Bell Tower Wednesday

When I woke up this morning, I didn't expect to be climbing 66ft above Hamilton City and enjoying 360 degree views.
But by lunchtime, I'd already been up many narrow ladders hauling equipment in a rather unfortunate long skirt.

For the past couple of weeks I've been part of a TV crew filming a property show. My previously mentioned showreel had the desired effect of work experience.
Learning the art of wireless mics and boom operation one week at a time, we have travelled across the region and into nearby Tauranga for location shoots.

Being behind the scenes really simplifies the entire process. How shots, promos and voiceovers are created does seem so complicated after all. I'm loving every moment of it.

Today we arrived at St Peters Anglican Cathedral and set about filming 'cut-away' shots outside and interviewing the Very Reverend and a veteran bellringer/church goer. We talked to them about the history of the church and their latest porch extension.

We were then taken on a climbing tour of the bell tower, which was a rather unique experience. Wish we could have made a behind the scenes documentary.
When researching this church, it turns out it was an influence on Richard O'Brien's castle in 'The Rocky Horror Show'. It certainly has a Gothic feel.

Behind an external blue door, concrete spiral stairs led to the first bellringers chamber. Coloured robes hung from the ceiling, bellringing and church memorabilia hung from the concrete walls and sat on a central wooden table. At the side, two stages of steep narrow wooden ladders ascended the height of the room leading to a ceiling trapdoor.
Little did we know this was beginning of the real climbing.

First we explored, leaving our equipment in the chamber and ascending each level on a set of ladders that twisted and turned through a multitude of openings in each ceiling.
Ropes from the floor to the ceiling decorated the next floor with red carpet mats for floor covering.
Next housed the bells, which was rather narrow in access and the most worrying floor in terms of where you put your feet. The bells were large with several in an upside down position. After a few more small landings and treads later, we were in the clock level.

Seeing four clocks from the inside controlled by mechanisms in a central glass box was particularly stunning. We stationed ourselves here for the first piece to camera and set about passing the equipment through each hatch.
The trapdoor above the clocks led to the roof on a perfect blue day. Hamilton really looks like a city from this view.
After filming our pieces, we made the slow climb backwards down the ladders with equipment in hand. It really was amazing, the sheer levels and workings of the entire tower make me wish I was a bellringer.

If you can tune into TVCentral with a UHF aerial, the show 'Property Works' is shown throughout the week, but its prime slot is Tuesday 7.30pm.
St Peters should be on in a few weeks.

Internal Soundtracks

When mp3 players hit the market, columnists and commentators flooded media outlets with interest pieces.
One article that stuck in my mind referred to how users with personal soundtracks were distancing themselves from normal environments, therefore not experiencing life.
Surely this is the point of mp3 players, its escapism with a mix tape. Walking to work while being at a concert so to speak makes the activity half bearable.

Unfortunately not all situations lend themselves to escapism. Grandma visiting, at lectures and performances isn't the greatest time to put your earphones on. You're there to experience something rather than escape it.
In manufactured environments like supermarkets and retail, they provide a selected soundtrack to encourage customers to linger, so an mp3 player isn't essential.

But it has become a addiction for some, a daily coping mechanism and is the ultimate 'don't talk to me' sign.

Recently I saw a mature retail customer only take out her headphones to deliver an instruction to staff before replacing her headphones.
Maybe she was tired of interacting in general but still it almost devalues a sales assistant, making them a means to the end rather than an actual person.

Life seems to be a continual flow of interaction with others, it reminds me of a row of ants who seem to communicate with every ant coming in their opposite direction. It pains me to say hello to every person on a walking track but it has to be done to remain half polite.

I wonder if headphones are really limiting our experience of the world or are they a necessity to cope with the daily grind of people, situations and activities?

Earth Hour

Last Saturday, Earth Hour was the main topic of conversation in the media. Radio, TV, print and the web had been urging us for weeks to become 'greenies' for an hour and 'vote earth'.

We celebrated with a candlelit birthday cake and coffee but many homes around us kept their lights blazing. Part of me felt like shouting 'turn your lights off' but we live in the city and community unity is on the wane.

The energy conservation message of the event does appeal but the promotion of it, which snowballed into a trendy bandwagon did not.

When I started high school, I joined 'The Environment Club'. We talked about recycling projects and so forth. In Woodwork, I made a tree shaped money box for its symbolism.
It soon became clear though that individuals can be environmentally friendly but the world isn't going to change to save the planet.

We don't recycle, reuse and reduce for the glory or recognition. In a way, the media jumping on the bandwagon by branding 'green as the new black' almost cheapens an independent movement that prides itself on its anti-establishment stance. Where can it go from here?

Soon this green trend will be discarded to make room for the next fad. Those hoping that Earth Hour has made a lasting impression on the population may have to be content with only an annual swell of support generated by the media.

Gamebox 1.0

After collecting ex-DVDs for a couple of months straight, I'm finally getting round to watching some of them.
It is becoming painfully clear that I was slightly misguided in my choices ranging from bad to worse.
Last night, I sat down to watch my first sci-fi action choice and was pleasantly surprised.

'Gamebox 1.0' - action/thriller set in the virtual game world of video games was pretty exciting. Our hero is a 20 something guy, depressed after his girlfriend was shot by a crooked cop. His past makes him a perfect pawn for a game that won't let you quit till you've either won or dead.

High pitched game music and low-budget computer generated sets were quite funny to watch combined with the rather clunky dialogue.

I quite liked it though and it happily chewed away a few hours from my Monday night. Maybe there are some actual bargains in the sale bin!

Parking Spaces

Caterpillars are crawling on the swan plant outside, soon it'll be too cold for them to turn into butterflies. Their life process must be pure instinct as mother isn't hovering about.

Differences with human society are we are taught the 'rules' depending on the teacher from day dot. Out with the cavemen went living on instinct. If we want to be part of society, we are bound by social expectations like manners and process, regulations and signs.

At the cinema, you are given seat numbers, reminded to sit only in that seat and stay there for the movie. It is funny the amount of people who check their tickets and seat numbers and sit in the allocated spot, as if a patrol could check them at any time.

At your own peril we can ignore rules, signs and limits. It must be the fear of the consequence like a parking ticket which motivates the majority to participate.

Parking spaces themselves are an example of rules. We can't park for more than an hour or beyond our paid time, we must park within the lines, no-one can park during clearway times and our registration should be current. All these rules for two lines of white/yellow paint?

But everyone lines up and accepts these conditions, invisibly signing a contract with known consequences. I find it a little disconcerting the amount of times we have to accept conditions in everyday life.

We need rules to be fair for everyone,but these regulations become a burden after a while. I moot the need for a 'no-rules day'. Of course it would be carnage on the streets with no-one obeying road rules, personal space boundaries or authoritive figures, but that is mere detail.

Living in the city sure has its challenges, think I'll take refuge for now in the freedom of non-metered spaces. I like to live dangerously!

Showreel

A challenge was laid down on Monday and I'm determined to go for it.
Design a showreel in 7 days! I was rather perplexed as where to start.

I started thinking back to my design tech days and thought of set design modelling and motion graphics. Retrieving my notebook of random drawings and ideas and confronting google with the question "How to make a Showreel?", I wondered how this would all work out.

Monday night, I began making a soundtrack, on the computer of course as I can't even play chopsticks on the piano successfully.
I must say it sounded upbeat enough. Must figure out a way to add it here.

After emailing a colleague and reading a few books, I realised this showreel is a piece to camera (PTC): filming 'on location' with a suitable script.

I'm not sure why but this gives me a burst of nervous energy- must be all the coffee I've been drinking!

Unfortunately mood music sounds like a definite no-no in the background.

I've finished the script but might need to write two as it is rather short. Roll on the weekend and next week when filming + editing hits full swing!
Then the all important interview over coffee. Maybe I should order fruit juice.

Zine Collage

Identity

After a week of answering someone else's phone and email, I realised that your identity as an individual is slightly meaningless as a reporter.

People are more impressed with the title of your publication than who you are personally. In a smaller community, they hold on to a name but the name is a means to the end when publicity is the game.

I don't mind being a faceless photographer/writer. You are there to talk about the community not you personally.
I'm particularly taken how the title can bring a smile to a person's face or a frown depending on what they want.
They'll clutch on to you and introduce you to everyone in the room.

In the last week as a 'full-time' reporter, community groups spot you from a mile away especially if you are the only one under 65.
They are keen to tell you their life story or are encouraged by others to do so, all in the name of an unsolicited piece of editorial.

At the end of the day, you produce a range of articles and your subject knowledge is greatly increased.

Sparkette slides

Here's a slideshow I made as a Sparkette PR Intern at Spark08 Arts Festival.

Catherdral Cove

It's summer time, what better time than to head to the beach and join the traffic!

Last weekend, we drove up to the secluded Coromandel spot of Cathedral Cove. A couple of hundred tourists had arrived before us, so we tracked up to the car park on foot.

Before starting on the walk down to the beach, we encountered a sign saying 'Do you need water?" indicating a rather long walk ahead and the convenient stall of food and drink nearby.

We set off with our own water along the track. It started off well downhill but was not all plain sailing. The constant up and down nature of the track kept our minds on the task at hand. But slowly but surely, my legs started to hurt.

I was glad when we finally reached the final steep stairs to the beach, but we had to wait for a while for tourists on their way back up the narrow stairs.

The beach and Cathedral Cove were stunning and the weather was pretty fantastic.

We clambered on the rocks and then headed into the sea. My brother was keen to jump off the main rock further out to sea several times as I floated like a starfish.

Found the beach toilets hidden in the trees after a little search.

It was rather like a tree house structure but was really a modern long drop. Once ascending to the top, found 2 toilets, each with large windows looking out to the beach. It was a bit of an eye opener privacy wise to say the least after encountering dark changing rooms most of my life.

Another thing that struck me on the white sand was the brazen attitude of tourists over possessions. They were quite happy to leave their large cameras in plain sight, not worrying about theft. I'd love to be so carefree but have become rather security conscious myself and was very thorough in secreting our bags.

Even if NZ is considered a safe place, I find it scary to leave things to chance. Unfortunately this fear can take you over if you let it, so I have to keep it in check!

After a couple of hours, we were back on the dreaded walk home. I had my wet togs on under my pants so it looked like I had had a rather unfortunate accident. Also as expected the walk certainly ripped my legs off and required frequent stops before I could contemplate walking another 3 metres.

Despite this we checked some of the other curiously named bays such as Gemstone Bay- which ended up being pile of rocks.

1001 Journals

While browsing in the 'How-to-write' section of the local library, I found this great book '1001 Journals Project', chronicling snippets of 1001 journals left in public spaces across the US and ultimately the world.

Each creative entry is pretty inspiring as I love collage and mixed media. Adding an entry before passing it on where instructions written in each book. Looks like that was dutifully done otherwise there wouldn't be this collection of snippets and now exhibitions!

Some of the entries were how they found the book, who they past it on to- fellow backpacker, stranger or where they left it. One participant left it on a mountain thinking another traveller would take it. A year later when they returned it was still there, so they transported it somewhere else.

What a great global community project! It reminds me of Post a Secret, sometimes we can share so much more with strangers then those closest to us.

Horoscopes

We are 7 days into the new year and I have been keenly reading my horoscope. Its all rather addictive after a while but you have to be wary as to whether the 'advice/predictions' are applicable.

I must say I usually take them with a grain of salt, but sometimes they seem so specific that you wonder what will happen the next day.
A couple of years ago, I read that the next day I would get a job offer. I started wondering who could possibly offer me a job and only one name sprung to mind. Fast forward to the next day lunchtime, I check my phone and have one missed call. Its the one person that I thought of ringing me with a message for me to come to an interview!

I didn't get the job but started to ever so slightly start to believe in them and maybe dangerously so put trust in them. This year is supposedly going to boast my career to new heights! Here's hoping.

Credit crunch

Its Christmas time again and there is the usual stressful hysteria amongst shoppers. How can we enjoy shopping leisurely amongst the carol singers, festive decor and the repetitive Christmas songs loop, when our wallets are tight and there is a concrete deadline.

To add to this hysteria, retailers are tempting one and all with their large sales, turning us all into bargain hunters prematurely.

Retailers are the beggars on the street this festive season- desperate for coins and attention. Usually they are the smug old misers, gloating with goods at ridiculously high prices until they can pity us post-Christmas and ply us with their old and damaged stock.

For anyone working in retail with bosses determined to turn a profit in such a competitive market and reduce the shoplifting rate, the number one rule has become customer service.

There are certain stores I chose solely for their lack of customer service. You can browse freely without the constant 'Can I help you Madam?" or thanking me for coming in.
These shops are becoming increasingly thin on the ground.

My friend and I were in Warehouse Stationery and we saw an ex-classmate who ignores us every time we go in there. She actually grunted "hi" to us when we entered the store, which was amazing but also showed the strength of the customer service concept.

I do love the programmed nature of customer service though, due to its sheer predictability.
"Have a nice day" when it is obviously night. "Would you like a bag"- the planet is dying and I'm already dragging 40 bags, but sure what the heck.
Even "Merry Christmas" is completely hollow at this time of year.
Sugar sweet conversation is sometimes hard to take, that means I actually have to think of a response when I am mentally and physically exhausted from shopping.

It feels like a waste of good oxygen, which makes the self-service checkouts appealing. Unfortunately they loudly rap you over the knuckles if you make a mistake. Just because I don't want to put the item in the provided bag, doesn't mean that I don't understand the instruction.

Oh well its only a few more days. Then we can become real bargain hunters, attacking retail junk sales like rapid dogs on boxing day with the money we saved in the pre-Christmas sales.

New Look blog

Scrawling through the multiple blog background sights, I still can't figure out what would make this blog exciting. Each site seems to have plenty of zip files to unzip and transform your blog site into the craziest place on earth.

The process itself feels like a time-waster and frustrating when the programme doesn't compute with your radical new backdrop. Then I question, whether a holly-homemaker type blog with pictures of cats and sunflowers is what I want to say to the world?

I'm rather changeable so like to experiment, but each time the new blog background sets itself up on my page, I ultimately regret it or make a mental note to get rid of it. I seem to have fallen into the black hole of blog designs, each designer keen to have their Wordpress rip-off version downloaded onto Blogger.

The limited Blogger designs do infuriate but I'm sure a professional blog is based on the content and not the wrapping. I'll just change the layout once and a while, after I figure out how to unzip it.

Weebly

Latest obsession: Making my own website.

I'm gradually plastering an identity around the net on a variety of sites, even if they are all under slightly different guises. I may as well unite them in one common place.

So I began trolling for a new free web-based platform. There are plenty about but most are rather pushy about buying something.
I guess it takes the professionalism out when there is some dodgy name attached at the end of your address, all for sake of staying free but I'm rather fond of my own stinginess.

We all yearn for a shred of professionalism and sometimes that falls a little flat. Guess you try and take things in your stride and hope readers/employers can see behind the fake cardboard backdrop and see the effort.

Think I've been listening to the 'girls can do anything speech' and my grandmother's hype a little long but we all need some confidence in life or that is at least what I think.

Anyway to the matter at hand, finding a site, figuring out the content and launch it upon the masses.
Weebly looks easy, especially the design and layout. Now all is left is to decide on a name and run with it.
No link to post here as I'm stuck on my slightly environmental outlook.
Will my little bit of Internet junk add to the information highway? Think I'll just bite the bullet and send it out there.