Russia, welcome back---I was wondering where you have been>

Yes, it's great to see Russia return to reading my blogs. I thought that maybe I had been a bit hard on Mr Putin. Just remember that I give the USA heaps too and also my own Government, but when good things happen I say that too. I have even been known to praise the actions of individual Cabinet Ministers in the NZ Government, like MRE Dunne for instance. I stick it too him a lot because he's a ''fence sitter'---you know, the MPs you get in coalition Governments. They dance with any partner, just to attain a share in the 'halls of power.' I'm sure you have them in Russia too. To be fare to Mr Dunne, he has been instrumental in achieving progress re the synthetic cannabis sales in corner shops in NZ. So, once again, welcome back my Russian friends and keep it up Mr Dunne. See, that wasn't so bad, was it?
www.authorneilcoleman.com

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!

I am an MP. Thus I have achieved my goal--- you better read on!

Yes I am most definitely an MP now but I need to add a 'qualifier.' MP means 'Modified Person' in my books. Yes I have undergone a transition and reached the status of MP without even having an election or needing to join some of the 'trough dwellers' in Wellington. I do not have to build my life around the 'three year cycle' when my contract comes up for renewal. I do not have to lie and cheat and mislead in order to garner the approval of prospective voters. I do not have to be 'everybody's' man or woman in order to gain yet another three years in the sanctimonious 'corridors of power.'
I am in control of my own future as a member of the MP club and I am also open to sharing my experiences, past, present and as an unfolding future with others. There is no charge (unless you buy one of my books at www.authorneilcoleman.com) and you do not need to vote for me in order to enjoy communicating with me.
Being an MP presents many challenges, but with the support of my family and friends and then some, plus my own sense of empowerment will be enough for me to survive any future storms.
Now, what shall I wear for my 'inauguration?

If you want to read my blogs about the Bariatric surgery now you may need to join mt 'Bariaitric Support group or---

Yes, I am sure that most of you are sick of seeing my blogs about how I am feeling and what have eaten or how my bodily functions are such an important aspect to my new life. OK, if you are at all curious about where I am going with this then I shall post my ravings on my home page, Facebook, Twitter and on the groups I started---Bariatric support group. I won't repeatedly post the blogs on the other groups I belong too, so if you want to see what's going on or 'not' happening, then go to my home page to access the group. Now on to my day seven post-surgery and you may wish to stop reading.
Phew, they've gone. I know that if you are still reading about my obsession with what has been the main focus of my life, then you are genuinely interested or maybe you know someone who is considering embarking on a similar 'journey. I am completely open to being contacted directly if anyone wants a chat. Just so long as you don't expect 'expert' medical advice and just want a chat, then that's OK with me. I can only talk about what led up to my decision and how I have coped with the decision to proceed, the month long 'trial by Optifast and what has happened since. Now, if you need or wish to make that contact, go through my website and follow the links to my email address,
www.authorneilcoleman.com
Day 7 post-surgery has been great. I have tried to be as active as possible, because I was told to have two to three walks of about 20 minutes each day. Being at home of course stimulates Perdy, my Jack Russell into 'preforming' until I take her out. She knows all the tricks so I can't ignore her.
I am really enjoying the porridge I make each morning from Qinoa Flakes, a product that my sister put me onto. Qinoa is a ancient seed that comes from South America and as far as I know it is one of the few that has such a high protein component.
I mix about a tablespoon and a bit with boiling water until smooth then add more to make up a mixture of about two to one of water and Qinoa. I cook it in the microwave on about 30% for around 6 minutes. By the time I finish my shower it has cooked and cooled enough for me to add my favourite home cooked mixture of feijoas (from my garden) and apples, stewed without sugar, but with the addition of some cinnamon. I then add a small dollop of unsweetened yogurt. The result is a very satisfying and easy to eat breakfast.
After breakfast it is 'walking Perdy time, down at the Onehunga Bay Reserve. While I am recuperating, I don't push it too hard. Once we return I have 'quiet time' until lunch. Today I had the mix I referred to in my previous blog. I am noticing that I have visitors each day and mostly they bring their dog, so Perdy is beginning to think that the only visitors she really likes are those who are accompanied by their canine charges. Life becomes a little crazy at these times as Perdy and her friends try to take the house apart. BY the time my friends leave, I take a nap and then muck around catching up with emails, blogs and Face book. Then it's out for another walk, before checking out dinner. That now is very easy as the freezer is full of little meals. I rest again as I have noticed that I become quite tired. I still have another week off and by then it's the school holidays. My planning has really worked out well. By the time I return to work, I shall not only be significantly lighter, but also well recovered. I am missing the kids and my mates at school, but they are keeping in touch by phone, emails and texting.  Thanks heaps guys.
One last point: My sleeping has really improved. I am most thankful for that. Heck, at this rate the next thing I shall discard (along with my medications) will be my sleep machine (CPAC--or CRAP machine as some of those close to me call it. I just call it ELLE!
Right it's time for as real coffee in my coffee machine. Yes, my life is dominated by machines of various types. I found a quality supplier of good coffee beans. That is for another blog!

I almost learned the hard way re the size of the meals in my new life!

I am doing very well on my new regime since my surgery. I have ben losing kilo a day and I think that is too much. My dietician said to get more protein into my system; mainly form lean beef, chicken fish and lamb. (Hey, what about trim pork?) Of course until next Thursday these amounts of intake have to be liquidised. Hell, that just ain't the same as eating the real unadulterated produce! Can you imagine some liquidized snapper fillet? What's the bloody difference after I have well-chewed it anyways eh? Liquidized mince?---like a meaty milkshake.
It's OK. folks. I can hack it for a few more days before I get to eat almost anything, but in smaller amounts. The amounts and getting protein into me? Well I did what I was told today and for lunch, I put a tablespoon of tinned salmon, hummus and cottage cheese on a little plate. It tasted mighty fine but you know what?---- I couldn't handle all of it. I ate slowly as required and had to leave about a third of it. I WAS BLOODY FULL TO THE MAX! A few well timed farts later and I felt good again. Maybe the weight loss will slow down. Shit, (I wish) am I complaining? Hell no.
I shall have a nana nap now and then take Perdy, my friendly manic (somewhat like the Dear Leader from North Korea!) Jack Russell down to the Onehunga Reserve Bay and let her run off her extra lunch (my leftover) with her equally Ritalin-starved friends. They are the craziest girls and boys I have ever met and I can thank them for all the new friends I have met as a result (plus a book---'Talk To Me,'----check it out on my website   www.authorneilcoleman.com) of those wonderful walks. Those friends have been so supportive and I love them all.

North Korea's 'Dear Leader' continues to speak from his posterior

The megalomaniac leader of North Korea needs to assert his rule over his impoverished country. While he lavishes scarce resources  on the military, his people starve. His latest 'positioning' is just more of the same. For some reason he thinks that his utterances will bring  the army into line (let's face it, there is no other form of effective opposition to his rule--or is he just the 'tail' that wags at the behest of the military?)
That the world get's itself in a tither over these 'events' is just what the Dear Leader wants' If he doesn't get the attention he desires in the world media, he throws his toys from the crib. Unfortunately the USA responds by bellicose statements that do nothing to ease the situation. We all know that the USA is more than capable of 'taking out' the North Korean military, both conventional and the nuclear capacity, so why respond to the endless ravings of a lunatic?
China too is becoming nervous about it's recalcitrant neighbour to say nothing of what might be going on in the Kremlin. Perhaps both nations will stand by as the USA  launches a massive 'removal' of the threat for once and all. I hope that things do not come to such a dramatic conclusion, because the main losers will be the innocent people in both the North and South of the peninsula. Tick Tock, tick tock!