Co-operation?

For another cartoon click here

Meetings are bad for you...

This is a link to an article about research showing that attending meetings lowers your IQ!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9108790/Attending-meetings-lowers-IQ-research.html

Leap Year day

It is Leap Year day today.  I thought leap years occurred every 4 years but looking it up on Wikipedia I find that it is more complicated than that.  Years that are divisible by 100 are not leap years unless they are also divisible by 400 – so 1600 and 2000 were leap years but not 1900!  So having thought that every Leap Year would also be an Olympic year is not right.

I was going to list famous leaplings (yes, that’s what they call people born on this day) but actually found them to be a pretty nondescript lot.


This is a link to an article in The Telegraph about ladies popping the question http://www.telegraph.co.uk/relationships/9103884/Pop-the-question-now-ladies-before-he-humiliates-you-with-his-proposal.html

Great old British TV shows – Part V

 

Rumpole of the Bailey – 1978-1992.  The John Mortimer novels were the basis for this great old series.  Leo McKern was a great Rumpole and of course we cannot forget “She Who Must Be Obeyed”.

The Avengers – the series with Patrick McNee and Diana Rigg, of course.  1961-69.  Still a cult favourite.

The Forsyte Saga – 1967.  The first mini-series apparently.  Based on novels by John Galsworthy.  This is in glorious black and white and is much better than the later remake.

The Good Life – 1975-1978.  Wonderful cast with Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal and Penelope Keith.  Amusing premise which is now much more mainstream – self sufficiency.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – 1981.  Based on a radio play by Douglas Adams.  Sci-fi humour.  And you get to find out the answer to the universe and everything…

The Professionals – 1977 – 83.  Ok, I fancied one of Bodie and Doyle rotten but sadly can’t remember which now… Violent and politically incorrect but a good watch.

Here are links to the other posts in this series:

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part VI

Winning arguments

The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the right                   

 Lord Hailsham (who was born on this day in 1872)

Well behaved women

Cryptic Crosswords – Solving hints #11

Clue  List at home about family (7)

You’ll be getting good at this now, so I’ll just confirm the solution  and how it’s made up – “incline” – that is “list” in the sense of lean, “at home” = in, “about” = c and finally “line” = family.

Clue  Short argument with the French about superior kitchen tool (7)

This is quite a long clue for a 7 letter answer.  The answer is “spatula” which, of course, is a kitchen tool.  “Short argument” = spat, the French = la (in other clues sometimes le or les) and those two around “superior” = u.  Ta da!

Clue  Moisten, while cooking, some lamb (a steak) (5)

Don’t forget to ignore the punctuation.  The answer is “baste” = moisten while cooking.  You also find “baste” in the second part of the clue (it is typical that it is between two words and around something like brackets).  The pointer to it being found like that is “some”.


Click here for the first post in the new series of daily clues (solutions the next day)

MASH

The last episode may have aired for the first time on this day in 1983 but in most ways it feels like it is still running whether as a result of airings on the Comedy Channel or via DVD.  Amazingly consistently excellent quality despite so many seasons and changes in several important characters.

The series lasted 11 years while the Korean War only lasted for 3!

Trapper John left the show because he had been promised equal billing to Hawkeye but didn’t get it.  Henry Blake was killed off because he quit citing inadequate facilities on set – and they were so annoyed with him they wanted to make sure he could never come back.

How to Improve Productivity

For another cartoon click here

Article on Mindful Eating in Restaurants

This article in the Listener was interesting http://www.listener.co.nz/lifestyle/nutrition/dining-out-the-healthy-way/

Selwyn Toogood

It is the anniversary today of the death of Selwyn Toogood in 2001.  He was a much loved broadcaster particularly well known for “It’s in the Bag” and “Beauty and the Beast”.  His middle name was “Featherston” but I don’t know what the connection with that place was – he was born in Wellington.

It is also the birthday of Sir Don McKinnon, another holder of the Order of New Zealand.  Former politician and then Secretary General of the Commonwealth.



Useful kitchen gadget - a jar key

Jar Key

Sometime ago I was given this little gadget - I wasn't even sure what it was for.  Then I discovered it was really handy - it helps you undo jars with no muscle power needed.  I have just bought my second one for the bach.

All you do is put it on the edge and gently push it, you will probably hear a little pop.  That will often be enough to be able to open the jar - but if it isn't just move the hoodacky (actually called a jar key I found out) around just a little and do it again.  Don't press too hard or you might bend the lid out of shape.


If you liked this post, it would be great if you shared it with your readers.  You just have to click on one of the buttons underneath the post.  They make it easy for you to email, blog, tweet, Facebook or Google +1. Thank you so much for reading my post.  

Enjoy Life

Lloyd Geering and Helen Clark - there's a pairing for you!

A couple of controversial New Zealanders have their birthdays today.  Sir Lloyd Geering (1918) and Helen Clark (1950).  While we are all pretty familiar with Helen’s activities, I had forgotten some of the circumstances around Lloyd Geering.

He faced charges of heresy by the Presbyterian Church in 1967 largely because he disliked and spoke out against fundamentalists.  Having survived that challenge he was later knighted by the Queen and later was awarded the Order of New Zealand.

George Harrison

George Harrison of the Beatles was born on 25 February  in 1943.  Here is one of his lyrics.

And tell me what is my life without your love ?




 

Places in NZ I would like to visit Part III: The Routeburn Track

The Routeburn Track

Routeburn Track

I’m not much of a walker as a rule.  But so many people have told me how great this is that I must wind myself up to do it sometime. 

I’m told it is even better than the Milford Track although I suspect you can do the Milford in more luxury style.

The Routeburn takes between 2 and 4 days over 32 kilometres.  I think there is also a day hike option but am not sure how good it is.  There is no mobile phone coverage so they recommend that you take a personal locater beacon.

I would be really interested in any comments from readers out there as to the best way for this to be done by a moderately unfit female!  Or would I be better to do the Milford?

Arriving late

From Good to Great

If you only ever read one business/management book, make it this one.  Yes it was written a few years ago - 2001.  But it is the basic ideas in it that are key. From analysing companies that were good performers and then got even better, the author Jim Collins derived 7 common characteristics: ·                    Level 5 Leadership: Leaders who are humble, but driven to do what's best for the company. ·                    First Who, Then What: Get the right people on the bus, then figure out where to go. Finding the right people and trying them out in different positions. ·                    Confront the Brutal Facts: The Stockdale paradox - Confront the brutal truth of the situation, yet at the same time, never give up hope. ·                    Hedgehog Concept: Three overlapping circles: What makes you money? What could you be best in the world at? and What lights your fire? ·                    Culture of Discipline: Rinsing the cottage cheese. ·                    Technology Accelerators: Using technology to accelerate growth, within the three circles of the hedgehog concept. ·                    The Flywheel: The additive effect of many small initiatives; they act on each other like compound interest. Does it sound simple?  You bet.  But I am a believer.

Phone booth libraries in New York

Interesting article about using old phone booths as informal libraries.  http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/19325/repurposed-phone-booth-library-in-nyc.html


I know something similar has sprung up in Christchurch, post quake.  I also know of offices where such informal libraries are kept.  It will interesting to see if this idea gets any traction.

Getting organized

For another cartoon click here

Salad with leftover lamb

Salad with leftover lamb

Summer salads are great but you do need to get a bit of variety going.  With last night’s leftover roast lamb and roasted potato sliced up, I created a salad which turned out very tasty.  


On a large platter, I put a layer of iceberg lettuce then a few slices of tomato, cucumber, yellow capsicum and onion.  Some sliced gherkin.  Then a few croutons I had on hand.  Drizzled some of the sauces I got from a Christmas Hamper on top – caramelised onion, roasted capsicum and sweet chilli sauce.  Along with some extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.  


You might also be interested in this post on a spicy and crunchy coleslaw.  If so, click here

When nothing goes right ...

Corot

Corot died on this day in 1796.  Here is a quote from him:

Listen to the advice of others, but follow only what you understand and can unite in your own feeling. Be firm, be meek, but follow your own convictions. It is better to be nothing than an echo of other painters.

One of his most famous works is this one:



1st Anniversary of Christchurch Earthquake

Today is the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch.  My thoughts go out to all those who suffered and who are still struggling to rebuild their lives.

On a less serious note, we must thank Mayor Bob Parker for bringing “munted” firmly into the New Zealand lexicon.

Jilly Cooper - novelist

Jilly Cooper was born on this day in 1937.  She is the author of a multitude of novels – many of them blockbusters.  I enjoyed most of all the novels based in the imaginary county of Rutshire.  She was a passenger in the Ladbroke Grove rail crash in 1999. 

Some people dismiss her work as chick lit.  But I just find her books an enjoyable read.

The books in the Rutshire series are:

Riders

Rivals

Polo

The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous

Appassionata

Score!

Pandora

Wicked

Jump

Yeah right!

Cryptic Crosswords – Solving hints #10

Clue - Chide son lacking in affection (5)

Starting with a straight forward one today.  As is usual you need to divide the clue into the right 2 parts.  This time like this:

Chide │son lacking in affection

Looking at the second part, the word “son” is often represented by an “s”.  So if that was first, what would be a 4 letter word meaning “lacking in affection” – I came up with “cold” which when you add the s is “scold” which can also mean “chide”.  Solved.

Sometimes, you can’t figure out the clues (actually often) before you have some letters in place as a result of solving other clues.  Because of this, my normal approach is to quickly go through the clues until I find one I can crack and then work on the clues that cross over that word so you have letters in place to help you.  This can help a lot.

Clue -  Gadget soldiers and army medic required (5)

A very similar split to the last one.  So you are looking for a 5 letter word meaning gadget.  The reference to “soldiers” can be to a variety of military abbreviations eg RE (for Royal Engineers – there is a definite British bent to many cryptic clues) – but in this case it is to GI’s which is American, of course.  To “Gis” you need to add  2 letters which could mean “army medic” – in this case “mo” – so you have “gismo” as the solution. 


Click here for the next post in the series.

Great old British TV shows – Part IV

Monarch of the Glen – 2000 – 2005.  Always good to watch a sexy man in a kilt.  Susan Hampshire as Archie’s mother is a delight.  A very engaging gentle series.

My Family – 2000-2011.  Ben Harper the grumpy dentist, his ditzy wife Susan and strange family.  Good comedic timing although the plot lines in the later seasons go a bit ott for me.

My Hero – 2000-2007.  Wacky series.  Very funny.  A silly premise carried off by good acting.

Open All Hours - 1976-1985 – a bit of Ronnie Barker supported by David Jason.  Truly timeless comedy.

Porridge – 1974-77 - another Ronnie Barker vehicle – this one set in a prison.  Another classy series.

Pride and Prejudice  1995 – the series that made Colin Firth a sex symbol.  Hard to beat this Austen adaptation.

Here are links to the other posts in this series:

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part V

Part VI

Looking after the elderly - HoS article

I may not always agree with Deborah Coddington but her article in today's Herald on Sunday raises an important and pressing issue: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/deborah-coddington/news/article.cfm?a_id=271&objectid=10786476

Devonport Wine & Food Festival

The Devonport Wine & Food & Music Festival is on this weekend.  It’s a while since I’ve been to it.  This year over 20 wineries are represented including Tohu, Kim Crawford and Passage Rock.  The food includes

Kohu Road

ice-cream which is decadently yummy.  The music on includes Boh Runga, Shona Laing, and the NZ Blues Brothers Band.  All sounds like a lot of fun.  The only downside of festivals is that, if they are popular, they become an unbearable scrum.

Non Solo Pizza in Parnell

I almost didn’t suggest going back to Non Solo Pizza after colleagues of mine had dismissed it as “a bit of a meat market”.  But in fact it was a relaxed buzzy atmosphere.  Very nice food and very good service.  They didn’t blink an eye at the presence of 2 children with us – and they enjoyed the food too. 

I had 2 entrees.  First, pesceti marinati which was quite large with bite sized fish fillets marinated in oil, lemon, chilli and parsley.  Second the polpette alla napolitana – which is basically meatballs.  Both were nice.  One of the children had squid rings – which I tried for the very first time.  I can see now why people like them – they don’t taste of anything but the sauce and seasoning.

The wine was overpriced – but this restaurant isn’t alone in that.

If you click the names below you will see what I have said about some other restaurants in Auckland.

Soul Bar

Prohibition

Tyler St Garage

Market Kitchen

Moreton’s Bar& Restaurant

Tim Shadbolt

Tim Shadbolt now the Mayor of Invercargill was born on this day in 1947 in Remuera.  The original radical turned establishment.  How he can smile non-stop is a mystery to me.  He once said:

"If 25 years of smoking "dope" has addled my brain, I must have been an intellectual giant in my youth."

Cartoon - NZ Coat of Arms

The Wall at Vector

Roger Waters is on tonight at Vector performing the Wall in its entirety.  A real extravaganza.  Wish I'd thought to get tickets.... sigh

Dame Ngaio Marsh

Dame Ngaio Marsh died on this day in 1982.  She is best known for her 32 detective novels featuring detective Roderick Alleyn.  She never married or had children.  I am going to look out for one of her books - I can't recall ever reading one!

Gene Pitney

Gene Pitney was born on 17 February in 1941.  As well as the songs he is well known for, like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1964) Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa (1964), he was also a songwriter.  He wrote “He’s a Rebel” by the Crystals.  So he was unusual in both being successful singing songs written by others and as a songwriter for other people.  He actually charted higher in the UK than in the US.

He grew up in Vernon, Connecticut.  He was interested in electronics which later on helped him to create a very distinctive sound.  He was also a certified taxidermist which is a bit odd.

Cuba

Fidel Castro took over Cuba on this day in 1959.  A young friend of mine visited Cuba a couple of years ago with a girlfriend of hers.  They enjoyed their visit.

I did a bit of research and formed the view that Cuba is best visited by the younger set who would also be happy to visit Africa or South America.  A working knowledge of Spanish would really help.

Cuba is a poor country.  Its infrastructure is dodgy.  And the people are very poor.  So while the geography is good, nice beaches, old run down colonial towns, and good music everywhere, the food and accommodation is average.  It is still quite difficult to get to as a result of US sanctions.