Labour---you only have a few days to sort this out! Do it!

The ‘Nats’ must be in JK Heaven, with this latest silliness from Labour. Sure the ‘event’ took place 11 years ago, and David C is correct in claiming he has no memory of the letter—hell he claims to have signed off thousands of the damned things! What he should have done once the media were onto this desperate attempt by National to ‘soil’ Labour’s image, because the very same thing was been done to them, was to investigate and come clean—so that at least we are not left this cloying feeling that things are not quite right.

Now, Labour you need to get back on track, double quick, or face ever decreasing support in the run-up to the elections.

New Zealand needs you to present a viable alternative to this Government that will no doubt come back at us and sell anything left of value (is there anything?) and cuts the public spending in all directions, leaving those who have suffered under their regime, even more on the back foot, further increasing the already large gap between those who are ‘surviving and those who have given up.’

This week is crucial---get your act together, Labour while is still a glimmer of hope!

And National---remember---‘what goes around, comes around!

'The big bang theory' is about to take centre stage in Auckland!

Many Aucklanders are reporting being woken by a series of loud bangs, some of which were ’felt’ as much as heard. This, in the early hours of Thursday morning and the incidents were noticed over quite a large area. I guess we can expect a range of explanations ranging from the mild and merely curious in origin to the all-out whacky-backy infused contributions, citing alien invasion to some sort of catastrophic event.

I can’t wait to hear the reports as they come in. We will get the usual ‘it’s not us,’ from the air force, but then again, as they are virtually non-existent (oops that is sensitive information and now my phone will be tapped by the GSCB or whatever the feck they call themselves!) don’t expect too much from them.

Next the doomsayers will thrive as they seek spiritual explanations, aimed at making the rest of us ‘toe the line,’ as we prepare for Armageddon! Watch out for the bearded, scruffily undressed sign- toting and barefooted individuals hogging the footpaths. Don’t forget to drop a coin in their hats.

Of course, we will get some sane explanations and they will be way beyond my capacity to second guess what they will be, not being a scientist of repute or any other designation. Will they pose the question of some sort of major earth-shaking event or will they tend towards the more mundane; like multiple claps of big thunder. I never imagined the ‘clap’ as being quite so significant, but the ‘end of worlders’ will say it is God punishing us for our sins, because collectively we have mounted quite a list!

OK, let’s all go about our day in a clam manner and remember---‘those who seek shall find the answers; ion the clouds, in their minds or the expression of some fool who has feck all else to do! (Mmm---I think me knoweth a response for that last little tit-bit!)

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Million dollar coffees, but do we really need a 'degree' to get one!?

I was amused and a little confused to read that an American university is offering a degree for being a barista! Is a 3 to four year qualification really that necessary to make a good cup of coffee? OK, it probably is in the USA given that they still insist on that terrible drip type coffee that NZ got rid of years ago in favour of quality flat whites and espressos.

One wonders how they would fill in the time needed to attain the degree. Will they spend months on the ‘country of origin’ for the beans, attend countless tasting sessions,  resulting in an allergic reaction every time they taste coffee once they have their ‘papers?’ Will they need eyes tests to recognise the perfect colouration of the exact ‘look’ of the ‘real thing?’

I am not denigrating the work and skills of a good barista, but is this not one step too far? It does make one wonder just what next the ‘qualification stakes’ will demand. I am sure you can come up with a few; like polishing your car, or furniture removal; all much needed occupations, but---a degree---some on-----get real!

Yes, after writing this blog, I shall still be able to look my favourite baristas at Eden Coffee in Mt Eden---right in the eye, in the knowledge that they make fabulous coffee, probably leant on the spot with the odd ‘refresher’ course thrown in for quality control.

Ok --please smile and don’t take my post too seriously or you may need a degree in the ‘recognising of posts that take the piss.’

www.authorneilcoleman.com

What's in the fridge---time for a healthy and cheap dinner.

My food friend Doug, who has had the same operation as me (Bariatric surgery) has  anew lease on life; so much so that his garden is once again abundant and overflowing with 'good things.' There is no way he can consume the treasures he grows, even if he invites people for dinner every night and hey---a guys gotta have some down-time-alone eh.
Get the picture yet? Yes---correct---I came home yesterday and there, hanging on the fence was a gab of home grown delights; some young kale, lettuce and rosemary. Blessed are you, Doug!
Tonight when I arrived home after the usual walk with Perdy, down at the 'Bay,' I decided to cook up a healthy treat using some of Doug's generosity and whatever I could find in the fridge. I found three flat mushrooms, and a pottle of soft tofu. Cool---the 'use by date' is several days away, so---whoopee--it's chuck in, whatever and there will be enough for dinner and lunch tomorrow.
 I add some oil to a frypan and biff in the cut mushrooms and garlic, then add the tofu with some stock power and paprika with a little sweet soy sauce.  Then I added some pepper and chilly  flakes. After a few minutes I add the cut up kale and let the whole lot simmer with the lid on for about ten minutes. I turn the cooker off and let it sit.
Yummy and oh so dammed healthy; you wouldn't know it. Go try and if it doesn't take your fancy, try any combination of your favourite 'condiments.' The amount I made would have fed  about four people if you had it on rice. I tend to go really light now on the carbs, but you don't have to.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

 

China 'spreads its influence into the South Pacific! How--by reading blogs and books!

Go China. You have overhauled Germany again and really reaching out to us in NZ and to me in particular. Keep it up and soon you will have the UK in your sights. Download my book from
www.authorneilcoleman.com

ISIL--the new force in the Middle East? What to do!

The people of Iraq and nearby states are faced with a stark choice, if the reports of the mass slaughter of former Iraqi army personnel are correct. That these soldiers can be lined up and murdered after surrendering, should pose a warning to the citizens of Iraq; just what will happen when these ‘insurgents’ gain more power and influence? They are reportedly on the outskirts of Bagdad and some large cities have fallen to them, with little resistance coming from the army.

We are belatedly hearing reports of resistance from the Kurds, who have indeed taken back some territory in the North and of the mass signing up of citizens to join the Iraqi army. It seems that it is either doing that or face an uncertain future with the ‘rebels’ calling themselves the ISIL. If the latter do manage to take control of Bagdad, the writing from the walls of the region will become a sad truth and the ramifications for regions far flung will be felt soon, most notably in the price we all pay for our ‘gas.’

It is this that drives the possibility of a response from the USA and its partners, not some deeply felt humanitarian reasoning that is often quoted as justification for an ‘intervention.’ We even have the most unlikely possibility of Iran supporting the USA in an effort to stop the spread of the ideology and influence of the ISIL forces. Who would have believed that such an ‘unholy union’ would be on the cards, given the difficult history between those two nations? It should come as no surprise though if one looks back at the history of the region as a whole and how the various nations came into being and the underlying religious, power and economic forces that play into alliances.

Iraq is at a crossroads. It either settles internal differences between the two main groups and come to a real power-sharing arrangement, of face a downward spiral whereby the ISIL forces take over and we witness a pariah state that will make anything we have seen from the likes of the ‘Butcher of Damascus’ or the regime of former leader or Iraq---the one who gave reason for the USA and its allies to invade a decade ago, look like a non-event. Has this all been for nothing? In the meantime, the borders of Iraq will leak misery as those trying to escape to a more peaceful life flee the advancing ISIL forces.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Dinner at my place and a 'green' solution to doing the dishes--in every sense!

I shall be celebrating the opening of my new office soon and no doubt there will be a few 'ceremonies;' ones that will satisfy many faiths and belief systems. This will culminate in a 'fun-food' day and I shall display my latest addition to my staff re 'doing the wash-up. Of course you can help, if you can get on down to your knees--no for praying, but feel free. I believe in 'saving the planet' from nasty chemicals and using too much water. Still wanna come to dinner? Hey, Perdy---I told you to wear your apron---that's not good enough, doing the dishes in the raw!' Oh well, they are clean though.

Perdy, the clean and green washing machine! 'Did I do well Daddy?'