Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Mint Chicks win everything

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  • Heather Gaye,

    Things I love: it's 5pm, time to head off into the sunshine for booze and fine company.

    I'M DRINKING ASTROLABE 2005 CHARDONNAY RIGHT NOW. I discovered today that the wine store in Ellerslie has a decent supply of that and the Sauv Blanc. Hooray!

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    Ellerslie? Try the Hop and Grape around the corner. It also has cheap single malt and artisanal cachaca.

    It's just about getting warm enough for caipirinhas...

    I have to stay sober until later in the evening and you lot are making me feel awfully jealous. It's well past beer o'clock.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye,

    Yeap, went in there for the beer. They didn't have Astrolabe. Mind you, the spirits section looked pretty happenin'.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Neil Morrison,

    What a difference a week makes. This week I've been able to have sympathy for Bomber, agree with both Chris Trotter and Ron Mark as well as have my opinion of Pita Sharples spiral down.

    I'm not sure which of all that surprises me most.

    But Sharples concerns me most as he should be playing the older and wiser role, calming the hot heads.

    I am genuinely concerned that this will all develop a moment of its own. There appears to be a very strong sense of aggrieved self-righteousness.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    So, on Rehab she sounds less like a liquored-up Fran Drescher, and more like a bee, but still... blegh.

    Oh jeez. I don't think she sounds like either of those things - her vocals are informed by lots of old-school soul and girl-group stuff. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a nasal-sounding singer in pop music, either - look at Ronnie Spector! She had crazy vibrato and was singing directly from her adenoids half the time, and she sounded badass.

    I too am all about Back to Black (heh, I almost called it Back *in* Black there, which would have been a whole 'nother musical argument. Bon Scott forever, man!), and I have no idea what any of the lyrics are. I couldn't care less if they're shitty. I am just so deeply in love with those ultimate-retro soul-pop arrangements. I heard that record and fell in love with it *immediately* because of its 'sound'. (I did pay ten American dollars for a nondescript brick from the old Stax building when I was in Memphis, so that does mean that I'm a little biased on anything soul-related...)

    (I have also realised that I am thoroughly camp, since 'it's good because it's awful' is one of my guiding television-watching philosophies. Flavor of Love Reunion, goddamn right!)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    the aforementioned OTT camp gay men is that they assume they are better/more stylish/more interesting/more whatever than me because they are gay and not a 'breeder'

    Pshaw... you're thinner, younger, better dressed, have a more glam job and infinitely less grey hair. Face it baby, you're fabulous.

    Oh, I also find transvestites making a show out of miming the words to diva disco songs banal and redundant. There, I said it.

    Too bloody right. Went to see La Vie En Rose on Sunday, and let's get real for a moment: Edith Piaf would wipe the floor with every Tranny from here to Oxford Street and back without spilling her drink.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Andrew Paul Wood,

    It wouldn't be hard, NZ drag lacks theatre. All lipsync-ing and no drama.

    Christchurch • Since Jan 2007 • 175 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Pshaw... you're thinner, younger, better dressed, have a more glam job and infinitely less grey hair. Face it baby, you're fabulous.

    On that note, and many others that involve my online humiliation, I'm signing off to indulge in what does it for me on a Friday night. Grappling with strong young men, pinning them to the floor and twisting them until they submit. There's nothing gay about it, OK? It's good clean manly fun.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And on that note - off to cook dinner and contemplate that our friends in the North have a point when they say 'There's nowt so queer as folk.'

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • InternationalObserver,

    Edith Piaf would wipe the floor with every Tranny from here to Oxford Street and back without spilling her drink.

    F@#k! It's gonna be an interesting Halloween if Edith has risen from the dead!
    (Yes, I know you know she's dead. But the thought of a zombiefied Piaf trolling K rd is too delicious)

    Since Jun 2007 • 909 posts Report

  • Chockasunday,

    I'm assuming the Phoenix Foundation albums have already gone, as I'm off to buy mine today ...

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 62 posts Report

  • Margaret,

    Caro's in Parnell should have plenty of Astrolabe ...

    Or there is a website www.astrolabewines.co.nz.

    Wellington • Since Sep 2007 • 15 posts Report

  • Ben Austin,

    I can't bring myself to like Winehouse, but in my defence I've had to read about her antics for the last 4 months from the free newspapers. Sure I could not read them, but they really are everywhere

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report

  • paulalambert,

    Earlier on this thread someone was expressing disappointment about lack of signature on a search warrant. I believe under the new Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill the police will be able to get search warrants electronically, on a mere suspicion or evidence which may remain secret, and which the accused will have to prove wrong at own expense. A very wide net could be cast there too, as seems may have happened with the recent anti-terrorism searches. Clearly a lot of things in godzone are changing way faster than is widely clear to the public.

    chch • Since Dec 2006 • 107 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant,

    paulalambert: From the Coalition of Community Law Centres FAQ on Police powers to stop and search (DOC):

    A search warrant should be addressed to the constable in charge of the search. It will only be valid for one month from the date of issue. The copy of the warrant you get will not be signed. This is in order to protect the identity of the Court official who authorised it.

    (Original emphasis).

    So, the "journalists" reporting that as a "story" clearly weren't doing their homework.

    Police can already get a warrant over the phone in a hurry; being able to get them electronically isn't much of a change. What's important is making sure they need them, and that court officials give them proper scrutiny rather than just being a rubberstamp.

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    That's really interesting I/S. I didn't know that, and it puts the police in a better a light.

    So this means that when the police come with something that purports to be a warrant, you have to let them in, and at best you can try to verify it later? Who knew.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant,

    The FAQ also shows you what a search warrant looks like. But the best thing to do is probably call a lawyer (because they need the money).

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Damian Christie,

    I can't bring myself to like Winehouse, but in my defence I've had to read about her antics for the last 4 months from the free newspapers

    I'm sorry, but when did a musician misbehaving become a bad thing?

    And just to contradict myself totally, so I watched the NZ Music Awards on the telly last night, because I live in Wellington now and so can't attend in person (sigh). Hollie Smith is such an amazing, powerful, passionately soulful singer, so why - just like a number of NZ female performers - does she come across so awfully when she goes up to accept an award? Mumbling and swearing and so on.

    Surely if they can train the All Blacks to say a few words, our singer/songwriters shouldn't be beyond redemption should they?

    I've heard the 'painfully shy' excuse used to justify the same behaviour by Anika Moa, I just find it difficult to accept that such incredible performers can't come across with a little more grace when asked to say a few words. Yeah I know, it's not important compared to the music and all that, but it was really cringe-worthy last night.

    Having said that, Tim Finn handled himself well, as you'd expect, but thanked his Accountant and his Lawyer...

    ...And I don't know whether it was any better in person (Russ?) but as much as I love Crazy?Yes!Dumb?No! as a song, it doesn't seem to translate live at all. In fact, it seemed to really drag...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Yeah I know, it's not important compared to the music and all that, but it was really cringe-worthy last night.

    Perhaps a compulsory 10 hours at toastmasters?

    Or here's a thought, perhaps they could sing their acceptance speech.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • stephen clover,

    **__Back to Black__** (heh, I almost called it Back *in* Black there, which would have been a whole 'nother musical argument. Bon Scott forever, man!)

    Couldn't agree more... but Back in Black is a very credible record, nonetheless.

    wgtn • Since Sep 2007 • 355 posts Report

  • paulalambert,

    I/S thank you for putting the electronic warrants into context. Was I in error about the rest of it too ?

    the police will be able to get search warrants electronically, on a mere suspicion or evidence which may remain secret, and which the accused will have to prove wrong at own expense. A very wide net could be cast there too

    chch • Since Dec 2006 • 107 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Bit late but:

    Labour is actually pretty much hating this

    So WTF don't they do something about it? Like telling the cops: "no, you can't dress up as ninja and invade school buses. Send the local bobby around to knock on Tama's door at a civilised hour and ask to check his guns. That's our decided public policy, and you'll abide by it. Please".

    I sometimes think that NZ has no executive branch of government, just a legislature and an autonomous public service. I'm all for restraint on executive power, but we seem to have gone way out in the other direction.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • M adas,

    Hmmm syndication moment...

    There was a brew I had the misfortune to secure as a sponsorship product in the early naughties, that had (to the best of my recollection) Tequila and Guarana, went by the name of Mez and ... you guessed it... tatsed like vomit..... Didn't stop the crew getting mildly hammered on it on at least one forgettable occasion...

    Since Dec 2006 • 2 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    Rich of Observationz:

    I sometimes think that NZ has no executive branch of government, just a legislature and an autonomous public service.

    Hear hear.

    And in the Muldoon era there was only the Gang of One. I remember the feeling at the time Muldoon sent the army into Bastion Point in a ludicrous display of overkill. The sense was of a weak, scheming and desperate government.

    Just lately I've been having that feeling again.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I sometimes think that NZ has no executive branch of government, just a legislature and an autonomous public service. I'm all for restraint on executive power, but we seem to have gone way out in the other direction.

    But the government can't be seen to interfere with a police operation for what might -- what would -- be seen as political ends. Labour is already baselessly accused of same at every opportunity: if they did so in this case it would be disastrous.

    And fair enough, really. Imagine (purely for purposes of comparison) if a National government tried to pressure the police to abandon an investigation into the Exclusive Brethren.

    Judging by the Herald's story about Clark's briefing before the raids, she did have something to say about the conduct of the operation. But the cops couldn't read their te reo cheat-sheets properly ...

    I think the failure to involve local police officers is going to be revisited. Did they not trust the local cops, or did they want to give the anti-terror squads a run? Or did they actually think they might get shot?

    On the other hand ... I'm getting a bit tired of hearing phrases like "state terror" with respect to last Monday. If the cops could be accused of cheapening the word "terrorism", then so could Hone Harawira.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

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