Last night was 80s night in Auckland.
Spandau Ballet and Tears for Fears at Vector Arena.
Harlem Gospel Choir Michael Jackson Tribute at Auckland Town Hall.
And Vampire Weekend bringing back the spirit of Punk Pop (channelling Talking Heads circa 1977-8) at Bruce Mason Theatre, Takapuna.
A packed theatre was treated first of all to the very promising sounds (including imaginative drumming!) from Dunedin Band Knives at Noon.
But we were all there for the melodic, crisp, energetic and original music of Vampire Weekend.
The detailed, refined orchestrations of their first two albums morphed into a more stripped-down and powerful expression from the fulsome foursome, Ezra Koenig a young man's David Byrne with quirky, droll and engaging intros ("this song lasts less than 2 minutes"), varied vocal delivery and sharp, impressive guitar playing, multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij effortlessly sequencing and filling all the melodic lines, gangly giant Christopher Thompson squeezing a multitude of rhythmic styles from his drumkit and bassist Chris Baio hopping/dancing/bouncing around the stage like a one-man Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
They held the audience in the palm of their hands, encouraging singalongs to some of the most bizarre lyrics you could possibly string together ("Blake's Got a New Face", "Gotta Get Out of Cape Cod Tonight").
Out of the 3 massive gigs on offer last night, I'm sure I made the right choice!
Vampire Weekend leapt to number one in the American Charts with their second album, Contra.
Whether or not their music provides them with a source of constant, continuing commercial success remains to be seen.
I have no doubt that they will continue to refresh and inspire the ears of today for some time.
10/10.
But the sound mixing for Knives at Noon was rubbish.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Gypsy Rovers
We're at it again!
The chemo twins returned today as the gypsy rovers.
I purchased $5 of "bling" yesterday - gaudy necklaces and a cheap bangle (my nurse today didn't know what bling was...).
Used my viola shawl as a bandanna and Ruth's belly-dancing belt thingie as a neck scarf.
Big "gold" clip-on ear-ring from Andy, and we were away!
Not as terrifying a splash as pirates, more a gentle easing-in.
Serenaded staff and patients in the atrium of the oncology block - wonderful acoustics for solo viola!
The lovely thing was (apart from the joy of playing) the feedback from patients.
I always feel a little self-conscious about playing, where the audience is "captive" - the atrium venue was good because people could keep on walking if they wanted to.
We even got $2!
Loveliest thing was a couple who came back to me when I was lying down again and expressed gratitude for the music, saying they'd wished the bloke had had a similar treat when he was in for chemo.
Next chemo is without Andy, but with my niece Marlene.
What will we wear??
Future ideas include "Robin Hood" and "Batman and Robin".
Please pray/direct positive energy to the following: Jim, an intermediate teacher battling a brain tumour with radiation and drugs - very positive bloke, and Bruce, a friend from WAY back who played with me at a Psalms gig last year and who is undergoing stem cell treatment for ongoing cancer.
It was a surprise to see him there today - still, we keep on keeping on until the need to keep anything is gone...
Also, please pray for John O, who it appears is at the end of all treatment possibilities, and getting ready for the farewell period...
Vampire Weekend tonight!
Hope I don't fall asleep!
G.
The chemo twins returned today as the gypsy rovers.
I purchased $5 of "bling" yesterday - gaudy necklaces and a cheap bangle (my nurse today didn't know what bling was...).
Used my viola shawl as a bandanna and Ruth's belly-dancing belt thingie as a neck scarf.
Big "gold" clip-on ear-ring from Andy, and we were away!
Not as terrifying a splash as pirates, more a gentle easing-in.
Serenaded staff and patients in the atrium of the oncology block - wonderful acoustics for solo viola!
The lovely thing was (apart from the joy of playing) the feedback from patients.
I always feel a little self-conscious about playing, where the audience is "captive" - the atrium venue was good because people could keep on walking if they wanted to.
We even got $2!
Loveliest thing was a couple who came back to me when I was lying down again and expressed gratitude for the music, saying they'd wished the bloke had had a similar treat when he was in for chemo.
Next chemo is without Andy, but with my niece Marlene.
What will we wear??
Future ideas include "Robin Hood" and "Batman and Robin".
Please pray/direct positive energy to the following: Jim, an intermediate teacher battling a brain tumour with radiation and drugs - very positive bloke, and Bruce, a friend from WAY back who played with me at a Psalms gig last year and who is undergoing stem cell treatment for ongoing cancer.
It was a surprise to see him there today - still, we keep on keeping on until the need to keep anything is gone...
Also, please pray for John O, who it appears is at the end of all treatment possibilities, and getting ready for the farewell period...
Vampire Weekend tonight!
Hope I don't fall asleep!
G.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Good News Returns!
Coming up to Chemo 4.
Visited doctor for pre-assessment.
Feeling so much better than last time!
No cramps, no nausea, no diarrhoea, no hair loss, no neuropathy...
Cancer count is DOWN again, to 269 (higher still than at the end of last chemo, but not without hope).
Had a laidback evening, watching Blackadder 4 with Soph (Alex at D-teams and Lois at law test), Rome by myself (too gory and stuff for 13 year olds).
Out for a walk round the block with Lois upon her return.
Just finished reading Sophie's latest blog poems - a treat.
Refreshing ideas, structures and vocab.
CT scan next Tue - bring it on...
G.
Visited doctor for pre-assessment.
Feeling so much better than last time!
No cramps, no nausea, no diarrhoea, no hair loss, no neuropathy...
Cancer count is DOWN again, to 269 (higher still than at the end of last chemo, but not without hope).
Had a laidback evening, watching Blackadder 4 with Soph (Alex at D-teams and Lois at law test), Rome by myself (too gory and stuff for 13 year olds).
Out for a walk round the block with Lois upon her return.
Just finished reading Sophie's latest blog poems - a treat.
Refreshing ideas, structures and vocab.
CT scan next Tue - bring it on...
G.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Whirlwind Starts Here...
6.45am down to blood test.
7.30am into school
8am practise "Good Golly, Miss Tolley!"
Teachteachteach.
Discover Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam coming to NZ 29th June Vector Arena.
Lunchtime call emergency meeting of Supertwelve - reminder of vision/hopes for these temporarily lost musicians...
Teach.
3.30pm Guy Allan Award for Branch Activism presented to Otahuhu College Branch, amidst speeches, laughter, songs, food and wine, etc.
5.30 arrive home - Andy cooks meal and Nola and Aren are guests.
7.30pm Home Group, prayers followed by last 2 chapters of Daniel.
9.30pm return home laden with feijoas - my fave fruit at present.
G'night.
7.30am into school
8am practise "Good Golly, Miss Tolley!"
Teachteachteach.
Discover Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam coming to NZ 29th June Vector Arena.
Lunchtime call emergency meeting of Supertwelve - reminder of vision/hopes for these temporarily lost musicians...
Teach.
3.30pm Guy Allan Award for Branch Activism presented to Otahuhu College Branch, amidst speeches, laughter, songs, food and wine, etc.
5.30 arrive home - Andy cooks meal and Nola and Aren are guests.
7.30pm Home Group, prayers followed by last 2 chapters of Daniel.
9.30pm return home laden with feijoas - my fave fruit at present.
G'night.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
"And How Would Sir Like His Macbeth"?
I am currently listening to some gorgeous music - Macbeth the opera, by Verdi.
Instead of 3 witches he has about 30!, divided into 3 groups of 10.
The fact that I'm enjoying this format of the story so much has prompted me to think about the merits of one format versus another.
Shakespeare's original has immortal language in it, and, if properly produced and performed, takes us into the deep, dark places of the psyche that Hitchcock had to use other stories to do.
However, Polanski chose to do a movie version, and I remember seeing this as a secondary student and thinking how cool all the gory, bloody bits were.
Then there was the physical theatre version Kerry L produced at O.C. a few years ago, reducing the story to a 20 minute stretch, but still packing it with dramatic force and pathos.
Verdi's opera, as do all effective operas, transfers every sentence, every gesture into music, transcending words and guiding the listener's psyche in a way that good soundtracks do in movies - this is the strength, and also the silliness of opera - it is one thing to suspend one's disbelief for the sake of a good play - we know it's not real, but we become enthralled by the conviction of the actors, the realism of set - but to go to the extreme of thinking that warriors, tyrants, witches and ghosts SING as they conduct their business - well, that's just toooo much, innit?
I say no - I love opera, love writing it, listening to it, performing it, AND I love the play, AND the movie - one is not better than the other (though I do thoroughly recommend the book version of Jesus Christ Superstar if you haven't yet tried it!).
So, I'm not going to choose a definitive version - in fact, if I get some time, I may even write a set of songs based on Macbeth (rock on, Macduff - wasn't he in ACDC??)...
Perhaps there's a Game Boy or Playstation version of it?
In the meantime, those adorable witches are calling me back - guess they put a spell on me!
BTW, Macbeth is probably one opera where the leading lady is required to be anything BUT sweet, beautiful, fulsome, etc.
And of course in the original play, her role would have been played by a MAN.
Viva Verdi!
Instead of 3 witches he has about 30!, divided into 3 groups of 10.
The fact that I'm enjoying this format of the story so much has prompted me to think about the merits of one format versus another.
Shakespeare's original has immortal language in it, and, if properly produced and performed, takes us into the deep, dark places of the psyche that Hitchcock had to use other stories to do.
However, Polanski chose to do a movie version, and I remember seeing this as a secondary student and thinking how cool all the gory, bloody bits were.
Then there was the physical theatre version Kerry L produced at O.C. a few years ago, reducing the story to a 20 minute stretch, but still packing it with dramatic force and pathos.
Verdi's opera, as do all effective operas, transfers every sentence, every gesture into music, transcending words and guiding the listener's psyche in a way that good soundtracks do in movies - this is the strength, and also the silliness of opera - it is one thing to suspend one's disbelief for the sake of a good play - we know it's not real, but we become enthralled by the conviction of the actors, the realism of set - but to go to the extreme of thinking that warriors, tyrants, witches and ghosts SING as they conduct their business - well, that's just toooo much, innit?
I say no - I love opera, love writing it, listening to it, performing it, AND I love the play, AND the movie - one is not better than the other (though I do thoroughly recommend the book version of Jesus Christ Superstar if you haven't yet tried it!).
So, I'm not going to choose a definitive version - in fact, if I get some time, I may even write a set of songs based on Macbeth (rock on, Macduff - wasn't he in ACDC??)...
Perhaps there's a Game Boy or Playstation version of it?
In the meantime, those adorable witches are calling me back - guess they put a spell on me!
BTW, Macbeth is probably one opera where the leading lady is required to be anything BUT sweet, beautiful, fulsome, etc.
And of course in the original play, her role would have been played by a MAN.
Viva Verdi!
BLOG 450 - Happy 100th Birthday, Doris Baxter!
Grandma Baxter turned 100 last Monday.
Today we attended an afternoon tea in her honour.
Many, many Baxters and Baxter-associates (people like me) were there.
As is the case with most of these things, the numbers were huge and there was a great noise of family and friend catch-ups going on.
Thankfully, being the shy and retiring person that I am, it was possible to have a pleasant and stress-free arvo simply catching up with Lois's immediate family (she has 6 siblings, 5 of whom were there this afternoon).
Yesterday I attended a rugby match!
VERY out-of-character for me, I know, but you only live once, life is short, and...it was the O.C. First XV v Auckland Grammar 1st XV.
A very enjoyable time (great when you only have to watch and shout occasionally!), lovely weather, and I ate my first feijoas for a lonnng time as I watched our lads battle with one of the most reputable teams in the country (a bit of disrepute last year of course).
Also good to bump into Janice G again!
Watched 2 very good films on DVD yesterday ..."Big Fish" (Tim Burton) and "Closer" (Mike Nichols).
"Big Fish" has amongst many other qualities, a beautiful ending, and "Closer" features a tight, intense script and outstanding performances from Clive Owen (what else has he done?), Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman - this one not suitable for children.
Stuff Coming Up - Chemo 4 this Thu - we are planning on being gypsies!
Van Morrison Celebration at O.C. Wed 5 May 7pm (exact venue to be confirmed).
Sat, May 22nd (God willing, etc.) MRBC, 7pm - "Dark Glasses".
Over and out!
Today we attended an afternoon tea in her honour.
Many, many Baxters and Baxter-associates (people like me) were there.
As is the case with most of these things, the numbers were huge and there was a great noise of family and friend catch-ups going on.
Thankfully, being the shy and retiring person that I am, it was possible to have a pleasant and stress-free arvo simply catching up with Lois's immediate family (she has 6 siblings, 5 of whom were there this afternoon).
Yesterday I attended a rugby match!
VERY out-of-character for me, I know, but you only live once, life is short, and...it was the O.C. First XV v Auckland Grammar 1st XV.
A very enjoyable time (great when you only have to watch and shout occasionally!), lovely weather, and I ate my first feijoas for a lonnng time as I watched our lads battle with one of the most reputable teams in the country (a bit of disrepute last year of course).
Also good to bump into Janice G again!
Watched 2 very good films on DVD yesterday ..."Big Fish" (Tim Burton) and "Closer" (Mike Nichols).
"Big Fish" has amongst many other qualities, a beautiful ending, and "Closer" features a tight, intense script and outstanding performances from Clive Owen (what else has he done?), Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman - this one not suitable for children.
Stuff Coming Up - Chemo 4 this Thu - we are planning on being gypsies!
Van Morrison Celebration at O.C. Wed 5 May 7pm (exact venue to be confirmed).
Sat, May 22nd (God willing, etc.) MRBC, 7pm - "Dark Glasses".
Over and out!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
My Top Five Movie Directors
1. Stanley Kubrick
2. Steven Spielberg
3. Ridley Scott
4. Francis Ford Coppola
5. Woody Allen
2. Steven Spielberg
3. Ridley Scott
4. Francis Ford Coppola
5. Woody Allen
My Top Five Operas
1. Madame Butterfly
2. La Boheme
3. Rigoletto
4. La Traviata
5. The Barber of Seville
whoops - forgot Mozart and Bizet - oh well....
2. La Boheme
3. Rigoletto
4. La Traviata
5. The Barber of Seville
whoops - forgot Mozart and Bizet - oh well....
My Top Five Jazz Performers
1. Jan Garbarek
2. Louis Armstrong
3. Ella Fitzgerald
4. Duke Ellington
5. Tito Puente
2. Louis Armstrong
3. Ella Fitzgerald
4. Duke Ellington
5. Tito Puente
My Top Five Scenes in "Boy"
Without giving too much away...
1. Boy's opening speech.
2. The finale
3. Melting copper door handles
4. Digging up the paddock
5. The penultimate scene
1. Boy's opening speech.
2. The finale
3. Melting copper door handles
4. Digging up the paddock
5. The penultimate scene
My Top Five Strangest Animals
What makes an animal strange??
1. Dugong
2. Wombat
3. Praying Mantis
4. Weta
5. Komodo Dragon
and yes there are many more out there.
All weird and wonderful in their own way.
1. Dugong
2. Wombat
3. Praying Mantis
4. Weta
5. Komodo Dragon
and yes there are many more out there.
All weird and wonderful in their own way.
Hat Trick
3 good days in a row.
Surviving well.
No cramps yet.
Extremely minimal finger tingling (neuropathy).
Good practices with kids.
Things running smoothly.
2 rooms vacuumed in the afternoon!
Have just watched "The Visitor" - a beautiful film with great performances.
Sophie cooked a lovely macaroni cheese.
One step/day at a time.
Surviving well.
No cramps yet.
Extremely minimal finger tingling (neuropathy).
Good practices with kids.
Things running smoothly.
2 rooms vacuumed in the afternoon!
Have just watched "The Visitor" - a beautiful film with great performances.
Sophie cooked a lovely macaroni cheese.
One step/day at a time.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
My Top Five Van Morrison Songs
...for now!
1. Listen to the Lion
2. You Don't Pull No Punches But You Don't Push the River
3. Into the Mystic
4. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
5. Days Like This
1. Listen to the Lion
2. You Don't Pull No Punches But You Don't Push the River
3. Into the Mystic
4. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
5. Days Like This
My Top Five Beatles Songs
oh dear...
hear we go!
1. Here Comes The Sun.
2. Strawberry Fields Forever
3. I Am The Walrus
4. Hey Jude
5. A Day in the Life...
...and, yes, there are many more that I absolutely love!
hear we go!
1. Here Comes The Sun.
2. Strawberry Fields Forever
3. I Am The Walrus
4. Hey Jude
5. A Day in the Life...
...and, yes, there are many more that I absolutely love!
My Top Five Beethoven Pieces
1. Symphony No.9 (tho still looking for a GREAT recording - suggestions, please!)
2. Last String Quartet
3. Piano Sonata op.111, in C minor
4. Piano Concerto No.5
5. The Waldstein piano sonata.
Apologies for not putting in all the opus numbers!
2. Last String Quartet
3. Piano Sonata op.111, in C minor
4. Piano Concerto No.5
5. The Waldstein piano sonata.
Apologies for not putting in all the opus numbers!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Back to School!
Always a buzz in the staffroom the first day back.
How were your holidays?
Where did you go?
Who's stuck in Europe?
Then the classes.
Slow to warm up.
A bit like taking your car out of the garage after 2 weeks.
Forget everything we did/learnt last term.
New beginnings.
New opportunities...
And I manage to last the distance!
How were your holidays?
Where did you go?
Who's stuck in Europe?
Then the classes.
Slow to warm up.
A bit like taking your car out of the garage after 2 weeks.
Forget everything we did/learnt last term.
New beginnings.
New opportunities...
And I manage to last the distance!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
My Top Five Clothing Items
1. The jumper Lois knitted when waiting for Alexander to be born.
2. My Polynesian shirts.
3. My violas tie.
4. My black leather boots.
5. My dark green Kathmandu jacket.
2. My Polynesian shirts.
3. My violas tie.
4. My black leather boots.
5. My dark green Kathmandu jacket.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Wedding
So, Fred and Pat married today.
Practise, practise, practise.
Pump taken off.
shower (luxurious) then into church.
Practice, rest, wedding.
Good, simple, warm, beautiful wedding.
Home.
Lie on sofa.
Off to reception at St Francis friary.
Home before pudding - watch 2 compelling dvds - Indictment and Rome.
Bed.
Practise, practise, practise.
Pump taken off.
shower (luxurious) then into church.
Practice, rest, wedding.
Good, simple, warm, beautiful wedding.
Home.
Lie on sofa.
Off to reception at St Francis friary.
Home before pudding - watch 2 compelling dvds - Indictment and Rome.
Bed.
Friday, April 16, 2010
My Five Worst Smells
1. Subway
2. Oncology Day Stay
3. Certain Teenagers Who Shall Remain Nameless.....(it's only a phase!)
4. A certain car's air freshener...
5. Shellfish/prawns/etc.
2. Oncology Day Stay
3. Certain Teenagers Who Shall Remain Nameless.....(it's only a phase!)
4. A certain car's air freshener...
5. Shellfish/prawns/etc.
My Top Five Smells
With thanks to Sarah L for the suggestion!
And bearing in mind the Chemo factor...
1. The NZ bush.
2. The NZ beach.
3. A Certain Person's deodorants, etc.
4. Crusty bread rolls.
5. Beeswax candles.
And bearing in mind the Chemo factor...
1. The NZ bush.
2. The NZ beach.
3. A Certain Person's deodorants, etc.
4. Crusty bread rolls.
5. Beeswax candles.
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