merry christmas
i hope that christmas finds you well and happy. peace for you and yours. don't forget the reason for the season. yuletide felicitations.
posted by mystified @ 12:42 pm
2 Comments
korero
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
preparation
organising christmas day with my adopted niece at the military camp. stace is not known for her culinary skills. youngest bro has warned me he has eaten her cooking. we will have the kiwi christmas bar-b-que. i will even have a lite beer.
it was lovely that stace and ron invited me over. really good of them.
looking forward to it.
i think a book on basic cooking for them will be a good prezzie.
it was lovely that stace and ron invited me over. really good of them.
looking forward to it.
i think a book on basic cooking for them will be a good prezzie.
Labels: christmas
posted by mystified @ 12:40 pm
0 Comments
Friday, December 22, 2006
telecom "le suck" part two
"This is Robert Fathers, had a call from Telecom last night who started
off by questioning our system. The site elsewhere really does work in
milliseconds - ask anyone in the world - our african sites work at
light speed as well."
robert@fathers.co.uk
don't worry robert. kiwis know how badly telecom have delivered in terms of their broadband promises..... they will always blame your system. as far as they're concerned, all systems who deal with them, have problems.
off by questioning our system. The site elsewhere really does work in
milliseconds - ask anyone in the world - our african sites work at
light speed as well."
robert@fathers.co.uk
don't worry robert. kiwis know how badly telecom have delivered in terms of their broadband promises..... they will always blame your system. as far as they're concerned, all systems who deal with them, have problems.
posted by mystified @ 12:02 pm
0 Comments
Thursday, December 21, 2006
christmas is on it's way
in four days it will be christmas day. the family will carry on teaching our kids that christmas is for the acquisitive. there are however, a few in my family who understand the reason for the season. it would be good to be with them this christmas. i have never had a christian christmas.i sent a copy of my book to a friend. no reply yet. hope she liked it. it came in from the publisher. looks good. i am pleased with it.
the end of training for the year is friday. we will finish off with a break feast for 9 - 12 year olds. they are allowed whatever they desire. should be interesting. two weeks rest. time to recover from the hospitalisation. hope it works.
Labels: christian, christmas, hospitalisation
posted by mystified @ 8:44 pm
0 Comments
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
telecom "le suck"
it's love in the slow lane - thanks to telecom
you've heard of speed dating. in new zealand it's conducted in the slow lane, according to a british internet dating executive.
but it's not because we're too conservative to sign up, or because we're suffering a man drought.
it's because new zealand has the slowest internet connections in the world, dating association chairman robert fathers says.
the british internet dating executive has complained to telecom nz that many of his association's member websites were losing millions each month because of slow connections.
telecom "stands out a mile as the clear winner of the worst internet provider in the world", mr fathers said.
costly 2Mbit connections were delivering actual internet speeds equivalent to a 28k modem, and contacting customer support was "like disappearing into a black hole".
telecom spokesman nick brown said it was working with mr fathers to deal with his concerns.
his claim that telecom was one of the worst internet providers worldwide appeared to be based on website loading times, which were influenced by a range of factors and not just the user's internet connection speed, he said.
well, it's interesting to watch you squirm nick.
Labels: internet speeds
posted by mystified @ 2:38 pm
1 Comments
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
tuesday
the last week's training before the holidays is interesting. i am ready for a break [health wise]. it'll give me more recovery time. the girls have been working [for them] well. it must be difficult to start again. re learning basics can be tough. they have done and are doing well. i have started on the club website. they seriously need one. i was approached by a nurse when i was in hospital who is looking for a club for her daughter. she had googled gymnastics in chch but not found us [no website].have spent the week feeling off colour. evidently they [the medicos] need to get my meds balanced. this could take a couple of months! bummer.
even my daily walk is now a task. i have to remain dedicated to improvement. small bits at a time.
training again tomorrow..... will start my day with a slow meander.
Labels: health, hospital, training, website
posted by mystified @ 9:42 pm
0 Comments
Monday, December 18, 2006
the view from on top
how would you like to have a chance at this view from the top?american, robert curbeam [left] and swede christer fuglesang fix a broken solar panel on the space station while floating 400km over new zealand.
the accordian-like 34m array is supposed to fold up into a box when it is retracted. earlier attempts to fix the problem included an unscientific request to an astronaut inside to do some exercise, hoping the movement would jostle the wing into place. that failed. the solar wing is part of an interim power system for the space station. a primary goal of space shuttle discovery's seven-day visit to the space station was to rewire the lab and hook a new set of solar wings onto the permanent electricity grid. the new panels rotate with the movement of the sun to maximise the amount of solar energy produced, but in order for the new panels to spin, the old panel had to be retracted.
– dominion post
1/41/4 space walk b3
posted by mystified @ 9:19 am
0 Comments
Friday, December 15, 2006
racist graffiti harms early maori rock art
racist insults spray-painted on a maori rock art site could destroy the pre-european drawings.
the graffiti, which covers three sites in and near the raincliff historic reserve in south canterbury, reads, "nigger0", "coons" and "welcome to bro town". the limestone rock faces are so fragile and porous that some areas could suffer permanent damage.
conservation workers have had to seek clean-up advice from experts in australia and new zealand.
i just wish that the arseholes who do this stuff would realise, they are in aotearoa [nz]. if they don't like living with us [maori], go live somewhere else! we do not want your racist shit here.
read the rest.....
the graffiti, which covers three sites in and near the raincliff historic reserve in south canterbury, reads, "nigger0", "coons" and "welcome to bro town". the limestone rock faces are so fragile and porous that some areas could suffer permanent damage.
conservation workers have had to seek clean-up advice from experts in australia and new zealand.
i just wish that the arseholes who do this stuff would realise, they are in aotearoa [nz]. if they don't like living with us [maori], go live somewhere else! we do not want your racist shit here.
read the rest.....
posted by mystified @ 10:17 am
0 Comments
Thursday, December 14, 2006
ceo of gymsport nz resigns
on behalf of the board and office of gymsports new zealand i wish to advise you of jack ralston's resignation as ceo. jack will leave gsnz at the end of december and will assist the board with transition to interim management pending appointment of a full time replacement. jack, the staff and board will work closely to ensure operational continuity in the office.
jack has been with us since july 2005 and during his tenure has led a transformation of new zealand gymnastics. among many other milestones, jack has managed the relocation and restructuring of national office, the brand change from new zealand gymnastics to gymsports new zealand and development of the 5 year strategic plan.
this outstanding progress has enabled us to look forward to the next phase of our development sooner than initially planned. following on from the work on our governance and operational structure and overhaul of the image and purpose for the organisation, gsnz is shifting focus to delivery and growth. the relationship between jack and the board has been positive and constructive. we are proud of our achievements together and confident that gsnz now has a strong foundation for further development.
we will be operating business as usual through to the new year and expect to advise details of an interim ceo in the near future. any questions regarding jack's resignation can be directed to jack or myself blah blah blah.....
mmm.....i wonder if the fact that sparc did not grant them any muns had anything to do with jack's departure? was jack a happy camper? was jack offered a smaller salary?
jack has been with us since july 2005 and during his tenure has led a transformation of new zealand gymnastics. among many other milestones, jack has managed the relocation and restructuring of national office, the brand change from new zealand gymnastics to gymsports new zealand and development of the 5 year strategic plan.
this outstanding progress has enabled us to look forward to the next phase of our development sooner than initially planned. following on from the work on our governance and operational structure and overhaul of the image and purpose for the organisation, gsnz is shifting focus to delivery and growth. the relationship between jack and the board has been positive and constructive. we are proud of our achievements together and confident that gsnz now has a strong foundation for further development.
we will be operating business as usual through to the new year and expect to advise details of an interim ceo in the near future. any questions regarding jack's resignation can be directed to jack or myself blah blah blah.....
mmm.....i wonder if the fact that sparc did not grant them any muns had anything to do with jack's departure? was jack a happy camper? was jack offered a smaller salary?
posted by mystified @ 7:32 pm
1 Comments
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
interesting.....
ms 15 has gone to gisborne to visit her father. it has had a profound effect on the noise level in the house, and, the mess level. ms 15's mother took some advice from me the other day [always a risky proposition] and informed ms 15 that the television could not go on, until the domestic chores were complete. after wails of "i'm tired" and "i'll do it later, i promise." ms 15 figured out that mother was resolute. fastest clean-up i've ever seen. mum liked that bit too. i wonder if mum has noticed how much cleaner the place is with ms 15 away for a week?
posted by mystified @ 10:07 am
0 Comments
Monday, December 11, 2006
car chase teen pledges to drink and drive again
i would not like being rae rae's [check it out] parents right now. it must be difficult to have definite proof that your parenting skills were less than desired. i would be ashamed. this is taking the egocentric stage a little far. i would like to see rae rae denied the opportunity to own, drive, or be a passenger in a car. the bugger should catch a bus or walk.
Labels: drink driving, egocentric, parenting skills
posted by mystified @ 9:21 am
0 Comments
Sunday, December 10, 2006
sunday
a seriously slow weekend. after church today, i went to the movies. i went to see "borat." an interesting experience. the younger members of the audience found the movie really funny. must be that i'm older. i thought that the humour was too contrived and depended upon putting people down. making fun of retarded people, fat people, well mannered people and the like. i can see why the karzarkstan govt wasn't too impressed. there was a couple genuinely funny moments, but not enough for a full movie.church was interesting. i am looking for somewhere to be. no luck yet. my first church in invercargill was the best so far. that because of the small house group i was a part of.
posted by mystified @ 5:39 pm
0 Comments
Thursday, December 07, 2006
day 1 of my future
my first day home. it's been weird. i got myself a new cell fone and bathroom scales. i am to weigh myself every morning at the same time. it will allow me to track any increases in fluid weight. 2kg in one day means off to the doc to alter the meds.i also went for a 15 minute walk today. not the hour i usually do but i am listening to the expert in rehab. i could of done another 5mins but chose to be careful.
it is more difficult doing this on my own. it is a fact.
i am pleased to see that senior nurses will get a 19% pay rise. i have a vested interest.
posted by mystified @ 9:12 pm
0 Comments
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
sunday till wednesday
i woke up sunday morning after three and a half weeks of trying to get rid of a chest infection.
the first thing i noticed was just how tired i was [this had been going on for a few days].
i remember going to the toilet and feeling quite wheezy. this was about 5:30am. a few minutes ticked by and it became quite difficult to breathe. by 6am, i was frightened. i looked up the phone number of the chch hospital emergency dept to ask them what to do. i called them.
a woman answered and i had difficulty speaking, but managed to get enough air to make myself understood. her response was, "call 111 and don't muck around." so i hung up and dialed 111. they were quite good. by this time, i was really finding it difficult to speak. i'm not sure how, but i managed to get my address to the operator who said to find a comfortable position and try slowing down my breathing. he said he had to go, but i should call him back if it got much worse. at this stage, i was only just breathing and getting light headed. i was quite scared. no i take that back. i thought i was about to die and i was terrified. i remember sitting there and trying to empty my lungs so i could take a breath, and i started to pray [in my mind]. here i was, sitting in a foreign city, no one i know around me, no friends or family and i was about to die.
i don't know if you can relate to it, but, looking at my impending death so clearly, has had a remarkable effect on the way i am thinking about things at the moment. i really hope i never lose this perspective.
i can only praise the lord for the kindness he has shown me, and for his decision to [for now] leave me in this life. the decision is most surely his.
it took about the longest half hour i have ever had, for the ambulance to arrive. the three paramedics who attended me were so very good at what they did. it took some twenty minutes before we actually left, but by then, i was able to get some breathe. not great, but enough. they put a spray on my tongue which allowed me to catch my breathe and to start talking. they then put me on oxygen, did an ecg to see if i'd had a coronary [nope] and put an iv into my wrist for when we got to hospital. all the way through, they talked to me, telling me what they were doing and what it would do to me. very good. very comforting.
by the time we got to hospital, i was breathing, wheezily, but able to calm down. lord thank you for sending those three men to take care of me.
at the hospital, the doctors ordered some immediate tests and asked me questions. it got down to this.
they said they would admit me and get it sorted out as quickly as possible. it's sunday morning at the hospital and they start by injecting me with a strong antibiotic to get rid of the infection. i am still amazed that i didn't know i had such a temperature. i also missed the fact that my swollen limbs were unusual. don't know what space my head was in. ill i think.
then they filled me with frusemide. a very effective diuretic. i spent the rest of sunday piddling. my body finally got to get rid of all the fluid. over sunday, monday and tuesday, i rid myself of 6kg of fluid! no wonder i couldn't breathe.
so, i am now 6kg lighter.
they didn't take anything for granted, i had another ecg, and echo cardiogram, lots of blood tests. the staff were magnificent. i am not able to impart how cool and caring they were.
i have joined a heart failure rehab club. they teach me how to NOT get into that situation again. managing my situation so i can live a relatively normal life.
the thing is, my new perspective. my life is now for all the living, giving, serving and loving i can manage. i don't think there is time or space for anything else.
the first thing i noticed was just how tired i was [this had been going on for a few days].
i remember going to the toilet and feeling quite wheezy. this was about 5:30am. a few minutes ticked by and it became quite difficult to breathe. by 6am, i was frightened. i looked up the phone number of the chch hospital emergency dept to ask them what to do. i called them.
a woman answered and i had difficulty speaking, but managed to get enough air to make myself understood. her response was, "call 111 and don't muck around." so i hung up and dialed 111. they were quite good. by this time, i was really finding it difficult to speak. i'm not sure how, but i managed to get my address to the operator who said to find a comfortable position and try slowing down my breathing. he said he had to go, but i should call him back if it got much worse. at this stage, i was only just breathing and getting light headed. i was quite scared. no i take that back. i thought i was about to die and i was terrified. i remember sitting there and trying to empty my lungs so i could take a breath, and i started to pray [in my mind]. here i was, sitting in a foreign city, no one i know around me, no friends or family and i was about to die.
i don't know if you can relate to it, but, looking at my impending death so clearly, has had a remarkable effect on the way i am thinking about things at the moment. i really hope i never lose this perspective.
i can only praise the lord for the kindness he has shown me, and for his decision to [for now] leave me in this life. the decision is most surely his.
it took about the longest half hour i have ever had, for the ambulance to arrive. the three paramedics who attended me were so very good at what they did. it took some twenty minutes before we actually left, but by then, i was able to get some breathe. not great, but enough. they put a spray on my tongue which allowed me to catch my breathe and to start talking. they then put me on oxygen, did an ecg to see if i'd had a coronary [nope] and put an iv into my wrist for when we got to hospital. all the way through, they talked to me, telling me what they were doing and what it would do to me. very good. very comforting.
by the time we got to hospital, i was breathing, wheezily, but able to calm down. lord thank you for sending those three men to take care of me.
at the hospital, the doctors ordered some immediate tests and asked me questions. it got down to this.
- i had a chest infection for about a month in total [two courses of antibiotics did not get rid of it].
- it turned into pneumonia.
- the pneumonia attacked my heart, having such an effect on it's ability to pump, that it could not pump fluid away from my lungs, chest and blood.
- i started to drown in the fluid.
- another hour and i wouldn't be writing this post.
they said they would admit me and get it sorted out as quickly as possible. it's sunday morning at the hospital and they start by injecting me with a strong antibiotic to get rid of the infection. i am still amazed that i didn't know i had such a temperature. i also missed the fact that my swollen limbs were unusual. don't know what space my head was in. ill i think.
then they filled me with frusemide. a very effective diuretic. i spent the rest of sunday piddling. my body finally got to get rid of all the fluid. over sunday, monday and tuesday, i rid myself of 6kg of fluid! no wonder i couldn't breathe.
so, i am now 6kg lighter.
they didn't take anything for granted, i had another ecg, and echo cardiogram, lots of blood tests. the staff were magnificent. i am not able to impart how cool and caring they were.
i have joined a heart failure rehab club. they teach me how to NOT get into that situation again. managing my situation so i can live a relatively normal life.
the thing is, my new perspective. my life is now for all the living, giving, serving and loving i can manage. i don't think there is time or space for anything else.
Labels: chest infection, pneumonia
posted by mystified @ 9:18 pm
1 Comments
Friday, December 01, 2006
the eagles said it all
i got the dvd, eagles live in melbourne. i was watching it and before they played this stunning song they talked about the day they wrote it. september 11, 2001. they talked about that day and i remembered the teacher who was disembowelled then drawn and quartered the other day in afganistan. sad eh."Hole In The World"
There's a hole in the world tonight.
There's a Cloud of fear and sorrow.
There's a hole in the world tonight.
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.
They say that anger is just love disappointed.
They say that love is just a state of mind,
but all this fighting over who will be anointed.
Oh how can people be so blind
There's a hole in the world tonight.
There's a Cloud of fear and sorrow.
There's a hole in the world tonight.
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.
Oh they tell me there's a place over yonder,
cool water running through the burning sand,
until we we learn to love one
another we never reach the promise land.
There's a hole in the world tonight.
There's a Cloud of fear and sorrow.
There's a hole in the world tonight.
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.
posted by mystified @ 10:16 pm
0 Comments
broadband ripoff
unfortunately [for us] in nz there are only two major telco companies. we really suffer from the lack of competition. it is expensive to have broadband. i am on telstra clear. i have a max upload and max download plan and a data cap of 15 gig. this costs me $60 a month. i could cope with that but, this morning my download speed is 140kbps and my upload speed is 388kbps. i don't know what planet telstra clear live on, but on my planet that is not max up and down. here in nz, the problem is down to telecom. now private they used to be owned by the govt. all the national wiring system [mostly copper] is old and needs replacing. fibre optics would be better. i do reckon that when the speeds go down so low, they should drop the charges. LOL! oh yeah sure. kiwis and their broadband woes. like most things not working here, e.g. health and education, they could easily be fixed by spending some of the 11billion surplus the govt had this year. will they? not likely, they save it up for election bribes. there ought to be a law!
posted by mystified @ 10:53 am
0 Comments
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