Growing up is optional

I’ve had two clear illustrations this week of the importance of context to understanding.

As a scientist my first thought is to when I come across anything new is to remove it from all external influences to examine it; isolate any possible interference with what I am studying. Some people may think that what I say here is self evident, but from my worldview some of this is revolutionary; not for the the rest of the world but for me personally.

Firstly, Richard MacManus introduced me (through his site) to the concept of Electracy. Electracy was a totally foreign concept to me. At first I didn’t see the distinction: Because of my worldview, in which I took orality forgranted and had no concept of what a “language apparatus” was, electracy is just a narrow subset of literacy. However, once I established a clearer context in which electracy could be explained it made much more sense.

Secondly, a co-worker gave a presentation today to explain to staff the concept of Mauri. While we had all heard the term before it is something that is foreign to Pakeha. While it is easy to translate the word mauri to English (loosly speaking it is the life force), to understand the concept requires context. He spent an hour discussing in detail his world view and where mauri comes from. Fortunately he has his feet in both the Pakeha and Māori world. He could clearly articulate his Māori world view using Pakeha terminology and concepts to explain the Māori context.

I just went to a site that I used to visit every day, but haven’t for about 6 months.

The reason I stopped visiting is that I stopped checking the home page of most of my favourite sites on a daily basis once I installed a feed reader. That particular site did not have an RSS (or any other format) news feed so they missed ou on my patronage.

They do have an RSS feed now, so they will probably get me back, and I’ll click on a few ads now and then too.

This has to be one of the best Flash animations I have seen: Radiohead’s Creep at Low Morale

It looks kind of like Dilbert, but with a better sense of humor.

I found a nearly new Mongoose “Level 24″ BMX on TradeMe. Luckily the guy I bought it off lived just down the road so I could go and take it for a ride before I bought it. It had a few scratches, but no more than it will have after the first time I ride it.

Now I just need to tighten a few things before I use it.

UPDATE: I don’t have to sell it now. WooHoo!!!!

Now that I want a BMX I have to give up something. Unfortunately that has to be one of my surfboards.

It’s the first board that I had custom made for me. I’m a bit sad about it because it has been (and still is) a great board. Reality is that whenever I go for a surf, which is nowhere near as often as I like, I take my longboard and my bullet stays in the car. I think that is has been wet from the leak in my garden shed more often that from its intended use over the last 2 years.

When I went back to university after 2 years off I had to sell my mountainbike. I have always regretted it. I know that it’s not my use to have an expensive piece of sporting equipment around if it’s not being used, but reality is I still want to ride a bike.

I may regret selling my board, but at least I will still have my longboard, which is better for a family guy as it can take me and one of my kids at the same time.

Now for the sale pitch: Its a New Wave Bullet, ideal for the conditions around Wellington, a bullet shape is a shortboard with a bit more width towards the ends. This means that it is good for the messy onshore conditions that you can expect at Titahi Bay or on the West Coast, but with long rails it’s fast enough for when you want to get serious.

Because I’m relatively big I had them put another layer of glass on the topside. It gives it a lot more strength.

The extra width of this board means that it would be OK for a beginner if you were willing to work hard. Its faster and more responsive than a mini-mal; not as forgiving as but as you progress you would be rewarded with a cool ride.

Contact me if you want more info.

Specs:

• Steve (Jinx) Johnstone custom
• 7’0” x 20” x 13 5/8” x 14” x 2 3/4”
• FCS G-2 fins
• Extra glass coat topside
• T&C Tail Grip

More Photos

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