Rolling Hills 2

Continuing the theme of music in the Forster family during our growing up years! When I was 11 and my sister Margaret was 8 my mum made a decision that I am extremely thankful for! She thought it was important that she had a professional recording done of us for posterity sake. Now on listening to these recordings I have a real appreciation of the gift that Margaret and I had. I am really happy to be able to share these sound clips. Would love to have some feedback! I am personally in awe of how Margaret and I could at such a young age put difficult harmonies together in such a true fashion! The last sound clip is the only sound clip I have of my mum. It was done unofficially in the Mayfair Theatre and unfortunately the sound quality is not great!

Click here to listen to Paul and Margaret singing Dream Seller

Click here to listen to Paul singing Smugglers Song

Click here to listen to Paul singing Bonnie Wee Thing

Click here to listen to Paul singing Five Eyes

Click here to listen to our mum, Noeline singing Euridice

Rolling Hills 1

I was born and brought up in Dunedin. A city that will always hold a special place in my heart!

From Left to Right [Catherine, Margaret, Bernard, Vincent, Paul]

 The oldest of 5 I often felt an over burdening responsibility as peacemaker in a troubled household. Our dad was the rock in a tumultuous relationship and sadly due to my mum's ill health was the brunt of verbal and at times physical attacks. Having said this though there are many happy memories and experiences I look back on during my growing years.

A fond early memory is when my sister and I got our first bikes and dad taught us how to ride them. We would often go out around the neighbourhood and at the local park to work on our riding skills.

I was most fortunate as a young lad to be given opportunities in music and speech that would ultimately shape my life. It was a regular school holiday event to be involved in local competitions for speech, singing and piano. I was extremely talented and hard working and won countless cups. There were so many that my parents finally gave up replacing them with miniature trophies on their yearly return. My sister and I were that good we invariably won everything we entered. We were especially good together singing duets that you will get to hear on another occasion.

One of the most memorable successes was when I had the lead part of Hansel and the girl I had a crush on got the part of Gretel. They were happy but somewhat scary times on stage in front of hundreds in the old Mayfair Theatre. The gingerbread house with real lollies that Hansel and Gretel got to nibble on sticks out as a highlight of the show. Also cuddling up to Gretel in the song Evening Prayer has special significance. I mean to say I was a normal hot blooded young boy. Trying to hit the high note in Rice Blamange mostly unsuccessfully caused some worries and upsets and in the end it was decided to speak it instead.

Thanks to our mother us children had been given opportunities to perform and develop our musical talents. She instilled a passion that has remained with me all my life. Music is an essential part of who I am and has impacted in countless ways to shape decisions I've made and directions I've taken. To you mum I will be eternally grateful!

Click here to listen to Rolling Hills from my musical Seems Only Yesterday

Loving Heart

Teaching the guitar

Every Wednesday this year I have been teaching the guitar to a group of children at school. Most of them came to me with no previous experience of playing a musical instrument. They have found it quite challenging but rewarding. We have had a lot of fun playing together and I'm really impressed with the progress they've made. So much so that our group will be performing at our school assembly next week.

One of the girls will be singing a solo to one of my original songs Fruits of Labour.  Here you can listen to my performance of Fruits of Labour.

Other songs we will be playing are El Condor Pasa [Simon and Garfunkel] and Love Vigilantes by New Order. I am extremely proud of this group because they have worked hard. I have admired their stickability as anyone who has tried to learn a musical instrument will know how difficult it is.

Would love to hear from you about your experiences learning a musical instrument!

Here is a photo of Lea's daughter Bianca having a lesson on rhythm and changing chords.

Lucky Father of Two Beautiful Girls

I had spent many years just trying to take care of myself. It was a bit of a struggle at times but got through to my late 20's reasonably unscathed. Little did I know that my entire world would be turned around when our two lovely girls arrived on the scene.

I discovered in myself extremely strong paternal instincts and delighted in being a doting dad. I loved taking the girls to parks and having an excuse to be a big kid on the swings and slides. I was thrilled to take the girls on runs and watch them compete in races and triathlons. It was fun watching them grow and learn. Birthdays and holidays were special times.

Our trip to America was the most amazing experience with visiting National Parks, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Grand Canyon and San Francisco.

I regard myself particularly fortunate to have had the opportunity to share my life with our two incredible girls. I am thankful to have had such wonderful experiences of being a father.

As the girls reach an age of independence it is reassuring that the relationships we've had with our girls have helped develop them into confident and healthy young adults.

This special relationship is reflected in my song Will Be Right Here. Click here to listen

                                                          Will Be Right Here

                                          Chorus
                                          Forget worries and cares...lay rest your fears
                                          Daddy's close by...will be right here

                                          Nothing will get you while safe in my arms
                                          No danger awaits you will do you harm
                                          Be soothed and settled peaceful calm
                                          I'll cool your brow deep sleep allow

                                          The troubles of the day let them go away
                                          Cuddle up warm....restful stay
                                          Snuggled up tight as a bug in a rug
                                          As I comfort you gently wuth kisses and hugs

                                          The sandman is coming he's waiting to call
                                          As eyes become heavy into slumber fall
                                          We'll see you tomorrow as a new day unfurls
                                          My dearest most precious sweet little girl
                       

Remembering 9/11

Now in September we remember those thousands of lives deeply affected 10 years ago by the atrocity of 9/11.  We all remember what we were doing at the time when we heard the shocking and bewildering news.

I had just come back from a run as I typically do every morning before school.  My next door neighbour came over at 8:00 to tell me about what had occurred and like so many I was in shock!  I jumped on my bike and rode in quick time to school as I pondered over the horrendous and surreal information I had been told.

Even though I was a long way away from the catastrophe I felt great empathy for those whose lives would forever be changed. I myself had been fortunate to have gone to the top of one of the Twin Towers in 1985. Subsequently I feel I have some perspective of the magnitude of what happened.

When arriving at school I just needed to express some of those thoughts in word and song.  So on that very day was born a tribute in song simply called Twin Towers.  Later it was recorded on my Coming Home album, sung by a teacher at my school. 

Today I am dedicating this song to all those affected a decade ago.  Click here to hear my song.

Do you have your own memories of that day or stories / feelings you would like to share?

Twin Towers

What ruthless minds plan such crimes
Against humanity in this space and time
Shall they sleep at night or wake with fright
Images flash by... horrendous sights

Chorus:
Blood chilling news...shattered we muse
How senseless and pointless the loved ones we lose

Unsuspecting travellers boarded crafts
Trusting unaware of changing air paths
Whole families close friends...innocent lives
Destination eternal husbands and wives
Young children at school unknowing how cruel
The tragic unfolding under terrorist rule
Parents they never again will view
Today not ever no more lives they knew


Twin Towers of grandeur quick crumpled brought down
Desperate New Yorkers watch calamity around
Screams of anguish disbelief widespread abound
Panic sets in high and on ground

Touching Lives

I feel immensely priveledged to have spent the last 17 years working with children. I have loved seeing their enthusiasm for learning and the huge potential that every child has. It has been a joy to take them into the previously unknown. I've been invigourated by the excitement when children discover they have talents and abilities that had been dormant and I am proud that I have been instrumental in awakening them. I am extremely fortunate that I can share in the joy and fun of being young. It brings great satisfaction to introduce them to my world and for me to share in theirs. I have appreciated the simple pleasures that are present in a kind and encouraging word that inspires and motivates. I am extremely grateful to have had this time to touch lives and open futures.

Here are the lyrics of a song I wrote about 8 years ago. An invitation into the special qualities found in children.

                                                  Gentle Sweet Child

                                           Happy laughter fills the air
                                           Squeals of contentment clearly hear
                                           Oh to be young without a care
                                           Living moments..smiles wear

                                           Today only..matters not
                                           Coming the future..tomorrow what
                                           Only that now they have..got
                                           If you give they'll take the lot

                                           Chorus
                                           Innocent..precious..lively..wild
                                           Nothing compares to a gentle sweet chid

                                           Bundles of energy..excess to burn
                                           Inquisitive..curious..eager to learn
                                           Don't want to share..always their turn
                                           If you spend the time..their love you'll earn

                                           Chorus

                                           They need to know as they quickly grow
                                           You're there for them..let it show
                                           Make them feel special..important so
                                           Watch their eyes light up..faces glow

                                           Chorus

First Running Steps

STUCK OUT ON THE WING.....ELEVENTH MAN IN...An unglamorous start to sporting endeavours. Frustrated by Team Sports and a determined and encouraging 9th in the School Cross Country at the age of 10, sowed the seeds for a rewarding and eventful Life of Running.
I love being able to participate and compete in an activity that is healthy and self motivating and has obvious and tangible rewards.
Running has given me an opportunity to compete locally, regionally and nationally and taken me to Europe to represent New Zealand in Mountain Running. Quite unexpected for someone who as a child had little natural talent and who's father regularly told others that as a child looked ungainly walking let alone running.
Experiences has shown what persistence and hard work can achieve if you have the desire.
The pleasure I have got from daily putting one foot in front of the other at sometimes rapid speed has shaped my life and given me a sense of purpose and self fulfilment that nothing else could possibly give me.
Following are the lyrics of a song I wrote called Run with the Wind that tells my Running Story:-





2010 N.Z Road Relay - Inglewood



Run with the Wind 

Looking out at the play outside

Feeling safe and wanting to hide

Children busy having fun

Thoughts are pounding...gotta run

Chorus

Run with the wind...don't look back

Run with the wind...keep on track

Noises everywhere people stare

Who's that loony...do they care

Running hot and running straight

Keep on moving...you can't be late

Chorus

As the years go running by

Gotta keep going the pounding cries

No good stopping...no time to lose

A voice is calling...no time to choose

Chorus

Nothing's changed and never will

For this solitary running fool

As he quickly races on

To further glories and sings his song

Chorus