tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80924101874153284352024-03-05T12:14:41.771-08:00@miniMumsimpler - with children@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-27215483775219960152022-05-06T17:15:00.001-07:002022-05-06T17:20:56.477-07:00Cheap Easy Vegan/Mcdougall Soup<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmmdv0pMmIxb-jx-jjujBs1Rvz6F1813ZxII9Vf9Bx1TvcRrz6Rne_Jg0RiasOffIVr70-masLZulHkpOkCIdDbt55SxZmNL2Qbk6FdGfgH0BSro14-v8I_twpLPbRKW2x9gRnAL0GDDhsAPAVuL7Wt9JxzMRWoA1lfioyt_GuPGonotCRKwKpObHyg/s1000/SoupFrugalSmall.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Pot of vegetable soup" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmmdv0pMmIxb-jx-jjujBs1Rvz6F1813ZxII9Vf9Bx1TvcRrz6Rne_Jg0RiasOffIVr70-masLZulHkpOkCIdDbt55SxZmNL2Qbk6FdGfgH0BSro14-v8I_twpLPbRKW2x9gRnAL0GDDhsAPAVuL7Wt9JxzMRWoA1lfioyt_GuPGonotCRKwKpObHyg/w200-h150/SoupFrugalSmall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Wherever you live, winter is coming...</span></h1><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This soup is made mostly of very cheap and available ingredients, with lots of room to add your own variety. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Make lots and feed a crowd or eat for days or freeze for weeks...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prep and cooking time:</b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> 1 hour+</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Equipment and </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Ingredients</span></span></h2><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Large pot - 5L pictured</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Food processor very helpful<br /></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Note: I use an electric kettle to preboil water for the pot but adding regular temperature water will eventually result in soup too.</span></blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1 to 3 brown onions</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1/3 to 1/2 cabbage plus <b>optional </b>1 cup of any chopped greens eg kale or dandelion leaves</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">3-5 large carrots</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">2c brown rice or barley (may substitute 1 c of rice/barley with 1c lentils)</span></span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>Optional </b>- any other vegetables eg mushrooms, corn, peas, canned beans or vegetables</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Seasoning suggestions: stock powder, salt, turmeric powder, chili powder, garlic, bay leaves</span></li></ul><h2><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Instructions</span></span></h2><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Peel the onions, grate in food processor, and add to pot to brown on med to high heat. Stir occasionally until soft and slightly browning - meanwhile</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span>grate the cabbage and carrots.</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Add the cabbage and carrots to the browned onions. Stir and keep heating until the vegetables all soften. Any further browning is fine too.</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Add water to fill pot at least halfway, stir well and heat back to bubbling. Add 1 tsp of salt or stock.</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Add the brown rice, stir and simmer until rice has cooked. Add enough water if needed to keep soup very liquid and easy to stir.</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">When rice is cooked, add any optional vegetables like mushrooms, frozen peas or corn. Canned beans and canned chopped tomatoes are great quick additions.</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Add more water to make a full pot and keep simmering.</span></li><li><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Season to taste. This can be made Italian or curry style, or just lots of chili, garlic and stock.</span></li></ol><blockquote><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><blockquote><b>Optional </b>I usually add 2x servings of rice vermicelli at the end to make the goodness of the soup more appealing to the family. As seen in the pot pic. Omit and/or sub with grated potato or quinoa for <a href="http://lanimuelrath.com/mcdougall-maximum-weight-loss-plan/" target="_blank">McDougall MWL</a> compliance.</blockquote></span></blockquote><p></p>@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-65676528744270416372017-06-08T01:10:00.000-07:002017-06-08T12:08:06.038-07:00Gifted, not psychic!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOYe2ES9y3JXQrw6JzKyeHyASTHcDfim4d9uM775JmxVt6WDzUreb4NLPxK7KtwYW8ePURc9JS3wJW6c0YemXOwtA4S08N9fgoUQkocJGDbLCTi6RzQ5qKSzdxQr2oZtPIHOxJqS4EE-f/s1600/Blogtour+crystal+Ball+vectorshy+small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOYe2ES9y3JXQrw6JzKyeHyASTHcDfim4d9uM775JmxVt6WDzUreb4NLPxK7KtwYW8ePURc9JS3wJW6c0YemXOwtA4S08N9fgoUQkocJGDbLCTi6RzQ5qKSzdxQr2oZtPIHOxJqS4EE-f/s320/Blogtour+crystal+Ball+vectorshy+small.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Vectorshy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To our gifted children, growing so fast....<br />
<br />
You are quick and delightful. You are intuitive and insightful. You are without a doubt gifted, and we are proud of you every day.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
However.... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You are not psychic.</b> </div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">7 ways you are not psychic </span></b><br />
<ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQfYrlknqdHPiMD1Wg9tmKhFSUuiiTHAkK9NDpqte7LjBC_RYZJPj4hDidnQc7sjW2YKWmzQEaKT9ey0PClMJGSWxdXkBpRGpKPQiwTsqw-JxSJRK-GYxOoROp90KWNUCbmqF7Uk9QzrA/s1600/blogtour+youngkids.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1245" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQfYrlknqdHPiMD1Wg9tmKhFSUuiiTHAkK9NDpqte7LjBC_RYZJPj4hDidnQc7sjW2YKWmzQEaKT9ey0PClMJGSWxdXkBpRGpKPQiwTsqw-JxSJRK-GYxOoROp90KWNUCbmqF7Uk9QzrA/s320/blogtour+youngkids.png" width="320" /></a>
<li>You cannot guess what people are saying before they finish their sentences.</li>
<li>You cannot guess what people said while you were listening to something else.</li>
<li>You cannot do your work by skipping the explanation.</li>
<li>You cannot answer everything in one step.</li>
<li>You cannot remember everything important without taking notes and checking them.</li>
<li>You do not already know what will be important later.</li>
<li>You do not already know what the person in front of you knows. </li>
</ol>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why it matters</span></b><br />
In the beginning, because you are quick, insightful, intuitive, you think you can do all these things, all the time. You see how often you are quicker and more right than many around you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyuZlZ36GumP44G9YqMuJx9H6kuQsPjK14YT1RS4cnFYyblNyTpHXJKz85uIj34k6Wu3rgWDEm-zLb6NMKyqAbYrlRzIttmkZ_-gH0w-7RoUlF3t45Eh46NwX5xr4ZL6mzfxNH4T5zYvR/s1600/blogtour+kids.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1024" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyuZlZ36GumP44G9YqMuJx9H6kuQsPjK14YT1RS4cnFYyblNyTpHXJKz85uIj34k6Wu3rgWDEm-zLb6NMKyqAbYrlRzIttmkZ_-gH0w-7RoUlF3t45Eh46NwX5xr4ZL6mzfxNH4T5zYvR/s320/blogtour+kids.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the most dangerous lesson for a gifted child.<br />
<br />
It won't last.<br />
<br />
You'll soon notice that the goals you shot for got aced by someone who didn't just finish first.<br />
<br />
...someone with the gift to recognise the world has more to show them than vice versa.<br />
<br />
...someone who admitted they didn't understand, and asked until they did, and thought hard and long how to turn that new knowledge into something never seen before.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Listen and learn</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGAM0_NYQv2pgqwb4frWLby91h39WdGcTxZg_porEQ6WicZ1XgoPoc4eWtD0xnuqw7wGQrW6LjEqz0fb7nTSfxDlmXSfbbWH0AzJTII6KIKAnLwnEzf5RqnCWoJ5-MGc1KzjTYhPNnNbk/s1600/Blogtour+What-can-i-hear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGAM0_NYQv2pgqwb4frWLby91h39WdGcTxZg_porEQ6WicZ1XgoPoc4eWtD0xnuqw7wGQrW6LjEqz0fb7nTSfxDlmXSfbbWH0AzJTII6KIKAnLwnEzf5RqnCWoJ5-MGc1KzjTYhPNnNbk/s1600/Blogtour+What-can-i-hear.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Admitting you don't understand can feel really bad, when you already know <b>everything</b>. But how can the world share its secrets with you when you already know everything?<br />
<br />
The world is full of people, and all of them know <b>something </b>you don't.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you have two settings: "what I can answer quickly" and "don't know, boring", it's time to expand your horizons.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Forget about predicting the future - go make it happen!</b></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnJpAqgNlD2M4KmKujq0WTfFRDEQ3hMc6QcXZWD8XzOCitvkxpyuYsodkvQOPY65LPKPjyBDBwc_eljyiVxS9xTSIjkpcKOdnXzxUxHdu-8U-FmWZcyoHJ8ykPSA-98ONdKzp605BkoB1/s1600/Science-Explosion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="776" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnJpAqgNlD2M4KmKujq0WTfFRDEQ3hMc6QcXZWD8XzOCitvkxpyuYsodkvQOPY65LPKPjyBDBwc_eljyiVxS9xTSIjkpcKOdnXzxUxHdu-8U-FmWZcyoHJ8ykPSA-98ONdKzp605BkoB1/s320/Science-Explosion.png" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<i>Jessica Parsons has been the President of <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/auckland/" target="_blank">Explorers Auckland</a>, of the <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/" target="_blank">NZ Association for Gifted Children</a>, for 5 years. She and her husband have two gifted children who very much enjoyed the Small Poppies and Mindplus programmes offered by <a href="http://nzcge.co.nz/">NZCGE</a>. </i><i>She
was an accelerated student and a grateful graduate of a fledgling
gifted program in her primary school in the USA, many years ago.</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg951QHATEajACCFNeuSi6hWn6eK2pkeEBJAjQw3Xetm5rb2hHPOv60vZxUt8pHliNwszobhFspsnjJh1kUlM72v3j6TG8vIgQBhad46f8YfcEFBLIZmGxjcwJ3XntnPSV2aaqOY893KUr1/s1600/New++NZAGC+2015+logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="1024" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg951QHATEajACCFNeuSi6hWn6eK2pkeEBJAjQw3Xetm5rb2hHPOv60vZxUt8pHliNwszobhFspsnjJh1kUlM72v3j6TG8vIgQBhad46f8YfcEFBLIZmGxjcwJ3XntnPSV2aaqOY893KUr1/s320/New++NZAGC+2015+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE71mRVeyyy5Xeb_6RzGSpDfVpCR7INO5FP84SgLVx3F9EOVv-paZlFBlJkurxMWnq49QR6qGojYUGv1Pyz11JjIMdC7XIOmr2aWGzSAzMmdkzkFc5SoQC3wYWr_MyfnBDayGOk9OAhNi/s1600/exptitle.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE71mRVeyyy5Xeb_6RzGSpDfVpCR7INO5FP84SgLVx3F9EOVv-paZlFBlJkurxMWnq49QR6qGojYUGv1Pyz11JjIMdC7XIOmr2aWGzSAzMmdkzkFc5SoQC3wYWr_MyfnBDayGOk9OAhNi/s1600/exptitle.gif" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEb9WY34SeRZMWgFDeGg1Z0WEs24fDasu3L63zOtkcpRJRoFSFvvk0J99bz9Xlcxr_rYQ3KPOB0PSxOEkT3CBs5qEG3ST13c29fEMtUz_RCps_bgBTovv0kcKoB2aLLMX70a7FOaaBLQWf/s1600/Blogtour+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="400" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEb9WY34SeRZMWgFDeGg1Z0WEs24fDasu3L63zOtkcpRJRoFSFvvk0J99bz9Xlcxr_rYQ3KPOB0PSxOEkT3CBs5qEG3ST13c29fEMtUz_RCps_bgBTovv0kcKoB2aLLMX70a7FOaaBLQWf/s320/Blogtour+logo.JPG" width="320" /></a><i>This post was written for the <a href="http://nzcge.co.nz/blog_tour_2017" target="_blank">NZCGE Gifted Awareness Week Blog Tour</a>.</i></div>
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<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-69693204072606476012016-06-27T15:07:00.001-07:002016-06-27T16:27:36.037-07:00Brexit: It’s not us, it’s EU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPABecEJd_H5IElEBjJ9oBIc1X4fLsCcoDQUIZx6runseZaSXDs6dqfixEUEIqBUyy4vH0q_aTt33pIFVxStvtrg0jV5ZWTclsFpGaxtuaErGiFUU22T4_CbrPibMxPuvDApxdSRGqrhV/s1600/brexit-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPABecEJd_H5IElEBjJ9oBIc1X4fLsCcoDQUIZx6runseZaSXDs6dqfixEUEIqBUyy4vH0q_aTt33pIFVxStvtrg0jV5ZWTclsFpGaxtuaErGiFUU22T4_CbrPibMxPuvDApxdSRGqrhV/s200/brexit-2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
The people have spoken, and what do they say?<br />
A simple majority from the UK<br />
Declared independence from that wobbly EU<br />
“Our pound remains free, and soon we will be too.”<br />
No thanks, we’re British! United we stand!<br />
(just don’t ask those stirrers, the Scots and Ireland).<br />
<br />
Our life’s getting worse; our economy’s tanking<br />
For this, all in all, it’s the EU we’re thanking<br />
When decisions are made without our consultation<br />
The tyrants should be from our very own nation<br />
It’s all of these immigrants causing the mess<br />
Bordering doom for our nation’s success.<br />
<br />
So, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, pet<br />
The lawyers will sort it somehow – no clue yet<br />
The markets may tumble, but what can we do?<br />
It just isn’t working – it’s not us, it’s EU<br />
Democracy’s triumph, in bright royal blue<br />
Take care what you vote for, it might just come true.<br />
<br />
(c) 2016 Jessica Parsons@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-4742812340159678952015-12-18T10:59:00.000-08:002016-01-23T21:28:34.349-08:00The SAFEty of New Zealand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicIhukq-msFKrkA93J-HumkMEuaESCN9_FbWQl8LsxNKwZlQ5AUnfnj9tDvsnV4d4QLQV9levhktEhd4teuSNalja3HLk2eN8OAZnaZpc54pqY-7Ce4izYnDY0wjZVX-YxDkVsAem16_z/s1600/NZ+dairy+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicIhukq-msFKrkA93J-HumkMEuaESCN9_FbWQl8LsxNKwZlQ5AUnfnj9tDvsnV4d4QLQV9levhktEhd4teuSNalja3HLk2eN8OAZnaZpc54pqY-7Ce4izYnDY0wjZVX-YxDkVsAem16_z/s400/NZ+dairy+ad.jpg" /></a></div>
Can you believe it? <a href="http://safe.org.nz/" target="_blank">SAFE </a>are threatening us all with <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/75274223/safe-wont-rule-out-more-international-ads" target="_blank">further ads and actions</a> like that one in the picture if the MPI and/or the government don't <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/74919341/safe-calls-for-independent-animal-welfare-body" target="_blank">do what they want</a> about this "<a href="http://thewireless.co.nz/articles/undercover-video-shows-bobby-calf-bashings" target="_blank">animal abuse</a>".<br />
<br />
Who do they think they are? Our government does fine if everyone would trust them and leave them alone. Anyway, here's a roundup of what the country has to say about this so-called animal activism!<br />
<ul>
<li>These naive treasonous economic terrorists haven't thought for
a second about what happens <span id="goog_333860920"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">if everyone goes vegan<span id="goog_333860921"></span></a> but are deviously planning
to ruin NZ and then move to their second Hawaii homes. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.veganmainstream.com/2013/06/21/how-to-respond-to-if-everyone-went-vegan-what-would-happen-to-all-the-farm-animals/" target="_blank">All the farm animals will die off</a> because they can't raise their young without our help, while <a href="http://www.upc-online.org/ethics_questions.html" target="_blank">overrunning the entire planet due to uncontrolled breeding</a>. And the farmers will never work again, because they have no other skills and nobody has ever retrained for a second career. </li>
<li>The filming was illegal and staged, and they should have immediately gone onto the farms, stopped the workers, and rescued the animals while they were being
abused on hidden unmanned cameras. That would have been <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/30/canada-woman-10-years-prison-for-giving-pigs-water" target="_blank">legal, right</a>? </li>
<li>We already know for a fact there are only a few who abuse
animals (real farmers hug their cows!) so why didn't they immediately hand over
their first footage instead of looking for more widespread evidence to
selfishly grab headlines? This is all about their ego. And bringing down NZ farming by making us all go vegan. But mostly their ego.</li>
<li>They only saw 0.000001% of NZ farms and let's face it, to us
townies all farms look alike anyway. It was probably just one farm. And it was
staged. With animals that <a href="http://starfishbobbycalf.org.nz/" target="_blank">"sanctuary owners" pretend to "rescue"</a>! Because that's just how much sanctuary owners hate farmers...and animals.</li>
<li>Why didn't they send their evidence to the <a href="http://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/" target="_blank">SPCA </a>who everyone
knows is the agency for, duh, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or even our <a href="http://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us" target="_blank">police </a>who are animal experts and would have done something right away, instead of the
<a href="https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/animal-welfare/" target="_blank">MPI</a>? Who's the MPI??</li>
<li>Why did they go to the media instead of waiting for our government to do its job properly? The media is only supposed to be for
sports and the movie star news. They just wanted more media attention and
donations to <a href="http://safe.org.nz/about-us" target="_blank">waste on paying salaries</a>. Everyone knows that only a few
abuse animals, so why did the media even air it? Nobody wants to know if a few
people abuse animals - just keep quiet and report it to the SPCA!</li>
<li>We'd be a third-world country without dairy exports. Why did they take an ad in the UK? What's the UK got to do
with the NZ dairy industry? Hello, they're different countries, stupid SAFE.
Our PM is even helping us take the Union Jack off our flag.</li>
<li>The filming of abuse by transport workers and a
slaughterhouse worker was clearly an attack by SAFE on all dairy farmers! So those great dairy
farmers struck like a cornered snake against SAFE in self-defense, pointing out it
wasn't them on the video that wasn't said to be them. We haven't heard
from the transport workers or slaughterhouse workers against SAFE yet - they're probably still on shift trying to feed their families on those casual rates instead of browsing the web or making a FB page.</li>
<li>Do they only care about cows? What about the <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/71720565/life-tough-for-pigs-say-activists" target="_blank">pigs </a>and
<a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/8045847/Battery-hens-phased-out-in-10-years" target="_blank">chickens</a>? If they really cared, they'd have campaigns for them too! Then that
would really be attacking the NZ economy! Good thing SAFE won't be a charity for much longer - we have a <a href="http://safe.org.nz/ecards/help-calves-demand-independent-voice-animals" target="_blank">petition</a>.</li>
<li>Mmmmm bacon.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlku0cto9WWIo__a_E2im6Vmn1tfxw5QPqCJOBRyRJ-H5N9JygWQCTeKA-dpUAm_mDPczMwISEyG6KlWxAPlGABM6Y4Me8xmkGULavnTyWbzLC0xZNXadd46ZtQBtah8_xiTE-KJ7YFqGU/s1600/lab+beef.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlku0cto9WWIo__a_E2im6Vmn1tfxw5QPqCJOBRyRJ-H5N9JygWQCTeKA-dpUAm_mDPczMwISEyG6KlWxAPlGABM6Y4Me8xmkGULavnTyWbzLC0xZNXadd46ZtQBtah8_xiTE-KJ7YFqGU/s320/lab+beef.png" width="320" /></a>So what's this rubbish about <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10258565/Milk-made-in-laboratories-to-hit-shelves" target="_blank">no-cholesterol milk </a>and <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/69606846/The-future-of-food-Lab-grown-meat-and-3D-printed-meals" target="_blank">meat </a>that doesn't even come from animals? <br />
<br />
Is that from SAFE too? Someone had better warn the farmers. <br />
<ul>
</ul>
@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-62811180335666192522015-12-17T10:54:00.002-08:002015-12-17T10:54:58.790-08:00Mother's best old-fashioned vegan oatmeal porridge recipe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_KtB596Mu8g5KJyFZoSBL9gxEEDugR3njsNvpb1X516jnqsK4BOuJhpLrU1zhTetpbmaPOzSJAzaLucjKXFjTucuEyX8pwrQpPXdpfMkTTbig_bh1_lmI5DPcQDyMY6FJHUyxEdGFqOJ/s1600/oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_KtB596Mu8g5KJyFZoSBL9gxEEDugR3njsNvpb1X516jnqsK4BOuJhpLrU1zhTetpbmaPOzSJAzaLucjKXFjTucuEyX8pwrQpPXdpfMkTTbig_bh1_lmI5DPcQDyMY6FJHUyxEdGFqOJ/s400/oatmeal.jpg" /></a><br />
<span id="goog_300593930"></span><span id="goog_300593931"></span>The best thing about porridge is that you can add <b>anything</b>!<br />
<br />
The best thing about becoming a mother is that you learn to go with the flow...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Morning Oatmeal </span></b><br />
(or whenever my day allows time for eating with utensils)<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Boil the kettle.</li>
<li>Take kids' leftover bowl with some extra soymilk and cold cereal sloshing in the bottom.</li>
<li>Add random crumbs from yesterday's bags of kids' car snacks</li>
<li>Add organic wholegrain oats</li>
<li>OK, ran out of wholegrain oats. Add some instant oatmeal and some of that cornmeal I bought months ago when I was going to start making fresh cornbread.</li>
<li>Add some raisins, or shred some dates with bare hands, or just decide the soymilk will be sweet enough.</li>
<li>Cinnamon? Ginger? Nice if you have a few extra seconds.</li>
<li>Pour boiled water over the ingredients in the bowl.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Cooking time - 1 shower, 5 answered emails and 1 shopping list (don't forget organic wholegrain oats!) </li>
<li>If in a super hurry, just add more soymilk to cool and eat right away as limp muesli</li>
</ul>
Bon appetit! Remember while eating that these are the best years of your life...<br />
<br />
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-83621641410970571932015-12-01T21:02:00.001-08:002015-12-02T00:03:35.978-08:005 upsides of the Farmwatch expose<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5xvnMTCeMNlaquFSboSxT62EX88MvtNykaUl-6ETcB8UpmB7WjBuugZsTaTpb6tCEGm-6dLQq-Fu43SULy4SmG6FPOVa7mKSTktAlUGuLhQZXpxBhX3nwTt1Nx2A6IukywbR1QymafNv/s1600/waste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5xvnMTCeMNlaquFSboSxT62EX88MvtNykaUl-6ETcB8UpmB7WjBuugZsTaTpb6tCEGm-6dLQq-Fu43SULy4SmG6FPOVa7mKSTktAlUGuLhQZXpxBhX3nwTt1Nx2A6IukywbR1QymafNv/s640/waste.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's very easy to get caught up the immediate anger, denial, and polarisation when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistleblower" target="_blank">whistleblowers</a> <a href="http://www.farmwatch.org.nz/born-to-die.html" target="_blank">expose what we'd prefer not to see</a>. Social criticism can be violently unpopular, and "killing the messenger" is a cliche for a very good reason.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But undeniably, whistleblowers get us talking about the important stuff instead of sitcoms and sports. No other way works like it. And beneath the painful arguing, this is our common ground...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Compassion</b></span><br />
<br />
New Zealanders love animals, and we don't want to see what we all had to see. Nobody. The farmers, the businesses, the animal activists, the consumers. Not even the perpetrator of the worst videoed violence would enjoy that footage. Animal industry workers have a <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/06/spam-factory-conditions" target="_blank">stressful, traumatic job that is generally insecure and badly paid,</a> and as such are another victim of the system, as well as being the convenient scapegoat for the offenses.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Public pressure</span></b><br />
<br />
The government and <a href="https://www.mpi.govt.nz/" target="_blank">MPI </a>now know without a doubt that New Zealanders want action for better treatment for farm animals. This is the only sort of pressure that really works. <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kriek-tells-hosking-all-safe-gets-out-of-calves-campaign-is-s-from-people-like-yourself" target="_blank">Simply reporting the abuses was not working.</a> <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Awareness</span></b><br />
<br />
Many more people, including townies, now know the open secret of what happens during industrial farming to produce milk for the shops. Don't they say education is key? Of course it doesn't have to be this bad. Let's look for short and long-term solutions together to acknowledge that animals as economic objects are at risk.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Memories</span></b><br />
<br />
So many people from rural New Zealand backgrounds have shared their memories of how farming was back on their family farms and how unbelievable it is that these traumatic scenes could be widespread. For better or for worse, caring for their animals is the common theme.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Vision of the future</b></span><br />
<br />
New Zealand's economy doesn't need to depend on industrial dairy so desperately that we accept welfare compromises for financial success. Even if New Zealanders didn't care about animals (we do!), we'd be <a href="http://www.tractablog.co.nz/strategy/nz-inc-why-we-need-to-diversify-from-our-dairy-dependence/" target="_blank">wiser to diversify</a> our rich land into more sustainable operations.<br />
<br />
The future could be <a href="http://vegansociety.org.nz/" target="_blank">cruelty-free</a>, if we decide we want it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-42191729955094575742015-11-30T12:02:00.001-08:002015-12-01T16:56:07.183-08:00Shocking abuse of New Zealand dairy calves<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJnhLuKAPzS7zR0CWixXFaI8iZE8ZjY8jZakpJ9YJnKzMkWVM3aS64KZF7ePmA2O_KTM6sJaY2QHIrpmIuoXK6SSorNuBLR5TdXm3MR0aKebzrqasmfHemPxbJaKrY5A0aX64XCypnyYb/s1600/calves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJnhLuKAPzS7zR0CWixXFaI8iZE8ZjY8jZakpJ9YJnKzMkWVM3aS64KZF7ePmA2O_KTM6sJaY2QHIrpmIuoXK6SSorNuBLR5TdXm3MR0aKebzrqasmfHemPxbJaKrY5A0aX64XCypnyYb/s320/calves.jpg" width="320" /></a>Shocking footage, <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news/down-farm-video-6427831" target="_blank">as published on TV</a>. And further unaired footage, <a href="http://www.farmwatch.org.nz/born-to-die.html" target="_blank">from Farmwatch</a>.<br />
<br />
Of course, it's only shocking if you haven't been paying attention. For decades, investigative psychic geniuses, I mean, animal activists like those at Farmwatch always manage to find the only tiny .0001% of farms where <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=animal+abuse+footage" target="_blank">terrible, horrible, no-good very bad things</a> are happening.<br />
<br />
When the government organisations like <a href="https://www.mpi.govt.nz/" target="_blank">MPI </a>in New Zealand somehow can't find them. Or do anything about them.<br />
<br />
The news has gone worldwide. And the reactions come flying. All versions of:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Please please don't make me feel guilty about this."</blockquote>
Everyone wants to blame somebody else for those adorable horrible dead-eyed baby animals.<br />
<br />
<b>Sick twisted individuals </b><br />
<br />
Those 99.99999999% of dairy farmers <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Farmers-against-SAFE-We-love-our-animals-799956743464293/?fref=ts" target="_blank">who naturally love their animals</a> flap their hands accusingly at the transport operators who have let them down. Who knew that animal transport workers leave the calves for hours at the side of the road? Or fail to cuddle the baby calves gently into padded baskets in the backs of trucks?<br />
<br />
Something must be done to those bad people! <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/ministry-will-leave-no-stone-unturned-over-shocking-photos-of-bobby-calves" target="_blank">(And now it will, thanks to the media attention.)</a><br />
<br />
And the farmers post kissy pictures of themselves with animals...who are still alive and conscious enough to enjoy their photo op.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Biased troublemakers</b><br />
<br />
Actually, it's the activists' fault, for publicising the covert pictures. That's illegal! Fonterra is "very disappointed". No, it's the TV station's fault, for not presenting "the other side". After all, it's not fair to just show the tiny tiny minority of bad stuff found by the investigative psychic geniuses.<br />
<br />
<b>Blinkered consumers </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtAOE2AamMhXQJi8kZ839RvnvVXb7FpshvinGeQ5b5pVn-UKpEdmypGz6gNRKkAsLiIb1-RYbGmykOmG4dGojSw3oykzM6OCmR9tg55-OSXLSiQVjH84SIYk7iaFOVfXXyCXqczOefwsQ/s1600/calfdead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtAOE2AamMhXQJi8kZ839RvnvVXb7FpshvinGeQ5b5pVn-UKpEdmypGz6gNRKkAsLiIb1-RYbGmykOmG4dGojSw3oykzM6OCmR9tg55-OSXLSiQVjH84SIYk7iaFOVfXXyCXqczOefwsQ/s320/calfdead.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<b>Fact</b>: the dead baby calves have always been a part of your glass of milk. The money from the sale of the baby calves is just as much a part of dairy farmers' shaky profit margin as the highly-publicised milk powder price. And where there's profit margin, there's a margin to cut - i.e., the time spent getting those pesky calves into those trucks, and into the slaughterhouse machines, as quickly as possible. Having the calves reduced to weak and unresisting objects is good for the economy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
You know what they say in show biz. Never work with animals or children. Baby animals must be the worst.<br />
This is the price of your cheap milk and cheese.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now we see the violence inherent in the system. And it's ugly. Luckily, there are so many <a href="http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-substitutes" target="_blank">options instead of cows' milk</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-66811664829473648002015-08-14T12:22:00.000-07:002015-08-14T15:17:52.010-07:00TPPA Day: Public protest may be hazardous to your health!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MHJzapiUJ42p4BPKod0WZT_zWev0DTV_0S5RHyVoFTzcufHLxLfPDh0nOmbbtFsl0hvaHpcM_Zj5goVTFia5xZDxEdLntjYoI9FsqD7pOHuJh8BfyCtVXv-mDiFUZ1kDXpWRN5aeU1fA/s1600/cops+warning.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MHJzapiUJ42p4BPKod0WZT_zWev0DTV_0S5RHyVoFTzcufHLxLfPDh0nOmbbtFsl0hvaHpcM_Zj5goVTFia5xZDxEdLntjYoI9FsqD7pOHuJh8BfyCtVXv-mDiFUZ1kDXpWRN5aeU1fA/s320/cops+warning.png" width="320" /></a>Trending and apparently news to some politicians - the US Consulate regularly warns citizens in foreign countries about large organised political actions. I've received a generous handful of these in recent years. I worry very little about it.<br />
<br />
This is the country that invented "those warnings" on product labels.<br />
<ul>
<li>On a hair dryer: Do not submerge in water. </li>
<li>On a bag of peanuts: Contains nuts. </li>
</ul>
<br />
In the latest example I received, gone viral in the news: [translated loosely]<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The U.S. Consulate General in Auckland alerts U.S. Citizens that [TPP march is happening] [Lots of scary people][Stay away or you might hurt]<br />
<br />
[We care about y'all. Be careful out in those foreign places] </blockquote>
Contrary to popular comments, it's not an indication of an organised police backlash or terrorist action. At least, it wasn't the 6 times before when I got a warning about dangerous protests. But it is beyond hypocritical.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Is it the cop or am I the one who's really dangerous? </span></b><br />
<br />
The New Zealand police <a href="http://nzpca.co.nz/tag/police-abuse-of-power/" target="_blank">are no angels</a>. But let's get real. For 2015 so far:<br />
<ul>
<li>8000+ US gun deaths</li>
<li>700+ US people killed by police </li>
</ul>
And they're sending <b>us </b>a warning?<br />
<br />
I reckon I'll be pretty safe today, even should I be in the middle of Queen St in today's protest, dressed in a prescription drug costume (or draped fetchingly in a <a href="http://www.designboom.com/design/new-zealand-flag-08-13-2015/" target="_blank">new flag design</a>) and waving a big banner with TPPA GO AWAY! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IOxrf-QrdikjIKHhCS9KYjom6sMWUsgNK1J8HawrGZ7vNyQp_tGhB4RQVmqD-0fZHdYxzFWgJVL0LVHPEr1OXKe6PA3eL34kQOYdYRWbyXdy7alz3_XfaJ7oyaUS3KHKJgT4-J733UQ_/s1600/cops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IOxrf-QrdikjIKHhCS9KYjom6sMWUsgNK1J8HawrGZ7vNyQp_tGhB4RQVmqD-0fZHdYxzFWgJVL0LVHPEr1OXKe6PA3eL34kQOYdYRWbyXdy7alz3_XfaJ7oyaUS3KHKJgT4-J733UQ_/s320/cops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Society and culture finalist: Fairfax photojournalist Lawrence Smith was
on the front line when protestors from Auckland Action Against Poverty
rushed the police barricade at Sky City, in Auckland, where Prime
Minister John Key was announcing sweeping budget changes.
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-41935722140115860032015-05-09T14:13:00.000-07:002015-05-09T14:25:10.421-07:00Mother Nature Sends a Pink Slip<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcMifQvzyXqkPc_imGo_PfeqnyrIaNWBm0HiwndjgUt1e-To3kURVPZ_m5-hdJgRJq4yGi_IAsaNoXPMEYIVLZTRDOHFLuE8wgOGw9yRT9_NkdzXjH9KW45Z-7Hw7w0HPWv1ETfraDbJL/s1600/mother_nature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcMifQvzyXqkPc_imGo_PfeqnyrIaNWBm0HiwndjgUt1e-To3kURVPZ_m5-hdJgRJq4yGi_IAsaNoXPMEYIVLZTRDOHFLuE8wgOGw9yRT9_NkdzXjH9KW45Z-7Hw7w0HPWv1ETfraDbJL/s200/mother_nature.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Destroying Mother Nature</i> by William Orihama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In honour of Mother's Day, here's a little gem of a poem by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilou_Awiakta" target="_blank">Marilou Awiakta</a> that deserves a wider audience.<br />
<br />
To: Homo Sapiens<br />
Re: Termination<br />
<br />
My business is producing life.<br />
The bottom line is<br />
you are not cost effective workers.<br />
Over the millennia, I have repeatedly<br />
clarified my management goals and objectives.<br />
Your failure to comply is well documented.<br />
<br />
It stems from your inability to be a team player:<br />
* you interact badly with co-workers<br />
* contaminate the workplace<br />
* sabotaged the machinery<br />
* hold up production<br />
* consume profits<br />
In short, you are a disloyal species.<br />
<br />
Within the last decade<br />
I have given you three warnings:<br />
* made the workplace too hot for you<br />
* shaken up your home office<br />
* utilized plague to cut back personnel<br />
Your failure to take appropriate action<br />
has locked these warnings into the Phase-Out<br />
mode, which will result in termination <br />
<br />
No Appeal.@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-72734360196781757422015-04-30T15:42:00.000-07:002015-04-30T16:45:22.866-07:00Vegan burger at McD's - Lest we forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dd1xPR46KdA_UnY_AVj8Kn6RRpOepwKYj8pEKpiUZce56qrD2pywQA7jNJPZTr22OFBiebQQnQ0jT5_LK5Ob2uz0xM5S68nHJFaMujm2n3_YYM0xIWJrrtOByZ49GHnTHSuqXewcyVoF/s1600/McDeath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dd1xPR46KdA_UnY_AVj8Kn6RRpOepwKYj8pEKpiUZce56qrD2pywQA7jNJPZTr22OFBiebQQnQ0jT5_LK5Ob2uz0xM5S68nHJFaMujm2n3_YYM0xIWJrrtOByZ49GHnTHSuqXewcyVoF/s1600/McDeath.jpg" /></a></div>
News flash on the local Auckland vegan network: you can get vegan burgers from McDonald's now! In some very limited outlets, you can
use a touchscreen to create your own gourmet burger. Guacamole, mushrooms, tortilla strips, lettuce, tomato and tomato and
chilli relish - sounds delicious!<br />
<br />
So is this news to be celebrated? Is this a step in the right direction for vegans everywhere and time for a stampede to try the new offering to support McD's vegan efforts? <br />
<br />
Yeah, nah. Time to watch (or re-watch) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRfbaPdHvVo" target="_blank">McLibel</a>.<br />
<ul>
<li>Remember how crappy McDonald's is as an employer to vulnerable young and poor people. Anti-union barely begins to describe it.</li>
<li>Remember how awful they are to their own franchisees.</li>
<li>Remember how they target children in their advertising. </li>
<li>Remember how they pressure their way into neighbourhoods and globalise the food economy, with their power undercutting business from local food outlets where the profits support local families. </li>
<li>Remember how they consistently resist accountability from their animal product suppliers to be humane, sustainable, or even sanitary. </li>
<li>Remember how their business and food philosophy is as anti-compassion as it is possible to get.</li>
</ul>
(Source: <a href="http://www.mcspotlight.org/case/trial/evidence.html" target="_blank">McSpotlight </a>)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lest we forget </b></span><br />
<br />
Yes, I have taught my daughter to boo when we pass a McDonald's. I can't forget what I learned during the McLibel case. Yes, they are worse than other fast-food restaurants and supermarkets, if only because their size allows them to be.<br />
<br />
No, I wouldn't cross the road to get FREE vegan food from them. Corporate criminals like <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/nestle-baby-milk-scandal-food-industry-standards" target="_blank">Nestle </a>and McDonald's bank on most of us forgetting their crimes. They're right.<br />
<br />
Yes, it matters where you spend your money - you are
voting to support that business's growth. There are lots of other nonvegan restaurants where you can already celebrate vegan
options that have been available for years. Hooray!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Obquote from The Princess Bride </b></span><br />
<br />
In the words of the (apparently) immortal <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000144/">Westley</a>: "My brains, his steel, and your strength against sixty men, and you think a little head-jiggle is supposed to make me happy?" McDonald's head-jiggle may be in the vegan direction, but they're still McDonald's.<br />
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-76046686953755082532015-04-21T17:17:00.000-07:002015-04-23T02:00:58.376-07:00The RH John Kreepy's new twist on Dirty Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5jtuOK-34YVD4RU-Latkq03yy2DXBSpTJakSwXj5qI7Dz-1zy8jdJ88irEThjYRKo8vZInNu5u3XIZXhWcB_VI3BWiZsDgIxzvdmMcGEPl0gTaM34Saw9QfrRBXtSOKUWee50N-NPsvQ/s1600/Kreeyp+got+it+ponytail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5jtuOK-34YVD4RU-Latkq03yy2DXBSpTJakSwXj5qI7Dz-1zy8jdJ88irEThjYRKo8vZInNu5u3XIZXhWcB_VI3BWiZsDgIxzvdmMcGEPl0gTaM34Saw9QfrRBXtSOKUWee50N-NPsvQ/s1600/Kreeyp+got+it+ponytail.jpg" height="397" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Who can I credit for this?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>[The scene - a popular Antipodean cafe. Somewhere important people go. Middle-aged Kreeyp and his first wife are regulars here.]</b><br />
<br />
<b>J Kreepy:</b> I'm bored. I'm So Booored! When is that coffee coming? Do I have to talk to my wife to pass the time? Bored, bored, bored....Oh Look! A young perky waitress. And she has hair. <a href="http://imgur.com/r/newzealand/wT4XtDj" target="_blank">I like hair</a>. I<span id="goog_1001916641"></span> <a href="http://www.veooz.com/news/sIy2wFm.html" target="_blank">like hair a lot</a><span id="goog_1001916642"></span>. Especially <a href="http://www.amyadams.co.nz/index.php?/archives/1222-Amy-in-Action-May-2014.html" target="_blank">long silky hair in ponytails</a> like That Hair. I'd be so not bored if I could touch that hair. How can I touch that hair?<br />
<br />
I know! I'm a jolly important guy who's lots of fun. I bet that woman would love it if I went and played with her hair. Who wouldn't like me playing with her hair? I'm just playing, and playing is fun.<br />
<br />
Look! I did it! I pulled her hair (not hard of course, cause I'm just playing). I was right, that was fun.<br />
<br />
Bet she liked it as much as I did. Hope I see her again.<br />
<br />
<b>[The scene - the same cafe, a few days later.]</b><br />
<br />
<b>J Kreepy:</b> This is totes my favourite cafe now. I can get coffee and play with that really fun waitress who loves it when I pull her ponytail. Oh look, there she is!<br />
<br />
That's so cool. I pulled her ponytail again - still really fun. She looks a bit grumpy; how cute! Bet that attention from an important guy like me made her feel happier. She knows I'm only playing. Smile, honey!<br />
<br />
<b>[The scene - you guessed it.]</b><br />
<br />
<b>J Kreepy:</b> About to make my favourite girl's day again. Sorry, no, that's not you, wifey. Where's that tantalising ponytailed charmer of mine? Looking, looking...just like an Easter Egg hunt. Can't see...oh, there she is, over on the other side of the cafe. That's OK, I've got time to go over to her - she'll appreciate that I remembered our game.<br />
<br />
Got her! Woohoo! Whoa, she looks a bit mad. She must be having a bad day with her customers. Hey, hon, it wasn't me, it was...my wife who pulled your hair. Yeah, my wife, isn't that hilarious! Cheer up, it's not that bad. I will see YOU later. Ciao!<br />
<br />
<b>[The scene - I bet we're all wishing we were somewhere else by now, but no, the same cafe.]</b><br />
<br />
<b>J Kreepy:</b> Where's my waitress? I...I mean, <b>my wife</b> wants to pull her hair again. We all have such a lovely relationship - just like family! Looks like the ponytail is serving someone else. I'll just sneak up, slowly, slowly...TUG! HAHAHAHAHA! My wife loves pulling your hair and just can't stop!<br />
<br />
Oops, my wife seems embarrassed. She says I should stop. Sweetie, where's your sense of humour? Actually, nobody really cares about having their hair pulled.<br />
<br />
<b>[The scene - seriously? How long can this go on in the same cafe?]</b><br />
<br />
<b><b>J Kreepy:</b> </b>Do you think she sees me coming? Funny how she never serves us anymore. Oh well, it's a small cafe; she can't run forever, the little minx. Look, she's backed against the wall, that's quite exciting actually. Aaaaaaand....gotcha!<br />
<br />
Wow, what's with all the NOs? And what's security got to do with this?<br />
<br />
Wifey says I should leave the poor girl alone?<b> </b>Self-righteous jealous moo. Why doesn't she grow a ponytail?<br />
<br />
Hey, you over there, she really doesn't like me pulling her ponytail? What's that about? I'm a really nice guy and lots of fun! Everyone says so. Who do you think you are anyway?<br />
<br />
Here, have some wine. Maybe it'll help you relax.<br />
<br />
<b>[Seriously, for the record and for when the headlines fade. </b><a href="http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/22/exclusive-the-prime-minister-and-the-waitress/" target="_blank">This is the story involved.</a> Key's hair stroking habit <span data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">may very well be a fetish, but that can only be speculation. Without doubt, Key is abusing his position as a
public figure to create an artificial intimacy he hopes to benefit from,
in a manner which does not request permission or allow avoidance from his target.</span></span></span></span><b><span data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".5a.1:3:1:$comment10155418196245702_10155418674790702:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">]</span></span></span></span> </b><br />
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-52314551387814615892015-02-14T12:02:00.001-08:002015-02-14T12:28:43.796-08:00Bee my Valentine!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzjEWQ7VP1S2RKGt_gNWMa5ByU42YMBNtFxW_r-dnar0GHXtHLs_lNY5VaJmxES9Z-1wi7q8hn4gL3iZFuZMt9MPbTCYQT3TAYQqs_6KYbgg74QEMkIHc0elcv36dqUP1mIueX1o4vz9J/s1600/BeeValentine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzjEWQ7VP1S2RKGt_gNWMa5ByU42YMBNtFxW_r-dnar0GHXtHLs_lNY5VaJmxES9Z-1wi7q8hn4gL3iZFuZMt9MPbTCYQT3TAYQqs_6KYbgg74QEMkIHc0elcv36dqUP1mIueX1o4vz9J/s1600/BeeValentine1.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Don't bee shy! (the camera loves ya)</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This post will be short and sweet, like its main characters. But it won't bee a quickie.<br />
<br />
On our driveway, two bumblebees are celebrating Valentine's Day in the best way they know how: making the bee with two backs.<br />
<br />
So as naturally nosy primates, we took some photos. (Also available on video.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsiOVm67QBqvqUsSpPkdyAeR_gOtGmfmzQ7PcBsC4SEKcZK1cD_e22ctIIRZNS9V5oIVGHhHw7hHDvylEDEvx3wCusu3Mozbj07xCxCFfkPQw3Lozt2tOWw_8s3bc_2AEwpCO9k98PneC/s1600/BeeValentine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsiOVm67QBqvqUsSpPkdyAeR_gOtGmfmzQ7PcBsC4SEKcZK1cD_e22ctIIRZNS9V5oIVGHhHw7hHDvylEDEvx3wCusu3Mozbj07xCxCFfkPQw3Lozt2tOWw_8s3bc_2AEwpCO9k98PneC/s1600/BeeValentine2.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Try another angle - beeautiful.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While Valentine's Day in New Zealand was yesterday, I prefer to beelieve there may have been extended courting - some special nectar and pollen, perhaps - and foreplay.<br />
<br />
Clearly they have adopted the theme song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDICn83Uzfs" target="_blank">"Why don't we do it the road"</a>, by the Beetles. A bit of research shows <a href="http://www.bumblebee.org/lifeMate.htm" target="_blank">bumblebees mating on the ground is normal</a>, but they can continue for 10 to 80 minutes! <a href="http://viewsoftheock.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/perils-of-bumblebee-mating.html" target="_blank">One observer reported mating bumblebees can bee moved</a>, so I did. <br />
<br />
While <a href="http://bees-decline.org/" target="_blank">much of the public concern over bee populations highlights honeybees</a>, we need all pollinators much more urgently than honey.<br />
<br />
So I hope you'll join me in wishing the happy couple a much longer and fruitful...coupling...beefore they buzz off.<br />
<br />
Further bee puns may bee left in the comments.@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-54151918654540490022015-01-29T14:04:00.001-08:002015-02-11T15:33:53.456-08:00Obesity: Supporting satisfaction instead of surgery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM7WbBL3MM2DafG_8SBTM3A3TRkfPFL5QYmbh55IxFkdGuYm969zOM6WdDDETsgyRl-U1f6542-XqX9nMVxT55vQukb1wYkgDH5rfVGq4MR-G5eclWfHokxCxlgjj1bkIWbY4U8BRyN7-/s1600/Obesity+Surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM7WbBL3MM2DafG_8SBTM3A3TRkfPFL5QYmbh55IxFkdGuYm969zOM6WdDDETsgyRl-U1f6542-XqX9nMVxT55vQukb1wYkgDH5rfVGq4MR-G5eclWfHokxCxlgjj1bkIWbY4U8BRyN7-/s1600/Obesity+Surgery.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
Hot news from down under - a couple of surgeons who perform bariatric (stomach-stapling) operations would like to<a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/surgeons-call-for-more-weight-loss-surgery-2015013007#axzz3QFHkvqsd" target="_blank"> perform more of them on us</a>, and would like tax money to fund their work. The media is running their advertisement as if it were a public health statement.<br />
<br />
I've <a href="http://www.vegsource.com/jess-parsons/vegism-and-eating-disorders.html" target="_blank">battled weight problems</a> for my adult life, and I know there is no magic bullet for maintaining a healthy weight. Neither is there a magic scalpel. Cutting open your body to reduce your stomach capacity and <a href="http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.co.nz/2007/02/why-we-never-hear-why-people-dont-talk.html" target="_blank">all that could mean for your future</a> is not a tenable general treatment.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Battling obesity en masse</b></span><br />
<br />
New Zealand is, like most developed countries, guilty of more reporting than acting on the growing obesity problem. While this is always a sensitive subject, a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/06/us-healthy-obesity-idUSKBN0KF1P820150106" target="_blank">recent longterm study</a> showed that while there are obese healthy people, they are much less likely to remain healthy over the years.<br />
<br />
So is it true that "Surgery still remains the most capable strategy for inducing robust and long-term weight loss"? May I see the source please? The (US) <a href="http://www.nwcr.ws/research/" target="_blank">National Weight Control Registry research</a> does not mention surgery at all in their summary of how most of their participants lost long-term weight.<br />
<br />
But I am even more interested that New Zealand's tax money supports industries that support obesity. Fatty cholesterol-rich foods like beef, pork, chicken, eggs, and dairy. "Added-value" processed foods, which take natural raw foods and package them for the highest profit and shelf life instead of fiber and nutrients. Food technology trumps food quality.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ83KB-BI8OhftXPqLD13X4l3TH8XfBtQBRmJsvhRHW7UZAawPjYhxxtFGiAJCIFHuEZejI-bPqyEAK7VYg03Kyg9AxKVSGRPOCeA9w-QFPzRm-rk7ypbrNcvQxmv73sERJf4DZxRaPzQR/s1600/Obesity+density+stomach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ83KB-BI8OhftXPqLD13X4l3TH8XfBtQBRmJsvhRHW7UZAawPjYhxxtFGiAJCIFHuEZejI-bPqyEAK7VYg03Kyg9AxKVSGRPOCeA9w-QFPzRm-rk7ypbrNcvQxmv73sERJf4DZxRaPzQR/s1600/Obesity+density+stomach.jpg" height="105" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Calorie density </span></b><br />
<br />
Why does this matter? <a href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/contributors/jeff-novick/" target="_blank">Jeff Novick, RD, MS</a> explains in <a href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/the-calorie-density-approach-to-nutrition-and-lifelong-weight-management/" target="_blank">this article</a> and this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6ogG1wEcXo" target="_blank">video presentation</a>, but in short, calorie density reigns supreme in how much people eat.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ-ja4djLci819T7-nV2atVQ0coV0PMxp5W37gNJDLO7M5gr0dXkU8C7JfGJndo4PtY5-PucGeLycrOaO5N41anw1ghd1AKpVjK2zjtdek33uXSLk7mh1woP_YC0lXvjV3o3OEdvPNHS6/s1600/Obesity+EnergyDensityPR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ-ja4djLci819T7-nV2atVQ0coV0PMxp5W37gNJDLO7M5gr0dXkU8C7JfGJndo4PtY5-PucGeLycrOaO5N41anw1ghd1AKpVjK2zjtdek33uXSLk7mh1woP_YC0lXvjV3o3OEdvPNHS6/s1600/Obesity+EnergyDensityPR.jpg" height="147" width="320" /></a>Steak doesn't fill you up like oatmeal. Potato chips won't fill you up like potatoes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where the money goes </b></span><br />
<br />
So if we're going to tweak our economic contribution to solve the obesity epidemic, let's not psych everyone into thinking we have to catch up with the Aussies in dangerous life-altering surgery rates.<br />
<br />
Let's at least stop being part of the problem, and remove tax funding from those industries harming our national health. Restrict their advertising which often reports <a href="http://www.beeflambnz.co.nz/index.pl?page=campaigns&m=391" target="_blank">positive health benefits</a> or just plain fun...and often arrives in our schools to advertise to our children.<br />
<br />
Help make healthy food cheaper, more available, and more acceptable instead.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-38574784230838128892015-01-26T19:11:00.000-08:002015-01-26T19:27:59.779-08:00Secondhand Smarts - community works!I haven't posted a <a href="http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=secondhand+smarts" target="_blank">Secondhand Smarts</a> update for a while, but rest assured I get so many bargains from secondhand shops, TradeMe, etc, that I can hardly keep up.<br />
<br />
An extra special nod must go to the bargains I got at last year's school fair. OK, I put in a lot of hours at the White Elephant sale where I got the goodies, but it was a great community event and raised much needed funds for the kids' school. And hundreds of people went away happy with their bargain finds!<br />
<br />
Community and charity work can seem thankless at times, but as well as the reality of the help you're providing, you are also making connections that can sometimes reap more tangible rewards. Sometimes you need something and someone else already has exactly what you need. Like these...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Stepping out...</span></b><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2DBDRtQpD6CgZ8tl8L2u12y5vDGNtMpQi3HspYjFpxuXPaMFN_6Wj-aAlLMVWnOHHIwr0cZkTTB_pZjDFPzr4rD4qtawXylyizUuvPH8Qb68WFaprusX4y-UZJA17dDvjLbS5-wf3yzv/s1600/SS+-+Fair+Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2DBDRtQpD6CgZ8tl8L2u12y5vDGNtMpQi3HspYjFpxuXPaMFN_6Wj-aAlLMVWnOHHIwr0cZkTTB_pZjDFPzr4rD4qtawXylyizUuvPH8Qb68WFaprusX4y-UZJA17dDvjLbS5-wf3yzv/s1600/SS+-+Fair+Shoes.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
The boy needed some shoes. Look what I found!<br />
<br />
<br />
Tevas. Good as new. In the right size. For a couple of dollars!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Frozen</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkoXssWTWQYICfiw836L_bD0SZ04y_N9v5YxpX_S7qx5213D4sH3NKgO4rWJZfGkM7bb06zM6F6MZ9iBltrrCZHDNlizCZCkdrpt7Bm7FjG2SW_P9TVgZStble1DiSF25OS6B1nTB4-0O/s1600/SS+-+Fair+Mincer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkoXssWTWQYICfiw836L_bD0SZ04y_N9v5YxpX_S7qx5213D4sH3NKgO4rWJZfGkM7bb06zM6F6MZ9iBltrrCZHDNlizCZCkdrpt7Bm7FjG2SW_P9TVgZStble1DiSF25OS6B1nTB4-0O/s1600/SS+-+Fair+Mincer.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yeah, this attachment!</b></td></tr>
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I love making <a href="http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/welcome-summer-easy-frugal-fatfree.html" target="_blank">frozen banana ice cream</a>. It is pretty hard work for the S-blade on the food processor though, and we've heard that juicers and mincers do an even better job on the frozen bananas. I don't want another whole gizmo in my kitchen, but I have idly considered buying the mincer attachment for our mixer.<br />
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I almost let this amazing coincidence at the White Elephant Sale pass me by. I'd even shelved this box and moved it around a couple of times. But it wasn't until a customer said "there are bits missing from this" that we both realised it was an attachment, not a standalone machine. Just exactly what I needed for the machine we have at home, and luckily the customer didn't! $5, for an attachment retailing new for £38.<br />
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I can confirm that the banana ice cream product from the mincer is far superior - it can take the totally frozen banana chunks without strain and produce a really really cold treat instead of one that melts almost as served.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The icing on the cake</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vGPdXymO6u9-rNlYYzjhUIdTqVLKW-HJpDdBLUWVwaqjeVfjEv1MC1aRETk5MNIY0-USeV0drMacnqqXAvSz_u0tS3ANl7HQjSM6ry2hSZC6Xu_ydp47bJV-S-OY7vTW-BpwyFPVy2aU/s1600/SS+-+Fair+Icing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vGPdXymO6u9-rNlYYzjhUIdTqVLKW-HJpDdBLUWVwaqjeVfjEv1MC1aRETk5MNIY0-USeV0drMacnqqXAvSz_u0tS3ANl7HQjSM6ry2hSZC6Xu_ydp47bJV-S-OY7vTW-BpwyFPVy2aU/s1600/SS+-+Fair+Icing.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
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And cookies, and vegan cupcakes for the <a href="http://www.vegansociety.co.nz/" target="_blank">Vegan Society</a> stall, and...<br />
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My sister's a decorating ace with all the equipment, but sometimes there's no chance to go borrowing. There were a couple of icing sets in the sale, and I knew I wanted to go home with one. <br />
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This one was pretty and compact, so it won the toss, and at $4 was quite the bargain. Especially when later at home, I found this was a collector tin retailing for $70. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzfcu-XkZyhypwmBKPKkhJmRU5EVLQgPQtv_R3RNNAGKCNcDw2IYeKG1jlbCeU5cUUrRMv1kCK_5jSR4AhjFZYsbavZmPM7l0MTrQRwm3P9MgEXApmIn4iCPeVOTtX3WLO3tbwAPU_iq0/s1600/SS+-+Fair+NadiaIcing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzfcu-XkZyhypwmBKPKkhJmRU5EVLQgPQtv_R3RNNAGKCNcDw2IYeKG1jlbCeU5cUUrRMv1kCK_5jSR4AhjFZYsbavZmPM7l0MTrQRwm3P9MgEXApmIn4iCPeVOTtX3WLO3tbwAPU_iq0/s1600/SS+-+Fair+NadiaIcing.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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Yes, there were even more bargains we got at the fair, but enough already! Secondhand is totally smart shopping.<br />
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<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-7053693041430918872014-12-11T11:59:00.000-08:002014-12-11T12:18:07.404-08:00Faking maturity on Facebook: underage accounts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What I've always wanted to know but been afraid to ask. So I'll risk general offense in the hope of getting some answers.<br />
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Why the fake account for your kid who is legally too young to be on Facebook? I know you know it's there, because s/he's in your friend list.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why I haven't and I wish you wouldn't</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's fraudulent. Here's lesson 1 on "it's OK to fake your age to get in where you shouldn't;" what could possibly go wrong...?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It exposes your child randomly to inappropriate material, messages and ads. Facebook's only parental control setting is requiring your child to be 13 - why blow that?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It allows your child to send private messages to other Facebook users.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If I'm your friend on Facebook, your underage child will see our interactions and could potentially participate. Which could mean all THEIR underage friends might see it. Sorry, but ewww. My young adult nieces and my parents are in my network, and that cramps my style enough.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you wouldn't invite your children to your pub crawl, why invite them illegally onto a worldwide social network?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is 13 just forever to wait, when all of their friends already have one? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is it never too early to start putting yourself out there, counting how many friends and likes you get, with the added bonus of cyberbullying?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are they growing up too slowly? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm only seeing the downside here - please supply some balance!</span></span><br />
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<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-13141481182078717492014-11-23T15:21:00.001-08:002014-11-23T15:27:39.624-08:00Fun with Feminist Hacker Barbie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you haven't yet heard about Kathleen Tuite, <a href="https://computer-engineer-barbie.herokuapp.com/" target="_blank">Feminist Hacker Barbie</a> and her awesome backlash against Mattel's book <span data-twttr-id="twttr-sandbox-0" itemprop="articleBody"><a href="http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/223640/i-can-be-actressi-can-be-computer-engineer-barbie#9780449816196">“Barbie: I Can be a Computer Engineer,”</a></span> this <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/11/feminist-hacker-barbie-just-little-girls-need/" target="_blank">Wired article</a> is a great place to start.<br />
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Then visit <a href="https://computer-engineer-barbie.herokuapp.com/" target="_blank">the site</a>, view the original pages, and rewrite the book for all our sakes.<br />
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(And btw, her mom and my mom are friends, so I'm pretty sure that makes me cool too.)<br />
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Here's my bit of fun....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCF3b1Fv2cjl_BZhvIb6UhGCx6raH5orqbRlYk_mLePpZ_iqDXhtx2B-HcGmnri0OjS9o4tJj8qxxWKu2phOCCPRyoKsRGIgq2SXdgN1HlcEvALJdIMu44XxflwC6bvMSfpLNyMI0MgKr/s1600/HackerBarbie1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCF3b1Fv2cjl_BZhvIb6UhGCx6raH5orqbRlYk_mLePpZ_iqDXhtx2B-HcGmnri0OjS9o4tJj8qxxWKu2phOCCPRyoKsRGIgq2SXdgN1HlcEvALJdIMu44XxflwC6bvMSfpLNyMI0MgKr/s1600/HackerBarbie1.png" height="640" width="598" /></a></div>
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<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-43614752015520495902014-11-20T10:35:00.000-08:002014-11-22T11:07:04.983-08:00Pin the sexist shirt on the comet's tail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF_bjc_VLSN6iJTHfpM4nvSHNnp_7NlRVnMYgY6L0Z8DWHGUZLS7vG9GVHjxWsoOiPO7ZoLdxlknhCP7w5ENkBEy24OGdxa7yCQXwrh-7L0S8vcBX7H8wclwIH7Ps7dvwVlcFI4slj6g0/s1600/SexistShirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF_bjc_VLSN6iJTHfpM4nvSHNnp_7NlRVnMYgY6L0Z8DWHGUZLS7vG9GVHjxWsoOiPO7ZoLdxlknhCP7w5ENkBEy24OGdxa7yCQXwrh-7L0S8vcBX7H8wclwIH7Ps7dvwVlcFI4slj6g0/s1600/SexistShirt.png" /></a></div>
The amazing news of the European Space Agency's <a href="http://www.space.com/24266-rosetta-comet-mission-photos-esa.html" target="_blank">Rosetta mission landing on the comet</a> has burst onto the scene. Even more colourfully, so has the shirt of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSv6ZBZtzRA&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Mike Taylor, the talented Rosetta scientist who appeared in the media</a>.<br />
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(Will we now have the "Rosetta Shirt" to go along with the famed "Rosetta Stone?")<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's the big deal?</b></span><br />
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I studied tech and worked in tech industries for more than 10 years. Then, as now, the techier it got, the more men worked there, and the more casual the dress code. Not suit and tie, but T-shirts and cycling gear. New Zealand is pretty relaxed. They were not the most politically careful people around.<br />
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But not one of those men would have worn a shirt like that to work. If they had actually made such a bad call, they wouldn't have made it down the hall before somebody responsible would have gently but firmly reminded them how inappropriate it was.<br />
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If I interviewed for a company where I saw someone wearing such a shirt unchallenged, I would have known there were problems.<br />
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So scientist dude Mike Taylor put on a shirt covered in fantasy cartoon body babes, went to work, and made it onscreen without <b>anybody around him noticing a problem</b>. This is a workplace with an ingrained sexism problem. This is a classic real life illustration of this <a href="http://catalyst.org/knowledge/gender-divide-tech-intensive-industries" target="_blank">gender-divide study</a> in technical fields. In a way, Mike Taylor has done us a favour by showing how invisible sexism is to him and his field. And I salute him for <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/13/living/matt-taylor-shirt-philae-rosetta-project/index.html" target="_blank">apologising</a> for his mistake.<br />
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Mike Taylor's response is more enlightened than the people who have blamed the feminists for the problem. Apparently the shirt was not the distraction from the major scientific accomplishment - it was those who complained about it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>On the world stage</b></span><br /><br />
Like it or not, ready or not, Mike Taylor just appeared on the world stage. In a recent show I was in, the director asked one of the supporting actors to remove a hat supplied by wardrobe. Obviously wardrobe loved the hat, and the actor also loved the hat, and it looked dramatic, so what was the problem?<br />
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Well, the hat was so big that you couldn't stop looking at it and pay full attention to the scene. It was like, there were three on stage: the main actor and the supporting actor and her hat, and the scene only called for two. When a piece of clothing, like that hat or that shirt, has its own personality, handle with care.<br />
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We should only have been hearing the awesome space message. Some director just had an epic fail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXrUAwYb6Qt0XxvPN21SJZ1ofJiKd3OSXFpzwrYBUeCU7pVAKlBGy0OKimepqQuLjc7WF5ethL4HJvpWjt5n7UHMVFJSdRC4CgsHMKa7wKZ0IXmXA038Bezn0yG_1upcJMVSvPRP0N9X-/s1600/SexistShirtslaves.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXrUAwYb6Qt0XxvPN21SJZ1ofJiKd3OSXFpzwrYBUeCU7pVAKlBGy0OKimepqQuLjc7WF5ethL4HJvpWjt5n7UHMVFJSdRC4CgsHMKa7wKZ0IXmXA038Bezn0yG_1upcJMVSvPRP0N9X-/s1600/SexistShirtslaves.png" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Looney Tunes</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reframing the stereotype</span></b><br />
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What if the white guy's shirt had jolly drawings of black people in rags pickin' cotton? Would objectors have been labelled <a href="http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2014/11/19/its-time-to-push-back-against-feminist-bullies/" target="_blank">bullies</a>, as the feminists have been? Would that have been "<a href="http://www.rachelhansen.org/blog/open-letter-to-the-science-guy-in-the-lady-top" target="_blank">not actual racism</a>"? Would anyone say, <a href="http://www.tytnetwork.com/2014/11/16/attacking-dr-matt-taylor-shirtgate-belittles-feminism/" target="_blank">"If black people let something like this put them off, they shouldn't work in the STEM fields."</a><br />
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News flash. Black people are also largely <a href="http://www.browndailyherald.com/2013/10/30/minority-groups-underrepresented-stem-fields/" target="_blank">underrepresented in STEM fields</a>. Perhaps secretly white men prefer them in the cotton fields. It's no secret that too many still prefer barely dressed fantasy women to real women challenging them in the real world. Is this an offensive stereotype? Yes. No fun, is it?<br />
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Basically, what that says is, "If you can't handle that STEM fields are sexist/racist, you shouldn't work there. Don't complain!"<br />
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Even Star Trek changed their motto to "boldly go where no one has gone before." Little by little, oppression could become invisible because it doesn't exist anymore. But it won't happen if we ignore it. @miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-91634299703510504732014-10-17T11:51:00.000-07:002014-10-17T14:37:32.231-07:00Why this vegan won't go to Hell...that's Hell Pizza, in New Zealand, of course.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What the Hell?</b></span><br />
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Recently, my network feed from my local vegan friends and vegan boards have been dripping with pizza selfies. What's the news? Hell Pizza with the brand new addition of <a href="http://www.angelfood.co.nz/">Angel Food's</a> delicious <a href="http://shop.angelfood.co.nz/products/mozzarella.html">vegan mozzarella cheese</a>. I have eaten Hell Pizza before, but they are expensive and gourmet, and I'm a <a href="http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=frugal" target="_blank">frugal gal</a>, so although they are just up the road we don't often meet anyway.<br />
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But we won't be meeting anytime soon, in spite of the vegan cheese. I'm in a minority compared to the Hell-ravers, and I don't enjoy feeling in conflict with a business coup for a well-loved vegan business, but here we go. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hell of an advertisement</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxt8uAtEFPQI3uB-MDVRLhyphenhyphennhnBiDvPdDUHwmL6SH7lEnD5o9b2asiGhuRoo9ki5dqu62ZNbaq51Bs5zGCdtUKq2WphLPRuq6cbWL7LAkKVq-Cw5gaY88Db_4r3Nf1wzaJ3a5QM6KQxyq/s1600/hell_pizza_rabbit_skin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxt8uAtEFPQI3uB-MDVRLhyphenhyphennhnBiDvPdDUHwmL6SH7lEnD5o9b2asiGhuRoo9ki5dqu62ZNbaq51Bs5zGCdtUKq2WphLPRuq6cbWL7LAkKVq-Cw5gaY88Db_4r3Nf1wzaJ3a5QM6KQxyq/s1600/hell_pizza_rabbit_skin.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
Hell Pizza's name and image is based on exploitation of Christian ideas. Because only a minority in New Zealand take religion seriously, Hell is able to appeal to the majority by using those familiar ideas lightly with that hint of sacrilege to spice up their commercial presence and grab attention.<br />
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That's just how they roll. So no surprises really when they advertise <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9949727/Bunny-billboard-causes-offence">rabbit pizza</a> with a billboard of actual rabbit skins and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZHuY4XObuw">lamb shanks</a> with a cartoon "lambputee". This little lamb came out right before the vegan cheese deal and pushed me over my personal limit. I will get my pizza elsewhere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVetECMAWD5Ci2GK1pCns0VMppXdGqrFGB8F3EWwxUZs9JG71zugvLukOtLZe-wc3pxlL1zGPpJ2Mcxq5Bd5kEfc-X8M0ZSFm6aO56CxptNR4XSP6qA1_THGhIIRc_eAeK-UQbzxqJjMx7/s1600/hellpizzalambshanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVetECMAWD5Ci2GK1pCns0VMppXdGqrFGB8F3EWwxUZs9JG71zugvLukOtLZe-wc3pxlL1zGPpJ2Mcxq5Bd5kEfc-X8M0ZSFm6aO56CxptNR4XSP6qA1_THGhIIRc_eAeK-UQbzxqJjMx7/s1600/hellpizzalambshanks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks <a href="http://suicidefood.blogspot.co.nz/2010/09/lamb-shanks-at-hell-pizza.html">SuicideFood</a>!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who the Hell cares?</b></span><br />
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At the end of the day, none of this matters much. But this sort of advertising represents the sort of over-the-top satire about animal rights often summed up as "MMMMM...bacon".<br />
<br />
Some vegans believe that rabbit skin and legless lamb ads encourage us to connect the dots with animal production and use. Unlikely. Hell pays to design ads to increase sales, not make their loyal customers question their food. It's far more likely that the advertising focus groups showed that this level of satire encourages meat-eaters in their <a href="http://veganchowhound.com/rants/people-hate-vegans-freud-could-explain-why/">recognised defense mechanism</a>. <br />
<br />
Few people walk around draped in furs, and everybody knows that the lambs don't haunt the paddocks with prosthetic legs. The absurdity is a shared joke that avoids consideration of the reality.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>But...vegan pizza!</b></span><br />
<br />
I know, I know. Hell has always offered an unusual range of gourmet vegan pizzas, and now they're offering vegan cheese too! <br />
<br />
But Hell's ads show me that they are confident in offending the minority of animal rights supporters, just like Christians (and amputees, and who's next?), and still sell lots of pizza to those who overlook or even enjoy such jokes at other's expense. Controversy stimulates sales, so offending a minority is a win-win situation.<br />
<br />
Ick.<br />
<br />
Hell offering vegan cheese may be a shining example of how far veganism has come. Another sign of how far we've come is how other pizza places (Domino's or Pizza Hut) don't even blink when you order a pizza with no cheese - and then perhaps add your own <a href="http://shop.angelfood.co.nz/products/mozzarella.html">Angel Food mozzarella</a> at home.<br />
<br />
And if you're a vegan who still wants to support Hell, please consider, between mouthfuls of pizza, sending a message to them about the message their advertising sends to us.<br />
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-72944601198837642262014-08-22T13:10:00.000-07:002014-08-22T13:31:32.021-07:00Dirty Politics: the expose IS the issue<br />
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<br />
Anyone following the impact of Dirty Politics (<a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/">The Herald</a>, <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/">Stuff</a>, and the <a href="http://thestandard.org.nz/">Standard</a> have all the background and breaking news) has already been treated to several rounds of Protection Protest: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TUoIyH2lGcPIiWsCr5OkwEC0Pffnl5GanJbpAUlekht1bEhkhhsSJm1F89q2OVMFaq6IE5FXTkU2ZQJT0w1hUHnSZt_rDTyRiI71zZ99iF9rhaceSprDC_nQbV-eSp5mUp4YYFpyYG3c/s1600/whale+john-key-judith-collins-GETTY1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TUoIyH2lGcPIiWsCr5OkwEC0Pffnl5GanJbpAUlekht1bEhkhhsSJm1F89q2OVMFaq6IE5FXTkU2ZQJT0w1hUHnSZt_rDTyRiI71zZ99iF9rhaceSprDC_nQbV-eSp5mUp4YYFpyYG3c/s1600/whale+john-key-judith-collins-GETTY1200.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>This is a smear and it didn't happen.</li>
<li>I didn't do it and it's not my responsibility.</li>
<li>Maybe someone else did it, but it was a long time ago and it's already been handled.</li>
<li>If it happened, it's OK because everyone does it. </li>
<li>It may look like I did it, but that is misrepresentation.</li>
<li>If I did it, I can't remember - I can't remember everything!</li>
<li>It's under enquiry, so I can't comment.</li>
<li>This is a smear; we need to talk about real issues.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I have news for John Key and his band of dirty politician and supporters - this issue is as real as it gets.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1EfzLZcvBp78CcwQwn6I9RavxcUf12_V_AKMMoD8hvAu2bt-zP377d9NM3woAo_shaA2X8qrr7MyS6XpCxHBRhKqwsFAeVoQMOgnsL68BSBN8Bsj6kZfkU-cYYc2JRHOfxQwoO0_6Tay/s1600/whale+John_Key-eh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1EfzLZcvBp78CcwQwn6I9RavxcUf12_V_AKMMoD8hvAu2bt-zP377d9NM3woAo_shaA2X8qrr7MyS6XpCxHBRhKqwsFAeVoQMOgnsL68BSBN8Bsj6kZfkU-cYYc2JRHOfxQwoO0_6Tay/s1600/whale+John_Key-eh.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
Dirty Politics shows how these influential people operate. How they treat their friends, their colleagues, their supporters and their competition. How they treat the truth. How the best defense is the next lie.<br />
<br />
This forms the real context for any other issues such people might care to discuss with the public they claim to serve. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WhaleDump </span></b><br />
<br />
If you have not read Hagar's book, you can easily have a scan of the source emails on <a href="https://twitter.com/whaledump">WhaleDump</a>. One series of emails between <a href="http://pastebin.com/Kzu0C673">Slater and Bhatnagar</a> sets a scene of vicious and fawning scheming, including areas already well-known: favoured OIA requests to the SIS, threatened blackmail of Rodney Hide, and downloading of the Labour members' database and gloating over the damage potential, the political advantages to Allan Peachey's dying.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaqR9Ax06rWMIiR4TS5KgnWBeFMINlei9dsJ8uNbSzdtbjh_rsdWxVu6-AVIBhyphenhyphenxEft6cLAq0aTSVQjhE4WKNe1OlUhAq1F39KI0wu0UOyWq54b9KBLuejBlzjDaYH3Ja97JGxHB0JeHo/s1600/whale+cameron-slater-interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaqR9Ax06rWMIiR4TS5KgnWBeFMINlei9dsJ8uNbSzdtbjh_rsdWxVu6-AVIBhyphenhyphenxEft6cLAq0aTSVQjhE4WKNe1OlUhAq1F39KI0wu0UOyWq54b9KBLuejBlzjDaYH3Ja97JGxHB0JeHo/s1600/whale+cameron-slater-interview.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>It is regularly punctuated by obscene ad hominem attacks on many people:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
why is Blair Mulholland supporting this cock<br />
Because Blair IS a cock<br />
never had a job cock<br />
<br />
darren hughes is dead meat<br />
he tried to get his leg over with a 18yo bloke who isn't gay<br />
and tryiong to pull a Labour indian slut<br />
you are right, he is fucked.<br />
<br />
if he didn't get it last time based on all the referees i orgnaised then he never will...the national parrty really are cunts to their own<br />
<br />
i have txts as recent as three weeks ago between him and his latest root</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Yep i know that, Mallard is a cunt but don't get distracted let me deal with that shit</blockquote>
The exchange is also oddly peppered with slices of reality where both men discuss personal issues, political aspirations and outings together. This would be touching, if there were any hint of empathy elsewhere for their targets. One might excuse the whole as just a couple of not-yet-grownup boys seeking power together, no matter the cost.<br />
<br />
But wait! Much of the same vicious ground is covered from another angle between <a href="http://pastebin.com/ntEhGCtM">Slater and Lusk</a>, including Slater commenting about his mate Bhatnagar: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"cactus says Bhatty [ Bhatnagar] needs to groe the fuck up and
realise that fat indians with a BA in Russian are no good in politics
and the only reason he has any chance is because daddy's rich and nearly
dead. What a loser, he couldn't even win WITH daddy's money, you think Zac Goldsmith wouldhave ever stood ina seat he couldn't win. Rich people don't lose selections unless they are fucking hopeless or fucking stupid. he lost to a maori and that is even funnier."</blockquote>
Folks, this isn't just dirty. It's ugly, from start to finish. The files must be experienced to be believed (and they are believable, in a tedious and sickening way).<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Who cares? </span></b><br />
<br />
Why should anyone care about the nastiness of Slater and his mates? Because these files provide the documentary evidence needed to back up all the circumstantial evidence in 2011 that the National government probably used Slater's blog as a favoured channel for sensitive information about National's competition. In other words, official goverment information channels have been coopted for political purposes, and an official enquiry is now underway.<br />
<br />
This is but one documented issue that needs addressing. Key's repeated defense of Judith Collins is inexplicable unless you wonder how many other messes are being covered up on the denial system. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Is it OK to use stolen emails?</b></span><br />
<br />
It may seem hypocritical to accuse someone based upon stolen emails. However, the information that Slater and National are alleged to have misused were for their own advancement, and if they did it, that information is in the public interest. These emails are evidence that contradict Key's wobbly 2011 statements about the SIS OIA process. They indicate that perhaps the watchdogs of the day might have done well to investigate this fracas with more energy, including legally asking for Slater's communications as evidence instead of accepting implausible reassurances.<br />
<br />
For those who still feel a bit squeamish, remember that anonymous sources have an accepted and protected role. Justice is sometimes even served via criminals who turn in evidence of crimes they may themselves have been involved in.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Slater is a tool</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCFBnrqTnMPc5-0Rk0TgRUo6OqLYSfRnzbl1An3IWThA4qaBf4cWzL4CK0e99BLJ7yQZeaZyRHGtsjV131XnBFdOyqrjraDGuSvYlm_JpCLM-ihIaA6i8r17O1jAF5lbHBlaXMK3iipF3/s1600/Whale+key-and-slater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCFBnrqTnMPc5-0Rk0TgRUo6OqLYSfRnzbl1An3IWThA4qaBf4cWzL4CK0e99BLJ7yQZeaZyRHGtsjV131XnBFdOyqrjraDGuSvYlm_JpCLM-ihIaA6i8r17O1jAF5lbHBlaXMK3iipF3/s1600/Whale+key-and-slater.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>It's dodgy for the National Party even to associate with Slater and his blog. It's inexcusable how they have been using Slater as the medium for public messages that cannot conscionably or legally be said by any public servant.<br />
<br />
Slater is clearly a man who is desperately angling to be powerful since he cannot be liked. The files indicate that not only did he get an illegal inside track on the Goff briefing, he was discussing with National the release of the illegally downloaded Labour membership files. <br />
<br />
National has used Slater for this dirty work precisely so that Key can say "He's not my guy" and "nothing to do with National" when the charges start flying. After all, Cameron has been convicted of illegal information handling before. Not only does Key keep a clean image for his voters, he keeps a clean police record. That's a win-win.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Everybody does it?</span></b><br />
<br />
No. There may be certain things that "everybody does" in the network of political success. But everybody doesn't have emails containing discussions of blackmail or conspiracy to release regular people's private information. Everybody doesn't have years of email records which routinely abuse colleagues and competitors. And everybody certainly doesn't fiddle with the protected information from the SIS.<br />
<br />
So does John Key really believe that everyone is this dirty, or does he simply hope that you will?<br />
<br />
That would certainly keep you <a href="http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/is-it-smart-to-vote.html">out of the voting booth</a>.<br />
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<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-13935675887770467602014-07-03T17:51:00.000-07:002014-07-27T15:21:59.685-07:00Hybrids: driving with new energySo after 14 years, two children and a frugal lifestyle, it was finally time to upgrade the car, which was showing signs of needing expensive repairs and still not being OK anymore.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We have considered the one-car family option, but since I would expect it to be me who had the one car for daily runabouts, I can't push this one hard.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kfHWXxC53KUwqn8YcoQW699FPbDrTnB82ap4SOq9LxTz9bkJiFyfryx61PdKEALdY1JxIyQk7roRpQ0PAboN8LumrAhQyfaIQR3ikFW_kF6OBeGQeFa9AP9PVa48VDsPWWD7Yy7FTOlC/s1600/Hybrid+Prius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kfHWXxC53KUwqn8YcoQW699FPbDrTnB82ap4SOq9LxTz9bkJiFyfryx61PdKEALdY1JxIyQk7roRpQ0PAboN8LumrAhQyfaIQR3ikFW_kF6OBeGQeFa9AP9PVa48VDsPWWD7Yy7FTOlC/s1600/Hybrid+Prius.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
Our upgrade wish list included a fancy to invest in advanced motoring technology that uses less petrol.<br />
<br />
New Zealand has not yet integrated public charging stations for fully electric vehicles, but some clever online shopping by the DH resulted in quite a special deal from far away from the big smoke: a tidy 10-year-old Toyota Prius with less than 40,000 ks and a certified service history.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The ups</span></b><br />
<br />
Of course a newer car is always a pleasure to drive, and the whole family is helping to keep it in its original tidy condition instead of its natural state of the "family car".<br />
<br />
And it is really really <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">quiet </span></span>! We call it the sneaky car, because you often can't hear when it arrives in the garage. Unless the tires squeak.<br />
<br />
While I drive it, I get instant feedback on how much petrol I am using vs how much battery power. It's very motivational - it's like a driving game where I see how long I can run just on battery power before running out, or getting to the next hill so I can recharge. If nobody is following me I will often drive much more slowly than I used to, just to keep it on battery only. It's only a few hundres metres to the next corner anyway, so what's the rush? "I'm using no petrol!"<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ2RqjKY6zNwxouqeQJPe84lEljU5MOAg8vJpN_ivCZlDj4ABpoEmDO2n_u45QlaaWiZyDzx4U2MbofPCJSoMso7sGzDYHsW3PiyJdzqu8_oyoqjja18-wm9fYRfKuEsjw5js3IOXiDsZ/s1600/hybrid+screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ2RqjKY6zNwxouqeQJPe84lEljU5MOAg8vJpN_ivCZlDj4ABpoEmDO2n_u45QlaaWiZyDzx4U2MbofPCJSoMso7sGzDYHsW3PiyJdzqu8_oyoqjja18-wm9fYRfKuEsjw5js3IOXiDsZ/s1600/hybrid+screen.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, mine shows kms and litres, but you get the idea...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And it is educational to see how just THIS much more pressure on the pedal spends your petrol THAT much faster. I think every car needs this even if it's not a hybrid.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The downs</span></b><br />
<br />
While I love the extra storage the hatchback provides compared to our previous sedan, I absolutely hate the reduced visibility in every corner and behind the car.<br />
<br />
Squashed window and a spoiler - I can't see! DH has kindly installed a high-tech tennis ball feature in the garage so I know when I am finished parking. <br />
<br />
And there is always a risk that the hybrid battery could fail, which
could be $thousands to replace, or somewhat more reasonably amounts to repair...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The results</span></b><br />
<br />
I'm sure that like me, when you read about hybrid or electric technology and see the theoretical efficiency, you still wonder how that really translates to real life, especially when hybrids are more expensive to buy than their regular counterparts.<br />
<br />
So I'm very happy to report that I am regularly, easily, getting twice the distance from a tank of petrol in the Prius as I did for the old Nissan Sunny. Really: 400km when running the Sunny to the fumes at the bottom of the tank, and 800+ no problem on the Prius.<br />
<br />
Modify that gain slightly because the Prius runs on slightly more expensive petrol. But even so, we are doing about 1 fill per month instead of 2 - say about $80/month or $960 per year - this should eventually provide our ROI plus the satisfaction that we are using that much less petrol to get around.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridAnimation/hybrid/hybridoverview.html">Hybrid car technology</a> - overview with illustrations</li>
<li><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/9895998/Pros-and-cons-of-buying-a-hybrid-car">Pros and cons</a> (Stuff.co.nz)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.energywise.govt.nz/your-vehicle/new-technologies/hybrid-vehicles">Hybrid cars</a> (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, NZ)</li>
</ul>
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-25560951144584929962014-06-19T21:44:00.000-07:002014-06-20T12:42:31.839-07:00The politicians in person - for NZ Gifted Awareness Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, another political post for <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/">Gifted Awareness Week</a>!<br />
<br />
I hope that the following impressions of the speakers at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1490586021156482/">Auckland Political Panel</a> last night will help those of you who could not attend. I am biased but I welcome discussion from others with different biases.<br />
<br />
Kudos to all the parties who sent representatives to talk with us in a face-to-face! You can also <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/files/ElectionBooklet.pdf">read the official party gifted policy document</a> for more information.<br />
<br />
The evening was introduced by <a href="http://www.giftedkids.co.nz/About+Us/Gifted+Kids+Staff">Deb Clarke, CEO of NZCGE</a> and <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/">Rose Blackett</a>, President of <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/">NZAGC</a> and moderated by <a href="https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/l-garrett">Lynda Garrett</a> of the University of Auckland. All gave fantastic introductions to the barriers and frustrations those of us in the gifted community experienced, and they posed questions for the panelists. After the panelists' formal speeches, questions were taken from the audience, which was comprised of many experienced gifted educators and advocates.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>National</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Maggie Barry</b> had this portfolio given to her recently; while she had done some admirable last-minute swotting, like most last minute swotters she showed that she didn't understand the big picture, even her own party's decisions about funding. She reiterated that National had chosen to fund the underachieving educational area instead of extending gifted children and, although properly sympathetic and outraged at our plight, made no indication that there are any plans to change. <br /><br />Regarding the school culture problem and bullying of gifted children, she felt that bolstering the self-esteem of the bullied was crucial, as in her experience with her own child being bullied, the bullies were "waste of space individuals." <br />
<br />
She promised to report our messages back to the government.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Labour</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Chris Hipkins,</b> showing more clue than Maggie, pointed out that 5 out of 5 children succeeding did not mean they were all equal. He described the progress in gifted education that occurred during Labour's government, to many nodding heads. He promised there would be more funding specifically in our area, but was not able answer directly as to what area that money would be taken from as their budget announcement is not yet public. He <a href="http://blog.labour.org.nz/2013/06/19/gifted-awareness-week/">contributed to the 2013 BlogTour</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Greens</b></span><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://blog.greens.org.nz/2014/06/09/supporting-gifted-kids-awareness-week/">Catherine Delahunty</a></b> showed clear personal investment and history aligned with our interests (she has been blogging for the <a href="http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/06/21/supporting-the-gifts-and-talents-of-youth/">BlogTour since 2012</a>). Her speech included genuine passion and detail about the barriers we face, which resonated with the audience, many of whom she already knew. Rumour has it that her car was shunted on the motorway on the way here, and she came to speak anyway. Although she supports separate targeted programmes for the gifted, she believes that these should be supported by the government. She said that she would remove the funding from the charter school area in order to fund gifted education.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>NZ First</b></span><br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://creatingcurriculum.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/guest-blogger-hon-tracey-martin/">Tracey Martin</a></b> said some great things, but lost some points for announcing she had decided not to change her speech and then clearly reading her speech. NZ First highlights the need for a national summit on the success of our current education direction. She had personal experience with her own special needs children in the school system, and the failure of the system to address these needs led her eventually to get involved in politics. She said that gifted funding would come from rearranging the current allocation away from the top level bureaucracy in education.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ACT</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>David Seymour</b> declared that ACT knew nothing about gifted education and that the Ministry of Education was also not qualified in this area, but that charter schools would fix everything because everyone could most effectively "vote with their feet" to another school if one school did not suit. While he mentioned knowing that having to move schools was a terrible thing for child and parent, he said that having the choice of a wide variety of special character schools was the practical solution to providing for individual student needs. While David did not blog for the BlogTour, <a href="http://creatingcurriculum.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/guest-blogger-hon-john-banks/">John Banks contributed in 2012</a>. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Maori and Internet Mana</span></b><br />
<br />
No show.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b><br />
<br />
All these politicians have a dream of making a difference, but their priorities, goals, and chosen directions are very different. <a href="http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/is-it-smart-to-vote.html">Use your vote</a> when it counts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXWzDz0Aml9yb72IpAJI-11nfOKjMyhlRySJdFFgY_axKDNtO1uDFVpkkpdlZrH71Swg2NLY9VREZ0SSbrTipXargr7W6yOFolwHT7zAOAfrhXXF8zSVv07D7ZO1GoELHpDy_03RolFin/s1600/blogtour2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXWzDz0Aml9yb72IpAJI-11nfOKjMyhlRySJdFFgY_axKDNtO1uDFVpkkpdlZrH71Swg2NLY9VREZ0SSbrTipXargr7W6yOFolwHT7zAOAfrhXXF8zSVv07D7ZO1GoELHpDy_03RolFin/s1600/blogtour2.png" height="200" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This post has been written for the 2014 Gifted Awareness Week Blog tour. See <a href="http://ultranet.giftededucation.org.nz/WebSpace/1104/">all the blogs as they are voted on</a>...<br /><br />Jessica Parsons is the current president of <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/explorers.org.nz/">Auckland Explorers, branch of the NZ Association for Gifted Children</a>. She has two gifted children with her gifted husband.</span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".14.$mid=11402302000162=2afdb19a4a271a96e21.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span class="null"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-86986929467020838992014-06-18T16:20:00.001-07:002014-06-19T15:41:27.729-07:00Is it smart to vote?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG35s1DLEh8L45cZlpBebwjHukUZ30Ata_NWv-e8j_sD7av6xbpxu236tpGTgNZOldnK9c9bkpPLsr_ErX-nsGc-on9plelbXUwm95afsxkuOZZqAON5iHJbhgNR4sUCxBYr1pevCvY-h/s1600/vote-smart-button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG35s1DLEh8L45cZlpBebwjHukUZ30Ata_NWv-e8j_sD7av6xbpxu236tpGTgNZOldnK9c9bkpPLsr_ErX-nsGc-on9plelbXUwm95afsxkuOZZqAON5iHJbhgNR4sUCxBYr1pevCvY-h/s1600/vote-smart-button.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>You may not make it to the <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/media/political-panels.php">Wellington or Auckland Gifted Political Panels</a> this <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/">Gifted Awareness Week</a>, but everyone has the chance to vote on Election Day (<span class="st">20 September, 2014)</span>.<br />
<br />
The word these days seems to be "don't vote, it only encourages them" or "if voting made a difference, they would make it illegal."<br />
<br />
Taking off any rose-coloured glasses about democracy, voting and the system, let's examine a few things.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Low voter turnout</span></b><br />
<br />
In 2011, NZ's voter turnout was the lowest since the 1880s. And for 2011 and 2008, the low voter turnout returned a National (conservative) win.<br />
<br />
Low turnout favouring the right is a <a href="http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/11156810/Fowler_gsas.harvard_0084L_10773.pdf?sequence=1">democracy truism researched worldwide</a>. Conservatives like to vote. They vote for their people. They don't argue endlessly about who are their people or if they're always right or whether the system is broken.They know that they want their people in the driving seat of whatever system controls the power and the money.<br />
<br />
If you stay away from the polls on principle, you are voting to continue with a government whose minister would <a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/Govt-opens-Mauis-dolphin-area-for-oil-drilling/tabid/1160/articleID/348984/Default.aspx">make the Maui dolphin go the way of the moa for money</a>. (And who, in case you haven't heard, <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/10172507/NZ-schools-a-step-back-for-gifted-kids">cut gifted funding in 2009</a>.)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MMP</span></b><br />
<br />
"The two main parties are both the same anyway!" I hear you groan. There's some truth in that. But in NZ, we have <a href="http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/mmp-voting-system">MMP</a>.<br />
<br />
Is MMP perfect? No. But there are millions of people in the world, especially in the USA, who would get to the voting booth on their knees, kissing the ground in front of the door, for the chance to vote for a minor party and have that party actually get into government and <a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/history-green-party">pass bills</a> and stuff.<br />
<br />
We certainly have some <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/files/ElectionBooklet.pdf">strong and interesting choices</a> on the table for the power balance after this election. <br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Does your vote matter?</span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99M9NnsGF1QpNduOXckn6-99mkWC5FLiOsWaC_YgtfQuuu-FPC9sMUREFR_C5bH5rRcJERsk6nKVLVBdzFavTXEJPcs8rBfqHwOZ9FCehjQEB19gvFGoGU1iPAagzhW8M-zoe5A2RGQ3P/s1600/Vote+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99M9NnsGF1QpNduOXckn6-99mkWC5FLiOsWaC_YgtfQuuu-FPC9sMUREFR_C5bH5rRcJERsk6nKVLVBdzFavTXEJPcs8rBfqHwOZ9FCehjQEB19gvFGoGU1iPAagzhW8M-zoe5A2RGQ3P/s1600/Vote+here.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><b> </b><br />
<b>5%</b> = percentage of people generally accepted as gifted in any area
<b><br /> </b><br />
<b>5% </b>= percentage of the party vote needed to get representatives in Parliament<br />
<br />
If this coincidence isn't enough to get you out to start the Gifted Party of New Zealand, I hope it illustrates how even a small number of people voting strategically to promote their own special interest can make a difference.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">So is it smart to vote? </span></b><br />
<br />
Only you can decide that. But there will be plenty of people voting who believe that the gifted already have enough advantages, so on Election Day I will be there, ticking my voting paper for some left-leaning, status-quo stirring, 1% bashing, people and planet power party.<br />
<br />
I hope to see you there. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXWzDz0Aml9yb72IpAJI-11nfOKjMyhlRySJdFFgY_axKDNtO1uDFVpkkpdlZrH71Swg2NLY9VREZ0SSbrTipXargr7W6yOFolwHT7zAOAfrhXXF8zSVv07D7ZO1GoELHpDy_03RolFin/s1600/blogtour2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXWzDz0Aml9yb72IpAJI-11nfOKjMyhlRySJdFFgY_axKDNtO1uDFVpkkpdlZrH71Swg2NLY9VREZ0SSbrTipXargr7W6yOFolwHT7zAOAfrhXXF8zSVv07D7ZO1GoELHpDy_03RolFin/s1600/blogtour2.png" height="200" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This post has been written for the 2014 Gifted Awareness Week Blog tour. See <a href="http://ultranet.giftededucation.org.nz/WebSpace/1104/">all the blogs as they are voted on</a>...<br /><br />Jessica Parsons is the current president of <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/explorers.org.nz/">Auckland Explorers, branch of the NZ Association for Gifted Children</a>. She has two gifted children with her gifted husband.</span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".14.$mid=11402302000162=2afdb19a4a271a96e21.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span class="null"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-uUoDuU1duE4%2FU6Ia1zmkZGI%2FAAAAAAAABdc%2FJ_LNNdPnCxk%2Fs1600%2FVote%2Bhere.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99M9NnsGF1QpNduOXckn6-99mkWC5FLiOsWaC_YgtfQuuu-FPC9sMUREFR_C5bH5rRcJERsk6nKVLVBdzFavTXEJPcs8rBfqHwOZ9FCehjQEB19gvFGoGU1iPAagzhW8M-zoe5A2RGQ3P/s1600/Vote+here.jpg" -->@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-66298809657012044752014-06-09T01:48:00.002-07:002014-06-18T16:09:55.899-07:00The gift of wizardry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0_o-wpwtwqfjDzV_J4hOgGyrSrY4C1_32TjKXhLXd6flFUGWBqE85ZfJlJNnA1vg8fAE5u0ES3VlmLMgbns73tCBnXnwrxV_eGvqujHvnAjeaPa4agYb3Ja4FyGZXeuARroyH2Uht5Qs/s1600/fanclub+harrypotter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0_o-wpwtwqfjDzV_J4hOgGyrSrY4C1_32TjKXhLXd6flFUGWBqE85ZfJlJNnA1vg8fAE5u0ES3VlmLMgbns73tCBnXnwrxV_eGvqujHvnAjeaPa4agYb3Ja4FyGZXeuARroyH2Uht5Qs/s1600/fanclub+harrypotter.jpg" /></a>In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._K._Rowling">JK Rowling</a>'s world, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter">some people are wizards</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where do wizard children come from?</b></span><br />
<br />
You are very likely to be a wizard if you have a wizard parent or especially two. If so, your siblings are probably wizards too. If they aren't, this can cause family friction.<br />
<br />
Sometimes young wizard children are born to nonwizard parents, which is sometimes welcome and sometimes awkward when this is discovered. You have to recognise when a child is a wizard, or everything will get pretty confused.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Raising a wizard</span></b><br />
<br />
Wizards may have a variety of unusual skills - some will be really helpful in everyday life and some will be a real burden or even a danger until the skill is really well understood by the wizard child, usually with the help of family or another great teacher. Wizards can be expensive to educate, with special equipment, methods, and expertly trained teachers. Some families will not be able to afford as much special attention as their wizard child needs.<br />
<br />
But each wizard individual has different strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes the weaknesses are more obvious than the strengths. No wizard is good at everything, although some may drive themselves crazy trying.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wizard life </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKT1B0mdAzxKOny5iJNdKKLOl5pN0ec-WV8ENJpMhGlH5U59HL2SPp87OGYYSaUiK7KJ3yB9nsQpe4opeICo-omYhFQnr8rua_nX1sMlkXE3dx4KkyqchKhUXCw0Z4FWikPIR50pxXIaG/s1600/wizard+devonmurray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKT1B0mdAzxKOny5iJNdKKLOl5pN0ec-WV8ENJpMhGlH5U59HL2SPp87OGYYSaUiK7KJ3yB9nsQpe4opeICo-omYhFQnr8rua_nX1sMlkXE3dx4KkyqchKhUXCw0Z4FWikPIR50pxXIaG/s1600/wizard+devonmurray.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wizards usually have to hide what they can do from nonwizards, because their capabilities can be confusing or frightening. It can be easier for wizards to spend most of their time with other wizards, so they can be comfortable and talk freely without being rejected or judged as weird.<br />
<br />
But wizards, even with their flashy tricks and magic words, know that they are not superior to nonwizards - who also have their own strengths that most wizards struggle to master. The wizards who do believe they are superior can be very hard to like and live with.<br />
<br />
Some wizards never get the hang of their powers and their role in the world, and they die before their time. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And now for the magic trick </span></b><br />
<br />
Now go replace every instance of "wizard" above with "gifted."<br />
<br />
There are a lot of parallels with this exciting fantasy fiction, which lets anyone imagine a special role. Unfortunately for the gifted, it gets even more complicated after that. In real life, we don't have an easily-identified evil enemy to band together and fight, so we're just as likely to fight with each other when we get stressed.<br />
<br />
Our goals aren't well-defined, and there's no fanfare or explosion when we succeed or fail. There is no Ministry for the Gifted, with rules and regulations to guide our behaviour.<br />
<br />
And it is generally recommended that the gifted try their best to integrate most of the time, so saddest of all, there is no Hogwarts for the gifted. At least not in my neighbourhood - if there's one in yours, please tell me in the comments. And where to catch the train. Because I'm not ready to give up on the magic just yet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PgqVocviV-5w1CuKy6PIGkCnkZjCRBA_KROc_tp8LIDDy32vsh-GwWMy4MwGdCMm3mN1WpJWCtwOXBlvoM53_CCa07ydvLYa0_7otTAUy1ufkUl31HPLTfVioTcIr5jcJYhqQZg7BGlD/s1600/harry-potter-train-station3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PgqVocviV-5w1CuKy6PIGkCnkZjCRBA_KROc_tp8LIDDy32vsh-GwWMy4MwGdCMm3mN1WpJWCtwOXBlvoM53_CCa07ydvLYa0_7otTAUy1ufkUl31HPLTfVioTcIr5jcJYhqQZg7BGlD/s1600/harry-potter-train-station3.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXWzDz0Aml9yb72IpAJI-11nfOKjMyhlRySJdFFgY_axKDNtO1uDFVpkkpdlZrH71Swg2NLY9VREZ0SSbrTipXargr7W6yOFolwHT7zAOAfrhXXF8zSVv07D7ZO1GoELHpDy_03RolFin/s1600/blogtour2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXWzDz0Aml9yb72IpAJI-11nfOKjMyhlRySJdFFgY_axKDNtO1uDFVpkkpdlZrH71Swg2NLY9VREZ0SSbrTipXargr7W6yOFolwHT7zAOAfrhXXF8zSVv07D7ZO1GoELHpDy_03RolFin/s1600/blogtour2.png" height="200" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This post has been written for the 2014 Gifted Awareness Week Blog tour. See <a href="http://ultranet.giftededucation.org.nz/WebSpace/1104/">all the blogs as they magically appear</a>...<br /><br />Jessica Parsons is the current president of <a href="http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/explorers.org.nz/">Auckland Explorers, branch of the NZ Association for Gifted Children</a>. She has two gifted children with her gifted husband.</span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".14.$mid=11402302000162=2afdb19a4a271a96e21.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span class="null"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<br />@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-42129763781231981022014-05-28T16:30:00.001-07:002014-07-03T17:57:04.777-07:00Bestiality vs animal husbandry: a roleplaying game<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCOfiYxQejjDDFRVb2lcVlPcd8WHcZq2wqS6s1HD_7u1iq__b6huHz98AAwuSXuFkLogh4fwcsVc3K5L16cO0fbEbKzqKmvFOOTJjdpAj93ttnnllQbZjxyc01rckDlTUjMH3AxVWP5fQ/s1600/Bestiality+AI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCOfiYxQejjDDFRVb2lcVlPcd8WHcZq2wqS6s1HD_7u1iq__b6huHz98AAwuSXuFkLogh4fwcsVc3K5L16cO0fbEbKzqKmvFOOTJjdpAj93ttnnllQbZjxyc01rckDlTUjMH3AxVWP5fQ/s1600/Bestiality+AI.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Alex Macmillan - Northland beef farmer and <br />artificial insemination technician. Source http://www.teara.govt.nz</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Apparently New Zealand farmers would like cows to <a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1405/S00070/fertility-research-seeks-biological-breakthrough.htm">get pregnant earlier and more easily.</a> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(Warning: this post is not graphic but discusses sensitive topics. In case the title wasn't enough of a clue.)</blockquote>
DairyNZ senior scientist and project leader
Dr Chris Burke says “More cows in-calf means more
milk in the vat before Christmas, fewer replacements
required, more flexibility when making culling decisions to
improve herds and better returns overall for dairy
farmers.”<br />
<br />
But can we ask how rewarding it will be for the cows in this study? Nationwide outrage was generated against <a href="http://www.nzavs.org.nz/we-did-it">animal testing for party pills</a>; sadly animal testing to increase productivity barely raises an eyebrow.<br />
<br />
(For extra credit and fun, also ask a New Zealand farmer to say "killing" and "culling" and see if you hear any difference.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouZ1ckUAivW8uArIa3MX4YoCFzZRpgkHQiZKa48HfBf2kKLC9cSerVS3ut5KyKf50VNy_33C4mWYb0Xt1Tzce0jyLlecncLI_ut-_HmjrMuBR8SA3KEPbP2qksuFlV-_LAJCxGGqX6rbQ/s1600/Bestiality+puppymill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouZ1ckUAivW8uArIa3MX4YoCFzZRpgkHQiZKa48HfBf2kKLC9cSerVS3ut5KyKf50VNy_33C4mWYb0Xt1Tzce0jyLlecncLI_ut-_HmjrMuBR8SA3KEPbP2qksuFlV-_LAJCxGGqX6rbQ/s1600/Bestiality+puppymill.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://pawjustice.co.nz/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bestiality vs animal husbandry</span></b><br />
<br />
If I were an animal, what is the difference? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Consent</b></span><br />
<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="2" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr align="left">
<th>Bestiality</th><th>Animal Husbandry</th>
</tr>
<tr align="left">
<td>I did not consent</td><td>I did not consent</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Abuse Risk</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><br />
<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="2" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr align="left">
<th>Bestiality</th><th>Animal Husbandry</th>
</tr>
<tr align="left">
<td>High - I might be hurt or killed for fun or by accident</td><td>High - I might be hurt or culled (oops, killed) for fun, by accident, or if I am not economically beneficial. </td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pregnancy Risk</b></span><br />
<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="2" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr align="left">
<th>Bestiality</th><th>Animal Husbandry</th>
</tr>
<tr align="left">
<td>I won't get pregnant. </td><td>High. I am meant to get pregnant (if I can't, I may be killed...erm...culled)<br />
The stress of pregnancy and lactation is <a href="http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/2011/09/got-guilt-motherhood-sacrifice.html">business as usual for my body</a>, with my babies taken away to be more industrial product. I will be sicker and die earlier.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motive</b></span><br />
<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="2" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr align="left">
<th>Bestiality</th><th>Animal Husbandry</th>
</tr>
<tr align="left">
<td>I'm used for pleasure. </td><td>I'm used for profit. </td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Legality</b></span><br />
<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="2" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr align="left">
<th>Bestiality</th><th>Animal Husbandry</th>
</tr>
<tr align="left">
<td>It is illegal to do this to me.</td><td>It is legal to do this to me, and encouraged and rewarded.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnplzlq67goMTLy6yEi9UrUN83ODdZZSFGvghLSwDB-YKPc0pwlRmJgPoPB2iF72vslDqIvcnOkDoiwI-8y8jYaeTc2B5QTGwY04f56JFbQ0rbB0r3UsPFpuWhcebh4rtnrQC4pJMTR3_B/s1600/Bestiality+pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnplzlq67goMTLy6yEi9UrUN83ODdZZSFGvghLSwDB-YKPc0pwlRmJgPoPB2iF72vslDqIvcnOkDoiwI-8y8jYaeTc2B5QTGwY04f56JFbQ0rbB0r3UsPFpuWhcebh4rtnrQC4pJMTR3_B/s1600/Bestiality+pigs.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
I could be better off as as a victim of bestiality - at least I won't get pregnant and the violator would be stopped and possibly prosecuted.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Legal links and loopholes</span></b><br />
<br />
Admittedly, bestiality <a href="http://occupyforanimals.wix.com/petitions-to-the-eu#!bestiality/c1xrt">isn't even illegal in a lot of places</a>. You may not want to recognise a link between bestiality and animal husbandry, and <a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/resultsin.aspx?search=sw_096be8ed80e0c070_animal_25_se&p=1">New Zealand</a> and <a href="http://www.findlaw.com.au/articles/4976/bestiality.aspx">Australian law </a>still both sorta take it for granted that farmers and other breeders are just doing their job when they...do the job.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB42wn99WyDvjG-xwtBfY5Gqwu7PiKoUEwzzq93eGs0cBkk6hkCHdjeM5WMHlr4GMiJA4wBnC5p66SmJw9cOkkCOLZ2P4T0ZuLamOAygezjszMY8Yt12Mv-Hqre4LyRrgBVw1zrbU9sSq/s1600/Bestiality+sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB42wn99WyDvjG-xwtBfY5Gqwu7PiKoUEwzzq93eGs0cBkk6hkCHdjeM5WMHlr4GMiJA4wBnC5p66SmJw9cOkkCOLZ2P4T0ZuLamOAygezjszMY8Yt12Mv-Hqre4LyRrgBVw1zrbU9sSq/s1600/Bestiality+sheep.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
However, bestiality laws being implemented now in many states of the USA (eg <a href="http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/17/title17sec1031.html">Maine</a>) have seen the logical need to exclude animal husbandry's intimate interference with animals' bodies. Similar exemptions are listed for other practices of cruelty to animals. <br />
<br />
So it's OK to abuse animals, even sexually, as long as someone is making money out of it, and not just enjoying it.<br />
<br />
Because they're just animals. Right?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxFW22BCH5Fqlwl90Cxcd4yEJTdKDTSlxz-Ukz2Jc2tJISgcq2_8fTSyxUkSgeCSrtdNfipQ_MESc8KCddXavskDvN8VaqF9wmhsl-_0eTFSkO0e8BJJ3kI1RRnA4NbbaGZCfPavGI1Ig/s1600/Bestiality+calf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxFW22BCH5Fqlwl90Cxcd4yEJTdKDTSlxz-Ukz2Jc2tJISgcq2_8fTSyxUkSgeCSrtdNfipQ_MESc8KCddXavskDvN8VaqF9wmhsl-_0eTFSkO0e8BJJ3kI1RRnA4NbbaGZCfPavGI1Ig/s1600/Bestiality+calf.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go vegan please...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8092410187415328435.post-60290324490608050192014-05-12T17:32:00.000-07:002014-05-12T17:32:06.880-07:00Creative frugal energy at homeWe have various commercial heating sources in our home: woodburner, heat pumps, portable heaters, solar hot water. We are lucky to get a lot of sun exposure. But we also have a natural cold spot in our house; unfortunately it is the bedroom.<br />
<br />
In winter, we get 2 hours of a slanted afternoon sunbeam across one far corner of the room before the sun disappears behind the neighbour's house.<br />
<br />
Many New Zealand houses like ours are poorly insulated. We go suddenly from "all windows wide open" to "treasure every sunbeam." And it is truly satisfying to set up our homemade sun reflector - made at the end of winter last year and now ready to serve us through a whole cold season.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sun reflector inspiration</span></b><br />
<br />
While the bedroom is dark all day, the fence opposite gets all day sun. So close! I knew we must be able to capture that somehow. I favour reuse where possible, so I envisaged hanging an old metal shower tray or several computer cases with some bracing to reflect and direct the light.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Design</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gfsx4koXH65iw41dTfTPTZpDVVFkl6DIvsIYPAlnKZYtRCgsfvy8yj2eB36BSp9YhKPKL-MBazDOqTCsJkLBsuU6-fDQpzPOlTm6OBxNnEcd8uBMfw6L3ID4VWCBTd6EamXCqwefKGzg/s1600/Sunreflect1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gfsx4koXH65iw41dTfTPTZpDVVFkl6DIvsIYPAlnKZYtRCgsfvy8yj2eB36BSp9YhKPKL-MBazDOqTCsJkLBsuU6-fDQpzPOlTm6OBxNnEcd8uBMfw6L3ID4VWCBTd6EamXCqwefKGzg/s1600/Sunreflect1.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
Examples of solar reflector designs abound on the internet, but many focus on concentrating sunlight to a point for cooking, which was overengineering for us.<br />
<br />
The builder (my husband) is pretty handy and felt my shower tray design was<b> under</b>engineered, so after various experiments and research we reached a suitable compromise (see end of post for full details).<br />
<br />
He still wants to automate it to follow the sun. I am OK with resetting it every couple of hours during the day when I can. When it moves off the bedroom window, the ensuite window benefits.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Results!</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFfjGG5g_ehbp974jZNH-g534JA2FWsRhMUrL08AYByXMGtmGc4VrJc66LmZRXcTReGzo-BgAFAZSjy_HtYfRvZpR4JBAT10xOShHDDvq4gajs_A_nPeksauAB3bh_uJ7aW5zZ_SyLTNK/s1600/Sunreflectbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFfjGG5g_ehbp974jZNH-g534JA2FWsRhMUrL08AYByXMGtmGc4VrJc66LmZRXcTReGzo-BgAFAZSjy_HtYfRvZpR4JBAT10xOShHDDvq4gajs_A_nPeksauAB3bh_uJ7aW5zZ_SyLTNK/s1600/Sunreflectbed.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
The reflector hanging from the fence is not the most beautiful sight. The most beautiful sight is this warm beam of sunshine (bright enough to show how much our mirror needs cleaning)!<br />
<br />
I can have this beauty and warmth from just after 8am until about 4pm.<br />
<br />
<br />
I still believe in my shower tray design, for those of us without a master builder on tap.<br />
<br />
But I also hope that more examples of what has been done will inspire more of us to try what works in our own environment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reflector Details (from the builder)</span></b><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Board materials and Assembly</span></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gfsx4koXH65iw41dTfTPTZpDVVFkl6DIvsIYPAlnKZYtRCgsfvy8yj2eB36BSp9YhKPKL-MBazDOqTCsJkLBsuU6-fDQpzPOlTm6OBxNnEcd8uBMfw6L3ID4VWCBTd6EamXCqwefKGzg/s1600/Sunreflect1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gfsx4koXH65iw41dTfTPTZpDVVFkl6DIvsIYPAlnKZYtRCgsfvy8yj2eB36BSp9YhKPKL-MBazDOqTCsJkLBsuU6-fDQpzPOlTm6OBxNnEcd8uBMfw6L3ID4VWCBTd6EamXCqwefKGzg/s1600/Sunreflect1.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chrome Vinyl wrap (used on cars or signwriting)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coreflute board</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">six 40mm x 18mm x 1.2m plank for framing support
for coreflute board</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">surefix screws </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">staples + staplegun</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Create a frame to support the coreflute board</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Staple the coreflute board to the frame</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cover the coreflute board with the chrome vinyl
wrap</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz6Hg7i7daPd_ZMVqn2-PW-LcFicAtDwqwdFX-FGiGQZ3UUmviRyZABYbkr1vs9Ma3Ovp9zz_1e-Ug5au1f5UTt42bcA6W7S8a4orrS8G6yvzG4jcvmHprCqY1HLjTecJOtL4m4dqBYGP/s1600/Sunreflect2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz6Hg7i7daPd_ZMVqn2-PW-LcFicAtDwqwdFX-FGiGQZ3UUmviRyZABYbkr1vs9Ma3Ovp9zz_1e-Ug5au1f5UTt42bcA6W7S8a4orrS8G6yvzG4jcvmHprCqY1HLjTecJOtL4m4dqBYGP/s1600/Sunreflect2.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mounting materials and assembly</span></b></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">45 x 90 x 1500 H3 post</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 x "Gate hinge pin and strap"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 x 150 x 25 x 1500 fence board</span></li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attach the post to a fence
with spacing to allow the reflector board to rotate</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Install the hinge pins into the post ~1m
apart</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Put the hinge strap on the pins</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark one fence board to attach the gate straps
at the correct spacing</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remove straps from pins and attach to fence
board</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tilt materials and assembly</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 x 150 x 25 x 1500 fence board</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 x "garden Gate hinges</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bolts and screws to suit</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attach a fence board to the fence board of the
mounting to make the top of a "T"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use the 2 x garden gate hinge to attach the
third fence board to the top of the "t"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lift the tilt assembly onto the mounting post
gate hinge pins to test fit and remove.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attach the reflector board to the third board.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lift the assembly onto the mounting post gate
hinge pins to test fit.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tilt stay materials and assembly</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">length of aluminium flat 15mm x 4mm</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">two 20mm right angle bracket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15mm M3 or M4 bolt and 2xnuts (or 1 x nylock)
and washers</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stay clamp </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Captive nut and bolt</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">piece of wood to mount the captive nut</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">washers for spacing the mount from the</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cut flat bar to length </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Round one end of the bar and drill 3mm/ 4mm hole
for bolt in same end</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attach right-angle brackets to back of reflector
with space between for Stay</span></li>
<li>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attach stay to the brackets with the bolt and
nuts</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drill hole in piece of wood to suit captive nut
and bolt</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Insert captive nut</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Install piece of wood on edge of upright of the
tilt mounting, using screws at each end with washers to provide space for the
stay to pass through. Ensure the gap between the washers allows for the
stay to rotate, but not so large that the bolt that holds the stay cannot clamp
the stay.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A similar stay assembly can be used for the yaw
stay</span></div>
@miniMumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674849552434945776noreply@blogger.com1