I called it! My film of the year has apparently pulled ahead as the favourite for Best Picture at the Oscars. Little Miss Sunshine, like Kiwi in the Melbourne Cup, has come from nowhere in a phenomenal performance to pick up both the SAG and PGA Best Picture.
Read all about it here
In other news Harry Potter is getting his kit off for a play in London. The play about a stablehand who goes postal on some horses, features a whoolllee lot of young Daniel Radcliffe. Apparently this has upset a lot of parents, their kids could find out about what those bits and pieces really are! You can see the promo shots here - you know you want to. Dirty people.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Possibly one of the all time great gifts
As a farewell gift from the Beehive, Tinks gave me a desk calendar - but not just any desk calendar...
You see when you tear off each day, there are instructions on how to fold that into a paper plane! There is a new one everyday, todays "The Griffen" (blue one in the pic) was an absolute ripper - it does a loop without you doing anything. Amazing.
Tomorrows is called The Eagle - can't wait.
Also Tinks had suggested that I set up a Paper Plane blog to record the flights of each every day - we'll see!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Haven't we been over this?
During the 90s the National Government introduced a "work for the dole" scheme, and in short it was a failure.
Fast forward to 2007, and what is the great new policy to come out of the National and Maori parties? Work for the Dole! What else? They both argue that people on the dole need motivation, and need to learn how to work and their "new" scheme will deliver this.
Now while Im all for not letting facts get in the way of a good yarn, I feel it necessary to cast a little reality on this policy. Firstly unemployment reached record highs during the 1990s, so much so that National said unemployment would never go below 6% of the population again, and that it was unrealistic to attempt to better that. Helen Clark was mocked by the media and opposition when she set 4.5% as a target during the 1999 election campaign. Currently New Zealand has the lowest unemployment rate in the developed world (OECD) at only 3.6% only one other country has a rate below 4% and that is South Korea at 3.8%. More New Zealanders are in jobs now than ever before, and since 1999, over 100 jobs have been created every single day. So its fair to say, there is little need for a push in this area.
But of course nobody likes dolescum, do they? So what better button to push? Start by saying that this is a growing problem, especially amongst Maori (ooooo brown people), and say that they are too lazy and need to learn how to earn their living. In theory its hard to argue with it I admit. However the reality is quite different.
What work exactly do you get these people to do? If a job actually needed doing, you would pay someone to do it wouldnt you? So either, you get people on the dole to do a job - essentially for free, instead of someone who would otherwise do such a job, or you get them to do something for the hell of it - which is what happened last time.
If the government gets people on the dole to say empty the rubbish bins down Cuba Mall, well that means the person who is hired to do that now will lose their job - meaning you are extending the problem. The other option is that you get them to essentially dig a hole, re-fill said hole, and dig it again (this actually happened). The effort is better spent on providing actual job and skills training to people and growing the economy so more jobs are created and people can find a proper job rather than steal someone elses (effectively as slave labour), or dig a hole for no reason.
Don't be sucked in by the rhetoric around these sorts of schemes, in theory they sound great, but the reality is very different.
Fast forward to 2007, and what is the great new policy to come out of the National and Maori parties? Work for the Dole! What else? They both argue that people on the dole need motivation, and need to learn how to work and their "new" scheme will deliver this.
Now while Im all for not letting facts get in the way of a good yarn, I feel it necessary to cast a little reality on this policy. Firstly unemployment reached record highs during the 1990s, so much so that National said unemployment would never go below 6% of the population again, and that it was unrealistic to attempt to better that. Helen Clark was mocked by the media and opposition when she set 4.5% as a target during the 1999 election campaign. Currently New Zealand has the lowest unemployment rate in the developed world (OECD) at only 3.6% only one other country has a rate below 4% and that is South Korea at 3.8%. More New Zealanders are in jobs now than ever before, and since 1999, over 100 jobs have been created every single day. So its fair to say, there is little need for a push in this area.
But of course nobody likes dolescum, do they? So what better button to push? Start by saying that this is a growing problem, especially amongst Maori (ooooo brown people), and say that they are too lazy and need to learn how to earn their living. In theory its hard to argue with it I admit. However the reality is quite different.
What work exactly do you get these people to do? If a job actually needed doing, you would pay someone to do it wouldnt you? So either, you get people on the dole to do a job - essentially for free, instead of someone who would otherwise do such a job, or you get them to do something for the hell of it - which is what happened last time.
If the government gets people on the dole to say empty the rubbish bins down Cuba Mall, well that means the person who is hired to do that now will lose their job - meaning you are extending the problem. The other option is that you get them to essentially dig a hole, re-fill said hole, and dig it again (this actually happened). The effort is better spent on providing actual job and skills training to people and growing the economy so more jobs are created and people can find a proper job rather than steal someone elses (effectively as slave labour), or dig a hole for no reason.
Don't be sucked in by the rhetoric around these sorts of schemes, in theory they sound great, but the reality is very different.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Early days but who knows?
The Democratic Primary campaign is well underway, the three front runners, Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and former Senator and 2004 Vice Presidential nominee, John Edwards have all begun strongly.
As I have said before while Clinton is clearly the favourite, and in nationwide polls has opened up a 17 per cent advantage over nearest rival Barack Obama, Im still not convinced that she is electable. The first polls in the states where the first party caucuses (primary elections) are held appear to be showing my thoughts could be on the money. In New Hampshire (where I will prob spend some time campaigning next year) Obama has a 5 point lead over Clinton and nearly a 10 point lead over Edwards, but the big shock for me is Iowa.
Iowa is a funny state, but crucial to anyones chances, if you fall badly at Iowa - youre stuffed. In 2004 Howard Dean was the clear favourite for the Democratic nomination, but from absolutely nowhere and thanks to doing the hard yards, John Kerry took Iowa, and never looked back.
On current polling, Clinton is not only behind, but is way back in fourth place. John Edwards holds a slight advantage over Obama, with Clinton trailing. This is important because Iowa is where most of the hardcore campaigning will happen in the next 12 months, and with Clinton being written off by some already, she has a long way to go to avoid an embarassing first up thrashing - which could de-rail her campaign entirely.
To have any chance, candidates have to perform strongly in the early races. If Obama and Edwards are able to open up any sort of early lead, it may well be too much for Clinton to pull back.
As I have said before while Clinton is clearly the favourite, and in nationwide polls has opened up a 17 per cent advantage over nearest rival Barack Obama, Im still not convinced that she is electable. The first polls in the states where the first party caucuses (primary elections) are held appear to be showing my thoughts could be on the money. In New Hampshire (where I will prob spend some time campaigning next year) Obama has a 5 point lead over Clinton and nearly a 10 point lead over Edwards, but the big shock for me is Iowa.
Iowa is a funny state, but crucial to anyones chances, if you fall badly at Iowa - youre stuffed. In 2004 Howard Dean was the clear favourite for the Democratic nomination, but from absolutely nowhere and thanks to doing the hard yards, John Kerry took Iowa, and never looked back.
On current polling, Clinton is not only behind, but is way back in fourth place. John Edwards holds a slight advantage over Obama, with Clinton trailing. This is important because Iowa is where most of the hardcore campaigning will happen in the next 12 months, and with Clinton being written off by some already, she has a long way to go to avoid an embarassing first up thrashing - which could de-rail her campaign entirely.
To have any chance, candidates have to perform strongly in the early races. If Obama and Edwards are able to open up any sort of early lead, it may well be too much for Clinton to pull back.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Battle of the Titans
There is a modern NZ version of Monopoly coming, and at the moment you can vote on which places you want to be in.
Which is where this story from todays Herald comes from. Palmerston North and New Plymouth are engaging in a slanging match over who should represent the central north island. The choice is between Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, The Square in Palmerston North and the third option is Mt Ruapehu.
New Plymouth is definitely the better city - has the best contemporary Art gallery in Australasia - the Govett Brewster, has Puke Ariki, and the wind wand! But regardless, Mt Ruapehu is definitely more significant than either.
The big question though, which the lame mainstream media have failed to ask - what about the Asian Market Gardener in Levin??? The Mall?? New World??? That kids park on the main road?? Hmm on second thought.
You too can vote here on this piece of history
Which is where this story from todays Herald comes from. Palmerston North and New Plymouth are engaging in a slanging match over who should represent the central north island. The choice is between Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, The Square in Palmerston North and the third option is Mt Ruapehu.
New Plymouth is definitely the better city - has the best contemporary Art gallery in Australasia - the Govett Brewster, has Puke Ariki, and the wind wand! But regardless, Mt Ruapehu is definitely more significant than either.
The big question though, which the lame mainstream media have failed to ask - what about the Asian Market Gardener in Levin??? The Mall?? New World??? That kids park on the main road?? Hmm on second thought.
You too can vote here on this piece of history
Virtual Super 14
The annual Virtual Super 14 is underway again, and while my track record of late hasnt been quite what it could have been, this series does begin on the back of the domestic cricket comp, which at one point saw me at number1 in the whole comp of 11,000 people, well 1st equal at least.
So run along and sign up - my tag on there is viewaskew37 (the name refers to Kevin Smith's production company, and the 37 is from Clerks...)
So run along and sign up - my tag on there is viewaskew37 (the name refers to Kevin Smith's production company, and the 37 is from Clerks...)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
What colour are you?
The Oz Politics Blog has a really good quiz of 50 questions - which determines which Australian political party you match.
Apparently Im left of the ALP (Aust Labor Party - no they dont use the u in Labour) and match up with the Australian Democrats (minor party a bit like Jim Anderton in NZ), so pretty much being left of the ALP means im NZ Labour! Who would've guessed?
On Political Outlook
I scored -45.8% meaning im Centre-Left
On Economic Policy
I scored -12.8% meaning im Centrist
On Social Policy
I scored - 33% meaning im Centre-Left
and the mac-daddy on Traditional (or moral) issues
I scored -96% meaning im Far-Left!
Now while this is for Australian Politics - the questions translate, and I worked on the basis of the New Zealand situation when answering questions about Aborigines etc.
Take the test!
Apparently Im left of the ALP (Aust Labor Party - no they dont use the u in Labour) and match up with the Australian Democrats (minor party a bit like Jim Anderton in NZ), so pretty much being left of the ALP means im NZ Labour! Who would've guessed?
On Political Outlook
I scored -45.8% meaning im Centre-Left
On Economic Policy
I scored -12.8% meaning im Centrist
On Social Policy
I scored - 33% meaning im Centre-Left
and the mac-daddy on Traditional (or moral) issues
I scored -96% meaning im Far-Left!
Now while this is for Australian Politics - the questions translate, and I worked on the basis of the New Zealand situation when answering questions about Aborigines etc.
Take the test!
Radio Supernova
My new work has all sorts of weird restrictions on what you can do on your computer - which has caused one problem - no ITunes!
I was at a loss as to how I could remedy this - granted I listen to Radio New Zealand National online in the mornings in anycase (goes with the job), but from 10 onwards (except for the midday news) I like/need music.
Well its Oasis to the rescue - you will notice under links that I have added Radio Supernova - its web based and required no downloads, you just pick what source you want from Album tracks, Acoustic tracks, B Sides, Live tracks and it plays a random selection of tracks - for as long as you are on there!
Check it out via my links section, and yes Karen not only has your link been restored - its now the New Adventures of Karen! (Just like Superman but with slightly less spandex).
I was at a loss as to how I could remedy this - granted I listen to Radio New Zealand National online in the mornings in anycase (goes with the job), but from 10 onwards (except for the midday news) I like/need music.
Well its Oasis to the rescue - you will notice under links that I have added Radio Supernova - its web based and required no downloads, you just pick what source you want from Album tracks, Acoustic tracks, B Sides, Live tracks and it plays a random selection of tracks - for as long as you are on there!
Check it out via my links section, and yes Karen not only has your link been restored - its now the New Adventures of Karen! (Just like Superman but with slightly less spandex).
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Oscar 07: The official picks
Welcome to my official picks for the 2007 Academy awards. Yes true I havent seen most of these films, but that wont stop me! If you want to join in, or youre little bit bored click here to download a PDF ballot form. Ive only done picks in categories I care about, so fuck sound editing in other words. My picks are in bold, and where I think my pick wont actually win ive asterixed who i think will:
SCREENPLAY - ORIGINAL
BABEL, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, PAN’S LABYRINTH, THE QUEEN
CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE BLACK DAHLIA, CHILDREN OF MEN, THE ILLUSIONIST, PAN’S LABYRINTH, THE PRESTIGE
ANIMATED FEATURE
CARS, HAPPY FEET, MONSTER HOUSE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
AFTER THE WEDDING, DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES), THE LIVES OF OTHERS, PAN’S LABYRINTH, WATER
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
DELIVER US FROM EVIL, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS, JESUS CAMP, MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY
ACTRESS - SUPPORTING
Adriana Barraza – BABEL, Cate Blanchett – NOTES ON A SCANDAL*, Abigail Breslin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, Jennifer Hudson – DREAMGIRLS, Rinko Kikuchi – BABEL
ACTRESS - LEADING
Penélope Cruz – VOLVER, Judi Dench – NOTES ON A SCANDAL. Helen Mirren – THE QUEEN, Meryl Streep – THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, Kate Winslet – LITTLE CHILDREN
ACTOR - SUPPORTING
Alan Arkin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, Jackie Earle Haley – LITTLE CHILDREN, Djimon Hounsou – BLOOD DIAMOND, Eddie Murphy – DREAMGIRLS*, Mark Wahlberg – THE DEPARTED
ACTOR - LEADING
Leonardo DiCaprio – BLOOD DIAMOND, Ryan Gosling – HALF NELSON, Peter O’Toole – VENUS, Will Smith – THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, Forest Whitaker – THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
DIRECTING
BABEL, THE DEPARTED, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, THE QUEEN, UNITED 93
BEST PICTURE
BABEL*, THE DEPARTED, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, THE QUEEN
SCREENPLAY - ORIGINAL
BABEL, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, PAN’S LABYRINTH, THE QUEEN
CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE BLACK DAHLIA, CHILDREN OF MEN, THE ILLUSIONIST, PAN’S LABYRINTH, THE PRESTIGE
ANIMATED FEATURE
CARS, HAPPY FEET, MONSTER HOUSE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
AFTER THE WEDDING, DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES), THE LIVES OF OTHERS, PAN’S LABYRINTH, WATER
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
DELIVER US FROM EVIL, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS, JESUS CAMP, MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY
ACTRESS - SUPPORTING
Adriana Barraza – BABEL, Cate Blanchett – NOTES ON A SCANDAL*, Abigail Breslin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, Jennifer Hudson – DREAMGIRLS, Rinko Kikuchi – BABEL
ACTRESS - LEADING
Penélope Cruz – VOLVER, Judi Dench – NOTES ON A SCANDAL. Helen Mirren – THE QUEEN, Meryl Streep – THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, Kate Winslet – LITTLE CHILDREN
ACTOR - SUPPORTING
Alan Arkin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, Jackie Earle Haley – LITTLE CHILDREN, Djimon Hounsou – BLOOD DIAMOND, Eddie Murphy – DREAMGIRLS*, Mark Wahlberg – THE DEPARTED
ACTOR - LEADING
Leonardo DiCaprio – BLOOD DIAMOND, Ryan Gosling – HALF NELSON, Peter O’Toole – VENUS, Will Smith – THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, Forest Whitaker – THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
DIRECTING
BABEL, THE DEPARTED, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, THE QUEEN, UNITED 93
BEST PICTURE
BABEL*, THE DEPARTED, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, THE QUEEN
Its begun - Let the dirt fly!
US Senators Clinton (D-NY) and Obama (D-Il) have confirmed they are both in the running to be President, and not even a week later the muck is already flying.After CNN outed the fact that Obama wasn't actually educated as a radical muslim (you would think the whole Christian thing would have put that to rest!) as the Republican's would have you believe - story here.
So when all else fails out him! Da Da DAAAAA
He smokes. As Fox News asked - Would you vote for a smoker as President?????
Well they did vote for a recovering alcoholic who had a drug problem in his 20s and 30s! (And Fox News still support him!)
Blackbird Singing Ver.2
Thanks to Google's improvements Ive finally been able to make Blackbird Singing look roughly how I want it to - basically im going for full screen stretch, allowing for wider images etc, and simple colours and lay out.
Im pretty sure it will stay like this for a while at least, and it should ideally stimulate more regular updates on all the important issues like who's been nominated for Oscars, who has made my top 5 all time cover versions of Beatle songs and so on.
And who knows - This year I might even finally get around to getting that Blackbird Singing lyric tattooed...
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Im pretty sure it will stay like this for a while at least, and it should ideally stimulate more regular updates on all the important issues like who's been nominated for Oscars, who has made my top 5 all time cover versions of Beatle songs and so on.
And who knows - This year I might even finally get around to getting that Blackbird Singing lyric tattooed...
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
His Masters Voice
This is the second attempt at blogging this - if it crashes again ill scream! (hence its post dated)
Anyway, on the weekend I picked up Oasis' best of collection - Stop the Clocks on LP from Real Groovy. At one stage in the late 90s I often bought my favourite albums on LP as well as CD - almost as some kind of mark of respect... well kind of I guess.
I wasn't going to buy Stop the Clocks - couldnt really see the point, although it did reinforce my point that Definitely Maybe is far and away Oasis' best work. I was a tad dirty about hearing that the new album due mid to late 07, will feature a song titled - Stop the Clocks, so I ask you why not feature that on the best of as the title track??
So picking this has inspired me to get back into vinyl. I was originally going to buy a kick ass red-retro turntable from Ikoiko, but then fiscal restraint got the better of me and I drove to Levin and knicked the old man's one instead!
The other great vinyl purchase of the weekend was an original Factory Records version of Joy Division's Love will tear us apart - nice! And for only $19, I cant help but think that whoever priced this didnt appreciate the importance of Joy Division and Factory in general, and if you dont - watch 24hr Party People - they invented raves basically, and taught white folk how to dance!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Globes 07
Golden Globes were last night, and I managed to pick all three of the majors!
Babel predictably won Best Picture (Drama), but I was annoyed that Little Miss Sunshine missed out in the Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) section to Beyonce's musical Dreamgirls (that just sounds like quality doesnt it?).
I had only seen the trailer for the Last King of Scotland, but on the basis of that I was picking Forest Whitaker to take out Best Actor (Drama), who went on to win! The film is about former Ugandan dictator (who had a thing for military regalia - and kilts hence the title) Idi Amin and looks great.
Predictably Helen Mirren won Best Actress (Drama) for her role as Elizabeth II in The Queen and Best Actress (TV Mini Series or TV Movie) for her title role in Elizabeth I - which must be a first to win two awards for playing both Queen Elizabeth's in a single year? The Queen shouldnt be underestimated as a film - I was expecting a Doco Chanel style biopic, but this is a great insight into the royal family and their thinking. Its also a little reminder of how good Tony Blair was - but thats enough of that!
Sacha Baron Cohen also picked up Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) for Borat which was great to see - he also had one of the best speeches for the evening too - which ill leave you with.
Babel predictably won Best Picture (Drama), but I was annoyed that Little Miss Sunshine missed out in the Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) section to Beyonce's musical Dreamgirls (that just sounds like quality doesnt it?).
I had only seen the trailer for the Last King of Scotland, but on the basis of that I was picking Forest Whitaker to take out Best Actor (Drama), who went on to win! The film is about former Ugandan dictator (who had a thing for military regalia - and kilts hence the title) Idi Amin and looks great.
Predictably Helen Mirren won Best Actress (Drama) for her role as Elizabeth II in The Queen and Best Actress (TV Mini Series or TV Movie) for her title role in Elizabeth I - which must be a first to win two awards for playing both Queen Elizabeth's in a single year? The Queen shouldnt be underestimated as a film - I was expecting a Doco Chanel style biopic, but this is a great insight into the royal family and their thinking. Its also a little reminder of how good Tony Blair was - but thats enough of that!
Sacha Baron Cohen also picked up Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) for Borat which was great to see - he also had one of the best speeches for the evening too - which ill leave you with.
" I was faced with a choice - death or to breathe in the air that had been trapped in a small pocket between his buttocks for 30 years. Kenneth, if it was not for that small rancid bubble, I would not be here today."
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Spreading the rock
Jack Black's novelty rock band Tenacious D are back in New Zealand this week to play two kick ass shows in Christchurch and Auckland (not Wellington though.... ass holes, still Black did have his photo taken with me and signed my copy of their first album... No wait, fuck them Wellington is where the real fans are at, fuck them why should I blog about them?)
That said.... there was a great story in this morning's Christchurch Press (one perk im gonna lose no doubt - no more copies of all three major dailies - boohoo). Jack Black saw two kids - Matt and Alex busking their kick ass tunes in cathedral square and went up to them and asked if they would like to open the D's gig tonight. How cool is that??
Alex and Matt's only other concert performance was the St Albans Primary School Talent Quest, they are apparently gonna play All Along the Watchtower - and acknowledge AC/DC, the Stones, Led Zeppellin and Ziggy himself David Bowie (which is pretty mature tastes for a couple of 11 year olds huh.
Makes you wonder what legendary Levin three piece Party Kitchen with their underground cult following could have achieved if they had busked.........
That said.... there was a great story in this morning's Christchurch Press (one perk im gonna lose no doubt - no more copies of all three major dailies - boohoo). Jack Black saw two kids - Matt and Alex busking their kick ass tunes in cathedral square and went up to them and asked if they would like to open the D's gig tonight. How cool is that??
Alex and Matt's only other concert performance was the St Albans Primary School Talent Quest, they are apparently gonna play All Along the Watchtower - and acknowledge AC/DC, the Stones, Led Zeppellin and Ziggy himself David Bowie (which is pretty mature tastes for a couple of 11 year olds huh.
Makes you wonder what legendary Levin three piece Party Kitchen with their underground cult following could have achieved if they had busked.........
Monday, January 08, 2007
Books and more
Well my last week in the Beehive is off to a predictably slow start so im working my way through some of the books I got for Christmas.
On the present front this was a great Christmas - without even asking I got stuff I wanted.
Today I am not reading a present, but rather a book that was lent to me - Nick Bollinger's How to Listen to Pop Music. Bollinger is a New Zealand music reviewer and this tells his story of how he got into music - its like a cross between High Fidelity and 32 Songs by Nick Hornby. Bollinger makes some great points - Everyone has an opinion on pop or rock music - you know whether you love or hate Robbie Williams etc, but most people wouldnt say whether they loved or hated say a Johnny Coltrane jazz track or a Bach symphony. Primarily because we think you have to have some sort of extra informed knowldge of those forms to comment, yet pop music is no less important or sophisticated but we still all back our opinions on this. Which I think is true - pop is safe and is viewed as unsophisticated, but just like wine - being expensive or held in high regard doesnt mean you have to like it, or that your palate is somehow poorer. I'll fully review the book at some point.
I was also given a book of compiled interviews with Noam Chomsky, which I began reading in Levin at Christmas. Admittedly Levin didnt provide a particularly suitable environment or headspace for reading Chomsky, but I still found it incredibly fascinating.
And finally still on the political front - two books by Barack Obama - Dreams of My Father, and The Audactity of Hope. Dreams is basically the story of his life growing up Black with a funny name in America, and Audacity is his positioning book as he sets himself up to run for the White House in 2008.
So what better way to finish than a quote from Obama -
On the present front this was a great Christmas - without even asking I got stuff I wanted.
Today I am not reading a present, but rather a book that was lent to me - Nick Bollinger's How to Listen to Pop Music. Bollinger is a New Zealand music reviewer and this tells his story of how he got into music - its like a cross between High Fidelity and 32 Songs by Nick Hornby. Bollinger makes some great points - Everyone has an opinion on pop or rock music - you know whether you love or hate Robbie Williams etc, but most people wouldnt say whether they loved or hated say a Johnny Coltrane jazz track or a Bach symphony. Primarily because we think you have to have some sort of extra informed knowldge of those forms to comment, yet pop music is no less important or sophisticated but we still all back our opinions on this. Which I think is true - pop is safe and is viewed as unsophisticated, but just like wine - being expensive or held in high regard doesnt mean you have to like it, or that your palate is somehow poorer. I'll fully review the book at some point.
I was also given a book of compiled interviews with Noam Chomsky, which I began reading in Levin at Christmas. Admittedly Levin didnt provide a particularly suitable environment or headspace for reading Chomsky, but I still found it incredibly fascinating.
And finally still on the political front - two books by Barack Obama - Dreams of My Father, and The Audactity of Hope. Dreams is basically the story of his life growing up Black with a funny name in America, and Audacity is his positioning book as he sets himself up to run for the White House in 2008.
So what better way to finish than a quote from Obama -
..... there is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.
The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an "awesome God" in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
24 Hour Party People...... well nearly
What a night
Angus had his Stag do - which kicked ass and Baxter's brother arrived
Gus to be honest laid the smackdown on macca - producing possibly the best performance of Hey Jude ever - he made Macca's pathetic solo efforts wince with envy as half of wellington joined in for the chorus.
Normally stag nights arent my fare (not much of a bloke here - obviously), but this was fun - old mates having a yarn and Gus embarassing himself.
In other news Dot and Georgia gave birth to Otto - Baxter's little bro (whom I still have to teach crciket - hey he can say my name and is too busy with Thomas the Tank Engine at this stage!). Bax rules, and im sure Otto will too!
Angus had his Stag do - which kicked ass and Baxter's brother arrived
Gus to be honest laid the smackdown on macca - producing possibly the best performance of Hey Jude ever - he made Macca's pathetic solo efforts wince with envy as half of wellington joined in for the chorus.
Normally stag nights arent my fare (not much of a bloke here - obviously), but this was fun - old mates having a yarn and Gus embarassing himself.
In other news Dot and Georgia gave birth to Otto - Baxter's little bro (whom I still have to teach crciket - hey he can say my name and is too busy with Thomas the Tank Engine at this stage!). Bax rules, and im sure Otto will too!
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