Whitesnakes Thoughts

Stop the World I want to get off.

2021-10-22T03:13:00.001+13:00

With all that is going on in the world the state of my mental health has been suffering. The constant bombardment of articles about Covid and how we are all going to die if we don't do this or that is relentless as it is futile.

I saw my GP who offered medication, counselling and the obligatory "only you can change your thought process". All of which I have done before with minimal success. I know what to do, I know all about different techniques, they just don't seem to resonate with me.

If I could stop the world I would get off for a while but I can't so I didn't, well not literally.

I did do it in my head and took time to think about why I get so worked up over things I have no control over.

I am old school and the old school doesn't fit in well with today's society.

I was taught how to think not what to think I value honesty and integrity and my word is my bond. I have the skill of using common sense which appears to have been lost over the years. My expectations/standards in regards to everyday life are high and I have always been accountable for my actions and hence my conflict. I am trying to fit into a world that has become foreign to me and I fear I will lose myself.

So in my mind, I stop the world and get off, remind myself of all the good traits I have (that are tried and tested) realise that just because I live in a forever changing world I don't have to conform nor change I merely have to go along for the ride on this ship of fools.

Author

Steve Boddey

I can't wear a mask.

2021-10-06T01:25:00.000+13:00

When Covid first came along I thought the NZ Government did a good job initially however somewhere along the line the wheels fell off and the Government fell into the land of Nod.

I can't wear a mask for medical reasons and those reasons are between my GP and me. I should not have to explain or justify it to anyone else but alas I cannot go anywhere without the stigma of ridicule and finger-pointing. So I stay home and become frustrated and irritated with life and the world we live in.

Not anymore!

The Ministry of Health website Mask Exemption information is a complete joke. It has/had a PDF to download (an A4 size) I am exempt from wearing a face-covering that anyone can print out. A more professional thing to do was/is to have your GP authorise the Ministry of Health to supply a Mask Exemption Card with your name on it. All you need then is some ID if asked.

The one place I didn't expect to be harassed about not wearing a mask, is the hospital and by harassed I mean constantly being told by the charge nurse they had no knowledge of any Mask Exemption Card even when I produce it. I had left my GPs exemption letter at home and ended up catching a cab home to get it all while my wife was on a heart monitor.

We had come to the hospital via ambulance (whose staff had no problem with me not wearing a mask).

I made a complaint and although apologetic they claim to be following the procedure/policies of the Health Board who had no knowledge of Mask Exemption.

I find that very hard to believe as my GP had given me a mask exemption letter, my local butcher was aware of the mask exemption card and I didn't have to cancel my optometrist appointment as they too were aware of mask exemptions.

This experience has triggered my memories of bullying in the workplace which resulted in my inability to work. So now I relive those times over and over and yes I am seeking help but due to lock-down that is a few weeks away.

I have a Mask Exemption card and my GPs letter of exemption which I now carry in my wallet and if I want to go somewhere I call ahead and ask if it is ok to come.

I shouldn't have to go through this and I dread to go think how many other people have similar experiences.

Author

Steve Boddey

Fuck being offended.

2021-04-01T15:37:00.005+13:00

When people are offended they want someone to come in and say “Stop That”

There are some people I might wish to offend.

So the idea you have to be protected from uncomfortable emotion is one I absolutely do not subscribe to.

If people can’t control their own emotions, they have started trying to control other people’s behaviour.

When you are around super sensitive people (snowflakes) you cannot relax or be spontaneous because you have no idea what will upset them next.

Political correctness has gone from being a good idea to the point where any form of criticism of any individual or group can be labelled cruel.

If you start saying “Oh we mustn’t offend them!” then as far as I am concerned you’re living in (George Orwell’s) 1984.

Trump vs Anti-Trump

2020-09-26T20:12:00.004+12:00

This sums up a conversation with anyone that hates or disagrees with POTUS. One can never have a sensible, honest nor responsible discussion without being called out for all those big words they come up with.

Literally every conversation I've had with a Trump hater about the upcoming election:

Hater: 
I can't wait to get Donald Trump out of office.
Me: 
Why?
Hater: 
Why?!?! Don't tell me you don't think he colluded with Russia!
Me: 
According to Robert Mueller's exhaustive, multi-million-dollar investigation, there was no evidence of that. But there was evidence that the Obama administration spied on him and his campaign using the FBI and falsely creating the hoax.

Hater: 
Well, he said he'd repeal and replace Obamacare. What happened to that?
Me: 
Well, he removed the tax penalty which removes the mandate. Congress now just has to move with its replacement. He can't do it by Executive Order. You do know Obama had very little to do with the writing of the ACA, right? Not to mention that Trump signed 4 executive orders to cut insulin and prescription drug prices significantly.

Hater: 
Well, he said he'd build a wall and Mexico was gonna pay for it. Haha. What happened to that?
Me: 
They've built over 260 miles of a new wall so far and he's renegotiated NAFTA costing Mexico billions of dollars that were given to them by Bill Clinton through the returning of jobs in America.

Hater: 
Well, that's not them paying for it!
Me: 
BILLIONS. Did you think he literally meant Mexico was gonna write a check with "Wall" in the memo?

Hater: 
Well, he's buddy-buddy with Putin and Kim Jung Un.
Me: 
Getting along with your adversaries is not a bad thing. Or would you prefer he antagonize them? BTW, when was the last "test missile" North Korea sent Japan's way?

Hater: 
Well, he doesn't like the military! He called the dead soldiers "losers!"
Me: 
You're referring to a report made from "anonymous sources" when over nine people who were with the President that has gone on record saying that it wasn't true? That doesn't send up any red flags for you? He's brought our Vets home and taken great strides and put a lot of money into fixing the VA, ask any veteran you know. Funny way to treat people you think are "losers," don't you think?

Hater: 
Well, he got impeached for God's sake!
Me: 
Yes, impeached by a partisan House and subsequently acquitted as there was no evidence that the President did anything wrong (no quid pro quo) in his communication with the President of Ukraine. BTW, you know Joe Biden actually admitted on national television to do that exact thing while he was in office as VP though, right?

Hater: 
Well, he handled COVID horribly!
Me: 
What would've you done differently?

Hater:
He didn't close the borders in time!
Me: 
He announced travel restrictions on 1/31 and was called xenophobic for doing so, all the while Nancy Pelosi and Bill Deblasio were walking in Chinatown telling everyone to come on down, the water is fine.

Hater: 
Well, he refused to wear a mask.
Me: 
Here's a picture of him wearing a mask.

Hater: 
Well, that was too far after!
Me: 
After what? He had two of his experts on national TV every day giving updates and telling everyone to wear a mask?

Hater: 
Well, he said everything will be fine and this will end!
Me: 
Did you want him to run around screaming that the sky was falling?

Hater: 
Well, listen to the way he talks! He's nasty! He's not how I want my President to sound.
Me: 
Ahhh. NOW we're getting somewhere. You don't like his personality. And everything you've mentioned up until now is because you don't like his personality.
So for you, it seems personal and not about the job he's done.
So listen, if you want a President who will tell you whatever you want to hear, flip-flopping on every issue, not getting anything done his entire time while in office, but who sounds like a nice guy (even though he seems seriously impaired), then Joe Biden is definitely your man.

The census for sheep here in New Zealand also includes the 2 legged versions.
So many are so naive when it comes to our PM being so patronising and condescending they will believe whatever she says without question.

New Zealand is a nation of sheep, blindly following whatever the NZ media or government spins.

Dear Michael

2020-08-19T06:12:00.001+12:00

I am writing this as a way of expressing how I felt and looked at my life whilst you were growing up and not being part of your earlier years.

When one watches those programs about lost family or friends etc you often hear that saying "Not a day goes by when I don't think of them" how I wish it were true for me but no not every day but quite a few.

You were, however, always in the back of my mind especially at family time, birthdays, Christmas and Easter.

The five months I was with your mother two things I do not regret, having you and the life's lessons I learnt from the time I spent with her. I was a lost soul, continually searching for I have no idea what. I did try to keep in touch but that became difficult as I was told you were moving around a lot.

When you were about 6/7 years old child support suggested I should have shared custody. It was around this time I had a work injury and was in a battle with Workcover regarding the said injury. I was seeing a psychologist at the time and I mentioned the child support situation. Our thinking at the time was simply if I were to come into your life at that time the effect on you would not be the ideal one, hence I stayed in the background.

As you turned 14/15 that is the time I started thinking about you more and more.

In January, your birthday and Australia Day (family time) February there is Valentine's day (does my boy have a girlfriend?) Along comes March to September (Footy season) and in a few of those months was your stepsisters birthday, Easter and several other family events. October there is Halloween, November is Guy Fawkes, and December another stepsisters birthday, Christmas and of course New Year's Eve and so we begin again.

I always wondered if you were happy.

I guess I actually did think of you quite often now that I have written it down. There are many other things I want to say but cannot find the words, maybe leave it for another time.

Love Dad

It is NOT about George Floyd, it never was.

2020-06-07T10:57:00.000+12:00

The murder of a black American man by those supposed to serve and protect is indeed tragic and I do not in any way condone it.

HOWEVER

I don’t care what the colour of your skin is or your religion, your perceived oppression, your ethnicity, whether you are a minority, brown-skinned, the white majority or trailer trash NOTHING gives you the right to riot, loot, steal, rob, bash, destroy property, beat women, rape, stab, carry firearms knives and machetes, deal drugs, shoot people, threaten harm, drive at reckless speed through suburban streets, spend your money on your next high instead of feeding your child, shoplift, trash houses, dump rubbish, abuse pets, carjack, assault first responders, disobey laws and authorities and generally terrorise the neighbourhood.

It is not OK!

You ARE the problem!

You are nothing more than lowlife scum!

Don’t think that I am just talking about what’s happening in America, this is happening in my hood, my street, my neighbourhood and it will be coming soon to yours.

Please don’t tell me they are “oppressed minorities” as our neighbourhood is also full of peaceful, decent law-abiding minorities.

In fact, there are many amazing and loving “minorities” within my own family.

Don’t tell me I’m being “difficult” and lecture me on injustices especially after we have had yet another sleep disrupted night because of drugged-out or drunken arseholes fighting in the street.

Don’t try to inform me how many indigenous are in custody. I have lost count of how many times I have seen some arrested, trust me, they are not innocent.

Do not mention “white privilege” to me. I grew up in Elizabeth, South Australia a migrant town where families came from war-torn countries on the other side of the world with only a few possessions. There “privilege” was having a loving descent father who bought his whole paycheck home instead of pissing it all away at the pub.

This is not about BLACK versus WHITE it’s about GOOD versus EVIL.

RIGHT from WRONG.

It’s about DECENCY and RESPECT.

(If you want to bring about change, be respectful. Teach your children respect. Show respect for property, authority, the environment and your country)

Author a friend.

It should be noted that the previous weekend in Chicago ten black people were murdered by other black people.
Why was there no outrage?

Lock Down Week 1

2020-04-01T10:33:00.001+13:00

It has now been a week since the lockdown of New Zealand and so far we have hardly changed the way we go about our daily lives.

No takeaway shops are open so I make my own. There are no retail shops to buy things like clothes, electrical goods or entertainment stuff. There are some online shopping places however they are only to purchase essential items.

Karen and I have always kept to ourselves so we have been training for this very situation since 2009. It isn't that we are not sociable, we are it is just that so many people out there are inconsiderate, selfish fucking idiots. Panic buying at this time is the perfect example.

One of the downsides to lockdown is the constant bombardment and repetitive information from the so-called media, who take great delight in telling us that we are going to die. They are creating a pandemic of anxiety and fear within communities with the way the sensationalize every detail of this pandemic.

Why I need to know how many people in Italy or elsewhere either have CV19 or have died is beyond me. There is nothing I can do about it, I live in New Zealand, and all I want/need to know is what I can do to keep me my family safe, which would be to use the one thing lacking in today's world that is commonsense.

We have stopped listening/watching news items that mention what is going on, rather we visit the government website and listen to the Prime Ministers' daily briefing to get updates but turn it off once those idiots they call reporters to ask imbecilic questions.

We did join a few social media sites within our community to keep up to date but once more the ignorance, stupidity and the sheer lack of basic intelligence as well as abusive comments made sure we now stay away from them as well.

So week one is done and I am standing in line at Countdown supermarket. They will be shut on Good Friday I wonder if there will be panic buying on Thursday.

Of course, there will. SIGH!

Author
Steve Boddey

I made it to Sixty

2019-11-23T18:30:00.000+13:00

I was born 24^th November 1959 and I will be 60 years old tomorrow.

I don’t feel old and I am told I do not look 60 but I digress, I was born in Leeds UK and my parents departed the home country and arrived in Melbourne Australia on the 23^rd of May 1965 which just happened to be my only sisters birthday.

I have outlived my Mum. Dad, Jesus, Princess Diana, Jimi Hendrix and many more celebs.

The only things I remember about the

were living in a horseshoe housing estate and me shoveling snow from the neighbor’s pathways. I recall being at my Grandmas place in a kind of yellow safari suit and being in awe of the many rooms.

The sad part was leaving behind my favorite toy, a garage kind of building where cars would come and go, I remember being very upset.

The plane ride as I recall was a visit to the pilot cockpit and then my next memory is waking up in the Pennington Hostel a place where all immigrates ended up before being deployed to different parts of the country. We ended up in Elizabeth Field a suburb of Elizabeth a new City 40 km from Adelaide. There were many different immigrants who all got along very well unlike the immigrants of today. We all adapted into the Australian way of life; just going about our daily lives and as they say, living the dream.

My childhood is full of birthday parties where my mum made fairy cakes and our neighbor kids would come around and enjoy cordial and games of pass the parcel. Having six siblings meant a lot of birthday parties and although we were not well off, we were happy.

My mother was adorable and I have yet to find anyone who knew her have a bad word to say. Most people loved her Yorkshire puddings with gravy and her stews, which were always very tasty. As for my father; he was a different story. Raised in a convent due to WW2 he was a devoutly religious man who was totally consumed with the Catholic Church and its teachings which he enforced upon the family.

I embraced it for a while even becoming an altar boy, however, I started to question things and I was abruptly put in my place. So I joined the navy to get away from life in the Boddey household. In the navy at the age of 15 and a half, I found the real world and started to free thinking. I started to explore things that were different and out of step with my upbringing. For a short time I felt free and alive, alas it was short-lived.

I was medically discharged and sent back home where I struggled to fit in, at school nor at home life. I did put on a brave face and did the best I could. I worked at General Motor Holden thanks to a brother of mine and did very well until I decided to defect to the Nissan Motor Company in Victoria where I excelled.

I was married to my first wife at the time. She was a woman who gave us 2 beautiful children and who endured being left to looking after two kids while I was in Japan training to be a master supervisor. Unfortunately upon my return from Japan Nissan closed its Australian side and we returned home to South Australia. It went downhill from there. The reasons do not matter, other than to say they could have been handled better.

My second wife taught me a lot about sorting things out; however, my past and the things that had happened made things difficult. Unfortunately, I suffered a workplace injury that placed a strain on our relationship which eventually led to our parting of ways. Yes, there are differing viewpoints on the whys, the where for’s, etc of all my relationships but ultimately the truth lays with me and them.

So now I am sixty and have been married to my third wife for six years.

It hasn’t been the easiest of times as I had been bullied in 3 workplaces and have since been unable to work but we have worked together, shared our anxiety, panic attacks and depression experiences together growing as human beings and realising that there are a lot of fucked-up people in the world,

I digress, I am sixty and I am being told it is too salty, too sweet, too fatty, etc by doctors who are now concerned about my health. I am now, as my years of living are minimising being asked to stop enjoying life and become a health nut who is a fucking miserable because the bacon sandwich no longer is an acceptable sandwich.

I am sixty and if I am lucky I may have 20, 30 maybe 40 years left. For fucksake let me go out enjoying myself,

Author

Steve Boddey

This is ME

2019-10-29T09:17:00.001+13:00

Shortly I will be reaching a milestone in my life which sadly few have or will achieve. I don’t feel old yet the world we live in today tells a different story.

In today’s world, there is nobody more self-righteous or judgment that the generation we have at this time. Respect no longer holds any meaning, no one wants to take responsibility for their actions and always the blame is laid at something or someone else’s feet.

A society with all of this bullshit political correctness; want us to be incumbent on our history, judging the past by today's standards. You can't judge the history of empires by the political correct influences of the present.

We are expected to conform to whatever is the flavor of the day, forgetting that conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. If one has a differing viewpoint same, guilt, grievance and in some cases, violence is used to enhance arguments.

The generation of today doesn't have any vestige of what was good or bad unless of course, it suits them. They believe everything they are fed without questioning, without challenging a different scenario.

One should never believe something because you want to believe it!

I am not complicit in what has gone before. I was not there; I live in the here and now. I will listen when you have something to say civilly and when you can respect a perspective that conflicts with your thoughts or beliefs without disrespecting mine.

When abuse, misinformation, shouting, ranting, raving, the use of violence and intimidation are your weapons of choice you then have no credence and no valid argument. Yet this is what the world is experiencing right here right now. We are encouraging a victimhood mentality using the young to enhance an agenda that is unhealthy and dangerous.

We have stifled free-thinking to the point that people are afraid to express themselves for fear of being ridiculed, harassed or threatened.

Sad really.

Author Steve Boddey.

Victim or Perp NZ is too PC

2019-09-07T16:03:00.002+12:00

As a security guard at a mall here in NZ, I was assaulted by a guy high on "P" I suffered a nearly fractured skull.

The guy was caught and bailed I attended court as a witness for the police. he never turned up for any of the court's appearances however when he was picked up he was driving a stolen car high on "P", without a license and intoxicated.

The judge gave him anger management duty which he never took up. In the end, the justice system decided that it was a lost cause and dropped the matter.

I still suffer trauma from the incident and it is a contributing factor to why I can no longer work. As a victim of crime here in NZ, I was offered FUCK ALL!

The system sucks.

Unfortunately here in NZ, the perp is treated as the victim and the victim as the person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Author
Steve Boddey

Climate Change 2019

2019-09-05T07:53:00.003+12:00

Trying to find out what is true and what is not on climate change the topic is certainly a frustrating task as there are many articles on the subject.

Let’s face it you would have to be brain dead to deny that climate change has happened since the beginning of the formation of the planet and still happens as the earth moves through the four seasons however the way and so-called reasons for climate change are where I part company with climate change hardliners.

There are those that believe that global warming is caused by CO2 levels rising due to our use of fossil fuels and then there are the skeptics who believe that the sun, clouds oceans and the orbit variations of the earth and many other factors also contribute.

There is no evidence that CO2 emissions are the dominant factor.

There are also others, the global warming alarmists. They consist of politicians, environmentalists, and the media who seek money, power, and confirmation of their religious devotion to the thought of mankind destroying the planet. For the media it is headlines, ideology, and money.

Doomsday scenarios sell.

The sad thing is facts don’t matter. If you don’t believe the narrative put out you are labeled a denier, misinformed or even persecuted and if you do believe then you can blame climate change on anything and everything without an ounce of proof.

We have all heard the phrase “97% of scientists agree that climate change is real.” This is open-ended and misleading. We do not find out what about climate change did they agree on nor how they proved it.

We are constantly being fed misleading and unsubstantiated information regarding the subject. As for having a sensible discussion the media doesn’t want to know neither do politicians.

The editor in chief of Stuff pointed out that they believe there is enough evidence of climate change and any comments to the contrary will be removed. This kind of attitude is why people are questioning the news we in

New Zealand

are being fed.

Author Steve Boddey.

My Service Record

2019-08-19T18:53:00.001+12:00

July 14th, 1975 I joined the Royal Australian Navy, alas I only lasted 2 years as they could not teach me to swim and I suffered severely from seasickness.

Maybe I watched JAWS one too many times, who knows. Although it was tough I enjoyed my time and actually offered to remain a lesser ranking seaman so as to stay in the service of the RAN. Unfortunately, that was not an option.

Even though I spent a mere 2 years in service, the connection and the commitment to serve one's country as well as the undying connection to all those with whom I met and served with is something that is NEVER forgotten.

I never fought in a war (thank god) I never had to face a natural disaster and I never had to farewell anyone from my company.

I have respect for those that have and still serve. I shed tears for the fallen and the VETS that struggle and am a brother to anyone, anywhere in any country that serves their country for the betterment of the world.

Author
Steve Boddey

Bullying in the Workplace

2019-07-10T20:45:00.001+12:00

The art of bullying or manipulating circumstances to suit an agenda that affects another human being is totally unacceptable. I have faced this numerous times in my life. I want to share my story.

My suffering comes from having certain professional and ethical values that I believed in, yet the jobs I undertook asked me or rather told me to take my beliefs in what was right and wrong and ignore it.

I was forced to go against what I believed to be right and what was according to them, what was in the best interest of keeping my job.

Those that were supposed to enforce the anti-bullying laws were the ones ignoring them and even assisting in the employers' endeavors to dismiss the said, offender.

In the first instance of workplace bullying, I succumbed to a work injury, however, the company I was working for didn’t believe me. Everything I did, said or anyone I spoke to was questioned. I was eventually, by mutual agreement terminated from the job.

I decided after a payout from my previous employer to remove myself from the area. I didn’t expect to move to New Zealand but it seemed to be a safe bet and a new start.

I had during my rehabilitation from my work injury found that being a security officer seemed to fit my abilities. How wrong was I?

Initially, security suited me but then the outside influences started. My marriage failed and I moved to a different security officer job working in malls. Day three I took a hit to the head from a gang member and lost two days pay. I lost more time attending court where the offender after nearly a year was let off.

I was offered a position as a security officer at a supermarket store and had been excited at having what I thought would be less a stressful position, how wrong I was. The head of security was more interested in apprehension than utilizing methods of a deterrent. This caused conflict between myself and my supervisor which then incurred three warning (which were later rescinded) for offenses which were meant to put me in my place.

I resigned after I found that other employees had gone through similar experiences.

In my final job as a security officer and as my final job full stop I encountered the same pattern of workplace bullying.

My job description was totally different from what I was asked to do. When I asked for information relating to security matters I was told that cameras were down or the vision was blurred or there was nothing to be seen. I was never allowed to use nor see any camera vision.

Some employees complained of harassment by senior staff (which I witnessed) so I offered my services as I had experience in making complaints in an appropriate way. Unfortunately, this was part of my downfall.

I reported bullying by senior staff; I reported incidents of suspected theft and of course dodgy dealings.

I reported all of this to the powers that be but then I become accused of assorted accusations which although I denied, they could not be proved nor disproved. It all depended on which side of the fence one sat.

My struggle was trying to remain professional and ethical and yet fighting against people who have neither morals nor ethics.

We know who won.

I have not been able to work for the last 5 years yet I still live through those terrible times of having to try and defend oneself against those that do not care nor have any morals. I re-live the torment I went through, I re-live the lies and the fact those that were in control, just didn’t care.

Author Steve Boddey

Climate Change New Zealand

2019-05-25T09:12:00.001+12:00

I suppose we should add climate change to the list of subjects that will always trigger people's emotions. The same way people are triggered by discussions' on religion and politics.

The world's climate has always been changing; it does so every year, from winter to spring to summer than autumn and back to winter. Some years are hotter and some are colder. Over millions of year, the earth climate has constantly changed it is nothing new.

Here in New Zealand, the latest trend is for the youth of today to march in the streets with their banners both homemade or mass produced and protest climate change.

They shout about the end of the world telling anyone and everyone that the planet is doomed; carbon emissions are destroying the earth's atmosphere and we need to do something now before it is too late.

The climate change they are so concerned about started with an insatiable need for money and now governments want to combat by throwing more money at the problem.

One would think that with all the technology we have at our disposal we would be better at looking after our environment however it is that very technology that is also a major player actually causing the problem.

Electric cars present us with a reasonable example. We eliminate the use of fossil fuel and the CO2 emissions yet these vehicles require rechargeable batteries made from lead-acid ("flooded", deep-cycle, and VRLA), NiCd, nickel–metal hydride, lithium-ion, Li-ion polymer, and, less commonly, zinc-air and molten-salt batteries. The next problem is where do we dispose of the out of date (due to new technology), defective or damaged batteries?

We need to look at all products produced by man plastics, concrete, steel even timber. The mass deforestation happening here in New Zealand should also be looked at but no.

We will watch our TV's, use our computers, then video the youth protesting on our mobile phones post to social media and expressing our concerns about the planet then as the hype settles and the council workers clear the rubbish left behind they will wait until next time the media needs an infusion of hysteria.

There will always be dissident voices in these matters each side sighting this article or that to make a point until those who believe are labeled hoax conspirators' and those unbelievers are said to be in denial or old people who don't care.

I wonder how many walked to the protest, left their phones at home and refused to wear clothing and footwear made in counties where carbon emissions are the worlds worst. I wonder how many did their homework and made an honest effort to gain as much information as possible from both points of view?

Until the government makes it the law to believe in climate change I do what I can and will keep an open mind.

Author Steve Boddey

The AFL Swamp

2019-05-23T01:27:00.000+12:00

For quite some time the hierarchy of the AFL has been constantly bringing the game into disrepute yet have never been held accountable.

They are very quick to penalise players, change rules, call out fans of the game while simply snubbing off criticisms of their own inability to be fair and consistent.

The AFL has for a long time quietly brought in a religious aspect into play. Stop and think about the recent events, the 666 rule, a satanic symbol, the Carlton FC cheer squad being called out for chanting about the umpires’ sexual activities. (OK they chanted “Umpires a wanker”)

Those of us brought up with Christian values all know that too much masturbation (wanking) will make you go blind and yet when umpires blatantly misinterpret the rules or more often than not make inconstant rulings, to then call the umpire a wanker is now not acceptable?

Recently a player tried to climb and shake a goalpost while a player was about to kick for goal; which is a clear violation of the rules and should have been a free kick directly in front of goals, but no, the umpire took it upon himself to change the rule and gave a warning instead. This umpiring decision which has now been OK'ed by the AFL could now be applied to all AFL rules.

The AFL hierarchy needs to be held accountable for its in competence. It messes with the rules of the game every year for no other reason than to highlight its own self importance.

They changed from 3 to 4 umpires simply so the crowd couldn’t chant the phrase “3 blind mice’. They also introduced women goal umpires for no other reason than to prevent the crowd from chanting “How big’s your dick” every time a goal is scored.

As much as I love Aussie Rules the AFL hierarchy is slowly squeezing the life out of this great game.

Author Steve Boddey

Infinite

2019-04-15T08:38:00.003+12:00

strained love,

no more communication,

nigh on a year,

been breaking the soul,

there’s no sign,

of the never ending heartache,

see how it hurts,

all up in the air.

flying high,

to get me past the viper,

wings cut,

by the angel standing by,

standoff,

father time has his moment,

leaving them all,

in a state of despair.

hot wind,

blows from the mouth of fools,

one feels,

the time has arrived,

a world spins,

while a dream is put together,

a tower of gold,

heading straight for the sky.

all eyes,

reach out for the ending,

circles squared,

as it falls to the ground,

no screams,

upon the shattered landing,

flight takes a fall,

now there is blood on the sand.

Author Steve Boddey
For Poetry Pantry

The Silence

2019-04-08T06:24:00.002+12:00

The silence was eerie, no wind, no noise of any kind.

As I walked along the pathway my footsteps interrupted the silence of the evening. It was as though each step taken had increased in volume, creating a shattering noise that echoed as the final rays of daylight faded and the stars glistening brightly took centre stage.

I stopped to listen for any other noise; I could hear my heart pounding as blood pumped its way through. My breathing became rapid as I took a step forward and heard the crunch underfoot.

The moonlight made silhouettes of my surrounding. I could see shadows of various things. Another step forward and the dried leaves crumbled once more under my boot.

I stood there in the moonlight sweat beading, then trickling down my face.

Listen, just listen said the silence.

Author Steve Boddey

For Poetry Pantry

My Candle

2019-04-06T08:30:00.000+13:00

My candle burns at both ends,

Hell I must be good,

My candle burns in mid-air,

Not on steel nor any wood.

Light that flickers with the breeze,

A mesmerizing sight,

Draws ones eye to the middle,

A flame that's left and right.

As my candle burns both ends,

The fires join as one,

As quickly as the wax dispersed,

What was had also gone.

Author Steve Boddey

For Poetry Pantry Imaginary Gardens

A Simple Tale

2019-03-31T07:00:00.000+13:00

When the one whose hand you’re holding

Is the one who holds your heart

You remember how this came to be,

How it tore you both apart,

You think of all the times you cried,

All the times you went without,

The silence in the world around you,

It never heard you shout!

You look across the bed now,

You watch the woman sleep,

Her heart is in your hands now,

Her heart and soul you keep.

Author Steve Boddey

For Poetry United

Love

2019-03-25T06:08:00.001+13:00

autumn fall,
summer rain,
reaching out.
to catch the rainbow,
calm comes again.

This one is for you darling!

soft and warm,
hear the voice,
calm the dark,
whispered words,
all by choice.

we believe,
life’s not a wheel,
come the dawn,
love breaks,
the chains of steel.

Whitesnakes do it better ...........

For Poetry Pantry

Terror Attacks

2019-03-20T08:29:00.001+13:00

After every terror attack, there are those that are eager to suggest quick and ill thought out ways of preventing these events from happening again.

This is of course quite normal given that lives may or may not have been lost, property destroyed and disruption to our everyday living has occurred.

Disputes over what should be done get heated, common-sense takes a back seat and then we have those that see fit to thrust their opportunist ideals upon us. Ban semi-automatic weapons (with which I agree) change the names of sporting clubs (it is NOW possibly offensive) and of course change TV programming due to the violence or content that the programmers now see could be seen to be disrespectful.

We are all guilty of jumping to conclusions; it is, however, restraining those urges and taking time to think before we act that will ensure what we decide to do next will hopefully be a good decision.

We live in a world where there are people who are afraid to express their thoughts and people who take advantage of these heartbreaking events.

We now live in a world that will play the blame game to avoid trying to fix the problem, it is easier. The one common denominator in every terror attack is the ideology of the perpetrator, not guns, planes, vehicles or bombs; these are just the tools they use.

No matter what bans we put in place, no matter what laws we change they are only a ban-aid fix. Terrorist, criminals, and fanatics do not concern themselves with bans nor the rule of law their sole purpose is to cause fear, disunity, and disruption to our everyday lives.

We cancel sporting events, concerts, cultural festivals and tell ourselves it is a mark of respect, it is exactly what these fear mongers want. Those that remember 911, the mayor made it his priority to get NY up and running quickly.

New Yorkers rose to that challenge as should we all.

Author Steve Boddey

50 People Dead

2019-03-18T07:19:00.001+13:00

Friday is the holy day, it's when, most Muslims pray,

In Christchurch 50 died, New Zealand's safe they say.

The news it flew around the world, tributes flowing through,

The families of the 50 dead, I wonder what they'll do?

As this country mourns, we look at what to shame,

From guns the men their politics, all hold a lot of blame.

The hows and whys confound us, it gets inside one"s head.

No matter what we say or do, there are 50 people dead.

Those that lost their lives that day are in a better place,

It is those of us left behind who cannot fall from grace.

For all the anger and the grief, when all is done and said,

In Christchurch, New Zealand there are 50 people dead.

Author Steve Boddey

For Poetry Pantry

A Deplorable's Thought

2019-03-06T12:07:00.001+13:00

I would like to remind you that I am NOT an American, I am English born, Australian bred male living in New Zealand and I support Donald Trump because he is NOT a politician, but a businessman who is running the country as it should be run, as a business. Governments collect taxpayer’s money and are supposed to use said money to look after their people, supplying infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and protection, etc. It is all too clear that governments throughout the world are turning their back on the people to enhance their own agendas. We now live in a world where people are growing up with a victimhood mentality, a demand for entitlement and a generation that judges the past in light of the shifting ethics and cultural codes of today. This generation has no vestige of what is good or bad unless it suits them. These people are the dissident voices that are expressing opinions with no or credible alternatives, finding fault and never favor, seeing doom and gloom in every situation and seeking attention without an ounce of responsibility. This behavior uses shame, guilt, and grievance to enhance their arguments. We should never live in fear of our thoughts, nor negotiate because we fear failure or alienation. We as people, as the deplorable’s should ask if not us, then who? If not now, then when? I hear some say they stand behind Donald Trump; I say I stand with Donald Trump. There have been few with power that has promised much and actually delivered. Promises have been given and promises are being kept. America should be proud of the president and his achievements thus far. He does not only have to face the relentless ridicule. Lies and slander of the Democratic Party and the fake News Media he also faces the brought and paid for Republicans who put their own need before the needs of their constituents. It is not just America, but also the rest of the world that is facing the choice of standing up and being counted or becoming George Orwell's 1984. Author Steve Boddey

Reflections on Life

2019-03-03T10:00:00.000+13:00

Close the door behind you, when you decide to leave

Whether I survive or not, don’t want you to see me bleed,
The rainbows rays are fading, against a darkened sky,
Rain comes falling down like tears, never ask me why.
The roses petals fall away, as the wind does pass this way,
There is silence in this world of ours, there’s a sense of pure dismay.
This world of mine hangs in doubt, scared of whats gone wrong,
The darkness is music to these ears, like a tune without a song.
Sweetly sing that song of yours, alas it’s all too late,
For I have died and you have gone, heaven has shut the gate.

Author Steve Boddey aka "Whitesnake"

Posted for Poetry Pantry

Is America Ready to Rumble?

2019-02-27T09:49:00.000+13:00

America

really heading down the drain?

You would think so with all the crap coming out in the news and social media.

Let’s see:-

1) Facebook, Twitter and U-Tube decide what we can and cannot see, read or publish. (What happened to your 1^st amendment)? No accountability.

2) Abortions can be done at anytime (even afterbirth). What happened to human rights and where are all those human right activists? Planned Parenthood is about planning for being a parent not exterminating babies out of convenience. Harvesting babies for experimentation is inhumane.
No accountability.

3) The men and women who patrol the borders have stated that a barrier, wall or fence along the southern border would greatly assist them in successfully doing their job yet Democrat Senators say otherwise (whilst living behind said barriers, walls and fences, oh and with security guards)

4) Democrats in high ranking office believe drugs, human trafficking and sex trading only happen at ports of call. They believe that criminals would not think of crossing anywhere else. You elected these idiots.

5) Democrats want to take away your guns claiming it makes the world a safer place. Criminals don’t play by rules and do not care about laws. The cities with gun control have become criminal havens and murder and mayhem capitals.

6) Democrats want illegal aliens looked after before US citizens and are in denial of the murders of US citizens by illegal aliens, some that have been deported many on numerous occasions. God Bless Angel Moms who democrats refuse to acknowledge.

7) Alexandria Ocasio Cortez a democrat who believes the world will end in 12 years, claims her New Green Deal will save the America yet has no concept of cost other than telling you that if all you are worried about is how they are going to pay for it shows that you don’t care.

8) The Fake News Media is not held accountable for their lies and malicious and false reporting of events. The inability of The Fake News Media to report news in a balanced form goes to show how low journalism has gone. I remember news being delivered without the opinion of some jacked up ass wipe.

9) Celebs, sports star’s, musicians and actors etc you are there to entertain me not solicit your opinions to me nor anyone else. If you feel so strongly do it on your own time, NOT when I paid, to watch or cheer to forget the turmoil’s of life for awhile. Oh and are you also hiding behind walls barriers or fences, surrounded by security?

These are just a few examples of why the

USA

will be heading down the gurgler if these people are allowed to continue to destroy your American values.

Democrats and their supporters will always be the dissident voices heard in the land, expressing opposition without alternatives, finding fault but never favour, perceiving gloom on every side and seeking influence without responsibility. These voices are inevitable and must be challenged and held accountable. (JFK called it.)

I as an outsider looking in and having grown up knowing what it meant to be an American I cannot believe that these people can blatantly lie to the American people and they are not held accountable.

The America I knew was a country every other country aspired to be like, however now we may all be heading down the same drain.

Author Steve Boddey