Back-Blogging

After being AWOL from this blog for several months, I've been confronted by the long list of "untitled posts" still to publish.

Back-blogging is terrible blog etiquette but is incredibly tempting.

The hardest thing is trying to remember what you were thinking about three months ago. Was I consumed by world events, rude drivers, a celebrity reality show or general day-to-day life?

Time to consult the diary! Failing that due to lack of entries, there is only one thing for it - write without a seasonal reference or make it up.

Have I fallen into yet another blog faux-pas? Are blogs real-life?

It is pretty difficult to tell whether blog entries are authentic reality episodes in someone's life. Never assume is a golden rule in Journalism.

But let's be realistic, some entries are so boring they have to be real life. Reality TV is always better scripted. 'The Hills' is a prime example.

Least I have avoided the bad 'I haven't blog for a while, but will soon' -promise of delivery without delivering is shocking. Readers aren't going to hang round while you feel guilty.

Time for some time-travel.

Modern Life

'Sim City' was my favourite computer game back in the day. Creating a virtual city of power stations, hospitals and roads for the Sim population to inhabit.
I would always built the infrastructure but couldn't seem to attract an actual population.

Fast forward to Playstation's 'Sims 2', where the player controls Sims interactions in certain environments. I'd love to play the Playstation version but have settled for the mobile phone version.

Must say it is a pretty addictive way to spend time! Sims need your help to do everything possible but you can only control their lives inside the house.

Monday to Friday, Sims escape to work, but nothing seems to happen out there. They come home hungry, bored and unwashed.
All their interactions and networking happens in the home. Friends or strangers drop by unexpectedly or by invitation, usually after your Sim has bought a Living Room upgrade or Party Room upgrade.

Sims make friends and fall in love almost instantly after talking for only a few minutes. Next thing you know they are moving in together or married then divorced.
Most "friends" are able to get your Sim a new job. From chef to personal trainer to DJ, your Sim doesn't need a qualification to be employed just increase their skill count around the house and the job is theirs.

Keeping up their energy levels, communication, food intake, washing and toilet requirements is one thing, but they also like to have fun.

To rescue them from boredom there are plenty of at-home toys such as a guitar, arcade game machine, TV or stereo.

We do live in a material world but I wonder if this is an accurate depiction of modern life?

Is the home becoming the centre of existence or are we still relying on real-life interactions out in the community or city to balance our lives?

Plot summary

Another movie, another plot.

To save me from watching countless bad movies, I like to limit trash to only 50% of my time, I consult the trusty IMDb site.

If you're lucky there are some super spoilers in the synopsis summaries- basically the entire plot.

Came across the 2007 'I Really Hate My Job' and am hooked by this anonymously written plot summary.

It's half profound if it wasn't so dramatic by likening career paths to a car crash.

'Every day is another day closer to the day I'll never have to do this again.'

"Five women, one restaurant, one night, one birthday, one breakdown. Then the phone rings. A famous actor is coming for dinner.

'I Really Hate My Job' is the story of an evening in a café in London's Soho. As in so many jobs, nothing much happens - except laughter, song, rage, collapse, intrigue, cooking, lying, nudity, conversation, secrets, love, friendship, ageing, hatred, rat-infestation and the arrival of a movie star.

I Really Hate My Job. Who hasn't said it? A career. It's what happens when you lose control of a car on a wet road and it slams into a brick wall. You might assume they're just three waitresses, one cook and one dishwasher but they see themselves as an artist, an actor, a lover, an author and a philosopher."

P.S

"P.S I'm going to the beach on Monday."

Found this line written in an old greeting card sandwiched between used books at tonight's Red Cross Bookfair.

It was a faded, spotted with age Mother's Day card signed 'Love Antony'. Must have been a bookmark displaced from its final resting place.

I wondered what the significance of the post script was, maybe a bach at the beach or old family home?

It made me sad that maybe this was all the communication between mother and son in a year.

Strange to catch glimpses of other people's lives in a greeting card at a bookfair of all places.

After shuffling around tables perusing book spines and walking around others fixed to their spot rather than give way, I stopped by the 'Children/Young Adults' section.

Several years ago, I gave away my large (150) collection of a particular young adults paperback series. I had written my name rather largely in the first page of each book.

I spied some of these titles on this table and couldn't help checking if they were mine. Instead each was printed with 'Corrine Brunt '84' inside.

Wonder if they'll ever resurface? Reminds me of how 'Love in the Time of Cholera' was used in the rather corny movie "Serendipity'.

My final haul from this year's bookfair included paperbacks: 'Valley of the Dolls', 'Once in a House on Fire' and 'Dreams of Leaving', couple of 'Your Home and Garden' magazines and a 'Pretty In Pink' movie soundtrack.

Hopefully will actually get around to reading them rather than becoming my latest decorative dust collectors before the next book fair.

Photo Blog

While drinking coffee last Friday, I caught this shot of the drink fridge with my mobile. The bottle is actually leaning against the glass.
We left the bottle like that, wondering whether it could be saved by the next door opener or if it was past the point of no return.
Next time we went it was gone and the fridge's stock had shrunk considerably.

Lately I've been capturing particularly random shots of life with this camera, only trick is to keep it still enough. I've come across random signs, pacifiers in toilets and daisies so have snapped a shot.

My friend and I already share a film review blog, why not a photo blog?
Its still in the planning stage, e.g. name/design but I can't wait to get it up and running.

In the meantime, I'll illustrate some posts with my random shots!

Alleyways and Tunnels

Change is as good as a rest, so they say.

I feel like I've been revamping my blog for a while, but just starting to see changes.
Behind the scenes, I've been adding more photos to older posts, designing a new header and generally pottering about. I should have been adding new blog posts at the same time, but there is always a price for creativity!

Anyway welcome any new readers I've picked up, thanks for visiting!
My blog is about being a city dweller- things that I've seen and my random experiences. I always find myself in alleyways and tunnels, hence the name.

My new header was shot when exploring an underground World War 2 gun emplacement above Karori in Wellington, N.Z. If I'm without my camera, I try remember the atmosphere and small details, it could end up as a collaged perspective!

I can draw with a ruler, so rely on collage to fill in the details. Any snippets I use I try to disguise their origins with colouring pencils, ink or by photocopying to fade the details.
For my efforts, I have many blunt coloured pencils and several overflowing shoe boxes of cuttings. Photoshop is the icing on the cake as it makes the image cleaner and stronger in contrast.

When I'm not being creative, I write articles, do fact research, bit of retail, blog and study lighting. What a crazy year 2009 has been so far!

Weebly Update

I mentioned Weebly, a free website host a while ago and have been meaning to post an update.
I'd nearly given up on it because it wasn't sitting right but today it finally came together, strange how these things happen.

Wintec's Spark International Arts Festival was on in Hamilton last week so I went to a few talks and events.
I loved working there as a PR intern last year as there was a never-ending buffet of goodies on offer, so to speak.

This year was no different but restricted myself to three events, which is a feat in itself.
I saw Helen Baxter- who writes the MsBehaviour files on The Big Idea website - all about utilising new media tools. Not surprising that her talk was about 'How-to-become-a-new-media-mogul'.
It was great, we know there is a world of possibilities out there, but its still inspiring to hear all about it.

A key point was the creation and maintenance of an online identity. I think the difficulty is keeping that identity cohesive. I've been alternating between citydweller1 and my full name for some time, but I'm trying to pull them together on all these social networking sites.

That's what is quite good about Weebly, you can start to pool your flickr pics, youtube videos and twitter in one place at least. My options are limited on a free account, but its still an actual site not just a blog.

Back to my progress report- still not published but oh so close!

Disco Underworld

The latest issue of Disco Underworld is out! For those of you who haven't checked out this creative online monthly magazine, it is definitely worth a look! Don't blame me if you soon need your monthly fix.

I started writing for Disco in April and have become a regular contributor. The video that I previously posted on this site was an illustration of an idea I had for reader contributions.
We interview people from all world with such unique viewpoints, its great to make an article out of their words.

In the August issue, I wrote about Amanda Ratcliffe, a Hamilton music photographer/album reviewer/radio DJ. It was really fun to do, her photos are fantastic and she loved the article!
She has also promoted it left, right and centre on her Myspace page, which has been an experience in itself! Hope it helps her profile.

Next issue here we come!

Gaslight

Saw 'Gaslight' at the local film club this week finishing off our yearly three film pass.

Reading its synopsis, I was easily hooked by references to atmospheric foggy London street scenes and there were plenty of them.

The basic plot focuses on a traumatised woman who moves back to the house where her aunt was murdered when she was young.

Ingrid Bergman does well in the lead role as she starts seeing and hearing things in the rather sinister house.
Her new husband convinces her she is going crazy and a young Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote) as the overly-confident housekeeper slowly dissolves her confidence. Who can save her now?

Though it was predictable, it built tension till the final scene. Would definitely watch it again.

Flat shopping

Been shopping for a flat to rent via Trademe recently. Not actually moving till there is a proper job offer, but it doesn't hurt to see what is out there.

Started off in selected areas and now roam the country with my mouse in the $250 weekly price range. One photo of the property doesn't really cut it, three or more is my minimum to even click on the ad. Then I can get a better idea of the whole flat.

Photos can be shots of just the outside, carpet, doors or windows, but not the actual room. A picture says a thousand words, if you look closely at the fittings and finishes they indicate the age and condition of the property.

Some don't know how to download big enough photos or how to rotate them! Have to turn 90 degrees to see the flat, I know I'm dedicated.

If they list the address and I'm tempted, I'll look at it virtually on Google Earth and size up the neighbourhood.

Most flats are vacant during their glamorous photo shoot but some are still occupied, giving a hint of the tenants' personality and culture. The more stuff in the shot, the bigger indication that there is little to no storage space.

Some vendors are cunning and have an alluring picture but rather disappointing summary. In the summary, it becomes more obvious that it's either a boarding house or a bedsit, studio or cupboard with toilets available at the local shops.

Unfortunately the majority look so grotty, they would have to pay me to move in! Or the wording of the summary is strange and unsettling.
One I looked at specified a male tenant as there wasn't enough room for excess female items, charming!
Still I'm addicted, the perfect flat is out there- just a matter of finding it.

Big Smoke

After a weekend of education in Auckland, decided to go into the city centre for coffee before driving home.

The bright lights of the 'big little city' haven't lost their appeal and I still enjoy spending time in the music stores, bookshops, art galleries and alternative cinemas when I'm there.

Smith and Caughey department store was in yearly sale mode, so it was teeming with people in every department. Upon entry, saw bored husbands with wives deciding on whether to buy discounted talcum powder from the bargain bins and massive lines for makeovers at cosmetic counters.

Proceeding to the next floor, there were plenty of bargain hunters in the women's section, hurriedly assessing each sale rack. Venturing to the household linens/kitchenware section up on the next level, there were men pushing babies in strollers, couples buying duvets and grandmothers sizing up their next crockery purchase.

Came in on a wandering mission so moved out on to the street in search of a Saturday 5pm coffee without a sale bag. We'd just been talking about how in Auckland you hardly see anyone you know as we crossed the road to the Civic Theatre complex.

Coming across Starks Expresso Cafe and Champagne Bar, we stopped in for a mocha/flat white and stuffed date. Its a cosy fit inside but since all the tables were taken, we stepped out into the roped off street dining section. It was bitterly cold but fine with the sun setting, casting Queen Street in dull shade.

When coffee plus extra came out, it was served by the host of NZ TV show 'The Kitchen Job'. Strange after saying we hardly see anyone, what a small world it is. He wasn't in the best mood, maybe one of his waiters had let him down and he had to serve/help out.

Still it was a nice coffee and treat to end our Saturday before returning home. Next time we are in the CBD we'll be stopping by again.

The Architects (Die Architekten)

Whenever the International Film Festival comes to town, I look forward to a copy of the upcoming schedule. Filled with interesting shots and plots, it takes a while to consume/sample and eventually cut out the memorable snippets.
Sadly it has missed Hamilton this year due to the lack of a suitable venue,so I turn my focus to the local film club.

As soon as I read 'The Architects' was filmed just before the collapse of East Germany, I circled the screening date. The subtitled film follows an idealistic architect eventually crushed by standardisation and streamlining in the communist era.
There were plenty of shots panning over the city and the multiple tower apartment blocks.

'The Architects' are a group of idealistic architects, friends from school designing a proposed community centre of dwellings,shops,restaurants,cinemas and activity areas.
Their schemes were definitely statements. Statements that were nit-picked till they were broken by officials.

Can't remember the last time I saw an architectural movie- I liked all the juxtapositions of life inside and outside buildings. One particular scene was a commuter train rushing by the windows of a one room stark apartment.

One more movie to see on the three ticket pass..we've chosen an oldie 'Gaslight'.

Believe it or not

I'm cynical but it's hard to believe in things these days. There are so many unsubstantiated claims of health, wealth and happiness from the supermarket to the latest self-help book.

I find it difficult to jump on the popular bandwagon, just because it is popular.

I remember having a cold at work and one of my co-workers advising me on suitable vitamin combinations. I told her I don't believe in vitamins.
I love the "I don't believe in...." line, its easier than offering a detailed explanation and stops any persistence dead.

Hype is huge in the marketplace and its easy to follow along/buy or indulge because it is the latest thing.

Hype is the magic bean that turns an average product or person into the greatest invention or talent for a decade.

"With my [insert product name here], I'll be the life and soul of the party."

Drones unite, desperate for social status, respect and admiration?- here is the product to solve your boring, ordinary lives! Shame everyone else also has that top, car or apartment-living lifestyle.

We'll never be ahead in the rat race with everyone following so close behind.

TV personalities are another hype- boosted product.

Soon they are so over-exposed, you can't channel surf without finding 'well-known' celebrities on every possible show or network promotional ad.

We are meant to lap this up and marvel at the talent of this increasingly dull person just because everyone else says so.

New Zealand does have a small population, but there are definitely more than 10 people who have the talent to be on air.

Wish a revolution would take place encouraging sheep to think outside the box rather than the Freedom furniture 'square you live in'.

Fitting Boxes

Recession or not, its time to bite the bullet and hit the shops with a deflated wallet for some desperately needed essentials!

Luckily stores are in permanent sale mode but as a cautious shopper I still like to try before I buy. That's the beauty of ready-to-wear.

I still hate the dreaded fitting room though.
Often a tortured honesty box of questions and reasoning, the environment itself is part of the problem.

Doors or curtains- the ultimate pretense of privacy. Whether its calico, velvet or a solid cubicle door, it never stops pesky and bored sales assistants from trying to entice me out.

Mirrors or lack of them! Once when trying on a salmon dress in an ill-lit tight cubicle, I concluded I could pass for a skinless sausage- pale pink is definitely not my colour. Suffice to say, I didn't buy it.

Without a cubicle mirror, its a complete guess. Another ploy to entice you out of the fitting room to see the result in the large store mirror and involve the sales assistant.
Next shop please!

Hooks can be rare or plentiful.
In Farmers' revamped fitting rooms, there are slogans above hooks as an organisational tool for the flustered shopper. "Definitely", "Maybe" or "Next Time?" are a rather cynical ploy.
I'd like it better if they added a "What was I thinking?" hook. I'd be tempted to put every hanger on it to start with.

Lighting makes a difference to how you look- tired, puffy or annoyed or all three. It also reminds you what kind of shop you're in and the price tag, the brighter big chain store or the low and atmospheric boutique.
A small mercy is the bigger the store chain, the bigger the "honest shopper" sign detailing the maximum of 3 garments in rooms at one time and camera surveillance.

Try before you buy = take it or leave it. At the end of the fitting session you can walk out, put them all on the reject rack or make polite comments to the assistant that it didn't suit. I love ready-made.

I'm not sure though if I'll ever get over feeling like I've tried to get changed in a sleeping bag, just to expand my wardrobe.

List maker

I have to admit I'm a notorious list maker.

1. Write to S,V, A +R
2. Pick up shoes
3. Buy blank CDs
4. Go for run
5.

I love to-do lists and have one for everything conceivable, but on the flip-side don't want my life dictated by them.
I'd go crazy if success was measured by actually completing one, all that pressure to complete 1001 things before I die or turn 30. Day to day life wouldn't be fun anymore.

Continual lists seem to drag out those painfully mundane tasks.

My only respite is the promise that once this is done, then I can do something I really want to do.
All manner of things are conjured up from such a promise, but the lists/day-to-day existence go on forever.

Still there is a great sense of achievement, when you finally cross off that dreaded task which has hanging over your head for days or months.

It's all about organisation and the need to plan, if only that came pre-packaged with a bonus follow-up genre, we could end procrastination!

Mala Noche

We were in a flurry last Tuesday. Takeaways, tap class and then a movie.
The local film club were showing Gus Van Sant's 'Mala Noche'.
Each year, we buy a three pass ticket and randomly choose three films from the entire year's programme.

Shot in black and white, 'Mala Noche'-translated as Bad Night follows Walt, a liquor store attendant and his unrequited love for a Mexican hustler.
Set near Skid Row in Portland, we follow these characters in battered cars, old apartments, immigrant boarding houses and the grimy streets.

The dialogue was sparse and a mixture of Spanish and English. Scenes focused on expressions and the sudden movement of the characters as they ran up stairs, drove cars and sat contemplating.

I started to focus on the framing of the shots and position of items in scenes during the slow periods. Suddenly there would be an explosion of action on scene bringing you back to the plot. Especially liked the hand-written credits over the main actors playing up to the camera.

Looking forward to our next chosen movie, 'The Architects'.

Escape Portal

I've been on a reading frenzy lately. Every spare moment captivated by the printed page as the story twists and turns. Missing my bus stop, tuning out traffic, talking and even the TV- basically the outside world.

When reality gets too gritty, there is nothing like an escape. I've been wondering if its possible to escape reality fully.
Could we live in a detailed daydream, believing our situation is perfect? But then who are we really fooling, others or just ourselves?

In the book 'The Virgin' by Erik Barmack, the main character, Joseph reinvents himself for a reality dating show. Unfortunately he can't quite carry off the new and improved version 'Jeb', but he makes an interesting comment about lying.

"First, you need to believe the lie. And then you need to wish the lie into being, even if the lie is awful and you may want it erased a few seconds later....Liars hide nothing. We don't hedge. We believe what we say."

Lies always seem to unravel (in books and movies at least). Once the mirage is over, what is left. No wonder there are so many distractions out there, you really can take your pick.

Say its Friday night, the DVD store is busy with people browsing- keen to be entertained and waste a couple of hours.

Libraries always seem busy during the weekend. So you start browsing for that interesting book and digest every fictional synopsis. It draws you in, you want to know what happens, you're sold!
Sometimes I find all these mini summaries overwhelming when tired. I realise I don't care about any of the characters, they are all melodramas about someone else's life.

Maybe that's why its easy to cross the line between reality and imagination, it is someone else's drama/problem/situation not your own.

Immersing yourself in their lives for a few moments, a couple of hours or the weekend ends by closing the book,using the remote or just tuning out.
Shame real life doesn't come with its own pause button while we daydream.
It could come in handy.

Exploring Art 2

Exploring Art

I can't seem to keep away from filming. After my last showreel adventure, I'm back looking for new ways to create a quick movie clip.

Somehow I found myself a camera and learnt the basics of editing on the net. All I had to do was obtain the content.
Exploring art around Hamilton is the subject of my latest escapade, but I don't really need a reason!
I'm never content to produce the predictable, what's life without a challenge? My notebook began with a few themes but was narrowed down to: patterns, statues and neons.

Many box drawings later, I had my famous set of lists to get things moving. First I shot stills of statues,posters, signs and billboards.
Then this last weekend I roped in my trusty support crew- my brother to film it. I must say I was nervous before shooting but this being on camera thing is starting to get easier. Once you get over making a fool of yourself, its a piece of cake!

We drove around a lot as he had kindly loaned his car for the experiment. It's even in the background on the opening shot! Maybe it should have a co-starring credit.

It was really fun as we travelled from place to place for the shortest sequence. We started off with a trolley ride and ended with some neon billboard filming. Luckily the rain held off and we finished with a great breakfast.

Next was the editing, cut and pasting clips everywhere. I was concerned it would look homemade but maybe that's what all first projects look like in the beginning.

That previously mentioned computer-made soundtrack appears twice in the very short film and fits well livening up the still shots.
All I have to do now is the file conversion....that could be a mission and a half! Hope to post it here when complete or at least a link if Blogger will oblige.

My brother is keen to film a 'Life on Mars' quick driveway reverse in his car, that might be our next project.

Just say No

After nearly losing my mind to a terrible head cold this week, I decided I need another scarf. So went wool shopping in Spotlight, I have no idea how to knit just cross-stitch so this was a Gran-type project.

After finding the wool and a free pattern, waiting at the counter and then being redirected to another counter, I was ready to go home.
Its easy to become dazed and confused in Spotlight, the lights are bright and there is so much craft on offer, you could easily overdose.

Of course the salesman was having a great chat with the customer in front. As previously mentioned, I'm not that fussed with small talk in a retail environment, its completely pointless. I'm not here to have a warm and fuzzy experience, its a means of completing a transaction.
So he finally serves me and begins with the questions...have you got a VIP card?

I feel like giving him his beans that I don't want a trashy reward card, but just say no.
He follows up quickly with do you want one? No. No to every one of his pointless questions and his explaination of all the benefits.
Who cares, I just want to buy this wool and I don't care if its on sale through the VIP card.
He then asked if I wanted $1,000 dollars. I'm definitely not in a joking mood by now so say no to that too. He said he had been waiting all day for someone to say no, he certainly wasn't respecting me for it!

He finally asks if I want a bag, so I say yes- there are 8 balls of wool! He is clearly shocked and then pulls out the smallest bag in history to stuff them into.
He says I sound like a mother, should I be offended or flattered?

We all have the power to say no, why not exercise that right now and then?

Afternoon in Pictures

Clutch, the no.1 enemy

My brother and I seem to have spells of car transportation work. We service our cars out of town, so every couple of weeks or months we play musical cars. I enjoy driving my brother's car, it has a good stereo and different handling to my own.
All I have to remember is that the wipers and indicators are on the other side, usually I'm all set by the time we get home.

I also kangaroo hop a bit though when starting off, the clutch has never been my friend.

I used to tease my brother that all I would drive would be automatics. This drove him crazy as he is a true manual convert and all the family's cars have been manual.

After learning on a manual, I finally faced an automatic about a year ago. Believe it or not I'd never driven one. I felt like a total dimwit when trying to figure out how to turn it on and how to put it in drive while revving it in neutral and wondering why it didn't work. It was all rather foreign without the clutch.

I must say I loathe the clutch. I'm glad my hometown is rather flat because I feel incredibly nervous when doing a hill start. The thought of stalling is a fate worse than death. Oh the embarrassment, the loss of control, re-starting the engine!

I wish I'd got over this rather irrational fear while learning to drive. As it was it took me three tries to pass my final. Maybe the solution is to drive an automatic but that would giving in too easily for such a small bug bear.
Dare I say it, my mind would turn off in an automatic and my left hand would be empty. I'm well and truly a manual convert and that clutch, love it or hate it is a necessary evil.

At the Showgrounds

Sales are everywhere but can still be appear in rather unexpected places.

My friend and I were driving past the Showgrounds the other day and happened upon a book/cd sale. Of course, we were out of the car in a flash trooping towards the entrance.

Claudelands Showgrounds isn't the most glamorous of locations but it serves its purpose for the many travelling roadshows that appear in town for a day, weekend or a few weeks.
The main exhibition hall was filled with fold-down tables, some with price placards. It was roughly split into DVDs, CDs and books and a variety of people were milling about.
Music played over the speakers and several 'cashiers' in neon vests waited behind the front counter. An odd additional credit card charge was advertised maybe to dissuade the plastic fantastic.

There were popular CDs, wrapped compilation CDs all muddled together, after you had checked out a few aisles it felt like you were seeing the same stock over and over.
Same with the books, mainly fiction paperbacks but some 'how-to' coffee table books on offer.
DVDs were a bit of let down with very obscure and old titles in newer packaging. Several items caught my eye- a paperback I'd read a review for but never found and some CDs.
When purchasing, I asked how long they were here for and he said another 12 days. On the docket, it stated an Australian address.
The life of the travelling roadshow seller, a few weeks in different towns throughout the year. I guess one town looks like another when you're on the road.

Soon they'll be packed up and on their way. Something new will be here next week.

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.