Hello Y'aall ,
Here we are another episode of Mike in Portland. In this exciting episode we review the past few weeks and everything that has gone on. THe highlights today come under the following headings ... My Birthday , Rugby in Portland, Ice Skating Debut, The Doug Emery Jazz Band, Full Monty Audition the NAPTAS and The POA hot off the press.
The peak has almost been met ... My birthday
If you don't know already I have reached the dizzy heights of a 29. One more year to add to my already wonderful life. My birthday was a fantastic day filled with excitement. Merin and I decided to celebrate my birthday on the 18th in the USA ( which is the 19th in New Zealand) so it still counts. It came in handy because my actual birthday was on the Monday here which meant Merin had to work and couldn't be with me. I was such a lucky boy Merin made a beautiful cake, she got me an Ipod and a electric shaver a fantastic present and took me out to dinner for a surprise type birthday with our friends at a local Mexican place called Margaritas, Hmmmm after 6 margaritas I was VERY happy and could not really play my first game of pub darts with much accuracy .A fantastic day altogether , Thank you so much Merin I love you.
As well as a wonderful day with Merin , I received so many wonderful Birthday wishes from you at home ! To all of you who sent me their love thank you so much it really made me feel closer to home and to your hearts.
Rugby in Portland
I went to the first training with the Portland Rugby Club. I was impressed with the organisation and determination the guys have to getting fit for the season. I myself was not accustomed to an hour long session after training for only forty minutes at a time in the gym. The session consisted of circuit training in the gym and part of it was hitting practice and driving. It was really fun ! The session was great and I was introduced to the guys by the captain.Now that I have finally recovered from last weeks session I am ready for tonight session.
Merin found a really cool website http://www.mediazone.com/channel/rugby/jsp/2006/index.jsp that has coverage of the Rugby World cup and Tri nations this year LIVE !!!!! you can pay $7:00 per game , so its really good. As well as getting the coverage you can plug in into your regular T.V so that you are watching it full size. Next thing is to find a av cable that 20 feet , Hey dad you got any in the blue room you could ship over ? ;).
Ice Skating Debut in the USA
My Ice Skating Debut was really great. Merin and I went down to the local city pond "Deering Oaks" and I tied up the skates. Merin was really great she helped me onto the ice and went through the basics. I bumbled around for a long time and then I finally got it. It was fantastic ! The only thing I would rather not have had was the aching Feet and chins that I experienced ! The best thing for me was that I didn't fall over until the very end when I was walking off the ice in front of a whole bunch of little kids , THAT was so funny. So now I know the basics I want to get out on the ice as much as I can.
The Doug Emery Jazz Band
This Saturday , The jazz band recorded our CD for the clubs. It was really cool. We set up in the drummers kitchen. The sound guy we were working with was working from a DAT deck " Old School " he called it. After about an hour of waiting for the Bassist and about 6 joints ( I was not participating ) we got started. The sound we were putting out was really good. I listened to the recording at the end and was quite impressed for a kitchen recording. So this week the sound guy will be putting it on CD and then we will be publishing it on the bands MYSPACE. So I will let you all know when that's going on to MYSPACE.Now that we have something to give to the club owners we hope to be gigging very soon.
FULL MONTY audition
I was recently inspired by my family members Colleen and Tracy Lee Tuki who both auditioned for their first stage show. Once hearing about them giving theater ago I was buzzing and looked for a show to audition for. I was lucky enough to find something I would have fun doing, yes taking my clothes off , THE FULL MONTY. So I went to the audition and had a lot of fun.Over the weekend 50 men auditioned for the 6 main roles The director enjoyed my singing and said that I have a real talent . I was fortunate to be offered a small part but Merin and I decided that for a small part all the time away from each other would not be worth it. So it was exciting and now I know that I have things to work on for my next audition :)
The NAPTAS Northern Area Performance Theater Awards
I have heard that the NAPTAS were a fantastic event this year and that two of my closest friends Mellisa Nordhaus and Jason Te Mete were awarded for their hard work and commitment over the season of RENT 2006. Jason thanks for mentioning me in your speech it means a lot to me.
Well done guys , I wish I was there to cheer you on :)
Pride Of Auckland Chorus
Last year I was involved in a fantastic group of male singers called the Pride of Auckland Chorus. When I was in the chorus I was fortunate enough to perform with them at various events the biggest being the New Zealand Nationals. We came a very controversial 3rd place but we had fun making the audience smile. I wanted to let you all see the talent of the chorus and if you are interested in joining in search for them on Google and go to practice ;) . So here we are on YOUTUBE click the link and go to watch and listen .
You Don't Know Me , Ballad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjNcqafqwHQ
Railroad , Up Beat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97C4hkyEcX0&mode=related&search=
So there you have it guys , The low down of MIKE IN PORTLAND :) ,
I love you all so much ,
Keep me in the loop and I will keep you in the loop , Here are a few pictures from the birthday :) , Me and my beautiful cake that Merin made for me , Me and the group at Margerits and me playing my first game of pub darts after my 6th margerita you can imagine the shots I was making.
All the best
- Mike
Friday, March 2, 2007
Email #5 18 Febuary 2007
Hello Campers ,
It has been a long time since you have heard from me. Have no fear this instalment should get you all up to date and back on track with what is happening in my luxurious life as a house boyfriend, Jazz singer, Swimming Tutor and Sportsman.
Under the table work
First of all I have been training very hard to secure and under the table employment While doing this I have found that getting consistent work under the table is slightly difficult or more to the point quite impossible.
Swimming Tutor
I have been successful in securing a Swimming pupil that I teach at the local pool 15 mins walk from our house . I advertised in a local website that I was available to teach swimming. I was very happy to get a pupil the day after I posted the ad. This has now been going for two lessons and the child is showing good improvement and of course I got some money for my efforts. I am hoping I will get some other clients through word of mouth.
I have a job waiting
After tutoring my swimming pupil. I was talking to the aquatics director at the pool and randomly asked him if they had any work at the pool. He was very happy I asked and went on to explain the different options I had. Basically I have a 40 hour management job waiting for me as soon as I get my Working Visa.So now I am waiting for the government to send me my visa , and as soon as I do I have a awesome job , working for the city with great benefits and a very nice pay packet. Yeee Haaa things are looking up
House Boy Friend
As the days have gone by as I wait for the Work Visa I have become and expert in the house boyfriend job description; doing the dishes , Making the bed, Doing the vacuuming, Putting out the rubbish, Cleaning the floors, Wiping down the window sills, making dinners, giving back rubs and shoveling the drive way. I am very happy with my new found skills and I think I might try to market myself as a house cleaner.
Jazz Band
Finally a day has been set for us to record our demo disk. February 24th we will be cutting our music for the club owners. I really hope we get some gigs soon , I really am getting very excited about singing in front of a live audience instead of practicing. We have also been accepted to play in a festival in June that will have up to 10,000 people ! So I really cant wait for that.If anyone is interested in a copy of our cd send me an email.
Sports
I have been training very hard in the gym over the past two months. My fitness has improved so much , Merin thought it would be a good idea to start to work on agility and running for the Rugby season, that right rugby season ! I am taking the plunge and learning how to play our national game in the U.S.A. It feels good to be running again and it gives me so much more confidence for the rugby season. Training starts on Tuesday and the first game will be on the 31st of March. Because of the Snow the game will be inside on turf. So its going to very fast paced. I have been working on interval running and now I have to work on my speed so I can at least keep up with the game and at the same time learn how to play ! and hopefully put in at least one good big hit for the team.
On valentines day I received my very first pair of Ice Hockey skates ! As soon as we can get them sharped Merin will be showing me the basics. And my goal is to skate daily on the local pond so that I can learn enough to play on the social pond hockey tournament that Merins friends play in. It sounds like a lot of good fun and laughs so I am really looking forward to getting out on the ice and practicing hard.
Well there you have it that's pretty much the up date, I have added some pictures of me and the snow that I shovelled off the drive way and me standing in the snow with shorts on , NOT recommended, my legs were cold for about 30 mins after that.
I love you all ,
Till next time
Mike
It has been a long time since you have heard from me. Have no fear this instalment should get you all up to date and back on track with what is happening in my luxurious life as a house boyfriend, Jazz singer, Swimming Tutor and Sportsman.
Under the table work
First of all I have been training very hard to secure and under the table employment While doing this I have found that getting consistent work under the table is slightly difficult or more to the point quite impossible.
Swimming Tutor
I have been successful in securing a Swimming pupil that I teach at the local pool 15 mins walk from our house . I advertised in a local website that I was available to teach swimming. I was very happy to get a pupil the day after I posted the ad. This has now been going for two lessons and the child is showing good improvement and of course I got some money for my efforts. I am hoping I will get some other clients through word of mouth.
I have a job waiting
After tutoring my swimming pupil. I was talking to the aquatics director at the pool and randomly asked him if they had any work at the pool. He was very happy I asked and went on to explain the different options I had. Basically I have a 40 hour management job waiting for me as soon as I get my Working Visa.So now I am waiting for the government to send me my visa , and as soon as I do I have a awesome job , working for the city with great benefits and a very nice pay packet. Yeee Haaa things are looking up
House Boy Friend
As the days have gone by as I wait for the Work Visa I have become and expert in the house boyfriend job description; doing the dishes , Making the bed, Doing the vacuuming, Putting out the rubbish, Cleaning the floors, Wiping down the window sills, making dinners, giving back rubs and shoveling the drive way. I am very happy with my new found skills and I think I might try to market myself as a house cleaner.
Jazz Band
Finally a day has been set for us to record our demo disk. February 24th we will be cutting our music for the club owners. I really hope we get some gigs soon , I really am getting very excited about singing in front of a live audience instead of practicing. We have also been accepted to play in a festival in June that will have up to 10,000 people ! So I really cant wait for that.If anyone is interested in a copy of our cd send me an email.
Sports
I have been training very hard in the gym over the past two months. My fitness has improved so much , Merin thought it would be a good idea to start to work on agility and running for the Rugby season, that right rugby season ! I am taking the plunge and learning how to play our national game in the U.S.A. It feels good to be running again and it gives me so much more confidence for the rugby season. Training starts on Tuesday and the first game will be on the 31st of March. Because of the Snow the game will be inside on turf. So its going to very fast paced. I have been working on interval running and now I have to work on my speed so I can at least keep up with the game and at the same time learn how to play ! and hopefully put in at least one good big hit for the team.
On valentines day I received my very first pair of Ice Hockey skates ! As soon as we can get them sharped Merin will be showing me the basics. And my goal is to skate daily on the local pond so that I can learn enough to play on the social pond hockey tournament that Merins friends play in. It sounds like a lot of good fun and laughs so I am really looking forward to getting out on the ice and practicing hard.
Well there you have it that's pretty much the up date, I have added some pictures of me and the snow that I shovelled off the drive way and me standing in the snow with shorts on , NOT recommended, my legs were cold for about 30 mins after that.
I love you all ,
Till next time
Mike
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