Sugestions needed for recipes re 'raw fish.'

I had the chance to eat some raw fish in Thames yesterday, and it indeed suited me. I didn't feel bloated and I absolutely loved it. Strange thing shave happened to my taste buds, post surgery. Can you please suggest your favourite recipes and include the best type of fish available (yeah, I know---go catch it myself!---I shall speak to a few 'key' people at work about that!) in NZ. I don't know what it was that made the dish yesterday a hit with me. I suspect that the 'sauce' was a light mayo, but I know there are other things like coconut cream and cream, but I'd like some more options. Raw fish is a fabulous way of getting good quality protein into me.  Bring it on my friends!

I gotta eat protein but I can't face a steak yet!

Yes, small amounts of steak are in my future, but so far I have only felt like mince based dishes. I have only had one day in which I was a little ambitious and the price was feeling like crap for an hour---no throwing up mind you! Oh, have you forgotten or were you wondering why the feck I am talking about restricting my gastronomic intake? I am one month post-Bariatric surgery. I have lost about 23 kilos and I still need to lose at least 15 more. That will take time and exercise plus staying with my new regime of small baseball-sized meals, much of what should be protein. Gone are the days of big plates of veggies, because I can not eat enough quantity to reach the protein levels needed. But--tofu is a choice that thank goodness really suits me. Here's a recipe that is cheap (everything is now!) and extremely tasty and nutritious.
Take one block of 'soft tofu' and very carefully cut it into bite sized pieces. It can crumble easily, so unless you want uneven bits in your final result, be careful and use a sharp knife. If you do stuff it up, it won't affect the flavour though. Place the pieces in a bowl with the marinade. I used sesame oil, lime juice and leaves from my Kaffir Lime tree, fish sauce, balsamic vinegar and a little sugar. Let it all sit for about an hour.
Heat up oil and gently sprinkle corn flour over each piece of tofu. It's a messy process but it helps the add crunch. Now, fry the tofu until golden brown. Use the remainder of the marinade as a dipping sauce. I had my tofu with a tiny amount of rice mixed with a few frozen peas  and corn. Pour more marinade over the finished product. Unlike marinade used for chicken and meats, this one can be used raw. The end result?-----Fantastically tasty and healthy. HEY Perdy, STOP LICKING THE BOWL!

Will Labour and the Greens ever learn?

The polls sometimes deliver a potent message. The latest Morgan poll had Labour down and National significantly up. Why would we be surprised at this? It seems that after all the hard work by Mr Shearer and his deputy, where we witnessed a slow rise, to the point that many were writing National off at the next election, that reality has returned ton politics. The launch of the Labour Green Policy re electricity prices and control can only be seen as amateurish. From the very first night when the two leaders appeared on TV to announce what they thought was a winning policy, we saw hesitancy and no real detail about how the policy was going to work. They looked like very uncertain ‘political bedfellows.’ They did not think through the possible opposition to their policy or the ramifications. All they did was piss off a large portion of NZers and created fear amongst those who had or were thinking of investing in the Mighty River Share launch.

Labour and the greens played right into National’s hands by stumbling on with their policy. All of the clichés came out, ranging from a ‘return of the Cossacks’ through to the accusations of a ‘soviet Style’ takeover of the economy. Anyone with half a brain should have seen through the accusations by National and unfortunately it was these emotive words that have echoed with the electorate. One only had to listen to the Talk back’ radio shows to here that the misinformation had struck deeply. I hate to say it, but NZers are bloody useless at thinking through these issues and instead chose to listen to the opinions of other failed commentators.

Labour and the Greens---go back to your policy makers and advisors and perhaps widen the net to garner a more realistic assessment of what is going on in NZ. You are not listening! Your inner -circles are just as stupid as those advising National. Pull your heads out of the sand and come up with something that will work for NZ, before it is too late and we all suffer from another three years of this Government that is taking Education  over the waterfall, to smash on the rocks below! We need you to make sense.

Aaron Gilmour's antics will no doubt be used to denigtrae MMP!

I can already hear the clarion calls for the demise of MMP in New Zealand's Parliament, all based around the childish and bellicose actions of Aaron Gilmour, List MP for National. That he behaved in a totally unacceptable manner is beyond doubt. We can all say we expect better from our MPs. Whether they are List or Electorate based is not the issue. It does not take much of a trip down 'Memory Lane' to find other historic shenanigans from other MPs, even Government Ministers, so let us not become victims of the thinking that use Gilmour's actions to misrepresent the issues around MMP. Of course we will always have examples of the behaviours exhibited by Gilmour, potentially from any individual in Parliament. Let's take a step back and treat each indiscretion on its merits. Lets ignore the calls of those with an agenda to oust the present system because their arguments about the behaviour of MPs has nothing to do with whether the transgressor is a List MP or Electorate MP. Having said that, there is an obvious  message for all parties to engage in a lot more background checking before they make up their final lists that we then blindly vote on. I am sure the latest Gilmour incident will shove home that message loud and clear for all parties. Of course when booze or any other substance is involved, all bets are off. Just think back to the night when a clearly inebriated Prime Ministers (Muldoon) announced an early election and his own exit from Parliament, back in the 1980's. It made wonderful viewing on TV. Take heed oh 'high and mighty, MP's.

Who needs a watch dog when you have this?!

No, I am not giving my dear Perdy away and yes she is a great little watch dog. She has a different bark for different people. She barks one way for friends and neighbours and another very distinct bark for 'strangers' especially salespeople. Perdy has 'educated' the neighbours as to which category any visitor belongs. They even know when she is barking at cats. Perdy runs outside whenever anyone or any animal comes anywhere near our house. She even knows the different cars so often it is a bark, followed by a bored yawn and a return to her couch, upon which she places herself to sleep and wake at her pleasure. Sometimes I really need an active watchdog to frighten the crap out of some visitors. That is when the 'beastie' in the pool comes into play. That crocodile has elicited many a response as it surveys the 'prey' from the pool. Anyone daring to enter without permission risks losing a hand, head or they may even disappear, never

to be seen again! What a great Aussie import!

Five year old given a rifle as a gift---goes on to kill his 2 year old sister---did I hear correctly?

I guess that in a country of nearly 400 million people there will be a proportionate number of total 'fu--wits.' Yes, New Zealand has it's own home grown ones, but so far we haven't read about a five year old being given a gun as a present and then go on to accidentally kill a younger sibling. (yes, we have had older siblings kill younger ones though. The difference between the two nations (and Australia) is in the attitude that allows such tragic actions. When is this 'love affair' with guns going to stop, America? What society can sanction such stupidity? Is it so ingrained as an inalienable right that then allows such tragic accidents to occur? I know that many American share my view, but the Senate did not have the guts to act when they were presented with a very mild piece of legislation, aimed at taking some of the 'edge' off the danger surrounding guns in the USA. I know, most Americans who own guns, do so in a responsible manner and most Americans are not part of whacko 'survivalist groups.' I leave those twats out of my discussion, mainly because they probably can't read!
My heart goes out to the family that has just gone through this terrible incident. They must be feeling incredibly guilty. They know of course that they are part of that tiny minority that lives with guns in such an irresponsible manner. It all goes back to numbers, plus the history of the USA; a country that has not managed to move beyond the 'frontier days.' Perhaps the USA needs a new 'frontier'---like in Star Wars, because the one they refuse to leave behind, still has its terrible grip on society.

My day in Thames--lovely, except for their dislike of 'dogs.'

I loved my day with Perdy in Thames and the coast just past the town. We had gone there to pick up an item from 'Bliss' that I had won on Trade Me. The beach we first stopped at had sign that dogs needed to be a leash---fair enough, but Perdy needed out, not just for toileting, but for a manic run. We travelled another kilometre and the beach had no sign at all so we figured Perdy could have a run. That she did as only she knows how. Thankfully she stayed away from the end where there were hundreds of birds resting on the sand. I kept Perdy's attention focussed on the ball. That is not hard. Once she had shaken the dust off, we headed back to town, but stopping for a few minutes at a local real estate agent to inquire about renting a holiday home at Xmas; one that would allow a Jack Russell to take up residence. I felt a beginnings of a plan for Xmas 2113 coming on strongly.
By the time we had parked the car and started walking along the main street of Thames, it had started to rain. We were stopped in our tracks by a sign on the edge of the shopping area that clearly stated that dogs were prohibited. Being law-abiding citizens from the big smoke (where such signs are indeed rare) we put Perdy back in the car and parked outside a little unassuming seafood takeaway (Central seafood's) shop. I was able to have a salad of raw fish and other seafood for the tiny price of $4.80. See what I mean about my food bill being less, even for eating out.  I love it, but I didn't love the unfriendly dog-hating attitude of this beautiful, historic town. What's up Thames? Do you have a little clique on your local community board that just doesn't like dogs or has there been a problem with misfit dogs (read their owners) who have either allowed their canine family to crap on the footpath or attack the citizens of your town? Maybe the 'board' needs a shake-up. Maybe I should come on down there and live there, stand fort election on the assumption that things need to change. Don't you realize how many 'visitors like to bring their doggie-buddies with them and that your cafes would flourish with the addition of water bowls on the pathways. Take a trip to Auckland and check out just how many areas have heaps of dogs sitting peacefully at the cafes. You can always ban unruly barkers or pissers etc.. Hell, you could create employment for a few rangers! All you have to do is fine bad owners for allowing bad habits and the fines would make a profit for the town and employ one or two people. (Mmm, sounds suspiciously like 'revenue collecting!'--what the hell) Come on Thames, join the real world! I just love your town and the area to the North! You are indeed a hidden jewel for NZ. Is it that you want to keep it that way and just stay in some sort of time-warp? NO--- I think that the people of Thames need to have a say in your doggie-ban. OH---you are not alone though. I think Raglan has a problem with doggies too.