Cabinet Prospects

Helen Clark is staying tight lipped about how Cabinet will structured now that Benson-Pope is gone. She is also very cold on the subject, stating in a media conference that she has neither phoned or text Benson-Pope and on her trip to Dunedin today they will not be going around engagements together.

TV3 had a run down of possiblities last night of who could be in, and who could be out. There is also a snippet illustrating Clark's coldness to Benson-Pope.

Part of the Force

Well I am in the early stages of recruitment to get accepted to Police College.

I have my PAT (Physical Appraisal Test)criteria and will be working with my trainer to get to the required level, which I am pretty much already at, I will just need to work on the push-ups. I have done some practice tests which I got through relatively easily. I have a session I have to attend in November where the recruitment process goes a step further and you can get assigned a recruitment officer etc and also have the opportunity to speak with some officers.

I am also hoping to be allowed to become an observer before that time so that I can get some experience and see what the job is really like.

Henry looses sidekick

Kay Gregory is leaving Breakfast.

I have never been a fan of Kay, but can see how she appeals to some people. She has worked along side Paul Henry and put up with his grief, but she failed to have the interogative skills required for some of the interviews that have been conducted, and often the producer's leave such interviews for Henry.

Kay wishes to spend more time with her family and in her other profession as a marriage and funeral celebrant. I can't blame her for being sick of the 3:30am starts five days a week either.

I hope that Pippa will be named as her replacement, she is a good presenter and can put up with Paul Henry well.

Bye Bye

Helen Clark has just announced that David Benson-Pope is gone. He resigned from Cabinet.

" Sidekicking since 1986"

Fellow contributor Pamziewamzie is currently running for 2008 AUSA Administrative Vice President (AVP) using as DPF puts it wholly admirable slogan "Putting back the Vice into Vice President".

You can follow up on her campaign trail here.

All AUSA members voting takes place next week at the quad on the 31st July, 1st and 2nd of August.

Your vote counts.

Updated: Pamzie has the team at Red Confectionery's full support

A Point of Difference

TVNZ are considering offering a late afternoon news programme in an attempt to gain more viewers.

It is not only news which is a possibility to fill the late afternoon gap and lack of viewers, but also lifestyle programmes and game shows.

This is a public announcement!

This is a call for support from people who believe that written PDA (public display of affection) should be banned from all social networking sites (Bebo, Myspace, Facebook, Tagged, and so on).

To the people who are guilty of this:

1. Its great that you think your current boyfriend is so wonderful, sexy, and you miss him so much since you haven't seen him all morning. We don't. It is called email or text message. Keep these things private.

2. Remove these words from your online dictionary- Snuggles, sexy, sweetest, love, the love of my life, sweetie, precious..... that is all i can think of- i am sure you and your other half will have words that you use often to express your dying love and devotion to each other- these words make us; the general public grab the nearest bucket and dry reach until our throats cant take the pain.

3. Visual images- So you spent an afternoon gazing into your lovers eyes and have captured this using the magical art of photography. Good for you- a kodak moment.
When selecting and pasting photos of you and your current beau, be mindful that your friends, work colleagues and possibly your mother will actually view these images.

4. Profile photo - the picture that displays you to the world of bebo, myspace, facebook and well many others. This picture can either define the real you or make you look like a complete loser and dweeb. It needs to be said but profile pictures of you and your beau cuddling up together, or gazing into each other eyes and any other pictures that represent 80s/90s romantic cheese makes you look like a complete loser.
At the same time- it pains the eyes of innocent victims who pretty soon have to contact the Dr Shroff eye charity hospital.

5. It is just sickening.

To everyone else who is subjected to written PDA, we sympathize with you and ask you to talk to your friends who are guilty of this or send this link to them.
Show your support!

From the mind of Diving into the wreck of oblivion.

Labour Love

Is it that anyone who dares to question the status quo in the Labour Party either gets kicked out, excluded or personally attacked and left with no choice but to resign?

There was the Princes Street(basically a Young Labour branch) and Young Labour scenarios and now it is happening in the wider party with Lisette Taylor, the former treasurer in Mrs Hartley's Northcote electorate council (LEC), claiming she was dumped "for refusing Mrs Hartley's request to falsify electorate committee records for tax avoidance purposes at the LEC meeting in April".

Ms Taylor had been the LEC Treasurer for nine years and the Auckland region treasurer for two, and yet Ann Hartley states that "She has been dropped from every other position in the Labour Party. She has driven everybody ... she's a very difficult person." Why would a difficult person be given such important positions?

Is she only difficult because she would not falsify documents to avoid tax?

Maybe Labour should look at lowering tax and then they would not have to be faced with having to potentially commit tax fraud.

DBP's Freudian Slip

Watching the late news last night I saw this about David Benson Pope's freudian slip, however it is who I noticed at about a minute and 25 seconds in the background as Key and English walk down the corridor. What scheming is DPF up to? Is it about DBP?

A Tribute to my Friend

A friend of mine who had motor neuron disease died on Sunday night. Jarrod Cunningham was a bright and talent Hawkes Bay rugby star and had battled long and hard with this disease.

I met Jarrod when I was just a little girl and my babysitter was a proper cheerleader for the Havelock North Rugby Clubs and I was a junior cheerleader. He was so good with us and me and the other junior cheerleaders and player saw him as a hero and also like a big brother.

He was a 1990s fullback and holder of the record for the most points for Hawke's Bay in first class rugby passed-away only hours after going through the coming week's fitness and exercise programme with physio Mark Foote.

On Saturday Jarrod insisted on going ahead with an invitation to officially opening the refurbished Havelock North Rugby clubrooms, during which the club's Hawke's Bay premiership-leading side paid an emotional tribute with the Ngati Kahungunu haka Tika Tonu.

He also attended a fundraiser which had been put on for him at the Cinema Gold in Havelock North.

Jarrod played rugby over in England and it while away that he learned he had the disease that would bring him from the strong rugby player he was to the weak but never not determined to fight man he passed away as.

In New Zealand he scored 998 points in 77 games for Hawke's Bay between 1990 and 1998, and 173 for the hybrid Central Vikings in the Hawke's Bay-Manawatu NPC merger, playing 11 games despite the presence in the squad in the first season of All Black Christian Cullen.

He was an All Black triallist, a Maori All Black, played for the the Wellington Hurricanes and the Auckland Blues in the Super 12, and finished his playing days in England with London Irish.

At the time his illness was diagnosed, Jarrod's manager, said loyalty was the hallmark of his career. It was known he had turned down lucrative offers aimed at luring him away from Hawke's Bay and Havelock North, which had been his only club in New Zealand.

In England, London Irish director of rugby Conor O'Shea said at the time that the fact Cunningham had played with the disease in 2001 showed the player's mettle.

It was in England on February 22, 2003, that he married English girlfriend Carrie Gustafson, and with her he returned to New Zealand, where the Jarrod Cunningham Charitable Trust was set up to help the star and others stricken by motor neurone, a muscle-wasting disease.

A charity match featuring numerous All Blacks and Hawke's Bay and Havelock North teammates was played in Napier in June that year.

Jarrod was one of the kindest people I knew, he was always supportive up and coming sport people and would spend hours talking with younger players about their techniques and their futures in the game.

When I was home recently I saw Jarrod and we chatted for awhile, it was always hard to see him knowing how big and strong he had once been and to now see him confined to a chair and struggling to speak. He had deteriorated alot since I had last seen him.

Jarrod, I hope you are now in peace, no doubt hanging out with all previous rugby greats up in the best field and trust you to have stuck around to hear who got named in the All Blacks squad for the World Cup.

You will be sorely missed, you were more than a great rugby player, but a great person.

Revenge?

Around the time that Paris Hilton was in jail and out again and in again most people know of the newsreader that ripped up the story about her and refused to read it out.
Well is Paris now out to get her job, the above picture may indicate a yes?

World Cup Squads

Both the All Blacks and the Wallabies have named their World Cup Cups and each are as follows:

Wallabies' World Cup squad:

Fullbacks - Chris Latham, Julian Huxley.
Wingers - Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard
Centres - Stirling Mortlock (capt), Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau.
Five-Eighths - Berrick Barnes, Stephen Larkham.
Halfbacks - George Gregan (v-c), Sam Cordingley.
No.8s - Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Stephen Hoiles.
Flankers - George Smith, Phil Waugh (v-c), Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman.
Locks - Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm.
Props - Guy Shepherdson, Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Greg Holmes.
Hookers - Stephen Moore, Adam Freier, Sean Hardman.

All Black's World Cup Squad:

Backs: Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Ellis.

Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.

Poor Jack!

Old time Vera Duckworth is leaving Weatherfield.
Jack is rumoured to be staying.
Mmmm im not sure if the residents of Coro street will miss her or celebrate the fact she is gone.
Could there be a Jack and Audrey story coming up soon??

Labour Gaining Ground

Labour is gaining back support as shown in the latest NZ Herald Digipoll, putting Labour at 42% and National at 48.5%

Helen Clark came out as preferred Prime Minister sitting on 48.7%, while John Key was at 37.9%

The large amount of media exposure Clark has had recently is obviously helping her in the polls, and the fact that John Key has been out of the country for two weeks could have played a roll in his almost 5 percent decrease in the preferred PM poll.

Smoking

New Research shows that women who smoke are more likely to experience early menopause.

There is evidence that smoking later in life makes a woman more likely to have early menopause, while smokers who quit before middle age may not be affected. They investigated the relationship further and determined if exposure to second-hand smoke might also influence the timing of menopause.

Compared with married women, widows were also at increased risk of early menopause, as were women who said they were in poor health. More educated women were less likely to go into menopause early, but they were also less likely to be smokers.

High social participation also cut early menopause risk. The researchers found no link between coffee or alcohol consumption or passive exposure to smoke and early menopause risk.

Another Great Weekend

The Cake


Me and Cate



The Birthday Girl


Blanket Girl and Me


80s Instructor and Me


Arresting the Hobbo

So yet again I have had a really good and big weekend.

Friday started at 5pm at Dog and Bone, moving onto Motel, Hummingbird and Establishment throughout the night and I think we climbed into bed about 2:30 ish.
I helped make sure a guy was ok after being knocked out and cracking his head open (I think I may end up going into the medical profession) as Scott and Andrew rated the punch that he had got to send him to the ground.


Last night was my good friend's 21st and lots of people from the hostel were there and it was SO awesome to catch up with them and see my old room mate. It was good to see how people see themselves if not studying. Dodgy Rob made some statement that I will not put on here then proceeded with "that's not a come on but a complimet" - I think he had had five too many bourbons. I proceeded into town afterwards and met up with my darling friend at our bar who in drag as Ginger Spice, which on a whole other note made me see there are some real tossers in this world who made unnecessary comments to the girls as we went to Courtenay Place. And I also got the obligatory "arrest me officer" and "i've been a bad boy".

When I got home I continued to read my Harry Potter Book and finally went to sleep getting up about half an hour ago.

Lindsay still wants to be like Paris

Lindsay Lohan has turned herself into the police for charges of drink driving relationg back to the crash she was involved in in May. She has just come out of a 45 day rehab session.

Parliament Live

I LOVE being able to sit at work and have the House on while I do my work.

Everyone in the office thinks I am a political geek (which is probably true)

mmmm I wonder if Divine Brown will be lecturing?

The good old age profession that many people have relied on for quick (perhaps sometimes dangerous and degrading) money is being considered by educational officials; Prostitution.
Well all those 17/18 year old Paris Hilton wannabes and Peter Wentz clones who dream of making it big by strutting their stuff down East St (off Krd and all the other side streets) and get paparazzid Hugh Grant/Divine Brown styles can now put their parents at ease.....

i can now just hear this speech or something similar in a kitchen in a house with a backyard, christmas family photos, sunday roasts and a poster of My Chemical romance:
"oh my god mom, dont be an ass...im doing what you want me to do...im getting a tertiary qualification, duh?...


And what bout the transaction side of things? Does this mean that customers will be able to ask for "credentials" ? If a prostitute has these tertiary credentials, can they charge more? New addition to a cover letter when perhaps applying for a job at the Pelican Club.

Dear Sir/Madam
I saw your advertisement in the New Zealand herald and on seek.co.nz for girls needed at the Pelican Club. I am a young, bubbly vivacious woman who enjoys "interacting" with people and giving people pleasure. I have recently graduated from tertiary where i got first degree honors in Prostitution specializing in karma sutra techinques and business transactions.......bla bla bla....consider my c.v. bla bla bla
sincerely Miss Jane Doe.

Dilly of a Pickle

My friend has her 21st on Saturday night and the theme is "what would you be if you weren't at uni". I can't decide between the following options:

- Movie Star (ie go as Marilyn Munroe or Dorothy)
- Pop Star (go as a spice girl)
- Opera Singer (wear a ball dress and long gloves)
- A Princess (Go as cinderella or snow white)
- A Nurse
- A Cop
- A Politician (go as either Helen Clark or Jenny Shipley)

I am having dinner with her tonight so thought I would discuss my options then, but I am looking forward to dressing up. I may be almost 21 (less than 3 months to go) but dressing up is always fun

The Order of the Phoenix

Last week I went and saw what everyone (including myself) has been talking about. I even booked the tickets and sat through it with crowds of people half my height. Harry Potter. And as Ron would say, it was bloody brilliant!

I guess a few critics haven't been as enthusiastic. The movie has been criticised for having a plot that is too complicated and difficult to follow. I beg to differ. The fantastic plot has been what has attracted so many people to the world of Harry Potter; the books at least. It wouldn't be a Harry Potter movie if it didn't follow the Harry Potter story, duh.

Something that I have suspected for a while also appeared for me in the movie. I think that Rowling may be commenting on issues that have been around in the past few years, such as terrorism and class struggles. (Well, both have been around for ages haven't they..) In the wizarding world pureblood wizard families don't like muggle borns, etc... And Voldemort operates in a way similar to terrorism; using secrecy, and instilling fear in people.

Very sophisticated for a kids movie.

And the tension between Ron and Hermione? You could cut it with a ladle.

I do have some qualms, however. A real Harry Potter actor should have green eyes and messy hair. Radcliffe had neither. He's also developed a bit of musclage. Which is great, we all like that, but to me Harry is supposed to be a very vulnerable person. And what use are muscles when you have a magic wand... I guess Warner Brothers needs to make money.

Hermione's actress is also extremely pretty, and by no means has frizzy hair, which is how Rowling describes her in the book. I'm sorry but she doesn't. This annoys me for some reason.

The actresses that played Umbridge and Luna on the other hand were very ideal. Like the book, I absolutely hated Umbridge. And Voldemort? Terrifying :)

It may not have been as good as the book, but David Yates has definitely done it some justice. I thoroughly recommend this movie.

Can't wait till the 21st. Can't. Bloody. Wait.

xx

Harry Potter's biggest fan

Floods move south

After all the flooding in the North, it has moved south and hit Hawkes Bay, with two rural schools being affected.

This rain would have been a welcome relief after the drought in this area, however the amount of rain has probably caused significant damage and possibly even stock deaths - it must seem there is no end for these poor farmers.

Weekend Mischief and Photos

Let the weekend begin


Heeeeeeyyyyyyy!!!!!!


Look at me


Lozza and Me


Bubbles


A Horse of Course


Guard of Honour - because a witch always needs her Ghostbusters


Team 5


Geoff, Me and Bubbles


Me, Bubbles, Alison and Hand Guy


Me and Mike Heine


Julz and Me


Geoff, Bubbles, Witch and Carl


Dusty the Beer Warden/Fairy


Bubbles, Me, Hands Dude and Alison


Bubbles and Me with Vodka and Apple Juice


My best friend and me


Team 5 Hate Girl, Shagadelic Jimmy and Me


Andy and Me (Go the Establishment)


Alison and Me


Alison and Dusty

I have had a really good weekend, except for the fact that I am currently at work by my own choice! And must go home later and do my readings for class and prepare for my seminars.

Friday was planned to be a quiet night, however its started at 3:30pm Friday afternoon when I ended up going on a Black Friday Pub Crawl as "Sparkle the Black Friday Good Witch" (my costume was pulled together half an hour before hand)

So most the night was spent on the Pub Crawl where goodness knows how much I drank but it was so much fun. I left the Big Kumara at 1:15am on Saturday to join Andrew, Mike, Joe and a random guy at Matterhorn where we actually spent most of it talking to Darren Hughes, I did feel a bit sorry for him being surrounded by ACT guys and a sole Nat female who was formerly Labour lol. From there it was JJ Murphy's where it was short and sweet and blimmin' freezing. Then from there we went home.

I got back to my place about 1ish yesterday afternoon, quickly showered and grabbed some lunch before I had a meeting to attend. Then I went out to dinner with a whole heap of people mainly right wingers at Ghengis Khan which was really good. I headed home, and on almost being there received a text to join JW, Duncan Garner and Guyon Espiner who were all drinking at the Tasting Room, however I had promised my flatmate I would go to town with her, however she was tired so we went to her sisters and watched DVDs, ate chocolate and lollies, we came home played silly buggers with my camera whilst drinking tea - i think it was the sugar rush, then I climbed into bed and woke up not that long ago.

I love weekends like this, bar having to do work work and uni work.

Hodgson under Heat

Tony Ryall has put out a press release about the Hawkes Bay District Health Board having no confidence in Pete Hodgson's handling on the alleged conflicts of interest at the board.

I find it hard to believe that the alleged conflict of interest is only just coming out, I was well aware of Annette King's and Ray Lind's relationship and what was going on (through my connections with DHB members) but I am refraining from commenting on this, but I do agree that there should be an inquiry by the Auditor-General.

I also must say that whilst the HBDHB has no confidence in Hodgson on this matter, I have very little confidence as him in Minister fullstop. When Annette was Minister the health system seemed to be moving forwards and she was often in the media for both good and bad reasons. With Hodgson the health system seems to be slipping and as someone who utilises hospitals alot this is very worrying. Either Hodgson is not doing much, or he is being beaten out in news slots by the other big portfolio holders such as Maharey and the NCEA/Child-care blunders and Cullen on Financial Matters. When will the media ask where the hell is the health minister and what is he doing for NZ health?

I personally would like to see some privatisation of the hospitals and see people taking out medical insurance, I would happily take out insurance if it means I am going to get better care and treatment in the hospital. Currently I would happily pay to stay in a private hospital when I am sick, but I do not have the funds and they do not have the facilities to look after me when I am at that point. However any surgery I have ever had done has been in the private sector. I believe a system like Australia could work well in New Zealand if implemented well.

Salt's not safe yet

The tale of the Salt family who live in Range View Road has been in the media and tells how Sharon Salt is the tenant of a housing New Zealand state house, but her children are terrorising the neighbours.

She recently won a Tenancy Tribunal appeal to be allowed to stay in her home. However, Housing New Zealand have appealed the decision.

Mrs Salt had been allowed to remain in her home as Housing NZ did not present enough evidence for grounds for eviction.

The police have been constant visitors to the Salt house and he sons are linked to local gangs and have terrorised neighbours, partaken in disorderly behaviour, vandalism, assault and property damage.

This is a tricky situation as Mrs Salt who is the tenant has not done anything wrong herself and therefore she should not be evicted but her children's behvaiour certainly is causing problems and this needs to be resolved somehow. One measure would be to place trespass orders on the children from the house but I do not see this happening.

Mrs Salt has previously claimed that the police and neighbours are targeting the family and with the media's assistance are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I do not know where exactly I stand on the issue, as I do not think that Mrs Salt should be evicted as it is her children, but the only way to get rid of the children from the street and stop causing so much trouble is to remove the family including Mrs Salt from the street, and the neighbours have a right to feel safe in their homes.

It may be more appropriate for Housing NZ to help the Salt's accommodation in a more accommodating area.

The new of Housing NZ appealing the decision has delighted some of the local residents.

Youth the Future of New Zealand

While the future politicians were busy in the debating chamber this week and getting a significant amount of media attention, on a quieter note last week the future heads of NZ business were at business week in Palmerston North, with the Black team taking out top honours.

I think it is great to see so many young people showing interest in the future of NZ.

Howard is NOT a racist

I have been called a racist before, and no doubt I will be called it again after this post, but I strongly disagree with Hone Harawira's claims that John Howard is a racist due to the scheme he is putting into place in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

Howard is taking a much needed step to hinder the abuse and alcholism that takes place within these communities, by placing a ban on alcohol and pornography. He also placing stricter control on welfare payments and placing more police and troops into the area.

Unless you have ever seen an outback Aboriginal community, the drug and rehabilitation centres overflowing with Aborigianl families who have lived in there for generations without changing, had to clean the up the mess off your front lawn from bottles and human excremement, had to lock yourself away when in areas such as Lajamanu when they head out of the dry area to drink - get completely totalled and then head back into the village leaving a trail of destruction.

Or for tales of Aboriginal abuse of adults and children talk to the Flying Doctors and Nurses because the tales are pretty grim, or the Katherine Hospital staff who have babies left with brains hanging out - its not a pretty picture.

Howard is seen to be targeting Aborginals - well he is. It is they that need help to better educate the future generations about what is and is not acceptable and to assist them in helping improve their future. And whilst their are other races who have these problems they are by no means as concentrated as that within these societies.

These are some of the poorest people in Australia, and I would even the say world, but they are overlooked. By taking away alcohol this will at least mean that some sort of rationalisation between people can take place without the violence that alcohol seems to cause them to break out into, by placing measures on welfare payments this will see that parents are vigilant in getting their children educated and health checks and behaving better, and who knows it may even lead to some getting jobs.

I feel that the measures Howard is putting in place probably will not fix the problem as the extra police and troops are not going to stay in the communitites in the long run, which is what is needed to ensure that such policies are enforced, however it certainly has highlighted problems within Aboriginal communities to the world and maybe finally some true relief and assistance in helping Aboriginals protect their future may be found. It also means that white and black communities can work together to find solutions rather than the extremely noticable segregation that is currently in place, it is going to take the two cultures working together to help end the horrors taking place in Aborginal tent cities.

Don't flick the switch

I was sitting watching TV last night and had to have a giggle at the recent ad being put out by the electricity industry.

It has Jonah Lomu discussing how he had a dialysis machine in his home and required this to live, and is urging people to let their power company know if they depend on the power to stay alive.

I think it is a good ad and certainly gets through, especially when a NZ hero such as Jonah potentially could have been killed if his machine had been turned off, however I am sure he would not be unable to pay his power bills.

What a WONDERful World

The new modern day Seven Wonders of the World have been named:

- The Great Wall of China
- Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer
- The Colosseum in Rome
- Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza
- Peru's Machu Picchu
- The Taj Mahal
- Petra in Jordan

The 7 wonders which have been honoured were chosen by over 100 million people in an online poll, believed to be one of the biggest ever.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are:

- The Great Pyramids of Giza
- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- The Colossus of Rhodes
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Earth Live

so yesterday was Earth Live day. I watched the concerts. I even listened to people debate about climate change, what needs to be done and something bout free public transport. enlightened?? not one bit.

Labour the Cash Cow

The Labour-led Government has said that they are prepared to give Team NZ another $34 million for their next campaign to win the America's Cup.

I agree with DPF who is not overly happy about the decision, but also does not like inaccurate criticism. Some of the comments on his post as worthwhile as well.

I do feel that the money would be better put into other areas such as health care, where it could pay for a few more surgeries etc and just to prove a point here is a case of such:

A family friend was placed on the waiting list because she needed heart bypass, as she got sicker and sicker and was not allowed to stay in hospital because they did not have a bed, and she did not qualify for more points and therefore did not move up the waiting list. So her and her husband looked at their books and came to the conclusion that they would go private so she could get the surgery. She flew to Auckland to see a heart surgeon, on opening her up she was told she would have had a week left in her had she not been operated on - something which was missed due to unavailable resources both monetary and physical, $34 million could help this. Her surgery cost her $36,000 and she also had to pay for flights and accommodation in Auckland after she came out of hospital.

So whilst I do not think that $34 million is going to help keep doctors, nurses, teachers here, or recruit more cops, I do think it could be better used in helping buy much needed resourced in the health and educations systems.

Boys - Fashion Advice?

Males reading, if you need some fashion advice here is a diagram of what to do.

Alternatively you can read a post here on how girls can style their guys.

Sick of being Single?

10 Signs You're Afraid of Commitment
Elina Furman, author of "Kiss and Run", tells why you may be a single girl.

(THIS JUST IN: Single women are now the fastest-growing segment of the population)

Top 10 Signs You're Commitment-Phobic:

1) You have a long and elaborate list of requirements for your ideal mate.

2) You go from one short-lived relationship to the next.

3) You have a habit of dating "unavailable" men.

4) You consider your married friends' lives boring and think they settled for less.

5) You stay in relationships that are rocky and offer little hope of commitment.

6) You back out of plans at the last minute and have trouble setting a time for dates.

7) You cultivate large networks of friends at the expense of a single romantic relationship.

8) You have a lot of relationship trauma in your past.

9) You career is very important to you and you often choose work over relationships.

10) You are constantly blowing "hot" and "cold" in your relationships.

Busy Busy Busy

I came across this little beautie this morning, and just a note that neither I or Red Confectionery advise not doing your work at work.

If you are a girl (or guy for that matter) this month's CLEO is all about careers and if you head to the website you can view wages/salary of different professions, and read some rather scandalous work stories - please leave any scandals YOU have in the comments.


Ways to look busy at work, when you really aren't!

Never walk down the hall without a document in your hands. People with documents in their hands look like hardworking employees heading for important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like they're heading for the cafeteria.

People with the newspaper in their hands look like they're heading for the bathroom. Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night, thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than you do.

* * *

Use computers to look busy. Any time you use a computer, it looks like work to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal e-mail, calculate your finances and generally have a blast without doing anything remotely related to work.

These aren't exactly the societal benefits that everybody from the computer revolution expected but they're not bad either. When you get caught by your boss--and you will get caught--your best defense is to claim you're teaching yourself to use the new software, thus saving valuable training dollars.

You're not a loafer, you're a self-starter. Offer to show your boss what you learned. That will make your boss scurry away like a frightened salamander.

* * *

Messy desk. Top management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like you're not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your workspace.

To the observer, last year's work looks the same as today's work; it's volume that counts. Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your cubicle, bury the document you'll need halfway down in an existing stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives.

* * *

Voice mail. Never answer your phone if you have voice mail. People don't call you just because they want to give you something for nothing-- they call because they want YOU to do work for THEM. That's the way to live. Screen all your calls through voice mail.

If somebody leaves a voice mail message for you and it sounds like impending work, respond during lunch hour. That way, you're hardworking and conscientious even though you're being a devious weasel. If you diligently employ the method of screening incoming calls and then returning calls when nobody is there, this will greatly increase the odds that they will give up or look for a solution that doesn't involve you.

The sweetest voice mail message you can ever hear is "Ignore my last message. I took care of it." If your voice mailbox has a limit on the number of messages it can hold, make sure you reach that limit frequently. One way to do that is to never erase any incoming messages. If that takes too long, send yourself a few messages.

Your callers will hear a recorded message that says, "Sorry, this mailbox is full"--a sure sign that you are a hardworking employee in high demand.

Knocking over the china tea cups

I never thought i would have these kind of thoughts but i have and i did.
Pamziewamzie sent me a text saying she was in the neighbourhood with some kids and wondered if they could pop in and say hello..... to which i replied yes.

However....
My first reactionary thought: " oh god i better put away the china, and make sure that all the cleaning products are put away....mmm do i want their fingers on the fish tank."

WTF????.....i dont even have China or anything remotely of that kind....what i am my grandmother?!!!

and cleaning products?? ..... mmmm it seems to be randomness for today!

We Lost

We lost the America's Cup by ONE second!

Alinghi were 7 seconds ahead at the first marker, and then Team NZ were ahead 14 seconds at the second marker, Team NZ got a penalty in the 3rd leg and were required to do a 360 degree turn, and due to angles etc etc Alinghi just managed to sneak past us, to secure them a win in Race 7 and the America's Cup.

This is not rugby where we tend to crucify the Coach and Captain if we lost the World Cup, so will Barker's head roll - afterall this is his second defeat in the America's Cup as Skipper.

Hallelujah

Praise the Lord Kate Hawkseby is leaving TVNZ, I now can watch the late news without cringing or feeling like im going to be blinded by that....(my god what is it) (put it away)

Flatmate Needed

As some people know my flatmate who has the bedroom next to me is rather "loud", but my flatmate whose name is on the lease text me last night to say that she is moving out.

YAY!!! I know that is kinda mean, and I do actually like the girl but night after night of having to listen to what I have had to means that finally I can get some sleep. My flatmate that lives in the room downstairs will probably move upstairs and that way I am pretty much guaranteed that she won't do those noises as her and I have sat down in the lounge many a time waiting for the noise to end.

Although flatmate does not go for like a month, the flatmate search begins - I guess its inappropriate to ask the potential newbie if they have loud sex every night?

May she rest in Peace

July 1 1961 Lady Diana Spencer was born, yesterday would have been her 46th Birthday and her two sons marked it by throwing a huge concert in her honour.

This year marks ten years since the death of Princess Diana, a death which saw public mourning like never before and the flag at Buckingham Palace lowered to half mast, this had never been done for any royal, let alone someone who know longer held their "Her Royal Highness" title any longer. (being stripped after the divorce from Charles)

With all the controversy and conspiracies surrounding her death I think that this concert was a nice way to remember dianan and all the good work she did. Some called her an opportunist, but she made it ok for people to shake hands with people with AIDS, she brought a smile to the faces of people she met, she visited the poorest peoples and the most horrific places, she really was the People's Princess and may she rest in peace.

I'm Back

After just over a week of not so tropical weather, I am back in Wellington and therefore also back at work.

Have a massive pile of emails to reply to which can wait until after I go and get my coffee for the morning.

My week away was nice and relaxing, where I went to coffee at least once a day with fmaily or friends or both, and had a morning at the beauticians and had plenty of quality time with my two girls. All was well until I got horribly sick and ended up spending the final few days tucked up in bed with the electric blanket on, watching DVDs or Brendan Pongia on Good Morning.

Please to be back in the city, although not quite home yet as currently living in a very nice apartment down on the waterfront for a few days, so once I am home and uni starts back next week reality will set back in.

GO TEAM NZ

ive become religious. the last 15 seconds i have devoted my energy and time pleading to God for his favour on TEAM NZ in tonights race and for the rest of the cup. A divine intervention.

Old fashioned garden parties need to come back into fashion. How fun would it be to dress up, drink long island ice teas and do those old fashioned dances like they do in the movies based on the Jane Austen books.
Anyone keen do that during the summer/spring time?

Robot Chicken- Captain Planet!!!

Captain Planet, he's our hero...gonna take our pollution down to zero!!