so not true, David Attenborough.

Humans are a plague upon the Earth says David Attenborough

What pish. Why do naturalists hate humans, who were 'made in the image of God?'

Let's just give up the entire planet to nature then, and see just how exciting it is. Nuts.

Another take on the Bain compensation grab...

Geddis on Bain Compo Grab, Fisher was right in his review

and how very sensible.

Facebook Free

I decided to start this new year by opting out of Facebook. The other day I cancelled my account. Why I ask myself? Basically, I just became tired of it. I had 100 'friends' but many I had never met in real life and there were only a handful I really social networked with, chatted with, shared things with, mentally clicked with, if you get my drift.

If you don't know people in real life, you don't really get to know them on Facebook either, partly because people only post slices of themselves that they want to be seen (of which I was guilty) . True friendship does not truly endure in the murky world of cyberspace. There is nothing like chatting with someone over coffee and cake, somehow. Also, I just found that Facebook became rather boring after a time, I never enjoyed the games, nor the poking, nor many of the shares, etc.  I felt like a spy at times, a snooper on the life of people I didn't even know. Making comments, getting commented upon (or not), as the case may have been (mostly not!). Also, I decided that I was posting stuff, sometimes daft, for the sake of it, not because any of it meant anything. Just for something to do, I suppose. So, an open diary, for all the wrong reasons.

You can 'like' whatever you want,  talk about what you've been up to, post about your fav. celebs, authors, etc, but what does it mean? I also wonder just how secure it is, and if my info was being sold to marketing companies or what. But the main reason I have opted out is I want to try life without it, I wish to spend more time with real-life friends and family, and instead of Facebooking, I will spend that time painting, reading, with family, going to the movies and breathing fresh, sunlit air, enjoying life in my garden. More time to follow my faith as well. It's actually quite refreshing and I am vowing to stay off. When I think about it, Facebook is rather shallow, a time waster and felt too much like navel-gazing. Those little red markers, had anyone commented etc? I wondered why I cared so much! Too much. After all, I am just an ordinary person, a face in the crowd. I think that is part of the thrall of Facebook - it can make folk feel like celebrities, even when most are not. And isn't this the age of the celebrity, big time?

Nope time go get off. Glad I did. Blogging is the lesser of the two evils, I guess, but is something I spend far less time doing. One post every two weeks, at the most Still nihilistic in a way, I suppose. But blogging is more personal, in my view, more introspective and somewhat deeper. The blogs I follow (mostly NZ based political and Christian ones, I follow because they are both interesting and well penned). FB on the other hand, is light, frothy, fun, but the same, the same, the same!! Over it.

Gay Marriage, I oppose it.

I oppose the concept of gay marriage not only from a Christian perspective, but because it simply does not feel right. Call me old fashioned, call me whatever. It's just my take. Marriage is a long-standing institution, between men and women, should not be fiddled with or changed. This I believe would be the start of a slippery slope indeed. Marriage is the bedrock for family and for raising children, and it is my belief that children deserve both a mum and a dad, who bring such different roles into play. Just my opinion, just the way I feel about it. The concept of marriage is not a toy, and should be left as it is. I wonder what the majority really thinks re this? No doubt Parliament, in their unwisdom, will allow gay marriage, (sooner or later) but should not a binding referendum be held first? Wouldn't this be the truly democratic thing to do?  However, I won't be holding my breath.

CK Stead shows common sense re Binnie report.

CK Stead slams Binnie report as showing clear bias

Good on you, C K Stead, being one of  the few to show any common sense or impartiality on this issue.
Your piece is clear cut and oomes from a view of common sense rather than over-run emotions.
And good on the Herald, for printing it. A balanced voice, for a change, rather than a biased one.

Yet Another Christmas. Merry.

A blog from a Christian Perspective, says I. Well, what I mean is, I'm learning.
The Christian path is a lifetime journey, long and curving, with many lessons along the way.
I admit, I am not much of a Church goer, I have done in the past. Does this make me less of  a true Christian?
I read the Bible often, daily is the aim, and try to learn from it.
I do sometimes go to a Bible study group, for the interaction and sharing of thoughts. For the learning.
I try to live the Christian lifestyle, to follow the golden rule of kindness, the do unto others rule.
Try to give away what I can and to close my eyes to our Materialistic world.
Trying to make my time here worthwhile and to be friends with a broad spectrum of people.
In New Zealand,  I know that we live in a paradise and are very lucky.
Try to remember this.

Merry Christmas, the day that is all about the birth of Christ. I try my best not to get too distracted, but I know I often fail!!

Blast From the Past

Recently whilst watching the 1985's Live Aid concert on DVD, I was musing how fast times have changed in so shorter time. Back in 1985 things actually were simpler: only a few people owned cellphones, access to the internet was limited, no Facebook, no alcopops, no blogging, and no grunge music, not quite then.

Watching the bands of Live Aid is a jaunty blast from the past as well, from Nik Kershaw to Duran Duran, Tom Petty to David Bowie, Thompson Twins, Neil Young, Patti La Belle, The Cars. To name just a few. I dunno Those so-called New Wave acts seem breezy, happy, entertainnig. Sometimes painful. My twelve year old son thinks they're funny to watch, but I suppose my own view is aided by rose-tinted glasses that are smeared with nostalgia. No You Tube. But lots of MTV and rock videos. VHS and rental shops. Not to mention the quality BBC comedies, and the plethura of wonderful American TV shows too.

How did things ever get so complicated since then? Where did the good times go? Yep, I pine for those easier, care-free and simpler times. Must be getting old, I guess! And the pop music back then is so different to that of today. Of course, there was no The Voice or American Idol back then either...no reality TV....no endless cooking shows...and on...and on....instead MTV,U2, A ha, Duran Duran, many good TV sitcoms and some of the best Hollywood flicks yet made. Slower times, simpler minds...a less complex world just  Climate change a term not yet coined. A different political world. I yearn for the fun, colour and simplicity of the 1980's at times. Getting old, I guess! Lady GaGa - so like Andy Warhol or David Bowie!