Tuesday, February 28, 2006

I am Monet!



Except I am not dead, not European and can't paint to save my own life let alone anyone else's...

San Nakji for President!

A Bird in the Sky Flies Faster than a Bush



Red sky in the morning... damn, rain is coming!

San Nakji for President!

Blog Schmlog

I really have nothing to say. This may come as no surprise to anyone who has perused this blog before, but it's true I tells ya!

I try to post once a day at least during the week, even if that is only a photo or something. Since I am learning all the ins and outs of photoshop elements this week, photos are in development. I am pretty happy with life, so no complaints there... All in all, nothing to say!

So, this is the third paragraph of nothing. Not doing too badly. Daylight saving finishes here in just three weeks. This really marks the end of Summer. I have really enjoyed it this year and I will be sad to see it go. Even though Summer and Winter are equally long, why does Winter always seem to take longer? Easter is coming up. I have always liked Easter. I love hot cross buns and I love Easter eggs! I know there is a whole Christian thing there as well, but as you know, that's not for me. Another cool thing about Easter is that on Good Friday and Easter Sunday no TV station is allowed to show ads! Thanks for Easter Christians!

And now for paragraph 4.

San Nakji for President!

Sunday, February 26, 2006

We were already there!



Two little known facts about the moon.

1) New Zealand was already there when Armstrong arrived

2) The air is perfectly breathable...

San Nakji for President!

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Guy at Football



The world must be warned! San Nakji now has Photoshop... Armageddon is near...

San Nakji for President!

Monster!



This beast was snapped in San Nakji's very own neighbourhood. Monsters have now been seen in Korea and Aotearoa... I urge people to remain calm, but vigilant!

San Nakji for President!

Something about this Photo



I just really like it. I think it's just so natural. And on an angle which is always good!

San Nakji for President!

Friday, February 24, 2006

Crappest Flag in the World



Ladies and Gents. Above is the New Zealand flag, this photo taken at the football match last night. It sucks. It is boring and as a kid it was hard to draw. The worst thing however is it looks very much like this flag...



Say hello to the Australian flag. At sporting events, if it isn't blowing a gale, then I have no idea who the hell is who. Although the fact that Australia may have the worst national colours in the world, does help! I speak of yellowy orange and green. (They will tell you it is gold, don't believe them!)

This flag isn't much different...



This is the flag of the Cook Islands. I like them, so they can keep the flag.

There is a lot of debate going on here about flags. Older people tend to want to keep the flag as something they fought for (yawn). Any one with a clue knows that our flag is so yesterday. Here is a suggestion for a new flag that I am quite keen on.



The country I live in may be a god forsaken back water, but it is so cool that our national colour is black!

San Nakji for President!

Photo Friday - Baby



This week's theme is Baby. Here is our local baby looking happy for the camera.

San Nakji for President!

Weekly Animal Pic - Penguin



I just really like penguins!

On a side note, they just found a fossil here in Aotearoa of a penguin which was 1.5m tall ( about 5 feet for you Yanks). That's one hell of a penguin!

San Nakji for President!

Bye Sun!



I was out watching NZ beat Malaysia in a football friendly last night. Snapped a few photos of the game, but this sunset one was my favourite.

San Nakji for President!

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Loch Han Monster - Proof!

These two photos taken by Space Nakji show conclusive proof that the Loch Han Monster (name copyright Sannakji.org 2006) exists! I think there can be no more arguments on this matter.





May I say how lucky Space was to snap this ellusive beast. And to do so without even trying. Well, it just drives me wild! I have been trying for years!

San Nakji for President!

Yellow Bird

Yellow Bird, up high in banana tree
Yellow Bird, you sit all alone like me
Did your lady friend leave the nest again
That is very sad
Makes me feel so bad
You can fly away
In the sky today
You're more lucky than me!

San Nakji for President!

Purple



San Nakji for President!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Mundane and Exotic

San Nakji is so lazy with his posts these days. I am so into this photography thing that rather than string a few words together, I just seem to post photos. I hope at least some of you like them, but I would like to every once and a while say a few things.
I read quite a few blogs. I read every one that is on my links list and a few more which I choose not to link to as I don't feel they quite meet my standards yet. There are a couple that do meet my 'standards', but I am too lazy to add them. Sorry!
Anyway, my point... It is amazing that while so many people talk about mundane things, their lives, their jobs, their interests, whatever; I am fascinated by it all. While these things may be everyday mundane trials and tribulations, I feel like I am looking into another exotic world.
My friend Deepa, who has a funky eye by the way, lives in India. To start with, that is quite exotic to most. Although there are probably 1 billion people at least for whom India is just where they live. I love reading what she gets up to over there, she is very proud of her country, and while there are many thing quite foreign to me, there are also things there which sound just like home. One thing amazing to me is that she has snakes in her house! Being from a country where there are no snakes (us and Ireland!), most Kiwis wouldn't really be scared of them. I would love to see a snake slithering in my garden, what a great photo that would make!, but the most exotic thing in my garden is our local hedgehog.
I learn things from others. Ori runs her own business. I couldn't even imagine how to go about it, but she does it. While it may seem stressful and tiring to her. It interests the hell out of me. To top it off, she lives in a town called El Paso, a place I only knew for the Mexican food products Old El Paso, but that I know so much more thanks to her. She is also an awesome friend ;o)
I have read great writers, Space Nakji, Gasoline Hobo write in a way I could never even think of emulating. Great drawers, Minty and Brotha Buck, where else could I hope to meet all these talented people?
This is what I love about blogging. It is a great community of people who's only common point is the fact that they blog. The more you blog, the more you are true to who you really are. I feel that there is honesty there which no matter how you try to hide, will always come out in the end.
I love that I have met people from all over the world. Different languages, religions and sexualities. Basically I just love the blog world!
This is not really one of those posts where I list every blog I go to. Please don't feel upset if I missed you. This is just me gushing about blogging and how much I enjoy writing / posting photos myself, but more than that enjoy reading all your blogs.
How upbeat am I tonight huh?

San Nakji for President!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

What the Hell?



This was taken from the deck of one of my older relatives' house. I wasn't happy with the original colours, so just messed around with them. I am not sure whether the resulting effect is good bad or indifferent...

San Nakji for President!

Dawn in Aotearoa



When I saw the sun through the tree in our front garden, I wanted every reader of San Nakji's World to see it. However the camera never truly shows you what I want you to see. I hope this gives you some kind of idea... Another hot day coming here in Aotearoa.

San Nakji for President!

Sunday, February 19, 2006

No Washing Here



San Nakji for President!

Mantis Alert



I do love the Mantis, the most religious of all insects. They are always ready to take you on, even though the size difference is huge. You have to respect a female who eats the head of her own mate... or do you?

San Nakji for President!

Who Gives a Fig?



Every year I wait for my figs to get ripe. Not knowing when that is, they fall on the ground rotten. I have heard figs are really yummy and I am desparate to try some. Does anyone know when a fig is ripe?

(Yes San Nakji has been let loose in his garden with the Dika...)

San Nakji for President!

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Feijoa



It is almost Feijoa season here in Aotearoa. It is by far my favourite time of year as I just love Feijoas so. What are Feijoas? Well, click here for a quick overview, I will wait...

For some reason, even though Feijoas are from South America, they have become the national fruit of New Zealand. You can find them in jam, pies, ice cream and sofr drink, even wine! The best thing about Feijoas is that pretty much everyone knows someone who has a bunch of tree in their back yard and will give you all the free fruit you can eat!

Move over Kiwi Fruit, we need you not. Our nation has the Feijoa and we love it!



San Nakji for President!

How Mintyesque of San Nakji!

So first it was Minty. He is a great drawer and puts the rest of us to shame. Of couse, Brotha Buck does it old school. Then Space Nakji feels she needs to get in on the act. Now here is my attempt. The best way to see it properly is to click on it and then do some zooming. Hope you like it. It will almost certainly be my last attempt!

Oh yeah, due to my scanner not working with my Mac, I had to photograph this...



San Nakji for President!

Friday, February 17, 2006

Weekly Animal Pic - Red Panda



I really think the Red Panda doesn't get the press she deserves due to the all over powering influence of that other mildly known panda. I think the Red Panda is way more interesting.

Years ago, I went to Japan and one of the things I was most looking forward to was seeing the giant panda at Ueno zoon in Tokyo. When I finally got to see the beast, I was most disappointed. The whole time I looked at him he didn't wake up once. All I saw was a pile of fur. To be frank (or Jim if you prefer) it was a sucky experience.

Now, Red Pandas are always up and about. They are very social animals and to top it all off, they are halluva cute! That is way high on my priority list I tells ya!

San Nakji for President!

Pooch in Trees



I call this "Pooch in Trees". It seems I take endless photos of the same place, but hell, I like my park!

San Nakji for President!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Swan Lake (without the annoying ballet bit!)



This is Lake Tarawera near Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty. Shrowded in mist behind the lake is Mt Tarawera. In 1886 the moutain erupted destroying covering large parts of the country with ash. Worse still is that the so-called eighth wonder of the world, the Pink and White Terraces were destroyed. This eruption was fortold on this lake with the sighting of a phantom canoe or Waka Wairua, which elders of the local Maori tribe, Te Wairoa, insisted was a portent of doom.

When I went, I saw no portent of doom nor eruption. The swan on the right however, looked a tad shifty.

San Nakji for President!

Lovely Poems of Love

1. Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss
But I only slept with you, because I was pissed.

2. Thought that I could love no other
Until, that is, I met your brother.

3. Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl's empty and so is your head.

4. Of loving beauty you float with grace
If only you could hide your face.

5. Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
This describes everything you are not.

6. I want to feel your sweet embrace
But please don't take that paper bag off your face.

7. I love your smile, your face, and your eyes -
Damn, I'm good at telling lies!

8. My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you sure screwed up my life.

9. I see your face when I am dreaming.
That's why I always wake up screaming.

10. My love, you take my breath away
What have you stepped in to smell this way.

11. My feelings for you no words can tell,
Except for maybe "go to hell".

12. What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.

San Nakji for President!

To Bee or Not to Bee



It's not often that we see a bee where San Nakji lives, so I took this photo for future generations. The problem with a bee compared to a bumblebee is that they tend to move much faster meaning that I mostly get blur... Is it just me, or does staring at the flower for a while mess you up?

San Nakji for President!

San Nakji's Pooch Needs a Haircut (and a real job!)



San Nakji for President!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Steaming Land


Aotearoa is often known as the Shakey Isles. It is a well deserved name as virtually the whole country in on a fault line. In our capital, Wellington, it is not unknown to have at least one earthquake a day. Nothing major, yet, but you never know!
One of the most popular tourist spots in Aotearoa is a place called Rotorua. There you can see what lies beneath the earth. Boiling water, mud and steam abound as does the rather overpowering smell of sulphur. It is a great place to visit, Mother Nature is well in command there and she wants you to know it!

San Nakji for President!

Monday, February 13, 2006

UFOs

Is it only me I wonder? Whenever I am out at night, usually walking San Nakji's pooch, I often look up into the sky. I live in a neighbourhood where the surrounding hills block out the light pollution from the city and so they sky and stars are quite bright. Sometimes I notice a bright moving light in the sky. For a few moments I hope that I am looking at a UFO. For those few moments the hope is there that I am lucky enough to be seeing something truly amazing. This hope lasts until I hear that familiar buzzing sound and see the blinking red lights. Yes, just another plane. Although I know that it is less than likely I am going to see a UFO in the sky, I never let that knowledge interfere with me imagining the aliens flying over Auckland and landing in my backyard. I would of course offer to cook them a BBQ, which would be the nice Kiwi thing to do. Hopefully they would then offer me a lift back to their planet so I could check that out. Ideally, this wouldn't be a one way trip, but I am sure we could negotiate.
When I was younger, I once convinced my mum (mom in American) to drive along the banks of the Loch Ness so that I could watch intently for the Monster. I convinced myself that I would be the one to find Nessie and probably tame her. Unfortunately childish dreams were not enough...
One thing I would never want to see is a ghost. They creep the hell out of me. When I was a kid I had three books in an Usborne Book series. There was the UFO book (awesome!), the Monster book (less believable) and then the ghost book. I looked at the ghost book once. There is a page in it where there is a grainy (why are there never any decent photos of the supernatural?) photo of a couple in a car. In the back there is someone else. The problem is that there was no on in the back of the car! After seeing this photo I closed the book and put it back on the bookshelf. I couldn't sleep that night as I was sure the ghost would come out of the book. I got the book and put it into storage far away from my room. I may still have it somewhere, but I will never again open it!
I don't have this problem with UFOs of course. I have faith that when aliens finally come here they will not be like those human eating Aliens. They will not be War of the Worlds aliens. They will almost certainly be ET like or maybe Vulcan like. The will be our friends and if there is a hot alien chick, then excuse me Mrs San Nakji, but this is for cross planetary friendship!

San Nakji for President!

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Is the Moon Full Where You Are?



I always wonder that...

San Nakji for President!

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Bumble Bee



I am quite proud of this photo. I have to say that insects make the best subjects!

Bumble Bees have always fascinated me. They are such placid creatures. If you aren't too squeemish, then I recommend trying to stroke one on the back. They don't seem to mind a bit!

In Aotearoa at the moment Bumble Bees have taken on a monumental task. The are trying to shoulder the job of the common honey bee. Wild bees in the North Island (Te Ika o Maui) of Aotearoa have been almost wiped out by a vicious critter called the veroa mite which invades hives and kills all the bees. It is so sad to be at the height of summer and yet hardly ever see a bee. Bumble Bees have had to get out there in their droves and make sure all the flowers are being attended to!

An interesting fact about Bumble Bees. Scientific studies have conluded that due to the sructure of the Bumble Bee's wings, it should be impossible for them to fly forward, yet the manage it. Weird huh?

San Nakji for President!

Weekly Animal Pic - Dung Beetle



I am a day out from my usual posting. Completely forgot about my weekly animal pic. How could I do that? I mean really...

Anyway. Bugs, insects, arachnids, whatever you want to call them, I reckon they are amazing. One of the most amazing is the Dung Beetle. They collect the refuse of other animals and make a huge ball out of it. This they travel with by pushing it along in front of them. You have to admire these creatures for their perserverance. There is a lesson there for us, but I am not quite sure what it is... Something about a big pile of sh*t perhaps?

San Nakji for President!

Friday, February 10, 2006

Desktop Challenge



Ashley, who wants to dance with Shah Rukh Khan, posted a photo of her work station and asked others if they would do also. It is kind of a tag I guess. Correct me if I am wrong Ashley, but is the idea that people try to figure out what I do by looking at my desk?

This is San Nakji's desk. Yes, San Nakji has two computers. What do you think I do? If you know, please tell me as I just spend my days blogging... There must be a reason my company keeps paying the bills!

I tag everyone. I would love to see where you work or live. If you have a digital camera, or dika in Korean (great new word, slip it in in conversation!), please post some shots on your blog!

San Nakji for President!

Note to Gasoline Hobo



Gasoline Hobo has tagged me in vengence for me tagging Space Nakji who tagged him... Yes, it is all very petty, but that is him ;o).
I am currently discussing answers with Paul Hogan and hope to post soon. GH, have patience, it may or may not be worth it!

San Nakji for President!

Photo Friday - Disguise



This week's theme is Disguise. The photo above is one I published earlier... I have 'disguised' it!

Hoping for an easier theme next week!

San Nakji for President!

San Nakji's Shop


In the spirit of Macro and Seoul Brother, San Nakji has opened his own shop. I am sure that you all want to own a piece of San Nakji memorabilia! Therefore I offer it almost at cost. All proceeds to go to charity!

www.cafepress.com/sannakji

San Nakji for President!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Yoda Needs a Shave!



**NOT SAN NAKJI'S POOCH!!!** Please don't hate! ;-)

San Nakji for President!

Go Go Fundis!

It's not often I am with the evangelicals, well never. But some of them have seemed to have snapped out of their fatalistic mind set and may actually want to sort out the world! Amazing...

A group of 86 evangelical Christians began a campaign Wednesday that links their faith with an attempt to fight global warming.


The leaders, who face opposition from some conservative evangelicals, want the U.S. government to pass legislation requiring the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

The group said Christians, and the U.S. government, have a responsibility to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere like a greenhouse. Many scientists believe these gases have intensified recent hurricanes, heat waves, disease outbreaks and droughts.

Evangelicals are an important part of the Republican Party, and while the group has begun talks with several Republican lawmakers, they say they have not discussed the matter with President Bush.

The president, who is strongly religious, opposes the Kyoto climate-change accord on the grounds it would damage the economy and does not require developing countries to also make cuts. The United States is responsible for a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases.

The group's call for political action will be backed by advertisements in The New York Times and other publications, and by television and radio commercials.

"We want to engage Americans," said Rev. Jim Ball, the publisher of Creation Care magazine. "We feel that as evangelical leaders our responsibility here is in the United States."

The Rev. Leith Anderson, a former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said the group's effort marked an important change in the evangelical community, where many are realizing that some issues, such as global warming, AIDS and other humanitarian crises, need strong government involvement. That notion runs counter to the views of certain conservatives.

"We're acknowledging the fact that our government has to take action," Anderson said.

The group's efforts have sparked criticism by other evangelicals, some of whom question the scientific evidence on global warming.

During Wednesday's news conference, a reporter asked how the group planned to persuade those evangelicals who believe the earth is merely thousands of years old to believe scientists who say global warming is a real phenomenon and made worse by humans.

Paul de Vries of the New York Divinity School answered that, "However old a person may believe the Earth is, all of us believe that it was made and it was good. Therefore, whatever we have done with it has been messing up God's creation, and we have a responsibility."

San Nakji for President!

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Without Reason



There is no reason for this photo. I just like the colour. No apologies offered!

San Nakji for President!

For Her Family



The last known photo of Ms Moz Quito who felt the need to suck the precious O- blood of Mr San Nakji. As to what happened to her after this photo was taken... Well, the only witness was Mr Right Handcrashingdown, and he's not talking...

San Nakji for President!

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Too Damn Early



This morning I was making my way to the bus. Being as early as it was I was lucky (?) enough to see the sun rise... Here is my shot of Auckland city way off in the distance... That's where the bus would soon take me. Fun huh? Well, maybe not...

San Nakji for President!

Taggety Tag Tag Duh Tag

A tag from Friar Tuck. Haven't done this in a while...

Four Jobs I've Had:
1. University Tutor in Korean
2. Headhunter
3. Interpreter
4. My current secret job

Four Movies I Watch Over and Over Again:
1. Karate Kid 1 & 2
2. Love, Acutally
3. The Castle
4. The Princess Bride

Four Places I've Lived:
1. Nara, Japan
2. Rarotonga, Cook Islands
3. Seoul, Republic of Korea
4. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Four TV Shows I Watch:
1. Lost
2. Extras
3. Survivor
4. CSI Las Vegas

Four Places I've Vacationed:
1. Greece
2. Vanuatu
3. United Kingdom
4. South Africa

Four Websites I visit daily:
1. My Blog Role - all of them!
2. BBC News
3. IMDB.com
4. google.co.nz


Four of My Favorite Foods:
1. Ice Cream
2. Caramel Popcorn
3. Samgyeobsal / Bacon
4. Crocodile

Four Places I'd like to be right now:
1. Nafplio, Greece
2. In Power
3. Aitutaki, Cook Islands
4. Seoul, Korea

Six Folks Now Tagged With This Meme (the last six commenters):
1. Ori
2. KS
3. Brotha Buck - If you do such things?
4. Fahd
5. Cool Buddha
6. Tim

It seems the limit is six. Friar made the rules, so I will stick to them. If you would like to be tagged also, please let me know and I will mention your name so you can be famous and be selected especially from the millions of San Nakji's World readers.

**Update!!** Space Nakji is now tagged!

San Nakji for President!

Back (and Front)

Yes, San Nakji is back from his short break. Yesterday (Monday) was New Zealand national day, called Waitangi Day, and so was a nice holiday. Beautiful weather meant that the San Nakji family went to the beach and San Nakji did not feel like looking at a computer. I did however watch the Superbowl. Was it just me or did Stevie Wonder sing "Shame Bush"? Maybe it was just me... Would have been funny though. Of course the wrong team one, but they were robbed! Offensive pass interference? You must be kidding! Touchdown run to the Steelers? He was tackled short... Oh well, maybe next year Seahawk fans, if you can get past the might of the San Diego Chargers, oh yes!
San Nakji has one piece of advice for you on this Tuesday morning. Don't see Memoirs of a Geisha. Apparently everyone in the world knew this except for me... It is definitely the worst movie of the year and the year hasn't yet started! Never have I been so bored by a film. Well, maybe not since XXX or Rollerball.

San Nakji for President!

Friday, February 03, 2006

Weekly Animal Pic - Siamang



This weeks pic is a Siamang. Siamang come from Sumatra and parts of Borneo. They are of course endangered, like everything else in that part of the world. There is a family of Siamang at our local zoo. They are great climbers and even greater howlers! Great to watch for hours.

San Nakji for President!

Photo Friday - Vanity



This week's theme for Photo Friday is 'Vanity'. I was struggling with this one as I don't like to post photos of people. It has just occurred to me that people who paint their names on walls all over the place must have certain sense of vanity. They think highly enough of themselves that they expect us all to know who AKA or whoever is...

I adjusted the colours a bit to make this photo stick out more. Not entirely happy with it, but have to do it for today!

San Nakji for President!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Our Local Hedgehog



Everyone should have one. A local hedgehog!

As I was posting my cicada skin photo, San Nakji's Pooch started barking outside. I went to see what he was up to and there was our local hedgehog come for a visit. He wasn't too pleased with the Pooch wasn't that keen for photos.

I love hedgehogs, but they aren't good for our native bird the Kiwi as they evict our Kiwis from their nests leaving them to be eaten by cats and ferrets. That's not cool!

San Nakji for President!

Cicada Continues



Further to my last post (not the sad army song, my actual post before this one), Ruby Slipper Lady mentioned how she had fun with the skins of the cicada grubs that you can find all over trees and fences in the summer. I found this one on my daily walk of San Nakji's Pooch. When I was a kid, all those years ago, I used to see how many I could collect. Thank goodness kids have Playstation now!

San Nakji for President!