tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64711519837979328412024-02-04T07:18:36.321+13:00Singapore SojournUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger916125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-26319877209054301582021-06-29T13:01:00.001+12:002021-06-29T13:01:21.390+12:00Flying With NAC<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbUyg6hyGZmBLrfvXx2XuECngY8aSYTYmX0540NrvGeJJsyHj1ADdsVu6YW74zywyb3V-9vckvuJLCyx8LpSIVk3OiUafJjrXO88aJDmGRULGTzlwM8-Glf48AHr59wkNch3KM3llAxs/s810/Vintage+New+Zealand+National+Airways+Corporation+Print.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="553" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbUyg6hyGZmBLrfvXx2XuECngY8aSYTYmX0540NrvGeJJsyHj1ADdsVu6YW74zywyb3V-9vckvuJLCyx8LpSIVk3OiUafJjrXO88aJDmGRULGTzlwM8-Glf48AHr59wkNch3KM3llAxs/w290-h426/Vintage+New+Zealand+National+Airways+Corporation+Print.png" width="290" /></a></div><p></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first memories of flying in an airplane was accompanying my father (age five or six in the 1950's) on an NAC DC3 from Bell Block aerodrome (New Plymouth) to Christchurch. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a trip I made with Dad every couple of years to stay with my grandparents in Christchurch's Port Hills.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was always a stop at Ohakea enroute and I vividly remember enjoying the low flying over farmland and watching the rivets on the wing!</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also had a stop-over at Paraparaumu before tackling Cook Strait.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The boiled sweets served by the stewardess were another treat to look forward to.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The DC3 was a great aircraft and very reliable, albeit slow by today's standards. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl py34i1dx gpro0wi8" href="https://www.zazzle.com/new_zealand_national_airways_corporation_print-228472448536331117?fbclid=IwAR3FDBJDroSCtzzZIyywfdPtNev1D9xkZODMz_CzJ247ftYZoZxTeYu7KBU" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.zazzle.com/new_zealand_national_airways...</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/airlines?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXncob0WpleVsaC96R2kORPnO1cmPSSsJHV4_NHPdzdhEoaBHq1o2tW8s6yZzn6dLnzXvAylO1B3pxgZX6x7Ua63aDTnoBSwJ66YEAq5NI8zBI8UXbWKmd_S8FdXBfZrB4&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#Airlines</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/newzealand?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXncob0WpleVsaC96R2kORPnO1cmPSSsJHV4_NHPdzdhEoaBHq1o2tW8s6yZzn6dLnzXvAylO1B3pxgZX6x7Ua63aDTnoBSwJ66YEAq5NI8zBI8UXbWKmd_S8FdXBfZrB4&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#NewZealand</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/flying?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXncob0WpleVsaC96R2kORPnO1cmPSSsJHV4_NHPdzdhEoaBHq1o2tW8s6yZzn6dLnzXvAylO1B3pxgZX6x7Ua63aDTnoBSwJ66YEAq5NI8zBI8UXbWKmd_S8FdXBfZrB4&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#Flying</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dc3?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXncob0WpleVsaC96R2kORPnO1cmPSSsJHV4_NHPdzdhEoaBHq1o2tW8s6yZzn6dLnzXvAylO1B3pxgZX6x7Ua63aDTnoBSwJ66YEAq5NI8zBI8UXbWKmd_S8FdXBfZrB4&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#DC3</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nac?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXncob0WpleVsaC96R2kORPnO1cmPSSsJHV4_NHPdzdhEoaBHq1o2tW8s6yZzn6dLnzXvAylO1B3pxgZX6x7Ua63aDTnoBSwJ66YEAq5NI8zBI8UXbWKmd_S8FdXBfZrB4&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#NAC</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/history?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXncob0WpleVsaC96R2kORPnO1cmPSSsJHV4_NHPdzdhEoaBHq1o2tW8s6yZzn6dLnzXvAylO1B3pxgZX6x7Ua63aDTnoBSwJ66YEAq5NI8zBI8UXbWKmd_S8FdXBfZrB4&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#history</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Marlborough 7193, New Zealand-40.7141425 173.8473015-69.024376336178847 138.6910515 -12.403908663821156 -150.99644850000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-4756721852834461522020-04-25T07:10:00.000+12:002020-04-25T11:19:11.503+12:00A Day To Weep & RememberIt is many, many years since I last wept in bed and in truth I find it hard to remember any occasion when I did.<br />
<br />
But this morning, ANZAC Day 2020 I was woken shortly before dawn by my bedside radio and the sound of a bagpipe lament. My eyes were wet with tears - unsolicited, unstoppable.<br />
<br />
For some reason this year's commemoration seemed particularly poignant; it could well have been that the ANZAC Day service was, for the first time, a virtual one.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpIzwcOiinA4dt04X4upDLeZ-Qhtiaaf0gFmoA4u6UYI5NdzpMPT1Et3_Ew0obPRxZ_XLXnkwPO4vow1k6jmXXrY1B1vrkJbZqNO1mQae8A0-iUwKVeIHdiXQgekxIjFrDPbZJ3mpMHw/s1600/Mum_dads_wedding2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="344" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpIzwcOiinA4dt04X4upDLeZ-Qhtiaaf0gFmoA4u6UYI5NdzpMPT1Et3_Ew0obPRxZ_XLXnkwPO4vow1k6jmXXrY1B1vrkJbZqNO1mQae8A0-iUwKVeIHdiXQgekxIjFrDPbZJ3mpMHw/s320/Mum_dads_wedding2.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mum and Dad on their wedding day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic made it so. All Kiwis and no doubt our Aussie mates 'across the ditch', marked the solemn event at home, in our lounges, beds, or standing by our letterboxes in the brightening skies.<br />
<br />
My first memories of ANZAC day were the gathering at the Waitara War Memorial where my father and other veterans of World War two stood shoulder to shoulder remembering comrades in arms who never returned. We in our Scout uniforms also stood silently, shivering and respectful.<br />
<br />
Dad never spoke much about the war, his capture on Crete and the long year as a POW in Poland and Germany. The veterans of WWII seldom didn't speak about these shared privations, choosing instead to focus on the future.<br />
<br />
But ANZAC Day was, and is, different. It is the day New Zealand and Australian troops forged their respective nations internationally, fought side by side and for many paid the ultimate sacrifice.<br />
<br />
So as the Last Post sounded this morning and the piper's lament lingered on the radio, I remembered my father, the few army mates of his that fleetingly shared their lives with mine over the years, and I shed a tear.<br />
<br />
Dad died in 2003, just two years after he finally agreed to share his memories for the army record with Sgt Beech of the NZ Army Museum in Waiouru.<br />
<br />
I have a copy of those tapes and today, ANZAC Day, I will share his youthful journey to the battle fields of Europe and his subsequent incarceration by listening to some of his recollections.<br />
<br />
So tears are about the past, memories and sacrifice by others, for others.<br />
<br />
We shall remember them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-76296712942332296242020-04-04T13:03:00.000+13:002020-04-04T13:05:22.885+13:00A Meditation on COVID-19I took up meditation many years ago and have practiced it on and off since the early seventies. In a deepened state of meditation one's hearing become more acute, picking up sounds that are normally muffled by the day-to-day humdrum of everyday life.<br />
<br />
My country is in its second week of compulsory lock-down thanks to the ravages of COVID-19. While this is an inconvenient measure, most agree that it is for the better in defeating the coronavirus. And I should add, most are abiding by the rules set down by the government.<br />
<br />
A real plus of the lockdown is that the sounds of nature are once again to the fore; the call of magpies in a far away tree, the rustle of autumn leaves as I talk my morning constitutional.<br />
<br />
It is not until comparative silence reigns that one fully realises what has been lost.<br />
<br />
If you had an opportunity as a child to spend time in the country with friends, you realise how lucky those on farms, who are communing with nature on a daily basis, really are. They do not face a daily barrage of city noise pollution.<br />
<br />
So, while this virus might keep us pinned to our homes and immediate surrounds, lets make the most of the quiet while it lasts.<br />
<br />
<i><b>COVID Capers</b><br /><br />The couple doing their stretches in a garage</i><br />
<i>converted to a make-shift gym</i><br />
<i>dog walkers on a leash smile and wave</i><br />
<i>at me, or was it him?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The great silence.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Can you hear it? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Still</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Falling leaves cushion the tread</i><br />
<i>of the morning walk</i><br />
<i>A pile of books long stored</i><br />
<i>and seldom read</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Buckle in for the long term</i><br />
<i>the world as we knew it is no more</i><br />
<i>its nature's way of settling the score.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-32867728879305327932019-05-31T11:47:00.003+12:002019-05-31T13:23:39.641+12:00Replacing The Cream - A Short Story<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Replacing the cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s 1:30 am and the last of the coffee bar stragglers have left the
building. Re-purposing the cream cakes for the next day by scooping out the old
cream and piping in some new is a nightly chore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s usually a spatula for this purpose but it is in the
vibrating commercial dishwasher out back so a surreptitious finger will have to
do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not that there’s anything really wrong about this practice;
after all what the customers don’t know don’t hurt them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The folk singer was terrible tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure where the boss finds them, but they
are mixed bunch, all singing Bob Dylan with a nasal pitch, or croaking
plaintive Irish Republican songs whose lyrics they don’t really understand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The coffee bar is on the corner of The Square, the city’s
main and only redeeming feature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cafe
plays second fiddle to a much larger coffee bar several blocks away that is the
habitat of Teacher College students.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hang on a minute, this cream looks a little rancid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is it just yellowing with age?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time for a quick taste test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it seems OK although the cream pressure
gun could probably do with a good clean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Don’t have time to do it right now as there are other things to tick off
before final lock-up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A quick check of the pie warmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a steak and mince that has seen
better days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crust is as hard
Palmy’s railroad tracks, but the boss says its OK if I take the old ones for my
own consumption.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s also steak and
kidney although you’d need a microscope to spot any kidney in the filling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think I’ll take a couple and throw them through the windows
of the women student’s hall down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They always appreciate a bit of sustenance even if it is an ungodly hour
of the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bit of gravel thrown on
a lower window usually gets a result although you need to keep an eye out for
matron or passing police patrols who might misconstrue the intention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah... the float.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
I HATE doing the float!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maths was never my strong point and its even worse now that
the cheap calculator’s battery has died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why is it that I am always 20 cents out in the tally?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to mess around at this time of
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll put in the money from my
own pocket to get the balance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is now 2am and I have a lecture at 8:30 this morning.
Check and turn off the electrical appliances. Ready the alarm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe I’ll take pity on customers and take that lamington
with me to much as I head home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all I’ve just filled it with fresh cream.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Roger Smith<br />
May, 2109<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuKdmXEXoeR-Al9MZT-xeA_eyB_YMjIloXdiGAksBMSFN9axbAl_fHiCSn5sG1_73Od7-wklYB1cr4oqP-AZwI6jbi3JrdjmtMEsckEpavh6q4RJjIJMNRVLYhufFMqSWeU6jmSppe74/s1600/4winds_coffee_bar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Four Winds Coffee Bar" border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="935" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuKdmXEXoeR-Al9MZT-xeA_eyB_YMjIloXdiGAksBMSFN9axbAl_fHiCSn5sG1_73Od7-wklYB1cr4oqP-AZwI6jbi3JrdjmtMEsckEpavh6q4RJjIJMNRVLYhufFMqSWeU6jmSppe74/s640/4winds_coffee_bar.png" title="Four Winds Coffee Bar" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-87454513027545393792019-05-10T10:47:00.000+12:002019-05-10T10:55:51.352+12:00Papa Cliffs And Feral Goats - Memories Of Whangamomona<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5WG6ZtbdBy3fsdijyA15KcNWVKAzaGMo-aCDA9ulHBAbdrh-rLdJUd3GycTMbq1MAXQrl2OlQLNdMG0-Fw_ukdvBq7Ecc_6IqaQKkAb1MSNTOvusq5SLt0HZdPdXLNnZ075OeF6Th0/s1600/Whangamomona+-+Art+On+Canvas+Print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="900" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5WG6ZtbdBy3fsdijyA15KcNWVKAzaGMo-aCDA9ulHBAbdrh-rLdJUd3GycTMbq1MAXQrl2OlQLNdMG0-Fw_ukdvBq7Ecc_6IqaQKkAb1MSNTOvusq5SLt0HZdPdXLNnZ075OeF6Th0/s400/Whangamomona+-+Art+On+Canvas+Print.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: small;">Whangamomona</i><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Artist: Roger Smith, 2019.<br />Prints available <a href="https://www.zazzle.com/whangamomona_art_on_canvas_print-228613441491508413" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></td></tr>
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In my fourth form at boarding school I spent a short term holiday with a school friend, on his family farm in <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Whangamomona+4396/@-39.1276003,174.6383695,12z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6d14dbe32129fdc9:0x500ef6143a322b0!8m2!3d-39.144819!4d174.735623" target="_blank">Whangamomona</a>.<br />
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Whangamomona is in upland Taranaki, inland from the town of Stratford. It is tough, unforgiving country with steep papa clay bluffs that are prone to slips. Farming such country is a challenge and using horses in the back country in those days were a necessity.<br />
<br />
My friend Cliff saddled me up a horse and we went riding to the back of the farm with mobs of feral goats scattering ahead of us. They were, and remain, a serious pest.<br />
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I recall two other abiding memories from that time: the bone-chilling cold of a winter's morning with heavy dew hanging off the wire fences, and the local country dance which took place in the Whangamomona hall. The dance band consisted of a guitarist/vocalist, a Hawaiian (slide) guitar player and a drummer. They haled from Stratford and had travelled inland for the evening's event.<br />
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Lots of brown beer bottles were in evidence as were the rows of gumboots left at the hall door. The supper was stupendous!<br />
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They were happier, community times and a life that is fast disappearing from the provinces. Whangamomona faded fast but was <a href="https://www.backpackerguide.nz/republic-whangamomona/" target="_blank">reborn as a 'Republic' </a>a few years ago and now has a thriving backpacker clientele.<br />
<br />
My school mate Cliff went on to become New Zealand's Mastermind, a commercial pilot and a radio DJ in Whakatane.<br />
<br />
The hospitality of his parents and the care-free times we had in the early Sixties remain pleasant memories.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-91730641754537021042019-03-16T07:07:00.002+13:002019-03-16T07:09:35.780+13:00I woke this is morning weepingI woke this is morning weeping.<br />
<br />
I can't recall this expression of sadness ever affecting me as an adult.<br />
<br />
I wept for the loss of life in the Christchurch massacre.<br />
<br />
I wept for the loss of innocence in our society, for the families that are literally shell-shocked by the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213150" target="_blank">massacre of innocents</a> at the two mosques.<br />
<br />
That this racist attack happened in a city that was for me, a remembrance of idyllic childhood visits to grandparents, is almost beyond comprehension.<br />
<br />
A city that has had to bear so much in the last decade with two major earthquakes this morning faces the horrific reality of what happened yesterday afternoon.<br />
<br />
New Zealand will never be the same - it is no longer the country of safe haven that we prided ourselves on.<br />
<br />
But as a nation we will not be cowed by these random acts of violence against our citizens.<br />
<br />
This morning I weep for the families that have been decimated at their place of worship.<br />
<br />
You are not alone.<br />
<br />
We are with you.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-44661248714623618232017-08-19T12:02:00.000+12:002017-08-19T12:04:46.134+12:00Penny For The GuyAn English tradition that had cemented itself into Waitara's culture in the 1950's was the observance of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes" target="_blank">Guy Fawkes</a> Day.<br />
<br />
Why we celebrated a pyromaniac/arsonist with great gusto many thousands of miles away from the fable origin remains somewhat of a mystery? My best guess is that it was one of the vestiges of "Mother England" that remained in our psyche at the time.<br />
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As children we were not worried about origins. November 5th was an excuse for buying skyrockets, catherine wheels, sparklers and crackers from the local stationers and Chinese grocers.<br />
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There was a also a competition run by the town to see who could produce the best 'Guy'. This involved stuffing old and discarded trousers, shirts and jackets with hay or newspaper so that the effigy resembled a human.<br />
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We wheeled these around the neighbourhood in a wheel barrow shouting "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night" target="_blank">penny for the guy</a>", although in truth, very few pennies were forthcoming.<br />
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The local children then paraded heir Guy Fawke's creations down one of the main streets of Waitara where they were judged by a local panel and prizes awarded. I have to report that my efforts never made it to the winner's dais but we had great fun nevertheless. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(An example of another town's celebration can be seen in the image below)</span>.<br />
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The fate of the 'guys' was preordained. They were all incinerated as part of the big community fire down at the Waitara Beach domain. This was the time where we lit our fireworks and placed rocket sticks in an old beer bottle holder so they blazed upward. Sparklers were the chosen fancy of the younger set who were closely supervised.<br />
<br />
While fireworks are still sold in New Zealand to celebrate November 5th I suspect that the legend of Guy Fawkes is no longer understood by those who make such a purchase. Times change, and our Asian community and civic authorities use fireworks to celebrate other major events on the calendar.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHkRPsDOzvhg_q66xplCpXlRY2MkCOglUxirFYkc1Srtglg5IITbznKwwWE2P27hostEp1setMc2qqzKkXXAop-1zIEXI2MENoOoMMaVr5GZFlO9mSSXnhjH8uqxWzKC3unGvmuv7nhM/s1600/guys.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="664" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHkRPsDOzvhg_q66xplCpXlRY2MkCOglUxirFYkc1Srtglg5IITbznKwwWE2P27hostEp1setMc2qqzKkXXAop-1zIEXI2MENoOoMMaVr5GZFlO9mSSXnhjH8uqxWzKC3unGvmuv7nhM/s400/guys.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="_Epb irc_tas i3598" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwj0kp-Y_uHVAhUBKZQKHcuwBBcQjhwIBQ" href="https://historygeek.co.nz/2012/11/05/guy-fawkes-day-1912/" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="background-color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span class="irc_pt" dir="ltr" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Guy Fawkes Day 1912 – History Geek</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-24544581565767055482017-07-01T07:58:00.000+12:002017-08-14T14:32:40.958+12:00An Art Awakening<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91EMGsqzA1FHgpk0qDJUDxg8VPFJHnhKgkbHMeMBiYJJOIQm3p5PhCUmMqS9zb9QOBR_2kpH9Rwa7dwgVgpz-mFyP9tPGgagdz1IMQUj0zaslS7NycIQ06zZXEmkUF95Hp_DR5D9j3tw/s1600/Roger_at_PNTC_1967_68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1223" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91EMGsqzA1FHgpk0qDJUDxg8VPFJHnhKgkbHMeMBiYJJOIQm3p5PhCUmMqS9zb9QOBR_2kpH9Rwa7dwgVgpz-mFyP9tPGgagdz1IMQUj0zaslS7NycIQ06zZXEmkUF95Hp_DR5D9j3tw/s640/Roger_at_PNTC_1967_68.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly at right on a potter's wheel in the PNTC art department. (Dianne Foley at left?)</td></tr>
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When I first went to Palmerston North Teacher's College in 1967 I majored in music. But I found both the tutor and the curriculum rather boring and far more exciting things appeared to be happening in the Art department under the tutelage of Frank Davis and Ray Thorburn.<br />
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My good friend <a href="http://www.homeprint.co.nz/" target="_blank">John Brebner</a> who I played rugby with for College was also studying art, and I recall visiting his lodgings and seeing him plugging away on a painting.<br />
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I decided that the visual arts (and particularly sculpture) were far more appealing than banging on a triangle!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumxSGnUF8ZvIVup6UbniHYfOsbb-tHwgE9MHSnoFtV4-Q7JKr6hcx8FYc097TTJpPkd5iLdVMicdO88CBU7kztYl9GEPZKJr5_zaiAPAE7eeyZKVDvQxFRxxHpCjaFUKo45FQDhq0AMw/s1600/61278520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumxSGnUF8ZvIVup6UbniHYfOsbb-tHwgE9MHSnoFtV4-Q7JKr6hcx8FYc097TTJpPkd5iLdVMicdO88CBU7kztYl9GEPZKJr5_zaiAPAE7eeyZKVDvQxFRxxHpCjaFUKo45FQDhq0AMw/s320/61278520.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Te Kooti Inspires His Warriors</i> - F. Davis </td></tr>
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Frank Davis, who later became my mentor and a close family friend, agreed to me changing my study major from music to art if I produced a satisfactory portfolio over the Xmas break - which I did. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The painting at left is one of Frank's Te Kooti series. I bought it off him when I was teaching in Rotorua and sold it much later at auction when I was shifting cities. Still have one of his drawings from this series)</span><br />
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Prior to Teachers College I had never really shown any great aptitude or motivation where the visual arts were concerned but I took to it like a duck to water. <br />
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It was a decision that changed my life and to this day the visual arts have dominated my life - the creative beast unleashed! A career as a secondary school art teacher followed after two years as a primary teacher. Then a three stint as <a href="http://niuginidays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">head of a regional art school in Papua New Guinea</a>. Several years where also spent as a Director of NZ art Museums in Hawke's Bay and Waikato (with a dash of museum marketing at the NZ Maritime Museum in Auckland thrown in)<br />
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I exhibited painting, prints and sculpture along the way before moving in to digital art later in life.<br />
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But all of this life started back in the Grey Street art department of Palmerston North Teachers College.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">NB: The woman in the top photograph appears to be Di Foley from Wanganui who sang in a folk singing truly with Tom Hunter and myself.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-55607146280928911942016-10-01T10:23:00.002+13:002016-10-01T10:27:19.713+13:00A View From Fort CanningOur final evening in Singapore, in July 2010, was spent in <a href="http://booking.ywcafclodge.org.sg/" target="_blank">Fort Canning Lodge</a>; a place I would thoroughly recommend for those travelling on a budget. <br />
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The view from the hill was memorable and I have used these memories as the inspiration for this art work.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV7ZrPAs0h6VYkDYkDPaEsbc16pEPRhKPIdgj7fSmONS7FX_003Lr3Rida1f5CZNqJprYQxOZrkI4-E63cnlhDlklLz6ZNpVg2WykKlpdGONQVJigGlOBEsdErkoUNXTf2hO8gJpfAQk/s1600/View+From+Fort+Canning+-+Original+Art+Print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV7ZrPAs0h6VYkDYkDPaEsbc16pEPRhKPIdgj7fSmONS7FX_003Lr3Rida1f5CZNqJprYQxOZrkI4-E63cnlhDlklLz6ZNpVg2WykKlpdGONQVJigGlOBEsdErkoUNXTf2hO8gJpfAQk/s640/View+From+Fort+Canning+-+Original+Art+Print.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View From Fort Canning</i><br />
Roger Smith - 2016<br />
Art Print - Copies available <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/view_from_fort_canning_original_art_print-228775679720656942" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
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Fort Canning is one of the few remaining elevated natural places in Singapore. Early illustrations show several more hills, but these have been leveled over time for land reclamation and city development.<br />
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Copies of this art work are available as prints from <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/view_from_fort_canning_original_art_print-228775679720656942" target="_blank">my online store</a>.<br />
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I also place them on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/digitalc/singapore/" target="_blank">this Pinterest board</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-49394033092614075392016-06-30T06:47:00.002+12:002016-06-30T06:47:52.788+12:00Fort Canning HistoryI hadn't realised that Singapore' Fort Canning contained a large cemetery years ago, but these images in the Straits Times shows what the place was like in the past and what it is like now.<br />
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Fort Canning is one of those places that one feels a deep almost spiritual connection to; now I know why.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIeOImBRyUlS1x2m1_s7tBVF6B6sdyPzSw60GIukh-PzICN9p85Eucb8NH1lxt1FdwFIbe4y8_xATeet7N0nRayYUaNzB0QW7JAqnCiIXOpKk4lXsCA0vPXIFoMtXKuaeFht2eCcVq1A/s1600/Fort-Canning-Cemetry-Then.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIeOImBRyUlS1x2m1_s7tBVF6B6sdyPzSw60GIukh-PzICN9p85Eucb8NH1lxt1FdwFIbe4y8_xATeet7N0nRayYUaNzB0QW7JAqnCiIXOpKk4lXsCA0vPXIFoMtXKuaeFht2eCcVq1A/s640/Fort-Canning-Cemetry-Then.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Canning then</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegyizIG5JeOx9T5na96Q-onEBkvxTKID3Xzphb8ZgBk8L4wgSw2Rqz9t7JiFaeGmdhN3rnYqvhV0AmtV6rcZ3n96kKVMrelabMTi79vEEwGQJB81woJELaqH43UN0yc3motsFHsD6sVw/s1600/Fort-Canning-Cemetry-Now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegyizIG5JeOx9T5na96Q-onEBkvxTKID3Xzphb8ZgBk8L4wgSw2Rqz9t7JiFaeGmdhN3rnYqvhV0AmtV6rcZ3n96kKVMrelabMTi79vEEwGQJB81woJELaqH43UN0yc3motsFHsD6sVw/s640/Fort-Canning-Cemetry-Now.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Canning now</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-81206579970383465782016-05-27T09:54:00.002+12:002016-05-27T09:54:56.603+12:00New Singapore Art Prints <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBexzwCdLqhxs_dgfr3roiFgdBcPp45Q7dBscaEim8lDSmzRYoRxaecUrLnzCukebVdNbXkB27Cly5y-88nI3-btLBTFaXvhsPmHXUhTYltJhufKDqH1RQb60yXjX_NkmbnGrn3Uhazbs/s1600/singart_an.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBexzwCdLqhxs_dgfr3roiFgdBcPp45Q7dBscaEim8lDSmzRYoRxaecUrLnzCukebVdNbXkB27Cly5y-88nI3-btLBTFaXvhsPmHXUhTYltJhufKDqH1RQb60yXjX_NkmbnGrn3Uhazbs/s320/singart_an.gif" width="520" /></a></div>
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Check out these my Singapore art prints on <a href="https://nz.pinterest.com/digitalc/singapore/" target="_blank">this Ppinterest board</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-5892308557456846322016-04-09T11:51:00.000+12:002016-04-09T11:51:02.786+12:00Old Singapore - New BookI have just produced a publication showcasing old Singapore postcard images. It's quite fascinating to see how Singapore was in days past.<br />
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<a data-bindattr-18="18" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookshare/app/index.html?bookId=7007305" target="_blank">
<img alt="" data-bindattr-19="19" src="http://www.blurb.com/images/uploads2/catalog/003/781/444/7549942-75da6ab0ab9e5c43a27b37063fd73371.jpg" style="border: 0; box-shadow: 3px 3px 10px 1px #999; max-height: 600px; max-width: 600px; zoom: 50%;" />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="border-bottom: 0; color: #00c0be; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;" target="_blank"><script id="metamorph-90-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Old Singapore<script id="metamorph-90-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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By <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #00c0be; text-decoration: none;"><script id="metamorph-91-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Roger Smith<script id="metamorph-91-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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Click on the book to view of <a href="http://www.blurb.com/b/7007305-old-singapore" target="_blank">use this direct link</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-63488394988604270192016-03-22T13:37:00.005+13:002016-03-22T13:39:13.670+13:00The Art Of Golf - When Twin Passions Come Together<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have <a href="http://singaporesojourn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/confessions-of-armchair-golfer.html" target="_blank">written before</a> about my my late and growing interest in watching the <a href="http://www.lpga.com/" target="_blank">LPGA</a>. The main reason for this 'sporting flowering' being the rise and progress of New Zealand's own golfing superstar, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Ko" target="_blank">Lydia Ko</a>.</div>
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To see someone so young achieve so much, in such a short space of time, has been quite extraordinary. She is a credit to her family and a proud Kiwi, which her adopted country greatly appreciates.</div>
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A growing interest in golf reminded me of the unique shape and patterns of golfing paraphernalia and the figures in action which lent themselves to artistic interpretation.</div>
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The result is this coffee table book which records recent art works based on a golfing theme. As I stated in its introduction I make no apologies for the eclectic mix of styles. They were used as the mood took me!</div>
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<a data-bindattr-279="279" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookshare/app/index.html?bookId=6968611" target="_blank">
<img alt="" data-bindattr-280="280" src="http://www.blurb.com/images/uploads2/catalog/003/781/444/7508080-2378ad7853e4681c1ad642a9205dbefa.jpg" style="border: 0; box-shadow: 3px 3px 10px 1px #999; max-height: 590px; max-width: 590px; zoom: 50%;" />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="border-bottom: 0; color: #00c0be; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;" target="_blank"><script id="metamorph-968-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>The Art Of Golf<script id="metamorph-968-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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By <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #00c0be; text-decoration: none;"><script id="metamorph-969-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Roger Smith<script id="metamorph-969-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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Click on the book above to see a preview or go directly to the publishers <a href="http://www.blurb.com/b/6968611-the-art-of-golf" target="_blank">here</a>. The art works illustrated in the publication are also available as quality prints from <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/thegolfstore/art?ps=120&qs=art&dp=252819538404952287&sr=250197811708920342&pg=1&sd=desc&st=date_created" target="_blank">TheGolfStore</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-24566680845347677192016-02-24T18:14:00.000+13:002016-02-24T18:14:03.163+13:00Digerarti IV - New art bookMy new art book published today. Click on the pages to view the contents
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<a data-bindattr-197="197" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookshare/app/index.html?bookId=6917074" target="_blank">
<img alt="" data-bindattr-198="198" src="http://www.blurb.com/images/uploads2/catalog/003/781/444/7452117-4bf499437d899533957857ff5cbe3689.jpg" style="border: 0; box-shadow: 3px 3px 10px 1px #999; max-height: 600px; max-width: 600px; zoom: 50%;" />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="border-bottom: 0; color: #00c0be; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;" target="_blank"><script id="metamorph-796-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Digerarti IV<script id="metamorph-796-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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By <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #00c0be; text-decoration: none;"><script id="metamorph-797-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Roger Smith<script id="metamorph-797-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-90290255302663035352016-02-17T15:51:00.003+13:002016-02-17T15:51:42.470+13:00How Kiwis Can Watch The Australian Women's Golf Open Live & For Free!In December 2015 Coliseum Sport Media <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/75397449/kiwi-lydia-kos-lpga-title-defences-to-be-broadcast-live-and-free-online" target="_blank">promised that Kiwis could watch Lydia Ko's title defences</a> Live & Free through their streaming service <a href="http://worldgolfpass.com/">WorldGolfPass.com</a>.<br />
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They have honoured this pledge and here is how you do it:<br />
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Step One:<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4tmkPde6GtKkfKj10gHoR9p7hQ5BWd12tUYO5srJ0zjJ9fDIj5ztj6ImbbRbDJEGDT8F0Pj-OOnCcEGqMtkc6IsEqg0t0rFuz0O0jflR7DAnKkW6ikz_zr4IZ8Xy_Pqgs45aoy0CrIw/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4tmkPde6GtKkfKj10gHoR9p7hQ5BWd12tUYO5srJ0zjJ9fDIj5ztj6ImbbRbDJEGDT8F0Pj-OOnCcEGqMtkc6IsEqg0t0rFuz0O0jflR7DAnKkW6ikz_zr4IZ8Xy_Pqgs45aoy0CrIw/s320/1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Go to <a href="https://www.worldgolfpass.com/" target="_blank">WorldGolf Pass.com</a><br />
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Step Two:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMFUr2pIu8qOFTID09ej-v-BwBv3C1P3UPFXYBWYax71BRzx7UThFkbCw1g_InHXnSOr94u3oe5_8xKRT1iNNYpxIYYP6mTyQAnfch4H1al-8TPPSBrJnSXNgrQMYqsZlcppyNMkJ4eo/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMFUr2pIu8qOFTID09ej-v-BwBv3C1P3UPFXYBWYax71BRzx7UThFkbCw1g_InHXnSOr94u3oe5_8xKRT1iNNYpxIYYP6mTyQAnfch4H1al-8TPPSBrJnSXNgrQMYqsZlcppyNMkJ4eo/s1600/2.png" /></a></div>
Click on the subscribe button which will take you through to <a href="https://www.worldgolfpass.com/page/subscribenow" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Step Three:<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6TjF97Awz4Fab_7x7T7MA9dbnQciB13O0Lc1_cr3eLWunuSxvBScVjqqsWQ3h48ENyruaPC8Z-04bMlbl7pv5zZvHSNhMxBcGOnyDjU6OBMAAtIVMyjQrEQeGgPaIRHPH5pJnh8uJPA/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6TjF97Awz4Fab_7x7T7MA9dbnQciB13O0Lc1_cr3eLWunuSxvBScVjqqsWQ3h48ENyruaPC8Z-04bMlbl7pv5zZvHSNhMxBcGOnyDjU6OBMAAtIVMyjQrEQeGgPaIRHPH5pJnh8uJPA/s320/3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Click on 'Single Week Pass' to highlight it and then click 'Subscribe Now'.<br />
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Step Four:<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-u7keRt7ceDF38YGaMYEkuBvazvNwunmzl5PHuELCEmDHtJbwJogllovupMjhlLopShz96pTlMfWpiQzApkRsbKE9HHqSJOD7oRHY2LTBejfBYP4C6bX1CBaCTGHhJ9xeVktOViWaFs/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-u7keRt7ceDF38YGaMYEkuBvazvNwunmzl5PHuELCEmDHtJbwJogllovupMjhlLopShz96pTlMfWpiQzApkRsbKE9HHqSJOD7oRHY2LTBejfBYP4C6bX1CBaCTGHhJ9xeVktOViWaFs/s320/4.png" width="270" /></a></div>
Add the promotion code <b>ausopen16 </b>into the package selected panel and click Check.<br />
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Then complete the <b>World Golf Pass Registration</b> online form or sign in if you are a current user.<br />
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If you already have an account simply sign in.<br />
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Now you will be able to see the golf rounds live and for free. That's all there is to it, except to say <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>#GoKo</b></span> !Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-47788767299669232052016-01-27T16:20:00.002+13:002016-01-27T16:20:38.741+13:00Gullible Gourmands And Other PretensionsThe world's most expensive ice cream, according to <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/ondemand/feeding-the-super-rich" target="_blank">a television programme</a> I recently watched, earns its title due to the fact that its ice is sourced from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. <br />
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The appropriately named <a href="http://financesonline.com/the-worlds-10-most-expensive-desserts-diamond-fruitcakes-gold-encrusted-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Absurdity Sundae</a> made from this ice cream is a mere 'snip' at $US 60,000 per serving. Just how pretentious is that, and how jaded must be the appetites of the nouveau riche!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNgkX58mlmdVWZkeQK65V2ZSI82G0m5aDwCISwe_jXo-jasP44v-hFyQspcIm-NugMliJxc9QsNyPGtSgWQHncWpBflVlKfJYz5PViQzYdli047wLisKlKKlTwBkJX6DtAB75_nThaA4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNgkX58mlmdVWZkeQK65V2ZSI82G0m5aDwCISwe_jXo-jasP44v-hFyQspcIm-NugMliJxc9QsNyPGtSgWQHncWpBflVlKfJYz5PViQzYdli047wLisKlKKlTwBkJX6DtAB75_nThaA4/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Absurdity Sundae</td></tr>
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Mind you, the sundae in question does come with a first class ticket and a souvenir t-shirt.<br />
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In keeping with these these gourmet pretensions I thought I would suggest a couple of equally far-fetched additions to the menu:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The Salty Caramel Surprise - using sea salt scooped up from the depths of the <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiTlKfTgMnKAhXMmZQKHYwCDlgQFggbMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMariana_Trench&usg=AFQjCNFCZgf7i21RvMTMJcw8GX6pKK_33Q&sig2=hYGrXSqRY0Ruq0_XBcmRcQ" target="_blank">Mariana Trench </a>by a replica of Jules Verne's <a href="http://www.vernianera.com/Nautilus/" target="_blank">Nautilus</a>.<br /></li>
<li>Roar Coffee - forget the Vietnamese weasel coffee, k<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak" target="_blank">opi luwak</a>, made by collecting coffee beans eaten & passed through wild civets. My version is made from beans eaten and excreted by a reverse engineered <a href="http://news.discovery.com/animals/dinosaurs/when-will-we-see-a-dino-chicken-15052.htm" target="_blank">chicken-to-dinosaur</a>.</li>
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What all of the above goes to prove is that some people have more money than sense. I would suggest the super rich try a good New Zealand hokey pokey ice cream. It even tastes good when served in a private jet.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-16099295366872901782015-12-21T16:12:00.000+13:002015-12-21T16:28:37.826+13:00Confessions of an Armchair Golfer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSySBCAXMjnVf-_yo-pqvqAb953fale6NI3hevAo0OcoQ9RB_SI4JtEQ1qFyvcG_3yKXb5V4QyzaTwEvUgvjS09ZB4H9wipIrFPhbDEqY-1VKVG662jS7WcS_FjZ1b1kC4rCDAa6ZuMoE/s1600/waterhazard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSySBCAXMjnVf-_yo-pqvqAb953fale6NI3hevAo0OcoQ9RB_SI4JtEQ1qFyvcG_3yKXb5V4QyzaTwEvUgvjS09ZB4H9wipIrFPhbDEqY-1VKVG662jS7WcS_FjZ1b1kC4rCDAa6ZuMoE/s640/waterhazard.png" width="570" /></a></div>
<br />I used to be asked by friends & colleagues “What is your golf handicap?” To which my usual, response was one word “Golf”.<br />
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My earliest recollections of the game were accompanying my father, as he and a band of other hardy stalwarts transformed a large area of North Taranaki sand dunes into <a href="http://www.taranakigolf.co.nz/golf-club/waitara-golf-club" target="_blank">a playable 18 hole links</a>. So as a youngster I equated the term ‘golf’ with gorse & thistles, wild rabbits and exhausting toil.<br />
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In truth this impression has never left me. When I look at what LPGA professionals have to endure on a weekly basis I am amazed that they do so well – choking local haze, travel fatigue, lost luggage, fractious fans & family commitments.<br />
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My father was a good amateur golfer and had the build to make it so. His height helped him master a better than average swing and he did reasonably well in tournaments. I by comparison, inherited the worst physical attributes of both my parents. Short in the arms, middling in stature and built like the rugby forward I later became, any chance of a good golf swing was born to fail, quite literally.<br />
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Junior golf tournaments started for me at age ten and fortunately terms like ‘cut’ at that time did not enter the local vocabulary. By age thirteen I knew everything I needed to know about replacing divots, getting trundler wheels out of sand and hacking through lupins in search of my ball. My adolescent study of poetry also found me agreeing with Wordsworth when he uttered the immortal words “Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness”.<br />
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In short, by the time I was ready for high school I was also ready to pack away my clubs for good.<br />
So what you may well ask is giving me a renewed interest in golf? <br />
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Put simply, a chance twiddling of the TV remote a couple of years ago drew me to a young Lydia Ko winning her first pro tournament in Taiwan. It was one of those rare free-to-air showings on New Zealand television and my interest was piqued. <br />
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After watching the Swing Skirts tournament unfold I was hooked; and I have been following the LPGA tour ever since. In particular, we Kiwis admire Lydia’s rapid rise to the top of women’s golf.<br />
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In a country that is dominated by male sporting achievements – principally rugby – having a woman world number one is a great source of pride to many Kiwis. It is her demeanor on and off the course as much as her golfing prowess that impresses us.<br />
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We shouldn’t under estimate the impact of this success on the growth of, and interest in, the game in New Zealand. <br />
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George Harper of New Zealand Golf <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11502667" target="_blank">is quoted</a> as saying that the ‘<i>Ko Effect</i>’ has had a real impact on the growth of the Junior Women and Secondary Women’s game.<br />
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Junior women have seen an increase of nine per cent since 2013 and secondary women has risen 17 per cent.<br />
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Given golf's raised sporting profile I am almost tempted to go out and buy a new set of clubs…..almostUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-45920618944216581112015-11-11T14:07:00.000+13:002015-11-11T14:07:26.433+13:00Today's Art Work - Discovery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5L2BXyXTrG09viUG69226_gYitjaiqGIwhriHYDFSh4JA8eo61dNYbn5dEgUWBYosllT3jAJT5KaTEfGKujWuSg043LLJP5whVl2rljR3T-SjjPkGPjJA4TwjZ0ugie7kQbNrovjlUk/s1600/Discovery+-+Art+Print+On+Canvas.png" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Discovery</i><br />Print on Canvas<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roger Smith</span><br />Copies available <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/discovery_art_print_on_canvas-228698868359656080">here</a>.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-42105850782810067972015-11-09T16:16:00.000+13:002015-11-09T16:16:52.920+13:00Black Orbit II - Art on Canvas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/black_orbit_ii_original_art_wrapped_canvas_canvas_print-192988835700665787"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0fzZuTWHauZIqrMQV9NYmY0CuQTBb5cLlyVRQXQ4exsOEe0j1ur33G-BWKPmmj8ujKcATuZqBFarqGwXCnGrVumXv70wEJevYsW2r34ZrA303kRqH2HlR9pv5GRtSnR55ql143us3Qk/s640/Black+Orbit+II+-+Original+Art+Wrapped+Canvas+Print.png" width="590" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-61618479989764724212015-10-28T13:34:00.003+13:002015-10-28T13:34:28.450+13:00Three Poems Set To MusicHere are three of my poems set to auto-generated music using an online generator.<br />
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<a href="http://typatone.com/m/CTQMk9AErR" target="_blank">Poem 1</a><br />
<a href="http://typatone.com/m/Dro8aPcnwJ" target="_blank">Poem 2</a><br />
<a href="http://typatone.com/m/IKlFnfip8p">Poem 3</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-47176453086512622682015-10-27T16:06:00.000+13:002015-10-27T16:06:45.067+13:00Homage To Tony - Art Work<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FMhAAaSbKI9hUWDREq_iXE7tgHFYsNCU5fDzPUGcRtnBCKBvvXFp-oewRIelZA5VRnlW6j5dqcd4Z_LeBpQi2Kl0UeHcQ0zYigtOjZdg3bZv1t1omM34cXfLToOLyOgcScTv4arJsJM/s1600/Homage+To+Tony+-+On+Canvas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FMhAAaSbKI9hUWDREq_iXE7tgHFYsNCU5fDzPUGcRtnBCKBvvXFp-oewRIelZA5VRnlW6j5dqcd4Z_LeBpQi2Kl0UeHcQ0zYigtOjZdg3bZv1t1omM34cXfLToOLyOgcScTv4arJsJM/s640/Homage+To+Tony+-+On+Canvas.png" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Homage To Tony</i><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roger Smith</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Print on canvas</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copies available <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/homage_to_tony_on_canvas_poster-228391063747106722" target="_blank">here</a></span></td></tr>
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In the 1980's when I was the Exhibitions Office at the Robert McDougall Art gallery in Christchurch, I used to hang the large canvases of the later New Zealand artists, Tony Fomison.<br />
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His was a deeply personal vision and this print on canvas is my homage to him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-48176775178439049522015-10-14T08:22:00.000+13:002015-10-14T08:22:21.498+13:00Today's Art Work - Abstract 1411<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPXkk6aEihE3W9qwA_ov68I2pfSD1B7fnqLuJ4v0D42F7lV1hySfNsFtuLLqmZIvyRVeR3nlezV9LvbHUhKCe2letDNLoDJZApPE9A-RIaplKPEO7UZW6VJQm0JC_6tf_cBwcRuNvw0s/s640/Abstract+1411+On+Canvas.jpg" width="570" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Abstract 1411</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">On Canvas<br />Roger Smith<br />Copies available <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/abstract_1411_on_canvas_poster-228326427846246966" target="_blank">here</a></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-55860838795242569932015-09-24T06:55:00.000+12:002015-09-24T06:55:43.272+12:00Red Peak Is A Red Herring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBoL4pxEjR802AngIwjnXhNHOMFpVzoKfPvePM-5CZxeCXNEORX78AFX6xntQzCEBMaSeHwbc8jiHrbH_8zPgNauwvLG4_Ps1EVSvMc-cjdDbtOcw1jxL4xqXfrIcYTWeUArMKdkfmPQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBoL4pxEjR802AngIwjnXhNHOMFpVzoKfPvePM-5CZxeCXNEORX78AFX6xntQzCEBMaSeHwbc8jiHrbH_8zPgNauwvLG4_Ps1EVSvMc-cjdDbtOcw1jxL4xqXfrIcYTWeUArMKdkfmPQ/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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This late inclusion of a nondescript piece of cloth into the new New Zealand flag debate is more about political one-upmanship than national identity.</div>
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A flag (Canada's is an excellent example) is about an immediately recognisable design that has a key recognisable element. This so-called 'red peak' design lacks any immediacy or national identity.</div>
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There are really only three design elements that resonate with all New Zealanders:</div>
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- The Kiwi</div>
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- The Koru</div>
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- The Silver Fern</div>
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It is the latter, the fern, that is by far the obvious choice and is already widely recognisable as 'New Zealand'.</div>
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I'll be voting for a design that includes it. If for some bizarre reason 'Red Peak' is chosen as the preferred alternative I will then vote for retaining the existing. </div>
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But perhaps that is the outcome that 'change the flag' critics & red peak supporters have been hoping for anyway?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-36709638856433445752015-09-06T10:50:00.000+12:002015-09-06T10:56:03.491+12:00When Nasi Lemak Goes Wrong - New Art Work<span id="goog_417085353"></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp_-Bl8lQFt0faElwwkGQJQO6Zf-sCiSBc5LxdR7ajDtRafwjIE5fyXnaZvPqNMSDhaQS5Q2oDeqdSm5IdMzODhZAsmt67clGXQEdNOZghq8QlLln6Snrk_7ohh-v6RtuOlJNTpHKw5Q/s1600/When+Nasi+Lemak+Goes+Wrong+Canvas+Print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp_-Bl8lQFt0faElwwkGQJQO6Zf-sCiSBc5LxdR7ajDtRafwjIE5fyXnaZvPqNMSDhaQS5Q2oDeqdSm5IdMzODhZAsmt67clGXQEdNOZghq8QlLln6Snrk_7ohh-v6RtuOlJNTpHKw5Q/s1600/When+Nasi+Lemak+Goes+Wrong+Canvas+Print.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i>When Nasi Lemak Goes Wrong</i></div>
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on canvas</div>
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Roger Smith 2015</div>
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Get the print <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/when_nasi_lemak_goes_wrong_canvas_print-228923079825519103" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<span id="goog_417085354"></span>Nasi Lemak is one of my favourite food but I couldn't resist adding the odd surrealist flourish! This work used a twitterbot to start the process and I worked from there.<br />
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For those who have had food poisoning from suspect chili paste this work may have a different interpretation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471151983797932841.post-23362312531178411022015-08-28T09:27:00.001+12:002015-08-28T09:29:08.455+12:00Singapore in the 1960'sInteresting set of photos of Singapore in the Sixties.<br />
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<iframe height="400" src="http://s566.photobucket.com/user/OMBugge/embed/slideshow/Singapore/Singapore%201960s" width="550"></iframe></center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0