tagged w/ New Zealand
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A WARNING has been issued to New Zealand’s coastal centres, including Gisborne, that life in these places is going to be more troublesome because of a confirmed increase in extreme weather events, and other climate change impacts.
The warning comes from Dr David Wratt, the director of the Niwa’s National Climate Change Centre, who was one of a number of New Zealand scientists involved in a special report released by the world climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Other New Zealanders on the report team were Professor Glenn McGregor of Auckland University and Associate Professor John Camobell of Waikato University.
Dr Wratt, who is also chief scientist at the Niwa’s Climate Centre, says the IPCC report concludes that climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of extreme weather and climate events.
He says the IPCC report used observations gathered since the 1950s, and concludes there has been a decrease in the number of cold days and nights globally and an overall increase in the number of warm days and nights.
The report says trends for this century indicate more warm, and fewer cold daily temperature extremes around the globe.
Dr Wratt says there is 90-100 percent confidence that there will be an increase in the frequency of heavy precipitation events throughout the 21st century over many areas of the globe, and mean wind speeds in tropical cyclones will increase.
“We have high confidence that extreme events will have greater impacts on sectors directly reliant on weather and climate,” says Dr Wratt.
“New Zealand’s agriculture, horticulture and energy sectors clearly fall into that category.
“The high likelihood of increasingly severe extreme sea levels events is also significant, given that 12 of New Zealand’s 15 largest towns and cities are located on the coast.”
Dr Wratt says the challenge for policymakers is to develop strategies to reduce the vulnerability and exposure of people and assets to climate change extremes.
“That way, extreme weather and climate events won’t necessarily become disasters.”
The IPCC report and Dr Wratt’s remarks are backed by a study by Princeton University, just published in the Journal of Climate.
The Princeton researchers have undertaken the first major study to concentrate on variations in daily weather conditions rather than monthly or yearly averages.
The study found that day-to-day weather has grown increasingly erratic and extreme, with significant fluctations in sunshine and rainfall affecting more than a third of the planet.
The team found that extremely sunny or cloudy days have become more common than in the 1980s and that swings from thunderstorms to dry conditions have also risen considerably.
Regions such as equatorial Africa and Asia have experienced the greatest increase in the frequency of extreme conditions, with erratic shifts in the weather throughout the year.
More at the linkA WARNING has been issued to New Zealand’s coastal centres, including Gisborne,... more
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CNN...
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5.8-magnitude quake hits New Zealand
December 22nd, 2011
08:37 PM ET
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its website.
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MAJOR UPDATE:
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/23/new-zealand-earthquake-christchurch
The Guardian...
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New Zealand's Christchurch hit by series of earthquakes
The initial quake measured 5.8 magnitude, and prompted the evacuation of public buildings and the airport
guardian.co.uk,
Thursday 22 December 2011 21.00 EST
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A series of strong earthquakes struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday, ten months after an earlier quake devastated the city centre.
The US Geological Survey said the initial quake measured 5.8 magnitude but there was no tsunami alert issued and there were no immediate reports of widespread damage in the city.
One person was injured at a city mall and was taken to a hospital, and four people had to be rescued after being trapped by a rock fall, Christchurch police said in a statement.
Local reports suggested the quake rattled buildings, sending goods tumbling from shelves and prompted holiday shoppers to flee into the streets.
The first 5.8-magnitude quake struck Friday afternoon, 16 miles (26 kilometres) north of Christchurch and 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) deep, the US Geological Survey said. Minutes later, a 5.3-magnitude aftershock hit, and about an hour after that, the city was shaken by another 5.8-magnitude temblor. Both aftershocks were less than 3 miles (5 kilometres) deep.
The city's airport was evacuated and all shopping centres shut down as a precaution.
Warwick Isaacs, demolitions manager for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, said most buildings had been evacuated "as an emergency measure."
Christchurch is still recovering from the earthquake in February that killed 182 people and destroyed much of the downtown area.
The area has recorded more than 7,000 earthquakes since a magnitude-7 quake rocked the city on 4 September, 2010. That quake did not cause any deaths.
Rock falls had occurred in one area and there was liquefaction when an earthquake forces underground water up through loose soil in several places, Isaacs told New Zealand's National Radio.
"There has been quite a lot of stuff falling out of cupboards, off shelves in shops and that sort of thing, again," he said.
Isaacs said his immediate concern was for demolition workers involved in tearing down buildings wrecked in previous quakes.
"It ... started slow then really got going. It was a big swaying one but not as jolting or as violent as in February," Christchurch resident Rita Langley said.
"Everyone seems fairly chilled, though the traffic buildup sounds like a beehive that has just been kicked as everyone leaves (the) town (centre)."
The shaking was severe in the nearby port town of Lyttelton, the epicentre of the 22 February quake.
"We stayed inside until the shaking stopped. Then most people went out into the street outside," resident Andrew Turner said. "People are emotionally shocked by what happened this afternoon."
About 15,000 homes were reported without power after electricity lines were felled in the city's eastern suburbs. Sewerage services were also cut. Hundreds of miles of sewer and fresh water lines have been repaired in the city since the February quake.
One partly demolished building and a vacant house collapsed after Friday's quakes, police said.
Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said the quakes came at the worst possible time for retailers, with people rushing to finish their Christmas shopping.
Despite the sizable quakes, there was no visible damage in the central business district, where 28 stores have reopened in shipping containers after their buildings were wrecked by the February quake, he said.
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SECOND MAJOR UPDATE:
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Latest updates: Christchurch earthquakes
Updated 4:52 PM Friday Dec 23, 2011
PHOTO: Damaged buildings in central Christchurch. File photo / Mark Mitchell
Large earthquakes have shaken Christchurch this afternoon.
The first hit shortly before 2pm, with a magnitude of 5.8 and a depth of 8km. The second struck at 3.19pm and has been measured at magnitude 6.0, 6km deep.
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http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201152/SCCZEN_220211NZHMMQUAKE7_460x230.JPGCNN...
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5.8-magnitude quake hits New Zealand
December 22nd, 2011
08:37 PM ET... more
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"It is a founding myth of indie pop that it is the end of boredom, historical and a creative year zero instigated by the only pure souls on a hopelessly compromised lump of rock. A prime example is the globally circulated story of New Zealand independent record label Flying Nun that filled magazine articles, reviews and lately, the Internet.""It is a founding myth of indie pop that it is the end of boredom, historical and... more
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Story by Allen Silver Media Glitz,Ohio November 22, 2011
Atlanta's urban music producer Lord Hector Diono announces the online debut of his now international clothing line iCON® . Hector, who's real name is Lord Michael Chambers Rosenthorn published the site Friday November 19,2011. After reviewing the clothing line it's safe to say the articles of clothing and design would best be described as classic, chic and truly iconic. Hector was quick to mention that the line was designed to give everyday people a garment that would announce to their prospective communities a new mind state and self awareness that would set off both a national and international trend associated with their new found inner greatness.
The mission statement says it all, and I have to say this, I was taken back a bit when I discovered it while browsing the site, it read [Quote] “iCON® is not just a social status in today's society, but a state of mind. This wardrobe is designed for the go getter, from the greatest celebrities to the single parent that refuses to give up. We believe that any person that contributes to their own self recognized inner greatness is iconic and sets forth a trend for the rest of the world to follow.”
I liked the site and the clothing. I was mostly impressed with the fact that it's not just another T-Shirt shop for his home boys but an actual clothing line that even my girlfriend was able to purchase her first iCON pair of underwear. Lord Hector Diono was defined in the urban dictionary by the associated press in the United Kingdom, London as a Renaissance man, well that just might be as true a statement as it gets. Hector is also an underground rap singer who's music career happens to be managed by Def Jam Universal A&R veteran Michael Goldie Greaux, who also works with Nas, Rihanna,Travis Trent and a host of other artists in the music business. Hector has over 50 independent records released world wide through his independent music production company Dark Town Licensing, a subsidiary to his music label Dark Town Music Group with his most recent record release by island Def Jam Digital Music being an LP entitled “Scarecrow” (The Final Chapter). Hector's camp announced that he also has his own Android smart phone app and free to download.
From where I sit it looks to me as if the moves Lord Hector Diono is making allows for any parent to proud and any friend to be encouraged, I my self used to rap but I work behind a desk for a media company now, but Hector's mission statement on his site help me recognized that I don't have to drive a Rolls Royce to be considered by my peers to be iconic.Story by Allen Silver Media Glitz,OhioStory by Allen Silver Media Glitz,Ohio November 22, 2011
Atlanta's urban music... more
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Salvage crews reboarded a stricken ship at the centre of New Zealand’s worst sea pollution disaster on Thursday as authorities ordered people off oil-blackened beaches.Salvage crews reboarded a stricken ship at the centre of New Zealand’s worst sea... more
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I timori di ieri si stanno trasformando in realtà, maltempo, condizioni atmosferiche avverse e il danneggiamento della chiatta intervenuta per pompare il carburante rimasto nella stiva del cargo "Rena", incagliatosi nella Bay of Plenty, hanno portato il ministro dell’ambiente Nick Smith ad ammettere che "Questa è la peggiore catastrofe ambientale della storia dell’isola". Non ci sono più dubbi.I timori di ieri si stanno trasformando in realtà, maltempo, condizioni... more
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Alla fine del 2006 Andrew McAuley si accinge ad intraprendere un'impresa che lo spinge in kayak sul Tasman Sea, una delle più selvagge estensioni oceaniche del Pianeta. “Solo”, documentario di Jennifer Peedom e David Michôd, è il resoconto di questa tragica sfida che fa riflettere sui limiti umani e sulla forza cieca della natura.Alla fine del 2006 Andrew McAuley si accinge ad intraprendere un'impresa che lo... more
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The rescued penguin known as Happy Feet, who was found near death on a New Zealand beach and nursed back to health, was fitted with a tracking transmitter prior to his release a week ago. Now, that radar signal has gone silent and most fear they will never know what happened to him.
http://veracitystew.com/2011/09/13/rescued-penguin-happy-feet-feared-dead-video/The rescued penguin known as Happy Feet, who was found near death on a New Zealand... more
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t the annual conference of the ruling National Party on August 14, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announced a raft of punitive measures targeting teenage welfare recipients.t the annual conference of the ruling National Party on August 14, New Zealand Prime... more
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Fonterra, the New Zealand based dairy giant is slashing its support for [already token support of] organic farming and moving further towards GE dairy farming [GE rye grass].
Meanwhile, Scion and Arborgen push ahead with their GE tree trials in Rotorua planting 336 GE pine trees.–Gary Cranston
Fonterra has taken its next step towards genetically engineered pastures, with its announced scaling back of organic production by half, according to the Soil Health Association of NZ.
Fonterra’s announcement yesterday of a 50% drop in support for organic dairy production, shows the dairy giant’s lack of support for good environmental practice or consumer health, and marks the next step to genetically engineered (GE) farmlands, according to the Soil Health Association of NZ.
“Fonterra has never really been committed to organic production, although aiming for 200 farms and a 140% increase in production from 2005. Just 200 farms was a very limited vision. Organic production across all New Zealand’s dairy herd should have been in any long term vision for clean green 100% Pure NZ,” said Soil Health – Organic NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.
“Organic production has been identified as the main obstacle to introducing GE grasses and crops into New Zealand in a Ministry of Research Science and Technology (MoRST, now Science and Innovation) report written by Terri Dunahay, an international biotechnology policy specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture.”
“Government also stopped real support for the organic sector following a briefing to the Agriculture Minister by Dunahay in 2009, yet Dunahay was duplicitous in every presentation I observed her. The misrepresentation of GE internationally, was appalling when Dunahay presented to Dairy NZ and the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand,” said Mr Browning.
“Dunahay and other United States lobbyists, along with New Zealand based pro-GE scientists fail to mention the significant GE contamination of non-GE farms, the loss of markets, the massive increase in herbicide use, the new resistant weeds and disease problems, higher seed and production costs, loss of biodiversity, or the human and animal health problems associated with genetic engineering (GE).”
Yesterday’s shock presentation to organic farmers in Taranaki and the Manawatu that their organically certified milk wasn’t wanted by Fonterra, because of reduced international demand, also included comment that organics caused “conventional” dairy production to be questioned as to its quality.
Best practice organics has improved soil structure and climate resilience, 43% more earthworm counts, 28% higher soil carbon sequestration, improved animal welfare, 33% less energy use, and a massive 58% reduction of nitrate leaching, yet is not valued well by Fonterra, because Fonterra’s conventional farming’s dirty environmental footprint, might be questioned more.
“The KPMG Agribusiness Agenda 2011 released in June, highlighted the potential lost opportunity of high net worth customers globally by New Zealand if support for organic market and production research is allowed to languish.” (4,5)
Organic dairy exports from New Zealand grew 400% between 2005-2009. Organic product sales in the USA grew 7.7% compared with total food sales increase of less than 1% in 2010, yet the New Zealand government is allowed funding for Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) to stop this June, and had already long stopped support for the Green Party initiated Organics Advisory Service that had assisted significant growth in organic certification.
“Fonterra missed retailing organic butter in New Zealand, and has failed to market its organic products well. Where was the Fonterra brands organic butter in New Zealand super market shelves? It wasn’t to be found. Blaming reduced markets when there has been continued growth in organic consumption internationally shows a lack of organic marketing commitment by Fonterra, not a lack of customers.”
“Fonterra and the government have spent millions of dollars on GE rye grass development, (6) while support has been stalled for the organic sector.”
“Most of Europe and Scandinavia and many other countries have targets for farm production conversion to organics, because the environmental and social benefits are well recognised, but in New Zealand there appears to be a blind adherence to short term economic benefit including GE, even when non-GE alternatives are proven.”
“When I asked on Friday, why the government had spent tens of millions on GE grasses, but had effectively stopped spending money on organics, Environment Minister Nick Smith told me, “We didn’t think there was any money in it,” “said Mr Browning.
“The planting of 336 GE pine trees by Scion and ArborGen at their Rotorua field trial site last week adds to the sadness of spirit New Zealand is suffering through short term financial aims by giant agribusiness, while it ignores the environmental and social health of Aotearoa New Zealand.”
More at the linkFonterra, the New Zealand based dairy giant is slashing its support for [already token... more
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Highlights from the 2011 PLI with special guest judges from the ThirtyTwo team including JP Walker. Shop signings, 40 cubic metres of snow, hammers thrown down rails and more!
GET IT IN!
Music - The Ting Tings 'Great DJ' // The Clash 'Train in Vain' // Christian Sancto 'Grow Grass'Highlights from the 2011 PLI with special guest judges from the ThirtyTwo team... more
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Puffin
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6 months ago
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Powerful earthquake near New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and Tonga.
New Zealand civil defence authorities cancelled a tsunami warning on Thursday but warned of possible stronger than normal ocean currents around the east coast of the country after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean north east of the country.
It said a tsunami was generated by the earthquake around the Kermadec Islands, around 1180km north east of New Zealand, but scientists has advised it was of no threat to New Zealand.
"However, they expect that there will be unusually strong tidal surges and currents," the Civil Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The first surge had been expected at eastern coastal areas of the North Island just before 9 a.m. local time (2100 GMT), but there were no reports of unusual activity.
The quake struck at 07:03am Thursday local time at a depth of just one kilometre, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Its epicentre was 160km east of Raoul Island and 914 kilometres from the Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa.
A small research team on Raoul Island, the main island in the group was reported safe and well.
USGS revised the quake's magnitude slightly downward from an earlier reading of 7.8.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2011/07/201176193822609619.htmlPowerful earthquake near New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and Tonga.
New Zealand... more
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A bar in New Zealand has introduced a new stomach-churning addition to its drinks menu - apple flavoured horse semen.
The Green Man Pub in Wellington offers the 30ml shots for a princely sum of £12 - and apparently it's going down a treat with regulars.
The gastro-pub serves the drink chilled fresh from a Christchurch stallion farm and each shot contains about 300 million individual horse sperm cells.
Green Man pub co-owner Steven Drummond is to blame for the grimace-inducing drink, which he explained is knocked back by both male and female customers.
He advises his customers to shoot the sticky horse semen back in one gulp rather than attempt to sip the bizarre concoction.A bar in New Zealand has introduced a new stomach-churning addition to its drinks menu... more
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By Razia Iqbal, Hood Watch Media Admin: Italy |Sunday June 26 | It's no secret that Atlanta Georgia is a growing Mecca of music talents and underground greats. Local buzzes and southern charm, our division was informed that our CEO is still refusing to put the rap mic down and just enjoy making music for other artists, mainly because of the European market that still craves his music. Lord Hector Diono is the founder and CEO of Hood Watch Media Corp based in Atlanta Georgia USA, and is also my by boss "Hi Hector, salute"; like any music buff I can tell you he's still going stronger than ever recently signing a management deal with a veteran of Def Jam Records A&R division NYC Mr. Michael " Goldie" Greaux of Goldie Mack Artist Management, and launching his official production company Dark Town Licensing, a subsidiary to his independent label Dark Town Music Group, Hector has a new single just released on Saturday morning here in Italy entitled “Money Know Me” and is scheduled for the United States and around the world on Monday June 27, 2011. Be sure to check your local online stores for availability.Original Source by Jennifer Cozoletti Hood Watch Media Admin Italy http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/archive/arts/mafia.shtml http://www.mafiafamilytree.com/category/sicilian-mafia/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-know-me-single/id446495052By Razia Iqbal, Hood Watch Media Admin: Italy |Sunday June 26 | It's no secret... more
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The nation knows him as Moon Man, the predictor of weather – and earthquakes.
Controversial weather forecaster Ken Ring this week sat down with a reporter for the first time since he was forced to flee his Auckland home this year.The nation knows him as Moon Man, the predictor of weather – and earthquakes.... more
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Dual quakes rock Christchurch, New Zealand
By the CNN Wire Staff
June 13, 2011 12:16 a.m. EDT
Two quakes rock New Zealand
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Two quakes hit New Zealand within 90 minutes of each other
"It was quite an exciting ride," a police official says of the first quake
A 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area in February, killing more than 180 people
(CNN) -- A pair of earthquakes struck within 90 minutes of each near Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, reviving vivid memories of a deadly quake that killed more than 150 people in February.
"It was quite an exciting ride," Christchurch Police Acting Inspector Murray Hurst told CNN after the first quake, adding that there was some damage caused by the quake and a few injuries that were not life-threatening.
Police evacuated sections of the city's central business district after reports of a possible gas leak, police said. Several bridges in the city was closed as a precaution.
The first quake -- a magnitude 5.2 -- was centered 9 kilometers (5 miles) east-southeast of Christchurch at a depth of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), according to USGS.
The second quake -- a more powerful 6.0 -- hit about 13 kilometers (8 miles) north-northeast of the city at a depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).
The quakes came nearly four months after a 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area, killing more than 180 people.
CNN's Jack Maddox contributed to this report.
Click on picture to watch video
http://www.google.com/maps/vt/data=LtgX-e3f8ctI3U5dJtbt7EJ1ZfRneYme,fwN7pF1Dp-FMWrhoMu62eDreok79qJIkZFReGK-EL6mDC3WHU7wy28jAoFrLhaX5cKQ_CPBq7lSrUj0nxht6_0WKgv8U8DGaV3gBpppQO2y1S_gWUnpcEZIIY9nhOvhMsEZuPe2Np4_fDvP9lUhV3Pt48Pudr2gOkOi5CYgy180Ot-QDual quakes rock Christchurch, New Zealand
By the CNN Wire Staff
June 13, 2011... more
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A skate park that is designed to work like a pinball machine has been built in New Zealand.
Complete with sounds, lights, and a scoreboard that keeps your score as you skate it's a pretty awesome sight.
The park was built in just 17 days for a weekend skateboard competition, at the cost of nearly $500,000 NZD. It will be open to the public for a few weeks after the competition.A skate park that is designed to work like a pinball machine has been built in New... more
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“Double Happy” is an unusually observant short film written and directed by the young New Zealand filmmaker Shahir Daud, which has been selected for presentation at the Montreal International Film Festival, HOF Film Festival (Germany), Interfilm (Berlin), CFC Film Festival (Canada), Winterthur Film Festival (Switzerland), and Show Me Shorts (New Zealand).
A film of rare quality and power, “Double Happy” is a lovely film to look at and it possesses a high level of technical excellence. At its heart, the film is a character drama, relying on expertly presented profiles to build its story, showing, rather than telling, the essential details about its characters in order to relate their motivations. Finally, it displays a subtlety and patience in unfolding its drama, only to upend you at the climax in a shocking fashion.
“Double Happy” presents a detailed look at the inevitable emergence of a huge social fuck-up, the slow buildup to the moment you eternally wish you could take back. It’s been said that almost all extremely terrible, destructive actions have their origins in positive desires, and in this simple drama about four New Zealand teenagers in tne 1990s, we are, in a very shocking fashion, made witness to that truism.
If there is one particular feature that makes “Double Happy” stand out, it would be that it is an unusually observant film about young people, their shy gestures and bold dares, as well as the sometimes very strange characteristics of their group dynamics; the constantly fluid shifting of in-group and out-group designations achieved and enforced through secrets and put-downs. At this age, one discovers that even when you care, you can end up trampling on one another out of simple inexperience, fear and carelessness. “Double Happy” paints an impressively clear and nuanced picture in which the emotional and physical denigration of its protagonist slowly builds, causing his anger to mount and ultimately leading to its tragic misdirection.
This piece includes color photographs, as well as the emotionally powerful short film.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/double-happy-the-anatomy-of-a-tragic-screw-up/“Double Happy” is an unusually observant short film written and directed... more
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A New Zealand truck driver who fell on a compressed air hose that pierced his buttock has survived being blown up like a balloon.
Steven McCormack had fallen between the cab and the trailer of his truck, breaking the air hose.
The nozzle pierced his buttock and began pumping air into his body, which expanded dramatically.
As he screamed, Mr McCormack's colleagues turned the air off and laid him on his side, saving his life.
The accident happened at Opotiki on the North Island on Saturday.
Mr McCormack, who is 48, is still in hospital in the nearest town, Whakatane.
He said that doctors had told him they were surprised that his skin had not burst, as the compressed air - pumping into his body at 100lb/sq in - had separated fat from muscle.
"I felt the air rush into my body and I felt like it was going to explode from my foot.
"I was blowing up like a football... it felt like I had the bends, like in diving. I had no choice but just to lay there, blowing up like a balloon," he told the local newspaper, the Whakatane Beacon.
He said his skin feels "like a pork roast", hard and crackly on the outside but soft underneath.
He credits his colleagues, especially Jason Wenham who put him on his side, with saving his life.
Mr Wenham, Ross Hustler and Robbie Petersen had lifted Mr McCormack off the brass nozzle which was still stuck in his body, and packed ice around his swollen neck until an ambulance arrived.
Doctors inserted a tube into his lungs to drain the fluid and cleared the wound in his buttock using what felt to him like a drill.
"That was the most painful part," he said.
"It's fair to say he's lucky to be alive, it was a potentially life-threatening situation," a hospital spokeswoman told AFP on Wednesday.
Mr McCormack confided that the air was gradually escaping his body in the way that air usually does.A New Zealand truck driver who fell on a compressed air hose that pierced his buttock... more
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pdy
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