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 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 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.