tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176099832024-03-24T07:23:39.369+13:00korerothoughts - commentaries - questions - assorted idiocies from aotearoa new zealandUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger464125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-61472904214894727542009-09-29T20:18:00.002+13:002009-09-29T20:21:04.713+13:00Fink (nice sound)Just listened to Fink. The track was 'Walking in the Sun.' Excellent stuff. Google him and have a listen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-15586877870842322592009-08-05T08:12:00.002+12:002009-08-05T08:18:01.445+12:00Watch out Vodafone and Telecom2deg have come into the market. Priced at 50% less for prepay calls (44c per minute) and texts (9c per minute) you'd have to be considering a change. Especially as you can keep your number. I noticed both Telecom and Vodafone are saying they won't drop their prices. Well, gues what? That is up to us the consumer. Move on over to 2deg. Force their prices downUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-19354131145388763102009-08-03T09:31:00.004+12:002009-08-03T09:43:50.685+12:00Kora Friday 31st The Bedford ChristchurchI went wish great enthusiasm, looking forward to a great night of Reggae, Drum and Bass and was both disappointed and somewhat pleasantly surprised with what Kora served up. I enjoyed (mostly) Francis and Brad Kora on drums and bass. They were tight and at times hypnotic. Listening to Laughton Kora sing on their album I was looking forward to that. Unfortunately, even though I was in front of the sound desk, it was difficult to hear the vocals. I wonder what the engineer was listening to? I did not mind the volume, but clarity was compromised. Keys were overly forward in the mix but were well played by Dan McGruer and Laughton Kora.<br />Overall, not bad. Some attention to the out front sound and it should be good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-39527166833867356522009-06-21T13:53:00.007+12:002009-06-21T14:26:23.207+12:00The ShackI have just finished reading this extraordinary tale of love, relationship, forgiveness and healing. Some perceptions put forward are truly incredible. The idea that the bible is meant to be a way for us to form an idea of who Christ might be and what He wants for us, is unlike the rule laden, barren house, that is the Bride that I have come to know. A place where forgiveness is preached but not truly in evidence. A place where rules are paramount, without regard to the instruction from the Lord not to judge.<br />The description of the 10 Commandments has indeed given me pause for thought. That they might be a "mirror" for us to use to see the filthy face that stares back at us, convicting us for our judgemental way of life but not requiring guilt, "where is that getting you?" That living by the rules of the Commandments allows us to accuse. What has that to do with a relationship with God and with each other? Scary!<br />Love....love never forces. Are we able to live by such an attempt to set us free from our choice to continually live apart from the Lord? To live in relationship, as we were meant to do?<br /><a href="http://www.theshackbook.com">The Shack</a> asks some searching questions. It is a shame that there seems to be many, who are too concerned with the rules. The very stuff that was put to rest as the nails were driven into the loving flesh of Jesus who took that pain, so we would not have to.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-62925567168870564242009-06-11T10:52:00.002+12:002009-06-11T11:00:48.256+12:00DecisionsI have decided to move to another church. It seems to be a constant search for the loving, non-judgemental church environment I am seeking. Maybe, it doesn't exist?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-8775303964206796672009-06-09T16:07:00.004+12:002009-06-09T16:15:52.827+12:00forgivenessI am wondering how the Pastor at my church can justify his stance of non forgiveness for two people who fell in inappropriate love. Both were very lonely. One is married. Sad. Both are sorry and have confessed and been forgiven by the Lord.<br /><b>Luke 6:37 </b><br /><i>Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.<br /></i><b>Matthew 6:14-16</b><br /><i>For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.<br /></i>What is it that seems to allow (in their own minds) christians to take this judgemental stance when the bible clearly has an opinion on the subject? I assume that this Pastor accepts that he might not be forgiven his sins if he takes this route. I must admit, I am confused.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-16983033133097528722009-06-08T18:26:00.003+12:002009-06-08T18:30:55.819+12:00ChurchWhat is it that makes a christian church of today recognisable? How does one tell how much integrity a christian has? How come christians are just as judgemental as anyone else in our society? Where does one find a biblical church?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-38839670112189401852008-11-24T09:27:00.002+13:002008-11-24T09:30:28.827+13:00British haka rubbishing draws NZ fire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa9-s2JeHECQFfh9r65QdszWm7vj0aN0rWtZF8Ms2YFWA6aqxfVzqu_SmE-HKashB3zN2WwVTPS9_MR89lJsXiQc-CW8fY6Quc0ZDGIAeKlNdh9vFCrjzx81SoQKlXJI0QWrY/s1600-h/773990.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa9-s2JeHECQFfh9r65QdszWm7vj0aN0rWtZF8Ms2YFWA6aqxfVzqu_SmE-HKashB3zN2WwVTPS9_MR89lJsXiQc-CW8fY6Quc0ZDGIAeKlNdh9vFCrjzx81SoQKlXJI0QWrY/s320/773990.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271953002408053026" border="0" /></a>So Frank Keating is complaining about the Haka. What a superior attitude he has to our customs. Of course the don't mind the challenge from Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and the like (England can beat them). I am so pleased that we no longer have to put up with the attitude of our so called superiors. The man is a bigot. Give him what he deserves. Disdain. Give the English team a right royal seeing to.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-91404380488426726772008-11-23T22:37:00.001+13:002008-11-23T22:37:48.401+13:00Kiwis stun rugby league world<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>World Champions! Woohoo. Got to love it. The 'Man of the Match' was an Ozzie??? Bizarre.<br/></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-15108383409327142312008-11-23T22:32:00.001+13:002008-11-23T22:32:35.924+13:00All Blacks 'best in the world at the moment'<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>So Gatland admits they didn't have enough to beat the All Blacks. I wonder what Stephen Jones will write. Can't wait to see. The Six Nation teams will need to learn about the 8o minute game.<br/></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-87249574129086740142008-10-03T18:14:00.003+13:002008-10-03T18:23:03.592+13:00Another South Auckland robbery!<strong style="font-weight: normal;">The owner of an Otara liquor store has been arrested and charged after a brawl outside his shop. </strong>The 40-year-old was charged with two counts of injuring with intent to injure over the incident at his Gilbert Road liquor store on September 30. "Police have seized a knife, a hockey stick, a fence paling and other items believed to have been used as weapons. We are also analysing CCTV footage,"<br />You start to wonder about the pc-ness of living in New Zealand when a shop keeper is arrested because he defends himself from four youths who have a knife and are trying to rob him. This is madness. They went in to rob him. They paid for that with a slapping with a hockey stick. I can't belive the idiot who said when it happens, ring the Police. How do you do that with four youths in your shop attempting to rob you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-18653240307809654302008-04-16T13:17:00.008+12:002008-12-10T03:53:22.673+13:00Mahinarangi Tocker "RIP"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z4TwoaLDF1QMeHhst53QGJfizdFHUGpOOnuBIqY3P9dKiI9E1id4FuYxfVC6jrFdUVhH5L8FtfLODFK293nkQ3sapa2R5q5DQe2Pprej7sFwzSEhl3x3Rhw_dTeM4hrHcKf0/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z4TwoaLDF1QMeHhst53QGJfizdFHUGpOOnuBIqY3P9dKiI9E1id4FuYxfVC6jrFdUVhH5L8FtfLODFK293nkQ3sapa2R5q5DQe2Pprej7sFwzSEhl3x3Rhw_dTeM4hrHcKf0/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189647124871774962" border="0" /></a>Listening to The Miracle Sun.<br />The horse blows next to the window as the fly flies around my head. I can feel the tug of nature, calling me, invading my thoughts. Don wails away in the background, from the Front Lawn. I can smell the bread. The bread that warms me, fills me with whaanau, with aroha. Leaves, lay around, put there by the time, not being leaves.<br />How does this relate? Where will it fit?<br />7 die in a flood, a girl is looked for in the Waimakariri, their mothers weep deep gut howls of rage and longing.<br />Still the bread smells.<br />Don is finished.<br />Mahinarangi died.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-17025048334165774132008-04-13T15:57:00.004+12:002008-12-10T03:53:22.827+13:00Desay M888 iphone clone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIcOikv8MlSVW3fx0iYjZtpqDxdoJffYbHcoVLBJLbbrMvtXn9-An2-Kn17cOgrAo3KUBTw25rq1r4Evj5Zdf1MumKxWxhWsyLvHHZ-olN4IoOX5a8MaMtZfKuxcA16MOA6ej/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIcOikv8MlSVW3fx0iYjZtpqDxdoJffYbHcoVLBJLbbrMvtXn9-An2-Kn17cOgrAo3KUBTw25rq1r4Evj5Zdf1MumKxWxhWsyLvHHZ-olN4IoOX5a8MaMtZfKuxcA16MOA6ej/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188574443904697058" border="0" /></a>I got one the other day. Looks just like an IPhone. Works real well too. The touch screen is a novel thing for me. It has taken some getting used to. Would love to use it for calling more often but we in Aotearoa NZ are being ripped off by Telecom and Vodafone so most of us use the texting. Interesting price comparison. An Iphone retails from $1600 - $2k in Aotearoa NZ. The M888 cost me $260 brand spanking! Have not used the IP dialing or net facility or the bluetooth, but I'll get round to it. Not into gaming so won't go there. Love the touch screen though.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-44665591867134946152008-03-28T09:59:00.003+13:002008-12-10T03:53:22.932+13:00TradeMe Racism<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqGCq6w-4wgFZEHG_Sn2yFRYM6AGzW-u9BeQ8SZykcAbFYQSC4LzMhuuQK8is3xJ3j-_M7OHy9_aI0L8va9S22-K2vg_6SEBiXM0qdf4XgFmQvbdIc9eIsRUT7BhVhhSfgCbX/s1600-h/Screenshot-1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqGCq6w-4wgFZEHG_Sn2yFRYM6AGzW-u9BeQ8SZykcAbFYQSC4LzMhuuQK8is3xJ3j-_M7OHy9_aI0L8va9S22-K2vg_6SEBiXM0qdf4XgFmQvbdIc9eIsRUT7BhVhhSfgCbX/s200/Screenshot-1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182529232365689762" border="0" /></a>They are still going for it. Look at this one who isn't comfortable with those damn natives.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-47416408045183581802008-03-28T09:50:00.004+13:002008-12-10T03:53:23.391+13:00Racism on TradeMe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFivkyvV41b8Lbl0k2Msbnz0v68pMT7ZTbFU7KHa8ICjEEwZXev6XaxuZbSAgifsktr05JX2NVtGSvKNCp-b-d1NYqaimWgrQ743IPTJhnmRRAULY5jq_g2RUakg9uLCiqjzXd/s1600-h/Screenshot.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFivkyvV41b8Lbl0k2Msbnz0v68pMT7ZTbFU7KHa8ICjEEwZXev6XaxuZbSAgifsktr05JX2NVtGSvKNCp-b-d1NYqaimWgrQ743IPTJhnmRRAULY5jq_g2RUakg9uLCiqjzXd/s200/Screenshot.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182526887313546130" border="0" /></a>I see the racists are going for it on TradeMe this morning. The TradeMe message boards are rife with disenfranchised Pakeha and Tauiwi who find it difficult to live alongside Iwi in Aotearoa New Zealand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-5841278180137829312008-03-24T08:30:00.003+13:002008-03-24T08:34:36.404+13:00Screen resolutionOutdid myself playing around with my computer last night. Accidentally reset my screen resolution to the wrong setting. Man that looked weird when I logged on this morning. Listening to the news this morning. Barak Obama might be loosing ground to Hilary Clinton. Hope not. The world needs a change I think. Amazing to watch the American press go after him.<br />Seems we are still killing ourselves on the road this Easter weekend. National hobby maybe?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-63990149409731112232008-03-23T21:07:00.004+13:002008-03-23T21:19:05.861+13:00Guess Who's a Linux Dude?After a wee break from blogging of late I am back [kinda]. I have now switched over to Linux [Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon] and not only is it just great, it's absolutely free! I just got sick of worrying about virus protection and constantly having to pay for stuff on the net.<br />Big adventure of the day. Speights (the horse) took my clean sheets that I hung on the fence to dry, and put them on the ground. I caught him in the act! Cheeky bugger.<br />Election time is hitting Aotearoa New Zealand this year so the country is in a right uproar. Now that makes this place fairly weird at the moment. I need to look into having a new look on the blog too. Something to do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-75777641688009208232008-02-10T11:07:00.001+13:002008-02-10T11:08:59.121+13:00I'm sick. Alison Krauss<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Help! I have the flu. Or is it a head cold with a cough. No matter. My new hobby is blowing my nose. I wonder how many trees went under to facilitate my new hobby [tissues]. I spent yesterday at the gym training athletes when I was really just wanting to lie down and sleep. I have noticed that nearly every symptom relief "drug" seems to be full of sugar or sudo something or other. That can't be good for you. I wonder what turning them into junk food or something that will grow you and extra limb is all about?<br />I have just lent a friend my copy of Alison Krauss and Union Station live in concert. A dvd. Last night I received an e-mail from him positively gushing. It really is something to behold. Sheer virtuosity. Alison is back by a bunch of instrumental and vocal genius'. Dan Tyminski, the voice behind George Clooney in the Soggy Bottom Boys [guitar, mandolin and vocals], Ron Block [guitar, banjo, vocals], Barry Bales [double bass, vocals] and a star in his own right Jerry Douglas [dobro]. Alison sings like an angel and plays a very mean violin. If you haven't seen this dvd. You have deprived yourself.<br />I am currently investigating Alison's cd "Raising Sand" that she did with Robert Plant [he of Led Zepplin]. On an initial listen its only wonderful.<br /><br /><br /><p class="poweredbyperformancing">Powered by <a href="http://scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-4982563786663484442008-02-07T09:21:00.001+13:002008-02-07T09:25:52.983+13:00Saving our kids when they need saving<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Garth George nearly hit the nail on the head in <b><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10490944">this</a></b> article. What ails our children? It is even too late to address the appalling parenting skills in this country when they [children] reach primary school. However.....I do agree, there is something we can do at primary school. Male teachers are indeed required to make this work. Boys need contact with well behaved, sensible male teachers. I do not mean PC to be sure. PC is a concept we are paying for now with our youth. Unfortunately, the money in teaching is a joke. The respect accorded teachers is so low that no right thinking male is going to subject himself to that. Males are also not good at taking abuse from pimple headed teens with attitudes, let alone cheeky disrespectful 10 year olds who are on the fast track to gang crime etc. I am mindful of the reservation in Africa where they were perplexed that young elephant bulls were killing other animals indiscriminately. The answer was to move 2 full grown bulls into the area. The behaviour problems disappeared. Its called leadership. Leadership cannot be provided for young males by PC driven females. It isn't and it won't work nor has it ever worked.<br /><br /><br /><p class="poweredbyperformancing">Powered by <a href="http://scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-8810969554435473742008-02-01T11:45:00.001+13:002008-02-01T11:48:24.542+13:00Telecom (Xtra) "Go Large" or "Go Small?"<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Telecom [xtra] are again in trouble. This time for misleading the public regarding their claims that their "Go Large" broadband plan would:<br /><ol><li>have unlimited data</li><li>have maximum speed</li></ol>It seems there was many <b><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/4383814a10.html">complaints</a></b> regarding the service falling short of the claims. The Commerce Commission are going to prosecute. They allege Telecom breached the "Fair Trading Act." If found guilty there is a maximum fine of $200,000. Peanuts to Telecom. The best way to make them sit up and take notice, is to use another ISP. You the consumer, have the power, if you use it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="poweredbyperformancing">Powered by <a href="http://scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-24174384145557149482008-01-30T09:24:00.001+13:002008-01-30T09:27:02.404+13:00Death, the price of tagging?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I surely hope not. Yes tagging is a nuisance. Yes it sure looks ugly. But sentencing a 15 year old boy [Pihema Cameron] to death because he is 15 and cannot look beyond his own egocentrism is perverse. What a silly <b><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/4379727a10.html">statement</a></b> by Christchurch city councillour Barry Corbet. Looks like Barry could do with firing up his other brain cell cause the one he's using is leaving him at a distinct disadvantage.<br /><br /><br /><p class="poweredbyperformancing">Powered by <a href="http://scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-27651777455700824842008-01-29T09:19:00.001+13:002008-01-29T09:22:27.894+13:00Green Acres a rippoff?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">There is concern that all the Asian and Indian immigrants who paid their way into an "Ironing" franchise with <b><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/4379171a10.html">Green Acres</a></b> are going to miss out financially after all. Green Acres representative Andrew Chisolm must be nervous at the moment with the reputation and standing of his company hitting rock bottom in Aoteraroa/NZ. As for his lackey Keith Lapham, he needs to be driven out of business in our country. What a rort! Pleased to see MP responsible Chris Carter is going to jump on them.<br /><br /><br /><p class="poweredbyperformancing">Powered by <a href="http://scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-77284392986534506442008-01-28T06:52:00.001+13:002008-01-28T06:56:17.261+13:00Dairy owner knifed for smokes in Hastings!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><small><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">What is going on </span><b style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/4376569a11.html">here?</a></b><span style="font-family:verdana;"> This idiot actually knifed a dairy owner for a pack of cigarettes! Where does one get attitudes like that in a place like Aotearoa/NZ? Shame of it all, he is a young Maori (evidently). Its as though our people are still enslaved to these vices that came with colonisation. We have changed our desire to acquire from blankets and beads to smokes and alcohol. Where are our young learning these behaviours?</span></span><br /></small><br /><br /><p class="poweredbyperformancing">Powered by <a href="http://scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-51414511999948723402008-01-27T11:06:00.000+13:002008-01-27T11:22:57.572+13:002008 begins in earnest<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Back from the holidays [a trip home to Wellington to see the whanau] and back into coaching. The athletes are refreshed and hitting their straps after a quiet and steady start. The daily news is a worry. There seems to be a new murder to be investigated every day. What is going on here. It is not the road we want for ourselves yet we still dive headfirst into that particular pit. This morning is no exception with </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/4376354a10.html">this</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> new tragedy to wake up to. What are they drinking in Manurewa I wonder?<br />A referendum at election time over the smacking bill! No matter what you believe, the referendum process has to be better than having one's government force unwanted legislation on one's people. At least the people decide. The bill has not stopped child abuse. That problem needs another far more effect solution.<br /></span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17609983.post-39019805336639655822008-01-10T22:38:00.000+13:002008-01-10T22:47:54.334+13:00A job in Afghanistan<span style="font-family:verdana;">My uncle's first week in Afghanistan -</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >My story………..Auckland</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >to Melbourne 3.5 hrs – Melbourne to Dubai 14 hrs. Picked up at Dubai airport by the Banner Man – took me a while to find him. Hotel ok – meals and room good.17.5 hrs since I left NZ, looking forward to good sleep. Had a battle with the washing machine door won’t open, finally got it sorted, switch had to be in the right place. Contacted Supreme HQ (my new employer) – got Afghan entry visa organized. No sleep yet. Walked the streets – traffic CRAZY. Back to the hotel thinking early dinner to bed for a 0500hr wakeup call on the 19</span><sup style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >; ---phone call, change of plan moving out tonight18th1100hrs. Lucky I didn’t pop a pill! Went down the desk to do checkout routine, they ripped me off two bottle water that I didn’t take from the mini bar. Welcome to the Arab world. 1100hrs picked up to be taken to the air port – still no sleep. My first intro to mad drivers, driving on the wrong side of the road – left hand drive cars. He peaked out at 130kms/hr averaged 120kms/hr – both sides of the road. Everyone drives to the max. Leaving from a different airport, RAK (Ras Al Khima), about an hour out of Dubai. It looks like it is under construction. Security guards at the airport carry AK47s assault rifles. Now 0200 hrs – waiting on the transport plane to load. Saw the air crew arrive – strange looking lot not sure of the nationality. I am the only passenger, I think the cargo is fresh fruit and veggies. I have just been given ear plugs; I think it is a 4 hr flight – information sketchy. Air port toilets have that warm humid urine smell. Doesn’t that bring back memories? Nothing here moves fast except the traffic. I am told there are no toilets on the plane – no seatbelts, just me and the carrots and bananas. Taken out to the plane – crew all speaking Russian. The plane I found out afterwards was an old Russian AN12 cargo plane – looks like a smaller version of a C130. Seated in a cabin on a wooden bench directly behind the flight deck. Only this cabin and deck is pressurized, the rear cargo hold is </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span lang="en-NZ">unpressurised</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >. The crew smells of vodka. There are dirty squabs around this cabin area, washing and clothing hanging off the pipes and electrical cables; tools laying everywhere. There was a home made wooden stool in the middle of the floor – I thought they would stow it for takeoff – wrong. The interior reminded me of the wheelhouse of an old fishing trawler about 3x3mtrs. Flight engineer dressed in dirty white T shirt, grey grubby flannel track pants and jandals. Huge pot belly. The engineer is having trouble with a circuit breaker; this plane has seen better days. Navigators fixing up his map with clear packing tape. 0245hrs all engines are running we are off. We have levelled off – I am sitting on a wooden bench at the side of the cabin. Tired as. Need sleep. The pilots are up in their seats, the navigator in his seat and the engineer is at his station, the plane is flying. The two loads are sleeping on the squabs, one at the front right of the cabin and one at the left rear. Opposite me there is a squab nearly 2mtrs long I placed my brief case at one end put my jacket over the case, I was asleep in no time. Five minutes later I was shaken the giant Russian captain wanted his space, he grunted at me, and motioned to the wooden bench that I could only sit upright on. I was shattered. However - there was space on the floor. The floor was constructed with aluminium tread plate. Again brief case on the floor for pillow, I stretched out, this was great – I think I slept for a while only to wake up again; I desperately need a wee; the vibration through the floor through my back had got me bursting. I knew I had nurofen in my case, got up, took double dose then went and sat on the wooden bench, the navigator in broken English told me “only an hour to go”. The sun rise was beautiful – we landed at the military side of Kabul airport, well away from the main terminal about 0600hrs; frost on the ground. I was desperate for a wee, not sure of the local customs, asked a local, no problem relieved myself at the side of the concrete apron. Looking over the plane now in the light of day revealed the plane had no markings was absolutely filthy, black engine exhaust covered the complete rear fuselage and tail, and the tires were bald. The plane was eventually unloaded, we departed the air field through the security checkpoint maze, soldiers in full combat dress; helmets, flak jackets – the works, automatic road spikes, barriers and lots of machine guns. The adventure begins. “O”; Sleep --- after filling out numerous forms, photographed new ID finally got a room that afternoon.</span><p face="verdana" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;"> </p> <span style=";font-family:DINRegular;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:10;"></span></span><span style=";font-family:DINRegular;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:10;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0