More pictures at my Flickr page.
Machu Picchu!
July 31st, 2009Photos of Saqsaywoman
July 18th, 2009It’s pronounced Sexy Woman. Now you know.
David Attenborough on Dave
June 9th, 2009How is it possible a young and reasonably frightened young man could plan a trip to Peru in the same week he purchased a house and his team of aspiring film-makers go national in their quest to win a swag of booty?
The answer is as obvious as the look of permanent startlement that plasters his face whenever he tries to communicate using Spanish: it’s not. But for the first time in recorded memory he has moved into the good parallel dimension. His frantic cries of eeek and eeep echo around the valley are a musical accompaniment to this most fragile of dances.
Hmmmm.
Anyway. Tomorrow I fly to Auckland and then the next day: Peru. Could be a song in that: First we take Auckland, then we take the Incan capital of Cusco. Maybe not.
But the important thing is: I will blog every now and then. To keep you, valued reader of an audience of 3, happy.
Also: If you’re in NZ – watch C4 11pm June 17 for TBALC – New Fish. We’re in the nationals. Woot! And the final that Saturday at 9pm.
House confirmation has been passed and confirmed and everything like that. I have a house! I’ll have a home! This is beyond exciting. I haven’t had a home in years.
I’m astonished (and rather happy) at how wonderfully awesome life is right now.
Right. Off to record first entry in travel diary:
June 9. Christchurch
9.16PM
Eeeeek.
48 Hours
June 5th, 2009PETER JACKSON AND GUILLERMO DEL TORO COLLABORATE ON KIWI FILMS
Press Release
June 4th, 2009
Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro spent valuable time away from The Hobbit to collaborate in selecting three wildcard films for the seventh annual ’V’ Energy 48HOURS Furious Filmmakingcompetition that had 700 filmmaking teams competing for a $100,000 prize pool. From the 700 shorts that screened nationwide, the six City Winners now go on to compete against Jackson’s and Del Toro’s three Wildcard picks on C4 Television.
In an exciting new development (thanks NZONAIR & C4), thirty of the best shorts will screen every week night on C4, starting Monday June 8th and culminating in the Grand Final on June 20th at 9pm.
The first wildcard selected by the duo is by The Downlow Concept with their short IT’S LIKE BEING BACK IN PRIMARY SCHOOL, a tale of floods, feces and mature love. This years Auckland Runner Ups will be hoping history repeats as they look to win their second Grand Championship after previously winning in 2006 for their film BROWN PERIL; THE TIM PORCH STORY.
The second wildcard is Team IdiotVision’s short THE REVENGER. Long time fan favourites, this team returns to form with a hilarious take on home consumer revenge kits.
The final wildcard team Goodfellas were also one of last years Grand Finalists. This year they are back with the nail-biting horror pic FANATICS about a Crusaders supporter from hell.
A judging panel will then decide just who will be crowned Grand Champion for 2009. This years judges include home town heroes Taika Waititi, Cliff Curtis, Karl Urban and twenty international Judges.
Joining the three wildcards are the six city winners listed below.
Natures Baby by Sinistral (Auckland)
A mothers love results in a giant naked dwarf attacking Auckland
Hardwood Floors by Guerilla Monkeys (Hamilton)
A psychedelic tale of parallel worlds and affordable housing
The Amazing World of Sticks by Kaiti Hill (Gisborne, Tairawhiti)
An educational look at crucifixtion
Otack Otack Otack Falls by Killa Walz/Orca (Wellington)
An existential fusion of Shock Corridor and Titticut Follies
New Fish by TBALC (Christchurch)
Inspired and funny musical spin on prison flicks like Short Eyes
Charlotte by Line Men (Dunedin)
Stunning animation about nosy neighbours and secret parcels
TV Series Every Week Night @ 11pm on C4 – June 8 – June 18
Grand Final June 20th, 9pm C4
48HOURS OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Hundreds of teams compete. Hundreds of thousands watch.
WRITE. SHOOT. CUT. SURVIVE.
New Fish
May 29th, 2009Well. How about that. Fourth time lucky.
TBALC win Christchurch regional final of 48 Hours.
We didn’t even have to rig the voting.
Film now gets shown on the final. Which is on C4.
That’s crazy. And awesome.
Unfortunately I will be in Peru for the final. That’s not really much of a bad thing though. I’ll be in Peru!
Things are remarkably awesome.
Unexpected house
May 24th, 2009Turns out I’m getting older. As evidenced by the following:
I have purchased a house. 2 bedroom. Big living areas. Close to the city and Jade Stadium.
Woot.
AND the big trees on the neighbouring property which were causing me to have a few doubts are being cut down in a few weeks. Sunshine. Awesome.
It other, equally exciting news – I tracked down a copy of Tin Planet by Space. It is now playing on volume: Loud.
Extract:
I know you say I’m a crazy mixed-up lunatic.
But that’s okay ‘cos I love you in a crazy way.
The chances are I’m not the boy you fantasized about
But give me a chance, You never know I might brainwash you.
Chances are you’re seeing some other freak tonight
And hope that maybe this time he’s Mister Right.
But if he turns out wrong you know that I’ll be there.
I may be second best, but life is never fair.
But that’s okay ‘cos I love you in a crazy way.
The chances are I’m not the boy you fantasized about
But give me a chance, You never know I might brainwash you.
Chances are you’re seeing some other freak tonight
And hope that maybe this time he’s Mister Right.
But if he turns out wrong you know that I’ll be there.
I may be second best, but life is never fair.
…
April 26th, 2009Crikey.
I’ve put an offer in on a house. Actually I put an offer in on a house yesterday. That came to nothing but didn’t really expect it to and I’m not horribly worried about that. Went to an open home today and it was a nice wee place. So I’ve put another offer in. The vendor has already come back with a counter offer. I am considering this as we speak.
(part of the consideration is playing ‘I’m on a boat’ over and over again)
And so the fatal dance toward responsibility, fiscal control and grown-uppeness has begun.
Eep.
Greeting
March 31st, 2009It’s disturbing how fast time is moving. It’s April tomorrow. Eek. I keep expecting October. Soon I’ll be hitching my pants to my chin and talking about those days when i used to pick garlic before we had the internets.
Which did happen. Once. For a day. It’s hard work picking garlic. Makes you clothes smell too.
Not much of interest and excitement is happening. Counting down to Peru which is interesting and exciting but I suspect it will be a lot more so when I’m over there and engaged in widespread Alpaca hijacking.
Grand Theft Llama would be an awesome game.
Did manage to successfully take Theo and Ben for a trip to the supermarket on Sunday. Ben and I have been to the supermarket together successfully on numerous occasions. But this was the first time we’d taken his progeny. I was keen to try out the ‘I have a baby, baby’ line and I think Ben was keen to try out the ‘oh man Karen needs some rest’.
Turns out movies haven’t completely lead me astray. Several attractive women did come over to us and look at Theo. But also many, many old witches from out cave territory came over to see whether he’d fit in their cauldron. Turns out: no.
Anyway. Here is a photo. Ben is looking more alert. And Theo less so. It’s from when Theo was 24 hours old or something. He has grown since then. Ben – well he’s probably the same size. Just a good deal sleepyier.
I’m on a boat
March 17th, 2009Actually that’s a lie.
But these guys are on a boat.
They see quite excited about it.
Oh how I laughed.
Eep.
February 4th, 2009Airfares: Purchased.
Trek to Maccu PichuL Booked.
Apprehension: Check.
Frustration at downstairs neighbour’s extremely loud x-box: High.
Stress: everyone needs a hobby.
Trouble a’brewin
January 17th, 2009
Best send Lassie.
Addict.
January 3rd, 2009I’ve found a new addiction.
It’s worse than crack.
A few years ago I used to have a stat counter on my blog. This was bad as I’d keep refreshing it and getting all excited when people would visit.
Then I got an application that would let me find out where the people visiting were from.
I was HUGE in Siberia.
I don’t know why. Sometimes it’s best not to know.
Anyway, after hours of constant clicks and reloads I moved to this site where my incompetence in programming is more than obvious. I don’t know how to add the click counters. But that’s a good thing, I think.
The thing is, I’ve moved onto something stronger.
Flickr.
It’s like crack cut with crystal meth, nicotine and methylated spirits. (I don’t actually know what any of that would be like but it certainly sounds addictive).
I’ve just spent the last 3 hours trying to get more people to tell me my photos are amazing and awesome.
I just need one more heart and then I get an award. Well, I cyber award. It’s not something I can put on a mantlepiece or throw at washed up celebrities. But… yeah well it’s important.
Or I need more National Geographic Awards. So that I can pretend I’m with the National Geographic. (Note – in no way affiliated with the National Geographic).
Because my worth is inherent within these photos.
Sigh….
Happy New Year.
Season in review
December 21st, 2008Sometimes I’m reasonable certain that life should have a ‘best of’ episode. Hopefully it does at some point – but that will be dependent on me a) staying friendly and b) dying. But that won’t be for a fantastically long time. So I suppose I’m after a mid-season review.
I was somewhat surprised to find that 2008 has almost finished. I’m still trying to say goodbye to 2007.
If we stick with the somewhat cumbersome concept of evaluating it like a DVD I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a critical success. There was a pivotal moment early on where I nearly left and started a spin-off season in London. But given how the current global economy has… been and gone I tend to think that I came 12 hours away from being laid off 6 months later.
The usual theatrics came and went. 48 hours was a lot of fun. othello was incredible to be a part of. And, I think, both are justifiably awesome projects have been involved in.
Flatted in a place named after a Scottish rugby hero. not many people have done that before. It was good. And highly amusing most of the time (between Todd, Andrew and myself there’s usually been a joke for every occasion – and usually physical joke). We invented box fighting and box jumping as important flatwarming sports. One of the first people to try it out has subsequently attached himself to a pair of rockets and flown. True story. And kinda weird.
Things happened. People got married. Had babies. Changed jobs, flats etc. I largely stayed put and had a good time. ISeeing someone who is awesome and supportive so that’s to be encouraged. Got into Photography.
Decided the reason the year has gone so fast is that I’ve had so much fun.
2009 will be amazing. If for no other reasons than Ben and Karen will have a baby, and I will conquer Peru. But also for more reasons. Many, many more reasons.
Ridiculous Evenings
November 14th, 2008Tomorrow is day off. Hurray. It’s wonderful when Thursday is actually a Friday and Friday becomes a Saturday. And Saturday becomes some kind of siamese-Saturday.
Ben and Andrew are playing Army of Two. I’ve given up – it’s a patently ridiculous and thoroughly unsatisfying game. Karen is watching, slightly shaking her head I think at the fact the father of her soon to be Baby McAwesome Allan is yelling things like ‘Get more aggro!’ ‘No, not in the face!’ and ‘Oh god, why!’
They’ve given up. Now it’s time for co-op Rainbow 6 Vegas 2. Which sounds more like some kind of football score. Not that Rainbow is a town. It’s either a hippy commune or possibly some form of drug induced hallucination. That’d be a pretty awesome football game, if you think about it.
I’m not surewhat people did before computer games. Talked possibly. Interacted. Discussed things that didn’t involve lines like ‘you got the guy on the right, or the left?’. People probably didn’t say ‘I’m going to be Dennis Glover… or a girl’ very often. Which was actually a line I heard a couple of minutes ago.
I’m pretty sure it killed stamp collecting and spyrographs as hobbies.
The whole concept of updating the blog has gone out the window lately. So… recent news includes realising that the top of my head had a differnt skin-hair ratio than the sides of my head. Traditionally it’s called ‘balding’. I prefer to think of it as ‘testosteroning’. Irrespective I’ve gone for the shave. More corporate chic than skinhead fascist I hope. Although amusing comments have included:
‘Ah, Uncle Fester’ (Damn you, Allan)
”Buddah!’
And my personal favourite:
‘Hello, I’m trying to track down a villain from a James Bond movie… oh there you are!’
But I’m not growing a mo for movember this year. Instead I’m supporting the big man in Melbourne as he struggles without chin hair. Props.
Right… sorry – I have to go shoot some terrorists. The future of your… tomorrow may depend on it. Rainbow: 6. Vegas: 2. Dave: ?
12 weeks
October 26th, 2008According to maths, I have now been smoke free for 12 weeks.
That’s 84 days.
And probably around 1k cigarettes haven’t been smoked.
Haven’t even had a puff on the sly.
Celebration demands classic 90s song:
Procrastination blog
October 13th, 2008I know. it’s like I’ve stepped back in time and I’m doing my thesis. Which, fortunately enough, I’m not doing. Cos that’d be crazy.
Speaking of Crazy, Charlie his finished his Phd. And Tim ran a half-marathon. I cheered. After the event which does limit it’s effectiveness. But it was a cheer nonetheless.
Politics: interesting.
Insurance: Work.
Writing: I got award.
This is terrible procrastination. i’m not even sounding like I’ve got anything to procrastinate over. Which I do. But normally when you’re procrastinating you’ve got something more urgent and awesome to do. Like… I don’t know – coffee. Or planning coffee. Or at least thinking about coffee.
Off the smokes for 9 weeks I think now. Sweet.
Photo time:
One death and a funeral (touchwood)
September 24th, 2008My nan died early Monday morning. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It is a bad thing because I miss her. It is a good thing because she had dementia and Alzheimer’s and wasn’t the nan I knew and loved.
She died with my Mum and My Dad in the room. I’m very happy she did not die alone. Apparently it was a very moving and dignified scene. She would have been proud. Mum was moved at its class. I’m very proud of both Nan and Mum.
Funerals are weird things. I’ve given up on those for people who are my age. there are too many of them. But for people who are old enough they can be wonderful celebrations. I’m certainly enjoying this one. Good way to catch up with family I don’t ordinarily see. And it’s a chance to celebrate a life. It’s a pity we only do that when they’re dead.
I went to say goodbye to Nan this morning. She has lost a lot of wait due to her refusal to eat or drink. In effect she starved herself to death. She was sick of her disease. I admire her courage. And while I didn’t recognise her physically, and her body had an overwhelming sense of strength and relaxation – I was convinced it was her. Even though she didn’t look like her… but at the same time it did. Needless to say at that exact point in time the dust from the room entered my eyes and fluid somehow leaked from them.
I bawled like a baby.
She was my Nan. I loved her beyond words. She’s been gone a long time but now I know she’s gone for good.
If I ever get dementia put me out of your misery. (NB – only medical definitions of dementia can be used… I know your tricks, Mr Street).
Look! It’s a blog!
August 13th, 2008I wondered where I’d left this. Turns out it was down the side of the couch with a 50 cent coin and a used tissue.
Well then. Hello!
Things are going. Pretty much sums it up.
Othello was cool. Lots of work and tended to get a bit tired after doing lots of work at work before the lots of work at Othello. Production was awesome. Apparently we made money. Performances were great. Ben crashed the afterparty. Generally held that it is not an afterparty unless Ben wears a box on his head.
Ah. Yes. Also. important. And there will be general rejoicing in some quarters and a fair bit of sniggering sarcastically in corners where they don’t know any better (damn you Pavlov!). But I’ve stopped smoking.
I know.
It’s certainly not easy. And there are times when I do get a little frustrated and want to kill people. But yeah. Non-smoking now. For a number of days. Not that I’m celebrating yet. Wait until it’s three months and then I’ll celebrate. Just not with alcohol cos I’ve had to give that up too (tends to lead toward smoking). And not with coffee (see above) or anything other than salad or my awesome sandwhiches (see above).
It’s the dedavestation of Dave.
Writing lots at the moment. have lots of nervous energy (see above) and angst (see above) which means that I want to keep occupied.
So yeah.
For those of you that want to complain about absence of Blog, suggest you first complain to Ben. Who may fail at blogging, but has not failed at getting his missus pregnant.
Odd
July 4th, 2008The 48 Hour Final has been and gone and I feel a little… whelmed. I don’t think the best film one – and I don’t know what Lens Flare are doing but they seem to get good marks and came in a surprise 2nd.
Could just be jealous. But you know. I’m helping direct Othello so it’s all good.
Anyway – our team was up for an award and the announcer came to say Team TBALC on television (pre-recorded).
Ben turned to me and grinned: How do you think they’ll pronounce this.
Like this – as it turns out: Team Tee Eh Bee EL See.
So it wasn’t really a pronunciation. It was more like a spelling.
We didn’t get the award. But I enjoyed the night.
And now: to bed. Then work. Repeat. *add alcohol and stir*
Awesome
June 30th, 2008I used to watch Skins last year on C4. I deemed it good. Then it finished.
Now it’s back on. This is good for 4 reasons:
1) Good cast.
2) Good script.
3) Harry Enfield
4) Bill Bailey.
Watch it. See Harry Enfield play a straight, grumpy father very well. (I half expected him to tell a dirty joke but it never happened. Instead his wife did and he looked furious). And Bill Bailey! Coming here! Soon.
In other news watch C4 on Thursday night a 8.30pm. We’re in the running for a prize and there is an outside slither of a chance we might be a wildcard. But even if we’re not Scott was used on the ad for the finals and I deem that super.