Articles

There are important lessons here for those watching New Zealand's own homegrown platforms which are taxpayer supported through NZ on Air. Whether freeview or payview, what are we actually seeing and why? what are we actually paying for and why? Are we simply paying millions to subsidise commercially fragile kiwi media platforms or are we paying to ensure a future for kiwi made factual content? These questions are particularly relevant as the government considers new funding models for both film and television.

No mistake, bowls is a highly competitive game, you need only watch the experienced players to see how seriously they take each delivery. But as a newbie my chance of falling anywhere close to the jack is more accident than design. But that’s not a bad thing as my reason for taking up bowls is stress relief than success. While, like anyone I like to win, it’s the psychological break from the incessant buzz of the world that has really drawn me to the game. It’s been suggested that when they were handing out adhd diagnoses I was probably near the front of the queue, while I’m not sure that I would agree, I’m happy to acknowledge that bowls is a salve for the restless mind.

Above my position, a saffron robed monk appeared in front of the temple complex bathed in light and with measured calm he began walking towards the edge of the paved mount, a moment of tranquility and beauty to be savoured but then it happened, ‘anima mundi’ my Kathmandu moment arrived. Perhaps ten or so meters above my position and slightly to the side, the buddhist monk peered gingerly over the edge of a rather precipitous cliff face. I presumed he was there to contemplate the arrival of a new day, or perhaps perform some religious observance, but I was wrong.

You could almost sense the inevitable before it happened. The policeman started to rise looking for the offenders current position, not realising the gunman had moved and was now only metres away. Then the dreadful realisation as he broke cover that he was now face to face with two shotguns aimed directly at his head.

I love finding new words, although at my age I'm beginning to wonder if I'm losing them faster than I'm finding them, anyway here's the new offering - Symhedonia, yep never heard of it before and what a word! It means sympathetic joy, gaining vicarious pleasure or happiness by celebrating someone else's success.