When Perdy says, 'NO!' I know it's a crap of a day.

I know Perdy is growing up when even she says, ‘No!—I ain’t going out in that. I cannot remember the last time Perdy decided to head on back to the car and actually wait for me to open the door so she could get out of the rain. I often tell my mates that I take Perdy out, come rain, shine, hail and snow (OK it doesn’t snow in Auckland---despite some wannabe will tell you) or I suffer the consequences. Off we go, to our favourite haunt, the location of my book ‘Talk To Me,’ the Onehunga Lagoon, Bay; I seem to be quite loose in my description, and even though her enthusiastic whimperings drove me nuts as usual, I let her out and off she went. Her little bum receded into the distance as she bounced along the sand and rocks.

I threw the ball and she then did her usual. She dropped it; I took note, because I am sick of replacing them just because she forgets where she placed them while she attends to more ‘important’ business. Perdy’s a shy girl when she does her business. I love those little glances she sends my way as if to say---‘well you don’t let me watch you!’ Course not, silly girl. You are not allowed done the hall way.

Once her duties are complete, she gives that little kick of her back legs and I go to try and find the doings. (OMG----too much information?) I call her, reminding her to ‘Get the ball!’ She complies and dolphins her way back to where I am standing, trying to ignore the looks that a group of runners shoot at me. I know they are thinking something like---‘Run yourself, you fat bastard and you wouldn’t’ be.’ Well, I never---how dare them-----Ooops, assumptions made on the hoof can be misleading. They were probably just thinking that Perdy and I were mad, because the rain was starting to right on piss down. My ‘water-proof’ jacket was not living up to its name. Damn it--- I could feel seepage.

Perdy looked up at me. She was drenched and it was feeling like winter all over again. I said, ‘Car?’ She said with her feet what I wanted to do. She ran back to the car and was waiting while I plodded on over. I opened the door and all I need to say is ‘Bloody perfect girl; we are on the same wavelength, finally.’

The 'third choice,' in the USA Election?---the Greens

The USA is often held up as a shining example for the democratic process. If that is so, then surely any candidate for the Presidency should be able to get wide exposure in the run-up to the election.

I was quite surprised today to hear that the Greens in the USA have what could be described as a ‘credible’ candidate. Why was it then, that I only find this out by seeing a news segment on RT? (Russian TV)

I guess it’s a case of the old-boy network, and I include the Democrats in this unholy alliance. The two ‘big boys’ have got it all sewn up. Add in mainstream media and you can see why the Greens completely lack the means to get their message across.

Am I correct in assuming that the Greens are labelled as ‘loonies’ much as they are in New Zealand and Australia? The difference may be that ion both countries the Greens, along with other smaller parties are guaranteed a certain amount of free time on TV, according to the proportion of the votes they gained at the last election. In this way we are able to hear the voices of the ‘alternates,’ albeit it in fairly small doses.

Maybe the USA should become more open to these possibilities and not leave everything up to the old, tired and clichéd clique with their ‘here we go again’ polices. The USA is in need of a ‘shot of new blood.

Thank you RT---once again. But---don’t get too proud---you are no doubt under the influence of Uncle Putin!

Manuka Honey---I want what I pay for, nothing more, nothing less!

New Zealand’s Manukau honey is well known far beyond our beautiful shores and it has been lauded as being a clever little ‘healer’ for a range of conditions. It is expensive so most of us don’t slaver it all over out hot buttered toast in the morning. We may add a smallish teaspoon to a hot lemon drink when we have a sore throat though.

Today we hear that a study has identified that we may not be getting everything that is claimed on the bottles. To be fair, it must be difficult to be able to make a claim that their bottle, jar or any other container contains nothing but Manuka honey. Well, the manufacturer can’t make that claim with certainty because his or her little bees have a ‘wandering’ habit that means they visit other plants in the collection area then don’t make the claim.

Some of the products that were tested at the University (Lincoln) came out as pristine and accurate in their claims and it is a pity that these products were not named. The industry and lawmakers must sort out this issue, or New Zealand exporters will suffer and the public of NZ will have little confidence that their jars of gold are the miracle workers that they claim to be. Come on, you lot---until you fix this, we will turn to other healthy alternatives.

PS. I expect the industry will come out batting for their cause and we will all be in a position to not know who to believe.

If youhtink you are a good proof reader, then join my little group.

I do not purport to be a quality writer. I reckon I can tell a good yarn or two, but the actual craftsmanship behind the story; the accuracy in writing that includes good typing grammar and spelling, along with formatting are quite beyond me. Well lacking in those skills never stopped good books from being written.

Thus my cheeky idea. I have given a few of the first printings of my books to friends and colleagues and asked them to underline or circle any obvious mistakes. Wouldn’t you know it?  Even after editing, they still find many mistakes or simple typos and formatting glitches. They give me back the book and I send it to my printer, who then makes the changes on my files and send the book back. I then get another person to have a read and they do the same exercise, in a different colour--- the process repeats and theoretically, after about five steps, my books are ‘presentable.’

My invite is to join this little group and you get a free ‘cleanish’ book. Hell, it’s Xmas soon, so maybe I can chuck in another of my books as extra incentive.

Any takers? Contact me through my website----follow the links.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Yeah, I know--- I’m a cheeky Kiwi.

Don't shut all the Terminal Kiosks, Mr Key. They could be--useful!

I’ve had a thoroughly incredible idea, Maybe it’s a brain fart, but let’s try it out. The news keeps coming about yet more computer terminals placed in Government service offices being ‘compromised.’ What that means is that some twerp manages to log on, hack, break in; call it what you like, but the end result is some poor bugger’s ‘private’ details being out there for all and sundry to peruse.

We as citizens don’t seem to be getting through to the government, our collective disgust at some of their policies. I’m talking about asset sales, school closures, League Tables (I’m not talking about sports here folks) to name a few of the issues. Well if the buggers won’t listen to our united voices, then lets all hack into National Party Headquarters, from one of the terminals placed so conveniently for us and get their policy changed. It can’t be that difficult and the government can claim that the Labour Party hacks did the hacking.

The government won’t suspect a thing and they will merely amend their policy and claim it was all just a bad dream.

See, life ain’t such a bitch after all eh!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Goodbye Pork Pie--James Cook HIgh School style!

The Mean machine before the class 'pork pies' it.

Goodbye Pork Pie, James Cook High School style.

The students in James Cook High School excel in many areas, ranging from academic performance to sports, music and dance. Top study awards are going to some those students who work hard. For the most diligent students who achieve academically, there is help available so that they can continue to build on their successes. Of course, we would love to see more help from companies and other support structures to build on this progress.

For those who excell at sports It is not a ‘pie in the sky’ dream  anymore for them to aim for placement in regional, national and even Australian sports teams, as members of development squads or junior selections.

I remember students coming to see me in the past (in my role as counsellor), talking about becoming ‘professional’ sportspeople and wondering if they would make it. What I am noticing now is that they have the dreams and are already on the road to success by being selected for some of these development squads.

Our students love to dance and sing. Some are getting recognition for that. I am not just talking about James Cook High here, but many schools in the ‘South,’ where students are achieving at a high level on the international scene. Hop-Hop dancing comes to mind here.

The Students and Staff at James Cook High School are shining in another area too. They are involved in a project that will see a re-enactment of the journey made by the famous yellow Mini from the film, Goodbye Pork Pie.

The schools Caretaker, goes way beyond his job description in this latest venture. A clapped-out Mini has been purchased for $500 and the students in the Technology Department, along with Cameron (the Caretaker), Stephen Shand and Richard Wood (Teachers) are doing a major fix-up. They are giving this ‘ugly at the moment' car the 'Full Monty.' Yes, they are stripping it down and will transform the beast into ‘a time-gone-by' apparition.

PPG, a local auto painting company are training the students in the skills needed to make the car shine, bringing it to a pristine finish.  What better way is there to involve the students in the world of real learning? The cross-curricular possibilities are huge here; something the school’s new principal is particularly keen to explore.

In the next month or so, this car will be readied for a re-enactment of the journey that the original car made so many years ago in the film that made it famous. Money will be raised for Leukaemia research.

The students are transfixed by the project. I am hearing that they are arriving home, tired but incredibly switched on. They are learning a range of real skills by being involved in this work. Just think of the ‘parallel’ learning that is being achieved, using mathematical, practical skills and a smattering of science. Then, there’s the working in a team and the huge amount of pride that goes along with success.

Look out for a new-looking Mini travelling the streets of Manurewa; once of course the car gets its necessary documentation. The kids will have driving licenses too!

Watch this space for more reports on our big project. Yeah, our school rocks, along with our brother and sister schools in the South.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

My books are now with some distributors.

If you want to read my books, don't forget to check out your local library, especially if you are in NZ and Australia. Go to my website for the titles and ISBN numbers. www.authorneilcoleman.com Then request the books. If they don't know, just ask them to Google them or to look at my website.
Things are starting to happen....?