Camp A Low Hum 2012

This past weekend I went to Camp A Low Hum in Wainui. I think it was the best Camp I've been to, and one of the best weekends ever. The more I think about it, the more it makes me happy, and though it sounds cheesy, it feels like I've 'been a part of something special'. Euphoric times, and I was very lucky to see a whole bunch of (new and old) friends from NZ and abroad. Weather on the first day was wet and pretty bleak, but there was heaps of great music. My friend Dove and I chose what the other would wear: he got a a shirt with a cat and his name on; I got an incredible kaftan. Mysticism ensued, and my sunshine ceremony may have helped, for the remaining two days were beautiful.
There were heaps of musical highlights: So So Modern (epic in the rain), Kikuyu, Terrible Truths, Dan Deacon, Aa (maybe my fav show?), Castlecliff Lights, Guerre, Shenandoah Davis, Kirin J Callinan, Hawnay Troof (killer party/killed my voice), Spring Break (Sexiest Pool Party), Jon Lemmon, The Shocking and Stunning, All Seeing Hand, Prince Rama.
And there were heaps of non-musical highlights: crazy dancing with friends; palm readings (love dat Party Line); thanking Kikuyu for playing and having her remember me from Camp '09; corn chip sandwiches, a capella bleep bloop accompaniments to songs; playing The Ninja Game, The Fruit Game, Wrestle Quest; getting an amazing mixtape-in-a-coconut; finally learning to 'whooooo' at a concert.
Such an incredible festival! I'm in complete agreement when people say it's one of the world's best, and I'll be back next year

Ships

So, the rather wonderful Naomi and I broke up. She realised she still had feelings for an ex. I joked that it would be good if there were dials with which you could control how much you felt for someone. We both started off not looking for anything too serious, but it became really meaningful, really quickly. Oh, those dials! We'd also said in spite of what happens, we'd be great friends - which is how it's turned out. It got me thinking about friendships, relationships, all those 'ships'.
It feels really amazing that many of the most special people in my life are ex-girlfriends. Girls that I've dated, spent beautiful time with, and loved. I could tell them 'I love you', then and now. Maybe our time together can't help but flow in to our friendship. Perhaps breaking up isn't *that* bad if it leads to such good things. And how does love differ between 'girlfriend' and 'just friends'? I guess it's some kind of continuous spectrum. Before me lies a whole panel of dials, one for each person in my life. They spin of their own accord.

Simon and I interview each other

I had a chat with one of my best buddies, Simon, last week. It's kind of a discussion about our time in Christchurch, the earthquake, subsequent moves to other countries, and how we dealt with all that. The second half is at Simon's blog, link at the bottom.

Simon: Hi David, how are you?

David:  I'm good thanks Simon, sitting in bed in Melbourne. It's just after 8am. How are you?

Last paste in Chch

On my last night in Christchurch, Simon and I did a bit of pasting. A few days earlier, he and I had quite impulsively taken a trip to the West Coast. He'd asked if I was happy with what I'd done in Chch, and when I said I'd never been to the Coast, we seized the moment. It was a long day of driving (top marks to Simon), and we managed to check off some great sights.
The drive to the Coast was good, and Arthur's Pass was okay. We stopped for lunch in Greymouth, before heading north to Punakaiki. I was really amazed by the Pancake Rocks. I was probably a touch sceptical as to how incredible they would be, but they exceeded my expectations a hundredfold. It was then further up to Westport, before heading home via Lewis Pass.
I don't think I can really convey how great a friend Simon is. We talked the whole time, sometimes deeply; often just quoting The Simpsons and joking around. He writes a fantastic blog, and has been a very close friend since the start of high school.
He has also gotten a good taste for pasting. We went along Bealey Ave and put up some colour swatches T'nealle and I found in an empty office. I'd had the idea to brighten up all the plain black power boxes, and I think this was a good start.

There were also these cryptic messages: 'We conduct many of these'

Campus A Low Hum 2011

I went to Campus A Low Hum again this past weekend, and I had a really great time. The weather was incredible - gorgeous hot days and lovely warm nights. I had a good time with the people I was with, and I think apart from Gina and a few others, almost everyone I wished was there, including my whole flat. Tenting was great fun, and I think we ate pretty well.
The bands were obviously one of the main highlights. I really loved St Rupertsberg, Hold Dear, Delaney Davidson, Secret Knives, Toro y Moi, Chelsea Jade & James Duncan, Ghost Wave, Glass Vaults, Pond, Megalex, and Caribou, who totally blew me away.
There was a really great range of music, and plenty of other things to check out. I really liked the art pieces that were scattered around the site. Many of them had to be discovered, which made it more rewarding.
I ended up getting a ride back to Wellington on the last night, and we arrived at 4:30am - it was a pretty great adventure, and a nice way to cap off the festival.
Gina met me at the airport, and it was so great to see her again. I'd been away for a two and a bit weeks, and missed her like crazy.

Fascinating!

Air New Zealand has a monopoly on flights to and from Palmerston North, so I always prefer to 'take the scenic route' and travel via Wellington. I was there for a week this time round, and Beth had the whole time off work, so we managed to do plenty of cool things that we'd wanted to over the last few years. We ate lots of yum food, explored the streets, went pasting (No Face from Spirited Away! (among others)), travelled to Somes Island, made rainbow cake, snuck in to spas, watched movies, visited Strathmore, drank cocktails, attended fun gigs, and bumped in to friends and strangers.
The main reason I'd travelled when I had was for Laneway Wellington. It was pretty good overall. The definite highlight was Beach House, who were overwhelmingly gorgeous. I was covered in shivers their whole show, which actually made me feel really hot. Deerhunter were disappointing with sound issues, though they did play Desire Lines, which I'm pretty crazy about.
I met up with my very good friend Adam, and we had sushi train. I also had juice with the lovely and very supportive team from Music 101.

It was a really great trip. Wellington, you're a gem.

People Are Just People

I guess apart from the book I mentioned reading, a big reason for the previous post was something mentioned in one of my favourite blogs. People Are Just People is amazing, and I love reading it. It's the work of Stacey (in Auckland) and Susie (in Melbourne), and consists of poetry and observations and thoughts. Susie mentioned becoming vegan to gain readers (I'll let you know how it goes!). Everything they write strikes me as very insightful. I've exchanged letters with each of the girls, and I'm looking forward to meeting them at Camp A Low Hum in a few weeks. Adoringly recommended.

Dudley Benson in Akaroa

On Sunday I went to Akaroa for the first time, to see Dudley Benson perform. It was an incredible day. I went over with Gina, Rose and Hannah. We walked around town, explored the wharf, ate chips for dinner, and met up with some friends of Gina's.
The concert was in Gaiety Hall, and the crowd of about forty were in for a treat. It was the most amazing show I've ever seen - the best concert I have ever attended. I'm a big fan of Dudley's, and he was just spellbinding; so heartfelt and talented, and a fantastic performer. The show was entirely a capella (he was accompanied by a four-part choir and a beatboxer) and all the songs from his new album Forest: The Songs of Hirini Melbourne were performed, as well as a few from The Awakening. The older songs were amazing, as they were re-arranged especially for the tour, and sounded incredible.
Dudley was such a warm, earnest performer, who clearly loves what he does. It felt like I was covered in shivers for much of the show, and tears welled up occasionally. At the end of the show, the audience were invited to share a tea or coffee with the performers. I'd interviewed Dudley in the previous week (recording online soon), and he was so nice to meet

The drive home was dark and quiet. We stopped near Little River to look at the stars; the sky was incredible. It was such an enjoyable day.

Twenty Six

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. It was a really nice day, beautiful weather, spent with great people. The sky was incredibly clear, and there was a strong nor'wester blowing. I went to the Botanic Gardens and had a picnic with some good friends. Later on at the flat, we began a Bill Murray-thon, and watched Stripes, Ghostbusters, and Groundhog Day. I think I liked each more than the previous one, but Murray was pretty consistent.
It doesn't feel like very long since I posted about being 25 last September. In the last year... I think I've become more 'me', or at least more like the kind of person I want to be.
At the same time, it sort of feels like I'm slowing down the ways in which I'm improving. I've got an incredible group of friends, but I'd still like to meet some new people, and it seems like the rate at which I'm meeting people is slowing. And it seems that maybe I'm doing fewer interesting things, or just getting used to the things I do. I guess I want to keep getting better, I'm just not sure how to keep doing it

Laneways

Completing the last of my summer jaunts (well, there can always be adventures, and escapades), I went to Laneways in Auckland on Monday. And given that it's the first time to be held in NZ, it was outstanding. I wrote a review of the concert here, and here are some other things that happened.

I travelled to Auckland with Rose. She was staying with friends, and I once again stayed with Nick and Sarah. I met up with my friends Hannah and Ben, and we went to The Big House. We bought groceries and went to Western Springs. Hannah hand fed a sparrow.

On Sunday, Hannah and I walked around clothing stores. I bought some amazing yellow jeans. We also went to a vintage store. While there I recognised a girl from Camp; she'd had recording equipment with her. I introduced myself, and she was Emma, a producer from Music 101 on Radio New Zealand. She was at the store with host Kirsten, and we talked a little about radio.

Hannah and I played The Wallet Game, in which two people swap wallets, and quiz the other on the contents. Hannah received the grade of Pigeon; I got Yellow Stripe.

Laneways started at midday, and showers threatened. We all dressed lightly, and it proved to be a nice day.

I saw a number of my friends - the concert was a well sized 5000-strong, and didn't feel crowded. I saw Emma once again, and also found the completely stunning Chelsea Jade. I introduced myself (as being the author of this blog), and we chatted briefly. She was lovely, and gave me a gift. "I admire everything you do", I said.

The concert was very good, and ended with farewells. My flatmate Fran was leaving the next day on an 8-month world trip. It'd been great living with her, and we hugged for about ten minutes. Rose also left the next day, though just to Australia for two weeks.

"It's a lie that you've gotta be a big man - big man in this world"