Oh you naughty little Hyundai I20-----well I never!

Several months ago, I purchased my first ever new car; nothing pretentious, over-the-top or expensive. I settled for a smaller end car, with an engine size that 'would not get me into trouble'---a Hyundai I.20. My previous car was something similar, also a Hyundai, a Getz. An issue I had with the older car was that when I traveled in a 50kl speed zone, the damn thing never quite knew what gear to inhabit, hence the constant gear changing (we are talking 'auto' of course) and attendant frustration. I am sure there is a technical term for this. I was often to be seen traveling at either above or below the limit. I guess you are wondering why I would ever buy what is essentially a newer version of the same car. Well, that happened when I took the older one in for a some maintenance (I must say that the Gezt was incredibly reliable and I had very few complaints) which necessitated driving a 'new' I.20 courtesy car. I was sold---the difference was huge---more power and so much smoother, especially at that pesky 50kl limit. That was all six months ago and I have to say that I have been very pleased with the new model. It has proven to be so much less frustrating in that 'speed zone.' TODAY, I was given a reminder that one still has to pay attention to the speed at which one travels: Yes, I received a 'gift' in the mail. Yes---I was back to my old tricks---letting the speed creep up! I am sure you are all aware that over the Xmas period, there has been 'zero tolerance' re speeding- There is a 4 kl gap. Today I learned that on December the 18th, I indeed transgressed and now I must pay the price. I was doing 55kls down Dominion Rd and was the recipient of a $30 speeding ticket. Oh, woe is me! I must not trust the faithfulness of my little saphire blue I.20. In the end, it is over to me--to maintain the correct speed. As I wrote this blog, I was watching 'Motorway Patrol,' and I meekly submit that my crimes are minimal when compared; when I recall some of the speeds those twerps were attempting. I plead guilty, nevertheless! Oh little Hyundai---protect me from---myself.

Oil at $US20 a barrel?

Sure oil at $US20 a barrel sounds like good news for the motorist. But is that really that positive? I don't think so. With a situation re pollution, gas emissions at high levels added to an increasing population, then things are not quite so rosy. If we care about our planet and pull our heads from the sand for a moment, consider the move to renewable energy that is taking place, the new technologies--these are all under threat if oil fall to such low levels. In a sense we need the spur of high oil to using new greener technologies. If that is put back because oil becomes king again, then we are all the losers. Just think about that before you head to the oil pumps with a feeling of glee---think about the emissions that your happiness re saving a penny now at the expense of the planet's future---your kids are the losers as they inherit a 'damaged' world.

Russia---help me to go on the Trans-Siberian Rail trip--all you have to do----

I have always dreamed of travelling on the ultimate rail trip-----non other than the endless Trans-Siberian rail trip---the one that crosses countless time zones. I have watched many TV programmes on this fabulous quest and something about it attracts me like no other venture. Now that I have either one very avid reader in Russia, or a rather large number (you now have more hits on my blog for the past month than any other country, Russia---even more than your nemesis---the USA!) you are in a position to help me make it happen. All you have to do is get thousands of your friends to download my book Roskill, which you can do on my website (www.authorneilcoleman.com) I reckon about 10,000 downloads should do it! Hey---it's my new years resolution and this time---i believe in it. Share my post and make the links. Russia 342 United States 244 New Zealand 75 Germany 44 Brazil 17 France 11 Netherlands 9 Ukraine 6 Poland 5 Canada 4 Figures for hits on my blog last month.

Russia is the most 'numeric' reader of my blogs today----here's ten other activities, my Russian friends!

I love it that so many readers (or is it just one who can't get enough of my blogs?!) in Russia are hitting my blogs. If you become a little 'underwhelmed' by the said blogs, here are some alternate activities for you! 1) Make a calendar of yourself to compete with Mr Putin's. 2) Walk through Red Square dressed as a transgender Isla----oops! 3)Listen to some wonderful Russian Music and dance in the above square. 4)Find out where the New Zealand Embassy is situated and preform a Haka outside with a friend holding a sign asking for instructions on how to actually do it right! 5) Set off some fireworks and run like feck, because you may get arrested! 6) Read one of my blogs----oops that defeats the purpose of this blog! 8) Learn how to count, because you didn't realize I had missed out 7. 7) Got around the right way now, so have a drink, whilst wishing me a Happy New Year! 9) Make plans to have a holiday in New Zealand. Bring me some caviar or has that ocean, the Aral Sea, all but GONE?! 10) Go check out my website and download Roskill, my book that some of you have read! 11) Paint a picture of Obama and cut it out, make a mask, then demand a limousine to drive you around for the day! 12) Have another vodka, like a friend of mine regularly does---oops---- again! 13) Send a post-card to a friend in Ukraine. 14) I just realized that I cannot count to ten!!!!! WTF!!!! 15)ABOVE ALL---Happy New Year Russia and do not take me too seriously because life should be for smiling--even when we don't feel like it! 18) Please ask Mr Putin to invite me to come to Russia so that I can better 'understand' him, He does not always get fair press in the media. It's OK---I will not wear my tiara! 23) Donald Trump sends his love---or something. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Russia---what's up?! You are reading my blogs again---great.

I am not sure why---but Russia is reading my blogs at an ever increasing rate. They have replaced Ukraine in this respect. Maybe that is where the answer can be found, if one is of a more cynical nature. But I chose to believe that Russians like to know about the rest of the world; about New Zealand in particular. The press in NZ is not always friendly to your dear leader, Mr Putin; indeed I have slanted him on occasion. I still find the Russian desire to have 'strong' leaders a bit of a conundrum, but knowing a little about history, I guess I have a level of understanding about that aspect of the Russian psyche. OK, if I have so many readers in Russia, I make the plea, that you spread my website, so that I can achieve more sales for my book, ROSKILL---a book you can either download or buy hard copy. You will soon be able to do the same for an upcoming release (maybe April 2016) of my latest book, Talk To Me.' Go to my website to find out more. Thanks again, my Russian readers. I appreciate your support.

Super Gold Card users---are they (me) acting a little bit 'precious?!'

As I was doing a little bit of 'research' re the 'truth' behind the story, in my soon to be released book, Talk To me, I became increasingly frustrated about reports that the Government is looking again at curtailing the use of the Super Gold Card on public transport. Yes, I was listening to talk-back radio, which can sometimes be a rather dangerous pass time when one is driving, due to the chaotic heightening in blood pressure, directly caused by the stupid comments of some of the callers. Some claimed that 'oldies' did not need the free trips, that the Government (Hey is that not all of us--well it may have been in the distant past!) cannot afford the measly $28 million dollars they put onto this scheme, one that they have frozen for 5 years. Why is it that Governments (I include all in the recent past) go for the quick 'fix' re spending? Why can they not see the longer term gain from having policies that 'take people off the roads,' lessening the need for yet more expensive motorways and more use of fossil fuels as oldies (and other groups) combat the increasingly crowded roads? They happily spend $28 million on an unnecessary 'flag referendum,' but they shortsightedly impose restrictions on a scheme that has proven benefits; one that leads to healthier people and healthier cities. Capping this funding is nothing short of stupidity. Getting older people out of their homes, including them in our wider community is a winner in every sense. On a more cynical note, may I also say that the Government is missing the feeling that older voters undoubtedly have about this---they are going to be pushing older voters, who will make up an even larger proportion of the electorate at the next election. I suggest that the scheme could be 'extended to other groups in society. What better way is there to get people on public transport? It is a great deal cheaper to subsidize public transport than to keep building more motorways, that seem to reach capacity in a few years, necessitating ever more money being dumped down the hole of these behemoths of political cronyism--yes---one does wonder who gains most from this excessive spending! Finally, and I do not say this in a frivolous manner---do you really want people like me, who may well reach a stage soon, that you may want to 'avoid us on the roads?' Stick us on the buses and trains!!!!! Keep the Gold Cards in maximum use.

USA---you can get the hard copy of ROSKILL much cheaper than we can IN New Zealand.

I know that my loyal readers who click on my webpage in NZ get 'stung' when they order hard copy from the Amazon site. I think it was NZ$54 for the last person who contacted me. That is pretty steep! Such readers would be better suited by contacting me direct for their copy of Roskill, which I can send for $N22---how? Just contact me at neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com and I will send you a copy for that lower price.The download for your Kindle or other reader is of course much cheaper. Check out that option from my website. www.authorneilcoleman.com Follow the links. Could someone in the USA let me know what you would pay for Roskill, including postage? Much appreciated. Have a happy New Year, everyone.