I posted a comment elsewhere today based on an event that to people outside of New Zealand would possibly seem mundane & an every day occurrence - a woman was assaulted in the inner city, a complete stranger intervened & was murdered in cold blood by the woman’s attacker.

But it’s not that simple, it’s indicative of our core values as a nation and as people that I hope will not be diluted in the same way the proud Polynesian culture has been hijacked by the American Gangsta rapper culture that deserves nothing less than banishment from the media as the bests means of eradicating the appalling values it promotes.

Read the article & try to understand how core it is to the values people like me have instilled from our earliest years. Stabbing victim’s family visit murder scene

People such as this special yet typical Kiwi will never hesitate to do what needs to be done including intervening in situation such as this with high probability of personal risk.

The tears I shed while watching his friends & colleagues interviewed were a combination of pride, deep sorrow for his family & friends, rage that someone felt it an appropriate response to his intervention in an assault upon another to stab & kill him to a set of values I hold that might not be so popular that despite this situation the perpetrator will be treated gently and with every consideration for his “rights”

Do I endorse violent response - no but at times it is the only appropriate outcome. I grew up in an environment where violence was commonplace and an acceptable response yet for 52 years have managed to avoid ever needing to cause anyone physical harm as part of resolving a confrontational situation. Would I resort to violence if I had to - yes & very effectively, brutally & with a swift finality to ensure the safety of myself & those I choose to protect yet I have always succeeded in using my brain and instincts as the best defence (and at times offence).

Long may this be a nation dominated by those who will not hesitate to intervene in defence of complete strangers & those in need of support, rescue or compassion without regard for personal risk or consequence.

Rest in peace Austin Hemmings - may your bravery & selfless courage create something special & important in this special nation.

Was this one, change of boxers anyone

I pulled the zoom lens back at slow shutter to give more movement, in this front on shot.

Had a awesome time at the Rally this weekend. I like this shot as i thought the tree made for a interesting background

Another debate often connected to discussions related to my intensity addiction is one around monogamy. It started with a very dear friend I met through the industry, some years later she terminated the friendship as a result of changes in her life & my sometimes caustic humour reserved for those I care about (the shock of that situation has curbed the worst of my twisted humour) and has been long running debate with others around a phrase we agreed on which is “monogamy sucks”

So few understand what is really meant. The few I know who understand my perspective and share most of the opinions have helped develop the thought yet it is a hard one to openly live.

What do I mean ? Firstly it’s not about what is commonly called an open relationship nor is it about random sex. It’s about the reality for more than care to openly admit that we find it impossible to fulfil all of our intellectual, emotional, physical & sexual needs with one person till death us do part. What few understand is that despite this we seek & will commit to one person who will be the one we choose to share our life, I refer to this as the constant I seek in my life.

Again, many see it as an excuse for sexual adventures and fulfilment of the carnal urges yet in my situation a number of those I spend my time with in intense yet short encounters are either entirely or predominantly non-sexual in nature.

Yes, there is a sexual thread to it ranging from the delightfully casual sharing of pleasure between good friends through exploring sensations & adventures to deeply intense mutual gratification of the sensual & sexual entanglement of two deeply committed people who are as committed when they are apart & with others as when they are together.

So many see it as weak & indulgent, to me it takes far more intellectual & emotional maturity to share and balance your life with more than one person than closing our souls & minds to the world & trying to find all of our needs in one person.

Have I even come close to finding what I seek - hell no but I do have a few good friends with whom I share conversation, companionship, support & when it suits both great sex (and sometimes OK sex that isn’t an issue given the mutual understanding of each other). The Virgo & Monkey aspects of my life encapsulate the lifelong search for “the one” but it is a search balanced with the reality that we will both share our lives with others.

Not happy that I’m expressing myself clearly - will post this one as is & come back to it …

Great game 21-21 was the final score