Some Kiwi just phoned wanting my wife...

[Taffy]

And the crowd goes wild!

Great song Jon, I'm sure she'll love it. Ok, maybe not, but it will at least break the tension for you.

[Glenda]

Love the song! Good luck with the MIL ... it is difficult when you don't quite know how they react. She might surprise you!


Back to the Auckland/Hamilton debate, I must say that I like Auckland but it probably helps that I lived there for four years in the 70's/80's and have a good idea where I am. Now, I find it is just a good place to visit rather than live. Have only been to Hamilton twice and, once you get away from the industrial/motel accommodation area I found it very pleasant.

To give an example of what the rest of NZ thinks of Auckland, I paste below an email I was forwarded after the recent storm.

The major storm that hit the North Shore this week left residents reeling in its wake. Strong winds cut power to a number of areas, leaving householders baffled. One man was seen carrying his plasma screen up the street looking for somewhere to plug it in.

Others suffered horrific losses. "I've driven from Milford to Rothesey Bay and I can't find a soy latte anywhere," sobbed a distraught woman.

Phone lines to landscape gardeners were clogged by anxious callers needing immediate assistance. "My Pacific fusion courtyard has been filled with my neighbour's California succulents - what should I do?" Property owners are being advised to stay calm and read landscaping magazines until help arrives.

The storm damage has left some residents philosophical. 'It was about time I changed my garden art," said one Devonport man. 'With my insurance payout I'll be able to get the very latest in limestone
geometric figures while my neighbours are still stuck with their out-dated stainless steel sculptures. It's an ill wind, eh?"

Many drivers are finding their 4 wheel drive vehicles invaluable in the trying conditions. One man admitted he had driven right over workers clearing fallen trees from the road and had hardly felt a thing.

Rescue organisations have been quick to respond to the disaster. A Starbucks tanker is calling on housebound residents, and catering companies are rushing spit-roasting equipment to the area to provide
hot venison paninis for those in need. Mobile cell-phone charging trucks will be on hand over the next few days until full power is restored.

Those outside Auckland who wish to help are encouraged to send gift vouchers for Hermes or Louis Vuitton, to speed the healing process through retail therapy. Or you can phone 0900 SHORETORISE to make a
tax-deductible $500 donation. Please - these people need help. Really.

[Welshgirl]

[selchie]

Thanks for the giggle, Glenda. It sounds like Auks is viewed by the rest of NZ like LA is to the rest of California. Better air quality in Auks, though.

Hamilton sounds big to me. It has more people than our entire county (more than 100x50 miles square). But I'll keep my mind open about it, considering I liked Welly just fine.

Jon - you might want to wear a flak jacket and combat helmet when you sing your very fine song to the MIL. She might explode. Of course, that would simplify things, wouldn't it? I hope your wife feels better soon - hugs to her

[Banjo.Jon]

Well, they phoned last night but we only spoke to the Auckland agent who was not so keen to speak to us when we said we did not want to move there. The agent that deals with other areas will contact us other e-mail over the next few days so we shall see what happens. Think if we had liked Auckland they would have bitten our right arm off to get us out there.

[ebianca]

Fingers crossed that they come up with something then Jon. Just out of interest what does your OH do for a job?

[zummerzet_lou]

Banjo Jons wife here

Bit disappointed by the phone call last night, but not really too surprised.

to anser ebianca question .... I'm a software engineer ... have done loads of C++, but also do quite a lof of embedded stuff (low level programming of the processors etc) which appears to be quite in demand :-)

Lou

[ebianca]

Hi

Know what you mean about dissapointment. My OH had a NZ company call him a few months back interested in him and then never heard anything again- weren't too bothered though as we weren't ready to go anyway- still got to sell the house.

Was asking about job as my OH is in IT but in Management/Project Management. We too had discounted Auckland- think we are heading for Wellington for job prospects and obviously it is no where near the size of Aukland.
We have two girls age 4 (in 2weeks) and 18months so in same situation as you really in choosing the right placew to go to.

Anyway hope you manage to get some leads from the agent.

Beth

[Taffy]

Aww Lou, I could have done with you for a project a few months back!

There's a heap of developers jobs around, check out these bad boys in Hamilton: SEEK IT - Job Search. Find IT jobs using multiple job search options.

[Banjo.Jon]

If any thing goes wrong with the things. I fix them. Lu and I make quite the IT team!! Can get a bit nerdy though sometimes in our house.