The thing is… Auckland is besieged by Road Signs, at the moment especially, so be into them, right?
Auckland is more so than any other, as the city is under constant and dubious construction. Pointless diggers sit idle surrounded by onlookers in reflective clothing with a “am I meant to be doing something?” look on their faces. “Temporary” is one way I would describe Auckland; it is so young and generation-less. There is no great hype or hope. Most people who live here do so out of convenience or necessity, and most of these people don’t say they are from Auckland. I sat around a dinner table and I was the only person out of 10 (ranging from 7 – 65 years old) who was born and raised in Auckland, surely a relatively obscure achievement but I would argue a more common one than you’d think.
There is of course a rapidly changing cultural face of Auckland, of course I say that as I am by nature ensconced in it. I mean this in many ways, mainly what I mean is there is a resurgence in Auckland’s pride and spirit. This has a lot to do with Road Signs. They are a hallmark for two things; firstly being the nervous “expectational excitement” (for good or bad) of the Rugby World Cup, and the second being a certain civic intensity that has a faith and a nonchalance in the coming attraction that will be this city.
Rugby is not my game, but I appreciate that this is, from what I am told, the third biggest sporting event on the planet, and much in the same way cities can be defined by events – like Chicago and the World Fair in the late 1800′s, or name any Olympic host city from Sydney to Munich, you will see where I am going in terms of Auckland. I’m not foolish enough to believe this Cup will be an all-illuminating happening, at once restoring a country’s confidence and financial stability. But, I do believe that all the effort that goes into making this Cup a success will be of benefit to Auckland in particular. Sure Party Central, or whatever stupid name and idea this is, will be horrific and the all new civic architectural development will be emotionless dribble (I hope not of course), but that is Auckland’s way.
What I am desperately trying to vomit out is that it is of an imperative nature that we relish in Auckland, in all of its juvenile behaviours as we deconstruct its petty and insignificant clicks. Become one-ish, be stoic and proud of our little city that could, should, would… and most importantly might! Love that it has an outward hate and an inward difficulty, it is a hard nut to crack with a superficial shell, easy to comfort yourself upon with little regard for humanity. It is emotionless and inhospitable without being cruel or vindictive, it is too young to judge and it is shedding its baby fat.
So support the Road Signs. Treat them with excitement, take them as a poster of progress… the hope for a great tide, no one cares how the tide started, only what effect it has.
My extended metaphors were poor, I apologise. Like Auckland I am flawed, but likeable if you try.
BG
