Posts by Mike Hollywood

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  • Hard News: About Arie,

    I realise I’m probably just stating the bleedin’ obvious here, and I’m certainly no expert on this stuff, but it seems to me that Labour’s biggest problem is that its next leader hasn’t been elected to Parliament yet. Any leadership change prior to the election, perhaps even immediately after it, will surely only be an interim measure, and the post-Clark period of transition looks likely to last at least one more term unless something extraordinary happens.
    Let’s face it, it is going to take a monumental cock-up of unprecedented proportions for National to lose this year ... just imo. Yep, full of the joys of Friday, me.
    (A bit gutted, as a Wellingtonian (does Raumati count?) to have missed last night’s event ... maybe next time when I’ve exchanged my lurker ‘L’ plate for a full participant’s licence.)

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: About Arie,

    On the one hand, we need our cops to be compassionate and human. We need them to be calm, sensible, and understanding.
    On the other hand, they’re frequently tasked with coping with the type of situation (and/or people) that no compassionate, calm, sensible human being is ever fully equipped to deal with.
    They could go from being the soft-hearted friendly individual returning a lost infant to relieved parents one minute, to being the potential victim of a no-holds-barred assault by a machete swinging madman the next.
    Or from the warm environs of a loving home one minute, to attending an horrific motor accident within minutes of arriving at “work”.
    I’m not saying that assaulting a suspect or an offender is ever justified, but how do we train/recruit the right people to cope with so many variables and extremes?

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: It's a Wonderful Thing,

    I call them chippies as well. When I lived in Scotland I always got a strange look when I asked for a bag of chippies, before eventually realising that they were in fact called "crisps" ... and then on the one occasion I did order "chips" (chups) to go with my fish you can imagine the state of my best wtf face when the young woman behind the counter asked if I'd like a "poke" with the order... a poke, as it turns out, was something I carry my chups in. That said, had I said no, I'm really not sure what the alternative would have been. Language and fast food - a minefield.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: It's a Wonderful Thing,

    Thoroughly enjoyable show Damian and I look forward to future episodes. I was genuinely gobsmacked by the footage of WW 'piggy song' ... like Robyn says, a real WTF! moment.
    But it was the little nostalgia inducing things that made the programme work for me - just the small stuff like the queue at the school shop in 1976, and recalling my own sense of excitement on that one day a week when I was allowed to buy a pie and donut for lunch. Providing I hadn't spent Mum's hard-earned $1.50 on sweets before I even made it to school.
    Mmmm, I'm thinking long black and sausage roll for morning tea ...

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: Say When,

    I'm thinking you should have left it where it was Pat ... that first hole was pretty deep.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: Oh, Cock!,

    Edmund: Secondly, Percy will join me in here for the gourmet turnip eating. Is the Turnip Surprise ready?
    [Baldrick and Percy begin giggling.]
    Baldrick: Yes, it is, My Lord.
    Edmund: Then what is so funny?
    Percy: Well, My Lord, while Baldrick and I were preparing the Turnip Surprise, we had a surprise -- we came across a turnip that was exactly the same shape...as a thingy!
    [Percy and Baldrick laugh.]
    Edmund: [not amused] ...a thingy...
    Baldrick: ...a great big thingy! It was terrific.
    Edmund: Size is no guarantee of quality, Baldrick. Most horses are very well endowed, but that does not necessarily make them sensitive lovers. I trust you have removed this hilarious item...?
    Baldrick: Oh, yes, yes, My Lord.
    Edmund: Good, because there's nothing more likely to stop an inheritance than a thingy-shaped turnip.
    Percy: Absolutely, Edmund. ...but it was jolly funny! [laughs more]
    Edmund: Yes, yes, yes...
    Baldrick: I found it particularly ironic, My Lord, because I've got ... a thingy that's shaped like a turnip!
    Edmund: Yes, all right...
    Baldrick: I'm quite [?] at parties...
    Edmund: [not interested] are you...
    Baldrick: Yeah -- I hide in the vegetable rack and frighten the children.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: At Last, David Haywood's 2010…,

    Laurie Anderson - I saw her live in 86 and to this day it remains a treasured memory. It was probably the first time I'd ever been to a 'multimedia' gig. Slides, words, spooky instruments, and sheer genius. Big Science is a massively underated piece of work. I love her latest stuff as well. She always manages to say so much with so few words. And with so much humour.

    Here's some Lauriespeak worth bearing in mind if you're heading out for a few quiets later on tonight ...

    You're walking. And you don't always realize it,
    but you're always falling.
    With each step you fall forward slightly.
    And then catch yourself from falling.
    Over and over, you're falling.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: TV: Fit and well?,

    Not having had the chance to scout around for this book yet, I’m now wondering – in the wake of comparisons with Stranded In Paradise – whether or not this is a large(ish) coffee-table (sized) book, like Stranded, or whether it is something I can slip into my bag for commute reading (small average novel size)?
    I absolutely love Stranded In Paradise, and have owned several copies over the years, but it never really occurred to me before that it picks things up relatively late in the piece (40s-50s). There must have been an incredible amount of research involved in this latest effort.
    Isn’t it about time Graham Reid gave us his own version of events?!
    While I’m here, on this thread ... another question ... ‘Popscore’ magazine (from late 70s) – was this a NZ-based publication? ... I’m too young to recall details but I do remember buying it regularly.
    I also remember picking up what I’m fairly certain was the first ever issue of Rip It Up, for free iirc, on a Friday night in town with my mates, going to a local coffee bar, excitedly showing off my freshly acquired freebie newsprint mag/paper, when one of the so-called mates promptly grabbed it and ripped it up before I could read it. Odd how that has stayed with me some 30-odd years later ... I’m nearly over it.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: Choons,

    and of course the 3x sold out Paul Weller gigs at the Powerstation come month end. Not being overly familiar with Auckland venues, I'm relieved to read your positive thoughts on that particular venue Damian. I was at the Logan Campbell for The Specials last year and while the band itself blew me away, the venue wasn't so great. Looking forward to Weller.

    Just on the Hook/Joy Division thing - at least Hook's voice will suit the JD songs. Anyone familiar with New Order's first post-JD album 'Movement' will know how similar Hook's baritone sounds to that of Ian Curtis (Hook sung a few tracks on that release before Sumner took over NO's vocals on later albums). That'll be a decent gig.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: Everybody Needs Good Neighbours,

    @ Steve Barnes – or option z) had long refused local growers access to his property and eventually suffered the consequences. Taking that a step further, he may have made the obvious counter threat at some point and eventually paid the price for having too much info.

    That’s the first thing that occurred to me when reports of vandalism and other mayhem (over the course of time) started to come out.

    Since May 2009 • 51 posts Report Reply

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