Posts by Tony Parker
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The AE discussion once again highlights how narrow this governments vision is when it comes to education. Anything that sits outside the numeracy and literacy box is a prime target and while numeracy and literacy are very important there is a lot more to a child's learning than the 3 R's. Creativity, inquiry, use of IT, physical activity and the arts are just as important and hopefully I am providing opportunities for my 5 year olds to explore these aspects of learning as well.
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Whatever Paul's excesses and failings, they're absolved just by Lady Madonna.
If I could write and play bass lines even half as great as those on Something, Come Together, Drive My Car I'd be happy. As it is I don't even pick my bass up and play it as often as I should.
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The one rule I always stuck to though was never describe a record as "sounds like (x) mixed with (y)", *(e.g "Beatles meets Nirvana") as most of the time it tells you nothing about what the record sounds like, and makes the reviewer sound like a marketer and not a critic.
Hmmm, have been guilty of that at times. Must try harder.
Surely though the mark of a good music writer is one that makes you immediately want to possess that piece of music from an artist you've never heard before/wish you had been to that gig. Unfortunately for me this is happening less and less and I can't remember the last time it happened. Most of the time I rely on word of mouth/music lists and blogs for my musical exploration these days.
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Even if the music's not your bag, the way they run themselves is admirable.
Couldn't agree more. I preferred Trinity Roots anyway over FFD.
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You have to Sweetman credit though for the shitstorm he created over Fat Freddy's Drop earlier in the year. I kind of agreed with him about the uncritical acceptance of everthing Wellydub when bands like Cassette and the Phoenix Foundation are far more interesting as capital bands.
I do the odd cd review for New Zealand Musician, a magazine which tends toward the muso with it's gear reviews. The problem at times with a magazine like this is the expectation that every NZ release should have a reasonably positive review which can be hard to do. I don't however consider myself worthy to even walk in Mr Smithies shadow -
There sure ain't a shortage of bad music writers...Simon Sweetman anyone?
I've got a dollar for anyone who can tell me what qualifies him to 'write' about music...I think he worked in a music shop at some point, in which case, colour him qualified!
Ooo harsh. I think he's a drummer too who has played in a number of covers bands. That probably qualifies him as well. I stopped buying music mags when No Depression ceased to exist as a print publication. It's now online. The Oxford American is a good read too if you can get it.
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ZOMG! Hawke's Bay THRASHED Auckland 47-13! And they did by playing rugby, as opposed to whatever variant rugby league it is that Auckland insists on playing. The Magpies are just so jolly well drilled. They play a simple game called "rugby" where you plan to play in the other team's half, and take your opportunities when they present themselves.
Livivng next to McLean Park means that even for a non rugby fanatic like me it's hard to escape it all and today was a pretty good day for HB rugby. I even watched it on tv. (inbetween reading a Gram Parsons biography and listening to Justin Townes Earle) The HBRFU actually have a good organisation and have worked hard to achieve what they have. The park has had a lot of work done on it and should do the business for the 2 world cup games here. One of them involving France. It's all good even if we do have to put up with the Ian Morris penned , Hammond Gamble sung C'mon The Bay!!! Bring on Wellington next week.
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I gotta say Russell your tweets from the food festival throughout the day were making me somewhat peckish and made my lettuce,cheese and vegemite sandwich for lunch a tad unappetising.
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I watched Douglas and Harawera defend their expenses on One last night and was disgusted at their arrogance and sense of entitlement when their political parties and half the country seems to be vilifying the two solo mums for getting the benefits they were entitled to.
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Tony Parker - you're teaching in my home town. I'm an ex-Colenso pupil from waaay back. Always read your posts with interest.
I'm putting some thought into TC as a post-grad option and teaching history or english/media studies maybe - and a sideways jump into art if I can. The whole TolleyWax thing is off-putting, though. And the paperwork - I believe it's horrendous.
Colenso eh. It's a different school now I would say from when you were there.
As a primary teacher I can't comment on Secondary but there can be a lot of paper work although there is research going on into ways of using IT both on and offline to create some management systems that may take away some of this. I can't see much good for the teaching profession and by extension schools coming from this government, it all seems adversorial once again. That said every day my 5 year olds do things that amaze and impress me and that's a big reason for getting up and going to school.