Having spent a few months working on a play that deals with climate change, a meteorologist and other issues called 'Weather' I was a little upset to find today another play called 'Weather' dealing with climate change and with a meteorologist is being read at Circa Theatre in a few weeks.
This isn't the first time this has happened. My play Real - looking at Real Estate was in the bag and had been workshopped by Playmarket and was awaiting performance, when Geraldine Brophy toured a play called Real Estate with a grant from Creative NZ. The difference that time was the titles didn't quite match up and mine seemed to have been clearly written 3 years earlier than hers, just not produced AND I didn't get a grant from Creative NZ.
And then there was the time I had a play about a cafe performed in a cafe and 3 months later found some students from Drama school were doing a play about a cafe set in a cafe.
My problems is I'm falling behind. The cafe play I was ahead, the Real Estate play I was ahead but ended up at the same time and the latest one clearly John Smyth had his on the drawing board longer as mine now is only ready for workshopping and his is at the stage of a rehearsed reading.
I'm worried now the next play I write will have me sued for plagarism even though I have no idea what anyone else is up to.
12 November 2008
11 November 2008
Starting again
Through a bizarre set of circumstances I am now full time looking after my 2 children and my career has been shot down in flames.
The city where I choose to live has too few jobs in my field and those that there are are closed shops AND eccentricity doesn't go so well in most organisations.
What I wanted to do all along was spend more time writing and find a more healthy lifestyle. Well following a very painful transition I seem to have both. So I've got where I wanted to go and I'm still pinching myself.
HA
Oh and ... I've given up coffee and I figured I don't need a cell phone anymore.
I've had about 27 cell phones since 1990 and I can't tell you how much coffee I've had and how many people I've rubbished who won't drink it.
Life is a a journey on an underfunded public bus service
The city where I choose to live has too few jobs in my field and those that there are are closed shops AND eccentricity doesn't go so well in most organisations.
What I wanted to do all along was spend more time writing and find a more healthy lifestyle. Well following a very painful transition I seem to have both. So I've got where I wanted to go and I'm still pinching myself.
HA
Oh and ... I've given up coffee and I figured I don't need a cell phone anymore.
I've had about 27 cell phones since 1990 and I can't tell you how much coffee I've had and how many people I've rubbished who won't drink it.
Life is a a journey on an underfunded public bus service
Back to it
Blogged for a while about a play I was directing. Then nothing.
I've noticed lots of little cars called "Swifts" driven by very cautious slow drivers. Having followed a few of them going at 40ks I'm not sure they can be pedalled to 60ks say. Hmmm
I've noticed lots of little cars called "Swifts" driven by very cautious slow drivers. Having followed a few of them going at 40ks I'm not sure they can be pedalled to 60ks say. Hmmm
26 April 2008
I'm becoming immune to marketing
Recently, because it was on special, I bought some McCain oven fries. We sometimes have chips in the freezer and usually we have the cheapest ones.
Today I cooked them as part of dinner and my partner says 'they're really crunchy'. And they were nice.
I thought about it and realised that is the marketing line they have in their TV advertising. I hate the advertisements but I knew that was their line. And then I thought 'why haven't I bought these before in that case?"
Answer - I didn't believe the advert. In fact when i sat down and thought about it - I don't believe any adverts. The only thing I believe is price, and I have some feel for brand positioning, but if McCain has an ad saying it's chips are crunchier I assume they're just saying that. Same with most other ads I see.
Today I cooked them as part of dinner and my partner says 'they're really crunchy'. And they were nice.
I thought about it and realised that is the marketing line they have in their TV advertising. I hate the advertisements but I knew that was their line. And then I thought 'why haven't I bought these before in that case?"
Answer - I didn't believe the advert. In fact when i sat down and thought about it - I don't believe any adverts. The only thing I believe is price, and I have some feel for brand positioning, but if McCain has an ad saying it's chips are crunchier I assume they're just saying that. Same with most other ads I see.
19 March 2008
Obama on race
http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/ownwords
Without a doubt the bravest political speech I have ever heard. The bravest speech (not political per se) I've ever listened to (albeit it many years after the event) was Winston Churchill's on the beaches. The silliest speech was by Saddam's Iraqi Information Minister insisting that they were repelling the US Invaders. The dumbest speeches I have ever heard are everytime I hear George W say anything. The best speeches - (and here just ones I have heard live) - Rob Muldoon Timaru 1985, Bill Clinton Christchurch NZ 1999, and Jim Anderton Wellington 1993. But the Barack speech today, which I watched when it was a couple of hours old - rates with these three.
Without a doubt the bravest political speech I have ever heard. The bravest speech (not political per se) I've ever listened to (albeit it many years after the event) was Winston Churchill's on the beaches. The silliest speech was by Saddam's Iraqi Information Minister insisting that they were repelling the US Invaders. The dumbest speeches I have ever heard are everytime I hear George W say anything. The best speeches - (and here just ones I have heard live) - Rob Muldoon Timaru 1985, Bill Clinton Christchurch NZ 1999, and Jim Anderton Wellington 1993. But the Barack speech today, which I watched when it was a couple of hours old - rates with these three.
Recycling Trash
None of us can escape the discussions around global warming, carbon emissions, rubbish, recycling, pollution, renewable energy issues.... I was taken some years ago by the idea of zero waste. What a great idea!
Try as I might I can't see how to reduce my rubbish to zero. I've been looking at the rubbish I throw out and I've come to two startling conclusions:
1 It's 50 percent packaging. Since the health Nazis began insisting everything is wrapped I seem to be buying packaging from the supermarket to throw out. In my father's youth biscuits were sold out of barrels and wrapped in paper for you, sweets were bought out of jars, and bread was in a roll of paper. Today everything comes in plastic and (apart from bread in the previous examples) wrapped in several layers. Did anyone in NZ ever die from germs on a boiled lolly that wasn't encased in plastic? I don't know but I'll bet none. So I have to pay for all this packaging and then feel guilty about having to throw it out.
2 Much of the stuff I buy - which isn't edible - is not made to last. It can't be repaired and even if it can it's much cheaper to biff it and buy a new one. Kitchen implements, buckets, garden tools, children's toys, shoes, you name it -it's cheaper to throw it out. (And it's all wrapped in plastic you need a disposable electric saw to open).
So while I'm sympathetic guilt-tripping ordinary consumers is just trash.
Try as I might I can't see how to reduce my rubbish to zero. I've been looking at the rubbish I throw out and I've come to two startling conclusions:
1 It's 50 percent packaging. Since the health Nazis began insisting everything is wrapped I seem to be buying packaging from the supermarket to throw out. In my father's youth biscuits were sold out of barrels and wrapped in paper for you, sweets were bought out of jars, and bread was in a roll of paper. Today everything comes in plastic and (apart from bread in the previous examples) wrapped in several layers. Did anyone in NZ ever die from germs on a boiled lolly that wasn't encased in plastic? I don't know but I'll bet none. So I have to pay for all this packaging and then feel guilty about having to throw it out.
2 Much of the stuff I buy - which isn't edible - is not made to last. It can't be repaired and even if it can it's much cheaper to biff it and buy a new one. Kitchen implements, buckets, garden tools, children's toys, shoes, you name it -it's cheaper to throw it out. (And it's all wrapped in plastic you need a disposable electric saw to open).
So while I'm sympathetic guilt-tripping ordinary consumers is just trash.
03 March 2008
02 March 2008
Out organised - the story of a political defeat
For those of us following the US election the interesting issue is how long Clinton can survive. She is playing the HDDVD to Obama's Blu-ray.
When the whole campaign is dissected I think the key issues that will emerge and nasty politics from Clinton and poor campaign organisation.
Clinton hired her friend Patti Solis Doyle was hired as campaign manager. She did win over the latino vote but didn't do many other things, like organise internet fundraising or ensuring that the on-the-ground organisation in some states was up to it.
While Obama's campaign raised huge sums on the internet the Clinton campaign ran out of money, the staff started to forego wages and Hillary had to lend her own campaign $5m. That was when Solis Doyle 'resigned'.
Tellingly though it seems from what I read that the Obama campaign is just better organised. clinically so.
The latest thing is this - Hillary puts an ad out (3am) questioning who would the US want in the Whitehouse if the phone goes at 3am because there's something going on.
The Obama campaign - recreated a very closely similar ad and had it on air in about 12 hours!!!!!!
http://slate.com/blogs/blogs/trailhead/archive/2008/02/29/daaamn-that-was-fast.aspx
When the whole campaign is dissected I think the key issues that will emerge and nasty politics from Clinton and poor campaign organisation.
Clinton hired her friend Patti Solis Doyle was hired as campaign manager. She did win over the latino vote but didn't do many other things, like organise internet fundraising or ensuring that the on-the-ground organisation in some states was up to it.
While Obama's campaign raised huge sums on the internet the Clinton campaign ran out of money, the staff started to forego wages and Hillary had to lend her own campaign $5m. That was when Solis Doyle 'resigned'.
Tellingly though it seems from what I read that the Obama campaign is just better organised. clinically so.
The latest thing is this - Hillary puts an ad out (3am) questioning who would the US want in the Whitehouse if the phone goes at 3am because there's something going on.
The Obama campaign - recreated a very closely similar ad and had it on air in about 12 hours!!!!!!
http://slate.com/blogs/blogs/trailhead/archive/2008/02/29/daaamn-that-was-fast.aspx
01 March 2008
Reviews
I have a play on in Wellington at the moment and it is the best, deepest, most layered and polished play I have written and it is being screwed by one or two critics. They can't separate the script from the performance.
Anyway the good news is that I don't have revenge fantasies anymore. I would write a play about murdering play reviewers, but it's been done (The Real Inspector Hound by Stoppard for one). I think about banning reviewers from my plays (been done, by Fo I think). I think about laughing it off - ho ho ho.
In one play about a play about a play I wrote I had fake reviews in the front of house. Just for prosterity here are the surviving ones
“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
Reviewed by Alan Smithee – Katipo Times
A nice modern tale transported back to 12th century Scotland. Clearly though the plot is clumsily modeled on recent developments in the National Party. Despite this the story has promise.
This promise was lost, however, in a similar way to Shakespeare’s other recent outings; the Beckham’s transported back to Italy as star-struck lovers; or the story of Jonah Lomu badly disguised as a jealous general; or the earlier plots of Shortland Street renamed “Much Ado about nothing”.
All of these plays are far too obvious and a little unbelievable. This is made worse by their excessive length; there is no reason why a modern play cannot be wrapped up in 90 minutes.
Macbeth also suffers from being too obvious. Spurred on by his wife (Gerry Brownlee, ho ho) decides to kill the king (surprise surprise). He gets caught, and brought to justice.
The predictability was lessened with the use of some novel ideas. These included a camouflaged army, a metaphor for the secret plotting of politicians, a device that this reviewer felt failed. This was overshadowed by some non medical nonsense suggesting that someone born via a caesarian is not of woman born. While this assertion about the primacy of natural childbirth was interesting it was totally irrelevant.
The funniest if not the most insulting aspect to the play was portraying the media and the parliamentary press gallery as three old witches. Not the best way to make friends.
Finally though the most telling problem – lots of words and no action. All the action takes place off stage; the murder of Bill English, the battles, and most of the conflict occur off stage.
“The Caretaker” by Harold Pinter
Review by J Browne in the ComPost
This is the latest of Pinter’s plays performed in Wellington and really it should be the last.
Long pauses ensure the action is never fully realized. The internal structure is hampered by slow and repetitive slow revelation of both character and plot.
Mr Pinter has clearly not learnt from comments made by this reviewer and others during the Birthday Party on the need for clear exposition and dialogue. While one actor did his best the other mumbled and paused his way through.
The play drools to a painful conclusion an hour later than the five minutes of plot deserved. Honks like a goose.
“Art” by Christina Rezos
Reviewed by Leslie Locke in the Listener.
A promising premise. Three friends divided over a piece of modern art. A chance to explore the views on modern art.
Although there is plenty of talking, nothing much happens. Gone are the days when plays can be just talking heads. More action is required.
Worse still it turns out the painting itself is simply white, disappointing as it is clearly implausible.
Anyway the good news is that I don't have revenge fantasies anymore. I would write a play about murdering play reviewers, but it's been done (The Real Inspector Hound by Stoppard for one). I think about banning reviewers from my plays (been done, by Fo I think). I think about laughing it off - ho ho ho.
In one play about a play about a play I wrote I had fake reviews in the front of house. Just for prosterity here are the surviving ones
“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
Reviewed by Alan Smithee – Katipo Times
A nice modern tale transported back to 12th century Scotland. Clearly though the plot is clumsily modeled on recent developments in the National Party. Despite this the story has promise.
This promise was lost, however, in a similar way to Shakespeare’s other recent outings; the Beckham’s transported back to Italy as star-struck lovers; or the story of Jonah Lomu badly disguised as a jealous general; or the earlier plots of Shortland Street renamed “Much Ado about nothing”.
All of these plays are far too obvious and a little unbelievable. This is made worse by their excessive length; there is no reason why a modern play cannot be wrapped up in 90 minutes.
Macbeth also suffers from being too obvious. Spurred on by his wife (Gerry Brownlee, ho ho) decides to kill the king (surprise surprise). He gets caught, and brought to justice.
The predictability was lessened with the use of some novel ideas. These included a camouflaged army, a metaphor for the secret plotting of politicians, a device that this reviewer felt failed. This was overshadowed by some non medical nonsense suggesting that someone born via a caesarian is not of woman born. While this assertion about the primacy of natural childbirth was interesting it was totally irrelevant.
The funniest if not the most insulting aspect to the play was portraying the media and the parliamentary press gallery as three old witches. Not the best way to make friends.
Finally though the most telling problem – lots of words and no action. All the action takes place off stage; the murder of Bill English, the battles, and most of the conflict occur off stage.
“The Caretaker” by Harold Pinter
Review by J Browne in the ComPost
This is the latest of Pinter’s plays performed in Wellington and really it should be the last.
Long pauses ensure the action is never fully realized. The internal structure is hampered by slow and repetitive slow revelation of both character and plot.
Mr Pinter has clearly not learnt from comments made by this reviewer and others during the Birthday Party on the need for clear exposition and dialogue. While one actor did his best the other mumbled and paused his way through.
The play drools to a painful conclusion an hour later than the five minutes of plot deserved. Honks like a goose.
“Art” by Christina Rezos
Reviewed by Leslie Locke in the Listener.
A promising premise. Three friends divided over a piece of modern art. A chance to explore the views on modern art.
Although there is plenty of talking, nothing much happens. Gone are the days when plays can be just talking heads. More action is required.
Worse still it turns out the painting itself is simply white, disappointing as it is clearly implausible.
29 February 2008
Hillary evil toast
Not only is Hillary going down and biting the big banana but she's getting abusive and nasty as she goes. I've just started a blog on directing Macbeth and I'm wondering if I should model the Macbeths on the Clintons. The Clinton's relationship is as complicated!
24 February 2008
Where Al Queda could have saved time and created more havoc
I'm not sure what Al Queda are thinking... if they want to bring down the west by crashing aeroplanes into buildings they don't need to spend months in flying schools.
Air New Zealand has unwittingly given us the chilling secret. All they needed to do was book 50 Al Queda suicidanistas in 50 different flights and give them cell phones. At the agreed moment they'd all turn their cellphones on and the planes will crash horribly to the ground.
After all Air NZ wouldn't be needlessly scaring us would they?
Air New Zealand has unwittingly given us the chilling secret. All they needed to do was book 50 Al Queda suicidanistas in 50 different flights and give them cell phones. At the agreed moment they'd all turn their cellphones on and the planes will crash horribly to the ground.
After all Air NZ wouldn't be needlessly scaring us would they?
Forgotten pass-words
The reason for the long gap since my last post is that I couldn't remember my password, or new email address that blogger insisted I create.
Finally I had an hour to piece the answers together.
I have passwords for my 4 email accounts, my blogger account, several online retailers (8 actually), passwords for a range of subscriptions, two internet bank accounts, my ATM pin, my cell phone, my home phone, my bike padlock, my work emails and server, my frequent flyer account and internet travel booking, some newsgroups and my insurances.
And they're all different. No really they are.
The thing that will bring down civilisation won't be moral degeneracy (although Lohan, Hilton and Spears do suggest it's a risk) or disease, or even global warming - no, one day too many people will forget their various e-pins on the same day and the financial and supply systems that keep us alive will collapse, and after three tries no-one will be allowed in again. The human population will live in caves (a victory for the Green Party!) or starve to death at the gates and the computers will just keep running without us.
Finally I had an hour to piece the answers together.
I have passwords for my 4 email accounts, my blogger account, several online retailers (8 actually), passwords for a range of subscriptions, two internet bank accounts, my ATM pin, my cell phone, my home phone, my bike padlock, my work emails and server, my frequent flyer account and internet travel booking, some newsgroups and my insurances.
And they're all different. No really they are.
The thing that will bring down civilisation won't be moral degeneracy (although Lohan, Hilton and Spears do suggest it's a risk) or disease, or even global warming - no, one day too many people will forget their various e-pins on the same day and the financial and supply systems that keep us alive will collapse, and after three tries no-one will be allowed in again. The human population will live in caves (a victory for the Green Party!) or starve to death at the gates and the computers will just keep running without us.
05 February 2008
God or evolution got it wrong
I remember seeing a competition once to redesign the human body. It was pretty lame and no-one addressed the design flaw that is most obvious.
How could the waste system and the reproductive systems be combined??? It's just dumb.
If there was one thing that isn't right in the human body construction, and indeed in the bodies of all mammals it's having the same pipe for both functions. There should be two unrelated orifaces or the sex organs should be on other system. I've got no strong preferences but I think the aural system and the waste system would also be a mistake but I think the oral and sex organs together would have definate advantages.
How could the waste system and the reproductive systems be combined??? It's just dumb.
If there was one thing that isn't right in the human body construction, and indeed in the bodies of all mammals it's having the same pipe for both functions. There should be two unrelated orifaces or the sex organs should be on other system. I've got no strong preferences but I think the aural system and the waste system would also be a mistake but I think the oral and sex organs together would have definate advantages.
02 February 2008
Hillary Toast
What amazes me about the US Presidential Primaries is has ever so much energy been generated over so little content? It makes Star wars figures, gamer and sci-fi conventions look serious.
Sigh anyway....Hillary Clinton will never be US President. Ever.
I don't think that she'll beat Obama for the Democractic nomination. She might. If she and Bill do they won't beat McCain.
It looks to me though there'll be an Obama Vs McCain election - anti and pro Iraq War candidates and it will be much easier for American voters, who probably have better things to worry about than endless primaries, adverts, speeches and debates.
Of course the real debate is -'it's about the economy stupid', which should have given Billary the advantage.
Sigh anyway....Hillary Clinton will never be US President. Ever.
I don't think that she'll beat Obama for the Democractic nomination. She might. If she and Bill do they won't beat McCain.
It looks to me though there'll be an Obama Vs McCain election - anti and pro Iraq War candidates and it will be much easier for American voters, who probably have better things to worry about than endless primaries, adverts, speeches and debates.
Of course the real debate is -'it's about the economy stupid', which should have given Billary the advantage.
29 January 2008
Losing $20
I lost $20 today. It was one of those bets that if everyone is being sensible I should have won. In this case it was last year and I rashly bet that Rudolph Giuliani would finish in the final 2 in the Republican primaries for President of the US. Actually it was a safe bet had the dufus not insisted on leaving his campaigning till Florida. Never trust anyone called Rudy.
Now it looks like the top finisher on the Republican side will be McCain, with Mitt Romney or possibly Huckabee next and Rudy Dufus pulling out.
Meanwhile the Democrats have a very interesting race. I don't think Hillary Clinton is electable. She's supposed to overhaul everyone on Super Tuesday but Mad Bill has probably ensured an Obama victory. Bill behaved like a lunatic in South Carolina trying to turn the contest into a race issue, well so the journos say. Actually I prefer Obama and I think he has a better chance than Hillary C. She should drop the Linton and go Hillary C - makes her sound like a spice girl. And I think dropping references to Bill will help her campaign. She can be Hillary he can be Clinton.
Obama hasn't got the Bill and Hillary baggage and he is almost a Gen X. He's still a boomer but a late boomer (ho ho).
The problem is as a kiwi I have this compulsion to back the underdog and given Hillary C (see it works) and Obama are both frontrunners, I've found myself supporting John Edwards. Hasn't a hope, but if he'd been 10 years older he would have probably beaten Dukakis or one of the other Dem losers and stood for Pres against Bush Sen or W Bush Jun.
What interests me is that American voters want change so are supporting the 'change' candidates (Obama, Clinton, McCain). At some point after Super Tuesday - probably mid year - they're going to suddenly realise no matter what happens they're going to get change as GWB is out. And of course the final 2 candidates - McCain and Hillary C or Obama -will be change. At that point they're gonna get worried about lack of experience and vote for the white male, something safe, and McCain will be the next Pres.
Or is this just boring waffle from an ill-informed anitpodean who's already lost twenty bucks backing a dufus called 'Rudy'. History will decide.
And of course while I lost 20 bucks I can take heart that, as I understand it, Rudy Dufus lost $US16 mill.
Now it looks like the top finisher on the Republican side will be McCain, with Mitt Romney or possibly Huckabee next and Rudy Dufus pulling out.
Meanwhile the Democrats have a very interesting race. I don't think Hillary Clinton is electable. She's supposed to overhaul everyone on Super Tuesday but Mad Bill has probably ensured an Obama victory. Bill behaved like a lunatic in South Carolina trying to turn the contest into a race issue, well so the journos say. Actually I prefer Obama and I think he has a better chance than Hillary C. She should drop the Linton and go Hillary C - makes her sound like a spice girl. And I think dropping references to Bill will help her campaign. She can be Hillary he can be Clinton.
Obama hasn't got the Bill and Hillary baggage and he is almost a Gen X. He's still a boomer but a late boomer (ho ho).
The problem is as a kiwi I have this compulsion to back the underdog and given Hillary C (see it works) and Obama are both frontrunners, I've found myself supporting John Edwards. Hasn't a hope, but if he'd been 10 years older he would have probably beaten Dukakis or one of the other Dem losers and stood for Pres against Bush Sen or W Bush Jun.
What interests me is that American voters want change so are supporting the 'change' candidates (Obama, Clinton, McCain). At some point after Super Tuesday - probably mid year - they're going to suddenly realise no matter what happens they're going to get change as GWB is out. And of course the final 2 candidates - McCain and Hillary C or Obama -will be change. At that point they're gonna get worried about lack of experience and vote for the white male, something safe, and McCain will be the next Pres.
Or is this just boring waffle from an ill-informed anitpodean who's already lost twenty bucks backing a dufus called 'Rudy'. History will decide.
And of course while I lost 20 bucks I can take heart that, as I understand it, Rudy Dufus lost $US16 mill.
27 January 2008
Juxtapositions
One of my hobbies is spotting retail outlets which have two unrelated and odd product lines. I remember well the central Wellington retail outlet for native American artefacts which was also a computer ink cartridge shop. In New Brighton in Christchurch there is a TV repair and gardening outlet. I have seen others, a fish and chip shop that sold sewing supplies is the one that comes to mind.
I'm thinking about these juxtapositions as I am watching the second series of Blackadder, (potato - the episode where Blackadder hires Capt Redbeard Rum to take them on voyage to discover new lands with the hope of marrying QE1 if he makes it round the Cape of Good Hope) as I read the results of the US Democratic primary in South Carolina. Obama has trounced Hillary Clinton and the pundits are blaming Bill and his aggression and noting that Obama has carried 49 % of the youth vote in the Democrat turnout, 24 % of the white vote and a good proportion of white males as well.
Blackadder and the US election system are both farce.
I'm thinking about these juxtapositions as I am watching the second series of Blackadder, (potato - the episode where Blackadder hires Capt Redbeard Rum to take them on voyage to discover new lands with the hope of marrying QE1 if he makes it round the Cape of Good Hope) as I read the results of the US Democratic primary in South Carolina. Obama has trounced Hillary Clinton and the pundits are blaming Bill and his aggression and noting that Obama has carried 49 % of the youth vote in the Democrat turnout, 24 % of the white vote and a good proportion of white males as well.
Blackadder and the US election system are both farce.
- The US election goes for a year before the election and in the event the popular vote is an irrelevence in the contests to elect delegates to the electoral college who actually make the decision. As seems evident, Al Gore beat GW Bush last time, based on gerrymandering, democratic voters being thrown off the role by Jeb Bush in Florida, and voting machines which didn't work.
- Blackadder is a parody which makes interesting observations about history, actors, elections, kings......
- Barack Obama and Blackadder look very similar according to my small TV and little computer. BarackAddmada
- They're both entertaining to watch.
26 January 2008
The lingering smell - the next social jihad
Since smokers were declared evil and while science cracks down on anyone who eats a cheeseburger or drinks espressos, I think the true anti-social issue behind smoking, and the other allied social disease facing modern life-styles are still not understood.
If you've gone to a house where the inhabitants smoke inside, or driven in their smokey car you'll know what I mean. It's the lingering smell of stale smoke: stomach turning and just plain awful. I bought a car which was perfumed by those toxic pink crystals, but found the true horror they hid a fortnight later when I moved the seat back and it lifted the carpet slightly. It took months to get rid of the odour.
When the jihad is won against smokers rather than cracking down on java consumers and chip eaters, the next crusade must be targeted at the other major anti-social fragrance horror: Dog owners. Like smokers, their houses and their cars stink in a way that makes one want to retch. If you're a dog owner it's an identity mark equivalent to being a smoker. The social sites should add nd (no dogs) to their ns (non smoker) categories. Also Trade Me should encourage those that say their goods are from a non-smoking home to add 'household free from canine vermin'.
One poor colleague of mine lent her car to some dog owners who took their cur for a trip in it. A year later the stench still dominates the Beemer and she is forced to make apologies to non smokers and non dog-owners that are imprisoned in it with her.
Yeah (since you're probably asking) I am a cat lover - but unless she leaves a hair on my jacket you'd never know - if you own a mutt I'll know if I'm within 2 metres of you!
And another thing, what is with the psychology of people who want pets that will stand in the kitchen panting until they've starved to death if you don't feed them? It's sick. Cats will go and find their own food.
There needs to be some serious psychological work done on people who want animals who are totally dependent on them and who, at the same time, make them stink like medievil peasants.
If you've gone to a house where the inhabitants smoke inside, or driven in their smokey car you'll know what I mean. It's the lingering smell of stale smoke: stomach turning and just plain awful. I bought a car which was perfumed by those toxic pink crystals, but found the true horror they hid a fortnight later when I moved the seat back and it lifted the carpet slightly. It took months to get rid of the odour.
When the jihad is won against smokers rather than cracking down on java consumers and chip eaters, the next crusade must be targeted at the other major anti-social fragrance horror: Dog owners. Like smokers, their houses and their cars stink in a way that makes one want to retch. If you're a dog owner it's an identity mark equivalent to being a smoker. The social sites should add nd (no dogs) to their ns (non smoker) categories. Also Trade Me should encourage those that say their goods are from a non-smoking home to add 'household free from canine vermin'.
One poor colleague of mine lent her car to some dog owners who took their cur for a trip in it. A year later the stench still dominates the Beemer and she is forced to make apologies to non smokers and non dog-owners that are imprisoned in it with her.
Yeah (since you're probably asking) I am a cat lover - but unless she leaves a hair on my jacket you'd never know - if you own a mutt I'll know if I'm within 2 metres of you!
And another thing, what is with the psychology of people who want pets that will stand in the kitchen panting until they've starved to death if you don't feed them? It's sick. Cats will go and find their own food.
There needs to be some serious psychological work done on people who want animals who are totally dependent on them and who, at the same time, make them stink like medievil peasants.
25 January 2008
NZ blood lust = summer madness
There's something in the air this summer. And I don't mean that there is a summer, with heat and everything, which I do admit is odd, no it's the way that kiwis have taken to killing each other in large numbers this year. Everyday it seems there are two news murders.
Clearly the heat has got to people. 'Way hey hey - it's hot! Where's my machete?' Unable to cope with warm weather a fever has got to us.
Another theory I heard (on Radio NZ) proposed was that research into youths (young blokes) who play violent xbox, playstation and other games shows that they do in turn become more violent. That is for every problem the solution becomes to waste someone. It makes sense to me but no-one in authority seems to be taking it seriously.
SO back to the real problem - it's too hot. Will the goverment make fans compulsory in buildings and require businesses to buy fans? Such a regulatory approach is far more likely than banning violent games so we may have a chance here.
Clearly the heat has got to people. 'Way hey hey - it's hot! Where's my machete?' Unable to cope with warm weather a fever has got to us.
Another theory I heard (on Radio NZ) proposed was that research into youths (young blokes) who play violent xbox, playstation and other games shows that they do in turn become more violent. That is for every problem the solution becomes to waste someone. It makes sense to me but no-one in authority seems to be taking it seriously.
SO back to the real problem - it's too hot. Will the goverment make fans compulsory in buildings and require businesses to buy fans? Such a regulatory approach is far more likely than banning violent games so we may have a chance here.
False economies 2
No I'm not talking about the viability of the NZ economy or whether economies like Naaru and Fiji are really just aid organisations, no it's where you try and save money by buying something cheaper and in reality it costs more. My last post on this looked at wrapping paper and incense.
Coffee. Is cheap coffee really worth it? If you're going to buy beans or grounds or a flat white or espresso does maying 50 cents or a dollar less for crap really make sense?
Same with tea. If you're buying tea for a refreshing complex flavour full of anti-oxidants and a warming comforting taste why would you buy cheap teabags made out of floor sweepings????
The answer, I think, must be that people like crap. They have no idea what a good cup of coffee or tea tastes like and could just as easily be drinking muddy water, with three sugars.
Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.....
Coffee. Is cheap coffee really worth it? If you're going to buy beans or grounds or a flat white or espresso does maying 50 cents or a dollar less for crap really make sense?
Same with tea. If you're buying tea for a refreshing complex flavour full of anti-oxidants and a warming comforting taste why would you buy cheap teabags made out of floor sweepings????
The answer, I think, must be that people like crap. They have no idea what a good cup of coffee or tea tastes like and could just as easily be drinking muddy water, with three sugars.
Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.....
23 January 2008
Pineapple lumps
Pineapple lumps are in the news again here after they featured in the Police Concert in Chch when Fregie from the Black-eyed Peas through a bag into the audience...
It brings us back to the question - are fresh Pineapple Lumps crunchy or chewy?
It brings us back to the question - are fresh Pineapple Lumps crunchy or chewy?
22 January 2008
NZ investment tips
CONFIDENTIAL MEMO on investment options for New Zealanders - dated 2005
I have obtained what seems to be a confidential memo from three years ago, outlining suggestions for places kiwis could invest their money. The key message - outlining other places than property to invest in.
The memo provides options for New Zealanders to replace our 'love affair with property'. I'm not sure of the origin and who 'the Guv' is or who it was meant for, but it is good to know someone is looking out for the small Kiwi investor!
It starts with "As the Governor [maybe of a private school?] it is my role to ensure New Zealanders invest in assets other than housing particularly 'other productive' investments. There are many better options than wasting money buying houses, and the Goverment does not need to introduce taxes on second homes.
1. Shares.
I am of the opinion that shares, particularly such solid companies as Feltex Ltd are a good safe option and safer than houses for NZ ma and pa investors. Feltex in particular, as an example, is poised for a spectactular year in 2006.
2. Shares again.
Growth in the share market will continue till 2010 with no significant sustained drops caused by things like weakness in the US economy. Certainly no loses for more than ten NZX trading sessions in a row can occur. Shares are much safer than houses for the Kiwi investor.
3. Kiwi saver.
There is absolutely no way that the value of Kiwi Saver investments will decline. This investment is safer than houses and will not lose anything like 3 or 4 per cent of its value at any time.
4. Finance companies
New Zealand has many active and sound finance companies that are doing great things for small investors. National Finance, Bridgecorp, Western Bay, Geneva Finance, Nathans Finance, Clegg and Co, Provincial Finance, Numeria Finance, LDC Finance, Five Star Consumer Finance, and in particular TV news sponsors Capital and Merchant Finance are all excellent investment opportunities that benefit investors and the economy. Investing in these companies is much safer than houses.
5. Start up businesses.
While in the past 50 years the rate of failure of small businesses has been very very high in NZ, around 40 per cent, and very few companies move from being small to medium or large, this will change in 2006 and nearly all small businesses will survive and grow - despite our squeezing of the economy - and this will make investments much safer than houses for all New Zealanders.
6. Fiji.
Investing in Fijian businesses will help their economy and ours and investments there are safer than houses. Commodore Bainimarana will in no way allow any sort of moves that will threaten foreign investment.
7. 2007 World Cup memorablia.
The only collectables worth looking will be the Rugby World Cup. It is clear even if NZ lose the final of the World Cup that their successful campaign will ensure memorabilia will be at a premium, and All Black signed goods will be in demand internationally. This will be safer than houses as an investment.
8. Central city businesses in Christchurch.
Thanks to the excellent work of Mayor Garry Moore Christchurch city centre businesses will be thriving by 2007 and rents in the centre will overtake all the malls including Riccarton Mall. A safer than houses investment.
I have obtained what seems to be a confidential memo from three years ago, outlining suggestions for places kiwis could invest their money. The key message - outlining other places than property to invest in.
The memo provides options for New Zealanders to replace our 'love affair with property'. I'm not sure of the origin and who 'the Guv' is or who it was meant for, but it is good to know someone is looking out for the small Kiwi investor!
It starts with "As the Governor [maybe of a private school?] it is my role to ensure New Zealanders invest in assets other than housing particularly 'other productive' investments. There are many better options than wasting money buying houses, and the Goverment does not need to introduce taxes on second homes.
1. Shares.
I am of the opinion that shares, particularly such solid companies as Feltex Ltd are a good safe option and safer than houses for NZ ma and pa investors. Feltex in particular, as an example, is poised for a spectactular year in 2006.
2. Shares again.
Growth in the share market will continue till 2010 with no significant sustained drops caused by things like weakness in the US economy. Certainly no loses for more than ten NZX trading sessions in a row can occur. Shares are much safer than houses for the Kiwi investor.
3. Kiwi saver.
There is absolutely no way that the value of Kiwi Saver investments will decline. This investment is safer than houses and will not lose anything like 3 or 4 per cent of its value at any time.
4. Finance companies
New Zealand has many active and sound finance companies that are doing great things for small investors. National Finance, Bridgecorp, Western Bay, Geneva Finance, Nathans Finance, Clegg and Co, Provincial Finance, Numeria Finance, LDC Finance, Five Star Consumer Finance, and in particular TV news sponsors Capital and Merchant Finance are all excellent investment opportunities that benefit investors and the economy. Investing in these companies is much safer than houses.
5. Start up businesses.
While in the past 50 years the rate of failure of small businesses has been very very high in NZ, around 40 per cent, and very few companies move from being small to medium or large, this will change in 2006 and nearly all small businesses will survive and grow - despite our squeezing of the economy - and this will make investments much safer than houses for all New Zealanders.
6. Fiji.
Investing in Fijian businesses will help their economy and ours and investments there are safer than houses. Commodore Bainimarana will in no way allow any sort of moves that will threaten foreign investment.
7. 2007 World Cup memorablia.
The only collectables worth looking will be the Rugby World Cup. It is clear even if NZ lose the final of the World Cup that their successful campaign will ensure memorabilia will be at a premium, and All Black signed goods will be in demand internationally. This will be safer than houses as an investment.
8. Central city businesses in Christchurch.
Thanks to the excellent work of Mayor Garry Moore Christchurch city centre businesses will be thriving by 2007 and rents in the centre will overtake all the malls including Riccarton Mall. A safer than houses investment.
21 January 2008
Bugger knocked off
Listened to the radio this am. Edmund Hillary is still dead.
There's been media stories that no-one in the royal family will be coming out. I meant coming to New Zealand but that statement holds as well. I suspect they're either scared of terrorists or they're doing their bit for the Kiwi republic. There was a poll some years ago about who we'd elect for president, if we had one, and Sir Ed won hands down. I had thought, at the time, it would be a bad precedent... when I was overseas I noted that leaders who had their pictures on the currency were usually up to no good (Sir Ed is, of course, on our $5 note). Or maybe the issue is that the Royal Family can't be buggered (I meant bothered, but see above double entendre).
According the radio news the big story was that there will be a video screen in Cathedral Square and in Dunedin you can watch the funeral from the Town Hall!!!! Around then I turned my car radio off and put on Chicane's latest album.
Still as he climbs the stairway to Valhalla Sir Ed will be missed. Not by me. I never met him and I can't understand this obsession with climbing mountains. Okay a great New Zealander, and I'd rather he was still alive.
Anyway the new Chicane cd/album/download... worth getting!
There's been media stories that no-one in the royal family will be coming out. I meant coming to New Zealand but that statement holds as well. I suspect they're either scared of terrorists or they're doing their bit for the Kiwi republic. There was a poll some years ago about who we'd elect for president, if we had one, and Sir Ed won hands down. I had thought, at the time, it would be a bad precedent... when I was overseas I noted that leaders who had their pictures on the currency were usually up to no good (Sir Ed is, of course, on our $5 note). Or maybe the issue is that the Royal Family can't be buggered (I meant bothered, but see above double entendre).
According the radio news the big story was that there will be a video screen in Cathedral Square and in Dunedin you can watch the funeral from the Town Hall!!!! Around then I turned my car radio off and put on Chicane's latest album.
Still as he climbs the stairway to Valhalla Sir Ed will be missed. Not by me. I never met him and I can't understand this obsession with climbing mountains. Okay a great New Zealander, and I'd rather he was still alive.
Anyway the new Chicane cd/album/download... worth getting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
