Goings On: It's Leap Year Time

It's the weekend.  The last weekend before Leap Day.  So it feels appropriate that we should talk about some of the amazing things you could do this weekend, all in celebration of leap year.

I love hunting around for interesting things and this time I've even managed to come with some that appeal to my weird and quirky side such as the terrifically named play Benedict Cumberbatch Must Die.

I want to go just for the name of the play a lone.

And if you in the mood for something a little bit more Shakespearean then there are several of his plays being performed at the Pop-Up Globe; you can even do a behind the scenes tour.

If you are after something truly interesting and ever-so slightly macabre then you should definitely go to the Open Day at Waikumete Cemetery this Sunday where you can learn how to dig a grave, visit a mausoleum and generally learn a ton of interesting things about death and burial customs.   I'm now wondering if the hosts are going to all dress up as Death because THAT would be awesome.

Talking of death also leads us into questions about life and the universe and the Auckland Stardome has several different shows currently going on such as Dark Universe and the Grand Tour of the Solar System, which sound fascinating and definitely something I would be in to, nerdy SyFyGirl that I am.

Movies and music are another thing that I am in to, so it's kinda handy that there are both Movies in the Park and Music in the Parks so that I can get my fix; even better both events are free.  How cool is that.

And if after all the activity you just want to chill and relax then check out some of the awesome e-magazines, e-books and e-audios that we have got at Auckland Libraries.  With just a couple of clicks you can have some entertainment all for free and to use whenever, wherever you want.  Now that really is awesome.

The Twelve Posts of Christmas: Let the Madness Commence...

As some of you may know I have a thing about Christmas.  Or more exactly the Christmas of my fantasies.  You know the kind.

A  roaring fire, a glittering Christmas tree, a hunky guy and of course lots and lots of snow. Sadly because we have a serious lack of the later here in New Zealand I've always been a little lacklustre about celebrating Christmas.

That is until this year.

Now, suddenly, I am a Christmas maniac.  Forget about the snow, there are, I have discovered, a million other ways to have a fantasy Christmas.

#nzsecretsanta

For the first time in my life I am being a Secret Santa courtesy of twitter.  And it's awesome.

You get someone and someone gets you and you try to learn what their likes and dislikes are just from reading their tweet stream.  It can, as you can imagine, be something of a challenge.  Which is half the fun.  Personally I can't wait to see what my Secret  Santa gift giver is going to get me.

O' Christmas Tree

I have a tree.

It's not a very big tree.  But still I HAVE a tree.

On my desk.

At work.

And it's super cute.  And o so Christmasy. And glittering.

And it seems kinda perfect that Dean Winchester from my all time favourite show (aka Supernatural) is in the background too.

Shop Until You Drop Or Let Your Fingers Do The Walking

I hate shopping.  And I hate Christmas shopping even more. But this year I've gotten smart. Because online is the way.

With just a click I can shop at my favourite stores such as T2 and Typo and new discovery Society6, which has all sort of fangirly gifts. Why I didn't do this sooner I have no idea.


Christmas Under The Stars

I've always had a thing for the night sky.  And added to my Christmas dream is the dream to one day see the Aurora Borealis. In Scandinavia no less.

Going to the Auckland Stardome at Christmas time seems kinda perfect somehow. Even better you can bring along something to donate to the City Mission or the SPCA.

How cool is that

Movies in the Park

Every year I've been meaning to go and every year I somehow miss it.  This year though I am determined to go.

Because a movie. Outside. Under the stars.

And that's another one crossed off the fantasy list.

Chillin' out under the stars with free movies

I'm excited about free movies in parks over the coming months, all over the Auckland region.

How cool to be able to head outdoors, with friends & a picnic, to sit back, relax and be entertained under the stars. Wicked.

There's a wide range of movies, including Kiwi flicks Sione's Wedding, Love Birds and Boy.

Check out the movie listings and locations online, and look for event updates on Facebook, or follow @moviesinparks on Twitter.

There's also the music in parks series of events happening too. Follow @musicinparks onTwitter for regular updates.

See you there!