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 ....