Posts by Lara

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  • Voting Local 2010,

    Bob Parker's just won Christchurch, too.

    Not happy at all....

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Busytown: Reading Room,

    I am a compulsive bookshelf peruser. Not very subtle either..... I love books, what more can I say.

    I have what is probably termed an 'aspirational bookshelf'. It's a bit misleading to people if they want to hold a book-specific conversation, but it does show what many of my interests are.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Up Front: Day Five,

    Also, being a very scary person, maybe I could come down there and make it all stop?

    Please!

    Am so sick of the aftershocks (particularly the big ones-yikes). It would help if I could sleep more I think, but my ability to rationalize has gone out for a stiff drink. I've been out helping with the uni student crew and that's been great for giving all this free-floating adrenaline something to do.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Random Play: Fiji #2: The Times, they…,

    I would not go to Fiji, even if given the opportunity.

    I believe that PACER Plus is the regional trade agreement currently under negotiation, and I would agree with the concerns voiced by various NGOs about the likely consequences of that agreement.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Island Life: That's my cab,

    Very sorry to hear that you are going, have always enjoyed your writing! All the best.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Hard News: Blog About Cat,

    We have a wee tortiseshell girl from the SPCA. She's great but has quite an attitude-one second purring like a engine, the next minute there are teeth around your arm. She's scared of the sound of plastic bags-will run out of the room and hide. If you talk to her she will talk back, which is very cute.

    She has a lovely long tail :)

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Hard News: Paul Reynolds: A Contribution,

    I did not know Paul, and I was not aware of a fraction of what he has done. However I always loved his fortnightly slots with Jim Mora. He was a fantastic communicator, and his passion always shone through. He will be missed.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • Up Front: This is a Photograph of Me,

    I don't drive - I bike, I bus, and I have friends with cars. Had my learners since I was 15, it expires in 3 years time. Because I don't drive I have arranged my life so I don't need access to a car very often.

    @BenWilson: out of curiousity, since you enjoy driving, why do you resent driving other people around? Do I need to give my friends more petrol money :)?

    And Joanna, I am a lovely non-drinking non-driver. I do it just to annoy you :)

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Google to Embargo China,

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Google to Embargo China,

    Don't suppose you've been able to rustle up something, anything, supporting your argument that China is deliberately fostering communities of sympathetic nationalistic Chinese overseas? Honestly interested if so.

    Hey Sam,

    I do have some stuff on organization and fostering of these communities among overseas Chinese (I just have to find it.....). In the meantime, however, there is always the role played by the Chinese consulates in organizing rallies in support of the Beijing Olympics torch relay in 2008. Here are some links, and I will try and get the other sources up tomorrow.

    Jesse McKinley, "Olympic Torch Route Changed in San Francisco," New York
    Times, April 10, 2008,
    www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/us/10torch.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=torch+protest&st=nyt&oref=slogin


    Xue Fei, "Olympic Attitudes Split Amongst Overseas Chinese," April 14, 2008,
    www.meyul.com/2008/04/13/olympic-attitudes-split-among-overseas-chinese/
    [this is from the Epoch Times, which is backed by Falun Gong, so not neutral by any stretch]


    "NZ Students 'Enticed by Free Food and Travel'," Stuff.co.nz, April 26,
    2008, www.stuff.co.nz/print/4497123a10.html

    WRT whether I would rather have the US or China as my overlord....I think I'd take neither. Both are adept at exercising soft power in order to get their way. Having said that, I'd rather be in an American prison than a Chinese one.

    Do we have to worry about an invasion by China? Of course not. BUT I do have concerns about the amount of power both the US and China have over our politicians.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report

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