Well week one of the 8 week 10,000 step challenge is done and my total was 108,416 which, given our 12 person team totalled 970,000, I think is pretty damn good.
But anyway, I thought I would give the genius feature on iTunes a whirl to fill my little iPod Shuffle (yes it was totally necessary to buy one... and some cool Nike headphones) and I have to say its pretty cool. To test it I used Tender by Blur and it pulled together a list including the Doves, Ocean Colour Scene, Ash, Flaming Lips, Wilco, Badly Drawn Boy, The Smiths, Bowie, Oasis, Sonic Youth and a few things I hadnt listened to for ages - like the Stone Roses - so all in all its pretty cool and made for a half decent gym soundtrack.
So since my favourite Stone Roses track is stuck in my head and also the cause of a bit of a gym faux pas (as I started singing along (albeit quietly) while doing Lat Pulldowns), here is This is the One.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What has Bill been reading??
It turns out that the 20 or so readers a day that I get on here might be of a higher calibre... or at least ranking than I had thought.
Earlier this week the Mayor's office tried to correct my outrageous disapproval of the location of the council's Indoor Sports Centre. (turns out that hell hath no fury like a... property developer scorned!?!). I'm totally getting blacklisted after that outburst huh?
But tonight NZPA have reported that Minister of 1950s Haircuts and Finance, Bull Unglush, has confirmed that the Government is looking at allowing struggling businesses to move to a four day week, with workers doing government funded training on the fifth... sound familiar??
So Kerry, Bill, uh Anand, Helen, Tana, Barack and Kevin, welcome. (btw my consultancy invoice is in the mail)
Earlier this week the Mayor's office tried to correct my outrageous disapproval of the location of the council's Indoor Sports Centre. (turns out that hell hath no fury like a... property developer scorned!?!). I'm totally getting blacklisted after that outburst huh?
But tonight NZPA have reported that Minister of 1950s Haircuts and Finance, Bull Unglush, has confirmed that the Government is looking at allowing struggling businesses to move to a four day week, with workers doing government funded training on the fifth... sound familiar??
So Kerry, Bill, uh Anand, Helen, Tana, Barack and Kevin, welcome. (btw my consultancy invoice is in the mail)
So he's like, there?
Clip below from the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC the other night.
She interviews Thomas Gillespie, a geography professor from UCLA, who has used a geography model used for finding endangered species to work out where Bin Laden is... So if you've been thinking about trying to get in amongst the US25 million bounty, he finds a pretty good place to start.
She interviews Thomas Gillespie, a geography professor from UCLA, who has used a geography model used for finding endangered species to work out where Bin Laden is... So if you've been thinking about trying to get in amongst the US25 million bounty, he finds a pretty good place to start.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Top Gear Live
I went up to Auckland on the weekend to check out Top Gear Live at the Auckland Showgrounds. It was a really good show but did lack that final punch I thought. The best bits had to be the four motorbikes in the collander of death and the Suzuki Swift stunts. There was also an exhibition of kick ass cars attached to the show including Mustangs, Corvettes, Porsches, Bentley's, Lamborghini Galardo's (which had a black suede dash) and of course Ferrari's.
I had read a review earlier in the day which mentioned some of the jokes, so some of the script seemed a bit set piece and Greg Murphy should stick to the track!
It was a great weekend in Auckland though, sipping Laphroaig Whiskey after dinner and golf after brunch the next day.
The photos I took were a bit shit, but you get the idea below.
I had read a review earlier in the day which mentioned some of the jokes, so some of the script seemed a bit set piece and Greg Murphy should stick to the track!
It was a great weekend in Auckland though, sipping Laphroaig Whiskey after dinner and golf after brunch the next day.
The photos I took were a bit shit, but you get the idea below.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ten thousand reasons to get off my arse
Our team at work have just started doing the 10,000 steps a day challenge - I was warned in advance that "ohhh it's so much harder than you think." But uh I'm kind of making light work of it at the moment oddly enough.
In the first 24 hours (12pm Monday-11.59am Tuesday) I did 17,054 steps and since midday today I've done 11,833. Mind you I am making an effort, so I'm not that surprised - but still... this challenge is getting pwned!
On top of this of course we have our regular humiliation all scheduled to go tomorrow... I'm reliably informed our Mayor won't be showing up again... ah nevermind.
In the first 24 hours (12pm Monday-11.59am Tuesday) I did 17,054 steps and since midday today I've done 11,833. Mind you I am making an effort, so I'm not that surprised - but still... this challenge is getting pwned!
On top of this of course we have our regular humiliation all scheduled to go tomorrow... I'm reliably informed our Mayor won't be showing up again... ah nevermind.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wellington thinking
Why?
We had our second session of humiliation yesterday, the positive this time though was that since it had been raining there were less people to stare at us while they pie-munched and we contorted ourselves. The negative involved the instruments of satanic worship that are dynabands combined with the obligatory 'pulse' action. Ugh pain. The Mayor and the Phoenix players who had been participating didn't show this week - but as Mish said, "we don't need them anyway - they never win!"
Sevens
Despite going along last year for the first time, the whole sevens thing did seem a little tired this year and I think Tom over at the Wellingtonista summed it up nicely with his article "Thank God that's over". Mind you, I do wonder if the Cuba Street Carnival is really that much different? Isn't it just another case of a certain group of Wellingtonians letting their proverbial hair down - and shouldn't we just embrace all these events? Meh, maybe? But they do all get a tad boring after 10 years.
Courting controversy
Was it just me that let out an audible sigh of relief at the announcement that the Council's proposed 12 basketball court sized indoor sports stadium has been held up for another 18 months? I don't get why we need to rush to build this mammoth thing other than to give the dopey Mayor her swansong? For those who don't know, Wellington City Council is trying to build a huge indoor sports centre to attract national tournaments etc etc, which is all very good. But after originally looking at building it on top of the stadium concourse, and then on the waterfront, the Council decided building it over Cobham Park out in Kilbirnie (on the way to the airport) is better (images over at EOTF). In theory thats fine, but as anyone who has tried getting over/through Mt Vic when something is on out the other side, Kilbirnie is a nightmare to get to in peak traffic - so how would this location work if we had say 30 teams in town for a tournament?? So anyway, I'm happy its stalled again, even if it was a little dodgy how it happened, and I hope the 18 months now available will see sense prevail and other options considered. Btw, what about that pun for a headline eh? eh?
We had our second session of humiliation yesterday, the positive this time though was that since it had been raining there were less people to stare at us while they pie-munched and we contorted ourselves. The negative involved the instruments of satanic worship that are dynabands combined with the obligatory 'pulse' action. Ugh pain. The Mayor and the Phoenix players who had been participating didn't show this week - but as Mish said, "we don't need them anyway - they never win!"
Sevens
Despite going along last year for the first time, the whole sevens thing did seem a little tired this year and I think Tom over at the Wellingtonista summed it up nicely with his article "Thank God that's over". Mind you, I do wonder if the Cuba Street Carnival is really that much different? Isn't it just another case of a certain group of Wellingtonians letting their proverbial hair down - and shouldn't we just embrace all these events? Meh, maybe? But they do all get a tad boring after 10 years.
Courting controversy
Was it just me that let out an audible sigh of relief at the announcement that the Council's proposed 12 basketball court sized indoor sports stadium has been held up for another 18 months? I don't get why we need to rush to build this mammoth thing other than to give the dopey Mayor her swansong? For those who don't know, Wellington City Council is trying to build a huge indoor sports centre to attract national tournaments etc etc, which is all very good. But after originally looking at building it on top of the stadium concourse, and then on the waterfront, the Council decided building it over Cobham Park out in Kilbirnie (on the way to the airport) is better (images over at EOTF). In theory thats fine, but as anyone who has tried getting over/through Mt Vic when something is on out the other side, Kilbirnie is a nightmare to get to in peak traffic - so how would this location work if we had say 30 teams in town for a tournament?? So anyway, I'm happy its stalled again, even if it was a little dodgy how it happened, and I hope the 18 months now available will see sense prevail and other options considered. Btw, what about that pun for a headline eh? eh?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Victoria Fires
Time for a special mention of the bush fires that have destroyed large chunks of the state of Victoria including areas around Melbourne and the farm of the parents of one of my former colleagues.
There are some amazing and horrific images online here. They capture the scale and terror of these fires. You get an idea of the heat generated by the fires through the images of the cars with melted alloy wheels.
When I was in Canberra I had a look around some of the areas there that had been effected in the past by bushfires. Whole suburbs of Canberra were wiped out about 4 years ago, and the flames were moving so fast that they were actually travelling faster than the fire trucks could move.
You can help by donating (as I have just done) to the Victorian RSPCA here.
There are some amazing and horrific images online here. They capture the scale and terror of these fires. You get an idea of the heat generated by the fires through the images of the cars with melted alloy wheels.
When I was in Canberra I had a look around some of the areas there that had been effected in the past by bushfires. Whole suburbs of Canberra were wiped out about 4 years ago, and the flames were moving so fast that they were actually travelling faster than the fire trucks could move.
You can help by donating (as I have just done) to the Victorian RSPCA here.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Stimulating thoughts
As governments of the world are walking around in circles to get some sort of economic stimulus package passed and as we anticipate what John Key will come up with in the next two weeks, I thought I would share some little tid-bits from the Rachel Maddow show the other night and a few thoughts of my own.
Key is reportedly going to announce a $500 million infrastructure package that will target a couple of specific roading projects, school property upgrades and insulating state houses - all good things. But beyond this the largest part of his stimulus package will be tax cuts... and yes they will be the tax cuts he already announced in the campaign that overwhelmingly favoured those on higher incomes. We need to change that balance.
The reason for these stimulus packages seems to have been lost along the way. Basically what has happened is that people aren't buying stuff, which has the flow on of meaning other people will lose their jobs, so the government needs to step in and spend to effectively save those jobs.
Rachel Maddow had a really good piece the other night comparing different types of spending which was based on work by Moody's.
Every $1 spent on tax cuts creates $1.02 of economic activity
Every $1 spent on infrastructure creates $1.59 of economic activity
Every $1 spent on food stamps creates $1.73 of economic activity.
(Source: Moody's Economy.com)
In short people dont necessarily spend the tax cuts they get so it is ineffective as a stimulus measure.
We don't have a lot of cash in New Zealand so frankly we need to be targeting what we have on the most effective measures and that does not include tax cuts.
Why not expand that insulation programme back to what it was and roll out to as many homes as possible? Hell why not look at investing in solar water heating for state houses? These are both worthy investment ideas that would actually have valuable flow on effects by creating healthier households and lower power bills.
Did you know most of our buses are built and designed in Christchurch? Why don't we take this opportunity to invest in public transport by upgrading our fleet nationwide? In doing this we could also do wonders for our green ambitions.
Families tend to spend more as they have higher costs, so instead of tax cuts - why not expand Working for Families again? As Moody's said, food stamps are the best kind of stimulus and expanding WFF is probably the most politically palatable idea along these lines in the New Zealand context.
Our skills and training gap remains and we still have so many people with poor literacy and numeracy skills - so if businesses with low skill workers are about to crumble or lay off staff, then how about considering a 4 day week for workers at some workplaces and on the fifth day have the worker undertake skills training being paid for by the government. Under this the worker would keep their job and undertake training in an area of need. This could offset the need to lay off staff as wage bills would be decreased and it would provide a much needed investment in skills.
There are tons of other ideas floating around as well, but my point is that the old argument of tax cuts is not suited to this particular situation and right now we need to be making smart investments in our people and economy.
Key is reportedly going to announce a $500 million infrastructure package that will target a couple of specific roading projects, school property upgrades and insulating state houses - all good things. But beyond this the largest part of his stimulus package will be tax cuts... and yes they will be the tax cuts he already announced in the campaign that overwhelmingly favoured those on higher incomes. We need to change that balance.
The reason for these stimulus packages seems to have been lost along the way. Basically what has happened is that people aren't buying stuff, which has the flow on of meaning other people will lose their jobs, so the government needs to step in and spend to effectively save those jobs.
Rachel Maddow had a really good piece the other night comparing different types of spending which was based on work by Moody's.
Every $1 spent on tax cuts creates $1.02 of economic activity
Every $1 spent on infrastructure creates $1.59 of economic activity
Every $1 spent on food stamps creates $1.73 of economic activity.
(Source: Moody's Economy.com)
In short people dont necessarily spend the tax cuts they get so it is ineffective as a stimulus measure.
We don't have a lot of cash in New Zealand so frankly we need to be targeting what we have on the most effective measures and that does not include tax cuts.
Why not expand that insulation programme back to what it was and roll out to as many homes as possible? Hell why not look at investing in solar water heating for state houses? These are both worthy investment ideas that would actually have valuable flow on effects by creating healthier households and lower power bills.
Did you know most of our buses are built and designed in Christchurch? Why don't we take this opportunity to invest in public transport by upgrading our fleet nationwide? In doing this we could also do wonders for our green ambitions.
Families tend to spend more as they have higher costs, so instead of tax cuts - why not expand Working for Families again? As Moody's said, food stamps are the best kind of stimulus and expanding WFF is probably the most politically palatable idea along these lines in the New Zealand context.
Our skills and training gap remains and we still have so many people with poor literacy and numeracy skills - so if businesses with low skill workers are about to crumble or lay off staff, then how about considering a 4 day week for workers at some workplaces and on the fifth day have the worker undertake skills training being paid for by the government. Under this the worker would keep their job and undertake training in an area of need. This could offset the need to lay off staff as wage bills would be decreased and it would provide a much needed investment in skills.
There are tons of other ideas floating around as well, but my point is that the old argument of tax cuts is not suited to this particular situation and right now we need to be making smart investments in our people and economy.
Get flicked
I took the opportunity this long weekend to watch an odd mix of old and new filims
First up was the Arctic Monkey's live DVD which I thought on some level might make up for me being too lazy/tight to go to their recent gig at the Town Hall. It didnt, and don't bother watching it - it's filmed in such a way that it comes across more as a recording of a studio gig like you would find on Letterman, rather than a concert in front of thousands of people. The tracks were good, but the lack of personality meant you may as well chuck on the album.
I then watched Salute, a doco on Peter Norman, who was the white Australian in the Silver Medal position on the dais when Tommie Smith and John Carlos made their protest at the 1968 Mexico Olympics (pictured) and what became one of the iconic images of the last 50 years. Norman supported what they did, gave them the idea for sharing the gloves and wore a human rights badge up there. "He didn't raise his fist, but he lent a hand". The movie backgrounds the protest and reaction afterwards, including how Norman was the only Australian medal winner not to be invited to the Sydney Games, but it also tells the story of the race which naturally got lost in the aftermath. The 200m was supposed to be an American 1,2,3 but Peter Norman upset everything and actually his time for the Silver would have won Gold in the 200m at the Sydney Olympics. Fascinating story and I guess the worrying question is, would the public reaction be any different today? I think what they did was really courageous, but really doubt it would be greeted any differently.
I then watched a couple of higher profile films, the festival favourite, Son of Rambow and Oscar favourite Slumdog Millionaire. Rambow is the story of a young Plymouth Bretheren boy and his mate who remake First Blood - its all very heart warming and well... nice and is worth checking out. Most of you will see Slumdog regardless of what I say, but I really enjoyed it and it definitely is Danny Boyle's best work since Trainspotting. Like Trainspotting, Boyle pulls no punches and fully explores the grimy underworld and its actually quite an uncomfortable watch at times with its confronting nature. The only down side is the constant bewilderment of Jamal, who is played by Dev Patel from Skins, which gets a bit annoying after a while, but other than that its great and like all Boyle films - it has a great soundtrack.
To follow all this up I watched Morgan (Super Size Me) Spurlock's Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden, it was kind of a US foreign relations 101 which is clearly aimed at a US audience, and while that made it a little basic in its analysis, it was still quite a good watch. As with Super Size Me, I do wonder if he is just preaching to the converted at times - his films act as more of a reinforcement of your existing beliefs rather than win people over.
I finished everything off with a couple of solid b-graders - Romero's Land of the Dead and the early 1980s Kurt Russell flick, Escape from New York. Land of the Dead was Romero's 2005 follow up to Day of the Dead and is kind of typical of his Zombie flicks after Dawn with his over the top efforts at commentary on society and class structures. That aside there are some awesome blood and guts scenes and if you look closely at the cover you can find Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright (of Shaun of the Dead fame) who both have cameos. Escape from New York? Well its rubbish isnt it? lol
Friday, February 06, 2009
All kinds of awesome in one
Hat tip to Gizmodo/via Pat for this - there is a new Japanese show called, Engine Oh G12, that basically combines Voltron with Power Rangers - watch the video below. Guaranteed to blow your freakin socks off.
From the Gizmodo write up -
"What's so wonderful about Engine Oh G12 is that it's literally ballooned the genre beyond parody. The show has upped the ante of the giant vehicle-assembled robot television so immensely that it's beyond the scope of humorous exaggeration, its components refined to such a point where every individual element is, in itself, too pure to be tainted by sophomoric prop humor. To fully appreciate this the clip, look beyond the obvious and examine the subtleties of presentation. For instance, two vehicles are there only to serve as covers for the robot's shoes."
From the Gizmodo write up -
"What's so wonderful about Engine Oh G12 is that it's literally ballooned the genre beyond parody. The show has upped the ante of the giant vehicle-assembled robot television so immensely that it's beyond the scope of humorous exaggeration, its components refined to such a point where every individual element is, in itself, too pure to be tainted by sophomoric prop humor. To fully appreciate this the clip, look beyond the obvious and examine the subtleties of presentation. For instance, two vehicles are there only to serve as covers for the robot's shoes."
Public humiliation
As part of the Council's Summer in the City series, our psychotic work personal trainer, Mish, is organising "Putting the Well in Wellington" fitness sessions at Frank Kitts Park - and through immense peer pressure we are basically forced into participating.
It started this week and its fair to say after spending 40 or so minutes doing all sorts of daft sit ups, leg lifts, press ups etc etc with 150 other mugs (and infront 200 others) I feel suitably humiliated and well... fucked.
The best bit had to be while doing the leg lifts when after counting down to 2 to go, she then paused and said "3 and 2 and.... pulse". Who comes up with this stuff?? Mind you, Mish is NZ personal trainer of the year so she must know what she's doing... although as I said to her, if she was really that good - I wouldn't look like this. lol
Oh and in other stupid exercise news, the other morning while buying a coffee down at Legato I entered a competition to win a 6 month membership for Exodus Health Club and cutting a long story short - I won!
It started this week and its fair to say after spending 40 or so minutes doing all sorts of daft sit ups, leg lifts, press ups etc etc with 150 other mugs (and infront 200 others) I feel suitably humiliated and well... fucked.
The best bit had to be while doing the leg lifts when after counting down to 2 to go, she then paused and said "3 and 2 and.... pulse". Who comes up with this stuff?? Mind you, Mish is NZ personal trainer of the year so she must know what she's doing... although as I said to her, if she was really that good - I wouldn't look like this. lol
Oh and in other stupid exercise news, the other morning while buying a coffee down at Legato I entered a competition to win a 6 month membership for Exodus Health Club and cutting a long story short - I won!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals at the Opera House
Well Ryan Adams and the Cardinals hit Wellington this week and rocked out at the Opera House last night.
Over at the Cardinal Cave Blog you can see pics of the band hanging out in "Chillington" and there is video below of Ryan at the Waitangi Park skate bowl. By his own (somewhat melodramatic) account this is Adams' last tour due to his hearing and subsequent balance issues, so I was totally amped for the gig. (Although the infamous blog post has disappeared so maybe this isnt the end?)
They opened with an awesome version of Let it Ride and played some great tracks including Cold Roses, Fix It, Mockingbird Sing and Born into a Light. Adams was also in fine form with some crazy ass banter like having a discussion with gutarist Neal Casal on why he doesnt agree with Come Pick Me Up anymore, but plays it because everyone loves it, and talking about how awesome Laser Tag at the place down Courtenay Place - "That's your funhouse dot net!" A friend of mine was also lucky enough to meet him after the show, and by all accounts he's a really easy going cool guy - "clearly kicking the speedball-a-day habit is treating him well."
On the downside, he didn't play any of the tracks I was dying to hear - there was no La Cienega, Magnolia Mountain, Sweet Illusion, The End, If I'm a Stranger, Cherry Lane, 29 or Blue Sky Blues. I could have also done without Magick, but hey he did play Wonderwall - which I'm sure on some level was a nod to me and their version of Easy Plateau was much better than the album version. As you can probably imagine from the set list below, for me the highlights were definitely Let it Ride and Cold Roses.
Full set list:
Let it Ride, Two, I See Monsters, When the Stars Go Blue, Crossed Out Name, Cold Roses, Grand Island, Fix It, Everybody Knows, Come Pick Me Up, Wonderwall, Oh My Sweet Carolina, Freeway to the Canyon, Oh My God Whatever Etc, Rescue Blues, Mockingbird Sing, Born Into A Light, Easy Plateau, Encore: Goodnight Rose, Magick.
Also I should make mention of the really really odd opening act - it was two young Maori dudes singing what was basically a kiwiana mega mix - Pokarekareana. Tutira mai nga iwi, and so on. It kind of felt like the Cardinals had found them busking down Courtenay Place and invited them to play... very weird.
"...so fast" RA-SK8 Wellington from Wilson Wolf on Vimeo.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Walk the Line... the Johnsonville Line
Ahhh infrastructure investment...mmmmmm. You will remember that two years ago Labour invested a carriage load of cash into rail which included upgrading the crappy Johnsonville Line in Wellington.
Well now its almost done and OnTrack are having an open day (well open afternoon) this Wednesday (4 Feb) from 3pm to 7pm allowing Wellingtonians to literally walk-the-line between the Crofton Downs Station and the Wadestown crossing loop.
Should be a good opportunity to walk through rail tunnels like a madman and avoid the hefty fines and being mashed into tracks all at the same time!
Check out all the details on the OnTrack site.
Well now its almost done and OnTrack are having an open day (well open afternoon) this Wednesday (4 Feb) from 3pm to 7pm allowing Wellingtonians to literally walk-the-line between the Crofton Downs Station and the Wadestown crossing loop.
Should be a good opportunity to walk through rail tunnels like a madman and avoid the hefty fines and being mashed into tracks all at the same time!
Check out all the details on the OnTrack site.
Twit tweets
Agriculture Minister David Carter has a twitter and it's really, really... uh insightful?!
It's filled with gems including my favourite:
Hon David Carter is in the Christchurch electorate office today having important meetings.
I'm sure you were David... I'm sure you were.
It's filled with gems including my favourite:
Hon David Carter is in the Christchurch electorate office today having important meetings.
I'm sure you were David... I'm sure you were.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Male librarians
I got forwarded this very funny link today - 30 guys who look like lesbian women
Below are some of my favourites - Jack Osbourne, Chief Joseph and Johnny Rotten
Below are some of my favourites - Jack Osbourne, Chief Joseph and Johnny Rotten
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Back in Black... Ice
The last couple of days of been listening to AD/DC's new album Black Ice on the way to work. To be blunt you could call it a standard paint-by-numbers Acca Dacca effort - the tracks could just about be off any album featuring the new vocalist, Brian Johnson. I do like how he is forever known as the 'new' vocalist - it has been 29 years since Bon Scott died and they made Back in Black with Johnson!
But hey, Black Ice and the Acca Dacca formula kinda works - so why change? Maybe too many bands try to 'evolve'? Angus still pulls out amazing new riffs and AC/DC know what they do kicks ass - so why mess with it?
Mind you, I did have a laugh at how the formula has reached over into the track names - four tracks feature the word 'rock' - Rock N Roll Train, She Likes Rock N Roll, Rock N Roll Dream and Rocking All the Way. Apparently it rocks.
Check out the track below - Skies on Fire, you'll get the idea.
But hey, Black Ice and the Acca Dacca formula kinda works - so why change? Maybe too many bands try to 'evolve'? Angus still pulls out amazing new riffs and AC/DC know what they do kicks ass - so why mess with it?
Mind you, I did have a laugh at how the formula has reached over into the track names - four tracks feature the word 'rock' - Rock N Roll Train, She Likes Rock N Roll, Rock N Roll Dream and Rocking All the Way. Apparently it rocks.
Check out the track below - Skies on Fire, you'll get the idea.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The T-mobile dance
Hat tip to senor Weston for this.
T-Mobile's fantastic telly advert - give it two years and I guarantee Saatchi's come up with a 'great new idea' along the lines of this for another telco!
Watch the ad first, and the making is below it
Making of
T-Mobile's fantastic telly advert - give it two years and I guarantee Saatchi's come up with a 'great new idea' along the lines of this for another telco!
Watch the ad first, and the making is below it
Making of
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Four years
I went looking for a video yesterday and after not being able to find anything new, I came across Spike Lee's When the Levee's Broke - which I thought would serve as a suitable reminder of how shocking the Bush administration was and how good it was to be rid of them. Turns out I was on the money.
Katrina/Rita is right up there with state sanctioned torture and unnecessary wars as the blackest marks against Bush.
It's imperative that Obama puts this right - and rebuilds the levees to the same standard as those in the Netherlands. Rachel Maddow was talking about this a few weeks back - in Holland they build them to withstand a 1 in 1000 year storm - the New Orleans levees are being rebuilt to withstand a 1 in 100 year storm. By way of example, both Katrina and Rita were 1 in 300 year storms - put simply the new levees will fail again in the face of another Katrina.
Surely as a good start a decent part of the stimulus package could go down there?
Anyway, with the wonders of Google street view you can actually take a look around the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans - see below.
View Larger Map
Now I'm not 100% sure when the street view was done - but for fuck sake its been four years! If you scroll out you realise how close it is to the middle of New Orleans. So disgusting.
Katrina/Rita is right up there with state sanctioned torture and unnecessary wars as the blackest marks against Bush.
It's imperative that Obama puts this right - and rebuilds the levees to the same standard as those in the Netherlands. Rachel Maddow was talking about this a few weeks back - in Holland they build them to withstand a 1 in 1000 year storm - the New Orleans levees are being rebuilt to withstand a 1 in 100 year storm. By way of example, both Katrina and Rita were 1 in 300 year storms - put simply the new levees will fail again in the face of another Katrina.
Surely as a good start a decent part of the stimulus package could go down there?
Anyway, with the wonders of Google street view you can actually take a look around the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans - see below.
View Larger Map
Now I'm not 100% sure when the street view was done - but for fuck sake its been four years! If you scroll out you realise how close it is to the middle of New Orleans. So disgusting.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Long weekends
I ended up spending the long weekend over in the Wairarapa - checked out Castle Point and the Wings over Wairarapa show which featured some very cool Red-Bull-esqe air racing... and some very ordinary commentary from Jim Hickey. Honestly he was an unwelcome blast from the past.
But anyway check it out - the old Cannon camera is still rocking it.
But anyway check it out - the old Cannon camera is still rocking it.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Voltaire and Dauth
A recent article on current blog du jour, Kiwipolitico, talking about how the fifth Labour Government shouldn't be mourned by the true left because it didn't go far enough on several issues and condoned other 'evils' such as the anti-terror raids in 2007, the Foreshore and Seabed Act and not clarifying the legislation around abortion (the latter which I hadnt picked up as an issue at all btw???) has got a few tongues wagging.
This afternoon I was listening to a podcast of Air America radio which had a talkback piece on whether President-elect Obama was smart to be so inclusive of the right. One of the callers basically said because of some of Obama's appointments of republican figures - he was bad and his presidency will be a wasted opportunity. Essentially the same premise as the criticism that Kiwipolitico was making.
One of my previous bosses would often pull out his favourite Voltaire quote - The perfect is the enemy of the good. Like the host on Air America (who attributed it to his mother!?) who used it in the Obama context - I feel that it fits this argument around the fifth Labour Government.
What I think Voltaire was getting at was that attaining perfection becomes infinitely more difficult the further you go along. There are always going to be the unseen fish-hooks, pot-holes etc etc that trip you, so at some point, you have to cut your losses, and realise that doing tangible 'good things' is actually better than continually traversing a seemingly neverending road towards some sort of utopian perfection. If it's 'good enough' (so to speak) - then get on with it.
Was Labour perfect? Absolutely not. But it's simplistic to say that it was a government of missed opportunities just because Clark sometimes took a pragmatic approach rather than seeking leftist-perfection. The reality is, we now have the savings scheme that we should have had for over 30 years, we have an infinitely fairer tertiary student loans system, the lowest unemployment rates for nigh on a generation - especially amongst Maori and Pacific Islanders, cheaper and more accessible primary healthcare, a new pride in what it means to be a New Zealander, probably the most significant investment in infrastructure for 50 years and so on.
Sure it wasn't perfect - but it was pretty bloody good.
This afternoon I was listening to a podcast of Air America radio which had a talkback piece on whether President-elect Obama was smart to be so inclusive of the right. One of the callers basically said because of some of Obama's appointments of republican figures - he was bad and his presidency will be a wasted opportunity. Essentially the same premise as the criticism that Kiwipolitico was making.
One of my previous bosses would often pull out his favourite Voltaire quote - The perfect is the enemy of the good. Like the host on Air America (who attributed it to his mother!?) who used it in the Obama context - I feel that it fits this argument around the fifth Labour Government.
What I think Voltaire was getting at was that attaining perfection becomes infinitely more difficult the further you go along. There are always going to be the unseen fish-hooks, pot-holes etc etc that trip you, so at some point, you have to cut your losses, and realise that doing tangible 'good things' is actually better than continually traversing a seemingly neverending road towards some sort of utopian perfection. If it's 'good enough' (so to speak) - then get on with it.
Was Labour perfect? Absolutely not. But it's simplistic to say that it was a government of missed opportunities just because Clark sometimes took a pragmatic approach rather than seeking leftist-perfection. The reality is, we now have the savings scheme that we should have had for over 30 years, we have an infinitely fairer tertiary student loans system, the lowest unemployment rates for nigh on a generation - especially amongst Maori and Pacific Islanders, cheaper and more accessible primary healthcare, a new pride in what it means to be a New Zealander, probably the most significant investment in infrastructure for 50 years and so on.
Sure it wasn't perfect - but it was pretty bloody good.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Cactus in the Gardens
It is big time actually. Following in the footsteps of the likes of the Uke orchestra, Holly Smith, Little Bushman etc etc, Adam and Sam's band - The Family Cactus played the Botanic Gardens tonight as part of the Summer City series. They have stepped up a notch since I last saw them at Mighty Mighty a month or two back - he's clearly been working on his Thom Yorke wail too! lol
Anyway it was a pretty cool gig and check me out - below is a short video I took - apologies for quality etc etc
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Incinerate
As an indication that I didn't expect the Koromiko Chainsaw Garden Massacre to be particularly exciting I unfortunately didn't bother to take a before image prior to the rampage. How short sighted was I?
As you can see with a shitload of cutting, swearing, digging, ripping and waterblasting - its come up ok.
Prior to the thunder being brought down on the front yard there was a mammoth flax bush and several other weeds, trees, and that fucking creeper. Basically it was sooo overgrown that the path in the foreground was totally covered as was much of the other concrete areas. The oddest bit had to be discovering an incinerator right out front? Now it's not quite an ancient inca temple nor was there the feeling of exhilaration that one might feel when opening an Egyptian tomb - but still... an incinerator!
Baarghh you people! Anyway to celebrate the great incinerator discovery - have a watch of Sonic Youth's Incinerate from the album Rather Ripped - great song!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Some resolutions
Ok so we're back - resuming transmission for 2009. Not that I've really been anywhere or had any great reason for not updating the bloggage, but I have been feeling somewhat bad/lazy on some level (no really...) for not having gotten around to doing any updates.
I have been kinda busy... well there has been golf, stuffing my face, beer drinking and a mixture of b-grade and actually good dvds as well as some constructive activities - ripping out a creeper, waterblasting, painting, ripping out half the garden and so on.
So I thought I would make my first update a resolution one. I don't normally do resolutions so I have made them relatively straight forward. Here they are as follows -
actually finish the house off - replace the shit-spewing drains and the kitchen in other words
complete that bet with Nick
oh and stop using the edge of the kitchen bench to open beer bottles with crown caps... as pictured.
Simple right?
Monday, December 15, 2008
B-Grade
After watching the very uh... interesting and nuanced Death Race recently I was over the proverbial moon to see the original - Death Race 2000 and its prequel Death Sport at Aro Video yesterday. Unlike the new prison based film, 2000 stars Caine himself, David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone as they race across the US pickng up points for killing pedestrians along the way - the elderly are worth 100 points, toddlers 75 points, women 10 points etc. Trailer below
Death Sport also starred Carradine but was based in the year 3000 - a time where prisoners are forced into a fight to death with gladiator types who ride 'death machines'... otherwise known as motorbikes with cardboard bits spray painted silver tacked on the front and sides. It is the sequel to Death Race 2000, but bears no real similarities other than on the quality front - its average rating on IMDB is 2.7 out of 10. Adding to b-grade flavour it features an awesome/irritating synthesizer soundtrack and also starred then Playboy Bunny, Claudia Jennings who naturally treats the audience to a full frontal... or two... as you do. Classic stuff.
One of my colleagues also lent me the first two episodes of iconic 1980s Knightrider wannabe, Street Hawk. Its basically about a cop who goes around fighting crime on his wicked bike - which if you look it up on Wikipedia, you find out was just a Honda dirtbike with a few bits tacked on... I wonder if that makes it a death machine?? Hmmm on second thought I think you need some Carradine for that. Trailer below
So if you feel like a cheesy b grade movie weekend - accept no substitute!
Death Sport also starred Carradine but was based in the year 3000 - a time where prisoners are forced into a fight to death with gladiator types who ride 'death machines'... otherwise known as motorbikes with cardboard bits spray painted silver tacked on the front and sides. It is the sequel to Death Race 2000, but bears no real similarities other than on the quality front - its average rating on IMDB is 2.7 out of 10. Adding to b-grade flavour it features an awesome/irritating synthesizer soundtrack and also starred then Playboy Bunny, Claudia Jennings who naturally treats the audience to a full frontal... or two... as you do. Classic stuff.
One of my colleagues also lent me the first two episodes of iconic 1980s Knightrider wannabe, Street Hawk. Its basically about a cop who goes around fighting crime on his wicked bike - which if you look it up on Wikipedia, you find out was just a Honda dirtbike with a few bits tacked on... I wonder if that makes it a death machine?? Hmmm on second thought I think you need some Carradine for that. Trailer below
So if you feel like a cheesy b grade movie weekend - accept no substitute!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Taking over the asylum
I was planning on avoiding politics as a topic for the remainder of the year, but the happenings of the last week have meant I just can't bite my tongue any longer. Almost unbelievably our brand spanking new tory government has seemingly used its first week in the house to shoot itself in the foot and try to bring an end to its own honeymoon period.
They had widely flagged that tax legislation and changes to KiwiSaver would be introduced under urgency, but had not even hinted that the 90 Day probation period bill would be introduced - let alone passed. Personally I don't have a problem with probationary periods - and they were actually allowed for under the Employment Relations Act. Of course as most people know, my previous employer used the probation period mechanism under the ERA and they had actually used it to remove a previous employee, but only after they had gone through a process which identified what was wrong and provided a chance for the worker to get it together. But what this bill does is actually remove any avenue for recourse or mediation - basically if you're sacked at the end of the 90 day period and you feel you have been unfairly treated or that you received insufficient training to be able to do the job or no warning etc - there is nothing you can do, you're gone. There is no independent complaints authority - you're out of luck, sunshine.
Worse still, watching the debates it was abundantly clear that the government backbenchers actually had no idea about the implications of their tax changes for low income earners (naturally the cuts favour the rich and actually disadvantage workers earning under $45k). Is there anything more dangerous in a democracy than a government passing legislation that they haven't read and refuse to release until the debate begins under urgency, with minimal debate and no consultation?
This willingness to force through legislation under urgency - when there is no real need - does beg the question whether we need another check or balance on the Parliament. The Select Committee process was supposed to alleviate the need for an upper house by providing another check on the government. Given this government's perceived eagerness to avoid Select Committee's and the historic unwillingness of the Governor General to reject laws, I wonder if we do need to look again at the idea of re-establishing an upper house as a final check.
On top of all this big Gerry Brownlee's cringeworthy, shambolic performance as Leader of the House has been like watching some sort of David Brent/Manuel The Office/Fawlty Towers hybrid. It makes you really want Labour to pick up the Yellow Fever chant from Phoenix matches - "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING".
Meanwhile Brownlee has been the talk of the town for other reasons - with leaks flowing from all angles suggesting that because of his personal dislike for Nick Smith he has instructed officials in the Energy and Resources area that they are not to talk to or give any information to Environment ministry officials for fear that it will end up in Nick Smith's hands. That's right kids, if true - Brownlee has basically ordered by decree that officials working on things like, I dunno, Biofuels and electricity generation are not allowed to talk to the lead agency on climate change. I know right - WTF? how does that work?
And this is week one.
The knife also continues to hover over the public service with redundancies seeming almost inevitable. I only hope that National look at how ineffective the Rudd Labor government's cuts to the public sector have been in Australia. The public service over there is stupidly overworked and I know of people being expected to work 12-13 hour days, 6 days a week as a norm. Foreign Affairs has supposedly been a top priority of the new government with Rudd keen to be seen as a leader on issues like climate change, yet the budget cuts at DFAT has seen a 10 per cent staff turnover already in the first 12 months of KRudd.
I know this is what the people wanted and that this is the government the people chose. But I'm not sure anyone really thought it would be this messy quite so soon.
They had widely flagged that tax legislation and changes to KiwiSaver would be introduced under urgency, but had not even hinted that the 90 Day probation period bill would be introduced - let alone passed. Personally I don't have a problem with probationary periods - and they were actually allowed for under the Employment Relations Act. Of course as most people know, my previous employer used the probation period mechanism under the ERA and they had actually used it to remove a previous employee, but only after they had gone through a process which identified what was wrong and provided a chance for the worker to get it together. But what this bill does is actually remove any avenue for recourse or mediation - basically if you're sacked at the end of the 90 day period and you feel you have been unfairly treated or that you received insufficient training to be able to do the job or no warning etc - there is nothing you can do, you're gone. There is no independent complaints authority - you're out of luck, sunshine.
Worse still, watching the debates it was abundantly clear that the government backbenchers actually had no idea about the implications of their tax changes for low income earners (naturally the cuts favour the rich and actually disadvantage workers earning under $45k). Is there anything more dangerous in a democracy than a government passing legislation that they haven't read and refuse to release until the debate begins under urgency, with minimal debate and no consultation?
This willingness to force through legislation under urgency - when there is no real need - does beg the question whether we need another check or balance on the Parliament. The Select Committee process was supposed to alleviate the need for an upper house by providing another check on the government. Given this government's perceived eagerness to avoid Select Committee's and the historic unwillingness of the Governor General to reject laws, I wonder if we do need to look again at the idea of re-establishing an upper house as a final check.
On top of all this big Gerry Brownlee's cringeworthy, shambolic performance as Leader of the House has been like watching some sort of David Brent/Manuel The Office/Fawlty Towers hybrid. It makes you really want Labour to pick up the Yellow Fever chant from Phoenix matches - "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING".
Meanwhile Brownlee has been the talk of the town for other reasons - with leaks flowing from all angles suggesting that because of his personal dislike for Nick Smith he has instructed officials in the Energy and Resources area that they are not to talk to or give any information to Environment ministry officials for fear that it will end up in Nick Smith's hands. That's right kids, if true - Brownlee has basically ordered by decree that officials working on things like, I dunno, Biofuels and electricity generation are not allowed to talk to the lead agency on climate change. I know right - WTF? how does that work?
And this is week one.
The knife also continues to hover over the public service with redundancies seeming almost inevitable. I only hope that National look at how ineffective the Rudd Labor government's cuts to the public sector have been in Australia. The public service over there is stupidly overworked and I know of people being expected to work 12-13 hour days, 6 days a week as a norm. Foreign Affairs has supposedly been a top priority of the new government with Rudd keen to be seen as a leader on issues like climate change, yet the budget cuts at DFAT has seen a 10 per cent staff turnover already in the first 12 months of KRudd.
I know this is what the people wanted and that this is the government the people chose. But I'm not sure anyone really thought it would be this messy quite so soon.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Are you local?
One of the most notable outcomes of the recent election was how Labour lost every single provincial seat that it held, despite many of the areas being characteristically 'Labour' areas. For example previously safe regional seats like East Coast, Otaki, Tukituki, West Coast-Tasman, Invercargill, and Whanganui have all been lost over the last two terms. In Palmerston North and Rimutaka Labour also struggled even though they had both had long solid service from popular retiring local MPs.
Five-minute PM, Mike Moore recently suggested that one of the reasons for this was MMP. He said that the safety net created by the party list meant MPs were preoccupied with impressing their leader and party hierarchy to gain promotion and to secure a decent list spot rather than putting in the hard yards in their electorates. Moore suggested this was why MPs had lost touch with their electorates and why so many of Labour's caucus seemed non-plussed at the thought of life on the list.
I think he is almost right on the money. We are told that there are huge numbers of people signing up to the party - that the membership is growing and is the strongest it has been. But take all those electorates listed above - not one of them has what you would call a strong local committee with active members and supporters. The membership in these areas has stagnated and aged to the point that basic activities such as door-knocking could not happen and deliveries in many had to be contracted out.
As UK Labour Councillor, Phillip Glanville, succinctly put it in his recent piece on the Blairite site Progress Online talking about the UK party - local campaigns are vital or no seat is safe. The parallels to our local party are stunning -
Just swap out the MP and place names and you pretty much have NZ Labour.
Indeed.
However, what parts of the recent campaign also reinforced was that with real effort and a priority given to connecting directly - I firmly believe that most of the seats above can and should be won back in three years.
Five-minute PM, Mike Moore recently suggested that one of the reasons for this was MMP. He said that the safety net created by the party list meant MPs were preoccupied with impressing their leader and party hierarchy to gain promotion and to secure a decent list spot rather than putting in the hard yards in their electorates. Moore suggested this was why MPs had lost touch with their electorates and why so many of Labour's caucus seemed non-plussed at the thought of life on the list.
I think he is almost right on the money. We are told that there are huge numbers of people signing up to the party - that the membership is growing and is the strongest it has been. But take all those electorates listed above - not one of them has what you would call a strong local committee with active members and supporters. The membership in these areas has stagnated and aged to the point that basic activities such as door-knocking could not happen and deliveries in many had to be contracted out.
As UK Labour Councillor, Phillip Glanville, succinctly put it in his recent piece on the Blairite site Progress Online talking about the UK party - local campaigns are vital or no seat is safe. The parallels to our local party are stunning -
"Campaigning in Crewe, I was struck by the lack of long-term organisation. The late, great Gwyneth Dunwoody was a formidable parliamentarian and much-respected MP, but the local party in Crewe seemed moribund at best. Sadly, it was clear that canvassing and campaigning had not taken place for a generation. No historic data, no personal relationships, no record of local campaigning.
In estate after estate, there was no sense that Labour had been talking to local people. We hadn't fostered a sense that the party was on their side - campaigning for better schools, safer streets and new homes."
Just swap out the MP and place names and you pretty much have NZ Labour.
"... Crewe and Glasgow are better after 11 years of Labour Government. Yet, for years it seems nobody has talked to local people about what we are doing and why.
Our supporters don't need Facebook, they want us to talk face to face: in their local pub, at the church fete, at a residents' meeting or on the doorstep. It may be old-fashioned or unsexy, but it works. You can't just turn up every four years (or, even worse, mid-term) and expect people to vote for you.
Clearly being in power is vital. We should never lose sight of that aim or hold the deluded view that we need to be in opposition to renew. Yet being in government can hold the party. Leaders inevitably start to listen to civil servants over party members and citizens. We get caught up in the idea that a good policy and a slick soundbite is all it takes to succeed."
Indeed.
However, what parts of the recent campaign also reinforced was that with real effort and a priority given to connecting directly - I firmly believe that most of the seats above can and should be won back in three years.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
1005 reasons for a quiet Sunday
Yesterday the glorious Hobson St Posse spent its kitty of $1005 worth of Shepherds Arms bar tab vouchers - in one go.
We kicked the day off with brunch and a couple of rounds at the Arms before heading out to the Island Bay Bowling Club to break the day up.
Now what I havent mentioned is that on Friday night we had our work Christmas function at TSB Arena which was a belter - so my head was on the sore side and frankly I had no business being at a pub again on Saturday morning - let alone ordering $6.50 jugs of Macs at the Bowling Club (yes at those prices we are considering joining).
Then it was back to the Shepherds to polish off the remaining $700 - so we all went out of our way to order stuff that we hadn't had before - and I think we just about bought one of each menu item. After a substantial feed of mussels etc it was on to Long Island Ice Teas and other cocktails before I settled on Laphraoig single malt Whiskey.
I did walk home which managed to work off most of the effects - but it all caught up with me when I tried watching the All Blacks this morning with a massive headache.
The bartender, 'Ginga', challenged us to reach $1500 next year - so watch this space I guess.
We kicked the day off with brunch and a couple of rounds at the Arms before heading out to the Island Bay Bowling Club to break the day up.
Now what I havent mentioned is that on Friday night we had our work Christmas function at TSB Arena which was a belter - so my head was on the sore side and frankly I had no business being at a pub again on Saturday morning - let alone ordering $6.50 jugs of Macs at the Bowling Club (yes at those prices we are considering joining).
Then it was back to the Shepherds to polish off the remaining $700 - so we all went out of our way to order stuff that we hadn't had before - and I think we just about bought one of each menu item. After a substantial feed of mussels etc it was on to Long Island Ice Teas and other cocktails before I settled on Laphraoig single malt Whiskey.
I did walk home which managed to work off most of the effects - but it all caught up with me when I tried watching the All Blacks this morning with a massive headache.
The bartender, 'Ginga', challenged us to reach $1500 next year - so watch this space I guess.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
You what?
I thought I would share a couple of moments of work place insanity I have experienced in the last week or two where senior colleagues have almost gone out of their way to mangle the english language. Today we had the word 'solution' used as a verb:
"Can you solution this issue?"
Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but I'm still quite a fan of the word 'solve' and even 'fix'. Also, I did wonder for a second whether they were actually referring to a 'topical solution' - as in can you apply a topical solution - but then that doesn't make sense either.
The other classic one was when one of our HR people said "I haven't got an optic on that." What? I think you mean - I haven't seen that.
"Can you solution this issue?"
Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but I'm still quite a fan of the word 'solve' and even 'fix'. Also, I did wonder for a second whether they were actually referring to a 'topical solution' - as in can you apply a topical solution - but then that doesn't make sense either.
The other classic one was when one of our HR people said "I haven't got an optic on that." What? I think you mean - I haven't seen that.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Agenda gets struck off the uh... agenda
Ok so I wasn't the biggest fan of TV One's Agenda - but I'm pretty pissed that it has been canned.
One of my worries about our new tory government is that there will be very little critical analysis of what is actually happening as we are almost heading towards a perfect storm with minimal coverage from the media other than scripted set pieces. We have an ever decreasing media in New Zealand - our major dailies are continually downsizing, most actual journalists are either now in PR or working for government departments - if not running them! On top of that we have a new prime minister who, chances are, will adopt the Shipley approach of only holding fortnightly Cabinet meetings and no press conferences (he isn't great when put on the spot - so he's not going to chuck himself in the lions den like Clark did each week, is he?).
For all its faults it was the very show that tripped up several players in the last 12 months - Mike Williams on Owen Glenn etc and Maurice Williamson on tolls for example - and it was our only actual political show with in-depth interviews. It's also ironic that Agenda's Australian namesake on Sky News has made it's host David Speers one of the leading commentators in the country and the show has become central to political coverage.
I only hope that either Sky News or even TV3 look to fill the void (and ideally chuck it in a better time slot). What I would love to see is something intelligent and insightful without boring everyone to tears - much like MSNBC's fantastic Rachel Maddow Show. If you haven't seen it - check out some of the clips on her site - we have nothing like it here (probably the closest would be Media 7 on TVNZ7). Also it's quite funny how I came across the show too since we don't get MSNBC - the Palin Vlog #13 where Sarah Palin trys to pray away the gay from Dina after her sapphic desires of Rachel Maddow are exposed - so very funny - watch it here .
One of my worries about our new tory government is that there will be very little critical analysis of what is actually happening as we are almost heading towards a perfect storm with minimal coverage from the media other than scripted set pieces. We have an ever decreasing media in New Zealand - our major dailies are continually downsizing, most actual journalists are either now in PR or working for government departments - if not running them! On top of that we have a new prime minister who, chances are, will adopt the Shipley approach of only holding fortnightly Cabinet meetings and no press conferences (he isn't great when put on the spot - so he's not going to chuck himself in the lions den like Clark did each week, is he?).
For all its faults it was the very show that tripped up several players in the last 12 months - Mike Williams on Owen Glenn etc and Maurice Williamson on tolls for example - and it was our only actual political show with in-depth interviews. It's also ironic that Agenda's Australian namesake on Sky News has made it's host David Speers one of the leading commentators in the country and the show has become central to political coverage.
I only hope that either Sky News or even TV3 look to fill the void (and ideally chuck it in a better time slot). What I would love to see is something intelligent and insightful without boring everyone to tears - much like MSNBC's fantastic Rachel Maddow Show. If you haven't seen it - check out some of the clips on her site - we have nothing like it here (probably the closest would be Media 7 on TVNZ7). Also it's quite funny how I came across the show too since we don't get MSNBC - the Palin Vlog #13 where Sarah Palin trys to pray away the gay from Dina after her sapphic desires of Rachel Maddow are exposed - so very funny - watch it here .
Cardinalogy
I picked up Cardinalogy over the weekend, Ryan Adams' follow up to last year's Easy Tiger. This time around the tracks a little snappier with most clocking in around the 2-3 minute mark, but unfortunately they have carried over that easy or dare I say it - 'nice' feel of Easy Tiger.
There are some high points though - I've found myself singing Go Easy and Fix It at work and he almost goes a little Ben Harper and the Blind Boys with track 6 - Let Us Down Easy.
it's a good solid album along the Gold and Easy Tiger lines, but like those albums, it never reaches the heights and innovation of the Cold Roses/Jacksonville City Nights/29 era.
Below is Ryan and the Cardinal's performing my favourite track - Fix It on Letterman.
There are some high points though - I've found myself singing Go Easy and Fix It at work and he almost goes a little Ben Harper and the Blind Boys with track 6 - Let Us Down Easy.
it's a good solid album along the Gold and Easy Tiger lines, but like those albums, it never reaches the heights and innovation of the Cold Roses/Jacksonville City Nights/29 era.
Below is Ryan and the Cardinal's performing my favourite track - Fix It on Letterman.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Who let that happen?? The Sequel
Well the campaign might be over, but the Palin shambles rumbles on and they continue to provide examples for why you need to do a thorough advance.
Video below of Sarah Palin doing an interview in front of turkeys being slaughtered - the camera man asked if she would prefer to do it with a different backdrop -she said it was fine... So in answer to my question - she let that happen!
The Alaska Palin Massacre
Video below of Sarah Palin doing an interview in front of turkeys being slaughtered - the camera man asked if she would prefer to do it with a different backdrop -she said it was fine... So in answer to my question - she let that happen!
The Alaska Palin Massacre
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Hey it's a world cup in rugby code - I'll take it!
The Kiwi league team pulled off what is unquestionably the upset of the century for Rugby League last night by toppling the Kangaroo's in the league world cup final. It was only 12 or so months ago when I attended the centenary test in Wellington where we got pummeled 50 odd nil (i did steal a souvenir ball though that day so it wasnt all bad). All throughout this 'World Cup' I had been bitching about what a joke it was and that only one team could win and that the whole thing was really a play off between England and New Zealand to see who would have the honour of losing the final to Australia. But I was sooo wrong and as the Sun Herald in Sydney have said - the Joke (of a tournament) became the Choke! Finally I have something to throw back at the Aussies when they bring up choking at world cups!
The All Blacks also went well against Wales and are only one win away from another Grand Slam. The most impressive thing so far is that in the three Grand Slam tests (Scotland, Ireland and Wales) and the Hong Kong test against the Wallabies, is that the All Blacks haven't conceded a single try - would be great to see them hold that against England this week. But anyway, aren't we just loving all the Haka hijinks - first we had Tipoki, Howlett etc doing a haka to the All Blacks before the Munster game and then we had the Wales stare down contest - loving it!
The Phoenix also did their darnedest to butcher a win against Newcastle tonight - with two red cards against Newcastle before half time you would assume victory was inevitable - especially since the star Phoenix recruit, Fred from DC United and formerly of the Victory (MVP of the 2006 A-League), was playing. But oh no - we had to fuck up as many opportunities as possible before spluttering to victory late in the game. I shouldn't be quite so harsh I know - but I'm losing enough hair as it is!
Speaking of harsh I could take the easy option and bag the NZ Cricket team for not taking their opportunity to beat Australia when they had the chance. But I'll be honest - I had incredibly low expectations and I actually thought the performance was an improvement - I'll explain what I mean in a second. But basically we don't have the batsmen to beat Australia - we have the bowlers - but not the batting so our chances were always fairly remote. How and Redmond are clinging on to their slots for dear life. Of the two (and I know Im kinda biased) How does look the most likely to get a score - but like Daniel Flynn - he needs to deliver on that at some point. Redmond is hopeless and out of his depth - but really we've tried all the other options (Bell/Papps/Cumming) so he may as well hang around. Ryder and Taylor look good but need to protect their wickets more, McCullum isn't a number 5 and doesn't look comfortable there - he should drop back to 7 with Flynn stepping up to 5 and being pushed for runs. I know Grant Elliot is only there to make up the numbers but he is just painful to watch and should not be there - he can't bat and he can only barely bowl - so why bother? Why not just throw Kyle Mills back in at 8 - at least he can bowl and his 15 or 20 runs late in the innings would be more use than another 6-ball duck.
But anyway as I said, I thought it was an improvement and I say that because we actually dominated a whole days play (day 1), which I can't remember us doing for a long time against Australia. We put Australia in, bundled them out for a low score and then didnt lose a wicket - all you could ask for out of day 1 of a test. Honours were split on day 2, we won the last session having lost the first and second sessions badly. Day 3 was Australia's and was enough to take the test. But despite a poor day 3 it was still better than the last time we faced Australia in a test. During that series we might do ok during the odd session - but we could never maintain that pressure throughout a whole day. We would either start well by picking up wickets only to butcher the game with a poor second session - with Symonds, Ponting or Gilchrist piling on runs or we would have another middle order collapse if we were batting. Either way we would be unable to maintain the pressure we had built up into the next session. But in Brisbane for a whole day we had the foot on the throat of Australia and we were competitive. So yeah its still disappointing to lose again, but it showed progress and hopefully during the next series against them we can start winning consecutive whole days... and who knows if we can start scoring runs - maybe even a test.
The All Blacks also went well against Wales and are only one win away from another Grand Slam. The most impressive thing so far is that in the three Grand Slam tests (Scotland, Ireland and Wales) and the Hong Kong test against the Wallabies, is that the All Blacks haven't conceded a single try - would be great to see them hold that against England this week. But anyway, aren't we just loving all the Haka hijinks - first we had Tipoki, Howlett etc doing a haka to the All Blacks before the Munster game and then we had the Wales stare down contest - loving it!
The Phoenix also did their darnedest to butcher a win against Newcastle tonight - with two red cards against Newcastle before half time you would assume victory was inevitable - especially since the star Phoenix recruit, Fred from DC United and formerly of the Victory (MVP of the 2006 A-League), was playing. But oh no - we had to fuck up as many opportunities as possible before spluttering to victory late in the game. I shouldn't be quite so harsh I know - but I'm losing enough hair as it is!
Speaking of harsh I could take the easy option and bag the NZ Cricket team for not taking their opportunity to beat Australia when they had the chance. But I'll be honest - I had incredibly low expectations and I actually thought the performance was an improvement - I'll explain what I mean in a second. But basically we don't have the batsmen to beat Australia - we have the bowlers - but not the batting so our chances were always fairly remote. How and Redmond are clinging on to their slots for dear life. Of the two (and I know Im kinda biased) How does look the most likely to get a score - but like Daniel Flynn - he needs to deliver on that at some point. Redmond is hopeless and out of his depth - but really we've tried all the other options (Bell/Papps/Cumming) so he may as well hang around. Ryder and Taylor look good but need to protect their wickets more, McCullum isn't a number 5 and doesn't look comfortable there - he should drop back to 7 with Flynn stepping up to 5 and being pushed for runs. I know Grant Elliot is only there to make up the numbers but he is just painful to watch and should not be there - he can't bat and he can only barely bowl - so why bother? Why not just throw Kyle Mills back in at 8 - at least he can bowl and his 15 or 20 runs late in the innings would be more use than another 6-ball duck.
But anyway as I said, I thought it was an improvement and I say that because we actually dominated a whole days play (day 1), which I can't remember us doing for a long time against Australia. We put Australia in, bundled them out for a low score and then didnt lose a wicket - all you could ask for out of day 1 of a test. Honours were split on day 2, we won the last session having lost the first and second sessions badly. Day 3 was Australia's and was enough to take the test. But despite a poor day 3 it was still better than the last time we faced Australia in a test. During that series we might do ok during the odd session - but we could never maintain that pressure throughout a whole day. We would either start well by picking up wickets only to butcher the game with a poor second session - with Symonds, Ponting or Gilchrist piling on runs or we would have another middle order collapse if we were batting. Either way we would be unable to maintain the pressure we had built up into the next session. But in Brisbane for a whole day we had the foot on the throat of Australia and we were competitive. So yeah its still disappointing to lose again, but it showed progress and hopefully during the next series against them we can start winning consecutive whole days... and who knows if we can start scoring runs - maybe even a test.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
No way
I cannot believe that this is actually on the table - but the City Council is actually proposing to build a flyover at the Basin Reserve - ala the Victoria Park fly over in Auckland. The fact that it will still be bookended by the two old single lane tunnels make it hopeless from the outset - but how on earth could Kerry and the gang seriously propose building such a hideous monument at one of the worlds best cricket grounds.
Eye of the Fish have a good run down on how hopeless and costly the Victoria Park and Newmarket fly overs have been in Auckland here and you can read the full Ngauranga - Airport corridor report here. What really annoyed me though was how they tucked details of the fly over into the part about creating a 'grand pedestrian entrance' to the Basin with a new public transport hub - it was like oh and we could incorporate a motorway fly over.... you know, as you do. This is a stupid 1950s response to the congestion in this area and creates the real risk that we are going to have a shocking blot on the Wellington landscape.
The other shocking part for me is that the Council seems to have dismissed the idea of light rail in the short to medium term and also the idea of extending rail into the city. This whole plan is a shocker and its good to see Green Councillor, Iona Pannett holding public meeting this Tuesday on it. I'd love to see our new MP take a lead on this.
Below is a map of the plan that the Greens came up with for Wellington during the recent election campaign (click on it for a bigger version) - and I have to say - how cool would that be??
The plan Replaces the Johnsonville line with light rail, which then connects through to Courtenay Place, the Airport and the Hospital. Also they are suggesting a light rail line out to Queensgate from Wellington - just like a ahhh.... city! Longer term I'd love to see fast electrified rail of some description right through to Palmerston North, connecting the other centres along the way which would create a situation where people could live up the coast and commute to the City in good time.
Eye of the Fish have a good run down on how hopeless and costly the Victoria Park and Newmarket fly overs have been in Auckland here and you can read the full Ngauranga - Airport corridor report here. What really annoyed me though was how they tucked details of the fly over into the part about creating a 'grand pedestrian entrance' to the Basin with a new public transport hub - it was like oh and we could incorporate a motorway fly over.... you know, as you do. This is a stupid 1950s response to the congestion in this area and creates the real risk that we are going to have a shocking blot on the Wellington landscape.
The other shocking part for me is that the Council seems to have dismissed the idea of light rail in the short to medium term and also the idea of extending rail into the city. This whole plan is a shocker and its good to see Green Councillor, Iona Pannett holding public meeting this Tuesday on it. I'd love to see our new MP take a lead on this.
Below is a map of the plan that the Greens came up with for Wellington during the recent election campaign (click on it for a bigger version) - and I have to say - how cool would that be??
The plan Replaces the Johnsonville line with light rail, which then connects through to Courtenay Place, the Airport and the Hospital. Also they are suggesting a light rail line out to Queensgate from Wellington - just like a ahhh.... city! Longer term I'd love to see fast electrified rail of some description right through to Palmerston North, connecting the other centres along the way which would create a situation where people could live up the coast and commute to the City in good time.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Going Gig Crazy
Well Feb and March are now shaping up as exciting months with a stack of international acts actually coming to New Zealand!
We have the Top Gear Live Show in Auckland - with the full cast of Jeremy Clarkson, Hampster, Captain slow, and the Stig as well as an array of super cars and football-playing-Suzuki-swifts. On top of that The Who are playing the North Shore with Counting Crows, Neil Young and the Arctics are headlining the Big Day Out and just announced yesterday - Ryan Adams is coming to Wellington... EEEEEEEEE!
Here he is performing Magnolia Mountain from Cold Roses in Sydney a few years back
Rounding out the beginning of 2009, rumour has it that the Ringleader of the Tormentors himself, Morrissey is heading down our way... again EEEEEEEE!
Which reminds me of a funny conversation I had about Morrissey a year or so back - I was asked "is he still alive??" I was like no he's still touring to which they said "Oh well he's all shit then - moans on about it, but never actually tops himself." LOL classic.
We have the Top Gear Live Show in Auckland - with the full cast of Jeremy Clarkson, Hampster, Captain slow, and the Stig as well as an array of super cars and football-playing-Suzuki-swifts. On top of that The Who are playing the North Shore with Counting Crows, Neil Young and the Arctics are headlining the Big Day Out and just announced yesterday - Ryan Adams is coming to Wellington... EEEEEEEEE!
Here he is performing Magnolia Mountain from Cold Roses in Sydney a few years back
Rounding out the beginning of 2009, rumour has it that the Ringleader of the Tormentors himself, Morrissey is heading down our way... again EEEEEEEE!
Which reminds me of a funny conversation I had about Morrissey a year or so back - I was asked "is he still alive??" I was like no he's still touring to which they said "Oh well he's all shit then - moans on about it, but never actually tops himself." LOL classic.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Criminal Justice system
After watching a right wing government get elected over the weekend, I ended up watching a new doco-drama examining future justice system penalties and the sort of private prison management that may occur here. The film had a storyline that was very similar in many ways to the Shawshank Redemption. It featured a very nuanced commentary on the criminal justice system and alternative ways of dealing with prisoners and some of the possible outomes of the private ownership and management of prisons.
LOL the movie was of course called Death Race - trailer below. Yeah not exactly the most intellectual film I've seen - but great for an election hangover!
PS What the fuck was Joan Allen doing in this rubbish?
LOL the movie was of course called Death Race - trailer below. Yeah not exactly the most intellectual film I've seen - but great for an election hangover!
PS What the fuck was Joan Allen doing in this rubbish?
Friday, November 07, 2008
History
Well I was actually on the money with my call for the US elections - with Obama gaining 364 electoral college votes to McCain's 174 - and while Im talking myself up I will note that I did pick Obama as an outsider to watch over two years ago - mind you at the time I was hoping for a Gore/Obama ticket - but still!
I watched the results come in at the US embassy's event and I have to say I hadn't anticipated just how euphoric and emotional the occasion would be. The result was historic for so many reasons - not only has his election smashed through the 'bradley effect', but it has also quashed the notion of blue and red states with Obama winning states like North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia, its shown that the Democrats aren't only strong on the coasts and proven that the Democrats can be elected during an economic crisis not mention a war.
Anyway - fingers crossed im not too far off tomorrow.
I watched the results come in at the US embassy's event and I have to say I hadn't anticipated just how euphoric and emotional the occasion would be. The result was historic for so many reasons - not only has his election smashed through the 'bradley effect', but it has also quashed the notion of blue and red states with Obama winning states like North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia, its shown that the Democrats aren't only strong on the coasts and proven that the Democrats can be elected during an economic crisis not mention a war.
Anyway - fingers crossed im not too far off tomorrow.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Australia Day?
Well maybe Australian Labor Party Day might be more accurate. As we close in on election day, both parties seem to be ripping off the ALP.
Yesterday National Leader, John Key, launched his new schools policy which he said would "add rungs to the ladder of opportunity". Hmmm now that sounds familiar huh? Well that's probably because the 'Ladder of Opportunity' was Mark Latham's slogan throughout his ill fated 2004 campaign. I know Key is no fan of history, but surely he realises the wheels well and truly came off the 2004 ALP campaign (and Latham's career) not long after launching the catchphrase? Tempting fate a bit...
But anyway Key isn't the only one to be caught red handed stealing pages from the playbooks of recent ALP campaigns. Labour released its new TV ad yesterday, with an unsubtle and very personal - I can't trust you, John Key - message. But again this seemed familiar to many political hacks. Where have we seen a young mother talking direct to camera, criticising a tory leader while feeding their baby?? That's right - Australia!
Still I guess its better than stealing ideas from this guy or this Alaskan candidate. WTF? I know.
Yesterday National Leader, John Key, launched his new schools policy which he said would "add rungs to the ladder of opportunity". Hmmm now that sounds familiar huh? Well that's probably because the 'Ladder of Opportunity' was Mark Latham's slogan throughout his ill fated 2004 campaign. I know Key is no fan of history, but surely he realises the wheels well and truly came off the 2004 ALP campaign (and Latham's career) not long after launching the catchphrase? Tempting fate a bit...
But anyway Key isn't the only one to be caught red handed stealing pages from the playbooks of recent ALP campaigns. Labour released its new TV ad yesterday, with an unsubtle and very personal - I can't trust you, John Key - message. But again this seemed familiar to many political hacks. Where have we seen a young mother talking direct to camera, criticising a tory leader while feeding their baby?? That's right - Australia!
Still I guess its better than stealing ideas from this guy or this Alaskan candidate. WTF? I know.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
OOO I love a good sports metaphor
Most of you will realise that I love a good sports metaphor - but the one below by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow was especially good as it nicely demonstrates how much of a big deal it is that states like Indiana and Montana are even potential battlegrounds.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Who let that happen??
You know some people I know don't see the value in having a campaign carry out advance checks ahead of the candidate's visit. Well let this little snippet be a lesson for you.
Clearly the McCain campaign don't believe in a decent advance either - unbelievably, a Palin impersonator appeared right behind McCain at a rally over the weekend. I love how she smiles, nods and waves to the crowd as McCain talks up his running mate. Who let her up there? Absolutely classic.
Clearly the McCain campaign don't believe in a decent advance either - unbelievably, a Palin impersonator appeared right behind McCain at a rally over the weekend. I love how she smiles, nods and waves to the crowd as McCain talks up his running mate. Who let her up there? Absolutely classic.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Yes you can can
I checked out Young at Heart tonight, the inspiring story of a choir made up of 80-somethings who sing rock songs. Not only was it absolutely hilarious to see oldies singing tracks by Bowie, The Clash, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, the Bee Gees, James Brown etc, but it was actually at time incredibly moving.
The doco followed the groups preparations for their new show - Alive and Well. Naturally given their age there are losses along the way and Fred's Johnny Cash-esque performance of Coldplay's Fix You that he dedicated to Bob and Joe, stole the show for me. Mind you Forever Young at the Prison was fantastic as was their video of the Ramones, I Want to Be Sedated and Bowie's Golden Years.
Young at Heart is the sort of film that is impossible to watch without smiling and I definitely recommend checking it out. It came out last year and was part of the film festival earlier this year - so it should be easy enough to find. Trailer below.
The doco followed the groups preparations for their new show - Alive and Well. Naturally given their age there are losses along the way and Fred's Johnny Cash-esque performance of Coldplay's Fix You that he dedicated to Bob and Joe, stole the show for me. Mind you Forever Young at the Prison was fantastic as was their video of the Ramones, I Want to Be Sedated and Bowie's Golden Years.
Young at Heart is the sort of film that is impossible to watch without smiling and I definitely recommend checking it out. It came out last year and was part of the film festival earlier this year - so it should be easy enough to find. Trailer below.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Having a good pick
This week at work we are going to do a combined US/NZ election sweep - in both cases it could either be a close win for the underdog or a landslide. We're going to pick the party vote percentages in NZ and electoral college in the states.
So here goes
NZ
National 44
Labour 38
Green 8
NZ First 5
Maori 2.3 and will win 4 seats
ACT 1.6 but will lose Epsom and be gone
UF 0.5
Prog 0.5
Ok so in Epsom I'm hoping Labourites actually use their brain and vote for Richard Worth (10-15% of Labour voters supported Hide last time FFS). On the Maori seats - I don't believe the hype that they will win all seven Maori seats, they talked up how they were going to get at least 2 new Maori seats last year when the Maori roll was open - and they were embarrassingly way off.
USA
Im going with my heart and picking a landslide - Im backing Obama to pick up Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia and Indiana on top of the states Kerry won in 04. So that would make it Obama 364 votes to McCain's 174.
In saying that though - I dont think many of those will be big wins and the reality is that even if Obama picks up some of those states it won't matter if McCain can pick up Pennsylvania and hold Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida - he will win. But hey I'm a betting man and will go with the heart on this one.
So here goes
NZ
National 44
Labour 38
Green 8
NZ First 5
Maori 2.3 and will win 4 seats
ACT 1.6 but will lose Epsom and be gone
UF 0.5
Prog 0.5
Ok so in Epsom I'm hoping Labourites actually use their brain and vote for Richard Worth (10-15% of Labour voters supported Hide last time FFS). On the Maori seats - I don't believe the hype that they will win all seven Maori seats, they talked up how they were going to get at least 2 new Maori seats last year when the Maori roll was open - and they were embarrassingly way off.
USA
Im going with my heart and picking a landslide - Im backing Obama to pick up Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia and Indiana on top of the states Kerry won in 04. So that would make it Obama 364 votes to McCain's 174.
In saying that though - I dont think many of those will be big wins and the reality is that even if Obama picks up some of those states it won't matter if McCain can pick up Pennsylvania and hold Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida - he will win. But hey I'm a betting man and will go with the heart on this one.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Why don't we have coverage like this?
This year Sky News has stole a march on lame-o 3 news and TVNZ's election with their Campaign 08 coverage - they have actual in-depth interviews with leaders! Well the ones that show up anyway. All the same I think its great to see the more mainstream channels being shown again how to do their jobs.
Speaking of which, here is MSNBC's very excellent Rachel Maddow opening up a can on Palin over her abuse of power in the trooper-gate episode. Its annoying that we don't get MSNBC here, but hey the interwebs mean you can get your fix through the Rachel Maddow podcast on iTunes.
Speaking of which, here is MSNBC's very excellent Rachel Maddow opening up a can on Palin over her abuse of power in the trooper-gate episode. Its annoying that we don't get MSNBC here, but hey the interwebs mean you can get your fix through the Rachel Maddow podcast on iTunes.
TV3 - One big family?
Just saw this over on the spare room - now I've thought at times that Campbell Live wasn't far off the ABC's excellent satire - Frontline, but TV3 seem to have taken it to a new level... They've actually ripped off Frontline's hammy 'One Big Family' promo - but not in an ironic way, they're actually serious. I wonder if the similarities extend to the stars not actually wanting to be in each others company - the bit where they get someone else to do Brooke's high-five with the weatherman after she refused to touch him was classic!
Spot the difference -
Spot the difference -
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Credit crunch?
Last week a finance company offered me $7000 then today I got a text from a finance company offering me a pre-approved $5000 loan and when I got home there was a letter from the bank offering me a another credit card. WTF? I thought we were in some sort of crisis?
It would be rude to say no though right?
It would be rude to say no though right?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Rimutaka uh-huh
I think the Rimutaka seat is going to be way tighter than most pundits are picking. While Paul Swain held an 8000 strong majority, the seat has picked up the very tory Belmont hills and dropped the very red Taita suburb and with high profile NZ First MP Ron Mark standing, there is a real chance of a split vote.
So today I thought I would have a look at the tory candidate's website.... and I found this. Dude wtf?
He's an award winning Elvis impersonator - Upper Hutt's greatest in fact. I wonder if he does the Vegas-Elvis karate moves during candidates debates? I would vote for that shit.
So today I thought I would have a look at the tory candidate's website.... and I found this. Dude wtf?
He's an award winning Elvis impersonator - Upper Hutt's greatest in fact. I wonder if he does the Vegas-Elvis karate moves during candidates debates? I would vote for that shit.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Enemies of Reason
After doing something incredibly irrational (watching the NZ Cricket team flail about in Chittagong) I watched The Enemies of Reason, Richard Dawkins' follow up to his fantastic documentary on organised religion - The Root of All Evil, to balance me out. The new doco examines how superstition and new age treatments and alternative therapies are being presented as cool, regularly filling column inches in magazines and newspapers, despite having no scientific evidence to prove that they work or that they are anything more than a sham.
As you might have guessed, I'm no fan of alternative medicine or therapies. In fact I think the term 'alternative' is a little kind and somewhat misleading - it basically means untested, unproven and unlikely to work. If it works - get it tested and proven. But they know its a sham and they know proper testing will likely prove that.
In New Zealand this whole hokum industry is a particular concern as people seem willing to give this crap a go and more so since the government failed to pass the Joint Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Products Authority legislation. So given there is no regulation you can basically bottle any old rubbish and chuck a label on it claiming it can cure cancer - and that would be legal. Worse still, utter rubbish like Sensing Murder seems to have a huge audience - despite the fact that its psychics have been exposed as sham with an Australian Current Affairs show finding that psychic Deb Webber can talk to dead people - even if they never existed.
I agree with Dawkins - like religion, these conjurers are actually dangerous and shouldnt be hailed by the media or idiotic celebrities (including Prince Charles and Hillary - Chopra). Rational people need to actually call this crap for what it is - false hope for those desperately seeking a cure or closure after the loss of a loved one.
Anyway below is a clip with Dawkins challenging an astrologist to test his readings and a psychic doing a reading.
As you might have guessed, I'm no fan of alternative medicine or therapies. In fact I think the term 'alternative' is a little kind and somewhat misleading - it basically means untested, unproven and unlikely to work. If it works - get it tested and proven. But they know its a sham and they know proper testing will likely prove that.
In New Zealand this whole hokum industry is a particular concern as people seem willing to give this crap a go and more so since the government failed to pass the Joint Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Products Authority legislation. So given there is no regulation you can basically bottle any old rubbish and chuck a label on it claiming it can cure cancer - and that would be legal. Worse still, utter rubbish like Sensing Murder seems to have a huge audience - despite the fact that its psychics have been exposed as sham with an Australian Current Affairs show finding that psychic Deb Webber can talk to dead people - even if they never existed.
I agree with Dawkins - like religion, these conjurers are actually dangerous and shouldnt be hailed by the media or idiotic celebrities (including Prince Charles and Hillary - Chopra). Rational people need to actually call this crap for what it is - false hope for those desperately seeking a cure or closure after the loss of a loved one.
Anyway below is a clip with Dawkins challenging an astrologist to test his readings and a psychic doing a reading.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Burn After Reading
I checked out the Coen Brothers new film, Burn After Reading, the other night. Its a return to their more unorthodox black comedy fare of the Fargo or Barton Fink kind and a welcome one at that.
It follows John Malkovich's character Osbourne Cox who ends up the victim of a weird blackmail attempt after quiting his job as a CIA agent after being demoted and losing his wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) to a wooden-floor-obsessed Treasury Department official played by George Clooney.
Throughout you are unsure where the hell the story is going as two inept gym bunnies - the depressed middle aged woman, Linda Litzke, played by Frances McDormand and the ultra camp himbo, Chad, played by Brad Pitt - try to extort money for Linda's cosmetic surgery from Cox after they find a disc containing classified material at the gym.
At the same time you have Clooney's character being followed throughout by sinister looking characters while he is also constructing something using menacing looking tubes in his basement - leaving you wondering when it is going to inadvertently turn dark.
Ultimately though this is a great satirical take on the CIA, espionage and how the US sees itself in the world. Its almost a wink to the rest of the world that the whole US intelligence thing is just as shambolic as everywhere else!
I won't say exactly what ends up happening or what Clooney is building, but this is a classic Coen work with a fucked up climax of Fargo proportions. Definitely check it out, trailer below
It follows John Malkovich's character Osbourne Cox who ends up the victim of a weird blackmail attempt after quiting his job as a CIA agent after being demoted and losing his wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) to a wooden-floor-obsessed Treasury Department official played by George Clooney.
Throughout you are unsure where the hell the story is going as two inept gym bunnies - the depressed middle aged woman, Linda Litzke, played by Frances McDormand and the ultra camp himbo, Chad, played by Brad Pitt - try to extort money for Linda's cosmetic surgery from Cox after they find a disc containing classified material at the gym.
At the same time you have Clooney's character being followed throughout by sinister looking characters while he is also constructing something using menacing looking tubes in his basement - leaving you wondering when it is going to inadvertently turn dark.
Ultimately though this is a great satirical take on the CIA, espionage and how the US sees itself in the world. Its almost a wink to the rest of the world that the whole US intelligence thing is just as shambolic as everywhere else!
I won't say exactly what ends up happening or what Clooney is building, but this is a classic Coen work with a fucked up climax of Fargo proportions. Definitely check it out, trailer below
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Feel good about yourself and all that
This seems to have flown under the radar a little, but that doyenne of the green movement, Mobil, has brought biofuels to Wellington. Yay.
Back in June Mobil began trialling the fuel at its Johnsonville station and a couple of weeks ago it arrived at the Karori station and 'two others' - which I assume means the Kilbirnie one and a Hutt one.
The 98 or super has up to 10% biofuels and the 91 has up to 3% - but anyway its a good start.
Back in June Mobil began trialling the fuel at its Johnsonville station and a couple of weeks ago it arrived at the Karori station and 'two others' - which I assume means the Kilbirnie one and a Hutt one.
The 98 or super has up to 10% biofuels and the 91 has up to 3% - but anyway its a good start.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Lame
I'm actually starting to think the Brits might be on to something with not bothering with TV debates. They're a sham.
Every single debate I have seen this year has been a rock solid waste of time. Tonight's TV One debate between Clark and Key fell right into that category, I think I spoke for many when I shouted "would someone tell John Key to shut the fuck up?"
I can't have been the only one to get hacked off with Key constantly blahhing on while Helen was talking. The stupid thing is - if that was Biden shouting over Palin or Obama shouting over Clinton's answers, they would have been called sexist and patronising - but here, Key does it with a smile and Armstrong calls him 'prime minister in waiting' FFS.
Our lame media still seem to think repeating a couple of slogans with an earnest look on your face is enough - I ask you, what the hell were the Herald journalists watching?? Does Audrey get in trouble with her father and brother if she doesnt talk Key up? I don't normally agree with Fran but at least she is rational:
Also while I'm at it - did John Key have more hair? Is he a male pattern baldness denier? Just putting it out there - but I'm suspecting some ruggage.
I think I would sooner watch hour long in depth interviews with someone like Kim Hill - or even someone new like Oliver Driver, who did excellent interviews on Alt and was all over that clown on the dopey new copyright law this morning. Hell lets get Katie Couric!
Every single debate I have seen this year has been a rock solid waste of time. Tonight's TV One debate between Clark and Key fell right into that category, I think I spoke for many when I shouted "would someone tell John Key to shut the fuck up?"
I can't have been the only one to get hacked off with Key constantly blahhing on while Helen was talking. The stupid thing is - if that was Biden shouting over Palin or Obama shouting over Clinton's answers, they would have been called sexist and patronising - but here, Key does it with a smile and Armstrong calls him 'prime minister in waiting' FFS.
Our lame media still seem to think repeating a couple of slogans with an earnest look on your face is enough - I ask you, what the hell were the Herald journalists watching?? Does Audrey get in trouble with her father and brother if she doesnt talk Key up? I don't normally agree with Fran but at least she is rational:
Clark scored best on the issue du jour - the international credit crisis. She has a post-election plan. Key doesn't.
Key was initially ineffectual letting Clark walk over him (shades of Don Brash). He recovered and successfully challenged Clark's rhetoric on climate change and crime.
But to win, he needs to come up with fresh material at the next debate to convince us he can deal with the crisis. Not just talk slogans.
Also while I'm at it - did John Key have more hair? Is he a male pattern baldness denier? Just putting it out there - but I'm suspecting some ruggage.
I think I would sooner watch hour long in depth interviews with someone like Kim Hill - or even someone new like Oliver Driver, who did excellent interviews on Alt and was all over that clown on the dopey new copyright law this morning. Hell lets get Katie Couric!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Uncanny
Well that was some weekend huh? Obviously someone forgot to tell Mr Key that the green light means go. So far he seems to be doing his best impression of Garth Tander's performance at Bathurst over the weekend - starting on pole, Tander butchered his race... just like someone else on the very same afternoon... As the title says - its uncanny. (only watch the first 40 or secs to get the idea)
Meanwhile Helen looks like she's trying to emulate Kiwi's amazing run in the 83 Melbourne Cup - within two days we have re-training policies, a universal student allowance announcement and an actual approach to the economic crisis!
Meanwhile Helen looks like she's trying to emulate Kiwi's amazing run in the 83 Melbourne Cup - within two days we have re-training policies, a universal student allowance announcement and an actual approach to the economic crisis!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Damn Aro hippies
I haven't really been enthused enough to talk politics on here in the last few weeks - despite the rapidly approaching elections! So far its just been a little same old-same old for my liking. But I do live in a neighbourhood where there is a relatively high amount of activism, so I thought I would take a look at what has been happening around these parts.
There was the now infamous 'meet the candidates' event in the living room of a flat down Aro St, but apart from that it has actually been the minor parties who have been loudest.
During the last City Council elections, I only received propaganda from the Greens, and as I result (and due to the poor selection of candidates) I gave my '1' vote to them for the City ward.
Now given the area I currently live in has a reputation for being a lefty/greeny haven, it's no great surprise that I get stuff from the Greens - but obviously with the developments down Aro St the right also seem to be thinking this is fertile ground.
We're four weeks into the campaign and this is what I have got so far and the number of hoardings they have in the valley:
Greens: 2 pamphlets, 0 direct mail, 4 hoardings
ACT: 2 pamphlets, 1 direct mail, 1 hoarding
National: 1 pamphlet, 0 direct mail, 3 hoardings
Labour: 0 pamphlets, 0 direct mail, 2 hoardings
Alliance: 0 pamphlets, 0, direct mail, 1 Hoarding
Workers Party: 1 painted sheet with logo (where else would you find that?)
Early days, but I think I might need to reassess my voting habits! The hard-right hippies might have a difficult choice??
Update: This week we have the more official Aro Valley Meet the Candidates at the Community Centre (Tues 14 Oct at 7pm), but it does clash with the Shepherds Quiz so doubt I'll be there.
There was the now infamous 'meet the candidates' event in the living room of a flat down Aro St, but apart from that it has actually been the minor parties who have been loudest.
During the last City Council elections, I only received propaganda from the Greens, and as I result (and due to the poor selection of candidates) I gave my '1' vote to them for the City ward.
Now given the area I currently live in has a reputation for being a lefty/greeny haven, it's no great surprise that I get stuff from the Greens - but obviously with the developments down Aro St the right also seem to be thinking this is fertile ground.
We're four weeks into the campaign and this is what I have got so far and the number of hoardings they have in the valley:
Greens: 2 pamphlets, 0 direct mail, 4 hoardings
ACT: 2 pamphlets, 1 direct mail, 1 hoarding
National: 1 pamphlet, 0 direct mail, 3 hoardings
Labour: 0 pamphlets, 0 direct mail, 2 hoardings
Alliance: 0 pamphlets, 0, direct mail, 1 Hoarding
Workers Party: 1 painted sheet with logo (where else would you find that?)
Early days, but I think I might need to reassess my voting habits! The hard-right hippies might have a difficult choice??
Update: This week we have the more official Aro Valley Meet the Candidates at the Community Centre (Tues 14 Oct at 7pm), but it does clash with the Shepherds Quiz so doubt I'll be there.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Cactussing the night away
Last night ended up being quite a big one.
I checked out the Family Cactus at Mighty Mighty with all the cool kids. It was their first Wellington gig in about six months, having spent a shit load of time pulling together a debut album!
It was a great night - they sound a whole lot like the Phoenix Foundation but with country (Cardinals) influences and our Adam sounded a whole lot like the vocalist from the Strokes.
So keep your eyes open for their debut album.
Friday, October 03, 2008
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