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Showing posts from 2009

The 2009 'Days Of Christmas'

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As is becoming something of a tradition here at the blog, this is my Yuletide posting about all that you should know for Christmas. But let's just take a moment in the busy day to remember what it's all about - the people you love. I'm thinking of the people you love right now ... are you thinking of mine? Of course, it's not just about family and friends (if that's who I was thinking of) but also presents, alcohol and oodles of sitting around in the sun (hardy har har Northern Hempishpereans!) If Jesus is you thing, I mean, if he's your bag, what you're into man then do the religious thing as well. Just don't get all "God" over Christmas and try to remember that it was originally a pagan festival around the longest day, certainly don't want you Christians foisting your ideas on people and trying to subvert the real message! Fun. that's the real message. Believe in Father Christmas (who shats all over Santa) and have too much laughter

12 Days Of Christmas - The Complete Set

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This makes me laugh every year, 12 months must be just enough for me to forget it :-) Instead of blogging one-a-day here's the complete set for you all to enjoy: On The 1st Day Of Christmas My True Love Sent To Me ... On The 2nd Day Of Christmas My True Love Sent To Me ... On The 3rd Day Of Christmas My True Love Sent To Me ... On The 4th Day Of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me ... On The 5th Day Of Christmas ... On The 6th Day Of Christmas ... On The 7th Day Of Christmas ... On The 8th Day Of Christmas ... On The 10th Day ... On The 11th Day ... On The 12th Day ... Also check out my 2009 release of the annual 'Days Of Christmas' ...

The 50 Best Protest Signs Of 2009

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Thank you @bobbyllew * http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-50-best-protest-signs-of-2009/ My favourite is the sublime: * @bobbylew = Robert Llewellyn , famous for being Kryten in Red Dwarf , co-presenting Scrapheap Challenge ** and creating/producing the most awesome weekly Carpool podcast - subscribe now! ** He co-presented alongside a distant family member of mine who hails from back home in Monmouth , strange world eh. Her Carpool podcast was a trip through Monmouth and the surrounds, loved it.

BBC's YouTube Advent Calendar, How To Get The Rest

Really, you're clever people and should be able to get the rest yourselves ;-)

Days 6 & 7 PLUS Dave Barry's 2009 Gift Guide

Classic Christmas from the web kicking off with the annually awesome Dave Barry Gift Guide . Top three favourite's for me: Educational sperm snow globe Stink-finder ultraviolet light Metal-detecting sandals And now on with the excellent BBCWorldWide YouTube advent calendar ... For Sunday 6th December, a classic clip from Blackadder's Christmas Carol with Blackadder's attempt to fleece the Prince Regent of his Christmas presents not quite going to plan. For Monday 7th December, singer Alesha Dixon and her dance partner Matthew Cutler perform a charming waltz in a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. See it here ...

Courage And Following Your Dreams - Scary Shit

I am very good at following my dreams. In fact, it's the one trait that I know people admire (they tell me). There might be more about me that people love but only those very close to me usually express it. Following your dreams is bloody easy. I know, tightrope walking is easy for those that can do it ... but really, there's no secret in it. Just be selfish. Once you become bloody minded, focused and see everything and everyone as a means to the end you can easily gain a reputation of being wonderful at following your dreams. I DO NOT, however, mean you should see everything and everyone as something to be squashed, walked on, used-and-abused, mere hurdles in the way ... I do mean that if you see everything and everyone as potential partners in your dream, as something that could help up over the next step with a helping hand, as someone who knows someone that can advise or even as someone that can say, "Wow, that's an awesome dream, go for it!". If you shit on p

Day 5 - BBC Worldwide Advent Calendar

Rick Stein meets up with food writer Matthew Fort who shares the joy of cold roast goose served a simple salad of a chopped fennel bulb, mandarin oranges and olive oil. Great festive recipe idea from the BBC cookery programme Rick Stein's Food Heroes.

Day 4 - BBC Worldwide Advent Calendar

Days 2 and 3 - BBC Worldwide Advent Calendar 2009

Day 1 - BBC Worldwide Advent Calendar

The Death Of Old Media - Do You Care? [Updated]

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Society is changing beneath our feet and very few seem to be noticing except those that are grasping on to their waning power . Old media, or as I've just discovered MSM ("MainStream Media"), is the umbrella term given to newspapers, radio and broadcast TV and more specifically those parts of these industries that focus upon "news". Old media is dying. Well, actually the publishing model of old media is dying, as I have said over and over again: I believe that “media” as a whole is something we can’t really talk about as it is made up of two fundamental building blocks: 1: Journalism (an activity) 2: Publishing (a business model) 1: The act (art?) of journalism will continue – it may change with the use of “bloggers” – but the act of getting out there and finding a story (even the truth sometimes) will not go way. In fact the Web (onto top of the Internet) will enable more to participate. 2: The current business model of “publishing” however is likely to make

Guilty Upon Accusation In The UK - Say No

Here in New Zealand we were one of the first countries that the forces that be tried to implement the "3 strikes and you're out" law with regards to alleged copyright infringement via the Internet - in essence if you're accused 3 times by a copyright holder of illegally copying their work you will have your Internet disconnected by your ISP. I have no qualms with copyright holders protecting their goods BUT the issue is that the disconnection would occur immediately on the third accusation and before any evidence is produced and way before you have a chance to defend yourself - therefore you are guilty because someone has accused you. In NZ the law was defeated by a concerted effort (called "#blackout"), a change of government and the support of many high profile supported including Stephen Fry. Today Stephen Fry tweeted the following: I'll keep at this till a million sign! We mustn't let Mandy do this WRONG thing. Please sign & RT: http://is.

Pigeon Stealing Crisps ("Chips")

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Unlike the last pigeon post this is real ... cheeky wee thing From Adam's Email JokesList to which someone added this find link: http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/seagull.asp

Victory Book Launch And Signing At The Weta Cave

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There is something VERY cool about the steampunk genre* and those fine folk at Weta totally get it! In fact they get it so much that they're young kids TV programme, WotWots , is infused with it's feel. And it seems the driving force behind all this is a fellow by the name of Greg Broadmore with his award wining (should be if it's not yet) Dr Grorbort and the fantastical "laser guns" . Grorbort seems to be very much like Sir Harry Paget Flashman from the awesome series by George MacDonald Fraser . And it seems Greg is releasing a new book with the glorious title of VICTORY - Scientific Adventure Violence for Young Men and Literate Women , wonderful. Welcome to the most politically incorrect of colonial uchroniae, where Lord Cockswain and his cronies wreak jolly havoc and merry mayhem. Travel to far planets, walk wide horizons under myriad moons, encounter exotic life forms - and blow them to bits, then atomize what's left. A fine occupation for a gentleman,

Worser Bay School TradeMe Auction - Closes Friday

No, you can't bid on owning the school but you can on: ROLL UP! ROLL UP! Your last opportunity to score an amazing deal!! Would make an ideal Christmas present. These are the two items from the Silent Auction that did not meet their reserve and have now been put on TradeMe to see if we can make a little more for the school. Please feel free to pass these links to as many people as you can - auction closes Friday. Dynamics Gym Membership : http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=253827259 One night’s Bed and Breakfast at the Abel Tasman Hotel : http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=253829751

Pigeon: Impossible

Tell me again why I need to watch TV?

BBC, Why Have You Made My Kids Sad?

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Living in NZ means that kids TV is generally crap . Yeah, I know, coming from the UK means I have grown up on top TV from the BBC. And so, my kids Jack and Meg have popping onto the Web for as long as I can remember to watch snippettes of BBC kids shows on their once top site, CBeebies . We also download the CBeebies podcast and get to travel around with the BBC for kids in the car. Yesterday my daughter wanted to watch Mr Maker but the CBeebies site had changed in structure and she was a little lost. "Dad, I need help! I can't find Mr Maker!!". I pop on, and think nice update (much cleaner) and a little clicking around to get used to the new layout we find Mr Maker and I watch as Meg starts from her own homepage and re-routes her brain pattern. And then she clicks on her chosen video snippette. Oooh, using the BBC iPlayer to stream, nice, heard lots about it ... And that's that then! I've tried to let the BBC know but all the links to their 'Contact us'

Wanda Harland Mt Vic Gallery Opening (Free)

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Martha is a whirlwind of a entrepreneur and Christmas is a big time for her, her team, her online business and her two shops , her tweeting as well as being Mum to an ever increasing family ... *phew*, where does the energy come from! And that incredible energy has now been put into an art gallery! Art, I get the impression, is something Martha has a passion for (much like Courtney :-) and I see the opening of this gallery as a fascinating way of bringing that side of her life into her work arena and having them play together both for fun and commercially. A lesson for us all :-) So, the details of the Wanda Harland art gallery opening* to which YOU are invited: Date: Thursday, 19th November 2009 Time: 5:30pm - 7pm Location: 24 Elizabeth Street, Mt Victoria [ map ] Our lovely gallery is opening on Thursday, and we would love it if you could join us. We'll be featuring prints by Sally Shand, Sam Broad, Emma McCleary and Moira Gaerty. You will be able to purchase and take away

Russia's Got Talent [Video]

Yeah, OK, it's probably a "viral marketing" campaign for the red can but still, what if it's not? Check out Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/russiantalent.asp Thanks to Dean for this over a beer at Hashigo Zake

The Golden Age Of Video

I like this

Anika Moa And Her "Aroha Tour 2009" - You Going?

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It's not a secret that Anika Moa is my dream gal (yeah, in reality she'd scare the crap outta me ... and I her ;-). Anywho, she's touring this fine country and I'd recommend you get along for a fantastic night of fucking awesome tunes, brilliant comedy (she does banter to surprise) and an overall top night! All of her dates and tickets at EventFinder.co.nz Wellington gig details: When: Fri 4 Dec , 7:30pm–11:00pm Where: Bodega , 101 Ghuznee St, Wellington Show map Restrictions: R18 Ticket Information: General Admission: $32.00 Anika Moa T Shirt - Pickup At The Show: $40.00

How To Recognise A Gay Terrorist

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Ha ha ha ha ha ha ... Yomma Bin Shoppin' (thank you Adam)

Best Chocolates EVER! Hand Made In Wellington For You

I had a balsamic vinegar chocolate a week or so ago that was handmade here in Wellington* and was blown away. I'm not normally a choclate sort of gal but by golly that was good. So ... Christmas is coming ... get yourself along to Bohemein Fresh Chocolate at 109 Featherston Street and buy up large! (if you're a boutique shop of any sort then maybe there is room for some sort of deal to share the love in Petone and Mt Vic ... damn, gave away who I was thinking of ;-) * Hataitai actually

A Week Of Fucked Technology

It's been: Broken Ubuntu upgrade on the blue laptop Probable broken Ubuntu upgrade on the ancient desktop Upgraded iTunes no longer connecting with iPhone Remote Broken iPhone headphones (x 2) FUCKING ANNOYED! Am reading books, drinking alcohol and attending makeup parties

Woodstock Florist, Mini Market - One Night Only

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My wife has sent this through for a fellow parent and her florist business, Woodstock , on Willis Street [ map ] for a "Mini Market" on Thursday 19th November (6:30pm-8:30pm) Let 'em know you're going and say hi from me: flowers@woodstock.co.nz

King Kong, Signed ... For You To Win, This Sunday

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Ok, it's not King Kong him/itself and of course, being a fictional character, he/it can't sign anything but at the Worser Bay School Fair (Sunday, 1st November, 11am-2pm) : 1pm: Silent Auction Winners announced. Our Silent Auction includes King Kong Bookends personally signed by Richard Taylor , a night at the Museum Hotel, a fishing trip, and much more! Just thought you'd like to know. On Facebook, and let's face it who the hell isn't now-a-days *sigh*, then let others know your going to the fair ...

Amazing Trampolining AND Making Rubbish Bins Fun AND ... We Are Fucked

The fabulous "Best Of YouTube" podcast recently popped the trampolining vid into my brain and subsequently I popped over to their website and discovered another awesome "fun theory" video showing how: We believe that the easiest way to change people's behaviour for the better is by making it fun to do. We call it The fun theory. Do you have an idea that uses fun to change behaviour? Enter now for the chance to win €2500. http://www.thefuntheory.com (Note: this is "an initiative of Volkswagen" ... advertising in a subtle form) But then I saw the final vid and realised we, as the dominant species on this planet, are slowly (quickly?) creating the next release ... eek ;-) Imagine that soft robot together with the wandering capability hooked into Google, *shudder* Enjoy the show ...

"At this cafe, you get what the person before you ordered"

The guys behind the counter and I immediately launched into a humorous, protracted, Englishanese attempt to understand what the hell just happened. Through judicious fumbling, and after a great deal of precise hand-waving and mangled pronouns, it turned out to be something like this: At this cafe, you get what the person before you ordered. The next person gets what you ordered. Welcome to the Ogori cafe! What a great concept - check out the full bog post at cable.name

End Of Days Starts In Moscow ... Sort Of [vid]

Looks fake to me but seems it's not - v weird, cool and slightly unnerving to think it's really "hovering" there. Man, I bet the "run to the hills, the aliens / four horseman / God / Satan / commies / 'they' are coming" crowd are having a field day. Anyone know how it was reported by the hicks at Fox News, ha ha ha?

New Cheese Shop In Petone

Popped out to Jackson Street in Petone this afternoon in the howling rain with a car load of Riversdales and a mother-in-law from Christchurch. Why would we attempt such an adventure I hear you ask ... go on, ask ... I can wait ... ! ... [looks at ceiling] ... AHA, great question, well let me tell you. A friend of Liz's (and mine now, she's awesome), Wendy, and a mutual mate recently went off following her dream of making cheese - you may recall an earlier post that popped out of that particular scheme. Well, Wendy is not content to merely create awesome cheese in her home kitchen for the neighbours and has expanded the Hutt empire* to now include their very own shop, Cultured (185 Jackson Street, Petone - map ). Follow them on Twitter at @mmmcheeseplease It's a cheese shop - it is gonna rock! It also, today , seemed to be the venue for a female only Petone tweetup ;-) But most distressingly, it lacked any discernible bazouki. * Wendy and her fantastic hubby Conrad are al

Ha Ha Ha - Just Gets Better The More It Plays [vid]

Twitter Comes To Miramar

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Of course @MiramarMike has been tweeting away for a very long time but I am no longer alone in this neck of the woods; here's a small yet growing list of Miramar-centric twitterer...er..ers @MiramarLL - Liquor Land @CivicMiramar - Civic Video @WetaWorkshop - what it says on the tin run by Magnus @LyallBayNZ - near enough to the peninsular for me to add it to the list ;-) @Webstock - it's spiritual home maybe cyberland but it's got roots in Maupuia, big time Anyone else - add yourself by leaving a comment ...

Worser Bay School Fair - Sunday 1st November, 11am-2pm

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As usual it's gonna be chock-a-block at 11:01am at Worser Bay School as everyone rushes up the hill to snaffle the bargains and specials (if you're a Weta fan, take note :-) And, of course, have all the fun of the fair AND the circus. See you there on Sunday 1st November, 11am-2pm (rain or shine!)

Been A Long Time, How Are Ya?

Met a blog reader (hi Michael) last night and it struck me that I've been very lazy with the blog using it as a dumping ground for "funny hardy-har" stuff but not really much more. So, what's been going down? WaveAdept has been ticking along a little too slowly but now the team is back together again after holidays and the like we can refocus ourselves upon it - I have the Sauron's eye picture in my mind for some reason The "book shop" dream is slooowly coming together - expect a little (not huge) movement on this early next year MiramarMike.co.nz dives into "open" advocacy every now and again but not enough for the soul - really want to focus on the promised blogging for Open.org.nz Liz is very busy at the moment launching, with her business partner Helen, Breathing Space ("professional development for parents"), particularly with the event on Monday 19th Oct - still tickets available ... Jack seems to have jumped up another step i

4 Awkward Moments in Facebook "Likes"

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Ha ha ha ha - the third one is pretty cringe worthy Thanks to Adam's Jokeslist once again

Lemony Lime (Extreme) Beer, Hee Hee

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Saw a poster of this at Hashigo Zake the other day and it made me laff, enjoy: 4/1/2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Greg Koch Stone Brewing Co. (760) 471-4999 x102 Stone Brewing to release new "Extreme LemonyLime" malternative beverage San Marcos, CA --- Stone Brewing announced today that the company will be entering the fast growing malternative market with a new product called "Extreme LemonyLime." The malt-based product will feature a light citrusy flavor and a 5.5% alc/vol. "Our history as a company up to this point has been to brew full-flavored, big character brews for the discerning beer lover," stated Stone CEO Greg Koch. "We feel that we have been missing out totally on a segment of the population. After all, there are a lot of people out there drinking sweet flavored alcoholic drinks like appletinis, and we thought we should get in with the race to get their money too." Like other category leaders in the malternative segment, Stone has made

God Love NZ And Her Quirks

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This Blog Goes Mobile

Well, it goes iPhone that's for sure. For a while now I've been using http://m.mikeriversdale.co.nz using MoFuse to repurpose the blog for iPhones. This was a manual process however and you had to know to go there. I have started to put in code to automatically take you there if you're visiting from your iPhone - here's the key bit of code: <script type='text/javascript'> if ((navigator.userAgent.indexOf('iPhone') !=-1) || (navigator.userAgent.indexOf('iPod') !=-1)) { document.location = "http://iphone.yourdomain.com/"; } </script> Let me know how it goes and by all means pass on problems. Note: For now the auto re-direct only works on the blog homepage as I try and work out the MoFuse way of creating URLs for articles. Thank you, as you were ....

Live Forever

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Sitting watching a DVD ( Live Forever: The Rise and Fall Of Britpop ) playing THE best music EVER reminds me of the awesome times. Of course I realise it's only THE best music EVER because exactly of the memories it brings back. But fuck it, it is! Live forever people, party and don't let 'em question it! Links to as many YouTube vids of the soundtrack to one of the most vibrant and musically amazing times of my life (and the CD of the DVD ) ... so far. Click on the one you want or check out the complete playlist and have the time of our life! Live Forever - Oasis Common People - Pulp Parklife - Blur Alright - Supergrass Girl From Mars - Ash Waking Up - Elastica Mulder And Scully - Catatonia Fine Time - Cast The Changing Man - Paul Weller Stupid Girl - Garbage Everything Must Go - Manic Street Preachers The Riverboat Song - Ocean Colour Scene Atomic - Sleeper Tattva - Kula Shaker Come Back To What You Know - Embrace Wide Open Space - Mansun 6 Underground -

I Won! And From a VERY Exclusive List

Love it - and I really hope somewhere in the world there is a "Mr. Patrick Gomez", fantastic name. Dear Lucky Winner. We are happy to inform you that your email address have emerged winner of £1,000,000GBP only (One Million Great British Pounds Only) in Euro-Millions Award. The online cyber draws was conducted from an exclusive list of 15,000,000 email addresses of individuals and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random computer selection from the web. Your email address is attached to Participant No.: *7*, Selection Frequency.:*21*, Percentage.:*98.95%* and PROMOTION DATE: 1ST of AUGUST, 2009. Bear in mind that prizes will strictly be remitted to winners that officially file in for their claim within the given time frame. To begin your claim, you are to forward this message to our accredited claim agent: Euro-Millions Lottery London, United Kingdom CONTACT: Mr. Patrick Gomez TEL: +44-701-[snip] EMAIL: pgomez1951@[snip] pgomez1951@[snip] ================

Selected Billy Connelly

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Selected Billy Connelly - Originally uploaded by Mike Riversdale Hee hee ... and with only a "couple" of DVDs to check the correct spelling ;-)

Karma Explained

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Karma explained via

Why Is Christmas Day On December 25th ... Mithras?

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Stephen Fry on QI discussing the similarities between Mithras and Jesus - read more at Wikipedia: Mithraic Mysteries I love Stephen Fry's line: There's a great deal in Christianity that's traditional and however wonderful people think the story is it's frankly ... not original

THE Best Film Review Ever - Karl Pilkington On "The Invention Of Lying"

I watched it via iTunes Stick with it and then ask yourself, "Would I be as honest with my mate/boss?" - and if the answer is yes, you now know what to do first thing tomorrow morning at work ;-)

Bet You Jump [video]

Ok, it's only 14 seconds long and I've warned you that you'll jump but I bet you're thinking, "Yeah, whatever" - I was ... Did ya jump? Video at The Telegraph

But It's A Robot - Slightly Unnerving Eh! [video]

Am working my way through the most creepy stuff on the web and didn't make it past this video of the robot BigDog which has been developed by Boston Dynamics - a robotics company - in response to a request by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry soldiers' equipment across rough terrain. ... bet you watch it more than once

iGoogle - New Zealand Themes

Did you know there were so many? http://www.google.co.nz/ig/directory?q=new+zealand&hl=en&type=themes iGoogle is your personalized Google page. Add news, photos, weather, and stuff from across the web to your page.

Kids Marshmallow Experiment [video]

Hee hee The marshmallow experiment is a famous test of this concept conducted by Walter Mischel at Stanfo rd University and discussed by Daniel Goleman in his popular work. In the 1960s, a group of four-year olds were given a marshmallow and promised another, only if they could wait 20 minutes before eating the first one. Some children could wait and others could not. The researchers then followed the progress of each child into adolescence, and demonstrated that those with the ability to wait were better adjusted and more dependable (determined via surveys of their parents and teachers), and scored an average of 210 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Link via The Presurfer

Miramar Cinema To Open Late 2010

The unknown (to me) Whiteria 'newspaper' NewsWire.co.nz reports that Jamie Selkirk has finally given details about the opening of the Miramar cinema . Definitely read the full article after these salient facts: Building expected to start January 2010 Opening September 2010 Renovation costs around NZ$4million Partnered with Brookyln's Penthouse Cinema for distribution Incorporates 2 cinemas Aiming at the art house releases with some mainstream Includes a cafe restaurant partnered with Cafe Polo View Larger Map

The Fast Show - Very Drunk [video]

Michael Alan Riversdale in a few years ;-)

Skylight Launches New Resilience/Support Magazine [video]

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A Media Release about the launch of new edgy, innovative, magazine style youth resource to help teens and young people in New Zealand deal with tough times. Skylight has launched an innovative new single edition youth support magazine, ‘The Journey Through’, which honestly and frankly tackles the very difficult issues teens and young people face. It’s been written specifically for young people in New Zealand, and features many stories, words and photos, kiwi teens have contributed. Life can be really tough. The issues teenagers face are diverse and include changing schools, moving to a new city or country, losing your friends, bullying, parents breaking up, living in a blended family or absent parents, peer pressure, terminal illness or death of someone close to them, mental health issue, disability and too often trauma, abuse or violence. Skylight, a unique support organisation helping young people and their families/whānau deal with change, loss, trauma and grief, recognises that yo

Breathing Space Website Live In About 37 Minutes

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As you know my wife, Liz, and her business partner Helen have started a new business called Breathing Space ("a new initiative for the professional development of parents"). The awesome folks at Decisive Flow has created them a logo which the two agreed on yesterday. I then said to Liz, "I'll set up a website for you", that won't take long. Why won't it take long - because: They have very simple needs right now They are running the business with Google Apps Google Apps has the ability to publish a site to the world Last night I got home, played with the kids, watched some (crap!!) TV and then around 9:30pm popped up the lid of the laptop and plowed into it. From whoa (nothing, not even a DNS entry) to go (website up and ready) took around 37 minutes. Don't get me wrong, it's a very VERY simple site but they can add deeper pages by simply creating pages and entering the text. Everything is automated for them and as far as they're concerned

Robert Carlyle In The 'Timed To Perfection' Johnny Walker Ad

There's nothing really that special about the ad except it's around 5:30 mins long and Robert Carlyle seems* to time every moment to perfection * who can tell if computers and their shenanigans were involved :-)

What Does It Mean To Be British?

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When the house is quiet I get to peak back in time using my "Starred Items" list in the Google Reader and see what I thought was of absolute and utter importance way back then. Mostly the articles are scanned and immediately unstarred but now and again I read something and exclaim, "Ooooh yeah, that was awesome then" "What it means to be British" from the UK Ministry of Justice is one I can't even remember seeing! I think it was in reaction to the crazy post "kick them all out" times that the country went through ... but I could be wrong. What do I think it means to be British ... well, I quite like JK Rowling's answer : 'Britishness for me means the best comedy and the best music in the world, the most interesting fashion and football, and the funkiest flag,' says author JK Rowling. ... except for the flag bit :-) And the football stuff. I would also add in The Beano ( Wikipedia ) and whatever that encapsulates about being Brit

Jetstar, Your Local Time Travel Company

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Flying down to Christchurch tomorrow Jetstar gave me the following same day return options ... time travel is obviously now an option?!

Chocolate Fish II, Officially Coming Back - Shelley Bay

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All the news from The Noldor Blog , the fine Weta-following blog from Jack M: Wellington Lord Of The Rings tourguide. Look me up when you're in town, or ask for me by name at Flat Earth Tours when you book your Rings tour! Anywho, it sounds like the Chocolate Fish mk II will start small: The general gist is that the Choc Fish II will open at Shelly Bay Airforce Base, around October first or thereabouts, and will at first be a reduced version of the original cafe. As the land still hasn't been properly redeveloped yet, there won't be a full kitchen, restricting it to just a barbecue grill. ... ... there will be sit-down space available, although the lunches will probably be served on takeaway plates, since there won't be a lot of cleaning facilities. Probably no toilets in the first bit either .... plan is that they will be there to stay, as long as they could get a long term lease Picture from Jack M: "Chocolate Fish Cafe Mark II Wellington N.Z."

NZ Farmer "fudge this" Fuck Up

Ha ha ha ha - oops http://twitter.com/gnat/status/3572662186 "laughing my arse off at "fudge this" http://bit.ly/axrvm " - Nat Torkington (@gnat)

100 (Best) Movie Lines In 200 Seconds

Even if you don't think they're "the best" I suspect you know almost every single one! via Bits & Pieces

Google Book Settlement - It Affects New Zealand Authors/Songwriters

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The Google Book Search settlement agreement is the settlement agreement reached in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York after the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers sued Google in 2005 citing "massive copyright infringement" related to its Google Books Library Project. The settlement will provide an avenue for copyright owners of out of print books to submit claims to Google, form the Book Rights Registry, and allow Google to sell advertisements and digital versions of these books, while paying 63 percent royalties to the copyright owners. The Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement and bring it into force at the Fairness Hearing to be held on October 7, 2009. source: Wikipedia Just a heads up (and please pass it on) that there is a MASSIVE class settlement going on in the USofA-land with copyright holders and Google which has a lot of implications to New Zealand authors/copyright holders that should be widel

My Wife Launches Her New Business - Come Along

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It's exciting times at the Riversdales with WaveAdept now an official Google Apps Reseller AND Liz, together with her mate Helen, kicking off their business with an event in October - here's your invite to buy a ticket AND pass on the news! Diane Levy in Wellington, 7.30 on Monday 19th October Parenting expert and bestselling author, Diane Levy, will be presenting ‘Personality Unravelled’ and ‘Why Oh Why Won’t They Just Do As They're Told’. The evening will provide an opportunity for parents to come together and delight in Diane’s humorous and simple strategies for getting children to do as they’re told; discover ways to stop sibling rivalry and help parents understand why they may find one child easier to raise than another. When: 7.30pm on Monday 19th October Where: St James Cook Hotel, 147 The Terrace Wellington [ map ] Tickets: $25 Liz 021-252 3234 or email tickets@breathingspacenz.c om Proudly presented by Breathing Space - a new initiative providing Professional D

Rules From The South Island

If ya visit, take note ... 1. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot. 2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't crooked. 3. Let's get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a Ute because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way. 4. They are cattle. That's why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? SH1 goes north, find it and Bugger off. 5. So you have a $80,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 Harvesters that are driven only 3 weeks a year. 6. Every person in the South waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept. 7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/quail are coming in during the season, we WILL shoot it outta your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time... 8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer and duck... You really want sushi and caviar?

Ask For What You Want - This Spam Email Does

There's something quite cute about this piece of spam that just asks for what it wants: from British 2009 Program date Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 2:46 AM We are pleased to inform you that you have been Awarded the sum of 1,000,000.00 GBP in the British 2009 Program.Please fill the contact form given below. Names:....Address:... Country:....Age:.....Sex:...... Phone/cellphone........ Contact email: btprizeoffice0001@ [snip] It's so plainly crap that I love it :-) ( read more classic spam posts )