First home buyers in Auckland have little to hope for.

Reports that first home buyers in Auckland are beginning to give up on getting their dream of entering the property market. The new rules about needing a 20% deposit are simply playing into the hands of investors and speculators. For those 'fat cats' who cry 'foul' when anyone talks about imposing a capital gains tax in order to cool down the demand for investment properties, I say, how about thinking of your fellow citizens for a change? If a significant sector of society is locked out of the NZ dream of owning a home, then expect social disruption as those who are doomed to stay at the bottom seek other answers. We can not have the gap between 'those who can and those can but dream,' ever increasing. Something has to give and when it does, maybe the greedy will take a plunge of epic proportions. To the politicians I say,' get your act together (but not ACT!) and provide a more hopeful playing field.' It is in the interests of us all to have the maximum number of our people with a real stake in the economy. Home ownership along with stable employment are vital factors to achieve this goal. The later of course is another factor in that an increasing number of NZers are employed on a non-permanent basis; called in only when needed. How can they ever save for a 20% deposit?
Of course for some the best action would be to leave Auckland and 'if' they can find employment in the provinces, move there, where the homes are more affordable and life is a little less stressful. I hope that David and the Labour Party is watching and comes up with policies that veer in a new direction. Tine will tell!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Dare I say it?----a glimmer of hope in Afghanistan.

My heart went out to the people of Afghanistan, in particular to the people of Kabul. They were gathered together in a stadium, formerly used but the Taliban to administer harsh Sharia Law punishments on those they saw as transgressing their ideology.
The people in the stadium were living as we in most other countries, take for granted. Men an women were in attendance, together;  a woman dressed just like any Kiwi would do to sing to the crowd; her face was not covered and she was not subjected to ridicule for entertaining the crowd.
The two teams on the field were playing football and they adhered to the 'rules' of the game. There were no bombs, no deaths and the result of the game was accepted by all. Oh for this to be translated into the lives of ordinary Afghans; that they could believe that this occasion in the stadium was 'normal' and the huge helicopter that appeared over the crowd was not necessary. Have they not suffered enough! Could it be that the future holds something resembling normalcy in this war ravaged nation? What stand s in the way of that dream? -----A group of 'men' claiming that they have a God given right to rule in a way that does not include all citizens and a way of life that would not allow for the happy scenes in that far off stadium in Kabul. Perhaps sports really is an antidote for the excesses of politics and religion!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Bye bye big jackets!

I remember buying some really nice jackets over the last few years but now they simply don't fit. I look like a vagabond wearing something he has 'lifted' from' a burglary! No, I am not selling stolen items; I am getting rid of stuff that hangs loose. I gave away bags an bags of other clothing, but the Visa bill got too high when I brought my new wardrobe after the bariatric surgery 6 months ago so I am financing my visit to the shops, be they online or local. I am sticking ridiculous prices on them and making the Trade Me auction last only 2 days and I am insisting that the buyers pick them up. That will annoy those bidders outside Auckland, but for a few dollars, I just don't fancy packaging and posting. They are so cheap I doubt the prices I get will even cover the visit to the post shop. Oh well, I guess I may still be giving them to the hospice shop or the SPCA if they don't sell. Now, what else can I get rid of! Nah---I'm not gonna put up pictures, you will just have to go find on Trade Me.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

tHIS IS WHAT HAPPENS POST BARIATRIC SUGERY, WHEN U HAVE TWO VERY SMALL GLASSES OF WINE

Ok, this is a scienticiaclly based experiment. Six months ago I had bariATIRC SURGERY. nOW 41 KGS LATER and very much healthier I decided to have a couple of glasses of wine to see what effects the said beverage has on my typing performance. I will not spell check this ort check what I have written . Mmm--casting my glance so far, I seem to be doing OK. I know alfrerady tta I feel good---well a bit ripped to be hinest. I know tyat my typing is not the best and neds a bit of tweaking at the best of times os the result of two standard drinks of a good NZ white Pinot Gris is quite telling.
I am awaiting the wonderful dinner that I think is home cooked 'butter chicken' along with a medley of streamed veggies and rtice. That will be followed by a sponge cake with cocnut icing that I had for lunch with some lovely lady firndfs I met a few years ago while wlaking my dog. Perdy is looking at me now, wondering what I am doioing. Perhaos she things that I am  wrigtin another book about her. Sher knows that she is the 'satar' of my next book to go online in the next few weeks, TALK TO ME. I WAS VERY CAREFUL ABOUT typing thyat title. Does this story need a moral or a  purpose? Caours enot. It is a simple example of   (Damn, how did those italiscs appear?)
As I look back at all the red underlined errors that I said I would not correct, I think I have proven my point. For me, even tow snmall glassdes of a quality NZ wine have a huge effect on my typing -- I challenge you all to conduct the same experiment.
To those dopes who say that they are not affected when they drink, partake of other illegal substances, I say---get real.
I can smell the butter chicken. From past expecribnce, I know that it only takes a bit of food and I return to norm,al whereby the typing isd just a little better!
www.authorneilcoleman.com   I typed thast really slowly!

A walk on the 'wild side.'

I looked out the window this morning and wondered if Perdy would still want her walk.  What a silly 'wondering.' Of course she did. After a quick breakfast (yeah, I know, I'm supposed to eat SLOWLY) we headed towards a park/reserve in Blockhouse Bay where I had taken her yesterday. She loves the combination of grassy glades and bush. The reserve also has a stream meandering through it where she can wash off the mud and stains form her usually white body. The reserve has also had a reputation as being one where some whacko dog-hater has left poison to kill dogs but I see the signs have gone now to be replaced by new ones warning of 'dog thieves'  in the area. Hopefully, Perdy's natural distrust of people, unless they have a dog will keep her safe.
Perdy was off like bullet, running and watching for me to chuck her ball. Even though the wind was getting up and the rain starting, the reserve felt clam and serene, despite the busy road on the border. We alternated between crazy 'chase the ball gamers with exploring in the trees and even found a path we had not gone down on previous visits. Perdy jumped in the stream and we returned to the cart, satisfied and at least some of her energy spent.
Now I have dropped her off home and I am going to lunch with two lovely ladies I have met as a result of Perdy. I am not taking her because I would actually like a relatively quiet time at lunch and not be bothered by three crazy dogs---Shush----- don't tell Perdy. She thinks I am going to work.
www.authorneilcoleman.com  

The solar oven has hit 100c plus!

Now that I know the solar oven is capable of hitting 100c and maintaining that level consistently I shall be able to try out some 'real cooking.'  It will need to stay at that level or higher before I attempt meat though. Today, is my day of testing and if the weather is OK tomorrow I shall try a savoury mince recipe.
The Bay leaves I dried the other day, were very successful at 70c; anything more would have burnt them. I am looking forward to drying some of the berries I grow and other fruits and herbs. Hell, if I was a gun toting maniac, I would almost label myself as a 'prepper.' But, I just don't have the 'skill' those guys and girls have! With my solar power, perhaps all I need to be at least a 'greenie.' I am sure those of you who know me are laughing your tits off!
www.authorneilcoleman.com


 

Boil-up with my twist and a tweaking.

I have heard various friends almost going into rapture when they talk about going home to a good old-fashioned boil-up. There would be very few Maori families out there who don't appreciate the idea of a weekend boil-up. As with most 'traditional' recipes in many cultures, each family has its won spin on the family favourite. Fro the most part, a boil-up consists of pork bones (maybe beef too) purchased from a 'favourite butcher (or even 'home kill') stuck in a large pot along with watercress or puha, various vegetables and possibly some salt and pepper. The idea is to keep it simple, cheap and with the addition of of some 'doughboys' near the end of the cooking process, the family has an easy meal.
I well remember a friend cooking the above version at school one day and the smell went right through the administration block, causing the principal at the time to jokingly banning us from doing that again. Of course, the Maori students, knew exactly what we were cooking and their smiles spoke volumes.
Yesterday, while I was shopping at the Aussie Butcher, I came across some water cress and a few metres along the aisle, I spotted some meaty, not too fatty pork bones. 'Flash,' my mind went: Maybe I could do what that clever chef does on Wednesday night TV, where he takes a 'favourite recipe and gives it a twist and a tweak.' I rushed home with my very cheap purchases and excitedly announced that I was about to 'experiment' with my version of a boil-up. Did that cause  equal excitement at home? No---not really, just a raising of eyebrows and a resignation that I was going to do something different----again! Here's what I did and yes, I know the 'purists' out there are going to have me 'hung drawn and quartered.'
I found my biggest pot. Damn, I shouldn't have sold that huge one on Trade Me.
I washed the pork bones and placed them in the pot.
I added the pork bones.
In went the water cress---heaps of it!
I chucked in a chopped carrot and an onion.
In went a little salt and pepper.
But, then I added some chilli flakes, garlic, a piece of ginger and a dash of Paprika, nutmeg and a pinch of sugar.
I also biffed in small bacon bone.
After boiling the kettle I poured that over the mixture until it covered everything nicely.
I slowly cooked the mix for three hours and turned it off.
Was it good?  Hell, yes! The fluid was divine and the meat just melted in mouth.
Why is it that families insist on buying crappy takeaways night after night when they can cook (the original versions) something as cheap and tasty as the 'boil-up?' Mrs Brown tasted my version and she said, 'That's feckin nice.'
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Honestly, It was magnificent!