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Why old vinyl?

 Last year I was in Seattle, Wa. (USA) for a few weeks and caught up with two old friends who took me out to shop for vinyl in Tacoma Wa.We went to a part of town that had several shops specialising in old LPs and 45s. We trawled through the collections of dusty old albums and in one shop, my friend Paul pulled out a copy of Iron Butterfly's classic record Ball. Released in 1969, it followed up the 1968 release of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida but had a different style and sound.  ...

When things go belly-up big time

I should have known things were going belly-up yesterday when we sat in the movie theatre for 30 minutes, waiting out a 'technical' difficulty ...Saturday morning, 1130am session at a small, boutique Auckland cinema, excited about seeing 'Hunt for the WIlderpeople' , there we sat, and sat, and sat ... pictures but no sound. My cinema companion was recovering from a head cold and associated hearing loss and she whispered to me, 'There's no sound. right?'No sound. Silent movie.It's extra...

Starting the day outside in May

I don't often sit outside first thing in the morning in May at my place. It's usually too chilly.With the onset of winter, the sun's daily trajectory lowers and the trees around my property block the warmth and light. Sitting out on the deck first thing can be cold and drippy as condensation patters down from the Clearlite roofing.But this morning, what a treat, sitting down out there with coffee, toast and a cushion, to enjoy the morning scene.  Little Boy cat was already settled in his ch...

That only happens to other people ...

You've heard about it.People will say, 'I did the silliest thing. I was putting something into the back seat, set my mobile phone and keys on top of the car, hopped in, drove off and forgot all about them.' And of course you go, 'Oh goodness, that's awful!' and inside your head, you think, 'That's the dumbest thing - I'd never do that.'I had firewood delivered this week. Whilst stacking it in the garage, I put my red sweatshirt, my cheque book wallet, my phone, and my car keys on top of the othe...

What are the Golden Pliers?

When I tell people I am writing stories about past winners of the Golden Pliers, there is usually a look of 'what's that?' on their faces.Last year I received a phone call from a man who asked if I would write a series of short stories about the past winners of the Golden Pliers. My response was exactly the same. 'What's that?' I asked and he went on to explain that it is a fencing competition.Once again my mind went to swords and people in white outfits prancing about and then I wondered why th...

Local writers tell their life stories ...

This time last Saturday I was getting ready to take a Journal and Life Writing Workshop here at our local library in Whangaparaoa.The room could accommodate up to 20 people and the Workshop was booked out. There was such interest from our local community in telling life story through journal writing that I have the potential to fill two more workshops with those who missed out on last Saturday's programme. If you're interested in attending a workshop, please contact me and I'll keep in...

A little cat waits ...

I saw Little Boy sitting outside this morning, waiting expectantly for something - probably food - and I thought, yes, I know that pose and that expression quite well.That's how I must look when I'm staring into space, sitting quietly, waiting for words to fall out of the air, or from the ceiling, or rise up off the floor.Getting started can be tricky. And there is nothing more daunting than the blank page glaring back at you like a white-out, or the computer screen continually going back t...

Start keeping a journal ... today!

My Journal and Life Writing workshop is fast approaching on 16 April and in preparation, I decided to look back through some of my very early journalling efforts to see how I got started.I was at high school .. it was 6 March 1974 when I took an exercise book, sat down that evening, and began writing.My reason for starting was as follows: "Yesterday I saw Susan writing a diary in her usual open manner, telling everyone what she was writing and how very private it was. Hmm. She was...

In flight beer with students

A colleague and I did some work down south this week and we flew back on Thursday evening from Dunedin.As we were waiting to board, the little lounge started filling up with students from Otago University, heading home to Auckland for the Easter break. Soon my colleague and I began to feel quite old, and that we were in some kind of cruisy, easy-going, sensory-overload-filled lecture room with vibrant chat all around. Students were leaning against walls, sitting in groups on the floor surro...

It's Saturday, so that's Blog Day

Saturday morning in Auckland, New Zealand - and it's the time when I have the time to sit down and do some of my own writing....