Stingray causes a stir down at Onehunga Bay. Leave it alone!

Opononi had its dolphin and until someone killed it, it enthralled thousands. Now, Onehunga Bay has its very own stingray, causing a different kind of 'stir.' Today was a perfect example how something so simple can bring people together, cause excitement and teach people about the more simple things in life---for free. Watching the stingray is free and so should be the 'beast of the bay'---free to roam and cavort in the shallows, entertaining the people and the 'dogs.' Today I sat in the shade of a tree at the far end, watching as this 'submersible dreadnought' ploughed through water and then disappeared----momentarily. It's ghostly shadow, flew beneath the surface as gulls, Terns and Shags dived to retrieve silvery treasures. Yes, the bay was alive. People talked---they seemed happy to show their kids and it was so easy to just--- hang around, beneath the Pohutukawas , the beautiful New Zealand Christmas tree that has now shed its glorious colour, leaving us to wait for another 'showing' in 11 months. There is a darker side though. I talked to a gentleman who has concerns about the 'safety of the dogs.' He was worried that one of them, or a child might stand on the ray. I do not know if his concerns are valid. I know that Perdy watches the ray as it flaps close to where we were watching the action. She turns her little head in that quizzical way that dogs have, as if to say---what the hell is that? Kelly Tarltons say that the ray will leave when it feels like it. The council has put up signs asking people to leave it alone. I know dogs can be unpredictable and that kids if left to their own devices are also capable of putting themselves in danger. It only takes one stupid action to bring about a crazy and unnecessary reaction from a 'well-meaning' member of the public. The man I spoke to said that he wants to catch it and let it go on the other side of the motorway. Will it not just find its way back into the bay because it has discovered a rather lucrative little hunting ground? Tine will tell, but I hope that we can enjoy Mother Nature for a while yet. www.authorneilcoleman.com

ISIS, Boko Haram and their like---what really gets me about them is------

Without a doubt 'most' people in the West and a good deal of the rest of the world have negative views about the two groups, ISIS and Boko Haram. There are other groups that follow similar pathways. We see from time to time, commentary that tries to explain or paint these groups as some sort of 'spawn' from the intervention of the USA, with the CIA, FBI and other organizations being blamed for the rise of the aforementioned groups. Western Colonization has also been blamed. OK, wherever the truth sits--let's leave that aside for the moment and examine the 'practice' or reaction of these groups. Leave aside the quasi-religious 'justification' for their actions and look at what is happening on the ground in the areas they operate. How can they say their cause is 'just' and that the kidnapping, murdering, enslaving and torture of those who happen to be in their way, or who do not follow the same 'faith' or version of that faith as they do, is justified? It seems to matter little whether their victims are young old, male, female--the result is the same. It has been said that they hope to divide a wedge between the nations who oppose them and that by creating such suffering, people will turn to them, out of desperation. Perhaps they have overestimated the efficacy of their policies and underestimated the anger and fear they sow as they go about their slaughter. Instead of 'driving' people to their cause they are more than likely bringing about an 'alliance of nations,' and people, many of whom have been opposed in the past----together. Russia, the EU, the USA and even China and India have been on the receiving end of the actions from these groups or their allies. Look back into the past and it is not hard to find 'temporary alliances,' formed out of necessity, in order to defeat a common foe. The reasons behind discontent in the regions where these groups have formed will be lost as the attention falls upon the barbaric acts of ISIS and Boko Haram. Whatever message they had that had any validity, would have been shot down by the very nature of the way they force that message. The sad fact remains, that the inequalities that breed extremism, will still be present, because the goal posts have changed and the same old forces who have controlled the wealth of regions and nation states, remain as they always have. The poor will remain so and dispossessed people will still have no place to call a nation state. There will be other ISIS and Boko Harams and they will continue to 'wax and wain' as history repeats.

US Central Command's Twitter account hacked. Makes one feel confident.

So an ISIS Hacker or someone close to them was able to hack into the Twitter account of the US Central Command. OK, I am not sure as to what that august body actually does but it does bring up the question that if such an attack occurred, what the hell else are these groups able to do? Are they also capable of 'entering' really sensitive military industrial complex sites and wreck havoc on a scale we have never seen before and enact pathways that are truly dangerous. I am sure there will be many who have a rather wry expression on their faces as they think only of the 'embarrassment' that the said actions have caused and have not thought through just how serious the ramifications are, so hate filled are they re anything to do with the USA. If the proverbial shite hits the fan, they too will suffer as yet more bombs, suicides 'going to heaven' actions are perpetrated in the name of 'religion.' I do not trust the 'targets' of the actions of these attacks to any degree that leaves me feeling comfortable, but I feel a dread as to what the hackers and their backers are possibly capable of. The 'skills' needed by them are no longer 'owned by the forces they oppose; indeed even the Kingdom of the Dear Leader has the skills to play the game as it now exists. There is no longer a Nuclear Umbrella to hide under, no certainty that vast military assets will keep a nation safe. The 'playing field is not only on a more level basis but totally unpredictable expect in the fact that 'all bets are off!' Extremism in all of its forms will be the winner! It will take more than 'millions on the streets of the family of nations,to bring about real change. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Is it just me---or is there a real issue re the power dumping aspect of my nearly new Samsung 5?

Yeah, here we go gain. Many of you know about my issues with my Windows 8 or is it 8.1 or is it somewhere not quite 'either?' let's put that conundrum aside for a moment and introduce yet another 'Neil' issue with technology. My Samsung S% is only a few months old and it has developed this maddening quality whereby it suddenly 'dumps' the charge---it goes from about 45% charged to stuff-all. Yes, I understand about my Jack Russell and kids having hissy-fits but this is an extremely annoying quality that I would be most happy to have resolved! Am I doing something wrong? OH---it gets hot too and I don't understand that. For what has been labelled a quality phone, one would assume that issues should few and resolvable. If any of you kind readers of Roskill, my blogs and other utterings on FB have an idea---one that will forestall my proposed visit to Vodafone tomorrow, then bring it on. OK--I expect a few 'insensitive' remarks re my lack of knowledge about the described issues, but hey---give me credit for attempting to be part of this new, sometimes unkind 'techno world.' I do not wish to return to the world of 'smoke-signals' or using two cans connected by a long piece of string. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Aeropress makes a bloody good cup if cofee if you do it right!

How many of you have spent a lot of money on an expensive coffee machine, maybe over $1000? Then you have to get it serviced quite regularly or it just doesn't do the right stuff. Maybe you brought one of those cheap ones from a discount store an sure---its makes good coffee for a while, but then gives up the ghost after a year or so. Perhaps you just get sick of cleaning it all the time and keeping it in good order. I have an Italian model and I no longer use it. I am going to sell it on Trade Me for a very small reserve. WHY?---that's easy ---I brought a Aeropress for about $70.There is nothing inherently wrong with my flash machine, it's just that the cheep AP one does the job just as well, with of course the addition of a frothing machine for those lovely 'Flat Whites' or Cappuccinos. Wanna know more abut an Aeropress?---just Google it. You can buy them at Cafes or get one off the net. You can also check out how to use one by watching the sites on the Net, but I have been taught by a friendly barista, how to get the best out of the machine. Firstly---the AP only has a few moving parts and it is all plastic, apart from the paper filters or the permanent mesh ones, if you choose that. It is simple and easy to use. People say they cannot get a 'crema' using it. Well that is wrong. I can! Not having a crema does not affect the flavour anyway! Here's how to get the best coffee. Heat water to just under boiling point. Place your espresso ground coffee (note--it is not a plunger that uses a coarser grade--it must be fine!) in the 'Press' not the actual container that has the filter. Drip the hot water in and slowly add the rest of the water--to the strength you want the coffee--single or double and only make one cup at a time---better result. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, while the milk is frothing in the machine of you want the milk. Then--pout the coffee into the container and push slowly down with the plunger-pod. This replicates the action of an espresso machine. You will see a think crema coming out at the end. Sure it dissipates quite quickly, but a crema it is! Add the milk and the result is as good as and often better than many coffees from cafes and it is a lot cheaper. If you like a 'long Black,' just add more water. I bet this post pisses off some of the manufacturers of the flash coffee machines. That's OK, they don't live in NZ! I love my little Aeropress machine. Easy cleaning, easy storage and bloody good coffee. Make sure you use good beans though. I get mine form Eden Coffee and Tranz Café in Onehunga. www.authorneilcoleman.com

France represents a pivotal time in the history of this endagered planet.

France has been deeply affected by the events of the last few days. The murder of the employees from the magazine and of other hostages taken as terrorists 'make their point,' is not going to cower the French people. Whether their reactions are totally based on a just cause will no doubt be debated, in many countries, most of whom are watching closely as the French respond to the attack on their country. France sees itself as being at war. They see their cause as just and will push aside some of the contributing factors as to why things have come to this sad state. French Muslims will be feeling particularly uncomfortable as they hide away, in the vast suburbs they inhabit, ones full of despair---one reason for the tension that France feels. However most the 'underlying causes will be put aside as France unites, to try to understand, but above all, rally to a clarion call from the very base from which their 'Republic' was formed. 'Freedom, Fraternity and Liberty,' will be the cries, albeit in French. The terrorist have not gathered support they would have hoped for, for their cause; indeed they have 'pricked' something very basic in the French Psyche, something just as powerful as any dogma promoted by the killers of innocent people. That is not how the terrorists and their supporters see things of course. They hark back to the 'insult to the prophet,' and to the murder of innocent peoples in the countries from whence they arose; countries or parts of countries equally under the collective 'yoke' of despots, criminals, clerical fools and big corrupt business and Royal families. Sadly, we are going to witness more, not less, war or peace, more destruction, retribution and the lessening of freedom within the countries under attack, as Governments try to find a away forward, to identify the terrorists, using means that affect the freedom of other dissent voices. We are all the losers in this epic battle. It is about greed, control, perverted religious dogma, capitalist underpinnings and human failings---the biggest of which is the 'lack of tolerance---on both sides. Is this a negative and overly pessimistic posting?---YES IT IS! I fear for the future of human kind and that does not even bring other environmental battles that are being lost. It seems that humans are concentrating their failings in massive ways; violence,repression and ignorance being the weapons of choice! If there was ever a more pivotal time in our collective history, then this must be right up there. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Attack on 'freedom of the press' or on somehting that is not right. France bleeds!

The attack on the magazine in Paris with the resulting deaths of at least 12 people has caused a massive reaction around the world, even within Islamic society. This magazine has been around since the French Revolution and it is well known for its satirical style, one much loved my many, for generations. The attack has struck a deep chord within French society and much of the world. It seems that this process is picking up speed as the world awakens to the tragic news. It may well spur the French to take measures that will not appease sectors of the French population. It is for this reason that I have fears for Muslims in France, the vast majority of whom do not support the actions of the 'attackers.' The attack will play into the hands of extremists in France--on the right and from other groups who do not like the 'New France.' The belief in France that 'freedom of speech,' is paramount is not one that Islamic groups can live with. Any writing, art form or 'political espousal' that is seen as demeaning the 'Prophet,' is given as reason for such actions we have witnessed in France. To the majority of French people and those of other countries, portraying religious or political figures in a less than positive light, is seen as 'part of the jewel that is freedom of the press.' That other religions, including that of the majority of French people, Catholicism, also come in for ridicule at times, and those who are uncomfortable with this, can hit back---in appropriate and legal ways, does not have acceptance from extreme Islamic groups. Examples of other 'intolerances' of criticism of religion, can of course be seen in other countries who follow other faiths--Thailand, Burma etc. It is the 'inability of other groups to 'not accept' any form of criticism that leads to these acts. One wonders what will transpire in France as a result of these attacks. There will be a reaction; one that asks some basic questions about just how far 'freedom of the press' can be taken. How much responsibility must magazines and other media forms take for 'how far they go' in their 'expressions of freedom?' Is there a balance. It seems that the editor of the magazine has often said that 'I would rather die than bow down to groups trying to curtail my right to speak out.' I am concerned that now that he has achieved that status,' he will have awoken a feeling amongst French people of all persuasions that 'enough is enough.' The 'right' will respond and use this for their own political aspirations. We do not have to look far to find other examples whereby politicians have used angry public opinion for their own ends! I watch this space, in this time with a great deal of apprehension! www.authorneilcoleman.com