Maybe I am not overtly 'religious,' but I do like to see Christmas decorations in our streets and malls---BUT----

Have you seen some of the over-the-top 'decorations' that festoon the streets, buildings and malls in some cities that owe little to the 'Christian' tradition. Take for example, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and even a city like Jakarta, which although having a significant Christina population, is predominantly Islamic. These cities are ablaze with colour and lights, creating the impression that they celebrate Christmas in a manner that leaves the city of Auckland looking like a very poor relative indeed. One has to search out a more 'Christmassy' scene in Auckland; probably arriving at Franklin Road in Ponsonby or other scattered attempts to celebrate the festive season. Sure, you can find the odd shop that does its best to remind us of the season and it is as much about attracting our wallets (which of course it is in the cities aforementioned) as it is about anything else.
Drive down Queens Street, but don't expect to be uplifted by the experience, even less  suddenly be impacted by the fabulous decorations (NOT!) to open your wallet or even feel the real 'spirit' of Xmas. There is only one redeeming feature of a Xmas in Auckland--at least we have not succumbed to that sad PC behaviour that emanates from the USA and the UK where you must say 'Happy Holidays' rather than Merry Xmas. Oh no---we can't have that---it would offend 'other' religions. What a load of cods-wallop! I am regularly greeted by Hindus and Muslims amongst other religions in NZ who wish me a Merry Xmas, so what gives New York and London?! Let's celebrate all of the festivals that are based on joy or yes, suffering too, but not water down the very roots of a faith or belief system, all in the name of some misguided attempt to be politically sensitive. And yes, I would love to see the big 'boys' of business take a break form merely taking our money and put a bit more back into 'lighting up our beautiful 'queen city.'
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Putin's cynical attempt to appear magnanamous---no better or wrose than what the USA has been doing for ages.

Power, naked power at that is alive and well in all forms throughout the world. We see it under the guise of religion in the Middle East, in Africa and parts of Europe. In the USA is manifests itself through the 'accepted' institutions' of government and  its various agencies. That Putin  is exercising it in a manner that is nothing more than an attempt to calm sensitive 'Western' nerves on the eve of the Winter Olympics should come as no surprise.
Take the example  the release of Greenpeace protesters and two members of Pussy Riot as examples of his devious machinations. I am happy that the above are now partially free to go about their lives, but he has underestimated the resolve of both groups. The Pussy Riot women were possibly putting themselves at risk by undertaking their 'adventure on the church.' They must have understood that their protesting in a place that many Russians hold as a special place, would play into Putin's hands.It should have been obvious from his past publicity stunts that he would use them for his own purposes; give them a time in a 'Gulag' and then show mercy by releasing them at a later date.
The bottom line is that he is only concerned about his continued stranglehold on the highest position in the new Russia; a position little different from that of the old, Tsars or even Stalin. The difference between his approach and that of President in the USA is that the latter cannot stand for election more than twice. Of course they have other means of keeping their hand in re power and influence.
The rest of the world is often consumed by issues playing out in other parts of the world; like terrorism, economics, oil and energy concerns and the ever growing list of 'failed states and all of what is involved in working through the ramifications as per refugees set upon finding new lives in other countries (read --the West).
The Pussy Riot members have made it quite clear that they will not return to a more 'acceptable and non-speaking-out' position. They will continue to put themselves at risk. We should not  be surprised to observe this. In the past, many Russians have taken brave stands against despots and who would point out and resist corruption and the suppression of freedom. Nations who take similar stands, like the Ukraine will suffer similar fates as Putin and his like put their foot on the throat of such 'expressions of hope.'
We should all keep a close watch on what transpires for the Pussy Riot women and those who would dare take on the Russian State.
As for the USA; we are well aware but equally powerless to lessen their hold on world events and issues. Now all we need is for the emerging giant that is China to show its hand in a more obvious way. The other old colonial powers and newly emerging nations, like Brazil, India and others---well just watch them playing catch-up!
In the meantime, lets all keep a watch on the fate of the women and others like them who represent hope and the continuing struggle against power that corrupts!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Is anyone having trouble with Windows 8 or 8.1---hell, I am!

Before my crazy jack Russell destroyed mu computer, I was happily working with it using Windows 7. When I received my new (Samsung) computer, it had Windows 8 on it and then the issues began. They got even worse when I installed the 8.1 version that was offered free. It cut out all the time and I had problem after problem until it crapped out completely. I rang the people who had fixed me up re the insurance part of the deal and they reinstalled the Windows 8 version and fixed, they hoped a few other issues. Once gain, things went haywire and it was only rather a huge effort on the part of my very smart nephew, Tim, that things returned to some sort of normally. We stopped using Internet Explorer as my browser and tired Firefox. Even then I still had problems and we then used Google Chrome. That worked better and now the only real issue (apart from the reuter disengaging from time to time) is that the damn clock will not stay set with the correct time. Buggered if I know  what to do. I feel like ringing my insurance company and saying---take this stupid computer back and give me a cheaper one that works or is it that the real problem is with Windows 8?!
In your 'helpful replies, please do not get too technical, cause I won't understand a bloody word. I shall just convey your polite suggestions to my nephew and possibly to the computer company that has tried to be so helpful. Go and download ROSKILL on your Kindle before you reply. Get it from my website. Hopefully all of you will get a new Kindle for Xmas.
www.authorneilcoleman.com 

The Power of 'One'---smile!

I am sure you have all seen what happens when you smile at someone. I am doubly sure that if more of us did it, the world would be a better place, even if for a fleeting moment. my dear old mum used to say that 'a smile is powerful.' So many times in my life that has proven to be so wonderfully true.
It works at work, with a grumpy teenage student, who walks past me with a look that tells me the 'world is on their shoulder.' I smile and say, 'Hi.' Their demeanour often changes from despondency to the beginnings of e better day. It works.
Take this morning, when I was turning out from a car park. I caught a guy crossing the road, not in a 'crash' sense; but my move surprised him, drawing a look that could only have been interpreted as, 'You silly bugger,' or something worse. I responded by waving and smiling in that sort of, 'I'm sorry, I didn't see you,' manner. He smiled in return and the world was returned to the equilibrium that I had started the day off with.
Is the smile the 'cure-all' that we we so desperately seek? NO---but it is a damned good beginning. Substitute it for the throw away insult; for the angry response that comes out of nowhere, or a physical reaction. A smile costs nothing, it hurts no one and it is contagious.
How many smiles would it take, not just in this so-called 'season of goodwill,' but every day, to help change one person's day? Does it not follow that if even only half of the recipients of a genuine smile passed that on, that the flow on effect would ripple through a community?
OK, you say, 'But what if I don't feel like smiling? I don't want to cover up when I feel bad or down.'
I am not suggesting that we all go about with this fixated foolish smile plastered on our collective faces----NO, but I am saying that  it doesn't hurt to spread a little hope, because that is what a smile is--a reaching out to someone else, building a sense of being part of a community, no matter how big or small.
So, next time you come upon someone, try it---smile and see what happens. If it doesn't result in an immediate response, try again with the next person. Of course, walking down the main street of town or in a huge shopping mall may present a slightly different result, but use the smile when you can.
Merry Xmas, everyone, I say with a huge smile!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Merry Xmas from Perdy.

Click on the website for more information re the Kindle download

www.authorneilcoleman.com

An early Merry Xmas from www.authorneilcoleman.com

Merry Xmas from NZ.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

 

Living Wage not supported by Auckland Council!

With all the furore over the 'Len Brown' affair, the lack of support by the City Council for a living wage for its employees and on a wider field has possibly gone below the radar. This is a pity as the issue deserves much more attention. Even trying to live on the proposed 'living wage' is damn near impossible for many in the largest city in New Zealand. With housing prices sky high and rents to match; add in transport costs and there is a huge problem for a significant proportion of Aucklanders. It is not as easy as moving away from the 'queen city,' as the jobs are just not where they are needed, in the provinces. I know I have advocated all sorts of solutions in precious blogs, but the fact is--living in Auckland is indeed hard.
That the Auckland City Councillors had a chance to lift the burden, if even only slightly, was missed is sad. That two councillors from South Auckland voted against the proposal is even more worrying. They are out of touch with the community that put them into their positions, but more to the point---the South Auckland community did this by 'not' getting out to vote! There are many reasons for this; some say the apathy was particularly strong in SA, but that is not the complete picture. It is not uncommon for various sectors of our communities to feel disenfranchised; through a process of wearing down people. It is not about not caring; it is more about having to put total energy to eking out a living and having little left for 'politics and movements' that could actually change things. BUT---if change is going to be on the horizon, a movement needs to start whereby more people get out and vote----for representatives who will fight the bog fight, to get a fairer and more equitable society---one that we used to have in the past. 2014 is the next opportunity for such a change.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

The food bill is so cheap now---don't ask about the clothing bill!

Eating out has taken on a whole new meaning for me since the bariatric operation and now that I have stabilized for a month, I am enjoying the new challenges associated with choosing the right balance when I visit food-courts, restaurants and cafes. One thing that has become wonderfully apparent is that the bill for the visit has gone down dramatically. Going to my favourite food-court in Otahuhu (Mason Ave---the one featured in Roskill---check it out on my website and download it on Kindle) costs as little as NZ9.50 and I have enough food for the evening meal and the next night too, in the form of the doggie bag I take home. It is actually enough for three meals, but I share the 'remainders' with Perdy. Her table manners of course betray her for what she is-- a Jack Russell, also featured in Roskill.
Given the new possibilities re my 'eating out budget,' maybe I can explore more exotic and expensive cuisines. Suggestions anyone?
www.authorneilcoleman.com

 I could only manage a third of the meal. I think I can afford caviar at this rate!