Maiiite..haven't blogged since 2009 and for good reason..Moved to the Cook Islands with my family and am smashing the island to pieces. Since arriving I've been on the grind.Working as a radio DJ (something I thought I'd never do), co-hosted a music show on TV called the Coco Lounge (something I thought I'd never do), designing logos and T-shirts for every Tom, Dick and Henare..(something I thought I'd never do),Recording ads and artists over here and overseas(something I thought I'd never do), playing with almost every artist that comes to our shores(something I thought I'd never do)....started the AERE MOE FIGHT CLUB training Gracie Jiu Jitsu with fellow Otarian and black belt TKD Upoko Poko and local boyz and training/mentoring kids as well(something I thought I'd never do)..uuuuuummmmm started a selling fight teez (something I thought I'd never do) finished making a movie called The Seed with one of NZ top directors David Gould (something I definitely thought I'd never do) and doing some animations and designs for the MALISHUS clothing company (something I thought I'd never do) I came to Rarotonga because I was going to retire from everything..didn't work..and I'm glad. Stay tuned to this blog. I'm gonna keep grindin' and fill u all in on the way.PEACE, LOVE AND MUSIC...BAIS#FDKNS#274#OTARA
Me and the Gar
Our first formal martial arts training we received was in Melbourne,Australia under our Uncle Peter who was of Cook Island and Tahitian descent.He was a 10th Dan in a karate based system..I think.(I was only 7 or 8 or somethin' so my memory is a bit hazy)Any way...we moved back to NZ and those Bruce Lee movies took on a new life.We found ourselves analyzing and imitating moves..watching every Bruce Lee movie there is...studying,looking.By the time the music bug bit me and I started making actual money from music, I had studied a lot of martial arts.When I was in my teens my brother and I studied Muay Thai under Joe and Stuart Ramsay at the Ramsay Muay Thai Gym that use to be in Manukau.They were awesome.Then we studied Wing Chun under Sifu Joe in Otahuhu.Even in music, martial arts was never far behind.I was introduced to Earl Montigue (Tai Chi) and Benny 'the Jet' Urquidez by Dee from Cydel.We use to spar a lot and do a lot of bag work.Dee's style at the time was unorthodox and he was awesome to spar with because his technique would always change and it forced me to learn and adapt immediately.
Then our first introduction to Chinese Kung Fu.
Enter Sigung Martin Lindgreen Head Instructor and founder of Siu Lum Gar (Shaolin Family in Cantonese) Kung Fu.He has over 30 years experience in martial arts.A 6th degree Black Belt in Sikaran Arnis, 4th degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate, and ranked 5th level Black Sash under the Singapore Martial Arts Instructors Association.His thirst for extra training and research led him overseas where he studied martial arts in Australia, France, Japan, Brazil, Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and USA. At one stage he teamed up with the late Master Steve Kitson (Nam Wah Pai Kung Fu), a personal friend and training partner.He has list of other acheivements..too many to mention.
We trained at every branch there was...went to every weapons seminar and I eventually graded to orange sash.I left Siu Lum Gar to continue with music.I travelled to Rarotonga and trained under Shihan Dan Turua at the Cook Island Martial Arts Academy where I was introduced to Judo and grappling.I stayed in contact with Martin and let him know of my progress by mail.I returned to NZ and graded to purple sash in Siu Lum.
Then the music called again so I left the Gar and trained with anyone and everyone I could when I had time including Chan (Louis Mc Alaistar) of Wushu(another Cook Islander), which I really enjoyed(who I'm thinking of training with again),TKD in Waiuku with an instructor I cant remember and Ronin martial arts in Papatoetoe under Chris Nicholson and Dwane Morgan.
All these instructors had heard of Martin and had nothing but respect for him.So because of this I decided to go back to the Gar when my daughter was old enough to grasp the concepts of Kung Fu.It was easy after Kung Fu panda came out..and to make it better Martin seems to have gotten faster,stronger and better and is still an awesome,inspiring,confident instructor..which is confusing to me 'cause I thought you were supposed to get slower the older you get.
But what people don't know about Martin is that he has a giving personality..he falls out of bed in the morning doing martial arts...he helps his community...empowers people....he trains people who have physical disabilities and has the patience to do it...who do you know would wait 16 years for a wheel chair bound Cerebral Palsy sufferer to walk so that he could continue his martial arts training(Black Sash Sifu Barry Te hira)...or Sifu Clark Marsters (who is deaf)...the difference is that Martin genuinely cares about people...he'll take time to just talk to you..which for me has been invaluable.When I first met him I was a bit star struck because some of the things he does..a man of his age shouldn't be able to do...but hes good at proving me wrong.
My brother and I have been with the club,off and on for almost two decades.We've seen the Gar 1500 strong at one class when the acknowledgement to Sigung was deafening, and we've seen the Gar shrink to ten members at a class.We've seen Sifus come and go and members do the same..The only thing that has never changed is Martins passion for teaching,passion for people,passion for giving and passion for martial arts.If this dude was a guitarist he'd be Hendrix.
Music is like martial arts..its about timing,rhythm,discipline...but most importantly...expressing yourself honestly without lying to yourself...which is very difficult to do(Bruce Lee quote)..but with people like Martin you can see its possible.Visit his site here and visit all the other links in my post as well and see how awesome NZ Martial Arts really is....
Rootsville is comin'....be ready to groove....the house
Being this close to them allows me some perks..like Dee says..we have a different, special relationship.The best perk is that I get to listen to all the music before anyone else..yep...I get the the exclusives..for years...and sometimes...I even get to play on their music.
Dee called me up a few months ago to come into the Village and have a listen to a track.We ended up smashing out a bassline for a reggae track after a few minutes.He told me the albums gonna be called 'Rootsville'.
Little did I know that this would be Pele's solo album.All reggae....all Pele...all for you.
The album is due for release Dec 11...the first single is Friendliness...a song originally written for kids but has a positive message anyone can relate to and grooves hard.....so go and hassle all the radio stations...dont worry...Cydel is not breakin up...just...evolving.Rootsville Album Release Party will be on the 11th Dec at the Republic Bar Westfield Manukau City at 10pm...Free Entry...you heard right...FREE
So please come up and show some love for this incredible Otara musician because he deserves it..and I guarantee you will not be disappointed..
Life,death,music and cigarettes
only to return to the death of my beloved grandmother...
then I got kicked out of a band that I founded...by text(probably the most unprofessional way to let someone go.musos take note)for the good of the show(a one man show)...celebrated my two sons birthdays(complete with gate crashing gang affiliated uder 5's)...and gave up cigarettes(which has made me irritable and hard to get along with lately)..all in two weeks..in that order.
From all these stupid things that have happened I've learnt this.....My culture is older than modern religion..With life comes death..appreciate people while they are here...SOME people will ALWAYS put themselves before others and not appreciate people while they are around...family is the biggest gang in the world...real musicians are real people...not fake ass entertainers who play over top of sequenced music complete with lead vocals,bv's basslines and drums asking musicians to lipsync for the sake of an ego trip....giving up nicotine is a bitch...carrying on with life is a life worth carrying on..Thats what my mama taught me...and mama didnt raise no fool...Its like this
Yesterday is history...
Tommorrows a mystery...
Today is a gift thats why they call it the present...
by Master Uguay...from the film Kung Fu Panda
Its probably too late but.........Pele is right
My man Pele from Cydel writes a blog on his bebo.
This entry is old but he definitely speaks for most South Aucklanders.
Its titled Super City is a Scam
Heres the meat of it
1.The Auckland Region only have one thing in Mind to rule n reign.
2.Manukau is the fastest Growing City in the History of New Zealand and no doubt in the next decade would have surpassed dear old Auckland in terms of social developement and our inovative and economic Growth in Businesses we Happen to have the Largest Polynesian population in the world!! that has the potential to generate Billions in terms of tourism (in the near future) something Auckland are well aware of.
3.Manukau still own its shares in Our National Airport worth Millions!! Auckland sold theres hmm
4.Manukau have sufficiant strategic plans that subsidises costs where families of Manukau can utilise Council owned outlets for free or next to nothing costs e.g pools,rec gyms,hireage on buildings,holiday programmes,
AKL charge...e.g 6bucks to go to the local POOLS!! hmmm
5.they use the recession as the fear factor when South Auckland has been in a Recession from the Start were use to these conditions man!! im from South AK grew up here and still made it in life living here!! soon as we get a decent Mayor and things are looking bright for Manukau and now National and there republican puppets from AKL CITY want to control us we the people of Manukau have the power to lift someone out of the gutter thats the power of love,serving,giving,and hope something from our strong spiritual cultural backrounds that causes a REPOSITION OVER a recession we appreciate the small things in life and simple stuff thats why we can maintain in the Hard times and are survivers in this Prejudice and judgemental society i encourage all those who care about there children nephews and nieces dont lose what we have which will benefit us no one cares about you but your loved ones Manukau is a BIG VILLAGE we support one another and those who turn a blind eye with ingorance in time this will effect you too Super City is A scam that will Rip the core of the less fortunate like a get rich quick scheme.
I have to say,I really thought I was the only one who thought this.........hes right what recession
Read his blog here
SUNRISE SAMOA Tsunami Relief Concert
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
 |
 |