abel tasman trip

Well we are off tomorrow for another adventure. Sea kayaking and walking Abel Tasman. I will attempt to up date this as we go on our trip, but I don't know how often we will be near internet. Anyway watch this space.

Music with Jack Johnson

Just been reading an online article about Jack Johnson and his latest album "To the Sea" due to be released on the 1st of June, which I think I will purchase. I have not bought an album for so long. Part of the reason for this inclination is due to the down to earth feel I get from this 34 year old artist. He talks at interviews about his tours and that all the profits that is earnt from it go to a charity (him being the founder and not so he is rewarded but so he can keep an eye on it) for schools and production activities for others. This appeals to me. SOmeone who is giving back. SOmeone who has not lost sight of humanity and basically "being a good person". He's a thinker I reckon. He also considers why he would go on certain tv programs. He says if they are selling something he stays away. "If it feels like it's selling something, I always feel like I don't want my music to be involved," He says.
Two songs to look out for on the album that interest me anyway are Pictures of people taking pictures and My little girl. THe link where I read about this is.

http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/100508/5/itou.html

What Easter means for me

I watched this video and quite a few emotions started to well inside of me. Mostly about what man has done to man over history and with a little bit of insight into the story of Christ and his innocence and then to suffer such a painful death. The attachment I can have to this man through belief is quite profound. It is not a case of say it's not real or it is real it is a case of believing or not and as I search and derive meaning from the bible I find that my relationship with Jesus the risen saviour is increased. The video does not show it but CHrist has risen and is alive today.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=eb799088ad2c7bbbaff6

The good old narrative

The oscars have come and gone, but you can't get away from what most movies tell. It is a story, a narrative whether based on truth or experience or fantasy. I always wonder how they keep coming up with ideas. You see how I purposely removed the word new. The problem is that the majority of humans enjoy a narrative, with its introduction and character developments. The problem or conflict and then resolution with a ending that sometimes has a moral point to make or not. This video is a great example of how simplistic they can become. It is a parody, but simalarities can be seen. I think it's funny.

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever -- powered by Cracked.com

Remember the dancing mat?

This guy came up with a great idea to get people enjoying life. The video Where the hell is Mat? is great. Always gets me fired up with enthusiasm and energy. Some think it's just stupid and don't get it, but that's what makes life interesting. The fact that we are all different makes each of us interesting. This video is from the outtakes of the finished product. It takes work to achieve something awesome. It takes a few goes at it and it takes making a few mistakes or even making a fool of yourself.

Government policy sucks

This is the focus I believe that needs to be drilled home to the Government and the people of New Zealand. I reckon 80% of people out there are either too lazy to think or are so accepting of government policy. If it comes from the media or politicians well they know best. Think again. At the moment the National Government is relying on the 80% to stay like that and they use tactics that riddicule or marginalise the oppositions or others that would oppose their views.

I for one don't want to be in that 80% and if you are reading this then you probably would be offended by my comments earlier. That is the nature of the beast. Look at the contentious issues at the moment.

• Tax cuts and GST increases
• Raising the driving age
• National Standards for Primary schools

We complain about these things but hardly any of us have any back bone behind our complaining. We just sit there and say "What difference can I make?"

Well you can start by doing a bit of research on what the issues are. This will help you to make informative decisions. Stop just accepting the status quo. Think for yourself and act accordingly.

We will normally get passionate about things that are dear to our hearts, although we need to be open to support other injustices as well. Let's start with the National Standards. Have a look at this link www.handsupforlearning.org.nz

Anne Tolley our minister for Education is bullying our school representitives. See if you can find the article about how her ministers are threatening to fire Board of Trustees who don't implement the National Standards.

You might think "why should I care, I have no kids or my kids are all grown up?" You will be surprised to find that when you are informed on issues it gives freedom and gives you a right to express your thoughts.

If you are concerned about what the Government is doing with National Standards I recommend you print off the pettition that can be found in the above link and get your friends to sign it and send it off before the end of May. By doing this you can have a part in making a difference.

Trial National Standards Not Our Kids

Finding your element

I have begun reading Sir Ken Robinson's book, The Element- How finding your passion changes everything. The reason I picked up this book was that I have been concerned for some time about our education system. The book is a reflective look at who we are as human beings and how extraordinarily unique we can be if we don't just accept common assumptions about intelligence, creativity and education. I think it is a book that our politicians should read as they attempt to change our education system. He makes wonderful insights into what assumptions education is for. For example "...the education system as it is and what the Government in New Zealand wants to continue with stiffles some of the most important capacities that young people need to make their way in the increasingly demanding world of the 21st Century" (page 14) But our leaders continue to fall into the trap that there is only one method or way and that all students fall into the same standards, which increases conformity rather than creativity. Our Prime Minister talks about developing innovative and creative thinking and throwing money into this, but does not see the significance of being pro active in developing this in our education system.

When a child begins school, they are full of questions and wondering, but along their journey of education they learn that this is not accpetable and that they have to conform to a certain way of learning. The reason for this is because our leaders know best. No not true at all. No one knows what the future entails. What type of work and jobs will there be for our students? What ways of learning? We need to be dynamic and allow ourselves and our future citizens the right to find their own paths.

I think the previous Government got it right with the new NZ Curriculum, but the implementation of the National standards will drain away the depth and scope the curriculum has for discovering new ways of learning and will send us yet again into a slow boiling pot where we don't notice that we are being boiled alive. The question we should be asking ourselves and others is not How intelligent are you? but How are you intelligent. I will be doing this when I return to school.

If you are an advocate for freedom of speech and desire a day when one can develop and follow their passions then read this book and make a difference to our society and education system. I choose to. I plan to design a petition to parliment asking the public to stand with me and ask the Government to allow a time for trialling the NAtional Standards that has been forced into schools by what I see as bullying and short sightedness. And I can say that because our Education Minister as been reported as saying "If teachers do not implement the National Standards they are breaking the law" PLease make your comments.