The Long Blacks

Well that's me back from the land of the long white cloud to the land of the permanent low cloud. It is a bit of a shock to the system, stepping back into winter, although I have noticed its not quite as dark now and there is also the benefit of no more hayfever.Im almost over the jet lag which has been aided by strong coffees and generally staying up as late as possible. I am still sifting through the photos and will put some up in the next day or to for the daily pictures.

I hadn't forgotten how beautiful a country New Zealand is, but it did me no harm reminding myself just how good it really is. I had a very relaxing New Year and enjoyed several late night jam sessions with friends. I'll blog more about what ive been up to soon. In the meantime its good to get a decent sized coffee now that I am back.

The importance of a good coffee cannot be underestimated. Whilst sipping on a brew, I enjoy people watching, reading, collecting ideas for songs, and general thinking time. Coffee has the same textures for me as found in quality chocolate, whisky, and cigars, so its important to get it right.

The perfect coffee for me has to last the right amount of time. In order to achieve this it has to be

a)hot enough so that it doesn't go cold within say 15mins

b)It should also be long enough i.e. of a decent size. - An espresso is of no use to me, that would be gone in under a minute

c)it should also be strong enough so that the size of it does not weaken the flavour too much.

Here in lies my NZ gripe. In order to get a black coffee (Americano being my favourite request) that is not an esspresso the sytle to ask for is a Long Black- a Short Black being an esspresso. The Long Black has hot water added to it. However it never ends up very.. long. It always just fills a small tea cup , see above. Coffee belongs in mugs. This then spoils my whole coffee experience. I end up drinking it too fast, ordering another, then another becoming so wired that i then have to zoom of and find something active to do to ease the buzz.

I will say that the quality of coffee is always first class, just more of it please. I've also been thinking that it may be called a Tall Black due to the kiwi fixation of naming things by their colour, e.g. The All Blacks (Rugby Team), The Tall Blacks (basketball team) -  maybe they are not quite so tall?, The Black Caps (Cricket), The All Whites ( Football Team) etc...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, hope everyone is having as good a time as I am. Ive uploaded a few pics to kick start the photo a day for 2009 - the image above was taken at Corsairs Bay near Christchurch NZ, on new years day. Its great to experience a summer at this time of year again although not so good for the hayfever.

J

Rain For Sale

Not just a comment on the current financial crises, or indeed a weather observation but the title for the new album has been chosen - Rain For Sale.

A draft copy is on its way to me now and over the holiday period i hope to have inspiration for the artwork and then it should all fall into place early next year. More updates to follow.

I am still getting used to this blog so will be adding other features as and when i learn how to do it so please bear with me whilst this work in progress, progresses. In the meantime feel free to drop me a message or leave any comments

J

CD & 2009

A friend of mine gave me an idea which i plan to kick start on the 1st of January 09. Instead of writing a diary, I plan on taking a photo everyday for the next year, hopefully capturing the various moods, sights, musical journeys, activities, people, food, beer, accidents (if this year was anything to go by)etc etc .. that are encountered across the next year.

I also think this is a great way to blog, something which ive really not tried before, as i can upload the pictures and say a few words about what is or is not happening. I doubt this will happen everyday, but i will and try and upload the images ,say, on a weekly basis. At present i am still trying to figure out what blog space would be best to use. any ideas? until i get organised with a new web site.

-thinking of www.squarespace.com ? as my lack of html is stopping reaping the benefits from the full wordpress blog.

I should be able to get off to a flying start with the photos and blogging as i will be bringing in the new year in Christchurch, New Zealand aswell as visiting Japan and Hong Kong.

Ive already been offered and had to turn down a music festival in the South Island of NZ due to logistical problems in flight arrivals and nz drive times, but we will see what the trip brings.

Cheers
John