Friday, April 12, 2013

I had my first Cafe style breakfast today---well maybe that's pushing it a bit---Day 9 post surgery

It's true, I had  a tiny little breakfast at a café today in Takapuna. After an energetic walk (on Perdy's part, mainly) on that beautiful kilometre long beach, where dozens of dogs cavort with their owners, we found a café. It is one that I have blogged about before and the reason we go there is because they make dogs so welcome, by providing a clean stainless steel bowl of water for the dogs.
We ordered coffees and tea and after about ten minutes the waiter came back and took our orders. We didn't mind the half hour wait because that is how long I have to wait after drinking any fluid before I eat. My companions placed their orders and I then ordered my first post-op tiny breakfast. I asked for one softly poached egg and a small grilled tomato. When our 'meals' arrived, I got stuck into my offering, slowly of course. It was delectable and the fact that I could join in was the main point of the occasion. After watching the foot traffic and other dogs, which kept  Perdy entertained, we paid the bill. Trust my sister to make the point that it was 'post-surgery' for me. I had expected to pay the full price for the 'eggs on toast with tomato on the side' option. I didn't care; as I said---- it was about 'being there.' I received a pleasant surprise--- my part of the bill was only $4---almost unbelievable. I am sure that most cafes would have 'gouged' every cent they could. Maybe I shall let my sister loose at the cash register all the time from now on.
I had my Qinoa porridge for lunch with yogurt and stewed apples with feijoas flavoured with cinnamon. Don't feel sorry for me--- I love it and it is filling and soothing. Mind you, everything is filling now, even in iddy-bit quantities!
OH, the name of the café---The Ragazzi Café in Takapuna.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Everything good about what we have built up in NZ is slowly being eroded!

I think that many people who post their opinions in various media are far more honest than the Government. For quite a few years, I have read about how the Government is eroding our rights and achievements in many fields, particularly in health and education. For health, it looks that we are headed for more and more 'private' and therefore more unattainable services for many. In education, under the guise of all sorts of 'descriptors, but really meaning 'Government' finding ways to pay out less for education, we are seeing a gradual move of resources. Bloggers, commentators and ordinary people, like you have spelt out what you think is happening. In that sense, the 'people' are far more honest than politicians, especially the Government. Why don't they say what they really plan? Simple, because if they did the outcry would be such that their tenure on the Government benches' would be unsustainable in the light of the reaction they would receive.
SO----keep up the pressure and any other Government 'in waiting'---be wary of what you promise. In this age of 'instant and easy communication, you can also expect an 'instant' response when you fall short of your 'utterings.' Perhaps you have 'plans' in that area too!