Thursday, November 28, 2013

Constructivism


Let me say at the outset that I am not a Pearl Jam zealot. Somewhere in the 600+ CD's stacked like plastic skyscrapers in the Brinecave there are five studio and live PJ albums, which I never tire of.

Conversely, how many musicians can keep churning out albums and continue to stimulate the earbuds of us cash strapped punters? The late Zappa, maybe. Even the mighty Lou Reed, the Stones and Mr Young put out some clunkers.


With this in mind, I tentatively ventured to the local music shoppe and handed over $30 to the friendly part time musician, who recognised an old roadie in my hearing loss. What if Lightning Bolt was a dud? This is album #quite-a-few after all. But the reviewer gave it 5 out of 5.


I rationalised my expenditure by convincing myself that spending money locally is good for the local economy and keeping some young person in a job (after all somebody - presumably jobless - tried to break into my neighbours' yesterday). And let's face it, at this time of the year, you're flat out getting three cans of decent beer at the local golf club for $30. And I'm pretty sure the sonic pleasure will last longer than the hangover. At worst, I can regift it to somebody for Xmas . . .



And so we come to the packaging aRt, either a copy of the theme used by Led Zepellin last Xmas or a nod to Russian Constructivism of 100 years ago. I'm guessing the latter. Either way the artwork is the only disappointing part of Thunderbolt. There's nothing revolutionary about this album. It's great sonically, but with songs like Thunderbolt (about girl), not exactly harvesting new terrain or encouraging the proletariat to take over the Czar's riches. There' fast songs, slow songs and sections with amazing percussion and awesome guitar. Eddie would go, Eddie did go. Keeper.


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Use The Force

Maybe it's because I observe too closely or the fact that I keep hearing that tune from Star Wars.
Nonetheless, I think the extinct iMac Fruity resembles Mr Vader.
Tony Stewart half the force behind the rebirth of the iconic Woosleys Surfboards using his powers to harness joy at Happy Valley, Sunshine Coast.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Most Heroes Are Anonymous

 "Most Heroes Are Anonymous" the shoe slogan read, back in the day when I actually ran (as opposed to this morning's uncoordinated puffing shuffle).
Clever. Had me hooked. Still like it.
As a concept anyway, but not as a sneaky advertising gimmick designed to vacuum more debt out of one's "credit" card.

In the greater scheme of things, most of us would be lucky to know a couple of hundred other souls traversing Life.
To the rest of the planet, we are anonymous. Randoms. Faceless. Without a story.

But heroes no less to those we care for, to those we inspire, to those we love.
And that's enough.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Lino


The old wooden house I grew up in had this really loud, multi-coloured, checkered lino in the kitchen.
Years later I discovered lino printing.
Easy to carve. Hard to carve something worth showing the world. (My fine motor skills were never quite developed.)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Game Changer


The photo above was taken with a Nikonos 35mm film camera.
A lot of people get excited about film.
But not me.
It costs money and time waiting to see if you got the shot. And the camera above is manual focusing, manual film wind on.
Film does have it's time and places, depending on the light, the emulsion (affordable digital still can't replicate infra red mono film for my money) and the intended final use. 
I still use four film cameras including a 1936 6x6 and a 1980s Nikonos with two different lenses to shoot out in the water with. However, I mainly shoot water surf using a bulky DSLR in a robust professional housing.

But today, one can now buy a digital version of the legendary underwater Nikonos, complete with interchangeable lenses, small size, large resolution and 10+ frames per second. It's a game changer.


Monday, November 18, 2013

Hot Buttered


It starts with a young fella travelling up to the Gold Coast to learn the foam mowing trade under the guidance of the legendary Brian "Furry" Austin (RIP) at the back of Kirra.
Along the way, it intersects with the brains trust that was Hawaii in the 70's and the air brushed surealism of Martin Worthington. It now spans two generations of surfing and includes movies to boot.



Sunday, November 17, 2013

Monday Mourning



Tomorrow we farewell an amazing, friendly, dynamic lady - Judy Anderson - from the Goodtime Surf Shop. Judy and Gail were like sisters, mothers and aunties providing guidance to a lot of us wild young surfers from Stradbroke Island to Noosa and south to Coolagatta.  The pic and text below are from the Goodtime Facebook page:

"The funeral held at 10am on Tuesday the 19th of November at St John’s Cathedral (373 Ann St, Brisbane City) will also have a special guest singer, Leah Lever. The musically gifted young lady of 11 years of age and niece of long time close friend and business colleague Karen Elliot, will be performing ‘Amazing Grace’.
Judy has also asked for her ashes to be taken to her place of birth, Gordonvale, to be near her mother and father.

We look forward to seeing you all at the service on Tuesday.

Kind regards,

The Goodtime family."


Aloha Judy

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Underwater


Amazing  series of tropical thunderstorms last night, started with this one which seemed to chase my bus home. Looking up I was reminded of the view of boiling foam when you dive under a set wave.

 













Monday, November 11, 2013

Airbrush

Bring back the aesthetic wonder of airbrushed aRtwork on surfboards, I say.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

4x4

Met Luke and his sister in the surf the other day riding a couple of quads that he built for them both - complete with Futures fins and custom art work.
What a brother!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Book of the week

Noah Levine c/- wikipedia



“The inner revolution will not be televised 
or sold on the Internet. 
It must take place within one's own mind and heart.” 
― Noah Levine, Dharma Punx: A Memoir


Dharma Punx by Noah Levine describes the tragic trajectory of so many young surfers and skaters - from disaffected teen who disowns his parents to drug addict, to prisoner to rehab to failed rehab to meditation teacher. It's gritty, graphic and maybe 50 pages too long in parts but ultimately inspiring and definitely worth several readings. I'm off to meditate.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Electric Kool Aid Love


Song of the day is Open Up Your Heart by G Wayne Thomas from Albie Falzon's movie, Morning of the Earth.
"There's no formula for happiness, 
that's guaranteed to work
It all depends on how you treat your friends
And how much you've been hurt

But it's a start, 
when you open up your heart
And try not to hide, 
what you feel insi-i-ide
Just open up your heart

There's no dreamer who's ever dreamed, 
and seen it all come true
Takes a lot of time and breaks a lot of hearts, 
to see an idea through
And love's just a simple word, 
it's truth is eas'ly lost
And sorry's said so easily, 
nobody counts the cost"