Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: My Mum and other good things

221 Responses

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  • Jackie Clark,

    I do not believe that Bruce was wanting to comment on the general health and wellbeing of the PAS viewers nor do an indepth health analysis of our society, Peter.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I also object to being accused of a threadjack when it was not I who noted first that in the clip lots of people were running.

    Good grief.

    This really becoming silly. Stop.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I also object to being accused

    So do many others without explaining yourself I guess. and yes, we do get the picture with regard your obsession and belief that exercise will cure us all, however,I do believe, if you choose to utter NACT accordionally, you get what you pay for.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    Anyway, back to grandparents. I came across some old photos I have downloaded onto iphoto for posterity, and I saw all these ones of my grandad there. Who was also Jack. And as I said, also born in 1911, in Bolton though. He was the loveliest man, and I know very little about his early life. My aunt has all that info. When I knew him, he was always active. Building, gardening, looking after others. My grandmother, however, I know of in depth. She was one of two girls, and when her father left, her mother remarried. Grandma's parents had a boy together, and when the boy was five, his father gassed both himself and his child. Too sad. My great grandmother went on to open what became Bethany, where I was born, incidentally, I believe. And when my grandma's sister was quite young - in her 30's I think, she died of breast cancer, leaving a very young boy, who my grandma brought up with her three kids. Grandma suffered from manic depression, and hypochondria, and in her later years, spent all of her time lying on the couch with her ashtray beside her, and Grandad running around after her. Grandad always seemed to me to be this really, really incredible man. He loved me - I was the first grandchild - so much, and I spent alot of time with him. Including after my grandmother died, at 64. He was to go away to spend time with my Aunt and Uncle in Singapore, and I was relegated to be with him. I don't remember for how long. I was 16 (a pretty miffed 16, she died on my birthday) and I was sad about my grandmother, but he carried on as if she were still there. He tried to get me to take her clothes, and her perfume (not in a creepy way) and I could hear him at night talking to her. Broke my heart. He lived for another 5 years, and then he just fell down, in the shed at the back of his house, and wasn't found for a few days. We were all completely devastated. And here we are 25 years later. Made better by knowing him, by loving him, benefiting from his will with enough money to travel to the country of his birth, and to not appreciate it, then. But I do now.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Before this morning, I had a very nice forehead. Now I've ruined it with all this desk-pounding.

    My grandfather is called Jack too! What's up with that?

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    Generational, maybe? I love the name, always have. Though I have only ever known one Jack, that I taught, and only peoples' grandads, or dads otherwise.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    This really becoming silly. Stop.

    This is turning into a Monty Python sketch.
    Bring on the fish slapping dance.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Not to divert the discussion but whilst we are speaking of other good things , I have just been reading about the success of The Best Party in the recent mayoral elections in Reykjavik. The new mayor (Jon Gnarr), in addition to pledging free towels in public swimming pools, refuses to do business with anyone who hasn't watched all five seasons of The Wire

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Cecelia,

    True dat. I rejoiced when I saw it too. I'm an old mum but I loved The Wire.

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    Can I make myself unpopular by proferring the opinion that "we" might be over-reacting to Peter Ashby's comments? Personally, I can quite see the connection to his points about modern exercise trends and the 'Rhythm & Movement' film. And, after all, these discusssions are a conversation that -- by definition -- can wander off in tangential directions.

    But to change the subject slightly: a truly lovely piece of writing, Russell, I really enjoyed reading it!

    P.S. I bet being the drummer in those 'Rhythm & Movement' classes would be a dream occupation for many young lads of that time.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Though I have only ever known one Jack,

    There are, or were many, as this Wiki Page shows.
    However, there were more in the days when Jack was a common contraction of John, which seems a bit silly as they both have the same number of letters.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    "we" might be over-reacting to Peter Ashby's comments

    I think "we" are just a bit over being bitched at about how much "we" suck in every conceivably relevant thread.

    Jack was a common contraction of John

    Speaking of that, my grandfather's actual name is Christopher John. (Nicknames also seemed to be a big feature of that generation.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Can I make myself unpopular?

    You can try David but you will fail miserably.
    ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    I think "we" are just a bit over being bitched at about how much "we" suck in every conceivably relevant thread.

    I think, maybe, you are using the "Royal" We.
    I, for one, feel no guilt about my lack of fitness.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Can I make myself unpopular by proferring the opinion that "we" might be over-reacting to Peter Ashby's comments?

    David, it's just that Peter has managed to shoehorn this same lecturing monologue into one thread after another for about a year. It's getting a bit much.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Generational, maybe? I love the name, always have. Though I have only ever known one Jack, that I taught, and only peoples' grandads, or dads otherwise.

    My name is Jack. Just sayin'.

    MC Jack Hammer in da' house.
    Can I get a yo yo yo,
    Everybody say,
    'perambulator
    originator'.
    Compotator
    be seein' yo' later.

    What was it you said about White grownups doin' rap?

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    refuses to do business with anyone who hasn't watched all five seasons of The Wire

    Speaking of "The Wire", "Generation Kill", written by the same folks I believe, finished up the other night and very good it was too, IMHO. However, as always there is a however but, at least, it is not a complaint about the show. TVNZ committed the cardinal sin of placing a warning at the head of the programme "This programme may contain language and nudity that may offend some viewers". Damn it, I was just expecting mutilated corpses and dead children.
    ;-(

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    more reason to love you, Jack Recodari - and more reason for you to be at the PAS Blend very soon so that we can tell you how much we love your name

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    It's getting a bit much.

    In that, somewhere, Arthur Lydiard is thinking, "Geez, that guy bangs on about running a bit much."

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    more reason to love you, Jack Recodari - and more reason for you to be at the PAS Blend very soon so that we can tell you how much we love your name

    Hoping to be, but at the moment I'm scheduled to be in Christchurch. Might try delaying the flight to the morning after, but that might be risky, by all accounts. There won't be any Karaoke, eh, cause that would be embarrassing. Yes, only that...

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    Lead singer was Claire B

    Claire Bennett ==> Soul On Ice.

    Claire was / is a wonderful voice.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Cecelia,

    Couldn't get into Gen Kill, Recordari - even though it had Ziggy in it.

    And, people, if some posters are not on the PAS wavelength, why not just politely ignore them after the first skirmish?

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Peter has managed to shoehorn this same lecturing monologue into one thread after another for about a year.

    Come now Russell. We all know how boring and predictable fitness fanatics can be. I have given up inviting many of the raging sporty types I know for a "Night out on the piss", they just give you that pitying look that says "You Sir, are an imbecile and will die a horrible death" and explain that they will be running down to the cycle shed, in short order, to get on their bike and race down to the shuttlecock court before dashing off to the gym that evening. Predictable, yes... but entertaining all the same.
    Oh how we laughed... between sucking on our Oxygen.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    My name is Jack and I live in the back of the Greta Garbo home
    with friends I will remember wherever I may roam....

    Oh Cecelia, your breaking my heart.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Our youngest is called Ambrose Jack, Jack having been chosen by his older brother.

    Say what you will about Peter's rants, but I for one am going to be grateful for his contribution when I sit down to write my one act plays on cardiofitness, which I plan to entitle The Angina Monologues.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

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