My Readers demand upliftment – Bah Humbug !
So here we are looking at the Kapiti island above, from our new rented accommodation, moving in next week, beachfront and quiet. So how do we stay upbeat, Let’s talk about England, I contacted my brother a few days ago, and he looked cold, and the weather in the UK was miserable, really cold, and the social depression had set in. Here I was, lounging in the least amount of clothing, and drinking copious amounts of water to stave off sunstroke. Watching him wrapped in a dressing gown, trying to hold Jack Frost at bay I wonder – now why did I emigrate?
Well, soon enough the conversation turned to leaving blighty and moving to the warmers climes of NZ, Supporting the theory that the world is a smaller place than all of us believe, it should not be too long before I see my brothers ineffable face adorning the TV screens at wellington airport as he arrives for his temporary / permanent walkabout. He is the type to “go bush” as they call it here. I’ve heard stories of men who walk into the bush leaving their clothes and belongings behind. Bit extreme for me, but all power to them. That was where we all started, so before long society will trash the cities and we will devolve into self sufficient masses once again. Look at us now, we have already started growing our own food to eat.
So with organic food, costing so much more, and foreign imports bringing with it additives such as dangerous pesticides, including Lindane and DDT, in Chinese vegetables. What is safe anymore, buy the cheap stuff and you may be poisoning yourself, buy the expensive stuff and you could end up broke, with a plus side of weight lose due to only being able to afford two organic cabbages. More and more of us are turning to stylised diets, we now do not eat read meat, and pig out on pork and chicken, or shouting “I am a vegetarian, but I eat fish, eggs and dairy products”. The fads build up, commerce goes mad, and the consumer is bombarded with newsflash after newsflash informing us of the latest dire food groups, or the foods we should stay away from. Even our children are not safe, we now have the dreaded E numbers, what are we doing to our kids?. I cannot fathom all this, my waist expands during winter and shrinks (at least I think it does) during summer, but when I sit down to eat, nothing on my plate is taboo. A great Steak seared on the BBQ, smothered in raw chopped garlic, and a large baked spud, dripping with melted butter. cholesterol scream the friends, look after your heart says another. I just smile, carve another piece of steak and pop it in my mouth. If I’m gonna die, at least it will be on a full stomach, eating food that makes me happy. I don’t eat steak everyday, of course that would be inviting health issues, it’s just the continual battering that we receive from the media, urging, no forcing us to eat healthly. Tv shows highlight our failings. The Biggest Loser, friends and familys who put themselves through TV torture to lose weight, surely the million dollars for first prise means nothing, they are embaressing themselves on prime time television because they can no longer diet without peer presssure. The biggest Loser are the pundits who sit at home watching the show. The world is right outside your door, it is filled with beauty, nature and we get home each night and close the door on it. Alas I’m the same as all of you, and I’m going home, so auvior as the door closes with a quiet “click”.