Talk Back Radio!!!!! Love it or hate it----The origin of 'Talk To Me'---the book

There is a very fine line between love and hate. Both emotions are felt strongly, affecting us in so many ways. One can be up, one moment and then down in the dumps, the next. Such is my relationship----with Talkback radio.
I have often used it as a 'background,' whilst driving, doing housework (OK---the latter ---not so much, as housework is a waste of time at my place when it inevitably gets 'done again' by a partner who refuses to pass my paltry efforts as being 'good enough.' Sometimes, there is a 'thread,' re the conversation and I turn up the volume, only to be dumped, angered, entertained, but rarely 'enlightened.'
The 'wisdom' exhibited by the callers is mind-blowing, not because of the level of so-called knowledge, but more from how it represents the level that our collective knowldge has sunken to. Throw in the 'taunting' and somewhat manipulative approach from the various 'hosts' (They vary re their arrogance!) and you have a hotchpotch of all that is talkback radio.
One needs to decide BEFORE embarking on a 'listening experience,' between taking talkback radio as entertainment, or as an example of an 'informed debate, led by a sympathetic and inclusive host. I think that last part of the previous sentence almost has me throwing up!
OK---I admit to experiencing the occasional well-informed contribution and sensitive response and questioning from the hosts, but in general, I see talkback radio as being no more than a reflection of just how diverse our opinions and stances are re various issues. That is fine, but when such views are expressed via talkback radio, they are underlined by the fact that the radio stations are in this for one reason only---to get listeners and therefore to bring in the 'advertising dollar.'
A host can be skilful, in 'keeping a 'thread going,' by playing the Devil's Advocate.' Hell---some even admit that. But then there are others who consistently come from a 'particular point of view,' being dismissive of anything that goes against their 'held view.'
I am sure those of you who lsiten to talkback radio, have your favourite hosts. You probably save YOUR contributions for that time when your favourite is on the radio,  that is if you are brave enough to ring up and let loose.
My 'fascination' and viewpoint on the 'talkback radio industry,' led me to write a book about how I see things, albeit in a cynical, humorous (maybe not!) and OK---a 'take-the-piss' kind of manner. I  included another aspect of my life in the book---my attachment' to my crazy Jack Russell. I did not intend TALK TO ME to be a serious expose of the talkback radio industry because I do not have that knowledge, but nevertheless, some aspects, hidden in the narrative, do come through.
Imagine my surprise, when I heard that TALK TO ME has been nominated for the Ngaio Marsh Crime Writers Awards. It is up against books that are far more complex and skillfully written. My efforts were nothing more than to entertain, with a little bit of a swipe at the 'industry.' Spot (Perdy--of Tararu/Thames fame) plays a central role--a fun role. I get my chance to discuss the book at the 'Murder in The Library,' series at the Tauranga Library on June 8th at 5.30. Feel free to join me.
You can read it by going to my website and following the links from Neils Books. Hell, if I get enough downloads from the site--at about $3 a shot) I may be able to afford to bring it out in hard copy and sell it at the various venues, alongside ROSKILL, in the Thames/Hairaki area. Go and check it out.
If  not---well---you always have talkback radio to fall back on to be 'informed, misinformed, entertained and totally--pissed off!~
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Perdy (Spot--in Talk To Me)

There is a day for every occasion, so why not------

I live with someone who thinks that 'life' revolves around her. I have to clean up after her, cook all the meals, entertain her and her friends and believe me---that entails all of the 'in-fighting, gossip and intrigue,' plus the fall-outs!

Don't even think about the shopping---it keeps me broke because she thinks money grows on trees. Yes---it's me who does all the driving while she talks endlessly, expecting me to 'understand' all of her little schemes and plans for 'our' future.

The 'look:' I am sure you all understand that. I get it constantly. One would think I would be immune to it by now. But no---she keeps coming up with new 'looks,' that get under my skin. Yes, I cave in, knowing that she will make my life miserable if I do not attend to her every need.

They say that life is a journey, I agree. That I have had and still have quite a few years left with this little lady, is all good by me. Yes---for those of you similarly inflicted or even---conflicted, with a Jack Russell, you are truly blessed.

Let's start a movement for a special day---'Love Your Jack Russell, Day!' Am I joking?

www.authorneilcoleman.com

We don't actually murder people in libraries, in New Zealand!

It has come to my notice that there is much ado about nothing---well nothing in the sense that murders do occur in New Zealand, but certainly not in our libraries, so to my many friends overseas who have come to the conclusion, based on my previous posts, that such terrible crimes happen in Middle Earth,' then rest assured---we are a safe  nation.(for the most part)
BUT---take a look at the attached poster and you may well take issue with my post!

Ngaio Marsh Crime Writers Awards.

Talk To Me, by Neil Coleman, has been nominated for the above award. I am looking forward to the evening on the 8th June: at 5.30, Tauranga Library. I am trying to get hard copies to sell, but time is against me and the cost is a bit high. However, you can download a copy (along with ROSKILL) from my website. Just click on Neil's Books and follow the link. Maybe I shall see you at the evening.           www.authorneilcoleman.com

I have a 'crat' in my garage!

I have told you many stories from the 'Coast,' some of them have been a tad far-fetched, but that goes with the territory, of awakening in Paradise. Truth tends to become--enhanced,' or 'augmented as it were. Take today's little ditty, for instance.
Before coming to live in this little part of New Zealand, one that 'punches way above its weight,' in terms of beauty, and other incredible aspects, I was told legendary stories about the size of the rats. If I took them literally, I would have gone out and bought huge dogs, of a breed that excelled even the skills of my beautiful Jack Russell, Perdy.
I stored that 'knowledge' of these mythical creatures in that part of the brain, that is only accessed upon being exposed to the reality, rather than the former. Today, I was confronted with that apparition--- of nightmares.
Last night was one in which the rain fell, not to the point of previous 'one in a hundred year storms,' but enough to make me wonder if the garage was going to be reformatted in a 'Venice-like' appearance. (It's kind of weird that the news media keeps reporting these 'weather bombs' in a manner that makes one wonder if the description is becoming a bit ----over-used!) I entered the garage, hoping that I was NOT going to be throwing our more damaged goods.
I stepped inside and there was no sign of a flood, but there was something else! I saw a huge tail, scampering behind some 'stuff,' that needed sorting. It was almost black, but I could not be sure, as the light may have been playing tricks with my ageing eyes. The tales I had heard of the Thames rats impinged on my thoughts, exaggerated and massaged by visions of the beast crawling up my track pants. What a thought!!!
I quickly gathered the chook feed and left the garage, planning a Macarthy-like return to conquer the invader(s). Once back inside the house, I conversed with Perdy about how it was time she 'earned her keep.' She looked into my eyes in a way that said---'Daddy---just let me at it!'
I stuck Perdy on her leash. I did not want her disturbing delicately balanced objects,' thus turning my garage into an even more chaotic state. I need not have been concerned. Perdy headed straight to the area, whence I had earlier observed the---tail.
She became most excited, sniffing, and scratching in an attempt to get at the beast. It was then that I heard a----meow! What the hell?!! Since when had rats learned to meow? Jeeze, these Thames rats are something else---ventriloquists or Shapesearaen actors to say the least!
A change of tactics was called for. I retreated, knowing that Perdy would not give up and to prove the point, she set up that barking that is specially reserved for---CATS.
'Shut up, Perdy,' I yelled, 'The neighbour is asleep!'
We returned to the house, leaving the door open, in the belief that the 'cat.' or maybe---rat, would leave the garage via the open door escape route. One can but hope. To increase the chance of a vermin-free garage, (There are mice there---I have been surprised by a few scrambling out of the chook feed, but they don't particularly bother me) I decided to take Perdy to the rain-sodden park down the road.
On our return, we re-entered the garage. Perdy headed straight for the area from whence the meow emanated. She was not as 'energetic' in her response, which had nothing to do with her having had her short walk in the rain, but perhaps a great deal to do with the possibility of the 'crat' having left the building. I could hear Elvis singing and the audience clapping.
Dear readers. That I can write a blog about something so trivial says much about my changed life. It also informs ME, that I am content. The 'Coast' is my place, now. Cats, rats---stones and'stuff' from the beach, gardens, veggies ect ect---------------

Jack Russell, a beach, stones, marshmallows and--home baking!

I know I am in paradise. I feel like I am and if I need proof, I don't need to depart this world anytime soon; I just reflect on the last hour and a bit, but the time seems vague, contrasting to the surety of my walk along ---the beach and all that I experienced.
It was late afternoon, that time between lunch and the approaching evening on a Sunday. The seasons were rubbing up against one another, unsure about who was going to lead the dance, the music provided by gentle waves kissing the pebble-strewn beach.
My eyes were working overtime, seeking out colourful stones, all to be polished, vibrated and tumbled back in the garage. They would join my growing collection, to be attached to pendants or simply given away.
I was not alone. Campervans were parked, spilling out their inhabitants, some of whom, joined me, in conversation, laughs and a few, collecting their baubles from the beach, be it driftwood, stones or---memories.
 They shared their stories, about life back in the city, or their journeys in their travelling homes whilst Perdy the Jack Russell made friends, endearing herself by jumping up, looking deeply into their eyes, as if she was taking a measure of who they were and keeping tabs for future reference, as only dogs can.
By this time, my pockets were bulging, threatening to drag my pants to the ground, lightened only for moments as I showed the 'beach people,' my collection. I was fed marshmallows by a generous lady, unknowingly eating about six before I remembered that, back at home I was soon to be cooking fresh fish delivered by a neighbour earlier in the day.
I said my goodbyes and headed back over the bridge, the sun warming my back, reminding me that Winter would come calling and days like today, but a beautiful memory.
As I entered the kitchen, I was met by the enticing smell of home baking. Maybe cooking that fish would be a few more hours, as it would be sacrilegious, not to partake of the little treasures displayed upon the cooling trays. Yes---paradise! Perdy had a look on her face that told me she too would share in the efforts of her 'other human parent.'

China is in a difficult position!

China comes in for a great deal of flak in relation to the South China Sea. It has made its position clear that it has the right to 'police' the area that is claimed by several nations. That 'oil' figures' in the equation, should come as no surprise. Imagine the USA's reaction, if oil was discovered in international waters, off the coast of California. I suspect that a few 'aircraft Carrier groups,' would make a semi-permanent appearance!
China faces a more direct threat, one much closer to its borders---the Korean problem, North Korea and its perchance for a 'nuclear deterrent, to be specific. The Dear Leader, of the 'Hermit Kingdom,' displays personality traits, not too dissimilar to his nemesis in the USA. (OK----maybe Trump is showing signs of actually listening to his advisors a little more without 'executing,' them!)
China no doubt tried to limit the damage caused by the tension on the 'peninsula,' but we are still observing a gradual move toward Noth Korea becoming a fully-fledged member of the 'nuclear club.' If we thought that Pakistan (or Israel?) represent a threat to world peace, then that is dwarfed, compared to the unleashing of North Korea's potential 'off the planet repsonse' to the Dear Leader's perception of what constitutes a threat.
Back in the days when the Peninsula erupted into a war, China was just emerging as a modern nation, having undergone a revolution that had cast off 'Western influences,' and was flexing its muscles, when it came to its own backyard. The North Korean/Sino relationship was more 'direct' and China was still yet to take a real 'great leap forward,' one in which its citizens gained in a far more pragmatic manner.
China is now a full member of the economic framework of the 21st Century; many would say the 'predominant member!' In the meantime, North Korea is the subject of various internationally imposed sanctions, and its economic efforts are skewered towards developing the 'military capacity of the nation, at the expense of a 'decent' life for its citizens. Life for the people of China is vastly different to that of the people across the border and any war, started by the North Koreans, or the USA, would impinge hugely on China.
It is becoming increasingly clear that China does not want a war, that such a conflagration, would spill over to affect much that China has gained over the last few decades. If there was ever a time, when cool heads were needed---we are witnessing it now. One would hope that China's experience re 'diplomacy,' one that has existed for thousands of years, will transcend the actions of the 'fools' who would take us to war--the ones in North Korea, and those in Washington.
Any move to 'disarm the nuclear capacity of North Korea, must be inclusive: China/USA and yes Russia! Therein lies the vexing problem---these nations must get beyond the underlying tensions, we are witnessing on the world stage. Can that happen? Will that happen?
IT MUST!