Spying---- yes---we are watching you!

It comes as no revelations that the USA and other countries’ are ‘spying on their citizens. When has it been any different? What is different is the ease with which they can now do it. Every aspect of our lives is under scrutiny, form the mindless carp we do on Facebook to the more serious potentially dangerous national issues around terrorism. For the latte I can understand but even then there is a fine line. If someone is openly accessing and discussing the making of bombs—well they get what they deserve.  I am concerned about other information gathering exercises. Hell at the rate this is happening, why bother doing a census? It’s all there for them without us doing anything. OK, just kidding, I think!

What I find totally hypocritical is the stance some nations take when they criticise others for ‘infringing’ on the rights of the citizens, then that same nation does exactly the same re its own citizen., We all know that the USA has delved into the affairs of other nations and those same nations reciprocate. It does not take a ‘super computer’ to achieve such goals buy possessing one makes the exercise even more ‘complete.’

Of course having said the above, most of us continually provide information about our purchasing habits every time we complete a survey online or just by the very act of using a computer we unknowingly ‘give’ information. It does not take much to take the next step and have more sinister actions enacted upon us.

Cyber war is a reality, be it geo-political or economic. The DDV’s from Hollywood and elsewhere are but a portent of what is possible. Some idiot with megalomaniac tendencies may be much closer to the truth than we realize. Give the enhanced powers that computers and cyber spying offer and add the political gamesmanship that many world government enact upon their people and it is not hard to make the jump between fantasy and reality.

I try not to think too much about what may be happening. I am indeed glad that I do not belong to a fringe group, pushing for radical change in society, even though I believe that change is needed in many areas of our lives and in the way we are governed. It goes without saying that even in little New Zealand---we are watched. I damned glad that I am not in China, Russia the USA and most other countries in the world!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Auckland's beggars--are they for real?

Anyone visiting the 'golden mile' that is Queen Street must have noticed the beggars. Some are 'in your face' while others sit on the sidewalk, patiently waiting for us to drop something into their  box, bag or whatever they use to collect their money. Some have signs asking for money or explaining their 'position.' At times one can feel a bit aggrieved at their insistence that 'life' has dealt them a low blow, but then you can be left wondering at the true situation that brings them to the street. I have heard people yelling at them to ‘get a job.' Others wonder what access they have to our 'benefits system.'

If you look a bit closer and listen for a while, other issues become apparent and it is these people I feel most sorry for. It seems that the 'mental health' system in New Zealand has let down a few of these characters, but whether the system has let them down or the individual has chosen to side step it is a moot point. We don't force people to engage in New Zealand unless they are a risk to others and even then, many slip through.

So, next time you pass a beggar on the street, take a moment to ponder what their real situation is. It is all too easy to pass judgment on a person, especially one sitting on the footpath, looking dishevelled and dirty. The proposal to ban beggars needs to be discussed sensitively and a decision about ‘banning’ them should not be taken lightly. It is a sign of the times (and probably always has been) that some people just don’t fit into our own comfortable confines of what constitutes a good citizen. Then as always there are those who will do whatever it takes to get a free meal card. Just don’t assume that the beggar you are passing is undeserving of your help.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Living on 'takeaways' said to be cheaper than home cooked meals!

It is very possible that some may take offence at the following words. Recent reports that many families is so-called ‘poorer’ areas of Auckland are doing big spend ups at cheap takeaway food outlets because it is cheaper to use these establishments than cook a healthier home cooked meal. The example given to back this us was where NZ$10 could buy enough to feed a family of four. For that amount one could buy 4 pieces of fish, 4 fritters, 4 sausages and some chips. I have seen these ‘offerings and sometimes took advantage of them in my ‘pre-bariatric surgery days. (No wonder I achieved the giddy heights of 120 kilos!) I agree that it is possible to buy a large amount of fat-laden, sugar high and salty food that has been deep fried and a meal the ‘hots the spot’ as we used to say.

I shall try not to use a ‘sweeping brush’ approach when discussing the implications of the above ‘claims.’ Who am I to say that families on a budget should learn how to cook healthier and relatively cheaper options? Families in the south, west or any other area often used to portray the ‘less well –off parts’ of our cities have to make best with what they have. Such decisions are not confined to certain areas. The bottom line is that for a range of reasons, many families are struggling to put food on the table. Add to the mix, unemployment, lack of role models re learning good budget cooking methods and a sense that one can’t ‘do it,’ and you have all the components of a family feeling that it has few options.

There is of course the propensity to have someone else cook your food and if it can be done cheaply then why worry about how healthy it is. That of course brings about a raft of health issues that I can identify with; the difference for me is that I was ‘encouraged’ and came to a decision that ‘things don’t need to be like they have always been.’ What I am saying is that we do have choices and to break bad habits that are not entirely based on economics, then one has to take the plunge.

Can a family of 4 be fed using $10? It may come down to expectations. If one has been fed a diet of the fatty, sugary, salty and deep fried food, there is a type of addiction that traps one into that sort of option. Breaking that cycle takes time and repeated effort. If you give young children sweet stuff form the beginning, they are more than likely to spurn healthier options when they get older. The same can be said for other ‘unhealthy’ choices.

What can you buy for $10? Firstly, you don’t get the items form a local corner shop. Planning ahead is needed and that means going to local markets (most suburbs in Auckland have them now) or use the bug Asian shops or large outlets like Pack and Save. I know I have already lost some readers, because even that is all too hard. Maybe it’s time for a reality check then!

You don’t need fancy cooking implements. If you don’t have a slow cooker, then get one. Wait for a sale when they are 40% or more off or go and get one from an ‘Op shop.’ Failing that, use a big pot on the top of a stove and cook long and slowly.   Buy the cheaper cuts of meat and chuck in veggies. Use what you have and add flavourings like onion, garlic, mixed herbs, curry mixes---use your imagination. It’s amazing what your kids will come up with. Make cooking a family thing that all share in. So, ten bulks buys half a kilo of meat and some veggies. It’s going to be hard getting all the ingredients for the magic $10, but it is possible, like I said---with planning. Don’t be trapped into that---oh it’s all too much,’ feeling and revert to old bad and potentially harmful habits. Yeah, life’s hard, but with effort, the above is doable. Just look around and you will see families coping. Go back to what grandma knew. You might even learn how to make some basic ‘cookies,’ just like she made. For those grannies out there---show your grandkids how to make that ‘stew’ that you used to cook. It was filling and it costs bugger all. Sometimes we need to look back to the past so that we can cope with the here and now.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Egypt's woes. Will the army intervene to 'support democracy?'

Egypt is awash with discontent at the present. Where does this spring from? There is little doubt that the incumbent leader won the right to rule, but there is also a great deal to suggest that he has taken it upon himself to steer Egypt towards becoming an Islamic Republic in every sense of the word. He does this at his peril because he simply does not have the mandate to do this. He is also ignoring Egypt’s recent history. No leader can survive without at least the tacit support of the military!

Now that the military has given the government 48 hours to sort out the issues surrounding the latest ‘discontent,’ it seems that we will see a return to military style government. This is a step backwards and will not solve the deep divisions in Egyptian society.

It is true that many Egyptians are devout Muslims and they favour a government that leans in that direction, but there is also a large sector of Egyptian society that does not want the leadership as expressed by the present leader to rule every aspect of their lives. This is also to be seen in the streets of Turkey’s major cities.

The military will have its way, but that will not stop the movement of the people in the streets. Last time when Mubarak was challenged, the military were hardly paragons of democracy, so expect a pretty heavy hand once things go haywire on the next few days. The burgeoning experiment towards a form of Egyptian democracy will be threatened rather than enhanced by the military interventions. At best this will curtail the more extreme elements of Egyptian Islamic fundamentalism. Hopefully, the foreign ‘players in this dispute, stay away, but perhaps that is naïve to say the least. The USA, UE, Russia and possibly China all have agendas that can only fuel an already volatile situation.

We must accept that it is Egyptians who should resolve Egyptian issues! In the meantime the people of Egypt will continue to enact their version of the Arab Spring.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Australia--- what is it about you and politics?!

I have just finished watching the Governor General swearing in the new Australian PM and Cabinet. I cannot help ask a few poignant questions. How can the political polls turn around so quickly; to the point that the Labor Party is possibly back in the race for the upcoming elections. If they pull this off, it will be one of the biggest turn-arounds in Australia's history.
A week ago, Julia Gillard and the Labor Party were basically stuffed; dead ducks in the water, waiting to be swept aside by a resurgent Tony Abbot.
Then, along came Kevin at the behest of his former colleagues and all bets are off. Kevin is back and Julia is gone. What is it about the relationship between the electorate and this feisty Lady? Was she that hated by the bulk of Australians? Did she turn off voters to the extent that few would admit to voting for her? Does her demise say something about Australians and their attitudes to women, especially those in a position of power?
Perhaps the 'toughness' of the Australian psyche came back to haunt her. The rigorous Australian climate and the history of the 'lucky country' may have come together with some other aspects of Australian culture to make it nigh on impossible for Australians to give a female a fair go? No--- then was it the fact that she knifed Kevin Rudd and it is a matter of 'what goes around comes around?' Maybe Australians never forgave the manner in which Julia came to power. I merely pose the questions. I don't say with any certainty what has led to todays political turn-around. I can just say that I am perplexed.
Perhaps we will see the political knives out in the NZ Labour Party soon. I hope not, because our David Shearer deserves a chance. Oh well, Kevin will bring his own brand of action to the Australian scene and Tony Abott will know he is in for a bloody good fight, come election time!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

I came, I saw, I conquered. Just a little achievement and one of many to come.

I conquered Mt Everest like any good Kiwi should aspire to. OK, I know that is a bit too much to claim as the mountain was a mere hill, but for a former fat boy, it was quite an achievement. Not only did I accompany my crazy Jack Russell to the summit, along with about a dozen other dogs and their bosses (well they think they are!) I did it without actually being aware of the steady climb because as usual I was motor-mouthing the entire journey---surprize!

It was a beautiful day and on reaching the top, the view was magnificent. To think that about 4 months ago, I would have had to stop about ten times; that’s about once every 15 metres, then I am happy with my little achievement. I know the picture isn’t that good, and if you can’t see it, go to my blog through my website.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Just a little achievement--the top of Big King Reserve.

The pitures big, beacause it needed to be! The old me!

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Moscow...New Zealand can feel a great deal of pride.

A nation can feel proud when both its womens team and the men won gold in  sport near toits heart. New Zealand are double World Cup Sevens champions now, a title to go along with the win in 2011 that  put the men at the pinacle for the 15 aside game.
One can not feel anything other than pride to see the women quickly followed by the men performing their winning haka. It is not often that we achieve such heights on the world stage.
The only thing that I can't understand is why the Russian hosts, who did a wonderful organnizational exercise chose to use such a huge stadium. For the whole tournament, it was almost empty and even the finals looked like a small town sports-meet. The tournamant lacked that special feeling that should go along with an event of this kind. I wonder why Russia won the right to host the event and one can only assume that politics reared its ugly head in making this decission.
I know that moving the event around is meant to 'grow' the sport but anyone watching the games on TV would harldly be entranced at the lack of atmosphere. Think again, 'officials,' when you make those decisisons about where to host the upcoming World Cups! The sporting achievments delivered, especially if you are a Kiwi.
www.authorneilcoleman.com