Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m an archivist, right? You know, digging through dusty old files, but today? Today was a whole different ball game.
I woke up in Whakatane, NZ, and thought, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill. First off, I hit the road on Domain Rd, and the sun was shining like it was trying to blind me. I mean, c’mon, it’s Whakatane, not the Sahara!
I was cruising down to the library on Kakahoroa Drive, jamming to some tunes, when BAM! A seagull swoops down and nearly takes my sandwich right outta my hand. Like, dude, chill! I’m not your lunch! I swear, those birds are like little flying thieves.
Anyway, I finally get to the library, and it’s packed. I mean, who knew so many people cared about old records? I’m there, trying to find this ancient document about the local Māori history, and I’m getting all emotional. Like, this stuff is important, ya know? It’s about our roots, our people.
But then, I overhear this group of tourists on the other side of the room. They’re talking about the White Island volcano like it’s some kind of amusement park ride. I’m like, “Are you serious? That place is dangerous!” I wanted to yell, “It’s not a theme park, folks!” But I just rolled my eyes instead.
After a while, I finally found the document. It was tucked away in a corner, like it was hiding from me. I felt like I’d just won the lottery! I was so pumped, I could’ve danced right there. But then, I noticed the time. I had to rush to a meeting at the Whakatane District Council.
So, I’m sprinting down the street, dodging people on The Strand. It’s a busy place, full of cafes and shops. I love it, but today? Ugh! I nearly tripped over a kid on a scooter. Like, where are their parents?
I get to the council, and guess what? They’re running late. Classic! I’m sitting there, tapping my foot, thinking about that seagull and my sandwich. I mean, I could’ve been eating that instead of waiting here!
Finally, the meeting starts, and it’s all about preserving local history. I’m in my element, throwing out ideas, feeling all passionate. But then, someone suggests we digitize everything. I’m like, “No way! You can’t just throw history into a computer!” I mean, come on! There’s something about holding a piece of paper that just hits different.
After the meeting, I’m feeling a bit drained. I decide to take a walk along the river. The view is stunning, with the sun setting over the water. I’m standing there, just soaking it all in, when I see a bunch of kids fishing. They’re laughing, having a blast. It makes me smile.
But then, I see one of them pull out a fish, and it’s flopping around like it’s auditioning for a role in a horror movie. I can’t help but laugh. Kids are so dramatic!
As I head back home, I can’t shake the day off. It was a rollercoaster, man. From seagulls to council meetings, to kids fishing. Whakatane is wild! I love this place, but some days, it just hits you hard.
So, I plop down on my couch, exhausted but happy. I think about all the stories hidden in this town. And I realize, even on the craziest days, it’s all worth it. Whakatane, you’ve got my heart. Just maybe keep the seagulls away next time, yeah?