In doing this one may find a hidden talent, achieve something thought previously impossible or just make someone’s day a little happier. When I think about the formerly insurmountable challenges that I have tackled (sometimes left right up until the court date), I think geez, that wasn’t so bad. If only I could realise this prior to quell the worry.

Slightly philosophical for a Wednesday I know, but I’ve just read a book called “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,” by Paulo Coelho (a timely gift from my long-time best friend Anne-Marie), it’s a 196 page inspiring tale that leaves lingering powerful messages about how to enrich your life.

Last Wednesday I tried to enrich my life at Chow, Auckland’s newest Asian restaurant and cocktail bar. It was my 3rd visit (sadly the 4th one will be quite some time off) to sample their wares. The previous two occasions had been fun and tasty, hence my return. I’m not sure if it was due to the GM not being visible, or the moon being in a weird cycle but the service was appalling, cocktails slapped together and music inappropriate. Eternally viewing the glass as half full I am thankful for the energising company and the fact that I moved on to Cowboys, found some long lost friends and had an entertaining remainder of my evening.

Auckland’s International Buskers’ Festival was launched last Thursday at The Classic. Nick Nicholas hosted 8 elite street entertainers. I forgot that these guys’ shows rely heavily on audience participation, so sitting front and centre was asking for trouble. Half time didn’t even roll around before I was tricked up onto the stage; I was joined by a lanky banker called Callum, and Bex a rather tasty office administrator. This hairy, out-of-shape man, in a tight, purple, knitted body-suit stuck a wig on me and taught me dance moves designed to entice Bex’s affections. The crowd was enthusiastic, so my job complete I reluctantly stepped down. The two stand-out highlights for me were the outright leftfield-ness of The Birdman’s show (please see this guy, the festival ends tomorrow), and the slick cleverness of mime king Mr Fungus. Cheeks stretched from grinning it was business time; time to have a gander at the CBD’s latest watering hole.

Easy Tiger’s a bar that has to be one of the hardest to describe where it actually is. Located between The Vector Arena and Foodtown down on Quay St, it’s in the middle of a half complete business and residential construction zone (thus making for an interesting outdoor backdrop). It’s the brainchild of Rick Doran, who just wanted to own a bar, and do it his way (not be governed by one of the big two breweries in town). So he stocks what he likes, has relaxed and polite staff and the inside is decked out like The Amazon. Have a look before it becomes too popular.

Whenever I travel, if there’s a zoo near I’m going. I find Auckland’s zoo to be just right, well laid-out and containing just the right amount of exotic animals, birds, insects, reptiles, creatures etc, for one to comfortably walk around in 3 hours, and that includes a 45 minute picnic. Liam Finn played there as part of the Zoo Music series last Friday (Hollie Smith plays this Saturday) and treated the packed house to wizardry worthy of The Royal Albert Hall. Entertaining, a master of multiple instruments and just when you think he may have gone too far, he bundles all the beats and lyrics together to form out of this world music.

The penultimate Sundown dance party at Stonyridge Vineyard was held on Saturday (the finale is on March 22nd), and it was just as good as all the others. The now customary pre-drinks on the ferry starts the ball rolling and moulds one into the happy-go-lucky Waiheke vibe. Getting there when the sun still has a bit of work to do proved a winner; enabling us to select the best appointed deckchair cluster and take in Waiheke’s beauty, meet new acquaintances and catch up with old ones, but most of all relax. Karn Hall was wasted playing the first set, nobody was there to even shake his hand, the outdoor deck proved too alluring. Grant Marshall attracted a few to the floor, Bevan Keyes capitalised and Jolyon Petch with Steve Richards polished us off. There’s not a place on the planet where I have made more friends than I have at these Stonyridge parties, so I thank Adam B and Stephen White for all the good times; let them roll.