Posts by Mark Easterbrook
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I don't really have anything to add to the conversation on this other than to say thank you Russell, again, for your contribution to a better understanding of ASD.
I understand your frustration at having to write this post. But as I've communicated to you elsewhere, wrapping my head around my own son's diagnosis has been made that little bit easier thanks to what you share here.
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My first proper gig and first proper international were one and the same: The Red Hot Chilli Peppers at the Mt Smart Supertop in 1992, aged 17, when they were touring Blood Sugar Sex Magik. My mate’s dad was head of security and got us in for free. We thought we were 10 feet tall when we arrived there from Whangarei, walked through the waiting crowds, got to say “I’m on the list”, then were first punters into the Supertop.
MC OJ and the Rhythm Slave were first support act, and got a fairly hostile reception from a fairly aggro crowd, followed by Head Like A Hole at the height of their naked phase.
At one point the promoter came out and abused the crowd for their behaviour and threatened to stop the show, which just made it worse. In the end it took Hans Hoeflich, (bFM Breakfast host at the time I think), wearing Doc Martens, floral dress, pigtails and a goatee, to calm the crowd in one of the most masterful bits of crowd control I’ve ever seen. I believe at one point everyone actually sat down, cross-legged, and folded their arms. That, or memory is playing tricks on me.
We’d been promised a chance to get backstage with security after the show, but by the time RHCP had blown the roof off the tent and shot actual fire out of their helmets, the crowd was close to rioting and security had their hands full clearing the place.
Then we got lost in Penrose, then the CBD, trying to find Ranui. Good times.
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Hard News: Moving right along?, in reply to nzlemming,
Surely being snubbed by Cameron Brewer is something most sensible folk would aspire to?
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Hard News: Moving right along?, in reply to Craig Young,
Speaking of which...have I missed it, or has McCoskrie stayed completely silent on this one? Or have the media finally stopped recycling his every press release as if it were important comment?
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Hard News: Moving right along?, in reply to Russell Brown,
The scope of the review has been announced.
Wow. There's some serious mouth-frothing going on in the comments thread under that NBR story.
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The drug story is awful.
The second story...well. I have a creek, and a 4 year old on the spectrum. One is drawn to the other like a magnet. He likes throwing rocks in it, or paddling across it and climbing up the bank on the other side.
Onto the back lawn of the local community constable.
Good thing we're not over the Shore...
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Well done Russell, and well done everyone who helps make PA what it is. There is a richness to this wee corner of the internet that I'd hate to live without.
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Hard News: Leaf and Tips, in reply to Kumara Republic,
And what would Greg O’Connor et al say about Law Enforcement Against Prohibition?
That they’ve got a brilliant street address?
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We took our 8 year old son, and while festival-as-parents was a very different experience (should one let one's 8 year old watch burlesque?), the way Splore is set up and run made it safe, fun and an awesome family experience.
Highlights for me were the wristband currency system, the excellent variety of food, the bars which allowed children in as long as they were with their parents, and most of all the spontaneous art and performance - we were treated to an amazing impromptu dance performance on the beach on Saturday.
Good times, long may it continue.
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Hard News: Last Words, in reply to Russell Brown,
Stil, can’t complain about the MP I have. David Shearer, who should canter home in Mt Albert, strikes me as one of the most genuine people I’ve met in politics. He’s hardworking, humble and intelligent.
I had a quick chat with him outside Pak N'Save the other day and that's exactly how I felt too. He seemed to be feeling just a little bit awkward about having to do the handshaking/babykissing stuff, which I think says good things about a politician.