Monday, July 28, 2008

Character Test, definitely worth the read.

This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally.The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please scroll down slowly ~ line by line and give due consideration to each line.

THE SITUATION:
You are in New Zealand, Auckland to be specific.
There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding.This is a flood of biblical proportions.
You are a photo-journalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster.
The situation is nearly hopeless.

You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing into the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.

THE TEST:
Suddenly, you see a woman in the water. She is fighting for her life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer... Somehow, the woman looks familiar...You suddenly realize who it is... It's Helen Clark! You notice that the raging waters are about to take her under forever.
You have two options:
1) You can save the life of Helen Clark or
2) You can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the death of the country's most powerful woman!

THE QUESTION:
Here's the question, and please give an honest answer ... Would you select high contrast colour film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Veitch admits assault on former partner.

He said he wasn't making any excuses for his actions ... but ... his relationship had just ended and he'd been working seven days a week at two jobs and was on medication for emotional and physical exhaustion.
"I was at the lowest ebb of my life and I needed help."


Veitch's assault on his former partner was so vicious that he broke her back in four places.

Pressure is still mounting on TVNZ to disclose how long management knew about the assault ... and indeed this would be interesting to know, for knowledge without doing anything about it is akin to condoning the behaviour ... and at a stretch, making one a party to the offence.
It is to be hoped they knew nought.

Demand Versus Schedule 'Feeding' Revisited.

a study published recently in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, and based on a Chicago University study tracking nearly 2000 children from birth to age 13.
The study's authors argue that children's behaviour as moody, difficult children followed them through to their teens.
Fussy babies were more likely to grow into tiny tyrants who ruled the roost at home and were often in trouble at school, the study said.

The study defined fussy babies as those who refused, or took a long time to feed, were hungry or tired at different times each day, were constantly demanding attention or would not sleep in the evenings and through the night.

So, what this means is that if you raise them such that they define 'what, where, how much and for how long,' this sort of self-serving hedonistic belief will persist over time and result in protest and petulance when the world doesn't revolve around them ... surprise... and this despite what
a former Karitane nurse of more than 20 years experience may think.

Unfortunately, this La Leche ethic has permeated so much of child rearing practice, so much of our education system ... indeed so much of our life and is evidenced in the behaviour of our parliamentarians, television broadcasters, rugby players, professionals ... indeed, in so much of our life.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Oh Dear.

Police may charge pregnant woman over drinking and .... driving ... no, drinking with reckless disregard, so charged with 'drinking and carrying.'
Tauranga police are investigating whether they can charge woman who was found to be drinking heavily just days before she was due to give birth.

Now this is probably one step too far. Supposedly 'robust' studies indicate drinking alcohol can harm the health of your baby, such that many couples are now too frightened to have 'a conception-celebrating drink.'
But this is more ... this is our police force looking at enforcing rather tenuous relationships between one event and another and endeavouring to 'spin it' such that it comes under what is already legislated as an offence .. after all this is all they are mandated to have authority over.

But, obviously they want more .. the health police as well.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Victim doesn't blame dog




What an idiot!

Ambulance officer Justin Lowcay feared he had lost his eye after he was bitten by a pitbull as he went to assist at a car crash ... now if he had been equally dealt to by a shocked, anxiety driven mongrel (i.e. a patched one), I am sure he would have had plenty to say.

But sometimes it is appropriate that 'old dogs' should bite.


What a Hyde.

Peters bites after 'tired old drunk' taunt ...




& if hirsuitism is indicative of testosterone levels, (& if you look closely you may espy the fluff, lanugo)Hide bows out ... what an Act.

Cindy Strikes Again.

Scheme to stamp out playground violence ...
An escalation of physical violence and emotional bullying in schools has sparked a major investigation by the children's commissioner amid increasing concerns about pupil safety.

The package will include resources written by pupils to encourage in-class discussions about bullying and changes to the way the Education Review Office assesses schools' anti-bullying programmes ... bbbutttt, the recourse to violence is something that happens when the words 'run out,' i.e. it is more likely to manifest in those with poor verbal skills. So by targetting the issue with a verbal programme, those that can discuss it will be those that can already moderate their behaviour, those that can already respond emotionally to the ramifications of such raw physical standover tactics ... hence will these 'socialised' kids simply become more vulnerable as a consequence?? The increase in contrast, if the programme is effective with some would suggest this.