The last couple of days have been full with Michael Jackson hype. The Media in New Zealand is souping it up for the viewers benefit. And it is being lapped up by the viewing public, with a serving of Rugby hype, Middle-east salsa, death and murder for seasoning.
I watched the news on the weekend for the first time in a couple of months. It was the same old news that I saw 2 months ago. The same death's, murders, scandal's, hype, hype, hype.......
The reason I watched the news was because I was hoping there would be a report on the Auckland to Noumea yacht race which is at this moment happening along our illustrious coastline. But alas no, an International Ocean Yacht Race (that is struggling with pretty atrocious weather conditions) can not compete with Michael Jackson, Rugby, Basketball, and (my pet hate) Car racing.
Anyway that was my rant for the day, I would have sent an e-mail to Mark Sainsbury on Close-up ( TV One Current affairs show) but that would just piss me off even more.
Cheers
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Paul and I were given tickets to the Mayoral Benefit Concert for Kawiti Waetford. You may ask yourself.......... who?
Well take note of that name.
Kawiti is an 18 year old young man from Whangarei, who has been studying Opera under Joan Kennaway for a number of years. He has completed High School, and is off next week to the UK as a member of the Shakespeare Globe Centre ( New Zealands Shakespearean Company). Kawiti plans to study Classical singing, with the intention of becoming a Opera Singer.
Paul and I have never been to anything like last nights show. The before show drinks and nibbles was littered with the glitteratti of Whangarei. Rubbing shoulders with the so called Elite was a bit novel for both of us, Paul and I didn't do to badly I thought. After restraining Paul from drinking tooooo many glasses of Red wine on an empty stomach ( Yes, we forgot about having dinner) We made our way into the theatre. To our surprise we were up in the Gallery overlooking the whole lot ( bloody cool, I could have spit on the audience). So we were on our best behaviour, trying to look like we belonged. The show was wonderful, Opera North, Joan Kennaway, Kawiti Waetford, Jon Chen ( Kawiti's accompianist, also 18yrs) all involved were magnificent.
The show was a selection of Opera, Light Opera and Musical songs. Sung by Kawiti, Joan, and the members of Opera North. At the end they did a medley of songs from "Les Miserables", one song that Kawiti did with a Lady ( a death scene song) bought me to tears. They sang with such depth and emotion, It was wonderful.
Paul and I came away from the evening, floating. We were both surprised at how much we loved the performances, and the whole flamboyant evening. Little sleepy old Whangarei can put on a pretty good event when they try.
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Well there I was at work this morning, roaming around the Library collecting books to put on the Library Bus. When I turned around through the main foyer windows was a golden glow in the sky ( no it was not a UFO). The clouds were illuminated by the golden glow from the rising Sun. The light haloed the trees and buildings, throwing them into dark relief. It only lasted a few minutes, and then it faded as the Suns angle changed. I could see from this how an ordinary atmospheric phenomenon can be seen in a biblical light.
These sort of simple events, fill you up some how. Help you recognize the wonder of our lives, and our environment. But....... and here's the thing..... You have to have your "head up and eyes open" to see them.
I see so many people walking around every day with their heads down, looking at a cell phone, Ipod or internally at their
"worries". They do not lift their head to see the wonder of what is around them, and if they do they do not SEE it.
BE AWARE of what is around you, and you may come across a
..........biblical event ;-)
On the boat front, we went down at lunchtime and took the Mainsail off, it was done in record time as a shower was threatening. So now the process of making a new Sailcover begins..... wish me luck.
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06/24/2009 | Al & Jen . (sailingvessel dott ruth att gmail dott com)
So True.........
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