Then and now! let's have some fun. No words needed.

The pictures are all that I need to remind me that ------I am not going back!

The Gold Fish---that were not quite what I had expected!

Earlier in the week, I was contacted by my eldest brother (yes I am from a bog family)who lives in Putararu, a little town in the South Waikato, because he wanted me to pick up some Gold Fish he had won on Trade Me, new Zealand's [premier online site for the selling of---everything. All I had to do was pick them up ands bring take them down on Sunday, because we are having a family reunion---very convenient and easy enough to do. I rang the 'seller, who could only be contacted after six as he worked and couldn't use his phone at work. I guess that still happens! The arrangement was made for me to pick up the fish on Saturday just after six. I sent the guy a text and he said come on round. I had forgotten what it is like trying to read street numbers when it is dark, especially in areas that have changed so much since one had lived in them. Actually, I lived at a house with the same brother in my early days when I could be called 'young.' How it has changed---there are so many houses that have been built behind the original ones, consequently meaning that there are lots of cars parked on the narrow street. So I had to give way many times to allow other cars to pass by me while at the same time trying to figure out number 52! I gave up and got out and luckily for me---there was number 52, right in front of me. I trudged up the dark drive, hoping that there were no horrible people about to jump me--well it had that appearance---I'm not being a snob. I couldn't even see the main door--it was some sort of boarding house. I knocked on the door at the top of the stairs at the back and a guy came to the door, whereupon I suddenly realized that I didn't have the sellers name! Bugger!!!! I mumbled something about picking up fish from Trade me. Thankfully he was friendly enough but had no idea what the feck I was talking about. So much for my expensive education. I remembered that I had a card with the guys number on it and while the 'friendly guy' watched and allowed me to use the light of his kitchen, I was able to talk to the seller, who promptly directed me to the flats downstairs or correctly, an array of rented single rooms. He took me to his room (don't get excited!) where he gave me a little bag with 6 tiny fish in them. It was then that I noticed the tank form whence they came---a heated tank---yes ---tropical fish. I had pictured six big goldfish and was all prepared to be carrying several sizeable plastic bags that would taken up half the back seat of the car on their journey to the new home in some huge outside pool in Putararu! It occurred to me that the fish I was responsible for would need to be kept warm---well they are exotics from the tropics--right? He nice guy said--they would be fine as long as I kept them at 'room temperature.' So---big brother---I do hope the dear little and very pretty little fish survive their ordeal tomorrow. Maybe I shall hold them close to my chest, mothering them all the way to Putararu. If they die, we can make one special fritter. They sort of look like colourful Whitebait, after all. We can have it with that watercress that I saw on your film. As Miranda's mum says---such fun!

I am open for business--my new office! Clinical supervision and a place to 'write.' A home for ROSKILL?

Yes, I am 'up and running,' so to speak. My new office, built by my 'old school' neighbour; you know the ones, who really know their stuff. Thanks John; you are 'legend.' You have built me a truly 'all purpose little room; one suitable for the occasional 'stay over, when too much has been consumed, or ready for my clients who are seeking clinical supervision. It is also a peaceful place, so long as I let Perdy in for therapy reasons and not for her 'destructive manic and exploratory sojourns!' Yeah, I know, she will wheedle her way in, within that endearing tilting of the head that is impossible to ignore. I want to acknowledge the skill of my dear cousin Barbara and the encouragement from my sister, Janice and also from my partner who is quite capable of expressing an opinion when I go down the wrong road vis-à-vis décor. There will be a few more personal touches and that will happen as an when the opportunities arise. I do not want to have all my books stacked up for too long. They 'need top sell, so help me out and rid me of the 500 that are stacked out of sight on the shots online. I hope to sell some at the upcoming School Guidance Counsellors' Conference that is going to be held at Waipuna Lodge from the 3-5th of September. I shall have a stand there. Also the article in MiNDFOOD (Sept, 2014 edition, pages 44-45) may help, along with some scheduled radio interviews (dates to be confirmed) Roskill is available on my website of course or directly from me. www.authorneilcoleman.com or neilcolemanauthor@gmai.com.

Expect some action in the next few weeks re ROSKILL.

ROSKILL is about to make some waves. It has been a long time coming and with the ‘make-over’ of my book and by bringing on a team who know what they are doing, by getting some traction re publicity, perhaps there is a future for this book. The hard work has been done in re-working some of the production and accuracy issues along with some advance publicly in MiNDFOOD, that happened on the back of the article they wrote (with me) on my Bariatric Surgery journey. I could never have afforded to pay for such an ‘event.’ Go and check it out in the September issue on pages 44-45. Legend, MiNDFOOD! Then came the publicist (Lighthouse). They know what they are doing—big time. They have created a flurry of activity and that will become apparent in the form of radio interviews and various other ‘attention, from the media. This all happened as I was about to give up on this very emotionally and financially draining process. Now, I feel invigorated and hopefully, you will see and hear more about Roskill---not just from me and the Facebook and Blogger pages, but other sources. Of course, there is now a dedicated and about to be boosted page on Facebook, just for Roskill. GO check that out in the next few days. You don’t have to wait for all this. Go and check my site out yourself or download directly from Amazon! This link will take you straight to the download-- http://www.amazon.com/dp/047325655X Or go to the website www.authorneilcoleman.com Or just email me direct at neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com and get an even better deal---direct. That would be for the hard copy. Please share this with your friends and circles and ask them to do the same.

Nicky Hager tells it as 'he' sees it. Is there 'smoke?'

Are you good at interpreting ‘body language? Can you see behind the smiles of people when they are confronted with an ‘allegation?’ Well, you had your chance to test yourself over the past few days when you watched the news items re Nicky Hager’s allegations that ‘something stinks on the state of ‘Keydom.’ Nicky says that he has thousands of emails from various members of Key’s Government and its stooges that implicate the national party in some rather nasty machinations to discredit its opponents. Of course those who are the focus of such underhanded goings on will try to deflect the argument onto the fact that these emails were ‘stolen.’ Maybe that is a moot point given that the very same complainants have allegedly stolen ‘stuff’ from those they are attacking. OK, back to the body language. Did not Colins, Key and his blogger ‘babe,’ Slater plus the National party hack at Key’s side, look ab it like a possum, caught in the lights of a speeding car? They looked like they had just been caught with their hands on the cookie jar. Any parent, jilted lover, speeding driver, knows that look. They feel the guilt as it displays that ‘knowing’ aura. It’s in the eyes, or the way the person moves—it’s all there for the world to see. Not enough to convict the stooges, you say. Of course it isn’t. We are going to have to wait to hear more and that will come out in the reactions of those accused of the ‘dirty politics.’ They will go on the attack but they have failed to realize that Nicky Hager is hardly likely to go to bat on such serious allegations without checking very carefully with his legal team. He has done his homework and all the protestations and usual clap-trap we are going to hear from National Party and their friends, is nothing more than ‘being caught with their pants down. They have and will be truly ‘done over’ in the run up to the election. What does this mean for the said event on the 20th of September? Probably a ‘game changer;’ maybe even enough to sink National’s chances, but only if those stimulated into the ‘pissed-off’ camp, get out and vote. Hell, we are g-hearing that many thousands of under 30’s have not even registered to vote! I say---get off your butts, stop complaining about things ‘being bad,’ and have your say---otherwise---shut up! NIcky---I hope you keep to your path and have a hard hide for what is about to come your way. It will not be pretty! BUT—you have your supporters! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Soup---a healthy afternoon 'pick me up.' Sheffield Soup maker.

This is a short blog because when one gets home, tired but not quite ready to cook dinner and just a tad hungry, I could eat an ice cream or some biscuits but in light of the need to get as many vitamins and minerals into my system, post Bariatric surgery, I often crave a healthy soup. What better on a windy cold afternoon after walking the crazy dog-----so----out comes the soup maker and in goes some 'cut up veggies (carrots, cauliflower, celery, and whatever is in the chill box on the fridge. I chuck in a rinsed can of chickpeas and a dash or curry powder and slat. Turn the soup maker on (oops---don't forget to top up the mixture with some water or stock.) and let it cook. The beep sounds 20 minutes later and I add some low fat cream cheese and blend. Wow---what a great taste and I know its all good for me!

Nicky Hager does it again!

Here we go again. We have seen Nicky Hager publishing a book, just before an election that brings up possible election type hype that could influence the outcome of the looming election. He did it with Helen Clark’s Government and from both sides of the divide. We had an indication that he was up to something and that was probably because he wanted the maximum exposure for the launch of his latest book. There was a good deal of conjecture about what the subject matter was and to give Nicky credit, he was able to keep it under wraps and when it did come out, there were many surprized faces. He claims he did this because he wanted to avoid any legal ramifications that could have stalled the launch. Now that we know the thrust of the book is about the dirty politics of the National Party and how their ‘dog,’ Cameron Salter has been used to attack anyone who is against John Key’s Government, we are going to see a response. That action will ferment and break in a number of ways. Key will deny all knowledge of the dirty tricks and his cohorts will react by going on the attack. Slater will come back with ‘his version’ of the truth and it will be on---big time. The emails that are included in the book, if true paint a picture of ‘power’ in its ugliest form. The nasty comments made about the residents of Christchurch should be enough to take away any support for the Government in the region. Over the next few days and weeks leading up to the election, there will be red faces and the only way to counteract the claims made by Hager in his book, will be more of the same from their side. Expect absolute filth to come out on individual opposition members. Expect a major denigrating of KDC and David Cunliffe. Expect lies and more lies, all in the name of retaining power at all costs. I am not saying that everything in Hager’s book is correct but if even part of it turns out to be factually based then we are in for a torrid election campaign. The issues that really matter, like jobs, health, education, the environment and others, are going to be pushed into the background, but the issues raised by Hager, must be addressed too. If we have leaders who are prepared to go to the extent that Hager claims they have, then New Zealand is becoming a very ‘sorry place to live.’ The belief that we live in some sort of paradise is going to be sorely tested! I shall wait and see, listen and come to my own conclusion; once met I shall make it very clear. Yes, I favour the left block, but I am also a believer that no one ‘belief system has all the answers. Call me a ‘fence sitter, call me pragmatic—but I do believe that everyone should contribute and not stay locked into the belief that ‘their way provides all the answers. Has Nicky Hager done us a favour? Toe will tell---and that will be soon! It is those of you who are genuinely sitting on the fence, who will deice the outcome of this election. Make sure you seek the truth behind Nicky Hager’s claims and then act accordingly. Have your say on Election Day! www.authorneilcoleman.com