Posts by Rob Stowell
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Like most genre music generalisations, 'The Dunedin Sound' wasn't unified or all that useful. It was about an ethos and a vibrant music scene that encouraged diversity.
I thought the term came from FN's Dunedin Double EP. The bands- The Chills, The Verlaines, Sneaky Feelings and The Stones- all sound pretty distinct.
But a damn good record! -
Ian has quite the eye for old books
Not doubting that for moment :)
I always felt customers at Smiths operated like gold prospectors- sifting through and extracting the best bits, leaving a steadily increasing proportion of tailings.
So plenty of dross.
But whenever you looked hard (as opposed to popping in for something specific) there'd be a swag of dusty books you hadn't previously realised you were very curious to read. -
Were you the 'dross-filter' (as well as the biblio-transporter) Ian?
There was a swag of history in that shop. And many a pleasant afternoon on the third floor, deciding if I wanted to buy something (for a pittance) by reading it first :) -
Dear lord, deliver us from gung-ho management types.
I'm putting this on my wall. If only I could embroider :)
National's thinking around productivity gains and higher wages appears to be that the wages will follow gains in productivity. I suspect it's round the other way. Higher wages force employers and managers to manage workers' time efficiently. And higher wages make it more attractive- or imperative- to invest in ways of improving worker productivity. The weakness of NZ unions and the general thrust of 'employment contracts' and a pool of low-wage labour works directly against increased productivity. The cart can't pull the horse.
I'm sure there are great managers and business owners out there. But NZ doesn't seem over-endowed with them. Considering we consistently rate as one of the best places on the planet to do business, business itself looks like the weak link in our low-wage/low-productivity economy. (Farming generally, and importantly, excepted.)
Maybe it's time for the business community to be "restructured" :) -
Just goes to show. I'm the biggest pessimist out ...
Forget about the lambs' shanks. (I was up at 12 and 4 feeding a lamb, dammit)
It's time for a Pessimism Show-Down! :) (I don't think the lamb is gonna make it) -
National won the 1993 election by one seat
against a Labour Party led by mad-as-a-masturbating-monkey Mike Moore - a Labour Party still very closely associated with exactly the same economic policies Ruth Richardson had been busy implementing (against the inclinations of much of her own cabinet, including Bolger, who promptly tossed her).
It wasn't a great time to be on the left in NZ. -
Thanks to Emma et al- this is a very affirming discussion.
WRT males: I can't report anything like the chronic illness you describe- my experiences have been relatively mild, and manageable.
But yes: after being told I'd had glandular fever (I didn't ever notice it in itself) I started to get some symptoms: heaviness in the legs after a very short uphill walk; some night sweating; waking with a headache after 'over-doing it'- which might be stress, staying up late, or even very mild drinking.
It's quite manageable, mostly. But on those days- headache, lassitude heaviness in the muscles- it's very hard to 'get going'.
So all the advice and coping mechanisms people describe are fascinating and very welcome. I've never talked to a doctor about it- it IS hard to get others to sympathise. I think I've recognised it in others- close family- but it's hard to explain, or get them to take it seriously, too.
So thanks, everyone- for the knowledge and kindness. Both priceless. -
There's always been the gripe from down south that stories are cut and sent up to Auckland, then slowly shuffled down, and finally out of, the bulletin.
This gets everyone grumpy- and has led to some people not being willing to particiapte. Why interupt your schedule for a TV interview when the last two never made it to air?
Be good to think more stories- and some longer cuts of backgrounders and breaking news than the 90 second rule for 6 o'clock allows- will make the website.
But... no points for originality. TV3 have been doing this for years (remember the uncut footage of the 'terror' raid in The Terrace- up very soon after it happened?) And they've had journos and camerapeople editing on laptops for at least as long. -
Arroooooooo! (mournful howling)
Farewell Tuli.
I loved The Fugs. Their version of "Howl" on The Virgin Fugs was an anthem in our student flat one year.... Even when they were terrible, they were so bad they were good.
Still. Jumped off Brooklyn Bridge and a legendary hipster and made it to 86. Respect! -
Heh.
Still, great title and a great poem, thanks Cecilia.
And more thanks Jolisa for the tip re the Eurovision Song Quest. Deep mirth, in a sort of ouch! more please! way.
Sadly not online- but Woody still has some of that zing.