Earless bunnies and colourful spiders. Nope, Korea also has alien space craft sneaking on to the planet disguised as green buildings...Cergie has suffered a similar fate!
San Nakji for President!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Korea - It's not all about...
Earless bunnies and colourful spiders. Nope, Korea also has alien space craft sneaking on to the planet disguised as green buildings...Cergie has suffered a similar fate!
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Everyone Loves a Squirrel
My trip to Korea put me in touch with squirrels. We don't have them here in Aotearoa, but I always manage to see them in Korea. This one was amazing as he didn't seem to be the least bit worried about my presence. He was sitting on a traditional thatched roof eating... well, I am not sure what he was eating, knowing nothing about squirrels as I don't. He was great to watch though!
San Nakji for President!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Geomi
This is one reason why one of my friends says she could never live in Korea. Never.
Say hi to a Daegu, Republic of Korea, resident. I think she's cool. Then again, I am a big fan of spiders! Anyone out there know what species she is?
San Nakji for President!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Hare and the Turtle
At Queen Min's birth place, I also found this turtle, burdened with carrying a rabbit for all eternity. Poor bloke. Turtles traditionally represent long life, didn't help in Queen Min's case though did it?
San Nakji for President!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Korean Roof
I was going to post a bunch of photos, but it is too late and I am tired! Here's a Korea roof. As I look at my photos I notice a lot of roof shots. Hmmmm... I didn't know I liked roofs that much! Anyway, they are quite impressive don't you think? This one belongs to a building which was the birthplace of Queen Min. Everyone knows that San Nakji loves a bit of monarchy action!
San Nakji for President!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Soju!
The smiling bottle in a previous post is a soju bottle. Soju is Korea's national drink and is about 21% alcohol. Not the most strong thing, but also not like your average beer. One of the most dangerous things about it though is the price. Less that one US dollar... Imagine getting a couple of six packs of those for a Saturday night!Anyway, as I said in my last post I went to Icheon and visited a soju factory. It was pretty much like any other factory of it's type, nothing too exciting. The guie proudly told me however that this factory is the largest spirits factory in the world. In the last ten years they have sold 1 billion bottles... That's 100 million a year or over two bottles for every man woman and child in Korea... Quite a lot of alcohol I think you will agree!
The best part of the tour was the end when we were able to taste all the different soju. I have to admit in being a little tipsy, but this was merely preparing me for the rest of my trip!
San Nakji for President!
Happy Birthday Mistri!
It's Kira's Slave's birthday today! Happy birthday young man, enjoy your youth and don't waste it like I did...
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Yes
The continuing saga. After getting to Korea I met a great blogfriend. It was great to meet her and I hope I didn't scare her too much! After that I headed to Icheon, about an hour from Seoul where I had planned to visit a Seoju (Korean alcohol) factory. I had some time before the factory tour began and so wandered the town. It is a nice little place. I met a man who felt that his daughter could have been Miss Korea, but had run off to Australia to be a diplomat. He claimed to be an author, I have my doubts, being a literature major... There was a cool little shopping arcade and that's where I came across this shop sign. It is brilliant! All shops should include such prose on their advertising signs!
Can I also say it's hard to blog with a cat on your knee???
San Nakji for President!
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Journey Begins
So this is the first shot I took on my journey. It's from the plane window somewhere over the South Pacific Ocean. It just blew me away when I saw what was happening outside. I think the photo captured the moment well too. Have you ever looked at clouds and just refused to believe that you couldn't walk on them? Well, that's how I felt right at that moment!
San Nakji for President!
Smile Again
Yes, Smile Again! San Nakji returns! He returns with some 600 photos... Are you ready???
San Nakji for President!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Last Post
My dear friends. I am off to Korea tomorrow for two weeks and don't think I will be posting until I come back on November 6th. Please keep coming back and expressing your love. I shall miss you all. Well almost all of you ;o)
San Nakji for President!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Green Monster
Some kind of freaky monster I caught on film a couple of weeks ago. Scaarrrrry!
San Nakji for President!
Thoughts on a Cloudy Thursday
I just haven't been able to have much computer time these days (at home I mean!) so no new photos. I know this is why most of you come to San Nakji's world, but also you come for the wise words that I sometimes give you the honour of imparture (is this a word? If it isn't, well... it should be!) of knowledge. This is what I have for you today.
As I was coming to work this morning I saw a bunch of women walking the streets of the city with ski poles. It seemed to me to be some kind of fad excercise thing. Has anyone heard of this? I wonder if they realise how stupid they look when the snow is 5 hours drive away...
It's two days until I leave you all for two weeks. I don't know if I can stand the separation. How will I be able to get through?
Kira's Slave has a stalker. I am, frankly, jealous. Libby has offered to take up the position, but I am prepared to take other applications. Please forward to my email address for perusal. All application rewarded with legal action.
For all you Yanks out there. What's a good book about the Civil War? I am interested in that part of your history!
That's all for the moment. More will come to hand as the day progresses.
San Nakji for President!
As I was coming to work this morning I saw a bunch of women walking the streets of the city with ski poles. It seemed to me to be some kind of fad excercise thing. Has anyone heard of this? I wonder if they realise how stupid they look when the snow is 5 hours drive away...
It's two days until I leave you all for two weeks. I don't know if I can stand the separation. How will I be able to get through?
Kira's Slave has a stalker. I am, frankly, jealous. Libby has offered to take up the position, but I am prepared to take other applications. Please forward to my email address for perusal. All application rewarded with legal action.
For all you Yanks out there. What's a good book about the Civil War? I am interested in that part of your history!
That's all for the moment. More will come to hand as the day progresses.
San Nakji for President!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Robots
I am going to see robots on Sunday! I am so excited. Robots rock and one day we will bow down to them as our overlords. This is predestined and you shouldn't try to fight your predestiny. Ok?
Here is a cool robot,
Here is a scary robot,
Here is... um.... uh....
San Nakji for President!
Here is a cool robot,
Here is a scary robot,
Here is... um.... uh....
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Rugger
Rugby's really not my game. I am a league fan for sure, but I do follow my local team, North Harbour. So two weekends ago, me and 10 000 of my closest friends went out to North Habour Stadium to see them play in the quarter finals of the national championship. We were playing the evil union from the south, Otago and were expected to win. Unfortunately we got the thrashing of our lives... it wasn't pretty to watch.
On the plus side I was playing with the action setting on my camera and came up with these nice shots. They look better if you click on them. Descriptions are underneath each photo.
This is called a scrum. Basically the two team crouch down and smash into each other trying to get the ball. That's about as much as you need to know about this more than disturbing part of rugby. North Harbour, for the record, are in the white jerseys.
This is a lineout. The two teams lineup and one of the team throws the ball between the lines for someone to catch. I liked photographing lineouts because I could catch the ball in mid air.
Lineout again. This is my favourite shot as you can see the ball quite clearly and the guys competing for it.
Here is my team making one of only three attempts at converting a try all match. He basically has to kick it through the posts (see below) and then the team gets 2 points.
Finally, here is Otago, the evil team, kicking points. Our guy is valiantly trying to stop the kick, but it is all just too late. So sad...
So now you still know nothing about Aotearoa New Zealand's national sport...
San Nakji for President!
On the plus side I was playing with the action setting on my camera and came up with these nice shots. They look better if you click on them. Descriptions are underneath each photo.
This is called a scrum. Basically the two team crouch down and smash into each other trying to get the ball. That's about as much as you need to know about this more than disturbing part of rugby. North Harbour, for the record, are in the white jerseys.
This is a lineout. The two teams lineup and one of the team throws the ball between the lines for someone to catch. I liked photographing lineouts because I could catch the ball in mid air.
Lineout again. This is my favourite shot as you can see the ball quite clearly and the guys competing for it.
Here is my team making one of only three attempts at converting a try all match. He basically has to kick it through the posts (see below) and then the team gets 2 points.
Finally, here is Otago, the evil team, kicking points. Our guy is valiantly trying to stop the kick, but it is all just too late. So sad...
So now you still know nothing about Aotearoa New Zealand's national sport...
San Nakji for President!
Monday, October 16, 2006
The Surest Way
The surest way to lose your readership is to cease blogging since October 10th... I have pretty much blogged at least five days a week for 18 months now and then last week I go without blogging. I feel I have betrayed my faithful readership, which is just not on! I wish to thank all those who commented on my last little post. It is always good to feel loved!
So last week was basically a family week which meant no chance to get on the computer. I don't like to talk about my family here, but they are a big part of my life. Nope, no family here, this is all about me, my photos and observations on the way things are. I have to say that I have really changed a lot in the way I blog. I started out with quite a political edge, but now I see that my energy in that is best served elsewhere. This blog is more about entertainment so if I can entertain each and every one of you just a little bit with each post, then I think my job here in blog world is sorted!
So what has been happening in the past week? Lots of gory deaths and the usual misery around the world. If you want to know more, check out your local paper or one of the links on my links bar. For me, it's all about what I put in my journal which has been sadly neglected this past week also.
The first thing that I came across flipping back in my journal is my comment about big sunglasses. What is it with women and those enormous sunglasses? You know the ones, the ones that cover half the face with each lens as big as the moon. To me it just looks awful. Why cover your face like that? When I am finally president of the world I am outlawing those things on pain of death. It is the only way...
I am reading a book about King Alfred the Great at the moment. There is a part talking about Anglo Saxon kings in other parts of England at that time and one of the kings was named Wiglaf. That's billiant. However it can't compare with Wigmund, or my personal favourite Wigstan! Wigstan was actually worshipped as a saint after his death for a while, although it doesn't look like it stuck. Now, if there was still a Saint Wigstan, I would certainly convert to Catholicism right now!
Home school zealots! What's with these people who feel they should lock away their kids from the real world and then go out of their way to prove how 'normal' they are? News for you freaks. They ain't normal!
Clint Eastwood as a director. Has there ever been a more miserable man on this planet? He goes from the greatness of Dirty Harry, yes greatness, to the misery and utter despair of Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven (if you haven't seem them, my advice is don't! If you have, I recommend therapy to block the memory!). Oh how I miss the old kickarse Clint. Please come back!
I was in a discount shopping mall in the weekend and stocked up on books with rock bottom prices. One of them is the biography of Neil Armstrong. A really interesting bloke. It got me thinking, who is the most famous person alive? Is it Neil? Is it Sir Edmund Hillary? Is it Bush :(? What do you think?
Must blog a lot this week as on Saturday I am off to Korea for two weeks. I hope you all don't miss me too badly!
San Nakji for President!
So last week was basically a family week which meant no chance to get on the computer. I don't like to talk about my family here, but they are a big part of my life. Nope, no family here, this is all about me, my photos and observations on the way things are. I have to say that I have really changed a lot in the way I blog. I started out with quite a political edge, but now I see that my energy in that is best served elsewhere. This blog is more about entertainment so if I can entertain each and every one of you just a little bit with each post, then I think my job here in blog world is sorted!
So what has been happening in the past week? Lots of gory deaths and the usual misery around the world. If you want to know more, check out your local paper or one of the links on my links bar. For me, it's all about what I put in my journal which has been sadly neglected this past week also.
The first thing that I came across flipping back in my journal is my comment about big sunglasses. What is it with women and those enormous sunglasses? You know the ones, the ones that cover half the face with each lens as big as the moon. To me it just looks awful. Why cover your face like that? When I am finally president of the world I am outlawing those things on pain of death. It is the only way...
I am reading a book about King Alfred the Great at the moment. There is a part talking about Anglo Saxon kings in other parts of England at that time and one of the kings was named Wiglaf. That's billiant. However it can't compare with Wigmund, or my personal favourite Wigstan! Wigstan was actually worshipped as a saint after his death for a while, although it doesn't look like it stuck. Now, if there was still a Saint Wigstan, I would certainly convert to Catholicism right now!
Home school zealots! What's with these people who feel they should lock away their kids from the real world and then go out of their way to prove how 'normal' they are? News for you freaks. They ain't normal!
Clint Eastwood as a director. Has there ever been a more miserable man on this planet? He goes from the greatness of Dirty Harry, yes greatness, to the misery and utter despair of Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven (if you haven't seem them, my advice is don't! If you have, I recommend therapy to block the memory!). Oh how I miss the old kickarse Clint. Please come back!
I was in a discount shopping mall in the weekend and stocked up on books with rock bottom prices. One of them is the biography of Neil Armstrong. A really interesting bloke. It got me thinking, who is the most famous person alive? Is it Neil? Is it Sir Edmund Hillary? Is it Bush :(? What do you think?
Must blog a lot this week as on Saturday I am off to Korea for two weeks. I hope you all don't miss me too badly!
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Notice
Hey Kids,
Just a quick note to say SN is currently on leave at home and not getting near a computer as much as he should. I have some photos to post, just need to find the time.
In the meantime, you all stay well y'hear?
San Nakji for President!
Just a quick note to say SN is currently on leave at home and not getting near a computer as much as he should. I have some photos to post, just need to find the time.
In the meantime, you all stay well y'hear?
San Nakji for President!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
My Own Nation
Light on the blogging at the moment, I hope I haven't turned away my good blog viewing friends! I have been reading about Micronations and I think I would like to start my own. I already have the land and I have good relations with the surrounding country (Aotearoa), so I think the time is right. These are the things I have to do...
1) Think of a name
Well, I am kind of leaning towards Snopolis. I think that kind of says it all. However I like the name Wigstan too. I could definitely be the president of a country called Wigstan!
2) Design a Flag
I need to start working on this. I think I like the simple flags, the European ones with the strips of colours. Black would be good in a flag. Black is cool.
3) National Anthem
I will probably steal someone else's music and write funky new lyrics.
4) Diplomatic Relations
My new nation will need to establish ties with other nations. I am thinking of contacting Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Taiwan, Aceh, Pitcairn, Western Sahara and other disaffected nations. I will also be looking for Consuls and Ambassadors in other countries... This means my readers! I am not sure what duties you will have to perform.
So that's it at the moment. More ideas to come as they form in my tiny brain.
Any suggestions will be welcomed.
Standby for action!
San Nakji for President!
1) Think of a name
Well, I am kind of leaning towards Snopolis. I think that kind of says it all. However I like the name Wigstan too. I could definitely be the president of a country called Wigstan!
2) Design a Flag
I need to start working on this. I think I like the simple flags, the European ones with the strips of colours. Black would be good in a flag. Black is cool.
3) National Anthem
I will probably steal someone else's music and write funky new lyrics.
4) Diplomatic Relations
My new nation will need to establish ties with other nations. I am thinking of contacting Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Taiwan, Aceh, Pitcairn, Western Sahara and other disaffected nations. I will also be looking for Consuls and Ambassadors in other countries... This means my readers! I am not sure what duties you will have to perform.
So that's it at the moment. More ideas to come as they form in my tiny brain.
Any suggestions will be welcomed.
Standby for action!
San Nakji for President!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Blind Robbery
So, I just keep taking family photos these days which will never make it to this blog. As a result, to keep my fans happy, I am stealing some more of C's photos. She took these in the South of New Zealand. The Milford Sound is a World Heritage site, listed with UNESCO. Must get back there one day.
Thanks once more C!
San Nakji for President!
Thanks once more C!
San Nakji for President!
Hoff Dream
The other night I had the weirdest dream and I feel I have to share it with someone. You'll have to do.
I was watching the local netball team beat up on our evil rivals from across the bridge. We pounded them good and I was happy. It was a double header, so I went outside to get some fresh air before the next game. Out on the front lawn I found David Hasselhoff, lying on the grass. Wow, the Hoff!, I thought and asked him for his autograph. The Hoff didn't have any paper, so I asked him for his email address instead. He didn't have an address, but offered to give me his cellphone number. I took his phone and began to dial my own cellphone to get his number. As I was 'dialing', his phone rang. It was a friend of his inviting him to go somewhere. I was a bit sad as I hadn't had time to get The Hoff's number, but he offered me a lift. We went back to my place first where I got my camera and then we headed to meet his friend. When we got to the house I found a number of stars there. First there was Sandra Bullock. Only she said her name was Sexy Murphy... Brittney Spears was there too, but her name was Sexy (something, can't remember). Why didn't they give me their real names? I knew who they were. There was also this well known character actor. I don't know his name, but I recognised him from a bunch of films.
Then I woke up.
What does this mean?
San Nakji for President!
I was watching the local netball team beat up on our evil rivals from across the bridge. We pounded them good and I was happy. It was a double header, so I went outside to get some fresh air before the next game. Out on the front lawn I found David Hasselhoff, lying on the grass. Wow, the Hoff!, I thought and asked him for his autograph. The Hoff didn't have any paper, so I asked him for his email address instead. He didn't have an address, but offered to give me his cellphone number. I took his phone and began to dial my own cellphone to get his number. As I was 'dialing', his phone rang. It was a friend of his inviting him to go somewhere. I was a bit sad as I hadn't had time to get The Hoff's number, but he offered me a lift. We went back to my place first where I got my camera and then we headed to meet his friend. When we got to the house I found a number of stars there. First there was Sandra Bullock. Only she said her name was Sexy Murphy... Brittney Spears was there too, but her name was Sexy (something, can't remember). Why didn't they give me their real names? I knew who they were. There was also this well known character actor. I don't know his name, but I recognised him from a bunch of films.
Then I woke up.
What does this mean?
San Nakji for President!
Friday, September 29, 2006
Llama
The Llama is a quadruped which lives in big rivers like the Amazon. It has two ears, a heart, a forehead, and a beak for eating honey, but it is provided with fins for swimming.
Llamas are larger than frogs.
Llamas are dangerous, so if you see one where people are swimming, you shout,
'Look out, there are Llamas!'
San Nakji for President!
Grand Canyon
A good friend of mine has graciously let me use her photos of the Grand Canyon. She is obviously enjoying a better lifestyle than I am at the moment and I hate her for her fortune.... Of course in the most loving of hate.
Thanks C!
So you are asking yourself, where do I go if I feel the call of nature while visiting this big hole in the ground? Well, ask no longer. Here is the answer!
San Nakji for President!
Thanks C!
So you are asking yourself, where do I go if I feel the call of nature while visiting this big hole in the ground? Well, ask no longer. Here is the answer!
San Nakji for President!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Love Story
A man and a woman who had never met before, but were both married to other people, found themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train.Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, they were both very tired and fell asleep quickly...he in the upper bunk and she in the lower.At 1:00 AM, the man leaned over and gently woke the woman saying,
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold."
"I have a better idea," she replied. "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married."
"Wow! That's a great idea!" he exclaimed.
"Good," she replied. "Get your own f $%^#@& blanket."
After a moment of silence, he farted.
San Nakji for President!
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold."
"I have a better idea," she replied. "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married."
"Wow! That's a great idea!" he exclaimed.
"Good," she replied. "Get your own f $%^#@& blanket."
After a moment of silence, he farted.
San Nakji for President!
And so with salt goes life
Trying a new setting on my camera. Highspeed for action shots. Here is salt in action! Go that salt!
San Nakji for President!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Various Thoughts On Life The Universe and Nothing
So rapid fire SN thought coming at you!
Yeah!
I hear that Osama Bin Laden is dead. Typhoid? Something like that anyway. Good riddance I reckon. Still, do you think old Dubya Bush is going to claim he ordered the CIA to manufacture a special virus and it was all thanks to him? Hmmmm...
The sun is shining outside but no one is venturing out. Why? Because it is the annual hole in the Ozone layer festival. Yup, thanks to our industrial friends (with friends like these who needs enemies?) in the Northern Hemisphere, about this time every year the sun becomes just too damn dangerous. Yay...
I have just been listening to one of my favourite podcasts (Tokyo Calling) and Scott was talking about Cold Stone Ice Cream. Now one thing you can't fault America on is the production of food that is good enough to give you a coronary. This seems to be no exception. Now I am looking forward as much as the next man to a nice heart attack at a young age, so I am dying (excuse the pun) to try this amazing sounding ice cream! I am not planning to go to the States any time soon. (see below) so I thought I would be out of luck. However I have just found out that there is now one in Korea. Where am I going next month? Korea! Ice Cream heaven awaits!
One of the reasons I hate going to the US is LA airport. It is by far the worst airport I have ever been to. Since first going to the US over 20 years ago, the airport hasn't changed a bit. Oh how I hate it so! Harare airport in Zimbabwe may only have 2 gates and look like a Victorian train station, but it kicks the hell out of LAX!
Has anyone seen the new iPod shuffle? I am so in love! Even though Apple treats NZ so bad, I still love their product. A glutton for punishment...
You left before the lights came on,
Because you didn't want to ruin,
All the lust that was brewing,
Before he absolutely had to,
And how can you wake up,
With someone you don't love?
And not feel slightly fazed by it,
Oh, he had a struggle
San Nakji for President!
Yeah!
I hear that Osama Bin Laden is dead. Typhoid? Something like that anyway. Good riddance I reckon. Still, do you think old Dubya Bush is going to claim he ordered the CIA to manufacture a special virus and it was all thanks to him? Hmmmm...
The sun is shining outside but no one is venturing out. Why? Because it is the annual hole in the Ozone layer festival. Yup, thanks to our industrial friends (with friends like these who needs enemies?) in the Northern Hemisphere, about this time every year the sun becomes just too damn dangerous. Yay...
I have just been listening to one of my favourite podcasts (Tokyo Calling) and Scott was talking about Cold Stone Ice Cream. Now one thing you can't fault America on is the production of food that is good enough to give you a coronary. This seems to be no exception. Now I am looking forward as much as the next man to a nice heart attack at a young age, so I am dying (excuse the pun) to try this amazing sounding ice cream! I am not planning to go to the States any time soon. (see below) so I thought I would be out of luck. However I have just found out that there is now one in Korea. Where am I going next month? Korea! Ice Cream heaven awaits!
One of the reasons I hate going to the US is LA airport. It is by far the worst airport I have ever been to. Since first going to the US over 20 years ago, the airport hasn't changed a bit. Oh how I hate it so! Harare airport in Zimbabwe may only have 2 gates and look like a Victorian train station, but it kicks the hell out of LAX!
Has anyone seen the new iPod shuffle? I am so in love! Even though Apple treats NZ so bad, I still love their product. A glutton for punishment...
You left before the lights came on,
Because you didn't want to ruin,
All the lust that was brewing,
Before he absolutely had to,
And how can you wake up,
With someone you don't love?
And not feel slightly fazed by it,
Oh, he had a struggle
San Nakji for President!
Beach Couple
I took this photo the other day at a local beach. A couple is enjoying the spring weather and the view of our local dormant volcano...
Here it is as it would be if I had the time to do the whole scene in colour pencil... Just in case you were wondering!
San Nakji for President!
Here it is as it would be if I had the time to do the whole scene in colour pencil... Just in case you were wondering!
San Nakji for President!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
In Love With Blossom
No, I am not in love with the 1990's TV character of the same name. Although, I was... Nope, I am in love with my peach tree and the beautiful blossoms it keeps on giving me. I have hope for a bountiful crop this year!
San Nakji for President!
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Llamas
Llamas always stare
I wonder why they dare
Llamas are brown and white
They really are a sight
Llamas live up high
Llamas definitely can't fly
Llamas here and llamas there
Llamas staring everywhere
San Nakji for President!
Gorse Flower
Gorse was introduced into Aotearoa because Europeans thought it looked pretty. 150 years later we are paying for yet another mistake made by our ancestors. Gorse is everywhere and is really hard to get rid of. Still, the flowers are pretty....
San Nakji for President!
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Tower - A sketch
Instead of a photo, how about a sketch? This is of my old university. Strangely, this building is called 'The Clock Tower'. Weird huh?
San Nakji for President!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Stingrays beware!
More evidence that Australia is a special country... and not in a good way!
From BBC News
Dead stingrays with their tails cut off have been found in Australia, sparking concern that fans of naturalist Steve Irwin may be avenging his death.
Mr Irwin, a TV personality known as the "Crocodile Hunter", was killed while diving in Queensland when a stingray's barb stabbed him in the chest.
Since then, 10 stingrays have been found mutilated on Queensland beaches.
Government officials said they were investigating the deaths and there could be prosecutions.
Two stingrays were found at a beach north of Brisbane with their tails cut off, while eight were found on another beach on Monday.
San Nakji for President!
From BBC News
Dead stingrays with their tails cut off have been found in Australia, sparking concern that fans of naturalist Steve Irwin may be avenging his death.
Mr Irwin, a TV personality known as the "Crocodile Hunter", was killed while diving in Queensland when a stingray's barb stabbed him in the chest.
Since then, 10 stingrays have been found mutilated on Queensland beaches.
Government officials said they were investigating the deaths and there could be prosecutions.
Two stingrays were found at a beach north of Brisbane with their tails cut off, while eight were found on another beach on Monday.
San Nakji for President!
Flowery Week
It's been a flowery week for SN. Let's finish it off with some more shall we?
Nothing to be said really.
San Nakji for President!
Nothing to be said really.
San Nakji for President!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Every So Often
I have to shake it up a little in my blog, the World of San Nakji, by not posting a photo, but instead giving you the chance to share in the glory that is me. Today, faithful readers, is such a day.
Spring is a funny time here in Aotearoa, the last country in the world. Much like all the other seasons it tends to rain a bit and then have a bit of sunshine too. You wouldn't really notice it were any different from Winter actually except that it has suddenly become a lot warmer and a lot lighter in the morning which always makes SN happy as I am such an early riser. Right now it is grey and rainy outside, but in here it is the same as always. Air conditioning will do that I guess.
Weather like this makes me think about things. Earth shattering profound things. I had a lot of interesting thoughts recently which I wanted to share, but I forgot them. I meant to write them down in my journal, but I forgot to... Do you find that you come up with the greatest ideas in a place where you can't possibly write them down? When sleeping, when dealing with some business in the smallest room, when running to catch the bus? How annoying. I am sure at least two of the ideas I had last week would have solved world hunger.
So, third paragraph and nothing has happened yet. Maybe I should tell you a story? It goes like this.
Back in the days of the fall of the Berlin Wall I was in Stuttgart in West Germany. Friends of mine told me I should get to Berlin so I could watch the wall being pulled down. Be part of history so to speak. Well, SN is not known for missing out on history so I packed my bags and jumped on the train for West Berlin. I walked down the aisle of the train looking for a spare seat, but could find nothing. I walked through perhaps four carriages before I came into a carriage that looked a little bit different from the rest. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly was wrong with the carriage. There was something in the air. It was perhaps a little more grim than the other carriages. The people in the carriage looked a bit grim too. The only thing that really mattered to me at the time however was that there were plenty of seats in this car. I threw my bag onto the luggage rack and sat down across from a grim young lady who despite being grim managed to smile at me.
The train was an overnighter so I made myself as comfortable as I could and tried to get a bit of sleep. Some time later I was awoken as the carriage was lurching backwards and forwards and there was all kinds of banging and crashing going on. I looked at the grim young lady and she looked at me. Her face gave away nothing. I sat there looking out of the window into the dark, but the dark was no help. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew that as long as I sat on this train I was going to get to Berlin eventually. The banging and crashing soon stopped and we were on our way again. About 20 minutes later, I still hadn't managed to get back to sleep again, we stopped. 'Damn!' I thought. 'At this rate I will miss the Wall completely and will only get to Berlin in time for the first McDonalds opening. (This normally follows the collapse of an authoritarian government) Suddenly, the door to the carriage opened and in walked to armed soldier type people. They were armed with distinctly Russian type guns. The type you see in old James Bond films. I wondered what West German guards would be doing with such guns...
They were checking everybody's passport and the grim young lady showed them her grim looking Czechoslovakian passport. They then turned to me.
'Here you go lovely West German guards. Please go on your way protecting our freedom to munch on burgers and wear Levis!' I said politely.
'Funny Language that I have never heard' they replied and pointed at my passport angrily.
'Yes, I know you don't meet many people from Aotearoa so this passport may seem strange to you. I do promise you that my people are good friends with the German people and that I do not require a visa to visit your lovely country' I said even more politely and without even a touch of angst in my voice.
The grim young lady leaned towards me and spoke.
'We are not in Germany anymore. We are now in Czechoslovakia.' I haven't written this with an accent, but just imagine that she spoke with one.
'Gulp!' I thought. (Do you think gulp or does it just happen? I do wonder...). 'I am in some serious Iron Curtain trouble here!'
And I was...
It turned out that the reason the grim carriage had been empty is that it was one of two that was being separated from the Berlin train. They were removed in Nuremburg and put instead onto the back of a train heading for Prague. We were now in Czechoslovakia in a town called Cheb.
The soldiers marched me out of the train. The grim young lady gave me a pathetic smile seeming to say 'Well, good luck with the firing squad'.
Firing squad my arse. I would make those Communists pay! As a Socialist, I cannot abide by my brothers who have taken things just that one step too far. They wouldn't shoot me alive!
The soldiers marched me, not to a prison, but to the train station waiting room. Well, when I say not a prison, it may as well have been. All they had were Cracked magazines from 1978 and a copy of Stalin's holiday snaps album. I sat there, not trembling in fear, but defiant in Socialist anger. When they came back I would be ready for them. I would not let them drag me away without inflicting maximum casualties. I had seen Die Hard, I knew what it took. Think of me as a way better looking and much better haired Bruce Willis. And much harder and tougher. I knew the guards were intimidated by me and if it weren't for their guns I am sure they would have cowered for mercy.
I sat in the waiting room for hours. One thing about Communists is that they know how to wait. One thing about me is that I have no idea. Still, I knew it was part of their psychological torture game and I was prepared to play it. I occupied myself by looking out of the window of the train station and counting the number of barrels of leaking chemical waste lying in the courtyard.
Finally after what seemed like days, but was possible two hours, the soldiers came back. In fluent German they announced my verdict. In halting German I listened.
'You will get on the next train to Germany, ok Mr SN sir your highness sir?' I am pretty sure that's what he said. He was obviously worried with how I might react.
'No worries Mr Guard, you are just doing your job. I will grab that train with gusto'
And that's just what I did. The train came. I got on it. It left Czechoslovakia. I am sorry to tell the residents of that country that I have never been back. Despite all the fan mail I feel that it's just too soon...
True story!
San Nakji for President!
Spring is a funny time here in Aotearoa, the last country in the world. Much like all the other seasons it tends to rain a bit and then have a bit of sunshine too. You wouldn't really notice it were any different from Winter actually except that it has suddenly become a lot warmer and a lot lighter in the morning which always makes SN happy as I am such an early riser. Right now it is grey and rainy outside, but in here it is the same as always. Air conditioning will do that I guess.
Weather like this makes me think about things. Earth shattering profound things. I had a lot of interesting thoughts recently which I wanted to share, but I forgot them. I meant to write them down in my journal, but I forgot to... Do you find that you come up with the greatest ideas in a place where you can't possibly write them down? When sleeping, when dealing with some business in the smallest room, when running to catch the bus? How annoying. I am sure at least two of the ideas I had last week would have solved world hunger.
So, third paragraph and nothing has happened yet. Maybe I should tell you a story? It goes like this.
Back in the days of the fall of the Berlin Wall I was in Stuttgart in West Germany. Friends of mine told me I should get to Berlin so I could watch the wall being pulled down. Be part of history so to speak. Well, SN is not known for missing out on history so I packed my bags and jumped on the train for West Berlin. I walked down the aisle of the train looking for a spare seat, but could find nothing. I walked through perhaps four carriages before I came into a carriage that looked a little bit different from the rest. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly was wrong with the carriage. There was something in the air. It was perhaps a little more grim than the other carriages. The people in the carriage looked a bit grim too. The only thing that really mattered to me at the time however was that there were plenty of seats in this car. I threw my bag onto the luggage rack and sat down across from a grim young lady who despite being grim managed to smile at me.
The train was an overnighter so I made myself as comfortable as I could and tried to get a bit of sleep. Some time later I was awoken as the carriage was lurching backwards and forwards and there was all kinds of banging and crashing going on. I looked at the grim young lady and she looked at me. Her face gave away nothing. I sat there looking out of the window into the dark, but the dark was no help. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew that as long as I sat on this train I was going to get to Berlin eventually. The banging and crashing soon stopped and we were on our way again. About 20 minutes later, I still hadn't managed to get back to sleep again, we stopped. 'Damn!' I thought. 'At this rate I will miss the Wall completely and will only get to Berlin in time for the first McDonalds opening. (This normally follows the collapse of an authoritarian government) Suddenly, the door to the carriage opened and in walked to armed soldier type people. They were armed with distinctly Russian type guns. The type you see in old James Bond films. I wondered what West German guards would be doing with such guns...
They were checking everybody's passport and the grim young lady showed them her grim looking Czechoslovakian passport. They then turned to me.
'Here you go lovely West German guards. Please go on your way protecting our freedom to munch on burgers and wear Levis!' I said politely.
'Funny Language that I have never heard' they replied and pointed at my passport angrily.
'Yes, I know you don't meet many people from Aotearoa so this passport may seem strange to you. I do promise you that my people are good friends with the German people and that I do not require a visa to visit your lovely country' I said even more politely and without even a touch of angst in my voice.
The grim young lady leaned towards me and spoke.
'We are not in Germany anymore. We are now in Czechoslovakia.' I haven't written this with an accent, but just imagine that she spoke with one.
'Gulp!' I thought. (Do you think gulp or does it just happen? I do wonder...). 'I am in some serious Iron Curtain trouble here!'
And I was...
It turned out that the reason the grim carriage had been empty is that it was one of two that was being separated from the Berlin train. They were removed in Nuremburg and put instead onto the back of a train heading for Prague. We were now in Czechoslovakia in a town called Cheb.
The soldiers marched me out of the train. The grim young lady gave me a pathetic smile seeming to say 'Well, good luck with the firing squad'.
Firing squad my arse. I would make those Communists pay! As a Socialist, I cannot abide by my brothers who have taken things just that one step too far. They wouldn't shoot me alive!
The soldiers marched me, not to a prison, but to the train station waiting room. Well, when I say not a prison, it may as well have been. All they had were Cracked magazines from 1978 and a copy of Stalin's holiday snaps album. I sat there, not trembling in fear, but defiant in Socialist anger. When they came back I would be ready for them. I would not let them drag me away without inflicting maximum casualties. I had seen Die Hard, I knew what it took. Think of me as a way better looking and much better haired Bruce Willis. And much harder and tougher. I knew the guards were intimidated by me and if it weren't for their guns I am sure they would have cowered for mercy.
I sat in the waiting room for hours. One thing about Communists is that they know how to wait. One thing about me is that I have no idea. Still, I knew it was part of their psychological torture game and I was prepared to play it. I occupied myself by looking out of the window of the train station and counting the number of barrels of leaking chemical waste lying in the courtyard.
Finally after what seemed like days, but was possible two hours, the soldiers came back. In fluent German they announced my verdict. In halting German I listened.
'You will get on the next train to Germany, ok Mr SN sir your highness sir?' I am pretty sure that's what he said. He was obviously worried with how I might react.
'No worries Mr Guard, you are just doing your job. I will grab that train with gusto'
And that's just what I did. The train came. I got on it. It left Czechoslovakia. I am sorry to tell the residents of that country that I have never been back. Despite all the fan mail I feel that it's just too soon...
True story!
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
More Spring - Yes, More I said!
More evidence of the emergence of Aotearoa from the opression of Winter. My peach tree and my apricot tree are full of blossoms. Fruit is coming!
Here is the peach tree...
And here is the apricot (the one that gives me one apricot a year, yahoo!)...
San Nakji for President!
Here is the peach tree...
And here is the apricot (the one that gives me one apricot a year, yahoo!)...
San Nakji for President!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Junk Email
This appeared in my inbox just now...
All hat and no cowboy. 'Well done' is better than 'Well said' No man is content with his lot. It's a cracked pitcher that goes longest to the well. Penny wise, pound foolish.
Possible Interpretation: Prepare for things to go wrong rather than worrying about them after the fact. A jack of all trades is master of none. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Without sleep, no health. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. (attributed to Ania Ras, Poland) People who live in glass houses shouldn't play golf. Chance favors the prepared mind.
While the cat is away, the mice will play. Money talks. Faint heart ne'er won fair lady. You must never confuse your feelings with your duties. Possible Interpretation: What you do now reflects upon what will happen later. It's better to give than to receive.
Friedrich Nietzsche, The Twilight of the Idols (1888) Golf is a good walk spoilt. Mark Twain It was probably a waste of time anyway. A beer a day keeps the germs away.
The key to all action lies in belief. Noblesse oblige. The key to all action lies in belief. Man with four balls can't walk. Penny wise, pound foolish
Now I ask you. What the hell is this about? There is no link to sell anything. It seems thoroughly pointless. Junk mail sucks.
The End
San Nakji for President!
All hat and no cowboy. 'Well done' is better than 'Well said' No man is content with his lot. It's a cracked pitcher that goes longest to the well. Penny wise, pound foolish.
Possible Interpretation: Prepare for things to go wrong rather than worrying about them after the fact. A jack of all trades is master of none. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Without sleep, no health. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. (attributed to Ania Ras, Poland) People who live in glass houses shouldn't play golf. Chance favors the prepared mind.
While the cat is away, the mice will play. Money talks. Faint heart ne'er won fair lady. You must never confuse your feelings with your duties. Possible Interpretation: What you do now reflects upon what will happen later. It's better to give than to receive.
Friedrich Nietzsche, The Twilight of the Idols (1888) Golf is a good walk spoilt. Mark Twain It was probably a waste of time anyway. A beer a day keeps the germs away.
The key to all action lies in belief. Noblesse oblige. The key to all action lies in belief. Man with four balls can't walk. Penny wise, pound foolish
Now I ask you. What the hell is this about? There is no link to sell anything. It seems thoroughly pointless. Junk mail sucks.
The End
San Nakji for President!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
All is right with the world
As requested by my good friend Cergie I have righted my cellphone picture so that New Zealand will not turn into a desert and Europe an ocean. Orders received Ma'am!
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The Lighter Side of Steve
One of my favourite shows as a kid... How dare they be blamed for anyone's death!!!
(If you don't know then you are too young! (Kira's Slave!) Click here for more info)
San Nakji for President!
Tuesday Morning Sunrise
It was a beautiful sunrise this morning. I am not sure that the photo taken on my camera from a moving bus quite does justice, but you get the idea...
San Nakji for President!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Crocodile Hunter No More
Shocking news today. Steve Irwin, AKA the Crocodile Hunter, was killed swimming off the coast of northern Queensland Australia. Now, he annoyed me on his show, but I always appreciated the effort he put into conserving nature and making sure all our children would be able to see and experience the animals and environments that we do. Steve was stabbed in the chest by a stingray of the coast of Port Douglas. He was 44.
R I P Steve!
San Nakji for President!
Spring - More Evidence
A quick trip to the countryside in the weekend has convinced me that it is now spring. There were lambs everywhere! Nothing gives away a season more than a springing lamb!
I have to admit they are cute, although I am sure that isn't what their mother is saying right now!
Still, part of me can't stop thinking how much better this one would look sitting on my dinner plate smothered in gravy....
San Nakji for President!
I have to admit they are cute, although I am sure that isn't what their mother is saying right now!
Still, part of me can't stop thinking how much better this one would look sitting on my dinner plate smothered in gravy....
San Nakji for President!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Spring has Sprung!
The first day of September here in Aotearoa marks the first day of Spring. Our little city at the bottom of the world decided to turn on a great day to celebrate. I took the Pooch out for the first time in ages and as you can see he was very happy with the state of things. Should SN win the lottery, I am definitely going to score myself one of the houses here. This is by far my favouritist beach in the country.
Here the Pooch checks out some sand castles built by some kids. He is considering whether to lift his leg on the castles or not. I told him not to waste his time. I don't know why some people bother, especially kids. If you are not going to do a good job, then just leave it to the experts...
Happy Winter to my Northern Hemisphere friends. Summer awaits us down here!
San Nakji for President!
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