Some cultural activities are more equal than others

"Defence spokesman John Gordon said the plan would retain the regular force army band, based at Burnham, the air force band based in Wellington and the navy band based at Devonport, Auckland. They were all manned by full-time bandsmen and women.

The aim was to cut $900,000 from the $5.9 million spend annually on military bands..."

Link:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6326211/Cost-cutting-could-silence-Defence-Force-bands

One trusts, as the bean-counters cut away yet another piece of military tradition, they will be also cutting the inevitable primate threat displays, spear-waving and chanting that curse every kind of official gathering.

What?- no bets on this one?

A poverty of imagination

I'm so sick of hearing whining kids (and adults) bitching about ' how there is nothing for young people in this town'.

Oh, really?

How about the new skatepark?- the numerous very large sports fields, playgrounds, walkways and reserves. The lake 3 km away and the rivers slightly more- a short bike ride on flat roads. The Tararuas and Rimutakas on the edge of town. The public library. The host of sports clubs and the pool that costs all of a dollar. The games club, Friday club, St John cadets and a heap of others i can't recall right now. The endless wind for flying kites.

The fact that there is a video shop that has dirt-cheap hire on slightly older movies. The second-hand shops that have piles of cheap books. That many families have internet, Sky, DVD players and big-screen TV's (the 'poor' all seem to have these!)

But no- there is 'nothing to do'

I'm betting that if some philanthropists payed for a hall full of all the modern wonders free, a certain group would bitch if they were put under the imposition of having to follow a few rules in order to use this facility- such as not selling/using drugs or being able to play the thug.

Actually, this is pretty much what has happened here...

Do not adjust your chemical levels

As we are experiencing a solar storm, a display of Aurora Australis is due tonight. This is not due to a really good growing season for weed.

Tonight, the funny colours in the sky are on the house.

My camera is charged and waiting...

Too broken-arsed to post

So I will put up a picture of why:

Out hut-bagging again. I still have a shit-load of exploring to do, up this valley.

The end of a favorite hut

Oaks Hut, Orongorongos.

You will be missed.

It's a pity DOC doesn't value this sort of history...

Late Christmas present

I have to give credit where it is due. After a number of posts attacking the process leading to this award- which resembled watching glass flow from the top to the bottom of the window frame, the REAL people who did the actual work, were a model of efficiency.
Eight weeks from submitting my application to receiving it and that was over the Christmas period.

Having stamped more than a few medals and knowing the numbers coming through- well done!

Have rope, will travel

"A 16-year-old Turangi boy has pleaded guilty in Taupo Youth Court this morning to the violent sexually motivated attack on a five-year-old girl at a holiday park before Christmas.

The youth, whose name is supressed, pleaded guilty before the judge to three separate charges; sexual violation by rape, burglary, and causing grievous bodily harm at Club Habitat, Turangi on December 21..."

Link:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6275360/Teen-admits-campground-sex-attack-on-five-year-old

He should now be counting the days to Jack Ketch- fat chance here!

But even more disturbing are the pronouncements of the criminal-huggers that dare to question the good in locking the fucker up and whine about what might happen to him inside! That's you Peter Williams! You are as big an oxygen-thief as the crims you love.

And now HIS (the criminal's) life is ruined? That's a big SO WHAT? It should be about to come to an abrupt end, as the rope and gravity do their work.