Posts by Bryan Dods

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  • Island Life: See Waiheke before you die.,

    Would the release of money from the Super. scheme in 1975 have been the kick-start that drove the mid 1970s house-price boom and the rampant inflation that followed?


    A cousin of mine grew up in Howick. From there Waiheke is the horizon.
    When she moved to Waiheke she lived where she could look across to her previous home.
    She was a competent swimmer who, with preparation, swam to Howick to visit her parents. Just once.
    She liked the thought that she had reached the mainland under her own power and didn't need the ferry.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: The Innocent Sleep,

    Valerian based herbal remedies can remove the "brain chatter" that so often keeps one zinging when trying to sleep.
    It does not have a knockout like a barbiturate based sedative. It is quite gentle in overall effect.

    A child's eczema set up a bad sleeping pattern for us. He used to wake every hour and a half, screaming and scratching. If he had not woken after two hours we were wide awake wondering if he was alright. Many bad nights were had.

    Valerian helped me establish a regular sleep routine again after the eczema was sorted.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: Wedding Bells,

    It has always appeared to me that weddings are for the bride's mother rather than for the bride.
    I have seen young women pushed and manipulated towards their mother's dreams in many cases.
    Seeing their sons marry is possibly in the same vein.

    People often revert to their former selves very soon after marriage knowing that they have a contract and the partner is now 'theirs'.

    For that reason my partner and I have not married.
    We still have to consider that we are both here because of choice rather than because of a legal binding.
    It has been a very satisfactory arrangement for the first 24 years.

    Our teenage boys are not bothered by the situation. They have two reliable adults to support them.
    Many of their peers who have parents who married are now living with only one of them.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Island Life: The Grouse is done to a…,

    Kina might be the one that really finishes Dr Smith off though , as I understand that his family dynasty , like the Bill English family, has a history of beef protein rather than kai moana.

    The Smiths, from Matakohe, have probably eaten their share of mullet from the Kaipara harbour.
    Maybe that's the kind of dead fish he doesn't like.

    Ti-tree smoke helps hide the muddy flavour. It might be hard to swallow without the added carcinogens.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: All your Trade are belong to us,

    The Listener's been going downhill since the women took over

    Very subjective opinion in the Editorial and not enough courage to declare the writer does not enhance the credibility of what is usually a strong political view.

    It helps if one can make allowance for the individual writers preferences, but The Listener prefers to keep them nameless.

    If I wanted anonymous spew I would listen to talkback radio.

    As for journalistic technique, it seems that the idea is to put out an article and then wait until an authority on the subject writes to supply the facts.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Buy now: spend the recession inside!,

    on the subject of PC cards:

    Before rushing out to buy a card it could be advantageous to check for a USB equivalent.
    Although probably comparing apples with pears, I have used a satellite decoder card for my internet connection for about 8 years.( formerly ihug Ultra, now BorderNET iSat)
    It ran as hot as a toaster.
    After my third card developed familiar problems I moved to a USB DVB-S decoder. Now at least the heat can escape into the room rather than cook the components.
    The SkyMedia 200 card cost $250. The USB decoder costs the same.Testing on the external unit has only been about 4 months so it will be a while before I have a good indication of its longevity.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Random Play: An aerial ballet of steel…,

    Cannot understand how anyone can live with a record player -- even for just a wee while. It would be the last thing I would pack and first out of the box.

    Graham, do you always listen to your records via a record player?

    After using a player to convert LP to CD my records go in to storage until they need to be used as a master again.
    LPs seem so inconvenient after CDs. Now I can skip back or forward without damage to stylus or groove.
    Compilations are a breeze once the wave file has been split up as individual tracks.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Arrest the bastards at the border,

    Well woven, Andrew.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Arrest the bastards at the border,

    Michael,
    Your advice sounds rather patronising following your insults.

    <quote>As someone closer to 1/2 your age can I suggest you learn to let go.</ quote>

    As someone closer to twice your age can I suggest that you learn that not everyone reads the same thing the same way.
    I did not mention or hint at a grudge. You are twisting things to suit your own view. You have made a simple recollection sound like a vendetta.
    I do not hold grudges against the actions of children. I do remember bullies and I tend to forgive, but not forget.

    You obviously have a lot to say, with 116 posts in a about a month, so I'll shove off now and let you have full run of what appears to be your particular sandpit.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Arrest the bastards at the border,

    Michael Fitzgerald,

    You oscillate from thinking I made up a story to thinking that I am having an undignified outpouring of long-held envy. Very misjudged on both counts.
    For what it is worth, I abhor the behaviour of many of my contemporaries. Those who played Monopoly during their childhood, and continued the game in adult life, do not arouse envy in me.
    I do have a good memory for twerps I have met, though.
    My choices in life will hopefully harm less people than those Bastards have done.

    I am unsure why you tried to demean me with your personal level of attack. Have I insulted a hero?

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

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