You get so much more for your money in Hamiton.

I often wonder why so many of us struggle to keep ur heads above water, living in Auckland. What you see in the picture, along with a renovated townhouse can be brought for around NZ$320,000, If the employment is there,make the move to the 'City of the Future.' Think of the extra money in your pocket and.....would you really miss the 'rat race' that is Auckland?

You really need to employ your bull shit warning sign when you watch ANY channel re the news.

I have sometimes gone on about the 'freshness' of the approach of some of the 'newer boys on the block' re news availability in New Zealand. I have always assumed that the NZ services have been generally upfront and free of bias. Of course that is at best a rather naïve potion because someone pulls the strings in  various strengths no matter who is 'in control,' be it a career manager or Government leaning. However, I would say that we are on the fairly gentle side when it comes to governmental pressure, because as a small nation that values the freedom of information, we are able to exert a certain amount of pressure on would be 'media bullies.' I am not saying that the are squeaky clean though. In fact many in my country take a much more strident view of openness of the media.
When I watch overseas 'feeds' it is an entirely different matter. I have given up on ever getting a balanced view from Fox and I have come to the point that apart from some interesting documentaries and a 'fresh' view of events in the USA, RT (Russian TV) is no more than a mouthpiece for Putin. Yes, RT takes a very open position when it comes to events and policies  or a different view of USA politics and other issues, but it does not use the same 'wand' when it comes to what is happening in Russia. RT takes great delight in shoving it at the Americans but it is really obvious that they do not do so for most Russian issues, unless it suits Putin and his cronies (read--hangover from the old regime political and police systems.) No RT reporter would risk going out on a limb to criticise Putin's policies and actions without putting themselves at the risk of at least losing their jobs or in some cases, their lives.
I acknowledge the fact that Fox TV can and does criticise Obama at every opportunity, mainly because they represent the 'old guard' that is solidly opposed to any real change in the USA, be it gun law or medical insurance.
 CNN and the BBC are better if one wants a wider view of the world, but once again, I would never say that they are not influenced by pressure groups or political manoeuvring.  We also have Aljazeera, informing us from another point of view and I put them in the category somewhere between RT and the BBC. I like many of their programmes but I watch with my filters on when it comes to reporting  issues that are about Islamic issues. They dare not go too far in their reporting of some of the events in the Middle East. Lets face it, they have 5 of their employees in Egyptian  prisons facing God knows what, so they are at least prepared to make an attempt to get the news out there. One just wonders how far they are prepared to go, if it comes to reporting 'clashes between Israel and the nations determined to 'push that country into the sea.'
So I finish where I began: no news outlet is totally free of pressure from political masters, but some have a bit more leeway to report the 'truth.' The rest is up to us as 'news consumers.' Always question the validity of what you are watching and hearing. We will never all agree on what we are witnessing and its ramifications for the world and when political bosses are in the mix---well, you know the rest.

Justin Bieber--are you becoming a boring spoilt prat or are you just like most other young guys---with money?

My heading begs the question. It must be hard for Justin to stay out of the headlines. Let's face it---a large number of young people follow his every move. Just how much this thrusts a responsibility on him to act in ways that are at least 'civil' in nature may be up for discussion. Does his 'fame' give him the right to act in a manner that is damn right stupid, against the law or above the law if one looks at his reactions to being 'reined' in by angry neighbours. Of course there is always the possibility that he is being 'targeted' every time he lets his hair down. But---he can not except to fly free of the charges that have been put on him re driving dangerously etc.. No one  should be driving with an expired licence or in a manner that endangers others. Lots of people do it but they eventually get their come-upance. Justin should expect no less. Yes, he is only about 19 years old and he is doing what many of his cohort do---acting out and just being a young person, enjoying himself. But---his actions are looking like those of an arrogant young twit who thinks he is above the laws that most of us follow. Send me hate-mail, Justin's followers, if you feel aggrieved for your 'favourite son,' but get a hand on reality. Your 'favourite' is going beyond normal behaviours and cannot hide behind his 'stature.' If he does, then he has joined the list of other 'badly behaved' stars and we have  become very bored with them too! Learn before it gets too late, Justin. It is your 'talent' that should shine, not your bad behaviour!

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.