Elemental – Strike Percussion

The Igniter season of ‘Elemental’ by percussion group Strike was a very thrashing night out. Percussion like you have never heard before.

A group of four talented percussionists from New Zealand with varying international experience form the group Strike currently playing in Wellington at Downstage.

I think their most, Wow, piece was ‘Igniter’ where the members were playing with fire, using glass pipes (fire guns) with methylated spirits sprayed down the pipes.

I also enjoyed the ‘Relentless’ piece which charts a volcanic episode – from dormancy to eruption using metal timbres that the members banded away on.

A very entertaining evening … wish I had taken up the offer of some earplugs when I first walked in though.

The Love Guru

If you want a real giggle then this is a movie to watch. A predictable story line, boy meets girl, girl likes boy, boy cannot have girl until he proves himself.

This is definitely one for Mike Myers fans as it is filled with typical Myers one liners. I won’t say it is for Jessica Alba fans as she doesn’t get her kit off like in her previous movies.

3/5 pillows from me.

Warren Miller’s Extreme Skiing

I cannot believe it is that time of year again – Yea ha it is another Warren Miller movie, ‘Playground’.

Warren has produced 58 of these ski and boarding movies over the years but over all he has produced 750 different sporting movies and books – I know, that is a lot.

We did not think this years movie was as extreme as last years but it showed some fantastic footage of avalanches that the skiers had produced.  And it had a lot more funnies in it.  It is still worth watching if you are a ski or boarding buff.

One of the extreme skiers who has been with the movie for years has left Miller productions and they showcase his huge house up in the hills with his model girlfriend and little personal assistant – who is male.

Check out Warren Miller for other movies or books.

3/5 pillows from me on this one.

Non Cycling Commuter Woes

Who cares about the woes of a non cycling commuter?! 

I could not believe it when I heard a non cyclist, of whom I know quite well, complaining about cyclists riding two a breast (which is legal!) on a narrow street and that they were in the middle of the lane. This is actually the safest place for cyclists to be. This way traffic has to purposefully overtake you rather than try to squeeze passed and potentially knock you off.

The attitude and the impatience that you heard in their voice because they had to wait a few seconds until the other side of the road was clear for them to overtake properly.

Then they had the audacity to say it is illegal to slow traffic down too.  (Ed – What, for all of 10seconds?)

I think all drivers should learn the cycling road rules so they know what to expect from the cyclists out there on the roads.

Not a good attitude… it makes me cringe as to what drivers who do not know any cyclists think and say.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Wow! What a fabulous weekend jaunting around the big smoke – felt like the country bumpkin that had come to the city for an eye opener … not quite. 

The weekend started off with cocktails in sparkling glasses at Priscilla – talk about strut the stuff – a delight on the senses. This was the best musical I have been to. Beautiful costumes – the head pieces and shoes were to die for. We walked out of there laughing covered in confetti and having been pelt with pink ping pong balls.

I went to Cats in Wellington not that long ago as well – you cannot compare.  New Zealand just doesn’t have the budget or talent pool to pull off a fantastic musical.

We shopped until we dropped all day Saturday. All these stores Wellington doesn’t have – we didn’t buy too much…

It was brilliant to see Martin, Tricia and their tribe in Omaha. Pity about the weather though as we hardly got to see the beach. A quick walk come run in the rain was interrupted by lightening that caused a power outage. It was a hilarious night with bubbles and delicious food.

After a very bumpy flight it is back home for a rest after a full on but very satisfying weekend.