Back in business.

Well, two months ago I promised. And didn't deliver. 2010 will see more regular updates, I hope!

Suffice to say its been a busy time, some bad and some amazingly good. Overall the outcome for the decade is outstanding.

And on that note, short and to the point, for what its worth here are my Top Ten albums for the Decade:

1. Radiohead- Kid A
2. Muse- Absolution
3. The Killers- Hot Fuss
4. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- Dig Lazarus Dig
5. Green Day- American Idiot
6. Arcade Fire- Neon Ballroom
7. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers- By The Way
8. MGMT- Oracular Spectacular
9. Dimmer- You've Got To Hear The Music
10. Guns n Roses- Chinese Democracy

And my Top 5 Gigs for the Decade

1. Iron Maiden in ChCh 2009
2. The Cure in Auckland 2007
3. U2 in Auckland 2006
4. Kasabian at the BDO 2006
5. Muse at the BDO 2006

I'll Be Back

I really must start posting here more often again. Don't give up!

Bears get thirsty too....

I doubt this was helpful for business. And half an hour in a beer cooler without cracking one open? Can't have had it's preferred brand in stock!

Viscious Attack Confirmed on the Aussie Male Psyche

There will be riots.... it has been confirmed on stuff.co.nz that Aussies will be limited to a mere slab of beer when they attend Bathurst. How will the average aussie survive on just 24 cans of beer in a given day????


David Boon and his cronies will be devastated!!!

Shakey Week

All I can say is lets hope the earth settles down now

Indonesia Aid appeal
www.reliefweb.int

Samoa Aid Appeal
online donation

Thoughts are with all affected by these.

Storm season underway

Summer is here in the Mainland. And with it comes the awesome thunderstorms we sometimes get in ChCh. Today one of them decided to develop right over my head in the middle of my Hagley Park lunchtime run. Didn't last long and was very localised, but it hailed enough to sent the golf greens white, put welts on my arms, and it had me wondering if I was in danger from a rogue lightning bolt at one point!

Pics are of the storm clearing away to the east of the city when I got back to the office

Back in the swing of it all

Well its been a great three weeks for reactivating one of my favourite past times- live music.

Three weeks ago it was Liam Finn and friends. A fantastic show, a bit like last years one man mad professor shows with EJ Barnes in part, but also very interesting as a big part of the set saw him as a bit player in a new band with Conan Mockasin and Larence Arabia. It was intriguing, and had me thinking of early Split Enz. I really did wonder if we were witnessing the birth of something special. Have a look for yourself if you are a fan at the new Liam and EJ track...



The next week it was Head Like a Hole. What a stunning trip down memory lane! Booga has aged as ungracefully as we all would have hoped and is now the proud dad of twins no less. HLAH ripped through a stonking set of all the old favourites from Fish Across Face, to Spanish Goat Dancer, to Comfortably Shagged. Best track for me was the highly energised version of I'm on Fire. The warm up act were good too- Luger Boa. I definitely recommend them. So many memories came flooding back of the crazy student years and this has rekindled hope that HLAH might come up with some new material now.

We all know HLAH inside out so I'll give you a Luger Boa track to chew on instead- this song just won't leave my head! We were close enough to the front row to see the whites of their eyes...the true test of a live music experience.




Finally last Friday it was two of the most talented acts up and coming in NZ- The Valves and Midnight Youth. Both acts were standouts at Southern Amp last year so it was good to see them again a year down the track. The Valves are almost what you could call a "Christchurch Institution" now, and deservedly so. They play a great set, each and every time. They did in fact steal the show from Midnight Youth.

I was concerned I'd be the oldest person in the crowd at Midnight Youth. Fortunately I was about the middle. They have a solid album out from all accounts- I have only heard the singles, but they played a good set. I was very surprised to see them cover Alice In Chains and Black Sabbath though- as was half the crowd I think! A very promising band, could become one of NZ's biggest music exports. Lets see how their "difficult second album" goes.



and Midnight Youth making a "run" for my Kepler playlist...

Chinese Democracy update

You will remember my raving review and top ten placing for 2008 for the GNR album Chinese Democracy last year.

It would appear sales have been slower than hoped due to a lack of promotion or a tour. Axl has had to seek a new income source...

Fathers Day

This is why we do it , big ups to all the other Dads out there

The Rules need not apply?

So what applies- road rules or maritime rules? And will the AA attend if they breakdown in the middle of Cook Strait?

From Stuff.co.nz

Men set out to drive van across Cook Strait
By BLAIR ENSOR on a support boat - The Marlborough Express
Last updated 10:23 06/09/2009

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express
VAN-CY A TRIP: The two men left Waikawa marina under the shroud of darkness at 6am, heading out toward the northern entrance of the Marlborouh Sounds.

LATEST: Two men's attempt to cross Cook Strait in a van has gotten underway this morning.

Aeronautic machinists Adam Turnbull and Dan Melling made the news late last month after converting their Toyota Tarago van - called "Roofliss" - into an amphibian vessel.

The two left Waikawa marina under the shroud of darkness at 6am, heading out toward the northern entrance of the Marlborouh Sounds.
They have now entered Cook Strait, and are perched on the van's roof with a map.

Conditions remain good with the sun shining, very little wind and a gentle roll lifting the van.

The men aim to be at Mana Bay marina by 3pm this afternoon.
Responding to earlier doubters about the viability of their attempt, Dan Melling said, "Not many people would have taken a van across the Strait, so until you do you don't know, do you?"

Why?

Why on earth would you want to spend 30 years voluntarily with a physical disability?

Lunacy.

Full story at Stuff

Now this is funny

From NZ Herald.co.nz

Traffic cone on top of Sky Tower

An orange traffic cone has appeared on top of the Auckland Sky Tower.

It's unclear how the cone got there or who is responsible.

There is some suggestion it is a marketing ploy.

The cone on top of the Sky Tower today. Photo / Brett Phibbs

- NZ HERALD STAFF

Early Spring

Well today is officially the first day of spring.

But unofficially its been spring for over a month. Here in ChCh the blossoms are out in full, the daffodils have gone nuts and in general the place looks like it normally does at the end of September, not the beginning. All this is because of a remarkably warm August with mild temperatures, little rain and much sunshine.

True to form though, this means the West Coast has had a hammering. There's been over 1000mm of rain in the Cropp Valley (Hokitika headwaters) in just the past 8 days. Now that's about the average annual rainfall of Auckland and Wellington- just staggering, although its not unusual for spring- mates at Arthur's' Pass refer to this time of year as the Monsoon!

It wouldn't be the greatest time to go tramping ....

All Is Well With The World

Something for your HR Team to consider...

New Pearl Jam track

I just love the positivity and life in this song. Uplifting. Roll on Nov 29!

What next? A Whale in your Bathtub?

Full story.... From Stuff.co.nz

The Weatherston Case

Just watched the documentary. This whole story just makes my flesh creep.

Clayton Weatherston appears still to not know what he has done. Dear god, what a heinous crime, this is up there with the worst NZ has seen. He simply has to have known he was killing her, yet he carried on. The Bain family, the Aramoana and Raurimu killing sprees- pretty sure those killers 'flipped' and never came back. Weatherston did and then proceeded to rape the memory of his victim by media at his trial. And still he seems not to accept his tremendous failings.

Its straight out of a Jeffrey Deaver novel.

The Otago Daily Times today ran perhaps the most effective story on this whole terrible saga that I have seen. A compelling narrative, please read this

Rest in peace Sophie Elliot. Apparently her economics thesis was outstanding- its getting published all over the place now. So sad she couldn't celebrate that.

Hotel Checks Out

I'd say somewhere, somehow, an engineer/ hotel builder is feeling a bit guilty....

At least the neighbours have thier waterfront view back.
Reportedly no one was was hurt, not every day a typhoon nails an entire hotel!

Pearl Jam are on the way

I know where I want to be on November 29....

Pearl Jam were one of my first great musical obsessions.

They have always played unbridled rock, and they've done if with a sense of fun. Thats the key element that has seen them be the only survivors of the early 90's "Grunge" era. Rising from the ashes of the tragic Mother Love Bone saga (Apple is one of the greatest albums ever made, rest in peace Andy Wood), Pearl Jam represent what classic rock music should look like.

New album next month and a full tour of NZ and Oz coming up, I cannot wait. From Ed Vedders haunting voice to Mike McCready's freestyle guitar solo's these guys are a must see. Their mid 1990's set in Auckland is one of the best gigs I've seen- I wonder if the Finn Brothers will join them for a Split Enz encore again?

Heres a taste of what the fuss is about, the band were understandably nervous after crowd problems and a death at an earlier festival, but its a great version of one of their best tracks, Corduroy from the Vitalogy CD.

The Magical Mackenzie

Just got to share some pics from a wonderful long weekend in the Mountains. The boys 'tramped' their first snowy Mt Cook National Park epic. I was 22 years old when I first saw that view!

And how did the lads celebrate this momentous feat? They fell asleep! But they really did enjoy their time in the High Country. Many more times like this to come.

As the pics will show, it was mid winter perfection.

Lake Alexandrina from Mt John

Evening light from the Hotel room in Tekapo

The Cloud Piercer

Jordan likes it :)

Its hard work this tramping lark

Late afternoon corona sunburst over The Footstool

Mt Sefton looking savage

Another Trademe Gem

Courtesy of Sideswipe you simply have to click this link....here

I dare ya to bid.

$1 RESERVE YELLOW MITSUBISHI MIRAGE

This vehicle is an ex workshop courtesy car.Has been well looked after by all our customers (see photos).

Haha

Hats off to the seller, kicks the arse off "one careful lady owner"

Be sure to check the comments. My favourate: " Is that a real car in the moon photo, or is it just a mirage?"

Tramper Boys

Well, the lads have no choice. They are going to be outdoorsy types who know the back country inside out. And their education is underway.

We took them for what could technically be called their first tramp last Sunday. It was a glorious winters day up the Port Hills. We chucked them in the backpacks and wandered up trails to the top of the hills for about an hour and a hald and both lads love it. Pointing, touching trees, laughing, its all a good sign!

This weekend we're off to Tekapo and Mt Cook Village so there will be a batch of good pics next week for sure. In the meantime...Sundays pics:


It was one of those magic winters days in Canterbury- and it was fantastic being above the fog in ChCh and the Harbour basin

Google Moon

Yes folks, you too can fly to the moon on your PC. Fantastic resource!

Just in time for the 40th anniversary of Neil and Buzz et all. Funny coincidence that.

Its all here

Rules for Visting Our Place

(Thanks to Stacey!)

Rules for visiting NZ's South Island are:

1. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't crooked.
3. Let's get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a Ute because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus.Drive it or get out of the way.
4. They are cattle. That's why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? SH1 goes north, find it and F*** off.
5. So you have a $80,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 Harvesters that are driven only 3 weeks a year.
6. Every person in the South waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/quail are coming in during the season, we WILL shoot it outta your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time..
8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer, pig and duck. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.
9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of duck season. It's a religious holiday, we will observe it.
10. We open doors for women. That's applied to all women, regardless of age.
11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.
12. When we set a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and Watties Tomato sauce! Oh, yeah - we don't care what you folks in Ponsonby call that stuff you Eat. . IT AIN'T REAL CHILLI!!
13. You bring 'Coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and with a Speights label. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair...
14. College and High School Rugby is as important here as the All Blacks, the Highlanders and the Crusaders and a heap more fun to watch.
15. Yeah, we have golf courses, but don't hit the water hazards - it Spooks the fish.
16. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity -thump crap ain't music. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to#1!
17.. For role models refer to the "Mainland Cheese" and "Speights" boys........... 'good on ya, mate'!

I hope you can begin to understand what a real life is all about!!!

Aotearoa Dodges a Bullet

Massive earthquake in Fiordland last night- 7.8 on the Richter Scale. Talk about lucky, it couldn't have been in a 'safer place' under Resolution Island miles from civilisation, and while we did send an attempt at a tsunami at Aussie it was only a baby one.

The real tsunami will hopefully be the All Black Tide on Saturday night.

So yea, it could be argued we just had the big one. Or will it start a chain reaction up the Alpine Fault like the Boxing Day megaquake did in Indonesia 4 years ago? Hope not!

The Faroe Islands

Random post this one. Its coming up a couple of years since a wee gem in the middle of the Pacific called Atiu completely punched a whole in my consciousness. Sometimes the smallest places on the planet punch way above their weight, and now I've just finished reading the Denniston Rose series of books with the final stanza "Catching the Current".

Without ruining the plot for those of you who want to read the book its a tale of a wandering spirit named Conrad or Enok who sets out from the Faroe Islands in the 1800's and ends up settling in pioneering New Zealand. What a tale, but the Faroe Islands sound an incredible place. Check out Wikipedia for the full story, but they appear to have much in common with the Outer Hebrides in Scotland- and if you are a family member of mine your interest should be well and truly honed now.

Read on here at Wiki... and then read Jenny Pattricks series of books- "The Denniston Rose", "Heart of Coal" and "Catching the Current". Outstanding New Zealand literature!

Great Viral for Parents

I am somewhat releived that the wee fella's at our place aren't quite this active!

Boys on Tour

In 14 months Joshua and Jordan have been on more planes, boats and road trips than I think I did in my first ten years! They seem to love it too, god bless them. We had another great trip to over the weekend for Catherine's 21st festivities and general catch up and show off time with the whanau. Thanks to all for a wonderful weekend!

Only two months till the next visit... before then we will be sneaking a trip in to Tekapo to chase the snow.

Saddam and Iraq

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that it is now confirmed that Saddam had:

• No weapons of Mass Destruction


• Would have been happy to formulate an alliance with the US due to fears over Iran


• No links to Al-Qaeda whatsoever

So, remind me again why the US deemed it so necessary to invade Iraq, and cause the deaths of tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of civilians and military personnel?

Oh, that's right....

$70,000 for a Tele?

Cripes you have to be kidding! Stuff.co.nz

Its a Strange World

Some bizarre headlines have been grabbing my attention this week- click the links and chuckle

• Stoned Wallabies making crop circles.

Stoned Wallabies are sighted all round the world, makes sense!

• Man attempts suicide by long drop.

I can think of better ways to "go".

• Scientists prove Ducks like water.

Huh? They needed a million bucks to work that out?

RIP The King of Pop

Maybe somewhere tonight theres a gig going on with the King of Rock n' Roll, and a Charlies Angel in attendance?

My thoughts are what a strange life, but what a talented one.

Heres a clip from a moment they say changed pop music forever- the first moonwalk



I suspect we are moving into a new era with the Culture of Celebrity- there are so many more 'celebs' these days that there will be obituaries for them on a daily basis in the coming years

President Jolie?

Brad Pitt and the First Lady? haha

Angelina reportedly going into politics story here

Would you vote for her?

Food Terrorism

Brussell Sprouts are evil. The one foodstuff that I will flee a room from- I'd rather have my mouth washed out with caustic soda!

and now the experts are with me...Read on here

Feeders and growers and Smart Cookies

Our lads are growing up waaaaaaaaaaay fast.

Today they had their paediatrician check up. They ticked every box. Our lads are complete winners, they basically got an A+.

For those who are interested in detail- Josh is slightly taller and slightly heavier, but there is only a pair of socks in it really!

We rock :)

Obama- Swift and Decisive action

If only John Key could display this trait...

Swine Flu

It strikes me that I seem to be feeling overtly complacent about this bug. Am I wrong to be feeling this way? From what I gather the current strain is no worse than the "normal flu" (if there is such a beastie) in terms of symptoms, although it is obviously considered highly virulent.

So, on the basis of that are we overreacting? Should we all be off having "Swine Flu Parties" where we share drinking vessels, etc, so we all catch it off each other and get immunity from this apparently relatively benign strain before it mutates into something mean?

This interests me because the 1918 Spanish flu came in three waves, and the first wave was quite benign, however the second and third waves were real humdingers that did the killing.

I just don't really know. It sure is a good way to sell Tamiflu stocks that are due to expire soon though....;-)

A Big Day

Had a wonderful drive to Picton today and then a very "cruisey" trip over Cook Strait to Wellingtron with my incredible boys. The were perfect the whole way, we are so lucky to have them.

Accross the strait we even has a massive pod of dolphins, and then the icing on the cake, an orca!

First Day of Winter looms

I've never seen so much snow about in May. This week in particular is snowed in some highly unusual places, like Rotorua, Wellington, Blenheim.

Seems to have bypassed ChCh today but we had some earlier in the week and another good fall weeks back. Makes you wonder what sort of winter we'll be getting, what with it starting tomorrow and all!

Pic attached from Naseby, Central Otago, three weeks ago. God bless the South Island!

Everest Epic

Well, he's done it!

Glenn has nailed the worlds most epic marathon in the Himalaya's. Read all about it here...

The hard way too by the looks of things.

Standing ovation for that man folks!

Kea Busts Out of Fiordland Penetentiary!

Fun story at stuff.co.nz...Kea steals Passport

The single most amazing animal I have seen, it scares me there may be as few as 1,000 left. I reckon these birds should be our national icon, not a flightless near blind bird that forages in the dark of night. Give me an irrepressible mountain flying brainbox over a kiwi anyday!

UFO invasion

This stunning picture is linked from metvuw.com credited to Pam Blackwell

Stunning stuff!

As an aside, it looks like snow is a possibility for ChCh on Sunday....

Madman Marvin

Good luck for the Everest Marathon to my arch-nemesis! I would love to be there, but that would involve being in two places at once.

Keeping a weathered eye on his blog for a report in the next week or two...
http://www.knockthebastardoff.blogspot.com/

Now Here Is An Inspiration

Check out this bloke at Stuff.co.nz, hats off chap!

His own site is at www.7in7.org.nz/

Winter has its grip

Its been a wild week. Snow, hail, thunder, sleet, gales, heavy rain...and the weekend looks even worse!

Go the Crusaders
Go the Hurricanes

Now, I'd better check my bank account and see if the bank has credited me with my $10,000,000.

Thursday

In the old days it used to be THE drinking night
Not any more, clearly

Fingers Crossed

From Stuff.co.nz- Go Crusaders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Jerseys with the appearance of falling on ones sword is still not the greatest look though!

Is it a Full Moon?

Not every day you have an upside down taxi at the end of your driveway.

As if the adrenaline wasn't already flowing enough from a fist raised yellfest at the TV from the Auckland V Canterbury rugby cliffhanger, some drunk woman decided to take on a taxi driver, and the story is hazy but it sounds like she stole his cab, tried to run him over and ended up totalling the cab at the end of our driveway.

Action!

Thankfully it appears there were no injuries, and the losers have been caught by the cops after fleeing on foot.

The Routeburn Classic 2009

The first snowflakes fell about 5 minutes before the race start. True to form. But then its called an "Adventure Race" with good reason....so off we went with a couple of raucous keas squawking us on. Or were they laughing?

The Routeburn is my favourite race- I think because its a bit rougher, a bit more of an alpine experience and just the right distance that you don't feel like you are completely killing yourself.

It was definitely winter from there. From Lake McKenzie hut to Routeburn Falls we were in serious snow and at times ice- at times I felt like I should be diving for an iceaxe, running without even a bag on my back as I was wearing all my gear- well it made me feel strangely exposed, but definitely free to charge!

This years finish line felt good. About 5 and a half hours, and I had a strong finish for the last 10km once out of the ice. I reckon the snow added about half an hour to times (not to mention the endless clicking of the camera) so the target of 5 hours might well have worked in snow free weather.

Some great stories were shared at the prizegiving, none less than the woman who came last ("The Worlds Slowest Indian" award), who had never seen snow before starting! I think she enjoyed it, but talk about a baptism by fire!

I'll be back next year for sure. In the meantime you'll just have to live it vicariously through a few photographs-:

As always just click on the pics for bigger sexier versions :)