Chavs and The Chav Song

Although I love Scotland and the UK in general and I definitely consider moving back one day from NZ, this would be one of the 'few' reasons that would stop me.

Introducing, "the CHAV" easily spotted by what they wear including what Michael Quinion calls 'the wearing of white trainers (in what is called “prison white”, so clean that they look new)'



Wikipedia says: Chav is a term applied to certain young people in the United Kingdom. The stereotypical "chav" is an aggressive teenager or young adult who often engages in anti-social behaviour, such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdy behaviour.

They are often assumed to be unemployed or in a low paid job, although it is incorrect to assume that all chavs are working class, as chavs belong to no distinct social class. The term Charver is more widely used in North East England. Stereotypical "chavs" typically wear tracksuits and hoodies made by sporting brands such as Nike and Adidas and listen to mainly MC and some have been known to listen to Rap, R'n'B, Hip Hop and Techno.

"Chavette" is a term generally used for female "chavs", similar to "lad" and "ladette".

Response to the term has ranged from amusement to criticism that it is a new manifestation of classism. One BBC TV documentary suggested that "chav" culture is an evolution of previous working-class youth subcultures associated with particular commercial clothing styles, such as mods, skinheads and casuals. The term has been associated with juvenile delinquency, the ASBO Generation and yob culture.

Why are Chav's like Slinkies?
They have no real use, but its great watching one fall down a flight of stairs.

Maori TV as a real option for the Rugby World Cup 2011 Broadcast?

Maori TV have caused controversy with Te Puni Kokiri's intention to fund Maori Television's $3 million bid (taxpayers money) for Rugby World Cup coverage.

I have no problem with it at all.

I DO have a problem with the Government spending Million's of our Tax Dollars on that dirty, filthy, corporate, traitorous and greedy sport know as the America's Cup. A sport which is not even country vs country, but rich blokes vs rich blokes.

From an international point of view, I genuinely think that those who visit NZ for the rugby from other countries will absolutely love to see the Rugby World Cup broadcast in a more culturally diverse setting. Many tourists love to pick up culture from the country they are visiting and as long as most of it is in English for the commentary, whats the problem?

For those of you saying it is racist, consider this... in 40 years time, if Pakeha were to become an minority in NZ (hypothetically) due to immigration from other races, would you consider it 'racist' to keep a 'special' place for the English language and Pakeha/Western/White way of life?

No. I didn't think so.

Like it or not, Maori do have an authentic and special place here in NZ, this is the only country where Maori's can be Maori.

Sorry, but us Pakeha live very safe and secure in the knowledge that our culture is perfectly safe from being squashed or even just changed by another.

I say lets consider Maori TV as a real option for this broadcast and stop your bloody moaning.

P.s. And Kiwis say they hate Whingeing Poms!

New Zealand Skyhawks SOLD! (maybe?)

The decommissioned Royal New Zealand Air Force A-4 Skyhawks which have been sitting on the ground for the last 8 years are nearly sold.

The 17 jets were deemed useless by the NZ labour government at the time along with a further 17 Aermacchi MB-339 and they took the decision (stupid in my opinion) to retire the aircraft with nothing to succeed them. Most of the RNZAF's fighter pilots subsequently left New Zealand to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force and the UK Royal Air Force. Defence minister Wayne Mapp has expressed a desire for the Aermacchi fleet to return to service, but Prime Minister John Key says it is extremely unlikely that any jet training will be restored.

The US Government have blocked the sale of the Skyhawks over the last several years undoubtedly as a shrug to NZ's anti-nuclear policy but the cold (military) relations between New Zealand and the United States have thawed somewhat in recent years and now the US have finally given State Department, Congress and Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco approval.!

So what is the NZ taxpayer getting back for this depletion in our airspace security?
about $155 Million NZ Dollars. Thats about 38 bucks for each person in NZ.

Ok, I know that buying new planes and upkeep would be more than that but my point is, in the vast pocket of the treasury, surely they can find a few million bucks to buy even a handfull of new jet aircraft for the (tiny) RNZAF. I have a rationale, if you are interested.

New Zealand, I hope it was worth it.

• related: NZ Needs Fighter Planes! >>
• related: US/NZ Training ban likely to end >>
  

ALERT! 2nd Tsunami heading to New Zealand

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has confirmed a tsunami was generated by a large earthquake off Vanuatu but has now cancelled warnings, saying the danger is likely to have passed.

Civil Defence said a tsunami measuring 0.4m was recorded off Vanuatu and had advised New Zealanders to stay off beaches and out of boats.

Its coming from Vanuatu this time, an 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake has been reported off Vanuatu and New Zealand Civil Defence have issued a Tsunami 'watch'.

The epicentre was 373 km north of Santo, Vanuatu.

It has been reported to be at a depth of 33km and the US State of Hawaii has received a Tsunami advisory from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

The Ministry of Civil Defence is advising of a potential tsunami threat to New Zealand from an earthquake of magnitude 8 at Vanuatu.
An advisory is being sent to all responding agencies, including Fire, Police, Coastguard, local authorities and others to put them on standby.
The public is advised to not be on beaches or in boats near the coast. NZ Civil Defence >>

The public is advised to not be on
beaches or in boats near the coast.

Small Tsunami has been confirmed at Vanuatu.

From NZ Herald>

Tsunami warning is in effect for:
Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Kiribati, Kosrae, Wallis-Futuna, Howland-Baker

A tsunami watch is in effect for:
Various countries including New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Australia

Should a tsunami reach New Zealand, it will hit at the following times:
* North Cape - 2.34pm
* East Cape - 3.16pm
* Auckland (West) - 3.33pm
* Gisborne 3.49pm
* New Plymouth 4.10pm
* Auckland (East) 4.14pm
* Napier 4.29pm
* Milford Sound 4.35pm
* Wellington 4.39pm
* Westport 4.50pm.

There is no confirmation that a tsunami has been generated. Our advice from scientific advisors is that if a tsunami has been generated it is unlikely to be destructive for New Zealand. However, the Potential Threat Advisory remains in effect until cancellation.

More soon...

David Tua v Shane Cameron

What a fight!, it was short, but amazing!

I had the bright idea last night of going to watch the boxing 'fight of the century' at my local pub in Devonport. Turns out of course that they were not showing it because Sky TV had the bright profiteering idea of charging $1,500.00 for any pub which wanted to show it.

I decided to try my luck in Takapuna but the only pub showing it there was the Sin Bin and lets just say, they were at capacity. There was about 50 people waiting outside on the off-chance that they might get in and I joined them. Of course, as the time ticked toward the kick off at 10.15, no-one was getting in except a few choice VIP's and those people who knew the bouncers.

I figured, well I can watch through the window and stay outside or, I can try my luck...

Lets just say about 30 seconds before the round 1 bell sounded, I got my pint of Tui and turned to watch the fight on the big screen and I need to thank the 2 guys who helped me out. I could not thank them at the time, because it would have drawn attention but I figured I could at least thank them on here.

Cheers guys, for making my trip to Takapuna worthwhile!

WIndows 7 Video of Cheese!

Well as much as I hate MAC's I have to admit, if it were all about what adverts sell the best product, then I'd be buying a MAC tomorrow.

This new Video from Microsoft has so much incredible stuff in it as an amazing study piece for someone who is interested in bad advertising.

• Cheese (my god its dripping with it)
  
• Contrived Laughing
  
• Innapropriate setting

anyway, take a look.



I actually find that the acting in this video is not too bad, these people seem to know what they are doing. Shame that they were given such a shitty script to work with and I hope now that their acting careers have not just been destroyed.

Muzzerino

Tsunami Alert! New Zealand Updates...

2nd Tsunami Warning for NZ >>

10.02 Local NZ Time.

• A Tsunami is on the way to New Zealand after an Earthquake near Samoa @ 06.48 NZ time
  
• I am listening to the radio and they say that Samoan news have reported 5 deaths. A bit of Hysteria is whipping up here in NZ over this and we do not know whether it is justified or not.
  
• Best to be safe rather than sorry I guess.
• 1 Metre swells are predicted for the Auckland region and Napier and the Napier port has been evacuated. (One metre? doesnt sound like much)
• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center estimated any tsunami would hit New Zealand at the following times
• East Cape at approximately 9.45am
  
• Wellington at 10.50am
  
• Auckland's east coast at 11.12
  
• West coast at 11.39
  
• Lyttelton at 11.55
  
• Dunedin at 12.31

A bit of Comic Relief
I texted my brother in Scotland to tell him about it and hey said 'Head for the high hills!", when I said it is going to be about one metre, he told me 'ok, forget the evacuation, get yer wellies on!'

10.16

• I am also listening to my Radio Scanner on the marine channel 161.624 (Channel 80) and at 10.17 one person has issued a 'MAYDAY' and the Coastguard are trying to contact them. ( I suspect this may be a prank ) Transmission said..... 'Mayday' then after repeated requests by the coastguard to contact them we heard 'Barrier'
  

10.37

• Coastguard Tsunami warning remains in effect and people are being advised to stay away from coastal low lying areas.

10.46

• 90 CM Wave hits East Cape according to Radio Live.

10.48

• Civil Defence Downgrades Tsunami warning.
• Still due to Hit Auckland at 11.12am (Size 1 Metre)

10.55

• According to TVNZ A 40-centimetre Tsunami wave has come ashore in New Zealand at East Cape but there are no reports of damage.
• Civil Defence has downgraded this morning's tsunami warning to a tsunami alert.
• Civil Defence is still warning people to stay away from beaches and rivermouths as the first wave may not be the largest.

11.00

• 19 People dead in Samoa.

11.01

• 0.7m Rise in Northland and Tsunami warning officially cancelled according to Coastguard.

11.04

• Aftershocks reported in American Samoa (Sky News)

11.17

• Unless more waves arrive, it appears that the threat to NZ is over.

11.30

• Warning reiterated as NOT cancelled, but downgraded. Secondary waves expected to arrive in Auckland at 12.12

12.00

• Reports of up to 24 people dead in Samoa.

12.31

• Coastguard issues additional warning for NZ.

13.34

• The Red Cross and media reports put the death toll in Samoa at at least 28

More from TVNZ >>
More from NZ Herald >>