Going night riding for the first time This Wednesday. Should be awesomeful (Keane 2004). Awesome because I'm hitting out with Girl Lightning and a few of her homies and Awful because I'm hitting out with Girl Lightning and a few of her homies. She is stupid fast, they probably will be too. Should be aiight tho..it will BMF (Build Moral Fibre, Tyrell 2002). In fact, It'll be killer..better to ride with those who stretch your limits blah blah. I'm a just gone try not to vomit out of my nose. If I don't do that I'll be a happy man.
Went for a spin each of the past two days, they were mint... Rain has just started, which is good for A)Strangeview Gardens and B) The Trails.
Work tonight. Just heard from Mrs Smith that they've had to book an extra team member to work with Jos and I tonight.
Fuckstains..fuck.fuckitall.doublefuck.
Normally, with two people rostered onto an arvo shift, we will truck through the work of two people plus (okay, three people)That's not hubris or boastful, we work really hard (I'm not here to fuck pigs, boy. Cottingham 2007). With an extra booked, I can only shudder at the volume of work that awaits... Could be worse, there could be snakes.
As further proof that my finger is so far off the pulse it's not funny, I just heard these bad kids Who, as it turns out played here a month back or so. I was blissfully unaware. Reminds me of James D, and is proof that musical genius is thinking really hard about making music appear effortlesly simple. Not easy.
I gotta go to work. Pray for Mojo.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
I Came As A Rat/Legs 1 Brain 0/ Trackpants
Days off are the stuff of joy.
Friday saw my ride being gotten on in the lovely autumal sunshine. The forest was pretty much deserted, dry and cool. As I've said before rain would be nice but hey...Any day riding is a good day, right?
Great ride, Super tired from crazy work though.. Still, felt good, really started to enjoy myself after the first 40mins or so. My mind, wandering as it does, settled on the first video below. Now I don't know about you, but I like watching people riding bikes on great trails NOT railing 40 foot gap jumps and NOT to a soundtrack of "limp-bizkit-invented-hardcore-in-1999" mall punk. I have always loved this band and thinking about this guy actually made me ride better, I don't know how that worked. It was great.
Bone tired at the end, but still pleased with my time around nzo (well comfortable under 2 hours) and far less shitted up in the head.
I got home, spun on the lawn with Thommo and Zach, ran, moonhoppered, chased balls and generally got my inner-three-year-old on. Post same, ate apples,date and orange scones and scopped up the kids to go look for this and hit up the rocket park. One of these duly accomplished ( the park, not the mag). It was home with tired kids for tea and beers and bed.
Today was spent at the park with my rebs, thommo and lola, along with my sister, my brother-in-law and their boy, E-man.
Picnic food was consumed,Trees were climbed, balls were thrown/kicked and much fun was had.. I finally succumbed after four years of living in West Auckland and bought a pair of track pants (sweat pants)!!!! Hell yeah. They warm as all get out and I can feel appropriately derelict sloping into the Veiw Road liqour king with them...Bogan tastic!
Now I'm gonna watch the Blues vs Bulls then clean my bike. The Sunnyvale Heights wives club is convening tonight, so fuck, I dunno. lock up your husbands?
And, because Modest Mouse rule...
Friday saw my ride being gotten on in the lovely autumal sunshine. The forest was pretty much deserted, dry and cool. As I've said before rain would be nice but hey...Any day riding is a good day, right?
Great ride, Super tired from crazy work though.. Still, felt good, really started to enjoy myself after the first 40mins or so. My mind, wandering as it does, settled on the first video below. Now I don't know about you, but I like watching people riding bikes on great trails NOT railing 40 foot gap jumps and NOT to a soundtrack of "limp-bizkit-invented-hardcore-in-1999" mall punk. I have always loved this band and thinking about this guy actually made me ride better, I don't know how that worked. It was great.
Bone tired at the end, but still pleased with my time around nzo (well comfortable under 2 hours) and far less shitted up in the head.
I got home, spun on the lawn with Thommo and Zach, ran, moonhoppered, chased balls and generally got my inner-three-year-old on. Post same, ate apples,date and orange scones and scopped up the kids to go look for this and hit up the rocket park. One of these duly accomplished ( the park, not the mag). It was home with tired kids for tea and beers and bed.
Today was spent at the park with my rebs, thommo and lola, along with my sister, my brother-in-law and their boy, E-man.
Picnic food was consumed,Trees were climbed, balls were thrown/kicked and much fun was had.. I finally succumbed after four years of living in West Auckland and bought a pair of track pants (sweat pants)!!!! Hell yeah. They warm as all get out and I can feel appropriately derelict sloping into the Veiw Road liqour king with them...Bogan tastic!
Now I'm gonna watch the Blues vs Bulls then clean my bike. The Sunnyvale Heights wives club is convening tonight, so fuck, I dunno. lock up your husbands?
And, because Modest Mouse rule...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Nubbin Five!!/Jawbreaker/Hut Hut Hut!
Work duly truly chewed me up and spat me out this week. Good Goddamn.NO time for bikes, blogs or anything else save for brief cuddles with the family, eating and sleeping (little).
One saving grace of the 17 hour days was spending it with my man, Jos. NUBBIN FIVE!!! We motherfucking saved the world yesterday.. (felt like it), however, It's over for two glorious days, the weekend. ah. I'm getting my ride on tomorrow.. Jos, if he believed that blogs weren't an instrument of The DEVIL, would be writing "I'm getting my fish on tomorrow"
my ride being gotten on is thanks to awesome wife. thanks awesome wife. Rode once earlier in the week, an awesome fifty through town and up scenic drive. This was on the Monday morning before work. Starting to itch to ride more than 3 times a week.
Next week I'm going to start my trai.., no, my "riding more" routine in preperation for may. Looking forward to that.
Right now,As for my mental state,after my week of acute mental health, how I'm feeling? I'll refer you to the "Scariest man alive". The eyes, the lurching, the humour. I'm totally there...
(not in a wholly negative sense neither)
Carrying on the theme of "music that used to kill me but I haven't thought about it for years" I'm looking forward to these guys up and coming docomentary and ?? Reunion.(gush)
One saving grace of the 17 hour days was spending it with my man, Jos. NUBBIN FIVE!!! We motherfucking saved the world yesterday.. (felt like it), however, It's over for two glorious days, the weekend. ah. I'm getting my ride on tomorrow.. Jos, if he believed that blogs weren't an instrument of The DEVIL, would be writing "I'm getting my fish on tomorrow"
my ride being gotten on is thanks to awesome wife. thanks awesome wife. Rode once earlier in the week, an awesome fifty through town and up scenic drive. This was on the Monday morning before work. Starting to itch to ride more than 3 times a week.
Next week I'm going to start my trai.., no, my "riding more" routine in preperation for may. Looking forward to that.
Right now,As for my mental state,after my week of acute mental health, how I'm feeling? I'll refer you to the "Scariest man alive". The eyes, the lurching, the humour. I'm totally there...
(not in a wholly negative sense neither)
Carrying on the theme of "music that used to kill me but I haven't thought about it for years" I'm looking forward to these guys up and coming docomentary and ?? Reunion.(gush)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Jebus Lizard/ Easter Treats.
David Yow is the scariest man alive.. True meaning of Easter my ass.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Awesomer-er/Rain Dance/Egregious Pete
Ride this morning was awesome. Blue sky morning, trails swoopy, drifty and dry dry dry. It was a super fun couple of hours but I can't wait for the rain to come, and the trails to pack down a bit (lot). One of these is in order perhaps?
The swoopy awesomeness of the back of the NZO trail was in no doubt augmented by my choice of music, The Dirtbombs, Blood On The Wall, These Guys, and These Old Men.
Being the Neophyte that I am, when I ride I spend my time trying to focus on making each gear shift nicer than the last, graceful pedal strokes, working on my marginal/shonky line choices and looking out of instead of into corners, Keeping my head up and generally doing the right things....
A momentary lack of concentration, coupled with a graunchy gear change on a short steep uphill resulted in a minor oopie doo. Confidence undented I attempted a flying restart, cyclocross style. I pictured it looking like this in my head...
However, rationally, It probably looked something more like this...
Just lucky I was out so early there weren't no one around.
Returning home, I tagged Rebecca out, scooped up Egregious Pete and Snackey Lou from and spent the afternoon buying brake pads, de greaser, and hanging out with the grandparents. So far I have managed to avoid the Easter shop closing panic ( see Christmas shop closing panic) and have just enjoyed the family, the riding and the Nice things
Rebecca meanwhile worked steadily on the preparation for STRANGEVIEW GARDENS (Dropping at a farmer's market near you, winter 08!!) It's looking tight. mmmm home grown veges. mmmmm
Now I feel tired, I feel tired because try as I might, I stayed up late...I could never not stay up late for this guy...
The swoopy awesomeness of the back of the NZO trail was in no doubt augmented by my choice of music, The Dirtbombs, Blood On The Wall, These Guys, and These Old Men.
Being the Neophyte that I am, when I ride I spend my time trying to focus on making each gear shift nicer than the last, graceful pedal strokes, working on my marginal/shonky line choices and looking out of instead of into corners, Keeping my head up and generally doing the right things....
A momentary lack of concentration, coupled with a graunchy gear change on a short steep uphill resulted in a minor oopie doo. Confidence undented I attempted a flying restart, cyclocross style. I pictured it looking like this in my head...
However, rationally, It probably looked something more like this...
Just lucky I was out so early there weren't no one around.
Returning home, I tagged Rebecca out, scooped up Egregious Pete and Snackey Lou from and spent the afternoon buying brake pads, de greaser, and hanging out with the grandparents. So far I have managed to avoid the Easter shop closing panic ( see Christmas shop closing panic) and have just enjoyed the family, the riding and the Nice things
Rebecca meanwhile worked steadily on the preparation for STRANGEVIEW GARDENS (Dropping at a farmer's market near you, winter 08!!) It's looking tight. mmmm home grown veges. mmmmm
Now I feel tired, I feel tired because try as I might, I stayed up late...I could never not stay up late for this guy...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Gainful/Dirts Eve/Mary Susan
I returned to gainful employment today. It was a kick ass day with my man Jos. I'm going for a ride tomorrow morning (early) on dirt (sand). ah yes! I'll be listening to these guys amongst others.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Of Dealing with Annoyance/New Arrivals/The Pilot Overcomes Capitulation/Nice Things
My Deluxe arrived today from Portland OW! My arms are stripier than your arms...
Mean Todd left me a little handwritten note in the packaging, thanking me for my
order. Throughout all my dealings with Mean Todd, he did not ever appear in the slightest bit mean. In fact, he was lovely. This here must be an example of this new thing I've been hearing about
This virtuous sick day thing is getting to me a tad, not the fact that I am looking after Rebecca and the kids, hells no! Rather my tendency to over think things has lead me to believe that my work might be thinking this is some kind of super bluff, my openness and honesty is the type of bare face lie that only the sturdiest of grifters can accomplish.. as I said, I have a tendency to over think things, and this soon faded.
The morning was spent tending to the infirm, listening to Millions Now Living Will Never Die and Thommo's pick.
I then spoke to the Flood engineer. was told "It was my fault, It's not my fault, Sorry, There will never be a hundred year flood anyway, I'm not giving you any of the expenses you incurred (due to my fuck up)".
I took a deep breath, practiced some five senses thinking, and told him we'd be in touch...
On the riding of bikes front, I have booked accommodation in Rotorua for May 25th for me and the family, being a union man for many years, I was able to get some super cheap, who says being a member of the Thinking Fellers Local 136 is a crock?
The registration isn't open yet, but at least having accommodation down there for the race I ain't entered into is a start.
I cast my net wide and enquired if Girl Lightning, Steptoe or Jez wished to join me for a ride on Satdee morning, no joy.
At this juncture of the day, with Thom at daycare, my mother in attendance, the sky blue, the Deluxe on my back and Standards on my 'phones it was time to head out.
My statement of "No hills seem big enough, but I'm sure that will fade" came back to bite me in the ass today, I don't know what it was, tiredness, hot hot sun, bad ju ju, what? I wasn't struggling per se, just wasn't feeling it, not at all..
Just after an hour in I found myself turned DOWN to the right, heading back into Henderson, rather than UP to Waiatarua.. I cursed myself, then began to rationalise, "well, things just didn't mesh today, Just didn't make sense". Maybe I was thinking of the Nice things I had at home All classic signs of capitulation on my part.
Suddenly,at Shaw Road In The Future came on and triggered "The Pilot". He's my resolute alter ego.. I think the sunshine and the boss tunes triggered a dissociative episode whereby I found myself pointing back up the Shaw Road Saddle, a reasonably buff climb, which would take me back into the hills. 20 minutes of climbing and rocking out later, I reached scenic drive again, and I, or rather The Pilot, flipped my steed and rocketed back the way I came, I added Minutes, Kilometers, Meters above Sea Level and happiness. That brief part of the ride made everything better. Joy.
This is better than me talking.
So is this...
Mean Todd left me a little handwritten note in the packaging, thanking me for my
order. Throughout all my dealings with Mean Todd, he did not ever appear in the slightest bit mean. In fact, he was lovely. This here must be an example of this new thing I've been hearing about
This virtuous sick day thing is getting to me a tad, not the fact that I am looking after Rebecca and the kids, hells no! Rather my tendency to over think things has lead me to believe that my work might be thinking this is some kind of super bluff, my openness and honesty is the type of bare face lie that only the sturdiest of grifters can accomplish.. as I said, I have a tendency to over think things, and this soon faded.
The morning was spent tending to the infirm, listening to Millions Now Living Will Never Die and Thommo's pick.
I then spoke to the Flood engineer. was told "It was my fault, It's not my fault, Sorry, There will never be a hundred year flood anyway, I'm not giving you any of the expenses you incurred (due to my fuck up)".
I took a deep breath, practiced some five senses thinking, and told him we'd be in touch...
On the riding of bikes front, I have booked accommodation in Rotorua for May 25th for me and the family, being a union man for many years, I was able to get some super cheap, who says being a member of the Thinking Fellers Local 136 is a crock?
The registration isn't open yet, but at least having accommodation down there for the race I ain't entered into is a start.
I cast my net wide and enquired if Girl Lightning, Steptoe or Jez wished to join me for a ride on Satdee morning, no joy.
At this juncture of the day, with Thom at daycare, my mother in attendance, the sky blue, the Deluxe on my back and Standards on my 'phones it was time to head out.
My statement of "No hills seem big enough, but I'm sure that will fade" came back to bite me in the ass today, I don't know what it was, tiredness, hot hot sun, bad ju ju, what? I wasn't struggling per se, just wasn't feeling it, not at all..
Just after an hour in I found myself turned DOWN to the right, heading back into Henderson, rather than UP to Waiatarua.. I cursed myself, then began to rationalise, "well, things just didn't mesh today, Just didn't make sense". Maybe I was thinking of the Nice things I had at home All classic signs of capitulation on my part.
Suddenly,at Shaw Road In The Future came on and triggered "The Pilot". He's my resolute alter ego.. I think the sunshine and the boss tunes triggered a dissociative episode whereby I found myself pointing back up the Shaw Road Saddle, a reasonably buff climb, which would take me back into the hills. 20 minutes of climbing and rocking out later, I reached scenic drive again, and I, or rather The Pilot, flipped my steed and rocketed back the way I came, I added Minutes, Kilometers, Meters above Sea Level and happiness. That brief part of the ride made everything better. Joy.
This is better than me talking.
So is this...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Now that I have this Embed thing sorted...
This is, I think, the best thing musical I have ever been involved in. Shine! Strength! rule supreme, marrying our shitty song to this gold-ant-bunny-city-anime-giant-octopus-robot-emesis-love story.
Seneca/Playmobil/My Young Einstein is better than your Little Einsteins
Another virtuous sick day in the bag, and Rebecca's tonsils remain ah, inflammed...
So it was into the car with Thom wah and Lola this morning to venture into the inner suburbs to a supermarket where they sell A) beer and B) Organic baby food in many varieties. Having achieved what we needed we arrived home mid morning to a just awake and mildly improved Rebecca.
Thom has recently become enamoured with these little people and I gotta admit that I remain suspicous, for a number of reasons that I won't go into. So, instaed of learning about traditional classical western music, off went the TV and we had a "music appreciation morning" as an adjunct to a hard out playmobil fest.
Coming from a Rationalized Paternalistic Stance I featured the amazing Tortoise ,the epiphany machine that works out of Chicago and drops on Thrill Jockey
We listened to two albums back to back, 1994's Tortiose and 1998's TNT. Now, there's some genius..
Thommo's comment when it came time for lunch "I love the rocketship music". Mission accomplished.
It's right up there with him singing along to The Freed Pig, He's Three. Talk about a Gilette moment!
No ride today, as a distinct lack of available mother and hard out sick sleeping wife renders this unacheivable, nae bother...bring on the weekend.
and now, with a bellicose, querrelous Lola on my lap, about to get some sweet baby veges up in, I'll leave you with this here joint... want your kids to turn out genius??? Tortoise.
So it was into the car with Thom wah and Lola this morning to venture into the inner suburbs to a supermarket where they sell A) beer and B) Organic baby food in many varieties. Having achieved what we needed we arrived home mid morning to a just awake and mildly improved Rebecca.
Thom has recently become enamoured with these little people and I gotta admit that I remain suspicous, for a number of reasons that I won't go into. So, instaed of learning about traditional classical western music, off went the TV and we had a "music appreciation morning" as an adjunct to a hard out playmobil fest.
Coming from a Rationalized Paternalistic Stance I featured the amazing Tortoise ,the epiphany machine that works out of Chicago and drops on Thrill Jockey
We listened to two albums back to back, 1994's Tortiose and 1998's TNT. Now, there's some genius..
Thommo's comment when it came time for lunch "I love the rocketship music". Mission accomplished.
It's right up there with him singing along to The Freed Pig, He's Three. Talk about a Gilette moment!
No ride today, as a distinct lack of available mother and hard out sick sleeping wife renders this unacheivable, nae bother...bring on the weekend.
and now, with a bellicose, querrelous Lola on my lap, about to get some sweet baby veges up in, I'll leave you with this here joint... want your kids to turn out genius??? Tortoise.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Shoot Speed Kill Light/Those Egg Council Creeps got to you too, huh?
There are few things that sting me more than having to use sick days when one is actually sick,
Conversely, having to use sick days when one's partner or family is sick is a strangely fulfilling thing. It says "I care, Look how much I care..I am willing to give up one of these 24 hour furlongs of bliss for thee" "I'm responsible, goddamn it! My family NEED ME". The litany of sorrow follows thus
Rebecca- Tonsils the size of sweet n sour pork balls, however less appetizing. Fever.Being sick not a forte. Tough customer.
Thomas- Ingrown toenail, painful, red. Recovering from cold.
Lola- Teething, booked in for vaccinations today.
Matthew- Ripping good health, practically invincible.
With my family taking precedence over work, I called work and left a message for my Team and my boss with the sincerity, cheerful openness and veracity of the rare person working in mental health who is using a sick day for that which it was intended.
The morning was spent at our ace GP, and then I had to hold Lola (down) while she had three shots in her legs. not pleasant. Not at all. So, family duly inoculated antibiotic'ed, pharmacy visited and young un's fed, it was time to drop a significantly recovered Thommo to daycare.
I was then left with an asleep wife and daughter, a beautiful blue sky day and mid twenties temp. There seemed only one reasonable thing to do....
Having enlisted my Mum to sit with the ladies I headed out for a quick spin. I ventured from my country ranch into the city centre and a four peat up Mt Eden. I must say, it was a grand ride (Creeping "Abuse-Of-Sick-Day guilt notwithstanding), I was chased by a tour bus on my first lap up the Mt and applauded by pensioners in said tour bus at the end of my fourth lap "you made it!". Ruefully high fiving grammy and gramps I headed back, arriving home a shade under two hours and a metric fifty later. Not bad for a fat guy. It wasn't on dirt, that comes with some forward planning, and will be happening this weekend. It was none the less very sweet.
Maybe why I was able to do this ride quicker than ever before was A) I was rested B) It was one of them good days, Bollocks to that I say, I pin it all on this little beauty which was hammering away in the 'phones the whole time. Nasty, awesome, and as belligerent as only a bunch of recovered Scottish heroin addicts could be. The wind beneath my wings.
Home, Cold poweraide and Chocolate paddle pops with Thommo, I had my new favourite things for dinner. These. Never had one before until last week. go figure.
I hope my Haiku wins
and,
Races like THIS are the future. Along with children. Listen to Whitney.
Conversely, having to use sick days when one's partner or family is sick is a strangely fulfilling thing. It says "I care, Look how much I care..I am willing to give up one of these 24 hour furlongs of bliss for thee" "I'm responsible, goddamn it! My family NEED ME". The litany of sorrow follows thus
Rebecca- Tonsils the size of sweet n sour pork balls, however less appetizing. Fever.Being sick not a forte. Tough customer.
Thomas- Ingrown toenail, painful, red. Recovering from cold.
Lola- Teething, booked in for vaccinations today.
Matthew- Ripping good health, practically invincible.
With my family taking precedence over work, I called work and left a message for my Team and my boss with the sincerity, cheerful openness and veracity of the rare person working in mental health who is using a sick day for that which it was intended.
The morning was spent at our ace GP, and then I had to hold Lola (down) while she had three shots in her legs. not pleasant. Not at all. So, family duly inoculated antibiotic'ed, pharmacy visited and young un's fed, it was time to drop a significantly recovered Thommo to daycare.
I was then left with an asleep wife and daughter, a beautiful blue sky day and mid twenties temp. There seemed only one reasonable thing to do....
Having enlisted my Mum to sit with the ladies I headed out for a quick spin. I ventured from my country ranch into the city centre and a four peat up Mt Eden. I must say, it was a grand ride (Creeping "Abuse-Of-Sick-Day guilt notwithstanding), I was chased by a tour bus on my first lap up the Mt and applauded by pensioners in said tour bus at the end of my fourth lap "you made it!". Ruefully high fiving grammy and gramps I headed back, arriving home a shade under two hours and a metric fifty later. Not bad for a fat guy. It wasn't on dirt, that comes with some forward planning, and will be happening this weekend. It was none the less very sweet.
Maybe why I was able to do this ride quicker than ever before was A) I was rested B) It was one of them good days, Bollocks to that I say, I pin it all on this little beauty which was hammering away in the 'phones the whole time. Nasty, awesome, and as belligerent as only a bunch of recovered Scottish heroin addicts could be. The wind beneath my wings.
Home, Cold poweraide and Chocolate paddle pops with Thommo, I had my new favourite things for dinner. These. Never had one before until last week. go figure.
I hope my Haiku wins
and,
Races like THIS are the future. Along with children. Listen to Whitney.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bummer Housing life/Sometimes the sweetest kittens have the sharpest claws
Like any good Japanese surrealist novel this post is split into two disparate parts. ahem.
Bummer Housing Life
Totally slept on the ride today, alarm went off at six sharp, and I found that for once, more sleep would be a genius idea. Sleep is a genius idea for me because;
A) with young children, "A Day Off" don't have the idyllic connotations that it once did, saving one's strength is advised
B) as usual, post big event, with change of seasons, and return to paid employment (and the shift work that this entails) I am fighting a cold. and winning at this stage.
A beautiful morning of coffee drinking, playing, swing pushing, teaching to pedal, scheming/dreaming and general hanging out with Rebecca, Thomas and Lola was had. Just then had a phone call from our man with the plans (for our house). We got some good news with a side of total frustration.
Let's just say, oh, you're an ummm... flood engineer (yeah, that's it!!!)and you're doing calculations on a flood report. best you check yo figures twice!! If you don't and let's say for instance that you make a mistake on the figures, the people you have done this report for may have to say....wait twelve additional weeks for the consent process, have new plans drawn up (to get your house lifted a foot), get a new engineers report and have the property surveyed..... all told this being a huge waste of time (ours, others) and money, which could have been put to better use.. all, as it turns out, for nothing. Because NOTHING NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
I should just be quiet though because actually, I'm a millionaire, don't really need the extra space, work for the hell of it and spend all my salary on these
We'll be in touch. I'll be writing and re writing polite but firm emails in my head when I get rad* on my bike tomorrow
*Read: not rad, sweaty.
SOMETIMES THE SWEETEST KITTENS HAVE THE SHARPEST CLAWS
The first time I experienced the Dirtbombs was via their cover of J.J Barnes "Chains of Love" the first song on their 2001 covers album Ultra glide in Black
That song made (makes) me want to A) Karate Kick everything B) Jump out of the window (in a good way).
I think I got a hold of it on a Q magazine compilation, subsequently stuck it on a mix tape I made for my then girlfriend (now wife) and never gave her the tape, cause that song was so good.
At the time I had just started a secret society with a bunch of other (mostly departed as well) like minded souls. For our first show, which was comprised of all covers I managed to bully them into learning the joint. I thought it was awesome,however was soundly out voted and it never saw the light of day after that show...
Then whilst still in said Secret Society, I was co opted, along with Daniel into this not for profit organisation where our love for the dirtbombs rang mui strong.
The years flew by ( imagine hands on clock spinning, calender pages ripping, any thematic device you wish)
So, in 2006, when I opted out (with much love) out of the non profit organisation (having long parted ways[with much love] with the secret society) I was pretty much completely burnt out on music. I love it, and I guess it loves me.... but we just didn't get along anymore I guess. I forgot about The Dirtbombs, I forgot about a lot of music.
And that state of affairs has continued I guess until now, (Blessedly) I've arrived at the beginning again, snuggling up to music, wanting to hold it's hand, go for walks "See if we can work things out".
I still really cant' listen to the radio and remain blessedly unaware of "What's hot".Unfortunately (or fortunately)going to shows and picking up a bass remains out of the question.. But Karate Kicking and Window Jumping to the Dirtbombs??? HELL YES!!!!!!
RIDING MY BIKE WHILST KARATE KICKING TO THE DIRTBOMBS??? HELL MOTHERFUCKING YES!!!! (and no)
Listening to their back catalogue, giggling like a thirteen year old at the new stuff, and, like in my teenage years, experimenting and re visiting other stuff and more other stuff
It feels good to be in love again.
HII YAAAAH!
Bummer Housing Life
Totally slept on the ride today, alarm went off at six sharp, and I found that for once, more sleep would be a genius idea. Sleep is a genius idea for me because;
A) with young children, "A Day Off" don't have the idyllic connotations that it once did, saving one's strength is advised
B) as usual, post big event, with change of seasons, and return to paid employment (and the shift work that this entails) I am fighting a cold. and winning at this stage.
A beautiful morning of coffee drinking, playing, swing pushing, teaching to pedal, scheming/dreaming and general hanging out with Rebecca, Thomas and Lola was had. Just then had a phone call from our man with the plans (for our house). We got some good news with a side of total frustration.
Let's just say, oh, you're an ummm... flood engineer (yeah, that's it!!!)and you're doing calculations on a flood report. best you check yo figures twice!! If you don't and let's say for instance that you make a mistake on the figures, the people you have done this report for may have to say....wait twelve additional weeks for the consent process, have new plans drawn up (to get your house lifted a foot), get a new engineers report and have the property surveyed..... all told this being a huge waste of time (ours, others) and money, which could have been put to better use.. all, as it turns out, for nothing. Because NOTHING NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
I should just be quiet though because actually, I'm a millionaire, don't really need the extra space, work for the hell of it and spend all my salary on these
We'll be in touch. I'll be writing and re writing polite but firm emails in my head when I get rad* on my bike tomorrow
*Read: not rad, sweaty.
SOMETIMES THE SWEETEST KITTENS HAVE THE SHARPEST CLAWS
The first time I experienced the Dirtbombs was via their cover of J.J Barnes "Chains of Love" the first song on their 2001 covers album Ultra glide in Black
That song made (makes) me want to A) Karate Kick everything B) Jump out of the window (in a good way).
I think I got a hold of it on a Q magazine compilation, subsequently stuck it on a mix tape I made for my then girlfriend (now wife) and never gave her the tape, cause that song was so good.
At the time I had just started a secret society with a bunch of other (mostly departed as well) like minded souls. For our first show, which was comprised of all covers I managed to bully them into learning the joint. I thought it was awesome,however was soundly out voted and it never saw the light of day after that show...
Then whilst still in said Secret Society, I was co opted, along with Daniel into this not for profit organisation where our love for the dirtbombs rang mui strong.
The years flew by ( imagine hands on clock spinning, calender pages ripping, any thematic device you wish)
So, in 2006, when I opted out (with much love) out of the non profit organisation (having long parted ways[with much love] with the secret society) I was pretty much completely burnt out on music. I love it, and I guess it loves me.... but we just didn't get along anymore I guess. I forgot about The Dirtbombs, I forgot about a lot of music.
And that state of affairs has continued I guess until now, (Blessedly) I've arrived at the beginning again, snuggling up to music, wanting to hold it's hand, go for walks "See if we can work things out".
I still really cant' listen to the radio and remain blessedly unaware of "What's hot".Unfortunately (or fortunately)going to shows and picking up a bass remains out of the question.. But Karate Kicking and Window Jumping to the Dirtbombs??? HELL YES!!!!!!
RIDING MY BIKE WHILST KARATE KICKING TO THE DIRTBOMBS??? HELL MOTHERFUCKING YES!!!! (and no)
Listening to their back catalogue, giggling like a thirteen year old at the new stuff, and, like in my teenage years, experimenting and re visiting other stuff and more other stuff
It feels good to be in love again.
HII YAAAAH!
5.27.44
I rode the Colville Connection a week ago for the second time, and was privileged enough to be able to so with Girl Lightning, Steptoe, Jez, Stebby and Mr T.
I have not written a blog regular like for some years and my first attempt thus far has felt clumsy and forced, It will come back to me I am sure, Until then, and after several re edits and deletions here's. a breakdown of the weekend of March 7-9.
March 7
Annual Leave. Clean Bike, Buy Jerky, Kiss Rebecca, Kiss Thomas, Kiss Lola, Put Bike on car, pack things into car, drive to Colville, Drink water, Eat Jerky, Check in, meet studs next door, Argue with self about buying beer, lose (or win) argument with self, buy beer, drink beer in sun with book, feel nice, go and register, come back, eat tea (sorry, Carbo load), pass out secondary to parasympathetic nervous system, await Girl Lightning, Steptoe and Jez's arrival, Meet for first time women from Opotiki, Watch crass movie for short time with them, make excuses, retire to room, read book,pack gear for morning, check gear for morning, think about coming DFL. check gear again, drink water, check gear, practice mindfulness, leave gear, Girl Lightning, Steptoe and Jez arrive, hug, talk, laugh, try to sleep. don't. homesick, miss Rebecca, Miss Thommo, Miss Lola. fuck
March 8
Up at 0600, Knock on Girl Lightning's door as requested, make coffee, knock again on door, interpret bang on wall as some kind of primitive snooze button, go to communal kitchen, meet up with Jez, eat till feel sick, Joke and laugh with GL, Steptoe and Jez about our crazy jobs to the general horror of other kitchen users, steal some Ensure (sorry, Mega Protein Fuel) from Steptoe, Encourage Jez to eat more, Pack Gear, Load bikes, take "BEFORE" photo with GL, Steptoe and Jez, Drive to Colville with Girl Lightning, Listen to XTRMNTR on IPod on headphones on way, GL listens to metal. Get To Colville, Warm up with GL ( A first), eat more, meet up with Steptoe and Jez, Bullshit about times, meet up with Stebby and Mr T.
Briefing. Toilet, Line up, Count down,
GO. Am immediately astounded by GL's pace, resolve that A) I was kidding myself attempting to keep up, and B) next ride we do, she has to tie one leg behind her back, or ride with one shoe, or something, Settle in, Surprisingly, Catch Girl Lightening, banter, Settle in, Spin spin spin, keep girl lightning in sight until big hill, Loose Girl Lightning very quickly on horror of muddy hill, think positive, get feet wet, get blisters on sole of both feet, wonder where Stebby is, get passed by Steptoe 2/3 of way up hill, resolve to dig in a bit, catch steptoe at top, Attempt to scrape mud from cleats, but prevented by cramp, make do by kicking pedals, ride down big hill with Steptoe (you Killed it man, awesome). CRAMP at bottom. fall off bike, try to appear casual whilst lying down.get given crampstop by a gentleman on a lime green Kona hardtail, gratefully accept same, ride with steptoe, feel better, fill packs at fletcher bay, pass gentleman on said Kona, Feel a moment of guilt, Meet Fi, Steptoe's chain falls off during climb out of fletcher's, Steptoe urges me on, ride with Fi for a time, point out spots ("under that tree") where I had a tantrum last year, feel surprisingly good, Fi pulls away, Catch Fi, Ford with Fi, Fi's bell malfunctions, Fi stops to schedule own tantrum, Ride on. Lament lack of back pockets in top, although it does make me feel "disco". Drop One Square Meal, Think about having tantrum, dont. Rode back nine by self, not passed by anyone, passed lots of others, watch goal time tick past, reflect that if course same last year would not have finished, feel better, feel great, dig it in, ride fast ( From Start to Fletcher 3.27. From Fletcher to Finish 2.00), Thoughts start to muddle, begin to relive Harry and His Bucket Episodes, "we have to go back, we have to find Stebby".
Pass same guy in same place as last year, finish, don't cry. want too, win hat, find GL. Marvel at her speed, Commiserate with Mr T. about collarbone and hand. Await Steptoe, hydrate, eat, try to phone Rebecca. Steptoe rolls in (well done that man), Get changed sort of, await Jez, ( Knocked the bastard off) Await Stebby, miss Stebby. See gentleman with cramp stop, shake his hand. Prize giving. We all fail to win, drink beer, have headache, go back to tidewater, eat rice, eat pasta,drink poweraide, neurophin, feel better, say goodbyes, drive home. get home. feel "like I have been pushed down a flight of stairs into a paddling pool of lactic acid". Hug rebecca, kiss rebecca, shower, food, bed. Lay awake twitchy and grinny.
March 9
Turn 31. eat bacon with parents, hang with Katie and E man, remain twitchy and grinny, hang with Rebs Thommo and Lola, Clean bike (It's EVERYWHERE) Lament amount of nooks and cranny on a full sus. Eat Burger Fuel (yuss!!) resolve to go for ride next day. plan other events for year in head. remain twitchy and grinny. Feel bike riding love for above riders. Resolve to win Lotto and take everyone to Belguim for Gin, Trombones and Cyclocross racing.
Since this weekend, I've enjoyed some sexy fun times at woodhill, and climbing up and down Scenic Drive ( No hill seems big enough at the mo, sure that will fade), Enjoyed some unsexy time at work, my four days of which passed in a blur of Methamphetamine, self harm, Emergency department assessments and women whose husbands had left them for other women. sigh. Began planning my Winter riding ( Can't bring myself to say the T word). Rode scenic drive again today, and will do tomorrow. Listened to The Dirtbombs and Black Mountain.
Pooled pocco and birthday money, and bought one of these. from here. Felt some relief that the Hardman wasn't on... Start thinking about the Whaka in October. check gear...
I have not written a blog regular like for some years and my first attempt thus far has felt clumsy and forced, It will come back to me I am sure, Until then, and after several re edits and deletions here's. a breakdown of the weekend of March 7-9.
March 7
Annual Leave. Clean Bike, Buy Jerky, Kiss Rebecca, Kiss Thomas, Kiss Lola, Put Bike on car, pack things into car, drive to Colville, Drink water, Eat Jerky, Check in, meet studs next door, Argue with self about buying beer, lose (or win) argument with self, buy beer, drink beer in sun with book, feel nice, go and register, come back, eat tea (sorry, Carbo load), pass out secondary to parasympathetic nervous system, await Girl Lightning, Steptoe and Jez's arrival, Meet for first time women from Opotiki, Watch crass movie for short time with them, make excuses, retire to room, read book,pack gear for morning, check gear for morning, think about coming DFL. check gear again, drink water, check gear, practice mindfulness, leave gear, Girl Lightning, Steptoe and Jez arrive, hug, talk, laugh, try to sleep. don't. homesick, miss Rebecca, Miss Thommo, Miss Lola. fuck
March 8
Up at 0600, Knock on Girl Lightning's door as requested, make coffee, knock again on door, interpret bang on wall as some kind of primitive snooze button, go to communal kitchen, meet up with Jez, eat till feel sick, Joke and laugh with GL, Steptoe and Jez about our crazy jobs to the general horror of other kitchen users, steal some Ensure (sorry, Mega Protein Fuel) from Steptoe, Encourage Jez to eat more, Pack Gear, Load bikes, take "BEFORE" photo with GL, Steptoe and Jez, Drive to Colville with Girl Lightning, Listen to XTRMNTR on IPod on headphones on way, GL listens to metal. Get To Colville, Warm up with GL ( A first), eat more, meet up with Steptoe and Jez, Bullshit about times, meet up with Stebby and Mr T.
Briefing. Toilet, Line up, Count down,
GO. Am immediately astounded by GL's pace, resolve that A) I was kidding myself attempting to keep up, and B) next ride we do, she has to tie one leg behind her back, or ride with one shoe, or something, Settle in, Surprisingly, Catch Girl Lightening, banter, Settle in, Spin spin spin, keep girl lightning in sight until big hill, Loose Girl Lightning very quickly on horror of muddy hill, think positive, get feet wet, get blisters on sole of both feet, wonder where Stebby is, get passed by Steptoe 2/3 of way up hill, resolve to dig in a bit, catch steptoe at top, Attempt to scrape mud from cleats, but prevented by cramp, make do by kicking pedals, ride down big hill with Steptoe (you Killed it man, awesome). CRAMP at bottom. fall off bike, try to appear casual whilst lying down.get given crampstop by a gentleman on a lime green Kona hardtail, gratefully accept same, ride with steptoe, feel better, fill packs at fletcher bay, pass gentleman on said Kona, Feel a moment of guilt, Meet Fi, Steptoe's chain falls off during climb out of fletcher's, Steptoe urges me on, ride with Fi for a time, point out spots ("under that tree") where I had a tantrum last year, feel surprisingly good, Fi pulls away, Catch Fi, Ford with Fi, Fi's bell malfunctions, Fi stops to schedule own tantrum, Ride on. Lament lack of back pockets in top, although it does make me feel "disco". Drop One Square Meal, Think about having tantrum, dont. Rode back nine by self, not passed by anyone, passed lots of others, watch goal time tick past, reflect that if course same last year would not have finished, feel better, feel great, dig it in, ride fast ( From Start to Fletcher 3.27. From Fletcher to Finish 2.00), Thoughts start to muddle, begin to relive Harry and His Bucket Episodes, "we have to go back, we have to find Stebby".
Pass same guy in same place as last year, finish, don't cry. want too, win hat, find GL. Marvel at her speed, Commiserate with Mr T. about collarbone and hand. Await Steptoe, hydrate, eat, try to phone Rebecca. Steptoe rolls in (well done that man), Get changed sort of, await Jez, ( Knocked the bastard off) Await Stebby, miss Stebby. See gentleman with cramp stop, shake his hand. Prize giving. We all fail to win, drink beer, have headache, go back to tidewater, eat rice, eat pasta,drink poweraide, neurophin, feel better, say goodbyes, drive home. get home. feel "like I have been pushed down a flight of stairs into a paddling pool of lactic acid". Hug rebecca, kiss rebecca, shower, food, bed. Lay awake twitchy and grinny.
March 9
Turn 31. eat bacon with parents, hang with Katie and E man, remain twitchy and grinny, hang with Rebs Thommo and Lola, Clean bike (It's EVERYWHERE) Lament amount of nooks and cranny on a full sus. Eat Burger Fuel (yuss!!) resolve to go for ride next day. plan other events for year in head. remain twitchy and grinny. Feel bike riding love for above riders. Resolve to win Lotto and take everyone to Belguim for Gin, Trombones and Cyclocross racing.
Since this weekend, I've enjoyed some sexy fun times at woodhill, and climbing up and down Scenic Drive ( No hill seems big enough at the mo, sure that will fade), Enjoyed some unsexy time at work, my four days of which passed in a blur of Methamphetamine, self harm, Emergency department assessments and women whose husbands had left them for other women. sigh. Began planning my Winter riding ( Can't bring myself to say the T word). Rode scenic drive again today, and will do tomorrow. Listened to The Dirtbombs and Black Mountain.
Pooled pocco and birthday money, and bought one of these. from here. Felt some relief that the Hardman wasn't on... Start thinking about the Whaka in October. check gear...
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