¿Yo me enfrio o lo soplo? (The Clash)

Photo by Adrien Delforge on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Great scenario and question from Seth Godin:

There are three people in line at the supermarket. One gets into a short line and sticks to it no matter how slow it is or how much faster the others seem to be going. Another changes lines repeatedly based on whatever he thinks might save a few seconds. And a third switches only once - when it's clear her line is delayed and there is a clear alternative - and then continues with her day.

The question is - which type are you?

I'm definitely that third person, Jacky is also.

Which is lucky, because Seneca advises us to be this third type.

Just because you've begun down one path doesn't mean you're committed to it forever, especially if that path turns out to be flawed or impeded.

Love and peace - Wozza

I am he as you are he as you are me a nd we are all together (The Beatles)

Wie geht's?

Thanks to reading Anne Tyler's A Spool Of Blue Thread, I've been thinking a lot about the various stages we go through in life between being a child and old age.

Then Seth Godin put this on his blog:

And who are you really?
There’s a desire to celebrate our “authentic” self.

But perhaps our considered self, the one that shows up when we’re doing our best to be consistent, generous and professional–that’s our authentic self. And the voice that slips out when we’re tired, stressed or busy is simply an incomplete and lesser version of who we actually are.

We’re the sum total of the interactions we choose to create and the changes we contribute.

This made me reflect on my 'authentic' self and I tend to think it's just the present tense me. Whatever you see right now - that's my authentic self. So, yes, the sum total is the real me.

I do like how he has the 'considered' self, though. I take it that's the reflective self that you are reading right now.

Currently, I'm reading The Vivero Letter, an old Desmond Bagley adventure book. It was first published in 1968 and I first read it as a young boy.

Reading it again now is quite fun, as in the real world of 1968 John Lennon and The Beatles existed and they are alluded to a few times in the story as a cultural reference point for the times.

I'm certainly a very different person to the young boy of 1968 (I was 11) but yet I'm still very much the same person in 2021.  

Love and peace - Wozza

P.S. In my previous post I indicated that I may have been inconsistent with my own children re a movie on a birthday tradition. However, Jade reminds me that there were quite a few - including Tarzan (the Disney animated one); The Great Mouse Detective; Corpse Bride; Nightmare Before Christmas; and various Star Wars movies (the reboots plus Episode 1, 2, 3). I'm pretty sure the other three will be able to remember others.

You don't know what it's like to listen to your fears (The Beatles)

Turns out Megan Fox and I have something in common

Wie geht's?

Facing fears was a post by the great Seth Godin recently. Here it is in toto:

Facing our fears

That’s unlikely.

If I’m lucky, I can glance at them.

But just for a second or two.

Our fears burn so bright that if we truly face them, we think we might be blinded.

Of course, we may think we’re looking at our fears, dead on, but it’s more likely we’re just seeing a distraction, a shadow of what’s actually holding us back.

Because once we’re truly clear about the fear, it fades. It might even disappear.

My fear centres around flying.

I'm not alone: Aretha Franklin; Renee Clothier; Megan Fox; Ben Affleck and others. We all share the phobia.

I'm with Seth, up to the end bit.

How do I get 'truly clear' about the fear?

Love and peace - Wozza

I am the blank page before you, I am the fine idea you crave (London Grammar)

Book 39

The latest Mojo Magazine tells me that Steve Winwood got his first guitar in 1957 and Jamaica's first vinyl pressing plant was established in Kingston in that year as well.

They say it's your birthday, well it's my birthday too yeah!

Yes, something huge happened 59+1 years ago in Auckland Nu Zild. Dulcie Mary Purdy went into labour and produced her first son. I emerged right on tea time on October 1.

Ta daar!!

But enough of that, here's another episode in the Wozza Culture Breakdown y'all. Starting with a gift from my staff at school - the Dr Seuss book was great!!

It's been a while since the last catch up. So, grab a coffee and settle in.

Books: Amazingly, it's week 35 and here are books 35 through 39.

35 - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood being Eric Burden's autobiography (J Marshall Craig helped him with the words). 

What a (loveable) dick he is! Ripped off and forever chasing non-binding relationships, Eric comes across as a rambling man who never feels like he belongs anywhere for long. Sad in a way.

There's nothing much about his talent on offer in the narrative (whaaat??). Basically, he's a Geordie who can't hold down a steady crew. The only constant being his glorious voice but he's very silent about the effect his voice has on the various bands he's fronted. Curious.

He loves Hendrix, hates Alan Price, loves Chas Chandler, hates Mike Jeffery and every other manager he's (willingly) signed his soul to. Oh, and he loves a long line of bad girls!

I got the book from the Piggery. At the same time, picked up one of Frank Richards' Billy Bunter adventure, Billy Bunter and the Crooked Captain (book 36).

I used to read these voraciously when I was younger. Reading it again is still a treat!

Richards is a master plotter if you know what I mean.

Book 37 This Is Where I Leave You (Jonathan Tropper).

It's been made into a movie and I'll catch it on Netflix at some stage. It reads a little like the Steve Carell movie Dan In Real Life in parts. 
The main character, Judd, is like Michael from Thirtysomething.  

Which means I liked it!

Seth Godin is the man! I get his daily blog (which feels like chips off a bigger block). Some of those blocks of wisdom are compiled into Tribes (book 38).

Netfix series: we are currently battling Grounders, Mountainmen and Reapers on Season 2 of The 100. It's pretty graphic - flesh eating zombies, everything is a threat, violence is a way of life - that sort of thing.

Sport: I've watched a few NFL and Arsenal games. However, in the lead up to the end of the term, that has been a sporadic endeavour. 

I'm part of the Gooner tribe so it's been a roller coaster ride this season thus far. I am also of the Steeler tribe - have yet to watch one of their games though.

Music: With my birthday came a mammoth visit to Real Groovy in Auckland, Being in Queen Street it has also taken in JB HiFi (poor selection there now) and Marbecks Records in the Queen's Arcade.

One of my many purchases was a new copy of West Bruce and Laing's second studio album from 1973 - Whatever Turns You On. My original copy was pressed really badly in NZ and was almost unlistenable.

The latest copy from RG is an American version with a better cover and pristine sound. It's like listening to a new record. Jack Bruce and Leslie West and Corky Laing emerge clear as a bell from the murk of my memory. 

It has only taken me 44 years to find a better version and it only cost me $4.95.

Best birthday present ever!!

Love and peace - Wozza

Does she walk? Does she talk? Does she come complete? (J Geil's Band)

This post by Seth Godin is super scary.

First, here's the post...

An audience of one

More than ever, people, lots of people, hordes of anonymous people, can watch what you do.

They can see your photos, like your posts, friend your digital avatar.

An essentially infinite collection of strangers are in the audience, scoring you, ranking you, deciding whether or not you're succeeding.

If you let them.

The alternative is to focus on the audience you care about, interacting with the person who matters to you. Your audience, your choice. One person, ten people, the people who need you.

Everyone else is merely a bystander. 

What's scary? Everything.

The realisation that I'm being watched. That this is increasing. That I choose to be watched via this blog. That it's essentially infinite. That I'm judged. At all times. That the alternative means walking away from digital platforms. That Seth is right. That there are people who need me. Who are they? Am I embracing them? Why? Why not?

AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now, today's post..............................................................

I love this photo.

Why do I love it so?

It feels real, and yet she's posing, right? The coffee table looks right - the angle of the paper (she's a writer); the cord to the right, sockets above the pictures, and dinged skirting board to the left are left in the picture. 

Pose is leaning and direct. She's at work, yet she's a girl interrupted. A super girl. But she wouldn't actually work on her tele-play on this couch. Half annoyed smile, half smug smile. Enigmatic.

The couch itself is a beautiful rich blue. Solid. Yet spungee. Not comfortable, but looks comfortable.

Pictures on the wall are a weird mix. She writes for Supergirl. But those others? Depth! Or maybe not. Is she a girl angel?

And, there's an elephant in the room! Love it!

Love, peace, embracing hug - Wozza.

That weren't no D.J. that was hazy cosmic jive (David Bowie)

I've always been fascinated by astronauts and their journeys to the moon. I'm not sure, but I think it started with The Jetsons. I could really relate to Elroy and loved all those speedy rocket cars. 

The Jetsons with Astro.

The word 'astronaut' is so evocative too. My mind would freefall.

Anyway, the fascination culminated in 1969 when my dad tuned in to the Apollo 11 landing on the moon via radio (NZBC wasn't up to the bizness of broadcasting it live back then) and we listened in wide eyed fashion.

Now this - a film about Apollo 17 - the last time we visited the moon, popped up on one of my Walrus Gumboot news feeds.

It's a great little film - take a look...


The Last Steps | A Really Great Big Story from Great Big Story on Vimeo.


(Seth Godin takes over: 

And then we got bored!

Six missions after Apollo 11 amazed the world by going to the moon, Apollo 17 was the last trip.
It fell off the cultural radar. Flying to the moon, driving around and getting back safely wasn't interesting enough, apparently. 

And the miracle of the internet, which connects billions of people, instantly, is something we all take for granted after less than a generation.

Is it any wonder that your magnificent Facebook post or clever tweet isn't racking up ever more likes?)

I like Seth. He makes sense and he writes succinct pithy posts. They overflow with pith!

Sadly we had to say goodbye to Mo and Bottle - actually, on the same day I posted that last post. His real owner turned up - ironically, our lovely neighbour. She thought they'd flown away and joined a flock of Lorikeets.

Then she hear them squawking at our place.

Love and peace - Wozza 

You have walked through my dreams (Wild Beasts)

I blog every day. You may have noticed.

I'm not alone.

As Seth Godin says - Blogging every day clarifies my thoughts — it helps me notice things. It’s one of the most important practices of my profession.

Since rebooting  The Purdzilla Show I have maintained writing every day as a discipline.

So far I haven't missed a day. It's built into my morning ritual. 

Each morning I post an update so that I rotate through my four blogs every four days. 

I enjoy each of them for different reasons. Because I love music, Goo Goo G'Joob is a lot of fun to write for; writing about music is almost as good as listening to it. Wozza's Place, and Baggy Trousers are the oldest and most challenging to keep fresh. They stretch me and I need that.

The eagle eyed will have noticed a fifth blog has now joined the ranks: Jewels for the thirsty appears on the weekend and summarises my weekly sensual overload.

Apart from the daily discipline involved in gathering my thoughts and apart from trying to fashion something sensible and interesting to say; apart from all that - I need these blogs to make sense of the world I live in.

In case you haven't been paying attention those would be the worlds of music, inspiration, education, my senses and my inner psyche. 

Blogging/writing pushes me to get extremely clear on my thoughts. And that is good! 

Love/peace - Wozza