Silverclair

:: VID :: PUUK

A lucky bird on the path signals offshores and endless tubes in a remote spot on the south coast of Kiwiland

Scanning Electron Microscope Photos

In 1990-91 I studied Vet Nursing for two years at Polytech.
My second year paper was titled
"Six cases of skin diseases of Guinea Pigs in the Dunedin Region"

After collecting samples I processed and photographed them at the school of medicine using the scanning electron microscope.
They had to be isolated and dehydrated in a series of solutions, and then coated with gold in a sputter coater so they could withstand being scanned at an extremely high magnification. It was an extremely privileged experience being able to work with such an advanced camera.
Below are a few of the photos and a page from my paper that I scanned for Amber earlier in the year because I suggested she used Ivomec for fur mites for her new guinea pigs.

After I graduated I worked as a vet nurse for a few years for the course facillitators' vet practice part time.

On a Downward Profile

Blackhead headland is on the move again, in an ever increasing downward profile.
Below, comparisons from June 06 to Sept 09

Above photo taken from top of St Clair park a few months back
And Below: from Brighton

How are those North Easters treating you now?
below, a diagram of how they work on the surf break at Blackhead

Winter Veges

Above, planted out 16th November 2009, photo taken just after a hail storm. Spring grown veges planted from previous vege post. Corn added from punnets

A few hours up north

Reflections @ Clair

Got a bit arty before I did some filming

Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour in Dunedin 2010

Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour Event 3
St Clair, Dunedin - 20th - 21st February 2010

The legendary Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour has been confirmed for the coming summer of 2010. Five major events will be held throughout New Zealand including one new event location and a change to the National Longboard Championships.

There is a new twist in the competition - the chance for families to enter, earning the title of best longboarding family in New Zealand.

Six divisions will be contested on the tour - Open Men, Women, Junior Men (under 18), Over 40 and Over 50. Stand Up Paddleboarding will also make it's debut on the 2010 tour at each and every event.

Above, Dunedins' Leroy Rust, placed 6th in the Open Mens in 2009

Lacking Waves lately

Been super busy working on a few new projects, and some loose ends on some old ones, I haven't had the chance to leave the house to take any photos or even surf.
Friday I attended a day forum on the Media and the Environment, which was a fantastic insight.
All these photos are from a trip away a few months back.

Stadium progress

Drove past the Awatea St stadium last week with the work van, and got a few shots out the window, (couldn't stop) was a dull day, so pics not that good, but they are really cracking on with the construction.

Dunedin Surf Sounds - The Puddle Playing Sat

From this weeks Dscene.

I added a new tag to the blog a few months back, labeling any post with Dunedin Music created by members that are surfers. Also any vids I have made using local music with + Gigs that were on. Dunedin Surf Sounds (7)
I am taking Fugly to the vets today for an OP.

What you CAN do for a Sustainable Earth

If you can take just 20 minutes to watch the link at the end of this post, you may very well have your whole perspective on consumerism and production changed forever.

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.
The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

Last year I did a challenge with my co-worker where we bought nothing new for a whole year, apart from underwear & food. With a special clause for me getting a new wetti.
Apart from briefly forgetting in the first month of the challenge and buying a new top from the warehouse, I managed to wholeheartedly and solemnly stick to it.
Upon watching the video in this post yesterday, I have decided today I going to make another personal challenge with a variation variation of it.
To not just be a blind consumer for a year, but for the rest of my life.

To ask myself three questions when I want to make a purchase.

1. "Do I really NEED this, or only want it?" and if so..
2. "Is this a quality product that will last?" and if so
3. "Was it made through fair labour and environmentally friendly methods, enabling its ease of recycling"

If we all tow the line from an individual level and not sit back and wait for the corporations to make the changes (WONT HAPPEN), we can change the world starting with our own actions. And if each persona can take responsibility, then changes will happen

• Less demand, supply will have to slow down, less damage to the environment and a large step towards a sustainable earth.
  

Click Below for the Full video

The Story of Stuff

Custom Artwork Comp Winner

When I first launched my www.phoam.co.nz website in March 2006, I ran a competition where if you joined my mailing list, you entered the draw for a free custom surf Artwork. I can't remember the name of the woman who won, but she supplied a photo for the artwork, and the completed piece and it are above.
This marvellous mailing list has never even been used to this day.