AmeriNZ 72 – Reconciliation

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Arthur

Episode 72 is now available, and it’s free no matter where you get it from. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

I begin with a discussion of the Australian Prime Minister finally saying “sorry” to Aborigines. After a sound clip and some explanation, I include the special perspective of a guest commentator, an Australian who talks about how this was received, then about the topic of compensation and more. How does all this compare to New Zealand? From there it’s on to a talk about iTunes and a real surprise. That gives me a chance to tell you a bit more about where I’m coming from. Comments round out today’s episode.

From my perspective, this is what podcasts are all about—real people talking about what’s really happening, without the mainstream media filtering it. Let me know what you think.

Leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Links for this episode

Blue Savannah by Erasure iTunes USA Store or iTunes NZ Store. You can also buy Blue Savannah through Amazon.com.

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AmeriNZ 72 - Reconciliation [ 29:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 39 – Friends and Neighbours

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Arthur

Episode 39 is now available. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

It’s been a very busy few days since Episode 38. Among other things, I was a guest on CallBox7. I also made my first-ever guest post on another site, Slap Upside the Head.

Today, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Australian Parliament, the first Canadian Prime Minister to do so. He made some comparisons of Canada with Australia that were more apt as a comparison of Canada with New Zealand. He also talked about 9/11.

Meanwhile, NZ and the US have taken small steps toward closer relations.

Also, a foreign government hacked NZ government computers. Some famous people died. Results of my movie poll, feedback and more.

Update: Podomatic did something odd with the upload of this episode, starting the file again after about three minutes. So, feel free to skip the first three minutes to avoid hearing it again. It’s not often that the uploaded file turns out different from the finished version sitting on my computer, but it has happened before. Not my fault, exactly, but probably in keeping with my luck lately.

Update 2: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has avoided a challenge to his leadership of his party and will remain prime minister. Pundits say it’s likely that Howard will lead his right wing coalition government into the upcoming Australian elections in which he will face the Australian Labor Party under Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd. Opinion polls currently have Howard’s team running about 15 points behind the ALP.

Mentioned in this episode:

CallBox 7

Slap Upside the Head

Archerr’s toaster crumbs video

US-NZ relationship on table

NZ spies uncover cyber attacks

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AmeriNZ #39 - Friends and Neighbours [ 28:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 26 – Good and Bad

Posted on July 17, 2007 by Arthur

Episode 26 is now available. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

So far, I’ve talked about good things about New Zealand (and I think there are a lot). So, maybe, out of balance, I should talk about the bad things. Trouble is, to me there really isn’t anything that’s all that bad. Maybe I could mention the negativity among some people. Or maybe news media sloppiness, or the weird crusades of NZ’s biggest newspaper, Auckland’s New Zealand Herald. For me, that’s about it.

New Zealand’s Parliamentary sessions are now streamed on the Internet at www.parliament.govt.nz (or the direct link here).

I catch up on comments from the past two episodes, and tell another new story, this time centred on San Francisco. The final air conditioning update.

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AmeriNZ 26 - Good and Bad [ 35:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 24 – Stormy

Posted on July 10, 2007 by Arthur

Episode 24 is now available. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

The bad weather is continuing in New Zealand, and today it’s affecting the top of the North Island (and the weather has become worse since I recorded this). Last week’s bad weather in Taranaki was worse than first thought.

Listener comments give me the chance to expand a little on some of last episode’s points, then listener Walt asks some questions that I haven’t answered before, and I spend most of this episode answering them. You’ll learn a bit more about me as an expat, and maybe a bit more about what that feels like to me.

The ending song is by the same group that ended last Friday’s episode. It’s called “A Mini Constellation Remix #1” and it’s by Spring Heeled Jacks Original Swinging Jass Band (their MySpace page is here), part of the Podsafe Music Network.

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AmeriNZ 24 - Stormy [ 32:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 23 – Get Thru

Posted on July 6, 2007 by Arthur

Episode 23 is now available. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

Today I talk about preparedness for an emergency, which is important in a geologically active country like New Zealand. This was prompted by a mailer from the government we received the other day. The “Get Ready, Get Thru” campaign is designed to help people prepare for natural disaster. I talk about some of what that means for ordinary New Zealanders. As it happens, some unusual tornadoes struck New Zealand this week. I also talk a bit about how it was for me, coming from the Midwest of America where tornadoes and winter storms were the main threat—apart from the New Madrid Fault. A theory about problems with uploading. Incidental music at the beginning is by Nick Murray from the Podsafe Music Network, and the closing song is by Spring Heeled Jacks Original Swinging Jass Band, also from the Podsafe Music Network. Leave a comment or send an email to ameriz[at}yahoo.com.

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AmeriNZ 23 – Get Thru [ 27:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 18 – Tuesday Ketchup

Posted on June 19, 2007 by Arthur

A power failure tonight delayed this podcast. Very rare, but it happens.

Episode 18 is now available. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

This episode has nothing to do with ketchup (or catsup, or tomato sauce, as it’s called in New Zealand). It’s a miscellaneous show. I talk about how local governments are elected, and about what Kiwis mean when they talk about a city like Auckland or whatever. Lots of comments, including some I missed from the Podomatic site. A few odds and ends at the end of the podcast. Did I mention that I have a very special guest on my Friday podcast?

Read the article about White House emails I mentioned here.

The list of New Zealanders’ favourite and most hated films can be seen here (forgot the link last time).

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AmeriNZ 18 – Tuesday Ketchup [ 33:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 14 – Every Queen’s Birthday

Posted on June 1, 2007 by Arthur

Episode 14 is now available. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

I recorded this episode early so that I could post it on Friday. I’ll talk about comments on Episode 13 and this episode next time.

Monday is Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday in New Zealand, even though her real birthday is April 21. It’s the only public holiday between Easter Weekend and Labour Day at the end of October.

Queen Elizabeth, as Queen of New Zealand, is Head of State. She’s the only person in the world who is monarch of more than one independent nation. Parliament actually runs the country, which is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is represented in New Zealand by the Governor General, who is appointed by Parliament.

It’s probably inevitable that New Zealand will become a republic, but the new head of state is unlikely to be a US-style president. There’s no urgency to any change however, which is probably many years away

Queen’s Birthday was a kind of gay holiday, a kind of second birthday for everyday queens. That’s probably less common than it used to be. But it’s still a day off for everyone.

Matt Blender’s AIDS Marathon donation page.

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AmeriNZ 5 – The Lands Downunder

Posted on April 27, 2007 by Arthur

Episode five of my podcast is now available. You can also listen to it on my MySpace page

This week I talk about New Zealand as it relates to Australia. This was motivated, in part, by Anzac Day bloggage.

Australia and New Zealand are very different from one another. Some people want a common currency, others want total union. Neither is going to happen. I follow up on that survey about gay neighbours, and I’m even more suspicious of the numbers. JoeMyGod responds to my comment. Can’t avoid mentioning racism.

Australian dubbing of TV commercials is goofy.

There are some changes in my life ahead, which don’t really affect this podcast. But should I add another show?

Mentioned on this show:

Slap Upside the Head story on gay neighbours

The National Post article

Joe.My.God. post on gay neighbours

Real Men Wear Pink

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AmeriNZ Podcast 5 – The Lands Downunder [ 32:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 4 – Poppy Day

Posted on April 20, 2007 by Arthur

It’s Poppy Day in New Zealand in preparation for Anzac Day. I talk about both and other things, like more on language, some “shout outs”, and heating homes in New Zealand. I did a pre-recorded thing about ANZAC Day at end, and the sound is a bit wonky. I’ll get better.

Mentioned on this show:

Tim Corrimal of Go Rainbow Radio and There Are Some Who Call Me Tim

Mike Hipp of PodcastSoup.net

JayT of JayT Online

Slap Upside the Head

Archerr of ArcherRadio.com

Article on gay neighbours

17 degrees Celsius = 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit

Official Anzac Day site

NZ History Online information on Anzac Day

Update: I’m on Archerr’s ArcherRadio #435, which you can get to by clicking here.

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