HMS Exeter to be Retired

Another heroic veteran of the Falklands War, the Batch 2, Type 42 Destroyer HMS Exeter is due to retire early.

HMS Exeter shot down 4 Argentinian aircraft during the war including 2 A4 Skyhawks, 1 Learjet Photo reconnaissance plane and a Canberra jet with her combat proven British Sea Dart Missile system.

During the Gulf war in 1991, HMS Exeter was on air defence guard duty, protecting US Battleships along with one of Exeters younger sisters, HMS Gloucester.

HMS Gloucester user her Sea Dart system to destroy an incoming Iraqi Silkworm Missile which was heading for the Battleship USS Missouri.

HMS Exeter was due to be retired in 2009 and now sits at extended readiness, but it appears likely that she will never sail again as a Royal Navy ship on active duty.

A new generation of stealthy warships are being built for the Royal Navy to replace these veterans. The first Type 45 Destroyer is currently undergoing sea trials after being launched last year in Scotland.

The Type 45 destroyer is currently considered to be the most advanced escort class warship in the world and boasts a blend of British and European technology including a suite of long range Surface to Air Missiles called "Aster".

Muzzerino.

Good Samaritan Austin Hemmings

Good Samaritan Austin Hemmings:

A man who did what any of us should do. Something that should be considered a duty for any human being, to stand up for another in harms way.

Last week Austin Hemmings went to the aid of a woman who was being attacked in downtown Auckland, he intervened and was stabbed to death.

His funeral was today in the suburb where I live (Devonport) and over 2000 people attended it to say goodbye to the family man who did the right thing and paid with his life.

In this day and age, some people might be forgiven for walking past someone in distress and allow others to deal with it instead, given what happened to Austin Hemmings. But should we intervene? should we consider our own lives? our own family first, before we run to the aid of another.

It is a question for all of us to ponder, for I think many of us will be in the situation where we have to make a quick decision to help, or to forget, a fellow human being.

• The family of Austin Hemmings have asked that instead of flowers, well wishers can contribute to Austins favourite charity. Bibles in Action. >>

Rest in Peace Austin Hemmings.

• Farewell to a man who did the right thing >>
• A Death that sent a message >>
• Family farewell their hero >>
• Hemmings family bear no grudge against killer >>
• We need not Rush to Forgive >>
• Grieving family thanks the public >>

NORAD: Palin is a Liar!

Sarah Palin must be desteratly trying to show that because she is Governor of Alaska, that she is well suited to the Presidency.

She has made it sound like she and Alaska have faced the Russians as they have penetrated US Airspace.

NORAD Maj. Allen Herritage said "To be very clear, there has not been any incursion in U.S. airspace in recent years"

Steve Biegun (Palin's foreign policy adviser) insisted that Sarah Palin did not lie, Russia's "old behaviors" of aggressively flying into U.S. airspace have been exhibited recently, he said.

"Governor Palin told me that when Russian aircraft buzz American airspace and U.S. aircraft are mobilized at Elmendorf Air Force Base, she is informed by her National Guard commander,"

What the hell is going on? Is this like when Hillary talked about dodging Sniper Fire ? C'mon people, you are getting caught out too easy!

Muzzerino.

Paris Hilton the Singer ?

I thought she was just some rich chick who got famous from a naked porn video, now she is a musician too???

Paris Hilton is launching a new TV show on MTV called "Paris Hilton's My New BFF". Apparently 16 women and 2 men (Homosexuals) were chosen from almost 300,000 people to be Paris Hilton's best friend.,

"Paris Hilton's new Best Friend" will go with her to various events and help protect Paris from weirdos and photographers. (maybe they are the same thing)

Manufactured bands, manufactured singers, now we have manufactured friends. I guess Paris Hilton is creating a natural extension of what fakeness is already out there in Hollywoodland and beyond.

I wonder if this could be an actual attempt for Paris Hilton to fina a "real" friend, after all I guess a person like Paris Hilton might find it very hard to find a genuine friend. Perhaps the method of publicity and money makes perfect sense for a girl who has everything materially, but not necessarily emotionally.

I mean, we all need friends, right?

muzzerino.

• Paris Hilton article @ Reuters >>
• Paris Hilton new BFF @ Ace Show Biz >>
• Paris Hilton @ E! Online >>
• Paris Hilton @ EFlux Media >>

Go the Mighty Gurkhas !!!

Finally a group of retired Gurkhas who have served their adopted country have won the right to stay and overturn the unfair UK immigration rules that stated that any Gurkha who retired from the British Army before 1997 did not have the automatic right to stay in the country.

The judge, Mr Justice Blake, said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people.

Joanna Lumley said it was a "chance to right a great wrong"

This ruling may affect some 2,000 Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997

"This is a victory that restores honour and dignity to deserving soldiers who faithfully served in Her Majesty's armed forces.

"It is a victory for common sense; a victory for fairness; and a victory for the British sense of what is right."

Sign your name to the petition at www.gurkhajustice.org.uk and support the right of all retired Gurkhas to live in the very country they have served with honour.

Edinburghs Hogmanay 2009 !

Should I go to the 2009 Hogmanay Street Party this year? Or should I do the family thing?

This is the dilemma I face.

Last year I travelled from my adopted home in Auckland, New Zealand to my original home in Edinburgh, Scotland.

My Canadian girlfriend had never seen the amazing Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party celebrations before so I really wanted her to experience it.

We went, we drank, we cheered with friends and we watched Edinburgh Castle explode in a torrent of Fireworks!! It was amazing.

As always, the Hogmanay event did not disappoint, although I was lucky this year, (some previous years firework displays have been cancelled due to high winds)

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is in my opinion, the best New year event in the world, partly because in Scotland we hold New Year / Hogmanay in such high regard. As an adult, Hogmanay is much more important in Scotland than Christmas is in many ways.

People all over the world sing "Auld Lang Syne" (Old Long Since) on New Year Eve, thanks to us Scots and in Scotland you will find that the New Year / Hogmanay celebrations last all week, not just one night like in many countries.

If you ever have considered going somewhere different for New Year / Hogmanay, I would highly recommend going to Scotland and Edinburgh in particular to join the street party of over 100,000 people in the same street, drinking, cheering and wearing silly hats.

And if you like to get up close and personal, you may love it when complete strangers come up to kiss and hug you after midnight. Another great thing about Scotland's Hogmanay!

So this brings me back to the issue at hand. I have been to the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party about 10 times and I should probably spend this one with my family, the thing is, I always feel I am missing out if I do not go!

Should I go to the Edinburgh Hogmanay 2009 Street Party ???

• Edinburghs Hogmanay >

Capitalism has Failed !

Well, yeah, I guess it works most of the time, but with the Wall street crash we have a prime example of every man for themselves in a capitalist world.

People freak out because they are losing money, but forget to realise that the very nature of the beast is that it can bite you at anytime.

It has just bit us.

We will all be affected by the downturn in profits from a rich guy in Wall Street.

Your savings will be affected by some bloke who decided to sell OJ below its asking price. Your property will lose value because a foreign cosmetics company has gone out of business.

Its all intertwined. Maybe we need to let it crash and just hit the reset button and begin again as it were.

I dream of a world where essential things such as health, emergency services, shelter and even transport are all guaranteed under the social umbrella of the State.
A social base of essentials with profiteering / capitalism can roam free on top of it, where people can trade all they want in luxuries only.

Will it ever happen?

Thanks god I at least live in a country where the basic right of health care is Free!

A380 in Auckland

See the Latest photos From the Airbus Flight over Auckland >>>

Qantas new Airbus A380 will arrive in Auckland late at night on Thursday, October 9, and will be on display the next day at Auckland Airport.

the A380 will then fly around Auckland city on Friday Morning ( 10th October ) as a promotional flight for just over an hour from 10am!

See the Latest photos From the Airbus Flight over Auckland >>>

You better take a look on Friday if you want to see it because Qantas said it will not actually be flying the Airbus A380 on regular flights to Auckland for quite some time.

Emirates however should be starting up their Airbus A380 flights into Auckland airport from February 2009. Whoo Hoo!

I bet I will not be the only geek to be looking skyward for it that day

See the Latest photos From the Airbus Flight over Auckland >>>

USS Howard Watches the Pirates

The US Navy Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer USS Howard is keeping a sharp eye on Somalian Pirates who have taken over the Ukrainian ship Faina filled with 33 Russian T-72 tanks.

The Somali pirates want US$20 million before they will release the ship.

Interestingly the Russians themselves have sent their own warship The Russian missile frigate RFS Neustrashimy (fearless) to the area and the USS Howard is said to be waiting for them to take over the situation.

If the Pirates attempt to unload any of the Russian Weapons from the Faina, then I think we can expect some naval action off the Somalian coastline, although I dont know if the USS Howard would attack a Ukrainian ship just yet.

If anyone has an itchy trigger finger I would think it would be the Russians. I would expect the USS Howard to move away to a safe distance and allow the RFS Neustrashimy to open fire. The Russians never seem to take any shit when it comes to standoffs.

It will be interesting to see how this unfold, I hope that the USS Howard and the RFS Neustrashimy co-operate with each other, it will be a good chance to help improve relations between the US and Russia, even in a small way.

• Photos of Russian Destroyers and Frigates >>
• USS Howard Homepage >>
• Admiral Chabanenko, Russian Destroyer >>
• Mighty Russian Battlecruisers >>

Russian, American, Malaysian and French warships have been involved in patrolling the dangerous waters off the Somali coastline where pirate attacks are becoming all to common.

ATM Terrorists in Melbourne

A new breed of terrorist has arrived in Melbourne Australia, the kind that uses bombs to rob ATM machines.

Aussies can be quite an inovative people in my opinion but I think this is maybe a wee bit overkill.

From the Herald Sun "THIEVES have bombed an ATM and a butcher's shop - the blast flinging debris 200m across a carpark in Melbourne's west.

The police bomb squad is still at the centre using a robot to assess the damage and check whether there is still a danger of further explosions.

Glass and debris from the bomb attack is still scattered throughout the carpark of the Edgewater shopping centre in Edgewater Blvd, Maribyrnong.

The glass front of the Edgewater Meats butcher shop was completely shattered and the roof of the building collapsed from the force of the explosion."

I wonder if they got any money?

Picture: Fiona Hamilton.

Israel's Shiny New Radar for Defence from Iran!

Various news reports have surfaced indicating that the US has supplied Israel with a new X-band radar system to watch for incoming missile threats.

The Iranian News Agency Press TV >> has stated that Tel Aviv may be planning to attack Iran for its Uranium enrichment work.

This is also the first permanent base in Israel by the USA which appears to be a major first step in establishing the US Missile defence shield.

The Death Penalty. Is it an Evil Act?

'under what circumstances would you allow the government to kill you?'

Murder is the ultimate evil, no doubt about it. I hold murder in the same dis-regard as serious crimes such as rape, paedophilia and torture, but I think it is safe to say that Murder itself is the worst, the most evil.

What causes someone to commit murder? passion, revenge or maybe just some kind of twisted mentality? do they even understand the gravity of it? I think many people do not understand the gravity of it whatsoever.

We, the people, the system, the country in our enlightened and civilised view should know and fully understand the impact, the seriousness and gravity of the crime that is murder.

In my mind, how can we, or the system in its cool, calm and collected manner commit murder in response to murder?

If murder is evil, then surely death penalty is even more evil.

At the end of the day, humans commit murder for a variety of reasons, none of which can be tolerated in a civilised society and they must be removed from society for the safety of others.
A murderer kills, and a murderer has a reason for it. This reason may be complex, it may not be understood by society, it certainly is not tolerated and can never be allowed, but at the very least, a murderer has some kind of motive for their actions.

The Death Penalty does not deter murder.
Murder rates are not affected by the Death Penalty, because only a clear-minded person can be deterred and they are exactly the people who will likely never commit murder.
Someone (with a reason) in a fit of rage or passion, will not think clearly about the repercussions at the time of the killing anyway.

Innocent people are executed.
It has happened, it still happens and it will continue to happen. Humans are not perfect, our judicial systems are not perfect, evidence is not perfect and yet we impose the perfect, ultimate and final sentence.

Once an innocent person is murdered by the state, they cannot come back to appeal. Its over.
All over.

Imagine living on death row as an innocent person, awaiting your country, your people and your system to cooly decide your fate. To sentence your existence to be extinguished. Forever.

At the very least, a wrongfully imprisoned person could eventually be set free with new evidence or appeals. A dead person cannot appeal.

Innocent people have been released from prison after being subject to the unimaginable and crushing psychologial weight of being a Death Row inmate for on average, 9.5 Years! >>

Murders will continue to happen in society either way, by the mentally ill one on hand or a simple Joe Bloggs on the other, who knows?

Perhaps medical science will one day discover a gene, or a reason why a person does it, and it gets fixed. How will we feel then, knowing that we exterminated "guilty" people in such a way?

Once a murderer is caught, why not let them sit in a prison and think about it for the rest their lives? I would argue that would be a worse punishment, if they are really guilty, whereas in the event when an innocent person is imprisoned, they at least can have hope.

Poor Americans. Here comes Bruno!

Poor Americans, they are such easy targets for British comedy.

Borat did it, and was lucky to escape the USA with his Kashakstani Moustache intact, now Sacha Baron Cohen's latest character has made another trip to the US as the Gay Austrian Fashion Guru named Bruno.

Bruno: Delicious Journeys Through America For The Purpose Of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable In The Presence Of A Gay Foreigner In A Mesh T-Shirt, is the title of the new film by Sacha Baron Cohen.

First it was Ali G, then Borat, now Bruno looks like the next big thing in controversial, cringe-worthy, shock and uncomfortable comedy.

I am so glad to see British comedy still riding high and managing to fend off much of the mainstream canned laughter shows from across the pond, The Office, Extras, Ali G, Borat, The League of Gentlemen are among my favourites. May there be many more to come.

What the Hell is Blogging ?

I have been an Internet geek for many years, although it has only been in the last month or so that I have tried my hand at blogging.

"Whats the point in it?" I asked my self many times, I understand the whole "online diary" thing but why would anyone want to spill their thoughts in public?.

I find a blog for me is a very good place to write down stuff. I hate writing, (with a pen or pencil that is ) so a blog is a good alternative.

The good thing about a blog is, like-minded people can read it and comment on it, something that a diary on a bookshelf cannot. Even if people do not read your blog, at least you can still consider it a place to vent. You can vent your thoughts at current issues, or to publish your controversial opinion on something. Perhaps you are an expert at something and you just want to share your knowledge, a blog is all these things.

A website on the other hand, is more of a shop window, its a representation of a company, product or person, whereas a blog is more of a straight to the point kind of tool and because people find individual blog posts via search engines etc, it doesn't mater if one of your blog posts is on particle physics and another one is on dogs.

A blog is just content. A blog is thoughts. A blog is opinion. A blog is a joke. A blog is family photos. A blog is a travel diary. A blog is a recipe for soup. A blog is a book review. A blog is an angry rant.

A blog is getting it off your chest.

North Korea Goes in the Huff

Kim Jong Il has gone in the Huff again.

The USA said that they will not take North Korea off a list of state sponsors of Terror and this has pissed North Korea off.

North Korea has ripped away the seals to their Nuclear material programme and said that UN inspectors are
"no longer welcome!"

The toys have been thrown out of the pram, so to speak, but is this a gesture of defiance or a genuine attempt to restart their Nuclear Programme?

Kim Jong Il was not available for comment today because he was still hungover from a fancy dress party in Pyongyang. An anonymous source said that he came dressed as a tellytubby but this has not been confirmed.

Israel Will Attack Iran

If Israel feels threatened by Iranian Nuclear ambitions it will undoubtedly Attack first.

They have done it before.

One Upon a Time, Saddam Hussein was building a Nuclear programme and in 1981 Israel Warplanes flew a surprise attack air mission codenamed Operation Opera, against the Iraqi complex at Al Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center, near Baghdad. The facility was crippled in the Israeli attack.

The facility had been damaged previously in an Iranian attack during the war between the two Islamic nations in the 1980's.

In 1991 the facility was completely destroyed during the Gulf War by US aircraft.

So if Israel attacked a nuclear threat then, will they do it again? I think the answer is most certainly yes, and perhaps soon.

Above is an image of Israeli F-16s. This aircraft will surely be the ones which are used in such an attack mission against Iran. Unfortunately for Israel, the Iranians also have some quite impressive military hardware after all they were all bought at the same mall. That mall?

USA-Mart.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) holds a wealth of American technology which although some people might argue is out of date, they still have a substantial war fighting capability. The F15 and F14 fighters are both proven air and ground attack aircraft, add the sidewinder missile and you have a formidable force of air opponents.

The Iranian Air Force also boasts a number of Russian technology including the MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-24 and Sukhoi Su-25. Georgia and Russia were both reported to be using Su-25's in the 2008 South Ossetia War.

There are also reports that Iran has the SU-30.

On the whole, Israeli technology is superior, no argument there, but I doubt Iran will allow them to pull a surprise attack.

I think Iran is waiting for war.

Short Term Solitary Confinement

I have been thinking about this one for a while, Short Term Solitary Confinement as a viable and real option for certain crimes.

Criminals who commit violent crimes or thefts which generally receive one, two or three months jail time should be put in solitary confinement instead.

People who commit crimes such as these are often in a position where the only people whose opinion they value, are other criminals.

So if a criminal has peers in the criminal fraternity, then why should they be put in a prison where they can mingle and perhaps gain more peers?

Many criminals value their image, how "tough" they are for example and an image like this has only got value if that person's peers can see it.

Why not lock a criminal away in such a way that they have no social interaction instead? I have known people who have gone to jail for car theft, burglaries etc and they end up spending 2 months in a jail, being clothed, fed, socialising, playing pool and PlayStation's.

Instead I say, don't put them in jail for 3 months. Instead put them in a purpose built solitary confinement complex for 1 week. That's right, One Week!

Psychologically, one week in a cell with no human interaction, no music, no day light, nothing at all to distract the mind and no concept of time will feel like 3 months anyway.

I am positive when I say that anyone who experiences this would Never, repeat "never!" want to go through it again. Whereas many criminals don't really mind too much if they get thrown in a normal jail because all of their mates are probably there anyway!

It would save a tonne of tax payers money and be a much better short, sharp, shock.

think about it. Am I onto something here? or have I got it all wrong?

Muzzerino

Vote New Zealand First !

If you want to tell the politicians that you care more about policy and what they are actually going to do for the country other than "scandals" then I urge you to vote NZ first.

Winston Peters is going to be "censured" for lying to Parliament. I think if a politician was to be censured for this then we would have no politicians left.

John key has lied, but he owned up about it, good on him, I Wonder if he would have owned up so quick if all this Winston Peters stuff was not happening?

Winston Peters said he will leave it up to the voters on the November 8th election to decide what they think of him, I for one will cast my vote for NZ First, for no other reason than to show the other politicians that I DO NOT CARE about this stuff.

Yes politicians need to have a integrity, but $100,000 being given to NZ First is as big a deal to me as John Key's action in trading shares in a company while commenting on it as an MP, but he gets away with it?

Vote NZ First and surprise the dirt diggers.

Visit Winston Peters.com

Russian Warships Head For Latin America

An Armada of four Russian Warships have left the port of Severomorsk for Venezuela.

It appears that Hugo the Boss (Chavez) has invited them over to participate in some Military exercises with the Venezuelan Fleet.

The Russian armada is being led by the giant Russian Battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great).

This huge ship alone weights in at 25,000 Tonnes, that's bigger than a UK Aircraft carrier!

The Ruskies appear to have pushed for increased relations with Venezuela, Cuba and other Latin American nations.

If the Russian are attempting a Power projection posture, then I think The Peter the Great Battlecruiser alone, will achieve this.

Moscow and Washington are not being too friendly these days, especially after the short war with the western ally Georgia last month.

New Zealand Empire Expansion

The United Nations finally succumbed to New Zealand pressure today when they agreed to hand over 1.7 million Square Kilometres of continental shelf seabed to NZ Empire control.

The New Zealand Empire Armed Forces said today they have already dispatched several heavily armed warships to the area in order to secure the Mineral (and potentially oil ) rich area from potential aggressors such as the Western Island regime, known as Australia.

Kiwi inventors and engineers are already hard at work developing a "Floating Sovereignty Marker (FSM)" which will display a huge New Zealand flag to fly proudly over the extensive territory and will be visible as far away as New Caledonia. This is just in case there is any doubt over who now owns this new territory. This new FSM will be towed and anchored in the middle of the 1.7 Million Kilometre area by the Beehive-Class Battlecruiser HMNZS Clark.

The New Zealand Empire has formally stated that anyone intruding upon this area will be attacked without reservation by a powerful new weapon installed on all NZ Empire Imperial Warships known as "The Multiple Kiwi Launcher".

Intelligence agencies from governments around the world, have for some time been gathering information on this new weapon. So far it is believed that the weapon can fire High Explosive Kiwis an incredible distance, as far as the West island in fact.

Approx 600 shots a week are regularly fired at the West island, with no retaliation thus far.

In addition to the expansion, New Zealand Empire (NZE) Officials have stated that the United States of America has recognised the need for a Free trade agreement with the Empire.

With the current state of the US economy, it has come as no surprise to NZE leaders that the USA desperately requires the vast resources of the NZE to support its weakening economy and New Zealand Empire Officers have left for New York to begin negotiations on this new agreement.

An anonymous Empire source has stated that "the United States should be in no doubt that if any action is taken to subdue the NZ economy within the new Free Trade Agreement, then NZE Economic Agents world-wide will retaliate with relentless force by saturating the world economy with high quality wool, lamb and Kiwifruit to cripple US interests"

All hail the expansion of the Empire and long live the Great Leader!

Winston Peters Guilty

Politicians eh?

NZ Foreign Minister Winston peters has been found guilty by the privileges committee of misleading parliament on party donations.

I still don't see what the big deal is, all politicians do stuff like this.

Opposition Leader John Key has just been found out for trading shares in tranzrail, a company that the government was buying back at the time he was moaning about it.

I really hope Winston bounces back on this one, I am sure it cost far more money to investigate him than the $100,000 donation he apparently did not declare.

If he should be investigated for this, then so should John Key.

Visit Winston Peters Blog

Muzzerino

Qantas A380 in Auckland, Images, Wallpaper

See the Latest photos From the Airbus Flight over Auckland >>>


6 x Airbus A380 Wallpapers

6 x Airbus A380 Wallpapers

See the Latest photos From the Airbus Flight over Auckland >>>

Russia Gets Navy Base in Syria

Looks like the Russians are establishing a base in Syria, I'm sure Israel wont be to happy about a Russian Navy Base right next door.

From Press TV (Iran)

Russian warships in Syrian waters

Ten Russian warships have been deployed at the Syrian port of Tartus based on an accord reached by the two sides after the August south Caucases conflict.
Rear Admiral Andrei Baranov, head of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's operations directorate, said Friday the Russian engineering crew was at Tartus to expand the capacity of the harbor to host additional fleet vessels.

The teams will also be working on expanding Latakia, another Syrian port, possibly for aircraft carriers or guided missile cruisers, said Baranov.

On Sept. 12, nearly one month after the south Caucases conflict broke out, Russia and Syria reached an agreement that would provide Moscow with a long-term base rights at Syrian ports.

DEBKAfile's military sources reported that Israeli military leaders were stunned at the news of the Russian fleet being deployed near Israeli shores.

New Zealand Winter is Terrible, Boring, Cold and Crap!

I am from Scotland and I am often asked if I prefer the New Zealand climate, (since everyone knows that Scottish weather is crap) and generally I do prefer New Zealand, in Summer that is.

The New Zealand winter however is crap!!

Why?

Well, let me begin by stating that yes, the Scottish winter is much colder than New Zealand and the New Zealand winter is actually quite mild. So whats the problem? sounds good right?

No.

The reason I think the New Zealand winter is crap, is that the mild winters they have here in Aotearoa NZ are drastically offset by the low standard of insulation and heating in NZ buildings.

Let me ask you this, even in summer, 'where do you spend most of your time? Indoors or outdoors?', well unless you are a gardener, farmer, or road worker perhaps, most people will spend most of their day inside at work and then inside at home, with shorter periods outdoors.

So if that's the case in summer, where do you spend most of your time in winter? that's right, indoors!

New Zealand offices, New Zealand homes, New Zealand pubs, New Zealand cafes and New Zealand restaurants are all bloody freezing in winter!

New Zealand is the ONLY country I have ever been to where I have had to keep my coat on while at a restaurant, a restaurant for gods sake!!

In Scotland, like many places around the world with a colder climate, we have heated offices, pubs, schools, homes and in fact, pretty much every indoor place you can think of has some kind of modern heating, or at the very least basic insulation.

What I find funny is that New Zealander's just accept it, they think it is normal. Kiwis are deluded and probably think that New Zealand is as warm as our neighbours in Australia, so why do we need heating?

Trust me New Zealand buildings need heating and insulation!

So, being a Scot, I just laugh when people ask how cold it is in Scotland, I say, "yep, its cold, but only outside".

Little do people realise that Scots, Canadians and probably Scandinavians are all a bunch of 'wimps' when it comes to cold weather. We like to be warm!

Give me a frozen lake or a snowball fight over a cold damp house, any day!

As you were! (brrrrrrr)

You live in New Zealand during winter when...

Here are some stats about NZ Homes

• 45% of existing homes are mouldy
• 16% of homes have no insulation at all
• 21% of people aged 18–24 say their home is cold and uncomfortable
• 84% of households say they don’t have the financial means to make energy-saving renovations
• Typically more than one third of the energy used in the home is for keeping warm
• Nearly two thirds of homes in New Zealand were built before insulation became a legal requirement in 1979—just over one million properties
• More than a quarter of the nation’s homes could be making their occupants ill
• More than 75% of people who rented or bought a home in the past two years did not check insulation, hot water cylinders, heaters and other water and energy efficiency appliances

• You live in New Zealand during winter when...
  
• Read more @ Idealog.
• NZ Homes are a Health Risk >>

Is the Bank of Scotland No More ?

Founded in 1695, the Bank of Scotland is the oldest bank in the United Kingdom. It is the only commercial institution created by the Scottish Parliament to remain in existence.

It was the first bank in Europe to print its own banknotes, something that continues to this very day and with the recent financial doom, it looks like it may be going down the gurgler!

According to the Scotsman Newspaper "In the rolling credit crisis, more than £46 billion of the bank's shareholder value has evaporated into thin air. The collapse has hit pension funds, wiped out the nest-eggs of many investors – and added to the misery of staff, many of whom had built up substantial holdings of HBOS shares"

"The bank has survived European revolutions, agricultural depressions, two world wars, stock market crashes and too many recessions to mention. Now it has succumbed to the greatest convulsion in financial markets since 1929."

How the hell can it collapse?

My god, I hope it doesn't collapse, it is a bank, yes but because it is so old and its HQ building has dominated part of Edinburgh's skyline for a while, it would be a shock to see it go.

Nightmare!!!

Iran Will Blockade the Persian Gulf

Iran will blockade the Persian Gulf if the West attacks!

“No vessel could pass through the Persian Gulf waters without being at the reach of the missiles of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp Navy (IRGCN),” Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi the top military advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

I reckon they would do it as well, also they are in a unique geographical situation with a long gulf coastline with plenty of offensive positions to choose from. Iran would considerably upset the vital oil supplies throughout the region and do doubt push the oil price sky high should a blockade ever ensue, even if it were only to last a short period of time.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard also has in addition to their missiles, what they claim as the worlds fastest underwater torpedo / missile which they tested back in 2006.

National TV programmes were interrupted to show footage of the missile being fired into the Gulf and destroying a derelict ship.

Tzipi Livni : New Israeli Prime Minister

Attack Posture Mrs Livni

"grrrrr!, go away you nasty Palestinian or Ill scratch your eyes out!"

So Israel gets its 2nd woman in the position of PM. Good on them, hopefully a female touch is exactly what this part of the world needs after all the trouble of recent times.

The timing might be good too, what with Iran possibly fiddling with Nuclear Power these days, hopefully a cooler head might help in such circumstances. It will be interesting to see how the Ex-Mossad agent performs as Israels new Prime Minister over the next year or so.

Good on ya Mrs Livni! Good on ya Israel!

77 Year Old Woman Snorts Cocaine

Old people these days! setting such a bad example to the young ones, a woman, 77 has admitted a charge of using Cocaine because she needed "a lift".

Betty Nicholls from Cornwall, admitted possessing Cocaine ( she thought it was "puff" ) with a street value of £1,300! Her car was stopped by police on the M5 last November.

I think more people of this age should be randomly checked by police. Those urine bags that many old folk have would be ideal to test, "just give it a squeeze love!"

More reading from the BBC >>

Muzzerino.