Here is hearty peasant fare from Treviso and the mountains north of Venice. Dishes for the poor take longer too cook, Francesco observes. The pigeon soup enriched with bread is a second-day bonus using leftovers or extra pigeons that have been sauteed or roasted. This is traditional food, not something we would serve in a restaurant, Francesco says. Yet the result, a dramatic puff of bread layered with game, consomme, and cheese, is as magnificent as it is delicious.

4 sauteed pigeons
6 cups well-flavored veal, beef, or duck consomme
9 thin slices firm textured white bread (approximately)
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
4 tablespoons (30 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese,
plus extra for the table
Makes 4 servings.

I really recommend the odd scavenge through old work archives. You often come across some forgotten pieces that still hold up today. This is an old poster and press ad we did for 95bfm back in 1999. I am still a huge fan of that old 3D rotation tool in Freehand…was a lot of fun.

Opening on the 16th in New Zealand, Eagle vs Shark is being called the best indie romantic comedy of all time (SlashFilm.com) and judging by the trailer it looks like a must see. The film’s website is full of fun stuff and you can take a quiz to find out if you are an eagle or a shark.

Was hard finding a seat but the flipside was the high level of attendance. Semi-Permanent was again a success and the highlights included the amazing work being created by UVA, the strong typographic work of Made Thought and an inspiring start to the day by local company Alt. The day ended with the announcement that the 2008 incarnation will be a 2 day affair…Fully-Permanent.

Should be a good day. Word is over 1100 tickets have sold so far. Get in early on the goody bag. See you all there…well you know what I mean.

Bands come and go, and some bands come and go on to become key influencers of major label stock prices. Will Editors be the former or the later? Or neither? They played last night at the Studio on K rd and are a very polished outfit. You can see them being groomed to date famous American actresses and appear on Extras. Don’t get me wrong, they were excellent…I just hope they can steer clear of Chris Martinfication. Block Party tonight in Manukau of all places?

Exhibition opens Saturday August 4 from 11am to 4pm. 3 Abbey Street, Newton. Over 450 lots including rare original comic art, collectable 1960s longboards, tin toys, rock and film posters, retro furniture, jukeboxes… even a 1947 Triumph motorbike! Catalogue online now at www.artandobject.co.nz – catalogue also available at the auction viewing from August 4 to August 10.

Quite the shock! Aurora is dead. And hit by a party bus! The one person who kept the Wests together is gone and it’s all downhill for the family from here. Van is an idiot…he really is to blame for her death, he really should have listen to what she was saying. For christ sake Van, she loved you! RIP Aurora. Love your work Claire.