Monday, April 9, 2007
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.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
(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:
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
St Patrick's Day in Parnell
Pic taken at a 'local' watering hole at 10.30am on St Pat's Day - I was out doing research ;)
Malaria: GM mosquitoes offer new hope for millions
(Source: Guardian) Controversial strategy would mean releasing laboratory-created insects into wild.The multimillion-dollar effort to eradicate one of the world's deadliest diseases received a significant but controversial boost yesterday when scientists announced the creation of genetically modified mosquitoes that cannot pass on malaria. Trials revealed that the GM mosquitoes could quickly establish themselves in the wild and drive out natural malaria-carrying insects, thereby breaking the route through which humans are infected.
The strategy is likely to prove contentious as it would require the unprecedented release of tens of thousands of GM organisms into the wild. But it has raised hopes among scientists, some of whom believe it may be powerful enough to finally bring under control a disease which strikes 300 million people a year and causes more than 1 million deaths, mostly of children in sub-Saharan Africa.
(UK): Explosion kills submariners under Arctic ice cap
(Source: The Guardian) A story reminiscent of a movie I saw as a kid called Ice Station Zebra:Two British sailors were killed yesterday by an explosion aboard HMS Tireless, a nuclear submarine on exercise with US vessels under the Arctic north of Alaska, the Ministry of Defence said last night. In an emergency procedure, the vessel broke through the ice to surface following the blast.
Going Underground in Moscow
(Source: NZ Herald/ Independent) In the Soviet era, subterranean Moscow was filled with secret tunnels and nuclear bunkers. But Josef Stalin's paranoid underground facilities are about to be overtaken and dwarfed in scale by the high priests of Russia's prevailing religion: capitalism. In a move that has alarmed geologists and preservationists, Moscow's city fathers have announced plans to gouge out 80 per cent of the land beneath Moscow to create a city beneath a city.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Video: Lantern Festival
We went to the Lantern Festival - on yesterday and today in Auckland. Here's the video of a very colourful event - thousands of people, maybe 20,000 - 30,000 there. (click on the title above).
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Lisa off to varsity
Lisa is off to varsity in Wellington tonight - a big milestone ! She is going to do a design degree at Massey University. We had a pleasant lunch in Ponsonby yesterday afternoon.
Cruise Ship Season
It is currently "cruise ship season" in Auckland - we recently had two of the largest ships in the world visiting in quick succession. The Sapphire Princess (in white), and the world's (2nd ?) largest cruise ship, the Queen Mary 2 on its maiden voyage. The latter was farewelled with a spectacular fireworks display, and caused traffic jams around the waterfront, with people wanting to view it. We had a grandstand seat in Parnell, viewing this from a rooftop garage at the end of our street. Apparently the Queen Mary 2 is three times the size of the Titanic.
Out on the town in Parnell
We went out for dinner on Valentine's Day to a local Indian restaurant - had a great meal, and stopped off at a cool bar on the way back home - all within easy walking distance.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Minority Report ?
A team of neuroscientists announced a scientific breakthrough last week in the use of brain scans to discover what's on someone's mind. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, along with scientists from London and Tokyo, asked subjects to secretly decide in advance whether to add or subtract two numbers they would later be shown. Using computer algorithms and functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, the scientists were able to determine with 70 percent accuracy what the participants' intentions were, even before they were shown the numbers.
Local wannabe politician
Sometimes graffiti has a purpose - good commentary on a brash local politician, John Banks, who is featured on an 'intrepid' travel TV programme - this was advertised on a bus shelter.
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Thought for the Day
I found this painting in someone's office - a good commentary on the advertising business - indeed any business involving ideas.
Robert Fisk on Lebanon and Civil War
(Source: The Guardian) Robert Fisk writes a sobering article on why Lebanon might be headed for civil war again.
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