Posts Tagged ‘auckland’

Wordcamp New Zealand

by Jason Koning

Well, seeing as I’ve just purchased my ticket, and the guys at Wordcamp NZ very kindly mentioned my name (and URL) I thought I’d better quickly post something, seeing as it’s been a very long time since I last checked in here.
That’s due to the fact that all I’m doing is eating, sleeping and working basically – which isn’t really a complaint, well… I do have that iPhone 4 to add to the collection, sometime soon (Vodafone???)
Most of my freelance work is now WordPress based, this is of course a no-brainer, especially now version 3.0 is out. I’m not really interested in developing anything else these days – certainly nothing static.
I can’t really think of a better open source platform to develop for.
It’s been a good year for conferences and workshops, Webstock back in February was (as always) excellent, and the WordPress Master Class workshop with John ford was great, so what better way to continue the theme than Wordcamp.
I’m looking forward to heading up to Auckland for some warmer weather(?) in a few weeks, and hanging out with my fellow WordPress geeks.
Fling me an email or catch me on Twitter sometime.

NIN – Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

by Jason Koning

It’s been a while since my trip to NZ’s big smoke to see NIN for the 5th (and apparently last) time. Since then I’ve had the privilege of seeing Amanda (Dresden Dolls) Palmer in concert, up close and personal in Aotea Square – signing The Selfish Capitalist for me no less. Exchanging a few pleasantries and smiling pleasantly at me. More about that later…

Amanda Palmer - Auckland, 2009

Anyway, its probably a good thing (time passing), seeing as I’m that guy who looks at everything NIN has done as earth shatteringly brilliant (which it is of course), with a healthy disbelief that anyone couldn’t possibly see that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So… what did I think of their performance at The Vector Arena? I’m in the process of gathering my thoughts, but…

Trent Reznor - NIN, Auckland, 2009

To be honest, it’s hard not to feel a little hard done by. Considering this was really their first real performance in New Zealand (festival performances don’t count in my book – I’m thinking the Big Day Out in 2000), and we never (I’m talking Australasia) did get to see a full NIN stage production.

Yeah sure, I understand it would no doubt be a logistical nightmare, not to mention cost prohibitive, to bring all that amazing gear that looked so incredibly impressive during their Lights In The Sky tour in 2008, all the way down under. So, putting all that aside, and taking into account that I’ve seen them in Australia three times previously – just how did this show stack up?

Did I feel like the oldest person there? Just a little, but that’s beside the point really. It did take almost a full week for me to be actually able to walk comfortably again (that’s to do with age no doubt) – so it must of been pretty good?

Yes, it was. I was a little disappointed it was such a ‘rock’ set with little of the electronic chaos of Year Zero (and no Closer – what’s up with that)?

More to follow, but for the moment here’s some further reading…

NZ Herald
Stuff


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