But. glory be, all healthy. thriving now, and diversifying-

you ever want to to come fishing south – here is a good place-

Glorious indeed – can really only hope for a big dose of happiness for them. Wandering and painting down south is definitely on my agenda, a spot…

How low do you think is reasonable? There are plenty of nousey 12 year olds around.

Society seems to be disinclined to attribute responsibility to young people when it gives them power (voting), but inclined to attribute it to them when it has consequences (adult court).

It would be good…

My younger boy has it in him to follow the creative path, it will be interesting to see if he gets hooked. I can't possibly recommend it as a sensible path in this world of getting and spending but secretly I'd be thrilled.

I think this thread needs a good…

However, considering that at age 16 one can enter into a (supposedly) life-long commitment,…

Even now, I think I may have made a terrible mistake, and I should've picked the archaeologist option...or maybe the chef?

Nah. No mistake there. And you are a fisherperson and chef of the catch, as I recall from another thread .... made me realise my deprivation in the seafood…

I'd didnt find out what I really wanted to be/do/spend my working life at until…

It fascinates me how those ones who do have a set path "know"…

See, I don't agree with that for so many reasons. There are plenty of right minded teens around, but not enough in my view to warrant lowering the voting age.

I suspect the most sensible, fact-based, polite debate to be held in parliament over the past few decades is when…

See, I don't agree with that for so many reasons. There are plenty of right minded teens around, but not enough in my view to warrant lowering the voting age.

It strikes me that they can handle weapons of tremendous force, in the form of cars, but not vote.

But…

I wish it was practical for everyone to take an IQ test and a politics awareness test from the age of 16 and over and only those who score highly enough are able to vote.

I'd agree with the idea of letting younger people vote, but the IQ and politics…

I wanted to vote from about the age of 11, and always wanted to be a politician. I used to be determined that I would first be PM then receive US citizenship and run for the Presidency.

You'd have needed to change the constitution first. You can only run for…

I believe 16 is old enough to…

I spent some time recently with an American from California. It was his big dream to come to the clean green New Zealand. It was going to be so different and inspiring.

We had some of the wife's rellies out from Florida and Bermuda for our wedding. We picked them…

town planner for New Zealandtown USA.

Surely it would have to be called Waikikamukau...

I'm watching the eye of the storm go over Channelview (my husband's hometown) and Baytown and head towards Liberty and Humble, where the whole family live. It's somewhat stressful... I could be pretty happy if I never had to hear the…

(This is a welcome distraction from 'OMG my husband's entire family in Houston is going to drown!!!' Christ that is a big hurricane.)

in my case it's "OMG my wife's family ....", last time they evacuated, this time they're sitting still, hope they're OK

But then the secret will be out, and everyone will want their very own New Zealand town with ice cream!

See, that's my concern. If the tourism people keep telling the world how great it is, eventually everyone will move here and then it won't be so great.

We should…

When I grow up, I'm going to build a New Zealand town exactly the same as New Zealand, right down to the ice cream, so Americans can get a taste of what New Zealand is really like.

But then the secret will be out, and everyone will want their very…

When I grow up, I'm going to build a New Zealand town exactly the same as New Zealand, right down to the ice cream, so Americans can get a taste of what New Zealand is really like.

If he builds it near Pittsburgh, serves flat whites and includes a Burger…

I had no intention as a kid to ever become a nurse: this hardened by adolescence...…