Saturday, 31 October 2009
Monday, 19 October 2009
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!
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
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!!!
David Boon and his cronies will be devastated!!!
Friday, 2 October 2009
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.
Indonesia Aid appeal
www.reliefweb.int
Samoa Aid Appeal
online donation
Thoughts are with all affected by these.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
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
Sunday, 13 September 2009
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...
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...
Sunday, 6 September 2009
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
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?"
Friday, 4 September 2009
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.
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.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
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 ....
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Friday, 21 August 2009
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Monday, 10 August 2009
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.
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!
At least the neighbours have thier waterfront view back.
Reportedly no one was was hurt, not every day a typhoon nails an entire hotel!
Thursday, 6 August 2009
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.
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.
Monday, 27 July 2009
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.
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
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