Thursday, September 26, 2013

Kim Dotcom comes to the rescue. Hell---let the dust settle first and then?

The dust not even settled and we hear the Kim Dotcom says that he is prepared to help fund the next Team New Zealand America’s Cup campaign. I nearly did a back-flip when I read that. Actually the page wouldn’t load on my computer when I clicked to get the full story. Maybe it is all too much for the Government to even consider if it too is coming to the party and they put the much maligned secret service on to the Herald for daring to print such ideas.
KDC is not doubt a controversial figure and he has as many detractors as supporters. His reported aim of standing for Parliament would probably benefit from such publicity and at the very least the Government could be spurred to action rather than be left at the gate by KDC’s actions.
I guess we have to ask ourselves---what price do we pay for the continuation of Team New Zealand?  WE are going to be beholding to someone, so it may as well be from a NZ source. Perhaps the debate has to happen and at least check out the ‘home grown’ support for our team. Better that, maybe, than always seeing large overseas companies taking the glory. Is there a downside to KDC’s involvement? I shall watch this space with intense interest.

Kiwi 'spirit' already shining through! Pick yourselves up and 'at 'em' again.

Fact! ----you will never keep a good Kiwi down. Yes, we will take the odd knock or two, but we always pick ourselves up and we shine again. Yes, for a while yesterday, it was all gloom, but within a few hours people were talking about the next challenge. Sure, there are lots of people who do not want to see tax payers’ money being put into another challenge. They talk about the ‘hip replacements’ etc. -----and they may have a point.
What we need is for a study to be made into the real economic benefits for New Zealand. That will tell us once and for all, whether tax payers’ money is well spent, apart from the ‘feel good moments’ that are immeasurable.
I like what I am hearing about Oracle’s backers wanting to roll out a new competition that moves around the world; possibly one based on boats that are a bit more ‘accessible’ in terms of expenditure. That NZ has already played a strong part in the design, building and overall technology of all three main contenders is evidence that NZ needs to be in this competition. Yes, our boatbuilding industry will be a little quiet until the next phase of the AM competition is known, is something that would have happened whether we won or lost at the last regatta in SF, but the tide will turn as surely as it did day after day in the SF Bay.
So put aside the gloom and doom, NZ and embrace what lies ahead of us. We must be part of it.

http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/te-ara-wairua-new-hope/S01E011/te-ara-wairua-new-hope-series-1-episode-11

The holidays are nigh--a message to all teachers.

Take this time to rest because you deserve it. Don't get sick because I know that so many of you give so much to your students and that you hold little back for yourself. Try to stay away from your school; even though  a large number of you will be 'called back' for training and planning purposes. Do something for you and you alone because your 'head' will still be around your classroom and your pupils. You will be the better for your students if you take some real time out; for you, your family and friends. Teachers in every country have a common goal; to make the lives of their students better in all manner of ways. So teacher/counsellor/parent/social worker---inclusive---put your feet up or if you must, take that special walk and be proud of the influence you have on that student in your class who no one else believed in. Yes teachers----this is your time!
www.authorneilcoleman.com