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Showing posts from February, 2010

Getting Phill & Phil's Perfect Ten Over To Wellington, NZ [Updated]

[Updated: added Perfect 10 Twitter link] One of the joys of an iPhone is the podcasts that get stuffed into my ear whenever I sync it with iTunes. Mostly it's BBC comedy, tech malarkey and the odd music show. But the ONE show I love appearing in the playlist is Phill & Phil's Perfect Ten . The what? Phill & Phil's Perfect Ten my friends, Phill & Phil's Perfect Ten ! Phill Jupitu s and Phil Wilding, one a UK comedian the other a ... rock novelist from the old country? (with intro's from the every awesome Stephen Fry) Their podcast (iTunes link coming) is FUCKING BRILLIANT! And, they have done a couple of live show versions. They've been busy recently so the podcasts (free and irregular) have been sparse. Today I listened to the latest (I am always so happy when it arrives). And in it they said that they had a large number of people in Wellington listening in. Yay. THEN Then they bantered about coming out and doing a show here. YES! YES! YES! Let's...
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The Miramar Track Project + Cinema Workings

Awesome: Centennial Reserve on Miramar Peninsula now has two new dual-use tracks for walking and mountain biking thanks to the efforts of a hard-working group of volunteers. The trackes are "accessible from the end of Darlington Road in Miramar, Nevay Road and Main Road in Maupuia". Thank you all those volunteers and WCC workers, totally appreciate it! (link: Wellington City Council ) And it looks like the work on the old cinema is finally kicking off as the old Art Gallery has moved out and there were quite a few burly men walking around inside today. Finally!
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Changing My Google Profile

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For a long, loooooooong time I've had a Google profile but with the latest updates to Google services I need to update it - this is post keeping the old content (below) for nostalgia :-) New profile: -------------------------------------------------- My job is to make IT invisible! It's a simple as that; we shouldn't have to think about the how but concentrate on the why and what we want IT to do for us. Making this happen for the majority of computer work means moving to the Internet ("cloud computing") as we rarely use a computer without the need to share with someone else. I have written extensively about that on my professional blog MiramarMike.co.nz I am so passionate about it I am now part of WaveAdept , a New Zealand-based company with the stated aim of "making IT invisible". WaveAdept is also a leading, authorised Google Apps re-seller . Because I am such an evangelist of the Internet and it's power to transform people and companies I am...
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This Is Brilliant - A (Concept) GPS Flashlight That Guides You Around

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I want it to move from concept to reality as soon as possible :-) Seen on DVICE.com * The Tamtam Flash from Designaffairs Studio makes it easy to find your way, projecting directions on any flat surface such as the sidewalk. If you want a more general view, the Tamtam Flash can also project a zoomable and scrollable map on any wall, giving you an overall perspective on wherever you happen to be. Additionally, the Tamtam Flash can read QR codes (as seen on Google Maps ) to give you additional information about any location that might use them. * If you're in NZ then you need to know it's not that D.VICE ;-)
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Confusing Response - What Do You Thing It's Saying?

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I'm looking at the the line, "No, we do need to follow all our policies seriously" in response to the chosen answer of "Yes, we need to follow all our policies seriously." ... HUH!?
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OK, This IS Embarrassing - 1970's NZ Tourism Advert

I ... I can say no more than, "Eek" (this was used as an opening by a presenter at today's Webstock conference happening in Wellington, NZ - thanks to attendee @absolut_todd for finding and sharing)
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Born Of Hope Movie - Returning To Middle Earth Before Peter Jackson

Wow! Born of Hope is an independent feature film inspired by the Lord of the Rings and produced by Actors at Work Productions in the UK. www.bornofhope.com This film should soon be also on it's proper Youtube channels, ActorsatWork & BornofHope. Check them out for more videos regarding the film. Thanks to Chris Bouchard and the H4G team for putting the film here until Youtube upgrade our channels. A scattered people, the descendents of storied sea kings of the ancient West, struggle to survive in a lonely wilderness as a dark force relentlessly bends its will toward their destruction. Yet amidst these valiant, desperate people, hope remains. A royal house endures unbroken from father to son. This 70 minute original drama is set in the time before the War of the Ring and tells the story of the Dúnedain, the Rangers of the North, before the return of the King. Inspired by only a couple of paragraphs written by Tolkien in the appendices of the Lord of the Rings we follow Arathorn ...
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Forget Google, Otago University Knows Exactly Where You Are

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My wife went to Otago University back in the 1990's and, like most of her fellow graduates, she was plonked onto a "database" so that they could send out the " University of Otago Magazine ". Now, Liz isn't really one for keeping in touch with her old university but as long as they don't ask for money or want her to do anything then sweet as. She's been receiving this monthly magazine for many years. Not once has she ever got in touch with them in any form. Last week the February edition arrived in the mailbox. And it struck me that they had her name and address perfectly. They have her marriage status, her new surname and her shortened first name. They have her postal address including the postcode (for those outside of NZ: postcodes are something most people don't bother with) In the time that I have known Liz this magazine has always found her! She has changed her name once and her address five times but Otago University magazine has never mi...
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Summer('beer')fest 2010! This Sunday, 1-4pm Worser Bay Boating Club

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Yahoo! My eldest goes to an enlightened school where their fund raising events involve ... beer! Not just the sugary shite that is still the majority of Kiwi's drinking habits but real, proper beer! THIS SUNDAY! Bring your family and friends to an afternoon of sea, sun, beer tasting, wine sipping, savouring local delicacies and other refreshments to tempt your tastebuds. Be entertained by live music, including jazz duo Sue and Fritz, Pat Higgins and Friends, Gypsy Tandrum Duo, and raconteur beer expert Neil Millar . Don't forget to bring some cash on the day - all proceeds go to Worser Bay School. Tickets: Adult $15, children free. Door sales will be available but pre-purchase your tickets now to avoid disappointment! Tickets on sale now from the school office or buy them by email - it's as easy as 1 -2 -3 ! EMAIL your ticket request to home and school . Provide your name, address, phone number and the number of tickets you wish to purchase in your email. Tell us if yo...
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The Immortals by Martin Amis - Wellington Fringe

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OMG! I know someone, Dan Slevin, who is actually brave enough to get up on stage and perform ... awesome to have such people in one's life. But he needs your support! I hope you don't mind me alerting you to a show I'm doing, in this year's Wellington Fringe Festival. It's called The Immortals and all the information can be found here: http://www.miracle-pictures.com/immortals/ There are only 9 performances and the venue only seats 20. So, as the sharper amongst you will have already worked out, there are only 180 seats for the whole season. So get in quick and book at BATS. I have attached an e-flyer should you want to pass the word around to friends and co-workers. Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you soon.
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Passion - It's What Life Is About [vid]

As I slowly work through the amazing back catalogue of TED Talks I am permanently stunned by quality of the talks such as this from Isabel Allende as she discusses women, creativity, the definition of feminism -- and, of course, passion. She is funny, heart breaking but mostly inspiring Perfect companion to Courage And Following Your Dreams - Scary Shit
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Popular articles

Regulatory Standards Bill: Submission Guidance & Assistance [Updated]

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*phew*, this is hard work. Unlike the Treaty Principles Bill which has a tonne of templates and publicly available submissions for you to copy/amend/submit, the Regulatory Standards Bill has very little out there. Update 14-Jan-2024: Did I Miss The Submission? (spoiler, no ) -------- Submission form:  https://consultation.regulation.govt.nz/rsb/have-your-say-on-regulatory-standards-bill/consultation/intro/ Email your submission to:  RSBconsultation@regulation.govt.nz More: Explanation & Submission [Updated] What Is A "Person" [Update 8-Jan-2024] Emily Writes (Jan 06, 2025) being awesome, OK fine, what submissions do I have to make FFS?! , "Don't worry - I got you. Here's everything you need in one place!" : Bill: The Regulatory Standards Bill Do it by: 13 January 2024. Why should I care? This bill is the twin to the Treaty Principles Bill. So much so that you can use your submission for that bill as the template to this one. It has been described as: Th...

Regulatory Standards Bill: Explanation & Submission [Updated]

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You've done  your Treaty Principles Bill submission , and that was a piece of cake eh. If that's what all Bill submissions are like then bring it on, the voice of the masses can be finally heard. Update 14-Jan-2024: Did I Miss The Submission? (spoiler, no) -------- Submission form:  https://consultation.regulation.govt.nz/rsb/have-your-say-on-regulatory-standards-bill/consultation/intro/ Email your submission to:  RSBconsultation@regulation.govt.nz More: Submission Guidance & Assistance [Updated] What Is A "Person" Hmmmm, seems it's different for each Bill, which sort of makes sense. The Treaty Principles Bill is something that's not going anywhere no matter what happens, so it's been made very much a, "Tell us what you think and what could be done", expecting a tsunami of, "It's crap, throw it away". The response is gonna be, "Ok, we asked and we're gonna throw it away, as we were gonna anyway." There are Bills t...

The Difference Between One Million And One Billion

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It feels like a billion is just a bit bigger than a million. Obviously it's bigger but it fits on the same scale as a million, surely. It doesn't. A billion is so so so much bigger than a million. I've trawled the internet finding graphics and videos that show the VAST difference between one million and one billion. Oh, and just to finish with a different misconception about space starting with the classic opening line from the great Douglas Adams and The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy : “Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.”

Regulatory Standards Bill: What Is A "Person"

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Apart from the timing and the large set of questions (which you don't have to answer, just send in the submission for you want), the most insidious part of the Bill is the use of the word "persons". Update 14-Jan-2024: Did I Miss The Submission? (spoiler, no) -------- Submission form:  https://consultation.regulation.govt.nz/rsb/have-your-say-on-regulatory-standards-bill/consultation/intro/ Email your submission to:  RSBconsultation@regulation.govt.nz More: Explanation & Submission Guidance & Assistance [Updated] I take this from the extremely helpful and detailed, Proposed Regulatory Standards Bill : Explainer & Submission Guide , written by Jen Bennett and Melanie Nelson with contributions from several others. What does “individual” or “person” mean in this Bill? Most government action should think about all of us - not just some of us. The Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB) focuses on individual interests. In the Bill the term "individual" or “perso...

Regulatory Standards Bill - Extension NOT Extended

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On ya, finally got to submit your  Treaty 'Principles' Bill thoughts  BUT that's only part one of two! Don't be fooled into thinking you've done your dash, the Treaty Principles Bill was probably always going to die and absolutely will now because of the overwhelming public disdain for it, your submission will add to that - top work! The Regulatory Standards Bill is sneaking in behind, like a Slytherin behind Potter, and if passed could be a game changer for this country ... it's astounding. I can't say it better than Emily Writes, and her awesome Jan 6th post, OK fine, what submissions do I have to make FFS?! , "Don't worry - I got you. Here's everything you need in one place!" , so I won't: Bill : The Regulatory Standards Bill Do it by : 13 January 2024. Why should I care? This bill is the twin to the Treaty Principles Bill. So much so that you can use your submission for that bill as the template to this one. It has been described ...

"Right Wing" Comedians

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Too many people comfortably plump themselves into an army of one type or another . Surrounded by those that sound like you, listen to you intently whilst nodding, and echo your thoughts on why the fight is a good fight and that the other side are such bad terrible people. I used to be more like that than I am nowadays ... hmmmm, aren't we humans meant to become more conservative and reactionary as we age, strange Mike. These thoughts have me thinking of two UK comedians that have been tagged as "right wing", which is putting them into an army for the benefit of someone but, I suspect, not them. First up,  Simon Evans who makes me laugh when he's talking about his family, kids, and life in Brighton. He then hit my ears big time with: Simon Evans Goes to Market , has had six seasons, delighting audiences with his witty and insightful take on the comedically unpromising territory of economics, all of which prove among the most popular downloads on the Sounds App. On the...

W. C. Fields quotes

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The office has all been moved around - new desks (with starter handles to raise and lower them), new high(er) speed network and ... the same old work. At least I have a differing view of the world, my team (well, the team I'm a part of not "my" team) is a lot closer - finally - and it's like an office from the 80's ... or even a classroom. But I still have time to move the crap off the PC : ------ Any man who hates dogs and loves whiskey can't be all bad. Anyone who hates Dogs and Kids Can't be All Bad. Hey! Who took the cork off my lunch??! Who stole the cork from my breakfast? Now don't say you can't swear off drinking, it's easy. I've done it a thousand times. Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again. Then quit, no use being a damn fool about things. Madam, there's no such thing as a tough child - if you parboil them first for seven hours, they alwa...

The Cookie Time DC-3, I Found It

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Every Kiwi that has ever been on a roadtrip up / down State Highway 1 knows about the Mangaweka Cookie Time Douglas DC-3 café. You may stopped off and had a look around inside, the kids and I certainly have. But in 2021 it was suddenly gone, what happened? Well, it seems the plane was owned by two Mangawekan (?) business people who had a falling out. One dark and stormy night one decided to ship it away without the knowledge of the other (sort of). Shifting the plane meant they had to take the wings off first and now the body lives in Shannon at 2 Ballance Street, just next to the Club Hotel / bar.  Apparently it's being restored and will go back .. it won't. The wings, well who knows where they disappeared to but I understand they're not gonna be joining the body anytime soon. A little history lesson for us all: ZK-APK was delivered to the RNZAF in August 1945, then sold to the newly-formed National Airways Corporation (NAC) in 1947 and given the name Poaka. NAC was New Ze...

The Hīkoi Has You Charged Up But The Work Starts Now

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The submission form: https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/54SCJUST_SCF_227E6D0B-E632-42EB-CFFE-08DCFEB826C6/CreateSubmission The hīkoi mō te Tiriti  was the calling card, a start, a bringing people together from across the nation so that the work can now begin. Why? The Act party is already rallying it's members around the messages it wants to flood the select committee with. It is here they think they can insert their divisive messages. Act, David Seymour, and his backers (notably Atlas, but also other foreign neoliberal billionaires) are willing to play the long game, this is merely the start for them. Having said that, I suspect they've probably taken a small step back due to the sheer amount of people saying, "No, we do not accept this" culminating in today's 45,000+ show of will, but that won't mean anything in the coming weeks. Tomorrow the hard work starts. Let's not get too work-y though, first up something simple, add you voice to the...