h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, here in the North Island, we have the rain you need in the South! (Would you like it back? )
I have heard that our increasing cold is attributable to global warming, and that just makes me go mmm, in the words of the old song... Global warming should create warmth!
I have been seriously sunburnt when I were a child but not too badly, because of my relatively dark skin (inherited from my Scottish mother.) Not recently, there hasnae been enough sun to get burnt in! In his whole 17 years, Jimmy has never been sunburnt! (He hates the outdoors, which is part of it.) In my case, it is just too cold to go outside without long sleeves and jeans. Well, we'll see come December or January, it may warm up by then!

It's Waitangi Day tomorrow (6th Feb NZT). Waitangi Day is the anniversary of the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the Queen Victoria's representative and the chiefs of most Maori tribes in 1840. Many consider it the founding document of NZ in that it gave settlers from the UK legitimacy in living here (i.e. Maori were willing to share the place).

The day itself is usually full of controversy and protest (Maori are still trying to get recompense for subsequent land and rights' thefts). The mainstream media tend to focus on the controversy (Maori have a tradition of political insult like baring buttocks, spitting saliva or snot on the ground in front of dignitaries) rather than bothering to explain what the protest is about.

This year the Government, and Opposition parties appear to be going a day early in an attempt to avoid the worst of the protests (or so they can 'properly' celebrate the day elsewhere).

One new element to watch for this year is the arrival of the Destiny Church at Waitangi (NZ's own fundamentalist christian lunatic fringe). Apparently there are those still trying to convert the heathens (not sure if it's Maori or the politicians they are worried about ).


Here's a link if anyone wants to follow what's going on in NZ this weekend

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=350 (mainstream)

Even more exciting, NZ's primetime news interview programmes have been beaten in the ratings by repeats of The Simpsons

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10010141

Not surprising really, kea, inasmuch as I'd go a long way to avoid Paul Holmes! By default, we watch Close Up with Susan Woods - she's a lot less irritating than PH. But really, we'd rather watch a DVD!

As for Shortland Street, eeeuuuwww! (But that's just my opinion.) Holmes etc aren't *real* news...

I'd go a long way to avoid PH too. I quite like Susun Wood, although I still hate the format and hardly ever watch it.

I was right into Shortland Street, but a few years ago now. It does seem to have gone down hill since then

So I guess for me 7 o'clock is either The Simpsons or a vid (but usually it's h2).

My favourite news is Eye to Eye - the best local current affairs on at the moment.

Monday's Herald, had a full page picture of a grinning and air-brushed Paul Holmes... aaarrrggghhhh!!!!

'Scuse my ignorance, what and when is Eye to Eye? I must take a look, and hope it's not something local to the South Island...

Eye to Eye = current affairs Maori style. Not that's it's always Maori, nor onlly Maori interests. Willie Jackson hosts 4 guests who range from Maori radicals, to academics, to conservatives and everything in between. Often politicians, but not the usual ones. It's the only place in the mainstream media where you see the issues actually analysed by people who know what they are talking about (even if I don't agree with them).

Which is why it's on Sat at 9am and repeated on Tues at 11pm.

Ridiculous and unwatchable times... Why am I not surprised?