I am going to blog about a solar oven, once I can acess one and cook with it. Watch this space!

I head about a solar oven today on ZB Talk Back radio. The site was www.ebrightenergy.co.nz. So far I haven't been able to source a seller who carries these products but once I do I shall try one out and make up a few of my own recipes and let you know how it goes.  The idea of solar, wind etc. excites me. I already use solar water heating and my electricity bill has gone down a lot. If anyone knows where these ovens can be sourced then let me know. Just send a message through my website. Follow the links and while you are at it, download ROSKILL, the Kindle version.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

It really is hard for our tertiary students ot pay for their expenses. Give them a fair go!

When I compare the cost of getting a tertiary education for today’s students with how I achieved my ‘ticket,’ I have a great deal of sympathy for them. We did not need massive student loans and travelling to and from the ‘halls of knowledge’ was less problematic. I can even remember being able to park my car right outside the lecture theatre in Princess Street. Most students use public transport now and if there is a cheaper way to help them travel and that means a subsidy, then that is what should happen.

I can hear certain sectors in the community (the same ones who always moan about any rates increase, but then have the gall to complain that they are not receiving ‘services,’ because they have been successful in supporting candidates who wish to hold down rates)

The young man from Longbay College has every right to complain about the removal of a subsidy that in effect, means that he has to find yet more money for his textbooks. Surely we want young people to use the Northern Bus lanes’ and not clog up the motorways with their cars. If that means the public ‘helping out,’ then that is fine with me. To my ‘lucky generation,’re educational expenditure, I say, ‘give the young ones a break!’ Hell I don’t hear any of you bitching about your Gold Cards!

www.authorneilcoleman.com  

Readers Digest pathetic marketing ploy---beware!

I remember many years ago receiving those little magazines form the Readers Digest. I also remember how hard it was to stop them coming. It was very difficult to cancel the contract. Eventually, probably because I moved house a few times, I was free of them. Peace---yeah right!
A few weeks ago I received something through the mail, going on about some sort of sweepstake. I ignored it in spite of the fact that the said correspondence implied that I could win a lot of money. I have long since arrived at the fact that you generally don't get anything for nothing. I put the letters in the bin. I forgot all about it.
Silly me. Today I get home to hear that a parcel had arrived by courier; a parcel containing a radio and a BBQ recipe booklet. 'What the hell,' I thought. Initially we thought we would just sell it on Trade Me but the more honest side of me emerged and I searched for a number to ring to send the message that I did not want to be part of their stupid sweepstake; you all know the ones I mean, where all sorts of things are paraded as your chance to 'win big time.'
I got through to  number that I can only assume was in the Philippines (judging by the delay and the accent) and a very nice but insistent, repetitive sounding lady informed me that I had entered into a contract to buy the magazines. Bullshit! I had not even replied to them. Do they use the fact that I did not reply as an agreement to participate in their dumb-arse schemes? What dishonest business practice. The lady kept on saying that she had documentation that I had initiated the delivery. I told her that I throw away everything that ever comes from Readers Digest because I simply want nothing to do with them. She repeated her insinuation that I had sent an order. I wanted to scream at the lovely bit---oops. I didn't. I remained calm and then said that they could pick up the radio as I was not prepared to pay the cost of returning it. She then offered (after I became a little less agitated) a Free Post number and an address to send back the radio. I took up the offer but will take my time in returning the radio. Maybe I should have a little play with it. No--- better to keep it pristine and send it back with the damned invoice and all the crap about winning 'this and that'--all in the box. I asked her to remove me from any further Contact and that any more correspondence will be chucked in the dunny---OK I will 'return to sender just once more but then I shall carry out my threat, only I won't stick it down the toilet because that will only 'bounce back on me.'
To Readers Digest, I say---'stop your stupid, inane unsolicited marketing and leave those of us who wish to have no connection with you alone! Getting you to stop is so hard.' Damn, is this Fair Go territory? One final word: I know I push my books online, but at least I don't send accounts for things that people do not want and I am very easy to BLOCK!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Will Mr Key listen to the reuslts of the referendum?

So the numbers are in and the Government must have a referendum re the asset sales. This must be most irksome for Key and his minions, as he sees the asset sales as a key part of his policy. He must have the referendum but will he listen? Time will tell and even if the majority of the voters reject his policy I have this feeling that he will forge ahead anyway. Maybe he will react like Cameron did in the UK when Parliament there delivered him a slap in the face when he was going to go along blindly with Obama’s plan to bomb Syria.

What is it about leaders in so many countries that they feel that ‘they are right and to hell with the wishes of the people?’ One word explains their personalities---‘arrogance.’ They have a belief that ‘they know best.’ And that is the sign of a leader who is ‘out of touch.’ Have we not seen that with previous ‘administrations,’ whatever the flag they attach to their party?

Come on Johnny boy; wake up and smell the coffee!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

The war on using 'animals for testing party drugs.' The Ministers' reply. A way to go yet I would say!

Yes there has been some progress but there is still a way to go. Maye the pressure is working, so lets keep it up. Here is Cabinet Minister, Hathan Guy's reponse. Make up your own minds.

Thanks for your email regarding animal testing for psychoactive substances. I share your concerns.

This is why the Government has agreed that the Primary Production Select Committee will now consider an amendment seeking to ban testing of psychoactive substances on animals.

It’s important to note that we already have very strong controls in place, and that party pills have never been tested on animals in New Zealand.

However this amendment will allow the committee to look at this issue in depth and for the public to have their say.
Regards

Hon Nathan Guy
Minister for Primary Industries

Will the Labour Party leadership roadshow take it away from the next General Election?

I pose the above question merely as a ‘teaser’ in the sense that what we are witnessing now is an ‘election’ type barnstorming around the country, complete with ‘policy announcements, some made on the hoof and others with a little more thought behind them. That there is little in the way of ‘bad feeling’ or any major challenge to the various pronouncements of the three candidates does make it different of course.

Key and his cohort snipe away when they can and I am sure that Parliament will be a place where he will try to derail and discredit the Labour party process. He must be left wondering at the fairly high interest from many sectors of the public and how that may be taking away from his agenda. He may also be happy that he can get on with some of his devious ‘works,’ sure in the  knowledge that at least the ‘road show’ has the possibility  taking away some of the hype that should come at the election next year.

It is all new territory for any political party in New Zealand to have this ‘Primary’ type of election for a leader and who knows how it will affect the polls. We shall soon find out once the new leader is announced. So far, the three participants have conducted themselves within the bounds of the Party’s rules and seem almost gentlemanly in their approach. There has not been any rancour amongst them and of this continues it bides well for their eventual working together against a common foe, both before and after the elections next year.

 One does wonder how long they can keep this approach and not return to previous battles where much blood was left on the floor. If Labour can get this process right then they have a chance next year. Hopefully their entertaining road show will not tire the public and bounce back on them. I mean, we can only take so much of this stuff, don’t you think?

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Another 'voice' on the block. Welcome to New Zealand, Aljazeera.

We have seen Aljazeera in NZ before, but not full time. I was pleased to see the return with Aljazeera having it's own slot on Sky TV. I shall enjoy another 'slant' on the news but will subject it to the same distain have for other outlets when I perceive any bias. Now that we have Aljazeera, along with the usual same old bastions of our news intake, perhaps we can get some balance. That will mean I will need to a lot of channel-surfing,' a habit that will little for the 'peace' in my little house. Oh well, I shall be gentle in that the TV won't be tuned to the 'news' all the time. Hell, I may even watch that crazy old lady, Joan Rivers with her extremely 'informative' Fashion Police, a programme that every aspiring wannabe whatever should watch. Be warned however, your definition of 'balance' will be severely challenged to say nothing of your sensitivities on 'other matters pertinent to being 'informed.' Maybe Aljazeera will add her to their team of resolute reporters!
www.authorneilcoleman.com