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Hi. I like you. That’s why you’re reading this. I used to do weekend updates all the time (well, only in the weekends of course). But when I started this newsletter the plan was three times a week as a treat to the paying subscribers and then a freebie weekend update where I’d link to various goings-on and make some recommendations. Then back to the week for the focus on TV/movies (Monday), books/writing (Wednesday) and music with a bonus playlist or two (Friday).

But just recently you will have noticed that there haven’t been any Saturday or Sunday emails from me. That’s because I decided to make every post free for a while. So even if you’ve been on the free list you’ve been getting a thrice-weekly dose of the newsletter.

And it’s obvious really, but I’ve been hoping that might turn into a new paid sub or two.

And the worst part about doing any of this is standing down the docks with a full bag of bread crusts begging for more seagulls.

But that’s where I am.

Torn between hoping that I might get some paying customers and also just wanting to share some words with the world.

Soon I will lock up the past posts and send out the majority of the newsletters only to the paying customers - the subscribers. Remember it’s just $5 a month, or you can sign up for a year at a discount of $50. Or if you wanted to donate $150 you’d be considered a founding member.

One of the first posts I put together for this newsletter was about how Yoko Ono was mocked by idiots that never listened to her music, or heard a snippet and wrote it off because they did not have the facility for what she was doing; they were also operating on biases that worked against her - racism and sexism. She was almost a cartoon villain. When in fact, actually, she was - and is - a genius. Anyway, that was a nice thing to write and pretty much nothing new I though. Just a thing to say, and a way to share a playlist of some of Yoko’s best and most interesting music.

Recently, as an experiment, I took those words and shared them on Facebook with one of the pictures from the original story, and, well, it’s still being shared. Hundreds of likes and comments and hundreds of shares too and, yes, one or two free newsletter sign-ups did arrive on the back of it. But what it confirmed for me is that we all really just want the bulk of our information shoved at us in a Facebook feed.

This is depressing for two reasons: I want to send newsletters and scrape together some coins from doing so. And - I also just want the bulk of my information shoved at me in a Facebook feed. Gah!

You try to break the cycle. Then just ride off on one wheel in the very same direction.

So, all of this is to say that I’m still trying to work this out. And that I’ll never exist as someone who only ever writes in the pursuit of money. I’ve given away almost all of the words I’ve written in one way, or another. And that will continue to be the case I’m sure.

But a wee plea to consider signing up and subscribing.

And a couple of personal updates.

First off - this weekend I’m celebrating 500 days without a drink. And as I like to say, I didn’t have a problem. But I certainly stopped before I did. I realise there are people out there battling things very hard and others in various stages of denial or just starting to cope without a thing that has masked some pain or pretended to bring some joy. So this isn’t about gloating, nor minimising anyone else’s journey. I’m just being up front about mine. I wanted to stop. And I have. And I feel good for it. And I still hang around with plenty of drinkers and don’t look down on anyone that enjoys a cup of [insert brand of alcohol here].

But here’s to the first 500.

This weekend we are also having a wee horror movie slumber party. Which is a nice way to celebrate anything really. I’ve been a horror movie junkie since I ‘cured’ myself from getting irrationally scared of silly b-grade horrors (anyone remember Alligator?) And Oscar (my son) is now super hooked on horror films. So we’re watching a few old classics together - we’re deep-diving the Friday The 13th series. And tonight, Matthew, I’m introducing him to Scream. Which I’m excited about as it’s been about 20 years since I last saw that film I reckon.

In a couple of weeks I’ll be the feature poet at Poetry in Motion at The Fringe Bar in Wellington. Thursday, July 1, from 7.30pm. These are brilliant events. Open mic to start and then the guest. I’ll be doing about 20-30 minutes of poetry - and I’m hoping to read all new material, well maybe one or two from the book I guess. Because I should also try and sell some books…

Incidentally - you can order your copy here if you don’t have it already. You can even ask The Cuba Press to have the book signed and I’ll pop down and autograph it before it goes in the post to you - wherever you are in this world.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the Poetry in Motion event - the open mic has been a joy to be part of over the last couple of years and the standard is high; I’m amazed by the quality every month. New and regular returning poets. Such a range.

Finally, I want to mention the very sad passing of Fane Flaws. What a genius. If you click that link you can read my short eulogy-post. I met Fane only once. We shared a few messages either side of that. But I was such a fan of his work. Writer, filmmaker, visual artist, composer, performer - an amazing musical mind. A funny guy. A sharp, creative spark. And prolific. I instantly admired almost everything about him. And I’m glad I got to sit with him and get some of his stories on tape. Which I’ll share here below if anyone cares to listen either again or for the first time (this conversation was recorded nearly three years ago to the day).

R.I.P.

Other than that, I’m still watching lots of old basketball matches on YouTube - current favourite period is the 76ers/Celtics rivalry across the 80s sprinkled with bits of mid-80s Lakers/Celtics rivalry. You know for a bit of variety.

I can’t stop listening to the reissue of Marc Ribot’s solo guitar tribute to the compositions of Frantz Casseus. And I have far too many books on the go, but a recent one that I hope to finish this weekend - before the horror films hit hard - is Having and Being Had by Eula Bliss. Feels perfect for right now.

Oh and go and read all of Oscar’s horror recaps over at his website!

I value your contributions to this newsletter - whether paid or just your eyeballs. I’d love a few more comments, and any direction is appreciated. Do you want more? Nowhere near as much? Something different? Feel free to message me or comment below and tell me what works best for you and what types of writing/subject (film, music etc) you are enjoying the most.

Have a great weekend!