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My Blog. Generally Intended for Reading-Not Eating!. |
Rose-Tinted Ramblings ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** A Little of What You Might Expect & A Lot of Everything Else that You Don't!. My writing style for my blog is invariably 'snarkastic'. This is because I am a nice, unassuming and quietly-spoken person IRL-and this blog is where my innermost moments and torments happen. Trust me, I am no exception to that delightful rule. Greetings! Welcome to my THIRD blog here on WDC. A re-incarnation of my earlier version of my Blog, here "Insanties and Sensibilities" this v.03 should prove to be equally...challenging and hopefully, entertaining. That said, life often weaves through our writing in mysterious ways, and this Blog will probably prove to be no exception to that. We are very likely all quite different, yet the same, us writers and our collective little whims, fascinations and insecurities. |
October 22, 2009. ![]() ![]() |
October 20, 2009. (I almost dated today's entry with '2008'-that would have been scary). ![]() But-there's more-and it's almost laughable, really-it seems that the 'administration' has determined that I haven't been living in California for the past, oh, four years. I, apparently, have been living in 'limbo', instead. Never mind that I've paid and filed all State and Federal taxes since 2004, operated a checking and savings account, enrolled my 'dependent' in State-run preschool, and am the spouse of a Veteran. Or, that I have notices from the Department of Homeland security verifying that I live here. Or, that I have a verifiable SSN and A#?. Where do they find these sorts of people. Corollary: Why can't I be one?. One thing seems abundantly clear to me, and I hear Americans quip this phrase in jest, "You Can't Fix Stupid". Never truer words than those that are spoken in jest, is more accurate. So, I'm feeling a mix of mild amusement, and disillusionment. Here I was, thinking that I'm educated, when, really, I don't even 'officially' exist. That really is quite an accomplishment. Even for someone who is supposedly 'stupid-less' like me. |
![]() Source: stuff.co.nz ONE CALL TOO MANY?: Thousands of New Zealanders face losing their licences if they are caught just once using a hand-held cellphone while driving. The penalty for breaching the new law, which comes into effect on November 1, is 20 demerit points and an instant $80 fine. But figures obtained by the Sunday Star-Times show that 9009 Kiwi drivers already have between 80 and 99 demerit points. So if they are caught breaking the new law, they would reach or exceed the 100-point limit, and would automatically be banned from driving for three months. Drivers get demerit points for offences including speeding, failing to observe a stop or give way sign, and breaching conditions of limited or learner licences. Demerit points expire two years after they are incurred. New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Andy Knackstedt says the thousands of drivers with more than 80 demerit points should be aware they face being forced off the road – "as should anyone". "The new rules a are being introduced for a simple reason and that's to reduce the number of crashes due to inattention," he said. Between 2003-08 there were 482 injury crashes and 25 fatal crashes on New Zealand roads where use of a mobile phone was a contributing factor. The law change comes after years of public disquiet over the dangers of talking or texting on a hand-held phone while driving. Under the previous Labour-led government, then-Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven proposed a $50 fine and 25 demerit points for driving while using a hand-held phone, but National's new Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, pushed through the modified penalties. Last night, frontline police told the Star-Times that copies of the legislation had been distributed to staff but official guidelines as to how to police the new law had not yet been issued. However, police at a local level were being told to exercise common sense and enforce the new law as with any road rule. Frontline officers said the key to ticketing drivers for bad behaviour on the roads was having evidence, and enforcing the cellphone ban was no different. "If you pull up next to someone talking on the phone, well, then that's a no-brainer," one officer said. In some countries, the public has been encouraged to dob in fellow motorists, and cameras have been used to catch errant drivers. But Police National Headquarters spokesman Grant Ogilvie couldn't say whether there were plans for such measures here. Motorists are currently able to report bad behaviour on the country's roads on the police website, or by calling *555 from their mobile phone (use of hand-held cellphones will still be allowed when drivers are dialling 111 or *555 for a genuine emergency and unable to stop first). Ad Feedback It was expected that disgruntled drivers would challenge their infringements early on, until authorities could build case law and precedent. But Clive Matthew-Wilson of the Dog & Lemon car guide says the government had underestimated other major factors that cause crashes. "Road accidents are caused by many factors – a combination of the fact that the person has used a cellphone, and they are a bit tired, and they had a couple of beers, and there is sign strike, and you're going a bit fast, and the wheel alignment was out a bit." He advocates instant confiscation of mobile phones, a move that would act as an immediate inconvenience and more effective deterrent. He says fines and demerits are only effective for a small group of drivers and not the problem groups. More than 50 other nations have bans or partial bans on using a cellphone while driving, and many have harsher penalties. Breaching the cellphone ban in Ireland can earn offenders a three-month jail sentence. Under New Zealand's new law, motorists will be allowed to use a hands-free phone kit. POINTS OF LAW * To find out how many demerit points you have, or for any other queries about driver licences, contact the NZ Transport Agency on 0800 822-422. Or email the agency at info@nzta.govt.nz. (You will need proof of identity – name, address and date of birth details.) * If you have reached 100 points you could contact a lawyer and find out whether you qualify for a limited driver's licence. A limited licence allows a disqualified or suspended driver to drive in limited circumstances, for example, to and from work. * To dob in a bad driver visit: www.police.govt.nz/service/road/roadwatch.html * 'Drivers with more than 80 demerit points should be aware they face being forced off the road" Share your thoughts. Have a safe Saturday! |
October 15, 2009.![]() ![]() ![]() HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY, BABY!. After five years of Club Wed Membership, I've gotta say that our marriage is progressing wonderfully well!. And, that's all of significance that I have left worth saying tonight. Nighty-nite!. |
October 12, 2009. ![]() ![]() All at home, today, nursing various ailments. Rain-storm forecast, so a chance to stay indoors and keep ourselves warm and cozy. |
October 09, 2009. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Have a great Friday, all!. |
October 08, 2009.![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Just think-tomorrow is Friday, and October is a week gone, already-well, almost!. |
October 07, 2009.![]() ![]() ![]() And, now I must go and get my sore flipper wet, and my hair washed, before I go and pick up dear "Beanie", who has a requisite Fall cold (and a mood to match). She and I made cookies together, last night. Or, should I say, she mixed and smeared while I tried my best to direct operations from a safe doughy distance. By the end of it all, she ate one cookie and promptly gave the rest to her father. According to her, the joy is in the production, not the consumption. There's hope for her, yet. Have a delightful Fall day! ![]() |
October 06, 2009. Had the ultrasound scan on my leg/foot, today, They couldn't see anything clearly enough below my shin bone, so, it's on to the second plan-a second scan where a catheter is inserted into my foot. Really looking forward to that-like a pain in my foot. On the plus side, no clots in my leg and good blood flow in my leg. Yeah, well, I kinda knew that part, already. That ain't news. Back to the clinic tomorrow. Round Three. |
October 05, 2009.![]() I will update here tomorrow after the scan. In the meantime, I'm supposed to be taking it easy, and elevating my foot. |