Days 1 and 2 LOCK-DOWN NZ

Yes, I'm still here. Two days of being self-contained, for the Battle of CORVID-19. Our Prime Minister has ordered a Level 4  response to the CORVID-19, which means most NZers must stay home, only leaving their homes for essential services. That means going to the supermarket for essential supplies, visiting the doctor or Pharmacist and getting gas for the car. We are able to get cash from the ATMs. We can go outside, for walking, but it must be near our homes, and only be with people in our 'Bubbles,' the people who live with us.

For the most part, NZers have responded well. Sure, FB is awash with examples of people who 'just don't get it.' The police are gradually ramping up their response from 'compassionate/educative, to a more 'do it or else' one. They may call on the military if the tiny minority DON'T GET IT!'

I read of the usual reactions, from people who don't see the bigger picture, or simply don't want to; the ones who meet up with their friends, visit family, party up and generally don't give a stuff about the rest of us. That they are putting their loved ones and friends at risk, seems beyond them. Then we have the usual conspiracy nutters, blaming Chemtrails, World Order and various other 'Flat Planet' scenarios.

We are blessed with a Leader, Jacinda Adern, who is addressing us on a daily basis, supported by an excellent team of advisors and scientists who have become respected commentators on what we should do and why. There has been the usual 'pushback' from political aspirants and their supporters but for the main part, even supporters of the previous Government, have graciously or reluctantly gone along with the Government's efforts to protect us, in the name of the greater good.

How have I adapted to the 'new reality?' So far, I'm fine. I quickly decided that apart from the doggie walks, near my home, and urgent medical requirements, I do not leave my house and section. My good friend who lives with me does the shopping. I work a little, from home, using the phone, Skype, Zoom and Messenger. I like this arrangement. Ask me again in four weeks, the earliest we will be able to reduce the Levels. I am preparing myself that it may well be longer if we are not ALL complying.
I have plenty of books to read, and I am preparing the next two parts of my Trilogy, Sons of Orpheus, for release on Amazon as E.books and hard copy.
Please stay well, my friends and readers. WE CAN DO THIS.

,  but it takes all of us.

New Zealand declares State of National Emergency (1)

To all my friends in New Zealand and elsewhere:
I was planning to write a blog each day from when we as a nation entered Level 4 of the current crisis. I am starting today because our Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has just announced that we have entered a 'State of National Emergency.'

We must do this if we are to save lives, as Covid-19 increases its ugly presence. In a way, being well away from the rest of the world may have given us a 'window of opportunity' to avoid the terrible patterns that have become apparent elsewhere. The response to the virus has been ramped up; possibly draconian measure that other nations take well before NZ, can be used if necessary. NZers do not take kindly to the State imposing such measure, but in general, the vast majority of us understand that we are in uncharted territory.

Just over one hundred years ago, the world faced a similar foe, as the Spanish Flu swept across borders and oceans, killing more than the war that had just finished. With modern travel methods, this virus has spread much more quickly, endangering far more people, given that the population is so much bigger.

We are yet to learn of the spread in many countries. Governments have been remiss in releasing information about the true extent of the reach of the virus. In the coming days, we are going to hear of many more deaths. So far NZ has not recorded any deaths, but we expect to witness this in the coming days. Therefore our government is implementing new measures to protect us. We must stop the spread. People MUST stay home, other than those in 'essential services.' Visiting friends and family must stop. Schools are closed and only a few designated businesses are open, to supply food and medical resources.

We have the prospect of at least four weeks of isolating ourselves, keeping away from people other than those in our 'bubbles' ... those who live in our households. This is going to be challenging for us, especially if you live in a full-household, or overcrowded. Call for help, reach out and do not remain socially isolated. A voice is at the other end of a line, or screen. We can talk over the fence, across the street.
Kia kaha. We can and must do this. We are strong, whilst we shed our tears for those who have died, overseas. This who we are ... a resilient nation that is facing its biggest threat in over one hundred years. To the rest of the world, we send our love.

I shall write every day until we emerge from this dark cloud ...  into the light.

Hello Hong Kong..you are reading my blogs ... try my books

 Kia ora, Hong Kong. This is just for you. I see you are reading my blogs; indeed you seem to be doing so more than most other countries lately. Take another step and check out my books. You can find them on Amazon Kindle, or via my webpage. Check out
                                  Roskill
                                                                                                   
                                  Talk to Me
                                                                                                   
                                  Sons of Orpheus, Book 1 ... The Arrival

You can either download them on your device. My website (www.authorneilcoleman.com) has a free Kindle App, or order a hard copy. Alternatively, you can just Google any of my books .... for example, 'Roskill by Neil Coleman on Amazon and the links will come up. I'd love some feedback. Happy reading, friends and followers.

                                                         

Bloody technical shite!

Yeah ... sometimes I am challenged by technical or mechanical stuff. When the genes were being sorted for my arrival, the 'Great Decider' must have been a bit miffed. Maybe She decided that my branch of the Colemans had already been assigned a 'fair' portion and that cuts had to be made, or anyone coming after me would have been almost functionally unable to open a marmite jar!

So ... I received what I guess can only be described as 'enough of the practical stuff,' that if applied at a basic level, could lead to ...  not too many disasters. Well ... there have been heaps, but I still have two arms, legs and most of my bodily functions. I've managed to get to almost 70 years without needing an ambulance for accidents. I may have inadvertently caused a few laughs at my expense, but hey ... some people need to laugh at others. It makes them feel better about themselves. I have never been so offended by a friend taking the piss out of me when I have been on the end of smart-arsed remarks about my mechanical and technical skills, that I have needed to employ a hit-man or woman to exact revenge.

I am glad that no one witnessed today's little effort. Mind you ... I am unselfishly sharing the 'event' now ... just to make you all feel superior. I know it feels a bit 'Jonesy,' ... you know ... the 'Shane guy!'
But ... I'm feeling magnanimous ... kind of. Here goes.

Some of you may know that my beautiful little five-year-old Hyundai I.20 (I've had it from birth ... its birth!) has been a bit naughty. Long story, but in short ... the ABS system broke down, badly, necessitating a rather expensive fix, the latest, 10 days since the breakdown, and its bits and pieces being freighted to the South bloody Island. The garage is great. They have lent me a courtesy car for the duration.

I have been driving that around, with all of the little differences, not being too challenging, but sometimes I have to drive my mate's car. So, in the space of two weeks, I have driven three cars. OK ... many of you would not find that an issue, but others have difficulty driving ONE car. I'm somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. Today my gene allocation was tested.

I had to pick up my mate from his work but his car was in front of my courtesy car.  Bugger ... I grabbed the key and locked the Perdy inside (Anyone not knowing the Perdy should probably;ly stop reading, because she's an essential part of my life, in so many ways.) I wasn't in a particular hurry and the Thames version of a rush-hour is kind of cute. With Perdy's barking ringing in my ears, I headed towards the little Toyota Ist. I pushed the key into the lock. It almost jammed, before realizing that I needed to engage the button to unlock it. Buggered if I could make it work. Had I stuffed it by attempting brute force. It wouldn't be the first time I had acted in a macho manner ... and miserably failed!

I kept trying, gently caressing the key in an attempt to employ the 'electronic' of the little key. Hey ... it had a picture of an open lock, so wouldn't anyone push that to unlock it?!  STFU! Stop laughing!
I rang my mate and said that my sister was on the way to pick him up. I thought  I would ring the AA to come and let me into the car. It would be nice to have everything working, with NO DAMAGE, by the time Rio got home.

I tried once more. Then it hit me! The key was labelled Nissan. Wrong fecking key. Do I need to continue?! I think Perdy knew that I was being a feckwit when I grabbed the correct key, and everything returned to normal. Rio said ... nothing. The look did though,