Extract from Aimee's School Newsletter

The big dry

(Source: The Economist) Long but well-written article about the water shortage in Australia - which is having a profound effect on that country. (click on title above for full article)

Australia is struggling to cope with the consequences of a devastating drought. As the world warms up, other countries should pay heed. John Howard, Australia's prime minister, arrived here in February and urged the four states through which the Murray-Darling flows to hand their authority over the river to the federal government. After seven years of drought, and many more years of over-exploitation and pollution, he argued that the only hope of restoring the river to health lies in a complete overhaul of how it is managed. As the states weigh the merits of Mr Howard's scheme, the river is degenerating further. Every month hydrologists announce that its flow has fallen to a new record low (see chart). In April Mr Howard warned that farmers would not be allowed to irrigate their crops at all next year without unexpectedly heavy rain in the next few months. A region that accounts for 40% of Australia's agriculture, and 85% of its irrigation, is on the verge of ruin.

(video): Ricky Gervais teaches the morals of fairy tales

(Source: Glumbert) Hilarious - be warned - offensive language :)

glumbert.com - Ricky Gervais teaches the morals of fairy tales

The Simpsons Mastercard ad

Enjoy - click on title above or link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw0Os1tnuyg

(video) Red Hot Chilli Peppers concert

Lisa and Av went to the RHCP concert in Auckland Sat night - here is a short mpeg - they obviously had a great time :)

http://bebo.com/watch/3957630496

Pic of the Day

Lisa - home from uni - now back in Wellington

Epic drought in Australia

(Source: Independent) Australia has warned that it will have to switch off the water supply to the continent's food bowl unless heavy rains break an epic drought - heralding what could be the first climate change-driven disaster to strike a developed nation. The Murray-Darling basin in south-eastern Australia yields 40 per cent of the country's agricultural produce. But the two rivers that feed the region are so pitifully low that there will soon be only enough water for drinking supplies. Australia is in the grip of its worst drought on record, the victim of changing weather patterns attributed to global warming and a government that is only just starting to wake up to the severity of the position.

Cool Billboard Advertising

Spotted this one while out walking the other

morning

Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures

Ok, I have to admit - the title caught my eye ;) Turns out it is less about Emergency Sex and more about life in the war zone for civilian UN peacekeepers and aid workers. There are three characters (doctor, lawyer, aid worker), one of whom is from NZ. Their true story is written in the form of elongated journal entries over a 10 year period. It makes for an interesting process in developing an understanding of their characters. The book covers a wide variety of (less than) exotic locations: Cambodia, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Liberia, Rwanda - all the expected places on the genocidal tourist map.

Required reading for anyone idealistic enough to consider a career with the UN, it reveals a lot about the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of their humanitarian interventions - and mistakes which often mostly lives. Be warned - some passages about the horrors of war are rather graphic. At the same time, though, there are touches of black humour which are rather funny.

My Mother's Lovers by Christopher Hope

I picked up this book initially because I have read a number of Hope's other books - and the cover looked quite intriguing.

The basic story was about the character's mum - who sounded like an awe-inspiring, rather formidable lady - who travelled Africa in her own plane, and collected lovers in all sorts of odd colonial locations. The main character - her son - explores his relationship with her, and when she dies, he gets to meet many of her lovers through dealing with her bequests.

What is more interesting, however, is the way he describes a wide sweep of events about Africa, especially Southern Africa, and how that impacted on his childhood. His writing is compelling for anyone who has lived in SA, especially in Jo'burg - he nails the psyche of eGoli firmly to the wall - with some hilarious descriptions.

A thought-provoking undertone is how we spells out the basic premise that whites do not belong in Africa - not new, not especially palatable to most of us - but he makes some compelling observations.

There is also an interesting twist to the story at the end. Have a read....

Another weekend shot

Snapped this weekend in Parnell - see if you can spot what is in the reflection ;)

Cruising the Eastern beaches

We caught some sun with the hood down, took in some of Auckland's beach areas - pics from Buckland's Beach, Cockle Bay area.

Spotted in a local Art Gallery

Bill Dutch tribute artwork

Cats

Cats are notoriously difficult to shoot (photographically, that is !) so this moggy was a good shot, lazing in the shade on a hot day.

Lamborghini

I am not one who easily admires cars - but this Lamborghini at the lights in Parnell yesterday was impressive !

Shots from Parnell Rose Garden

With the great weather this weekend, people were out and about enjoying the beaches and parks.

Lisa back home for Easter holidays

Great to have Lisa home from varsity :)

(video): Aimz' Racial Unity Speech

Click on the title above for the video of Aimz' speech. For the second year running she made it to the top 6 final for this prestigious national competition, sponsored by the NZ Race Relations Conciliator. This year the standard was a significant step up from last year. A great achievement, a great experience for her - well done Aimz !

The YouTube link is is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_wubNszFVo