At Wazzer’s work on Monday morning, the waitrons are bundling cutlery and paper napkins together, using water so that the paper napkins stay wrapped. They’re supposed to use just a dab of water, but these bundles will be mummified like papier-mache, they are all so distracted by one raconteur. “So she’s moving to Australia next […]
Entries Tagged as 'migrants'
Like A Refugee
May 17th, 2011 1 Comment
When Wazzer arrived at work at eight, she noticed a small white sign in the window: HELP WANTED, Experienced Bar/Wait Staff, Inquire Within. Nigel, the owner, had warned her about this, and gloatingly shared his philosophy. “If they’re in before ten, we’ll interview them, even if what we have is last shift. Anyone waltzes in […]
1 Event Invitation
March 9th, 2011 1 Comment
Ulrika is gazing at her Facebook profile in disbelief. Surely Winona had not meant to send her an invitation to the engagement party for her and Will? Professionally, a detente is in place. Will has been pleasant, but opaque. Personally, despite avoiding places like “their” cafe and the bar-where-everyone-goes, Ulrika is up against Wellington being […]
IAWL Doesn’t Like….Housing Anxiety All Around
March 7th, 2011 Comments Off on IAWL Doesn’t Like….Housing Anxiety All Around
Usually we keep it positive in editorial entries here (empanadas at the City Market this weekend!) but we are all worked up about housing this week. A piece in the NZ Herald talks about flat hunting in Auckland but this tale of woe – the 5-month search, the desperate grooming to look like a presentable […]
Tags: migrants · other cities · real estate
No False Modesty Here
November 3rd, 2010 Comments Off on No False Modesty Here
At Winona’s office, smugness is the order of the day. Lonely Planet, our tourism overlords, declared Wellington the coolest little capital city in the world and the fourth best place to visit. All the staff at the Department of Stodge are forgetting their mission statement “to represent all of New Zealand for our industry without […]
Tags: migrants · tourism · Wellington
Wellington vs. Melbourne: The Case
August 11th, 2010 Comments Off on Wellington vs. Melbourne: The Case
Winona wondered who would actually call her, instead of sending a text. It’s her sister, Helena. To her delighted shock, Helena is inviting her on a long weekend to Melbourne, air fare and hotel paid, “…if you’d look after the boys a bit? Henry and I could have a little time together, it would be […]
Tags: helena · migrants · other cities · winona
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Ulrika?
August 2nd, 2010 1 Comment
On the drive back from the ski weekend, somehow Winona and Ulrika wound up together in the furthest back seat of the 4 x 4. Dusk came down. Will was absorbed in driving. The two people in front of them fell asleep. And in the darkness and quiet, on the long dull rainy drive home, […]
Tags: migrants · social mores · ulrika · winona
A Flower for Vicky
July 21st, 2010 2 Comments
Winona trails home from work, lingering all the way. The winter evening feels like spring. She browses through a few stores, the sale racks full of rejected clothes for 22nd-century space nuns, and leaves empty-handed. Her walk home takes her through Courtenay Place – not packed with munted rowdies, as it will be on Saturday […]
Wellington Men III: The Export
April 16th, 2010 Comments Off on Wellington Men III: The Export
Will has started his new job, at a private software development juggernaut. Out for drinks with the new crew, he meets someone else who’s recently come to Wellington. Woodrow has a knot of people around him, enjoying his happy, shouty vibe. He can’t believe his luck. He’s down here on contract for Weta Digital, working […]