And so the first month of the year draws to a close. It rained in Auckland on 21 out of the 31 days in January. Feels like summer never really happened this year. It’s actually hard to believe there were 10 days that it didn’t rain. Was it any better where you are?
I was watching ' The World at War' and came to the part dedicated to the Holocaust , as one of the survivors said ' there can be no God if this was allowed to happen'
Jan 30, 2023·edited Jan 30, 2023Liked by Nick Rockel
1) "I have a particular contempt though for conservative politicians who profess to be Christians but seem to have missed the parts about caring for others. They always seem big on punishment and judging people ..."
2) 1943 - World War II: German field marshal Friedrich Paulus surrenders to the Soviets at Stalingrad....
Stalingrad -This battle turned the war... The price for defeating the Nazis was paid in Russian blood - fighting street to street in horrific conditions, for months. I don't think many folk are aware of the Western world's debt to Russia. It is the (to me) glaring missing back story/context of all the coverage of Ukraine today.
Better not mention the weather on Horomaka/Banks Peninsula then, except to say that much of the rain forecast seems to be passing us by to the west and things are looking pretty dry. I expect we won't have much rain over the next couple of months. Citrus trees are keeping OK with judicious watering from the rain barrels but they won't last forever.
Out of fairness I don't think it's strictly religious feeling that makes Christmas special, as much sentimentality. People have spent their whole lives in the habit of rushing to get everything done by the 24th then kick back and end the year. Yes, I suppose we could aim for the end of January instead but it's a bit psychological shift that I personally don't feel ready for even if I do very much see the sense in it.
And thanks for highlighting John Lydon. Very easily underestimated, the biographies and memoir reveal a creative and sensitive soul who was trying to achieve more than most people realised. I saw him, when I was about 17, perform with PiL in Seattle WA in the early 80s. It was a terrifying experience largely because of the conflict between the audience (who basically wanted the Sex Pistols) and the performers. Not to mention the police outside with their riot control shotguns in plain sight. But Lydon was alternately aggressive and seemingly genuinely hurt by the response. His whole life has been to try and create some sort of artistic credibility but always falling slightly short. I find I still listen to "Public Image" more than any other record of the time.
I like PiL too, it was such a departure from the Pistols. Really enjoyed your memory of seeing them.
In the scheme of things changing the summer holidays is way down the list. But it does seem daft having the holiday when the weather is often bad then kids back in the classroom when it is nice.
Also despise those con artists who play on the emotions of those more easily influenced and receive barrow loads of money in return for their giving of "christianity". We see you all and your tax free status.
We didn't have a rain problem when Jacinda was PM LOL
I was watching ' The World at War' and came to the part dedicated to the Holocaust , as one of the survivors said ' there can be no God if this was allowed to happen'
Thanks for putting Robin Williams up. Loved his humour and he was an American
1) "I have a particular contempt though for conservative politicians who profess to be Christians but seem to have missed the parts about caring for others. They always seem big on punishment and judging people ..."
2) 1943 - World War II: German field marshal Friedrich Paulus surrenders to the Soviets at Stalingrad....
Stalingrad -This battle turned the war... The price for defeating the Nazis was paid in Russian blood - fighting street to street in horrific conditions, for months. I don't think many folk are aware of the Western world's debt to Russia. It is the (to me) glaring missing back story/context of all the coverage of Ukraine today.
Better not mention the weather on Horomaka/Banks Peninsula then, except to say that much of the rain forecast seems to be passing us by to the west and things are looking pretty dry. I expect we won't have much rain over the next couple of months. Citrus trees are keeping OK with judicious watering from the rain barrels but they won't last forever.
Out of fairness I don't think it's strictly religious feeling that makes Christmas special, as much sentimentality. People have spent their whole lives in the habit of rushing to get everything done by the 24th then kick back and end the year. Yes, I suppose we could aim for the end of January instead but it's a bit psychological shift that I personally don't feel ready for even if I do very much see the sense in it.
And thanks for highlighting John Lydon. Very easily underestimated, the biographies and memoir reveal a creative and sensitive soul who was trying to achieve more than most people realised. I saw him, when I was about 17, perform with PiL in Seattle WA in the early 80s. It was a terrifying experience largely because of the conflict between the audience (who basically wanted the Sex Pistols) and the performers. Not to mention the police outside with their riot control shotguns in plain sight. But Lydon was alternately aggressive and seemingly genuinely hurt by the response. His whole life has been to try and create some sort of artistic credibility but always falling slightly short. I find I still listen to "Public Image" more than any other record of the time.
I like PiL too, it was such a departure from the Pistols. Really enjoyed your memory of seeing them.
In the scheme of things changing the summer holidays is way down the list. But it does seem daft having the holiday when the weather is often bad then kids back in the classroom when it is nice.
I had the pleasure of working with Minnie Driver on the movie One Winter, shot in similar rain last year.
Oh cool, I haven't seen that - has it been released? Looks like one to watch.
Not yet released. NZ movie with Rhys Darby.
Also despise those con artists who play on the emotions of those more easily influenced and receive barrow loads of money in return for their giving of "christianity". We see you all and your tax free status.