82 NOT OUT Aug 18.

Been wondering –is it just my age that brings certain issues to my notice?

First Question –Is it just Not Outers noticing that there is  a current tsunami glut of funeral insurance ads on our tele screens at present.?Another thought-are insurers cashing in on the escalating FEAR and DREAD trembling round the country when the China Sea is mentioned?

Guess main reason for such  ads is that many eyes have been glued to the Olympic screen wonder show where many a trip, fall or triumph  calculated in nanno seconds holds the attention of millions.

Whilst Australia like other countries rejoices on the daily national medal tally I’ve had some reflective thoughts.Of course for  myself some special memorable highlights. The first being -

Bulla,Bulla Yeah!Yeah! Yeah! Fiji-a First Gold medal for thisPacific nation. The Sevens team deserve a national holiday on return home! Thumbs up my Pacific brothers and the sisters cheering them on. Grass or should I say coral root success story.

Then tears in my eyes for the appearance  of  Refugee Olympic Team –allpower to those who made this possible.

Now the profound stuff –

What sort of message does this Olympics send the world when everyday Brazilians can’t afford the spectator seats a great percentage of which have not been sold? Isn’t something out of kilter in the fact that only now are these being made available to host country folk?

Interesting too that PEN reports that since 2004  24 bloggers and print journalists have been murdered in Brazil.The majority of these crimes remain fully or partially unsolved.

At least in Australia I don’t need to explore funeral insurance because I have freedom when I blog.  If I say I was not  impressed to see P.M. Turnbull hastily acknowledging and addressing a kerb person obviously in need of cash –I am free to say so. I’ll add that it appeared to be a convenient media shot too. It actually upset me tremendously because it came across as a condescending gesture  to a poor man made by an affluent VIP in a hurry.

Point is though that I can write  that and not be arrested or detained or maybe  lost forever before reaching another Not Outer birthday.

Now talking of writing which is what I think I  do best in life – I recently  read a web article by Beth Bacon ‘11 Ways to Overcome Marketing Dread’. Many others who think that writing is the best thing they do in life could consider and  take to heart two of her pieces of advice: Consider Your Book Your Business  and  this one is best of all ‘Make It Fun’ The latter sure has worked for me!

I always remember Brecht said to say the serious through comedy.

Here’s one of my recent poems re- one of the most important issues in current discussion today:

Pass on, network but acknowledge writer please.

Regrettable   229words  Hazel Menehira.

“Regrettable event... tut tut...”  screen  politician states.

“Tut tut ...Indeed regrettable.” echo his fellow peers .

“We demand some action,” marching street crowds call

“It’s time for action... action... no more rhetoric please. 

Just end prolonged detention for all these refugees.”

.

“How come Australia hasn’t fixed this stuff ? ”

bright school girl asks in class.

“A detainee sets self alight before some VIP’s, 

explain how just ‘regrettable’ is this?

will someone tell me please?”

“We stopped the boats.” class nerd boy yells

“What next were we to do?” 

Girl glares,“ Not  lock them up  for years off shore ,

So folk conveniently forget just what they came here for?”

Wise teacher intervenes, “We have a lesson here.

Problems you leave or hide away don’t simply disappear

they can compound, become complex, difficult to solve.”

Class philosopher then speaks up,

“If we recognise we blew it, it could be time to say, 

let’s set this record straight- find  new strategies today.”

“Fine.” teacher steps in. “Assignment  for  tonight.  

Each draft a letter, express your views , outline one plan or more

for changes re - detention of refugees offshore.”

Groans followed,“ Uurgh, Tuesday’s training night...

urgh, we’re  not into issues Sir--”

Head high girl glares at class then gives a swift reply

“Now listen all you stupid guys maybe it’s time you were.”

 Now the winning Tropical Writers Short Short Festival story I promised last blog.The theme was a tricky one- A zookeeper,an elephant and a love story.

Barriers.   500words.

Samuel was a zoo man extraordinaire. Ungainly and exceptionally strong, the pockets of his Brendon Heights Zoo dungarees bulged with bits of metal. Bolts, screws, nuts, nails, and a motley assortment of small tools lived on him.

As both a youngster and teen Samuel had walked the zoo beside his handy man father. He gained knowledge, practical skills and know- how by osmosis. When his aged father was rest-homed Samuel inherited the zoo position. Advice drummed into him for years was  repeated on rest home visits.

            “Samuel. You let them eddicated vets and keepers deal with them animals. It don’t mean ya don' care about chimps, lions and elephants. Cos ya do...and ya show it because ya keep em safe inside. ”

            “There’s new trainee keepers,” said Samuel.

            “Huh. Trainees come and go boy...their job is the animals ... yours is keeping the whole zoo secure... running like a new Ford. Check everything.”

 He checked and double checked enclosures, cages, locks, chains, barriers, doors, machinery, but never sacrificed time to engage with animals or staff. Calm and capable he conversed little in the staff cafeteria unless approached to fix or mend a problem.

            The day he found himself bent over the cafeteria grill his life changed direction. Across the appliance his blue eyes locked into the questioning stare of two soft brown ones, He found it hard to concentrate. Something new rippled deep inside him. He thought he would explode as he fumbled in his pockets under her gaze, but all the bits of metal in the world could not protect him. After 43 years Samuel was falling in love.

             Cafeteria empty, the small quiet woman with grey curls made him coffee.

            “Nari. I’m Nari. Thanks for fixing,” she said.

            “Oh,   Going good now.” he responded. Then after a pause.  

 “ Samuel,”  he offered departing. Resuming work he wondered all day if he should have offered his hand.

He was drawn to prolong his coffee breaks to watch her absorbed in kitchen tasks. They passed few words until he discovered Nari spent all her free time by the elephant enclosure and he began to join her there on a regular basis.

            “Samuel. I love elephants. Make me happy. ..Remind me of young days in Vietnam village before life in new country. Elephants here same as me...not free but cared for.”

Gradually Nari confided in Samuel that she was a widow living with her cousins.

            “They good people –they protect, care for me but I not free... only here at work Samuel”

He wanted to cuddle and carry her home with him. But how to express himself?

Always practical he found a perfect birthday gift for Nari and set it on her veranda.

Within hours his phone rang.

“Samuel...Samuel ...the big coloured elephant. Family very upset. He is Hindu Ganesha. God of new beginnings. My family not Hindu. They say come collect him please- put on your lawn. Oh I love you Samuel so you collect me too please.”

Thanks and blessings to you all for reading my stuff. Next time I’ll tell you some secrets about my SPIN INTO DRAMA BOOK soon to be launched.            

82 Not Out!   dont miss this!!!Blog July 20

Yes, I know. I have been slack-but you dear readers will be pleased to know that 82 Not Out! is back on deck –and is actually another year older. Retaining the blog name because  I like the sound of it. 83 Not Out would sound a little desperate I think –not quite  ‘cricket’.

So here we go again. 

Can’t tell you how many notes and jottings I have made since last blog published. Desk and lazyboy strewn with them. Some are now past sale by date but here goes...

Best news -Elections OVER!!!!!

All I can say is it was the best reality show circus on tv ever. MY firm personal deep understanding of KARMA remains intact.- a brand new unpredictable senate has come back to bite the wag of the dog that dumped it!

Best viewing throughout the election period was watching the body language as smiles and out turned  palms turned to clenched teeth and heavy fists. Now we are back into watching condescending supercilious teacher politician mode on  screen.

Oh I must add that I am a British and N.Z. citizen so didn’t vote...so yes... I am in no position  to judge democracy in action.

TheTweets on Q and A make great viewing! Some showing wit and intelligence that beats the panel speaking, shouting, over each other.

But really-   an Inquiry into Islam?  Why not into Christianity? Hinduism? Yoruba? That is just craziness and ignorance and lack of personal inquiry and study. Read, read, read and take time to study and absorb comparative religion and history. The family tree history and branches of all religions is amazing...lots of extremists  and  wars throughout there believe me.

OK. No more today on politics or religion. It is a combination that can be stressful to bring into any discussion as people (like myself) get emotionally charged up. Example-  you should have heard me after watching fine piece of reporting by Jane Bardon  called  ‘A Big Mob in the  House’on indigenous housing in Arnham Land –what an idictment on society  that scenario is.

Back to Stress...pets in the USA cities  are on anti-depressants...does that surprise you?  Think about  it ...We humans are so concerned about stress on pets, stress on whales, stress on crocodiles on  bears on tigers  as we plough through their environment  and  now down under one of our cities is going to install large metal ferns for trees!! So so artistic! Leave us our green please. We humans are animals too!

Thanks for reading through so far. I’m not always outspoken...I lead a laid back unsocial lifestyle writing stories  or poetry. Next blog I’ll tellyou about the Poets  on Beaches amazing workshop I tutored at the visually stunning Kewarra Beach Resort.Having won the last two short  short monthly comps for the CTWF. Go to  the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival web page. And get ready for the August festival...Oh back to the short short  stories hope you will enjoy this one. On the theme Emma and the Bagman.

 It’s called Poster Man.

Poster Man.    Tiny shorts story. 447 words.    HazelMenehira

Lean in black leather Garcia rested a studded boot on a crumbling wall beside the remote market square. A nonchalant smile quivered over the lined sensuous face beneath the black sombrero brim.

 His keen vision targeted a spindly unkempt young girl trailing behind a corpulent nun. They were threading their way through market stalls toward the mission church beyond the fountain.

Garcia watched as Sister Roza ignored the seven-year-old charge who tugged at her gown imploring that they rest on the fountain steps.

“Emmamaria we late. You rest outside mission child.”

The girl frowned and dragged her feet. She was hot, thirsty and miserable. It had been a long dusty walk from the orphanage.

Then quite unexpectedly her face and attitude changed. She had glimpsed the marionette master entertaining with his colourful dancing puppets.

“Here. Here. Please... please Sister Roza. Look how they dance. Here. I rest here. Won’t  move. Here, I stay here.”

Emmamaria glared with defiance- but in habitual cunning fashion crossed herself demurely. Also hot and thirsty Sister Roza was exasperated. Eager to arrive on time for her business meeting she capitulated with a strong stare.

          “Not an inch. You hear me. Not an inch girl.”

Then she waddled off.

A skilful  modern bandito Garcia had no problem befriending Emmamaria. He loved little girls and also marionette shows. It was a breeze for him to lure, and abduct her.Life-experienced in important bandito matters - robberies, drug running, hostages-  he  also stole her favourite puppet.

          A delighted Emmamaria filled with tacos, oranges and soda pop was ensconced in the passenger seat of Garcia’s sleek but rusty black Cadillac. She dozed, sang or chatted happily for hours as they sped across the border.

          “I’m Emmamaria.  Emma for short. Who you?”

          “Me? Garcia Del Fiamenderamonez. Most wanted bandito poster man on planet,” he quipped. 

          “Long name,” said Emma.

          “Call me Bag man.”

          “Funny name too... well... where we go Bag man?”

          “Here,” he answered as they pulled into a city car park behind a flash tourist hotel. “My woman. She work here. Her name  Emma too.”

          “Yeah?”

          “Yeah.... She cleans, changes beds, handles laundry in basement. She cross border to city years ago. I do truck driver work then. I pick up laundry bags at backdoor. We talk. She tell me ’bout you. She first to call me Bag man. I take you back to your mother.”

THE END –next Blog some poems and another story.Blessings to you all Hzl

Oh Big news...just published my 16th book Spin Into Drama 

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR   and REMARKABLE   based on writing exercise TW Jan30 2016 397 words.

Great –school holidays, all the tribe away having their own holiday experience. Few visitors, few business commitments, few packed mall visits, For this 82 Not Outer it is time for reflection, reading, writing, watching favourite movies once again.

Whatever our age school holidays impact on the regular rhythm of lives. How that impact changes throughout our years. I’ve been reflecting on the phases I have experienced myself.

Before 1946 my British junior school holidays were muddy and weary ones. They were full of potato picking. 1 have cloudy memories of trundling along behind a tractor for the war effort and long hours of tedious rose hip picking for the syrup to keep us healthy

Teen years brought more exciting school holidays .Certainly more amorous. Each time I was sent to stay with relatives I fell rapturously in love. The strange boy next door to my Grandparents...the strong handsome Welsh farm boy on the top of his hay cart (he became a preacher by the way ) and topping them all my first underground war hero Yves Gouyet in the  Channel Islands. Of course he has a chapter in my memoir.

Recapping on the lengthy decades of school holidays as a mother of four it is all a mish-mash of never ending planning, BUDGETING, preparing and actioning camping trips, Folk club and New Age festivals...soccer and surfing events...ballet, drama and fishing competitions huis and other Maori celebrations. Even exchanging houses was squeezed into a chaotic often dysfunctional lifestyle. That proved disastrous when tools my boys had appropriated from the garage had to be mailed back to owners. What sort of mother did they have anyway?? The sort searching the neighbourhood ..you know her the hippy one who often set off without all the kids in the packed up car!!

Thanks to professional work lifestyle budgeting and planning eased in my Grandmother school holiday phase and it became a mission to accompany grandchildren to explore new pastures and adventures. Often it was large groups of exchange students like my Rainbow Theatre and White Rock school drama students-but that’s in my memoir too.

Now as a great grandmother I’m back at my opening paragraph...and it is time to relax with a cup of tea to select today’s favourite DVD. Oh my goodness school hols are over and there goes the phone.Twice a;ready.Dammit!  JUst when I wanted to write this amazing story. Do read on!!!!!!!!!!!!!

82 Not Out!                                                                614 words.Hazel Menehira.

REMARKABLE  

Yes, this is an extraordinary story about a remarkable man.

That I am writing this today is also remarkable.

Let me explain.

During the recent Christmas –New Year festive and holiday season I had plenty of time to write and think. Updating a series of text books kept my concrete mind on track –but that creative writing spark remained alive. Without effort I reflected on amazing people who had threaded the rich tapestry of my life.

Somewhere I read that even one brief meaningful meeting with a person may be life changing or unforgettable. At the beginning of this month one such 20 minute meeting in 1987 came clearly into view and I recalled always wanting to write about this man. A name continued to resonant. It would not leave me alone.  Life often moves us on too swiftly to follow up such writing urges when they occur. I had never made any further contact with him in the 80’s or 90’s or since but the name John Trudell kept dinging away in my mind during recent December and this month. At last I typed in his name and discovered that he had ‘walked on’ a few weeks earlier on December 8 2015. He must have been nudging me from some distant plane to finally write something.

John Trudell.  It is not a name that all readers will be familiar with. You will know it after reading this. Maybe it will ring a bell when I tell you that this Santee Dakota poet was one of the Native American students activists involved in the occupation of Alcatraz Island. November 20, 1969 to June 11, 1970.This amazing occupation eventuated in a manifesto We Hold the Rock, and book, Alcatraz is Not an Island.It led to the American Indiian Movement in Minneapolis.

For me personally his name is synonymous with the courage in action that was all part of the spiritual and metaphysical renaissance that established the New Age.

John Trudell devoted his life and talent  to indigenous human rights-but that is not all the full breadth of his story as I discovered, when as  naive Kiwi I walked head on into the first two day April 1987  New Age Expo in Santa Barbara. Whale songs were playing, crystals galore glittered and a galaxy of stalls for meditation, health and healing, provided invitations and workshops galore to open the heart mind and soul.

It was heady stuff. Unusual chanting sounds led me toward a stall where I purchased an audio tape of spoken poetry. It is called Tribal Voice and  it is the first John Trudell/ tape released in 1983 on his own Peace Company label. It is his poetry set to traditional Native American music The previous year he had released the chap book Living in Reality. 

Trudell’s passion for the oral tradition of indigenous people struck a chord with me instantly. My strong affiliation with Maori and a keen awareness of the movement for recognition of Te Reo  (Maori language)–setting up of Kohanga Reo (learning pre-school nests and later full Maori language schools) - plus the challenge of fulfilling land rights as written in the Treaty of Waitangi were all dear to my heart. 

Now for the big heart breaking story I learned that day.

I recall the tears in my eyes when I learned that John’s pregnant wife Tina, their three children and their grandmother died in a suspicious fire February 1979 in Nevada. Within 24 hours of this tragedy John Trudell burned an American flag on the steps of the Washington FBI building.

What a story and what a truly remarkable man. I am proud to have honoured him by writing this.  Read more about John Trudell  - actor,poet,activist.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/12/08/remembering-life-and-legacy-john-trudell-162697

82 Not Out!   Godwag's Box

82 Not Out! is not only NOT OUT but Kicking off Frid. Jan  1 2016 with this short story for you....enjoy...an outrageous blog in a few days.

Godwag's Box    short story 203 words    Hazel Menehira.

Godwag’s Box  Hazel Menehira   Friday Jan 1 2016   11a.m.

Godwag prepared to open the box for another look.

            Hair curled, moustache combed, pearly teeth brushed, celebratory strapless dress zipped up, Godwag shivered with anticipation.

This was more than a festive season gift box. Inside was a handmade creation of a golden globe planet of magnificent promise and potential.

On the edge of his cloud bunk Godwag lifted the edge flaps of the cardboard to peep inside. 

It was horrifying. His ears screamed with intense and inescapable pain. The escaping buzzing babble of billions of confused voices intermingled with heart wrenching sobs, piercing screams, sporadic gun shots and droning missiles strikes was intolerable.

Godwag’s eyes welled up with anger, sorrow and astonishment.

Her glorious dream globe was stuffed up.

Soft orchestral sweeping tones, the laughter of playful children blending with birds and animal harmonies had been replaced by a torrent of abhorrent terror.

Box closed, Godwag nestled against his cloud.

‘How could this have happened?’ she mused, then ‘Humans of course,’’ he said aloud. After a couple of calm me down whiskies, blasé logic took over.

‘Oh well.’ murmured Godwag. ‘I blame myself. I should never have made them in my own image –Fucking humans!’

No you can't leave comments but you can email me (specially if you want to publish it..got lots more too!!!)hzlmango@bigpond.com

82 NOT OUT! 

Hope you like that sassy new Not Outer heading- just trying out  new looks ready  for 2016...anyway got heaps to tell you in the next blog so keep tuning in!

Bestest News right now is that I survived Christmas and Boxing Day...wore a new cheap as chips  online red/white  polka special  dress day...and unbelievable unwrapped a friendly beach friend's gift and it was red/white polka dotted coffee mugs complete with Chai Latte !

You couldn't do better at any Boxing Day sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other Good News - CaptainCurlew is on guard for Mrs Curlew and his chick....Boy someDad's coyuld learnfrom that!!!!!!

Anyway much more next blog...I know you just can't wait for it!!!Byeeeeee

Blessings to you all....Keep breathing not outers don't holdyour breath waiting for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

82 Not Out!....

is hanging in there!!! with only two sleeps (at least four toilet trips! during them) before Christmas Day. Believe me hanging in there is the only way for Not  Outers to cope with the mad  speeding farcical  hype treadmill that the season has become...out there...nd out there really means beyond the safety of ones comfort zone!!!! So  Not Outer friends hang on to your  lazy boys, your laptops
your   teabags and your carers because thats the survival strategy for2015.

Yes, 2016 will soon be upon us and don't believe everything THEY (oh you know who THEY is don't you? -its everyone out there who is younger,richer and  more mobile than you!!!) tell you about how marvellous the future  will be for you now that they can land a super rocket and re-use the expensive parts of it...All we seem to hear is  more rhetoric about strategies for getting rid of guns...ending wars and working globally to figure out what to do about the million millions of displaced people, starving babies and islands facing living on the sea floor.

So hang in there Not Outers keep breathing and we can watch what 2016 really brings...like paying out of pocket for your blood tests and scans.
ENUFF MOANING let's actually write a blog today!!!

THE GOOD STUFF IS
Grandmothers are fabulous!!! Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children are making a stand for changes to Government policies...fabulous Go Grandmothers!!!!
Advances in genetic science research have made great strides finding biological pathways that cause muscular degeneration...all great news for Parkinsons....

Just heard that a mans group has been formed in Melbourne to collect women in dangerous violent situations and take them to safety zones and safehomes. Wonderful!!
And here's a true tale about my own protector!!
Having decided against having  a dog or cat I have been taken over holus bolus by a territorial and demading curlew. No one can come down the  path between thebeautiful trees  to the back door of the unit.anymore!!!!!! Amazing...even my Chrissy visitors have hurried away or been rescued ( so no prezzies get waylaid) after being scared off by the wide flapping wings and stance of this protector.

He she or it is feisty bird...it is either a male guarding all femails at No3 or Mum watching chicks some where. This may be a nothing event  for born and bred Aussies but its a new one on me!!!  Ilike the Captainmore than the last snake that called by!!!!

Here’s the pic and gen of Captain Curlow...xxx hzl -so you know  I am not into writers imagination here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_stone-curlew.

BIGGEST WTF IS THIS STUFF?
I can't believe that TWO  applications had to be made to the Immigration Department to allow a dying young man's mother and family to be with him  in Australia during the short  time he has left and to be by his bedside when he passes away.

Well guys it is 5 p.m.and guess thats it for today. Have a simple peaceful Christmas...oh one of the unexpected visitors that got past Captain Curlew  yesterday brought me a wondrous Chrissy gift - one of  the first (still green) lemons of her own planted tree.- beautiful with a shiny silver rosette on the top of it!!! Such a Pagan offering!!!What created device could better that???? Blessings to you and yours wherever you are in the world...tune in again in a fewdays.  Hzl/

82 Not Out!  is definitely not out as she meets the challenge around  the hype and commecialism of the festive season.You can catch up and read my blog below this one on that challenge.   

Wow I am exploringhow to use headings ,fonts and colour on this blog...woweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Is this normal? it says so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So ..
.
The Good News is-  
only 22 more days... (sorry couldn't resist that  one)
Now I think this is really worth noting - Hurrah and whoopee and thanks to the  Cairns Council ( I  presume it is them or it?)that has made the entrance to the Centennial Lakes
look so appealing...wonderful..and a picturesque place to sit in the shade to reflect on...where did that croc once pictured here amongst those superb lilies  finally go???????.wish I could place a pic of the lake here but actually it is the lake on the front of my Vocal Enrichment book if you have one...if you haven't why not??? you  can even ebook it ynder my name on Amazon...in fact you can ebook all my 14  books that way....BUT  I SAID I WOULDN"T USE THIS BLOG FOR THAT TYPE OF PROFILING SO-
Not sure what has happened to my font choice or colour here  but ...oh well life is full of surprises-just with the click ofa mouse too!!!.
Moving on - this is  not released yet - but it appears my Poets on Beaches workshops  next year for writers in the region may be ALL GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sothats superb news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Other goodnews is ....only 22 more days to..................................so movingon again...
THE BAD NEWS is THE BAD NEWS is plentiful. Here's just a couple cos we don' t want an overkill do we!!!-we get that every day.World-wide. 
Now I really think this should be  WTF IS THIS? NEWS because I can't believe that Australia should be known as a non regional leader.by Pacific Islands facing horrific stuff about submerging into the same Pacific Ocean due to climate change  That's what we are being termed because of our stance in the global climate  talks.- and it makes me feel ashamed of  this country.that I love living in..but by the way I'm also pretty proud of Aotearora.the fine beautiful country that's too cold for my bones-because its tyopofthepiops when it cvomes to caringabout the P.Islands.
YesAus can givemoney...but hey guys that money's coming out of the budget destined for other overseas aid...so robbing Peter to pay Paul aint a good look whatever which way you look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Thats it! said enuff....do want to talk about large corps websites (like Amazon yes.and My Age Care Plan..)which are so so so so so hard to find ones way round....and also   this is really important if someone can do anything about it ...(n next 22 days  would be good!)
Is there aPost Officein Australia with a seat and desk for Not Outers to write o nall those labels we have to fill in to send a kidabook by mail???
I askedin one Post Shop yesterday and finally said I'd try to leave one in my will!!!!! Actually I was givenlots of other assistance...you know why...the internet was down and so was the customer queue sooldiescouldn't get money or shopping yesterday....its toughout there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! blessings from Hzl  oh email if you enjoy this blog  hzlmango@bigpond.com