I checked in with Eric and Amber today, friends from New Orleans. Thankfully they missed Katrina being in DC, but Eric's guitars and Amber's art didn't. Having lost everything myself once in a fire I know how hard it is. But the best things in life aren't things and thankfully they are both safe and well. You can check out Eric's music at www.emptyself.com.
My heart especially goes out goes out to the poor people of Biloxi, who were left trapped there to take the brunt of the hurricane. Unlike the Tsunami victims they had warning, but weren't deemed important enough to evacuate. The national guardsmen who normally protect them are fighting for oil in Iraq, and many couldn't afford to get out as they had no transport. The worst thing is Bush's Environ-Mental policies have directly made the damage worse. As Sidney Blumenthal writes, No-one can say they didn't see it coming...
New Zealand is already feeling the squeeze of high petrol prices. Having lived in the UK for most of my life I'm already used to idea that 'Small = Beautiful & Cheap. Kiwis however have a big thing for V8 engines and Remuera Tractors (SUVs). There's even an advert on TV with a guy boasting about his THREE cars. He must have a minute penis, but that's besides the point. We are going to have to give up the 'right' to drive where-ever we want, when-ever we want in enormous and often empty gas guzzlers.
We're lucky to have a pretty good train system in Auckland and I love catching the train into town. Working from studios at home means I miss out on people watching. There are some fantastic characters on the Waitakere line, like the punk with the 10 inch mohawk (The Cool Mo Bro) and the ticket collector with Hollywood cheekbones (Marble Man).
I love the space age Britomart, and walking up Auckland's Queen Street, the biggest street in the biggest PolynAsian city in the world. Past gangling gangs of schoolboys built like Jonah Lomu, and cute little Japanese girls in miniskirts & Uggs. Past the guy who will move for silver and dance for gold. Past a rainbow of faces from faraway places, a sun-soaked cultural smorgasbord.
I'd miss all that if I was stuck in a car. Plus I get to walk up a hill - which is great for my arse.
Walking rocks! I used to live in an apartment at the top of Myers Park, and half of my friends had never heard of this park - because they drive everywhere, and Myers Park is not one you drive thru.
ReplyDeleteMyers Park in Auckland is lush. I love the huge archway of stones at the bottom of the steps, and all those gnarly old trees that look like they should be on a sci-fi film set.
ReplyDeleteStarzz Nightclub is just by Myers Park - the ultimate place to to chillout before heading back to the club. There's another Oxygen on at Starzz in November so I may have to head there to watch the sun come up ;)