Mike Crowl's Blog, page 3

User Pays

First published in Column 8 on the 30thJanuary, 1991. In spite of my last paragraph, it’s possible that myunderstanding of economics really is at fault – depending on which economistyou trust. The ‘tip’ mentioned early on is/was the local City-owned rubbishdump, or landfill, as it's now more euphemistically called.

It seems our city councillors have a desire to follow in theGovernment’s footsteps with the user pays approach to life that’s bedevilled usin recent years.

Don’t get me wrong...

Exclusive Interview

 A spoof piece published in the Dunedin Star Midweek, on23rd January, 1991. This wasn’t a Column 8 piece, but appeared onthe third page of the newspaper under Community News.

 

Exclusive Interview

Saddam Hussein in 2004
photo courtesy: jjron

 

After his last ditch attempt to avert war by visiting Saddam Hussein, the United Nations Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, cameback suggesting Mr Hussein needed a psychiatrist.

Of course, in the States, everyone who’s anyone has theirown highl...

Sensitivity

 First published in Column 8 on the 5th December,1990. 

A piece that has dated, and yet is still up to date – for differentreasons. The job scene has improved somewhat, but wages, for many people, aren’tenough to pay for their weekly outgoings. Those in power, and thewealthy, still have little conception of how the poorly paid live –I may not bethat clear about it myself, since in recent years I’ve been blessed to have hadenough to live on. In most cities we now have people sleeping in cars...

Things geographical

First published in Column 8 on the 28thNovember, 1990

I can’t say the Public Notices section of the newspaper isone I usually pay much attention to. I should, of course, in case someone leavesme a substantial amount in their will.

However, on a recent lazy Saturday evening, a large noticeby the NZ Geographic Board caught my eye, and not just because of the possiblename changes to a couple of local beaches.

Browsing through this notice gave me more free entertainmentthan I’ve had in a l...

Bits and Pieces

 First published in Column Eight on the 21stNovember, 1990

 

I intended this week to write about a certain internationalrestaurant chain and its recent decision to stop using foam packaging in orderto please its green customers.

However, by the time my wife had used here felt-tip censor’spen there were more black holes in the article than in all the galaxies.

As if that wasn’t enough, two acquaintances told me my pieceon How to read articles was mere burbling.

A schoolteacher, on the oth...

On with the dance!

First published in Column Eight on the 7thNovember 1990

 Some of the smaller historic occasions of 1990 passed byalmost unnoticed in the hurly-burly of having had four Prime Ministers in ayear.

The elections and the subsequent change of Government seemedto have chewed up everything else in their path. So it’s easy to overlookevents that are important to a large number of people – even if there isn’t apolitician in sight.

Down here in the real world, where people earn wages thatare und...

Hobbies

 First published in Column 8 on the 12.12.90

 

When the HillaryCommission enthuses about getting up to Play Kiwi Sports I tend to remainin my seat. Sedentary occupations are more my style.

That’s not to say I’m lacking in energy. Several times I’vetaken up hobbies with a passion that swept aside everything in its path.

However, two things are a problem when it comes to me andhobbies: firstly my enthusiasm runs out. And secondly, usually faster, my moneyruns out.

I go like a bull at a gat...

Crime-watching

 First published in Column 8 on 23rd January, 1991

 

One policeman has recently been quoted as saying we shouldn’ttolerate foul language in public places. In his area they’re cracking down onpeople who speak obscenities in front of passers-by.

In line with current thinking that we all have to play ourpart in putting down crime, he recommended members of the public rebuke thosewho are openly foul-mouthed.

As a not-so-well-built and not-too-tall person, I’m a bitdubious about that.

You kn...

Recycling

 First published in Column 8, 20th March, 1991

 

In spite of all the green thinking infiltrating people’sbrains I still feel we recyclers are in the minority.

I come from a recycling family: well, we’ve been intocompost for generations. (Not quite literally, although there have been timeswhen I’ve put on my gumboots to squelch unwilling plants and twigs down intothe muck.)

Though compost is ingrained into our family’s consciousness,the gardener and I still disagree about what things can a...

Door to Door

 

F

irst published in Column 8 on the 13th March,1991.

 

‘Good evening, I’m collecting for the Salvation Army.’ The manof the house holds the door open, laughs a lot, and waits while ‘Mum’ gets themoney – out of her housekeeping.

An elderly widow uses my brief visit as an excuse to talk. Shealready has the money in its envelope. It’s only a matter of taking it downfrom its place on the kitchen mantelpiece near the teapot. That’s where allthe envelopes go as they arrive in her letterbox.

Sh...