Current Status: Holidays

351 Responses

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  • Che Tibby,

    indeed, 4 weeks old tomorrow.

    i expected some kind of all-points bulletin here, but... c'est la vie.

    benjamin, meaning "the son of my old age". seemed appropriate.

    </puffs cigar and talks about handsomeness of 'the boy'>

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Can I recommend a great movie for a wet summer day or any other time - the Black Balloon - which I've just finally watched on DVD after hearing about it for most of the year. I don't think it got a general release here in NZ so must be in video stores. Its basic story is a teenage boy and his older brother who has autism (at the more severe non-verbal part of the spectrum), so lots of sibling angst, anger and embarrassment, particularly when the girlfriend is around. A very good portrayal of the issues around autism with the inevitable supermarket scene, meltdowns, the disapproving neighbour, the school bullying, and general prejudice and ignorance, and acceptance. But it has something for everyone: Toni Collete as the mother, some Crowded House on the sound track, even a baby. Best of all, some of the actors actually have autism.

    Won lots of awards in Australia.

    If you can't get it my second recommendation would be Snowcake which is a very good portrayal of an adult with Aspergers Syndrome (the other end of the spectrum), and stars Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver (but no autistic actors as far as I know).

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Random holiday request: the ideal summer beer

    Monteiths have really lost it with the summer ale and the radler. The former is at best reasonable, and 'different', the radler is pretty awful. It reminds me of when I went through Canada a few years ago and the locals encouraged me to try their raspberry beers. After a few sips my only question was "why mix together two perfectly fine tasting liquids to make this?"

    Speights summer ale is very good, surprisingly. I did their tour via a work do a wee while ago and think I downed about a litre of it via the little 150 ml glasses.

    Macs Hop Rocker and their Sun whatsit are pretty good.

    Emersons is fantastic, try the Maris Gold for a summery mood, or their organic pilsner for just good beer. Pricey though.

    But they wouldn't even mention that much if she were a farmer or office worker..

    It probably wouldn't always get such centre stage, but occupations of victims are often mentioned in news stories. And criminals.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Kerry Weston,

    never behave like the Italian Prime Minister.

    What a Legend!

    Straight out of the Warne Book of Style.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    the radler is pretty awful

    I am the kind of drinker about whom people shake their heads patronisingly. I hardly ever drink, so I get totally smashed on about two beverages; I love things that taste completely unchallenging and sugary; I couldn't tell a good wine from a bad one if you held a gun to my head; I am pro- all drinks contained within coconut shells or pineapples, decorated with swizzle sticks and/or umbrellas; I will happily drink wine spritzers, shandies, Pimms, or Lindauer Fraise. Basically, I am a know-nothing with the tolerance of a squirrel.

    I also really like the Radler. I assume this proves that it sucks? :)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    I used to drink a lot of Radler myself (by the jug, even, against all the people who thought I was nuts), but now I find I'm either in the mood for that citrus flavour or I'm not - sadly the latter more often. I might have to grab one at some point just to be sure though.

    Also, is it just me or is the Monteiths Celtic somewhat underrated?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Stewart,

    I would agree with you, Sam, but I find it a touch too lively - maybe it is a bit over-gassed in bottles & would be a nicer drop served less gassy on tap?

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Okay ...I've slung the hired tarpaulin over the deck, because it appears that it's going to rain some time, and if the north-westerly gets a bit too fresh in the evening, I'll drop the other 3m over the back and make another wall.

    I also have outdoor coloured lights and an organic fillet of beef that I bought in a moment of madness.

    We'll get through New Year okay, I think ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis,

    I think you are being overly sensitive

    "But they wouldn't even mention that much if she were a farmer or office worker."

    When it comes to death they would and while Mellory was going about her lawful business it was a risky business if it involved climbing into strangers cars (in Christchurch for f**ks sake) late at night
    A terrible business (her death) that seems to keep repeating in Chch, what is it with that town

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    We'll get through New Year okay, I think ...

    You got the music sorted? Projector screen for the tarp wall could be a good idea also :) Happy News Year Russell.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    I am the kind of drinker about whom people shake their heads patronisingly. I hardly ever drink, so I get totally smashed on about two beverages; I love things that taste completely unchallenging and sugary;

    Me too, fellow traveller. My poison is a very weak Coruba and coke, lots of ice, in a very tall glass. More than one, and I get that tiddled feeling that I so hate. Wimpy, I know. But pleasurable.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    "But they wouldn't even mention that much if she were a farmer or office worker."

    Well, to be fair, I don't think Heath Ledger was the only depressed person on earth who either committed suicide or took an accidental overdose of prescription drugs -- and there were points where the coverage of that sounded like some ghoulish viral marketing for The Dark Knight. I don't want to come across like I'm pissing on a fresh grave, but would anyone have really cared if he wasn't a young actor in a very high profile role?

    And I've got to agree with others here: It wasn't entirely gratuitous to note that Mellory was a street walker, and had been last seen on a beat she regularly worked.

    Personally, I'm a damn sight more offended by the way Bruce Emery was polished up for sainthood, and if a less, shall we say, sentimental picture of the man was presented at all, it was sure well buried.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Yes Craig, agree, however, I think it is the repetition from msm , not the facts from police covering this case , that tends to cheapen her image. What I was pointing out was how sensationalist it ends up until we move onto the next murder. Sad. Aside of that, hope you have a hippy news year. ;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    Basically, I am a know-nothing with the tolerance of a squirrel.

    I went to write 'drink with Danielle' in my little book, but it's already there...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Heather W.,

    Happy Birthday Sofie and others.

    Here's to a Happy New Year for us all.

    North Shore • Since Nov 2008 • 189 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    The family Christmas present has just arrived and been installed and gives us even more reason to stay at home. After years of a second hand TV we now have HD and most exciting of all Freeview. So we can now watch live and in glorious detail Media7 and Backbenchers and those promised arts programmes, instead of having to endure the endless downloading on my little computer. So whatever 2009 brings will be in HD and we'll be watching.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Just watched Backbenchers and Media7 summer specials as they were screened, on a proper screen with no frustrating buffering or other hiccups. Caught several of those quirky Simon Pound pieces I missed during the year. Now when people say there is nothing to watch on TV, I can happily refute them.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Islander,

    I/m from a large family: there can be problems: there were.
    We had whitebait for breakfast (our recipe is simple -one egg

    o shit my new Mac will not do mail -e

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Islander,

    I/m from a large family: there can be problems: there were.
    We had whitebait for breakfast (our recipe is simple -one egg

    o shit my new Mac will not do mail -e

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Many happy returns Sofie1

    there is something really wrong with my new Mac - any Mac users here please advise (o yes, I've tried the USe

    the entire screen change colour or freezes and there are random sound beeps in mail

    I am phuqing tired and I HATE Totally Mac

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    I/m from a large family: there can be problems: there were.
    We had whitebait for breakfast (our recipe is simple -one egg

    o shit my new Mac will not do mail -e

    Looks like the Mac is attempting modern poetry.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Islander,

    This has been a serious enquiry-I have a new machine bought fromTotally Mac which is doing random things-it has taken 5 min plus to input this -I am not kidding Im desprate

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • jon_knox,

    This has been a serious enquiry

    a few well aimed tweets (eg @juhasaa.... or @publica...) via twitter might get someone in the know to assist...sorry not a Mac myself. Failing that head down to your local DOC campsite (which as I recall was fairly social)...there's probably a bunch of Mac-flavoured kids who know a thing or 2.

    Belgium • Since Nov 2006 • 464 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    Islander - sorry to hear that you bought from Totally Slack, but too late now and happy new year.

    Re. mail - if you have a new Mac you'll have Leopard.
    Here's Apple's relevant start page for self-help:

    http://www.apple.com/support/leopard/mail/

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Islander,

    jon-knox - no cellphone coverage (so campground out)Great idea tho'-thanks mate-
    Joe Wylie- excellent!Except - I've been there, when I first started having probs- they refuse to acknowledge Leopard can actually *have* these kind of probs-
    you will notice things -words! - are here?
    I've been poking down in the bowels of the beast-
    3 things:
    *dont buy from Totally Mac:
    * WC whitebait recipe: for 1lb of bait, make a light batter -one egg beaten well, (salt the 'bait and add last after draining) with about a heaped tablespoon of flour, and a wee scoop of beer - let the batter rest: when the big bubbles show, mix the mix with the 'bait and fry in good evo or rice bran oil so the outside is just brown/crisp and the beautiful milkfish are sweet & succulent inside...)
    Yes, this is what I cooked my mother Mary for breakfast Christmas morning-courtesy of my friends&neighbours because arithitis crippled me this paxt season- BUT! Next year!

    Which is when I will NOT make a WHITEBAIT COCKTAIL!

    I've eaten 'em raw&wriggling, I've eaten 'em just-dead as sushi, but trust me mates- cooked is best...

    *so -how-the-Hulmes-spent-Hogmanay.......is yet to come! To all of goodwill here, may 2009 be a joyous fulfilling of what you want-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

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