Late Night Boogie

So I'm here at the radio station doing the late show (8pm - 10pm). This might not seem late to some, but it is late to me. And I'm reflecting on the possibility that no one is listening...
But its always on occasions like these that you mess up and some 'offended' dude rings in the next day.

So let me tell you about the context of this show - its genre's are Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk, Groove.
It is a pleasure to be able to play music from these classificatios and I always love to push the envelope!!
So far tonite I've spun; Money Mark, Mississippi John Hurt, Jeff Buckley, Sam and Dave, Brassey, Morphene and more. I've got this regular listener, he's another Kiwi from the Canberra area, who always rings to say hi and wish me a good show (so I guess thats at least one!).

As for pushing the envelope, I like to lead people up the garden path - Massive Attack leads to Jeff Buckley leads to Joy Division leads to The Cruel Sea.
As you can see (or hear) The Cruel Sea is more of your rock based blues than blues itself. I would argue that its being played in context of the other tracks - a theme has developed and needs to be explored.
Perhaps I'll finish on 'Hot for Teacher' , but only if its in context :)

Looking after My Da

Well its day one up here at the Blue Mountains and the first thing I can say is that it is warmer than Canberra.
Actually funny story from yesterday, I got a speeding ticket - for going 135kph along the highway. Thats my fault, I wasn't watching the speedo and had my head in the clouds. But the funny thing, I got busted doing 135kph going uphill.
And that is something I would never have credited my '79 F-100 to do.

When I do get around to selling her, that speeding ticket is going on the add!!

So day 1, well Ma and Da have got new carpet put down and all the furniture has been moved around. My first job (Dad's had breakfast, he's now having a shower) is to vacum up the off cuts from the carpet and return all the furniture to its original position.
After that I'll take Dad into the hospital for some physio, then lunch then Magnum PI!!

All full dance card!

Some people have too much time on their hands

So tonite I'm recording a series of shorts (that I do each week) for the radio station called - Arts Diary. Part of this awesome responsibility is research, write, record, edit and publish 3 2 minute sound files that get played several times a day.
I love doing it. But I have noticed a pattern. Artists, by which I mean visual artists are terrible at writing copy. If the oft used maxim of "picture = a thousand word" applies these guys write the way they paint. All I need to know is 'why should we care?' and 'where can we see it?'.
What I get instead is pages et pages of crap about their life mission and places they've visited where the didn't have a job either.
How do these guys stay in business?
The bong budget alone has gotta run into the thousands?!?

And you would think these bums would include a picture or two...

A while between blogs

Boy it has been a spell!

Quite a lot has happened, not all of which I'll post here. But suffice to say I've been busy with work and some lifestyle changes.
But mostly I've been freezing my arse off here. And tomorrow the forecast is for more snow.

Well next week I'll be up in the Blue Mountains looking after my Dad. He's had a knee operation so I figure I can return the looking after he's done for me. Dr Bubba's recipe for recovery - beer, nachos and Magnum PI.
Should be fun AND educational!!

Someone has to do it

Every now and again I get a phone call from a nice person who enquires after my welfare and asks if I'm happy working where I am.
One should always be courteous to headhunters, you never know when you might need one. However these poor buggers often have to fill roles for some really dud companies, I'm talking utterly charmless products or gormless services with a real small user community. Words like niche, select and professional creep in to cover was is essentially the worlds smallest 'me too' market space.
So it got me thinking about products and services that someone has to sell. Products for whom complex SWOT analysis have been conducted - so as to 'crush' the competition...

Toilet Paper - Based on the number of brands out there and the advertising dollars committed this strikes me as a fairly cut throat environment. Makes me wonder what the IR&D budget is... On the other hand we all use the stuff, so the market is universal. So whats your pitch? what is your products differentiator?

Scissors - Its a one trick pony. How do you value add to the scissor experience? Can you brand people as company X hard supporter's? Would you buy a pair of scissors with a laser point for a straighter cut?

(this is harder than I thought... okay here's one that is too esoteric for us mundanes;)

Embalming Fluid - How would like to be the territory rep for embalming fluids? You know they spend millions on improving the product, there's probably a catalogue produced each year. Get three of these guys sitting around the bar swapping 'war stories' about the time the customer wanted the XJ-57n but insisted it was the YG-47m, like Hello! If he wasn't the customer... etc



I try and take a moment each day to thank God for how lucky I am to have my job.

Mind Worm

Y'know when you get a song stuck in your head... for some reason it just pops in there and is impossible to dislodge. Well it happened to me the other week, Boston's 'More than feeling' - a song about everything and nothing (mostly nothing) all at the same time.
Actually what got stuck in particular was the harmony part were the lead singer hits that rising note that melds with the wailing guitar (ie 'I hear that old song and it takes me away etc').
What I usually do in those circumstances is hit the old web for the guitar tabs. Then for the next couple of days I arse about getting the melody down at which point my interest begins to wane and I'm free of the darn mind worm.
However every now and again I find the right kind of harmonics and I'm off chasing a variation that can keep me happy for weeks!!
So its a good way to kill some Sunday afternoon time until things warm up enough to walk the dogs!!

As if I needed more proof its Winter...

Today it was snowing just outside Canberra.


I mean real actual snow, check out this poor wee kangaroo...



This spot is about 20km's odd from my front door.

Stay warm little fella!!

Why I will next buy a Mac

I'm sitting at home trying to enjoy the benefits of 'multimedia' on a Windows Machine.
Actually I'm doing this and trying to listen to the Human League via the good graces of YouTube.
And this gosh darn machine is running like a dog.
I know its trying to download some freakin updates from gosh darn MS. Why do those idiots keep trying to tie up my system resources with some shit useless patch I DON'T WANT?

But don't get me wrong I don't hate or dislike Bill Gates, in fact I admire the guy. He crushed all competion to his products - he won.
Its his products that give me the absolute shits.

You know its Winter when...

Boy Howdy Folks, I tell you whut...
Today was one freeze ass ice bound day. But I know what your thinking;
"Dude, Australia is one huge monkey loving desert. It ain't never cold there brother."

Well you're right there for the most part. I live in the one area of Australia that does get frost, that being the Snowy Mountains. And let me tell you - it gets cold.
Now having grown up in Lower Hutt and cold and damp valley in of itself, I believe I have a point of comparison. The main difference is the dryness, if that makes sense. Canberra is higher up than most of Australia, probably more like a pampas with very low humidity.
We actually get some fierce frosts during Winter, even snow occasionally.

So this morning I had to de-ice the truck and drive it into our mechanics to get (of all things) a heater installed. Here's what I learnt, after using water to melt the ice of your windscreen - dry the water or it remelts when your driving through fog at 80kms.

Thank goodness I remembered my gloves.

Funny Ass Trailer

I am a fool for a good movie trailer, I believe that a good trailer will sell a film.
The downside of course is a trailer will also show all the good bits and make you feel like a chump for spending $15 on 90mins of filler...
So with that in mind - Can't tell you what I think of the whole film, but this trailer is awesome...
LINK

Thoughts from the Competition and Ageing

I noticed that an earlier post bore a striking resemblance to the posts of my other team mates. So in the interest of diversity I'm posting some observations and memories;

• I was REALLY impressed with the way the team fell into place. Everybody pulled together to do the best job they could.
• The writing exercises that Seraph and I worked on coming into the competition really helped. It was great to see how quickly we could turn out a working script.
• It was really funny to see myself on screen, I was surprised to see the facial expressions (even though I know how late in the day the shooting took place)
• I would not attempt to do this again without a Mac.
• The feeling of relaxation once Seraph handed me the Safety Copy for delivery to the 48 Hours HQ on the Sunday.
• Viv and myself drinking a beer, upstairs at the Bowls club getting a sales pitch from the grounds keeper as to the benefits of a social membership ($20 and you can bowl any time after 5pm on a week night).
• Despite the late time of my arrival in Wellington, being met by a half asleep Seraph
• Borrowing a guitar at one of the practice rooms at the school and jamming with one of the kids from the brass band competition.

All that fun and it was my birthday yesterday!!

Are YOU on message?

As the kind of guy who writes little of what he wants and much of what he has to; I suggest it is refreshing to reacquaint oneself with an excellent essay on the subject and a watch dog website whose humour is really quite tragic...

Or you could read this 'how not to' guide...

Memories of Billy T

I had a couple of hours at Wellington Airport before my flight out.
So, as you do, I was browsing around the shops. Figured I should get myself a book to read or a DVD or something.
So I was looking around and found vol 1 of the Billy T James Show (you know the one that was on TV3 in the early '90's)(not generally regarded as his finest work). To be honest I thought I was buying a selection of his sketch comedy, didn't realise my mistake until I got to Sydney, oh well its still a bit of fun!

Thankfully You Tube has a great selection though...

48 Hours Later...

Just a quick note now I'm back in the country after my incredible weekend of 48 Hour film Madness!! It was always going to be a crazy time and it did not disappoint.
So there we were, Seraph and I, on Friday 6.59pm poised behind our laptops like dueling banjo's. At 7.00pm on the dot Viv and Conan call in with our theme and must haves;

Character; Jerry Reed - Hypochondriac
Line; "And what do you call that?"
Prop; Rope
Genre; Educational/Religious

To be honest the temptation to go after a religious theme was strong, but we just couldn't pitch any really solid ideas. Eventually we hit upon the idea of a marketing/sales training video for pharmacists based on the idea of Hypochondriacs as the ideal customer - a walking goldmine if you will. By that time Conan and Viv had returned and we had our production team in place.
From that point on it just flowed...

Everyone was just incredible

Seraph - For taking the chance
Viv - For being a total battler and hanging in there with a full blown cold (and selective creative control)
Conan - For working like a demon the whole weekend, you are a legend dude!!
Jamie - Our wingman and graphics professional!
Angela - Set design is too poor a word for the hard work that transformed a small bland corner into a fully believable pharmacy.
Ryan - Sound and editing guru
Meredith - Runner, hand model and girl Friday extrodinaire
Danyl - For being a great sport to let us film him rubbing himself with loads of money (I think he actually liked it!)
Flick - For the awesome theme music
Maggie - Well this is one is a joint award for the donut as well

We had so much good luck and so many people helped us out in little ways. It was such a fun and positive environment. I could do it again next weekend!!

I'm just so glad I was able to join in this year. It always sounds like just a whole lot of crazy ass fun. And let me tell you know it was.
Thank you to everyone!!

Zombie town Team Management Song

As long as we're talking about Zombies here... Thought y'all might like this one (thanks Seraph)

28 Weeks Later - a lousy film review

I call this a lousy film review, because I'm not in the least bit objective here. 28 Weeks Later is a scary sequel, I'd rate it as a worthy follow on from 28 Days Later (possibly even scarier!).
So how do I measure these claims?

1) There were parts I actually hid my eyes from!!
2) I had dreams about the 'Infected' and was seriously wondering about the security of our house at 3am last night!!
3) Drove to work today wondering if Canberra could be quarantined off and how one might do that!!

All in all good 'clean' scary fun. It did its job well from that respect.
In terms of the franchise we get to see the speed with which the infection can spread and how a city could get taken down so quickly. Helps to give some background to the first movie (As an aside I think you could watch this one first or on its own without losing any major elements).

My recommendation; spend the money dude, its well worth it!

My niggles are below in super secret inviso-pen, don't read them if you actually want to see the movie...

Inviso-Pen ACTIVATE>>>>>>>

Niggle 1 - What I do know of the Apache Helicopter Gunship is that the main cannon is linked to the gunners eye. There is no way he would miss.

Niggle 2 - Why was the wife left unattended?!? and why did the husband have unfetted access around the entire base?!?

Time Management

Last Friday I drove to Sydney and back again. In between I had meetings and pitched by 3 year business plan for the business area. I'm not complaining, I got a lot done and it was well worth the effort.
You know I've been driving for about 6 or 7 years now. It is in fact one of the most fun things I can do with my time. The Canberra to Sydney drive is about 3 hours, give or take traffic, each way. And I have done it so many times its like a pleasant afternoon drive, no hurry - enjoy the sights.
Tomorrow I get to do it again, there is a training course up in Sydney I've been signed up for. The only problem from my end is its Karins birthday tomorrow.
I'm writing this from the radio station, I'm about to go on for 2 hours.

So tomorrow I will cook my lovelly wife a birthday breakfast in bed (bugger, forgot to get flowers - hmmm might check out the servo on the way home...(yeah if I want a divorce :)
There will be bacon eggs, pancakes with real Canadian maple syrup and whipped cream!!

It should be fantastic.
Every now and again though I feel like there isn't enough hours in the day. But I'm learning, that just means I need to move faster.

A wet Saturday

A wet Saturday, its like I deserve a do over. Though I shouldn't complain, we did have Wednesday off.
It was ANZAC day once again and once again I am amazed at the indifference of Australians to the NZ part. ANZAC to them just means Australian Army Corp. There is ZERO recognition of New Zealand, its all become proprietary.
And don't get me started on John Howard defining the term as more or less anyone who votes Liberal or watches channel 9. Check out the Wikipedia listings, see just how minimal the recognition is...

What frustrates me the most is trying to explain to Aussies that New Zealand has a very different view of the ANZAC spirit and Gallipoli. Its viewed by Kiwi's as a moment of nationhood, in much the same way as modern Turkey does. Not so the Australians.

Its the one and only time of the year that this country just pisses me off.

A Good Kind of Hurting

Yesterday I played my first game of soccer for the new season.
(Mental note for next time, don't play soccer after working out on my legs at the gym!)

I forgot just how much fun it is to race around a field for an hour or two (and even score a GOAL!). Just to refresh people's memory, its two teams divided equally amongst whoever turns up into Red - The Spitfires and Blue - The Lightnings. There is no skill level to speak of, but a basic rule of thumb is good sportmanship and courtesy.
Which I think are excellent values for us all.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Made the mistake of wandering into JB HiFi afterward and walked out with amongst other things the latest Bowie best of, he seems to put one out every few years. This has some of newer stuff on it as well as the covers made popular by Nirvana et al.
Which is a good thing, I guess. My last best of got chewed by my shitty old CD player. Don't ask how, I assure you it is scratched to shit...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After soccer yesterday, cooked a seafood paella and chowder, just to experiment and because Karin asked. A bit of change for me, I'm not a seafood person per see, but it seemed to work out ok. This morning woke up with stiff and sore, all the way to the hips. But I still feel it's worth the fun of running around like kid for a spell!!

Lets get serious!!

Have signed on with Seraph to the whole 48 Hour Film thing. I have no idea what I'm in for other than it should be a lot of FUN!!

Every year I hear these great stories from Seraph and I'm always like, Dude - you gotta hook me up and he's always like Dude - I keep forgetting or you're not serious or I thought you were dead...

I might've made those last ones up.

But we've begun, we're doing script writing exercises and soon we will be a finely oiled team.
Lets git it on!!!