Avatar Nerd!

I'm one of those strange people that just love winter, I love rain and I especially love storms and can't understand when people moan as soon as any of the above arrive. So I loved yesterday particularly - pity there was no thunder and lightening.

With the chill in the air, the central heating system has been switched on, along with the electric blanket and the Winkie sees the light of day - so to speak.

I have been entertaining myself reading books and going to the odd movie:

* Topp Twins 8/10 By the by, I met them once - at a Bayleys awards dinner - where they stole my bag and made me come up on stage to get it back. Great fun, fantastic ladies.
* Gran Torino 8/10
* Welcome to the Sticks 7/10
* Slumdog Millionaire 7/10
* In Bruges 7/10

And a whole list to view over the next month: The Wrestler, The Reader, The Boat That Rocked, Milk and Dean Spanley,

Great viewing, but none so great as Avatar - the last airbender, which is a Nickelodeon series that seems to grab kids and adults, male and female alike. I highly recommend the three 'books' in the series and would love to know when series two is due out.

But in the meantime, under production and screening in 2010 is a fantasy film of the first series, with our own Cliff Curtis to play Fire Lord Ozai, ooooooh I can't wait - another event to aim for.

So yes - as this photo demonstrates - I've become an official nerd and now I rue the years I've wasted in boring world. Or am I regressing back into my childhood? Oh well, either way, all good.

Cool

Sorry if you've seen this already - I know I'm always behind the eighth ball, but this is excellent.

Although you might get a better view if you go to the YouTube page.



And by the way, I've noticed that my spam mail has decresed by 90% of late. Does anyone know why?

New Zealand's Loser Models

Complaints have been made that the latest reality abomination - New Zealand's Next Top Model - does not meet some kind of racial diversity criteria.

Those races that are not represented in this appalling show should be proud that their young woman haven't joined the ranks of these shrieking, grumpy, miserable, underfed, female embarrassments. Christ my pre-teen nieces don't scream like that anymore - well except when they jump into a pool set at 14 degrees celsius, but fair enough, even their Aunty would let out a few choice swear words at that temperature and that's coming from a woman that doesn't even squeak when bungy jumping .

Please, put your brain in gear and spend your hand ringing hours worrying that your young women aren't represented in science, engineering, business, finance and the such like, not some useless modelling programme that is just designed to make them all look like fools.

Happy Birthday to Me!

For those that know me will understand that I'm not much into celebrating birthdays, but they do mark the passing of a persons life and represents one more milestone that I have passed.

No one thought I would make it to 41 years (including myself) and I make it to this stone feeling just fine and dandy - except for a slightly sore back - and somewhat tired due to late night at Galbraith's. A most enjoyable night discussing abortion, leaky homes and pedophiles, amongst other highly unimportant matters I'm sure. For a moment there we bloggers were outnumbered by non-bloggers, but that was quickly rectified.

I'm due my last chemo next Tuesday and that is that for this round, hopefully I can have a big break before the next bout of cancer rears its ugly head all over again. But we shall see.

I have booked some trips around the country, so it's Easter with the family at the big new bach, early May in Christchurch (apparently some hot air ballooning is on the cards) and the end of May in Nelson.

Next milestones: P.J. O'Rourke dinner and eating cheese again - both at the end of April. Oh and some time during the month I should be able to have the odd glass of wine, not that I'm too fussed on the wine front, but a really, really expensive glass of wine when one is out for dinner is a luxury I've been denied.

B3 - Bloggers Bar Bash

It can be a lonely life, that of the blogger, as we thump away on our keyboards so we can inform, amuse and yes sometimes even bore our fellow man.

But fear not, we have a solution: bloggers are welcome to join the Bloggers Bar Bash - B3 - which is to be held the first Thursday of every month. The next B3 is on the the 2nd of April from 6.30pm onwards at Galbraiths, 2 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, Auckland.

There are many seating areas in Galbraiths, so you may need to look around. Last time we were outside, but it might be too cold/wet for that? Peter and I have committed to attending so just look out for me in the head scarf and Peter, he's tall.

Non-Dorklanders: please stop in whenever you are in town, it would be great to meet you.

Obama's First 100 Days - Privileged Executive

I know he finds it hard, but Jon Stewart does occasionally manage to have the odd go at Obama - I think Jon would secretly like Bush back in office.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Obama's First 100 Days - Privileged Executive

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

Done

Righto, the shave was performed last night by the lovely and safe hands of Carol Potts. Still do not have a digital camera by which to take a photo of the results, so in the meantime I present myself in 2007 when a first lost my hair.

Thanks to everyone for their kind and generous donations. If you were waiting until I had performed the deed before donating then go for it here.

I'm suffering from heat transfer, it was amazing how warm the peach fuzz (or bum fluff as my lawyer so kindly called it) kept my head. Have to wear the head scarf all the time at the moment.

And isn't it cold at the moment - every night at about 6.30pm I turn into an iceblock and have throw myself under a hot 30-minute shower to thaw. Made all the more pleasant without that annoying thing you peasants wear called hair.

Update: raised so far $3,950!

Shave for a Cure 2009

It's that time again - Shave for a Cure - to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation to assist with blood cancer research to find a cure - please quickly, quickly.

It's hard to believe that it's been a year - yay I made it. I was bald in 2007 and most of 2008 and I'm bald now, makes it difficult to do the shave thing, but there is a layer of white fluff all over my head that could be done away with, so I'm going ahead with the shave - donate here!

PS: being a good strong Kiwi woman not many things bring tears to my eyes, but this ad does.

The Economist

Anti-Dismal and The Economists: Drug War 20 years on.

The video below doesn't accurately represent Obama's views - he is actually pro the War on Drugs.



Ron Paul has the idea.

Fun Friday

I know, I know it's old, but I still think it's funny.

Ugly Bat Boy

Hey PC I've found a cat uglier than yours - ha ha!



But this is where the likeness ends because "He loves being petted, has a terrific disposition and is beautiful on the inside".

Juno you need to step up to terrific.

He's coming!

American satirist P.J. O'Rourke is in town on the 30th of April for the The 25th John Bonython Lecture and CIS Annual Dinner. Topic is 'Invisible Hand Versus Visible Fist' - I'll be there with bells on.

Phone or email me if you want to join a 10-person table.

Identity theft

David Beckham, Sean Connery and Keanu Reeves have had their images/identities stolen by a Chinese company to promote a Viagra-like product. Justifiably they aren't happy with this theft and nor should they be - China is notorious for copyright theft but being the tricky dickies they appear to be, I can't see it ending anytime soon.

But this kind of thing goes down here in New Zealand by the biggest tricky dickies of all, the government. The government proudly promote Fred Dagg (John Clarke) on this website, whilst over at Kiwibank they advertise the bank using Fred's voice and character - without John Clarkes permission and definitely no payment. Of course none of us can really be surprised by this, the government is the biggest thief of all and why would we expect it's entities to act honourably, especially one set up by the biggest thief of all, Dr Cullen.

Update

Chemo #5 started yesterday even though blood count was a little low. Doctors reduced my dose somewhat and there is discussion of not doing #6 for fear of stuffing my lungs - but no biggie either way - we shall wait and see. Don't you just love all the complicated medical jargon I use :o).

This week in daystay I have been inflicted by women talking, talking, talking - rather too loudly and with no regard for the rest of us - god they just go on and on. In all cases there was no need for the patients to bring along their extras. The only time I can really see a need for visitors in daystay is as an interpreter for the patient, when the patient is young, when patient goes the first couple of times or is sick or upset. Definitely none of these applied this week. Add to this that there is very little space for patients let alone extras and the stress levels rise. Wards are for visitors.

At the same time I've met some extremely lovely extras who have lit up my day and often make tea for their patient and everyone else in the room. But talking loudly in the middle of the room is not what they do - so maybe my real issue is they are just too loud - if only chemo would take away some of my near perfect hearing.

Update

Well chemo #5 was put off for a week as my white blood count was too low. There are no problems with this as it doesn't make any difference to the outcome of the treatment.

The bonus is - I get to go to Waiheke half a day early - yay!

From the Cactus

Read
this!

I told you so

I commented last week:
New Zealanders generally lack enthusiasm [for investing], so much so that they saw finance companies as a safer bet than shares. This ignorance of risk and investing is wide spread - now they head over to bonds and I can bet they won't read the prospectus this time either.

So it was with a good dose of "I told you so" that I read Brian Gaynor's article on the recent Fonterra bond issue. He opens with:
There are a number of disturbing features regarding the gigantic Fonterra bond issue.

In particular the overwhelming response from investors, and their advisers, before offer documents were widely available clearly indicates that we have learned little from the finance company debacles.

Exactly!

According to the Securities Commission: "If an investment is recommended by a financial adviser he or she should have read the prospectus." How many advisers had read the Fonterra prospectus before they registered their firm allocations?

My question: even if they did read the prospectus in it's entirety, how many understood the contents?

Another concern is the Fonterra Bond Issue was to raise $300m, but to date they have raised $800m. They appear to be willing to take on the extra $500m of debt - what for? Surely if the needed more than $300m they would have asked for it. This make me very nervous.

One other fact that Gaynor raises that should concern all is the lack of disclosure:
Neither the investment statement nor the prospectus contains any specific information on Fonterra's performance for the first half of its 2009 financial year, which ended on January 31.

This omission is unsatisfactory because the company probably had a poor six months and its debt levels may now be materially higher than they were at the end of its 2008 financial year.

Untrustworthy management - take care.

Why do we continue to make these mistakes?
Whenever I bring up money matters with Kiwis they tend to just shut down. They don't want to even discuss in on a general level, let alone on a personal level - especially if they are in financial trouble. Surely this is the best time to talk openly, the time you need the most help.

I've been lucky in my money education, I've had one smart mentor plus five other investors that I speak to whenever I have a question. Add to this membership to two investment clubs and you get the idea that money education requires some effort, a reasonable amount of natural inquiry and is a lifetime pursuit.

I'm not saying I've never made a mistake with my investing or trading, I most certainly have and will continue to - I'm after all not the smartest cookie in the jar. The difference between me and most Kiwi investors is that I learn from my mistakes and I don't whine that I was 'ripped off' or try to blame others. But the main difference is I talk to people who are wealthier than me - even if I look stupid or don't particularly understand everything they say - eventually it sinks in.

So get into it, it has boring moments, but it isn't hard, and eventually becomes very exciting, as your wealth and security grows.

If this is global warming ...

The 'if this is global warming then bring it on' rally

Yes, yes, alright!

I know it's been ages since I last blogged, I'm not sure why, I just didn't feel like communicating, but I'm being hassled by certain people to get to and write something, so ...

Tennis ruined
January brought us, once again, the ATP Women's and Men's Tennis at Stanley Street - yay! I missed the Women's as I was away and sick, but enjoyed watching proceedings on TV. Then the men's tournament started, I was on the improve, so went for an evening in a corporate box (thanks Dad).

Now tennis has been one of the few sports I enjoy watching (add to this skiing, gymnastics and hockey). But horror of horrors an evil spirit has invaded Stanley Street, the unholy addition is ... music!

Yes I know the 'E' word is not something one usually associates with music*. But anytime the players came off the court they would play LOUD, CRAP music. Apparently this happened for all centre court games for both men's and women's. It was so bad I marched off to find the DJ and to plead with him (yes it could only be a man that could make it that loud and irritating) to 'cease and desist' or at least turn the volume down so I could talk to the person next to me. Fortunately for his personal safety he was on the other side of the court and I didn't have the energy to walk all the way around and back again - why no one else tried to sort this out is beyond comprehension (we Kiwi's can be too useless for our own good). I actually think I might of been able to get the music turned off completely - who could turn down a ranting, weak, bald, cancer patient on a mission for 'higher standards and order'.

The atmosphere at the tennis has always been great fun, a wonderful buzz of excitement in between plays, with fans shouting out support to players and funny little comments flying around the court. All this ruined because some tosser (most probably from outside NZ) has tried to force a format on a wonderful game and a unique venue. Mind you I can't imagine that music is suitable at any tennis venue - surely the don't play music at Wimbledon?

In fact there are very few sports that loud music would enhance the event:
* Basketball - kind of makes sense, mainly because it is such a tradition.
* Netball - it's already ruined by the fans using those moronic clapping sticks, loud music would probably enhance the viewing.
* Rugby - I don't watch, so couldn't care-a-less, ruin away. Actually on this, I was developing into an avid fan, but then they just kept playing and playing and playing all the time - too much, too boring.
* Cricket - don't watch.

I've heard that the tennis players like the music - but surely it is the audience that is paying and I'm sure they would rather have an audience than empty stands - more prize money after all.

Complaints can be made here.

Investing
As we watch Mark Weldon - CEO of NZX - run around doing god knows what (Cactus Kate comments here and here), I put my head in my hands and imagine how much bigger our economy would be today if we were in possession of a robust capital market. An effective market requires great liquidity (definitely not available at NZX) and at least some enthusiasm for share participation by it's citizens. New Zealanders generally lack this enthusiasm, so much so that they saw finance companies as a safer bet than shares. This ignorance of risk and investing is wide spread - now they head over to bonds and I can bet they won't read the prospectus this time either.

I am told by the big softies amongst you that I should feel sorry for all those that lost money in these financial collapses. But the likes of these investors (if you can call them that) call traders like me crazy gamblers with little idea of what we are doing, nor the risks we are taking. Worse they think that we are responsible for the losses that they made on the sharemarket in the past. So frankly I don't feel sorry for them, if I did I would be saying to them that they did no wrong.

Anyway back to the NZX - the sooner they are taken over by the ASX and all NZ companies listed on the main ASX board the better. An effective market requires great liquidity and market enthusiasm. The public listings via the NZX generally have been disappointing to both investor and the listing company, my advice to any businessman thinking of listing their company on the NZ stock exchange is don't - go over the ditch.

Kiwis will never buy shares in enough numbers to make the NZX a viable market. They rarely seem prepared to buy the shares and join the business for the long term, these days Kiwi investors will only buy bonds and property - spreading risk is once again still an unknown concept - learning by experience strangely fails again. The Australians are eager participants on the sharemarket, this participation provides excellent liquidity and a healthy sharemarket.

NZX does nothing to encourage share participation. ASX run seminars all the time - I'm constantly sent emails inviting me to attend. My broker also provide regular speakers and events to attend. The only one I've seen run in NZ is by ABN AMRO Craigs for women - get in there gals and do it for yourself, your lack of ego makes you a better investor apparently.

My Health
I've taken to avoiding germs by shaking hands, rather than hugging and kissing people. All very awkward as the huggor/kissor heads for me and I dodge and dive out of the way, with an apologetic "no I don't do that at the moment". I was starting to wonder if it was worth all the bother until I looked at my latest blood report - white blood count low, low, low. So I think I'll carry on with this no kissy/huggy policy, along with my short nails and handwashing regime. Fortunately it is "too bloody hot" to go out much, so I'm not out in public much anyway.

Low white blood count plus lack of steroids equals lack of energy, but other than that I feel great. Feel like I can conquer the world actually, until I try to - bugger - back to the couch.

* except of course anything religious, country and western, disco, hip hop and probably a few more styles that have slipped my mind.

Update

Well I got back last week from a great holiday to an incredibly sore throat - couldn't eat, drink, swallow or blog. So headed to hospital on Friday for assistance and was given extra drugs and two bags of IV fluids. All improved from there and I fronted up on Tuesday for Chemo #4.

Because of my irritating ongoing cough and spiking temperatures my doctor wanted to do a chest xray. Came up clear but chemo had to be rescheduled for a week.

I must have played on the mind of my doctor who called me back in today for a CT scan. Two matters came out of this:
* I don't have any problems in my lungs.
* The tumours have pretty much gone.
So we carry on with the last three chemos and this course should be all over by mid-March.

I came off the Dexamethasone steroids I've been taking since May, so energy levels are very low. As much as I hate steroids I was kind of looking forward to my 10-days of Prendazone that I have as part of my chemo, anyway I should perk up again as my body adjusts to the steroid flux.