invercargill, I was picked up by Ryan and his mum and taken to the Grand Hall which is to be my home for the year. A week later O Week started and I am pretty sure SIT is the only Uni in the country that has classes run at the same time as O Week. I have made some awesome friends, Jaz, Vinnie, Tasha, Cilla, Amanda, Laura, Matt, Ben and a whole heap more. I feel I am coping quite well living so far from home but...I miss you my family.

MAR 08
==============
March signalled the end of mine and Ryan's relationship. I will not go into details here because they are rather painful to recollect, but for every end there is a new beginning. I have met the most wonderful guy by the name of Brett. Before he even talked to me, he first contacted me on Bebo and we chatted and exchanged cellphone numbers. The day before he officially met me, I was waiting for Communications Studies (A class I take with brett) to start. He walked in and saw me leaning against the wall, He turned bright red and looked at his feet before leaving the foyer for a few minutes. ***SO CUTE***. We eventually got to know eachother and I met his parents who are lovely people. And for a weekend he took me on a Roadtrip to Roxburgh, an integral part of In My Fathers Den (A New Zealand Film). I find it funny that I am able to find film references in just about all I talk about.

APR 08
===============
April was finally surgery time. I was in Hospital for a week following the actual procedure then I spent a further two weeks in Opotiki before leaving for Invercargill again. I fell a wee bit behind with my assignments but got every single one of them up to date and handed in with a copy of my doctors note.

The Grand is, at the moment, turning into a real unpleasent place to live and study. I will blog about the goings on in the Grand in a later post, I don't want to give you too much to read

Until next post

Sam xxx

My Daemon

My Daemon
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

In light of the release of the New Line Cinema production The Golden Compass here in New Zealand, I thought it proper to post the image of my Daemon generated for me.

Busy

I have been so busy these last couple of weeks. My boss has had me doing hellish hours at work again. I just finished doing eight (8) night shifts in the kitchen and on the forecourt. I only had a couple of days off then I started back again doing day day shifts on the forecourt and now another five night shifts in the kitchen. I guess I can't complain too much because the pays pretty good. Got some holiday wages and I have worked almost every stat day, so my pay packets have been fabulous. All the more money to help make ends meet when I leave.

Stay tuned for a little side project of mine that will be posted in the sidebar. Details to come later.