Posts by Tamsin6
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Hard News: What Now?, in reply to Islander,
Not wrong Russell – the whole place took a nose-dive in the 1970s.
Every time I’ve been back to the place I partly grew up in (‘partly’ because Oamaru/Moeraki were the other places)I’ve felt more & more despondentI remember going to the beach at New Brighton as being a very good day out - there was a play area on the beach front, the pier, and a very flourishing and busy shopping centre. Going down to New Brighton when I was at Uni in the early 90's I remember being surprised how empty and small, battered and deprived it looked - but the beach was still a big draw.
When I lived in Petone in the mid 90's, I was also surprised by how such a gorgeous sea front area could also be one of the most deprived parts of the greater Wellington area (except for Wainuiomata, but then they did have an Olympic sized swimming pool to make up for the lack of a beach). Though I gather Jackson Street and surrounding area have changed somewhat. I wonder what it would take for the same kind of revitalisation of New Brighton? I'm not sure what has driven the gentrification of Petone - property prices getting out of hand in other parts of Wellington?
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Cracker: It's a Wonderful Thing, in reply to Islander,
Came across Heartland Potato Chips for the first time when I was home for Christmas - they are indeed lush.
Are they anything to do with Makikihi Fries? Have a vague recollection that they took over from Smiths Crisps. But I have a rubbish memory.
Actually, I now see it isn't, as Heartland use the old Bluebird factory locally. BUT! whatever happened to Smiths Crisps anyway? Did they turn into Makikihi? At least in part?
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Cracker: It's a Wonderful Thing, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
Then, somehow, there was a change. The things in the packet were just chips, and the things in the newspaper were hot chips, or also just chips.
I missed this whole linguistic shift. I noted with surprise a friend of mine, only a year or so younger, explaining to her English husband that 'crisps' should be known henceforth as 'cold chips' (as they are moving to NZ in September and he needs to be edjimicated in the local lingo). She is from the North Island, and I am from the South Island - could that be the difference?
And here was me still calling them chips, and sometimes (to my children usually) chippies. The kind of chips to be eaten with fish I also just call chips. I never really found that confusing.
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HUGE turnout at Westminster Cathedral - was lucky to get inside, as it was freezing in London this evening. Not sure why the Herald chose to illustrate their story with a picture of Westminster Abbey though....
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10709868
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Cracker: It's a Wonderful Thing, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
The reminder that potato chips used to be called "chippies". I still hear older people use that term from time to time.
Oh my God - I am now officially an 'older person'.
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Heading off from work shortly, and will be going to Westminster Cathedral for prayer vigil for earthquake at 7pm. Not usually my type of thing, but am feeling the need for at least some quiet contemplation.
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Staunch be buggered. Stay well.
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What happens to DPB parents with youngest child over 3 with no childcare? Do they lose all benefits, or do they get transferred to unemployment/jobseekers? I know that over here, my husband who is a 'jobseeker' is automatically not considered work ready as he is caring for a child. But we can't get childcare organised until we know he has paid work. So Catch 22 - how is that explained in NZ proposal? Are you automatically excluded from DPB when youngest turns 3 but then also excluded from jobseeker/workseeker type benefit because you are not able to start work without childcare?
I hesitate in a serious thread to say this but - 'Won't someone please think of the children'?
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I just need to say how immensely grateful I am for all this information. Have heard from my family that all ok. Sister has had to let me know what she has seen on FB as I can't see it at work. Came into work today without having heard any news to see breaking news flashes coming over all the sky news screens at work. My best source of news so far has been here and texts from home, and since it is night time, I am lucky I have you guys, and a sister who works nights and is therefore awake to answer my panic-stricken queries. Sending all my best thoughts and wishes to anyone who still hasn't heard from families in Christchurch and feeling so lucky so far that all my loved ones are safe.
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Up Front: Say When, in reply to Jackie Clark,
Celebrate your body. Celebrate all of it. It has, after all, taken you to lots of amazing places, and given you a lot of pleasure.
@Jackie this time (I hope I've got the right one this time anyway!) I love that attitude, I really do - and I do try my best personally to do that. Not so sure I am liking the few white hairs sneaking into view though....