About
This blog will be about my various interests (I know, I know…. how original) and I will also be writing a book on-line.
My interests include:
Art… I have a few artist friends and I buy art occasionally (usually abstract landscapes)
Cooking… I do all the cooking at home for my wife and I. I particularly like barbequing and throwing dinner parties
Carpentry… I used to be a set carpenter in the theatre and I make my own furniture
Gardening… Because I like to cook I also like to use fresh home grown vegetables
Kites… I’ve liked kites from since I was a child. Now that I’m older I’ve started making more complicated kites
Music… I’m tired of Rock and I don’t like most Rap or C&W. I tend to listen to Chill Out, Regae, Jazz and World music.
Photography… Although I studied photography at art college and worked in commercial photography as an assistant most of the photos in this blog are just snap shots
Theatre… I go to the theatre several times a year with my wife and her parents
Travel… I lived overseas for 11 years and I usually go abroad once a year (sometimes more, sometimes less)
When I write about my interests I will try to explain how I did things with either plans, recipes or tips.
My online book will be about my younger years when I did so many dumb things, it’s a wonder I’m still alive. Hopefully they will be seen as amusing cautionary tales.
The reason why I’m writing the about “All the Dumb Things” in a blog is that it forces me to be disciplined and get the stories out of my head into the real world. I see this blog as a place to put down my rough drafts, almost like the framework of a house that I can fill in and decorate as I go. I’ve been finding that as I read what I’ve written, more and more detail is being released from the vaults of my memory.
To help you, dear reader, get a sense of where I’m coming from, I leave you with this quote from the prologue of Hermann Hesse’s book Demian.
“Every person’s life is a journey toward himself, the attempt at a journey, the intimation of a path. No person has ever been completely himself, but each one strives to become so, some gropingly, others more lucidly, according to his abilities. Each one carries with him to the end traces of his birth, the slime and eggshells of a primordial world. Many a one never becomes a human being, but remains a frog, lizard, or ant. Many a one is a human being above and a fish below. But each one is a gamble of Nature, a hopeful attempt at forming a human being.”
So on I stumble, trying to become more of a human being.
May 12th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Hi Razz,
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experiences, thoughts and photographs. Extremely entertaining, and wonderful photography to enhance or make your stories sing. You seem to have lead a full and satisfying life, and come across as a bloke who it would be a pleasure to share a frosty beverage with some day. Best of luck, and if you are ever in SE Asia, drop a note!!!
Thanks again for sharing your work!!!
Joe Garrison
May 13th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Thanks for the kind words. I’ve got lots more stories to tell and heaps more photos, so check in every now and again.
July 15th, 2007 at 9:18 am
would you know where i could buy them from in england? like a website or anything? thankyou for commenting on my page
iv left a link to your blog on mine too, i love your travelling and im also jealous
July 15th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
(Miss Eccles is referring to a Japan Rail Pass comment that I left on her blog)
I typed in “japan rail passes uk” in Google and the first thing that came up was this :http://www.japantravel.co.uk/04-00jrpassHome.htm
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your savings to go on your trip.
January 1st, 2008 at 8:57 am
Hi Razz, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. That Chrismtas night in Sarajevo was a really special one. Sometimes studying an instrument for as long and as seriously as I did can make it seem more like work and stress than pleasure. Nights like that one remind you of what a gift it is, to be able to play and share music with others. I’ve enjoyed browsing through your blog today - nice work!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Great website, I like your work too!
Kedar, Zurich
March 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Thanks for the complement and for dropping by.
March 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hi there,
just thought I should see who left the comment about Epicurus on my blog, so here I am! I love the variety on your site… will keep popping in to have a look.
I lived in Sydney for a while some time back and loved exploring Australia. It’s a fascinating place. You obviously love life and have quite a life to love so I look forward to reading/ seeing more in future.
Epicurienne.
PS do you mind if I put a link to your blog on my page?
March 27th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
>Epicurienne.
>PS do you mind if I put a link to your blog on my page?
I’d be honored and I will do likewise. Nice to hear from a fellow Epicurean and thanks for coming by.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Thanks Razz.
Epic.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:46 am
Hi Razz,
Ha! I’m not always the sharpest knife in the drawer. I linked in to your tales of Phnom Penh not realizing this was *your* blog…updated as recently as yesterday! Once I figured that out I had fun meeting your Mum, seeing your wonderful photos and…learning about that fence rail you repaired (stick to blogging!). (-:
I’m a publisher. A friend sent me a link to one of your posts about your time in Phnom Penh. One of my authors was a researcher from U of Hawaii who was also there in early 1975. He was gathering information on the (formerly) Royal Cambodian dancers and their tradition. He escaped with his papers and photos on April 7 in a military transport.
More than 30 years later, I’ve finally published his work as “Earth in Flower - The Divine Mystery of the Cambodian Dance Drama.” This is the most comprehensive history of Cambodian dance ever compiled. Sadly, no more complete account can ever be compiled…it’s estimated that 90% of the dancers and their teachers died under the Khmer Rouge regime. There are photos and more info at http://www.EarthInFlower.com
Note that this book is only about the dance tradition, but the author also kept diaries with his impressions of the city at that pivotal time. I’ve been encouraging him to gather these for a future book. Sounds like you’re on the same track.
My contact info is on the website. This post probably includes my email at an admin level. I hope to hear from you!
Thanks for sharing your account and photos. You have a terrific blog!
Kent Davis
April 8th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
love the phnom penh stories, please don’t stop at just three, keep them coming, alongwith the photos.
just linked to you on my own blog.
i’m living in pp myself these days (i’d had enough of England) and loving every minute of it.
thankfully the dodging of bombs and so on has subsided for a while!
Andy
April 9th, 2008 at 12:43 am
>love the phnom penh stories, please don’t stop at just three, keep them coming,
Thanks for the kind words. I’ve got about 3 or 4 more stories about Cambodia but none of them are as mental as the visit to the battle front that you are referring to.
April 18th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Kia ora,
“Kaua e whakaarohia te mahinga engari te otinga”
Translation: Think not on the labour, rather reflect on the completion
I read with interest about your desire for Maori art, I looked for your Email address but didn’t see it.
My name is Jason Watson from Aotearoa (New Zealand), it is my great honor to invite you to view the online exhibition of master New Zealand Maori carver Bronwyn Warwick, view the collection at this link:
http://jwatson.kol.co.nz/nza_page1.html
View her online exhibition as I’m sure you will be delighted with the traditional and contemporary Maori carvings using bone, Paua shell and Cook island pearl shells and corals.
Over the past 35 years, Bronwyn has studied, practiced and perfected her technique to an extremely high level, she has had many high-profile customers and has been commissioned by several corporate entities.
Proud of her Ngai Tahu Ngati Poneke Whakapapa (genealogy), Master carver Bronwyn Warwick creates much sought after pieces that have adorned the necks of super-models, celebrities and corporate heads.
There are many carvers of New Zealand Maori works but Bronwyn is rated within the top five master carvers in her works
Bronwyn has taught (and is currently teaching) carving at several
prestigious New Zealand institutes, mentoring many trainee carvers. She has also worked on specially commissioned pieces for several internationally high-profile people.
From Miss World contestants to the wives of generals, her work has been reviewed widely, both nationally and internationally and her exhibitions well patronised.
Bronwyn’s works have been displayed and purchased in the United States, Canada, Japan, England, Australia and of course, here in New Zealand.
E noho rā
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:34 am
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I somehow accidentally deleted it though, so don’t get offended if you don’t see it. You could even go back and repost again if you want, I’ll be more careful. You have some great stuff. I’m going to subscribe to your blog as well! Cheers!!
Nathan
May 8th, 2008 at 6:02 am
Hi, You left a comment on my blog recently with a reference to the artist, Rosalie Gascolgne. I appreciate it so much as I was not familiar with her. I looked her up on the internet and I have gone back several times to look at her images. I am doing another road project at the moment and I think her work is speaking to me! Maybe I need meds but I think it’s a good thing! I have also read a few of your blog entries and will return to read more. You are a cheerful bloke–perhaps the sense of wonder you have now has been your secret survival skill?
Anyway, thanks.
Pat
May 8th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Thanks for dropping by.
Glad you liked Rosalie Gascoigne’s work. Photos can sometimes be like the “found objects” that Rosalie worked with. It just takes a certain intelligence to perceive the beautiful in the mundane.
As for being cheerful. I’ve got a lot to be cheerful about. Everyday I count my blessings as I know how lucky I am on so many different levels.
May 9th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Just went to James Powditch’s site. Three Days of Condor. Can you hear me yodeling in Australia? Truly. Liftoff is the polite way of saying it. “Holy Crap” is what a friend says when she sees something that she loves instantly. Take your pick. I thank you so much for your executive toy brain!
Pat
i am posting this response on my site as well since I’m still not sure how this blogging thing works.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Razz -
Have really enjoyed keeping up with your blog here, well done mate! I have tried posting a couple comments in some of the individual sections; the post appear to send, but for some reason aren’t appearing in the comments. Is there a glitch somewhere, or am I managing to screw up even this easy process??? Truly a pleasure following along with your new entries every couple of months, though, either way!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Been meaning to come and have a squizz over here for a while now and eventually made it safely
Do you think its all southern hemisphere blokes that enjoy the bbq? Saffers go nuts for it - right off to go have a read while I drink my mocha!
June 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thanks for dropping by Sanity.
“Do you think its all southern hemisphere blokes that enjoy the bbq?”
All the ones I know. A lot of the women here like them as well. Especially since it’s usually the guys who want to be the ones in charge of burning the meat
“right off to go have a read while I drink my mocha!”
Enjoy your coffe and I hope the topics and my writing don’t curdle the experience. Things have been a bit full on lately.
June 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Joe.
Always good to hear from you. My well meaning spam filter has been blocking you for some reason and your comments were being held back. I’m so glad I checked it before I dumped it’s contents without checking like I normaly do.