Anglican Chuch begins to reflect societyy as it is! About time---Hello Catholics!

It has to be said that the Anglican Church (or Church of England to some)has finally started to reflect modern day society, in its acceptance (in England) of the right for women to be Bishops. No, not the self-appointed one we see in NZ re the Destiny Church, but one sanctioned by the hierarchy of the church in England. I feel I can comment on this as it was the Anglican Church of my childhood that sanctioned my early spiritual being. OK, by my early teens I had tuned my back on the said church--all of them for that matter and I have not returned to the Christian faith of any form, certainly not some of the modern day 'fundamentalist or others who would take it upon themselves to judge in ways never intended by the 'original documents.' It is arson the interpretation of the 'book' that turned me away. It has so often been used to discriminate, to 'unlove,' and to conquer inhabitants of lands far flung, although the real reasoning behind such 'conquests,' go far beyond any spiritual base; it was more about greed and the control of resources. Now that the Church in England has made this historic shift and possibly next moving on the ordination of clergy who are gay, one begins to think that if my need to 'have faith,' grew, it could well be back to the church in its new form from my past. Of course the Anglican church in NZ makes it's own rules on the above matters and those usually mirror those of Mother England. Therein of course there is a possibility of division as we have seen in other faiths, be it re gay issues or the control of 'who would be clergy, at all levels. I wonder if the Catholic 'empire' would also ever move on some of these basic tenants, but given that that faith is increasing in numbers, I suspect that any move that even comes close to resembling those made by the Anglicans, is just a step too far! Even the new Pope, who has made some quite radical changes, is not free to pursue such an open direction. The cloisters of the Vatican are indeed more shadowy than the lighter halls of power that rule the Anglican church. That is for that august body to find its own direction to travel. In the meantime, I wish Anglicans well and just maybe---one day I shall take another look, but---time is running out!` www.authorneilcoleman.com

Snippets from NZ on the day after the fog!

The sun is shining in Auckland. I had almost forgotten that vision of loveliness, given the storms, rain and fog of recent days. I feel empowered to make a few comments on what is making the news. 1) The big German guy is in the headlines again, this time in relation to the granting of his residency into NZ. KIM Dotcom as he is named has been the centre of a good deal of discussion here, and with his 'ghost leadership of a new political party, one that many say is just a tactic to pressure the Government to stop the nasty Americans from 'extracting' him to face criminal charges in the USA. His marriage of political co0nvenince with another party is contributing all sorts of intrigue into the upcoming elections. Time will tell if NZers get on-board his wagon or see it in another more sinister manner. 2) An American is trying to claim 'territory as a new kingdom for his princess daughter in Africa. It is on the border between Egypt and Sudan. Great choice mate and I am sure your lovely princess will thank you for such a magnanimous gesture on her behalf. Enjoy the sand and the terrorists! I bet they are rolling out the welcome map for this latter day saintly hiccup from the European colonial past! 3) The Israelis and Hamas have been 'asked to observe a ceasefire' in the terrible debacle that is Palestine/Israel. Nothing is going to change in this area because those who could make the changes are so divided amongst themselves. Until the UN speaks with one voice; one that could pressure the participants in the struggle of two people who inhabit this land, to share in its bounty. Unless this happens, we are doomed to witness the occasional outbreak of peace. In the meantime, children and the 'less powerful' continue to die at the hands of overwhelmingly violent actions. Is this about religion, power, greed or other more sinister forcers? 4) New Zealand's professional litigant' is now about to take our Prime Minister to the Auckland District Court. This is just one of many swipes this guy takes at various figures in NZ. Whilst his attempts are seen by some as his democratic right, others see him as a wasted space. Are we going to see a NZ version of the events overseas, whereby an election is held and for whatever reason, others do not accept the results. OK, we do not have the 'corruption' of the electoral process on the scale we see elsewhere or the massive crowds filling the streets as their candidate fails to win through the ballot boxes. At most in NZ, it is the 'non-participation' of a significant number of voters that allows incumbents to win elections and to those people I say---STFU or vote! You can work out the meaning! 5)My Jack Russell has slept for 9 hours straight since her massive exercises of yesterday and she has the appearance of a wound up spring, thus the need for me to invite her for a walk in her favourite place--Onehunga Bay. Check us out on Facebook. 'Dog Lovers of Onehunga Bay.' www.authorneilcoleman.com

No news today from New Zealand because ----

Yes, it has finally happened. I have NO NEWS from New Zealand. Middle Earth has been hidden from view because of fog that will just not go away. The grey monster has descended and Mother Nature has connived with mystical forces to keep Auckland shrouded in a mysterious gluggy and almost wet cloying cloud. God knows what will emerge from the surrounding twin primordial oceans that Auckland sits between; maybe beasts from a time long gone. I have given up on observing the headlines this morning and coming to any conclusions other than---'hey Perdy, wanna come with me to the doctors?' well not actually into the surgery, but outside in the car and then we can have some adventures in the fog, pretending that we are exploring foreign and dangerous regions of a 'parallel' universe. That folks, is what it looked like down at Mission Bay! The sea was placid, grey and all sorts of fantastical life forms could have been laying in wait, had Perdy ventured far from shore. The island we both love to look at, over the harbour was nowhere to be seen. None of this bothered my girl though as she pranced in the shallows and chased her 'precious' orange ball. No---after the good news from my doctor that I only have a 15% chance of a 'heart episode' in the next 5 years and that my blood pressure is totally healthy---well---who needs any other news! Thankyou, Bariatric Surgery! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Snippets from NZ and beyond.

It's one of those grey days we get in Auckland, that suffices for winter. usually such facets of nature would be enough to keep me inside, reading, eating and watching TV and eating, plus lots of coffee and eating---oh and cooking stuff to eat. Things have changed for two reasons. Getting a Jack Russell and having the bariatric surgery; both combined to propel me to a new way of living. NO matter what the weather, it is off to the park or at least a walk down the main street of Onehunga under a semblance of shelter, just to 'exorcize' the energetic spirits of the said dog! Before we attempt a sojourn in the park, I better comment on a few 'items' that fluttered before my eyes--from the NZ Herald site. I could of course wax on about the terrible events I see repeated each day from Al Jazeera, but I am increasingly frustrated by the impossibility of ever finding a solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conundrum. That one side will never recognise the right of the other to exist and the latter totally unwilling to negotiate a meaningful solution---then the region is domed to permanent warfare with occasional outbreaks of peace. So you can assume that rockets are being launched from Gaza and the response from Israel is to rain drone-impelled bombs on innocent civilians, killing in a totally disproportionate manner. No one can win this! IN NZ we hear today that a young boy injured horribly in a school based attack from another student has finally woken from a coma. We have floods in Northalnd that surpass anything in living memoery, leaving many withiout power and wondering what 'Mother nature' will throw at them next. Climate change, maybe! It is Dunedin, the city in the south of New Zealand and once our biggest city is in the headlines as being a shining example of how we should preserve our wonderful old buildings; well old for us that is. This city was once NZ's biggest and it seems that it is undergoing a modern-day revival. This gracious old lady shows up Auckland as the ;tart of the north.' Oops--me thinks I will be ducking a few verbal bombs for that one! Now another sacrilegious observation. The same paper reports that many mums and dads are persuading their offspring, particularly of the male kind, to look askew at our 'national game---RUGBY. We have had yet another sad death of a young person, resulting from a head injury. Now, parents are pressuring the kids to look at soccer--OK---'Football,' as a safer option. Time will tell if that becomes a short term blip or a tidal wave of change. Finally, as I have been clumsily typing this blog, I have had the BBC news on and they are talking about the 'resurgence' of coffee as a beverage of choice in London and they are attempting to persuade me that Starbucks is the epitome of the coffee culture. Yuck, is all I can say. I have it on good authority that if one wishes to sample 'good' coffee in London, then they better find an establishment run by an Italian or better still expat Aussies and New Zealanders, the home of the best cup of real coffee! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Jack Russell. SLEEPING!

Jack Russells do sleep---don't they! You decide. Look at the picture---closely! She's been reading Roskill and she just told me to tell you to download ROSKILL by going to my website ( www.authorneilcoleman.com ) and either buying the hard-copy or downloading the eBook. Of course, if you do the former, you get the latter -- free. Perdy just said---'tell them yourself!'

Snippets from NZ this weekend!

I didn't want to go out at all this nasty Saturday, but of course I did! I took 'you know who,' out for a quick perusal of things on the par; not the Bay in Onehunga but the one near where I purchase my coffee beans in MT Eden. In shall be posting on a little secret I learnt today about the best use' of my trusty AeroPress. She, 'who must be obeyed,' looked at me as if I was confirming my stupidity when we pulled into eh car park and I let her out. She ran briefly, into the centre of the 'green,' then headed for the trees where upon I spent the next five minutes trying to coax her to fetch the ball she had dropped whilst seeking furry creatures. I finally bribed her to bring it back and I sneaked it safely in my pocket. By now the rain was falling at a pace just above steady, a state that persuaded me that retuning to the car was the only sensible decision. I opened the car door and after a circuitous ramble amongst the tress where even the rats had sought more comfortable climes, Perdy decided that enough was enough. Now that I am back home, ensconced in warmth of my little home, I have perused the headlines and have arrived at the important decision that, the world can keep its bombs, political intrigues and I shall spend the day pretending that 'all is well.' That my friends is the state of MY day to be! Now, I shall conjure up a satisfyingly warm meal for tonight, based round a chicken, Moroccan seasoning and chicken. www.authorneilcoleman.com

How to tire a Jack Russell!

I have often wondered what takes to tire out a jack Russell, without causing permanent harm to the owner----me! As that little guy on TV form yesterday said---'The plan, the plan!' (Yeah I know---a bit of 'licence apparent here) 1) Get up quite early and let her out for her 'whatever the ell she does outside.' 2) Have my breakfast and throw the ball around the lounge while attempting to eat the said breakfast. 3) Stick her in the car and take her to the park down the road, let her out and chuck the ball down the hill ---the one she always brings back. 4) Have a coffee with a friend then go to another park; this one with a long circuitous route around a large water feature, with added Pukeko (sorry Cathy!) 5) Arrive home only to get a message that you and the Jack Russell are need for a photo shoot. 6) Take the JR into the building, or more correctly, she takes me in---on a leash. they don't want me running around lose after all! 7) Spend the next hour having pictures taken, first in the park across the road from the magazine, then down at the rose gardens where the JR looks everywhere but at the camera and even when she poses correctly, I don't, so it all begins again! 8) We finally wrap up the shoot and leave the photographer to what ever she does best and head on down to the beloved Onehunga Bay. Perdy, the Jack Russell charged her batteries----oh no! 9) Upon arrival at the Bay, she jumps out and demands In thrown the ball with my trusty little 'chucker.' 10) I decide she has had enough, read----'I have had more than my share of exercise!' 11) I encourage Perdy back into the car using my last 'treat,' only to observe her best friend arriving in a car Perdy knows means---'company!' 12) I drag myself around another circuit of the bay, talking with my fellow 'doggie-mum,' passing useful and energetic comments about how the day has gone and what awaits me for dinner. 13) Perdy seems to have found a whole new lease of life and gaily (That word is still applicable in this sense? I suppose it is when one uses that spelling!)gallivants after the ball and playing 'chase me, big boy,' with her mate Finn. 14) The wind increases and the first drops of rain begin to splatter against my sun glasses. (So I wear such devices on a grey day---deal with it!) 15) Perdy allows me to escort her back to the car and after fond farewells, we leave for home. 16) We have been home barely 20 minutes and an Argentinian dear friend arrives. Perdy loves guests. Will she ever---rest!? 17) He leaves after some lovely chat time and an exchange of views, and does she finally give up? HELL NO! She wants me to throw the ball! Can you tire a Jack Russell? I don't know--you tell me! www.authorneilcoleman.com