Life Bursts

Harold Pinter's Acceptance Speech for Nobel Prize

2005-12-13T08:20:00.000+13:00

"The crimes of the United States have been systematic, constant,
vicious, remorseless, but very few people have actually talked about
them," Mr. Pinter said. "You have to hand it to America. It has
exercised a quite clinical manipulation of power worldwide while
masquerading as a force for universal good. It's a brilliant, even
witty, highly successful act of hypnosis."

Sitting in a wheelchair, his lap covered by a blanket, his voice hoarse
but unwavering, Mr. Pinter, 75, delivered his speech via a video
recording that was played on Wednesday at the Swedish Academy in
Stockholm. When he won the award, Mr. Pinter said he did not know if
the academy, whose deliberations and reasoning are kept secret, had
taken his politics into account. He clearly welcomed the platform the
award gave him to bring his views, long expressed in Britain, to a
larger audience.

Dressed in black, bristling with controlled fury, Mr. Pinter began by
explaining the almost unconscious process he uses to write his plays.
They start with an image, a word, a phrase, he said; the characters
soon become "people with will and an individual sensibility of their
own, made out of component parts you are unable to change, manipulate
or distort.

"So language in art remains a highly ambiguous transaction," he
continued, "a quicksand, a trampoline, a frozen pool which might give
way under you, the author, at any time. Drama represents the search for
truth," Mr. Pinter said, "politics works against truth, surrounding
citizens with a vast tapestry of lies spun by politicians eager to
cling to power."

Mr. Pinter attacked American foreign policy since World War II, saying
that while the crimes of the Soviet Union had been well documented,
those of the United States had not. "I put to you that the United
States is without doubt the greatest show on the road," he said.
"Brutal, indifferent, scornful and ruthless it may be, but it is also
very clever. As a salesman it is out on its own and its most saleable
commodity is self-love."

He returned to the theme of language as an obscurer of reality, saying,
"American leaders use it to anesthetize the public. It's a
scintillating stratagem," Mr. Pinter said. "Language is actually
employed to keep thought at bay. The words 'the American people'
provide a truly voluptuous cushion of reassurance. You don't need to
think. Just lie back on the cushion. The cushion may be suffocating
your intelligence and your critical faculties but it's very
comfortable."

Mr. Pinter ended with saying, "It is the duty of the writer to hold an
image up to scrutiny, and the duty of citizens to define the real truth
of our lives and our societies. If such a determination is not embodied
in our political vision, we have no hope of restoring what is so nearly
lost to us - the dignity of man".

No speaky the semaphore?

2005-11-28T18:12:00.000+13:00

For all you non nautical folk go clickity around about here for a bit of guidance.
I warn you now, it will not enlighten your day in the slightest.

Ne me quitte pas!

2005-11-27T20:01:00.000+13:00

Aujourd'hui, j'ai decidé écrire en francais, juste ainsi que j'aurais quelque chose a faire. D'accord, maintenent je serai le premier pour admitter que mon francais ne peut pas etre les plus mieux dans le monde, mais je m'en foute!
Les derniers couples des jours n'avait pas été trés excité, pas du tout, qouique j'ai passe mon premiere 'thanksgiving' a chez amies - ok, je changerai mon cerveau, pas tout les jours etait merde, jeudi soir que deviens vendredi matin c'etais un bonheur parce que nous avons mangé 'lobster tail', dinde peut aller et contracter bird flu! Aussi, nous nous sommes devenu complètement munted!
Rien a plus s'est produit, excepté j'entends parler de Gary Glitter est être arrêter en prison au Vietnamme, c'est mervellieux! Le Grande Pervers - il ne peut pas arreter mettre tes mains sur les jeunes fils et garçons. 'Do you wanna be in my gang bang?' Je n'pense pas Glitter.

Burning on gasoline

2005-11-20T10:10:00.000+13:00

Last night: Audioslave gig at Long Beach Arena.
What an awesome night, thankfully they didn't play a huge amount from their latest album. Not because it's rubbish, just because I'm not particularly au fait with it. One thing really grinds my gears - apart from not being able to find the droids I'm looking for - is being at a concert where I do not know the songs, unless they truly rock it can be a little dull.
Dull it wasn't, the set was blistering! For the encore Chris Cornell came and did an acoustic set, starting with Black Hole Sun, beautiful, and ending with Redemption Song, the guy is mellowing. The last two tunes were some full on Rage Against the Machine Tracks; Killing in The Name and, er, crap I forget the last one - a lesser known one of their's. Nil Desperandum.
We were up in the seats on the side (I know, getting old much!) but as soon as the Rage tracks kicked in I soooo wanted to be in the little pockets of mosh that just appeared in the standing area.
Also, noticed how nobody holds up lighters at gigs anymore; A) because no one smokes anymore and B) they're all holding up mobile phones.
The drive there and back was a bore - but let's not dwell.

Lockdown at the YMCA

2005-11-19T08:33:00.000+13:00

I tell you, going for a swim can be dangerous business. Last night I went for my bi-daily, fort-daily . . . hang on what do you say for every other day apart from every other day of course (brain of gooey cheese, Gromit!), so I trundled along for my swim at the YMCA which is situated directly behind our monolith of daily boredom or work. As I approached the building from a southerly direction the police were starting to corden off the area and the Y security guard, Moses, was locking up the gates fast! Why? Well, there was a loon with a gun running around the area, apparently he'd shot 2 people and deaded them too on the street near the post office, which is basically round the corner from us, or one block East as they do be saying in these lands. Anyway, about an hour or so after I'd completed my laps I exited the changing room (there was showering and donning ones attire in the middle there, but it's not vital to the story) to discover they hadn't found the guy, didn't have an f-ing clue as to his appearance and were not letting people out of the Y. Yeesh - LA finest were on the case. So I had to hang around for about 30 mins until people were eventually allowed to depart, but only if going West, and only 10 at a time - safety in numbers, you can't gets us all at once fucker! I got out quick, there's only so long I can bare being in a building with cheap halogen lighting.
Least I've now got my LA gun story . . . of sorts.

Balls to the wall!

2005-11-18T08:21:00.001+13:00

Laughed my ass of last night listening to this old Metal song from the 80's. The song is 'You Son of a Bitch' by germanic group Accept. They're very metal!
It's classic, Udo Dirkschneider's (what a bitch ass name) vocals are awesome, they really make no major sense at all and his pitch changes almost every word, hi low hi low. Fantastic!
I think the guy just got in the studio and ranted. Favourite bit is at the end: 'Listen to what I think of you' followed by a tremendously well thought out abusive attack. The track then ends with a 50 second guitar solo fade out, and not a great solo to boot.
Teutonic überRock at it's . . . ? you decide.

You make the stars
Illusions and dreams
You’re what you are
D’you know what I mean

I hear you clear
See in your eyes
Lying to please
It pleases to lie

You say it’s your way
You say we’ll make it
Right to the top
Your bullshit gets me
What have you got

I don’t believe
A word you say
You make me laugh
Get outta my way

You say it’s your way
Now listen to what I think of you:

Son of a bitch
Kiss my ass
Son of a bitch
Son of a bitch
You asshole
Son of a bitch
Cock suckin’ motherfucker
I was right - take this: uuaah

Son of a bitch, ...

Cut you three times below the ass to short to shit
Two timing son of a dog

Still not sure if they were bigger than Hasselhoff - but hey, who is?

Navel Gazing

2005-11-17T07:22:00.000+13:00

Spent the day Navel gazing; found belly button fluff.

You askin?

2005-11-16T17:07:00.000+13:00

Have decided today that skin is good! It's damn useful and tasty in many situations, but not all. Now, before some of you get up in arms that my Blog is turning all porno . . . it isn't. I couldn't write anything erotic if my dick was in blender (see what I mean).
I'm not just talking about our own, human skin, oh no, I'm talking about the OTHER type. A lot of you may not (when I say a lot, I'm refering to the 2 people who may or may not even read this nonsense.) agree. I digress, so skin, what was I saying. Okay skin can be good, as in chicken skin, skin on custard, skin on rice pudding but not, and I repeat not and add never, skin on gravy! Just wrong.
Anyone have any other skin likes or dislikes - lemme know. Or don't, hey that's the beauty of choice!

Buena Vista

2005-11-15T08:44:00.000+13:00

This is a view from my workspace - or office as they're more readily known. But I don't like the word office, it sounds too work like, and that just sends shivers down my spine. It's a fairly pleasant vista over Sunset Boulevard - still trying to figue out why it's named that? Any bright idea's, anyone?

Please, be gentle, it's my first time

2005-11-14T17:02:00.000+13:00

Woo yeah, I got my very first LA parking ticket yesterday. I have been officially welcomed by the state and deemed worthy to receive such a high and prestigious accolade. Such honour.
I thought I'd had it easy for the last 7 weeks, not one traffic violation to my name. I'd been told by countless people - which I once counted to be 3 - that I'd definitely get a ticket, you're in LA. It's as Californian as Sushi, Yoga and Assholes! All of which are native to this state. Well one out of three ain't bad.
They really don't make it easy for you to park anywhere here, only went to the movies (saw Jarhead, a movie about the Iraq war in the early nineties, as boring and pointless as the war itself!) came out, ate some Mexican (all those with dirty minds, kindly leave the blog) and hey presto, instant fine. Well that's just fine, I thought. Still, looking back at the parking signs, I can't fathom why I couldn't park where I did - but I was in violation of section 8058L. OK I admit it, you got me occifer!
Least I now know what the glove box is for.

Warning: snowboarding terms may be utilised

2005-11-01T09:25:00.000+13:00

Callin all boarders.
Check dis sweet trailer y'all!
Sick!

Click me! then click on watch video!

Fo'shiz!

My only vice . . . of sorts!

2005-10-28T19:33:00.000+13:00

I'm getting addicted to these things - and it would seem I'm not the only one. There are legions of followers, all hailing the cup, sprinkled throughout the internet. Strange how a sweet/candy/lolly could really draw you in so much. But believe me if you wish to stay wafer thin and retain your original tooth enamel, do not even sample a smidgeon as you'll be forever under their spell.
Shame there's so many 24hr places here in LA, coz when you've got the craving nothing will stop you. When I say you, I mean me.

Breaking the waves

2005-10-26T18:41:00.000+13:00

I think the surfing lessons are really coming along.

FACT

2005-10-22T05:44:00.000+13:00

I cannot find decent cup of coffee in Los Angeles - may have to succumb and go to Starbucks . . .
noooooooooooooooooooooo

If music be the food of love . . .

2005-10-07T17:56:00.000+13:00

. . . lick that guitar!

Witnessed Sigur Ros in concert last night at the Hollywood Bowl (that's in Hollywood btw). Pure Gorgeous. Now I have to let it be known that I've never heard of these guys before, what how come?! I actually don't have the answer, I simply do not know. They just passed me by. Sorry. They're apparently pretty huge in the UK (not their native land, no that would be Iceland) Anyway I'm glad to have made their musical acquaintance. They had depth, layering, texture, bags of emotion, resonance and the lead singer had the voice of a tortured eunuch! Sorrowful and high. A far more screwed up Scandi version of Thom York.
Couldn't understand an single word of it but didn't care, I actually don't want to now what he's singing about, probably broken hearts and bad plumbing.
I must now lose myself in all their albums . . . oh yeah, the Hollywood Bowl is nice too.

This one's a doozy

2005-09-24T07:52:00.000+12:00

It must've been the jetlag, but I missed a trick on my last entry. Okay, I reassessed the Hollywood sign and I as I said previously I can see the top part of the "H" from my bathroom but I can see all of the "OLLY" bit, which means due to natural obstruction I literally can't see the "WOOD" for the tree's! Oh, come it's not that bad . . . well it seemed funnier in my head.
That's worrying.
Had a stroll around Downtown yesterday which is very New York-esque, there was plenty of filming going on everywhere. I think I was the most famous person around though - no seriously!
Hung around Japan town or Little Tokyo as it's known, it's close to where I'll be living for a while so I will frequent it. Nice and relaxed, I can't shake that part off yet.
Went to a party in Beverly Hills on Weds night . . . thank god they had alcohol. Lotta people seem to OD on BS. Good job I just had my BS filter unclogged.
Going to try surfing on Sunday.
End.

California here I am!

2005-09-21T08:31:00.000+12:00

Land of the brave, home of the free, world of the weird!
Yup, I now find myself set adrfit in sprawling Los Angeles, the City of Angels where I'm sure everyone is playing an angle.
Wellington to here is one oddball contrast, I was really enjoying living a relaxing, chilled paced life in New Zealand and now have to do a 180 flip into a place whose sole purpose is for automobiles, forget the film industry, fast food and muscle gyms, it's all about the car, and it's freakin the uck out of me and f-!
I've been here roughly 24 hours and was told on arrival that "Hey it hasn't rained here, since, like, February!" and guess what woke me up this morning? Oh well done, yes a big clap of thunder and rain! Liars everywhere.
In all it's been quite overwhelming, but the jetlag doesn't help none.
Staying in a hotel in Hollywood and from my bathroom window I can see the top half of the "H" and the "OLL" part of the sign, magic. Had a coffee in a local diner where I got chatting to this guy, Marvin, who was a cross between Woody Allen and Barton Fink - nice guy, he bought me my coffee coz i was new in town. I like that.
Now it's midday on Tuesday and I'm in yet another cafe, with WIFI access typing this nonsense on my lapdog, situated across the road from the Church of Scientology, Celebrity Centre, sorry Center. Mindhead anyone?
And for the record; I'm miss New Zealand, I mean, I miss New Zealand.

Bottom of the world looking down on a crater

2005-09-15T20:57:00.000+12:00

Yep, it's another "I've been snowboarding in New Zealand entry", man I'm starting to bore myself! At least this one is slightly different because while riding the High Noon T-bar (ergh) I thought I'd take a wee hike up to the summit of Mt Ruapehu. I'd like to prove my fitness by saying I sweated my B'locks off. It was worth every heavy legged step because the view was tremendous! Saw for miles or kilometres depending on your measurement scale preference. You would be forgiven into thinking that the body of water behind me is a puddle, no no no, it is a crater lake, hmmm yes. I'm effectively standing on an active volcano - it could blow at any minute, by judging by the stillness of the surface tension I think I was pretty safe. As I reached the top I was expecting to find either a megalomaniacs' evil layer or a Starbucks, wait, they're the same thing aren't they.

The next picture is of me and two Japanese guys I met in Rotorua - that's me in the middle - we had a day out to see and smell some thermal wonders at the Thermal Wonderland. Aptly named I thought.
The bottom picture is the lake where they bottle all the washing up liquid for worldwide export.
Well it is a very clean country.

It's all the rage

2005-08-30T21:10:00.000+12:00

Even though New Zealand was the last country on the planet, Earth, to be settled by us human types but the first to take on a full democracy, it is still a little slow on the uptake on other issues. For instance, Road Rage, a phrase coined what, 5, 8 maybe 10 years ago in the UK, has just started to hit the news in a big way over here. It's all there, attacks on drivers with hammers, crazy chases, rocks thrown off an overpass . . . so what's next on the global catch up list? Well, I've heard that at the end of this year the country's going to go all out and party like it's 1999.

Spam Spamity Spam

2005-08-19T23:17:00.000+12:00

It seems nowhere is safe from junk mail. I got spammed in my comments box on my own blog . . . what's that all about!
Who the bleep are these people who go fishing by dropping random pieces of shit in mail boxes electronic or otherwise. I only assume that there are some morons out there who actually get hooked into the lifetime offer of the day, this has to be the sole reason why it continues. All these people should be shot or have all their finger/toenails painfully removed.
It's like the Gideons leaving bibles in hotels.
Stop.

Bathtime has come round again

2005-07-30T22:58:00.000+12:00

Happy Birthday Kate Bush, The Governator, Daley Thompson, Jean Reno, Peter Bogdanovich, Sir Clive Sinclair, Lisa Kudrow, Henry Ford, Emily Bronte, Chris Nolan, Hilary Swank and lest we forget . . . Me! J'ai vingt-huit ans.

Suzie and I have spent the last few days in the New Zealand countryside, mainly in and around the Tongariro National Park. We've been snowboarding, taking in the views and getting positively blotto!
A great way to spend your day of birth.
Had a slight detour to Napier on the way home as it adds another couple of hours onto the trip. But it's a city I've always wanted to visit for it famous art deco buildings and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful. There's even a faction of the townsfolk who still dress in that 20's style, was nice to see people taking pride in wanting to look smart, living the whole era . . . a tinge of the youths in hoodies with music booming from their cars still managed to make an appearance though - I weep for the future, I weep for now.
Shame the battery in my camera had given up the ghost otherwise there'd be pictures.

Oh, this is a rainbow

and this is a mountain

Bomb blasts and frosting!

2005-07-12T22:30:00.000+12:00

This was suppose to be the entry were I piss all my snow loving friends right royally off by rejoicing in the fact that I'd been away boarding for the weekend and rubbing there noses in the yellow snow - that's a long sentence - but, with respect to the bombs that crippled the big beautiful city of London for a day last week, I won't. Besides, surely I could never be as eloquent as our friend and ally Big G Dubya!
I truly hope all the people I know and love are alive and kicking, I managed to get a few text messages away before I vanished up a mountain, so I'm aware the majority are fine. I've been frantically catching up with the news online since I've been back.
Blessings to you all. If it helps any, my thoughts are with you.

Okay, I at least gotta show you the frost on the chair lifts and the lack of visibility.

Edwards this one's for you baby: U wudden appen t'av a cuppa warm wader wud u?

Oh, and to my cuz who's having a baby, nice one mate, but do you not remember us being kids? You're in for one helluva ride!

Multiple choice

2005-07-03T18:29:00.000+12:00

Anyone who put aside a minute in their day to read my last entry will know that I was contemplating:
a) Moider
b) Converting to Scientology
c) Telling a big fat lie
d) Buying a pair of "sick" snowboard boots
e) All of the above

Those of you that think d) are of course very good people indeed and you pay obvious attention, bravo bravo. Those that said e), well you're right too, but hang on, you thinks, then that would include answer c) so what is the lie? Is it the scientology or the moider? Qui sait?
Argh, it's all so complicated I know.

Anyway, I got the boots, they rock, now I need to find the snow, hopefully without any rocks protruding like obstacles of doom from beneath the fluffy white cushioned type liquid of fun.

Under the Boardtalk!

2005-06-19T23:57:00.000+12:00

Buying a first set-up of anything is a process that should be taken with a pinch of research and a dollop of open-mindedness. When you're spending a few hundred quid on something I reckon this is always sage advice. And with snowboard boots it ain't no diff, dudes.
Now, I love snowboarding, I like the feeling of skimming over snow on a plank before crashing into a big pile and looking like a plank, it's great. But what I don't get is the certain vernacular that joins you for the ride.
I'm looking into purchasing my first pair of boots and today I found myself trying on several brands to discover which fit me best; I'm swaying towards the Vans BFB, which are, and I quote "a pretty sick boot" which is apparently a good thing! But I can't see the point in my life were I would speak the word "sick" in that context without pooping myself with laughter.
Now, living in NZ at present, I'm getting use to using "sweet" almost habitually, but that word already has positive meanings attached to it, so is okay to adopt. I feel that's as far as I'm going to get to being fully initiated into the true world of the boarder.
I just wasn't born with that kinda coolness.
Anyway, this is the boot:
Pretty sick, eh!

BB

2005-06-17T13:27:00.000+12:00

Batman Begins,
Bloody Brilliant!
Bugger Burton
Bit Biased?
Big Budget
British Balls
Bold Badguys
Ballistic Brawls.
But Bluntly,
Boring Bird --
Bit Bland.
Bye Bye.
Billionaire Bruce?
Bale Belongs.
Best Blockbuster,
Batman's Back!

John Kettley is --

2005-06-14T12:44:00.000+12:00

-- yup that's right, a weatherman.

I've just re-discovered this studpidly titled song. If anyone remembers it, I'm sorry for you - because then your brain seems to be functioning in a similar state to mine. It rode the radio airwaves back in the early 90's (I think) and was by a band called Tribe 0f Toffs. It now has permanent residence in Flops Ville, it didn't even get as far as One Hit Wonder Land, somehow missed the special bus.
I have to admit that listening to it brought a big grin to my chops. How can it not with a verse such as:

Lester Piggott couldn't dig it,
David Icke rides a bike,
Richard Keys has got no knees,
John Kettley... John Kettley... John Kettley:
He's a weatherman

or even

John Noakes has blue socks
Andy Crane has got no brain
Bernard Davey left the navey
John Kettley . . . John Kettley . . . John Kettley
is a weatherman

It's the complete opposite of genius - suineg!
For those not raised in th UK you will be fortunate enough to not have a damn clue as to what I'm on about, you lucky buggers!

A prize to whoever can name more of the weather folk mentioned at the end of the song

And so is . . .

El duderino!

2005-06-10T22:05:00.000+12:00

Good Friday but not as we know it.
It's merely a Friday and it is good.

I'm at home currently sampling the delights of a long awaited White Russian. The reason is simple: I like 'em, I like 'em a lot!
It has been some months since I've poured myself a highly toxic version of this alcoholic beverage. On one of my daily journeys to the kitchen, I spotted that I had some fresh cream in the fridge that was about to hit its "use by" date and curdle into one of the most pungent forms known to man . . . so I figured instead of throwing $1.20 NZ (that's 50p in old money) down the ol' plug 'ole, I'd go buy myself a bottle of vodka and a bottle of Kahlua, respectively.
I mean, for God sake people, a cow went through a lot to bring me her pasteurised pleasure - I owe her that much.

It also allows me an odd moment of reflection as to when I first got in to said drink. The actual time period escapes me (that'll be the alcohol) but it has to do with the Danish ones residing Edinburgh way and the Big Lebowski, a classic Coen Brothers movie before they hired evil actors like Catherine Zeta "I'm related to Sparticus" Jones and Tom "no Hanks, buddy" to sully their films.
I digress.
So the true reason is all down to the Dude. Respect to the slippered one.

Whoever said movies can't influence people?
I dunno, but I think the line was in a movie once . . .

Left, right, left, right!

2005-06-04T14:27:00.000+12:00

I just wanted to wish the very best of luck to my good friend Monsieur Edwards, who should be, if memory serves, running the Stockholm
sometime this weekend!
Hopefully there won't be too many peanuts involved though!

Run ya bugger, run!

Le coucher du soleil

2005-06-01T17:18:00.000+12:00

Nighfall is upon us again. Now, I ask you, what are the chances of that?

Where has the week gone?

2005-06-01T12:40:00.000+12:00

Apols for the avid readers of my Blog and the Avid Editors who should be working instead of reading this drivel - you know who you are, I know who you are - but this mini hiatus has been due to me having sod all to say. Crazy I know.
I still have nothing to say, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to send a message to all those requesting lewd pictures of my lovely kiwi girl. Well, let me just say this is not some degrading porn sight for you to get your jollies while having a good ogle at my bird. You sordid, depraved perverts.

Anyway here she is . . .

. . . not the most dazzling of shots, but it's the most recent. She still looks great.

Just to prove how lacklustre my week had been I even spent a good five minutes listening to the inane religious patter of a couple of Mormons who'd caught me at home. I was so in need of some human contact last Thursday, that I allowed myself to listen to them ramble on about the teachings of Joseph Smith, another fool who though he'd start up an new religion.
Apparently, he believes that 4000 BC was the beginning of time, or at least man. Oh dear.
As they offered me a complimentary copy of their bible to read from and pray, I suddenly realized I had a life.
I must get out more . . . and they should stay out less.

I've had the mime of my life . . .

2005-05-22T11:02:00.000+12:00

. . . and I owe it all to Gamarjobat!

This Japanese Duo are pure silent comedy genii. Their show in the Downstage Theatre began last night with some rapid fire old school physical comedy: the stuck floating briefcase, dodgy magic, removing ones thumb and ending with an up and down escalator chase behind a black board - too good.
The second half was the story of a Boxer on the ropes. The best live slow-mo boxing fight EVER. It tracked his story from failing, then falling in love then fighting his way back to the top to buy his girl a wedding dress.
This was all done with some of the most fantastic facial expression ever commited to a live audience and not a hint of white face paint.

Move over Marcel Marceau your mime is up!

I will have my rewengee!

2005-05-20T08:24:00.000+12:00

It's over. Let's all just take a moment to contemplate this.
*Take moment here
Whatever we thought of the recent installments *ahem-duff*, 'scuse me, the fact still remains that we love Star Wars and almost 30 years of running around in yoda speak talking and making light-sabre noises (I damn near perfected the subtle difference between the blue and the red sabre, it's only on an audio range between 299 and 299.9 khz, only perceptible to dogs and geeks!) it has come to a galactic climactic end . . . unless he makes episodes 7-9 that is.
Anyway, I'm not gonna give my whole tuppence worth on Revenge of the Sith <- anagram anyone? Sh . . .
But I will say that it was very dark and pretty camp, much like the side of the force old Anakin/Vader turns to.
Warning: That was a plot spoiler.
So how is everything in the Dark Camp, Lord Vader?
Pretty camp actually, we're all gearing for that 70's look. Have you seen the barber?
He had to return to the rebels to get his bowl back, sir.
Ah, does he know where their secret base is?
Yes, but I'm afraid he's impartial sir.
Bugger.

One last thing, did anyone else spot the Millenium Falcon?

Found this website, couldn't resist.
http://www.bloggerheads.com/star%5Fwars
Geek mode over.

Taking you higher . . .

2005-05-17T10:43:00.001+12:00

. . . is the motto of Romie, the Nepalese owner/chef of our new favourite restaurant, The Jewel of Nepal. We discovered this little gem last week and have frequented it frequently no less. The food is superb and indeed does take you "higher" due to the secret spices of the Himalayas. Ground Yak bones stewed in Everest dew as I understand.
Well, it's all perfectly legal (which is a shame) because anything that makes you feel so hmmmm inside should get you forcibly searched at any respected customs the length and longth of the planet world.
Being legal does however allow the meals to be charged at a reasonable price. Which is not so slimming on the wallet.
Romie is quite mad, I think it's due to him living at such a high altitude for so long. All he talks about is talking you higher, which is why he's organizing at trip to Everest Base Camp next year. Sounds like a good idea, but I've heard it's like a tip up there now, all those damn tourist leaving the heavy stuff for the Sherpa's to clean up. Typical of folk to travel with things they'll never use.
Anyway
Back to the plot that wasn't. While enjoying our Sunday night meal on Saturday, Romie and Leo (the maitre'd type chap) invited us to a party after work. Sure, we said. We finished our food. Paid the bill. Kicked out the stragglers. Help tidy the restaurant. Then headed to the party. Yeah a party, I hadn't been to a gathering of semi-soused individuals in a while, I was looking forward to this. Anyway to cut a boring story of at the pass, in turned out to be a Party of 5, no not the old TV show, but Romie, Leo, Suze, Myself and Ramen (Raymond?). We drank tequila cocktails and that's all I recall.

In the interest of hygiene I must end this entry.

Return of the Blonde Dumbbell

2005-05-13T10:56:00.000+12:00

Friends of ours have gone away for a couple of days. They asked us to look after the place and feed the cat and in return we also get the use of their car for the weekend.
Magic.
But wait, there's a catch. If you lock the keys for both the car and house inside the house, then you're pretty much buggered. Welcome to my morning.
I mean, we've all done it . . . haven't we? It's damn frustrating, you can't believe you've been so absent minded. In your brain only idiots do such things. It's like muggings and hair loss, they only happen to other people.
I looked for open windows. Nothing. Checked for secret doors. Nothinger. Attempted to walk through a wall. Nothingerer. I even tried picking the lock. How hard can it actually be, I've seen films, stick a bit of wire in there, give a twiddle, hey presto. Instant Burglar. Only yesterday I'd been playing Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow on the Xbox, there's plenty of lock picking in that game and it's just like real life. Stealth missions, creeping around, incapacitating bad chaps.
But sadly, I failed at my breaking and entering ploy. Guess I'll just have to find another way to have my mug shot taken.

Boo Boo Be Do!

Oh, and to the cat lovers, we can still feed the little furball so that's okay.

It's a fair cup.

2005-05-11T13:55:00.000+12:00

Do you love coffee?
I love coffee, but what I love more than coffee is a beautifully crafted cup of coffee. That's just what I've found at my new favourite coffee shop in Newtown, Wellington. Peoples Coffee is the name, it's compact, brown, friendly, they roast on sight
(always a plus) and it's one of those fair trade joints. Meaning a percentage of my $3 always finds its way back to those hard grafting farmers out in the places we forget. I don't know if the owners personally make a trip to Ethiopia or Columbia and such to hand these harvest artists their cut, but I'd like to think so.

Viva la Evolution!

Spot the difference

2005-05-10T21:14:00.000+12:00

I've just come home from attempting one of those BodyAche classes at the gym. Man, it's been a while since I did any kind of major exercise, and I count myself as a fairly fit individual. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. But I emerged at the end of the 45 min sweatathon looking like my I'd fallen asleep under the high desert sun. My face was crazy red! Personally I think some anti-excerise nazi had tinted the mirror, but that's just my opinion.
Anyhoo, Judging by my performance (which actually wasn't too shabby. The truly tricky thing was trying to learn all the moves and keep in time as we went) I don't think I'd fair to well under a communist regime, where they have mass organised execerise. No, I'd never keep up. I'd miss the change from some weird star jump into the poncy side double step thing. I'd be shot or have my nipples severely tweaked, whatever the punishment is in those world's.
There were even large banners at the head of the room, not with a commie leader we had to worship, but images of what the class entailed, images that still reminded us why we were there . . . lest we forget.
Best thing was that it was all FREE, i got in as a members "friend"
Forever Freeloading, that's my motto.

On a different note, I got ID'd for a bottle of wine at the supermarket tonight.
I LOVE NZ. I haven't been asked for ID in yonks. Must be all the exercise keeping me youthful looking.

I can see my breath in the kitchen.

2005-05-09T17:44:00.000+12:00

Yup, it's kinda cold, and it's only gonna get colder.
What am I doing in such a cool climate so ill prepared? But saying that I've seen loads of Kiwi's wandering about the place in shorts and T's. I feel like such a wuss. Yeah, shaddap, I can hear you agreeing with me. That's not the kinda support I need folks, and I certainly don't want anyone talking about how it's gonna be the hottest summer in London/England, followed with a big big booming echoey voice saying the words SINCE RECORDS BEGAN! Whenever that was, who started these records, how did they read?
Day one: hot
Day two: bit cooler
Day three: hey I'm making a record 'ere.
and so forth.

Here's some desolate pics of my home here in NZ. Least the sky is blue.

I'm gonna prepare some salmon fillet a la Jamie Oliver. Naked.

SNOOZY TIMES

2005-05-07T16:08:00.000+12:00

This fella's got it right. Find a shaft of sunlight and put everything on paws for a while.
Hohoho.
2 days in to my Wellington life and I'm still not feeling physically straight after the epic flight. Think I may have to snooze like my pooch pal.
Pathetic.

NZ DAY 1 of ?

2005-05-06T12:16:00.000+12:00

34 hours, THIRTY FOUR! That was the enitre Journey time door to door. Brixton, London to Newtown, Wellington. Never again in one go, it's enough to send you crazy. If you're coming this way, split up you trip, for the love of God splt it up. There's only so many single serving meals you can have in that time - and due to the timezones I must've had three brekkies in a row. It is the most important meal of the day . . . but not THAT important.
Had a minor detour via Brisbane due to the plane being cancelled from Sydney to Wellington. Yey, you gotta love that one, sorry sir we've gotta stick you on yet another flight, we have a plane waiting for you in Brisbane. (Being hungover didn't help none. met an english couple emigrating to Syders while on the second leg from bangkok to Aus. We decided to have a few mini bottles of vin rouge. I think we were a tad loud too. Oh well. Best thing was that "Sideways" was one of the films to choose from, quite apt really. has my favourite movie line of the year in: "I'm not drinking any fucking Merlot!" Classic)
Anyway, reason for the point a few lines earlier was to do with Wellington Airport being closed for the 13th time this year due to shitty weather. I could've guessed, when I tried to leave this city back in Jan, I had to wait an extra day due to the fog.
But here I am finally, the sun is shining, it's a beautiful day. After many months on a couch I now have a very comfy bed to enjoy.
The city is soooo peaceful. Such a drastic change from London. It's kinda surreal, I'm sure the actually of it all won't kick in for a while yet. Have to wait to get rid of these Jet Slags first.
Where am I? What time of Man is this?
The house I'm living in is glorious, I love the bungalow style houses they have here, (check out the Peter Jackson classic, Bad Taste, that's the place) it has a brand new interior, high ceilings, fanTASTic shower, cute little picket fence and a garden. B-rilliant. Gus, one of the guys living there has an X-Box, sweet. But the greatest thing is that I'm here with Suze. Thee reason for my journey.
Life is good . . . Oh yes!

So you've made it this far . . .

2005-05-02T21:20:00.000+12:00

Here we are, this is the domain that will become my conscience, my confidant and my creator on my journey into New Zealand and there after.
I'm still in the Uk at the moment so haven't any immediate news. I know I have so much to pack before my flight tomorrow evening.
Thanks for finding your way and hope you come here often.
Fret not, that's not a lame attempt at a net chat up line.

. . . beep beep, online!

2004-06-18T23:21:00.000+12:00

Ooooh, it's all black!