This is my inaugural post as the gaming blogger for Voxy.co.nz and it looks to be a rather inauspicious start; once through with the obligatory introductions I plan on disappearing into the holiday season until the New Year, as I'm sure many of you do. Even so, I thought it best to make some noise sooner rather than later, let you readers know where I would like this blog to go, and get down to some serious gaming talk.

Why sugar plum fairy, you might ask. She's a character in Tchaikovsky's ballet Nutcracker. And she's a keeper of sweets. Such as the sweet I'm about to make - plum leather.

Forest & Bird is shocked that squid fishers will be allowed to kill 40 per cent more threatened New Zealand sea lions in the coming season.

New Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley announced today that the number of sea lions allowed to be killed in the squid fishery this season has been raised from 81 last year to 113.

1) What are you celebrating? 

Today I worked all day in the hospice kitchen - believe it or not - a wonderful place to work.

A little thrill rushed through my body this morning as an advert for the epic film Gladiator came on the TV. It's one of those films that no matter how many times you see it, there is always a plethora of emotions as you get dragged into the story by the vivid images of war torn Roman Europe, right through to the bitter sweet ending.

As you will soon be able to see from my avatar - drawn by the incredibly talented Margaret Tolland - my universe is filled with food. If it was up to me this blog would be an edible one filled with gooey chocolate, freshly baked bread and home made pizza. Mind you, not all at the same time.

With time on my hands, New Zealand photographer Gina Smith invited me to be her assistant at a photo shoot.

Ye olde Phuket, who would have thought it? Hidden away from most of the tourists (those who only want to go to girly bars and Pattong) is one of Thailand’s hidden gems.

The Bangkok protests have done some strange things to this year’s high season. Some are willing to sell no haggles, some remain resolute and bargaining is not an option.