Posts by Murray Hewitt
-
Decolonisation. Gotta have sympathy for words that are stretched and twisted far beyond their actual meaning.
-
From W. Somerset Maugham’s short story “The Alien Corn”:
She made a great sweeping gesture that took in the magnificent room with the beautiful things it contained and all of us. “If I thought you had in you the makings of an artist I shouldn’t hesitate to beseech you to give up everything for art’s sake. Art is the only thing that matters. In comparison with art, wealth and rank and power are not worth a straw” She gave us a look so sincere that it was void of insolence. “We are the only people who count. We give the world significance. You are only our raw material.”
Maybe a rather bitter pill to swallow if you’re just a pleb like me, but I think she’s right.
-
Hard News: That escalated quickly ..., in reply to Katharine Moody,
No scorn whatsoever. He likes them, and he liked Andrew. Cannot see him going anywhere near National.
If you can predict what Winston is going to do, I'd like your advice on some investments I have.
-
Hard News: Three Dreams, in reply to Russell Brown,
Of course, many books (& some giant tomes) have been written on the subject of dream meanings. I haven't read most of them, but get the feeling that one's own interpretation of a dream is at least as valid as any “expert” opinion.
For a fascinating discourse on the past experiments, present understanding, and future potential of the human brain, I highly recommend Michio Kaku's “The Future of the Mind” Although perhaps not very helpful in the interpretation of dreams - Kaku is a theoretical physicist - there are insights as to why we dream and even how dreams can be manipulated (“Inception” is mentioned, along with many other pop culture references). Excellent and very accessible.
-
The refusal to tell you what you are fully entitled to is Machiavellian
I was "on ACC" for 15+ years (late 80's - early 00's) after an accident. During that time I experienced the ACC attitude (policy) change from assisting the claimant to receive everything to which they were entitled, to withholding crucial information, obstructing the claimant and threatening cut-off of entitlement if ever-closing hoops were not jumped through. Sounds like W&I underwent the same transition.
-
Speaker: Banking on a relationship, in reply to Anne M,
Having been the victim of credit card fraud before, I can tell you that it is quite common for the thieves to register a minor charge on your card to some type of charity - I guess to see if it works - and then blitz it up to the max limit. Not defending Kiwibank (I have had other silly issues with them), just FYI.
-
the gloriously empty roads
Yeah, Auckland ain't half bad when everybody else buggers off. Merry Holidays Russell
-
Hard News: Radio Punks: So many stories, in reply to bob daktari,
always hated the Other Stations Are Shit line
Often misquoted as "All Other Radio Stations Are Shit" and I don't agree with that either. But, in its original form, it still stands.
-
Hard News: Radio Punks: So many stories, in reply to Lin Nah,
Do people still listen to student radio now that they are no longer students? Or do you just tune in for certain shows?
Hell yeah! There's only one station worth listening to, other radio stations are shit, etc, etc. I never was a full-time Uni student, and been listening to the b since 1985.
-
Apropos of ... nothing really - many years ago I engaged a lawyer named R. John McDonald to represent me for a driving charge. I saw the framed law degree in his office just before the court case - and found out to my chagrin what the "R" stood for (no prizes).