Nature and the machine

Happy born day

“Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.”

Bob Dylan

Fixing my Raleigh 20

tUnE yArDs

I'm looking forward to seeing these lovelies on Thursday...

Citronella bug wipeout

Good morning Coromandel

Let's go surfing!

Rock n Roll

Spike Jonze: Mourir Auprès de Toi

Spread the love

Every day I drive past a shopping mall and it appalls me how busy it is. Cars narrowly swoop past people and dive for car parks already claimed. People draw hundreds of dollars on their cards and ruthlessly follow an age old tradition of greed and expectation.

Fortunately I only have to endure the fast paced, stressful and ugly shopping situation from a distance. And as I pull up to the traffic lights amidst the hustle and bustle of a consumer Christmas, I have a moment to reflect on a quote from Buddha:

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."

Don't get caught up with your wallet this year - just give your positive energy, laughter and smiles. It goes further and is definitely more valuable than anything you buy from a mall.

Into oblivion

Jay Reatard

Grains of rice the same length and shape

Stomping grounds

Taranaki is the place my dad calls home and the place I call WOMAD. Can't wait till March.

Roll on summer

We are in trouble

New Zealand should be very concerned with all of what follows. Our education system is in demise and it's no thanks to the National Government. We're in trouble thanks to all you idiots who voted blue. 

Click the links below for an overview on my most recent disgust:

1.  National Standards put learning at severe risk for both teachers and students.

The plan.

The problems.

From the principals

From the parents

More resources.

2.  Charter schools are a terrible idea. 

What are they?

In simple speak, this means businesses can set up schools, answer to private boards and the government or rather, public money will pay the admission fees for kids who go there. Needless to say competition will run rife and like any other commercial business, if schools can't compete, they will drop from the chain. Unlike other businesses, they take the kids with them. 

The problems.

Read about them

Listen to them

More resources.

You should be very disappointed New Zealand. 

A love that breathes

Portrait by Christian Espinoza

A beautiful afternoon at The Getty

Portishead - Vector Arena, November 10th

Haunting, intense and dangerous.

Portishead absolutely smashed the Vector last night, filling our ears with gold. It was the percussive chaos of Silence that led the way with Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley owning the stage staunch with passion.

We were standing about five rows from the front; right in the centre so had a great view of the entire band. Beth was front and center opposite us, visually sharing the stage with a large video screen projection. A combination of live images, pre-recorded digital artwork and illustrations morphed in and out, perfectly synced with the band – it was magic. A special thanks to both John for the visuals and the sound technicians - it was without a doubt the best sound I have ever heard at the Vector.

The show really kicked in with the space-age Mysterons, seamlessly followed by The Rip. Hearing ‘White Horses’ howled through the microphone whilst grinning with my girlfriend almost melted me to the floor. Another highlight of the night for me was the quiet, and eerie performance of Wandering Star, performed seated by the band. It was followed by a song I like to dance jerky to - Machine Gun from Third, with Gibbons’ delicate vocals mashed into industrial beats to create a fierce little number. Clive Deamer who recently featured on Radiohead's King of Limbs did an excellent job of drumming in this song and actually, I was impressed by Geoff and his drumming throughout their whole set.

With plenty of incredible tracks to fill the spots between my favourite tunes, Portishead remained poised and powerful to the end, closing the curtains with a favourite of Geoff Barrows and mine - a terrifying version of Threads.

The crowd went crazy, throwing all our appreciation into hands. Whistles and shouting followed with people in the seats drumming their feet for an encore. About a minute later, the talented Beth Gibbons and her entourage appeared onstage, notably overwhelmed by their warm reception. Straight into Roads, a number the audience had been waiting to hear, Portishead played out their encore with what they do best, eerie intensity. It was so beautiful; the whole evening was like nothing I’ve ever heard before. 

True Love

Living in the land of the plenty - Occupy Auckland

The memorial service

5 years of love has now retired to a box.

Last night, I decided to make a short video to celebrate a favourite pastime of swinging my locks.

Dinner with the Yaws

Spring in New Zealand

Good morning!

My best friend

I love Patti Smith

http://www.ubu.com/sound/smith.html

Common Ground

Drenched in beauty without speaking a word

I'm drawn to your space in an effort to know more

Your eyes invite me to a place unknown 

Where love is paramount and kindness a given

As we explore natures untouched surprises

Walking beside our own reflections

And together making sense of our surroundings

Such a simple composition impresses all elements

The exposed rock solidifies any uncertainty

Eyes closed I can see your smile from within

It blankets my body with content and 

I'm instantly consumed by your presence

Enveloped with your understanding 

Ever hopeful these feelings will last -

You're one of the best spells ever cast.

Finding the way

My journey is a road less travelled

A different but normal maze unraveled

In yer face