Although he was a qualified meteorologist, Hopkins ran up a terrible record of forecasting the weather for the TV news program.
He became something of a local joke when a newspaper began keeping a record of his predictions and showed that he'd been wrong almost three hundred times in a single year. That kind of notoriety was enough to get him fired.
He moved to another part of the country and applied for a similar job. One blank on the job application called for the reason for leaving his previous position.
Hopkins wrote, "The climate didn't agree with me."
Antipodes (plural noun) :
Places diametrically opposite each other on the globe.
Literally "Those with the feet opposite", from Greek 'anti' (opposed) and 'podes' (feet)
Geographically 'antipodes' is defined as people or places diametrically opposite on the globe. Thus antipodes must be separated by half the circumference of the earth (180°), and one must be as far north as the other is south of the equator; midnight at one is noonday at the other.
Take a look at the Antipodes Map to find out the antipodal point of your city.
Seeing as Spencer so kindly tagged me, here are 15 random facts about myself:
1. I wear glasses
2. I detest tomatoes
3. Tramping/climbing is my favourite activity
4. I don't wear fashionable clothes
5. I wear shorts 99.9% of the time
6. Sometimes I sit down and read the dictionary
7. I enjoy word puzzles
8. I have never gone to school
9. My favourite place is Aspiring National Park in the South Island (NZ)
10. I want to go white water rafting
11. Blue is my favourite colour
12. I am not a good conversationalist
13. I have only been outside New Zealand once
14. I enjoy reading
15. I am shorter than the average person
I will refrain from tagging anyone else; a) because I have nobody to tag. b) tagging is a crime in NZ
The first verse of our National Anthem is commonly sung, but the other verses of the song are largely unknown.
The poem was written by Thomas Bracken in the 1870s; the music composed by John Joseph Woods in 1876. The popularity of 'God Defend New Zealand' continued to grow throughout the 19th century and entered the 20th century as one of the most popular hymns of the period. In 1940, 'God Defend New Zealand' was pronounced as the national hymn, but it wasn't until 1977 that, with the Queen's consent, 'God Defend New Zealand' was raised to the position of national anthem and given equal status with 'God Save the Queen'.
God Defend New Zealand
God of nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.
Men of ev'ry creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.
Peace, not war, shall be our boast
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles, in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.
Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.
May our mountains ever be,
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy Glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.
Mada, you have the honour of being one of the few males your age who are homeschooled in New Zealand. According to the Ministry of Education's statistics there are only 35 others in the country.
As at July 1 this year there were a total of 6,501 homeschooled children in New Zealand. This is less than one percent of school age children. We who are privileged to belong to this number are definitely a minority.
You can see the full report here
Disclaimer: While I personally think homeschooling is good, I understand that there are others whose opinions differ from mine. This post is not intended to offend anyone. I merely posted it because I think the statistics are interesting.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal, they lay down for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. Holmes said: "Watson, look up and tell me what you see".
Watson said: "I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars".
Holmes: "And what does that tell you?"
Watson pondered for a moment: "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow."
"Why? - What does it tell you, Holmes?"
Holmes was silent for a moment then spoke: "Someone has stolen our tent."
On September 21st, 1908, a boy was born into a comfortable two-storied home in Gloucester Street, Christchurch. He was the child of a respected Christchurch lawyer, and in time would be hailed as New Zealand’s bravest son. Charles Hazlitt Upham was a shy, quiet boy who was very courteous and gentlemanly. But right from the time of his birth there was something about him. When he was little it was obstinacy; when he was older it was called perseverance and single-mindedness. Charlie would only accept authority if he could be shown that it was right.
Charles was a student at Christ’s College in Christchurch from 1923 to 1927, where he made little impression academically. He developed a love for the land, especially the great spaces of the broad sheep stations of Canterbury, where men live among the grandeur that knows few barriers save the sprawling rivers and snow-capped mountains. Charles enrolled at Canterbury Agricultural College (Lincoln College) and was soon enthralled with work. He spent six years working in the rugged terrain of Canterbury before joining the Land Valuation Department.
In 1942, Field Marshal Rommel was pressing hard on the Allies in North Africa. On June 27 the New Zealand Division found themselves on and ‘island’ in the desert of Minqar Qaim surrounded by German troops. While both sides exchanged fire, Upham ran from section to section seemingly oblivious to the danger of being hit. That night the New Zealanders charged at Rommel’s encircling troops and punched a way through the ring. Charles Upham possessed himself of a sack full of grenades which he used to destroy German transports. Although wounded by his own grenades he kept pushing through, never relenting in his onslaught. But to mention Upham is to name but one man whose exploits in the break out were dramatic. There were dozens of men whose heroism went unseen in the darkness.
The next mission for Upham was to capture Ruweisat Ridge, an important feature overlooking the battlefield of Alamein. Charles and his men fought gallantly through stiff opposition from the Germans to reach the ridge. The Allies succeeded in routing the enemy, but tragically the promised tank reinforcements never arrived. Without tank support the New Zealanders were an easy target for Rommel’s troops and were soon utterly defeated.
The prisoners were dispersed to prisoner of war camps throughout enemy territory. Upham passed through a few prison camps and made a number of escape attempts, as well as disrespecting and annoying the Germans. Naturally this led to him being transferred to Oflag IV C, a camp for troublesome prisoners – Colditz.
Liberated when the Americans captured the area, the prisoners of Colditz were shipped back to England. On 20th June 1945 Charles married his sweetheart Molly McTamney. Once back in New Zealand it was announce that for his conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in action at Minqar Qaim and Ruweisat Ridge, Charles Upham had been awarded a second Victoria Cross. No combatant soldier had ever before attained two Victoria Crosses.
Charles always shied away from media attention, sometimes flatly refusing to talk to journalists. In 1946 he and his wife moved to Lansdowne Station in North Canterbury, fulfilling Charlie’s dream of owning a farm. He stayed on the land for 48 years and raised his three daughters. In 1994 his failing health forced him to move to Christchurch, where he died on November 22 age 86. Thus passed a brave and gallant soldier.
