What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever (Mary Jo Putney)

Wie geht's?

Mary Jo Putney's quote came to mind as I watched a documentary on NZ musician Martin Phillipps recently. It's called The Chills; The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps. Martin passed away a few months ago.

He is seen in the documentary trying to sort out his toy collection. It's vast and, at the time, he didn't want that burden to fall to his relatives after he passed away. It's pretty sad - not that he collected the toys, that he knew he didn't have long, so he felt that compulsion to provide order to his collection.

He looks and sounds very childlike as he's engaged in this deeply personal exercise. I really felt for him. It was heart-breaking because he was emptying the deeply precious items from his life, but he was also being pragmatic.  

Like everyone, I have a number of books and items from my childhood that I keep. I even have things from my mother's childhood. I couldn't bear to part with any of them. However, they are things that would not have much significance to anyone else. As Martin knew - someone else would look at his collection and dismiss them, but to him they had real significance.

So, while we are here, they remain as an important tangible connection to our past.

I wonder where Martin's toy collection is now.

Love and peace - Wozza

Above the blue and windy sea, when I come home to you, San Francisco your golden sun will shine for me (Tony Bennett)

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Some great sport happening for me at the moment, and I'm not just talking about Arsenal F.C. in the Premier League.

Being on holiday on a Monday means a chance to overdose on NFL games. There were some beauties this week - some really close games that went down to the last seconds.

The San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals in the crazy heat of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara and Brock Purdy was awesome throughout the game, except for the last minute and a half, when he threw an interception.

That means after 5 games the 49ers have won 2, lost 3. Shock horror!!

Steelers (3 and 1) up next versus the Cowboys (2 and 2).

Being a fan of the 49ers is natural, given my love for the city by the bay (and Brock Purdy is the star Quarterback), but Steeler love goes way back to last century - living in Wakefield and the Sivak family. 

Come on Steelers!!

Love and peace - Wozza

P.S. Boo hiss - the Steelers also lost in the last minutes of their game (17 - 20). Although neither of my teams looks like Superbowl contenders, it was great to watch those games, and I'll be following their progress closely.

You're beautiful, that's for sure (Nelly Furtado)

Pretty in pink before WOW arts

Wie geht's?

We've had a terrific trip to Wellington to celebrate my birthday (like my kids, I forget how old I am now). 

It's always a great trip to Wellington - Slow Boat Records, Unity Books, and this time we also managed to see The World Of Wearable Arts extravaganza - helpfully on all this week at the TSB Arena.

Windy Wellington never disappoints.

Glad I took the trip, ate the cake, and bought the vinyl!

Love and peace - Wozza

Back then long time ago when grass was green (George Harrison)

Wie geht's?

This fantastic book was a gift from Jade, Chris and Asher. Yes, I may be an easy person to buy for, but still...

Around this time of the year (end of September, start of Rocktober) I always manage to get some fabulous Fab related items.

Even though I don't have a Beatles inspired tattoo (never going to happen) the lure of The Beatles never fades (unlike a tattoo).

So, thanks for keeping the streak going Jade! Love the gift!!

The only other one I have related to the 1964 tour of New Zealand is Eight Days a Week by Graham Hutchins. When We Was Fab (an echo of George's hit - When We Was Fab) is a much bigger book and full of great photos and exhaustive commentary on the Australian/New Zealand part of the 1964 tour.

It goes top of the to-be-read pile!

Love and peace - dad

Dread naught (Winston Churchill)

 

Wie geht's?

This quote from Winston Churchill (written in the early 1930s) has been making me smile all week.

Nature is merciful, and does not try her children, man or beast, beyond their compass. It is only when the cruelty of man intervenes that hellish torments appear. For the rest - live dangerously; take things as they are; dread naught; all will be well.  

I find it oddly reassuring. We don't get more than we can handle in life. Lean in - take things as they come - the future's not ours to see - dread naught, it doesn't change anything if you do - and finally - all will be well.

That quote just makes me feel good - hence the smile.

Love and peace - Wozza

To thine own self be true (Polonius)

Wie geht's?

I have lived a sheltered life. A charmed life. A privileged life.

This I have always known, but being back in the classroom, teaching some English again, has again confirmed that belief.

Especially when students reveal details of their past in writing exercises.

In stark contrast: I had two parents who loved each other, loved me and showed me the way; I had a crystal-clear idea of my bliss from an early age (since the age of 12 I have never had a plan B); I met Jacky and we've been married for 40 years; I have four children who worship me (ha ha - even if they are unlikely to read this blogpost); my rock solid integrity is challenged daily (I won't look the other way) and I have always had a purpose in life.

Actually, on that integrity one - phones are banned in school but, teenagers being teenagers, they all have one. My deal is that if I see it, the student gets a warning that if I see it a second time I will confiscate it.

I was challenged on this recently and I said, "Sorry but I can't ignore it or pretend I haven't seen it. I need to do the right thing". A different student heard me and said, "Wow sir, I've never heard a teacher say that before! That's impressive. You're my idol!!" (I may have added the idol bit).

I had mixed feelings hearing that, but as Polonius says to Laertes - To thine own self be true.

Love and peace - Wozza

He blazed a pick white liberty trail through history's hall of fame (Fess Parker)

Harry S. Truman

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Ryan Holiday's book Right Thing, Right Now is a rich source of inspiration. While discussing concepts emanating from stoicism, he returns many times to the example of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of The United States of America.

Ryan is certainly a fan. Truthfully, and shamefully, aside from his signing off on the two atomic bombs and that sign on his desk (The buck stops here), I've never thought of Truman much or read about him. But I'm going to change that after Ryan's descriptions.

Truman wasn't a successful businessman, but he was honourable and a man of integrity. He toiled away in obscurity as a senator, but he was honest.

As Ryan notes, "it's one thing to try to keep your hands clean, it's another to manage to do it in a den of thieves."

Truman drew ethical lines and respected the code. It was, for instance, unthinkable for him to be late.

In many ways, it seems, Truman was an ordinary man, but after FDR's stroke, he became President. And I need to know more about him. Not the condensed bios online and not the glossed over ones that centre on his years as President.

To do him justice, I'll need a visit to the Little Red Bookstore, I suspect.

Love and peace - Warren N. Purdy