He was Scrooge McDuck for many years, and I suspect holding off the tax cuts all those years may have buffered the current recession a bit for us here. Of course its a bigger debate than that, perhaps he could have spent less too.
However, he will be missed in Parliament, one of the true legends of debating.
My favourite quote relates to him not being a lawyer yet managing to hold the post of Attorney General:
“The attorney-general does not have to be a lawyer any more than the minister of education has to be a teacher, the minister of health a doctor, or the minister of corrections a convict.”
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Autumn on Fire
Stunning. The past few days have seen temps roaring up into the high 20's here in Christchurch. Its just perfect. Made for a great birthday party for the lads (some photo's from that soon, I promise!)
Meanwhile over on the West Coast some monumental rainfalls are going on. Worst of it, as usual, is in the notorious Cropp River Catchment near Hokitika, with a mammoth 987mm falling since Saturday.
Hope Fiordland dries out for the run next week...
Meanwhile over on the West Coast some monumental rainfalls are going on. Worst of it, as usual, is in the notorious Cropp River Catchment near Hokitika, with a mammoth 987mm falling since Saturday.
Hope Fiordland dries out for the run next week...
Friday, 17 April 2009
Routeburn all go
I just got email confirmation that I am expected to run the Routeburn track 3 weeks tomorrow in the Routeburn Classic race. No longer waitlisted.
Should I:
a) Cast aside the colds, late nights working, sleepless nights parenting, and general downturn in training and take the bull by the horns and slaughter the course?
or
b)Hide behind the couch for 3 weeks cowering in fear?
Should I:
a) Cast aside the colds, late nights working, sleepless nights parenting, and general downturn in training and take the bull by the horns and slaughter the course?
or
b)Hide behind the couch for 3 weeks cowering in fear?
Thursday, 16 April 2009
This never happens at Warbirds over Wanaka!
Some say its a fake, but TV3 here in NZ played it as a true story...
I'd pay to see it for real. We mustn't forget that our blogs are here to propogate these things...I think they call it "viral".
I'd pay to see it for real. We mustn't forget that our blogs are here to propogate these things...I think they call it "viral".
And from Youtube....again
One of my favourate scenes in a film about tramping. From a film that could not be further removed from tramping. One of the greats... love it! Must be the Scottish in me....
The strangest story this week award goes to....
This Poor Bloke who deadset has a tree growing in his lungs. Jeepers...do not look at the link if you are in the middle of tea!
Makes me wonder though, can he apply for Carbon Credits? Innovative...now, where'd those seeds go again?
Makes me wonder though, can he apply for Carbon Credits? Innovative...now, where'd those seeds go again?
Monday, 13 April 2009
The Auckland Sandpit
I think the Auckland unification into one super-council is a great idea, and its about a hundred years late. So they have a lot of work to do.
I just hope and pray that none of the existing childish leaders get the job. Right now we have Banks calling Williams a lunatic, Harvey looking after his own image, Lee stuck in 2006 and calling Bobs ideas 'elitist bullshit'...and so the sandpit handwringing continues.
Auckland deserves a fresh face for the 'Lord Mayor' role, I just hope that for the sake of the country they get one in order to start this brave new future on the correct foot- a complete divorce from the past is required.
I just hope and pray that none of the existing childish leaders get the job. Right now we have Banks calling Williams a lunatic, Harvey looking after his own image, Lee stuck in 2006 and calling Bobs ideas 'elitist bullshit'...and so the sandpit handwringing continues.
Auckland deserves a fresh face for the 'Lord Mayor' role, I just hope that for the sake of the country they get one in order to start this brave new future on the correct foot- a complete divorce from the past is required.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Afghanistani Cricket
Yes, you read that right. Your eyes do not need testing. Afghanistan have a cricket team.
And the news is good for them, they are playing bloody good cricket. Not only have they qualified for the top 8 playoffs in the World Cup Qualifiers, but they have beaten Ireland in the first game. Yes, that's the Ireland who beat Pakistan in the last big boys World Cup.
The Afghan boys have apparently learnt the game in war-torn refugee camps, using shoes for wickets and wrapping up things in cloth for a ball.
Its a truly inspirational story this- Cricinfo.com has a couple of reports here and here.
And the news is good for them, they are playing bloody good cricket. Not only have they qualified for the top 8 playoffs in the World Cup Qualifiers, but they have beaten Ireland in the first game. Yes, that's the Ireland who beat Pakistan in the last big boys World Cup.
The Afghan boys have apparently learnt the game in war-torn refugee camps, using shoes for wickets and wrapping up things in cloth for a ball.
Its a truly inspirational story this- Cricinfo.com has a couple of reports here and here.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
An Old Friend
I must bring you to the attention of a wonderful blog that an old tramping and drinking mate of mine is running. Many of you will know Derek well from the old days at AUTC. Derek and Liz are currently having one hell of a bikeride round the planet, and their postings and pictures are just unreal- a daily must read for me!
The site is here, I'll add it to the blogs I read list, I'm sure they won't mind the plug!
The site is here, I'll add it to the blogs I read list, I'm sure they won't mind the plug!
Friday, 10 April 2009
Another Day Another First- First Snow
It was another one of those "mountains sing out loud" days. Fresh snow and a beautiful crisp clear day saw us heading up to Arthurs Pass for the boys first "mountaineering" expedition. They loved it. They weren't sure about the snow thing though...as the picture shows!
It was just a perfect Good Friday.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Christchurch- Number One
Stuff.co.nz has confirmed that Christchurch is the safest place in NZ to live. Having lived in a few other places in NZ I have to agree. Full article here.
We have had a glorious summer to boot...as I speak its sitting on 25 degrees and its meant to be the middle of autumn, got to love that.
Posting here has been quiet lately, kids have been sick, so we've had a massive amount on at home. On top of that I think I've just got through the busiest working week of my life, with two major tenure review submissions going in. But when you are dealing with iconic landsacpes that inspire you, its really not that hard to stay motivated.
Heres one of those landscapes I've had the pleasure of working on lately- the Kirkliston Range in the Hakataramea Valley, South Canterbury.
We have had a glorious summer to boot...as I speak its sitting on 25 degrees and its meant to be the middle of autumn, got to love that.
Posting here has been quiet lately, kids have been sick, so we've had a massive amount on at home. On top of that I think I've just got through the busiest working week of my life, with two major tenure review submissions going in. But when you are dealing with iconic landsacpes that inspire you, its really not that hard to stay motivated.
Heres one of those landscapes I've had the pleasure of working on lately- the Kirkliston Range in the Hakataramea Valley, South Canterbury.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
