So the United States of America has inaugurated their first non-white President. Barrack Hussein Obama. What a momentous day. Seriously. This is a nation that 'enjoyed' slavery 160 years ago, and still had racial segration (legal!) 60 years ago.
Already there has been a lot of glib talk by right wing commentators along the lines of 'why the fuss?' and 'get over it - Obama is not the Messiah'. Of course not, no-one said he was - although the right wing tried to paint him as such in order to mock him and his supporters. They've built him up - so that they can then claim he's failed if the Global Economic Crisis is not solved by Christmas. (Yes, Obama must not only Save America, he must Save The World).
The truth is that Obama does hold out the best hope for change globally. His inauguration speech (if you listened carefully) was a damning indictment on the sh!t that Bush has been shovelling out for the past 8 years.
We understood the pain America felt after 9/11 and we allowed them their mistakes immediately after, but when they re-elected Bush in 2004 we shook our heads and said 'You folks are crazy'. Crazy because they couldn't see what seemed so obvious to us: they'd taken a turn down the wrong path, refused to acknowledge it, and seemed hell bent on continuing forward. All the while trying, expecting, that we would follow.
Hell no!
But now there is hope. Obama says the right things and soon we shall see if he can do the right things. If the US can prove they're off the meth then I'm happy to be their friends again. I'll be keeping one eye on them at all times, as I would any P head, but I'm happy to give them a chance.
Keith le Blanc 'No Sellout'
David Bowie (w/ Nine Inch Nails) 'I'm Afraid of Americans'
NB: if you're seeing this blog via Facebook you will need to click on 'View Original Post' below if you want to see the Youtube clips.
Wednesday
Monday
Today Is The Day ... Telecom
I got my last bill from Telecom today, after switching my Homeline rental to Orcon, who have my broadband business.
Which hereby endeth my 20+ year relationship with Telecom.
Yes Virginia, I'm old enough to remember when they were a monopoly and you had to apply for a phoneline. When they'd ask for parental guarantees even though you were 24 years old and call you to say they didn't care if your flatmates had absconded leaving you with a $200 bill for toll calls - they were going to cut off the phone and send your name to Baycorp and you'd never get any sort of credit again, ever!
Ah, those were the days.
Anyhow, the bill proudly declared it was my 'Final Bill' and that I 'didn't have to pay anything'. That's right, I owed them nothing! so there would be 'no Direct Debit this month'. Which is nice. It also showed that I had a credit balance of $35.12¢, meaning they owed me $35.12¢.
Oddly enough the bill said nothing about how they were going to return my $35.12¢ to me, just that it was my 'Final Bill'. Perhaps they were thinking/hoping/wishing/praying that I would let them keep the $35.12¢? I thought about that for about a second, thinking of my dear old Dad who bought Telecom shares at $5.40 when he retired and has held on them ever since and now they're worth (last time I looked) $2.30¢. Even though my brother and I repeatedly told him over the years that the monopoly was gone and he should sell his shares because they would continue to decline in value. Which they have as every other Telco grabs a slice of the pie.
But that's Old Folks. They have a blind faith in 'established companies' and think that if they were worth that price once they'll be worth it again one day ... if you just wait long enough (ironic, considering they are 'Old Folks') . "Investing is a long term thing" they'll say, oblivious to the fact that since the 80s the market has been taken over by Day Traders looking for a quick buck.
But that's a whole other blog (I could rave at length about Eric Watson and Hanover). The point of this blog is that today I asked Telecom for a cheque to refund the $35.12¢ credit I had with them. I sent this request to them via the wonderful prepaid re-usable reply envelope they sent their (non)bill in.
I wonder how long before I get a reply? I'll keep you posted...
UPDATE: I got paid my refund on 16/2/09. Thank you Telecom!
Which hereby endeth my 20+ year relationship with Telecom.
Yes Virginia, I'm old enough to remember when they were a monopoly and you had to apply for a phoneline. When they'd ask for parental guarantees even though you were 24 years old and call you to say they didn't care if your flatmates had absconded leaving you with a $200 bill for toll calls - they were going to cut off the phone and send your name to Baycorp and you'd never get any sort of credit again, ever!
Ah, those were the days.
Anyhow, the bill proudly declared it was my 'Final Bill' and that I 'didn't have to pay anything'. That's right, I owed them nothing! so there would be 'no Direct Debit this month'. Which is nice. It also showed that I had a credit balance of $35.12¢, meaning they owed me $35.12¢.
Oddly enough the bill said nothing about how they were going to return my $35.12¢ to me, just that it was my 'Final Bill'. Perhaps they were thinking/hoping/wishing/praying that I would let them keep the $35.12¢? I thought about that for about a second, thinking of my dear old Dad who bought Telecom shares at $5.40 when he retired and has held on them ever since and now they're worth (last time I looked) $2.30¢. Even though my brother and I repeatedly told him over the years that the monopoly was gone and he should sell his shares because they would continue to decline in value. Which they have as every other Telco grabs a slice of the pie.
But that's Old Folks. They have a blind faith in 'established companies' and think that if they were worth that price once they'll be worth it again one day ... if you just wait long enough (ironic, considering they are 'Old Folks') . "Investing is a long term thing" they'll say, oblivious to the fact that since the 80s the market has been taken over by Day Traders looking for a quick buck.
But that's a whole other blog (I could rave at length about Eric Watson and Hanover). The point of this blog is that today I asked Telecom for a cheque to refund the $35.12¢ credit I had with them. I sent this request to them via the wonderful prepaid re-usable reply envelope they sent their (non)bill in.
I wonder how long before I get a reply? I'll keep you posted...
UPDATE: I got paid my refund on 16/2/09. Thank you Telecom!
I'll Have My Latte At The Mevlana Cafe, Thanks.
Isn't it funny how many people from Invercargill were willing to get out and picket the Mevlana Cafe because the owner refused to serve two Israeli women their morning coffee - because of Israel's actions in Gaza. I wonder how many of those same people would also be willing to protest Israel's decision to use White Phosphorous bombs on the Palestinian population in Gaza?
Israel claim that Phosphorous is only used to light up the sky, but the reality is that it doesn't burn up before hitting the ground, and whatever it hits it burns to buggery. If you get hit with Phosphorous you're fucked, plain and simple. Last week Israel used phosphorous to burn down a U.N. warehouse in Gaza containing it's food and medical aid. The Israeli's claim that Hamas were firing rockets at Israel from the immediate vicinity of the warehouse - which is their mantra everytime they blow up a school or hospital and kill civilians: "Hamas were firing rockets from there - blame Hamas"
As I said, Phosphprous burns white hot and deep, and if it hits a kid they're scarred badly ... terribly ... for life. I totally get that Israel need to stop Hamas from firing mortars from Gaza into Israel but their methods are wholly unacceptable. What a pity the good citizens of Invercargill couldn't get behind a cafe owner's decision to protest what Israel are doing with White Phosphorous in Gaza, instead of rallying to ensure two Israeli's get their Flat White.
Our Human Rights Commission have already said that the Cafe is in the wrong:
Israel claim that Phosphorous is only used to light up the sky, but the reality is that it doesn't burn up before hitting the ground, and whatever it hits it burns to buggery. If you get hit with Phosphorous you're fucked, plain and simple. Last week Israel used phosphorous to burn down a U.N. warehouse in Gaza containing it's food and medical aid. The Israeli's claim that Hamas were firing rockets at Israel from the immediate vicinity of the warehouse - which is their mantra everytime they blow up a school or hospital and kill civilians: "Hamas were firing rockets from there - blame Hamas"
As I said, Phosphprous burns white hot and deep, and if it hits a kid they're scarred badly ... terribly ... for life. I totally get that Israel need to stop Hamas from firing mortars from Gaza into Israel but their methods are wholly unacceptable. What a pity the good citizens of Invercargill couldn't get behind a cafe owner's decision to protest what Israel are doing with White Phosphorous in Gaza, instead of rallying to ensure two Israeli's get their Flat White.
Our Human Rights Commission have already said that the Cafe is in the wrong:
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said refusal to serve someone based on their nationality was a clear human rights breach.
"Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation in Palestine, it is simply against the law for providers of goods and services in New Zealand to discriminate in this way," he said.
That's all well and good Mr de Bres, and I suppose you'll also be telling our cake decorators they're wrong to refuse to sign a cake "Adolf Hitler"?
NB: If you're reading this on Facebook you need to click on "see original" to get to the original Blogger posting, with all the links. No links via Facebook.
Tuesday
Sex in 2009: Five Predictions From HBO's Sexpert
(Me so lazy. This blog is lifted wholesale from here - but your comments via my blog are welcome)
A friend once described his sexual appetites this way: "A hungry junkyard dog is more fun than a poodle." He's going to be one happy puppy after he reads my five predictions for sex in 2009:
A friend once described his sexual appetites this way: "A hungry junkyard dog is more fun than a poodle." He's going to be one happy puppy after he reads my five predictions for sex in 2009:
1. You're going to have a lot more of it.
The recession that hit your pocket will tickle your crotch. Call it Recession Sex. If you're coupled, you're going to spend more time at home and at some point that TV's gotta be turned off. The nesting impulse will increase your resting pulse. That's the good news. The bad? As discretionary income goes down, indiscretions go up. Oops. If you're single, you'll have the time but not the money to fritter away at bars. You won't wait for the last-call yard sale so you'll probably lower the bar to increase your odds.
2. You're going to see a lot more of it.
Larry Flynt once said, "There are two kinds of people who oppose porn. Those who don't know what they're talking about and those who don't know what they're missing." Well, ain't nobody missing it anymore. It's everywhere. The mainstreaming of porn in art, fashion, and media is turning adult videos into a sort of Zen koan: No matter where you go, there it is.
3. You're going to be paying a lot less for it.
Nobody's going to put call girls in a higher tax bracket this year. With a tanking economy, streetwalkers, pole dancers and gold diggers alike are going to have to give it up for less. So are the online dating sites, as they compete with free sites like Plentyoffish.com, Okcupid.com, and DateHookUp.com. It's like they've been working a corner for years and now some hussy's going to do the job for free. Oh, my.
You might blow a lot of things up for porn but it won't be your budget. You don't have to buy it anymore. Hell, you don't even have to rent it. You just have to point your browser to free sites like Youporn.com and xtube.com, where amateurs and pros upload unstoppable watchables. Offline piracy, illegal downloads and free video sharing sites are going to make dinosaurs out of adult video studios. If they don't figure out how to compete with "FREE" soon, their last movie is gonna be about their profits--Gone With The Girdle.
4. You're going to be doing it with things that are smarter than you.
Safe sex is not a padded headboard, but it is programmable. Take the SaSi vibrator. It's a sort of iTunes dildo--it remembers your favorite vibrations so you can play them later. Make it go left, right and a little to the side and it'll 'record' the vibrational combinations, releasing you from, well, all that hard work.
5. You're going to see videos of strangers before you do it with them.
Online dating sites have already introduced relevant searching methods, instant messaging, and mobile phone access to pictures and profiles. What's next? Videos. They'll get rid of flakes that use fake pictures, serving as a kind of Venus Lie Trap. Watch AOL's beta test of love.com, the first to bundle Instant Messenger, audio and video into a traditional dating site.
Friday
Party Cancelled Because Of Me?
I don't know if you've twigged, but Facebook (like the internet in general) is choc' full of 'professional' people using 'social networking' to sell their wares. Many of whom try to market their sexual goods, but in a manner not to annoy Facebook. Some aren't very good at it (the "Lube My Tits" group only lasted a few hours before being removed) whilst others are still on, and have amassed 14,829 friends.
I should know because "I" am one of them. Not me of course but an alter ego I created to see how many friends I could get even tho' I don't know them. My alter ego has 555 friends, none of whom he actually knows, but waaaaay more than me.
Anyway. being on Facebook with lots of friends means you are constantly invited to everything. My alter ego was invited to "Presenting Footsie Foot Parties" so naturally I accepted. Unfortunately the organisers took their event seriously. Very seriously.
First I got this email:
then I got this email:
Oh dear! Imagine if I threw a Cheap Sex Re-Union Party and no-one showed up?
I should know because "I" am one of them. Not me of course but an alter ego I created to see how many friends I could get even tho' I don't know them. My alter ego has 555 friends, none of whom he actually knows, but waaaaay more than me.
Anyway. being on Facebook with lots of friends means you are constantly invited to everything. My alter ego was invited to "Presenting Footsie Foot Parties" so naturally I accepted. Unfortunately the organisers took their event seriously. Very seriously.
First I got this email:
Facebook to: me
Bailey sent a message to the members of Presenting Footsie Foot Parties.
--------------------
Subject: Footsie
Hiya,
You have stated you are attending our "Foot Party" however neither myself or Cindy Ray have had any kind of contact with you.
In order for you to get a ticket you must contact us as we would need to discuss things and make arangements with you.
If we do not hear from you by 12noon tomorrow we will presume you will not be attending and you will be taken off the attendee list on the group. If you are serious and do wish to attend then I recommend that you email Cindy Ray ASAP to qualify for your ticket!!!!
Please act quickly as there are limited tickets avalible to this exclusive gathering.
Thanks
Bailey
x
--------------------
then I got this email:
Facebook to: me
Cindy canceled the event "Presenting Footsie Foot Parties".
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
Oh dear! Imagine if I threw a Cheap Sex Re-Union Party and no-one showed up?
Monday
Kylie
Kylie Minogue performs at Auckland's Vector Arena tonight and tomorrow. To celebrate (if you're a fan) here are some Kylie clips. I wouldn't class myself as a fan, but I do acknowledge some of her dance floor hits are very good ("Locomotion" not so)
I met Kylie once when I lived in Quay West. I opened my door and there she was, just like in one of those 'celebrity fantasy' letters you see in Penthouse Forum. (BTW - does anyone actually read porn anymore? It seems like such a dated concept: holding a magzine. I'm sure if you discussed it with young boys today [but who would, because that would open up a can of worms in itself] they'd say "Magazine's? WTF?")
Anyway, it was Kylie but she wasn't wearing her gold hotpants and she hadn't come to f@#k my brains out. It turns out she was in the apartment next door doing press interviews for her new album. (Quay West is an 'Apartment Hotel', with half the apartments used by owners as residences and the other half leased to the Hotel).
I was about to say "Hi" and tell her about how I'd also met her sister Dannii back in 1991 when I worked (briefly) at 91FM, but thought the better of it. So I just said "Hi". She said "Hi" back and then told me I was quite tall (I wasn't, but Kylie is quite short so I guess everyone is tall to her) and that she liked tall men and pushed me back into my apartment - undoing my belt at the same time ...
At least that's what I think happened ...
Blue Monday:
Kylie vs Madonna:
This one is soooo Gay Disco:
I met Kylie once when I lived in Quay West. I opened my door and there she was, just like in one of those 'celebrity fantasy' letters you see in Penthouse Forum. (BTW - does anyone actually read porn anymore? It seems like such a dated concept: holding a magzine. I'm sure if you discussed it with young boys today [but who would, because that would open up a can of worms in itself] they'd say "Magazine's? WTF?")
Anyway, it was Kylie but she wasn't wearing her gold hotpants and she hadn't come to f@#k my brains out. It turns out she was in the apartment next door doing press interviews for her new album. (Quay West is an 'Apartment Hotel', with half the apartments used by owners as residences and the other half leased to the Hotel).
I was about to say "Hi" and tell her about how I'd also met her sister Dannii back in 1991 when I worked (briefly) at 91FM, but thought the better of it. So I just said "Hi". She said "Hi" back and then told me I was quite tall (I wasn't, but Kylie is quite short so I guess everyone is tall to her) and that she liked tall men and pushed me back into my apartment - undoing my belt at the same time ...
At least that's what I think happened ...
Blue Monday:
Kylie vs Madonna:
This one is soooo Gay Disco:
The Santa Parade
Everyone in Auckland knows the Santa Parade, we've been going since were little kids. Back in 1985, when I was a part of Smooth Inc (the graffiti off-shoot of breakdancers The Megazoids) we were asked by Farmers* to come in and add a bit of 'youth' to some of the tired parade floats. Obviously we couldn't paint anything in Wild Style, but we were happy to do our bit. Hip Hop is about being 'recognised' (or should that be 'rekonized'?) and graffiti is all about getting your pieces seen by as many people as possible. So painting some parade floats that were going to run down the city's main street in front of 100,000 people was pretty big.
I snapped these pics that year, and you can find more on the Facebook group Old School NZ Hip Hop:
Yesterday I went back to Queen Street to watch the 2008 Santa Parade. Auckland City certainly has come a long way since I was a kid. At least half the crowd seemed to be from the 'immigrant community' ie 'not white'. Being the child of Italian immigrants myself I know what it's like to grow up feeling slightly disassociated from the traditional/dominant 'Anglo' kiwi culture, but at least I wasn't 'not white' so I had no real problem assimilating. Most of our non-white immigrants don't have it so easy and I was surprised to see so much aggro at yesterday's parade.
Maybe 'aggro' is too strong -- but there were a lot of niggles. Usually when a non-white person tried to push their way through the throng and upset Whitey who'd been there since 11am in order to get the best spot to watch the 2pm parade. What Whitey doesn't understand is that these immigrants have probably come from cities with a zillion people and for them there's loads of room, and if I see a gap I'm just going to move over there and fill it. And if you really want to know what poor crowd control is (ie a survival-of-the-fittest free-for-all) you should be in Paris on Bastille Day. But I'll save that story for later.
And it happened to me too. I had a great spot and got lots of good pictures (for my daughter, she insisted) until about half way through, when some woman planted herself in front of me. She didn't plant herself straight away of course - first she went through the charade of miming her need to get through and go 'over there' to those kids in the front row she was pointing at. Right next to my daughter seemingly. But as soon as she got in front of me she stopped, and then proceeded to take really good photos of the floats. The same really good photos I'd been taking from that position up until then!
Rather than remonstrate with her (pointless) I snapped her picture and resolved to blog my stress away. Which I've done now.
But to finish on a positive note here are some pics of the Santa Parade:
I snapped these pics that year, and you can find more on the Facebook group Old School NZ Hip Hop:
Yesterday I went back to Queen Street to watch the 2008 Santa Parade. Auckland City certainly has come a long way since I was a kid. At least half the crowd seemed to be from the 'immigrant community' ie 'not white'. Being the child of Italian immigrants myself I know what it's like to grow up feeling slightly disassociated from the traditional/dominant 'Anglo' kiwi culture, but at least I wasn't 'not white' so I had no real problem assimilating. Most of our non-white immigrants don't have it so easy and I was surprised to see so much aggro at yesterday's parade.
Maybe 'aggro' is too strong -- but there were a lot of niggles. Usually when a non-white person tried to push their way through the throng and upset Whitey who'd been there since 11am in order to get the best spot to watch the 2pm parade. What Whitey doesn't understand is that these immigrants have probably come from cities with a zillion people and for them there's loads of room, and if I see a gap I'm just going to move over there and fill it. And if you really want to know what poor crowd control is (ie a survival-of-the-fittest free-for-all) you should be in Paris on Bastille Day. But I'll save that story for later.
And it happened to me too. I had a great spot and got lots of good pictures (for my daughter, she insisted) until about half way through, when some woman planted herself in front of me. She didn't plant herself straight away of course - first she went through the charade of miming her need to get through and go 'over there' to those kids in the front row she was pointing at. Right next to my daughter seemingly. But as soon as she got in front of me she stopped, and then proceeded to take really good photos of the floats. The same really good photos I'd been taking from that position up until then!
Rather than remonstrate with her (pointless) I snapped her picture and resolved to blog my stress away. Which I've done now.
But to finish on a positive note here are some pics of the Santa Parade:
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