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.
FIRST!!!
ReplyDeleteYou'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.... :)
ReplyDeleteDEREK IM GLAD YOU ARE HAVING FUN ON THE TOUR!!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
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
ReplyDeleteGlad you're having fun, Derek!
ReplyDeletehahah.
KATIE TAYLOR WAS AMAZING. I watched it and I was so happy! :D YAY! x3
ASDFGHJKL
ReplyDeleteAAAHHHHH 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
I JUST HAVE A LOT OF FEELS
ReplyDeleteAND SHANNON AND AHH WHAT'S HAPPENING
ReplyDeleteHello Derek and Everyone.
ReplyDelete*th!!!
New Pic, Becky?
ReplyDeleteI put it up about a week ago, yep. Gonna change it again though because MY FACE IS THE ANTICHRIST
ReplyDeleteOh my! Oh my! First page comment! Hello Derek. If I go to a signing I have to pay $400 at least.
ReplyDeleteOut of my own money!
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me about the new post
ReplyDeleteDEREK! REMEMBER MY NAME, I SHALL SEE YOU SOON
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
ReplyDeleteEVEN IF IT KILLS ME
WHICH HOPEFULLY IT WON'T
Hey Nix.
ReplyDeleteIts worse for Ameriminions!
ReplyDeleteBut Becky! I like my money. Maybe Derek could, y' know, stop off in Canberra...
ReplyDeleteHmmm I don't comment on here often (if ever) but i guess I will now as I will be seeing you soon Derek!
ReplyDeleteAUSTRALIA. 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!
...
ReplyDeletewell...
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.
...
ReplyDeletewell...
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.
I dont have really any money...
ReplyDeleteMy entire life's savings(excluding college) is two hundred dollars or something.
Yeah, I ONLY spend my money on books.
ReplyDeleteDerek, Is Caelynn going to be a good guy or a bad guy when you come back?
ReplyDeleteWhere is Gordon...
ReplyDeleteHi Matex!
ReplyDeleteSee you in Melbourne!
I know! I thought that Matex!
ReplyDeleteOh, hey! Really?! I guess so? This is pretty cool :)
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY.
ReplyDeleteAnd where is Tanith's torture scene?!
I might see you...
ReplyDeletewell $400 is pretty intense. I mean it depends on how old you are though, having a job and such.
ReplyDeleteMy phone...just erased...my ENTIRE comment. Grr.
ReplyDeleteSo, 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.
I'm newly 14. No job. Night all!
ReplyDeleteI dont even live in America and i agree that Derek should go there!!!
ReplyDeleteSKULDUGGERY IS FOR EVERYONE <3
sharing IS caring...
well that is difficult, where does 400 come from?!
ReplyDeleteMaybe 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
THANK YOU, MATEX.
ReplyDeleteAnd 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?)
400 is nothing for what I'd have to pay to go there- less than half of just the round-trip flights.
ReplyDeleteadd in lodging, food, skulduggery books...
and more than 2000 bucks for just me.
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.
ReplyDeleteYup! Luggage hates us
Ha, Matex, if Derek did that all of the minions would love him FOREVER. That is BRILLIANT!
ReplyDelete^ Do it, if you don't join the conversation in the first few comments it gets impossible to join later >.> haha
ReplyDeleteI went to North Carolina for My Aunt's
ReplyDeleteWedding once
My luggage literally didnt come until
The night before the
actual wedding,
so I did the Rehearsal and everything
in jeans
Aww, cat D:
ReplyDeleteWhere abouts are you?
Ehm... in america?
ReplyDeleteEast coast-ish, New englandish area
I never have before, this is so COOL!
ReplyDeleteAnd 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.
Wait besides Cat and I are we the only Ameriminions on?
ReplyDeleteOh well then yeah there is no way you would want to come to an Australian signing :/
ReplyDeletesorry, been distant. No need to worry, I'm here now
ReplyDelete*strikes hero pose*
I MISS THE EAST COAST AREA SO MUCH!!!! You're so lucky, Cat...
ReplyDeleteExcept when it comes to SP tours...
*grins*
ReplyDeletei'd go to any signing. Just i'd hafta go abroad...
Nope, Zafira, I'm ab Ameriminion too.
ReplyDeleteYay!!! Another Ameriminion! So that's three including myself :D
ReplyDeleteHi Nixon!
ReplyDeleteHow is everyone?
I is being awesome, but that's just my personality and skills
ReplyDelete*strikes another hero pose*
Maybe there should be a skulduggery pleasant world summit...
ReplyDeleteOne where Derek (having finished the series and become a millionare) pays for the accomodation and stuff.
And we ALL meet up.
Yes.
Dont even ask Me, Rhyanna Bredlau
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
You said world summit...
ReplyDeleteDrooling now...
(Sorry, that was my Hetalia fangirling coming out...)
That would be BRILLIANT, Matex.
That's been thought of
ReplyDeleteI tried it once
Matex that'd be AWESOME then finally I'd meet Derek...I wonder....
ReplyDeleteI will approach Derek with my proposition when I see him in Melbourne.
ReplyDeleteHe won't turn me down, he will have to say yes. It will be awesome!
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.
ReplyDeleteAnd you guys can call me Reena. Or Rhyanna. Doesn't matter.
Oh Nixion, you did? :(
ReplyDeleteMatex, if you get him to say yes, and both of us go to the world summit, you get a hug.
ReplyDeleteYeah, tried to get a bunch of us to meet and see Derek in Ireland
ReplyDeleteWait...Nixon, you did...it won't work...
ReplyDelete*goss sobbing into the depression corner*
I will keep that in mind :)
ReplyDeleteI was reading Death Bringer last night. And was arrested by dear Val...
ReplyDeleteWait....Im still in the Sanctuary? Too early for me to think
But thats not a world summit! That WOULD be difficult to organise but you have my respect for even ATTEMPTING it. So worth it!
ReplyDeleteDarn it...
ReplyDeleteWell, Matex...you can still...try, I suppose.
Reena, get out of my corner.
ReplyDeleteWorld summit will happen!
ReplyDeleteEveryone get out of the corner >.>
It never hurts to try. The worst that could happen is Derek saying no.
ReplyDeleteYeah, kudos to you, Nixion.
ReplyDeleteThat is physically impossible.
ReplyDeleteDerek will agree.
I'm out of the depression corner...don't worry about me...
ReplyDeleteIm 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
ReplyDeleteWhat, physically impossible...Matex, are you a Mage???
ReplyDeleteIf you are...heeelp meeeeee I need to find the Sanctuaryyyyyyyyyy.
Yes, I'm aware that it's impossible, but still...
Reena I'm the American Grand Mage
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteAussie sorcerer! I shall take you under my nonexistent wing and teach you the ways of blogland and magic!
@Rhyanna
ReplyDeleteI 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
@ Matex well I can only hope I would be allowed to.
ReplyDeleteO.O
ReplyDeleteO.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...
Like a giant
ReplyDeletenerdfighter's thing,
or a thing where we just
get our signings
and... you know, plot evilly
with the Derek
Matex! My wing is not usually open to help. Consider yourself luckly, mostly I just kill people
ReplyDeleteHeh, 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.
ReplyDelete*dancing horribly*
And I really, really, really hope that if the world summit happens, I get to go...that would be so WOW.
Wait I thought you were talking to Rhyanna haha, hmmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteThat's not awfully nice >.>
Maybe i'll take you under my wing and teach you not to kill people :P
Im a Necromancer but I am Grand Mage. Sheer luck I suppose,
ReplyDeleteNot kill? But how would you do that? I'm insane
ReplyDelete*kills panda*
Besides, I would get bored and kill you halfway through. This way, I don't get bored... maybe
sheer luck?
ReplyDeleteMore like sheer awesomeness...
I'm a bonebreaker. Made to kill. I'm also... ah, I'll let that bit be a surprise
ReplyDeleteSo, wait, the politician is awesome but the insane murderer isn't?
ReplyDeleteThen you can't come to the signings because you might kill people D:
ReplyDeleteNah, I won't kill them in a group. One by one is my style
ReplyDeletenah, the necromancer is awesome,
ReplyDeleteThe insane murderer, not so much :P Learn a bit of control haha
Unless I feel like killing them in a group
ReplyDeleteIm Grand Mage of course im awesome! But Nix is too...
ReplyDeleteNixion, killing isn't nice. I do it to the people in my head All the Time.
ReplyDeleteAnd bonebreaking frightens me. Mostly because then I wiry about Skul...
Worry**
DeleteExactly.
ReplyDeleteGo 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.
>.>
Control? I learnt control and gave it up
ReplyDeleteI'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
Oooh, are they all dead? Or did they run away?
ReplyDelete*sighs*
ReplyDeleteleast Em is recording her meeting with Derek. Closest I'll get to meeting him probably ever
It doesn't sound like it >.<
ReplyDelete*laughs*
ReplyDeleteYou all are so
terretorial.
I WILL KILL YOU ALL RIGHT NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteZafira- First there shall be an American tour! (When they finally decide to release the rest of the books)
ReplyDeleteThen a world summit, bet on it!
And Nixion...I think...that if I come to Australia, then I'll fend for myself, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteNIXON!!!! CALM DOWN!!!!
ReplyDelete*coughs*
ReplyDeleteSorry. I just get the urge to kill people sometimes
Anyone bored? I could... liven things up
@Cat - we are?
ReplyDeleteHi Kal!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I've been so packed with work I've only had to chance to read two entries
Nix you could break me out of the Gaol-again
ReplyDeleteI trued begging Derek but he ignored my pleas
Oh, you do not want to fend for yourself
ReplyDeleteA 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
You're in goal Zaf? Since when?
ReplyDeleteYes, you are.
ReplyDeleteOh, Nixion.
Austrailia?
Since last nighht. Val arrested me then brought Pleasant in.
ReplyDeleteAustralia, yes. Going through a liiiiiiittle crime problem right now
ReplyDelete^.^
ReplyDeleteHi, 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
Val arrested you?
ReplyDelete*whistles*
Weak. You couldn't fight off Val? You're a grande mage and a Necromancer!
That's all?
ReplyDeleteAustrailia?
*Laughs again*
Terretory...
You being racist?
ReplyDelete*is confused*
ReplyDeleteI dont care about territory?
It was....uncalled for. My magic was bound as it is and...she won. Though I think I insulted her
ReplyDeleteAnd I even BEGGED for the Golden God to help...nooo. He...ignored my pleas
Anyway, have fun breaking out of jail, and Nixion, try not to kill to many people.
ReplyDeleteI need to go eat breakfast...
Bye Rhyanna!
ReplyDeleteI haven't killed anyone in... what, was today Friday?
NO. Why do you Care
ReplyDeleteabout 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?
Breakfast? thats crazy >.<
ReplyDeleteTalk next time :)
Ok, im now the erm. undercurrent of the world. Done.
ReplyDeleteO.o
ReplyDeleteIm...not a very happy Necromancer
I'm never going to work in polotics. When did I say that? Never being the Grande Mage
ReplyDeleteNo such thing as undercurrent of the world
There WAS no such thing,
ReplyDeleteNow I am it, whatever it is.
I guess.. it is me?
SO you say.
ReplyDelete*laughs*
Just trying to keep an open mind here..
ReplyDeleteI once killed an Elder
ReplyDeleteSay I'm trying to be Grande Mage again and I'll snap your neck
Nix.,..little help?
ReplyDelete*is bored to death in the Gaol*
So this in Ireland or America Zaf?
ReplyDeleteDo you're not grand mage.
ReplyDeleteBut you're so...
important? dominant?
in Austrailia?
What's the point?
Ireland
ReplyDeleteBecause 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
ReplyDelete"And he laughed, because Monatgue could not see how pointless and trivial ruling anything or anyone really was"
ReplyDelete*appears in Ireland*
ReplyDeleteAnyone else up for a rescue mission? Newbie?
To be honest, I'll kill Monatgue, whoever that is, before I listen to him
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a lot like monarchy or dictatorship to me,
ReplyDeleteAnd you say you don't like politics?
No, it's anarchy
ReplyDeleteMontague**
ReplyDeleteAnd you wouldn't kill him, he CANT see how ruling is pointless. He thinks power is great and rules over people and stuff.
"It's anarchy"
ReplyDelete-I rest my case :)
Yeah, but I'm better than him
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on? :)
ReplyDeleteMy case has been rested
ReplyDeleteSo you helping me spring Zaf out of Goal or not?
Hi guys :) And I was SO happy for Katie :D Yay :D
ReplyDeleteFIne. But only because you're Zafira's an ameriminion.
ReplyDeleteHi Eve!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to juggle three cows
... Cat, that sentence made no sense
ReplyDeleteHi Eve!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Val2!
ReplyDeletenor do i.
ReplyDeleteLol no one rules in anarchy, your defeating your own point.
ReplyDelete"Yet he would be king on't"
"The later end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning"
Woah. You're either really strong or really pissed off, Nix :P
ReplyDelete"I'm juggling three cows" :P
Matex! You coming to spring Zaf out of prison or not?
ReplyDelete*is lying in bed*
ReplyDeletehate the bloody potato eaters (no offense Irish
And the queen, she fixed him
ReplyDeletewith 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
Yeah awesome.
ReplyDeleteI'll use my plausible mage/world undercurrent power thing stuffs... or something.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteHEY WILLOW :D
ReplyDeleteHi Willow!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is undercurrent?!
ReplyDeleteHi Willow!
ReplyDeleteAsk Cat?
ReplyDeleteShe made it up
ReplyDeletePick a magic and go with it!
Thats cool.
ReplyDeleteDerek 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?
Like im a Necromancer...
ReplyDeleteSounds like it should be some sort of vague reference.
ReplyDeleteHi guys :) And Meow. I has cat whiskers, 'cus I'm just THAT cool ;)
ReplyDeleteGood. I've wanted to be an elemental, but damn brainwashing
ReplyDeleteCAT WHISKERS?! OH MY GOD.
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool :D
Hey Rhyanna!! :) How was breakfast??
ReplyDeleteMatex 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
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool, Val.
ReplyDeleteAnd breakfast was...pretty ordinary. I usually don't get hungry until lunch at the earliest, or dinner.
I'M UP FOR HELPING ZAF!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm i know that but the thing about blogland (and any other fictional land) is that you have so much... power u.u
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!! Please dear god save me
ReplyDeleteI'm boooooored of being a bonebreaker
ReplyDeleteWhat is blogland?
ReplyDeleteWhat part am i supposed to be playing
ReplyDeletein this?
Twisted my ankle last night, so...
So, what's the plan?
ReplyDeleteIs there a plan?
Does there need to be a plan?
Awwww i guess i can understand, i dont eat breakfast too early either.
ReplyDelete..
that said, i usually wake up at like 2 or 3 in the afternoon anyway >.>
Plans are like buses... ;)
ReplyDeleteYes!!! Save me!!!
ReplyDeleteBlogland is . . . *drumroll* This place!
ReplyDelete*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.
No plan survives the battlefeild...
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Matex. I usually wake up at like 2 or three in the morning
if i sleep that long
Booooooooored of being a bonbreaker
ReplyDeleteMatex...I ate breakfast around ten thirty. What do you mean, not early?
ReplyDeleteAnd can I join in the saving here somewhere?
haha that sucks! I usually dont get to bed until about then :P
ReplyDeleteI have breakfast seven/eight o'clock usually. Same for weekdays, weekends and holidays. I don't like getting up late. :)
ReplyDeleteJoin in!!! Save me
ReplyDeleteWell you said it was still too early haha,
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah get on board. We are discussin the plan, as it is.
Boooooooooored of being a bonbreaker
ReplyDeleteWait...so *this* is blogland...
ReplyDeleteWoah...
*stands and turns around in a circle, staring in awe*
Help
ReplyDeleteYes! This is Blogland. We can travel to countries ect its fun
ReplyDeleteYAY! New post!
ReplyDelete