Unaccustomed as I am…By Trevor Plumbly
We’ve all suffered it: the wedding reception when the rumble of small-talk has replaced the clatter of crockery being cleared away. The glass pings, almost politely, and he rises to his feet surveying the seated guests in much the same way as Christopher Lee eyed the maiden’s neck in the old Dracula movies. This is the best man and it’s time for his shot at glory: the speech! He looks confidently at his wife, but rather than smile encouragement, she decides that the tablecloth needs her undivided attention. It’s not a good… Read More
Trevor Tells It Like It Is
If It Bleeds It Leads I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but all the improvements in modern communication haven’t been reflected in the standard of journalism. Whilst I admit that the public attention span has shortened along with the advent of instant access, I still wonder why those of us who prefer a bit of depth in our news are force-fed facile sensationalism with our morning tea. Most of the current crop seems to have graduated from the 19th century ‘penny dreadful’ school of journalism. The front page is strictly reserved for… Read More
I’d Be Honoured! By Trevor Plumbly
It’s that time again: Queen’s Birthday Honours! And I’m eyeing the postman with all the expectancy of Hyacinth Bucket waiting for the mayoral invitation. Surely Her Majesty won’t overlook me again? I know I’m tucked away a bit down here, but that shouldn’t be a problem with communication the way it is these days. Unless some bugger in Wellington is putting the diplomatic boot in, it must be my year. A knighthood? Thank you, but no, perhaps later when she’s run out of pop stars. In the meantime, something a bit more… Read More
Trevor Tells It Like It Is
We’re just a little country at the arse end of the world, but when it comes to facing up to imaginary threats we’re world class. While we’re still flushed with the success of the Dotcom family offensive, yet another potential enemy has been summarily dealt with, this time in the form of an HIV positive four-year old boy being expelled from a childcare centre after pressure from a parent group. Not content with that victory, this neo-inquisition gang descended on the boy’s elder brothers’ schools to reinforce the point. This sort of… Read More
The N.Z. Dotcom Sitcom by Trevor Plumbly
On Friday 20th January, 76 N.Z. police officers – some armed – carried out dawn raids on 3 North Auckland residential properties. The target for this show of force? A middle-aged German millionaire and a couple of his executives with serious issues with the United States. Not terrorist issues you understand; financial ones, and we all know how tetchy the Yanks can get over a dollar or two, look at the Warner Brothers/Hobbitt Movie saga for example. It seems to me that a lot of small countries sit and wag their tails… Read More
verbalberbal 