Well not this space - but the title sounded good.
Over the last couple of days Ive been doing quite a bit of thinking. Since the high of the campaign last year - which basically dominated all my time/thinking from April to October, I have had something of a hole in my existence.
After working in such a high stakes game, naturally a year like this - just isnt nearly as exciting.
So anyway after watching Al Gore's stunning An Inconvenient Truth the other day I think Ive discovered another campaign to work on.
Im gonna have a word to some people about looking at kicking some sort of campaign off.... so watch this space I guess!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Review: Nacho Libre
Just been to see Jack Black's new flick - Nacho Libre.
Its the story of a Mexican priest who secretly follows his passion and becomes a Luchadore (wrestler)
The film has received a bit of criticism as the film was directed by the guy who did the very excellent Napolean Dynamite. Personally I think its ridiculous to compare the two - Nacho is clearly aimed at a broader audience, including kids. It follows the same style as School of Rock, but offers more for adults, has the same sentimentality in the end, but is just great comedy.
Jack Black is fast becoming a modern day James Belushi, consistently producing offbeat hilarious stuff.
This is well worth a watch.
Its the story of a Mexican priest who secretly follows his passion and becomes a Luchadore (wrestler)
The film has received a bit of criticism as the film was directed by the guy who did the very excellent Napolean Dynamite. Personally I think its ridiculous to compare the two - Nacho is clearly aimed at a broader audience, including kids. It follows the same style as School of Rock, but offers more for adults, has the same sentimentality in the end, but is just great comedy.
Jack Black is fast becoming a modern day James Belushi, consistently producing offbeat hilarious stuff.
This is well worth a watch.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
An Inconvenient Truth
Ive just got back from seeing Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. That was easily one of the most important films I have ever seen.
Gore uses simple language to communicate such an important issue - Im completely inspired to actually do something about this.
Nuclear disarmament was our parents issue during the 70s and 80s, I cant help but think this is our issue, and we're at what Churchill called a "Period of Consequence" no longer is talking good enough we need action.
Gore uses simple language to communicate such an important issue - Im completely inspired to actually do something about this.
Nuclear disarmament was our parents issue during the 70s and 80s, I cant help but think this is our issue, and we're at what Churchill called a "Period of Consequence" no longer is talking good enough we need action.
A Bloody good cause
Im always keen to support a good cause, and having worked for rubbish pay and conditions at a supermarket Im with the EPMU and NDU in their current campaign.
As you may be aware, Supermarket workers at Progressive sites nationwide have been locked out of work for the past 20 or so days. At first this began as a 2 day strike, but then Progressive wouldnt let them back.
Progressive are owned by Woolworths Australia, and operate the Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown brands in New Zealand. In the last 12 months they have recorded a $1.2 Billion profit increase - but are refusing to agree to a nationwide collective contract for supermarket workers (which means all staff get the same conditions - leave etc) and are refusing to increase their pay by the 8% demanded (which is reasonable).
If you have ever worked in a supermarket - you can appreciate how shafted these workers feel. The new Australian owners are treating their workers with contempt, and are attempting to enforce Australian conditions.
These workers shouldn't be forced to give up on their legitimate claim for a single national agreement covering the same work in different parts of the country along with a decent pay rise. Progressive are basically attempting to starve them into accepting their pathetic pay offer.
To show your support go to Shelf Respect or go to this site to donate to their cause - they have been without pay for 20 odd days now - and most of these workers have young families.
Otherwise show your support by boycotting Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown (their stock isnt getting delivered anyway - so the shelves are empty!)
As you may be aware, Supermarket workers at Progressive sites nationwide have been locked out of work for the past 20 or so days. At first this began as a 2 day strike, but then Progressive wouldnt let them back.
Progressive are owned by Woolworths Australia, and operate the Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown brands in New Zealand. In the last 12 months they have recorded a $1.2 Billion profit increase - but are refusing to agree to a nationwide collective contract for supermarket workers (which means all staff get the same conditions - leave etc) and are refusing to increase their pay by the 8% demanded (which is reasonable).
If you have ever worked in a supermarket - you can appreciate how shafted these workers feel. The new Australian owners are treating their workers with contempt, and are attempting to enforce Australian conditions.
These workers shouldn't be forced to give up on their legitimate claim for a single national agreement covering the same work in different parts of the country along with a decent pay rise. Progressive are basically attempting to starve them into accepting their pathetic pay offer.
To show your support go to Shelf Respect or go to this site to donate to their cause - they have been without pay for 20 odd days now - and most of these workers have young families.
Otherwise show your support by boycotting Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown (their stock isnt getting delivered anyway - so the shelves are empty!)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Exciting stuff
I had a phone call the other night from Craig about getting a ride up to Hamilton for the wedding etc etc, which suddenly made me realise - this is all only really a week away when you take the whole stag-do into account as well. How cool is that?
Unfortunately we have a work team building/planning days next Tuesday and Wednesday which means I havent been able to take the whole week off, but anyway should be wicked.
Half the fun too will just be getting everyone together in a 'new' place - although Hamilton is just a big Palmerston North...... which is a big Levin, so I guess not that new??
Now for an Odd spot - this is classic
Unfortunately we have a work team building/planning days next Tuesday and Wednesday which means I havent been able to take the whole week off, but anyway should be wicked.
Half the fun too will just be getting everyone together in a 'new' place - although Hamilton is just a big Palmerston North...... which is a big Levin, so I guess not that new??
Now for an Odd spot - this is classic
Friday, September 08, 2006
Review - Clerks II
Dante - "Never go Arse to Mouth"
Randal - "Always go Arse to Mouth"
Pretty much says it all - more vulgar jokes, more discussions on everyday crap - which is better Star Wars or LOTR? etc.
(LOTR is just three films about going for a walk)
Clerks 2 picks up the story 10 years after the first Clerks, and begins with Randal leaving the coffee on at the Quick Stop, burning the place down, meaning Dante and Randal get jobs at fictional fast-food chain - Mooby's.
After a year at Mooby's Dante is about to leave for Florida with his dominating fiance. Clerks II follows his last day at Mooby's including covering the farewell that Randal organises - an Inter-Species-Erotica show.
Jay and Silent Bob of course feature - apparently they had escaped a drug conviction, and had to do re-hab - which is where they found Christ - which of course is hilarious. Shit dude did you know Jesus was Jewish
If you have seen - and liked Kevin Smith's earlier films, you'll love this, but its not likely to be the film that would draw you into the View Askewniverse.
You could criticise the fact that it basically follows the same format as the original (although the hockey game is replaced by a dance routine - to ABC) but this is good solid Kevin Smith, and I think his best film since Chasing Amy.
4/5
Randal - "Always go Arse to Mouth"
Pretty much says it all - more vulgar jokes, more discussions on everyday crap - which is better Star Wars or LOTR? etc.
(LOTR is just three films about going for a walk)
Clerks 2 picks up the story 10 years after the first Clerks, and begins with Randal leaving the coffee on at the Quick Stop, burning the place down, meaning Dante and Randal get jobs at fictional fast-food chain - Mooby's.
After a year at Mooby's Dante is about to leave for Florida with his dominating fiance. Clerks II follows his last day at Mooby's including covering the farewell that Randal organises - an Inter-Species-Erotica show.
Jay and Silent Bob of course feature - apparently they had escaped a drug conviction, and had to do re-hab - which is where they found Christ - which of course is hilarious. Shit dude did you know Jesus was Jewish
If you have seen - and liked Kevin Smith's earlier films, you'll love this, but its not likely to be the film that would draw you into the View Askewniverse.
You could criticise the fact that it basically follows the same format as the original (although the hockey game is replaced by a dance routine - to ABC) but this is good solid Kevin Smith, and I think his best film since Chasing Amy.
4/5
Monday, September 04, 2006
Simple pleasures
C4 now has some competition - MTV is back in New Zealand, which has made me a happy man.
Im not sure how C4 will survive given 90% of their programming - Punk'd, all their cartoons, Jackass, Viva La Bam, Dirty Sanchez, Wildboyz, Pimp my Ride etc is from MTV. But hey who cares.
MTV only features music videos every now and then, focussing on their shows - which is where I struck gold!
MTV Homewreckers - its Ryan Dunn from Jackass' new show, basically people who have had a prank pulled on them by mates, write in and Dunn then goes and "rennovates" their room - like turns it into urinal and such like. Inbetween these he teaches you how to do pranks around the home - like instead of using glad wrap on the toilet, use clear jello! (can only be removed by scooping it out - which if defecated on isnt the nicest!) or filling up the fans in someones car with dots from a hole punch - so they blow everywhere when the car is started.
If I had a top 5 current shows - it would be in there. The best of the shows by former Jackasses.
Im not sure how C4 will survive given 90% of their programming - Punk'd, all their cartoons, Jackass, Viva La Bam, Dirty Sanchez, Wildboyz, Pimp my Ride etc is from MTV. But hey who cares.
MTV only features music videos every now and then, focussing on their shows - which is where I struck gold!
MTV Homewreckers - its Ryan Dunn from Jackass' new show, basically people who have had a prank pulled on them by mates, write in and Dunn then goes and "rennovates" their room - like turns it into urinal and such like. Inbetween these he teaches you how to do pranks around the home - like instead of using glad wrap on the toilet, use clear jello! (can only be removed by scooping it out - which if defecated on isnt the nicest!) or filling up the fans in someones car with dots from a hole punch - so they blow everywhere when the car is started.
If I had a top 5 current shows - it would be in there. The best of the shows by former Jackasses.
Steve Irwin
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin has been killed - not by a crocodile, but by a Stingray.
Apparently his wife hasnt been told yet - she is trekking in Tasmania.
Now I've never been a fan of Irwin but this is pretty shocking. I guess he died doing what he loved - which no one could complain about.
Apparently his wife hasnt been told yet - she is trekking in Tasmania.
Now I've never been a fan of Irwin but this is pretty shocking. I guess he died doing what he loved - which no one could complain about.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Dangerous driving charge against armless man dropped
Above is a headline from today's Herald
Over the last year or so I have collected daft headlines and stories like this one, and put them on the pinboard in my office.
After finding that gem this morning I though id share some of the small but growing collection...
Blind man kills deaf man in noise row
Cannabis raffled for $10 a ticket
Man of Steel not gay says director
Horse given party pill drug
Computer can read your mind
Schoolgirls vomit together
No napkins..... elderly might eat them
Quick victory for humans in caveman clash
The Lord will tackle National
US dismisses deaths as 'good PR move'
Personality disorder 'no excuse for killing'
and my all time fav is actually a pull quote which featured in the Herald when Air NZ had maintainence issues a couple of years back...
'Our goal is to land with all the parts we take off with' Air NZ chief technical officer, Bill Jacobson
I love the insanity of the media.
Over the last year or so I have collected daft headlines and stories like this one, and put them on the pinboard in my office.
After finding that gem this morning I though id share some of the small but growing collection...
Blind man kills deaf man in noise row
Cannabis raffled for $10 a ticket
Man of Steel not gay says director
Horse given party pill drug
Computer can read your mind
Schoolgirls vomit together
No napkins..... elderly might eat them
Quick victory for humans in caveman clash
The Lord will tackle National
US dismisses deaths as 'good PR move'
Personality disorder 'no excuse for killing'
and my all time fav is actually a pull quote which featured in the Herald when Air NZ had maintainence issues a couple of years back...
'Our goal is to land with all the parts we take off with' Air NZ chief technical officer, Bill Jacobson
I love the insanity of the media.
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