Robert Snodgrass - Died 10th Feb 2008

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:39:43 GMT

Hi Everyone. We have been in Hamilton for the past 3 weeks caring for Kens dad. He lost his battle with Liver Cancer on the 10th of February 2008. My brother-in-law and I were with him when he died. It has been a very difficult time for all of us this year. We arrived back home late last night and are keen to start getting back on track. The sad thing is, is that Kens mother got bad test results back the day before his funeral as well, so that is also on our minds. But she is a fighter and her day is still a long way off. Just sad, sad, sad. Jx

Heath Ledger, 1979 - 2008

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:28:54 GMT

Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan residence, and police said drugs may have been a factor. He was 28. The Australian-born actor was nominated for an Oscar for ``Brokeback Mountain,'' where he met Michelle Williams in 2005. The two had lived in Brooklyn and had a daughter, Matilda, until they split up last year.

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I just have to say it... I heard Heath got addicted to crack on the set of Brokeback Mountain...

Clarky's Tangi

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:52:13 GMT

Hi everyone, Clarky's Tangi (Funeral) was HUGE! He was laying in an open casket in his lounge for people to pay their respects until just before dawn on Saturday morning (5am), when the casket was sealed shut. Up until then, there was Karakia (Prayer) and Waiata (Songs)at 7pm every night with him. As per custom, someone was with Clarky at all times from the moment he was brought back from the embalmers on Tuesday night. So all up he was laying in the house for the customary 5 days. A bucket of water was placed at the door for everyone entering and leaving to wash their hands. Shoes were left at the door. A huge air conditioner was keeping the room cool. But even so, the air in there was getting a bit...stale. But no one seemed to mind. He didn't look like the Clarky we knew and loved. I decided it was not appropriate to take a photo of him...

On Saturday, about 50 bikes lead the hearst through Browns Plains to the Crematoriam which took about half an hour. The bikes went up ahead and blocked off roads and paid the toll bridge so the procession didn't have to stop. I was on the back on this huge Harley that had such a little pad on the back that my arse was numb when I arrived at the crematoriam.

Ken was one of the Pallbearers. Clarky helped arrange his own Tangi with the whanau (family). There was about 300 people at the Tangi. The reception was held at a Showgrounds somewhere...I will let you know small details later as I get place names etc. We had a Hangi (underground oven) cooked meal and copious amounts of beer was flowing.

After the formal reception, the rest of us went back to Clarky's after they had blessed the house and had any spirits removed. We started to play "On a Mission" an original drinking game from the Waikato that was made by the boys back in the day, and which Clarky use to play. It was my first time. I gave it a good go but sadly I had to ask permission to leave. I had to crawl around on the table 3x and say "I'm a Wanker and I Can't Drink" before I was allowed to leave.

It was just as well anyway, because Ken was almost comatose and I was sober compared to the rest of them and I had my fair share of alcohol! Needless to say, there were a lot of very people the next day...but true to good form, the drinking began to immediately start up again. All I wanted to do was sleep and swim, but it was not to be.

Anyway, it was great that we made it to the Tangi. As far as my 40th goes...I didn't have one. I am a little pissed about that. I didn't even get a birthday present from Ken. But he did pick me a bunch of wildflowers. I just feel a little jaded about the whole affair. Because it was his birthday too, he celebrated it with the boys at the Tangi...It just wasn't the same for me...

R.I.P Clarky

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:24:45 GMT

R.I.P Clarky. Died from Lung and Throat Cancer, aged 42. See you on the otherside. Love to Lisa and the kids. Words are not adequate enough to describe your loss. Clarky will be sadly missed. J & K xxx

Jodine's Art Space: In Memoriam

Robert Snodgrass - Died 10th Feb 2008

Heath Ledger, 1979 - 2008

Clarky's Tangi

R.I.P Clarky