The New York Times says Come to Christchurch, New Zealand!

Photographs by Stephen Trinder : http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephentrinder/

The Segway isn’t dead

http://mashable.com/2013/11/17/segway-polo/

A Segway tour of Christchurch, N.Z. : http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g255118-d1985836-Reviews-Christchurch_Segway_Tours-Christchurch_Canterbury_Region_South_Island.html

Oh exquisite Fish’n’Chips, are you the best in the world?

I love fish’n’chips, so much so that it’s my Death Row meal. If I have to die then let it be after one last paper-wrapped feast of deep fried heaven. Fish of the day and half a scoop, no need to be greedy, all a man or a lady needs especially so if it’s by the sea.
Last night was one such night, sitting on the sea wall in Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand. A balmy late Spring evening, expectant seagulls gathering for the glorious unwrapping and wow, Burger Stop delivers once again. The chips are crisp, dry and just the right size, like childrens’ building blocks only made of potato.
The fish oh the fish, bright white elephant meat, firm filling for crisp golden batter worthy of the colours in any picture postcard sunset. All for $5.20 (NZ).
What can I say? Is there any point going anywhere else, are these the best fish’n’chips in the world? There’s a place on Bower Avenue where the lady sings what sounds like Chinese Opera in the most beautiful voice, a shop in Kaikoura that should have Michelin Stars for it’s Blue Cod Bites, and a lovely wee place in Hokitika, the setting for Booker Man prizewinner Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries.
I grew up eating fish’n’chips, I’ve had them on Brighton Pier, they used to be wrapped in newspaper, I’ve tried a lot around the world but I’m sure the greatest are here.
German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (Mies van der Roe?) is credited as coining the phrase “God is in the details” and at Burger Stop (36 Nayland Street, Sumner) you will find God in a last, subtle, almost unnoticeable touch, just after the wrapping and prior to the presentation to the customer. It is a nick with a knife in the paper, letting out a little of the heat, but really I think it’s for the incredible smell to get you there faster for your tea by the sea.

Kiwi Bloke Style

http://lifestyle.msn.co.nz/nzmenslifestyle/latestnews/8563617/kiwiest-kiwi-bloke-named
http://www.nzblokes.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/nzblokes
Very funny blog : http://bofh.ntk.net/bio.php
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10858783
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2010/08/unaccustomed-as-i-am-why-most-kiwi-blokes-cant-string-two-words-together/
An Academic Research Essay : http://researcharchive.wintec.ac.nz/217/

How will you change the world?

End of year graffiti walls at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Murals by third year Fine Arts students have started popping up on some of the construction hoardings around the Registry building. The painting is by Emma Tuohy and Cameron Ralston; the front of the building features a vinyl design by Kelsey O’Hagan. Thanks to Hawkins Construction, Deco NZ Ltd and Computaleta Christchurch for supporting the students and supplying materials. Hopefully you’ll see more of this popping up around campus soon!
(photos : Stephen Trinder)

Being Cultural

http://www.pearsoned.co.nz/product/product-details/?isbn=9781442547698
Includes chapters on :
Gender, Popular Culture and Postfeminism
Pakeha Identity and Material Culture
Celebrity
Reality Television
Facebook
The Sociology of Videogames

Don’t get stoned and drive

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/new-zealands-dont-get-stoned-and-drive-ads-are-curious-funny-and-charming-152470

Foundation Studies students in Christchurch, New Zealand

A stroll by the stream to celebrate the start of Spring.

Spring is like a perhaps hand

Friday August 16th is National Poetry Day in New Zealand. The poem by e.e.cummings seems appropriate for the air of possibility both at the University of Canterbury and in Christchurch City itself (being rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes).
Photo by Stephen Trinder

Bazinga NZ !

Bazinga!

University of Canterbury Bridging Programmes staff have always had their work cut out for them but life got a little easier today with the arrival of Dr. Sheldon Cooper and his colleagues from Caltech.
Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj and Penny are visiting UC to observe the CUP and Foundation Studies programmes in action
and when they’re not bickering about who’s best at their own research you‘ll be able to catch up with them in Room KE02.