The Hobbit World Premiere

I'm sure you've had your fill of the runway fanfare, so here are some photos from the sidelines!

The Hobbit Artisan Market

The open-air film showing at the Hobbit Artisan Market reminded me of a time long gone in my hometown of Baguio City in the Philippines.  We used to have the best summers there when I was a kid.  One of my fondest memories is the open air film showing at Burnham Park's football field.  We used to live just across the street, and so we were able to stay out in the park til late - even as kids!  Yes, the city was our playground.  And the film showing suited us just fine because it would start late, and end really late.  We'd bring along mats and blankets and enjoy Popeye the Sailor Man cartoon shorts, followed by the main feature which is either The Sound of Music, Swiss Family Robinson, or a religious film.  There was even one time when it got so late that we dozed off under the stars, only to be woken up by our friends' household help at half past 12.  Then we groggily left the park where the film was still on.

Embassy Theatre showcases Gandalf for The Hobbit Premiere

My work commute involves passing through the Embassy Theatre where The Hobbit premiere will take place next week. A gigantic Gandalf has been installed over the weekend, in a scene that was to start Bilbo Baggins on his way to an adventure that has captured the imagination of millions of fans the world over.

It looks very impressive, and I'm sure next week's big event will be equally huge and spectacular as well.

Related news: [tvnz.co.nz] Gandalf stands guard over Wellington in new banner 

Break the Sandcastle World Record

Be part of a world record attempt! 

Date: Sunday 25 November 2012
Time: 9am
Venue: Lyall Bay
Cost: Free

Organised by Adventure Wellington, the record is for the most number of sandcastles built in a single hour. The current the Guinness World Record, which stands at 683 sandcastles and was set in Britain less than two months ago.

We don't want to just break this world record, we want to smash it! We want to make sure everyone will know that this title belongs to New Zealand.

Weta Workshop has designed and produced 100 buckets, which have the regulation four turrets and are about 17cm high. The record attempt will be closely reviewed by independent adjudicators.

read more at wellingtonnz.com

Brooklyn Wind Turbine

We immediately realized how perfect this location was for the wind turbine as we braced ourselves against the gale.  It's as if Nature particularly liked having the wind turbine here as the strong wind never wavered the whole time were there.

Brooklyn is the site of the first ever wind turbine in Wellington, and was built in 1993.  Our friend Darryl was taking some friends along to see some sights and he hadn't been back here for many years and so he wanted drop by as we were in the area, and it was going to be our first time there (Jo-Lo and I) so it was quite an occasion.

Air New Zealand's safety briefing video gets The Hobbit treatment