Masoneering

FML

2010-02-27T17:59:00.003Z

Have be a little tardy with posts recently due to the fact I might not have one soon, Google announced a few weeks ago that they are discontinuing FTP support for blogger (what powers this blog) to help them control blogger better by hosting all the data on their servers.

After the fucking I got from Uber.com when they died I am wary to trust my data to anyone else, so I might migrate to Wordpress to stay FTP.
There are plenty pissed off people, so maybe it might be ok. Yeah right.

Also from the SWAP visa Website;

"We have received notification this morning from the Canadian Government that they will no longer be issuing any returner visas for New Zealanders wanting to extend their working holiday in Canada for a second year. This decision has been made in conjunction with the New Zealand Government and is effective immediately"

So my plans must change. Still Canada bound, but a new road must be scouted.

Hug?

Why oppose the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

2010-02-14T13:41:00.003Z

From Submedia;

The Olympic Resistance Network has called for a convergence to protest the Vancouver Winter Olympics. This video explains some the reasons why these activists have organized the first ever anti-Olymopic summit.

Matcha

2010-02-05T14:04:00.002Z

28, originally uploaded by masepack.

Johnathan

2010-01-30T13:37:00.002Z

Producer - Johnathan, originally uploaded by masepack.

Adam

2010-01-30T13:35:00.002Z

Adam, originally uploaded by masepack.

Taken here.

Politics in the Ring

2010-01-25T00:04:00.013Z

Sports, Politics and Protest with sports journalist and author Dave Zirin, Wednesday January 20, 2010, Maritime Labour Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

From vancouver.mediacoop.ca;

"Acclaimed Sports Illustrated and The Nation sportswriter Dave Zirin was in Vancouver from Jan 20-21 2010 to speak about activism, sports and the Olympics as part of a series entitled "Politics in the Ring."

Zirin talked about the idea of activist athletes, what they've fought for, and what they've opposed. From feminist uprisings against wearing corsets in tennis, to Muhammad Ali's activist conversion after his Olympic win, Zirin showed that sports has the power to extend beyond just spectacle.

Versed in the history of sports, Zirin was critical of the hypocritical stance the International Olympic Committee has taken on several issues over the past century."

I think he hits it on the head with "What will people say about us (Olympic resistance network), are we anti-sport? The IOC is anti-sport, The IOC is taking billions of dollars that is getting sucked away from physical education programmes in Vancouver and the surrounding areas, it is taking billions of dollars away from high school sports, so it in practice is preventing young people from playing sports, and it is sending a message that is some people, the olympians, get to play, and the rest of you get to watch. And that is about privileging sports, not reclaiming sports".

Anyways, watch the videos.

NZ

2010-01-18T06:10:00.005Z

Almost finished sorting photos from NZ, this one is my favorite, taken just off state highway 1 on the Tukino Skifield road. Here is the same photo in VR made with free tools so don't judge the quality, look at 2880x900 or in full 14793x4500 (+10mb).

I'm still jetlagged, I write this at 4am as I've just woken up, but have almost readjusted to not summer.

I think I might go to France.

Call to rally

2010-01-11T20:17:00.004Z

From Submedia;

"ALL OUT AGAINST THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES! The 2010 Winter Olympics will take place in Vancouver & Whistler, on unceded Indigenous land, from February 12-28 2010. We call on all anti-capitalist, Indigenous, housing rights, labour, migrant justice, environmental, anti-war, community-loving, anti-poverty, civil libertarian, and anti colonial activists to come together to confront this two-week circus and the oppression it represents. We are organizing towards a global anti-capitalist and anti-colonial convergence against the 2010 Olympic Games. * BASIC SCHEDULE: The basic plan thus far is: - Conference and People’s Summit on Wed Feb 10- Thurs Feb 11 - Fri Feb 12: Take Back Our City! “Welcome” the 2010 Olympic Torch with Free Games, Free Speech, and Free Food! Beginning with a festival at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 3 pm, followed by a parade and protest to BC Place Stadium. Details, including childcare arrangements, at: http://2010welcoming.wordpress.com/"

Waterproof housing is for pussies

2010-01-11T03:01:00.003Z

Waterproof housing is for pussies, originally uploaded by masepack.

Just got back to Taupo from Auckland, need time to sort photos. Leaving tomorrow. Lame.

Last Climb of 2009

2009-12-31T23:33:00.001Z

Ngauruhoe, originally uploaded by masepack.

Down the Road

2009-12-24T02:14:00.002Z

Down the Road, originally uploaded by masepack.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Summer. . . . .

Copenhagen

2009-12-14T22:54:00.003Z

Terrified American reporter; "Someone please think of the children!"

Sorry lady, these kids are fucked anyways, who cares what shithole of a planet/mess we leave for them to clean up. I can't wait to be safe on my land in the cold north of Canada with "free" water/power and a big gun. Hey I can dream if I want to . . .

Play me out Johnny

2009-12-11T18:00:00.002Z

, originally uploaded by masepack.

Michelle and I at the Winter Wonderland in Hyde park. I'm looking slightly retarded. We went skating for about an hour and even thou it was on rented skates and on a wee rink, I had a great time. I miss hockey.

New Zealand next week, staying for an extra 10 days now, so maybe I will see you soon _______?

Sun setting at 3pm now, I can't wait for Summer!

Colours of Infinity

2009-11-30T02:47:00.004Z

I watched this in Uni, have dreams about it still.

"The Colour's of Infinity" is a documentary about fractals hosted by Arthur c Clarke with the soundtrack by Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd. It's super geek awesome.

Colours of Infinity

Colour is my Aeroplane

2009-11-27T16:33:00.001Z

Colour is my Aeroplane, originally uploaded by masepack.

Angel of Death

2009-11-25T13:09:00.002Z

Jill from Sparrow and the Workshop @ The Slaughtered Lamb, originally uploaded by masepack.

Went with Natasha to see "Sparrow and the Workshop" at the Slaughtered Lamb in Farringdon, also playing were "Kitty and the Lion" and Joe Guinness.

Sweet.

Cartagena

2009-11-06T19:14:00.002Z

Cartagena1, originally uploaded by masepack.

Taken at the entrance to the port of Cartagena, there were battlements all around the rocks, sadly it was all fenced off and I couldn't get any closer. We took lunch at Mares Bravas where we had fresh prawns, fried baby octopus, grilled swordfish, and I took this photo. So nice . .

subMedia TV

2009-11-02T23:31:00.009Z

I've been watching "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine" (ITEOTWAWKIAIFF) for a quite a while now, why have a website and not use it?

Fighting Fascism

This week:

Olympic terror

Modest Mouse

Torch relay begins

Check out more at Submedia TV.

Clear Cuts

Video features Qwatsinas of the Nuxalk Nation who inhabit the central coast of British Columbia, Zoe Blunt from the Forest Action Network and Derrick Jensen speaking about the impact of clear cut logging in BC.

I'm going to Spain tomorrow so should have some sunny photos in a week.

From Sherwood to Caspa

2009-10-22T10:34:00.008+01:00

So since I have got back to the UK I've been quietly working away trying to save cash for the trip back to NZ, but managed to get out and about a little, Jackie took me to "Dans le Noir?" for a belated birthday dinner, a restaurant where you dine in total darkness and your waiter/waitress is visually impaired/blind. Total sensory overload, the food was pretty amazing, we ate Springbok, crocodile and guinea fowl amongst other things, and as it was the "surprise" menu, you spent the night trying to feel/smell/taste what you were eating.

Also darkness makes having a private conversation impossible so you meet the other people at your table too. Coming out into the light was like seeing a radio presenter for the first time, they look nothing like their voice.

Finally made it to Borough market on Saturday with Caroline who was stopping of for a day on her way to a wedding in Spain, good to catch up and shoot the shit about and plan where to be when the revolution comes.

The following weekend I went up to Nottingham to go boating and see Jackie, the river as you can see below had a Cyanide leak a few days before I got there, thou I tried not to drink the water, I was paddling a Liquid Logic "Biscuit 55", playboat with a rounded rail, rolled it once and had 2 swims. Was a good day thou, took a few pics, had a good time in the boat, then tried to hit up a beer festival on the Saturday night but they closed there doors at 7pm because, wait for it. . . they ran out of beer.

Did a couple of media shots for the New Theatre in Nottingham on the Sunday followed by a trip out to Sherwood forest to do a little sight seeing and have a mini photo shoot in the woods. Saw the "Major Oak" an oak tree thought to be between 800 and 1000 years old, it has had supports holding up it's limbs since Victorian times.

On Tuesday Roisin came and I gave the best tour yet, all of the typical stuff, plus 1/2 a day in Camden, Roisin found a piano and a Guitar to play at random stores, I got new shoes, and vegan food. That night we went go and see Caspa and DJ Rusko at a Repeater, first Dubstep in the UK and I guess I had too high expectations, I felt it was a bit lame.

Yes there were extenuating circumstances, Had to go through a metal detector and have a pat down body search and they went through all my things in a plastic bowl, felt like the airport. But we got in and Caspa had just started, he had some pretty mad beats but the flow was shit, I'm not talking glitch flow, but he would only play fro about 4-6 mins before MC Rod Azlan needed a new track, it was like listening to a series of singles, wasn't loving the "fakie bass drop" that lead to "Make some noise/ CASPA!/Yeah Yeah Yeah!" for a minute before the sounds went back on.
Sound system was a little underpowered too which didn't help.

DJ Rusko on the other hand was wicked, has some pretty jelly tracks with some dirty bass, got a bit Drum'n Bassy too, I had sore abs in the morning.

Peace!

Nottingham

2009-10-11T13:21:00.001+01:00

DSC_3221, originally uploaded by masepack.

In the polluted river . . .

See-saw of death

2009-09-26T11:58:00.002+01:00

See-saw of death, originally uploaded by masepack.

Found my shitty old canon and it had some photos on it!

Seattle @ Night

2009-09-20T22:33:00.001+01:00

Seattletight, originally uploaded by masepack.

Burning Man

2009-09-15T22:21:00.013+01:00

I got back to the UK the other day, and after a long period of sleepless flying and jet lag I'm catching up on my neglected tasks. One of which is this blog and one of the major reasons of neglect is writers block.
I've been trying to write about Burning Man for over a week now with little success, it seems that the whole event is beyond my ability to describe, I'm a Photographer not a Writer.

That being said I only took out my camera 4 times during the event and snapped off around 200 pictures which is pretty damn low for me considering I usually take more than that in one day and I took enough storage and battery life to choke a donkey. I think Paolo said it best with "You can either capture it or be in it, you can't do both." So there you go, I was in it, I was in it hard.
Even Jay Michaelson's description of:

"It's a temporary city of 50,000 people, devoted to radical self-expression. So you'll find anything you'd find in a regular city -- art museums, dance clubs, yoga studios -- only in the middle of the desert, with no money, and with more creativity than you've ever seen."

seems to miss out a bit, so of the few photos I did take, I will let them tell a bit of the story.
Abby and I made the trip together, and as I had lost the truck we took a bus to Seattle and got a ride down with some people that were found on the internet, Whitney and Tahir. The drive down was long, I will stick to talking about BM, America is still a crazy story thou. We arrived at around 12am on Saturday, and were gifted early passes, set up the tent in the dark not knowing where we were and had our last taste of normality.
We awoke to the stunning vista which is Black Rock City, in the middle stages of development. We had hooked up a camping with "Red Lightning", a group mainly from the bay area consisting of assorted new age/gender alchemist/spirit healer/fire and lightning performer/spiritualist types who have come together to build one great camp. There were a lot of tipi's, 2 healing domes, a Sun and Moon Lodge, the lightning temple and the Entelechy (said in-tel-le-key) where various events, activities, workshops and performances were held. As we were virgins and had also arrived early we were at a bit of a loose end and tried to help were we could without getting under everyone's feet.

I helped a bit in the Entelechy helping Jo-Free and John with the final stages of setup, it was hard to feel like part of the group and for the first few days there was a lot of stress and sort tempers which we were not expecting, but things began to change as the final pieces began to slot into place and fresh people arrived with fresh energy.
There were massage tables being set up so I took the opportunity to practice some therapy on a couple of the super stressed "leaders", one of which (Evonne) later introduced me to people as an "Amazing Healer" which is possibly the nicest thing anyone has said about me, and it really made me feel welcome at camp.

Friends began to arrive and exploration took on greater distances, made easier by the bike given to me by the Campo Allegro crew for helping with their setup, and we hooked up with the Scotians and their crew at Storybooks and Alleyways, meeting more great people in the process. Greg and Natalie et al arrived for the Solar Sonic contingent, and our campsite and crew were finalised, the party could begin.

The Gypsum/salt/sand/dust storms were frequent early on, temperatures were hitting 35-38 (I think), David's poor cooling system could not cope. During these times I hid from the sun and wind as much as possible (not very much) and in the late afternoon headed out into the throng. The gift economy was a little tough to get used to, and as a person who rarely says no to anything I ended up getting caffeinated, spanked, ass branded and drunk on the way to Storybooks, all within about 10 minutes. Saying no to people became the hardest thing, I found myself wanting for nothing, I even got given some clothes!

Days beautifully swept into nights, the desert itself is a beautiful place in the twilight, I don't think I have seen a sunset or sunrise with a greater spectrum of colour, sadly I only captured one sunset and no sunrises, but the moonrise during sunset (right) was rather beautiful.

Night brings a change to the city, from the time that the lamp lighters finish hanging the lanterns until the rainbow dawn, art cars, bikes, art bikes and people navigate the playa, moving between displays, music, parties, art installations and home, it was like being in a movie all the time. Saturday night was the climax of the entire thing with the burning of the man (sorry no pics) which was so incredible I can't describe it. Really.

The temple burn on Sunday was a more somber affair, and the week came to an end. Abby and I parted ways, I headed up to Seattle via a hot springs in Oregon with some new friends and hung in Seattle for a couple of days exploring before tripping back to Vancouver for the weekend and the flight back to the UK.

Photos, do your thing . . .

More photos on Flickr

Burn

2009-09-09T16:43:00.001+01:00

Burn, originally uploaded by masepack.

Back from the burn, in Seattle til further notice

South

2009-08-29T16:35:00.001+01:00

South, originally uploaded by masepack.

In Sacramento, Playa today!