About Me
I live in Sandymount on the Otago Peninsula, (near Dunedin), New Zealand.
I am currently self-employed and work under the name of "Tomari Technology", using my skills in the fields of science and technology.
Life started in Christchurch where did my schooling. During this time, I developed an interest in electronics (building a crystal set when 11 years old). However, after finishing school, I developed an interest in Biochemistry, and completed my first year of University in Christchurch, and then moved to Dunedin to embark on a degree in Biochemistry. When I was leaving Christchurch, fellow students said "Dunedin? What the hell d'ya want to go there for?" to which I assured them it was for "only 2 years" to complete my degree.
That was in 1971 - and I'm still in Dunedin! I just loved the place, and still do. Of course, it was the first impressions developed in the initial weeks that made a lasting impression. Back then, it was a fantastic place for a young student to be . . . a bright new world of music and magic. Dunedin was known as the "San Fransisco of the South" - the life style, bands, psychedelics, friends, discovering fantastic new music at a time when the boundaries were being pushed to amazing new horizons. It was at this time I had the opportunity to buy a Pearl drum kit with Zildjian cymbals, and really explore this world! Life in the early days of flatting in Dunedin was enhanced by experiences such as Monty Python, Underwater Airlines, and Mumble Mansion.
Meanwhile, I completed a BSc in Biochemistry, and then a Post Grad Diploma of Science. Then, thru an event of serendipity, I was offered a job by Ian Forrester as a Scientific Officer at the Biochemistry Dept carrying out research. My work led me to enhance my skills in electronics and software development in the early 1980's.
This subsequently led me to be offered a sequence of jobs over a 25-year period where I worked in the areas of technology development and scientific instrumentation until I was made redundant while working for Biolab. I therefore "bit the bullet", left the security of a salary behind, and set myself up as self-employed (Tomari Technology).
In the mid 80's, I moved to Sandymount. This region is about 4km from the Pukehiki settlement on the Otago Peninsula. Pukehiki is very much the centre of the settlements on the upper part of the Peninsula and has a great community spirit.
During my first marriage, became a father to 2 sons: Tom and Ari (the source of the name "Tomari"). Tom and Ari grew up at Sandymount - a great environment for them. This was helped by having 2 boys of the same ages as neighbours.
Tom and Ari grew up hearing a lot of "Dad Rock" - Blues, Santana, Cream, Hendrix, Grateful Dead, etc, etc. This wasn't intentional - I just still loved that music from when I developed my tastes, and I didn't care that perhaps I had got stuck in a rut of nostalgia.
However, in their later teens, Tom and Ari were also drawn to the good music and were wanting to play. Tom (currently in Germany) now plays an assortment of guitars, many of which he has cutomised. And Ari (currently in Australia) plays bass - he studied Music at University for a while. So the 2 lads were soon on to me to get a drum kit (I had not played for decades), and with some encouragement from Jacqueline, I bought a Tama drum kit which came with Paiste cymbals (tho I still long for the Zildjian sound).
Both Tom and Ari have developed their skills and interests so that we can jam at similar levels and styles - there is a lot of blues-rock influence in our music.
These pictures show scenes from our Jams on the Deck. As seen here, quite a magical world creating music that the 3 of us love, and with an amazing backdrop of the Peninsula at Sandymount.
And being "stuck in a rut of nostalgia"? No! That is clearly not the case! That music exploration of the 60's and 70's is still greatly appreciated by so many of all ages. Look at the ages of those at recent concerts - John Mayall & Jethro Tull!
