cornelius_sulla

Yep! Hey, I think I read somewhere in one of your postings that you're part Maori? Did I get that right? I see that you're using the Maori name for New Zealand in your profile -- can you speak some Maori? -- Nephele Yes, I am Maori, I also have Samoan, German and Scottish blood. I speak Maori fluently, so do my children. My sig is an ancient Maori proverb. It means 'Ask me, what is the most important thing in the world. I answer, it is people, it is people, it is people.'

That's what appealed. I like it here and I have friends to whom what I'm writing has some relevance. You all seem to take the piss out of each other regularly, too, which I like. Not to mention there is some really funny shit in these blogs!

I got eaten alive by the little blighters on the weekend. I also am not one of the lucky few who mozzies consider unpalateable. The prehistoric looking monsters we get down here cannot be deterred from their vampiric compulsions no matter what amount of sprays, lotions, or creams you apply. It's all part of the trip though, isn't it? Mozzies are the last thing on my mind when I'm in the bush/forest. This weekend I'm off with my kids to do some eeling. This includes a bush walk. Can't wait.

Cheers Neph. I was pig hunting on the weekend, chasing after my quarry with my son in tow, a universe removed from a cultured play in New York and for some reason my locale made me wonder about how the play went and what your review would be like. Dennehy as Cicero? That's difficult for me to imagine. I'm still jealous, and Ursus can keep his kangaroos watching. A bit of kulcha goes a long way.

Cheers, neph. Actually, it was reading your's and G.O's blog that made me want one so much.

Onwards and upwards, Cadrail. Those navvies didn't deserve the services of a swashbuckler of your mettle anyway.

I got promoted! This is the first entry of my first ever blog on the net. Thankyou UNRV, Primus Pilus and anyone else important whose arse I may have neglected kissing. I love this site, and this is a signal honor in my opinion, even if to other more experienced people it is 'just a blog' and a ho hum kind of achievement. Not to me, mates. This is the shizzle. I'm writing a stand up comedy routine at the moment. There is an open mic at the local comedy club next month for new talent (read victims), a mate is the MC. He dared me to have a crack, called me a pussy and all the usual insults when I copped out, offered to bet me a large amount of moolah, generally pestered me until I said I would do it. Now pride stops me from backing out. I hate losing a bet, especially to that clown. But I was thinking about giving it a whirl anyway. I went and watched a few at the last open mic and thought, here's a challenge. I admired the guts of theses guys and gals to get up in front of strangers and potentially tank. Many of them did. I made a point of going up and shaking the hands of those who tanked after, offer them some support. It was noticeable that the rest of the punters regarded them as they would something smelly that they just stood in. Doing this kind of thing is scary to many people, but I reckon I've got a head start. I'm a guitarist and singer (yeller) in a band, so I figured that can only be marginally less nerve wracking. The difference is that if someone doesn't like what your playing, you just carry on and drown out their boo's or ignore their indifference. No such luck in standup. I'm thinking of working a guitar into my act so I've got something to hide behind - I always feel more comfortable with a guitar and being able to play it has always given me confidence. This gives me goose bumps just writing about it. I was less nervous when I jumped out of a plane. I've surfed with sharks and felt less nervous! And the gig is still about a month away. I'm considering going to university to study English and History, get a Bachelors Degree and become a teacher. There is a real need in this country for good, male teachers. I think I have the skills to be one although I may be completely deluded. Still thinking about it; three years is a long time. I'm a blogger! SWEEEET!

I dunno; I was pretty damn hungry!

I've been lost hunting too, Primus Pilus. It was my fault; I went into the bush without telling anyone where I was going, without a companion, a compass or a cellphone or any kind of precaution other than my rifle and some warm clothes. Like an idiot, I didn't even take any dogs. Amazing how bulletproof/stoopid you are at 19! I became engrossed in the chase and did not realise that the sun was setting rapidly and before I knew it, darkness set in. I spent a freezing night in the bush with a Mars bar and a bottle of water my only sustenance. Luckily for me, my uncle the bushman knew that part of the bush well and came in and found me. I was sh***ing! Something that I am at once happy and sad about is the lack of large land based predators like bears and cougars here in New Zealand. I've always thought how it would be cool to see one in the flesh (not too close, though.)

I got a one match ban for my exploits on the sports field, so my boy and I went hunting with my uncle instead of our usual Saturday morning sports expiditions. I love to hike with my kids. They don't like the hiking quite as much as I do, but too bad; it's good for them. They do love nature; being able to see a bird or an eel or a fish in it's natural environs, well, it tickles them pink and brings out their sense of wonderment. We are lucky here in New Zealand in that nature, oceans, mountains, or forests, are never far away. This is the first time my son has been hunting, though. There have been quite a few cases of hunters acidentally shooting other hunters so I was a bit apprehensive, but my uncle is a pro. He is an old school bushman and very, very knowledgeable about bush lore and safety. When I was my son's age, I watched him tickle a fish out of the water. It was amazing. My son's eyes were wide as saucers when we finally bailed up a pig with our dogs and my uncle and I went in to stick it. It was scary for him, but exciting too. He wasn't too freaked out, I could tell. Anyway, hunting is in our blood. I love the bush/forests and getting into them and I want to pass that on to my kids. Nothing centers me better than going into the bush for a week or two and existing on my wits.

I agree completely; dark chocolate and dark beer rock. Chocolate is like crack. Just one more hit.....

That's great, mate. A story that put a smile on my dial both for you and for your student(s). You sound like a great teacher. Congratulations.

Which code do you prefer Cornelius, League or Union? Coming from the home of the current World Club Champions, the Leeds Rhinos, I'm obviously a fan of Rugby League. IMO it's by far the better of the two codes, it's much quicker, skillful, technical and a lot more easier and enjoyable to watch. I like League, definitely, but I don't play it anymore because I'm too old and league is freakin' brutal. I'm a massive fan of the Warriors. Ali Lauititi and Brent Webb are going well, eh? I'm still pissed that our club let them go. And the Kiwi's coach, too! Bluey is a gem. I think we've got one of your boys down here now, Ian Henderson, a hooker. I was bought up playing the game, so I agree with all of your assertions regarding league; Rugby isn't even that much fun to watch anymore, even with the new experimental rules. I'm stoked at the moment, The Warriors beat Parramatta. I was secretly glad the Rhinos beat the Storm. The comments of their players in the media were arrogant; the storm needed taking down a peg or two. Do you play any sport, Gaius Paulinus?

Thankyou for always taking the time to elucidate these matters for me, Faustus. I am very appreciative and you explanations are always succint, informed and answer my questions to the last detail. I have always wanted to tap the brain of an informed and intelligent American to get a decent and intelligent opinion as I am interested in world politics, but particularly America's. But because of the collections of soundbites that pass for news down here, you don't get the whole picture (just a couple of frazzled pixels, actually) Thankyou again. If I were American, after that speech defending his clergyman, I would vote for Barak. Before I would have been leaning towards Hilary, but seeing Barak having to fight out of his corner really impressed me. I hope that there are many more unprejudiced voters that feel as you do.

Mate, tennis is hard! New Zealand boys didn't used to get a choice about playing Rugby. But tennis, now there is a game that demands skill. I'm useless at it, but wouldn't admit it to anyone out loud.

Watching the news lately, I see that Obama is being dragged over the coals at the moment for his association with a 'radical' black church leader. I don't want to seem callous, and perhaps it's because I'm an observer, but a lot of what the church leader said seemed like a mere statement of fact to me. Obama, in the parts of the speech he delivered where he said 'I could no sooner disown this man than disown my white grandmother' seemed to me to be talking sense. Are Americans really that sensitive to issues of race? How much will this really affect Obama's chances?

I've read a few of the Sharpe stories, but it was quite a while ago and there are so many Sharpe books that I couldn't tell you which ones. I like the way they were written, but they were quite 'samey' - the two I read were not all that distinguishable from each other. As for the historical accuracy, I couldn't comment, not being all that knowledgeable about the era. Sharpe is a good character for the lads I reckon.