tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194058352024-03-06T08:29:53.868+13:00CynicalisationA blog from a bloke who is in the process of changing from an angry young man to cynical middle age.....81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-14703772991390826022010-05-18T02:28:00.005+12:002010-05-18T03:10:59.991+12:00Apple, Steve Jobs and Criticism.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-NZ</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >'By the way, what have you done that is so great? Do you create anything or just criticize others work and belittle their motivations?'</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Dear Steve<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Sorry to disappoint you, but I am an educator, philosopher, technologist and erm Dad.<span style=""> </span>Consequently I don’t really get to create much; though I still feel I have the right to criticise. <span style=""> </span>Adults use criticism in debate, frequently (though not always) without resorting to stuff like the above.<span style=""> </span>I’m sure <a href="http://gawker.com/5539717/">Ryan Tate</a> is a big boy and doesn’t need my help, nevertheless I do worry about Apple <span style=""> </span>CEO’s who respond to criticism in this way.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Dude, you run a company that sells expensive toys that are long on promise but short on results.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">A few weeks ago a small incremental difference between OS versions on the iPod touch caused my team to sh*tcan a major assessment round and go back to pen and paper.<span style=""> </span>A few weeks before that, the loss of an ITunes password caused a data access problem and the associated panic on those same touches; the tales continue.<span style=""> </span>I let the guys work up a solution on Apple products in the belief that stuff like this wouldn’t happen.<span style=""> </span>My team got sold on these ideas by an educator who can’t tell the difference between selling Apple products and promoting <span style=""> </span>good ideas.<span style=""> </span>Sound familiar Steve ?<span style=""> </span>You can’t seem to tell the difference between Apple and freedom.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps you guys need to set up a self help group.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Over the years I have been told;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">You can’t be creative – you don’t own a Mac<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">You’re not a serious educator – you don’t own a Mac<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">You gotta be a music pirate because you don’t own an iPod (WTF !)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">I wait with interest for the day someone calls me a pervert because I don’t use an Apple branded product and live in the Job’s endorsed, walled garden.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Freedom has a good deal less to do with products, porn access, battery life, or product choices than it does with engagement, opportunity and sharing.<span style=""> </span>I don’t believe that any one group or organisation can or will ever be able to exercise the kind of vision needed to determine what requires censorship and what does not; What requires proprietary control or not; What requires platform control or not; What requires special licensing or DRM - on this last point I especially don’t trust major shareholders in Disney.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">I am growing to resent a market approach by Apple which still trades on the cool, credibility and value of creative industries without having been a significant stakeholder for some time.<span style=""> </span>I despise Apple’s involvement in education, placing it in the same category as Microsoft and McDonalds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Don’t like porn ? Go live in Australia; I understand they have filter systems to help people like you.<i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">Sometimes I get to shape things, occasionally I get to change things. Very occasionally I get to change lives for the better, for real.<span style=""> </span>I do this without the help of Apple or your good self.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">You want to talk about freedom and creativity ?<span style=""> </span>Go and take another look at what <a href="http://www.apache.org/">Apache </a>has done for the web and your business.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="ctedit" style="font-size:85%;">You are right about one thing though – Flash is a pain in the ass. <span style=""> </span>But I really didn’t need to be told this by an arrogant puritan who mistakes freedom for revenue.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="ctedit"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"> </o:p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Belittle you ? Why should I ? I can’t wait for the next brainfart from channel hubris on planet Jobs.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-25137453307786607342010-05-10T01:01:00.009+12:002010-05-10T01:37:09.491+12:00Timex Watches no longer take a licking and keep on ticking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijas0_rkCEHG7SEVC0GSL9BU2rwcszMmqFD0tW7fbDrpwP7fSBwD17bHrk_emPPp1MPgc6NBsF1x1MPBZLYqb6qQ_s4Er6DbYfaZGMN0b-ni8WGRO0lwlpFy66_IL1dMMxJwBFtg/s1600/TheSet.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijas0_rkCEHG7SEVC0GSL9BU2rwcszMmqFD0tW7fbDrpwP7fSBwD17bHrk_emPPp1MPgc6NBsF1x1MPBZLYqb6qQ_s4Er6DbYfaZGMN0b-ni8WGRO0lwlpFy66_IL1dMMxJwBFtg/s400/TheSet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256331996818914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />In my early life watches and <a href="http://www.timex.com/">Timex</a> in particular are associated with freedom. My mother taught me to tell the time, bought me a watch and the only restriction to my wide ranging travels was “be back before five”. The watch itself was a small mechanical, hand-wound piece made by Timex. White face, black numbers, good value, it reflected a vision of putting cheap reliable time-pieces on everyone’s wrist. I never managed to break or drown that watch in seven young years. It was the sort of watch that probably underpinned the famous<a href="http://www.timex.com/info/CompanyTimeline"> “takes a licking but keeps on ticking”</a> line. These experiences are I suspect what created in me at least, significant faith in the brand; a faith that was rewarded when I bought my first <a href="http://www.timexironman.com/">Timex Ironman</a> sports-watch some twenty years later. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that those simple plastic watches seemed little short of indestructible too. I got bored with mine and wanted more features, so I gave my first Ironman watch away after getting something more flash. I now recognise this as my first mistake. Since buying that first Timex Ironman it appears that those running Timex have changed from people who wanted to make watches and a good living, to people who plainly just want to make money. How do I surmise this ? Six years, five watches, around $2000NZD later and I have a drawer full of broken or dysfunctional <a href="http://www.timexironman.com/Products/Timex_Ironman_Fitness_Measurement.htm">Timex Ironman</a> branded watches. Welcome to my hall of shame.<br /><br />Exhibit A:<br /><br />My first Timex Speed-Distance watch - second generation with the nice little Navman GPS unit. I even bought the data recorder. Bought in 2005 the unit was not used on a day to day basis so I was little surprised when moisture condensed on the inside of the facia on a cold morning. Look closely and you can see a drop of water beneath the watch glass on the left. Later the watch had the misfortune of being dropped on the garage floor which resulted in a cracked bezel with a large chunk missing (on the right). The moisture problem has persisted after a few battery changes and the backlight now is so poor it is useless. Can’t swim in it or use the watch in the dark. I still use it on the bike at the moment though. I don’t mind so much about the backlight, that’s old age. The moisture problem annoys me most, largely because it happened before the bezel cracked, which you might describe as accidental damage. But heck the thing fell less than a metre. Nb. The GPS unit, heart rate strap and data unit have performed faultlessly, which leaves me to wonder if Timex had anything at all to do with their manufacture.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLMWjcUQUkxCtk8UZd5m7J5URjpOl4qdnUO6_zom6mNLbyy_vf9mtaj4D_6-dp75TOcOMVn5zO3e5Y24Bf9iUcnpX7aTWRCBY_Pa1K_9-boIy42CdcohAhaWDR4nDLyaxSxWgIQ/s1600/timex_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLMWjcUQUkxCtk8UZd5m7J5URjpOl4qdnUO6_zom6mNLbyy_vf9mtaj4D_6-dp75TOcOMVn5zO3e5Y24Bf9iUcnpX7aTWRCBY_Pa1K_9-boIy42CdcohAhaWDR4nDLyaxSxWgIQ/s400/timex_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256456479148258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Exhibit B:<br /><br />This one was bought in 2007/8 as a replacement for the above. It is currently not in use as I cannot afford to replace the battery every 2/3 months. The watch is just plain too expensive to run and I suspect its battery problems are some form of fault.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fk75wgyXNo_8kw1BcAHjuQy4gVgAdvlGK9pj7PxjZ-mhlmq6Pw5ydJ02QjS1_FDOZ1qTc422jVr6kJllQVd6Xk81t91G6KtStvLA0V7SkNdAcy49VshEoHsoFGnoVdOcick7CQ/s1600/timex_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fk75wgyXNo_8kw1BcAHjuQy4gVgAdvlGK9pj7PxjZ-mhlmq6Pw5ydJ02QjS1_FDOZ1qTc422jVr6kJllQVd6Xk81t91G6KtStvLA0V7SkNdAcy49VshEoHsoFGnoVdOcick7CQ/s400/timex_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256574452985890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Exhibit C:<br /><br />This wonder of our disposable age was purchased as a day to day watch. After 18 months the rubber (?) cover on the buttons disintegrated (see arrows). Then just on two years the strap disintegrated in spectacular fashion. This went from a useful tool to a piece of s**t in next to no time. Purchased in Feb 2007 it lasted until Dec 2008. This disaster forced the hurried purchase of exhibit E. Preoccupied with Ironman training I missed the warranty window for this one.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPYiMRGPuqJQK3CmMPmbCXdBHxjND78bQUGclLBrjXpgFOM6AMQpQlh3xRm0JgWeoW6Ya7sFUMMl04zN_HRDNYQXL7MHsdXMbRBKpxhTInTCfcFWw6W7SJyKaFRBgSy2DL91nhw/s1600/timex_3b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPYiMRGPuqJQK3CmMPmbCXdBHxjND78bQUGclLBrjXpgFOM6AMQpQlh3xRm0JgWeoW6Ya7sFUMMl04zN_HRDNYQXL7MHsdXMbRBKpxhTInTCfcFWw6W7SJyKaFRBgSy2DL91nhw/s400/timex_3b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256741275274354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAedKy1NnYkeYYe6qlO-zORd884y6mOEguCNznSxF-igXTVwvSLo1Q1YwBwYKhENHXVR6PzTWPVGYVnlbr7lS3AplU4EHfS70cQyTrJ0NPaoJ6OibWG_bWsB_CvjIzjnXjW-SKCA/s1600/timex_3a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAedKy1NnYkeYYe6qlO-zORd884y6mOEguCNznSxF-igXTVwvSLo1Q1YwBwYKhENHXVR6PzTWPVGYVnlbr7lS3AplU4EHfS70cQyTrJ0NPaoJ6OibWG_bWsB_CvjIzjnXjW-SKCA/s400/timex_3a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256732080300066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Exhibit D:<br /><br />Yeah well there’s no fool like an old fool – during the lifetime of exhibit C I bought this one for my wife at an auction. Guess what ? the frikkin strap broke after 6 months. Two watches break in the same way on different people in less than a year starts to sound like a design fault rather than user problems.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZddHUxMJn0Au2lGeCBn_RJhBw4xBY3AJpQ2kPdUqli79Zukx-sxyW6MrZGXS76q7tNC_HeyqaeDnodUqrnjrxciFzXrTNi1ZTSB4-G2s2bdn6sRkC9VgH1AqOLdneOB2z0R7wVQ/s1600/timex_4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZddHUxMJn0Au2lGeCBn_RJhBw4xBY3AJpQ2kPdUqli79Zukx-sxyW6MrZGXS76q7tNC_HeyqaeDnodUqrnjrxciFzXrTNi1ZTSB4-G2s2bdn6sRkC9VgH1AqOLdneOB2z0R7wVQ/s400/timex_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256837925761426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Exhibit E:<br /><br />I am gonna get this one fixed under warranty if I can. It drowned during an open water session in less than 5m of water I didn’t even touch a button. The facia says WR100M do you figure that means water resistant or water retaining up to 100m ? The damn thing lasted 14 months, a new record for shoddy Timex manufacture.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU9HmvhkuPtXRLOPGe-DdeedI2wzUk_dbRH3WYM3rYEDYQ7kQmBJ6bCz3XDJneNjkCIhTNk0VpiTa56Q91Q0iJq01btnWnDY2EOmwYB-m-ww7lDm9bvggqa7jd5tOf6CTaqntaA/s1600/timex_5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU9HmvhkuPtXRLOPGe-DdeedI2wzUk_dbRH3WYM3rYEDYQ7kQmBJ6bCz3XDJneNjkCIhTNk0VpiTa56Q91Q0iJq01btnWnDY2EOmwYB-m-ww7lDm9bvggqa7jd5tOf6CTaqntaA/s400/timex_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469256948242013922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />For the longest time I kept buying these watches because they had killer features that I really wanted and I just could not believe that they could be so consistently awful that no-one had noticed.<br /><br />GMB Services, the New Zealand service centre and distributors are decent people. They sent two strap loops to my wife for free after a conversation at <a href="http://www.ironman.co.nz/main.cfm?id=1">IMNZ in Taupo</a> – to fix the current Ironman Flix unit that I (probably unwisely) bought her for her birthday last year. They must find it quite tough fronting up to this kind of workmanship. You have got to imagine this though; I get woken at 2am (or thereabouts) in arbitrary nights as my wife tries to shake the backlight of her watch on. Someone in the design shop at Timex has a real sense of humour.<br /><br />I note that <a href="http://www.timex.com/">Timex</a> no longer uses the phrase “takes a licking but keeps on ticking” on their website – probably just as well. I just wish now, that they were not allowed to use the <a href="http://ironman.com/corporate">Ironman brand</a> either. Not that I am in love with <a href="http://ironman.com/corporate">IM</a> branded stuff, but you would think that something branded so would be fit for purpose. I have raced and completed four ironman races and several half Ironman races. One might think that an Ironman branded watch would be suited to my needs - this is clearly not the case, features great, durability not so good.<br /><br />This leads me to a minor, but nonetheless important point; Timex have just started marketing what they describe as <a href="http://www.timexexpedition.com/">expedition watches</a>. Given my knowledge of mountaineering and Ironman branded stuff I won’t be buying one. Indeed someone had better hope that expedition watches are up to scratch – shoddy gear gets people killed in tough conditions.<br /><br />By all means add your own Timex experiences below.<br /><br /></span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-66030637613005292102009-07-13T10:28:00.005+12:002009-07-13T10:44:41.518+12:00This is no trick<span style="font-family:arial;">The Sunday Star Times came out with this: <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/2586055/Olympian-pimps-bid-with-fundraising-trick">Olympian pimps bid with fundraising trick</a>. Logan Campbell an Olympic hopeful in 2008 is trying to fund his bid for 2012 by opening what he describes as a "high class escort agency". It isn’t a trick - this is called making a living and I hope that the publicity helps the business. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In terms of being “traditional” or “old fashioned” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo">Taekwondo</a> is nothing short of prehistoric, at least it is in New Zealand. In going public over his new business venture I suspect Logan will have done a little bit more than surprise people. He will have upset some and deeply offended others; I would be truly interested in what his instructor has to say - especially now the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8146782.stm">story has gone global</a>. I hope the tale sparks a wider debate about the role of minor sports, small nations and what professional funding means in modern Olympism, but I’m not holding my breath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It is not for me to defend the legitimacy of running an escort agency or even to argue that Logan’s case is a special one amongst the athletes who compete in sports that are regarded as minor in terms of national importance. The only thing I really take issue with is that anyone has the right to call his actions disreputable or inappropriate. The Logan Campbell I know is a nice guy, dedicated, bright, articulate and generally well meaning. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The quote by John Schofield of Taekwondo "Selection takes into account not just performance but also the athlete's ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country.", typifies what has been a difficult relationship between Campbell and the sport he loves. Perhaps what Schofield should have said, is something along the lines of - ”whilst we don’t necessarily approve of these actions it does highlight the difficulties surrounding the finances for all aspiring New Zealand Olympians in minor sports”. Given that performance funding for all but a restricted number of sports in NZ is largely discretionary and unpredictable, it was perhaps wise not to rock the boat. The NZOC and SPARC’s National academy are far from perfect organisations, but I strongly believe that the root of this problem rests with a genuine lack of will on the part of successive governments to actually promote sport rather than winning. What politicians want is medals and trophies, the approach to sport funding continues to reflect this. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">High performance sport funding in New Zealand is broken; spending increasing amounts of cash on a diminishing pool of athletes in order to “punch above our weight on the international stage” is a strategy that is doomed to failure in the long term. There will come a point when there will not be enough quality performers and nothing like enough money to pull this off. It may well be the case that the whole notion of performance sport funding needs to be debated in terms of viability and usefulness. <span style="font-style: italic;">As long as high performance sport funding remains a populist cash cow then no one has the right to judge those with the dedication and industry to seek independent means whatever the method.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Some things you may not know about Logan Campbell: He</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Has been in Taekwondo from a young age.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Narrowly missed out on going to the Athens Olympics at age 19.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Is a drug-free athlete.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Is dyslexic.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Was training twice a day most days in the 9 months preceding the Beijing Olympics.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Put off his last year of study at university in order to prepare for the Olympics.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sold his car to fund a training trip to Europe.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Left New Zealand for Beijing with one sponsor (I think).</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Attended at least three schools making presentations before leaving for Beijing while many other athletes were already at camps, this he did out of love for his sport.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-77120989679153716482009-07-10T17:37:00.005+12:002009-07-10T17:52:23.866+12:00Fuck who ?<span style="font-family:arial;">One baby boy, one wife and a modestly happy life, but you gotta wonder though, haven’t you…..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">To the best of my knowledge, my first gay admirer was the late <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Balance">John Balance</a> or as he was known to me, Geoff Rushton. His enthusiasm for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throbbing_Gristle">Throbbing Gristle</a> pins and such was lost on me, but his kindness and respect for me is not forgotten. Now I understand the confused and slightly pained look on his face. I think at the time I was rather too absorbed in my own struggles to really grasp what was going on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Time passes:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I became chaperone to the first (and probably only) lesbian pool team to play in a male dominated league in the UK. We made the local rag and I made some good friends. Ali, Fran and Angie were heroes in their own right being long standing protestors at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenham_Common_Women%27s_Peace_Camp">Greenham Common</a>. I learned a lot from them all, not least about the lottery created by not knowing who the nasty homophobes were. Looking back, one of my mother’s finer achievements was running a pub with an ambiance and attitude that allowed everyone to feel comfortable having a drink.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Meanwhile more admirers made themselves known to me. Poor old Peter used to call me Hero, he never laid a hand on me but in a moment of exasperation he all but begged me to undress for him. Later he apologised to me, it was a struggle to explain that I was flattered, not offended, but still not really up for it.<br /><br />The bravest of the lot I think, was Ray who followed me home after an evening in the Pub. I remember the footsteps behind me on a deserted street in Oxford; I sped up the feet behind me sped up, I slowed down the feet behind me slowed down. I thought I was going to get mugged. Beneath a streetlight I turned quickly to confront my assailant and there was Ray with his hands in front of his face expecting to be punched. He stood his ground and blurted “are you gay ? andodyouwanttogoforadrink ?“ pause…. I laughed out loud and said I wasn’t gay, he looked so disappointed that I agreed to go for a drink with him anyway – just for a giggle. I’m not sure if that was the smartest thing that I have ever done, and it was a poor reward for what I feel was quite a courageous act. After all, I was a fit and quite capable of beating the shit out of him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And the list goes on…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Gareth expanded beyond measure, my understanding of non-contact sport, he also loaned me some really useful books.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The guy on the train who had such a broad Yorkshire accent he shouted his proposal at me three times across a train before I got it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The two guys who so openly flirted with me while they were on the checkouts at my local supermarket…….in front of my then fiancée. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The pair in Sheffield who had me biting a pillow with laughter one Sunday morning – the floors are thin around here too y’know.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My admirers at the pool; “are you gay ?”, “no”, “do you want to be ?” left me speechless as did “I’m married, but I’d give it up for you”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I remain flattered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">To the couple who have befriended and cared for my Mother in the UK, I am truly grateful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Right now I’m looking forwards to the birth of a work colleague’s baby – she and her partner are lovely and I am damn proud that they have chosen to confide in me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is not just some self aggrandising way of screaming “I’m down with teh gayz”. The bigger point is this. I have never felt the urge to harm anyone in the course of these encounters. It may be argued for various reasons that I should be deeply homophobic. I’m not and when <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10582997">shit like this</a> happens I get very upset indeed. Which I guess is why when <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O8_vggyQHc">stuff like this</a> comes out I am almost crying with mischief and happiness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All together now….”Fuck you, Fuck you very very muuuuch”……</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-77551926018830050652009-06-29T22:02:00.003+12:002009-06-29T23:15:23.403+12:00Damien Hirst, Ambivalence and Me.<span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Hirst">Damien Hirst</a> and I were born within a few days of each other, which would in most senses be a tenuous link. I've never met the guy and probably have little in common with him. Except that his art seems to work right in the middle of my aesthetic bandwidth. When <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hirst-Love-Of-God.jpg">for the love of god</a> appeared, all I could say was - wow. It wasn't the money or the sheer audacity of it, just wow I never saw that until I saw it. I've always been like that with Hirst's work; <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgroupid=999999961&workid=21809&searchid=5083&tabview=image">pharmacies</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hirst-Shark.jpg">sharks</a>, you name it, the connection is immediate and needs no translation. I have often wondered if the connection is some kind of cohort effect - that is to say Hirst is an artist of my time and age, his immediacy and importance may well be lost to other generations. In particular he and I are part an early media generation; full of television and adverts, when in Britain at least, it was all new. No surprises then that I picked up on his work relatively early, following closely over the years, travelling to London regularly. When Hirst first published <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Want-Spend-Everywhere-Everyone-signed/dp/1904212301/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246030388&sr=1-3">I Want To Spend The Rest Of My Life Everywhere, With Everyone... </a>in 1997, I got really excited.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvub9h0P694fAx43wQe-wn_UAK6s9Fn1_IHz440N45HmB6JKA1ycfgMn2B3pLT2WJOGex6pbOzYJjmzS-NkyaFG9pZjQiE9jgixlkVkDI8wjlrCeX9b7xe_ZbwXNIr4h3UwKiJ3Q/s1600-h/hirst.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvub9h0P694fAx43wQe-wn_UAK6s9Fn1_IHz440N45HmB6JKA1ycfgMn2B3pLT2WJOGex6pbOzYJjmzS-NkyaFG9pZjQiE9jgixlkVkDI8wjlrCeX9b7xe_ZbwXNIr4h3UwKiJ3Q/s320/hirst.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352706275431709938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />My sister who worked for a major bookseller got me a copy for my birthday, possibly the best present I have ever received. The book has never been opened, still in the shrink wrap, I'm not sure if it has a signature inside (probably not). A few days ago my wife asked me what was in a box covered in shrink wrap, wrapped in bubble wrap and clearly undisturbed. I told her and explained a little. She asked me if I was going to sell it, I recoiled and said absolutely no, "Then why don't you open it ?" she asked quite reasonably, I said no - "Then what's it for ?" erm..uhhhh.. what is it for ? Maybe someone will open it when I die. Did you get that one Damien ? Then there is the question of which of us will die first.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-11947715349786154822009-06-05T23:43:00.002+12:002009-06-05T23:47:48.984+12:00David Carradine<span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">With the recent death of David Carradine I found one of the few reasons to have a television (there isn't one in the house). Ahhhh grasshopper, the steps of Kwai Chang Caine across the rice paper and the lifting of the coals; these moments set the template for me starting martial arts and probably my re-habilitation as a person. The bit that makes me smile is that this would not have been possible without Carridine in my front room on a Saturday evening. No surprises that I was watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411475/">Hell Ride</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230545/">Kung Fu Killer</a> last weekend (on DVD). Gonna miss the old fella he was always worth watching.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-67114129634574278782009-05-25T13:00:00.007+12:002009-05-25T13:25:42.491+12:00Storming the Bridge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJDFBqO8KRugBWLKbb99j0VHbdW5NZUvnVocTo44z_JrMmG8aDmtD3bCdljPYwRVN2sESuVcAg9wv8tVfPwdV5ellMdZJpNgjYbes8qn9H78c9YAXZSohK53k_N24Dgh9OAPoZA/s1600-h/people.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJDFBqO8KRugBWLKbb99j0VHbdW5NZUvnVocTo44z_JrMmG8aDmtD3bCdljPYwRVN2sESuVcAg9wv8tVfPwdV5ellMdZJpNgjYbes8qn9H78c9YAXZSohK53k_N24Dgh9OAPoZA/s320/people.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339560728379451778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I guess the civil mischief that was the mass crossing of the Harbour Bridge can be seen in </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">several ways: Cultural Rebellion, clash of Car Kiwi vs. Sustainable Kiwi, a battle for </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">minority rights perhaps. For me it is one of those <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Island#Destruction_of_the_ecosystem">Easter Island</a> moments. I have in mind </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">the occasions that must surely have emerged in the past, where two views of the future </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">met and conflicted in a high stakes game of legitimacy. Or: "dude if we keep doing what </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">we have always done it could all end very badly" vs. "but this is what we have always </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">done and it works for most of us,...where's my f*****g axe".</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOOnNCe-jOUd6VeN4J0FaACrlGD_Lc7IymfgpaGPZLDnhe8AsEIrudE8XaUlAjbIyXx7zRxbcFtBj8587PRfFeIMjaYxLa0MHExuPpXULW4ca3AjXcd7ZjgnWH44TWYYSv5OMtw/s1600-h/view1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOOnNCe-jOUd6VeN4J0FaACrlGD_Lc7IymfgpaGPZLDnhe8AsEIrudE8XaUlAjbIyXx7zRxbcFtBj8587PRfFeIMjaYxLa0MHExuPpXULW4ca3AjXcd7ZjgnWH44TWYYSv5OMtw/s320/view1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339561641102817858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A rather large number of people decided that they viewed the future differently, for </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">whatever reason. What was most telling was the response of NZTA regional director </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Wayne McDonald: Mr. McDonald says there are plans to provide access for bikes and </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">foot traffic, but it will be 30 years before it is complete (from the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10574283">NZ Herald online, 24-</a></span><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10574283"> </a><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10574283">05-2009</a>). I strongly suspect that Mr. McDonald and I will be dead by then, either as a </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">consequence of old age or global stupidity. I maintain high hopes that my little bloke </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">will see the day though. I guess a 30-year planning term with a suggestion that this is </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">non-negotiable is one way of saying 'f**k off annoying little people who aren't busy </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">driving somewhere important in a car on a Sunday'.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi331XroDr2yTVc-12KbAne7m-stt_q61ejUkt7V_vTngv4WimLH2Hr_vbVlD3Jk1yEZaYRF0iWr2zl9Z1Mx7Li2a9QX4wAAy4fLvu536l9mMDfUmGDq-cV43RJPR5FZJeoGfxw6g/s1600-h/lilbloke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi331XroDr2yTVc-12KbAne7m-stt_q61ejUkt7V_vTngv4WimLH2Hr_vbVlD3Jk1yEZaYRF0iWr2zl9Z1Mx7Li2a9QX4wAAy4fLvu536l9mMDfUmGDq-cV43RJPR5FZJeoGfxw6g/s320/lilbloke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339561810091577106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I don't want to debate whether the protest will get walkways and cycle ways any sooner, </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">according to NZTA it won't. What I want to question is the appropriateness of the </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">response from NZTA. Let's face it, this is a civil servant or a group of civil servants </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">insisting that transport policy and the use of the Auckland Harbour Bridge will not </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">change in my lifetime or theirs: 'F**k democracy and elected office - we run New </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Zealand roads' would seem to be the case here. You have got to admire the honesty of </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">the response, at least it's not 'oh we'll look into it and send you a report', which I am led </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">to understand has been the response for the last 50 years. I might add this was the line </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">delivered by Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKS1rPW7GJjvS-SdU2UwwBut9sFOL0sAx_8EZcyyX8UqyislezYxt6Oow2aJMwZ_Wg3m0Ke9ZbxAkp5RXIIQbXlGpW_iSpqXwJz1eBmM2PoZOoHXlRZzDxPk4oHqnFZBRSL-LLw/s1600-h/view2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKS1rPW7GJjvS-SdU2UwwBut9sFOL0sAx_8EZcyyX8UqyislezYxt6Oow2aJMwZ_Wg3m0Ke9ZbxAkp5RXIIQbXlGpW_iSpqXwJz1eBmM2PoZOoHXlRZzDxPk4oHqnFZBRSL-LLw/s320/view2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339562253463778866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I am worried though, because these people and I'm not just talking about NZTA, but </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">those who put them to work, appear to me to be the last axe men on Easter Island. I </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">suspect this is one agency that Rodney Hide does support and indulge. The message is </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">simple; there are no plans for change despite compelling reasons to do so and a growing </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">community to support them. One public day on the bridge was all that was requested - </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">for the first time in 50 years</span>. The response rendered was an excuse masquerading as </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">safety. The clip-on's canna handle it captain! Well, assuming that such a density of </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">individuals walking in time across the bridge (unlikely) could cause the clip-on's to sway </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">- why not let people cross in a trickle and keep them moving when the accumulate at the </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">apex. That is of course, instead of deliberately directing them on to the middle lanes to </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">make the problem look intractable and those doing it a menace. Coning one lane of the </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">clip-on's in half and keeping everyone in line would have mitigated most of these </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">(alleged) risks. When nice middle-class folk choose to criminalise themselves, then you </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">have cause to worry about how society is operating. I believe that good laws are those </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">not made to defend the stupidity or pet hates of politicians and civil servants.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjvAZspmsSJnNqxrkOhCKGQvz4MrGWe1sIRM_0mPSc5RVJFERmjgwOGWSdh3DtyEB8F8OOLWuU-BTbAsC6JagBJTBUtZ6QnRjKCtgod-B5Ifn80WKulm7uiU-2ztbWzkM-xR7YA/s1600-h/down.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjvAZspmsSJnNqxrkOhCKGQvz4MrGWe1sIRM_0mPSc5RVJFERmjgwOGWSdh3DtyEB8F8OOLWuU-BTbAsC6JagBJTBUtZ6QnRjKCtgod-B5Ifn80WKulm7uiU-2ztbWzkM-xR7YA/s320/down.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339562144327979778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Some points of note:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The only endorsed crossing is one you have to pay for as part of the Auckland </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Marathon/Half Marathon which does make the opportunity a little exclusive. It also </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">proves that it can be done.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Cyclists should righteously be p**sed off , they don't even get the opportunities afforded </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">to runners as above. Oh, and try putting a bike on a bus around here. Funnily enough, I </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">do know of some cyclists who used to ride out to the Coromandel and return to the North </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Shore by the (now withdrawn ?) ferry service.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">To all those motorists who suffered delay on Sunday: allow me to apologise on behalf of </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">NZTA who it appears preferred a confrontation to a well managed celebration of </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">alternative transport. Message: any delay could have been avoided had NZTA done their </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">jobs properly and facilitated rather than obstructed the actions of well reasoned </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">individuals.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">To the guy who abused cyclists, walkers, parents and children as they obstructed his </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Sunday drive: See the above comment, but above all stop and think what message you </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">sent - Because I drive I have the right to swear at everyone. Now tell me who looks </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">menacing and inconsiderate, for you are undoubtedly a one amongst many bigots who </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">abuse Auckland roads and respond to the <a href="http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/your-views/2008/9/3/it-worth-putting-cycleway-harbour-bridge/?c_id=None">NZ Herald reader's views section.</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEvl5gsoqYJTlrHoTbNVMZqRq8PeUL8cHDT7b9KoivTlY81F1zS32xNkk9moA7Glyn2hQOP0CpPTldHWmwDwyCZpSyk0tL2oTxziTiGBjWHh8Cf9FM22AC_J2lf7uDfEpFuE1cQ/s1600-h/flag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEvl5gsoqYJTlrHoTbNVMZqRq8PeUL8cHDT7b9KoivTlY81F1zS32xNkk9moA7Glyn2hQOP0CpPTldHWmwDwyCZpSyk0tL2oTxziTiGBjWHh8Cf9FM22AC_J2lf7uDfEpFuE1cQ/s320/flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339562137005809714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For what it is worth I don't think that a cycle/walkway across the harbour would be that </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">well used. But I agree with <a href="http://publicaddress.net/5909#post5909">David Slack</a> that it could be part of a fantastic tourist </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">attraction. Above all it would represent the intention to do things differently and </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">hopefully a little better, the consequences of which might finally precipitate a much </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">needed culture shift. The question remains - How do facilitate rather than exclude those </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">who prefer transport that doesn't involve internal combustion engines. Because </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">constructively institutionalising car use in particular is no longer acceptable.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Big ups to the first bunch of cyclists across who I believe got things going. You are the real spirit of forward thinking New Zealand - I will be </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">seeing you shortly ;-) And the storm the bridge award goes to.................</span><span style="font-family: arial;">(to the sound of <span style="font-style: italic;">'be careful with that Axe Eugene'</span> by Pink Floyd of course)</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-66123299940095263482009-05-25T00:53:00.007+12:002010-05-18T02:46:06.144+12:00Photography<span style="font-family:verdana;" >Stood in a corridor I looked towards the end door. There I saw a shoe, hanging from a foot attached to a slim leg, dressed in a foot loop stocking, all bathed in just the right light. I could see it all, in black and white, a gorgeous picture in a brief moment. Could I capture it ? Sadly no camera, but above all how do you capture such a moment without feeling like a pervert or worse being treated like one ? I really don’t know, but on reflection I have acquired a deeper admiration for those photographers who save such images in their mind and then present the vision and imagination to re-create such images in a more controlled context. Seeing it is one thing, giving it to the world is another altogether. I wonder what will happen when we can all manage to capture the beauty we see everyday, when our eyes are cameras in themselves. Will a truly shared aesthetic emerge ? or something more radical and disturbing.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-10806952912212762652009-05-03T14:58:00.009+12:002009-05-03T18:01:32.944+12:00Good days…..<span style="font-family:arial;">I guess that if I ever get really good at photography I will look on these with a patronising smile. But as it stands these are a cut above what I have snapped for some time. For me at least, digital is great it’s not just that I can have several attempts at something (but not that many attempts) but that I compose with confidence and don't worry about the cost of a roll. These have been Photoshopped but not too much.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />We were staying at <a href="http://www.communities.co.nz/kaiiwilakes/index.cfm">Kai Iwi lakes</a> with the rellies for a few days whilst touring Northland - the day before I had cycled all the way from the shore to Dargaville. Little bloke, my wife and I eschewed the lakes for a walk to the beach in the evening and were duly rewarded with a warm, spotless, empty beach. Something about the location and being properly on holiday really prompted a different state of mind. </span><br /><br />On the way.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR2LC6xoxCnVbzlQ1lh1Da_GDV4AFneXa8FYhR4keoe8hcbU6zJvxk7ev_3xiVbRt5DSwL9Q-1A3zXbBlyzXVcqAYfpNdqQuT46eGy0JkyebkMTu2G2w5ufRoKeWpApP1zRDkDA/s1600-h/overthehill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR2LC6xoxCnVbzlQ1lh1Da_GDV4AFneXa8FYhR4keoe8hcbU6zJvxk7ev_3xiVbRt5DSwL9Q-1A3zXbBlyzXVcqAYfpNdqQuT46eGy0JkyebkMTu2G2w5ufRoKeWpApP1zRDkDA/s320/overthehill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331428097940558866" border="0" /></a><br />Having a play<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjRkGSVNDUTKmSq_dh8E64c5aJOGGtUda-D3IPxdeL1rhnTMcPIabCbzP3GP_CxR90X0ocJWDnNfkF_UCaLIkTH-zlv4k3b6ee0l2QwPc_ZaXxuhtmbpILw8uK2yCs__-tKmI7Q/s1600-h/beachbaby.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjRkGSVNDUTKmSq_dh8E64c5aJOGGtUda-D3IPxdeL1rhnTMcPIabCbzP3GP_CxR90X0ocJWDnNfkF_UCaLIkTH-zlv4k3b6ee0l2QwPc_ZaXxuhtmbpILw8uK2yCs__-tKmI7Q/s320/beachbaby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331428773796646914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aqp_EJN7KKMLOtd9DAo2RDpPF9eUASwv6niQtCkWeemfqeqPHApaLXdkIfw5dg-v9spl4AugGc-NqmlEASu1kEbFzP-WFyKk21gQIKhw83Otu0XBAR-dVxfURpLcDFVeft4ZzQ/s1600-h/momandbuggy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aqp_EJN7KKMLOtd9DAo2RDpPF9eUASwv6niQtCkWeemfqeqPHApaLXdkIfw5dg-v9spl4AugGc-NqmlEASu1kEbFzP-WFyKk21gQIKhw83Otu0XBAR-dVxfURpLcDFVeft4ZzQ/s320/momandbuggy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331428773490212258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE373mIkIkwD8AwSIKPBLP-o0GIb0X3i-zS49JrsL_sh1Mden5kDZJDeVlbm_Bmj3rPaT56PRKm30kN1HVGDYXqkw02Bni-Q2WdTiCjYhDfzrdXzAO-Zeeh46EoO0JjlGVgc9wA/s1600-h/motherandchild.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE373mIkIkwD8AwSIKPBLP-o0GIb0X3i-zS49JrsL_sh1Mden5kDZJDeVlbm_Bmj3rPaT56PRKm30kN1HVGDYXqkw02Bni-Q2WdTiCjYhDfzrdXzAO-Zeeh46EoO0JjlGVgc9wA/s320/motherandchild.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331428767564674098" border="0" /></a>Going home<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr4DkFbdTcYk108DgqV_BopkS0u7WjUFF7ryA96-oB2y6ZmCGXBE27xIMEUnHxD18C-uIOnJmKrt2TvuhLlo4Is240HIkYdTfVZs9qDHmtRsOv-12qBn2ttcqgIjCY-i4rHXBrg/s1600-h/beachtime.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr4DkFbdTcYk108DgqV_BopkS0u7WjUFF7ryA96-oB2y6ZmCGXBE27xIMEUnHxD18C-uIOnJmKrt2TvuhLlo4Is240HIkYdTfVZs9qDHmtRsOv-12qBn2ttcqgIjCY-i4rHXBrg/s320/beachtime.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331427262075491618" border="0" /></a>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-73268692718856514872009-04-27T22:23:00.003+12:002009-04-27T22:29:40.578+12:00Sport, Art and Me<!--[endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://publicaddress.net/fieldtheory">Hadyn Green</a> over at Public Address started a thread on Sport and is it Art nothing new except for once I wrote and wrote well - This is what I wrote.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;">I’m probably taking this waaaay to seriously however…..<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Depends on whether Art is solely in the eye of the beholder, or the intent of the performer counts for something.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">I can get with that and I would qualify it with this misquote from someone whom I can’t fully recall.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Art is what exists in the dialogue between the art-moment and the individual exposed to it. As such, each exposure is a unique art product. Unconstrained by specific intentions the artist may stimulate the process without necessarily defining it. Viewing with artistic intent is as important as viewing a de facto artwork or artist; this sees art as only requiring the intent of one or other of the involved parties. Hence art is what we experience where artistic intent exists on one or both sides of the dialogue; in this way the question is not who the artist is, but where the art is to be found or experienced.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">I like this idea as it allows for art to be incidental and for distinctions between art, sport and craft to be largely irrelevant.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Randomness<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">For example it makes no sense to me at least, to draw an artificial line between the absorbed, involved manipulation of chaos demonstrated by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock" target="_blank">Jackson Pollock</a> and the absorbed liberation of action from apparent chaos demonstrated by Ronaldinho. There is a clear dyad between these artists and the complex changing forms that surround them, both of whom seem to be able to capture something sublime from apparent randomness.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Culture<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Compare Picasso’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_%28painting%29" target="_blank">Guernica</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Owens" target="_blank">Jesse Owens</a> performances at the 1936 Olympics, you cannot separate these actions from the politics and complexity that surrounded them. Each in its own way was beautiful, profound, historical and dare I say it misunderstood at times.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Theatre<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">I challenge you to say the Valerie Villi’s actions in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Beijing</st1:place></st1:city> were not pure theatre; creating a micro-climate around her in order to elevate performance and its eventual outcome. She manipulated those around her as effectively and indeed beautifully as she propelled the shot, keenly interacting with the act, the audience and the occasion. So too does <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Hirst" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a> appreciate his role as art creator, manipulator and marketing man. Not only does he create the work but he deliberately manipulates media around him to create a context for his work; performance and theatre as a subtext for an artistic act.<br /><br />Perfection<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Here’s the one that clinches it for me. Look carefully at the deliberate, determined perfectionism of Yves Kline in his creation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Klein_Blue" target="_blank">IKB</a> and that of a sprinter, thrower or diver. They seek perfection in clearly identifiable form through deliberate repetitive search only then to explore those forms in different contexts. More compellingly Klein wrote quite early in his career on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yves_Klein#Aero_works" target="_blank">“le Vide”</a> (the void) an ethereal sense created by an artistic act. Compare this with accounts of “being in the zone” or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_state" target="_blank">“flow”</a> and you get the sense that our artists and sportsfolk can and sometimes do occupy the same intellectual space in pursuit of particular goals.<o:p></o:p></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >So to be quite contrary </span><em style="font-family: arial;">Art is because I say so</em><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >and that is what really matters.</span><o:p></o:p></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-61420253019323887422009-04-27T19:53:00.003+12:002009-04-27T20:02:28.119+12:00The best excuse I ever heard.<span style="font-family:arial;">The drunk stick is a tale of the best excuse I ever heard.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Back in the day when Universities selected rather than marketed and tutors spoke to students individually, I was given pastoral responsibility for some fresher’s (yeah that’ll be the responsible me). Within my care was a young southern Irish fellow who was really struggling to come to terms with the end of fresher’s week. Indeed when rarely sighted in daylight hours, he appeared to be headed for the Rugby Fields. By week eight other tutors began to notice and it was up to me to remind our young friend of his academic obligations. I sent a letter, phoned his home, and finally collared him outside the student union (on his way in !). We set up a meeting and he didn’t turn up. I sent the official first warning letter and he phoned to set up a meeting at 10:00 am a few days later. The day of the meeting at 10:00, our chum was a no show. He did finally show up at four in the afternoon and this is what I heard (the names have been changed to protect the innocent):</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon; Oh hello sir (in deep Irish accent) I’m so so sorry to be late sir honest I am.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: Really ? (sarcasm)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon: Yes yes for sure, I am sir yes, honest, see it wasn’t my fault I really, really did mean to get here at ten……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: You were delayed then ? (arches eyebrow)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon: Oh yessir I surely did it just well….gasp…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: You don’t appear to have any broken bones…….</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon: No sir it wasn’t like that – it was just that last night I was walking home one my own minding my own business….when I got caught…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: Caught by whom ?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon: I got caught walking past the dark doorway of this bar….when suddenly a shadow jumped out and beat me wit de drunk stick….. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: A Drunk stick ? (both eyebrows raised )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon: Yes Sir the shadow hit me round the head with the drunk stick and he hurt me so he did. In fact he hit me so hard that I had a terrible headache this mornin’ and had to stay in bed ‘til it went away…..that’s why I’m late (triumphantly !)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: So does this happen often and is there any way we can help you circumnavigate this particular door way in future (trying to suppress peals of laughter)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brendon: It’s funny you should say that I was givin’ the matter some thought myself…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81st: Well that does sound like good news…….</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I believe that Brendon abandoned his original course of study in favour of medicine ?</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-64007027370988918102007-12-27T02:36:00.000+13:002007-12-27T02:41:35.048+13:00Peace on earth<p style="font-family: arial;">Can't say this is original, I wrote it as a contribution to a thread over at Public Address - Someone paid me one of the kindest compliments I have ever received as a result. Its real and about as me as it gets, worth preserving then. Enjoy.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;">Peace on earth 1.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">My father and I spent the day arguing I’m drunk, he’s barely conscious. We have guests. I’m laying the table, I drop a fork, he tells me to wash it, I reply “you f*****g wash it”. The guests have to restrain us both and someone else washes the fork. We sit to eat, I’m serving my father, doing it silver style, I twitch, purely by accident and cover him in overdone, quite mobile greens. He eyeballs me, I eyeball him and the room elects not to take any further breaths for the time being. Then I see what I think is the vaguest crinkle next to his recently greened eye. We both look to either side and I really can’t remember who started it. A smile, a chuckle, a giggle and then peals of tear busting, asthmatic provoking laughter; the spirit of Christmas brings peace for another day.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Peace on earth 2.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Still not over the breakdown of a 4 year relationship, feeling quite sorry for myself, I elected not to celebrate Christmas. I was nursing an extraordinary hangover having passed out at 7pm the day before. The house was freezing and I could not be bothered to connect up the new gas bottle, I crawled into bed instead. The phone rang three times; I decided not to be in. Then this awful banging on the door “Saes ! we know you’re in there - John and Della are coming to collect you in half an hour !”. John and Della owned a farm over the hill, Della had been my tutor at Uni, they are both the most decent committed Christians I know and I am about as atheist as they come. Failing to contact me by phone, they in that very North Wales way checked with my neighbours and got them to alert me instead. People like me don’t deserve friends like that. I don’t remember the meal or much of the following days. I do remember standing in an empty slate quarry with five companions singing Hymns and carols for all my voice, and what could be taken for a soul was worth. I can neither describe nor understand the peace that moment brought me.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">A gift from my partner.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">My partner gets my need for solitude which is a great comfort to me. One Christmas shortly after we first got together, we finished work on the evening of the 23rd, packed gear and drove from Sheffield to the northern highlands of Scotland. Late afternoon met our arrival at the bottom of a small range of Corbett’s and Munro’s I’d recce’d the year before. We did a night tramp for the first part, pitching out about two thirds of the way from the top of this particular peak. Christmas day from the camp looked a bit misty and not too bright, by eleven it had cleared just enough for us to photograph the wreck of a WW2 Wellington bomber. We could just see the peak and decided to have a go with what looked like quite a long zigzag route. As the ascent progressed the Sun came out and we went really fast, no words, just the crunch of snow and us. They call it a flow state and it was one of the most complete moments of my life. At the top I could see the range, the sea, my partner, two sets of tracks and not another living soul. Not the highest peak I’ve ever done and by no means the most difficult or indeed the most spectacular scenery, but it was mine. Only half the chocolate was mine though. It became clear at the peak that my partner was getting very cold very fast; with old gear not really up to the job, I cracked out my dry set and my partner doubled up layers. We set off downhill quite fast and made quite a wise decision at camp deciding to continue the walk off. I put my partner in the bothybag with a hot pack and pitched up. As we walked off a blizzard followed us all the way down to the tree line where we camped briefly and then carried on the then thick snow. Sat finally in a snowbound car I realised my partner who really hadn’t enjoyed the show, had given me one perfect Christmas day.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">If Santa didn’t exist would we have to have had invent one anyway ?</p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-46812204129436011562007-10-14T16:10:00.000+13:002007-10-14T16:19:03.764+13:00Kiwis and Cars<span style="font-family:arial;"><br />There is a lot to like about being in NZ but motoring is not one of them. New Zealanders don’t shoot each other a la USA; they <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10469776">kill each other with cars</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My guess is that few if any charges will be laid against the driver that did this. I can hear the court argument now. Dangerous road, the pedestrian should have crossed the road to use the path on the other side. Questions that won’t be addressed properly:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">i) Why is the road so dangerous?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">ii) Why wasn’t there a path on both sides of the road?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">iii) Do we seriously think that a drunk driver is not culpable in this regard?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The picture provided tells us that there was space for a path and that there was quite a lot of road to drive on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">New Zealand has to change driver behaviour and philosophy the time for excuses is over.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Just in case you thought this was an isolated incident.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10437408"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10437408</span></a><br /><a href="htthttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10419155p://"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10419155</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10444815"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10444815</span></a><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10437369"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=663&objectid=10437369</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10462466"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10462466</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=99&objectid=10468281"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=99&objectid=10468281</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lots of people a lot of pain.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-12842592198574094642007-07-30T23:35:00.000+12:002007-07-30T23:42:56.666+12:00Ingmar Bergman<span style="font-family: arial;">It seems foolish to mourn the death of a man who didn't know me; nor I him in truth. More important is to note the contribution he made to my life. Ingmar Bergman changed the way I thought about life and saw the world. I believe I am a better man as a result. I would have waited another lifetime for another Seventh Seal as it is the world will never be the same.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-1606738039222469112007-06-14T00:31:00.000+12:002007-06-14T00:38:16.629+12:00Time to take sides ?<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I read with interest about the recent <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6701659.stm">UCU vote</a> to boycott Israeli academia and their decision to <a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/worldwide/story/0,,2101467,00.html">talk some more</a>.<span style=""> </span>I read with even more interest the poisonous and arrogant response from the </span><a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2099028,00.html"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">US</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></a><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2099028,00.html"> lobby</a>.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">My thoughts:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="">i)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Without broad support from <a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/worldwide/story/0,,2096820,00.html">within government</a> and the civil service in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">UK</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> the boycott is unlikely to prove effective.<span style=""> </span>Those who want to ignore it will do.<span style=""> </span>A more important point; is those who already boycott Israel or undertake legitimate criticism, will at least have someone else to help protect them from the sort of <a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2100970,00.html">academic bullying</a> that takes place in the US.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">ii)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">This is in no way an anti-semitic gesture.<span style=""> </span>This is about saying in plain language that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> is wrong.<span style=""> </span>Merely suggesting that they ought to change is no longer sufficient.<span style=""> </span>No more hand wringing and hubris please.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">iii)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">This gesture needs to be put into the context or a request by <a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/worldwide/story/0,,2091528,00.html">Israeli academics</a> to allow students in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Gaza</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> to study in the </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">West Bank</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">.<span style=""> </span>Despite pleas to the contrary academic freedom is clearly <a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/worldwide/story/0,,754365,00.html">not universal.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">iv)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I hope this does open a real debate unencumbered by the anti-semite bleat.<span style=""> </span>Time to take sides.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p>n.b. I have boycotted Israeli goods for some 15 years now.<span style=""> </span>I don’t feel like I have missed out on much so far. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"></span><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/worldwide/story/0,,754365,00.html"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"></span></a><a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/worldwide/story/0,,754365,00.html"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-65432986530435073082007-06-03T03:38:00.000+12:002007-06-08T00:13:45.166+12:00LOLBUSH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZJtL-AZ1vLO68P8HaMS5S5Nej2oIkDoQxlvKjtpmBNGrDGhsplDC7O4tFEJ4IsSuxj7ws6J_-fFm8V6zXW0Hs6NAuQZVp7soDF3n_KlnwCWhgwT7JQg7qtTqpfvh-LFMfG7jNA/s1600-h/lolbush2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZJtL-AZ1vLO68P8HaMS5S5Nej2oIkDoQxlvKjtpmBNGrDGhsplDC7O4tFEJ4IsSuxj7ws6J_-fFm8V6zXW0Hs6NAuQZVp7soDF3n_KlnwCWhgwT7JQg7qtTqpfvh-LFMfG7jNA/s320/lolbush2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073294007271685426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Had to have a go myself........<br /></span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-91518441230073634792007-04-25T01:30:00.000+12:002007-04-25T01:44:23.065+12:00Books –<span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">My grandfather taught me to read. To begin with he read to me on Wednesday nights; he would come over on the ferry we’d have boiled eggs and Victoria sponge for tea. He would bath me, put me to bed and read until I fell asleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Henry Woods was a Welsh miner, quite proud of the fact that he could read at all, and doubly proud of the fact that he could teach said skill to me. Not surprisingly books are a great comforter for me. My earliest days were spent with 365 bedtime stories and Reed’s wonder tales of Maori land (sent to me from my Nana in Auckland). I still have Reed and all my copies of the Pippin annual. I could read somewhat sooner than all the other kids I knew. As such it set me apart but I didn’t notice because I had my head in a book or reading over someone else’s shoulder. At infant school I was often found asleep in the small library with Britannica on my lap.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">At juniors I remember distinctly being accused of stealing books; the problem being that <span style="font-style: italic;">no one actually thought I was capable of reading them</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The first stand out book for me was an illustrated copy of Pilgrims Progress I loved the tale, missed the metaphor altogether but worse than that I thought the illustration of Apollyon was soooo cool. No surprises that I ended up an atheist.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">War mags yep, Biggles yep, Hornblower Yep, Famous Five yeuuch, Henry Treece Yep, Encycopedias Yeaah, and rather strangely Aircraft of the Fighting Powers. I skipped the Bible. Solzhenitsyn proved too much too soon but Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov were cool with me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">During the long hot summers abroad I went through a MacDonalds phase reading sometimes as many as three pulp specials a day. I returned to school after one such summer, bored with ordinary words and looking for something new. Wilfred Owen, Robert Graves; but I came back to Siegfried Sassoon a book I had seen on the desk of an old mentor many years before , The Memoirs of George Sherston. I felt betrayed that Sherston wouldn’t go back at first and then my life truly changed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There were only two rules at my boarding school; don’t tell ever and don’t tell anyone; behind this veil lived bullying and abuse. I broke ranks and told about the bullying of one boy by my then best friend and the biggest kid in my year. I regard it as one of the few good things I ever managed at school. The kid who was bullied the most was never sure whether to thank me or not, after all he’d gone from being a victim to a nobody, almost overnight (we later got into a fight which led to me beating him very badly, something I still regret deeply). Despite the beatings, the property destructions and the fights that followed, I never regretted that act. The change was to set me on the road to political activism, protesting and all sorts. At one stage I was the chaperone to the UK’s only lesbian pool team. For many years Tao Te Ching brought peace and space to my mind</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Later I read Marx, Mein Kampf, and the Bible but I managed to mix this with Iain Banks, Gibbo and Phillip K Dick (Far more fun). Thomas Hardy changed the way I felt about life and DH Lawrence changed the way I saw people. Oh and I finally read Tolkein; errrrm seven times.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Being involved with stage led me to Waiting for Godot (got it after the 5th performance !) and Dr Faustus.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">At University I read Gillies and Aronson in close succession; neither people nor sciences were ever the same again. I launched into poetry going backwards in time from Larkin to Shakespeare. I even finished Foucault’s Pendulum but failed Solzhenitsyn a second time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I courted my wife by reading AA Milne and the Zig Zag Kid by David Grossman to her. I am currently reading the Iliad a second time. My sister coincidentally is married to a writer and manages a bookshop.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-61706051820079458262007-04-16T01:28:00.000+12:002007-04-16T01:55:20.085+12:00Bloggers anonymous anyone ?<span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:arial;">I’m p****d off over this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Sierra">Kathy Sierra</a> thing for a lot of reasons.</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">i)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">People who perpetrate such nastiness from behind a veil of anonymity are scumbags.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">ii)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">Other mortals who take advantage of anonymity, have had to suffer the wrath of the self righteous and occasionally self serving blog community many of whom see no benefit in anonymity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">iii)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">The result has been a <a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/04/draft_bloggers_1.html">code of conduct</a> for the blogsphere.<span style=""> </span>This upsets me for two reasons: Firstly the code is unworkable but more worryingly the code represents an attempt to regulate instead of educate.<span style=""> </span>This bothers me because I would have hoped for something more from the online community.<span style=""> </span>A philosophy of freedom seems to have served the online community well, why give it up now?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">iv)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">I don’t like being called a coward on account of the behaviour of others.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">So why 81<sup>st</sup>column ?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">I have been 81<sup>st</sup>column pretty much for as long as I have been on-line.<span style=""> </span>The tag refers specifically to the extra column that appeared on old <a href="http://docs.hp.com/en/30293-90006/apgs02.html">80cloumn VDU’s</a>.<span style=""> </span>You only saw this column if the line was full of text and you couldn’t program it (I don’t think).<span style=""> </span>It also laterally refers to 80 column programming cards – when a program appeared not to work for any obvious reason we used to talk about a stray bit in the 81<sup>st</sup>column.<span style=""> </span>Not surprisingly I was trying to create an air of mystery and grandness.<span style=""> </span>After all, to know what the 81<sup>st</sup>column is would be to indicate that you have been in computing for quite a while…..me trying to be a smart arse.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">When I decided to attempt blogging I thought long and hard about whether it was reasonable to keep this ID up.<span style=""> </span>I decided I would for several reasons;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">I would like to keep my job and politics as far apart as possible. <span style=""> </span>A large part of my job involves communicating with others.<span style=""> </span>In these situations I have to appear to be capable of unconditional and non-judgemental acts.<span style=""> </span>Consequently I didn’t want to have to discuss my politics in these situations or let my politics interfere with how others saw me.<span style=""> </span>I just plain wouldn’t be able to work as effectively.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">At the time when I made the decision there was some doubt as to whether I would be re-employed in my current role.<span style=""> </span>Lack of employment would have meant having to leave my wife and my home.<span style=""> </span>SWMBO probably puts up with enough as it is.<span style=""> </span>At the same time I badly wanted to blow the whistle on what I saw as unethical and dare I say bullying practices at work.<span style=""> </span>I hinted at some of this in this blog at the time.<span style=""> </span>The process itself was helpful to me and kept me in my job long enough that I might be able to do something good in the future.<span style=""> </span>I certainly stopped me form threatening to assault my bosses.<span style=""> </span>I eventually made my point clear to my bosses later and that point to my surprise was well relieved and acted on.<span style=""> </span>I honestly believe that my anonymous blogging was helpful at the time.<span style=""> </span>Which brings me rather neatly to my next points.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">The idea of blogging anonymously has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/6548555.stm">served the world quite well</a> when gaining a snapshot of life in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ">Iran</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-NZ">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-NZ"> and elsewhere.<span style=""> </span>I am not saying that I am in any way as valuable as these folks.<span style=""> </span>What I am saying is that sometimes the protection of anonymity is of value.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">To underline this point whenever I have been “me” on-line it has caused me to question whether I should bother to be involved on line at all.<span style=""> </span>The first time was in a school discussion board where the MSM picked up my name as someone who had been in contact with a known kiddie fiddler.<span style=""> </span>No the guy had never touched me and no I did not want to discuss this further, an unpleasant surprise never the less.<span style=""> </span>On a subsequent occasion, I was phoned and berated verbally by an anonymous contributor to another board, who had tracked me to my workplace to continue a disagreement he felt was unresolved on line.<span style=""> </span>In both cases this would not have been possible had I used my pseudonym.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">As someone who has been run-over, searched repeatedly, chased and beaten up for openly expressing my views face to face in public I see no reason to acknowledge an argument to do with my courage (or lack thereof) on-line.<span style=""> </span>Maybe I’m just tired of being the one that gets flagged to be searched in airline checks etc.<span style=""> </span>I know I grew tired of listening to a lot of unhappy people and getting the same government; then seeing a much smaller group of people at protests that had more verbal than material support.<span style=""> </span>I think it most unfair to make presumptions of cowardice, based purely on the failings of others.<span style=""> </span>It shows a complete lack of imagination to think that all anonymous users are “abusers by proxy” or “nastiness waiting to pounce”.<span style=""> </span>I won’t buy into the macho call-you-out b******t as a response.<span style=""> </span>A good read of my blog would identify me fairly accurately anyway.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-NZ">I have offered to identify myself at my favourite discussion board over at <a href="http://www.publicaddress.net/system/">PA</a>.<span style=""> </span>I am still trying to find a balance between the comfort of anonymity and blogging it real.<span style=""> </span>Being scolded from a soapbox is unlikely to help.<span style=""> </span>Besides I'm chronically self conscious in the presence of so many people on discussion boards who are clearly better informed and smarter than me…….</span></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-47599295612779573472007-03-19T00:09:00.001+12:002007-03-19T00:31:48.171+12:00A lesson in dignity……<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><span class="hwd"><b style=""><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">dignity</span></b></span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> <span class="psa">noun</span> <b>1</b> stateliness, seriousness and formality of manner and appearance. <b>2</b> goodness and nobility of character. <b>3</b> calmness and self-control. – From chambers on line.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I met Alan on a Thursday night in March.<span style=""> </span>He had lost the key to his motorcycle.<span style=""> </span>He had lost it after competing in a local swim-run competition. We couldn’t find it in the dark.<span style=""> </span>SWMBO and I offered him a lift home to get the spare he thought he kept in a box.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">During the course of the search it seemed that Alan wasn’t the sharpest knife in the draw.<span style=""> </span>Suspicions were confirmed during the ride home, the guy really wasn’t too bright.<span style=""> </span>Never the less the conversation reminded me of a thing or two.<span style=""> </span>Alan was in his thirties and he worked for a contractor the serviced </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Auckland</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> city. He was part of the cleansing crew, he cleaned toilets, emptied bins, swept streets.<span style=""> </span>He is part of an invisible army that keeps the posh bits of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Auckland</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> clean and halfway decent.<span style=""> </span>He was a little sad because that race was probably his last one and he wasn’t going to go to the awards dinner at NZ$75 a ticket.<span style=""> </span>On further questioning it became clear why.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Alan works 55hours a week he works split shifts six until </span><st1:time minute="0" hour="12"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">midday</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"> and then four until late.<span style=""> </span>He works Saturdays and gets Thursdays off.<span style=""> </span>In order to race he has to get cover from his mates from time to time.<span style=""> </span>Not surprisingly he struggles to train.<span style=""> </span>He gets paid the minimum wage, and as far as we can work out he takes home a bit more than a PhD scholarship student (NZ$25k).<span style=""> </span>He has a new wife to support.<span style=""> </span>She is an invalid who got her benefit cut when she married.<span style=""> </span>She gets to work a few hours a week cleaning in a workshop and at a local nursery.<span style=""> </span>They are both looking forward to going away for their first anniversary. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Alan seems a happy enough bloke and quite reasonable with it, he didn’t complain once about his life. <span style=""> </span>His circumstances became clear in a conversation about training and racing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I am told it is a point of pride in New Zealand that "the Prime Minister gets to stand with the rest of us in the queue at the fish and chip shop". Sounds a bit hollow if some folks in the queue can only afford some to buy chips.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I really truly hope he and his wife have a good time.<span style=""> </span>I also hope his bike is okay.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-10959121549870626752007-03-18T23:30:00.000+12:002007-03-18T23:32:26.495+12:00About science, facts, knowledge and climate change.<span style="font-family: Arial;">i) The scientist and the science cannot be separated. Polanyi's still influential work points out that the scientists are informed by tacit knowledge which determines the scientific questions they ask, the methods they use and the way in which data is presented.<o:p></o:p></span> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Polanyi" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Polanyi</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">My point is that there is probably no such thing as objective science or pure unbiased facts as a result.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">ii) Causality is difficult, hard and maybe impossible to prove -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Which is why many settled for falsification.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">However even this approach suffers because of the methods involved with falsification. Hence we should note that sceptics are often dealt the better hand in science and to some extent law. The sceptics mantra should read - If you don't like the facts start to pick at how they are created; failing that start on semantics and agreed truths.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">iii) The theories we choose to apply and make use of are as much determined by mood of the time and history as they are by the basic business of scientific falsification.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Philosophy of Science in the Twentieth Century: Four Central Themes (Paperback) by Donald Gillies and work by TS Kuhn (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Samuel_Kuhn" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Samuel_Kuhn</a>) still offer useful thoughts on this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The point here is that we shouldn't be surprised if public policy is slow to change-scientific consensus is also really slow to arise. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">iv) In some ways saying that you can understand research without having a grasp of stats and methodology is a bit like suggesting you should just kick the tyres before buying a car. Yep you can do it, but don't be surprised if what you get is unreliable.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nope there is no easy way to grasp this debate or evaluate the evidence within it. But usual rules apply; multiple sources, cross reference, check authority and agenda. Please be patient and persist with science and scientists it is tough turning squiggles and graphs into yes/no, good/bad right/wrong, and sometimes common language isn't good enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-39386930319686229442007-02-15T23:57:00.000+13:002007-02-16T00:03:32.383+13:00I don't think the reality distortion field can hold much longer captain..........<span style="font-family:arial;">Well I didn't get it quite right last March but it seems clear that change is on its way. Either Apple shifts the market a la EMI or the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6338603.stm">market shifts Apple</a></span>. <span style="font-family:arial;">Either way I don't think Fairplay will be a money maker forever. And if that wasn't good news enough someone's cracked HDVideo for us. Hmm now all I need is a HD disk and something to play it on. Oh and I wouldn't bank on the IPhone getting to far either. Greedy Apple got indigestion ?</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-1171374288222526632007-02-14T02:42:00.000+13:002007-02-14T02:44:48.233+13:00Strange times in Saudi…<span style="font-family: arial;">If <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10423749">this recent article</a> is to be believed then Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power. Vladimir Putin has agreed to help the Saudis out. I think it’s a great idea not burning fossil fuels in power stations….well done Saudi. But wait a minute this is Saudi Arabia, a desert country, a country that is a desert because it is dry, sunny and it doesn’t rain more than 4-5 inches a year. It also is a country with a lot of space I mean a lot of space. This is the sort of country where state of the art solar power makes sense; so why bother with Nuclear Power unless you want something else. Well of course Saudi wants something else. Putin wants business and somewhere to sell guns like everyone else. We should however note at the same time that it was Russia who helped build some troublesome Nuclear Power plants in ermmmmmmm Iran.</span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-1170764179684123292007-02-07T01:10:00.000+13:002007-02-07T01:16:19.696+13:00No not dead yet……<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Been training for Ironman and have struggled to stay at the keyboard or indeed get to the keyboard for long enough to finish a decent piece of writing. <span style=""> </span>I will eventually finish my Mac rant but in the meantime would like to issue the following warning to any would be Ironmen and Women.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="">i)<span style=";font-family:Arial;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">If you train properly your life will disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">ii)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">Yes it really does cost a lot of money and I’m not just talking about the cost of the entry.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">iii)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I don’t know which is more painful the training or the weekly massage that is supposed to help me get over the training.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">iv)<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">I suspect I will understand pain a whole new way after race day.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">v) I have no idea what makes me persist with this goal</span>.<br /><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:Arial;">But for now it is time to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-1163490360857335662006-11-14T20:45:00.000+13:002006-11-14T20:46:00.873+13:00America and Me<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ">It doesn’t matter how angry I get with American foreign or indeed corporate policy my fury is tempered by the following things;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">i)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ">I visited a gallery in CA some 4-5 months after 9/11 with my then new wife.<span style=""> </span>A curator, recognising that we were not Americans made a point of apologising to us for the bombings and what followed.<span style=""> </span>I was deeply touched and reminded of the difference between </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"> and Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">ii)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ">One of my oldest and dearest friends is an American, a book editor by day and a liberal campaigner in her remaining hours.<span style=""> </span>I should wish to have such determination.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="">iii)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ">Rachel Corrie was an American.<span style=""> </span>So was Jackson Pollock, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Andy Warhol………..<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-NZ">A lesson for us all and it seems the American government in particular.<span style=""> </span>When being just one must choose one’s enemies with care……. <o:p></o:p></span></p>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19405835.post-1160567858377663202006-10-12T00:53:00.000+13:002006-10-12T00:59:24.610+13:00Ooooh it feels like Christmas already….<span style="font-family:arial;">For fear of getting left out SWMBO and I want our say on what the alleged 11 Billion NZ operating surplus should be spent on:<br /><br />1. Radical overhaul of the New Zealand Railway system ?<br />2. Public transport infrastructure.<br />3. Solar hot water heating for</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> every home.<br />4. Tax breaks for domestic green technology enterprises.<br />5. Green technology tax breaks.<br />6. Nationally subsidised IT infrastructure.<br />7. Saucer of Milk for Brash and the Exclusive Bretheren.<br />8. Pledge cards for everyone.<br />9. 22 New stadia for the Rugby world cup.<br />10. Cultural induction programme led by Bob Clarkson…….<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/655/1920/1600/bobc.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/655/1920/320/bobc.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span>81st Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509574830824270735noreply@blogger.com0