Land of the Kiwis A runner in New Zealand

State of the Nation — En Zed

Today I was just sitting around, feeling quite comfortable in my little American bubble -- I had my Skype up, GChat blinking, Superbowl ads rolling, and redneck beard growing (reference Steve VW's '08 WXC Newsletter for an all-too-critical review of previous attempts... I'm currently faring about the same, which pretty much dooms me to lackluster coverage for the rest of my life... maybe facial Rogain?...) Then, all of a sudden, the good Kiwis in the house flipped the TV to the government channel. Parliament was back in action after more than a month off! I curiously wandered in to see what was up and it turned out to be the State of the Nation address (by the prime minister). Well Josh nobly suggested we stroll next door and watch it in person. At first that sounded like the last thing I wanted to do, but then I realized, "Wait, I can't even get within 800m of our president... I can go watch the Prime Minister without changing out of my running gear? Heck Yes!"

Debating Chamber

Whether Josh was serious or not I convinced him this was a ridiculous opportunity that we couldn't pass up. Unfortunately, we couldn't rouse a shirtless Stefan Smith or drunken (still?) JP from their sprawling stupor. So I slipped on my slippers and we shuffled across the street, through a metal detector, and into the "Debating Chamber".

Wow, is that the Prime Minister right below me?

Yes. Yes it is. I could sneeze over the railing and he would feel it. Incredible!

(@&#^%$, I just finished writing several paragraphs on the craziness in the center of the chamber and then lost the network while I saved... Well, since this isn't College, screw it. I'm going for a run.)

Suffice it to say, I had a great time just watching! And I'd love the opportunity to compare and contrast this to the US Senate.