Don’t Mention The War…
Not too long ago I had the privilege of attending an elegant dinner with my fiance, Chris. It was an evening I was very much looking forward to, although I always feel out of place at these [...]
Keep Showing Up
I’ve never written about 9/11. I can usually avoid thinking about it, until I turn the calendar page to September. My eyes always go to the square with the 11th first, until I tear my eyes [...]
Enjoying My OCD
My entire nature rebels against routine. I want to be spontaneous, unfettered, free. But there’s a strong part of me that craves routine (much to my chagrin). The profession (and therefore [...]
On the Road
Yesterday I returned from a week in the Marlborough Sounds, a week after I returned from spending a month in the States. The Sounds was an assignment for a magazine, writing a piece on hiking, [...]
Print’s Premature Obituary (long live books!)
I love books. I don’t just mean the stories; I love actual books. I find them bewitching: their weight in my hands, the creak of the spine as they’re opened, the musty smell, the gentle swish of [...]
Just When You Thought it Was Safe to Go Back (to Drinking the) Water….
The boil water notice has been lifted! Lake Hawea’s water supply has been expunged of the e-coli nuisance that demanded residents boil water for everything from brushing teeth to washing the [...]
Sound of the Seasons
We all have a personal soundtrack. My formative years were spent with Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Simon and Garfunkel, the Eagles. Teenage years were Jane’s Addiction and Alice in [...]
One Year in Paradise
One year ago today I moved to Wanaka! I first encountered this corner of the world on my first assignment for National Geographic Traveler Magazine and promised myself that, one day, I would live [...]