Went for a walk into town, today.
The Victoria tunnel was strangely subdued for the first time ever. For those of you who don't live in Wellington, the tunnel goes under Mount Victoria, and connects Hataitai, the airport and other parts of suburbia with the rest of town and the CBD. Normally there's a quaint tradition of honking your horn like buggery as you drive through the tunnel, which caused hapless pedestrians of a delicate nature to cover their ears for the 5 minutes it takes to traverse on foot.
Interestingly enough, there is new lighting being put up along the tunnel. Already the once gloomy, ambient light is being replaced on either end by much brighter, harsh neon monsters that shine upon the cars below. This seems to have had the effect of making drivers feel guilty for causing a ruckus now that everyone can see them. I'll be interested to see if this continues.
Walking along Lambton Quay towards the court house, where I was heading to get a verified copy of my passport for nefarious Visa purposes, I was aprehended by a bearded stoner who reeked of pot, brandishing a clipboard in my face.
STONER: Heeeeey man, you dig the environment?
DAN: ....what?
STONER: Greenpeace braw, environment.
DAN: Uh... nah, thanks. Got screwed with you guys last time over a credit card payment.
STONER: Heeeeey, cool man. Environment!
DAN: Don't touch me.
I quickly make my escape and head up to the 6th floor of the courthouse. Upon coming out into the reception area, I'm greeted with this:
RECEPTIONIST: Fuck fish oil okay, it smells like shit and if you bring that anywhere near oh hello there sir *breaks down into embarassed giggling*
DAN: ...
I got my passport verified by a pimply little clerk who I was almost sure was young enough to be my son, and made my way back down to Lambton Quay, a little weirded out but otherwise victorious. Heading back up the street, the same smelly stoner accosted me, having completely forgotten our last conversation 5 minutes previous.
STONER: Heeeeeeey man, you dig the environment?
