KELVIN A MEMORY ALWAYS

2007-07-05T17:47:00.000+12:00

#290 - #299

290. Something Old
Letters. How often have you sat down and wrote to a friend ? Pre-Black Friday 13th May, 2005 I was quite a dab hand at writing letters to family, friends as well as penfriends not around NZ but around the world. Sometimes not just 1 page but 2 or 3 or more. The most pages that I have wrote at one time (in my own hand writing mind you) is 40 pages. It took a little while before I got a reply back from the friend I sent it to, thanking me for my "book" !!! (hehe) I still write the odd letter or two, but letter writing has taken a back seat ever since that Black Friday and my first ever taste of blogs & blogging.
What brought up the subject of letters is a pile of old letters that were written by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales in April / May 1920 when he was on tour in NZ. The letters (85 pages in total) were to his loved one back in the UK, Freda Ward with whom he had an affair for 16 years. In his letters to her, there were no kind words. In fact he didn't think very much of us "kiwi's" even though we adored him. The letters were purchased at auction last year by the Alexander Turnbull Library in NZ, but the copyright for the letters is still held L'Institut Pasteur in Paris. The library hopes to get permission to put the letters on to the internet. In 1936, the Prince of Wales abdicate as King Edward VIII to marry his lover, Wallis Simpson.

291. Something New
Because of the number of visitors to my blogs, I have been asked by a couple of companies if I will provide a link on my blogs to their websites in the hope that readers will click on to the websites and buy things. What sort of things ? Gifts & other things etc, to do with NZ. In return for the links, I would get ten per cent commission of any amount you spent on the websites. Would it work ? Who knows ? The same goes for advertising. I have been asked several times to think about putting ads on my blogs, but how much money does someone really make out of adsense or any of those other ad sites that they display on their blogs. Is it worth all the hassle ? You tell me. It would be something new for me, if I did put ads on my blogs and provide links to websites where I would get paid for any purchases you make. I could give up working 9 till 5 earlier than I intend to and just travel & blog & travel & blog. What a life, but someone has to do it and it may as well be meeeeee.

292. Something Borrowed
It makes me laugh - when I was younger and I borrowed things from friends, it was a month of Sundays before I ever gave anything back. Most of the time when I did give it back, there were more pieces than I first started out with, especially toys. Borrowing via the internet is a totally different kettle of fish, so to speak because I can't wreck anything. Well so far, I haven't wreck anything but who knows. There's always a first time. What I intend to do for a while, is to borrow a photo or something from one of the 10 blogs I list on 21 21 21 Great Blogs To Read and put it here and provide a link back to that blog, thereby giving the blogger another plug.

293. Something Blue
People always feel "blue" when someone or something that they like, dies. Mandhla, who was 28 years old and weighed 2000 kilos was no exception. He was well liked by everyone that visited him over the years. I can't remember the last time I went to see him, but now it is too late. Mandhla was born in San Diego, USA but has lived in Auckland since he was 1 year old. He suffered a neurological condition which made him go blind in November, so staff used sounds & smell prompts to help him cope with been blind. They also laid scent trails so he could find his way around his enclosure. This week, he suffered another serious set back in his health and staff had no choice but to euthanise him. Now Mandhla has gone to where all rhinos go when they die - that big Zoo in the sky.

294. Currently Reading
When I go into the bookshops in the city, I have but one purpose in mind - buy what I need and then get out. I never stop to look at the magazines, etc only because you can't get anywhere near the magazine racks anyway.There is usually a crowd of people "camped out" looking thru the magazines, whose only movement seems to be when they turn the pages or pick up another magazine. They won't shift for anyone, until they have finished reading "their" magazines. So it makes a pleasant change to wander into the one & only bookshop in the small town where I live on the weekends and be able to get anywhere near the magazine racks and actually pick up a magazine. The last time I went in, I purchased several magazines - an organic's mag; a trucking mag; a maori mag; a hertiage mag and a mag about NZ. Rather than leave them on the bookshelf to collect dust now that I have read them, I intend to post them out to randomly selected blogger friends. If by chance you get an email from me asking for your snail mail address, it's not because I want to pay you a flying visit, but mearly because I want to send you a magazine. The place where I live on the weekends is also a backpackers and there were 3 people from Germany staying for a couple of days. One of the ladies mentioned using Tea Tree Oil, so I gave them the organic's mag as it had an interesting article about the oil. The other mags will soon be winging their way to other bloggers. I'll do the same again each time I purchase any magazines. Once I have read them of course. Watch this space.

295. Rural Living

Now that I live in a small town on
the weekends where it is so quiet & peaceful, I thought that I might give painting a go. Apart from the few times I have picked up a normal household paint brush, I have never picked up a artists paintbrush in my life. We all have to start somewhere, so I thought I would start off by doing small paintings. About A5 size, which I can easily mail out to friends for whom I have a postal address. If I give them the painting for zilch, they can't complain that it's kaka, can they ? Who knows, one day, my painings might be worth something. Oopp's a pink pig has just arrived at the door - one of the hazzards of country living......??? (hehe)
I don't know how much longer I will continued to live & work in the city (population of Auckland is about 1 million) during the weekand comute out to live in the small town (population about 2 - 3 thousand) on weekends and holidays. I wouldn't mind living in the small town all the time for a year. Just find a couple of days work in or around the town somewhere so I can spend more time writing. Then I'd pack a bag, put out my thumb and just follow the wind. Log on and blog once a week from where-ever I happen to be. I have no one to worry about and no one to worry about me - just me, myself & I, so it would be a simple matter of finding a bed to lay my head, where-ever I happen to be, when the sun goes down. It wouldn't worry me if it was the Haystack Motel or the Starlight Hotel as I have been there, done that before. If you have never heard of the Starlight Hotel, wait until it is dark, then go outside and look up.....stars !!! You could follow me around while I tell you all about NZ and then once we have done that, I would cross the ditch and do the same in Australia. From there, who knows ?

296. Scams & More Scams
Get-rich-quick schemes; phony lotteries; pyramid schemes; investment scams; work-at-home schemes are all that and more. SCAMS !!! Who in their right mind or their left mind or whatever mind, would send money to someone that they don't know, who lives in another country in response to what is clearly a scam. It seems thousands of people do, including no doubt NZ'ers and Australian's as well as people from other countries. In Queensland, $400,000 in one month was tracked leaving the state in what were clearly scams. When police interviewed the victims, it wasn't the first time they had sent money overseas in the hope of getting a lucrative pay-back. Queensland's leading anti-fraud police officer says that the Australian victims of these scams are not "stupid" people !!! Get off the grass - anyone who falls for one of these stupid scams are as thick as two short planks; a sandwich short of a picnic; not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Need I go on........ !!! He says that it's the Australian culture to give everyone a fair go and the benefit of the doubt. Plain & simple - Don't send money to anyone that you don't know, even if they tell you that you have won a million dollar lottery but they need a few thousand dollars to process your claim. Especially if you never entered or brought a ticket in the so called lottery in the first place.
Remember the old saying - a fool & his money are soon parted. Instead of waking up to the smell of roses, all you will smell will be "kaka" and plenty of it. P.S: If you really really want to throw your money away - throw it my way !!! I'll make good use of it. (hehe)

297. We Live In A Nanny State
You would think the NZ government would have better things to do than try and regulate what school children eat. Under new government guidelines, schools must ensure that all food & drinks sold on their premises via school canteens / tuck shops, are healthly varieties as from June next year. So called unhealthly foods such as pies, chips etc can still be sold, but only once per term. Pupils are generally not permitted to leave the school grounds during lunchtime but there is nothing stopping children buying pies on their way to school or on their way home from the local dairy. If they buy the pie in the morning on the way to school, it could create more problems than it's worth - eating a cold pie for lunch isn't very appealing plus children could eat up with upset tums. Buying a pie after school and eating it on the way home from school could have the added effect of children not wanting to eat all their dinner that night. What they are trying to do is to stem worsening obesity that is affecting the children of NZ, but it's like trying to crack a nut with a sledge hammer. It seems that 1 in 3 NZ children are fatter thatn they should be for their age.
Why should schools have to take the responsibilty when they have the children for only a few hours, 5 days a week. It should be up to the parents to provide a cut lunch for their children, rather than give them money to purchase food from the school tuckshop. If they did that there wouldn't be any need for school tuckshops. I remember Mum preparing our school lunches, the night before so in the morning when a certain body was running late, it was just grab & run.

298. China Is Also A Nanny State
Gamers under the age of 18 in China face harsh rules - they can stay online playing games for only 3 hours, which their government has deemed the limit for the healthy amount of time to be glued to the internet. If they play games for between 3 - 5 hours, they will get only half the normal points and no points at all after 5 hours. Internet gaming comanies, operators & cafes have to fit anti-addiction software to all their games before July 16th. Any games not fitted with the software after that date will be closed down. It seems that a growing number of chinese teenagers spend hours and sometimes days playing games in internet cafes. Under the new rules, all gamers will have to register with identity cards to prove their age. If they are over 18, they can play for as long as they like.
What's the point ? When the 3 hours is up, all they need do is log off for 5 minutes and then log back on again or go to another internet cafe and lg on there. A clear case of using a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

299. A Blast From The Past

I dug into the archives and pull out this post from Dec.05

# 745. A Dine-In ExperienceThis "new restaurant" leaves nothing to chance !!! Even before you get to your table & your maitre d', you have to run the gauntlet of security checks, sniffer dogs and barred gates under the watchful eye of prision guards. The restaurant called "Clink" at Highdown Prison in Surrey (what else could you call it ? I suggest "Highgate" !!!) will be United Kingdom's first "behind bars" restaurant, where you can really "chow down" on gourmet meals cooked & served by inmates. Prices on the inside will be around 15 pound (NZ$45), compared to around 70 pound (NZ$210) on the "outside". No doubt they would also have a "bar" -serving drinks of course.It would be the only restaurant, where I think they reccommend that you don't "tip" the waiter under the table,because no doubt if you did,you could find yourself "dining in" for quite a while and it would not be "restaurant food" that you would be chowing down on, it would be normal prison food. I wonder if they check your name, while you are dining in ??? If someone steps up to your table while you are dining and quietly says - " We have a phone call for you sir. Would you mind stepping this way". It will either one of two things - you really do have a phone call or your time's up. Dine in by all means, but don't let those bars hit you on the way out. That is, if they let you out or course !!! (hehe)

2007-04-10T17:35:00.000+12:00

#300 - #309

Something Old

The German town of Bad Doberan has finally got around to stripping honorary citzenship from a former national leader - adolf hilter. Only because in two months time, the world's leaders arrive for a G8 summit. The town on the Baltic coast of what used to be east Germany is in the midst of final preparations for the 3 day gathering in June. During the preparations, they discovered that hilter was still the proud recipient of the town's honorary citizen award. While other towns stripped the the nazi leader of titles after the war, Bad Doberan - the town that first came up with the idea - did nothing about it. That's not the only mistake they made - the state of Brunswick made hilter who was born in Austria, a German citizen in 1932. A local politician had demand the ruling be posthumously rescinded but the state's Interior Minister decided history could not be re-written.

#301. Something New

Nasal snuff, a form of sniffing tobacco is about to go on sale in NZ. Why ? Ten twenty years down the track, will we have the same case senario of companies been sued because people are addicated to snuff, just like they are addicated to tobacco. Nasal snuff is inhaled as a pinch of powder between the thumb & finger. Oral snuff, a pinch of which you put under your tongue cannot legally be sold in NZ, although it can be imported for personal use. Nasal snuff can now be sold, but not to under-18's, nor can it be advertised. So what's the point of importing it into the country. It is addictive and should not be imported. All I can say is, that the people who make it as well as those that are going to import it, must have deep pockets.

It reminds me of a joke - A servant was sent down to the village by his master, to purchase a few things from the local shop. On his way home, he suddenly remembered he was supposed to purchase some nasal snuff. As he was nearly home, there was no way he was going back down to the village. He saw some doggie-do's on the side of the road, so he picked that up. When he got home, he grind it up and put in a bag. After dinner & drinks, the gentleman of the house passed the bag to his guest to take a pinch & sniff. As he passed the bag over, he asked his guest if he could smell doggie-do's. The guest said no, because he had a cold he couldn't smell anything. After the guest had inhaled the powder, he said "Boy, you always buy the best snuff. It's clear my head and I can certainly smell doggie-do's now". (hehe)

#302. Something Borrowed

In the previous "Something Borrowed", was a photo of a jar containing........ ? It seems no one even left a comment as to what they thought may of been in the jar. (Maybe because I switched comments off) I'm sure that no one would of got it right anyway, except for Madam Grizzle from whose blog I borrowed the photo. So have a look at the post on her blog for Tuesday March 6th where you will find the story behind the photo and what the jar contains.

#303. Something Blue

Sad, but true. While reading thru the family notices page of people who had died, one notice caught my eye - on the morning of March 24th, she buried her loving husband who had died a couple of days before. They had been happily married for 51 years and had several children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was heartbroken at his death and that same day she was rushed to hospital where she died unexpectedly in the afternoon. Died of a broken heart but now their love for each other can live on forever. It goes to show you the true love that the couple had for each other when one could not live without the other. How often does that happened now-a-days ? Real, true love !!!

#304. Currently Reading
.
I don't know if you can call it reading or not, but I am flicking thru one of the recipe books I brought from the book fair - the one that was published in 1962 which has 296 pages. It is called "The Good Cook's Encyclopedia" and is dedicated to people who enjoy eating, because that really is the whole secret of learning how to cook. It is a book, which seems to cover everything someone who can't cook to save themselves, would need - that is me because I cannot cook and it's time I thought about learning how to cook. Even if it's just cooking on the weekends. The recipes seem so simple (well some of them) which they would of been back then in 1962. Just plain & simple food. One good thing about it is that there are no pictures to show you what the recipe is supposed to look like, when you are finished. Having come from a large family, with a few older sibblings, as well as younger there was never any opportunity to even to learn to cook as Mum or one of the older sibblings usually did all the cooking. If you didn't like what was put in front of you, well just tough. You either ate or you went without - there was no two ways about it. Now-a-days, with so much variety of takeaway food available (even here in this small town), it seems point-less to cook, but I suppose I have to learn sooner or later. Been about 50 minutes (20 minutes downhill and then 30 minutes up hill) from the nearest take away shops has nothing to do with the thought of learning how to cook, of course - nothing at all.

#305. Rural Living

Coming to you from out in the country on Saturday 7th April, 2007 - Here I sit at my computer typing up posts, which I'll save to a floppy disk and then later on in the week (10th) when I am back in the city, I'll go to an internet cafe and download them on to my blogs. I know I have said it before (several times in fact) but I am honestly going to have to get a camera - no if's but's or maybe's about it - so I can share with you, the views from where I sit. I can see for miles. Way over in the distant I can see smoke rising from a fire, but it would have to be a controlled burn-off, because no fire siren has sounded in the town. Looking out the window, futher on down the property is a small garden, which has a norfolk pine tree set in the middle. There are two solar powered lights and a bench seat where one sit and watch the sunset. The owner of the property has scattered his brother's ashes on the garden so when you sit and watch the sunset, you are never alone.
The town had a church fair as well as a book fair one Saturday. Needless to say, I called in just to have a look mind you (I already have enough books & magazines to sink a ship) and ending up buying just a "few" magazines and books. At the church fair, I brought 16 well known geographic magazines for $2. The books I brought at the book fair were priced at 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 & $2 (set of 4). Among the pile of books I brought were a few cookery books, including the one from 1962. (Currently Reading) I could of stayed a lot longer as there were 1000's of magazines & books to choose from but........a friend was waiting to take me home. While she was waiting for me, she thought she would have a browse thru the books and ended up buying more books than I did. She had taken me out shopping for a computer desk & chair. Have you ever tried to put together a kitset desk by yourself ? I opened the box, took one lookat the instructions and...........!!! I managed to screw & bolt all the pieces together with not even a srew left over, so friends can't say I have got a srew loose. It even had one of those slide-out shelves for the keyboard & mouse which I managed to assemble and screw the right way. Friends that know me, would be surprise and yes, it does look like a desk. The same goes for cooking - the friend that had taken me shopping made the comment, "I see you are still buying cookery books, but can you cook yet". She will keep.

#306. We Live In A Nanny State .

Once every five years, we have the wonderful task of filling in census forms so we all can be counted. Every man & his dog, as well as females & children have to fill in forms or have someone fill in a form for them. Even if you just happen to be visiting NZ, when national census day rolls around, it makes no difference. If your two feet are on NZ soil or even on a ship which will dock in NZ on census day, forms have to be filled in. The only way you would get away with it is if you craoked at the stroke of midnight, but even then no doubt someone would have to fill in a form for you - deceased. Now, civil libertarians are up in arms, because 4500 selected households are been asked to take part in a face-to-face interview of about one and a half hours and then complete a diary detailing the spending habits of all adults in the household over two weeks. Those householders selected are legally required to take part and if they refuse they can be fined up to $500. Information is supposed to be protected & confidential, but if someone spends a hundred bucks a week on dope, do you think they will put that - pigs bum, they will. They should ask people if they would like to take part rather than try and coercion people into taking part or else. What happens to the figures, if even 1% of those people who feel uncomfortable about filling in the forms just put anything. The results of the surveys are supposed to give crucial information for compiling the consumer price index, which measures household inflation, but if some of the figures are wrong to start with..........???

#307. Motoring

A little known parking rule under section 6.13 of the Land Transport NZ road user act, has come to light only because a Tauranga driver was fined $40. It seems that you can not reverse your vehicle into an angle park. You are only allowed to drive forwards. The Tauranga City Council, confimed that it was illegal to reverse into a angle parking space because a vehicle would block the road and hold up traffic, while backing into the space. If you reverse into a parallel park you block the road and hold up traffic anyway, so what difference does it make if you back into an angle park ? It's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Expect to see the law been enforced more by traffic wardens & councils around the country as another money grabbing exercise. Given time, the fine will no doubt rise to $100, due to the "rise of inflation".

#308. Up, Up & Away

If you want to take to the skies in a basket slung beneath a hot air balloon, then the Waikato is the place to be. From April 11th thru to the 15th, more then 30 hot air balloons of varying shapes & sizes take to the skies with rides on offer for a price. If you don't have a head for heights, you can always sit and watch, especially on the Saturday night, when they have the popular nightglow show. Check out their website - Balloons Over Waikato

#309. Cast-A-Way

When you are a cast-a-way on an island, you are a castaway / marooned are you not and run around in your birthday suit - well half naked ? Not so it seems in the eyes of the BBC who are filming the latest Castaway series on Great Barrier Island, down under in NZ. The so called isolated camp is only a 30 minute drive from a local store which just happens to sell liquor, a chemist which just happens to sell condoms, a cafe, golf club & a airfield. Also their washing is sent out to the local laundry. The audience in the UK has slumped from 4.1 million viewers to a low of 2.1 million in a primetime 9pm Sunday night spot on TV. Because of the slump, the BBC will as from April 15th, move the timing to 7pm on a Sunday. The series is shown in the UK more-a-less as soon as it is filmed. TVNZ who have brought the rights to show the series in NZ haven't decided when they will show the series, but I reckon they have brought a fizzer. If British people can't stand to watch it, what makes TVNZ think NZ'ers will watch it in their droves, even if it is set in NZ.

2007-03-10T12:16:00.000+13:00

#310 - #319

Kia Ora (Hello), Well, I'm back - a few blogs have been deleted, including the Motoring blog and the Movies & Music blog. Because of that I have included a post about them here on this blog. I have also deleted the comments blog but have started a new one for Updates & Comments.

#310. Something Old

Ghana is 50 years old. In NZ, celebrations are been held at the Mt.Eden War Memorial Hall, Dominion Rd on the 17th March. I attended the celebrations, a couple of years back where meet & shook hands with the NZ Prime Minister, Helen Clark. I have a video somewhere of the celebrations as well as a photo taken with "the king" and a few of his people outside the hall. So if you aren't doing anything on the 17th, get along there and help them celebrate their 50th.

#311. Something New

Modern day bungy jumping has its roots in an ancient ritual on the island of Pentecost, in Vanuatu, where men dive from wooden platforms each year with vines tied around their feet, to bless their yam harvest. It was a NZ man, AJ "Mr Bungy" Hackett, who went one step futher and turned it into a sport. He is considered to be the founder of modern day bungy jumping and did his first bungy jump off the Eiffel Tower in 1986. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia later on this year, he aims to try something new - a 1500 metre free fall bungy jump from a helicopter. If successful, the stunt will double the existing record for the world's highest bungee jump of 700 metres. If it doesn't work, well...........!!!

#312. Something Borrowed

What's in the jar ??? Leave a comment if you think you know what it is. This time, next week I'll let you on the secret and give you a link to her blog, where I borrowed the photo from. I bet no one comes close to guessing what is in the jar.

#313. Something Blue

Did you hear the one about.........??? It has been suggested that we ease off teasing our cousins across the ditch - in this so called "be nice to aussie's" month. Get off the grass.They liked been teased and are so thick skinned that if you tried to poke them with a pin, it would bend. A uni professor has made the remark that "It can be unproductive because it continues to raise barriers to some creative ideas......to try to connect the two countries closer together". Why in earth's name would why we want to be closer than the 1600kms we already are. Am I the only one that's paddling ? Why have we never built a bridge bewteen the 2 countries ? Because aussie's believe they can walk on water. Ooohhh !!! Next aussie joke...............

Aussie joke about kiwi's - Why do kiwi's end up marrying women ? Because sheep can't cook. (Read into that what you may)
Kiwi joke about aussie's - How do you make an Aussie laugh on Monday ? Tell him a joke on Friday. (it takes a while for them to get their brain into gear)

#314. Motoring

An orange / amber light means slow down and a red means "stop" does it not ? Try telling that to the motorists who run red lights in Auckland. Standing at the K Rd lights, the other night I was getting prepared to cross over the moment the little green man said cross when a car came blowing thru, clearly well after their light had gone red. The council has a plan - dob in the red light runners by phoning 0800 stop4red (0800 786747) with the number plate, colour & make of the vehicle as well as the date & location.
There is a bus lane on the New North road, where sometimes a parking warden operates a camera filming vehicles using the bus lane. He parks his sign written / orange light council car across the road not far from where he operates his camera so anyone coming around the bend can clearly see his car and change lanes in plenty of time. He might as well as well put out a sign "camera". The point is why can't they have a few "unemployed" people operate these types of camera's at intersections and catch the red-light runners, instead of spending $750,000 on a trial using two remote-controlled camera's. When they catch anyone running a red light, fine them $500 !!! They will only do it a couple of times. Surely a human life has to be worth that.

#315. Music

There is a 2 day music event coming up on March 24th & 25th with tickets available from Ticketek. It is the Meltdown Music Festival been held at the Whangarei Museum & Heritage Park. There will be a great line-up of NZ talent as well as dancing, food, arts & crafts and workshops. Someone said to me, what's the point of mentioning events that are happening in & around NZ on my blog ? The point is that people in other countries can at least click on to the site/s and see some of the things that we downunder get up to in our spare time and show them that we "kiwi's" sometimes do let our hair down.

#316. We Are A Nanny State

Last week I mentioned the fact that because Aussie's intend to change to energy-saving lightbulbs, we in NZ are going to do the same. They hope that within 3 years, all households have made the change, whether we like it or not. When Nanny says - you will change, you ask how high do you want us to jump. In other words, you are given no choice in the matter.
Now they want to ban tobacco products been on display in retail outlets, to protect people, especially young people from the attraction of tobacco displays. They want the products kept under the counter, out of sight. The old saying of - out of sight, out of mind ? They seem to think that a ban will work and it will stop people smoking - I don't think so. It seems that tobacco products are more harmful than condoms which are on display in a local service station, right next to the lollies, but maybe they will ban those next. Then lollies, chocolate, chips, soft drinks......!!! Before you know it, we will back in the dark ages, but hopefully our energy saving lightbulbs will see us thru.

#317. Cast-Aways

The BBC's new series of "Castaway" is been filmed at Harataonga Bay on the Great Barrier Island, 15 kms from Claris. The 13 members of the cast range in age from 19 to 65, with the first episode been screened in the UK today. TVNZ will screen the new series but has not deciding on a start date. Even though filming is in progress, they have no right to refuse entry to anyone wanting to visit the area to go for a bush walk, as it is public property. If pushed they will offer a tour of the set and watch filming but only if you sign a confidentiality agreement, but you don't have to do either - take up their offer of a tour or sign anything. You are there to for a bush walk and a bush walk it is. If you happen to come across the set, take some photos and then put them on your blog.

#318. You Are What You Eat.

I was going to mention the food & drink I have had over the past few days, on World Recipes & Foodie Blogs but I have decided to mentioned it here. The point I am trying to make is that you are what you eat. Watch this space for more...............

Sunday
8am - Sausage & Egg Muffin, Hash Brown & cup of tea.(c.o.t)
11am - c.o.t
12.30pm - c.o.t
4pm - Sausage with slice of bread, onion & cheese.

Exercise - I usually walk approx. 1 - 2 hours per day.

That was me for Sunday - no lunch, no dinner. Don't get me wrong - money has no bearing on this. I could of either cooked myself something, (when Granny Smith reads the words "cooked myself something", she will no doubt be up to her usual tricks and rolling around on the floor in laughter because she has always said that I can't cook to save myself ) or went out and brought take-aways for both meals, but I just didn't feel hungry. To me, even though say 12 noon is usually regarded as lunchtime and say 6pm is dinner time, what's the point of sitting down to eat a meal when you don't feel like eating. I was having a look at the Korean Day activies at Aotea Square around 4pm and one of the many food stalls had a sausage sizzle - that was me.

Monday
6am - cup of coffee (c.o.c)
9am - c.o.t, piece of homemade carrot cake with cream cheese icing
12.30pm - c.o.t
3.30pm - c.o.t
5,30pm - scoop of chips, American hot dog, 355ml can soft drink (cost $5)
7pm - ice cream, 207 calories

Tuesday
4am - c.o.c (My usual start time on a Tuesday)
6am - c.o.c
9am - c.o.t
12.30pm - Cheese, cucumber & tomato sandwich, c.o.t
5.30pm - Banana sandwich, 150gram yoghurt (140 calories), c.o.t

Wednesday
6am - c.o.t, 2 pieces toast & spread
10am - c.o.t
12.30pm - Cornish pastie, ham & egg sandwich, c.o.t
3pm - c.o.t
5pm - Banana
7pm - Steak & cheese pie (450 calories)

Thursday
6.30 - c.o.c
10am - c.o.c
12.15 pm - Chicken sandwich, c.o.t
6pm - Steak & cheese pie
7pm - 355ml can of soft drink
I also ate 10 chocolates (total 500 calories) during the day.

Friday
6am - c.o.c
10am - c.o.c
12 - cheese & onion sandwich, c.o.t
3pm - c.o.c
5pm - banana
10 chocolates

#319. Where In The World Is It ?

Where ever it is, it looks like there is a storm brewing.
I have mentioned the blog @ #319 on my blog
21 21 21 Great Blogs To Read

2007-03-04T00:11:00.000+13:00

# 320 - # 329

#320. Something Old

Incandescent bulbs have lit up people's life for how many years ? Now they want to change all that and get people to use energy saving bulbs in an effort to help save power and reduce greenhouse gases which is said to be making the world climate change.In an effort to save power, Australia is going to make it mandatory to have all incandescent bulbs replaced with energy saving bulbs. In 3 years time, only energy saving bulbs would be available. If that is what Australia wants to do, let them do it. Why do we have to follow suit ? Another reason why we are a nanny state. The powers-to-be have us over a barrel - you do what we say as you have no choice in the matter.

Update to last week's "Something Old" - In two weeks time, the final vote will be held on the bill currently before Parliament regarding "smacking". If it becomes law, it seems that even telling your child to go to their room or putting them in their room for "time out" may become illegal. The USA gave their smacking bill, the thumbs down - we should do the same. Tell Sue Bradford, where to put her bill !!!

#321. Something New

I am looking at starting a "new blog", which could mean 1 or more of the older blogs been deleted. A NZ organization did a survey which resulted in 20,000 people casting votes for the 101 so called "must do" list of best sights, attractions and adventures in NZ. I would have to say, I agreed with some but not all of the 101, so I will start a blog and make up my own list of "must do" 101 attractions & places, etc around NZ from a krazy maori "if I was a tourist" point of view. There is so much to see & do in our small country, that once you get here you may fall in love and never leave. (In love with our country, that is - not me)

#322. Something Borrowed

While searching thru the blog world for something to borrow, this caught my eye. A bit late for Valentine's Day I know but there's always next year.

I have listed it on Around The World In 80 Blogs under Israel.

#323. Something Blue

I have tried & tried & tried until I'm blue in the face, but no matter what I try to do, nothing happens. I have got tea-tree oil soap, tea-tree oil shampoo as well as tea-tree oil roll-on for under your arms which I have also tried rubbing on my chest, but they just won't grow. What am I on about ? Well, according to the headlines in the paper - "Hold the lavender, tea-tree oils when it comes to washing boys" - tea-tree oil as well as lavender oil based products have been linked to abnormal breast development. It seems it could act in ways similar to the hormone oestrogen. Maybe they could re-package it and sell it especially for females. Either I have to give up believing everything I read or else give lavender oil based products a try. Rub those on my chest. I wish though that many many moons ago, when I was much younger, my mother who gave me a jar of Vicks Vapour Rub and told me to go in my room and rub some on myself, had told me to rub it on my chest. She didn't say where to rub it, so I rubbed it on my b...s !!! Needless to say, I jumped around for a while and the air was a little bit blue with my language (hehe)

#324. Children's Day

Today, Sunday 4th is "National Childrens Day" with events happening around the country.
Hopefully it will also be the day that Sue Bradford see's sense and drops her anti-smacking bill, but I don't think so. Oopp's there goes a pink pig past the window and I think he's heading to the Beehive !!!

#325. Currently Reading

I am reading a book (246 pages) I borrowed from the local library, called The Planter by Owen Genty. It's a fascinating story of his 15 years in Papua New Guinea from the late 1950's, when cannibalism was still practised in some areas and yet life on the plantations of the New Guinea islands was idyllic. Native servants who did most of the work, on the plantations spoke no english - only Pidgin which the planter's family had to learn if they were to get anywhere.
There are several tales in the book, a couple of which are worth mentioning here - one tale was when a servant was asked to pluck a chicken and put it in the fridge. Later they go to the fridge and there's the "plucked" chicken, a bit cold no doubt, but ? The servant wasn't told he had to kill the chicken first, by chopping the head off.
The other "tail" also centres on the fridge, which was an older type powered by kero, where a space of almost a square foot under the fridge offered a nice resting place for the family cat. There was a rabbit / pusi in the fridge which was to be cooked for the evening meal, so the lady of the house spoke to the servant in Pidgin - "kukim pusi i stap long bokis ais". A simple enough request to cook the pusi as the main course for the evening meal. After finishing the main course, the lady of the house remembered she had some berries for dessert. When she opened the fridge to get the berries, there was the pusi. If the pusi was still in the fridge, what was in the stew, they had just eaten ? It turns out that the Pidgin word "pusi" was the same word used for cat, so they had just eaten the family cat which was under the fridge.

Footnote: I will be back to add the ISBN number to this post as well as the name & email address for the publisher in case anyone is interested in purchasing a copy of the book from the publisher. Believe me, it's a book that is worth reading from cover to cover.

#326. Where In The World Is It

It could be anywhere of 101 places - even NZ, but it's here.

It's interesting looking thru blogs for photos to put under this heading but it can be hard sometimes trying to pick the one photo.

#327. Those Energy Saving Bulbs

On the packaging of the so called energy saving bulb is -
Increased weight of the bulb compared with standard bulbs may add to instabilty of some lampshades. It means you may have to end up changing some of your light fittings. Some people's live's will end up been very dim - the 24 bulb chandelier will never be the same again with it's 12 energy saving bulbs. That's if it will take the weight of 12 bulbs.

Not suitable for dimmers. Which means all dimmers would have to be replaced. Will the government pay for the dimmers to be replaced with normal fittings ? They should - it's their bloody idea to change bulbs. Life will never be the same again without dimmers - there will no more mood setting dinners, smooches on the couch or mood-setting flings in the bedrooms.

Please dispose of all lightbulbs responsibly. ??? Hello - all a person can do is put them in their normal household rubbish, which ends up at the dump. The bulbs contain mecurcy so when smashed, are going to release mecurcy into the air. You are talking hundreds of thousands if not millions of bulbs been thrown out in the household rubbish in a few years time not only in NZ, but around the world. Mercury levels will rise

What happens when someone drops a bulb inside their home and mercury is released ? Shall we try dropping a couple and find out ?

#328. Life Will Lose Its Colour

The smallest energy saving bulb I have seen is 20watt which equals a 100watt normal bulb. What about the normal 25watt & 40watt bulbs that people use in table/bedside lamps and in the little room. The smallest energy saving bulb currently available will be too powerful for most lamps and could even end up causing fires. Also whats the point of having a energy saving bulb in the little room - everyone knows where to sit or where to aim. Don't forget to put the seat down !!!
I have only seen "bayonet" fitting bulbs, no "screw-in". Where does that leave a person whose house has screw-in fittings for bulbs ? Up kaka creek without a paddle, because come hell or high water, the government isn't going to pay for all the fittings to be changed over. In other words you are screwed.
What about coloured bulbs that some people like to use for decoration ? The colourful life of a few people will end. There will be no "red light" districts for starters. I remember many moons ago having a selection of coloured bulbs in my room and I changed the bulb to suit the mood. Green, yellow, orange, blue, purple & red. Also in a couple of years time you can wave good-bye to large outoor decorated xmas trees, because there will be no coloured bulbs available to purchase.

#329. A Dollar For A Warship

If you wanted to buy a warship for a dollar, you are too late, it's done, its dusted as well as been steam-cleaned and the $ has been paid. Canterbury, the 3000 tonne Leander-class frigate has been purchased by the Bay Of Islands Canterbury Charitable Trust from the government for one dollar. It has already been dry-docked so the marine pest seasquirt on the hull could be steam-cleaned off and the two bronze propellers removed. One of the propellers will be sold and the other mounted on shore as a memorial to the ship which is the last steam ship in the navy. The ship is been towed north to Opua, where it will be tied up for 6 months to allow salvageable material to be removed and sold for scrap. It will then be towed to Deepwater Cove, Cape Brett where it will be sunk as a diving attraction.

2007-02-25T11:26:00.000+13:00

#330 - #339

#330. Something Old

A friend made a comment that NZ is fast becoming a "nanny state" !!! My reply to that was - "Becoming" ??? We already are a bloody nanny state !!!

Currently been debated before NZ parliament is what they are calling the anti-smacking bill / law, which has been organized by member of parliament, Sue Bradford. They want to bring in a law that will make it illegal for parents to smack their children, if they are naughty. How many young children are going to know if the law has been passed or not because how many young children these days do you know of that actually take the time to read a newspaper or sit down in front of the box and watch the news on TV ? If it becomes law, their parents aren't going to say to them, that the govenment in all its wisdom has passed a law that says I cannot smack you, if you are naughty. Children would walk around 10 feet tall saying I'm naughty but you can't smack me because if you do I'll tell on you. The bill if passed into law would repeal Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which gives parents the right to use reasonable force to discipline their children. We have had Section 59 for how many years ? Now they want to change the law and make it illegal to smack your own children. The new bill which has to pass 3 stages, before it becomes law has already passed 2 stages. National MP, Chester Borrows wants an amendment added to the bill that would define using reasonable force. The Maori Party, even believes that repealing Section 59 would be an investment in children living in a violence-free environment. What a load of kaka that is. What planet are they on ? Will the Maori Party then bring in laws that ban - alcohol; booze parties in people's own homes where children are present; ban people using drugs; ban children from playing fighting games on computers, etc; ban children from watching violent movies; ban children from playing / watching rugby or other contact sports, etc etc. How much of that is the cause of violence ? It's 6 of one and half-a-dozen of the other and it certainly isn't going to change things by changing one law, because law or no law - parents are still going to smack their children in their own home if they are naughty. If they are out & about in public, they may have second thoughts about smacking their child, because there is always Mrs Nosey Parker or Mr Goody Two Shoes who will yell out that it is illegal.

People are up in arms because of the new bill and letters against the bill becoming are flooding into newspapers. One of the best ones that tickled my fancy was -

"The bible clearly states, if you spare the rod, you will spoill the child. My children will be disciplied and if necessary will continue to have their rears warmed, if they do not listen regardless of this half-brained idea of Sue Bradford. She is out of her tree.The country has a huge issue with a lack of youth discipline and the lack of corporal punishment has something to do with this, that and the fact that children are so mollycoddled in this country. It is almost as if they are "protected game". Sue Bradford needs a wake-up".

Footnote: This just in from the USA - A Democratic lawmaker has abandoned her campaign to make spanking a crime. Sally Lieber who has no children, attracted nationwide attention after she pledged to introduce an anti-spanking bill to protect children from violence. Her idea was even the subject of a parody on the TV comedy show, Saturday Night Live. Conservative and family value groups lashed out at her proposal, charging that criminalising spanking epitomised overbearing "nanny" government.
I wonder whose idea it was first - Sue or Sally ?

#331. Something New

With it been the Chinese Year of the Pig, new "scratch & sniff" stamps were issued in China to celebrate. When you scratch the front of the stamp, it smells of the popular chinese dish, Sweet & Sour Pork. When you lick the back of the stamp, it tastes like the dish.
Can someone in China who reads this be able to send me a few of the stamps ? Email me and I'll give you my snail mail address, so you can post them to me. In return, I'll send you a few NZ stamps.

#332. Something Borrowed

Talk about playing with your food. When I was younger, many moons ago I used to get a kick up the bum if I ever played with my food. Here's this lady who not only plays with her but takes photos of it as well......... Crystaltips Blog - one of many great photos.
You may need to put your sunglasses on.

#333. Something Blue

When you look at what is on offer these days as far as movies go, is it any wonder there is so much violence & murders not only in NZ but around the world. The powers to be who run the movie houses, wonder why the numbers of bums on seats are down - is it any wonder ???
Just glancing thru the local paper at movies currently showing, most contain one or more of the following warnings -
· Low level violence
· Sexual references
· Medium level violence
· Horror scenes
· Adult themes
· Coarse language
· Sex scenes
· Offensive language
· Nudity
· Violence
· Drug use
· Supernatural themes
Even one of the so called "kids" movies has a warning - "some scenes may scare very young children". I don't know, but it makes you scratch your head and wonder - doesn't it ? And they want to bring in a law to stop parents smaking their children - get off the grass !!!

#334. Currently Reading

Every now & again, I strike it lucky and manage to snag the latest magazines from the local library when they first put them out on the shelves for people to borrow. Sometimes though, I miss out, so when I saw one of my favourite magazines on sale in the bookshop, I thought I would splash out - $6.70 - and purchase it. To me, it seems a waste of money to purchase magazines, especially when you can borrow them for free from the library. Also it seems that as soon as I put the magazine down, it grows legs. The magazine which I spalshed out on which I am currently reading is the maori magazine - MANA. There is always great articles in it, hence a good read from cover to cover and it keeps me quiet for a little while at least.

#335. Bird Of The Year

NZ has a lot of very lovely birds - the feathered kind I am talking about here. We also have a lot of very nice two legged birds without any feathers, of course. NZ's bird of the year for 2006, is the Fantail according to the Forest & Bird's second annual Bird of the Year poll. Second was the Tui; Third was the Kereru, while other placegetters were - 4th, Kakapo; 5th, Tahake; 6th, Kea; 7th Kokako; 8th, Bellbird; 9th, Kiwi; 10th, Pukeko.

#336. Walk The World In A Day

Sunday 25th February - is the annual Auckland International Cultural Festival. This event has normally been held at Potters Park on Dominion Rd, Balmoral but has now been moved to a bigger park, Wesley War Memorial Park, in Mt Roskill. Food, music, arts & crafts and people from over 30 different countries that make up the culture of Auckland. Parking is available (gold coin donation) at the Wesley Intermediate School, 798 Sandringham Rd Ext. For the first time this year, there will also be a seven aside ethnic soccer cup tournament involving 32 teams representing various countries. It will be a great day out for all the family - kick off time is usually around 9am.

#337. Year Of The Pig

Been the Chinese year of the pig, two pigs wearing tailor-made outfits celebrated by tying the knot in a ceremony at a small town in northeastern Taiwan. The bridegroom, an 18kg boar and his bride, an 11kg sow were married in a lavish ceremony presided over by a local magistrate. The couple received blessings from the Father of a Catholic church and around 400 wellwishers. It didn't say where they were going for a honeymoon, but it did say that they will live happily ever after on a farm in Ilan, where the boar was born.

#338. Language Too Hot For Hell

Here in NZ, a pizza chain which I have mentioned before, when I went to "Hell" & back has come under fire for using the words "evil bastards" on a billboard promoting their Hell pizza. The billboard had a picture of USA president George W. Bush and the words "Hell. Too good for some evil bastards" on it. Someone complained about the billboard, but The Advertising Standards Complaints Board, did not find the picture or issues raised by the ad offensive. It was the term "evil bastards" that earn it's censure. I saw another billboard with the USA President on it and a snack bar, with words to the effect - ??? (Once I leave here I will go for a walk to have another look and I'll let you know what it says)

#339. What Earthquake ?

I didn't feel a thing - I was in the inner city area around the time that the earth was said to have moved, not once but twice. The first at 8.24pm measured 4.5 while the second at 9pm measured 3.7 on the richter scale. I reckon that the inner city area would be one of the worst places to be if a really big eathquake stuck because of many multi-storey buildings and all that glass. If you are thinking of moving to live in NZ, because you heard we don't get many eathquakes, think again. GNS Science records 14,000 earthquakes every year in and around NZ, but only about 100 - 150 are big enough to shake our socks. Although Auckland is one of the least prone areas, it has had 35 earrtquakes which rattled more than 3 on the richter scale, since 1830.

I'll be back and so will a couple of others...........

2007-01-28T18:41:00.000+13:00

#340 - #349

#340. Something Old

A small group of replica antique gun enthusiasts step out of the 21st century and into a centuries old lifestyle, twice a fortnight in their remote camp site in the Hunua Ranges. For many a passion for replica antique guns has grown into a love of the old-fashioned way of life on their primitive campsite. The Auckland Regional Council owns the land the club uses and permanent structures aren't allowed, so there are no permanent buildings, no running water, no flush toilets and no electricty. The club has a firing range near their campsite and target shooting sessions are held two Sundays per month. New members are welcome.

#341. Something New

The NZ Funeral Directors Association has launched a website to help people to learn more about funerals. Post-mortem examinations; death while overseas; embalming; burial at sea and the role of a coroner are all explained on their website. The website also provides information on personal grief and supporting grieving families.
I haven't had a look yet, but I wonder if they explain about donating your body to science. I'm maori and I don't think it's allowed, but it's my body. Science may learn a few things.

#342. Something Borrowed

Many moons ago, before computers & chat rooms ever came into been, there was what was known as ham radio. It is still around today but computers & chat rooms have taken over the airwaves, but the moral of the story is even way back then.........dreams were free !!!
I borrowed the photo from this blog.

#343. Something Blue

No words needed !!!

#344. Potluck Dinner

I have been thinking if it is worth organzing a potluck buffet dinner for people living in Auckland from different countries. Have each person bring along to the dinner a dish of food native to their country, which they have prepared. My first thought for a contribution would be Pork Bones & Puha as well as Maori Bread to soak up the juices. Apart from my maori contribution, I know of people from Japan, China, Korea & Ghana who would be interested. I also have a inner city venue that would be available. Any more takers ? There would be no charge for those that attended bearing a dish but a cover charge of $10 for those who didn't with the money raised going to a good cause. It could even be a monthly thing and maybe an idea people in other countries could do.

#345. Auckland's Queen St

Millions and millions of ratepayers money is been spent up-grading the streets of Auckland. What's the point ? All it seems to have do is create larger outdoor dining areas for restaurants, etc. As for the paving - you only have to walk along the top end of Karangahape Rd (when the resturants are close) to see what a bloody mess the footpaths are. People walking from one of the top hotels, along K Rd to get to Queen St must think we are a dirty lot. You can't tell me the same thing isn't going to happen to the footpaths when Queen St is finally re-paved, because it's happening already in areas where paving is finished. Also whose ever idea it was to have a mix of both brown pavers & grey pavers needs their head read - they look bloody horrible. Plus, despite what the mayor says and I quote - " Auckland is committed to implementing its strategy to create a world class city", they are never going to rid Queen St of the beggers; the street people or the drunks, despite liquor bans. Sure, they can move them on or try moving them on but they will pop up somewhere else.

#346. Kiwi Kids

During February, March & April lst, Kiwi Kids will compete in the 15th Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon been held in various locations around New Zealand, with 2 dates for Auckland. It's been billed as the world's biggest sporting event for kids, with swimming, running and biking events.

#347. Where In The World Is It

Looking at the photo, it could be rolling hills of any number of places in NZ, but it is ??????

#348 A Blast From The Past

I went looking in the archives and came up this from November 12th, 2005...........

Kia Ora (Hello) Everyone,I asked a few friends what would they prefer - a post of 10, or single posts. Nearly everyone like the post of 10, so here I am again with another 10. I hope you like "colours" - if you don't well just tough tities !!! (hehe) Its my blog birthday - 6 months old - on November 13th. It seems hard to believe that on BLACK FRIDAY 13th of May, I started this blog - my first ever blog in my life. You can send me a "gift" if you like, just as long as she's blond and 6 foot (tall - that is, not 6 foot under) Talking about krazy - you sure you still want to be friends, because the next 6 months are going to be even krazier than the past 6 months. I kid you not !!! Would I lead you up the "garden path" ??? Well, maybe I would but I certainly wouldn't hold your hand, because I don't know if it's clean or where its been !!!
Krazy Kelvin

#349. Golden Oldies & The "S" Word

Every fortnight, the "golden oldies" living in a rest home have a group meeting, where there is always a doctor in the house. The doctor decided to ask the "golden oldies", how often they had sex !!! When he asked how many did it once a night, a couple of hands went up. Once a week - a few more hands. Once a fortnight, a couple of hands. Once a month, a few hands. Finally he asked, how many only did it once a year !!! One hand went up and it was waving all over the place. The doctor said, to him "Pardon my curiosity, but if you only do it, once a year, why are you so excitied". The fella replied - "Tonights the night !!!

These came out of the archives as well............

Drinking makes some people see double and feel single.

Living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween

The trouble with "Bucket Seats", is that not everyone has the same size bucket.

Do you realize that in 50 years time, we'll have thousands of old ladies & men running around with tattoos, pierced belly buttons, and "pierced" ears, as well as pierced other places as well !!!

I'll be back..........

2007-01-01T07:04:00.000+13:00

2006-12-10T09:14:00.000+13:00

#350 - #359.

Something Old

In the deep south, overlooking Lake Tekapo stands a little 55 seat church - The Church of The Good Shepherd - which was built in 1935 as a memorial to the districts hardy pioneers. It is at the midway point of the tourist bus route from Christchurch to Mount Cook & Queenstown. It is arguably the most photographed church in NZ, with visitor numbers sometimes reaching 2000 per day in the peak holiday season. It also hosts up to 100 weddings per year - many of the couples having previously visited as tourists. It was built of stone gathered from within a 8km radius of the site. Regular religious services are held throughout the year, as well as baptisms & funerals.

#351. Something New

It seems that Lion Television, producers of the reality TV show, "The Castaways", will be coming down under to film the second Castaway series on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf next year. The island is one of NZ's "jewels" and it will be a great opportunity to have it showcased to the world. Lion TV would use local resources for labour, transport and accommodation but they don't say if they will casting for participants downunder or if they will bring their own cast & crew. No doubt they will be casting out a few fishing lines during their stay on the island.

The first series of Castaway was filmed in 2000 on a Scottish island, when a group of 36 people spent a year there fending for themselves. Seven participants left during the 12 months of filming.

#352. Something Borrowed

A lot of interesting photos from a blogger who is currently travelling around..........New Zealand !!!

#353. Something Blue

A "blue xmas" video by Porky Pig !!! (Friday Dec.8th) Also a link to the story about George Clooney's 19 year old 300lb Vietnamese potbellied pig who has died and gone to "Porky Heaven" !!!

#354. Shortage of 20c Piece's !!!

It seems the Reserve Bank has miscalulated the demand for 20c coins. Retailers have been unable to get their hands on supplies of the 20c coin. The bank has issued 49.6 million 20c cents as opposed to 53 million 10c coins. In the past the number of 20c pieces would of been half of that of 10c coins. They said that the dropping of the 5c coin and the change-over to the smaller new coins (which are cheaper to make than the older larger coins) would save money in the long run, but the dropping of the 5c coin is over the years going to cost the poor old consumer, millions !!! Where will all that go ? Into the pockets of the retailers. Take a look in the supermarkets - most products have been rounded off to "5c", so if your bill happens to end in 5c, it is automatically rounded up to 10c. A magazine I have been buying which has a cover price of $6.95 is now rounded up to $7. It is price increases right across the board for the poor old consumer, whether they like it or not - it's just tough titties.

#355. Rural Tits Sing Longer

Get your mind out of the gutter - it's not what you think. Tits are song-birds of the feathered variety. It seems that a study was carried out in 10 European cities & 10 forest areas, found that "tits" that live in rural areas sing more slowly and have longer notes, whereas "tits" that live in urban / city areas, sing faster & and in higher notes. It seems that great tits living in the city have to compete with the low-frequency sounds of city life, which means that they have to sing faster & higher notes, to make themselves heard, while those tits living in rural / forest areas just take their time and sing more slowly and in longer notes. The same could be said for the human race living in the urban & rural areas - urban life is hard & fast paced while rural life is easy & slow !!!

#356. TV2 !!!

There will no doubt be a few "kiwi's" out there that will remember that when TV2 closed down at night the little kiwi switched off the light and.........!!! Video's November 14th. (Thanks for the memories, Eru !!!)

#357. Where In The World Is It

??????

#358. From The Archives............

# 787 The Best Of New Zealand - Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey is well known in NZ and is becoming increasing popular around the world. Manuka shrubs , also known as Tea Tree are a defining feature of much of our rural landscape. The uncultivated scrub has the amazing ability to colonise the smallest patches of land and flourishs on wetland margins, at high altitude and in low fertility soils.The hardy scrub, produces a delicate white flower, the nectar of which is collected by bees and used to produce honey. Manuka Honey is dark and has a distinctive sweet taste. It has long been used on the kiwi breakfast table. and more recently, some varities have been recognised for their unique health benefits. The "honey centre" is a great place to visit.

#359. Another From The Archives.........

# 788. Sheep & More Sheep !!!

As you may well know "sheep" far out-number humans in numbers by many millions. The two-legged population is around four & a half million, where as the four legged "sheep" population is somewhere around fifty million. North at Warkworth on the same property as the "Honey Centre" is "a sheep show" which you will no doubt enjoy, especially if you a tourist where you don't have any woolly bags running around.

The most famous sheep would have to be "Shrek", who managed to elude shearers for 6 years. When caught & finally shorn on national TV, the fleece weight 27.5 kilos. The wool was used to make woolly jumpers - the first of which was presented to Sir Edmund Hillary, our famous mountaineer. The other woolly jumpers were said to have sold for $10000 each. A little crack at Australia - "What do you get if you cross a kangaroo with a sheep" ??? Leave a comment, if you think you know the answer.

2006-12-03T09:28:00.000+13:00

#360 - #369. Something Old

It seems that some of our "relations" across the ditch have got their knickers in a twist, because a investment bank & buyout firm wants to purchase their national airline - Qantas !!! They are worried that they will end up getting their wings clipped in a cost-cutting exercise, which will no doubt happen. Qantas was started after World War 1 as "Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services" with 2 war-surplus biplanes serving the outback and you thought Qantas was just a made-up-name. Scheduled passenger services started in 1922 and international services started in 1935, when it took 4 days to fly from Brisbane to Singapore with stop-overs for fuel & bed-rest, etc. Qantas now has 213 planes which fly more than 5000 domestic and 700 international flights per week.

#361. Something New

Blowfish Sushi..........a posh new restaurant which opened last Saturday night in Parnell, Auckland to 300 specially invited guests. A private area was also arranged for the U2 entourage after they had played at Mt.Smart stadium, as U2 frontman Bono is friends with one of the co-owners of Blowfish Sushi - Julian Lennon, the son of the late Beatle John Lennon. Julian was not at the launch party, as he is recording a new single. Word has it that Julian is due to make an apperance, next year. Blowfish Sushi, also has locations in San Jose, San Franciso and West Hollywood.

#362. Something Borrowed

A little "blue man" I borrowed from Peter !!!
He is one of the two Australian bloggers listed on "Around The World In 80 Blogs" - the other Australian blogger listed is his "lovely" sister.

#363 Something Blue

Two & a half years after been shorn in front of a worldwide TV audience, "Shrek" the celebrity merino wether, celebrated his 10th birthday by losing his locks again - this time on an iceberg 90 kms out to sea off the Otago coast. He was "blue with cold" (as TV viewers saw) the first time he lost his locks, so just think how blue he would of felt on the iceberg after he lost his locks again. Shrek was flown out to the iceberg by helicopter along with his owner and a shearer. They were lucky that the iceberg didn't break up while they were on it. If it had of, that would of been Shrek's last sheep-dip, as he would of become frozen mutton !!!

#364. Chocolate Wool

Chocolate Wool ??? No, it isn't a new sweet that you can eat.............it's wool for knitters !!!
His words "Established in 1998 with the unique Gotland Pelt sheep breed, Chocolate Wool NZ has been supplying local spinners, craft shops and customers ever since. My prime focus is on supplying customers with the highest quality fleece and carded wool in an array of natural colours. I am personally involved with the breeding of the sheep through to the selling of the final product. My Gotland sheep are bred on my parent뭩 farm in the Hakataramea Valley, South Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand In 2000 Coloured Merino were introduced to the flock with the aim of combining the softness of the Merino wool with the wide range of natural colours from the Gotland. The subsequent wool from both breeds has been used for blending, and resulting fleeces called Merland, unique to Chocolate Wool NZ.
Read more here

#365. Some Facts On Central Park

Central Park in Manhattan, New York covers an area of 341 hectare's of landscaped & recreational areas. Twenty five million people visit the park, each year. There are 21 playgrounds for children; 26,000 trees; 48 fountains, monuments & sculptures; 9000 park benches, which would stretch 11.26 kilometres if placed end to end; 36 bridges & arches and 275 species of migratory birds. Since 1908 there have been more than 200 movies containing scenes shoot in the park, making it the most filmed park in the world. On the northwest corner of 72nd Street & Central Park West, is the Dakota Building, made famous as the home of John Lennon who was shot dead outside it on December 8th,1980. Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono still has an apartment in the building. Every day tourists flock to the "Strawberry Fields" memorial across the street in the park, laid out in memory of John Lennon.

#366. The Blog World

When you search the blog-world, you find all manner of things - some of which would curl your hair, they really would. You already have curly hair ? Well, it would make it curlier then !!! The point is you never know what you are going to find, like this blog. Have a look at the video for 15th November. Who ever said, kiwi's cannot fly hasn't seen this video - it seems that we can do anything !!! (hehe)

#367. Where In The World Is It

So........peaceful !!!
Sorry, I have lost the link.

#368. We Don't Know How Lucky We Are

We in NZ, take our shorelines & our public beaches for granted as been available 24/7 but in Dubai, it's a totally different story !!! When I was searching thru the blog world, a blog from United Arab Emirates popped up, so I have listed it on Around The World In 80 Blogs. In Dubai, you either have to put up with over-crowded public beaches or you can belong to a private beach club, which costs you money. That is if you are lucky enough to become a member - you may end up "sitting" on their membership list rather than sitting on the sand.
Footnote: If it was me, I would put my name down for every "beach club" and then when I finally get access to one, I would "on-sell" my membership to the other beach clubs to someone who is still waiting - that's if it is allowed of course.

#369. Visitors & Fish

When I was reading the Dubai blog, I had a little chuckle to myself when I read her post for November 12th - Visitors & Fish !!! (hehe) That's one way to get around the problem of visitors overstaying their welcome. Some places I have lived in ended up been like Grand Central Station with some many visitors coming & going. What I found really interesting though was the number of bloggers that belong to what they call - "UAE Community Blog". About 140 (give or take 1 or 2) bloggers belong to the community, so there are a few blogs for you to have a look at.

2006-11-19T18:18:00.000+13:00

#370 - #379

Something Old

Readers Digest, read by over 80 million throughout the world has changed hands in a deal worth US$2.4 billion. The new owners are led by an equity, called Ripplewood, a New York buyout fund. Readers Digest was first published by DeWitt and Lila Wallace from their apartment in New York, in the 1930's. They posted out 5000 copies which they had sold for 25c each.In 1938 the first international edition was published in Britain. It now has 50 editions in 21 languages, with editions been launched this year in Slovnia, Croatia and Romania.

#371. Something New

The Nativity Story, a movie about Christmas, chronicles the journey of Mary & Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy and the history-defining birth of Jesus, will be the first movie ever screened at the Vatican. It will premiere there on November 26th in the Pope Paul Vl Hall, in front of 7000 invited guests. Procceds from the premiere will help build a school in Mughar village, in Israel. The movie will open in NZ on November 30th and in Italy & USA on December lst. "Mary" is played by NZ actress, Keisha Castle-Hughes age 16, who is pregnant to her boyfriend, Bradley Hull. Keisha played the lead-role in the New Zealand movie, The Whale Rider.

#372. Something Borrowed

Cat Wash !!! Do you get up some mornings in a rush and only have time for a "cat-wash", but find the cat has beaten you to it ??? One of the many cats of Madam Grizzle. The start of her latest post.........Thursday!Up at 6:30 am, feed cats and shower, then load carriers, and coolers into car, take out trash and recycle. Drive towards town, stop at the feed supply, drop off carriers, pick up cat food, then ......... Read more

#373. Something Blue

Having to pose in the "nude" would make anyone blue - even the most hardy of rugby players !!! It seems that some NZ art "buff" paid over $16,000 for a large full-size oil painting of Anton Oliver, an All Black, but I would have to say whoever it was got a bum deal because all you can see is the back-side and not the front-side. If you hanged it on your wall, how would people know he was an All Black as it could be any white-back of a thousand men in NZ !!!
It has also caused a bit of stir within the circle of the All Blacks, or should we be calling them the all -blues, with ex-all Black, Colin "Pinetree" Meads, saying - "We're meant to be the salt of the earth, down-to-earth, grassroots, bloody good guys. You don't pose bloody nude or get a painting of yourself in the nude".

(It wouldn't look out of place hanging in the toilet with a toilet roll holder attached to it. Next !!!)

#374. Currently Reading

When I visited an old(er) friend recently, she gave me a book of short stories to read - Vol.1, The Best of Stephen Leacock. Edited by J.B Priestley - which was printed in 1966. The price on the cover is 6/6 - 6 shillings & six pence, which would be 65c. The stories in the book are even older. The book, in good condition for its age, is 226 pages so I have quite a few stories to read. The blurb on the backcover says - "The main emphasis is on Leacock (1869 - 1944) the essentially Canadian humorist, dry and droll, whose wit is sharp, but leaves no sting".
I have read one story which is 12 pages, titled - The Man In Asbestos - which was first written in 1911 !!! A tale of a man who seemly falls asleep, to awaken in what he thinks is a new era, where there is no work; no children; people live forever & a day; everyone has one suit of clothing made out of asbestos; food is a pill that you take "once a year"; you are educated with what you wanted to learn, by surgical education - they opened the side of your skull and engraft into it, a piece of prepared brain. A life where people seem have no burdens of life and.......... then he awakes and looks around him at the four grey walls that surround him, of his hotel room.

#375. First Kiss !!!

Warner Brothers have released a still image from the movie Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix due for release in July next year, showing the boy magician played by Daniel Radcliffe induling in his "first" screen kiss !!! The snog with Cho Chang, played by Glaswegin Katie Leung took 24 takes. Kiss 1 / Take 1........................ !!!

#376. Where In The World Is It ???

Waterfalls...........!!! There is something to be said for waterfalls, no matter how big or small they are. I don't know about you, but they seem to calm me down. The greatest thing is been out on a hike and hearing the water fall, before you actually see it. The only thing I hate is seeing the rain as it falls with no shelter in sight.

I found this one on Photo Kit !!! Wherever you go, there you are !!!

#377. From The Archives..........

#676. If I Gave Up My Day Job !!!

If I ever gave up my day job, I would pack my "bag", stick out my thumb and go on a "working holiday" around New Zealand, then Australia and then............watch out world, Krazy Kelvin is on the move ??? I say "bag", because all I would carry with me, would be a couple of changes of clothes, a few personal things & that's it. I would travel "light" - stay in one place for a few days, take a few photos & do a few posts on my blogs, do a bit of work and then move on to the next place !!! I would make sure to join Couch Surfing !!! which is the best thing since "sliced bread. Been single, I am free & easy; have no one, but number one - "myself" - to worry about; I can get along on the "smell of an oily rag"; I don't need much in life, which in a way is a good thing. Good idea ??? You could follow me around the world for years & years !!!

#378. From The Archives......

# 685. Giant Of Luxury Travel

The 116,000 tonne "Diamond Princess" docked in Auckland the other day, so the 4000 passengers & crew could do a bit of shopping !!! The ship making the first of 5 summer visits to Auckland, is 290 metres long; 49 metres wide and 63 metres high. Passengers can choose from 5 swimming pools; 10 resturants & cafes; 13 bars & lounges and 2 nightclubs. There are 15 ships in the Princess Cruises company, all of which have live bridge video cam images via satellite, that are updated every 60 seconds. I am currently at St Lucia, where the "sun" is just dawning from the "Sun Princess". Some of the ships also have wedding chapel video cams, but............no weddings at the moment. I'll be back.............. at dawn, to have another look at the "Diamond Princess", which is currently tied up at Tauranga.

#379. From The Archives

#961. I Gave Him A Hug, But He Didn't Hug Me Back !!!

Down memory lane we go .........Over the years, I met a lot of people of all ages, from all walks of life. This is a "memory" of one person, I won't forget..........I was walking around town, with a mate, Kerry W., when we past by a fella sitting by himself, who looked like he really could do with a helping "hand". So I stopped to talk to him. He was a tourist to our shores. I'd like to think, that when he visited other parts of our country that people who saw him, reached out and gave him a helping "hand" as well, because he really did need it. He was a really interesting person to talk to. In fact I spent, the best part of the day with him, walking around the city. We even went to a buffet restaurant, where we had a meal. After we had finished our meal, we went and sat in Aotea Square, where he rolled himself a cigarette and we sat there talking for a while. A lot of people stopped and starred at us, but he didn't seem to mind. Anyway, the time came for us, to say good-bye. As we stood there, I reached out and gave him a hug. He had a big smile on his face and a tear in his eye, because I don't think many people reached out to give him a helping "hand", let alone a hug. It was sad to say good-bye to him. Who knows........our paths crossed once in life, they may cross again in the future.

In the next "post" 950 - 959 you will learn the reason why he didn't hug me back !!!

Footnote..........I'll repost the reason why, next week. If my memory serves me correctly, the tourist was from Germany.

2006-11-12T18:41:00.000+13:00

#380 - #389.

Something Old

Radio Hauraki - It was 40 years ago in November 1966, that MV Tiri sailed away from NZ shores until it reached international waters, where it put down anchor and started broadcasting as Radio Hauraki. The founders were forced to go to air from MV Tiri beyond NZ's territorial waters, because the powers-to-be at that time refused them a license to broadcast on air. It was June, 1970 before they finally pulled up their anchor for good and came ashore to legally started broadcasting on air. Their original Western Electric submarine transmitter, two metres high and weighing hundreds of kilos that they used to broadcast from MV Tiri seems to have been "lost" by the museum to which it was entrusted. The transmitter was to be the centrepiece of a exhibition of Radio Hauraki memorabilia at the National Maritime Museum on Auckland's waterfront.

#381. Something New

What's new is the number of "new" blogs out there I am coming across as I search the blog world. If at any time you happen to come across a "new" blog, leave the blogger a comment, to say welcome to the krazy blog world. You can leave out "krazy" if you want, but to me it is krazy and it's going to get krazier. There is nothing wrong with that though - it keeps us all on our toes and sane - does it not ??? If we didn't spend the time that we do on our blogs, updating them and doing new blogs, etc - what would we be doing ? I don't have TV, I don't drink, so I would be sitting around with my finger up my b...........banana !!! Just think back to when you were "new" and you started your first ever post..........could you have done with just a little bit of encouragement ???

Something Borrowed

For those of you who can't get to view the icebergs that are adrift about 260 kilometres south of the South Island, we found this one adrift in the blog world on Snow Shelter !!! There's no risk of it melting that's for sure. The only risks are trying to find a swimming pool big enough and someone who has a lot of "hot air" who could blow it up for you !!! I know of a few people.

Something Blue - A Great Actor Dies

Jack Palance - the craggy-faced menace in "Shane,""Sudden Fear" and other films who turned successfully to comedy at 70 with his Oscar-winning self-parody in "City Slickers," died Friday.Palance died of natural causes at his home in Montecito, Calif., surrounded by family, said spokesman Dick Guttman.
He was 85, according to Associated Press records.

Icebergs

A flotilla of at least 100 icebergs that are "floating" around in the southern ocean, about 260 kilometres from NZ's South Island are all believed to be parts of a large iceberg dubbed A-43, that broke away from the Antarctic in 2000. When the iceberg first broke away it was 167 kilometres long by 32 kilometres wide. Over the years it has grown smaller and has finally broken up into smaller pieces still, with the largest of those pieces been 2 kilometres long by 1.5 kilometres wide. The icebergs are drifting on the currents, which are expected to carry them 300 kilometres up the east coast of the South Island, before veering out to sea. An enterprizing "kiwi" has organized charter flights for people who want to take a peek at the icebergs. The flights will spend 30 minutes flying around in circles looking at the icebergs. The last time icebergs were seen this close to NZ was in 1931.

There's Trash & Then There's Trash........

When you dress up to go out on the town do you take hours to dress up to the nines, (I'm asking women here) or do you just throw on any "old" thing and go.........!!! Or do you look in the "trash" and see what you can make up something from nothing and say "this old thing - I got it out of the trash" !!! Well as far as fashion shows goes, this one was more than just a little trashy as everything & anything was used in the name of trash & recycling. It's over for another year, but there is always next year if you want to be part & parcel of the best trashy show in town, wake me up nearer the time.

Tuk-Tuks........

Although the tuk-tuk first originated in Japan, Thailand has adopted it as a Thai symbol. Tuk-tuk manufacturers in Thailand export most of the tuk-tuk's they make. Unlike the older versions, the new ones have seat belts as well as laminated safety glass, so that they met safety specifications. Tuk-tuk's are named after the sound a two-stroke engine makes at idling speed, although new models have a quieter & cleaner four-stroke engine, but at $5000 they don't come cheap. There is a tuk-tuk at Devonport on the north shore, the driver of which will take you up Mt.Victoria as well as to North Head for a price of course.

Hotpants !!!

Hotpants & mini skirts which have been around for years in NZ, will soon be legal in South Korea. The country is in the final stages of reveiwing an indecency law that bans people from wearing revealing outfits which was once enforced by "ruler" welding police, who measured the distance from knee to hemline. The police also took scissors to youths who hair was too long. The rules stayed on the law books as South Korea moved to an open democracy in the 1980's, but were no longer enforced. Now miniskirts are about as common as traffic jams and long hair.......!!!

Toy-Dogs !!!

It used to be "give the dog a bone", but now it's give the dog a bag, as "toy dogs" favoured by those with a bit of folding stuff & stars-in-their-eyes buy designer handbags to cart their dogs around in. But not just any dog - chihuahau - is todays must have accessory, completed with handbag of course, followed by the cross-breds. They have to be small - seen and not heard so to speak.
Cross-breeds: Puggles - Beagles crossed with Pugs; Jackadoodles - Jack Russells crossed with Poodles; Labradoodles - Labradors crossed with Poodles; Porkies - York(e)shire Terriers crossed with Pomeranians

Where In The World Is It ???

Palmer Travels

I'll be back...............

2006-11-07T11:46:00.000+13:00

#390 - #399

Something Old

WAIUKU - a small county town, situated an easy 20 minutes from the Drury off-ramp of Auckland's southern Motorway (S.H.1) visitors will delight in this friendly, inviting “heritage" town. The towns focal point is the Kentish Hotel (on the right in the photo) built in the 1850's by Edward Constable from Kent in England and of the first Europeans to settle at Waiuku. With its ornate verandahs and backdrop to Waiuku's history the “Kentish”, as it is known locally, is New Zealand's oldest licenced hotel and just “oozes” character. The Kentish continues to be a much photographed place aswell as one for civic and social occasions and an ever popular place for locals and visitors to eat and drink and spin a yarn or two!
A stroll around Waiuku will reveal much more including it's waterfront Tamakqe Reserve, home to a fascinating Waiuku Museum crammed full of everything from old sailing boats and historic photographs to the earliest mobile phones the size of shoe boxes – a real treasure trove for all ages and a bargain at $2 to enter! The Reserve also has a small historic “village” with several restored buildings including Hartmann House, dating back to 1886, now fully restored and operating as a local craft studio, Pollock Cottage (1890), Waiuku Jail (1865) and The Creamery (1890's). A Heritage Trail around town (free information leaflet from the Waiuku Information Centre will point out further sites of historic interest in Waiuku including Wesley Methodist Church (1883) from where visitors to the town can get a panoramic view across Waiuku and the waterfront reserve.Visitors of all ages aswell as locals to town can combine a relaxed and enjoyable weekend with all the benefits often associated with bigger towns…..except here its hassle free, low key, the parking's free and the welcome's genuine!!Several excellent cafes and restaurants are now open at the weekends attracting visitors from out of the city to relax, indulge and enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner as part of a family day out in Waiuku and it's numerous neighbouring attractions, including the stunning West cost blacksand beach of Karioitahi and the Glenbrook Vintage Railway both just 10 minutes away.An increasing number of Waiuku shops are opening longer on Saturdays and many on Sundays too offering a relaxed informal and friendly shopping experience with a wide range from boutique fashion stores to antique and artifact stores, a traditional Butcher/Fishmonger, hardware store, handmade solid furniture store and even a macadamia “chocolatier and ice-cream” maker.A “veggie and craft” market runs on the first and 3rd Saturday of each month (9-2) and access to fuel, digital and film processing, two supermarkets, public conveniences, pharmacy needs and ATM machines are all readily available. For those of you who want to come back on a more permanent basis and enjoy the enviable lifestyle that Franklin region offers the major real estate agencies are also represented in town listing a vast range of properties, including many lifestyle properties.

#391 Something New

I am not one to look a gift in the mouth so to speak, so when someone offers me a gift I usually reach out with both hands. In this case, I did need both hands because I received not one, but two - 250 gram bars of Cadbury Milk Chocolate both of which are new flavours. One is - "Desserts - Banoffee Pie", which has a toffee & banana flavoured centre; the other is a "Triple Decker", which is 3 layers combined of milk chocolate, white chocolate & raspberry. When I purchase chocolate myself, I usually go for either the plain dairy milk chocolate; Crunch - which has pieces of honeycomb in the chocolate, or Fruit & Nut, but when someone "gives" me chocolate, I don't care what sort it is - it all goes down the same way and comes out the same way - but it does make it that much sweeter when it's free !!! Looking at the labels, it will be interesting to see if there is any difference in the taste because "Banoffee Pie", says made in NZ, while "Triple Decker" says made in Australia. I know a few people in Oz and I have always said that our choclate tastes better than their chocolate.

#392. Somthing Borrowed

When I was searching the world blog, I came across "this blog" with some great photos & paintings.

This was one of them......several times on my blogs, I have mentioned the stairway to Heaven. This in my mind is what it is like !!!

#393. Something Blue

Its not really blue, more of a purple label on the two bars of chocolate I received, but what is "blue" is the language of a very lady-like friend who see's me munching away on a 250 gram bar of chocolate, by myself !!! I would be lying on the sofa, book in hand reading & munching !!! She always says it's not fair - there's me skinny as a rake, munching out on chocolate and I never seem to put on any weight, but as soon as she so much as puts chocolate in her mouth, it ends up on her hips !!! (hehe) Just to give you some idea - on the label it says, a 50 gram serving has the following.......Energy 1105kj / Protein 3.9g / Fat - Total 15.8g, Saturated 9.7g / Carbohydrate - 28.1, Sugars 27.6 / Sodium 43g. Times that by 5, because I eat the whole 250 gram bar in one sitting - that's a lot of chocolate & a lot of energy !!! I am always the gentleman though - I offer her some, but..............more for me !!!

#394. Money Does Grow On Trees

A classic tale of rags/paper to riches for Chinese recycling tycoon Zhang Yin, founder of Nine Dragon's Paper which buys scrap paper from the USA to recycle & use in China. She has gone from been 36th on China's rich list to been the richest woman in China with a fortune of just over 5 billion dollars. The eldest of 8 children in a military family in northeastern Heilongjiang province, she moved to Hong Kong in 1985 and set up her business with just $650. She then moved to the USA in 1990 with the dream of becoming an "empress of waste paper". In 1996, she returned to China and set up factories in Dongguan, in the Guangdong province recycling waste paper into containerboard. In March Zhang listed shares in her company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the rest as they say is history.You will no doubt read about it one day.........on recycled paper.

#395. Re-cycling The Other Waste

While paper is been recycled in China, a man in NZ has been making devices to recycle "real muck" into water !!! Russell Kelly has developed a variety of water purification devices that can operate without electricty for use in remote areas with badly polluted water supplies. The Kenyan Government has already shown interest in supplying the devices to its nomadic Masai tribes. The devices he has developed range from a gravity-fed bag that can filter 12 litres of waste water an hour; a bicycle powered unit that can produce 6 to 8 litres per minute, right up to a 260kg unit powered by a generator that can produce 40 litres a minute. Ceramic and carbon filters are used to purify the water, but needing something more to ensure the water was completely safe, he approached a company which created a substance for NASA which they use for recycling waste in its space vehicles. NASA has allowed him to use the iodine technology in his devices as it believes the devices will have a beneficial impact on mankind. He said many people had offered financial backing on the basis that they could see where their money was going. Mr Kelly is forming a chartiable trust to help distribute the technology he has developed to aid agencies. Anyone interested in futher details can email - rhk@worldwidewater.biz

#396. Where In The World Is It ???

I could not understand the language, but that didn't stop me having a look at this blog when it popped up, during my search of the blog world. There are some great photos - also have a look in the archives. It could be in NZ !!!

Oooppp'sss - we seem to have lost the link to the blog, where this photo was. You know who you are - leave a comment so I can get the link back up. I blame those two little monkeys !!!

#397. Dog Gone It !!!

It seems that some dogs have all the fun & the toys as well as their own blogs, with a little bit of human help of course. One dog, even has his own red car, but I think he is just a little bit..........!!! Talking about the blog world going to the pack and now monkeys as well, want to get in on the act !!!

#398. From The Archives !!!

#709. More Ice & Snow !!!
From ice, snow & penguins we go to more ice & snow in the deep south, at Maniototo, a small farming community, with a population of 1800. Maniototo is the home of "curling"in NZ. It is "curlers as in winter sports, not "hair curlers", although our team may end up scratching their head, if things don't go as planned in the game. They will be giving it, all they have got, so watch out Italy, our "curlers" will be out to win in the winter olympic games been held in Torin in February. Our curling team finished eighth at the world championships held in Canada in April to qualify for the winter olympics.
Footnote: Nothing to do with the "curlers" - sport, but to do with "curlers" - hair. I have seen a ladies hair salon in Auckland, called - "Curl Up & Dye" !!! I wonder if anyone has really.......... while they were getting their hair done.

#399. From The Archives

#710. Reaching For The Skies !!!
How high will they go ??? Plans are underway to build a skyscraper in the "city of silk" - Kuwait. It won't be just "another skyscraper"!!! It will be one that will be reaching high in the sky, at more than a kilometre high. The 250 stories, 1001 metres high skyscraper, will form the centrepiece of the Madinat al Hareer or "City of Silk", and will house 700,000 people. Constructing the city and its infrastructure will cost US$150 billion and take 25 years to build. It will become the manifeststation of 2000 years of Abrabic heritage. Other plans been mooted for the city include a wildlife sanctuary that would function as a stop-off for birds migrating across the region. There will also be an international centre for studying chronic diseases.

I'll be back..........

2006-10-29T10:02:00.000+13:00

#400 - #409

Something Old

The "Birdcage Tavern", an imposing two storey brick & plaster building nesting next to the Victoria Park motorway is one of the few surviving hotels from the mid 1880's. The site where it stands was first sold by the Crown in 1853 for 74 pound. In 1863, the site was sold again and a wooden building was erected on the site, which became The Rob Roy Hotel. In 1885, the hotel was demolished and the building that stands there today, was built. At some stage it was done up and renamed "The Birdcage", but to those who love the hotel, it will always be The Rob Roy. A lot of older American's will no doubt recall The Rob Roy Hotel, from the days of World War ll, when they camped in the Victoria Park across the road from the hotel. It has been the focus of courtroom battles, war-time romances and workers rallies, but now it seems, it is standing in the way of progress and has to go !!! Rather than demolish it, the plan is to put it on skids and move it 30 metres up the road. It gives a whole new meaning to the term been on skid-row, as normally it's the patrons of a hotel that end up on skid-row, not the hotel itself.
Impossible to move ??? Noooo !!! Don't forget the fact that we are kiwi's and we can move anything if we put our mind to it - well almost anything !!! We are still trying to move NZ futher away from Australia but the ones sitting at the back aren't paddling hard enough !!!
Have a look at this building in Wellington, which stood in the way of the building of the Te Papa Museum - it was put on skids and moved !!!

#401. Something New

Right where The Birdcage Tavern cuurently stands, Transit NZ intends to have the portal for a new motorway tunnel they hope to build for northbound traffic, hence the hotel having to be put on skids and moved 30 metres. The construction of the 460 metre tunnel costing over $300 million due to start in 2009, is been proposed as an alternative to widening the current motorway viaduct. The tunnel will constructed by the cut & cover method. Once the tunnel is built, it will be interesting to see where the exhaust gases are vented. A skateboard ramp which currently which stands on part of the land will have to go as well as 86 trees and 100 carparks on land belonging to a church. Hopefully the skateboard ramp will be reinstated once the tunnel is built and covered over but if they intend to vent the exhaust gases in & around the area, I don't think kids are going to be "too happy" !!! Or will they ???

#402. Something Borrowed

When I think of hotels & bars, etc I wonder how many there are around NZ. A few hundred, a few thousand - who knows ??? In USA, where there would be have to be 10's of 1000's, one blogger went out there and over a course of a year he visited One Thousand Bars !!! It doesn't say how many times he did "weight-lifting" at the bar but even if he just lifted one glass at each bar, well.............!!! Anyway, start off in the archives at Bar #1 and see how long it takes you to visit each & every bar like he did. If you end up on "skid-row" by the time you get to the 1000th bar, don't blame me. Just make sure you don't drink & drive or get into a fight.

#403. Something Blue !!!

As I sit here, my mind wanders on a walk around the Auckland inner city area as I try to "picture" old hotels that are still standing as well as those that have long gone - demolished in the way of progress. Old hotels, where I have just happened to walk past the door at sometime or other over the years - not one's that I have been "weight-lifting" in. One old hotel that has long gone, was "The Globe" on Wakefield Street, where an apartment building now stands on the land. As with any hotels & bars, etc no doubt there would of been a few fist fights in & around the hotel, but one fight that will never be forgotten was when a group of young people in their mid to late teens, having left the hotel got into a fight on the corner of Mayoral Drive & Wakefield St, which resulted in one of them, been "kicked to death". When ever I walk past the spot, where the teenage boy was murdered, I stop for a few seconds and put my hand on the "tree", into which his friends have carved their intials. Every now & again, someone ties a yellow ribbon around the old "tree" and leaves him a flower or two in rememberance !!! He was a friend of a friend.

#404. For Green Fingers !!!

The 19th Taranaki Rhododendron & Garden festival is on again for another year from October 27th - Nov.5th. Showcasing 47 stunning gardens, 15 of which are of national or regional significance. A great opportunity for "green finger" tourists and NZer's in the area to have a look.

#405. Google-eyed !!!

If you had been one of the lucky one's to be on-board when Google was first founded by Sergey Brin & Larry Page you would be well and truly google-eyed by now with $$$$ !!! Brin and Page both age 33, are rated at #12 & #13 on the Forbes list of richest American's, with a fortune of US$14 Billion each. "Google" with a market capitalisation of US145 billion, is now the world's third most valuable technology company, having surpassed IBM which is valued at US$139 billion. They still trail Microsoft (US$279 billion) and Cisco (US$147.5 billion) The market capitalisation of other tech companies - Hewlett-Packard US$109 biilion; Intel US$123 billion; eBay US$45 billion; Yahoo US$32 billion and Amazon US$14 billion. "Google" is worth US$58 billion more than the combined value of America's three automakers - Daimler-Chrysler US$54 billion; General Motors US$20 billion and Ford US$15 billion. The largest company in the world is ExxonMobil valued at US$416 billion.

#406. Time Is Fast Running Out !!!

If you live in NZ and you haven't already raided your childrens piggy banks or your own stash of the old coins and taken them to the bank to deposit into "your account", you had better get your skates on - fast !!! Because Tuesday is your last day that the old 5c, 10c, 20c & 50c coins can be handed into your bank. On the lst of November, the old coins will no be longer be legal tender and will not be accepted by banks or retailers throughout the country. It's no use you "sitting" on them thinking that maybe in 10 or 20 years time, they will be worth a bit to collectors because of the 1000 million coins issued since 1967, only 280 million have been returned. which means thousands of hopefuls are sitting on millions of coins

#407. Fireworks !!!

On Friday 27th, as the night darkened, noises could be heard as people once again let off fireworks !!! It's time the government pulled their finger and issued a total ban on the sale of fireworks to the general public at large. If people want to enjoy "fireworks" let them do so at public events organized by service clubs, like the Lions, etc on November 5th. As it is at present, people have 10 days to purchase fireworks and 10 nights to let them off. They aren't going to purchase them and then sit on them, until the night of the 5th of November, when they know they can go out the next day and buy some more.
If people know that the government is going to issue a ban after this year is over, the people will no doubt store fireworks for next year. If people do intend to store fireworks, for Guy Fawkes next year they are bloody stupid because if a fire occurs resulting from the storage of fireworks, guess what your insurance company is going to say...........tough ttties !!! You should not of had fireworks stored on your premises.

This is from my archives...............
# 790. We Owe It All To "Guido Fawkes" !!!
November 5th,1605 - A day that went down in history !!! That was the day, 400 years ago, that Guido (Guy) Fawkes was caught in the cellars of Palace of Westiminster where Parliament of London is, with 36 barrels of gunpowder. The plan was to detonate them, during the official opening of Parliament. Guy Fawkes was one of a group of consipirators, trying to blow up Parliamment with all the politicians & Royalty inside. The consipirators claimed to be oppressed Catholics, who felt that the best way to change the rule of King James lst and the Protestant aristocracy was to blow them up. Guy Fawkes was convicted of treason, tourtured & hanged. Since that day, we have burned bonfires & effigies of "Guy Fawkes" on the night of Novemeber 5th. In earlier times, children used to take effigies of "Guy Fawkes" through the streets and beg for money for fireworks, chanting - "Penny for the guy, mister" ??? Now it would be $5 for the "guy" mister !!!

#408. Wife Squads To Find Sober Men

After decades of futile tactics of trying to "wean them off the bottle" without any success, alcoholics may have finally meet their match in a scheme set up by a coalition of exasperated housewives and entrepreneurs. Committee's of women who are married or were married to alcoholics will interview men across the country and decide whether they qualify for entry to a teetotallers database that will be made available to prospective employers. The Register of Non-Drinking Men (it doesn't say anything about non-drinking women ???) hopes to succeed where all else has failed, in trying to men off the bottle. Don't worry, NZer's it hasn't reach us yet - this is in Russia, where it said that there could be up to 2 million alcoholics !!!

#409. Spammers Beware

A Perth, Australia based company that sent out at least 75 million spam messages, between April 2004 & April 2006, has been fined - four and a half million dollars !!! The director of the company has also been fined - one million dollars !!! A$5.5 million for spam !!!. The company which was found to have contravened the Spam Act 2003, has been banned from sending out any futher unsolicated emails.
It is the first time, that an Australian company has been fined under the Federal government's spam laws introduced in 2004. The judgement has provided a strong warning to Australian spammers. They think they can run & hide but they can't as every computer ever built and been built has a special number which is traceable right to the scource of where it's at.

I'll be back............

2006-10-21T19:27:00.000+13:00

#410 - #419 -

Something Old

Robert A Laidlaw !!! How many NZer's can honestly put up their hand and say yes, I have heard of him. I for one have not only heard of him, but I have been in his shops, I have read his book and also read the 15 page leaflet called - "The Reason Why" - that he wrote.I don't know if his book is still available or not, but I have a copy of that leaflet which a friend gave to me on Sunday March 5th, 2000. In the leaflet, Robert Laidlaw writes about Jesus Christ & God and what it all means to him, for he was a true christian businessman, if there ever was one. So moving on a bit, if I mention the words - Farmers Trading Company - that will no doubt jog a few people's memories, but how many know that it was Robert Laidlaw that started the company. To begin with he called the company "Laidlaw Leeds" even though there was no "Leeds" - it was a play on the word "leads". Many a person, especially those living in the rural areas, up & down NZ would of at sometime or other received the Laidlaw Leeds / FTC mail order catalogue. I wonder how many of those old mail order catalogues are still around today. I know Granny Smith, has a few which she guards like they were crown jewels. Every now and again she sits at the table leafing carefully thru them. When ever I have been at her place and asked if I can have a look, the answer is always NO, but I keep asking...........!!! It was Robert Laidlaw that started the first Farmers Santa Parade in 1948.The 59th Parade is coming up in November.

#411. Something New

It may be the one & only chance humans will have to see what life is life from the other side of the bars when they pay a visit to the Wellington Zoo next Saturday 28th October. The general public will be able to check out the new monkey house, before the real monkeys move in. Just be carefully they don't slam the door shut if you start acting like a real monkey. Gates open at 9.30am and the first 100 little monkeys, sorry kids, thru the gates are are free and if its your birthday on the day (no doubt they will ask for some form of ID to prove that it is actually your birthday) you only have to pay a dollar. It's their big birthday bash - 100 not out !!!

#412. Something Borrowed

On Sunday, when I was in the internet cafe where I usually have breakfast and then spend a few hours on one of the 15 computers, a man wanted to use a computer. Because I spend so much time in the cafe, the lady who owns the cafe gave me the code words to start the computers and reset the hour timers, etc. (People pay $1 per hour) When she is busy serving I help out by setting up the timer on the computers for people who come in. Anyway, I got talking to this fella as I set the timer to start the computer - it turned out he was from "Brazil" and had just arrived in NZ to do a ccomputer course for 4 months.
I asked him if he had a "blog" !!! No - so I show him Peter's blog, that I have listed under Brazil on my Around The World In 80 Blogs Next week, I am going to show him how to start his own blog.
While looking at Peter's blog, I watched a video called "Pythagoras Switch" - so I thought I'd mention it here as Something Borrowed and also borrowed "Peter's photo" but I am sure he won't mind. Watching the video kept me quiet for over 5 minutes as I watched the little marbles. It must of taken hours to set the little "tricks".

#413. Something Blue !!!

It seems that poor 14 old year USA teenager, upset by the war in Iraq got "not only hauled got out of school, by 2 secret service agents, but she also got hauled over the coals" after she vented her frustrations with President George W. Bush last spring on her Myspace web page, which has since been replaced. She posted a cartoon picture of the US President, "scawled "Kill Bush" across the top and drew a dagger stabbing his outstretched hand. At the time, she did not know that such threats were a federal offence. Her page when found in spring - yes, checks are made - was placed on the check list and they finally got around to talking to her late last week.
The two secret service agents called into the girls home and spoke with her mother. As the girl had already gone to school, the "agents" said they would call back later in the day, when the girl was home. Instead they went straight to her school and hauled her out of class. They knew they were going to go straight to the school after speaking to her mother, so didn't they offer to take the mother to the school with them, so the poor girl had a parent present when they questioned her. She would of been beside herself with fear. It's a wonder that the parents haven't sued the USA government for millions, but only time will tell. It hasn't detered the girl from speaking out about the Iraq war - in fact she has caught her second breath and is starting a new Myspace page, devoted to organizing other students to protest against the Iraq war. Go girl !!! Who knows, one day you could be a senator, so don't forget who your friends are !!!

#414. Currently Reading

Every Monday, inside the newspaper NZ Herald, is a A5 size 26 page liftout magazine called "The Business". I always have a look thru as it is interesting reading. A couple of times I have posted it overseas to a friend.

#415 Where In The World Is It ???

It looks like a really chilly day with all that "misty rain" but it looks like the big fella can take it !!! I tried to upload one of the other photos, but.........it wasn't my day.
Where Is It ??? - click on & see.

#416. Muggins & Ann - Two Old Friends

They like all God's creatures, big & small - alive or stuffed. By stuffed I don't mean dead & stuffed, but "soft toys" !!! Ann said soft toys are the second love of her life - Muggins of course been her first - but if truth be known, I think the soft toys are her first love. At one time we all flatted together in a one bedroom flat. We didn't sleep all in the one bed/room of course, but I slept in the lounge. They had a huge room, but.........because of all her soft toys there wasn't much room. Shelves lined the walls for all her soft toys. There would of had to of been at least 100 of all shapes, sizes and colours. Not that the colour of them matters to Ann, as she is blind as a bat - her words not mine. Ann gave each toy, it's own place to sit on the shelf as well a name. At night, after we had finished dinner Ann used to have a bath. Then she would sit on the sofa, listening to music with the headphones on, while Muggins & I watched TV. She used to like having 3 or 4 of the soft toys "sitting" with her, which Muggins liked to fetch for her. She was quite chuffed that when she asked Muggins to get 4 soft toys by name, he knew exactly which ones they were. Only because someone took the time to learn each & every name and put a label on the shelving. One day, a krazy monkey (no names mentioned) went into their room and swapped over the soft toys that Ann had asked Muggins to "fetch", so when Muggins fetched the soft toys, they weren't "the" soft toys that Ann wanted !!! Muggins, got the blame again and ended up with a thick ear !!! (hehe)

#417. Blogs Are Like A Box Of Chocolates............

A saying which was no doubt made more famous by the movie Forest Gump - Life Is Like a Box Of Chocolates - can also apply to the blogging world as such, because when you search the "blog world", you never know what is going to get. That's why I am still searching the blog world for "blogs" to complete Around The World In 80 Blogs. It's not a case of taking the first blogs that pop up and listing those - if it was, I would of been finished weeks ago. It means looking thru not only the first page of the blog that has popped up, but also digging into the archives to see if there are any skeltons lurking ready to jump out and the scare the s*** out of people. Then going back and having another look at the blogs and also looking at a couple of the blogs that are linked.

#418. Animal World Blogs

There are more & more "animal blogs" been created out there in the blog world, with the help of their human owners of course. If you only have one blog, why not create a second blog around your pet. I'll arrange for your pet blog to be listed on the side-bar of All God's Little Creatures News"
Just be careful that your "pet" doesn't take over because it will be the tail wagging the dog, as Muggins has found out. He created a blog around two monkeys with me as "world leader", but..........because I have enough to do at this stage a new world leader has been appointed. I am still looking at bringing their blogs in under the wing of these blogs, as they haven't changed over from the old to the new Blogger-Beta as yet. One of the best things about the new is that it's so much easier when it comes to adding links to other blogs, websites, etc.

#419. Thru The Windscreen In India.

This is proving popular on my Motoring Blog, so I thought I would list it - once - on here as well. One of the many photos on a blog, which I have posted @ #435 on my blog 21 21 21 Great Blogs To Read

If you have a "Thru The Windscreen" worth sharing. leave a comment on the Motoring Blog

I'll be back.........

2006-10-14T12:01:00.000+13:00

#420 - #429

Something Old

An incredibly rare lifejacket from the Titanic sold at auction in Britain for 43,500 pound to a private British collector. The Titanic which was billed as been unsinkable, sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton, UK to New York in 1912. Of the 2223 people on board the ship, only 703 survived. Some of the "world's greatest & richest" people of that era, lost their lives. The lifejacket was recovered by a quartermaster of a cable ship, sent to rescue victims and had been handed down thru generations of his family.

#421. Something New

A new Optus Satellite to be used by Sky TV and TVNZ was to be launched this morning at 4am on a 50 metre rocket. The launch by French company, Arianespace will take place from their launch site at Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket will take the D1 satellite to an altuitude of 12,000 feet where it will be sent into orbit, for the NZ networks as well as Australian's ABC and SBS. The D1, will replace the Optus B1 which has been in operation since 1992. The satellite which weighs 2.3 tonnes will expand to 17 metres wide, once it is in orbit and is expected to last 15 years. Two other satellites are also been launched - one for US Pay TV company, DirectTV and the other for a Japanese areospace exploration agency.

#422. Something Borrowed

While searching thru the blog world, this blog popped up. I could not understand the language, but I still had a look - low & behold there was a video - September 22nd - of Celine Dion singing.
Click on to the blog and have a listen to the video.

#423. Something Blue !!!

I have seen photos of black bears & brown bears, as well as seen "white" polar bears at the zoo, but never have I seen a "blue bear" before. There is a story behind the "blue bear" as well as other colourful bears, so have a look at this blog !!!

#424. Just passing it on..........

Word on the streets is that "males" with big stereo systems in their small vehicles have do something to draw attention to themselves, because they have really "small willies" !!! It's a pain in the bum when they drive up & down the street with their stereo system blasting out so every man & his dog (and woman) within a bulls roar has no option but to listen to their music. Their names & their names of their friends who ride in their vehicles should be "tagged" and then later on in life when they front up the public health system and say......"I have got something wrong with my hearing", the powers-to-be should be able to say to them, well that is just tough titties. You shouldn't of heeded the warnings not to drive around with a loud stereo system when you were young. Here's a dollar, go buy yourself an iceblock and stick it where the sun don't shine. It won't help you with your hearing problem, but it will take your mind off it and give you something else to think about and save us taxpayers, hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care !!! (hehe)

Boy, did we get out of the side of bed this morning or what ??? Well, try getting back to sleep at 2am, after some inconsiderate "big stereo, little vehicle, little willie male", drove up and down the street a couple of times, stopped outside the neighbours house, got out of their vehicle, stood in front of our house to talk to "whoever" on his mobile, got back into his vehicle, tooted his horn and drove away......!!! Hopefully never to grace the neighbours doorstep again !!!

#425. Where In The World Is It ?

White water rafting is a well known tourist attraction in New Zealand, but........is this NZ ???

Have a look !!!

#426. A Camera Coming ???

I have got $500 to spend on a camera, but.....I aren't in a hurry, so don't hold your breath waiting for photos. With so many different brands & makes out there on the market, I have no idea what to buy. I asked a NZ blogger who is into his photos for suggestions, but as yet have not had a reply back from him. A friend suggested bidding for a camera on the auction sites, but I don't belong to any of them and have no intentions of joining one, just to purchase a camera. All I need is something small and easy for a krazy monkey to use - point, shoot & load on to the computer - around 5 pixels and waterproof. Not that I will be taking photos underwater but knowing me, I will get caught out in the rain now & again. Small photos, small pixels; big photos, big pixels - so I'm told anyway. If you want to enlarge photos you have taken to poster size, then you need a bigger pixel. That way, when it is enlarged, you don't lose any of the colour. If you just want to put photos on to the computer, well a 2 or 3 pixel is okay so I'll sit in the middle at 5 pixels. I have seen "photos" taken at 1.3 pixel and 2 pixel using the mobile phone camera, but it doesn't do anything for me. If they had a 5 pixel camera/mobile phone, well than I may be interested.

Footnote - I am looking at a Kodak Z650 Zoom Camera. Does anyone already own one - if so, can you tell me if it's easy for a krazy monkey to use ?

#427. The Captain Has Walked The Plank !!!
Anyone in Auckland, driving south on the Great South Road, from the Manukau City centre and heading out to Manurewa would not of been able to miss the "ship" at 888 Great South Road, Manukau Rd that is high & dry on the land miles from the sea. It was placed there by the owners who over several months worked on it, getting it all ship-shape and making it the first of what hopefully was going to be a chain of "Captain Hook" theme restaurants. In it's former life, it was the old Baroona ferry, which sailed the seas, carrying passengers to & fro on the inner harbour. It seems that the company - "Jolly Roger" - has been placed in receivership, but no doubt a new captain will step forward to buy it and get it all ship-shape again, so that pirates big & small can step on board once again. It's in a good area, but I wonder if they had given any thought at the time to work something out with the owners of Rainbow's End Fun Park and have the "ship" placed on a corner of their property. It is for sale for removal or with the landlords consent, left where it is.

#428. Driver's License Age

In NZ, a person can sit & obtain their drivers license at 15 years old. Which according to some people is too young to have such a responsibilty, because at that age, the persons brain gas not matured enough. In some other countries, the age limit is 18. When you think about it, it's not that they aren't mature enough - it's peer pressure. They have a license, their own vehicle or the use of mum or dad's high powered vehicle, a few drinks and they think that they are bullet proof. Many a young life has been lost thru
They are supposed to be on a restricted drivers license for about 18 months to 2 years. In that time, thay aren't supposed to carry passengers, unless it's an older person who has had their own "full license" for 2 years or more. They are not supposed to drink and driving is restricted to certain hours, but that all goes by the book...........when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle !!!
What is the age limit in your country to obtain a driver's license ?

#429. It Was Tap Water In A Sense

One day when Muggins & I were home, Muggin's ex-wife called in to drop off their youngest son for Muggins to look after for the day. When you take a child into their bedroom and they see all those soft toys, to say nooooo you can not touch, is like taking candy away from a baby. Muggins favourites were the monkeys and he knew where each & every one of the monkeys sat on the shelf, so Muggins let him play with those. His son soon got tired of just playing with the "monkeys" and wanted to do something else. It was raining out, so taking him for a walk was out of the question as he already had a cold. I suggested to Muggins, that he take all the monkeys into the lounge and have a "monkey's tea party". The cupboard was raided for biscuits as well as the plastic mugs & plates. Each monkey got a "softdrink & a biscuit" !!! I sat at the table in the kitchen reading the paper and left them to it. They put all the monkeys on the floor in a circle and Muggins - the biggest monkey of the lot - sat right in the middle taking sips of softdrink from each mug and eating the biscuits. When the softdrink ran out, I heard him ask his son, to fetch a mug of water. I watched as his son wandered thru the kitchen and headed down the passage way and return with a mug of water. His son was only small and wouldn't of been able to reach any of the taps in the bathroom, so I followed his son into the lounge and as he handed the mug of water to Muggins, I said to Muggins "Don't drink the water" !!! The look I got from Muggins was like a "dagger", so I shut up, while he gulped the mug of water down. If you had seen the size of Muggins, you would see it would of taken more than just a few bugs to make Muggins sick !!! It was tap water but it certainly wasn't tap water in the true sense of the word - it was toilet water !!! (Hehe)

2006-10-08T18:44:00.000+13:00

#430 - #439

Something Old

A 3 page letter written by blacksmith turned missionary James Kemp on February 26th, 1820 to his lawyer, in Norfolk, England has sold for more than 5,000 pound (NZ$14,300). In the letter, which was carried on a whaling ship from NZ before been posted in the British capital, James Kemp told his lawyer what life was like in Kerikeri, the health of other missionaries and gives account of a bloody dispute between two Maori chiefs. The Kemps lived in "Kemp House" in Kerikeri, from mid-1832. It is the oldest surviving European building in New Zealand.

#431. Something New !!!

A new internet cafe has opened in the inner city area. They must of spent mega-bucks, as it has been outfitted with the latest state of the art computers, high back leather chairs, the floor is fully tiled and the toilets wouldn't feel out of place in a 5 star hotel. (A little birdy told me, that the owners didn't get much change out of 1/4 a million) Comparing the new place to one of the old places I go to is like comparing chalk & cheese - they are so different. The old place has concrete floors, chairs that you have to sit very carefully on and their toilet..........well, best left unsaid !!!

#432. Something Borrowed !!!

I tried a couple of times to upload this picture but for some reason or other, it would not upload the first time, but..........!!!

We Are Miracles
has a lot of interesting christian reading and a great photos worth sharing.

#433. Something Blue

Kingi McKinnon one of the winners whose story is published in The Six Pack, passed away unexpectedly on Monday 11th September. Book Month Director Phil Twyford has said, “Kingi was an accomplished NZ writer and a wonderful man. NZ Book Month is diminished by his absence, but we celebrate his talent with the publication of The Six Pack." The NZ Book Council has posted an obituary for Kingi here.

#434. Currently Reading

Well, I haven't started yet, but I will when I pick up "the six pack" !!! It's a book containing 6 winning stories from 6 kiwi writers on sale now, for $6 in bookshops around NZ.
Strange as it may seem, New Zealand Book Month is celebrating the best of our own home-grown talent, but the month started on September 18 and finishes on the 15th October. In my book when I went to school, the month always started on the "lst" !!!
Anyway, have a look at their website !!!

Footnote: I purchased the book, "The Six Pack" and have read one story - "Maiki" - written by Kingi McKinnon.

#435. Where In The World Is It ?

Is it in New Zealand ?
Chance Photography leaves nothing to chance !!!
Click on and see where it is.

#436. What A Bunch Of............???

Movenpick Ice Cream shop / Mission Bay, Auckland. If you are out on a mission enjoying the sun & the beach at Mission Bay and in feel in need of an ice cream, well.........there's dairies,etc in the area that ice creams. As for Movenpick well, I would sooner pick my nose than buy their ice creams. A group of people went into Movenpick shop spent $48 on ice creams - one who was in the family way, asked for a glass of tap water. No can do !!! They would sell her a bottle of water, but they wouldn't even give her a glass of tap water. I would of handed the ice creams back and told them to put them where the "sun don't shine" !!!
Time for the bakery next door to install a ice cream unit and sell Tip Top ice creams, now that it is coming on summer time. The two nice ladies that own the bakery, Khim & Lye, from Cambodia will even give you a glass of water, if you ask !!!

Footnote: It seems now that the management of Movenpick have had a change of heart - you can get a glass of water, if you ask. Too late - no use shuting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Update: 10/10 - It seems no matter how much you ask/beg for a drink of water and despite Movenpick has said they have changed their policy, they are all talk - they haven't change their policy at all. So much for customer service - there are plenty of other places in Mission Bay to buy ice creams.

Was Going To "Hell"

The other day, when I was walking home from the city, I happen to meet a friend who was walking to town. When I asked him what he was up to, he replied that he was going to "Hell" !!! I said to him tell me something new as I had said to him before that he was going to 'hell". Turns out that it was "hell pizza" he was going to, but......... I knew that. I go or used to go there myself every now & again, because it's right next door to an internet cafe. The same cafe, where one Sunday the computer monitor of the computer I was using started to smoke, when I was looking at my new Blogger-Beta blogs. But getting back to "hell", I don't go there anymore as it's no longer owned by the little man. Hell has new owners in the form of Burger King's NZ owners, so expect to be asked "would you like a slice of pizza with that", before very long and a voucher to go to "Hell" when you go into NZ's Burger King !!!
There are two (there was 3 but one has since closed) other "pizza" places within spitting distance of each other - hopefully one of them given time will change their name to "Heaven Pizza", then people in Auckland can honestly say without a word of a lie, that they have been to "Heaven" & "Hell" !!! Or watch for the "roll-out" of dessert places called "Heaven" upstairs from "Hell" !!!

#438. More Power To The People !!!

Our main telephone company, Telecom, who has had broadband on a leash and letting out only so much "power", is set to let broadband off the leash on October 26th. NZer's won't know themselves !!! Hopefully the cables & the people can take the power it unleashes. It doesn't mean of course, it will make me a "faster blogger", nor does it mean that I will reply to your emails any faster !!! In fact, it may mean
Telecom currently offers speeds from 256 kbps to 3.5 Mpbs download - the cost of which varies depending on how fast you want to upload.

#439. How Are Hiccups Caused ?

Hiccups occur when the larynx (or voice-box) at the front of the throat suddenly tightens and closes over the windpipe, preventing air from reaching the lungs. The "jump" that is felt occurs at the moment the air is stopped. An attack of the hiccups occurs most often when the stomach is distended and full of "wind". This irritates part of the breathing system. Hot food and hunger may also be causes. Most attacks are not serious and can usually be stopped by holding your breath for several seconds to relieve the irritation.

Footnote: I know how to stop them..........one day I just happened to walk passed a friend who had hiccups and couldn't stop, so I slapped her, on the back. She got such a fright, her hiccups stopped !!! (hehe)

I'll be back..............

2006-10-01T12:07:00.000+13:00

#440 - #449

Something Old

I mentioned this on my "maori blog", but.......you may not have read it so here it is again, its a tourist attraction in the Rotorua area, called "The Buried Village" which is the site of a village called "Te Wairoa", which was buried by the eruption of Mt.Tarawera, in 1886.

Something New ???

With the spate of bike accidents in New Zealand and the number of deaths, maybe this should become law in NZ - rear vision mirrors for bikers !!! Looks silly, but if it helps saves a life or two, hey why not. Have a look at this blog - "White Boy" / Fred
Something new or has it been around for a while ???

1 Comment:
Fred said...
Hey Kelvin,The rearview mirror for bikers is fairly common among cyclists here in the US. But typically only for people who ride a lot. To be honest it isn't all that helpful. Cars still don't respect that we are on the road. The culture of drivers needs to change before the death rate for Motor Vehicles changes, unfortunately. Fred

#442. Something Borrowed

This tickled my "funny-bone" !!! It's on a t-shirt, the photo of which was one of.........many photos I saw on this blog
Central America

#443. Something Blue

"Out Of The Blue", is a movie based on the events that happened in 1990 at Aramoana, an Otago beach settlement, where David Gray shot and killed eight adults & 4 children and injured many others, before he himself was shot dead by police. Out Of The Blue is unique, because it deals with a shocking, true event and many of the survivors are still alive. The movie which has already been shown twice in Port Chalmers - one showing was for the general population while the other was for survivors, their families and the families of the victims - is due for release in NZ movie theatre's on October 12th. I'll be going to have a look, so I'll let you know what I think of it. More on my Movies & Music Blog

#444. Where In The World Is It ???

Searching thru the blog world, this blog popped up. It would be beautiful & cool on a hot summer's day.

It could be somewhere in New Zealand, but.........it's here !!!

#445. Currently Reading !!!

Who has got time to read, now that we are into daylight saving time !!! Our clocks went forward an hour at 2am so now we have an extra hour of daylight to enjoy the nice lovely sunshine...........not !!! It's been cold & wet with heavy rain & thunderstorms, etc - you name it, we have had it. So much for the sun shining !!!

#446. King Appoints Brother Heir

The new King of Tonga, Siaosi Tupou V, has appointed his younger brother as Crown Prince and heir to the throne. The appointment resolves the future of the monarchy of the island, as King Tupou V who is unmarried has one daughter, but no male heirs.

#447. You Are In, But Can You Get Out ???

A campaign has been launched in NZ to stop people who owe large court fines and reparation to crime victims, from travelling overseas even if it's for a family funeral or family emergency. From now on, anyone with an arrest warrant against their name or who owes more than $5000 in unpaid court fines, or any unpaid court-ordered reparation, will be stopped if they try to leave the country. Customs will be alerted by computer when the traveller tries to go thru and police will then step in.
What's to stop it going futher and applying to "tourists" who are already in the country and owe "fines" in their home country. Like I have said many a time before, once you enter NZ, they might not let you leave, or they will put you on the next plane home to where ever it is, you come from !!!

#448. Overlander Stays On Track

The "Overlander" - a daily , train service between Auckland & Wellington and vice versa which was due to end today, September 30th, is now set to remain on track as an off-season service for 3 days per week - Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. From mid-December until Easter, it will resume a normal daily service, depending on the number of tickets sold. For 98 years, NZ has had a train service bewteen the 2 cities, so at least it will operate 3 days a week.
Michael Laws, the mayor of Wanganui, who refered to the late King of Tonga as a big brown slug, said he would honour his promise to streak naked down the main street of Ohakune, if the train service was saved. He said, unfortunately they have saved only half the service, so in the interim that means he has to streak only half-naked. My suggestion to you Michael, is to keep your pants on - no one wants to see your little white slug !!!

#449. Home & Mobile - The Same Number

NZ Vodafone customers, will be able to assign their home based land-line number to their mobiles, allowing them to do away with fixed-line telephones. Customers will need only one phone, whether they are at home or out & about. Vodofone expects to launch the service next year and compete on price with the $40 monthly rental that Telecom currently charge for a fixed-line.

2006-09-25T10:38:00.000+12:00

#450 - #459

Something Old

Not many people know that Smith & Caughey's, Auckland's only true department store is 126 years old !!! It is interesting to note, that Marianne Smith (nee Caughey) and her husband Willam Henry Smith left on a sailing ship called "Ben Navis" from Ireland on September 29th 1879 to sail to NZ with 125 other passengers. What nowadays, takes 24 hours by plane, took them 104 days !!! Not long after they had arrived in NZ, Marianne set up a shop called Smith's Cheap Draper Warehouse on Auckland's Queen St. For a woman to start a business in a new country and at that time, showed remarkable enterprize & courage. In 1881, her husband joined her in the business and in 1882, they invited her brother, Andrew Clarke Caughey, to join the busines as well - that's where the name Smith & Caughey came into been and still continues today, 4 generations later. William Caughey died in 1912. In 1932 at age 81, Marianne remarried to Raymond Preston. She died 6 years later at age 87.

#451. Something New

Chocolates; drinks; snacks - what else can you buy via a vending machine ? Try mobile phones & accessories, as 24 "Instantmoto" vending machines are installed in airports and malls in Chicago, USA. Shoppers are able to use credit cards to purchase mid to high-end Motorola mobiles, including the Razr and the Q. Using a touch screen, customer's can pick a phone's style; colour and accessories, such as car adapters & chargers.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I can see it as been a golden opportunity for people to use stolen credit cards to purchase "phones" and re-sell them even before the credit card is reported stolen. Give some people an inch and they will take a mile !!!

#452. Something Borrowed

This memorial is a drinking fountain for people and their pets. It is on the waterfront opposite the city to sea museum. Paddy was an airesdale dog that chose to live on the wharves after his owner, a young girl, died in the 1930s. He was befriended by the local seamen, taxi drivers etc. Full story here

Footnote: I borrowed this from a Wellington blog, but.........I have lost the blog address so if it's your blog

#453. Something Blue

"Blue" can be anything - colour; feeling down; movies; language, the air - take your pick !!! The air is no doubt 'blue" at the present time, on both sides of the Tasman, as a lot of people who purchased shares at $1.70 each in Feltex in 2004, now find their shares worth next to nothing as Feltex is placed in receivership by the ANZ Bank. No doubt, questions will be asked of Credit Suisse Asian Merchant Partners, who owned Feltex prior to floating it on the public market at $1.70 per share in 2004. Feltex is a NZ icon, well known as one of the oldest manufacturers of carpets. How long will it take before the vultures start circling, to pick over the "bones" !!!

#454. Currently Reading

It's a new hard-cover book with a slip-in hard pouch which was given to me by friends. Up till now, I have just glanced thru it at the photos - old & new - but it does have words, which I have finally started to read. The book of 13 chapters / 170 pages, tells the story of "Smith & Caughey's" Auckland's only true department store and its 125 year history from 1880 to 2005. A biography of a shop & its people, with each chapter focused on a single theme, covering the time period periods relevant to that period.
Once I have read it, I may look at selling it rather than just storing it away in a box, as it is a book that is worth sharing as the story it tells is no like other. It could be of interest to a "kiwi" living abroad who may of even worked at Smith & Caughey's at sometime.

#455. Where In The World Is It ???

This photo could of been taken anywhere - even in NZ. But.............who knows ??? Click on here to have a look.

#456. Marmalade !!!

You either love it or you hate it. I hate it - it's too bitter for my taste, but.......if someone offered me a slice of toast with this specially made marmalade on it, I wouldn't say no. I would put it on the floor, get out my metal detector and pick out the bits of gold leaf !!!

The UK jam maker, F.Duerr & Son is marking it's 125th anniversary by producing the worlds most expensive one kilo jars of marmalade. They are using the finest Seville fruit; vintage Dalmore 62 whiskey from Whyte & Mackay, valued at 32,000 pound per bottle; Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Wiston Churchill vintage champagne and garnished with flakes of real 24-carat gold, so don't expect to see the specially made one kilo jars on your supermarket shelf. It would put more than a dent in your food bill, as just "one" jar would set you back 5,000 pounds (NZ$15,000) !!! Thats around 72 pounds (NZ$216) per slice of your morning breakfast toast - talk about expensive shit !!!

#457. Breakfast Treat

The word "marmalade" is thought to come from the Portuguese term for quince jelly, marmelada. Its first recorded arrival in Britain, was on March 10th, 1495 aboard the Portuguese ship, Farnando Yanes. It was believed to be an aphrodisiac. The first recipe for it, is in Mary Kettilby's book, Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts in Cookery, Physic & Surgery. The english ate marmalade in the evening, until the 19th century, while the Scots had it for breakfast.

#458. Talk About......

A guest at the Miranda Brown fashion show was left looking for divine intervention, after putting her foot well & truly in it, when asking questions of another guest. He told her that he was their to watch his daughters show. When she asked what he did for a living, he said he was the Bishop of Wellington. She replied.........and I'm a porn star !!! Only to discover, yes, he was in fact the Bishop of Wellington - the Right Rev. Dr Thomas Brown !!!

#459. They Chopped His Ure Off !!!

A large wooden tiki lost his ure (penis) from the carved pou outside the new Whangarei Library. Three masked people were caught on camera, chopping it off. The carver, who made the tiki was moved to tears when he saw the damage. He said, this really degrades the mana and prestige of the whole community. Maybe they didn't have one of their own, or maybe the one they did have wasn't big enough !!!

I'll be back............

2006-09-17T13:58:00.000+12:00

# 460 - # 469

Something Old

Something that has been part & parcel of generations of NZ'ers (especially those that have a sweet tooth - including me !!!) is the Chelsea Sugar refinery, which was constructed on the foreshores of Birkenhead, one of Aucklands suburbs, in 1883. One hundred & fifty construction workers built shacks or set up tents to make bricks from the clay of the surrounding hillsides, which were then used to build the buildings of the refinery, which started operating in September 1884. Today, 122 years later, the refinery is still producing not only white sugar from natural sugar cane, but also a range of other "sugar" products. I have been to the refinery once, many moons ago when I helped with their head office removal from the city to the refinery. I have also seen it once from the water-side when passing on a boat heading up to the Riverhead pub but have seen it many times from afar, when going over the Auckland harbour bridge. It is NZ's only sugar refinery, which is owned by Australians.
I know I should cut down on "sugar", but I have got so used to having 2 teaspoons of white sugar in a cup of of coffee or a teaspoon in a cup of tea; brown sugar, a lump of butter & cream on porridge; white sugar on other breakfast cereals; golden syrup spread on toast - shall I go on.........???
Chelsea Sugar also have a great website which I have listed on my Foodie Blog - it includes "video's of recipes" (hey, you will get to hear a NZ'er talk but don't blame me, if you cannot understand her !!!) as well as details of their products, etc.

#461. Something New

My heart bleeds for them............people who live in apartments !!! Everywhere you look at the moment within the inner city area there seem to be new apartment blocks going up like topsy turvey. It seems that every square foot of land is been built on.
Apartment blocks build right up next to each other, so you can look out and see the person sitting at the table in the next apartment block - if they open their mouth, you would even be able to see what they are eating !!! (Hehe). As for the bedrooms - well keep your curtains closed !!!
There is 3 blocks that have been built, which they said would have great views - forever !!! Well, it just so happens that if plans been made to build a stadium on the wharf bear fruit, they will have a great view of a stadium & people - thousands of them, as the "new" stadium is expected to cater for 60,000 people. It is either upgrade Eden Park or build a new stadium altogether - in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

#462. Something Borrowed

I could not understand the language, but as art everyone can understand what they are saying here....."The world is heating up".
I found it .......here !!!

#463. Something Blue

Most Australians, as well as other people right around the world have been feeling "blue" with the death of not one two well known Australians - Steve Irwin & Peter Brock. Steve just "diving" around in the water filming, when stung by a string-ray - Peter just out there on the road, "driving" when his car, hit a tree. It came as a real shock and it goes to show you, that you never know when your number is called up yonder. May they both - "Rest In Peace".

Steven Irwin is burried within his Australia Zoo - a property which he purchased in 1970. (While I'm typing this and trying to find the Zoo's website, there's a song playing on the radio - "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" !!!)

I haven't read anything in the papers about Peter Brock's funeral, which was going to be a State funeral.

#464. Currently Reading

I haven't had much time for picking up a book to read over the past week because I have been reading - not just looking at the pictures, I might add - our main NZ paper, The New Zealand Herald. The week-day editions cost $1.50, while the Saturday edition, which they called "Weekend Herald" costs $2.50 and has several sections. (They called it the Weekend Herald, because it normally takes all weekend to read it, but then they decided to bring out a "Sunday Herald" as well)

Yesterday's Saturday edition -

Section A - 28 pages of news from around NZ. The main front page news is "MP's grease skids for Brash" - Don Brash, leader of the National Party who has been having an affair, with Diane Foreman of The Emerald Group, which has a controlling stake in the expanding ice-cream chain, NZ Natural, which has outlets in NZ as well as in China; Hong Kong; Malaysia; Thailand; Australia; Indonesia; Vietnam and the USA.
Section B - 14 pages "Review" goes into more juicy detail of the main news stories as well as overseas news.
Section C - 28 pages "Business" news and employment adverts.
Section D - 14 pages "Sports" & adverts
Section E - 18 pages "Prime Assets" / Commercial properties & adverts
Section F - 16 pages "Drive" / Motoring & adverts
Liftouts - (A3 size)
Section G - 16 pages "Timeout" / Movies & TV and whats on around Auckland
Section H - 72 pages "Homes" and properties for sale in the top half of the North Island.
Section I - 54 pages "Canvas" which is a lifestyle magazine. Because it's Fashion Week in NZ, it's mainly to do with "Fashion" - funny that !!!

And if that isn't enough to read - today you can buy the "Sunday Herald" or one of the other 2 Sunday papers - "The Sunday News", or the "The Sunday Star Times which is the biggest Sunday paper with 5 sections / total 90 pages, plus 2 liftouts - 1 of 32 pages & 52 pages.

Front page news of The Sunday Star Times is.............
NZ's Prime Minister, Helen Clarks' Husband, Peter Davis & That Kiss !!!

#465. Where Is It ?

The beach, the headlands, the rolling waves - looking right out to sea with no land in sight - is it NZ ???

Click on here & see

#466. Is Someone Trying To Tell Me Something ???

I don't whether "someone" is trying to tell me something or not, but..........I have been blogging now for about 16 months and in all that time, it has never ever happened to me before - not once, read on...........

Last week........I spent a few hours on Sunday morning blogging at the internet cafe that I usually frequent on the weekends which is open from 8am to 2pm. I have breakfast first of bacon, eggs, hash brown, sausauge & toast, followed by a couple of cups of coffee and then I blog my little heart out. It was mainly the Blogger-Beta blogs that I worked on, copying & pasting from a USB. Anyway, to cut a long story, short - I left there around 2 and went for a walk around the inner city area, including an old cemetery, to stretch my legs. Around 5, on the way home I called into another internet cafe - just to have a quick read over what I had posted. I walked into this cafe where I have been several times before at night after work - I suppose there would be about 30 computers in the place which is own by asians and so caters mainly to asians with their games, etc. They aren't supposed to smoke in the place, but as it is mainly asian's guys, they do so there's a smell of smoke in the air. Most of the computers have asian instructions, but there's about 3 computers with english instructions which were already taken, so I had a quick look around. Seven computers were taken, leaving 20 computers that were available so I said to the guy, I would have number 6. I have been there so often, that I have managed to work out the asian intructions and find my way around the blogs and the internet. (This story is getting longer rather than shorter - hehe) Anyway, I found my blogger-beta blogs and was sitting there reading thru them, - sniff, sniff !!! Smell like something burning ??? Noooooo !!! I carry on looking & reading - sniff - sniff ??? Something is burning. The guys are running around in a panic, feeling the backs of the computer monitors. There's me, Krazy Kelvin sitting there reading and the next thing............smoke starts drifting out of my computer monitor........hehe !!! The guys rushed over, unplugged all it's bits and I move over to number 8 computer. The asian guy on number 7 computer was just laid back in his chair - eys closed !!! Once all the excitment died down and the guys went back to their games - they were talking away in their language and you could hear the laughter, which I knew was directed at me............buggers !!! So, was it a omen, that my Blogger-Beta blogs are going to crash & burn as it's the first time a computer monitor has done that on me............I suppose only time will tell !!! Krazy !!!

Footnote - After they had unplugged all it's bits, they left the monitior there until it had cooled down and just move away to another area. Hopefully the place is equiped with fire extingushers because if it had gone up in flames..............

#467. Still Waiting !!!

It's getting to be like that "cartoon" photo of those women sitting around the table waiting.........for the perfect man !!! I am waiting for Google, to change my old blogs over to Blogger-Beta. A couple of people said, I should do it by myself but..........??? I had a couple of "orphan blogs" which have been changed over okay after blogger left a message in the space, just where you have the Blog Search Box. How they will change over all my old blogs, I wouldn't have a clue. Most normal people just have one blog, not 10 !!! All I can do is wait.

#468. (964.) My Thoughts On Life ???

I do not know how you look at life, but to me life is sort of like been on the "road". You are on a journey on the road of life, not really knowing what is around the corner, nor what is over the brow of the hill. Sometimes you get a long straight, where you are just coasting along nicely until all of a sudden, someone pulls in front of you and you end up running off the road. Sometimes, you get to the "crossroads" and you sit there for a while, wondering what way to go. It's bloody hard sometimes, but you keep going. Every now & again, you pull off to the side of the road and revitalize yourself. and then get moving again. If you don't know what is around the corner, you don't worry about it. If you spent all your time, worrying about life, you would not get anywhere. So you might as well do the best you can, with what you have got and get on with your life. Despite what people say, I don't think anyone really knows, that when your number gets called, whether it is going to be upstairs or downstairs ! I aren't worried where I go ! I have managed to come this far in life with my "Guardian Angel" not far behind me. It's a wonder I didn't get killed of my own doing by accident or at the hands of a stranger.

#469. (975.) Computer Hint 2 - Easy Way To Delete Spam

Did I hear you right - you don't get spam ??? I aren't talking about the tinned variety either, because thats where "pink pigs", like the one flying past the window at the moment ends up. Ohooo he is flying mightly low and I think he is heading in your direction !!! (To those that don't know, a flying "pink pig" means that the person is telling porkies or lies)

Spam - If you receive a large number of spam emails, you don't have to delete them individually. Hold down the Ctrl key as you use the mouse (not the pig) to select each email, then hit the delete button, to get rid of them all at once. I will see what other computer hints I can find to share with you. Anyone got any ??? Email me ..... thanks !!!

I had a look in the archives (no one really has a look in there - too many cobwebs & spiders) and dragged out two old posts - # 964 & # 975 just to fill this up. Next week, I'll be on the "ball" with all new posts !!!

I'll be back............

2006-09-03T12:01:00.000+12:00

#470 - #479

Something Old

Eden Park has been in existence as a sports ground since 1900.
The Park became the home of Auckland Cricket in 1910.
The Auckland Rugby Union leased the Park in 1914 and it became the home of Auckland Rugby in 1925.
In 1926 Eden Park was put in a Trust (refer Eden Park Trust Board) that provided for the Trustees to manage the Park primarily for the benefit of Auckland Cricket and Rugby. The Trust has done so to this day but the Park has also hosted other community events.
During the past 105 years Eden Park has been the host to many memorable sporting occasions including:

Cricket
The first international between Auckland and Australia in 1914
The regular venue for test matches from 1952
New Zealand Crickets first ever series win against the West Indies in 1957
Four memorable games from the Cricket World Cup that was jointly hosted with Australia in 1992
The first international 20/20 match against Australia in 2005
Rugby
The first rugby international in 1921 between New Zealand and South Africa
The regular venue for test matches from 1930
New Zealand defeated the all conquering Springboks in 1956 for a series clinching win
The final of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 (in which New Zealand defeated France)
Other community events included:
Athletics
1950’s saw the Auckland Schools’ Champion of Champions compete at the Park
1950 British Empire (now Commonwealth) Games
1961 - 63 Agfa International Meetings that saw New Zealand’s Olympic champions compete against the world’s best between the Rome and Tokyo Olympics.
2005 New Zealand challenges Australia over a mile during the interval at one Day Cricket International between the two countries
Royal Tours
1966 The Queen Mother
1970 The Queen
1983 The Prince and Princess of Wales
VIP Visits
2002 Dalai Lama
Concerts
The David Cassidy concert in 1974 was moved to Town Hall because of the threat of rain.
Today Eden Park with a capacity of 48,000 remains the Home of Auckland Cricket and Rugby providing the venue for international events for the Auckland region.

#471. Something New

Eden Park is to get a "face-lift at a cost of $320 million !!! They expect Auckland ratepayers to dig deep to pay for the bulk of the cost, but..........!!! Only time will tell. It is supposed to be ready in time for the World Cup in 2011, but if ratepayers did their toes in and anything else they can as well as protest, protest, protest.....???

#472. Something Borrowed

An email I received.............

Kia Ora Kelvin

Thanks for the advice. I've just started in the blogging community and i guess that I just havent found the topics that flow freely from my mind and soul. I think that i'm too distracted by trying to get people to visit my blog, that i dont write freely - know what i mean?

Anyways, i just gotta say to you and the rest of the the people from NZ, that you guys do indeed have the better rugby team. South Africa is currently on a losing streak - rugby, soccer and cricket!

Thanks alot for the advice
Cheers
Delon
South Africa

KK footnote - Delon, I think you spoke to soon............

#473. Something Blue

Bugger !!! That's the word that "springs" to mind as the "Springboks" sprung a surprise on the All Blacks beating them 21 to 20. Good on you South Africa, you finally broke the golden run of 15 games not out, that the All Blacks had. They went into the game, thinking they had 16th straight win coming up, but ..........!!! (hehe) They will have all the time in the world to make up excuses as they fly home, but none will hold any water or beer as no doubt, the "superior" team on the day............won !!!

#474. Royal Bafokeng Stadium

The match between the Springboks & All Blacks was played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng near Rustenburg. It is not your typical rugby country, but a rural mining country. The Royal Bafokeng occupy an area of some 2 000 km2 in the North West province, approximately 200 km west of Pretoria. The Royal Bafokeng are members of the Setswana-speaking indigenous community and rose to some prominence during the 1980s when they demanded compensation and royalties from mining companies who were mining platinum in the area. The world's largest platinum reserves are to be found here and the agreement reached between the mining companies and the Royal Bafokeng Administration has resulted in the Bafokeng receiving considerable amounts in compensation payments and annual royalties.

#475. The Bafokeng People

The present Kgosi (Setswana for King) is Leruo Molotlegi, the 36th recorded Bafokeng king. His father, Lebone Molotlegi II (on the throne between 1996 and 1999) was the designer of the current flag of the Royal Bafokeng Administration, the traditional authority responsible for administration in the area. The flag was designed in 1995 and comprises three horizontal stripes of light green, light blue and beige, with the Bafokeng logo in the centre. The green symbolizes the algae found in the water in the area and is a reference to the everlasting nature of the Bafokeng kingship. The blue symbolizes water and the source of life for the community while the beige represents the sand found in the rivers. For the Bafokeng, algae represents a blanket and the sand, a mattress.
The logo of the Bafokeng is a modern representation of the Bafokeng totem, the crocodile, hence the symbolism of water in the flag as a whole. The crocodile of peace has long been the recognized totem of the Bafokeng people. A statue at the royal residence at Legato depicts the crocodile of peace and, having a short tail and only two legs, is representative of a human being. The short tail, and closed mouth, also emphasizes non-aggression as the Bafokeng people believe that a long tail would imply aggressiveness. The posture of the crocodile denotes movement towards water, which the Bafokeng believe to be a sign of contentment. This results in a common expression, used at meetings, "A e wele mo Metsing", which literally translated means "Let there be peace".

#476. Currently Reading

Ever now and again, I surprise not only myself but friends as well when I join in their chatter about "rugby", even though I don't follow it. My bum has never ever grace the seats at Eden Park and never will !!!

I read the sports page of the newspaper and ........interesting. Especially the article about the 25th reunion dinner of the former 1981 Springboks team which toured NZ in 1981. All 28 members of the squad were meeting up for dinner, a few beers, a braai (barbeque) some golf and a trip to Rustenburg to watch their countrymen play the All Blacks.

Wynand Claassen, the captain of the 1981 team, now head of rugby at the University of Pretoria, recalls the tour which resulted in anti-aparthied protests.

#477. H.A.R.T !!!

Halt All Racist Tours was a group set up in New Zealand in 1969 to protest rugby union tours to and from Apartheid South Africa
Up until 1970, South Africa refused to allow mixed-race sports team to tour South Africa, and they were "disgusted" at having to play against "natives" in New Zealand.. A protest movement against the 1960 tour of South Africa used the slogan "No Maoris, No Tour", but it was unsuccessful at stopping the tour. In 1967, the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to cancel the proposed 1967 tour over the issue.
Trevor Richards, Tom Newnham, John Minto and others formed HART in 1969 to protest against the proposed 1970 tour. The tour went ahead after the South Africans agreed to accept a mixed-race team.
In 1973, HART promised a campaign of civil disruption if the Springboks toured New Zealand. The Labour Prime Minister, Norman Kirk cancelled the tour. Rugby supporters complained that politics should not interfere in sport.
The All Blacks were next due to tour South Africa in 1976. Newly elected National Prime Minister Robert Muldoon refused to cancel the tour, which went ahead, in spite of the (then draft) Gleneagles Agreement where Commonwealth leaders agreed to discourage sporting contact with South Africa. 21 African nations boycotted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal in protest.
HART merged with the National Anti-Apartheid Council in 1980 to become HART: NAAM. After ten years as National Chairperson, Richards was replaced by John Minto.
The high point of protest was around the 1981 Springbok Tour in which thousands of New Zealanders protested, invaded pitches and ended the tour. HART was not the leading body in these protests, as broader organisations were set up in each major centre to coordinate protests, but HART members played a leading role in these organisations.
In 1985, a planned All Black tour of South Africa was stopped by the New Zealand High Court after two lawyers sued the NZRFU, claiming such a tour would breach the NZRFU's constitution. An unofficial tour did take place in 1986 by a team including some but not the majority of All Blacks players. These were known outside South Africa as the Cavaliers, but advertised inside the Republic as the All Blacks. HART organised nationwide protests, but they were much smaller than the 1981 protests.
HART's reason for existence ended with the fall of apartheid.

#478. Another Trevor Richards !!!

OMAHA, Neb. -- Four Westside High School students are suspended for promoting a white student for an African-American award. More than 150 flyers which were distributed throughout the school featured junior Trevor Richard, a South African native who moved to the United States in 1997.
Westside officials say the flyers were were quickly removed because they were inappropriate and insensitive to black students. Trevor said he is as African as anyone else. "I had no intent of hurting anyone or offending anyone. I wasn't trying to make a statement. I was just running for the award, but i guess the administration felt differently," Richards said. Richards was suspended for two days. Two other students were disciplined for putting up the posters and another student was punished for starting a petition to promote Richards

#479. Why the tour meant so much !!!

From New Zealand’s first fullscale international test in 1903 to the arrival of the Springbok team in 1981, the All Blacks had established themselves as arguably the best rugby team in the world. Arguably because the Springboks were the only team that had beaten the All Blacks more times than lost. The margin between the Springboks and the other international teams was huge.Between 1903 and 1981 the All Blacks had beaten Australia in 50 tests, lost 17, and drawn 4. They had beaten Wales in 8 tests and lost 3; beaten France in 12 and lost 4; beaten England in 9 and lost 2; beaten Scotland in 10 and drawn 1; and beaten Ireland in 8 and lost 1.
South Africa was the All Black nemesis. Before the 1981 series the Springboks had met the All Blacks in 34 tests, of which they had won 19. The All Blacks had won 13, and two had been drawn.
The last two test series, in 1970 and 1976 (both in South Africa) had been won by the Springboks by three tests to one.

I'll be back............

2006-08-30T21:01:00.000+12:00

Timelog: 9pm - 30th August

Either everyone is asleep or you have all died & gone to Heaven, as no one has taken me up on the offer to do their own "post" on this here blog. It is so simple, I could do it..........well, we won't go down that path. Honestly though, I aren't leading you up the garden path. Doing a post is as easy as typing up & sending an email, which will be emailed straight to this blog. It will be held in draft form until I have had a look at it and publish it on to this blog. You can even mention your own blog and include a link to it.

With reference to last weeks t****** post...........

Boy, I have never known friends (they who shall remain nameless for now...!!!) to be so gulliable.
Hehe - I was rolling around on the floor in laughter after reading a couple of "upsetting" (for them) emails in response to # 484. As I mentioned t****** was the first love of my life before blogs, but t****** had to take a back seat, as blogs & blogging eroded futher into my life.
The mere mention of t****** & big mamas as well as a link to a great website, only goes to prove that some friends have a one track mind...!!! It also goes to prove, that despite those friends haven't known me for many, many moons, they don't really know me. They clicked on to the website expecting to see "big mama's" & titties, looking back at them, but all they found staring back at them was the view you sometimes see, in the rear vision mirror of your car...........the grill of a truck !!! The reason why I put "trucks" as t*****, is because I felt that trucks could be a dirty word to some people, especially if one is tail-gating you and they are sitting right on your arse not giving an inch !!! It happens sometimes in NZ and it happens as well in other countries across the world - tail-gating that is. A few people would no doubt have their own story to tell. . The percentage of truckers are good, but as in any apple barrel, there is always that percentage that are rottne to the core !!!

#470 - #479 UPost It Uself !!! (extended to 3rd September)

Kia Ora (Hello), I made this offer before, but for some reason or other nothing came of it, so......to all those blogger friends out there that have left a comment in the past on any of my blogs............your chance to be a "guest blogger" !!! Don't all put up your hands at once, but.........if you want to do a post on this blog, within the next 4 days (close off will be 6pm, 29th) send me an email kjmkama@yahoo.com or leave a comment and I'll tell you how you can email your post direct on to this blog. It will be held in "draft form" for me to have a look at and publish.
I, Krazy Kelvin reserves the right to refuse to publish any post.
First in, first serve or as we used to say many moons ago - first up, best dressed !!!
You are more than welcome to provide a link back to your blog as well, at the begining or the end of your post. I will do it for you, if you don't know how.

Have you got a new Blogger-Beta blog yet ??? All those whose posts are put up here from #470 - #479 who haven't got a new blog as yet will be invited behind the scenes of my new blogs on Blogger-Beta, to have a look for themselves and do a post on Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue. It looks morealess the same, from the outside, but on the inside, beats a new heart - a heart of gold !!!

At 6pm on the 29th, hopefully you will have 10 posts by "guest bloggers" to read !!! If I don't get 10 posts, I'll fill in the gaps.

2006-08-20T22:01:00.000+12:00

#480. - #489.

Something Old
(Granny Smith.........you can never find her, when you want her, so I will post the story here which I included in my "book" !!!)

From - 2nd July 2005

#925. She Said Don't Touch My Nuts !!!

Never let it be said, that Granny Smith didn't care about her friends - she was from the "old school", brought up to always think of helping other people & doing good deeds. When she was young(er) if someone was poorly, she was the first one to turn up to help with the housework, cooking, washing and the kids !!! She would call bearing homemade "gifts" of preserves, sauces & pickles as well as baking, from her kitchen, plus vegetables from her garden & fruit from her trees, including a bag of Granny Smith Apples. Even if you already had an abundance of food, because to her gifts of food, were "gifts of life". Now she is getting on a bit, her doesn't venture far so people are returning the favours and helping her & giving her gifts.

One day, someone had given her a packet of chocolate coated "nuts". Muggins & I were over at her place, this particular day "doing some cleaning" for her. She said to us as she went into the kitchen to make us morning tea - "Don't touch my nuts that are on the table". If there is anything that Muggins likes better than chocolate - its "nuts" - any kind of nuts. There was a small bowl of just "plain nuts" as well as half a packet of chocolate coated nuts. Muggins, thought she wouldn't miss a "few", so he took a couple from the bowl & a couple from the packet. I said to him,"Not a good idea, Muggins" !!!. "Its okay, she won't miss a few nuts" - so he takes some more ! "Ohooooo these are nice, especially the plain ones" ! Don't you want one, Krazy Kelvin"? "No thanks, Muggins, you can eat them" !!! Shortly, Granny Smith starts laying the table with morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea !!! Well, thats what it looked like, but Granny Smith always puts on a good spread for people who take time help to help her and she knows Muggins only too well - he eats like a horse and he will eat anything !!! I know better not to touch any womans nuts, especially Granny Smiths, "nuts". Because I had sat at the same table, the day before and had a cup of tea. While I ate her home baking, she opened her packet of chocolate coated nuts. I watched her as she took one of the chocolate coated nuts out of the packet and put it in her mouth. A couple of minutes later she took the nut out of her mouth and put it in the dish, then put another chocolate coated nut in her mouth and so on ........!!! She loved the chocolate, but she couldn't eat the nuts because of her false teeth. She said, she always throws the "nuts" out.
The moral of the story is - never touch a womans nuts, especially not Grannys Smiths, if you visit her and there's a dish of plain nuts on her table !!! I haven't told Muggins, yet - I am just waiting for that "golden opportunity".............!!!
Maybe he will read this first and I won't have to tell him.

M. Kelvinnnnnnnn !!! You could of told me !!!
K. You will learn Muggins - when a lady says " don't touch my nuts" she means - "Don't Touch My Nuts"

#481. Something New

If you have been reading my other blogs, as well as Around The World In 80 Blogs you would of seen me mentioning Blogspot's Number One in the world, bar none !!! He was the man that started Blogspot/Bloggers back in 1999 before selling out to Google in 2003. After all these years, Google is revamping Bloggers with Beta-Bloggers, which started last Monday. To look at it from the outside, you can not see much change, but behind the scenes there has been quite a few changes, for the better. I have 2 blogs on "Beta".
I believe in "sharing & caring" about all my blogger friends, out there in the blog world, so in the heat of the moment I invited 2 bloggers to have a look at my Beta blogs and do a post each. I actually spoke to one of the bloggers on the phone for about 5 minutes - he lives in Australia. He said he was going to try and unload a photo on the new Beta blogs. I said just as long as he had his clothes on !!! (hehe) It was great to talk to you Peter, so your number came in handy after all. He was then going to get his sister, Merle to do a post. I haven't dared have a look yet, but you can if you want........... Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed & Something Blue
Any complaints..........it was the two listed under Australia, in Around The World In 80 Blogs. Have a look at their blogs anyway, even if you don't have any complaints.........they are both great - the blogs that is !!!

Given time, Blogspot/Bloggers are going to move most of the blogs across to Beta-Bloggers. Give it a few weeks. I'll then link what blogs I have got left.

#482. Something Borrowed

It seems everyone loves........cats !!! This one looks like he could be a little blue after his swimming lesson.

I borrowed him from ........here !!!
A word of warning - if you don't like blood and someone cutting themselves, don't watch the video of "Impressive Magic" !!! It is a coin trick but not your normal, behind your ear coin trick. It is anything but............!!!

#483. Something Blue

I was going to upload a "blue" photo to put here, as well as a link back to where I got it from, but once I re-read the website details, I thought I had better not take a risk. So what else is blue ???
This might not be what you could call blue.........but, a hugely embarrassing typo error on a menu issued to President Robert Mugabe, lead to four senior Air Zimbabwe officials been suspended from their jobs. It seems that the menu written in Shona language should of read "Chimukuyu & Dovi" - which means dried beef meat cooked in peanut butter. However the typo error replaced the "v" of Dovi, with a "d" instead to form the word "dodi", which in the Shona language means human excrement !!! (Do you think the air was - blue ???)

#484. Currently Reading

When I was younger many moons ago, I liked reading comic books, mainly because they had a lot of coloured pictures and few words. Now that I have got old(er) my taste in reading has moved up a notch or two.........to bigger magazines which have more colourfully pictures and a few more words as well. In fact, I just happened to have the latest issue of my favourite magazine with me in my bag, which I purchased earlier today when I went to the local dairy to get a bottle of milk. It was really exciting to say the least, when I had a quick flick thru and saw some really big mama's - it made my blood pressure rise - just a little bit - just looking at them !!! And I mean big mama's !!! Talk about been colourful. They even have a website as well .......you can have a look here if you want !!! Be careful though that your blood pressure doesn't go thru the roof when you see the photos !!! I think they are all from the USA & Canada.

Footnote: What can I say, I just love.............t****s - they are the first love of my life !!! (It may be a dirty word to some people, so I am playing it safe !!!) Well, if the truth be know, they are the second love of my life now - my first love is - BLOGGING !!!

#485. I'm Feeling Lucky !!!

Talking about the first love of my life, got me thinking about the second love of my life......shopping. So I thought I would do a search to find another big mama.........the world's biggest mall !!! It has over 800 shops; 100 eating places; amusement parks and hotels. It covers 48 city blocks, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and is a tourist attraction in itself.
Don't spend all day there and don't spend all your money !!!

#486. Drug Testing In Schools

A 520 pupil northland high school, Otamatea in Maungaturoto, will be the first school in NZ, to introduce random drug testing of its pupils. Three students had been caught smoking marijuana and a sniffer dog had found one with marijuana, others with marijuana residue and places where the drug had been hidden. The school would test for marijuana; methamphetamine; opiates; cocaine and alcohol, with the tests in the form of urine and swab samples by a qualified person. Any pupil caught will face an immediate stand-down and will not be allowed back at school, without a clear drugs test at a medical centre.
Not eveyone agrees though - Blair Anderson, the director of Educators for Sensible Drug Policy said randomly tested students were treated as guilty before been proved innocent. "Why create a sense of mistrust in a school? Scare tactics dont work" !!!

Footnote: What is the drug policy in schools in other countries around the world. Leave a comment here or on the E.f.S.D.P website.

#487. "Show Us Your Boob's" !!!

In my "book", I mention twice about tears down Queen St - well this is boob's down Queen St, but not of my doing - someone else can tell the blame !!! It seems that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing as far as our council goes. A permit was applied for and giving by council staff for a mid-day parade from Karangahape (K.Rd) Rd to the bottom of Queen St on Wednesday 23rd, for about 30 motorbikes and cars. It's not only the cars that will be topless, but the passengers in the cars and on the bikes will be topless as well. Now the councillors are trying to revoke the permit, because their own council staff didn't tell them about the parade which is to promote a sex-expo been held on the weekend.
I can't see what the councillors are complaining about - they would get the best view in town from the top of their building, if they had binoculars of course !!!

#488. Where In The World Is It ???

That is a b***** good question to ask, because I seem to have lost the address of the blog from where I got the photo of the geese, last week. I know I wrote it down somewhere - in fact I have to write everything down. One of the hazzards of getting old(er) I'm afraid, is memory blockages, but I always say it's better to have a blockage "upstairs" than "downstairs".
Did I just type that.........!!!

Anyway, this week rather than just give you one photo, I thought I would give you two photos, as well as a link to the blog just in case next week, I can't find it. Look beyond the fella on the bike and also at the "rolling hills" - it looks like somewhere in NZ, but.......... where in the world is it ??? Have a look thru his blog at the photos and don't forget - leave a comment !!!

#489. Down Memory Lane

Muggins of course isn't his real name - it's a nickname I gave him over time as our friendship grew. The first time I ever set eyes on Muggins (I was on my way to the local dairy) he was bending over looking thru a hole in a fence. I gave him a swift kick in the bum and "ran" on my way. (Anyone bending over looking thru a hole in a fence, can't be up to any good, can they ???) On my return from the dairy, I walked on the other side of the street - there he was, at it again. I hid in some bushes across the road from where he was and waited my moment to run across the road and.........!!!

The next day when he saw me at school, he walked up to me. Despite him been twice my size, I stood my ground !!! He said I had guts, to kick someone not once but twice and our friendship grew from there. We did a lot of krazy things together - well, if truth be known I did the krazy things and he just tagged along, never knowing where I was going to lead him.

When ever we had a fight (yes - despite been best friends, we still had fights) he would call me a f*****g krazy kid and I would call him a f*****g Mug for been friends with me. Over time, f*****g Mug became "Muggins" !!!

It's not the memories I have, it's the memories I leave behind

2006-08-13T23:59:00.000+12:00

#490 - # 499

Kia Ora (Hello), I am overwelmed with the rise in the number of people reading my blogs & the number of emails flooding in, especially as I have only been blogging for 15 months.
Need I remind you that it was .........
Black Friday 13th May, 2005 that I started my first blog with My First Ever Post !!!
To me. the blog world is like having an extended family right around the world - a world of caring & sharing. Karma - all about giving rather than receiving. Not charging other bloggers or asking them for donations to list their blogs or to mention their blog/s as some other bloggers are doing. I can't see where they get off having the nerve to charge other bloggers, when it isn't even their own site so to speak. It would be a different story if they had their own "website", but they are on Blogspot !!! Lets hope, the plug doesn't get pulled on their blog/s !!!

Krazy Kelvin

#490. Something Old !!!

If it wasn't for this man - where would be Blogspot bloggers be ??? He is the "oldest blogspot blogger" that there is bar none !!! Check out his profile number.

#491. Something New !!!

New VW Beetle Roadster !!!

#492. Something Borrowed !!!

A real Tortise-shell-cat, the photo of which I borrowed from here !!! There are some other great photo's & sidewalk chalk drawings as well !!!

#493. Something Blue ???

The saying is true - when you are feeling down & out and feeling "blue", stop - think for a moment !!! Because, no matter how "blue" you may feel, there is always someone out there in the world that has had a harder life than you & has bounced back !!! Take this man for instance - who was born with no hands or no legs. Have a look at Aneel Aranha : Missionary's Journal
His name is Nick Vujicic - his website is called Life Without Limbs - "From Life Without Limbs To Life Without Limits" !!!
Good on you Nick !!!

#494. Currently Reading.

I started reading a book, which has about 34 stories about "Pig Hunting" in NZ. I have lent the book to a friend but I will get it back next week and tell you more about it. Also the name & ISBN number for those who live in NZ and would like to purchase the book from your local bookshop. It would make a great gift for a friend overseas, after you have read it of course.

Anyone that has been born & bred and lives in a rural area of NZ, would have "tails" about hunting in the bush for wild pigs & deer.
It's a past-time like no other as you will see, when you have a look at these great photos !!! and a great "hunting" website.

#495. I'm feeling Lucky !!!

When you use "Google" as a search engine, you have the option of after you have entered your words, to click - "I'm feeling lucky", which brings up their "top rated page or whatever. Last week, it was a great auto museum in USA. This week I thought I would enter the same words - auto museum - click NZ as well to see what comes up........... Southward Car Museum !!! Comparing the two there is a vast difference - it goes to show what a difference a lot of colour makes. Comparing the two sites is like comparing apples & oranges. I would rate the USA website 9 out of 10 / NZ would be 3 out of 10. It's that different. You can click on to the small photos on the NZ site, to make them bigger, but..............!!!

#496. One Of Life's Little Mysteries ???

The other day, I was buying an ice cream for a friends child, when he asked me how does the machine make the ice creams. I said to him that there was a little snowman inside the machine which dispensed the ice creams !!! He didn't believed me - would you ??? Well the snowman does make the ice creams. In fact, there's a little snowman in this machine - I kid you not. Have a look !!!

#497. Time Out !!!

I have this coming Monday & Tuesday off work, but no prizes for guessing what I will be doing most of the time.........blogging !!! I also have the 28th & 29th off work, so on Saturday 26th, I was thinking about taking the Overlander down to Wellington and returning on the Tuesday. But.........I still have to get a camera. A friend said I should get a laptop as well , but I like to travel light. There will be internet cafes in Wellington - jus a matter of finding them. I haven't made up my mind as yet........!!! After I leave here today, I will head down to the train office at the bottom of town and see if they still have seats available. It seems that a lot of people are taking the trip as the train service finishes on September 30th for good. The only public transport available between Auckland & Wellington / vice versa would be the bus. Watch bus fares rise on the lst of October !!! I can't remember the last time I went to Wellington. It would of been on a truck, many moons ago !!!

If I go to Wellington, I have no set plans as to what & where I will go. I won't even bother booking accommodation. I'll think about that when the time comes. As I said before, it wouldn't worry me, if it was the "Starlight Hotel". I aren't talking about 4 walls & a ceiling hotel. I am talking about when you look up at the sky at night & see the stars !!!

#498. Where Is It ???

A new addition to the family of K.A.M.A !!! Looking thru the blog world, I sometimes come across photos that could of been taken in New Zealand, Australia, USA or even Timbucktoo for when you look at them, they are so similar.
Take this photo for instance. It could of been taken at a lake here in Auckland, called Western Springs, but ................. !!!
Next week, I will give you the name of the country where the photo was taken and a link to the blog as well as a new photo.

#499. Down Memory Lane

One day, Muggins & I were playing in the trees that surrounded the property where he lived. I like normal, was the 'krazy monkey" who would be either "swinging from the lower branches of the trees" or climbing right to the top of what would of been 40 foot high trees. Muggins parents just about had fits any time I played around their place. I remember getting told off by Muggins father "once" when I climbed down from one of the highest trees on the property. He must of asked Muggins where I was - Muggins would of pointed up the tree !!! "Kelvin, you are a f*****g krazy kid, get out of that tree" !!! (hehe) Then when I got down he asked me if I knew how high the trees were. Noooooo !!! He said about 40 feet high. Great views, especially of the neighbouring properties and...............(best left unsaid !!!)

Muggins, been Muggins was a real sissy and wouldn't dare go any higher than the lowest branch of any tree. He always wore long pants, a shirt, a jacket as well as shoes & socks - no matter what the weather. Me - no matter what the weather - a pair of shorts, no underpants, no shoes & socks. Sometimes a shirt. Muggins would sometimes take off his jacket & his shirt, when he got hot..

Anyay, this particular day I teased Muggins into climbing futher than he had climbed before But as he tried to get back down the tree, he slipped !!! Somehow or other he got hooked on a branch, which resulted in him falling forward pulling his pants right down exposing his ............!!!
There he was hanging down trying to cover his private parts with one hand while trying to hold on a branch with his other hand. I climbed back up the tree and tried to help him get untangled, but....... so I went running - for help ??? Noooooo !!! Hey, you are talking an 8 or 9 year old krazy kid here. I went running alright - around the neighbourhood getting kids who were our friends to come and have a look at Muggins !!! There we were all standing under the tree looking up at Muggins stuck in the tree, waiting for him to "swap" hands !!! All of a sudden the kids scattered............it was Muggins father !!! I was banished for a week from playing with Muggins for not going to get "adult help".
That day, I found out another thing about Muggins - he didn't wear underpants !!!

Its not the memories I have, it's the memories I leave behind !!!

2006-08-05T10:21:00.000+12:00

#500 - #509

Something Old !!!

Carlaw Park !!! No, nothing to do with cars or with law, but NZ'ers at home and abroad, will remember the park at the bottom of Parnell Rise, which was the home of rugby league. Carlaw Park was orginally the site of of a flour mill in the late 1800's and later a Chinese market garden. Grandstands & terraces were built on the site in 1916. Auckland Rugby League, made the park its home in 1921. Between 1924 & 1995, it was the site of 59 out of 95 home tests for the Kiwis before maintenance issues and the lack of corporate & media facilities and parking sent the NZ Rugby League first to North Harbour Stadium in Albany.

#502. Something New !!!

Carlaw Park's historic No.1 Ground is set to become a retirement village, but I can't see the residents chasing "balls" around the place - well maybe not rugby balls !!! Earthworks are expected to start in September, while construction of the 180 unit development will begin early next year.The first stage will consist of 90 independent living apartments, is expected to be completed by 2008. It is been developed by Vision Senior Living although there is no mention of Carlaw Park Retirement Village on their website - yet !!!
Carlaw Park's historic No.2 Ground has already been sold to a property company who are going to develop a residential and commercial precinct.

I don't know why Carlaw Park wasn't used as the site for the new stadium that is been built on Quay St.

#503. Something Borrowed !!!

Nooooooo !!! I didn't borrow Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, but I did borrow her photo which was on this blog Don't ask me what they had to say about her because I couldn't understand the language. This blog is also listed under "Around The World In 80 Blogs" under Taiwan.

I have meet the PM once & even shook her hand when I was at a function in Mt.Albert, for a friend, who is a Chief of a village of 25,000 people in Africa, but that's another story for another day. The PM is a very lovely lady !!!

#504. Something Blue

A real Puss-In-Boots - unlike the fairy tale !!! Did someone do this to poor old puss, or was he born like this ???
It's not really a "something blue" post, as such but he would be a little bit "blue" (cold) come winter time without his fur. Poor old puss-in-boots !!!

#505. Currently Reading.

I am reading / looking at the photos of another of the "Then & Now" series of books of New Zealand. This one is the areas of Otago, Canterbury & Southland. It is approx. 93 pages of black & white photographs which are interesting to look at as it gives you a idea of what life was like for New Zealanders years & years ago, up until now.

Footnote: I have tried to give away books away based on "Then & Now" but it's like trying to get blood out of a stone, as no one has taken me up on my offer. This will be the last time, I will offer one of the books as it is the last in the series. If you are reading this and you want the above book, send me an email with your normal postal address and I will post the book out to you. It doesn't matter where in the world you live. Once someone sends me an email, I'll add a footnote to this post. I won't hold my breath, as I will no doubt turn "blue" !!!

#506. I'm Feeling Lucky !!!

An idea popped into my head to do a post, based on the Google search engine, where you enter whatever it is you are looking for, then click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. Each week, I will pick a random subject............click on the button and see what pops up.

This week I thought I would enter the words "Auto Museum" !!! What popped up was a great museum called "Petersen Automotive Museum" based in the good olde USA. I clicked on the "Cars & Guitars of Rock & Rock ll" and had a look thru the car photos. Boy, o boy some of the cars - they would be worth mega bucks !!! It is well worth a look.

Footnote: Guess what comes up if you enter - Krazy Kelvin, into Google and click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button ? You don't know ? I do !!! It's meeeeeeee !!! (hehe) Krazy !!!

#507. Sodium Nitrite

An Auckland man was almost killed by a ball - a meatball - which he brought from his local butcher. No, the meatball didn't almost choke him to death - it was more a case of too much of a chemical, sodium nitrite that was in the meatball. It seems that a non-english speaking person was shown how to make meatballs of which the main ingredients were supposed to be minced meat and flavouring powder. But on the shelf alongside the bag of flavouring powder was another 500 gram bag containing sodium nitrite, which was marked "poison" , which he mixed into the meatballs ??? He did not know enough english, to read the word poison, so I doubt very much if the old skull & crossbones would of made any difference either. The mind boggles as why the bag was marked poison, when the chemical is allowed to be used as a meat preservative for cured meats (bacon, ham, smoked meats,etc) at a level of 125mg per 1 kilo of meat, under the Australia-New Zealand Food Standards code. The meatballs ended up containing 43,000mg of sodium nitrites per kilo.

The man had brought about 8 meatballs from the butcher and ate some for his dinner. He lost conscious and was rushed to hospital, where doctors diagnosed a potentially fatal condition in which the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity was reduced by the nitrites affecting the haemoglobin in the red blood cells. There are so many sites out there in the web-world about Sodium Nitrites that I didn't know which one to list here, but do your own search and see what you come up with.

#508.

A few bloggers have asked if they could borrow the idea of - Something Old, New, Blue & Borrowed !!! Hey, borrow away. The idea is as old as the hills, that surround you - maybe even older. Where it comes from I don't know, but from what I have heard & been told, it is mainly to do with been a bride and getting married.

It could provide a common link for bloggers all over the world as no matter what country you live in, there is always something old, new or blue to write about, As for something borrowed, well..........borrow something from someone elses blog, but tell them and provide a link from your blog to their blog.

#509. Down Memory Lane

Many moons ago (I won't say how many moons as I don't want to give away my age !!!) when I was younger, we lived on a property where the only toilet was a long-drop. As it was some distance from the house, there was no light in it. You don't know what a longdrop is ???
It is a outside toilet / outhouse, call it what you like where when you did #2's, it had a long-way to drop, hence the name - longdrop. (Thats my story of why they called it a longdrop and I am sticking to it) If I only wanted to do #1's, I just pissed up against the tree or anywhere outside !!! (Don't worry, no neighbours would of seen me as the nearest would of been at leats 10 - 15 minutes walk away and they would of been relations anyway) Hey I was a kid - a krazy kid even then, but nevertheless, a kid.

Anyway, back to the story in hand.............daytime it was okay to use, but come night time..........!!! (hehe) Despite there been 4 sets of bunks, in the room, we still had to top & tail on some of the bunks !!! (Sleep 2 to a bed, for those who don't know what top & tail is). There was nothing wrong with my hearing, so if anyone in our room got up at night to go outside, it was a sure bet they were going to use the long-drop. Big ears, waited till he heard the longdrop door bang shut and he slid out the window on to the ground and quietly made his way over to the longdrop, howling like a "werewolf" or a stuck pig !!! That longdrop door just about flew off the hinges as the person inside came "flying out" !!! (hehe) Have you even seen someone running with their pants around their ankles ??? Caught the person out all the time. The darker the night, the better. It was on full moon nights, I used to howl like a werewolf !!! Hey, as I said I was a kid - a krazy kid maybe but nevertheless a kid !!!

Next week, tree climbing with Muggins !!!

It's not the memories I have, it's the memories I leave behind !!!

2006-07-29T10:40:00.000+12:00

# 510 - # 519

Something Old !!!

Valentines Day, 1909 - the first train service between NZ's 2 main cities - Auckland & Wellington - began !!! September 30th, 2006 - the train service ends !!!
It seems that Toll, an Australian based company who took over the train service from the government is finding it hard going, running The Overlander up & down the tracks between the two cities. So much so that uncoupling the trains for the last time on September 30th. Word has it, that the "last train" is full !!!
Toll suffered a rebuke from the NZ government when they asked for a hand-out to keep the train running. A multi-million dollar company like Toll should dig deeper into their own pockets to keep the service running - not the NZ taxpapyer. A lowering of fares will no doubt see more bums on seats. Make a special offer of a return ticket, within 7 days. It looks as if, the NZ govenment will have to step into the breech and take over the train service. If the govenment does that, I say don't pay Toll anything - tell them to pack their bags, sling their hook and bugger off back to OZ and take their trucks with them.

#511. Something New !!!

Well, on Monday in New Zealand when you pick up your milk & paper from your local dairy make sure you count your New Coins just so that you know you aren't getting ripped off. "A change for the better", they call it !!! For who, they don't say - certainly not for the general public at large as prices will no doubt rise with the loss of the 5 cent coin. If you happen to purchase a "single item" which cost you $1.25 or anything that ended in 5 cent, it will now cost you 5c more. A $4.95 magazine for instance will now cost you $5 !!! Sure as hell they aren't going to go backwards and drop their prices to round them off at "0".
Break open the kids piggy banks as well and get rid of the "old" 5c/10c/20c & 50c coins into your bank account as you have until the end of October. After November lst, as you will read if you click on to the website, they are no longer legal tender and your retailer does not have to accept them. Give it a few years and they will get rid of the 10c - I bet my bottom dollar on that.

#512. Something Borrowed.

I borrowed "this feather" from HERE !!!

I could not understand the language on the blog, but I liked the following verse that was in english that went with the feather.

I'll spread my wings and learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes to touch the sky
And I'll make a wish, take a chance
Make a change and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun,
But I won't forget all the one's that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance
Make a change...and break away.

#513. Something Blue !!!

F100 Ford. They don't built them like this any more !!! It had class, it had style and it had plenty of room. A babe magnet if there ever was one even back in those old days, even though this one has had a touch-up !!!

#514. Currently Reading.

I haven't read so much in all my life, well not since I read comics !!! I still read comics of course but not as much as I used to. Reading the series of books about old New Zealand has been interesting to say the least. Try as I might though, I can't seem to be able to give the books away for love or money or even no money. All I need is for someone / anyone reading this to send me an email with their normal postal address and say that they would like the book I am currently reading and I'll post it off to them.
All the books from the previous "currently reading" posts have been shelved.

The book I am currently reading/looking at is approx. 93 pages of black & white photographs from the Otago / Canterbury area of the South Island. It won't mean anything to anyone who has never been to NZ, but by just looking at the photographs will give you a clear insight to our country and the way of life around the turn of the century and up to the present day. From horse & to motor vehicle; from old buildings to new buildings, plus clothing styles of old & new. It is interesting to read & to look at.

# 515. Chinese Film Star Down Under

Air NZ wined & dined chinese film star, Xia Yu on a two week trip down under to New Zealand. He is the first of 5 chinese celebrities who will travel to NZ over the next 8 months to be wined & dined by Air NZ, in a NZ$4 million marketing promotion for its direct service linking Auckland & Shanghai. He stayed in nothing but the best accommodation; dined on the best food that there is; saw the best that there is to be seen in NZ, but.............where does that leave the normal run-of-the-mill tourist who would not be able to afford to stay in the places where he stay; dine on the food that he dined on; visited the places and take part in even half of the attractions that he took part in. He will no doubt write a glowing report on his blog - after all it didn't cost him a cent, but will he say how much everything cost in terms of dollars !!! It is all very well for him to say how much he enjoyed himself at the espense of Air NZ & the NZ taxpayer, who after all own Air NZ via the NZ government of course. We can only wait & see who the other 4 celebrities are that Air NZ fly in to wine & dine. You could wine & dine a normal family of 5 for what it would of cost to wine & dine one !!!

# 516. Lakeland Queen

One of the main tourist places in NZ, would have to be Rotorua and it is there on Lake Rotorua, you will find the "Lakeland Queen" - a paddlesteamer - NZ's largest land-locked vessel. The company that operated the paddlesteamer, Mokoia Island Tours & Cruises has been placed in recivership, but a new company has taken over - lock, stock, barrel & paddlesteamer. The paddlesteamer is set to have a make-over, over the next 2 months. It is going to be cut in half and a new 10 metre section added to extend its length to 32 metres. The website for the old company is still up and is worth clicking on, to have a look at the photos etc. Don't take any notice of the prices quoted as once the Lakeland Queen is up & steaming again, the prices may change. I'll email them and see if I can get an update as to when she will be underway again.

# 517. Another Foreign Visitor

Irony was thick in the air, when the Japanese Ambassador, Masaki Saito and 6 other Asian ambassadors went Whale Watching with NZ Conservation Minister Chris Carter off the coast of Kaikoura. About a dozen protesters met the bus carrying the ministers party at the whale watch jetty, with chanting, mock harpoons and banners. Last month Japan led pro-whaling nations to a symbolic victory at the International Whaling Commission, with a declaration that a 20 year ban on commercial whaling was unnecessary. Mr Saito was unwilling to speak to either the protesters or the media who had gathered. The protesters were trying to make the Japanese government aware of the displeasure they are causing around the world by killing whales. Maybe it was his only chance to see a "live whale" up close - hopefully he will return home and go out whale watching on one their own boats and see the whales been slaughtered !!! The NZ Herald feature a cartoon of the two men standing together with a mock harpoon coming out of the ambassador's camera.

Greenpeace has always been out there in the thick of things, including saving the whales !!!

# 518. From Whales To Pigeons !!!

If we aren't trying to save one thing, we are trying to save another thing !!! Call us a nation of savers or call us what you like, but pigeons ???

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has become the patron of a new project called Kereru Discovery Project which is out to help save our native pigeon. The pigeon is a large bird and can measure up to 51cm from tail to beak. It doesn't sing, isn't very bright and likes to gorge itself on berries, which ferment in their stomach, causing them to become drunk. Just think of that size bird in your backyard,which the project is hoping to encourage. I have seen what a mess a few normal size pigeons can cause on the roof of a house and believe me, there is only a word for it......s*** !!! Just think what a mess a few bigger "drunk" pigeons would cause not only on your roof but also on your clothes hanging on the line !!!

Footnote - It reminds me of something, someone told us one day at the lunch table. They said that the birds s*** is so runny, because number 1 & number 2 come out the same hole at the same time !!! Hey, there's a human.........

# 519. Agent Orange

A study of NZ Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange has confirmed they have suffered genetic damage - and found that their children & grandchildren may experience the same fate. It has taken the government how long ??? The Massey University study of sample from just 24 veterans tested found that they have damage to their DNA, The study said that the results from the 24, warranted a larger study been carried out of all the veterans & their children. The Agent Orange website of the USA Veterans Affairs makes for interesting reading.

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's the Memories I Leave Behind

2006-07-22T10:11:00.000+12:00

# 520 - # 529

Something Old

"Rocklands" , an historic homestead on a .08ha site in Epsom has been sold for NZ$7.6 million to the government of French Polynesia.The property also includes 4 residential blocks containing 169 rooms. The main homestead was built in 1866 with the residential blocks added in later years. The property was purchased by the NZ Government in 1921 and was used as a hostel for students attending the nearly teachers training college. In the year 2000 it was sold to 5 Auckland businessmen, who operated it as a hostel/backpackers. The government of French Polynesia, proposes to use the property to host official functions and to establish a presence in NZ to encourage ties between FP & NZ.The accommodation will also be used for FP students & nationals & their families in need of medicial treatment in NZ.

#521. Something New

New ??? I can't think of anything "new" unless of course you can count a baby as "new". Not just any baby mind you, but "my baby". If you had been reading my thoughts & feelings you would know what I was talking about. One of my relations has given their new-born baby, "Kelvin" as a middle name. The baby's double-hyphen first name, is at the bottom of this post.

#522. Something Borrowed

I borrowed this from a friend to send to another friend............no names mentioned !!! Copy it and send it to one of your friends !!! Send them the first part of the verse and wait for their reply - then send them the second part.

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you.

But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl is empty and so is your head.

#523. Something Blue

What could be more blue than the "Blue Baths" in Rotorua.They were first open in the early 1930's and were closed in 1982. In 1999, they were re-opened after been restored. Hopefully we will make a trip down to Rotorua, before the end of the year and have a look for ourselves.

#524. Currently Reading

I am currently reading & looking at the "pictures" in a 98 page book called "Small Libraries of New Zealand", by author - Margaret Jenner. ISBN # 0-09582503-8-3 for the benefit of those NZ'ers who are interested in purchasing a copy from their local bookshop. It is a vey interesting, well researched book with some great photos of "small" libraries around NZ going back to the early 1900's, some of which are still housed in the original building with their original books as well as more up-to-date books. There are 45 libraries mentioned, with some "Gone but not forgotten". The nearest "small" library to Auckland, would be in Albany Memorial Library, which first opened in 1922. The library is currently opened for 3 hours, twice a week. There is no charge for borrowing and members simply write their own name & number in a book and return the books borrowed within 3 weeks.

#525 Listening To ???

I aren't into music - I don't have a stereo at home, no CD's, no portable music player - no nothing !!! I just can't be bothered. Even over the years with various flatmates & friends been in bands and playing at gigs, including at the Supertop I never once went to one of their gigs to hear them play.

But...... while searching the blog world, I happened to come across this blog which I felt was worth sharing as it has a lot of videos of "The King of Rock 'N' Roll" - Elvis Aaron Presley !!! I even listened to a few !!! The first video, Elvis sings is "Welcome To My World", where you get a quick look at "Gracelands" - inside & out.

#526 NZ All Blacks Give Blood !!!

It seems that nothing is beyond marketing in this day & age - even blood !!! The NZ All Blacks have given "blood" which was sterilised and then mixed with printers ink, to produce a limited edition poster titled "Bonded By Blood". The poster is only available from selected NZ addias stockists to fans who purchase a NZ All Blacks jersey. The poster shows the NZ All Blacks performing a haka in a Fiordland setting.

#527. Mobile Phones !!!

Do you think mobile phones have got a lot to answer for ??? In the days of old, when there was no such thing as a mobile phone, you could always tell if a person was mad - they would walk around talking to themselves. You knew to cross over the street to avoid them, but.........now adays, if you happen to see someone walking towards you talking to themselves, who is too know if they are talking on their bluetooth wireless mobile phone, or if they are "truly mad" !!! I'm okay - I'm krazy - so I can tell a mad person from a 100 paces away and cross the street, but I feel sorry for all those that aren't krazy. Be careful out there - that person coming towards you, talking to themselves could be "truly mad" !!! You could always ask to have a look at the palms of their hands (hehe)

There is a saying that there are three signs of madness. Number One is - talking to yourself. Number Two is - hairs on the palm of your hand. (You use your hands all the time, so they should be smooth and no hairs should be able to grow on your palms) I'll tell you the third sign of madness next week !!! If you think you know what the third sign of madness is, feel free to leave a comment.

#528 Down Memory Lane

When I was younger, we didn't have the "toys" of today - we had to make our own fun. One of the things we enjoyed doing on a fine day, was sliding down the grassy hill sides on old sheets of roofing iron, with the front bent around, like a sled. When someone coming behind you, yelled out "watch out", you knew you had but seconds to roll off your sheet of iron as they rolled right over top of yours. I cannot recall any injuries happening to anyone. It was good clean fun !!!

#529. The Gumboot Is On The Other Foot !!!

Talk about a "waste of money " - If you wonder what stupid things, tax money in New Zealand gets spent on here's one of the most stupidest things ever............

The environment ministry (it doesn't even rate using capital letters) who are supposed to be the waste-conscious watchdogs of NZ, "footed" out a child's gumboot, stamped with the ministry's logo - left foot only - to 600 mayors & councillors who attended a local government conference. It would of made sense if they handed out 300 left & 300 right's - at least then they could of "paired" them up and given them away to a needy cause. I doubt very much if we would have 600 left foot only, children in NZ. The boot will no doubt be on the other foot and people will vote with their feet, when the next election hops around.

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind.

Baby's name - Tatiyana-Marie Kelvin D..... !!! Krazy ??? I kid you not - it's a lovely wee girl, who has 3 older brothers. They could of given one of the boys, my name as a middle name or even a first name, but...........Nooooooo !!! When she starts growing up and if she doesn't like her first name, she sure isn't going to like her middle name either !!! I do feel sorry for her, I really do. It could of been worst. They could of made her middle name a double-hyphen name as well - "Krazy-Kelvin" !!! (hehe)

2006-07-09T01:36:00.000+12:00

#530 - # 539

Something Old !!! - Granny Smith

Stew & Dumplings !!! A stew isn't complete without dumplings. They go hand-in-hand like bread and butter; bacon and eggs.

Cheese Dumplings - Mix 2 ounces shredded suet into 4 ounce of wholemeal flour (or plain flour) ; add 3 ounces of cheese; half a teaspoon of baking powder; pinch of salt and a dash of pepper and mix to an elastic dough with either milk or water. Divide into small pieces, roll each piece in wholemeal, drop into your simmering stew or soup for the last 15 minutes of the cooking time. Enjoy !!!

#531. Something New !!!

It's official - you can now well & truly do it with a KISS !!! GET MARRIED and seal your love, with a KISS coffee, as a couple will do at 9pm tonight in the new KISS coffeehouse. If you love KISS music you will love KISS coffee, who have opened their first KISS coffeehouse in the South Carolina resort of Myrtle Beach. You have a selection of Kisses to choose from, including Kiss Frozen Rockuccino, (give one to your gf or bf as you walk out the door of the coffeehouse, with the words "This is the last kiss you will get from me - it's frozen - bye" !!! Hehe) a French Kiss Vanilla or a Demon Dark Roast - choose your Kiss !!! Coffeehouses are planned for Los Vegas and other resorts.
Footnote: When you click on "get married", you may have to scroll down for the Wedding in the Coffeehouse story.

#532. Something Borrowed !!!

As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words - this picture caught my eye on Whole Life Stewardship as I was surfing the blog world. I didn't need to dig into the archives because from what I read & the photo was enough for me to "borrow" the picture. Interesting reading, so have a look.

#533. Something Blue !!! - Muggins

KK Footnote: Next week , I think we will give Muggins the "new" post to do !!!

#534. Currently Reading

How actual businesses start up sometimes remains a mystery, until of course someone "publishes" a book about the business. Hugh Adams, son of Ernest Adams has done just that with his book, "A Bakers Tale". It tells the story of "Adams Bruce" which was/is a name on NZ'ers lips, with their well known cakes, ice cream and Queen Ann Chocolates. I am about half-way through reading the book and so far, I have enjoyed reading it. I like reading about businesses/companies, etc. I am also reading another book about "Smith & Caugheys" - Aucklands only department store, which is 125 years old.

Both books should be available in local NZ bookshops. The book "A Bakers Tale" ISBN number 1-877373-06-1 and should be around $30. I'll post the IBSN number for the Smith & Caugheys book later.

#535. He Has Done It !!!

I don't know how many of you have been following the tale of "One Red Paper Clip", which started on the 12th of July 2005 but those who have will know that he has reached his target of swapping his one red paper clip for a HOUSE 14 trades later. On the 12th of July, he will receive the key to his house from the Mayor (no less) of the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan in Canada.

#536. Bogies Forever !!!

Despite the Upper West side brownstone building in New York, where the actor Humphrey Bogart grew up in, been turned into public housing, it will always be his. Scores of fans stood in the rain when the city unveiled a plaque renaming the stretch of in front of 245 West 103rd St as "Humphrey Bogart Place".

#537. Would You Like A Cat With That !!!

If you happen to live in windy Wellington, NZ and you wanted something special for your function or event, to wooooooo your guests, it seems that the Wellington Zoo hires out their two juvenile cheetahs & their trainer at a cost of course - $2500. Neither Auckland Zoo or Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch "hire" out their big cats. I wonder if the trainer wears a loin cloth ???

It is said that the cheetahs enjoy their off-site visits. Of course they would - if they ever got loose, "fresh meat" on the run - what more would they want. I wouldn't go within striking distance of a cheetah, would you ???

#538. Worlds Highest Railway

The worlds highest railway journey, starts off at Xining in China and journeys through to Lhasa in Tibet. The highest point at 5076m is Tangula Pass over the mountains and then it drops down to 3650m at Lhasa. At the end of the 2 day, 4000km journey nearly all those who made the journey were said to look like death warmed up when they got off the train.. Oxygen masks are provided on the train for passengers as the train journeys on &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; on & on..............!!!

#539. ???

I was going to mention a new video game on this post, but having had a look at the website, I don't think I will. They spend millions making these games without any thought to the end-users. Fictional entertainment they call, but if it is "fictional", why do they have to make it so real looking. Why bring names of countries, etc into their games ? Surely the brains behind the games can think of fictional names instead of using real names. The millions they spend making thses games could surely be put to other better uses in the world. It seems that it is the way the world is moving - I'm just glad that I won't be around in say a 100 years, minus a few years of course !!!

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind

2006-07-01T19:07:00.000+12:00

#540 - #549

Something Old !!!

Typed up by Krazy Kelvin, as written by Granny Smith

That's me - old !!! Well, older than most of my friends, including Krazy Kelvin of course. When I look back over the years to when I was growing up as a child, we didn't have much in the way of worldly processions. Didn't have much money either, but that never stopped us having a good time. There was hardly any crime to speak of, although there may of been an odd murder now & again, but nothing like there is today. I know that young people had more respect for their elders, especially those in law enforcement. It wasn't unknown for young males to get a good boot up the behind if they got into trouble. You could go out for the day and leave your house unlocked. Even leave your washing on the line and come home to find that the neighbours had not only taken it in for you but even folded it up. When someone was down on their luck, people rallied around and pitched in to help each other without any thought of what's in it for me, sort of thing. Because they knew that if the time ever came when they were down on their luck, people would help them. Today, unless you live in a very small town, all that has gone by the wayside - it just doesn't happen any more, especially in the big cities. The fact is, people just don't care any more which is really sad, I know but it's a fact of life. I still manage to get out & about at my age, but I have to make sure every window is shut, doors are locked and that there's no washing on the line. Where has todays "values" gone ?

#541. Something New !!!

If you are looking for "something new" to give as a small gift or a "thank you" to someone, which is easy to post, you cannot go past - stamps, first day covers & minature sets. New Zealand Post which is owned by the NZ government issues most of the new stamp issues in NZ as well as sells coins. Our new "smaller coins" of the 10c, 20c & 50c are also out on the 31st July, which means an end to the 5c piece. We can no doubt look forward to "higher prices" on items where the cost ends in 95c. Take magazines for instance - a $4.95 magazine will no doubt become $5. Despite what people say, I cannot see prices going down to 90c or 80c or whatever. They would have to have their head, where the sun doesn't shine, if they think that's going to happen. Milk will go from $1.99 to $2. It isn't much I know but the thousands & thousands of litres they sell, it will soon mean extra dollars in their pocket. Watch supermarket prices..........!!!

#542. Something Borrowed !!!

This could of ended up as a "something blue" post for Muggins, but it takes him a little while to wake up - sometimes. Blue in the sense of the sssssssss word !!! The shell must of been rocking.
This little picture was found on Momentos !!! I could not understand the language but understood this picture. There was also a "lego model" of the Germany football stadium.

#543. Something Blue !!!

Typed up by Krazy Kelvin, as written by Muggins.

When Krazy Kelvin first mentioned "something blue". his version of blue & mine varied slightly, but now I am getting into the swing of things, trying to find something "blue" that I like, to write about isn't as easy as I first thought. In my previous post, I mentioned the common expressions of the colour "blue". This week, I thought I would mention the first "love of my life" - food !!! Well, the second love of my life I should say or else I will end up in trouble with my girlfriend Ann.

Blue food ? Apart from blueberries and a few blue-purple potatoes, there does not seemed to be much in the way of blue food on our supermarket shelves - I wonder why ? I suppose just the colour of it, would put a lot of people off. Take bread for instance - would you eat a sandwich that had been made with blue bread ? Of all the colours in the spectrum, blue is considered to be an appetite suppressant. Weight loss plans suggest putting your food on a blue plate. Or even better than that, put a blue light in your refrigerator and watch your midnight munchies disappear.

Krazy Kelvin - Footnote: Just as a matter of interest, next time I am in the supermarket I will have a look to see what other blue foods are on offer. When I think about it, I have seen blue yoghurt; blue jelly & blue confectionery but they would of had colouring added to them. It would be interesting to find out if there is blue food in other countries, apart from blueberries of course.

#544. Currently Reading.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have offered 2 "free" books - one book to a NZ blogger and one book to a blogger from another country, but.......no one has taken me up on my offer yet. So once again, the two books I mentioned in #554 have been shelved, as two new ones for this week are on offer. This weeks book - 93 pages of black & white photographs of past & present - has photos of the Manawatu & Wanganui areas. As I mentioned before, the names of the cities will not mean anything to anyone who has not lived in NZ, but the books are interesting to look through. It really gives an insight to what NZ was like many moons ago.
All you have to do is send me an email kjmkama@yahoo.com with your normal postal address and quote - #544 / free book. As long as you are the first blogger from within NZ or the first from another country, I will post the book out to you. Once I have received two emails, I will add a footnote to this post.

#545. Texting Is Cheap !!!

I currently have 11 "new voice mail messages" on one of my mobiles, which isn't set up to take voice mail messages, so I can only guess that the 11 messages are from the phone company themselves. I don't see the point in having it set up to receive voice mail messages because if your phone is off, the person phoning you has to pay to leave a message; then you have to pay to listen to your messages and then pay again to phone the person back who left the message in the first place. The way it is at the moment, the person doesn't pay as a recording cuts in to say "sorry the mobile you are calling is either switched off or out of the coverage area". If the person can't get hold of me, they know to text me, which is cheaper !!!
I don't know what the mobile phone service is like in your country but our 2 NZ companies seem to be always trying to outdo each other. With one company text messages cost "one cent" to send, while the other company charges $10 for 500. Now one company is offering "free" texting on weekends.
If you like talking instead, well you can talk for an hour but only have to pay for the first "3 minutes" !!!

#546. Other Expressions Of Colour.

Muggins mention the colour "blue" in a previous post, which resulted in a couple of emails - what about the other colours ??? So for those who asked.............

Red - passion; heat; blood; urgency; sex; speed; danger; excitement; strength
Yellow - cowardice; sunshine; cheer; happiness; warmth; brightness
Green - nature; health; money; cool; environment; cheerfulness; abundance
Orange - warmth; vibrancy; playfulness
Purple - royalty; dignity; wealth; sophistication; spirituality; intelligence
and..........because it's in our reainbow as well, here's
Black - death; elegance; mystery; rebellion; evil; strength; seductive

Anyone care to add more colours............

#547. Some People Are Really Thick !!!

Email phishing !!! It has happened a few times in the past and has happened again, in NZ. It happens in other countries as well with a lot more people caught out. I may be a little krazy - just a weeny teeny bit - but there's no way in the world that I am as stupid or thick as the people who seem to get caught out with email phishing. It's a scam !!! Banks do not send you an email asking you to confirm your account details by clicking on to a link, which is provided within the email. Other companies as well, DO NOT send out emails like that either. It's scammers "fishing" for people thick enough to click on to the link they have provided. DELETE IT !!!
In January, 17000 phishing scams were in circulation around the world accounting for 15% of all circulating emails. Don't be a bloody mug and fall for the phishing scam, for that is all it is. If you bank via the internet or deal with any company via the internet, use only the normal channels that you do - don't click on to any link sent to you in an email.

#548. Morgan In Canada.

Gareth Morgan (father of Trade Me founder Sam Morgan) is now in Canada on his bike travels. He started off in the Bahamas in April on a trip taking in USA, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, before heading back to Canada & USA, where he will finish the trip in Los Angles in August. I have mentioned his website before (I think - getting old(er) - memory blockage) so do have a look at it and follow his travels.

An interesting point he made in his weekly column of our paper, was that - "It is planned that by 2008 all Americans, travelling back from Canada to the USA will have to produce their passports" - a major slap in the face for the Bush administration.

#549. Are Kumfs Really Comfortable ???

A lady friend (no names mentioned) who does a lot of walking to keep her fit & to help keep her weight down brought a pair of Kumfs shoes and now she cannot stop talking about them. Just the mere mention of the word "walk" in her presence is enough to set her off - talking, not walking about her shoes. I have never known a woman to talk so much about a pair of shoes. Believe me, she has more pairs of shoes than I have had hot dinners - well this year at least !!! (hehe) From what I have been told, they don't make shoes for males, only females, so I can't put the shoes to the test for myself. I'll just have to take her word for it, unless of course some other female friend out there in the blog world, reads this and sends me an email kjmkama@yahoo and tells me their story - keep it short - about their Kumfs shoes.The company Kumfs Shoes has been in the footwear business since 1933 and have stuck to their knitting, so to speak, doing what they know best. In NZ, there are 15 branded stores as well as about 100 outlets where you can buy Kumfs. In Australia there are 16 branded stores as well as 250 outlets, plus there are also outlets in Singapore; Malaysia; Japan; Finland; Canada and USA. Kumfs have also just opened their first fully-own store in downtown Fresno, a city of 800,000 people between Los Angles & San Francisco, so given time there will be a lot more americians with Kumfs on their feet - female americians that is. Hopefully the company will start making "mens shoes" - size 6 to 12 in Black & one pair of brown shoes in size 8 - for me !!!

Reminds me of a blond joke........... Two sisters owned a farm and were in need of a bull for their cows. One set off to the sales yard with $500 in her pocket. By the time she got there and purchased her bull she had a dollar left. She had to send her sister a telegram to come and pick up the bull but the telegram cost was a dollar a word. So she said to the clerk behind the telegraph counter, send the word "comfortable" !!! The clerk scratched his head - "Comfortable ? How in the world is your sister going to know you want her to come for the bull reading that ? She replied - "My sister is blond, so she will read, comfortable.......slow" !!!

Get it ? You don't ? Well read it slower or get your eyes tested !!! (hehe)

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind !!!

2006-06-11T10:17:00.000+12:00

#550 - #559

Something Old !!!

Granny Smith spoke to a couple of old(er) friends who have managed to hit the ton - age 100 that is, nothing to do with weight or speed on the road. They mentioned that young people these days wouldn't know hardship, if it jumped up and bit their bum. They have it all too easy, with the government handing out money willy nilly. They should be made to work for any money the government gives them. Even if it was helping out old people or sweeping the footpaths. As for living to a ripe old(er) age, they put it down to simple living and hard work, which never killed anyone !!!

#551. Something New !!!

If you talk about something "new" in Auckland in the past week, it could of only meant one thing - not a small thing mind you, but a big thing. Well big as far as NZ goes. The stage 1 (22,700 square metres) of a new shopping centre which opened on Thursday, had more than a few people pulling their hair out, as traffic was backed up in all directions for 3 - 6 kms. One person was there at 4.30am and was joined by 1000's of people by the time the doors opened at 9am. In total there are 57 shops in the lst stage, with the main drawcard been the 12500 square metre shop offering all types of goods, including groceries. Talk about NZ been a nation of sheep - Auckland proved that on Thursday, when they turned out for the opening in the 1000's !!!

#552. Something Borrowed !!!

Who remembers "Jimmy Cricket" !!!
We borrowed him from a lovely lady marathon runner's blog - Living Down A Dream !!! There was a story with it entitled, "When You Wish Upon A Star" on her blog (Fri. June 9th) which is worth reading, so have a look. Don't forget to leave a comment.

#553. Something Blue !!!

We all waited with baited breath, to see what Muggins was going to pull out of the hat for his "blue" post !!! We thought we would be in for a rude surprise or two, but he left us eating humble pie as his post has nothing to do with what we thought he was going to dish up. He liked Jimmy Cricket, but he was already spoken for, so here is Muggins post..............short, but sweet.

The Most Common Expressions of the colour "BLUE" !!!

Truth; dignity; power; coolness; melancholy; heaviness; trust; reliability & belonging.

#554. Currently Reading

On last week's currently reading post, I mentioned that I had 2 books about Old NZ to give away. No one took me up on the offer, so I have shelved those two books for some other time. Does no one read books any more ?

This week's books are another of the same old NZ series, but the black & white photos are of the Bay Of Plenty & Gisborne area, that are shown in the 93 page book. The areas may not mean anything to anyone who has not lived in NZ, but the books are interesting never-the-less, as it gives the reader a great insight to our way of life in years gone by. It will be first-in, first-serve - all I need you to do is to email me your normal postal address. One bogger from within NZ and one blogger from another country will be sent out a copy of the book. Once the 2 emails have been received, I'll add a footnote to this post.

#555. Don't Be A Mug !!!

A friend happened to mention that he was thinking of buying a "new" car. Not a brand spanking new one of course, but one that was about 5 years old. He said the car dealers had offered him a really great deal, of no deposit and with payments of approx. $120 per week for 5 years. I said to him, that there was nothing wrong with the car he had at present - it got him from A to B, okay didn't it ? It turned that that a friend of his had brought a "new" car and he wanted to do the same. The car had a price tag of $20,000 - for cash that is. With the interest they were going to be charging him, doing the sums - $120 per week x 52 weeks x 5 years - he would end up paying $11,200 in interest on a car which 5 years down the track, would be worth only half of the $20,000 price tag - if that. So in effect, he would lose not only on the value of the car, but also have to fork out thousands in interest. It took a little while to sink into his thick skull, but he saw the light and no "new" car !!! He is going to spend $500 giving his old car a bit of a spruce up instead !!!

#556. My Favourite Foods.

Someone asked what my favourite foods were - well here they are, not in any particular order.........

Fruit - Bananas / Dairy Product - Cheese / Bread - Wholemeal / Meat - Sausages / Seafood - Mussels / Salad - Bean / Snack - Potatoe Chips / Spread - Peanut Butter / Poultry - Chicken / Grains - Rice / Vegetable - Kumaras / Breakfast Cereal - Muesli / Beverage - Milk

#557. Other Types Of Food.

I eat other types of food as well of course, but the above are my favourite.
As you see, I just like plain & simple foods. I eat when I get hungry - I don't sit down each & every night to a set time and have an evening meal. In fact most of the time, I don't eat an evening meal. I weigh 65 kilos (wringing wet) and have never had need to go to a doctor for any reason, for years and I mean years !!! I haven't even had a sick day off work for years either. So there is something to be said for "you are what you eat" !!! I am going to keep a diary of what I eat & drink each day for a month. You will fall off your chair, when you read what I eat. People eat too much, I reckon and their body doen't get a chance to get rid of the waste (a better word than the s word) so it builds up. Also when you eat a "big" evening meal before you go to bed - you aren't doing anything - just sleeping - so the "fat" is building up. A friend I know (not to mention any names) makes his breakfast, his biggest meal of the day and then just has a light dinner. It gives him all day to work it off, so to speak. Everyone is different though - each to their own.

#558. The Big Cup !!!

I made mention of the FIFA Cup on 21 21 21 Great Blogs To Read where I listed a blog as well as included the official website. Between Thursday 8th June & July 9th, there will be 48 games involving 32 countries, in the first stage and 16 in the second stage leading up to the final in Berlin. Brazil may be the favourite, but it never pays to discount the hosts. The 2002 event co-hosted by Japan & Korea attracted more than 30 billion visitors overrall, with the final between Brazil & Germany, attracting 1 billion viewers.

#559. A Great TV Program (For NZ'ers)

Nine twenty pm, Saturdays on TV1, (sorry, you would of well & truly missed last nights - the first in a 10 part series - from the 10th June thru to August 12th, is a new drama series which retells a treasure trovel of precious Maori stories. The first was called "Till Death Do Us Part", which told the story of Ohaki & Albie Bennett is a true love story, during the time of World War ll.

June 17th - The Warrior Priestess - Te Rangitopeora was a fearsome warrior who fought alonside her famous uncle, Te Rauparaha. Her story offers an insightinto the old world of the maori.

Its Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind

2006-06-04T03:32:00.000+12:00

#560 - #569

Kia Ora (Hello) Due to the number of requests and a little bit of arm twistttting from an old(er) lady, I may be turning back the clock and going back to the old "family" way of doing this blog. Granny Smith; Muggins & Ann, as well as Busty Barb might be making a return - if you're lucky - only time will tell. Given time, KAMA may also be reintroduced into the name of some of the blogs.
Krazy Kelvion

Something Old; Something New; Something Borrowed; Something Blue !!!

I have taken the words that are well known in the tradition of marriage and will put them to use in this blog, to try and add some spice into this blog and into your life. The posts may or may not have anything to do with marriage, but from time-to-time, I will touch upon the subject, very briefly. I won't be speaking from experience though - just here-say - as I have never been married. I will also ask a couple I know, what their secret is, because their 50th wedding anniversary isn't too far away. After been married that long they must have a few secrets, don't you think ?

#560. Something Old

How many people in our time of life today can be bothered to do baking of cakes, biscuits & bread ? Plus have a large vegetable garden; do preserving of fruit from their own trees; do clothes washing by boiling clothes in an outside wash-house, using an old copper; beat the dust out of carpets hanging over the clothes line; make soup the old fashion way by using split peas & pork bones and cut up old newspaper into little squares, make a hole in them and thread them onto string and use them in their out-house !!! The only person who I know of who does not only all this, but more besides, is who else, but Granny Smith !!! Anyone who goes to visit, ends up doing chores for her, but they also go away with a full tummy as well as a container of home baking and maybe a couple of jars of preserves, if they are lucky !!! She would have to be one of the oldest people I know, so the task of providing "something old" , has fallen to her. If only I could get her to write them all down because she has a mind of information, she has built up over the years, most of which will be "lost" when she goes. Trying to get her to write things down is like trying to get blood out of a stone !!!

First post - next week !!!

#561. Something New !!!

I made the mistake of asking a younger lady, if she would be interested in doing a post about "something new" !!! From Granny's mind of information, I ended up in a "mine-field" of information as she went on & on & on about new clothes; shoes; hair styles; boyfriends; videos; music; restaurants; holidays, etc etc and then back again. Finally, she said she would have to "think about it". I won't be holding my breath, I can tell you. I was sort of depending on her, so it left me up the creek without a paddle. Then a little light went on - why not do a post about postage stamps. So - I was reading an article about the government owned NZ Post which issue the bulk of NZ's stamps having to pull their "new" cartoon style maori stamp because a few people got their knickers & their balls in a twist over the designs on the stamps. The $190,000 worth of stamps which were due to be released on to the market next week will not be released after all, but will go up in smoke and the designers will go back to their drawing boards to try and come up with more maori designs.

#562. Something Borrowed !!!

The following photo is "something borrowed" from Electech !!! It is UK based blog, which has so much that is "moving" that you will wonder if you need your eyes tested. Even the little blue man in the photo is running for his life. Who wouldn't with a thing like that bitting your bum !!! (hehe) It really is a blog which will "move you". Don't forget to look in the archives and leave a comment !!!

#563. Something Blue !!!

It's funny how a person's mind works, when you mention something in particular. Like when I mentioned to a friend, that I wanted him to do a post about "something blue" !!! To this particular person, when you mention the word "blue" - movies is the first word that pops into his head. So his version and my version of blue were totally the opposite. When I said I prefered my version of "something blue" rather than his version on my blog, I thought he would say no to doing the post, but he will come on board next week with his "something blue" post.

#564. The Da Vinci Code Movie

Despite been fully grown adults who can make up their own mind if to see the movie or not, a few church people who did see the movie in Samoa, have seen fit to ban it. I will cross Samoa off my holiday list !!!
I can't see what the problem is with the movie - can you ???
I cannot recall the last time I ever went to a movie or what movie it was I saw, but I will go and see this movie which is now showing. It will be interesting to say the least, as I have read so many comments about it on other people's blogs. People can & do make up their own mind what they want to see. No one is twisting anyone's arm to go and have a look at this movie - are they ??? I will go with an empty mind, expecting nothing and see what turns up - in the movie, that is !!! I may even go the whole hog and shout myself "gold class". Anyone living in Auckland who is interested in joining me to see the movie on a Friday night or any time on a Saturday, send me a text message - 0274 219300
I will even shout you a ticket, but there is one condition - you have to do a post on here, about what you thought of the movie.

#565. Currently Reading !!!

To show friends out there that I aren't as krazy as I look and that I can & do pick up a book to read - from time to time - I have started this post. So, the book I am currently reading, which is 93 pages (I have to be honest with you - this book has more photos than words) is titled "Auckland & Northland - Pictures from the Past". It is full of black & white photos from the late 1800's up to the present time. It is quite interesting as by looking at the photos, you look back and see what clothing people wore; their transport; their houses & other buildings, etc, etc. Most of the buildings still exist today, including the "ferry building" (with clock tower) at the bottom of Queen St, near the wharf, which is in a photograph on page 12, taken in the 1930's.

It is a book, which is worth sharing, so the first 2 bloggers out there reading this who want a copy of the book to read and then pass on to another blogger, send me an email kjmkama@yahoo.com I have placed a sticker inside the front cover with the date and my Blogspot profile number. I will send one book to a NZ blogger and one to a blogger anywhere in another country. It will be first in-first serve. If you miss out, don't worry as there are more books in the same series, featuring other areas of NZ which I will be giving away over the next few weeks. If you are the lucky person, don't forget to write the date & your blogger profile number on the sticker as it will be interesting to see where the books "travel" to.

#566. Another New Blog ???

Who knows ? I have been toiling with the idea for a while,of starting a blog to do with tourists/hitch-hikers etc who visit our shores. Over the past year, of using internet cafes, I have met a few people from other countries. Some are here on working holidays, some to study, while others are just here on holiday. What I thought of doing is meeting up with someone and talking to them for 3 or 4 hours over lunch, or dinner and put questions to them. Why, where, what, when etc etc. Then when they are back in Auckland, meet up with them again the day before they are due to fly out and just see how they went, what they thought of NZ and make a note of anything they think they should of done, or shouldn't of done or what-ever. Also if there is anything they would do differently if they were starting over again. I have started a list of questions, I would ask someone - it's just a matter of when I get time to make a start.

#567. Daylight Saving To Be Extended ???

An extension to daylight saying is under investigation after a government change of mind.
Certain people want daylight saving extended by another 3 weeks. The compelling argument for extended daylight saving included a likely reduction in energy usage due to a decrease in the use of lights and televisions as well as a positive psychological effect, Peter Dunn, United Future Leader said. Positive effect ??? Get off the grass - try telling young kids its time to go to bed, when the sun is still shining. As for saving power people aren't going to switch off their TV and sit outside or waste "petrol" driving around !!!
Daylight saving starts on October lst and ends on March 18th,2007 - leave it like that, I say !!!
#568.

#569. Down Memory Lane.

When I was young(er) many moons ago, we did not have any of the toys or gadgets that kids of today have - not on your nelly !!! We had to make our own fun - one of the things we used to do, was to get old sheets of roofing iron, bend part of it a-round to make it into a sled to slide down the grassy slopes. When we were playing and someone behind you, yelled "watch out", you knew to jump off just as they rolled right over the top of the sheet of iron you had been sitting on seconds before. I cannot recall any injuries happening to any of us kids. We also used flattened out carboard boxes, but they didn't last very long, especially when left out in the wet weather.

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind

Are you the first to read this ? Send me an email kjmkama@yahoo.com with your normal mail address and I'll send you a computer magazine. It's an old issue (never been read) which has a CD with software. Please quote - KAMA O1

2006-05-13T19:53:00.000+12:00

Tuesday 16th - I added the map of NZ. The lighthouse is at the very tip of the North Island. All you can see is "sea". On the small map of the world, we are the black speck just below Australia. Hopefully you can work out where you are. I'll try and get a better map of the world.

#570. Cape Reinga.

Cape Reinga is the northernmost part of New Zealand. Its distinctive 10.5 metre tall lighthouse (165 metres above sea level) is a landmark - the light from its beacon can be seen 50 kilometres out to sea. It is said, that standing there looking out to sea is a amazing experience.
Apart from the Three Kings Islands, faintly visible on the horizon, 64km northwest of Cape Reinga, there is nothing but ocean. (The vast Pacific Ocean stretches almost another 16,000 km north to the Bering Sea). It is here also that another great Ocean, Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, joining with it to create turbulent waters, with waves up to 10m high, during storms.

Cape Reinga has always been a place of great consequence to the Maori people,including myself. Tradition says that when a Maori person dies, the spirit after hovering for a time above the body, makes a final journey to Cape Reinga, where it turns and farewells the land, that will soon be lost to view. The spirit then descends down to a wild & rocky promontory, known as "Te Rerengawairua" - the spirits that leap. A lone pohutukawa tree growing on the lower eastern side, of which the roots are exposed enable the spirit to climb down to the rocky promontory for its final moments on this, "its last place" on this land. In the sea, close to the promontory is a deep hole - as the waves flow in, long masses of seaweed, obscure the entrance, but as the water recedes, the hole is fully revealed. It is then that the spirit dives in, to begin the long journey home to Hawaiki - the mystical homeland and place of orgin, where the spirit will be reunited with its loved ancestors.

#571. A Blonde Gets Her Own Back.

A blonde started a new job at a road side cafe, catering mainly to truckies. The first order she took, the truckie asked for 3 flat tires; 3 headlamps and 3 running boards. The blonde went into the kitchen and told the cook what the truckies order was. "What does he think we are, an auto parts shop" !!! The cook said nooooooo - he wants 3 pancakes; 3 eggs, suuny-side-up and 3 strips of bacon. So while the cook prepared the order, the blonde got a serving of baked beans, put them on a plate and took them out to the truckie. The truckie said "Whats this"??? The blonde said - "Well while you are waiting for your flat tires; headlamps and running boards, I thought you might like to gas up" !!! (Everyone knows or should know that beans cause gas)

Footnote:Q. How do you keep a blonde busy ? A. Give her a piece of paper with "Please turn over" on both sides !!!

#572. Anything & Everything !!!

It's no surprise that anything & everything can and is sold on eBay !!! A chinese businessman has brought a Mig-2lf plane from an american seller for US$24,730 and plnas to use it to decorate an empty space in his office. The plane, in Lewiston, Idaho was last flown in 1995, by the Czech millitary. It wasn't clear if the plane is able to imported into China.

# 573. Flush It !!!

With this toilet in your bathroom, you will never have to worry about people (especailly kids) not flushing the toliet. In fact, you may never get them out of the bathroom. It gives a whole new meaning to "did you flush the toilet".

Yes the goldfish in the tank are really !!!

#574. Kiwi To Lead Rotary Clubs

New Zealander, Bill Boyd will take over the international presidency of Rotary Clubs next month. He will be the figurehead for more than 1.2 rotarians in 200 countries. My Boyd, former general manager of magazine publishers, Gordon & Gotch and a 33 year Rotary member will become only the second New Zealander tohold the position and the first in almost 50 yars. Mr Boyd joined Rotary in Wellington South in 1971. He moved to auckland in 1985 and joined Pakuranga Rotary and become prominent in the organisation's affairs at district and international level.

#575 Rainbow Warrior Appeal.

The Supreme Court sent back to the Court of appeal, an appeal invloving French spies, Alain Mafart and Dominique Prieur. The pair were convicted of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior and are trying to stop TVNZ screening footaage of their 1985 court appearance. The Supreme Court ruled that the Court of appeal had jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the agents. It was the pairs third attemp to stop TVNZ showing the clip filmed during a 1985 Auckland District Court committal hearing, which has never been released.

Footnote: I for one say that TVNZ should just go ahead and screen it !!! What are the pair going to do, if we did - come over and bomb another boat. We should let them into the country, throw them in jail to serve their full sentence and "lose the key" !!!

#576. Little Matterhorn

"Little Matterhorn" also know as Klein - a Swiss Mountain Peak, is to hit the heights even futher with a 120 metre high glass dome hotel, containing 100 beds. It will have a pressuried atmosphere, similar to that in passenger jets, to protect guests from altitude sickness. Work on the $80 million swiss franc construction, dubbed "Dream Peak", is due to start in mid-2007. Once completed in 2014, it will offer really great views over the mountain region.

#577. Sony's Playstation 3.

Sony's Playstation 3 is due for release in Japan on November 11th and on November 17th for the rest of the world. Based on current exchange rates, the PS3 will retail in NZ for $999 with a 20 gigabyte hard drive and $1199 for the 60GB version.

#578. Friends Rally !!!

Friends of Graham Thorne, a former All Black are rallying around him as his son, David Thorne lies injured in the neurological ward of the Christchurch hospital. David, a highly rated rugby player, reportly injured an artery in his neck, when he was tackled during an under 21 club rugby match in Motueka on Saturday. he continued playing but quickly deteriorated after the match and collapsed. He suffered a stroke, while he was been x-rayed in Nelson hospital. he was then flown to Christchurch hospital

Footnote: Sunday 14th - Neurologists said that David has had a seizure, rather than a stroke. He cannot talk, but smiles lopsidedly, when asked how he is.

Graham Thorne, says it is frightening, that his second youngest son may never run again. But the incident has not turned him against rugby. It's with the territory. And you can't stop your children playing it. He thinks hes bullet proof.He's a blithe spirit.

#579 Web Hosts Celebrate !!!

A United Kingdom computer company, "Fasthosts" has been sold by its founder, 26 year old Andrew Michael, to United Internet, a German company, for 61.5 million pound ($183.5 million). Mr Michael who started the company in his bedroom, when he was 17 and owned 75% of the company will pocket 46 million pound. Fasthost provides email and other web services to small UK based companies, from its Gloucester headquarters. Mr Michael, who was born in Cyprus,Greece plans to stay with the company despite his millions. Sales have soared for the company, from 240,000 pound in 1999 to 20 million pound last year.

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind !!!

2006-05-06T18:29:00.000+12:00

#580. When You Find Someone!!!

#581. On The Road Again !!!

Garth Morgan, father of Sam Morgan (of Trademe fame & fortune) and a group of friends are in your neck of the woods - America !!! They are touring the backblocks of USA by bike - motorbike, not push bike !!! But with all his millions - 47 of them - that he received, when Sam sold his Trademe website for $700 million to Fairfax, I wouldn't be biking - I would be winging my way around USA, then.............the world is your oyster !!!
Check out their website - World By Bike !!!

582. A Maori Poet In The Making ???

A poem a day, keeps Krazy Kelvin sane ??? Well something like that !!! I was reading a magazine article about the "first man" over the Niagara Falls on July 25th, 1911, when this poem popped into my head............

Our falls are nothing when you compare it with the one,
that Bobby Leach went over and landed on his bum.
But the falls didn't kill him so on tour he went
telling people everywhere about his daring barrel trip.

He even paid us a visit, down under in the sticks, but alas
it prove to be his undoing as he walked around our town.
As he walked down Customs St, he stepped on a peel
and poor old Bobby had a "fall" and broke his heel !!!

In the hospital as the days dragged on, he got so bad,
that they even went as far as chopping off his leg.
But poor old Bobby just got worst, until one day
he died right where he laid in his hospital bed !!!

Whether it was money or whether it was pride
no one took his body back to where he reside.
He ended up been buried here in a cemetery,
where to this day, poor old Bobby lies - still !!!

Footnote: The falls didn't kill, but a "fall" on our street did, so when I get a chance, I will go and put some flowers on his grave. I will also say a prayer for him, because out there somewhere in the world today, must be a few relations of the first man who went over the falls in a barrel !!! Booby Leach may of been the first man over the falls, but he wasn't the first human. It was a lady by the name of Annie Edson Taylor who the first human !!!

#583. The Conqueror Returns !!!

In 1953, Edmund Hillary climbed Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world (29,028 feet). Now at 86 years young, he made what could be his final trip to Nepal, flying over the mountains that he once conquered. Despite riots after an uprising against the Nepalese royal family and the problems inherent in old age, he was determined to go. A NZ film crew went with him to document the trip to the Khumbu region. Sir Edmund's Himalayan Trust started in 1960 supporting its villages - building schools; hospitals and bridges, since its people helped him to climb their mountain.

#584. Duck Season Again !!!

A sport which NZ'ers of all ages, even women and children take part in is "duck shooting". The duck season which kicked off early this morning continues until July 2nd. Although some bird species can be hunted until August. There is a daily "bag limit" of between 10 & 20 birds, depending on the bird population in each region. Who wants to go to all the trouble of getting up early, dressing up in camouflage gear to go out shooting "ducks" ??? Some even go as far as painting their faces with face-paint. For those who already own a shotgun, the biggest cost is butying ammunition and a birdhunting licence,which costs $73 for an adult, $16 for teenagers and $2 for under 12 years old. Yes - parents take along their children as well for the experience.

#585. Red Sky At Night !!!

Red sky at night, shephards delight - red sky in the morning, shephards warning !!! Is this old saying true ? While most other weather related sayings are rubbish, this one does have some measure of truth in it. Weather systems that affect NZ, generally travel from west to east. A red sunrise or sunset occurs when the sun sitting at a low angle at these times of the day, passes through a thick atmosphere. This absorbs the other colours in the light spectrum (greens, blues& violets) leaving us with red.. If the sunrise is red, it is indicating the sun is shiningon the underside of moisture bearing cloudscoming in from the west. Rain is an obvious result although not always the actual result. In the evening, the dipping sun lights up the underside of clouds heading away from land giving you the same red sky but for the opposite reason.

#586. A Good Old Cuppa !!!

A good cup of tea at the end of the day, can do wonders for your state of mind and your general well being. - well if truth be known,a cuppa at any time of the day is good. I like the old "gumboot" tea (normal tea, in case you are wondering) with sugar & milk. How much sugar ? Well, I sort of guess by just picking up the container of sugar and just sprinkling it into my cup. With so many "other" herbal teas which are caffeine free out there though, it's hard to pick one that you like. Some will leave you wondering if you "eat it or drink it" - like Pink Grapefruit, Mandarin & Lime, which is perfect when you need a pick-me-up. Another good one is Chamomile & Lime Flower, when you need to unwind and de-stress. One of the best range of Herbal Teas is Twinings Tea

#587. A Long Drive !!!

Eighteen golfers from NZ; Australia; USA; South Africa; Japan & Sweden are taking part in the inaugural long drive world cup been held at the Chateau Tongariro this weekend. In "long drive" golfers power the ball down a fairway, aiming to hit as far as possible. NZ's long drive male champion is hoping to hit at least 350m. An Auckland female student who had never tried the long drive until a week ago, scored the top score in the womans section, hiting the ball a whopping 281.92 metres. The Chateau fairway is 380 metres long by 40 metres wide. Players have the advantage of natural elevation (the green is 1000 metres above sea level) and their tee-off point on the hotel balcony adds another feww metres in height.

#588 Are You Coming Back ???

When you "kick the bucket" - in other words, when you die do you think you are going to return to live on earth as another life form ? I don't think I am - in fact I know I aren't coming back !!! Even so I tried a reincarnation quiz just for fun, mind you !!! It was no surprise to me, that if I did come back, I would come back as a gorilla !!!

2006-04-25T06:00:00.000+12:00

ANZAC DAY - APRIL 25th.

#590. Old Photos & More !!!

# 591. What Is ANZAC Day ?

April 25th is the day when New Zealanders & Australians remember the soldiers who landed at ANZAC Cove and all those that fought and died in later conflicts. Commemorative services are held in many small towns around NZ and Australia on April 25th. An estimated 20000 people attended services in gallipoli last year.
ANZAC is an acronym of Australia New Zealand Army Corps. The ANZAC's were formed in December 1914 with the merger of of the Australian IMperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditiionary Force in Egypt. The ANZAC's made their first appearance at Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on April 25th, 1915. The beach where they landed was soon designated ANZAC Cove. The name ANZAC spread to include all New Zealand or Australian soldiers, who fought at Gallipoli, then to any New Zealand or Australian soldier.

# 592. What was the purpose of the Gallipoli Landing ?

The landing was part of a strategy to secure the Dardanelles Strait to allow allied fleets to threaten the Ottoman captial of Constantinople (now Istanbul) and hopefully force a Turkish surrender. The Allied forces encounted unexpectedly strong resistance from the Turks however and both sides suffered heavy loses. The campaign which took eight months was considered a failure. According to government estimates, the 260 day Gallipoli campaign involved 8556 NZ troops.There were 4852 injured and 2721 fatalities. There were more than 8700 Australian fatalities and a total of over 33,000 deaths among all the British forces. There were an estimated 87000 Turkish fatalities and 10000 French.

# 593. First Time Remembered

A service was first held in NZ on April 30th, 1915 - it took 5 days for news of the Gallipoli landing to reach this country. A half-day holiday was announced celebrating the bravery of our troops at the front. An official half-day holiday was gazetted on April 5th on the following year. April 25th, ANZAC Day officially become a public holiday in 1921.

# 594. Why Do We Wear Poppies ?

The red Flanders Field poppy and its relation to war and death dates from Napoleonic times. The plants were the first to grow over the battle ground and the soldiers buried under it, in the Flanders area of Belgium. New Zealand differs from other countries such as Britain, Canada and Australia., whose poppies were worn on Armistice Day, November 11th. Thats because the ships due from France to NZ, for Armistice Day, celebrations in 1921, arrived too late, forcing the poppy dat appeal to be moved around to ANZAC Day, the following year.

# 595. ANZAC Day Dawn Service

The Auckland War Memorial Museum was built as a Memorial to the 120,000 from the Auckland province who died in the First & Second World Wars.

On ANZAC Day, the Dawn parade will assemble at the band rotunda in the Domain from 5am to march to the Domain Cenotaph in front of the museum for the 6am - 6.45am service. After the service, the parade will march back to the band rotunda.

The museum will open at 6.45am and close at 10.15am for the 11am service. At 12 Noon, the museum will reopen. Free entry to the museum on this day - no donation will be asked for.

Other RSA's in the Auckland region will also be holding ANZAC Day services.

#596. Returned Services Associations

In July 15th 1915 the first ship SS Willochra, entered the Wellington harbour with the wounded back from the Gallipoli campaign, of World War 1. One of those who disembarked was Captain Donald Simson, who quickly realised the need for an assocation for the returning soldiers. In April 1916, a national meeting was called and the NZ Returned Soldiers Association was formed, making it the oldest veterans organization in the Commonwealth.

# 597. Gallipoli Veterans.

There are no Gallipoli veterans left. NZ's last veteran, Alfred Dibley died on December 18th, 1997. He received a posthumous QSQ for public service in 1998. Alec Campbelldied in Hobart, Tasmania in 2002, age 103. The old digger who had enlisted at 16 years old, received a state funeral.

#598. REMEMBRANCE !!!

The latest news and information for ANZAC Day events in NZ and around the world.

# 599. Tomb Of The Unknown Warrior

He represents all New Zealanders who were never to return from the wars.

The bugle, THE LAST POST !!! is inextricably part of the end of the day traditions.

"LEST WE FORGET"

2006-04-14T19:52:00.000+12:00

#600. Organic Vege Rebellion !!!

Once you have had a look at "Store Wars"(April 12th) you may never look at a vegetable in the same light again !!! Watch the kids (big & little) as they will have a good excuse to play with their food !!! "May the farm be with you" !!!

#601. Hangi Anyone ???

Another place where tales are told,
is around a fire where the stones are piled,
but thats at the crack of dawn
before a lot of people have begun to yawn.

The night before we would of dug
a hole in the ground and filled it with wood.
Then upon the wood we would of stacked
hangi stones that will end up black.

As the fire roars, we add more wood
to really heat those stones like we should.
After a few hours of doing all this
we remove the stones and any unburnt wood.

The stones are placed back in the hole
and hangi baskets of meat and veg
covered with cabbage leaves
are placed on top of the stones instead.

Once water has been sprinkled on the stones
large damp cloths are used to cover everything.
Then the dirt that is around the hole is piled back on
to make sure all the steam stays in the ground.

Because if you don't and the steam escapes,
you will have a lot of unhappy folks.
No one wants to eat half-cooked meat and veg
especially if they have paid $20 a head.

When you finally receive your plate piled high,
please say grace as you look into the sky,
because nothing compares with a hangi treat
eaten with your fingers as no knife and fork are supplied.

You can sit at the table or on the grass,
but just be careful the ants don't crawl up your arse.
When you have finished your hangi feast
don't ask for seconds as there is one more treat.

There's steamed pudding and cream
a most fitting end to a hangi treat !!!

#602. AUCKLAND #5 IN THE WORLD !!!

Auckland is rated #5 and Wellington rated #12 in the world for lifestyle, in the Mercers Annual Worldwide Quality of Living Survey of 215 cities.
Ratings for some of the cities are - #1 Zurich, Switzerland; #2 Geneva, Switzerland; #3 Vancouver, Canada; #4 Vienna, Austria; #5 Auckland, NZ; #6 Dusseldorf, Germany; #7 Frankfurt, Germany; #8 Munich, Germany; #9= Sydney, Australia & Bern, Switzerland; #12 Wellington, NZ; #17 Melbourne, Australia; #24 Dublin, Ireland; #27 Honolulu, USA; #33 Paris, France; #35 Tokyo, Japan; #39 London, England; #46 New York, United States; #215 Baghdad, Iran.

#603. Purple Potato Chips !!!

Researchers at the Massey Uni Food, Nutrition & Human Health Institute are investigating the chemical & nutrition properies of the taewa or maori potato. Initial research using taewa for crispy snacks suggests that this variety might make unique "purple potato chips". Massey recently harvested its cop of 30 varities of Tawea according to maori protocol. The university keeps some of the crop for its seed bank established 7 years ago and the rest is distributed to marae-based growers throughout NZ, who use the potatos to boost their growing base. The Maori Vegetable Growers Collective, includes hapu and marae at Te Kuiti, Patea, Whakatane, Kaikohe, Ruatoria, Invercargill and Palmerston North. The tawea potato that formed the basis of the market garden industry established in the 1880's to supply early european settlers is now in demand from top chefs.

#604. A Junket Ratepayers Are Funding !!!

Two Auckland City councillors and two council staff are off on a "round the world in 26 days" jaunt funded by ratepayers. The trip will cost over $31,000 plus over $7000 spending money, plus the cost of accommodation. They leave on Sunday for San Francisco and will go to Vancouver; London; Coventry; Paris; Bilbio; Barcelona; Valencia; Praque; Berlin and Hamburg. They return to Auckland, via Frankfurt & Singapore on May 10th -12th. Just goes to show what ratepayers have to pay for !!! News of the trip become public just as a senior zookeeper has to "fund-raise" to attend a elephant conference in USA.

#605. Warbirds Over Wanaka

Its on again - a great airshow with over 50 aircraft on display, including filmsy biplanes of World War 1; Spitfires from World War 2; fighter jets from the Korean War and Vietnam War Striker planes. Plus a display of collectors classic fire engines including models from Dennis, Leyland, Seagrave, Commer & Ford.

#606. Violence In Nepal

For 6 days now, violence has hit the streets in Nepal as people protest. King Gyanendra seized power 14 months ago to stamp out political corruption and to quell a communist insurgency that has killed 13000 people in the past decade. The move at first was welcomed by many of Nepals 27 million people but now the tide has turned . A bloody crackdown by security forces has exacerbated the situation. Three protesters have been killed, hundreds injured and over 1000 people jailed, including some of the top leaders of the seven-party opposition alliance which is organizing the protests. Curfews have been put into effect in Kathmandu and two other cities. The UN Office of The High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal said that security forces were using excessive force against demonstrators.

#607. US$200,000 !!!

For the benefit of those who have deep pockets, you pay the man and he will take you into space - 100km above earth, that's if you have the nerve to accept the high odds and the possibility that it may be a "one way" trip !!! The spacecraft will soar at speeds of 190,ooo km/h to the edge of earth's atmosphere, enter space for 15 minutes and return to land a few hours later - hopefully !!! A queue has already formed as over 150 people have booked their tickets . Leave earth in 2 years time for the final frontier !!!

#608. Kiwis Flocking Again.

If the headlines are anything to go by, it seems that Kiwis are fl(ock)ying aross the ditch again to Australia. The net outlow of people croosing the ditch has doubled in the past two yearsto 21,439 !!! On average, after adjusting for prices and the exchange rate, real incomes in Australia are now 32% higher than here.The gap is widening with a 7.4% drop in the kiwi dollar against the Australia dollar, this year.

#609. Mend Your Fences !!!

"He that hath no rule over his spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls". The glory of man is that he has to fight for his life, physical and spiritual. Life is a constantstruggle against death. Godness is enternal warfare against evil, truth is a steaf=dy fight against faslehood. It is more important to be able to say "no" and stick to it, than to belong to the church or take the total abstinence pledge. Mend the fences, close up the holes man thew illsand then hang out the banner "no surrender" !!!

Its not the memories I have it's the memories I leave behind.

2006-04-08T03:56:00.000+12:00

# 610.

Sometimes when a fire burns
people sit around and take turns
to tell tales that aren't really true
but I don't think anyone gives a razoo.

One of the best places tales are told
is on the beach but it can be cold
so we walk up and down the beach
collecting driftwood thats within reach.

For tonight when the sun goes down,
we will build a campfire to sit around.
We will also boil the billy to make tea
to go with our buttered bread & pipis !!!

Footnote: A krazy maori poet in the making ??? Wait for my one about hangi's but don't hold your breath. On second thoughts - if you don't like me, hold your breath !!! (hehe)

# 611. Down Memory Lane

Parties, etc etc were always a time of merriment !!! There may have been a few 1/2g's of brown ale; a 1/2g or two of blackberry nip; a 1/2g or two of sherry for the ladies and a bottle of ginger wine, a few guitars, "spoons" and a mouth organ, but no drugs within a million miles of the place !!! We didn't need drugs - well the old(er) people didn't need drugs and as I grew older and partied with friends, we didn't need or use drugs either - we made our own fun. The most popular song at any party had to be.........Ten Guitars !!! Anyway who remembers or still sings that at parties will know that Engelbert Humperdinck, is in NZ in May for concerts in Christchurch, Wellington & Auckland !!!

# 612. Hold On To Those Memories Or Share Them ???

To anyone out there who hankers back to the old days, I hope that you still hold dear your memories and share those memories with friends & family. Because given "time" when you go, those memories are going to die with you, unless you share them, so they can live on. Life was slow(er) not many moons ago and people / friends really cared about and looked after each other. But now-a-days it's as if the world has speeded up............ stop the world, I want to get off !!!

# 613. Poetry In Motion Tours !!!

PIM Tours ? It sounds like something that only a krazy person could dream up and it is, with a little little bit of help from that "little man in my head" !!! (hehe) It's one way to take you up & down; backwards & forwards; around the mullberry bush so to speak - in a joy-ride around our "beautiful" country without you having to leave home.
The reasoning is, life is there to enjoy, to have a bit of fun and to laugh a little. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I certainly aren't making it any stronger. I'll put more sugar in it, sweeten it up a little, so you keep coming back but there will be no alcohol within a million miles.

# 614. Nothing Stronger !!!

There are enough "porn" sites out there to sink a ship or two !!! Porn sites - where ??? I aren't telling you - my lips are sealed, but they are there. During my search for blogs to read, which I list on - 21 21 21 Great Blogs To Read - I have come across (accidently of course) sites to make your hair curl. You have curly hair already ? Well they would make your hair curlerrrr !!!
Anyway you wouldn't want to see a picture of me sitting naked in front of a computer. It would put you off computers for life !!! Someone that you cannot see, he could look like this !!! (Thurs.April 6th) You have been warned !!! No - not the cat, look down futher. Also bewary of what T-shirt you wear in public & old(er) ladies at bus stops !!!

Footnote: Futher down this bog, ooopp's - blog - is a test as to what you are going to come back as, when you die. It's one of those fun things !!! I took the test and guess what I am coming back as ??? I eat bananas !!! True !!! I left 3 comments on the post for this test.

I have also put a link on my blog Open To Debate 24/7

# 615. So Much For Modern Technology

Modern technology is providing a route to maddness for motorists and driving people to distraction in a tiny Yorkeshire Dales hamlet called "Crackpot" !!! GPS / satellite navigation is directing motorists on to a steep unclassified road, impassable to normal vehicles and with a 30 metre drop on one side. Many ignore a "no-through road" sign, a shut gate (maybe they will have to padlock it !!!) and the gravel farm-track because their GPS system shows them that it is the quickest route to get them where they are going and modern technology "cannot be wrong". Previously used only by local people out for a stroll; game keepers & mountain bikers, it dates back to Roman times and was historially used by horse & cart. Motorists are getting stuck on the "s" bend and have to be rescued by a farmer with a tractor before reversing back down the steep track.

# 616. Return Of The Rings - Actor !!!

John Rhys Davies, an actor in The Lord Of The Rings" ( don't ask me what part he played - I ain't a movie goer !!!) is back in New Zealand to film horror flick - "The Ferryman". Filming has started in Auckland & Waiheke Island. Davies will be joined by NZ actress, Kerry Fox; Craig Hall; Julian Arahanga and Lawrence Makoare. The film is described as a story of 20-somethings who charter a boat into the South Pacific for the trip of a lifetime, before stumbling on an "evil" that demands vengeance at any price !!!

# 617. My Heart Bleeds For Them - Not !!!

It seems that they are lasting longer than they should, as the old rock(ers) royalities are about to stop rolling and stop gathering the green stuff - dollars, not moss !!! With and Europe's copyright protection for sound recordings only extending to a period of 50 years, those original rock & rollers are waking up to the unpleasant fact that their royalty payments are about to stop - rolling !!!
The problem is that when "records" were made no one thought that they would last longer than a chart rundown, let alone still be gaining airplay into the next century. Who would of imagined in 1956 that there would still be an audience for the hits of the day and that in many cases it would be the same audience , watching the same stars on a never-ending nostalgia circuit. A campaign has been started to extend the copyrightterm to 95 years. I had better start singing for my "supper" !!!

# 618. Small Change !!!

As of July 31st we will have new "smaller" coins to get lost easier through the cracks of outdoor decking (see # 619); down the back of lounge chairs; carseats and those 101 places, we always seem to lose "coins" !!! Why they didn't wait till the 10th of July 2007 to roll out the new coins is beyond me - it would of made it 40 years since the decimal currency was introduced to NZ'ers, when we change from the old pounds, shillings & pence. There was an old saying, look after the pence and the pounds will look after themselves !!! If you remember that you are old(er) than I am.
Anyway - The designs on the 10c 20c & 50c will remain the same, but they will be smaller & lighter. The 5c coin will be no longer !!! So if you purchase a single item for which the price ends in 5c, well it is going to cost you more, despite what you may have read or been told. I buy a magazine which is $4.95 - that will now be $5. In fact who is to say that all magzines won't rise in price and it won't be by just 5c either. You can't tell me, they are going to reduce their prices down - get off the grass !!!

So kiddies (big) are you listening carefully, now is the time to raid the kiddies (little) piggybanks !!! Tell them you have to empty their piggies and put the money into "your account" !!! Because as from November lst, "old coins" will no longer been legal tender. Now that's a good excuse if any !!!

# 619 We Are Going Back In Time

I don't care what you say, we are going back in time to have a look at - # 977. Pennies From Heaven !!! You can call me blonde - I don't care, I have got big shoulders, well little shoulders or else I wouldn't of been able to crawl around under that outdoor covered decking - anyway after all these years, (now I am really showing my age) the little man in my head in clearing out all the s*** in my head, has just put a new lightbulb in !!! I now know why we used to get wet crawling around under that decking. It wasn't only the loose change that the "drunk men" drinking were losing !!! True !!! We would crawl out from under the decking, the sun would be shining, not a cloud in the sky and our clothes (shorts & t.shirt / no jocks) would be soaked through. It could of only been "golden rain" and that certainly wasn't Heaven sent !!! (hehe - I can laugh now !!!)

Footnote: While you are in the dungeons (archives) having a look at #977, have a look at a few others as well...........

#965. I Tried To Cross Over / #972. Run Over By A Truck At 7 / #987. I Scratched My Skull / #980. NOPQRS / #961. I Gave Him A Hug But He Didn't Hug Me Back.

Number 999 was my first ever post on Black Friday 13th May 2005. I called it........ "Someone Is Knocking At My Door But Don't Worry I Won't Let Them In" !!! Looking back it gives me an eerie feeling !!!

What was your first post ???

Krazy Kelvin - Krazy To The Kore !!! Signing off for another week. I love you all - not !!! (hehe)

It's Not The Memories I Have It's The Memories I Leave Behind !!!

2006-04-01T07:07:00.000+12:00

# 620 - # 629

# 620. iPod Update !!!

Apple Computer has introduced a software update for the iPod that lets children (teeenagers ???) set maximum volume limits on the popular player as concerns grow about the risks of loud noise. The software update is available as a free download for the iPod Nano & the fifth generation iPod. It gives users the ability to set volume caps on the iPod and lock it with a combination code. The upgrade is available at www.apple.com/ipod/download
Teenagers don't leave your iPod lying around !!!

# 621. No Need To Hide Away !!!

This is no April Fools joke - As of April lst, the Inland Revenue Dept has introduced a year long amnesty for people behind in paying off their student loans. They believe 44,000 defaulters living in NZ owe $76 million, while 11,000 living overseas owe $111 million. The amnesty would see them avoid financial penalties for defaulting on their loans. It is hoped that the amnesty will encourage people to make an effort to repay their loans.
Borrowers need to apply for amnesty and give an undertaking to keep up repayments for 2 years, from the acceptance of their application.

# 622. Interest Free Student Loans.

Again - this is no April Fools Day joke - All borrowers of student loans, living in NZ for 6 months or more whether studying or not will be entitled to an automatic write-off of all interest charged on their student loans, from April Fools Day. Borrowers can go overseas for up to 6 months without losing eligibility. Borrowers who go overseas with out exemption for more than six months , lose eligibility. Borrowers did not need to take any extra steps to ensure interest on their loans was written off. The Inland Revenue Dept. will automatically wipe any interest owing on 31st March, 2007 and at the end of each tax year thereafter. But.....any tax still owing as of March 31st 2006 still has to be paid. Students overseas still have to pay interest on their loans.

# 623. HTML

Don't ask me what it HTML stands for, because I don't have the foggest idea. All I know is that it's simple to use, even for a krazy person - not mentioning any names of course. So for you all out there, heres HTML the "KISS" way (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Lets say that I wanted you to have a look at my blogger profile. On the main page of your blog, there is (on the left or right hand side) the words - view my complete profile. Ckick on this and at the top left hand corner you will see a series of numbers which is your blogger profile number.
If you use your blogger profile number, just make sure that your blog/s names are listed there at the bottom.

Okay - here goes...............

a href=http://www blogger com/profile/9098295" "Have A Look At My Blogs" /a

Before the first a type the symbol <> after the last number.
Type the name of your blog or "Have A Look At My Blogs"
Then type the symbol <> after the a

What I have done here is completed everything I have mentioned above to be left with Have A Look At My Blogs

It's as easy as falling off a log !!!

# 624. Down Memory Lane !!!

Bobby Leach - you must of heard of him !!! I can see you scratching your head from here ? Bobby Leach / Niagara Falls / Barrel !!! Okay, I will spell it out for you - Bobby Leach went over the Niagara Falls in a barrel !!! In fact he was the first man to go over the falls on 25th July 1911. He was born in Cornwall, England in 1857 at a time when it was difficult for a person with few assets and contacts to get anywhere in life. One needed to do something to grab the publics attention. So he set out for Niagara Falls, where on the 25th July 1911 he gets in that barrel and goes over the falls. He ended up in a somewhat battered condition - breaking both kneecaps and his jaw. He may of been the first man to go over the falls, but he wasn't the first human - Annie Taylor, a fame-seeking (remind you of anyone ???) Michigan schoolteacher went over the falls on October 24th 1901, when she was (wait for it).............63 years old !!!

# 625 Don't Go Pass Go - Go Directly TO Jail !!!

Well, something along those lines, as NZ has joined a border security system with Australia and USA that will catch people using lost or stolen passports. The computer system allows security and immigration officials to check the passport databases of USA, NZ & Australia.
Screening passports when passengers checked in helped ensure that only people using authorised documents were entering NZ.
If we have been able to detect the attempted use of of lost or stolen Australian passports at our borders, what does that say for the checking & screening process at the Australian border before they leave ??? Immmmmmmmmmm

# 626. NZ's Largest College

Rangitoto College is the size of a small NZ town with its 3200 pupils. Staff includes 187 teachers, 100 support staff, six fulltime counsellors, two fulltime career development officers. There is also a min hospital with a fulkl time nurse, 2 tuckshops and a radio station. Class sizes are around 27 pupils, with a constant stream of activities to get involved in, including 45 different cultural activities and musical shows. Among the students are 52 different nationalities - a mini United Nations - including 200 fee-paying students.

# 627. Rosy Rosy Apple !!!

A new "red" fleshed apple has been unveiled by fruit science company Hortresearch.The fruits "red" flesh is caused by a concentration of anthocyanin, an antioxdant known to offer jhealth benefits. Hortresearch expects to offer growers the new trees in as little as 5 years.

# 628. Mini UFO's !!!

A spate of "flying saucers" (there was a few flying around the kitchen, the other day) sightings that alarmed residents of Orange County, California and attracted worldwide attention turned out to be nothing more than radio controlled models. The discs about 80cm in diameter and about 3cm thick, weigh about half a kilo, which can reach speeds of up to 60km are powered by a tiny electric motor. Flashing lights are fitted around the edge of the disc.

# 629. A Blast From The Past.

Beating The Game - It is a strange fact that money gotten by fraud and crooked dealing seldom stays in the possession of those who make it. The other day a man who, on his own confession, stole a fortune a few years ago, was left high and dry with his ill-gotten gains scattered to the winds. Another who was not noted for taking morality and followed the policy "look out for number one", made this startling confession "I have touch dirt and by glum, it has stuck to me right through". "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be dismissed and he that by using an unjust gain increaseth his substance shall gather it for him that shall pity the poor".

Another of those blast from the past - over 70 years ago.

# 630 - # 639

2006-03-11T00:58:00.000+13:00

Kia Ora (Hello) Everyone, Thank you for all your emails, comments, etc etc - it is what makes the "blog world" go round. If at any time when you are out there "surfing", spare a thought for those whose blog you come across, which is in a language that you cannot understand - leave them a comment. Because they appreciate a comment or two, or three, just as much if not more than someone whose blog is in english, especially if it is the first their first ever "english" comment. Given time, with them "looking" at other english blogs, they will pick up on some of the english language and leave you a comment.

Point in question - I was just "surfing" the blog world, when this blog "popped" up !!! I had a look through this blog - I couldn't understand the language, but I certainly understood the photos. Looking at their "profile" they have 6 blogs. I'll have a look at the other blogs, when I get a chance. I left a couple of comments, including one under the post of 7th Fevereiro (February). See, I am learning already and they say you can't teach an old(er) dog new tricks.
They started their blog in May 05 but have only had 218 profile views, where as mine which I started around the same time has had 8345 - to date. They also have a counter on their main front page which shows 1470. I don't have a counter on the main page.

It is surprising what you can find & see, especially, when you aren't looking !!! (hehe)

Krazy Kelvin

# 930.

The 4500 athletes from the 71 Nations in the Commonwealth, every 4 years to compete in a variety of sports. As well as many Olympic sports, the Games also include sports popular in Commonwealth countries, such as lawn bowls; rugby sevens and netball.
NZ; Australia; Canada; England; Scotland and Wales have attended every Games, since the frist Game in 1930, which was attended by 400 athletes from 11 Nations.
Her Majesty, The Queen, will open the Games, which are been held in Melbourne, Australia on March 15th. The Games are due to finish on March 26th. New Zealands largest haul of Gold medals was 17 out of 58 medals, when the Games were held in Auckland in 1990. The Games were also held in auckland in 1950 and in Christchurch in 1974.

# 931. NZ Opera Singer To Sing.

NZ Opera singer, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will sing about eight bars of "God Save The Queen", in a musical tribute to The Queen at the opening ceremony. But ceremony organizers deny the move is a compromise following mounting calls, backed by John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, for the British National Anthem to be played, when The Queen opens the Games on February 15th. The Australian National Anthem, "Advance Australia Fair", will still take pride of place at the opening ceremory.

# 932. NZ'ers To Tackle The Nile - Again !!!

Two New Zealander's are resuming their journey to the source of the Nile, only months after aborting the trip, because a friend helping them was murdered. Veteran rafting guide, Cam McLeay and Wellington businessman, Garth MacIntyre will again join Scots millionaire, Neil McGrigor but plan to take armed guards with them this time. The team had to temporaily abandon their dream of charting the legendary river from sea to source after a friend who helped them during difficulties on the river was killed in an ambush by Ugandan rebels. Steve Willis, a former British diplomat, was shot dead at the scene in Murchinson Fallls, National Park, Uganda. Mr McGrigor, received a broken leg & burns; Mr MacIntyre received a bullet wound to the head and Mr McLeay spent 5 hours hiding in the bush, before been rescued by Government troops. Now - they are going back - again !!! All I can say is good luck to them, because they are going to need it !!!

# 933. Heart Watch !!!

A New Zealand man, is the first person in Australasia to receive a monitor which keeps track of his heart beat, via the internet. In the event of a heart attack, a small shock can be delivered to keep the heart beating. The heart-monitoring device, implanted into the man's shoulder, receives data through a lead connected to the hearts right atruim. The monitor automatically sends information to the mans cellphone. Using the cellular network, the home monitoring system works worldwide. The incoming infromation from the cellphone is sent via satellite to Germany, where the information is processed and a cardio report is generated. Using the internet, the mans doctor, can acess the results and evalute a course of therapy.

It doesn't say what happens when the cellphone battery is dead; when the satellite is off-line or when there is a power cut !!!

# 934. Small, Green & Hairless ???

No, it isn't what you are thinking - it's small, green, and looks like a grape - that is until you bite into it. Slice one open and you will find that the inside not only looks like a "kiwifruit", but it is a kiwifruit - a mini-me kiwifruit, or to give it another name - Kiwiberry !!! More than 30 tonnes of the fruit is been exporting to countries, including Germany; Great Britain; Australia; Japan and some other Asian countries. There are four varities of the Kiwiberry, which weigh from 5 to 20 grams each and have a smooth edible skin. They are best eaten when the fruit has darkened or softened, otherwise they can taste a little tart !!!

Footnote: Whats new - I eat feijoas, skin & all and they are a little tart !!!

# 935. Shona Is Sick !!!

Shona, 36 years old, who lives in Napier has been unwell for over two weeks, is lethargic and eating very little. Blood and other tests have failed to show up any abnormalities. She has lived well beyond her normal life expectancy of 20 years, so her chances of survival are 50/50 !!! It has come as a shock to everyone as she has previously remain remarkably free of health problems. The possibilty of Shona having to be put down has not been ruled out.
Shona's Home !!!

# 936. Living - Banana Bread

Sift together in a large bowl - 1 cup (c) plain white flour; 1/2c whole wheat flour; 1/2c white sugar; 2 teaspoons (tsp) baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp allspice & 1/2c wheat germ. Add 3 ripe, mashed bananas; 1/2c low fat buttermilk; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil & 4 egg whites. Stir until blended. Place in a loaf tin, lined with grease proof paper. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour or until done.

Watch out for the big "monkeys", trying to eat it, while it is still hot !!!

# 937. The Chronicles of Narnia Day Tours !!!

The vast fields ringed by rocky mountains in the South Island high country are silent and empty now, save for a few sheep grazing. Yet, a year ago the place was teeming with amoured warriors, half-animal half human characters and a White witch in a huge battle scene which would become the climax of the blockbuster movie - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. The movie was filmed on the Flock Hill Station,about 80km inland from Christchurch in the South Island. Now, the fields are been brought back to life by a company offering "Day Tours" at a cost of course. But some people will pay anything, to re-live their dreams.
They also do "The Lord Of The Ring" Tours.

# 938. There Is Such A Thing As A "Free Lunch" !!!

First it was people in the USA and now people in Great Britain are following the trend for a "free lunch" !!! Free that is if you don't mind dining on food from dumpsters that once was the domain of "tramps" !!! Freeganism, a combination of the words "free" & "vegan"- is a movement whose devotees take responsibilty for the impact of their consumer choices and find alternative ways of meeting their everyday needs. This includes housing, clothing & food, no matter if it comes from dumpsters. Lunch anyone ???

# 939. A Blast From The Past.

"An Old Mistake" - In almost every case the mere getter becomes smaller by the process he adopts, until he dwindles to the merest apology for manhood. It is not altogether a figure of speech to say that his heart gets so hard, that you could break the paving stones of the street against it. The law of growth and greatness is "giving". The more a man can put of his best self into the lives of others, the more he adds to himself. "Getting" in its practical results is not addition, but subtraction, whislt "giving" is not division but multiplication.

It's Not The Memories I Have, But The Memories I Leave Behind

I'll be back..............

# 640 - # 649

2006-02-24T23:23:00.000+13:00

# 640. Maori Party - Ban Smoking !!!

The Maori Party is drawing up a bill, to ban smoking anywhere in NZ as well as make it illegal to produce or sell tobacco !!! Once drafted, it will need to win a ballot before been introduced to Parliament. What a load of crap !!! A waste of taxpayers money if there ever was. People are going to smoke, come hell or high-water. Yes it kills people and yes it is legal, but it's every persons God-given right to smoke or to not smoke. If they want to kill themselves, I say let them. Is anyone twisting their arm or standing over them saying to them "you have to smoke" !!! There was a saying - If God had meant you to smoke, he would of put a chimney on your head" !!!
Twenty five per cent of NZ'ers smoke; nearly 50% of maori; about 5000 people a year die from smoking-related diseases; $1.2 billion is paid from taxes on tobacco to the government.
I'm maori and I don't agree with what the Maori Party are trying to do. What next - ban drinking ??? Ban eating ??? Come on - let people make their own choice, is what I say.

#641. Smokeless Tobacco ???

The tobacco industry has seen the future and it's smokeless !!! Products such as "Snus" deliver a nicotine hit, without the harm caused by smoking. Snus is a sweet-sized pouch, like a teabag that the user places under the lip. It delivers the nicotine hit in roughly a minute - around nine times slower than a cigarette, but much faster than nicotine patches used in giving up smoking. In Sweden , snus outsells cigarettes and is credited with helping to reduce lung cancer, to the lowest rate in the world.

# 642. New Coins !!!

New 50c, 20c & 10c coins will be introduced on July 31st, in the biggest change to NZ currency since decimalisation in 1967. The historic change will also see the end of the 5c piece. The new coins will retain the same design as the current coins, but will be smaller & lighter. The new 10c coin will be copper coloured. The one & two dollar coins will remain the same. There will be a transition period of 3 months until October 31st, during which time, both old & new coins can be used. From November lst, only new coins can be used. The new coins are intended to give a coherent and logical set of coins that are more convenient for the publi, easier for those handling in bulk and less costly to manufacture. It is understood that will save the taxpayer about 2 million a year.

Footnote:I would say, it will also end up costing the taxpayer more as "prices" will no doubt be "rounded" up - no more $1.25 or whatever. I wonder why they did not wait until July 10th 2007, which would of made it 40 years, for it was on July 10th 1967, that NZ changed from pounds, shillings & pence, to dollars & cents.

# 643. You Are What You Eat !!!

I know it is not easy for some people to cut back on their eating, especially when they have been brought up, to eat everything on their plate and then go back for seconds and even thirds, but the saying - "you are what you eat" - is true !!! Look at me - I am as skinny as a rake and healthly to boot !!! I like the simple things in life, including food. I don't believe in you have to eat "five a day" or you have to drink 8 glasses of water a day. I eat when I get hungry; I drink when I get thirsty. It has been "years" since I have been to the doctor. I don't smoke, I don't drink, nor am I on drugs of any sort. I don't play any sports - the only exercise I do a lot of is ...........walk !!!
If you look at from another point of view - Say you eat breakfast; morning tea; lunch; afternoon tea; dinner; snacks,etc etc !!! You keep "piling" it in and "piling" it in and where is it going ??? If you aren't doing much work, much exercising or much walking, it is going to eat up as "fat" - theres no if buts or maybes about it. Then you have to work, exercise, walk twice as hard to get rid of it, or try to get rid of it. If anyone has any helpful ideas, hints, tips, recipes etc - lets hear from you. Also any "helpful blogs" worth reading.

# 644. Living - Movie Review

Word has it, that the seats are so angled on business class, that you don't have anyone to talk to, when you cross over the ditch to OZ - by plane of course. You can watch a movie though, including "Walk The Line", which I hear is a movie worth seeing, especially if you are a star of Jonny Cash. Joaquin Phoenix (brother of the late River Phoenix, who died of a drug overdose) stars in this unforgettable exploration of country music legend, Johnny Cash, as he struggles to overcome drug addiction, alcohol and his inner demons. Reese Witherspoon, stars as his bandmate, wife and lifelong love, June Carter Cash - the woman for whom he wrote the song, "I Walk The Line". Winner of Golden Globes for "Best Musical", Best Actor (Phoenix) and Best Actress (Witherspoon) as well as 5 Oscar Nominations, Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Editing; Best Costume & Best Sound.

# 645. Down Memory Lane !!!

Two landmark sheds used by All Black greats and league legends will be demolished leaving Ponsonby students without sports facilities. The "green corrugated iron buildings" on St Johns Rd, in Ponsonby have been used as training rooms by St.Pauls college students for more than 60 years. The sheds are owned by the NZ Marist Brothers, who also own the college land. They opened in the late 1940's and were used in World War ll as an American hospital base, before becoming indoor training facilities for sports clubs. Former All Blacks including Bernie Fraser, Kevin Barry and Pat Walsh and league players, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana have all practised in the sheds. Former All Black and director of rugby at the Ponsonby club, Bryan Williams also practised in them, in the 1970's and coached there during the 1980's & 90's.

# 646. Around New Zealand.

A place to stay; a place to eat; a place to visit & a place to shop !!! Due to the number of emails received from people wanting to learn a little bit about New Zealand each week - one said, too much would tax his little brain. I didn't even know he had a brain - not mentioning any names of course !!! I will be searching for websites, that fit into the above each week !!! What-ever I find, I will include under New Zealand Websites & Blogs It isn't going to easy deciding where to start as there is so much to see & do in our country. I suppose a good a place to start as any would be in the north. Sometimes you will find that there are websites, within websites, so to speak. It may take you all week to just browse through them. I will see how much interest there is, in websites, etc.

# 647. Bill Leaves Us To Pick Up The Bill !!!

Ex USA President, Bill Clinton is currently in NZ on his final leg of a speaking tour which is expected to earn him a million dollars. Yet, we NZ taxpayers have to pick up the "bill" for his police protection, while he is in NZ. He and his entourage were met amid tight security by a motorcade, including limousines, four wheel drive vehicles & a black van. Business leaders paid up to $2400 to hear him speak. Other speakers at the event included former Disney chief executive, Michael Eisner and former Hewlett Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina.

# 648. "Blue-Jacking" !!!

Mobile phone companies, are reporting a growing number of "bluejackings", where anonymous
text messages or images are sent to unsuspecting strangers by mobile. The practice takes its name from Bluetooth wireless technology, which allows phone users to send messages, 10 metres, without needing a phone number. Owners of bluetooth enabled phones are able to block anonymous messages, but ignorance of the new technology means that many allow themselves to receive obscene texts or video clips.

# 649. A Blast From The Past.

Watch Your Step - Plenty of people pray - "lead us not into temptation", but don't take the trouble to dodge the haunts of eveil. "Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land". Even the Almighty cannot do much for the fellow whose feet persistently point to the grog shop., or who lingers about the side entrance to the brothel. "Ponder the path ot thy feet". Don't whine about your "weakness" while your feet follow the beaten track of eveil. Take the next street even if it be out of your way.

The above is another "blast from the past" - from 70 years ago !!! Nothing will ever be the same again as it was all those years ago !!!

Krazy Kelvin - I'll be back...............

It's Not The Memories I Have, It's The Memories I Leave Behind !!!

# 650 - # 659

2006-02-17T23:58:00.000+13:00

# 654. Blogs Are Great Stress Busters !!!

Where ever you are in the world, when you read this, I hope that you have had a reasonable day. No doubt some have may of had a better day than others, while some have had a really shitty day. My heart bleds for you - it really does !!! So sit down in front of your computer and attack it. I don't mean with an axe - just sit there and attack the keyboard with your fingers - let it rip !!! Whats that old saying about rip, shit, tear & bust ??? Rip into it, let the shit flow, shed a few tears if need be and then you will be ready to "bust" into bed !!! Before you bust into bed though, just save your post as a draft, then when you get up in the morning you will feel a hell of a lot better, so either "publish: your post or delete it. Don't give a shit about what people think of you, if/when they happen to read your blog.They have a God given choice to readit or not. If they read it and don't like it, well just tought shit. Just don't make it too "blue", so that it smokes, because as you all know - "where there's smoke, there's fire and you don't want to get burned or worst still, you don't want to have your blog deleted - do you ??? It's a great stress buster !!!

# 655. $12M Centre Set For Historic Site.

Construction could start on a $12 million memorial centre proposed for one of NZ's historic sites. The Marsden Cross at Oihi Bay, on the Purerua Peninsula marks the site of the first Christian sermon to be delivered in this country following the landing on Christmas Day, 1814 by the Reverend Samuel Marsden. He was accompained on the brig, Active by Ngapuhi Chief, Ruatara whose Rangihoua Pa overlooked Oihi Bay. The site saw the first permanent European settlement, the first land sale and the first farm sale. The Auckland based Marsden Cross Trust board recently brought 18ha in a valley just above and behind the pa site. A foot track leads from there down to the Marsden Cross Reserve. The Trust aims to build a memorial, in the form of a complex comprising a chapel, a meeting hall, a cuurators lodge and courtyard.

# 656. Don't You Just Love Teachers ???

Don't you just love teachers - especially "old" supposed-to-be-retired teachers !!! I sent out a 2 page email to a "teacher" (who shall remain nameless, for now) whose email address I had got from an old school friend. I mentioned in my email to him, that I was looking for an old class photo of which he was the form teaher at the time. I got an email back from him, asking for my snail mail address as he wanted to send me something. A couple of days later, an envelope arrived from him - guess what it contained ??? It was a copy of my email I had sent to him, marked & corrected for spelling mistakes & grammar. Also the comment, "Must try harder next time" !!! I sent him an email, to say I had received his envelope !!! His reply came back, that he could not resist it and wished that he had been a fly on the wall, when I opened the envelope. !!! I sent a reply back, that I wish that he had been a fly on the wall as well - "a squashed one" !!!

Footnote: Anyone know what happens to "old teachers" when they finally closed their "school books" ???

# 657. Another Blog ???

Music Music Music !!! Another blog !!! Will it be the last ??? Hey - I don't think so !!! As I have mentioned on the actual blog, it was too good an opportunity to pass up, especially with not one but both flatmates in bands. It has "sparked" an interest in music, but how long will it last ??? I can take it or leave (music that is) as it doesn't really interest me one way or the other. I don't have a radio, stereo, TV, DVD player or anything at all in my room. I don't even own an iPod. I have started to list bands, etc in the side bar of the music blog.
This "music" blog and the "Morbid & Murder" is still "open" to anyone who wants to become a member. Send me an email if you are interested kjmkama@yahoo.com
I will have a look at your blog and..........send you an email inviting you to join - if you are lucky. You "post" on to the blog, as if it's your own. Each time you do a "post", you are more than welcome to mention your own blog/s. So what are you waiting for..............

# 658. Living - Wholemeal & ButterMilk Date Scones

Sift 1 cup (c) flour, 4 teaspoon (tsp) baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp mixed spice into a latge bowl. Stir in 1c Wholemeal Flour, 1 - 2 Tablespoons Soft Brown Sugar. Cut in 50 grams butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in 1c chopped dates. Make a well in the centre of the mix and pour in 3/4c buttermilk and 1/4c milk or water. Mix quickly with a knife to form a soft dough. Lightly knead dough on a lightly floured board. Roll out to 2 -3 cm thick and cut into 6 inch rounds. Place on a greased baking tray and bake at 220oC for 10 - 18 minutes until cooked.
Footnote:If you do not have buttermilk, replace it with 1/2 cup plain yoghurt and increase the 1/4c milk 10 1/2c milk.

# 659. "A Blast From The Past"

Come Easy, Go Easy - Every once in a while we have to relearn, sometimes painfully that nothing is worth while or abides which is not won by the slow and often trying process of plodding along. The world does not need the six hour day so much as the putting into its working day the honest prideful effort that has the "guinea stamp" on it. We seem in all this strivingfor more pay and shorted hours to miss the pride of achievement that used to give satisfaction to the workman as well as to those who used his products. "What we have, we hold" has a higher meaning to that set forth by the grabber. "He that gathereth by labour shall increase". The joy of accomplished effort has no rival even in this strange old planet. "it is finsihed" is much more important than "what did it bring" !!!

Footnote: This is another of those "blast from the past" from 70 years ago.

Its not the memories I have, its the memories I leave behind !!!

I'll be back...............

# 660 - # 665 !!!

2006-02-10T23:59:00.000+13:00

# 660. "Lost World" !!!

An expedition to one of the most isolated jungles in the mist shrouded Foja mountains of western New Guniea has discovered a "lost world" of extraordinary new species, giant flowers and rare wildlife which is naturally protected by rugged and inhospitable terrain. The Foja mountains highest summit is 2200m. The region of 300,000ha on the upper slopes of the Foja Mountains is one of the least explored areas in a provience of western new Guinea, part of Indonesia. In the tropical rainforest, scientists found new species of mammals, frogs, birds, plants & butterflies. But how did they manage to find "hundreds"of so-called "new species" and indentify them in the time they had and how do they know they are new ??? Anyone ???

# 661. Robo Jocks !!!

Kuwait has held the first regional camel race using robots as riders after "child jockeys" were banned from the lucrative sport, following criticism by human rights groups. Teams from the six Gulf Arab states participated in the race hedl on the dusty tracks of a racing club outside the capital, Kuwait City. The remote-operated robots are shaped like small boys. Rights groups said thousands of boys, some as young as 4 worked as jockeys in the wealthly Gulf Arab region, where camel racing is a lucrative and popular sport. Last year, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates banned child jockeys.

# 662. People Are So Bloody Thick !!!

Police are stggered by the amount of money that Australians are losing to Nigerian investment scammers, with internet rorts netting more than A$7 million from Queenslanders alone. Among those been duped include financial advisiers; lawyers & university professors.

Also in America, gullible & greedy US "investors" are losing an estimated US$1 million per day, to Nigerian scammers. People everywhere should be aware of emails promising quick riches for little effort. It's the same old story - if it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Footnote: I may be a little krazy, but I aren't bloody silly !!! No one - in their right mind - is going to share their "millions" with you. They send out their "fishing line" - hook you - reel you in and you pay and you keep on paying !!! Wake up - Get it through your "thick heads" - there is no "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow ! Never has been & never will be !!! Cut your loses & get out while you can, while you still have all your "bits" intact. If you have never been there - don't ever start. Email from Nigeria - don't even waste your time reading it !!! Delete it !!!
If you want to throw your money away - think of your fellow man - Krazy Kelvin - give "him" a helping hand. Put a little love in your heart and the blog world will be a better place for you & for for me and all those bloggers out there.

#663. Road Safety For Students !!!

Because of the number of foreign students been "hit", an "On Road Kit" is been distributed to english language schools. The kit contains video skits; cards; tapes of TV adverts and a board game.

It is not only "foreign students" - it is other students & adults as well. At traffic lights in the central city area, you see people take their life in their hands every minute of every day as they cross the road, without waiting for the signal - "jay-walkers". Its a wonder more people haven't been run over & killed. It would be a good source of revenue for the council - charge a $10 instant fine for jay-walkers. In America, jay-walkers; people who drop rubbish; if you so much as sneeze - you get fined !!!

In places where there are no traffic signals - how hard can it be to cross the road. Vehicles in NZ drive on the left so "Look left - look right - look left" - again !!! Then step out and walk "straight across" the road. Some people seem to think, that once they reach the middle of the road they can can take a trip to Timbucktoo and they keep walking along the road. The only trip you will take if you don't walk straight across the road is one you will never return from !!!

# 664. We Won't Say No !!!

Starving children on Rusinga Island in Africa's Lake Victoria have accepted the controversial donation of NZ protein supplements which stirred controversy over perceptions that they were offered "dog food" !!! Residents of Rusinga Island, said the donation of 42 tonnes of supplements, would make a difference in the lives of helpless children. The "powdered food" is mixed with water, will fed the strarving orphans.

# 665. Beer & Blowflies ???

"Brewtopia" an online beer company which started in 2001, has more than 40,000 customers in 46 countries for their beer - a europeon-style lager. But what has "blowflies" got to do with beer ??? Well, "blowfly" has got the right buzz for "Do It Yourself" Brewers, plus that's the name of their beer & their website, so have a look. You can even design your own labels at a cost of course !!!
Remember that beer called "Wankers Brew" ??? You don't !!! Well, it's a long story...................