On Flying Indians...

Last night, yesterday being my birthday, I was taken to see "The World's Fastest Indian" and I must say it is a most enjoyable filum. That is not just 'cos it is a local yarn or 'cos it happens to be true or 'cos Anthony Hopkins does a very good job of getting into the skin of a good Kiwi joker - even if he doesn't quite get the Southland burr on his "rr"'s.

Now this might be a bit difficult to get a Yankee head around, but NZ takes some pride in what we call "No 8 wire technology". Essentially, that is the story of Bert Munro, a 1920 Indian Scout Twin, and a world speed record set in 1967 for Motorcycles, Streamlined, Under 1000cc. From making his own pistons (2/3 Chevvy, 1/3 Ford is a good mix) to pursuading recalcitrant Americans that he did not come half way round the bleedin' world to fill in a bunch of paper and piss away the day just watching the locals having fun.

So, if you see the name at a theatre anywhere within 50 miles, and irrespective of whether you like Motorsickles or not, GO SEE IT!!! It deserves at least to become Cult Film of the Year.

Oh, and speaking of flying Indians, Commander John Herrington was last night guest speaker at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education.