halod1

Enter The Dragon

2010-08-17T21:57:00.006+12:00

when asked if he believed in God

I believe in sleeping.

when asked what major religion he was affiliated with in 1972 by journalist Alex Ben Block...

None whatsoever.

You know what I want to think of myself? As a human being. Because, I mean I don't want to be like "As Confucius say," but under the sky, under the heavens there is but one family. It just so happens that people are different.

15 August Is A Maltese Public Holiday

2010-08-17T21:27:00.003+12:00

The things you learn when you ask "Whats your accent?"
"I'm from Malta".
"Oh yeah. Coventry, where my Dad was born, was second only to your country as the most bombed place during WWII".
"That's right. There was a public holiday a few days ago - St Mary's day on the 15th of August , also my brothers birthday, to remember the day a convoy got through."
"How do you get there when you visit?"
"I go by Emirates, my brother works for them based in Dubai, then direct into Malta."
"What do you wear in Dubai?"
"You only have a few hours there usually but it's OK unless you walk around in a bikini."
"I reckon that is the last major human rights issue that hasn't been sorted yet."
"Yes I agree" she said.

Get involved. Don't get involved.

2010-08-16T22:20:00.004+12:00

Your job is community safety.
As you go past a house and hear "yelling and the sound of a slap or a punch". You check it out and it gets messy.

Mongrel Mob member Tony Taurima, 45, his partner, Denise Adele August, 34, a mother of six, and Les Te Rawha Wiremu Edmonds, 22. Each faced charges of assaulting police and resisting police. August was also charged with intentional damage and Taurima with threatening to kill.
But the charges are thrown out, the Judge saying :
The Crimes Act 1961 allowed police to enter a home and arrest a person, but it did not allow them to go into the house to investigate and hopefully identify a person who may have committed an offence. There was nothing to suggest an offence was being committed that would cause immediate and serious injury to any person or property.

With logic like this it's no wonder we do f@#$ all about this lady and at least half the population of her country.

Matt McCarten thinks we are in Afghanistan :
trapped in a civil war that protects an unpopular, corrupt regime without an exit strategy
although he does acknowledge
Of course, elements of the Taleban are brutal and monstrous to their own people. But that's not the reason we are there.

We've lost just one life so far, with many more to come. I have to believe being there will save more than one Aisha
What would she say about Matt's conclusion:

.... politicians owed our soldiers the promise their deaths were for a worthy cause. O'Donnell's death wasn't.

Matt, you're a snapperhead !

The place is like that scene where Alec Guinness rescues Luke in Star Wars.
Can you see democracy and human rights for women being permanent there unless we commit?
I don't understand why more women, and Matt, aren't speaking up demanding we support the Aisha's of this world who didn't have the luck to be born in a country that grants basic human rights.

Some things are worth fighting for Matt.

My Sky Rules !

2010-08-16T22:07:00.002+12:00

Had it installed in time for the World Cup and have about a dozen games recorded that I mean to watch and now the premier league has started.
Didn't even watch Waikato play Taranaki that's how rugby'd out I am.
We still have a solid 25" mother of a TV I can hardly lift and no burglar would be seen dead trying to carrying.
Will fix that before xmas with a kick ass HD thin screen.
Life is tough.
Not quite a smug as "Mrs Smug-pants from Grey Lynn" Wendyl since we've gone/are going through a restructuring at work. 19 manager positions paired back to about 12 over the past few months and no pay rises.
Can't complain seeing as I voted for it.

On child abuse

2010-07-29T23:33:00.003+12:00

I've seen way too many child abusers. It makes me sick that as kiwis we do nowhere near enough to keep children safe.
We do not demand the action that needs to happen to change our horrific statistics.
What's the answer?
What should we do?

Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.
Bruce Lee 1994.

Speaking of child abuse making me wild. I dare you to watch all of this Christopher Hitchin's vid on the topic. If you react to 'Islamic' in the title, ask yourself "why?" Child abuse is child abuse.

Light on solutions but you get the picture I'm not a great fan of appeasement.
As a species we sure are great at burying the head - I'm more than a little concerned most people don't even know where their head is jammed.

BRMC

2010-07-27T23:11:00.006+12:00

Top concert at the Powerstation on Friday night. Herald reviewer Scott Kara liked it to.

Sometimes you have to go hard. Took the day off to drive about 800ks down to Waiouru to read Wallingford and Malone's diaries, up to the big smoke for this and then home.

And footage from the night - if you like it heavy. I'm in front of Peter Hayes at the barrier.

Running

2010-06-01T23:19:00.003+12:00

I'm halfway through Born To Run.
For an American, the author did well to notice Arthur Lydiard's pedigree and I've followed his advice - Arthur's that is - and bought some $12 canvas sneakers.
Still waiting to get some Five Fingers. The launch is supposed to be this month.

My Sky

2010-06-01T23:12:00.004+12:00

Thanks John.

While I'm at it, thanks Rory, Shane, Ricki Herbert and co for the Aussi and Serbia games. Not bad.

The Poms at work actually rate themselves a chance. Well done beating Japan 2-1.
Convincing !

The Nike ad in case you've somehow missed it. Brilliant.

Three Strikes From Today

2010-06-01T22:47:00.003+12:00

A judge gave what could be the first three strikes warning today at the sentencing of an oxygen thief to 9 years, 6 year min non parole for GBH.

Ooooh thats a bit steep?

Not when you consider he gained the manadatory 1/3 discount for the guilty plea and the nature of the GBH. Repeated stamping on the victims head - no prizes for guessing the mental state of the victim.

No I don't think the three strikes legislation is "..sickening, cynical and without any evidence or merit" (Community Law Canterbury manager Paul O'Neill ) or that the changes "..unjust, breach human rights legislation and don't reduce offending" (Kim Workman.
Unlike Prison Fellowship International president Ronald Nikkel: "I have yet to meet a monster and I've visited death row", on both counts. Nor am I inclined to the notion we can or should risk allowing these scum back amongst our children and the gentler among us.

Enjoy the porridge for now.

Obviously I'm sick of the thought of $92k per year being wasted in this way when there are other alternatives - just ask Oswald.

9 year old shows how to volley

2010-05-03T23:14:00.004+12:00

Last Saturday at the football grounds.
Right wing down the line, crosses and the striker volleys from the near post into the back of the net. Not bad for 9 years olds playing a year up to give themselves some competition.
Hardly.

Half time: 12 nil
Full time: 26 nil
Coach hasn't done a session on mercy.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Why?

2010-04-29T23:23:00.002+12:00

Ayaan Hirsi Ali 21 April 2010 on Religion, Violence & South Park.

I fully support being in A (and for the US and/or us in I) if the cost, fighting and dying is aimed openly at human rights and helping people like Ali.
If not we should get the f@#$ out.

Winter Sport Begins

2010-04-29T00:05:00.002+12:00

The 9 yo played 2 games last weekend. This year coach decided to jump a year and play them in the 11th grade with the 11 year olds.
Saturdays game was against the nemisis Ham North - their top team. My 13yo said 3 nil, I said "more likely 5 or 6 unfortunately".
Opened the can on them.
5 nil to us.
Special considering the 2nd half was ref'd by one of their Dads who went to Noumea for the U12 Oceania tournament with us. His now 13 yo - a special kid with a karate black belt + won the Waikato 1500m - has just scored a contract with West Brom. Giving stick from the sidelines was most enjoyable, having listened to him so often.
Sunday against Papamoa, 10th grade this time, about 8 nil.

Beats watching the Duck.

ANZAC Dawn Parade in Hamilton

2010-04-28T23:37:00.003+12:00

I was one of the participants at

Hamilton's Anzac dawn service where more than 8000 people gathered under thick fog to remember those fallen

Observations:

Anthems
Advance Australia Fair was sung before ours. I thought it was a nice touch to acknowledge the A of the day and was impressed but not surprised by the volume. An uneasy feeling came upon me as the familiar notes of our dirge began.
Question: What proportion of the NZ'ers among the 8,000 know the maori version?
None around me. You'd have thought here were 10 times more Aussies than Kiwis there.
Sad but again predictable.
Can we change the song and get everyone singing before we change the flag?

The Fog and the Fly Past

When the RSA chaplain said there'd be a fly past by a C130 of the RNZAF. I looked at those crossed beams and the Waikato fog soup and thought:

"If they need 800m vis, I hope they don't come too low".

Minutes later the Herc droned overhead

"That sounds reasonably high up, their altimeter better be accurate"

Then a couple of minutes later the beast thundered over us so low I nearly ducked. Good effort guys.

Belated Anzac Day Tribute

2010-04-26T23:31:00.004+12:00

I wonder how many Kiwi's know who William Malone was.

Wikipedia as of today has 4 lines about his actions at Gallipoli - this the guy who led his Wellington infantry to the top of Chunuk Bair on 8 August 1915 "the only success for the Allies of the campaign" (apart from the final bloodless withdrawal) after repeatedly refusing orders to commit his men to a daylight attack the day before.

Some success. He and almost all of his men were dead 2 mornings later.

Jesse Wallingford likewise is a Gallipoli hero - who served with the Auckland Regiment but as at 20 April had not a mention about his contribution on Wikipedia.
Easily fixed. Off to Waiouru to read his diary this week. (oops, Delores is on leave til June)

Peter Jackson. From 6.43mins speaking about his interest in Gallipoli.
"That story has yet to be told on film. I'd like to do that."

On Call Easter

2010-04-02T01:00:00.002+13:00

I drew the short straw and will be working over the long weekend. Still ought to be able to get over to the Mt to see the Highlanders v Chiefs at Baypark and catch up with a fellow sauv blanc lover to discuss mining and possibly enjoy a snapper or 2.

March 2010 Fishing at Waihi Beach

2010-04-02T00:55:00.003+13:00

You can't buy perfect mornings like this.
Mayor Island in the backgound.

More beautiful music

2010-04-02T00:31:00.003+13:00

Saw Old Crow Medicine Show at the Tron last month. Can't convince the rest of the family but if you like banjo music they are good.

I Hear Them All and Wagon Wheel are their signatures.

Never heard Gillian Welch before but this cover is sublime.

Centreplace Foodcourt, The Tron.

2010-03-27T23:12:00.004+13:00

"I'm not playing with your leg"
"That's not what it feels like" I said.
"Can I get the toy there?"
L says from diagonally opposite me, farthest away "Yeah sure, he doesn't mind".
"Yep, you don't need permission from me, it's her you need to ask".

Barefoot Running

2010-03-27T22:19:00.003+13:00

Having looked at Born To Run in the local bookshop in 2009 I was facinated by the idea that barefoot running might be an improvement on running shoes. I'm also interested from the point of view that cost and drama is not always indicative of value for money - that free activities aren't all bad !

Last weeks Listener Magazine had an article on a guy who runs barefoot and using Vibram Five Fingers and the Herald the week previously had an article about the Taupo Ironman in which one of the favourites said she had included barefoot training. WTF. Methinks maybe there is something in this.

Wednesday evening was my turn to drive to Rotorua for one of my sons football practice. A couple of the Dads have mountain biked (envy every time) in the nearby Redwoods Forest so I asked them directions and made the decision to try my first ever barefoot run while they chewed the fat. There was a 3.4 k loop 1hr walk which looked like me, since I'd be able to walk if need be.

After one lap I felt great and did another 2. The loop has only gentle uphill sections but lots of small pebbles and the odd larger stone and tree root. I finished at about 7.20pm which was getting near dark and the light wasn't good by the time I called it quits - still feeling like I could go a few more laps.

I wear shoes all day at work so my feet are soft. I weigh close to 100kg but there were no punctures and no raw patches. My big and 2nd toe soles are a little tender but the biggest casualties are my upper calves which are only feeling better three evenings on. I expected worse, which means that even a middle aged barefoot running greenhorn can take on a reasonable run (20k +) this way without too much problem.
As Arnie would say...

Next step is to try this on footpaths, get a copy of BTR when it's back in stock (The local bookshop had sold its last copy and the guy behind the counter said "Yeah, great book!" and Whitcoulls Centreplace was also out today, next run due in May - booked me a copy) and buy a pair of VFFs - luckily there is a shop in Rotorua selling them.
They look freaky and the ones I fancy are $219 kiwi but what the hell.
My usual country runs have crushed rock metal on the tracks which I have no doubt would cut up my feet so some sort of sole is needed to tackle this terrain near-barefoot.

The 5 aisles of sports shoes at the Tron's Rebel Sport will struggle if the claims being made by the barefoot running brigade are even half correct. 4% energy gain is significant and so are fewer injuries.

Reading

2010-02-11T23:54:00.003+13:00

Lisbeth Salander has to be one of the most facinating fictional characters since ...forever....
(can't count Cactus Kate now that she's real)

I was given The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo less than a week ago and the 2nd in the series arrived at the same time. I finished that in 2 days.

Call me sociable !
Just waiting for #3

Speaking of unmissable reads ....
Mum gave our oldest (15 yo) A Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich by Solzhenitsyn for Christmas, which he (surprisingly since it ain't exactly current or an action/war/thriller) read in about 2 days and then I did the same.
Strongly recommended for those who forget the difference between wants and needs.
This book is proof everyone in NZ has their needs taken care of.

Alinghi v Oracle

2010-02-11T23:41:00.004+13:00

Go Alinghi !

I am a cat person, and unlike most, love the back and forwards high stakes battling of the Americas Cup, including those in the courtroom.

The sailing speaks for itself.

Sublime, always will be.

The Tax Changes

2010-02-11T23:14:00.001+13:00

From the looks of the Herald's coverage, everyone will get something, and we'll get more choice over exactly what our money will be spent on.
Changing tax from income to spending will apparently get the Government more $$$ than they'll loose. Well it won't be from me that they get the extra $$$. I will spend a little more, but my increased GST contribution won't be as much as I'll save from the tax cut, nor will it be for anyone (who does likewise) according to the table.

Win-win if you ask me.

So who pays the additional GST but won't get anything to cover the increase?
The tourists won't like this much - if they notice.

The changes are too slight for many but they'll do me fine - for now.

BBQ Weather Brings Out The Snapper

2010-02-11T23:01:00.006+13:00

My tip : Get a plastic non-stick cover

Hitchens gets heated

2010-01-14T23:54:00.004+13:00

On what is worth fighting for.

An ex Muslim Psychiatrist on Islam

2010-01-13T20:45:00.003+13:00

I wish they'd show this type of stuff on TV.
Lebanese, now US citizen Wafa Sultan on her concern about Islam. Her other clips on utube are an eye opener re the agenda of Islam.

Her tale about a fire is classic given we've now had a would-be underwear bomber.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali on bringing democracy and the rule of law to Somalia

2010-01-08T23:00:00.003+13:00

Hitchens obviously has the hots.

and on Radical Islam

A Good Year for Football: 2009

2010-01-08T22:34:00.004+13:00

I'll be taking our middle child up to Auckland on Monday.

Back in November 2009, the month he turned 13, the week after we all saw the All Whites beat Bahrain an email arrived saying:

19th November 2009
Dear Player
New Zealand Football (NZF) is pleased to advise that you have been invited to attend the 2010 NZF National Talent Centre Programme...
This new NTC programme allows NZF to identify and recruit the most talented players in New Zealand and provides them with a development programme that lays the foundations for U17s world cup development programmes.

Caps a superb last 2 years for him during which time he's improved a little from being a reasonable club football player.

Good luck kid.

Wake Up America

2010-01-08T22:28:00.002+13:00

Pat Condell on Islam, the truth, 'Cummunity Cohesion' and the US of A (apologies for not noticing earlier - from 22 Oct 09)

Great points regarding the 1st Ammendment to the United States Constitution:
“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ”

Well worth a listen.

Are Lexus Engineers All Wankers?

2009-12-16T22:49:00.004+13:00

Push comes to shove I'd go for function in a car over form, actual acceleration over sensation of acceleration.

"The acoustic team studied the noise made by a Formula One car at maximum revs, then applied design features to create an exhaust note for the LFA that Lexus claims is unlike any other car on the road, enhancing the sensation of speed and acceleration."

Normally I'd be the first to defend Toyota but these people have got it all wrong thinking artificial sound is important to anyone except a tosser.

Who will suffer?

2009-12-09T22:58:00.003+13:00

How he got away with limiting the pre-nup to 55 mill I'll never know. Thats a mere drop in his $1 billion earnings.

A press conference scheduled by Uchitel was cancelled by her high-profile lawyer Gloria Allred hours before it was to take place.
Wonder if Elin knows the $$$ attached to the cancellation.

JFK and Bill Clinton didn't suffer and I don't think Tiger will suffer either in the long run in terms of popularity with the public.
I just cannot see most people heckling him on the golf course, nor his scores being affected. Does his famed mental toughness vanish now that we all know he is a cheater? He has been doing this for some time apparently yet consistently performed his golfing miracles. Certainly he could retire, but is he going to quit over this? I doubt it.

Where it will hurt is the change in response he gets from Elin and his children Sam and Charlie's reaction to him - especially if they split.

Tigers life must have been (we can all change - Tui ad) one continuous Victoria's Secret show.

All the more reason for him to listen to Pete and Dud "Get out of here ya hussy!"

Duets

2009-12-02T00:07:00.004+13:00

More Sinead O'Connor - with Shane MacGowan
Give it time, takes 13 seconds to start. Exquisite harmonies from Sinead.

Jesus and Mary Chain & Hope Sandoval
For Tiger and Elin but looks like Elin gets more animated than Hope does in this song. If she is on something it doesn't hurt the performance but you've got to wonder about the dynamics and body language going on. Whats with the turn towards William at the end?
Correct ! (refer Wiki)

Poor Tiger

2009-12-01T23:51:00.002+13:00

Tiger Woods is so rich that he owns lots of expensive cars. Now he has a hole in one.

What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards.

Tiger Woods wasn't seriously injured in the crash, but he's still below par.

What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing

Tiger Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. He couldn’t decide between a wood and an iron.

Hat tip Theo Spark

Racism, war and feeding the world

2009-12-01T22:58:00.007+13:00

Unlike Hone Harawera I'm with the camp that says racism is not something that only victimises minorities.

Mr Harawira said his decision to visit the city was justified because "white motherf***rs" had been "raping" New Zealand for years and he was not beholden to white puritanical "bulls***". and then called Phil Goff a "bastard" and reckoned he should be lined up and shot with the rest of the Labour Party for passage of the Foreshore and Seabed law.

He shows no appreciation or concern for Maori who don't share his views or for the cost to Maori of his outburst. Anyone who doesn't see that this is harmful to Maori is plain stupid.

A couple of links that help with perspective - the last one being more relevant to the Hone saga.

The song "used to stop racism in New Zealand" FOTC's "Albie The Racist Dragon'.

and Sarah Silverman on solving world hunger whilst getting all the .....

And the stunning .... Bob Marley's War adapted slightly by Sinead O'Connor. I can't believe I've only just seen this.

Who wants a pair for Christmas?

2009-12-01T22:45:00.003+13:00

Try saying "Those shorts look really cool. I want a pair for Christmas".

I'll bet Rebel Sport are always running out of stock. Not !

Who the @#$% would design shorts that look like someones wearing their undies on the outside.

Legal Aid Review

2009-11-29T22:43:00.004+13:00

Dame Margaret Bazley has set the cat among the pigeons with her report saying unverified sources believed up to 80 per cent of lawyers practising in Manukau District Court could be gaming the system
Unverified sources huh?
No prizes for guessing who told her about:
"lawyers who demanded or accepted top up payments from clients who do not understand legal aid" or
"widespread abuse of the preferred lawyer policy by duty solicitors, including taking backhanders for recommending particular lawyers to applicants".
No names though. Wonder how many cases have resulted in disciplinary action, or any kind of investigation what so ever.

View the report - which makes 86 recommendations - at:
http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/t/transforming-the-legal-aid-system/transforming-the-legal-aid-system/?searchterm=Legal%20Aid%20Review%20report

Contains gems like:
#1 "Evolution of the legal aid .....from private to public management". That should set Cactus Kate off ! (not to mention # 50 "...in accordance with public sector best practice")
I'd question the logic of the justification "Because the legal aid system is essential to the operation of the justice system...." which leads on to more of the same in #5 .
But I'd totally agree with # 44 "The legal aid system needs to encourage lawyers to affiliate themselves with other lawyers, to ensure they get training, supervision, mentoring, support, and feedback on their performance in providing legal aid services."
...easy to put in one sentence!
# 45 "All lawyers should have premises from which they operate."
This is the electronic age. Why shouldn't lawyers work from a car boot or restaurant with a laptop and mobile?
#86 "As a matter of urgency, the government should clarify funding streams for Treaty of Waitangi Claims and modify them to ensure there is no possibility of double-dipping or triple-dipping by claimants or lawyers."
Ya think?
More to come.

About Time !

2009-11-29T22:26:00.002+13:00

Our biggest mortgage has finally rolled out of fixed at 8.7 to floating 5.75, with the next biggest due to roll over in Feb next year.
I wouldn't go quite as far as to say:
Two-salary family struggles to pay bills
but this is a very welcome relief. Tony Alexander's weekly comment says 'don't fix for the next 5 years'. If he's right yippee. Otherwise I won't be retiring for a few years yet.

More middle class bleating.
When we asked the bank last week "What can we borrow?"
"$800k"
Jesus! Aren't funds supposed to be harder to get?
No way could we make those repayments.
Looks like they are covering risk by lending only 70% on investment propery and 80% for owner occupied unlike the 100% and 95% deals of 2 years ago.
May have to keep the beach section a while longer though seeing as
Fire-sale sections trigger dramatic slump in seaside values.
Could be worse.

Mike Pero & the Erebus Charter

2009-11-29T22:19:00.002+13:00

I can't see this being anything other than Mike seeing a demand and knowing it could be catered to.
A little naive of him not to see the ANZ reaction coming.
Was it over the top? No question.

White Out !

2009-11-15T21:20:00.007+13:00

The guy on the left had just finished gesturing and shaking his head repeatedly at the guy dressed like him further down with the Tui stubbie.
"He's not one of us!"
The first 3 minutes had me thinking this was going to be a hiding. 2 corners to Bahrain in 2 minutes with nothing going right for us. But by half time the better chances had certainly been ours, a flip flop from the away leg in Bahrain. Once again we didn't get replays of the contentious stuff and the tackle that led to the penalty looked OK to me but replays clearly show it was deserved with Lockhead beaten.

We were 5 seats along from the Bahrain supporters - who kept up a continual din of drums and bloody trumpet things doing snake-charmer/belly-dance music drowned out or silent only when we scored and the penalty missed.
The missed penalty really rocked them badly - serious faced, they stared at the Whited Out fans at the fence when this happened. Some of whom were giving vigorous fingers toward them.
I could have been back at Waikato Stadium!

Started filming this a few seconds before full-time - feel the change in atmosphere.

I've never seen so many beer throwing shirtless fans at full time.
Just fantastic for the kids to be there and see history made.

Nice to see Jim Bolger can still look after his own bag. Bahrain team Airbus A340 is in the rear of shot and flew out just before we took off back to the 'Tron.

How do the Teleban cope with this stuff?

2009-11-05T22:59:00.004+13:00

Suzanne Vega and Vanessa Paradis version of 'Blowing In The Wind'. Interesting.

And the very good original with Joan Baez helping the man.

Not that I give a toss how the Teleban will cope, it is the women and children who will suffer more when we leave. Maybe I don't get the song and it really means we should just walk away from our neighbours and leave them to it.

Well done U17 footballers.

2009-11-03T22:11:00.003+13:00

Amazing to think we are through to the top 16 when Brazil and the Netherlands are out.

No bets on the Nigeria game this Friday though. Give it everything guys!

Great timing for the build up to Wellington on Saturday 14 November when we'll find out if the All Whites are good enough to earn their place in history as well.

Got the tickets and flights organised, accommodation to go.

Why I hadn't taken my kids shooting.

2009-11-02T23:09:00.004+13:00

Almost entirely the result of watching this documentary The Killing Of America in 1982 (that and seeing what a .308 did to a carcass at the Burnham range).

27 years on the doco is still very sobering and disturbing. The IMD review says it's expoitive, and to a limited extent I agree - but people who get kicks watching this stuff already have major problems. Depends on whether you think the ugly side or reality of the truth should be hidden or is better exposed and known about. Most people will go "That is really f'n scary" and give some serious thought to violence and guns.

Has quotes like "More people have been murdered in the US since 1900 than have died in all the countries wars during this time". Just checking on Wikipedia a homicide rate of 5.5 per 100,ooo for a population of 293,655,404 = 16,151 per year in 2004! "..at its lowest level since 1965" !

Contrast this to the media coverage the 'war on terror', the Iraq and Afghanistan casuality figures get.

Sympathy

2009-11-02T22:45:00.005+13:00

H "What game are you going to play with that?"

N "Well, K and S run at me with the rope and I jump it"

H "Do you think that's a good idea? You know who ends up crying."

10 minutes later from outside

N "Waaaaaaa".

H "No. I don't want to know. Mr Sympathy, me".

L "You don't know how to be sympathetic to anyone"

After helping her Dad and now mine die of cancer, I disagree. (It was 'months' to live. Exactly 2 months and 6 days since he found out)

Not much chance getting pepper-sprayed with you as my Dad. Thanks.

Sick Skiing

2009-10-15T22:51:00.005+13:00

These guys must spend a lot of time staring at hospital walls !

Starts off slow but rips from 1.47 and the timing of the impact at 2.37 with the music is worth putting up with the 'guy' stuff.

Oh My Lord !

2009-09-24T22:05:00.003+12:00

L is off to the front row tomorrow. She refuses to take any photos for me so I'll have to make do with the Little Black Dress . Forget garnishing it with fur...

Inspirational.

And while we're on insurance ...

2009-09-24T21:51:00.002+12:00

...figures released ..... yesterday by the Ministry of Health showing Maori women have the highest smoking prevalence (49.3 per cent) followed by Maori men (41.5 per cent).

Hone Harawira thinks "This is a war against people who kill New Zealanders ......"
Eighty per cent of smokers wanted to quit, Mr Harawira said "And 80 per cent of the other 20 per cent want to quit too ... they just don't want to admit it."

Reducing the stats is as simple as making sure the health related costs of this shocking statistic are paid by those who choose to smoke not the rest of us.

How to reduce ACC costs, road deaths, tax and my insurance premiums

2009-09-24T21:28:00.003+12:00

I'm damn sure its been said before by Cactus Kate - that insurance companies have the risk expertise, so let them manage the financial costs of road accidents via insurance premiums.

Why not take it a step further and let them also cover the costs of vehicular injury and death. Split this component off from ACC cover and put it into the hands of private insurance companies. Obviously third party would need to be compulsory.
To be affordable for a 20 year old driver with a lowered Silvia, the policy would end up with conditions like ....

May only drive vehicle:

from 1 hour after sunrise to 1 hour before sunset
with nil blood alcohol
with passengers who have their own 'passenger in a car driven by and under 25' insurance
governed to less than 55 kmph
like their Nana !

And my tax and insurance bill could drop to where it ought to be.

Scary

2009-09-24T21:04:00.005+12:00

You have to wonder how they can make this stuff, package it and send it all the way to NZ and still sell it for less than the 'Made in New Zealand' varieties.

Imagine the cost of the raw materials for in the country of origin.

Imagine the buyer spending days sourcing and negotiating with the growers and farmers.

Guess where Countdown gets these from.....

Peaches from .......South Africa !

Had some tonight. Bloody great. Even tasted like peaches.

Strawberry Jam from.....Poland.

Not sure how much strawberry but tastes OK

The Saturday Herald had a choc caramel desert that called for....

Now I'm a bigger trade fan than Mike Moore but I draw the line at milk products from.....

Singapore.

WTF ?

Mate, they have bloody great flocks of Jerseys and Friesians running around. They graze on the traffic islands and the paddocks - like at Cornwall Park.

Yeah, right ! Not many if any.

Sports Days

2009-09-13T22:10:00.006+12:00

Friday: 9 - 0 I think in the hockey. My 9 yo shreds 5 of them.

Saturday, both at 9 am, unusually at the same ground, my 9 y old's 9th grade team won the Waikato knock out competition, and the 12 y old's Open Grade team lost 1 - 0 to their Nemisis Ham North after failing to beat them all year. Our best player out with 4 stitches the night before - wah wah wah - but they know it !

Then it was off to watch the ABs.

Yet another boorish Waikato and AB fan says "Well done John Smit"

Today. Sunday.Luckily the Waikato U13's beat EBOP 3-0 then WBOP A 3 - 2 in the Regional Final in Taupo to make me feel better. Well done guys.
Look at the height compared with coach Webby on the right !

Another Day At Snapper Rock

2009-09-13T21:39:00.002+12:00

Old Friends has it's uses.

A girl I haven't seen since primary school emailed me to say that a mutual friend Andrew Lowe had 'passed away' .

After confirming with the Herald website deaths. Yes, it was the guy I grew up with in Tirau, less than a month younger than me, he taught me to fish for Rainbows with spinners in the Waihau and Oraka streams. He and his Dad taught me to shoot rabbits with 22 and shotgun - he could spot rabbits a mile off.
Every Guy Fawkes was like Apocalypse Now on our street. Forget Roman Candles at Mission Bay, this was the days of cracker fights with thunder bangers and rockets fired from lamp stands. Acorn fights had 1 tennis racquet per side.
He loved rugby, later playing London Kiwis as a winger, back at primary we played in All Black, thought we were bloody cool. We won the inter-school soccer against the Putaruru schools in our last year at Tirau before High School. And generally had great fun growing up in the country.
How's this for an obit:

Andrew Kevin. Daddy, I still can't believe that you are gone. I'll miss you watching me play netball. I'll play my hardest for you. I will always love you with all my heart. I love you daddy. Monica xoxo

Eagle flew overhead and hundreds were in tears.

No cause of death mentioned at the service, closed casket, Pink's "Please Don't Leave Me" lead to an obvious conclusion.

I wish we shared a few more beers together mate.

Progress

2009-09-13T21:27:00.002+12:00

My 9 yo on the Rockgarden the day after saying "I hate skiing I can't do it."

The 12 yo was able to drag me off on skis while I snowboarded. Racing him from the top of Knoll Ridge - priceless.

Tip - at least wear a long sleeved shirt when you're a bunny snowboarder.

Bad News

2009-09-13T21:14:00.003+12:00

I was half way up the chairlift when I got the news.

Dad went to hospital for tests while on holiday in Perth, has the big C and likely has months to live.

Page 3 Material

2009-08-17T22:21:00.004+12:00

Boring maybe but way more important than anything else I've read since the election. Compared to the some of the 'slow news day' crap that makes the front page I'd have thought Prof Gluckmans announcement that "..there is a remote possibility that if nothing is done the temperature will not rise to unacceptable levels" would rate better placement than buried in a single column article on page 3 of the Herald.

Aids and Rapa Nui are given as comparison examples of stupidity in the face of evidence and environmental self destruction. I doubt more than 1% of Kiwi's know the Rapa Nui story or bothered to read Gluckman's full article which should be compulsory reading.

John Key has been taking some stick for being both too conservative and too ambitious in his emissions reduction target which will be why there has been no comment on the PMs top scientist releasing the article. That and consulting in advance probably helped.

If the snow is all gone this week I'll be bloody pissed off !

The award for 'Best use of a Pit Bull Terrier' goes to ...

2009-08-17T22:13:00.004+12:00

Paea Taufa ... found cooking his pitbull terrier-cross in an umu pit at his Mangere home...

"I didn't know I couldn't cook the dog," he said. "In Tonga, any time there I cook the dog and it is okay. Dog is good food.""

Well done chap.

Much more useful than walking the mutt anywhere near me.

Who me? Nah.

2009-08-17T21:37:00.002+12:00

...stricter E-class endorsement did involve more stringent checks in which police were looking for the "Rambo-type attitude"

I'm one of the nutters with an MSSA.
I go along with each and every law change.
Got a safe when that came in, got an E endorsement when that came in, and registered mine.
Paid for the new license when that came along.
Reported my address changes and was there everytime the arms officer called around. Never had a conviction, never punched or assaulted anyone.
Haven't gone into other peoples houses with a baseball bat either.

It isn't the people who get the licenses and pay the fees who go postal or sell them to gang members or unlicensed persons.
It never will be.

I do need to ask "Where are the other 4,700 of them?"
Same article : In 1992 it was estimated there were between 12,000 and 15,000 military-style semi-automatic rifles in the country. Last year there were about 7300 registered.

Probably being carried by the others I've referred to who can't be fucked filling in paperwork, paying up for endless licenses and safes - and a few like Jan Molinaar.

Violence

2009-08-12T00:12:00.003+12:00

Has it's place. Afghanistan for example.

Al Queda and the Taleban won't be spending nearly as much time plotting their next adventure out here in the world because we are in his backyard spreading good news. I say his because I doubt the women of A are happy.

There is unlikely to be peace with either AQ/T or Karzai running the show and the SAS won't be there to charm the sheilas. I'd be much happier about the whole damn place if that was one of the reasons were were going there - to stay until there is a significant improvement.

If this - Kiwi and Western involvement - isn't long term, after we take casualties and bail it will end up being another Vietnam quagmire that yet another Robert McNamara will be saying was wrong, not to mention Phil Goff who is sounding sadder by the day.

Good luck guys.

BRMC

2009-08-12T00:02:00.002+12:00

Another band to put on the list.

Shuffle your feet - Ain't no easy way - Open invitation

and Mercy

What island was evacuated to NZ because the sea level rose?

2009-08-09T22:50:00.005+12:00

Finally got around to seeing An Inconvenient Truth.
Outstanding is Melissa Etheridge singing the song of the title

The joke about a science teacher, who thought that Africa and South America were never joined now being a Scientific Advisor for the current administration is much funnier in 2009 with Obama in.

A couple of questions:
If todays CO2 levels are the highest they've been in 600,000 years where was it all hiding?
And what was the world like before it was tied up in our fossil fuels?
The reason it's in our fossil fuels is photosynthesis:
2n CO2 + 2n H2O + photons → 2(CH2O)n + 2n O2

Surely the 'greenhouse gasses' must have been in the atmosphere in much higher concentrations back when Adam was a cowboy.

I guess the point is - do we want to go back to pre 600,000 CO2 levels and the uncertainty high CO2 will bring. Exponentially rising graphs never end well.

Can't wait to read Gareth Morgan on the subject:
Poles Apart: Beyond the shouting, who’s right about climate change? has been out for a couple of months now.

Greenpeace quotes him :
"NZ is an absolute joke, the home of double standards. New Zealand’s record on this is terrible. We’re a joke. If it’s anything like economics, you really need people to have their heads banged against the wall before they wake up and say; shivers, this is for real."

Nearly missed out on Green Day

2009-08-03T23:29:00.003+12:00

Darn. No luck on Ticketmaster.co.nz.
Last week none of the 6 seating options accepted my attempt at 2 tickets - then another Green Day ad for the concert came on TV last night so I tried again. Nada.
Phoned up and "Yes there are still seats on the 18th. You can get them through Ticketmaster.co.nz or through me". Done deal.

Looking at some of their live stuff on Utube they will be awesome concerts.

Good Riddance - Time of your life
Billie Joe Armstrong in an interview in Guitar Legends magazine, May 2005:
“ "At the time I wrote Good Riddance, I was breaking up with a girl that was moving to Ecuador, and I was trying to be as understanding about it as I could. I wrote the song as kind of a bon voyage. I was trying not to be bitter, but I think it came out a little bit bitter anyway... I thought that calling the song "Time of Your Life" was just a little too level-headed for me, so I had to come up with something different"

L $ her sis and niece are going to BEP's and I'm not sure I want to see ACDC again, although they were bloody good in 1992.
Decisions, decisions.

Fancy spending a year paddling around Oz?

2009-07-20T23:26:00.005+12:00

Photo: Paul Caffyn
German kayaker Freya Hoffmeyer is over half way around and blogging daily.
Having just finished "Keep Australia To Your Left" I was stunned to see another person trying to emulate Kiwi sea kayaking legend Paul Caffyn's unmatched epic paddle. Eric Stiller's account of his and Tony Brown's multi- night Gulf of Carpenteria crossing is nightmarish, yet Freya has done that crossing alone.

Outstanding feat.

Take a look at the scenery. Stunning.

But her schedule and some of the wildlife encounters would make it difficult to enjoy.

"Big hole from the shark bite on the top of the stern beside the “.” of the “com”, a dozen smaller holes on the side on the ACR sticker, and a shark tooth was stuck over the “m” in the toggle gap. Quite some jaw size..."

How could you not know she was Australian?

2009-07-20T23:17:00.004+12:00

What is going on in this photo? Taken at the Hofbrau Haus, Munchen.
Going commando recommended. I understood big J's shame.

The Little Guy Isn't Always Right

2009-06-23T23:46:00.002+12:00

Last Friday saw a $1.92 million verdict against a Minnesota woman — and so far only — music file -sharing defendant to go to trial....accused of sharing 24 songs over the Internet...The jury decided on $80,000 per song.

I'm with the Record Companies and the US Constitution on this. Anyone with an entrepreneurial bone in their body ought to be pleased that property rights are being protected - whether the abuser be a large electricity company or an illegal music file share-er.

The United States Constitution provides explicitly for the protection of private property in the Fifth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment:
The Fifth Amendment states:
Nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation
The Fourteenth Amendment states:
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Deserves a Medal

2009-06-23T23:28:00.002+12:00

A Wairarapa real estate agent Kelly McIsaac.

"He was on top with his arms around my throat, I couldn't breathe...I thought I was going to die. When he first grabbed me he smacked my head against the tiles two or three times. I think he was trying to knock me out....Using duct tape, Whakarau taped Ms McIsaac's hands behind her back, taped her mouth, and left the house to move his vehicle closer...He grabbed her and pulled her outside, dragging her by her clothes towards his vehicle and threatening her with a knife....he began pushing her head-first into the boot, she saw a screwdriver and ....stabbed him several times and, when he let go of her, she ran to the house and locked herself inside...called the police."

This oxygen thief's history ? From Garth McVicar's site:
Had been released eight months earlier from a lengthy jail term for the home invasion and kidnapping of Kaponga businessman Roy King in April 1996.
Also invaded an elderly Wanganui couple's home carrying knives in 1988.
Current Location: Prison
Parole/Release Dates: To be sentenced ... may get preventive detention.

You think?

Served 10 years 7 months of his previous sentence. The parole board wisely kept him in prison beyond his Final Release Date ... because he was guaranteed to reoffend in a serious violent way.

Well Done Revenue Gatherers !

2009-06-23T23:17:00.003+12:00

Black Adder would have been impressed with this cunning plan.

Well done to the Immigration and Police for their collaborative approach to identifying overstayers whilst covering costs via the confiscation of the proceeds of crime.
The dead give away is the fact brainiac of the week Gerard Otimi had 40k in cash sitting at home along with certificates with peoples' names on them.

I'm damn sure someone at Immigration or the police mustr have put him up to it.

O for awesome.

Under Their Skin

2009-06-23T23:06:00.003+12:00

Q of the day : How much is Pac Blue paying for landing rights at Hamilton Airport?

Jetstar and Pac Blue aren't finding the going smooth in NZ.
Us Kiwis are so used to turning up with 10 minutes before take off that when an airline actually sticks to the 30 minute cut-off prior to blocks out, up to 50 passengers missed their flight.
To all the bleaters:
STFU or start your own airline and see how easy it is!

Torres !

2009-06-16T22:37:00.002+12:00

Awesome.
Not surprising when we're doing airshots in front of the net. Damn shame after pushing Italy hard.

Getting out there..

2009-06-16T22:20:00.006+12:00

Even with full wetsuit and booties, fishing in winter is not that comfortable when Hamilton has just had 3 x -4 degree nights in a row. Still a great weekend with plenty of kahawai and snapper. Love to know what keeps snapping my line.

And nowhere near as cold at Mr Fiennes Antarctic manhaul.
All he wore under his cotton parker and cotton army pants in -80 degrees for 12 hour days were thin longjohns !

.....unqualified.....

2009-06-16T21:30:00.005+12:00

...Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld a complaint about the unbalanced airing of "the reactionary views of an unqualified right wing individual..."

and .... Shock ! Horror !

... the presenters expressed sympathy for Mr McVicar's views ...

which ....

criticised the leniency of a 21-month prison sentence given to a gun collector convicted of illegally selling a large gun collection, saying the judge had "got it wrong".

...after selling his gun collection, including military-style weapons, to criminals....

Mabey is still fighting the claim in the courts but has pleaded guilty to selling off 31 of his most lethal weapons - an estimated return to him of $200,000.

This expectation that media demonstrate '..balance by providing only one viewpoint when discussing a controversial issue of public importance.' rather than allow opinion explains why blogs are such great value.

No wading through bullshit lame excuses for balance.

"..unqualified..."

and "A sex act gone wrong could have been behind the strangulation.."

I've a view on that to.

Not and Hot

2009-05-30T00:33:00.002+12:00

Not - Williams stopping Gurr in 1 minute 22 seconds. Geez I could have done better.

Hot - Irish Music.

The Pogues ....

and the Chieftains with the Corrs

Driving

2009-05-30T00:17:00.002+12:00

Is so much more a pleasure when the road has good overtaking areas and slow people pull over.
My work day 30 minute drive to and from Cambridge is such a contrast to the road I used to take to and from Cameron Rd Tauranga out past Te Puke which has only the one long strait past the black stump and far more frustrated drivers. Today coming home in the darkening gloom I was twice able to pass more than 2 vehicles who were doing about 85ks thanks to visibility way past the next bend. Unless the other drivers knew that they would have thought I was just another psycho in a Corolla.

Compulsory viewing

2009-05-22T22:46:00.005+12:00

Heidi Klum as the obnoxious local pizza chick. "I get that a lot. They're already in there"

And the 2009 World Pole Dance Champion Felix Cane. Try this at home !

Hat tip TheoSpark

Refreshing

2009-05-22T21:54:00.003+12:00

1) Tony Veitch for abandoning the injunction instead of insisting he's the victim. Transparency rather than denial. Give Kiwis some credit for knowing there are always two sides to a story, and for having a sense of justice without you needing to be on TV, radio, in print or here.

2) Lady Gaga "I write about things I know about ... sex"

Conversation with 12yo SOH1 last Saturday:
"Good concert on tonight in Auckland. Lady Gaga (pronounced it Gag-a, but no reaction) and the Pussycat Dolls at Vector. Don't cha want to go?"

"Nah, She'd be shit live."

Decided now was not the time for the 'nymphos aren't all bad' speech - maybe in a few years.
Wonder if she'd consider covering "Why does love..." with Fergie :p

Handy

2009-05-11T00:01:00.003+12:00

Wonder what the latest version of these can do. The bad guys watch CSI, but maybe don't play Rainbow 6 where a version of these have been used by gamers for at least 5 years.

Jan. 3, 2006. Troops conducting urban operations soon will have the capabilities ....to sense through 12 inches of concrete to determine if someone is inside a building

Another utube essential. Finley Quaye & William Orbit : Dice

2009-05-08T00:24:00.001+12:00

What to do with oxygen thieves .....

2009-05-08T00:02:00.002+12:00

Did Helen Ever Write About Trade?

2009-04-30T22:33:00.004+12:00

Brian Edwards book about Helen has a photo of part of an essay she wrote at school about communism and the Soviet Union. You can sense the sycophantic dribble on her chin - I'm struggling for an appropriate adjective. A million miles from reality ...

Poland's equality minister, Elzbieta Radziszewska, wants to expand a Polish law prohibiting the production of fascist and totalitarian propaganda ...The proposal, which could see the faces of some of the leading lights of communist history such as Lenin and Trotsky removed from t-shirts and flags, reflects a Polish view on communism far different from the rose-tinted and romantic images often found in the West.
After experiencing 40 hard years of communism, as well as the horrors of Nazi occupation, few Poles have qualms equating under law the inequities of Nazism and communism.

"Communism was a terrible, murderous system that claimed millions of lives," said Professor Wojciech Roszkowski, a leading Polish historian and member of the European parliament.
"It was very similar to National Socialism, and there is no reason to treat those two systems, and their symbols, differently. Their glorification should be prohibited."

Poles should know.

I'm also sure none of Helen's writings at school mention trade.

Do any Labour or Green voters get 'Trade'?

Simply by allowing nations to concentrate on producing those things that their geographic, climatic, and intellectual endowments best enable them to do, and to exchange those goods for what is best produced elsewhere, trade has directly propelled our global prosperity. (A Splendid Exchange. W Bernstein. 2008)

Apart from Mike Moore.

Mike ! Did you vote for Helen?

DB F#$ks Up

2009-04-30T22:16:00.003+12:00

My loyalty usually sits with DB but they need to get off the grass over their position on Radler.

Names that define regions and styles should be protected but not monopolised and trademarked by anyone.

Good Luck to James & Wells Intellectual Property who have offered the services of their specialist intellectual property litigation group on a pro-bono basis to invalidate DB Breweries’ trade mark registration for RADLER.

Go Green Man Brewery !

Put the masks away

2009-04-29T22:45:00.003+12:00

Are we at code white or red?

Swine flu may yet turn nasty, but 7 deaths rates way below our 11 road deaths last weekend, and for Mexicans, compared with their 7,000 drug related murders in 2008 doesn't justify the mania.

Lack of trust in institutions such as police (only 2% of Mexico's criminal cases are ever solved) will be contributing to inaccurate and chaotic appearance of their outbreak. Why would you report to authorities under these circumstances?

Yes a repeat of something similar or more deadly than the 1918 version will shade these stats, and justifies the close scrutiny.

The local media have really come into their own updating and providing perspective. Reporters interviewing positive quarantined travellers by phone while filming through windows is inspiring and reassuring. Great work people.

Give that man a...

2009-04-29T22:30:00.005+12:00

"I got the gun and pointed it at him and said 'Don't move'. I fired the gun on the ground and he still tried to get the gun. I fired again. He said 'Ow'."

As you do.
Smaller than a .45 but ....

"the .22 LR is mainly used to kill small animals such as rats and squirrels.....It has been successfully used on large creatures such as coyotes, but range should be limited to no farther than 65 yards (59 m); head and chest shots are mandatory with the most powerful .22 cartridge the hunter can use accurately." (Wiki on .22s)

Apparently very handy for tagging the average "29-year-old man" trying to rob your Tokoroa takeaway.

Bogan Capital of NZ

2009-04-23T22:52:00.006+12:00

Murph misses another corner, the kids get free entry but very quickly bored with the cars, speed, noise and...
don't notice promo girls.
No one buys their crap cars so no surprises they need to discount the gear. Yeah I know, 1,2 (and a 3) but only because they banned Volvo's and real cars from wiping them off the floor.

Best on the track? The Nissan GTR pace car.

"We're selling our spa pool. $300 will do."

2009-04-23T22:30:00.004+12:00

Spa pools have a certain appeal as the temperatures drop and the nights get longer. I spent weeks freezing in the Waiouru tussock dreaming of the day I'd have another (different lover then :) and enjoyed many a dip since, but its taken till last week to own one.

"Get out of there and get to bed!"

29.4.09 Update. Got the electrician's bill today. $520 to hook it up! Must away and use the thing.

Is 14 years enough?

2009-04-23T22:24:00.003+12:00

Not looking good for Mr Bullshit.

Wonder what price he paid for saying that.

2009-04-23T21:57:00.005+12:00

The recent painting in the news will have reopened a wound for Mr and Mrs B.

Gaffe-prone Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi 72, landed in hot water two years ago when he reportedly told Mara Carfagna, Italy's 33-year-old minister for equal opportunities "If I weren't married, I would marry you immediately."

Understandable as was the reaction of Mrs B who publicly demanded an apology.

Interesting body language in the next pic, Mara's inner wrist exposed but not towards Mr B. Definitely a turn on though.
Looking away must help him focus on the content.

"Exposed wrists: If a woman is interested she will expose the smooth, soft skin on the inside of her wrists. She will also show the palms of her hand whilst talking."

W w w winter's here

2009-04-23T21:31:00.004+12:00

This morning was the first of many where there was ice on the windscreen. I've worn a jacket for the 2nd time this year and there isn't any daylight after dinnertime.
Dogs, uneven kerbs and potholes are a pain during night runs so my new toy is f'n brilliant. I should have bought one years ago. The hinge allows setting the beam at different angles which is great when there is street light ahead but not close in front and spotlight mode is great for upsetting hoodie wearers in Te Koutu Park, all easily changed one handed on the run.
Bloody bright too.
I've even taken to wearing a fluoro vest - what a nana - but the fitness is getting there. I wonder how many people don't realise the human body is just perfect for a 10k run.

Pirates and Kidnappers

2009-04-16T00:44:00.002+12:00

Well done to the US Navy.

Here is a Columbian example and response, again from The Cocaine Wars 1988

In 1981 , Columbian M19 nationalist guerrillas kidnapped Martha Ochoa, one of the three daughters of Don Fabio Ochoa of the Medellin Cartel.
The Ochoas did not pay. Their response was to call the first ever meeting (in Cali which was one of M19’s main bases) of all of Columbia’s most influential traffickers, all of whom, because of their vast fortunes, were now potential kidnap targets. Hundreds of fliers were distribute throughout Columbia, handed out at intersections and dropped from helicopters into soccer stadiums. Contents included:
“3..the 223 mafia bosses…agreed to finance…$4.4 million …to fight the practice of kidnapping, these resources will be used to pay for rewards, execution of perpetrators, and equipment…
4..we agreed to create a group called “Death to Kidnappers”…
5 Each boss has registered 10 of his best men and, therefore a total of 2,230 individuals will be involved in initial operations…
6..from this date, these individuals…will be carrying out the executions of all those associated with the practice of kidnapping…
7 Kidnappers will be executed in public…
9 directly with information on kidnappings…
11 Those kidnappers arrested by police will be executed in prison, if their whereabouts cannot be established, our people will act on their colleagues or the nearest relatives.
Please do not destroy this communique; exhibit it in public place”The manhunt was exceptionally brutal, even by Columbia’s standards. 3 months after her abduction Martha was relesed unharmed…“ reached an accomodation …whereby M19... performed chores for the traffickers.”

More recently, here is the situation in Mexico. Maybe I won't be in any hurry to go back to Tijuana or do the Baja 1000 - a fading dream.

Book Review

2009-04-16T00:25:00.002+12:00

I struggled to finish Robert Fisk’s The Great War For Civilisation The Conquest of The Middle East thanks to the many and unrelenting tragic stories. Find out for yourself about bacon slicers, gas elements and bed frames on pulleys :( Hundreds of personal experiences, many humorous, reward the effort as does the historical background he provides on Turkey, Algeria, Iran and Iraq.

The book hints at hope for the region, not least from Fisk’s long term residence in Lebanon and his respect for things Arab, but dependant on a change of American attitude that wasn’t going to come from George. Glaring examples include comparisons of conduct in Iraq with Geneva Convention requirements eg failure to record Iraqi military casualties: dead were bulldozed into mass graves with no attempt at identification (this IDing was done even for dead German SS soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII). Fisk’s arguments around use of cluster and bunker busting bombs on civilian areas (civilians being 'protected persons' in the GC) are also fair as is questioning acceptable collateral damage to get bad guys like Saddam and his sons.

In my teens I read Leon Uris’ Israeli/Jewish perspective in Exodus and Mila18, and I visited Anne Franks house and Dachau in my 20s but never bothered to take much interest in the Arab side of the story. For this the book is essential reading to balance the apparent ’eye for an eye’ madness condemning the region.
Don't skip this ***** book.

On a lighter note..

2009-03-27T01:16:00.004+13:00

Found this old favourite from Toni Childs.
Brings back great memories of a trip to Surfers in 1988.

And Fogerty's Joy of My Life

Depressing

2009-03-27T01:10:00.002+13:00

"From Small Things Baby..."
... has appeared in an Auckland court charged with the assault and abandonment of her newborn baby

"...Big Things One Day Come."
...the teenager must have seen Ms Aim walking past. He had been in an "extremely aggressive frame of mind" that night.

Lyrics to Springsteens 'Small Things'

At sixteen she quit high school to
make her fortune in the promised land
She got a job behind the counter in an
all night hamburger stand
She wrote faithfully home to mama
"Now mama don't you worry none"
From small things, mama
Big things one day come

It was late one Friday he pulled in
out of the dark
He was tall and handsome; first she
took his order, then she took his heart
They bought a house up on the hillside
Where little feet soon would run
From small things, mama
Big things one day come

BRIDGE:
Oh but love is fleeting
it's sad but true
But when your heart is beating
You don't wanna hear the news
She packed her bags
and with a Wyomie County real estate man
She ran down to Tampa
In an "El Dorado Grande"
She wrote back home, "Dear Mama
Life is just heaven in the sun
From small things, mama
Big things one day come"

Well she shot him dead
On a sunny Florida road
When they caught her all she said
Was she couldn't stand the way he drove

Back home lonesome Johnny
Prays for his baby's parole
He waits on the hillside
Where the Wyomie waters roll
At his feet and almost grown now
A blue-eyed daughter and a handsome son
Well from small things, mama
Big things one day come
Well from small things, mama

Liverpool are on fire

2009-03-25T00:01:00.002+13:00

Makes your hair stand up.

Yummo. ANZAC Biscuits and Emma

2009-03-24T23:23:00.012+13:00

Recipe comes from the Edmonds Cookbook
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup coconut
100g butter
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 tablespoon boiling water
Mix together flour, sugar, coconut and rolled oats.
Melt butter and golden syrup
Dissolve soda in the boiling water and add to the butter and golden syrup
Make a well in the centre of mix, stir in the liquid
Place in spoonfuls on a greased tray
I recommend doubling the mixture and filling 24 muffin molds
Bake 15-20 mins at 180 degrees Celsius
Makes 36.
Yeah right. That means I should have 72 not 24
They are big bastards though !

Just made another double batch substituting 1/2 cup chopped chestnuts and 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots for 1/2 cup each of oats and coconut.

Almost as yummy as Bruce's new wife Emma Heming.

Oxygen Thieves

2009-03-23T23:56:00.004+13:00

A Hells Angels bikie has been killed in a huge brawl at Sydney Airport with rival club the Comanchero, in a brazen attack witnessed by dozens of travellers.

"Even if there was airport security there was no way they could have intervened. They came across the turnstiles like a tangled mob..There was] a man on the ground and a man smashing his head with this silver bollard - there was nothing [security and police] could have done."

Breaker Morant would not have agreed.

Nike, New Balance, Asics and Adidas gone-burgers?

2009-03-23T23:09:00.006+13:00

I doubt it despite Scientists at the University of Newcastle .. saying an analysis of the global pool of sports medicine research turned up nothing relating to the commonly used, and recommended, sports shoes. "We did not identify a single study that has attempted to measure the effect of this shoe type on either injury rates or performance. This means there is no scientific evidence (the) shoes provide any benefit to distance runners."

Luckily shoes are way sexier than bare feet, always will be.

The article leaves the primary concern being a puncture, therefore we should see thin soled kevlar type sneakers appearing once people get over the hype. I won't hold my breath.

Dickhead of the month

2009-03-23T23:02:00.002+13:00

"New Zealander Mark Taylor has been released ....in Pakistan and deported after trying to enter a tribal region on the Afghan border, identified as a Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold, without permission."

I'd like to ask him what waterboarding felt like and whether he has a favourite Pakistani prison dish.

Price fixing

2009-03-22T23:38:00.004+13:00

In my past life as a retail manager I learnt the lesson that sell price often bears no relationship to cost price, which is why you can sometimes buy goods at below cost if you know what you're looking it.

In Dick Smiths today my son says 'Look, there's my phone, still the same price as when I brought it last year'. The price point for entry level mobiles sits at $100 for some reason, which I'm sure has little to do with the cost of the components or R&D plus a fixed margin.

Supermarkets will come in for scrutiny over their pricing as the recession bites. While they spout on about 4% margins, this isn't on every product. Budget milk is well over $3 a 2ltr compared to $2.50 (2 for $5) at the local fruit and vege, which also has cheaper bread and fruit. All relative, for sure and the great thing about competition is choice. If everyone bought their milk where we do there'd be no milk sold in supermarkets and they'd change their pricing.

All we have to do is exercise free will and stop bleating.

US divorcee 'can't live' on US$53,000 a week

2009-03-22T23:27:00.003+13:00

I'd probably find that a struggle too.

Marie Douglas-David, a former investment banker, and her 67-year-old husband, George David (estimated net worth US$329 million) accuse each other of extramarital affairs.

Maybe if you try eating at home one night a week?

Nah.
Go out , have fun.

"When did you go to the Polynesian Spa? $40 !"

2009-03-21T22:55:00.006+13:00

During the last practice in Roto-vegas.

Is was rather nice. You'd like it. Tranquil, no kids.

Next time take me !

The bank statement never lies.

Sport is great

2009-03-21T22:41:00.003+13:00

Why?
Games and results like these....

A Rabbitoh with his index finger up !
South Sydney found their attacking mojo to destroy the Sydney Roosters 52-12 in an NRL massacre at the Sydney Football Stadium last Sunday,

and today ...

Sitiveni Sivivatu inspired the Chiefs to a stunning 63-34 Super 14 victory over the Blues in Hamilton.

The White Ferns are going great too !

It's perfectly reasonable...

2009-03-20T23:05:00.005+13:00

The Pope and the Catholic Church has been taking stick lately for their position on condom use to prevent AIDS in Africa and an abortion performed on a 9 year old girl raped by her step father, which gets worse ... doctors said the girl could have died giving birth to the twins and that the "archbishop for the area criticized the decision as against the law of God and excommunicated her mother, the doctors and other people involved in the abortion."

Rather than condoms, "the pope said a responsible and moral attitude toward sex would help fight the disease. The Roman Catholic Church rejects the use of condoms as part of its overall teaching against artificial contraception."

Athiest Sam Harris calls their condom view 'genocidal stupidity' and explains the hardline positions in "God is not a moderate" and that the pope's position is reasonable if you're a fundamentalist. His comparison between child molesters and heretics puts the churchs handling of abusive priests into perspective. For them battling heretics and saving souls rates far higher on the priority list than dealing with these scum.

Risk is Life

2009-03-10T23:29:00.004+13:00

First year veterinary science student 18 year old Catherine Peters was killed when she fell more than 20 metres during a bridge swing on Saturday 7 March.

And then

Argentine pilot Gerardo Bean, 27 and 34-year-old Andrew Michael Scotland a volunteer firefighter were killed in a tandem hang gliding crash near Queenstown after taking off from The Knoll on the Remarkables this morning.

Deaths during outdoor adventure are tragic and usually preventable but without pushing limits we'd never get achievement.
Could have been any of these guys. (Vid from the Risk series on Utube - the accidents are only the first couple of clips then it gets simply awesome)

Random stuff

2009-03-04T23:41:00.006+13:00

From Theo