This past week marked a year since I arrived in Wellington, a city which felt more like home than the city I have lived in for most of my life. I have thought fondly of my time spent in New Zealand, and most importantly, the people I met there. The general friendliness of Kiwis remains one of my fondest impressions about my experience there. There was always someone smiling at me, and it helped me to feel like less of a stranger than I truly was. I have discovered that Canadians and Kiwis share an inexplicable connection that makes the process of meeting new people and friends effortless. If you have ever thought about traveling to New Zealand, do so, because none can rival the hospitality of Kiwis.
Wellington is a city full of art and culture. Everywhere you go in the core of downtown, you will find street performers and artists, music of all kinds, and friendly people going shoeless. The city is very pedestrian-friendly and so you see more people in a given day than you would trapped in a vehicle necessitated by suburban sprawl. If you go to the Cuba Street Mall, (which is not a mall by Canadian standards, it's a street) you're bound to see someone you know, even if you know very few people. This constant face-to-face contact with other residents develops a very strong sense of community, one which I have not experienced anywhere else I have ever been. Wellington is a remarkable place.
All of the people that I met in New Zealand have a special place in my fondest memories, during the best summer I have ever had. Well, so far.
Also, I am dying for a Moro Gold chocolate bar.
Long Weekends and the Un-Hangover
My father got married this weekend, and during the course of the reception, I ingested an unadvisable amount of alcohol for someone of my tolerance. Needless to say, the following day was unpleasant. In additional to my chemical disruption, I also did not sleep well, so my day yesterday was a complete write-off.
After an evening of drunkenness, we experience a low, where the highs of the previous festivities are inverted to the lowest depths of regret. The fun is great, but the backlash is a bitch. Well, today, I am experiencing the backlash to the backlash. I feel more rested and lucid than I have felt in a while. The nausea has subsided, and the headaches are no more. I am born again sober, and it's great. I've been productive today, completing several things on my ongoing list of things to do. One of those things was to continue posting on my blog.
So if you're unsure what to do with your next long weekend, I have a recipe that will bring you highs, lows, and moderate productivity. I have included some extra options for the reckless.
Long Weekend Special
Day 1: Consume too much alcohol. Mix in some family and friends for a good time. For a more cake-like texture and a bit of drama, add a splash of drunk texting. For extra spice, drunk text your friends' ex's.
Day 2: Stir in as much water as you can without feeling bloated or full. Eat bacon, but do not eat eggs. Moan and regret for 7 to 14 hours hours on low. Get a good night's sleep.
Day 3: Sleep in, but when you awake, marvel at the glory of not feeling like shit, and remind yourself how good it is to be alive. Eat a Mr. Freeze freezie. Post on blog.
After an evening of drunkenness, we experience a low, where the highs of the previous festivities are inverted to the lowest depths of regret. The fun is great, but the backlash is a bitch. Well, today, I am experiencing the backlash to the backlash. I feel more rested and lucid than I have felt in a while. The nausea has subsided, and the headaches are no more. I am born again sober, and it's great. I've been productive today, completing several things on my ongoing list of things to do. One of those things was to continue posting on my blog.
So if you're unsure what to do with your next long weekend, I have a recipe that will bring you highs, lows, and moderate productivity. I have included some extra options for the reckless.
Long Weekend Special
Day 1: Consume too much alcohol. Mix in some family and friends for a good time. For a more cake-like texture and a bit of drama, add a splash of drunk texting. For extra spice, drunk text your friends' ex's.
Day 2: Stir in as much water as you can without feeling bloated or full. Eat bacon, but do not eat eggs. Moan and regret for 7 to 14 hours hours on low. Get a good night's sleep.
Day 3: Sleep in, but when you awake, marvel at the glory of not feeling like shit, and remind yourself how good it is to be alive. Eat a Mr. Freeze freezie. Post on blog.
On Lesbians...
I discovered in New Zealand that I often develop little crushes on women who turn out to be lesbians. This is clearly not an ideal situation for a straight male. However, I managed to use it to write a song that is truly my own.
This new song is so very me, in that it contains complete tangents, and is the goofiest song I've ever written. It's strange that I tend to write lyrics that are way darker and more serious than I truly am. This song feels much more true to life. Topics include the aforementioned lesbian hunting, Star Wars Episode III, and Natalie Portman, my biggest celebrity crush. Watch here for an upcoming youTube video of it!
This new song is so very me, in that it contains complete tangents, and is the goofiest song I've ever written. It's strange that I tend to write lyrics that are way darker and more serious than I truly am. This song feels much more true to life. Topics include the aforementioned lesbian hunting, Star Wars Episode III, and Natalie Portman, my biggest celebrity crush. Watch here for an upcoming youTube video of it!
So Many Separate Projects...
Lately I have been keeping myself busy with a bunch of different artistic endeavours. I arranged a two-song medley of "Idioteque" by radiohead and "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles, and performed the set alongside Cody Kurz and Melissa Gan (double bass and violin respectively). It was a lot of fun, and I really liked the sound of that ensemble. I have a few other songs that I want to arrange for that group, and I hope to drag them both out to an open mic night at Lydia's some time soon.
I have also performed alongside Nolto a few times lately. I still don't know what the general reception is to acoustic hip hop. Once we get a few more tracks ready, I hope to film a performance of ours, and record it as a live album. Slowly, but surely, that project is creeping towards its intended goal.
In addition, I feel really good about the progress we've made on a movie by Five Stones Films. Every time I go through it, I feel less and less compelled to make any changes. The opening scene has already been shot, and you can see an example of it here.
In general, it has been rare for me to consistently make progress on this many projects at once. Normally, I want to do a number of things, but only one gets worked on at a time. The first that I truly started artistic multitasking was in New Zealand, where I had the time to do so. I've proven to myself that I can actually work on a number of things at once, and that I actually truly enjoy bouncing from one project to the next as my interests change. It is clear to me that I have been persistently more prolific since my trip abroad.
Thanks, New Zealand!
P.S. I miss your chocolate bars.
I have also performed alongside Nolto a few times lately. I still don't know what the general reception is to acoustic hip hop. Once we get a few more tracks ready, I hope to film a performance of ours, and record it as a live album. Slowly, but surely, that project is creeping towards its intended goal.
In addition, I feel really good about the progress we've made on a movie by Five Stones Films. Every time I go through it, I feel less and less compelled to make any changes. The opening scene has already been shot, and you can see an example of it here.
In general, it has been rare for me to consistently make progress on this many projects at once. Normally, I want to do a number of things, but only one gets worked on at a time. The first that I truly started artistic multitasking was in New Zealand, where I had the time to do so. I've proven to myself that I can actually work on a number of things at once, and that I actually truly enjoy bouncing from one project to the next as my interests change. It is clear to me that I have been persistently more prolific since my trip abroad.
Thanks, New Zealand!
P.S. I miss your chocolate bars.
Housekeeping
It has been far too long since I posted here regularly. I went through a less-than-awesome transition period upon returning to Canada from New Zealand, and it took me a while to get settled. I now have a full-time job at Long and McQuade as a guitar salesman, and I hope that the stability of a real job will allow me to return to my more regular blogging schedule.
I have been slowly working on some musical projects lately, and I have a few upcoming concert appearances. I really want to perform live music on a regular basis again, and the next few months should help me regain the wonderful habit of regular performance.
In addition to my musical projects, I have recently begun doing some revision for a script that is being turned into a short film by Five Stones Films. So far it has been an interesting project. More on that as it develops.
In the meantime, I have uploaded a few tracks composed in the late stages of developing Notepad Command.
Notepad Command Extended Music Release by RHProductions
I have been slowly working on some musical projects lately, and I have a few upcoming concert appearances. I really want to perform live music on a regular basis again, and the next few months should help me regain the wonderful habit of regular performance.
In addition to my musical projects, I have recently begun doing some revision for a script that is being turned into a short film by Five Stones Films. So far it has been an interesting project. More on that as it develops.
In the meantime, I have uploaded a few tracks composed in the late stages of developing Notepad Command.
Notepad Command Extended Music Release by RHProductions
Long Time, No Blog
It has been some time since I last posted here. I certainly did not intend to stop writing upon returning from New Zealand. It was more that I had fewer things worth blogging about. It's difficult to go from an adventure to a bland, familiar kind of normalcy. It was good to see friends upon returning to Saskatoon, for sur. But returning to the place I was excited to leave...well, it didn't exactly leave me inspired to write about my life.
All of the members of my prospective band are now in the same city for the first time, and I'm looking forward to kicking off that project. I have also been musing about a screenplay that I intend to write, though I am currently in the process of doing research for it. As for current musical projects, I will be busy this week rehearsing for the U of S composition recital, and with a friend for Thursday. I will be performing at local bar Amigo's this Thursday with an old friend, Nolto. We're doing three songs as an acoustic hip hop duo. I'm as nervous about how it will go as I am excited to perform. It should be interesting.
All of the members of my prospective band are now in the same city for the first time, and I'm looking forward to kicking off that project. I have also been musing about a screenplay that I intend to write, though I am currently in the process of doing research for it. As for current musical projects, I will be busy this week rehearsing for the U of S composition recital, and with a friend for Thursday. I will be performing at local bar Amigo's this Thursday with an old friend, Nolto. We're doing three songs as an acoustic hip hop duo. I'm as nervous about how it will go as I am excited to perform. It should be interesting.
On Forms
I would like to know what kinds of morons always end up designing employment application forms. Clearly they never take the time to fill them out themselves, simply due to the poorly-spaced sections. In addition, there is no reason to include the address of my past employers. There is not a single prospective employer that is going to show up at all of the places where I used to work, so it's not necessary information. And if anyone were crazy enough to do so, they should be capable of googling it and finding the address themselves. Or perhaps call the number I have to provide, and ask them where they are, if it's that big of a deal.
And yet so many forms require the addresses. Those form designers should all be fired, and I should be hired in their place. But, alas, I would have to navigate through the dense jungle of their idiocy in order to fix their obvious mistakes.
And yet so many forms require the addresses. Those form designers should all be fired, and I should be hired in their place. But, alas, I would have to navigate through the dense jungle of their idiocy in order to fix their obvious mistakes.
Return of the King
I have been home for almost a week now, and I'm delighted that going from summer to prairie winter isn't as terrible as I thought it would be. You can take the man out of the prairie, but...
Anyway, the most noticeable change is that the sun goes down so much earlier. The result of this is that my body shuts down, and I could fall asleep any time between 8 and 9pm, every day. And it's not a time zone thing, either. 9pm here would be 4pm where I've been. It's totally a sun thing, and I look forward to my body adjusting to my new sunlight schedule.
Until recently, I had no desire to look for classical guitar sheet music. But in the last while, I have gone back to some of the material from my last few years of school, and I enjoy it again. It's good to want to keep playing some of that music, before it slips from my memory completely.
Anyway, the most noticeable change is that the sun goes down so much earlier. The result of this is that my body shuts down, and I could fall asleep any time between 8 and 9pm, every day. And it's not a time zone thing, either. 9pm here would be 4pm where I've been. It's totally a sun thing, and I look forward to my body adjusting to my new sunlight schedule.
Until recently, I had no desire to look for classical guitar sheet music. But in the last while, I have gone back to some of the material from my last few years of school, and I enjoy it again. It's good to want to keep playing some of that music, before it slips from my memory completely.
My Last Day in New Zealand
My travels here are coming to an end soon. I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, and I'm already packed to go. I'm really going to miss this place, though I am certain I will be back some day. I would really like to go on tour here some time. I've met a lot of cool people here in Wellington.
Tonight I will be playing my last performance here, at a new open mic event. It's only in its third week, and that's where I'm having my farewell get-together. It seems appropriate to be spending my last evening playing music and hanging out with the open mic crowd.
Tonight I will be playing my last performance here, at a new open mic event. It's only in its third week, and that's where I'm having my farewell get-together. It seems appropriate to be spending my last evening playing music and hanging out with the open mic crowd.
Kaikoura
I've been in Kaikoura for the past two days. It's a tourist town on the east coast of the south island, known for whale-watching, dolphin-swimming, and great scenery. Unfortunately, the weather has been shite, and it rained for most of yesterday. However, I stayed at my friend Ayça's place, and worked on some writing projects all day. It was actually quite productive. I also played at a local bar last evening, which was a lot of fun.
Today I walked down to a seal colony, and got amazingly close to some seals. The scenery was amazing, despite the dull weather, and the rain stopped long enough for me to walk there and back home. It's been a great trip. I definitely plan to see more of the country when I am next in New Zealand.
Today I walked down to a seal colony, and got amazingly close to some seals. The scenery was amazing, despite the dull weather, and the rain stopped long enough for me to walk there and back home. It's been a great trip. I definitely plan to see more of the country when I am next in New Zealand.
Two Weeks Left
With my departure two weeks from tomorrow, I have been trying to fill up my schedule with as many awesome things as possible. Tomorrow I am going on a three-day trip to Kaikoura, to work with another writer to rewrite a few episodes of a web-series that will be shot in Auckland sometime early this year. While I'm there, I've also worked out a gig at a local bar for Thursday night. Upon returning on Saturday, I will be preparing to play on the acoustic stage at the 350 Birdman Competition on Sunday.
Tonight, though, I have to pack for my trip and go to a new open mic event at Meow here in Wellington. It's a busy week, but I'm sure it'll be a good one.
Tonight, though, I have to pack for my trip and go to a new open mic event at Meow here in Wellington. It's a busy week, but I'm sure it'll be a good one.
It is important to travel once in a while.
It is such a healthy thing to go somwehere away from home until you miss it. Just once in a while, so that you can remember what you miss about home. Because once you have a little time and distance from it all, you start to forget about the things that didn't matter, or which bothered you. And you realize which things you actually miss about home. You get a clear sign of the things you miss, and the things you don't, and it's amazing for self-reflection. You realize what is was about the things you did that you truly enjoyed.
You also gain exposure to new things when you travel. I have started listening to all kinds of new artists since coming to Wellington. I have spent all week listening to Amanda Palmer's album "Who Killed Amanda Palmer." I also cleaned my iPod. I took off everything, and only put music on it which I have recently acquired, focusing on new artists I want to experience, with a very few classic album exceptions. I added Weezer's Pinkerton, because I use it to induce sleep. Not because it's a boring album, but because I have a Pavlovian association between Pinkerton and sleep.
Since I decided to come home early, I have enjoyed myself more. I have relaxed about the whole financial thing, and really taken the time to do the things that interest me. It has been so amazing. I recommend this interesting TED talk, which explains many of the wonderful things I am experiencing on my holiday in New Zealand.
You also gain exposure to new things when you travel. I have started listening to all kinds of new artists since coming to Wellington. I have spent all week listening to Amanda Palmer's album "Who Killed Amanda Palmer." I also cleaned my iPod. I took off everything, and only put music on it which I have recently acquired, focusing on new artists I want to experience, with a very few classic album exceptions. I added Weezer's Pinkerton, because I use it to induce sleep. Not because it's a boring album, but because I have a Pavlovian association between Pinkerton and sleep.
Since I decided to come home early, I have enjoyed myself more. I have relaxed about the whole financial thing, and really taken the time to do the things that interest me. It has been so amazing. I recommend this interesting TED talk, which explains many of the wonderful things I am experiencing on my holiday in New Zealand.
Mixed News
I have changed my original plan to stay in New Zealand until April. I have decided to return home on February 2nd, for a whole host of reasons. The most pressing reason is that I haven't found a job, and staying til April would leave me in financial ruin. My trip would be tainted, and so far, it's been amazing. If I leave now, it will be an wonderful and much-needed holiday. If I wait it out, it might be the worst decision I've ever made for my finances.
In addition, I am trying to start up a musical project with and old friend, Kristel. (She isn't old, the friendship is.) I'm really excited about it, and since I came to New Zealand to further my musical career, it would be foolish not to come home for an opportunity like this one. And the opportunity wouldn't have happened if I had stayed at home. I needed this trip more than I ever could have imagined. I will never forget this place.
So I now have about 4 weeks to enjoy what I can here in New Zealand. I hope to do a trip to the south island sometime soon. With the money I'll save leaving early, I can actually do things here, and enjoy the time that I have left.
It was saddening to actually change my flight, but I know that it's the right decision, for so many reasons.
In addition, I am trying to start up a musical project with and old friend, Kristel. (She isn't old, the friendship is.) I'm really excited about it, and since I came to New Zealand to further my musical career, it would be foolish not to come home for an opportunity like this one. And the opportunity wouldn't have happened if I had stayed at home. I needed this trip more than I ever could have imagined. I will never forget this place.
So I now have about 4 weeks to enjoy what I can here in New Zealand. I hope to do a trip to the south island sometime soon. With the money I'll save leaving early, I can actually do things here, and enjoy the time that I have left.
It was saddening to actually change my flight, but I know that it's the right decision, for so many reasons.
Welcome, 2011.
I spent New Year's Eve busking around downtown Wellington. There were a lot of buskers out there, and most of them had amplifiers. This left my friend, Tamau, and me at a great disadvantage. It was not as wildly profitable as I had hoped, but it was still a lot of fun.
Due to the fact that I have not found employment, I might be returning to Canada sooner than I had planned. As much as I would like to stay here for longer, if I do have to head home early, I won't be sad about my trip. It has been exactly what I needed it to be, and much more. The fact that I haven't been working has actually been one of the best parts of this trip. I had no idea how badly I needed to unwind until I had the time to do so. And the repeated job searches have led me to a bunch of opportunities that I would otherwise have missed out on, including the chance to help rewrite scripts for a comedy that's going to be shot in Auckland sometime early this year. I have always been interested in screenwriting, and now I have gotten a start. I like scripts. I would never have known that if I had found a job right away.
I've written a fair bit of music, and had time to reflect on the shortcomings of my songwriting. I have met some great people, and had a blast here. I have no regrets about what has happened so far. Don't get me wrong, if I found a job tomorrow, I'd be ecstatic. But if I have to go home early with the experiences that I have had here so far, this trip will still have been a bigger success than I was hoping for.
Due to the fact that I have not found employment, I might be returning to Canada sooner than I had planned. As much as I would like to stay here for longer, if I do have to head home early, I won't be sad about my trip. It has been exactly what I needed it to be, and much more. The fact that I haven't been working has actually been one of the best parts of this trip. I had no idea how badly I needed to unwind until I had the time to do so. And the repeated job searches have led me to a bunch of opportunities that I would otherwise have missed out on, including the chance to help rewrite scripts for a comedy that's going to be shot in Auckland sometime early this year. I have always been interested in screenwriting, and now I have gotten a start. I like scripts. I would never have known that if I had found a job right away.
I've written a fair bit of music, and had time to reflect on the shortcomings of my songwriting. I have met some great people, and had a blast here. I have no regrets about what has happened so far. Don't get me wrong, if I found a job tomorrow, I'd be ecstatic. But if I have to go home early with the experiences that I have had here so far, this trip will still have been a bigger success than I was hoping for.
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