Author Archives: jb

>There’s a guy in Motueka who has a thing about Morris Minors. Quite an admirable trait, I’d say. My fondness for them might have a bit to do with the fact that the pre-production lines in Cowley were running at … Continue reading →

> Auckland Airport had its second evacuation in two days this morning. It was unclear why the alarm went off. The spokeswoman said alarms going off were not surprising as the airport was a busy place. OK, so let’s work … Continue reading →

>Not A Woman Of Few Words has this link to New Zealand’s low tech answer to traffic management. The Americans, of course, take it to extremes…. And I know someone who’d go for that. In a big way.

>David Hockney – Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) JB – The pool at the Getty Villa in Malibu last week Why does Ian Dury spring to mind when I look at this picture….. ? And – while … Continue reading →

>“Would you like to go to Mac’s?” she asks I don’t need asking twice – I’m in her slipstream in no time. Thinks: I didn’t know that they have a brewery on Trafalgar Street But Pavlovian salivation kicks in and … Continue reading →

>“I’d like 30 stamps for Xmas cards” she says.“Which denominations?” the clerk asks.“I don’t see that it’s any of your business, but I guess I’ll have 10 Catholic and 20 Presbyterian…” This – and more – from Bob Dylan’s Theme … Continue reading →

>So we’re at the Richmond Mall, using Orcon’s exceptionally wonderful (i.e. free) WiFi hotspot to Skype with folks on the other side of the world. This necessitates positioning one’s nose in close proximity to the screen and talking into the … Continue reading →

>First New Zealand….. Defying talk of global warming, New Zealanders shivered in December, with the capital Wellington recording its coldest start to the southern hemisphere summer for 78 years, according to official figures released Wednesday. The National Climate Centre said … Continue reading →

>Manhattan Beach, which is an ex-funky, now very yuppy beach-front place just south of LAX, has a gem of a wine shop. Instead of blinding you with regions, varietals or arbitrary categories, they just say: Crisp – Smooth – Rich … Continue reading →

>Ponsonby people are just so friendly I’m walking down Ponsonby Road, wearing my cool (I think so, anyway) black Hirschhorn Museum T-shirt. This guy coming the other way smiles and I think “Might be an old school mate or someone … Continue reading →