Conservatives win majority in Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper of the Conservative party (right leaning) in Canada has secured a majority in the house of commons as of yesterdays federal election winning 157 seats. It is also only the second time ever that the Conservatives have been voted in 3 times in a row. This may come as a shock for some, but logically a very smart choice for Canada. Woo Hoo.

The Liberal party (Left leaning) Previously headed by Harvard Professor Michael Ignatieff was dealt a crushing blow, winning only 34 seats. The liberal party is now not only without a leader, but is ranked the 3rd party in the house and is not the official opposition. Bugger for them...

NDP (very left leaning) headed by Jack Layton created an orange tide and made major gains. Congratulations to Mr Layton who after what seems like a lifetime in Canadian politics is now going to be the leader of the opposition winning 102 seats. Also under NDP Cananda's youngest ever MP was elected last night at the age of 19. The newly elected MP will go from working part time at a golf course to an annual salary of about $157,000 CAD per year. Talk about a quick turn around. Lets hope that the NDP can remain stable.

The highlight of the Canadian federal election for me is that Quebec separatist party BLOC QUEBECOIS got decimated in Quebec by mainly NDP and their Leader Gilles Duceppe has resigned, hopefully never to ever be seen again in politics of any kind.

While I am excited by a Conservative majority, I am more excited that the Bloc Quebecois got virtually wiped out and while the Conservatives played a part in that by securing a majority, I'd personally like to thank NDP party and their rather straight forward charismatic leader Jack Layton for delivering the fatal blow. It is now (for the next period of time) safe to predict that there will be an election in Canada in 4 years time and not before and that the good folks of Quebec realize that being part of Canada is something to be proud of.

Well done Canada.

Bin Laden DEAD

Osama Bin Laden is dead. USA has his body. He was killed about a week ago in Pakistan. The announcement was not made until DNA results had come back confirming that the cadaver was him.

Rodney Hide resigns as leader of ACT

Hon Rodney Hide MP for Epsom has resigned as the leader of the ACT party. His replacement is likely to be previous National Party leader Don Brash. I would personally like to thank Rodney for his service. He has worked hard and honorably and deserves credit. We may not have seen the last of Rodney Hide just yet.

Obama releases long form Birth Certificate. Trump takes the credit...

Today President Obama released his long form birth certificate (attached), proving that he was indeed born in the USA. Possible Presidential GOP hopeful Donald Trump takes credit for this. It has been rumored that Trump inferred that if President Obama was to actually release his long form birth certificate, as he has done, that The Donald would release his tax returns which I must say would be interesting to see. There will be naysayers who claim that the birth certificate is a forgery, but really, it is time to accept that the President was born in USA and get onto fixing more important things like the economy, the wars, health care and looking after the Veterans who I think could do with some more assistance.

The 2012 US Presidential race is certainly going to be interesting.

Quiet Riot @ Brixton Southbay February 3rd 2011

I had the privilege of going to the Brixton Club in Redondo Beach last night to watch one of my all time favorite bands...... Quiet Riot.

We got there a little early, but managed to get a booth right by the stage which was a bonus. The opening bands were very good and when it was their turn Quiet Riot ROCKED.

The previous lead singer Kevin DuBrow sadly passed on in 2007 and it was thought that the band was over, but no..... Along came new lead singer Mark Huff, who with the blessing of the DuBrow family, has managed to take the reigns and do it well. He sounds very similar, in fact if you didn't know you might not be aware that the lead singer has changed. I look at it like he is the Brian Johnson to Bon Scott and AC/DC. Bon is missed, but Brian managed to take it to another level. I think that Quiet Riot is going places with Mark Huff as the lead singer, he even has the rock star look. 

Frankie Banali who is the drummer took the microphone 1/2 way through the performance and made a moving tribute to Kevin DuBrow upon which time Mark and the boys played Thunderbird with excellence.

They played all of the brilliant songs. Slick Black Cadillac, Cum on feel the noize, Metal Health, Ma Ma we're all crazy and the list goes on. It was a very brilliant show. I thoroughly recommend watching Quiet Riot live and if you get the opportunity to go to the Brixton in Redondo... Do it.......

 

For those of you in NZ. Quiet Riot is to be playing at the Powerstation in Mt Eden on May 2nd... DON'T MISS THE SHOW. Rock on Quiet Riot.....

Mark Huff ( Lead singer of Quiet Riot ) and I February 3rd 2011

F1 Grand Prix manager ( fantasy) challenge to you!!!

I love F1. I have found that f1grandprixmanager.com is one of the best F1 fantasy leagues out there. It is not for that faint of heart and takes some time, no one that I have invited to join has beaten me yet and most quit half way through (or earlier). It would also really help you if you follow all of the grand prix throughout the year.  

So I challenge you to join and beat me. Last year I was #7 for everyone playing the game, this year I need to improve. My team name is "Good" be sure to leave a message on kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com telling us that you have joined and your team name. Good luck...

 

McLaren MP4-12C begins production

The road car McLaren is soon to be selling, has began production at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England. Most of the new cars to roll off the line will be made across the road at the new production facility as of May 2011, but the time has come to start delivering, so the first few will be made at the MTC.

 

The MP4-12C features a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 with 447 kW (600 bhp / 608 PS) and 599 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque connected to a seven-speed "Seamless Shift" double clutch transmission. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) is less than 3.8 seconds, but not quite as quick at the mighty McLaren F1 which did it in 3.1 without turbos (at least for now). Top speed expected to be higher than 300 km/h (186 mph).

Price in USA will be $229,000 +/- Looking forward to seeing one in person soon.

Jami-Lee Ross wins Botany

Congratulations to Jami-Lee Ross for winning the National selection for Botany Electorate. We now need to support him to win the by election on March 5th.

Aaron Bhatnagar. Botany selection.

The selection for the National Party candidate for the Botany by-election has been narrowed down to 5 people chosen for their merits and potential.
My choice for candidate, if I was able to vote in Botany for the National candidate, would be former Auckland City Councilor and strong National Party member Aaron Bhatnagar. I have known Aaron for over 20 years, he has the ability to follow through on his promises, get things done, work with all parties and make things happen.
Aaron not afraid to get stuck in, will be able to start work straight away and is a great speaker who knows policy and what he is talking about. Aaron will prove to be an excellent representative of the National Party for the people of Botany shall he be selected.
The smart choice for Botany is Aaron Bhatnagar.

112th Congress sworn in. Transfer of power complete

John Boehner (R) is now the Speaker of the House and 3rd in line to be President. He replaces Nancy Pelosi (D) who was the first woman Speaker. It is a brilliant day today. I expect some positivity and sensibility from the new leadership for ALL Americans. Well done voters.

Governor Brown

Governor Jerry Brown was sworn in on January 3rd 2011 replacing the Governator. I am not over excited about this, but we have to have faith in our elected officials and I wish Governor Brown well.

Is Jerry Brown a good choice for Governor of California again???

Not very reassuring Jerry.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus edition

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus edition has sold out in... 3 minutes. The 100 vehicles allocated to Neiman Marcus is going to be delivered first to their buyers before the general public. The 2SS model has a 6.2-liter V8 engine and the purchaser's choice of a 426-horsepower six-speed manual or 400-horsepower six-speed automatic transmission. The NM Edition Camaro convertibles feature an exclusive tri-coat exterior paint in Deep Bordeaux with ghosted stripes. The Pirellis ride on exclusive 21-inch five-spoke wheels with Brilliant Red detailing. The beautiful Bordeaux hued convertible top is highlighted with a silver painted windshield surround. Brembo® high-performance disc brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and 4.5-link independent rear suspension. Inside the vehicle is Amber leather with Brilliant Red accents on the center console, steering wheel, and shift knob.

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is the result of some hard work by the designers at Holden in Australia. Nice car, not sure about the price though???

Fancy a vacation to Chernobyl?

People are looking for more an adventure when they go on vacation these days. Now you can pay someone to take you to Chernobyl and experience high radiation levels and an abandoned 1986 Soviet era town.

Fun times!!!

Garrett got whacked... Woop di doo.

ACT MP David Garrett got into an altercation in Tonga over someones ex wife and got whacked causing his jaw to be broken... All before he entered Parliament.

Woop di doo. Whats the big deal?

Seems possible that a jealous ex husband after possibly drinking, didn't like Mr Garrett's possible attention to his ex wife and whacked him. Garrett then flew back to Auckland and got medical attention at Middlemore.

Not very becoming behavior of a Doctor I must say.

While it is a point of entertainment for some, when David Garrett returned to Tonga he pressed charged against the whacker, who not to let Garrett get the better of him did the same and pressed charges back. The whacker was fined $100 and David Garrett was fined $10 which seems like the Judge found the whacker to be 90% to blame and Garrett 10% of the blame.

This should have NOTHING to do with David Garrett MP's job at hand with the ACT party. He seems to be an effective MP who gets things done.

If it was the other way around and the whacker was the whackee then there may be something to discuss, but that was not the case.

While he can be a bit gruff at times, let David Garrett MP do his job.

TV shows to watch!!!

I recommend that you watch these shows as I like them!

Dexter

Rookie Blue

The Big C

British teen banned from USA for life for sending #44 a rude email.

A 17 year old British teenager had a few pints, watched a documentary about 9/11 on the TV and decided to send President Obama an email.

The email called the President an untoward name or two and to the teenagers surprise, the FBI wasn't excited about his email and sent the local Police over to take a snapshot.

Needless to say the teenagers parents are not to happy that he has now been barred from visiting USA for life.

Guess he best be careful who he sends an email to when he is intoxicated!!!

Surprise.

Teton Pass Ski Resort Choteau Montana

Distinctive Holiday Homes CEO Nick Wood has recently purchased Teton Pass Ski Resort in Choteau Montana and is in the process of thoroughly renovating the ski area.

Choteau Montana is about 91 miles from the Canadian boarder to the North, 253 Miles from Calgary Alberta and 890 miles North of Denver Colorado. The town is beautiful, has about 1800 residents and reminds me of how the West end of Aspen would have been some time ago (but without the billionaire prices)

The ski area is on just over 400 acres of US Forestry land and in the words of CEO is comparable to some of the best skiing areas he has seen. The property is getting totally renovated from the lifts, to the restaurant and bar. New ski runs have already been added and the grand opening is to be towards the end of November 2010.

If you are a ski and snowboard adventurer, be sure to consider Teton Pass Ski Resort for your next vacation. The daily rates and rentals are in the affordable range and nice accommodation in Choteau can be reserved at less than $100 USD per day.
A shuttle bus will collect skiers and snowboarders with pre purchased lift passes from Great Falls Airport and take you the 52 miles +/- to Choteau. From there a shuttle will be provided to folks going to and from the Ski area which is about 30 miles away.

The restaurant will be making good hearty mountain food and the bar will provide you with your choice of beverage after a hard day on the slopes.

As the evening proceeds along there will be entertainment with live bands and music for your enjoyment. Teton Pass Ski Resort is going to be a fun, enjoyable and affordable destination in the heart of Montana.

Get your ski passes online, book your airline tickets and I hope to see you there at New Years 2010/2011. www.tetonpassresort.com

Updated blog September 12 2010

Hello. Updated the template of puntiki.blogspot.com today. Managed to lose all of the links I had associated with the old template, so I have some work ahead of me to get them back. Having said that we are freshened up and ready to rock and roll. Come back soon.

Rodney Hide sticking up for New Zealanders.

Who wants to pay more to live in an already expensive NZ?