Ransom Vineyard in Matakana

Went up for the weekend and as every other time I've visited Matakana, loved it. It's only a short drive from Auckland, 40-60 minutes max

Ransom Vineyard was one of the highlights for sure. Try the platters and the Pinot Gris on the balcony overlooking the vineyard, you cannot will not should absof-inglutely not be disappointed. You can be real classy and drink straight from the bottle like we did. I dare you.

http://www.ransomwines.co.nz/winery

Free drinks, always a good time

Go onto these sites and give em your cell number, and they'll text you free drink vouchers for local bars. I've used My Mate Bob a few times, easy as

http://www.2drams.co.nz/

http://www.mymatebob.com/

The brand spanking new Audi A1

And what a sexy bitch she is! Rumor has it they're being released in NZ in August, starting at about $40K. That's almost affordable to us normal folks, I'd be tempted. Yippee Kai Yay!

If you loved BOY

And really, who didn't. I haven't heard a bad thing about this movie, its Kiwi as bro

Anyways the guy that made BOY also did this short film a while back that is equally brilliant. Looooves it!

Florence and her rage against the Machine

Second visit to NZ for Florence and The Machine. I missed her at the Laneway Festival earlier in the year but apparently it was a good time

They're playing Thursday 29 July at The Trusts Stadium and tickets went on sale this morning, for a sweet one hundred pingas

Cocktails in my kitchen

We were messing around at home last weekend cooking and making cocktails.

I make my own chilli vodka - hot as hell, it will burn your tonsils but once you get used to the fire its very addictive

So here's one we came up with that was a definite winner

Whiskey glass, pile of ice, shot of aforementioned chilli vodka, and then Golden Circle Pine-coconut juice. Easy as!

Tatt be gone

I got a tattoo when I was about 18 - ten years ago when I was young and... nope I won't admit to stupid, just naive! I didn't ever regret it but just felt like a change. So when I was in Canada I began the long and very painful process of getting it lasered off. Laser beams, man. Pain worse than getting the damn thing put on in the first place!

So I had 5 treatments over there in Vancouver, then this week I found a place on the Shore that does it for a price that doesn't make me fall over in shock and horror. They charged $120 for the session and I'll need 1-2 more apparently. Good news is, it should completely disappear. Alllll-right

Here's their link
http://www.veinandlaser.co.nz/

Here's how it works - it uses short pulses of laser light which breaks up the tattoo pigment granules into pieces small enough to be removed by the body's immune system. Fading commences soon after treatment and will continue for many weeks.

Gaga Greatness

I LOVED this concert. Gaga is fabulous, controversial and totally weird - which is what is so great about her. The whole show was a breath of fresh air.

I went to see Madonna in Vancouver 2 years ago, and this blew it away. Hot energetic half naked dancers, lots and lots of costume changes (all completely outrageous as she is known for) piano playing, incredible backdrops and special effects - this woman or whatever she is by popular belief, knows how to entertain.

No pre-act. No encore. Just one f-ing great show. Don't miss her next time she's in town