'A top' of Mt Roskill, whereupon I froze my tits off! OH the life of a 'model'---yeah right!

When MiNDFOOD asked me for some 'before and after pictures' for the upcoming article re my bariatric surgery journey, I asked a good friend form Grey Lynn to help out. He has a camera that has the required capacity to take such photos. As the book I am pushing, ROSKILL (Even the article has a few mentions of it)is centred in MT Roskill, it seemed to be logical that we include the said Mountain in the pictures. So off we went and off came my jacket. OMG---the wind just about blew what little hair I have to the next suburb but thankfully I had glued it on well that morning! My friend proceeded to instruct me to assume various poses while my nipples slowly froze and my eyes watered as if there was a sack of onions being peeled nearby.IN fact, I felt like a sack of onions! He didn't want just one picture---oh no---it had to be about a million and by that time I thought that if I had not lost so much weight, I would have transformed into a glorious fat kite and flown off to other regions. Finally I was allowed back ion to the warmth of the car and we left the summit and as we travelled down the narrow road, I was reminded about some of the 'scenarios' from ROSKILL, the characters almost visible in the trees and slopes of MT Roskill. Later that day, I revived an email with the pictures attached. They were 'well taken,' but when I sent them to the magazine, they said that I looked a 'bit windblown,' but they thought that they were 'fun pictures.' They may use one of them but we agreed that they would use a more sedate setting to take some more and that I could drop in to the office, with Perdy, my jack Russell, and they would take some more at a nearby less wind-devastated park in Parnell. BUT---In shall keep these pictures. They tell me much about my journey! Maybe they will take them on the Prime Minister's lawn. I'm sure he wont mind! Thanks Martin. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Israel and Gaza shoot at each other--Will it will ever end!?

I know the historical background to the situation in Palestine/Israel. Depending on your own take, you may favour one side over the other. It doesn't matter how you see it--because unless both sides agree to talk and seek a solution, then the region is doomed to permanent warfare with the odd 'outbreak or peace.' The European 'Great Powers' of yesteryear set up the present impossible situation and events in Europe spurred the Jewish people to seek a 'final solution 'of their own making; one in which they would never again suffer at the hands of 'persecutors.' That these events happened is an absolute truth and any rewriting of history cannot change that. However the people who lived on Palestine before the 'return' of the Jewish people and the establishment of the state of Israel, have been left out of the equation. They have been ripped form their homes and lost their land, leaving them to cope with their own 'diaspora,' for those at least who could leave and settle elsewhere. Many remain in the region, in refugee camps or at best in enclaves that are permanent cauldrons of discontent. Is it any wonder that extremist groups would arise--to attempt to take back what they have lost? If a 'people' have no home, they must seek one! That is the basis of the 'unpeace' of this region. Now we have the regular spectre of one side shooting rockets at the other, while the ones across the 'fence' attack with massive military might. The region is one ion which an impossible feud plays itself out on a daily basis, sometimes elevating itself to open warfare. THERE ARE NO WINNERS apart from those profiting from the sales of arms to both sides! A settlement will have to be imposed from the 'outside,' but that brings about a debate that brings into question the very existence of the one body that could help to find a solution---the UN. Will that happen? NO--because that too is a snake pit of competing political divisions. So in the meantime, children in Gaza, Tel Aviv get killed and maimed. The West Bank continues to be a pseudo state and Israelis face the prospect of being on a permanent war-footing. Is it any wonder that people turn to the extremes of religious bigotry. Is that after all, a lot easier to understand----someone else doing your thinking for you!? www.authorneilcoleman.com

Brazil is not singing 'Don't cry for me----

What the hell happened today in Brazil? How could one of the world's greatest soccer playing nations fall to such depths? Did the 'occasion' get the better of them? Was their passion something that worked against them? These questions will be the focus of the national psyche of Brazil for years to come. I just hope that they keep things in perspective. Please keep the game 'beautiful' Brazil and do not let this be a time when things go from bad to worse for you. Now is the time to look at the wider position of people in your country. Had you won the tournament, that question still needed to be answered. Without a doubt, you are a giant that has awakened on the world stage. Let us remember this time as one of celebration for the spirit of 'football' as most people call the game. Let us not remember a crazy response from your countrymen and women. You were beaten on the day by a clinically perfect team and now is the time to move on. Enjoy the 'final that you did not make' and look forward to the Olympics where no doubt, you will shine again. Go well, Brazil! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Snippets from NZ---Tuesday---NZ time.

There's a few stand-outs today: 1) Mayor Len Brown has had some 'moments' in the limelight lately but today he has warned that Auckland faces some tough decisions re the a monetary blow=pout--indeed we face major cuts to services or face a massive debt crisis. He is even going back on some promises made about huge infrastructure spending, including his 'darling' inner rail loop. Oh well, Auckland---it's either spend now or even more in the future if we don't do it now---take ya pick people! I say---do it now or doom us to useless public transport, clogged roads and a city that can't breath. 2)We read today of a dumber than dumb criminal who robbed an SPCA store of a donation box for a mere $20 or so dollars, only to leave his kids behind in the shop to clean up the pieces and to be traced via his records for the movie he hired before his brain-fart. Make a movie, someone! Poor kids. Hope they didn't inherit their dad's brains. 3) Auckland is about to be hit by a 'big wind.' Baton down folks and heat up some soup and stick it in a thermos, just in case the powers goes out. Remember, you can't watch TV when the powers out! Glad I took Perdy for a walk before it hits. 4)Expect some fireworks over a large donation to the Conservative Party from a couple down the line---they gave him $500,000. Wow---can money buy ya love and votes. Add him to then list a of a few other loose canon parties this year and we are in for an 'interesting' election. 5)No doubt the news from overseas is the same as--bombs, intolerance, gun laws loosened in the USA (can you imagine--guns allowed in a bar!) and 'glad it's 'not in NZ stuff!' 6) Breaking news! See the pictures taken 'atop' the windy Mt Roskill by the 'renowned' budding royal photographer, Martin, who despite the inclement conditions, tried to capture the spirit of the 'new me' in the wind and impending rain. Damn, that hair! Stay safe everyone! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Soup for a winter's day in my Sheffield soup-maker.

It is winter in New Zealand. For Auckland, that means we feel cold when the sun is hiding, it is grey and drizzly and the temperature is about 12-13C. The 'southerners call us names, but we are pretty hard-skinned about that---eh, Cantabrians! It doesn't matter where you live when it comes to 'comfort food' and if is healthy to boot, then we are all winners. Try this one out. OK, Fist, go and buy your Sheffield soup maker. I got mine online and it a fair bit cheaper that way. I saw what I paid $76, about $25 cheaper than from a store. Yes, it's a 'cheepy' and if you treat it right (and not do what I did with the first one I brought--causing the power to crash three times!) it more then does the trick. Take a head of broccoli, some cooked pumpkin, a can of chickpeas (drained), a generous spoon of stock powder-- any sort will work, a small teaspoon of curry powder, white pepper and salt if you wish. I also added a tablespoon of low fat cream cheese. Top the mixture up with water, to the mark on the side (or you will blow it up like I did previously with the first one I brought!) Turn it to smooth or chunky and let it rip. 30mminute later you will have a lips-smackingly great soup. You will want to curl up with a book and sip away on your soup. The world is good, except I have to go out again soon to meet a client, then of course, take Perdy for yet another walk. What the hell is winter to her---just another day!

Snippets from New Zealand the day after I forgot!

To be honest, not much jumped for me today other than a very good speech from David Cunliffe at the Labour Party Congress, this weekend. Go check it out on my FB page! BUT--some things sort of grabbed me. 1) Kim Dotttycom appeared on a pretty low form of advertising and I still doubt whether it really is him or someone just taking the piss. Go seek under the heading--'Suck this!' 2) The USA is about to ban people taking 'uncharged' Samsung Galaxy, I pad and some other forms of electronics, apparently because they could pose a threat to the planes---does that mean that nasty terrorists are going to be smuggling bombs on board disguised as one of the above? Not a nice thought if you are travelling. 3) Most important of me was the portent that I have the capacity to forget my pin-number at crucial moments, causing embarrassment and then needing to waste time, explaining to incredulous staff at the bank, later today, that I have also lost my memory re the credit card---I have several numbers in mind and I shall fess up and get that fixed too. The result will be on TV tonight! BUT---I have a solution: I shall tell Perdy and she will 'bark' the numbers in future! Am I barking mad?---hell yes!

I am geting old or stupid---take ya pick!

I had a very embarrassing moment today! After my second walk of the day with Perdy, I dropped into the fruit shop to buy some ---yes, fruit and veggies. Funny that, eh. I picked up some apples, milk and a few other bits and pieces and took them up to the counter. Out came my trusty EFTPOS card. I stuck in the numbers---well no, I didn't---not the correct ones. Silly me., I tired again and then the panic kicked in. I was consumed with the effort of trying to remember the 4 numbers. I tried three times and by then people behind me were starting to look at me as if I was a criminal. I could just see them thinking---which old lady did you steel that off mate?' I starting sweating with embarrassment.es, I tried again and the lady serving me, who knows me quite well; we often exchange words---she is fascinated by my weight loss and always asks me how I am. She looked at me, not in an impatient manner, more one of bemusement. I stuttered a few words and tire d=to explain, conscious of the looks being directed at me from the ever increasing line behind me. Finally I muttered something about going to get some cash form the car and stumbled past the snotty-nosed judgmental people who had made up their minds that there was a victim lying somewhere, no doubt battered and bruised in some alleyway. My face must have reflected my mood because no one said a damn thing. Left the 'goods' on the counter, saying I would be back in a moment. I drove out of the car park and headed to the EFTPOS machine up the road. When I put my card in, once again panic took over and after the second try, the card was swallowed up. Yes I sad -FUCK! I was alone so I said it again. What the hell was happening?. My guests were due in a few hours and I didn't get what I had intended. By the time I arrive home I was in a quite state. Was I heading into some sort of early dementia? I sat on the sofa and th9ught for a few minutes. Damned if the numbers would comer back to me. I slowly returned to some kind of equilibrium and looked in the cupboard, for the makings of a desert. I found some raisins and then added two apples and cooked them up, added some rum and put a crumble on the top and baked it. Wow--the smell was fantastic. Guess what---I suddenly remembered to numbers! Oh well--I guess I shall be going to get a new card in the morning and yes, the meal went down well with my friends and they laughed at my terrible experience. I just hope its not a sign of things to come! So next time I forget the new numbers I shall just pretend I am cooking and the numbers will come back to me.