Everything to look forward to in Nelson

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't really get the way so many people spend so much of their lives desperately searching for happiness.

It seems to me that once you have your food, shelter and clothing sorted out, there are only three other things that you need to be happy. They are: a few good relationships that make you smile, a sense of purpose and stuff to look forward to.

Getting the first two can be tricky, but in a place like Nelson, and in a country like New Zealand, the last one shouldn't be much of a stretch. In fact, despite the year already being nearly a quarter over, there is still much to get excited about in 2010.

For instance, I'm hanging out for the release of director Paul Greengrass's latest film, Green Zone, next week and the Oscar-winning movie The Hurt Locker a few weeks after that. Then there is the World Cup in South Africa, finally finding out what the hell is going on in Lost, the launch of the Theatre Royal and, as perverse as it sounds, October's local government elections.

The launch of the Theatre Royal in June is one do that I wouldn't miss for anything. Not only is it going to be a stunning facility, but the fact that so many passionate people have been involved in making it happen guarantees it's going to be one hell of a party.

If I don't get invited, I will gatecrash or bribe the new manager, Guy Boyce, with a subscription to the Leader.

Another knees-up I'm looking forward to is next month's Marchfest. Organised by my friends Eelco Boswijk and Mic Dover, Marchfest is being held in April this year to avoid clashing with the hop harvest and other festivals.

Not only does the event provide a chance to sample a brilliant selection of specially brewed beers matched with excellent entertainment, it also plays an important part in my family's history. The first Marchfest was held two years ago, several days after the birth of our second son. At the time, we were struggling to finalise his name. We really wanted one that ended with an "o" and, after trying all the obvious candidates on for size, decided the most likely contenders were Theo or Leo.

The name we liked the most, however, was Miro, from the abstract Spanish painter Joan Miro.

We both loved it, but after some discussion decided it would be a bit pretentious to name a little boy in Nelson after an abstract Spanish painter neither of us knew anything about. The name was taken off the table and not spoken of again.

That inaugural Marchfest was a memorable night. It poured with rain, but the atmosphere was great, the headline act SJD rocked and the beers were tasty.

It was my first night out since the wee one's arrival and well-wishers kindly shouted me numerous drinks. As a result, I was a frequent visitor to the loo, and it was on one of these expeditions, that I found myself standing next to Andrew Dixon, of Mussel Inn fame. The two of us got into a big chat that continued as we rejoined the fray, and Andrew introduced me to a couple of bushy-bearded, bushshirt-clad fellas from Golden Bay who, from memory, were named Trevor and Bruce.

As I ranted and raved, Trevor asked whether our new boy had a name. I told them we were thinking of Theo or Leo and hadn't quite made our minds up. Without the slightest hesitation, Bruce said, "Theo is alright, but Miro is better."

Not quite believing what I had just heard, I blurted out: "We love that name too, but we thought it would be pretentious to name a little kid in Nelson after an abstract Spanish painter we know nothing about."

Incredulous, Bruce looked at me and said: "What are you talking about, mate? It's a bloody tree."

- © Fairfax NZ News