The Rongolian Star

40 Historical Photographs

Posted on January 13, 2014 by LivinginPeaceProject

While some photographs capture our attention because of how the artist behind the picture has decided to compose the shot, others are fascinating simply because of the subjects that they depict. Below are some captivating photographs that tell stories about our past, depicting the people, places and events that have shaped the course of history. Some of these pictures tell us about history in a way that books and documents will never be able to.

Woman With A Gas-Resistant Pram, England, 1938

Elvis in the Army, 1958

106-year-old Armenian Woman guards home, 1990

Baby cages used to ensure that children get enough sunlight and fresh air when living in an apartment building, ca. 1937

Animals being used as part of medical therapy, 1956

Testing of new bulletproof vests, 1923

Charlie Chaplin at age 27, 1916

Hindenburg Disaster, May 6, 1937

Circus hippo pulling a cart, 1924

Annette Kellerman promotes women’s right to wear a fitted one-piece bathing suit, 1907. She was arrested for indecency

Annie Edison Taylor, the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, 1901

Unpacking the head of the Statue of Liberty, 1885

The original Ronald McDonald, 1963

Disneyland Employee Cafeteria in 1961

Advertisement for Atabrine, anti-malaria drug, in Papua, New Guinea during WWII

Soldier shares a banana with a goat during the battle of Saipan, ca. 1944

Little girl with her doll sitting in the ruins of her bombed home, London, 1940

Construction of the Berlin wall, 1961

Unknown soldier in Vietnam, 1965

Bookstore in London ruined by an air raid, 1940

Walter Yeo, one of the first to undergo an advanced plastic surgery and a skin transplant, 1917

Suntan vending machine, 1949

Measuring bathing suits – if they were too short, women would be fined, 1920′s

Martin Luther King with his son removing a burnt cross from their front yard, 1960

Hotel owner pouring acid in the pool while black people swim in it, ca. 1964

Lifeguard on the coast, 1920′s

Artificial legs, UK, ca. 1890

Mom and son watching the mushroom cloud after an atomic test, Las Vegas, 1953

Mother hides her face in shame after putting her children up for sale, Chicago, 1948

Austrian boy receives new shoes during WWII

Hitler’s officers and cadets celebrating Christmas, 1941

Christmas dinner during Great Depression: turnips and cabbage

The real Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, ca. 1927

Last prisoners of Alcatraz leaving, 1963

Melted and damaged mannequins after a fire at Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum in London, 1930

A space chimp posing to camera after a successful mission to space, 1961

Illegal alcohol being poured out during Prohibition, Detroit, 1929

Princeton students after a freshman vs. sophomores snowball fight, 1893

A beautiful suicide – 23 year-old Evelyn McHale jumped from the 83rd floor of the Empire State Building and landed on a United Nations limousine, 1947

First morning after Sweden changed from driving on the left side to driving on the right, 1967

Source: boredpanda

Posted in Art, Education, Historical, Media, Photography, Politics, Religion, Social Commentary, United States, War | Tagged Art, education, Historical, History, Images, Photography, Photos, Social Commentary | Leave a comment

Hard Road Leads to Nice Cuppa Tea Atop Mt Hua Shan

Posted on January 13, 2014 by LivinginPeaceProject

This may be the scariest trail in the world…..

We hope you’re not afraid of heights, because this even made our palms sweat. What you see below is a mountain in China called Mt. Hua Shan. At its base, you’ll find a gigantic set of stone stairs, called “the Heavenly Stairs.” These stairs go so high up the mountainside, it’s hard to see where they end. If that wasn’t enough, the precarious stairs lead to the world’s most dangerous trail, the Hua Shan plank path. The plank trail leads high up the Hua Shan mountain just outside the city Xi’an. No one will force you to wear safety gear, although it’s strongly encouraged. The trail itself is dangerous and stunning, but what is at the top will really shock you.

The stairs themselves, although beautiful, are daunting.

And they are the easiest part of the climb.

However, countless people make the dangerous journey for what’s at the top…

As you climb the stairs, you pass little villages and houses that have cropped up on the mountain.

Then, once you get high enough, you can take a gondola to the southern peak, where the plank path awaits.

This is where the path turns truly dangerous, with nothing but planks to walk on and a rail of chains to hold onto.

There is almost nothing keeping you from falling

There are parts you must climb as well, with toe holes cut out.

Our palms are sweating just looking at this path.

… Woah.

But, if you’re brave enough to keep climbing…

You’ll find something pretty interesting at the end of your journey.

At the very top of the southern peak is a Taoist temple that was converted into a teahouse.

Thousands of people climb the world’s most dangerous path to end up at a teahouse.

So, either these people really like dangerous climbing, or they really like tea. Either way, you should probably check out the teahouse at the top of Mt. Hua Shan.
Source: reddit.com

Posted in Art, China, Environment, Historical, Peace, Photography, Tramping, Travel, Weird | Tagged Adventure, China, Mountain Climbing, Tourism, Tramping, Travel | Leave a comment

Yoshihiro Takishita: Mr Minka

Posted on December 5, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

Off the Top of My Head

By Paul Murray

From a vantage point on wooded Mt Genji overlooking the ancient city of Kamakura, Yoshihiro Takishita relaxes in his stately antique home after returning from a U.S. book tour.

His book, Japanese Country Style: Putting New Life Into Old Houses is the culmination of his career to date as a rescuer and restorer of old Japanese minka (farmhouses). His life’s work has been to preserve the grace and style of traditional Japanese architecture for future generations to appreciate, enjoy and admire.

The positive response of audiences on his U.S. tour “gave me confidence in what I’m doing, that I’m doing the right thing––and that’s so important for Japanese people, he said.

The book is essentially a collection of excellent architectural photographs that capture the splendour of 16 of the minka homes Takishita has rejuvenated. But it also includes insight into his life and his passion for minka, background information on the buildings, tips for modernising the homes, hints on joinery, advice on suitable interior decorating and details on dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the structures in separate locations.

Takishita has saved 30 such homes so far, dismantling the buildings, transporting the materials to new locations and reconstructing them to live on as examples of a bygone age when elegance, refinement and grandeur were more highly regarded than purely economic considerations and rationalisation.

“People today buy houses like they’re buying (a new car) from a catalogue: fast and cheap.”

Takishita claims it is reasonable to expect a reconstructed minka home to provide comfortable living for at least 200 years, and that minka––themselves antiques––actually become more beautiful with age, unlike contemporary Japanese homes, which begin to deteriorate and become “grimy and unattractive within a few years.”

“Government statistics show that the average lifespan of a new house in Japan is 26 years. People say ‘economy comes first,’ but what kind of economy is it when a house only lasts 26 years? In the long term, minka are much more economical,” Takishita said.

To sit chatting with Takishita in the spacious living area of the more than 200-year-old minka annex to his Kamakura home, surrounded by sturdy, solid wooden uprights and majestic overhead beams blackened by centuries of wood smoke and the patina of age, is truly awe-inspiring.

He uses the building as a showroom for his separate, but complementary, business as an antique dealer. “What could be better than to display antiques in than an antique building?” he asks in his book.

Takishita fears the nation is losing its way culturally and is allowing the West too great an influence. “We are losing our sense of beauty and sense of value. We are losing the beautiful things in this country. We are ruining and destroying it.” He said.

“Japanese are group-minded and community-minded; they lack the ability to make individual judgement––it’s a shame, Takishita said. “Losing (World War II) was a denial of our cultural heritage and we lost confidence in our traditions. It is now time for us to rediscover Japan and it is my mission to spread this message,” he said.

There seems to be a popular misconception among Japanese that old houses are cold, dark, dirty, damp, uncomfortable and expensive to maintain. Worse, they carry the stigma of penury in the Japanese mind-set, in which keeping up with the Watanabes is essential.

“For Japanese, to live in a farmhouse is a symbol of poverty. A thatched-roof house is considered shameful,” Takishita said.

This may have been valid 100 years ago, but Takishita’s homes have every modern convenience from flush toilets to Jacuzzis, as each home can be tastefully modified to include any amenity required in the process of disassembly and reconstruction. Incorporating fireplaces, air conditioning, and subfloor heating panels that warm the entire home from the bottom up solve the heating problem, skylights improve lighting and security is enhanced with locking doors and windows. Takishita appears to have a solution for every objection and a visit to his comfortable Kamakura home quickly dispels minka misconceptions.

Takishita looks to the past for a vision of the future and his excellent book redefines the word “progress.” Modern buildings become inconsequential, regressive and artless beside the splendour of minkas, serving as a reminder to us all that we can still learn from our ancestors.

The following excellent short documentary film by Davina Pardo is on the life and work of Mr Minka Yosihiro Takishita:

Posted in Architecture, Art, Book Review, Economics, Education, Environment, Historical, Japan, Photography, Product review, Social Commentary, Sustainablity | Tagged Architecture, Art, Cominka, Culture, Davina Pardo, Heritage, History, Japan, Minka, Natural Building, Paul Murray, Takishita, Tradition, Yohihiro Takishita | 4 Comments

The Rongolian Star Quiz #5

Posted on November 22, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

***The Rongolian Star Quiz is acknowledged by esteemed philosophers of the School of Socrates, Men of Letters and Captains of Industry to be the most ridiculous and mind numbing quiz on the entire planet!!!***

November’s Rongolian Star Quiz prize schedule for ten correct answers:

1^st Prize 1 billion air points on any Congo Air flight to the Dallas Book Depository!

2^nd Prize A mounted framed original photograph of the sole surviving Congo Air DC3!

3^rd Prize Souvenir cap recovered from the wreckage of ill fated Congo Air Flight 101 from Brassierville to Istanbul shot down over Dealey Plaza!

Question 1.

Who really shot JFK?

A glassy troll?
The Salvation Army’s best sniper?
Roger Rabbitt?
The Dalai Lama?

Question 2.

Professor Bogor Yakkalov, Master of Antiquities from Moscow University, recently discovered the Holy Grail utilised to share the wine at The Last Supper in a dumpster behind the Dallas Book Depository. On the base is the inscription “ קילרוי היה כאן ” Meticulously translated from Mosaic Hebrew this inscription reads :
A. “Kilroy was here!”
B. “ Made in China!”
C. “Vote Republican!”
D. “Other end up!”

Question 3.

Which famous quote was voted best of the 20^th century?

“I smoked but I didn’t inhale and neither did Monica!” – Bill Clinton!
“Ok chaps I’m going out for a short while, I may not be back!” – Jimmy Hoffa!
“Are you fucking blind? It was way over the service line, arsehole!!” John Superbrat McEnroe!
“We’re more popular than the Lee Harvey Oswald!” The Teletubbies!

Question 4.

Your lying sluttish Sunday school teacher is found by Mormon missionaries in her herb garden completely stoned out of her brains! Do you:

A. Anonymously donate your unpaid taxes to the elders of the Jewish Synagogue?
B. Double check your mother in laws fingerprints are indelibly etched on your wife’s pet rock, before you try to flush it down the loo, then ring Police 911?
C. Pray for her sassy soul?
D. Pause for a moment’s reflective silence, down a gassy skol and enjoy the biggest fart of your entire life?

Question 5.

You accidentally parachute from Congo Air Flight 762 into Beirut Lebanon during Ramadan and a Hizbollah uprising! Do you disguise yourself as:

A. The American Flag?
B. A bottle of Jack Daniels?
C. The second coming of a pork sausage?
D. Uncle Sam?

Question 6.

You incredibly win $27 million in Lotto’s Powerball!!! Do you:

Donate all your winnings to the Free Cuba Society, then head to a Dallas strip club to watch an arsey moll?
Wisely employ your divine windfall to drink the Republic of Ireland under the altar?
Invest heavily in the Dealey Plaza Poncy Scheme?
Head to the Trentham yearling sales to purchase a classy foal?

Question 7.

The All Blacks are beaten by the Dallas Cowboys 53-0!!! Are you absolutely:

A. Elated?
B. Deflated?
C. Fellated?
D. Chelated?

Question 8.

You have just gallantly and unselfishly aided a hot young Dominican nun to lose her virginity on the grassy knoll! Do you celebrate your virility by:

A: Rushing down to the nearest 9-11 to purchase a packet of strawberry flavoured Fourex?
B. Rushing down to the nearest liquor store to purchase a six pack of Holy Communion?
C. Getting your second wind and immediately head to the Dealey Plaza underpass where you swear you spotted a Lassie doll?
D. Realising that your manly conquest was in reality a crassy goal and head to the nearest Irish bar to enjoy a pint o’ Guinness?

Question 9.

You are leaving New Zealand to visit your alcoholic uncle O’Shamus O’O’ Toole in County Cork! What do you purchase for him at Duty Free?

A couple of tins of jellied Tuatara?
A homespun Kokako smoking jacket?
A stuffed and rear mounted albino Giant Spotted Kiwi?
A large collectible Mercedes Benz chassis pole?

Question 10.

“Knock …. knock….. knock!!!

Who’s there man?

J. Edgar Hoover man!

J. Edgar Hoover?

Yeah man!

No J. Edgar Hoover’s not here man!”

Is this conversation extremely :

A. Secretive?
B. Original?
C. Silly?
D. Erotic?

Nota Bene !

Absolutely no correspondence whatsoever will be entertained regarding the professional credentials of the Editor, reporting staff, SuperMoo the Karamea Wonder Dog and all the other ruff rolph associated with disseminating the trivial nonsense printed under strict copyright of The Rongolian Star and its associated business interests!

The release of all highly classified information contained within this quiz has received prior approval of the Dallas County Mayor’s office and the Warren Commission!!! Arf arf!!!

Signed U.S. Army Lieutenant Brassy Col.

1963

No. 1 on the Texas hit parade!!!

“I shot the President!” by Weird Al Yankovich (unfortunately later bastardised by Eric Clapton!!!)

Posted in Art, Business, Economics, Education, Funny, Hilarious, Historical, Humor, Humour, LivinginPeace Project, Media, Moo, Parody, Photography, Politics, Quotes, Religion, Royal Family, Satire, Sex, Social Commentary, SuperMoo the KarameaWonderDog, Uncategorized, United States, Weird | Tagged Book Depository, Dallas, Funny, Hilarious, History, Humor, Humour, JFK, Kennedy Assassination, Parody, Politics, Quiz, Satire, Social Commentary, The Rongolian Star | Leave a comment

Karamea Ministry of Red Tape: #24

Posted on October 30, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

A New Zealand Government Department authorised by a covertly suspicious and deliberately rhetorical Act of Parliament and compounded by a tacit Royal Approval to receive Official Complaints!

By Raving Reporter Товарищ Самсон Казаков

Office Manager: Red Scarlett

Senior Complaints Officer: Adolf Eichmann Esquire

Office Receptionist: Miss Triple X!

Tea Strumpet: Moanika Lewinsky

Office Minstrel: Rolex Harrasss

Office Muttley: SuperMoo the Karamea Wonder Dog

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Karamea Ministry of Red Tape offices, Market Cross, Karamea, Friday October 25^th 0915hrs

“Radio Karamea 107.5 FM and the Rongo Hit Parade with DJ Hooters!

…..Tie me kangaroo down sport, tie me kangaroo down!

Screw me blue when I’m thru Stew, screw me blue when I’m thru!

Spank me hide when I’m dead Fred, spank me hide when I’m dead!……

Miss Triple X!: Wow! I just love B and D music!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Ist goot song!!

Rolex Harrasss: I wrote that song after me mother in law got totally shagged by a large Caterpiller digger!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Ya??? Playing it again Uncle Samuel!!

Red Scarlett: Attention!!!!! Ok troops we have our first customer for the day! Combat alert!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Raus!!! Schnell!!!!!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Bodgie Mactavish: You’re a complete bastard Jimmy! Oi oi oi!!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Having ze bad hair day kamerad????

Bodgie MacTavish: Are you a bloody Kraut, Jock????

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Ve ask ze qvestions!!!!

Bodgie Mactavish: I want to make a bloody official complaint!!!!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Regarding vot schwein hundt???

Bodgie Mactavish: The German bloody football team!! They’re absoloute bloody shite!!!!

KABOOM!!!!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Vanker dumbkopf!!!

Rolex Harrasss: Skills cobba!!! A precise nasal incision, dissecting his sinuses, severing the carotted artery, exiting the rear temporal lobe and scoring a neat double tops on the office dart board!!!!!

Moanika Lewinsky: Cup of tea?????

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Danke schoen fraulein!!!!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“Radio Karamea 107.5 FM News Flash with DJ Pukeko!!!!

“The Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Honourable John Key, National Party Member of Parliament for Remuera and the Minister in charge of the Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Services Bureau; in Wellington today publicly stated …blah..blah…blah…..:

Karamea Weather with DJ Tokov

“Bonza today! Get out the Barbie and give it a bit of slap and tickle, May the sauce be with you!!!

And now exclusive on Radio Karamea 107.5 FM Rolex Harrasss recorded live on this week’s Rongo 5ooth Blues Show!”

The Big Man: Do we have to play this turkey???

DJ Crap: He’ll be good for the ratings!!!

The Big Man: Naval ratings??

DJ Crap: Originally recorded by “The Divinyls” the one and only Rolex Harrasss live singing “I Touch Myself”!!!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Karamea Ministry of Red Tape offices

Rolex Harrasss: You know, it was the proudest moment of my life to sing that song personally to Her Majesty the Queen at her Palace Halloween Piggy Party!!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Bringing tears to my eyes kamerad!!!

SuperMoo: Awwrrooooooooo!!!!

Moanika Lewinksy: Sniffle……..sniffle……….

Miss Triple X: Boo hoo!!!

Red Scarlett: Dear God! I have a serious run in my pantyhose! Do you see me teary eyed!

Rolex Harrasss: Allow me!! I am an expert with young ladies hosiery!!!

Red Scarlett: Et tu Rolex!!!!!!! Get your hand out of my crotch!!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Nein fraulein! Ist goot photo opportunity!!!!!!

FLASH!!!!!!!

Rolex Harass: Did you get my best side????

Whip……whip…….whip……whip….

Red Scarlett: Miss Triple X!!!! Jesus Christ the son of Mary!!!! Why are you whipping SuperMoo???

SuperMoo: Awwrooooooo!!!!!

Moanika Lewinsky: Wow!!! I’ve never seen a dog smile before!!!!

“Radio Karamea 107.5 FM

…I’m living on dog food……………”

SuperMoo: Awwroooooo!!!!

Red Scarlett: Attention!!! Urgent departmental intelligence briefing now in session!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Ya!!

Red Scarlett: Now, I must have your complete and undivided attention!! Listen very carefully!! The Rongolian Star cryptic crossword, fourteen down.. “A fiery enigma not to be trifled with French heresy!”

Miss Triple X!: Rubber truncheon!!!

Rolex Harasss: Two little boys!!!

Moanika Lewinsky: Cunning linguist!!!!

Red Scarlett: Thirteen letters!!!

Adolf Eichmann Esquire: Kamerad Nostradamus’ prophecy…. ARMAGEDDONKOV!!!!

Red Scarlett: Dolf!!! Brilliant!!!

“Radio Karamea 107.5 FM

“……….I’m Jake ze Peg viz ze extra leg……………….”

Rolex Harrasss: They’re playing my song!!!!!!!!!!!!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Posted in Art, Business, Economics, Education, Erotica, Fashion, Funny, Hilarious, Historical, Humor, Humour, Jesus, Karamea, Karamea Radio, LivinginPeace Project, Media, Moo, Nazis, New Zealand, Parody, Photography, Politics, Religion, Satire, Sex, Social Commentary, SuperMoo the KarameaWonderDog, Uncategorized, United States, Weird | Tagged Bureaucracy, Funny, Hilarious, Humor, Humour, karamea, KMRT, Parody, Photography, Satire, Social Commentary | 6 Comments

Karamea Ministry of Red Tape # 23

Posted on September 24, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

A New Zealand Government Department authorised by a deliberately rhetorically and covertly suspicious Act of Parliament and compounded by a tacit Royal Approval to receive Official Complaints!

By Raving Reporter Товарищ Самсон Казаков

Office Manager: Red Scarlett

Director of Intelligence: Hanoi Doris

Senior Complaints Manager: Sheikov El Judas

Office Receptionist: Victoria Cross

Tea Hostess: Yowserkova Hot Momma III

Office Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: Supermoo the Karamea Wonder Dog!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Karamea Ministry of Red Tape Offices Market Cross, Karamea Monday September 9th 9 a.m.

Red Scarlett : Attention : Look here comes our first customer for the day!

Silvio Paparazzi: Bongiorno!

Victoria Cross: Welcome to the Karamea Ministry of Red Tape sir!

Silvio Paparazzi: Grazi!

Victoria Cross: You are desirous of making a complaint pertinent to a matter of public indignity sir?

Silvio Paparazzi: Si!

Victoria Cross: An official complaint sir?

Silvio Paparazzi: Si!

Victoria Cross : The nature and content of your complaint sir?

Silvio Paparazzi: Scuzi?

Victoria Cross: Your official *%$@*!!@! complaint !

Silvio Paparazzi: Pardona?

KABOOM!!!!!!!!!

Yowserkova Hot Momma III: Wow! Italian men really do have spaghetti for brains!

Red Scarlett: Achtung!!! No official complaint, no fee, no execution!!!

Victoria Cross: Oopskov!!!

Red Scarlett: I will handle the next complainant and demonstrate the correct protocols required to take an official complaint and extort the requisite outrageously exorbitant fee!

Yowserkova Hot Momma III: Cup of tea???

Red Scarlett: Before we have morning tea, please get a vacuum cleaner and clean up Mr. Pizzeria from the office carpet!

Vroooooom …..slurp!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Radio Karamea 107.5 FM!

Breaking News with DJ Sausage!

“ The Karamea Four Square has just been robbed of all remaining stocks of Whittaker’s Chocolate Dark Extra Cacao. The young robbers armed with badminton racquets and all wearing Daniel Quayle clown masks fled on a stolen caterpillar digger and were last seen running into the Karamea School Library! Police Swat Team Leader Sergeant John McLean stated “ Karamea School will be cordoned off after this morning’s Story Time reading of Winnie the Poohkov!”

Asked by Radio Karamea “ Pourquoi???”

Sgt McLean’s official reply “ Pourquoi pas???”

Karamea Weather with DJ Fukyoushima

Karamea weather!

Stratified cloud at various altitudes will drift slowly away from the horizon by late morning!!!

Rain progressing from spasmodic to intermittent to persistent to torrential to influential to apolitical … blah…blah…blah….

Remember!!! Slipper, Slopper, Slapper!

“God save our gracious queen.blah.blah.blah.”

Karamea Minstry of Red Tape 4 p.m.

Ned: Yeah gidday!

Red Scarlett: Welcome to the Karamea Ministry of Red Tape this beautifully fine Monday!

Ned: Bonza sheila! Fancy a shag?

Red Scarlett: I have subconciously transcended the notional concept of physical lust and seek intellectual Nirvana in the ethereal realms of meditative contemplation!!!

Ned: Christ!!! You’re a bloody virgin!!!!

Red Scarlett: Do you wish to file a complaint my good gentleman?

Ned: Yeah! Some bushranger nicked me digger from outside the supermarket this morning!

Red Scarlett: Have you visited the Karamea Police sir?

Ned: Are you joking me babe?!?!

Red Scarlett: Many apologies! Let me find an official complaint form!

Ned: Got a light Sheila?

Red Scarlett: No smoking on official New Zealand government premises!

Ned: Can I chew gum?

Red Scarlett: Of course!

Ned: Scruncha….scruncha…scruncha……

Red Scarlett: Here we go! Karamea Ministry of Red Tape official complaint form

111/9………..”Aussie yobbo has his digger pinched outisde the Karamea Four Square by three young hoodlums armed with badminton racquets and all wearing Daniel Quayle clown masks!!!”

Ned: That’s yobbo with two b’s!

Red Scarlett: The fee for your official complaint can be paid for with crocodile skin, Whittakers Chocolate Extra Cacao Macadamia or Coober Pedy opals!

Ned: Strewth!! Haven’t shot a croc in anger since last Melboune Cup Day, my chocolate stays in me swag and me missu shot thru with the family jewels!

Red Scarlett: What authentic collateral do you have then?

Ned: Just me FJ Holden parked there over the road outside the RSA!

Red Scarlett: Wow!@!!!!!

Sheikov El Judas: Schnell Vagon !!!!!

Victoria Cross: Incredoible!!!!!

Super Moo: Arf arf!!!!

Sheikov El Judas: Ve cannot possibly accept such a priceless objet d’art as collateral but now zat you have established your financial credentials, ze Karamea Ministry of Red Tape is prepared to extend you unlimited credit, interest free, tax free and with no legal obligation to make any repayment whatsoever for ze rest of your natural life! Sign here kamerad !

Ned: E….d…..w..a..r..d…..K…e…l..l..y! What’s the catch?

Sheikov El Judas : You are obligated to take the entire staff of the Karamea Ministry of Red Tape on a crutch cruise up the main street! Pronto!!

Ned : All aboard!!!!!

Vrrooom…..vrroooom………

Hanoi Doris: Alrighty!!!!!

Red Scarlett: Yowser!!!

Sheikov El Judas: Shtein Lager!!!!!!!!!

Supermoo: Arf arf!!!!!!!!!!

VROOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Radio Karamea 107.5 FM

“ Don’t you ever let a chance go by…………………..”

Karamea Ministry of Red Tape
Staff Intelligence Briefing
Staff Cafe 1630hrs!

Hanoi Doris: Does anyone have the answer to 3 across in this mornings Rongolian Star cryptic crossword? Naughty but nice, leaning towards Moscow!

Victoria Cross: Bitch???

Red Scarlett: Hokey Pokey???

Hanoi Doris: Five letters!!!

Sheikov El Judas: Porky????

Yowserkova Hot Momma III: Fukov!!!!

Red Scarlett: Can we have this week’s classified intelligence and covert operations report?

Hanoi Doris: The Government Communication Services Bureau are close to cracking our internet scam to fleece Nigerian play school children!!!!

Sheikov El Judas: Shize strasse!!!!!

Red Scarlett: Covert operations????

Hanoi Doris: The Karamea Ministry of Red Tape has today, employed two street kids to act as lookouts in case of any unexpected visit by the FUZZ! Their code names are Grasshopper and Jelloo!

Jelloo: Pleased to be working for such honourable institution!

Grasshopper: Can we be paid in roubles????

Red Scarlett: Attention!!!

Grasshopper: What for? Are we going to get a medal???

Hanoi Doris: Your job is to to be on combat alert at all times!! One wolf whistle for Jehovah’s Witnesses, two for the Filth, three for the Serious Fraud Unit and four for my mother in law!!!

Red Scarlett : Any questions????

Jelloo: What does radioactive mean????

Red Scarlett: Why do you ask???

Jelloo: I found this silver canister floating in the Karamea River this morning!!!!

Hanoi Doris: sTRonTiuM….. nInE….. Tea!!!

Red Scarlett: EVACUATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aaaghhhhh!! Aaaggghhhhh!! Aaaaaggghh!!

Jelloo: Oi!! Don’t eat all the gingernuts!!!!!!!!

Grasshopper: Munch…munch…Richard Head!!!! I said write STRONTIUM 90!!!!!!!!!

“Radio Karamea 107.5 FM!

“Just eat it…………………..”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Posted in Art, Business, Funny, Hilarious, Historical, Humor, Humour, Kahurangi National Park, Karamea, Karamea Radio, LivinginPeace Project, New Zealand, Parody, Photography, Politics, Radio, Satire, Sex, Social Commentary, SuperMoo the KarameaWonderDog, Travel, Uncategorized, United States, Weird, West Coast | Tagged Bureaucracy, Funny, Hilarious, Humor, Humour, karamea, KMRT, Parody, Satire, Social Commentary, The Karamea Ministry of Red Tape | 4 Comments

Karamea Radio 107.5 FM: Perhaps the World’s Best Radio Station

Posted on September 10, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

DJ Crap and the Big Man: Blues Show: Wednesday Night from 8:00 p.m. on Karamea Radio 107.5 FM

Off the Top of My Head

By Paul Murray

Karamea Radio was launched in September 2004 by a group of Karamea locals who thought it might be a good idea to set up a community radio station. Craig Stenhouse had previously been involved with creating a similar radio station down the West Coast in Punakaiki and knew how to go about getting a transmitter and the other necessary equipment together and connecting it all up…other people including Stu Mollison, James Rae, Raramai Adcock, Tony Ibbotson, myself and a few others got the $$$ together and helped it happen.

The station was initially set up in the main street of Karamea in an old shop, but this venue proved inadequate and the equipment was soon moved to the shed at the back of Rongo Backpackers & Gallery, where it remains today.

Karamea Radio plays music non-stop. Radio shows, public service announcements, local news and weather reports and radio interviews break up the music and the station also provides an important community service by permitting the rapid dissemination of information in the event of a civil defence emergency. Information about floods, earthquakes, tsunami, fire etc can be quickly and effectively broadcast to warn Karamea residents of any danger and advise on the best course of action to mitigate harm to themselves and their properties.

The arrival of Brian “Big Man” Thomson in 2005 saw the radio station transcend its humble beginnings and really take shape as a serious radio station. The Big Man donated a computer, an amplifier, speakers and some other key equipment that took the radio to a new level. Tristan Lockerbie had the idea of giving the radio station, which had previously been in the Rongo Theatre, its own room…so we cleaned out the old coal store and made it the radio studio. Tristan built the benches for the equipment and it was all moved into its current location in the spring 2006.

Soon after the move, Paul Murray and Brian Thomson got together to start the world famous (in Karamea) DJ Crap & the Big Man Blues Show, which is the longest-running show on Karamea Radio. Since January 2005, DJ Crap and the Big Man have put on a show every Wednesday night without fail and the show now has many fans locally and around the world. Other notable DJs from the early days of Karamea Radio include DJ T (Tjalve Mollison-Sjöberg) who used to come down after school and do a show. Dave Bateman rose to Karamea Radio fame with the controversial “Bigga than Bateman Show,” which made up in hilarity what it lacked in political correctness…Bigga left the district for a couple of years to live in the ghost town of Otira, but he’s back now and more incorrigible than ever…tune in for a giggle on Monday nights. Random and Casual make random and causal appearances as well…with guests Weaver D and others…DJ Obewan takes up the coveted Friday night slot…DJ Echo owns Saturday night and Kathy Ramsay plays awesome Kiwi music and old blues on Sunday afternoons with the “Stranded in Paradise” show.

Many visiting musicians have also played live in the radio station; Luke Hurley, Paul Ubana Jones, Karen Hunter, Vibrasics, BellBirds, Nigel Gavin, Richard Adams, Steve Abel, Tony McIver, Panda, Erin, DelGirl, Hot Club Sandwich and many, many others have played for the people of Karamea Live on 107.5.

The Karamea Area School media studies class also used to come to the studio to put their skills into practice and get a feel for the medium of radio and guests often do radio shows while they are staying at Rongo Backpackers & Gallery and introduce music from all over the world to the Karamea airwaves. Karamea Radio and the opportunity to be a radio DJ has become a feature of the hostel and many have enjoyed the opportunity to express their musical tastes and personal opinions on radio.

Karamea Community Coordinator Rick Lucas provided the region with the most popular Karamea Radio show of all time with his series of interviews with local celebrities. Rick did 12 radio interviews that attracted a lot of new listeners to the radio station and DJ Crap has continued the live radio interviews with a series of on air chats with candidates for the local Council elections Sheryl Rhind and Garry Howard and visitors to Karamea, including West Coast Conservation Board Chairman Stewart Robinson and Brando Yelavich, who is attempting to be the first person to circumnavigate New Zealand’s coastline on foot.

Thousands of LP records and singles have been donated to the station as well as digital files from the music collections of may Rongo guests. Karamea Radio has a musical collection that would rival commercial radio stations worldwide. An incredible donation of awesome records came from N.Z. poet Rod Morris, who loaded up his small Japanese hatchback car with his entire record collection and drove to Karamea from Hamilton to donate the records to Karamea Radio. When he arrived at Rongo, he was barely visible in his car that was loaded to the front back and sides to the roof with vinyl. He dropped off his collection, stayed the night and then drove back to Hamilton…thanks Rod!

Another guest donated a musical collection that continues to give today. The 1001 best albums from the 1950s through to 2002 contains some incredible music from the best bands of the last century…I forget the name of the donor…but thanks a lot…we have enjoyed listening to much of the 80GB file and have a lot more to get through!

In the summer of 2012, a little man from the “Ministry of Social and Economic Development” arrived (unannounced) with radio testing equipment to measure the Karamea Radio signal. With some concern for the future of the station, Paul Murray, the owner of Rongo Backpackers & Gallery showed him through the station and assisted with the testing. The outcome was disappointing…Karamea Radio was deemed to be within legal broadcasting limits and given the thumbs up to continue doing so. The radio was considered by all concerned as a “Pirate” station, but it was in fact operating legally, so we survived government scrutiny and the station continues to provide entertainment, information, amusement and enjoyment for the people of Karamea.

Being legal opened up new opportunities for the station and with the help of Chris Diack from the New Zealand Radio Network, established a means of recording Karamea Radio shows. This has enabled the shows to be uploaded to the Internet as podcasts so that people outside of Karamea can download and listed to Karamea Radio shows. Given that Rongo hosts travellers from over 50 countries per year, a lot of people around the world, who have experienced Karamea Radio while staying at Rongo, can now listen to 107.5 FM in their respective countries. Karamea Radio shows are now uploaded the following day to SoundCloud as well as being repeated during the day on Karamea Radio.

This initiative has elevated the status of Karamea Radio and significantly broadened the station’s listenership and audience.

So, in celebration of nine years of non-stop broadcasting, I thank all the people involved in the establishment of Karamea Radio and look forward to a bright future for what is quite possibly the World’s Best Radio Station.

Mrs Crap…DJ Crap’s Mother

DJ Crap

Inside the mind of DJ Crap

Retro DJ Crap

DJ Crap and DJ Pukeko

Rongo Backpackers: Home of Karamea Radio:
http://www.rongobackpackers.com

Karamea Radio Shack

Recording the “Rongo Rongo” song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRVmZHbn7g0

BellBirds Live on 107.5

Karamea Radio Shack

Luke Hurley Live on 107.5: http://www.lukehurley.co.nz

DJ Little Naughty from Japan

Guest DJs: Reeves Family from Australia

Guests DJs Anna and Marie from Sweden

Rongo: Home of Karamea Radio 107.5 FM:
http://www.rongobackpackers.com

Rongo: Home of Karamea Radio 107.5 FM:
http://www.rongobackpackers.com

DJ Obi wan: Thursday Night from 8:00 p.m.

Posted in Art, Blues, Business, DIY, Funny, Hilarious, Historical, Humor, Humour, Kahurangi National Park, Karamea, Karamea Radio, LivinginPeace Project, Music, New Zealand, Peace, Photography, Politics, Product review, Radio, Social Commentary, Travel, Uncategorized, West Coast | Tagged 107.5 FM, Community Radio, Entertainment, History, Humor, Humour, karamea, Karamea Radio 107.5 FM, LivinginPeace Project, New Zealand, Radio, Radio Karamea, Rongo, Rongo Backpackers & Gallery, South Island, West Coast, Wireless | 6 Comments

A Tribute to Dave Tailby: LivinginPeace Project Permaculturalist

Posted on August 4, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

Off the Top of My Head

By Paul Murray

In March 2012, Dave Tailby arrived in Karamea at the top of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand to become the first LivinginPeace Project (LiPP) Permaculture Farm Manager.

The LivinginPeace Project incorporates the elements of Art, Travel, Permaculture and Education into a sustainable business. The projects includes a backpackers hostel, motel complex, permaculture farm, art gallery, radio station, permaculture and art courses, a transport service, the Global Gypsy Gallery: a cafe, organic food and recycled clothing shop.

Already an accomplished organic gardener, builder and alternative energy specialist after spending his life living off the land and striving for energy efficiency and self-sufficiency, Dave did a Permaculture Design Course at the Permaculture Research Institute Zaytuna Farm in Australia with Geoff Lawton in 2011 on the suggestion of his father. He returned to New Zealand full of inspiration and keen to put the theoretical principles of permaculture he’d learned in to practice.

One goal of the LiPP is to apply permaculture principles to the business to maximise energy efficiency and minimise the environmental impact of the venture. Dave’s challenge was to develop the permaculture farm to produce enough fresh fruit, vegetables and meat to turn into meals to feed customers at the accommodation facilities all year round. The motivation for this was manifold. Locally produced food is significantly more energy efficient as there are no food miles or transport costs associated in getting it from the farm to the plate.

So rather than importing all the people as tourists and travellers and then importing all the food to feed them while they are staying with us, a great efficiency gain can be made by growing the food on our farm. The food quality is also higher as is it freshly harvested and soon on the table in front of our guests.

Dinner from the farm at Rongo: A Feast of locally grown, organic, freshly harvested, organic, nutritious, delicious food…and plenty of it!

This approach is also a sound business idea as farm produce can be value added by converting it into meals and providing customers with a high quality meal at a reasonable price. This way enables the farmer to go direct to market without having wholesaler and retailer clipping the food price ticket along the supply chain. As a result, the LivinginPeace Project is able to produce top quality, locally grown meals for its customers at a price that doesn’t include the surcharges of the commercial supply chain.

For example, a farmer may be able to sell a pumpkin to a vegetable market for $3, the wholesaler then sells it to a retailer for $3.50, the retailer sells it to the restaurateur for $5 and the restaurant makes it into serves it up in to the customer for $10. The farmer provides the same pumpkin to the LiPP team, they make it into 10 bowls of pumpkin soup and serve it fresh to their customers for $5 per bowl and receive a $50 (less costs) return on the pumpkin. The proceeds of the pumpkin are used to directly pay the people producing the food and the meals. The customers are also happy as they have received a top quality, freshly harvested, nutritious, healthy, organic and delicious meal for half the price they’d pay for the same thing at a traditional restaurant.

(Actually, the same thing is not available at restaurants as the freshness is not possible due to the time it takes for the pumpkin to pass through the supply chain…at the LivinginPeace Project, we can serve soup from a pumpkin that was growing a few hours before)

In the summer of 2012, filmmakers Elise London and Louca Mee made a short film that captures well the essence of the LiPP. On the film, Dave reveals his creative garden design. It’s a giant flower, the beds are petals and they all radiate around the central disc, which he made into a peace sign, which is all very much in line with the central tenet of the LiPP. Back in 2012, the garden design was a paper concept, today it exists in reality and Dave, with the help of the LiPP crew, volunteers from all over the world, his partner Amanda and her kids Charlie and Naomi, Dave has taken a good idea and made it happen.

The LivinginPeace Project by Louca Mee and Elise London of PassitonFilms.com

LivinginPeace Project Farm 2010

LivinginPeace Project Farm 2013

In addition to setting up the LiPP vegetable gardens, that will feed thousands of people over the coming years, Dave has also established hot-composting system that supplies the farm with a regular supply of nutritious living compost, a fruit forest to supply seasonal fruits all year round, a woodlot to produce firewood to heat buildings and water, designed a livestock husbandry system for the sheep flock, to built a pond for the ducks and conducted two Permaculture Design Courses to pass on his knowledge and experience to students from Canada, France, the United States, Japan, New Zealand and Germany and represented the LiPP at the Permaculture Convergence in Turangi and at the Nelson Eco-Fest in in 2012. He also conducted the first LiPP Permaculture Farm Internship in 2013. Intern Heather Andrews, a graduate from the 2013 LiPP Permaculture Design Course, had this to say about the internship.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 6 week internship at the LivingInPeace Project on all levels. Working with Dave has been one of the best work experiences I’ve had. He’s a fantastic teacher—a good communicator with heaps of knowledge and experience, a great sense of humour, a willingness to let you learn by doing, and that skill of all skills, the ability to improvise (aka Kiwi Ingenuity). He makes a workday FUN, which is as good as work gets, really!

I got to learn about sheep care, safe chainsaw practices and maintenance, preparing and planting permaculture garden beds, making fast and slow compost, planting support species and young fruit trees, gathering kelp for use in fertilization, harvesting driftwood for firewood, using chickens as orchard conditioners and fertilizers, cobbing a rocket stove using homemade cob, and more.

The cottage accommodation was absolutely lovely—quiet, surrounded by trees, comfortable and cosy. I loved harvesting vegetables and herbs from the garden to eat, and one of my favourite memories will be sharing meals with Dave and staff at Rongo’s. I am endlessly grateful to Dave, Paul, and all the staff at Rongo’s for this fantastic experience, it has been a highlight of my time in New Zealand and one I’ll treasure forever. Thank you, thank you!!!”

Heather Andrews
7 July 2013

Dave’s warmth, compassion for others and great sense of humour made working on the farm a lot of fun. His passion for permaculture combined with his practical knowledge and experience and his Trojan work ethic saw the LiPP farm develop rapidly during his tenure as farm manager and we are very grateful for his dedicated effort.

Dave has left the LivinginPeace Project with a beautiful permaculture garden that will produce food for people coming to stay with us and helped to establish the project as a centre of excellence for permaculture learning and application. Dave will continue his permaculture journey from his home base in Motueka and will always be remembered as a driving force behind the permaculture facet of the LiPP. Thank you Dave from everyone you inspired, made laugh and shared your love with during your time at the LiPP…Happy Trails Old Mate!

Paul Murray is the founder of the LivinginPeace Project, which was launched in 2003 and has taken flight with the help of hundreds of creative people from all over the world.

Posted in Agriculture, Art, Business, Children, DIY, Economics, Education, Environment, Funny, Germany, Hilarious, Historical, Humor, Humour, Kahurangi National Park, Karamea, Karamea Radio, LivinginPeace Project, Money, New Zealand, Peace, Permaculture, Photography, Product review, Social Commentary, Sustainablity, Travel, Uncategorized, West Coast | Tagged Art, Dave Tailby, education, Farming, Food, Global Gypsy Gallery, Historical, Humor, Humour, karamea, Karamea Connections, Karamea Farm Baches, LivinginPeace Project, LivinginPeace Project Permaculture Farm Manager, New Zealand, Permaculture, Rongo Backpackers & Gallery, South Island, Travel, Tribute, West Coast | 6 Comments

The Rongolian Star Quiz # 4 It’s a BOY!

Posted on July 25, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

The Royal Baby HRH Snotgobbler!!!

1. The Royal baby traces by regal lineage to which Royal House?

a. House of the Rising Sun!

b. Dr. House!

c. Haunted House!

d. Bauhaus!

2. The Royal baby’s bloodlines reveal that he is is closely related to which notable member of the aristocracy?

a. King Kong!

b. Prince!

c. Duke Ellington!

d. Freddie Mercury from Queen!

3. Which gregarious pet is Auntie Camilla most likely to acquire for the Royal baby?

a. A carnivorous Hefferlump as described in “Winnie the Pookhov”!

b. A rabid anti royalist boa constrictor with an unwhetted appetite for gobbling little kiddies!

c. A large friendly timber wolf with extremely large fangs and a SuperSizeMe attitude!

d. Another pathetic mindless dribbling potential road kill corgi!

4. Which British band is most likely to come out of retirement to produce a dedication song for the Royal snotgobbler?

a. Run DDT!

b. Flock of Rhinoceroces!

c. Pet Shop Boyos!

d. Frankie Goes to Vladivostok!

5. A plant species will be named after the Royal baby! Can you name the potential candidate?

a. See weed!

b. Ugly Fruit!

c. Venus Fly Trap!

d. Amorphallus!

6. Which sport is the Royal baby most likely to pursue?

a. Rat rugger!

b. Peek a boob!

c. Professional darts!

d. Irish bungy!

7. Which nearly defunct toy will gain instant popularity once the announcement of the Royal birth is made public?

a. Gazoo!

b. Golliwog!

c. Noddy!

d. Toyboy!

8.     Which religion is the Royal baby most likely to choose?

a. Hindi 500!

b. Bra Man!

c. Fund A Mentalist Hairy Krishna!

d. Secular Astral Eckankar!

9. Which song is the most likely to be the Royal baby’s favourite lullaby?

a. Tricycle by Queen!

b. Gang Bang Style!

c. I’m a Little Tea Pot by Nana Mouskouri!

d. Russian National Anthem as sung by the Red Army choir with accompaniment by the Saint Petersburg Academy Symphony Orchestra!

10. Which make of car is the Royal son most likely to take on dates with well endowed young ladies of questionable reputation?

a. Lada!

b. Skoda!

c. Convertible FJ Holden!

d. Shaggin Waggon!

11. Name the most likely godfather for the Royal baby!

a. Sir Alec Fergusson!

b. Sir Ericlapton Fergusson!

c. Sir Alfred E Neuman Fergusson!

d. Sir Massey Fergusson!

12. How long will it take for the poor humble peasants of Uttar Pradesh to become extremely bored from hearing about the Royal birth?

a. Never!!!!

b. New York Minute!

c. Que?

d. Dave? Dave’s not here man!

The managerial and editorial staff of The Rongolian Star make no apology whatsoever for any unintentional onimatopoeia, hyperbole, errors in syntax or lack of human compassion contained within this quiz!     

Posted in Art, Children, Funny, Hilarious, Historical, Humor, Humour, Media, Money, Parody, Photography, Politics, Religion, Royal Family, Satire, Social Commentary, Weird | Tagged British Royl Family, Funny, George Alexander Louis, Humor, Humour, Kate and Wills, Parody, Quiz, Royal Baby, Royal Family, Satire, The Rongolian Star, Windsor | 3 Comments

Artist Paints Self Under Influence of Different Drugs

Posted on July 23, 2013 by LivinginPeaceProject

WikiPedia: Bryan Lewis Saunders (born 1969, in Washington, D.C.) is a performance artist, videographer, and performance poet known for his disturbing spoken word rants, tragic art performances and Stand up tragedy.

Saunders recently loaded himself up on a range of different drugs and did a self-portrait while under the influence. The resultant artworks represent the altered perception of his self-image caused by the different drugs.