June 9, 2007
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| Incarceration | |
Incarceration - it is something that I have thought of many times in my nearly 38 years on this planet.
Why? Because many years ago I learnt the difference between freedom and incarceration can be a single choice at a given moment in time.
I recently heard a story from someone who had gone along to see a woman called Celia Lashlie. Obviously, because of Chinese whispers it may not be 100% accurate, but it does cover the gist of the situation.
A young man was at a bar, he was a good young man. He had excellent school marks, and a great testimonial from his school. After a few drinks, an event occurred that was to change his life forever. He overheard a bouncer removing a patron for being disruptive, and the patron was verbally abusing the bouncer, including making racial comments. The young man, of the same race as the bouncer, took offence and hit the drunk patron, who fell, hit his head, and died. The young man is now in prison for a moments foolishness and bad luck.
Now, some would say he got what he deserved. But I have been that young man many times in my life. At parties, bars and pubs. Striking out in anger or stupidity or in the defence of a friend or even simply to try an impress a girl. I have done it sober and intoxicated.
Any one of those occasions could have resulted in me being in prison had fate decided to escalate the event.
As the father of a 2 year old, my greatest fear is for him to be involved in such a silly situation, either at the receiving end or the instigator.
The greatest challenge I see ahead is providing the environment that my son can develop the good sense and self esteem to never put himself in such a situation.
On a side note, I just found a blog of a guy who is about to go into prison. Very very bizarre, but also though provoking.
The Rabbit Hole
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 29, 2007
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| Lifestyle | |
Thoughts become things.
It really is quite that simple.
In the last four or five weeks, my focus has been on having a nice home, an Aston Martin DB9 in the driveway, no concern for my son's education expenses, and a trip to Denmark; my parents' homeland.
Every morning I wake up and say, wow - thanks. I love where I am.
Today I woke up and said, my company (www.docscan.co.nz) is not only going to raise much needed investment today, it is going to become a serious player in the Australasian market.
Did it? I guess I will find out tomorrow. I am confident I can give up consulting and focus on the other business. In fact, I know I can.
Oh, I stopped looking at any property under 1 million, simply because none of them had quite what I wanted.
I will buy it mortgage free.
Dreaming? Hell yeah! Why not.
Thoughts become things...
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 12, 2007
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| Cow Farts And Colostomy Bags | |
Global Warming. Just about every day there is a new piece of drivel in some paper or new bulletin about it.
Costs are going to go up, coastal property prices are going to go down, we face economic ruin, the world is going to change.
Come on people, cow farts affecting the climate? Get real!
What is the answer? All cows are to be fitted with colostomy bags, which is then transfered to a processing station and this is then recycled into the following products:
- fibreboard cladding from the grass based waste
- refined natural gas from the decomposition of said waste
- green food coloring for childrens play doe
- recycled bottled water
There. That was easy. That should ensure New Zealand at least has sufficient Kyoto credits to become a nuclear dumping ground. Yes?
Problem solved. Oh... nuclear waste is not so bad... Chernobyl is flourishing!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 6, 2007
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| Spiders | |
Today I observed something very interesting.
I have seldom seen a spider catch prey, but mid-morning today I did.
There is a typical NZ spider on our front porch. Its about a centimeter across. Its web is about 1 sq m in size. Every morning it is perfect, by evening it is a ragged mess.
However, I was able to see the spider catch its dinner today.
It rushed down this web the equivalent of a small suburb in proportion to its size to grab an unsuspecting bug. It bit it, wrapped it then left it.
The spider ran back up its web to what I presume was a safe place, away from birds and other predators bigger that it was.
Tonight, nearly 9 hours later, that spider had dragged the prey to the middle of its web, and was happily eating it.
I was stunned. It remembered where it was in relation to the rest of the web, and leaves and other rubbish collected in its web.
This, to me, is quite a revelation. I for one am very happy that spiders can't grow to the size of dogs, because we would be in very, very serious trouble!
I will put up a photo when my new camera arrives.
This spider is worth documenting.
Here it is... took several attempts, click for full size image.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
February 19, 2007
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| Holidays... | |
Sigh - back from holiday today.
Decompressing at the moment, will be sure to share some of the experiences.
Actually managed to partially unwind, however, was a bit of a working holiday, so not my usual mellow self after a holiday.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 8:24 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
January 1, 2007
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| Happy New Year | |
Well, happy new year I guess!
Drunk too much, ate too much, and all in all, feeling like crap.
But at least I got to play World of Warcraft, one of the few enjoyments I have in life at the moment.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
December 22, 2006
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| Summer Colds | |
So, here I sit trying to carry out some detailed design work for a very good client, and I have a summer cold.
It's warm today, so having dripping eyes, a mild headache and a running nose is not all that pleasant!
What is worse, in the back of my mind is the fact I have to venture out for last minute Christmas shopping. My wife has giving me three options:
1. Black Cashmere by Donna Karen
2. Jean Paul Gautier
3. Baby Doll
She says I should have a sniff of each. But right now I could walk on stinky dog shit and not know it! So she gets whatever the first one is that I manage to locate!
On a side note, I farewelled the staff for the Christmas + New Year. It is weird being an employer again!
Well, not sure how much I will write between now and the New Year - so have a happy and safe festive season!
p.s. I have been spending way to much time on www.youtube.com !!! Sheeze it's addictive!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
October 29, 2006
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| Great Pizza | |
I have been meaning to share my pizza base recipe for ages.
Why?
Because everyone that has had my pizza LOVES the base.
So, here goes....
Ingredients:
* 1 tsp yeast (dried, active yeast)
* 1 tsp raw sugar
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 3/4 Cups warm water
* 2.5 Cups flour
* 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
Method:
- Put yeast into glass, and pour warm water into it (make sure water is not too hot - you will kill the yeast if it is) Mix with a spoon and leave it to stand for about 5-10 minutes
- Put flour into a large bowl, and create a crater in the middle, pour water into crater, add sugar, salt and olive oil.
- Start mixing with a wooden spoon, but once you get a about half the flour into a sticky dough, knead with your hands until it makes a firm dough.
- Tip onto a lightly floured benchtop and continue to knead it for at least 10 minutes - it should be "springy" but not sticky.
- Clean and oil the original bowl, and roll the dough into a ball and put into bowl. Wet a tea towel and put over the top and leave the bowl in a warm place for at least 3 hours - if you have time, do it in the morning, and leave it all day.
That's it - you can make two crispy bases or 1 crusty base with this. You can also freeze it AFTER you have let it sit for the day.
I'll add the pizza prep next - but hey - I just had to get this out of my system for now. Yes - I am particularly strange today.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
October 21, 2006
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| RAISING THE DRINKING AGE | |
The supporters of raising the drinking age back to 20 are idiots.
At 18 you can sign contracts, vote and die for your country. You should be able to have a beer in a pub, or buy at an off-license.
The fundemental issue is NZ will not wake up to the fact that you don't need to get trashed to have a good time. Countries in Europe have had a lower drinking age for centuries, as does Australia, so why don't they have the same problems?
It's not an age issue, it's a culture issue. People 30+ still go out and get trashed, 50+ still regularly get hammered. The 10+ see this, and mimic/duplicate because adults do it, it is acceptable behaviour.
Make "getting drunk" an education issue not a legal issue, and the problem goes away. Raise the age, it takes the "responsibility" and "consequences" away from the individual, and the culture will never learn or change.
Keep it the same I say.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 1:00 pm | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
July 29, 2006
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| Cleaning Carpets | |
So, we have been in this house nearly 2 years.
With a 16 month old things get pretty messed up. There is the food, the indoor outdoor activity, and of course the little accidents from time to time.
My wife and I decided to get a carpet cleaner from our local supermarket. "Rug Doctor"
I remember years ago my sister and her husband used one, and I recalled they were happy with the results.
Well, to put it bluntly, my experience has been less than satisfactory.
Firstly - the whole dead cost $80 for a "big vacuum cleaner" rented for 8 hours. Actually - its $45 - plus the nasty chemicals.
Then of course there are the results.
To put it bluntly, I could have done a better job with a toothbrush. Its CRAP!
So, with our landlord doing an inspection next week, I just hope the results are enough to pass without paying the $300 for a professional!
I would certainly be interested in hearing from other New Zealanders who have used Rug Doctor - I personally thing it is over prices and very poor quality.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 6:45 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
July 28, 2006
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| Tailgating | |
I am sick and tired of tailgaters.
When will people learn that sitting up someone's arse on the motorway is just not acceptable.
There are 4 lengths in front of me, why does the person behind me insist on 1 length (or less).
The trucks are the worst, despite driving a safe euopean car, the truck is still going to destroy me if something requires me to brake!
People - STOP TAILGATING. |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
June 11, 2006
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| Back From The Abyss | |
I'm back - and over the next few weeks you will see whats been happening over the last 9 months!
Stay tuned! |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
October 3, 2005
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| A Grand Life | |
My father was buried today.
His life was celebrated by friends and family, and for me it was the end of a long period of grief.
To me, my father's life ended several years ago when he was commited to a home with Alzheimer’s.
I decided, right or wrong, not to see him during the last few years. It was purely selfish on my part, as I wanted to remember my father with sound mind and body. It caused conflit within my family, and some of those rifts are still there today.
But, I made my peace all those years ago, and today was the tying of the last loose end of the relationship with my father.
To my family who feel my actions were wrong, one day you may understand, and at the end of it all, it was my choice, no one elses.
My one regret is that my son Viggo, now 7 months old, will now never know my parents. To me, that is the hardest thing to come to grips with.
Carlo Sigvald Rohde 1917 - 2005, may he rest in peace, and the torment of Alzheimer’s be released from his spirit in death. |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
September 27, 2005
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| Carlo Sigvald Rohde 1917 - 2005 | |
My father passed away today. It's just over a year since my mother's passing. It is the end of an era for the Rohde family in New Zealand.
They were the first, arriving in 1948. Their legacy is an extended family of three generations, and what must be close to 100 individuals.
May my father rest in peace, and the turmoil of living with Alzheimer’s be forgotton in whatever death brings him.
Carlo Sigvald Rohde 1917 - 2005
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
August 23, 2005
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| Discipline By Jim Rohn | |
Discipline By Jim Rohn
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.
We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.
All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, "This is the only area where I let down." Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.
Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is built. Lack of discipline inevitably leads to failure.
Discipline has within it the potential for creating future miracles.
The best time to set up a new discipline is when the idea is strong.
One discipline always leads to another discipline.
Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion.
You don't have to change that much for it to make a great deal of difference. A few simple disciplines can have a major impact on how your life works out in the next 90 days, let alone in the next 12 months or the next 3 years.
The least lack of discipline starts to erode our self-esteem.
by Jim Rohn
Contact Details:
Jim Rohn International
2835 Exchange Blvd., Suite 200
Southlake, TX 76092
800-929-0434
International and/or Dallas/Ft Worth - 817-442-5407
Fax 817-442-1390 or visit the website at www.jimrohn.com
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 1:47 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
June 28, 2005
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| Busy, Busy, Busy | |
Life is busy!
I am trying to finish an assignment, get two stories ready for a competition, and be a father and husband.
On top of that is the disillusionment of false promises in the job I took on in February. Obviously, that involves refreshing the CV, and following up on my network of contacts to find another role that actually values that I am bloody good at what I do.
Am I foolish publishing that I am actively looking for another job? Nope. I don't think so.
Let me know if I should post my CV here!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 4:00 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
June 4, 2005
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| Corey Rudl | |
Corey Rudl started a business is 1994 with a paltry $25 in capital.
At 31, Corey Rudl had reached guru status, becoming one of the world's most respected internet marketers. It has been generally agreed he was one of the internet's greatest success stories.
He was killed yesterday in a serious racing accident.
To die at 34 is a tragedy.
My condolances go out to his friends and family, and in particular his wife.
What happens when someone as influencial as Corey Rudl is taken out of the equation? We shall see what happens in the coming months. I don't expect it will be pretty, nor ethical.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 3:35 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
June 1, 2005
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| 3 Months Old Today | |
Viggo Jacob Davies Rohde is 3 months old today!
His 000 clothing is getting way too small, and he is now mostly wearing 00 sizes.
He is cooing.
He is sleeping through the night.
And he still vomits at the most inconvenient times.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:00 am | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
May 29, 2005
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| Coffee and Fumes | |
I don't buy the Sunday papers.
To me, a nice Sunday morning is getting up, brewing coffee, and sitting in front of the computer reading the online editions of NZ Herald, Aardvark Daily, and Sunday Star Times, drinking said coffee.
But today, it felt all wrong.
Coffee, bad for me? High cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and liver problems?
Possibility of warnings being put on coffee!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ENOUGH OF THIS POLITICALLY CORRECT NANNY STATE MENTALITY!
I will bloody well drink coffee, and if I get sick, so be it. Except it is more likely the nasty fumes from the substandard emission quality of New Zealand vehicles that will kill me.
Coffee is MY choice. Emmissions from someone elses car are not. |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 9:33 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
May 22, 2005
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| "Get out of our hood, you white bastard." | |
So, it has finally happened. But is it the first time?
A voiced raised up - condeming an innocent "Get out of our hood, you white bastard." in Glenveagh Park Drive, Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand.
Samoan "Bloods" and Maori "Crips", and the innocent are embroiled in a nasty, very American, feud. The result being vandalism, violence, intimidation and theft.
Has New Zealand youth really been so influenced by movies and "gangster rap" that they mimic the disenfranchised youth of America? Are these really the role models of the latest generations within New Zealand?
Is it something new? I was too young, but I recall stories of white gangs back in the fifties and sixties, even the early seventies doing exactly the same. I don't know if it was racial, but the solution of the time was to bring in the police and the army and smash the structures behind these gangs. Basically to chase them out of town if they refused to disband.
Is it time to do so again? Fuck the politically correct answers, why should law abiding citizens be held hostage in their own homes, forced to sell because of justified fear of a bunch of social misfits?
Hit them hard, very hard. If they refuse to follow the law of the land, then the consequences will be dire. But those bystanders must be protected. The gang members gave up most of their rights when they encroached on the rights of the law abiding citizens that are their victims.
Stop them now.
A little can go a long way. Show your support by emailing the mayor of Manukau, Sir Barry Curtis. contactus@manukau.govt.nz
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:29 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
May 15, 2005
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| Sex: whoa! Violence: who cares? | |
I find it comforting to note that Atom Egoyan's new film "Where the Truth Lies" has caused such a ruckuss.
When people see someone shot dead on the big screen, it's almost trivialized and there is really little concern. Show a heated sex scene and there are comments a plenty, outcry from the moral zealots of frigitity.
Although both death and sex are natural, I am certainly more inclined to enjoy a sweaty sex scene than bask in gorey death scene.
More details on "Where the Truth Lies" and Atom Egoyan
I for one and going to get it out on Dvd.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 5:48 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
May 14, 2005
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| Household Cleaners | |
Natural Cleaning Products
Over the last few years, I have discovered than nearly two decades ago I was poisoned by the chemicals and glues I had to use while fabricating plastics in a factory.
Since this discovery, and two decades of poor health, I have been very, very conscious of what is used in the home.
I found products through a company called SFI, marketed under the Veriuni brand, that meet all the saftey requirements I have. They are a little more expensive than your local store would sell, but then so is organic produce for the same reasons.
Obviously, Natural Cleaning products are better for you, and your family. You can see some facts about cleaning products and some endorsements here.
If you have ever wondered if there are better alternatives for your family home, or even your workplace, check out these products, I am sure you won't be disappointed.
Click here for details on the Natural Cleaning Products |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:46 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
May 12, 2005
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| Gas - What A Mission | |
So, it's bloody cold. We are out of gas.
There are two Shell and two Bp station within a five km circle with LPG.
Go to first Shell, out of order. Go to other Shell, just run out, go to first BP under duress. They are out. Crawl to last BP and break a oath of boycott and buy gass from then.
What a mission!
Gas is fine from Bp - it wasn't petrol, and I was desparate.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 5:33 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
| Gas - What A Mission | |
So, it's bloody cold. We are out of gas.
There are two Shell and two Bp station within a five km circle with LPG.
Go to first Shell, out of order. Go to other Shell, just run out, go to first BP under duress. They are out. Crawl to last BP and break a oath of boycott and buy gass from then.
What a mission!
Gas is fine from Bp - it wasn't petrol, and I was desparate.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 5:33 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
May 1, 2005
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| Baby 101 - A New Experience | |
Not ten minutes ago I learnt a new baby experience that absolutely must go in the manual (Baby 101)
Step 1: Baby Is Fed
Step 2: Baby Gets Gas
Step 3: Baby Vomits
Step 4: Baby Sneezes With Mouth Full Of Vomit
I am still picking it out of my nose and ears.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 4:30 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 19, 2005
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| Seven Weeks Old | |
| My son is seven weeks old today. My doesn't time fly! |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 10:00 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 15, 2005
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| H2N2 - Death In A Petry Dish | |
"I'm sure it was not an inadvertent use," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC director, "because it would be almost impossible to believe that they didn't know they were dealing with H2N2."
Julie my dear, this attitude will get a lot of people killed.
"Almost Impossible" is simply not good enough!
Please, please - engage your brains you bunch of moronic boffins!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 8:02 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 7, 2005
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| On Abortion and Choice | |
A little word to the anti-abortionists.
What about the rapist who spreads their seed, or the woman who will die if they go full term, or the family who had an "accident" and simply can not afford to have another child? What of the teenager who was taught lies in the abstinance only programme and did not understand that intercourse is not the only way to get pregnant?
What are they to do?
Your beliefs are are just that, your beliefs, the very fact that you say your belief is the one true belief is a paradox, because what if you are wrong and the others are right? They also say theirs is the truth.
Choice is what makes us human. Death is part of that. Just as a weak cub, or frail chick will die, so must the mother be given the right to choose whether to go full term.
Anti-Abortionists tend to be all or nothing type of people. Yet many believe in the death penalty. For example your president.
Sometimes abortion is the only rational option.
The choice and the consequences of those choices are not to be trivialized with a belief system that has proven time and again to be bent to the will of man by power hungry clergy.
The choice is up to the individual. Anything less than that is a travesty of faith in the human condition and a life that can be taken away at any time by nature.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 11:05 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
April 1, 2005
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| "World Freedom Achieves World Peace" | |
The Int'l Society for the Philosophy of Human Rights
A guy called Don sent me the link, and I decided to do a little plug for them after looking at their site.
I really suggest you take a look.
www.philohr.org
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 6:48 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 24, 2005
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| 2004 Skoda Octavia 4x4 1.8T | |
Divine.
Absolutely divine.
I don't care that it uses 20% more petrol!
And it has a fancy gear stick.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 9:20 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 23, 2005
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| My New Car | |
Well now, I am getting a new car.
I currently drive a Skoda Octavia 2.0 but that goes back tomorrow to be replaced by a Skoda Octavia 1.8T 4x4
Can't wait!
Thanks to the great team at Giltrap Prestige for doing an awesome deal for me.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 7:14 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
| Sleepless Nights | |
It would have been the first undisturbed night for quite some time.
Until we got a power cut
Then there were calls to make, and calls coming in, and so on and so forth.
Sooo tired.
Oh, and I think I had a bit too much to drink last night. The problem when your wife only had one glass of wine and yours truely decided to finish off the bottle. Feeling a bit seedy this morning.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 6:43 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 22, 2005
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| A Real Car | |
Now, if you want a real car, rather than an ugly plastic thing:
Aston Martin DB7 GT - sigh.
I have a dream. This will one day be parked in my garage. |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 6:13 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 20, 2005
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| The End Of Daylight Savings | |
Ahhhhh, daylight savings ended last night here in New Zealand.
The weather has only really just settled down, and the days are hot, the nights are cool.
It would have been nice to have it end in another few weeks, it's such a great feeling getting home from work, and knowing you still have a couple of hours of daylight.
There is always a feeling of wistfulness this time of year. Winter's bite is soon to be upon us.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 9:18 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 16, 2005
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| Will Diana Ever R.I.P. | |
So, more intrigue about the death of Princess Diana.
She died August 31, 1997. You would think after this long she would have been allowed to rest in peace.
Admittedly, I would love to find out the real truth. How did someone like Henri Paul make such a bad driving decision. Was he really drunk?
And why the sudden change in vehicle? Did the other vehicle really fail to start or is there something darker here?
My 2 cents is Diana was indeed the victim of a plot, but not one to kill her. She was to be taken hostage.
That Fiat that creeps into some accounts of the incident is relevant. What was it doing there, why was there blue paint on the Mercedes? Was there really another heavy vehicle involved?
More importantly, had they all been wearing their safety belts, they would all be alive today.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 1:17 pm | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
| Sushi, Sex and Parenthood | |
Man, there I was thinking my life would get back to "normal" pretty quick after Viggo was born.
Last night, he awoke with wind at about 2.00am.
Great, I normally wind him and have him settled back down in 10-15 minutes. Two (yes TWO!) hours later, I finally get back to bed, only to be up in another two and a half hours for work.
So, it's coming up to 5.30pm, and I am shagged, and I don't mean sex either. I knew sex in the subject would get your attention though! This is parenthood. I love it!
Oh, but I got paid yesterday, and today I take the family out for Sushi. Well, little Viggo won't be having any, but the two adults will!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 7:18 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 15, 2005
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| Two Weeks Old and 1lb Heavier! | |
Viggo is two weeks old today!
He is also 1 pound over his birth weight. He is now 9lb 6oz!
I am actually getting sleep as well!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 8:11 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
| Run Out Of Coffee | |
I am considering leaving work early. We have run out of coffee.
This is a very, very serious issue.
I should modify my contract to include special leave on coffeeless days.
Life can not continue without coffee.
What am I to do?
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:51 pm | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 12, 2005
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| Hilarious Highlights | |
The book I am tentatively reading at the moment is something completely out of my "norm". It's a collection of letter from "Viz Comic", being something of an establishment in the UK, although I have never read it myself.
One caught my interest:
Top Tip
"Traffic Cops. Don't waste time and money installing video cameras in your cars. Install them in the front and rear windows of all Volvo 340s and Maestros driven by old age pensioners. That way all the accidents which the doddering old fogies cause will be recorded on tape."
- Andrew Davies
Yarm, Smoggieland
I know it's probably a little dated, but hell, the principle is the same!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 8:14 am | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 11, 2005
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| A year on | |
My first year Anniversary is on Sunday, but with a little baby, we are unlikely to do anything majorly special. A gourmet pizza and bottle of wine.
But I did make an observation this morning.
Life seems to be moving incredibly fast. My tax is due again. My savings account looks healthier, and I am abount to clear another medium term debt.
I look back at the last year, and I struggle to remember most of it. It's a blur, slightly fuzzy.
I do know that I am tired of tax and compliance costs. It is time the government scales up the tax thresholds. The $60,000+ @ 39% should be moved to $70,000+ Hell, I don't use 90% of the services, and in fact am not entitled to many of them. Why is it I pay more than $20,000 in tax every year!
Oh well. I could give it all up, and just become a dole-bludger.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:03 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 9, 2005
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| A Day Apart | |
Tomorrow is the first day back at work after 6 days at home with my new son.
Sad and wistful. I am more determined than ever to become a full time work at home father.
How can women go back to work after such a short time; for many six to eight weeks. It seems totally alien to me. All I want to do is stay home with my boy, and work around his schedule!
So, what am I to do? |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 9:49 pm | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 8, 2005
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| One Week Old Today! | |
Viggo is a week old today!
It seems like a lifetime has passed, and he has changed so much in such a short time!
He has put on weight, and is now more than his birth-weight and feeds well, but boy, he is a lazy feeder! My wife has this cool (well, to me) "YMCA Arms" trick where she pumps his arm gently. Seems to work.
Ah well... back to work on Thursday - would much rather stay at home!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 2:02 pm | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (1) | Life |
| That Addiction | |
Every morning, my routine has been pretty much the same for nearly a decade.
- scratch you know where
- stretch
- walk to the kitchen
- put water in jug
- rinse plunger and mug
- put coffee in plunger
- put water in plunger
- stare into space
- pour coffee
- take my morning fix
Although there has been some variance over the years, it has pretty much follow those ten simple steps. Without coffee, I suspect I would not exist. There was a three month period I could not drink coffee due to being on a homeopathic remedy. It was the most excrutiating period of my life - other than the three months I lost my drivers license for speeding, but that is another story!
Where do I buy my coffee?
Altezano
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 8:49 am | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 6, 2005
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| Gas, Vomit, Farting And Other Adventures | |
Ahhh... post-midnight - and I can relax. I should be in bed, but knowing I will be woken in 90-120 minutes with a crying baby makes it seem a little pointless.
Gas, with it's associated accomplices Fart and Vomit have ensured this. I never knew. Purhaps this was missed from the guidebook? I am sure I never saw how bad, disruptive or weird it all seems. Milk goes in there. Pooh comes out there. Why make it complex? This gas thing, it confuses what is essentially a simple process of supply and demand.
Anyway - it seems I have developed a knack of burping baby.
Now - where did I leave baby?
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 12:20 am | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
March 1, 2005
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| Viggo Jacob Davies Rohde | |
Complete distraction. I can't help myself. Who can blame me? He is so cute isn't he!!!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 11:05 pm | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
| 8lbs 6oz of Joy | |
Finally, after an amazing effort by my lovely wife(early labor started on Sunday early afternoon!!) our son - Viggo Jacob Davies Rohde - was born on Tuesday morning 2.05am, weighing in at 3.8kgs.
He and mum are healthy, he was feeding within 10 minutes of being born.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 10:59 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
February 27, 2005
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| Parenthood | |
So, it has begun. My wife has gone into the first stages of labour. Our first child has begun there journey, venturing forth so to speak, into the big bad world.
And am I feeling weird.
A late dinner, still chores to do, but no panic, yet.
I even read a book today called the "New Father's Panic Book"
Did it help? No. Did it make it worse? No. Did I learn anything?
You betcha. I learnt I am so glad I live in a country where intervention is kept to a minimum. Having a baby in the USA sounds worse than sitting a high school exam. Sign this, pay that, don't do that, you must do this.
Land of the free? Maybe AFTER they fill in the forms.
Anyway, will keep the site up to date. It may be a long night, and this may just be what I need to do!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 6:18 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
January 21, 2005
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| Life's Grande | |
So - a year on from the blog creation, and a new look site surrounds it.
I am also expecting my first child in less than five weeks.
And I start a new job in less than two weeks!
So yet another year of change ahead.
Oh, and I moved house just before christmas. Heh - change is a way of
life isn't it.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 8:49 am | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
September 22, 2004
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| Death | |
My mother died today. Peacefully, with close family around her.
My horoscope for today:
What an extraordinary moment in your life. We are now down to the
wire, with the Sun's move into your sign tomorrow, signalling the
biggest transfer of power, into your hands EVER! Just as the door
to the past closes, the Sun and Jupiter align, bringing the
luckiest day of 2004. It's memories, ideas, plans, dreams and
thoughts that are going to be held together by this cosmic glue.
Today's dreams are not only tomorrow's reality, but they are
unbelievably blessed.
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 10:12 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
February 13, 2004
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| Change | |
| Well now, moved house, changing jobs, and getting married in March - not bad for the first 90 days of a new year! SCAREY! |
Posted by Karl Rohde at 6:21 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
December 26, 2003
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| Ghosts Of Christmas Past | |
Today someone I had almost forgotten about contacted me after nearly 17 years of no communications. Isn't life strange!
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Posted by Karl Rohde at 3:22 pm | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Life |
