Sleeping Bag

 I bought a sleeping bag. Relatively cheap and advertised as being suitable for inside or outside use down to 0c.

It came with a list of instructions in booklet form, about 6 A5 pages.

The first topic on use was labelled: Washing the Sleeping Bag.

The first line: Don't!

Then followed two pages of how to avoid dirtying it, pretty much all saying : "Wash and change into clean clothes (including socks) before entering the bag  and "Don't wear dirty shoes in the bag".

Until now I didn't know you could fill up two pages with that, sans pictures. You can.

After those two pages the instructions call for hand washing and drying on a flat surface - they suggest three days drying should do the job.

So I've sent away for two liners for the bag. They cost exactly as much as the bag.

All because the bed I want to use for winter is fixed in place meaning I have to climb over it to make it and I am too lazy to unfix/rebuild it and too tight to have a replacement built.

MT_Tinman: Both miserable and bone idle lazy.

Ever Diminishing Circles

 I keep reading how NewstalkZB is on the right wing of NZ media.

It becomes obvious why New Zealand media keep going round in circles - ever diminishing circles at that.

A quick perusal of the front page just now shows three different laments for the closure of Newshub and/or four, unlikely to be lamented TVNZ programs - one from a fellow who once appeared on one of the shows and, when I met him, was so far up his own arse I figured he was an innie.

Other news stories - the few that aren't paywalled - displaying either a leftie slant or complete irrelevance to New Zealand.

There is some actual news there - stuff that would have made page 13 of a provincial daily on a slow-news day.

Even the soon-to-be-dead Pravda Mk II (Newshub) has more news and, dare I suggest it, a more balanced look to that news.

 

..... And Far Away

 There is a story on NewstalkZB this morning telling of the Transport Minister refusing to confirm he will waste tax-payer money to assuage the yearnings of a few roadlice by building them a separate tunnel through Mt Vic.

There is a second, far more viable option.

The new road tunnel will decrease traffic on other routes westward into the city (and eastward out of it - the preferred direction for all genuine humans).

I suggest roadlice are advised to use that option which would take them - wait for it - over the hill and far, far away, from genuine road users.

Purity Through Prurience

Some previously unheard of "group", member numbers sometimes exceeding three, calling themselves Purity Through Prurience or Freedom Through Acceptance of Instruction or Democracy Unrequited or similar sends a New Zealand "news" organisation a press release.

Invariably, if that release is against Coalition policy or any member of the Coalition's previous stated aims and with accuracy and content unchecked for facts, that statement is headlined by that "news" organisation accompanied by "expert" opinion supporting it.

You can read these stories and comments daily, particularly in electronic "news" sites.

Instead of hiring professional newspeople to try to stay alive in the industry those "news" site employ (invariably sheilas - of either sex) woke, racist and sexist no-hopers in hopes they can perform a rescue.

There can be no surprise these "news" sites, many springing from traditional daily or weekly newspapers, are quickly dropping by the wayside.

Child Poverty

 A lot of noise about "child poverty" recently.

What a load of horseshit!

"Child poverty" doesn't exist except in the minds of a few self-serving con-men and the odd halfwit.

What most mean is children living in low-income households - almost as 'low-income" as a very large number of Boomers' households were in the '50s and 60s.

"Child Poverty" is simply yet another dishonest, emotionally targeted attempt to steal from working people and give to those they think will vote for them.

One article I read had the author complaining that mortgage rates were not factored in to statistics about these families.

The reason could, of course, be that most of these families don't have a mortgage.

Let's explore the poverty bit: three state houses on independent sections in the same street.

Family 1 has both parents working at different times so they don't have to hire babysitting. Their income gives them the money to have the newest fashion in clothing and electronics, to use food delivery services and have two, newish cars. The children are entertained with streaming services etc.

Their house has a manicured lawn at front and flower garden to impress the neighbours and the rear is a play area.

Family 2 are beneficiaries, always wanting but never attempting to do anything about those wants. The whole family is fed by the taxpayer through food vouchers and school feeding with charities and foodbanks helping out. Outside the house is unkempt and unloved, a dump for used-up machinery, toys and household appliances. Children play on the street or at someone else's place. Takeaways are a common meal. Obesity and crime the only family output.

Family 3 have just one income. They have converted their section into several vegetable plots, each growing seasonal vegetables and fruit. Some of their produce is sold at a market but the majority is for the family. The gardening is a family affair and the family appears close. Children play as much as the others but, often, that play is also work. They have few gadgets.

Of the three families 1 & 2 have about the same income (if you include the free stuff), family 3 income is no more than 60% of the other two but family three live a healthy, happy lifestyle. Plenty of food, time together and love.

According to the statistics family 3 are poverty stricken. 

According to the conmen and halfwits, family 2 are, despite their actual income outpacing family 3 by a lot.

Family 1 is doing OK according to the statistics but, because of their spending, they have no plan B. Any sort of emergency and the children will suffer. 

Which family would you rather be part of?

Which group of children live in poverty?

spillage

 The other day I spilt about 1/2 tablespoon of hot oil on a bare-wood floor.

I immediately scrubbed the floor with LoC but the stain remained.

I shrugged my shoulders and walked away.

The next morning the oil-patch was covered in very small ants. It was out of the way so I let them be.

They worked at it all day and some were still there the next morning. By lunchtime, day II, they were gone - and so was the oil patch.

Yesterday, while frying eggs for my lunch I lifted the lid, heat was off, and immediately the fryingpan spat hot oil all over the front of my trousers and shirt.

I considered recalling the ants - but then re-thought.

I figured ants in my pants was probably not a desired outcome.

Weather Forcast

 For the fifth day in a row at least one news site has carried a story about an approaching storm.

On Saturday the Met Service website carried a high-wind warning for Canterbury from 9am to 5pm.

I read that while I sat in perfect calm (barring the odd zephyr wafting in from the sea) at mid-day that day.

Are the weather people in New Zealand so committed to sending civilization back to  the stone-age using "climate change" as their too to do so that they need to constantly lie about the weather or is their Chrystal ball broken again?

Note: Norway - yr.no -  obviously maintain their chrystal ball, they are far more often correct for North Canterbury.