Friday, August 10, 2012

NZ

New Zealand, eh? Lovely country, full of lunatics...

I arrived on Tuesday, checked into my hotel and met up with a friend who's living over here. By nine that night, every time my eyes closed I was in serious danger of falling asleep right there and then. Only the fact that my luggage had been misplaced somewhere between Dublin and Auckland kept me from turning in early. It's not exactly a nice feeling, wondering if you're ever going to see your luggage again. You start thinking about all the clothes you packed, about the toothbrush, about the phone charger you might never see again...

I went to bed, then was woken at 2 AM by reception- my luggage had arrived. They delivered it to my room and I wept manly tears of joy. Or, y'know, I shrugged and mumbled a thank you and went back to bed. Whichever.

It's now Friday night, and tomorrow is my last day in New Zealand. It's been astonishingly good so far. Every school I've been to has been great- really enthusiastic people, ready to have a laugh. Two schools even did a welcoming Haka-type thing, which was awesomely cool.

The public signings have been great too. This afternoon I did one in the Children's Bookshop in Christchurch, where I met a load of readers, including Jordan, a girl who had kept me updated about her status after the recent earthquakes. It's always nice to meet people I only know online, and she had many, MANY questions to ask.

Tomorrow is my last day in NZ, and so the first chunk of my tour will be over. I've really enjoyed my few days here- this was a great way to kick off the tour.

EDIT:

I've just read over what I've just written, and it's all so sickeningly POSITIVE and nice. Bah humbug! There needs to be some grouchy stuff in here in order to be genuine- so I'll just say that I STILL haven't been able to see Katie Taylor winning the gold in boxing, and I am NOT happy about that. I can't even find it on YouTube.

Bah YouTube! Bah!

Every single Irish Minion knows who Katie Taylor is, and they're as proud of her as I am. What a girl.

4,833 comments:

  1. You'll love it in Australia, Derek! We have EMUS. They're the Ostriches of Australia! I'll be at the Adelaide signing and event! I'll be bringing Mortal Coil, Kingdom of the Wicked, and something else.... :)

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  2. DEREK IM GLAD YOU ARE HAVING FUN ON THE TOUR!!
    I have Family in Christchurch, maybe you met them I don't know. I don't even know if they read SP I hope they do! They should, the books are too awesome not to read!

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  3. Yeah, I have almost half my extended family in New Zealand. There's no flat ground there, really.... :P Lie down anywhere and you'll be rolling down a hill :P

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  4. Glad you're having fun, Derek!
    hahah.
    KATIE TAYLOR WAS AMAZING. I watched it and I was so happy! :D YAY! x3

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  5. ASDFGHJKL

    AAAHHHHH I WAS SO EXCITED FOR JORDAN AND I SCREAMED AT HER SO MUCH BECAUSE SHE SAID HI TO YOU FOR ME AND OMG I SAW THE PHOTO AND YOU'RE HAVING FUN AND WOO FOUND LUGGAGE

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  6. AND SHANNON AND AHH WHAT'S HAPPENING

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  7. Hello Derek and Everyone.
    *th!!!

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  8. I put it up about a week ago, yep. Gonna change it again though because MY FACE IS THE ANTICHRIST

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  9. Oh my! Oh my! First page comment! Hello Derek. If I go to a signing I have to pay $400 at least.

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  10. Thanks for telling me about the new post

    DEREK! REMEMBER MY NAME, I SHALL SEE YOU SOON

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  11. HELENA, YOU SHOULD TRY GO, NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT COSTS D': It's gonna cost me about £300 that I have to work my ass off for but I SHALL DO IT

    EVEN IF IT KILLS ME

    WHICH HOPEFULLY IT WON'T

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  12. But Becky! I like my money. Maybe Derek could, y' know, stop off in Canberra...

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  13. Hmmm I don't comment on here often (if ever) but i guess I will now as I will be seeing you soon Derek!
    AUSTRALIA. YAY!
    I was in melbourne last time you were here (so long ago D: ) and I will be there AGAIN.
    I'm going to have to bring a seperate bag purely to carry all the books.
    Yes, i want to make you sign them all. Even the ones you signed last time! (Do people do that!?)
    I dont even know.
    Enjoy your stay!

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  14. ...
    well...

    good point...

    LOL THAT'S THE THINGS WITH ME I'M USELESS WITH MONEY

    as soon as I get it i'm like "oops i just bought another sp boo- OH LOL WHAT'S THAT MARVEL TOYS YOU ARE MINE"

    and then I wonder whey I have no money

    BUT STILL.

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  15. ...
    well...

    good point...

    LOL THAT'S THE THINGS WITH ME I'M USELESS WITH MONEY

    as soon as I get it i'm like "oops i just bought another sp boo- OH LOL WHAT'S THAT MARVEL TOYS YOU ARE MINE"

    and then I wonder whey I have no money

    BUT STILL.

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  16. I dont have really any money...
    My entire life's savings(excluding college) is two hundred dollars or something.

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  17. Yeah, I ONLY spend my money on books.

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  18. Derek, Is Caelynn going to be a good guy or a bad guy when you come back?

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  19. Oh, hey! Really?! I guess so? This is pretty cool :)

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  20. well $400 is pretty intense. I mean it depends on how old you are though, having a job and such.

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  21. My phone...just erased...my ENTIRE comment. Grr.

    So, to summarize: glad you had fun, sure you were funny (you better have been), please come to America.

    Please! Or, there's quite a few people I can find to kidnap you. We'll all wear hats, huge sunglasses, scarves, and fuzzy wigs over our skeleton masks so you won't know who we are when we come to the signing.


    Just kidding, we would never try to hurt you. Plus, then we'd be facing the rest of the munchkin army, and your martial art skills. It would just be way too messy.

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  22. I dont even live in America and i agree that Derek should go there!!!
    SKULDUGGERY IS FOR EVERYONE <3
    sharing IS caring...

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  23. well that is difficult, where does 400 come from?!
    Maybe next time he does a tour a heap of us should organise a road trip with a bus or something.
    We could collect everyone from where ever they live and then follow Derek to ALL his signings >:D

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  24. THANK YOU, MATEX.

    And now that I've finished with the first comment I guess I'll...try to join in the conversation? Wooww...

    I'm so sorry to hear about the trouble you're having getting to the signing, Helena. (Should I still call you Hel?)

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  25. 400 is nothing for what I'd have to pay to go there- less than half of just the round-trip flights.
    add in lodging, food, skulduggery books...
    and more than 2000 bucks for just me.

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  26. I know the feeling of misplaced luggage, Derek. My story was we went to Florida and on our way home it all happened. We flew out and got to Pennsylvania to find out, our luggage was left in Florida because the conveyer belt they used to place it on the plane broke. For DAYS I was home and lwe had none of oir tioletries! NONE. A week later we got our luggage and the camera from our trip came back broken.

    Yup! Luggage hates us

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  27. Ha, Matex, if Derek did that all of the minions would love him FOREVER. That is BRILLIANT!

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  28. ^ Do it, if you don't join the conversation in the first few comments it gets impossible to join later >.> haha

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  29. I went to North Carolina for My Aunt's
    Wedding once
    My luggage literally didnt come until
    The night before the
    actual wedding,
    so I did the Rehearsal and everything
    in jeans

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  30. Ehm... in america?
    East coast-ish, New englandish area

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  31. I never have before, this is so COOL!

    And yeah, I'm kind of in the same boat as Cat. But still, sorry you can't get to the tours. Right now my hopes for a tour or book signing is pretty much: 'maybe when I do go to Ireland next year, by coincidence...'

    So I know how you feel, Helena.

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  32. Oh well then yeah there is no way you would want to come to an Australian signing :/

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  33. sorry, been distant. No need to worry, I'm here now
    *strikes hero pose*

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  34. I MISS THE EAST COAST AREA SO MUCH!!!! You're so lucky, Cat...

    Except when it comes to SP tours...

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  35. Nope, Zafira, I'm ab Ameriminion too.

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  36. Yay!!! Another Ameriminion! So that's three including myself :D

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  37. I is being awesome, but that's just my personality and skills
    *strikes another hero pose*

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  38. Maybe there should be a skulduggery pleasant world summit...
    One where Derek (having finished the series and become a millionare) pays for the accomodation and stuff.
    And we ALL meet up.
    Yes.

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  39. Dont even ask Me, Rhyanna Bredlau
    How are you?

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  40. You said world summit...

    Drooling now...

    (Sorry, that was my Hetalia fangirling coming out...)

    That would be BRILLIANT, Matex.

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  41. That's been thought of

    I tried it once

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  42. Matex that'd be AWESOME then finally I'd meet Derek...I wonder....

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  43. I will approach Derek with my proposition when I see him in Melbourne.
    He won't turn me down, he will have to say yes. It will be awesome!

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  44. Well...I'm sore, my tailbone which I fractured one or two weeks ago is hurting again, but I'm good. Just read The End of the World on Tuesday, so that was brilliant.

    And you guys can call me Reena. Or Rhyanna. Doesn't matter.

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  45. Matex, if you get him to say yes, and both of us go to the world summit, you get a hug.

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  46. Yeah, tried to get a bunch of us to meet and see Derek in Ireland

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  47. Wait...Nixon, you did...it won't work...

    *goss sobbing into the depression corner*

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  48. I was reading Death Bringer last night. And was arrested by dear Val...

    Wait....Im still in the Sanctuary? Too early for me to think

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  49. But thats not a world summit! That WOULD be difficult to organise but you have my respect for even ATTEMPTING it. So worth it!

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  50. Darn it...

    Well, Matex...you can still...try, I suppose.

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  51. Reena, get out of my corner.

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  52. World summit will happen!
    Everyone get out of the corner >.>

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  53. It never hurts to try. The worst that could happen is Derek saying no.

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  54. I'm out of the depression corner...don't worry about me...

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  55. Im sure he'd want to do it. But the publishers the little demons they are. Would they even let him? It'd better be in America or I shall...spazzz

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  56. What, physically impossible...Matex, are you a Mage???

    If you are...heeelp meeeeee I need to find the Sanctuaryyyyyyyyyy.

    Yes, I'm aware that it's impossible, but still...

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  57. I am a mage! I violent one who doesn't focus on the any magic that doesn't help me kill, buy a mage none the less

    Aussie sorcerer! I shall take you under my nonexistent wing and teach you the ways of blogland and magic!

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  58. @Rhyanna
    I am... undecided.
    I might be a mage, that sounds plausible.

    @Zafira
    It probably wouldn't be in America but we would organise it so that people travel out of their country together and other stuff like that so it wouldn't cost as much :D

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  59. O.O

    O.O

    O.O

    O.O







    Wooww! You mean...yay! Ah, even though I'm pretty sure you're joking or at least it's on a Facebook page or something, I'm so happy I could cry...

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  60. Like a giant
    nerdfighter's thing,
    or a thing where we just
    get our signings
    and... you know, plot evilly
    with the Derek

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  61. Matex! My wing is not usually open to help. Consider yourself luckly, mostly I just kill people

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  62. Heh, you know I've pushed at the air and physics was on my side and I've pushed a shower curtain and a tissue. It was fun.

    *dancing horribly*

    And I really, really, really hope that if the world summit happens, I get to go...that would be so WOW.

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  63. Wait I thought you were talking to Rhyanna haha, hmmmmmm.
    That's not awfully nice >.>
    Maybe i'll take you under my wing and teach you not to kill people :P

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  64. Not kill? But how would you do that? I'm insane
    *kills panda*
    Besides, I would get bored and kill you halfway through. This way, I don't get bored... maybe

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  65. I'm a bonebreaker. Made to kill. I'm also... ah, I'll let that bit be a surprise

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  66. So, wait, the politician is awesome but the insane murderer isn't?

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  67. Then you can't come to the signings because you might kill people D:

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  68. Nah, I won't kill them in a group. One by one is my style

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  69. nah, the necromancer is awesome,
    The insane murderer, not so much :P Learn a bit of control haha

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  70. Unless I feel like killing them in a group

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  71. Nixion, killing isn't nice. I do it to the people in my head All the Time.

    And bonebreaking frightens me. Mostly because then I wiry about Skul...

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  72. Exactly.
    Go in to bookstore, its packed.
    Derek finishes speaking, theres just a handful left.
    Go downstairs to get books signed, thinking everyone else is down there.

    But its empty.
    >.>

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  73. Control? I learnt control and gave it up
    I'm also a good fighter, I gave my life for that damn necromancer once (stupid mage saved me and caused a war) loyal, helpful, all powerful (I know more than bonebreaking) and I've got friends in high and low places. Trust me, when it comes to the Australian magic world, I'm the guy to go to

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  74. Oooh, are they all dead? Or did they run away?

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  75. *sighs*

    least Em is recording her meeting with Derek. Closest I'll get to meeting him probably ever

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  76. *laughs*
    You all are so
    terretorial.

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  77. Zafira- First there shall be an American tour! (When they finally decide to release the rest of the books)
    Then a world summit, bet on it!

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  78. And Nixion...I think...that if I come to Australia, then I'll fend for myself, thank you very much.

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  79. *coughs*
    Sorry. I just get the urge to kill people sometimes
    Anyone bored? I could... liven things up

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  80. Hi Kal!

    Sorry, I've been so packed with work I've only had to chance to read two entries

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  81. Nix you could break me out of the Gaol-again

    I trued begging Derek but he ignored my pleas

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  82. Oh, you do not want to fend for yourself
    A sorcerer rules the underworld of this country, both magic and mortal. I've managed to aviod him, but if you even get close to him... you've lost
    Stick with me, and you'll be fine

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  83. Yes, you are.
    Oh, Nixion.
    Austrailia?

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  84. Since last nighht. Val arrested me then brought Pleasant in.

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  85. Australia, yes. Going through a liiiiiiittle crime problem right now

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  86. ^.^
    Hi, Derek! It's the crazy chick with the I Heart SP tee-shirt here! Y'know, the one that met you and got to bask in your Golden Godliness for thirty minutes. :D

    Anyway... Derek, you were amazing! And I hope you like the painting I gave you. :3

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  87. Val arrested you?
    *whistles*
    Weak. You couldn't fight off Val? You're a grande mage and a Necromancer!

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  88. That's all?
    Austrailia?
    *Laughs again*
    Terretory...

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  89. It was....uncalled for. My magic was bound as it is and...she won. Though I think I insulted her

    And I even BEGGED for the Golden God to help...nooo. He...ignored my pleas

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  90. Anyway, have fun breaking out of jail, and Nixion, try not to kill to many people.

    I need to go eat breakfast...

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  91. Bye Rhyanna!

    I haven't killed anyone in... what, was today Friday?

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  92. NO. Why do you Care
    about being the
    Grand Mage of
    Austrailia
    or
    America
    or England?
    Why not be the undrcurennt
    of the world? p
    what's a stupid
    ocean to
    stop you?

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  93. Ok, im now the erm. undercurrent of the world. Done.

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  94. I'm never going to work in polotics. When did I say that? Never being the Grande Mage

    No such thing as undercurrent of the world

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  95. There WAS no such thing,
    Now I am it, whatever it is.
    I guess.. it is me?

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  96. I once killed an Elder
    Say I'm trying to be Grande Mage again and I'll snap your neck

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  97. Do you're not grand mage.
    But you're so...
    important? dominant?
    in Austrailia?
    What's the point?

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  98. Because the Sanctuary has almost fallen here. Chaos rules, and me. I'm important. I'm good at what I do. And one day, I'm going to rule this country, but not as Grande Mage

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  99. "And he laughed, because Monatgue could not see how pointless and trivial ruling anything or anyone really was"

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  100. *appears in Ireland*
    Anyone else up for a rescue mission? Newbie?

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  101. To be honest, I'll kill Monatgue, whoever that is, before I listen to him

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  102. That sounds a lot like monarchy or dictatorship to me,
    And you say you don't like politics?

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  103. Montague**
    And you wouldn't kill him, he CANT see how ruling is pointless. He thinks power is great and rules over people and stuff.

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  104. My case has been rested

    So you helping me spring Zaf out of Goal or not?

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  105. Hi guys :) And I was SO happy for Katie :D Yay :D

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  106. FIne. But only because you're Zafira's an ameriminion.

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  107. Hi Eve!

    I'm trying to juggle three cows

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  108. ... Cat, that sentence made no sense

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  109. Lol no one rules in anarchy, your defeating your own point.
    "Yet he would be king on't"

    "The later end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning"

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  110. Woah. You're either really strong or really pissed off, Nix :P

    "I'm juggling three cows" :P

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  111. Matex! You coming to spring Zaf out of prison or not?

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  112. *is lying in bed*

    hate the bloody potato eaters (no offense Irish

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  113. And the queen, she fixed him
    with an arrogant
    eye
    she said you wont understand
    so you might as well not try
    but her face was a child's
    and he thought she would cry
    but she closed herself up like a fan

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  114. Yeah awesome.
    I'll use my plausible mage/world undercurrent power thing stuffs... or something.

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  115. She made it up

    Pick a magic and go with it!

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  116. Thats cool.
    Derek Landy made up half of skulduggery pleasant altogether hahaha.
    Im not 18, im allowed to be undecided.
    I think I would start with elemental though?

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  117. Sounds like it should be some sort of vague reference.

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  118. Hi guys :) And Meow. I has cat whiskers, 'cus I'm just THAT cool ;)

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  119. Good. I've wanted to be an elemental, but damn brainwashing

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  120. Matex the thing of Blogland is...you dont have to be a beginner. Like I'm Grand Mage yet I never became a Cleric yet in the Temple. So you can be an Elemental just try not to set me on fire

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  121. That's really cool, Val.

    And breakfast was...pretty ordinary. I usually don't get hungry until lunch at the earliest, or dinner.

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  122. Hmmm i know that but the thing about blogland (and any other fictional land) is that you have so much... power u.u

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  123. I'm boooooored of being a bonebreaker

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  124. What part am i supposed to be playing
    in this?
    Twisted my ankle last night, so...

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  125. So, what's the plan?

    Is there a plan?

    Does there need to be a plan?

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  126. Awwww i guess i can understand, i dont eat breakfast too early either.
    ..
    that said, i usually wake up at like 2 or 3 in the afternoon anyway >.>

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  127. Blogland is . . . *drumroll* This place!

    *points at comments' section* Yeah. Only we imagine blogland as having a lake and a cliff and a volcano and a forest and a theme park but irl, it's a comments' section.

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  128. No plan survives the battlefeild...

    Lucky you, Matex. I usually wake up at like 2 or three in the morning
    if i sleep that long

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  129. Matex...I ate breakfast around ten thirty. What do you mean, not early?

    And can I join in the saving here somewhere?

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  130. haha that sucks! I usually dont get to bed until about then :P

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  131. I have breakfast seven/eight o'clock usually. Same for weekdays, weekends and holidays. I don't like getting up late. :)

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  132. Well you said it was still too early haha,
    And yeah get on board. We are discussin the plan, as it is.

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  133. Boooooooooored of being a bonbreaker

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  134. Wait...so *this* is blogland...

    Woah...

    *stands and turns around in a circle, staring in awe*

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  135. Yes! This is Blogland. We can travel to countries ect its fun

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