So this is what happened to Ferris Bueller

This is kinda cool. I loved Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In fact - i think i watched it so many times that i can still recite the whole thing as i watch it.

Then...



And now...




Yep - that takes me back to my teens when there were only two television channels in New Zealand, TV did not even start broadcasting until 3pm, and then some weird looking bird turned it off again at like 10pm!

What a shock to the system that was when i arrived here for a holiday!

My trusty VHS copy of Ferris Bueller's Day Off got me through those hard times.

Give me walking ten miles barefoot in the snow to get to school - like my Dad had to do - any day!

Why You Need Courage - 3

'Be strong and of good courage, and do it...' 1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV

In 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for refusing to give her seat on the bus to a white man. Boycotts and bloodshed followed until the US Supreme Court ruled segregation unconstitutional. Later Rosa wrote: 'Knowing what must be done does away with fear. When I sat down on the bus that day I'd no idea history was being made, I was only thinking about getting home. But I had to make up my mind. After many years of being a victim...not giving up my seat, and whatever I had to face afterwards, wasn't important...I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face. It was time for someone to stand up - or in my case, sit down.'

Courage is displayed at unexpected moments; what you do in such moments can change you, and those around you. The story's told of a spy who was sentenced to death by a general in the Persian Army. The general had a strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and 'the big door'. When the general asked, 'What will it be?' the spy chose the firing squad. Turning to his aide the general said, 'They always prefer the known to the unknown, yet, we gave them a choice.' The aide asked, 'What lies beyond the big door?' The general replied, 'Freedom.' Then he added, 'Few are brave enough to take that door.'

The dividing line between mediocrity and success is courage. That's why David told his son Solomon upon ascending the throne: 'Be strong and of good courage, and do it.'

We had a wonderful - and very busy day yesterday. It was my little 5lb baby's 17th birthday. I cannot believe it - how old she is - and how beautiful she is. I was up early baking her double layer chocolate M and M cake that are a birthday tradition in our home. We did presents and all that jazz and then she went off to have brunch with her Dad's family.

The T and i then packed a picnic and headed out to Papakura to one of those free concerts in the park. Hello Sailor were playing and we got the added bonus of getting to hear one of T's old University friends - Luke Hurley - play as well. We spent about 4 hours lying around on a blanket eating and enjoying the sun and the music. It was absolutely wonderful.

Luke Hurley - chilled out entertainer

Me - chilled out audience

Nicole's friends had organised a surprise party for her so i dropped her off to that. I think she had an awesome time. The bodies of teenage girls are covering every inch of my lounge floor right now. I am stuck in my room until they stir. Apparently they arrived home about 3am. T is still amazed the the laughter and chatter did not wake me. He said it reminded him of the 12 Dancing Princesses.

Today feels like the end of a holiday or something. You know that feeling you get when you have had a really amazing holiday or break, and then you feel like you have dropped back down to earth with a huge thump when you realise you have to face the real world? Yeah - that is the feeling that i have right now.

Quiz night at the pub with mum and Graham tonight. I hope the T lives up to my mother's expectations! She seems to think he is a bit of an intelligent nerd!

Life is so good right now. Go away unexplained depressing feeling!

You don't need the Council to get rid of brothels

Brothel by school a shock for flat owner

The owner of a Ponsonby apartment next to a primary school says she had no idea her tenants would be running an unlicensed brothel.

The woman received threatening and abusive phone calls after her name and home phone number were printed on a flyer circulated to residents warning of the brothel.

She has since contacted the police and a security firm.

Since late last year Firecats Escorts has been operating from the Brown St apartment in a complex that borders Richmond Rd Primary School.

The council has opted not to use its powers to shut the brothel while it processes a resource consent application.

The apartment's owner said she did not lease the property out "under its current activities".

When pressed as to whether she would terminate the tenancy, she would not comment except to say she "was going through the appropriate channels".

Brothels are considered "entertainment facilities" and can operate near the school because the area is zoned for mixed business use.

However, because Firecats is within 30m of a residential zone, it is required to apply for consent, which it did late last month.

Yesterday Brown St residents spoken to by the Herald said the brothel had changed activity on the street and called on the council to shut it down.

Scott and Bridget Blanks, who can see the brothel from their front porch, said its customers parked their cars in front of the school as early as 9.30am.

Mr Blanks, the founder-owner of the Classic Comedy Club, was able to joke about the neighbourhood's addition.

"Every suburban street should have a brothel. You don't have a problem getting a good tradesman - you can just leave a note on their windscreens.

"You can get a taxi at the drop of a hat."

He said he was not opposed to brothels but there was a place for them, and that was not in an apartment block next to a primary school and on a mostly residential street.

"I think it's only a two-bedroom apartment ... there appears to occasionally be men waiting in cars and standing on the footpath ... I thought 'God, is there going to be a queue'?"

Another neighbour opposed to Firecats said there had been a brothel operating from the same apartment building about three years ago.

He was unsure if the same apartment had been used.

Principals' Federation president Paul Drummond said there needed to be zoning regulation that would restrict how close brothels could be to schools or preschools.

"Brothels might normally be associated with a night time industry. But modern brothels in communities don't take respect of school bells."

Secondary Principals' Association president Patrick Walsh said in the past year he had spoken to principals from about four schools with brothels nearby.

Mr Walsh said in some cases children had come across used syringes and condoms near schools, necessitating clean-ups by gloved teachers.

Last year a brothel that opened across the street from Henderson Intermediate School shut down after protest from parents and teachers.

But Prostitutes Collective national co-ordinator Catherine Healy said for the most part brothels were understated and did not attract a lot of activity.

"It's fanciful for people to complain about brothels being near schools contributing to offensive behaviour, because you can't even see the behaviour for a start - it's all behind closed doors."

ENTERTAINING

* Firecats Escorts has been operating from an apartment in a complex that borders Richmond Rd Primary School.

* Brothels are considered "entertainment facilities" and can operate near the school because the area is zoned for mixed business use.

* Because Firecats is within 30m of a residential zone, it is required to apply for resource consent.

Jackie's tips for getting rid of brothels that are next to schools.

Tip number 1 - Get parents and staff from the school to stand outside the brothel in 24 hour rostered shifts. Take photos of the men and their vehicles as they arrive. The repulsive men that frequent these places are so ashamed of their behaviour, and so horrified at the prospect of their wives and partners finding out that they have absolutely no control over their genitals that they will quickly retreat back to one of the inner city sleaze dungeons - where the only people they risk damaging with their lack of self control are the women that they use - and themselves. Let the politicians fight that one out.

Tip number 2 - repeat tip number one until parents, students, and neighbourhood gets desired result.

Tip number 3 (for the landlord)  - Advise the "tenants" that you are getting the apartment checked for P. I can guarantee that with a brothel operating in your property - your walls are caked in P residue. The fear of their drug use becoming known will have them moving on in no time.

Shame the clients. No clients = not brothel.
Hinder drug use. No drug use = no hookers.

This worked to put that hideous man who had set up a brothel in a house adjacent to the drop off zone at a Henderson Intermediate a couple of years ago - out of business. That brothel was gone in less than 3 months.

Who needs the council to deal with these matters?

Why You Need Courage - 2

'Be strong and of good courage...' Joshua 1:6 NKJV

Joshua discovered four reasons why you need to be strong and demonstrate courage. Yesterday we looked at the first two.

Today let's look at the next two: (3) For the sake of others. People are watching you. They want to know if you'll face the situation with courage or buckle before it in fear. Your ability to demonstrate faith in the midst of difficulties will give them courage. The battle is not just about you, it's about those God has planned to bless through you. You may not have money or fame, but you have influence. The attitudes you display and the decisions you make will influence your children and your grandchildren. You say, 'But I am afraid.' We all experience fear. But the Psalmist declared, 'Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You' (Psalm 56:3 NKJV).

(4) For your enemies' sake. David wrote: 'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...' (Psalm 23:5 NKJV). God will not only fight for you, He will vindicate you in the eyes of your critics. It's good to have critics and competitors. Sometimes a foe can press you into victory where a friend cannot. Who would ever have heard of David, without Goliath? Who would have known about Moses, if there had been no Pharaoh oppressing God's people? And what would have been known about Esther, without Haman's evil plot against the Jews? What's your dream? Is there an enemy standing between you and its fulfilment? Dare to confront them and they will become an instrument in God's hand to press you into your destiny.

This is a gratuitous - i have nothing to say, but have to say something - post.

Stink day.

I have given up on summer all together. The air actually feels like autumn already.

We spent the day wandering around Sylvia Park shopping for Nicole's birthday presents.

Now i am tired but have to stay awake for like 50 more hours because i have to pick  Billy up from the airport at like 1am.

Typical Jetstar - who flies in from Wellington in the middle of the night? No wonder Billy's tickets were like 5 bucks.

My tipline was right!

Tindall bouncer on assault charge

The bouncer accused of leaking video footage of England rugby captain Mike Tindall's infamous night in Queenstown has been charged with a violent assault that left a young man in an induced coma.

The Weekend Herald can reveal that Jonathan Dixon, 40, was arrested yesterday and charged with wounding with reckless disregard causing grievous bodily harm to Jordan Sinke at a Queenstown bar last Saturday morning.

Roid rage - P - take your pick.

Jonathan Dixon is now more than just the creepy self appointed judge of the morality of Queenstown - with a webcam. Now he is running around beating the crap out of young men in nightclubs.

Lock that rock ape up for good before he kills someone.

I hear Dotcom has a vacancy for a security guard.

Anyway - a commenter on my blog told me this was Dixon - earlier in the week.

I should have scooped it!

Bugger you T - and your defamation / don't poke sticks at freaks - advice!

O well - next time!

Jonathan Dixon - Creepy, Creepy, Creepy!

People that dress up in suits to appear in court - like it is the only chance they will ever get to wear their Sunday best - crack me up.

Why You Need Courage - 1

'Be strong and of good courage...' Joshua 1:6 NKJV

Why did God say to Joshua, 'Be strong and of good courage'?

For four reasons: (1) For Joshua's own sake. God had a lot invested in Joshua; the future of an entire nation rested on his shoulders. And since God has a lot invested in you too, you must believe that it's His will for you to succeed. If you grew up in a family or church where you felt unworthy of God's favour and unentitled to His blessing, you must reprogramme your mind with the Scriptures. '...then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success' (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).

(2) For the Lord's sake. God told Joshua, '...do not be afraid...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1:9 NKJV). God's reputation was on the line. The nations in Canaan had heard how He delivered the Israelites from slavery, drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, and fed His people with food from Heaven every day. Had Joshua failed to conquer the Promised Land it would have brought reproach to God's name and made His people a laughing stock. The Lord had a bigger stake in Israel's success than anyone else. His plan to bring forth the Messiah depended on their success. His desire was to turn a bunch of slaves into the greatest nation on earth - one that served the true and living God. And Joshua had a big part to play in it. Where did Joshua's strength come from? This promise: '...the Lord your God is with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

I need courage - or something - right now.

A few days ago a comment was left on my blog in relation to the identity of the T. This anonymous person was telling me that he/she was looking for him. Why they did not just email me, or message me on Facebook - where they would have recognised him in my photo - is beyond me, but they didn't. I don't know how this person expected me to give them a "heads up" when they made their comment anonymously.

The T and i have wondered all week who this person could be. I joked with him several times about the possibility of another T junior floating around somewhere out there.

Yesterday - it would appear that this person got impatient waiting for me to reply, and decided to just turn up on his doorstep - according to his neighbour.

Ugh. Of course it is a woman from his drug and drink fuelled past - but not so distant past that they were not having flirtatious contact right up until the time that i met him - behind her husband's back - and behind Michaela's back.  Once - ages ago - i ended up sitting around in his lounge for an hour listening to their conversation. She had felt the need to phone him from overseas and let him know that she was coming back - with or without her husband and 4 kids - i have no idea.

I don't know this woman but i don't like her. She is someone that he did drugs with, someone that he was always drunk with, someone that is unfaithful to her husband, and someone that used to admit to and laugh about the fact that she was a bad influence on him and the cause of him relapsing.  The last time he heard from her she had text him wanting to meet. He responded by inviting her to an NA meeting with us. She did not reply.

The T has done nothing wrong. He told me about her visit straight after his neighbour told him - just like he had promised to do if he heard from her.

So whhhhyyyyyy am i feeling so YUCK about the whole situation right now???

Is there no end to the popping up of women from this man's past?!?!

Phew - that was better out than in!

The T and i have a kid free weekend to look forward to. His are at their mum's, Billy is in Wellington for some X box competition / geekfest, Jorgia is in Waiuku, and Nicole is making like a vegetable in her bedroom.  She nearly doesn't count as a kid anyway - she will be 17!!! on Monday.

Gosh i miss my little babies.

Must. Not. Let. Pop. Up. Woman. Ruin. Our. Weekend.

Repeat until it sinks in.

The T and i have come far. 6 months ago something like this would have been a disaster of relationship ending proportions.

I. Love. Him.

Yikes

And i thought people that create fake Facebook profiles to spy on people were bad and needed to get lives.

Holy cow that guy is scary.

He makes my own personal stalkers seem almost pleasantly creepy.

Thought for the day

If you think things are bad in your life, or your current relationship or partner is mental - just remember - it could always be worse.

You could be dating this guy! Or someone who dated him!

I shouldn't be too hard on Antonie. For every nutter there is an equal nutter that is perfect for them - Eva Braun, Myra Hindley - you get the idea.

They say there is someone out there for everyone.

My Corn

These were the yummiest corn on the cobs that i have ever tasted.

There are not many things better than being able to go out to your backyard and pick your own dinner.

I think that is the first time i have ever seen the T's kids gobble up a vegetable - and then ask for seconds.

I. Love. My. Garden.

The Teapot Has Leaked

I guess no one is prepared to put the actual recording up on their blogs for fear of being prosecuted and having the wrath of John Key come down on them - as Bradley Ambrose has experienced - or something like that.

If you want to hear it though - it is on youtube. Yep - that is where it is. Just search user name 2Johns2Cups.

I am struggling to hear anything over the noise of screaming children on the tape - but someone out there might be able to make something interesting of it.

I don't have time to strain my ears right now.

Maybe later.


***Update***

Teapot Transcript

There - someone listened to it for me.

Thank goodness for that.