RIP Oscar Niemeyer
One of the most enjoyable and informative architect documentaries I’ve ever seen is Fabiano Maciel’s A Vida e um Sopro. The seated interview with Oscar Niemeyer, interspersed with images of his life’s work, is a format that allowed Brasil’s most famous architect to rove freely on his philosophies of life and architecture.
We thought that Philip Morris must have funded the film, as here was a fit 99-year-old chomping on a cigar all the way through the interview.
My favourite line came towards the end of the film when Fabiano asked him ‘is there anything we haven’t covered?’. Read More
It’s no laughing matter
I have just returned to the office after one of those random encounters where a group of male codgers coalesced around coffee.
One had recently returned to our shores after 25 years in the UK. He was asked if he thought our sense of humour had improved since he left. No was his quick reply. Oh dear. That opened up a whole discussion referencing Graham Norton, Jeremy Clarkson, Miranda Hart, Bill Bailey, Billy Connolly, Dave Armstrong, Tom Scott and Australia.
It was generally agreed that we are not funny enough as a people. The Irish and the Jewish are kilometres ahead of us. What is wrong with us we asked?
We tend to be reserved, politically correct, overly respectful of authority and we embarrass easily. Laughter may be the best medicine, as they say, but Pharmac doesn’t supply it.
Billy Connolly has his biggest audiences per capita in New Zealand because office workers pay serious money to be legally offended, that is to hear language not permitted in their workplace. Back home in Glasgow, Billy is just another one of the funny lads, hardly worth paying to see.
Graham Norton though is paid a million pounds a year by the English to make his audience laugh.
Our impromptu group of experts thought that we Kiwis are not particularly happy in these uncertain times and we seriously need to ‘lighten up’
Designs on cars
I was at last week’s media day at the Sydney International Motor Show, where my favoured subject of car design, strutted its stuff.
As well as the ‘looks’ of a car, there are of course issues such as sustainable fuel systems, running costs, vehicle safety and affordability.
All these matters relate ultimately to the success of a particular design.
Zoo View
It was a sunny Sunday and so as you do Miss M and I went to the zoo.
I hadn’t been for 5 years.
I knew the animals were diverse but the buildings are now too.
This was a pleasant surprise.
Cob Jobs
Miss M and I have just returned from a memorable road trip round the top of the South Island which culminated with a drive through the DOC administered Molesworth Station.
Its 180,787 hectare area makes it the largest farm in New Zealand. There are several active fault lines transecting the property causing horizontal jolts often triggering landslides and rockfalls. Hot and dry summers are followed by harsh winters. Snow may fall at any time of the year, some years covering the entire property for up to eight weeks in winter.
