Wake-up Call 2.0

Thought I would use Pete's reference to everything being 2.0 these days.

The most recent wake-up call for me was not in relation to my 5.45am alarm, but to a situation that I was in last week. A situation that involved two cultures: Maori and Pakeha.

Firstly I want to say that I (Pakeha) am all for Maori culture: I do not stereotype or put them in a societal box; it is more often the case that I defend them due to my annoyance of how some Pakeha's treat Maori.

All right so last Wednesday I had an awesome start to the day, everything was just honky dory: went for a walk along the beach then got ready to go to Hamilton. My friend came to pick me up. Where I live, my flatmate and I share a drive way with two other households. I knew that my friend would not be coming inside the house so told him to come down the driveway. As soon as this happened the front household decided to be obstructing and put his car in the driveway on purpuse. I did not realise that this was done on purpose, so I tottled over to their house and asked ever so nicely (even took my sunglasses off so he could see my eyes showcasing open, friendly body language), "Hi, can you please move your car". The old man (Maori) came to the door, angry and started having a go at me, saying that visitors park on the road (I was not aware of such a thing), I do not belong here, neither does my friend and that he can not come down the drive because he is tresspassing and so on.

Just a little bit more of a background. I have lived in my flat since April and have noticed that whenever Pakeha people come to visit and park down the drive (not obstructing anyone) the old man complains. Complains even to the point that when they do park on the road, not even near "their" grass frontage, he asks if (whoever has parked there) they are going to mow the grass. In actual fact it is council property.

This can only been seen as one thing: Racism!

I have never experienced racism; and have never had any animosity towards the neighbours.

It took our Landlord (who uses the same driveway and is Maori) to say that my friend and I are friends of his. Once this was said, everything seemed to be A-OK! But in actual fact it should not take someone to say this.

This instance had me shaking and made me realise, however on a larger scale, what Maori go through in terms of racism which can happen on a day to day basis. This is a generalisation, but racism is normally Pakeha towards Maori as they are perceived to be the minority.

Personally I think racism is wrong. Everyone should be seen as equals. What is it going to take for this to change?

Uncle Sam

While reading the NZ Herald online about the current economic downturn it made me think: why do we, little ol' New Zealand suffer economically when the US market is low or other markets around the world for that matter?

If we have our own government, shouldn't the government be in control of making the economy better instead of going in a downward spiral?

So many questions, but is there a simple answer. Maybe the government is doing something that I am unaware of: I can be ignorant of politics at times.

Westpac senior economist Doug Steel stated in an article on the lower food costs "We are a food exporter so with world food prices falling that is unequivocally bad for the country."

Are we not exporting our products to the right countries to get adequate finances to uphold the New Zealand economy? Or is it due to the New Zealand dollar against the green back (US currency) being low that we are unable to import the required products to aid in the production of food to be exported?

America is such a large country that has such a strong hold on the world. This makes me think back to a poem from high school about Uncle Sam, America in terms of the war, if I remember correctly.

Does each country have it's own voice or is Uncle Sam depicting what we can and can not do?

Any thoughts???

Recession?!? Are you prepared?

“A significant decline in general economic activity extending over a period of time.”http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=X&start=1&oi=define&ei=FSTQSJSvEZLQsAO6kqXPDg&sig2=xyxrny21NJimPM9AvQnbsA&q=http://www.argmax.com/About/articles.php%3Fname%3Dsaved/blr.htm&usg=AFQjCNEfPSAzQsIjrBToET67RKahKXbbTw

We read it in the papers; hear it on the radio; watch it on the television; and hear people talk about it in the café while sipping coffee.

This is a serious issue, but has it really hit as to the consequence that may stem from the economic recession. It is scary to think that people that would never have imagined they would end up in poverty could potentially be placed in an awkward position. I for one, a student, flatting in Papamoa, commuting to uni in Hamilton, and only working part time; am in a vulnerable position. This is where budgeting comes in to the equation. Westpac have a website providing tips for budgeting.

This recession does not only affect the individual, but businesses as well. What can these businesses do to help increase their revenue? It just so happens that I have a proposition for these businesses; promo. Promo in a way that will see client numbers increase. You may be thinking, how is that possible? It is all to do with the selection of people to help promote the product or the service. As the public have needs, wants and demands: these can be met by the use of promo models and cheerleaders. Promo models and cheerleaders have qualities that will aid in effective promoting. For example promo models and cheerleaders are to be friendly, approachable and most importantly adaptable to the product or service. That not only look good but they know the product or service.

The use of promo models and cheerleaders may just be what the business needs; a pr stunt as Ang points out in her latest blog.

So yes we are in a recession, but there is no need to dwell on the lack of finance with prices rising, but focus on making a difference, getting out there and achieving goals that you have set for yourself.