The Science of Global Warming

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?
Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps our planet habitable. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and temperatures are rising.
The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, it’s already happening and that it is the result of our activities and not a natural occurrence.1 The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.
We’re already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing.
The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years.2
Malaria has spread to higher altitudes in places like the Colombian Andes, 7,000 feet above sea level.3
The flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more than doubled over the past decade.4
At least 279 species of plants and animals are already responding to global warming, moving closer to the poles.5
If the warming continues, we can expect catastrophic consequences.
Deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years -- to 300,000 people a year.6
Global sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, devastating coastal areas worldwide.7
Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense.
Droughts and wildfires will occur more often.
The Arctic Ocean could be ice free in summer by 2050.8
More than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction by 2050.9
There is no doubt we can solve this problem. In fact, we have a moral obligation to do so. Small changes to your daily routine can add up to big differences in helping to stop global warming. The time to come together to solve this problem is now – TAKE ACTION

Golf Update

I've been playing golf for the fast 5 years now and really only started to get into it properly in the last year. The time that made a difference was when I went down to Terrace Downs with the boys and played pretty well for how I played at that time and figured I step up the practise and look at the game more seriously. Over the past year I worked on my game working on my swing fundamentals and actually practised my short game and brought my level to a point that my current clubs weren't quite cutting the mustard and required new clubs to take the next step.
Immediately on the purchase of my Callaway x-tour irons my game took into overdrive with their design creating a more fluid swing and my consistency increased, albeit there is still much work in that area yet it has risen increasingly from the number of errors I would make on the course a year ago. Having a big dog driver has also helped whereas before the biggest club in my bag was a 15 degree 3 wood. The x460 tour driver has been most beneficial when its running hot but it's alway come own to my short game, no point getting on the green in regulation and 2-3 putting for par or bogey.
I was given a free swing lesson yesturday at City Golf and they were most impressed I've built up a 14 handicapp within the year from where I used to be at 24. And basically changed a small technique in my backswing which is only a small adjustment to what I do presently to increase my consistency so looking forward to my next round or practise.
Still have to work on the putting as it's been running cold lately and just not sinking the crucial putts to keep my score down. That will come with mind over matter and getting my head properly prepared on the green.

**Maksdaddy**

Free me Warden, I'm on Parole

Californian Governor Schwarzenegger said yesturday consideration is being debated on the release of non-violent offenders due to over population of their prising system. While it's not in his favour to do this little choice has been offered at this point. He strongly argues against the use of the micromanged style utilised at present and in force to a "...Take charge" & "..we have to take this seriously..." attitude.
The Prision population is 171,600 living in a space designed to originally house 100,000 people where n some prisons, murderers, thieves and molesters share triple-bunk beds in large rooms. At this point we have to remind ourselves that these people are there for a specific reason and that reason alone so no preferable treatement should be bestowed on them as its a prision sentance not the Hilton Hotel.
The governor while not in favour of releasing an excessive number of criminals into the general public is presently exploring other options within what seems a tightrope given by the Courts.
Due to Harsher penalties over past decades has meant that there is an ever increasing aging population behind bars and by observer stand points the Governors Take Charge attitude needs to be supported for fear of further offenders being released.

Random Kiwi News

Kiwi Inginuity
Kiwi's are proud of their heritage in the field of innovation from the America's Cup down to the little man such as Ken Jones who when setting up his Norht Otago TV station he thought why spend $20,000 for a commercial linked statellite dish when a $10 modified kitchen wok purchased from the Warehouse is just as effective. This was done to keep costs down, and in my books it doesn't get much better a cost saver than that.

Baby Whisperer

This is no claim to fame but, I've never had a running streak as good as this before.

I've been able to guess consecutively the sex of a baby 9 times straight now. The First was Danika, as soon as I heard the name it was decided, and the last was my friend mel (post below) who confirmed she is having a boy.

I was 51% inclined to say it was a girl, but my gut said "It's a boy"

SO, an expecting parent? want to know the sex of your child ahead of schedule. Contact Me :-) and save on those expensive scans HA HA HA

Aucklands Earth Quake

This evening while sitting watching tv and settling in for a somewhat of a late dinner on my couch I felt the couch roll, wobble and shake and the floor underneathe me moving. It was an earth quake near Orewa which is about 20 mins north of where I live in Aucklands CBD. Living on the 7th floor I'm guessing the shake of the building exaggerated the feeling and motion, however it most definately was felt throughout auckland.

I had a call shortly after from Danielle to say she felt her bed moving around, I called Donne and she was at her brother Jason's in Howick and they didn't feel it there. I spoke with a work friend of Donne's who lives in New Market and she definately felt it.

there was a total of two quakes in the same region and no reports of strutural damage in any auckland area as yet, however it was enough to warrant the closure of the Auckland Airport in order to allow time to inspect the runway.

Emirates Team New Zealand Update

The New Zealand syndicate base is not in it's final preperations of moving all operations to Valencia Spain in preperation for the Louis Vuitton Cup to challenge for the America's Cup. Both race boats are now in transition to their final destination loaded aboard a Russian Antonov cargo aircraft that departed on its 56 hours journey this morning.
Several of the crew are already stationed in Spain with the final NZ based crew moving over in the next few weeks.
Grant Dalton has said that all preperation is now complete and that they need now to improve on the day before. With a strong team and experience behind our crew the hearts of kiwi's all around the world cheers in high support for our boys in their safe travel and challenge for Yachtings most prized trophy, The America's Cup.

Maks Update 20th February 2007

Yesturday I was working at GE's Viaduct branch which allowed me to finish work 30 mins earlier and provided a much shorter walk to kindy to pick maks up. As I was early I allowed her to play on the bikes for a while with the other kids before she got into a fight over a balloon with another girl. So I scooped her up in my arms and carried her home letting her open the lobby doors with the keys and push the button to the lift which she does more frequently than I do nowadays.

Following our usual routine I let her play around for a shortwhile allowing me to kick off my shoes and put my feet up after a day's work before we sit down and read books together and other games like counting, the alphabet and playing with animal figures such as her elephant.
Then its dinner time which was a nice quick and tasty pasta meal that she helps me blow as it's too hot to eat straight up. Then she plays while I clean up and have my own dinner before running the bath keeping it warm so she can play n splash for a while pulling her out just before she wrinkles.
After bath its a nice cup of milk before resting and enjoying the laid back evening of cleaning up what ever she messes and putting her to bed. Got her into bed without much fuss lastnight and fast asleep by 8pm which was great as it allowed me to watch the full final round of the Nissan Open. She did wake at 10pm for a cuddle then went back to sleep and I followed suit at about 11:30pm when the golf finished.
Then next thing i recall is when my alarm went off at 6am and I rolled over to turn it off and noticed something to my right. Laying next to me was Makayla who was soundly asleep and a big smile of confusion came over me. "When did you get here?" I thought to myself, I must've been so exhausted that I didn't even wake when she came into my room.
My little darling baby, was just the cutest and best surprise to wake up too this morning and to top it off, when she did wake the first thing she did was say "Morning Daddy"

Honestly I could've melted, but there was breakfast to prepare, clothes for the day to organise and a time schedule to keep.

Maks Update 19th February 2007

Saturday, Makayla and I met my good friends Robin and Kylie with their kids Khan (20months) and Daria(6months) at the Auckland City Zoo on Saturday morning.
The first place we went was the Pridelands where we saw zebra's and jiraffes running, eating and generally doing what they do. I showed her some Springboks to show her some of her heritage but they were mostly just sitting on the ground not doing much. She didn't quite know what to make of the Rhino as it was up close and personal and his size n shape got her confused a little I think. We also saw lions enjoying the sun BUT when we saw the elephants did she enjoy that without a doubt.
After that we decided to give the kids a break, Maks had some juice and a small snack before jumping out of her push chair to run and chase the birds which we found out later via an announcment over the zoo's intercom that we're not sposed to do that, oh well.
We then went to see the hippo, sealions and penguins and more elephants being fed bamboo. Maks pointed out the baby Orangutan and the tiger was magnificent. By this stage after 2.5 hours of wallking around the zoo we decided to call it a day as the kids were getting tired and the heat was intensifying.
Maks naturally slept in the car on the way home and then for about 1-2 hours in her cot which as always is just the cutest.
I pick her up early today in about an hour and I just can't wait to give my little darling a big big cuddle when she runs into my arms

Access Granted

Well as my computer at home seems to take some time I've utilised other means in order to update my website.

Update:
Continued addiction:- there is a program unlike any other simply called "24" and the story line's are always so well written and acted. I love the way a story can turn in the blink of an eye and leave you revelling in what just occurred. My friends Yoni and Simon are also hooked on the program and having lent Yoni the full season one series she nailed 12am to 5pm in one day while we were out playing golf, Aparantly she started pretty early.

Golf: had a shocking round shooting 5 over my handicap of 15 at Helensville, I'm under the belief that this course has it out for me. But shot a birdy on 18 to entice me back for more torture.

Work: Same Shyte different day

Personal: Danielle and my god son came round to watch some movies the other night which was nice. We watched Happy Feet and The Devil Wears Prada which are two of several movies given to me by a friend. We put Jaren to bed and checked about 10 mins later and he'd thrown up everywhere, not pleasant but the amount was immense for a wee little nipper.

New Zealand Weather:- the past several days the weather has been blistering and meant we were close to melting on the course yesturday. The heat was intense and the ground dry and hard. needless to say we lathered up on the ol suntan lotion for sure.
Its yet another blue day out there today, nIce.

Photo Archive

New Photo's have now been posted to the Archive site

So close yet so far

Last Friday I shot my best score to date with 5 over a 69 par.

The course for the day was Chamberlain Park, apparently New Zealand's busiest public course. Some basic facts, the course for it's amount of play isn't in the best condition however it's of this that the course ins't is a bad shape. The course is frequented by many hackers to whom many not familiar with golf etiquette but we overlook that for now.

The round I started off playing safe after several terrible rounds in previous weeks out and hit a bogey on the second and I thought "oh here we go again..." but then I shot an even round for the front after securing a birdy on the thrid hole. The back started off with par then bogey before a birdy on 13 and all going to plan until the 15th when I encountered some tree's and shot a triple bogey (I hate tree's) then bogey's on 16 and 18th which put my handicap to 16.1 down from 16.5

I played a Takapuna yesturday and shot 9 over and could've done better if not distracted by the hackers in my grouping. As an example they started talking and moving around as I was taking my eagle shot which was most disappointing and I made them most aware of ALL golfing etiquette after that.

So I need at least 3 more good scores under my handicap to secure a 15 handicap

Maks Update Feb 5th 2007

Makayla had the flu a few or so ago now and took some time out of kindy to get better which worked out well as her Nanna and Grandad are here from South Africa so got to spend some good time with her. They last saw her when she was 20 months old so she's changed much since that time and it's great to see them spend some much due quality time with their grandchild.
She is also officially as of today in the Toddler class now but was unofficially in that class for the past few weeks any how and she's in the same class as her cousin which they both just love.

Tonight we had a lovely dinner at Portofino's in Mission Bay with both Donne and my family with the kids running a mock all over the place, mostly Makayla. Was a lovely dinner as usual and great company with the kids keeping us on our toes.
I had taken Makayla to the park to play on the swing and slides and chase the birds in hope that it would make her a little tired but alas that was not to be the case.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate my good friend HunieB (Mel) and her partner Aaron whom are expecting a baby boy later in the year.

(just to note: i don't know if its a boy but I'm putting down my claim as my record now stands at 8 guessing of a babies sex - Maksdaddy, the baby whisperer)

Where's Maksdaddy been

As of recent my blogs have been infrequent due to the speed and access to the internet on my home connection. My computer is running as a far slower pace due to 80GB hardrive having only 10gb left remaining after filling with photo's and video's of Makayla.

This blog/comment alone with take about 6 mins to load up to the web page once finished typing...

Anyhow, the news in summary.

Tiger Woods makes it a lucky number 7 straight consecutive PGA tour wins at the Buick Invitational last weekend. Enrnie Els's coming runner up this weekend which was a shame.
Tiger Woods is also going to be a daddy laster in the year

Hiliary Clinton has pulled out of running for the white house which was a shame, she could've made it interesting that's for sure.

Watched Al Gore's documentary "an inconvinent truth" which i found most compelling and which he'd become President Now. The earth needs a big change in circumstances if it's to last considering that our natural resources are all but over half exhausted.

That's about it for now....