Posts by Andre Alessi

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  • Hard News: A solution in search of…,

    Russell, you are doing that grown-up left-brain stuff again. What did Deborah tell you about that? "... Prime Minister John Key says just because it's hard doesn't mean we shouldn't aspire to it."

    i can haz blogwar?

    I bet we can Rick Roll DHC more than she can Rick Roll us...

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Hard News: A solution in search of…,

    For the most part I agree, Russell. I think that McCully's using this whole thing to continue the game of financial chicken with all the other players to see who's going to say "Sure, we'll pay for it!" first.

    One minor quibble though:

    There aren't many bars and restaurants opening onto Quay Street. But surely that's what you'd put in the temporary structures. I imagine that Auckland's restaurants would be delighted to provide some of their fare in market-style stalls for a month. It really doesn't seem that hard.

    I have a bad feeling about this. A month is a hell of a long time to set up a temporary stall, and unless it's very tightly managed the area will get tatty quickly, which will drive people away (after all, they only need to walk ten minutes to get to permanent restaurants and bars.)

    Ambiance is the absolute key here, and the pessimist in me says this isn't going to be possible in an area with a lot of (probably intoxicated) foot traffic squished into it. More space + better space is the only way I can see this working out.

    Edit: And needless to say, I think that transport issues are still the elephant in the room here (after the funding stuff.) Thats' what's absolutely going to kill the experience for most people, even more than how much money was spent on any given building.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Death of Evidence,

    Giving Anderton a health job is like giving someone whose kid had been killed in the Army responsibility for defence.

    Taiho there, Rich. I'm no fan of Anderton's methods nor his (dubious) achievements, but I'm pretty sure the majority of his policy decisions come from a place of sincere conviction, not simply as knee-jerk reactions to his personal tragedies. Play the ball and not the man, and all that.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Death of Evidence,

    I disagree with that, entirely. New Zealand Governments over time have shown that evidence can be used healthily, in moderation.

    But only when over the age of 20, or 18 if accompanied by a guardian or while consuming a meal.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Death of Evidence,

    Maybe I'm being too generous :p

    Sadly, yes.

    Personally, I blame The West Wing for making me hope for more.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Up Front: Do My Homework For Me,

    And some world maps exclude New Zealand, go figure.

    To be fair, New Zealand seldom brings billions of women to orgasm.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Field Theory: Webstock, rollin' with heat,

    But if Felicia Day isn't going, why would I want to?

    ...oh, wait, that's w00tstock. Carry on, then.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Up Front: Do My Homework For Me,

    Silly women. Hush now, the grown-ups are talking.

    It's been linked before, but it deserves to be linked again.

    There goes the start of Consider Phlebas. Good book too.

    I was thinking the same thing when I reread that passage the other day.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Up Front: Do My Homework For Me,

    No, don't apologise. Having lived in Clive from age 8 thru 18, I can attest that Clive is indeed the most boring place in the country. And that's being kind.

    Agreed. I mean, I grew up in Hastings, and even that was a step up from Clive.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Island Life: What I saw at the step change.,

    Also OT, but my only reaction right now is wat?

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

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