In an effort to capture the T.W.T experience, we asked a few of our very kind regulars if they wouldn't mind telling the story... service with a smile, some beautiful wares & of course a laugh, a brew & a good yarn or two.
First up was the wonderful John Hobbs.
A long standing regular of Ben's & loyal retail store supporter John is also a strong advocate for some pretty important issues right now. He has a few incredible stories up his sleeve, & gives us some strong inspiration to stand up for what you believe in.
We asked John a few questions about what makes him tick....
HOW: did you end up where you are today / doing what you do?
I went to Auckland University many moons ago and did a masters degree in economics - at the time there weren't many jobs in Auckland with economics so I ended up coming to Wellington and worked in the public sector. About 5 years ago I decided I wanted to do more study and I did a master's thesis degree in peace and conflict studies at Otago University focusing on New Zealand's approach to the question of Palestine. I got through that ok and am now doing a PhD at Otago University, again focussing on New Zealand's foreign policy approach to Palestine. It's pretty interesting stuff and feels an important area to be working on given what is happening at the moment to the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
WHERE: is your #1 overseas destination?
This is a hard one. I lived in Boston for a year in the early 2000's. My local go-to was across the road from my apartment at the Claremont Cafe in the South End of Boston - now sadly gone. I had this lovely daily routine of buying a copy of the New York Times, going to the Claremont cafe at 7.30 am on the dot, ordering a latte with a bagel and cream cheese. Bliss! However, during that period I happened to be down in midtown Manhattan on 11 September 2001, which was an extraordinary experience as the Twin Towers collapsed about 8 kilometres away - an experience that has always stayed with me. So probably New York would be a place of choice, but given the international environment and my area of study I would not and could not go there now!
WHAT: is on heavy rotate for you at the moment?
I have been playing lots of clawhammer banjo over the past few years and I find it a great relief from my study. So I allocate a slot each day to play some. I have a great banjo teacher to keep me on course. And believe it or not there are some great banjo players doing really interesting stuff out there. I love Rhiannon Giddens who came to Wellington a few years ago. And I have been listening to Kendl Winter - her album Banjo Mantras is excellent. And I always have Mazzy Star and Hope's other band "Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions" playing in the background. I go to Queen Sally's and Prefab regularly as another means of breaking up my study day - and hanging out with my partner Jenny and her daughter Amira.
WHO: are your current sources of inspiration?
One of my sources of inspiration, Edward Said, died about 20 years ago but he remains a key feature in my study and activism. He was a Palestinian, Professor of Literature at Columbia university, a brilliant scholar and champion of Palestinian rights. His seminal book called "Orientalism" paved the way for a better understanding of how the West shaped (and shapes) the Palestinian and Arabs as "other."
At the moment I am inspired by Greta Thunberg. She boarded a freedom flotilla boat called the "Madleen" which headed to Gaza to break the Israeli blockade, provide aid and support the Palestinians. The boat was boarded and taken control of by Israeli commandos in international waters and the occupants are now under arrest. Greta is so articulate, brave and committed to climate, social and political justice. In an interview with "Democracy Now" she commented from the boat that she has a moral obligation to speak out aganist the genocide and said "the moment we stop trying, we lose our humanity." Inspiring stuff!!
Shop Johns Fit: https://thatwasthen.co.nz/collections/johns-fit
