Is this a White Heron (Kotuku) visitng the Onehunga Bay?

Sorry about the terrible picture---it is from my cheap 'smart phone.' Up close, this heron looked very much like the rare ones from the South Island of NZ. Whatever it was, it was a gift to several of us walking our dogs. We have seen 'Spoon Bill' herons in the past, but this was different. We felt very special having seen it. Play around with the picture and see what you can find.

Welcome, if you are over 50, to a new apartment building in Auckland.

Before the building is even finished, we are hearing that the proponents of the said establishment may be risking the attention of the Human Rights Commission. Why, because the plan is to only have residents who are over 50 (younger partners and pets are welcome though). To those seeing a quiet, possibly more genteel place to live, why is this a problem? Many older residents do not want the sound of booming music or noisy parties and the hangers on that these parties attract. There is of course no guarantee that the older residents would not cause their own list of 'grievances,' but that could be handled b y an energetic managing body. So this proposal is against the rights of those younger who wish to live in such a building. Poppycock. Why should a group not be 'choosy' in whom they have as neighbours? Am I being a snob? Well, I can't afford the fees, so I wouldn't be moving in anytime soon. There are other examples of 'living rules' that already exists in Auckland so why should this be so off the planet? If it was based on race, I would be more concerned, but this proposal is a good idea and I hope that it goes ahead. Go for it 'prospective oldies. I'd join you if it wasn't for the $7000 body corporate fees. So, moaners---Shut TFU!---oops=====such language would not be welcome, I'm sure.

A special friend is starting the next phase of his bariatric surgery journey today.

I am on tenderhooks today as I wait for news of the progress of an operation a good friend is having. He is undergoing the same procedure  I had re weghtloss surgery, nearly ten months ago. I wish him the same or even better results than I experienced. I have no doubts, issues or regrets. I miss nothing about the way I was and look forward to seeing a 'great deal less' of my friend but actually enjoy more of his company; doing much more of what we used to do.... walking along pathways in the bush, talking through the problems of the world, laughing as we possibly enter areas of conversation that are 'for our ears only,' before we head home to a 'good feed' of home-grown' and other delectable offerings. Yes, the portion size will be much deminished but our outlook for the future will be one filled with promise. I am thinking of you my friend as you are about to wake up as a completely transformed man.

Now it's connectivity. I seem to have the 'God of all things technica' firmly alligned against me.

My damned modem just won't stay in the loop. It keeps cutting out, so and I decided to ring Telecom. Once I got hold of a nice guy (Sam) he talked me through my options and offered another free new one. The problem was about getting the courier to deliver it when I am actually at home. I have to say that Sam tried hard to find a way but their courier service is quite beyond his control. He offered me a deal where I went and picked up the modem from St Lukes Telecom and he would credit me for it. Great service, Sam. You were very patient with me. Now all I have to do is install it---I may wait for someone to come home cause even when I read instructions I usually find a hook. .Great service, Telecom.

Egypt---is there no 'middle way' for this country?

Egypt seems to have either had a despotic military Government or an extreme Islamic version (albeit for a very short time) during its recent history. Prior to that, it was a colonialist rule that dominated daily life. Apart from a very short 'Arab Spring,' when the majority of Egyptians dared to hope for a better future with a real stake in a democratic system, the people of this ancient land have suffered fools, megalomaniacs or narrow-minded religious zealots; hell-bent on maintaining the status quo or thrusting a way of life that disenfranchises vast numbers of people.
Egypt faces a dilemma; having to endure one of the above forms of governance. It goes without saying that the military will never let an Islamic form of Government threatens their stranglehold on the treasury benches, or a democratic government supported by the majority of the people, if that means they do not have control as they always have. It is a 'truth' that those who have power will do almost anything to retain it and those who answer to a 'higher being' will always justify their actions as coming 'from above,' thereby imposing their will on a population in the 'middle' who do not have the same impetus to fight for their beliefs. 'They' just want to get on with life, caring for their families, much like those of us lucky enough to live in  nations where the transfer of power is an accepted 'pillar' of our beliefs. Egypt will continue to suffer those would be and righteous-minded leaders, until the 'people' find it within themselves to hold on to even small gains. All power to the people of Egypt.

'How's your day been, sir,' he said , meaning every word of it1

I know it's just words, but it does make you kind of feel good, even though they say it to everyone. It is one hell of a lot better than getting a complete ignoring of your presence in a shop. Of course,. one must say that the day has been good---who the hell wants to now that you are sick of seeing chaos in the Central African Republic, Syria and the myriad of nation s around the world who, let's face it, don't enjoy the relative 'wonderfulness 'most Kiwis enjoy.
So, yes my day is good and I wish all shop attendants the best too as I contemplate going back to work for the year. It sure is a good feeling knowing that we can leave our places of work and not worry about actually making it home without being in the 'wrong place at the wrong time,' facing bombs or terrorists. When ever will intolerance in all of its guises leave us---religious, political or just plain greed, because that is what underlies most of the ills of this world. Spread the wealth a bit more and some of that will go the way of the bombs! 85 of the richest people in the world own as much as the poorest 3.5 billion. AND we wonder why the world's fecked!

Roskill----download kindle version from Amazon whlie my site is down.

Until I get my 'hacked' site back up and running, please download Roskill by going to Amazon and putting in Roskill by Neil Coleman.
Thanks for your support.
Neil