I was in at the office where for some reason the airconditioning won’t switch on after hours anymore (prob more cost cutting). The answer: home made aircon, and the melted icewater was cool to drink too.

Another discovery: breakfast at Knuckle Sandwich in the 280 Centre (off Q St and Lorne St) is very good, and eggs benedict is as good as a pie when feeling seedy from having drunk far too much the night before.

Did some CSS in the morning then went on a long walk: Along the waterfront; through the Parnell Rose Gardens; down to St George’s Bay and up past St Stephen’s Chapel; back down through Parnell; up Constitution Hill; past the Fisher Building in Auckland University where I used to work; through Albert Park; and finally back home. Just think how much more interesting this blog post would be if I’d taken my camera. Next time.

This is the route Google Maps thinks I did. It has planned the route only on streets though. (Like it says “Walking directions are in beta.”) It doesn’t understand you can walk through parks; that it is much nicer to walk through the parks.

Having tried living in one, I’ve decided living in an inner city apartment would suit me for the next four years or so. So now I’m looking to buy. Some of the things that I like are being handy to everything, being able to walk to work, being able to go on holiday and just leave the apartment and knowing it is secure, no gardens or lawns. The biggest drawback (after not being able to have a cat) is the noise from the street, but it’s not too bad, especially if you’re up high. I’ve heard the noise from neighbours can be very bad, though it isn’t a problem in my current apartment it is something I’m trying to avoid too.

There’s an apartment on Liverpool St near work which 90% matches my criteria, but I’m interested in looking around other places. I’ve contacted Kiwibank to arrange finding out about getting a mortgage.

What I’m looking for:
• separate bedroom (or 2, but doesn’t have to be 2)
• up high, 10th floor or higher
• quiet
• carpark (with locker would be good)
• inner city (<10mins walk to work @ the top of Queen St)
• tidy
• secure
• to live in – liveable

If you know of any inner-city apartments for sale, or you have experiences in living in them please add a comment.

Of course if I don’t buy I can just keep renting.

Caught up with friends at Galbraiths for before heading over to the best pizza in Auckland at Monicas.

Monicas is at 155 on Symonds Street, CBD, phone 368 4295.

Italiano is my favourite topping. The Greek salad is also great. They used to have a “choose your own toppings”, but that seems to have gone now. Still they’re very friendly so you can always try asking if you want the Simon special: bacon, bacon, bacon, ham and bacon.

Oliver is now on 8 units of insulin in the morning and 7 at night and seems to be doing ok on this high dosage. I’ll have to take him back to the vet for more blood tests next week. He’s pretty settled in our new digs. We’ve been here for a full week now and he’s pretty comfortable though it requires a much bigger jump to get up onto this bed than my old futon.

It’s good now I’ve finally moved, been a busy few days…
Tues: Vet visit
Weds: Moved all my furniture and a heap of my stuff to my sister’s garage. I can recommend Busby Carriers if you’re moving.
Thurs: Tidying up, and moving more stuff.
Fri: Got the carpets cleaned. Recommend Jae for that.
Sat: More cleaning. Poetry Slam @ London Bar with Tim.
Sun: Farewell lunch with Cip & co @ GBs.  He is off to climb mountains in the South Island, Canada, and South America.
Mon: Final inspection and handover of keys to the old flat
Tues: Nothing much, dinner @ Kiwi Country Noodles and TV. Phone and internet started working.
Weds: Went and saw “In the shadow of the Moon” at the Rialto. Had a couple of beers afterwards.
Thurs: Tonight … just another quiet night at home.