Check out this brilliant new song for homesick kiwis by the very clever writer, Justin Brown. He’s quickly weaving his way into our local folklore.

This television commercial appeared in the late 1970’s and helped Kentucky Fried Chicken take the number one spot in this category from Homestead Chicken. I’m not sure the same messaging (or images) would be appropriate in 2009! Please no vegan-spam. Just sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy this nostalgic TVC from my childhood.

I was a teenager when I first saw this fella live about 20 years ago - was it ‘87 when he first toured NZ? Subsequently I bought all his records (yes - vinyl, still got ‘em) and spent hours trying to belt out tracks like ‘A New England’, finally getting a gig at an English Pub in Palmerston North - my one and only ever public performance - thankfully for you all.

Anyway, here are three tracks from one of my all time favourite artists. And a gift hint at the start of the first track for anyone who knows of my pending birthday.

A New England - live 15 March ‘06

Between the Wars - from Top of the Pops!

Waiting for the Great Leap Forward - shame they didn’t edit the start …

The famous Women in Technology debate was held again today in Wellington. I can report that the Baby Boomers (Brent, Rebecca, Duncan) cleaned up, despite strong evidence demonstrating that Gen Y’s (Charlotte, Nathalie, Tim) really will lead the future. Very funny and clever arguments by both sides. Another great lunch for 200 plus attendees. Cool costumes.  Here’s a couple of thumbnails from the debate …

I’m reading the latest revision of Dr Patrick Dixon’s best-selling book, Futurewise - Six Faces of Global Change. In it, Patrick talks of a six sides cube and seeing three faces at a time. One view shows Universal-Fast-Urban and the other shows Radical-Ethical-Tribal. He comments that “most executives spend their lives looking at the cube from above, at a world that is fast, urban and universal. However a twist through 180 degress presents us with a very different view …”

He talks of the Millennium as a generational divider, the post-millennialist view of the fundamental importance of sustainability. The emergence of micro-advertising and micro-markets lends itself well to the Internet and we are already seeing evidence of this trend in the long tail. He also comments that compliance is dead and explores the new ethical morality.

It’s a must-read business book. If you do buy or rent it, make sure you’ve got the 4th edition.

Just in from this lightweight, frivolous sequel.  Perfect for a Sunday evening.  Laughed a lot.  Clever links to the original Rat Packer, Frank Sinatra.  Solid product placement (perhaps not all paid!) throughout for Stella Artois, MacBook Pro, Starbucks, Dell, Samsung, Zapata Tequila.  The second best in Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean series.

Everyone’s having babies. And given our rampant consumerism, of course driven by the rapacious advertising industry, most parents are fully set up with the fundamentals at least six months before their adorable newborn arrives. This makes gift buying for the youngster tough, right? Not anymore. With the new and amazing babylicious website, you can select your stuffed toy, pay for it, get it delivered, and be a winner, all in one place. You’ll never be without a gift again. Don’t delay. Click now.

You’ve just got to watch Christopher, puppeteer extraordinaire, parody dance the YMCA.

There’s something magical about this lovely painting by Raglan artist, Karla Stevenson.

If you’re not familiar with the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, you’ve just got to check out Haere mai. Dug out thanks to Alan at Wellingtonista. Don’t miss them in the Wellington City Library, 12.30pm, this Thursday. See you there.