MOONRIDE

Taking one for the company: I went up to Auckland for some corporate training where those of us with weak constitutions for this kind of crap get exposed to tedious mantras and parasitic executives, do sickening group hugs and align our life's values with that of the company's shareholders. As you can imagine all of my anger management therapy sessions came into good effect at not bursting a spleen and venting my fury at the automaton corporate monkey, career infatuated ,money oriented, lobotomised, bum licking, back stabbing, wank-word bingo officianado communists.

Thankfully I was allowed to leave this painful incarceration, fully inducted again into a world I abhor. However, I was in luck and visited the wonderful Auckland Ewer clan. Huge thanks to Jo and family for organising a great ANZAC day treat on Waiheke Island. I may have mentioned before that the Ewer clan have a genetic pre-disposition to enjoying the odd tipple (further proof for genetic traits and Darwinism, and another poke in the eye for intelligent design clap trap - no really). A stroke of luck: they have a vineyard of their own called Peacock Ridge to ensure that running dry whilst socialising has a statistically insignificant probability. Actually, buy some from this guys website NOW before stock runs out. Being a vintner in a land of many hobby vintners, struggling alongside the huge corporate (see above rant) vineyards that supply nice people like Tescopoly is a tough call, and not as romantic as it might sound. Support the small guys people and buy a decent drop that's good on the palate and good on the conscience (and not just another throw away fair trade sticker).

Whilst up in Auckland I was lucky enough to join the minions of metal at a great venue called the Power Station to see Lamb of God. Before you think I've been converted by the many god botherers of this land (a whole post another time on this subject) check the link for some brutal times in the kingdom of steel.

On the way back home I bumped into my good old mate and NZ rock legend Billy T K (see earlier post and picture above) . The guy is very self effacing, which probably comes from being mobbed by hoards of groupies for scores of years and still looking like you're still in your prime at 21 years of age - that's sex, drugs and rock and roll for you. I found out that he was travelling south after doing a couple of Jimi Hendrix songs for the Maori TV ANZAC tribute show. Respect my brother of rock, respect.

Lisa and I have been mountain biking pretty regularly of late. One reason for this is that I signed up for an event called Moonride. The training involved grinding up the side's of mountains with feeble legs and going down some steep and rocky descents that put my nerve and crash helmet to the test - dismounting over the handlebars is becoming a speciality of mine. Moonride is a 12 hour team event that allows you to do this in pitch dark - GENIUS!

Check out pictures here.