Zebby goes to Ritaland

Yes well it's been a few Japanese Slippers and far too much work since there was a post so here is a little holiday magic.

Been hit by a few philosophical dislocations lately, the main one being the old cliche about 'valuing diversity'. This is heard a lot in educational circles and, surprise surprise, it isn't true.

Diversity may well be valued as a concept but in practice it seems that we like to be surrounded by those who are similar to ourselves and turn feral when someone different turns up. No longer the comfort of strangers but of the familiar. I think that this grouping together is a recessionary response similar to frontier wagon circling.

Was Da Vinci a team player?

Beggar off buskers!

This notice has recently been put up in the entrance to the Pt Chev mall.

It sucks the joy out of life to see this in my neighbourhood which is made up of people who are damaged and deranged, those on the way up, those on the way down and those treading water. The quality of busking was wildly variable from the great Maori guy with the fabulous voice to kids raising money for more violin lessons but - that's the point. If you don't like their work you don't give them any money.

Now for the beggars - same diff, they may try to bum a fag or get some cash for drinks but they don't get ugly when you say 'Thank you, no' when invited to contribute.

Steve Braunias has written more eloquently in the SSTimes about the Pt Chev mall and its people and commented on the sign.

But it's still there. Suggestions please.

Snapper or cutter?

I am talking about asparagus and will get to the horses later.

If you are a snapper you snap off the ends and if you are a snipper you cut them where you think they stop being fibrous and where they start being succulent. I'm a snapper. How about you?

Here's a recipe which is more like a protocol than a recipe, I'll get back to the horses after that.

Ingredients
Bunch of asparagus
streaky bacon
evo (extra virgin you know the rest)
Grill

Snap asparagus until they are succulent
Wrap in streaky bacon
Drizzle over evo
Grill

How long? Not that long, just trust your nose, they will smell done and it isn't very long at all. Do not leave the kitchen to play guitar, write your blog or practise belly dancing or you will miss it.

The horses are from Helensville and are charming and were not at all involved in the Melbourne Cup. They look a bit fey but are just playing hard to get. When you do get them they have velvety noses and smell gorgeous.

Prize for name for the asparagus protocol.

Just one damn thing after another

Something to remind us that there are beautiful things out there. Hold that image.

Check out a beautiful thing which is being sent to hell in a handbasket this week by the government. Take a look at this from the day after Labour Day .

Restate your right to a tea break now. Have a cup of tea or coffee if you are really sophisticated..

Getting a handle on Labour Day

Today is Labour Day which commemorates the 8 hour working day. It is a public holiday when people who run cafes and restaurants leave little informative notices explaining that, as they now have to pay EXTRA to their staff on this day, they will pass their costs on to us.

There are a few who don't - please buy from them.

The 8 hour day is a wonderful concept which eludes many; the unemployed, SAHMs and SAHDs, 'mobile' workers ( you guys are in for an interesting time with the new no hand held phone legislation aren't you?) , real estate agents, businesses which run 24/7 and people on their way up the slippery career pole. The list is not exhaustive.

Consider working 8 hours only tomorrow and then see if you can keep it up all week.

Or have a cup of tea.

Through the bathroom window + Thugby

No matter what it says at the top of this blog, this was snapped through my bathroom window this morning, Monday 19th October. Of course this was just the start and there were many permutations of weather to be experienced later.

The Hindu New Year kicks off tonight which reminds me that the Thugby World Cup kicks off in 2011 and apparently the RU don't have enough money to finance it. Lovely, unlucky ratepayers in Auckland City will not only cough up for Eden Park but also 'contribute' to Party Central. Talk about having a shark bite you on both legs!

How about each ratepayer calculating an amount, random works for me, to deduct from their rates?

Praise for beans and a carrot cameo

Broad beans are outstanding.

They grow over winter and keep your garden looking busy.

They have stunning black and white fluffy flowers.

They taste fantastic podded, blanched and put in a salad. There is no need to peel them, no matter what the recipe says.

They keep producing so fast that you can watch it happen in the warm, moist weather.

The Giant Carrot of Ohakune is another matter.

Water lilies

Something soothing to look at after the first day back at school after the holidays. Getting up at the 'normal' time is now unnatural and alarming. Want another helping of daylight saving anyone?

Great Expectations

No, I'm not pregnant, just hoping for this magic potion to smooth my furrowed brow. Beautiful green bottle, product of Aotearoa (spelt New Zealand on the bottle), organic as all get out and with a suitably medical dropper - 'cos you only need a little right?

You can stop laughing and remember that no animals were harmed in the making of this product and I didn't need to take out another mortgage to buy it! Go on, find out more about organic skincare .

No money was involved in the writing of this post but I could be open to negotiation.

Titty titty bang bang

Keep fondling.

You can also become more informed about breast cancer, give money to the cause, give time and support to friends.

You could save your own life or help save someone else's.

Home grown

Effortlessly, gorgeously beautiful.

When it feels like it is permanently buggety o'clock, Nature can just sneak up and slap a smile on your face. Home grown and fabulous.

Acropolis now

One for all those snow dome fans who like things a little less snowy and with a subtle sparkle. This little beauty can now sit on my mantelpiece - or anywhere I care to put it. Of course it could become a weapon against a particularly small headed burglar, but luckily I am a real girl when it comes to throwing.

Road trip in October

Excited awe struck snow bunny shot of actual snow, unbelievably thrilling to a Norklander. This trumped the trip to the south which included seeing Cao Fei's Factory Fairytale at The New Dowse, coffee with mates at Go Bang in Petone, a little real estate perving and more good food with lovely people.

What recession?

Dust bunnies wear these!

This was found under the bed with the other dust bunnies after some spare bedroom 'cleaning'.

Obviously I am not a manic housekeeper as this hat would also fit a 5 year old girl like the one who visited back in late September.

Comments on other weightier subjects postponed until I have applied speed cleaning tips.

Segueway (sic) into Xmas

As the western world aproaches Xmas we have come over all binary; 'Going away for Xmas?', 'Done your Xmas shopping yet'?', 'Ham or turkey?', Beach or home?', 'Love it or hate it?', 'Saving or spending?', to list just a few inanities. Then there are internet jokes, shopping guides, late nights at the mall, mad displays in the supermarkets, fake felt antlers, Xmas earrings and all that bloody goodwill.

There are also people who will miss out on all of this because they are blind, deaf, oblivious, depressed, broke, cracked but not yet broken or just plain resistant.

Well, best wishes for whatever makes you happy that doesn't involve hurting anyone or running up an enormous credit card debt. May you have time to enjoy the little things like raindrops on roses and a few of your favourite relatives and friends who keep you cheery.

I will resume in the New Year to rant about the impending Thugby World Cup in Auckland and about politics generally.

Here's a quick hit of Crown Lynn to see the New Year in.

Well helllllooooooooooooooo

Yep, back again after a short reprise/ trip back/ deja vu to Renovationland where happy times were spent sleeping in the lounge to avoid the polyurethane fumes from the newly done floors in another part of the house. When will it end you ask? Quite soon I think and my fingers are crossed just to make sure.

Garden is ahumming with tomato plants in and basil seeds planted. Labour day has been sunny and a quick culturetrip was had to the Walters Art Prize finalists at the New Art Gallery. I'm not picking the winner, although Lisa Reihana is a popular choice among the viewers.

Looking to survive the New Austerity? Watch this space to enjoy tips to survive - nay enjoy - the Credit Crunch.

Tip 1 Flirt with thrift, trying saying 'Hmmm, maybe later'
Tip 2 Embrace kerbside recycling - put stuff out and make someone else happy!

Don't forget to vote and for goodness sake think about it. Who wants three years of Mr Ambiguity and don't give me that 'time for a change' rap? It ain't beach cricket, it's your services and infrastructure.

Anorak moment - who said the title statement in which TV series? Character or actor required and bonus points for the situation.

Been a long time, been a long time

...since I put anything up here and today is the day to start the trip back from Renovationland which has been dusty, dirty and weird but with some surprises.

Oh yeah, like what?

• The generosity of others - an apartment to live in while the worst of it was happening and other offers. Thanks guys!
  
• The old zen of becoming increasingly aware of not needing so much, not so much space, not so many things and not so many clothes, although I don't know how long that might last.
  

Of course it isn't finished yet but it is getting much closer. We live mainly in one room and picnic in the front room at an outdoor setting for two. All the essential working parts of the house; bathroom, toilet, kitchen and laundry are all fine. Pictures soon, yes really.

For a bit of fun we went out to Sal Rose for their Italian Long Table Dinner last night and feasted on fabulous food, met some wonderful people and were amazed by the opera singing waitstaff. A great night out in Mt Albert, highly recommended.

'We're killing our kids - here!'

Collateral for the Dead Kidz campaign

• Fast arty montage of as series of shots of any number of sunny scenic Aotearoa/New Zealand locations using the tagline "We're killing our kids - here!" for a new twist on the swinelager campaign. Free postcards in bars and cafes as collateral.
• Similar series in more urban locations, low rent look, no sunshine shots, suggest state house area, running dogs, car bodies hip hop soundtrtack over same tagline "We're killing our kidz - here. Bit cliched but some may think it's edgy. Good opportunity to link in with CD collateral.
• Grittier urban realism film noir in Picasso black and bruises, tagline rendered by known graf artists such as these guys. Radically chic and arty, may appeal to bankers. Limited edition graf prints collateral.
• Contrast montage of high end suburbs with whiny but thoughful soundtrack and pix of those cute as kids with some evidential numbers overprinted. Get some figures from someone who cares. Excellent opportunity for ailing telcos to gain some community credibility.
• Something for the more sports oriented audience - Headline "Our All Blacks are great but we are only third in the OECD countries for child abuse! What do we need to do to come first?" Could make reasonable print column in the Sundays. Alternatively use headline "Jerry Collins didn't get the bash from his dad for pissing on the field" or "Headbutts make for dialogue - non!" to be code inclusive.
• This one has been done before for youth suicide but it is still a winner. Stage Fight for Life boxing event with celebrities bashing one another to draw attention to child abuse in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Potential for brain damage gives this one genuine long term clout.

And I haven't even ventured into animation. Any ideas?

If all this was far too serious then take a break and have another latte.

Lips, latte and lemons

This is for all those lipstickers out there who are searching for a longer lasting lippie which doesn't cost so much money that the purchase involves not eating for a week or two. It is the Boots No 7 Stay Perfect range and only $22.95. Your lips will not dry out and your colour stays put through any eating which you can now afford to do.

In line with occasional food meanderings from Point Chevalier the fabulous Cafe Latte folks are away until August the 1st which means no more steaming bowls of mussels and other delights. Venture down to Grey Lynn to the coffee roasters because the wonderful proprieter there produces the best ever lemon cheesecake with almonds in the base, baked cream cheese in the middle and home made lemon curd on top. No it's not cheap but we all like it because it is sold out very early in the day - dammit. She doesn't open on Mondays either if you are resolving to leave the duvet early next week.

Best bakery I can only cook the old fashioned things

This from a man in a tiny bakery in Point Chevalier named Take 5 in response to my question abou the Lancaster Lemons in the window. What drew me in was the lunchtime queue of burly workman in overalls and I was also taken with the handwritten sign on the pie warmer which said 'Do not open' a sure sign that self service was not encouraged here. The shop is a temple of delights with genuine custard pies made with cream and eggs and no nasty yellow pastry. There were tarts galore, neenish and varieties of fruit tarts. In the middle of the second row in the window was a stack of afghans with nuts in and a swirl of chocolate on the top.

All the baked goods are stacked neatly in the window with a few flaky pastry apple turnovers inside. As for the man he is a modern wonder, an anachronism really and his cooking is divine.

Pay him a visit - for two custard pies and a Lancaster Lemon he only wants $5.20. You don't need to wear overalls.