Sorry--- I ate the picture!

What can I say---I ate the evidence---the picture of my wonderful early dinner. So what did this consist of? I arrived home after my walk with Perdy, fed her and delved into my freezer. Sitting near the back, hidden under other new purchases was a packet of (Doug and Jill---please fix up m spelling of this Waihi delicacy!)Pirogues. I can't be stuffed getting up off my butt to go and check out the packet because I am ensconced on my couch in a most contented manner with Perdy sleeping under my legs, watching Ireland putting up a bloody good stand against the West Indies in the Cricket World Cup. I 'toured' my garden, picking a tomato, some sorrel, a few silver beet leaves and some spinach. I grabbed some basil and celery leaves and took them inside. Once the pan was hot I threw in the Pirogues, mushrooms and the veggies and seasoned them with some slat pepper and a pinch or two of spices (A Moroccan mix)and let it all cook down. I grabbed some cream and stuck that in and turned the pan off, letting the dish come together. Cream--you say. Well for the small amount I used--don't get upset. For me, carbs are far worse and I needed a bit f a protein boost. Once it had cooled to warm, I poured it into a small plate and----yes---it was superb; as good as any restaurant and so cheap. Now----gooooooo Ireland. My meal was fit for a Leprechaun! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Shy (oops Sky!) City and Key get poked!

The last week or so has seen the PM of NZ and his mates in Sky City receive one big poke in the eye after another. We have the Iraq situation still bubbling away and don't be surprised if there is a back down on that one, albeit it less likely. What is different about the SC fiasco is the sheer arrogance of Key and his friends; that they thought this would go through, more or less smoothly like some of their past exploits. The difference this time was that the ‘left’ were not LEFT of their own, to fight what often is a rear guard action by those trying to keep some of the worst aspects of cronyism out of New Zealand. It has been a losing battle as assets, union /worker right and conditions are gradually eroded. Often this can be put down to the apathy of Kiwis but this time---along came the RIGHT. Some of them came out batting for the same cause, using words that we have not heard for quite some time. Whether their motives are exactly the same will be a point for debate, but the result was the same: the Government and their friends in Sky City got whacked for six. The public’s response was huge and once the likes of the Business sector, mainly in Auckland came aboard, the writing was on the wall and even Key could not ignore the hails of united protest. Sure, they have come out trying to make their words all sound good and are still attempting to polish their tarnished silver tongues, but a defeat it is! Expect some more sneaky moves from both parties as they sneak back into their caves to plan a rescue. These people do not just drop their nasty takeover plans and they will no doubt focussing on limiting the damage. Take a look at their ‘body language’ as they are interviewed. It is also the start of NZers believing that they can force change. Now we need to ‘own’ that we can ‘win’ on other battlefields, but please, let’s make those in NZ, for NZ and by NZers! That damn Trade deal should be the next major goal for the newly rejuvenated opposition to Key and his mates.

This lady needs to be helped. How about a 'Give a Little,' help!

Having chosen the Bariatric Surgery pathway, I know how much one's health and life improves, if one sticks to the plan. As an older person I had to increase the mortgage on my home in order to pay for the procedure. I figured that by doing this, I was investing in my life. I am extremely happy with the result. I have been lucky in that I did not have the huge 'skin hang' and the associated problems, both physical and psychological. I have chosen not to go ahead to remove excess flab, mainly due to my age and the extra expense. However this the young lady is completely different to me and I am NOT talking about her obvious beauty! I admire her so much as she has 'done it for herself,' something that I tried many times but failed as the weight kept going back on and then some after each FAILESD diet. We are all different and need to consider options that work for us. In the long term, State funding of both procedures would save the tax payer money in the long run. For the obese and the attending health problems, losing the weight would lessen the health bill and for those having BS, it is often necessary to have the operation the young lady wants. I totally support her and her battle with the hospital. Give her back her life! However politicians do not see the bigger picture. They bare enmeshed in the three year election cycle. What does that say about them. They are more concerned with their political survival than look at real solutions. I am not suggesting that either operation is the way to go for everyone. I would far rather we had healthy kids and a society that does not rely on fast and processed foods, locked away in offices and bedrooms, with our eyes fixed upon LED screens, instead of using that which NZ has in abundance--- the great outdoors. I have noting but good wishes for Elora and would love to help; once the 'Give a little' campaign starts---if it has. I suspect that Elora has not chosen this method, but please ---someone who knows how to start it ---do so. Elora deserves this chance. www.authorneilcoleman.com Here is the article from the NZ Herlad::::::: Christchurch Health Health & Wellbeing A Hamilton man who lost 70kg is backing a woman's call for the government to fund excess skin removal. Elora Harre documented her two-year battle against obesity online and has called on her thousands of fans to help fight Christchurch Hospital's decision not to go ahead with a "life changing" operation. The 21-year-old wants the excess skin - which is the result of losing nearly 55kg through healthy eating and exercise - to be removed from her body. Now, Hamilton man Joseph Arthur, 21, said he was in the same position and supported her call. About five years ago he weighed in at more than 174kg, but has since lost 70kg through eating healthy and exercise. Arthur said doctors have told him we would not be able to remove his excess skin because there is not enough funding. "I can use things like Bio Oil to help but it won't be instant. I don't see why I don't see why I can't have surgery. I'm a lot more healthy than I was," he said. "I've gone through all that hard work, they didn't spend the money on a gastric bypass. Imagine if I had become diabetic, how much I'd cost the health system. The health difference is astronomical." Arthur added that the excess skin made him unhappy and he felt his weight loss was not such an achievement. "I have no self-confidence and feel personally unattractive and other people think I am. I really wanted to look better and be healthier," he said. The call to have the surgery funded for patients like Arthur and Harre has sparked debate online. "I'm a bit bewildered by it all, taken aback by what's been going on," she told the Herald on Sunday. "It's good that it sparked debate." Harre's sister has set up a Give A Little page so that she can pay for the surgery privately. "I will still be sticking up to the CDHB to try and pave the way for others in my shoes," she said. She has booked a consultation with a surgeon for April. "I think that the excess skin removal surgery should be available to a select amount of people who fit a certain description (not as certain as it is now!) to help those who are left with the aftermath of extreme weight loss. "Despite the fact I have lost this 100 per cent naturally through a paleo lifestyle, I do not think it needs to take away from gastric bypass or any other weight loss surgery, but I do believe it is just as important."

Last night---I was ABDUCTED by=======

The ‘events in the sky above New Zealand night were merely a ruse for something very sinister for some but delight for me! Yes we have quite a few instances of ‘ruse’ type events of late but this one takes the cake---or myself in this case. So step aside John Key and let me have my moment in the glow of ‘otherworldly’ events. Many New Zealanders were disturbed, intrigues or perplexed by last night’s sightings of flashes in the sky along with the a bangs and shudders. Some took great delight, having never seen such shows from ‘beyond.’ I need to put things straight. My wishes and attempts to contact alien presences finally paid off. Little did you know, but my blogs over the years (there have been in excess of 2000!) contained hidden code---all aimed at terrestrial beings, whom we know exists beyond out miniscule planet. Last night I had an inkling that things were coming to a point whereby I would finally see the light! They came, they saw and they abducted. I have just arrived back in my office and they even managed to give me a change of clothes and a healthy breakfast. Whilst aboard the ‘craft,’ which I must say was totally different to anything that ‘scientists and ‘sky watchers’ describe as possible. Forget what you know and just accept that—things went smoothly---yes a seamless transition to another parallel world. What you all witnesses was the aftermath of the ‘event.’ That was just put on my ‘mine hosts’ to please the masses and to allow ‘them’ to beam me up. They were gracious but very concerned for our planet. They have no desire to ‘take over’ or extract resources. Nor do they intend to interfere in any way to ‘make things right’ for us, to cure cancer, stop war or revers the damage we have don’t to our planet. They showed what could be and what will be if we continue in our present manner. It seemed that I was ‘there’ for many days but on my return I know that is was just a few hours. You should not be influenced re your judgment as to the reality of my experience by the simple fact that I partook of two glasses of Pinot Gris last night and for those who know me, that is beyond my capacity –post Bariatric Surgery. A final message---they will return and yes---you could be the one they choose to inform. I hope by then---we have received and acted upon their message of inter-galaxy love and concern! IN the famous words of Miranda’s Mum—‘such fun---such fun.’ Now---what is that light yonder ---oh it’s the sun. Here comes the sun. Are you all singing now or have you reached for the phone for a different kind of visit to be ‘imposed’ on me?

Here we go again! 200 hits from Austria.

A few months ago, I recived 2000 hits in one day from Israel. Now some of you might say---That's great--I knew it to be a scam of some sort Today I got 200 hits on my site from Austria in the space of a few minutes. Convince me that it is not something 'fishy!' I wish it was true and related to my book being purchased, but---yip I'm dreaming. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Your 'big smart TV is watching you!'

Stop right there! Put some cloths on and stop swearing at the dog, or a loved one. You may be had up for ‘unseemly’ behaviour or cruelty to your pet. You may also be giving away secrets to God knows who. It seems that smart TV’s made by Samsung have the capability to garner information about you, if you divulge anything of importance whilst parading in front of the said device. Gone are days where a person’s home is their castle, uniquely safe from intrusion or being spied upon in any manner. Of course that was a load of rubbish as we all know that various surveillance techniques have been with us for ‘yonks.’ Put aside the hype and the clarion calls from indignant libertarians and their ilk (maybe me, but not the L word!) and get to the facts. Oops, we don’t really have any because the response from Samsung has been rather limp re the real issues of ‘privacy in our homes.’ One thing we can be sure of, the methods used by lots of technology manufacturers are more than likely way above what we think of as ‘safe’ from our point of view. We have all known for ages that every call we make to a business is ‘reordered and may be used for training purposes’ Maybe we should just assume that everything we do has ‘Big Brother’ watching in one or another format. Do we accept this or is has the horse bolted? Just food for thought as you wander around the house naked or gossip in an outrageous manner to your BFFE. Take a moment—and just get on with it. I hate to think what is just around the corner re the possibilities for ‘intrusion’ into our most private place---our home!

The 'Cloud, Net and online--everything,especially the 'crooks!'

It seems that nearly every day we hear about yet another scam, ripping off the elderly, gullible, desperate, naive, young---well, anyone! The latest (which will probably be superseded before I have finished this blog) is once again from Nigeria, whereby desperate ‘would be renters,’ have become the target of unscrupulous criminals. Such examples are not limited to Nigeria of course; we have lots of nasty rip-off artists here in NZ. With a majority of NZers using the net for many of their business transactions, shopping and seeking services, then the likelihood of being ‘watched, measured, set-up and eventually sucked into a scheme, or paying over money, increases. The more you go online and now even smart TVs are capable of finding out things about you, then the pitfalls increase. What is the solution? I am certainly not the person to suggest answers. Whilst I have not been a victim, that I know of, I am increasingly wondering if the old fashioned, ‘in your presence’, real person, in an office or on a telephone line, connected to a person you can guarantee is ‘real’ in every sense, is the way to go. How can one achieve such ‘connections’ in this day and age, when opportunities to engage in this manner are so limited? I really feel for those amongst us who simply refuse to join the ‘computer age, or use a smart phone and god knows what else that is about to ‘pounce on us’ from the Jetsons, as seen on TV so many years ago. If you can’t ‘hook-on,’ then your chances of partaking in the ‘good side’ of modernity are indeed limited. I see a huge need for community groups to seek out those who need help and mitigate against them being used, abused, ripped off or having their identities stolen. Food for thought---politicians? In the meantime---be careful people and don’t forget that age old piece of advice about ‘if it seems hard to believe then it probably isn’t!’