This we have now
is not imagination.
This is not
grief or joy.
Not a judging state,
or an elation,
or sadness.
Those come and go.
This is the presence that doesn't.
Rumi 1207 - 1273
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
ANZAC Day
For me (and everyone else I know) not a glorification of war but a day of remembrance and respect for those men and women, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters who suffered trauma no people should have to suffer in order that we are among the lucky people of the world who have the right to complain about things like the "glorification of war" on social media such as twitter and facebook.
While I am standing in the chill and lifting-dark of early morning at the Dawn Service I am thinking about how cold, dirty, sick, hungry, lonely, sore and scared the majority of soldiers were in that transitional time between night duties and day duties on front lines.
I also often think about the agonising unbearable unknowingness that people at home must have felt in a time before skype, satellites and high speed internet.
Not my idea of glory, that's for sure.
Thank you to those people I know of in my family who were changed immeasurably and in some cases lost their lives and futures as a consequence of war.
I do my best to remember you, especially today.
Uncle Bob Silcock 1917 - 1999
WW2 #296993
4th Brigade 20th Battalion 2nd NZEF 1939 - 1945
Uncle Bob Papps 1922 -
WW2 Navy
Uncle Les Papps 1923 - 2006
WW2 reg# 618429.
Compulsory military training. He was called to service overseas including Egypt and Japan.
Uncle Richard Papps 1931 -
Served in army in Malaysia
Uncle Jack Park 1926 -
Great Uncle Edgar Noble Papps 1908 - 1998
Great Uncle Charlie Papps 1883 - 1943
Great Uncle Henry (Harry) Papps 1878 - 1958
Great Uncle George Samuel Papps 1874 - 1948
Great Uncle Arthur Papps 1888 - 1977
WW1 #33149 Lieutenant New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Great Uncle Herman Wendleborn 1896 - 1962
WW1 #7/1160 & WW2
Upon enlisting in 1915, Herman stated his year of birth as 1894 to appear older and therefore be eligible for service. After being wounded at Gallipoli (head wound) and spending some time recovering in Egypt, Herman was sent home to New Zealand on 11 February 1916.
At the outbreak of WWII, Herman re-enlisted for duty with the Home Guard. He again changed his date of birth, this time to make himself seem younger (40 instead of 43). He served at Papakura Military Camp, Waiouru Military Camp, and HMNZS Devonport until his discharge on 2 January 1944.
Great Uncle Laurence Wendelborn 1893-1918
WW1 #7/291 Corporal
Laurence served in Egypt, Gallipoli and Western Europe.
His military awards included the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He was wounded in action at Gallipoli on around the 7th August 1915 and admitted to hospital on the 9th. He was discharged back to base and readmitted to hospital a few times throughout August, through September and into Dec 1915. On 13 Nov 1918 he was admitted to the Featherston Military Camp Hospital in Wellington and died on 15 November 1918, age 25.
Great Uncle Darkie Wendelborn 1884 - 1952
Clifford Wendelborn 1914-1995
WW2
Lance Corporal Clifford Laurence Wendelborn - serial number 16215. Clifford served as an infantryman, despatch rider, tankman and driver during WWII. He repeatedly refused promotion.
Ron Wendelborn
WW2 Reg #: 21111 NZ Army Corp 1939/1945
He returned to New Zealand on 23 January 1946. During the trip back, Ronald requested a demotion from Sergeant back to Corporal.
Jack Leslie Friend 1920 - 25 May 1941
WW2 reg #8378
Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 1st Echelon 20 Canterbury and Otago Battalion
Died of his battle wounds in Crete
Stanley James Wendelborn 1919 - 1945
WW2 Gunner, New Zealand Artillery, 4 Field Regiment
Died at war - Cassino, Italy
Henry (Harry) John Windleborn 1910 - 1988
WW2 Chief Petty Officer Airman
Military awards include the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star, the Pacific Star (Burma clasp), War Medal 1939-45 and the New Zealand War Service Medal.
Percy Herbert Windleburn 1885 – 1945
WW1
New Zealand Mounted Rifles, Reserve Battalion. # 80399. When he enlisted in 1918, Percy gave his birth year as 1890 rather than 1885, making it appear that he was only 28.
Lawerence (Lon) CF Windleburn 1897 – 1974
WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 42nd Reinforcements D Company
Philip Edward (Tulip) Windleborn 1920 - 1990
WW2 Korean War reg # 72279 & 207892
WW1 reg #: 26461 New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 14th Reinforcements New Zealand Engineers
Percival August Edward Schroder 1896 -
WW1 Reg # 35501 NZ Rifle Brigade 11th Reinforcements 4th Battalion, (H Company )
Albert Charles SCHRODER 1874 - 1929
WW1 reg# 72861. New Zealand Expeditionary Force 37th Reinforcements C Company
Bernard Austin Schroder 1897 - 1956
WW1 reg# 25/570. NZ Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion, C Company
Cecil Lawerence Schroder 1883 - 1968
WW1 reg# 59463 New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 31st Reinforcements Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company
Henry James Schroder 1881 - ?
WW1 reg#25/144 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 3rd Battalion, B Company
Arthur Charles Schwass 1905 - 1982
WW1 reg#74550 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 40th Reinforcements E Company
Leo Philip Schwass 1897 - 1918
WW1 reg#48413 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 26th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company killed in action 15 July 1918 Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Sidney Charles Schwass
WW1 Reg# 29307 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 18th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company
WW1, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2 Battalion, 13 Company
Polygon Wood (Polygoneveld, or Bois de Polygone), named for its shape, was a large wood near the Ypres-Menin road at Veldhoekn (north east of Ypres), Belgium.
A prominent artificial mound in the wood, called the Butte, had been used by the Belgian army as a shooting range prior to 1914. Fought over during the First Battle of Ypres in October/November 1914, it thereafter remained in German hands until Third Battle of Ypres (aka The Battle of Passchendaele) in 1917.
The NZ Division went to Polygon Wood during the winter of 1917-1918 (about October). It was a very cold winter. NZ suffered about 3000 losses during that winter in Polygon Wood. They carried out the attack on Polderhoek Chateau on the right hand side of Polygon Wood on 3 December.
On the 13 December Lewis was killed in action here.
At the end of February 1918 the NZ Division were relieved from their post.
While I am standing in the chill and lifting-dark of early morning at the Dawn Service I am thinking about how cold, dirty, sick, hungry, lonely, sore and scared the majority of soldiers were in that transitional time between night duties and day duties on front lines.
I also often think about the agonising unbearable unknowingness that people at home must have felt in a time before skype, satellites and high speed internet.
Not my idea of glory, that's for sure.
Thank you to those people I know of in my family who were changed immeasurably and in some cases lost their lives and futures as a consequence of war.
I do my best to remember you, especially today.
Uncle Bob Silcock 1917 - 1999
WW2 #296993
4th Brigade 20th Battalion 2nd NZEF 1939 - 1945
Uncle Bob Papps 1922 -
WW2 Navy
Uncle Les Papps 1923 - 2006
WW2 reg# 618429.
Compulsory military training. He was called to service overseas including Egypt and Japan.
Uncle Richard Papps 1931 -
Served in army in Malaysia
Uncle Jack Park 1926 -
Great Uncle Edgar Noble Papps 1908 - 1998
Great Uncle Charlie Papps 1883 - 1943
Great Uncle Henry (Harry) Papps 1878 - 1958
Great Uncle George Samuel Papps 1874 - 1948
Great Uncle Arthur Papps 1888 - 1977
WW1 #33149 Lieutenant New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Great Uncle Herman Wendleborn 1896 - 1962
WW1 #7/1160 & WW2
At the outbreak of WWII, Herman re-enlisted for duty with the Home Guard. He again changed his date of birth, this time to make himself seem younger (40 instead of 43). He served at Papakura Military Camp, Waiouru Military Camp, and HMNZS Devonport until his discharge on 2 January 1944.
Great Uncle Laurence Wendelborn 1893-1918
WW1 #7/291 Corporal
His military awards included the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He was wounded in action at Gallipoli on around the 7th August 1915 and admitted to hospital on the 9th. He was discharged back to base and readmitted to hospital a few times throughout August, through September and into Dec 1915. On 13 Nov 1918 he was admitted to the Featherston Military Camp Hospital in Wellington and died on 15 November 1918, age 25.
Great Uncle Darkie Wendelborn 1884 - 1952
Clifford Wendelborn 1914-1995
WW2
Lance Corporal Clifford Laurence Wendelborn - serial number 16215. Clifford served as an infantryman, despatch rider, tankman and driver during WWII. He repeatedly refused promotion.
Ron Wendelborn
WW2 Reg #: 21111 NZ Army Corp 1939/1945
Jack Leslie Friend 1920 - 25 May 1941
WW2 reg #8378
Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 1st Echelon 20 Canterbury and Otago Battalion
Died of his battle wounds in Crete
Stanley James Wendelborn 1919 - 1945
WW2 Gunner, New Zealand Artillery, 4 Field Regiment
Died at war - Cassino, Italy
Henry (Harry) John Windleborn 1910 - 1988
WW2 Chief Petty Officer Airman
Military awards include the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star, the Pacific Star (Burma clasp), War Medal 1939-45 and the New Zealand War Service Medal.
Percy Herbert Windleburn 1885 – 1945
WW1
New Zealand Mounted Rifles, Reserve Battalion. # 80399. When he enlisted in 1918, Percy gave his birth year as 1890 rather than 1885, making it appear that he was only 28.
Lawerence (Lon) CF Windleburn 1897 – 1974
WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 42nd Reinforcements D Company
Philip Edward (Tulip) Windleborn 1920 - 1990
WW2 Korean War reg # 72279 & 207892
New Zealand Field Artillery, 29 Light Anti Aircraft Battery: Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) & Kayforce.
Military Awards
- 1939-45 Star
- Pacific Star
- Italy Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal 1939-45
- New Zealand War Service Medal
- Korea Medal 1950-53
- The United Nations Medal (Korea)
WW1 reg #: 26461 New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 14th Reinforcements New Zealand Engineers
Percival August Edward Schroder 1896 -
WW1 Reg # 35501 NZ Rifle Brigade 11th Reinforcements 4th Battalion, (H Company )
Albert Charles SCHRODER 1874 - 1929
WW1 reg# 72861. New Zealand Expeditionary Force 37th Reinforcements C Company
Bernard Austin Schroder 1897 - 1956
WW1 reg# 25/570. NZ Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion, C Company
Cecil Lawerence Schroder 1883 - 1968
WW1 reg# 59463 New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 31st Reinforcements Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company
Henry James Schroder 1881 - ?
WW1 reg#25/144 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 3rd Battalion, B Company
Arthur Charles Schwass 1905 - 1982
WW1 reg#74550 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 40th Reinforcements E Company
Leo Philip Schwass 1897 - 1918
WW1 reg#48413 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 26th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company killed in action 15 July 1918 Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Sidney Charles Schwass
WW1 Reg# 29307 New Zealand Expeditionary Force 18th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company
WW1, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2 Battalion, 13 Company
Polygon Wood (Polygoneveld, or Bois de Polygone), named for its shape, was a large wood near the Ypres-Menin road at Veldhoekn (north east of Ypres), Belgium.
A prominent artificial mound in the wood, called the Butte, had been used by the Belgian army as a shooting range prior to 1914. Fought over during the First Battle of Ypres in October/November 1914, it thereafter remained in German hands until Third Battle of Ypres (aka The Battle of Passchendaele) in 1917.
The NZ Division went to Polygon Wood during the winter of 1917-1918 (about October). It was a very cold winter. NZ suffered about 3000 losses during that winter in Polygon Wood. They carried out the attack on Polderhoek Chateau on the right hand side of Polygon Wood on 3 December.
On the 13 December Lewis was killed in action here.
At the end of February 1918 the NZ Division were relieved from their post.
Lest We Forget
.
.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
My Bill Bailey (?) dream
The other morning in the early hours I had this dream and I was so keen to not forget it I had a dream where I could remember all the details of my dream in which I was sure I was awake and then I woke up.
I was still really keen to remember my dream but then I got up and went to work but I still could remember my dream.
But I forgot to write it down so this is what I remember of the dream I was really keen to remember - three days later
I was with Bill Bailey (who was a brother kind of figure to me in this dream) and we had to catch this chairlift thing to this island sanctuary place to spend the day looking around. Bill got on the seat thing and the harness strap automatically came over his shoulders from the back to attach to two button things like how overalls attach on his chest except mine didn't attach properly so off he went and I didn't get to go...
So I had to go on the next one so I don't think I saw Bill again.
When I got there it was raining so then I couldn't go looking around the island and I had to wait for an hour before the next chair lift thing back.
There was something about a gift shop with activities on the island that I went to instead of looking around and instead of waiting the hour I said I could just walk around the other side coz across the lake I could see a back way I could walk around.
So I walked that way and on the way I stopped at a house right by the side of the lake/water and in the garden there were flowers all different with colours but some of them weren't flowers they were camoflauged flying butterfly seahorse shaped things (like those sea dragons).
I was showing them to a young person thinking about how I could just see them even though other people had trouble, I just had no trouble spotting them.
There was something about the water of the lake there. Something happening to do with a zoo kind of thing with animals in the water and keepers but disappointingly I cannot remember that part right now! Perhaps dolphins or seals and keepers keeping an eye on people who had gone into the water at that part.
I was meant to remember! No idea why I was meant to remember this dream, LOL - it is not like it is important like other dreams I have. The only reason I am writing it down here is because it is not worth writing down anywhere else and the main thing about it was how I was anxious about remembering it when I work up!
I was still really keen to remember my dream but then I got up and went to work but I still could remember my dream.
But I forgot to write it down so this is what I remember of the dream I was really keen to remember - three days later
I was with Bill Bailey (who was a brother kind of figure to me in this dream) and we had to catch this chairlift thing to this island sanctuary place to spend the day looking around. Bill got on the seat thing and the harness strap automatically came over his shoulders from the back to attach to two button things like how overalls attach on his chest except mine didn't attach properly so off he went and I didn't get to go...
So I had to go on the next one so I don't think I saw Bill again.
When I got there it was raining so then I couldn't go looking around the island and I had to wait for an hour before the next chair lift thing back.
There was something about a gift shop with activities on the island that I went to instead of looking around and instead of waiting the hour I said I could just walk around the other side coz across the lake I could see a back way I could walk around.
So I walked that way and on the way I stopped at a house right by the side of the lake/water and in the garden there were flowers all different with colours but some of them weren't flowers they were camoflauged flying butterfly seahorse shaped things (like those sea dragons).
I was showing them to a young person thinking about how I could just see them even though other people had trouble, I just had no trouble spotting them.
There was something about the water of the lake there. Something happening to do with a zoo kind of thing with animals in the water and keepers but disappointingly I cannot remember that part right now! Perhaps dolphins or seals and keepers keeping an eye on people who had gone into the water at that part.
I was meant to remember! No idea why I was meant to remember this dream, LOL - it is not like it is important like other dreams I have. The only reason I am writing it down here is because it is not worth writing down anywhere else and the main thing about it was how I was anxious about remembering it when I work up!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve was invented by Greg Orian in February 1582.
Greg was the 13th Pope called Greg and like to put his right foot in and then his left foot - in a move later called the Hokey Pokey.
New Year's Eve is celebrated as a cascade across the earth and involves kissing strangers and making noise.
New Year's Eve is a famous time for lying.
In some parts of South America it is important to wear brightly coloured underpants on NYE in the event you have a drunken accident and are taken to hospital. It is also important that they at least start out clean for this reason.
In Denmark a vital part of your NYE costume is a chair. At the stroke of midnight there is a mad dash to scramble up on your chair and jump off in order to banish the evil spirits lingering in the previous year.
In the Philipines the people in the know were polka dots and carry fruit such as grapes and oranges in honour of the moon.
In Spain it is common for people to choke on the stroke of Midnight.
Greg was the 13th Pope called Greg and like to put his right foot in and then his left foot - in a move later called the Hokey Pokey.
New Year's Eve is celebrated as a cascade across the earth and involves kissing strangers and making noise.
New Year's Eve is a famous time for lying.
In some parts of South America it is important to wear brightly coloured underpants on NYE in the event you have a drunken accident and are taken to hospital. It is also important that they at least start out clean for this reason.
In Denmark a vital part of your NYE costume is a chair. At the stroke of midnight there is a mad dash to scramble up on your chair and jump off in order to banish the evil spirits lingering in the previous year.
In the Philipines the people in the know were polka dots and carry fruit such as grapes and oranges in honour of the moon.
In Spain it is common for people to choke on the stroke of Midnight.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Time
Time was invented in the mid 1600s, at about five to eleven, to mark the appropriate part of the day to have a wee smackeral of something.
Thyme has nothing to do with time, or Time, or The Times.
Morris Day however, does have a connection to The Time.
The Times timed the time it took to grow thyme, while listening to The Time.
(32 days) (incidentally, Morris Day does not have time to Morris Dance).
Thyme has nothing to do with time, or Time, or The Times.
Morris Day however, does have a connection to The Time.
The Times timed the time it took to grow thyme, while listening to The Time.
(32 days) (incidentally, Morris Day does not have time to Morris Dance).
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving was invented by prisoners in the tower of London in 1666.
It is most famously celebrated by pilgrims who breed turkeys and release them on the last Thursday in November. Amongest the Masai people thanksgiving is observed by selecting a long branch or switch and whipping your female grateful relatives.
In America the holiday began as the giving of "Fanques" a french breed of dog. Unfortunately the native americans couldnt pronounce "fanques" the word became "thanks"....
The holiday is observed in all the the fifty american states and also the other two that aren't represented by stars on the flag and all other countries where Americans are living, except for at Beth's place coz she forgot (that's what happens to people when they successfully break free of patriotism and their country and become kiwi!).
Today I am thankful for all the people I love and my Oprah Ticket!
It is most famously celebrated by pilgrims who breed turkeys and release them on the last Thursday in November. Amongest the Masai people thanksgiving is observed by selecting a long branch or switch and whipping your female grateful relatives.
In America the holiday began as the giving of "Fanques" a french breed of dog. Unfortunately the native americans couldnt pronounce "fanques" the word became "thanks"....
The holiday is observed in all the the fifty american states and also the other two that aren't represented by stars on the flag and all other countries where Americans are living, except for at Beth's place coz she forgot (that's what happens to people when they successfully break free of patriotism and their country and become kiwi!).
Today I am thankful for all the people I love and my Oprah Ticket!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Oprah
Oprah was created 457 million years ago from ancient star dust and discarded unicorn horn. She was transported to the earth on a small quilted cushion through a multidimensional wormhole from somewhere in the Horsehead Nebula.
Her alien origins have been hidden from public view, with the exception of a few occasions. One of these was when she tried to "unwrap" her 1985 Best Supporting Actress Oscar, thinking it was chocolate wrapped in gold foil. Her film career has included playing a slave, a goose, a bee and a frog. Of her 18,000 books her favorite is "Look Under Your Chair: a guide to gift giving". Oprah isn't just a tv/film star and author, she also rules the radio waves with her epic radio show Oprah And Friends.
Oprah will never technically die as her blood cells are actually bioengineered with nano particles and her brain is riddled with secret apple computer technology. It is said that one drop of her blood will dissolve flesh eating bacteria. Her skin is elvish mesh and tattooed with positive affirmations which become embedded in the subconscious of all who hear her voice. Oprah weighs the same as two shedded snake skins.
Extraordinarily flexible, Oprah is trained in 37 martial arts. In her 5th grading in Go Ju Kai Karate she accidentally opened the portal to nirvana and to avoid being pulled into the next life of bliss she performed the oft thought impossible Finger of Radiant Contemplation closing the portal and inadvertently ending a drought in Southern Ireland.
Oprah holds honours degrees in Cognitive Metastatistics, Molecular Stereooceanoacoustics and Polyeconomics. Her name, which resulted from a mispelling of Orpah, has been attributed with healing rabies in wolves and cleft palate in humans. Seven species of South American butterfly, three species of Papua New Guinea marsupial and two species of extinct New Zealand bat include her name in their scientific designation.
Favoured by morris dancers, Oprah is reverred as Queen of the Maypole and celebrated three times a year by a mass parading of morris dancing in small Welsh villages.
In the winter months Oprah travels the world on the back of a giant white swan granting wishes and performing random acts of compassion. On the birthday of a very special man Oprah will magically appear in front of thousands of Southern Hemispherians AND I WILL BE THERE!!!!
Her alien origins have been hidden from public view, with the exception of a few occasions. One of these was when she tried to "unwrap" her 1985 Best Supporting Actress Oscar, thinking it was chocolate wrapped in gold foil. Her film career has included playing a slave, a goose, a bee and a frog. Of her 18,000 books her favorite is "Look Under Your Chair: a guide to gift giving". Oprah isn't just a tv/film star and author, she also rules the radio waves with her epic radio show Oprah And Friends.
Oprah will never technically die as her blood cells are actually bioengineered with nano particles and her brain is riddled with secret apple computer technology. It is said that one drop of her blood will dissolve flesh eating bacteria. Her skin is elvish mesh and tattooed with positive affirmations which become embedded in the subconscious of all who hear her voice. Oprah weighs the same as two shedded snake skins.
Extraordinarily flexible, Oprah is trained in 37 martial arts. In her 5th grading in Go Ju Kai Karate she accidentally opened the portal to nirvana and to avoid being pulled into the next life of bliss she performed the oft thought impossible Finger of Radiant Contemplation closing the portal and inadvertently ending a drought in Southern Ireland.
Oprah holds honours degrees in Cognitive Metastatistics, Molecular Stereooceanoacoustics and Polyeconomics. Her name, which resulted from a mispelling of Orpah, has been attributed with healing rabies in wolves and cleft palate in humans. Seven species of South American butterfly, three species of Papua New Guinea marsupial and two species of extinct New Zealand bat include her name in their scientific designation.
Favoured by morris dancers, Oprah is reverred as Queen of the Maypole and celebrated three times a year by a mass parading of morris dancing in small Welsh villages.
In the winter months Oprah travels the world on the back of a giant white swan granting wishes and performing random acts of compassion. On the birthday of a very special man Oprah will magically appear in front of thousands of Southern Hemispherians AND I WILL BE THERE!!!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Shine's Unbelievable Birthday
Shine's birthday was invented on Pluto and is tattooed on the hand of all geniuses (genii?). The two days leading up to her birthday are celebrated by agricultural events and the gathering of large workhorses which parade in sparkly harness gear pulling sleds and logs back and forth in front of her. Many people compete in vegetable growing and decorative bakery to gain her favour.
In America Shine's birthday is celebrated with a meal of gratefulness on the closest Thursday.
The beginning of her birthday month is heralded by a famous horse race in the town of her birth which draws horses from all over the world.
The men of Shine's country grow moustaches all month in honour of her birthday, raising money which they donate to charity.
November in Taiwanese means "Month Of Shine"... and the natives of Easter Island perform a dance celebrating the birth of Shine, whilst wearing small gourds upon their heads...
In Scandanavia men sing a song titled "Shiney Hiney Me-o Miney" to their cats, and paint ancient egyptian runes upon their shoes.
The legend of Shine dates back to Viking times, attributed to the first queen of the vikings, Shine the reflective.
This name was given to the queen, not because she was introspective about herself, but rather that she reflected 80% of ambient light from her smile and her orange hat.
Viking Queen Shine was known to be generous and kind, whilst her nephew Rain was known to be silly. This led to the phrase "Rain or Shine" to which the asked would answer, "Dawn."
This made no sense.
The Babylonians worshipped a Godess named Shyne, who loved horses above all other animals. She loved them so much she married 71 of of them. This led to the coining of the phrase "taking a shine to you"... meaning the speaker would gladly shovel out the listener's stall.
On Jupiter Shine's birthday is only 9 hours long, but on Mars is it nearly 25 hours long. Martians celebrate this day by carving enormous faces in stone, looking towards earth. On Neptune Shine's birthday is celebrated with the traditional giving of purple nurples and candy. On leap years Shine leaps without looking, but doesnt come to harm because November 22nd is a long way away from February 29th.
In America Shine's birthday is celebrated with a meal of gratefulness on the closest Thursday.
The beginning of her birthday month is heralded by a famous horse race in the town of her birth which draws horses from all over the world.
The men of Shine's country grow moustaches all month in honour of her birthday, raising money which they donate to charity.
November in Taiwanese means "Month Of Shine"... and the natives of Easter Island perform a dance celebrating the birth of Shine, whilst wearing small gourds upon their heads...
In Scandanavia men sing a song titled "Shiney Hiney Me-o Miney" to their cats, and paint ancient egyptian runes upon their shoes.
The legend of Shine dates back to Viking times, attributed to the first queen of the vikings, Shine the reflective.
This name was given to the queen, not because she was introspective about herself, but rather that she reflected 80% of ambient light from her smile and her orange hat.
Viking Queen Shine was known to be generous and kind, whilst her nephew Rain was known to be silly. This led to the phrase "Rain or Shine" to which the asked would answer, "Dawn."
This made no sense.
The Babylonians worshipped a Godess named Shyne, who loved horses above all other animals. She loved them so much she married 71 of of them. This led to the coining of the phrase "taking a shine to you"... meaning the speaker would gladly shovel out the listener's stall.
On Jupiter Shine's birthday is only 9 hours long, but on Mars is it nearly 25 hours long. Martians celebrate this day by carving enormous faces in stone, looking towards earth. On Neptune Shine's birthday is celebrated with the traditional giving of purple nurples and candy. On leap years Shine leaps without looking, but doesnt come to harm because November 22nd is a long way away from February 29th.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The New Bullying aka When is a Joke Not a Joke
So... an airport that may or may not have needed to close due to snow, so frustrated a guy (who perhaps didn't have his RL friends around to vent to, or perhaps he has no friends... I'm just sayin'...) that he had a verbal tantrum akin to roadrage. Expressed in a 140 character tweet in which he mentioned blowing up said airport.
Seems an airport person, probably also frustrated about something (having no friends perhaps?), saw it (were they doing a search about their workplace?? see previous brackets) and reported it to the police. Original frustrated person was arrested, sent to court and fined for being menacing.
This brings to mind at least two different uses of the concept of "joke".
1. The tweeter says it was "only a joke" (and don't get me started on the way people flippantly deny responsibility by cracking out this line coz that is a subject for an, as yet, undrafted blog post).
2. The public money and time spent on this - it's got to be a joke! #twitterjoketrail
Anyway... so, of course lots of people are venting about it in their different ways.
Lots of tweeters (including a number of celebs) are showing support by tweeting their own version of the offending tweet with the hash tag #iamspartacus and changing their avatars to include a "may be a joke" disclaimer.
Stephen Fry (we love him!) has declared he will pay whatever this fellow is fined. I assume on the principal of free speech - and not the principal of badly managing one's feelings ...
People are writing blogs (err, not just me!) and columns about it. Including this one which refers to someone inferring they would like another person stoned to death (another joke, of course?!?) They got in trouble too and their defense? "I did not 'call' for the stoning of anybody. I made an ill-conceived attempt at humour." <-- read: "Just joking"!
The whole airport bombing tweet arrest and fine thing just reeks to me of old fuddyduddies grasping at straws trying to work out how to deal with this new problem of abuse. And, even though they are fuddyduddies, and out of touch with the youth and their new fangled communication technologies, their intentions are good.
But to me it's not a new problem. It's the same problem. I don't know when it started but it's been around for a long time.
Maybe millenia, maybe the cave people abused each other by being mean, angry and spiteful - or maybe it has evolved more recently since tribal warfare largely became out dated and more people began sitting around inside at their desks and doing less physical exercise.
I don't know.
I do know that it makes me think of a larger context of text bullying and facebook bullying and the destruction of a teenager's last refuge. Of vulnerable people lying on their beds, in their only sanctuary, with abuse spewing out of their phones.
I don't know if the broadening of the potential percieved audience or the escalation of the spread of a teenagers humilation exponentially increases their crushing feeling of despair and hopelessness, or their likelyhood of suicide. But I know about lying on your bed in the dark and stewing about the awfulness of being, and I can only begin to imagine how much this is compounded by a string of texts reinforcing it.
A bullying victim with a cell phone or a computer has no safe refuge.
I have to applaud people who want to do something about that.
Or do I?
Just as there are better things to have a tantrum about than an airport closing due to weather that no one can control, there are better things to spend our money and time on than the process of fining someone for saying something stupid on the internet.
If only we could take that time and money and put it into some sort of personal development programme that helps people deal with their anger better, build self esteem and be more compassionate.
So... where does freedom of speech come into it? Sounds like a good thing to be in support of, don't you think?
I am tempted to be wary of Stephen Fry throwing down his money in a way that can be percieved as supporting an idiot (that's a joke... I have no idea if this guy is an idiot, unless you go by his texty actions of course). I imagine he is actually throwing down his money in the wider principal of freedom of speech and such.
The freedom to make a joke?
I don't know if there is a definition of joke that everyone could agree with. Just as there is no universal joke that everyone laughs at. It's one of those "in the eye of the beholder" things.
The whole thing just brings up lots of "I don't know"s and "I do know"s for me.
How should it work?
People have the right to say what they want? People have the right to say what they want as long as it is not offensive to someone else? People have the right to say whatever they want as long as they don't do it directly to an individual?
Did people take a break from saying horrible things for a few decades and now that they can do it from behind a screen where no one can see them they feel free to express the anger they hold inside? And now that they aren't seen they say it.
I don't know.
I do know it all boils down to self hatred anyway.
I do know it's not new, it's just that there is a faster and broader audience for people's wretchedness.
I do know I understand the frustration of lawmakers with good intentions, law enforcers and people that can only cope with an impending airport closure by having an abusive tantrum.
So what do we do about it?
I don't know... but I'm thinking about it.
Now I shall go and research the concept of freedom of speech... and perhaps common sense.
Seems an airport person, probably also frustrated about something (having no friends perhaps?), saw it (were they doing a search about their workplace?? see previous brackets) and reported it to the police. Original frustrated person was arrested, sent to court and fined for being menacing.
This brings to mind at least two different uses of the concept of "joke".
1. The tweeter says it was "only a joke" (and don't get me started on the way people flippantly deny responsibility by cracking out this line coz that is a subject for an, as yet, undrafted blog post).
2. The public money and time spent on this - it's got to be a joke! #twitterjoketrail
Anyway... so, of course lots of people are venting about it in their different ways.
Lots of tweeters (including a number of celebs) are showing support by tweeting their own version of the offending tweet with the hash tag #iamspartacus and changing their avatars to include a "may be a joke" disclaimer.
Stephen Fry (we love him!) has declared he will pay whatever this fellow is fined. I assume on the principal of free speech - and not the principal of badly managing one's feelings ...
People are writing blogs (err, not just me!) and columns about it. Including this one which refers to someone inferring they would like another person stoned to death (another joke, of course?!?) They got in trouble too and their defense? "I did not 'call' for the stoning of anybody. I made an ill-conceived attempt at humour." <-- read: "Just joking"!
The whole airport bombing tweet arrest and fine thing just reeks to me of old fuddyduddies grasping at straws trying to work out how to deal with this new problem of abuse. And, even though they are fuddyduddies, and out of touch with the youth and their new fangled communication technologies, their intentions are good.
But to me it's not a new problem. It's the same problem. I don't know when it started but it's been around for a long time.
Maybe millenia, maybe the cave people abused each other by being mean, angry and spiteful - or maybe it has evolved more recently since tribal warfare largely became out dated and more people began sitting around inside at their desks and doing less physical exercise.
I don't know.
I do know that it makes me think of a larger context of text bullying and facebook bullying and the destruction of a teenager's last refuge. Of vulnerable people lying on their beds, in their only sanctuary, with abuse spewing out of their phones.
I don't know if the broadening of the potential percieved audience or the escalation of the spread of a teenagers humilation exponentially increases their crushing feeling of despair and hopelessness, or their likelyhood of suicide. But I know about lying on your bed in the dark and stewing about the awfulness of being, and I can only begin to imagine how much this is compounded by a string of texts reinforcing it.
A bullying victim with a cell phone or a computer has no safe refuge.
I have to applaud people who want to do something about that.
Or do I?
Just as there are better things to have a tantrum about than an airport closing due to weather that no one can control, there are better things to spend our money and time on than the process of fining someone for saying something stupid on the internet.
If only we could take that time and money and put it into some sort of personal development programme that helps people deal with their anger better, build self esteem and be more compassionate.
So... where does freedom of speech come into it? Sounds like a good thing to be in support of, don't you think?
I am tempted to be wary of Stephen Fry throwing down his money in a way that can be percieved as supporting an idiot (that's a joke... I have no idea if this guy is an idiot, unless you go by his texty actions of course). I imagine he is actually throwing down his money in the wider principal of freedom of speech and such.
The freedom to make a joke?
I don't know if there is a definition of joke that everyone could agree with. Just as there is no universal joke that everyone laughs at. It's one of those "in the eye of the beholder" things.
The whole thing just brings up lots of "I don't know"s and "I do know"s for me.
How should it work?
People have the right to say what they want? People have the right to say what they want as long as it is not offensive to someone else? People have the right to say whatever they want as long as they don't do it directly to an individual?
Did people take a break from saying horrible things for a few decades and now that they can do it from behind a screen where no one can see them they feel free to express the anger they hold inside? And now that they aren't seen they say it.
I don't know.
I do know it all boils down to self hatred anyway.
I do know it's not new, it's just that there is a faster and broader audience for people's wretchedness.
I do know I understand the frustration of lawmakers with good intentions, law enforcers and people that can only cope with an impending airport closure by having an abusive tantrum.
So what do we do about it?
I don't know... but I'm thinking about it.
Now I shall go and research the concept of freedom of speech... and perhaps common sense.
Unbelievable Oranges
"Oranges are made of titanium. They were discovered on the Galapagos Islands by Buzz Aldrin in 1761, during the Franco-Russo-Anglo-Gnome War.
When you peel them they are segmented inside. If you remove one segment, the orange will explode 6 years later.
The french word for Orange is Pink and it is said Marie Antoinnette ate 72 oranges a day, until she was beheaded at the end of the French Revolution. It was said her blood had 25% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C." - Todd
"*buzz* I think it is true that oranges are segmented inside. And i think it is true that she was beheaded in the French Revolution" - Shine
Anyone else listen to David Mitchell's Unbelieveable Truth?
When you peel them they are segmented inside. If you remove one segment, the orange will explode 6 years later.
The french word for Orange is Pink and it is said Marie Antoinnette ate 72 oranges a day, until she was beheaded at the end of the French Revolution. It was said her blood had 25% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C." - Todd
"*buzz* I think it is true that oranges are segmented inside. And i think it is true that she was beheaded in the French Revolution" - Shine
Anyone else listen to David Mitchell's Unbelieveable Truth?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
When did this happen?!?
One can no longer buy blank videos.
Somewhere, between last year when I bought my brand new video machine and a few tapes and now when my blank tapes are wearing thin, a collective decision was made to stop producing blank video cassettes.
Why wasn't there a public announcement!?!
Consultation?!
I am sure the french would riot!
grrrrrrrrrr
Somewhere, between last year when I bought my brand new video machine and a few tapes and now when my blank tapes are wearing thin, a collective decision was made to stop producing blank video cassettes.
Why wasn't there a public announcement!?!
Consultation?!
I am sure the french would riot!
grrrrrrrrrr
Friday, January 15, 2010
Third week!
Well over halfway!
Last night I cooked brownies to take to work today for Sarah's goodbye morning tea - they look stunning and I didn't get a photo! Cut into teeny squares, sprinkled with icing sugar arranged on a white plate with blueberries and purple/white pansies... I am pretty gutted i didn't get a photo.
Was no problem to make them, I did get a twinge when i grated the mars bar and was stirring it into the rich, dark sweet smelling mix - goes to show just what an addiction the sugary justtakeasmidge thing is - although not a real big problem surprisingly. Commitment. DONE.
Got to work and had to ask Beth to taste one to make sure they were ok LOL - that was funny.
They were well loved.
I am still gutted about no photo of them! I will have to recreate them at some point soon while those pansies are still flowering!
Last night I cooked brownies to take to work today for Sarah's goodbye morning tea - they look stunning and I didn't get a photo! Cut into teeny squares, sprinkled with icing sugar arranged on a white plate with blueberries and purple/white pansies... I am pretty gutted i didn't get a photo.
Was no problem to make them, I did get a twinge when i grated the mars bar and was stirring it into the rich, dark sweet smelling mix - goes to show just what an addiction the sugary justtakeasmidge thing is - although not a real big problem surprisingly. Commitment. DONE.
Got to work and had to ask Beth to taste one to make sure they were ok LOL - that was funny.
They were well loved.
I am still gutted about no photo of them! I will have to recreate them at some point soon while those pansies are still flowering!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Protein
Many people believe that vegetarian diets do not give you the protein you need.
Just not true btw.
A plant based diet supplies all the protein you need (as long as you do it properly!), furthermore plant based protein contains fibre and complex carbohydrates which animal proteins don't, and they don't contain chlesterol or high amounts of saturated fat which meat, eggs and dairy do.
In fact, eating plant based proteins eliminates those other problems that eating too much animal protein can give you - heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Bean, nuts, seeds, lentils and whole grains contain lots of protein - vegetables also contain protein. Beans have not always been (no pun intended!) my friend but I am open to enjoying them more now. Still not comfortable creating and contructing recipes with them now but I do find bean things palatable now where once I did not. Prediet cleanse nuts, seeds, lentils and whole grains were a common part of my diet so no big adjustment there.
Dinner is left over spinach and mushroom pilaf with some eggplant, zucchini and orange bell pepper, YUM!
Just not true btw.
A plant based diet supplies all the protein you need (as long as you do it properly!), furthermore plant based protein contains fibre and complex carbohydrates which animal proteins don't, and they don't contain chlesterol or high amounts of saturated fat which meat, eggs and dairy do.
In fact, eating plant based proteins eliminates those other problems that eating too much animal protein can give you - heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Bean, nuts, seeds, lentils and whole grains contain lots of protein - vegetables also contain protein. Beans have not always been (no pun intended!) my friend but I am open to enjoying them more now. Still not comfortable creating and contructing recipes with them now but I do find bean things palatable now where once I did not. Prediet cleanse nuts, seeds, lentils and whole grains were a common part of my diet so no big adjustment there.
Dinner is left over spinach and mushroom pilaf with some eggplant, zucchini and orange bell pepper, YUM!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Spinach and Mushroom Pilaf
Something new tonight!
I have been trying to remember a thing I used to make in Timaru that I loved - have not been successful in remembering what it is but I know it had flat leaf parsley in it.
Today while talking food with Beth in the office I found a pilaf recipe and maybe the thing was pilaf... anyway... pilaf for tonight! (recipe link and photo below). It was MEGA YUM. I am really enjoying cooking with spices.
Most of the food I was eating (and I think that a majority of people eat) relies on sugar salt and fat for flavour. Spices are so much more flavourful, healthy, ancient and fun!
it didn't take long to make and I used some things from my garden!
Lunch was corn thins, avocado (one dud) and tomato.. and no humus because for some reason I didn't see it when I opened the fridge at work and thougth I must have taken it home the day before, then when I put the one good avocado half back in, there was the humus, right at the front, where I left it and thought I looked for it (?!) so I just was not meant to have humus today.
I did add a little of my special smoked garlic salt from the Saturday market man and I only used half a cinnamon stick, (which I almost ate!) he smells so good!! And I have lots of left overs... might take some to work tomorrow. YUM!
Spinach and Mushroom pilaf <--- that is the link to the recipe I used
I have been trying to remember a thing I used to make in Timaru that I loved - have not been successful in remembering what it is but I know it had flat leaf parsley in it.
Today while talking food with Beth in the office I found a pilaf recipe and maybe the thing was pilaf... anyway... pilaf for tonight! (recipe link and photo below). It was MEGA YUM. I am really enjoying cooking with spices.
Most of the food I was eating (and I think that a majority of people eat) relies on sugar salt and fat for flavour. Spices are so much more flavourful, healthy, ancient and fun!
it didn't take long to make and I used some things from my garden!
Lunch was corn thins, avocado (one dud) and tomato.. and no humus because for some reason I didn't see it when I opened the fridge at work and thougth I must have taken it home the day before, then when I put the one good avocado half back in, there was the humus, right at the front, where I left it and thought I looked for it (?!) so I just was not meant to have humus today.
I did add a little of my special smoked garlic salt from the Saturday market man and I only used half a cinnamon stick, (which I almost ate!) he smells so good!! And I have lots of left overs... might take some to work tomorrow. YUM!
Spinach and Mushroom pilaf <--- that is the link to the recipe I used
Day 12
Sick of the disappointment of bad avocadoes!
Makes lunch a bad surprise.
Forgot to have morning snacks today and when I went for "brisk walk" at lunch I had hunger rumbles. (Forgot morning snacks due to problems with work computer which has again put me behind schedule!).
Evening was interesting - I think I had less trouble with after dinner snack pangs.
Dinner was chickpea curry left overs with some courgettes and orange pepper and salad and some berries and cherries.
Makes lunch a bad surprise.
Forgot to have morning snacks today and when I went for "brisk walk" at lunch I had hunger rumbles. (Forgot morning snacks due to problems with work computer which has again put me behind schedule!).
Evening was interesting - I think I had less trouble with after dinner snack pangs.
Dinner was chickpea curry left overs with some courgettes and orange pepper and salad and some berries and cherries.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Chickpea curry
Was wretched cross about somethign when I got home and coudln't relax and was worried I would snack on all sorts of rubbish so I made a chick pea curry from scratch and it turned out GREAT! It didn't take very long to make and smells so good...
Chickpea curry
2 tins of chickpeas (I used one tin)
3 tablespoons of oil (ghee would be better but it's dairy)
2 medium onions chopped
1 teaspoon grated ginger (I keep ginger root in freezer then grate as needed)
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
1-2 chillies (seeded and finely chopped - depends how hot you like it!)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 large well ripe tomatoes chopped
1 tablespoon ground corriander (I ground my own from seeds)
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons fresh chopped corriander
1. Drain chickpeas and reserve liquid (I didn't)
2. heat old in large pan; add onion, ginger, garlic and turmeric and cook over low/medium heat until onion is SOFT and GOLDEN (not thin and dry and brown lol)
3.Add the tomato and cook until soft. Add corriander and chickpeas and cook for five mins. Add a cup of liquid (whatever you decide to use, I used water with a bit of stock) and cook for another ten mins.
4. Add garam masala, lemon juice and corriander and cook GENTLY for only another 2-3 mins (add more liquid if you want more sauciness).
Yum!!
Chickpea curry
2 tins of chickpeas (I used one tin)
3 tablespoons of oil (ghee would be better but it's dairy)
2 medium onions chopped
1 teaspoon grated ginger (I keep ginger root in freezer then grate as needed)
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
1-2 chillies (seeded and finely chopped - depends how hot you like it!)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 large well ripe tomatoes chopped
1 tablespoon ground corriander (I ground my own from seeds)
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons fresh chopped corriander
1. Drain chickpeas and reserve liquid (I didn't)
2. heat old in large pan; add onion, ginger, garlic and turmeric and cook over low/medium heat until onion is SOFT and GOLDEN (not thin and dry and brown lol)
3.Add the tomato and cook until soft. Add corriander and chickpeas and cook for five mins. Add a cup of liquid (whatever you decide to use, I used water with a bit of stock) and cook for another ten mins.
4. Add garam masala, lemon juice and corriander and cook GENTLY for only another 2-3 mins (add more liquid if you want more sauciness).
Yum!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Weekend food
I made sure I went to the market on Saturday morning - got some amazing raspberries, cherries and blueberries - also some special yumy crackers free from everything and some asorted vegetables and the smoked garlic salt YUM!
Made pumpkin soup for dinner tonight but for some reason it was YUK and more like a soup-in-a-cup, not like my usual yummy pumpkin soup at all.. but wiht the same ingredients so, weird.
Also experiemented with two ways to make potato rosti - one with raw potato and one with boiled. Raw is more to my liking.
I made some hummus - need to work on that mixture and also try to make my own falafel.
Hoping to do some lentils this week too.
Have had another run of dud avocadoes. Blech.
Made pumpkin soup for dinner tonight but for some reason it was YUK and more like a soup-in-a-cup, not like my usual yummy pumpkin soup at all.. but wiht the same ingredients so, weird.
Also experiemented with two ways to make potato rosti - one with raw potato and one with boiled. Raw is more to my liking.
I made some hummus - need to work on that mixture and also try to make my own falafel.
Hoping to do some lentils this week too.
Have had another run of dud avocadoes. Blech.
Friday, January 8, 2010
corn, soybeans, 1 person
did you know that 1350 kilograms of corn and soybeans is capable of supporting one person if converted to beef?
However, 1350 kilograms of soybeans and corn utilised directly without converting to beef will support 22 people!
I certainly think people eat too much meat (in western societies anyway)
And look at all the money, time, energy and land space that are taken up with it!
bored?
only if you think you are...
perhaps you are relying too much on external influences to provide you with entertainment.
empower yourself to be responsible for your own entertainment and happiness! don't be a victim of external dullness penetrating your core!
perhaps you are relying too much on external influences to provide you with entertainment.
empower yourself to be responsible for your own entertainment and happiness! don't be a victim of external dullness penetrating your core!
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