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.

Wellington=====I wanted to be there this weekend but I had to settle for this, with Perdy!

Sometimes we 'want' something but don't actually get it. For a range of reasons, mainly because I didn't get my act together, I wanted to go to Wellington for the Labour Party 'Congress,' but----oh well--I didn't. Maybe it 'would have been a bit miserable if I had rushed things and then driven down, complaining to no one in particular about an 'impending cold (You know the ones, that are sort of creeping up on you, but still haven't quite--'presented.')and then being a big sook for the rest of the weekend. I woke this morning, feeling OK, so I decided that I should take Perdy somewhere 'nice.' WE drove--well actually, I did, because even though Perdy thinks she's a clever Jack Russell, she hasn't got her full licence yet. Yes, People, dogs are allowed to drive in NZ! Put that down to our agricultural background. I mean---everything's about the 'farm.' After driving around, quite randomly, we arrived at Mission bay, the closest I get to anything 'spiritual, today. Well, in a sense nit was---just let the picture 'speak for itself.' Tell me this wonderful vista in the middle of NZ's biggest city, isn't 'spiritual!

Snippets from New Zealand-- again---and expect more!

Here's a few hints about what's making the news today on NZ: 1) NZ is a rugby mad country but on the way to the park to walk my dog, I noticed that the traffic was quite light. OH, I thought---must be the World Cup Soccer (LOL--that probably pisses off those of you who refuse to call the beautiful game, by that name). At the time of writing, Brazil was winning 2-1. Columbia hopes---I just hope that the mad buggers don't kill one another in their capital city of things go belly-up! Beautiful game with some nasty under-tones! BRAZIL ARE THROUGH! Am I excited?---not really. 2) The furore over the 'lack of sentencing' for the son of the Maori King is still causing ripples on social media and elsewhere within NZ. The rest of the world---well---you couldn't give a stuff! Actually, it doesn't really impact on the succession as the 'boy' has apparently made it clear that he doesn't want to be King! His older brother is being groomed for this position and that is probably the best outcome. Now--leave the kid alone -----He will get the message about his behaviour from his family! 3) The NZ Herald is often criticised as being politically biased. I hold to that view for the main part, but to give them a little credit, they have put up a generous exposé of the man who 'would be PM,' David Cunliffe. I have glanced over it and it seems to be reasonably sensitive to him. Not too bad, Herald, but I still don't trust you to report things in a totally balanced way. Let's face it, you are the 'face' of 'conservatism in NZ. 4) Isn't it wonderful when it is news that people who we loosely call 'Head bangers,' you know the ones who attend heavy metal concerts, (Yes, that genre still has lots of fans---not all of them old buggers!) often get 'head injuries, due to their exuberant antics that often involve a bit of bodily contact, especially of the 'head variety.' Jeeze, what a bloody incredible scientifically researched result of 'choice.' Jump up, get pissed and God knows what else, and---you complete the picture. Deafness is the least of your worries! Enjoy. 5) The Labour party is having its 'Congress' this weekend. Mmm---that's a new take on descriptive tags. Just make sure we get more of what we have seen in the last week---policies and less of the other games. Are you listening Trevor? OH, David---no more apologies please! Watch out for that man, Key---he will try and move the focus this weekend---back to his being in the headlights. Hope he can't see the truck coming! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Interact with me!

I am looking for people to interact with me---that is----talk to me---react to what I say. Yes, I know, my blogs are pretty random. I seem to cover lots of topics, ranging from my book to commentary on the news that is happening at any one time. I enjoy politics so there are lots of postings re the upcoming NZ election and also from overseas. Please read them and ---yeah---give me hell---I thrive on it and I can have my mind changed by a good argument---bring it on! www.authorneilcoleman.com