Music Is My Religion

Some people believe in God, I believe in music.  Some people pray, I turn up the radio.  Those very words were spoken by a girl at the end of the video clip for the 30 Seconds To Mars song, Closer to the edge.  When I heard that phrase I connected with it, I understood what she meant.  Religion for many people is about believing in something that speaks to your soul, whether its God, Buddha, Allah or one of the many other names used to describe the head deity within a religious movement. 

I was raised in a Christian home, granted it was just me and my mother in the home but Christian it was.  I don't mean the type of Christian a lot of people are, where they go to church on a Sunday, sing a few hymns, confess their sins and then go straight back to doing what they shouldn’t be, but feel absolved because they had done their weekly time in the house of the Lord.  I was a full on Pentecostal, evangelical, praying in tongues, healing the sick, casting out demons kind of Christian.

I’m no longer what is considered a practicing Christian in those circles, I left the church when I was 17 because I wanted to explore the world outside those walls.  I didn’t want to be another pew warmer that was out drinking, having sex and taking part in other “sinful” activities during the week and then say a few “praise be to Jesus'” to make me feel better about myself.  One thing I’ve never stood for is hypocrites and liars, so I made the choice to follow the ways of the world.

The funny thing I’ve noticed about the Christian world is that if you make the choice to walk away they tend to turn their backs on you, or try to convince you that you need to have some devils cast from you.  Either way if you’re not playing by their rules, they no longer want to have anything to do with you.  Of course you are always going to get the odd few who have outstanding values and uphold the laws of loving your fellow man despite what life they choose, but for the most part they will ignore you. 

Personally I find this method of treating those that have “back slid” disgusting and goes against all that is taught in the bible.  Are we not supposed to love mankind despite their sins and faults?  We don't necessarily have to agree with peoples actions or decisions, nor do we have to like them, but we have to love them despite all this.  As I’ve become older I’ve kept my faith in a higher power that I choose to call God.  However, I also believe that we can learn various important things from other religious movements and should implement them into our life journey.  What I have lost faith in is the idea of organised religion or Christianity, where we all meet once a week to worship our chosen “leader” and failure to do so means you are having problems with your faith. 

Which brings me to 30 seconds to mars.  There have been rumours abound and joking that they are in essence a cult.  Today I read a post by a girl where her father threatened to take her CD’s away from her because he believed the band to be a cult.  When they play their hit “Kings and Queens” they get a bunch of fans on stage to dance around, have fun and partake in The Church of Mars.  The video for Closer to the Edge touches on this a little more, with fans at the beginning and end of the video talking about what music and the band mean to them.

For these people music is about the sound and words speaking to your soul, making you feel alive and as if you have something to believe in to help you walk your path through life.  I’ve watched many times the videos of 30STM, and watched frontman Jared Leto raise his hands up as if he is praising something.  Much like we would see people in a church doing while they are singing their songs of worship. 

 

I’ve always liked this band and their music, but in the last few weeks I have really rediscovered them and taken the time to really listen to the message they are sending people.  Many of their songs are about discovering who you are, embracing who you are, embracing and protecting the earth we share.  I see their messages as being positive and one that is meant to uplift their followers and give them something positive to hold onto.  When I listen to their songs it reaches my core, it speaks to my soul and makes it soar, like I have found something amazing to put my faith in and believe in. 

Isn't that exactly what having faith is all about?  At the end of the day does it really matter what we have faith in?  Isn't the most important part that we have faith in something or anything?  These guys are speaking to the youth of today, filling them with hope and something great to believe in.  In my mind they deserve an award for managing to do that.  I don't see them as being a cult or that Jared Leto is our God, rather that we all have a love for music and how it makes us feel.  We are all believers in music, including the members of the band.

Some people may be wondering what has led me to even discuss this.  There is no one single reason for my post, other than I have too much time on my hands and a brain that works overtime churning thoughts.  So I’m here to say that ultimately music is one of my religions, next to writing of course, as I will always worship at the alter of the written word.  Blasphemy I can hear Christians crying across the world.  And my response is that at least I am part of something that comes with TRUE unconditional love and acceptance, no matter what path I walk in life, I have my brothers and sisters of music.  Perhaps churches might want to try testing that philosophy out once in awhile.

THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE

Here in New Zealand we are rather oblivious to these sorts of stories that are taking place, and I feel that its important we learn more and offer our voice in support.  I literally stumbled across this story several years ago when the documentary Paradise Lost when it featured on the Sky TV documentary channel.  This is a documentary I urge you all to watch, if you haven't already, along with Paradise Lost 2.  When I first watched Paradise Lost it really left me wondering what was really going on, a part of me doubted the guilt of these three young men.  It wasn't until I researched the case further and eventually watched the second documentary, that my belief in these boys innocence grew.  I have supported the fight for their freedom for many years, and now that I have this blog, feel it is important that in some way I add my voice to the many who have before me, in supporting these three.

Some of you reading this probably have no idea what I’m talking about, so let me give you a quick run down of the story.  On the afternoon of May 6 1993 the naked and hog tied bodies of three young boys were discovered in West Memphis, Arkansas.  Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers had all been reported missing the previous day by their families.  What followed in the coming days, weeks, months and years will go down in history as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice, and is still continuing to this day.  Three teenagers Jessie Misskelley 17 years old, Jason Baldwin 16, and Damien Echols 18 were arrested for the murders based on the fact that it was believed these three were devil worshippers.  Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.

One thing I learnt watching these documentaries is there seemed to be a lot of covering up and mutual back slapping by the authorities.  I consider this to be disgusting behaviour from people we literally trust with our lives.  Police officers coerced an error-filled "confession" from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments with a total of 46 minutes.  Even though an abundant amount of new forensic evidence has come to light in the last few years, which proves these boys innocence, this case has continued to be run like a three ringed circus.  Mostly this has occurred a the hands of circuit court Judge David Burnett, who it seems since day one has had a personal vendetta against the west Memphis three and has continued to ignore both evidence and the law.  In September 2008, he denied Echols' application for a hearing on the new DNA evidence. The Arkansas Supreme Court heard oral argument on Burnett's decision on September 30, 2010.  On November 4, 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Burnett's interpretation of the DNA statute was too narrow and reversed and remanded all three cases for hearings as to whether new trials should be ordered.  The hearings, to be presided over by Judge David Laser, are tentatively scheduled for October, 2011.  It would seem that finally someone is actually listening and paying attention.  However, the damage has already been done, these boys who have now become men behind bars, have spent 16 years of their life in prison.

Thankfully these three have the backing of some rather influential people, such as Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, even Disturbed earlier in the year released a song called “3”, of which all proceeds will go to funding this case.  I urge you to get behind this landmark case and offer your support in any way possible to these young men who deserve a chance at realising freedom once more.  I also encourage you to watch both the Documentaries, “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Lost 2”.  If you wish to know more information about this or offer support in any way please visit Free The West Memphis Three.  I intend to keep updating the information regarding them on my blog and promote any help that is being offered to them.

To Damien, Jessie and Jason stay strong and know that there are so many people that are fighting in your corner.  I am just one voice, but together we are deafening and can’t be ignored.

Modern Day Witch Hunt

I thought I’d bring you something of the more bizarre nature today, seeing as the bizarre and unexplained are one of my personal interests.  Now call me crazy, but I was fairly certain that we left behind the witch hunts in the 18th century, with the last executions taking place then.  Personally I think being that it is 2011 people would have enough sensibility to realise that all these ridiculous tales of witchcraft are in fact just that, tales.  It would seem this is not the case in South Africa where a community decided to take what they believed was evidence of witchcraft and the law into their own hands.

Twelve people stand accused of setting alight and burning a local Pastor, Albert Malwane, with their trial date to be set this coming Thursday.  Here people, is where it truly turns bizarre, when we discover why exactly these twelve felt it necessary to deliver such a punishment on their Pastor.  They believed that Albert Malwane had in fact an “invisible” penis that he was using to seduce the women of the local community.  His other crime was talking to animals.

I sit here in wonderment that in this day and age people can believe these crazy ideas in the first place.  They even went so far as to accuse his wife of turning into a snail to terrorise the community.  I think if you were going to turn into any thing in order to terrorise a community, that a snail would be rather far down on the list of potential creatures.  Also I’m fairly certain he had himself a perfectly fine “real” penis with which to seduce women.  I’m puzzled as to why in fact it would have to be invisible.  And if talking to animals is reason enough to suspect someone is up to no good, then I’d suggest my local community come and fire up the barbeque, as I talk to my animals daily.

This story remains amusing and yet slightly scary to think that there are people out there that have no sense of logic available to them.  Much like those who have chosen to follow the words of Harold Camping.  It seems in the evolution of mankind some of us really haven't come far at all.  For those wishing to read the full story it can be found Here.

SCORN FOR WELLYWOOD SIGN GOES GLOBAL

It was only on Monday that I wrote about the dreaded Wellywood sign, voicing concern at how other countries would now have further reason to poke fun at us.  And it would seem that concern has now become a reality.  The Americans are now up in arms about this ridiculous notion courtesy of Wellington Airport.  I must admit deep down inside I knew it wouldn’t take long for the US to get wind of this and have a conniption, I guess I’d just hoped it would be long enough for us to quash the evil that is the Wellywood sign. 

According to an article published in the New York Times the Wellywood sign is considered blasphemy.  AGREED!  The article goes on to say, "Not much is sacred in Hollywood.  Classics are remade; final cuts are subjected to focus groups and re-edited.  But the Hollywood sign? That is sacrosanct."  The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which owns the original Hollywood sign, had their own strong opinions on the copy cat, stating it thought the Wellywood sign was dead and buried, and was surprised to see it back in the news.  They were also quoted as saying, "We are not without a sense of humour, nor without legal rights.  Over the years, we’ve been contacted by a lot of people who want to mimic the sign. We usually tell them, ‘Do something of your own.”  It is at this point that I would like to point out to our friends from the US, that the majority of us back your opinion and by being Kiwi's are in no way affiliated to the imbeciles that wish to bring this ridiculous idea into fruition.

Steve Fitzgerald, what more do you need to hear to realise that no one wants this to happen?  Are you so arrogant that you seem to think you can afford to piss off the movie heavy weights?  Even John Keys has said that he is not overly impressed by the decision for the sign to go ahead.  That’s the first thing John Keys has said since he became prime minister, that I actually agree with, so that’s pretty monumental in my books.  Add to that the fact that there are now over 26,000 people on the “Wellingtonians Against the Wellywood Sign” Facebook page, surely you are going to have to pay attention to the masses eventually.

Amusingly in comparison there are only 50 members on the “Wellingtonians for the Wellywood Sign” Facebook page.  That really makes me want to do my “Suck on it bitches” happy dance.

LUCKY BUGGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

 

This weeks lucky bugger award goes to Steve McCormack, a 48 year old truck driver from Opotiki, New Zealand.  I’m sure some of us have been accused of blowing hot air up peoples arses in our time, but this one takes the cake.  In what can only be described as one of the most bizarre of freak accidents, Steven found himself literally blown up like a balloon.  At the time of the accident he was standing on the platform between his truck and trailer.  Unfortunately for him, he slipped and landed on the brass valve that pumps compressed air to his brake system.  Upon landing the valve punctured his skin entering his body in his lower left buttock.

Because of the weight of his body on the valve it activated the compressed air, causing it to enter his body at a rate of 100 pounds per square inch.  Now we have all seen what happens when we over inflate a balloon and continue to blow air into it, it explodes.  Apparently the same happens to a human body when it is filled with compressed air.  But being the lucky bugger that Steven is, his colleagues managed to save him before it got to that point.  He did however swell to twice his normal size, causing his eyes to shut and his one of his lungs to fill with liquid.  Below is a picture example of what happened to him when his body swelled.  The light blue colour in the picture depicts how much his body actually swelled.

The amusing side of this story is that when he was finally safely in hospital, Steven told of how the air left his body.  And that is the only natural air does leave our system, through burping and farting.  Immature I know but a great fart always gets a chuckle out of me.  It was also mentioned that if his workmates hadn’t of been there to help him he would have literally popped like a balloon.  Now there is an image I can’t just seem to get out of my head.  I keep picturing Violet from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory being rolled out by the Oompa Loompa’s.  Slightly distasteful perhaps, but I tend to find amusement in the most dire of circumstances.

And on that note, here is to Steve McCormack, our lucky bugger of the week.  Two thumbs up for you!

107 Years Young

Big congratulations and warm birthday wishes go out to Peg Wilson, of the Kapiti Coast (funnily enough where I live), who turned 107 today.  She celebrated her birthday surrounded by her family and friends.  Her sister Betty who is 101, travelled by Interislander ferry from the south island to be with her sister.  Obviously longevity is in this families genes, with both sisters looking considerably more spritely than one would expect for people in their 100’s.  Now there is a sentence you don't get to use very often.

Peg has three children, five grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  Up until two weeks ago she was living in her own house, but has now settled in one of Kapiti’s retirement homes.  In 1932 she did her O.E by ship, one of the many amazing stories I’m sure she has to tell from her many years.

Again happy birthday wishes to you Peg.  May you see many more happy returns.

 

Peg Wilson (L)  Her Sister Betty (R)

END OF THE WORLD NOW SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 2011

It would seem that Harold Camping hasn’t learnt his lesson yet.  You would think that now with two failed predictions of judgement day and the apocalypse, he would realise he is flogging a dead horse.  First predicting the end of days in 1994, he claimed he got that wrong due to mathematical error.  Flash forward to May 2011 and we had millions fearing and believing that the time was upon us once again.  Funnily enough May 21st came and went without incident, and up until this point Mr Camping has kept rather quiet on the subject.  However he has now come forward and claimed once again that because of mathematical error his dates were out by 5 months.  Now we can wait with bated breath for October 21st 2011.

It looks like Harold Camping isn’t happy with the amount of chaos he has created already among his followers, with people leaving jobs and putting pets down.  No he is not satisfied, he is set to stir up the hornets nest all over again.  I urge you Mr Camping to go back and read your bible once again, paying particular attention to the following:  Matthew 24:36, "but about that day or hour no one knows" except God.  I would like to know why exactly you believe that you are the exception to that particular piece of scripture.  Why exactly do you believe that you are special enough that God has blessed you with the ability to figure out exactly what day Christ will return, when no one shall know.  How arrogant and egotistical do you have to believe that you are that important.  I think that if God was going to pass on this sort of knowledge he would have at least chosen someone that had a greater knowledge in the field of maths.  Not some dried up old man who obviously lacks the ability to count past one hundred.

The only rapture you will experience is the day you hear rapturous applause due to you finally learning to keep your mouth shut.

On that note I would enjoy hearing from Mr Camping and any of his faithful followers who wish to defend themselves in the wake of this debacle.  But I wont hold my breath for that to happen or the apocalypse.

WELLYWOOD

The Wellywood sign is the new bone of contention within Wellington.  This “fantastic” idea is brought to us by the company who owns the airport.  According to their Chief Executive, Steve Fitzgerald, it is meant to be tongue in cheek.  I think that the 30 metre wide Hollywood inspired monstrosity is more likely to be an embarrassment.  I mean the world already takes the piss out of us for our accents and our sheep shagging abilities.  Do we really need to draw any more attention to ourselves?

I think Mr Fitzgerald, you should be listening to the locals.  As of this morning more than 14,500 people liked the Facebook group "Wellingtonians Against the Wellywood Sign", while others voiced their disdain on Twitter and other websites.  Then again is it really that much of a surprise that Wellington Airport have decided to have another useless addition placed in the surrounding area.  We’ve all seen those ridiculous pieces of conceptual art that spin in the wind as you approach the Airport.  Pointless wastes of money that could be better spent updating the actual airport.  Its no wonder they charge so much for parking with all this money they spend on inane creations.

HAROLD CAMPING–THE FALSE PROPHET

It is now May 22nd here in New Zealand.  The deadline of the rapture has long passed.  Harold Camping had “prophesised” that it would take place on the 21st of May 2011, starting here in New Zealand at around 6pm.  He foretold that it would begin with a series of earthquakes that would move around the earth, ravaging all those in its path.  Well Mr Camping, the world is still standing strong, and by last count no one has been raptured.  I’m very keen at this point to hear from Camping and his followers.  I wish to hear what possibly could have gone wrong with their predictions.  I would like to state here and now that I am in no way mocking the Christian faith.  I myself was raised in a Christian home and as such have a belief system that is based upon Christian theology.  I am not a “practicing” Christian, but I am a believer who also feels we can learn something from every religious belief system, and take something from them in order to live a good life.  What I do mock is this man who claimed to prophesise the beginning of the end, and it would seem had many followers fooled.

The ironic thing about this entire debacle is that the bible does warn us of false prophets.  That means that in his attempt to warn us of the coming end of days, he has in fact revealed himself as the very thing the bible scorns.  I cant begin to tell you how much that very thought makes me chuckle.  It says in Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  There is also Matt 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  I think those two pieces of scripture describe Harold Camping very well.  He came in the guise of a God fearing Christian and deceived many people who followed him and his ramblings.  It also states that false prophets should be rebuked and attacked.  So rebuke and attack I shall do!

Now many will say that he was just preaching what he wholeheartedly believed in.  That is fair conjecture, however no one knows what his true motivation was for spreading the “good” word.  The problem I have with this entire fiasco is the world wild fallout that has ensued.  There are whispers that Camping’s followers were encouraged to leave their jobs in preparation for the rapture.  Also there are stories circulating that the flock were advised to do the kind thing and put their animals down so that they weren’t caught up in the fallout of Christ’s return.  If this is the case then Camping is directly responsible for the now unemployment and grief his followers will be experiencing now.  In fact psychologist's are worried about how people are going to react after this non event.  Even Christian pastors and counsellors are gathering to offer their support and counselling to those directly effected.

The other massive point of contention for me personally is that Camping stated that New Zealand would be the first place to experience the rapture, with the onset of world shattering earthquakes.  Did you fall and bump your head, you insidious parasite?  My home town of Christchurch, New Zealand has been plagued by earthquakes since September last year, beginning with a 7.1.  On February 22nd my city was once again rocked by a 6.3, killing 188 people and destroying the majority of our inner city.  Was your head inserted so far up your own rectum that you couldn’t stop to think what sort of terror such false predictions could cause to an already shaken and terrified city?  How dare you!  These earthquakes around the world are NOT a sign of the return of Christ, they are normal yearly occurrences. In fact on average there are 15 major earthquakes around the world that cause death and devastation, it is not an act of God, it is an act of nature, it is what the earth does.

One of the first concerns that initially crossed my mind was how many people are going to either contemplate or attempt suicide because they are sucked in and terrorised by the thought of the world ending?  This is indeed a great possibility, considering people have committed suicide or contemplated it in the build up to the predicted 2012 end of the world.  You Mr Camping have caused world wide panic and as such should be held accountable for any damage and harm you may have done.  You also need to go back and read Revelations a few more times before you decide to toss around unfounded predictions.  No man knows when Christ will return, not even Christ himself.  As a man professing to be a God fearing Christian, do you not think that you should make sure you have all the facts correct and are preaching based on what is in the written word.

Should there ever be an actual judgement day, I take great delight in knowing you will be judged on your false prophecies.

As a final observation, I tried to access the Family Radio site several times today. What a great coincidence that the website seems to be experiencing a lot of technical problems.  Suddenly he has become very quiet on the subject.  Its the first sensible thing you’ve done Harold Camping!

MARTIN SHORTS TRIBUTE SONG TO OSAMA

There is no denying that I am a fan of the controversial and this is pure genius in that very category.

Have a snigger or a chuckle, perhaps even a snort for good measure. 

Enjoy!

 

THE WORLD ENDING

Apparently the world is due to end on Saturday 21st May 2011.  Which has suddenly come to my attention is tomorrow!  As you can imagine I am just a tad annoyed about this debacle and certainly hope that the happy clappers (please any Christian friends I have do not take offence to this term) are wrong.  I have so many things I want to do before then.  I’m busily working on several important written pieces.  I’m also working on several not so important written pieces, but nevertheless they aren't completed yet, and I’ll be mighty pissed if they stay that way.  I also intend to do some travelling in the next year or so, first stop Rarotonga.  Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting to spend a week on a tropical island with a cocktail or ten in my hand?  TOO LONG!  Sometime after that I’m planning a trip to the good old USA, I’ve always wanted to visit New York and LA.  Its cliché I know, but I’m an aspiring writer so it seems fitting.  And courtesy of the Mayan Calendar I had until at least December next year to get all of this done.  I’m starting to feel slightly ripped off here.

Now if the world ends tomorrow, I will never have a chance to do any of those things and then I’m going to have to write a strongly worded letter of complaint to the big man upstairs.  Lawyers may end up involved, it could get messy, and I’m sure none of us want to see that.  My nearest and dearest have seen me turn stern over bad customer service, imagine what I might actually do should the world end.  And is it our tomorrow NZ time, or your tomorrow US time and our tomorrow the day after.  Its all very confusing and actually makes my brain ache!

Anyway, enough of my mildly amusing ranting.  Lets break this down and see just why people believe the world will end tomorrow.  According to the “experts”; a term I use extremely loosely, it all comes down to a simple case of mathematics.  The first being that in Genesis 7:14, God said to Noah, “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made."  Apparently when God referred to seven days, he meant both seven days and seven thousand years, because "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." The flood occurred in 4990 BC. Seven thousand years later is 2011 (Gus Lubin, Businessinsider.com).  Now I’m pretty certain that when God was speaking to Noah at that exact moment, he was keeping it rather basic and in actual fact speaking of the event that was JUST about to take place.  In all my years reading the bible I’ve never seen him say “By the way a similar thing is going to happen in 7 thousand years, just keeping you on the down low there Noah.” 

There is also talk about the fact that the number of days between the crucifixion and May 21st is 722,500 days between these dates. 722,500 is a significant number because it is composed of the significant numbers 5x10x17x5x10x17. Five signifies redemption; ten signifies completion; and 17 signifies heaven. The numbers represent the day of redemption (5) and the end of the Christian era (10) and the ascent to heaven (17) -- and these factors are doubled for added significance (Gus Lubin, Businessinsider.com). 

HUH??!!  Is anyone else left scratching their heads thinking people are grasping at straws here.  Now from what I remember of Revelations it also says that NO ONE knows when Christ will return, not even Christ himself.  I’m pretty certain based on that alone there aren't going to be mathematical cryptic clues left lying around for people to work out the day of his return or the rapture, or whatever else you want to call it.

Then again I was wrong about there being a second major earthquake in Christchurch.  Maybe Ken Ring our infamous moon man can tell us based on the the moon if Christ is on his way back.

THE NEW EARTHQUAKE HEREO

As I’m sure most of New Zealand are aware by now, it has been officially released who will be the new CEO of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA).  Roger Sutton is the new man of the hour and in my opinion greatly welcomed.  For the last eight years he has been the CEO of Orion, a position that paid far more than the pay cheque he will be receiving for his new role.

Personally I feel that the fact that he is willing to take a pay cut for a job that is going to be extremely hard work, shows the character of this man.  He has already begun by showing integrity and an obvious love for Christchurch (my home town).  This is exactly what the city needs, someone who can show compassion for the people and the place, while being able to remain objective.

I would take my hat off to anyone that is willing to step up to this particular job.  Its going to be a tough one at the best of times!  He also gets extra kudos for being the brother in law of Robyn Malcom, one hell of a gutsy woman whose own mother was injured in the February 22nd earthquake.  This is personal for Roger Sutton and I wish him all the best with his new position.

HOW DO WE SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT?

We vote in Labour.  Quite a simple solution really that could solve a number of problems various communities across New Zealand are facing.  In fact the Labour government have stated that if they are voted in, they will not allow the proposed expressways to be constructed.

Our countries deficit was announced this week, along with John Keys plans to make cuts to Kiwi Saver and Working For Families.  That will surely be JUST the beginning of cuts to various government schemes we as people have come to rely and depend on.  As always National promises to look after the minority numbers of wealthy in this country.  While the majority of working class that make up the back bone of this society miss out.

The government has a nice shiny new fleet of BMW’s, the previous fleet being only 3 years old.  They are planning to spend billions of dollars on these proposed changes to our transport infrastructure.  We also have the cost of the apparently necessary New Zealand cycle trail.  And lets not forget the 2 million dollars they insist on spending for our very own “TupperWaka”.  I’m yet to figure out just how necessary that is as an addition to the World cup.

It has become obvious to me that it is a question of priorities, something this National government has forgotten in amongst the need to be self serving.  Don’t worry about the little people, the people of New Zealand that work hard, pay their taxes and in return are offered a variety of useless rewards.  How many of us are going to get any use out of plastic Waka and a national cycle way.  I can assure you neither of these are on my “to do list”.  However, scheme’s such as Kiwi Saver and Working For Families are both “rewards” that I either use now or will use in the future.  That is of course as long as we still have them available, and the national government hasn’t destroyed them in favour for their next great idea.  Perhaps next time they will throw their money into a space shuttle.  I’ve always thought New Zealand could do with one of those.

MACKAYS TO PEKA PEKA EXPRESSWAY

People live on the Kapiti Coast for a reason, its tranquillity.  Its a lovely beach side town of about 50,000 people, spanning from Paekakariki to Otaki.  The beaches here are beautiful, and living in such a small town lends itself a feeling of almost being on permanent holiday.  Which leads me to the question of why would people want that to be ruined by a motor way being built through the very heart of this wonderful town.
I lived here for 6 years as a teenager, and after the last earthquake in Christchurch, it was the only other place in NZ that felt like home, so decided to settle here once again.  Now when I lived here as a teenager the battle was already raging as to whether this highway should be allowed here, and 12 years on since I left and returned, the same argument is being fought. 
This entire debacle has reached all of New Zealand through the news.  My grandfather in Christchurch has text me several times to find out what it is all about.  So for those of you interested please take a look at the website for the transport agency.  It lays out the information as the transport agency sees it.  Of course being a government agency they do their best to pain it in a positive light.  The main part of concern for those of us in Kapiti is the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway, which according to the picture provided in the latest information pack received in the mail, shows that it cuts right through the middle of our town.


That blue circle that I have drawn is where my house is, the proposed highway is almost right on top of my home.  Now why on god’s green earth would I want the noise of a motorway to be almost on top of me.  This place is peaceful, beautiful and green, the last thing we need is the pollution of traffic clogging up what we have here!
Next year applications for consents will be publicly notified and the public will have their opportunity to make their submissions. 
In 2013, if the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) give their consent then the construction can begin.  It may seem like a long time to have our say, but the months pass quick.  We as a people need to have our say!  We can’t let this go ahead and potentially ruin what the stunning Kapiti coast has to offer, by allowing a motorway to cut it in half through the middle.
Please sign the petition that is being run by Alliance for Sustainable Kapiti (ASK) and make sure you attend all the upcoming expo meetings.  Please also visit the ASK site for Save Kapiti.

DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD

Today America were finally able to complete a mission they started almost 10 years ago.  I’m not one to normally celebrate in the death of another human being, but given the fact that he has been personally responsible for the death of so many innocent people over the years, I cant help but let my lips twitch into a grin at the thought of it.  Osama Bin Laden has met his maker.  I wonder if it was what he expected, did he get his 20 virgins upon arrival at the pearly Muslim gates?  We shall never know!  But one thing is certain that man will never be able to terrorise anyone every again.

Unfortunately, the nature of carrying out such acts means there is more than likely going to be retaliation at the hands of extremists and radicals.  Where one, once was, there are plenty more waiting in the wings to take over their fight.  The war is far from over, but America can be satisfied that today they have won this particular battle.

This borderline pacifist will go to bed with a smile on her face tonight.  While I don’t agree with war, I know that there is no way to stop it and it will always be, we can never really change that.  However, in the grand scheme of things I’d rather an outcome like this with the least amount of civilian casualties.  Its a pity this couldn’t have been achieved earlier.  So on that note I offer a congratulations to Barack Obama for being able to achieve what no one else was able to.  Lets hope and pray that there can be some peaceful moments in the days ahead.

THE WORLD AS “WE” KNOW IT…

…has officially ended.  Well at least for me it has.  A tad dramatic I know, however the last time I posted on here was before the February 22nd earthquake that rocked and devastated the city I lived in and loved.  188 people dead, 2 of which I knew.  I know what most people will think though, comparing the numbers with Japan its a pretty pathetic effort on our behalf.  The point I wish to make though is that while Japan had to contend with tsunami’s and a nuclear crisis, at least they have an economy that can sustain such things.  They are the third wealthiest economy in the world, with the US being at number 1.  Little old New Zealand though teeters on the edge of third world, more so since the economic blow we have received from two massive earthquakes in less than 6 months.

The knock on effect of something like this is incredible, and unless you have lived it yourself, you can’t even begin to understand.  Insurance companies are now in crisis because of the millions, if not billions, of claims that have been made since the earthquakes and subsequent violent aftershocks.  We, as a nation, are struggling to hold our heads above water and some days it feels like this is the moment we will sink.  The world goes on around us, oblivious to the daily tribulations we face as individuals, as families, as a city and as a nation.

For me personally the effects have been great both emotionally and physically.  After the September 4th earthquake (a 7.1), I had an emotional breakdown of sorts.  Initially after the first earthquake I didn’t sleep for 72 hours.  I was too terrified to sleep in case another earthquake of that size would hit and snatch me from my sleep.  With every subsequent aftershock, which were frequent and violent, I sat and wondered if this was another large earthquake coming to finish us off.  Every aftershock would send me running from the house, assuming the foetal position on the driveway, and crying hysterically.  The decision was made that I should see a doctor, who promptly put me on a course of diazepam and sleeping pills.  I even left the house I was living in to go and stay with a friend for about a week, who’s house barely moved in the aftershocks.  That was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make.  To leave my partner, my mother and my little brother.  I was torn because I didn’t want to be in that house any longer, but I wanted to be there to protect them from mother nature. 

Fast forward a few months and we had moved house, because I no longer wanted to live in a two storey house.  We had found a huge lovely old villa over in Cashmere, one of the more posh suburbs in Christchurch.  The villa was so huge that it meant that my Mum and Brother had their own lounge, two bedrooms and a bathroom.  We had our own lounge, two bedrooms and a bathroom, with the kitchen shared.  It was fantastic because we could live together to cut down costs, but we also had our own privacy.  Life was moving along at a nice pace.  Things were getting back to normal slowly, I was working with the pain clinic to get my CPS managed, study was going better than it had been, and I was set for this new year ahead.  Everything was moving along as it should be and I was finally becoming at ease with what had happened, and was no longer terrified of the “odd” aftershock we were getting.

In 30 seconds on February 22nd, that all changed.  I don’t want to go into great detail here as I plan to actually write a biographical account of all that has happened in the wake of both of these earthquakes.  But I will say that everything I had planned for the coming year of my life has been completely changed.  I refused to continue living in Christchurch so made the difficult decision to move back to the only other place in NZ that feels like home.  And that is the Kapiti Coast, more specifically Paraparaumu.  For any of those readers who live outside of NZ that is in the North Island, approximately 45 minutes north of Wellington.  My university studies I’ve put on hold as I feel I am not in the right head space to give it my all.  I also now need to work up here as living costs are more expensive, and with CPS still not completely managed I know I cant both study and work.  However the bright star in the oblivion of darkness is that now I have made the decision to concentrate more on my writing.  I also feel more inspired to write than I have in a very long time, so I must seize this opportunity. 

I will continually place new material for you to read, as well as continue with these generic blog posts about life in general.  I hope you enjoy the journey with me and would appreciate feedback on my written pieces.  It’s a dream to one day become published and perhaps this may just be the beginning.