Things have remained mysteriously quiet at Murray and John's house today, with the door being closed since yesterday evening.
Welcome to the Kamona, a flat in Kingsland, Auckland. Follow its bunch of six, happy-go-lucky flatters as they navigate a journey between the pitfalls of the flat budget, "vegetarians vs. carnivores" and how to live in general harmony with one another. "Together, we're better, we're better, together." - 28 Days.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Meanwhile...
Somewhere in Kingsland...
Things have remained mysteriously quiet at Murray and John's house today, with the door being closed since yesterday evening.
Things have remained mysteriously quiet at Murray and John's house today, with the door being closed since yesterday evening.
Ye Olde Chuck Taylors
Somewhere in Kingsland...
Several months ago, after quitting my cafe job, I fished my Chuck Taylors out of the trash and threw them up on the power lines outside The Kamona, with the help of Willy (first attempt). Don't get me wrong - I love Chucks and would pick them any day of the week over Le Coq Sportif, or a pair of Onitsuka Tigers, for example. But now, every time I go out on the street I am reminded that I am never going to work in a cafe AGAIN.
History: The Kamona was once home to a local unit of The Mongrel Mob in the mid-80s. Part of their income required a hydroponics lab which operated in the wardrobe of one of the bedrooms. It is rumoured that the cannabis plants were growing right up into the roof, due to the removal of the wardrobe's false ceiling. In the 80s, a pair of Chuck Taylors caught in the power lines was a signal that a drug dealer lived nearby and if you waited beneath the shoes you could score a deal. However this is not the case with today's residents of The Kamona.
The removable ceiling.
Several months ago, after quitting my cafe job, I fished my Chuck Taylors out of the trash and threw them up on the power lines outside The Kamona, with the help of Willy (first attempt). Don't get me wrong - I love Chucks and would pick them any day of the week over Le Coq Sportif, or a pair of Onitsuka Tigers, for example. But now, every time I go out on the street I am reminded that I am never going to work in a cafe AGAIN.
History: The Kamona was once home to a local unit of The Mongrel Mob in the mid-80s. Part of their income required a hydroponics lab which operated in the wardrobe of one of the bedrooms. It is rumoured that the cannabis plants were growing right up into the roof, due to the removal of the wardrobe's false ceiling. In the 80s, a pair of Chuck Taylors caught in the power lines was a signal that a drug dealer lived nearby and if you waited beneath the shoes you could score a deal. However this is not the case with today's residents of The Kamona. 
The removable ceiling.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Shopping
Somewhere in Kingsland...
Flat shopping occurs weekly at the Kamona and is divided up by five of us who eat together.
We usually spend $35-$40 each per week which generally covers all of our meals. We take it in turns to do the shop at Foodtown, Silver Bell in Dominion Rd, Pak N Save Mt Albert or a mixture of them all. When the shopper returns home whoever is around must help unpack the food. Last week when there were no parks outside the flat, Chris parked in the middle of the street and unloaded the food onto the side of the road. This upset traffic coming in the opposite direction.
Treats: As a rule, treats aren't permitted on the flat account. But rent paid regularly and a bit of goodwill generally permits the flat account to absorb some party items and treats. Treats can be subjective, however. To some, yoghurt or herbal teas are seen as a need but are considered a treat by others. Similarly, girls tend to favour certain treats over boys and vice versa, such as yoghurt over ice-cream or bread over Anzac biscuits.
Shopping on specials.
Flat shopping occurs weekly at the Kamona and is divided up by five of us who eat together.
We usually spend $35-$40 each per week which generally covers all of our meals. We take it in turns to do the shop at Foodtown, Silver Bell in Dominion Rd, Pak N Save Mt Albert or a mixture of them all. When the shopper returns home whoever is around must help unpack the food. Last week when there were no parks outside the flat, Chris parked in the middle of the street and unloaded the food onto the side of the road. This upset traffic coming in the opposite direction. 
Treats: As a rule, treats aren't permitted on the flat account. But rent paid regularly and a bit of goodwill generally permits the flat account to absorb some party items and treats. Treats can be subjective, however. To some, yoghurt or herbal teas are seen as a need but are considered a treat by others. Similarly, girls tend to favour certain treats over boys and vice versa, such as yoghurt over ice-cream or bread over Anzac biscuits.
Shopping on specials.
Minor Characters
Somewhere in Kingsland...
The Kamona is known for its hospitality and mostly-open door policy. As a result, it is host to a string of minor characters.
Murray
Occupation: conspirator
Girlfriend: unknown. Weapons: unknown.
Quotes: "I called my cousin a tree once." "D'ya see what Treescape did to that tree down there?" "Can I come in for a coffee?"
Murray lives across the road, two doors down in a house he shares with John. Geoff used to live there until he poured transmission fluid into the water tank of John's son's car. Geoff "ran the place like a gang-house," according to Murray. Visitors can see themselves on the CCTV operating just inside the front door, beneath a sign that says, "You're on camera."
Maddy
Occupation: pet. Pets: 0. Quotes: "Get your hands off me." "Ratfink!"
Maddy belongs to Paul and is approx. two years old. She has put on weight in recent times. There are several theories for this, one of them being that she doesn't fight other neighbourhood cats anymore, so she doesn't get sick. Paul had to spend a lot of money on Maddy after she was badly wounded in a fight. "If you want to lose money, buy a cat," he once said.
Dramatis Personae:
Tomato Sauce 6.5kg
Bonfire
Quotes: "Stop that party. I'm calling the cops" - back neighbour, quasi-left. "No more bonfires, none of that." - landlord (post Chris' party).
Chore Wheel
"If you have not done your chore this week you MUST do it by the end of the week. Its (sic) NOT fair on other flatmates. Play fair." Note left on fridge, circa August 2010. Capitals included.
Blake
Occupation: teacher. Age: 16. Girlfriend: 0. Points: 3490 (28/10/2010).
The Kamona is known for its hospitality and mostly-open door policy. As a result, it is host to a string of minor characters.
Murray
Occupation: conspiratorGirlfriend: unknown. Weapons: unknown.
Quotes: "I called my cousin a tree once." "D'ya see what Treescape did to that tree down there?" "Can I come in for a coffee?"
Murray lives across the road, two doors down in a house he shares with John. Geoff used to live there until he poured transmission fluid into the water tank of John's son's car. Geoff "ran the place like a gang-house," according to Murray. Visitors can see themselves on the CCTV operating just inside the front door, beneath a sign that says, "You're on camera."
Maddy
Occupation: pet. Pets: 0. Quotes: "Get your hands off me." "Ratfink!"Maddy belongs to Paul and is approx. two years old. She has put on weight in recent times. There are several theories for this, one of them being that she doesn't fight other neighbourhood cats anymore, so she doesn't get sick. Paul had to spend a lot of money on Maddy after she was badly wounded in a fight. "If you want to lose money, buy a cat," he once said.
Dramatis Personae:
Tomato Sauce 6.5kg
Bonfire
Quotes: "Stop that party. I'm calling the cops" - back neighbour, quasi-left. "No more bonfires, none of that." - landlord (post Chris' party).
Chore Wheel
"If you have not done your chore this week you MUST do it by the end of the week. Its (sic) NOT fair on other flatmates. Play fair." Note left on fridge, circa August 2010. Capitals included.Blake
Occupation: teacher. Age: 16. Girlfriend: 0. Points: 3490 (28/10/2010).
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Kamona
Somewhere in Kingsland...
Key Characters
Paul: Flat Patriarch; Leaseholder
Nicknames: Paul
Occupation: third-year music student AU.
Girlfriend: 1. Pets: 1.
Hobbies: playing guitar in bands, reading, coffee.
Ellen: Resident Artist
Nicknames: Elly
Occupation: 4th-year Fine Arts student, Elim.
Pets: 0.
Hobbies: playing music, grands jetes, coffee.
William: Connoisseur
Nicknames: Big Willy Stylez; Willy Dub Stylez: "Original Selector"
Occupation: belt-maker. Potential girlfriend: 1. Pets: 0.
Hobbies: free-styling, op-shopping, making jewellery.
Bianca: Free Spirit
Nicknames: B, Lil' B, B-real, B-rock
Occupation: barista. Boyfriend: 1. Pets: 0.
Hobbies: didgeridoo, guitar, baking.
Natalie: Fledgling Journalist
Nicknames: Nat, Psycho Nat
Occupation: freelance journalist, one-time photocopier Investor Homes.
Boyfriend: 0. Pets: 1.
Hobbies: magazines, radio Hauraki, gardening (new).
Christopher: Entertainer; Preacher
Nicknames: Chris
Occupation: barista, personality.
Girlfriends: unknown . Pets: 0.
Hobbies: op-shopping, Sega, Heroes.
Key Characters
Paul: Flat Patriarch; Leaseholder
Nicknames: Paul
Occupation: third-year music student AU.
Girlfriend: 1. Pets: 1.
Hobbies: playing guitar in bands, reading, coffee.
Ellen: Resident Artist
Nicknames: EllyOccupation: 4th-year Fine Arts student, Elim.
Pets: 0.
Hobbies: playing music, grands jetes, coffee.
William: Connoisseur
Nicknames: Big Willy Stylez; Willy Dub Stylez: "Original Selector"Occupation: belt-maker. Potential girlfriend: 1. Pets: 0.
Hobbies: free-styling, op-shopping, making jewellery.
Bianca: Free Spirit
Nicknames: B, Lil' B, B-real, B-rockOccupation: barista. Boyfriend: 1. Pets: 0.
Hobbies: didgeridoo, guitar, baking.
Natalie: Fledgling Journalist
Nicknames: Nat, Psycho NatOccupation: freelance journalist, one-time photocopier Investor Homes.
Boyfriend: 0. Pets: 1.
Hobbies: magazines, radio Hauraki, gardening (new).
Christopher: Entertainer; Preacher
Nicknames: ChrisOccupation: barista, personality.
Girlfriends: unknown . Pets: 0.
Hobbies: op-shopping, Sega, Heroes.
Morale Returns
Somewhere in Kingsland...
It's a glorious day in Kingsland and the Kamona has both its front and back doors open. This is excellent - those at The Kamona have been anticipating summer all year. After a particularly rough winter exacerbated by no insulation and a conservative flat budget, morale is slowly returning and was celebrated with a hamburger meal last night.
It's a glorious day in Kingsland and the Kamona has both its front and back doors open. This is excellent - those at The Kamona have been anticipating summer all year. After a particularly rough winter exacerbated by no insulation and a conservative flat budget, morale is slowly returning and was celebrated with a hamburger meal last night.
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