Today is my 9th Wedding Anniversary.  I think that makes it something like pottery (traditional) or leather/lace (modern).  Hmmm . . . . I wonder which type of gift gets me in less trouble.  I think I'll stop there.

 

However, in the off chance that Kara is reading this:  I love you!  I wouldn't change a minute of being married to you for the last 9 years.  I hope your day has gone well.

 

This last weekend Kara and I went with our friends (Andy & Chrissie Cunningham and Craig & Donna Stapleton) and hiked the Tongariro crossing.  Nearly 20 kms of amazing and astounding beauty.  And that was just Kara.  The surroundings were pretty impressive too.  Check out the photos in my album.

 

Hasta,

James

Went to the OpenAir cinema last night.   Weather was good.  It was at Takapuna Beach, so a light breeze off the ocean kept the temp down a bit.  They were showing Whale Rider.  I had forgetten what a great movie that is.  Until last night I had never seen it on a big screen.  It was amazing.  It was a nice way to wind up Waitangi Day.  For those of you who don't know what Waitangi Day is, click Here.

 

Anyway, nothing really exciting going on, other than digging up the garden and clearing out all the rubbish in there.

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

The first business trip of 2009 Woo-hoo!  I'd say "watch this space for updates", but frankly, I don't think there will be all that much worth updating.  I suspect my week will consists of a great deal of "get up, go to work, go back to hotel, get a bite to eat, go to bed, repeat".

 

However, if, on the odd chance that something exciting or out of the ordinary happens, I'll put it in here!

 

Hasta

James

An Open Letter to John Key, Ehud Olmert, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi and Kofi Annan:

 

I have developed a plan for ending the ongoing strife between Israel and the Palestinian state.  At the risk of sounding immodest, I think this proposal addresses all the important points, and is really a "win-win" situation for all involved.

  

Israel is a "created" state as it is.  It did not exist as a modern country until roughly 60 years ago.  I am not arguing the whether or not that was a good thing.  That is for those much more intelligent that I to debate and discuss.  I merely suggest that perhaps it's not the existence of Israel that is causing the strife, but rather the location.  Obviously, if the country was "created", then the land for it had to come from somewhere.  And the past sixty years would indicate that the people who gave up their land weren't really a big fan of that plan, and it has created a bit of strife, difficulty, war and bloodshed as a result.

 

Really, let's think about this--somewhere there was a meeting where a bunch of people said "Hey, we want to create a Jewish state.  So where should we put it?  Right in the middle of a bunch of people who are predisposed not to like it from the get-go.  And we'll take the land off of those people involuntarily.  This'll work!"

Who thought this was a good idea?  Seriously, am I the only person who sees a few flaws in that plan?

 

So I am suggesting that New Zealand should offer up a section of Canterbury to become Israel.  Think of it as a donation to world peace.  Really, it's in everyone's best interest.  There aren't that many people in the South Island anyway, so it would disturb not that many of my fellow New Zealanders.  The climate is similar.  We'd probably have to through in the infrastructure from at least one reasonably sized city, so Christchurch would do.  Israel at present is about half the size of Canterbury, so we don't even have to give them all of Canterbury, just half.  We will have to give up some farmland and sea access, but the overall benefits should easily offset that.

 

What are those benefits?  The first one is obvious--the import of millions of people and all the economic and business benefits that come with them.  New Zealand is in an economic recession at the moment and the government is trying to work out how to stave it off, or offset the effects.  Let's be honest, we are primarily and exporting nation.  However, instead of shipping our goods to the the market, we'll be bringing a market to our goods. 

 

Then there's the secondary benefit of all the work that would need to be done to actually implement this plan.  All sorts of jobs will be created by the creation of Israel v2.  There's the obvious construction of the boundary fences/border crossings that will need to be put in.  Not to mention all the jobs generated by the relocation of the current inhabitants of the region.  Beyond that, Israel is a massive importer of goods.  They haven't historically been a major trading partner of New Zealand, but I'm sure that would change if they were on our doorstep! 

 

Secondly, according to many sources "business" is the prime output of Israel.  So who better to have asan economic "island-partner" than a country that excels and growing and developing business and revenues?

 

This is but a sampling of the benefits to New Zealand.  The reasoned mind will surely identify others.  But what are the benefits to Israel?

 

First, and most obvious, new neighbors who are not sworn to the destruction of the Israel.  Hard to see the locals lobbing projectiles from Dunedin.  The worst they can probably expect is some drunken Otago students tossing the odd empty over the fence.  I don't really think we can put a value on this. 

 

Secondly, it's reasonably similar terrain and climate, so pretty easy for the emigres to adjust.  And assuming that not all will want to move, will probably end up with a bit more space anyway.

 

Thirdly, the fishing is better.

 

I'm not suggesting that there aren't a few details to be worked out here, but I'm confident that it's nothing that a little bit of Kiwi ingenuity and some creative thinking can't fix.  For example, I'm pretty sure Weta could do a really good job of recreating some of the prime tourist attractions that are found in Israel, and the new locations will have the added benefit of not being crumbling from being really old.  And it will be much safer for the tourists (see the first benefit listed earlier).  If push came to shove, I'm sure some things could actually be relocated.  History is filled with people dismantling buildings piece by piece and then shipping them somewhere else and re-erecting them.  I'm not saying it would be easy, but I'm certain it could be done here as well.

 

Now this last argument, what is to be rebuilt v. what is to be moved, is something that Israel will have to discuss and compromise with the Palestinian state on.  I know that historically this has not proven to be a strong point in the relationship between to the two.  However, I have to believe that with the prospect of the current location of Israel being vacated, there might be some room for discussion that's never existed before.

 

So, I think you can see from this modest proposal, everyone really gets something that they want/of benefit for them, and nobody has to be shot.

I didn't have too many New Year's resolutions this year--

 

Really, only three:

1.  Write the book I've been meaning to write.

2.  Be disciplined about my exercise (I've been totally slack and I can feel it).

3.  Keep my blogs up to date (defined as at least one post per week).

 

It's really only number three that's relevant here--so this is post 1.

 

I just got back from a week of camping with the family at Tawharunui--awesome time as usual.  Other than the first day (it rained literally the entire day and into the night), it was good weather the whole time and lots of fun in the sun on the beach and on the hill.  Nobody got hurt and everyone got to do the things they wanted to do (mostly).  Lots of digging in the sand, fishing, boogie boarding and general relaxing was done by all.

 

I hope anyone who stumbles across this had a Happy New Year, and I wish you all the best in the upcoming year.

 

Cheers,

James

Congrats on the arrival of your lovely daughter!

 

Welcome to the "sleep-deprived" club!

 

jf

P.O.Pears will be no more.

 

I had too many great times to mention in there, and Burger madness on Sundays helped stretch many a poor college student budget, including my own.

 

I know all good things must come to an end, but it doesn't mean we have to like it.

Still really hot. And humid.  No shocker there, but just thought I'd mention it.

 

Sweet Corn ice cream.  Very strange sensation--cold, frozen, creamy and tastes like corn.

 

Travel 11 hours, 5 time zones to Asia to find these two things around the corner from my hotel:  Harvey Normans and NZ Natural ice cream shop.

 

Petronas towers are really big and really bright.

 

I'm just about adjusted to the timezone change.  So of course I leave tomorrow.

 

KL is very safe and clean, but it still has a funky smell from time to time, but you can't spot where it's coming from.

 

That's all for now.

 

Hasta

jf

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure which is cuter, Hannah herself or the little footstomping action.

 

Enjoy!

Took the time to go to Batu Caves, just north of KL today.  Way cool.  And climbing up the 272 steps to get to them doubles as a nice aerobic workout as well.  No need for the stairmaster today!

 

Here's a few pics:

To truly judge the size of that statue, consider that it is at the foot of the steps, and look at the people climbing the step.

  There are wild macaque monkey all around there.  They know a good source of food (scraps from tourists) when they see one!

 Step 272.  What they don't tell you is that once you get up there, you go down some steps into the cave, then up some more to the main area.  Cruel cruel people.

The biggest Hindu temple inside the cave itself.

 

More pics and a travel story or two later.

 

Ta

James

I arrive in Kuala Lumpur, after an 11 hour flight.  It's 8 at night local time, 1am body time.  I'm shattered.  Airport was nice and clean, but I'm noticing that all signs are in Malay and English, and most of the people I've dealt with so far have English as a second language.  Cool.  No problems so far.  I organize a taxi to take me to my hotel.  I'm really dragging now, fatigue starting to set in.  I'm not sure that my taxi driver speaks any English, or at least very little.  But since I prepaid for the trip, there's not a huge amount on communication needed, so it's no big deal.  I collapse into the back seat, start to admire some of the surroundings, noticing the muslim influence on some of the architecture.  Very cool.  And then the driver turns on the radio, and I'm subjected to . . . . . .

 

 

Wait for it . . . . .

 

 

 

 

Rick Dees weekly Top 40!

 

How messed up is that?!?

I completely missed wishing my dedicated readers (all 3 of you) a Merry Christmas (or Chrismahanukwanzakah for the overly politically correct).  I hope you all had a very merry one. 

 

I will, however, be on time to at least wish you all a Happy New Year!  I hope that 2007 was good for you, and offer you my sincerest wishes that 2008 is even better.

 

2007 was good for me--I got to spend a month in Rarotonga (I would highly recommend Raro for a restful holiday to anyone)--and that coincided with my first ever basketball game against a team of cross-dressers.  They looked a little funny, but they had game.  They had been undefeated until we played them.  Thank you Conrad for letting me get a run!

 

I left Auldhouse, went to work for a small IT firm.  That was a good thing at the time.  I think both Auldhouse and myself needed some time apart.  The new gig didn't work out as we had all hoped. :(  So I returned to Auldhouse. :)  And generally speaking my employers and myself both have a healthier relationship this time around.

 

Thanks to my friend Karla, who inquired so innocently "Do you know anything about SharePoint?" I was presented with the opportunity to write a chapter for an upcoming Windows SharePoint Services book (Keep an eye out for "Mastering WSS 3.0" by CA Callahan--destined to become the next "War and Peace" of tech books).  That was a real eye-opener for me, but a great experience and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to do more of that kind of thing in the future.

 

Brandon completed his first year of intermediate school, celebrated his 12th birthday, and is now preparing to go to Costa Rica for the first school term next year.  Very exciting times for my son the world traveller!  His soccer and basketball teams did pretty well.  They both started out slow, but as the team concept kicked in finished very strong.  His basketball team ended up earning 3rd place in their league, which was quite an achievement, and they managed to beat the number 2 team during the regular season, but couldn't replicate the feat in the championship semifinals.  In both sports Brandon brought his usual energy and aggressive defensive style to good use.  If you were going to play one of his teams you'd better be prepared for a few bumps and bruises!  Brandon managed to be the team leader in rebounds and blocked shots for his basketball team despite being the most vertically challenged.

 

Jessica had another good year academically, as well as doing well in her ballet exams.  Her netball team had good year and Jessica improved by leaps and bounds.  She also started playing junior tennis, where she seems to be picking it up pretty quickly.  She'll be kicking me all over the court soon!  She also started playing trumpet this year and has made steady progress.  I can tell that it is starting to "click" for her and I think she'll be rocking hard on her horn very soon.  Jess has also turned into quite a voracious reader, ploughing through book after book.  A girl after my own heart!  She finished up the year with a great birthday party--camping overnight with her friends at Tawharunui.  They all ate too many lollies, stayed up too late and generally had a great time.  One little girl was heard to say that it was "the best birthday party ever"!

 

Taylor completed her second year of school, and is doing very well.  Her reading and writing are getting better every day.  She has also started playing tennis.  She has a bit of a competitive streak in her (only a mile wide).  She hasn't had to prepare for ballet exams yet, but that starts this year.  But she was wonderful in the ballet concert this year.  One of the most graceful birds I've ever seen!  2007 also marked the start of her piano career, taking lessons from a friend's daughter. (Joanna is a wonderful player and great teacher!).  Taylor was very very good about practicing, doing it most days before school without having to be asked by anyone!  As a result she's picking it up very quickly and is developing a good ear.  And as the self-portraits below attest, she's a girl of many moods (or is it funny faces?)

 

Hannah gets cuter and cuter every day.  She's a very happy little girl who loves to sing and dance and also very sits down and very earnestly "reads" her books to herself if there's no-one else around to read to her.  I love eavesdropping on how she blends what she remembers of the story (which is an astounding amount to be honest) with what she takes from the pictures and mixes that with the whimsy of her own imagination.

 

Kara had another super busy year, finishing her post-grad diploma in education.  So now they can let her loose on the minds of unsuspecting teenagers!  She's gotten a teaching job at Long Bay College next year (For my US friends: "College" is what they call high school in New Zealand, and "university" is what they call college).  In addition to that she runs the Spanish club at the girls' primary school, tutors a couple of students privately and teaches a group lesson every week.  Oh--and she was one of the coaches for Jessica's netball team.  And just in case that wasn't enough, she is serving on the tennis club's board.  She is currently setting up a two week tennis tour of Costa Rica for the middle of April. (Contact her at mom@xtra.co.nz if you would like more information).

 

Oh, and the Finley/Morrison household had a couple of new additions this year . . . No, not that kind . . . we've added some new fish and a rabbit. Yay!

 

Well, that about wraps it up from here.  We're going to be heading out for our annual camping trip soon, so I'd just like to wish everyone a wonderful New Year!

 

Hasta

Happy Birthday Brandon!  Enjoy your 12th.  I'll see you when I get home.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone else.  Me and my Mo would like to wish everyone who read this safe travels, good food and a winning football team.

 

Enjoy the links below.  These still make me double up with laughter.

 

Movember is halfway done, and my feeble attempt at a moustache has taken root and looks slightly less feeble.  Very slightly, but still slightly less feeble.

 

However, even more feeble is the level of donations my Mo has earned.  For the three people who may actually be reading this blog--can you please ask your friends to consider sponsoring my Mo'?  It's for a good cause, I promise!

 

Cheers,

James

Thank you to Barbara for getting the ball rolling with the first Movember donation.

 

Woo-hoo! 

 

Anyone else out there going to sponsor my "Mo?"

 

 

As you can see in my photos, a small caterpillar has taken residence upon my upper lip.

 

Trust me--it will look better in a couple of days!

 

I can already feel the "Power of the Mo" working for me.  I'm more confident, successful and attractive to women.  That, combined with all the good luck from the chain letters I forward makes me feel like I'm ready to take on the world!

 

Anyway-that's all for now.

 

Hasta

James

I'm taking part in the "Movember" challenge to raise funds to help fight Prostate Cancer, by growing my "Mo" all this month.

 

Please support me and this cause by going to http://www.movember.com/nz/donate/ and sponsoring me and my mo.  My rego number is 118857 or you can search by my first and last names.

 

Thanks in advance your all of your support and pledges!

 

cheers,

James