New Zealand wine 'appreciated' in France.

I was watching a French film on Sky last night, called ‘The Big Picture.’ When the main character produced a bottle of wine for his soon to be divorced (he murdered her lover) wife, he made quite a play of the fact that it came from New Zealand. The wine turned out to be CLOUDY BAY (I loved the way he pronounced it. I doubt I would have recognised it if it hadn’t been for the sub-titles). His wife noticed the screw-top but once she tried it she pronounced that it was pretty good. The main character later brought two cases of the wine to take to a disastrous dinner party, but the wine featured yet again. One wonders if Cloudy Bay had to pay for such publicity. If they didn’t then they should send a few boxes to the film makers. What wonderful publicity. The film was made in 2010. We know CB is a good wine and it is good to know that many countries now acknowledge this. Now All I need is for my books to feature in a few films and I shall be happy!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Coke Boss (George Adams) takes a swipe at Kiwi's attitiudes to big business!

Mr George Adams thinks New Zealanders have less than good attitudes to ‘big business;’ this at a time when a ‘big business Government’ rules the house and from the head of a company that helps to feed the ‘unwellness’ of New Zealand residents. His company pushes a range of products that directly affects the health of so many young people. His company sells a product that is often cheaper than milk, a product that kids have taken as a viable breakfast on the way to school, then to have teachers deal with ‘sugar-high’ kids. Is it any wonder that his products and others are contributing to the fact that this generation is not going to live as long as their parents and grandparents?

Mr Adam’s company pushes his company’s gut and teeth rotting product at every opportunity. Some would say that such products (not just his company) rank right up there with alcohol and tobacco as to the damage they do.

So some New Zealanders have an attitude to ‘big business’ and Mr Adams waits until he is leaving the job, that he makes this claim. Why, Mr Adams, have you not been more forthcoming in your protestations? Were you concerned that New Zealanders may take umbrage at your questioning of how ‘we’ think about your company and others?

Like an ‘opinion’ on any subject, New Zealanders have a range of beliefs, the subject of ‘big business,’ no different to any other. You can be sure that you have your supporters too, so other than holding some ‘political’ agenda re pushing for greater access and freedom to push your product even more onto a ‘naïve’ public, all in  the name of a ‘free market,’ then I fail to see an validity in your claims. I guess your friends in the National Party will continue to attend your ‘lobbying- focused gatherings’ and drink from your generous but poisoned chalice.

 

China fuels the demise of the Elephant and Rhino.

Yes. It is a strong claim to say the China fuels the demise of the elephant and rhino. Unfortunately one side effect of an ever increasing middle-class and rich sectors in Chinese society is that the long held belief amongst Chinese is that the horns or tusks of the two animals are thought to have much desired ‘health’ qualities. However in the past, only the rich could afford these ‘products,’ meaning that the overall effect on the animals was less. Now it seems that it is open slather on the animals of Africa as demand increases along with China’s influence in the area.

Latest figures claim that nearly 35,000 elephants were slaughtered last year and only the tusks were taken, leaving the remainder of the carcass to rot in the hot African sun. Kenya particularly suffered huge losses in its elephant population, leaving the prospect of the elephant being extinct in the near future.

Kenya and other countries have fought this illegal trade but their resources are limited and it appears that they are losing the battle. Even China has made the trade illegal but as with many moves by the Chinese Government to curb ‘illegal actions’ (take ‘rip-off copies of a large range of products for example) they have a long way to go. China is also increasing its reach into Africa and it is not hard to find Chinese traders buying up many ‘threatened’ products, right under the nose of African officials. No doubt money changes hands to smooth the process.

What needs to happen is that the ‘market,’ therefore the need for such products needs to be curbed at the point of delivery---the huge and growing market in China (and other predominately Asian countries).There is an ever increasing Green movement in China and it this that the Chinese Government needs to tap into. There would be a vast number of Chinese how find the trade in ivory repugnant.

The question needs to be asked---‘what will China think as a nation when and if the time comes where the only place we will be able to see the elephant and rhino will be in a zoo?’ Of course I am not so narrow-minded to claim that the ‘West’ in beyond criticism re the disappearance of other animals from the wild. My hope is that China joins the move to retain our animal ‘co-inhabitants of this place we call ‘earth.’

USA has plans to attack Chinese Nuclear assets--RT says this!

RT (Russian TV) is saying that the USA is planning to attack Chinese nuclear assets. I find this hard to believe and if it was true, an absolutely stupid action on the part of the USA. China and the USA are now economically connected at the hip. Why would the USA take such a damaging action; one that would place world peace at risk.

Where does RT get its information from? I see no other news outlets (So far, that is) making similar claims. For RT to make this claim is both confusing and dangerous. I am indeed looking for the USA to react to the claim and lay it to rest. Any other action is beyond even our wildest nightmares.
When RT 'explained it's headlines, it stated that the USA has laways had 'plans' to attack Chinese assets. I see their other headlines (the ones that drag accross the bottom of the screen) as alarmist and dangerous; ones that I had not associated RT with in the past. It seems that somethings never change!

Fellow hoarders---Do you find it hard ot get rid of 'stuff?'

I am pretty sure that I am not alone in the desire to ‘unclutter’ my house. It’s amazing how much ‘stuff’ one collects over the years, ranging from household goods, collectables (well you might think they are!) and old shoes. It can become so bad that the word hoarder comes to mind. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not, but I do have one huge amount of ‘stuff’ to rid myself of.

Where do I start and how do I achieve a state of blissful minimalism? Anyone who knows me will be throwing up their hands in shock. What, me getting rid of his beloved Crown Lynn amongst the other obvious junk I have collected? The latter includes the ‘As seen on TV’ rubbish, because there is not much I have purchased in that manner that is any good.

I started with the obvious and stuck it on Trade Me. Things like the bread maker went for a good price and it wasn’t so hard to rid myself of that as I won’t be eating enough bread once I am on my vastly reduced ‘intake.’ It was a bit harder to sell a really good quality Klinox pot as it had been a present for a birthday from my dear mother. I couldn’t see a use for it, so I managed to overcome the ‘nostalgia’ aspect and I believe that my Mum would have agreed with the concept of ‘decluttering.’

The next step was a little harder; going through the cupboards and giving items a ranking on my newly developed ‘if you don’t use it, then out it goes scale.’ Many items fell in the ‘out she goes rank.’ Sometimes an item would go to the ‘photographic department’ ready for imminent posting on Trade me, only to be returned to the dark spaces from whence they came; then back again. Once the ‘reserve’ had been met on Trade Me, it was ‘get over it time.’ Oh the pain!

I have a long way to go, just for the ‘stuff in the house’ division of my cluttered existence. Then it was onto the outside; you know--- the stuff in the shed. Opening the door had become a problem and OSH (out health and safety PC thingy) would not have been pleased to see me covered with all sorts of bric-a-brac as it tumbled out to meet me. I am sure if these things could speak, they would sing, ‘Please release me to a better home.’ (Sorry Engleburt or was it Tom Jones? --- probably for the spelling too).

I was amazed at the plethora of items from my past and ridiculous ability to collect useless things; useless to me of course but no to other more adventurous souls. Some of it, including shoes that had not been worn; God knows why not, but for those examples of my obsession, I thought the only way forward to ‘uncluttered Nirvana’ was to give them to hospices and the SPCA shop. Others however most definitely had a value to a mystery future owner.

Out came a ‘smoker. I had used it twice and I succeeded in setting fire to the BBQ table on which I had conducted the said operation. One does learn the hard way and I subsequently discovered that I could achieve a safer and most excellent result re smoking fish etc., by using my BBQ. Perhaps I can still sell the damaged table too.

Delving deeper into my shed, I discovered that there was a virtual treasure trove of Aladdin’s delights. I pulled out some fine examples of my past flutters with garage sales and yes, Trade Me items that I had never used. Out they came and I quickly bypassed the emotional phase I had for other more nostalgic possessions.

Where to from here? I wish to attain my spiritual breaking of the bonds by halfway through this year. I have one heck of a way to go, but at least I have started; just so long as I don’t buy more ‘stuff’ in the meantime. Maybe e there is the possibility that I am beyond redemption!

 

 

 

That great 'underarm bowl.' Guess what---it's still happening.

Any Kiwi who is over a certain age or a lover of cricket will know what I mean by that famous ‘underarm’ bowl.’ Well in a sense we are still being served that bowl, on a daily basis. Am I stirring up that which needs to be forgotten? Hell no. New Zealanders are being treated like second-class citizens by a system that is most one-sided. I better get to the point of my angry words.

I am talking about those New Zealanders, who for whatever reason have decided to try their luck in Australia. They need to take much closer look at what can happen if they have not made plans to support themselves and their families. For a start they will not have access to the generous provisions made for Australians, re education, health and other ‘support benefits.’

A new underclass is being created; one that is becoming desperate and possibly turning to crime in order to live, when things go wrong. For those who see the ‘lucky country,’ across the ditch (Tasman Ocean) as a way out of ‘difficulties’ in New Zealand, it is time they looked long and hard at any move to find a new life. They may be heading to a life far worse than the one they left behind.

What gets me is the fact that this doesn’t happen to Aussies coming to New Zealand.  They quickly gain access to the full range of what New Zealanders enjoy in the way of support. It is a very one-sided situation. Aussies get far more from the ‘system’ when they come to New Zealand. I suppose they say that the figures speak for themselves and that the flow is one way anyway; that is, far more New Zealanders go to Australia than Aussies to NZ. It was not always so.

There have been several times in history when the reverse was true. That will happen again. One only has to look at the long term future for Australia re bush fires and extreme flooding; all the result of global warming, to understand that the time is coming whereby New Zealand will be seen as the ‘kinder option.’ Latest trends re predictions around climate change suggest that this time is not so far in the future.

Perhaps my statements will be seen as extreme and that any suggestion that New Zealand will become some sort of ‘life boat’ for Australia are just fanciful predictions. Time will tell.’

OK, in the interest of balance re my protestations, I should say that for many New Zealanders, the above scenarios are just a bad dream; for ‘someone else.’ It is true that for a sizable number of the New Zealanders, the ‘dream comes true. They have jobs already organized and enjoy the higher wages and faster lifestyle. Their kids quickly adapt and see themselves as Australians. It is only when they need to access some of the ‘Aussie support systems,’ that the dream sours. Think carefully, Kiwis, before you jump the ditch! The grass can turn an ugly colour, so if you are thinkking of taking your family to Austrlia, read the articles in the herlad, today, through to Wednesday. We don't need out kids living inan environment where in places, youth unemployment and school drop-out rates excede those in NZ.

Go to flixbox.co.nz

Have you seen those DVD dispensers in the entry to some of the big supermarkets? Perhaps you just did what I have done for the past few months; walked past them and not really realised what they were. Well, today we stopped and took a good look and then went home to look them up online www.flixbox.co.nz   After checking out what movies were available, we returned to the scene and checked out a latest releases; ‘Prometheus’  amongst them. The ‘dispensers are easy to use and a bit cheaper than some of the video outlets. I have decided to get rid of Sky TV films (except for Rialto). I figure as long as I share the cost with my partner I shall save a bit of money so long as we limit the films we takeout to about one a fortnight and share the cost. I was watching far too much crap on Sky anyway and most of the films come on TV 1, 2 and three eventually. I will record them and just flick through the ads---yeah, nice move Flixbox.   Mmmm--- I think will get rid of Sports on Sky too. Hell cricket is a bit of a downer at the moment eh. I can always get the rugby on later if I want.